Identifying a potentially invasive population in the native range of a species: The enlightenment from the phylogeography of the yellow spotted stink bug, Erthesina fullo (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

The yellow spotted stink bug (YSSB), Erthesina fullo (Thunberg, 1783) is an important Asian pest that has recently successfully invaded Europe and an excellent material for research on the initial stage of biological invasion. Here, we reported the native evolutionary history, recent invasion history, and potential invasion threats of YSSB for the first time based on population genetic methods [using double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD) data and mitochondrial COI and CYTB] and ecological niche modelling. The results showed that four lineages (east, west, southwest, and Hainan Island) were established in the native range with a strong east-west differentiation phylogeographical structure, and the violent climate fluctuation might cause population divergence during the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. In addition, land bridges and monsoon promote dispersal and directional genetic exchanging between island populations and neighboring continental populations. The east lineage (EA) was identified as the source of invasion in Albania. EA had the widest geographical distribution among all other lineages, with a star-like haplotype network with the main haplotype as the core. It also had a rapid population expansion history, indicating that the source lineage might have stronger diffusion ability and adaptability. Our findings provided a significant biological basis for fine tracking of invasive source at the lineage or population level and promote early invasion warning of potential invasive species on a much subtler lineage level.

Deep Learning-Enabled Morphometric Analysis for Toxicity Screening Using Zebrafish Larvae.

Toxicology studies heavily rely on morphometric analysis to detect abnormalities and diagnose disease processes. The emergence of ever-increasing varieties of environmental pollutants makes it difficult to perform timely assessments, especially using in vivo models. Herein, we propose a deep learning-based morphometric analysis (DLMA) to quantitatively identify eight abnormal phenotypes (head hemorrhage, jaw malformation, uninflated swim bladder, pericardial edema, yolk edema, bent spine, dead, unhatched) and eight vital organ features (eye, head, jaw, heart, yolk, swim bladder, body length, and curvature) of zebrafish larvae. A data set composed of 2532 bright-field micrographs of zebrafish larvae at 120 h post fertilization was generated from toxicity screening of three categories of chemicals, i.e., endocrine disruptors (perfluorooctanesulfonate and bisphenol A), heavy metals (CdCl2 and PbI2), and emerging organic pollutants (acetaminophen, 2,7-dibromocarbazole, 3-monobromocarbazo, 3,6-dibromocarbazole, and 1,3,6,8-tetrabromocarbazo). Two typical deep learning models, one-stage and two-stage models (TensorMask, Mask R-CNN), were trained to implement phenotypic feature classification and segmentation. The accuracy was statistically validated with a mean average precision >0.93 in unlabeled data sets and a mean accuracy >0.86 in previously published data sets. Such a method effectively enables subjective morphometric analysis of zebrafish larvae to achieve efficient hazard identification of both chemicals and environmental pollutants.

Death Anxiety During COVID-19 and its Related Factors among Chinese Elderly People.

This study aimed at investigating death anxiety and its related factors in Chinese elderly people during COVID-19. This study totally interviewed 264 participants from four cities in different regions of China. Death anxiety scale (DAS), NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (Neo-FFI) and Brief COPE were scored on the basis of one-on-one interviews. Quarantine experience didn't make significant difference in death anxiety among the elderly; Elderly people with high death anxiety had higher scores of neuroticism, and were more likely to use a Behavior Disengagement coping strategy; Multiple linear regression analysis showed that neuroticism, openness and COVID impact predicted 44.6% of the variance in the death anxiety among elderly people. The results support both theories of vulnerability-stress model and terror management theory (TMT). In the post-epidemic era, we suggest to pay attention to the mental health status of elderly people with personality susceptibility to handling the stress of infection badly.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Dufouriellini (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and implications for its phylogenetic position.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is extensively used to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within the family level, but there are still limited representations at the tribe level of Anthocoridae. Here we describe the first complete mitogenome of Dufouriellini. The mitogenome of Cardiastethus sp. is 15,209 bp in size, containing 13 typical protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and a control region. All genes are arranged in the same gene order as the most other known cimicomorphan mitogenomes. The phylogenetic relationships based on mitogenomes using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods show that Dufouriellini is sister to Anthocorini, and then both of them together form sister group with Oriini. The monophyly of each superfamily of Cimicomorpha is generally well supported. Reduvioidea is basal within Cimicomorpha. The topology of the remaining superfamily is as follows: (Miroidea + (Cimicoidea + (Velocipedoidea + Nabioidea))). This study will help to enhance our understanding of mitochondrial genomic evolution and phylogenetic relationships in the tribe level of Anthocoridae and also superfamily level of Cimicomorpha.

