Protective effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on scopolamine‐induced memory deficits through regulation of cholinergic transmission,oxidative stress and the ERK‐CREB‐BDNF signaling pathway

Rh2 is a rare ginsenoside and there are few reports of its effect on cognition compared with other similar molecules. This study aimed to establish the impact of Rh2 treatment on improving scopolamine (Scop)‐induced memory deficits in mice and illuminate the underlying mechanisms. First, memory‐related behavior was evaluated using two approaches: object location recognition (OLR), based on spontaneous activity, and a Morris water maze (MWM) task, based on an aversive stimulus. Our results suggested that Rh2 treatment effectively increased the discrimination index of the mice in the OLR test. In addition, Rh2 elevated the crossing numbers and decreased the escape latency during the MWM task. Moreover, Rh2 markedly upregulated the phosphorylation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐cAMP response element binding (CREB)‐brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, the administration of Rh2 significantly promoted the cholinergic system and dramatically suppressed oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Taken together, Rh2 exhibited neuroprotective effects against Scop‐induced memory dysfunction in mice. Rh2 activity might be ascribed to several underlying mechanisms, including its effects on modulating the cholinergic transmission, inhibiting oxidative stress and activating the ERK‐CREB‐BDNF signaling pathway. Consequently, the ginsenoside Rh2 might serve as a promising candidate compound for Alzheimer's disease.     

大剂量中西药物硬膜外腔灌注治疗椎动脉型颈椎病的临床研究

目的观察大剂量中西药物硬膜外腔灌注治疗椎动脉型颈椎病的临床效果。方法以2005-01—2006-10中西药物硬膜外腔灌注治疗椎动脉型颈椎病119例为研究对象，随机分为大剂量中西药物硬膜外腔灌注治疗组（89例）和单纯静脉注射用药治疗对照组（30例），分别观察和记录治疗前后临床主要自觉症状的模拟评分，评定治疗效果。结果大剂量硬膜外腔灌注结束时即刻开始观察，治疗后所有临床主要自觉症状的模拟评分较治疗前均显著降低（P〈0．01）；与对照组比较，各观察阶段均有显著疗效。结论大剂量中西药物硬膜外腔灌注治疗颈椎病有令人满意的的疗效。     

Daphne-type diterpenes from genus Daphne and their anti-tumor activity

Daphne-type diterpenenoids is the major biologically active constituents in the genus Daphne. We find that there are about 101 Daphne-type diterpenes in this genus, most of these compounds show different degrees of inhibitory effect on various cancer cell. Some of them have been studied in depth and the potent molecular mechanisms might be associated with modulation of different cell-signaling pathways. In addition, some compounds of this type also can inhibit the synthesis of protein and DNA. Absolutely, the anti-tumor activity of Daphne-type diterpenes is worthy of attention. Unfortunately, most of the current research on the activity of these compounds is focused on simple drug efficacy, and its in-depth mechanism research is far from enough. On the other point of view, there still exists wide growing space on the depth of these compounds.     

高压氧治疗并发症及副反应的临床观察分析

[目的]评估高压氧治疗病人并发症和副反应的发生率,分析高压氧治疗的医疗安全性。[方法]前瞻性地收集1083例病人因各种原因在多人氧舱进行高压氧治疗期间出现的并发症和副反应。[结果]234例(21.61%)病人出现中耳压力平衡失调,5例(0.46%)发生鼻窦气压伤,4例(0.37%)出舱后主诉口唇或手指麻木,8例(0.74%)表现幽闭恐怖,长期治疗病人(80次以上)肺功能检查无异常改变。[结论]高压氧治疗最主要的并发症是中耳压力平衡问题。     

A bias‐free two‐alternative forced choice procedure to examine intersensory illusions applied to the ventriloquist effect by flashes and averted eye‐gazes

We compared with a new psychophysical method whether flashes and averted eye‐gazes of a cartoon face induce a ventriloquist illusion (an illusory shift of the apparent location of a sound by a visual distracter). With standard psychophysical procedures that measure a direct ventriloquist effect and a ventriloquist aftereffect, we found in human subjects that both types of stimuli induced an illusory shift of sound location. These traditional methods, though, are probably contaminated by response strategies. We therefore developed a new two‐alternative forced choice procedure that allows measuring the strength of an intersensory illusion in a bias‐free way. With this new procedure we found that only flashes, but not averted eye‐gazes, induced an illusory shift in sound location. This difference between flashes and eye‐gazes was validated in an EEG study in which again only flashes illusorily shifted the apparent location of a sound thereby evoking a mismatch negativity response. These results are important because they highlight that commonly used measures of multisensory illusions are contaminated while there is an easy yet stringent way to measure the strength of an illusion in a bias‐free way.     

Asthma and odors: The role of risk perception in asthma exacerbation

Objective

Fragrances and strong odors have been characterized as putative triggers that may exacerbate asthma symptoms and many asthmatics readily avoid odors and fragranced products. However, the mechanism by which exposure to pure, non-irritating odorants can elicit an adverse reaction in asthmatic patients is still unclear and may involve both physiological and psychological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate how beliefs about an odor's relationship to asthmatic symptoms could affect the physiological and psychological responses of asthmatics.

Methods

Asthmatics classified as ‘moderate-persistent’, according to NIH criteria, were exposed for 15 min to a fragrance which was described either as eliciting or alleviating asthma symptoms. During exposure, participants were asked to rate odor intensity, perceived irritation and subjective annoyance while physiological parameters such as electrocardiogram, respiratory rate, and end tidal carbon dioxide (etCO₂) were recorded. Before, immediately after, and at 2 and 24 h post-exposure, participants were required to subjectively assess their asthma symptom status using a standardized questionnaire. We also measured asthma status at each of those time points using objective parameters of broncho-constriction (spirometry) and measures of airway inflammation (exhaled nitric oxide, FeNO).

Results

Predictably, manipulations of perceived risk altered both the quality ratings of the fragrance as well as the reported levels of asthma symptoms. Perceived risk also modulated the inflammatory airway response.

Conclusions

Expectations elicited by smelling a perceived harmful odor may affect airway physiology and impact asthma exacerbations.