Antidepressant-Like Activity of the Ethanolic Extract from Uncaria lanosa Wallich var. appendiculata Ridsd in the Forced Swimming Test and in the Tail Suspension Test in Mice

This study investigated the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of U. lanosa Wallich var. appendiculata Ridsd (ULEtOH) for two-weeks administrations by using FST and TST on mice. In order to understand the probable mechanism of antidepressant-like activity of ULEtOH in FST and TST, the researchers measured the levels of monoamines and monoamine oxidase activities in mice brain, and combined the antidepressant drugs (fluoxetine, imipramine, maprotiline, clorgyline, bupropion and ketanserin). Lastly, the researchers analyzed the content of RHY in the ULEtOH. The results showed that ULEtOH exhibited antidepressant-like activity in FST and TST in mice. ULEtOH increased the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, the levels of NE and MHPG in cortex and hippocampus, the level of NE in striatum, and the level of DOPAC in striatum. Two-week injection of IMI, CLO, FLU and KET enhanced the antidepressant-like activity of ULEtOH. ULEtOH inhibited the activity of MAO-A. The amount of RHY in ULEtOH was 17.12 mg/g extract. Our findings support the view that ULEtOH exerts antidepressant-like activity. The antidepressant-like mechanism of ULEtOH may be related to the increase in monoamines levels in the hippocampus, cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus of mice

Diamond-Added-Copper Heat Spreader for UV LED Applications

In this study, composite electroplating technique is used to fabricate the diamond-added copper (DAC) heat spreader for UV LED applications. Thermal dissipation characteristic and optical performance are improved as the composite DAC heat spreader adoption. The low thermal resistance of 18.4 K/W with UV LED using DAC heat spreader was measured. Surface temperature of UV LED using the DAC heat spreader is 45.32◦C (at 350 mA injecting current), which is lower than those of LEDs using pure copper heat spreader (50.11oC) and only sapphire substrate (62.49◦C). The thermal diffusivity of the DAC is 0.7179 cm2/s measurement by laser flash method. Output power and power efficiency of UV LEDs are also enhanced to 71.81 mW and 4.32%, respectively, at 350 mA injection current. The optimal structure design and materials fabrication will be discussed

Cup-shaped copper heat spreader in multi-chip high-power LEDs application

In this study, cup-shaped copper sheets were developed to improve heat dispassion for high-power light emitting diodes (LEDs) array module (3 � 3, 4 � 4, and 5 � 5) using an electroplating technique. The cupshaped copper sheets were directly contacted with sapphire to enhance the heat dissipation of the chip itself. The lateral emitting light extraction and heat dissipation of high-power LEDs were enhanced and efficient. The surface temperature was not only decreasing but also uniform for each LED chip with the cup-shaped copper heat spreader adoption. The high thermal transmitting performance of cup-shaped copper heat spreader allows thermal resistance reducing 0.7, 0.6, and 0.7 K/W of 3 � 3, 4 � 4, and 5 � 5 LED array module, respectively. In addition, the light output power was increased of 14, 13, and 12% with 3 � 3, 4 � 4, and 5 � 5 LEDs array module using cup-shaped copper sheet at high current injection. High heat dissipation performance and light extraction were obtained by cup-shaped copper sheet with copper bulk and silver mirror

Myths and Facts About Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Risk Factors, Longevity, Potential Pharmacological and Exercise Interventions

Significant progress in our understanding of risk factors and interventions in heart failure, a leading cause of death and disability, has occurred in recent years. Several advances in therapy for heart failure with reduced left ventricular systolic function (i.e., systolic heart failure) have led to significantly improved outcomes. Treatment options for diastolic heart failure, also known as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), by contrast, remain comparatively limited. In part, this is due to gaps in our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and the lack of standardized criteria for its diagnosis and classification. Aging and hypertension remain the leading causes of HFpEF; increased ventricular and vascular stiffness is a feature of both. Comorbidities such as diabetes, renal insufficiency, and metabolic abnormalities further aggravate disease process, and data regarding effective treatment are lacking. This article discusses the risks, mechanisms, and outcomes of HFpEF from previous studies, and summarizes potential interventions that may provide new insights into our understanding of the disease and its treatment

