Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to HIV among Motorbike Taxi Drivers in Parakou, Benin, in 2021

Background and Objective: HIV infection is a major global Public Health threat worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa of which Benin. The level of knowledge determines the attitudes and behaviors of the populations towards this infection. The study objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV infection among motorbike taxi drivers (MTD) in Parakou in 2021. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting MTD in Parakou in 2021. Participants were selected by cluster sampling. Pretested Digitized questionnaire using KoboCollect@ applicationserved as a data collection tool. Knowledge, attitudes and practices variable were treated on a score scale. A knowledge score was considered to reflect a good knowledge of HIV if at least two-thirds of the knowledge statements had been correctly answered provided the subject recognized the sexual route as one of modes of HIV transmission, identified at least one preventive measure and meant the incurability of the disease. Quantitative and qualitative variables were appropriately described using the EPI Info 7.1.3.3 software. The participant was classified at positive attitude/practice for HIV prevention, when it has a score of at least 80% and suggests a good preventive measure face a risk of exposure to HIV. Results: A total of 374 subjects were recruited into the study. The mean age was 31.51 ± 7.76 years. Most participants (86.06%) had good knowledge of condom use as an HIV prevention method. The sources of information mentioned were mainly the media (77.07%), relatives or friends (63.38%), and field-workers from non-governmental organizations (37.26%). Routine HIV testing was 50.53%. Among participants, 76.10% reported at least two different sexual partners. Condom use was 59.18 % during the casual sexual intercourse. Within the client-provider relationship with female sex workers, 33.17% had had sexual intercourse with them. The sexual route was the most cited (92.99%), and 90.23% stated that HIV infection can be stabilized by medication in a health structure. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of motorbike taxi drivers in Parakou does not match their behavior with regard to HIV prevention. Appropriate strategies are needed to develop prevention skills in this population. To effectively comb at HIV, it will be necessary to strengthen the targeted HIV preventive interventions at key and bridge populations including motorbike taxi drivers in Benin.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on postoperative sleep disturbance in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty:a prospective,double-blind,pilot,randomised controlled trial

Background Postoperative sleep disturbance(PSD)is a common and serious postoperative complication and is associated with poor postoperative outcomes.Aims This study aimed to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS)on PSD in older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty.Methods In this prospective,double-blind,pilot,randomised,sham-controlled trial,patients 65 years and over undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive active tDCS(a-tDCS)or sham tDCS(s-tDCS).The primary outcomes were the objective sleep measures on postoperative nights(N)1 and N2.Results 116 inpatients were assessed for eligibility,and a total of 92 patients were enrolled;47 received a-tDCS and 45 received s-tDCS.tDCS improved PSD by altering the following sleep measures in the a-tDCS and s-tDCS groups;the respective comparisons were as follows:the promotion of rapid eye movement(REM)sleep time on N1(64.5(33.5-105.5)vs 19.0(0.0,45.0)min,F=20.10,p<0.001)and N2(75.0(36.0-120.8)vs 30.0(1.3-59.3)min,F=12.55,p<0.001);the total sleep time on N1(506.0(408.0-561.0)vs 392.0(243.0-483.5)min,F=14.13,p<0.001)and N2(488.5(455.5-548.5)vs 346.0(286.5-517.5)min,F=7.36,p=0.007);the deep sleep time on N1(130.0(103.3-177.0)vs 42.5(9.8-100.8)min,F=24.4,p<0.001)and N2(103.5(46.0-154.8)vs 57.5(23.3-106.5)min,F=8.4,p=0.004);and the percentages of light sleep and REM sleep on N1 and N2(p<0.05 for each).The postoperative depression and anxiety scores did not differ significantly between the two groups.No significant adverse events were reported.Conclusion In older patients undergoing lower limb major arthroplasty,a single session of anodal tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed a potentially prophylactic effect in improving postoperative short-term objective sleep measures.However,this benefit was temporary and was not maintained over time.

