Activation of PTH1R alleviates epididymitis and orchitis through Gq and ß-arrestin-1 pathways.

Inflammation in the epididymis and testis contributes significantly to male infertility. Alternative therapeutic avenues treating epididymitis and orchitis are expected since current therapies using antibiotics have limitations associated to side effects and are commonly ineffective for inflammation due to nonbacterial causes. Here, we demonstrated that type 1 parathyroid hormone receptor (PTH1R) and its endogenous agonists, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP), were mainly expressed in the Leydig cells of testis as well as epididymal epithelial cells. Screening the secretin family G protein-coupled receptor identified that PTH1R in the epididymis and testis was down-regulated in mumps virus (MuV)- or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. Remarkably, activation of PTH1R by abaloparatide (ABL), a Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis, alleviated MuV- or LPS-induced inflammatory responses in both testis and epididymis and significantly improved sperm functions in both mouse model and human samples. The anti-inflammatory effects of ABL were shown to be regulated mainly through the Gq and ß-arrestin-1 pathway downstream of PTH1R as supported by the application of ABL in Gnaq± and Arrb1-/- mouse models. Taken together, our results identified an important immunoregulatory role for PTH1R signaling in the epididymis and testis. Targeting to PTH1R might have a therapeutic effect for the treatment of epididymitis and orchitis or other inflammatory disease in the male reproductive system.

Axial and frontal X-ray fluoroscopy technique of the sustentaculum tali can improve the accuracy of sustentacular screw placement.

INTRODUCTION: Calcaneal fractures, especially those involving the articular surface, should be anatomically reduced as much as possible. Fixing the fracture by placing a screw into the sustentaculum tali from the lateral side of the calcaneus is generally considered to be the key to successful surgery. However, due to the limited visibility during surgery, it is not easy to place screws into the sustentaculum tali accurately. The purpose of this study was to explore a new fluoroscopy method for the sustentaculum tali and verify the value of this method in improving screw placement accuracy. METHODS: In this study, a total of 42 human foot and ankle specimens were dissected and measured. The shape and position of the sustentaculum tali were observed, and the influence of adjacent bones on imaging findings was analysed. The axial and frontal X-ray fluoroscopy method to view the sustentaculum tali was formulated, and the appropriate projection angle through anatomical and image measurements was explored. Thirty specimens were randomly selected for screw placement, and the direction of the screw was dynamically adjusted under the new imaging method. The success rate of sustentacular screw placement was evaluated. RESULTS: The anteversion angles of the sustentaculum tali were 30.81 ± 2.21° and 30.68 ± 2.86° by anatomical and imaging measurements, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the anteversion angle between the two measurement methods. Harris heel views should be obtained at 30° to identify the sustentaculum tali on axial X-ray images. Frontal X-ray imaging was performed perpendicular to this projection angle. Through frontal and axial X-ray imaging, the position and shape of the sustentaculum tali can be clearly observed, and these factors are seldom affected by adjacent bones. Under the new fluoroscopy method, the screws were placed from the anterior region of the lateral wall of the calcaneus to the sustentaculum tali. A total of 60 screws were placed in the 30 specimens; of these, 54 screws were in good position, 2 screws penetrated the cortical bone, and 4 screws did not enter the sustentaculum tali. The success rate of sustentacular screw placement was 90% (54/60). CONCLUSIONS: Axial and frontal X-ray images of the sustentaculum tali can clearly show the shape of the structure, which improves sustentacular screw placement accuracy.

[Expert consensus on clinical application of GBE50 Dispersible Tablets for ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases].

