These results suggest that when visual distractors are presented during the memory phase, both visual and haptic processing are related to visual working memory for roughness, and the weighting of modality changes depending on the presence of visual distractors.In view of inconsistencies in the association studies of alpha synuclein (SNCA) rs7684318 (chr4 90655003 T > C) with Parkinson’s disease (PD), we conducted a meta-analysis to establish the association of this variant with PD and examined changes in transcription factor binding. SNCA rs7684318 C-allele was identified as genetic risk factor for PD in fixed (OR 1.53, 95 % CI 1.40-1.68, p C increased binding of RBPJ and GATA-family transcription factors; and decreased binding of NKX2 family, SNAI2, SNAI3, DMRT1, HOXA13, HOXB13, HOXC13, HOXD13, WT1, POU4F1, POU4F2, POU4F3 transcriptional factors. TRANSFAC and DNA curvature analyses substantiate the association of this variant with increased binding of GATA1 that contribute to intensity of DNA curvature peaks and splitting pattern. These studies along with the meta-analysis strongly suggest that the rs7684318 variant contributes to the pathophysiology of PD by modulating binding of transcription factors related to Notch and Wnt signalling pathways that are likely to impair dopmanergic transmission.

The traditional Chinese medicine Sanweidoukou decoction (DK-3) was a classical formula for the treatment of nervous system diseases, recorded in the Chinese medical classic Sibu Yidian.

The present study is aim to investigate the neuroprotective effects of DK-3 on β-amyloid (Aβ) protein -induced AD-like pathologies and underlying molecular mechanisms both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Hydrolysates of DK-3 were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS. In vitro, MTT was utilized to examine effects of DK-3 on Aβ

-induced cytotoxicity in PC12cells. In vivo, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with Aβ

to induce AD-like pathologies and behavioral evaluations were conducted via Morris water maze (MWM) test. Histopathological changes were observed by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) straining. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the tau hyperphosphorylation at Thr181 site. The expression levels of tau hyperphosphorylation, inflammation-related cytokines such as COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, the phosphorylated stan and the expressions of inflammation-related cytokines via modulating the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh is well known in East Asia as an edible brown alga rich in bioactive compounds. It has an ethnopharmacological significance in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory disorders varying from edema, furuncles, dysuria to cardiovascular diseases.

Surge of fine dust (FD), in densely populated areas, have been reported to cause adverse health conditions ranging from respiratory diseases to inflammatory skin disorders. The current study investigates the protective effects of an ethanol extract from S. horneri (SHE) on FD-induced inflammatory responses and impaired skin hydration in HaCaT keratinocytes.

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated with the 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) stain. Anti-inflammatory properties of SHE in FD-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes were investigated for the suppression of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways and downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokin The effects are attributable to the polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds in SHE. Further studies could envisage the use of SHE for developing rejuvenating cosmetics.

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (Convolvulaceae) had received growing attention as a traditional medicinal herb widely used for treating female impotence, abortion, male reproductive system disease and cardiovascular diseases, respectively.

The present study investigated the acute and sub-acute toxicities of C. chinensis water extract (CLW) in the ICR mice model.

Various doses of CLW (1250, 2500, and 5000mg/kg) were administered consecutively for 14 days to evaluate the acute toxicity level with examine mortality, general behavior, body weight, food and water intake of the mice. At the end of treatmet, macroscopic observation of the skin and major internal organs in the abdominal part and organ coefficients were taken. The same doses were administered daily for 28 days to determine the sub-acute toxicity level with examine mortality, general behavior, body weight, food and water intake of the mice. At the end of treatmet, macroscopical examination of organs, tissues, cavities, organ coefficients, pathology, hema mostly at the doses of 2500 and 5000mg/kg. Mild liver toxicity in both sexes treated with 5000mg/kg of CLW was recorded in the histopathological analysis.

Overall, our results suggested that CLW is safe at its dose lower than 1250mg/kg, although liver toxicity from daily use may be a matter of concern.

Overall, our results suggested that CLW is safe at its dose lower than 1250 mg/kg, although liver toxicity from daily use may be a matter of concern.

The Indian Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda prescribes Piper longum L. popularly known as Long Pepper (Pippali) for the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Therapeutic benefits of Piper longum L. are mainly attributed to the anti-inflammatory and arthritic potential.

This study was aimed to explore the activity of Piper longum L. fruit extract on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJMSCs) to find out it’s possible role as anti-osteoporotic agent.

Proliferation of WJMSCs treated with Piper longum L. fruit extract was assessed by MTT assay and Cell Cycle Analysis. A2aR/A2bR antagonist-1 Effect of Piper longum L. preconditioning on osteogenic differentiation was performed. Ca

accumulation and matrix mineralization (Von Kossa and Alizarin Red Staining), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and gene expression of key mRNA (RT PCR) was analyzed.

Significant increase in the proliferation of WJMSCs was observed upon treatment of Piper longum L. at 5μg/mL (P<0.