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Ferroptosis is a new form of cell death that relies on iron and involves an imbalance of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is expected to help alleviate bottlenecks in tumor treatment. Herein, a sorafenib‐loaded folic acid‐armored iron‐based nMOF was designed for synergistic inducing ferroptosis of tumors. The particle size of the synthesized SM@F is about 210nm, and the drug loading rate is 24.74%. SM@F can be degraded and releases sorafenib and iron ions slowly, resulting in intracellular drug release and iron overload after being highly uptaken by SMMC‐7721 cells. SM@F can effectively inhibit the proliferation of SMMC‐7721 cells, and this effect can be significantly attenuated by ferroptosis inhibitors. Mechanistic investigations revealed that SM@F could increase the content of ROS, and lipid peroxides; decrease the content of glutathione (GSH); and down‐regulate the GXP4 expression in SMMC‐7721 cells. The results indicate that the synthesized SM@F could effectively inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells with synergistic inducing ferroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oridonin (Ori) is a naturally existing diterpenoid substance that mainly exists in the Chinese medicinal plant Rabdosia rubescens. It was previously found to possess intriguing biological properties; however, the quick clearance from plasma and limited solubility in water restricts its use as a drug. Several metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), having big surfaces and large pores, have recently been considered promising drug transporters. The zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), a form of MOF consisting of 2-methylimidazole with zinc ions, is structurally stable under physiologically neutral conditions, while it can degrade at low pH values such as in tumor cells. Herein, a nanosized drug delivery system, Ori@ZIF-8, was successfully designed for encapsulating and transporting oridonin to the tumor site. The drug loading of the prepared Ori@ZIF-8 was 26.78%, and the particles' mean size was 240.5 nm. In vitro, the release of Ori@ZIF-8 exhibited acid sensitivity, with a slow release under neutral conditions and rapid release of the drug under weakly acidic conditions. According to the in vitro anti-tumor experiments, Ori@ZIF-8 produced higher cytotoxicity than free Ori and induced apoptosis in A549 cancer cells. In conclusion, Ori@ZIF-8 could be a potential pH-responsive carrier to accurately release more oridonins at the tumor site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive dysfunction is highly prevalent in obese people, and food is a key factor in obesity, and dietary inflammatory index (DII) can reflect whether diet has anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory potential. In addition, dietary fatty acid consumption is linked to inflammation, obesity, and cognitive impairment. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids can reflect dietary fatty acid intake. Our hypothesis was that erythrocyte membrane fatty acids might have a significant impact on the relationship between DII and cognition in obese individuals, and we designed experiments to test the hypothesis. Methods: In three villages in Beijing, we collected 579 respondents from individuals 45 to 75 years old and categorized them by body mass index. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score and DII score was calculated and gas chromatography was used to measure the proportion of erythrocyte membrane fatty acids. The relationship between the DII score and cognition was examined using multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression. Mediation analysis can help to understand the causal chain between variables, deeply explore the internal relationship and mechanism of action between variables. So a multiple chain mediation model was developed to investigate the mediating factors between the DII score and cognitive association. Results: According to adjusted linear regression, higher DII scores were linked to lower MoCA scores in the obese group. The negative correlation between DII score and cognitive function score remains in binary linear regression. We discovered through mediation analysis that erythrocyte membrane fatty acids mediate the detrimental link between DII and cognitive function in obese individuals. Conclusion: We propose that higher DII scores in obese people are associated with a decline in cognitive function. In addition, this effect might be mediated via the fatty acids in the erythrocyte membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a significant period for the formation of relationship networks and the development of internalizing problems. With a sample of Chinese adolescents (N = 3,834, 52.01% girls, M age = 16.68 at Wave 1), the present study aimed to identify the configuration of adolescents' relationship qualities from four important domains (i.e., relationship quality with mother, father, peers, and teachers) and how distinct profiles were associated with the development of internalizing problems (indicated by depressive and anxiety symptoms) across high school years. Latent profile analysis identified a five-profile configuration with four convergent profiles (i.e., relationship qualities with others were generally good or bad) and one "Father estrangement" profile (i.e., the relationship quality with others were relatively good but that with father was particularly poor). Further conditional latent growth curve analysis indicated the "Father estrangement" profile was especially vulnerable to an increase in the internalizing problems as compared with other relationship profiles. This study contributes to understanding the characteristics of interpersonal relationship qualities and their influences on adolescent internalizing problems in a non-Western context. Results were further discussed from a culturally specific perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity increases the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, and the gut microbiota can affect brain cognitive function and obesity through a variety of pathways such as the gut-brain axis. This study aimed to discover how fatty acid affect cognitive function by regulating intestinal flora in obesity. Obese subjects were recruited for cognitive function assessment, and participants were divided into obese group with cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 49) and obese cognitively normal group (Non_MCI, n = 55). In the erythrocyte membrane, the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) and n-6/n-3 ratio was higher in the MCI group than in the Non_MCI group. However, the α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) percentage of the erythrocyte membrane was lower in the MCI group. We found that Coriobacteriales_Incertae_Sedis was positively correlated with erythrocyte membrane C20:4 n-6 and n-6 PUFA and negatively correlated with cognitive scores in obese patients. In addition, several of the functional pathways we predicted were significantly different in the MCI and Non_MCI groups. Higher levels of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio in the erythrocyte membranes may influence the inflammatory response in the organism causing obesity induced cognitive damage. Moreover, high levels of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio may also affect the intestinal flora of obese patients, which in turn may affect the cognitive function of obese patients. Key Points: 1. Obesity with or without cognitive impairment differs in gut flora. 2. Alterations in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in obesity with cognitive impairment. 