Biochemical pathways in the antiatherosclerotic effect of berberine.

Background: This study investigated the inhibitory effect of berberine (BBR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression via the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascade pathways in human peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC).

Methods: PBMC from whole blood were isolated and cultured for up to 24 hours after division into 5 groups treated with LPS, LPS + BBR 25 micromol/L, LPS + BBR 50 micromol/L or LPS + BBR 100 micromol/L and untreated. Monocytes were extracted for RT-PCR and Western blot analyses to examine COX-2 mRNA and protein activated expression of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signalling pathways.

Peripheral electrical stimulation reversed the cell size reduction and increased BDNF level in the ventral tegmental area in chronic morphine-treated rats.

Chronic morphine administration induces functional and morphological alterations in the mesolimbic dopamine system (MLDS), which is believed to be the neurobiological substrate of opiate addiction. Our previous studies have demonstrated that peripheral electrical stimulation (PES) can suppress morphine withdrawal syndrome and morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. The present study was designed to investigate if PES could reverse the cell size reduction induced by chronic morphine treatment in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which is an important area of the MLDS.

A comparison between spontaneous electroencephalographic activities induced by morphine and morphine-related environment in rats.

Previous studies demonstrated that drug cues could elicit drug-like or withdrawal-like effect, both subjectively and physiologically. However, few studies have compared the central activities induced by a drug-related environment and the drug itself. The aim of this study was to observe and compare electroencephalographic (EEG) changes induced by acute morphine administration and by the morphine-related environment.

Effects of aspirin on atherosclerosis and the cyclooxygenase-2 expression in atherosclerotic rabbits.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular inflammatory disease. Aspirin is a mainstay in the prevention of vascular complications of atherosclerosis. In this study, the effectiveness of aspirin in suppressing atherosclerosis and the inflammation process was evaluated in rabbits fed with a high fat diet.

[Processing of spatial information by hippocampal place cells].

Hippocampal place cells can process the environmental inputs and make up a cognitive map in the hippocampus, or strengthen the synaptic connections within an association cortical cell assembly,thus creating a permanent engram for a spatial site. Outputs from the hippocampus are then integrated with other inputs within the nucleus accumbens and finally initiate a goal-directed behavior through the motor circuit.

Meta-analysis of defibrase in treatment of acute cerebral infarction.

Background: Fibrinogen-depleting agents are promising in the treatment of cerebral ischemic disease. They were studied by many trials, and the outcomes were different because of different regimens and different doses. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of defibrase on acute cerebral infarction in China.

[Effect of ileocecum interposition graft as pylorus replacement on glycometabolism].

Objective: To evaluate the application of ileocecum interposition (ii) graft as pylorus replacement in alimentary reconstruction.

Methods: Twenty- one minipigs were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group (control group), B - i group and ii group. The levels of blood glucose were measured by quick blood glucose testing of paper at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes of oral glucose after 60 and 120 post- operative days to compare gastric emptying of liquid feeds.