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Aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the inhibition of Aβ and tau aggregation may represent a potential therapeutic target for AD. Herein, we designed and synthesized both Aβ and tau dual aggregation inhibitors based on the structure of curcumin and developed the novel curcumin derivative PE859. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activity of PE859 on Aβ aggregationin vitro and the therapeutic effects of PE859 on cognitive dysfunction via dual inhibition of Aβ and tau aggregation in vivo. PE859 inhibited Aβ aggregation in vitro and protected cultured cells from Aβ-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, PE859 ameliorated cognitive dysfunction and reduced the amount of aggregated Aβ and tau in brains of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8). These results warrant consideration of PE859 as a candidate drug for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study correlated morphologic abnormalities of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with the severity of CTS using 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The relationship of the severity of CTS and the cross-sectional area of the median nerve (CSA) was assessed at several levels. Seventy wrists of 35 patients (27 women and 8 men) with unilateral idiopathic CTS underwent nerve conduction study and 3-T MRI of the wrist. The CSA at 4 levels (distal radioulnar joint, body of scaphoid, tubercule of scaphoid, and hook of hamate) and the thickness of the transverse carpal ligament at 3 levels in both affected and unaffected hands were measured using 3-T MRI and correlated with the severity of CTS assessed with distal motor latency. The CSA in the affected hand at the scaphoid body level was significantly higher than in the unaffected hand. The CSA at the scaphoid body level was positively correlated with distal motor latency in the affected hand. The CSA in the affected hand at the scaphoid tubercule level was significantly lower than in the unaffected hand. The CSA had a negative correlation with distal motor latency at the scaphoid tubercule level. The CSA at the distal radioulnar joint and the hamate hook was not significantly different between the affected hand and the unaffected hand. The CSA at the distal radioulnar joint level and hook level were not correlated significantly with distal motor latency in the affected hand. The mean CSA of the affected hand at the scaphoid body level was highest in 4 levels. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(1):e77-e81.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubilities of zirconium hydroxide and oxide after aging at 278, 313, and 333 K were measured at 278, 298, 313, and 333 K in the pHc range of 0.3-7 in a 0.5 M ionic strength solution of NaClO4 and HClO4. Size distributions of the colloidal species were investigated by ultrafiltration using membranes with different pore sizes, and the solid phases were examined by X-ray diffraction. The apparent solubility of zirconium amorphous hydroxide (Zr(OH)4(am)), prepared by the oversaturation method, decreased with increasing aging temperature ( Ta), and the size distributions obtained after aging at elevated temperatures indicated the growth of the colloidal species. We, therefore, suggested that agglomeration of the colloidal species and dehydration and crystallization of Zr(OH)4(am) as the solubility-limiting solid phase occurred over the course of aging at elevated temperatures. For sample solutions of the crystalline oxide (ZrO2(cr)), the aging temperature had no significant effect on the solubility, but the solubility data at lower temperatures were found to be slightly higher than those at higher temperatures, implying a small fraction of the amorphous components. In the analysis of different solid phases (Zr(OH)4(s, Ta), Ta = 278, 313, and 333 K) depending on the aging temperatures, the solubility products ( Ksp, Ta) were determined at different measurement temperatures, and the enthalpy change ( Δr H○) for Zr4++ 4OH - ↔ Zr(OH)4(s, Ta) was calculated using the van't Hoff equation. The solid-phase-transformation process at elevated temperatures was also analyzed based on the obtained Ksp, Ta and Δr H○ values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various modifications including addition of Schwann cells or incorporation of growth factors with bioabsorbable nerve conduits have been explored as options for peripheral nerve repair. However, no reports of nerve conduits containing both supportive cells and growth factors have been published as a regenerative therapy for peripheral nerves. In the present study, sciatic nerve gaps in mice were reconstructed in the following groups: nerve conduit alone (control group), nerve conduit coated with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSc)-derived neurospheres (iPSc group), nerve conduit coated with iPSc-derived neurospheres and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-incorporated gelatin microspheres (iPSc + bFGF group), and autograft. The fastest functional recovery and the greatest axon regeneration occurred in the autograft group, followed in order by the iPSc + bFGF group, iPSc group, and control group until 12 weeks after reconstruction. Thus, peripheral nerve regeneration using nerve conduits and functional recovery in mice was accelerated by a combination of iPSc-derived neurospheres and a bFGF drug delivery system. The combination of all three fundamental methodologies, iPSc technology for supportive cells, bioabsorbable nerve conduits for scaffolds, and a bFGF drug delivery system for growth factors, was essential for peripheral nerve regenerative therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1370-1378, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]