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The present study aimed to standardize germinated oat extracts (GOEs) by profiling avenanthramides (AVNs) and phenolic acids and evaluate their neuroprotective effects against Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. GOEs were standardized to contain 1652.56 ± 3.37 µg/g dry weight (dw) of total AVNs, including 468.52 ± 17.69 µg/g AVN A, 390.33 ± 10.26 µg/g AVN B, and 641.22 ± 13.89 µg/g AVN C, along with 490.03 ± 7.83 µg/g dw of ferulic acid, using a validated analytical method. Treatment with AVN C and GOEs significantly inhibited Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both AVNs and GOEs markedly reduced Aβ1-42-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in SH-SY5Y cells, showing significant scavenging activity at concentrations of 25 μg/mL (AVNs) and 50 μg/mL (GOEs) (p < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis revealed that AVNs and GOEs effectively downregulated the expression of inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes triggered by Aβ1-42 exposure. These findings suggest that GOEs rich in AVNs may serve as a potential functional ingredient for enhancing memory function through the inhibition of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

Medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is a widely performed procedure for correcting varus malalignment and alleviating medial compartment osteoarthritis. Metal block augmentation has been proposed to enhance construct stability by reducing micromotion and stress at the osteotomy site. However, its biomechanical effects under lateral hinge fracture (LHF) and across different osteotomy techniques (uniplanar vs. biplanar osteotomy) remain poorly understood. A finite element model of the proximal tibia was constructed using the computed tomography data of a 62-year-old woman. Simulations were conducted under uniplanar and biplanar osteotomy configurations, with and without a 12 mm metal block augmentation. The LHF was modeled for three Takeuchi fracture types, in addition to the intact condition. Each model was evaluated under axial loading to quantify micromotion, peak stress at the D-hole, mean stress at the lateral hinge, and stress distribution in the locking plate and the proximal tibia. Metal block augmentation significantly improved the fixation stability across all OWHTO configurations. In the uniplanar models, the micromotion was reduced by over 90% in both the non-fracture and Type I LHF conditions, whereas the reduction ranged from 84% to 91% in the biplanar models. The peak stress around the D-hole decreased by 14%-21% in constructs with a metal block compared to those without. However, the mean plate stress increased substantially by 87% in the uniplanar model and 237% in the biplanar model. In contrast, the proximal tibial bone stress consistently decreased by 21%-28%. Metal block augmentation improved the biomechanical stability in OWHTO constructs, with greater grains in uniplanar osteotomies and LHF models. This enhancement was accompanied by altered stress distribution, characterized by increased stress on the plate and reduced stress in the proximal tibia, suggesting a potential stress-shielding effect. By quantifying these effects under various conditions, this study provides biomechanical evidence for the selective application of metal block augmentation in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo compare the image quality, radiation dose, and diagnostic performance between low-dose (LD) and ultra-low-dose (ULD) lumbar-spine (L-spine) CT with iterative reconstruction (IR) for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).MethodsIn total, 260 patients with chronic LBP who underwent L-spine CT between November 2015 and September 2016 were prospectively enrolled. Of these, 143 underwent LD-CT with IR and 117 underwent ULD-CT with IR. The patients were divided according to their body mass index (BMI) into BMI1 (<22.9 kg/m2), BMI2 (23.0–24.9 kg/m2), and BMI3 (≥25 kg/m2) groups. Two blinded radiologists independently evaluated the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), qualitative image quality, and final diagnoses (lumbar disc disease and facet joint osteoarthritis). L-spine MRIs interpreted by consensus were used as the reference standard. All data were statistically analyzed.ResultsULD protocol showed significantly lower SNR for all patients (p < 0.001) except the vertebral bodies and lower qualitative image quality for BMI3 patients (p ≤ 0.033). There was no statistically significant difference between ULD (sensitivity, 95.1–98.1%; specificity, 92.5–98.7%; accuracy, 94.6–98.0%) and LD protocols (sensitivity, 95.6–100%; specificity, 95.5–98.9%; accuracy, 97.4–98.1%), (all p≥0.1) in the BMI1 and BMI2; while dose was 60–68% lower with the ULD protocol. Interobserver agreements were excellent or good with regard to image quality and final diagnoses.ConclusionsFor the BM1 and BMI2 groups, ULD-CT provided an acceptable image quality and exhibited a diagnostic accuracy similar to that of LD-CT. These findings suggest that it is a useful diagnostic tool for patients with chronic LBP who exhibit a BMI of <25 kg/m2.

