Zhang Xie is currently a PhD student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, P R China. She has published more than 10 papers in journals.

Brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) refers to tearing off of the root from the surface of the spinal cord, which could induce the death of most motoneurons and degeneration of axons in the corresponding spinal segment, thus resulting in permanent paralysis of motor functions in the upper limb. Avulsion injury would induce an increase in oxidative stress level and intense local neuro-inflammation at the lesioned site, leading to apoptotic death of motoneurons. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is the major active compound found in Coptis chinensis Franch. Growing evidence suggests that BBR has neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties in various animal models of central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders. In this study, we investigated whether BBR could promote motoneuron survival and axonal regeneration in a rat model of BPA. Moreover, BBR accelerated the recovery of motor function in the forelimb by increasing the Terzis grooming test score and the number of Fluoro-Gold-labeled and P75+ regenerative motoneurons. The survival of motoneurons was notably promoted with BBR administration through elevating the ChAT-positive and CISD2-positive cells and decreasing nNOS-positive cells. Meanwhile, reduced muscle atrophy, increased functional endplates and motor axons in biceps and musculocutaneous nerve were observed in BBR-treated rats. Besides, BBR markedly reduced microglia and astrocyte activation, up-regulated the expressions of Cu/Zn SOD and Akt and down-regulated the expression of NF-κB. Collectively, berberine could be used to assist reimplantation surgery in repairing BPA injuries in clinical treatment, may be through Akt signaling activation and downregulation of NF-κB nuclear transposition.

Taline Monteiro Klein is a PhD Student from Basic and Applied Immunology Program of Medicine School of University of São Paulo, Brazil. She has completed her Master degree from the same institution.

After the initial outbreak of infection with Zika arbovirus in French Polynesia an increase of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases were observed in the same geographical location. Later the epidemic reached South America, and it had been established that 1 in every 4000 cases of Zika infection were complicated by this disease. GBS is believed to result from immune mediated damage to peripheral nerves, but in most cases the precise nature of the autoimmune mechanism responsible is unclear. To establish the real relationship between ZIKV infection and GBS onset we received GBS samples (urine, serum/ plasma and CSF) from 54 patients. These samples were submitted to qRT-PCR to identify the presence of ZIKV. We found that 27 patient samples were positive for the presence of this virus. Later sera and CSF samples were tested for the presence of neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies by PRNT50 assay. We could observe that 15 sera samples had neutralizing anti-ZIKV antibodies that were capable to neutralize ZIKV cytopathic effects, and 8 of these sera were positive also for ZIKV RNA by qRT-PCR, indicating that this virus could persist more than 20 days in these GBS patients. We obtained two viral isolates from these qRT-PCR positive samples (1 serum and 1 CSF), that were submitted to complete genome sequencing. Now, we are conducting experiments to evaluate the cytokine profile of these samples. We are evaluating also the capacity of anti-ZIKV antibodies detected in some samples to recognize (cross-reactivity) nervous tissues.

Teodoro J Oscanoa PhD leads the Research Center of Drug Safety in The Faculty of Medicine at University of San Martin de Porres, Lima, Peru. He is the head of the Department of Internal Medicine at Hospital Almenara and Associate Professor of Pharmacology in Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima. His research areas are Geriatric Pharmacology, Drug Safety and Pharmacogenetics.

Statement of the Problem: Antihypertensive medications may reduce the incidence of cognitive disorders. This may be due to reasons beyond their pure hypotensive effect and could be different between antihypertensive classes. In this regard, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) have attracted scientific interest. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the reported association between the use of ARBs and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methodology: We systematically searched studies in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar, since 1995 (date of approval of the first ARB by FDA) up to November 2018. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies reporting the association between ARB use and incidence of AD in adults aged ≥18 years. The quality of studies was appraised according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Findings: Nine studies (1 RCT, 2 case-control studies and 6 cohort studies) met the inclusion criteria (total number of participants: 923,906; mean age 70.8 (range: 57.6-82.4) years; mean follow-up 7.5 (range: 4-20) years; mean NOS 7.4. When all studies were analyzed, ARB use was associated with a reduced risk of incident AD (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50-0.81, p <0.001). In the 4 studies reporting a mean participants’ age of ≥75 years (n= 856,506), the reduction in AD risk seemed greater (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34-0.80, p <0.001); in the 4 studies where mean age was <75 years (n=67,251), the risk reduction did not seem significant (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.48-1.21, p= 0.250). The risk reduction seemed greater in European studies (n= 41,192; HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.77, p <0.001) than in American (n= 821,712; HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.01, p= 0.054) or Asian (n= 61,002; HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.43-1.28, p= 0.285) studies. Conclusion & Significance: ARB use may reduce the risk of incident AD, especially in Europeans aged >75 years. This association does not imply causation and further research is required to clarify potential mechanisms.

