Moderating Effect of Sex on the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Coronary Heart Disease Patients in China.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) in Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) not participating in cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: Chinese patients with CHD (aged 18-80 yr) were selected 12 mo after discharge from three Hebei Province tertiary hospitals. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA in metabolic equivalents of energy (METs) and the Chinese Questionnaire of Quality of Life in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease was used to assess QoL. Data were analyzed using Student's t test and the χ 2 test, multivariant and hierarchical regression analysis, and simple slope analysis. RESULTS: Among 1162 patients with CHD studied between July 1 and November 30, 2017, female patients reported poorer QoL and lower total METs in weekly PA compared with male patients. Walking ( ß= .297), moderate-intensity PA ( ß= .165), and vigorous-intensity PA ( ß= .076) positively predicted QoL. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that sex moderates the relationship between walking ( ß= .195) and moderate-intensity PA ( ß= .164) and QoL, but not between vigorous-intensity PA ( ß= -.127) and QoL. Simple slope analysis revealed the standardized coefficients of walking on QoL were 0.397 (female t  = 8.210) and 0.338 (male t = 10.142); the standardized coefficients of moderate-intensity PA on QoL were 0.346 (female, t  = 7.000) and 0.175 (male, t = 5.033). CONCLUSIONS: Sex moderated the relationship between PA and QoL among patients with CHD in China. There was a greater difference in QoL for female patients reporting higher time versus those with lower time for both walking and moderate-intensity PA than for male patients.

Performance of volatile fatty acids production from food waste at the presence of alkyl ethoxy polyglycosides and sodium dodecyl sulfate.

In the current context of technological and industrial development, strategies for sustainable development and resource utilization have become increasingly important. FW anaerobic fermentation (Fermentation of Wastes) is a process that utilizes organic waste for biotransformation and is widely used for the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are a kind of high value-added product generated from anaerobic fermentation process, and has extensive applications in chemical synthesis and electricity generation. This study investigated the performance of VFAs production from food waste at the presence of alkyl ethoxy polyglycosides (AEG) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The highest yield of VFAs was obtained at 0.1 g AEG/g TS (14.53 g COD/L), which increased by 25.80% than the Blank. But inhibited phenomenon was observed at other reactors with relatively low yield and delayed fermentation time. The inhibition of lactate's production and bioconversion delayed the fermentation time, and SDS has changed the acidogenic fermentation type from lactate-butyrate fermentation to acetate fermentation. In addition, more organic matter dissolved in the fermentation liquor with the addition of AEG and SDS, but the hydrolysis and acidification of polysaccharide were inhibited to some extent. Microbial community analysis showed that the abundance of key bacteria Clostridium has significantly decreased from 82.71% (Blank) to 33.54% (AEG) and 23.72% (SDS), leading to low VFAs production performance.

