Genetically encoded FRET fluorescent sensor designed for detecting MOF histone acetyltransferase activity in vitro and in living cells.

Acetylation of lysine in the histone H4 N-terminal is one of the most significant epigenetic modifications in cells. Aberrant changes involving lysine acetylation modification are commonly reported in multiple types of cancers. Currently, whether it is for in vivo or in vitro, there are limited approaches for the detection of H4 lysine acetylation levels. In particular, the main problems are the high cost and the cumbersome detection process, such as for radioactive 14C isotope detection. Therefore, there is an important need to develop a simple, fast, and low-cost means of detection. In this study, we reported the development of a gene-coding protein sensor. This protein sensor was designed based on the mechanism of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The four kinds of sensors, varying from substrate and linker length, were evaluated, with ~20% increases in response efficiency. Next, sensors with different lysine mutation sites in the substrate sequence or mutation of key amino acids in the binding domain were also analyzed to determine site specificity. We found single-site lysine mutant could not cause a significant decrease in response efficiency. Furthermore, addition of MG149, a histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, resulted in a decrease in the ratio change value. Moreover, histone deacetylase1 HDAC1 was also found to reduce the ratio change values when added to reaction system. Finally, the optimized sensor was applied to living cells and established to provide a sensitive response with overexpression and knockdown of MOF (males absent on the first). These results indicated that the sensor can be used for screening chemical drugs regulating H4 N-terminal lysine acetylation level in vitro, as well as monitoring dynamic changes of lysine acetylation levels in living cells.

Differences in xylogenesis between dominant and suppressed trees.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Most dendroecological studies focus on dominant trees, but little is known about the growing season of trees belonging to different size classes and their sensitivity to biotic factors. The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of xylem formation between dominant and suppressed trees of Abies fabri of similar age growing in the Gongga Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and to identify the association between xylem growth and climate. METHODS: The timing and duration of xylogenesis in histological sections were investigated weekly during the 2013-2015 growing seasons. KEY RESULTS: Our investigation found that timing and duration of xylogenesis varied with canopy position and its associated tree size. Xylogenesis started 6-14 days earlier, and ended 5-11 days later in dominant trees than in suppressed trees, resulting in a significantly longer growing season. Dominant trees also exhibited higher temperature sensitivity of tracheid production rate than suppressed trees. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences in xylogenesis among trees suggested that competition affects tree growth by reducing the growing period in suppressed trees. Representative climate-growth relationships should involve trees of all size classes when evaluating the effects of the environment on forest dynamics.

Corrigendum: What happened to parents' views of school success for autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1211041.].

What happened to parents' views of school success for autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Background: The educational views of parents with autistic children directly impacts their children's academic success. However, little research has been done on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted parents' academic and social views. Aim: This study analyzes parents' views of school success for their autistic children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and parents' views of school success for autistic children in mainland China. Methods: In this study, 713 parents of autistic children completed measures assessing their pandemic stress, parental involvement, and views of school success; linear regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results: Parents' views of school success were influenced by factors such as parents' level of education, household income, parents' gender, and children's age. The effects of pandemic stress on views of school success for parents of autistic children are complex: physical and mental reaction has a negative direct effect on views of school success, a positive indirect effect mediated by parental involvement, and a net positive effect; risk perception and concern has a negative indirect effect; and both the direct and indirect effects of pragmatic hopefulness are positive. Education policymakers and practitioners need to seriously and carefully assess these results' implications for modern, inclusive education.

Western life courses challenged in life stories collected in contemporary China.

Introduction: The life course describes the progression of life as a social role, from birth to death. Traditional Western life-history studies of the life course usually describe a continuous lifeline with occasional interruptions in between. The extraordinary temporal events of the Anti-Japanese War (AJW), Civil War (CW), Great Famine (GF), Cultural Revolution (CR), and the Reform and Opening-up of China in just few decades mean that the life history of contemporary Chinese older adults may be quite different from those of their western peers. Methods: The study used qualitative research methods to conduct in-depth interviews with 16 older adults and collect their life stories through a standardized list of questions. Grounded theory was employed to condense, compare, conceptualize, and synthesize patterns within the collected data, approaching the investigation with a "naturalistic" perspective. Results: Based on a generalized analysis of the Interview transcripts, we can find that Chinese old adults' life stories were shaped by recurring exceptional and rapidly changing environmental conditions. The themes and sub-themes of Chinese old adults' life stories were focus on (1) violence, loss of family member, escape and unstable life in their early life which are related to AJW and CW; (2) poverty and starvation in daily life when they were adolescents and young adults which are related to GF; (3) discontinuity, timed opportunities, categorizations in order to split the social relationships and networks in CR. The data also suggest that education is an important part of the life story and that its value changes over time. Discussion: The discontinuity and instability of the life stories of the Chinese old adults are unexpected according to the dominant Western-influenced life course theories, which enriches life course theory and provides a new perspective for studying the individual life course in a society of constant and rapid change.

