[This study used a matrix game to explore adolescents' and young adults' flexibility of theory of mind (ToM) and to examine whether prediction could promote a person's ToM reasoning when the opponent's level of ToM changed during the course of the game. A total of 202 participants of different ages (13, 16, 19, and 24 years) were presented with the task. Results showed that the ToM flexibility in prediction and decision making was not significantly different across the age groups. A person's flexibility of ToM was better when the opponent's level was stable than when the level changed. It was even more difficult for a person to adapt when the opponent changed from a higher-order to lower-order level. The results showed prediction to be a kind of information clue that would prompt people to think further. It is both feasible and discriminative to explore even higher levels of ToM with matrix games.]
<i>Codonopsis</i>, in the family Campanulaceae, is a genus containing 42 species of dicotyledonous herbaceous perennial plants, predominantly found in Central, East and South Asia. Several <i>Codonopsis</i> species are widely used in traditional medicine and are considered to have multiple medicinal properties. Among the <i>Codonopsis</i> species, <i>Codonopsis pilosula</i> (Franch.) Nannf. and <i>C. lanceolata</i> (Sieb. et Zucc.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Trautv. are more popular than others according to the findings, especially phytochemical and bioactive studies. Phytochemical research shows that <i>Codonopsis</i> species contain mainly polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and polysaccharides, which contribute to multiple bioactivities. However, the mechanisms of their bioactivities need to be further elucidated. The less popular <i>Codonopsis</i> species remain to be studied and exploited. In addition, although a series of methods for the quality evaluation of <i>Codonopsis</i> species have been developed, a feasible and reliable approach to the efficacious and safe use of various <i>Codonopsis</i> species is still needed, with considering botanical origin, chemical constituents and bioactive effects. This review aims to provide up-to-date and comprehensive information on the phytochemistry, bioactivity and quality control of medicinal plants in the genus <i>Codonopsis</i> and to highlight current gaps in knowledge, which is useful for the wider development of the <i>Codonopsis</i> genus.
Background. Complementary and integrative health approaches such as yoga provide support for psychosocial health. We explored the effects of group-based yoga classes offered through an integrative medicine center at a comprehensive cancer center. Methods. Patients and caregivers had access to two yoga group classes: a lower intensity (YLow) or higher intensity (YHigh) class. Participants completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS; scale 0-10, 10 most severe) immediately before and after the class. ESAS subscales analyzed included global (GDS; score 0-90), physical (PHS; 0-60), and psychological distress (PSS; 0-20). Data were analyzed examining pre-yoga and post-yoga symptom scores using paired t-tests and between types of classes using ANOVAs. Results. From July 18, 2016, to August 8, 2017, 282 unique participants (205 patients, 77 caregivers; 85% female; ages 20-79 years) attended one or more yoga groups (mean 2.3). For all participants, we observed clinically significant reduction/improvement in GDS, PHS, and PSS scores and in symptoms (ESAS decrease >= 1; means) of anxiety, fatigue, well-being, depression, appetite, drowsiness, and sleep. Clinically significant improvement for both patients and caregivers was observed for anxiety, depression, fatigue, well-being, and all ESAS subscales. Comparing yoga groups, YLow contributed to greater improvement in sleep versus YHigh (-1.33 vs -0.50, P = .054). Improvement in fatigue for YLow was the greatest mean change (YLow -2.12). Conclusion. A single yoga group class resulted in clinically meaningful improvement of multiple self-reported symptoms. Further research is needed to better understand how yoga class content, intensity, and duration can affect outcomes.
This study aims to reveal the potential relationship between 5-HT and oxidative stress in the organism. Our in vitro experiments in RIN-14B cells showed that anoxia leads the cells to the state of oxidative stress. Administration of exogenous 5-HT exacerbated this effect, whereas the inhibition of Tph1, LP533401 alleviated the oxidative stress. Several research articles reported that Cinnabar (consists of more than 96% mercury sulfide, HgS), which is widely used in both Chinese and Indian traditional medicine prescriptions, has been involved in the regulation of 5-HT. The present research revealed that HgS relieved the level of oxidative stress of RIN-14B cells. This pharmacological activity was also observed in the prescription drug Zuotai, in which HgS accounts for 54.5%, and these effects were found to be similar to LP533401, an experimental drug to treat pulmonary hypertension. Further, our in vivo experiments revealed that the administration of cinnabar or prescription drug Zuotai in zebrafish reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hypoxia and cured behavioral abnormalities. Taken together, in organisms with hypoxia induced oxidative stress 5-HT levels were found to be abnormally elevated, indicating that 5-HT could regulate oxidative stress, and the decrease in the 5-HT levels, behavioral abnormalities after treatment with cinnabar and Zuotai, we may conclude that the therapeutic and pharmacologic effect of cinnabar and Zuotai may be based on the regulation of 5-HT metabolism and relief of oxidative stress. Even though they aren't toxic at the present dosage in both cell lines and zebrafish, their dose dependent toxicities are yet to be evaluated.
