[Restorative capability of traditional Chinese medicine in autoimmune diseases of nervous system: a literature review]. / Vosstanovitel'nyi potentsial traditsionnoi kitaiskoi meditsiny pri autoimmunnykh zabolevaniyakh nervnoi sistemy: obzor literatury.

Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system are characterized by the formation of pronounced neurological deficiency and often lead to disability. Complementary medicine as an adjuvant or preventive therapy of various diseases, including autoimmune ones, is increasingly attracting the attention of doctors and researchers. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a complex of treatment methods, including acupuncture, phytotherapy, nutrition, physical exercises and other methods that are often used in common with the recognized approaches of the official medical science. The article describes the TCM methods application in autoimmune diseases of nervous system, presents the practical experience of using acupuncture, phytotherapy, diet, physical exercises. It was concluded that TCM is important and frequently underestimated health care resource, especially in prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases of nervous system.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency and the Nervous System: Beyond Metabolic Decompensation-Comparing Biological Models and Gaining New Insights into Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms.

Vitamin B12 (VitB12) is a micronutrient and acts as a cofactor for fundamental biochemical reactions: the synthesis of succinyl-CoA from methylmalonyl-CoA and biotin, and the synthesis of methionine from folic acid and homocysteine. VitB12 deficiency can determine a wide range of diseases, including nervous system impairments. Although clinical evidence shows a direct role of VitB12 in neuronal homeostasis, the molecular mechanisms are yet to be characterized in depth. Earlier investigations focused on exploring the biochemical shifts resulting from a deficiency in the function of VitB12 as a coenzyme, while more recent studies propose a broader mechanism, encompassing changes at the molecular/cellular levels. Here, we explore existing study models employed to investigate the role of VitB12 in the nervous system, including the challenges inherent in replicating deficiency/supplementation in experimental settings. Moreover, we discuss the potential biochemical alterations and ensuing mechanisms that might be modified at the molecular/cellular level (such as epigenetic modifications or changes in lysosomal activity). We also address the role of VitB12 deficiency in initiating processes that contribute to nervous system deterioration, including ROS accumulation, inflammation, and demyelination. Consequently, a complex biological landscape emerges, requiring further investigative efforts to grasp the intricacies involved and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Research Progress on Effects of Ginsenoside Rg2 and Rh1 on Nervous System and Related Mechanisms.

Neurological-related disorders are diseases that affect the body's neurons or peripheral nerve tissue, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of neurological disorders can cause serious harm to the quality of life and functioning of the patient. The use of traditional therapeutic agents such as dopamine-promoting drugs, anticholinergic drugs, cholinesterase inhibitors, and NMDA receptor antagonists is often accompanied by a series of side effects such as drug resistance, cardiac arrhythmia, liver function abnormalities, and blurred vision. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find a therapeutic drug with a high safety profile and few side effects. Herbal medicines are rich in active ingredients that are natural macromolecules. Ginsenoside is the main active ingredient of ginseng, which has a variety of pharmacological effects and is considered to have potential value in the treatment of human diseases. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that ginsenosides Rg2 and Rh1 have strong pharmacological activities in the nervous system, with protective effects on nerve cells, improved resistance to neuronal injury, modulation of neural activity, resistance to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, improvement of brain damage after eclampsia hemorrhage, improvement of memory and cognitive deficits, treatment of AD and vascular dementia, alleviation of anxiety, pain, and inhibition of ionic-like behavior. In this article, we searched the pharmacological research literature of Rg2 and Rh1 in the field of neurological diseases, summarized the latest research progress of the two ginsenosides, and reviewed the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Rg2 and Rh1, which provided a new way of thinking for the research of the active ingredients in ginseng anti-neurological diseases and the development of new drugs.

The Effects of Essential Oils on the Nervous System: A Scoping Review.

