Four novel lactams, colletotrilactam A-D (1-4), along with six known compounds (5-10) were isolated from the culture broth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides GT-7, a fungal endophyte of Uncaria rhynchophylla. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive NMR spectroscopy. Isolates were tested for monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity and compound 9 showed potent MAO inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 8.93±0.34μg/mL, when the IC50 value of iproniazid as a standard was 1.80±0.5μg/mL.
Liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed for the qualitative and quantitative comparison of the main constituents in Saussurea laniceps (SL) and S. medusa (SM), two species of plants used under the name "Xuelianhua" in traditional Tibetan medicine. A method validation including linearity, limit of detection, precision and recovery was performed. The results showed that a good linearity with R<sup>2</sup> > 0.99 was achieved, and the limit of detection of the quantified constituents was reported to be between 0.8 and 3.3 ng. The relative standard deviation value was below 3.82% for repeatability, and recovery studies for the quantified compounds were found to be within the range 90.92-103.12%. The unique properties of the present method were evaluated by analyzing twelve related herbal samples including five S. laniceps samples and seven S. medusa samples. Twenty-two compounds including phenolic acids, cumarins, lignanoids and flavonoids were identified by online ESI-MS and by comparison with literature data and standard compounds, and seven of them were quantified by LC-DAD simultaneously. The results demonstrated that the common constituents in the two herbs were protocatechuic acid, syringoside, chlorogenic acid, isoquercitroside, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin 7-O-Îø-d-glucoside, chrysoeriol 7-O-Îø-d-glucoside, acacetin 7-O-Îø-d-glucoside, apigenin and chrysoeriol. In the present study, it was found that the characteristic constituents were umbelliferone, scopoletin and their glucosides in S. laniceps, as well as arctiin and arctigenin in S. medusa. It was feasible to choose these characteristic compounds for the quality evaluation as well as chemical authentication of the two related herbs. The results also support discrimination between the two species when using them in folk medicine.
The figwort genus <i>Scrophularia</i> L. (Scrophulariaceae) comprises 200-300 species and is widespread throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Due to reticulate evolution resulting from hybridization and polyploidization, the taxonomy and phylogeny of <i>Scrophularia</i> is notoriously challenging. Here we report the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequences of <i>S. henryi</i> Hemsl. and <i>S. dentata</i> Royle ex Benth. and compare them with those of <i>S. takesimensis</i> Nakai and <i>S. buergeriana</i> Miq. The <i>Scrophularia</i> cp genomes ranged from 152 425 to 153 631 bp in length. Each cp genome contained 113 unigenes, consisting of 78 protein-coding genes, 31 transfer RNA genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. Gene order, gene content, AT content and IR/SC boundary structure were nearly identical among them. Nine cpDNA markers (<i>trnH-psbA</i>, <i>rps15</i>, <i>rps18-rpl20</i>, <i>rpl32-trnL</i>, <i>trnS-trnG</i>, <i>ycf15-trnL</i>, <i>rps4-trnT</i>, <i>ndhF-rpl32</i>, and <i>rps16-trnQ</i>) with more than 2% variable sites were identified. Our phylogenetic analyses including 55 genera from Lamiales strongly supported a sister relationship between ((Bignoniaceae + Verbenaceae) + Pedaliaceae) and (Acanthaceae + Lentibulariaceae). Within Scrophulariaceae, a topology of (<i>S. dentata</i> + (<i>S. takesimensis</i> + (<i>S. buergeriana</i> + <i>S. henryi</i>))) was strongly supported. The crown age of Lamiales was estimated to be 85.1 Ma (95% highest posterior density, 70.6-99.8 Ma). The higher core Lamiales originated at 65.6 Ma (95% highest posterior density, 51.4-79.4 Ma), with a subsequent radiation that occurred in the Paleocene (between 55.4 and 62.3 Ma) and gave birth to the diversified families. Our study provides a robust phylogeny and a temporal framework for further investigation of the evolution of Lamiales.
This article provides readers with a foundational understanding of how meditation apps work and what different companies are offering.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip. (Compositae) has long been used under the herbal name "Snow Lotus" for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, stomachache and dysmenorrhea in Uighur folk medicine. In traditional Tibetan medicine, Saussurea laniceps Hand.-Mazz. and Saussurea medusa Maxim. have also been used under the name "Snow Lotus" and prescribed for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions.AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study evaluated the pharmacological effects of three species of "Snow Lotus" in experimental inflammation and pain models, and determined the chemical compounds that may correlate with their pharmacological activities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activities of the three herbs were observed by using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Investigations on the analgesic effects were conducted, including acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate test. An UPLC-MS method was developed to analyze the chemical composition of the three herbs and of plasma samples after herb administration.
