Prophylactic administration of metformin reduces gestational diabetes mellitus incidence in the high-risk populations: a meta-analysis : Metformin for gestational diabetes prevention.

Metformin exerts a good efficacy for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treatment by regulating gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, while no consensus about its preventive effect on GDM is reached yet. Thus, this meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively investigate the prophylactic administration of metformin in pregnant women at high risk of GDM. Databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP) were searched to screen papers concerning the GDM prevention using metformin in women at high risk of GDM (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obese, and pregestational insulin resistance patients) until January 2023. Our study showed that five cohort studies and fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3911 women were included. Pooled analysis showed that prophylactic metformin treatment (vs. control treatment) greatly reduced GDM rate (relative risk (RR) = 0.59, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.43-0.80). Subgroup analyses also revealed that prophylactic metformin treatment (vs. control treatment) decreased the GDM rate in the following patients' types: (1) in Asians (RR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.23-0.41), (2) in PCOS patients (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26-0.68), and (3) in patients receiving high dose of metformin (mean dose > 1000 mg) (RR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42-0.83). Concerning the quality of involved studies, the overall risk of bias was low. Egger's test implied that no publication bias existed in the findings. Moreover, sensitivity analysis suggested the pleasing robustness of the results. In conclusion, prophylactic metformin reduces GDM incidence in high-risk pregnant women, indicating its early-application benefits.

Rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor decreases the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and elevates cardiac function compared with ticagrelor alone in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A meta­analysis.

Several previous studies have reported that rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor is superior to ticagrelor monotherapy in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); several others, however, dispute this. The present meta-analysis summarized relevant studies, aiming to comprehensively explore the efficacy of rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor vs. ticagrelor monotherapy in patients receiving PCI. Published studies comparing the efficacy between rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor and ticagrelor alone among patients receiving PCI were searched in the CNKI, Wanfang, CQVIP, EMBASE, Cochrane and PubMed databases until January 2023. The present meta-analysis included 3 cohort studies and 4 randomized controlled trials with 426 patients receiving rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor and 424 patients receiving ticagrelor monotherapy. Rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor decreased the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared with ticagrelor [relative risk (RR), 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.18-0.47]. Subgroup analysis revealed similar findings in studies with a follow-up of <6 months (RR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.13-0.47) and ≥6 months (RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.70), as well as in studies using 10 mg rosuvastatin (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.50) and 20 mg rosuvastatin (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16-0.69). In addition, rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor decreased the left ventricular (LV) end-systolic diameter [mean difference (MD), -0.71; 95% CI, -(1.36-0.07)], LV end-diastolic diameter [MD, -1.17; 95% CI, -(1.91-0.43)] and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [MD, -2.97; 95% CI, -(4.55-1.38)], and increased the LV ejection fraction (MD, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.74-1.25). In conclusion, rosuvastatin plus ticagrelor was shown to decrease the risk of MACE and elevate cardiac function compared with ticagrelor monotherapy in patients receiving PCI.

Sema3A alleviates the malignant behaviors of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting NRP-1.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Semaphorin3A (Sema3a) is lowly expressed in the peripheral blood of gastric cancer patients, suggesting Sema3a may be involved in the progression of gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the specific role and the potential regulatory mechanism of Sema3a in gastric cancer is still obscure. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) has been reported to interact with Sema3a; herein, we intended to reveal the role and regulatory mechanism of Sema3a/neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in gastric cancer progression. METHODS: Cell transfection was carried out to regulate gene expression. CCK-8 and colony formation assays were applied to estimate cell proliferation. Scratch assay and transwell assay were conducted to assess the cell migration and invasion abilities. Angiogenesis ability was assessed using a tubule-forming assay. The expression of corresponding genes and proteins were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Data showed that Sema3a was downregulated in gastric cancer cells and NRP-1 was upregulated. Sema3a overexpression repressed NRP-1 level in AGS cells. Overexpression of Sema3a inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of AGS cells. Overexpression of Sema3a inhibited tube formation and reduced the expression of VEGFA/VEGFR2 in AGS cells. However, the effects of Sema3a overexpression on the malignant behaviors in AGS cells were partly reversed by NRP-1 overexpression. Additionally, Sema3a overexpression enhanced the inhibitory effects of Ramucirumab, an anti-VEGFR2 agent, on the proliferative, migratory, and invasive capabilities as well as EMT in AGS cells. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Sema3a alleviates the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis capabilities of gastric cancer cells via repressing NRP-1. This finding may provide potential targets for gastric cancer therapy.

