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25 June 2012, Volume 7 Issue 18 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Schisandra N-butanol extract improves synaptic morphology and plasticity in ovarectomized mice Meiyan Yang, Zhaolin Cai, Peng Xiao, Chuhua Li 2012, 7 (18):  1365-1369.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (129KB) ( 981 )   Save Preliminary work by our research team revealed that Schisandra, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine, causes learning and memory improvements in ovariectomized mice. This activity was attributed to active ingredients extracted with N-butyl alcohol, named Schisandra N-butanol extract. In this study, ovariectomized mice were pretreated with Schisandra N-butanol extract given by intragastric administration. This treatment led to the enhancement of learning, and an increase in hippocampal CA1 synaptic, surface and postsynaptic density. A decrease in the average size of the synaptic active zone was also observed. These experimental findings showing that Schisandra N-butanol extract improved synaptic morphology indicate an underlying mechanism by which the ability of learning is enhanced in ovariectomized mice. Related Articles | Metrics

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Mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathways participate in the active principle region of Buyang Huanwu decoction-induced differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells Jinghui Zheng, Jian Liang, Xin Deng, Xiaofeng Chen, Fasheng Wu, Xiaofang Zhao, Yuan Luo, Lei Fu, Zuling Jiang 2012, 7 (18):  1370-1377.  Abstract ( 192 )   PDF (289KB) ( 922 )   Save Our preliminary studies confirmed that an active principle region of Buyang Huanwu decoction, comprising alkaloid, polysaccharide, aglycon, glucoside and volatile oil, can induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into neurons. Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling was identified as one of the key pathways underlying this differentiation process. The present study shows phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and phosphorylated p38 protein expression was increased after differentiation. Cellular signaling pathway blocking agents, PD98059 and SB203580, inhibited extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and p38 in mito-gen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways respectively. mRNA and protein expression of the neuronal marker, neuron specific enolase, and neural stem cell marker, nestin, were decreased in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells after treatment with the active principle region of Buyang Huanwu decoction. Experimental findings indicate that, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and p38 in mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways participate in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into neuron-like cells, induced by the active principle region of Buyang Huanwu decoction. Related Articles | Metrics

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The cumulative analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture involves synaptic remodeling in the hippocampal CA3 region Qiuling Xu, Tao Liu, Shuping Chen, Yonghui Gao, Junying Wang, Lina Qiao, Junling Liu 2012, 7 (18):  1378-1385.  Abstract ( 191 )   PDF (144KB) ( 1158 )   Save In the present study, we examined the analgesic effect of repeated electroacupuncture at bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) once a day for 14 consecutive days in a rat model of chronic sciatic nerve constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain. In addition, concomitant changes in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression and synaptic ultrastructure of neurons in the hippocampal CA3 region were examined. The thermal pain threshold (paw withdrawal latency) was increased significantly in both groups at 2 weeks after electroacupuncture intervention compared with 2 days of electroacupuncture. In ovariectomized rats with chronic constriction injury, the analgesic effect was significantly reduced. Electroacupuncture for 2 weeks significantly diminished the injury-induced increase in synaptic cleft width and thinning of the postsynaptic density, and it significantly suppressed the down-regulation of intracellular calcium/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region. Repeated electroacupuncture intervention had a cumulative analgesic effect on injury-induced neuropathic pain reactions, and it led to synaptic remodeling of hippocampal neurons and upregulated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II expression in the hippocampal CA3 region. Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes in the default mode network in the prefrontal lobe, posterior cingulated cortex and hippocampus of heroin users Wenfu Hu, Xiangming Fu, Ruobing Qian, Xiangpin Wei, Xuebing Ji, Chaoshi Niu 2012, 7 (18):  1386-1391.  Abstract ( 229 )   PDF (126KB) ( 800 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Quantitative assessment of physiological cerebrospinal fluid flow in the cervical spinal canal with 3.0T phase-contrast cine MRI Hua Shang, Huaijun Liu, Leka Yan, Jianming Lei, Caixia Cui, Hui Li 2012, 7 (18):  1392-1397.  Abstract ( 195 )   PDF (248KB) ( 651 )   Save A total of 50 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 54 years underwent phase-contrast cine MRI to assess cerebrospinal fluid flow characteristics in different regions of the vertebral canal. The results revealed that the cerebrospinal fluid peak flow velocity and peak flow rate in the systolic phase were significantly greater than those in the diastolic phase at the same level in the subarachnoid space of the cervical spinal canal. The ventral peak flow velocity and peak flow rate were significantly greater than the post-lateral peak flow velocity and flow rate, while there were no differences between left and right post-lateral subarachnoid peak velocity and flow rate. Moreover, there were no significant differences in peak flow velocity and peak flow rate between the systolic and diastolic phases, ventral, right post-lateral or left post-lateral peak flow velocity and peak flow rate at the same level in the subarachnoid space of the cervical spinal canal among different age groups (18-24, 25-34, 35-44, ≥ 45 years). Related Articles | Metrics

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Three-dimensional pharmacophore screening for fentanyl derivatives Ming Liu, Zhiguo Sun, Wenxiang Hu 2012, 7 (18):  1398-1405.  Abstract ( 172 )   PDF (260KB) ( 1415 )   Save Fentanyl is a highly selective μ-opioid receptor agonist with high analgesic activity. Three-dimensional pharmacophore models were built from a set of 50 fentanyl derivatives. These were employed to elucidate ligand-receptor interactions using information derived only from the ligand structure to identify new potential lead compounds. The present studies demonstrated that three hydrophobic regions, one positive ionizable region and two hydrogen bond acceptor region sites located on the molecule seem to be essential for analgesic activity. The results of the comparative molecular field analysis model suggested that both steric and electrostatic interactions play important roles. The contributions from steric and electrostatic fields for the model were 0.621 and 0.379, respectively. The pharmacophore model provides crucial information about how well the common features of a subject molecule overlap with the hypothesis model, which is very valuable for designing and optimizing new active structures. Related Articles | Metrics

