A latent profile analysis of relationship satisfaction and self-regulation among low-income participants who attended relationship education with a partner.

Relationship education has shown promising effects for low-income couples on outcomes such as promoting positive communication, improving global relationship satisfaction, parenting, and individual psychological distress. Studies also indicate that couples' baseline distress (e.g., relational and individual) moderates outcomes. Yet, few studies implemented a person-centered approach to analyzing data for those who participate in relationship education. In a sample of 488 low-income opposite-gendered couples, we identified latent profile groups for men and women based on self-reported relationship satisfaction and behavioral self-regulation scores, thus incorporating both relational and individual factors. Results yielded a three-class solution for men and a four-class solution for women. We then examined group profile differences in individual psychological distress and relationship satisfaction change scores after completing the relationship education intervention (12 h of PREP's Within Our Reach). Results indicated significant differences, suggesting that group membership can predict overall improvements in both psychological and relationship distress. Thus, RE programmers and policymakers may consider flexible delivery (e.g., more or less content; more or less intense coaching) that considers overall baseline relational and/or individual functioning as opposed to a one-size-fits-all method.

The impact of hydroxybutyl chitosan and 5-fluorouracil on the procedure of endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBCS) with and without 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) during endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (Endo-DCR). In addition, the present study observed the impact of HBCS and 5-FU on the functions of the nasal mucosal cell population in vivo. METHODS: Patients were randomized into HBCS (group A), HBCS combined with 5-FU (group B), and gelatin sponge control group (group C). 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology examined the conjunctival sac and nasal flora changes. In addition, CCK8, cell scratching, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the effects of HBCS and 5-FU on the nasal mucosal cell populations. RESULTS: Subjects in groups A, B, and C had anastomotic areas of 21.83 ± 12.69 mm2, 21.57 ± 14.53 mm2, and 12.45 ± 8.16 mm2, respectively (P = 0.0359). Group A had less severe epiphora than the other two groups at 1-, 2-, and 12-week postoperative follow-up (P < 0.05). Complications around the anastomosis in group A were the least severe of the three groups (P = 0.0259). After surgery, the proportion of pathogenic bacteria in the conjunctival sac and nasal cavity was higher in groups A and B than in healthy adults. At the 2-week follow-up, the structure of nasal flora in group A was more similar to that of the healthy adults compared to group B. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative use of HBCS at the anastomose improves the postoperative outcome of En-DCR. 5-FU cannot give better postoperative results in En-DCR and is detrimental to the normalization of the postoperative flora in patients with chronic dacryocystitis. At the cellular level, both HBCS and 5-FU inhibit the migration of nasal mucosal cell populations, and 5-FU inhibits proliferation but does not promote apoptosis.

Association between changes of frailty status/frailty components status and rapid loss of kidney function in middle- aged and older populations.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and its components are proposed to associate with kidney function, but little attention is paid to the significance of changes in their status on rapid loss of kidney function. This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in frailty and its components status with rapid loss of renal function. METHODS: This study used data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Frailty status was measured using the Fried frailty phenotype (FP) scale, including five components: slowness, weakness, exhaustion, inactivity, and shrinking. Frailty status was further classified into three levels: robust (0 component), prefrail (1-2 components) and frail (3-5 components). Changes in frailty status were assessed by frailty status at baseline and 4- year follow-up. Rapid loss of kidney function was defined as a rate of estimate glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) decline ≥ 4 ml/min per 1.73 m2per year. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between changes in frailty status and its components status with rapid eGFR decline. RESULTS: A total of 2705 participants were included with 316 (11.68%) participants categorized as rapid eGFR decline during the 4-year follow-up. Compared with baseline prefrail participants who progressed to frail, prefrail participants who maintained prefrail or recovered to robust status had decreased risks of rapid eGFR decline (stable prefrail status, OR = 0.608, 95% CI: 0.396-0.953; recover to robust, OR = 0.476, 95% CI: 0.266-0.846). In contrast, among baseline robust or frail participants, we did not find changes in frailty status significantly affect the risks of rapid loss of kidney function. Moreover, participants who experienced incident weakness showed the significant relationship with an increased risk of rapid eGFR decline (OR = 1.531, 95% CI: 1.051-2.198) compared to stable non-weakness participants. Other changes of frailty components status did not significantly affect the risks of rapid eGFR decline. CONCLUSIONS: The progression of frailty status increases the risks of rapid eGFR decline among prefrail populations. Preventing weakness, may benefit kidney function.

