Function and Mechanism of Abscisic Acid on Microglia-Induced Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD), as a neurologically implemented disease with complex etiological factors, has a complex and variable pathogenesis. Accompanying further research, neuroinflammation has been found to be one of the possible factors in its pathogenesis. Microglia, as intrinsic immune cells in the brain, play an important role in maintaining microenvironmental homeostasis in the brain. However, over-activation of neurotoxic microglia in PD promotes neuroinflammation, which further increases dopaminergic (DA) neuronal damage and exacerbates the disease process. Therefore, targeting and regulating the functional state of microglia is expected to be a potential avenue for PD treatment. In addition, plant extracts have shown great potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders due to their abundant resources, mild effects, and the presence of multiple active ingredients. However, it is worth noting that some natural products have certain toxic side effects, so it is necessary to pay attention to distinguish medicinal ingredients and usage and dosage when using to avoid aggravating the progression of diseases. In this review, the roles of microglia with different functional states in PD and the related pathways inducing microglia to transform into neuroprotective states are described. At the same time, it is discussed that abscisic acid (ABA) may regulate the polarization of microglia by targeting them, promote their transformation into neuroprotective state, reduce the neuroinflammatory response in PD, and provide a new idea for the treatment of PD and the selection of drugs.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds in forest therapy base: A source of air pollutants or a healthcare function?

Air pollution poses a significant threat to public health, while biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) play a crucial role in both aspects. However, the unclear relationship between BVOCs and air pollutants in the under-canopy space limits the accuracy of air pollution control and the exploitation of forest healthcare functions. To clarify the variation of BVOCs in forest therapy bases, and their impacts on ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at nose height, total VOCs (TVOCs) in the forest were collected during typical sunny days, while air pollutants and meteorological factors were observed simultaneously. The results showed that the branch-level emissions of P. tabuliformis were dominated by healthcare-effective monoterpenoids, with only α-pinene having relative air concentrations of over 5 % in forest air samples. The correlation between concentrations of under-canopy TVOCs and emission rates of BVOCs from P. tabuliformis was weak (p > 0.09) in all seasons. However, the correlation between concentrations of TVOCs and the concentrations of O3 and PM2.5 showed clear seasonal differences. In spring, TVOCs only showed a significant negative correlation with PM2.5 in the forest (p < 0.01). In summer and autumn, TVOCs were significantly negatively correlated with both O3 (p < 0.001) and PM2.5 (p < 0.01). Specifically, the negative linear relationships were more pronounced for O3 and oxygenated VOCs in autumn (R2 = 0.40, p < 0.001) than for other relationships. The relationship between air pollutant concentrations inside and outside the forest also showed significant seasonal differences, generally characterized by a weaker correlation between them during seasons of strong emissions. Therefore, BVOCs in coniferous forests are health functions as they can provide healthcare effects and mitigate the concentration of air pollutants in the forest, and the establishment of forest therapy bases in rural areas with low NOx can be a sensible approach to promote good health, well-being, and sustainable development.

The reciprocal interactions between microglia and T cells in Parkinson's disease: a double-edged sword.

In Parkinson's disease (PD), neurotoxic microglia, Th1 cells, and Th17 cells are overactivated. Overactivation of these immune cells exacerbates the disease process and leads to the pathological development of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and contact-killing compounds, causing the loss of dopaminergic neurons. So far, we have mainly focused on the role of the specific class of immune cells in PD while neglecting the impact of interactions among immune cells on the disease. Therefore, this review demonstrates the reciprocal interplays between microglia and T cells and the associated subpopulations through cytokine and chemokine production that impair and/or protect the pathological process of PD. Furthermore, potential targets and models of PD neuroinflammation are highlighted to provide the new ideas/directions for future research.