3. Relationship between intestinal bacteria and erythrocyte membrane fatty acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ether‐based electrolytes are promising for secondary batteries due to their good compatibility with alkali metal anodes and high ionic conductivity. However, they suffer from poor oxidative stability and high toxicity, leading to severe electrolyte decomposition at high voltage and biosafety/environmental concerns when electrolyte leakage occurs. Here, we report a green ether solvent through a rational design of carbon‐chain regulation to elicit steric hindrance, such a structure significantly reducing the solvent's biotoxicity and tuning the solvation structure of electrolytes. Notably, our solvent design is versatile, and an anion‐dominated solvation structure is favored, facilitating a stable interphase formation on both the anode and cathode in potassium‐ion batteries. Remarkably, the green ether‐based electrolyte demonstrates excellent compatibility with K metal and graphite anode and a 4.2 V high‐voltage cathode (200 cycles with average Coulombic efficiency of 99.64 %). This work points to a promising path toward the molecular design of green ether‐based electrolytes for practical high‐voltage potassium‐ion batteries and other rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ether‐based electrolytes are promising for secondary batteries due to their good compatibility with alkali metal anodes and high ionic conductivity. However, they suffer from poor oxidative stability and high toxicity, leading to severe electrolyte decomposition at high voltage and biosafety/environmental concerns when electrolyte leakage occurs. Here, we report a green ether solvent through a rational design of carbon‐chain regulation to elicit steric hindrance, such a structure significantly reducing the solvent's biotoxicity and tuning the solvation structure of electrolytes. Notably, our solvent design is versatile, and an anion‐dominated solvation structure is favored, facilitating a stable interphase formation on both the anode and cathode in potassium‐ion batteries. Remarkably, the green ether‐based electrolyte demonstrates excellent compatibility with K metal and graphite anode and a 4.2 V high‐voltage cathode (200 cycles with average Coulombic efficiency of 99.64 %). This work points to a promising path toward the molecular design of green ether‐based electrolytes for practical high‐voltage potassium‐ion batteries and other rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a major comorbidity known as diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD). Studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota is crucial in mediating the cognitive abnormalities that occur in diabetic individuals. Additionally, changes in dietary fatty acid intake levels, inflammatory cytokines, and microRNAs (miRs) have an effect on cognitive performance. However, further studies are needed to identify the link between gut microbiota and cognition in T2DM patients and the role that the above indicators play in this process. In order to provide a new rationale for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in diabetes, this study was conducted in the middle-aged and elderly Beijing population to examine the differences in gut microbiota between DACD and T2DM patients as well as to further explore the role of erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, inflammatory cytokines, and miRs in gut microbiota-mediated cognitive impairment. According to the results, the abundance of norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Acidaminococcus, Enterorhabdus, and norank_f_Clostridium_methylpentosum_group was higher in DACD patients compared to T2DM patients at the genus level. Compared with T2DM patients, plasma interleukin-12 (IL-12) concentrations were significantly higher in DACD patients than in T2DM patients, and IL-12 was significantly positively correlated with norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group. In addition, plasma miR-142-5p was significantly positively correlated with Enterorhabdus and norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group. We therefore hypothesize that cognitive impairment in T2DM patients is associated with altered gut microbial composition and that the effect of microbiota on cognition may be mediated through IL-12 and miR-142-5p. Key points: • Type 2 diabetes with or without cognitive impairment differs in gut microbiota. • Differential genera of gut microbiota were associated with inflammatory cytokines. • Differential genera of gut microbiota were associated with plasma microRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impact of ustekinumab (UST) therapy on surgical complications in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis is to explore the link between these two. Methods: Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Springer Link) were searched until April 2022. Studies of CD patients who received UST and no UST prior to surgery (including no biological therapy, anti-tumor necrosis factor-α [anti-TNF-α] agent, and vedolizumab [VDZ]) were included. Primary outcomes included overall complications, infectious complications, and noninfectious complications. Results: Nine studies totaling 3,225 CD patients were enrolled; 332 patients received UST treatment. There was no evidence of difference in the overall complications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84, p = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.57–1.23], I2 = 40%) between CD patients who had UST treatment preoperatively and those who had no UST treatment. There was no evidence of a difference in infectious complications (OR = 1.15, p = 0.35, 95% CI = [0.86–1.53], I2 = 2%). Additionally, there was no significant evidence of difference between these groups in terms of noninfectious complications and death. Specifically, there was no evidence of difference in overall complications, infection complications (including wound complications, sepsis, abscess, and anastomotic leakage), and noninfection complications (ileus, readmission, and return to operation), compared with no biological therapy and anti-TNF-α agents. At the same time, no significant evidence of difference was discovered in the comparison of preoperative UST and VDZ therapy in terms of overall complications, infectious complications (sepsis and abscess), and noninfectious complications (intestinal obstruction, readmission, and recovery surgery). Conclusion: In general, compared with other biological agents, preoperative use of UST in the treatment of CD patients is usually safe and does not increase surgical complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving regeneration of damaged thymus is important for reconstituting T-cell immunity. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) was proved to improve thymus regeneration through recovering thymic epithelial cells (TECs). The IL-22 receptor IL-22RA1 is crucial for mediating IL-22 functions. Mechanism that regulates IL-22RA1 expression is unknown. Through using TECs-conditional knockout mice, we found aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is important for thymus regeneration, because Foxn1-cre-mediated AHR knockout (AhrKO) significantly blocks recovery of thymus cells. Giving mice the AHR inhibitor CH-223191 or the AHR agonist FICZ blocks or accelerates thymus regeneration, respectively. AhrKO-mediated blockade of thymus regeneration could not be rescued by giving exogenous IL-22. Mechanistically, AhrKO mice shows decreased IL-22RA1 expression. In the murine TECs cell line mTEC1 cells, targeting AHR shows an impact on IL-22RA1 mRNA levels. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays, we find AHR co-operates with STAT3, binds the promotor region of IL-22RA1 gene and transcriptionally increases IL-22RA1 expression in mTEC1 cells. Foxn1-cre-mediated IL-22RA1 knockout (Il22ra1KO) blocks thymus regeneration after irradiation. Furthermore, targeting AHR or IL-22RA1 has significant impacts on severity of murine chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), which is an autoimmune-like complication following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Giving FICZ decreases cGVHD, whereas Il22ra1KO exacerbates cGVHD. The impacts on cGVHD are associated with thymus regeneration and T-cell immune reconstitution. In conclusion, we report an unrecognized function of TECs-expressed AHR in thymus regeneration and AHR transcriptionally regulates IL-22RA1 expression, which have implications for improving thymus regeneration and controlling cGVHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring and controlling of the showcase environment in a special exhibition in Shanghai Museum are described in this work. The long show time started on March 2022 and ended on January 2023. Various items were shown in this exhibition with different combination modes. Air conditioners, humidifiers and three kinds of passive humidity controlling methods were applied to this exhibition. Massive raw monitoring data are given and some series of data are transformed into specific values to conduct various