Essential oils are a mixture of natural aromatic volatile oils extracted from plants. The use of essential oils is ancient, and has prevailed in different cultures around the world, such as those of the Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, and Chinese. Today, essential oils are used in traditional and complimentary medicines, aromatherapy, massage therapies, cosmetics, perfumes and food industries. The screening effect of essential oils has been studied worldwide. They demonstrate a range of biological activities, such as antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiaging, and neuroprotective properties. In this scoping review, we provide a 10-year updated comprehensive assessment of volatile oils and their effects on the nervous system. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were systematically and strategically searched for original studies investigating these effects from 2012 to 2022. Approximately seventy studies were selected as included studies. Among these studies, several outcomes were reported, including antistress, antianxiety, analgesic, cognitive, and autonomic effects. Some essential oils showed developmental benefits, with the potential to induce neurite outgrowth. The neurotransmitter receptor level can also be modified by essential oil application. Physiological and pathophysiological outcome measures were reported. For physiological outcomes, arousal, cognitive performance, circadian eating behavior, emotional modulation, consumer acceptance, preferences, and willingness to buy were investigated. For pathophysiological conditions, pain, depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disorder, mental fatigue, agitated behavior, and quality of life were measured. In conclusion, essential oils showed promising effects on the nervous system, which can be further applied to their use in functional foods, drinks, and alternative therapy.

Proof of Concept for Sustainable Manufacturing of Neural Electrode Array for In Vivo Recording.

Increasing requirements for neural implantation are helping to expand our understanding of nervous systems and generate new developmental approaches. It is thanks to advanced semiconductor technologies that we can achieve the high-density complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor electrode array for the improvement of the quantity and quality of neural recordings. Although the microfabricated neural implantable device holds much promise in the biosensing field, there are some significant technological challenges. The most advanced neural implantable device relies on complex semiconductor manufacturing processes, which are required for the use of expensive masks and specific clean room facilities. In addition, these processes based on a conventional photolithography technique are suitable for mass production, which is not applicable for custom-made manufacturing in response to individual experimental requirements. The microfabricated complexity of the implantable neural device is increasing, as is the associated energy consumption, and corresponding emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, resulting in environmental deterioration. Herein, we developed a fabless fabricated process for a neural electrode array that was simple, fast, sustainable, and customizable. An effective strategy to produce conductive patterns as the redistribution layers (RDLs) includes implementing microelectrodes, traces, and bonding pads onto the polyimide (PI) substrate by laser micromachining techniques combined with the drop coating of the silver glue to stack the laser grooving lines. The process of electroplating platinum on the RDLs was performed to increase corresponding conductivity. Sequentially, Parylene C was deposited onto the PI substrate to form the insulation layer for the protection of inner RDLs. Following the deposition of Parylene C, the via holes over microelectrodes and the corresponding probe shape of the neural electrode array was also etched by laser micromachining. To increase the neural recording capability, three-dimensional microelectrodes with a high surface area were formed by electroplating gold. Our eco-electrode array showed reliable electrical characteristics of impedance under harsh cyclic bending conditions of over 90 degrees. For in vivo application, our flexible neural electrode array demonstrated more stable and higher neural recording quality and better biocompatibility as well during the 2-week implantation compared with those of the silicon-based neural electrode array. In this study, our proposed eco-manufacturing process for fabricating the neural electrode array reduced 63 times of carbon emissions compared to the traditional semiconductor manufacturing process and provided freedom in the customized design of the implantable electronic devices as well.

