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Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks to maternal and fetal health. Current diagnostic methods based on glucose tolerance tests have limitations for early detection. tRNA‐derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have emerged as potential molecular regulators in various diseases, including metabolic disorders. However, the diagnostic value of tsRNAs in plasma for early GDM or postpartum remains unclear. Methods: This longitudinal study profiled the expression of tsRNAs across different gestational stages and postpartum in women with GDM (n = 40) and healthy control gestational women (HCs, n = 40). High‐throughput small RNA sequencing identified candidate tsRNAs, which were then validated and correlated with clinical biochemical markers such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), HOMA‐IR, and GHbA1c. Results: tRF‐1:32‐Val‐AAC‐1‐M6, tRF‐1:31‐Glu‐CTC‐1‐M2, and tRF‐1:30‐Gly‐CCC‐1‐M4 were consistently upregulated in the GDM group compared to HCs during the second trimester (p < 0.05). Only tRF‐1:31‐Glu‐CTC‐1‐M2 was highly expressed during the first trimester, and tRF‐1:30‐Gly‐CCC‐1‐M4 increased during postpartum. tRF‐1:31‐Glu‐CTC‐1‐M2 showed a significant correlation with FBG levels in the first trimester (R = 0.317, p = 0.047). The expression of tRF‐1:30‐Gly‐CCC‐1‐M4 was significantly correlated with HOMA‐IR (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and GHBA1c (r = 0.33, p = 0.037) during postpartum. A joint diagnostic model incorporating tsRNAs expression and clinical markers demonstrated enhanced predictive power for GDM (ROC AUC = 0.768). Conclusion: Our results revealed distinct expression patterns of specific tsRNAs in GDM, showcasing their correlation with key metabolic parameters. This underscores their promising role as biomarkers for early prediction and diagnosis of GDM. The integration of tRFs into a composite biomarker panel holds the potential to improve clinical outcomes by enabling personalized risk assessment and targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of the core competencies and self‐directed learning ability of diabetes specialist nurses and to explore the relationship between these core competencies and their self‐directed learning ability. Design: A cross‐sectional survey design was used. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted via a web‐based questionnaire platform in China from January 14 to April 24, 2023. The survey included a general information questionnaire, a diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies self‐assessment scale, and a nursing staff's self‐directed learning ability evaluation scale. The data was collected online. Descriptive, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 software. Results: 118 diabetes specialist nurses from 11 cities participated in this study. A positive correlation was observed between the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses and their self‐directed learning ability. The characteristics affecting the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses included age, participation in external learning and communication and self‐directed learning. Conclusions: The training of diabetes specialist nurses can focus on core competencies, and the ability to self‐direct learning can be used as an entry point to customize feasible theoretical and practical courses. The training system can further improve diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies and self‐directed learning abilities. Relevance to Clinical Practice: A reference can be established that nursing managers and nursing educators can use to develop training programs for specialist nurses by validating the link between their core competencies and self‐directed learning skills. Patient or Public Contribution: Participants were involved solely in the data collection process. No participant contributions were required for the study's design, outcome measurement or implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new iridoid glycosides, piasezkiiosides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from aqueous extract of the whole plant of Rehmannia piasezkii. Their structures were established from the spectroscopic data, chemical transformation, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 1 exhibited weak hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced HepG2 cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To identify independent factors of cognitive frailty (CF) and construct a nomogram to predict cognitive frailty risk in patients with lung cancer receiving drug therapy. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, patients with lung cancer undergoing drug therapy from October 2022 to July 2023 were enrolled. The data collected includes general demographic characteristics, clinical data characteristics and assessment of tools for cognitive frailty and other factors. Logistic regression was harnessed to determine the influencing factors, R software was used to establish a nomogram model to predict the risk of cognitive frailty. The enhanced bootstrap method was employed for internal verification of the model. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using calibration curves, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis. Results: A total of 372 patients were recruited, with a cognitive frailty prevalence of 56.2%. Age, education background, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, sarcopenia, and nutrition status were identified as independent factors. Then, a nomogram model was constructed and patients were classified into high‐ and low‐risk groups with a cutoff value of 0.552. The internal validation results revealed good concordance, calibration and discrimination. The decision curve analysis presented prominent clinical utility. Conclusions: The prevalence of cognitive frailty was higher in lung cancer patients receiving drug therapy. The nomogram could identify the risk of cognitive frailty intuitively and simply in patients with lung cancer, so as to provide references for early screening and intervention for cognitive frailty at the early phases of drug treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clarifying the distinctions between art-based creative activities in the domains of occupational therapy and art therapy in the context of stroke rehabilitation, while also describing the effects of art-based creative activities on stroke rehabilitation. Design: Scoping review. Data source: A systematic search was performed in nine databases (Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and four Chinese database) from their inception to December 2023. Review methods: The study included randomized and non-randomized controlled trials involving art-based creative activities, as well as qualitative research providing detailed intervention measures. The study focused on stroke patients, with primary outcomes related to patients' physiological recovery, psychological well-being, ADL, etc. Data extraction included information on intervention strategies and study results. Results: Seventeen studies were included, extracting six similarities and differences in creative activity between two domains. Creative activities were observed to have positive impacts on daily living activities, limb motor function, fine motor ability, and emotional well-being in stroke patients. Conclusion: Creative activities, whether in occupational therapy or art therapy, involve providing participants with tangible crafting materials for the creation of artistic works. Future stroke rehabilitation practices should tailor activities and intervention