analyses. Factors including outdoor climate, exhibition hall structure, attendance, showcase structure, tightness and volume, monitor position and object combination modes are discussed in order to assess their effect on monitoring and controlling of temperature and relative humidity. The relation between the average value of temperature (or relative humidity) fluctuation in the whole exhibition period and the corresponding range of maximum temperature (or relative humidity) fluctuation in any 24 h is analyzed in order to obtain the probability of abnormally high fluctuation. The results show that the temperature control target is reached in general, while some unreasonable showcase structures and settings are responsible for the difficulty in monitoring and controlling of relative humidity. By conducting the analysis of big continuous historical data and learning the average values and the ranges reached, it is possible to assess the current environmental risk and predict the future risk in a simple way.Article highlights: Environmental monitoring and controlling in a special exhibition in Shanghai Museum is shown comprehensively. Factors relevant to temperature, relative humidity and their fluctuations in showcases are analyzed in detail with a mass of measured data. A practical method for assessing the risk caused by temperature fluctuation or relative humidity fluctuation in showcases is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oridonin (Ori) is a natural active component with superior anticancer properties; however, its clinical application is severely limited by the inherent properties of short half‐life, limited bioavailability, and low water solubility. Some metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) materials have unique porous structure and appropriate nanometer particle size that are attractive in drug delivery. Herein, a folic acid (FA)‐functionalized Fe‐MOF was designed to efficiently incorporate Ori for targeting delivery to cancer cells and improve anticancer effects. The synthesized Fe‐MOF‐FA@Ori showed an average particle size of 200 nm with a loading capacity of 12.57%. The cytotoxicity assay confirmed that Fe‐MOF‐FA@Ori was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of SMMC‐7721 cells. Mechanistically, the synthesized nanoparticle induced apoptosis and blocked the progression of the G0/G1 phase cell cycle on SMMC‐7721 cells. Cell metastasis and invasion assays demonstrated that Fe‐MOF‐FA@Ori had good anti‐metastatic ability against SMMC‐7721 cells. Overall, Fe‐MOF‐FA is a potent drug carrier for targeting cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing autonomy and maintaining relatedness with parents are two of the most crucial goals for adolescents and meeting these goals can be critical for academic and psychological adjustment. A two-dimensional framework was proposed for exploring the integrative synthesis of autonomy and relatedness, but its cultural applicability was limited. To better account for the situations associated with non-Western cultural context, this study extended the prior framework to three dimensions (volition, functional independence, and relatedness) and utilized latent profile analysis to explore the configurations and their concurrent and longitudinal (one year later) associations with adjustment (academic engagement, academic buoyancy, depressive symptoms, and externalizing problems). The study collected data from 3992 Chinese adolescents (51.33% girls, Mage = 15.41, SD = 0.55). Latent profile analyses identified five profiles: High, High Functional Independence, Moderate, Low Functional Independence, and Extremely Low Functional Independence. The High profile was the robust optimal pattern for academic and psychological adjustment, while the Low Functional Independence and Extremely Low Functional Independence were risk patterns over time. The High Functional Independence profile was only conducive to academic areas but not to psychological areas. Findings demonstrated the necessity of the three-dimensional framework in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the main factors for treatment failure are local recurrence and metastasis. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), formation by invasive cancer cells mimicking the vasculogenic network, is strongly correlated with tumor therapy resistance and distant metastasis. CSF-1R was substantially expressed in NPC patients with a poor prognosis, according to an earlier study of ours. However, whether CSF-1R affects progression through vasculogenic mimicry deserves consideration. By cultivating NPC cells that had CSF-1R overexpression in three-dimensional culture and labeling the NPC xenografts with CD34-PAS vasculogenic mimicry markers, the effect of CSF-1R on VM formation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells was evaluated. Finally, the underlying mechanisms were investigated by western blot. In vitro and in vivo, overexpressing CSF-1R in NPC cells causes the development of vessel-like structures. Meanwhile, NPC cells migrated and invaded more readily in the Transwell experiment when CSF-1R was highly expressed. Mechanistically, our research indicates that CSF-1R may control cell plasticity by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, promoting the formation of VM in these cells by facilitating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CSF-1R in NPC progression by increasing VM production to increase nutrient supply to tumor cells and promote cancer cell invasion. Furthermore, these findings suggest that CSF-1R is a new promising therapeutic target aimed at treating VM in NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphoprotein with diverse functions in various physiological and pathological processes. OPN expression is increased in multiple cancers, and OPN within tumour tissue has been shown to promote key stages of cancer development. OPN levels are also elevated in the circulation of cancer patients, which in some cases has been correlated with enhanced metastatic propensity and poor prognosis. However, the precise impact of circulating OPN (cOPN) on tumour growth and progression remains insufficiently understood. To examine the role of cOPN, we used a melanoma model, in which we stably increased the levels of cOPN through adeno-associated virus-mediated transduction. We found that increased cOPN promoted the growth of primary tumours, but did not significantly alter the spontaneous metastasis of melanoma cells to the lymph nodes or lungs, despite an increase in the expression of multiple factors linked to tumour progression. To assess whether cOPN has a role at later stages of metastasis formation, we employed an experimental metastasis model, but again could not detect any increase in pulmonary metastasis in animals with elevated levels of cOPN. These results demonstrate that increased levels of OPN in the circulation play distinct roles during different stages of melanoma progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that FBXW7 has a high frequency of mutations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the function of FBXW7, especially the mutations, is not clear. This study was designed to investigate the functional significance of FBXW7 loss of function and underlying mechanism in ESCC. Methods: Immunofluorescence was applied to clarify the localization and main isoform of FBXW7 in ESCC cells. Sanger sequencing were performed to explore mutations of FBXW7 in ESCC tissues. Proliferation, colony, invasion and migration assays were performed to examine the functional roles of FBXW7 in ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, GST-pulldown, LC–MS/MS and co-immunoprecipitation assay were used to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the actions of FBXW7 functional inactivation in ESCC cells. Immunohistochemical staining were used to explore the expression of FBXW7 and MAP4 in ESCC tissues. Results: The main FBXW7 isoform in ESCC cells was the β transcript in the cytoplasm. Functional inactivation of FBXW7 led to activation of the MAPK signaling pathway and upregulation of the downstream MMP3 and VEGFA, which enhanced tumor proliferation cell invasion and migration. Among the five mutation forms screened, S327X (X means truncated mutation) had an effect similar to the FBXW7 deficiency and led to the inactivation of FBXW7 in ESCC cells. Three other point mutations, S382F, D400N and R425C, attenuated but did not eliminate FBXW7 function. The other truncating mutation, S598X, which was located outside of the WD40 domain, revealed a tiny attenuation of FBXW7 in ESCC cells. Notably, MAP4 was identified as a potential target of FBXW7. The threonine T521 of MAP4, which was phosphorylated by CHEK1, played a key role in the FBXW7-related degradation system. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that FBXW7 loss of function was associated with tumor stage and shorter survival of patients with ESCC. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that high FBXW7 and low MAP4 was an independent prognostic indicator and prospective longer survival. Moreover, a combination regimen that included MK-8353 to inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK and bevacizumab to inhibit VEGFA produced potent inhibitory effects on the growth of FBXW7 inactivation xenograft tumors in vivo. Conclusions: This study provided evidence that FBXW7 loss of function promoted ESCC via MAP4 overexpression and ERK phosphorylation, and this novel FBXW7/MAP4/ERK axis may be an efficient target for ESCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of the van der Waals gap in layered materials creates a wealth of intriguing phenomena different to their counterparts in conventional materials. For example, pressurization can generate a large anisotropic lattice shrinkage along the stacking orientation and/or a significant interlayer sliding, and many of the exotic pressure-dependent properties derive from these mechanisms. Here we report a giant piezoresistivity in pressurized β′-In2Se3. Upon compression, a six-orders-of-magnitude drop of electrical resistivity is obtained below 1.2 GPa in β′-In2Se3 flakes, yielding a giant piezoresistive gauge πp of −5.33 GPa−1. Simultaneously, the sample undergoes a semiconductor-to-semimetal transition without a structural phase transition. Surprisingly, linear dichroism study and theoretical first principles modelling show that these phenomena arise not due to shrinkage or sliding at the van der Waals gap, but rather are dominated by the layer-dependent atomic motions inside the quintuple layer, mainly from the shifting of middle Se atoms to their high-symmetric location. The atomic motions link to both the band structure modulation and the in-plane ferroelectric dipoles. Our work not only provides a prominent piezoresistive material but also points out the importance of intralayer atomic motions beyond van der Waals gap. Lattice shrinkage is a dominating factor for the strain-induced change of the electronic properties in vdW layered materials. Here, the authors discover a piezoresistivity in pressurized β′-In2Se3, which originates from the intralayer atomic motions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare the efficacy and safety of postoperative extensive target volume irradiation with elevated radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy only for the postoperative treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: This trial was a single-arm phase II trial. Patients who underwent a radical transthoracic resection with negative margins within 3 months and histologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (pT3-4N0M0 or pTxN + M0, AJCC 7th) were eligible for this study. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed at a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions with clinical target volumes of the tumor bed, anastomosis, bilateral supraclavicular, mediastinal, left gastric and celiac trunk lymph node areas. Five cycles of weekly TC (paclitaxel 50 mg/m2, d1, carboplatin AUC = 2, d1) were given as concurrent chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was the 2-year local control rate, and the secondary endpoints were overall survival, disease free survival, local-regional recurrence free survival, distant metastasis free survival and adverse events. All endpoints were compared with those in ESO-Shanghai 8 study with postoperative radiotherapy alone (40 Gy/20Fx). Results: A total of 70 patients were enrolled from 2016 to 2018. The 2-year local control rate was 87.9% (95% CI: 83.3–92.3) in this study, which achieved the hypothesized 2-year local control rate of at least 83%. Overall survival, disease free survival, local-regional recurrence free survival and distant metastasis free survival in this study were also longer than those in previous ESO-Shanghai 8 study while most toxicities were increased and two patients in this study died of radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions: Postoperative extensive target volume irradiation with elevated radiation dose and concurrent chemotherapy was effective. Treatment related toxicity was increased due to higher treatment intensity. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02916511. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated patterns of adolescent life changes across multiple life domains and utilized a holistic-interactionistic perspective to examine their individual, familial, and societal correlates with a sample of 2544 Chinese parent-adolescent dyads. Adolescents were aged from 10 to 19 years old (50.16% girls). Latent profile analysis revealed five life change profiles, including three improved profiles at various degrees, one unchanged profile, and one worsened profile. The majority of adolescents had an improved or unchanged life. Multinomial logistic regression analyses found that most of the individual, familial, and societal factors predicted the group memberships. Notably, parent-adolescent conflict was a significant factor that predicted memberships of all patterns. These findings show the resilience of adolescents and indicate the need for policies and interventions that consider the holistic nature of adolescents' person-context system, especially during a global crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution difference of brain metastases (BM) between small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to identify the metastatic risk in brain regions. Methods: T1-enhanced MR images of 2997 BM from 728 eligible patients with SCLC and NSCLC were retrospectively reviewed by three independent medical institutions in China. All images were spatially normalised according to the Montreal Neurological Institute space, following BM delineation confirmed by three senior radiologists. The brain regions in the normalised images were identified based on the merged Anatomical Automatic Labeling atlas, and all BM locations were mapped onto these brain regions. Two-tailed proportional hypothesis testing was used to compare the BM observed rate with the expected rate based on the region's volume, and metastatic risk regions were finally identified. Results: In SCLC and NSCLC, BM was mainly present in the deep white matter (22.51% and 17.96%, respectively), cerebellar hemisphere (9.84% and 7.46%, respectively) and middle frontal gyrus (6.72% and 7.97%, respectively). The cerebellar hemisphere was a high-risk brain region in the SCLC. The precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, paracentral lobule and cerebellar hemisphere were high-risk BM in the NSCLC. The inferior frontal gyrus and the temporal pole were a low-risk brain region in the SCLC and NSCLC, respectively. Conclusion: The spatial BM distribution between SCLC and NSCLC is similar. Several critical brain regions had relatively low BM frequency in both SCLC and NSCLC, where a low-dose radiation distribution can be delivered due to adequate preoperative evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing upon the broaden-and-build model and self-determination theory, the present study examined whether and how the fulfillment of basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, & relatedness) might mediate the relationship between positive affectivity and distinctive positive outcomes (i.e., life satisfaction, self-esteem, & academic performance) in a sample of 320 (202 females) Chinese adolescents using a six-months' prospective design. Results showed that positive affectivity was positively associated with all basic psychological needs and positive outcomes. Furthermore, results obtained from conducting mediation analyses indicated that competence mediated the link between positive affectivity and subsequent levels of self-esteem, while relatedness mediated the link between positive affectivity and subsequent levels of life satisfaction, and autonomy did not