Effect of Physical Exercise on Executive Functions Using the Emotional Stroop Task in Perimenopausal Women: A Pilot Study.

Exercise has beneficial effects on emotional cognitive control for the majority of the population. However, the impact of exercise on cognitive processes in perimenopausal women remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of aerobic exercise on the cognitive processes of perimenopausal women using an emotional Stroop task (EST). METHOD: A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted involving 14 perimenopausal women (Peri-MG) and 13 healthy young women (YG) who completed an EST before and after an aerobic cycling exercise. Mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used to analyze reaction times (RTs) and error rates (ERs) during emotional word processing (positive, negative, and neutral) for both groups. RESULTS: Compared with the YG, the Peri-MG showed significantly shortened RTs for positive and negative emotions (p < 0.05) post-exercise, but not for neutral words. In addition, the Peri-MG exhibited significantly increased ERs for negative words at baseline compared with the YG (p < 0.05), but this difference was not observed during the post-exercise test. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that aerobic exercise can enhance executive control performance in perimenopausal women. The Peri-MG exhibited marked behavioral plasticity in the form of reduced bias to salient cues that were significantly more sensitive to alterations due to exercise. This new evidence enhances the understanding of emotional vulnerability and beneficial susceptibility to exercise in perimenopausal women.

A 3D culture system for evaluating the combined effects of cisplatin and anti-fibrotic drugs on the growth and invasion of lung cancer cells co-cultured with fibroblasts.

Fibrosis and fibroblast activation usually occur in the tissues surrounding a malignant tumor; therefore, anti-fibrotic drugs are used in addition to chemotherapy. A reliable technique for evaluating the combined effects of anti-fibrotic drugs and anticancer drugs would be beneficial for the development of an appropriate treatment strategy. In this study, we manufactured a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture system of fibroblasts and lung cancer cell spheroids in Matrigel supplemented with fibrin (fibrin/Matrigel) that simulated the tissue microenvironment around a solid tumor. We compared the efficacy of an anticancer drug (cisplatin) with or without pretreatments of two anti-fibrotic drugs, nintedanib and pirfenidone, on the growth and invasion of cancer cells co-cultured with fibroblasts. The results showed that the addition of nintedanib improved cisplatin's effects on suppressing the growth of cancer cell spheroids and the invasion of cancer cells. In contrast, pirfenidone did not enhance the anticancer activity of cisplatin. Nintedanib also showed higher efficacy than pirfenidone in reducing the expression of four genes in fibroblasts associated with cell adhesion, invasion, and extracellular matrix degradation. This study demonstrated that the 3D co-cultures in fibrin/Matrigel would be useful for assessing the effects of drug combinations on tumor growth and invasion.

High-Efficiency Carbon-based CsPbI2 Br Perovskite Solar Cells from Dual Direction Thermal Diffusion Treatment with Cadmium Halides.

In recent years, carbon-based CsPbI2 Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted more attention due to their low cost and good stability. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of carbon-based CsPbI2 Br PSCs is still no more than 16%, because of the defects in CsPbI2 Br or at the interface with the electron transport layer (ETL), as well as the energy level mismatch, which lead to the loss of energy, thus limiting PCE values. Herein, a series of cadmium halides are introduced, including CdCl2 , CdBr2 and CdI2 for dual direction thermal diffusion treatment. Some Cd2+ ions thermally diffuse downward to passivate the defects inside or on the surface of SnO2 ETL. Meanwhile, the energy level structure of SnO2 ETL is adjusted, which is in favor of the transfer of electron carriers and blocking holes. On the other hand, part of Cd2+ and Cl- ions thermally diffuse upward into the CsPbI2 Br lattice to passivate crystal defects. Through dual direction thermal diffusion treatment by CdCl2 , CdI2 and CdBr2 , the performance of devices has been significantly improved, and their PCE has been increased from 13.01% of the original device to 14.47%, 14.31%, and 13.46%, respectively. According to existing reports, 14.47% is one of the highest PCE of carbon-based CsPbI2 Br PSCs with SnO2 ETLs.

