After the September 11th events and especially after the follow-updevelopment of the US-Russian relationship,many Americangovernment officials in the Bush team stated time and again in
Rapid growth of China’s overall national strength after the end of the ColdWar has attracted worldwide attention. As a consequence, political scien-tists of various countries begin to ponder over a question: whether ...Rapid growth of China’s overall national strength after the end of the ColdWar has attracted worldwide attention. As a consequence, political scien-tists of various countries begin to ponder over a question: whether will Chi-na seek external expansion when it becomes powerful? In 1992, there began to ap-pear a myth of so-called "China threat". In its November 28 issue of that year,展开更多
China has become an increasingly important player across the African continent since the end of the Cold War. Given the scale and breadth of its political and economic involvement in Africa, some Western scholars clai...China has become an increasingly important player across the African continent since the end of the Cold War. Given the scale and breadth of its political and economic involvement in Africa, some Western scholars claim that China＇s ＂return to Africa＂ has been one of the most important developments the region has witnessed in the past two decades. One phenomenon worthy of particular attention is that, other than strengthening economic ties with African states, China has been playing a more active role in helping promote peace and stability on the continent. In other words, Sino-Afi-ican coordination on security-related issues has been intensified since the end of the Cold War. What kind of role has China been playing or sought to play in this area？ What factors have motivated China to engage more actively in African security affairs？ And are there any challenges Beijing has to face when pursuing common security interests with its African counterparts？ Seeking to provide preliminary answers to these questions, this article mainly investigates China＇s increasing role in promoting peace and safeguarding security in Africa.展开更多
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.They were a decisive battle between justice and evil,bet...The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.They were a decisive battle between justice and evil,between light and darkness,and between progress and reaction.展开更多
During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the ...During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.展开更多
THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historic...THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historical narratives about national fates but also narrate stories of how individual people reacted under extreme circumstances.Even amid the fiercest conflicts,the spirit of humanitarianism persisted,transcending national borders and ideological divides.These acts of kindness offer a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of war and provide valuable lessons for today’s world.展开更多
In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simul...In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simulation training,gamified military exercises,and virtual reality battlefield projections.Against the backdrop of intensifying global security crises,postcolonial resurgence,and accelerated technological innovation,this study employs national security theory to analyze the multifaceted roles of Western war gaming in advancing military-technological innovation,disseminating strategic cultural paradigms,and reshaping public consciousness.Through empirical case studies,it investigates how such practices generate novel forms of strategic deterrence while critically assessing their implications for the evolving global security landscape.展开更多
The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependenc...The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependency risks and evaluates substitution strategies through diversified oilseed use,including palm-based alternatives.Findings show that high reciprocal tariffs caused a 75%drop in U.S.soybean exports to China.Palm oil,with high yield efficiency and cost-effectiveness,offers a viable supplement to fill supply chain gaps.Promoting oil palm cultivation through northward expansion and cooperation with Belt and Road countries is recommended.Additionally,multi-omics,gene editing,tissue culture,and precision agriculture are crucial to address technical bottlenecks.The study concludes that palm and soybean oils will form a complementary system,and that policy and technology investments are essential to strengthen China's oilseed supply chain resilience and sustainability.展开更多
More than eighty years ago,when the Nazis brutally persecuted and mass-murdered the Jews,and nearly every country in the world shut its door to them desperately seeking refuge,the Chinese people,especially those of th...More than eighty years ago,when the Nazis brutally persecuted and mass-murdered the Jews,and nearly every country in the world shut its door to them desperately seeking refuge,the Chinese people,especially those of the city of Shanghai,opened their arms to the European Jews at this critical moment.展开更多
Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic...Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic constipation,stomach pain,indigestion,diarrhea,and other conditions that severely impact the quality of life of GWI veterans.However,despite a high prevalence of gastrointestinal impairments among these veterans,most research attention has focused on neurological disturbances.This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of current in vivo research advancements elucidating the underlying mechanisms contributing to gastrointestinal disorders in GWI.Generally,these in vivo and in vitro models propose that neuroinflammation alters gut motility and drives the gastrointestinal symptoms reported in GWI.Additionally,this perspective highlights the potential and challenges of in vitro bioengineering models,which could be a crucial contributor to understanding and treating the pathology of gastrointestinal related-GWI.展开更多
