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SUMMARY: Acteoside is a bioactive phenylethanoid glycoside widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Because of its two catechol moieties, acteoside displays a variety of beneficial activities. The biosynthetic pathway of acteoside has been largely elucidated, but the assembly logic of two catechol moieties in acteoside remains unclear. Here, we identified a novel polyphenol oxidase OfPPO2 from Osmanthus fragrans, which could hydroxylate various monophenolic substrates, including tyrosine, tyrosol, tyramine, 4‐hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, salidroside, and osmanthuside A, leading to the formation of corresponding catechol‐containing intermediates for acteoside biosynthesis. OfPPO2 could also convert osmanthuside B into acteoside, creating catechol moieties directly via post‐modification of the acteoside skeleton. The reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) analysis and subcellular localization assay further support the involvement of OfPPO2 in acteoside biosynthesis in planta. These findings suggest that the biosynthesis of acteoside in O. fragrans may follow "parallel routes" rather than the conventionally considered linear route. In support of this hypothesis, the glycosyltransferase OfUGT and the acyltransferase OfAT could direct the flux of diphenolic intermediates generated by OfPPO2 into acteoside. Significantly, OfPPO2 and its orthologs constitute a functionally conserved enzyme family that evolved independently from other known biosynthetic enzymes of acteoside, implying that the substrate promiscuity of this PPO family may offer acteoside‐producing plants alternative ways to synthesize acteoside. Overall, this work expands our understanding of parallel pathways plants may employ to efficiently synthesize acteoside, a strategy that may contribute to plants' adaptation to environmental challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation is a key factor in engagement, achievement, and career choices in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While existing research has focused on student motivation toward math in formal school programs, new work is needed that focuses on motivation for those involved in informal STEM programs. Specifically, the role of math mindset and perceived inclusivity of informal STEM sites (to those of varying gender and ethnic backgrounds) on longitudinal trajectories of adolescents' math motivation has not been explored. This study investigates longitudinal changes in math expectancy, interest, and utility values and the effects of math fixed mindset, math growth mindset, and perceptions of the inclusivity of informal STEM learning sites on these changes for adolescents participating in STEM programs at these informal sites in the United Kingdom and the United States (n = 249, MT1age = 15.2, SD = 1.59). Three latent growth curve models were tested. The data suggest that math expectancy, interest, and utility values declined over three years. Growth mindset positively predicted changes in utility, while fixed mindset negatively predicted changes in utility. Inclusivity positively influenced the initial levels of utility. Girls reported lower initial expectancy than boys. Age influenced both the initial levels and rate of change for expectancy. Older adolescents had lower levels of expectancy compared to their younger counterparts; however, they had a less steep decline in expectancy over three years. These findings suggest that designing inclusive learning environments and promoting growth mindset may encourage math motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cuproptosis is a novel form of cell death regulated by protein lipoylation and implicated in mitochondrial metabolism. However, further research is needed to explore the influence of the cuproptosis-related gene γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCSH) on the prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC), the tumor immune microenvironment, and therapeutic response. Methods: The differential expression of GCSH between EC and normal tissues was analyzed using multiple public databases. Additionally, cancer and adjacent tissues were prospectively collected from 17 EC patients, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed to further investigate GCSH expression differences. The relationship between GCSH and the prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics of EC patients was evaluated, and a nomogram was constructed to predict patient survival based on GCSH expression. Subsequently, Gene set variation analysis was used to explore the potential biological functions of GCSH in EC. The impact of GCSH on the tumor microenvironment (TME) was estimated. Finally, the effect of GCSH on the response to immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs in EC was investigated. Results: The expression of GCSH was significantly upregulated in EC. High GCSH expression was associated with poor prognosis in EC patients. Enrichment analysis revealed an association between high GCSH and immune suppression. Furthermore, high GCSH was found to be associated with a non-inflamed TME, leading to decreased infiltration levels of immune cells. Lastly, it was observed that patients with high GCSH exhibited insensitivity to both immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: This study revealed the role of GCSH in TME, response to therapy, and clinical prognosis in EC, which provided novel insights for the therapeutic application in EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has shown that growth mindset and motivational beliefs have an important role in math and science career interest in adolescence. Drawing on situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT), this study extends these findings by investigating the role of parental motivational beliefs (e.g., expectancy beliefs, utility values) and parent growth mindset in math on adolescent career interest in math-intensive fields (e.g., mathematics, computer science, statistics, and engineering; MCSE) through adolescent motivational beliefs in math. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model using data from 290 adolescents (201 girls, 69.3%; Mage = 15.20), who participate in informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) youth programs, and their parents (162 parents, 87.7% female) in the United Kingdom and the United States. As hypothesized, adolescent expectancy beliefs, utility values, and growth mindset in math had a significant direct effect on MCSE career interest. Further, there was a significant indirect effect of parental expectancy beliefs in math on MCSE career interest through adolescents' expectancy beliefs. Similarly, there was a significant indirect effect from parental utility values in math to MCSE career interest through adolescents' utility values. The findings suggest that parents' math motivational beliefs play a critical role in adolescent math motivational beliefs and their career interest in math-intensive fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has explored the longitudinal pathway to youth career interests via identity and efficacy together. This study examined the longitudinal associations between science efficacy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) identity, and scientist career interest among girls who are historically considered as an underrepresented group among scientists. The sample included 308 girls (M age = 15.22, SD age = 1.66; 42.8% White) from six STEM youth programs, each at a different informal science learning site within the U.K. and the U.S. Longitudinal structural equation modelling demonstrated that science efficacy consistently predicted STEM identity and scientist career interest, and similarly, STEM identity consistently predicted science efficacy over a two-year period. Scientist career interest at 12 months predicted science efficacy at 24 months. The coefficients of efficacy predicting STEM identity and scientist career interest were significantly larger compared to STEM identity and scientist career interest in predicting science efficacy from 12 months to 24 months. Further mediation analysis supported a significant pathway from STEM identity at 3 months to scientist career interest at 24 months via 12-month science efficacy. The findings highlight that science efficacy and STEM identity for girls relate to their scientist career interest and these longitudinal associations are reciprocal. This study suggests that science efficacy and STEM identity mutually influence each other, and enhancing science efficacy and STEM identity is key to promoting adolescents' interest in being a scientist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Self-compassion is the ability to be kind to oneself in adversity. This multidimensional construct is typically assessed by the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). In Chinese samples, there have been inconsistent psychometric findings that impede cross-cultural research. This study aimed to explore the factor structure of the Chinese version (SCS-C). Methods: Two samples of young Chinese adults were recruited (Sample 1, N = 465, 141 men, Mean age [ M age] = 20.26; Sample 2, N = 392, 71 men; M age = 18.97). Confirmatory factor analyses and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used to examine previously reported four- and six-factor structures of SCS-C. Results: Although ESEM supported the six-factor structure when a problematic item was omitted, we found stronger evidence for a novel four-factor structure of the SCS-C revealed with self-kindness, common humanity, mindfulness, and uncompassionate self-responding. This suggests that Chinese individuals have a different understanding of the negative components of the original self-compassion definition, which was based on the United States and other mostly Western samples. Omega coefficients of the bifactor models suggested that using the SCS total score in Chinese samples is inappropriate. However, high factor determinacy and construct replicability indicated that the general factor of SCS-C could be used in a structural equation modeling context for both four-factor and six-factor structures. Conclusions: When using the existing SCS-C in path models, researchers should use a latent variable approach and establish the measurement construct rather than sum scores of the scale or subscales without checking the factor structure in future empirical studies. Also, the SCS-C needs to be revised, and we proposed directions forward for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. have different clinical efficacies, with the former typically used to treat typhoid fever and the latter mainly used to clear liver heat. The differences in their clinical efficacy are closely related to their complex chemical composition, especially the active components. In this study, the saponins and volatile oils in two varieties of Radix Bupleuri grown in different regions were extracted and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), and the absolute contents of five saikosaponins were accurately quantified using an established HPLC-MS method in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed to reveal the difference in the active components between the two varieties. The saikosaponin content was significantly affected by variety and growing region, with all five saikosaponins being significantly higher in Bupleurum chinense DC. than in Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. The results of principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis show a clear distinction between the two varieties in terms of both saponins and volatile oils. Twenty-one saponins, including saikosaponin b2 and b1, and fifty-two volatile oils, including 2-tetradecyloxirane and chloromethyl cyanide, were screened and identified as differential compounds contributing to the significant difference between the two varieties. These compounds may also be responsible for the difference in clinical efficacy between Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. All the results suggest that the accumulation and diversity of active components in Radix Bupleuri are significantly affected by the variety. In contrast to previous reports, this study provides the absolute contents of five saikosaponins in Radix Bupleuri of different varieties and reduces the influence of the growing region on the analytical results by collecting samples from different regions. The results of this study may provide a reference for the identification and quality evaluation of different varieties of Radix