Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are considered to mediate the inflammatory reaction of cerebral ischemia injury, and exercise can inhibit the activity of the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in the peripheral blood of humans. Although physical exercise has been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in both clinical and laboratory settings, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To clarify this critical issue, this study investigated the effects of treadmill training on the recovery of neurological function and the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and their main downstream targets, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), in the ischemic rat brain after middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAo/R). Rats were divided into seven groups: sham control without MCAo/R and five, nine and 16 days post-ischemic exercise or non-exercise. The neurological function and infarct volume were measured, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB and MyD88 in ischemic brain tissue. The results indicated that treadmill training promoted functional recovery and reduced the overexpression of TLR2, TLR4, NF-κB and MyD88 in rat brain tissue after ischemia, a finding that may have implications for understanding the mechanism of exercise therapy after brain ischemia and indicating new therapeutic strategies for the pharmacological modulation of TLR signaling.

SummaryThe TruView EVO2 laryngoscope was compared with the traditional Macintosh laryngoscope in 200 patients who required tracheal intubation for elective surgery. Mallampati score determined prior to laryngoscopy was significantly related to the view of the glottis during laryngoscopy for both laryngoscopes. The view of the larynx was better with the TruView EVO2 laryngoscope than with the Macintosh laryngoscope in patients with a Cormack and Lehane grade greater than 1 (p < 0.01). The mean time to intubate was significantly shorter with the Macintosh laryngoscope (34 s) than with the TruView laryngoscope (51 s) (p < 0.01). Many cases of difficult intubation are unanticipated and are frequently not recognised during pre-operative assessment [1]. Many different designs of laryngoscopes have been developed in an effort to reduce the incidence of this problem [2][3][4].The TruView EVO2 laryngoscope (Truphatek International Ltd, Netanya, Israel) is a recently introduced device with a unique blade that provides an optical view 'around the corner'. The blade is a modified laryngoscope blade incorporating an unmagnified optic side port with anterior fraction of 35% in the line of sight allowing indirect tracheal intubation [5].The aim of this study was to compare the TruView EVO2 laryngoscope with the direct Macintosh laryngoscope. We wished to determine whether the TruView EVO2 laryngoscope provided an improved view at laryngoscopy compared to that provided by the Macintosh laryngoscope and to also to assess the time taken for intubation with these two devices. MethodsApproval for the study was obtained from the hospital research ethics committee and written informed consent was obtained from each patient participating. Patients were considered appropriate for recruitment if they were undergoing elective surgery for which tracheal intubation was planned. Exclusion criteria included the presence of raised intracranial pressure, cervical spine injury, risk factors for pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents and the presence of any pathology of the head and neck. Preoperatively, patients' demographics and characteristics were reported. The Mallampati score and thyromental distance in mouth opening were also recorded.In the operating room, standard monitoring was employed on all patients and, after pre-oxygenation, anaesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.02-0.04 lg.kg )1 , fentanyl 2-4 lg.kg, and propofol 1-2 mg.kg )1 . Neuromuscular blockade was achieved using rocuronium in a dose of 0.6 mg.kg )1 and an adequacy of neuromuscular block confirmed using a peripheral nerve stimulator. Patients were placed in the 'sniffing' position with their head on a pillow. If ventilation via face mask was considered inadequate by the anaesthesiologist, the patient was withdrawn from the study. Anaesthesia was maintained with either propofol or sevoflurane in oxygen during the study and analgesics agents administered according to preference. A standard Macintosh laryngoscope and TruView EVO2 laryngoscope were used throughout the study...

No abstract

Neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation play a pivotal role in the repair of brain function in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is a non-invasive and innovative treatment for many conditions, yet little is known about the effects of this treatment on NSCs. Mouse NSCs (NE-4C) were exposed to rESWT with 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 bar (500 impulses, and 2 Hz) in vitro. Cell viability test results indicated that rESWT, at a dose of 2.5 bar, 500 impulses, and 2 Hz, increased NE-4C viability within 72 h, and that the PI3K/AKT pathway was involved in its mechanisms. Exposure to rESWT also affected proliferation and differentiation of NE-4C after 8 weeks, which may be associated with Wnt/β-catenin and Notch pathways. This assessment is corroborated by the ability of inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin [Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1)] and the Notch pathway (DAPT) to weaken proliferation and differentiation of NSCs. In summary, a proper dose of rESWT enhanced NSCs augment via the PI3K/AKT pathway initially. Also, Wnt/β-catenin and the Notch pathway play important roles in regulation of the long-term efficacy of rESWT. This study reveals a novel approach to culture NSCs in vitro and support neurogenesis.