bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mTOR-Dependent Spine Dynamics in Autism
Authors: Chaudry Shabani , Vasudevan Nandini
Published: June 2022

Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted range of interests. ASC are complex genetic disorders with moderate to high heritability, and associated with atypical patterns of neural connectivity. Many of the genes implicated in ASC are involved in dendritic spine pruning and spine development, both of which can be mediated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Consistent with this idea, human postmortem studies have shown increased spine density in ASC compared to controls suggesting that the balance between autophagy and spinogenesis is altered in ASC. However, murine models of ASC have shown inconsistent results for spine morphology, which may underlie functional connectivity. This review seeks to establish the relevance of changes in dendritic spines in ASC using data gathered from rodent models. Using a literature survey, we identify 20 genes that are linked to dendritic spine pruning or development in rodents that are also strongly implicated in ASC in humans. Furthermore, we show that all 20 genes are linked to the mTOR pathway and propose that the mTOR pathway regulating spine dynamics is a potential mechanism underlying the ASC signaling pathway in ASC. We show here that the direction of change in spine density was mostly correlated to the upstream positive or negative regulation of the mTOR pathway and most rodent models of mutant mTOR regulators show increases in immature spines, based on morphological analyses. We further explore the idea that these mutations in these genes result in aberrant social behavior in rodent models that is due to these altered spine dynamics. This review should therefore pave the way for further research on the specific genes outlined, their effect on spine morphology or density with an emphasis on understanding the functional role of these changes in ASC.
Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Malnutrition in Critical Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From Chinese CIN Cohort and American MIMIC-III Database
Authors: Lu Jin , Huang Zhidong , Wang Junjie , Zhao Xiaoli , Yang Yanfang , Wu Bo , Kang Yu , Xiu Jiaming , Tu Jiabin , Pan Yuxiong , Chen Weihua , Bao Kunming , Chen Liling , Liu Jin , Liu Yong , Chen Shiqun , Fang Yong , Chen Kaihong
Published: June 2022

Background

Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the prognostic impact of malnutrition in critical patients with AMI has not been well addressed.

Methods

We analyzed two critical AMI cohorts from Cardiorenal ImprovemeNt (CIN) in China and Medical Information Mark for Intensive Care-III (MIMIC-III) in the United States. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to examine the risk of malnutrition for mortality in critical patients with AMI.

Results

There were 2,075 critical patients with AMI (mean age, 62.5 ± 12.3 years, 20.00% were female) from the CIN cohort and 887 critical patients with AMI (mean age, 70.1 ± 12.9 years, 37.43% were female) from MIMIC-III included in this study. Based on the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, of the Chinese patients with AMI, the prevalence was 47.5, 28.3, and 3.5% for mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition, respectively. The percentage of mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition was 41.60, 30.55, and 7.32% in the MIMIC-III cohort, respectively. Controlling for confounders, worse nutritional state was significantly associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality [an adjusted hazard ratio for mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition, respectively, 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76–1.59), 1.49 (95% CI: 1.02–2.19), and 1.70 (95% CI: 1.00–2.88) in the CIN cohort and 1.41 (95% CI: 0.95–2.09), 1.97 (95% CI: 1.32–2.95), and 2.70 (95% CI: 1.67–4.37) in the MIMIC-III cohort].

Conclusion

Malnutrition was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in critical patients with AMI after full adjustments. Further trials are needed to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of nutritional interventions in critical patients with AMI.
Effects of Diets With Different Protein Levels on Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbes in the Host of Different Genders
Authors: Wang Kaijun , Peng Xiaomin , Yang Anqi , Huang Yiqin , Tan Yuxiao , Qian Yajing , Lv Feifei , Si Hongbin
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different protein levels on lipid metabolism and gut microbes in mice of different genders. A total of 60 mice (30 female and 30 male) were randomly assigned to six groups and fed female mice with low protein diet (FLP), basal protein diet (FBD), and high protein diet (FHP). Similarly, the male mice fed with low protein diet (MLP), basal protein diet (MBD), and high protein diet (MHP). The low protein diet contained 14% CP, the basal diet contained 20% CP, and the high protein diet contained 26% CP. The results of the study showed that both basal and high protein diets significantly reduced the perirenal adipose tissues (PEAT) index in male mice compared to low protein diet (p < 0.05). For the gut, the FHP significantly increased the relative gut weight compared to the FBD and FLP (p < 0.05). At the same time, the FHP also significantly increased the relative gut length compared with the FBD and FLP (p < 0.05). The MHP significantly increased TC concentration compared with the MLP (p < 0.05), and the MBD tended to increase TC concentration compared with the MLP in serum (p = 0.084). The histomorphology result of the jejunum and ileum showed that a low protein diet was beneficial to the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine of mice. While different protein levels had no effect on the total number of fecal microbial species in mice, different protein levels had a significant effect on certain fecal microbes in mice, the absolute abundance of Verrucomicrobia in the feces of male mice was significantly higher in both high and basal protein diets than in the low protein diet (p < 0.05). The high protein diet significantly reduced the absolute abundance of Patescibacteria in the feces of female mice compared to both the basal and low protein diets (p < 0.05). The absolute abundance of Patescibacteria in male feces was not affected by dietary protein levels (p > 0.05). Taken together, our results suggest that a low protein diet can alter fat deposition and lipid metabolism in mice, and that it benefited small intestinal epithelial structure and microbes.
Clinical Incidence and Characteristics of Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes in Chinese Children and Adolescents: A Nationwide Registry Study of 34 Medical Centers
Authors: Li Guo-Hua , Huang Ke , Dong Guan-Ping , Zhang Jian-Wei , Gong Chun-Xiu , Luo Fei-Hong , Luo Xiao-Ping , Wang Chun-Lin , Zhu Min , Li Pin , Wang Ling , Fu Jun-Fen ,   The T1DM China Study Group for Children Adolescents
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the clinical incidence and characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) of children and adolescents at the time of initial diagnosis in China.