Exploring the Dynamics between Specialization and De-Specialization of Welfare Experiences: A Qualitative Study of the Special Families under the One-Child Policy in China.

The one-child policy, i.e., of having only one child per couple, was adopted as the essential family policy in China from 1979, and since the beginning of the 21st century, it has given rise to problems of special families under the one-child policy caused by the death or disability of only children. The existing research focused on the issue of special families from a macro-social level and analyzed the welfare demands and welfare policies of those families, whereas less research has been concerned with the families' individual experiences and interpretations. This study adopted a qualitative research method and conducted in-depth interviews with 33 participants to analyze the welfare experiences of special families in Jinan city, Shandong Province. The findings of the study were based on generalized analyses of the interviews, including the "specialization" dimension of welfare experiences with identity-oriented, targeted, and comprehensive characteristics, the "de-specialization" dimension of welfare experiences with identity-denied, excluded, and hidden characteristics. The dynamics between the two dimensions among different special families, different family members, and different periods in the families' lives were also examined. We present a discussion of the study's findings and their implications, categorized into the theoretical and practical domains.

Does the aging behavior of microplastics affect the process of denitrification by the difference of copper ion adsorption?

Riparian sediment is a hot zone for denitrification that can withhold copper and microplastics (MPs) from outside. It has been proven that MPs affect denitrification and the existing forms of copper in the environment. However, the impact of copper on sediment denitrification under exposure to MPs remains unclear. This study revealed the response of sediment denitrification to copper availability under the adsorption of MPs and the complexation of MP-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM). These results showed that MP accumulation inhibited denitrification. However, aged MPs increased the activity of nitrite reductase (12.64%), nitrogen dioxide reductase (37.68%), and electron transport (28.93%) compared with pristine MPs. The aging behavior of MPs alleviated 28.18% nitrite accumulation and 16.41-118.35% nitrous oxide emissions. Thus, the aging behavior of MPs alleviated the inhibition of denitrification. Notably, we resolved the copper ion adsorption and complexation by MPs, MP-derived DOM contributed to the denitrification process, and we found that the key nitrogen removal factors were affected by KL, KM, and K2. These results fill a gap in our understanding of biochemical synthesis of MPs during denitrification. Furthermore, it can be used to build a predictive understanding of the long-term effects of MPs on the sediment nitrogen cycle.

Which sediment fraction mainly drives microplastics aging process: Dissolved organic matter or colloids?

Riparian sediment is the last barrier preventing contaminants from polluting aquatic ecosystems. Recently, microplastics (MPs) have frequently been found in sediments. However, the MP aging process and its impact on sediments remain unknown. This study aimed to identify the key driving factors and mechanisms of riparian sediment on MPs aging behavior. The results showed that MPs surface suffered heavy breakage and the oxygen-to-carbon ratio of MPs increased by 268 % after accumulation in sediment for 214 d. The carbonyl index revealed that the degree of MP aging driven by dissolved organic matter (DOM) was 6.7-83.6 % greater than that of colloids, indicating that DOM was the key sediment fraction driving MP aging. Sunlight was an important environmental factor that enhanced MPs aging by sediment fractions, because photo-irradiated DOM produced hydroxyl and superoxide radicals to damage the MPs structure. Benzoic acid, dibenzoylmethane, and 4-heptyl-4,6-diphenyl-tetrahydro-pytan-2-one were the main products during the MP aging process under the interaction of sunlight and DOM, which showed acute toxicity to aquatic organisms and caused more severe toxicity during the chronic period. These results clearly clarify the behavior and environmental risk of MPs after accumulation in sediment, providing guide information to control MP pollution in the riparian zone.

Parents' pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism.