An Analysis of the Latent Class and Influencing Factors of Death Anxiety Among Han Chinese and Tibetan College Students.

In this study, 349 Han and 217 Tibetan college students were investigated via the Templer Death Anxiety Scale in order to assess the potential class and influencing factors of death anxiety among them. In addition, Mplus software was used to analyse the latent categories of their death anxiety, and an R3STEP approach was adopted to perform a multinomial logistic regression of its influencing factors. Whilst the results of the former indicated that there are two latent classes, respectively, defined as 'high death anxiety type' (Han 65.20%; Tibetan 30.30%) and 'low death anxiety type' (Han 34.80%; Tibetan 69.70%), the latter demonstrated that compared with the 'low death anxiety type', the occurrence ratio of the 'high death anxiety type' was 47.00 and 34.04 percentage points higher with each increase in age. Furthermore, the stress and anxiety of Han and Tibetan college students were found to constitute factors that affect death anxiety. More specifically, the death anxiety of Tibetan college students was determined to be deeply influenced by a belief in the afterlife.

Low-loss and high-resolution mechanical mode tuning in microspheres.

Lack of tunability impedes the wide application of optomechanical systems; however, little research exists on mechanical frequency tuning. Herein, ultra-fine low-loss dynamical mechanical frequency tuning is achieved by compressing a microsphere along the axial direction. The tuning resolution reaches approximately 4% of the mechanical linewidth, and the variation range of the mechanical quality factor (Qm) is within 2.9% of the untouched Qm. The roles of geometric deformation, spring effect, and stiffness were also evaluated through simulation and experimental analysis. Furthermore, sine function modulation was displayed, with a Pearson coefficient exceeding 99.3%, to achieve arbitrary-function mechanical resonance tuning. This method paves the way for scalable optomechanical applications, such as mechanical vibration synchronization or optomechanics-based optical wavelength conversion.

Review and Prospect of the Research on Occupational Health Psychology of Casino Employees.

The occupational specialty of casino employees brings about the problem of long-standing severe emotional exhaustion and stress management challenges. Therefore, it is of great significance to pay attention to their occupational health psychology (Du & Li, in Psych Res 7(1):46-50, 2014). Based on the relevant researches on occupational health psychology of casino employees at home and abroad in recent years, this paper reviews and outlines the previous research results in a systematic way from environmental and occupational, organizational as well as individual dimensions, and figures out the factors that may affect the occupational health psychology of casino employees, and further expounds the psychological and behavioral effects of these factors on employees (including job burnout, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, employees' problematic gambling behavior, etc.), with the purpose of getting a deeper understanding of why occupational health psychology of casino employees can affect customer satisfaction, loyalty and casino profits ultimately. On this basis, three suggestions are put forward for the optimization of human resource management in casinos through the lens of occupational health psychology. In the end, the paper points out some shortcomings of existing studies and the trend for future study that can expand and deepen relevant variables and research subjects that affect the occupational health psychology of casino employees on the basis of comprehensive review.

Scutellarin, a modulator of mTOR, attenuates hepatic insulin resistance by regulating hepatocyte lipid metabolism via SREBP-1c suppression.

High levels of consumption of saturated lipids have been largely associated with the increasing prevalence of metabolic diseases. In particular, saturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid (PA) have been implicated in the development of insulin resistance (IR). Scutellarin (Scu) is one of the effective traditional Chinese medicines considered beneficial for liver diseases and diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effect of Scu on IR and lipid metabolism disorders in vitro and in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. In vitro, we found that Scu decreased insulin-dependent lipid accumulation and the mRNA expression of CD36, Fasn, and ACC in PA-treated HepG2 cells. Additionally, Scu upregulated Akt phosphorylation and improved the insulin signalling pathway. Moreover, Scu downregulated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation and the n-SREBP-1c protein level and also reduced lipid accumulation via the mTOR-dependent pathway, as confirmed by the molecular docking of Scu to mTOR. In HFD-fed C57BL/6 mice, Scu improved oral glucose tolerance, pyruvate tolerance and the IR index and also increased the Akt phosphorylation level. Moreover, Scu reduced hepatocyte steatosis, decreased lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels, inhibited mTOR phosphorylation, and decreased the SREBP-1c level in the liver. Taken together, these findings suggest that Scu ameliorates hepatic IR by regulating hepatocyte lipid metabolism via the mTOR-dependent pathway through SREBP-1c suppression.

