Polyphenols and Alkaloids in Byproducts of Longan Fruits (Dimocarpus Longan Lour.) and Their Bioactivities.

The longan industry produces a large amount of byproducts such as pericarp and seed, resulting in environmental pollution and resource wastage. The present study was performed to systematically evaluate functional components, i.e., polyphenols (phenolics and flavonoids) and alkaloids, in longan byproducts and their bioactivities, including antioxidant activities, nitrite scavenging activities in simulated gastric fluid and anti-hyperglycemic activities in vitro. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in pericarp were slightly higher than those in seeds, but seeds possessed higher alkaloid content than pericarp. Four polyphenolic substances, i.e., gallic acid, ethyl gallate, corilagin and ellagic acid, were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Among these polyphenolic components, corilagin was the major one in both pericarp and seed. Alkaloid extract in seed showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Nitrite scavenging activities were improved with extract concentration and reaction time increasing. Flavonoids in seed and alkaloids in pericarp had potential to be developed as anti-hyperglycemic agents. The research result was a good reference for exploring longan byproducts into various valuable health-care products.

Relationship between bedtime, nighttime sleep duration, and anxiety symptoms in preschoolers in China.

Background: Sleep problems in preschoolers are becoming increasingly prominent, and the association between sleep status and anxiety symptoms has attracted growing attention. However, studies investigating the relationship between bedtime and nighttime sleep duration in preschoolers and their anxiety symptoms remain scant. We used the large sample data from the Longhua Cohort Study of Children in Shenzhen, China (LCCS) to analyze the association between bedtime and sleep in preschoolers and their anxiety symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 69,138 preschoolers in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China was conducted in 2022. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of families, bedtime, nighttime sleep duration of preschoolers, and their anxiety symptoms (measured by the Spence Preschool Children Anxiety Scale) were collected through a structured questionnaire completed by the parents. Using binary logistic regression models, the relationship between bedtime, nighttime sleep duration, and childhood anxiety symptoms was examined. Results: The bedtimes of preschoolers were concentrated between 21:01-22:00 (52.41%). Among the preschoolers, 38.70% had bedtimes later than 22:00, and 75.49% had insufficient nighttime sleep duration. The positive screening rate for anxiety symptoms among preschoolers was 3.50%. After adjusting for confounding factors using binary logistic regression models, compared with preschoolers with bedtime ≤21:00, The OR (95%CI) values of anxiety in preschoolers with bedtime ≥23:01, 22:01-23:00 and 21:01-22:00 were 2.86 (2.21-3.69), 1.51 (1.27-1.79) and 1.48 (1.26-1.76), respectively. Compared with those with sufficient nighttime sleep duration, the OR (95%CI) of children with nighttime sleep duration less than 9 h was 1.36 (1.23-1.51). Conclusion: An association exists between bedtime and nighttime sleep duration in preschoolers and their anxiety symptoms. Preschoolers with 21:00 for bedtime and a nighttime sleep duration of 10 h may have lower anxiety symptoms. These findings support the importance of adequate sleep for preventing anxiety symptoms in children.

[Effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy on prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and on infant growth and development].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) on prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and on infant growth and development. METHODS: A total of 16 HIV-infected women or pregnant women selected in this study received HAART before or 18 - 24 weeks after pregnancy. The treatment included taking Zidovudine (AZT) 0.3 g each time, twice a day, Lamivudine (3TC) 0.3 g each time, once a day and Nevirapine (NVP) 0.2 g each time, twice a day or Efavirenz (EFV) 0.6 g each time, once a day, as well as labor intervention and artificial feeding. The growth index for 17 infants from HIV-infected mothers (experimental group) and 16 normal infants (control group) were observed for 18 months. Neonatal hemoglobin (Hb), liver and kidney function, serum iron and calcium were detected at neonatal period and at 12(th) month, respectively. RESULTS: All the pregnant women were in good conditions and had tolerance with HAART. The birth weight, length and Apgar score of the newborns in the experimental group were (3.5 ± 0.9) kg, (54.2 ± 3.8) cm and 7 - 10 scores respectively, however those in the control group were (3.6 ± 0.8) kg, (55.6 ± 3.6) cm and 8 - 10 scores (t(weight) = 1.01, t(length) = 6.98, P > 0.05). Weight and length of infants in experimental group were (9.36 ± 1.8) kg and (76.3 ± 2.7) cm at 12(th) month, while those in control group were (9.86 ± 2.5) kg and (76.8 ± 2.9) cm (t(weight) = 0.83, t(length) = 1.00, P > 0.05). The level of Hb in experimental group was (126.2 ± 16.7) g/L, and was (148.6 ± 20.5) g/L in control group (t = -5.89, P = 0.11). At 12(th) month, the levels of Hb and the total bilirubin (TB) were (125.9 ± 19.8) g/L and (11.7 ± 3.5) µmol/L in experimental group; and those in the control group were (130.1 ± 18.7) g/L and (13.2 ± 3.7) µmol/L (t(Hb) = -3.82, t(TB) = -2.14, P > 0.05). Serum iron and calcium were (25.4 ± 5.7) µmol/L and (26.4 ± 7.2) µmol/L at neonatal period and were (2.3 ± 0.6) mol/L and (2.8 ± 0.6) mol/L at 12(th) month in experimental group, while those were (26.2 ± 4.9) µmol/L and (28.1 ± 6.9) µmol/L at neonatal period and were (2.6 ± 0.5) mol/L and (3.1 ± 0.5) mol/L at 12(th) month in the control group (t(Fe) = 0.80 and t(Ca) = -3.00 in neonatal period, t(Fe) = -1.50 and t(Ca) = -1.00 at 12(th) month, P > 0.05). All infants of HIV-infected mothers were not infected with HIV when they were 18 months old. CONCLUSION: HAART can prevent mother to child transmission of HIV and it was not found to influence the baby's growth and development in this study.

