Neuroprotective effects of curcumin via autophagy induction in 6-hydroxydopamine Parkinson's models.

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound extracted from curcuma longa, acts as a nontoxic matter with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as antiproliferative activities. Here, our research aimed to explore the neuroprotective effects of curcumin both in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) in vivo and 6-OHDA-lesioned PC12 cells in vitro. In vitro, 6-OHDA caused a distinct decrease in cell viability of PC12 cells (150 μM).

Development a multiplex panel of AISNPs, multi-allelic InDels, microhaplotypes, and Y-SNP/InDel loci for multiple forensic purposes via the NGS.

Recently, next generation sequencing has shown the promising application value in forensic research. In this study, we constructed a multiplex amplification system of different molecular genetic markers based on the previous selected ancestry informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), multi-allelic insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms, microhaplotypes, and Y-chromosomal SNP/InDel loci, and evaluated forensic efficiencies of the system in Chinese Shaanxi Han, Chinese Hui, and Chinese Mongolian groups via the next generation sequencing platform. Ancestry information analyses of Shaanxi Han, Hui, and Mongolian groups revealed that most Mongolian individuals could be differentiated from Shaanxi Hans and Huis based on the selected ancestry informative SNPs.

Developing and population analysis of a new multiplex panel of 18 microhaplotypes and compound markers using next generation sequencing and its application in the Shaanxi Han population.

Compound marker consists of two different types of genetic markers, like deletion/insertion polymorphism and single nucleotide polymorphism in the genomic region of 200 bp, and microhaplotype consists of a series of closely linked single nucleotide polymorphisms in a small DNA segment (<300 bp), which show great potential for human identifications and mixture analyses. In this study, we initially selected 23 novel genetic markers comprising 10 microhaplotypes and 13 compound markers according to previously reported single nucleotide polymorphism or deletion/insertion polymorphism loci. Genetic distributions of these 23 loci in different continental populations showed that they could be used as valuable loci for forensic human identification purpose.

The Advantages of Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel for Patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is a new type of administration that results in steadier levodopa plasma concentrations in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and effectively reduces poor mobility and dyskinesia.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched up to January 1, 2018. The inclusion criteria for this review were as follows: LCIG vs oral medication in advanced PD patients.

β-arrestin2 alleviates L-dopa-induced dyskinesia via lower D1R activity in Parkinson's rats.

The cause of the L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) has been ascribed to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) supersensitivity and uncontrolled downstream signaling. It is now supposed that β-arrestin2 affects GPCR signaling through its ability to scaffold various intracellular molecules. We used the rAAV (recombinant adeno-associated virus) vectors to overexpress and ablation of β-arrestin2.

Striatal overexpression of β-arrestin2 counteracts L-dopa-induced dyskinesia in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned Parkinson's disease rats.

Prolonged administration of Levodopa (L-dopa) therapy can generate L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Accumulating evidence indicates that hyper-activation of the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and the cAMP signaling cascade in the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum are involved in LID. Previous studies have shown that striatal β-arrestin2 overexpression significantly reduces LID severity and have indicated that β-arrestin2 may play a causal role in the dyskinesia sensitization process.

Levodopa/Benserazide PLGA Microsphere Prevents L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesia Lower β-Arrestin2 in 6-Hydroxydopamine Parkinson's Rats.

Prolonged pulsatile administration of Levodopa (L-dopa) can generate L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Numerous research has reported that continuous dopamine delivery (CDD) was useful in reducing the severity of LID. 6-OHDA lesioned rats were divided into two groups to receive intermittent L-dopa stimulation (L-dopa/benserazide) or Levodopa/benserazide PLGA microsphere (LBPM) for 3 weeks.

Effects of mGluR5 Antagonists on Parkinson's Patients With L-Dopa-Induced Dyskinesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Modulation of Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) may be a novel therapeutic approach to manage Parkinson's disease (PD) Patients with L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of mGluR5 antagonists for the treatment of LID patients. Several electronic databases were consulted up to July 30, 2017.

Modulation of CaMKIIa-GluN2B interaction in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in 6-OHDA-lesioned Parkinson's rats.

