Article
Neurosciences
Mohamed H. Mousa, Sherif M. Elbasiouny
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of spinal slice preparation on measured motoneuron electrical properties using high-fidelity cell models. The results showed that most electrical properties were not significantly affected by slicing, except for a few parameters such as cell time constant, cell capacitance, and Ca2+ persistent inward current. Recording motoneurons from the center of the slice is recommended to avoid large errors in cell properties measurements.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Robert Boland-Freitas, James H. Lee, Karl Ng
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between multi-fibre muscle velocity recovery cycle (MVRC) parameters and blood electrolyte concentrations in healthy individuals. The results showed a positive correlation between MVRC measurements and venous potassium concentrations in conditions with significant changes in resting muscle membrane potential, while late supernormality measurements were negatively correlated with bicarbonate levels.
CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jonas L. Steinhaeuser, Joseph A. King, Friederike Tam, Maria Seidel, Ronald Biemann, Marie-Louis Wronski, Daniel Geisler, Veit Roessner, Stefan Ehrlich
Summary: This study investigated serum BDNF concentrations in the largest known AN sample to date and found no significant differences in BDNF levels among AN patients, as well as no significant relationships with clinical variables. The results suggest that BDNF may not be a reliable state- or trait-marker in AN.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xixi Chen, Liping Wang, Yinshuang Wu, Hongshuo Zhang, Weijie Dong, Xiao Yu, Chuncui Huang, Yan Li, Shujing Wang, Jianing Zhang
Summary: This study explored the changes in N-glycan profiles in the serum of Cav-1(-/-) mice, revealing an increase in certain N-glycan types while others decreased. Additionally, the expression levels of α2,6-sialyltransferase 1 were significantly reduced in the organ tissues of Cav-1(-/-) mice.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Youngjae Ryu, Toru Ogata, Motoshi Nagao, Yasuhiro Sawada, Ryohei Nishimura, Naoki Fujita
Summary: Early administration of escitalopram after spinal cord injury effectively prevented the onset of spastic behaviors through modulation of the 5-HT system, but did not impact exaggerated spinal reflexes. This suggests a novel application of SSRIs for preventative treatment of spasticity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Flora Bacopoulou, Nikolaos G. Angelopoulos, Stavroula Papadodima, Despoina Apostolaki, Aimilia Mantzou, Eleni Koniari, Vasiliki Efthymiou, Artemis Tsitsika, Dimitrios Vlachakis, Evangelia Charmandari, Charikleia Stefanaki
Summary: This study aimed to examine the serum BDNF concentrations in adolescents with metabolic syndrome and classify them according to their body mass index (BMI). The results showed that adolescents with metabolic syndrome and obesity had higher serum BDNF concentrations compared to those with normal BMI, and females had higher BDNF concentrations than males.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Ke Xu, Peng Zheng, Shuang Zhao, Jinzhou Feng, Juncai Pu, Jiubing Wang, Shuqian Zhao, Haiyang Wang, Jianjun Chen, Peng Xie
Summary: This study investigated the serum levels of MANF in patients with schizophrenia and explored the potential relationship between MANF, serum lipid levels, and schizophrenia. The results showed that patients with schizophrenia had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol compared to healthy controls, and the MANF/ryanodine receptor 2 pathway was associated with schizophrenia. Additionally, levels of MANF and ryanodine receptor 2 were correlated with the severity of psychotic symptoms and total cholesterol levels in schizophrenia patients.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Alex P. Rickel, Hanna J. Sanyour, Courtney Kinser, Nisha Khatiwada, Hayley Vogel, Zhongkui Hong
Summary: Atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Research has found that the mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells are altered during atherosclerosis, contributing to the development of the disease.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anmol Kumar, Stefan Mutter, Erika B. Parente, Valma Harjutsalo, Raija Lithovius, Sinnakaruppan Mathavan, Markku Lehto, Timo P. Hiltunen, Kimmo K. Kontula, Per-Henrik Groop
