Defining Subtypes in Children with Nail Biting: A Latent Profile Analysis of Personality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine personality profiles and behavioral problems of children with nail biting (NB) to gain insight into the developmental trajectory of pathological NB. METHODS: 681 elementary school students were divided into non NB (n=436), occasional NB (n=173) and frequent NB group (n=72) depending on the frequency of NB reported in Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL). Children's personality was assessed using the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI), and behavioral problems were assessed using the CBCL. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was performed using JTCI profiles to classify personalities of the children with NB (belonging to frequent and occasional NB group, n=245). RESULTS: For subscale scores of CBCL, the total, internalizing, externalizing, anxious/depressed withdrawn/depressed, depression, thought, rule-breaking, and aggressive behavior problems, were most severe in the frequent NB group followed by occasional NB and non NB group. LPA of personality profile in children with NB revealed four classes ('adaptiveness,' 'high reward dependence,' 'low self-directedness,' and 'maldaptiveness'). The four personality classes demonstrated significant group differences in all of the CBCL subscales. Children who showed low self-directedness and cooperativeness and high novelty seeking and harm avoidance personality profiles demonstrated highest tendency for problematic behavior irrespective of the frequency of NB. CONCLUSION: Children with NB reported significantly more problematic behaviors compared to children without NB. Children with specific personality profile demonstrated higher tendency for problematic behavior irrespective of the frequency of NB. Therefore, accompanying personality profiles should be considered when assessing behavioral problems in children with NB.

OSSC1E-K19, a novel phytochemical component of Osteomeles schwerinae, prevents glycated albumin-induced retinal vascular injury in rats.

In the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy (DR), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to have important roles. It is known that VEGF causes a breakdown of the blood­retinal barrier (BRB) and retinal neovascularization; however, how AGEs affect the retina has largely remained elusive. OSSC1E­K19 is a novel phytochemical component of Osteomeles schwerinae. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of OSSC1E­K19 on retinal vascular injury in AGE­modified rat serum albumin (AGE-RSA)-induced retinopathy. AGE-RSA-injected rat eyes were used investigate the protective effects of OSSC1E­K19 on BRB breakdown. Intravitreal injection of OSSC1E-K19 prevented AGE-RSA-induced BRB breakdown and decreased retinal VEGF expression in retinal vessels. In addition, OSSC1E-K19 inhibited the loss of occludin, a significant tight junction protein. These results supported the potential therapeutic utility of OSSC1E-K19 for retinal vascular permeability diseases.

Anti-glycation and anti-angiogenic activities of 5'-methoxybiphenyl-3,4,3'-triol, a novel phytochemical component of Osteomeles schwerinae.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are involved in the development of diabetic complications such as diabetic retinopathy. 5'-methoxybiphenyl-3,4,3'-triol (referred to as K24) was isolated using bioactivity-guided fractionation of Osteomeles schwerinae C. K. Schneid. and identified as a potent AGE inhibitor. To identify the protective effect of K24 on disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, AGE-RSA was intravitreally injected into rat eyes. K24 had an inhibitory effect on AGE-RSA-induced retinal vascular leakage by suppressing the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and decreasing the loss of occludin. In addition, we examined whether K24 has a preventive effect against retinal pathogenic angiogenesis in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. K24 significantly reduced the retinal non-perfused area and neovascular tufts in the OIR mice. These data indicate that K24 could serve as an innovative pharmaceutical agent to prevent blood-retinal barrier breakage and retinal pathogenic angiogenesis through an anti-VEGF mechanism.

Cycloartane-type triterpenes from the leaves of Homonoia riparia with VEGF-induced angiogenesis inhibitory activity.

Six new cycloartane-type triterpenes (1-6), 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,7ß-triol (1), 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,7ß,16ß-tetraol (2), 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,16ß-triol (3), 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,7ß,16ß-triol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranoside (4), 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,16ß-triol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranoside (5), and 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,7ß-triol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranoside (6), were isolated from the leaves of Homonoia riparia, together with one known compound, 24-methylenecycloartane-3ß,6ß,7ß,16ß-tetraol 3-O-ß-d-xylopyranoside (7). The structures of the new triterpenes were established by spectroscopic studies and from chemical evidence, and the inhibitory effects of compounds 1 and 3-7 on VEGF-induced vascular permeability were examined in vivo in rats using the Miles assay. In addition, the inhibitory effect of 7 on VEGF-induced tube formation by HUVECs in vitro was investigated.