Unpacking interplays between competitiveness, cooperativeness, and social comparison orientation: A network psychometric approach and replication.

Emerging evidence highlights the role of social comparison in competition and cooperation, yet the dynamics among competitiveness, cooperativeness, and social comparison orientation (SCO) remain underexplored. In the present study, we sought to unravel these complex interplays employing graphical Gaussian models (GGMs) and characterize the network structures utilizing cross-sectional data derived from 1073 Chinese participants. A pre-registered independent sample (n = 1348) served to examine the replicability and robustness of our initial findings. Moreover, we explored the Bayesian networks (i.e., directed acyclic graphs) to delve into their probabilistic directed dependencies. Our analysis identified an interpersonal co-opetition network where SCO bridges competitiveness and cooperativeness, emphasizing the key influence of the desire to surpass others. We also found a significant gender effect on the levels of these orientations but not on the network patterns. Additionally, the replication sample offered validation for the resultant network structure and its key nodes. In sum, these findings provide a new insight into the symbiotic relationship between competitiveness and cooperativeness within the framework of social comparison, offering significant theoretical and practical implications.

Natural killer (NK) cells-related gene signature reveals the immune environment heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma based on single cell analysis.

The early diagnosis of liver cancer is crucial for the treatment and depends on the coordinated use of several test procedures. Early diagnosis is crucial for precision therapy in the treatment of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, in this study, the NK cell-related gene prediction model was used to provide the basis for precision therapy at the gene level and a novel basis for the treatment of patients with liver cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells have innate abilities to recognize and destroy tumor cells and thus play a crucial function as the "innate counterpart" of cytotoxic T cells. The natural killer (NK) cells is well recognized as a prospective approach for tumor immunotherapy in treating patients with HCC. In this research, we used publicly available databases to collect bioinformatics data of scRNA-seq and RNA-seq from HCC patients. To determine the NK cell-related genes (NKRGs)-based risk profile for HCC, we isolated T and natural killer (NK) cells and subjected them to analysis. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection plots were created to show the degree of expression of each marker gene and the distribution of distinct clusters. The connection between the immunotherapy response and the NKRGs-based signature was further analyzed, and the NKRGs-based signature was established. Eventually, a nomogram was developed using the model and clinical features to precisely predict the likelihood of survival. The prognosis of HCC can be accurately predicted using the NKRGs-based prognostic signature, and thorough characterization of the NKRGs signature of HCC may help to interpret the response of HCC to immunotherapy and propose a novel tumor treatment perspective.

Pain recognition and pain empathy from a human-centered AI perspective.

Sensory and emotional experiences are essential for mental and physical well-being, especially within the realm of psychiatry. This article highlights recent advances in cognitive neuroscience, emphasizing the significance of pain recognition and empathic artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. We provide an overview of the recent development process in computational pain recognition and cognitive neuroscience regarding the mechanisms of pain and empathy. Through a comprehensive discussion, the article delves into critical questions such as the methodologies for AI in recognizing pain from diverse sources of information, the necessity for AI to exhibit empathic responses, and the associated advantages and obstacles linked with the development of empathic AI. Moreover, insights into the prospects and challenges are emphasized in relation to fostering artificial empathy. By delineating potential pathways for future research, the article aims to contribute to developing effective assistants equipped with empathic capabilities, thereby introducing safe and meaningful interactions between humans and AI, particularly in the context of mental health and psychiatry.

Developmental patterns and computational mechanisms of school-aged children's fairness-related decision making under social comparison.

