Enhanced-electrochemiluminescence biosensor for detecting miRNA-21 based on a CuO-mediated click reaction and catalytic hairpin self-assembly.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are closely associated with cancer and have been considered cancer biomarkers. Herein, we propose an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for detecting miRNA-21 based on target-induced catalytic hairpin self-assembly (CHA) and CuO-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Two hairpin DNAs were employed: one was immobilized on magnetic beads (HP2) and another was labeled with CuO (HP1-CuO). HP1 and HP2 formed a duplex through CHA induced by miRNA-21, resulting in the immobilization of CuO on magnetic beads and in the recycling of miRNA-21. After magnetic separation, CuO was treated with hydrochloric acid to release Cu2+, which concentration is quantitatively proportional to the target concentration. Subsequently, Cu2+ was reduced to Cu+, which catalyzed the click reaction between Fc-C CH and SH-DNA-N3+ immobilized on a Au/g-C3N4 modified electrode. Thus, the ECL of Au/g-C3N4 was quenched by Fc, and miRNA-21 was indirectly detected through a change in ECL intensity. Benefiting from the amplification effect of CuO nanoparticle loading, CHA-based target recycling, and the catalytic effect of click reaction, the proposed ECL biosensor showed high sensitivity. Experimental results indicate that the ECL biosensor proposed for detecting miRNA-21 exhibits a wide linear range from 1 fM to 1 nM and a low detection limit of 0.26 fM (3σ/S). Furthermore, the ECL sensor was capable of measuring miRNA-21 in real serum with high selectivity, indicating its notable applicable potential in biomedicine and clinical diagnosis.

Clinical Investigation of Short-Term Axial Elongation Control After Orthokeratology Lens Correction: Exploring Its Predictive Role in Long-Term Therapeutic Efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was developed with the goal of exploring the efficacy of orthokeratology (OK) as an approach to controlling axial length (AL) growth and identifying factors predictive of the long-term efficacy of this approach. METHODS: This was a retrospective study that enrolled 157 myopic children 7 to 15 years of age undergoing OK correction for over 3 years. The short- and long-term effectiveness of this approach at 1 and 3 years post-OK correction, respectively, was assessed. All participants were classified into two groups based on whether they exhibited good or poor long-term efficacy outcomes. Measurements of changes in AL were made at baseline and at 1 and 3 years post-OK. Univariate analyses and binary logistic regression approaches were used to evaluate baseline age, baseline spherical equivalent refraction, baseline keratometry (K) values of flat and steep meridians, and short-term effectiveness with the goal of identifying predictors of long-term efficacy. RESULTS: Univariate analyses led to the identification of significant differences in baseline age, baseline spherical equivalent refraction, baseline AL, and short-term efficacy between these two groups (P<0.05), whereas gender, baseline flat K, and baseline steep K did not differ significantly (P>0.05). In binary logistic regression analyses, baseline AL (P=0.017) and short-term efficacy (P<0.001) were both found to significantly influence long-term efficacy. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that short-term efficacy offered an area under the curve value >0.8, consistent with its highly accurate performance as a predictor of long-term efficacy. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that short-term efficacy outcomes can feasibly be used to predict the long-term effectiveness of OK correction in children. In patients exhibiting poor short-term efficacy, timely replacement or the incorporation of additional treatment modalities may aid efforts to better control the progression of myopia.

MdSVWC1, a new pattern recognition receptor triggers multiple defense mechanisms against invading bacteria in Musca domestica.