Long-term treatment with L-dopa leads to involuntary aimless movements called L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) has hindered its use in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Emerging evidence suggests a possible role of CaMKIIa and its interacting partners in the development of LID. In this study, we found that CaMKIIa was found to form complexes with GluN2B after chronic administration of L-dopa in adult rat striatal neurons.

An Overview of Meta-Analyses of Endovascular Bridging Therapies for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is a common cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of long-term severe disability. Endovascular bridging therapies (EBT), including endovascular thrombectomy (ET) and intra-arterial thrombolytic (IAT), have been recommended to realize a favorable functional outcome for AIS patients.

Methods: An overview of meta-analyses of primary randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies was performed evaluating EBT for AIS patients compared with usual care.

A Meta-Analysis of Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonists on Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia .

Background: Long-term use of levodopa (l-dopa) is inevitably complicated with highly disabling fluctuations and drug-induced dyskinesias, which pose major challenges to the existing drug therapy of Parkinson's disease.

Methods: In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of A2A receptor antagonists on reducing l-dopa-induced dyskinesias (LID).

Results: Nine studies with a total of 152 animals were included in this meta-analysis.

[Distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of diabetic retinopathy and correlation between symptoms].

To investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Syndromes of diabetic retinopathy and explore the correlation between various symptoms. Based on the literature in databases of China Journal Full-text Database (CNKI), Wanfang database, VIP network, China biomedical literature database (CBM) and PubMed, SPSS 20.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 14.

The role of elastic fibers in pathogenesis of conjunctivochalasis.

The PubMed, MEDLINE databases and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for information regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and the synthesis and degradation of elastic fibers. After analysis of the literature, we found elastic fibers was a complex protein molecule from the structure and composition; the degradation of elastic fibers was one of the histopathological features of the disease; the vast majority of the factors related to the pathogenesis of CCh ultimately pointed to abnormal elastic fibers. By reasonably speculating, we considered that abnormal elastic fibers cause the conjunctival relaxation.

Expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 and their tissue inhibitors in the conjunctival tissue and fibroblasts cultured from conjunctivochalasis.

Aim: To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMP-1 and MMP-3) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-3) in the conjunctiva of eyes with conjunctivochalasis (CCh).

Methods: The conjunctival tissue was obtained from the CCh patients and controls, the MMPs/TIMPs expression concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of MMPs/TIMPs in the CCh fibro-blasts were determined by analyzing its concentration in the cellular supernatant that was abstracted from the cultured CCh fibroblasts.

The palpebral conjunctival epithelium thickness in young adults measured by optical coherence tomography.

Objective: To measure the palpebral conjunctival epithelium thickness in young adults with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: A Cirrus HD-OCT 4000 system was used to image the superior palpebral conjunctival with the Anterior Segment 5 Line Raster scanning protocol at the central region in 36 male and 26 female subjects aged between 20 and 30 years of age with normal, healthy eyes. The palpebral conjunctival epithelium thickness was measured according to the difference in brightness on OCT between the epithelium and its underlying substantia propria.

Lower eyelid tension in young adults determined by a simple lid tensiometer.

Purpose: Eyelid tension seems to be related to corneal astigmatism and to affect the ocular surface. The aim of this study is to determine the lower eyelid tension in young adults with a simple lid tensiometer.

Methods: A commercially available precision digital pressure gauge that was connected to a pressure-guided tube full of water with a sensor at its end being placed between the lower eyelid and ocular surface was used as the lid tensiometer to measure the lower eyelid pressure at the central lid in 8 male and 12 female subjects aged between 20 and 39 years with normal healthy eyes.

Refractive change in the adult rabbit eye after corneal relaxation with the femtosecond laser.

Background: A new procedure to correct myopia that does not disturb the cornea in the optical zone and avoids injuring the corneal epithelium could be a key advance in corneal refractive surgery. The aim of this study is to observe the refractive change in the adult rabbits undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted multilayer intrastromal ablation in the mid-periphery of the cornea without injury of epithelium.

Method: The right eyes of 8 New Zealand White adult rabbits were used for the experiments.

[Clinical observation of lymphangiectasis in conjunctivochalasis cases].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the occurrence and development of conjunctivochalasis and bulbar conjunctival lymphangiectasia.

Methods: Case control study. One hundred cases with conjunctivochalasis treated from January to March 2012 were selected to study, and 100 cases with no conjunctivochalasis as the control group at the same time.