BACKGROUND: The use and abuse of designer drugs has been recognized for decades; however there are many derivatives of compounds that make their way into the community. Abuse of compound(s) known on the street as &quo...BACKGROUND: The use and abuse of designer drugs has been recognized for decades; however there are many derivatives of compounds that make their way into the community. Abuse of compound(s) known on the street as "bath salt" is on the rise.METHODS: We report the case of a 33-year-old man who complained of "flashbacks" and right arm shaking that followed a night of "bath salt" snorting. The active compound methylenedioxypyrovalerone methamphetamine(MDPV) was confirmed; however, analysis of three different "bath salt" products showed difference in their active components.RESULTS: The patient's symptoms remained stable and he was discharged home after observation in the emergency department with instructions to return for any symptom progression.CONCLUSION: Practitioners should be aware of the abuse of the compounds and that not all "bath salt" products contain MDPV.展开更多
RehabilNation training is believed to be beneficial to patients with stroke, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Rat models of cerebral ischemic stroke were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/re...RehabilNation training is believed to be beneficial to patients with stroke, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Rat models of cerebral ischemic stroke were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion, and then received treadmill training of different intens让ies, twice a day for 30 minutes for 1 week. Low-intensity training was conducted at 5 m/min, with a 10-minute running, 10-minute rest, and 10-minute running cycle. In the moderate-intensity training, the intensity gradually increased from 5 m/min to 10 m/min in 5 minutes, with the same rest cycle as above. In high-intensity training, the intensity gradually increased from 5 m/min to 25 m/min in 5 minutes, with the same rest cycle as above. The Bederson scale was used to evaluate the improvement of motor function. Infarct volume was detected using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining was applied to detect the apoptosis of nerve cells in brain tissue. Western blot assay was employed to analyze the activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3卩 signaling pathways in rat brain tissue. All training intensities reduced the neurological deficit score, infarct volume, and apoptosis in nerve cells in brain tissue of stroke rats. Training intensities activated the cAMP/protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta signaling pathways. This activation was more obvious with higher training intensities. These changes were reversed by intracerebroventricular injection of protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMP. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective effect of rehabilitation training is achieved via activation of the cAMP/ protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta signaling pathways. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Animal Experimentation in Shanghai No. 8 Peoples Hospital, China.展开更多
Introduction: Although anemia is not regarded as an usual vascular risk factor for stroke, it is one of the potential mechanism by which the brain does not receive adequate oxygenation. Moreover, the relationship betw...Introduction: Although anemia is not regarded as an usual vascular risk factor for stroke, it is one of the potential mechanism by which the brain does not receive adequate oxygenation. Moreover, the relationship between drop of hemoglobin and acute focal neurological deficits is not clear. We report two patients with cerebral infarction due to acute anemia. Case Reports: Case 1 was a 73-year-old man who complained an episode of loss of consciousness followed by right hemiparesis and dysarthria after few hours. The day after admission he presented melena caused by a duodenal ulcer bleeding. The hemoglobin dropped from 11.3 g/dl to5.6 g/dl in 24 hours. Areas of acute infarctions were evident at diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the brain. Case 2 was a 77-year-old man with a transient episode of aphasia, right lower limb paresis and mental confusion twelve hours after an intervention of PTA and stenting of the left internal carotid artery. Hemoglobin was11.8 g/dl before intervention and9 g/dl 48 hours later. DWI showed bilateral and widespread acute infarcts. Conclusion: Anemia has to be considered as a potential factor in determining or worsening cerebral infarction, especially in patients with carotid or intracranial stenosis, high cerebrovascular lesions load or insufficient collateral supply. Acute or severe anemia may negatively impact the cerebral blood flow and decrease oxygen-carrying capacity, promote rapid deterioration of ischemic penumbra. Brain DWI and treatment of the underlying etiology of acute anemia are crucial in early identification and recovery of cerebral infarctions.展开更多
OBJETTIVE: To observe the effects of Yinxingdamo Injection combined with oxiracetam capsule on cognitive function and neurological deficit in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 76 patients wi...OBJETTIVE: To observe the effects of Yinxingdamo Injection combined with oxiracetam capsule on cognitive function and neurological deficit in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 38 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine and oxiracetam capsules while patients in the observation group were given Yinxingdamo injection intravenous drip treatment on the basis of the same treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment, the cognitive function of the two groups before and after treatment was observed [Simple Intelligence Scale(MMSE Score), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA Score)], Neurological Deficit [Chinese Stroke Scale(CSS Score), Daily Life Activity ability(ADL score)], free radical biochemical indicators [malondialdehyde(MDA), oxide dismutase(SOD)] changes, and statistical effects of two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 92.1%, which was significantly higher than 73.7% of the control group(P < 0.05). The MMSE score and MoCA score of the two groups were significantly increased after treatment(P < 0.05), and the MMSE score and MoCA score inobservation group were significantly increased after treatment than the control group(P < 0.05). The CSS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased after treatment(P < 0.05), and the ADL scores were significantly increased(P < 0.05). The improvement of CSS score and ADL score in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group(P < 0.05), and serum MDA levels were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P < 0.05), and SOD levels were significantly increased(P < 0.05), and the improvement of MDA and SOD levels in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yinxingdamo injection combined with oxiracetam capsule can effectively inhibit the oxygen free radical reaction injury in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and significantly improve the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and neurological deficit in patients. Its curative effect is exact and worthy of clinical application.展开更多
Background: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation in thoracolumbar spine injury has gained popularity in the last decades as it provides immediate stability, prevents further risk of complications and allows earl...Background: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation in thoracolumbar spine injury has gained popularity in the last decades as it provides immediate stability, prevents further risk of complications and allows early mobilization of patient. Objectives: Evaluation of clinical and functional outcome after long segment transpedicular screw fixation in unstable thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit patients. Methods: This quasi experimental study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of twenty four (24) patients with traumatic unstable fracture of the thoracolumbar spine with incomplete neurological deficit underwent long segment transpedicular screw fixation were included in this study. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were assessed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Results: A total of 24 patients aged between 20 - 60 years of both sexes (Male-21, Female-03) were included in this study. Their mean (±SD) age was 33.12 (±8.57) years. Most of them were farmer [09 (37.5%)] and day labour [08 (33.33%)]. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common [16 (66.67%)] cause of injury and then fall from height [08 (33.33%)]. The most common level of injury involved was L1-10 (41.67%) patients, followed by L2-07 (29.17%), T12-05 (20.83%) and T11-02 (8.33%) of the study patients. Burst fracture was the commonest [22 (91.67%)] type of fracture followed by Chance fracture [02 (8.33%)]. Pre-operative mean (±SD) Cobb angle, Kyphotic deformation of vertebral body, Beck index and vertebral compression deformity were 21.83 ± 4.5 degrees, 22.09 ± 4.40 degrees, 0.78 ± 2.65 and 0.18 ± 0.93 mm respectively, after procedure which were significantly (p Conclusions: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation is an effective method of treatment in patients having thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit.展开更多