Electrochemical sensor for anti-doping in athletes / Sensor eletroquímico para anti-doping em atletas / Sensor electroquímico para antidoping en deportistas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several athletes use steroids such as nandrolone aiming at muscle hypertrophy and performance gain. The current research focused on developing a GO-TiO2 nanostructure as an electrochemical sensor for detecting Nandrolone (ND) like doping agents. Objective: Develop a graphene oxide and carbon paste-modified TiO2 nanocomposite electrode (TiO2-GO/CPE) as an electrochemical biosensor for the detection of anabolic steroids in the urine of athletes. Methods: The hydrothermal approach was employed to make GO-TiO2 nanocomposites, while the modified Hummers approach was used to make GO nanofilaments. Results: The interaction of TiO2 nanostructures with GOES resulted in the anchoring of TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of GO nanowires, as demonstrated by structural investigations of the generated nanocomposite using SEM. The DPV approach was used to investigate the electrochemical properties of an anabolic steroid sensor, which revealed a stable and selective response to anabolic steroids and superior performance to previously reported anabolic steroid sensors. Conclusion: RSD values ranged from 3.20% to 4.45%, indicating that the developed electrochemical anabolic steroid sensor can be used as a viable detection technique to identify anabolic steroids in human biological fluids. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Vários atletas fazem uso de esteróides como nandrolone visando a hipertrofia muscular e ganho de performance. A pesquisa atual se concentrou no desenvolvimento de uma nanoestrutura GO-TiO2 como um sensor eletroquímico para detecção de Nandrolone (ND) como agente dopante. Objetivo: Desenvolver um eletrodo de nanocomposto de óxido de grafite e pasta de carbono modificado (TiO2-GO/CPE) como um biossensor eletroquímico para a detecção de esteróides anabólicos na urina de atletas. Métodos: A abordagem hidrotérmica foi empregada para fazer nanocompósitos de GO-TiO2, enquanto a abordagem Hummers modificada foi usada para fazer nanofilamentos de GO. Resultados: A interação das nanoestruturas de TiO2 com GOES resultou na ancoragem de nanopartículas de TiO2 na superfície dos nanofilamentos de GO, como demonstrado pelas investigações estruturais do nanocomposto gerado usando SEM. A abordagem DPV foi utilizada para investigar as propriedades eletroquímicas de um sensor de esteróides anabólicos, que revelou uma resposta estável e seletiva aos esteróides anabólicos, bem como um desempenho superior ao dos sensores de esteróides anabólicos anteriormente relatados. Conclusão: Os valores de RSD variaram de 3,20% a 4,45%, indicando que o sensor de esteróides anabolizantes eletroquímicos desenvolvido pode ser usado como uma técnica de detecção viável para identificar esteróides anabolizantes em fluidos biológicos humanos. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Varios atletas hacen uso de esteroides como la nandrolona con el objetivo de hipertrofia muscular y aumento de rendimiento. La presente investigación se centró en el desarrollo de una nanoestructura de GO-TiO2 como sensor electroquímico para la detección de nandrolona (ND) como agente dopante. Objetivo: Desarrollar un electrodo de nanocompuesto de óxido de grafito y pasta de carbono modificado (TiO2-GO/CPE) como biosensor electroquímico para la detección de esteroides anabólicos en la orina de atletas. Métodos: Se empleó el enfoque hidrotérmico para hacer nanocompuestos de GO-TiO2, mientras que el enfoque de Hummers modificado se utilizó para hacer nanofilamentos de GO. Resultados: La interacción de las nanoestructuras de TiO2 con el GOES dio lugar al anclaje de las nanopartículas de TiO2 en la superficie de los nanofilamentos de GO, tal y como demostraron las investigaciones estructurales del nanocompuesto generado mediante SEM. El enfoque de DPV se utilizó para investigar las propiedades electroquímicas de un sensor de esteroides anabólicos, que reveló una respuesta estable y selectiva a los esteroides anabólicos, así como un rendimiento superior a los sensores de esteroides anabólicos reportados anteriormente. Conclusión: Los valores de RSD oscilaron entre el 3,20% y el 4,45%, lo que indica que el sensor electroquímico de esteroides anabólicos desarrollado puede utilizarse como una técnica de detección viable para identificar esteroides anabólicos en fluidos biológicos humanos. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: Effects of Multisensory Stimulation Training on Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy can experience chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). OBJECTIVES: This study observed the interventional effects of multisensory stimulation training on CRCI in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: Eighty patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy at a grade A tertiary hospital in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China, were divided into two intervention groups (audiovisual and multisensory) by random sampling (40 patients per group). FINDINGS: After four intervention cycles, participants' cognitive and executive function scores were higher in the multisensory group than in the audiovisual group. Multisensory stimulation training had stronger effects than audiovisual training and effectively attenuated CRCI and executive dysfunction caused by breast cancer chemotherapy. Given the convenience and ease of use, multisensory stimulation has good potential for application in clinical practice.

MicroRNA­126 protects SH­SY5Y cells from ischemia/reperfusion injury­induced apoptosis by inhibiting RAB3IP.

MicroRNA (miR)­126 is known to inhibit inflammatory responses in various inflammatory­related diseases, but its role during the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains unknown. The present study aimed to examine the interaction between miR­126 and RAB3A interacting protein (RAB3IP), and explore its potential protective effects during I/R injury. The human neuroblastoma cell line SH­SY5Y was cultured in an oxygen­glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) environment to simulate I/R injury to assess miR­126 expression and cell viability. SH­SY5Y cells cultured in normal conditions were used as a negative control (NC) group. SH­SY5Y cells were transfected with a miR­126 mimic or an NC mimic, then cultured in OGD/R conditions; in rescue experiments, SH­SY5Y cells were co­transfected with RAB3IP overexpression or NC plasmid together with mimic­NC or mimic­miR, and then maintained in an OGD/R environment to evaluate miR­126, RAB3IP expression, cell viability and apoptosis. Cell viability was reduced in the Model group compared with the NC group, suggesting the successful construction of the OGD/R model. miR­126 expression was downregulated in the Model group compared with the NC group. However, following transfection with mimic­miR, cell viability increased compared with the mimic­NC group. Annexin V and PI staining and Hoechst/PI assays also indicated that apoptosis was reduced in the mimic­miR group compared with the mimic­NC group. RAB3IP expression was reduced following mimic­miR transfection. In rescue experiments, miR­126 negatively regulated RAB3IP expression; by contrast, RAB3IP did not affect that of miR­126. In addition, RAB3IP overexpression attenuated the protective effect of miR­126 on OGD/R­induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that miR­126 protects against cerebral I/R injury by targeting RAB3IP.

