The peripheral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces depressive-like behavior. Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression, defined as a loss of the capacity to experience pleasure. The present study used the sucrose preference test to investigate the influence of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on LPS-induced anhedonia in male rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: (I) vehicle + saline, (II) vehicle + LPS, (III) EGb 761 + saline, and (IV) EGb 761 + LPS. Saline or LPS (100 μg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h before the sucrose preference test. Sucrose consumption was recorded 2, 4, 6, 13, and 24 h after 100 μg/kg of LPS or saline injection in the dark phase of the light/dark cycle. Dopamine and serotonin levels in the nucleus accumbens were measured. Our results indicated that the vehicle + LPS group exhibited a significant decrease in sucrose intake compared with the vehicle + saline group. The EGb 761 + LPS group showed more sucrose and food consumption than the vehicle + LPS group. Additionally, compared with the EGb 761 + LPS group, the vehicle + LPS group had less dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens. Treatment with EGb 761 had no effect on water intake. Our results suggest that EGb 761 may be useful for reducing anhedonic depressive-like behavior.

We disclose for the first time the nucleo-translocation/activation of NFAT2 in lamina propria mononuclear cells in ulcerative colitis. Activation of NFAT2 was specific for ulcerative colitis and highly associated with disease activity. Since activation of NFAT2 is implicated in an auto-regulatory positive feedback loop of sustained T-cell activation and NFAT proteins play key roles in the calcium/calcineurin signaling pathways, our results not only provide new insights into the mechanism for sustained intractable inflammation, but also suggest the calcium-calcineurin/NFAT pathway as a new therapeutic target for ulcerative colitis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin in combination with weekly bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in patients with 5-FU-pretreated advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: A total of 39 patients with documented 5-FU-resistant advanced colorectal cancer were enrolled. All 39 patients had previously received weekly high-dose 5-FU/LV (2,600 mg/m² 5-FU plus 100 mg/m² LV as 24-hour infusion) as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Oxaliplatin (85 mg/m²) was delivered as an intravenous infusion over 2 h on days 1 and 15, while 5-FU (500 mg/m²) and LV (20 mg/m²) were administered as an intravenous bolus on days 1, 8 and 15. One treatment course consisted of 3 consecutive weeks of therapy followed by a 1-week rest. Results: In an intent-to-treat analysis, the objective response rate for the 39 patients was 20.5% (95% confidence interval, 7.2–33.8%). The disease was stable in 19 patients (48.7%), and progressive in 11 (28.2%). The median survival for all 39 patients was 8.9 months. The median time to progression was 5.0 months. Grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in only 1 patient (2.6%), and grade 2 and 3/4 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 10 (25.6%) and 5 (12.8%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: Oxaliplatin in combination with weekly bolus 5-FU/LV is also active in patients with advanced colorectal cancer where first-line treatment has failed.

Aim: Laparoscopic anterior resection with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) has favourable short-term outcomes. However, NOSE is rarely adopted for left hemicolectomy procedures. This study aimed to review the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of transrectal NOSE in patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. Method: All consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy surgery with transrectal NOSE in a single institution between January 2018 and December 2020 were reviewed. Transrectal NOSE was performed with an enterotomy at the upper rectum. The specimen was brought out via a transanal endoscopic microsurgery scope inserted through the anus. A supplementary video demonstrates this technique. Surgical outcomes, including complications, postoperative short-term recovery and the level of pain intensity, are presented.Results: Twenty patients were reviewed. There were no immediate postoperative complications and no wound infections in these patients. The average time to tolerate a soft diet was 3.6 days, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 4.5 days. The average score on the numerical rating scale of postoperative pain was 3.0 on postoperative day 1. The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. Conclusion:Laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with transrectal NOSE is a safe and feasible procedure that leads to early postoperative recovery and a short hospital stay.