Intact painful sensation but enhanced non-painful sensation in individuals with autistic traits.

Somatosensory abnormalities are commonly recognized as diagnostic criteria in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and may also exist in individuals with autistic traits. The present research included two studies to explore the painful and non-painful sensation and their cognitive-neurological mechanisms of individuals with autistic traits. Study 1 included 358 participants to assess the relationship between autistic traits and pain/non-pain sensitivities using questionnaires: the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, respectively. Study 1 found that autistic traits were positively correlated with non-pain sensitivity, but not associated with pain sensitivity. Study 2 recruited 1,167 participants whose autistic traits were assessed using the AQ. Subsequently, thirty-three participants who scored within the top 10% and bottom 10% on the AQ were selected into High-AQ and Low-AQ groups, respectively, to explore the cognitive-neural responses of individuals with autistic traits to both painful and non-painful stimuli with event-related potential (ERP) technology. Results of Study 2 showed that the High-AQ group showed higher intensity ratings, more negative emotional reactions, and larger N1 amplitudes than the Low-AQ group to the non-painful stimuli, but no difference of response to the painful stimuli was found between High-AQ and Low-AQ groups. These findings suggest that individuals with autistic traits may experience enhanced non-painful sensation but intact painful sensation.

Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 nanoparticles inhibit cutaneous melanoma formation.

Stimulation of the innate immune stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway has been shown to boost anti-tumour immunity. Nevertheless, the systemic delivery of STING agonists to the tumour presents challenges. Therefore, we designed a cyclic dinucleotide (CDN)-based drug delivery system (DDS) combined photothermal therapy (PTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT)/immunotherapy for cutaneous melanoma. We coencapsulated a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive prodrug thioketone-linked CDN (TK-CDN), and photoresponsive agents chlorin E6 (Y6) within mitochondria-targeting reagent triphenylphosphonium (TPP)-modified liposomes (Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6). Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 exhibited a photothermal effect similar to Y6, along with a superior cellular uptake rate. Upon endocytosis by B16F10 cells, Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 generated large amounts of ROS under laser irradiation for PDT. Mice bearing B16F10 tumours were intravenously injected with Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 and exposed to irradiation, resulting in a substantial inhibition of tumour growth. Exploration of the mechanism of anti-tumour action showed that Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 had a stronger stimulation of STING activation and anti-tumour immune cell infiltration compared to other groups. Hence, the Lipo/TK-CDN/TPP/Y6 nanoparticles offer great potential as a DDS for targeted and on-demand drug release at tumour sites. These nanoparticles exhibit promise as a candidate for precise and controllable combination therapy in the treatment of tumours.

Cu-Catalyzed Direct Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of 2-Alkylazaarenes and Isatin-Derived Ketimines.

The first direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction of 2-alkylazaarenes and ketimines was realized with a chiral Cu-bis(oxazoline) complex as the catalyst. The asymmetric addition of 2-alkylpyridines to isatin-derived ketimines proceeded smoothly to afford α,ß-functionalized 2-substituted pyridines bearing 3-amino-3,3-disubstituted oxindole motifs with excellent results (≤99% yield, 99:1 dr, and 98% ee). The catalytic system was also extended to 2-alkylbenzothiazoles as nucleophiles for the asymmetric Mannich reaction of ketimines.

The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model.

Background: Social isolation can be particularly challenging for individuals with high autistic traits who struggle with social interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased isolation, exacerbating stress for those who may have difficulty in connecting with others. This study aimed to explore the relationship between autistic traits and stress associated with social isolation. Methods: A sample of 1597 Chinese adults completed measures of autistic traits, the stress of social isolation, psychological inflexibility and core self-evaluation, during an epidemic prevention and control period of COVID-19 in Chongqing, China. Measures included the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Coronavirus Stress Measure, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Core Self-Evaluation Scale. Results: Autistic traits were positively correlated with the stress of social isolation, which was mediated by the chain effect of core self-evaluation and psychological inflexibility. individuals with high autistic traits reported significantly higher stress than individuals with low autistic traits. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study, which limits causal inference. In addition, data were self-reported, which may cause methodological effects. Finally, this study was conducted during China's quarantine policy and external validation of the findings is required. Conclusions: Autistic traits are positively associated with the stress of social isolation. Autistic traits affected core self-evaluation first, and psychological inflexibility subsequently, leading to the stress of social isolation. individuals with high autistic traits tended to experience higher levels of stress during pandemic quarantines. The findings provide useful evidence for developing interventions and implementing preventive measures to reduce stress in individuals with high autistic traits and autism spectrum disorder.

The influence of aggressive exercise on responses to self-perceived and others' pain.

Previous studies have reported relationships between exercise and pain. However, little is known about how aggressive exercise modulates individuals' responses to their own and others' pain. This present study addresses this question by conducting 2 studies employing event-related potential (ERP). Study 1 included 38 participants whose self-perceived pain was assessed after intervention with aggressive or nonaggressive exercises. Study 2 recruited 36 participants whose responses to others' pain were assessed after intervention with aggressive or nonaggressive exercise. Study 1's results showed that P2 amplitudes were smaller, reaction times were longer, and participants' judgments were less accurate in response to self-perceived pain stimuli, especially to high-pain stimuli, after intervention with aggressive exercise compared to nonaggressive exercise. Results of study 2 showed that both P3 and LPP amplitudes to others' pain were larger after intervention with aggressive exercise than with nonaggressive exercise. These results suggest that aggressive exercise decreases individuals' self-perceived pain and increases their empathic responses to others' pain.