<br>Display Omitted<br>• Mercuric chloride-human serum albumin adduct causes hormesis in N9 microglia cells. • Hormesis was implemented through ERK/MAPKs and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways. • 15 ng/mL of Hg-HSA was close to a NOAEL for N9 cells and this dose may be beneficial. • Hg2+ could form stable coordination structures in both Asp249 site and Cys34 site of HSA.<br>Mercury chloride (HgCl2), a neurotoxicant that cannot penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although when the BBB are got damaged by neurodegenerative disorders, the absorbed HgCl2, mainly in form of Hg (II)-serum albumin adduct (Hg-HSA) in human plasma, can penetrate BBB and affect central nervous system (CNS) cells. Current study planned to evaluate the effect of Hg-HSA on the physiological function of N9 microglial cells. At low dosage (15 ng/mL) of Hg-HAS, the observed outcomes was: promoted cell propagation, Nitric Oxide (NO) and intracellular Ca2+ levels enhancement, suppressed the release of TNF-α and IL-1β and inhibited cell proliferation. At high dosage (15 μg/mL) we observed decline in NO and intracellular Ca2+ levels, and increment in the release of TNF-α and IL-1β. These biphasic effects are similar to hormesis, and the hormesis, in this case, was executed through ERK/MAPKs and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways. Study of quantum chemistry revealed that Hg2+ could form stable coordination structures in both Asp249 and Cys34 sites of HSA. Although five-coordination structure in Asp249 site is more stable than four-coordination structure in Cys34 site but four-coordination structure is formed easily in-<b>vivo</b> in consideration of binding-site position in spatial structure of HSA.
Methylmercury (MeHg+) is an extremely toxic organomercury cation that can induce severe neurological damage. Once it enters the body, methylmercury binds to amino acids or proteins containing free sulfhydryl groups. In particular, methylmercury is known to bind with human serum albumin (HSA) in human plasma; however, the effects of methylmercury-HSA conjugate (MeHg-HSA) on the central nervous system (CNS) are not fully understood. In the present study, we used the microglial cell line N9 as the target cells to evaluate the effect of MeHg-HSA on physiological function of the CNS preliminarily. The various factors in the cell culture were monitored by MTT assay, total lactate dehydrogenase assay, ELISA, qPCR, Western blot and flow cytometry techniques. The results showed that low-dose treatment with MeHg-HSA activated N9 cells, promoting cell proliferation and total cell number, enhancing NO and intracellular Ca2+ levels, and suppressing the release of TNFα and IL1β without cytotoxic effects; while high-dose MeHg-HSA exhibited cytotoxic effects on N9 cells, including promoting cell death and increasing the secretion of TNFα and IL1β. These results indicate that MeHg-HSA causes hormesis in microglia N9 cells. Furthermore, ERK/MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways related to the hormesis of MeHg-HSA on N9 cells. In addition, low dose of MeHg-HSA might be viewed as something very close to a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for N9 cells. These findings will be useful for investigating the hormesis mechanism of MeHg+ and exploring the specific functions of MeHg-sulfhydryl conjugates on the central nervous system.