Methods

Data on all pediatric patients with newly diagnosed T1DM were retrospectively collected from 34 medical centers in 25 major cities in China from January 2015 to January 2020. Patients were classified into three age groups: <5 years, 5 to <10 years, and ≥10 years of age. The same patient population was also categorized into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and non-DKA groups based on clinical criteria.

Results

The mean annual clinical incidence of T1DM was 3.16/100,000 from the years 2015 to 2019. A total of 6,544 patients with newly diagnosed T1DM aged 0–16 years (median 7.84 ± 3.8) were studied [ages <5 years (29.3%), 5 to <10 years (38.7%), and ≥10 years (32%)], 52.4% of them were women. In total, 90.5% of the cases were occurred in individuals without a family history. Patients had lower C-peptide (CP) and body mass index (BMI) z scores when compared with healthy children, 41.8% of them had measurable T1DM-related antibodies and 52.7% had DKA. Among all three age groups, the <5 years group had the lowest BMI z score, CP, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) on average, while it had the highest incidence rate of DKA (56.9%). Compared to the non-DKA group, the DKA group was significantly younger, with a lower BMI z score and CP, higher antibody positive rate, HbA1c, and the rate of insulin pump therapy.

Conclusion

The clinical incidence of T1DM in children and adolescents in China was 3.16/100,000. Patients with DKA at the first diagnosis of T1DM have a worse β-cell function. Public health measures for the prevention and treatment of T1DM should focus on preschoolers (aged <5 years) in particular, considering the severity and the highest frequency of DKA in this age group. More efforts should be dedicated to early screening and diagnosis of the T1DM.
Complex Inheritance of Rare Missense Variants in PAK2, TAP2, and PLCL1 Genes in a Consanguineous Arab Family With Multiple Autoimmune Diseases Including Celiac Disease
Authors: Alharthi Arwa Mastoor , Banaganapalli Babajan , Hassan Sabah M. , Rashidi Omran , Al-Shehri Bandar Ali , Alaifan Meshari A. , Alhussaini Bakr H. , Alsufyani Hadeel A. , Alghamdi Kawthar Saad , Nasser Khalda Khalid , Bin-Taleb Yagoub , Elango Ramu , Shaik Noor Ahmad , Saadah Omar I.
Published: June 2022

Background

Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share a common molecular etiology and often present overlapping clinical presentations. Thus, this study aims to explore the complex molecular basis of AID by whole exome sequencing and computational biology analysis.

Methods

Molecular screening of the consanguineous AID family and the computational biology characterization of the potential variants were performed. The potential variants were searched against the exome data of 100 healthy individuals and 30 celiac disease patients.

Result

A complex inheritance pattern of PAK2 (V43A), TAP2 (F468Y), and PLCL1 (V473I) genetic variants was observed in the three probands of the AID family. The PAK2 variant (V43A) is a novel one, but TAP2 (F468Y) and PLCL1 (V473I) variants are extremely rare in local Arab (SGHP and GME) and global (gnomAD) databases. All these variants were localized in functional domains, except for the PAK2 variant (V43A) and were predicted to alter the structural (secondary structure elements, folding, active site confirmation, stability, and solvent accessibility) and functional (gene expression) features. Therefore, it is reasonable to postulate that the dysregulation of PAK2, TAP2, and PLCL1 genes is likely to elicit autoimmune reactions by altering antigen processing and presentation, T cell receptor signaling, and immunodeficiency pathways.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of exploring the alternate inheritance patterns in families presenting complex autoimmune diseases, where classical genetic models often fail to explain their molecular basis. These findings may have potential implications for developing personalized therapies for complex disease patients.
The Traditional Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 Effects on Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Obesity: Pharmacodynamic Evaluation and Relevant Metabolites
Authors: Narenmandula  , Hongmei  , Ding Xiaoqing , Li Kexin , Hashentuya  , Yang Dezhi , Wendurige  , Yang Rui , Yang Dandan , Tana  , Wang Haisheng , Eerdunduleng  , Tegexibaiyin  , Wang Changshan , Bao Xilinqiqige , Menggenduxi
Published: June 2022