Anthraquinones from the roots of Knoxia valerianoides inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products and rat lens aldose reductase in vitro.

Eight known compounds, lucidin (1), lucidin-omega-methyl ether (2), rubiadin (3), damnacanthol (4), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-methoxymethylanthraquinone (5), 3,6-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone (6), 1,3,6-trihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-9,10-anthraquinone 3-O-beta-primeveroside (7), and vanillic acid (8), were isolated from EtOAc- and n-BuOH-soluble fractions of the roots of Knoxia valerianoides. The structures of 1-8 were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data as well as by comparison with published values. All the isolates were subjected to in vitro bioassays to evaluate advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation and rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR) inhibitory activity. Compound 5 showed the most potent inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 52.72 microM) against AGEs formation. Compounds 1, 2, and 8 also showed potent inhibitory activity on AGEs formation with IC(50) values of 79.28, 62.79, and 93.93 microM, respectively, compared with positive control, aminoguanidine (IC(50) = 962 microM). While, compounds 1 and 5-7 showed strong inhibitory activity against RLAR with IC(50) values of 3.35, 3.04, 6.39, and 2.05 microM, respectively.

3,5-Di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinic acid from the leaves and stems of Erigeron annuus inhibits protein glycation, aldose reductase, and cataractogenesis.

In our ongoing project directed toward the discovery of novel treatments for diabetic complications from herbal medicines, sixteen compounds including three caffeoylquinic acids and four flavonoids were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of the stems and leaves of Erigeron annuus. All the isolates were evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR). Of these, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinic acid (3) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity in both the AGEs and aldose reductase (AR) assays. Compound 3 markedly reduced AGEs-bovin serum albumin (BSA) cross-linking in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, opacity of lenses was significantly prevented when they were treated with 3 in an ex vivo experiment.

Single-step separation of bioactive flavonol glucosides from Osteomeles schwerinae by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

Two bioactive flavonol glucosides, hyperoside and quercitrin, were successfully isolated in one step from the phytochemically unknown medicinal plant Osteomeles schwerinae by high-speed counter-current chromatography using a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (0.5:5.5:1.5:4.5 v/v). From 160 mg of crude extract, 2.1 mg of hyperoside (98.6% purity, 83.3% recovery) and 4.5 mg of quercitrin (99.2% purity, 81.7% recovery) were separated and then their chemical structures were identified by (1)H and (13)C NMR analysis. In addition, the isolates were subjected to an in vitro bioassay to evaluate their inhibitory activity on rat lens aldose reductase. Both quercitrin and hyperoside showed excellent inhibitory activities toward rat lens aldose reductase with the IC(50) values of 0.16 and 4.33 microM, respectively, as compared with positive control, 3,3-tetramethyleneglutaric acid (28.7 microM). So far, chemical constituents and biological activities of O. schwerinae have never been reported. This is the first report on the chemical constituents and biological activity of this plant using semi-preparative high-speed counter-current chromatography separation technique.

Cytoprotection against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death in cultured mouse mesangial cells by erigeroflavanone, a novel compound from the flowers of Erigeron annuus.

Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress has been suggested as a mechanism underlying diabetic complications. Oxidative stress triggers cell death in various cell types, including glomerular mesangial cells which play important roles in diabetic nephropathy. In the present study, we investigated the potential cytoprotective effect of erigeroflavanone, a novel flavanone derivative from the flowers of Erigeron annuus, in cultured mouse mesangial cells using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an oxidative stress inducer. Our data show that hydrogen peroxide induced a decrease in cell viability that was attenuated by erigeroflavanone. Hydrogen peroxide treatment increased formation of dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-sensitive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). This enhanced ROS formation was significantly reduced by pretreatment with erigeroflavanone in a dose-dependent manner. Hydrogen peroxide treatment also induced phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, and activated caspase-3. Pretreatment with erigeroflavanone inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of MAPKs and caspase-3. From these data we conclude that erigeroflavanone provides a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death in mesangial cells that is associated with its antioxidant action and inhibition of MAPKs and caspase-3. These results suggest that erigeroflavanone has potential as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of renal diabetic complications.