Association between migraine and risk of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Results regarding the association between migraine and risk of stroke are inconsistent. METHODS: A literature search of the databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed) was made before December 2021. STATA 12.0 software was used. Odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) regarding migraine and risk of stroke were computed. RESULTS: Migraine was associated with increased risks of total stroke, ischemic stroke (IS) and haemorrhagic stroke (HS) (total stroke: OR/RR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.44-1.83, I2 = 95.8%, p < 0.001; IS: OR/RR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.47-1.98, I2 = 96.1%, p < 0.001; HS: OR/RR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.11-1.63, I2 = 85.7%, p < 0.001). Migraine with aura was related to increased risks of total stroke, IS and HS (total stroke: OR/RR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.62-2.34, I2 = 89.7%, p < 0.001; IS: OR/RR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.78-2.64, I2 = 89.2%, p < 0.001; HS: OR/RR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04-1.62, I2 = 46.3%, p = 0.114). Migraine without aura was related to increased risks of total stroke, IS and HS (total stroke: OR/RR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.18-1.55, I2 = 85.4%, p < 0.001; IS: OR/RR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11-1.62, I2 = 87.8%, p < 0.001; HS: OR/RR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.04-1.61, I2 = 64.8%, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine is associated with a higher risk of total stroke and IS. However, the association between migraine and risk of HS is with more uncertainty.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds from 14 landscape woody species: Tree species selection in the construction of urban greenspace with forest healthcare effects.

Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) is an important part of forest healthcare effect, while it has not received enough attention in urban greenspace construction. Consequently, the aim of this study was to analyze BVOC emission rates and compositions released from leaves and flowers of landscape species in urban greenspace and to make suggestions for species selection and planting configuration in urban greenspace construction. BVOC emissions were collected and analyzed using dynamic flow enclosure technique with GC-MS in summer months (for leaf) and spring months (for flower) from 14 woody landscape species in northern China, which are 2 coniferous species (Pinus tabuliformis and Sabina vulgaris) and 12 broad-leaved species (Viburnum opulus, Kolkwitzia amabilis, Philadelphus pekinensis, Lonicera maackii, Cercis chinensis, Deutzia parviflora, Berberis thunbergia, Kerria japonica, Rosa xanthina, Syringa oblata, Syringa reticulata, and Cerasus serrulata). We found leaf emission rates of coniferous species were more than 20 µg∙g-1Dw∙h-1 and mainly consisted of monoterpenes, while that of sampled broad-leaved species were less than 10 µg∙g-1Dw∙h-1 and mainly consisted of fatty acid derivatives. Most broad-leaved species had relatively high emission rates of flowers, ranging from 15 to 115 µg∙g-1Dw∙h-1. Flower emissions of Syringa oblata and Syringa reticulata contained large amounts of aldehydes, and that of other broad-leaved species mainly contained terpenes, alcohols, and esters. We suggest the species with leaves that release large amounts of monoterpenes, and species with flowers that release large amounts of fragrant compounds are classified as healthcare species, while species with a dense crown and low emission rates of pungent compounds are classified as space-creation species. Based on this, planners could design urban greenspace with healthcare effects, and develop multi-functional, innovative, and sustainable urban greenspaces.

De Novo and Divergent Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Furans by Cascade Reactions of 2-Hydroxy-1,4-diones with Nucleophiles.

Herein, a divergent synthesis of a variety of 2α- and 5α-substituted furan derivatives from 2-hydroxy-1,4-diones is reported. By using appropriate substrates and an acid catalyst, the reactions occurred selectively through cyclization/1,6-conjugate addition or cyclization/Friedel-Crafts-type cascade reactions. A broad range of nucleophilic reagents (>10 types for the 1,6-conjugate addition for 5α substitution and >20 types for the Friedel-Crafts-type cascade reaction for 2α substitution), including alcohols, amides, furan, thiophene, pyrrole, indole, phenols, and many others, can successfully participate in the reactions, providing a universal strategy for a diversity-oriented synthesis of α-substituted furan derivatives. Deuteriation experiments and DFT calculations were carried out to support the proposed reaction mechanisms. Antifungal activity experiments revealed that products with an indole or 4-hydroxycoumarin core substituted at the 2α position showed moderate activities against Rhizoctorzia solani and Botrytis cinerea, respectively.

