Objective:To study the effects of arsenic exposure on neurological function including voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats, as well as its impact on the expression levels of synaptic function related genes such as neuropeptide 1 (NLGN1), glutamate receptor 2A (NR2A), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95).Methods:Forty 3-week-old male specific pathogen free (SPF) grade Wistar rats [weighing (453.97 ± 35.68) g] were selected and divided into four groups using a random number table: 0 (control group) and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups, with 10 rats in each group. They were given deionized water and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L sodium arsenite solutions for 12 weeks, respectively. The open field experiment and Y-maze experiment were used to test the voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological damage of the hippocampus in the brain. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampus, respectively.Results:The results of the open field experiment revealed that the horizontal movement distances of rats in the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, the movement distances in the central area in the 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, and the residence time in the central area in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was reduced compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). The results of Y-maze experiment showed that the retention time of new arms in rats of the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was shorter than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The pathological examination results of Nissl staining showed that the control group had abundant Nissl bodies in hippocampal tissues of the cytoplasm with intact neuronal structures, tightly arranged cells, appearing blue purple in color and clear visible nuclei. However, the number of Nissl bodies decreased, intercellular gaps increased, disordered arrangement increased, cytoplasmic staining was lighter, and nuclear shrinkage phenomenon increased in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 2, 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups ( F = 13.85, 44.94, 4.63, P < 0.05). The results of Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLGN1 and NR2A in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were lower than those in the control group (0.65 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.04, 0.51 ± 0.11, 0.51 ± 0.13 vs 1.00 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), and the expression level of PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 50 mg/L arsenic exposure group was lower than that in the control group (0.51 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic may affect synaptic function and cause neurological dysfunction in rats by adjusting the expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95.

Post-stroke depression is a common complication after stroke,which seriously affects the quality of life and clinical prognosis of stroke patients.Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression has been proven effective.This article reviewed recent clinical studies on acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression from the perspectives of pure acupuncture therapy,electroacupuncture therapy,head acupuncture therapy,auricular acupuncture therapy,and comprehensive therapy.The acupoint selection focused on the Governor Vessel,combined with the acupoints of the bladder meridian,liver meridian and pericardium meridian.The comprehensive therapy combined acupuncture with Chinese materia medica,moxibustion,music therapy and rehabilitation training is currently the main treatment approach.Further analysis on the shortcomings of the field could provide references for clinical protocols and mechanism research of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression.

Objective:To study the effects of arsenic exposure on neurological function including voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats, as well as its impact on the expression levels of synaptic function related genes such as neuropeptide 1 (NLGN1), glutamate receptor 2A (NR2A), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95).Methods:Forty 3-week-old male specific pathogen free (SPF) grade Wistar rats [weighing (453.97 ± 35.68) g] were selected and divided into four groups using a random number table: 0 (control group) and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups, with 10 rats in each group. They were given deionized water and 2, 10, and 50 mg/L sodium arsenite solutions for 12 weeks, respectively. The open field experiment and Y-maze experiment were used to test the voluntary motor ability, anxiety, and short-term memory ability of rats. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological damage of the hippocampus in the brain. Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampus, respectively.Results:The results of the open field experiment revealed that the horizontal movement distances of rats in the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, the movement distances in the central area in the 2, 10, and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were reduced compared to the control group, and the residence time in the central area in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was reduced compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). The results of Y-maze experiment showed that the retention time of new arms in rats of the 2 and 10 mg/L arsenic exposure groups was shorter than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The pathological examination results of Nissl staining showed that the control group had abundant Nissl bodies in hippocampal tissues of the cytoplasm with intact neuronal structures, tightly arranged cells, appearing blue purple in color and clear visible nuclei. However, the number of Nissl bodies decreased, intercellular gaps increased, disordered arrangement increased, cytoplasmic staining was lighter, and nuclear shrinkage phenomenon increased in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 2, 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups ( F = 13.85, 44.94, 4.63, P < 0.05). The results of Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLGN1 and NR2A in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 10 and 50 mg/L arsenic exposure groups were lower than those in the control group (0.65 ± 0.07, 0.69 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.04, 0.51 ± 0.11, 0.51 ± 0.13 vs 1.00 ± 0.07, P < 0.05), and the expression level of PSD95 in the hippocampal tissues of rats in the 50 mg/L arsenic exposure group was lower than that in the control group (0.51 ± 0.09 vs 1.00 ± 0.05, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Arsenic may affect synaptic function and cause neurological dysfunction in rats by adjusting the expression levels of NLGN1, NR2A, and PSD95.