Summary: This study investigated the effect of L-type calcium channel blockers (LTCCBs) on VEGF concentrations in retinal cells and human serum, and evaluated the association between LTCCB usage and risk of severe diabetic eye disease (SDED). The results showed that LTCCBs increase VEGF concentrations in retinal cells and human serum, but they are not associated with the risk of SDED in adults with type 1 diabetes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alex M. Noonan, Emily Buliung, K. Josh Briar, Diana Quinonez, Cheryle A. Seguin, Stephen H. M. Brown
Summary: Degenerative spinal disorders, including kyphotic deformity, are associated with degenerative characteristics of the paraspinal musculature. However, experimental studies demonstrating causative relationships are lacking, thus leading to the hypothesis that paraspinal muscular dysfunction may be a causative factor for degenerative spinal deformity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Elske Gravesteijn, Ronald P. Mensink, Ellen T. H. C. Smeets, Jogchum Plat
Summary: This study revealed that while BDNF concentrations differed between serum and plasma, the postprandial BDNF responses were not significantly affected by the macronutrient composition of meals or the corresponding insulin and glucose responses.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorenzo Blasi, Daniele Sabbatini, Andrea Fortuna, Giorgia Querin, Ilaria Martinelli, Sara Vianello, Cinzia Bertolin, Davide Pareyson, Maria Pennuto, Elena Pegoraro, Luca Bello, Gianni Soraru
Summary: This study investigated the changes in serum creatinine over a 36-month period in 73 patients with SBMA. The results showed that serum creatinine is not a sensitive biomarker for disease progression and prognosis in SBMA.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Emanuela Abiusi, Paola Infante, Cinzia Cagnoli, Ludovica Lospinoso Severini, Marika Pane, Giorgia Coratti, Maria Carmela Pera, Adele D'Amico, Federica Diano, Agnese Novelli, Serena Spartano, Stefania Fiori, Giovanni Baranello, Isabella Moroni, Marina Mora, Maria Barbara Pasanisi, Krizia Pocino, Loredana Le Pera, Davide D'Amico, Lorena Travaglini, Francesco Ria, Claudio Bruno, Denise Locatelli, Enrico Silvio Bertini, Lucia Ovidia Morandi, Eugenio Mercuri, Lucia Di Marcotullio, Francesco Danilo Tiziano
Summary: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the degeneration of the second motor neuron. miRNome analysis suggests the primary involvement of skeletal muscle in SMA pathogenesis. Three specific miRs were found to be significantly upregulated in the serum of patients, and the severity predicted by the SMA-score showed a high correlation with clinical classification.
Article
Neurosciences
P. Singhal, J. M. M. Senecal, J. E. M. Senecal P. Silwal, B. D. Lynn, J. I. Nagy
Summary: Dimorphic motoneurons (MNs) in the lower lumbar spinal cord, which are involved in mating and reproductive behaviors, display features indicating electrical synaptic communication. These MNs also exhibit various synaptic characteristics, such as serotonergic innervation and differential density of cholinergic V0c interneuron innervation. The results suggest the existence of two populations of cremaster MNs with possibly different functions.
Article
Oncology
Ming Yang, Qi Zhang, Guo-Tian Ruan, Meng Tang, Xi Zhang, Meng-Meng Song, Xiao-Wei Zhang, Kang-Ping Zhang, Yi-Zhong Ge, Han-Ping Shi
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between serum creatinine (Scr) concentrations and overall survival (OS) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), revealing that low or high Scr concentrations are significantly associated with lower OS in CRC patients. Furthermore, there may be interactions between Scr levels and body mass index in men that affect survival rates. Future studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Katarzyna Rosicka, Barbara Mierzejewska-Krzyzowska, Wlodzimierz Mrowczynski
Summary: In a pioneering study, skin stiffness was measured using MyotonPRO in 30 healthy young women at various locations. Results showed no significant difference in stiffness values between L-shaped probes, but significant differences with regular and disc attachment probes. MyotonPRO proved to be a reliable device for skin stiffness assessment.
