Traumatic injuries to the brain and spinal cord affect a large percentage of the world's population. However, there are currently no effective treatments for these central nervous system (CNS) injuries. In our study, we evaluated the neuroprotective role of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) carrying brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF), nogo-66 receptor (NgR) and Ras hom...

OBJECTIVE To determine how symmetric (proportionate; SGR) and asymmetric (disproportionate; AGR) growth restriction influence growth and development in preterms from birth to 4 years. METHODS This community-based cohort study of 810 children comprised 86 SGR, 61 AGR, and 663 non-growth restricted (NGR) preterms, born in 2002 and 2003. Symmetrical growth restriction was defined as a birth weig...

The migration of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is essential for pioneering the olfactory nerve pathway during development and for promoting axonal regeneration when implanted into the injured central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, recombinant Nogo-66 enhanced the adhesion of OECs and inhibited their migration. Using immunocytochemistry and western blot, we showed that the Nogo...

Ndumo Game Reserve (NGR), a Ramsar site, situated in South Africa’s largest floodplain (Phongolo River floodplain) northern KwaZulu-Natal, with important aquatic ecosystems: the Usuthu and Phongolo rivers their associated lakes. While is regulated, unregulated subjected to fewer anthropogenic activities that influence downstream environmental quality of this system. The present study evaluates ...

Tumor cell surface aminopeptidase N (APN or CD13) has two puzzling functions unrelated to its enzymatic activity: mediating tumor cell motility and serving as a receptor for tumor-homing peptides (peptides that bring anti-cancer drugs to tumor cells). To investigate APN-based tumor-homing therapy, we determined the crystal structure of APN complexed with a tumor-homing peptide containing a repr...

Phage that display a surface peptide with the NGR sequence motif home selectively to tumor vasculature in vivo. A drug coupled to an NGR peptide has more potent antitumor effects than the free drug [W. Arap et al., Science (Washington DC), 279: 377-380, 1998]. We show here that the receptor for the NGR peptides in tumor vasculature is aminopeptidase N (APN; also called CD13). NGR phage specific...

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a tumor necrosis factor family protein essential for B cell development, was previously shown to be expressed at an elevated level in the CNS of multiple sclerosis patients. Although it may be involved in CNS diseases, its exact functions in CNS remain unknown. We hypothesize that BLyS may be a negative regulator for neuronal functions. Here Nogo-66 receptor (NgR...

This study focused on the effect of electro-stimulation of fastigial nucleus on the expression of NgR and on axonal regeneration after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion was induced by nylon monofilament. Ninety-six male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group and ischemic insult groups at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 1 to 3 weeks after cerebral isch...

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in determining the growth of individuals. An appropriate growth progression is considered a harbinger of adequate nutrient intake and good health. On the other hand growth deceleration with or without short stature may indicate inadequate nutrition, even when there is no body weight deficit for height. Nutritional growth retardation (NGR) is most prevalent in ...

Extremely brachycephalic, or short-muzzled, dog breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, and bulldogs are prone to the conformation-related respiratory disorder-brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Affected dogs present with a wide range of clinical signs from snoring and exercise intolerance, to life-threatening events such as syncope. In this study, conformational risk factors for ...