Objective: Traditional Mongolian Medicine Qiqirigan-8 (MMQ-8) is a Chinese botanical drug with effective pharmacological properties in obesity. However, the pharmacological mechanism of MMQ-8 remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the active metabolites of MMQ-8 and its therapeutic effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Methods: The active metabolites of MMQ-8 were identified by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatograph Q extractive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS) assay and network analysis. An obesity rat model induced by high-fat diet was used in the study. Serum levels of lipids and inflammatory factors were detected using biochemical analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological analysis of liver tissues and arteries was conducted with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry. Protein expression of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway was investigated by Western-blot. Simultaneously, bone marrow cells were used for RNA sequencing and relevant results were validated by cell culture and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Results: We identified 69 active metabolites and 551 target genes of MMQ-8. Of these, there are 65 active metabolites and 225 target genes closely related to obesity and inflammation. In vivo, we observed that MMQ-8 had general decreasing effects on body weight, white adipose tissue weight, and serum lipids. MMQ-8 treatment notably decreased the liver function markers and hepatic steatosis, and significantly decreased inflammation. In serum, it notably decreased TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), while elevating IL-10 levels. MMQ-8 treatment also significantly inhibited proteins phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα), mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), extracellular regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), and decreased vascular endothelium damage and macrophage infiltration and polarization to M1. These findings coincide with the RNA-sequencing data of bone marrow cells and results of in vitro experiments.

Conclusion: We determined the pharmacological actions and relevant metabolites of MMQ-8 in obesity for the first time. Our study revealed MMQ-8 can optimize lipid metabolism and reduce chronic inflammation in obesity. However, more in-depth research is needed, for example, to understand the principle of compound compatibility and the inhibition effects on hepatic steatosis, T cell differentiation, and inflammatory signal transduction.
3,4-Methylenedioxy-β-Nitrostyrene Alleviates Dextran Sulfate Sodium–Induced Mouse Colitis by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Zheng Juanjuan , Jiang Zhongxin , Song Yue , Huang Shu , Du Yuzhang , Yang Xiaobao , Xiao Yan , Ma Zhihui , Xu Dakang , Li Jing
Published: June 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported to be associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Therefore inhibiting inflammasome activation could be a new approach to treat IBD. Inflammasome inhibitors NLRP3-IN-2, JC124, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-β-nitrostyrene (MNS) were previously reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects in various disease models but not in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis model. Here, we showed that MNS was more efficient in inhibiting the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by blocking oligomerization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) than NLRP3-IN-2 and JC124. To investigate the protective effects of MNS on enteritis, we administered intragastric MNS to DSS-induced colitis mice. The results demonstrated that MNS attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon length shortening, and pathological damage. In addition, MNS inhibited the infiltration of macrophages and inflammatory cells and reduced IL-1β and IL-12p40 pro-inflammatory cytokines but had no significant effect on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Furthermore, we also found that the differentiation of IL-17A+interferon-γ (IFN-γ)+CD4+ T cell was decreased in the colon after MNS treatment, which might be mediated by IL-1β, etc. cytokine release. Taken together, MNS alleviated DSS-induced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may function as an effective therapeutic for IBD.
Validation of Diagnostic Codes to Identify Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Taiwan’s Claims Data
Authors: Chiang Min-Ying , Shao Shih-Chieh , Liao Shu-Chen
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Previous studies identified the study cohort or outcome of carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) by using the relevant disease diagnosis codes in secondary databases, but the validity of diagnosis codes of COP is unclear in such secondary databases. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of case definitions for COP using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis codes in Taiwan’s health insurance claims data.

Methods: We selected a 10% simple random sample from an original cohort of patients newly undergoing carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) testing under any clinical diagnosis at four Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals in Taiwan during 2011–2020. Two clinical doctors independently ascertained the COP diagnosis by reviewing the medical records as the reference standard. We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of various case definitions (e.g., ICD-9-CM code, ICD-10-CM code and the uses of hyperbaric oxygen therapy) in the claims data.

Results: We randomly selected 557 cases from the original cohort of 5,571 cases newly receiving COHb test in the study hospitals. We found 90, 35, and 9 cases were true-positive, false-positive, and false-negative episodes of COP, respectively, among 278 cases with an ICD-9-CM code of 986. A further 111, 34, and 6 cases were true-positive, false-positive, and false-negative episodes of COP, respectively, among 279 cases with an ICD-10-CM code of T58. Using ICD-9-CM codes, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for COP were 90.9, 80.4, 72, and 94.1%, respectively. Using ICD-10-CM codes they were 94.9, 79, 76.6, and 95.5%, respectively. PPV typically increased when COP was the primary diagnosis and could reach 100% if patients with ICD-CM code 986 or T58 also received hyperbaric oxygen therapy during hospitalization.