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The 9LLUC/Wistar rat glioma model is not suitable for immunotherapy Liping Yang, Jingxiang Zhao, Guihong Zhou, Yunfang Wang, Lusi Li, Hongfeng Yuan, Xue Nan, Lidong Guan, Xuetao Pei 2012, 7 (18):  1406-1411.  Abstract ( 199 )   PDF (440KB) ( 909 )   Save Related Articles | Metrics

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L-tyrosine improves neuroendocrine function in a mouse model of chronic stress Zhihua Wang, Jinghua Li, Zhiming Wang, Lingyan Xue, Yi Zhang, Yingjie Chen, Jun Su, Zhongming Li 2012, 7 (18):  1413-1419.  Abstract ( 149 )   PDF (128KB) ( 923 )   Save Adult BALB/c mice, individually housed, were stimulated with nine different stressors, arranged randomly, for 4 continuous weeks to generate an animal model of chronic stress. In chronically stressed mice, spontaneous locomotor activity was significantly decreased, escape latency in the Morris water maze test was prolonged, serum levels of total thyrotropin and total triiodothyronine were significantly decreased, and dopamine and norepinephrine content in the pallium, hippocampus and hypothalamus were significantly reduced. All of these changes were suppressed, to varying degrees, by L-tyrosine supplementation. These findings indicate that the neuroendocrine network plays an important role in chronic stress, and that L-tyrosine supplementation has therapeutic effects. Related Articles | Metrics

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Association of glutathione S-transferase T1 and M1 gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke risk in the Chinese Han population Rui Wang, Yan Wang, Junhong Wang, Kun Yang 2012, 7 (18):  1420-1427.  Abstract ( 208 )   PDF (203KB) ( 1155 )   Save Atherosclerosis plays an important role in ischemic stroke, and oxidative stress participates in the entire process of atherosclerosis. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) acting with other antioxidant enzymes can eliminate reactive oxygen species and protect cells against oxidative damage. To assess the association of glutathione S-transferase (GSTT1 and GSTM1) gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in the Chinese Han population, the present study selected 315 patients with ischemic stroke and 210 healthy controls for comparison. GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reactions, electrophoresis and imaging analysis. No obvious evidence of GSTT1-null, GSTM1-null and GSTT1/GSTM1-double null genotype distribution differences was found between case and control groups or between genders. Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of stroke was increased when hypertension was accompanied by GSTT1-null (odds ratio (OR) = 2.996, P < 0.001) and GSTM1-null (OR = 3.680, P < 0.001) genotypes; diabetes mellitus was accompanied by GSTT1-null (OR = 1.860, P = 0.031) and GSTM1-null (OR = 2.444,  P = 0.002) genotypes, and smokers showed a GSTT1-null genotype (OR = 2.276, P = 0.003). GSTT1- and GSTM1-null genotypes may interact synergistically with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking to increase the incidence risk of ischemic stroke. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Five-year follow-up of 23 asymmetrical Parkinson’s disease patients treated with unilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation Jinchuan Liang, Xiaowu Hu, Xiaoping Zhou, Xiufeng Jiang, Yiqun Cao, Laixing Wang, Aiguo Jin, Jianmin Liu 2012, 7 (18):  1428-1435.  Abstract ( 195 )   PDF (142KB) ( 1116 )   Save In this study, 23 asymmetrical Parkinson’s disease patients were treated with unilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and followed up for 5 years. At 5 years after stimulation treatment, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale II, III and axial symptom scores in the off-drug condition were significantly increased compared those at baseline. However, total Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale II, III and axial symptom scores were significantly lower with stimulation-on compared with the synchronous stimulation-off state in off-drug condition, and the motor symptoms of contralateral side limbs were effectively controlled. Only low Hoehn-Yahr stage was correlated with good long-term postoperative improvement in motor symptoms. The mean levodopa-equivalent daily dose after stimulation treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment, but dyskinesias became worse. Our experimental findings indicate that unilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment for improving motor symptoms in well selected asymmetrical Parkinson’s disease patients presenting no severe axial symptoms and dyskinesias. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Botulinum toxin injection improved voluntary motor control in selected patients with post-stroke spasticity Shuo-Hsiu Chang, Gerard E Francisco, Sheng Li 2012, 7 (18):  1436-1439.  Abstract ( 174 )   PDF (101KB) ( 838 )   Save The effect of botulinum toxin type A injection on voluntary grip control was examined in a 53-year-old female, who sustained a hemorrhagic right middle cerebral artery stroke 3 years previously, which resulted in finger flexor spasticity and residual weak finger/wrist extension. The patient received 50 units of botulinum toxin type A injection each to the motor points (2 sites/muscle) of the left flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus, respectively. Botulinum toxin injection led to weakness and tone reduction in the spastic finger flexors, but improved grip release time in grip initiation/release reaction time tasks. Improved release time was accompanied by shortened extensor electromyography activity, and improved release time likely correlated with blocked co-contraction of finger flexors during voluntary finger extension. This case report demonstrated that botulinum toxin injection improved voluntary motor control of the hand in a chronic stroke patient with residual finger extension. Related Articles | Metrics