Sabrina Mele, PT, DPT received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Sciences in Philadelphia in 2010 and received her promotion to Advanced Physical Therapist from Good Shepherd Penn Partners, the formal rehabilitation provider for Penn Medicine (USA), where she currently works with both patients with vestibular and neurologic dysfunction. She became LSVT BIG certified in January 2013 and PWR trained for people with Parkinson’s disease in August 2017 and Balance Wear by Motion Therapeutics certified in March 2018. She also completed the APTA’s Competency Based Course at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also a teaching Assistant for both- University of the Sciences, Philadelphia and Neumann University, Aston, PA (USA) respectively where she teaches students on the laboratory component of the neuromuscular tract. She has also presented posters on case studies within her clinical practice at several conferences in and outside of the United States and Italy respectively.

Readers will recognize the weighted lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) as a tool to enhance balance exercises to improve function in persons with progressive cerebellar ataxia. Somatosensory input via an LSO creates an enriched environment in outpatient PT to enhance the efficacy of static and dynamic gaze stabilization and postural control exercises in persons with progressive ataxia. A 59 year old female baseline scores performed 3-7 years prior ranged from 30% at worst to 43% at best on the sensory organization test (SOT) while a 69 year old male scores ranged from 29% to 32% at worst and 36% at best. Functional outcomes were compared pre and post intervention over 10 to 12 visits. Pre intervention, the female’s gait speed was 0.85 m/s with poor quality. Five time sit to stand (FTSTS) was 20 seconds, SOT 43, 6 minute walk test (6 MWT) 360 feet x 2. Post 8 visits, her FTSTS was 20 seconds, SOT 46, 6 MWT 565 feet, gait speed was 0.6 m/s with improved quality. Post 12 visits, FTSTS 20 seconds, SOT 45, 6 MWT 780 feet and gait speed 0.66 m/s with improved quality. Pre intervention, the male’s gait speed was 0.82 m/s with poor quality, FTSTS 15 seconds. Post intervention, gait speed was 1.0 m/s with improved quality, FTSTS 12 seconds, SOT 36% and 1080 feet in a 6 MWT. Post visit 10, while SOT was never repeated and FTSTS 16 seconds, 6 MWT 1146 feet, gait speed 1.0 m/s, both with improved quality. While more research is needed, immediate post intervention outcomes improved in patients with progressive cerebellar ataxia to that of the level of his/her postural control score 3-7 years prior and allowed them to function towards values of their aged matched healthy peers.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by progressive motor neuron loss, leading to muscle atrophy, paralysis and death within 2-5 years after onset. The mutant sod1G93R zebrafish has been used to visualize neuronal dysfunction and in drug screening. Riluzole is the only FDA approved drug for ALS treatment, prolonging survival for around 3 months. This highlights that ALS needs new therapeutic agents for treating the disease. The mutant sod1G93Ros10 overexpression transgenic line shows motor neuron loss, neuromuscular defects, decreased swim endurance, muscle atrophy and premature death. Due to the presence of the hsp70-DsRed stress readout, linked to the transgene, it provides a good readout of misfolded proteins through the activation of the heat shock stress response (HSR). This transgenic line has been utilized to validate riluzole and identified selamectin as stress reducing agents in a screen of 2000 compounds. Therefore, we selected the LifeArc ion channel library containing 4800 compounds to screen for compounds that reduce neuronal stress. 190 compounds showed a reduction of DsRed fluorescence in the mutant sod1G93Ros10 line. Ninety two compounds from the initial 190 hits have been validated. Among these 13 compounds showed a dose-dependent reduction in cellular stress. These will be further refined for further drug development and pre-clinical studies in the sod1 mouse model of ALS. Six compounds showed excellent like-drug properties such as QED, iPFI, CNS-MPO, Log-S, Lod-D, Log-P and the other chemical properties. These compounds will be validated and investigated of other compounds related to these hits to identify the closest hits.

Vahid Bafandegan got his degree in Chemistry. After this he had completed his master education from Islamic Azad University, Torbat Jam. Now he is studying PhD Psychology in Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur. He work in the center of addict as Director and therapist in Therapeutic Community (TC) Mashhad. He has published more than 10 papers in journals so far. He mainly the cure of existentialism than others approach. He has published more than 10 papers in journals.

Background & Objectives: The frequent comorbidity of depression disorder and substance use disorders (SUD) is well-documented. Metacognitive therapy is designed as a treatment to influence cognitive-attention syndrome, metacognitive processes, knowledge of its stimulating and action on the cognitive subsystem. The aim of present study was to investigate effect of metacognitive therapy on depressed addicts on methadone maintenance treatment in Mashhad. Methods & Materials: Of the 75 addicts receiving methadone the sample was included 24 participants who were assigned by random sampling in experimental (N=12) and control group (N=12). Addicts were completed Beck depression short inventory (BDI-13) in the pre-test, post-test. Data were analyzed by the SPSS 16 and presented with covariance (ANCOVA) test. Alpha level less than 0.05 was considered significance ( p<0.05). Findings: Analysis of ANCOVA showed that there are significant differences between experimental and control group based on depression (f=184.8, p<0.001) in post-test stage. Conclusion: Results suggest that metacognitive therapy could be a short and effective treatment. Thus the thoughts and feelings without judgment and evaluation are done with the help of mental imagery. Additionally it is consistent with a detached mindfulness conceptualization of problematic abuse behavior and further add to our understanding of the role of specific metacognitions and mindfulness across the continuum of abuse behavior and mood disorders.