Kinect-based objective assessment of the acute levodopa challenge test in parkinsonism: a feasibility study.

Introduction: The acute levodopa challenge test (ALCT) is an important and valuable examination but there are still some shortcomings with it. We aimed to objectively assess ALCT based on a depth camera and filter out the best indicators.

Methods: Fifty-nine individuals with parkinsonism completed ALCT and the improvement rate (IR, which indicates the change in value before and after levodopa administration) of the Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (MDS-UPDRS III) was calculated.

Kinect-based objective assessment for early frailty identification in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Frailty is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and increases vulnerability to adverse outcomes. Early detection of this syndrome aids in early intervention.

Aims: To objectively identify frailty at an early stage during routine motor tasks in PD patients using a Kinect-based system.

Kinect-based objective evaluation of bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To quantify bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD) with a Kinect depth camera-based motion analysis system and to compare PD and healthy control (HC) subjects.

Methods: Fifty PD patients and twenty-five HCs were recruited. The Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (MDS-UPDRS III) was used to evaluate the motor symptoms of PD.

Few-mode optical fiber with a simple double-layer core supporting the O + C + L band weakly coupled mode- division multiplexing transmission.

A weakly-coupled few mode fiber (FMF) with a simple double-layer core is designed and fabricated that support five (seven) weakly coupled mode groups with average attenuation of 0.21 dB/km (0.39 dB/km) at the C + L (O) optical wavelength bands.

High clinical diagnostic accuracy of combined salivary gland and myocardial metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Decreased myocardial uptake of I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is known to be an important feature to diagnose Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the diagnosis accuracy of myocardial MIBG scintigraphy alone is often unsatisfying. Recent studies have found that the MIBG uptake of the major salivary glands was reduced in PD patients as well.

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) prevents the neuroinflammation induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

Background: The excessive activation of the microglia leads to the release of inflammatory factors that contribute to neuronal cell loss and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) that belongs to a newly found neurotrophic factors (NTFs) family has been reported to promote neuronal survival in the PD models. However, the effects of the MANF on neuroinflammation in PD remain unclear.

1120-channel OAM-MDM-WDM transmission over a 100-km single-span ring-core fiber using low-complexity 4×4 MIMO equalization.

A successful transmission of 14 multiplexed orbital angular momentum (OAM) channels each carrying 80 wavelengths over a 100-km single-span ring-core fiber (RCF) is experimentally demonstrated. Each transmission channel is modulated by a 20-GBaud quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal, achieving a record spectral-efficiency-distance product of 1870 (bit/s/Hz)·km for the single-core RCF based mode division multiplexing (MDM) transmissions. In addition, only low-complexity 2×2 or 4×4 multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalization with time-domain equalization tap number no more than 25 is required to deal with the crosstalk among the highly degenerate intra-MG modes at the receiving end of the demonstrated OAM-MDM-WDM system, showing great potential in large-capacity and relatively long-distance MDM transmission with low digital signal processing (DSP) complexity.

Involvement of PtCOL5-PtNF-YC4 in reproductive cone development and gibberellin signaling in Chinese pine.

It is well documented that the CO/NF-YB/NF-YC trimer (NF-Y-CO) binds and regulates the FT promoter. However, the FT/TFL1-like (FLOWERING LOCUS T/TERMINALFLOWER1-like) genes in gymnosperms are all flowering suppressors, and the regulation model of NF-Y in gymnosperms is different from that in angiosperms. Here, using Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis), we identified a CONSTANS-LIKE gene, PtCOL5, the expression of which was strongly induced during cones development and it functioned as a repressor of flowering.

MANF Inhibits -Synuclein Accumulation through Activation of Autophagic Pathways.

Progressive accumulation of misfolded SNCA/-synuclein is key to the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Drugs aiming at degrading SNCA may be an efficient therapeutic strategy for PD. Our previous study showed that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) facilitated the removal of misfolded SNCA and rescued dopaminergic (DA) neurons, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Brain Region-Specific Gene Networks Regulated in Exercise in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Exercise plays an essential role in improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), but the underlying mechanism in the central nervous system remains unclear.

Methods: Motor ability was observed after 12-week treadmill exercise on a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD. RNA-sequencing on four brain regions (cerebellum, cortex, substantia nigra (SN), and striatum) from control animals, MPTP-induced PD, and MPTP-induced PD model treated with exercise for 12 weeks were performed.

1-Pbps orbital angular momentum fibre-optic transmission.

Space-division multiplexing (SDM), as a main candidate for future ultra-high capacity fibre-optic communications, needs to address limitations to its scalability imposed by computation-intensive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) digital signal processing (DSP) required to eliminate the crosstalk caused by optical coupling between multiplexed spatial channels. By exploiting the unique propagation characteristics of orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes in ring core fibres (RCFs), a system that combines SDM and C + L band dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) in a 34 km 7-core RCF is demonstrated to transport a total of 24960 channels with a raw (net) capacity of 1.223 (1.

Phytohormone profiles and related gene expressions after endodormancy release in developing Pinus tabuliformis male strobili.

Development after endo-dormancy release ensures perennial plants, such as forest trees, proper response to environmental changes and enhances their adaptability. In northern hemisphere, megasporophore and microsporophore of conifers undergo dormancy to complete their development. Here combined with transcriptome data, we used high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-HPLC-MS/MS) to quantitatively analyse the various hormones (Abscisic Acid (ABA), 3-Indoleacetic acid (IAA), Gibberellins (GAs), Cytokinin (CTK), Jasmonic acid (JA) and Salicylic acid (SA)) of Chinese pine (Pinus tabuliformis Carr.

