Glyco-sphingo biology: a novel perspective for potential new treatments in Huntington's disease

Huntington＇s disease （HD） is the most common dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder, mainly characterized by the progressive striatal and cortical neurodegeneration and as- sociated motor, cognitive and behavioural disturbances （Zuccato et al., 2010）. The disease-causing mutation is an expansion of a GAG trinucleotide repeat （〉 36 repeats） encoding a polygluta- mine stretch in the N-terminal region ofhuntingtin （Htt） （Zuc- cato et al., 2010）, a ubiquitous protein whose function is still unclear （Zuccato et al., 2010）. Expansion of the polyQ stretch endows mutant Htt （mHtt） with toxic properties, and results in the development of a broad array of undesirable effects in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells （Zuccato et al., 2010）. Among all cellular dysfunctions and biochemical imbalances classically associated with HD, perturbed metabolism of （glyco） sphingolipids appears to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Over the last years, we and other have extensively contributed to these findings （Desplats et al., 2007;

Ophthalmic community perception of new medication needs

AIM：To survey ophthalmologists（who have participated previously in clinical research） and ophthalmic industry professionals（who have been involved in ocular research and development） to indicate perceived needs for new pharmaceuticals in various ophthalmic subspecialties.METHODS：A prospective,industry-based survey was sent to ophthalmologists and ophthalmic industry professionals about the perceived needs for new pharmaceutical products.RESULTS：This survey was sent to 559 ophthalmic pharma professionals and ophthalmologists.We received 82（15%） responses.The results showed that the most commonly perceived need for new pharmaceuticals were dry and wet age-related macular degeneration,glaucoma,diabetic macular edema and dry eye.There was a statistical difference found between response groups（P〈0.0001）.Respondents indicated they would express their commitment to a new product they perceived as needed by recommending to colleagues（63%）,prescribing（60%）,participating as principle investigator in a related clinical trial（52%）,advising the company（52%）,lecturing on behalf of the product（43%）,investing in the product（38%）,taking no action（7%） or obtain a position in the company（1%）.CONCLUSION：Ophthalmic pharma professionals and ophthalmologists perceive the greatest need for new medicines in ophthalmology to be in dry and wet agerelated macular degeneration,glaucoma,diabetic macular edema and dry eye.

New treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease:Traditional Chinese medicine Xiaochaihu decoction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)has a high prevalence worldwide.Li et al performed a well-designed study on the efficacy of modified Xiaochaihu decoction(MXD)for GERD,which showed that MXD is an optional therapy for GERD beyond proton pump inhibitors(PPIs).The herbal granule administration mode minimized the bias from traditional herbal formula in clinical trials.One limitation of that study was that it lacked records of side effects and rescue medication.As a chronic disease with recurrent symptoms,GERD rehabilitation requires prolonged observation of the clinical course with MXD therapy.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a new treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a new treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease（AD）：Alongside the increase in life expectancy,the prevalence of age-related disorders,such as neurodegenerative diseases,is on the rise.For example,AD,the most common form of dementia in the elderly,accounts for 60–80%of all dementia cases.

New approaches for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease:a fascinating challenge

The prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is the new challenge for pharmaceutical industry,but also for public institutions,physicians,patients,and their families.The spread of these pathologies is,in fact,a real social problem,especially in the Western Countries where the population age is increasing and chronic diseases are more and more common.

Research and Development of New Chinese Materia Medica for Treatment of Refractory Hematopathy by Establishment and Application of Multiple Technique Platforms

Research Objective and Overview It is necessary to find effective Chinese materia medica （CMM） for the treatment of refractory hematopathy as commonly used prednisone, androgen and immune suppression agents of tendemonstrate poor efficacy and serious side effects.

New Gene Therapy Treatment Keeps Mice Young

我是一个退休教师,步入老境后,因体质原本较弱,加上深居简出,双腿的肌肉开始萎缩。行动不便,苦不堪言。随着老境的到来,哺乳动物的一个显著变化是:During the aging process,mammals lose up to a third of their skeletalmuscle mass and strength.今天,我从因特网上读到一篇文章,非常兴奋。一种基 因疗法(gene therapy)在老鼠身上的实验已经获得成功,这种疗法能减缓衰老:itmay be possible to preserve muscle size and strength in old age using thisapproach.将这种基因注入人体的方法耐人寻味。基因疗法的前景非常诱人:Thebeneficial effects of this gene therapy could easily be used by humans for athleticor even cosmetic enhancements.到了下世纪的中叶,也许,人的外貌将具有极大的迷惑性,人之外貌将很难成为人的年龄的“凭证”！虽然,我活不到那个时候,但是,想到未来科学的进展,我的心头仍洋溢着快慰和欣喜。】

Novel microbial fuel cell design to operate with different wastewaters simultaneously

A novel single cathode chamber and multiple anode chamber microbial fuel cell design（MAC-MFC）was developed by incorporating multiple anode chambers into a single unit and its performance was checked.During 60 days of operation,performance of MAC-MFC was assessed and compared with standard single anode/cathode chamber microbial fuel cell（SC-MFC）.The tests showed that MAC-MFC generated stable and higher power outputs compared with SC-MFC and each anode chamber contributed efficiently.Further,MAC-MFCs were incorporated with different wastewaters in different anode chambers and their behavior in MFC performance was observed.MAC-MFC efficiently treated multiple wastewaters simultaneously at low cost and small space,which claims its candidature for future possible scale-up applications.