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To investigate the relationship of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with left ventricular geometry (LVG) and function in patients with primary hypertension (PH).A total of 222 PH patients and 25 healthy control (HC)s were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent echocardiography and blood biochemical examination. PH patients were divided into four groups based on Ganau classification: normal geometry (NG) group, concentric remodeling (CR) group, eccentric hypertrophy (EH) group, and concentric hypertrophy (CH) group. Pearson correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between SOD and MDA with left ventricular structure and function.Compared to the HC, NG and CR groups, MDA level was higher while SOD level was lower in the EH and CH groups (all P 0.001). SOD level was negatively correlated with IVSd, LVDd, LVPW, and global longitudinal strain (GLS), but positively correlated with LVEF. MDA level was positively correlated with IVSd, LVPW, and GLS, while negatively correlated with e'/a' and LVEF. SOD and MDA were independently associated with CR (OR = 0.970, P = 0.003; OR = 1.204, P = 0.043), EH (OR = 0.879, P 0.001; OR = 2.197, P = 0.001) and CH (OR = 0.796, P 0.001; OR = 3.669, P 0.001).The SOD and MDA levels were correlated with LVG and function in PH patients. SOD and MDA may be important influencing factors of LVG change.

In the Middle East, there remain many technical challenges in the water saturation evaluation of carbonate rocks and the effective identification of reservoir fluid properties. The traditional Archie equation is not applicable to carbonate reservoirs with complex pore structures and varying reservoir space distribution, as there are obvious “non-Archie” phenomena. In this paper, by analyzing the experimental data on the rock resistivity of the target formation in the study area and analyzing the relationship between stratigraphic factors and porosity, the previous fitting method was modified as a result of using the actual data while avoiding the cementation index as a way to improve Archie’s formula to evaluate the water saturation. Based on the improved Archie formula, the mathematical differential operation of water saturation and porosity was carried out using the formation resistivity. The calculation results of irreducible water saturation were used to calibrate the oil layer, and the water layer was calibrated when the water saturation was 100%, allowing for a novel reservoir fluid property identification method. This total differential method can effectively identify the oil-down-to (ODT) and water-up-to (WUT) levels in an oil–water system and then accurately divide the transition zone of the oil–water layer. When this method was applied, the identification results were in good agreement with production conclusions and test data with an accuracy rate of 89.95%. Although the use of geophysical logging data from open-hole wells combined with the total differential method is only applicable to wells with similar logging time and production time, it is possible to compare geophysical logging data from different periods to construct oil–water profiles to observe the changes in ODT over time to guide development and adjust production plans. The proposed reservoir fluid property identification method and the improved water saturation calculation formula can meet the requirements of water saturation evaluation in the target block with low calculation cost and easy implementation, which provides a new method for water saturation evaluation and rapid identification of reservoir fluid properties.

Dongfang Yu,1,2,* Jinhua Bai,3,* Yufang Zhao,1,3 Chenzu Yin,4 Fangmei Liang,4 Jun Zhang5 1Center for Studies of Education and Psychology of Ethnic Minorities in Southwest China, Southwest University, Chongqing, Peoples Republic of China; 2Reader Service Department, Guangxi University of Finance and Economics, Nanning, Peoples Republic of China; 3Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, Peoples Republic of China; 4School of Teacher Education, Hechi University, Hechi, Peoples Republic of China; 5College of International Studies, Southwest University, Chongqing, Peoples Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yufang Zhao, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, Peoples Republic of China, Email zhaobee@swu.edu.cnPurpose: Previous studies show that intergroup contact, through common ingroup identity, has impact on intergroup processes such as reducing intergroup bias, improving intergroup relations, etc. The effect of intergroup contact on individual psychological process (through common ingroup identity), however, needs further exploration. Based on the positive effect of both intergroup contact and ingroup identification on mental health and well-being, this article proposes and tests a new model of individual loneliness reduction through intergroup contact by promoting common ingroup identity.Methods: A total of 263 majority ethnic members and 275 minority ethnic members from China participated in the survey. Intergroup contact, common ingroup identity and loneliness were measured at three time-points (T1-T3) over an 8-month period. Longitudinal mediation analysis and parallel process Latent Growth Curve Model for mediation are used for the examination of the indirect effect of common ingroup identity.Results: Longitudinal mediation analysis showed that intergroup contact quality at T1 positively predicted common ingroup identity at T2, and common ingroup identity at T2 alleviated loneliness at T3. Intergroup contact quality at T1 was indirectly linked to loneliness at T3 via common ingroup identity at T2. The parallel process latent growth curve model for mediation confirmed the robustness of the indirect effect of common ingroup identity. In addition, the growth rate of the quality of intergroup contact increased the growth rate of common ingroup identity, but reduced the growth rate of loneliness.Conclusion: The current study revealed the protectiveness of intergroup contact and common ingroup identity on loneliness, viz., intergroup contact reduces individual loneliness by promoting common ingroup identity, the implication being that intergroup contact and common ingroup identity should be taken into account in intervening process of loneliness prevention so that an individual’s physical and mental health could be better safeguarded.Keywords: intergroup contact, common ingroup identity, loneliness, group-based intervention

