Revealing the mechanisms of blood-brain barrier in chronic neurodegenerative disease: an opportunity for therapeutic intervention.

The brain microenvironment is tightly regulated, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a pivotal role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system. It effectively safeguards brain tissue from harmful substances in peripheral blood. However, both acute pathological factors and age-related biodegradation have the potential to compromise the integrity of the BBB and are associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as Epilepsy (EP). This association arises due to infiltration of peripheral foreign bodies including microorganisms, immune-inflammatory mediators, and plasma proteins into the central nervous system when the BBB is compromised. Nevertheless, these partial and generalized understandings do not prompt a shift from passive to active treatment approaches. Therefore, it is imperative to acquire a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying vascular disease alterations associated with the onset and progression of chronic neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the subsequent homeostatic changes triggered by BBB impairment. The present article aims to systematically summarize and review recent scientific work with a specific focus on elucidating the fundamental mechanisms underlying BBB damage in AD, PD, and EP as well as their consequential impact on disease progression. These findings not only offer guidance for optimizing the physiological function of the BBB, but also provide valuable insights for developing intervention strategies aimed at early restoration of BBB structural integrity, thereby laying a solid foundation for designing drug delivery strategies centered around the BBB.

Is cranioplasty the optimal treatment for contralateral subdural effusion after decompressive craniectomy?: a case report.

Introduction and importance: Contralateral subdural effusion (CSDE) is a rare complication secondary to decompressive craniectomy (DC), which can lead to encephalocele and neurologic deterioration. The authors report a case that confirm the existence of unidirectional membrane valve, and cranioplasty is an effective treatment for CSDE. Case presentation: The authors reported a case of 43-year-old female was diagnosed with ruptured intracranial aneurysm and treated with interventional embolization. She underwent DC because of postoperative cerebral infarction subsequently. Her conscious state deteriorated accompanied by encephalocele in postoperative 2 week. A craniocerebral computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of CSDE with cerebral hernia. A compression bandaging of the skull defect was applicated, whereas, her conscious state progressive deteriorated. She was transferred to the author's hospital where she underwent burr-hole drainage and clinical symptom has been improved. However, a relapse of CSDE was observed after the removal of drainage tube. Continuous lumbar drainage was employed, and which was ineffective for CSDE in this case. Finally, she underwent cranioplasty, with the help of drainage of subdural effusion, CSDE was completely resolved. Clinical discussion: CSDE is occasionally observed in patients after DC. Intracranial pressure (ICP) gradient and unidirectional membrane valve are the possible mechanisms of CSDE. At present, there is no optimal therapy for CSDE. For symptomatic CSDE patients, one or more treatment measures should be applicated. Conclusion: Cranioplasty is one of the curative and optimal method to treat symptomatic CSDE patients, early cranioplasty combined with burr-hole drainage should be performed for conservative treatment failed and intractable cases.

IgG4-associated hypophysitis coexisting with MALT lymphoma and gangliocytoma: first case report and literature review.

IgG4-related or IgG4-associated hypophysitis is a rare disease characterized by the infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells into pituitary gland tissue. Gangliocytomas in the sellar region are also extremely rare and are associated with pituitary adenomas in the majority of cases. Sellar mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an exceedingly rare condition. In this study, we present a case of IgG4-associated hypophysitis coexisting with MALT lymphoma and gangliocytoma. However, to elucidate the potential pathophysiological relationship, it is imperative to gather additional cases of IgG4-related hypophysitis accompanied by MALT lymphoma and gangliocytoma.

Interspecific competition affects spore germination and gametophore development of mosses.

Background: Interactions between moss species in their earliest growth stages have received little attention. To what extent interspecific competition or priority effects influence spore germination, protonemal development and gametophore emergence is unknown. We evaluated such effects in pairwise interaction between six common bryophyte species: Atrichum undulatum, Bryum argenteum, Ceratodon purpureus, Funaria hygrometrica, Hypnum cupressiforme, Leptobryum pyriforme. Methods: Interspecific interactions were assessed in vitro. Spores were sterilized and sown on agar plates in three treatments: 1) as single species cultures (controls), 2) as pairwise species cultures inoculated simultaneously, and 3) with a time lag of 20 days between species. Data on time needed for spore germination, germination rate, the time needed for gametophore differentiation, number of gametophores per germinated spore and average diameter of colonies were collected. We also performed spore germination tests in single-species cultures at the start and end of the study, as well as tests for density-dependency at spore germination and gametophore formation. Results: We observed strong pairwise interactive effects when sowing spores of different species simultaneously or with a delay of 20 days. The results indicate that spore germination is often inhibited by interspecific competition. The first species has an advantage as compared to the later colonizing species, i.e., an apparent priority effect. Interspecific interactions were also evident during gametophore development and included both inhibition and facilitation. Conclusion: We found pronounced differences in the relative performance of species in interaction with other species during spore germination and gametophore formation. Allelopathic effects are the most probable explanation for these observations. Our results under sterile lab conditions are likely to reflect processes that occur in the wild, governing biotic filtering and bryophyte community assembly during primary and secondary colonization.