Effects of Isosorbide Incorporation into Flexible Polyurethane Foams: Reversible Urethane Linkages and Antioxidant Activity.

Isosorbide (ISB), a nontoxic bio-based bicyclic diol composed from two fuzed furans, was incorporated into the preparation of flexible polyurethane foams (FPUFs) for use as a cell opener and to impart antioxidant properties to the resulting foam. A novel method for cell opening was designed based on the anticipated reversibility of the urethane linkages formed by ISB with isocyanate. FPUFs containing various amounts of ISB (up to 5 wt%) were successfully prepared without any noticeable deterioration in the appearance and physical properties of the resulting foams. The air permeability of these resulting FPUFs was increased and this could be further improved by thermal treatment at 160 °C. The urethane units based on ISB enabled cell window opening, as anticipated, through the reversible urethane linkage. The ISB-containing FPUFs also demonstrated better antioxidant activity by impeding discoloration. Thus, ISB, a nontoxic, bio-based diol, can be a valuable raw material (or additive) for eco-friendly FPUFs without seriously compromising the physical properties of these FPUFs.

Effects of UV-B radiation on the survival, egg hatchability and transcript expression of antioxidant enzymes in a high-temperature adapted strain of Neoseiulus barkeri.

Biological control of spider mites in hot and dry weather is a serious technical issue. A high-temperature adapted strain (HTAS) of the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes was selected from its conventional strain (CS), via long-term heat acclimation and frequent heat hardenings in our previous studies. However, the environment of high temperature is usually associated with enhanced ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, the physiological effects of UV-B radiation on survival rate and egg damage of N. barkeri were investigated, as well as the activities and expression profiles of antioxidant enzymes to UV-B radiation stress. UV-B radiation had deleterious effects on egg hatchability and survival of N. barkeri. Adults of the HTAS strain were less UV-B resistant than those of the CS strain; they also had lower levels of enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase against oxidative damage and weaker upregulation of SOD genes. The mRNA expression of three SOD genes of CS adult females immediately increased whereas that of HTAS showed almost no difference under UV-B stress for 1 h. The results showed the HTAS of N. barkeri had lower fitness under UV-B stress compared with the CS of N. barkeri. These results suggested that long-term heat acclimation may exert a profound impact on the developmental physiology of N. barkeri.

Ethyl Rosmarinate Protects High Glucose-Induced Injury in Human Endothelial Cells.

Ethyl rosmarinate (RAE) is one of the active constituents from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze, which is used for diabetic treatment in Chinese folk medicine. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of RAE on high glucose-induced injury in endothelial cells and explored its underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that both RAE and rosmarinic acid (RA) increased cell viability, decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and attenuated high glucose-induced endothelial cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, as evidenced by Hochest staining, Annexin V⁻FITC/PI double staining, and caspase-3 activity. RAE and RA both elevated Bcl-2 expression and reduced Bax expression, according to Western blot. We also found that LY294002 (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or PI3K inhibitor) weakened the protective effect of RAE. In addition, PDTC (nuclear factor-κB, or NF-κB inhibitor) and SP600125 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, or JNK inhibitor) could inhibit the apoptosis in endothelial cells caused by high glucose. Further, we demonstrated that RAE activated Akt, and the molecular docking analysis predicted that RAE showed more affinity with Akt than RA. Moreover, we found that RAE inhibited the activation of NF-κB and JNK. These results suggested that RAE protected endothelial cells from high glucose-induced apoptosis by alleviating reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and regulating the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 pathway, the NF-κB pathway, and the JNK pathway. In general, RAE showed greater potency than RA equivalent.

Determination of a natural DNMT1 inhibitor, peperomin E, in rat plasma by UFLC-MS/MS and method application in a pharmacokinetic study.