Bupleuri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Self-evaluation and interpersonal factors are theoretically and empirically linked to depression in young people. An improved understanding of the multifactorial developmental pathways that explain how these factors predict depression could inform intervention strategies. Methods: Using structural equation modeling, this study explored whether self-evaluation and interpersonal factors were associated with adolescent depressive symptoms in a population-based sample (n = 11,921; Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC), across four development stages: early and late childhood plus early and middle adolescence from 3 to 17 years old. Results: Early good parenting practices predicted self-esteem, fewer peer difficulties, good friendships and fewer depressive symptoms in late childhood development outcomes. Higher self-esteem and less negative self-concept mediated the effect of early good parenting practice on reduced depressive symptoms in middle adolescence. The hypothesized erosion pathway from depressive symptoms in late childhood via higher levels of negative self-concept in early adolescence to depressive symptoms in middle adolescence was also confirmed. Additionally, peer difficulties played a mediation role in developing depressive symptoms. Contrary to the hypothesis, poor friendships predicted fewer depressive symptoms. The analysis supported a developmental pathway in which good parenting practices in early childhood led to fewer peer difficulties in late childhood and to less negative self-concept in early adolescence, which in turn predicted fewer depressive symptoms in middle adolescence. Conclusion: The social-developmental origin of youth depressive symptoms was supported via the effect of peer relationships in late childhood on self-evaluation in early adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compassion, being kind to oneself in difficult times, is a way of relating to oneself that promotes better mental health, but little is known about how self-compassion affects interpersonal relationships. The current study examined the association between self-compassion and adolescent depressive symptoms from an interpersonal perspective in different cultural contexts. Adolescents (N = 422/570, Mean age = 14.44/13.41, UK/China) completed questionnaires about their perceptions of their parents' behaviour towards them, self-compassion, friendships and depressive symptoms. Structural equation modelling revealed that positive parenting was positively associated with higher self-compassion, positive friendship quality, and with fewer depressive symptoms in both samples. Additionally, we confirmed a negative association between self-compassion and depressive symptoms. The pathway from positive parenting to lower depressive symptoms via higher self-compassion was also corroborated in both cultures. Contrary to our hypothesis, positive quality of friendship was associated with higher depressive symptoms in both countries. Conflicts were associated with more depressive symptoms in the Chinese sample only. There was evidence of a negative association between self-compassion and conflicts in the Chinese sample only. Finally, the direct association between self-compassion and depressive symptoms was greater in the UK sample, whereas in the Chinese sample, interpersonal factors were more strongly associated with self-compassion and depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that self-compassion may be a useful therapeutic target to improve social functioning and mental health among adolescents and that it may be necessary to account for cross-cultural differences in interpersonal factors when designing psychological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the factors that influence engagement for adolescents participating in informal youth science programs. This study examined longitudinal reciprocal associations between adolescents' science engagement, interest, and growth mindset. Participants were adolescents (Mage = 15.06, SD = 1.82 years, 66.8% female) from the UK (n = 168) and the US (n = 299). A cross lagged path analysis indicated that participants' science growth mindset at baseline was positively related to interest, and engagement at year 1, and science interest at year 1 was positively related to growth mindset at year 2. Additionally, girls had lower science growth mindsets than boys. This evidence suggests that informal programs may encourage positive STEM trajectories by fostering engagement, growth mindset and interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have discussed the pregnancy outcomes of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) patients. However, data on embryonic development potential, neonatal outcomes, and maternal complications of DOR patients still remained unknown. This is the first study to investigate the risk of DOR on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes among women < 38 years. Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients (< 38 years of age) undergoing their first oocyte retrieval cycle were included. Patients were divided into DOR group and non-DOR group. Pregnancy outcomes of fresh cycle and cumulative live birth rate and perinatal outcomes after one oocyte retrieved cycle were compared between DOR and non-DOR group. Result(s): From January 2016 to September 2020, there were 8,179 patients involved: 443 patients in the DOR group and 7,736 patients in the non-DOR group. The incidences of live birth and clinical pregnancy did not differ significantly between patients with or without DOR after fresh cycle transfer, but the cumulative live birth rate was significantly lower in DOR group. Among women who had singleton live births, after binary logistic regression, the rates of maternal complications and neonatal outcomes were comparable in the two groups. Conclusion(s): DOR patients (< 38 years of age) showed similar pregnancy outcomes in the first fresh embryo transfer cycle but a lower chance of live birth after a whole oocyte retrieval cycle to non-DOR patients and DOR is not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment to obtain high quality juice, and prepared functional apple juice using fermentation technology. The physicochemical properties of HHP (10 min) pasteurized and pasteurized (85 °C, 15 min) apple juices were