Corrigendum to "Do maternal socioeconomic status influence child overweight? [10(2) 30 January 2024 e24630].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24630.].

Do maternal socioeconomic status influence child overweight?

The prevalence of overweight among Chinese children under 5 years of age has been increasing steadily. Using data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) spanning from 1991 to 2015, this study investigates the relationship between maternal employment status, maternal education level, and the prevalence of child overweight among Chinese children under 5 years old. The findings indicate that having mothers with low middle school education significantly reduces their children's body mass index z-scores (BMIZ) (p < 0.05). However, no significant association is observed between maternal education level and childhood overweight in urban areas. In rural areas, only when the maternal education level is college or above, there is a significant increase in BMIZ (p < 0.01). The impact of maternal education level on childhood obesity is influenced by household per capita income, and when household per capita income reaches a certain level, higher maternal education is negatively associated with child BMIZ. The study also reveals a significant negative association between maternal employment (p < 0.01)，average weekly working days (p < 0.01), and the BMIZ of children under 5 years of age, while the interaction effect between them is positive and significant. This study has recommended some policy interventions, by promoting parental education on child feeding and parenting, providing professional child care, and offering financial subsidies to families with children under 5.

Social determinants of child malnutrition outcomes: Evidence from CHNS in China.

China is committed to reduce child malnutrition outcomes (CMO) rates to less than 5 % by 2030 in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Yet, this is still an enormous challenge for China, particularly in disadvantaged areas, due to regional and urban-rural disparities. Using China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data from 1991 to 2015 and fixed-effect models, this study investigates the social determinants of stunting (n = 4012) measured by height-for-age z score (HAZ) and wasting (n = 4229) measured by weight-for-height z score (WHZ) in children under the age of five. According to the empirical findings, the significant social determinants of child stunting encompassed whether the child is insured (p < 0.01), maternal education level (primary school (p < 0.01) low middle school (p < 0.01); vocational school (p < 0.01)), maternal employment status (p < 0.05), mother's average working days (p < 0.05), average household per capita income (p < 0.01), household asset index (p < 0.01), urbanization index living in a community (medium (p < 0.05); higher (p < 0.01); highest (p < 0.01)) and living regions (west (p < 0.01); northeast (p < 0.05)). Children's maternal employment status (p < 0.05), mother's average working days (p < 0.05), living areas (p < 0.05) and living regions (central (p < 0.01); west (p < 0.01); north-east (p < 0.05)) are the significant factors impacting child wasting. Furthermore, the interaction impact between maternal employment and have one additional working day per week is positive. To attain SDGs, the Chinese government should priorities lowering stunting and wasting among 5-year-olds in the western region, particularly in impoverished regions. Also, it is possible to develop tailored policies for the growth and development of children under the age of five by addressing pertinent socio-economic factors.

Kss1 of Verticillium dahliae regulates virulence, microsclerotia formation, and nitrogen metabolism.

Verticillium dahliae causes destructive vascular wilt diseases on more than 200 plant species, including economically important crops and ornamental trees worldwide. The melanized microsclerotia (MS) enable V. dahliae to survive for years in soil, thus the fungus is especially difficult to control once it has become established. Previously, we found that the mitogen activated protein kinase VdSte11 (MAPKKK) plays key roles in MS formation, penetration, and virulence in V. dahliae. In this study, two MAPK homologs of the yeast Ste7p and Kss1p were identified and characterized in V. dahliae. Deletion of VdSte7 or VdKss1 reuslted in severe defects in melaninized MS formation and virulence. Furthermore, phosphorylation assays demonstrated that VdSte11 and VdSte7 can phosphorylate VdKss1 in V. dahliae. Proteomic analysis revealed a significant change in sterol biosynthesis with a fold change of ≥ 1.2 after the deletion of VdKss1. In addition, phosphoproteomic analysis showed that VdKss1 was involved in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism. Finally, we identified VdRlm1 as a potentially downstream target of VdKss1, which is involved in regulating ammonium nitrogen utilization. This study sheds light on the network of regulatory proteins in V. dahliae that affect MS formation and nitrogen metabolism.