RESULTS: In rat paw edema model, the peak inhibitory effects of Saussurea laniceps and Saussurea involucrata (55.1% and 42.2%, respectively) were recorded with the dose of 400mg/kg at 3h post-carrageenan injection. In mouse ear edema model, oral administration of Saussurea laniceps, Saussurea involucrata and Saussurea medusa extract (400mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of ear edema by 40.9%, 33.3%, and 9.1%, respectively. In the writhing test, oral administration of Saussurea laniceps extract (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of writhings by 13.5%, 22.3%, and 43.5%, respectively. In the hot-plate test, Saussurea laniceps extract significantly increased the latency of jumping response by 38.2% and 52.7% when treated orally at 200 and 400mg/kg in mice, respectively. Flavonoids, coumarins and lignins were found to be present in plasma after administration of the extracts and may be the basis of the observed pharmacological effects.
CONCLUSION: The results clearly demonstrated that Saussurea laniceps was most effective; Saussurea involucrata exhibited a moderate potency, whereas Saussurea medusa possessed little effect against the experimental edema and pains. This study also supported discrimination among the three herbs when using them in folk medicine.
The present study evaluated the pharmacological effects of three species <b>Saussurea</b> commonly used as the traditional herbal drug “Snow Lotus” in experimental inflammation and pain models, and determined the chemical compounds that may correlate with their pharmacological activities. The results clearly demonstrated that <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> was most effective; <b>Saussurea involucrata</b> exhibited a moderate potency, whereas <b>Saussurea medusa</b> possessed little effect against the experimental edema and pains. Flavonoids, coumarins and lignins were found to be present in plasma after administration of the extracts and may be the basis of the observed pharmacological effects.<br>Ethnopharmacological relevance: <b>Saussurea involucrata</b> (Kar. et Kir.) Sch.-Bip. (Compositae) has long been used under the herbal name “Snow Lotus” for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, stomachache and dysmenorrhea in Uighur folk medicine. In traditional Tibetan medicine, <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> Hand.-Mazz. and <b>Saussurea medusa</b> Maxim. have also been used under the name “Snow Lotus” and prescribed for the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions.<br>Aim of the study: The present study evaluated the pharmacological effects of three species of “Snow Lotus” in experimental inflammation and pain models, and determined the chemical compounds that may correlate with their pharmacological activities.<br>Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activities of the three herbs were observed by using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Investigations on the analgesic effects were conducted, including acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate test. An UPLC-MS method was developed to analyze the chemical composition of the three herbs and of plasma samples after herb administration.<br>Results: In rat paw edema model, the peak inhibitory effects of <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> and <b>Saussurea involucrata</b> (55.1% and 42.2%, respectively) were recorded with the dose of 400 mg/kg at 3 h post-carrageenan injection. In mouse ear edema model, oral administration of <b>Saussurea laniceps</b>, <b>Saussurea involucrata</b> and <b>Saussurea medusa</b> extract (400 mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of ear edema by 40.9%, 33.3%, and 9.1%, respectively. In the writhing test, oral administration of <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) resulted in a significant inhibition of writhings by 13.5%, 22.3%, and 43.5%, respectively. In the hot-plate test, <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> extract significantly increased the latency of jumping response by 38.2% and 52.7% when treated orally at 200 and 400 mg/kg in mice, respectively. Flavonoids, coumarins and lignins were found to be present in plasma after administration of the extracts and may be the basis of the observed pharmacological effects.<br>Conclusion: The results clearly demonstrated that <b>Saussurea laniceps</b> was most effective; <b>Saussurea involucrata</b> exhibited a moderate potency, whereas <b>Saussurea medusa</b> possessed little effect against the experimental edema and pains. This study also supported discrimination among the three herbs when using them in folk medicine.
AIM: To identify the medicine and search for new medicine resource at the molecular level, the ITS of "Zang Yin Chen"--Swertia mussotti and its adulterant species were sequenced.METHODS: The double-stranded DNA was amplified using PCR systems 9,600 kits and sequenced on an ABI 377 automated sequencer from both directions.
RESULTS: The ITS sequences of S. mussotti in different populations showed no variation. It has the unique ITS sequence and shows distinct difference from its adulterant species. In the phylogenetic tree based on the ITS data of S. mussotti and all vicarious species constructed by Paup, S. franchetiana and S. mussotti clustered together with high bootstrap support.
CONCLUSION: ITS sequences can be used for the molecular authentication between the S. mussotti and its adulterant species. S. franchetiana can be regarded as a new medicine resource of "Zhang Yin Chen".
Compound Phyllanthus urinaria L (CP) is a traditional formula widely used in clinical practice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially HBV-related HCC. HBx, HBV X gene encoded X protein, has positive correlation with the abnormal SHH pathway in HBV-related HCC. So, we predicted that CP has the capability of anti-HBV-related HCC maybe via inactivating the HBx-Hedgehog pathway axis. HepG2-HBx cells, HBx overexpression, were treated with CP (70μg/ml and 35 μg/ml, respectively) for 48 hours and the mice which received the HepG2-HBx cells were treated with CP (625mg/kg and 300 mg/kg, respectively) for 17 days to evaluate the effect of CP on HBV-related HCC. HBx could accelerate HepG2 cells proliferation, clone formation, and migration in vitro and also could strengthen tumor growth in mice. However, CP could significantly decrease HepG2-HBx cells proliferation, clone formation, and migration in vitro and also could inhibit tumors growth in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanism studies suggested that HBx upregulated the mRNA and proteins expression of Sonic hedgehog (SHH), transmembrane receptor patched (PTCH-1), smoothened (SMO), oncogene homolog transcription factors-1 (GLI-1), and oncogene homolog transcription factors-2 (GLI-2), which are compositions of the SHH pathway. CP could inhibit the mRNA and proteins expression of SHH, PTCH-1, GLI-1, and HBx. It may be one of the underlying mechanisms of CP to delay the HBV-related HCC development through the HBx-SHH pathway axis inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
A quantitative analytical method of ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was developed for simultaneously determining twelve components in Tibetan medicine Zuozhu Daxi. SIMPCA 12.0 software was used a principal component analysis PCA) and partial small squares analysis (PLSD-DA) on the twelve components in 10 batches from four pharmaceutical factories. Acquity UPLC BEH C15 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 µm) was adopted at the column temperature of 35 °C and eluted with acetonitrile (A) -0.05% phosphate acid solution (B) as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 0. 3 mL · min(-1). The injection volume was 1 µL. The detection wavelengths were set at 210 nm for alantolactone, isoalantolactone and oleanolic; 260 nm for trychnine and brucine; 288 nm for protopine; 306 nm for protopine, resveratrol and piperine; 370 nm for quercetin and isorhamnetin. The results showed a good separation among index components, with a good linearity relationship (R2 = 0.999 6) within the selected concentration range. The average sample recovery rates ranged between 99.44%-101.8%, with RSD between 0.37%-1.7%, indicating the method is rapid and accurate with a good repeatability and stability. The PCA and PLSD-DA analysis on the sample determination results revealed a great difference among samples from different pharmaceutical factories. The twelve components included in this study contributed significantly to the quantitative determination of intrinsic quality of Zuozhu Daxi. The UPLC established for to the quantitative determination of the twelve components can provide scientific basis for the comprehensive quality evaluation of Zuozhu Daxi.
To provide insights into the mechanism for the attenuate-synergistic effect of Zuota to Tibetan medicine Renqing Mangjue, a contrasted study was carried out on the pharmacokinetics of brucine and strychnine in mice plasm, which are active and toxicant ingredient in the Tibetan medicine Renqing Mangjue. LC-MS/MS was used to detect simultaneously the concentrations of brucine and strychnine in mice plasm at-different time intervals after administration parallelly and randomly, and the pharmacokinetic software Kinetica 5. 0 was selected to non-compartmental analysis (NCA) for data, and statistical analysis software SPSS 19. 0 was used for significance test on the pharmacokinetic parameters. A reliable LC-MS/MS method was established for the determination of brucine and strychnine in blood plasma, which are consistent with the requirements of the preclinical pharmacokinetic study confirmed by the methodology. The linear concentration ranges of brucine and strychnine were 0.301-104.4 µg · L(-1) (r = 0.999 5) and 0.305-106 µg · L(-1) (r = 0.999 7), respectively; The intra-day and inter-day variable coefficients were both less than 10.0% with good precision; The average extraction recoveries of brucine and strychnine were 116.23% and 112.82%, and RSD were 3.2% and 2.3% separately;The average matrix effects of brucine and strychnine were 122.48% and 116.36%, and RSD were 7.7% and 4.4%, respectively. The pharmacokinetic results showed that AUCtot of brucine and strychnine in Zuota group were both increased remarkably (P < 0.05), and the Cmax of brucine in Zuota group was about 5.25-fold higher than that of brucine in non-Zuota group (P < 0.05). The Tmax of brucine and strychnine reduced to one-eighth and one-quarter respectively compared with those in Non-Zuota group. In addition, the eliminations of brucine and strychnine in vivo were accelerated after the compatibility of Zuota. A significant difference (P < 0.05) occurred at the MRT0-t, of brucine, while the MRT0-∞ and Lz of strychnine were statistically significant upon the inspection level α = 0.1. It was found that the absorption degree of brucine and strychnine in Zuota group increased in the range of the safe dose (or concentration), while their elimination rates were accelerated, which may be one of the mechanisms for attenuate-synergistic effect of Zuota to Tibetan medicine Renqing Mangjue.