Conclusion: The COP-related ICD-CM codes alone did not accurately identify COP patients, but accuracy improved after including oxygen therapy data with the ICD-CM codes in Taiwan’s claims data.
Qing-Wen-Jie-Re Mixture Ameliorates Poly (I:C)-Induced Viral Pneumonia Through Regulating the Inflammatory Response and Serum Metabolism
Authors: Li Qin , Zhang Tingrui , Wang Yuming , Yang Shangsong , Luo Junyu , Fang Fang , Liao Jiabao , Wen Weibo , Cui Huantian , Shang Hongcai
Published: June 2022

Qing-Wen-Jie-Re mixture (QWJR) has been used in the treatment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. However, the protective mechanisms of QWJR on viral pneumonia remain unclear. In the present study, we first investigated the therapeutic effects of QWJR on a rat viral pneumonia model established by using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly (I:C)). The results indicated that QWJR could relieve the destruction of alveolar-capillary barrier in viral pneumonia rats, as represented by the decreased wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio in lung, total cell count and total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Besides, QWJR could also down-regulate the expression of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. More M1-type macrophage polarization was detected by calculating CD86+ cells and CD206+ cells and validated by the decline of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and elevated arginase-1 (Arg-1) in lung. Finally, serum untargeted metabolomics analysis demonstrated that QWJR might take effect through regulating arginine metabolism, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism processes.
Antisense Oligonucleotide-Based Therapy on miR-181a-5p Alleviates Cartilage Degradation of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis via Promoting SIRT1
Authors: Qi Hexu , Zhao Zhenxing , Xu Lin , Zhang Yue , Li Yifei , Xiao Li , Li Yu , Zhao Zhihe , Fang Jie
Published: June 2022

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) condylar cartilage degeneration and abnormal subchondral bone pathological remodeling induce pain and joint dysfunction, and cartilage degeneration is considered irreversible. Very few therapeutic approaches are administrated in practice. Nucleotides have demonstrated considerable potential as a next-generation medication, and they have been applied in several models of osteoarthritis. There is a need to establish an effective protocol for TMJOA gene therapy. In the current study unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) surgery was used to simulate mechanical stress-induced TMJOA in mice. Degeneration of condylar cartilage and destruction of subchondral bone were observed in damaged joints, and miR-181a-5p was elevated in chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of miR-181a-5p antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) could reduce the cartilage damage and alleviate UAC-induced TMJOA progression, but it did not restore injured subchondral bone. Mechanically, miR-181a-5p evidently targeted the 3’ untranslated region of Sirt1 directly, resulting in inhibition of silent information regulator 1 expression and promoting apoptosis by elevating p53-dependent signaling, indicating that miR181a-5p ASO promoted chondrocyte survival. The present study suggests that ASO-based gene therapy may be an effective TMJOA treatment.
Construction of a Novel circRNA/miRNA/mRNA Regulatory Network to Explore the Potential Pathogenesis of Wilson’s Disease
Authors: Wei Taohua , Qian Nannan , Yang Wenming , Yang Yue , Liu Jie , Hao Wenjie , Cheng Ting , Yang Ran , Dong Wei , Yang Yulong
Published: June 2022

Studies show that non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), and protein-coding genes are involved in the pathophysiology of multi-organ damage caused by Wilson’s disease (WD). However, circRNA expression profiles and their role in initiation and progression of WD kidney injury remain largely unclear at present. Here, we explored potential critical protein-coding genes, miRNAs, and circRNAs, as well as identify competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in a WD mouse model by high-throughput sequencing. We investigated the expression profiles of circRNAs, miRNAs, and protein-coding genes, and identified 32 DEcircRs, 45 DEmiRs, and 1623 DEPs. Identified DEcircRs, DEmiRs, and DEPs were used to construct a ceRNA network, which consisted of 15 DEcircRNAs (four upregulated and 11 downregulated), 18 DEmiRNAs (14 upregulated and four downregulated), and 352 DEmRNAs (205 upregulated and 147 downregulated). Further experiments proved that mmu_circ_0001333 and mmu_circ_0000355 acted as sponges of miR-92b-5p, miR-107-3p, and miR-187-3p to regulate the expression of genes including Smad9, Mapk10, and Aldh3a2, which may participate in WD-related kidney injury. Taken together, this study identified the circRNA/miRNA/mRNA network involved in kidney failure in WD, which may serve as a potential biomarker for the pathogenesis of WD.
Assessment of Fasudil on Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury Using Multiparametric Renal MRI
Authors: Wang Bin , Wang Yongfang , Tan Yan , Guo Jinxia , Chen Haoyuan , Wu Pu-Yeh , Wang Xiaochun , Zhang Hui
Published: June 2022

Aims: To evaluate the utility of fasudil in a rat model of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and explore its underlying mechanism through multiparametric renal magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

Methods: Experimental rats (n = 72) were grouped as follows: controls (n = 24), CA-AKI (n = 24), or CA-AKI + Fasudil (n = 24). All animals underwent two mpMRI studies (arterial spin labeling, T1 and T2 mapping) at baseline and post iopromide/fasudil injection (Days 1, 3, 7, and 13 respectively). Relative change in renal blood flow (ΔRBF), T1 (ΔT1) and T2 (ΔT2) values were assessed at specified time points. Serum levels of cystatin C (CysC) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations were tested as laboratory biomarkers, in addition to examining renal histology and expression levels of various proteins (Rho-kinase [ROCK], α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) that regulate renal fibrosis and hypoxia.

