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In the present study, two lanthanoid coordination polymers (Ln-CPs) with the chemical formulae of {[Pr(HL)2(H2O)3]·(H2O)4·Cl}n (1) and [Ho(HL)(CH3COO)2(H2O)3]n (2, H2L = 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid) using Ln3+ ions along with asymmetric carboxylic acid ligand H2L within solvothermal circumstance in success. Complexes' 1–2 contractions were discovered via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shaped in-depth by EA, IR spectroscopy, PXRD along with TGA. Their application values on the sports fasciitis along with corresponding mechanism were studied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the content of IL-1β along with IL-18 released into muscle tissue. Then, NF-κb activation in muscle tissue was also determined with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of homopolypeptide vesicles and the identification of their self-assembly mechanism have been challenging issues in the field of polymer self-assembly. Using complementary circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) spectroscopies, in this study we show that the higher hydrophilic ability of side-chains is a key factor for the formation of homopolypeptide vesicles from homo poly(Nε-carbobenzoxy-L-lysine) (PZlys), in which the vesicular structures are confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate-co-Nε-carbobenzoxy-L-lysine) [P(BLG-co-Zlys)] containing different molar ratios of BLG to Zlys units with the same peptide backbone as PZlys are used as the controls. The copolypeptides can only form micelles under the same conditions, due to the more hydrophobic nature of their side-chains. These results show that the specific side-chain structure of the polypeptides plays a fundamental role in the self-assembly of homopolypeptides. These findings can be useful to understand how the hydrophilicity of the side chains of amino acid residues on the surface of a protein affects its structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a brain condition characterized by the recurrence of unprovoked seizures. Recent studies have shown that complement component 3 (C3) aggravate the neuronal injury in epilepsy. And our previous studies revealed that TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1) is involved in epilepsy. Whether complement C3 regulation of neuronal injury is related to the activation of TRPV1 during epilepsy is not fully understood. We found that in a mouse model of status epilepticus (SE), complement C3 derived from astrocytes was increased and aggravated neuronal injury, and that TRPV1-knockout rescued neurons from the injury induced by complement C3. Circular RNAs are abundant in the brain, and the reduction of circRad52 caused by complement C3 promoted the expression of TRPV1 and exacerbated neuronal injury. Mechanistically, disorders of neuron–glia interaction mediated by the C3–TRPV1 signaling pathway may be important for the induction of neuronal injury. This study provides support for the hypothesis that the C3–TRPV1 pathway is involved in the prevention and treatment of neuronal injury and cognitive disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)-containing interneurons are crucial to both development and function of the brain. Down-regulation of GABAergic inhibition may result in the generation of epileptiform activity. Loss, axonal sprouting, and dysfunction of interneurons are regarded as mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that network connectivity and the properties of interneurons are responsible for excitatory-inhibitory neuronal circuits. The balance between excitation and inhibition in CA1 neuronal circuitry is considerably altered during epileptic changes. This review discusses interneuron diversity, the causes of interneuron dysfunction in epilepsy, and the possibility of using GABAergic neuronal progenitors for the treatment of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel amphiphilic copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)- block-poly( N, N-dimethylamino-2-ethylmethacrylate)- blockpoly[6-(4-methoxy-azobenzene-4′-oxy) hexyl methacrylate] (PEG- b-PDMAEMA- b-PMMAzo) was prepared by ATRP polymerization. The self-assembly and responsive behaviors were investigated by SEM, TEM, LLS and UV-Vis spectra. The results indicated that the copolymers can self-assemble into spherical structures in aqueous media. The aggregate size can be tuned by pH and temperature. The trans- cis isomerization behavior of the formed aggregates was also examined. Upon irradiation with a linear polarized light, the elongation degree of the aggregates was increased with the irradiation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common convulsions in childhood. Studies have demonstrated a significant relationship between a history of prolonged FSs during early childhood and temporal sclerosis, which is responsible for intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. It has been shown that interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is intrinsically involved in the febrile response in children and in the generation of FSs. We summarize the gene polymorphisms, changes of IL-1β levels and the putative role of IL-1β in the generation of FSs. IL-1β could play a role either in enhancing or in reducing neural excitability. If the enhancing and reducing effects are balanced, an FS does not occur. When the enhancing effect plays the leading role, an FS is generated. A mild imbalance can cause simple FSs while a severe imbalance can cause complex FSs and febrile status epilepticus. Therefore, anti-IL-1β therapy may help to treat FSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]