The role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of Alzheimer’s disease: A narrative review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for more than 50 million patients worldwide. Current evidence suggests the exact mechanism behind this devastating disease to be of multifactorial origin, which seriously complicates the quest for an effective disease-modifying therapy, as well as impedes the search for strategic preventative measures. Of interest, preclinical studies point to serotonergic alterations, either induced via selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin receptor (ant)agonists, in mitigating AD brain neuropathology next to its clinical symptoms, the latter being supported by a handful of human intervention trials. Additionally, a substantial amount of preclinical trials highlight the potential of diet, fecal microbiota transplantations, as well as pre- and probiotics in modulating the brain’s serotonergic neurotransmitter system, starting from the gut. Whether such interventions could truly prevent, reverse or slow down AD progression likewise, should be initially tested in preclinical studies with AD mouse models, including sufficient analytical measurements both in gut and brain. Thereafter, its potential therapeutic effect could be confirmed in rigorously randomized controlled trials in humans, preferentially across the Alzheimer’s continuum, but especially from the prodromal up to the mild stages, where both high adherence to such therapies, as well as sufficient room for noticeable enhancement are feasible still. In the end, such studies might aid in the development of a comprehensive approach to tackle this complex multifactorial disease, since serotonin and its derivatives across the microbiota-gut-brain axis might serve as possible biomarkers of disease progression, next to forming a valuable target in AD drug development. In this narrative review, the available evidence concerning the orchestrating role of serotonin within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the development of AD is summarized and discussed, and general considerations for future studies are highlighted.     

精准医学决策支持知识组织研究

介绍国内外医学知识组织体系，从数据来源、概念抽取、语义关系构建几方面阐述基于精准医学临床决策支持系统的精准医学知识组织体系设计，分析其在门诊和住院场景的应用。     

一测多评法同时测定艾纳香油中5种成分

目的建立一测多评法同时测定艾纳香Blumea balsamifera(L.)DC.油中β⁃蒎烯、β⁃石竹烯、樟脑、α⁃石竹烯和龙脑5种成分的含有量。方法艾纳香油乙酸乙酯提取物的分析采用PEG⁃20 M柱(30 m×0.32 mm,1.0μm);程序升温;载气为高纯氮气(99.999%);FID检测器温度240℃,进样口温度240℃。以龙脑为内标,计算其他4种成分的相对校正因子,再测定其含有量。结果蒎烯、β⁃石竹烯、樟脑、α⁃石竹烯和龙脑分别在1.49~59.5μg/mL(r=0.9996)、2.22~88.8μg/mL(r=0.9996)、6.48~259μg/mL(r=0.9997)、3.64~146μg/mL(r=0.9991)和16.4~656μg/mL(r=0.9998)范围内线性关系良好,平均加样回收率(RSD)分别为97.4%(0.9%)、99.0%(1.3%)、98.9%(0.9%)、97.6%(0.9%)和99.7%(1.0%)。一测多评法所得结果接近于外标法。结论该方法准确稳定,重复性好,可用于艾纳香油的质量控制。     

何廉臣《感症宝筏》手校稿本述考

《感症宝筏》原名《伤寒指掌》,为清代医家吴贞所著,何廉臣重订,体现了清代中后期寒温思想的融合。该稿本为何廉臣出版该书时手校之底本,由其子抄录,内有多处校对、抄录笔迹及校改痕迹。从该稿本的抄写和体例、稿本与通行本之对比、该稿本中的修改符号等几个方面进行论述,探讨其学术与文物价值。     

芒针对脊髓损伤大鼠运动功能和炎症水平的影响

目的探究芒针深刺秩边穴对大鼠脊髓损伤后运动功能的影响及可能作用机制。方法选择健康雄性Wister大鼠81只,随机分为正常组、模型组和芒针组(正常组9只,其余两组各36只),采用改良Allen's造模法制备大鼠脊髓中度损伤模型,模型组不做特殊处理,芒针组采用芒针深刺秩边穴,每日1次,每次30 min。分别于术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d行BBB(Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan)运动功能评分;术后1 d、3 d、5 d、7 d取受损段脊髓组织行酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)、实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和苏木素-伊红染色(HE染色)。结果术后5 d和7 d,芒针组大鼠BBB评分高于模型组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);脊髓损伤后,模型组和芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)、核转录因子kB(NF-kB)、白介素-6(IL-6)含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平显著升高(P<0.05);受损的脊髓组织松散,灰质中有许多空洞形成,伴有炎性细胞浸润。芒针治疗后,芒针组大鼠脊髓组织中HMGB1、NF-kB、IL-6含量及HMGB1mRNA、NF-kBmRNA、IL-6mRNA水平较模型组降低,且在3 d、5 d、7 d差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);受损部位的空洞及炎性细胞逐渐减少。结论脊髓损伤后,炎症因子的大量聚集引起级联性炎症反应,影响大鼠运动功能的恢复。芒针的抗炎机制可能包括抑制HMGB1的表达,降低NF-kB信号通路的传导,下调促炎因子IL-6的分泌。     

从新型冠状病毒肺炎的寒疫病机探析清肺排毒汤的组方机制

在《新型冠状病毒肺炎诊疗方案(试行第六版)》中推荐的清肺排毒汤,临床观察疗效显著。笔者拟探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)的寒疫病机以及清肺排毒汤的方药组成机制,认为该方能疏解表里、通调三焦,具有宣肺行气、透邪解毒、润燥化湿、逐水泻热的功效,切合COVID-19寒、燥、湿的病机特点,且能有效的针对症状进行治疗,应推广全国各地广泛使用以遏制疫情蔓延。     

中药治疗创伤后应激障碍的研究进展

创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)是指突发性、威胁性或灾难性生活事件导致个体延迟出现和长期持续存在的精神障碍,其临床表现以再度体验创伤为特征,并伴有情绪的易激惹和回避行为。PTSD的发生不仅伴随着行为学指标异常,机制研究表明还表现出神经生物学指标异常。PTSD的发生机制研究多集中在神经内分泌系统、中枢神经系统和免疫系统等方面,主要表现为应激激素、促炎细胞因子、神经递质、神经保护因子的水平异常。中药因其具有多靶点、多成分和多途径的特点,在治疗PTSD方面表现出了许多优势。当前研究表明,多种中药能够改善PTSD模型中动物行为异常、逆转神经生物学指标。其中很多中药复方已经应用于临床并且具有很好的疗效,因此中药治疗PTSD具有广阔的应用前景。但是,尚未有PTSD的专属治疗药物,且尚未完全厘清PTSD的机制。故本文对当前中药治疗PTSD的研究进行综述,并且从治疗的中药种类、作用机制、动物模型等角度,重点阐述PTSD的发生与治疗进展,以期为PTSD的治疗提供参考。