Slow in Motion but Smart in Learning and Memory: Behavioral Changes in Adult NR3A Knockout Mice

The expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR3A is high in the neonatal brain but low in adults. However, its functional role in the adult brain is obscure. Using wild-type (WT) and NR3A knockout (KO) mice, we show here that NR3A plays imperative roles in multiple behavioral functions in adults. NR3A deletion produced a slow locomotor phenotype with enhanced memory capacities. Hippocampal slices from juvenile and adult NR3A KO mice showed greater long-term potentiation (LTP) compared to WT slices. NR3A deletion resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII inhibition abrogated the enhanced LTP in NR3A KO slices. NR3A KO mice were also more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. These data reveal for the first time that NR3A, despite its low expression, plays several critical roles in behavioral activities in adults and may be a therapeutic target for modulating behaviors under normal and pathological conditions

Secondary school = 中學

Film Director: Cheung Tammy (張虹) Film Release Year: 2003https://commons.ln.edu.hk/ccs_worksheet/1003/thumbnail.jp

The Schur-Convexity of the Generalized Muirhead-Heronian Means

We give a unified generalization of the generalized Muirhead means and the generalized Heronian means involving three parameters. The Schur-convexity of the generalized Muirhead-Heronian means is investigated. Our main result implies the sufficient conditions of the Schur-convexity of the generalized Heronian means and the generalized Muirhead means

Effect of early vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade for severe infectious traumatized endophthalmitis

AIM: To explore the relations of clinical efficacy and surgical timing of vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade for severe infectious traumatized endophthalmitis.<p>METHODS: Totally 59 patients(59 eyes)with severe infectious traumatized endophthalmitis accepted vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade. Patients were divided into two groups by different surgical timing. Group A accepted operation in 24 hours. Group B accepted operation 24 hours after injury. Retina status during operation, clinical efficacy and best-corrected visual acuity were observed and recorded. <p>RESULTS: The cases of early operation group got lesser retina injury and higher efficacy and better best-corrected visual acuity. <p>CONCLUSION:Vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade is an effective way to cure severe infected traumatized endophthalmitis. Early surgical treatment is the key to achieve better effect

Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 4, Tumor Necrosis Factor- Alpha, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Effects of Benazepril in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Objectives The study aims to explore the relationship between expressions of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on peripheral blood monocytes, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS), and to investigate the possible mechanisms of Benazepril stabilizing atherosclerosis plaques. Methods 70 patients selected were randomly divided into Benazepril treatment group (35 patients) and regular treatment group (35 patients). Meanwhile, Stable angina pectoris (SAP) group of 32 patients and control group of 22 patients were also set up. With the help of flow-cytometry, expressions of TLR4 on peripheral blood monocytes of the four groups were analyzed and compared to show differences, correlations and changes of the above mentioned indicators. The concentration of TNF-α and MMP-9 in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results (1) Expressions of TLR4, levels of TNF-α and MMP-9 were increased and the rate was rising from the control group, to SAP group and then to ACS group. All these indicators in ACS group are significantly higher than those in other groups ( P 0.05) while they all fell after treatment ( P < 0.05). In addition, all the indicators decreased more greatly than the regular treatment group. Conclusions TLR4 on peripheral blood monocytes and serum TNF-α and MMP-9 in patients with coronary arteriosclerosis disease may be effective markers of the vulnerable plaque. Benazepril can inhibit over-expression of TLR4 and reduce serum levels of TNF-α and MMP-9, thus stabilize the vulnerable plaques and improve the condition of the patients with ACS