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The current study aims to examine the influence of group membership and cultural conceptions on the regulation of interpersonal distance (IPD) among Chinese and Italian adolescents. Two‐hundred forty participants completed an online computerized version of the Interpersonal Visual Analogue Scale to assess their preferred IPD. A greater distance was found in Chinese than Italian participants. Chinese participants also chose a larger distance from outgroup than ingroup members, whereas no such tendencies were found among Italian participants. Moreover, in the Chinese group, a larger distance from the male target was chosen by females compared to male participants. Finally, all participants maintained greater distance when outgroup members approached from the back than from the front. These findings not only provide evidence that nationality and group membership impact on how individuals regulate spatial boundaries, but also offer a new lens to understand intergroup dynamics shaping social interactions among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In adolescence individuals enlarge their social relationships and peer groups acquire a strong importance for their identity. Moreover, adolescents can experiment negative relationships with peers, i.e., bullying/cyberbullying. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between the feeling of belonging to a specific group, social identification, the distance that adolescents maintain interacting with others, interpersonal distance, and bullying/cyberbullying behaviors. Adolescents (age range 10–15 years) completed online measures of group identification (social identification with classmates, friends and family), interpersonal distance, and bullying and cyberbullying (perpetration and victimization). Results showed that adolescents with low social identification with classmates and friends chose larger interpersonal distance. Additionally, low scores in social identification with classmates were associated with higher victimization in cyberbullying. In contrast, adolescents with low scores in social identification with family were more involved as bullies in bullying and as victims in cyberbullying. Male adolescents were more likely to be victimized in bullying than females. This study underlines how social identification with peers and family works as a buffer in interfacing strangers, adjusting the distance maintained with them, and as a protective factor against aggressive relationships in adolescence. This study provides new opportunities for psychologists in understanding the psychological dynamics that shape social interactions among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Impacts of sphere distribution on sensitivity highly depends on sphere diameters. • Uneven distribution is a good way to improve sensitivity, for some sphere diameters. • Smaller spheres result higher sensitivity than larger spheres at certain cases. Abstract Impacts of the distribution of hydrogel spheres attached on bare fiber core on fiber transmission are studied by ray-tracing simulation. The aim of the study was to optimize the previously reported configuration and sensitivity of humidity sensors based on bare fiber core attached with humidity-sensitive hydrogel spheres. Four uneven distribution types, namely, asymmetric-geometric, asymmetric-arithmetic, symmetric-geometric and symmetric-arithmetic for sensors in length of 10 cm and attached with six hydrogel spheres are simulated and compared with the uniform distribution. Spheres in diameter of 0.6, 0.8 and 1 mm are simulated to reveal impacts of the sphere size. It is found that the sphere size is a significant factor that determines impacts of the sphere distribution on the sensitivity, which is defined as the slope of fiber transmissions over refractive index of spheres. For sensors attached with 0.6 mm hydrogel spheres, uneven distributions result in sensitivities close to that of the uniform distribution. However, uneven distributions with 0.8 or 1 mm spheres yields much higher sensitivities. The highest sensitivities for sensors with 0.8 and 1 mm are 19% and 39% higher than that of uniform distributions respectively, suggesting that properly distributing hydrogel spheres is a convenient way to enhance sensitivities. Moreover, results show that sensors with 0.8 mm hydrogel spheres have higher sensitivities than that of 1 mm for the same sphere distribution, and the underlining re-collecting effect is revealed to explain this phenomenon. In addition, simulations reveal that optical loss of spheres have a positive but marginal effect on the sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Negativity bias in depression has been previously confirmed. However, mainly during a valence category task, it remains unclear how happy or unhappy individuals perceive emotional materials. Moreover, cerebral alteration measurements during a valence judgment task is lacking. The present study aimed to explore a valence judgment of a valence rating