In this paper, a smart low-power wearable ECG monitoring and analyzing system which has an advanced architecture and low power consumption has been developed. There is a single channel ECG monitor that removes all loose wires from the system and minimizes the footprint on the user, ECG data can be continuously monitored for up to 14 days without affecting daily life. In addition, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), smartphone APP, analysis software and management platform have been added to the system for remote monitoring and whole process of heart health management. Clinical test to compare our wearable monitor with the Holter recorder are conducted on 108 groups under different ambulatory conditions. The results confirmed that it is equivalent to Holter in the clinical diagnosis of arrhythmia. This system can free patients from the short-range monitoring with lead wire entanglement to realize the long-term detection in daily life, early detection and early intervention; more convenient connections between patients and doctors, efficient use of medical resources, remote monitoring to reduce the burden of the medical and health system.

We examine the relationship between chief executive officers (CEOs) and firm innovation. Using CEO individual-level and firm-level data across the Chinese A-share market from 2008 to 2015, a Poisson model estimation shows that financial expert CEOs have significant negative impacts on firm innovation. Financial expert CEOs have caused a 17.5% decrease in the firm innovation level. We argue that the negative effect is due to the crowding-out effect of additional financial investments, which is facilitated by the CEOs’ behavioral consistency. Our study sheds light on exploring CEOs’ behavioral idiosyncrasy on firms’ nonfinancial performance.

To investigate the promote healing and analgesic effects of NAHAO® Brand Nazhen oral antibacterial care solution (NAHAO® spray) on the 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in rats.Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) group, NAHAO® spray group, and 1/3 concentration of NAHAO® spray group. 5-FU was injected intraperitoneally on the first and third days of the experimental model, and OM was induced using mechanical trauma on the third and fifth days. Wound healing quality was assessed by the appearance of mucosa and histological images on day6 and day10. Pain is measured by facial grooming behavior stimulated by capsaicin, the alternation of body weight and food intake was also recorded to reflect the OM pain. To examine the involvement of the cyclooxygenase pathway in the mechanism underlying oral mucositis, we detected the expression of cyclooxygenase2(COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9) via immunohistochemical staining and determined the PGE2 concentrations in rats' serum during healing of oral mucositis.NAHAO® spray attenuated pathological damage and reduced pain sensitivity effectively. COX-2 expression levels were inhibited in the NAHAO® spray-treated group. The concentration of PGE2 and the expression of MMP9 were inhibited in NAHAO®-treated rats. Compared with normal rats, the elevated rubbing time following capsaicin stimulation in the model was completely inhibited after being treated with NAHAO® spray.NAHAO® spray alleviated OM-induced pain and promoted wound healing partly by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-related pathway.

Based on the terror management theory (TMT), this study integrated self-esteem and close relationships to explore the effects of group identification on death anxiety. Five hundred and four participants completed the Death Anxiety, Rosenberg Self-Esteem, Social Identity, and Inclusion of Other in the Self scales via online platforms. There were significant correlations among group identification, close relationship, self-esteem, and death anxiety. Group identification had a significant negative predictive effect on death anxiety. Specifically, group identification affects death anxiety through two pathways: the separate mediating role of self-esteem and the serial mediation pathway of close relationships → self-esteem. Our study provides direct evidence that group identification relieves death anxiety. The results showed that the alleviating function of group identification was mediated by self-esteem and close relationships. This study provides a new perspective concerning TMT as a defense mechanism against death anxiety.

This study examined neural activity during provocation and aggressive responses among people from different social classes. Participants completed the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. Compared to high-class participants, low-class participants behaved more aggressively and exhibited greater activity in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) during provocation and greater activity in the insula and striatum during aggressive responses. The relationship between social class and aggression was moderated by OFC and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity to provocation; that is, low-class participants behaved more aggressively than high-class participants when OFC/ACC activity was relatively low. However, this difference was not significant when OFC/ACC activity was higher. Our findings suggest that low-class individuals display higher neural sensitivity during social provocation and aggressive responses than high-class individuals. These results promote future research on the relationship between social class and aggression.