Background: Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context. Aims: This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China. Method: A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables. Results: Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (ß1 = 0.11; ß2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (ß1 = -0.097; ß2 = 0.257; ß3 = 0.114). Conclusion: Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.

Aging behavior of microplastics affected DOM in riparian sediments: From the characteristics to bioavailability.

Riparian zone is a hub for microplastics (MPs), and MPs accumulation also changes the function of the riparian zone (e.g., carbon pool) to pose a great threat to river ecosystems. Although it is known that MPs can be aged for changing their characteristic after accumulating in riparian sediment, the effect of MP aging behavior on sediment dissolved organic matter (DOM) bioavailability and carbon emission has not been elucidated. In this study, effects of pristine and aged MPs on the DOM characteristics and components were investigated in sediment. The results showed that pristine MPs increased DOM humification and promoted the formation of larger molecular weight components, thereby reducing DOM bioavailability by approximately 16~23% and inducing negative priming effect. However, inhibition of MPs on DOM bioavailability and the priming effect decreased with aging behavior. Mathematical models revealed that the fulvic acid-like substance of sediment DOM was the driven factor in the influence of sediment carbon stability. Further microbial analysis found that higher carbohydrate metabolism promoted DOM humification, thereby reducing CO2 emissions approximately by 19~26% after MPs accumulation. Thus, this study provided an integrated picture to understand the risk of MPs accumulation in sediment for a long term on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

[Factors associated with use of emergency medical service for acute myocardial infarction in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the current ambulance transport rates and ascertain factors associated with use of emergency medical service (EMS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Beijing. METHODS: Between January 1 and December 31, 2006, a cross-sectional and multicenter survey was conducted in 19 hospitals in Beijing and included patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) admitted within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. Data were collected by structured interviews and medical records review within 1 week after admission. Patients were categorized into the EMS group and the self-transport group according to their modes of transport to the initial hospital. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: Of the 789 patients with STEMI, only 260 (33.0%) arrived at the initial hospital by EMS, while the remaining 529 (77.0%) relied on self-transport. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age >/= 65 years (OR: 1.530, 95%CI: 1.050 - 2.230, P = 0.027), higher education level (OR: 2.032, 95%CI: 1.257 - 3.284, P = 0.004), history of coronary artery disease (OR: 0.474, 95%CI: 1.049 - 2.458, P = 0.029), unbearable symptoms (OR: 0.592, 95%CI: 1.090 - 2.520, P = 0.008), anxiety (OR: 0.760, 95%CI: 1.238 - 3.695, P = 0.006) and attribution of symptoms to cardiac origin (OR: 0.402, 95%CI: 1.020 - 2.171, P = 0.041) were independent predictors of EMS use. However, presence of pre-infarction angina significantly decreased the likelihood of using EMS (OR: 0.626, 95%CI: 0.431 - 0.907, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Only one-third of patients with STEMI arrived at the hospital by EMS in Beijing. Demographics, history of coronary artery disease, symptoms characteristics and cognitive factors of patients were associated with the EMS use.

[Factors associated with delay of reperfusion-decision for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To determine lengths and factors associated with delay of reperfusion-decision in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This cross-sectional and multicenter survey was conducted in 19 hospitals from Beijing between 1 January and 31 December, 2006 and included STEMI patients receiving thrombolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data were collected by structured interviews and medical records review within 1 week after admission. Reperfusion-decision delay was defined as time interval from the initial ECG after admission to sign of the thrombolysis or operation approval. Patients were categorized into an early decision group and a late decision group based on the 30 min cut-off time. RESULTS: Of the 635 STEMI patients interviewed, 129 (20.3%) received thrombolysis, and the remaining 506 (79.7%) received primary PCI. The median reperfusion-decision delay was 47 min. The median door-to-needle time was 82 min, and the median door-to-balloon time was 135 min. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that awareness of the time-dependent nature of reperfusion therapy (OR = 1.723, 95% CI: 1.156-3.212, P = 0.040), pre-hospital electrocardiogram (OR = 1.566, 95% CI: 1.018-2.409, P = 0.036), cardiac function of Killip > or = 2 at admission (OR = 1.579, 95% CI: 1.004-2.483, P = 0.021) and presenting to cardiovascular specialty hospital (OR = 5.075, 95% CI: 1.380-18.655, P = 0.014) were independent predictors early reperfusion-decision delay. Patients in early decision group had significantly shorter median door-to-needle (47 vs. 103 min, P < 0.001) and door-to-balloon (100 vs. 154 min, P < 0.001) times compared to patients in late decision group. CONCLUSIONS: The main reason of the in-hospital delay of reperfusion therapy of STEMI patients is reperfusion-decision delay. New public health strategies should be developed to educate patients and their family members to increase their awareness of the importance and benefits of prompt reperfusion therapy and facilitate the pre-hospital electrocardiogram recording for STEMI patients.

