Comparative Review of Effects of Pien Tze Huang and AnGong NiuHuang Pill and their Potential on Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases.

The ancient composite formulae Angong Niuhuang pill and Pien Tze Huang, which were used a few hundred years ago to treat febrile disease and inflammation, respectively, are found to exert effects benefiting other neurological diseases and conditions. This short review introduces the main constituents of the two formulae, looking into both the cumulative synergetic and possible individual effects of each herb or animal apcoien. In essence, the main effects of Angong Niuhuang pill include anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anti-cell death, anticonvulsion, antiedema, antipyretic, antithrombotic, antimicrobial (bacteria, viruses, fungi), neuroprotective effects, and cardiovascular protection.

Reaction of the Liver upon Long-Term Treatment of Fluoxetine and Atorvastatin Compared with Alcohol in a Mouse Model.

Background: Alcoholism is known to cause liver toxicity and is extensively researched. On the other hand, stress, depression, and obesity are interrelated conditions with alcoholism, and their medications would affect the liver itself. In this study, we investigated the effects of the drugs fluoxetine and atorvastatin on the liver and compared with those of alcohol in a mouse model.

Revisit the Cavernous Sinus from Fetus to Adult-New and Old Data.

This article highlighted three advances in the study of the cavernous sinus: (1) the initial formation of the sinus reticulum in early development of the sphenoid bone before ossification (2) extension of reticulum of the sinus and connection with other venules, and (3) the cavernous sinus and the nerves evolved inside this sinus during gestation, for example, the trigeminal nerve already formed bundles of motor and parasympathetic components during fetal development. This ontogenetic study further confirmed the cavernous sinus is not a single or a dual set of sinuses, but a group of extensions of venous sinuses or sinusoids. These new insights were integrated with previous understandings of the cavernous sinus to form this review article.

How Ketamine Affects Livers of Pregnant Mice and Developing Mice?

It is well known that ketamine abuse can induce liver damage in adult addicts, but the effects of ketamine abuse in pregnant mothers on their offspring have received less attention. In this study, we investigated the effects of 5-day ketamine injections (30 mg/kg) to pregnant Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice during early gestation or mid-gestation on the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities of the mothers and the offspring. We also looked into whether administering ketamine treatment to the mothers had any effects on the extent of fibrosis, cell proliferation and cell death in the livers of the newborns.

Mutated tau, amyloid and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer disease-A brief review.

This review discussed the importance of mutated tau, amyloid and neuroinflammatory factors and microglia in Alzheimer disease. In particular tau, CD4 and TNF alpha were included in the review and the colocalizations of these factors were highlighted. It is important to realize the Alzheimer disease may result from the interactions of these factors.