Gender differences in lifestyle and risk factors of metabolic syndrome: Do women have better health habits than men?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the gender-specific lifestyles of adults with metabolic syndrome in the Taiwanese community. BACKGROUND: Many studies show different prevalence of metabolic syndrome in males and females; however, few studies have investigated gender-specific lifestyle risk factors, which are important for effectively reducing prevalence. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was used. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, a total of 1,066 individuals were recruited in northern Taiwan. Data were collected by questionnaires and analysed by descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression. This study followed the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 40.8% in men and 36.0% in women. Women had healthier dietary habits, a higher rate of moderate-vigorous physical activity, and a lower rate of smoking and obesity than men. Men, who were overweight or obese, lacked vigorous physical activity, often consumed excess amounts of salt and fat, and seldom consumed appropriate amounts of protein tended to have metabolic syndrome. Women with an unhealthy metabolism tended to be overweight or obese and seldom consumed dairy products. CONCLUSIONS: Men, who had normal body weight, performed vigorous physical activity, seldom consumed excess amounts of salt and fat, and often consumed appropriate amounts of protein tended not to have metabolic syndrome. Women with a healthy metabolism were of normal body weight and often consumed dairy products. There exist gender differences in health habits with metabolic syndrome. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Although the associated risk factors differed between men and women, controlling body weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome.

Effectiveness of acupuncture for vascular cognitive impairment no dementia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) in comparison with citicoline, an agent for cognitive disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders. DESIGN:: A randomized controlled multicenter trial. SETTING:: In three hospitals in Beijing, China. SUBJECTS:: A total of 216 patients with VCIND were recruited. INTERVENTIONS:: Patients with VCIND (mean age of 65.4 years) were randomized to receive acupuncture (two sessions per week) or oral citicoline (100 mg three times daily) over three months. MAIN MEASURES:: The primary outcome was the change from baseline to three months in cognitive symptom, measured by Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Secondary outcomes included changes from baseline to six months in ADAS-cog, executive function measured by the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and functional disability measured by the Ability of Daily Living (ADL) scale at three and six months. RESULTS:: At three months, the acupuncture group had a greater decrease in mean ADAS-cog score (-2.33 ± 0.31) than the citicoline group (-1.38 ± 0.34) with a mean difference of -0.95 (95% CI, -1.84 to -0.07, P = 0.035). The mean change from baseline to six months in ADAS-cog also significantly favored acupuncture treatments (acupuncture change -2.61 vs citicoline -1.25, difference: -1.36 points; 95% CI, -2.20 to -0.51; P = 0.002). There was no difference between the two groups on CDT and ADL scores at either time point. CONCLUSION:: Compared with citicoline, acupuncture has comparable and even superior efficacy with improved cognitive and daily living performance as a complementary and alternative medicine treatment for VCIND.

Multi-pesticides residue analysis of grains using modified magnetic nanoparticle adsorbent for facile and efficient cleanup.

A facile, rapid sample pretreatment method was developed based on magnetic nanoparticles for multi-pesticides residue analysis of grains. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles modified with 3-(N,N-diethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane (Fe3O4-PSA) and commercial C18 were selected as the cleanup adsorbents to remove the target interferences of the matrix, such as fatty acids and non-polar compounds. Rice was used as the representative grain sample for method optimization. The amount of Fe3O4-PSA and C18 were systematically investigated for selecting the suitable purification conditions, and the simultaneous determination of 50 pesticides and 8 related metabolites in rice was established by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the method validation was performed including linearity, sensitivity, matrix effect, recovery and precision, which all satisfy the requirement for pesticides residue analysis. Compared to the conventional QuEChERS method with non-magnetic material as cleanup adsorbent, the present method can save 30% of the pretreatment time, giving the high throughput analysis possible.

CE: Original Research: Examining the Links Between Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome.