BACKGROUND: Single-domain von Willebrand factor type C (SVWC) constitute a protein family predominantly identified in arthropods, characterized by a SVWC domain and involved in diverse physiological processes such as host defense, stress resistance, and nutrient metabolism. Nevertheless, the physiological mechanisms underlying these functions remain inadequately comprehended. RESULTS: A massive expansion of the SVWC gene family in Musca domestica (MdSVWC) was discovered, with a count of 35. MdSVWC1 was selected as the representative of the SVWC family for functional analysis, which led to the identification of the immune function of MdSVWC1 as a novel pattern recognition receptor. MdSVWC1 is highly expressed in both the fat body and intestines and displays acute induction upon bacterial infection. Recombinant MdSVWC1 binds to surfaces of both bacteria and yeast through the recognition of multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns and exhibits Ca2+-dependent agglutination activity. MdSVWC1 mutant flies exhibited elevated mortality and hindered bacterial elimination following bacterial infection as a result of reduced hemocyte phagocytic capability and weakened expression of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes. In contrast, administration of recombinant MdSVWC1 provided protection to flies from bacterial challenges by promoting phagocytosis and AMP genes expression, thereby preventing bacterial colonization. MdSPN16, a serine protease inhibitor, was identified as a target protein of MdSVWC1. It was postulated that the interaction of MdSVWC1 with MdSPN16 would result in the activation of an extracellular proteolytic cascade, which would then initiate the Toll signaling pathway and facilitate the expression of AMP genes. CONCLUSIONS: MdSVWC1 displays activity as a soluble pattern recognition receptor that regulates cellular and humoral immunity by recognizing microbial components and facilitating host defense.

The variation of resistome, mobilome and pathogen in domestic and industrial wastewater treatment systems.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including both domestic and industrial facilities, are key contributors to antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and human pathogens in the environment. However, the characteristics and dissemination mechanisms of ARGs in domestic (SD) and industrial (SI) wastewater treatment systems remain unclear, leading to uncertainties in risk assessment. Based on metagenomic analysis, we observed significant differences in the compositions of resistome (ARGs and metal resistance genes, MRGs), mobilome (mobile genetic elements, MGEs), and bacterial community between SD and SI. SI exhibited lower diversity of ARGs but higher abundance of MRGs compared to SD. The removal efficiency of resistome was lower in the SI than that in the SD. MGEs emerged as the primary driver of ARG dissemination in the WWTPs, followed by the bacterial community. Environmental conditions (physicochemical parameters, heavy metals, and antibiotics) indirectly influenced the variation of resistome. Significantly, environmental conditions and MGEs highly influenced the composition of resistome in the SI, while bacterial community more associated with resistome in the SD. Additionally, we identified 36 human bacterial pathogens as potential hosts of ARGs, MRGs, and MGEs in wastewater samples. This study provides new insights on the dissemination mechanisms and risk assessment of antimicrobial resistance in the different types of WWTPs.

Long-Term Outcomes of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Granulomatous Lobular Mastitis: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study on Recurrence and New Occurrence Rates with Analysis of Risk Factors.

Background: Patients with clinically cured granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) still face a high probability of recurrence and new occurrence. Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating GLM and to hypothesize potential risk factors for recurrence or new occurrence. Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on GLM patients treated with TCM at Longhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2016 to July 2021. We analyzed general data, two-year recurrence and new occurrence rates, and 12 risk factors associated with recurrence or new occurrence. Results: This cross-sectional study included 261 GLM patients with an average age at onset of 31.95 years (primarily aged 31-40). The two-year recurrence rate for GLM was 1.53%, and the new occurrence rate was 4.21%. Univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses revealed that a history of inverted nipples was associated with the risk of both recurrence and new occurrence of GLM (HR = 8.672, 5.375, P < 0.05), and menstrual irregularity was related to a higher risk of recurrence (HR = 13.172, P < 0.001). Conclusion: A history of inverted nipples is identified as a potential risk factor associated with the long-term recurrence and new occurrence of GLM, while menstrual irregularity is associated with recurrence. Despite this, patients with GLM undergoing TCM demonstrate low rates of long-term recurrence and new occurrence after achieving clinical cure, underscoring the effectiveness of TCM. This study lays the groundwork for a long-term effectiveness strategy to guide future GLM treatments.

A low n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and high level of dietary ɑ-linolenic acid improves sleep behavior in mice with insomnia.