Ginkgo biloba Extract( GBE50) Dispersible Tablets is a new standardized prescription,which is widely used in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However,there are still many problems in its clinical application.Rational and safe use of GBE50 Dispersible Tablets is pivotal to the medication safety and clinical prognosis of patients. This consensus has been jointly formulated by clinical experts of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and followed the Manual for the Clinical Experts Consensus of Chinese Patent Medicine published by the China Association of Chinese Medicine. The present study identified clinical problems based on clinical investigation,searched the research papers according to PICO clinical problems,carried out evidence evaluation,classification,and recommendation by GRADE system,and reached the expert consensus with nominal group technique. The consensus combines evidence with expert experience. Sufficient evidence of clinical problems corresponds to " recommendations",while insufficient evidence to " suggestions". Safety issues of GBE50 Dispersible Tablets,such as indications,usage and dosage,and medication for special populations,are defined to improve clinical efficacy,promote rational medication,and reduce drug risks. This consensus needs to be revised based on emerging clinical issues and evidencebased updates in practical applications in the future.

Toward Building a Physical Proxy for Gas-Phase Sulfuric Acid Concentration Based on Its Budget Analysis in Polluted Yangtze River Delta, East China.

Gaseous sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a crucial precursor for secondary aerosol formation, particularly for new particle formation (NPF) that plays an essential role in the global number budget of aerosol particles and cloud condensation nuclei. Due to technology challenges, global-wide and long-term measurements of gaseous H2SO4 are currently very challenging. Empirical proxies for H2SO4 have been derived mainly based on short-term intensive campaigns. In this work, we performed comprehensive measurements of H2SO4 and related parameters in the polluted Yangtze River Delta in East China during four seasons and developed a physical proxy based on the budget analysis of gaseous H2SO4. Besides the photo-oxidation of SO2, we found that primary emissions can contribute considerably, particularly at night. Dry deposition has the potential to be a non-negligible sink, in addition to condensation onto particle surfaces. Compared with the empirical proxies, the newly developed physical proxy demonstrates extraordinary stability in all the seasons and has the potential to be widely used to improve the understanding of global NPF fundamentally.

Cognitive behavioral therapy cannot relieve postoperative pain and improve joint function after total knee arthroplasty in patients aged 70 years and older.

PURPOSE: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can improve postoperative pain, knee function, and negative emotion in patients aged 70 years and older who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This study used randomized, parallel group, controlled trial to divide the included 90 patients into CBT group and usual care group. The primary outcome measure of the study was the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at activity. The secondary outcome measures included the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Knee Range of Motion (ROM), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Rating Scale (HSS), analgesics dose, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: 83 patients who met the criteria were randomized into CBT group and usual care group. In the SAS, score of the CBT group decreased by 4.3 points at 7th day and 8.2 at 14th day after surgery with respect to preoperative SAS score, the usual care group increased by 1.5 at 7th day and decreased 1.1 at 14th day, and tended to be similar at 3rd month after surgery. There were no significant differences at 7th and 14th day in SDS, however, score of the CBT group was 5.8 and the usual care group was 1.9 at 3rd month after surgery. No statistically significant differences in VAS at activity, ROM, OKS, HSS, analgesics frequency, and postoperative complications between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: CBT was superior to usual care group in relieving anxiety at 7th day and 14th day, and depression at 3rd month, however, CBT cannot relieve postoperative pain and improve joint function after TKA in patients aged 70 years and older.

Porous tantalum implant for treatment of early-stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head: a minimum 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the survival rate of porous tantalum rod implantation in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), evaluate its clinical effect and imaging results. METHODS: From January 2008 to December 2013, porous tantalum rod implantation for ONFH was performed in two institutions. Statistical analysis of operation data, including operation time, blood loss and blood transfusion were recorded. RESULTS: 52 hips received complete follow-up, the average follow-up time was 85.7 months (60-132 months). 24 hips turned to THA at the end of follow-up (46.2%), the average time was 44.3 ± 32.8 months, and the average Harris hip score before THA was 57.1 ± 7.6. Cox proportional-hazards model revealed that Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage (P = 0.017), bone marrow edema (P = 0.006) and age > 40 years (P = 0.043) were independent risk factors for conversion to THA. CONCLUSION: ARCO stage, age and bone marrow edema were risk factors for the failure of porous tantalum rod implantation to convert to THA.