Brain injury-induced neurological deficits typically develop on the contralateral side of the body and include abnormal posture,motor weakness,and spasticity.It is believed that the interruption of descending neural p...Brain injury-induced neurological deficits typically develop on the contralateral side of the body and include abnormal posture,motor weakness,and spasticity.It is believed that the interruption of descending neural pathways that convey supraspinal commands to the motoneurons in the spinal cord is the main cause of these deficits.展开更多
Objective:To explore the effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression for type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits.Method:A re...Objective:To explore the effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression for type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits.Method:A retrospective study was made in 26 patients with type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits from August 2014 to July 2018 treated within 3 days after injury,which were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression.The radiological indexs、clinical effectiveness indexs、perioperative index and complication incidence were recorded and compared to observe the clinical result.Result:All patients were followed up from 6 to 23 months.There were no nerve injury and other severe complications,which 1.1 grade of neurological recovery was observed at the final follow-up.The average operation time was(102.31±16.87)minutes,with a mean intraoperative blood loss of(87.88±13.05)ml and hospital stays were(15.53±13.00)d.Local anesthesia was 5 patients and general anesthesia were 21 patients.Before the operation,the anterior height of fracture vertebral body(98.31±13.07)%、kyphotic angle(2.76±3.70)°、the Sagittal Cobb angle(1.35±6.78)were improved to(50.19±12.32)%、(21.98±5.58)°、(16.30±8.69)°respectively after the operation(P<0.05).The anterior height of fractured vertebral body and kyphotic angle in final follow-up were worse than the post-operative,but no significant difference was found between two stages(P>0.05).The Sagittal Cobb angle in final follow-up was better than those in post-operative(P<0.05).The VAS scores had statistical improvement(P<0.05).Conclusion Posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression in treating the type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits was a minimally invasive,safe and effective surgical procedure to intraspinal interference and direct decompression.展开更多
Past research has found a high prevalence of neuropsychological deficits and neurological soft signs in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A close relationship between OCD and depression has also been ...Past research has found a high prevalence of neuropsychological deficits and neurological soft signs in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A close relationship between OCD and depression has also been indicated in the literature. However, many aspects of this association remain unclear. In this study we compared neuropsychological functioning and neurological soft signs of 46 OCD patients who were off psychotropic medication (21 with significant depressive symptoms and 25 without) with 25 non-patient comparison subjects. The patients were matched to the comparison group with regard to age, sex, education, marital status and handedness. There were significant differences between OCD patients and the non-patient comparison group on neuropsychological functioning but not on neurological soft signs. As far as working memory concerns there was a significant difference between the OCD depressed and non-depressed groups. But we found no evidence that the neuropsychological functions such as cognitive flexibility, problem solving and spatial perception in OCD to be attributable to comorbid depression. The pattern of neuropsychological deficits in this sample of OCD patients is suggestive of orbito-frontal as well as dorsolateral prefrontal cortical dysfunction.展开更多
Proteolytic cleavage of tau by asparagine endopeptidase(AEP)creates tau-N368 fragments,which may drive the pathophysiology associated with synaptic dysfunction and memory deterioration in the brain of Alzheimer’s dis...Proteolytic cleavage of tau by asparagine endopeptidase(AEP)creates tau-N368 fragments,which may drive the pathophysiology associated with synaptic dysfunction and memory deterioration in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients.Nonetheless,the molecular mechanisms of truncated tau-induced cognitive deficits remain unclear.Evidence suggests that signal transduction and activator of transcription-3(STAT3)is associated with modulating synaptic plasticity,cell apoptosis,and cognitive function.Using luciferase reporter assays,electrophoretic mobility shift assays,western blotting,and immunofluorescence,we found that human tau-N368 accumulation inhibited STAT3 activity by suppressing STAT3 translocation into the nucleus.Overexpression of STAT3 improved tau-N368-induced synaptic deficits and reduced neuronal loss,thereby improving the cognitive deficits in tau-N368 mice.Moreover,in tau-N368 mice,activation of STAT3 increased N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor levels,decreased Bcl-2 levels,reversed synaptic damage and neuronal loss,and thereby alleviated cognitive deficits caused by tau-N368.Taken together,STAT3 plays a critical role in truncated tau-related neuropathological changes.This indicates a new mechanism behind the effect of tau-N368 on synapses and memory deficits.STAT3 can be used as a new molecular target to treat tau-N368-induced protein pathology.展开更多
Since the early stages of life on earth,cellular metabolism has evolved to adapt to fluctuations in nutrient and oxygen availability.In this context,mammals,which are probably the organisms that show one of the highes...Since the early stages of life on earth,cellular metabolism has evolved to adapt to fluctuations in nutrient and oxygen availability.In this context,mammals,which are probably the organisms that show one of the highest levels of metabolic complexity,have developed an elegant system that uses constant and rechargeable energy sources of modulate their metabolism.This homeostasis is especially important in the central nervous system,as neurons and other cells in the brain are highly susceptible to fluctuations in nutrients and oxygen availability.展开更多
Microglia are one of the three glial cell populations in the central nervous system(CNS),along with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.While microglia are unique among brain cells due to their hematologic origin and perf...Microglia are one of the three glial cell populations in the central nervous system(CNS),along with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.While microglia are unique among brain cells due to their hematologic origin and perform immune functions similar to peripheral macrophages,they are not simply macrophages of the CNS.展开更多
Pre-harvest water deficit(PHWD)plays an important role in sugar accumulation of citrus fruit.However,the mechanism is not known well.Here,it was confirmed that PHWD promoted sucrose accumulation of citrus fruit,but ha...Pre-harvest water deficit(PHWD)plays an important role in sugar accumulation of citrus fruit.However,the mechanism is not known well.Here,it was confirmed that PHWD promoted sucrose accumulation of citrus fruit,but had limited effect on fructose,glucose and total acid.A sucrose transporter,Cs SUT1,which localizes to the plasma membrane,was demonstrated to function in sucrose transport induced by PHWD.Compared to wild-type,Cs SUT1 overexpression in citrus calli stimulated sucrose,fructose and glucose accumulation,while its silencing in juice sacs reduced sucrose accumulation.Increased sugar accumulation in transgenic lines enhanced plant drought tolerance,and resulted in decreased electrolyte leakage,malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents,as well as increased superoxide dismutase activity and proline contents.An abscisic acid(ABA)-responsive transcription factor,Cs ABF3,was found with a same expression pattern with Cs SUT1 under PHWD.Yeast one-hybrid,electrophoretic mobility shift assay and dual-luciferase assays all revealed that Cs ABF3 directly bound with the Cs SUT1 promoter by ABA responsive elements.When Cs ABF3 was overexpressed in citrus calli,the sucrose,fructose and glucose concentration increased correspondingly.Further,transgenic studies demonstrated that Cs ABF3 could affect sucrose accumulation by regulating Cs SUT1.Overall,this study revealed a regulation of Cs ABF3 promoting Cs SUT1 expression and sucrose accumulation in response to PHWD.Our results provide a detail insight into the quality formation of citrus fruit.展开更多