Camelina sativa oil (CSO) and Semen Ziziphi Spinosae oil (SZSO) are functional oils that have beneficial effects on brain health. This study evaluated the sedative and hypnotic effects of vegetable oils with various n - 6/n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratios and ɑ-linolenic acid (ALA) contents to mice. The n - 6/n - 3 PUFA ratios of CSO (CSO:SZSO = 1:0, 1.8 g/kg), SZSO (CSO:SZSO = 0:1, 1.8 g/kg), CSO-SZSO-L (CSO:SZSO = 1:1, 1.8 g/kg), and CSO-SZSO-H (CSO:SZSO = 1:1, 3.6 g/kg) were 0.51, 140, 1.69, and 1.69, respectively. The doses of ALA administered to mice with p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia were approximately 0.64, 50 × 10-4, 0.32, and 0.64 g/kg, respectively. The mice were administered CSO, SZSO, and a low-dose combination of CSO and SZSO for seven days with no obvious hypnotic effects. However, the administration of a high-dose combination of CSO and SZSO significantly prolonged sleep duration in mice with induced insomnia and inhibited the serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol. Interestingly, there were no significant effects on the structure and function of the hippocampal tissue. The results indicated that the anti-insomnia effects of these vegetable oils were positively correlated with a low n - 6/n - 3 PUFA ratio and the absolute amount of ALA. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-06004-1.

Crosslinking intensity modulates the reliability and sensitivity of chromatin conformation detection at different structural levels.

Formaldehyde (FA) is a chemical that facilitates crosslinking between DNA and proteins. It is widely used in various biochemical assays, such as chromosome conformation capture (3C) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP). While the concentration and temperature of FA treatment are recognized as crucial factors in crosslinking, their quantitative effects have largely remained unexplored. In this study, we employed 3C as a model system to systematically assess the impacts of these two factors on crosslinking. Our findings indicate that the strength of crosslinking significantly influences chromatin conformation detection at nearly all known structural levels. Specifically, a delicate balance between sensitivity and reliability is required when detecting higher-level structures, such as chromosome compartments. Conversely, intense crosslinking is preferred when targeting lower-level structures, such as topologically associated domains (TADs) or chromatin loops. Based on our data, we propose a conceptual molecular thermal motion model to elucidate the roles of these two factors in restricting FA crosslinking. Our results not only shed light on the previously overlooked confounding factor in FA crosslinking but also highlight the need for caution in new technology developments that rely on FA crosslinking.

RSPO3 regulates the radioresistance of Non-Small cell lung cancer cells via NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated pyroptosis.

PURPOSE: Radioresistance is a significant challenge in the radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to investigate the role of R-spondin 3 (RSPO3) in regulating NSCLC radioresistance. METHODS AND MATERIALS: RNA sequencing was performed to analyze genes that are differentially expressed in radioresistant NSCLC cell lines. RSPO3 overexpression and knockdown experiments were conducted to assess its impact on radiosensitivity. The involvement of the ß-catenin-NF-κB signaling pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome in RSPO3-mediated radiosensitivity was also evaluated. In vivo experiments were conducted using a clinical-grade anti-RSPO3 antibody (OMP-131R10/rosmantuzumab) to assess its impact on radiation-induced pyroptosis and subsequent anti-tumor immunity. RESULTS: RSPO3 expression was downregulated in radioresistant NSCLC cells. Overexpression of RSPO3 increased NSCLC radiosensitivity through the induction of pyroptosis, which was mediated by the ß-catenin-NF-κB signaling pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome. The anti-RSPO3 antibody effectively blocked radiation-induced pyroptosis and anti-tumor immunity in vivo. Conversely, upregulation of RSPO3 enhanced NSCLC tumor radiosensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that RSPO3 plays a crucial role in regulating NSCLC radioresistance via NLRP3 mediated pyroptosis. Targeting the RSPO3-NLRP3 inflammasome axis may offer a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy for NSCLC patients.

The relationship between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being in junior high school students: a moderated mediation model.