Influence of ambulance use on early reperfusion therapies for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Ambulance use expedites the definitive treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ambulance use on the administration of early reperfusion therapies for patients with AMI in Beijing, China. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from 498 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were admitted within 12 hours of symptom onset to 19 hospitals in Beijing between November 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006. The baseline characteristics of and the initial management of the ambulance users and the non-ambulance users were compared. RESULTS: Only 186 (37.3%) patients used an ambulance as transportation to the hospital. Ambulance users were, on average, older and at relatively higher risk on presentation than the non-ambulance users. After adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics, ambulance use was associated with a greater early reperfusion rate, mainly because of a greater incidence of primary percutaneous coronary intervention. In addition, ambulance users had a significantly shorter median door-to-balloon (120 compared with 145 minutes, P < 0.001) and symptom onset-to-balloon (223 compared with 300 minutes, P < 0.001) time than non-ambulance users. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulances are underused by AMI patients in Beijing. Ambulance use may lead to more frequent and faster receipt of early reperfusion therapies. New public health strategies should be developed to facilitate an increased use of ambulances by AMI patients.

[Factors leading to delay in decision to seek treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors associated with delay in decision to seek treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Beijing. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted from November 1, 2005 and December 31 ,2006. The participants consisted of 799 patients with STEMI admitted within 24 h of symptom onset to 19 hospitals in Beijing. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and medical records review. The patients were categorized into an early decision group and the a late decision group based on the 30 min cut-off. RESULTS: The median (25%, 75%) decision delay in STEMI patients was 60 (20, 180) min. Factors associated with late decision in an univariate analysis were age > or = 65 years, retirement or unemployment, history of myocardial infarction, symptom onset at home and intermittent symptoms, whereas presence of bystanders such as friends, coworkers or even strangers, unbearable symptoms, dyspnea, sweating, syncope and attribution of symptoms to cardiac origin were related to early decision. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that history of myocardial infarction, absence of syncope, intermittent symptoms, bearable symptoms and attribution of symptoms to noncardiac origin were independent predictors of decision delay > 30 min. Patients in the early decision group had more chances to receive acute reperfusion therapies (P = 0.001) and shorter time intervals from symptom onset to reperfusion therapies (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: To a great extent patients with AMI in Beijing delayed in decision to seek treatment. History of myocardial infarction, symptom characteristics and symptom attribution were associated with decision delay.

Public knowledge of heart attack symptoms in Beijing residents.

BACKGROUND: Definitive treatment for heart attack is early reperfusion with either angioplasty or thrombolytic therapy, and the benefit is strictly time-dependent. Patient outcomes are improved with either therapy when initiated as soon as possible. Recognition of heart attack symptoms is logically tied to taking action to receive prompt emergency care. Inadequate knowledge of heart attack symptoms may prolong delay. The purpose of this study was to document knowledge about heart attack symptoms in Beijing residents and to identify the characteristics associated with increased knowledge of heart attack. METHODS: A structured survey was conducted in 18 communities in Beijing from March 1 through June 10 in 2006. Addresses and participants were selected randomly following a stratification. The survey was designed to collect knowledge of heart attack symptoms from sampled adults in each community. RESULTS: A total of 4627 respondents completed the questionnaires correctly, and 50.29% of them were female. Totally 64.15% of the respondents reported chest pain or discomfort (common symptoms) as a symptom of heart attack; 75.38% reported at least one of the following eight symptoms as a symptom of heart attack: back pain, shortness of breath, arm pain or numbness, nausea or vomiting, neck, jaw or shoulder pain, epigastric pain, sweating, weakness (less common symptoms); 20.36% correctly reported four or more heart attack symptoms, only 7.4% knew all the correct heart attack symptoms, and 28.94% knew about reperfusion therapy for heart attack; 31.7% reported to call 120 or 999 while having a heart attack themselves; however 89.6% reported to call 120 or 999 when someone else is suffering from a heart attack. Very old persons and those with health insurance coverage, high education level, high household income, longer living in Beijing and previous experience with heart disease had greater knowledge of heart attack symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Public knowledge of common heart attack symptoms as well as less common heart attack symptoms is deficient in Beijing residents. But their knowledge of calling emergency medical services when someone is having a heart attack is relatively adequate. Public health efforts are needed to increase the recognition of the major heart attack symptoms in both the general public and groups at high risk for an acute cardiac event, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups, including persons with low education level, low household income, and no health insurance coverage.

[Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical pituitary apoplexy: report of 21 cases].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical manifestations of 21 patients with subclinical pituitary apoplexy and their diagnosis and treatment. METHOD: Clinical data from 21 patients with subclinical pituitary apoplexy treated from October 1989 to November 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Their clinical manifestations included chronic headache, visual deficit and field cut. Three patients showed no clinical signs. Microsurgery was performed in 20 patients, of whom 3 were treated by emergency operation. Microsurgery included transsphenoidal decompression in 17 patients, and transpterioral approach in 3. One patient was given conservative therapy, and 12 were given endocrine replacement therapy. Nineteen patients recovered with marked visual improvement (7), partial improvement (8), no changes (4); deterioration was noted in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical pituitary apoplexy characterized by atypical clinical manifestations may be misdiagnosed or in appropriately treated. MRI is superior to CT scan for the diagnosis of subclinical pituitary apoplexy. Patients with persistent chiasmatic syndromes are indicated for emergency surgery. Endocrine replacement and transsphnoidal decompression are effective for the improvement of severe visual disturbance.

[Experimental research of myogenic motor evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation for spinal cord monitoring].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of intraoperative magnetic MEP (motor evoked potentials) monitoring in a spinal-cord-menaced surgery. METHODS: 32 rabbits were employed in weight-drop spinal cord contusion model. After anesthetized with a combination of Ketamine and Droperidol the spinal cords were surgically exposed with the dura intact, and the contusion injuries were delivered except the rabbits in control group. The MEPs were recorded and the relationship between the variation of the MEPs and the residual locomotor capacity after spinal cord injury was analyzed. RESULTS: The 6 rabbits in mild-spinal-cord-injury group experienced transient attenuation of their TMS-MEPs, and the locomotor capacity remained intact (scores of 5) in almost all rabbits (5 of 6) when assessed 24 hours later; In the moderate-spinal-cord-injury group the 8 rabbits lost their TMS-MEP immediately after the weight-drop contusion, but they regained them partly in 1 hour one after another and scored 4 or 5 in the assessment of muscle power next day except for one score of 2; 8 rabbits had their spinal cords impaired severely in the contusion procedure and lost their TMS-MEP too but without recovery, their locomotor capacity outcomes were very poor, 5 of them had no response to transcranial magnetic stimulation next day, and in the other 3 rabbits we only found some polyphase waves with variant latency and lower amplitude which did not resemble common compound muscle action potential (CMAPs) evoked by TMS. CONCLUSIONS: Myogenic TMS-MEPs was very sensitive to the spinal cord injury and should be a valid technique for intraoperative monitoring, and a slight change of them, even if a transient lose, should be unnecessarily related to a severe movement disorder. The warning threshold for a given patient should depend on the malady itself.

[Initial application of brain protection device in dilatation and stenting of carotid and vertebral artery stenosis].

OBJECTIVE: To report the initial application of brain protection device in the dilatation and stenting of atherosclerotic stenosis of the carotid and vertebral artery. METHODS: Eighteen patients with 21 atherosclerotic stenoses of the carotid or vertebral artery underwent dilatation and/or stenting with brain protection device (filterwire or angioguard). The clinical results were summarized and the indispensability and feasibility of the device was discussed. RESULTS: With the aid of brain protection device, endovascular dilatation and (or) stenting were performed in all the patients with 21 stenoses of the carotid or vertebral artery. The interventional manipulation was successful and no complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Brain protection device is helpful to decrease the embolic complication caused by atherosclerotic plaque and thromboembolus and to increase the security of interventional therapy, during the dilatation and/or stenting of stenosis of the carotid or vertebral artery.