Parent–child, teacher–student, and peer relationships are important for adolescents, and can be related to bullying victimization. However, limited research explores whether, how much, and how these three interpersonal relationships are related to bullying victimization based on different grade levels (junior high and high school) and victimization status (victims and bully victims) in a Chinese cultural context. The present research addressed the gap. Participants were 945 Chinese students in junior high and high school (Mage = 14.11, SD = 1.48). The results showed that the three interpersonal relationships were significantly and negatively associated with bullying victimization, except parent–child relationships in bully victims. However, the predictive power of the three interpersonal relationships on bullying victimization varied. Compared to high school students, parent–child and teacher–student relationships in junior high school students had greater predictive power for bullying victimization. Compared to pure victims, teacher–student relationships in bully victims had greater predictive power for bullying victimization. Compared to bully victims, parent–child relationships of pure victims had greater predictive power for bullying victimization. Furthermore, the three interpersonal relationships had different roles in bullying victimization among groups. For junior high school students, high school students, and pure victims, parent–child relationships were related to bullying victimization directly and indirectly through the mediating roles of teacher–student and classmate relationships. For bully victims, teacher–student relationships were related to bullying victimization indirectly through the mediating role of relationships with classmates. Thus, anti-bullying policies and interventions need to be more individually tailored. Moreover, parent–child relationships are an important protective factor against bullying among Chinese adolescents.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are self-renewing and constitute the primary cause of cancer relapse post-cancer therapy. The CSC niche is composed of various nonmalignant stromal cells that support CSCs' survival during cancer chemoradiotherapy. Understanding the cross-talk between CSCs and stromal cells could pave the way for developing therapeutic strategies to eradicate CSCs. Traditionally, CSC research has been relying on animal models, which can give rise to complications and poor translation in clinical practice. An efficient model to co-culture CSCs and stromal cells is urgently needed. Hence, we leveraged our expertise in enriching CSCs from in vitro cell lines with a 3D alginate-based platform, as reported previously. We established a 3D co-culture system that allowed us to study the interactions between stromal cells and CSCs over an extended period. We showed that the self-renewal capacity and stemness of CSCs were significantly enhanced when co-cultured with 3D cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) or a human monocyte cell line (THP1). Strikingly, the expression of MDR1 in 3D co-cultured CSCs was upregulated, leading to enhanced chemotoxic drug tolerance. We suggest that our in vitro co-culture model can impact CSC research and clinical practice when the goal is to develop therapeutics that target and eradicate CSCs by targeting stromal cells.

Osteoclast (OC) abnormalities represent osteoporosis's critical mechanism (OP). OCs undergo multiple processes that range from monocytic to functional. Different drugs target OCs at different developmental stages; however, almost no Suitable drug-targeted delivery systems exist. Therefore, we designed two dual-targeting nanoparticles to target OCs at different functional stages. Using the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRPR), which OC precursors highly express, and specific TRAPpeptides screened in the bone resorption lacuna, where mature OCs function, respectively, two types of dual-targeted nanoparticles were constructed. Afterwards, nanoparticles were grafted with hyaluronic acid (HA), which specifically binds to CD44 on the surface of the OCs.

Purpose Intergroup contact is an effective strategy to improve intergroup relationships. Although intergroup relationships have been studied extensively, the individual roles of quantity and quality of contact in relationships with cognition, emotion, and intention of behavior toward other ethnic minority groups are not fully understood. This study explores the situation via network analysis among Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities in Southwest China. Methods We investigated the quantity and quality of intergroup contact and cognition, emotion, and intention of behavior among a sample of 543 Zhuang and 490 Yao ethnic group members. Data were analyzed using the R-package. Network structures were analyzed via the Qgraph package, and the accuracy and stability of the network were measured via the Bootnet package; communities were detected via the Igraph package; bridge analyses were conducted via the Networktools package; and the network difference was compared via the Network Comparison Test package. Results The results indicated perceived intimacy is the central node. Quantity of contact constructed a community with “perceived connection,” “sense of community,” “knowledge about out-group,” and “perceived similarity.” Meanwhile, quality of contact constructed a community with “intergroup attitude” and a “feeling thermometer.” The remainder of the nodes constructed two additional communities. The network global connectivity and structure between the two ethnic groups were highly similar. Conclusion The study examined the quantity and quality of intergroup contact via network analysis for two ethnic minority groups. It was shown that the two groups’ global network structures of intergroup contact and their effects are highly similar. Specifically, quantity and quality of contact produce different effects on intergroup relations. Quantity of contact has proximal effects, including instant cognitive and emotional response without depth cognition, while quality of contact has proximal effects that may change deep-seated cognition and subsequently improve intergroup relations., Video abstract Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/o_RoQthh3yY

