The degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the course of Parkinson disease is largely blamed on oxidative damage in the brain. This study examined the potency of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) to protect dopaminergic neurons against toxicity induced by the parkinsonian neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We generated pLV-GPX1, a recombinant lentivirus vector carrying the coding sequence for human GPX-1, into the SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cell line. The pLV-GPX1-infected neurons showed an over 3-fold increase in enzyme expression and a 2.6-fold increase in enzyme activity compared to the pLV-EGFP-infected control cells. In the pLV-GPX1-infected cells, we also detected significantly increased neuronal survival and resistance to 6-OHDAmediated toxicity compared to our controls (75 AE 4% versus 51 AE 7%, p < 0.001). To maximize this protection, the neurons were treated with conditioned medium taken from growing primary astrocytes (astro-CM). We found the treated pLV-GPX1-infected neurons even more significantly resistant to 6-OHDA toxicity compared to their untreated counterparts (86 AE 5% versus 75 AE 4%, p < 0.001). Concomitant with increased neuroprotection, copresence of overexpressed GPX-1 and astro-CM significantly increased glutathione (GSH) levels compared to when either of the two was present ( p < 0.001). Further analysis showed nearly 2.7-fold reduction, in the presence of astro-CM, of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels released from the pLV-GPX1-infected neurons compared to control groups ( p < 0.001). Finally, regression analysis between H 2 O 2 levels and cell viability showed that co-presence of GPX-1 and astro-CM reduced 33% of cell death rate ( p < 0.05). These data highlight the antioxidant properties of GPX-1 in protecting dopaminergic neurons and further emphasize the capacity of astrocytes in pumping growth-inducing factors that may synergize with GPX-1 to accelerate neuroprotection.

<p class="Abstract">The aim of this study is to investigate the antidepressant effects of <em>Mentha pulegium</em> essential oil in BALB/c mice. Six experimental groups (7 mice each) were used. Forced swim test was performed 30 min after essential oil injection. In the groups receiving <em>M. pulegium</em> essential oil (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg), immobility duration significantly decreased compared to the control group. <em>M. pulegium</em> (50 and 75 mg/kg) resulted in significant decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum compared to the control group. <em>M. pulegium</em> essential oil antidepressant effect that may be due to the inhibition of oxidative stress.  The results showed that decrease in nitrate/nitrite content in serum and high anti-oxidant effects of M. pulegium essential oil.</p><p><strong>Video clip:</strong></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/qfmjCf5FNMk">Immobility in Forced Swim Test</a>: 13 sec</p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/v/oqWS13JzQtQ">Mobility in Forced Swim Test</a>: 19 sec</p><p> </p><p> </p>

No abstract

Background. Hospitalization of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a stressful experience for parents. Iranian NICUs do not have specified levels of care, nor do they integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care approaches. This study investigated the range and types of neonatal nursing support, as perceived by mothers of preterm infants, and its association with mothers’ satisfaction with infant care in the NICU. Methods. This is a descriptive, correlational study of mothers of preterm infants who were hospitalized in three different NICUs in Iran. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected using three questionnaires that identified (i) demographic information; (ii) social support available; and (iii) parent satisfaction with infant care. Results. Mothers (N = 110) generally rated the support from nurses as being moderate. Correlation analysis identified a moderate association of neonatal nurse social support domains for affirmational (r = 0.44) and concrete aid (r = 0.41), a moderately strong association for affectional support (r = 0.64), and total social support (r = 0.60) with mothers’ satisfaction. Conclusion. There were positive associations between social support from nurses and mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their infants. Therefore, planning to promote and create opportunities for neonatal nurses to support mothers in NICU is important to promote increased maternal satisfaction in infant care.