Post-stroke depression is a common complication after stroke,which seriously affects the quality of life and clinical prognosis of stroke patients.Acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression has been proven effective.This article reviewed recent clinical studies on acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression from the perspectives of pure acupuncture therapy,electroacupuncture therapy,head acupuncture therapy,auricular acupuncture therapy,and comprehensive therapy.The acupoint selection focused on the Governor Vessel,combined with the acupoints of the bladder meridian,liver meridian and pericardium meridian.The comprehensive therapy combined acupuncture with Chinese materia medica,moxibustion,music therapy and rehabilitation training is currently the main treatment approach.Further analysis on the shortcomings of the field could provide references for clinical protocols and mechanism research of acupuncture therapy for post-stroke depression.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis(ROCM)with bilateral cranial nerve palsies as the clinical manifestation.Methods The related clinical data about ROCM with bilateral cranial nerve palsy as a clinical manifestation was collected,analyzed as well as discussed in the manuscript.And the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results This patient was a healthy young man with new-onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis.The patient developed rapidly with acute onset,bilateral blindness,blepharoptosis and extraocular muscle paralysis.The presence of mucormycosis was confirmed by CSF second-generation sequencing,fungal fluorescent staining and culture.Although effective antifungal therapy was performed early,but the patient quickly presented with cerebral hemorrhage and herniation.Eventually,the patient died after discharge.Conclusions ROCM is a rare and high-mortality infectious disease.This case indicated that the clinicians should consider the presence of ROCM in patients with diabetes/diabetic ketoacidosis when the bilateral cranial nerves paralysis are the clinical symptom,whicn can not be explained by other lesions.CSF next-generation sequencing is helpful for rapid diagnosis.

A purified polysaccharide with a galactose backbone(SPR-1,Mw 3,622 Da)was isolated from processed Polygonati Rhizoma with black beans(PRWB)and characterized its chemical properties.The backbone of SPR-1 consisted of[(4)-β-D-Galp-(1]9→ 4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 → 4)-α-D-GalpA-(1 →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-α/β-D-Glcp,with a branch chain of R1:β-D-Galp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galp-(1 → connected to the →4,6)-β-D-Galp-(1 → via O-6,and a branch chain of R2:α-D-Glcp-(1 →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → connected to the →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → via O-6.Immunomodulatory assays showed that the SPR-1 significantly activated macrophages,and increased secretion of NO and cytokines(i.e.,IL-1β and TNF-α),as well as promoted the phagocytic activities of cells.Furthermore,isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC)analysis and molecular docking results indicated high-affinity binding between SPR-1 and MD2 with the equilibrium dissociation constant(KD)of 18.8 μM.It was suggested that SPR-1 activated the immune response through Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signaling and downstream responses.Our research demon-strated that the SPR-1 has a promising candidate from PRWB for the TLR4 agonist to induce immune response,and also provided an easily accessible way that can be used for PR deep processing.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is the most common neurological complication of sepsis, with an incidence of up to 70% in sepsis, and contributes to the increased mortality and disability in sepsis. To date, the exact pathogenesis of SAE is not clear. Most of current researches indicated that blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, active neuroinflammation, glial cell over activation as well as cerebral microcirculation dysfunction contributed to the pathophysiology of SAE. BBB, as a complex cellular structure between the central nervous system and the peripheral system, strictly controls the entrance and discharge of substances and plays an important role in maintaining the balance between biochemical system and immune system of central system. During the progress of sepsis, inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species resulting from peripheral system directly or indirectly resulted in the damage to the integrity and structure of BBB, which helped above species easily enter into the central system. Above these damages caused glial cell activation (microglia and astrocyte), the imbalance of neurotransmitters, mitochondrial dysfunction and neural apoptosis, which also reversely contributed to the damage to the integrity and permeability of BBB via decreasing the expression of tight junctional protein between cells. Therefore, this review focuses on the structural and functional changes of BBB in SAE, and how these changes lead to the development of SAE, in order to seek a BBB-targeted therapy for SAE.

Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of memantine on sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) model mice.Methods:Totally 90 male C57BL/6J mice aged 8-12 weeks were randomly divided into 3 groups (with 30 mice in each group) : sham group, model group and memantine group. The SAE mouse model was established by cecum ligation and puncture while mouse in sham group received open and closed abdomen only. The mice in the memantine group were irrigation with memantine (15 mg · kg -1· d -1) 3 hours before surgery and 7 consecutive days after modeling. The mice in the model group and sham group were irrigation with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The 7-day survival rate was observed, neurobehavioral and cognitive function scores of each group of mice after modeling were assessed.Blood-brain barrier permeability was measured by detecting the content of Evans blue. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of astrocytes. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect cellular inflammatory factors and the glutamic acid content detection kit was used to detect the expression of glutamic acid. All data were analyzed by Graphpad Prism 8.3.0 software, survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Multigroup comparisons were conducted by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:(1) There was a statistically significant difference in the 7-day survival rate among the three groups of mice after modeling ( F=24.11, P<0.01), and the 7-day survival rate of the memantine group was higher than that of the model group (57% (17/30), 27% (8/30), P<0.01). (2)The behavioral results showed that after 7 days of modeling, there were statistically significant differences in the total distance of the open field test, central area stay time, four corner area stay time, neurobehavioral scores, pole climbing test, and preference index for new object recognition test among the three groups of mice ( F/ χ2=17.67, 17.30, 9.39, 14.06, 10.36, 14.81, all P<0.05).The neurobehavioral score, pole climbing test score, preference index for new object recognition test, total distance of open field test, and central area stay time of the model group were all lower than those of the sham group (all P<0.05), while four corner area stay time of the model group was higher than that of the sham group ( P<0.05).The total distance of open field test (1 564.07(1 363.24, 1 988.19) cm, 913.91 (574.32, 1 096.23) cm), central area stay time (5.21 (4.91, 8.76) s, 1.09 (0.25, 1.64) s), neurobehavioral scores (9.75±0.50, 8.25±0.50), pole climbing test scores (5.67±0.52, 4.56±0.53), and preference index for new object recognition test (56.50±10.59, 26.84±2.91) of the memantine group were all higher than those of the model group (all P<0.05). The four corner area stay time was lower than that of the model group ((480.30±50.64) s, (529.80±36.20) s, P<0.05).(3)The comparison of molecular indicators showed that there were statistically significant differences in the content of Evans blue in the brain, the number of astrocytes in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), and glutamic acid among the three groups of mice ( F/ χ2=8.84, 6.43, 28.46, 23.63, 12.23, 16.04, 69.22, 6.65, all P<0.05).The content of Evans blue, the number of astrocytes in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, the expression of TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6, and glutamate in the model group were all lower than those in the sham group(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-10 in the model group was lower than that in the sham group ( P<0.05).The content of Evans blue ((5.67±1.38)μg/g, (11.08±2.79)μg/g), the number of astrocytes in the hippocampus (16.50 (13.75, 22.25)/μm 2), 80.00 (73.50, 83.50)/μm 2) and the cerebral cortex (40.00 (29.00, 48.00)/μm 2, 81.50 (72.25, 89.00)/μm 2) in the memantine group were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05).The pro-inflammatory factor TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and glutamic acid expression in the memantine group were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was higher than that in the model group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Memantine can improve the neurobehaviors and cognitive functions of SAE mice through improving the integrity of the damaged blood-brain barrier, alleviating inflammation in the brain, as well as reducing glutamate levels in the brain.

The "brain electric field" therapy is a novel electroacupuncture method created by Professor GAO Weibin to treat cerebral infarction in the recovery period. This therapy is suitable for the treatment of motor disorders, sensory disorders, cognitive disorders, hemianopsia and bulbar paralysis during the recovery period of cerebral infarction. Based on the different symptoms, the corresponding brain functional areas are selected, supplemented with Taiyang 2, Tunyan 2, Tiyan, Gongxue and Xiatianzhu. These points are attached to electric acupuncture apparatus, and stimulated with dense wave, at frequency of 50 Hz and tolerable intensity. This therapy presents a remarkable effect on cerebral infarction in the recovery period, providing the new approach to the treatment of this disease.
Humans ; Cerebral Infarction/therapy* ; Electroacupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female

OBJECTIVE To assess the effi-cacy and safety of acupuncture-related treat-ments for postherpetic neuralgia(PHN),identify the most effective acupuncture and related treat-ments.METHODS PubMed,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,Embase,Web of Science,and four Chinese databases,a clinical research registration platform,and grey literature were searched.We evaluated the risk of bias and quality in the included studies and per-formed a Bayesian multiple network meta-analy-sis.RESULTS We included 29 randomized con-trolled trials comprising 1973 patients,of which approximately 17.24%showed a high risk of bi-as.According to the Jadad scale,2,16,and 11 studies were high,medium,and low quality,respectively.The pairwise meta-analysis results revealed that the efficacy of all acupuncture-related treatments for pain relief related to PHN showed the difference was statistically significant com-pared with that of antiepileptics.The network meta-analysis results showed that pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics were the most effec-tive,followed by electroacupuncture(EA)plus antiepileptics for pain relief in patients with PHN.EA plus antiepileptics ranked the best regarding reduced Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Self-Rating Depression Scale scores in patients with PHN.No results were found regarding total response rate or quality of life among this study.Acupuncture-related treatments showed a lower incidence of adverse events than that of antiepi-leptics-related treatments.CONCLUSION Acu-puncture-related therapies may be potential treat-ment options for PHN and are relatively safe.Pricking and cupping plus antiepileptics are the most effective techniques for pain relief.EA plus antiepileptics is the best approach for improving insomnia and depression symptoms of PHN.