On September 12,2023,in a reply letter to Jeffrey Greene,Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation,and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen,President Xi Jinping noted,"In the past,...On September 12,2023,in a reply letter to Jeffrey Greene,Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation,and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen,President Xi Jinping noted,"In the past,our two peoples fought the Japanese fascists together,and forged a deep friendship that stood the test of blood and fre."展开更多
After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the...After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the government also imposed trade restrictions on specific industries including steel,aluminum and copper,as well as advanced plan for“reciprocal tariffs”.Donald Trump claimed that a“tariff war”would correct trade imbalances,boost government revenue and promote the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States.By leveraging tariffs,the U.S.also attempts to achieve goals in border security,illegal immigration and fentanyl control.Undoubtedly at a central position in Trump’s second term in office,the“tariff war”will exert impacts far beyond economic and trade policies and upon the direction of China-U.S.relations.展开更多
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the ...The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the core platform for upholding multilateralism and a crucial cornerstone of the international order.In recent years,the UN’s ability to address global challenges is tested.展开更多
Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,a...Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,and respiratory issues[1,2].The precise etiology of Gulf War illness(GWI)is unclear.However,epidemiological and preclinical studies imply that exposures to the prophylactic drug pyridostigmine bromide,insecticides,pesticides,smoke from oil well fires,and interaction between these exposures and war-related stress underlie this illness[2].As per the Kansas case definition,GWI is a chronic multi-symptom illness displaying one moderately severe and/or multiple symptoms of any severity in at least 3 of 6 symptom domains(fatigue,pain,neurological/cognitive/mood,skin,gastrointestinal,respiratory)[1,2].While the exact pathophysiological changes underlying GWI have not been identified,alterations in immune regulation and dysregulation of the redox balance have been observed in GWI,resulting in chronic systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation[2].展开更多
Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now refe...Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now referred to as Gulf War Illness(GWI).As the underlying mechanisms of GWI have yet to be fully elucidated,diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic presentation.One confounding factor tied to the illness is the high presence of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Previous research efforts have demonstrated that both GWI and PTSD are associated with immunological dysfunction.As such,this research endeavor aimed to provide insight into the complex relationship between GWI symptoms,cytokine presence,and immune cell populations to pinpoint the impact of PTSD on these measures in GWI.Methods:Symptom measures were gathered through the Multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)and 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)scales and biological measures were obtained through cytokine&cytometry analysis.Subgrouping was conducted using Davidson Trauma Scale scores and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM)-5,into GWI with high probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIH)and GWI with low probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIL).Data was analyzed using analysis of variance(ANOVA)statistical analysis along with correlation graph analysis.We mapped correlations between immune cells and cytokine signaling measures,hormones and GWI symptom measures to identify patterns in regulation between the GWIH,GWIL,and healthy control groups.Results:GWI with comorbid PTSD symptoms resulted in poorer health outcomes compared with both healthy control(HC)and the GWIL subgroup.Significant differences were found in basophil levels of GWI compared with HC at peak exercise regardless of PTSD symptom comorbidity(ANOVA F=4.7,P=0.01)indicating its potential usage as a biomarker for general GWI from control.While the unique identification of GWI with PTSD symptoms was less clear,the GWIL subgroup was found to be delineated from both GWIH and HC on measures of IL-15 across an exercise challenge(ANOVA F>3.75,P<0.03).Additional differences in natural killer(NK)cell numbers and function highlight IL-15 as a potential biomarker of GWI in the absence of PTSD symptoms.Conclusions:We conclude that disentangling GWI and PTSD by defining trauma-based subgroups may aid in the identification of unique GWI biosignatures that can help to improve diagnosis and target treatment of GWI more effectively.展开更多
Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a...Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved cannabidiol(CBD),in improving brain function in a rat model of chronic GWI.Methods:Six months after exposure to low doses of GWI-related chemicals[pyridostigmine bromide,N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide(DEET),and permethrin(PER)]along with moderate stress,rats with chronic GWI were administered either vehicle(VEH)or CBD(20 mg/kg,oral)for 16 weeks.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted on 11 weeks after treatment initiation to evaluate the performance of rats in tasks related to associative recognition memory,object location memory,pattern separation,and sucrose preference.The effect of CBD on hyperalgesia was also examined.The brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and molecular studies following behavioral tests.Results:GWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia,whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia.Additionally,CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats.Analysis of hippocampal tissues from VEH-treated rats revealed astrocyte hypertrophy and increased percentages of activated microglia presenting NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)complexes as well as elevated levels of proteins involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling.Furthermore,there were increased concentrations of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with decreased neurogenesis.In contrast,the hippocampus from CBD-treated GWI rats displayed reduced levels of proteins mediating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and JAK/STAT signaling,normalized concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers,and improved neurogenesis.Notably,CBD treatment did not alter the concentration of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the hippocampus.Conclusions:The use of an FDA-approved CBD(Epidiolex®)has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI.Importantly,the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.展开更多
文摘After the September 11th events and especially after the follow-updevelopment of the US-Russian relationship,many Americangovernment officials in the Bush team stated time and again in
文摘Rapid growth of China’s overall national strength after the end of the ColdWar has attracted worldwide attention. As a consequence, political scien-tists of various countries begin to ponder over a question: whether will Chi-na seek external expansion when it becomes powerful? In 1992, there began to ap-pear a myth of so-called "China threat". In its November 28 issue of that year,
文摘China has become an increasingly important player across the African continent since the end of the Cold War. Given the scale and breadth of its political and economic involvement in Africa, some Western scholars claim that China＇s ＂return to Africa＂ has been one of the most important developments the region has witnessed in the past two decades. One phenomenon worthy of particular attention is that, other than strengthening economic ties with African states, China has been playing a more active role in helping promote peace and stability on the continent. In other words, Sino-Afi-ican coordination on security-related issues has been intensified since the end of the Cold War. What kind of role has China been playing or sought to play in this area？ What factors have motivated China to engage more actively in African security affairs？ And are there any challenges Beijing has to face when pursuing common security interests with its African counterparts？ Seeking to provide preliminary answers to these questions, this article mainly investigates China＇s increasing role in promoting peace and safeguarding security in Africa.
文摘The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.They were a decisive battle between justice and evil,between light and darkness,and between progress and reaction.
文摘During times of war, it is rare to find a government willing and able to require the military to fund and support environmental impact studies. In the 1960s, many United States scientists expressed concerns about the use of herbicides during the Vietnam War. This protest was led by Dr. Arthur Galston and eventually included scientists with the National Academy of Science. By 1970, the Department of Defense (DoD) was ordered to permit the scientists to visit South Vietnam during the war to document these impacts. In all 1500 scientist days were spent in South Vietnam. In addition, the US government and military funded research studies on the impact of herbicides on animals. The goal of military use of herbicides, as chemical weapons, was to defoliate jungle forests and destroy food crops as a strategy to win battles and the war. The primary objective of this research study is to describe how it is possible for a country to fund and carry out scientific studies during the conduct of a war rather than decades later. The environmental impact study findings often lack boots on the ground validation and can be inaccurate or misleading in some situations. The United States (US) and other countries, including Russia and Ukraine, need to learn the historical lessons from the US use of herbicides, containing dioxin TCDD and/or arsenic (As), as chemical weapons during the Vietnam War.
文摘THIS year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.Pages from this period of world history not only offer historical narratives about national fates but also narrate stories of how individual people reacted under extreme circumstances.Even amid the fiercest conflicts,the spirit of humanitarianism persisted,transcending national borders and ideological divides.These acts of kindness offer a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of war and provide valuable lessons for today’s world.
基金Funded by Hunan Provincial College Students Innovation Project(S202490002265).
文摘In the 21st century,as algorithmic hegemony reconfigures global security architectures,war gaming methodologies have been strategically reconstituted through national security frameworks.These encompass military simulation training,gamified military exercises,and virtual reality battlefield projections.Against the backdrop of intensifying global security crises,postcolonial resurgence,and accelerated technological innovation,this study employs national security theory to analyze the multifaceted roles of Western war gaming in advancing military-technological innovation,disseminating strategic cultural paradigms,and reshaping public consciousness.Through empirical case studies,it investigates how such practices generate novel forms of strategic deterrence while critically assessing their implications for the evolving global security landscape.
基金financially sponsored by Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation(324QN360)Project of Sanya Yazhou Bay Sci-ence and Technology City(SCKJ-JYRC-2024-35).