Correlation analysis of adverse outcomes for the selective reduction of twin pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Due to the extensive development of assisted reproductive technology, the number of twin pregnancies has increased significantly over recent decades. Twin pregnancy is the most representative type of multiple pregnancies and is associated with high infant morbidity and mortality. Perinatal complications of twin pregnancy are also markedly increased compared with those of single pregnancy. Transabdominal selective reduction (SR) is a remedial intervention. This study aimed to research the adverse outcomes of transabdominal selective reduction of twin pregnancy and the correlation between the reduction week and pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the adverse outcomes of the transabdominal selective reduction of twin pregnancy and the correlation between the reduction week and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of the transabdominal reduction of twin pregnancy was conducted in a single prenatal diagnosis medical centre from September 2012 to October 2020. According to chorionicity, women with twin pregnancies were divided into 2 groups: dichorionic (DC) twin pregnancies and monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies. Women with DC twin pregnancies underwent potassium chloride reduction, and those with MC twin pregnancies underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The reduction indications included pregnancy complications, foetal abnormalities, and maternal factors. The perinatal outcomes of different chorionic twins after reduction were analysed. Each foetus with an adverse outcome was included. The relative relationship between the reduction weeks and delivery weeks of twins was examined by correlation analysis. RESULTS: A total of 161 women were included in this study. A total of 112 women had DC twin pregnancies, and 49 women had MC twin pregnancies. Preterm delivery rates were significantly higher in the MC twin reduction group than in the DC twin reduction group prior to 37 weeks (53.1% vs. 29.5%, P = 0.004). The mean gestational age at delivery of the foetuses in the DC twin group that underwent SR was significantly older than that of those in the MC twin group that underwent SR (36.9 ± 4.0 vs. 33.5 ± 6.6 weeks, P = 0.001). The number of DC twins that underwent SR and were delivered after 37 weeks was obviously greater than that of the MC twins that underwent SR (70.5% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.004). The foetal survival rate was 95.5% in the DC twin reduction group and 77.6% in the MC twin reduction group. If the indication of TTTS was not included, there was no significant difference in the foetal survival rate of the DC and MC twin reduction groups (95.5% vs. 86.2%, P = 0.160). Cotwin death 1 week after reduction was greater in the MC group (6.1% vs. 0%, P = 0.027). Compared to other indications, this finding indicated that a significantly lower proportion of women remained undelivered after selective reduction with the indication of TTTS. There was a significant negative correlation between the reduction weeks and delivery weeks of the two groups (P < 0.01), and the best opportunity for reduction was before 22 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted an obviously negative correlation between the reduction week and delivery week. The transabdominal selective reduction of twin pregnancy should be considered for a lower rate of miscarriage or premature delivery if the reduction week takes place earlier in pregnancy. The rate of preterm delivery was the lowest when transabdominal selective reduction was completed before 22 weeks of gestation. Compared with other RFA indications, a higher rate of premature delivery was shown for MC twins with a reduction indication of TTTS. TTTS with sIUGR might be one of the reasons for the adverse outcomes of reduction for MC twin pregnancy.

Interactions between color and intensity of LED light on growth performance, serum biochemical profile, immune response variable, and nutrient apparent utilization in broiler chicken.

This study investigated the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) color and intensity of broilers. One-day-old Cobb-500 broilers (n = 648) were fed nine groups with six replicates; three light colors (white, blue, & green) and intensities (for 1 to 7 days, viz., 20, 40, and 60 lx; for 8 to 42 days, viz., 5, 10, and 15 lx) were applied. Test lasted for 42 days. Results indicated that compared with blue light, 60-lx white light for 1 to 7 days increased the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers (p < 0.01). In the 10-lx light groups, the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the concentrations of albumin (ALB) (p < 0.05) increased. Moreover, the nutrient apparent utilization for ether extract (EE) under 10-lx green light was higher than that under 15-lx blue light (p < 0.01). The interaction effects of light intensity and light color had an extremely significant influence on the ADG for 1 to 7 days, IL-2 level, ALB content, and EE apparent utilization rate (p < 0.01) and had a significant influence on the ADFI and F/G for 1 to 7 days (p < 0.05). The production performance of broilers reared in three-layer cage could be improved by using 60-lx white LED light for 1 to 7 days and 5- to 10-lx green LED light or 10-lx white LED light for 8 to 42 days.