The authors report a case of deficient sensory neuropathy secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency, diagnosed in the neurology department of the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital in Bangui. The diagnosis ...The authors report a case of deficient sensory neuropathy secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency, diagnosed in the neurology department of the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital in Bangui. The diagnosis was made possible by electroneuromyography which showed subclinical neurological damage associated with hematological damage (anemia). Through this observation, we recall the diagnostic criteria of the disease in a context of difficult medical practice. .展开更多
Parkinsonism by unilateral,intranigralβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside administration in rats is distinguished in that theα-synuclein insult begins unilaterally but spreads bilaterally and increases in severity over time,...Parkinsonism by unilateral,intranigralβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside administration in rats is distinguished in that theα-synuclein insult begins unilaterally but spreads bilaterally and increases in severity over time,thus replicating several clinical features of Parkinson’s disease,a typicalα-synucleinopathy.As Nurr1 repressesα-synuclein,we evaluated whether unilateral transfected of rNurr1-V5 transgene via neurotensin-polyplex to the substantia nigra on day 30 after unilateralβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside lesion could affect bilateral neuropathology and sensorimotor deficits on day 30 post-transfection.This study found that rNurr1-V5 expression but not that of the green fluorescent protein(the negative control)reducedβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside-induced neuropathology.Accordingly,a bilateral increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells and arborization occurred in the substantia nigra and increased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive ramifications in the striatum.In addition,tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells displayed less senescence markerβ-galactosidase and more neuron-cytoskeleton markerβIII-tubulin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.A significant decrease in activated microglia(positive to ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1)and neurotoxic astrocytes(positive to glial fibrillary acidic protein and complement component 3)and increased neurotrophic astrocytes(positive to glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100 calcium-binding protein A10)also occurred in the substantia nigra.These effects followed the bilateral reduction inα-synuclein aggregates in the nigrostriatal system,improving sensorimotor behavior.Our results show that unilateral rNurr1-V5 transgene expression in nigral dopaminergic neurons mitigates bilateral neurodegeneration(senescence and loss of neuron-cytoskeleton and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells),neuroinflammation(activated microglia,neurotoxic astrocytes),α-synuclein aggregation,and sensorimotor deficits.Increased neurotrophic astrocytes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor can mediate the rNurr1-V5 effect,supporting its potential clinical use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.展开更多
Inappropriate levels of hyperactivity,impulsivity,and inattention characterize attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,a common childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder.The cognitive function and learning ability of...Inappropriate levels of hyperactivity,impulsivity,and inattention characterize attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,a common childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder.The cognitive function and learning ability of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are affected,and these symptoms may persist to adulthood if they are not treated.The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is only based on symptoms and objective tests for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are missing.Treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children include medications,behavior therapy,counseling,and education services which can relieve many of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but cannot cure it.There is a need for a molecular biomarker to distinguish attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from healthy subjects and other neurological conditions,which would allow for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to be initiated.Abnormal expression of microRNAs is connected to brain development and disease and could provide novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.The recent studies reviewed had performed microRNA profiling in whole blood,white blood cells,blood plasma,and blood serum of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.A large number of microRNAs were dysregulated when compared to healthy controls and with some overlap between individual studies.From the studies that had included a validation set of patients and controls,potential candidate biomarkers for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children could be miR-140-3p,let-7g-5p,-30e-5p,-223-3p,-142-5p,-486-5p,-151a-3p,-151a-5p,and-126-5p in total white blood cells,and miR-4516,-6090,-4763-3p,-4281,-4466,-101-3p,-130a-3p,-138-5p,-195-5p,and-106b-5p in blood serum.Further studies are warranted with children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and consideration should be given to utilizing rat models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Animal studies could be used to confirm microRNA findings in human patients and to test the effects of targeting specific microRNAs on disease progression and behavior.展开更多
BACKGROUND Unhealthy maternal diet leads to heavy metal exposures from the consumption of ultra-processed foods that may impact gene behavior across generations,creating conditions for the neurodevelopmental disorders...BACKGROUND Unhealthy maternal diet leads to heavy metal exposures from the consumption of ultra-processed foods that may impact gene behavior across generations,creating conditions for the neurodevelopmental disorders known as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Children with these disorders have difficulty metabolizing and excreting heavy metals from their bloodstream,and the severity of their symptoms correlates with the heavy metal levels measured in their blood.Psychiatrists may play a key role in helping parents reduce their ultra-processed food and dietary heavy metal intake by providing access to effective nutritional epigenetics education.AIM To test the efficacy of nutritional epigenetics instruction in reducing parental ultra-processed food intake.METHODS The study utilized a semi-randomized test and control group pretest-posttest pilot study design with participants recruited from parents having a learning-disabled child with autism or ADHD.Twenty-two parents who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected to serve in the test(n=11)or control(n=11)group.The test group participated in the six-week online nutritional epigenetics tutorial,while the control group did not.The efficacy of the nutritional epigenetics instruction was determined by measuring changes in parent diet and attitude using data derived from an online diet survey administered to the participants during the pre and post intervention periods.Diet intake scores were derived for both ultra-processed and whole/organic foods.Paired sample t-tests were conducted to determine any differences in mean diet scores within each group.RESULTS There was a significant difference in the diet scores of the test group between the pre-and post-intervention periods.The parents in the test group significantly reduced their intake of ultra-processed foods with a preintervention diet score of 70(mean=5.385,SD=2.534)and a post-intervention diet score of 113(mean=8.692,SD=1.750)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.001.The test group also significantly increased their consumption of whole and/or organic foods with a pre-intervention diet score of 100(mean=5.882,SD=2.472)and post-intervention diet score of 121(mean=7.118,SD=2.390)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.05.CONCLUSION Here we show nutritional epigenetics education can be used to reduce ultra-processed food intake and improve attitude among parents having learning-disabled children with autism or ADHD.展开更多
