Role of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor in Object Recognition Memory Impairment in Chronically Rapid Eye Movement Sleep-deprived Rats

Objective We aimed to investigate whether antagonism of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor(CB1R)could affect novel object recognition(NOR)memory in chronically rapid eye movement sleep-deprived(RSD)rats.Methods The animals were examined for recognition memory following a 7-day chronic partial RSD paradigm using the multiple platform technique.The CB1R antagonist rimonabant(1 or 3 mg/kg,i.p.)was administered either at one hour prior to the sample phase for acquisition,or immediately after the sample phase for consolidation,or at one hour before the test phase for retrieval of NOR memory.For the reconsolidation task,rimonabant was administered immediately after the second sample phase.Results The RSD episode impaired acquisition,consolidation,and retrieval,but it did not affect the reconsolidation of NOR memory.Rimonabant administration did not affect acquisition,consolidation,and reconsolidation;however,it attenuated impairment of the retrieval of NOR memory induced by chronic RSD.Conclusions These findings,along with our previous report,would seem to suggest that RSD may affect different phases of recognition memory based on its duration.Importantly,it seems that the CB1R may,at least in part,be involved in the adverse effects of chronic RSD on the retrieval,but not in the acquisition,consolidation,and reconsolidation,of NOR memory.

Effects of two types of exercise training on psychological well-being,sleep,quality of life and physical fitness in patients with high-grade glioma(WHO III and IV):study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background:There is existing evidence on whether and to what degree regular exercise training improves the quality of life(QoL)among cancer survivors.However,in regards to patients with high-grade glioma(HGG;WHO grade III and IV),no conclusive study has been performed so far.The present trial aims to fill this gap by examining whether psychological well-being,sleep,QoL and physical fitness might be improved with two different types of exercise,as compared to an active control condition.Active control condition represent individuals participating at regular meetings to talk about their current life situation,though,the meetings were not intended as that of the psychotherapy group.Regular meetings are of the same frequency,duration,and intensity as the exercise interventions.Methods:A total of 45 patients with HGG after undergoing neurosurgery and adjuvant radiotherapy,chemotherapy,or chemoradiotherapy will be consecutively and randomly assigned to(a)an endurance training,(b)a resistance training or(c)to an active control condition.The intervention will last for 6 consecutive weeks,consisting of 2 weekly sessions(30-45 min per session).Measurements would take place at three time points,namely at the beginning of the study(baseline),3 weeks after the beginning of the study,and 6 weeks after the beginning of the study.The last measurement also represents the end of the study.Aerobic exercise performance will be assessed objectively with a 6-min walking test,and a handgrip test will be used to assess the upper body strength.Further,participants will complete a battery of questionnaires covering sociodemographic information,QoL,sleep quality and sleep patterns,coping with stress,state-and trait-anxiety,depression,and fatigue.In parallel,experts will use the Hamilton Depres-sion Rating Scale to determine and rate participants’symptoms of depression.Significance:The present study will be the first to investigate and compare the impact of two different exercise modalities,namely endurance and resistance training,on physical fitness and dimensions of well-being,and sleep among patients with HGG who underwent neurosurgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy,chemotherapy,or chemoradiotherapy.Importantly,unlike the majority of previous studies,the control condition consists of an active set-up to detect possible factual beneficial effects of exercise training,irrespective of social interactions.

Effect of Vigna radiata, Tamarix ramosissima and Carthamus lanatus extracts on Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica: An in vitro study

Objective:Current therapy strategies of leishmaniasis have some problems such as high cost,toxicity and side effects.Plant extracts can be a source of drugs to control leishmaniasis.In this study,the effect of hydroalcoholic and chloroformic extracts of Vigna radiata,Tamarix ramosissima,and Carthamus lanatus on Leishmania major and L.tropica was studied.Methods:The plant samples were collected from west of Iran and their extracts were prepared.Antipromastigote activity assay of all extracts was done using tetrazolium-dye assay.Results:Only high concentrations of V.radiata and C.lanatus were able to inhibit Leishmania,while both high and low concentrations of T.ramosissima had antileishmanial effect.No difference was observed between hydroalcoholic with chloroformic extract of each plant.Conclusion:Altogether,the results revealed the antileishmanial activity of T.ramosissima extracts against L.major and L.tropica,indicating its potential as an antileishmanial agent.