Delineating the Three Vows (Dam tshig gsum bkod ) is contained in The Seminal Heart in Four Parts (Snying thig ya bzhi) which was compiled and partly composed by Longchen Rapjam Drimé Özer (1308-1364). This collection of profound Dzokchen teachings consists of the (1) The Seminal Heart of the Ḍakiṇī (Mkha’ ‘gro snying thig), (2) The Seminal Quintessence of the Ḍakiṇī (Mkha’ ‘gro yang tig) (3) The Seminal Heart of Vimalamitra (Bi ma snying thig), (4) The Seminal Quintessence of the Spiritual Teacher (Bla ma yang tig), and (5) The Profound Seminal Quintessence (Zab mo yang tig). This edition was reproduced from the original xylograph belonging to the late Kathog Ontrul.
Delineating the Three Vows (Dam tshig gsum bkod ) is contained in The Seminal Heart in Four Parts (Snying thig ya bzhi) which was compiled and partly composed by Longchen Rapjam Drimé Özer (1308-1364). This collection of profound Dzokchen teachings consists of the (1) The Seminal Heart of the Ḍakiṇī (Mkha’ ‘gro snying thig), (2) The Seminal Quintessence of the Ḍakiṇī (Mkha’ ‘gro yang tig) (3) The Seminal Heart of Vimalamitra (Bi ma snying thig), (4) The Seminal Quintessence of the Spiritual Teacher (Bla ma yang tig), and (5) The Profound Seminal Quintessence (Zab mo yang tig). This edition was reproduced from the original xylograph belonging to the late Kathog Ontrul.
PURPOSE: Research in the area of cultural response pattern on questionnaires in the oncological setting and direct cross-cultural comparisons are lacking. This study examined response pattern in the reporting of depressive symptoms in Chinese and US women with breast cancer. We hypothesized that Chinese women are less likely to endorse positive affect items compared to their US counterparts. Additionally, we explored cultural differences in the association between positive affect and QOL. METHODS: Secondary analyses of baseline assessments of two mind-body intervention studies for women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy in the USA (N = 62) and China (N = 97) are presented. All participants completed measures of depressive symptoms (CES-D) and cancer-specific QOL (FACT-B). We examined cultural differences on positive and negative affect items on the CES-D. RESULTS: Controlling for demographic factors, ANCOVA revealed a significant cultural difference in positive (F = 7.99, p = 0.005) but not negative affect (p = 0.82) with Chinese women reporting lower positive affect compared to US women (Chinese = 6.97 vs. US = 8.31). There was also a significant cultural difference (F = 3.94, p = 0.03) in the association between positive affect and QOL so that lower positive affect was more strongly associated with worse emotional well-being in Chinese (beta = 0.57, p < 0.0001) than US women (beta = 0.35, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese women reported lower positive affect compared to US women and lower levels of positive affect were more strongly associated with worse QOL. Special attention is needed when examining mental health in different cultures to ascertain effective delivery of clinical services to those in need.
