The external granular layer (EGL) is a transient yet crucial layer for the formation of cerebellar cortex. Genetic mechanisms, including the sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway is key to the proliferation of granule cell progenitors (GCPs), and disruptions in this process can lead to cerebellar disorders like medulloblastoma and Dandy–Walker malformation (DWM).The review consolidates findings from studies on human cerebellar development, primarily focusing on neurogenesis, the role of genetic pathways in EGL regulation, and its involvement in congenital disorders. In total 42 articles were comprehensively reviewed and the research gaps in current research on human foetal cerebellum development was highlighted. The key findings from various sections of the review are summarized as follows. In terms of gestational development, the timeline for the appearance and regression of the EGL in humans remains imprecise. Regarding morphometry, the EGL thickness shows a marked increase between 16 and 28 gestational weeks, reaching an average peak of approximately 50.05 µm around 24th to 28th weeks, and then declines during the late third trimester. In the context of gene expression, SHH signalling plays a critical role in driving the proliferation of GCPs within the EGL. When considering congenital disorders, disruptions in EGL development are associated with conditions such as medulloblastomas, DWM, and pilocytic astrocytoma. The review highlights major research gaps and underscores the need for further human-specific studies to enhance understanding and guide therapies for cerebellar disorders.

Objective: To assess the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) modulatory effect of caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid and determine the anti-tumor activity of these phenolic compounds against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma growth in mice. Methods: Antioxidant activity of protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid was assessed using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Nrf2 activation potential of phenolic compounds was tested by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction, and luciferase complementation reporter assays. In vivo efficacy was tested using the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model. Results: FRAP and DPPH radical scavenging assays showed that caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid were more potent compared with cinnamic acid and benzoic acid. Luciferase complementation reporter assays identified caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid as the activators of Nrf2. Both caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid upregulated the expression of Nrf2 target genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit (GCLM) and the activity of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) when tested on HCT-116 cells using a cell-based assay system at 9 h. In addition, intraperitoneal administration of caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice suppressed tumor growth and angiogenesis. Conclusions: Caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid can modulate Nrf2 and inhibit Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells.

Methanol extract of whole plant of Amaranthus caudatus (MEAC) was screened for hepatoprotective potency against paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver damage in Wistar rats.

Parkinsonism due to an isolated lesion of the substantia nigra following a febrile illness is a rare entity. Anecdotal reports in the literature implicate substantia nigra as peculiarly susceptible to flaviviruses. Here we report a case of isolated substantia nigra involvement in a probable Japanese encephalitis patient who presented with post-encephalitic parkinsonism