Results: Compared with the control group, serum levels of CysC and IL-1β, and urinary NGAL concentrations were clearly increased from Day 1 to Day 13 in the CA-AKI group (all p < 0.05). There were significant reductions in ΔT2 values on Days 1 and 3, and ΔT1 reductions were significantly more pronounced at all time points (Days 1–13) in the CA-AKI + Fasudil group (vs. CA-AKI) (all p < 0.05). Fasudil treatment lowered expression levels of ROCK-1, and p-MYPT1/MYPT1 proteins induced by iopromide, decreasing TGF-β1 expression and suppressing both extracellular matrix accumulation and α-SMA expression relative to untreated status (all p < 0.05). Fasudil also enhanced PHD2 transcription and inhibition of HIF-1α expression after CA-AKI.

Conclusions: In the context of CA-AKI, fasudil appears to reduce renal hypoxia, fibrosis, and dysfunction by activating (Rho/ROCK) or inhibiting (TGF-β1, HIF-1α) certain signaling pathways and reducing α-SMA expression. Multiparametric MRI may be a viable noninvasive tool for monitoring CA-AKI pathophysiology during fasudil therapy.
Entanglement Between Two Mechanical Oscillators in a Dual-Coupling Optomechanical System
Authors: Li Yujie , Deng Li , Yin Taishuang , Chen Aixi
Published: June 2022

In this study, we investigated the properties of entanglement of an optomechanical system including two mechanical oscillators, where two mechanical oscillators are coupled with the cavity field in different coupling modes: the interaction between one mechanical oscillator and cavity field is first-order coupling, and the interaction between the other and the cavity field is quadratic coupling. On the one hand, the entanglement between two mechanical oscillators is studied. The influence of the frequency of the cavity field, the mass of mechanical oscillators, and the temperature of mechanical oscillators on the entanglement between two mechanical oscillators are investigated. On the other hand, for the given parameters of the system, we also obtained the entanglement between the cavity field and the mechanical oscillator that has a quadratic coupling. Compared with the entanglement between microscopic particles, the stable macroscopic quantum entanglement between two mechanical oscillators has the characteristics of long existence life and can be reused, and it also plays an important role in quantum information processing and quantum network construction.
Feedback of Non-Local dxy Nematicity on the Magnetic Anisotropy in FeSe
Authors: Bötzel Steffen , Eremin Ilya M.
Published: June 2022

We analyze theoretically the magnetic anisotropy in the nematic phase of FeSe by computing the spin and the orbital susceptibilities from the microscopic multiorbital model. In particular, we take into account both thexz/yzand the recently proposed non-localxynematic ordering and show that the latter one could play a crucial role in reproducing the experimentally-measured temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy. This provides a direct fingerprint of the different nematic scenarios on the magnetic properties of FeSe.
Modeling of SGLT1 in Reconstituted Systems Reveals Apparent Ion-Dependencies of Glucose Uptake and Strengthens the Notion of Water-Permeable Apo States
Authors: Barta Thomas , Sandtner Walter , Wachlmayr Johann , Hannesschlaeger Christof , Ebert Andrea , Speletz Armin , Horner Andreas
Published: June 2022

The reconstitution of secondary active transporters into liposomes shed light on their molecular transport mechanism. The latter are either symporters, antiporters or exchangers, which use the energy contained in the electrochemical gradient of ions to fuel concentrative uptake of their cognate substrate. In liposomal preparations, these gradients can be set by the experimenter. However, due to passive diffusion of the ions and solutes through the membrane, the gradients are not stable and little is known on the time course by which they dissipate and how the presence of a transporter affects this process. Gradient dissipation can also generate a transmembrane potential (VM). Because it is the effective ion gradient, which together with VM fuels concentrative uptake, knowledge on how these parameters change within the time frame of the conducted experiment is key to understanding experimental outcomes. Here, we addressed this problem by resorting to a modelling approach. To this end, we mathematically modeled the liposome in the assumed presence and absence of the sodium glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1). We show that 1) the model can prevent us from reaching erroneous conclusions on the driving forces of substrate uptake and we 2) demonstrate utility of the model in the assignment of the states of SGLT1, which harbor a water channel.
Biochemical and Physicochemical Changes in Spaghetti Meat During Refrigerated Storage of Chicken Breast
Authors: Tasoniero Giulia , Zhuang Hong , Bowker Brian
Published: June 2022