The developmental patterns and computational mechanisms underlying the impact of unfair offers and social comparisons on school-aged children's fairness-related decision making remain unclear. To address this, we recruited 190 children aged 8 to 12 years (52.1% female) in a multi-responder ultimatum game. Results revealed an age-related decline in children's tendency to reject unfair offers, partially mediated by emotions, alongside a slight increase in rejecting inferior social comparisons. Computational modeling identified two distinct motivations guiding children's rejection behavior: inequity aversion and inferior social comparison avoidance. Furthermore, there was significant variability in responses to superior social comparisons, with some children displaying aversion and others seeking. Our refined model enhances the explanatory power of inequity aversion theory in complex multi-player social scenarios, validating and refining existing theories. In addition, the exploration of superior social comparison tendencies reveals individual heterogeneity, enriching our understanding of children's social comparisons. These findings contribute to elucidating the developmental patterns and internal mechanisms of children's socialization processes, offering implications for promoting their social adaptation and mental health.

Electronic skin based on natural biodegradable polymers for human motion monitoring.

The wearability of the flexible electronic skin (e-skin) allows it to attach to the skin for human motion monitoring, which is essential for studying human motion and especially for assessing how well patients are recovering from rehabilitation therapy. However, the use of non-degradable synthetic materials in e-skin may raise skin safety concerns. Natural biodegradable polymers with advantages such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, sustainability, natural abundance, and low cost have the potential to be alternative materials for constructing flexible e-skin and applying them to human motion monitoring. This review summarizes the applications of natural biodegradable polymers in e-skin for human motion monitoring over the past three years, focusing on the discussion of cellulose, chitosan, silk fibroin, gelatin, and sodium alginate. Finally, we summarize the opportunities and challenges of e-skin based on natural biodegradable polymers. It is hoped that this review will provide insights for the future development of flexible e-skin in the field of human motion monitoring.

PRMT5-mediated FUBP1 methylation accelerates prostate cancer progression.

Strategies beyond hormone-related therapy need to be developed to improve prostate cancer mortality. Here, we show that FUBP1 and its methylation were essential for prostate cancer progression, and a competitive peptide interfering with FUBP1 methylation suppressed the development of prostate cancer. FUBP1 accelerated prostate cancer development in various preclinical models. PRMT5-mediated FUBP1 methylation, regulated by BRD4, was crucial for its oncogenic effect and correlated with earlier biochemical recurrence in our patient cohort. Suppressed prostate cancer progression was observed in various genetic mouse models expressing the FUBP1 mutant deficient in PRMT5-mediated methylation. A competitive peptide, which was delivered through nanocomplexes, disrupted the interaction of FUBP1 with PRMT5, blocked FUBP1 methylation, and inhibited prostate cancer development in various preclinical models. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting FUBP1 methylation provides a potential therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer management.

The radiation protection behavior of medical workers: A scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Radiation exposure in medical settings stands as the primary source of artificial radiation, compounded by the yearly rise in healthcare worker numbers. Ensuring radiation protection is crucial for safeguarding their occupational health. Nevertheless, existing studies on radiation protection behavior exhibit considerable heterogeneity due to various factors. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to explore the current status of research on radiation protection behavior and identify research gaps, intending to guide future research directions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A systematic search will be conducted across English databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Medline, as well as Chinese databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature Database. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies based on predefined eligibility criteria and extract the data. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion by a third reviewer. The review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY: A stakeholder consultation will provide an opportunity to validate the findings and address any potential gaps in the article. In this scoping review, all types of studies will be considered. The effectiveness of the methodological quality of the included studies will not be reported, which may lead to some studies of poor quality being included. Only studies published in English or Chinese after 2010 will be considered in this review, potentially leading to the omission of relevant papers.