emerge as a significant mediator for any of the positive outcomes studied. Overall, the current study integrated the basic psychological needs theory into the framework of the broaden-and-build model, identifying the unique contribution of the needs in the link between positive affectivity and positive outcomes in Chinese adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although effort-reward imbalance has been proven to affect academic burnout, how effort-reward imbalance affects academic burnout remains unclear. This study, from the perspective of learning satisfaction and resilience, investigates how effort-reward imbalance affects academic burnout and reveals the influence of effort-reward imbalance on academic burnout. A sample of 755 junior high school students was assessed using the Revised Effort-Reward Imbalance for Learning Scale, Revised Learning Satisfaction Scale, Academic Burnout Scale, and Resilience Scale. Junior high school students' effort-reward imbalance rates for learning, learning satisfaction, and academic burnout were all significantly correlated with each other; learning satisfaction mediated the relationship between them. Learning satisfaction mediated the relationship between junior high school students' effort-reward imbalance rate for learning and academic burnout, and resilience negatively moderated the path from junior high school students' effort-reward imbalance rate from learning to learning satisfaction. The results suggest that improving students' resilience can effectively decrease the negative effects of effort-reward imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential effect of caffeine exposure during pregnancy on gestational hypertension (GH)/preeclampsia has attracted attention but remains unclear. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed until March 2022. Observational studies assessing the association between caffeine exposure during pregnancy and the risk of GH/preeclampsia were included. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42022322387. Results: Ten studies involving 114 984 pregnant women (2548 diagnosed with GH and 2473 diagnosed with preeclampsia) were included. Comparing caffeine exposure with noncaffeine exposure, no significant association was found between caffeine exposure during pregnancy and the risk of GH (odds ratio [OR] = 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90–1.08, p = 0.800) and preeclampsia (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.97–1.31, p = 0.114). Subgroup analyses comparing low to moderate doses with no/lowest doses showed that caffeine exposure during pregnancy was not significant associated with GH (OR = 1.00, p = 0.987) or preeclampsia (OR = 1.03, p = 0.648). Besides, subgroup analyses comparing high doses with no/lowest doses showed that caffeine exposure during pregnancy was not significant associated with GH (OR = 1.06, p = 0.623) or preeclampsia (OR = 1.18, p = 0.192). Conclusion: This study found that caffeine exposure during pregnancy was not significantly associated with the risk of GH/preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, minimally invasive intervention (MII) has largely replaced delayed open surgery in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). However, the timing of MII remains unclear. The present study investigated the effect of early versus delayed MII on complications in ANP. Methods: Studies evaluating the impact of the timing of MII on complications in ANP patients were thoroughly searched on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to June 2022. The primary outcome of interest was mortality. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of complications. Results: Nine studies reporting 870 patients undergoing MII for ANP were included. No significant difference was found in mortality between the early and delayed intervention groups. In addition, the timing of MII was not associated with the incidence of new-onset respiratory failure, new-onset cardiovascular failure, new-onset renal failure, new-onset multiple organ failure, gastrointestinal fistula or perforation, pancreatic fistula, stent migration, bleeding, venous thrombosis, and new-onset pancreatic endocrine insufficiency. Notably, in the subgroup analysis of biliary and Asian ANP patients, early intervention was associated with a significantly higher risk of new-onset renal failure than delayed intervention. Conclusions: Early intervention is safe and recommended only for patients with indications for intervention, such as infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an integrated analytical method to investigate the polychrome clay sculptures of the Qinglian Temple in Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, China. Digital microscopy, SEM-EDS, XRD, Herzberg stain, Micro-Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR were selected to identify the raw materials and techniques used to produce the ground clay layer, the white powder layer and the mineral pigment of the polychrome clay sculptures. The investigation shows that the clay used to make the coarse and fine clay layer is consistent. However, different kinds of fibres were found mixed in the coarse and fine clay layers: wheat straw was the main fibre used in coarse clay layer, while the bast fibres, including ramie, kenaf and sisal hemp, were used as the fibre supports in the fine clay layers due to their useful properties. The white powder layer was made of a mixture of kaolinite and gypsum. For the mineral pigments, it principally contained red (hematite, minium or a mixture of minium and cinnabar), green (atacamite and atacamite), blue (azurite), yellow (yellow ochre), black (amorphous carbon) and white (the mixture of kaolinite and gypsum). Additionally, a gilding technique and multiple paint layers also typified many pigment areas. This work has furthered understanding of the materials and techniques used in making the sculptures of the Qinglian Temple and has clear implications for the restoration and conservation treatments on these kinds of ancient painted clay sculptures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While the prevalence of obesity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is rapidly increasing, it is unclear whether obesity affects surgical outcomes in this population. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of obesity/overweight on patients undergoing surgery for IBD. Methods: Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Springer) were searched through September 2021. The meta-analysis included patients with surgically treated IBD to investigate the impact of obesity/overweight on this population. Primary outcomes included overall complications, infectious complications, noninfectious complications, and conversion to laparotomy. Results: Fifteen studies totaling 12,622 IBD patients were enrolled. Compared with nonobese (including overweight) patients, obese IBD patients have increased the risk in terms of overall complications (OR = 1.45, p < 0.001), infectious complications (OR = 1.48, p = 0.003) (especially wound complications), as well as conversion to laparotomy (OR = 1.90, p < 0.001). Among the noninfectious complications, only the incidence of visceral injury (OR = 2.36, p = 0.05) had significantly increased. Compared with non-overweight patients, the risk of developing wound complications (OR = 1.65, p = 0.01) and sepsis (OR = 1.73, p = 0.007) were increased in overweight patients, but the rates of overall complications (OR = 1.04, p = 0.81), infectious complications (OR = 1.31, p = 0.07), and conversion to laparotomy (OR = 1.33, p = 0.08) associated with body mass index (BMI) were not significantly different. Conclusion: Obesity is a risk factor for surgical complications in IBD patients, mainly reflected in infectious complications. Moreover, obese patients seem to have a more common chance of developing surgical complications than overweight patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive consumption of high-fat diets is associated with disordered metabolic responses, which may lead to chronic diseases. High-fat diets containing different types of fatty acids lead to distinct alterations in metabolic responses of gut-brain axis. Methods: In our study, normal male C57BL/6J mice were fed to multiple high fatty acid diets (long-chain and medium-chain saturated fatty acid, LCSFA and MCSFA group; n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-3 