This study investigated postmortem muscle protein degradation and myowater properties in broiler breasts afflicted with the Spaghetti Meat (SM) myopathy during 7 days of storage. Severe SM and unaffected (NORM) breast fillets were analyzed at days 0, 3, and 7 postmortem for TD-NMR myowater traits, myofibrillar protein profiles, calpain activity, free calcium, and desmin and troponin-T degradation patterns. Only at day 0, muscle histology, fiber size and sarcomere length were assessed on multiple fillet portions. In SM breasts, the intramyofibrillar water population exhibited longer relaxation times (p = 0.0172) and a lower proportion (p = 0.0118) compared to NORM. SM had a greater proportion of extramyofibrillar water (p = 0.0080) possessing a longer relaxation time (p = 0.0001). Overall, the SM myopathy had only a minor impact on the myofibrillar proteins profiles and did not affect either free calcium concentration, calpain activity, or the degradation of desmin and TnT, while storage time strongly affected all the traits measured. At microscopic level, muscle tissue from SM fillets exhibited the typical indicators of myodegeneration mostly in the superficial-cranial portion of the breast, while fiber size and sarcomere length were similar between the two muscle conditions irrespectively from the portion considered. The lack of overall significant interaction effects between muscle condition and storage period suggested that SM and NORM breast meat experience similar proteolytic and physical changes during the postmortem period.
RNA-Binding Proteins: The Key Modulator in Stress Granule Formation and Abiotic Stress Response
Authors: Yan Yanyan , Gan Jianghuang , Tao Yilin , Okita Thomas W. , Tian Li
Published: June 2022

To cope with abiotic environmental stress, plants rapidly change their gene expression transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally, the latter by translational suppression of selected proteins and the assembly of cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs) that sequester mRNA transcripts. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are the major players in these post-transcriptional processes, which control RNA processing in the nucleus, their export from the nucleus, and overall RNA metabolism in the cytoplasm. Because of their diverse modular domain structures, various RBP types dynamically co-assemble with their targeted RNAs and interacting proteins to form SGs, a process that finely regulates stress-responsive gene expression. This review summarizes recent findings on the involvement of RBPs in adapting plants to various abiotic stresses via modulation of specific gene expression events and SG formation. The relationship of these processes with the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is discussed.
PmSN15218: A Potential New Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene on Wheat Chromosome 2AL
Authors: Sun Meng , Liu Qi , Han Yi , Liu Guojun , Wu Jiajie , Qi Juan , Ni Fei , Bao Yinguang
Published: June 2022

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a devastating fungal disease that seriously damages the yield and quality of wheat in many regions of the world. Identifying new resistance genes and breeding new resistant varieties are effective methods to control this disease. The breeding line SN15218 shows good resistance against powdery mildew. We, therefore, developed an F2 population and 287 F2:3 families crossed between SN15218 and the powdery mildew susceptible cultivar Huixianhong (HXH). Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant gene, designated herein PmSN15218, conferred resistance to the Bgt isolate E09 in SN15218. Bulked segregant RNA-Seq (BSR-Seq) analysis revealed that PmSN15218 is located in a ∼25-Mb interval on chromosome 2AL. Using the polymorphism information between SN15218 and HXH, we developed 13 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers and mapped this gene to a 0.5-cM genetic interval between the two flanking markers PmM12 and PmM14, corresponding to a 6.01-Mb physical region in the Chinese Spring reference genome. The results of molecular marker analysis, allelic tests of resistance spectrum, and DNA resequencing indicated that PmSN15218 is distinct from the known resistance gene Pm4b on 2AL.
Bidirectional Effects Between Parental Care and Depression Among Adolescent Boys: Results From the Chinese Family Panel Studies
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Jiao Jian
Published: June 2022

Background

Research has consistently shown the adverse effects of inappropriate parenting on adolescent depression. Meanwhile, interpersonal theories of depression suggest that depressed individuals elicit frustration and rejection from their relational partners.

Method

Using two-wave data from the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS), the present study examined the prospective relationships between parental care and adolescent depression. Participant were 426 adolescents (54.9% male) born in 1999 (ages at T1 and T2 were 11 and 13).

Results

Results from the structural equation model showed that parental care prospectively and negatively predicted depression among both adolescent boys and girls. Inversely, adolescent boys’ depression, but not girls’ depression, negatively predicted subsequent parental care.