Combined Effect of Concept Drift and Class Imbalance on Model Performance During Stream Classification

Every application in a smart city environment like the smart grid,health monitoring, security, and surveillance generates non-stationary datastreams. Due to such nature, the statistical properties of data changes overtime, leading to class imbalance and concept drift issues. Both these issuescause model performance degradation. Most of the current work has beenfocused on developing an ensemble strategy by training a new classifier on thelatest data to resolve the issue. These techniques suffer while training the newclassifier if the data is imbalanced. Also, the class imbalance ratio may changegreatly from one input stream to another, making the problem more complex.The existing solutions proposed for addressing the combined issue of classimbalance and concept drift are lacking in understating of correlation of oneproblem with the other. This work studies the association between conceptdrift and class imbalance ratio and then demonstrates how changes in classimbalance ratio along with concept drift affect the classifier’s performance.We analyzed the effect of both the issues on minority and majority classesindividually. To do this, we conducted experiments on benchmark datasetsusing state-of-the-art classifiers especially designed for data stream classification.Precision, recall, F1 score, and geometric mean were used to measure theperformance. Our findings show that when both class imbalance and conceptdrift problems occur together the performance can decrease up to 15%. Ourresults also show that the increase in the imbalance ratio can cause a 10% to15% decrease in the precision scores of both minority and majority classes.The study findings may help in designing intelligent and adaptive solutionsthat can cope with the challenges of non-stationary data streams like conceptdrift and class imbalance.

GABAergic synaptic transmission and plasticity oscillate across sleep and wake

Sleep is a widely expressed behavior across the animal kingdom. In addition to the numerous health benefits that are associated with sleep, it is believed that sleep plays a pivotal role in mental processes such as learning and memory. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that learning and memory benefit from sleep, whereas sleep loss causes cognitive impairment(Rasch and Born, 2013). Changing the strength of synapses.

A Graphene-Based Aerogel Was Prepared as Solid Adsorbent for the Enrichment of Platinum (IV) at Trace Concentration

A three-dimensional graphene-based composite was prepared by a simple one-step in-site reduced-oxide method under atmospheric pressure. The obtained hydrogel was modified with 4-amino-benzenesulfonic acid and connected with ethylenediamine, and freeze-dried into an aerogel, which was characterized. Then the surface interaction with platinum (Pt, IV) was explored. The obtained aerogel showed good adsorption for Pt (IV) at acid conditions, giving a rising to the adsorption rate > 98% while pH ≥ 6. Using hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide of 2% (m/V) as an eluent to desorb the Pt (IV) from the surface of the aerogel, a desorption rate of 81.1% was obtained in this process. Urea, buffer aquation and other surfactants were used in the desorption experiment to understand the adsorption mechanism between the aerogel and Pt (IV). In this work, hydrogen bond, van der Waals force and electronic interaction force mainly drove the adsorption process. For obtaining more purified Pt (IV), we used 0.5% CTAB to desorb Pd (II). A new three-dimensional graphene-based composite was prepared and the surface interaction between Pt (IV) and composite was experimented for understanding the adsorption mechanism and exploring its potential application in sample preparation in low concentration.

Updates in the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson's disease: Emerging role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

AIM: To explore the approaches exerted by mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) to improve Parkinson's disease(PD) pathophysiology.METHODS: MSCs were harvested from bone marrowof femoral bones of male rats, grown and propagated in culture. Twenty four ovariectomized animals were classified into 3 groups: Group(1) was control, Groups(2) and(3) were subcutaneously administered with rotenone for 14 d after one month of ovariectomy for induction of PD. Then, Group(2) was left untreated, while Group(3) was treated with single intravenous dose of bone marrow derived MSCs(BM-MSCs). SRY gene was assessed by PCR in brain tissue of the female rats. Serum transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) and brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) levels were assayed by ELISA. Brain dopamine DA level was assayed fluorometrically, while brain tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and nestin gene expression were detected by semi-quantitative real time PCR. Brain survivin expression was determined by immunohistochemical procedure. Histopathological investigation of brain tissues was also done.RESULTS: BM-MSCs were able to home at the injured brains and elicited significant decrease in serum TGF-β1(489.7 ± 13.0 vs 691.2 ± 8.0, P < 0.05) and MCP-1(89.6 ± 2.0 vs 112.1 ± 1.9, P < 0.05) levels associated with significant increase in serum BDNF(3663 ± 17.8 vs 2905 ± 72.9, P < 0.05) and brain DA(874 ± 15.0 vs 599 ± 9.8, P < 0.05) levels as well as brain TH(1.18 ± 0.004 vs 0.54 ± 0.009, P < 0.05) and nestin(1.29 ± 0.005 vs 0.67 ± 0.006, P < 0.05) genes expression levels. In addition to, producing insignificant increase in the number of positive cells for survivin(293.2 ± 15.9 vs 271.5 ± 15.9, P > 0.05) expression. Finally, the brain sections showed intact histological structure of the striatum as a result of treatment with BM-MSCs. CONCLUSION: The current study sheds light on the therapeutic potential of BM-MSCs against PD pathophysiology via multi-mechanistic actions.