Virtual water trade(VWT)provides a new perspective for alleviating water crisis and has thus attracted widespread attention.However,the heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside the river basin and its i...Virtual water trade(VWT)provides a new perspective for alleviating water crisis and has thus attracted widespread attention.However,the heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside the river basin and its influencing factors remains further study.In this study,for better investigating the pattern and heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin in 2015 using the input-output model(MRIO),we proposed two new concepts,i.e.,virtual water surplus and virtual water deficit,and then used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index(LMDI)model to identify the inherent mechanism of the imbalance of virtual water trade between provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin and the other four regions in China.The results show that:1)in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,the less developed the economy was,the larger the contribution of the agricultural sector in virtual water trade,while the smaller the contribution of the industrial sector.2)Due to the large output of agricultural products,the upstream and midstream provincial regions of the Yellow River Basin had a virtual water surplus,with a net outflow of virtual water of 2.7×10^(8) m^(3) and 0.9×10^(8) m^(3),respectively.3)provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin were in a virtual water deficit with the rest of China,and the decisive factor was the active degree of trade with the outside.This study would be beneficial to illuminate the trade-related water use issues in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,which has farreaching practical signific-ance for alleviating water scarcity.展开更多
Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to ...Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to produce satisfa ctory effects.Therefore,in the search for a solution,we found that a treatment with the gene corresponding to the RGS14414protein in visual area V2,a brain area connected with brain circuits of the ventral stream and the medial temporal lobe,which is crucial for object recognition memory(ORM),can induce enhancement of ORM.In this study,we demonstrated that the same treatment with RGS14414in visual area V2,which is relatively unaffected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer s disease,produced longlasting enhancement of ORM in young animals and prevent ORM deficits in rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Furthermore,we found that the prevention of memory deficits was mediated through the upregulation of neuronal arbo rization and spine density,as well as an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).A knockdown of BDNF gene in RGS14414-treated aging rats and Alzheimer s disease model mice caused complete loss in the upregulation of neuronal structural plasticity and in the prevention of ORM deficits.These findings suggest that BDNF-mediated neuronal structural plasticity in area V2 is crucial in the prevention of memory deficits in RGS14414-treated rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Therefore,our findings of RGS14414gene-mediated activation of neuronal circuits in visual area V2 have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of memory deficits.展开更多
Type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,encompassing selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide,are available to treat Parkinson's disease.These drugs ameliorate motor symptoms and improve motor fluctuation in the advanced ...Type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,encompassing selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide,are available to treat Parkinson's disease.These drugs ameliorate motor symptoms and improve motor fluctuation in the advanced stages of the disease.There is also evidence suppo rting the benefit of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease,such as mood deflection,cognitive impairment,sleep disturbances,and fatigue.Preclinical studies indicate that type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors hold a strong neuroprotective potential in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases for reducing oxidative stress and stimulating the production and release of neurotrophic factors,particularly glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor,which suppo rt dopaminergic neurons.Besides,safinamide may interfere with neurodegenerative mechanisms,countera cting excessive glutamate overdrive in basal ganglia motor circuit and reducing death from excitotoxicity.Due to the dual mechanism of action,the new generation of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,including safinamide,is gaining interest in other neurological pathologies,and many supporting preclinical studies are now available.The potential fields of application concern epilepsy,Duchenne muscular dystrophy,multiple scle rosis,and above all,ischemic brain injury.The purpose of this review is to investigate the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide in Parkinson's disease and beyond,focusing on possible future therapeutic applications.展开更多
Revascularization and angiogenesis,as substrates of sustained collateral circulation,play a crucial role in determining the severity and clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke(AIS)due to large vessel occlusion(LVO)...Revascularization and angiogenesis,as substrates of sustained collateral circulation,play a crucial role in determining the severity and clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke(AIS)due to large vessel occlusion(LVO).Developing an adjunct biomarker to help identify and monitor collateral status would aid stroke diagnosis and prognosis.To screen the potential biomarkers,proteomic analysis was performed in this study to identify those distinct plasma protein profiles in AIS due to LVO with different collateral status.Interestingly,we found that levels of Plasma Factor VII Activating Protease(FSAP)significantly increased in those AIS patients with poor collaterals,and were correlated with worse neurological outcome.Furtherly,both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke were used to explore pathological mechanisms of FSAP in endothelial dysfunction.We demonstrated that the FSAP inhibitor,high-molecular-weight hyaluronan(HMW-HA),enhanced the pro-angiogenic vascular factors,improved the integrity of brain blood barrier,and promoted newly formed cerebral microvessels in the ischemic penumbra,consequently improving neurological function.To elucidate the pathways that might contribute to revascularization during LVO,we applied transcriptomic analysis via unbiased RNA sequencing and showed that Wnt signaling was highly involved in FSAP mediated endothelial dysfunction.Notably,inhibition of Wnt5a largely reversed the protective effects from HMW-HA treatment,implying that FSAP might aggravate endothelial dysfunction and neurological deficits by regulating Wnt5a signaling.Therefore,FSAP may represent a potential biomarker for collateral status after LVO and a promising therapeutic target to be explored in the treatment of stroke.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND: The use and abuse of designer drugs has been recognized for decades; however there are many derivatives of compounds that make their way into the community. Abuse of compound(s) known on the street as "bath salt" is on the rise.METHODS: We report the case of a 33-year-old man who complained of "flashbacks" and right arm shaking that followed a night of "bath salt" snorting. The active compound methylenedioxypyrovalerone methamphetamine(MDPV) was confirmed; however, analysis of three different "bath salt" products showed difference in their active components.RESULTS: The patient's symptoms remained stable and he was discharged home after observation in the emergency department with instructions to return for any symptom progression.CONCLUSION: Practitioners should be aware of the abuse of the compounds and that not all "bath salt" products contain MDPV.