Zerumbone, a major sesquiterpene from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl., exerts the sedative effect by regulating GABAergic nervous system.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Zerumbone (ZER) is a humulane sesquiterpenoid isolated from Syringa pinnatifolia Hemsl. (SP), its content accounts for 64.7% of volatile oil and 0.86% of total ethanol extract (TEE), representing one of characteristic ingredient of SP. As a representative Mongolian medicine with anti-"Khii", anti-asthma, and clearing-heat effects, SP has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, upset, insomnia, and other symptoms. AIM OF STUDY: Previous results showed that TEE has sedative effect, but the pharmacological substances and its sedative mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to determine whether ZER, as one of major and characteristic sesquiterpenoids of SP, contributes to the sedative effect of SP and its underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Locomotor activity and threshold dose of pentobarbital sodium sleep experiments were used to evaluate the sedative effects in mice. ELISA assay was used to examine the level of GABA/Glu ratio in rats hippocampus, cortex and hypothalamus tissue. The binding ability of ZER with glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) and Gephyrin protein were predicted by molecular docking. Western blot and Immunohistochemistry assay were used to determine the expression of GABAergic nerve system related proteins (GAD67, Gephyrin) in rat's hypothalamus. ZER was co-administrated with flumazenil and bicuculline (GABAA antagonist) to determine whether it acts on GABAA receptor. Furthermore, MQAE assay was used to test the effect of ZER on the chloride ion concentration in cerebellar granule cells. RESULTS: Current data demonstrated that ZER dose-dependently (5-20 mg/kg) reduces the locomotor activity and sleep latency of mice, and extend sleeping time of mice. The results of ELISA showed that ZER increases the level of GABA/Glu in rats brain tissue, in particular in hypothalamus. Molecular docking results revealed that ZER has a strong affinity to GAD67 and Gephyrin protein. The Western blot and Immunohistochemistry data indicated that ZER up-regulates the expression of GAD67 and Gephyrin protein in rat's hypothalamus. Antagonism test results demonstrated that flumazenil and bicuculline reverse the effect of ZER on threshold dose of pentobarbital sodium sleep experiments. In addition, ZER also could dose-dependently (5-20 µM) increase the chloride ion concentration in cerebellar granule cell, suggesting that ZER induces the opening of chloride channel, exerts central inhibitory effect. CONCLUSION: ZER has a significant sedative effect in mice and rat, and the effect is associated with GABAergic nervous system. The present results suggest that ZER, as one of the major bioactive ingredients of SP, contributes to the sedative effect and provide substantial evidence for its traditional use of anti-"Khii" in clinic of Syringa pinnatifolia.

Effects of neural mobilization in disorders associated with chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of neural mobilization (NM) in people with disorders associated with chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain due to persistent inflammation or diseases of the nervous system. METHODS: A database search was conducted to select randomized controlled trials where NM, alone or within a multimodal protocol, was the main intervention for patients with neurological, autoimmune, or autoinflammatory disorders. The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials and the GRADE approach. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary measures were inflammatory biomarkers, range of motion and the level of spasticity. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included (360 participants; 57% females). The most reported condition was arthritis, and the overall risk of bias was high in more than half of the studies. Pooled data showed a significant effect of NM, based on very low quality of evidence, on reducing pain intensity in people with systemic disorders (three studies: SMD = -0.58; 95% CI = -0.98, -0.18; p = 0.005), and the level of spasticity in individuals with brain or spinal cord injury (two studies: SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.70, 0.00; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is scant and very low certainty of evidence to support that NM, compared to control interventions, may improve pain intensity and spasticity in patients with disorders associated with chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain. Further research with high methodological quality is needed to recommend for or against the use of NM in this population.

Genes and elements involved in the regulation of the nervous system and growth affect the development of spinal deformity in Cyprinus carpio.

Spinal deformity is a serious economic and animal welfare problem in intensive fish farming systems, which will be a significant unsolved problem for the fish sector. The aim of this study was to determine the relative expression of genes (Akt1 substrate 1, Calreticulin, Collagen type I alpha 2 chain, Corticotropin-releasing hormone, Chromodomain-Helicase DNA-binding, Growth hormone, Insulin like growth factor 1, Myostatin, Sine oculis-related homeobox 3, Toll-like receptor 2) in different tissues associated with spinal deformity and to determine the macroelement (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur) and microelement (barium, copper, iron, manganese, strontium, zinc) content of spine in healthy and deformed common carps (Cyprinus carpio) in Hungary. The mRNA levels of the genes were measured in 7 different tissues (abdominal fat, blood, brain, dorsal muscle, genitals, heart, liver) by qRT-PCR. Correlations between gene expression and element content were analyzed by using linear regression and Spearman rank correlation. In a total of 15 cases, we found a statistically significant connection between gene expression in a tissue and the macro- or microelement content of the spine. In these contexts, the genes Akt1 substrate 1 (3), Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (2), Corticotropin-releasing hormone (4), Insulin-like growth factor 1 (4), and Myostatin (2), the tissue's blood (3), brain (6), heart (5), and liver (1), the macroelements sodium (4), magnesium (4), phosphorus (1) and sulfur (2) as well as the microelement iron (4) were involved. We also found statistically significant mRNA level differences between healthy and deformed common carps in tissues that were not directly affected by the deformation. Based on our results, genes regulating the nervous system and growth, elements, and tissues are the most associated components in the phenomenon of spinal deformity. With our study, we wish to give direction to and momentum for the exploration of these complex processes.

