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Delayed administration of kallikrein after cerebral infarction can improve neurological function. However, the appropriate kallkrein treatment time after ischemic stroke has not been illuminated. In this study, we compared the long-term outcome among three kallikrein therapeutic regimens starting at different time points following mouse cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, the protective mechanisms involving neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and AKT-GSK3β-VEGF signaling pathway were analyzed. Human tissue kallikrein was injected through the tail vein daily starting at 8 h, 24 h, or 36 h after right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) until the 28th day. Three therapeutic regimens all protected against neurological dysfunction, but kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h after MCAO had the best efficacy. Additionally, kallikrein treatment at 8 h after MCAO significantly enhanced cell proliferation including neural stem cell and induced differentiation of neural stem cell into mature neuron. Kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h also promoted more angiogenesis than other two treatment regimens, which was associated with AKT-GSK3β-VEGF signaling pathway. Thus, we confirm that three delayed kallikrein treatments provide protection against cerebral infarction and furthermore suggest that kallikrein treatment starting at 8 h had a better effect than that at 24 h and 36 h. These findings provide the experimental data contributing to better clinical application of exogenous kallikrein.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with homogeneous diameters have been proven to transform into new carbon allotropes under pressure but no studies on the compression of inhomogeneous CNTs have been reported. In this study, we propose to build new carbon allotropes from the bottom-up by applying pressure on symmetry-matched inhomogeneous CNTs. We find that the (3,0) CNT with point group C3v and the (6,0) CNT with point group C6v form an all sp3 hybridized hexagonal 3060-Carbon crystal, but the (4,0) CNT with point group D4h and the (8,0) CNT with point group D8h polymerize into a sp2+sp3 hybridized tetragonal 4080-Carbon structure. Their thermodynamic, mechanical and dynamic stabilities show that they are potential carbon allotropes to be experimentally synthesized. The multiporous structures, excellently mechanical properties and special electronic structures (semiconductive 3060-Carbon and semimetallic 4080-Carbon) imply their many potential applications, such as gases purification, hydrogen storage and lightweight semiconductor devices. In addition, we simulate their feature XRD patterns which are helpful for identifying the two carbon crystals in future experimental studies.

This study investigates the effects of rt-PA thrombolytic therapy at varying times on neurological function and complications in acute cerebral infarction (ACI) patients. A total of 120 ACI patients admitted between August 2019 and July 2021 were divided into three groups based on the timing of rt-PA treatment: <3h (40 patients), 3–4.5h (55 patients), and >4.5h (25 patients). All received standard treatment and rt-PA IV thrombolysis. Key comparisons included cerebral oxygen metabolism, oxidative stress, neural markers, hemodynamics, coagulation function, NIHSS scores, ADL, clinical efficacy, and complications. Results showed that 48 hours post-treatment, SjvO2 levels were significantly higher in the <3h and 3-4.5h groups compared to the >4.5h group. SOD levels were also higher in the earlier groups, while MDA levels were lower. Three months after treatment, NIHSS scores were significantly lower and ADL scores higher in the <3h and 3-4.5h groups, with lower complication rates. Efficacy was similar within 3 hours and 3–4.5 hours, but complications increased significantly after 4.5 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tektins (TEKTs) are constitutive proteins of microtubules associated with flagella, cilia, basal bodies, and centrioles. As one of the testis-specific candidate markers, Tekt1, the first identified member of the TEKT family in mammals, is intimately linked to the formation of sperm flagella and may play a pivotal role in flagellar stability and sperm motility. However, studies on Tekt1 in fish species are still relatively understudied. In this study, the full-length cDNAs of Tekt1 were respectively 1727 bp and 1696 bp in allotriploid crucian carp and diploid red crucian carp, which both comprised a 1209 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 402 amino acids. Conversely, the diploid common carp possessed a cDNA length of 1771 bp, characterized by a 1218 bp ORF encoding 405 amino acids. The Western blot analysis revealed that the expression level of Tekt1 protein in the testes of sterile allotriploid crucian carp was markedly decreased in comparison to that of fertile diploid red crucian carp during both pre-spermiation and spermiation periods. The immunohistochemistry analysis revealed abnormalities in the spermiogenesis of allotriploid crucian carp, showcasing a distinctive localization pattern of Tekt1 exclusively present in spermatids, in contrast to diploid red crucian carp, where Tekt1 was detected in both spermatids and spermatozoa. Taken together, these findings suggested differential expression of Tekt1 during spermiogenesis between allotriploid and diploid species, and indicated that the decreased expression of Tekt1 protein in allotriploid crucian carp might be associated with male sterility. Furthermore, these results pave the way for further exploration of reproductive characteristics in male allotriploid crucian carp and offer a theoretical foundation for future research on polyploid breeding.