The association between maternal complications and small for gestational age in twin pregnancies using singleton and twin birth weight references.

INTRODUCTION: In singleton pregnancies, maternal complications, such as preeclampsia and thyroid dysfunction are associated with small for gestational age (SGA). However, data on the association between SGA and maternal complications in twin pregnancies are limited and conflicting. Small sample size and the application of singleton birth weight reference (SBWR) to define SGA in twins may be reasons for the inconsistent conclusions. Purpose of this study was to define SGA in dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies using both SBWR and twin birth weight reference (TBWR) and to determine whether certain maternal complications are associated with SGA in twin pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all twins delivered in a single tertiary center between 2013 and 2018. SGA was defined as a twin with birth weight <10th centile for gestational age using either SBWR or TBWR. The association between SGA and maternal complications was analyzed separately for DCDA and MCDA twin pregnancies, expressed as odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%-CI). RESULTS: A total of 2005 DCDA and 467 MCDA twin pregnancies were enrolled. In DCDA pregnancies, SGA was significantly associated with PE according to TBWR (22.73 vs. 14.56%, aOR 1.823, 95%-CI 1.137-2.922). This association was even more pronounced between SGA and severe PE (9.09 vs. 4.54%, aOR 2.234, 95%-CI 1.115-4.479). In turn, PE was associated with higher risk of SGA defined according to TBWR (8.31 vs. 4.99%, aOR 1.825, 95%-CI 1.139-2.925). No association was detected between SGA and other maternal complications. Using SBWR, no association was found between preeclampsia and SGA. In MCDA pregnancies, according to TBWR, SGA was associated only with severe PE (12.5 vs. 4.06%, aOR 3.470, 95%-CI 1.256-9.587) and lower risk of PROM (aOR 0.067, 95%-CI 0.014-0.322). CONCLUSION: PE was associated with SGA in DCDA pregnancies only when TBWR was used, suggesting that DCDA pregnancies complicated with PE should be closely monitored for signs of SGA and vice versa. In MCDA pregnancies, SGA defined according to TBWR was associated with only severe PE (but not with all PE) and lower risk of PROM. More basic experiments are needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying PE and SGA in DCDA and MCDA twin pregnancies respectively.

The Efficacy of Ramucirumab in the Treatment of Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of RCTs.

Five electronic databases were searched for eligible records. Outcomes were presented and analyzed according to the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) rate, and overall survival (OS) rate. Five records involving 2,024 participants were included in the study. The pooled analysis of OS and PFS were longer with ramucirumab (RAM) therapy than without RAM for OS (odds ratio (OR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.82-1.00, p = 0.05) and PFS (OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.57-0.96, p = 0.02). Moreover, compared with the current first-line chemotherapy, the OS (OR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.83-1.04, p = 0.19) and PFS (OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.64-1.06, p = 0.13) results were not significantly higher with RAM. The ORRs of the patients in the RAM therapy groups were significantly higher than those in the groups without RAM (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.14-1.73, p = 0.001).

A rare cardiac phenotype of dextrocardia observed in a fetus with 1p36 deletion syndrome and a balanced translocation: a prenatal case report.

BACKGROUND: Chromosome 1p36 deletion syndrome is a contiguous genetic disorder with multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation. It has been emerging as one of the most common terminal deletion syndromes in humans with the rapid utility of microarray analysis. However, the prenatal findings of 1p36 deletion syndrome are still limited. We report a fetus with 1p36 deletion and cardiac phenotype of dextrocardia, combined with a balanced translocation between chromosome 5 and 6. The phenotype of dextrocardia is rarely reported in prenatal 1p36 deletion cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a prenatal 1p36 deletion case with congenital heart diseases and single umbilical artery. Fetal echocardiography showed dextrocardia, ventricular septal defect and pericardial effusion. Fetal karyotype revealed a de novo balanced translocation of 46,XY,t(5;6)(q11.2;q23.3). Chromosomal microarray analysis detected a pathogenic deletion in 1p36.21p36.12, with the size of 6.38 Mb. Further whole genome sequencing revealed that the balanced translocation disrupted the EYA4 and ITGA1 genes. CONCLUSIONS: Although congenital heart diseases are very common clinical manifestations among patients with 1p36 deletion, dextrocardia is a quite rare cardiac phenotype. This is the second case with 1p36 deletion and dextrocardia, and the first prenatally diagnosed 1p36 deletion case with dextrocardia. Our case indicates that genes in 1p36 are associated with not only heart structural anomalies, but also cardiac laterality development. Our results also imply that the EYA4 gene disrupted by the balanced translocation might be related with the cardiac development.