Automatic analytical approach for the determination of 12 illicit drugs and nicotine metabolites in wastewater using on-line SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS

In this study,we developed a novel on-line solid phase extraction(SPE)-ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-MS/MS)-based analytical method for simultaneously quantifying 12 illicit drugs and metabolites(methamphetamine,amphetamine,morphine,codeine,6-monoacetylmorphine,benzoylecgonine,3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine,cocaine,ketamine,norketamine,and methcathinone)and cotinine(COT)in wastewater samples.The analysis was performed by loading 2 m L of the sample onto an Oasis hydrophilic-lipophilic balance cartridge and using a cleanup step(5%methanol)to eliminate interference with a total run time of 13 min.The isotope-labeled internal standard method was used to quantify the target substances and correct for unavoidable losses and matrix effects during the on-line SPE process.Typical analytical characteristics used for method validation were sensitivity,linearity,precision,repeatability,recovery,and matrix effects.The limit of detection(LOD)and limit of quantification(LOQ)of each target were set at 0.20 ng/L and 0.50 ng/L,respectively.The linearity was between 0.5 ng/L and250 ng/L,except for that of COT.The intra-and inter-day precisions were<10.45%and 25.64%,respectively,and the relative recovery ranged from 83.74%to 162.26%.The method was used to analyze various wastewater samples from 33 cities in China,and the results were compared with the experimental results of identical samples analyzed using off-line SPE.The difference rate was between 19.91%and-20.44%,and the error range could be considered acceptable.These findings showed that on-line SPE is a suitable alternative to off-line SPE for the analysis of illicit drugs in samples.

RIP3/MLKL-mediated neuronal necroptosis induced by methamphetamine at 39℃

Methamphetamine is one of the most prevalent drugs abused in the world.Methamphetamine abusers usually present with hyperpyrexia (39℃),hallucination and other psychiatric symptoms.However,the detailed mechanism underlying its neurotoxic action remains elusive.This study investigated the effects of methamphetamine + 39℃ on primary cortical neurons from the cortex of embryonic Sprague-Dawley rats.Primary cortex neurons were exposed to 1 mM methamphetamine + 39℃.Propidium iodide staining and lactate dehydrogenase release detection showed that methamphetamine + 39℃ triggered obvious necrosis-like death in cultured primary cortical neurons,which could be partially inhibited by receptor-interacting protein-1 (RIP1) inhibitor Necrostatin-1 partially.Western blot assay results showed that there were increases in the expressions of receptor-interacting protein-3 (RIP3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in the primary cortical neurons treated with 1 mM methamphetamine + 39℃ for 3 hours.After pre-treatment with RIP3 inhibitor GSK’872,propidium iodide staining and lactate dehydrogenase release detection showed that neuronal necrosis rate was significantly decreased;RIP3 and MLKL protein expression significantly decreased.Immunohistochemistry staining results also showed that the expressions of RIP3 and MLKL were up-regulated in brain specimens from humans who had died of methamphetamine abuse.Taken together,the above results suggest that methamphetamine + 39℃ can induce RIP3/MLKL regulated necroptosis,thereby resulting in neurotoxicity.The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University,China (approval numbers: 2017-S026 and 2017-S033) on March 7,2017.

