The relationship between physical activity and mental toughness among Chinese university students: the chain-mediated role of self-esteem and social support.

Background: As Chinese university students increasingly face psychological challenges such as academic pressure and employment-related stress, mental toughness has gained attention as a crucial trait for coping with adversity. Physical activity has been considered a potential way to enhance mental toughness, yet its underlying mechanisms remain insufficiently understood.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the associations between physical activity and mental toughness among university students, and to explore the potential mediating roles of self-esteem and social support.

Neural oscillations and brain connectivity in females with chronic low back pain and comorbid insomnia.

Sleep disturbance is a common comorbidity in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP), leading to greater functional impairments and poorer prognosis. Despite a strong association between CLBP and sleep, the neurophysiological mechanisms linking these two conditions remain unclear. As resting-state brain activity can reflect underlying neurophysiological states, this case-control study aimed to explore the spontaneous resting brain activity associated with CLBP and insomnia.

Measurement properties of self-reported outcome measures for older adults with nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review.

Objective: To summarise the measurement properties of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for older adults with nonspecific low back pain.

Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception to January 2024. Two independent reviewers conducted article screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessments, evaluations of measurement properties of PROMs, syntheses of quality of evidence and forming recommendation levels using relevant checklists and assessment tools.

Differential pain perception among females with or without nonspecific chronic low back pain and comorbid insomnia: a quantitative sensory testing analysis.

Sleep disturbance is a prevalent condition in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Despite a strong association between the 2 conditions, the potential mechanisms underlying the role of sleep disturbance in CLBP remain unclear. This case-control study aimed to examine pain perception among females with or without nonspecific CLBP and comorbid insomnia.

Are changes in pain intensity related to changes in balance control in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding whether pain reduction in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) following conservative interventions is related to corresponding improvements in balance control.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials were identified from 5 databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO). Two reviewers independently screened and identified relevant studies that investigated the effects of non-surgical or non-pharmacological CNSLBP treatments on both pain intensity and balance control.

Modifiable risk factors for mild cognitive impairment among cognitively normal community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although numerous studies have investigated modifiable risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among community-dwelling seniors, no meta-analysis has summarized these findings. Five databases were searched from January 1, 2000, to December 30, 2023. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO.

Comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review with network meta-analysis.

This network meta-analysis aimed to estimate the comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Seven databases were systematically searched up to February 2023. A random-effects network meta-analysis in a frequentist framework was performed to synthesize continuous data as standardized mean differences (SMD) along with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

The differential effects of sleep deprivation on pain perception in individuals with or without chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many experimental sleep deprivation (SD) studies were conducted to clarify the causal relationship between sleep and pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to update the evidence regarding the effects of different experimental SD paradigms on various pain outcomes. Five databases were searched from their inception to June 2022.

Potential mechanisms underlying the accelerated cognitive decline in people with chronic low back pain: A scoping review.

A growing body of evidence has shown that people with chronic low back pain (CLBP) demonstrate significantly greater declines in multiple cognitive domains than people who do not have CLBP. Given the high prevalence of CLBP in the ever-growing aging population that may be more vulnerable to cognitive decline, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying the accelerated cognitive decline observed in this population, so that proper preventive or treatment approaches can be developed and implemented. The current scoping review summarizes what is known regarding the potential mechanisms underlying suboptimal cognitive performance and cognitive decline in people with CLBP and discusses future research directions.

Simultaneous characterization of multiple Psoraleae Fructus bioactive compounds in rat plasma by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for application in sex-related differences in pharmacokinetics.

A method for the simultaneous quantification of 13 bioactive compounds (psoralen, isopsoralen, isobavachin, bakuchalcone, neobabaisoflavone, bavachin, corylin, psoralidin, isobavachalcone, bavachinin, corylifol A, bavachalcone, and bakuchiol) by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry has been developed and validated in rat plasma. Osthol was used as an internal standard and plasma samples were pretreated with one-step liquid-liquid extraction. These analytes were separated using a gradient mobile phase system of water and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.

Isopsoralen induces different subchronic toxicities and metabolomic outcomes between male and female Wistar rats.

Isopsoralen is a major active and quality-control component of Fructus Psoraleae, but lacks a full safety evaluation. We evaluated the oral toxicity of isopsoralen in Wistar rats treated for 3 months at doses of 0, 3.5, 7.

A new hypoglycemic mechanism of catalpol revealed by enhancing MyoD/MyoG-mediated myogenesis.

Aims: Enhancing myogenesis has been identified as a possible target to improve insulin sensitivity and protect against metabolic diseases. Catalpol, an iridoid glycoside, has been shown to exert a hypoglycaemic effect by improvement of insulin sensitivity; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we tested whether catalpol has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity by augmenting myogenesis.

Glycyrrhetic Acid Derivative TY501 Protects Against Lithocholic Acid-Induced Cholestasis.

The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effects of TY501 against LCA-induced cholestasis in mice and to explore the potential mechanisms. It was demonstrated that TY501(5, 15 or 45 mg/kg, i.g.