Efeitos do uso de vestes terapêuticas em programas de reabilitação de crianças com paralisia cerebral: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Effects of suit therapy rehabilitation programs of children with cerebral palsy: an integrative literature review

A Paralisia Cerebral (PC) engloba um grupo de desordens do movimento e da postura resultantes de uma lesão não progressiva no sistema nervoso. Diversas abordagens fisioterapêuticas vêm sendo propostas para o tratamento de indivíduos com PC, dentre elas o uso de vestes terapêuticas. Sendo assim, a presente revisão teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos das vestes terapêuticas na reabilitação de crianças com PC, destacando seus benefícios e possíveis limitações. Tratou-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada nas bases SciELO, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct e PEDro, por meio do descritor "Paralisia Cerebral" e das palavras-chave "AdeliSuit", "PediaSuit", "TheraSuit". Após o levantamento bibliográfico, foram selecionados 11 estudos envolvendo crianças com idade entre um e 15 anos, os quais descreveram o uso das vestes terapêuticas AdeliSuit, TheraSuit e PediaSuit. Todos os estudos apresentaram efeitos favoráveis ao uso das vestes para função motora das crianças avaliadas. Também houveram relatos de melhora na funcionalidade, velocidade e qualidade da marcha e equilíbrio. Apenas quatro estudos compararam programas de reabilitação envolvendo vestes terapêuticas e outras abordagens, os quais apresentaram resultados controversos. Os achados demonstraram resultados favoráveis ao uso das vestes terapêuticas em indivíduos com diagnóstico de PC, apesar de poucas evidências quanto a sua superioridade sobre outras abordagens. (AU)

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of movement and posture disorders resulting from nervous system non-progressive injury. Several physiotherapy approaches have been proposed to individuals with CP treatment, including the use of therapeutic suits. Thus, the present review aimed to assess the effects of therapeutic suits on children with CP rehabilitation, highlighting their benefits and possible limitations. It was an integrative literature review carried out on SciELO, Lilacs, Pubmed, Science Direct and PEDro databases, using tdescriptor "Cerebral Palsy" and keywords "AdeliSuit", "PediaSuit", "TheraSuit". After bibliographic search, 11 studies were selected involving children aged between one and 15 years old, which described the use of therapeutic suits: AdeliSuit, TheraSuit and PediaSuit. All studies showed positive effects therapeutic suits use during rehabilitation for motor function. Improvements in functionality, speed and quality of gait and balance were also reported. Only four studies compared rehabilitation programs involving therapeutic suits and other therapeutic approaches, which showed controversial results. Those findings demonstrated favorable results for the use of therapeutic suits during rehabilitation programs in individuals with CP, despite little evidence regarding their superiority over other approaches. (AU)

Prenatal neurosurgical counseling for conditions affecting the fetal nervous system.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to share a single center's experience of prenatal neurosurgical counseling and explore pregnant women's experiences with counseling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data for 81 women who received prenatal counseling in a single institution (same senior pediatric neurosurgeon) over a 6-year period. Additionally, a retrospective questionnaire study was conducted with 33 women who chose to continue their pregnancy, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of counseling and analyze the reasons for their decision. RESULTS: Spinal dysraphism was the most frequent condition leading to prenatal counseling, followed by conditions affecting the cerebrospinal fluid. 57.6% of the women did not follow the French national recommendations on folic acid supplementation in the periconceptional period, and 38.3% underwent termination of pregnancy (TOP). One-third of the 33 women who answered our questionnaire changed their mind about TOP after counseling, and 50% reported that the information provided influenced their decision. CONCLUSION: Prenatal neurosurgical counseling is nowadays an important part of a pediatric neurosurgeon's practice. It provides specific information to the woman to decide whether to continue the pregnancy. Urological concerns are frequent among the malformations encountered. Hence, we conclude that these women should be offered the possibility of seeing a urologist. Areas for improvement include greater awareness regarding folic acid supplementation and improved psychological care. The advantage for a woman of consulting a neurosurgeon consists in receiving information that is as accurate as possible about the level of disability of the future child and about surgery and follow-up.