focus based on patients' rehabilitation needs, preferences, and cultural background. The current comprehensive analysis provides initial support for the potential positive role of creative activities in stroke rehabilitation, but further in-depth research is needed to confirm their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: (i) To estimate the national incidence of unplanned removal of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in China. (ii) To explore the associated risk factors to provide evidence for the prevention. Design: A multi‐centre prospective cohort study. Methods: A representative sample of 3222 Chinese adult patients with successful PICC insertion was recruited for the PICC Safety Management Research (PATH) using a two‐stage cluster sampling method from December 2020 to June 2022. Sixty hospitals from seven Chinese provinces representing all geographical regions were selected. Demographic information and PICC characteristics were collected using a standard online case report form. Risk factors for the unplanned removal of PICCs were assessed using a cause‐specific hazard model and verified using a sub‐distribution hazard model. STROBE guidelines were followed in reporting this study. Results: Three thousand one hundred and sixty‐six patients were included in the final analysis with a mean age of 59 years and a total of 344,247 catheter days. The incidence of unplanned removal was 10.04%. Female, with thrombosis history, PICC insertion due to infusion failure, valved catheter and double‐lumen catheter were risk factors, whereas longer insertion and exposure length were protective factors in the cause‐specific hazard model. Higher BMI became an independent risk factor in the sub‐distribution hazard model. Conclusions: Unplanned removal of PICCs is a serious clinical challenge in China. Our findings call for prevention strategies targeting the identified risk factors. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Our study characterised the epidemiology of unplanned removal of PICCs among Chinese adult inpatients, highlighting the need for prevention among this population and providing a basis for the formulation of relevant prevention strategies. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients contributed through sharing their information required for the case report form. Healthcare professionals who provide direct care to the patient at each medical centre contributed by completing the online case report form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven new pentasaccharides (1–7), rehmaglupentasaccharides A-G, were isolated from the air-dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were established from the spectroscopic data obtained and by chemical evidence. The known verbascose (8) and stachyose (9) were also obtained in the current investigation, and the structure of stachyose was unequivocally defined using X-ray diffraction data. Compounds 1–9 were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines, influence on dopamine receptor activation, and proliferation effects against Lactobacillus reuteri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Labor after cesarean (LAC) remains an optional delivery method among healthy pregnant individuals. Exploring women's attitudes, preferences, reasons for previous cesarean delivery, and the incentives underlying pregnant individuals' preferences could help us understand their choice of delivery mode. In this study we evaluated the preferences and attitudes of eligible pregnant women regarding participation in a LAC in Foshan, China. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 438 pregnant individuals with one prior cesarean delivery (CD) who attended their antenatal examination at a tertiary hospital in southern China, between November 1, 2018, and October 31, 2019. Information on demographic characteristics, obstetric data, preferences for LAC, and incentives for LAC were analyzed. Results: Overall, 85.4% (374/438) of women preferred LAC if they did not have contraindications before delivery, whereas 12.3% (54/438) refused and 2.3% (10/438) were unsure. Participants reported that the most important factors affecting their willingness to undergo LAC were safety indicators (i.e., "ability of hospitals to perform emergency cesarean delivery" [score of 9.28 ± 1.86]), followed by accessibility indicators (i.e., "priority bed arrangements" [score of 9.17 ± 1.84]). Logistic regression analysis indicated that neonatal wellbeing with the prior CD was an independent influencing factor (OR = 2.235 [95%CI: 1.115–4.845], p = 0.024) affecting willingness to access LAC in the subsequent pregnancy. Conclusions: We found a high preference for LAC among pregnant individuals without contraindications before delivery in southern China. Healthcare providers need to ensure access to LAC and increase pregnant individuals' LAC willingness through high‐quality shared decsision‐making in alignment with patient preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endometriosis is a common and complex syndrome characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. Chinese medicine has been recently found to show good efficacy in treating endometriosis. Our previous results revealed that Maqian fruit essential oil (MQEO) could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs), but the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aim to explore the molecular mechanism of MQEO's specific effects in EESCs. Methods: We conducted a quantitative proteomics analysis by iTRAQ on EESCs treated with MQEO or DMSO. Then deep analysis was performed based on differentially expressed proteins, including Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, pathway enrichment analysis and protein interaction analysis. Candidate protein targets were subsequently verified by western blotting. Results: Among 6575 identified proteins, 435 proteins exhibited altered expression levels in MQEO-treated EESCs. Of these proteins, most were distributed in signal transduction as well as immune system and the most significantly altered pathway was complement and coagulation cascades. Moreover, two differentially expressed proteins (Heme oxygenase 1 and Acyl-CoA 6-desaturase) were verified and they can be potential biomarkers for endometriosis treatment. Conclusions: Our proteomic analysis revealed distinct protein expression patterns induced by MQEO treatment in EESCs, highlighting the potential of MQEO for endometriosis treatment and biomarker discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the physical and mental health status of community residents and to identify the risk factors of chronic diseases. Design: A cross‐sectional, descriptive correlational study was conducted. Methods: A total of 579 participants were recruited from 15 communities in Tianjin. The demographic information sheet, 7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD‐7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) were used. Data collection was undertaken based on the health management system on mobile phones from April to May 2019. Results: Eighty‐four participants of the total number of surveyed were with chronic disease. The incidence of depression and anxiety in participants was 44.2% and 41.3%. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 4.905, 95%CI: 2.619–9.187), religious belief (OR = 0.445, 95%CI: 1.510–11.181) and working condition (OR = 0.161, 95%CI: 0.299–0.664) entered the regression equation. Old age is a risk factor for chronic diseases. No religious belief and working condition are protective factors for chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Icon cognitive impairment is one of the main difficulties for older users to use smart products. This study explores the impact of icon style, icon concreteness and both together on understanding icons by comparing the cognitive differences between two groups of users, young and old. The performance of different types of icons on cognitive performance was analyzed specifically through a comprehensive cognitive load assessment method of behavioral, physiological and subjective data. The results showed that the cognitive performance of skeuomorphism concrete icons was higher and the cognitive load was lower when the user group was novice or older users with less experience in interacting with the GUI; the cognitive performance of flat concrete icons was higher and the cognitive load was lower when the user group was familiar or young users with more experience in interacting with the GUI. From the perspective of cognitive differences between young and old, the results of this study provide a reference for future icon design of interactive interfaces for older people smart terminals to help designers and developers achieve a better user experience for the aging group, which has practical significance for the age-friendly design of graphical interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper aimed to examine the current state of nurse safety behavior, and the effect of work engagement on it, and to explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy between work engagement and nurse safety behavior in specialized cancer hospitals. Background. Nurse safety behavior affects the quality of care and outcomes for patients with cancer. The research proves that self-efficacy is associated with work engagement, but the relationship between self-efficacy, work engagement, and nurse safety behavior needs to be clarified. Methods. This study used a convenience sampling method to survey 957 nurses from January to February 2023. The survey included tertiary specialized cancer hospitals in five provinces in China. Sociodemography information, the Work Engagement Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Nurse Safety Behavior Scale were used for the survey. A Questionnaire Star program collected all the data automatically. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24 was employed for Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis to examine the association between work engagement, self-efficacy, and nurse safety behavior. Structural equation models were built using Analysis of Moment Structures version 24.0 software. Results. The results showed that the nurse safety behavior was at a high level in specialized cancer hospitals. There was a significant positive relationship between the variables work engagement, self-efficacy, and nurse safety behavior with coefficients ranging from 0.244 to 0.564. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that self-efficacy partially mediated the effect between work engagement and nurse safety behavior, accounting for 25.3% of the total effect. Conclusion. Self-efficacy mediates the relationship between work engagement and nurse safety behavior, and by increasing self-efficacy, nurse safety behavior can be improved, thus ensuring patient safety. Implications for Nursing Management. Managers should promote high work engagement and nurse safety behaviors by fostering nurses' self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the association between inflammatory diets as measured by the Dietary Inflammatory index (DII), inflammation biomarkers and the development of preeclampsia among the Chinese population. We followed the reporting guidelines of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement for observational studies. A total of 466 preeclampsia cases aged over 18 years were recruited between March 2016 and June 2019, and 466 healthy controls were 1:1 ratio matched by age (±3 years), week of gestation (±1 week) and gestational diabetes mellitus. The energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) was computed based on dietary intake assessed using a seventy-nine item semiquantitative FFQ. Inflammatory biomarkers were analysed by ELISA kits. The mean E-DII scores were −0·65 ± 1·58 for cases and −1·19 ± 1·47 for controls (P value < 0·001). E-DII scores positively correlated with interferon- γ (r s = 0·194, P value = 0·001) and IL-4 (r s = 0·135, P value = 0·021). After multivariable adjustment, E-DII scores were positively related to preeclampsia risk (P trend < 0·001). The highest tertile of E-DII was 2·18 times the lowest tertiles (95 % CI = 1·52, 3·13). The odds of preeclampsia increased by 30 % (95 % CI = 18 %, 43 %, P value < 0·001) for each E-DII score increase. The preeclampsia risk was positively associated with IL-2 (OR = 1·07, 95 % CI = 1·03, 1·11), IL-4 (OR = 1·26, 95 % CI = 1·03, 1·54) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β) (OR = 1·17, 95 % CI = 1·06, 1·29). Therefore, proinflammatory diets, corresponding to higher IL-2, IL-4 and TGF- β levels, were associated with increased preeclampsia risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the relationships between transformational leadership, psychological empowerment and innovative behaviour among nurses in China. Background: The innovative behaviour of nurses is important to adapt to the changing medical environment. However, there is currently a limited understanding of the relationship between nurses' innovative behaviour and transformational leadership and psychological empowerment during the pandemic. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to conduct an investigation involving 1317 nurses from 10 hospitals in China from January 2022 to April 2022. Data analysis was performed using correlation analysis, univariate analysis and multiple regression analysis. The STROBE checklist was followed when writing this manuscript. Results: High transformational leadership and high psychological empowerment were associated with high innovative behaviour. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that physical condition, whether or not you have attended academic conferences or whether or not you have participated in fund research projects, transformational leadership and psychological empowerment were the main factors on nurses' innovative behaviour, together explaining 64.5% of the total variance. Conclusion: Promotion of transformational leadership and psychological empowerment is vital for nurses to promote innovation, thereby meeting the urgent demand for innovative nurses and the rapid development of nursing disciplines. Implications for Nursing Management: This study highlights the importance of transformational leadership in developing nurses' innovative behaviours. Understanding the role of psychological empowerment can help nurse managers formulate relevant intervention strategies and cultivate nurses' innovative behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are enzymes responsible for attaching amino acids to tRNA, which enables protein synthesis. Mutations in isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS1) have recently been reported to be a genetic cause for growth retardation, intellectual disability, muscular hypotonia, and infantile hepatopathy (GRIDHH).Case Presentation: In this study, we reported an additional case of compound heterozygous missense variations c.701 T > C (p.L234P) and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) in IARS1, which were identified using medical exome sequencing; c.701 T > C (p.L234P) was a novel variant, and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) was found in GnomAD. Unlike other reported patients, this individual presented prominently with recurrent liver failure, which led to her death