Analysis of Monosynaptic Inputs to Thalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Neurons Innervating the Shell of the Nucleus Accumbens and Central Extended Amygdala.

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) sends dense projections to the shell of the nucleus accumbens (NAcSh), dorsolateral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTDL) and the lateral region of central nucleus of the amygdala (CeL). Projection specific modulation of these pathways has been shown to regulate appetitive and aversive behavioral responses. The present investigation applied an intersectional monosynaptic rabies tracing approach to quantify the brain-wide sources of afferent input to PVT neurons that primarily project to the NAcSh, BSTDL and CeL. The results demonstrate that these projection neurons receive monosynaptic input from similar brain regions. The prefrontal cortex and the ventral subiculum of the hippocampus were major sources of input to the PVT projection neurons. In addition, the lateral septal nucleus, thalamic reticular nucleus and the hypothalamic medial preoptic area, dorsomedial, ventromedial, and arcuate nuclei were sources of input. The subfornical organ, parasubthalamic nucleus, periaqueductal gray matter, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract were consistent but lesser sources of input. This input-output relationship is consistent with recent observations that PVT neurons have axons that bifurcate extensively to divergently innervate the NAcSh, BSTDL and CeL.

Silver-catalyzed nitrosation and nitration of aromatic amides using NOBF4.

Divergent aromatic ring nitrosation and nitration of aromatic amides are reported using NOBF4 as the electrophile under silver-catalyzed conditions. The reactions proceed efficiently with a wide range of compatible functionalities providing ortho-position nitrosation products, deacylation nitrosation products, and nitration products from different tertiary and secondary aromatic amides.

Long-term effects of child nutritional status on the accumulation of health human capital.

Research on the impact of childhood nutrition on adult health and human capital has been extensively studied in developed countries, but research in China on this topic is limited. Nowadays, for children's nutritional status, while significant progress has been made in addressing childhood undernutrition in China, regional disparities persist, conversely, the prevalence of childhood overweight continues to rise. For adults' health human capital, the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases among Chinese residents is gradually increasing, over 50% of Chinese residents are overweight or obese, with obesity being one of the risk factors for other chronic diseases. Therefore, this study uses national representative data from 1991 to 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), matched with individual information from their childhood, to examine the relationship between childhood nutrition and adult health human capital. Based on the two-way fixed effects models and logit models, the study finds that childhood nutrition status measured by height-for-age z score (HAZ) significantly and continuously has been influencing adult health human capital measured by height, BMI, self-rated health (SRH), whether have been sick in last four weeks (SH). BMI-for-age z score (BMIZ) significantly and continuously influence adult health human capital measured by BMI, blood pressure, and perceived stress (PS). Among that, this study places special emphasis on the long-lasting effects of late childhood and adolescence (ages exceeding 6) on the progressive height accumulation and sustained presence of elevated blood pressure. In conclusion, reducing childhood overweight and promoting linear growth and development throughout the whole childhood can reduce the future burden of disease on the nation.

Suxiao Jiuxin Pill attenuates acute myocardial ischemia via regulation of coronary artery tone.