Lymphovenous anastomosis and complex decongestive therapy for severe deformed lymphedema with recurrent infection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity lymphedema is a common complication following treatment for gynecological malignancies. Its incidence rate can reach up to 70%, affecting ~20 million people worldwide. However, specialized treatment centers are scarce, and there is a lack of consensus on treatment approaches. Furthermore, there are even fewer reports on the systematic and effective treatment of severe lymphedema with malformations. Effective management of this condition remains a significant challenge for clinicians. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old woman developed bilateral leg swelling 6 years after receiving treatment for endometrial cancer. Since August 2018, she experienced > 30 episodes of lymphangitis. Upon presentation, she exhibited bilateral leg swelling and deformation, with four large swellings in the posterior thigh that impeded movement, and pain in the limbs. Skin manifestations included lichenoid lesions and features of deep sclerosis. Radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy confirmed the diagnosis of lower limb lymphedema. After 6 mo of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) and three lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) treatments, the patient lost 49 kg in weight. She also experienced a maximum circumference reduction of 35.2 cm in the left lower limb and 37.5 cm in the right lower limb. The leg pain disappeared, her swelling significantly decreased, and she regained the ability to walk, cycle, and run normally. CONCLUSION: The combined application of CDT and LVA therapy demonstrates significant positive effects in the treatment of severe, deformed stage III lymphedema.

Progress on the Synthesis Pathways and Pharmacological Effects of Naturally Occurring Pyrazines.

As one of the most essential types of heterocyclic compounds, pyrazines have a characteristic smell and taste and have a wide range of commercial applications, especially in the food industry. With the development of the food industry, the demand for pyrazines has increased. Therefore, understanding the properties, functions, and synthetic pathways of pyrazines is one of the fundamental methods to produce, control, and apply pyrazines in food or medical systems. In this review, we provide an overview of the synthesis pathways and physiological or pharmacological functions of naturally occurring pyrazines. In particular, we focus on the biosynthesis and pharmacological effects of 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP), 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine (2,5-DMP), and 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (TMP). Furthermore, areas where further research on pyrazines is needed are discussed in this work.

Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics analysis reveals the different responses of contrasting alfalfa varieties to drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Drought stress restricts the growth, distribution and productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). In order to study the response differences of alfalfa cultivars to drought stress, we previously carried out physiological and molecular comparative analysis on two alfalfa varieties with contrasting drought resistance (relatively drought-tolerant Longdong and drought-sensitive Algonquin). However, the differences in proteomic factors of the two varieties in response to drought stress still need to be further studied. Therefore, TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis was performed using leaf tissues of the two alfalfa cultivars to identify and uncover differentially abundant proteins (DAPs). RESULTS: In total, 677 DAPs were identified in Algonquin and 277 in Longdong under drought stress. Subsequently, we conducted various bioinformatics analysis on these DAPs, including subcellular location, functional classification and biological pathway enrichment. The first two main COG functional categories of DAPs in both alfalfa varieties after drought stress were 'Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis' and 'Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, chaperones'. According to KEGG database, the DAPs of the two alfalfa cultivars after drought treatment were differentially enriched in different biological pathways. The DAPs from Algonquin were enriched in 'photosynthesis' and 'ribosome'. The pathways of 'linoleic acid metabolism', 'protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum' and 'RNA transport' in Longdong were significantly enriched. Finally, we found significant differences in DAP enrichment and expression patterns between Longdong and Algonquin in glycolysis/glycogenesis, TCA cycle, photosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, flavonoid and isoflavonoid biosynthesis, and plant-pathogen interaction pathway after drought treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The differences of DAPs involved in various metabolic pathways may explain the differences in the resistance of the two varieties to drought stress. These DAPs can be used as candidate proteins for molecular breeding of alfalfa to cultivate new germplasm with more drought tolerance to adapt to unfavorable environments.

miR-93-5p impairs autophagy-lysosomal pathway via TET3 after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Intact autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) in neuronal survival is crucial. However, it remains unclear whether ALP is intact after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Ten-eleven translocation (TET) 3 primarily regulates genes related to autophagy in neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of TET3 in the ALP following SAH. The results indicate that the ALP is impaired after SAH, with suppressed autophagic flux and an increase in autophagosomes. This is accompanied by a decrease in TET3 expression. Activation of TET3 by α-KG can improve ALP function and neural function to some extent. Silencing TET3 in neurons significantly inhibited the ALP function and increased apoptosis. Inhibition of miR-93-5p, which is elevated after SAH, promotes TET3 expression. This suggests that the downregulation of TET3 after SAH is, at least in part, due to elevated miR-93-5p. This study clarifies the key role of TET3 in the functional impairment of the ALP after SAH. The preliminary exploration revealed that miR-93-5p could lead to the downregulation of TET3, which could be a new target for neuroprotective therapy after SAH.

m6A-Mediated IRS1 Regulates the Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma through p53/Line-1 Signaling.

