生物神经网络系统动力学与功能研究

生物神经系统是由数量极其巨大的神经元相互联结的信息网络系统,在生物体的感觉、认知和运动控制中发挥关键性的作用.首先介绍神经元、大脑和一些生物神经网络的生理结构和理论模型,然后分别介绍其放电活动和网络动态特性的一些重要问题,包括神经元的复杂放电模式、耦合神经元网络系统的同步活动和时空动力学、大脑联合皮层神经微回路的网络结构特征,以及工作记忆和抉择过程的动力学机制等. 最后对今后研究给出一些展望.      

Measurement of the choroidal blood flow-time curve and its applications

So far it has been difficult to show up the state of blood flow in choroid due to its position underlying behind the retina anatomically. This paper presents the principle and the method of data analysis in the measurement of the choroidal blood flow-time curve by means of laser interferometry. Preliminary investigations show that this technique may be important in the diagnosis of multiple arteritis and prediction of cerebral ischemic disturbances.     

Extracellular HSPs: The Potential Target for Human Disease Therapy

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved stress proteins known as molecular chaperones, which are considered to be cytoplasmic proteins with functions restricted to the intracellular compartment, such as the cytoplasm or cellular organelles. However, an increasing number of observations have shown that HSPs can also be released into the extracellular matrix and can play important roles in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular HSPs (eHSPs) were involved in many human diseases, such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and kidney diseases, which are all diseases that are closely linked to inflammation and immunity. In this review, we describe the types of eHSPs, discuss the mechanisms of eHSPs secretion, and then highlight their functions in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Finally, we take cancer as an example and discuss the possibility of targeting eHSPs for human disease therapy. A broader understanding of the function of eHSPs in development and progression of human disease is essential for developing new strategies to treat many human diseases that are critically related to inflammation and immunity.     

Design of Nanotechnological Carriers for Ocular Delivery of Mangiferin: Preformulation Study

(1) Background: Mangiferin (MGN) is a natural compound, showing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities for the potential treatment of eye diseases. The poor physicochemical features of MGN (low solubility and high instability) justify its nanoencapsulation into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to improve its ocular bioavailability. (2) Methods: Firstly, MGN-NLC were prepared by the high shear homogenization coupled with the ultrasound (HSH−US) method. Finally, unloaded and MGN-loaded NLC were analyzed in terms of ocular tolerance. (3) Results: MGN-NLC showed good technological parameters suitable for ocular administration (particle size below 200 nm). The ORAC assay was performed to quantify the antioxidant activity of MGN, showing that the antioxidant activity of MGN-NLC (6494 ± 186 μM TE/g) was higher than that of the free compound (3521 ± 271 μM TE/g). This confirmed that the encapsulation of the drug was able to preserve and increase its activity. In ovo studies (HET-CAM) revealed that the formulation can be considered nonirritant. (4) Conclusions: Therefore, NLC systems are a promising approach for the ocular delivery of MGN.     

Exploring the Potential of Natural Product-Based Nanomedicine for Maintaining Oral Health

Oral diseases pose a major threat to public health across the globe. Diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, halitosis, and oral cancer affect people of all age groups. Moreover, unhealthy diet practices and the presence of comorbidities aggravate the problem even further. Traditional practices such as the use of miswak for oral hygiene and cloves for toothache have been used for a long time. The present review exhaustively explains the potential of natural products obtained from different sources for the prevention and treatment of dental diseases. Additionally, natural medicine has shown activity in preventing bacterial biofilm resistance and can be one of the major forerunners in the treatment of oral infections. However, in spite of the enormous potential, it is a less explored area due to many setbacks, such as unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Nanotechnology has led to many advances in the dental industry, with various applications ranging from maintenance to restoration. However, can nanotechnology help in enhancing the safety and efficacy of natural products? The present review discusses these issues in detail.     

Biological Assessment of the NO-Dependent Endothelial Function

Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in numerous physiological processes, including vascular homeostasis. Reduced NO bioavailability is a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction, a prequel to many cardiovascular diseases. Biomarkers of an early NO-dependent endothelial dysfunction obtained from routine venous blood sampling would be of great interest but are currently lacking. The direct measurement of circulating NO remains a challenge due by its high reactivity and short half-life. The current techniques measure stable products from the NO signaling pathway or metabolic end products of NO that do not accurately represent its bioavailability and, therefore, endothelial function per se. In this review, we will concentrate on an original technique of low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy capable to directly measure the 5-α-coordinated heme nitrosyl-hemoglobin in the T (tense) state (5-α-nitrosyl-hemoglobin or HbNO) obtained from fresh venous human erythrocytes. In humans, HbNO reflects the bioavailability of NO formed in the vasculature from vascular endothelial NOS or exogenous NO donors with minor contribution from erythrocyte NOS. The HbNO signal is directly correlated with the vascular endothelial function and inversely correlated with vascular oxidative stress. Pilot studies support the validity of HbNO measurements both for the detection of endothelial dysfunction in asymptomatic subjects and for the monitoring of such dysfunction in patients with known cardiovascular disease. The impact of therapies or the severity of diseases such as COVID-19 infection involving the endothelium could also be monitored and their incumbent risk of complications better predicted through serial measurements of HbNO.     