Clinical features of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis at plateau areas.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is believed to be associated with high-altitude exposure and has worse clinical prognosis in plateau areas than in plain areas, although this needs to be further verified. This retrospective study aims to compare the clinical differences of patients with CVST in plateau and plain areas and further ascertain the role of high-altitude exposure in the etiology of aggravating predisposition toward CVST. METHODS: Twenty-four symptomatic CVST patients occurring at plateau areas (altitude ≥ 4000 m), in corresponding with 24 CVST patients occurring at plain areas (altitude ≤ 1000 m), were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria from June 2020 to December 2021. The collected data and compared parameters include clinical features, neuroimaging findings, hematology profile, lipid profile, and coagulation profile within 24 h of hospital admission, as well as the treatment method and final outcome. RESULTS: There were no obvious differences of demographic characteristics, including gender, age, height, and weight between patients with CVST in plateau and plain areas, as well as medical history, neuroimaging findings, treatment protocols, and clinical outcome (all p > .05). Compared to patients with CVST at plain areas, time before hospital admission was longer and heartbeat was slower in patients with CVST at plateau areas (all p < .05). More importantly, elevated red blood cells counts, hemoglobin level, and altered coagulation function were found in patients with CVST at plateau areas (all p < .05). CONCLUSION: CVST patients in plateau areas presented with altered clinical characteristics, altered coagulation function, and aggravated predisposition toward venous thromboembolism compared with CVST patients in plain areas. Future prospective studies will be needed to further elucidate the influences of a high altitude on the pathogenesis of CVST.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pure red cell aplasia: Case series and large-scale pharmacovigilance analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Impressive advances in immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have made great progress in treating multiple cancers. However, ICIs can also cause serious, even incurable, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), most often in patients with colitis, dermatitis, hepatitis, and thyroiditis. Rare autoimmune hematologic toxicities have been reported in the literature but are poorly described. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) induced by ICIs is a life-threatening autoimmune disease; however, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To characterize and evaluate PRCA associated with different ICI regimens in a public database and to review the relevant literature. METHODS: We described a case series of patients experiencing PRCA while on ICIs. We also mined the Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and used reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) algorithms to analyze the data of the suspected adverse events of PRCA induced by ICIs between January 2011 and June 2022. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with PRCA events while on ICIs were included in our case series. In FAERS, a total of 41 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) with different ICI regimens were retrieved, among which 28 (68.3%) were related to monotherapy and three (7.3%) involved a fatal outcome. Signals of PRCA for all four ICI monotherapies (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab, and atezolizumab) and ICI combination therapy (ipilimumab/nivolumab) were detected. Ipilimumab/nivolumab presented a higher reporting signal than nivolumab. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant reporting signal of PRCA with several ICI agents. Clinicians should be aware of and monitor this potentially fatal adverse event.

Fertility Intention and Influencing Factors for Having a Second Child among Floating Women of Childbearing Age.

In recent years, an increasing number of women participate in population mobility and most of them are of childbearing age. With the continuous expansion of the population size of this group, their fertility intention will have a great impact on the development of China's population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fertility intention and influencing factors on having a second child in floating women. This study employed the data from the 2018 National Migrants Dynamic Monitoring Survey data. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information, such as socio-demographics and fertility intention. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out to obtain the basic characteristics of the main variables. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to analyze the differences in the basic characteristics between three groups of women (with intention, without intention and unsure about having a second child). Multinomial logistic regression was employed to analyze influencing factors associated with fertility intention among the floating women. The results of this study indicated that only 13.07% of the floating women had the intention to have a second child, while 67.73% had no intention of having another child. In the multivariate analysis, age, gender and age of the first child, reproductive health education, employment status and medical insurance were found to be significant influencing factors of fertility intention (p < 0.05), while education level and household registration type were not associated with the desire to have a second child (p > 0.05). Overall, after the implementation of the universal two-child policy, floating women of childbearing age have reduced intention to have a second child. Reproductive health education and medical insurance play an important role in ensuring the fertility of floating women. This reminds government departments to consider the above factors comprehensively when formulating the next work plan.

Association of social capital with obesity among older adults in China: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Under the global aging trend, health issues of the elderly have received more and more attention. Among them, older adults' obesity is one of the common health problems of the elderly. The association between social capital and obesity in the older adults has been analysed and discussed in previous studies but remains controversial. There are few studies on the association between social capital and obesity in the older adults in China. We examined whether social capital was associated with obesity in Chinese older adults. METHODS: The data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) -wave 8 (2017-2018) was used in this study. Totally, 10,164 respondents were included in the final analysis. Generalized trust, social participation (informal social interaction and participation of organized social activities), and social support was used as measures of social capital. Obesity status was defined by body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between the social capital and obesity, adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: We found that the older adults who did not trust people around had greater odds of being overweighted/obese compared to those who trust [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.155, 95% CI 1.045 to 1.265]. The older adults having formal participation (participating in organized social activities) registered considerably higher BMI (AOR 1.155, 95% CI 1.041 to 1.269). The older adults who did not trust people around them had greater odds of being overweighted/obese both in males (AOR 1.172, 95% CI 1.012-1.333) and in females (AOR 1.155, 95% CI 1.004-1.306). Males having formal social participation were more likely to be overweighted/obese (AOR 1.181, 95% CI 1.024 to 1.337), but not in females. CONCLUSIONS: Generalized trust and formal social participation was associated with overweight/obesity among older adults in China. Targeted obesity interventions for older adults are needed by developing public health policies for social capital optimization.

Analysis of inequality in the distribution of general practitioners in China: evidence from 2012 to 2018.

AIM: This paper aims to analyze the inequalities in general practitioner (GP) distribution in China. BACKGROUND: GPs-based primary health care (PHC) has been implemented from 2011 in China, aiming to improve the accessibility and quality of basic medical and healthcare services. GPs in China, as the gatekeeper of people's health, mainly undertake integrated health services at the grass-roots level. METHODS: The number of GPs and inequality in GPs distribution from 2012 to 2018 was analyzed by the Lorenz Curve/Gini coefficient and Theil L index. Data were extracted from China Health Statistical Yearbook 2013-2019. FINDINGS: The demographic Gini coefficient of GPs changed from 2012 (0.234) to 2018 (0.167), showing high equality in China. In contrast, the Thiel L index from 2012 (0.372) to 2018 (0.345) showed less equality. The decomposition of Thiel L index implicated the inequalities within the divisions. The number of GPs in China shows a fast growth trend since the general practice system established, and the GPs distribution becomes more demographically equitable. However, the shortage of GPs and inequality in their distribution remains severe. More incentive and supportive policies need to be made to enhance the quantity, quality, and structure of GPs in China.

Chinese Consumers' Trust in Food Safety Surveillance Sampling of Commonly Consumed Foods.

In China, food has become safer over the past five years, especially commonly consumed foods. Food supervision sampling has played an important role in improving food safety. However, consumer acceptance of the results of food safety supervision have not kept pace. Communicating actual food safety risks to consumers and improving the public trust in food safety supervision sampling inspection has become an important issue. This study focused on food safety surveillance sampling of commonly consumed foods. In total, 4408 adult consumers were surveyed between August and October 2021. Structural equation modeling was performed for data analysis. This study found significant differences along gender lines and across different cities and levels of education with respect to evaluating competence trust and care trust on food supervision sampling inspection. This study identified the public's competence trust, care trust, and perception of food safety as factors that significantly affect one's attitude toward supervision sampling inspection. Care trust showed a more pronounced effect on trust enhancement than competence trust. The present study also provides some practical measures for food safety supervisors to improve public trust in the national food inspection. Specifically, the sampling process should be open and transparent.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated With Diabetic Foot Prevention Among Rural Adults With Diabetes in North China.