Novel neuroprotective and hepatoprorective effects of citric acid in acute malathion intoxication

Objective: To study the effect of citric acid given alone or combined with atropine on brain oxidative stress, neuronal injury, liver damage, and DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes induced in the rat by acute malathion exposure. Methods: Rats were received intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection of malathion 150 mg/kg along with citric acid(200 or 400 mg/kg, orally), atropine(1 mg/kg, i.p.) or citric acid 200 mg/kg+atropine 1 mg/kg and euthanized 4 h later. Results: Malathion resulted in increased lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde) and nitric oxide concentrations accompanied with a decrease in brain reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase(GPx) activity, total antioxidant capacity(TAC) and glucose concentrations. Paraoxonase-1, acetylcholinesterase(ACh E) and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased in brain as well. Liver aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were raised. The Comet assay showed increased DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Histological damage and increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(i NOS) were observed in brain and liver. Citric acid resulted in decreased brain lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. Meanwhile, glutathione, GPx activity, TAC capacity and brain glucose level increased. Brain ACh E increased but PON1 and butyrylcholinesterase activities decreased by citric acid. Liver enzymes, the percentage of damaged blood lymphocytes, histopathological alterations and i NOS expression in brain and liver was decreased by citric acid. Meanwhile, rats treated with atropine showed decreased brain MDA, nitrite but increased GPx activity, TAC, ACh E and glucose. The drug also decreased DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes, histopathological alterations and i NOS expression in brain and liver. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a beneficial effect for citric acid upon brain oxidative stress, neuronal injury, liver and DNA damage due to acute malathion exposure.

Bougainvillea spectabilis flowers extract protects against the rotenone-induced toxicity

Objective:To investigate the effect of two extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis(B. spectabilis) flowers with yellow and pink/purple on brain oxidative stress and neuronal damage caused in rats by systemic rotenone injection. Methods:Rotenone 1.5 mg/kg was given three times per week alone or in combination with B. spectabilis flowers extracts(25 mg or 50 mg) via the subcutaneous route for 2 weeks. Brain concentrations of the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde(MDA),reduced glutathione,nitric oxide(nitrite),the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta(Il-1β) as well as butyrylcholinesterase,and paraoxonase-1(PON-1) activities,were determined. Histopathology and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry were also performed. Results:Rotenone resulted in significant increases of brain MDA(the product of lipid peroxidation),and nitric oxide content along with decreased brain reduced glutathione. There were also marked and significant inhibition of brain PON-1 and BCh E activities and increased Il-1β in brain of rotenone-treated rats. B. spectabilis flowers extract itself resulted in brain oxidative stress increasing both lipid peroxidation and nitrite content whilst inhibiting PON-1 activity. The yellow flowers extract inhibited BCh E activity and increased brain Il-1β. When given to rotenone-treated rats,B. spectabilis extracts,however,decreased lipid peroxidation while their low administered doses increased brain GSH. Brain nitrite decreased by the pink extract but showed further increase by the yellow extract. Either extract,however,caused further inhibition of PON-1 activity while the yellow extract resulted in further inhibition of BChE activity. Histopathological studies indicated that both extracts protected against brain,liver and kidney damage caused by the toxicant. Conclusions:These data indicate that B. spectabilis flowers extracts exert protective effect against the toxic effects of rotenone on brain,liver and kidney. B. spectabilis flowers extracts decreased brain lipid peroxidation and prevented neuronal death due to rotenone and might thus prove the value in treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Neuroprotection by misoprostol against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in rat brain

Objective: To investigate the effect of the prostaglandin E1 analogue misoprostol on oxidative stress and neurodegeration caused by subcutaneous rotenone administration in rats. Methods:Rotenone was administered in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg every other day for 2 weeks. Starting from the 1 st day of rotenone injection, rats were subcutaneously treated with misoprostol at doses of10, 100 or 1 000 μg/kg. Rats were evaluated for brain lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde:MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH), nitric oxide(NO) levels, and paraoxonase-1(PON-1) activity.The concentrations of the anti-apoptotic protein B cell/lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) were determined in the striatum. Histopathologic examination and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) in the cerebral cortex and striatum were also performed. Results: Compared with the vehicle-treated group, rotenone caused a significant increase in brain lipid proxidation(MDA)by 61%(P<0.05) accompanied by an increase in NO by 73.1%(P<0.05) and a decrease in GSH concentration by 29.4%(P<0.05). In addition, brain PON-1 activity significantly decreased by63.0%(P<0.05) and striatal Bcl-2 significantly decreased by 27.9%(P<0.05) with respect to the corresponding control value. Brain sections from rotenone treated rats showed extensive dark pyknotic and apoptotic nuclei in neurons, shrunken cytoplasm and perineuronal vacuolation.Rotenone also caused pronounced expression of iNOS in the cerebral cortex and striatum.Treatment with misoprostol at doses of 100 and 1 000 μg/kg resulted in decreased brain MDA(by 16.5%-23.0%)(P<0.05) and NO levels(by 37.1%-40.7%)(P<0.05) and increased GSH concentrations(by 18.8%-30.1%)(P<0.05). PON-1 activity was significantly increased by80.0%-114.8%(P<0.05) by misoprostol at 100 and 1 000 μg/kg, respectively. In addition,misoprostol treatment restored striatal Bcl-2 concentrations to its normal value. Misoprostol treatment resulted in markedly reduced brain injury and decreased iNOS expression in the cerebral cortex and striatum of rotenone intoxicated rats. Conclusions: These data suggest that misoprostol prevents the rotenone-induced neurodegeneration in rat brain by reducing brain oxidative stress.