and n-6 PUFA group; monounsaturated fatty acid, MUFA group; trans fatty acid, TFA group) and a basic diet (control, CON group) for 19 weeks. To investigate the effects of high-fat diets on metabolic responses of gut-brain axis in obese mice, blood lipids were detected by fast gas chromatography, and related proteins in brain and intestine were detected using Western blotting, ELISA, and immunochemistry analysis. Results: All high-fat diets regardless of their fatty acid composition induced obesity, lipid disorders, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and changes in gut-brain axis related factors except basal diet in mice. For example, the protein expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in ileum in the n-3 PUFA group was higher than that in the MCSFA group (P < 0.05). The expressions of insulin in hippocampus and leptin in ileum in the MCSFA group significantly increased, compared with other groups (all Ps < 0.05). Conclusion: The high MCSFA diet had the most effect on metabolic disorders in gut-brain axis, but the high n-3 PUFA diet had the least effect on changes in metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three metal–organic frameworks [CdL(DMF)]n1, {[CuL(H2O)(DMF)]·DMF·0.5H2O}n2, and [Nd(HL)L(DMF)3]n3 have been synthesized with a nitrobenzene derivative 4-((5-hydroxy-2,4-dinitrophenoxy)methyl)-3-nitrobenzoic acid (H2L). Compound 1 has a dense three-dimensional framework with 1D Cd chains within the framework. Compound 2 features a chain structure which is further connected by π–π interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form a 3D network. Compound 3 is a lanthanide-based metal–organic framework which also features a 3D network. Compound 1 shows low sensitivity and high stability with an intense exothermic process at 295.1 °C. The constant-volume combustion energy and impact sensitivity were measured and the heat of detonation, detonation velocity, and detonation pressure were calculated for 1, which illustrate that 1 could be applied as a potential explosive. In addition, the non-isothermal kinetics for 1–3 was studied by Kissinger's and Ozawa–Doyle's methods. The apparent activation energies of 1–3 were 167.950 kJ mol−1, 191.465 kJ mol−1, 120.060 kJ mol−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This meta-analysis was conducted to explore the association between sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) and ocular diseases in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and Springer were searched for articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving T2DM patients treated with SGLT-2i versus placebo or other hypoglycemic agents published prior to August 2021. The primary outcome of this meta-analysis was incidence of ocular diseases, which was assessed using risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We reviewed 47 papers and compared the effect of SGLT-2i with the effect of the control groups (placebo and other hypoglycemic drugs) on the incidence of ocular diseases. Results: Compared with controls, overall SGLT-2i use in T2DM patients was not associated with incidences of cataract, glaucoma, retinal disease and vitreous disease. Ertugliflozin (RR=0.47, P=0.01) reduced the risk for retinal disease, while empagliflozin (RR=0.44, P=0.05) reduced the risk for diabetic retinopathy (DR) compared with controls. SGLT-2i (RR=0.50, P=0.02), perhaps empagliflozin (RR=0.47, P=0.06), reduced the risk of retinal disease compared with active hypoglycemic agents. Canagliflozin (RR=4.50, P=0.03) increased the risk for vitreous disease compared with placebo. Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between overall SGLT-2i and ocular diseases (cataract, glaucoma, retinal disease, vitreous disease, corneal disease, conjunctival disease, uveal disease, eye haemorrhage and vision problems) in T2DM patients. Ertugliflozin and empagliflozin may protect against ocular diseases, but canagliflozin may promote ocular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains a debatable issue. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP. Methods: This meta-analysis of prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics for SAP was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library up to February 2021. The related bibliographies were manually searched. The primary outcomes involved infected pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis, mortality, complications, infections, and organ failure. Results: Seven articles comprised 5 randomized controlled trials and 2 retrospective observational studies, including 3,864 SAP participants. Prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP were associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of infections (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27; p = 0.03) and complications (OR: 0.48; p = 0.009). Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was demonstrated in the incidence of infected pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis (OR: 0.74; p = 0.24), mortality (OR: 0.69; p = 0.17), extrapancreatic infection (OR: 0.64, p = 0.54), pulmonary infection (OR: 1.23; p = 0.69), blood infection (OR: 0.60; p = 0.35), urinary tract infection (OR: 0.97; p = 0.97), pancreatic pseudocyst (OR: 0.59; p = 0.28), fluid collection (OR: 0.91; p = 0.76), organ failure (OR: 0.63; p = 0.19), acute respiratory distress syndrome (OR: 0.80; p = 0.61), surgical intervention (OR: 0.97; p = 0.93), dialysis (OR: 2.34; p = 0.57), use of respirator or ventilator (OR: 1.90; p = 0.40), intensive care unit treatment (OR: 2.97; p = 0.18), and additional antibiotics (OR: 0.59; p = 0.28) between the experimental and control groups. Conclusions: It is not recommended to administer routine prophylactic carbapenem antibiotics in SAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the mediating role of inflammatory factors in plasma fatty acid-induced changes in cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the cognitive function of 372 Chinese patients (the average age was 58.00 (52.50, 63.00) years) with T2DM by using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with plasma fatty acids measured by gas chromatography analysis and inflammatory cytokines determined by immune turbidimetric analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to investigate whether there was a correlation between the plasma fatty acids, inflammatory cytokine levels and cognitive test scores in Chinese patients with T2DM. Results: We found that the increase of waist circumference and hip circumference might lead to cognitive impairment and induce the inflammatory response. Higher saturated fatty acids (SFAs) levels in plasma were linked to cognitive decline, while higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) intake might be a protective factor for cognitive function. In addition, higher levels of plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) stood out as having association with lower cognitive function scores, while higher level of plasma C22:6 n-3 could be a predictor of better cognitive function. In our study, higher SFAs led to higher proinflammatory factor levels. Apart from that, MUFAs and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-18 (SCD-18) were positively related to hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Meanwhile, higher level of plasma C20:0 could lead to better MMSE delayed recall by reduce the expression of hs-CRP. Conclusion: Levels of plasma SFAs, C18:3 n-6, and C20:3 n-6 could be a predictor for worse cognitive function, while MUFAs and C22:6 n-3 could be a predictor for better cognitive function. The level of hs-CRP could be a mediator of C20:0 induced the change of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium accumulated from source water and pipeline lining materials in corrosion scales could potentially be released into bulk water in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). This study examined the influence of pH (pH 4, pH 5.5, pH 7, pH 8.5, pH 10), temperature (5 °C, 15 °C, 25 °C), sulfate (50 mg/L, 150 mg/L, 250 mg/L), and chloride (50 mg/L, 150 mg/L, 250 mg/L) on chromium accumulation and release between iron corrosion scale phase and the surrounding water phase. For the first time, the accumulation and release behaviors of chromium were assessed and compared in two distinct layers of iron corrosion scales based on the speciation distributions of heavy