: Background: As it is in many other developed countries, obesity is a growing health concern in Taiwan, affecting nearly 20% of the adult population. Obesity can increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Recent data indicate that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Taiwan is 25.5%. Yet some overweight and obese individuals have normal metabolic profiles. It's not clear why some overweight or obese people remain metabolically healthy while others do not. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine lifestyle risk factors for metabolic syndrome in people who are overweight or obese. We were particularly interested in distinguishing those lifestyle factors associated with metabolic health in this population. METHODS: Data collected from community-based physical examinations in northern Taiwan were used for this cross-sectional study. A survey was conducted from 2013 to 2014. We collected data on demographic variables, clinically pertinent measures (weight; height; waist circumference; blood pressure; and levels of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, exercise, and dietary habits). To analyze the data, we used percentage, mean, standard deviation, χ test, independent t test, the Fisher exact test, phi correlation, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome among all 734 participants was 36.4%. For the normal weight, overweight, and obese groups, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 12.4%, 36.4%, and 61.6%, respectively. The results of logistic regression showed, however, that obese individuals who exercised regularly and ate sufficient amounts of fruit were less likely to have metabolic syndrome, and that overweight individuals who were nonsmokers and ate sufficient amounts of vegetables were also less likely to have metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle factors may significantly affect the development of metabolic syndrome in people who are overweight or obese. Our findings indicate that practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors may be the best way to prevent metabolic syndrome. Public health interventions promoting smoking cessation, regular exercise, and good dietary habits can be created and conducted at relatively low cost. At the community level, all nurses can prioritize such interventions for their overweight and obese patients.

Spiritual health, clinical practice stress, depressive tendency and health-promoting behaviours among nursing students.

AIM: This paper is a report of an exploration of the association of spiritual health with clinical practice stress, depressive tendency and health-promoting behaviours among nursing students. BACKGROUND: Several studies in western countries have demonstrated an association between spirituality and health. Spirituality-related research in eastern countries, however, is still in its infancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was adopted and structured questionnaires were used for data collection. We adopted the Probability Proportional to Size cluster sampling method to recruit nursing students in senior grades. Data were collected in 2005 using the Spiritual Health Scale, Perceived Clinical Practice Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II and Health Promotion Behaviours Scale. RESULTS: A total of 1276 nursing students with an average age of 20.1 years (sd = 1.6 years) participated in the study. Spiritual health was negatively associated with clinical practice stress (r = -0.211, P < 0.001) and depressive tendency (r = -0.324, P < 0.001) and positively associated with health-promoting behaviours (r = 0.611, P < 0.001). Using hierarchical regression analysis to control for demographic factors, spiritual health was found to be an important predictive factor for clinical practice stress, depressive tendency and health-promoting behaviours. CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with research findings from western countries. Educators should develop strategies to address nursing students' spiritual health. This may help nursing students to manage their stress, to reduce depressive symptoms and to enhance health-promoting behaviours.

Dual effects of TGF-beta on ERalpha-mediated estrogenic transcriptional activity in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: TGF-beta resistance often develops in breast cancer cells that in turn overproduce this cytokine to create a local immunosuppressive environment that fosters tumor growth and exacerbates the invasive and metastatic behavior of the tumor cells themselves. Smads-mediated cross-talk with the estrogen receptor has been implied to play an important role in development and/or progression of breast cancer. We investigated how TGF-beta regulates ERalpha-induced gene transcription and potential mechanisms of frequent TGF-beta resistance in breast cancer. METHODS: Effect of TGF-beta on ERalpha-mediated gene transcription was investigated in breast cancer cell lines using transient transfection, real-time PCR, sequential DNA precipitation, and small interfering RNA assays. The expression of Smads on both human breast cancer cell lines and ERalpha-positive human breast cancer tissue was evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical assays. RESULTS: A complex of Smad3/4 mediates TGF-beta inhibition of ERalpha-mediated estrogenic activity of gene transcription in breast cancer cells, and Smad4 is essential and sufficient for such repression. Either overexpression of Smad3 or inhibition of Smad4 leads to the "switch" of TGF-beta from a repressor to an activator. Down-regulation and abnormal cellular distribution of Smad4 were associated with some ERalpha-positive infiltrating human breast carcinoma. There appears a dynamic change of Smad4 expression from benign breast ductal tissue to infiltrating ductal carcinoma. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that aberrant expression of Smad4 or disruption of Smad4 activity lead to the loss of TGF-beta suppression of ERalpha transactivity in breast cancer cells.

Essential role of TGF-beta signaling in glucose-induced cell hypertrophy.