基金supported by Clinical Study on Treatment of Cerebral Small Blood Vessel Disease by Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,No.ZHYY-ZXYJHZX-201625
文摘RehabilNation training is believed to be beneficial to patients with stroke, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. Rat models of cerebral ischemic stroke were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion, and then received treadmill training of different intens让ies, twice a day for 30 minutes for 1 week. Low-intensity training was conducted at 5 m/min, with a 10-minute running, 10-minute rest, and 10-minute running cycle. In the moderate-intensity training, the intensity gradually increased from 5 m/min to 10 m/min in 5 minutes, with the same rest cycle as above. In high-intensity training, the intensity gradually increased from 5 m/min to 25 m/min in 5 minutes, with the same rest cycle as above. The Bederson scale was used to evaluate the improvement of motor function. Infarct volume was detected using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining was applied to detect the apoptosis of nerve cells in brain tissue. Western blot assay was employed to analyze the activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3卩 signaling pathways in rat brain tissue. All training intensities reduced the neurological deficit score, infarct volume, and apoptosis in nerve cells in brain tissue of stroke rats. Training intensities activated the cAMP/protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta signaling pathways. This activation was more obvious with higher training intensities. These changes were reversed by intracerebroventricular injection of protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMP. Our findings indicate that the neuroprotective effect of rehabilitation training is achieved via activation of the cAMP/ protein kinase A and Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta signaling pathways. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Animal Experimentation in Shanghai No. 8 Peoples Hospital, China.
文摘Introduction: Although anemia is not regarded as an usual vascular risk factor for stroke, it is one of the potential mechanism by which the brain does not receive adequate oxygenation. Moreover, the relationship between drop of hemoglobin and acute focal neurological deficits is not clear. We report two patients with cerebral infarction due to acute anemia. Case Reports: Case 1 was a 73-year-old man who complained an episode of loss of consciousness followed by right hemiparesis and dysarthria after few hours. The day after admission he presented melena caused by a duodenal ulcer bleeding. The hemoglobin dropped from 11.3 g/dl to5.6 g/dl in 24 hours. Areas of acute infarctions were evident at diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the brain. Case 2 was a 77-year-old man with a transient episode of aphasia, right lower limb paresis and mental confusion twelve hours after an intervention of PTA and stenting of the left internal carotid artery. Hemoglobin was11.8 g/dl before intervention and9 g/dl 48 hours later. DWI showed bilateral and widespread acute infarcts. Conclusion: Anemia has to be considered as a potential factor in determining or worsening cerebral infarction, especially in patients with carotid or intracranial stenosis, high cerebrovascular lesions load or insufficient collateral supply. Acute or severe anemia may negatively impact the cerebral blood flow and decrease oxygen-carrying capacity, promote rapid deterioration of ischemic penumbra. Brain DWI and treatment of the underlying etiology of acute anemia are crucial in early identification and recovery of cerebral infarctions.
文摘OBJETTIVE: To observe the effects of Yinxingdamo Injection combined with oxiracetam capsule on cognitive function and neurological deficit in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 38 patients in each group. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine and oxiracetam capsules while patients in the observation group were given Yinxingdamo injection intravenous drip treatment on the basis of the same treatment. After 4 weeks of treatment, the cognitive function of the two groups before and after treatment was observed [Simple Intelligence Scale(MMSE Score), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA Score)], Neurological Deficit [Chinese Stroke Scale(CSS Score), Daily Life Activity ability(ADL score)], free radical biochemical indicators [malondialdehyde(MDA), oxide dismutase(SOD)] changes, and statistical effects of two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 92.1%, which was significantly higher than 73.7% of the control group(P < 0.05). The MMSE score and MoCA score of the two groups were significantly increased after treatment(P < 0.05), and the MMSE score and MoCA score inobservation group were significantly increased after treatment than the control group(P < 0.05). The CSS scores of the two groups were significantly decreased after treatment(P < 0.05), and the ADL scores were significantly increased(P < 0.05). The improvement of CSS score and ADL score in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group(P < 0.05), and serum MDA levels were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P < 0.05), and SOD levels were significantly increased(P < 0.05), and the improvement of MDA and SOD levels in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group group(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yinxingdamo injection combined with oxiracetam capsule can effectively inhibit the oxygen free radical reaction injury in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and significantly improve the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and neurological deficit in patients. Its curative effect is exact and worthy of clinical application.