[Investigation on the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and comparison of the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire in Chinese and American urban children].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and to compare the differences of the results detected by the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) in Chinese and American urban children. METHODS: A total of 854 children aged 3 to 5 years were randomly sampled from 5 districts in Changsha City and their parents completed the Conners PSQ. RESULTS: The assessment by the norm of PSQ in American urban children demonstrated that the average prevalence of behavior problems was 20.4%, with 28.1% for boys and 12.4% for girls. There were significant differences between boys and girls (P<0.01). The factor score of anxiety in girls was markedly higher than that in boys (P<0.01). Learning and psychosomatic problems were the main problems in the children. The prevalences of conduct problems and impulse-restlessness, and abnormal restlessness index detected by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were higher than those detected by the American norm. The prevalences of conduct problems and psychosomatic problems in boys by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were significantly lower than those detected by the American norm, while the total prevalence of behavior problems was higher than that detected by American norm. There was a poor consistency in the assessment results of most factors of the PSQ and the total prevalence of behavior problems detected by the Chinese and American norms (KappP<0.4). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of behavior problems especially learning problems and psychosomatic problems in children aged 3 to 5 years is higher in Changsha. The consistency of assessment results is poor between the norms of China and America. It is recommended to use the China norm of PSQ in Chinese children aged 3 to 5 years because the Chinese norm is in line with China's national conditions and cultural background.

The role of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide on the cardiac output of patients with acute decompensated heart failure using Guyton venous return curve: A STROBE-compliant retrospective study.

ABSTRACT: rbBNP has positive cardiac effects in patients with acute decompensated heart failure, but its effects on the systemic venous circulation are not known.A single-center retrospective, self-controlled study was conducted on 14 patients undergone recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) treatment between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018.The cardiac output (CO) significantly increased from 3.75 ±â€Š1.14 L min-1 to 4.24 ±â€Š0.97 L min-1 30 minutes after rbBNP infusion, and to 4.20 ±â€Š1.19 L min-1 3 hours later. The systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased from 18.85 ±â€Š7.66 mm Hg min L-1 to 14.62 ±â€Š6.13 mm Hg min L-1 30 minutes. The resistance to venous return (VR) significantly decreased from 5.93 ±â€Š4.97 mm Hg min L-1 to 4.46 ±â€Š1.53 mmHg min L-1 3 hours later. The mean systemic filling pressure significantly decreased from 32.71 ±â€Š20.00 mm Hg to 28.254 ±â€Š6.09 mm Hg 3 hours later.The role of rhBNP on CO was to reduce the peripheral circulation resistance at 30 minutes after rhBNP infusion and to reduce the resistance to VR at 3 hours later.This trial is registered at ChiCTR: ID ChiCTR1900024562.

[Relationship between impulsivity and sleep disorders in children aged 6 to 12 years].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between impulsivity and sleep disorders in children. METHODS: A total of 1 736 children at ages of 6 to 12 years were randomly sampled from five districts of Changsha. Their parents completed the questionnaires about children's sleep conditions and behaviors (using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11th version). RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-four children (31.9%) had sleep disorders. The incidence of sleep disorders in boys was significantly higher than that in girls (35.4% vs 28.3%; P<0.01). The scores of attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsiveness factors as well as the total score of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale in children with sleep disorders were significantly higher than those in children without (P<0.01). The incidence of daytime sleepiness (35.9%) in children with sleep disorders was significantly higher than that in children without (24.7%; P<0.01). The scores of attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsiveness factors increased with the grade of sleep disorders, and reached a peak at the fifth grade. The children with frequent sleep snoring showed higher scores of above three impulsiveness factors than children without sleep snoring or having rare snoring (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are associated with impulsivity in children. It is thus essential to pay close attentions to children's sleep for children with relatively high impulsiveness.