Background: The diabetic foot is a global threat to public health because it can result in infection and amputation, as well as cause the patient to experience considerable pain and incur financial costs. The condition of patients with diabetic foot in North China is distinguished by more severe local ulcers, a worse prognosis, and a longer duration of disease than that of patients with diabetic foot in the south. Through appropriate preventive measures, the diabetic foot can be effectively avoided. This study assesses the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with diabetic foot prevention among adults with diabetes living in rural areas of North China. Method: This cross-sectional survey included 1,080 rural adults from North China, cluster sampled 12 villages and surveyed diabetic patients without diabetic foot who participated in community diabetes management. The self-administered knowledge and attitude questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot-care Questionnaire were used. Result: Of the 1,080 subjects, 51.6% received moderate knowledge scores, 63.9% had a positive attitude and 71.4% received poor practice scores. In terms of knowledge, parameters of knowledge about foot examinations and treatment of foot problems showed the lowest scores. In terms of practice, in line with the results of the low knowledge score, parameters of the pursuit of medical treatment for foot problems and routine foot examinations were associated with the lowest scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that participants who were current smokers (ß: -0.049, 95% CI: -0.088 to -0.011) had lower knowledge scores than those who never smoke; participants who were current smokers (ß: -0.818, 95% CI: -1.067 to -0.569) and past smokers (ß: -0.299, 95% CI: -0.485 to -0.112) had lower attitude scores than those who had never smoked; participants who had higher knowledge scores (ß: 1.964, 95% CI: 1.572-2.356) achieved higher scores on attitudes; women had better practice scores than men (ß: 0.180, 95% CI: 0.122-0.239); patients with a long diabetes duration (6-10 years) had better practice scores than those who had a short diabetes duration (<2 years; ß: 0.072, 95% CI: 0.012-0.131). Knowledge (ß: 0.130, 95% CI: 0.001-0.258) and attitudes (ß: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.249-0.287) were significantly associated with good practices. Conclusions: Increasing knowledge regarding diabetic foot would help instill positive attitudes and cultivate better practices toward diabetic foot prevention. The results of this study may help guide future promotional resources to those groups most in need, which may help lower the incidence of diabetic foot among adults in North China.

Comparative Analysis of the Status and Influencing Factors of Immunization Among Children Between Registered and Floating Population.

Background: A vaccine is an effective tool to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor and improve health equity, through which a number of serious childhood diseases can be successfully prevented or eradicated. This study is aimed to compare the current situation of vaccination and related factors among children in China's registered residents and floating population, to provide a reference for achieving the 100% vaccination rate in China. Methods: The data used for this study are from the 2017 National Migrants Dynamic Monitoring Special Survey data. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information, such as socio-demographics, vaccination status of children, and so on, on the registered population and floating population. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square independence test were used to describe the information and to compare the vaccination status of children under different sociodemographic characteristics. Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze influencing factors associated with vaccination of children. Results: The findings showed that 94.39% of children in registered residence were completely vaccinated, which was significantly higher than that of the floating children (91.68%, p < 0.001). The region, parents' education level, and marital status were found to be significant risk factors for complete vaccination of children regardless of the registered or floating population. In addition, ethnicity and length of time to the nearest medical institution were unique risk factors for complete vaccination of children in registered residence. And, health record was an independent influencing factor for vaccination of children of floating population. Conclusion: Compared with registered population, floating population was at a disadvantage in using basic public health services, especially in children's vaccination. To achieve 100% vaccination for children, particular interventions should be taken for different populations.

Association between social capital and sleep duration among rural older adults in China.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances are great challenges to older adults' health promotion. The study tested gender differences in the association between different dimensions of social capital and self-reported sleep duration of Chinese rural older adults. DESIGN: The data of rural older adults were extracted from a national cross-sectional survey of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and analyzed in this study. SETTING: CLHLS covered 23 provinces in China. PARTICIPANTS: The 6552 rural respondents aged ≥65 years old were involved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Generalized trust, informal social participation, formal social participation and social support were used to assess social capital. Self-reported sleep duration was measured as health outcome. RESULTS: Low level of generalized trust had harmful effect on insufficient sleep (AOR 1.110, 95% CI 1.018-1.324), and having no formal or informal social participation was significantly positively associated with long sleep (AORformal 1.424, 95% CI 1.007-2.013; AORinformal 1.241, 95% CI 1.016-1.516). Rural older female adults with no emotional social support had higher odds of insufficient sleep (AOR 1.502, 95% CI 1.258-1.978). Meanwhile, both informal and formal social participation showed inverse association with long sleep for females. CONCLUSIONS: This study found the relationship between social capital, sleep duration and the gender differences in Chinese rural older adults. More targeted sleep disturbance interventions could be taken in social capital of rural older adults, and gender differences should be considered when making social capital-embedded health promotion policies and interventions.