Correlation of pre-operative circulating inflammatory cytokines with restenosis and rapid angiographic stenotic progression risk in coronary artery disease patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the associations of common inflammatory cytokine levels with restenosis and rapid angiographic stenotic progression (RASP) risk in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). METHODS: Two hundred and ten CAD patients underwent PCI with DES were consecutively recruited, then pre-operative serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23 were determined by ELISA. The 12-month in-stent restenosis and RASP of non-intervened lesion were assessed by quantitative coronary angiography analysis. RESULTS: The pre-operative TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 expressions were increased while IL-4 expression was decreased in restenosis patients compared with non-restenosis patients. Further analysis revealed that IL-6, IL-8, hypercholesteremia, diabetes mellitus, and HsCRP could independently predict restenosis risk, and subsequent ROC curve revealed that their combination was able to differentiate restenosis patients from non-restenosis patients with an AUC of 0.951 (95%CI: 0.925-0.978). Meanwhile, the pre-operative TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23 expressions were increased whereas IL-4 level was decreased in RASP patients compared with non-RASP patients. Further analysis revealed that TNF-α, IL-6, IL-23, hypercholesteremia, SUA, HsCRP, and multivessel artery lesions could independently predict RASP risk, and subsequent ROC curve disclosed that their combination could discriminate RASP patients from non-RASP patients with an AUC of 0.886 (95%CI: 0.841-0.931). CONCLUSIONS: This study unveils the potentiality of pre-operative circulating inflammatory cytokines as markers for predicting restenosis and RASP risk in CAD patients underwent PCI with DES.

[Saikosaponin D inhibits proliferation and collagen production of human embryonic lung fibroblasts by regulating TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway].

Objective To investigate the effect of saikosaponin D (SSD) on the proliferation and transformation of human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) and the regulation of signal pathway of TGF-ß1/Smads family. Methods HELFs were cultured in vitro and divided into 5 groups: a control group, 1 ng/mL TGF-ß1-induced group, 1 ng/mL TGF-ß1 combined with 0.5 µmol/L SSD treatment group, 1 ng/mL TGF-ß1 combined with 1 µmol/L SSD treatment group, and 1 ng/mL TGF-ß1 combined with 2 µmol/L SSD treatment group. Cell viability of HELFs was detected by CCK-8 assay. The expression of Smad2, Smad3 and Smad7 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type 1 collagen (Col1), Smad2, Smad3, phosphorylated Smad2 (p-smad2), p-smad3 and Smad7 were assessed by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, TGF-ß1-induced group showed the apparently increased proliferation ability, the increased protein levels of Col1 and α-SMA, the significantly increased mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of Smad2 and Smad3, and the significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of Smad7. Compared with the TGF-ß1-induced group, the cell proliferation of HELFs in different concentrations of SSD treatment groups was reduced, which could reverse the changes of the above indicators in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion SSD plays an important role in anti-pulmonary fibrosis by regulating TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway.

Cholinergic M4 receptors are involved in morphine-induced expression of behavioral sensitization by regulating dopamine function in the nucleus accumbens of rats.

Repeated administration of morphine profoundly influences the dopaminergic and cholinergic systems in the nucleus accumbens [including the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcS)]. Further, dopamine release is regulated by the cholinergic system, especially the M4 receptor. Drug priming is one of the main factors that induces relapse in drug addiction. The present study first investigated how activation of the M4 receptor in the NAcS affects the expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization, through the administration of an M4 agonist (LY2033298) and antagonist (tropicamide), as well as a combination of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and M4 antagonist (huperzine-A + tropicamide). Additionally, the influence of a dopamine receptor agonist, in conjunction with an M4 agonist (i.e., SKF38393 + LY2033298), was also examined. Behavioral sensitization was established by exposure to 5 mg/kg morphine once every three days for a total of three exposures. The expression of behavioral sensitization was challenged by 5 mg/kg morphine. Results showed that (1) microinjection of the M4 receptor agonist LY2033298 (0.2 µg/side), but not the antagonist tropicamide (5, 10, or 20 µM/side) into the NAcS blocked the expression of behavioral sensitization; (2) tropicamide (20 µM/side) reversed the inhibition effect of huperzine-A on this behavior; and (3) SKF38393 (1 µg/side) reversed the inhibitory effect of LY2033298 on the expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. These results suggest that the cholinergic M4 receptor in the NAcS plays an important role in the morphine-induced expression of behavioral sensitization through the regulation of dopamine function in rats.