Purpose Previous studies have reported that a high critical shoulder angle (CSA) is associated with rotator cuff tears (RCTs). However, the available evidence concerning the strength of the association of these parameters with the pathogenesis of RCTs is conflicting. The aim in the present meta-analysis was to assess the diagnostic performance of CSA for detecting RCTs. Methods The PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for diagnostic accuracy studies of CSA for detecting RCT. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. We calculated the pooled diagnostic accuracy of CSA, including diagnostic odd ratios (DORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Bivariate random-effect modeling with forest plots and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves was performed to evaluate the pooled sensitivity and specificity of CSA. For heterogeneity exploration, we performed meta-regression analyses. Results Eight studies including 902 patients (460 patients with RCT and 442 control patients) were included. According to DOR, CSA was an informative feature for RCT (DOR 8; 95% CI 4–16). The overall diagnostic performance of CSA for RCT was good (sensitivity 71% [95% CI 61–80%]; specificity, 77% [95% CI 65–86%]). Meta-regression analyses revealed that the sensitivity of CSA could be higher for differentiating full-thickness RCTs and normal patients. Furthermore, the specificity of CSA could be higher using a cut-off value of 35°. Conclusion CSA on plain radiographs has good diagnostic performance for RCTs. A cut-off value of 35° is recommended for more accurate diagnosis of full-thickness RCTs. Measuring CSA on plain radiographs may provide clinicians with a readily available and reliable method for detecting RCT in daily practice. Level of evidence Diagnostic studies, Level III.

Purpose The purpose of this cadaveric study was to study the effect of plane of osteotomy on incidence of lateral cortex fracture and to define a “safe zone” through which medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) could be performed with minimal risk of lateral cortex fracture. Methods Medial open HTO was performed in nine fresh frozen human cadavers (18 knees) with each specimen randomly assigned to a “safe zone” osteotomy (group A, between the tip of the fibular head and the circumference line of the fibular head,) or a lower level osteotomy (group B, distal to the circumference line of the fibular head). Results Six out of nine knees developed lateral cortex fracture in group B compared to none in group A ( P  = 0.009) when the osteotomy site was distracted to a maximum of 20 mm. Conclusion Directing the plane of the osteotomy toward the “safe zone” significantly reduces the risk of lateral cortex fracture compared to an osteotomy, which is directed at a lower level. Confining the plane of a medial open HTO to within the “safe zone” can prevent lateral cortex fracture and subsequent loss of correction.

The accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins is a hallmark of neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Although multiple genetic loci have been associated with specific neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), molecular mechanisms that may have a broader relevance for most or all proteinopathies remain poorly resolved. In this study, we developed a multi‐layered network expansion (MLnet) model to predict protein modifiers that are common to a group of diseases and, therefore, may have broader pathophysiological relevance for that group. When applied to the four NDs Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia types 1 and 3, we predicted multiple members of the insulin pathway, including PDK1, Akt1, InR, and sgg (GSK‐3β), as common modifiers. We validated these modifiers with the help of four Drosophila ND models. Further evaluation of Akt1 in human cell‐based ND models revealed that activation of Akt1 signaling by the small molecule SC79 increased cell viability in all models. Moreover, treatment of AD model mice with SC79 enhanced their long‐term memory and ameliorated dysregulated anxiety levels, which are commonly affected in AD patients. These findings validate MLnet as a valuable tool to uncover molecular pathways and proteins involved in the pathophysiology of entire disease groups and identify potential therapeutic targets that have relevance across disease boundaries. MLnet can be used for any group of diseases and is available as a web tool at http://ssbio.cau.ac.kr/software/mlnet . Synopsis MLnet is a multi‐layered network expansion model that finds proteins with pathophysiological relevance for groups of diseases. Application to four neurodegenerative diseases predicts multiple members of the insulin pathway as common modifiers. MLnet uses data integration and a multi‐layered network expansion model to identify and prioritize for experimental testing proteins that affect pathophysiology across multiple diseases. When applied to Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia types 1 and 3, MLnet identifies multiple members of the insulin pathway, proteostasis machinery and microtubule apparatus as common modifiers. The impact of the identified genes on neurodegenerative disease phenotypes is tested in Drosophila , human cell lines and mouse disease models. MLnet is available at http://ssbio.cau.ac.kr/software/mlnet and can be used for any group of diseases. Graphical Abstract MLnet is a multi‐layered network expansion model that finds proteins with pathophysiological relevance for groups of diseases. Application to four neurodegenerative diseases predicts multiple members of the insulin pathway as common modifiers.

Growing evidence indicates a crucial role of the gut microbiota in physiological functions. Gut-brain axis imbalance has also been associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Studies have suggested that probiotics regulate the stress response and alleviate mood-related symptoms. In this study, we investigated the effects of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC3201 (L3201) on the behavioral response and fecal metabolite content in an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) mouse model. Our study shows that chronic stress in mice for three weeks resulted in significant changes in behavior, including lower locomotor activity, higher levels of anxiety, and depressive-like symptoms, compared to the control group. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that disrupted fecal metabolites associated with aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis by UCMS were restored with the administration of L3201. Oral administration of the L3201 ameliorated the observed changes and improved the behavioral alterations along with fecal metabolites, suggesting that probiotics play a neuroprotective role.

Growing evidence indicates a crucial role of the gut microbiota in physiological functions. Gut-brain axis imbalance has also been associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Studies have suggested that probiotics regulate the stress response and alleviate mood-related symptoms. In this study, we investigated the effects of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC3201 (L3201) on the behavioral response and fecal metabolite content in an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) mouse model. Our study shows that chronic stress in mice for three weeks resulted in significant changes in behavior, including lower locomotor activity, higher levels of anxiety, and depressive-like symptoms, compared to the control group. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that disrupted fecal metabolites associated with aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis by UCMS were restored with the administration of L3201. Oral administration of the L3201 ameliorated the observed changes and improved the behavioral alterations along with fecal metabolites, suggesting that probiotics play a neuroprotective role.

The present study aimed to standardize germinated oat extracts (GOEs) by profiling avenanthramides (AVNs) and phenolic acids and evaluate their neuroprotective effects against Aβ -induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. GOEs were standardized to contain 1652.56 ± 3.37 µg/g dry weight (dw) of total AVNs, including 468.52 ± 17.69 µg/g AVN A, 390.33 ± 10.26 µg/g AVN B, and 641.22 ± 13.89 µg/g AVN C, along with 490.03 ± 7.83 µg/g dw of ferulic acid, using a validated analytical method. Treatment with AVN C and GOEs significantly inhibited Aβ -induced cytotoxicity ( < 0.05). Furthermore, both AVNs and GOEs markedly reduced Aβ -induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in SH-SY5Y cells, showing significant scavenging activity at concentrations of 25 μg/mL (AVNs) and 50 μg/mL (GOEs) ( < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis revealed that AVNs and GOEs effectively downregulated the expression of inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes triggered by Aβ exposure. These findings suggest that GOEs rich in AVNs may serve as a potential functional ingredient for enhancing memory function through the inhibition of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.