Based on the meaning maintenance model and temporal self-appraisal theory, we conducted 2 experiments with Chinese college students to test how self-uncertainty salience affected the subjective distance between the past and present self. We manipulated uncertainty salience and asked participants to explicitly (Study 1) or implicitly (Study 2) indicate their subjective distance. Participants in both studies increased the subjective distance when uncertainty was made salient. In addition, this effect was moderated by dispositional self-esteem in Study 2, with participants with low self-esteem reporting greater subjective distance than did high self-esteem participants after uncertainty-salience priming. These findings suggest that the process of appraising the past self may help individuals deal with feelings of uncertainty about the present self.

Previous research has mainly examined individuals’ attitudes to cultural mixing per se, and rarely examined the attitudes to the outgroup involved in cultural mixing. Exposure to ingroup–outgroup cultural mixing may be an indirect intergroup contact, which can promote individuals’ psychological compatibility toward the corresponding cultural outgroup. We measured Chinese Yi undergraduates’ experience of Yi-Tibetan cultural mixing in Study 1 and found it was significantly correlated with psychological compatibility toward Tibetans. We then used a between-subjects design and experimentally manipulated Yi participants’ exposure to cultural mixing to verify the causal effect of exposure to Yi-Dai cultural mixing on psychological compatibility toward Dai (the Yi and Dai are two of the 55 ethnic minorities in China from different provinces and have their own unique culture; Study 2) and the mediating role of perceived connection (Studies 3 and 4). These findings suggest that exposure to cultural mixing facilitates intergroup psychological compatibility, and this beneficial effect is mediated by perceived connection.

Empirical evidence indicates the links between social class and subjective well-being are numerous and varied, and Need Theory proposes that their relationship depends, in part, on whether people’s basic needs are being met. Given that sense of control is one of the fundamental social needs of human beings, the present research examined a mediated moderation model between the social class and subjective well-being by testing whether sense of control moderates this relationship, and whether this moderating effect is mediated through self-esteem. A sample of 536 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 13.79 years, SD = 0.95) completed anonymous questionnaires about their subjective and objective social class, sense of control, self-esteem, and subjective well-being. Consistent with the hypothesized mediated moderation model, the association between social class and subjective well-being was moderated by sense of control, with social class significantly influencing the subjective well-being of adolescents when their sense of control was low but not high. This moderation effect was then mediated by self-esteem. In addition, this model was found to be more suitable for adolescent boys than girls. The findings demonstrate that adolescents’ personal sense of control and self-esteem represent key mechanisms determining how social class is associated with subjective well-being.

Mitochondrial damage is one of the primary causes of neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD patients, the mitochondrial damage can be repaired or irreversible. Therefore, mitochondrial damage repair becomes a promising strategy for PD treatment. In this research, hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HA-NPs) of different molecular weights are used to protect the mitochondria and salvage the mild and limited damage in mitochondria. The HA-NPs with 2190 k Dalton (kDa) HA can improve the mitochondrial function of SH-SY5Y cells and PTEN induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) knockout mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells. In cases of irreversible damage, NPs with ubiquitin specific peptidase 30 (USP30) siRNA are used to promote mitophagy. Meanwhile, by adding PINK1 antibodies, the NPs can selectively target the irreversibly damaged mitochondria, preventing the excessive clearance of healthy mitochondria.

This article studies a single-machine scheduling problem with DeJong's effect and a machine availability constraint taking the total completion time as the objective function. Firstly, a fully poly...

