Validation of online mindfulness-enhanced course for stress reduction in teachers.

Background: Mindfulness-based interventions have gained popularity as a means of reducing stress and increasing resilience among the preclinical population. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an online mindfulness-enhanced course on stress reduction in teachers, especially since online learning and teaching have been frequently applied to respond to emergencies such as COVID-19-relevant school suspension. Methods: The study consisted of two phases. Phase 1 aimed to explore the relationship between teachers' perceived stress and mindfulness traits. In total of 6,252 teachers completed assessments of stress symptoms using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and occupational stress sources, as well as mindfulness using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Phase 2 aimed to examine the effectiveness of the online mindfulness-enhanced course. In total of 132 teachers were randomly assigned to either receive a 3-week online mindfulness course specifically designed for stress reduction and emotion regulation (N = 66) or a matched active control group (N = 66) and their pre-training and post-training self-reported states (e.g., perceived stress, mindfulness level, practice time) were measured. Results: The detection rate of Health Risk Stress (≥26 scores) was as high as 61.72%, and a negative association between the score of FFMQ and perceived stress level was found. Importantly, compared to the control group, the mindfulness training group showed a significant decrease in perceived stress and negative emotion, as well as an increase in understanding of the core mechanisms of mindfulness after training. Additionally, individual improvement in FFMQ scores was predicted by practice time. Conclusions: The study showed a high percentage of teachers experiencing stress, and the data supported the reliability and validity of the brief online mindfulness-enhanced course designed to reduce stress and regulate emotion for frontline teachers.

Compatibility between cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ synergistically mitigates colitis mice through attenuating inflammation and restoring gut barrier.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammation with complex pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula consists of several TCM herbs following the principle of herbal property and compatibility. Our previous studies found that Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD) exhibited anti-colitis capacity and the compatibility between hot-natured medicine and cold-natured medicine was main compatibility. However, the association between compatibility mechanism of HGD and its anti-colitis effect has not been fully illustrated yet. AIM OF STUDY: Here, we would explore whether cold-natured medicine Coptis chinensis Franch. plus Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid. (CP) and hot-natured medicine Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels plus Zingiber officinale Roscoe (AZ) in HGD respectively produce different impacts on UC, and exert synergistic effect on UC together. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UPLC/MS-MS was used to qualitatively analyze chemical profiles of CP, AZ and CPAZ extracts. CPAZ-UC target network was constructed using network pharmacology. Colitis mice was induced by 3% DSS for 7 days and treated with CP, AZ and CPAZ for another 7 days. The levels of multiple cytokines and proportions of innate and adaptive immune cells were determined to assess inflammatory profiles. The leakage of FITC-dextran, expressions of tight junction proteins were detected for evaluation of gut barrier function. RESULTS: CP, AZ and CPAZ could improve symptoms of colitis mice. CP showed superiority in reducing proportions of pro-inflammatory immune cells M1 cells, neutrophils, Th1 and Th17 cells, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α. In the contrast, AZ had advantage of elevating ratios of anti-inflammatory immune cells M2 and Treg cells as well as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß. In addition, CP and AZ synergistically regulated M1/M2 macrophage polarization and the following IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ production, thereby restoring intestinal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our study first demonstrated that cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ took on different functions in treatment of colitis mice. Meanwhile, they exhibited synergistic effect on the alleviation of intestinal inflammation and reinforcement of gut barrier function and integrity.

Effect of ß-glucosidase on the aroma of liquid-fermented black tea juice as an ingredient for tea-based beverages.

The effects of ß-glucosidase on the volatile profiles and aroma stability of black tea juice were evaluated using gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with sensory analysis. During liquid fermentation of tea leaves, the addition of ß-glucosidase increased the concentration of aldehydes, strengthening the undesirable "green grassy" odour. However, the "green grassy" odour was counteracted by adding green tea extract during fermentation. At the same time, "flowery" flavour notes were enhanced, improving the overall aroma quality and strengthening the characteristic "sweet" aroma of black tea. Increased addition of ß-glucosidase released more free aroma alcohols from their glucosides. Two "fruity" and "floral" aroma components, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, were not significantly affected by heat treatment (95 °C water bath) and the overall aroma stability was not significantly affected by ß-glucosidase treatment. ß-Glucosidase treatment improved the aroma, colour and overall suitability of fermented black tea juice as an ingredient for tea-based beverages.