task, combined with event-related potential (ERP) recording. Methods Healthy controls, individuals with sub-clinical depression, and patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) were recruited. Twenty-four subjects in each group completed a valence rating task, during which the ERP amplitudes were recorded. Results The MDD group had lower valence scores, faster responses, and greater N1 amplitudes for sad faces, whereas individuals with sub-clinical depression had faster responses and greater P1 amplitudes for all faces but lower valence scores and greater P2 amplitudes for happy faces. Conclusions The findings suggest the tendency toward a negativity bias in valence ratings in patients with depression supported by behavioral and cerebral evidence, which is a latent trait of depression, possibly associated with the vulnerability of depression. Significance The current study offers the first experimental evidence of cognitive and cerebral biomarkers of negativity bias in valence ratings in depression, which confirms Beck’s cognitive theory and gives important direction for clinical therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalytic [3+2] cycloadditions of phenols and olefins are normally limited by the relatively tedious process. Herein, based on accelerated microdroplet reactions, a nano-electrospray ionization (nESI) was constructed for online acceleration of photocatalytic [3+2] cycloaddition between phenols and olefins. As demonstrated, the high reaction rates were obtained by nESI tips with smaller orifice inner diameter and the electrode closed to the nESI tip. These were further confirmed by the calculations on the conversion ratios and apparent acceleration factors. Meanwhile, the important intermediates (especially short-lived radicals) were recorded by virtue of the online monitoring of nESI mass spectrometry (MS). Subsequently, the dynamic information of substrates, intermediates and products were examined. Therefore, the mechanism of photocatalytic [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between phenols and olefins was proposed. This work not only enlarges the application of microdroplet synthesis, but also would provide a possible perspective for accelerating photocatalytic reactions and mechanism examinations. [Display omitted] • An online accelerated nESI system was constructed for accelerated photocatalytic [3+2] cycloaddition of phenols and olefins. • The orifice inner diameter and the distance from nESI tip to the electrode have effect on accelerated reaction rates. • The reactants, products and intermediates were captured and determined by nESI MS. • Dynamic changes of substrates, intermediates and products were monitored successfully. • The mechanism of the photocatalytic [3+2] cycloaddition was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The biochemical processes underlying opiate addiction are complex, but n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction appears to be one contributing factor. NMDAR antagonists, including MK-801 and memantine, have previously been shown to assuage symptoms stemming from opiate withdrawal. The conantokins are a small family of naturally occurring peptide toxins known to specifically antagonize the NMDAR. In the present study, the effects of wild-type and variant conantokins on the suppression of naloxone-induced jumping in morphine-dependent mice were evaluated. Our results demonstrate that NR2B-selective conantokins, viz., con-G, con-G[S16Y] and con-G[γ7K], are potent inhibitors of naloxone-induced jumping at low doses (2–15nmol/kg) compared with con-T, con-R[1-17], and small-molecule antagonists of the NMDAR, including the NR2B-selective agent, ifenprodil. We conclude that the NR2B-selective conantokins may find utility as neuropharmacological tools for probing NMDAR-related mechanisms of opiate dependence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aims to systematically review the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and provide a basis for the rational use of the drug in clinical practice. From the database's inception until February 2023, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of oral semaglutide at dosages of 3, 7, and 14 mg (trial group) against placebo or other positive control drugs (control group) for the treatment of T2DM. Following literature screening and data extraction, the bias risk assessment tool in the Cochrane reviewer handbook 5.1.0 was used to evaluate the literature quality. Meta‐analysis was carried out with RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 10 RCTs with 9541 patients were included. The meta‐analysis results revealed that compared with placebo or positive control drugs (empagliflozin, sitagliptin, liraglutide, and dulaglutide), oral semaglutide significantly reduced the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients (compared to placebo, 3 mg [MD = −0.61%, 95% CI (−0.89, −0.34)], 7 mg [MD = −1.12%, 95% CI (−1.45, −0.79)], 14 mg [MD = −1.08%, 95% CI (−1.32, −0.85)]; compared to positive control drugs (7 mg [MD = −0.26%, 95% CI (−0.38, −0.15)], 14 mg [MD = −0.37%, 95% CI (−0.52, −0.23)]). Oral semaglutide also showed certain advantages over placebo or positive control drugs in terms of weight loss, HbA1c reduction achievement rate, fasting plasma glucose level, and body mass index with overall dose‐dependent efficacy. The incidence of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting caused by oral semaglutide was higher than that of the placebo or positive control drugs, and the incidence of appetite decrease or constipation was higher than that of the placebo. Severe or symptomatic hypoglycemic episodes were reduced compared to positive control drugs. Oral semaglutide has definite clinical benefits of reducing blood glucose, body weight, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia, and with good safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant abiotic resistance in cultivated species features limited variability. Using genes of wild species serves as a valid approach for improving abiotic resistance of cultivated plants. In this study, we uncovered a previously uncharacterized proline-, lysine-, and glutamic-rich protein gene ( SpPKE1 ), which was isolated from drought-resistant wild tomato species Solanum pennellii (LA0716). When M82, which is a drought-sensitive tomato cultivar, was engineered to overexpress SpPKE1 , its tolerance under drought stress was significantly improved by the accumulation of more chlorophyll, proline, and limited malondialdehyde compared with that in RNA interference (RNAi)-suppression lines, which were more sensitive than the wild-type plants. Several ion transporter genes, abiotic-related transcriptional factors, and reactive oxygen species-scavenging genes were upregulated in PKE1 overexpression (OE) lines but downregulated in RNAi plants. OE of SpPKE1 enhanced drought tolerance in tobacco. Screening results of yeast two-hybrid protein–protein interaction revealed that SpPKE1 can bind to an F-box protein that plays an important role in plant drought resistance. We posited that PKE1 enhanced drought tolerance by modulating the expressions of stress-responsive genes and interacting with the F-box protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactions in confined spaces exhibit unique reactivity, while how the confinement effect enhances reactions remains unclear. Herein, the reaction in the confined space of a nanopipette reactor was examined by in situ nano-electrospray mass spectrometry (nanoESI-MS). The indole cation-radical cyclization was selected as the model reaction, catalyzed by a common visible-light-harvesting complex Ru(bpz)3(PF6)2 (1% eq.) rather than traditional harsh reaction conditions (high temperature or pressure, etc.). As demonstrated by in situ nanoESI-MS, this reaction was readily promoted in the nanopipette under mild conditions, while it was inefficient in both normal flasks and microdroplets. Both experimental and theoretical evidence demonstrated the formation of concentrated Ru(II)-complexes on the inner surface of the nanopipette, which facilitated the accelerated reactions. As a result, dissociative reactive cation radicals with lower HOMO–LUMO gap were generated from the Ru(II)-complexes by ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT). Furthermore, the crucial cation radical intermediates were captured and dynamically monitored via in situ nanoESI-MS, responsible for the electronically matched [4 + 2] cycloaddition and subsequent intramolecular dehydrogenation. This work inspires a deeper understanding of the unique reactions in confined spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an economically important crop and is known for its slimy juice, which has significant scientific research value. The A. esculentus chloroplast genome has been reported; however, the sequence of its mitochondrial genome is still lacking. Results: We sequenced the plastid and mitochondrial genomes of okra based on Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads and conducted a comparative study between the two organelle genomes. The plastid genome of okra is highly structurally conserved, but the mitochondrial genome of okra has been confirmed to have abundant subgenomic configurations. The assembly results showed that okra's mitochondrial genome existed mainly in the form of two independent molecules, which could be divided into four independent molecules through two pairs of long repeats. In addition, we found that four pairs of short repeats could mediate the integration of the two independent molecules into one complete molecule at a low frequency. Subsequently, we also found extensive sequence transfer between the two organelles of okra, where three plastid-derived genes (psaA, rps7 and psbJ) remained intact in the mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, psbJ, psbF, psbE and psbL were integrated into the mitochondrial genome as a conserved gene cluster and underwent pseudogenization as nonfunctional genes. Only psbJ retained a relatively complete sequence, but its expression was not