Suxiao Jiuxin Pill (SJP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine drug used to manage heart diseases. This study aimed at determining the pharmacological effects of SJP in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and the molecular pathways its active compounds target to induce coronary artery vasorelaxation. Using the AMI rat model, SJP improved cardiac function and elevated ST segment. LC-MS and GC-MS detected twenty-eight non-volatile compounds and eleven volatile compounds in sera from SJP-treated rats. Network pharmacology analysis revealed eNOS and PTGS2 as the key drug targets. Indeed, SJP induced coronary artery relaxation via activation of the eNOS-NO pathway. Several of SJP's main compounds, like senkyunolide A, scopoletin, and borneol, caused concentration-dependent coronary artery relaxation. Senkyunolide A and scopoletin increased eNOS and Akt phosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) revealed an interaction between senkynolide A/scopoletin and Akt. Vasodilation caused by senkyunolide A and scopoletin was inhibited by uprosertib (Akt inhibitor) and eNOS/sGC/PKG axis inhibitors. This suggests that senkyunolide A and scopoletin relax coronary arteries through the Akt-eNOS-NO pathway. In addition, borneol induced endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of the coronary artery. The Kv channel inhibitor 4-AP, KCa2+ inhibitor TEA, and Kir inhibitor BaCl2 significantly inhibited the vasorelaxant effect of borneol in the coronary artery. In conclusion, the results show that Suxiao Jiuxin Pill protects the heart against acute myocardial infarction.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in 609 Japanese patients with COVID-19: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: GI symptoms are common in acute COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to characterize the GI symptoms occurring in Japanese COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 751 hospitalized acute COVID-19 patients. The primary outcomes were the frequency and severity of GI symptoms. The secondary outcomes included the association between COVID-19 severity and GI symptoms and the timing of GI symptom onset. RESULTS: After exclusion, the data of 609 patients were analyzed. The median age was 62 years, and 55% were male. The median time from initial symptom onset to admission was five days. On admission, 92% of the patients had fever, 35.1% had fatigue, 75% had respiratory symptoms, and 75% had pneumonia. The sample included patients with mild (19%), moderate (59%), and severe COVID-19 (22%). A total of 218 patients (36%) had GI symptoms, of which 93% were classified as grade 1/2; 170 patients had both respiratory and GI symptoms. Diarrhea was the most frequent GI symptom, occurring in 170 patients, followed by anorexia in 73 patients and nausea/vomiting in 36 patients, and abdominal pain in 8 patients. There was no significant relationship between COVID-19 severity and GI symptoms. Among COVID-19 patients with both GI and respiratory symptoms, 48% had respiratory symptoms preceding GI symptoms, 25% had GI symptoms preceding respiratory symptoms and 27% had a simultaneous onset of respiratory and GI symptoms. CONCLUSION: Thirty-six percent of the Japanese COVID-19 patients had GI symptoms; diarrhea was the most frequent GI symptom but did not predict severe COVID-19.

Transposable elements activation triggers necroptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Deficiency of the histone H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 induces RIPK3-dependent necroptosis in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, how necroptosis pathway is activated in this process remains elusive. Here we report that the reactivation of transposable elements (TEs) upon SETDB1 knockout is responsible for the RIPK3 regulation through both cis and trans mechanisms. IAPLTR2_Mm and MMERVK10c-int, both of which are suppressed by SETDB1-dependent H3K9me3, act as enhancer-like cis-regulatory elements and their RIPK3 nearby members enhance RIPK3 expression when SETDB1 is knockout. Moreover, reactivated endogenous retroviruses generate excessive viral mimicry, which promotes necroptosis mainly through Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1). These results indicate TEs play an important role in regulating necroptosis.

Uniformizing the lithium deposition by gradient lithiophilicity and conductivity for stable lithium-metal batteries.

The practical application of lithium metal batteries is hindered by the poor reversibility and large volume change caused by the uncontrollable dendritic growth and the highly reactive surface. In this work, favorable Li deposition is achieved by generating gradient lithiophilicity and conductivity in an Ag-decorated graphene/holey graphene film (G-HGA). Dendrite-free Li metal is deposited on the G-HGA matrix, which greatly reduces the surface area and suppresses the side reaction between the electrolyte and the dendritic Li. The average Li-metal plating-stripping coulombic efficiency (CE) on the G-HGA matrix maintains ∼98.7% over 350 cycles, compared to a worse average CE (∼97.3%) with the bare Cu matrix, only for less than 100 cycles. A full cell constructed by using LiFePO4 and prelithiated G-HGA exhibits excellent rate capability and a high capacity retention of 99.6% for 175 cycles at a low negative to positive capacity ratio of 1.13. This advanced design can inspire further development of high-energy and long-lived Li-metal batteries.

Exosomes derived from M1 macrophages inhibit the proliferation of the A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines via the miRNA-let-7b-5p-GNG5 axis.

