Sufficient osteoinduction is essential for the success and effectiveness of bone grafting. It was previously found that Salvia Miltiorrhiza (SM), a commonly used Chinese herb increased osteogenesis in vivo. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of SM on bone cells in vitro, in an attempt to get a better understanding on how SM can promote bone remodeling. MC3T3‐E1, an osteoblastic cell line, was cultured with SM for different time intervals (24, 48, and 72 h), whereas the control group consisted of cells cultured without any intervention. The mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of ALP showed an early increase at 24 h by 50% (p < 0.001) and at 48 h by 13% (p < 0.001). OCN was decreased by 22% at 24 h (p < 0.001) but increased by 50% and 88% at 48 and 72 h, respectively (p < 0.001). RANKL showed an early increase at the first two time points of 24 and 48 h by 45% (p < 0.001) and 36% (p < 0.01), respectively, while OPG was up‐regulated at the latter two time points by 10% at 48 h (p < 0.01) and 68% at 72 h (p < 0.001). Thus, OPG/RANKL was down‐regulated first, and then up‐regulated. SM enhances bone remodeling by regulating the gene expression of ALP, OCN, OPG, and RANKL. It is a potential medicinal herb to be utilized in the application that requires stimulation in bone cell activities. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1059–1063, 2011

This study investigates the association between financial strain and psychological distress among middle-aged and older adults, exploring how this association is mediated by sleep problems and moderated by marital status. A subsample of 12,095 adults aged 50 and older was selected from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey. Results showed that financial strain was associated with higher psychological distress, and sleep problems partially mediated this association. Marital status moderated the association between sleep problems and psychological distress, and between financial strain and psychological distress, but not between financial strain and sleep problems. These findings partially support the stress-buffering role of marriage. The study offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between financial strain, sleep problems, marital status, and psychological distress among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, highlighting the need for interventions targeting financial stressors and sleep problems, especially for unmarried individuals, to improve mental health outcomes in this population.

Analyzing three waves of the Canadian Work Stress and Health Study with cross-lagged models, we asked: (1) How do two distinct directions of strain in the work-family interface—work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict—mediate the relationship between financial strain and psychological distress? and (2) Is reverse causality a possibility in these dynamics? Our results indicate that work-to-family conflict at Wave 2 mediates the relationship between financial strain at Wave 1 and distress at Wave 3, but family-to-work conflict does not function as a mediator. Financial strain is therefore indirectly associated with subsequently higher levels of distress. In tests for reverse causality, we found little evidence that distress is associated with subsequently higher levels of financial strain—and neither work-to-family conflict nor family-to-work conflict at Wave 2 mediates that relationship. We interpret our findings within the conceptual and empirical ideas associated with stress proliferation, social causation, and social selection/drift.

Existing research has established the detrimental effects of food insecurity on health. However, understanding of the social conditions that may moderate this relationship remains limited. To address this gap, the study investigates two questions: First, does marital status moderate the association between food insecurity and self-rated health? Second, if such moderation exists, does its impact vary based on gender? Data from the 2017-2018 Canadian Community Health Survey, a nationally representative survey conducted by Statistics Canada (n =101 647), were utilized for this investigation. The findings demonstrated that individuals living in food-insecure households reported poorer self-rated mental and general health. However, the negative impact of food insecurity on both health outcomes was less pronounced among married individuals than among their unmarried counterparts. Furthermore, the stress-buffering role of marriage was found to be more substantial among men than among women. In light of the significant stress-buffering role of marriage revealed in this study, it is crucial for policies to aim at providing comparable coping resources to unmarried individuals, particularly women.

What is the relationship between work-to-family conflict (WFC) and children’s problems with school, friends, and health? And does that association depend on household economic conditions and couple relationship quality? Using four waves of longitudinal data from the Canadian Work, Stress, and Heath Study (2011–2017), the present study finds that—overall—both fathers’ and mothers’ levels of WFC are associated with elevated levels of children’s problems over time. However, we also discover that household income and spousal disputes moderate this focal relationship—and they do so differently for mothers and fathers. First, the positive association between WFC and children’s problems is stronger for mothers (but not fathers) in households with lower income. Second, the positive association between WFC and children’s problems is stronger for fathers (but not mothers) who report more frequent disputes with their spouse. We discuss the implications of these patterns for current theorizing about stress amplification dynamics and situate that discussion within broader ideas in the ecological model of human development.

Financial strain is a well-documented stressor that negatively affects mental health, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently understood. This study examines the roles of sleep problems as both mediators and moderators, utilizing the frameworks of stress proliferation and amplification as outlined in the stress process model. Data from four waves of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS)-Wave 4 (2012-2013), Wave 7 (2015-2016), Wave 10 (2018-2019), and Wave 13 (2021-2022)-were used, covering 34,156 individuals and 103,589 person-years. Fixed effects regression models were employed to analyze changes within individuals over time. Financial strain was associated with deteriorating mental health. Sleep problems-including poor sleep quality, frequent use of sleep medication, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction, and longer sleep latency-were also associated with poorer mental health. Importantly, these sleep problems not only mediated the impact of financial strain on mental health but also exacerbated its negative effects. The study could not eliminate the possibility of reverse causality, where deteriorating mental health may influence financial strain or worsen sleep problems. These findings highlight the importance of addressing financial strain as a key driver of poor mental health. Interventions aimed at improving sleep health may simultaneously mitigate the harmful effects of financial strain, offering dual benefits for mental health. By reducing financial strain and promoting healthier sleep, public health strategies can bolster resilience in populations vulnerable to both financial and psychological stress.