Effect of Cordyceps spp. and Cordycepin on Functions of Bones and Teeth and Related Processes: A Review

Cordyceps spp. (belonging to the Ascomycota group) are entomopathogenic mushrooms that have traditionally been used in ethnomedicine in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and India. They are unique parasites of larvae of selected species of moths. Cordyceps militaris is one of the best sources of cordycepin. Worldwide, osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases, whose pharmacotherapy includes various medical interventions; however, the research and development of new molecules and new drugs is required. The impact of adenosine receptors (ARs) on the purinergic signaling pathway may regulate proliferation, differentiate dental pulp stem cells and bone marrow, and modulate osteogenesis and bone repair. The aim of the review was to collect and analyze the available data on the effects of Cordyceps spp. or cordycepin on bone function and related processes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review in this perspective, not necessarily using mushroom raw material or even the isolated parent compound cordycepin, but new molecules that are analogs of nucleosides, such as those from C. militaris. This review found that Cordyceps spp. or isolated cordycepin interacts via the AR, 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) signaling pathway and evaluated their impact on bones, teeth, and dental pulp. Cordyceps spp. was found to have the potential to develop regenerative medicines, thus providing an opportunity to expand the treatment or intervention methods in the recovery after traumatic injuries, convalescence, and terminal-stage or devastating diseases.     

原发肾病综合征患儿超声颈动脉参数、血清sTREM-1、suPAR水平变化及与急性肾损伤的相关性

选取原发性肾病综合征(PNS)患儿96例作为研究组,选取同期96例健康体检儿童作为对照组,开展前瞻性队列研究,均行超声颈动脉参数、血清可溶性髓系细胞表达的触发受体-1(sTREM-1)、可溶性尿激酶型纤溶酶原激活物受体(suPAR)水平检测,并进行对比分析.本研究发现,研究组患儿颈动脉内中膜厚度(cIMT)、平均管壁横...     

Inosine in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From the Bench to the Bedside

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer′s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS), currently represent major unmet medical needs. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed in order to improve patients’ quality of life and prognosis. Since oxidative stress can be strongly involved in neurodegenerative diseases, the potential use of inosine, known for its antioxidant properties, in this context deserves particular attention. The protective action of inosine treatment could be mediated by its metabolite urate. Here, we review the current preclinical and clinical studies investigating the use of inosine in AD, PD, ALS, and MS. The most important properties of inosine seem to be its antioxidant action and its ability to raise urate levels and to increase energetic resources by improving ATP availability. Inosine appears to be generally safe and well tolerated; however, the possible formation of kidney stones should be monitored, and data on its effectiveness should be further explored since, so far, they have been controversial. Overall, inosine could be a promising potential strategy in the management of neurodegenerative diseases, and additional studies are needed in order to further investigate its safety and efficacy and its use as a complementary therapy along with other approved drugs.     

治疗呼吸系统疾病中草药微量元素含量测定

微量元素与人体健康有密切的关系,各微量元素之间按一定比例存在,以维护各自的生理功能,如果比例平衡失调,疾病就可能发生或发展,中草药中含微量元素丰实。选取了16种临床上常用的治疗呼吸系统疾病的中草药百合、鱼腥草、甘草、板兰根、五味子、黄芩、贝母、何首乌、紫草、石菖蒲、半夏、银杏、金银花、葛根、柴胡和川芎,采用HNO3-HClO4湿法消化,用原子吸收分光光度计测定其Fe,Ni,Mn,Cr,Cu和Zn六种微量元素的含量,通过药物中微量元素含量的测定,观察不同药物中微量元素的含量差别。测定结果显示,16种中草药中微量元素含量丰富,含量较多的微量元素有Fe,Zn和Mn,不同药物中含量有所差别,含微量元素较丰富的是何首乌、银杏叶、柴胡、五味子、半夏和紫草;含量较少的葛根、石菖蒲和板兰根。分析结果为研究中药理论、药理药效等方面的深入研究提供了有效的参考数据。