Tailoring two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays into various patterns.

A simple and effective technique has been developed to fabricate patterns of nanoparticle arrays. Lithographically fabricated structures in resists serve as scissors to tailor two-dimensional nanoparticle arrays on a flat poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stamp. The desired patterns of nanoparticle arrays remaining on the PDMS stamp after tailoring can be printed onto solid substrates. Various regular nanoparticle patterns, such as squares, triangles, disks, and pentagons, can be easily prepared using this technique. Arbitrary nanoparticle patterns as complex as Chinese characters have been successfully demonstrated. Moreover, nanoparticle stripes with width ranging from micrometers to quasi single nanoparticle diameter have also been achieved. Nanoparticle stripes have been integrated into electronic devices for transport measurements.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor but not nicotinic acetylcholine receptor plays a role in morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in rats.

Background and Aim The cholinergic system can affect drug reward. The present study aimed to examine the roles of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. METHODS: To analyze the roles of mAChR and nAChR in behavioral sensitization induced by morphine (5mg/kg), seven experiments were designed. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of 3, 1, and 0.3 mg/kg scopolamine and 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05mg/kg scopolamine, respectively, on the locomotor activity when administered alone. Experiments 3 and 4 explored the effect of scopolamine on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Experiment 5 studied the effect of mecamylamine on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Experiments 6 and 7 investigated the effects of scopolamine+huperzine A and mecamylamine+huperzine A, respectively, on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. RESULTS: The results revealed that 3mg/kg scopolamine, which significantly enhanced locomotor activity when administered alone, inhibited the acquisition of morphine-induced sensitization. However, mecamylamine (0.5, 1, 2mg/kg) did not have these effects. The co-administration of scopolamine (0.05 mg/kg)+huperzine A (0.4mg/kg) or mecamylamine (1mg/kg)+huperzine A (0.4mg/kg) did not affect the acquisition of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Scopolamine (0.05mg/kg) which did not affect the locomotor activity when administered alone, but not mecamylamine (1mg/kg), reversed the acute attenuation effect of huperzine A (0.4mg/kg) on morphine-induced locomotor activity at the acquisition stage and reversed the inhibition of huperzine A on the expression of morphine-induced sensitization. CONCLUSION: The mAChR might play a more important role in morphine-induced locomotor activity and the expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. The mechanisms of mAChR and nAChR were relatively separate in morphine-induced sensitization.

Huperzine A inhibits immediate addictive behavior but not behavioral sensitization following repeated morphine administration in rats.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are regarded as promising therapeutic agents to treat addiction. The current study aimed to examine the effects of huperzine A, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on behavioral sensitization induced by repeated morphine administration and relapse induced by contextual conditioning. The present study also assessed whether the state-dependency hypothesis may explain the results. Adult rats were divided into four groups (n=8) and intraperitoneally injected with 0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 mg/kg huperzine A or saline (1 ml/kg, control), for 5 days. The effect of repeated huperzine A administration alone on locomotor activity was assessed. For the experiments that analyzed the development of morphine-induced sensitization, 40 rats were divided into five groups (n=8): Saline+Saline, Saline+Morphine, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg huperzine A+Morphine. Following a withdrawal period of 7 days, all animals were administered saline or morphine, as appropriate. To test the state-dependency hypothesis, the rats in the Saline+Morphine group were injected with saline and morphine, while the other three groups were administered different doses of huperzine A and morphine. To examine the effect of huperzine A on the expression of morphine-induced sensitization, the rats in huperzine A+Morphine groups were injected with appropriate concentrations of huperzine A, and morphine. The current results indicated that the administration of huperzine A alone did not affect locomotor activity, while higher doses of huperzine A inhibited the addictive behavior induced by morphine at the development phase. Additionally, huperzine A administration during the expression phase of morphine sensitization did not inhibit the relapse induced by administration of saline. Furthermore, 0.4 mg/kg huperzine A inhibited the expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Therefore, the results of the current study do not support the state-dependency hypothesis.