Two Dietary Patterns From China Might Benefit Kidney Function, as Indicated by Latent Profile Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly influenced by diet. However, there is a lack of a special dietary pattern to promote kidney health; there might have been some dietary patterns that could be beneficial in preventing the decline of renal function. The aim of this study is to assess the latent friendly dietary patterns for the kidneys in the year with low incidence of CKD in China. METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey (2009), 4,267 adults no less than 18 years old without CKD, hypertension, diabetes, and so on were analyzed in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Kidney function was reflected by 3 common indicators: uric acid, urea, and creatinine. Food intake was determined based on 3 consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls from the first day of midnight to the fourth day of midnight. Latent profile analysis was used to identify dietary patterns among participants. RESULTS: After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle characteristics, 2 dietary patterns (low animal and high plant diet and high cereal and vegetable diet) which were characterized as higher intake of plant derived food (cereals, tubers, legumes, fruits, and vegetables) from China might benefit kidney function. The median intake of foods in the first dietary pattern was cereals and cereal products 433.33 g/day, tubers and starch products 150.00 g/day, dried legumes and legume products 46.67 g/day, vegetables and vegetable products 303.33 g/day, meat and meat products 40.00 g/day, and egg and egg products 20.00 g/day. The median intake of foods in the second dietary pattern was cereals and cereal products 616.67 g/day, dried legumes and legume products 38.33 g/day, vegetables and vegetable products 700.00 g/day, meat and meat products 66.67 g/day, and egg and egg products 20.00 g/day. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that there were two dietary patterns in China might benefit kidney function. Future studies are needed to confirm these associations and design dietary patterns specifically to promote kidney health based on these characteristics.

The Effects of Dairy Product Label Information on Cognition of Consumers: The Case of the China Choices.

Food safety issues were a growing concern in most countries; affecting the people's health, social stability, economic development, and dairy product safety had always been an important topic of concern for consumers. This study is aimed at investigating the concerns of consumers about dairy product label information and its influencing factors. These survey data were reported for 4408 respondents with a total response rate of 96.35%. Findings revealed that consumers' concern on dairy product label information was relatively high on the whole, and there were significant differences in the level of consumers' concern on dairy product label information (P < 0.05). Regression results indicated that education significantly influenced consumers' concern about dairy product label information than age and Engel's coefficient (P < 0.05). Findings from this study will provide references for the government to disseminate dairy product knowledge to the public effectively.

Allosteric Mechanism of Human Mitochondrial Phenylalanyl-tRNA Synthetase: An Atomistic MD Simulation and a Mutual Information-Based Network Study.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs), a family of ubiquitous and essential enzymes, can bind target tRNAs and catalyze the aminoacylation reaction in genetic code translation. In this work, we explore the dynamic properties and allosteric communication of human mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (hmPheRS) in free and bound states to understand the mechanisms of its tRNAPhe recognition and allostery using molecular dynamics simulations combined with the torsional mutual information-based network model. Our results reveal that hmPheRS's residue mobility and inter-residue motional coupling are significantly enhanced by tRNAPhe binding, and there occurs a strong allosteric communication which is critical for the aminoacylation reaction, suggesting the vital role of tRNAPhe binding in the enzyme's function. The identified signaling pathways mainly make the connections between the anticodon binding domain (ABD) and catalytic domain (CAD), as well as within the CAD composed of many functional fragments and active sites, revealing the co-regulation role of them to act coordinately and achieve hmPheRS's aminoacylation function. Besides, several key residues along the communication pathways are identified to be involved in mediating the coordinated coupling between anticodon recognition at the ABD and activation process at the CAD, showing their pivotal role in the allosteric network, which are well consistent with the experimental observation. This study sheds light on the allosteric communication mechanism in hmPheRS and can provide important information for the structure-based drug design targeting aaRSs.

Edaphic variables are better indicators of soil microbial functional structure than plant-related ones in subtropical broad-leaved forests.