In multicellular organisms, cell size is tightly controlled by nutrients and growth factors. Increasing ambient glucose induces enhanced protein synthesis and cell size. Continued exposure of cells to high glucose in vivo, as apparent under pathological conditions, results in cell hypertrophy and tissue damage. We demonstrate that activation of TGF-beta signaling has a central role in glucose-induced cell hypertrophy in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Blocking the kinase activity of the TbetaRI receptor or loss of its expression prevented the effects of high glucose on protein synthesis and cell size. Exposure of cells to high glucose induced a rapid increase in cell surface levels of the TbetaRI and TbetaRII receptors and a rapid activation of TGF-beta ligand by matrix metalloproteinases, including MMP-2 and MMP-9. The consequent autocrine TGF-beta signaling in response to glucose led to Akt-TOR pathway activation. Accordingly, preventing MMP-2/MMP-9 or TGF-beta-induced TOR activation inhibited high glucose-induced cell hypertrophy.

Gene 33 inhibits apoptosis of breast cancer cells and increases poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase expression.

The structure of the Gene 33 protein suggests that it plays a role in intracellular signaling and Gene 33 is induced by many mitogenic and stressful stimuli. Previously, we found that Gene 33 expression is significantly induced by retinoic acid (RA), insulin and synergistically by both in a liver-derived cell line. In the present study, we investigated the basal expression and regulation of Gene 33 in multiple human breast cancer cell lines. These cell lines expressed different levels of Gene 33 protein, but Gene 33 protein was not regulated by RA or insulin, either alone, or in combination. However, epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced Gene 33 expression in SK-BR-3 cells and this induction was inhibited by co-treatment with RA. There was a strong correlation between endogenous basal Gene 33 expression and doubling time. Exogenous expression of Gene 33 in MCF-7 cells did not affect cell cycle distribution, but inhibited apoptosis and specifically increased the level of Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase (PARP-1) protein. This suggests that Gene 33 promotes breast cancer cell growth by an anti-apoptotic rather than a mitogenic effect, possibly involving up-regulation of PARP-1.

Smad4 inhibits tumor growth by inducing apoptosis in estrogen receptor-alpha-positive breast cancer cells.

Estrogen is a mitogen in most estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha)-positive breast cancers. We have found that Smad4, a common signal transducer in the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily, acts as an ERalpha transcriptional corepressor. Here, we show that Smad4 induces apoptosis in ERalpha-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells, but not in ERalpha-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Smad4 induced expression of short Bim isoforms (by alternative splicing) and Bax and release of cytochrome c in ERalpha-positive cells only, and expression of these apoptotic marker genes was reduced when ERalpha small interfering RNA was introduced. Notably, Smad4 was able to induce apoptosis in MDA-231 cells with acquired ERalpha expression. Furthermore, Smad4 inhibited ERalpha-positive tumor growth by inducing apoptosis in tumor xenografts in nude mice. The sizes of tumors expressing Smad4 were only one-tenth the size of those expressing green fluorescent protein, whereas in ERalpha-negative cells, Smad4 did not reduce the tumor size. Notably, Smad4 also promoted short Bim isoform and Bax expression and release of cytochrome c only in ERalpha-positive MCF-7 tumor xenografts. Bim was sufficient for induction of apoptosis, and the short form was the most potent inducer. Our results demonstrate that Smad4 induces apoptosis by regulating Bim splicing as an initial intrinsic signal in ERalpha-positive cells. Smad4-induced apoptosis in ERalpha-positive breast cancer cells may explain the invasive nature of ERalpha-negative breast tumors, thereby providing a potential target for breast cancer intervention.

The effectiveness of empowering in-service training programs for foreign nurse aides in community-based long-term care facilities.

The objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of empowering in-service training programs for foreign nurse aides working in community-based long-term care (LTC) facilities. The design was a pretest and post-test design with experiment and control groups. The sample consisted of purposeful sampling from 10 LTC facilities in the Shihlin and Peitou areas of Taipei. A total of 35 foreign nurse aides participated in this study; 16 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group. The experimental group attended the training program for a 3-month period, whereas the control group did not receive any training. The research findings reveal that the training program was effective in increasing the work stress of workload/scheduling (Z = 2.01, p

[Application of empowering education in long-term care facilities: the experience with foreign nurse aides].