The Beneficial Role of Natural Endocrine Disruptors: Phytoestrogens in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with a growing incidence rate primarily among the elderly. It is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder leading to significant cognitive loss. Despite numerous pieces of research, no cure for halting the disease has been discovered yet. Phytoestrogens are nonestradiol compounds classified as one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning that they can potentially disrupt hormonal balance and result in developmental and reproductive abnormalities. Importantly, phytoestrogens are structurally, chemically, and functionally akin to estrogens, which undoubtedly has the potential to be detrimental to the organism. What is intriguing, although classified as EDCs, phytoestrogens seem to have a beneficial influence on Alzheimer's disease symptoms and neuropathologies. They have been observed to act as antioxidants, improve visual-spatial memory, lower amyloid-beta production, and increase the growth, survival, and plasticity of brain cells. This review article is aimed at contributing to the collective understanding of the role of phytoestrogens in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Importantly, it underlines the fact that despite being EDCs, phytoestrogens and their use can be beneficial in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of 9,12-Octadecadiynoic Acid on Neurobehavioral Development in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Human breast milk lipids have major beneficial effects: they promote infant early brain development, growth and health. To identify the relationship between human breast milk lipids and infant neurodevelopment, multivariate analyses that combined lipidomics and psychological Bayley-III scales evaluation were utilized. We identified that 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid has a significantly positive correlation with infant adaptive behavioral development, which is a crucial neurodevelopment to manage risk from environmental stress. To further clarify the biological function of 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid in regulating neurodevelopment, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model to investigate the effect of 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid on neurobehavioral development. Supplementation with 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid from the L1 to L4 stage in larvae affected locomotive behaviors and foraging ability that were not socially interactive, implying that 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid is involved in regulating the serotonergic neuronal ability. We found that supplementary 0.1 µM 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid accelerated the locomotive ability and foraging ability via increasing the expression of serotonin transporter mod-1. Antioxidant defense genes, sod-1, sod-3 and cyp-35A2 are involved in 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid-induced motor neuronal activity. Nevertheless, supplementary 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid at concentrations above 1 µM significantly attenuated locomotive behaviors, foraging ability, serotonin synthesis, serotonin-related gene expressions and stress-related gene expression, resulting in the decreased longevity of worms in the experiment. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the biological function of 9,12-octadecadiynoic acid in governing adaptive behavioral development.

Participation of L-Lactate and Its Receptor HCAR1/GPR81 in Neurovisual Development.

During the development of the retina and the nervous system, high levels of energy are required by the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to grow towards their brain targets. This energy demand leads to an increase of glycolysis and L-lactate concentrations in the retina. L-lactate is known to be the endogenous ligand of the GPR81 receptor. However, the role of L-lactate and its receptor in the development of the nervous system has not been studied in depth. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry to show that GPR81 is localized in different retinal layers during development, but is predominantly expressed in the RGC of the adult rodent. Treatment of retinal explants with L-lactate or the exogenous GPR81 agonist 3,5-DHBA altered RGC growth cone (GC) morphology (increasing in size and number of filopodia) and promoted RGC axon growth. These GPR81-mediated modifications of GC morphology and axon growth were mediated by protein kinases A and C, but were absent in explants from gpr81-/- transgenic mice. Living gpr81-/- mice showed a decrease in ipsilateral projections of RGCs to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). In conclusion, present results suggest that L-lactate and its receptor GPR81 play an important role in the development of the visual nervous system.

The Influence of Psychological Stress on HPV Infection Manifestations and Carcinogenesis.

Psychological stress is an important factor involved in disease manifestations of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and it can participate in HPV-associated carcinogenesis. The impact or effect which stress can have (exert) depends on a person's genetic pool, experiences and behaviors. Due to inconsistencies in some study results, this issue remains a subject of research. Concerning the course of HPV manifestations, it has been observed that a higher number of life stressors in at least the previous 6 months, the absence of social support and the types of personal coping mechanisms employed, all influence HPV progression. In women with cervical dysplasia, a connection between greater stress experiences and dysregulation of specific immune responses has been observed. Once HPV enters a cell via the α6 integrin there are three possible sequences: latent infection, subclinical infection, and clinically manifest disease. HPV proliferation in differentiated epithelial cells induces morphologically cytopathic changes (koilocytosis, epidermal thickening, hyperplasia, hyperkeratosis). Oncogenic transformation requires the integration of the virus genome into the host genome. In doing so, DNA in the E1 region of E2 breaks down, leading to transcription disorders of E6 and E7. For the formation of irreversible malignancy, the following sequence is necessary: initial expression of E6 and E7 genes followed by suppression of apoptosis and the stabile expression of E6 and E7 proteins that protect transformed cells from apoptosis. A successful immune response is characterized by a strong, local cell-mediated immune response. Several factors are important for the regression of HPV manifestation/infection, among which is psychological stress which can prolong the duration and severity of HPV disease. Stress hormones may reactivate latent tumor viruses, stimulate viral oncogene expression, and inhibit antiviral host responses. In the regression of HPV infection, increased activity of Th1 cells was observed. However, during psychosocial stress, a decrease in the Th1 type of immune response is seen, and there is a shift towards a Th2 response. Understanding perceived stress and biological changes in stress, as well as the evaluation of immune parameters, gives researchers a better picture of how stress influences HPV infections and how to improve disease management and outcomes.