Objective: To develop an HPLC method for determination of gallic acid, hydroxysafflor yellow A, cinnamic aldehyde and piperine in Tibetan medicine Dangzuo, and to compare the content of four active components in Dangzuo of different Tibetan regions.; Method: The separation was carried out on a Waters XTerra RP-C18 column ( 4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). The mobile phases were methanol and water, all contained 0.1% glacial acetic acid, for gradient elution. The gradient program was as follows: 0-22.5 min, methanol was changed from 5% to 50%; 22.5-40 min, changed to 80% 80:20. The flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 270 nm. The reference wavelength was 500 nm.; Result: The linear ranges of gallic acid, hydroxysafflor yellow A, cinnamic aldehyde and piperine were 0.040-0.640 microg (r = 0.999 8), 0.090-1.440 microg (r = 0.999 9), 0.031-0.500 microg (r = 0.999 9 ) and 0.092-41.477 microg (r = 0.998 9), respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) were 97.42% (RSD 1.9%), 97.55% (RSD 2.9%), 98.69% (RSD 0.96%) and 96.72% (RSD 4.0%), respectively. The content ranges of gallic acid, hydroxysafflor yellow A, cinnamic aldehyde and piperine in Dangzuo samples of different Tibetan regions were 0.11341.69 mg x g(-1), 0.889-1.51 mg x g(-1), 0.000-40.606 mg x g(-1) and 1.96-2.73 mg x g(-1), respectively.; Conclusion: The method is a simple and effective for quality control of Tibetan medicine Dangzuo.;
An HPLC-UV-MS method for simultaneous identification of predominant phenolics and minor nucleoside derivatives in<i> Gastrodia elata</i> was developed, which was based on their UV and MS characteristics summarized through a series of homemade reference standard experiments. Phenolics showed characteristic UV λ<sub>max</sub> at 267 nm, [M + NH₄]⁺ base peak in positive mode and [M-H]⁻ base peak in negative mode while nucleosides exhibited UV λ<sub>max</sub> at 255 nm, [M + H]⁺, [M-H + 2H₂O]⁻ or [M-H + CH₃COOH]⁻. Phenolics conjugates mainly underwent the consecutive loss of gastrodin residue (-268 U) and the combined loss of H₂O and CO<sub>2 </sub>from the citric acid unit under negative MS/MS conditions whereas nucleosides simply lost the ribose (-132 U) under positive MS/MS conditions. According to these characteristics, a special pattern under MS/MS conditions and reported compound data for<i> G. elata</i> in the literature, not only 15 phenolics were identified but also 6 nucleoside derivatives were identified. Among these compounds, seven phenolics and three nucleoside derivatives have not been reported yet from<i> G. elata</i>.
Objectives: Meconopsis integrifolia (M. integrifolia) is one of the most popular members in Traditional Tibetan Medicine. This study aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of M. integrifolia and to detect the underlying mechanisms of these effects. Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and trypan blue assay were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of M. integrifolia. Changes in cell nuclear morphology and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were observed by fluorescent microscopy. Apoptosis ratio, DNA damage and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blotting assay was adopted to detect the proteins related to apoptosis. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the release of cytochrome C. Results: The obtained data revealed that M. integrifolia could significantly inhibit K562 cell viability, mainly by targeting apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase. Collapse in cell morphology, chromatin condensation, DNA damage and ROS accumulation were observed. Further mechanism detection revealed that mitochondrion might be a key factor in M. integrifolia-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: M. integrifolia could induce mitochondria mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase with little damage to normal cells, suggesting that M. integrifolia might be a potential and efficient anticancer agent that deserves further investigation.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Prevailing literature explains how depression, compulsion, and mindfulness affect heroin use; however, there is no comprehensive framework that explains their overall relationships. We therefore proposed and examined a hypothetical depression-compulsion-heroin use and mindfulness (DCHm) model.
METHODS:
We recruited 234 male heroin users. Self-reported levels of depression, mindfulness, compulsion to use, and severity of heroin use were measured. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the proposed DCHm model.
RESULTS:
Compulsion was a mediator between depression and heroin use. In addition, the DCHm model had satisfactory model fit indices. Depression indirectly affected heroin use through compulsion to use. The moderating effects of mindfulness in the two competing models were compared between the high- and low-mindfulness groups. The DCHm model in the high-mindfulness group had more favorable model fit indices than it did in the low-mindfulness group.
CONCLUSIONS:
Through learned emotional regulation strategies, addicted people with higher mindfulness were less likely to compulsively take drugs because of a depressive mood than were those with lower mindfulness. Furthermore, effective emotion-regulation strategies should be developed and examined in future studies.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE:
These results raise questions about the effect of compulsion on heroin use disorders. Mindfulness-based approaches to emotional regulatory strategies should be developed based on these findings. Further experimentation and prospective studies are needed to more fully examine the moderating role of mindfulness on depression and compulsion.
Ischemic stroke is a primary cause of death and long-term disability all over the world. This disease is resulted from ischemia and hypoxia in brain tissues because of insufficient blood supply and causes a series of physiochemical metabolism disorders and physiological dysfunction. Its high disability ratio has bright huge burdens to society, governments and families. However, there is not efficacious medicine to treat it. In this study, a right middle cerebral artery occlusion was established in rats to observe the multi-path and multi-aspect intervention effects of Tibetan patent medicine Ruyi Zhenbao pills in reducing injuries to Nissl bodies, cerebral edema and inflammatory reactions and preventing cellular apoptosis, in order to lay a foundation for defining its therapeutic mechanism in acute ischemic stroke.;
Zotero Collections:
<p>This issue of the journal <em>Materials for Historical Research on Kanlho</em> (Kan lho'i lo rgyus dpyad gzhi'i yig rigs) provides short histories for over 80 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province, China. (Ben Deitle 2009-07-15)</p>
Based on literature data, related specimens, commercial samples and field investigation, botanical origin of "bolingguazi" was clarified. Boling guazi was found to be used as a Tibetan medicine in China from 8th century, it was derived from Herpetospermum pedunculosum of cucurbitaceae, and main species of bolingguazi used in most areas of China were H. pednculosura, while seeds of Momordica charantia, Thladiantha setispina and M. cohinchinensis were also available in some areas of China.