metals. Results showed that in the outer and inner layers of corrosion scales, chromium exhibited an almost similar trend but significant differences in quantity, with the outer layer accumulating less and releasing more. In particular, the average difference of chromium released after Cr(VI) enrichment from the outer and inner layers was 50.53 μg/L under the same conditions. Further studies conclusively showed that in Cr(VI) accumulation process, a portion of Cr(VI) would be reduced to Cr(III) by Fe(II) in iron corrosion scales. The mechanisms of chromium retention based on different iron (oxyhydr)oxides were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether artificial intelligence (AI) improves colonoscopy outcome metrics i.e. adenoma detection rate (ADR) and polyp detection rate (PDR). Methods: Two authors independently searched Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library to find all published research before July 2021 that has compared AI-aided colonoscopy with routine colonoscopy (RC) for detection of adenoma and polyp. Results: This meta-analysis included 10 RCTs with 6629 individuals in AI-aided (n = 3300) and routine (n = 3329) groups. The results showed that both ADR (RR, 1.43; P < 0.001) and PDR (RR, 1.44; P < 0.001) using AI-aided endoscopy were significantly greater when compared with RC. The adenomas detected per colonoscopy (APC) (WMD, 0.25; P = 0.009), polyps detected per colonoscopy (PPC) (WMD, 0.52; P < 0.001), and sessile serrated lesions detected per colonoscopy (SSLPC) (RR, 1.53; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the AI-aided group compared with the RC group. Subgroup analysis based on size, location, and shape of adenomas and polyps demonstrated that, except for in the cecum and pedunculated adenomas or polyps, the AI-aided groups of the other subgroups are more advantageous. Withdrawal time was longer in the AI-aided group when biopsies were included, while withdrawal time excluding biopsy time showed no significant difference. Conclusions: AI-aided polyp detection system significantly increases lesion detection rate. In addition, lesion detection by AI is hardly affected by factors such as size, location, and shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was commonly used to treat patients with early-stage cervical cancer, its efficacy remained controversial. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases until March 2021 to compare the prognosis of early-stage cervical cancer patients who underwent MIS (laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical hysterectomy) or ARH. The primary outcomes included rates of 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021258116. Results: This meta-analysis included 48 studies involving 23346 patients (11220, MIS group; 12126, ARH group). The MIS group had a poorer medium-term (3-year) DFS (HR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16, p =0.031) than the ARH group, without significant difference in medium-term OS as well as long-term (5-year) DFS and OS. Subgroup analysis of 3-year prognosis revealed that although patients in Western countries who underwent MIS had shorter DFS than those who underwent ARH (HR=1.10, p =0.024), no difference was observed in DFS among those in Asian countries. Moreover, MIS was linked to poorer 3-year DFS in patients with stage I cervical cancer (HR=1.07, p =0.020). Notably, subgroup analysis of 5-year prognosis revealed that patients with tumor size ≥2 cm undergoing MIS exhibited a shorter DFS than those who underwent ARH (HR=1.65, p =0.041). Conclusion: Patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing MIS may have a poorer prognosis than those undergoing ARH. Therefore, applying MIS in early-stage cervical cancer patients should be conducted with caution. Systematic Review Registration: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021258116. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the safety and efficacy between hypofractionated and conventional fractionation radiotherapy in patients with early-stage breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before February 2021. At the same time, the hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate local recurrence (LR), relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events, and cosmetic outcomes. Results: A total of 14 articles were included in this meta-analysis. Four thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine patients were randomly assigned to the control group to receive conventional radiotherapy (CFRT); 6,072 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group and treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT). The results showed that there was no statistical difference between HFRT and CFRT in LR (HR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.97–1.02, p = 0.476), RFS (HR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.97–1.02, p = 0.485), OS (HR = 1.00, 95%CI = 0.97–1.03, p = 0.879), and cosmetic outcomes (RR = 1.03, 95%CI = 0.95–1.12, p = 0.53). In addition, HFRT showed fewer severe adverse reactions such as acute skin toxicity, induration, breast atrophy, and pain. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is no statistical difference between HFRT and CFRT in terms of LR, RFS, OS, and cosmetic outcomes. HFRT reduces the risk of developing toxicity reactions compared to CFRT. HFRT may be a better option for patients with early breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camphor wood is welcomed by museums due to its insect-repelling effect but the smell indicates a potential risk to the collections. In order to judge the suitability of camphor wood as a museum storage material, typical camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora) samples aged for different years were evaluated by conducting the Oddy test. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and time of flight–secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) were applied to identifying the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the materials and the corrosion products, respectively. The results showed that the camphor wood samples led to visible corrosion on copper and lead coupons. GC-MS indicated that the major VOCs emitted were terpenes and their derivatives, while XRD, EDS, and ToF-SIMS provided various clues to the corrosion mechanisms. Pb10(CO3)6(OH)6O and CuO were regarded as the major corrosion products of lead and copper coupons, respectively. The study provides the museum curators and the conservators with abundant information to reassess the application of camphor wood to museums as well as a different way to understand the mechanism of metallic corrosion caused by camphor wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune system's ability to resist the invasion of foreign pathogens and the tolerance to self-antigens are primarily centered on the efficient functions of the various subsets of T lymphocytes. As the primary organ of thymopoiesis, the thymus performs a crucial role in generating a self-tolerant but diverse repertoire of T cell receptors and peripheral T cell pool, with the capacity to recognize a wide variety of antigens and for the surveillance of malignancies. However, cells in the thymus are fragile and sensitive to changes in the external environment and acute insults such as infections, chemo- and radiation-therapy, resulting in thymic injury and degeneration. Though the thymus has the capacity to self-regenerate, it is often insufficient to reconstitute an intact thymic function. Thymic dysfunction leads to an increased risk of opportunistic infections, tumor relapse, autoimmunity, and adverse clinical outcome. Thus, exploiting the mechanism of thymic regeneration would provide new therapeutic options for these settings. This review summarizes the thymus's development, factors causing thymic injury, and the strategies for improving thymus regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isolation necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can give rise to anxiety, especially for lonely people who often feel upset without others' company. Although isolated from others, people can still receive support from others, which might lower their COVID-19 anxiety. To examine the relationship between loneliness, perceived social support, and anxiety, we measured 222 Chinese participants' (54.50% female, M age = 31.53, SD = 8.17) trait loneliness, chronic