Comparison of cylindrical and tapered stem designs for femoral revision hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Both cylindrical and tapered stems are commonly used in revision total hip arthroplasty. However, whether the geometry of prosthesis stem has an effect on patient prognosis is unclear. We assume that the tapered stem results in better clinical outcome than the cylindrical stem. METHODS: A multicenter review of 120 femoral revisions with Paprosky I, II, and III defects using cobalt chrome cylindrical stem (54 hips) or titanium tapered stem (66 hips) was performed with an average follow-up of 6 years. Demographic data were comparable between groups. RESULTS: No significant group differences were found in surgery time, bleeding volume, postoperative Harris Hip Score, level of overall satisfaction, and 8-year cumulative survival. However, intraoperative fractures occurred significantly less in the tapered group (4.5%) than in the cylindrical group (14.8%), and stem subsidence was significantly less in the tapered group (2.17 mm) than in the cylindrical group (4.17 mm). A higher ratio of bone repair and lower bone loss were observed in the tapered group compared with the cylindrical group. The postoperative thigh pain rate was higher in the cylindrical group (12.9%) than in the tapered group (4.5%). CONCLUSION: Both cylindrical stem and tapered stem can achieve satisfactory mid-term clinical results in revision total hip arthroplasty. The tapered stem has better bone restoration of proximal femur, lower incidence of intraoperative fractures, and lower postoperative thigh pain rate compared with the cylindrical stem.

Mid- and long-term efficacy of surgical treatment of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of fractures around the femoral prosthesis among patients undergoing hip arthroplasty is increasing and has become the third leading cause of hip revision. While numerous methods for the surgical treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) have been proposed, only few reports have examined the long-term efficacy of surgical treatment. This study aims to examine the mid-and long-term efficacy of surgical treatment among patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the surgical outcomes of patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs between 2007 and 2011. The minimum follow-up time was eight years. Fracture healing, prosthesis stability, complications, patient quality of life SF-36 score, and survival rate were evaluated during the follow-up assessments. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included and had an average follow-up period of 120.3 months. Among these patients, 69 were classified as Vancouver B2 and were treated with a distal fixation stem, whereas 14 cases were classified as Vancouver B3 and were treated with modular femoral prosthesis by using a proximal femoral allograft technique. A total of 15 patients underwent secondary revision surgery, and prosthesis dislocation was identified as the main cause of secondary revision. 80 (96.4%) cases of fractures were clinically healed. The mortality rate in the first year after surgery was 8.4% (7/83). The overall 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate for these patients was 75.9%. Meanwhile, the 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival rate for the implants was 86.9%. The final follow-up SF-36 score of the patients was 48.3 ± 9.8. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Vancouver B2 and B3 PFFs show high mortality in the first year after their surgery, and the Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed that such mortality tends to plateau after 5 years. Prosthesis dislocation was identified as the primary cause of secondary revision.

Does cognitive behavioral education reduce pain and improve joint function in patients after total knee arthroplasty? A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for reducing the pain of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and improving joint function. However, there are few studies on the effect of CBT on the pain severity after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study investigates the effectiveness of a CBT program on pain, knee function, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing in patients after TKA. METHODS: This was a randomized, parallel-group, controlled trial in which 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) prepared for TKA were randomly assigned to participate in CBT or usual care group. Evaluation outcomes include Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Knee Range of Motion (ROM), EuroQol Five-Dimensional (EQ-5D), and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee Rating Scale before and after surgery. RESULTS: We found that patients in the CBT group had a lower pain during activity from the fifth day (p = 0.003) to the third month (p = 0.019) after TKA. At the 12th month, the mean VAS score during activity in the CBT and usual care groups decreased from 4.5 to 0.8 and from 4.6 to 0.9, respectively, and there is no significant difference between the two groups. The PCS scores of patients in the CBT group were lower than those in the usual care group at 1st (p = 0.014) and 3rd months (p = 0.027) after surgery. No statistically significantly differences between the two groups in pain during rest, knee ROM, EQ-5D, OKS, and HSS. CONCLUSIONS: The CBT program was superior to usual care in reducing post-operative pain during activity from the fifth day to the third month and pain catastrophing in the first three months after TKA but has no statistically significantly differences in pain during rest, knee ROM, EQ-5D, OKS, and HSS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2000032857, date of registration: May, 14, 2020, retrospectively registered.