Differential effects of co-administration of oxotremorine with SCH 23390 on impulsive choice in high-impulsive rats and low-impulsive rats.

The effect of acetylcholine on impulsive choice is thought to be due to interactions between cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, but this hypothesis has not been proven. This study investigated whether D1-like receptors were involved in the effects of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist oxotremorine on impulsive choice in high-impulsive rats (HI rats, n=8) and low-impulsive rats (LI rats, n=8) characterized by basal levels of impulsive choice in a delay-discounting task. The results revealed that oxotremorine (0.05mg/kg) significantly increased the choice of the large reinforcer in HI rats, whereas decreased the choice of the large reinforcer in LI rats. The D1-like antagonist SCH 23390 produced significant reductions in the large-reinforcer choice in HI rats (0.01mg/kg) and LI rats (0.005, 0.0075, and 0.01mg/kg). SCH 23390 significantly inhibited the increase in the choice of the large reinforcer induced by oxotremorine (0.05mg/kg) in HI rats at doses of 0.005 and 0.0075mg/kg, but enhanced the effect of oxotremorine in LI rats only at the dose of 0.0075mg/kg. These findings suggested that D1-like receptors might be involved in the differential effects of oxotremorine on impulsive choice between HI rats and LI rats.

An enriched environment reduces the stress level and locomotor activity induced by acute morphine treatment and by saline after chronic morphine treatment in mice.

This study investigated the relationships among an enriched environment, stress levels, and drug addiction. Mice were divided randomly into four treatment groups (n=12 each): enriched environment without restraint stress (EN), standard environment without restraint stress (SN), enriched environment with restraint stress (ES), and standard environment with restraint stress (SS). Mice were reared in the respective environment for 45 days. Then, the ES and SS groups were subjected to restraint stress daily (2 h/day) for 14 days, whereas the EN and SN groups were not subjected to restraint stress during this stage. The stress levels of all mice were tested in the elevated plus maze immediately after exposure to restraint stress. After the 2-week stress testing period, mice were administered acute or chronic morphine (5 mg/kg) treatment for 7 days. Then, after a 7-day withdrawal period, the mice were injected with saline (1 ml/kg) or morphine (5 mg/kg) daily for 2 days to observe locomotor activity. The results indicated that the enriched environment reduced the stress and locomotor activity induced by acute morphine administration or saline after chronic morphine treatment. However, the enriched environment did not significantly inhibit locomotor activity induced by morphine challenge. In addition, the stress level did not mediate the effect of the enriched environment on drug-induced locomotor activity after acute or chronic morphine treatment.

Controllability of the Coulomb charging energy in close-packed nanoparticle arrays.

We studied the electronic transport properties of metal nanoparticle arrays, particularly focused on the Coulomb charging energy. By comparison, we confirmed that it is more reasonable to estimate the Coulomb charging energy using the activation energy from the temperature-dependent zero-voltage conductance. Based on this, we systematically and comprehensively investigated the parameters that could be used to tune the Coulomb charging energy in nanoparticle arrays. We found that four parameters, including the particle core size, the inter-particle distance, the nearest neighboring number, and the dielectric constant of ligand molecules, could significantly tune the Coulomb charging energy.

Patterned close-packed nanoparticle arrays with controllable dimensions and precise locations.

Patterned close-packed nanoparticle arrays are fabricated using lithography and self-assembly. Microcontact printing is used to selectively transfer ordered nanoparticle monolayers, which are self-assembled at the air/water interface, onto relief structures, which are defined lithographically. The morphology and position of the nanoparticle arrays are determined by the relief structures, while the internal order of the arrays is achieved through the self-assembly process and is maintained during the transfer.

Large range and high resolution on-line displacement measurement system by combining double interferometres.

A stabilized interferometric displacement measurement system, which is suitable for on-line measurement and is endowed with large measurement range and high resolution, is proposed. The system is stabilized by a feedback loop which compensates the influences induced by the environmental disturbances and makes the system stabile enough for on-line measurement. Two different wavelengths are working simultaneously in the system. The measurement range which is determined by the synthetic-wavelength interferometric signal is expanded to the order of millimeter, while the measurement resolution which is determined by one of the single-wavelength interferometric signal is the order of sub-nanometer.