Conclusion

The results suggest the interactive dynamic between parental care and adolescent depression as well as parents’ gendered responses to adolescent depression.
Investigating Effects of Small-Group Student Talk on the Quality of Argument in Chinese Tertiary English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Argumentative Writing
Authors: Li Hui Helen , Zhang Lawrence Jun
Published: June 2022

Previous studies have offered a rationale for engaging students in small-group student talk for the planning of L2 individual writing. To further investigate whether such talk effectively promotes the quality of argument in the context of Chinese tertiary EFL learners’ argumentative writing and whether such effects could be retained, the current study adopted a quasi-experimental design with a pretest, a posttest, and a delayed posttest in two intact EFL classes. The performance of the intervention group and the comparison group were scrutinized to examine the effects of the intervention. The analytic scores on six components of the writing task (claim, data, counterargument claim, counterargument data, rebuttal claim, and rebuttal data) and the holistic writing scores cumulated of all these components were measured to see the immediate and sustained effects. Significant changes of the holistic scores in both the immediate posttest and the delayed posttest indicated that such small-group student talk enabled students in the treatment class to achieve better performance in the overall quality of argumentation compared with those in the comparison class. Statistical analyses revealed immediate and sustained effects of small-group student talk on the quality of counterargument claim, counterargument data, and rebuttal claim. Counterargument claim was the only element in which students in both classes made significant improvement, but the treatment class demonstrated a larger effect size. No discernible differences were found either between or within the treatment class and the comparison class with respect to the quality of claim, data, and rebuttal data across tests. Possible explanations concerning the findings and limitations of the study were discussed.
Prestige and Dominance: How eWOM Differs Between Consumers High in Authentic and Hubristic Pride
Authors: Liu Jiayao , Xiong Qingyun , Zhong Jianan
Published: June 2022

Electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) influences consumers' purchase decisions, but few studies have investigated the antecedents that lead consumers to create different types of eWOM. From the perspective of social interactions, this research explored how two subtypes of pride not only compel consumers to create eWOM but also differently impact four types of eWOM and their mechanisms. Study 1 manipulated the pride state and found that authentic pride promoted positive eWOM and constructive eWOM, while hubristic pride promoted negative eWOM and destructive eWOM. Study 2 examined the effect of pride on eWOM at the trait level and tested the mediating effect of their use of social status pursuit strategy. Overall, this study increases the understanding of different types of eWOM and broadens the literature of the effect of pride and social status pursuit strategy in the context of consumption.
Accessing the Impact Mechanism of Sense of Virtual Community on User Engagement
Authors: Zhao Hong , Shi Qiaohong
Published: June 2022

Although research has begun to explore the influence patterns of sense of virtual community, there is limited research on how sense of virtual community affects educational virtual community user engagement. Based on the educational virtual community context, this study constructs a theoretical model with moderation and mediation to explore the mediation mechanism of sense of virtual community affecting user engagement and its boundary conditions. In this study, the data collected from 377 users are analyzed by structural equation modeling. The research findings found that not only effective commitment has a mediating role between sense of virtual community and user engagement, but also perceived support has a moderating role in the process of effective commitment’s influence on user engagement. This study examines the practical effects of sense of virtual community in the context of educational virtual community use and reveals the mechanism of the effect of sense of virtual community on user engagement.
Prevalence and Correlational Factors of Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Yan Yan , Gai Xiaosong
Published: June 2022

This study’s purpose was to (1) determine the prevalence of suicidality (i.e., suicidal ideation or suicide attempts) among adolescents in a city in Northeast China and (2) identify the correlational factors among adolescents with suicidality. A total of 69,519 adolescents from grades 5 to 12 in a city in Northeast China participated in the online investigation. Students completed a structured questionnaire to report their demographic information, psychological characteristics, and suicidality. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were applied to determine significant correlational factors associated with suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA). The prevalence of SI and SA among adolescents in the past 12 months was 13 and 4.8%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that the potential risk factors for SI and SA included female, non-nuclear family, higher subjective socioeconomic status, meaningless in life, depression, bullying perpetrator, negative parental rearing styles, lower self-esteem scores, hopelessness, and stressful life events. In order to improve the accuracy of suicide risk identification, a cumulative risk index was used. With the increase in the number of cumulative risks, the risk of SI and SA also increased. So the cumulative risk index was very valuable. The total prevalence of SI and SA among primary and middle school students was high. Preventive measures could be implemented according to the risk factors.
Impacts of Corporate Social Responsibility on Employees’ Mental Fatigue: Employees’ Ethical Perspective
Authors: Zheng Linlin , Li Wenzhuo , Addis Amsalu K. , Ye Di , Dong Yashi
Published: June 2022

With the rise of cost of living and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic therewithal, finding reliable measures to reduce employees’ mental fatigue has become a great challenge. In this context, scholars have mainly focused on solutions for relieving employees’ mental fatigue from the perspective of human resource management but barely from employees’ ethical perspectives and that of internal and external corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employees’ ethics. This study uses hierarchical regression analysis and attempts to formulate and analyze the relationship between CSR, perceptions of corporate hypocrisy, and employees’ mental fatigue along with the mediating role of ethical egoism and altruistic choice. It also conceptualizes models and develops various hypotheses and theoretical logic. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, and 176 valid responses were subsequently gathered. The results show that employees’ mental fatigue significantly reduces when either internal or external CSR has a positive impact on employees’ altruistic choice and significantly increases either internal or external CSR has a negative effect on ethical egoism. Similarly, reducing perceptions of corporate hypocrisy can enhance the positive impact of external CSR on altruistic choice, which consequently reduces employees’ mental fatigue.
Impact of Music Education on Mental Health of Higher Education Students: Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence
Authors: Wang Feng , Huang Xiaoning , Zeb Sadaf , Liu Dan , Wang Yue
Published: June 2022