SKIN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Dawid Lochynski, Dominik Kaczmarek, Marcin Grzeskowiak, Joanna Majerczak, Tomasz Podgorski, Jan Celichowski
Summary: The study found that after short-term resistance training, the twitch contraction time and twitch:tetanus force ratio of FR MUs decreased, while PTP capacity remained unchanged; in contrast, FF MUs showed enhanced PTP ability and lower fatigability.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Piotr Krutki, Wlodzimierz Mrowczynski, Jan Celichowski, Marcin Baczyk
Summary: This study provides new insights into neuronal plasticity following repeated mechanical loading. Through electrophysiological experiments on rat lumbar motoneurons, we demonstrate that low-volume whole body vibration applied systematically for 5 weeks enhances synaptic excitation from primary muscle afferents. The adaptive changes are characterized by higher amplitudes and shorter rise times of monosynaptic EPSPs in the vibrated group compared to the control.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Katarzyna Rosicka, Barbara Mierzejewska-Krzyzowska, Wlodzimierz Mrowczynski
Summary: This study evaluated the suitability of MyotonPRO for assessing skin biomechanical and viscoelastic parameters, aiming to establish reference values at various skin locations. While differences were found among parameters measured in different areas, there were no significant differences when using different probes in the same area. Strong correlations between some studied parameters were observed across all investigated skin areas.
SKIN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Dawid Lochynski, Maciej Pawlak, Inge Everaert, Tomasz Podgorski, Magdalena Gartych, Anna-Maria Borucka, Jan Celichowski, Wim Derave, Dominik Kaczmarek
Summary: The study found that long-term carnosine supplementation can maintain the force of FF muscle units at a higher level during rapid decline and result in less rapid force decline in both FF and FR muscle units. Carnosine supplementation did not change muscle antioxidant potential, mortality rate, or muscle mass with aging.
Article
Neurosciences
Hanna Drzymala-Celichowska, Jan Celichowski, Marcin Baczyk, Piotr Krutki
Summary: This study found that the differences in motor performance between male and female rats are mainly due to differences in muscle mass, the proportion of muscle fiber types, and motor unit contractile properties, while the electrophysiological activity of motoneurons is similar between the sexes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Tomasz Jankowiak, Marcin Cholewinski, Marcin Bazczyk
Summary: In presymptomatic ALS mice, trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) can facilitate synaptic excitability in spinal motoneurons. However, it is unclear whether this facilitation is specific to SOD1 gene mutation or a general phenomenon. Further research is needed to determine the effects of tsDCS on the Ia afferent-MN circuit.
Article
Neurosciences
Elzbieta Jankowska, Dominik Kaczmarek, Ingela Hammar
Summary: This study investigates whether the refractoriness of nerve fibres can be modulated by their depolarisation and the potential long-term effects on excitability and refractory period. The results demonstrate that epidural depolarisation can lead to significant changes in both excitability and refractory period of dorsal column fibres.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Piotr Krutki, Hanna Drzymala-Celichowska, Marcin Baczyk, Magdalena Piotr, Jan Celichowski
Summary: Male and female rats have differences in muscle fibre composition, motor unit contractile properties, and muscle spindle density, but their motoneurons' intrinsic properties are similar. This study aimed to investigate whether sex differences in body mass and muscle force influence the proprioceptive input from muscle spindles to motoneurons. The results showed that there were no differences in latency, but males had a higher amplitude of EPSP compared to females. The observed sex differences may be related to mechanical loading or hormonal differences.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Dominik Kaczmarek, Elzbieta Jankowska
Summary: In this study, the potential involvement of non-inactivating sodium channels in afferent fibres during trans-spinal stimulation combined with epidural polarization was investigated. The results suggest that the persistent sodium current may play a role in the sustained post-polarization-evoked effects but is not fully involved in both the induction and the expression of these effects.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Marcin Baczyk, Piotr Krutki, Daniel Zytnicki
Summary: ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motoneurons. Research suggests that interventions targeting intrinsic excitability or synaptic excitation in presymptomatic ALS mice can reduce disease markers in motoneurons and delay neuro-muscular junction denervation. Anodal trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) has been shown to enhance motoneuron excitability and synaptic inputs in ALS mice, indicating its potential as a complementary method in managing ALS patients.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2021)