Background: Almost all cells are capable of secreting exosomes (Exos) for intercellular communication and regulation. Therefore, Exos can be used as a natural therapeutic platform to regulate genes or deliver drugs to treat diseases. M1 macrophages inhibit tumor growth by releasing pro-inflammatory factors. This study explored the applicability of M1 macrophage exosomes (M1-Exos) as gene carriers and the effects on GNG5 protein, and further examined whether macrophage repolarization could inhibit tumor activity. Methods: M0 macrophages were polarized toward M1 using vitexin. Exos were obtained from M1 macrophages by ultra-centrifugation. The transwell non-contact co-culture system was used to co-culture M1 macrophages with HLF-α human lung epithelial cells or A549 or H1299 lung cancer cells. MTT, scratch, and transwell assays were used to detect the cell viability, migration, and invasion ability of cells in the four groups. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of each group, and western blot (WB) analysis was performed to detect the change in the expression of proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins. We screened the differentially expressed microRNAs using quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology. Luciferase reporter analysis was performed to explore the interaction between miRNA and protein. We used Xenografted A549 tumors in nude mice to study the effect of M1-Exos on tumor cell growth in vivo. Results: The results showed that, under the M1 macrophage co-culture system, lung cancer cell viability, invasion, and migration ability decreased, and the number of apoptotic cells increased, will all indicators being statistically significant (P < 0.05). The expression levels of PCNA, KI67, and Bcl-2 decreased significantly, but that of Bax increased (P < 0.05). Exosomes can have the same effect on tumor cells as M1 macrophages. Exosomes can transport miR-let-7b-5p to tumor cells, and miR-let-7b-5p can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and promote tumor cell apoptosis by regulating the GNG5 protein level. Conclusions: M1-Exos inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of lung cancer cells through miRNA-let-7b-5p and GNG5 signaling pathways and inhibit the anti-apoptotic ability of lung cancer cells.

A novel base editor SpRY-ABE8eF148A mediates efficient A-to-G base editing with a reduced off-target effect.

Adenine base editors (ABEs) can mediate two transition mutations, A-to-G and T-to-C, which are suitable for repairing G·C-to-T·A pathogenic variants, the most significant human pathogenic variant. By combining the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)less SpRY nuclease with F148A-mutated TadA∗8e deaminase, we developed a new editor, SpRY-ABE8eF148A, in this study, which has narrowed the editing range and enhanced A-to-G editing efficiency in most sites with NR/YN PAMs. Furthermore, compared with SpRY-ABE8e, SpRY-ABE8eF148A significantly decreased the RNA off-target effect. Therefore, this engineered base editor, SpRY-ABE8eF148A, expanded the editing scope and improved the editing precision for G·C-to-T·A pathogenic variants. Besides, we established a bioinformatics tool, adenine base-repairing sgRNA database of pathogenic variant (ARDPM), to facilitate the development of precise editors.

Risk monitoring and pharmacovigilance of programmed cell death protein 1 / programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in cancer patients after solid organ transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Several medications are available for the treatment of cancer, and monoclonal antibodies that target PD-1 and PD-L1 represent first-line options for cancer. PD-1 promotes the ability of the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells by activating T cells. PD-1 also activates the autoimmune system. This activation causes healthy cells in the body to be attacked by the immune system, resulting in immune-related adverse events (irAE). The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the adverse events of rejection reactions in real-world solid organ transplant patients using monoclonal antibodies that target PD-1/PD-L1. METHODS: Data from 2016-2021 were extracted from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) Adverse Reporting System (FAERS) to describe the rejection reaction in patients with solid organ transplantation cases after using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors approved by the FDA. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for rejection reaction was calculated for each PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. A disproportionality signal was defined when the lower limit of 95% CI>1. RESULTS: The FAERS database recorded 11,935 adverse events related to solid organ transplantation. Among these reports, 117 showed that various PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors exhibited a strong correlation with solid organ transplantation rejection. The 3 medicines with the incidence of rejection reaction include avelumab (1), nivolumab (79) and pembrolizumab (37). The average time of solid organ transplantation rejection associated with PD1 / PD-L1 inhibitors was 40.64 days. Of those patients who experienced solid organ transplant rejection, a total of 24.79% died. CONCLUSION: This study found that PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor use in patients with solid organ transplantation was associated with donor organ rejection. This information serves as a pharmacovigilance signal that we need to continue to track in the real world.

Stratification Based on Risk Factors at Diagnosis Could Predict Progression in Patients with Pancreatic Cysts.

