Modulation of the brain aversive system by GABAergic and serotonergic mechanisms

Experiments performed in our laboratory, using electrical stimulation combined with microinjection of drugs in the dorsal midbrain central grey (CG) of the rat, evidenced that direct stimulation of GABA receptors with locally administered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or the GABAA receptor agonists 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol, isoguvacine and muscimol raised the aversive threshold, defined as the lowest electrical current intensity inducing flight or escape behaviour when applied to the dorsal CG. The GABAB receptor agonist baclofen was ineffective. Also, enhancement of endogenous GABA action through local injection of the benzodiazepines chlordiazepoxide and midazolam or of pentobarbital resulted in anti-aversive effects. Ro 15-1788 antagonized both chlordiazepoxide and midazolam, suggesting benzodiazepine receptor mediation. In contrast to pro-GABAergic drugs, microinjection of the GABA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin into the CG elicited flight behaviour, like the electrical stimulation. Similar experiments with drugs influencing serotonergic neurotransmission evidenced that intra-CG microinjection of serotonin (5-HT) or of the direct 5-HT receptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine increased the aversive threshold. The anti-aversive effect of 5-HT was potentiated by the selective inhibitor of 5-HT neuronal uptake, zimelidine. Also, the latter drug increased the aversive threshold when given alone. The anti-aversive effect of 5-HT was antagonized by local pretreatment with either metergoline or ketanserin, the latter being a selective blocker of 5-HT2 receptors. In contrast to the GABA antagonists mentioned above, the 5-HT receptor blockers did not evoke aversive behaviour per se. Therefore, both GABAergic and serotonergic mechanisms are likely to play an inhibitory role in the dorsal CG integrating aversive behaviour.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of medial arch-heel support in inserts on reducing ankle eversion: a biomechanics study

Background  

Excessive pronation (or eversion) at ankle joint in heel-toe running correlated with lower extremity overuse injuries. Orthotics and inserts are often prescribed to limit the pronation range to tackle the problem. Previous studies revealed that the effect is product-specific. This study investigated the effect of medial arch-heel support in inserts on reducing ankle eversion in standing, walking and running.     

苦楝化学成份的研究

从苦楝(Melia azedarach L.)果中分得苦楝新醇(Ⅰ),苦楝醇(Ⅱ)、苦楝酮(Ⅲ)、苦楝二醇(Ⅳ)、香草醛(Ⅴ)和香草酸(Ⅵ)。根据波谱(IR,MS,¹HNMR,¹³CNMR)分析和理化常数测定,确定了它们的结构。其中苦楝新醇(Ⅰ)为新化合物,对菜青小虫有一定的拒食活性。     

多波长系数法的研究与应用

在多组分光度分析的方法中,最小二乘法、Kalman滤波、因子分析等虽已能成功的消除组分间的相互干扰,不经分离直接定量,但均需有微机配套进行矩阵运算。而双波长、三波长法,虽然简单,但对于吸收光谱重叠严重的混合组分,则难以选出满足要求的波长;     

壳聚糖的纳米化及其生物学效应

目的:综合分析壳聚糖纳米微粒的制备方法、研究进展及其生物学效应资料来源:应用计算机检索PUBMED 1998-01/2006-12有关壳聚糖纳米化方面的文献,检索词“Chitosan;nanoparticles”,同时计算机检索超星数字图书库2000-01/2006-12期间的相关文献,检索词为“壳聚糖”。资料选择:对资料进行初审,并查看每篇文献后的引文。选择针对性强的文章。同一领域的选择近期或权威杂志的文章。资料提炼:共收集到259篇相关文献,其中34篇符合纳入标准,排除25篇。符合纳入标准的34篇文献中,26篇涉及壳聚糖纳米粒的制备,8篇涉及纳米化后产生的生物学效应。资料综合:壳聚糖作为一类带正电的多糖,其性质不活泼,不与体液和体内组织产生免疫反应,并具有很好的生物相容性和生物可降解性。目前壳聚糖纳米化主要采用离子交联法、沉淀法、共价交联法、乳化溶剂扩散挥发法、自组装法等方法。纳米化后具有增加药物的吸收作用、增加药物的靶向性和降低药物副作用、增强药物的缓释作用及提高药物稳定性的生物学效应。结论:壳聚糖纳米粒的研究已成为当前生物医学领域的热点。纳米化后的壳聚糖在缓控释给药系统中具有广阔的应用前途,但其溶解性能有待于进一步提高。