The concept of empowerment, widely accepted and utilized in many health-related disciplines, connotes a process of gaining control over one's life and influencing the organizational and social structures in which one lives. This article demonstrates an example of how empowering education can be applied on foreign nursing aides working in long-term care facilities and how differing empowering strategies, processes and effects can be adopted to address differing situations and ethnic backgrounds. How high priority issues of concern for foreign nurses are handled impacts upon their ability to perform their jobs well. Empowering strategies can help deal with such issues more effectively and, as a result, reduce work stress and improve on-the-job performance. During the preparation stage, the empowerment process focuses on building a trusting partner relationship. During the work stage, the process focuses on inspiring foreign nurses' self-awareness, encouraging their perceiving the barriers and needs at work, and, most importantly, encouraging nurses to think critically and positively and to provide feedback. The effects of empowering education include enhanced problem solving abilities, rising nurse self-confidence in his/her caretaking abilities, enhanced self-esteem, and improved adaptation to the work environment. This paper provides empirical experiences with regard to the application of empowering education in clinical settings as well as process and management strategies related to foreign nursing aides employed in long-term care facilities.

Antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of Antrodia camphorata extract.

Antrodia camphorata (A. camphorata) is well-known in Taiwan as a traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of A. camphorata extracts to protect against oxidative stress in vitro and against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced hepatic injury in vivo. An extract of A. camphorata inhibited nonenzymatic iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates with an IC(50) value about 3.1 mg/mL. It also scavenged the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The dose of the A. camphorata extract resulting in a decrease of 0.20 in the absorbance of DPPH was about 31 +/- 0.7 microg/mL. Furthermore, an A. camphorata extract dose-dependently (250-1250 mg/kg) ameliorated the increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) levels caused by chronic repeated CCl(4) intoxication in mice. Moreover, A. camphorata extract significantly improved the CCl(4)-induced increase in hepatic glutathione peroxidase, reductase, and CCl(4)-induced decrease in superoxide dismutase activities. It also restored the decrement in the glutathione content and catalase activity of hepatic tissues in CCl(4)-intoxicated mice. Furthermore, it also dose-dependently inhibited the formation of lipid peroxidative products during CCl(4) treatment. Histopathological changes of hepatic lesions induced by CCl(4) were significantly ameliorated by treatment with an A. camphorata extract in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that A. camphorata extract exerts effective protection against chronic chemical-induced hepatic injury in vivo, by mediating antioxidative and free radical scavenging activities.

Smad4 as a transcription corepressor for estrogen receptor alpha.

Antiestrogen compounds exhibit a variety of different effects in different tissues and are widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and other diseases. Upon examining the molecular mechanisms, we found that Smad4, a common signal transducer in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway, functions as a transcription corepressor for human estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). Endogenous ERalpha was co-immunoprecipitated with Smad4, and the interaction was induced by antiestrogen ligands such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, and droloxifen, which was confirmed in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Smad4 and ERalpha form a complex when ERalpha binds to the estrogen-responsive element within the estrogen target gene promoter. Importantly, the expression of Smad4 inhibits both antiestrogen-induced luciferase activity and estrogen downstream target gene transcription in breast cancer cells. Mapping of the interaction domains indicates that the activation function 1 (AF1) domain of ERalpha is essential for its interaction with Smad4, while the MH1 domain and linker region of Smad4 are essential for the interaction. Our findings represent a novel mechanism that TGF-beta may regulate cell fate through Smad4-mediated cross-talk with estrogen.

Jab1 antagonizes TGF-beta signaling by inducing Smad4 degradation.

Tumor suppressor Smad4 is the common signaling effector in the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. Phosphorylated regulatory Smads (R-Smads) interact with Smad4, and the complex translocates into the nucleus to regulate gene transcription. Proper TGF-beta signaling requires precise control of Smad functions. Smurfs have been shown to mediate the degradation of R-Smads but not the common-partner Smad4. We report a novel mechanism of Smad4 degradation. Jab1 interacts directly with Smad4 and induces its ubiquitylation for degradation. Jab1 was initially identified as a co-activator of c-Jun, and it also induces degradation of cell cycle inhibitor p27 and tumor suppressor p53. Ectopic expression of Jab1 decreased endogenous Smad4 steady-state levels. The 26S proteasome inhibitors lactacystin and MG132 reduced the degradation rate of Smad4 protein. Examination of the effects of JAB1-induced Smad4 degradation indicates that Jab1 inhibited TGF-beta-induced gene transcription. Our data suggest that Jab1 antagonizes TGF-beta function by inducing degradation of Smad4 through a distinct degradation pathway.