The effect of physical activity on anhedonia in individuals with depressive symptoms.

The therapeutic effect of antidepressants has been demonstrated for anhedonia in patients with depression. However, antidepressants may cause side-effects, such as cardiovascular dysfunction. Although physical activity has minor side-effects, it may serve as an alternative for improving anhedonia and depression. We sought to investigate whether physical activity reduces the level of anhedonia in individuals with depression. Fifty-six university students with moderate depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory total score > 16) were divided into three training groups: the Running Group (RG, n = 19), the Stretching Group (SG, n = 19), and the Control Group (n = 18). We employed the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task and the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) to evaluate hedonic capacity. All participants in the RG and SG received 8 weeks of jogging and stretching training, respectively. The RG experienced an increase in the level of arousal during anticipation of a future reward and recalled less negativity towards the loss condition. The SG exhibited enhanced scores on the Anticipatory and Consummatory Pleasure subscales of the TEPS after training. Moreover, in the RG, greater improvements in anticipatory arousal ratings for pleasure and remembered valence ratings for negative affect were associated with longer training duration, lower maximum heart rate, and higher consumed calories during training. To conclude, physical activity is effective in improving anticipatory anhedonia in individuals with depressive symptoms.

Mechanistic Study of Domino Rearrangement-Promoted Meta C-H Activation in 2-Methyl-N-methoxyaniline via Cu(NHC)+: Motivation and Selectivity.

Here we report a detailed theoretical study of the mechanism of Cu+-catalyzed domino rearrangement of 2-methyl-N-methoxyaniline with a deep understanding of the unique motivation and selectivity of these migrations. We find that the Cu+ catalyst accelerates the [1,3]-methoxy migration to the methyl-bound ortho position of umpolung phenyl. The following domino transfer prefers methyl [1,2]-migration, and the rate-determining step for the whole reaction is the transfer of a proton from the phenyl ring to amine to finish the catalytic cycle.

Water-soluble Manganese and Iron Mesotetrakis(carboxyl)porphyrin: DNA Binding, Oxidative Cleavage, and Cytotoxic Activities.

Two new water-soluble metal carboxyl porphyrins, manganese (III) meso-tetrakis (carboxyl) porphyrin and iron (III) meso-tetrakis (carboxyl) porphyrin, were synthesized and characterized. Their interactions with ct-DNA were investigated by UV-Vis titration, fluorescence spectra, viscosity measurement and CD spectra. The results showed they can strongly bind to ct-DNA via outside binding mode. Electrophoresis experiments revealed that both complexes can cleave pBR322 DNA efficiently in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, albeit 2-Mn exhibited a little higher efficiency. The inhibitor tests suggest the oxidative DNA cleavage by these two complexes may involve hydroxyl radical active intermediates. Notably, 2-Mn exhibited considerable photocytotoxicity against Hep G2 cell via triggering a significant generation of ROS and causing disruption of MMP after irradiation.

[Study on separation and purification of total alkaloids and mesaconitine with X - 5 macroporous resin].

OBJECTIVE: To study systematically the factors which affect separation and purification of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine with X -5 macroporous resin. METHOD: With the content of the total alkaloids and mesaconitine as parameters, the optimum condition of absorption and elution were studied in the process of the purification with X -5 macroporous resin. RESULT: The X - 5 macroporous resin yielded the best separating efficiency when the concentration of the extracted solution was 1 g raw material per 1 mL, pH 12.0, the absorptive time of 6 hour and the volume of 95% ethanol (7BV pH 8) as the eluant; X -5 macroporous resins was used five times in a reproducible way. The rate of extraction and content of the total alkaloid were 80% and 30% respectively after purification with X - 5 macroprous resin. CONCLUSION: The method can increase the purity of mesaconitine and total alkaloids.