Panax notoginseng Saponins Ameliorate Leukocyte Adherence and Cerebrovascular Endothelial Barrier Breakdown upon Ischemia-Reperfusion in Mice.

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are known as clinical anti-stroke herbal medicines. The aim of this study is to describe the impact of PNS on ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral microvasculature barrier dysfunction which has not been investigated yet. Mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and PNS were administrated to mice 3 days before and 2 days after surgery. Leukocyte adhesion, albumin leakage, tight junctions and other parameters in the cortex were measured. The PNS 45 mg/kg intervention alleviated leukocyte adhesion, inhibited endothelial barrier alterations evidenced by reduced albumin leakage and tight junction degradations, and ultimately ameliorated infarct volumes and neurological deficits subsequent to ischemia-reperfusion. Taken together, P. notoginseng saponins are able to attenuate leukocyte-mediated microvascular disturbance at the onset of ischemic stroke.

Comparison of the therapeutic effect between the simultaneous and staged unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for bilateral knee medial compartment arthritis.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and safety of simultaneous vs staged unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) for bilateral unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 93 patients with bilateral knee medial compartment arthritis underwent simultaneous UKA (Group A, 39) or staged UKA (Group B, 54 cases) from January 2008 to December 2015. Group A: 6 males and 33 females aged 64.9 ± 7.7 years; Group B: 5 males and 49 females aged 64.2 ± 6.4 years. There were no statistically significant differences in pre-operative age, sex ratio, or body weight index between the groups (P > 0.05). Groups were compared in terms of total anesthesia time, volume of drainage, blood transfusion rate, hemoglobin level on post-operative day 3, total post-operative inpatient days, treatment expenses, post-operative therapeutic effect (KSS scores), and complications. RESULTS: All patients had follow-up visits post-operatively. The follow-up visit interval was 32-133 months and 41.9 months on average. Total anesthesia time, postoperative length of hospital stay, and hospitalization expenses in Group A were significantly less than those of Group B (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin levels in Group A were significantly lower than those of Group B at post-op day 3 (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences in volume of drainage, the rate of transfusion, complications, and KSS scores were detected between Groups A and B (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both simultaneous and staged UKA achieved the desired therapeutic effect in treatment of bilateral knee medial compartment arthritis. However, simultaneous UKA reduced the cost and the postoperative length of hospital stay without increasing post-operative complications.

[Imaging changes in brain microstructural in long-term abstinent from methamphetamine-dependence].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism for changes in brain microstructure in long-term abstinent from methamphetamine-dependence by using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
 Methods: A total of 26 patients with long-term abstinent methamphetamine-dependence, whose abstinence time more than 14 months, and 26 normal controls all underwent cognitive executive function tests and DTI scans. We used voxel-based analysis to compare the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) to obtain the abnormal brain regions of DTI parameters between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between FA, MD of the brain regions with abnormal parameters and cognitive executive function tests.
 Results: There were no statistical differences in the cognitive executive function tests between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the long-term abstinent from methamphetamine-dependence group showed the decreased FA in the right precuneus, right superior frontal gyrus, right calcarine, left inferior temporal gyrus and the increased MD in the right triangular part of inferior frontal gyrus, right precuneus, right posterior cingulate, right middle temporal gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyrus, left superior parietal lobule, and lobule VIII of cerebellar hemisphere. The MD values of the right middle temporal gyrus in the long-term abstinent group were negatively correlated with the number of completions within 60 seconds (r=-0.504) and within 120 seconds (r=-0.464) .
 Conclusion: The DTI parameters in multiple brain regions from the methamphetamine-dependence patients are still abnormal after a long-term abstinence. DTI can provide imaging evidence for brain microstructural abnormalities in long-term abstinent from methamphetamine-dependence.

