Negative life events, sleep quality, and depression among older adults in Shandong Province, China: A conditional process analysis based on economic income.

AIM: Negative life events have been reported as a risk factor for depression. However, the mechanism between negative life events and depression is still unclear. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of sleep quality and the moderating role of economic income in the association between negative life events and depression among older adults aged 60 years and over. METHODS: A multi-stage stratified sampling method was used to select elderly individuals over 60 years old in Shandong, China, making use of the Household Health Interview Survey (2020). In total, 3868 older adults completed the measures of negative life events, sleep quality, depression, and economic income. RESULTS: Negative life events positively predicted depression among the elderly (proportion of direct effect, 55.12%), and poor sleep quality could mediate this association (proportion of indirect effect, 44.87%). Economic income played a moderating role in the relationship between negative life events, sleep quality, and depression (the first and second half of the mediating effect, the direct effect of negative life events on depression). Both effects were weaker among the elderly with higher economic incomes. CONCLUSIONS: Negative life events had positive effects on depression in older adults. Economic income moderated the direct effect of negative life events and the mediating effect (first and second half) of sleep quality on depression. When the elderly experience negative life events, interventions for improving their sleep quality and financial support could effectively prevent depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 751-757.

The Preparation of Acryloxyl Group Functionalized Siloxane Polymers and the Study of Their Ultra Violet Curing Properties.

Polysiloxane with multiple acryloxyl groups at the terminal site of the polymer chain was synthesized by the condensation reaction between hydroxyl-terminated polysiloxane and acryloyl chloride and used to improve the cross-linking density of UV-curable silicone materials initiated from dual acryloxy-terminated symmetric polysiloxane or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric polysiloxane with the mixture of Irgacure 1173 and Irgacure 184 at a mass ratio of 1:1 as the photoinitiator. The effects of factors such as initiator composition, UV irradiation time, structure, and molecular weight of linear dual acryloxy-terminated or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers on the gelation yield, thermal properties, water absorption, and water contact angle of UV-cured film were investigated. The synthesized cross-linking density modifier can be copolymerized with acryloxy-functionalized linear polysiloxanes under the action of a photoinitiator to increase the cross-link density of UV-cured products effectively. Both linear dual acryloxy-terminated or single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers can be copolymerized with cross-link density modifiers within 20 s of UV irradiation. The gelation yields of the UV-cured products obtained from the dual acryloxy-terminated siloxane oligomers were greater than 85%, and their surface water contact angles increased from 72.8° to 95.9° as the molecular weight of the oligomers increased. The gelation yields of UV-cured products obtained from single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers were less than 80%, and their thermal stabilities were inferior to those obtained from the dual acryloxy-terminated siloxane oligomers. However, the water contact angles of UV-cured products obtained from these single acryloxy-terminated asymmetric siloxane oligomers were all greater than 90°.

Amino acid modified OCMC-g-Suc-ß-CD nanohydrogels carrying lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1 exhibit high anticancer activity in a zebrafish model.

Nanohydrogels show great potential as efficient drug carriers due to their biocompatibility, low toxicity, and high water absorbability. In this paper, we prepared two O-carboxymethylated chitosan (OCMC)-based polymers functionalized with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and amino acid. The structures of the polymers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Morphological study was carried out on a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and the results indicated that the two polymers had irregular spheroidal structure with some pores distributed on their surface. The average particle diameter was below 500 nm, and the zeta potential was above +30 mV. The two polymers were further used for preparing nanohydrogels loaded with anticancer drugs lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1, and the resulting nanohydrogels showed high drug loading efficiency and pH-sensitive (pH = 4.5) drug release behavior. In vitro cytotoxicity investigation revealed that the nanohydrogels exhibited high cytotoxicity against lung cancer (A549) cells. In vivo anticancer investigation was performed in a transgenic Tg(fabp10:rtTA2s-M2; TRE2:EGFP-kras V12) zebrafish model. The results showed that the synthesized nanohydrogels significantly inhibited the expression of EGFP-kras v12 oncogene in zebrafish liver, and the L-arginine modified OCMC-g-Suc-ß-CD nanohydrogels loading lapatinib and ginsenoside Rg1 showed the best results.