Multidimensional factors affecting care needs in daily living among community-dwelling older adults: A structural equation modelling approach.

AIMS: To develop a model illustrating the factors that can influence care needs in daily living (CNDL) of older adults and the pathways between these. BACKGROUND: The care needs in community-dwelling older adults have increased sharply. A better understanding of the elderly's CNDL would thus help policymakers define which types of support and services should be given. METHODS: A multicentre study with structural equation modelling was conducted in this study. We recruited 3,448 community-dwelling older adults in China by using a stratified random cluster sampling technique. RESULTS: Physical and mental health was the strongest predictor of CNDL. Both age and living situation had positive effects on CNDL, while economic factors, social support and family support were the major risk factors for CNDL. CONCLUSION: The presented model provides a better understanding of how to address CNDL in the targeted population. The older adults who are the oldest, low-income, non-empty nesters, and with poor self-rated health or the signs of loneliness should be firstly targeted for daily assistance. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Using this model could provide health authorities and managers with the information of distinguishing between the priority group and the strategies for easing the caregiving burden in older adults care, and thus improving resource utilization.

Physical Activity and Factors Affecting Its Maintenance Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Not Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation in China.

BACKGROUND: The level of physical activity (PA) among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) living in Chinese communities who do not participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs and the factors contributing to patient maintenance of PA are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study, guided by the Transtheoretical Model, evaluated (1) the maintenance of PA in Chinese patients with CHD 12 months after hospital discharge and (2) the demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics associated with maintenance of PA. METHODS: A total of 1162 patients completed 6 questionnaires at 12 months posthospitalization to assess their maintenance of PA, stage of change, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and health-related quality of life and sleep. RESULTS: Only 40% of patients with CHD maintained regular PA 12 months after hospital discharge. Walking was their primary PA. Thirty-seven percent of patients reported no intention of having regular PA. Male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.69), awareness of PA's cardiac benefit (OR, 4.12), a history of regular PA before the cardiac event (OR, 6.08), history of chronic disease (OR, 1.43), mild depressive symptoms (OR, 1.40), moderate and severe depressive symptoms (OR, 0.41), smoking (OR, 0.54), and years of CHD (OR, 0.96) were related to maintenance of regular PA. Patients with CHD who maintained regular PA had better quality of life and sleep (P < .001) and fewer unplanned clinic visits (P = .001) and cardiac cause readmissions (P = .012) and reported fewer declines in PA capacity (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Walking is the most common form of PA 12 months posthospitalization among patients with CHD in China. Patient education and counseling about the cardiac benefits of PA, taking into account stage of change, are important considerations to improve maintenance of PA.

Role of the PI3K­mTOR autophagy pathway in nerve damage in rats with intermittent hypoxia­aggravated whole brain ischemia.