[Effect of a noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic reconstruction technique on dual-energy CT for image quality of inflammatory bowel disease].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI+) reconstruction technique on objective and subjective image quality in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing abdominal dual-energy computed tomography (DECT).
 Methods: Datasets from 32 patients (22 men, 10 women) with IBD, who underwent abdominal DECT, were reconstructed by using the standard linearly blended (M_0.6), traditional monoenergetic (VMI) and VMI+ algorithms in 10-keV intervals from 40-100 keV. Attenuation in IBD lesions was measured to perform objective evaluation using signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR). Subjective evaluation was performed by 3 independent blinded radiologists using 5-point Likert scales. The overall image quality, image sharpness, lesion delineation, and image noise were analyzed. 
 Results: Mean SNR and CNR peaked at 40 keV VMI+ series (SNR 8.28±2.34, CNR 5.10±2.10) and they were significantly higher than those in linearly blended (SNR 5.82±1.44, CNR 1.53±0.86) and all VMI series (all P<0.01). Subjective image parameter was the highest for the 50 keV VMI+ series regarding overall image quality (mean 4.80, all P<0.01). The highest image sharpness scores were observed at 40 and 50 keV VMI+ reconstructions (mean 4.14 and 4.25, respectively; P=0.415). VMI+ series at 40 keV provided the highest lesion delineation (mean 4.52, all P<0.01). Image noise was low at the 100 keV VMI+ and VMI series (mean 4.58 and 4.40, respectively; P≥0.11).
 Conclusion: Low-keV VMI+ reconstructions improves SNR, CNR, and subjective image quality significantly in patients with IBD.

[Discussion on efficacy evaluation thought and method for innovation medicine of Chinese herbal compound formula based on clinical application characteristics].

The Chinese herbal compound formula preparation was made based on theory of Chinese medicine, which was confirmed by long period clinical application, and with multi-compound and multi-target characteristics. During the exploitation process of innovation medicine of Chinese herbal compound formula, selecting and speeding up the research development of drugs with clinical value shall be paid more attention, and as request of rules involved in new drug research and development, the whole process management should be carried out, including project evaluation, manufacturing process determination, establishment of quality control standards, evaluation for pharmacological and toxic effect, as well as new drug application process. This reviews was aimed to give some proposals for pharmacodynamics research methods involved in exploration of Chinese herbal compound formula preparation, including： ①the endpoint criteria should meet the clinical attribution of new drugs; ②the pre-clinical pharmacodynamics evaluation should be carried on appropriate animal models according to the characteristics of diagnosis and therapy of Chinese medicine and observation indexes; ③during the innovation of drug for infants and children, information on drug action conforming to physiological characteristics of infants and children should be supplied, and the pharmacodynamics and toxicology research shall be conducted in immature rats according to the body weight of children. In a summary, the clinical application characteristics are the important criteria for evaluation of pharmacological effect of innovation medicine of Chinese herbal compound formula.

Panax notoginseng saponins ameliorate impaired arterial vasodilation in SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /lzmDmcr rats with metabolic syndrome.