Peperomin E (PepE), a naturally occurring secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, has drawn much attention recently owing to its anticancer and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitory activity. Here, a simple and sensitive ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of PepE in rat plasma for the first time. Samples were prepared by simple protein precipitation. Separation was performed on an XBridge™ C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) aqueous formic acid. PepE and the internal standard arctigenin were detected in a positive-ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring of the transitions at m/z 413.2 → 261.0 and 373.2 → 137.2, respectively. The calibration curve for PepE was linear over the range of concentrations of 1.46-6000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantitation of 1.46 ng/mL. Both intra- and interday precisions were within 11.05%, and the accuracy ranged from -11.5 to 5.51%. The extraction recovery and matrix effect were within acceptable limits. Stability tests showed that PepE remained stable throughout the analytical procedure. The validated method was then used to analyze the pharmacokinetics of PepE administered to rats orally (12.5 and 25 mg/kg) or intravenously (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg).

Triterpenoid Saponins with Potential Cytotoxic Activities from the Root Bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb.

A new 19-oxo-18,19-seco-ursane-type triterpeonoid saponin, laevigin E (8), together with 17 known compounds (1 - 7 and 9 - 18) were isolated from the root bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic analysis. Among them, compounds 6, 9, 11, and 18 were isolated from this species for the first time, while compounds 10 and 12 were firstly isolated from the family Aquifoliaceae. Biological activity assay showed that all triterpenoids exhibit moderate cytotoxic activities against MCF7, A549, HeLa and LN229 cell lines. The four triterpenoid saponins (3, 4, 6, and 8) exhibit slightly better activities compared to the four triterpenoid sapogenins (1, 2, 5, and 7). Compound 8 showed the best cytotoxicity against A549, HeLa and LN229 cell lines with IC50 of 17.83, 22.58 and 30.98 µm, respectively.

Peperomin E reactivates silenced tumor suppressor genes in lung cancer cells by inhibition of DNA methyltransferase.

Advanced lung cancer has poor prognosis owing to its low sensitivity to current chemotherapy agents. Therefore, discovery of new therapeutic agents is urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the antitumor effects of peperomin E, a secolignan isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, a frequently used Chinese folk medicine for lung cancer treatment. The results indicate that peperomin E has antiproliferative effects, promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, while showing lower toxicity against normal human lung epidermal cells. Peperomin E inhibited tumor growth in A549 xenograft BALB/c nude mice without significant secondary adverse effects, indicating that it may be safely used to treat NSCLC. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of peperomin E have been investigated. Using an in silico target fishing method, we observed that peperomin E directly interacts with the active domain of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), potentially affecting its genome methylation activity. Subsequent experiments verified that peperomin E decreased DNMT1 activity and expression, thereby decreasing global methylation and reactivating the epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes including RASSF1A, APC, RUNX3, and p16INK4, which in turn activates their mediated pro-apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory signaling pathways in lung cancer cells. The observations herein report for the first time that peperomin E is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for NSCLC. The anticancer effects of peperomin E may be partly attributable to its ability to demethylate and reactivate methylation-silenced tumor suppressor genes through direct inhibition of the activity and expression of DNMT1.

Homoplantaginin Inhibits Palmitic Acid-induced Endothelial Cells Inflammation by Suppressing TLR4 and NLRP3 Inflammasome.

Palmitic acid (PA)-induced vascular endothelial inflammation plays a pivotal role in the occurrence and development of vascular diseases. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of homoplantaginin, a main flavonoid from a traditional Chinese medicine Salvia plebeia R. Br., on PA-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells inflammation and the underlying molecular mechanism. Firstly, we found that homoplantaginin (0.1, 1, 10 µM) dose-dependently reduced expression of toll-like receptor-4 evoked by PA (100 µM). The inhibitory effect of homoplantaginin was further confirmed under lipopolysaccharide challenge. In addition, downstream adapted proteins including myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, toll/interleukin-1 receptor-domain containing adaptor-inducing interferon-ß and tumor necrosis factors receptor associated factor-6 were successfully inhibited by homoplantaginin under PA treatment. Also, we found that homoplantaginin tightly controlled PA-induced reactive oxygen species to prevent nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation by suppressing reactive oxygen species-sensitive thioredoxin-interacting protein, NLRP3, and caspase-1. Meanwhile, protein and mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators (interleukin-1ß, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1) were decreased by homoplantaginin. Furthermore, homoplantaginin restored PA-impaired nitric oxide generation. Taken together, these results indicated that homoplantaginin protected endothelial cells from ameliorating PA-induced endothelial inflammation via suppressing toll-like receptor-4 and NLRP3 pathways, and restoring nitric oxide generation, suggesting it may be a potential candidate for further development in the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.