Therapeutic Effect and Mechanisms of Essential Oils in Mood Disorders: Interaction between the Nervous and Respiratory Systems.

Essential oils (EOs) are extracted from plants and contain active components with therapeutic effects. Evidence shows that various types of EOs have a wide range of health benefits. In our previous studies, the potential of lavender EO for prevention and even treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms was demonstrated. The favourable outcomes may be due to multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of monoamine level, the induction of neurotrophic factor expression, the regulation of the endocrine system and the promotion of neurogenesis. The molecules of EOs may reach the brain and exert an effect through two distinctive pathways, namely, the olfactory system and the respiratory system. After inhalation, the molecules of the EOs would either act directly on the olfactory mucosa or pass into the respiratory tract. These two delivery pathways suggest different underlying mechanisms of action. Different sets of responses would be triggered, such as increased neurogenesis, regulation of hormonal levels, activation of different brain regions, and alteration in blood biochemistry, which would ultimately affect both mood and emotion. In this review, we will discuss the clinical effects of EOs on mood regulation and emotional disturbances as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. Emphasis will be put on the interaction between the respiratory and central nervous system and the involved potential mechanisms. Further evidence is needed to support the use of EOs in the clinical treatment of mood disturbances. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms may provide insight into the future therapeutic use of EO components treatment of psychiatric and physical symptoms.

Mass spectrometry-based urinary metabolomics for exploring the treatment effects of Radix ginseng-Schisandra chinensis herb pair on Alzheimer's disease in rats.

Herb pairs are the unique combinations of two relatively fixed herbs, intrinsically convey the basic idea of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. The compatibility of Radix ginseng and Schisandra chinensis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating Alzheimer's disease for many years. However, there are few studies on Radix ginseng-Schisandra chinensis herb pair, and the underlying action mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the mechanism of Radix ginseng-Schisandra chinensis herb pair on Alzheimer's disease was investigated by using the mass spectrometry-based urinary metabolomics method. Sixteen urinary endogenous metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers. Meanwhile, 10 biomarkers were quantified with tandem mass spectrometry. The study result showed that the brain pathologic symptoms of model rats were improved and the potential biomarkers were adjusted backward significantly after the herb pair administration. The metabolic pathways linked to the herb pair-regulated endogenous biomarkers included phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, and so on. The above metabolic pathways reflected that Radix ginseng-Schisandra chinensis herb pair mainly regulates abnormal energy metabolism, reduces inflammation, and regulates gut microbiota and neurotransmitters in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Comparison of two markers of iron sufficiency and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency during critical windows of brain development is associated with suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Identifying markers of neonatal iron status that best correlate with neurodevelopmental outcome is critical for optimal management of iron supplementation of neonates. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate two markers of iron sufficiency, ferritin and zinc protoporphyrin-to-heme ratios (ZnPP/H), with neurodevelopmental outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: All infants with concurrent ferritin and ZnPP/H measurements obtained between October 2014 and April 2017 and Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III) evaluated at 24 months corrected age were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Associations between iron markers (minimum, maximum and median ferritin and ZnPP/H) and BSID-III score at 24 months were assessed. RESULTS: 223 lab measurements from 62 infants were assessed. Mean gestational age was 28.1 weeks (SD = 2.6) with a mean birth weight of 1.1 kg (SD = 0.4). Significant associations between maximum and median ZnPP/H and motor score, and between median ZnPP/H and cognitive score were observed. Trends were also seen with higher minimum, median and maximum ZnPP/H associated with lower BSID-III scores, but did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The associations between ferritin values and BSID scores were less consistent. CONCLUSIONS: A positive association was seen between ZnPP/H values and BSID-III scores. Trends between ferritin and BSID values were less consistent, potentially because ferritin is more affected by inflammation. Consideration should be given to using ZnPP/H preferentially to adjust iron supplementation in the NICU to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The American lobster genome reveals insights on longevity, neural, and immune adaptations.

