Ursolic acid attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive deficits in mouse brain through suppressing p38/NF-κB mediated inflammatory pathways

Evidence indicates that systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces brain inflammation, ultimately resulting in cognitive deficits. Ursolic acid (UA), a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoid, is well known to possess multiple biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we assessed the protective effect of UA against the LPS-induced cognitive deficits in mice. We found that UA significantly improved cognitive deficits of LPS-treated mice in open field, step-through passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. One potential mechanism of this action was attributed to the decreased production of pro-inflammatory markers including COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2 and IL-6 in LPS-treated mouse brain. Mechanistically, UA markedly inhibited LPS-induced IκBα phosphorylation and degradation, NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and p38 activation in mouse brain, but did not affect the activation of TLR4, MyD88, ERK, JNK and Akt. Taken together, these results suggest that UA may be useful for mitigating inflammation-associated brain disorders by inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors production, at least in part, through blocking the p38/NF-κB signaling pathways.     

Perceptions of parent-adolescent communication within families: it is a matter of perspective

This study examined the concordance between parental and youth's perceptions regarding open communication in their families and its association with youth's psychosocial adjustment. The relative importance of parental and adolescents' perceptions of open family communication in relation to youth's psychosocial adjustment was also investigated. Participants were 336 parent-youth dyads from inner-city low-income communities in an eastern city in the United States. Both parental and youth's perceptions of open communication in the family were categorized into "high" and "low" groups using a median split in scores. Four parent-youth concordance groups (i.e. high-high, high-low, low-high and low-low) were derived based on the combination of the levels of parental and youth's perceptions. Parental and youth's perceptions about open communication were modestly correlated (r = 0.129, p < 0.05). The level of concordance differed by youth gender with male adolescents and their parents being more likely to perceive lower levels of open communication (i.e. "low-low") than females and their parents (32% versus 19%, p < 0.05). In general, youth demonstrated poorer psychosocial adjustment if they perceived a lower level of open communication between them and their parents, independent of the level of their parents' perceptions (e.g. "high" or "low"). The findings suggest an important role of adolescents' own perceptions of the openness of the family communication in relation to adolescent psychosocial adjustment. Developmentally and gender appropriate intervention programs are needed to improve the openness of parent-adolescent communication, to help both parents and youth to recognize the significant preventive role of open communication in the family, especially, the socioeconomically disadvantaged families.     

Emotional reactions to scandals: When does moral character make a difference?

A scandal can evoke public outrage when it is widely publicized and involves an individual who is perceived to have a high level of cultural representativeness. Two experiments showed that when the scandalous target's moral character was highlighted, emotional responses towards the target were least negative when the scandal was widely circulated and when the target was seen as a representative of his culture. These results suggest that when a cultural symbol is implicated in a widely‐circulated scandal, the negative emotions directed towards the scandalous individual can be alleviated when the public remains confident in his or her commitment to morality.     

大学生自尊与父母教养方式的相关研究

目的:通过问卷调查了解当代大学生的自尊水平及其父母教养方式,并分析两者之间的关系,为父母教育子女提供有效建议。方法:采用分层随机抽样的方法,运用自尊量表(SES)和父母教养方式评价量表(EMBU)对长江大学320名大学生进行调查。结果:1.大学生自尊与情感温暖方式呈显著正相关,与惩罚严厉、过分干涉保护、拒绝否认呈显著负相关,与偏爱被试无显著相关;2.高自尊大学生与低自尊大学生在父亲和母亲的情感温暖、惩罚严厉、拒绝否认上存在显著差异,在父亲的过度保护方面存在显著差异;3.父母教养方式受城乡环境等因素影响。结论:父母应当采取积极的教养方式教育孩子,塑造孩子的自尊。     

动作与中介--从生活世界的观点出发对《精神现象学》"感性确定性分析"中动作性词语的一个解读

本文尝试从现象学的生活世界观点出发,对黑格尔《精神现象学》之“感性确定性分析”中的动作性词语作一个解释学的解读工作,以便发掘出黑格尔辩证法之中介游戏或者间接同一性机制所以可能发生的动态的源初“地带”。     

从佛教量论看翻译的实质及类型划分--兼论翻译理论中的不可译性问题

本文首先从佛教量论的角度对翻译的实质做出界定,指出翻译的实质是一种为他(社会性)的比量活动。根据翻译为他比量的实质,可以引导出翻译的两种类型：比知翻译和喻知翻译。比知翻译是具有事先直接约定性的语言传递活动;喻知翻译是没有事先直接约定的语言传递活动。根据从佛教量论对翻译实质和类型的规定,本文分析了不可译性问题,揭示出不可译性在认识论上的误区,指出不可译性是不可知论或怀疑论在翻译领域的显现。     

汉语转折复句的命题表征项目互换效应研究

采用句子一图画验证任务(sentence-picture verification task)探讨了汉语转折复句的命题表征项目互换效应。结果表明,汉语倒装转折复句的项目表达顺序为“(但是)B→虽然A”,命题表征中项目存在着互换的倾向,所形成的命题表征为“虽然A→但是B”。本研究结果初步表明,读者理解汉语转折复句可能是一个按照“虽然A(事实让步)→但是B(转折)”固定方向进行系列认知加工的过程。     

Imagery and rehearsal as study strategies for written or orally presented passages

In the present research, we studied the influence of text presentation modality on recall under imagery, rehearsal, and no strategy instructions. It was hypothesized that imagery is a more effective recall strategy for an oral presentation and rehearsal for a written presentation, and that imagery and rehearsal are effective study strategies. One hundred twenty participants participated, 80 of whom were trained in the use of imagery or rehearsal in the study of passages and 40 of whom made up the control group. A text was presented orally or in writing; the trained participants were to memorize it using the strategy taught, and the participants in the control group were to memorize it using a freely chosen strategy. They were then asked for free written recall. The results confirmed that the participants using imagery recalled the oral presentation better than the written one, and those using rehearsal recalled the written presentation better than the oral one. The discussion focuses on a selective-interference explanation of the presentation modality effects. Practical suggestions are given, and implications for future research are discussed.     

医疗纠纷发生的新动态及对策

通过对４２８例医疗纠纷发生的原因进行了分析,总结出了目前医疗纠纷发展的新动态和相应的对策。并提出了以抓服务质量、医疗质量、基础质量为核心,共同提高认识,以减少医疗纠纷的发生。