detected in the transcriptome data, and we speculate that it is still nonfunctional. Finally, we characterized the RNA editing events of protein-coding genes located in the organelle genomes of okra. Conclusions: In the current study, our results not only provide high-quality organelle genomes for okra but also advance our understanding of the gene dialogue between organelle genomes and provide information to breed okra cultivars efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings: What is the central question of this study?Does danthron alleviate experimental atherosclerosis by inhibiting the formation of foam cells?What are the main findings and their importance?Danthron improved serum lipid profiles and significantly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque areas and lipid accumulation in the aortic root of ApoE−/− mice. Danthron inhibited foam cell formation in oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, danthron exerted its function in atherosclerosis at least partly through activating the AMP‐activated protein kinase–sirtuin 1 signalling pathway. These findings suggest that danthron has the potential to alleviate atherosclerosis. Danthron, an ingredient isolated from Rheum palmatum L., has been revealed to reduce lipid accumulation in vitro. This study aimed to discover the effects of danthron on the development of atherosclerosis and to delineate the underlying mechanisms. For in vivo studies, male ApoE−/− mice were fed a high‐fat diet and orally treated with danthron (30 or 60 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. For in vitro studies, RAW264.7 cells were induced by oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL, 50 μg/ml) for 48 h and subsequently administered danthron at appropriate concentrations for 24 h. AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C was added to ox‐LDL‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells 2 h before danthron administration to confirm the role of the AMPK signalling pathway in the regulation by danthron of foam cell formation. We found that danthron improved serum lipid profiles, and significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque areas and lipid accumulation in the aortic root of atherosclerotic mice. Moreover, danthron upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ABCG1 and liver X receptor α (LXRα), which play a crucial role in lipid metabolism, and activated the AMPK–sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway. In an in vitro study, danthron inhibited foam cell formation in ox‐LDL‐induced RAW264.7 macrophages with an increase in the expression of ABCA1, ABCG1 and LXRα as well as activation of the AMPK–SIRT1 pathway. Furthermore, compound C abolished the effects of danthron on lipid accumulation and the protein expression of ABCA1/G1 and LXRα in vitro. Our results highlight that danthron possesses potential benefits in alleviating experimental atherosclerosis by targeting foam cell formation by activating the AMPK–SIRT1 signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SiCp/6061Al composites with volume fractions of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% were prepared by power metallurgy method. The effects of the volume fraction of SiCp on microstructure and mechanical properties were studied by means of phase analysis, microstructure observation, hardness test, friction test, wear and tensile test. The results show that the SiC particles distribute uniformly in the matrix and the interface bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement was exceptional. With the increase of the volume fracture of SiC particles, the distribution uniformity decreases, the hardness increases, the elongation decreases, with the tensile strength and wear resistance were increasing before slowly decrease. If the volume fracture of SiC particles is 30%, the comprehensive mechanical property is best that the hardness is 97.9 HV, the tensile strength 243 MPa, the elongation is 2.9% and wear rate is 1.21 × 10–5 g/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the 30 vol% SiCp/6061Al composites were prepared by vacuum hot pressing sintering. The effect of SiC particle size on the microstructure mechanical properties and wear behaviour of SiCp/6061Al composites was studied. From the results, it is shown that the SiC particle distribution increases firstly and then decreases with the increase of the particle sizes, the relative density, microhardness, elongation, and wear rate increase firstly and then slightly decrease. If the SiC particle size is 16 μm, the comprehensive properties of the composite are the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanism of abiotic-tolerance and producing germplasm of abiotic tolerance are important in plant research. Wild species often show more tolerance of environmental stress factors than their cultivated counterparts. Genes from wild species show potential abilities to improve abiotic resistance in cultivated species. Here, a tomato proline-, lysine-, and glutamic-rich type gene