Ruyiping formula inhibits metastasis via the microRNA-134-SLUG axis in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastasis is the leading cause of death among breast cancer patients. MicroRNA-134 has been reported to have a tumor-suppressive role in breast cancer. Ruyiping (RYP), a traditional Chinese formula, has been shown with the ability to reduce breast cancer metastasis in pre-clinical studies. This present study was designed to examine whether miR-134 was involved in RYP-inhibited breast cancer metastasis. METHODS: The expression of SLUG, E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin and miR-134 in MDA-MB-231 and 4 T1 cells treated with RYP or vehicle control were determined by quantitative realtime-PCR and western blot. Invasiveness determined by transwell assay as well as SLUG gene expression determined by qPCR were detected in cells transfected with chemically synthesized miR-134 mimics or inhibitors. BALB/c mice were injected with 4 T1 cells orthotopically and fed with RYP through gavage. Breast tumor growth, metastasis and tumor expression of EMT markers were detected. RESULTS: Compared with the control, Ruyiping formula significantly inhibited SLUG-regulated breast cancer cells invasion. MiR-134 was induced by RYP in vitro and in vivo and was able to suppress SLUG by targeting its 3'UTR. RYP suppressed SLUG expression and cell invasion through miR-134. In 4 T1 tumor-bearing mice, RYP significantly inhibited 4 T1 tumor growth and lung metastasis, increased the levels of miR-134 and epithelial marker while decreased the levels of SLUG and mesenchymal marker. CONCLUSION: Our data uncovered that Ruyiping formula exerts an anti-metastatic activity against breast cancer cells by regulating SLUG through miR-134. MiR-134-SLUG axis might be a promising strategy in breast cancer therapy.

Traditional Chinese medicine training for cardiac rehabilitation: a randomized comparison with aerobic and resistance training.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of different exercise regimens in the rehabilitation of patients with stable coronary heart disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial to screen 141 patients with stable coronary heart disease who were admitted to the General Administration of Sport of China Sports Medical Science Institute from January 2018 to September 2018. They were randomly divided into the aerobic and resistance training (ART) group for 12 weeks (36 cases), the traditional Chinese medicine training (TCMT) group 12 weeks (37 cases), and the control (CON) group (39 cases). We analyzed the baseline parameters of all participants and the 12-week exercise plate test parameters and related physical and body parameters. RESULT: After 12 weeks of intervention, volume of oxygen (VO2), VO2/kg, metabolic equivalents, VO2/heart rate, stroke volume, and peaked grip strength and flexibility parameters of the ART group and the TCMT group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Resting heart rate of the TCMT group was significantly lower than the CON group, but there was no significant difference between the ART and CON groups (P>0.05). Ventilation/VO2 of the TCMT group was significantly higher than that of the CON group. BMI of the ART group was significantly lower than that of the TCMT group and the CON group, and body fat mass of the TCMT group was significantly smaller than that of the ART group, but there was no difference between the TCMT group and the CON group for BMI and body fat mass. CONCLUSION: Both ART and TCMT can improve the cardiopulmonary aerobic exercise capacity and physical fitness of patients with stable coronary heart disease. Although the degree of improvement is different, they all have certain effects on the rehabilitation of patients with stable coronary heart disease and the application is safe.

[The Correlation between Blood Uric Acid and Goldstein Grading in Hepatolenticular Degeneration Patients with Different Chinese Medical Syndrome Types].

OBJECTIVE: To observe blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading, as well as their correlation in Wilson's disease (WD) patients with different Chinese medical syndrome types. METHODS: Totally 906 WD patients in line with inclusive criteria were assigned to 6 groups, i.e., the heart spirit confused by phlegm group (HSCP, 26 cases), the phlegm-fire disturbing heart group (PFDH, 90 cases), the retention of damp-heat group (RDH, 113 cases), deficiency of qi and blood group (DQB, 168 cases), the deficiency of Gan-yin and Shen-yin group (DGYSY, 327 cases), the deficiency of Gan and Shen group (DGS, 182 cases) due to different Chinese medical syndrome types. Recruited were another 160 healthy subjects having similar ages and diet structures, who came for medical examinations, as the healthy control group. Venous blood was collected from the medial cubital vein of each-patient on an empty stomach in early mornings to detect blood uric acid levels. Results Blood uric acid levels were lower in each syndrome type group than in the healthy control group (146.08 +/- 67.24 micromol/L in the HSCP group; 157.08 +/- 69.77 micromol/L in the PFDH group; 162.58 +/- 97.72 micromol/L in the RDH group; 156.20 +/- 62.63 micromol/L in the DQB group; 161.83 +/- 111.23 micromol/L in the DGYSY group; 194.41 +/- 90.01 micromol/L in the DGS group; 242.39 +/- 87.55 micromol/L in the healthy control group, P < 0.01). Blood uric acid levels were higher in the DGYSY group than in the other 5 syndrome groups (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses between Goldstein grading and blood uric acid showed that, along with increased Goldstein grade (that was aggravating disease conditions), WD patients' blood uric acid levels decreased (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: WD patient's blood uric acid levels decreased more. Blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading were different in various Chinese medical syndrome types. Blood uric acid levels had certain value in assessing the severity of WD.