Emerging therapeutic potential of the iridoid molecule, asperuloside: A snapshot of its underlying molecular mechanisms

Over the years, the attention of researchers in the field of modern drug discovery and development has become further intense on the identification of active compounds from plant sources and traditional remedies, as they exhibit higher therapeutic efficacies and improved toxicological profiles. Among the large diversity of plant extracts that have been discovered and explored for their potential therapeutic benefits, asperuloside, an iridoid glycoside, has been proven to provide promising effects as a therapeutic agent for several diseases. Although, this potent substance exists in several genera, it is primarily found in plants belonging to the genus Eucommia. Recent decades have seen a surge in the research on Asperuloside, making it one of the most studied natural products in the field of medicine and pharmacology. In this review, we have attempted to study the various reported mechanisms of asperuloside that form the basis of its wide spectrum of pharmacological activities

Using brain structural neuroimaging measures to predict psychosis onset for individuals at clinical high-risk

Machine learning approaches using structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) can be informative for disease classification, although their ability to predict psychosis is largely unknown. We created a model with individuals at CHR who developed psychosis later (CHR-PS+) from healthy controls (HCs) that can differentiate each other. We also evaluated whether we could distinguish CHR-PS+ individuals from those who did not develop psychosis later (CHR-PS-) and those with uncertain follow-up status (CHR-UNK). T1-weighted structural brain MRI scans from 1165 individuals at CHR (CHR-PS+, n = 144; CHR-PS-, n = 793; and CHR-UNK, n = 228), and 1029 HCs, were obtained from 21 sites. We used ComBat to harmonize measures of subcortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area data and corrected for non-linear effects of age and sex using a general additive model. CHR-PS+ (n = 120) and HC (n = 799) data from 20 sites served as a training dataset, which we used to build a classifier. The remaining samples were used external validation datasets to evaluate classifier performance (test, independent confirmatory, and independent group [CHR-PS- and CHR-UNK] datasets). The accuracy of the classifier on the training and independent confirmatory datasets was 85% and 73% respectively. Regional cortical surface area measures-including those from the right superior frontal, right superior temporal, and bilateral insular cortices strongly contributed to classifying CHR-PS+ from HC. CHR-PS- and CHR-UNK individuals were more likely to be classified as HC compared to CHR-PS+ (classification rate to HC: CHR-PS+, 30%; CHR-PS-, 73%; CHR-UNK, 80%). We used multisite sMRI to train a classifier to predict psychosis onset in CHR individuals, and it showed promise predicting CHR-PS+ in an independent sample. The results suggest that when considering adolescent brain development, baseline MRI scans for CHR individuals may be helpful to identify their prognosis. Future prospective studies are required about whether the classifier could be actually helpful in the clinical settings.</p

ネガティブ カンジョウ ノ サイショ ノ ハンノウ トシテノ Premier Expression ニカンスル ケントウ

博士(心理学)同志社大学本論文は，われわれの感情が表情として表出されるとき, 通常の顕在化した表出に先行して，刺激に対する無意識，かつ 真 の感情を反映すると考えられる premier expressions の存在を探ることを目的として行われたものである。本論文では，感情喚起刺激による表情表出過程を，刺激に対しまず現れる反応と，第1反応に続く，誇張や，抑制など様々な心理的調整を反映した第2の反応に分けてとらえている。この最初の反応を premier expressions と呼ぶ。この語は本論文提出者の造語である。 premier expressions の理論的根拠はTomkins(1961)の感情理論の中に見られるが，これまでその存在を実証したものはない。本論文が研究対象としている premier expressions はこのTomkins のいう最初に生じる反応，あるいはそれに類似した反応と考えられる。This research consists of three experiments aiming to determine the existence of the premier expression and its features. We defined the premier expression as a primitive, reflex-like, automatic facial response to evoked emotion that cannot be modified by one\u27s conscious or unconscious effort because of its initiating timing and speed. However, a facial response develops after the premier expression that corresponds to a generally recognized facial expression, which is easily concealed or modified by display rules or social context. The premier expression is regarded as the first response to induced emotion, and might not even be visible to the naked eye because of its speed and subtlety. This postulation is based on Darwin’s first principle of expression (1872/2009) and Tomkins\u27 (1962) hypothesis that the face is the primary site of affect and has priority over the outer skeletal and inner visceral behaviors (i.e., blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance) for the expression of emotion, since it is a faster, more precise and visible display