BACKGROUND: The importance of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in tumorigenesis and progression have been highlighted. This study aimed to investigate the modification of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) by m6A and its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Bioinformatics was employed to predict differential genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC. Seventeen pairs of OSCC and paracancerous tissue samples were collected. The impact of IRS1 on OSCC cell growth and EMT was evaluated. The fluctuations in IRS1 enrichment and the involvement of p53/Line-1 were investigated. RESULTS: IRS1 was highly expressed in OSCC. IRS1 silencing decreased OSCC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. IRS1 silencing hindered EMT by regulating related markers. IRS1 silencing upregulated p53 and downregulated Line-1 ORF1p. The p53 inhibition reversed the effects of IRS1 silencing and induced EMT in OSCC cells. Furthermore, the m6A modification of IRS1 was increased in OSCC cells. IRS1 were positively regulated by the m6A regulators methyltransferase-like 14 (METTL14) and YTH domain-containing protein 1 (YTHDC1). IRS1 bound to YTHDC1, and YTHDC1 knockdown inhibited the IRS1 nuclear export. The obesity-associated protein (FTO) negatively regulated IRS1, and FTO overexpression reversed the IRS1-induced OSCC tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: m6A methylation-mediated IRS1 regulated EMT in OSCC through p53/Line-1. These findings provide potential therapeutic strategies for managing OSCC.

Modular Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Vinyl Sulfides via One-Pot Sequential Carbene Transfer Reaction from Thiols with α-Diazo Carbonyl Compounds.

We present a one-pot reaction that offers an efficient approach to synthesizing tetrasubstituted vinyl sulfides with high stereoselectivity. This method involves the sequential Wolff rearrangement, ylide formation, and [1,4]-aryl transfer by utilizing aryl and alkyl thiols and α-diazo carbonyl compounds as substrates. Notably, this reaction features commercially available materials, straightforward operation, atom economy, and broad substrate scope. Moreover, the primary photophysical properties (aggregation-induced emission effect) of the products were also investigated, which might be useful in functional materials via structural modification.

Analysis of foodborne salmonellosis serotypes and drug resistance in children in Chenzhou City of China from 2017 through 2022.

Background: Salmonella is a significant pathogens of foodborne illness. The widespread use of antibiotics in clinical practice and animal husbandry has resulted in increasing drug resistance of Salmonella. In this study, we examined the serotype distribution and drug resistance of Salmonella in pediatric patients with diarrhea in Chenzhou City to provide a basis for the scientific control and rational use of antibiotics in clinical practice in relation to Salmonellosis. Methods: Stool Salmonella spp. were collected from patients younger than 18 years of age who met the definition for foodborne illness at two sentinel hospitals from 2017 through 2022 tested Salmonella, and a descriptive analysis of the epidemiologic characteristics. Salmonella strains isolated from the stool underwent serology and drug-sensitivity tests. The following 14 antibiotics were used for the drug-sensitivity tests: ampicillin (AMP), ampicillin/sulbactam (AMS), cefazolin (CFZ), cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem (IPM), tetracycline (TET), nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol (CHL), gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT), and azithromycin. Results: Samples from 1,263 pediatric with diarrhea, and Salmonella was detected in 221 (17.5%) of these patients. Positive test results were principally observed in the second and third quarters of each year, accounting for 21.1% and 19.6% of the cases, respectively. The infection rates of infants aged less than 12 months and toddlers aged 1-3 years with diarrhea were the highest at 21.3% and 17.8%, respectively. The 221 Salmonella strains were divided into 32 serotypes, of which Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was the dominant strain (79.2%). The resistance rates to TET (86.9%), AMP (75.6%), AMS (58.4%), CFZ (55.7%), CHL (54.3%), and SXT (45.2%) predominated, and the differences in the drug-resistance rates to 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-generation cephalosporins were high (2.3-55.7%). Only 0.9% of the strains were resistant to IPM. The multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was 76.5% (169/221), and 48.9% (108/221) of the strains were resistant to five or more classes of antibiotics, of which the most common drug-resistance profile was AMP-AMS-TET-CHL-CFZ-SXT, accounting for 10.9% of Salmonella strains (24/221). Conclusions: Foodborne salmonellosis tended to occur during the summer and autumn in children, and infants and toddlers were more likely to develop salmonellosis than children in the other age groups. The dominant Salmonella serotype was S. Typhimurium. The drug-resistance rate of the tested strains was high, and the MDR problem was severe. We recommend that in the treatment of salmonellosis, antibiotics be selected rationally based on the drug-resistance status of local Salmonella resistance situation to ensure safety and efficacy.