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are major components of Panax notoginseng, a herb with established clinical efficacy against vascular diseases. SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa) /IzmDmcr (SHRSP.ZF) rats, a new animal model for metabolic syndrome, display an impaired vasorelaxation response in aortas and mesenteric arteries that is mediated by nitric oxide (NO). This study investigated whether PNS and its components can ameliorate this vascular dysfunction in SHRSP.ZF rats. In an in vitro study, in the presence or absence of PNS and its components, vasodilation in response to nitroprusside was determined from myographs under isometric tension conditions in aortas and mesenteric arteries from male SHRSP.ZF rats at 18-20 weeks of age. In an in vivo study, PNS (30 mg/kg per day) was orally administered to SHRSP.ZF rats from 8 to 20 weeks of age. In vitro treatment with PNS and Ginsenoside Rb1 increased nitroprusside-induced relaxation of aortas and mesenteric arteries in SHRSP.ZF rats. The PNS-induced increase was not affected by a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor or endothelium denudation. Relaxation in response to a cell-permeable cGMP analogue was increased by PNS, but cGMP accumulation by nitroprusside was not altered. In vivo treatment with PNS in SHRSP.ZF rats lowered blood pressure and increased relaxation and the expression of soluble guanylyl cyclase protein in arteries, without affecting metabolic abnormalities. These results indicate that PNS causes an increase in vasodilation in response to NO and a decrease in blood pressure, resulting in protection against vascular dysfunction in SHRSP.ZF rats. PNS might be beneficial in alleviating impaired vasodilation in metabolic syndrome.

[Effects of Total Alkaloids of Harmaline on Learning and Memory in Vascular Dementia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of total alkaloids of harmaline on learning and memory in vascular dementia rats, and its mechanism. METHODS: The model rats of vascular dementia were established with bilateral carotid artery ligation. After 30 days, the model rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, model group, nicergoline tablets 7 mg/kg group, and 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/kg dose groups of total alkaloids of harmaline, the rats were given medicine for 30 days. Learning and memory abilities were tested by Morris water maze, histomorphology in hippocampal CA1 area were observed by HE staining, BAX and BCL-2 protein expression in hippocampal CA1 area were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with model group, 25 mg/kg group of total alkaloids of harmaline shortened the incubation period in the third and fourth day significantly, 12.5 mg/kg group of total alkaloids of harmaline shortened the incubation period in the fourth day. 25 and 12.5 mg/kg groups of total alkaloids of harmaline significantly increased the times crossing the target. Total alkaloids of harmaline improved the neurons pathological changes of rat in the hippocampus CA1 area, 25 and 12.5 mg/kg of total alkaloids of harmaline downregulated the expression of apoptosis proteins BAX, upregulated the protein expression of BCL-2. CONCLUSION: Total alkaloids of harmaline can improve the learning and memory abilities in vascular dementia rats, which probably is related to inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampus cell.

Mechanisms and effects of curcumin on spatial learning and memory improvement in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.

Evidence suggests that curcumin, the phytochemical agent in the spice turmeric, might be a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties have been investigated extensively. Studies have also shown that curcumin can reduce amyloid pathology in AD. The underlying mechanism, however, is complex and is still being explored. In this study, we used the APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice, an AD model, to investigate the effects and mechanisms of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of AD. The water maze test indicated that curcumin can improve spatial learning and memory ability in mice. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were used to test major proteins in ß-amyloid aggregation, ß-amyloid production, and ß-amyloid clearance. Data showed that, 3 months after administration, curcumin treatment reduced Aß40 , Aß42 , and aggregation of Aß-derived diffusible ligands in the mouse hippocampal CA1 area; reduced the expression of the γ-secretase component presenilin-2; and increased the expression of ß-amyloid-degrading enzymes, including insulin-degrading enzymes and neprilysin. This evidence suggests that curcumin, as a potential AD therapeutic method, can reduce ß-amyloid pathological aggregation, possibly through mechanisms that prevent its production by inhibiting presenilin-2 and/or by accelerating its clearance by increasing degrading enzymes such as insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin.

Simulation study on light propagation in an isotropic turbulence field of the mixed layer.