[Correlation of snoring with attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity in school age children from Changsha City].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of snoring in school age children from Changsha City, and study the correlation of snoring with attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity. METHODS: A total of 1 736 children aged 6 to 12 years were randomly sampled from five districts in Changsha City. Their parents completed the questionnaires about children's sleep conditions and the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnostic Scale-Parent Version. RESULTS: The total incidence rate of frequent snoring was 5.7%. Boys had higher incidence of frequent snoring than girls (7.5% vs 3.8%; x2=18.782, p<0.01). The incidence of snoring in the 6-to 9-year-old group was higher than that of the 10-to 12-year-old group (x2=9.666, P<0.01). The incidence of daytime sleepiness in the snoring group was higher than that in the non-snoring group (31.5% vs 25.9%; x2=6.678, p<0.01). The incidences of larynx choking, sleep apnea, mouth breathing, hyperhidrosis, and awaking for unknown reasons or awaking by choke in the frequent snoring group were significantly higher than in the occasional snoring and the non-snoring groups (x2=37.035, 27.745, 51.341, 30.975, 45.972 respectively; all P<0.01). The incidences of attention deficit (31.3%) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (18.2%) in the frequent snoring group were the highest, followed by the occasional snoring (16.2% and 9.9% respectively) and the non-snoring groups (13.9% and 8.8% respectively). There were significant differences in the incidence of both attention deficit (x2=20.592, p<0.01) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (x2=9.067, p<0.05) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of snoring in school age children from Changsha City. Snoring is correlated to attention deficit and hyperactivity-impulsivity. It is essential to pay attention to the mental growth and behavioral problems in children with sleep snoring.

[Investigation and analysis on correlative factors of sleeping time in 2k12 year-old children in Changsha].

OBJECTIVE: To study the sleeping time and its correlative factors in 2k12 year-old children in Changsha. METHODS: A cluster sample with 3 756 children was randomly selected from Changsha, whose parents or care persons were interviewed with questionnaires about children's sleeping status from June 2006 to April 2007 by trained medical staff. One person was responsible for a questionnaire for one child. RESULTS: Two to twelve year-old children slept 10.60 hours a day. The average sleeping time every day was 12.26, 11.57, 11.33, 11.26, 10.95, 10.64, 10.62, 10.45, 10.28, 9.83, and 9.61 hours from 2 to 12 year-old children. The sleeping time in one day in each age group was different obviously but the same for boys and girls. The main factors that affected the sleeping time of children were: child's age, having pets or not, child's fixed pattern of sleeping time, methods of falling asleep, diet regulation, asthma, the mother's age, number of child delivery of mother, and mother's sleeping time. CONCLUSION: Sleeping time in a day decreases with the age increase in 2k12 year-old children. Many factors affected sleeping time of children, including the child's age, habits and environmental factors, diets, diseases, and mothers' conditions.

[Epidemiological investigation of sleep disorders for children at ages of 2-12 years in Changsha City].

OBJECTIVE: To study the sleep time and the prevalence of sleep disorders in children at ages of 2-12 years in Changsha City. METHODS: A total of 3756 children at ages of 2-12 years were randomly sampled from five districts of Changsha City from June 2006 to April 2007. A questionnaire survey was performed on their parents. RESULTS: The average daily sleep time in the subjects was 10.60 hrs. The average daily sleep time among different age groups (1 year as a group separation) was different. It was 12.26, 11.57, 11.33, 11.26, 10.95, 10.64, 10.62, 10.45, 10.28, 9.83 and 9.61 hrs respectively in the 11 age groups of 2 to 12 years of age. The prevalence of sleep disorders in children at ages of 2-12 years was 40.9%, including frequent sleep snoring (8.2%), choke/gargling (1.5%), sleep apnea (0.8 %), sleep inquietude (7.6%), mouth breathing (4.9%), hyperhidrosis (22.6%), limbs spasm (3.2 %), sleep teeth grinding (9.5 %), sleep talking (5.5 %), sleep walking (0.9 %), nocturnal enuresis (2.5%), waking up by choke (1.9%), remaining wakefulness in the night due to too much daytime sleep time (1.5%), going to sleep too early (2.1%), night awakenings (1.6%), and screeching or crying during sleep (1.8%). The prevalence of different sleep disorders was different in children between boys and girls and among different age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The average sleep time in children at ages of 2-5 years is less than the reference value recommended by the domestic child health care textbook. There is a higher prevalence rate of sleep disorders in children at ages of 2-12 years in Changsha City than the reported data in other cities.