The present study aimed to compare the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3­kinase (PI3­K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Beclin­1 between the hippocampi of normal rats and intermittent ischemic rats following whole brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and investigate the role of the PI3K­mTOR autophagy pathway in rat nerve damage following intermittent hypoxia (IH)­aggravated whole brain ischemia. A total of 80 male Wistar rats were divided by random number table into a sham operation group (SO group; 20 rats), pure cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group; 20 rats), intermittent hypoxia for 7 days­I/R group (IH7+I/R group; 20 rats) and intermittent hypoxia for 21 days­IR group (IH21+I/R group; 20 rats). Prior to model establishment, the rats in the IH7+I/R group and IH21+I/R group underwent intermittent hypoxia for 7 and 21 days, respectively. The optimized Pulsinelli 4­vessel occlusion method was used to prepare the I/R model. H&E staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the morphological changes of nerve cells in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemical and reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT­qPCR) analyses were performed to detect the expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 in the hippocampal brain tissues of the rats. A Morris water maze test was used to assess rat learning and memory. The results showed that, compared with the SO group, the rats in the I/R group exhibited structural damage in neurons (shown by H&E staining), a reduced number of viable nerve cells, and decreased learning and memory ability at each time point. The results of the immunohistochemical analysis showed that the numbers of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 immunopositive cells were increased (P<0.05). The RT­qPCR analysis showed increased expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 (P<0.05). Compared with the I/R group, the rats in the IH­I/R groups exhibited aggravated structural damage in neurons, shown by H&E staining and electron microscopy. The number of viable nerve cells was decreased, and the rats exhibited decreased learning ability and memory. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the numbers of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 immunopositive cells were increased (P<0.05). The RT­qPCR analysis showed increased expression levels of PI3­K, mTOR and Beclin­1 (P<0.05). The above changes were more marked in the IH21+I/R group (P<0.05). Taken together, IH was shown to aggravate nerve damage following whole brain I/R. The underlying mechanism was associated with activation of the PI3K­mTOR­autophagy pathway and increased loss of nerve cells.

Untiring Researches for Alternative Resources of Rhizoma Paridis.

Rhizoma Paridis (RP, ), a traditional Chinese medicine, is the rhizoma of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPY) or P. polyphylla var. chinensis which are widely used as important raw materials for several Chinese patent drugs. However, the wild resources of these herbs have become less and less due to their slow-growing characteristics and previously excessive excavation. This review covers untiring investigations on alternative resources of RP by our research group over the past decades, including non-medicinal parts of PPY as well as other plants of Liliaceae and Liliflorae families. The arial parts of PPY and the whole plants of Trillium kamtschaticum might be alternative resources for RP based on the fact that they shared the same or similar saponins and bioactivities.

Seeing the light: Shifting from wild rhizomes to extraction of active ingredients from above-ground parts of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The dried rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as hemostatic, antitumor, and antimicrobial agents. More than 70 Chinese patent medicines are based on P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis rhizomes. Steroidal saponins are considered as the main active ingredients of these rhizomes. However, wild populations of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis are greatly threatened due to the illegal wild harvest and over-utilization of the rhizomes. In contrast, the renewable above-ground parts (leaves and stems) of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis are usually thrown away as waste material, whether from wild or cultivated material. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to use HPLC analyses of chemical constituents and bioactive assays to assess whether the above-ground parts could be an alternative source of active ingredients to the rhizomes of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The saponin components of the rhizomes and above-ground parts of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were analyzed by HPLC-UV. The total saponins extracted from the rhizomes and above-ground parts of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis were evaluated for their hemostatic, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities by using the rabbit blood in vitro based on turbidimetric method, MTT assay method, and a dilution antimicrobial susceptibility test method, respectively. RESULTS: Four bioactive spirostanol saponins (paris saponins I, II, VI, and VII) were detected in the total saponins from the rhizomes and above-ground parts of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, which indicated they should have similar pharmacological properties. The bioactive assays revealed that both the parts of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis exhibited the same hemostatic, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial effects. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that based on saponin content in the above-ground parts of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and the requirements stipulated in 2015 of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the above-ground parts (especially its leaves) can be an alternative and more sustainable source of active ingredients compared to the rhizomes.

Effect on intensity of treadmill running on learning, memory and expressions of cell cycle-related proteins in rats with cerebral ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: We discussed the intensity of treadmill running on learning, memory and expression of cell cycle-related proteins in rats with cerebral ischemia. METHOD: Eighty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, intensity I group and intensity II group, with 20 rats in each group. The four-vessel occlusion method of Pulsinelli (4-VO) was used to induce global cerebral ischemia. Brain neuronal morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining at 3h, 6h, 24h and 48h after modeling, respectively. Hippocampal expressions of cyclin A and cyclin E were detected by immunohistochemistry. At 48h after modeling, the learning and memory performance of rats was tested by water maze experiment. RESULT: Compared with the normal group, the other three groups had a significant reduction in surviving neurons, prolonging of escape latency and decreased number of passes over the former position of the platform (P<0.05). The number of surviving neurons and the number of passes over the former position of the platform were obviously lower in the model group than in intensity I group (P<0.05), but significantly higher compared with intensity II group (P<0.05). Escape latency of the model group was obviously prolonged as compared with intensity I group (P<0.05), but much shorter than that of intensity II group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expressions of cyclin A and cyclin E were significantly upregulated at different time points after modeling (P<0.05). The expression of the model group was higher than that of intensity I group, but lower than that of intensity II group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Moderate intensity of treadmill running can help protect brain neurons and improve learning and memory performance of rats with global cerebral ischemia. But high intensity of treadmill running has a negative impact, possibly through the regulation of cell cycle-related proteins in ischemia/reperfusion injury.

