Psychological Resilience of Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study after the Deblocking of China's COVID-19 Pandemic Strategy.

Psychological resilience (PR) plays an important role in fortifying mental health during pandemics. This study aimed to examine the PR and its related factors of college students in China after the deblocking of the China's COVID-19 pandemic strategy. A total of 1100 college students from 15 universities participated in this cross-sectional survey by multi-stage stratified sampling. Data were collected by self-designed socio-demographic information, the family function assessment scale (APGAR), a general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), the general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and a psychological resilience scale. The average score of PR was 135.65 ± 18.54. Cluster analysis of PR scores showed that 24.9% of the college students had weak PR. The higher PR, the higher mental health status (r = 0.352, p < 0.05). Females had higher PR than males (OR = 0.550, 95% CI: 0.367-0.827). High self-efficacy was an independent protective factor of high PR (OR = 0.093, 95% CI: 0.059-0.145). Low family contact frequency, poor family function, and bad mental health status were the independent risk factors of high PR. In conclusion, the PR of Chinese college students were insufficient after the deblocking of China's COVID-19 pandemic strategy, indicating an improvement of PR should be put into practice immediately. Frequent monthly contact with family, family function, self-efficacy, mental health status, and gender were the influencing factors of PR, which provides an intervention strategy for the future.

Gastrodin ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in diabetes by inhibiting PAK2 phosphorylation.

Diabetes is associated with higher prevalence of cognitive dysfunction, while the underlying mechanism is still elusive. In this study, we aim to explore the potential mechanism of diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction and assess the therapeutic effects of Gastrodin on cognitive dysfunction. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. The Morris Water Maze Test was employed to assess the functions of spatial learning and memory. Transcriptome was used to identify the potential factors involved. Western blot and immunofluorescence were applied to detect the protein expression. Our results have shown that spatial learning was impaired in diabetic rats, coupled with damaged hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Gastrodin intervention ameliorated the spatial learning impairments and neuronal damages. Transcriptomics analysis identified differential expression genes critical for diabetes-induced hippocampal damage and Gastrodin treatment, which were further confirmed by qPCR and western blot. Moreover, p21 activated kinase 2 (PAK2) was found to be important for diabetes-induced hippocampal injury and its inhibitor could promote the survival of primary hippocampal neurons. It suggested that PAK2 pathway may be involved in cognitive dysfunction in diabetes and could be a therapeutic target for Gastrodin intervention.

Mental health problems among transition-aged youth with physical disabilities: an initial evaluation.

Aim: Decreased participation and complex transitions into adulthood among youth with disabilities may impede their well-being. To advance knowledge on the co-occurrence of mental health problems and physical disability, this brief report describes the frequency of mental health problems, measured by the Behavior Assessment System of Children (BASC-3), among transition-aged youth (14-25 years) with physical disabilities and examines the association between mental health problems and sex, age, and number of functional issues. Methods: Thirty-three participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the BASC-3. Frequency of BASC-3 scales falling within 3 categories: "within norms", "at risk", and "clinically significant" were described. Crosstabs and Chi-square tests were used to examine the association between BASC-3 scales and sex, age (< and ≥ 20), and number of functional issues (< and ≥ 6). Results: Overall, "somatization", "self-esteem", "depression" and "sense of inadequacy" were the most common subscales being at risk. Participants with a higher number of functional issues (≥6) were more likely to fall within "at risk" or "clinically significant" categories across 20 (out of 22) BASC-3 scales, and female participants tended to fall more within "at risk" or "clinically significant" categories for 8 of BASC-3 scales. Younger participants (<20) were ranked in the "at risk" or "clinically significant" categories for 7 scales. Conclusions: Findings lend further support for the occurrence of mental health problems emerging in youth with physical disabilities and highlight initial trends especially across functional levels. Further investigation of such co-occurrences and the factors that affect their development is needed.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and trastuzumab in gastric cancer with liver metastases: a case report.