Identification of the Key Influencing Factors of Urban Rail Transit Station Resilience against Disasters Caused by Rainstorms

Improving the ability of the urban rail transit system to cope with rainstorm disasters is of great significance to ensure the safe travel of residents. In this study, a model of the hierarchical relationship of the influencing factors is constructed from the resilience perspective, in order to research the action mechanisms of the influencing factors of urban rail transit stations susceptible to rainstorm disaster. Firstly, the concept of resilience and the three attributes (resistance, recovery, and adaptability) are interpreted. Based on the relevant literature, 20 influencing factors are discerned from the 3 attributes of the resilience of urban rail transit stations. Subsequently, an interpretative structural model (ISM) is utilised to analyse the hierarchical relationship among the influencing factors. The key influencing factors of station resilience are screened out using social network analysis (SNA). Combined with ISM and SNA for analysis, the result shows that the key influencing factors are: &ldquo;Flood prevention monitoring capability&rdquo;; &ldquo;Water blocking capacity&rdquo;; &ldquo;Flood prevention capital investment&rdquo;; &ldquo;Personnel cooperation ability&rdquo;; &ldquo;Emergency plan for flood prevention&rdquo;; &ldquo;Flood prevention training and drill&rdquo;; &ldquo;Publicity and education of flood prevention knowledge&rdquo;; and &ldquo;Regional economic development level&rdquo;. Therefore, according to the critical influencing factors and the action path of the resilience influencing factors, station managers can carry out corresponding flood control work, providing a reference for enhancing the resilience of urban rail transit stations

Identification of the Key Influencing Factors of Urban Rail Transit Station Resilience against Disasters Caused by Rainstorms

Improving the ability of the urban rail transit system to cope with rainstorm disasters is of great significance to ensure the safe travel of residents. In this study, a model of the hierarchical relationship of the influencing factors is constructed from the resilience perspective, in order to research the action mechanisms of the influencing factors of urban rail transit stations susceptible to rainstorm disaster. Firstly, the concept of resilience and the three attributes (resistance, recovery, and adaptability) are interpreted. Based on the relevant literature, 20 influencing factors are discerned from the 3 attributes of the resilience of urban rail transit stations. Subsequently, an interpretative structural model (ISM) is utilised to analyse the hierarchical relationship among the influencing factors. The key influencing factors of station resilience are screened out using social network analysis (SNA). Combined with ISM and SNA for analysis, the result shows that the key influencing factors are: “Flood prevention monitoring capability”; “Water blocking capacity”; “Flood prevention capital investment”; “Personnel cooperation ability”; “Emergency plan for flood prevention”; “Flood prevention training and drill”; “Publicity and education of flood prevention knowledge”; and “Regional economic development level”. Therefore, according to the critical influencing factors and the action path of the resilience influencing factors, station managers can carry out corresponding flood control work, providing a reference for enhancing the resilience of urban rail transit stations

Glycopolypeptide hydrogels with adjustable enzyme-triggered degradation: A novel proteoglycans analogue to repair articular-cartilage defects

Proteoglycans (PGs), also known as a viscous lubricant, is the main component of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). The loss of PGs is accompanied by the chronic degeneration of cartilage tissue, which is an irreversible degeneration process that eventually develops into osteoarthritis (OA). Unfortunately, there is still no substitute for PGs in clinical treatments. Herein, we propose a new PGs analogue. The Glycopolypeptide hydrogels in the experimental groups with different concentrations were prepared by Schiff base reaction (Gel-1, Gel-2, Gel-3, Gel-4, Gel-5 and Gel-6). They have good biocompatibility and adjustable enzyme-triggered degradability. The hydrogels have a loose and porous structure suitable for the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of chondrocytes, good anti-swelling, and reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chondrocytes. In vitro experiments confirmed that the glycopolypeptide hydrogels significantly promoted ECM deposition and up-regulated the expression of cartilage-specific genes, such as type-II collagen, aggrecan, and glycosaminoglycans (sGAG). In vivo, the New Zealand rabbit knee articular cartilage defect model was established and the hydrogels were implanted to repair it, the results showed good cartilage regeneration potential. It is worth noting that the Gel-3 group, with a pore size of 122 ​± ​12 ​μm, was particularly prominent in the above experiments, and provides a theoretical reference for the design of cartilage-tissue regeneration materials in the future