文摘Background: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation in thoracolumbar spine injury has gained popularity in the last decades as it provides immediate stability, prevents further risk of complications and allows early mobilization of patient. Objectives: Evaluation of clinical and functional outcome after long segment transpedicular screw fixation in unstable thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit patients. Methods: This quasi experimental study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of twenty four (24) patients with traumatic unstable fracture of the thoracolumbar spine with incomplete neurological deficit underwent long segment transpedicular screw fixation were included in this study. Clinical and radiologic outcomes were assessed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Results: A total of 24 patients aged between 20 - 60 years of both sexes (Male-21, Female-03) were included in this study. Their mean (±SD) age was 33.12 (±8.57) years. Most of them were farmer [09 (37.5%)] and day labour [08 (33.33%)]. Motor vehicle accidents were the most common [16 (66.67%)] cause of injury and then fall from height [08 (33.33%)]. The most common level of injury involved was L1-10 (41.67%) patients, followed by L2-07 (29.17%), T12-05 (20.83%) and T11-02 (8.33%) of the study patients. Burst fracture was the commonest [22 (91.67%)] type of fracture followed by Chance fracture [02 (8.33%)]. Pre-operative mean (±SD) Cobb angle, Kyphotic deformation of vertebral body, Beck index and vertebral compression deformity were 21.83 ± 4.5 degrees, 22.09 ± 4.40 degrees, 0.78 ± 2.65 and 0.18 ± 0.93 mm respectively, after procedure which were significantly (p Conclusions: Long segment transpedicular screw fixation is an effective method of treatment in patients having thoracolumbar spine injury with incomplete neurological deficit.
基金Novo Nordisk Foundation(0065099)the Swedish Science Research Council(K2014-62X-12190-19-5 and 2019-01771-3)。
文摘Brain injury-induced neurological deficits typically develop on the contralateral side of the body and include abnormal posture,motor weakness,and spasticity.It is believed that the interruption of descending neural pathways that convey supraspinal commands to the motoneurons in the spinal cord is the main cause of these deficits.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81641136,81703659)Chengde city science and technology research and development projects(No.20151048).
文摘Objective:To explore the effectiveness of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression for type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits.Method:A retrospective study was made in 26 patients with type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits from August 2014 to July 2018 treated within 3 days after injury,which were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression.The radiological indexs、clinical effectiveness indexs、perioperative index and complication incidence were recorded and compared to observe the clinical result.Result:All patients were followed up from 6 to 23 months.There were no nerve injury and other severe complications,which 1.1 grade of neurological recovery was observed at the final follow-up.The average operation time was(102.31±16.87)minutes,with a mean intraoperative blood loss of(87.88±13.05)ml and hospital stays were(15.53±13.00)d.Local anesthesia was 5 patients and general anesthesia were 21 patients.Before the operation,the anterior height of fracture vertebral body(98.31±13.07)%、kyphotic angle(2.76±3.70)°、the Sagittal Cobb angle(1.35±6.78)were improved to(50.19±12.32)%、(21.98±5.58)°、(16.30±8.69)°respectively after the operation(P<0.05).The anterior height of fractured vertebral body and kyphotic angle in final follow-up were worse than the post-operative,but no significant difference was found between two stages(P>0.05).The Sagittal Cobb angle in final follow-up was better than those in post-operative(P<0.05).The VAS scores had statistical improvement(P<0.05).Conclusion Posterior percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in injury vertebrate and curving rob indirect decompression in treating the type A3 thoracolumbar burst fracture with neurological deficits was a minimally invasive,safe and effective surgical procedure to intraspinal interference and direct decompression.
文摘Past research has found a high prevalence of neuropsychological deficits and neurological soft signs in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A close relationship between OCD and depression has also been indicated in the literature. However, many aspects of this association remain unclear. In this study we compared neuropsychological functioning and neurological soft signs of 46 OCD patients who were off psychotropic medication (21 with significant depressive symptoms and 25 without) with 25 non-patient comparison subjects. The patients were matched to the comparison group with regard to age, sex, education, marital status and handedness. There were significant differences between OCD patients and the non-patient comparison group on neuropsychological functioning but not on neurological soft signs. As far as working memory concerns there was a significant difference between the OCD depressed and non-depressed groups. But we found no evidence that the neuropsychological functions such as cognitive flexibility, problem solving and spatial perception in OCD to be attributable to comorbid depression. The pattern of neuropsychological deficits in this sample of OCD patients is suggestive of orbito-frontal as well as dorsolateral prefrontal cortical dysfunction.
基金supported in parts by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82101501(to QF),and 82201589(to XH)。
文摘Proteolytic cleavage of tau by asparagine endopeptidase(AEP)creates tau-N368 fragments,which may drive the pathophysiology associated with synaptic dysfunction and memory deterioration in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients.Nonetheless,the molecular mechanisms of truncated tau-induced cognitive deficits remain unclear.Evidence suggests that signal transduction and activator of transcription-3(STAT3)is associated with modulating synaptic plasticity,cell apoptosis,and cognitive function.Using luciferase reporter assays,electrophoretic mobility shift assays,western blotting,and immunofluorescence,we found that human tau-N368 accumulation inhibited STAT3 activity by suppressing STAT3 translocation into the nucleus.Overexpression of STAT3 improved tau-N368-induced synaptic deficits and reduced neuronal loss,thereby improving the cognitive deficits in tau-N368 mice.Moreover,in tau-N368 mice,activation of STAT3 increased N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor levels,decreased Bcl-2 levels,reversed synaptic damage and neuronal loss,and thereby alleviated cognitive deficits caused by tau-N368.Taken together,STAT3 plays a critical role in truncated tau-related neuropathological changes.This indicates a new mechanism behind the effect of tau-N368 on synapses and memory deficits.STAT3 can be used as a new molecular target to treat tau-N368-induced protein pathology.
基金RTDC postdoctoral fellowship is defrayed by an AHA Supplement to Promote Diversity in Science.MES is funded by AHA(Career Development Award),Rutgers University(StartUp Funds),and NIH(R00AG055701).
文摘Since the early stages of life on earth,cellular metabolism has evolved to adapt to fluctuations in nutrient and oxygen availability.In this context,mammals,which are probably the organisms that show one of the highest levels of metabolic complexity,have developed an elegant system that uses constant and rechargeable energy sources of modulate their metabolism.This homeostasis is especially important in the central nervous system,as neurons and other cells in the brain are highly susceptible to fluctuations in nutrients and oxygen availability.
