Sublethal toxicity of graphene oxide in Caenorhabditis elegans under multi-generational exposure.

Nanomaterials have received increasing attentions owing to their potential hazards to the environment and human health; however, the multi-generational toxicity of graphene oxide under consecutive multi-generational exposure scenario still remains unclear. In the present study, Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model organism was employed to explore the multi-generational toxicity effects of graphene oxide and the underlying mechanisms. Endpoints including development and lifespan, locomotion behaviors, defecation cycle, brood sizes, and oxidative response were evaluated in the parental generation and subsequent five filial generations.

In vivo effect of borneol on rat hepatic CYP2B expression and activity.

CYP2B subfamily accounts for 2-10% of total hepatic CYP450 enzymes and participate in the metabolism of around 8% of clinical drugs. Borneol has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. There are many studies about borneol-induced promoting penetration role for a number of drugs through various physiologic barriers, whereas there is no report involved the effect of borneol on hepatic CYP2B.

[Borneol is an inducer of rat hepatic CYP2D activity in vivo].

Borneol is a traditional Chinese medicine. In the past few years, many studies showed that borneol can improve the bioavailability of other drugs, promoting drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier, so the potential drug interactions between borneol and other medicines have attracted great attention, but the influence of borneol to CYP450 and its isoforms are rarely reported. In this research, male Wistar rats were orally administered by borneol for 7 days, then the mRNA and protein expression and the activities of CYP2D were detected, we also compared the pharmacokinetic parameters of CYP2D's specific substrate between control group and borneol group.

The Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of Honokiol and its Metabolites in Rats.

Honokiol (HK) is the main bioactive compound isolated from the bark of Magnolia officinalis. The present work is the first to report the pharmacokinetics and distribution of HK and its two metabolites of hydroxylated HK conjugated with glucuronic and sulfuric acid (M1) and HK monoglucuronide (M2) in plasma, liver, kidney and brain following oral administration of HK (40 mg/kg) to healthy Wistar rats. The results showed that only HK but not M1 or M2 was found in brain.

Functional Connectivity in Patients With Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Resting-State MRI.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate whole-brain functional connectivity changes related to auditory cortex in patients with left-sided sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging.

Method: Imaging was performed in 19 patients with left-sided SNHL and 35 individuals in the control group without SNHL. Data were collected and analyzed to map functional connectivity using the left/right primary auditory cortex as the region of interest to identify global differences between patients with SNHL and the control group.

Brain structural and functional alterations in patients with unilateral hearing loss.

Alterations of brain structure and functional connectivity have been described in patients with hearing impairments due to distinct pathogenesis; however, the influence of unilateral hearing loss (UHL) on brain morphology and regional brain activity is still not completely understood. In this study, we aim to investigate regional brain structural and functional alterations in patients with UHL. T1-weighted volumetric images and task-free fMRIs were acquired from 14 patients with right-sided UHL (pure tone average ≥ 40 dB HL) and 19 healthy controls.

Effects of arecoline on hepatic cytochrome P450 activity and oxidative stress.

Betel-quid use is associated with the risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the impact of arecoline on human hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in vitro and rat hepatic CYP enzymes, as well as the hepatic oxidative stress and liver injury of rats in vivo. The in vitro results indicated that arecoline hydrobromide (AH) has no significant effect on the activities of CYP2B, 2C9, 3A4, 1A2, 2E1 and 2D6 in human liver microsome (HLM).

Efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy in children aged 3-13 years with allergic rhinitis.

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is recommended for allergic diseases. However, clinical studies containing evidence-based data of this treatment in young children, which is rarely reported in the literature, are needed. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of SLIT in children, including very young children.

Sublingual immunotherapy for experimental allergic conjunctivitis in a murine model induced by Dermatophagoides farinae allergen.

Background: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a clinically effective treatment in allergic conjunctivitis (AC); however, the mechanism of the underlying pharmacodynamics remains unclear. Here, we investigate the efficacy and the mechanism of a sublingually administered Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) vaccine in a murine AC model.

Methods: A murine model of AC caused by Der f extract was developed in BALB/c mice by repeated application of allergen.