Objective: To investigate the direct effect of extracurricular sports participation on subjective well-being among junior high school students, and the mediating role of emotion regulation and moderating role of physical education (PE) class participation. Methods: Using data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), we analyzed the extracurricular sports participation, emotion regulation, subjective well-being, and PE class participation of 113,203 junior high school students. Results: After controlling for country, gender, and health status, extracurricular sports participation significantly predicts subjective well-being. Emotion regulation mediates the relationship between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being. Both the direct effect of extracurricular sports participation on subjective well-being and the mediating effect of emotion regulation are moderated by PE class participation. The effect is stronger among students with high PE class participation compared to those with low participation. Conclusion: There is a moderated mediation effect between extracurricular sports participation and subjective well-being among junior high school students. Emotion regulation mediates this relationship, while PE class participation enhances the impact of emotion regulation on subjective well-being.

[Exploring the optimal range of pulse oxygen saturation in patients with sepsis: a retrospective study based on MIMIC- IV data].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) range during hospitalization for patients with sepsis. METHODS: A case-control study design was employed. Demographic information, vital signs, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, critical illness scores, clinical treatment information, and clinical outcomes of sepsis patients were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care- IV (MIMIC- IV). A generalized additive model (GAM) combined with a Loess smoothing function was employed to analyze and visualize the nonlinear relationship between SpO2 levels during hospitalization and in-hospital all-cause mortality. The optimal range of SpO2 was determined, and Logistic regression model along with Kaplan-Meier curve were utilized to validate the association between the determined range of SpO2 and in-hospital all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 5 937 patients met the inclusion criteria, among whom 1 191 (20.1%) died during hospitalization. GAM analysis revealed a nonlinear and U-shaped relationship between SpO2 levels and in-hospital all-cause mortality among sepsis patients during hospitalization. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis further confirmed that patients with SpO2 levels between 0.96 and 0.98 during hospitalization had a decreased mortality compared to those with SpO2 < 0.96 [hypoxia group; odds ratio (OR) = 2.659, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 2.190-3.229, P < 0.001] and SpO2 > 0.98 (hyperoxia group; OR = 1.594, 95%CI was 1.337-1.900, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that patients with SpO2 between 0.96 and 0.98 during hospitalization had a higher probability of survival than those patient with SpO2 < 0.96 and SpO2 > 0.98 (Log-Rank test: χ 2 = 113.400, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that, with the exception of subgroups with smaller sample sizes, across the strata of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), admission type, race, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, chronic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II), systemic inflammatory response syndrome score (SIRS), and Glasgow coma score (GCS), the mortality of patients with SpO2 between 0.96 and 0.98 was significantly lower than those of patients with SpO2 < 0.96 and SpO2 > 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: During hospitalization, the level of SpO2 among sepsis patients exhibits a U-shaped relationship with in-hospital all-cause mortality, indicating that heightened and diminished oxygen levels are both associated with increased mortality risk. The optimal SpO2 range is determined to be between 0.96 and 0.98.

Bioinformatics analysis of BTK expression in lung adenocarcinoma: implications for immune infiltration, prognostic biomarkers, and therapeutic targeting.