Background: Gastric cancer is a common cancer worldwide and is responsible for over one million new cases in 2020 and an estimated 769,000 deaths, ranking fifth for incidence and fourth for mortality globally. Incidence rates are highest in Eastern Asia and Eastern Europe. Gastric cancer is highly heterogeneous and progresses rapidly. The prognosis of gastric cancer with liver metastases is poor, and clinical treatment remains challenging. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity is correlated to a bad prognosis for gastric cancer. Trastuzumab combined with systemic chemotherapy is the preferred treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. However, intravenous chemotherapy has severe systemic toxicity, which reduces the local drug concentration and tumor uptake rate, and the effect is unsatisfactory. Case summary: We reported a 66-year-old patient with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer with jaundice due to multiple liver metastases, after 6 cycles of trastuzumab combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), the tumor retracted significantly, the jaundice subsided, and the patient recovered well. The patient achieved disease control with an intensive regimen followed by less toxic maintenance therapy. Trastuzumab combined with capecitabine maintenance therapy followed up for more than 16 months. Conclusion: HAIC plus trastuzumab may be a tolerable treatment option for patients with severe liver metastases from HER2-positive gastric cancer to achieve local control and prolong survival.

Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma in the Treatment of Experimental Periodontitis in Beagle Dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The specific objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) in the treatment of experimental periodontitis in Beagle dogs. METHODS: The APP jet was diagnosed using optical emission spectroscopy and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Six Beagles received stainless steel ligatures to establish experimental periodontitis model. The teeth in the control group were subjected to conventional root surface debridement (RSD) and chlorhexidine irrigation. The APP group also started with RSD and was then subjected to plasma irradiation. Clinical analyses including plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index, pocket depth and attachment loss (AL), as well as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis, were performed at baseline, 4th week, 8th week and 12th week after treatment. RESULTS: The results showed that typical reactive oxygen and nitrogen species were found in the full spectrum and the gas temperature of APP was close to room temperature. The highest concentrations of hydroxide and oxygen were obtained at 5 mm away from the nozzle. In both groups, all values in clinical examinations were significantly lower (P<0.05) at 12th week after treatment than those at baseline. At the 12th week, the AL in clinical examinations and the bone loss in CBCT images in the APP group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The hematoxylin-eosin staining showed more renascent alveolar bone in the APP group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that APP has profound potential for use as an adjunct approach for periodontitis treatment.

MiR-30c-1-3p targets matrix metalloproteinase 9 involved in the rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can be fatal if ruptured, but there is no predictive biomarker. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic potential of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in an AAA mouse model and patients with unruptured AAA (URAAA) and ruptured AAA (RAAA). Among the 64 miRNAs differentially expressed in mice with AAA compared to control, miR-30c-1-3p, miR-432-3p, miR-3154, and miR-379-5p had high homology with human miRNAs. MiR-30c-1-3p plasma levels were significantly lower in patients with RAAA than in those with URAAA or control and tended to negatively correlate with the maximum aortic diameter (r = -0.3153, P = 0.06109). MiR-30c-1-3p targeted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 mRNA through the coding region and downregulated its expression in vitro. MMP-9 plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the RAAA group than in the URAAA group (P < 0.001) and were negatively associated with miR-30c-1-3p levels (r = -0.3671, P = 0.01981) and positively-with the maximal aortic diameter (r = 0.6251, P < 0.0001). The optimal cutoff values for MMP-9 expression and the maximal aortic diameter were 461.08 ng/ml and 55.95 mm, with areas under the curve of 0.816 and 0.844, respectively. Our results indicate that plasma levels of miR-30c-1-3p and MMP-9 may be candidate biomarkers of AAA progression. KEY MESSAGES: Downregulation of miR-30c-1-3p expression and upregulation of its potential target MMP-9 are predictors of the devastation of AAA. Downregulation of miR-30c-1-3p expression and its downstream impact on MMP-9 have a potential on predicting the development and rupture of AAA.

Seven decades towards malaria elimination in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: Yunnan Province was considered the most difficult place in China for malaria elimination because of its complex malaria epidemiology, heterogeneous ecological features, relatively modest economic development, and long, porous border with three malaria endemic countries: Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. METHODS: Academic publications and grey literature relevant to malaria elimination in Yunnan covering the period from 1950 until 2020 inclusive were considered. The following academic indexes were searched: China Science Periodical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and MEDLINE. Grey literature sources were mainly available from the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases (NIPD), the Chinese Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, and the Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases (YIPD). RESULTS: A malaria elimination campaign in the 1950-1960s, based mainly on mass administration of antimalarial drugs and large-scale vector control, reduced morbidity and mortality from malaria and interrupted transmission in some areas, although elimination was not achieved. Similar strategies were used to contain outbreaks and a resurgence of disease during the 1970s, when malaria services were discontinued. From the 1980s, malaria incidence declined, despite the challenges of large numbers of mobile and migrant populations and an unstable primary health care system in rural areas following economic transformation. Launch of the national malaria elimination programme in 2010 led to adoption of the '1-3-7' surveillance and response strategy specifying timely detection of and response for every case, supported by the establishment of a real-time web-based disease surveillance system and a new primary health care system in rural areas. Border malaria was addressed in Yunnan by strengthening the surveillance system down to the lowest level, cross-border collaboration with neighbouring countries and non-governmental organizations, and the involvement of other sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Seven decades of work to eliminate malaria in Yunnan have shown the importance of political commitment, technically sound strategies with high quality implementation, a robust surveillance and response system at all levels, community participation and effective management of border malaria. The experiences and lessons learned from elimination remain important for prevention re-establishment of malaria transmission in the Province.