Seasonal characteristics of nosocomial infection in a psychiatric hospital in China with different nosocomial prevention and control backgrounds: a retrospective study.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various prevention and control measures for nosocomial infections (NIs) in psychiatric hospitals and patients with mental disorders. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of NIs in psychiatric hospitals and provide a reference for infection prevention and control in this setting. Data from the NI monitoring system of a psychiatric hospital in southeastern China were analysed. Patients who were hospitalized for mental disorders from January 1, 2016, to November 30, 2019, were classified into the non-COVID-19 containment group (NC19C group, n = 898), while those who were hospitalized from January 25, 2020, to November 30, 2022, were classified into the COVID-19 containment group (C19C group, n = 840). The data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0, and independent sample t tests, chi-square tests, correlation analyses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A significance level of P < 0.0024 was applied. The incidence rate of NIs was higher in autumn in the NC19C group, while no seasonal difference was detected in the C19C group (P < 0.0024). Further analysis revealed that in the C19C group, the risk of hospitalized patients with mental disorders developing hospital-acquired pneumonia in spring was 0.362 times that in winter (OR = 0.362, 95% CI = 0.200 ~ 0.656, P = 0.001), and in summer, the risk was 0.342 times that in winter (OR = 0.342, 95% CI = 0.185 ~ 0.633 P = 0.001). Patients aged 18-44 years had a 4.260 times higher risk of developing hospital-acquired upper respiratory tract infections than did those aged 60 years and older (OR = 4.260, 95% CI = 2.143 ~ 8.470; P = 0.000). The risk of acquiring urinary tract infections in the hospital was 0.324 times greater among patients aged 18-44 years than for patients aged 60 years and older (OR = 0.324, 95% CI = 0.171-0.613; P = 0.001). The NC19C group did not exhibit the aforementioned differences. During the NC19C period, differences were observed in the diagnosis of hospital-acquired infections and sex (all P = 0.000). Psychiatric hospitals exhibit distinct nosocomial infection characteristics under the context of various infection control measures. Against the backdrop of strengthened infection control, the nosocomial infection characteristics of psychiatric hospitals may be associated with the features of mental disorders.

Extract of Clinopodium chinense inhibits high glucose-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Endothelial dysfunction has been observed in diabetes mellitus, which is related to hyperglycemia. Previous studies have shown that incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in high glucose causes a significant increase in apoptosis, possibly related to an increase in oxidative stress. The present study aims at investigating the protective effects of Clinopodium chinense extract (CCE) on high glucose-induced apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. We show that treatment of CCE significantly increased cell viability and the activity of superoxide dismutase, reduced oxidative stress, and protected HUVECs against apoptosis induced by high glucose. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the antiapoptotic effect of CCE was associated with the reduction of Bax expression and caspase-3 activity and the elevation of Bcl-2 expression. The decrease in caspase-3 activity and caused by CCE were blocked by LY294002, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, the upstream kinase of Akt. Moreover, treatment of CCE on HUVECs resulted in dose-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the activation of NF-κB. Taken together, our results indicate that CCE could play an important role in protecting endothelial cell by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating cell apoptosis signaling via the pAkt/NF-κB/Bax/Bcl-2/caspase-3 pathway, suggesting that it might be useful for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction-associated diseases such as vascular complications of diabetes mellitus.

Jungian Analysis of the Chinese Mythological Image of Sun Wukong.

This paper examines the symbolism of the cultural image Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), a Chinese legendary hero, and how it influenced an eight-year-old boy's psychic development. Through an analysis of Sun Wukong's life from his birth to attaining Buddhahood, a three-phase healing process is identified in Sun Wukong's tale and the psychotherapeutic process: "naming and initiating," "nurturing and taming," and "transforming and transcending," proposed by Dr. Heyong Shen. Sandplay visually highlighted these key clinical changes in conscious awareness and developmental behaviour influencing the boy's individuation process. Images found either in cultural traditions or spontaneously emerging from the unconscious in individuals are of significance in human life, offering pathways to psychic healing and development. Further, myths and cultural resources used in clinical work demonstrate that having cultural competency is invaluable in Jungian analysis. Pathogenic and health-maintenance factors of culture can be explored in future clinical practice and research.