Soil microorganisms play important roles in the ecosystem functioning of subtropical broad-leaved forests (SBFs). However, the patterns and environmental indicators of soil microbial functional structure remain unclear in SBFs. In the present work, we used a functional microarray (GeoChip 4.0) to examine the soil microbial functional structure of three types of SBFs, including a deciduous broad-leaved forest (DBF), a mixed evergreen-deciduous broad-leaved forest (MBF), and an evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBF). We found that microbial functional structure was significantly different among SBFs (P < 0.05). Compared to the DBF and the EBF, the MBF had higher functional α-diversity (P = 0.001, F = 12.55) but lower ß-diversity (P < 0.001, F = 61.09), and showed more complex functional gene networks. Besides, the MBF had higher relative abundances of functional genes for carbon (C) decomposition, C fixation, nitrogen (N) cycling, sulfur (S) cycling, and phosphorus (P) cycling (P < 0.05), indicating stronger microbial functional capabilities of nutrient cycling processes. Edaphic variables (i.e., soil pH and soil nutrient content) were revealed as better indicators of soil microbial functional structure than plant-related ones (i.e., vegetation type and plant diversity) in SBFs. For example, functional gene structure of the DBF was significantly related to soil total S (P = 0.041), that of the MBF was significantly related to soil organic C (P = 0.027) and plant available P (P = 0.034), and that of the EBF was significantly related to soil pH (P = 0.006) and total potassium (K) (P = 0.038). Overall, through the analysis of microbial functional gene profiles, this study yields unique insights into the environmental indicators of patterns and mechanisms of soil microbial functional structure in SBFs.

Place of Residence and Cognitive Function in Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Social Participation.

Background: Cognitive impairment is a severe health problem faced by older adults and their families, as well as the countries in which they live. Differences in place of residence may contribute to differences in the cognitive function of older adults, and the mediating effect of social participation has rarely been studied in China. Methods: A total of 10,014 older adult participants were included, using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Place of residence was described as either a city, town, or rural area. The frequency of participation in organized social activities and visits and interactions with friends was used to assess both formal and informal social participation. The Chinese version of a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used as a measure of cognitive function. The mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes' process version 3.4 on SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Place of residence had a negative effect on cognitive function in older adults. The mediating functions of both informal (a1b1 = 0.199) and formal (a2b2 = -0.056) social participation indicate a suppression effect on the part of informal social participation and a partial mediation effect on the part of formal social participation in terms of the association between place of residence and cognitive function in older adults. Promoting both informal and formal social participation seems to be an important strategy for preventing a decline in the cognitive function of older adults, especially for those living in rural areas.

Winter warming rapidly increases carbon degradation capacities of fungal communities in tundra soil: Potential consequences on carbon stability.

High-latitude tundra ecosystems are increasingly affected by climate warming. As an important fraction of soil microorganisms, fungi play essential roles in carbon degradation, especially the old, chemically recalcitrant carbon. However, it remains obscure how fungi respond to climate warming and whether fungi, in turn, affect carbon stability of tundra. In a 2-year winter soil warming experiment of 2°C by snow fences, we investigated responses of fungal communities to warming in the active layer of an Alaskan tundra. Although fungal community composition, revealed by the 28S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, remained unchanged (p > .05), fungal functional gene composition, revealed by a microarray named GeoChip, was altered (p < .05). Changes in functional gene composition were linked to winter soil temperature, thaw depth, soil moisture, and gross primary productivity (canonical correlation analysis, p < .05). Specifically, relative abundances of fungal genes encoding invertase, xylose reductase and vanillin dehydrogenase significantly increased (p < .05), indicating higher carbon degradation capacities of fungal communities under warming. Accordingly, we detected changes in fungal gene networks under warming, including higher average path distance, lower average clustering coefficient and lower percentage of negative links, indicating that warming potentially changed fungal interactions. Together, our study reveals higher carbon degradation capacities of fungal communities under short-term warming and highlights the potential impacts of fungal communities on tundra ecosystem respiration, and consequently future carbon stability of high-latitude tundra.

The Role of BDNF on Neural Plasticity in Depression.

Using behavioral, pharmacological, and molecular methods, lots of studies reveal that depression is closely related to the abnormal neural plasticity processes occurring in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system such as the hippocampus and amygdala. Meanwhile, functions of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the other neurotrophins in the pathogenesis of depression are well known. The maladaptive neuroplastic in depression may be related to alterations in the levels of neurotrophic factors, which play a central role in plasticity. Enhancement of neurotrophic factors signaling has great potential in therapy for depression. This review highlights the relevance of neurotrophic factors mediated neural plasticity and pathophysiology of depression. These studies reviewed here may suggest new possible targets for antidepressant drugs such as neurotrophins, their receptors, and relevant signaling pathways, and agents facilitating the activation of gene expression and increasing the transcription of neurotrophic factors in the brain.