Circulating Soluble ST2 Predicts All-Cause Mortality in Severe Heart Failure Patients with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is the terminal stage of all cardiovascular events. Although implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapies have reduced mortality among the high-risk HF population, it is necessary to determine whether certain factors can predict mortality even after cardiac device implantation. Growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) is an emerging biomarker for HF patient stratification in different clinical settings. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline soluble ST2 (sST2) levels in serum and the clinical outcomes of high-risk HF patients with device implantation. METHODS: Between January 2017 and August 2018, we prospectively recruited consecutive patients implanted with an ICD for heart failure, with LVEF ≤35% as recommended, and analyzed the basic characteristics, baseline serum sST2, and NT-proBNP levels, with at least 1-year follow-up. All-cause mortality was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: During a 643-day follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 16 of 150 patients (10.67%). Incidence of all-cause mortality increased significantly in patients with sST2 levels above 34.98846 ng/ml (16.00% vs. 5.33%, P = 0.034). After adjusting the model (age, gender, device implantation, prevention of sudden death, LVEDD, LVEF, WBC and CLBBB, hsTNT, etiology, and eGFR) and the model combined with NT-proBNP, the risk of all-cause death was increased by 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively, per ng/ml of sST2. The best sST2 cutoff for predicting all-cause death was 43.42671 ng/ml (area under the curve: 0.72, sensitive: 0.69, and specificity: 0.69). Compared to patients with sST2 levels below 43.42671 ng/ml, the risk of all-cause mortality was higher in those with values above the threshold (5.1% vs. 21.2%, P = 0.002). ST2 level ≥43.42671 ng/ml was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR: 3.30 [95% CI 1.02-10.67]). Age (HR: 1.06 [95% CI: 1.01-1.12]) and increased NT-proBNP per 100 (HR: 1.02 [95% CI: 1.01-1.03]) were also associated with all-cause mortality in ICD patients. CONCLUSIONS: sST2 level was associated with risk of all-cause mortality, and a threshold of 43.43 ng/ml showed good distinguishing performance to predict all-cause mortality in patients with severe heart failure, recommended for ICD implantation. Patients with sST2 levels more than 43.42671 ng/ml even after ICD implantation should therefore be monitored carefully.

Recombinant Cellular Repressor of E1A-Stimulated Genes Protects against Renal Fibrosis in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats.

BACKGROUND: Human cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) is a secreted glycoprotein that attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertension, alleviates myocardial fibrosis, and improves heart function. However, the role of CREG in high-salt (HS) diet-induced hypertensive nephropathy is unclear. METHODS: To determine the effects and molecular mechanisms of CREG in HS diet-induced hypertensive nephropathy, we established a hypertensive nephropathy animal model in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats fed a HS diet (8% NaCl, n = 20) for 8 weeks. At week 4 of HS loading, these rats were administered recombinant CREG (reCREG; 35 µg/kg·day, n = 5) and saline (n = 5) via subcutaneously implanted pumps and were also administered the vasodilator hydralazine (20 mg/kg·day, n = 5) in drinking water. We used hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemical labeling, western blotting, RT-PCR, and Tunel staining to determine the signaling pathways of CREG in HS diet-induced hypertensive nephropathy. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of HS intake, the Dahl SS rats developed renal dysfunction and severe renal fibrosis associated with reductions of 78 and 67% in CREG expression, respectively, at both mRNA and protein levels in the kidney. Administration of reCREG improved renal function and relieved renal fibrosis. Administration of CREG also inhibited monocyte infiltration and reduced apoptosis in the kidney cells. CREG overexpression upregulated forkhead box P1 expression and inhibited the transforming growth factor-ß1 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that CREG protected the kidney against HS-diet-induced renal damage and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying kidney injury.