SDM transmission of orbital angular momentum mode channels over a multi-ring-core fibre.

Spatial division multiplexed optical transmission over a multi-ring-core orbital angular momentum (OAM) fibre is reported for the first time. The seven cores in the fibre each supports OAM modes belonging to mode groups (MGs) of topological charge || = 0-4. The MGs of || = 1-4 each contains four near-degenerate OAM modes that carry the combinations of opposite orbital and spin angular momenta.

[Determination of atmospheric organochlorine pesticides using isotope dilution high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry].

A method for the determination of 25 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the atmosphere using isotope dilution high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (ID-HRGC/HRMS) was developed. Sample extraction was performed using an accelerated solvent extractor (ASE). The extraction parameters were as follows: the extraction solvent was 50% (v/v) hexane in dichloromethane, the extraction temperature was 100 ℃, the static time was 8 min, the cell was rinsed with 60% cell volume using the aforementioned extraction solvent, the purging time was 180 s with N gas, and the extraction proceeded through three cycles.

Baicalin Represses C/EBP via Its Antioxidative Effect in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) and the formation of intracellular Lewy bodies (LB) in the brain, which aggregates -synuclein (-Syn) as the main component. The interest of flavonoids as potential neuroprotective agents is increasing due to its high efficiency and low side effects. Baicalin is one of the flavonoid compounds, which is a predominant flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.

Pathways and influential factors study on the formation of PBDD/Fs during co-processing BDE-209 in cement kiln simulation system.

The thermal processes of cement kilns are sources of polybrominated dibenzofurans and dioxins (PBDD/Fs); however, when co-processing decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) soil in cement kilns, very few reports have investigated the mechanism of PBDD/Fs formation from BDE-209. Therefore, the pathways and factors that influence the formation of PBDD/Fs were investigated using Box-Behnken design (BBD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) at lab-scale. The PBDEs, HBr/Br and PBDD/Fs emissions in flue gas from the simulated thermal process were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS), and ion chromatography (IC).

One-step formation of infrared reflection microsheets local photo-induced polymerization.

Liquid crystal (LC) smart windows with adjustable reflectivity have been gradually applied in green and intelligent building materials for energy saving needs, but their applications are limited by their fundamental defects. In this study, we developed local photo-induced polymerization to rapidly fabricate the infrared reflection microsheets of a cholesteric LC polymer as functional units. With the exception of the LC formula, the photo mask, liquid crystal cell, polymerization inhibitor, and the preparation conditions were specifically managed to control the extent of polymerization, namely the microsheet morphology.

Prenatal Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) and Association between the Placental Transfer Efficiencies and Dissociation Constant of Serum Proteins-PFAS Complexes.

Information on placental transfer and adverse outcomes of short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFASs) is limited, and factors responsible for PFAS placental transfer are still unclear. In the present study, concentrations of 21 PFASs were analyzed in 132 paired maternal and cord serum samples collected from residents in Beijing, China, and the placental transfer efficiency (PTE) of each PFAS was calculated. PTEs of short-chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including PFBA (146%), PFBS (97%), PFPeA (118%), and PFHxA (110%), were first reported, and a complete U-shaped trend of PTEs from C4 to C13 of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) was obtained.

MANF improves the MPP/MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease via improvement of mitochondrial function and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) on the MPTP/MPP-induced model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the potential mechanism.

Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice PD model with MPTP-induced were randomly injected bilaterally with MANF or PBS into the striatum. Two weeks later, Rotarod test, immunohistochemistry, and detection of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were performed.

Transcriptome analysis of Crossostephium chinensis provides insight into the molecular basis of salinity stress responses.

Soil salinization is becoming a limitation to the utilization of ornamental plants worldwide. Crossostephium chinensis (Linnaeus) Makino is often cultivated along the southeast coast of China for its desirable ornamental qualities and high salt tolerance. However, little is known about the genomic background of the salt tolerance mechanism in C.

Nrf2-mediated neuroprotection by MANF against 6-OHDA-induced cell damage via PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis are thought to be broadly involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. We previously reported that Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) possesses anti-oxidation and anti-apoptotic effects against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity, but the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we showed that MANF up-regulates the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and promotes its translocation into the nucleus.

AM1241 alleviates MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease and promotes the regeneration of DA neurons in PD mice.

The main pathological feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. In this study, we investigated the role of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) agonist AM1241 on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity in a mouse model of PD. Upon treatment with AM1241, the decreased CB2R level in the PD mouse brain was reversed and the behavior score markedly elevated, accompanied with a dose-dependent increase of dopamine and serotonin.

reduces cell apoptosis via upregulating HSP70 in SHSY-5Y cells.

Background: Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a new candidate growth factor for dopaminergic neurons against endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress). HSP70 family, a chaperon like heat shock protein family, was proved to be involved in the MANF induced survival pathway in 6-OHDA treated SHSY-5Y cells. However, the ER stress relative transcriptome, in MANF signaling cascades is still investigated.

Morroniside protects SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells against H2O2-induced damage.

Oxidative stress-induced cell injury has been linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Morroniside is an antioxidant derived from the Chinese herb Shan-Zhu-Yu. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effect of morroniside against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cell death in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells.