Vaginal flora in HPV infection: a cross­sectional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The vaginal flora has been reported to be associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the cervical microbiota in patients with HPV infection and to analyse the changes in the vaginal flora and enzyme profiles in females with HPV infection. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 206 participants who underwent HPV genotyping, sexually transmitted diseases pathogen testing, cytology examination, and microbiome analysis. Additionally, we collected 115 HPV-negative samples and 48 HPV-positive samples for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The vaginal microbial communities of both groups were analysed for diversity and differences to explore their association with HPV infection. RESULTS: The abundance of Lactobacillus was found to be reduced, while Gardnerella vaginalis was significantly more prevalent in the HPV + group. In terms of alpha diversity indices, the Shannon index (P = .0036) and Simpson index (P = .02) were higher in the HPV + group compared to the HPV - group, indicating greater community diversity in the HPV + group. Among the 10 sexually transmitted diseases pathogens analysed, Uup3 and Uup6 were significantly associated with HPV infection. Statistically significant differences were observed in Nugent scores and bacterial vaginosis between the two groups (P < .05). In functional analysis, 11 proteins and 13 enzymes were found to be significantly altered in the HPV + group. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that disruptions in the vaginal flora are associated with HPV infection. Reduced levels of Lactobacillus, increased prevalence of Gardnerella, and abnormal enzyme profiles are closely linked to HPV infection.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the cervical microbiota in patients with human papillomavirus infection and to analyse the changes in the vaginal flora and enzyme profiles in females with human papillomavirus infection. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 206 participants who underwent human papillomavirus genotyping, sexually transmitted diseases pathogen testing, cytology examination, and microbiome analysis. Additionally, we collected 115 HPV-negative samples and 48 HPV-positive samples for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The abundance of Lactobacillus was found to be reduced, while Gardnerella vaginalis was significantly more prevalent in the HPV + group. In functional analysis, 11 proteins and 13 enzymes were found to be significantly altered in the HPV + group. Our study demonstrates that disruptions in the vaginal flora are associated with HPV infection. Reduced levels of Lactobacillus, increased prevalence of Gardnerella, and abnormal enzyme profiles are closely linked to HPV infection.

Echinacoside (ECH) suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioblastoma cells by inhibiting Skp2-triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

BACKGROUND: Echinacoside (ECH) is a phenylethanoid extracted from the stems of Cistanches salsa, an herb used in Chinese medicine formulations, and is effective against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the cornerstone of tumorigenesis and metastasis, and increases the malignant behavior of GBM cells. The S phase kinase-related protein 2 (skp2), an oncoprotein associated with EMT, is highly expressed in GBM and significantly associated with drug resistance, tumor grade and dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to explore the inhibitory effects of ECH against GBM development and skp2-induced EMT. METHODS: CCK-8, EdU incorporation, transwell, colony formation and sphere formation assays were used to determine the effects of ECH on GBM cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. The in vivo anti-glioma effects of ECH were examined using a U87 xenograft model. The expression levels of skp2 protein, EMT-associated markers (vimentin and snail) and stemness markers (Nestin and sox2) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting experiments. RESULTS: ECH suppressed the proliferation, invasiveness and migration of GBM cells in vitro, as well as the growth of U87 xenograft in vivo. In addition, ECH downregulated the skp2 protein, EMT-related markers (vimentin and snail) and stemness markers (sox2 and Nestin). The inhibitory effects of ECH were augmented in the skp2-knockdown GBM cells, and reversed in cells with ectopic expression of skp2. CONCLUSION: ECH inhibits glioma development by suppressing skp2-induced EMT of GBM cells.

Nifedipine or amlodipine? The choice for hypertension during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding efficacy and safety of amlodipine on treating hypertension during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To compare antihypertensive efficacy, pregnancy outcome and safety of amlodipine with nifedipine on hypertension during pregnancy. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and China Biology Medicine disc of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April l5, 2021 was conducted on RCTs comparing amlodipine to nifedipine for the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were done by two independent reviewers. To estimate relative effects from all available evidence, a meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs were included. Amlodipine was found the efficacy is slightly superior to nifedipine on treating hypertension during pregnancy (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10) with a decreased risk for maternal side effects (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.61). Subgroup analysis found amlodipine can get a better control on SBP (RR - 11.68, 95% CI - 17.98 to - 5.37) and DBP (RR - 7.44, 95% CI - 13.81 to - 1.06) compared with intermediate-/long-acting nifedipine. In addition, there was no difference between amlodipine and nifedipine on pregnancy outcomes including caesarean section, premature labour, placental abruption, FGR, fetal distress, neonatal asphyxia. CONCLUSIONS: Given the results of this systematic review and meta-analysis, amlodipine can be effectively and safely used for hypertension during pregnancy.

Empirical validation of the psychological concept of a perceived feeling of 'energy': Advancement into the study of positive psychology.

The paradigm of positive psychology, significant in nature, helps to explain the proactivity and motivation of human agency, such as a secondary school student's state of autonomy, confidence, and personal resolve to strive for optimal learning and/or non-learning experiences. Our recent research development, in tandem with other scholars' inquiries, has focused on one aspect of positive psychology-namely, a person's achievement of 'optimal best', which reflects the maximization of his/her state of functioning (e.g., cognitive functioning). Capitalizing on our previous research, we develop a psychological concept that we term as a 'perceived feeling of energy'. A perceived feeling of energy (e.g., a perceived feeling of liveliness) is proposed to act as a 'motivational engine', or as a central driver, which then could predict and enhance a person's achievement of optimal best. Six hundred and twenty-seven university students (N = 438 women, 189 men) responded to a suite of self-report questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques were used to test a conceptual model, where we focused on the antecedent (i.e., the direct impact of self-efficacy on a perceived feeling of energy) and consequence of a perceived feeling energy (i.e., the impact of a perceived feeling of energy on personal resolve, and the sustaining of optimal best). Analysis of results showed support for our original hypothesized model-for example: self-efficacy as an antecedent of energy and the central role of the energy as a predictor and potential mediator of future outcomes.

Life, death, and spirituality: A conceptual analysis for educational research development.

Life education, also known as life and death education, is an important subject in Taiwan. Life education is more than just the study of a person's development throughout the lifespan (e.g., cognitive development). Within the learning and sociocultural contexts of Taiwan, interestingly, the study of life and death education is concerned with the premise of the promotion and fulfillment of life qualities (e.g., a person's state of contentment), and the meaningful understanding of the nature of death. To facilitate appreciation and deep, meaningful understanding of the subject, and to emphasize its uniqueness, educators have included in their teaching the importance of Eastern-derived philosophical beliefs and religious faiths (e.g., Buddhism). For example, relatively significant in its emphasis, the teaching of this subject involves detailed examination of theoretical accounts of spiritual cultivation and its positive effect on a person's interpretation and enlightenment of life wisdom. The study of life education, or life and death education, we contend, is of significance as it provides life-related insights and theoretical understanding into the intricate nature of life and death. One notable aspect of the subject entails a person's acquired life wisdom, which in turn may shape his/her life practice on a daily basis (e.g., the proactive engagement in Buddhist meditation). Importantly, the study of life education may assist individuals with their coping of grief, and to approach death with a sense of peace, calmness, and dignity. In this analysis, coupled with Buddhist faith (or any other religious faith for that matter) and facilitated by spiritual cultivation (e.g., the belief in the notion of transcendence experience), a person may overcome grief by believing in the possibility that there is some form of post-death experience and the presence of a loved one's spiritual being. Given this emphasis, we consider an important focus for discussion in this article: to explore the significance of life and death education and to determine how its 'positive nature' could potentially yield two comparable implications for development: (i) to engage in appropriate pedagogical practices that would encourage and promote the study of life and death education, and (ii) to advance innovative research inquiries, theoretical, methodological, and/or empirical, which could highlight the significance of life education for life purposes (e.g., the significance of Chinese ideograms, such as ).

Advancing the Study of Positive Psychology: The Use of a Multifaceted Structure of Mindfulness for Development.

Positive psychology, as a distinctive paradigm, focuses on the remedy of pathologies and, by contrast, the promotion of positive experiences and conditions in life (e.g., encouraging a state of flourishing). Positive psychology, in its simplistic form, may provide evidence and insightful understanding into the proactivity of human agency (Seligman, 1999; Seligman and Csíkszentmihályi, 2000). Drawing from this emphasis, we have developed the theory of optimization, which attempts to explain the achievement of optimal functioning in life (e.g., optimal cognitive functioning: academic performance). By the same token, in the course of our research development into the theory of optimization, we have also delved into a comparable theoretical orientation, namely: the multifaceted nature of mindfulness, consisting of three interrelated components - the psychological component of mindfulness, the philosophical component of mindfulness, and the spiritual component of mindfulness. This conceptualization of mindfulness is rather unique for its incorporation of both Western and Eastern knowledge, philosophical viewpoints, and epistemologies into one holistic framework. The main premise of this conceptual analysis article is to advance the study of positive psychology by specifically introducing our recently developed model of mindfulness, in this case, the multifaceted structure of mindfulness with its three distinct components. Importantly, we make attempts to highlight the significance of this multifaceted model by situating it within the theory of optimization for academic learning. Using philosophical psychology and personal-based teaching and research reasoning, we provide a valid rationale as to how aspects of our proposed model of mindfulness (e.g., reaching a state of enlightenment) could act to facilitate and optimize a person's state of functioning (e.g., cognitive functioning). Moreover, we posit that our rationale regarding mindfulness as a potential "optimizing agent" for the purpose of optimal functioning could, indeed, emphasize and reflect the salient nature of positive psychology. In other words, we contend that an explanatory account of mindfulness from the perspectives of Confucianism and Buddhism could, in this analysis, coincide with and support the meaningful understanding and appreciation for the study of positive psychology in educational and non-educational contexts. We conclude the article by exploring the complex issue of methodology - that is, for example, how would a researcher measure, assess, and/or empirically validate the multifaceted nature of mindfulness?

Predicting and enhancing students' positive emotions: An empirical study from a Taiwanese sociocultural context.

Predicting and enhancing positive emotions, reflecting the tenets of positive psychology, is of considerable importance for educators. Positive emotions may consist of a person's indication of happiness, joy, and love. In school and university settings, as research has shown, positive emotions play a pivotal role in helping students adjust, make friends, and engage in proactive social relationships with others. It is imperative for us to consider the design and development of educational programs that could assist in the facilitation of positive emotions. The present study involved examination of an inquiry into the prediction of positive emotion of university students, via means of data drawn from Taiwan. The main question for consideration is to determine the extent to which both social (e.g., the social milieu) and personal (e.g., personal resolve) influences could predict positive emotions. Structural equation modelling yielded support for our proposed a priori model: (a) the direct predictive effects of the social milieu, personal resolve, relating to others, and academic liking experience, and (b) the potential mediating roles of relating to others, and academic liking experience. Overall, the concept of emotions plays a central role and is accounted for by different types of personal and social contextual influences.

Achieving optimal best practice: An inquiry into its nature and characteristics.

The study of optimal best practice within the context of academia has produced both empirical and theoretical contributions. Optimal best practice, also coined as optimal functioning, is concerned with a person's personal best-that is, "what is the best that I can do for this academic subject?" Research in the social sciences has, to date, explored different types of optimal best-physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. What is of considerable interest, as a related matter, is a question of how a person reaches and experiences a level of optimal best practice. Recent research development, for example, has explored various conceptualizations of optimal best practice-for example, one distinctive theoretical model, the Framework of Achievement Bests [1, 2], makes a concerted effort to explore the underlying process of optimization-that is, in this case, how an optimal level of best practice is achieved. The present study, as detailed below, investigates via means of non-experimental data a theoretical model pertaining to the achievement of optimal best practice. This examination, we postulate, would enable us to add clarity and provide additional theoretical insights the operational nature of the process of optimization. The operational nature of optimization, as described in our recent research [1, 3], emphasizes three major tenets: (i) the main sources of a person's optimal best practice, (ii) the potential 'optimizing' influences of three comparable agencies on the achievement of optimal best practice (i.e., personal resolve, social relationship, and personal self-efficacy), and (iii) the impact of optimal best practice on future adaptive outcomes (i.e., academic striving and personal well-being). We explored this topic via means of the use of a non-experimental, correlational design with participants drawn from Taiwanese university students (N = 1010). Structural equation modelling (SEM) produced evidence, which empirically supported existing research [1, 3] and substantiated our knowledge of the concept of optimal best practice. Evidence established from the present study has also assisted us to identify one pervasive issue, which we call for further research development-namely, to consider, design, and develop an appropriate methodological approach that would enable researchers to accurately measure and assess the process of optimization. Finally, in terms of teaching and learning, we acknowledge that our research investigation has provided some insights into potential educational practices for implementation.