[CO-SCR Performance and Mechanism over Co3O4 Catalysts].

Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is an important precursor for many air pollution problems such as fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Because air pollution levels increase daily, it is important to control NOx emissions from industrial boiler flue gas. A series of different Co3O4 catalysts was prepared in this study by different methods. The effects of the preparation methods on selective catalytic reduction of NO by CO (CO-SCR) were investigated. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, HR-TEM, and Raman. The results show that the Co3O4-S catalyst, prepared by solid grinding with cobalt sulfate as the precursor, had better CO-SCR activity and H2O resistance and that Co3O4-C, prepared by solid grinding with cobalt acetate as the precursor, showed excellent H2O resistance. The NO oxidation results showed that better NO oxidation activity over the catalysts is an important reason for the improved CO-SCR activity. The Raman results indicate that more Co2+ ions appeared on the surface of Co3O4-S, which benefited the formation of oxygen vacancies. The H2-TPR results showed better redox property of the Co3O4-S catalyst. The HR-TEM results shoes that the (111) and (220) crystal planes were exposed mainly on Co3O4-S and Co3O4-O and that more (220) crystal planes are conducive to improved reaction.

[Advances in the study of ovarian dysfunction with aging].

Societal changes regarding the role of women have significant impacts on women's willingness and the timing of childbearing. Ovarian reserve in woman typically begins to decline at the age of 35, and it is primarily characterized by a reduction in the number of ovarian follicles and a decline in oocyte quality. The clinical diagnosis of ovarian insufficiency relies on multiple variables including changes of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, antral follicle count, menstruation and age. It is proven that ovarian cells demonstrate dysfunction associated with aging including mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere shortening, impaired DNA repair, epigenetic changes and metabolic/energetic disorders. In this review, we introduce the clinical diagnosis and management of ovarian insufficiency. We mainly discuss the molecular mechanism and potential interventions. We are optimistic that this information and knowledge will inform the important decisions for women and society regarding childbearing.

Vascular endothelial growth factor activates neural stem cells through epidermal growth factor receptor signal after spinal cord injury.

AIMS: Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult mammalian spinal cord are activated in response to spinal cord injury (SCI); however, mechanisms modulating this process are not clear. Here, we noticed SCI elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and we aimed to validate the roles of VEGF in NSCs activation after SCI and investigated the related signals during the process. METHODS: In vitro we detected whether VEGF promoted spinal cord NSCs proliferation and investigated the involved signals; In vivo, we injected VEGF into rat spinal cord to check the NSCs activation. RESULTS: In vitro, VEGF triggered spinal cord NSCs proliferation and maintained self-renewal. Further investigations demonstrated VEGF transactivated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) to promote spinal cord NSCs proliferation. In vivo, we injected VEGF into spinal cord by laminectomy to confirm the roles of VEGF-VEGFR2-EGFR signals in NSCs activation. VEGF significantly elevated the number of activated NSCs and increased EGFR phosphorylation. In contrast, intraspinal injection of specific inhibitors targeting EGFR and VEGFR2 decreased NSCs activation after SCI. Our results demonstrate that VEGF-VEGFR2-EGFR axis is important for NSCs activation after SCI, providing new insights into the mechanisms of spinal cord NSCs activation postinjury.

Lessons on malaria control in the ethnic minority regions in Northern Myanmar along the China border, 2007-2014.

BACKGROUND: For many countries where malaria is endemic, the burden of malaria is high in border regions. In ethnic minority areas along the Myanmar-China border, residents have poor access to medical care for diagnosis and treatment, and there have been many malaria outbreaks in such areas. Since 2007, with the support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), a malaria control project was introduced to reduce the malaria burden in several ethnic minority regions. METHODS: A malaria control network was established during the period from 2007 to 2014. Multiple malaria interventions, including diagnosis, treatment, distribution of LLINs and health education, were conducted to improve the accessibility and quality of malaria control services for local residents. Annual cross-sectional surveys were conducted to evaluate intervention coverage and indicators of malaria transmission. RESULTS: In ethnic minority regions where a malaria control network was established, both the annual malaria incidence (19.1 per thousand per year, in 2009; 8.7, in 2014) and malaria prevalence (13.6 % in 2008; 0.43 % in 2014) decreased dramatically during the past 5-6 years. A total of 851 393 febrile patients were detected, 202 598 malaria cases (including confirmed cases and suspected cases) were treated, and 759 574 LLINs were delivered to populations at risk. Of households in 2012, 73.9 % had at least one ITNs/LLINs (vs. 28.3 %, in 2008), and 50.7 % of children less than 5 years and 50.3 % of pregnant women slept under LLINs the night prior to their visit. Additionally, malaria knowledge was improved in 68.4 % of residents. CONCLUSION: There has been great success in improving malaria control in these regions from 2007 to 2014. Malaria burdens have decreased, especially in KOK and WA. The continued maintenance of sustainable malaria control networks in these regions may be a long-term process, due to regional conflicts and the lack of funds, technology, and health workers. Furthermore, information and scientific support from the international community should be offered to these ethnic minority regions to uphold recent achievements.

Malaria control along China-Myanmar Border during 2007-2013: an integrated impact evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Implementing effective interventions remain a lot of difficulties along all border regions. The emergence of artemisinin resistance of Plasmodium falciparum strains in the Greater Mekong Subregion is a matter of great concern. China has effectively controlled cross-border transmission of malaria and artemisinin resistance of P. falciparum along the China-Myanmar border. METHODS: A combined quantitative and qualitative study was used to collect data, and then an integrated impact evaluation was conducted to malaria control along the China-Myanmar border during 2007-2013. RESULTS: The parasite prevalence rate (PPR) in the five special regions of Myanmar was decreased from 13.6 % in March 2008 to 1.5 % in November 2013. Compared with the baseline (PPR in March 2008), the risk ratio was only 0.11 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.09-0. 14) in November 2013, which is equal to an 89 % reduction in the malaria burden. Annual parasite incidence (API) across 19 Chinese border counties was reduced from 19.6 per 10 000 person-years in 2006 to 0.9 per 10 000 person-years in 2013. Compared with the baseline (API in 2006), the API rate ratio was only 0.05(95 % CI, 0.04-0.05) in 2013, which equates to a reduction of the malaria burden by 95.0 %. Meanwhile, the health service system was strengthened and health inequity of marginalized populations reduced along the international border. CONCLUSION: The effective collaboration between China, Myanmar and the international non-governmental organization promptly carried out the core interventions through simplified processes. The integrated approaches dramatically decreased malaria burden of Chinese-Myanmar border.

Fibroblast growth factor 7 is a nociceptive modulator secreted via large dense-core vesicles.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 7, a member of FGF family, is initially found to be secreted from mesenchymal cells to repair epithelial tissues. However, its functions in the nervous system are largely unknown. The present study showed that FGF7 was a neuromodulator localized in the large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) in nociceptive neurons. FGF7 was mainly expressed in small-diameter neurons of the dorsal root ganglion and could be transported to the dorsal spinal cord. Interestingly, FGF7 was mostly stored in LDCVs that did not contain neuropeptide substance P. Electrophysiological recordings in the spinal cord slice showed that buffer-applied FGF7 increased the amplitude of excitatory post-synaptic current evoked by stimulating the sensory afferent fibers. Behavior tests showed that intrathecally applied FGF7 potentiated the formalin-induced acute nociceptive response. Moreover, both acute and inflammatory nociceptive responses were significantly reduced in Fgf7-deficient mice. These results suggest that FGF7 exerts an excitatory modulation of nociceptive afferent transmission.

Activin C expressed in nociceptive afferent neurons is required for suppressing inflammatory pain.

Emerging evidence suggests that the suppressive modulators released from nociceptive afferent neurons contribute to pain regulation. However, the suppressive modulators expressed in small-diameter neurons of the dorsal root ganglion remain to be further identified. The present study shows that the activin C expressed in small dorsal root ganglion neurons is required for suppressing inflammation-induced nociceptive responses. The expression of activin C in small dorsal root ganglion neurons of rats was markedly downregulated during the early days of peripheral inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of the complete Freund's adjuvant. Intrathecal treatment with the small interfering RNA targeting activin ßC or the antibodies against activin C could enhance the formalin-induced nociceptive responses, and impair the recovery from the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia. Intrathecally applied activin C could reduce nociceptive responses induced by formalin or complete Freund's adjuvant. Moreover, activin C was found to inhibit the inflammation-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the dorsal root ganglia and the dorsal spinal cord. Thus, activin C functions as an endogenous suppressor of inflammatory nociceptive transmission and may have a therapeutic potential for treatment of inflammatory pain.