at an early age of 19 months. She also had significant growth retardation, muscular hypotonia, chubby and flabby face, recurrent loose stools, and abnormal brain computed tomography (CT), while zinc deficiency and hearing loss were not present. Studies in zebrafish embryo modeling recapitulated some of the key phenotypic traits in embryo development, neurodevelopment, liver development, and myogenesis, demonstrating that these variations caused a loss of gene function in IARS1.Conclusions: We have found a novel mutation point c.701 T > C (p.L234P) in IARS1. Compound heterozygous mutations of c.701 T > C (p.L234P) and c.1555C > T (p.R519C) in IARS1 are pathogenic, which can cause GRIDHH in child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the health‐promoting behaviours of patients with hyperuricaemia and influencing factors. Design: A descriptive qualitative design was used to gain insight into the personal experience of health promotion behaviour in patients with hyperuricaemia. Methods: Sixteen patients were sampled in face‐to‐face interviews with maximum variation, and the data were transcribed verbatim. The data analysis was based on the phrases of thematic analysis outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Results: Four main themes were identified in the data: (a) Perception of disease; (b) Motivation to change health‐promoting behaviour; (c) Strategies for health‐promoting behaviour; and (d) Encounter obstacles to change health‐promoting behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The older population is increasingly utilizing professional healthcare services, while the requirements for caregivers are becoming more demanding. Therefore, it is important to be mindful not only of the service needs of older people but also to consider the training needs of their care workers. The present study aimed to investigate the care service needs for older people and the training needs of their care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to survey 589 residents of 6 nursing homes and 2 geriatric hospitals, 415 medical staff from 7 geriatric hospitals, 5 nursing homes, and 1 community institution, and 372 nursing assistants from 21 nursing institutions in northeast China. Results: The service with the greatest demand and that with which users were most satisfied was regular visits by healthcare personnel, which was the case for 87.27% of the care recipients. Of the medical staff, 75.42% had training needs related to geriatric healthcare, while the most requested training content was the comprehensive assessment of old people. The most requested method for the delivery of training was by self-study online video courses. Of nursing assistants, only 53.4% had obtained the relevant practicing certificate. While 83.6% participated in relevant training, 86% expressed the need for additional training. The majority of this category of staff wished to receive training in everyday care routines, and the majority wanted to learn by way of practical training. Conclusions: The care needs of the older population are diverse, and the work performed by healthcare personnel is increasing in scope. The existing training system for such care personnel is not perfect, and the demand for training is high. Existing training methods and content require improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantar heel pain syndrome (PHPS), also known as plantar fasciitis, affects millions of people worldwide. Electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) are the two acupuncture modalities frequently used for PHPS in the clinical setting. However, which modality is more effective has yet to be determined. Objective: To examine whether EA is more effective than MA with regards to pain relief for patients with PHPS. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 12 treatment sessions of EA or MA over 4 weeks with 24 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome was the proportion of treatment responders, defined as patients with at least a 50% reduction from baseline in the worst pain intensity experienced during the first steps in the morning after a 4-week treatment, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0–100; higher scores signify worse pain). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: Ninety-two patients with a clinical diagnosis of PHPS were enrolled from 29 July 2018 through 28 June 2019. Of the patients, 78 (85%) completed the treatment and follow-up. The primary outcome occurred in 54.8% (23/42) of the EA group compared to 50.0% (21/42) of the MA group after the 4-week treatment (difference –4.76, 95% confidence interval, –26.10 to 16.57, P = 0.662). There were no significant between-group differences for any secondary outcomes after 4 weeks of treatment and at 16 weeks and 28 weeks of follow-up. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events in either group. Conclusion: Among patients with PHPS, EA did not have a better effect with respect to relieving pain intensity than MA at week 4, although both EA and MA appeared to have positive temporal effects, with decreased heel pain and improved plantar function. Trial registration number: ChiCTR1800016531 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Mulam are an ethnic group native to Guangxi, and nearly 80% of the Mulam population lives in Luocheng Mulam Autonomous County, northern Guangxi, southern China. They have accumulated rich medicinal folk knowledge through practice and experience in their long-term struggles with disease and the harsh natural environment. However, their traditional medicinal knowledge is threatened due to a lack of written records, conservative inheritance patterns, and rapid economic development. Therefore, the investigation and documentation of medicinal plants and their associated indigenous wisdom are necessary. Method: Ethnobotanical data were collected from 12 villages and five communities in Luocheng County from January 2013 to April 2017. A total of 128 informants were interviewed through semistructured interviews, field observations, group discussions, and guided field walks. Quantitative indices such as use categories, preference ranking exercises, the informant consensus factor (ICF), and the fidelity level (FL) were used to evaluate the importance of medicinal plant species. Additionally, group discussions were conducted about the conservation of and threats to medicinal plants and traditional knowledge. Results: A total of 456 medicinal plant species from 350 genera and 132 families were recorded and documented in our ethnobotanical investigation. Most of them (335 species, 73.47%) were obtained from wild habitats. Most of the documented species (246) were herbaceous (54%), followed by shrubs, with 76 species (17%), lianas, with 75 species (16%), and trees, with 59 species (13%). The most common method of administration was oral administration, which was used for 390 species (62.70%). The most common method of preparation was decoction (316 species, 54.11%). The plants were used to treat 312 human diseases in 12 disease categories, and most of the categories had a high ICF value. The highest ICF value was recorded for gynecological ailments (0.92), followed by nervous and psychosomatic problems (0.90) and digestive system diseases (0.89). Traditional medicinal knowledge and medicinal plants are under threat due to conservative inheritance processes and anthropogenic pressures for various reasons. Conclusion: A rich diversity of medicinal plants is distributed in the Mulam area, and these plants play an important role in healthcare among the Mulam people. Mulam people are skilled in using the plants in their surroundings to treat diseases in their daily lives. However, their traditional medicinal knowledge and medicinal plants are greatly threatened by rapid economic development for various reasons. Thus, policies and practices for the conservation of medicinal plants and the associated traditional knowledge are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight new iridoids (1–8) and an ionone glucoside (9), together with 31 known compounds (10–40), were isolated from the whole plants of Rehmannia henryi. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and chemical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oleifera C. Abel has been widely cultivated in China, and a group of bioactive constituents such as triterpeniod saponin have been isolated from C. oleifera C. Abel. In the current study, a new triterpeniod saponin was isolated from the EtOH extract of the roots of C. oleifera C. Abel, named as oleiferoside W, and the cytotoxic properties of oleiferoside W were evaluated in non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells. At the same time the inducing apoptosis, the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ), the up-regulation of related pro-apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase-3, and the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-2/Bax were measured on oleiferoside W. Furthermore, the function, inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, of oleiferoside W could be reversed by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In conclusion, our findings showed that oleiferoside W induced apoptosis involving mitochondrial pathway and increasing intracellular ROS production in the A549 cells, suggesting that oleiferoside W may have the possibility to be a useful anticancer agent for therapy in lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extract of Celastrus orbiculatus (COE) has been shown to possess anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity and anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. However, the molecular mechanism by which COE on precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) has not been fully elucidated so far. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect and mechanism of COE in the rat model of PLGC, after the rat model of PLGC was successfully constructed. The effects of COE in gastric mucosa of rats with PLGC were tested using routine pathology and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. The protein and mRNA expression levels of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Vimentin) and leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) were detected adopting techniques of immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot assays. The body weight of PLGC rats was significantly higher in the COE group than that in the untreated group. The process of PLGC was significantly reversed after COE treatment, shown by observing the changes of histopathological morphology and ultrastructure. Gastric mucosal epithelial cells in COE high dose (COE-H) group showed significantly higher expression levels of E-cadherin, and lower expression levels of N-cadherin, Vimentin and Lgr5 than those of the untreated group. COE could suppress the spatial distribution of Lgr5 + cell changes in PLGC rats. These findings suggested that the therapeutic mechanisms of COE in treating PLGC might be related with its effects on reversing the EMT process and inhibiting Lgr5 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the relative validity of a 2-day 24-hour dietary recall ( HR) designed to assess energy and nutrient intake among Chinese adults compared with a 2-day weighed dietary record ( WD). Methods Data were obtained from an ongoing population-based, prospective cohort study of adults aged 18-65 years in South China. A total of 41 adults completing a HR and a WD within 14 days were included in the present analysis. Estimations of individual mean differences, Spearman's correlation coefficients, cross-classifications and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between the intakes of energy and 18 nutrients obtained from the HR and the WD. Results With the exception of total fat, saturated fatty acids, thiamine, potassium and magnesium, the energy and nutrient intakes between the HR and WD showed no significant differences. All dietary intakes that were evaluated by the HR were correlated significantly with the dietary intake from the WD (de-attenuated correlation coefficients ranged from 0.10 to 0.87). The proportion of participants classified into quartiles correctly ranged from 61% for tocopherol intake to 90% for energy intake. The weighted k values ranking the participants ranged from 0.11 for tocopherol intake to 0.41 for the intakes of energy and calcium. The Bland-Altman plots showed moderate/good agreement among all the dietary intakes that were estimated from the HR and WD, except for total fat. Conclusions This study suggests that an HR could be a valid tool for estimating the energy and nutrient intakes among adults in South China at the group level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify the boundary conditions for proactive employees making whistle-blowing decisions, we developed a cross-level model comprising employee proactive personality and two types of whistle-blowing intentions that incorporates the influences of organizational- and individual-level attributes. Analyses of data collected from 432 Chinese employees in 32 companies indicated that proactive personality was positively related to internal whistle-blowing intention and even more positively related to external whistle-blowing intention when individuals were working in organizations characterized by an instrumental ethical climate and employees with a high level of moral identity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among perceived organizational support, career success, self-esteem and intention to remain. A cross-sectional study was designed, and subjects were recruited from six nonprofit organizations in China in spring 2015. A convenience sample of 610 nurses answered a survey with questions related to their ideas about their work. Structural equation modelling analyses were conducted. The results revealed that perceived organizational support was positively associated with intention to remain and career success, which, in turn, mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and intention to remain. We also found that self-esteem mediated the relationships between perceived organizational support and career success and between career success and intention to remain. Higher perceived organizational support, career success and self-esteem can increase intention to remain in Chinese nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to understand the mental health status of an understudied group of migrant children - children of migrant workers in China. A total of 1,466 children from Beijing participated in the study that compared migrant children (n = 1,019) to their local peers (n = 447) in public and private school settings. Results showed that overall, migrant children reported more internalizing and externalizing mental health problems and lower life satisfaction than local peers. However, public school attendance served as a protective factor for migrant children's mental health. The mental health status of migrant children attending public schools, including externalizing problems as well as friend and school satisfaction, was not different from local children. In addition, our data indicates that the protective effect of public school attendance for migrant children may be even more salient among girls than boys, and for younger children