Music education is one of human kind most universal forms of expression and communication, and it can be found in the daily lives of people of all ages and cultures all over the world. As university life is a time when students are exposed to a great deal of stress, it can have a negative impact on their mental health. Therefore, it is critical to intervene at this stage in their life so that they are prepared to deal with the pressures they will face in the future. The aim of this study was to see how music education affects university students’ mental health, with emotional intelligence functioning as a moderator. The participants in this research were graduate students pursuing degrees in music education. Non probability convenience sampling technique was used to collect and evaluate the data from 265 students studying in different public and private Chinese universities. The data was gathered at a time, and therefore, the study is cross-sectional. The data was collected from January 2022 till the end of March 2022. Many universities have been closed because to COVID-19, therefore data was also gathered online through emails. The data was analyzed quantitatively using the partial least squares (PLS)–structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. The findings backed up the hypotheses. The results revealed that there is a significant effect of music education on student’s mental health. Also, emotional intelligence as a moderator significantly and positively moderates the relationship between music education and students’ mental health. Music has numerous physiological aspects, and listening to it on a daily basis may be beneficial to your general health and well-being. Furthermore, musicians and music students with a high level of emotional intelligence have a better chance of not just performing well in school, college and university or in the music industry, but also of maintaining mental health and improving it.
Workplace Violence and Turnover Intention Among Psychiatrists in a National Sample in China: The Mediating Effects of Mental Health
Authors: Chen Yanhua , Wang Peicheng , Zhao Lina , He Yanrong , Chen Nuoya , Liu Huanzhong , Liu Yuanli , Liu Tingfang , Tang Yi-lang , Jiang Feng , Zhu Jiming
Published: June 2022

Background

Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare has received much attention worldwide. However, scarce data are available on its impact on turnover intention among psychiatrists, and the possible mechanisms between WPV and turnover intention have not been explored in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among psychiatrists in 41 tertiary psychiatric hospitals from 29 provinces and autonomous regions in China. A stress-strain-outcome (SSO) model was adopted to examine the effects of WPV on mental health and turnover intention. The association and mediation by burnout and stress were examined by multivariate logistic regression (MLR) and generalized structure equation modeling (GSEM).

Results

We invited 6,986 psychiatrists to participate, and 4,520 completed the survey (64.7% response rate). The prevalence of verbal and physical violence against psychiatrist in China was 78.0 and 30.7%, respectively. MLR analysis showed that psychiatrists who experienced verbal violence (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.10–1.21) and physical violence (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.07–1.24) were more likely to report turnover intention. GSEM analysis showed that burnout (β = 4.00, p < 0.001) and stress (β = 1.15, p < 0.001) mediated the association between verbal violence and turnover intention; similarly, burnout (β = 4.92, p < 0.001) and stress (β = 1.80, p < 0.001) also mediated the association between physical violence and turnover intention.

Conclusions

Experience of WPV is a significant contributor to turnover intention among psychiatrists. Mental health status, such as burnout and stress level significantly mediated the association. Policy makers and hospital administrators need to be aware of this association. Action is needed to promote mental health among the psychiatrists to improve morale and workforce sustainability.
Traditional Chinese Medicine for Post-stroke Sleep Disorders: The Evidence Mapping of Clinical Studies
Authors: Su Qing , Zou Danmei , Gai Nuo , Li Huishan , Kuang Zhuoran , Ni Xiaojia
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

Recently, there are a number of clinical studies on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for post-stroke sleep disorders (PSSDs). This study aimed to map the current clinical studies and identify gaps to inform future study agendas.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases, including SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang, were searched for clinical studies on PSSDs treated with TCM from their inception to September 2021. Evidence sources, number of studies, types of PSSDs, intervention categories, effectiveness, and quality assessment were graphically displayed.

Results

The evidence map involved 810 clinical studies, of which the earliest report was dated back to 1993, and an advanced growth of the whole evidence was observed in 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were the most common type of study design (78.15%), and post-stroke insomnia was the most common type of sleep disorders (65.80%). The benefits of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture therapies for post-stroke insomnia have been widely reported in RCTs (81.60% and 75.38%, respectively). However, the benefits of CHM interventions were assessed using a global approach rather than being based on a specific formula, and the highest level of evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture therapies was of low methodological quality. In addition, evidence from primary studies was insufficient in the areas of TCM for post-stroke sleep-related breathing disorders (SBDs) and Chinese mind-body exercises for post-stroke insomnia.

Conclusions

PSSDs treated with TCM have been widely assessed in clinical studies. For better evidence translation, clinical trials on specific CHM interventions and high-quality systematic reviews on acupuncture for post-stroke insomnia should be conducted. For a better solution to clinical questions, TCM on SBDs after stroke and the benefits of Chinese mind-body exercises for post-stroke insomnia should be explored in future clinical studies.