Polyphenolic compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of <i>Abeliophyllum distichum</i> Nakai extract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of crude methanolic extract of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai, and those of its partitioned fractions, including hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous. The antioxidant activities were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity assay. Results showed that the BuOH fraction possessed a strong antioxidant activity through a hydrogen atom transfer reaction-based mechanism and a single electron transfer reaction-based mechanism. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the BuOH fraction of A. distichum methanol extract exhibited a strong inhibitory effect on the nitric oxide production and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6, through the inhibition of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. In addition, the BuOH fraction inhibited the LPS-induced ROS level through the NADPH oxidase-independent mechanism. Furthermore, HPLC analysis identified chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, gentisic acid, rutin, ferulic acid, and quercetin, and suggested that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the BuOH fraction should be mediated by the presence of higher amounts of caffeic acid, rutin, and ferulic acid than other fractions. Taken together, these results suggest that A. distichum extract is a source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, and could be developed as a potential source for functional food and dietary health supplement

Working Memory Impairment in Fibromyalgia Patients Associated with Altered Frontoparietal Memory Network

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and frequently associated with other symptoms. Patients with FM commonly report cognitive complaints, including memory problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in neural correlates of working memory between FM patients and healthy subjects, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Nineteen FM patients and 22 healthy subjects performed an n-back memory task during MRI scan. Functional MRI data were analyzed using within- and between-group analysis. Both activated and deactivated brain regions during n-back task were evaluated. In addition, to investigate the possible effect of depression and anxiety, group analysis was also performed with depression and anxiety level in terms of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) as a covariate. Between-group analyses, after controlling for depression and anxiety level, revealed that within the working memory network, inferior parietal cortex was strongly associated with the mild (r = 0.309, P = 0.049) and moderate (r = 0.331, P = 0.034) pain ratings. In addition, between-group comparison revealed that within the working memory network, the left DLPFC, right VLPFC, and right inferior parietal cortex were associated with the rating of depression and anxiety? CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the working memory deficit found in FM patients may be attributable to differences in neural activation of the frontoparietal memory network and may result from both pain itself and depression and anxiety associated with pain

Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein Stimulates Dopamine Release from PC12 Cells via Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2 Pathways

The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), initially identified as a tumor- and growth-related protein, is also known as a histamine-releasing factor (HRF). TCTP is widely distributed in the neuronal systems, but its function is largely uncharacterized. Here, we report a novel function of TCTP in the neurotransmitter release from a neurosecretory, pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Treatment with recombinant TCTP (rTCTP) enhanced both basal and depolarization (50 mM KCl)-evoked [3H]dopamine release in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Interestingly, even though rTCTP induced the increase in intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i), the rTCTP-driven effect on dopamine release was mediated by a Ca2+-independent pathway, as evidenced by the fact that Ca2+-modulating agents such as Ca2+ chelators and a voltage-gated L-type Ca2+-channel blocker did not produce any changes in rTCTP-evoked dopamine release. In a study to investigate the involvement of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in rTCTP-induced dopamine release, the inhibitor for Ca2+-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) produced a significant inhibitory effect on rTCTP-induced dopamine release, whereas this release was not significantly inhibited by Ca2+-dependent cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) and secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) inhibitors. We found that rTCTP-induced dopamine release from neuronal PC12 cells was modulated by a Ca2+-independent mechanism that involved PLA2 in the process, suggesting the regulatory role of TCTP in the neuronal functions

All-Bismuth-Based Oxide Tandem Cell for Solar Overall Water Splitting

Photoelectrochemical overall water splitting without an external bias is demonstrated using an all-bismuth-based oxide tandem cell with a CuBi 2 O 4 photocathode and a BiVO 4 photoanode. A solution-based nitrate salt decomposition method is developed for preparing a crystalline p-type CuBi 2 O 4 film with a suitable band gap and Fermi level to serve as a photocathode for water splitting. The optimum CuBi 2 O 4 photocathode is prepared by three-layer deposition and heat-treatment at 823 K, which yields the highest photocurrent density of -0.66 mA cm -2 at 0.4 V RHE and reduction onset potential of ???1.0 V RHE under 1 sun in O 2 -purged KPi electrolyte. The all-bismuth based oxide tandem cell of Pt/CuBi 2 O 4 photocathode and a cobalt-phosphate (Co-Pi) modified Mo-doped BiVO 4 photoanode give a photocurrent density of ???0.15 mA cm -2 without any applied bias

Autonomic activity, posttraumatic and nontraumatic nightmares, and PTSD after trauma exposure

BACKGROUND Nightmares are a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This strong association may reflect a shared pathophysiology in the form of altered autonomic activity and increased reactivity. Using an acoustic startle paradigm, we investigated the interrelationships of psychophysiological measures during wakefulness and PTSD diagnosis, posttraumatic nightmares, and nontraumatic nightmares. METHODS A community sample of 122 trauma survivors were presented with a series of brief loud tones, while heart rate (HRR), skin conductance (SCR), and orbicularis oculi electromyogram (EMGR) responses were measured. Prior to the tone presentations, resting heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed. Nightmares were measured using nightmare logs. Three dichotomous groupings of participants were compared: (1) current PTSD diagnosis (n = 59), no PTSD diagnosis (n = 63), (2) those with (n = 26) or without (n = 96) frequent posttraumatic nightmares, and (3) those with (n = 22) or without (n = 100) frequent nontraumatic nightmares. RESULTS PTSD diagnosis was associated with posttraumatic but not with nontraumatic nightmares. Both PTSD and posttraumatic nightmares were associated with a larger mean HRR to loud tones, whereas nontraumatic nightmare frequency was associated with a larger SCR. EMGR and resting HRV were not associated with PTSD diagnosis or nightmares. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a shared pathophysiology between PTSD and posttraumatic nightmares in the form of increased HR reactivity to startling tones, which might reflect reduced parasympathetic tone. This shared pathophysiology could explain why PTSD is more strongly related to posttraumatic than nontraumatic nightmares, which could have important clinical implications

2-back minus 0-back deactivation one sample t-test (FDR corrected for multiple comparison, <i>P</i><0.01 and minimum cluster size of 64).

<p>L =  left, R  =  right.</p

Between group analysis of n-back task.

<p>(a) Two-sample between group analysis exhibited significantly higher activation in the control group than the FM group in the VLPFC, the thalamus, middle temporal cortex, inferior parietal cortex (<i>P</i><0.05, FDR-corrected for multiple comparisons at the voxel level). (b) Between group analyses before and after controlling depression (BDI) demonstrated that right VLPFC, the left DLPFC, and right inferior parietal cortex are strongly associated with depression. (c) Between group analysis before and after controlling anxiety (BAI) demonstrated that right VLPFC, right DLPFC, left DLPFC, and right inferior parietal cortex are strongly associated with anxiety. The correlation analysis of the BOLD activities in these brain regions with BDI scores further demonstrated the association of these regions with depression. (d) Between group analysis before and after controlling both depression (BDI) and anxiety (BAI).</p

Correlation between BOLD signal change and pressure pain threshold.

<p>Percentage BOLD signal change in the inferior parietal cortex showed positive correlation with pressure pain thresholds at (a) mild and (b) moderate pain intensity levels.</p