In recent years, as more and more lung-cancer patients have been treated with immunotherapeutic agents, their survival has been prolonged compared to before. It is well known that BTK (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) is predominantly found in cells of the hematopoietic system. However, there is a distinct lack of literature on BTK expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients and its effect on the immune microenvironment. Consequently, the main goal of this investigation was to analyze how BTK expression in lung adenocarcinoma affects its progression, along with its prognostic significance, through the utilization of bioinformatics online resources and publicly available databases. Data on the sequencing results and clinical records of lung adenocarcinoma patients were gathered from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Based on the expression level of BKT, TCGA categorized lung adenocarcinoma patients into BTK high-expression and low-expression groups. We investigated the effects of BKT on clinicopathologic, genomic, and immunologic characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma patients. We analyzed BTK mRNA expression in tumors and normal tissues using two key resources: Tumor Immuno Estimation Resource 2.0 (TIMER 2.0) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA 2). We analyzed the prognosis of the patients using GEPIA2 and validated the results using univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, we assessed BTK protein expression by Human Protein Atlas (HPA). We sought to elucidate the clinical prognostic significance of BTK in The TCGA using the online tool GEPIA 2. Furthermore, to clarify the biologic roles and pathways linked to BTK, we conducted a genomic enrichment analysis of the information. To predict the proportion of various immune cell infiltrations in the immune microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma patients diagnosed in the TCGA database, we performed an analysis using the TIMER online tool. Using TIMER and CIBERSORT, the correlation between genes co-expressed with BTK and the corresponding tumor-infiltrating immune cells was explored; finally, the relationship between BTK expression and immune infiltration and immune checkpoints in the TMB group and the high and low groups was analyzed by R language analysis using the TCGA database. The expression of BTK provides some hints about the prognosis of the patients. The high expression of BTK is involved in immune response regulation signaling pathways, leukocyte-mediated immunity, leukocyte intercellular adhesion, graft rejection, and complement. Analysis of the GEPIA 2 database showed that BTK was co-expressed with the genes FGD2, SASH3, NCKAP1L, CD53, ARHGAP30 and LPXN. Increased expression of the above-mentioned genes resulted in increased proportions of CD8 + T cells, memory CD4 + T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, and decreased proportions of Treg cells and TH2 cells. In addition, our study revealed a strong positive correlation between various key immune checkpoints (e.g., PDCD1, CD274, PDCD1LG2, CTLA4, HAVCR2, LAG3, TIGIT, and SIGLEC15) and BTK expression. In conclusion, increased BTK expression in lung adenocarcinoma is closely associated with prolonged survival of lung-cancer patients. Moreover, the genes classified under the BTK high-expression group exhibit significant enrichment in immune-related pathways, suggesting a potential impact on the tumor microenvironment. We investigated the potential of BTK as a tumor suppressor gene in predicting prolonged patient survival. In addition, we further investigated the possibility that BTK further affects the immunotherapeutic response of patients by influencing the microenvironment of tumor immune infiltration, but the relevant mechanisms remain to be further studied.

The Relationship Between Character Strengths and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Impoverished College Students: The Chain Mediating Roles of Perceived Social Support and Positive Emotions.

Background and Objective: The mental health of economically disadvantaged college students in China is notably inferior to that of their non-disadvantaged peers. As such, these students necessitate a broader spectrum of psychological support beyond mere financial assistance. Seligman's PERMA theory has established a compelling association between social support and positive emotions with subjective well-being. However, there is a scarcity of research focusing on character strengths within this framework, particularly the mechanisms that underlie their relationship. Hence, this study aims to examine the relationship between character strengths and subjective well-being among Chinese impoverished college students, while also delving into the chain mediating roles of perceived social support and positive emotions. Methods: A convenience sampling method was employed to collect cross-sectional data from impoverished college students. Participants (N=336, Mean age=20.67) were assessed using four instruments: the Chinese Virtues Questionnaire (CVQ-96), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results: Character strengths, perceived social support, positive emotions, and subjective well-being were all significantly positively correlated with each other (p<0.01). In addition, regression analysis indicated that character strengths positively predicted perceived social support (ß=0.71, p<0.001), positive emotions (ß=0.44, p<0.001), and subjective well-being (ß=0.52, p<0.001). Perceived social support positively predicted positive emotions (ß=0.34, p<0.001), and subjective well-being (ß=0.44, p<0.001). Positive emotions positively predicted subjective well-being (ß=0.88, p<0.001). Furthermore, chain mediation analysis revealed that character strengths influenced subjective well-being both directly and indirectly through perceived social support and positive emotions. Conclusion: Perceived social support and positive emotions play a chain mediating role between character strengths and subjective well-being among impoverished college students.

A Novel Step-Up Dosage Regimen for Enhancing the Benefit-to-Risk Ratio of Mosunetuzumab in Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma.