Constituents of the flowers of Erigeron annuus with inhibitory activity on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and aldose reductase.

Seven phenolic compounds, caffeic acid (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), 4-methoxybenzoic acid (3), protocatechuic acid (4), eugenol O-beta-D: -glucopyranoside (5), 3,6-di-O-feruloylsucrose (6), and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (7), were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble partition of the flowers of Erigeron annuus. The structures of 1-7 were determined by spectroscopic data interpretation, particularly 1D and 2D NMR studies, and by comparison of their data with those published in the literature. All the isolates were subjected to in vitro bioassays to evaluate their inhibitory activities against the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR). Of the compounds, 1, 6, and 7 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against the formation of AGEs. In the RLAR assay, compound 7 showed the most potent inhibitory activity.

Erigeroflavanone, a flavanone derivative from the flowers of Erigeron annuus with protein glycation and aldose reductase inhibitory activity.

A novel 2,3-dioxygenated flavanone, erigeroflavanone ( 1), as well as eight known flavonoids and two known gamma-pyranone derivatives, were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the flowers of Erigeron annuus. The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data. All of the isolates were subjected to in vitro bioassays to evaluate their inhibitory activity against advanced glycation end products formation and rat lens aldose reductase.

Hirsutenols D, E and F, new sesquiterpenes from the culture broth of Stereum hirsutum.

New sesquiterpenes, hirsutenols D-F, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Stereum hirsutum, and their structures were determined on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses. Hirsutenols E and F showed significant scavenging activity against superoxide anion radicals with EC50 values of 1.62 and 0.39 mM, respectively.

The activities of antioxidant enzymes in response to oxidative stresses and hormones in paraquat-tolerant Rehmannia glutinosa plants.

All members of R. glutinosa show the unique characteristic of intrinsic tolerance to paraquat (PQ). Antioxidant enzymes have been proposed to be the primary mechanism of PQ resistance in several plant species. Therefore, the antioxidant enzyme systems of R. glutinosa were evaluated by comparatively analyzing cellular antioxidant enzyme levels, and their responses of oxidative stresses and hormones. The levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), non-specific peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were 7.3-, 4.9-, 2.7- and 1.6-fold higher in PQ-tolerant R. glutinosa than in PQ-susceptible soybeans. However, the activity of catalase (CAT) was about 12-fold higher in the soybeans. The activities of antioxidant enzymes reduced after PQ treatment in the two species, with the exception of POX and SOD in R. glutinosa, which increased by about 40 %. Interestingly, the activities of APX, SOD and POX in R. glutinosa, relative to those in soybeans, were further increased by 49, 67 and 93 % after PQ treatment. The considerably higher intrinsic levels, and increases in the relative activities of antioxidant enzymes in R. glutinosa under oxidative stress support the possible role of these enzymes in the PQ tolerance of R. glutinosa. However, the relatively lower levels of SOD versus PQ tolerance, and the mixed responses of antioxidant enzymes to stresses and hormones, suggest a possible alternative mechanism(s) for PQ tolerance in R. glutinosa.

Induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene expression by paraquat and stress-related hormones in Rehmannia glutinosa.

Rehmannia glutinosa is a medicinal herb that is tolerant to the non-selective herbicide paraquat. Acteoside, a phenolic compound present in the plant, has been shown to inhibit paraquat. To understand regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway that produces the acteoside moiety, we isolated a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) cDNA clone (RgPAL1) and used it to examine PAL expression. The deduced 712 amino acid sequence of the open reading frame contains the conserved active site and potential phosphorylation sites of other plant PALs. RgPAL1 mRNA was detected in the leaves, flowers and roots of healthy plants, and the level of the mRNA was higher in leaves than in flowers and roots. RgPAL1 mRNA was induced in leaves by paraquat, H2O2, UV light, wounding, yeast extract, jasmonic acid and ethephon. The transcript level and enzyme activity increased gradually from 6 to 24 h after exposure to paraquat or jasmonic acid. Induction of RgPAL1 by paraquat and stress-related phytohormones suggests that it is involved in the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway under oxidative stress.