Factors Associated with Attitude and Knowledge Toward Hospice Palliative Care Among Medical Caregivers

SummaryBackgroundThe present study aimed to explore the attitude and knowledge toward hospice palliative care among medical caregivers in Taiwan.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff attending a hospice palliative care conference.ResultsOverall, 163 of 232 questionnaires were valid. Based on the results, 54.9% of opinions on who has the right to sign a Hospice Palliative Care Declaration for an autonomous patient was consistent with the Taiwan Hospice Palliative Care Article; 91.4% of opinions on whether a life-sustaining therapy has been authorized to withhold was consistent with the article, compared with only 28.3% of opinions on whether a life-sustaining therapy has been authorized to withdraw. The capability of medical staff to provide these three procedures was varied (Cochran's Q = 121.150, p < 0.001). The medical staff who were aged > 32.5 years (odds ratio = 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.90; p < 0.01), and whose work experience was >9 years (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–0.97; p < 0.05) tended to approach patients' informed consent of Hospice Palliative Care Declaration precisely.ConclusionLife and work experience improve the accuracy of medical staff in providing hospice palliative care. A culture-based, case-oriented continuing education program and a timely revision of the Hospice Palliative Care Article are recommended to increase the consistency between the principle and the practice of hospice palliative care

Raw images of western blot results.

Abnormal accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) in the remaining nigra dopaminergic neurons is a common neuropathological feature found in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Antibody-based immunotherapy has been considered a potential approach for PD treatment. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of active immunization against αSyn in a mouse model of PD. Adult mice were immunized with or without a synthetic peptide containing the C-terminal residues of human αSyn and activation epitopes, followed by an intranigral injection of adeno-associated virus vectors for overexpressing human αSyn. Upon the peptide injection, αSyn-specific antibodies were raised, accompanied by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and motor deficits. Furthermore, the induction of neuroinflammation was postulated by the elevation of astroglial and microglial markers in the immunized mice. Instead of lessening αSyn toxicity, this peptide vaccine caused an increase in the pathogenic species of αSyn. Our data demonstrated the potential adverse effects of active immunization to raise antibodies against the C-terminal fragment of αSyn. This drawback highlights the need for further investigation to weigh the pros and cons of immunotherapy in PD. Applying the αSyn C-terminal peptide vaccine for PD treatment should be cautiously exercised. This study provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay among immune intervention, αSyn accumulation, and neurodegeneration.</div

Peripheral levels of αSyn, LDH, and cytokines in the mice vaccinated with the Ct-αSyn complex.

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with the Ct-αSyn complex (n = 7) on weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 17. On week 10, mice received a unilateral brain injection of AAV1-αSyn in the right substantia nigra and were subjected to behavioral tests on week 28. Peripheral blood sera were collected on days -2 (pre-Vac; 2 days before the first vaccination) and 60 (post-Vac: 18 days after the fourth vaccination) for the measurement of αSyn (A), lactate dehydrogenase (B) and 20 inflammation-related cytokines (C—V). Data were expressed as mean concentrations (pg/ml or OD450) ± SEM, and differences between groups were determined by the paired, two-tailed Student’s t-test (*p < 0.05, ns: not significant).</p

Ct-αSyn complex vaccine enhances the accumulation of αSyn and phosphorylated αSyn in the brain.

Vaccinated mice (n = 7; Vac + αSyn) and non-vaccinated mice (n = 4; PBS + αSyn) were intracranially injected with the viral vector AAV1-αSyn in the right substantia nigra for overexpressing human αSyn. (A—F) Twenty weeks later, substantia nigra (SN) and striatum (STM) tissues of the right hemisphere brain were collected for Western blot analysis to probe human αSyn (by anti-V5 tag antibody), total αSyn (by BD clone-42 antibody), phosphorylated αSyn (pS129-αSyn), and β-actin. The molecular weight (kDa) and migration location of protein markers are indicated. (G—L) The levels of detected proteins were quantified by densitometric analysis and normalized to β-actin levels. Data are expressed as mean values ± SEM. Significant differences between groups are indicated (*p t-test).</p