文摘The 2025 U.S.-China Trade War has intensified the vulnerability of China's oil supply chain due to heavy reliance on soybean imports,posing serious challenges to food security.This study examines soybean dependency risks and evaluates substitution strategies through diversified oilseed use,including palm-based alternatives.Findings show that high reciprocal tariffs caused a 75%drop in U.S.soybean exports to China.Palm oil,with high yield efficiency and cost-effectiveness,offers a viable supplement to fill supply chain gaps.Promoting oil palm cultivation through northward expansion and cooperation with Belt and Road countries is recommended.Additionally,multi-omics,gene editing,tissue culture,and precision agriculture are crucial to address technical bottlenecks.The study concludes that palm and soybean oils will form a complementary system,and that policy and technology investments are essential to strengthen China's oilseed supply chain resilience and sustainability.
文摘More than eighty years ago,when the Nazis brutally persecuted and mass-murdered the Jews,and nearly every country in the world shut its door to them desperately seeking refuge,the Chinese people,especially those of the city of Shanghai,opened their arms to the European Jews at this critical moment.
基金supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Award through the Gulf War Illness Research Program (SAR, W81XWH-21±1-0477)funding from the Aviles-Johnson Doctoral Diversity Fellowship Awardthe National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Awards (CAC)
文摘Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by a wide range of symptoms that manifests largely as gastrointestinal symptoms.Among these gastrointestinal symptoms,motility disorders are highly prevalent,presenting as chronic constipation,stomach pain,indigestion,diarrhea,and other conditions that severely impact the quality of life of GWI veterans.However,despite a high prevalence of gastrointestinal impairments among these veterans,most research attention has focused on neurological disturbances.This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of current in vivo research advancements elucidating the underlying mechanisms contributing to gastrointestinal disorders in GWI.Generally,these in vivo and in vitro models propose that neuroinflammation alters gut motility and drives the gastrointestinal symptoms reported in GWI.Additionally,this perspective highlights the potential and challenges of in vitro bioengineering models,which could be a crucial contributor to understanding and treating the pathology of gastrointestinal related-GWI.
文摘On September 12,2023,in a reply letter to Jeffrey Greene,Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation,and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen,President Xi Jinping noted,"In the past,our two peoples fought the Japanese fascists together,and forged a deep friendship that stood the test of blood and fre."
文摘After Donald Trump returned to the White House,the U.S.government launched a host of measures of“tariff wars”.In addition to announcing tariffs on goods imported to the United States from Canada,Mexico and China,the government also imposed trade restrictions on specific industries including steel,aluminum and copper,as well as advanced plan for“reciprocal tariffs”.Donald Trump claimed that a“tariff war”would correct trade imbalances,boost government revenue and promote the reshoring of manufacturing to the United States.By leveraging tariffs,the U.S.also attempts to achieve goals in border security,illegal immigration and fentanyl control.Undoubtedly at a central position in Trump’s second term in office,the“tariff war”will exert impacts far beyond economic and trade policies and upon the direction of China-U.S.relations.
文摘The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations(UN).As the most universal,representative,and authoritative intergovernmental international organization in the world,the UN serves as the core platform for upholding multilateralism and a crucial cornerstone of the international order.In recent years,the UN’s ability to address global challenges is tested.
基金Department of Defense(W81XWH-17-1-0447 and W81XWH1910548 to AKS)Texas A&M University School of Medicine。
文摘Over one-third of 700,000 military personnel who served in the first Gulf War(GW)suffer from an assortment of symptoms,including cognitive and memory problems,musculoskeletal pain,gastrointestinal discomfort,fatigue,and respiratory issues[1,2].The precise etiology of Gulf War illness(GWI)is unclear.However,epidemiological and preclinical studies imply that exposures to the prophylactic drug pyridostigmine bromide,insecticides,pesticides,smoke from oil well fires,and interaction between these exposures and war-related stress underlie this illness[2].As per the Kansas case definition,GWI is a chronic multi-symptom illness displaying one moderately severe and/or multiple symptoms of any severity in at least 3 of 6 symptom domains(fatigue,pain,neurological/cognitive/mood,skin,gastrointestinal,respiratory)[1,2].While the exact pathophysiological changes underlying GWI have not been identified,alterations in immune regulation and dysregulation of the redox balance have been observed in GWI,resulting in chronic systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation[2].