anxiety before the outbreak, COVID-19 anxiety at the peak and decline stages of COVID-19, and their perceived social support across the three time points. The results showed that people's perceived social support dramatically increased from the pre-pandemic to the peak COVID-19 stage, and remained stable during the decline of COVID-19 stage. In contrast, COVID-19 anxiety decreased from the peak to the decline stage. Further, perceived social support consistently moderated the relationship between loneliness with both chronic anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety. The current study provides initial evidence that perceived social support provides protection for lonely people in daily life as well as during unexpected disasters, which will contribute to finding ways to alleviate lonely people's anxiety during this global health crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and endurance performance are characterized by a complex genetic trait with high heritability. Although research has identified many physiological and environmental correlates with CRF, the genetic architecture contributing to CRF remains unclear, especially in non-athlete population. A total of 762 Chinese young female participants were recruited and an endurance run test was used to determine CRF. We used a fixed model of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for CRF. Genotyping was performed using the Affymetrix Axiom and illumina 1 M arrays. After quality control and imputation, a linear regression-based association analysis was conducted using a total of 5,149,327 variants. Four loci associated with CRF were identified to reach genome-wide significance (P < 5.0 × 10-8), which located in 15q21.3 (rs17240160, P = 1.73 × 10-9, GCOM1), 3q25.31 (rs819865, P = 8.56 × 10-9, GMPS), 21q22.3 (rs117828698, P = 9.59 × 10-9, COL18A1), and 17q24.2 (rs79806428, P = 3.85 × 10-8, PRKCA). These loci (GCOM1, GMPS, COL18A1 and PRKCA) associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance in Chinese non-athlete young females. Our results suggest that these gene polymorphisms provide further genetic evidence for the polygenetic nature of cardiorespiratory endurance and be used as genetic biomarkers for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined optimism, as measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised, and coping behaviors, as measured by the COPE scale, as predictors of hedonic well-being (viz., life satisfaction, positive affect, and subjective happiness) in a sample of 462 Asian Indians (237 women and 225 men). We hypothesized that optimism would remain an important predictor of well-being even after accounting for coping behaviors. Results of conducting hierarchical regression analyses indicated that coping behaviors, as a set, accounted for a significant amount of unique variance in each of the three measures of hedonic well-being (f2 range =.16 to.39), after controlling for key demographic and socioeconomic factors (e.g., age, sex, parent education level, and family income). Noteworthy, the use of humor was found to be the only consistent coping predictor across the three indices of hedonic well-being. Importantly, when optimism was included in the prediction model, it was consistently found to account for additional variance in hedonic well-being (f2 range =.11 to.15), beyond coping behaviors. These findings are the first to affirm the centrality of optimism in predicting hedonic well-being in Asian Indians. Accordingly, efforts to foster hedonic well-being in Asian Indians might benefit from not only changing coping behaviors, but also from building greater optimism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storing and exhibiting cultural heritages are the basic social functions of museum. Since it is impossible to store or display objects without using containers, cases, or holders, the equipment quality is of great importance. Evaluating the suitability of the equipment should not only learn the mechanical behavior but also focus on the materials because some of them (such as woods) may do harm to the objects due to contaminants released. A convenient test by the deposited metal film method has been proposed previously in order to evaluate more potential museum materials in limited time. The conformance between this method and the Oddy test, the classic method for evaluating and selecting museum materials, is mainly studied in this work. The two testing systems were compared from several aspects such as sample appearance, corrosion product, surface morphology, and metallic content by naked eye and modern characterization measures like X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The corrosion mechanisms were deduced according to the corrosion products, including Cu → Cu2O → CuO and Cu → Cu2O → Cu(OH)2·H2O → Cu(HCOO)(OH). The suitability of potential materials for the conservation of metal objects was defined according to the metallic contents of coupons (calculated by atomic ratio) which were classified by the Oddy test. The critical values distinguishing permanently usable from temporarily usable are approximately determined as 70% for copper and 75% for silver, and those distinguishing temporarily usable from unusable are approximately determined as 55% for copper and 60% for silver. The corresponding metal films were classified based on the metallic content standard derived, and then typical appearances of the films assigned to different suitability levels were suggested. Special phenomena, such as the failure in detecting some corrosion products, is attributed to low yield and uneven distribution of ultrafine corrosion products on the films, the covering effect caused by other corrosion products on the copper coupons, and the weakening effect resulted from intensive metal peaks, while some unexpected corrosion conditions on the coupons and the films, are related to the characteristics of general corrosion and pitting corrosion. The results indicate the potential application of the deposited metal film method, giving an optional choice to evaluate and select museum materials with less time. The evaluation methods were preliminarily established from three aspects, such as artificial judgment, metallic content analysis, and corrosion product identification. The artificial judgment is generally applicable, and the other two are useful for verifying the result if possible. More actual cases and further calibration work are essential for further development of the deposited metal film method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of tertiary amine containing PHMEMA-PEG-PHMEMA ABA triblock copolymers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using bromine-capped poly(ethylene glycol) (Br-PEG-Br) and 2-(hexamethyleneimino)ethyl methacrylate (HMEMA) as macro-initiator and monomers, respectively. The chemical structures and molecular weights of triblock copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The self-assembly behaviors of copolymers in different pH conditions were studied by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Triblock copolymers self-assembled into micelles in water (pH 7.4) and the micelles disassembled at acidic pH (pH 5.0). Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was used as a drug model and physically encapsulated into polymeric micelles. The drug release of DOX-loaded polymeric micelles was pH-responsive; the drug-loaded micelles that had higher contents of tertiary amine in polymer pendant groups showed faster release speed. In addition, the drug-loaded micelles showed excellent inhibition efficacy against HeLa cells in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel model is proposed to measure the similarity of multivariate time series by combining large margin nearest neighbor (LMNN) and dynamic time warping (DTW). Firstly we use a Mahalanobis distance-based DTW measure for multivariable time series, which considers the relations among variables through the Mahalanobis matrix. Secondly, the LMNN algorithm is applied to learn the Mahalanobis matrix by minimizing a renewed cost function. As the cost function is non-differentiable, the minimization problem is solved from a perspective of k-means by coordinate descent method. We empirically compare the proposed model with other techniques and demonstrate its convergence and superiority in similarity measure for multivariate time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]