The majority of research regarding hostile attribution bias focuses on its effect on aggression. However, little is known about the brain structure associated with trait hostile attribution bias and the mediating mechanism underlying this link. The current study uses voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to identify the brain regions related to individual differences in trait hostile attribution bias, measured by a Word Sentence Association Paradigm - Hostility in a sample of 176 undergraduate students. Subsequently, two mediation models with regard to brain structure, trait hostile attribution bias, and attitudes toward violence (measured by the Attitudes toward Violence Scale) were analyzed. The results reveal that trait hostile attribution bias is positively correlated with gray matter volume (GMV) in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and negatively associated with the left lingual gyrus (LG). Furthermore, attitudes toward violence acted as a mediator underlying the association between the left OFC volume and trait hostile attribution bias. Such bias also mediated the relationship between the left OFC and attitudes toward violence. We argue that attitudes toward violence and trait hostile attribution bias seem to predict each other, and the GMV in the left OFC may involve the underlying cognitive mechanism of the bidirectional relationship between the two variables. These results and ideas may shed light on the current understanding of the relationships of the brain's anatomical features, attitudes toward violence, and trait hostile attribution bias.

Objective: To analyze the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) characteristics and microvessel density (MVD) of thyroid carcinomas vs. benign thyroid lesions, and to determine the value of CEUS in the clinical diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. Methods: Forty-five patients (34 women, 11 men; mean age, 45.95 ± 12.20 years) with 57 thyroid nodules underwent preoperative CEUS with SonoVue (injected as a bolus via an elbow vein). The CEUS data were analyzed using QLAB quantitative analysis software. The enhancement patterns and quantitative parameters of thyroid carcinoma were evaluated.Additionally, immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate MVD. Results: Most malignant nodules showed hypo-enhancement, and this enhancement pattern had 68.18% sensitivity and 92.31% specificity in diagnosing thyroid carcinomas. Most benign nodules showed ring enhancement, which had 46.15% sensitivity and 100% specificity in diagnosing benign nodules. Compared with the peripheral glandular tissue, thyroid carcinomas had significantly smaller peak intensities (PI) and wash-in slopes (P ＜ 0.05). Malignant nodules had significantly lower MVD than benign nodules (P ＜ 0.05). A positive correlation was between the PI and MVD (P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion: CEUS can improve the diagnosis of thyroid carcinomas, and is a useful complement to conventional ultrasonography.

Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) play a key role in regulating gene expression, and SINE RNAs are involved in age-related diseases. We investigated the anti-aging effects of a genetically engineered murine SINE B1 antisense RNA (B1as RNA) and explored its mechanism of action in naturally senescent BALB/c (≥14 months) and moderately senscent C57BL/6N (≥9 months) mice. After tail vein injection, B1as RNA was available in the blood of mice for approximately 30 min, persisted for approximately 2–4 h in most detected tissues and persisted approximately 48 h in lungs. We found that treatment with B1as RNA improved stamina and promoted hair re-growth in aged mice. Treatment with B1as RNA also partially rescued the increase in mitochondrial DNA copy number in liver and spleen tissues observed in aged and moderately senescent mice. Finally, treatment with B1as RNA increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in aged and moderately senescent mice, reduced these animals’ malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels, and modulated the expression of several aging-associated genes, including Sirtuin 1, p21, p16Ink4a, p15Ink4b and p19Arf, and anti-oxidant genes (Sesn1 and Sesn 2). These data suggest that B1as RNA inhibits the aging process by enhancing antioxidant activity, promoting the scavenging of free radicals, and modulating the expression of aging-associated genes. This is the first report describing the anti-aging activity of SINE antisense RNA, which may serve as an effective nucleic acid drug for the treatment of age-related diseases.

Neuroinflammation is one of the major processes that trigger neuropathological amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. Naked mole rats, which are the longest living rodents and exhibit negligible senescence, have a special brain microenvironment characterized by high-molecular-mass hyaluronan (HMM-HA) and high levels of neuregulin 1 (NRG1), which are related to resistance to neuroinflammation and Aβ deposition, leading to protection from AD. Thus, mimicking the unique brain microenvironment of the naked mole rat as a strategy for AD treatment is of critical interest. Here, naked mole rat HMM-HA and NRG1 were used to establish an injectable neuroinflammation-responsive triglycerol monostearate (TM)-HA-NRG1 hydrogel to alter the brain microenvironment in the early to late stages of AD. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) delivery of the hydrogel resulted in significant mitigation of Aβ plaque formation and complement C1q deposition in the hippocampus. Interestingly, we found that C1q deposition on pericytes was probably associated with capillary dysfunction. Furthermore, continuous intervention obviously reduced C1q deposition on pericytes and improved the oxygen supply to the brain. Importantly, in 16-month-old AD mice, cognitive decline was significantly ameliorated after TM-HA-NRG1 hydrogel treatment. Thus, the work reported here provides a potential early intervention strategy for retarding later AD progression.