Dysfunction of sensory oscillations in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent developmental disability characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recently, anomalous sensory and perceptual function has gained an increased level of recognition as an important feature of ASD. A specific impairment in the ability to integrate information across brain networks has been proposed to contribute to these disruptions. A crucial mechanism for these integrative processes is the rhythmic synchronization of neuronal excitability across neural populations; collectively known as oscillations. In ASD there is believed to be a deficit in the ability to efficiently couple functional neural networks using these oscillations. This review discusses evidence for disruptions in oscillatory synchronization in ASD, and how disturbance of this neural mechanism contributes to alterations in sensory and perceptual function. The review also frames oscillatory data from the perspective of prevailing neurobiologically-inspired theories of ASD.     

Buffering the effects of peer victimization on adolescent non-suicidal self-injury: The role of self-compassion and family cohesion

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant behavioral problem among adolescents all over the world. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between peer victimization and NSSI, as well as the buffering effects of self-compassion and family cohesion on this relationship. Data were collected at two time points from 525 secondary school students (226 girls; M_age = 12.97, SD = 1.02) in China. Results showed that peer victimization (marginally) significantly predicted NSSI over time even after controlling for Wave 1 NSSI. This association was weakened under the condition of high levels of self-compassion. Findings of this study emphasize the buffering effect of self-compassion in the relationship between peer victimization and NSSI, and are informative for prevention and intervention of this behavioral problem.     

电刺激对失用性肌萎缩肌肉肌力与肌电影响的生物学效应

目的：建立大鼠失用性肌萎缩的动物模型，观察固定后不同时间电刺激治疗对模型鼠股四头肌肌力和诱导肌电图的影响。 方法：实验于2003-09／2004-03在华南师范大学运动人体科学实验室进行。在预备性动物建模成功的基础上，将125只SD大鼠单纯随机分为5组（n=25）：①正常对照组：不干预。②24h，1，2，3周电刺激组：均采用长腿石膏固定法，使大鼠膝关节固定，各组分别在固定后24h内，1，2，3周时进行电刺激治疗。电刺激采用T90-Ⅱ电脑电刺激肌肉力量训练器，波形为方波，电流强度为5mA，刺激时间为10min／d，隔天进行。分别于实验前和固定后1，2，3，4周各周末采集股四头肌肌力、诱导肌电图放电水平。 结果：125只大鼠全部进入结果分析。①肌电图放电水平：正常对照组的在4周期间并无明显变化；其他各组均从第2周发生显著下降，至第4周，24h，1，2，3周电刺激组较正常对照组分别下降了21．26％，34．65％，45．67％，和55、12％，实施电刺激越早，降低幅度越小。②肌力：正常对照组的在4周期间并无明显变化；其他各组均从第2周发生显著下降，至第4周，24h，1，2，3周电刺激组较正常对照组分别下降了28、97％，53、10％，61.38％，和达66、90%，实施电刺激越早，降低幅度越小。 结论：①大鼠的肌力和肌电图放电水平会随固定时间延长呈现逐步下降趋势，且下降的幅度随固定时间延长而加大。②电刺激并不能完全防止肌力和肌电图放电水平的下降，但可以有效缓解下降的速率。③在固定后电刺激治疗实施得越早，肌肉功能降低的速率越慢，降低的幅度越小。     

Cordycepin decreases activity of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron through membrane hyperpolarization

Cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine) is the main functional component of Cordycepins militaris, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine, which has been shown to possess anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and neuro-protective effects. However, the effect of cordycepin on the central nervous system (CNS) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of cordycepin on neuronal activity were investigated on the CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal brain slices using a whole-cell patch clamp technique. Our results revealed that cordycepin significantly decreased the frequency of both the spontaneous and evoked action potential (AP) firing. While AP spike width, the amplitude of fast after hyperpolarization (fAHP), and membrane input resistance were not altered by cordycepin, the neuronal membrane potential was hyperpolarized by cordycepin. Collectively, these results demonstrate that cordycepin reduces neuronal activity by inducing membrane hyperpolarization, indicating that cordycepin may be a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic and other excitotoxic disorders.     

Electrophysiological properties of neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium of adult male zebra finches

Nucleus robust arcopallium (RA) of the songbird is a distinct forebrain region that is essential for song production. To explore the electrophysiological properties, whole cell recordings were made from adult zebra finch RA neurons in slice preparations. Based on the electrophysiological properties, neurons in RA were classified into two distinct classes. Type I neurons were spontaneously active. They had larger input resistance, longer time constant, larger time-peak of an afterhyperpolarization (AHP), and broader action potentials than those of the other class. A slow, time-dependent inward rectification was induced by hyperpolarizing current pulses in this type of neuron, and was blocked by external CsCl (2mM). Type II neurons had a more negative resting membrane potential than that of type I neurons. They were characterized by a steeper slope of the recovery from the peak of the AHP and frequency-current relationships, a higher firing threshold, and irregular spiking in response to depolarizing current injection.     

