Microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), rapidly transition from a resting to an active state in the acute phase of ischemic brain injury. This active state mediates a pro-inflammatory response that can exacerbate the injury. Targeting the pro-inflammatory response of microglia in the semi-dark band during this acute phase may effectively reduce brain injury. Shionone (SH), an active ingredient extracted from the dried roots and rhizomes of the genus Aster (Asteraceae), has been reported to regulate the inflammatory response of macrophages in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. However, its function in post-stroke neuroinflammation, particularly microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains uninvestigated. This study found that SH significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in microglia in vitro. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that SH alleviated infarct volume and improved behavioral performance in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the microglial inflammatory response induced by SH treatment. Mechanistically, SH potently inhibited the phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). These findings suggest that SH may be a potential therapeutic agent for relieving ischemic stroke (IS) by alleviating microglia-associated neuroinflammation.
Animals ; Microglia/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Ischemia/immunology* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion leads to white matter injury (WMI), which subsequently causes neurodegeneration and even cognitive impairment. However, due to the lack of treatment specifically for WMI, novel recognized and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. In this study, we found that honokiol and magnolol, two compounds derived from Magnolia officinalis, significantly facilitated the differentiation of primary oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into mature oligodendrocytes, with a more prominent effect of the former compound. Moreover, our results demonstrated that honokiol treatment improved myelin injury, induced mature oligodendrocyte protein expression, attenuated cognitive decline, promoted oligodendrocyte regeneration, and inhibited astrocytic activation in the bilateral carotid artery stenosis model. Mechanistically, honokiol increased the phosphorylation of serine/threonine kinase (Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by activating cannabinoid receptor 1 during OPC differentiation. Collectively, our study indicates that honokiol might serve as a potential treatment for WMI in chronic cerebral ischemia.
Magnolia ; White Matter ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism*

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of hospital environmental cleaning practice by fluorescence labeling method.Methods From January to February 2015,312 ward rooms in 7 hospitals were chosen,high touch object surface were labeled with fluorescence,after object surface being cleaned by cleaners,clearance rates of fluorescence labeling were calculated (as baseline survey data),training and on-site guidance for cleaners were performed(intervention measures),fluorescence labeling clearance effect before and after intervention was compared.Results A total of 110 ward rooms were performed baseline survey,the fluorescence labeling clearance rate of 2 856 touched clean surface was only 50.81％,the quantitative evaluation value was 45.70;after intervention,202 rooms were surveyed,fluorescence labeling clearance rate of 3 992 touched clean surface enhanced to 79.23 ％,the quantitative evaluation value was 76.30;there was significant difference in fluorescence labeling clearance rate between before and after intervention (x2 =612.14,P＜0.05).In the baseline survey,the clearance rates of fluorescence labeling on touched surface of medical instruments,hospital beds,and toilets were 46.07％,37.80％,and 25.20％ respectively;after intervention,the clearance rates were 80.59％,75.90％,and 51.70％,respectively.After intervention,fluorescence labeling clearance rates of beepers,toilet seat covers,toilet electrical switches,and chairs were low,the clearance rates of these touched surface in baseline survey were＜ 30％,after intervention were 47.03 ％-68.32％;the clearance rates of other high touch surface were all＞75 ％.Conclusion Fluorescence labeling method can directly reflect the operation quality of cleaners,and improve the cleanliness of ward environment,it is a simple,inexpensive and objective globally popular method for evaluating hospital environment cleanliness.

Objective: To explore childhood traumatic experiences of OCD patients who were also diagnosed personality disorders (PDs) and those without PDs. Methods:SCID-I/P was administrated to diagnose OCD patients. PDQ+4 and PDI-IV were then administrated to 44 OCD subjects to determine whether they also suffered from personality disorders. Childhood maltreatment experiences of the sample were measured with Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).50 normal control were also collected and subjected to CTQ-SF tests. Results:32 of 44 (72%) OCD patients also met DSM-IV criteria for personality disorders. OCD patients scored significantly higher than normal control in CTQ-SF (Childhood Truma Questionuaire-28 Short Form) and in all domains with the exception of physical abuse. Comparison between OCD subjects with PDs and normal control, the former scored significantly higher in emotional abuse (55.10/32.54), sex abuse (49.63/36.30), physical neglect (52.03/34.76), and emotional neglect domains (55.84/32.32). Whereas OCD subjects without PDs only scored significantly higher in emotional neglect domains compared with normal control (42.50/28.26).Conclusions:Subjects with PDs experienced more severe traumatic events during their early life. "pure OCD" patients, however, might experienced more emotional neglect.