than older children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study of soluble corin in the circulation before hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) has been limited. Here we aimed to study serum soluble corin in mid pregnancy in patients with HDP and their age- and gestational weeks-matched controls. Methods: Sixty-eight pairs of cases of HDP and controls were studied. Blood samples were obtained in mid pregnancy between 16 and 20 gestational weeks. Serum soluble corin was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. The relationship between serum soluble corin and HDP was examined using conditional logistic regression models. Results: Serum soluble corin in mid pregnancy was increased in cases with HDP compared with controls (median [interquartile range]: 1968 [1644-2332] pg/mL vs. 1700 [1446-2056] pg/mL, p=0.002). Participants were categorized into quartiles of serum soluble corin distributed in controls. Compared with the lowest quartile, participants in the highest quartile had a significantly increased risk for HDP (odds ratio [OR], 4.21; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.31-13.53) after multivariate adjustment. Nevertheless, we did not find a significantly increased risk for participants in the second (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.44-7.02) and third (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 0.70-11.18) quartiles. Then the first three quartiles were merged as a reference group to calculate the OR of HDP for participants in the highest quartile and we found a significantly increased risk for HDP in individuals in the highest quartile (OR, 2.28, 95% CI, 1.02-5.06). Conclusion: Increased serum soluble corin in mid pregnancy was associated with an increased risk for HDP. Our findings suggest that increased serum soluble corin in mid pregnancy could be an indicator for HDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to evaluate the contribution of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in the prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) anomalies but normal chromosomal karyotype. A total of 46 fetuses with CNS anomalies with or without other ultrasound anomalies but normal karyotypes were evaluated by array-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) or single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. The result showed that CNVs were detected in 17 (37.0%) fetuses. Of these, CNVs identified in 5 (5/46, 10.9%) fetuses were considered to be likely pathogenic, and CNVs detected in 3 (3/46, 6.5%) fetuses were defined as being of uncertain clinical significance. Fetuses with CNS malformations plus other ultrasound anomalies had a higher rate of pathogenic CNVs than those with isolated CNS anomalies (13.6% versus 8.3%), but there was no significant difference (Fisher’s exact test, P>0.05). Pathogenic CNVs were detected most frequently in fetuses with Dandy-Walker syndrome (2/6, 33.3%) when compared with other types of neural malformations, and holoprosencephaly (2/7, 28.6%) ranked the second. CMA is valuable in prenatal genetic diagnosis of fetuses with CNS anomalies. It should be considered as part of prenatal diagnosis in fetuses with CNS malformations and normal karyotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish the diagnosis evidence of objective tongue inspection for liver cancer (LC) patients with damp-heat syndrome (DHS) by dynamically observing their tongue figures using modern tongue image analytic apparatus, and to explore the effect of intervention on the tongue figures. Methods: Tongue figures were collected from 142 LC patients with DHS by tongue image analytic apparatus. Red (R), green (G) and blue (B) values were analyzed. The r and g values were calculated requesting r=R/(R+G+B), g=G/(R+G+B), and b=1-r-g, and scored in combination with Chinese medical symptoms scale. The tongue figure and correlated scores were collected from 59 of them 3 days after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization intervention. Results: The range of objective tongue inspection of LC patients with DHS was as follows: as for tongue fur, 0.360

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is well-validated in the western countries. However, it has not been widely adopted or disseminated in China. One possibility is that therapeutic approaches drawn from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will be more widely accepted. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medication in combination with a therapeutic approach drawn from TCM, Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2), for acute treatment of insomnia. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety primary insomnia patients were randomly assigned to receive TIP3-2 combined with medication ( n = 45) or medication only ( n = 45) for 4 weeks. Medication consisted of 1-2 mg Estazolam nightly. On the basis of taking Estazolam, TIP3-2 combined with medication group was given Low Resistance Thought Induction Sleep-regulating Technique (TIP3-2) treatment twice a week. Outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) before and after treatment. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in the PSQI and polysomnography indices. The TIP3-2+ medication group demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in PSQI total score, sleep medication use, daytime dysfunction, subjective sleep quality, as well as polysomnography indices of sleep efficiency and awakening times ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Among patients with primary insomnia, the addition of TIP3-2 provided benefits above and beyond the role of medication alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used structural equation modeling to examine the relationships of family socioeconomic status (SES), parent-adolescent conflict, and filial piety to family functioning among middle school and high school students in mainland China. A total of 2,341 students (1,218 girls and 1,096 boys; mean age = 15.42) completed the Chinese Family Assessment Instrument, Family Status Survey, Parent-adolescent Conflict Scale, and Filial Piety Scale. The main results showed that: (a) family SES, parent-adolescent conflict, and filial piety were significantly linked to family functioning; (b) parent-adolescent conflict and filial piety contributed more to family functioning than family SES; (c) parent-adolescent conflict mediated the relationship between reciprocal filial piety and family functioning. The results promote understanding of family processes that influence the relationships between family SES, parent-adolescent conflict, filial piety, and family functioning among middle school and high school adolescents in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Vascular normalization is an emerging concept in cancer treatment, but its precise mechanisms are not completely understood. The polarization of tumor-associated macrophages ( TAMs) is important in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. However, little is known about the effect of anti-angiogenic agents on the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Therefore, we explore the changes of TAMs polarization in the development of tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin. Methods A murine xenograft model of lung cancer was treated with endostatin for 10 days. The morphology and function of tumor vasculature was examined using various techniques. Flow cytometry was carried out to assess the TAMs, and immunofluorescence was used to examine Tie-2-expressing monocytes ( TEMs) in tumors. Levels of the histidine-rich glycoprotein ( HRG) in tumors were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results Tumor vessels became more normal and mature on day six in the endostatin-treated mice. During vascular normalization, the number of M2-like TAMs and TEMs in the tumors was significantly reduced, whereas the number of M1-like TAMs showed an increase on day six after endostatin treatment, although the latter was not statistically significant. The HRG in the tumors accumulated at an early stage after endostatin administration. Conclusions The polarization of TAMs is associated with tumor vascular normalization induced by endostatin. These observations may be useful in the exploration of new strategies for anti-angiogenic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives. To verify with empirical evidence the hypothesised relation and the effect of quality of work life, job embeddedness and affective commitment on turnover intention of clinical nurses in China. Background. High turnover of the nursing workforce in healthcare organisations is a difficult and recurring problem in China as well as in many other countries in the world. It leads to great waste of resources and increases management cost. Developing and retaining the nursing workforce, which is a major challenge faced by human resources practitioners in hospitals and public health agencies, also becomes a subject of interest for management studies. Most of the literature about voluntary turnover focused on such traditional measures as job satisfaction and job alternatives in the past. The introduction of such new concepts as quality of work life, job embeddedness and affective commitment, which views the issue from a much broader and comprehensive spectrum, made a great breakthrough in the turnover study. In this study, we selected quality of work life, job embeddedness and affective commitment - three of the most important factors in employer-employee relations - and analysed the interaction between each one of them, as well as their co-effect on turnover intention of Chinese nurses. Methods. Cross-sectional survey and structural equation modelling were applied in studying the self-report questionnaires distributed to 1000 nurses employed in five large-scale government-owned hospitals in Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China. Findings. Our study confirmed the hypothesised positive relation of quality of work life with job embeddedness and affective commitment and the hypothesised negative relation of quality of work life with turnover intention, that is, high quality of work life perceived by the nurses enhances their job embeddedness and affective commitment and thus reduces their intention to leave the job. Conclusions. The effect of quality of work life is positive on job embeddedness and affection commitment and negative on turnover intention. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurse managers should pay great attention to the nurses' perception of quality of work life, and make great efforts in developing strategies and projects that can strengthen the nurses' embeddedness or connection with the job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the relationship between sharps injuries and job burnout in nurses. Sharps injury questionnaires and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaires were used to investigate and analyze job burnout among 468 nurses, of which 458 effective questionnaires were collected, for a response rate of 97.86%. A total of 292 nurses had at least one sharps injury (63.76% of the 458 nurses). The dimension scores were higher for injured nurses compared with non-injured nurses. The difference between the dimensions of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization for nurses with sharps injuries was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). A rank correlation analysis showed that these two dimensions had a positive correlation with sharps injuries (r = 0.69-0.78). The prevalence of sharps injuries in nursing is associated with depersonalization, as measured by the MBI. Nursing administrators should pay more attention to clinically burned-out nurses, and provide more opportunity to nurses for training and education to reduce the prevalence of sharps injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of eight common rheumatic diseases in a large Chinese population.Methods. A population-based epidemiological investigation of the prevalence of eight common rheumatic diseases in a suburb of Beijing was conducted in 14 642 individuals. A community-based survey was carried out using a screening questionnaire. Positive responders were included in a clinical and laboratory examination. Diagnosis was based on the criteria of ACR or those used widely in literature.Results. A total of 10 556 inhabitants were interviewed. Forty-three cases of RA were identified with an age-adjusted prevalence of 0.28% (95% CI 0.19%, 0.41%). Gout was diagnosed with a crude prevalence of 0.09% (95% CI 0.05%, 0.17%). Psoriasis was reported in 28 individuals with a prevalence of 0.27% (95% CI 0.18%, 0.38%). This included two cases diagnosed with PsA, resulting in a prevalence of 7.14% (95% CI 0.88%, 23.5%) in psoriasis patients and 0.02% (95% CI 0%, 0.07%) in the general population. Three individuals were identified with SLE, with a prevalence of 0.03% (95% CI 0%, 0.06%). One individual was identified with SSc and the calculated prevalence was 0.01% (95% CI 0%, 0.05%). One case of Behçet's disease was identified, giving a prevalence of 0.01% (95% CI 0%, 0.05%).Conclusion. This large-scale epidemiological survey provides an estimate of the burden of rheumatic diseases in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Acetylcysteine may be used as a muco- lytic agent for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other pul- monary diseases complicated by the production of viscous mucus. However, little is known of its pharma- cokinetic properties when given orally in healthy vol- unteers, particularly in a Chinese Han population. This study was conducted to provide support for the market- ing of a generic product in China. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and relative bioavailability of a generic test formulation and a branded reference formulation of acetylcysteine in fasting healthy Chinese male volunteers. Methods: A single-dose, open-label, randomized sequence, 2-period crossover design with a 7-day washout period between doses was used in this study. Healthy Chinese male nonsmokers aged 18 to 40 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 19 to 25 kg/m2 were selected. Eligible volunteers were randomly assigned to receive acetylcysteine 600 mg PO as either the test formulation (3 tablets of 200 mg each) or reference formulation (1 tablet of 600 mg) under fasting conditions. A total of 15 serial blood samples were collected over a 24-hour interval, and total plasma acetylcysteine concentrations were analyzed by a validated liquid chromatographyisotopic dilution mass spectrometry method. Pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Tmax, t½ AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were calculated and analyzed statistically. The 2 formulations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs of the log-transformed ratios (test/reference) of Cmax and AUC were within the predetermined bioequivalence ranges (70%–143% for Cmax; 80%–125% for AUC), as established by the State Food and Drug Administration of China. Tolerability was determined by vital signs, clinical laboratory tests, 12-lead ECGs, physical examinations, and interviews with the subjects about adverse events (AEs). Results: A total of 24 healthy Chinese Han male volunteers were enrolled in and completed the study (mean [SD] age, 25.0 [2.4] years; height, 173.0 [5.6] cm; weight, 65.9 [6.4] kg; BMI, 22.0 [1.7] kg/m2). No formulation, period, or sequence effects were observed. The 90% CIs for the log-transformed Cmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ were 89.7% to 103.8%, 86.7% to 101.7%, and 87.7% to 102.4%, respectively, which met the predetermined criteria for assuming bioequivalence. Two subjects (8.3%) experienced 2 mild AEs (increase in total bile acid and prolongation of the QT interval), which were not considered to be related to study drug administration. Conclusions: This single-dose study of acetylcysteine 600 mg PO found that the 3 tablets of the generic test formulation and 1 tablet of the branded reference formulation met the regulatory criteria for assuming bioequivalence in these fasting healthy Chinese male volunteers. Both formulations were generally well tolerated [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new C28 sterols with a cyclopentane ring at C-22 and 26, alkesterol A (1) and alkesterol B (2), along with β-sitosterol (3), were isolated from the berries of Physalis pubeacens L. (cape gooseberry). The structures of the new compounds were established by HR-EI-MS, 1D and 2D (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR experiments. The known compound was identified by comparison of spectral data with published references. The two new compounds showed some cytotoxic activities by MTT assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lysimachia clethroides Duby is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb has been used in China to treat edema, jaundice diseases, hepatitis, tumor and inflammations, but the anti-tumor mechanisms are unclear. Aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to investigate if total flavonoids from Lysimachia clethroides Duby (ZE4) possesses anti-cancer effects through apoptotic pathways in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells. Materials and methods: K562 cells were treated with different concentrations of ZE4 at different time intervals. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and COMET assay. Western blot analysis was used to detect Bcl-2, Trail and DR5 expressions. Results: 15 flavonoids were isolated and identified from ZE4. ZE4 could inhibit the growth of K562 cells significantly by induction of apoptosis. Marked morphological changes of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and single DNA strand breakages were observed clearly after treatment of ZE4. Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated remarkably while Fas, Trail and DR5 up-regulated when apoptosis occurred. Conclusions: This result suggests that total flavonoids of Lysimachia clethroides Duby exert potential anti-cancer activity through growth inhibition and apoptosis in K562 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The traditional medicinal markets held during the Dragon Boat Festival are common and important in China's countryside. In Jianghua, a Yao autonomous county in Hunan Province in China, the medicinal market also plays an important role for the application, conservation, and communication of traditional Yao medicinal knowledge. Methods: During the Dragon Boat Festival in 2016 and 2017, ethnobotanical surveys and inventories were conducted in the medicinal market of Jianghua County, and voucher plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in a herbarium. Quantitative analysis included measurement of frequency of occurrence for species in the marketplace and the relative importance index for the number of uses for a given species. Results: A total of 306 plant species (249 genera, 113 families) and their related information about the medicinal market were collected. Some major findings include the following: (1) Using the whole plant as medicine is more common than other medicinal plant parts; (2) treating rheumatism and clearing inner heat are the most frequent medicinal uses; and (3) taking a medicinal bath is the most frequent modality to administer the traditional medicine. The frequency of occurrence and the relative importance index of some medicinal plants were analyzed, as well as the demographics and the number of stalls and the status of traditional Yao medicinal knowledge in Jianghua. Based on the investigation, suggestions were proposed for better protecting the medicinal market and preserving traditional medicinal knowledge in Jianghua County. Conclusion: The medicinal market during the Dragon Boat Festival in Jianghua County possesses an important cultural value and helps to conserve the traditional Yao medicinal knowledge. The medicinal plants sold at the market showed great diversity and unique local characteristics. The medicinal market is facing some challenges in such a rapidly developing era. Cultivation of young healers and maintaining the local biodiversity might be the key solutions for the development of local medicinal market and local Yao medicinal knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chemical investigations on the ethanolic extract of the dried fructus of Cnidium monnieri offered three chromones and eight coumarins. Among them, a new chromone and a new coumarin were identified and elucidated as 5,7-dihydroxy-6-[(2Z)-4-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy-3- methylbut-2-enyl]-2-hydroxymethyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (1, hydroxycnidimoside A) and (rel 1′S,2′R)-8-(2,3-epoxy-1-hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-7-methoxycoumarin (8, hydroxyosthole epoxide), respectively, by extensive analyses of spectroscopic data including 1- and 2-D NMR, MS, UV, OR, IR, and HRMS data. The other known compounds were identified by analyses of spectroscopic data and by comparison with literature reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Gracilistones A (1) and B (2), two new eudesmane-type sesquiterpenoids with an unusual tetrahydrofuran-fused 6/6/5 tricyclic ring system, were obtained from Acanthopanax gracilistylus under the guidance of LC-MS investigation. Their structures and absolute configurations were assigned by extensive spectroscopic analyses and quantum calculation methods. Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent inhibitory activity against LPS-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages, compared with the positive control L-NMMA. In addition, compounds 1 and 2 were also evaluated for their antioxidant (DPPH• and ABTS•+) and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activities, and they exhibited weak inhibitory effects at 100 μM. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), also known as nitroglycerin, has been used to treat angina and heart failure for more than 130 years. Recently, it was shown that mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) is responsible for formation of NO, the metabolite needed for GTN efficacy. In the present study, we show that the common G-to-A polymorphism in exon 12 of ALDH2--resulting in a Glu504Lys replacement that virtually eliminates ALDH2 activity in both heterozygotes and homozygotes--is associated with a lack of efficacy of sublingual GTN in Chinese subjects. We also show that the catalytic efficiency (Vmax/Km) of GTN metabolism of the Glu504 protein is approximately 10-fold higher than that of the Lys504 enzyme. We conclude that the presence of the Lys504 allele contributes in large part to the lack of an efficacious clinical response to nitroglycerin; we recommend that this genetic factor be considered when administering nitroglycerin to patients, especially Asians, 30-50% of whom possess the inactive ALDH2*2 mutant allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]