Novel amphiphilic hydroxyethyl starch-based nanoparticles loading camptothecin exhibit high anticancer activity in HepG2 cells and zebrafish.

Camptothecin is a naturally occurred anticancer drug but exhibits limitations including poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, and high level of adverse drug reactions on normal organs. To overcome these problems, this paper developed a novel amphiphilic Lau-Leu-HES carrier using hydroxyethyl starch, lauric acid, and L-leucine as starting materials. The carrier was successfully applied to prepare Lau-Leu-HES nanoparticles loading camptothecin. The drug loading efficiency and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles were calculated to be 29.04% and 81.85%, respectively. The nanoparticles exhibited high zeta potential (-15.51 mV) and small hydrodynamic diameter (105.4 nm). Camptothecin in nanoparticles could be rapidly released under acidic condition (pH = 4.5), thereby indicating the high sensitivity under cancer microenvironments. Anticancer investigation revealed that the nanoparticles could inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells in vitro. Compared with commercial available drug doxorubicin, the nanoparticles could significantly inhibit the expression of krasv12 oncogene in transgenic Tg (EGFP-krasV12) zebrafish. These results indicate that the camptothecin-loaded Lau-Leu-HES nanoparticles are expected to be a potential candidate for cancer therapy.

Fluorescein Derivative Immobilized Optical Hydrogels: Fabrication and Its Application for Detection of H2O2.

A novel fluorescein-based probe FLA-Boe was developed for detecting H2O2. Modified by 2-Bromomethylphenylboronic acid pinacol ester, FLA-Boe is a Fluorescein derivative with eminent photostability and remarkable H2O2 sensitivity and selectivity. FLA-Boe was utilized to synthesize hydrogel sensors in the manner of guest-host interaction by taking advantage of its aforementioned features. The hydrogel sensor can be used to detect H2O2 effectively in both flowing and static water environments with satisfactory performance. It is expected that this application may open a new page to develop a neoteric fluorescent property analysis method aiming at H2O2 detection.

Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Leaves of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Background: The leaves of L. japonica (LLJ) are widely used as medicine in China. It is rich in caffeoylquinic acids, flavonoids and iridoid glycosides and has strong reducing capacities. Therefore, it can be used as a green material to synthesize silver nanoparticles. Methods: LLJ was used as a reducing agent to produce the LLJ-mediated silver nanoparticles (LLJ-AgNPs). The structure and physicochemical properties of LLJ-AgNPs were characterized by ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and x-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Antioxidant activity of LLJ-AgNPs was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging. Antibacterial activity was determined by 96 well plates (AGAR) gradient dilution, while the anticancer potential was determined by MTT assay. Results: The results showed LLJ-AgNPs had a spherical structure with the maximum UV-Vis absorption at 400 nm. In addition, LLJ-AgNPs exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, where the free radical scavenging rate of LLJ-AgNPs was increased from 39% to 92% at concentrations from 0.25 to 1.0 mg/mL. Moreover, LLJ-AgNPs displayed excellent antibacterial properties against E. coli and Salmonella at room temperature, with minimum inhibitory values of 10-6 and 10-5 g/L, respectively. In addition, the synthetic LLJ-AgNPs exhibited a better inhibition effect in the proliferation of cancer cells (HepG2, MDA-MB -231, and Hela cells). Conclusion: The present study provides a green approach to synthesize LLJ-AgNPs. All those findings illustrated that the produced LLJ-AgNPs can be used as an economical and efficient functional material for further applications in food and pharmaceutical fields.

Relationship between the Height of Alveolar Bone Resorption and Sex and Age in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between the height of alveolar bone resorption and sex and age in the adolescent dentition. METHODS: Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) was used to measure the height of alveolar bone resorption at labial, lingual, mesial and distal sites of teeth in 149 adolescents aged from 10 to 20 years. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the relationship between the height of alveolar bone resorption and sex and age. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the height of alveolar bone resorption between sex (P>0.05). The height of alveolar bone resorption was positively correlated with age in all types of teeth. The model constructed by combining the alveolar bone resorption height data of four sites (y=2.569x1+3.106x2+4.108x3+1.451x4-0.082, R2max=0.756)had a better ability to infer age than that of combining two sites (y=5.942x1+4.489x2+0.612, R2max=0.706) and a single site (R2max=0.638). CONCLUSIONS: The height of alveolar bone resorption is positively correlated with the age of adolescents. The combination of four sites has a stronger ability to infer the relationship between the height of alveolar bone resorption and age in adolescents and has higher accuracy in practical application.

A Naphthalimide-Based Fluorescent Probe for the Detection and Imaging of Mercury Ions in Living Cells.

The selective and efficient monitoring of mercury (Hg2+ ) contamination found in the environment and ecosystem has been carried out. Thus, a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescent probe NADP for the detection of Hg2+ based on a fluorescence enhancement strategy has been designed and synthesized. The NADP probe can detect Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity and a low detection limit of 13 nm. The detection mechanism was based on a Hg2+ -triggered deprotection reaction, resulting in a dramatic change in fluorescence from colorless to green at physiological pH. Most importantly, biological investigation has shown that the NADP probe can be successfully applied to the monitoring of Hg2+ in living cells and zebrafish with low cytotoxicity.

Torsional Fatigue Life Prediction of 30CrMnSiNi2A Based on Meso-Inhomogeneous Deformation.

In this paper, torsional fatigue failure of 30CrMnSiNi2A steel which exhibited non-Masing behavior was studied under different constant shear strain amplitudes, using thin-walled tubular specimens. The relationship between shear fatigue and the evolution of meso-deformation inhomogeneity and the prediction method of the torsional fatigue life curve were investigated. Shear fatigue of the material under constant amplitude was researched by numerical simulation with reference to tests, by using crystal plasticity of polycrystalline representative volume element (RVE) as the material model. Considering the non-Masing behavior of material, when determining the parameter values of the crystal plasticity model the correlation between these parameters and strain amplitude was taken into account. The meso-deformation inhomogeneity with increments in the number of cycles was characterized by using the statistical shear strain standard deviation of RVE as the basic parameter. Considering the effect of strain amplitude on fatigue damage, ratio cycle peak stress/yield stress was taken as the weight to measure the torsional fatigue damage and an improved fatigue indicator parameter (FIP) to measure the inhomogeneous deformation of the material was proposed. The torsional fatigue life curve of 30CrMnSiNi2A steel was predicted by the critical value of the FIP and then the result was confirmed.

Temperature and pH Dual Responsive Nanogels of Modified Sodium Alginate and NIPAM for Berberine Loading and Release.

pH- and temperature-sensitive nanogels (NGs) were prepared from sodium alginate (SA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), as the sensitivity at pH 5.5 and 31 °C. SA was pH-modified with glutamic acid (Glu) and ethylenediamine (EDA). The products Glu-SA (Glu-modified SA) and EGSA (EDA- and Glu-modified SA) were characterized by ninhydrin color reaction, infrared spectroscopy, and zeta potential, and the best reactant ratio was selected. Moreover, temperature-sensitive, pH-sensitive EGSA-NGs possessing a semi-interpenetrating network structure were prepared by radical polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide. The morphology of EGSA-NGs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytotoxicity test shows the low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility of the NGs. The newly prepared NGs were also subjected to pH-sensitive temperature-sensitive in vitro drug-loading and drug-release experiments. The pH-sensitive and temperature-sensitive experiments showed that the particle size of EGSA-NGs was reduced at pH 5.5 and above 31 °C. The drug-loading and drug-release experiments also confirmed this finding, indicating that the newly synthesized NGs could release the drug according to the environmental changes. Therefore, the material has potential application value in solid tumor targeted therapy.

Two Novel Fluorescent Probes as Systematic Sensors for Multiple Metal Ions: Focus on Detection of Hg2.

Many precedents prove that fluorescent probes are promising candidates for detection of metal ions in the environment and biological systems. Herein, two novel photoinduced electron transfer (PET)-based fluorescent probes, CH 3 -R6G and CN-R6G, were rationally synthesized by incorporating a triazolyl benzaldehyde moiety into the rhodamine 6G fluorophore. The optical properties of these probes were studied using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectrophotometer and a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Through the analysis of the test results, it is concluded that the selectivity and sensitivity of these two probes to Hg2+ are better than to other metal ions (Ag+, Al3+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Co3+, Cu2+, Cr3+, Fe3+, Ga2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+). According to the standard curve diagram, the detection limits of CH 3 -R6G and CN-R6G were determined to be 1.34 × 10-8 and 1.56 × 10-8 M, respectively. Reaction of the probes with Hg2+ resulted in a color change of the solution from colorless to pink. The corresponding molecular geometric configuration, orbital electron distribution, and orbital energy of these two compounds were predicted by density functional theory (DFT). The two probes CH 3 -R6G and CN-R6G have been successfully used for imaging Hg2+ in live breast cancer cells, thereby indicating their great potential for the micro-detection of Hg2+ in vivo.

The Shaggy Ink Cap Medicinal Mushroom, Coprinus comatus (Agaricomycetes), a Versatile Functional Species: A Review.

Coprinus comatus, an edible and medicinal mushroom, not only tastes delicious, but also has various pharmacological activities. Recently, it has been reported that researchers have extracted more and more active ingredients, including polysaccharides, comatin, active protein complexes, and phenols from fruit bodies, mycelium, or fermentation liquor of C. comatus and studied their corresponding functions. At present, researchers mainly focus on the hypoglycemic effect of C. comatus, while other effects are less studied. This paper summarizes not only the hypoglycemic effect of C. comatus, but also other functions, such as antioxidant activity, alcohol liver protection, cancer inhibition, antiandrogenic function, anti-inflammatory effect, treatment of leukemia, and so on, which will provide scientific basis for the deep processing and comprehensive utilization of C. comatus.

Rhodamine-immobilized optical hydrogels with shape deformation and Hg2+-sensitive fluorescence behaviors.

A highly effective method for the research and development of a novel macroscopic hydrogel sensor and bilayer hydrogel is reported. Based on Rhodamine 6G, an Hg2+ sensitive fluorescent functional monomer was synthesized, then the monomer was utilized to synthesize hydrogel sensors and bilayer hydrogels. Hydrogel sensor has prominent selectivity to Hg2+, the bilayer hydrogel has shape changing function additionally. By combining a thermoresponsive hydrogel layer, poly N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM), with an Hg2+ selective hydrogel layer via macroscopic supramolecular assembly, a bilayer hydrogel is obtained that can be tailored and reswells. The bilayer hydrogel sensor can show complex shape deformation caused by the PNIPAM layer and the Hg2+-responsive characteristic of hydrogel sensor layer can be observed under visible light or UV light. This work will provide novel insights for the design and synthesis of novel smart materials with synergistic functions.

Cembrane-type diterpenoids from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii and their biological activities.

Eight new cembrane-type diterpenoids, boscartins AH-AK (1-8), along with two known ones (9-10), were isolated from the gum resin of Boswellia carterii. Compounds 1-3 were characteristic of high oxidation assignable to three epoxy groups, while compounds 4-8 were characteristic of two epoxy groups. Spectroscopic examination was used to elucidate their structures. All isolates were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against HCT-116 human colon cancer cells, anti-inflammatory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production, and hepatoprotective activity in vitro. All of them showed weak antiproliferative activity (IC50 > 100 µM), 8 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO production (IC50 of 14.8 µM), with the others showing weak anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 > 30 µM), and 1 exhibited more potent hepatoprotective activity than the positive control, bicyclol, at 10 µM against the damage induced by paracetamol in HepG2 cells.

Two novel colorimetric fluorescent probes: Hg2+ and Al3+ in the visual colorimetric recognition environment.

