Objective: The aim of this study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective role of Solanum betaceum against memory impairment due to chronic cigarette smoke exposure in rat brain. Methods: Adult male albino rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 28 days, 3 pc cigarette/day, and simultaneously administered with S. betaceum in Groups K2, K3, and K4 (100 mg/kg b.w/day, 200 mg/kg b.w/day, and 400 mg/kg b.w/day), respectively. The level of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), c-AMP response element binding (CREB) protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), number of neuron and glial cells, and memory was also measured. Results: S. betaceum administration could prevent from memory impairment significantly (p<0.05) by decreased time to reach the target at Y-Maze and maintained the levels of CREB, BDNF, neuron, and glial cells (microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes) significantly (p<0.05) but did not significantly decreased NMDA levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: Exposure to cigarette smoke compromised the memory functions. The result of this study shown that administration of S.betaceum could inhibit memory impairment and inhibit the decrease of neuron cells , increase the level of BDNF and number of glia cells including microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The mechanism of S. betaceum to prevent memory impairment through activation of CREB (the transcription factor) which further enhances the formation of BDNF (the neurotrophic factors), thus increase activation of the glia cells to protect brain cell damage, thus preventing memory impairment due to cigarette smoke exposure.

Microplastic particles in the blood can cause damage to organs such as the brain. This study aimed to analyze the effect of microplastic particles in the blood on membrane damage (expression of malondialdehyde metabolites) and deoxyribonucleic acid damage (expression of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine metabolites) in hippocampus neurons of Wistar rats. Methods: Forty-two Wistar rats were used and equally divided into six groups. The study groups X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 was given 0.0375mg, 0.075mg, 0.15mg, 0.3mg, and 0.6mg of low-density polyethylene microplastic powder mixed with 2cc distilled water respectively, while the control group only given distilled water. Microplastic administration was carried out for 90 days. Results: Microplastic particles were found in the blood of Wistar rats. The level of microplastics particle was higher along with the higher exposure dose. The mean expression of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine metabolites in the hippocampal neurons in CA1 and CA3 areas were significantly increased with higher exposure doses (Kruskal-Wallis test p <0.01). The Spearmen’s correlation showed a strong relationship between the levels of microplastic particles in blood and the expression of metabolites malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (all p <0.01). Microplastic in the blood of Wistar rats has increased expression of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine metabolites in hippocampal neurons.

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Introduction Pediatric gliomas represent the most common brain tumor in children and its higher grades are associated with higher recurrence and low survival rate. All therapeutic modalities are reported to be insufficient to achieve satisfactory result, with follow-up treatment such as adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy recommended to increase survival and hinder tumor progression. Nimotuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that acts as an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor found on the surface of glioma cells and had been studied for its usage in pediatric gliomas in recent years. Methods A systematic review is performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A through literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov database. Articles were selected systematically based on the PRISMA protocol and reviewed completely. The relevant data were summarized and discussed. We measured overall survival, progression-free survival, and adverse Events (AE) for nimotuzumab usage as an adjunct therapy in pediatric glioma population. Result From 5 studies included for qualitative analysis, 151 patients are included with overall survival (OS) that vary from 3.2–22.8 mo, progression-free survival (PFS) from 1.7–21.6 mo, and relatively low serious adverse events (0–21) are recorded. Follow-up ranged from 2.4–66 mo with four studies reporting diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) patients and only one study reporting nimotuzumab usage in pediatric high-grade glioma (HGG) patients with better outcome in HGG patients than DIPG. Conclusion There are no significant differences in the PFS and OS of nimotuzumab as adjunct therapy for pediatric compared to result of standard therapy in majority of previous studies. There were also no differences in the AE of nimotuzumab for pediatric glioma between studies, and low event of serious adverse events indicating its safety. But still there is an evidence of possible benefit of nimotuzumab as adjuvant therapy in pediatric glioma. We recommend further studies with larger number of patients that may lead to possibly different results. There should also be more studies with better level of evidence to further validate the effect of nimozutumab on pediatric glioma.

Objectives. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) is a disease that leads to acute flaccid paralysis and may result from the binding of antibody and antigen to the spinal cord. The objective of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on axon degeneration of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of the AMAN model rabbit. Axonal degeneration was assessed by evaluating glutathione (GSH) activity, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression, and clinical and histopathological features. Methods. Twenty-one New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. The treatment group was exposed to 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA 90 minutes for 10 days at a decompression rate of 2.9 pounds per square inch/minute. GSH level was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. An expression of IL-1β in the spinal cord was determined by immunohistochemistry. Clinical appearances were done by motor scale and body weight. Histological features observed neuronal swelling and inflammatory infiltration in the sagittal lumbar region and the undulation of the longitudinal sciatic nerve. Results. Rabbits exposed to HBO had high GSH activity levels ( p < 0.05 ) but unexpectedly had high IL1β expression ( p > 0.05 ). In addition, the HBO-exposed rabbits had a better degree of undulation, the size of neuronal swelling was smaller, the number of macrophages was higher, and motor function was better than the AMAN model rabbits ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. These findings indicate that HBO therapy can decrease axon degeneration by triggering GSH activity, increasing IL-1β level, and restoring tissues and motor status. In conclusion, HBO has a protective effect on axon degeneration of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of the AMAN model rabbit.

We reported a rare case demonstrating that the hyperbaric oxygen chamber provided faster clinical improvement in a patient with a variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). A patient with progressive, acute weakness of upper extremity locomotor muscles and with difficulty breathing and swallowing was diagnosed with axonal GBS. Despite life-saving conventional therapies, there was no significant improvement until day 5. During hyperbaric oxygen therapy, there were daily gradual improvements until day 20, at which time the patient was capable of walking slowly without using a walking aid.

Low-density polyethylene microplastics are ingested into the bloodstream and distributed to all the organ tissue, including the hippocampus, causing toxic effects. This research aimed to elucidate the responses of hippocampal neurons to microplastic in the blood based on the expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in hippocampal neurons, and blood serum amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ42) levels using SMART PLS pathway analysis. Methods: This was a pure experimental research on Wistar rats with a post-test control group design. Five experimental groups (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5) were given 0.0375 mg, 0.075 mg, 0.15 mg, 0.3 mg, and 0.6 mg of low-density polyethylene microplastics mixed in 2cc distilled water, respectively. Furthermore, except for control (C), the groups received microplastics an oral probe for 90 days. Results: The molecular response of hippocampal neurons of Wistar rats to microplastics in the blood significantly decreased SOD enzyme expression, while CAT enzyme was unaffected. It considerably increased neuronal membrane damage (expression of MDA), increased considerably neuronal deoxyribonucleic acid damage (expression of 8-OHdG), and decreased blood serum Aβ42 levels (pathway analysis, all t-value >1.96). Conclusion:The pathway analysis showed that hippocampal neurons were significantly affected by microplastic particles in the blood.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is considered an acute immune-mediated monophasic illness. Standard therapy includes intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and/or plasmapheresis. Yet, long-standing disability remains a problem. In Indonesia, the availability and cost of these therapies are constraints. AIM: To show the capability of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy in GBS patients who did not undergo standard therapy. HBO2 also provides healing in patients who experience delays in therapy. METHODS: Data included identity, demographic, social history, current disease history, disease progression and therapies used. Data were displayed in the form of tables and graphs. RESULTS: Twenty-five GBS patients underwent HBO2 from 2016 to 2019. The majority of patients were males aged 20-30 years, triggered by preceding diarrhea. After approximately three to ten days following HBO2, they felt their first positive changes. They walked with assistance after two to three weeks receiving HBO2 and without assistance after four to 12 weeks receiving HBO2. CONCLUSION: HBO2 administration show clinical improvement in GBS patients. HBO2 is expected to become an adjuctive therapy for GBS patients in Indonesia.