对“知情不同意”情况下医疗不作为的伦理学审视

伦理在法律实施中的价值以及道德义务与法律义务之间的辩证关系决定了“不作为”既是一种法律判断,又是一种伦理判断。知情不同意情况下,医疗不作为的发生有医患关系紧张导致医务人员角色混乱、知情同意制度存在缺陷以及医疗高风险缺乏保护等深层次原因。为此,需要加强医务人员职业精神建设、充分发挥医院伦理委员会的作用,不断健全相关法律制度。     

贫困大学生社会支持与人格发展的关系研究

目的考察贫困大学生人格发展与社会支持的现状,探讨其人格与社会支持的关系。方法采用大五人格问卷简化版（NEO-FFI）和社会支持量表（SSRS）作为测查工具,对湖南省6所高校大学生进行调查,对其中409名贫困大学生与抽取的457名非贫困大学生进行分析。结果贫困大学生在神经质、责任心特质上和朋友支持、居住环境、经济支持来源及参与活动情况上与非贫困大学生存在显著差异;客观支持、支持利用度、人格的经验开放性在贫困大学生的性别、专业和年级上主效应或交互作用显著;贫困大学生神经质因子与社会支持及各因子均为显著负相关,人格的其余各因子除经验开放性与责任心因子与社会支持的利用度相关不显著外,其余与社会支持总分、主观支持、客观支持均呈显著正相关;外倾性和责任心是社会支持的主要预测因素。结论贫困大学生相对非贫困大学生具有高神经质、高责任心的人格特质,贫困大学生的人格与社会支持具有性别和专业差异,人格特质对社会支持有一定的预测作用。     

针刺及艾灸足三里穴缓解大鼠运动疲劳作用的比较

背景：已有诸多实验证实针灸足三里穴能够有效地缓解运动疲劳。 目的：观察毫针针刺及艾灸足三里穴(ST36)对运动疲劳大鼠的运动耐力、骨骼肌微循环及抗氧化酶活性的影响,探讨针刺及艾灸两种不同疗法缓解运动疲劳作用的差异。 设计、时间及地点：随机动物实验,于2008-06/07在华南师范大学光子中医学实验室完成。 材料：SPF级雄性成年SD大鼠24只,体质量220~260 g。 方法：SD大鼠24只,适应性游泳后被随机分为正常对照组、模型组、艾灸组及针刺组,每组6只。采用无负重游泳方式建立大鼠运动疲劳模型,艾灸组及针刺组在游泳运动的同时,分别采用毫针及艾灸刺激足三里穴,1次/d,共10 d。末次力竭运动结束后检测指标。 主要观察指标：大鼠骨骼肌微循环及线粒体内超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶的活性。 结果：实验第9天,艾灸组大鼠的运动耐力显著高于同时间点模型组的运动耐力(P < 0.05);实验第11天,艾灸组和针刺组的大鼠的运动耐力均显著高于模型组的大鼠同时间点的运动耐力(P < 0.05),艾灸组和针刺组相比差异无显著性意义 (P > 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌的血流灌注量均显著高于模型组(P < 0.05);针刺组腹直肌的血流灌注量显著高于模型组(P < 0.05)。艾灸组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于模型组(P < 0.05); 针刺组双侧胫骨前肌线粒体内的超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著低于艾灸组(P < 0.05)。 结论：艾灸足三里穴能够有效地提高运动疲劳大鼠骨骼肌线粒体抗氧化酶活性、增加骨骼肌血流灌注,缓解外周骨骼肌的运动疲劳,提高运动耐力,其效应优于针刺足三里穴。     

Curcumol induces apoptosis via caspases-independent mitochondrial pathway in human lung adenocarcinoma ASTC-a-1 cells

Curcumol isolated from Rhizoma Curcumae, a common traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to possess antitumor effects, but little is known about the molecular mechanism. The current study tried to explore the molecular mechanism of curcumol-induced cell death in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1) cells. Cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging, emission spectral analysis, and flow cytometry (FCM) technologies were used to assess the characteristics of curcumol-induced cell death. FCM analysis showed that curcumol induced G₂/M phase arrest, nuclear fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization, implying that curcumol dominantly induced apoptotic cell death. Dynamical imaging showed that curcumol induced a rapid translocation of Bax from cytosol into mitochondria within 6 h, leading to a rapid dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm), implying that mitochondria play an important role in the curcumol-induced apoptosis. The fact that Z-VAD-fmk, a broad-spectrum inhibitor of caspases, did not reduce the curcumol-induced apoptosis showed that caspases were not involved in curcumol-induced apoptosis, which was further verified by monitoring the caspase-3 activation inside living cells stably expressing SCAT3, a FRET plasmid. Collectively, we for the first time demonstrated that curcumol induced cell death in a dominant apoptotic fashion via the caspases-independent mitochondrial pathway in ASTC-a-1 cells.