基金suppor ted by the US Depar tment of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP)awards (http://cdmrp.army.mil/) W81XWH-16-1-0632 (Craddock PI),W81XWH-16-1-0552 (Craddock PI),W81XWH-18-1-0549 (Sullivan PI),W81XWH-13-2-0072 (Sullivan PI),and W81XWH-09-2-0071 (Klimas PI)a Veterans Affairs Merit Award (4987.69) to Dr.Nancy Klimas。
文摘Background:One-third of veterans returning from the 1990–1991 Gulf War reported a myriad of symptoms including cognitive dysfunction,skin rashes,musculoskeletal discomfort,and fatigue.This symptom cluster is now referred to as Gulf War Illness(GWI).As the underlying mechanisms of GWI have yet to be fully elucidated,diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic presentation.One confounding factor tied to the illness is the high presence of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).Previous research efforts have demonstrated that both GWI and PTSD are associated with immunological dysfunction.As such,this research endeavor aimed to provide insight into the complex relationship between GWI symptoms,cytokine presence,and immune cell populations to pinpoint the impact of PTSD on these measures in GWI.Methods:Symptom measures were gathered through the Multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)and 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)scales and biological measures were obtained through cytokine&cytometry analysis.Subgrouping was conducted using Davidson Trauma Scale scores and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM)-5,into GWI with high probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIH)and GWI with low probability of PTSD symptoms(GWIL).Data was analyzed using analysis of variance(ANOVA)statistical analysis along with correlation graph analysis.We mapped correlations between immune cells and cytokine signaling measures,hormones and GWI symptom measures to identify patterns in regulation between the GWIH,GWIL,and healthy control groups.Results:GWI with comorbid PTSD symptoms resulted in poorer health outcomes compared with both healthy control(HC)and the GWIL subgroup.Significant differences were found in basophil levels of GWI compared with HC at peak exercise regardless of PTSD symptom comorbidity(ANOVA F=4.7,P=0.01)indicating its potential usage as a biomarker for general GWI from control.While the unique identification of GWI with PTSD symptoms was less clear,the GWIL subgroup was found to be delineated from both GWIH and HC on measures of IL-15 across an exercise challenge(ANOVA F>3.75,P<0.03).Additional differences in natural killer(NK)cell numbers and function highlight IL-15 as a potential biomarker of GWI in the absence of PTSD symptoms.Conclusions:We conclude that disentangling GWI and PTSD by defining trauma-based subgroups may aid in the identification of unique GWI biosignatures that can help to improve diagnosis and target treatment of GWI more effectively.
基金supported by grants from Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.the Texas A&M University of School of Medicine to AKS
文摘Background:Chronic Gulf War Illness(GWI)is characterized by cognitive and mood impairments,as well as persistent neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Epidiolex®,a Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved cannabidiol(CBD),in improving brain function in a rat model of chronic GWI.Methods:Six months after exposure to low doses of GWI-related chemicals[pyridostigmine bromide,N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide(DEET),and permethrin(PER)]along with moderate stress,rats with chronic GWI were administered either vehicle(VEH)or CBD(20 mg/kg,oral)for 16 weeks.Neurobehavioral tests were conducted on 11 weeks after treatment initiation to evaluate the performance of rats in tasks related to associative recognition memory,object location memory,pattern separation,and sucrose preference.The effect of CBD on hyperalgesia was also examined.The brain tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and molecular studies following behavioral tests.Results:GWI rats treated with VEH exhibited impairments in all cognitive tasks and anhedonia,whereas CBD-treated GWI rats showed improvements in all cognitive tasks and no anhedonia.Additionally,CBD treatment alleviated hyperalgesia in GWI rats.Analysis of hippocampal tissues from VEH-treated rats revealed astrocyte hypertrophy and increased percentages of activated microglia presenting NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)complexes as well as elevated levels of proteins involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of the transcription(JAK/STAT)signaling.Furthermore,there were increased concentrations of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers along with decreased neurogenesis.In contrast,the hippocampus from CBD-treated GWI rats displayed reduced levels of proteins mediating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and JAK/STAT signaling,normalized concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers,and improved neurogenesis.Notably,CBD treatment did not alter the concentration of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide in the hippocampus.Conclusions:The use of an FDA-approved CBD(Epidiolex®)has been shown to effectively alleviate cognitive and mood impairments as well as hyperalgesia associated with chronic GWI.Importantly,the improvements observed in rats with chronic GWI in this study were attributed to the ability of CBD to significantly suppress signaling pathways that perpetuate chronic neuroinflammation.