compared during fermentation. Moreover, the survival of Lactobacillus plantarum after fermentation under simulated gastrointestinal conditions was evaluated. Results showed that HHP-treated apple juice had better properties than that of pasteurized in terms of color difference, total phenol content, and antioxidant activity. After fermentation, about 2.00 log CFU/mL increase in viability of cells was observed and there was around 0.8 reduction in pH value, and the antioxidant capacities were also significantly improved. Additionally, the content of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid significantly increased after 24 h of fermentation. The survival of Lactobacillus plantarum in simulated gastric fluid reached 97.37% after fermentation. Overall, HHP treatment is expected to be a substitute technology to pasteurization in order to obtain higher quality fermented fruit juice. This study could also be helpful for exploitation of fermented juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little research has examined the associations between perceived inclusivity within informal science learning sites, youth program belonging and perceptions of program career preparation. This study explored relations between these factors at three timepoints (T1 = start of program, T2 = 3 months and T3 = 12 months after start). Participants were a diverse sample of 209 adolescents participating in STEM youth programs within informal science learning sites situated in the United States and United Kingdom (70% females: Mage = 15.27, SDage = 1.60), with 53.1% British and 64.1% non-White. Path analysis revealed that only perceptions of inclusivity for own social identity group (i.e., gender, ethnicity) at T1 were associated with T2 STEM youth program belonging. There was a significant indirect effect of T1 perceptions of inclusivity for one's own social identity groups on T3 perceptions of program career preparation via T2 program belonging. This study highlights that, over time, perceptions of inclusivity around youth's own social identity groups (i.e., gender and ethnicity/culture) are related to a sense of youth program belonging, which in turn is later associated with perceptions of program career preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu–Ni–Sn alloys have been widely used in the aerospace industry, the electronics industry, and other fields due to their excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, high strength, corrosion and wear resistance, etc., which make Cu–15Ni–8Sn alloys the perfect alternative to Cu–Be alloys. This paper begins with how Cu–Ni–Sn alloys are prepared. Then, the microstructural features, especially the precipitation order of each phase, are described. In addition, the influence of alloying elements, such as Si, Ti, and Nb, on its microstructure and properties is discussed. Finally, the effects of plastic deformation and heat treatment on Cu–Ni–Sn alloys are discussed. This review is able to provide insight into the development of novel Cu–Ni–Sn alloys with a high performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This work aimed to study the compounds, targets, and pathways of turmeric and corn silk for gout and to explore the mechanism of "the same disease with different treatments" based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods. We used the TCMSP, PubChem, and SEA databases to screen the compounds and targets of turmeric and corn silk, gout-related proteins through TTD, Drugbank, DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, and PharmGkb, and used Cytoscape to construct a "compound-target-disease" network. Then, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and used Metascape to perform GO and KEGG analysis. Finally, molecular docking (SYBYL) was used to verify the degree of binding between key targets and compounds. Results. We found bisacumol, campesterol, and stigmasterol to be the main turmeric compounds that exerted a marked effect on gout treatment by targeting protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum through the HSPA1B, HSP90AB1, and STUB1 proteins. The main corn silk compound, Mandenol, treated gout by targeting the Hippo signaling pathway through the CTNNB1, YWHAG, and YWHAZ proteins. Conclusion. Turmeric and corn silk can treat the same disease, gout, through different pathways and targets. The scientific connotation of "same disease with different treatments" can be preliminarily clarified by analyzing targets and pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The main aim of this article was to study the retinal peripapillary and macular vascular structures in eyes with primary angle-closure suspects (PACS) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, control and PACS subjects were recruited from a community screening. Only one eye per subject was used for analysis. All participants underwent a questionnaire survey, physical and ophthalmic examinations, ocular biometry measurements, and OCTA. We compared basic demographics and vessel structure parameters between control and PACS eyes. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with vascular parameters in both groups. Results: Data from 254 subjects including 155 PACS and 99 controls were analyzed. In the peripapillary region, PACS eyes showed similar retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and vessel densities (VDs) including and excluding large vessels compared to control eyes. Compared to control eyes, all macular OCTA parameters showed significant differences in PACS eyes, including decreased superficial VD (p = 0.006) and deep VD (p = 0.004), larger fovea avascular zone (FAZ) area (p = 0.006), and longer FAZ perimeter (p = 0.004). Gender (p = 0.039), age (p < 0.001), and Garway-Heath superior hemisphere RNFL (p < 0.001) were risk factors influencing optic disc VD excluding large vessels. Axial length was the major factor affecting macula superficial and deep VDs (p = 0.004 and 0.001 respectively), while PACS was an independent factor associated with larger FAZ perimeter (p = 0.046). Conclusion: While PACS and control eyes have comparable RNFL and vascular structure around the optic nerve head, macular vascular structures are significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of Radix Bupleuri is greatly affected by its growing environment. In this study, Radix Bupleuri samples that were harvested from seven different regions across northwest China were examined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) to reveal significant differences in quality contributed by the cultivation region. An HPLC-MS method was firstly established and used in the multiple reaction monitoring mode for the quantitative analysis of five saikosaponins in Radix Bupleuri so as to evaluate the difference in the absolute content of saikosaponins attributable to the cultivation region. The effect on the components of Radix Bupleuri was further investigated based on the profiles of the representative saponins and volatile compounds, which were extracted from the Radix Bupleuri samples and analyzed by HPLC-MS and GC-MS. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to differentiate the Radix Bupleuri samples cultivated in different regions and to discover the differential compositions. The developed quantitative method was validated to be accurate, stable, sensitive, and repeatable for the determination of five saikosaponins. Further statistical tests revealed that the collected Radix Bupleuri samples were distinctly different from each other in terms of both saponins and volatile compounds, based on the provinces where they were grown. In addition, twenty-eight saponins and fifty-eight volatile compounds were identified as the differentially accumulated compositions that contributed to the discrimination of the Radix Bupleuri samples. The Radix Bupleuri samples grown in Shouyang county showed the highest content of saikosaponins. All of the results indicated that the cultivation region significantly affected the accumulation and diversity of the main chemical components of Radix Bupleuri. The findings of this research provide insights into the effect of the cultivation region on the quality of Radix Bupleuri and the differentiation of Radix Bupleuri cultivated in different regions based on the use of HPLC-MS and GC-MS combined with multivariate statistical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To produce valerenic acid (VA) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by engineering a heterologous synthetic pathway. Result: Valerena-4,7(11)-diene synthase (VDS) derived from Valeriana officinalis (valerian) was expressed in S. cerevisiae to generate valerena-4,7(11)-diene as the precursor of VA. By overexpressing the key genes of the mevalonate pathway ERG8, ERG12 and ERG19, and integrating 4 copies of MBP (maltose-binding protein)-VDS-ERG20 gene expression caskets into the genome, the production of valerena-4,7(11)-diene was improved to 75 mg/L. On this basis, the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase LsGAO2 derived from Lactuca sativa was expressed to oxidize valerena-4,7(11)-diene to produce VA, and the most effective VA production strain was used for fermentation. The yield of VA reached 2.8 mg/L in the flask and 6.8 mg/L in a 5-L bioreactor fed glucose. Conclusions: An S. cerevisiae strain was constructed and optimized to produce VA, but the valerena-4,7(11)-diene oxidation by LsGAO2 is still the rate-limiting step for VA synthesis that needs to be further optimized in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Developmental Trajectories of Adolescents' Math Motivation: The Role of Mindset and Perceptions of Informal STEM Learning Site Inclusivity" that was published in the April 10, 2024 online issue is presented.

With the evolution of society, an increasing number of people have realized the importance of sports on human health. However, participation in sports is a double-edged sword as improperly exercising can lead to injury. Many athletes and patients with sports injuries choose traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) when modern medicine fails to relieve their musculoskeletal symptoms. TCM is a splendid legacy of Chinese civilization whose therapies are effective, economical, and convenient, with some administration by trained patients at home. This review analyzes the literature on the application of acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and cupping in sports injuries to provide novel ideas for the application of TCM in sports medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glioma is the most common primary malignant tumor in the central nervous system. Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2) acts as a coreceptor of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to mediate innate immune response. However, the actual roles of MD2 in the regulation of progression and immune cell infiltration in gliomas remain largely unclear. This study aims to explore whether MD2 could be an independent prognostic factor through the mediation of immune cell infiltration in gliomas. Methods: The mRNA expression and DNA methylation differential analyses of MD2 were performed using CGGA, TCGA and Rembrandt databases and survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier plotter. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was applied to analyze the prognostic value of MD2 and nomograms were constructed to evaluate the clinical value of MD2. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were utilized to analyze MD2-related signal pathways. Furthermore, correlations between MD2 and immune cell infiltration were calculated by TIMER and CIBERSOPT. The correlation between MD2 expression and the infiltrations of macrophages and neutrophils was experimentally verified by the knockdown of MD2 expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in glioma cells. Results: We found that MD2 was overexpressed and associated with a poor prognosis in gliomas. Meanwhile, higher expression of MD2 could be a result of lower DNA methylation of MD2 gene in gliomas. In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that MD2 could be an independent prognostic factor for gliomas. Further functional enrichment analysis revealed that the functions of MD2 were closely related to immune responses. Moreover, the expression level of MD2 was strongly correlated with the infiltration and polarization of pro-tumor phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages and tumor-associated neutrophils in gliomas. Conclusions: These findings have provided strong evidence that MD2 could be served as a valuable immune-related biomarker to diagnose and predict the progression of gliomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of anterior chamber (AC) angle measurements obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients diagnosed with primary angle closure suspect (PACS) were included. Three masked observers at different training levels (one glaucoma specialist, one ophthalmology resident, and one pre-medical college student) measured 192 SS-OCT images of the PACS patients. One observer (the glaucoma specialist) repeated measurements 1 week later. SS-OCT parameters included: Anterior segment volume, including corneal, AC, and iris volume; anterior segment dimensions, including AC depth and width (ACD, ACW), and lens vault (LV); and angle parameters, including angle opening distance (AOD), angle recess area (ARA), trabecular iris space area (TISA), and the trabecular iris angle (TIA). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to measure reliability. Results: For inter-observer reproducibility, ICCs of corneal, AC, and iris volumes were 0.952 to 0.998. ICCs of ACD at all axes were above 0.989. ICCs of ACW and LV were smallest in the 90°-270° axis (0.751 and 0.768) but not significantly different from other axes. ARA, TISA, and TIA at all angles had significantly smallest ICCs 250 µm from the scleral spur compared with 500 µm and 750 µm. The ICCs comparing observers with different training levels had similar ranges and followed similar trends. For intra-observer repeatability, the smallest ICC was 0.843. Decreasing AC depth correlated with increased inter-observer reproducibility. Conclusions: We found excellent intra-observer repeatability for all SS-OCT parameters. Angle measurements have more variation among the observers when taken 250 µm from the scleral spur. Shallow AC might lead to more variability for angle parameters. Non-expert observers may be recruited for high-quality image grading with standard training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Recent research has suggested that Chinese individuals from a collectivist culture may have a different understanding of self-compassion, which could differentially contribute to mental health. This study aimed to obtain an in-depth insight into Chinese adults' understanding of self-compassion. Methods: Four online focus groups in Chinese undergraduates discussed the construct of self-compassion based on self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and over-identification. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Chinese participants valued benign self-criticism and self-reflection when contemplating their understanding of self-compassion. Similarly, participants' view of self-compassion dimensions can be described as dialectical in that they reflected both negative and positive perceptions in each factor rather than suggesting separate and purely negative or purely positive dimensions. There was also an overlap in the interpretation of the negative dimensions (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification). Conclusions: The findings highlight particularities in the understanding of self-compassion in these Chinese students, which may be influenced by philosophical traditions promoting dialecticism and the dual focus on the transformation of the self and social participation. This suggests the importance of a cultural perspective when studying self-compassion and interpreting relevant research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soyasapogenol B is an oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpene that has various applications in food and healthcare and has a higher biological activity than soyasaponin. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a potential platform for terpenoid production with mature genetic tools for metabolic pathway manipulation. In this study, we developed a biosynthesis method to produce soyasapogenol B. First, we expressed β-amyrin synthase derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra in S. cerevisiae to generate β-amyrin, as the precursor of soyasapogenol B. Several different types of promoters were then used to regulate the expression of key genes in the mevalonate pathway (MVA), and this subsequently increased the yield of β-amyrin to 17.6 mg/L, 25-fold more than that produced in the original strain L01 (0.68 mg/L). Then, using the β-amyrin-producing strain, we expressed soyasapogenol B synthases from Medicago truncatula (CYP93E2 and CYP72A61V2) and from G. glabra (CYP93E3 and CYP72A566). Soyasapogenol B yields were then optimized by using soyasapogenol B synthases and cytochrome P450 reductase from G. glabra. The most effective soyasapogenol B production strain was used for fermentation, and the yield of soyasapogenol B reached 2.9 mg/L in flask and 8.36 mg/L in a 5-L bioreactor with fed glucose and ethanol. This study demonstrated the heterologous synthesis of soyasapogenol B in S. cerevisiae using the combined expression of CYP93E3 and CYP72A566 in the synthesis pathway, which significantly increased the production of soyasapogenol B and provides a reference method for the biosynthesis of other triterpenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hawthorn berry has been proved hypoglycemic effect due to the presence of some α‐glucosidase inhibitors. Herein, screening and identifying of α‐glucosidase inhibitors from hawthorn berry were conducted, and the results showed polyphenols mainly containing quercetin (74.58%) and hyperioside (9.58%) were responsible for its bioactivity. In order to enhance the hypoglycemic effect, the combined glucose‐lowering complex (DEH) consisting of hawthorn polyphenols, D‐chiro‐inositol (DCI), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was prepared, where three ingredients exerted the synergistic hypoglycemic effect to enhance glucose consumption and glycogen levels and inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis in IR‐HepG2 cells. In STZ/HFD‐induced mice, DEH effectively improved insulin resistance, reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hepatic gluconeogenesis, and increased hepatic glycogen synthesis and storage via down‐regulation of PI3K/Akt/FOXO1‐mediated PEPCK and G6Pase and up‐regulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3‐mediated GS activation in the liver. In summary, these findings indicate that DEH is a potential novel strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Practical applications: Glucose‐lowering complex (DEH) with superior hypoglycemic effect, can effectively improve the insulin resistance, reduce the fasting blood glucose, hepatic gluconeogenesis and increase the hepatic glycogen synthesis and storage in mice, which represents a potential novel strategy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-step dry fractionation was employed to prepare the liquefied sheep tail oil at the pilot scale. Sheep tail oil was separated into fat residuals, crude oil, stearin A, stearin B, olein A, and olein B. The extracted rates for crude oil, olein A, and olein B were 66.7, 45.9, and 35.0%, respectively. The ratios of saturated/unsaturated fats in the crude oil, olein A fractions, and olein B fractions were 0.62, 0.63, and 0.60, respectively. The olein B was liquid at ambient temperature and its melting point was 5.32 °C. The iodine values of stearin samples were significantly decreased compared to the crude oil samples (P < 0.05). For the stearin fractions, the polymorphic form was mainly β' form, and the solid fat content was significantly higher than the olein fractions (P < 0.05), which can be used to make the shortening product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bumblebees are a diverse group of globally important pollinators in natural ecosystems and for agricultural food production. With both eusocial and solitary life-cycle phases, and some social parasite species, they are especially interesting models to understand social evolution, behavior, and ecology. Reports of many species in decline point to pathogen transmission, habitat loss, pesticide usage, and global climate change, as interconnected causes. These threats to bumblebee diversity make our reliance on a handful of well-studied species for agricultural pollination particularly precarious. To broadly sample bumblebee genomic and phenotypic diversity, we de novo sequenced and assembled the genomes of 17 species, representing all 15 subgenera, producing the first genus-wide quantification of genetic and genomic variation potentially underlying key ecological and behavioral traits. The species phylogeny resolves subgenera relationships, whereas incomplete lineage sorting likely drives high levels of gene tree discordance. Five chromosome-level assemblies show a stable 18-chromosome karyotype, with major rearrangements creating 25 chromosomes in social parasites. Differential transposable element activity drives changes in genome sizes, with putative domestications of repetitive sequences influencing gene coding and regulatory potential. Dynamically evolving gene families and signatures of positive selection point to genus-wide variation in processes linked to foraging, diet and metabolism, immunity and detoxification, as well as adaptations for life at high altitudes. Our study reveals how bumblebee genes and genomes have evolved across the Bombus phylogeny and identifies variations potentially linked to key ecological and behavioral traits of these important pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic is an ongoing global health emergency. The aim of our study was to investigate the changes of liver function and its clinical significance in COVID‐19 patients. Method: This retrospective, single‐centre study was conducted on 115 confirmed cases of COVID‐19 in Zhongnan hospital of Wuhan University from 18 January 2020 to 22 February 2020. Liver function and related indexes were analysed to evaluate its relationship with disease progression in COVID‐19 patients. Results: Part of the COVID‐19 patients presented with varying degrees of abnormality in liver function indexes. However, the levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, GGT and LDH in COVID‐19 patients were not significantly different when compared with hospitalised community‐acquired pneumonia patients, and the levels of albumin is even significantly higher. The levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, LDH and INR showed statistically significant elevation in severe COVID‐19 cases compared with that in mild cases. However, the clinical significance of the elevation is unremarkable. Majority of severe COVID‐19 patients showed significantly decreasing in albumin level and continuously decreasing in the progress of illness. Most of the liver function indexes in COVID‐19 patients were correlated with CRP and NLR, the markers of inflammation. Logistic regression analysis further identified NLR as the independent risk factor for severe COVID‐19, as well as age. Conclusions: Although abnormalities of liver function indexes are common in COVID‐19 patients, the impairment of liver function is not a prominent feature of COVID‐19, and also may not have serious clinical consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a severe lethal disease. Currently, immunotherapy has become an effective alternative therapeutic approach for cancers. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have a higher proliferation rate, increased efficacy with few side-effects, and non-MHC-restricted killing after co-culturing with dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, it has been widely studied and applied in the treatment of cancers. In our study, we explored the antitumor effects of CIK cells co-culturing with DCs pulsed with non-cell derived targeting peptides, which could specifically bind to certain tumor cells. Our results indicated that targeting peptide-loaded DCs could enhance the differentiation and cytotoxicity of CIK cells. Moreover, CIK cells, which were treated with specific targeting peptide-loaded DCs, could effectively and specifically kill tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, as long as tumor cells were pre-coated with the specific binding peptides. In conclusion, targeting peptides could guide DC-CIK to effectively and specifically kill tumor cells which were pre-coated with these targeting peptides and non-cell derived targeting peptide-loaded-DC-CIK may work as a novel means for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic neurodegeneration and acute injuries lead to neuron losses via diverse processes. We compared retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses between chronic glaucomatous conditions and the acute injury model. Among major RGC subclasses, αRGCs and intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs) preferentially survive glaucomatous conditions, similar to findings in the retina subject to axotomy. Focusing on an αRGC intrinsic factor, Osteopontin (secreted phosphoprotein 1 [Spp1]), we found an ectopic neuronal expression of Osteopontin (Spp1) in other RGCs subject to glaucomatous conditions. This contrasted with the Spp1 downregulation subject to axotomy. αRGC-specific Spp1 elimination led to significant αRGC loss, diminishing their resiliency. Spp1 overexpression led to robust neuroprotection of susceptible RGC subclasses under glaucomatous conditions. In contrast, Spp1 overexpression did not significantly protect RGCs subject to axotomy. Additionally, SPP1 marked adult human RGC subsets with large somata and SPP1 expression in the aqueous humor correlated with glaucoma severity. Our study reveals Spp1's role in mediating neuronal resiliency in glaucoma. [Display omitted] • αRGCs and ipRGCs are resilient retinal neuron types in glaucomatous and axotomy conditions • Elevated and ectopic Spp1 expression among RGCs occurs in the glaucoma model, not axotomy • Neuronal Spp1 drives RGC neuroprotection in glaucomatous conditions but not in axotomy • SPP1 protein levels in aqueous humor correlate with glaucoma progression in patients Zhao et al. reported that retinal neuron subpopulations are resilient with ectopic Spp1 expression, subject to an experimental glaucomatous model with ocular hypertension. Spp1 overexpression renders other susceptible retinal neurons with neuroprotection subject to glaucomatous conditions. Elevated SPP1 levels in aqueous humor may be biomarkers for human glaucoma progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cancer initiating, recurrence, and drug resistance. Discovery of novel biomarkers for CSCs is helpful for early diagnosis and prognosis. Lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) were closely related to the occurrence and development of lung cancer. In our study, the important role of miR-2861 in maintaining the stemness of LCSCs was investigated. The LCSC differentiation model was established through introducing serum into the medium of H460 spheres. miR-2861 expression was significantly higher in LCSCs no matter compared to the differentiation cells or normal cells. HDAC5 expression was positively correlated with miR-2861 in LCSCs, and knockdown of miR-2861 decreased the expression of HDAC5, which implied that HDAC5 may be involved in the differentiation of LCSCs mediated by miR-2861. The role of HDAC5 in the regulation of LCSC differentiation was further verified by the inhibitory effect of LMK-235 on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, which was recognized as the regulator of CSC differentiation. Our study provided a better understanding of miR-2861 and HDAC5 axis in maintaining the stemness of LCSCs and laid a foundation for molecular targeted therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mandarin speakers, like most other language speakers around the world, use spatial terms to talk about time. However, the direction of their mental temporal representation along the front‐back axis remains controversial because they use the spatial term “front” to refer to both earlier times (e.g., front‐year means “the year before last”) and the future (e.g., front‐road means “prospect”). Although the linguistic distinction between time‐ and ego‐reference‐point spatiotemporal metaphors in Mandarin suggests a promising clarification of the above controversy, there is little empirical evidence verifying this distinction. In this study, Mandarin speakers’ time‐ and ego‐reference‐point temporal representations on three axes (i.e., sagittal, lateral, and vertical) were separately examined through two tasks. In a time‐reference‐point task, Mandarin speakers judged whether the time point of the second picture was earlier or later than the time point of the first picture, while in an ego‐reference‐point task, they judged whether an event or phase had happened in the past or would happen in the future. The results indicate that Mandarin speakers construe an earlier‐times‐in‐front‐of‐later‐times temporal sequence and adopt the front‐to‐the‐future orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Combined treatment with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti- VEGF) and verteporfin photodynamic therapy ( PDT) is widely used for patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy ( PCV), although clinical evidence regarding the therapeutic efficacy and safety of such treatment remains lacking. Design/Methods We performed a meta-analysis of previously reported studies comparing combination treatment, PDT monotherapy, and anti- VEGF monotherapy. Primary outcome measures included changes in best-corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) and central retinal thickness ( CRT). The proportion of patients with polyp regression was regarded as the secondary outcome measure. Results Twenty studies (three RCTs and 19 retrospective studies) involving 1,178 patients with PCV were selected. Significant differences in the proportion of patients with polyps were observed between the PDT and anti- VEGF monotherapy groups at 3 and ≥6 months ( P < .00001; and P = .0001, respectively). Significantly greater reductions in CRT were observed in the anti- VEGF than in the PDT group at the 3-month follow-up ( P = .04). Significantly greater improvements in BCVA were observed in the combined therapy group than in the PDT monotherapy group at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months ( P = .03; P = .005; P = .02; and P < .00001, respectively). Combined treatment also resulted in significantly greater improvements in BCVA than monotherapy with anti- VEGF at 6 and 24 months ( P = .001; P < .00001, respectively), and significantly greater polyp regression than that observed following anti- VEGF treatment at 3 and ≥6 months ( P < .00001; P < .0001, respectively). Conclusions Combined therapy involving anti- VEGF agents and PDT may be more effective in improving long-term outcomes for patients with PCV than monotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article "Genus-wide characterization of bumblebee genomes provides insights into their evolution and variation in ecological and behavioral traits" which appeared in the 2, February 2021 issue.