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Patients surviving traumatic brain injury (TBI) face numerous neurological and neuropsychological problems significantly affecting their quality of life. Extensive studies over the past decades have investigated pharmacological treatment options in different animal models, targeting various pathological consequences of TBI. Sex and gender are known to influence the outcome of TBI in animal models and in patients, respectively. Apart from its well-known effects on reproduction, 17β-estradiol (E2) has a neuroprotective role in brain injury. Hence, in this review, we focus on the effect of E2 in TBI in humans and animals. First, we discuss the clinical classification and pathomechanism of TBI, the research in animal models, and the neuroprotective role of E2. Based on the results of animal studies and clinical trials, we discuss possible E2 targets from early to late events in the pathomechanism of TBI, including neuroinflammation and possible disturbances of the endocrine system. Finally, the potential relevance of selective estrogenic compounds in the treatment of TBI will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the effect of mechanical stress on the cytoskeleton in lens epithelial cells following conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS)., Methods: The cytoskeleton of the epithelial cells of the anterior lens capsules (ALC) removed by CPS and FLACS was examined by immunohistochemistry. Expression of the intermediate filament, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and glutamine synthetase (GS) immunoreactivity were detected. In order to map the actin network of cells, fluorescently labeled phalloidin was used. The samples were examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy., Results: GFAP expression was visible in a larger number of the epithelial cells after CPS compared to FLACS. In CPS sample's epithelial cells, GFAP immunoreactivity indicated robust morphological change. Regarding the actin filaments, the presence of tubular elements connecting epithelial cells, regular actin pattern and marked cortical network after CPS were found. Following FLACS, the actin cytoskeleton of the epithelial cells remained densely structured, and the tubular elements were undetectable, however, the above-mentioned regular actin pattern and the marked cortical network were visible., Conclusion: The conventional removal of the ALC induces more robust changes of the cytoskeleton of the lens epithelial cells., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

The most prevalent Ca 2+ -buffer proteins (CaBPs: parvalbumin-PV; calbindin-CaB; calretinin-CaR) are widely expressed by various neurons throughout the brain, including the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Even though their retinal expression has been extensively studied, a coherent assessment of topographical variations is missing. To examine this, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) in mouse retinas. We found variability in the expression levels and cell numbers for CaR, with stronger and more numerous labels in the dorso-central area. CaBP+ cells contributed to RGCs with all soma sizes, indicating heterogeneity. We separated four to nine RGC clusters in each area based on expression levels and soma sizes. Besides the overall high variety in cluster number and size, the peripheral half of the temporal retina showed the greatest cluster number, indicating a better separation of RGC subtypes there. Multiple labels showed that 39% of the RGCs showed positivity for a single CaBP, 30% expressed two CaBPs, 25% showed no CaBP expression, and 6% expressed all three proteins. Finally, we observed an inverse relation between CaB and CaR expression levels in CaB/CaR dual- and CaB/CaR/PV triple-labeled RGCs, suggesting a mutual complementary function.