SpPKE1 was isolated from abiotic-resistant species (Solanum pennellii LA0716) for over-expression in tomato and tobacco for salt tolerance. The protein encoded by SpPKE1 was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm in tobacco. SpPKE1 and SlPKE1 (from cultivated species S. lycopersicum cv. M82) shared 89.7% similarity in amino acid sequences and their transcripts abundance in flowers and fruits was reduced by the imposition of drought or oxidative stress and the exogenous supply of abscisic acid. The DNA of the PKE1 promoter was highly methylated in fruit and leaf, and the methylation of the coding sequence in leaf was significantly higher than that in fruit at different development stages. The over-expression of SpPKE1 under the control of a CaMV (Cauliflower Mosaic Virus) 35S promoter in transgenic tomato and tobacco plants enhanced their tolerance to salt stress. PKE1 was downregulated by abiotic stresses but enhanced the plant's salt stress tolerance. Therefore, this gene may be involved in post-transcriptional regulation and may be an important candidate for molecular breeding of salt-tolerant plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the growth of cervical carcinoma cell lines infected with different high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes, as well as the associated regulation of microRNA (miR) expression. Cell proliferation was measured using an MTT assay. The effects of 7 different concentrations of EGCG (100, 80, 60, 40, 20, 10 and 0 µg/ml) on HeLa cell proliferation were assessed. HeLa cell growth was significantly inhibited by EGCG in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), and the IC50 was 90.74 and 72.74 µg/ml at 24 and 48 h, respectively. The expression of miR-210, miR-29a, miR-203 and miR-125b in HeLa (HPV16/18+), SiHa (HPV16+), CaSki (HPV16+) and C33A (HPV-) cell lines was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. In CA33 cells, miR-203 (all P<0.001) and miR-125b (P<0.01 and <0.0001) were significantly downregulated by EGCG, and miR-210 was significantly upregulated with 40 and 60 µg/ml EGCG (P<0.0001). miR-125b was significantly downregulated (P<0.001 and <0.0001), and miR-210 and miR-29 were significantly upregulated by ≤80 µg/ml EGCG in HeLa cells (all P<0.0001). In CaSki cells, miR-210, miR-29a (all P<0.001) and miR-125b (P<0.01–0.0001) were significantly upregulated by EGCG. In SiHa cells, miR-125b (both P<0.001) and miR-203 (P<0.01 and <0.0001) were significantly upregulated by EGCG. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that EGCG suppresses cervical carcinoma cell growth, possibly via regulating the expression of miRs, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets for the control and prevention of cervical cancer. Additionally, EGCG may be considered a novel anti-cervical cancer drug in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A toughened, self-healing, anti-freezing, anti-drying, and anti-swelling hydrogel is prepared. • Hydrogel sensors exhibit excellent self-healing capability and multi-environmental stability. • Hydrogel sensors display an attracting feature on distinguishing the direction of human motion. • Hydrogels possess significant shape memory and information storage functions even at −40 °C. Conductive hydrogels have considered as promising materials to revolutionize flexible electronics, biomedical devices and soft robotics. Despite significant progress has been made in the design of hydrogels, simultaneous realization of outstanding mechanical properties, self-healing capability, multi-environmental tolerance (e.g., freezing, drying, water, and oil), and multiple stimuli-responsiveness in a single hydrogel still remains a tremendous challenge. Herein, an extraordinary stretchable (1769%), toughened (0.46 MPa), self-healing, water-retaining (78% after 8 days), anti-freezing (below −40 °C), and anti-swelling (in water/organic solvents) conductive hydrogel is designed and prepared by simultaneously introducing zwitterionic proline, metal ions, and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) into vinyl hybrid silica nanoparticles cross-linked polyacrylic acid networks. Based on this hydrogel, the fabricated strain sensor exhibits excellent strain sensitivity (GF = 3.07), wide sensing range (from 5 to 700%), reliable stability (800 cycles at 200% strain), and accurate human motion detection along two opposite directions (bend down or bend up). In particular, it can not only withstand outstanding mechanical damages but also maintain stable sensing performances in water/organic solvent environments and freezing condition of −40 °C. More interestingly, under FeCl 3 -EG (ethylene glycol) and ascorbic acid-EG solution external stimuli, the resultant hydrogels also display the significant shape memory behaviors and repeated information recording/erasing capabilities even at an extremely cold temperature (−40 °C). These remarkable performances greatly expand the application fields of hydrogels in harsh environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]