Advances in the study of the glymphatic system and aging.

The glymphatic system is cerebrospinal fluid-brain tissue fluid exchange flow mediated by aquaporin-4 (AQP4) on the end feet of astrocytes for a system, which is capable of rapidly removing brain metabolites and thus maintaining brain homeostasis, and is known as the central immune system. Dysfunction of the glymphatic system causes accumulation of misfolded and highly phosphorylated proteins (amyloid-ß and Tau proteins), which destabilizes the proteins, and the body's neuroinflammatory factors are altered causing aging of the immune system and leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Damage to the glymphatic system and aging share common manifestations, as well as unstudied biological mechanisms that are also linked, such as mitochondria, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and sleep. In this paper, we first summarize the structure, function, and research methods of the glymphatic system and the relationship between the glymphatic system and the peripheral immune system, and second, sort out and summarize the factors of the glymphatic system in removing metabolites and resolving aging-related diseases and factors affecting aging, to explore its related biological mechanisms, and moreover, to provide a new way of thinking for treating or intervening aging-related diseases.

Natural Products as Mite Control Agents in Animals: A Review.

Mites have been a persistent infectious disease affecting both humans and animals since ancient times. In veterinary clinics, the primary approach for treating and managing mite infestations has long been the use of chemical acaricides. However, the widespread use of these chemicals has resulted in significant problems, including drug resistance, drug residues, and environmental pollution, limiting their effectiveness. To address these challenges, researchers have shifted their focus towards natural products that have shown promise both in the laboratory and real-world settings against mite infestations. Natural products have a wide variety of chemical structures and biological activities, including acaricidal properties. This article offers a comprehensive review of the acaricidal capabilities and mechanisms of action of natural products like plant extracts, natural compounds, algae, and microbial metabolites against common animal mites.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with type 1 diabetes mellitus risk in children: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent genetic association studies showed that there are contradictory results on the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) risk in children. The purpose of this systematic review is to collect the currently available evidence to evaluate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and the risk of T1DM in children. METHODS: Such medical databases as Wanfang Data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were extensively searched for relevant literatures published before June 2021 with the focus on the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and the risk of T1DM in children. The risk of bias was evaluated as per the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale by 2 independent researchers. Meta-analysis was performed to quantify the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and T1DM risk in children. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis would be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: The relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and T1DM risk in children is explored via this meta-analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/Q8XA5.

Removal of elemental mercury by photocatalytic oxidation over La2O3/Bi2O3 composite.

La2O3/Bi2O3 photocatalysts were prepared by impregnation of Bi2O3 with an aqueous solution of lanthanum precursor followed by calcination at different temperatures. The composite materials were used for the first time for the photocatalytic removal of Hg0 from a simulated flue gas under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the sample containing 6 wt.% La2O3 and calcined at 500°C has the highest dispersion of the active sites, which was promoted by the strong interaction with the support (i.e., the formation of Bi-O-La species). Since they are fully accessible on the surface, the material also exhibits excellent optical properties while the heterojunction formed in La2O3/Bi2O3 promotes the separation and migration of photoelectron-hole pairs and thus Hg0 oxidation efficiency is enhanced. The effects of the various factors (e.g., the reaction temperature and composition of the simulated flue gas (i.e., O2, NO, H2O, and SO2)) on the efficiency of the Hg0 photocatalytic oxidation were investigated. The results demonstrated that O2 and SO2 enhanced the efficiency of the reaction while the reaction temperature, NO, and H2O had an inhibitory effect.