Molecular targeted cancer therapy is a promising strategy to overcome the lack of specificity of anticancer drug. While the binding of c(RGDfK) (cyclic Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid-Phenylalanine-Lysine) to αvβ3 over-expressed on tumor cell has been validated, the underlying interaction remains poorly understood. In this work, docking calculation was applied to investigate the interactions between c(RGDfK)/c(RGDfK)-PEG and αvβ3. The calculated results indicated that c(RGDfK) interacted with αvβ3 mainly by electrostatic interaction, stabilization interaction, and hydrophobic interaction. Conjugation of PEG chain to the c(RGDfK) weakened the binding affinity of c(RGDfK) to αvβ3. Accordingly, docetaxel(DTX)-loaded target micelles (c(RGDfK)-PEG-PLA/PEG-PLA/DTX) were designed, characterized and evaluated using HeLa cells. In vitro release studies demonstrated both target and non-target micelles displayed almost the same profiles, which best fit in Ritger-Peppas model. Cellular uptake and MTT studies revealed that the target micelles with the presence of c(RGDfK) were more efficiently taken up by HeLa cells and significantly improved the cytotoxicity compared to that of non-target micelles. Cell inhibition rate of target micelles was improved by 20% after 24h. Our findings suggest that target micelles may be a potential anticancer drug delivery system in the treatment of integrin αvβ3 over-expressed on tumor cell.
A simple, efficient and accurate liquid chromatographic method was established to determine five flavonoid aglycones, 7-hydroxy flavonone, pinocembrin, 2′,4′-dihydroxy chalcone, 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxy chalcone and pinostrobin in the whole plant powder of <i>Oxytropis falcata</i> Bunge. These five compounds were separated on an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C<sub>8</sub> column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). Mobile phases were composed of water containing 0.1% <i>v/v</i> formic acid and acetonitrile using gradient elution. The established method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and quantitation, repeatability and stability.
A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification has been developed for analysis of 30 long-chain and short-chain free fatty acids (FFAs). The fatty acids were derivatized to their esters with 1-[2-(<i>p</i>-toluenesulfonate)ethyl]-2-phenylimidazole-[4,5-<i>f</i>]-9,10-phenanthrene (TSPP) in <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 °C with anhydrous K<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> as catalyst. A mixture of C<sub>1</sub>-C<sub>30</sub> fatty acids was completely separated within 60 min by gradient elution on a reversed-phase C<sub>8</sub> column. Qualitative identification of the acids was performed by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) in positive-ion mode. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were 260 and 380 nm, respectively. Quantitative determination of the 30 acids in two Tibetan medicines <i>Gentiana straminea</i> and <i>G. dahurica</i> was performed. The results indicated that the medicines contained many FFAs. Linear correlation coefficients for the FFA derivatives were >0.9991. Relative standard deviations (RSDs, <i>n</i> = 6) for the fatty acid derivatives were <3%. Detection limits (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1) were 3.1-38 fmol. When the fatty acid derivatives were determined in the two real samples results were satisfactory and the sensitivity and reproducibility of the method were good.
Plant hormone determination in food matrices has attracted more and more attention because of their potential risks to human health. However, analytical methods for the analysis of multiple plant hormones remain poorly investigated. In the present study, a convenient, selective, and ultrasensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of multiple classes of plant hormones has been developed successfully using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by precolumn fluorescent labeling. Eight plant hormones in fruits including jasmonic acid, 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, 3-indolybutyric acid, 3-indolepropionic acid, gibberellin A₃, 1-naphthylacetic acid, and 2-naphthaleneacetic acid were analyzed by this method. The conditions employed for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction were optimized systematically. The linearity for all plant hormones was found to be >0.9993 (<i>R</i>² values). This method offered low detection limits of 0.19-0.44 ng/mL (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3), and method accuracies were in the range of 92.32-103.10%. The proposed method was applied to determine plant hormones in five kinds of food samples, and this method can achieve a short analysis time, low threshold levels of detection, and a high specificity for the analysis of targeted plant hormones present at trace level concentrations in complex matrices.
Comprehensive study on Tibetan medicine.
A novel hyphenated technique based on ultrasonic-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) coupled with derivatization has been established for the determination of brassinolide (BL, a representative of brassinosteroids) by HPLC fluorescence detection. 9-Phenanthreneboronic acid is used as labeling reagent of BL. UA-DLLME parameters containing type and volume of extraction and disperser solvent, pH and ultrasonication time are optimized. Derivatization parameters are optimized included amount of 9-phenanthreneboronic acid, volume ratio of pyridine, derivatization time and temperature. Under optimal conditions, quantitative linear range of BL is 50-1,000 ng L<sup>−1</sup> and excellent linear response is observed with correlation coefficient of 0.9996. Limit of detection and limit of quantification are calculated as 8.0 and 25.0 ng L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. RSDs of retention time and peak area are in the range of 0.68-0.97 % and 4.61-6.54 % for intra-day precision, 1.32-1.94 % and 7.28-9.75 % for inter-day precision, respectively. Accuracy is satisfactory in the range of 82.3-125.1 %. RSDs’ values of repeatability are in the range of 0.82-1.79 and 3.95-8.53 % for retention time and peak area, respectively. Enrichment factor for BL is 189. The results of recovery and matrix effect are in the range of 82.0-108.6 and 90.0-115.3 %, respectively. The proposed method has been applied for the determination of BL in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>, <i>Daucus carota</i> and <i>Brassica campestris</i> L. leaves with much higher sensitivity than many other methods.