Sublethal and transgenerational effects of broflanilide on the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri.

BACKGROUND: The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri is a serious pest of the citrus industry and has developed resistance to many acaricides. Broflanilide is a novel meta-diamide insecticide that binds to a new site on the γ -aminobutyric acid receptor with high potency against pests. However, little information has been reported about its effect on the citrus red mite. RESULTS: Broflanilide exhibited higher toxicity to female adults and eggs of a laboratory strain of P. citri The median lethal concentration (LC50), 9.769 mg/L and 4.576 mg/L, respectively) than other commonly used acaricides and was also toxic to two P. citri field strains. Broflanilide treatment with LC10, LC20, and LC30 significantly decreased the fecundity and longevity of female adults of F0 P. citri compared with the control. The duration of larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult, and total life span in the F1 generation were significantly reduced after treatment of F0 with broflanilide. Population parameters, including the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ), were significantly increased, and the mean generation time (T) of F1 progeny was significantly reduced in the LC20 treatment. The predicted population size of F1 increased when parental female adults were treated with sublethal concentrations. CONCLUSION: Broflanilide had high acaricidal activity toward P. citri, and exposure to a sublethal concentration significantly inhibited the population growth of F0. The transgenerational hormesis effect is likely to cause population expansion of F1. More attention should be paid when broflanilide is applied to control P. citri in citrus orchards. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

The effect of choice on memory across development.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of making choices as an internal motivator to improve performance, and recent studies in the domain of memory have focused on adults. To chart the developmental trend of the choice effect on memory, we conducted a series of seven experiments involving children, adolescents, and young adults. Participants (N = 512) aged 5 to 26 years performed a choice encoding task that manipulated the opportunities to choose and then took a memory test. Using different types of experimental materials and corroborated by a mini meta-analysis, we found that the choice effect on memory was significant in childhood and early adolescence but not significant in late adolescence and early adulthood. The developmental changes were statistically significant, particularly evident during the transition from early to late adolescence. These findings suggest that the internal value of choice decreases across development and contributes to our understanding of developmental differences in the role of choice in memory.

Efficacy and advantage of immunotherapy for melanoma via intramuscular co-expression of plasmid-encoded PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs.

Immunotherapy, in the shape of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has completely changed the treatment of cancer. However, the increasing expense of treatment and the frequency of immune-related side effects, which are frequently associated with combination antibody therapies and Fc fragment of antibody, have limited the patient's ability to benefit from these treatments. Herein, we presented the therapeutic effects of the plasmid-encoded PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs (single-chain variable fragment) for melanoma via an optimized intramuscular gene delivery system. After a single injection, the plasmid-encoded ICI scFv in mouse sera continued to be above 150 ng/mL for 3 weeks and reached peak amounts of 600 ng/mL. Intramuscular delivery of plasmid encoding PD-1 and CTLA-4 scFvs significantly changed the tumor microenvironment, delayed tumor growth, and prolonged survival in melanoma-bearing mice. Furthermore, no significant toxicity was observed, suggesting that this approach could improve the biosafety of ICIs combination therapy. Overall, the expression of ICI scFvs in vivo using intramuscular plasmid delivery could potentially develop into a reliable, affordable, and safe immunotherapy technique, expanding the range of antibody-based gene therapy systems that are available.