Prevalence, clinical correlates and IQ of suicidal ideation in drug naïve Chinese Han patients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation (SI) is a common and serious clinical concern in people with major depressive disorder (MDD). Inconsistent evidence suggests that individuals with SI may have a lower measured intelligence quotient (IQ) than those without SI. The aims of this study were to examine SI prevalence and its associations with demographic, clinical variables and IQ in Chinese drug-naïve MDD patients. METHODS: 488 drug-naïve Chinese Han patients (male: 203, 41.6%) meeting a DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD were enrolled in a cross-sectional study involving seven hospitals. All participants were asked to complete a series of questionnaires, which include information on socio-demographic and clinical variables. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were also administered. Verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ) and full-scale IQ (FIQ) scores were measured using the Chinese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Ⅲ (WAIS-Ⅲ). We categorized patients with SI based on a cut-off score of ≥3 on HAMD item 3. RESULTS: An estimated prevalence 32.8% (160/488) of drug-naïve MDD patients experienced SI during the current episode of illness. Patients with SI were more likely to be divorced (x2 = 6.93, p = 0.031), male (x2 = 6.04, p = 0.014), had higher severity of depression and anxiety symptoms (t = -8.14, p < 0.001, t = -3.28, p < 0.001, respectively), comorbid psychotic features (t = -5.71, p < 0.001), and lower FIQ levels (t = -4.21, p < 0.001), when compared to patients without SI. Using logistic regression analysis and adjusting for confounding variables, the following variables were independently associated with SI: divorced marital status compared to married (OR=4.674, 95% CI: 1.676~13.036), severity of depression symptoms (OR=1.312, 95% CI: 1.196~1.440), psychotic features (OR=1.044; 1.012~1.077), and FIQ /PIQ levels which expressed in OR per SD increase in IQ score (OR=0.740, 95% CI: 0.561~0.977; OR=0.744, 95% CI: 0.557~0.994, respectively). LIMITATIONS: A cross-sectional study which did not assess the influence of severity of SI. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SI in drug-naive Chinese patients with MDD is high, and associated with marital status, severity of depression, psychotic features and measured IQ. Further research is needed to further explore these and other potentially relevant risk factors which might affect clinical outcomes.

The maintenance of modified electroconvulsive therapy combined with risperidone is better than risperidone alone in preventing relapse of schizophrenia and improving cognitive function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of maintenance modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on schizophrenic patients. METHODS: From June 2012 to June 2014, 62 patients with schizophrenia, who had recovered from a successful course of acute MECT, were recruited. Thirty-one patients received maintenance MECT and risperidone, as the experimental group. Another 31 patients were enrolled in the control group, and received risperidone only. The effects on cognitive functions, clinical symptoms and relapse rate were determined. RESULTS: Patients in the experimental group had a lower relapse rate and longer relapse-free survival time than the controls. Relative to the baseline evaluation, patients showed statistically significant improvement in verbal memory and visual memory. At the final assessment, the scores of verbal and visual memory were remarkably lower in the experimental group than the controls but there was no significant difference in other tests. CONCLUSION: Maintenance MECT plus medication is superior to medication alone in preventing relapse and improving cognitive function.

The maintenance of modified electroconvulsive therapy combined with risperidone is better than risperidone alone in preventing relapse of schizophrenia and improving cognitive function / Manutenção de eletroconvulsoterapia modificada combinada com risperidona é melhor do que a risperidona isoladamente na prevenção de recidivas de esquizofrenia e melhoras da função cognitiva

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effect of maintenance modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) on schizophrenic patients. Methods From June 2012 to June 2014, 62 patients with schizophrenia, who had recovered from a successful course of acute MECT, were recruited. Thirty-one patients received maintenance MECT and risperidone, as the experimental group. Another 31 patients were enrolled in the control group, and received risperidone only. The effects on cognitive functions, clinical symptoms and relapse rate were determined. Results Patients in the experimental group had a lower relapse rate and longer relapse-free survival time than the controls. Relative to the baseline evaluation, patients showed statistically significant improvement in verbal memory and visual memory. At the final assessment, the scores of verbal and visual memory were remarkably lower in the experimental group than the controls but there was no significant difference in other tests. Conclusion Maintenance MECT plus medication is superior to medication alone in preventing relapse and improving cognitive function.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o efeito da manutenção de eletroconvulsoterapia modificada (ECTM) em pacientes com esquizofrenia. Métodos Entre junho de 2012 a junho de 2014, 62 pacientes, com esquizofrenia e que apresentaram recuperação bem-sucedida após ECTM aguda, foram recrutados. Um grupo experimental de trinta e um pacientes recebeu ECTM de manutenção e risperidona. Os demais pacientes foram incluídos no grupo controle, recebendo apenas a risperidona. Determinou-se os efeitos sobre as funções cognitivas, os sintomas clínicos e a taxa de recidiva. Resultados Os pacientes do grupo experimental tiveram menor taxa de recidiva e maior tempo de sobrevida livre de recidiva do que os do grupo controle. Em relação à avaliação inicial, os pacientes apresentaram melhora estatisticamente significativa da memória verbal e da memória visual. Na avaliação final, os escores de memória verbal e visual foram extraordinariamente menores no grupo experimental do que no grupo controle, mas não se observou diferenças significativas em outros testes. Conclusão A ECTM de manutenção combinada à medicação é superior ao uso apenas de medicação na prevenção de recidivas e na melhora da função cognitiva.

Enhanced immune response to foot-and-mouth disease vaccine by oral administration of ginseng stem-leaf saponins.