文摘Microglia are one of the three glial cell populations in the central nervous system(CNS),along with astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.While microglia are unique among brain cells due to their hematologic origin and perform immune functions similar to peripheral macrophages,they are not simply macrophages of the CNS.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32172520)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System(Grant No.CARS-26)。
文摘Pre-harvest water deficit(PHWD)plays an important role in sugar accumulation of citrus fruit.However,the mechanism is not known well.Here,it was confirmed that PHWD promoted sucrose accumulation of citrus fruit,but had limited effect on fructose,glucose and total acid.A sucrose transporter,Cs SUT1,which localizes to the plasma membrane,was demonstrated to function in sucrose transport induced by PHWD.Compared to wild-type,Cs SUT1 overexpression in citrus calli stimulated sucrose,fructose and glucose accumulation,while its silencing in juice sacs reduced sucrose accumulation.Increased sugar accumulation in transgenic lines enhanced plant drought tolerance,and resulted in decreased electrolyte leakage,malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents,as well as increased superoxide dismutase activity and proline contents.An abscisic acid(ABA)-responsive transcription factor,Cs ABF3,was found with a same expression pattern with Cs SUT1 under PHWD.Yeast one-hybrid,electrophoretic mobility shift assay and dual-luciferase assays all revealed that Cs ABF3 directly bound with the Cs SUT1 promoter by ABA responsive elements.When Cs ABF3 was overexpressed in citrus calli,the sucrose,fructose and glucose concentration increased correspondingly.Further,transgenic studies demonstrated that Cs ABF3 could affect sucrose accumulation by regulating Cs SUT1.Overall,this study revealed a regulation of Cs ABF3 promoting Cs SUT1 expression and sucrose accumulation in response to PHWD.Our results provide a detail insight into the quality formation of citrus fruit.
文摘The authors report a case of deficient sensory neuropathy secondary to vitamin B12 deficiency, diagnosed in the neurology department of the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital in Bangui. The diagnosis was made possible by electroneuromyography which showed subclinical neurological damage associated with hematological damage (anemia). Through this observation, we recall the diagnostic criteria of the disease in a context of difficult medical practice. .
文摘Parkinsonism by unilateral,intranigralβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside administration in rats is distinguished in that theα-synuclein insult begins unilaterally but spreads bilaterally and increases in severity over time,thus replicating several clinical features of Parkinson’s disease,a typicalα-synucleinopathy.As Nurr1 repressesα-synuclein,we evaluated whether unilateral transfected of rNurr1-V5 transgene via neurotensin-polyplex to the substantia nigra on day 30 after unilateralβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside lesion could affect bilateral neuropathology and sensorimotor deficits on day 30 post-transfection.This study found that rNurr1-V5 expression but not that of the green fluorescent protein(the negative control)reducedβ-sitosterolβ-D-glucoside-induced neuropathology.Accordingly,a bilateral increase in tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells and arborization occurred in the substantia nigra and increased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive ramifications in the striatum.In addition,tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells displayed less senescence markerβ-galactosidase and more neuron-cytoskeleton markerβIII-tubulin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.A significant decrease in activated microglia(positive to ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1)and neurotoxic astrocytes(positive to glial fibrillary acidic protein and complement component 3)and increased neurotrophic astrocytes(positive to glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100 calcium-binding protein A10)also occurred in the substantia nigra.These effects followed the bilateral reduction inα-synuclein aggregates in the nigrostriatal system,improving sensorimotor behavior.Our results show that unilateral rNurr1-V5 transgene expression in nigral dopaminergic neurons mitigates bilateral neurodegeneration(senescence and loss of neuron-cytoskeleton and tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells),neuroinflammation(activated microglia,neurotoxic astrocytes),α-synuclein aggregation,and sensorimotor deficits.Increased neurotrophic astrocytes and brain-derived neurotrophic factor can mediate the rNurr1-V5 effect,supporting its potential clinical use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
文摘Inappropriate levels of hyperactivity,impulsivity,and inattention characterize attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,a common childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder.The cognitive function and learning ability of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are affected,and these symptoms may persist to adulthood if they are not treated.The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is only based on symptoms and objective tests for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are missing.Treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children include medications,behavior therapy,counseling,and education services which can relieve many of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but cannot cure it.There is a need for a molecular biomarker to distinguish attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from healthy subjects and other neurological conditions,which would allow for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment to be initiated.Abnormal expression of microRNAs is connected to brain development and disease and could provide novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.The recent studies reviewed had performed microRNA profiling in whole blood,white blood cells,blood plasma,and blood serum of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.A large number of microRNAs were dysregulated when compared to healthy controls and with some overlap between individual studies.From the studies that had included a validation set of patients and controls,potential candidate biomarkers for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children could be miR-140-3p,let-7g-5p,-30e-5p,-223-3p,-142-5p,-486-5p,-151a-3p,-151a-5p,and-126-5p in total white blood cells,and miR-4516,-6090,-4763-3p,-4281,-4466,-101-3p,-130a-3p,-138-5p,-195-5p,and-106b-5p in blood serum.Further studies are warranted with children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and consideration should be given to utilizing rat models of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Animal studies could be used to confirm microRNA findings in human patients and to test the effects of targeting specific microRNAs on disease progression and behavior.