Determination of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabis seizures in Egypt

Objective:To determine the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC)content of cannabis seizures in Egypt.Methods:Unheated and heated extracts of cannabis seizures were prepared from the dried flowering tops and leaves(marijuana)or from the resin(hashish)and subjected to analysis using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results:The heated resin extract had the peak of THC in a relative ratio of 31.34%,while extracting the resin directly without heating contained only 18.34%of THC.On the other hand,marijuana showed minimum percentage of THC at 11.188% on heating and 9.55% without heating.Conclusions:These results indicate the high potency of the abused cannabis plant in the illicit Egyptian market.

Prevalence, clinical features and treatment of depression in Parkinson's disease: An update

Parkinson's disease(PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases which typically affects individuals over 65 years. Although the symptomatology is predominantly motor, neuropsychiatric manifestations, e.g., depression, apathy, anxiety, and cognitive impairment occur in the course of the illness and can have a great impact on the quality of life in these patients. Parkinson's disease is commonly comorbid with depression with prevalence rates of depression, generally higher than those reported in general population. Depression in PD is frequently underestimated andconsequently undertreated, which have significant effects on the quality of life in these patients. The neurobiology of depression in PD is complex and involves alterations in dopaminergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic and possibly other neurotransmitter systems which are affected in the course of the disease. The tricyclic antidepressants and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the two classes of antidepressant drugs used for depressive symptoms in PD. Several published studies suggested that both classes are of comparable efficacy. Other serotonergic antidepressants, e.g., nefazodone and trazodone have also been of benefit. Meanwhile, there are limited data available on other drugs but these suggest a benefit from the serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as mirtazapine, venlafaxine, atomoxetine and duloxetine. Some of the drugs used in symptomatic treatment of PD, e.g., the irreversible selective inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase-B, rasagiline and selegiline as well as the dopamine receptor agonist pramipexole are likely to have direct antidepressant activity independent of their motor improving action. This would make these drugs an attractive option in depressed subjects with PD. The aim of this review is to provide an updated data on the prevalence, clinical features of depression in subjects with PD. The effects of antiparkinsonian and antidepressant drugs on depressive symptoms in these patients are also discussed.

Neonatal Exposure to Propofol Interferes with the Proliferation and Differentiation of Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells and the Neurocognitive Function of Rats in Adulthood via the Akt/p27 Signaling Pathway

Objective Neonatal exposure to propofol has been reported to cause neurotoxicity and neurocognitive decline in adulthood;however,the underlying mechanism has not been established.Methods SD rats were exposed to propofol on postnatal day 7(PND-7).Double-immunofluorescence staining was used to assess neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG).The expression of pAkt and p27 were measured by western blotting.The Morris water maze,novel object recognition test,and object location test were used to evaluate neurocognitive function 2-month-old rats.Results Phosphorylation of Akt was inhibited,while p27 expression was enhanced after neonatal exposure to propofol.Propofol also inhibited proliferation of neural stem cells(NSCs)and decreased differentiation to neurons and astroglia.Moreover,the neurocognitive function in 2-month-old rats was weakened.Of significance,intra-hippocampal injection of the Akt activator,SC79,attenuated the inhibition of p-AKT and increase of p27 expression.SC79 also rescued the propofol-induced inhibition of NSC proliferation and differentiation.The propofol-induced neurocognition deficit was also partially reversed by SC79.Conclusion Taken together,these results suggest that neurogenesis is hindered by neonatal propofol exposure.Specifically,neonatal propofol exposure was shown to suppress the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by inhibiting Akt/p27 signaling pathway.

Gastric acid inhibitory and gastric protective effects of cannabis and cannabinoids

Cannabis sativa has long been known for its psychotropic effect. Only recently with the discovery of the cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous legends and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation, the role of this ‘endocannabinoid system’ in different pathophysiologic processes is beginning to be delineated. There is evidence that CB1 receptor stimulation with synthetic cannabinoids or Cannabis sativa extracts rich in ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol inhibit gastric acid secretion in humans and in experimental animals. This is specially seen when gastric acid secretion is stimulated by pentagastrin, carbachol or 2 deoxy-D-glucose. Cannabis and/or cannabinoids protect the gastric mucosa against noxious challenge with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ethanol as well as against stress induced mucosal damage. Cannabis/cannabinoids might protect the gastric mucosa by virtue of its antisecretory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilator properties.

Preventive effects of cannabis on neurotoxic and hepatotoxic activities of malathion in rat

Objective: To investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa extract on the development of neuroand hepato-toxicity caused by malathion injection in rats. Methods: The extract of Cannabis sativa was obtained from the plant resin by chloroform treatment. Δ~9-Tetrahydrocannabinol content of the extract(20%) was quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The doses of cannabis extract were expressed as Δ~9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of 10 or 20 mg/kg. Malathion(150 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered followed after 30 min by the cannabis extract(10 or 20 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Rats were euthanized 4 h later. Malondialdehyde(MDA), reduced glutathione(GSH), nitric oxide and paraoxonase-1(PON-1) activity were determined in brain and liver. Brain 5-lipoxygenase and butyrylcholinesterase(BChE) activity were measured as well. Histopathological examination of brain and liver tissue was also performed. Results: Compared to controls, malathion resulted in increased oxidative stress in brain and liver. MDA and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly increased(P<0.05) and GSH significantly decreased with respect to control levels(P<0.05). Malathion also significantly inhibited PON-1 and BChE activities but had no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. Brain MDA concentrations were not altered by cannabis treatment. Cannabis at 20 mg/kg, however, caused significant increase in nitric oxide and restored the GSH and PON-1 activity. Brain BChE activity significantly decreased by 26.1%(P<0.05) after treatment with 10 mg/kg cannabis. Cannabis showed no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. On the other hand, rats treated with cannabis exhibited significantly higher levels of liver MDA, nitric oxide and PON-1 activity compared with the malathion control group. Rats treated with only malathion exhibited spongiform changes, neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and degeneration of some Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. There were also hepatic vacuolar degeneration and dilated and congested portal vein. These histopthological changes induced by malathion in brain and liver were reduced to great extent by cannabis administration at 20 mg/kg. Conclusions: Our data suggest that acute treatment with cannabis alleviates the malathion-induced brain and hepatic injury in rats possibly by maintaining the levels of GSH and PON-1 activity.

Acetylcholinesterase,butyrylcholinesterase and paraoxonase 1 activities in rats treated with cannabis,tramadol or both

Objective:To investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa resin and/or tramadol,two commonly drugs of abuse on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities as a possible cholinergic biomarkers of neurotoxicity induced by these agents.Methods:rats were treated with cannabis resin(5,10 or 20 mg/kg)(equivalent to the active constituent A'-tetrahydrocannabinol),tramadol(5,10 and 20 mg/kg) or tramadol(10 mg/kg)combined with cannabis resin(5,10 and 20 mg/kg) subcutaneously daily for 6 weeks.Acetylcholinesterase(AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase(BChE) activities were measured in brain and serum.We also measured the activity of paraoxonase-1(PONl) in serum of rats treated with these agents.Results:(i) AChE activity in brain increased after 10-20 mg/kg cannabis resin(by 16.3%-36.5%).AChE activity in brain did not change after treatment with 5-20 mg/kg tramadol.The administration of both cannabis resin(5,10 or 20 mg/kg) and tramadol(10 mg/kg) resulted in decreased brain AChE activity by 14.1%,12.9%and 13.6%,respectively;(ii) BChE activity in serum was markedly and dose-dependenlly inhibited by cannabis resin(by 60.9%-76.9%).BChE activity also decreased by 17.6%-36.5%by 10-20mg/kg tramadol and by 57.2%-63.9%by the cannabis resin/tramadol combined treatment;(iii)Cannabis resin at dose of 20 mg/kg increased serum PONl activity by 25.7%.In contrast,tramadol given at 5,10 and 20 mg/kg resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in serum PON1 activity by 19%,36.7%,and 46.1%,respectively.Meanwhile,treatment with cannabis resin plus tramadol resulted in 40.2%,35.8%,30.7%inhibition of PONl activity compared to the saline group.Conclusions:these data suggest that cannabis resin exerts different effects on AChE and BChE activities which could contribute to the memory problems and the decline in cognitive function in chronic users.