This study was aimed to discuss and analyze the medication rules for prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba in Chinese Medical Encyclopedia - Tibetan Medicine, Tibetan Medicine Prescription Modern Research and Clinical Application, and Interpretation of Common Tibetan Medicines based on the collection of Pterocephali Herba and by using the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support system(V2.0.1)",with the use of association rules, apriori algorithm and other data mining methods. The frequency of single drug, the frequency of drug combination, the association rule and the combination of core drugs were analyzed. Through collection of the prescriptions, a total of 215 prescriptions were included, involving a total of 376 herbs. Through the "frequency statistics", the prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba were commonly used to treat cold fever, distemper virus and arthritis. The highest frequently (frequency≥15) used drugs were Corydalis Herba, Lagotidis Herba, and Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, et al. The most frequently used drug combinations were "Pterocephali Herba, Corydalis Herba","Pterocephali Herba, Lagotidis Herba", and "Pterocephali Herba, Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix" et al. The prescriptions containing Pterocephali Herba were used to primarily treat disease for Tourette syndrome caused by the dampness heat toxin, fever, arthritis etc, such as pestilent toxicity, pneumonia and influenza, rheumatoid arthritis etc. The drugs in the prescriptions mostly had the effects of heat-clearing and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, dispelling wind and dampness, often in compatible use with heat-clearing drugs. The drug use was concentrated and reflected the clear thought of prescription statutes.
Swertia mussotii Franch. and Swertia chirayita Buch.-Ham. have been commonly used under the same name "Zangyinchen" for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases in traditional Tibetan medicine. Detailed characterization and comparison of the complete set of metabolites of these two species are critical for their objective identification and quality control. In this study, a rapid, simple and comprehensive (1)H NMR-based metabolomics method was first developed to differentiate the two species. A broad range of metabolites, including iridoid glycosides, xanthones, triterpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, were identified. Statistical analysis showed evident differences between the two species, and the major markers responsible for the differences were screened. In addition, quantitative (1)H NMR method (qHNMR) was used for the target analysis of the discriminating metabolites. The results showed that S. mussotii had significantly higher contents of gentiopicrin, isoorientin, glucose, loganic acid, and choline, whereas S. chirayita exhibited higher levels of swertiamarin, oleanolic acid, valine, and fatty acids. These findings indicate that (1)H NMR-based metabolomics is a reliable and effective method for the metabolic profiling and discrimination of the two Swertia species, and can be used to verify the genuine origin of Zangyinchen.
Swertia mussotii Franch. and Swertia chirayita Buch.-Ham. have been commonly used under the same name 'Zangyinchen' for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases in traditional Tibetan medicine. Detailed characterization and comparison of the complete set of metabolites of these two species are critical for their objective identification and quality control. In this study, a rapid, simple and comprehensive H-1 NMR-based metabolomics method was first developed to differentiate the two species. A broad range of metabolites, including iridoid glycosides, xanthones, triterpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, were identified. Statistical analysis showed evident differences between the two species, and the major markers responsible for the differences were screened. In addition, quantitative H-1 NMR method (qHNMR) was used for the target analysis of the discriminating metabolites. The results showed that S. mussotii had significantly higher contents of gentiopicrin, isoorientin, glucose, loganic acid, and choline, whereas S. chirayita exhibited higher levels of swertiamarin, oleanolic acid, valine, and fatty acids. These findings indicate that H-1 NMR-based metabolomics is a reliable and effective method for the metabolic profiling and discrimination of the two Swertia species, and can be used to verify the genuine origin of Zangyinchen. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
<br>• A 1H NMR-based method is first developed to differentiate two <b>Swertia</b> species. • The two <b>Swertia</b> species exhibit significant differences in their metabolic profiling. • Nine metabolic markers responsible for the differences are screened out. • A qHNMR method is used for quantitative analysis of the discriminating metabolites. • The proposed 1H NMR-based metabolomics method is rapid, reliable and effective.<br><b>Swertia mussotii</b> Franch. and <b>Swertia chirayita</b> Buch.-Ham. have been commonly used under the same name “Zangyinchen” for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases in traditional Tibetan medicine. Detailed characterization and comparison of the complete set of metabolites of these two species are critical for their objective identification and quality control. In this study, a rapid, simple and comprehensive 1H NMR-based metabolomics method was first developed to differentiate the two species. A broad range of metabolites, including iridoid glycosides, xanthones, triterpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, were identified. Statistical analysis showed evident differences between the two species, and the major markers responsible for the differences were screened. In addition, quantitative 1H NMR method (qHNMR) was used for the target analysis of the discriminating metabolites. The results showed that <b>S. mussotii</b> had significantly higher contents of gentiopicrin, isoorientin, glucose, loganic acid, and choline, whereas <b>S. chirayita</b> exhibited higher levels of swertiamarin, oleanolic acid, valine, and fatty acids. These findings indicate that 1H NMR-based metabolomics is a reliable and effective method for the metabolic profiling and discrimination of the two <b>Swertia</b> species, and can be used to verify the genuine origin of Zangyinchen.