Two new dual channel Schiff base fluorescent probes, Tri-R6G and Tri-Flu, were synthesized, and can detect Hg2+ and Al3+, respectively. The two probes were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS, and their optical properties were detected by UV and FL. Test results showed the probes' detection of Hg2+ and Al3+ compared to other metal ions (Ag+, Co2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Al3+, Zn2+, Hg2+, K+, Ga2+ and Fe3+), respectively. Besides, the detection limits were determined to be 1.61 × 10-8 M and 1.15 × 10-8 M through the standard curve plot, respectively. The photoelectron transfer (PET) mechanism was guessed by the Job's plot and the infrared titration. Corresponding orbital electron distribution and molecular geometry configurations of the compounds were predicted by density functional theory (DFT). In addition, the prepared test paper changed from white to pink when the target ion was detected. The color changed from colorless to pink in a solution having a concentration of 10-5 M.

Electrochemical Umpolung of Bromide: Transition-Metal-Free Bromination of Indole C⁻H Bond.

A facile and sustainable electrochemical umpolung of bromide ion protocol was developed under mild reaction conditions. Transition metal catalysts and exogenous chemical oxidants were obviated for the bromination of C⁻H bond. Notably, graphite rod, which is commercially available at supermarkets and is inexpensive, was employed as the electrode material. This operationally easy and environmentally friendly approach accomplished the synthesis of 3-bromoindole in excellent yield and regioselectivity.

Preparative Separation of Diterpene Lactones and Flavones from Andrographis paniculate Using Off-Line Two-Dimensional High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography.

Seven diterpene lactones, andrographolide (1), isoandrographolide (2), neo-andrographolide (3), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (4), 14-deoxyandrographiside (5), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographiside (6), 3,14-dideoxyandrographolide (10), and three flavones, andrographidine C (7), andrographidine A (8), 5-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone (9) have been successfully and efficiently isolated from A. paniculata using an off-line two dimensional (2D) high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) method for the first time. For the first dimension HSCCC separation, petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water 3:7:5:5 (v/v) was employed to isolate 14.4 mg of compound 1, 3.1 mg of compound 2, 7.8 mg of compound 3, and 18.0 mg of compound 4 from 200 mg of the A. paniculata extract. For the second dimension HSCCC separation, petroleum ether-ethyl acetate-methanol-water 2:8:1:9 (v/v) and 5:5:6:4 (v/v) were employed to isolate the collected fractions ranged from 55 to 79 min and the flow out fraction, respectively, which led to 5.1 mg of compound 5, 4.4 mg of compound 6, 2.4 mg of compound 7, 3.3 mg of compound 8, 4.0 mg of compound 9, 7.0 mg of compound 10. The structures of these diterpene lactones and flavones were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of two antithymocyte globulins in treatment of pediatric aplastic anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antithymocyte globulins (ATGs) produced by two companies in the treatment of children with aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: Six children with acquired AA were divided into two groups. The patients in each group were treated with either R-ATG or F-ATG for 5 consecutive days. Venous blood samples were collected at time points of 0 h, 4 h, 8 h after infusion of ATGs on day 1, at the end of the infusion on day 2-5, and on d7, d21, d35, d60, d90. The plasma concentrations of ATG were measured by ELISA. Pharmacokinetic parameters of ATG was calculated using pharmacokinetics calculation software 3P97. The kinetics of peripheral absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was monitored. The long-term efficacy was evaluated according to international standards. RESULTS: The plasma concentration of both R-ATG and F-ATG peaked on day 3~4 after treatment with about 30~32 µg/ml, then fell gradually, reaching half of the peak level on day 21. The traces of ATG were still detectable on day 90. In addition, ALC in both groups declined significantly to a low level for a long time. No significant differences were observed between two groups in terms of the pharmacokinetic parameters and ALC. In an average follow-up period of 12 months, the total response rates (66.7%) in two groups were same. No treatment-related deaths or serious adverse reactions occurred during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Both R-ATG and F-ATG have similar characteristics in pharmacokinetics and pharmcodynamics in the treatment of children with AA.