Drug therapy for Parkinson's disease: An update

Parkinson's disease(PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, affecting about 1% of the population above the age of 65. PD is characterized by a selective degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. This results in a marked loss of striatal dopamine and the development of the characteristic features of the disease, i.e., bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity, gait abnormalities and postural instability. Other types of neurons/neurotransmitters are also involved in PD, including cholinergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, adenosine, and GABAergic neurotransmission which might have relevance to the motor, non-motor, neuro-psychiatric and cognitive disturbances that occur in the course of the disease. The treatment of PD relies on replacement therapy with levodopa(L-dopa), the precursor of dopamine, in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor(carbidopa or benserazide). The effect of L-dopa, however, declines over time together with the development of motor complications especially dyskinesia in a significant proportion of patients within 5 years of therapy. Other drugs include dopaminereceptor-agonists, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, monoamine oxidase type B(MAO-B) inhibitors, anticholinergics and adjuvant therapy with the antiviral drug and the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist amantadine. Although, these medications can result in substantial improvements in parkinsonian symptoms, especially during the early stages of the disease, they are often not successful in advanced disease. Moreover, dopaminergic cell death continues over time, emphasizing the need for neuroprotective or neuroregenerative therapies. In recent years, research has focused on non-dopaminergic approach such as the use of A2 A receptor antagonists: istradefylline and preladenant or the calcium channel antagonist isradipine. Safinamide is a selective and reversible inhibitor of MAO-B, a glutamate receptor inhibitor as well as sodium and calcium channel blocker. Minocycline and pioglitazone are other agents which have been shown to prevent dopaminergic nigral cell loss in animal models of PD. There is also an evidence to suggest a benefit from iron chelation therapy with deferiprone and from the use of antioxidants or mitochondrial function enhancers such as creatine, alpha-lipoic acid, l-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10.

Treatment of Heroinism with Acupuncture at Points of the Du Channel

To observe the effectiveness of acupuncture at points of the Du Channel in treating heroinism, seventy patients with heroinism were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 35) and a control group (n=35). A 10-day decrescendo therapy of methadone and acupuncture at points of the Du Channel were adopted in the treatment group, while the 10-day decrescendo therapy of methadone was simply performed in the control group. The scoring and grading of the abstinence symptoms were recorded and evaluated for both groups. 31 cases in the treatment group and 26 cases in the control group completed the entire treatment process, and a significant difference (P＜0.01) in scores of abstinence symptoms before and after treatment was noticed in the two groups. The obvious difference in scores of abstinence symptoms on the first, second, fifth, sixth,seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth day in the treatment group was superior to those in the control group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Particularly for such symptoms as perspiration, anxiety and pain in the muscle and bone,the result in the treatment group was much better than that in the control group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Acupuncture at points of the Du Channel has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on abstinence symptoms of heroinism, which can effectively help alleviate the abstinence symptoms.

Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and Other Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Serum of Autistic Children

The aim of the present study was to investigate the status of oxidative stress in the serum of children affected with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty autistic children aged 3 to 12 years, were gender and age-matched with 20 typically developing children. Changes in the levels of the redox-sensing transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was measured in serum of autistic children and controls. Other oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, and paraoxonase 1 activity were determined in serum as well. Significant increase was observed in serum NF-κB of autistic children compared to that in controls (by 138.6%). There was also marked increase in malondialdehyde level by 87.3% in autistic patients. Meanwhile, there were significant decreases in reduced glutathione (by 24%), catalase activity (by 40.8%), paraoxonase 1 activity (by 36.6%), and total antioxidant capacity (by 36.5%) compared to the control group. These data clearly demonstrate increased oxidative stress in serum of autistic children and suggest that the NF-κB signaling pathway is activated in autism, possibly due to increased oxidative burden.