The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is integral to marine ecosystems and supports an important commercial fishery. This iconic species also serves as a valuable model for deciphering neural networks controlling rhythmic motor patterns and olfaction. Here, we report a high-quality draft assembly of the H. americanus genome with 25,284 predicted gene models. Analysis of the neural gene complement revealed extraordinary development of the chemosensory machinery, including a profound diversification of ligand-gated ion channels and secretory molecules. The discovery of a novel class of chimeric receptors coupling pattern recognition and neurotransmitter binding suggests a deep integration between the neural and immune systems. A robust repertoire of genes involved in innate immunity, genome stability, cell survival, chemical defense, and cuticle formation represents a diversity of defense mechanisms essential to thrive in the benthic marine environment. Together, these unique evolutionary adaptations contribute to the longevity and ecological success of this long-lived benthic predator.

Molecular biomarkers to track clinical improvement following an integrative treatment model in autistic toddlers.

OBJECTIVES: Identifying an objective, laboratory-based diagnostic tool (e.g. changes in gene expression), when used in conjunction with disease-specific clinical assessment, could increase the accuracy of the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention. METHODS: We assessed the association between treatment outcome and blood RNA expression before the therapeutic intervention to post-treatment (after 1 year) of five autism spectrum disorder (ASD) toddlers who underwent an intensive cognitive-behavioural intervention integrated with psychomotor and speech therapy. RESULTS: We found 113 significant differentially expressed genes enriched for the nervous system, immune system, and transcription and translation-related pathways. Some of these genes, as MALAT-1, TSPO, and CFL1, appear to be promising candidates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that changes in peripheral gene expression could be used in conjunction with clinical scales to monitor a rehabilitation intervention's effectiveness in toddlers affected by ASD. These results need to be validated in a larger cohort.

Th1/Th2 imbalance and heat shock protein mediated inflammatory damage triggered by manganese via activating NF-κB pathway in chicken nervous system in vivo and in vitro.

Manganese (Mn) is a ubiquitous heavy metal pollutant in environment, and excess Mn can damage nervous system of humans and animals. However, molecular mechanism of Mn-induced poultry neurotoxicity on inflammatory injury is still not fully clear. Thus, the purpose of the conducted research was to explore molecular mechanism of inflammatory injury caused by Mn in chicken nervous system. Two Mn poisoning models were established in vivo and in vitro. One hundred and eighty chickens were randomly separated into four groups. One control group was raised drinking water and standard diet. Three Mn groups were raised drinking water, and the standard diet supplemented with three different concentrations of MnCl2 ∙ 4H2O. There were 45 birds and 3 replicates in each group. Neurocytes from chicken embryos were cultured in mediums without and with six different concentrations of MnCl2 ∙ 4H2O in vitro. Our experiments showed that excess Mn caused cerebral histomorphological structure alternations and damage, and increased the expressions (P < 0.05) of inflammation-related factor NF-κB, TNF-α, iNOS, COX-2, and PTGEs in vivo and in vitro, meaning that excess Mn caused inflammatory damage and inflammatory response in chicken nervous system. Moreover, there were an upregulated IFN-γ mRNA expression and a downregulated IL-4 mRNA expression (P < 0.05) in bird cerebra and embryonic neurocytes after exposure to Mn, indicating that Mn exposure caused Th1/Th2 imbalance and immunosuppression. Additionally, in our research, the elevation (P < 0.05) of five HSPs (HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90) was found, suggesting that HSPs participated molecular mechanism of Mn stress. In addition, the inflammatory toxicity of Mn to chicken nervous system was time- and dose-dependent. Taken all together, our findings indicated that Th1/Th2 imbalance and HSPs mediated Mn-caused inflammatory injury via NF-κB pathway in chicken nervous system in vivo and in vitro.