Diastereoselective synthesis of polycyclic indolines via dearomative [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-nitroindoles with ortho-aminophenyl p-quinone methides.

A formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of 3-nitroindoles with ortho-aminophenyl p-quinone methides via a dearomatization process was developed. This method provides a facile approach for preparing tetrahydro-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolones with good results. With the bifunctional Cinchona alkaloid-squaramide as the catalyst, the asymmetric version of the reaction successfully afforded the corresponding chiral products with moderate to good enantioselectivities. This work represents the first dearomative cycloaddition of electron-deficient heteroarenes triggered by aza-Michael addition from p-QMs.

Relationship between Occupational Metal Exposure and Hypertension Risk Based on Conditional Logistic Regression Analysis.

Occupational exposure is a significant source of metal contact; previous studies have been limited regarding the effect of occupational metal exposure on the development of hypertension. This study was conducted to assess the levels of exposure of certain metals (chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni)) in hypertensive and non-hypertensive workers and to assess the relationship between the risk of hypertension and metal exposure level. Our study included 138 hypertensive patients as case groups and 138 non-hypertensive participants as controls. The exposure risk level was divided according to the limit value after collecting and testing the metal dust in the workshop. Considering the influence of single- and poly-metal, single factor analysis and conditional logistic regression analysis of poly-metal were carried out. The results of the model indicated that the incidence of hypertension increased with an increase in Cr exposure level, and the risk of hypertension was 1.85 times higher in the highest exposure than in the lowest exposure (95% CI: 1.20−2.86, p < 0.05). Mn has the same effect as Cr. There was no significant correlation between Fe or Ni and hypertension. Our findings suggested that Cr and Mn exposure in the work environment might increase the risk of hypertension, while no effect of Fe and Ni on blood pressure was found. Prospective study designs in larger populations are needed to confirm our findings.

Risk for lung-related diseases associated with welding fumes in an occupational population: Evidence from a Cox model.

Background: Welding fumes are a risk factor for welder pneumoconiosis. However, there is a lack of population information on the occurrence of welding fume-induced lung cancer, and little is known about the welding fume pathogenesis. Methods: Welding fume and metal ion concentrations were assessed in a vehicle factory in Wuhan. A Cox regression model estimated lung-related disease risk in workers by independent and combined factors. Results: Workers' exposures were divided into four grades; the highest exposure was among the welders in the maintenance workshop, the highest Mn and Fe exposure was 4 grades, and the highest Cr exposure was 3 grades. Subgroup analysis found that the risk of lung-related disease was 2.17 (95% CI: 1.31-3.57, p < 0.05) in welders compared with non-welders, and the risk of pulmonary disease in male welders was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.34-3.73, p < 0.05) compared to non-welders. Smoking welders had a 2.44 (95% CI: 1.32-4.51, p < 0.01) higher incidence of lung-related diseases than non-welders. Total years of work as an independent protective factor for lung-related disease risk was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66-0.78, p < 0.01). As an independent risk factor, high-high and high-low exposure had a 5.39 (95% CI: 2.52-11.52, p < 0.001) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.07-4.41, p < 0.05) higher risk for lung-related diseases, respectively. Conclusions: High welding fume exposure is a significant risk factor for lung-related disease in workers.

Targeting SNORA38B attenuates tumorigenesis and sensitizes immune checkpoint blockade in non-small cell lung cancer by remodeling the tumor microenvironment via regulation of GAB2/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), are widely involved in the physiological and pathological processes of human beings. While up to date, although considerable progress has been achieved in ncRNA-related pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the underlying mechanisms and biological significance of snoRNAs in NSCLC still need to be further clarified. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or RNAscope was performed to verify the expression of Small Nucleolar RNA, H/ACA Box 38B (SNORA38B) in NSCLC cell lines or clinical samples. BALB/c nude mice xenograft model or C57BL/6J mice syngeneic tumor model were estimated to detect the effects of SNORA38B in tumor growth or tumor immune microenvironment in vivo. Cytometry by time of flight, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry assay were conducted to clarify the effects and mechanisms of SNORA38B-mediated tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. The binding activity between SNORA38B and E2F transcription factor 1(E2F1) was detected by RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays. Then, bioinformatics analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation were utilized to demonstrate the regulation of GRB2-associated-binding protein 2 (GAB2) by E2F1. Moreover, the combinatorial treatment of SNORA38B locked nucleic acid (LNA) and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) was used to treat murine Lewis lung carcinoma-derived tumor burden C57BL/6J mice to clarify the effectiveness of targeting SNORA38B in NSCLC immunotherapy. RESULTS: SNORA38B was found highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and associated with worse prognosis. Further results showed that SNORA38B functioned as an oncogene via facilitating cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inhibiting cell apoptosis in vitro and promoting tumorigenesis of NSCLC cells in vivo. SNORA38B could also recruit the CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells by triggering tumor cells to secrete interleukin 10, which in turn reduced the infiltration of CD3+CD8+ T cells in NSCLC tumor microenvironment (TME), favoring tumor progression and poorer immune efficacy. Mechanistically, SNORA38B mainly distributed in the nucleus, and promoted NSCLC progression by regulating GAB2 transcription to activate protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway through directly binding with E2F1. Moreover, we found that SNORA38B LNAs were able to ameliorate CD3+CD8+ T cell infiltration in TME, which sensitized NSCLC to the treatment of ICB. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our data demonstrated that SNORA38B functioned as an oncogene in NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo at least in part by regulating the GAB2/AKT/mTOR pathway via directly binding to E2F1. SNORA38B could also sensitize NSCLC to immunotherapy, which may be a critical therapeutic target for NSCLC.