Mosunetuzumab, a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody targeting CD20xCD3, is approved for treating relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma. This research supports the approved intravenous clinical dose regimen, summarizing the exposure-response relationships for clinical safety and efficacy. A population pharmacokinetic model and Emax logistic regression exposure-response models for safety and efficacy were developed using data from 439 patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 159 patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, respectively, from a Phase I/II study (NCT02500407). Data from 0.2 to 60 mg across fixed dosing (Cohort A) and Cycle 1 step-up dosing (Cohort B) were used. Exposure-response models, using two-cycle area-under-the-concentration curve (AUC0-42) as the primary exposure endpoint, accurately depicted the complete response and objective response rate data across a 600-fold AUC0-42 range. The approved clinical dose regimen of 1/2/60/30 mg achieved near-maximal efficacy, with model-estimated CR and ORR (90% confidence interval) of 63.1% (49.7-75.0) and 79.1% (69.1-87.7), respectively. The exposure-response analysis for Grade ≥ 2 cytokine release syndrome identified receptor occupancy (%) within the first two cycles as a driver, with CRS dissipating beyond the first dosing cycle. No exposure-dependent increases were observed for other serious adverse events, including neutropenia and infections. The approved intravenous step-up dose regimen (i.e., step doses of 1 and 2 mg on Day 1 and 8, respectively) mitigated severe CRS risk, allowing safe administration of loading (60 mg) and target doses (30 mg every 3 weeks) to achieve a favorable benefit-risk profile.

The effect of anthropogenic activities on the behavior of novel brominated flame retardants in surface soil of Northern China urbanized zone.

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have emerged as an alternative to traditional brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and may pose risks to the environment and human health. However, the distribution pattern of NBFRs in urbanized zones and their association with multiple socioeconomic variables have not been adequately explored. Herein, seven NBFRs were investigated in surface soil samples from Tianjin, China, a typical urbanized area. The ∑7NBFRs ranged from n.d. to 101 ng/g, dry weight (dw) (mean: 12.6 ± 17.6 ng/g dw), which exhibited a relatively elevated level compared to NBFRs in soils from other regions worldwide. Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) was the main contaminant, and its concentration ranged from 0.378 to 99 ng/g, dry weight (dw) (mean: 11.4 ± 17.0 ng/g dw), accounting for 81 % of the ∑7NBFRs. Notably, NBFRs exhibited peak concentrations within residential zones, significantly surpassing those recorded in the remaining four regions (green, farmland, water environment and other) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the concentration of NBFRs in the soil of the Binhai New District within Tianjin was the highest, significantly exceeding that of other administrative areas, which was closely related to the intensive industrial activities in this region. The above results indicate that human activities are a key factor affecting the concentration of NBFRs in the soil. Moreover, a variety of statistical methods were employed to investigate the correlation between socioeconomic variables and the distribution of NBFRs. The concentration of NBFRs showed a significant correlation with population density and the gross domestic product (GDP) (p < 0.05), and the incorporation of administrative regional planning into structural equation models demonstrated an indirect influence on the spatial distribution of NBFRs concentration, mediated by its impact on population density. These results emphasize the association between NBFRs contamination and the degree of urbanization, thereby providing valuable insights for assessing the exposure risk of NBFRs among urban residents.

Impact of Hepatitis B Virus Point-of-care DNA Viral Load Testing Compared With Laboratory-based Standard-of-care Approaches on Uptake of HBV Viral Load Testing, Treatment, and Turnaround Times: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Point-of-care (PoC) hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA viral load (VL) assays represent an alternative to laboratory-based standard-of-care (SoC) VL assays to accelerate diagnosis and treatment. We evaluated the impact of using PoC versus SoC approaches on the uptake of VL testing, treatment, and turnaround times from testing to treatment across the HBV care cascade. Methods: We searched 5 databases, 6 conference websites, and contacted manufacturers for unpublished reports, for articles with or without a comparator (SoC VL testing), and had data on the uptake of VL testing, treatment, or turnaround times between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing, VL testing, and treatment in the cascade. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis on rates of VL testing and treatment initiation. Results: Six studies, composing 9 arms, were included. Three PoC arms reported less than 1 day between screening for HBsAg positivity and VL testing, and the other one (2 arms) reported it between 7 and 11 days. Five arms reported the time to available VL test results (<1 day). Three studies reported 1-8 days between VL testing results and treatment initiation. Two studies reported the turnaround times between a positive HBsAg screening and treatment initiation (the same day and 27 days). Overall, 84.1% of those with HBsAg positivity were tested for DNA VL and 88.3% of eligible people initiated treatment. Conclusions: HBV PoC DNA testing appears to be associated with a turnaround time of <1 day for receipt of VL results and appears associated with high rates of DNA testing and initiation of treatment among those eligible. Clinical Trials Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023398440.

Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework for NADH Regeneration by Hydrogen in a Redox Flow Bioreactor.

The electrochemical regeneration of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) using [Rh(Cp*)(bpy)Cl]+ holds significant promise for the industrial synthesis of chiral chemicals. However, challenges persist due to the high consumption of NADH and the limited efficiency of its cyclic regeneration, which currently hinder widespread application. To address these obstacles, based on in-situ growth of 3D ordered metal-organic framework (NU-1000) on the surface of graphite felt, [Rh(Cp*)(bpy)Cl]+ were immobilized on the Zr6 nodes of NU-1000 by solvent-assisted ligand incorporation (SALI), and applied in a flow bioreactor. Moreover, we employ a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) to oxidize H2, providing a clean proton source for the electrochemical regeneration of NADH. Consequently, highly efficient enzymatic electrocatalytic synthesis of L-lactate was achieved when coupled with L-lactate dehydrogenases (LDH) as a model reaction, and the total turnover number (TTN) reached 19600 and 1750 for [Rh(Cp*)(bpy)Cl]+ and NAD+ after 48 h, corresponding to a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 2350 h-1 and 210 h-1 for [Rh(Cp*)(bpy)Cl]+ and NAD+, respectively. This work provides new insights for the construction of efficient enzymatic electrosynthesis systems in industrial production.

Analysis and evaluation of Camellia oleifera Abel. Germplasm fruit traits from the high-altitude areas of East Guizhou Province, China.

Camellia oleifera, a significant woody edible oil species, was examined using 48 germplasm resources from high-altitude regions in East Guizhou Province, China, to analyze fruit quality. The analysis aimed to identify high-performance germplasm, providing theoretical and research foundations for selecting and cross-breeding superior C. oleifera varieties in these regions. Fifteen primary traits of mature fruits were measured and analyzed, including four phenotypic traits (single fruit weight, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, peel thickness) and eleven quality traits (fresh seed yield rate, dry seed yield rate, dry kernel yield rate, seed kernel oil content, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, cis-11-eicosenoic acid). A comprehensive evaluation employing cluster and principal component analyses (PCA) was conducted. The cluster analysis categorized the germplasms into five groups at a squared Euclidean distance of 14, with the first category comprising 17 germplasms, the second 28, and the third, fourth, and fifth each containing one. PCA reduced the 15 traits to five principal components (PCs), with PC1 having the highest eigenvalue of 3.57 and a contribution rate of 23.8%, mainly representing phenotypic traits. PC2, contributing 20.44%, represented linoleic acid, while PC3, PC4, and PC5, with contribution rates of 12.99%, 9.13%, and 7.45% respectively, predominantly represented seed kernel oil content, fresh seed yield, and palmitoleic acid. Employing a weighted sum method, a comprehensive evaluation function was developed to calculate total scores for each superior individual, forming the basis for rankings and selections. Notable variability was detected in single fruit weight, peel thickness, and fresh and dry seed yields, while oleic acid exhibited the lowest coefficient of variation. Dry seed yield showed a robust positive correlation with seed kernel oil content and the concentrations of palmitic and linoleic acids, whereas seed kernel oil content was inversely correlated with cis-11-eicosenoic acid levels. Five PCs with eigenvalues > 1 were identified, highlighting the top ten superior individuals: QD (Qian Dong: the code of eastern Guizhou Province)-33 > QD-34 > QD-48 > QD-38 > QD-27 > QD-15 > QD-35 > QD-5 > QD-14 > QD-36. Thus, the 48 C. oleifera germplasms from East Guizhou's high-altitude areas demonstrate significant potential for enhancing traits such as single fruit weight, peel thickness, and fresh and dry seed yields. Specifically, QD-33, QD-34, and QD-48 exhibited superior comprehensive performance, designating them as prime candidates for variety selection and breeding.