mTOR/autophagy pathway in the hippocampus of rats suffering intermittent hypoxia preconditioning and global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

We explored the role of mTOR/autophagy pathway in the aggravation of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve injury caused by intermittent hypoxia. Eighty male wistar rats were divided into four groups by the random number method: sham operation group (SO group, n=20), cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group, n=20), intermittent hypoxia and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group (IH+I/R group, n=20), intermittent hypoxia and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion group plus mTOR inhibitor group (inhibitor group, n=20).The results showed that compared with the SO group, HE staining showed structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed an increasing number of mTOR and beclin1 immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed enhanced expression of mTOR and beclin1 protein in the I/R group (P<0.05). Compared with the I/R group, HE staining showed exacerbating structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed an increasing number of mTOR and beclin1 immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed enhanced expression of mTOR and beclin1 protein in the IH+I/R group (P<0.05). Compared with the IH+I/R group, HE staining showed remissive structural damage of neurons at each time point, the immunohistochemical assay showed a decreasing number of mTOR immune-positive cells and a rising number of beclin1immune-positive cells (P<0.05) and RT-PCR showed weakened expression of mTOR protein and enhanced expression of beclin1 protein in the inhibitor group (P<0.05). Thence, the present study indicated that intermittent hypoxia preconditioning can aggravate the nerve injury of the global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model, and the mechanism is associated with the activation of mTOR/autophagy pathway.

[Activation of autophagy pathway in hippocampus and deterioration of learning and memory ability by intermittent hypoxia in rats after cerebral ischemia].

Objective To investigate the effects of different duration of intermittent hypoxia on the autophagy pathway in the hippocampus and the learning and memory ability after cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods 100 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation (SO) group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 7 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH7-I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 14 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH14-I/R) group, intermittent hypoxia for 21 days combined with ischemia/reperfusion (IH21-I/R) group, n =20 in each group. The rats in IH7-I/R group, IH14-I/R group and IH21-I/R group were respectively subjected to intermittent hypoxia for 7, 14 and 21 days prior to I/R modeling by improved Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion (4-VO). The morphological changes of nerve cells in the hippocampus of rat brain were detected by HE staining; the levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and beclin 1 mRNA in the hippocampus were determined by quantitative real-time PCR; the distribution of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemistry; the learning and memory ability of rats was assessed by the Morris water maze test. Results Compared with the SO group, the never cell morphology was damaged, the number of survival neurons in the hippocampus was reduced, the expressions of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus were strengthened, and the learning and memory ability declined in the I/R group. Compared with the I/R group, the never cell morphology was damaged seriously, the number of survival neurons in the hippocampus decreased, the expressions of mTOR and beclin 1 in the hippocampus increased, and the learning and memory ability dropped in the intermittent hypoxia groups. What's more, the above changes were dependent on the duration of intermittent hypoxia. Conclusion Intermittent hypoxia aggravates the dysfunction of learning and memory after cerebral ischemia and the damages increase with time passing, which are related to mTOR-beclin 1 activation and increasing neuronal cell death.

The mediating role of emotional intelligence between negative life events and psychological distress among nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have highlighted that negative life events and emotional intelligence are significant predictors of mental health. However, whether emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between negative life events and psychological distress among nursing students have not been given adequate attention. OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship among negative life events, emotional intelligence and psychological distress and to examine the mediating role of emotional intelligence in psychological distress among Chinese nursing students. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 467 nursing students who were enrolled in a university in mainland of China. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered from September-November in 2013 to participants who consented to participate in the study. Independent variables were personal variables, emotional intelligence and negative life events. Outcome variable was psychological health. The means and standard deviations were computed. Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed, to test the differences among the demographic characteristics on the psychological distress scores. Pearson correlation analyses and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Negative life events were positively associated with psychological distress. Emotional intelligence was negatively associated with psychological distress and negative life events. Emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between negative life events and psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the theory of Salovey and his colleagues, and provide evidence for emotional intelligence as a factor that buffers effects of negative life events on psychological distress.