A novel molecular iodine-catalyzed protocol for the construction of thiocarbamates from readily available sodium sulfinates, isocyanides, and water has been described. The present methodology offers a facile and practical route to a variety of thiocarbamates in moderate to good yields with favorable functional group tolerance by use odorless sodium sulfinates as the sulfur source. The mechanistic studies suggest the present transformation involves a radical process.
A novel and efficient visible-light-induced C(sp2)-H/N-H cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC)-amination with both primary and secondary aliphatic amines at room temperature in air is developed. This photocatalytic reaction allows the direct formation of 3-aminoquinoxalin-2(1 H)-ones via CDC-amination in the absence of any external oxidant added from outside. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the present reaction proceeds through a radical process.
A facile I2O5-mediated direct oxidative coupling of aromatic alkenes with thiols toward vinyl sulfones has been developed under metal-free conditions. This methodology provides a convenient and efficient approach to various (E)-vinyl sulfones from readily available starting materials with excellent regioselectivity. The present oxidative coupling reaction, not only expands the scope of functionalization of alkenes with thiols, but also makes it a practical and powerful complement to traditional methods for the synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones.
To discuss the relationship between metallic element and disease through determine the elementals in Tibetan Herbal Medicines and Tibetan Medicine Preparations that have obvious effect on hepatobiliary diseases by Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Source, then to reveal the substance foundation of pharmacological action. The results show that all the Tibetan Herbal Medicines used in the experiment have the 9 kinds of metallic elements of potassium(K), calcium(Ca), titanium(Ti), vanadium(V), chromium(Cr), manganese(Mn), ferrum(Fe), zinc(Zn) and lead(Pb), the content of the elements are in the ppb or ppm level though the element constitute and the content have obvious difference. Tibetan Medicine Preparations have another 6 kinds of metallic elements of nickel(Ni), copper(Cu), rubidium(Rb), mercury(Hg), cobalt(Co), gallium(Ga) and 1 kind of nonmetallic elements of arsenic(As) when compare with Herbal Medicines, and the element constitute and the content also have obvious difference. Take advantage of SR-XRF, the test gets the basic data of elements of Tibetan Herbal Medicines and Preparations, supply the scientific support to discuss the interaction of pharmacological mechanism and the metallic elements, and find the suitability of the technique for the metallic elements detection in Tibetan Medicines.
BackgroundThis is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for a current episode of major depressive disorder.
Methods
Both English (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases) and Chinese (WanFang and CNKI) databases were systematically and independently searched. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) ± their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on the random effects model were calculated.
Results
A total of 11 RCTs with 12 treatment arms (n = 764; MBIs = 363; and control group = 401) were identified and analyzed. Compared to the control group, MDD subjects receiving MBIs showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms (n =722; SMD: −0.59, 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.17, I2 = 85%, p = 0.006) at post-MBIs assessment, but the significance disappeared by the end of posttreatment follow-up. Subgroup analyses revealed that positive benefits of MBIs was associated with studies that had treatment as usual (TAU) control group, Chinese participants, open label design, no gender predominance, subjects younger than 44.4 years, and Jadad score ≥ 3, other illness phase and MBIs as augmentation group.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis found that MBIs was associated with reduction of depression severity immediately after MBIs but not at follow up endpoint. Further, the positive effects of MBIs were mainly driven by outlying studies. Higher quality of RCTs with larger samples and longer study duration are needed to confirm the findings.
Pages |