Organic 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone potassium salt with ultrahigh initial coulombic efficiency for potassium-ion batteries.

Here, we propose a new organic 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone potassium salt (K2C6H2O4) endowing an ultrahigh initial coulombic efficiency of 96% as an advanced anode for potassium-ion batteries. Theoretical calculations and experimental results suggest that K+ can reversibly insert into this organic compound due to the flexible and stable structure of the K2C6H2O4 molecule as well as fast K+ kinetics in the selected dimethyl ether-based electrolyte.

De novo synthesis of benzofurans via trifluoroacetic acid catalyzed cyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-diones.

A facile, one-pot method for the de novo synthesis of benzofurans from 2-hydroxy-1,4-diones is described. Using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as the catalyst and N-bromobutanimide (NBS) as the oxidant, 2-hydroxy-1,4-diones underwent a cyclization/oxidative aromatization cascade reaction to afford a variety of benzofuran derivatives in moderate to good yields. This is a practically useful method for the synthesis of benzofuran derivatives starting from 2-hydroxy-1,4-diones which is also a supplement of the Paal-Knorr furan synthesis. A preliminary mechanism study was undertaken to support the proposed mechanism during which a novel 1,6-conjugate addition reaction was revealed.

[Clinical study for stroke treated with meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyi].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect difference for stroke between meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyiand conventional acupuncture with syndrome differentiation. METHODS: Totally 148 patients were assigned into an observation group(72 cases) and a control group(76 cases) by random number table,with 10 cases dropping out in the observation group. In the observation group,meridians were examined and differentiated and then the treating meridians and acupoints were defined. Corresponding acupuncture was used according to them. In the control group,acupuncture was applied at acupoints by internal differentiation and experience. Treatment was given once a day and five times a week,with total 20 times. The motion function of limbs and coloboma degree of nerve function were assessed by Fugl-Meyer score and National Institutes of Health Stroke Score(NIHSS) before and after treatment as well as at three-month follow-up. RESULTS: After treatment,the Fugl-Meyer scores increased and the NIHSS scores decreased in the two groups compared with those before treatment(all P<0.05). At follow-up three months after treatment,Fugl-Meyer score upgraded in the observation group (P<0.05) and NIHSS score declined in the two groups (both P<0.01) than those before treatment,and NIHSS scores were statistically different between the two groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Meridian-collateral diagnosis and therapy by WANG Juyi has better long-term efficacy when it is compared with conventional acupuncture with syndrome differentiation for motion function of limbs and nerve function of stroke.

[Influence of therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking at Shenque (CV 8) for treatment of stroke patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint sticking therapy for treatment of stroke. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-six cases were randomly divided into a non-acupoint sticking group (control group, n=122) and an acupoint sticking group (n=124). The control group was treated with routine ward treatment of stroke (acupuncture combined with routine western medicine). The acupoint sticking group was treated with basis ward treatment of stroke (similar to the control group), and acupoint sticking therapy was applicated on Shenque (CV 8). The scores of Stroke-Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) and WHOQOL-100BREF were adopted to evaluate the therapeutic effects and the cysteine of patients were tested before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were significant differences in scores comparison of SS-QOL and WHOQOL-100BREF before and after treatment in both groups (both P < 0.001); there was no significant difference after treatment between two groups (P > 0.05); there was a significant difference in thinking items of SS-QOL after treatment between two groups (P < 0.05), the acupoint sticking group was superior to that of control group; SS-QOL score of patients with abnormal cysteine of acupoint sticking group was superior to that of the control group after treatment, with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The acupoint sticking therapy can improve the thinking ability of stroke patients, and improve the life quality of high cysteine stroke patients.