The Psychometric Properties and Cutoff Score of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM) in Chinese Primary School Students.

To date, the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM) has been translated into several languages, including Chinese. This study aimed to explore the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the CAMM and to identify the appropriate cutoff score among Chinese primary school students. A total of 1283 participants (52.2% males; 11.52 ± 0.78 years of age) completed a series of questionnaires to evaluate their mental health, including mindfulness, subjective well-being, positive youth development (PYD), depression, and anxiety. Item analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM), criterion-related validity analysis, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, and reliability analysis were performed. The results show that the Chinese version of the CAMM had acceptable item−scale correlation (r = 0.405−0.775, p < 0.001) and was the best fit for the two-factor ESEM model (χ2 = 168.251, p < 0.001, df = 26, TLI = 0.910, CFI = 0.948, RMSEA = 0.065, SRMR = 0.033) among Chinese primary school students. Additionally, the total score of the Chinese version of the CAMM was significantly associated with subjective well-being and PYD (r = 0.287−0.381, p < 0.001), and negatively associated with depression, and anxiety (r = −0.612−−0.542, p < 0.001). Moreover, a cutoff score of 22 or higher revealed a significant predictive power for all the included criteria. Finally, the Chinese version of the CAMM had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.826, McDonald's ω = 0.826). Altogether, the Chinese version of the CAMM had satisfactory psychometric properties, and it can be applied to Chinese children.

Inhibitory Effects of Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata Extract ECB on Melanoma-Induced Hyperplasia of Blood Vessels in Zebrafish Embryos.

Melanoma is a serious malignant form of skin cancer. Euphorbiaceae compound B (ECB, 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-methylacetophenone) is an acetophenone compound that is isolated from Euphorbia ebracteolata Hayata (EEH), an herbaceous perennial, and has antitumor activity. Here, we transplanted human melanoma cells into zebrafish embryos to establish a zebrafish/melanoma model. We showed that this model can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of EEH and ECB and discussed its potential mechanism of action. The results showed that ECB was an active ingredient of EEH in inhibiting melanoma-induced hyperplasia of blood vessels in zebrafish embryos, similar to the angiogenic inhibitor vatalanib. ECB inhibited the number and length of subintestinal veins (p < 0.05), as well as the distribution of melanoma in zebrafish embryos (p < 0.05). More importantly, unlike vatalanib, ECB only inhibited melanoma-induced abnormal and excessive growth of blood vessels in xenografts. In addition, ECB inhibited the mRNA expression of vegfr2 and vegfr3 in zebrafish. Both vegfr2 and vegfr3 are essential genes that regulate blood vessel formation and upregulate the expression of p53 and casp3a genes in zebrafish. Together, the above-mentioned results indicate that ECB has a potential antimelanoma effect in vivo, which may be mediated by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors.

A multifunctional platform with single-NIR-laser-triggered photothermal and NO release for synergistic therapy against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and their biofilms.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, especially MDR Gram-negative strains, have become a global public health challenge. Multifunctional nanomaterials for controlling MDR bacterial infections via eradication of planktonic bacteria and their biofilms are of great interest. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a multifunctional platform (TG-NO-B) with single NIR laser-triggered PTT and NO release for synergistic therapy against MDR Gram-negative bacteria and their biofilms. When located at the infected sites, TG-NO-B was able to selectively bind to the surfaces of Gram-negative bacterial cells and their biofilm matrix through covalent coupling between the BA groups of TG-NO-B and the bacterial LPS units, which could greatly improve the antibacterial efficiency, and reduce side damages to ambient normal tissues. Upon single NIR laser irradiation, TG-NO-B could generate hyperthermia and simultaneously release NO, which would synergistically disrupt bacterial cell membrane, further cause leakage and damage of intracellular components, and finally induce bacteria death. On one hand, the combination of NO and PTT could largely improve the antibacterial efficiency. On the other hand, the bacterial cell membrane damage could improve the permeability and sensitivity to heat, decrease the photothermal temperature and avoid damages caused by high temperature. Moreover, TG-NO-B could be effectively utilized for synergistic therapy against the in vivo infections of MDR Gram-negative bacteria and their biofilms and accelerate wound healing as well as exhibit excellent biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that TG-NO-B can be considered as a promising alternative for treating infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria and their biofilms.

Increased coiling frequency linked to apoptosis in the brain and altered thyroid signaling in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) exposed to the PBDE metabolite 6-OH-BDE-47.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of brominated flame retardants that are ubiquitously detected in the environment and associated with adverse health outcomes. 6-OH-BDE-47 is a metabolite of the flame retardant, 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), and there is increasing concern regarding its developmental neurotoxicity and endocrine disrupting properties. In this study, we report that early life exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to 6-OH-BDE-47 (50 and 100 nM) resulted in higher coiling frequency and significantly increased apoptotic cells in the brain. These effects were partially rescued by overexpression of thyroid hormone receptor ß (THRß) mRNA. Moreover, exposure to 100 nM 6-OH-BDE-47 significantly reduced the number of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin)-immunoreactive (5-HT-ir) neurons and the mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2). These results indicate that 6-OH-BDE-47 affected thyroid hormone regulation through THRß and negatively impacted the nervous system, in turn, affecting coiling behavior. Correlations of these endpoints suggest that coiling frequency could be used as an indicator of neurotoxicity in embryos.

Hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity of patulin in mice, and its modulation by green tea polyphenols administration.

Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin produced by certain species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys. Previous studies demonstrated its cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects in different cell lines. However, there is little information available concerning its toxic behavior in vivo. In the present study, we investigated PAT-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in mice. We also investigated the antioxidant and anti-genotoxicity efficiency of green tea polyphenols (GTP) against PAT-induced toxicity. We found that PAT-treatment induced serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities significantly. PAT-induced lipid peroxidation was confirmed with the elevation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Moreover, the increasing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing of GSH level implied its oxidative damage mechanism. In bone marrow cell, PAT was found to induce micronucleus and chromosomal aberration formation. In addition, our result suggested that GTP administration has dose-dependent antioxidative and antigenotoxic effect in against PAT-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity.