Functions and Mechanisms of Brassinosteroids in Regulating Crop Agronomic Traits.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) perform crucial functions controlling plant growth and developmental processes, encompassing many agronomic traits in crops. Studies of BR-related genes involved in agronomic traits have suggested that BRs could serve as a potential target for crop breeding. Given the pleiotropic effect of BRs, a systematic understanding of their functions and molecular mechanisms is conducive for application in crop improvement. Here, we summarize the functions and underlying mechanisms by which BRs regulate the several major crop agronomic traits, including plant architecture, grain size, as well as the specific trait of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume crops. For plant architecture, we discuss the roles of BRs in plant height, branching number, and leaf erectness and propose how progress in these fields may contribute to designing crops with optimal agronomic traits and improved grain yield by accurately modifying BR levels and signaling pathways.

Identification and functional characterization of laminin receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain, in response to MCDV-1 challenge.

Laminin receptor (LR), which mediating cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in cell signaling and regulatory functions. In the present study, a laminin receptor gene (SpLR) was cloned and characterized from the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain). The full length of SpLR contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 960 bp encoding 319 amino acids, a 5' untranslated region (UTR) of 66 bp and a 3' UTR of 49 bp. The predicted protein comprised two Ribosomal-S2 domains and a 40S-SA-C domain. The mRNA of SpLR was highly expressed in the gill, followed by the hepatopancreas. The expression of SpLR was up-regulated after mud crab dicistrovirus-1(MCDV-1) infection. Knocking down SpLR in vivo by RNA interference significantly down-regulated the expression of the immune genes SpJAK, SpSTAT, SpToll1, SpALF1 and SpALF5. This study shown that the expression level of SpToll1 and SpCAM in SpLR-interfered group significantly increased after MCDV-1 infection. Moreover, silencing of SpLR in vivo decreased the MCDV-1 replication and increased the survival rate of mud crabs after MCDV-1 infection. These findings collectively suggest a pivotal role for SpLR in the mud crab's response to MCDV-1 infection. By influencing the expression of critical innate immune factors and impacting viral replication dynamics, SpLR emerges as a key player in the intricate host-pathogen interaction, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying MCDV-1 pathogenesis in mud crabs.

Prognostic Value of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio for Pulmonary Embolism: A Meta-Analysis and External Validation.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for pulmonary embolism (PE) has been reported in several retrospective studies. The purpose of this investigation was to perform a pooled analysis and external validation of predictive value of NLR. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to November 5, 2022. A random effects model was used. Grade was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. External validation was conducted in clinical cohorts before and after a propensity scoring matching (PSM). Covariates include basic clinical characteristics, such as age, gender, etc. The value of NLR in prediction model was also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies comprising 5,874 patients were included. Pooled risk ratio of NLR was 2.33 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.97-2.75), with an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74-0.81), a sensitivity of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79), a specificity of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.61-0.73), and a median cut-off value of 5.7. Grade of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) certainty analysis showed the quality of the evidence was moderate. Before (n = 336) and after (n = 152) propensity scoring matching, risk ratio of NLR was 2.69 (95% CI: 1.04-6.97) and 6.58 (95% CI: 1.99-17.75). A prediction model consisting of NLR, age, D-dimer, and simplified PE severity index had an area under the curve of 0.809 (95% CI: 0.738-0.88), a sensitivity of 0.638 (95% CI: 0.511-0.745), and a specificity of 0.851 (95% CI: 0.709-0.917). Net reclassification index (12%, P = 0.035) and integrated discrimination improvement (17%, P = 0.022) indicated an improvement caused by NLR. CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic value of NLR for PE was confirmed by meta-analysis and validated in an independent cohort, deserving further clinical application.

DNA methyltransferase CHROMOMETHYLASE3 prevents ONSEN transposon silencing under heat stress.

DNA methylation plays crucial roles in transposon silencing and genome integrity. CHROMOMETHYLASE3 (CMT3) is a plant-specific DNA methyltransferase responsible for catalyzing DNA methylation at the CHG (H = A, T, C) context. Here, we identified a positive role of CMT3 in heat-induced activation of retrotransposon ONSEN. We found that the full transcription of ONSEN under heat stress requires CMT3. Interestingly, loss-of-function CMT3 mutation led to increased CHH methylation at ONSEN. The CHH methylation is mediated by CMT2, as evidenced by greatly reduced CHH methylation in cmt2 and cmt2 cmt3 mutants coupled with increased ONSEN transcription. Furthermore, we found more CMT2 binding at ONSEN chromatin in cmt3 compared to wild-type accompanied with an ectopic accumulation of H3K9me2 under heat stress, suggesting a collaborative role of H3K9me2 and CHH methylation in preventing heat-induced ONSEN activation. In summary, this study identifies a non-canonical role of CMT3 in preventing transposon silencing and provides new insights into how DNA methyltransferases regulate transcription under stress conditions.

Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms among Chinese rural left-behind adolescents: Mediating roles of resilience and friendship quality.

BACKGROUND: Rural left-behind adolescents are more vulnerable to Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms due to the lack of family support and parental supervision. This study was the first to investigate the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms and to examine the mediating roles of resilience and friendship quality in rural left-behind adolescents. METHODS: Included in this study, which was from a longitudinal study conducted five times over 2 years, were 1001 rural left-behind adolescents. The internationally used scales for depressive and anxious symptoms, Internet addiction, resilience and friendship quality were administered. A structural equation model was used for analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of Internet addiction, depressive and anxious symptoms among rural left-behind adolescents were 17.7%, 35.8% and 27.6%, respectively. Internet addiction predicted the later depressive and anxious symptoms (ß = 0.200, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.116-0.274 and ß = 0.263, 95% CI: 0.188-0.330). Resilience acted as an independent mediator in the relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (ß = 0.037 and 0.034, P < 0.01). Resilience and friendship quality played a chain-mediating role on the longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms (ß = 0.011 and 0.010, P < 0.001). The mediating effects accounted for 24.0% and 16.7% of the total effects, respectively. CONCLUSION: Resilience and friendship quality play an independent or chain-mediating role in longitudinal relationships between Internet addiction and depressive and anxious symptoms. The findings inform targeted intervention strategies to improve the mental health of left-behind adolescents.

Magnesium Ion Gated Ion Rejection through Carboxylated Graphene Oxide Nanopore: A Theoretical Study.

While nanoporous graphene oxide (GO) is recognized as one of the most promising reverse osmosis desalination membranes, limited attention has been paid to controlling desalination performance through the large GO pores, primarily due to significant ion leakage resulting in the suboptimal performance of these pores. In this study, we employed a molecular dynamics simulation approach to demonstrate that Mg2+ ions, adhered to carboxylated GO nanopores, can function as gates, regulating the transport of ions (Na+ and Cl-) through the porous GO membrane. Specifically, the presence of divalent cations near a nanopore reduces the concentration of salt ions in the vicinity of the pore and prolongs their permeation time across the pore. This subsequently leads to a notable enhancement in salt rejection rates. Additionally, the ion rejection rate increases with more adsorbed Mg2+ ions. However, the presence of the adsorbed Mg2+ ions compromises water transport. Here, we also elucidate the impact of graphene oxidation degree on desalination. Furthermore, we design an optimal combination of adsorbed Mg2+ ion quantity and oxidation degree to achieve high water flux and salt rejection rates. This work provides valuable insights for developing new nanoporous graphene oxide membranes for controlled water desalination.

Multi-omic characterization of the maize GPI synthesis mutant gwt1 with defects in kernel development.

BACKGROUND: Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) and GPI-anchored proteins (GAPs) are important for cell wall formation and reproductive development in Arabidopsis. However, monocot counterparts that function in kernel endosperm development have yet to be discovered. Here, we performed a multi-omic analysis to explore the function of GPI related genes on kernel development in maize. RESULTS: In maize, 48 counterparts of human GPI synthesis and lipid remodeling genes were identified, in which null mutation of the glucosaminyl-phosphatidylinositol O-acyltransferase1 gene, ZmGWT1, caused a kernel mutant (named gwt1) with defects in the basal endosperm transport layer (BETL). We performed plasma membrane (PM) proteomics to characterize the potential GAPs involved in kernel development. In total, 4,981 proteins were successfully identified in 10-DAP gwt1 kernels of mutant and wild-type (WT), including 1,638 membrane-anchored proteins with different posttranslational modifications. Forty-seven of the 256 predicted GAPs were differentially accumulated between gwt1 and WT. Two predicted BETL-specific GAPs (Zm00001d018837 and Zm00001d049834), which kept similar abundance at general proteome but with significantly decreased abundance at membrane proteome in gwt1 were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the importance of GPI and GAPs for endosperm development and provide candidate genes for further investigation of the regulatory network in which ZmGWT1 participates.

Decoding the role of long noncoding RNAs in the healthy aging of centenarians.

Aging is the largest risk factor of major human diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as the key regulatory elements have shown a strong impact on multiple biological processes as well as human disease mechanisms. However, the roles of lncRNAs in aging/healthy aging processes remain largely unknown. Centenarians are good models for healthy aging studies due to avoiding major chronic diseases and disabilities. To illustrate their ubiquitous nature in the genome and the 'secrets' of healthy aging regulation from the perspective of lncRNAs, peripheral blood samples from two regions consisting 76 centenarians (CENs), 54 centenarian-children (F1) and 41 spouses of centenarian-children (F1SP) were collected for deep RNA-seq. We identified 11 CEN-specific lncRNAs that is particularly expressed in longevous individuals. By kmers clustering, hundreds of human lncRNAs show similarities with CEN-specific lncRNAs, especially with ENST00000521663 and ENST00000444998. Using F1SP as normal elder controls (age: 59.9 ± 6.6 years), eight lncRNAs that are differentially expressed in longevous elders (CEN group, age: 102.2 ± 2.4 years) were identified as candidate aging/health aging-related lncRNAs (car-lncs). We found that the expression of eight car-lncs in human diploid fibroblasts displayed dynamic changes during cell passage and/or H2O2/rapamycin treatment; of which, overexpression either of THBS1-IT1 and THBS1-AS1, two lncRNAs that highly expressed in CENs, can remarkably decrease p16, p21 and the activity of senescent related ß-galactosidase, suggesting that THBS1-IT1 and THBS1-AS1 can inhibit cellular senescence. We provided the first comprehensive analysis of lncRNA expression in longevous populations, and our results hinted that dysregulated lncRNAs in CENs are potential protective factors in healthy aging process.

Maize tubulin folding cofactor B is required for cell division and cell growth through modulating microtubule homeostasis.

Tubulin folding cofactors (TFCs) are required for tubulin folding, α/ß tubulin heterodimer formation, and microtubule (MT) dynamics in yeast and mammals. However, the functions of their plant counterparts remain to be characterized. We identified a natural maize crumpled kernel mutant, crk2, which exhibits reductions in endosperm cell number and size, as well as embryo/seedling lethality. Map-based cloning and functional complementation confirmed that ZmTFCB is causal for the mutation. ZmTFCB is targeted mainly to the cytosol. It facilitates α-tubulin folding and heterodimer formation through sequential interactions with the cytosolic chaperonin-containing TCP-1 ε subunit ZmCCT5 and ZmTFCE, thus affecting the organization of both the spindle and phragmoplast MT array and the cortical MT polymerization and array formation, which consequently mediated cell division and cell growth. We detected a physical association between ZmTFCB and the maize MT plus-end binding protein END-BINDING1 (ZmEB1), indicating that ZmTFCB1 may modulate MT dynamics by sequestering ZmEB1. Our data demonstrate that ZmTFCB is required for cell division and cell growth through modulating MT homeostasis, an evolutionarily conserved machinery with some species-specific divergence.

Endovascular Stent Graft Repair for Mycotic Aorto-Iliac Aneurysm Due to Brucella.

PURPOSE: Brucella aneurysms are very rare but life-threatening, and a standard treatment approach has yet to be established. The current study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment for Brucella aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 15 Brucella aortic-iliac aneurysm patients who underwent endovascular repair at 2 hospitals from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (12 men and 3 women) with a mean age of 59.3 years were included. Fourteen patients (93.3%) had a history of exposure to animals (cattle and sheep). All patients had aortic or iliac pseudoaneurysms, 9 abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), 4 iliac aneurysms, and 2 AAA combined with iliac aneurysms. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed in all patients without conversion to open surgery. Six cases were treated for emergency surgery due to aneurysm rupture. The immediate technique success rate was 100%, with no postoperative death. Two cases had the iliac artery ruptured again after operation because of lack of antibiotic treatment and was given endovascular treatment again. Once brucellosis is diagnosed, antibiotic treatment with doxycycline and rifampicin was initiated for all the patients until 6 months after operation. All patients survived over a median follow-up period of 45 months. Follow-up computed tomography angiography showed that all stent grafts remained patent, with no endoleak. CONCLUSION: EVAR combined with antibiotics treatment is feasible, safe, and effective for Brucella aneurysms and represents a promising treatment option for these Brucella aneurysms. CLINICAL IMPACT: Brucella aneurysms are very rare but life-threatening, and a standard treatment approach has yet to be established. The traditional operation management strategy is surgical resection and debridement of the infected aneurysm and the surrounding tissues. However, open surgical management in these patients causes severe trauma with high surgical risks and mortality (13.3%-40%). We tried to treat Brucella aneurysms with endovascular therapy, and the technique success and survival rate of the operation reached 100%. EVAR combined with antibiotics treatment is feasible, safe, and effective for Brucella aneurysms and represents a promising treatment option for some mycotic aneurysms.

Endovascular Treatment for Isolated Infected Iliac Artery Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: Isolated infected iliac artery aneurysms (IIIAAs) are extremely rare, life-threatening, and intractable. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of endovascular treatment in patients with IIIAAs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for all patients who underwent endovascular treatment for IIIAAs between June 2012 and June 2022 in 3 hospitals. The clinical data and follow-up outcomes were reviewed and assessed. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included in this study. The median age was 69 years, 12 patients (80%) were men, and 8 (53%) had hypertension. Most of the patients presented with abdominal or lumbar pain (87%) and fever (60%). The offending pathogen was identified in 11 patients (73%). Fifteen patients had a total of 16 IIIAAs, with 12 (75%) involving the common iliac artery. The immediate technical success rate was 100%, and the 30-day mortality was 7%. Infection-related complications occurred in 2 patients (13%) during hospitalization who were treated by open surgery at a later stage. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 6-80 months, mean: 32 ± 25 months). Aneurysm recurrence was identified in one patient (7%) 5 months after endovascular repair. It was managed by endovascular stent-graft repair with percutaneous catheter drainage. No patients died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment is feasible, safe, and effective for patients with IIIAAs, achieving acceptable clinical outcomes. Infection surveillance with essential reintervention should be considered for potential infection-related complications. CLINICAL IMPACT: This study first reported that 15 patients underwent endovascular treatment for primary isolated infected iliac artery aneurysms (IIIAAs). It showed a good early and midterm outcomes. This is the first and largest multi-center study and the first literature review of IIIAAs. It provides an evidence that endovascular treatment is feasible, safe, and effective to treat IIIAAs. It suggests endovascular treatment is a promising alternative or a bridge to conventional open surgery for IIIAAs. This may promote endovascular therapy in the management of IIIAAs. It would help clinicians to make an appropriate treatment choice for IIIAAs.

The role of Nrf2 signaling pathway in the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) in response to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.

The transcription factor Nrf2 plays vital roles in detoxification and antioxidant enzymes against oxidative stress. However, the function of Nrf2 in crustaceans is not well studied. In this study, a novel Nrf2 gene from the mud crab (Sp-Nrf2) was identified. It was encoded 245 amino acids. Sp-Nrf2 expression was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues, with the highest expression level in the gill. Sp-Nrf2 protein was mainly located in the nucleus. The expression levels of Sp-Nrf2, and antioxidant-related genes (HO-1 and NQO-1) were induced after Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection, indicating that Nrf2 signaling pathway was involved in the responses to bacterial infection. Over-expression of Sp-Nrf2 could improve cell viability after H2O2 exposure, indicating that Sp-Nrf2 might relieve oxidative stress. Silencing of Sp-Nrf2 in vivo decreased HO-1 and NQO-1 expression. Moreover, knocking down Sp-Nrf2 in vivo can increase malondialdehyde content and the mortality of mud crabs after V. parahaemolyticus infection. Our results indicated that Nrf2 signaling pathway played a significant role in immune response against bacterial infection.

Essential role of the HSC70 in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain in response to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.

Heat shock proteins play an important role in host defense, and modulate immune responses against pathogen infection. In this study, a novel HSC70 from the mud crab (designated as SpHSC70) was cloned and characterized. The full length of SpHSC70 contained a 58 bp 5'untranslated region (UTR), an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,046 bp and a 3'UTR of 341 bp. The SpHSC70 protein included the conserved DnaK motif. The mRNA of SpHSC70 was highly expressed in the hemocytes, heart and hepatopancreas, and lowly expressed in the intestine. The subcellular localization results indicated that SpHSC70 was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Moreover, SpHSC70 was significantly responsive to bacterial challenge. RNA interference experiment was designed to investigate the roles of SpHSC70 in response to bacterial challenge. V. parahaemolyticus infection induced the expression levels of SpPO, SpHSP70, SpSOD and SpCAT. Knocking down SpHSC70 in vivo can decrease the expression of these genes after V. parahaemolyticus infection. These results suggested that SpHSC70 could play a vital role in defense against V. parahaemolyticus infection via activating the immune response and antioxidant defense signaling pathways in the mud crab.

Essential role of the Cytochrome P450 2 (CYP2) in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain antioxidant defense and immune responses.

Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzymes are one of the critical detoxification enzymes, playing a key role in antioxidant defense. However, the information of CYPs cDNA sequences and their functions are lacked in crustaceans. In this study, a novel full-length of CYP2 from the mud crab (designated as Sp-CYP2) was cloned and characterized. The coding sequence of Sp-CYP2 was 1479 bp in length and encoded a protein containing 492 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of Sp-CYP2 comprised a conserved heme binding site and chemical substrate binding site. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that Sp-CYP2 was ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, and it was highest in the heart followed by the hepatopancreas. Subcellular localization showed that Sp-CYP2 was prominently located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The expression of Sp-CYP2 was induced by Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection and ammonia exposure. During ammonia exposure, ammonia exposure can induce oxidative stress and cause severely tissue damage. Knocking down Sp-CYP2 in vivo can increase malondialdehyde content and the mortality of mud crabs after ammonia exposure. All these results suggested that Sp-CYP2 played a crucial role in the defense against environmental stress and pathogen infection in crustaceans.

Identification and functional characterization of activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) from the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) in response to hydrogen peroxide and bacterial challenge.

Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) is critical for regulation of unfolded protein response (UPR), which is involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis maintenance and cellular redox regulation. In the present study, a ATF6 gene from the mud crab (designated as Sp-ATF6) has been cloned and identified. The open reading frame of Sp-ATF6 was 1917 bp, encoding a protein of 638 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequences of Sp-ATF6 contained a typical basic leucine zipper (BZIP domain). Sp-ATF6 was widely expressed in all tested tissues, with the highest expression levels in the hemocytes and the lowest in the muscle. Subcellular localization showed that Sp-ATF6 was expressed in both nucleus and cytoplasm of S2 cells. The expression level of Sp-ATF6 was induced by hydrogen peroxide and V. parahaemolyticus challenge, indicating that the ATF6 pathway was activated in response to ER stress. In order to know more about the regulation mechanism of the Sp-ATF6, RNA interference experiment was investigated. Knocking down Sp-ATF6 in vivo can decrease the expression of antioxidant-related genes (CAT and SOD) and heat shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP70) after V. parahaemolyticus infection. All these results suggested that Sp-ATF6 played a crucial role in the defense against environmental stress and pathogen infection in crustaceans.

1,4-Naphthoquinone-Coated Black Carbon, a Kind of Atmospheric Fine Particulate Matter, Affects Macrophage Fate: New Insights into Crosstalk between Necroptosis and Macrophage Extracellular Traps.

1,4-Naphthoquinone-coated BC (1,4 NQ-BC) is an important component of PM2.5 and a representative secondary particle. However, there is no research on the crosstalk mechanism between necroptosis and macrophage extracellular traps (METs) after 1,4 NQ-BC exposure. In this study, we treated RAW264.7 cells with 50, 100, and 200 mg/L 1,4 NQ-BC for 24 h, with 10 µM necrostatin-1 for 24 h, and with 2.5 µM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 3 h. Our experiment revealed that under normal physiological conditions, when macrophages receive external stimuli (such as pathogens; in this experiment, PMA), they will form METs and capture and kill pathogens, thus exerting innate immune function. However, exposure to 1,4 NQ-BC can cause necroptosis in macrophages, accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytosolic calcium ions, as well as the expression disorder of inflammatory factors and chemokines, prevent the formation of METs, lead to loss of the function of capturing and killing pathogens, and weaken the innate immune function. Notably, inhibition of necroptosis restored the formation of METs, indicating that necroptosis inhibited the formation of METs. Our study was the first to explore the crosstalk mechanism between necroptosis and METs. This experiment will enrich the mechanism of macrophage injury caused by 1,4 NQ-BC exposure.

Black carbon nanoparticles activate the crosstalk mechanism between necroptosis and macrophage extracellular traps to change macrophages fate.

PM2.5 still poses a threat to public health even at very low levels. Black carbon (BC) is a key component of PM2.5. Macrophage extracellular traps (METs) are a means by which macrophages capture and destroy invading pathogens. Necroptosis is an inflammatory programmed cell death. However, there is no research on the crosstalk mechanism between necroptosis and METs after BC exposure. In our study, fluorescence labeling, fluorescent probes, qPCR, and immunofluorescence were applied. Our research found that under normal physiological conditions, when macrophages receive external stimuli (in our experiment, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)), they will form METs, thus exhibiting innate immune function. However, exposure to BC can cause necroptosis in macrophages accompanied by increased levels of ROS and cytosolic calcium ions as well as altered expression of inflammatory factors and chemokines that prevent the formation of METs, and weakening innate immune function. Notably, inhibition of necroptosis restored the formation of METs, indicating that necroptosis inhibits the formation of METs. Our experiment will enrich the understanding of the mechanism of macrophage injury caused by BC exposure, provide a new direction for studying harmful atmospheric particle toxicity, and propose new therapeutic insights for diseases caused by atmospheric particulate matter. This study is the first to explore the crosstalk mechanism between necroptosis and METs after BC exposure.

The association between physical activity and subjective well-being among adolescents in southwest China by parental absence: a moderated mediation model.

OBJECTIVES: Built on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework, this study examined how physical activity affected the subjective well-being of adolescents in the multi-ethnic area of southwest China. The mediating role of school connectedness as an external development asset and the moderating role of resilience as an internal development asset were specified and tested within the framework of sport-based PYD. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 3143 adolescents (47.2% boys with mean age = 12.88 and SD = 1.68) was conducted in 2020. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to estimate the direct effect of physical activity, the mediating effect of school connectedness, and the moderating effect of resilience on adolescents' subjective well-being. Multi-group comparison was made to investigate differences and similarities across three parental absence subgroups: (1) both parents present, (2) one parent absent, and (3) both parents absent. RESULTS: As surmised, physical activity, school connectedness, and resilience all positively and significantly affected adolescents' subjective well-being. SEM analyses revealed that school connectedness mediated the effect of physical activity on subjective well-being. Moreover, resilience moderated both the direct and indirect effects of physical activity (through school connectedness) on subjective well-being. Finally, the multi-group comparison revealed a moderating effect of parental absence on the moderated mediation model. LIMITATIONS: This study is a cross-sectional survey, so inference of causal associations among the study variables is impossible. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy lifestyle behaviors, school-supportive settings, and positive individual development assets can enhance the subjective well-being of adolescents in southwest China, especially those whose parents were absent. Physical activity interventions informed by the PYD framework should be incorporated into public health programs designed to foster the physical and mental health of left-behind adolescents in southwest China.

1,4-Naphthoquinone-coated black carbon nanoparticles up-regulation POR/FTL/IL-33 axis in THP1 cells.

Black carbon (BC) is an important component of atmospheric PM 2.5 and the second largest contributor to global warming. 1,4-naphthoquinone-coated BC (1,4 NQ-BC) is a secondary particle with great research value, so we chose 1,4 NQ-BC as the research object. In our study, mitochondria and lysosomes were selected as targets to confirm whether they were impaired by 1,4 NQ-BC, label free proteomics technology, fluorescent probes, qRT-PCR and western blots were used to investigate the mechanism of 1,4 NQ-BC toxicity. We found 494 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in mitochondria and 86 DEPs in lysosomes using a proteomics analysis of THP1 cells after 1,4 NQ-BC exposure for 24 h. Through proteomics analysis and related experiments, we found that 1,4 NQ-BC can damage THP-1-M cells by obstructing autophagy, increasing lysosomal membrane permeability, disturbing the balance of ROS, and reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential. It is worth noting that 1,4 NQ-BC prevented the removal of FTL by inhibiting autophagy, and increased IL-33 level by POR/FTL/IL-33 axis. We first applied proteomics to study the damage mechanism of 1,4 NQ-BC on THP1 cells. Our research will enrich knowledge of the mechanism by which 1,4 NQ-BC damages human macrophages and identify important therapeutic targets and adverse outcome pathways for 1,4 NQ-BC-induced damage.

Developmental immunotoxicity of maternal exposure to yttrium nitrate on BALB/c offspring mice.

Yttrium is a typical heavy rare earth element with widespread use in numerous sectors. Only one previous study has indicated that yttrium has the potential to cause developmental immunotoxicity (DIT). Therefore, there remains a paucity of evidence on the DIT of yttrium. This study aimed to explore the DIT of yttrium nitrate (YN) and the self-recovery of YN-induced DIT. Dams were treated with 0, 0.2, 2, and 20 mg/kg bw/day YN by gavage during gestation and lactation. No significant changes were found in innate immunity between the control and YN-treated groups in offspring. In female offspring at postnatal day 21 (PND21), YN markedly inhibited humoral and cellular immune responses, the proliferative capacity of splenic T lymphocytes, and the expression of costimulatory molecules in splenic lymphocytes. Moreover, the inhibitory effect on cellular immunity in female offspring persisted to PND42. Unlike females, YN exposure did not change the adaptive immune responses in male offspring. Overall, maternal exposure to YN showed a strong DIT to offspring, with the lowest effective dose of 0.2 mg/kg in the current study. The toxicity of cellular immunity could persist throughout development into adulthood. There were sex-specific differences in YN-induced DIT, with females being more vulnerable.