BACKGROUND: Predicting the risk of malignant transformation in pancreatic cyst patients is challenging. AIM: We retrospectively investigated the risk factors for malignant transformation in pancreatic cyst patients. METHODS: Patients with pancreatic cysts diagnosed using imaging tests were followed from November 2008 to December 2021. A significant change was defined as the additional development of high-risk stigmata (HRS), worrisome features (WFs), or pancreatic cancer during monitoring. RESULTS: In total, 479 patients were analyzed, with a median observation period of 50 months. Forty-four patients (9.2%) showed significant changes, and eight (1.7%) developed pancreatic cancer. The univariate analysis showed that the cyst diameter at diagnosis (≥ 14 mm), main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter at diagnosis (≥ 3 mm), presence of multilocular cysts, and an inconsistent MPD caliber were significant predictive factors for a significant change. One point was assigned for each significant factor. We grouped the patients into three groups: the low-risk group (total score 0), medium-risk group (score 1-2), and high-risk group (score 3-4). The high-risk group had a higher risk of a significant change than the medium- and low-risk groups (age-adjusted HRs for the medium-risk and high-risk groups were 3.0 and 5.2 compared with the low-risk group). CONCLUSION: Stratification based on risk factors may help predict the development of significant changes in pancreatic cyst patients.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP2 regulates pro-fibrogenic monocyte infiltration and activity in heart fibrosis.

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) can cause left ventricular dysfunction through interstitial fibrosis, which corresponds to the failure of cardiac tissue remodeling. Recent evidence implicates monocytes/macrophages in the etiopathology of cardiac fibrosis, but giving their heterogeneity and the antagonizing roles of macrophage subtypes in fibrosis, targeting these cells has been challenging. Here we focus on WWP2, an E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts as a positive genetic regulator of human and murine cardiac fibrosis, and show that myeloid specific deletion of WWP2 reduces cardiac fibrosis in hypertension-induced NICM. By using single cell RNA sequencing analysis of immune cells in the same model, we establish the functional heterogeneity of macrophages and define an early pro-fibrogenic phase of NICM that is driven by Ccl5-expressing Ly6chigh monocytes. Among cardiac macrophage subtypes, WWP2 dysfunction primarily affects Ly6chigh monocytes via modulating Ccl5, and consequentially macrophage infiltration and activation, which contributes to reduced myofibroblast trans-differentiation. WWP2 interacts with transcription factor IRF7, promoting its non-degradative mono-ubiquitination, nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity, leading to upregulation of Ccl5 at transcriptional level. We identify a pro-fibrogenic macrophage subtype in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and demonstrate that WWP2 is a key regulator of IRF7-mediated Ccl5/Ly6chigh monocyte axis in heart fibrosis.

Ultralean Electrolyte Li-S Battery by Avoiding Gelation Catastrophe.

Due to the poor electronic conductivity of solid sulfur and sulfides, the dissolution of Sα- (α = 0, 2/8, 2/6, 2/4) into a liquid electrolyte and the vehicular diffusion of Sα- to carbon black are necessary for the electrochemical activity of a sulfur cathode in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. However, exactly how much dissolution and diffusion are required for high sulfur utilization and how this may control the minimum electrolyte/sulfur ratio, (E/S)min, have not been quantitatively settled. In this work, we show experimentally that a dissolved polysulfide concentration which is too high (>10-20 MS) may gel the liquid electrolyte, leading to catastrophic loss of Sα- mobility, a failure mode that is especially susceptible in a high-donor-number (DN) electrolyte under a lean condition (low E/S), similar to a traffic jam, resulting in high electrochemical polarization and low sulfur utilization. In contrast, we show that a low-DN electrolyte, even with a low polysulfide solubility of 0.1-0.5 MS, will never encounter a gelation catastrophe even at extremely low E/S, leading to unprecedentedly high energy density. Specifically, high sulfur utilizations of 96% (1600 mAh g-1) and 78% (1300 mAh g-1) are reached in an electrolyte as lean as E/S = 2 and 1 µL mg-1 Li-S coin cells when DME1.6LiFSI-HFE of low solvation capability (DN = 13.9) is adopted, even paired against a high-sulfur-loading cathode (5 mg cm-2).