Understanding levels of best practice: An empirical validation.

Recent research has explored the nature of the theoretical concept of optimal best practice, which emphasizes the importance of personal resolve, inner strength, and the maximization of a person's development, whether it is mental, cognitive, social, or physical. In the context of academia, the study of optimal functioning places emphasis on a student's effort expenditure, positive outlook, and determination to strive for educational success and enriched subjective well-being. One major inquiry closely associated with optimal functioning is the process of optimization. Optimization, in brief, delves into the enactment of different psychological variables that could improve a person's internal state of functioning (e.g., cognitive functioning). From a social sciences point of view, very little empirical evidence exists to affirm and explain a person's achievement of optimal best practice. Over the past five years, we have made extensive progress in the area of optimal best practice by developing different quantitative measures to assess and evaluate the importance of this theoretical concept. The present study, which we collaborated with colleagues in Taiwan, involved the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze a cohort of Taiwanese university students' (N = 1010) responses to a series of Likert-scale measures that focused on three major entities: (i) the importance of optimal best practice, (ii) three major psychological variables (i.e., effective functioning, personal resolve, and emotional functioning) that could optimize student' optimal best levels in academic learning, and (iii) three comparable educational outcomes (i.e., motivation towards academic learning, interest in academic learning, and academic liking experience) that could positively associate with optimal best practice and the three mentioned psychological variables. Findings that we obtained, overall, fully supported our initial a priori model. This evidence, in its totality, has made substantive practical, theoretical, and methodological contributions. Foremost, from our point of view, is clarity into the psychological process of optimal best practice in the context of schooling. For example, in relation to subjective well-being experiences, how can educators optimize students' positive emotions? More importantly, aside from practical relevance, our affirmed research inquiry has produced insightful information for further advancement. One distinction, in this case, entails consideration of a more complex methodological design that could measure, assess, and evaluate the impact of optimization.

[Comparison of Chemical Components of Essential Oil from Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum Extracted by Supercritical CO2 Fluid and Steam Distillation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the chemical components of essential oil prepared by steam distillation extraction (SD) and supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE-CO2) from Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum whole plant. METHODS: The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum were extracted by SD and SFE-CO2. The chemical components of essential oil were separated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry( GC-MS). Their relative contents were determined by normalization of peak area. RESULTS: 40 and 42 compounds were detected in the essential oil prepared by SD and SFE-CO2 respectively. 25 compounds were common. CONCLUSION: Thereare significant differences of the chemical components between the Ocimum basilicum var. pilosum essential oil prepared by SD and thatby SFE-CO2. Different methods showed different extraction efficiency with a special compound. It might be a good idea to unite several methods in the modern traditional Chinese medicine industry.

The effects of baclofen for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives. Baclofen can relieve gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms in healthy subjects and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients by reducing the incidence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baclofen for the treatment of GERD. Methods. We systematically searched randomized controlled trials published prior to November 2013 from PubMed, Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Randomized Controlled Trials. We performed a meta-analysis of all eligible trials. Results. Nine studies were identified with a total of 283 GERD patients and healthy subjects. Comparative analysis provided high quality data supporting the ability of baclofen to promote a short-term decrease in the number of reflux episodes per patient, the average length of reflux episodes, and the incidence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. No serious adverse events or death events were reported, and there were no significant differences in the overall adverse events between baclofen and placebo. All reported side effects of baclofen were of mild-to-moderate intensity, and the drug was well tolerated. Conclusion. Abundant evidence suggests that baclofen may be a useful approach for the treatment of GERD patients; however, a larger well-designed research study would further confirm this recommendation.