8-Methoxypsoralen disrupts MDR3-mediated phospholipids efflux and bile acid homeostasis and its relevance to hepatotoxicity.

Since its discovery in 1987, multidrug resistance 3 P-glycoprotein (MDR3) had recognized to play a crucial role in the translocation of phospholipids from the inner to outer leaflets of bile canalicular membranes. An increasing number of reports suggest that drug-mediated functional disruption of MDR3 is responsible for drug-induced cholestasis. 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is used clinically to treat psoriasis, vitiligo and other skin disorders.

Discovery of a Flexible Triazolylbutanoic Acid as a Highly Potent Uric Acid Transporter 1 (URAT1) Inhibitor.

In order to systematically explore and understand the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a lesinurad-based hit () derived from the replacement of the S atom in lesinurad with CH₂, 18 compounds (-) were designed, synthesized and subjected to in vitro URAT1 inhibitory assay. The SAR exploration led to the discovery of a highly potent flexible URAT1 inhibitor, , which was 31-fold more potent than parent lesinurad (IC = 0.23 μM against human URAT1 for vs 7.

Discovery of Flexible Naphthyltriazolylmethane-based Thioacetic Acids as Highly Active Uric Acid Transporter 1 (URAT1) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hyperuricemia of Gout.

Background: Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis, which, if left untreated or inadequately treated, will lead to joint destruction, bone erosion and disability due to the crystal deposition. Uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) was the promising therapeutic target for urate-lowering therapy.

Objective: The goal of this work is to understand the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a potent lesinurad-based hit, sodium 2-((5-bromo-4-((4-cyclopropyl-naphth-1-yl)methyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3- yl)thio)acetate (1c), and based on that discover a more potent URAT1 inhibitor.

[Study on hepatotoxicity of aqueous extracts of Polygonum multiflorum in rats after 28-day oral administration: cholestasis-related mechanism].

Objective: To study the effect of aqueous extracts of Polygonum multiflorum (AEPM) on bile acid synthesis, metabolism and transfer-related molecules in rat liver and the hepatotoxicity-related mechanism of P. multiflorum.

Method: Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with 30, 60 g x kg(-1) APEM once everyday for consecutively 28 days.

Resveratrol effectively attenuates α-naphthyl-isothiocyanate-induced acute cholestasis and liver injury through choleretic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Aim: α-Naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) is a well-characterized cholestatic agent for rats. The aim of this study was to examine whether resveratrol could attenuate ANIT-induced acute cholestasis and liver injury in rats.

Methods: SD rats were treated with resveratrol (15 or 30 mg/kg, ip) or a positive control drug ursodeoxycholic acid (100 mg/kg, po) for 5 consecutive days followed by a single dose of ANIT (60 mg/kg, po).

Potent tumor targeting drug release system comprising MMP-2 specific peptide fragment with self-assembling characteristics.

Self-assembling peptides are capable of forming a complex containing a cavity where cytotoxic agents can be wrapped in a self-assembling manner. These complexes are beneficial for improving the pharmacological properties and pharmacokinetics of cytotoxic agents, such as doxorubicin and paclitaxel. In the present study, this self-assembling feature was successfully integrated into a hexapeptide with matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 specific targeting activity, producing a supramolecule possessing controlled drug release characteristics.

Long-acting GLP-1 analogue in V-shaped conformation by terminal polylysine modifications.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) possesses multiple physiological functions, which make it a potential drug candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, its clinical application was limited severely by its short half-life in vivo. Therefore, stabilization of GLP-1 is critical for the use of this peptide in drug development.

Baicalin prevents Candida albicans infections via increasing its apoptosis rate.

Background: These experiments were employed to explore the mechanisms underlying baicalin action on Candida albicans.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We detected the baicalin inhibition effects on three isotope-labeled precursors of (3)H-UdR, (3)H-TdR and (3)H-leucine incorporation into C. albicans using the isotope incorporation technology.

[Study on hepatotoxicity of aqueous extracts of Polygonum multiforum in rats after 28-day oral administration-analysis on correlation of cholestasis].

Objective: To observe the liver injury degree of SD rats after 28-day administration of aqueous extracts of Polygonum multiflorum (AEPM) and the correlation with cholestasis mechanism.

Method: Adult SD rats were orally administered with 30, 60 g x kg(-1) of APEM once every day for 28 d. After 28 d, the general condition of rats such as weight were observed, liver function-related indicators were detected.

Beneficial effects of colchicine on 17alpha-ethynylestradiol-induced cholestasis in rats.

Colchicine (CAS 64-86-8) is considered to have a hepatoprotective effect and play a role in biliary excretion. 17alpha-Ethynylestradiol (EE) (5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, daily, for 5 days) causes intrahepatic cholestasis by reducing both the influx and efflux of bile acid in hepatocytes, resulting in a decrease in bile flow. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether colchicine has any effect on EE-induced cholestasis.