Ypsiyunnosides A-E, Five New Cholestanol Glycosides from Ypsilandra yunnanensis.

Phytochemical investigation on the whole plants of Ypsilandra yunnanensis was carried out for the first time and led to the isolation of five new cholestanol glycosides, ypsiyunnosides A-E (1-5), and one known analogue. Their structures were determined mainly by detailed spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR, MS and UV, as well as chemical methods. Among them, compound 1 possessed a rare 6/6/6/5/5 fused-rings cholestanol sketelon, which was identified as (23R,25R)-3ß,16α,26-triol-16,23-cyclocholest-5,17(20)-dien-22-one. Their induced platelet aggregation activities and cytotoxicities were evaluated. Five new cholestanol glycosides, ypsiyunnosides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the whole plants of Ypsilandra yunnanensis. Compound 1 possessed a rare 6/6/6/5/5 fused-rings cholestanol sketelon. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR, MS and chemical analysis.

Steroidal saponins from stems and leaves of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Phytochemical investigation of the stems and leaves of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis led to isolation of 12 steroidal saponins, chonglouosides SL-9-SL-20, which had not been described previously, along with 13 known compounds. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Four of the twelve steroidal saponins possessed three steroidal aglycones which have not been reported in nature. Steroidal saponins were also evaluated for their cytotoxicities against two human cancer cell lines (HepG2 and HEK293) and anti-HCV effects. One known steroidal saponin was the most cytotoxic compound overall with IC50 values of 2.9 ± 0.5 µM and 5.0 ± 0.6 µM against HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines, respectively, while none showed anti-HCV activity at a concentration of 20 µM.

Plantagiolides K-N, three new withanolides and one withanolide glucoside from Tacca plantaginea.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Tacca plantaginea led to the isolation of 3 new withanolides and one new withanolide glucoside, named plantagiolides K-N (1-4), together with one known withanolide, 4 known withanolide glucosides, and 2 known taccalonolides. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compound 4 is the first withanolide glycoside which the sugar moiety is attached at C-7. The effects of the some of isolates on TNFα-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated.

Steroidal saponins with induced platelet aggregation activity from the aerial parts of Paris verticillata.

In order to utilize and protect the resources of Rhizoma Paridis rationally, we carried out a phytochemical investigation on the non-medicinal (aerial) parts of Paris verticillata that led to the isolation of fifteen steroidal saponins. Among them, three are new spirostanol saponins, named parisverticosides A­C (1­3), as well as one new cholestane glycoside, named parisverticoside D (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and acid hydrolysis. The aglycone of compound 1 is a new spirostane and identified as (23S,24S,25S)-spirost-5-en-1b,3b,23, 24-tetraol. The selected isolates were evaluated for induced platelet aggregation activity and compound 5 showed 62% maximal platelet aggregation rate at the concentration of 300 lg/mL.

Apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide protects against diffuse brain injury.

Apolipoprotein E plays a crucial role in inhibiting chronic neurodegenerative processes. However, its impact on neurological function following diffuse brain injury is still unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide on diffuse brain injury. Apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide was administered into the caudal vein of rats with diffuse brain injury before and after injury. We found that apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide significantly decreased the number of apoptotic neurons, reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 phosphorylation, down-regulated Bax and cytochrome c expression, decreased malondialdehyde content, and increased superoxide dismutase activity in a dose-dependent manner. These experimental findings demonstrate that apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide improves learning and memory function and protects against diffuse brain injury-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2-Bax mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 influences hippocampal neuronal survival in a rat model of diabetic cerebral ischemia.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 has been demonstrated in acute brain ischemia. We hypothesized that activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 can protect hippocampal neurons from injury in a diabetic model after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. In this study, transient whole-brain ischemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion in normal and diabetic rats, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 inhibitor (U0126) was administered into diabetic rats 30 minutes before ischemia as a pretreatment. Results showed that the number of surviving neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was reduced, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation and Ku70 activity were decreased, and pro-apoptotic Bax expression was upregulated after intervention using U0126. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activity aggravated neuronal loss in the hippocampus in a diabetic rat after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, further decreased DNA repairing ability and accelerated apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation plays a neuroprotective role in hippocampal neurons in a diabetic rat after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.