Vaccination is an important approach to the control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This study evaluated the effect of oral administration of ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) on the immune response to FMD vaccine and the gut mucosal immunity in mice. In experiment 1, mice were orally administered GSLS or not treated as a control. The animals were then immunized twice with FMD vaccine. Blood was sampled weekly within five weeks after the boost immunization for measurement of serum IgG and the isotypes. In experiment 2, mice were orally administrated GSLS or not treated as a control. After that, splenocytes were prepared from sacrificed mice for lymphocyte proliferation assay and intestinal tissues were sampled for immunohistochemistry and histological examination. The results showed that oral administration of GSLS significantly enhanced serum IgG and the isotype responses to FMD vaccine as well as the number of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and immunoglobulin A (IgA)+ cells. Therefore, GSLS may be a potent oral adjuvant and deserve further study to improve vaccination in susceptible animals.

Efficacy of surfactant at different gestational ages for infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Since exogenous surfactant replacement therapy was first used to prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), it has become the main method for treatment of RDS. However, in some infants, death is inevitable despite intensive care and surfactant replacement therapy, especially in near-term and term infants. The main purpose of this study was to compare the therapeutic effect of pulmonary surfactant for infants at different gestational ages and to investigate whether exogenous surfactant replacement therapy is effective for all newborns with RDS. Data on surfactant replacement therapy, including blood gas, oxygenation function parameters and therapy results, were collected from 135 infants who were diagnosed with RDS during three years at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. According to gestational age, the subjects were classified into three groups as follows: group 1: gestational age <35 weeks (n=54); group 2: 35 weeks ≤ gestational age <37 weeks (n=35); group 3: gestational age ≥37 weeks (n=46). Six hours after surfactant was given, there were significantly better blood gas results in group 1 and worse results in groups 2 and 3. Similar oxygenation function parameter results were observed in the three groups. In addition, there was a trend toward an increased rate of repeated surfactant administration with increasing gestational age. For near-term and term infants, the efficacy of surfactant therapy was not as good as it was for preterm infants. The causes of RDS in near-term and term infants might be different from those in preterm infants and should be studied further.

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives as anti-diabetics.

By introducing various amino methyl groups into 12-position of berberrubine, a series of 12-(substituted aminomethyl) berberrubine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-diabetic activity against type 2 diabetes mellitus. The results indicated that most of the prepared compounds exhibited moderate to good anti-diabetic activity, which were comparable to or even better than the berberine, the positive control rosiglitazone and insulin. Especially, compound 3b with an N-methyl piperazine-4-methyl group at C-12, exerted the most powerful anti-diabetic activity.

[Investigation of interaction between levofloxacin and bovine serum albumin by fluorescence analysis based on liquid drop].

The interaction between pharmaceutical and protein is an important pharmacokinetic characteristic. Most kinds of drugs must reach the receptor to perform the pharmacological function by plasma. Albumins can serve as a depot protein and a transport protein for numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. It is of great significance to investigate the binding interaction between albumin and drugs, since it can not only help understand the transportation and distribution of drugs but also elucidate the mechanism. Under the physiological condition of body, the interaction between levofloxacin (LVFX) and bovine serum albumin (BAS) was investigated by fluorescence spectra and ultraviolet absorbance (UV) spectra based on liquid drop. The experimental results showed that LVFX quenches the fluorescence of BAS by forming a LVFX-BSA complex. According to Lineweaver-Burk equation, the apparent binding constants (K(LB)) between LVFX and BSA were 1.694 9 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) (291 K) and 2.881 0 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) (310 K), and the binding sites (n) were 0.884 9 (291 K) and 0.808 9 (310 K). Thermodynamic parameters could be evaluated from the thermodynamic second law, with deltaH (enthalpy) being 20.94 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS (entropy) being 172.1 J x mol(-1). According to the relation between thermodynamic parameters and the interaction force, LVFX depended principally on the hydrophobic interaction to bind with BSA. The results showed that the quenching belonged to static fluorescence quenching with non-radiation energy transfer happening within single molecule. The binding locality was an area 2.68 nm away from tryptonphan residue-212 in BAS according to Forster's non-radiation energy transfer mechanism. The conformational changes of BSA were evaluated by measuring the synchronous fluorescence intensity of protein amino acid residues, both before and after the addition of LVFX. A slightly stronger blue-shift of tryptophan fluorescence upon the addition of drug was observed, and the emission maximum of tyrosine kept its position. It was suggested that the environments of tryptophan residues in pure albumin solution are relatively polar. Binding of LVFX changes the environments to apolar ones. The shift in polarity is brought about by confirmation changes due to the interaction between albumin and ligand molecule.