Effect of Parent-Initiated Support on Career Calling Among Chinese Kindergarten Teachers: Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction as Mediator.

Purpose: Possessing a calling to teach is a core and essential quality of good kindergarten teachers, and it is critical to explore which factors positively impact kindergarten teachers' career calling. Developing a career calling is a meaning-making process that can be influenced by the actions of others in the workplace. During the frequent parent-teacher interactions, parent-initiated support may serve as significant interpersonal cues for kindergarten teachers in developing their career calling. Thus, the present study examined the effect of parent-initiated support on kindergarten teachers' career calling. Further, we investigated the multiple mediating roles of global and specific basic psychological need satisfaction based on the self-determination theory (SDT). Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 629 kindergarten teachers in China and analyzed using Mplus 8.3 software and the Process 3.5 macro of SPSS 26.0 software. Before testing the hypothesis, we used Mplus 8.3 to save factor scores from the Bifactor model of basic psychological need satisfaction and two uni-dimensional models of parent-initiated support and career calling. Subsequently, using the Process 3.5 macro within SPSS 26.0 software, we conducted path analysis to examine the total and mediating effects between parent-initiated support and kindergarten teachers' career calling. Results: The results revealed a positive effect of parent-initiated support on teachers' career calling. Teachers' global and specific competence need satisfaction partially mediated this positive effect, while the mediating effects of teachers' specific autonomy and relatedness need satisfaction were non-significant. Conclusion: These findings suggest that parent-initiated support is an important job resource for kindergarten teachers' development of career calling. In addition to satisfying global psychological needs, satisfying specific needs (eg, competence need) provides additional benefits to kindergarten teachers' experience of career calling.

Disparities in burden of herpes simplex virus type 2 in China: systematic review, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions.

Background: The rising prevalence of herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection poses a growing global public health challenge. A comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology and burden disparities in China is crucial for informing targeted and effective intervention strategies in the future. Methods: We followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines for a systematic review and included publications published in Chinese and English bibliographic systems until March 31st, 2024. We synthesized HSV-2 seroprevalence data across different population types. We used random-effects models for meta-analyses and conducted meta-regression to assess the association between population characteristics and seroprevalence. Results: Overall, 23,999 articles were identified, and 402 publications (1,203,362 participants) that reported the overall seroprevalence rates (858 stratified measures) were included. Pooled HSV-2 seroprevalence among the general population (lower risk) was 7.7% (95% CI: 6.8-8.7%). Compared to the general population, there is a higher risk of HSV-2 prevalence among intermediate-risk populations (14.8%, 95% CI: 11.0-19.1%), and key populations (31.7%, 95% CI: 27.4-36.1%). Female sexual workers (FSWs) have the highest HSV-2 risk (ARR:1.69, 95% CI: 1.61-1.78). We found northeastern regions had a higher HSV-2 seroprevalence than other regions (17.0%, 95% CI: 4.3-35.6%, ARR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.26-1.50, Northern China as the reference group). This highlighted the disparity by population risk levels and regions. We also found lower HSV-2 prevalence estimates in publications in Chinese bibliographic databases than those in English databases among key populations (such as MSM and HIV-discordant populations). Conclusion: There is a gradient increase in HSV-2 prevalence risk stratification. We also identified region, population, and age disparities and heterogeneities by publication language in the HSV-2 burden. This study provides guidance for future HSV-2 prevention to eliminate disparities of HSV-2 infection and reduce overall HSV-2 burden. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=408108, identifier CRD42023408108.