Cet article étudie le symbolisme de l'image culturelle d'un héros légendaire chinois; Sun Wukong (le roi singe). L'article explore comment cette image a influencé le développement psychique d'un garçon de huit ans. À travers une analyse de la vie de Sun Wukong depuis sa naissance jusqu'à ce qu'il atteigne la bouddhéité, un processus de guérison en trois phases est identifié dans le conte de Sun Wukong et dans le processus psychothérapeutique, et proposé par le Dr Heyong Shen : « nommer et initier ¼, « apprivoiser et nourrir ¼ et « transformer et transcender ¼. La thérapie par le jeu de sable a ensuite mis en évidence visuellement ces changements cliniques clés dans la prise de conscience et le comportement développemental, qui ont influencé le processus d'individuation du garçon. Les images trouvées dans les traditions culturelles ou qui émergent spontanément de l'inconscient chez les individus sont importantes dans la vie des êtres humains : elles fournissent des voies de guérison et de développement psychiques. De plus, les mythes et les ressources culturelles utilisés dans le travail clinique montrent que la compétence culturelle est inestimable dans l'analyse jungienne. Les facteurs pathogènes et les facteurs de maintien de la santé - présents dans la culture - peuvent être explorés dans la pratique clinique et la recherche futures.

Este artículo explora el simbolismo de la imagen cultural de Sun Wukong (el Rey Mono), un héroe legendario chino, y cómo influyó en el desarrollo psíquico de un niño de ocho años. A través de un análisis de la vida de Sun Wukong desde su nacimiento hasta alcanzar la Budeidad, se identifica un proceso de curación en tres fases en el cuento de Sun Wukong y en el proceso psicoterapéutico: "nombrar e iniciar", "domar y nutrir" y "transformar y trascender", propuestos por el Dr. Heyong Shen. A continuación, el juego de arena puso de relieve visualmente estos cambios clínicos en la conciencia y en el desarrollo del comportamiento, influyendo en el proceso de individuación del niño. Las imágenes que se encuentran tanto en las tradiciones culturales, como las que que emergen espontáneamente del inconsciente de los individuos son importantes en la vida humana, ya que ofrecen vías para la curación psíquica y el desarrollo. Además, los mitos y los recursos culturales utilizados en el trabajo clínico demuestran que tener competencia cultural es inestimable en el análisis junguiano. Los factores patógenos y de mantenimiento de la salud de la cultura pueden explorarse en la práctica clínica y la investigación futuras.

Homoplantaginin modulates insulin sensitivity in endothelial cells by inhibiting inflammation.

Recent data have indicated that inflammation plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance. The present study aims at examining the activity of homoplantaginin, a flavonoid from a traditional Chinese medicine Salvia plebeia R. BR., on palmitic acid (PA)-induced insulin sensitivity and the underlying mechanisms of its anti-infammatory properties in the endothelial cells. Pre-treatment of homoplantaginin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) significantly inhibited PA induced tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression, and inhibitory κB kinase beta (IKKß) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 phosphorylation. To the PA-impaired insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and decrease in nitric oxide (NO) production, pretreatment of homoplantaginin could effectively reverse the effects of PA. Additionally, homoplantaginin significantly modulated the Ser/Thr phosphorylation of IRS-1, improved phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased NO production in the presence of insulin. Taken together, our results demonstrated that homoplantaginin ameliorates endothelial insulin resistance by inhibiting inflammation and modulating cell signalling via the IKKß/IRS-1/pAkt/peNOS pathway, suggesting it may be used for the prevention and treatment of endothelial dysfunction associated with insulin resistance.

[Water-soluble chemical constituents in flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the water-soluble chemical constituents of the flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by means of chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Six compounds were isolated and identified as trans-linalool-3,7-oxide-6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(1), secol oganoside(2), secoxyloganin(3),chlorogenic acid(4), caffeic acid(5), sucrose(6). CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is isolated from nature as a single compound for the first time, compounds 2-3 are isolated from this plant for the first time.