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Heat-shock proteins (Hsp) are found in all organs including the brain. They can be induced by ischemia, heavy metals, and other types of stress (Papadopoulos et al. 2000). After Received May 16, 2011; revised CanadaAbstract Caspase-dependent apoptosis is considered one of the most important cell death pathways. When the apoptotic process is blocked, a form of programmed necrosis called necroptosis occurs. Apoptosis and necroptosis may share some regulatory mechanisms. Recent studies indicated that receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), an Hsp90-associated kinase, is an important regulatory switch between apoptosis and necroptosis. In this study, we showed that oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) combined with a caspase inhibitor zVAD (OGD/zVAD)-induced RIP1 protein expression in a timedependent manner. We found that geldanamycin (GA), a benzoquinone ansamycin, protected against neuronal injury induced by OGD/zVAD treatment in cultured primary neurons.More importantly, GA decreased RIP1 protein level in a timeand concentration-dependent manner. In this study, we found that GA also decreased the Hsp90 protein level, which caused instability of RIP1 protein, resulting in decreased RIP1 protein level but not RIP1 mRNA level after GA treatment. We concluded that the GA-mediated protection against OGD/zVADinduced neuronal injury was associated with enhanced RIP1 protein instability by decreasing Hsp90 protein level. GA and its derivatives may be promising for the prevention of neuronal injury during ischemic injury.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and has plagued humans for more than 200 years. The etiology and detailed pathogenesis of PD is unclear, but is currently believed to be the result of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Studies have found that PD patients with the LRRK2:G2019S variation have the typical clinical manifestations of PD, which may be familial or sporadic, and have age-dependent pathogenic characteristics. Therefore, the LRRK2:G2019S variation may be an ideal model to study the interaction of multiple factors such as genetic, environmental and natural aging factors in PD in the future. This article reviewed the progress of LRRK2:G2019S studies in PD research in order to provide new research ideas and directions for the pathogenesis and treatment of PD.

Optimization of a methodology for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into neural stem cells (NSCs) using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MSCs were extracted from umbilical cord blood from healthy, full-term, newborn infants and from the bone marrow of patients. CSF was taken from healthy adult volunteers and patients. Four groups investigated were: A (n = 8) cord blood MSC induced with healthy volunteer CSF (control group); B (n = 7): patient MSCs induced with health volunteer CSF; Group C (n = 12): patient MSCs induced with their own CSF; group D (n = 6): cord blood MSCs induced with patient CSF. Following induction, cell differentiation state was examined using microscopy, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. There were significantly more clinically applicable MSCs in Groups B and C than groups A and D (P < 0.05) and Group B had significantly more clinically applicable MSCs than group C (P < 0.05). The presence of NSCs was as with the MSCs. Group B had significantly more clinically applicable NSCs than all of the other groups. In addition, group B cells grew significantly faster than the other groups (P < 0.05). Upon CSF induction, MSCs differentiated into NSCs suitable for clinical treatment. The source of the MSCs and/or CSF influenced the number of NSCs produced and the NSC growth rate. Thus, the source of MSCs and CSF should be considered before initiating a stem cell clinical treatment.

Aim To develop and implement of a group‐based acceptance and commitment therapy programme in helping clinical nurses with mental health problems during the sporadic COVID‐19 outbreak period. Background In the face of the continuing COVID‐19 pandemic, clinical nurses have a high risk of mental health issues. Methods A quasi‐experimental design was used. Two hundred twenty‐six nurses were recruited from four general hospitals to receive 10 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy programme. The Symptom Checklist‐90, Perceived Stress Scale and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess nurses' mental health symptom, perceived stress and psychological resilience at pre‐intervention and 4‐week post‐intervention. Results The mean attendance sessions was 5.78. The Symptom Checklist‐90 score was significantly lower at post‐intervention than pre‐intervention ( P < 0.01), and there were no significant changes of perceived stress and psychological resilience. There were significant correlations among the changed rates of mental health, perceived stress and psychological resilience ( P < 0.01). Conclusion The acceptance and commitment therapy programme was effective in relieving mental health symptoms for clinical nurses and could protect clinical nurses' perceived stress and psychological resilience. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings. Implication for Nursing Management To facilitate clinical nurses' psychological health in crisis situation, nursing management team should provide and allocated appropriate resources to support the healthcare providers.

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Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 is widely used to treat patients with learning and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in China. However, it is not yet clear whether the analog of EGb761 (EGb) has a protective effect on the learning and memory damage induced by chronic fluorosis. In this study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a sodium fluoride (NaF) + EGb group, and a NaF group. The rats were administered 0.5 ml water containing NaF (100 mg/l) and EGb (120 mg/kg) per day via gavage. After 3 months, the rats' capacity for learning and memory was tested using a Y-maze. Damage to hippocampal neurons was evaluated by histological examination of the CA3 area. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Furthermore, the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax and the levels of cleaved Caspase3 in the hippocampus were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that EGb could improve learning and memory abilities, enhance the activities of SOD and GSH-Px, attenuate the level of MDA, upregulate the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and downregulate the level of cleaved Caspase3.

A multifunctional theranostic nanosystem that integrates dynamic monitoring and therapeutic functions is necessary for precision tumor medicine. Herein, an entropy-driven self-assembly nanomachine is developed that overcomes the mechanism differences of different diagnostic modes and is applied to miRNA surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)−fluorescence dual-mode dynamic monitoring and synergy phototherapy. It is worth noting that the activated dual-mode theranostic nanosystem (DTN) is capable of tumor in situ fluorescence imaging and SERS absolute quantification of the target. After being internalized into tumor cells, the DTN nanosystem is activated by the DNA cascade chain displacement of the target miR-21, resulting in the secondary release of fluorophores and the assembly of core−satellite structures (CS structures). The coupling of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in the CS structure results in the formation of numerous enhanced electric fields (hot spot) in the nanogap of the CS structure. Then the DTN nanosystem greatly improves the sensitivity and repeatability of Raman detection by converting trace targets into numerous adenines residing in the electromagnetic hot spot of the CS structure. Meanwhile, the CS structure and the loaded photosensitizer are used for synergy phototherapy under the guidance of fluorescence imaging. This proposed strategy is confirmed by in vivo and in vitro results, and it provides new ideas for tumor SERS−fluorescence dual-mode diagnosis and effective tumor therapy.