OBJECTIVE: It has been speculated that cancer survivors in Asia may have lower quality of life (QOL) compared with their Western counterparts. However, no studies have made international comparisons in QOL using a comprehensive measure. This study aimed to compare Chinese breast cancer survivors' QOL with US counterparts and examine if demographic and medical factors were associated with QOL across groups. METHOD: The sample consisted of 159 breast cancer patients (97 Chinese and 62 American) who completed the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy Breast Cancer (FACT-B) scale before the start of radiotherapy in Shanghai, China and Houston, USA. RESULTS: Higher income was associated with higher QOL total scores in both Chinese and American cancer patients, but QOL was not significantly associated with other factors including age, education, disease stage, mastectomy, and chemotherapy. Consistent with hypotheses, compared to their US counterparts, Chinese breast cancer survivors reported lower QOL and all four subdimensions including functional well-being (FWB), physical well-being (PWB), emotional well-being (EWB), and social well-being (SWB); they also reported more breast cancer-specific concerns (BCS). Differences were also clinically significant for Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) scale total scores and the FWB subscale. After controlling for demographic and medical covariates, these differences remained except for the SWB and BCS. Furthermore, Chinese breast cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy reported significantly lower FACT-G scores than those who did not, but this difference did not emerge among US breast cancer survivors. DISCUSSION: Chinese breast cancer survivors reported poorer QOL on multiple domains compared to US women. Findings indicate that better strategies are needed to help improve the QOL of Chinese breast cancer survivors, especially those who underwent chemotherapy.
Stress, specifically chronic unpredictable stress and chronic restrained stress, induce depigmentation in C57BL/6 mice. Fluoxetine promoted melanin production and the migration of melanocytes via 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HT2A receptor, respectively.<br><br>Display Omitted<br>• Fluoxetine ameliorates CUMS and CRS induced depigmentation in C57BL/6 mouse. • Fluoxetine induces melanogenesis via activating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK signaling pathways. • 5-HT1A and 2A receptors regulated fluoxetine increased melanocyte melanogenesis and migration.<br>Background: 5-HT1A receptor was participated in fluoxetine induced melanogenesis in melanocytes and in normal C57BL/6 mice, but we know little about whether other 5-HT receptors are involved in regulation of fluoxetine promotes pigmentation.<br>Objective: To investigate the role of 5-HT receptors in regulation of fluoxetine ameliorates chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS) induce hypopigmentation in C57BL/6 mice.<br>Methods: CUMS and CRS were used to induce depigmentation in mice and evaluate the effect of fluoxetine. Western blot, immunohistochemistry and Q-PCR assay were used to determine the levels of protein and mRNA. Masson Fontana staining was used for melanin staining and FITC-Phalloidin staining was used to detect the expression of F-actin. Zebrafish and B16F10 cells were used for the mechanism research.<br>Results: Fluoxetine (2.6 mg/kg, ig) ameliorated hypopigmentation induced by CUMS and CRS in mice, significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of 5-HT1 A and 5-HT2 A receptors in mice and B16F10 cells. The effect of fluoxetine on melanogenesis in B16F10 cells and zebrafish were inhibited by WAY100635 (a selective 5-HT1 A receptor antagonist) and ketanserin (a 5-HT2 A receptor antagonist), respectively. Activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathways was contributed to fluoxetine induced melanogenesis and inhibited by WAY100635, but not ketanserin. However, ketanserin selectively weakened the action of fluoxetine promoted migration and up-regulated Rab27a protein expression in B16F10 cells.<br>Conclusions: 5-HT1 A and 2 A receptors contribute to melanogenesis and migration property of fluoxetine. The newly revealed mechanism indicates that fluoxetine and its analogues may be a potential drug for treatment of depigmentation disorders.
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