Water tank experiments and numerical simulations are employed to investigate the characteristics of light propagation in the convective boundary layer (CBL). The CBL, namely the mixed layer (ML), was simulated in the water tank. A laser beam was set to horizontally go through the water tank, and the image of two-dimensional (2D) light intensity fluctuation formed on the receiving plate perpendicular to the light path was recorded by CCD. The spatial spectra of both horizontal and vertical light intensity fluctuations were analyzed, and the vertical distribution profile of the scintillation index (SI) in the ML was obtained. The experimental results indicate that 2D light intensity fluctuation was isotropically distributed in the cross section perpendicular to the light beam in the ML. Based on the measured temperature fluctuations along the light path at different heights, together with the relationship between temperature and refractive index, the refractive index fluctuation spectra and the corresponding turbulence parameters were derived. The obtained parameters were applied in a numerical model to simulate light propagation in the isotropic turbulence field. The calculated results successfully reproduce the characteristics of light intensity fluctuation observed in the experiments.

Simulation study on light propagation in an anisotropic turbulence field of entrainment zone.

The convective atmospheric boundary layer was modeled in the water tank. In the entrainment zone (EZ), which is at the top of the convective boundary layer (CBL), the turbulence is anisotropic. An anisotropy coefficient was introduced in the presented anisotropic turbulence model. A laser beam was set to horizontally go through the EZ modeled in the water tank. The image of two-dimensional (2D) light intensity fluctuation was formed on the receiving plate perpendicular to the light path and was recorded by the CCD. The spatial spectra of both horizontal and vertical light intensity fluctuations were analyzed. Results indicate that the light intensity fluctuation in the EZ exhibits strong anisotropic characteristics. Numerical simulation shows there is a linear relationship between the anisotropy coefficients and the ratio of horizontal to vertical fluctuation spectra peak wavelength. By using the measured temperature fluctuations along the light path at different heights, together with the relationship between temperature and refractive index, the one-dimensional (1D) refractive index fluctuation spectra were derived. The anisotropy coefficients were estimated from the 2D light intensity fluctuation spectra modeled by the water tank. Then the turbulence parameters can be obtained using the 1D refractive index fluctuation spectra and the corresponding anisotropy coefficients. These parameters were used in numerical simulation of light propagation. The results of numerical simulations show this approach can reproduce the anisotropic features of light intensity fluctuations in the EZ modeled by the water tank experiment.

[Study on effect and mechanism of cinnabaris and realgar in promoting awake of endotoxin-induced brain injury rat applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of cinnabaris and realgar in promoting awake effect of endotoxin- induced brain injury rat applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan. METHOD: Normal rats implanted cortical electrode in advance were divided into 6 groups: control, model, the Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNH, 0.4, 0.2 g · kg(-1)), the Angong Niuhuang Wan without cinnabaris and realgar (QZX-AGNH, 0.32, 0.16 g · kg(-1)). Rats in the control and model groups were given distilled water. After three days of intragastric administration, the brain injury model was injected with endotoxin through tail vein. Then trace electro-corticogram (EcoG) 1-6 h after LPS injection, and compare the power and relative power of beta (ß) and delta-waves (δ) at 6 h of these groups. The content of acetylcholine (Ach) and the affinity of M-receptor (M-R) in cortex and brainstem were detected by alkaline hydroxylamine colorimetric method and radioactive ligand binding assay, respectively. RESULT: AGNH (0.4, 0.2 g · kg(-1)) could increase the power and relative power of ß and AGNH (0.4 g · kg(-1)) showed better action on brain electrical activation. QZX-AGNH showed weak effect on it. AGNH (0.4 g · kg(-1)) could increase the affinity of M-R in cortex and the content of Ach in brainstem. The action of QZX-AGNH was not obvious. CONCLUSION: In endotoxin-induced brain injury rats, AGNH can raise the cholinergic system function of cortex, and strengthen the uplink of cortex activation of brainstem cholinergic system, improve the level of cortical activity and enhance the activation of EcoG to promote the body's awakening. QZX-AGNH show weak effect. Cinnabaris and realgar play an important role in promoting awake effect in endotoxin-induced brain injury applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan. The mechanism may be related to cortical and brainstem cholinergic system function.