文摘BACKGROUND Unhealthy maternal diet leads to heavy metal exposures from the consumption of ultra-processed foods that may impact gene behavior across generations,creating conditions for the neurodevelopmental disorders known as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Children with these disorders have difficulty metabolizing and excreting heavy metals from their bloodstream,and the severity of their symptoms correlates with the heavy metal levels measured in their blood.Psychiatrists may play a key role in helping parents reduce their ultra-processed food and dietary heavy metal intake by providing access to effective nutritional epigenetics education.AIM To test the efficacy of nutritional epigenetics instruction in reducing parental ultra-processed food intake.METHODS The study utilized a semi-randomized test and control group pretest-posttest pilot study design with participants recruited from parents having a learning-disabled child with autism or ADHD.Twenty-two parents who met the inclusion criteria were randomly selected to serve in the test(n=11)or control(n=11)group.The test group participated in the six-week online nutritional epigenetics tutorial,while the control group did not.The efficacy of the nutritional epigenetics instruction was determined by measuring changes in parent diet and attitude using data derived from an online diet survey administered to the participants during the pre and post intervention periods.Diet intake scores were derived for both ultra-processed and whole/organic foods.Paired sample t-tests were conducted to determine any differences in mean diet scores within each group.RESULTS There was a significant difference in the diet scores of the test group between the pre-and post-intervention periods.The parents in the test group significantly reduced their intake of ultra-processed foods with a preintervention diet score of 70(mean=5.385,SD=2.534)and a post-intervention diet score of 113(mean=8.692,SD=1.750)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.001.The test group also significantly increased their consumption of whole and/or organic foods with a pre-intervention diet score of 100(mean=5.882,SD=2.472)and post-intervention diet score of 121(mean=7.118,SD=2.390)and the paired t-test analysis showing a significance of P<0.05.CONCLUSION Here we show nutritional epigenetics education can be used to reduce ultra-processed food intake and improve attitude among parents having learning-disabled children with autism or ADHD.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42201302)‘Double First-Class’University Construction Project of Lanzhou University(No.561120213)。
文摘Virtual water trade(VWT)provides a new perspective for alleviating water crisis and has thus attracted widespread attention.However,the heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside the river basin and its influencing factors remains further study.In this study,for better investigating the pattern and heterogeneity of virtual water trade inside and outside provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin in 2015 using the input-output model(MRIO),we proposed two new concepts,i.e.,virtual water surplus and virtual water deficit,and then used the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index(LMDI)model to identify the inherent mechanism of the imbalance of virtual water trade between provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin and the other four regions in China.The results show that:1)in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,the less developed the economy was,the larger the contribution of the agricultural sector in virtual water trade,while the smaller the contribution of the industrial sector.2)Due to the large output of agricultural products,the upstream and midstream provincial regions of the Yellow River Basin had a virtual water surplus,with a net outflow of virtual water of 2.7×10^(8) m^(3) and 0.9×10^(8) m^(3),respectively.3)provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin were in a virtual water deficit with the rest of China,and the decisive factor was the active degree of trade with the outside.This study would be beneficial to illuminate the trade-related water use issues in provincial regions along the Yellow River Basin,which has farreaching practical signific-ance for alleviating water scarcity.
基金supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad(BFU2013-43458-R)Junta de Andalucia(P12-CTS-1694 and Proyexcel-00422)to ZUK。
文摘Memory deficit,which is often associated with aging and many psychiatric,neurological,and neurodegenerative diseases,has been a challenging issue for treatment.Up till now,all potential drug candidates have failed to produce satisfa ctory effects.Therefore,in the search for a solution,we found that a treatment with the gene corresponding to the RGS14414protein in visual area V2,a brain area connected with brain circuits of the ventral stream and the medial temporal lobe,which is crucial for object recognition memory(ORM),can induce enhancement of ORM.In this study,we demonstrated that the same treatment with RGS14414in visual area V2,which is relatively unaffected in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer s disease,produced longlasting enhancement of ORM in young animals and prevent ORM deficits in rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Furthermore,we found that the prevention of memory deficits was mediated through the upregulation of neuronal arbo rization and spine density,as well as an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).A knockdown of BDNF gene in RGS14414-treated aging rats and Alzheimer s disease model mice caused complete loss in the upregulation of neuronal structural plasticity and in the prevention of ORM deficits.These findings suggest that BDNF-mediated neuronal structural plasticity in area V2 is crucial in the prevention of memory deficits in RGS14414-treated rodent models of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.Therefore,our findings of RGS14414gene-mediated activation of neuronal circuits in visual area V2 have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of memory deficits.
文摘Type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,encompassing selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide,are available to treat Parkinson's disease.These drugs ameliorate motor symptoms and improve motor fluctuation in the advanced stages of the disease.There is also evidence suppo rting the benefit of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease,such as mood deflection,cognitive impairment,sleep disturbances,and fatigue.Preclinical studies indicate that type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors hold a strong neuroprotective potential in Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases for reducing oxidative stress and stimulating the production and release of neurotrophic factors,particularly glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor,which suppo rt dopaminergic neurons.Besides,safinamide may interfere with neurodegenerative mechanisms,countera cting excessive glutamate overdrive in basal ganglia motor circuit and reducing death from excitotoxicity.Due to the dual mechanism of action,the new generation of type-B monoamine oxidase inhibitors,including safinamide,is gaining interest in other neurological pathologies,and many supporting preclinical studies are now available.The potential fields of application concern epilepsy,Duchenne muscular dystrophy,multiple scle rosis,and above all,ischemic brain injury.The purpose of this review is to investigate the preclinical and clinical pharmacology of selegiline,rasagiline,and safinamide in Parkinson's disease and beyond,focusing on possible future therapeutic applications.
基金The study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants:82071380,81873743,and 81801223)Tongji Hospital(HUST)Foundation for Excellent Young Scientist(Grant No.2020YQ06).
文摘Revascularization and angiogenesis,as substrates of sustained collateral circulation,play a crucial role in determining the severity and clinical outcome of acute ischemic stroke(AIS)due to large vessel occlusion(LVO).Developing an adjunct biomarker to help identify and monitor collateral status would aid stroke diagnosis and prognosis.To screen the potential biomarkers,proteomic analysis was performed in this study to identify those distinct plasma protein profiles in AIS due to LVO with different collateral status.Interestingly,we found that levels of Plasma Factor VII Activating Protease(FSAP)significantly increased in those AIS patients with poor collaterals,and were correlated with worse neurological outcome.Furtherly,both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke were used to explore pathological mechanisms of FSAP in endothelial dysfunction.We demonstrated that the FSAP inhibitor,high-molecular-weight hyaluronan(HMW-HA),enhanced the pro-angiogenic vascular factors,improved the integrity of brain blood barrier,and promoted newly formed cerebral microvessels in the ischemic penumbra,consequently improving neurological function.To elucidate the pathways that might contribute to revascularization during LVO,we applied transcriptomic analysis via unbiased RNA sequencing and showed that Wnt signaling was highly involved in FSAP mediated endothelial dysfunction.Notably,inhibition of Wnt5a largely reversed the protective effects from HMW-HA treatment,implying that FSAP might aggravate endothelial dysfunction and neurological deficits by regulating Wnt5a signaling.Therefore,FSAP may represent a potential biomarker for collateral status after LVO and a promising therapeutic target to be explored in the treatment of stroke.
