Status of professional mental health help-seeking intention associated factors among medical students: a cross-sectional study in China.

Aim: Low professional help-seeking intention (PHSI) hinders effective treatment of mental illness. PHSI among Chinese students is still understudied and under-recognized. This study aimed to evaluate the status of PHSI and its associated risk factors among Chinese medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hainan province, South China, between January 1, 2021, and May 31, 2021. A total of 2182 medical students were recruited and surveyed via an anonymous structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with PHSI. Results: Among the 2182 medical students (mean age 21.0 years (SD = 3.70), 61.5% females), those with and without PHSI were 72.0% and 28.0%, and 16.4% with moderate to severe depression. Male students, those with a high level of depression stigma, serious family dysfunction, and heavy dependence on mobile phones were significantly less likely to seek professional mental health help, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.5, 2.0, 2.1, and 1.7, respectively. Conclusion: A significant proportion of Chinese medical students demonstrate low PHSI, influenced by factors such as gender, depression stigma, family dysfunction, and mobile phone dependence. Future interventions aimed at increasing medical students' PHSI should prioritize reducing depression stigma, mitigating reliance on mobile phone use, and enhancing family function to address these key barriers to seeking professional mental health support.

microRNA-17 is a tumor suppressor in oral squamous cell carcinoma and is repressed by LSD1.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of epigenetic modifiers have been uncovered on cellular reprogramming and, specifically, on sustaining characteristics of cancer stem cells. We here aim to investigate whether lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) affects the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by sustaining the cancer stem cells from OSCC (OSCSCs). METHODS: RT-qPCR detection was firstly conducted to screen out research gene by determining differential expression of histone demethylases and methylases in identified OSCSCs. Then, microarray analysis was carried out in cells with poor expression of LSD1. RESULTS: OSCSCs expressed high levels of LSD1, and LSD1 inhibition reduced cell viability, migration, invasion, and sphere formation of OSCSCs. Later mechanistic studies suggested that LSD1 inhibited microRNA (miR)-17 expression through histone demethylation. miR-17 bound to KPNA2, and LSD1 downstream genes were mainly enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Importantly, miR-17 inhibitor reversed the inhibitory effect of si-LSD1 on cell activity, while si-KPNA2 abolished the promotive effect of miR-17 inhibitor on cell activity both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: Overall, LSD1 functions as a cancer stem cell supporter in OSCC by catalyzing demethylation of miR-17 and activating the downstream KPNA2/PI3K/AKT pathway, which contributes to understanding of the mechanisms associated with epigenetic regulation in OSCC.

Upregulated circ_0002141 facilitates oral squamous cell carcinoma progression via the miR-1231/EGFR axis.

OBJECTIVES: The dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is implicated in the progression of various cancers. This study was aimed at expounding the role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0002141 in the OSCC progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Circ_0002141 expression was examined in 52 pairs of OSCC tissues and matched adjacent tissue samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. After circ_0002141 was overexpressed or knocked down in OSCC cell lines, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were conducted to detect the changes in the growth, migration, invasion and apoptosis of OSCC cells. Western blot assay, qRT-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to clarify the interplay among circ_0002141, miR-1231, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RESULTS: Circ_0002141 expression was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0002141 overexpression markedly promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells whereas reduced the apoptotic of OSCC cells. Also, circ_0002141 knockdown suppressed the malignant characteristics of OSCC cells. EGFR was validated as the target of miR-1231. Besides, circ_0002141 could sponge miR-1231 and upregulate EGFR expression in OSCC cells. CONCLUSION: Circ_0002141/miR-1231/EGFR axis is involved in the progression of OSCC.

Revealing the nexus between tourism development and CO2 emissions in Asia: does asymmetry matter?

Asia is one of the fastest-growing regions in international tourism, economic growth, and CO2 emissions around the globe. However, the relationships between tourism and CO2 emissions are little and unclearly identified. The purpose of the study is to explore the asymmetric nexus between tourism and CO2 emissions in a panel of five high emitters Asian countries covering the period of 1995-2019 by using panel-NARDL-AMG. The empirical results reveal that a positive shock in tourism arrivals increases CO2 emissions, while a negative shock also increases CO2 emissions in the long run. Moreover, a negative shock has a greater effect on CO2 emissions than a positive shock in Asia in the long run. Tourism receipts are expected to maintain the robustness of CO2 emissions in the long run in Asian economies. The authorities should develop and design green international tourism activities in the Asian economies.

Effect of Regret Aversion and Information Cascade on Investment Decisions in the Real Estate Sector: The Mediating Role of Risk Perception and the Moderating Effect of Financial Literacy.

The real estate sector plays a significant role in the economy of any country. However, many investors make irrational investments in the real estate market. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the effects of regret aversion and information cascade on investment decisions while considering the moderating role of financial literacy and the mediating effect of risk perception in the real estate sector of developing countries. This research utilized a quantitative research technique, collecting data by distributing structured questionnaires to real estate investors, followed by convenience sampling. This study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to make the data more meaningful. SPSS 25.0 was utilized to interpret the data. Cronbach's alpha was used to test for internal consistency, while validity was checked through correlation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to confirm that the items on the questionnaire are perfectly loaded on their construct. Furthermore, process macro, model 5, was used to investigate the moderation mediation. This work addresses a gap in the literature by studying financial literacy as a moderator and risk perception as a mediating variable in regret aversion bias and information cascade bias's relationships with investment decisions in the real estate sector. The results confirmed that financial literacy weakens the negative effect of behavioral biases (regret aversion and information cascade) on investment decisions. In addition, risk perception mediates the relationships between these cognitive biases (regret aversion and information cascade) and decision making. The effects of other behavioral biases in real estate and stock market contexts should be examined in future research.

Circular RNA ITCH Suppresses Cell Proliferation but Induces Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating miR-421/PDCD4 Axis.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a group of covalently closed non-coding RNAs, serve critical regulatory roles in many human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional role of circular RNA ITCH (circ-ITCH) in OSCC and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: RT-qPCR analysis was applied to detect the expression levels of circ-ITCH in OSCC tissues and cell lines. MTT assay and flow cytometer analysis were used to evaluate the effects of circ-ITCH overexpression on the proliferation and apoptosis of OSCC cells. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were applied to determine the binding relation between circ-ITCH and miR-421 as well as PDCD4 mRNA and miR-421. RESULTS: Our results showed that circ-ITCH expression was remarkably decreased in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Low circ-ITCH expression was strongly associated with adverse clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC patients. Moreover, functional assays demonstrated that circ-ITCH overexpression significantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Our data further uncovered that circ-ITCH could bind directly to miR-421 and block its repression on PDCD4 in OSCC. MiR-421 expression was significantly increased in OSCC tissues and was inversely correlated with circ-ITCH expression. Notably, miR-421 restoration blocked the tumor-suppressive role of circ-ITCH in OSCC cells. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study reveals that circ-ITCH serves as a tumor suppressor in OSCC partly by regulating miR-421/PDCD4 axis.

LncRNA MAFG-AS1 regulates human periodontal ligament stem cell proliferation and Toll-like receptor 4 expression.

LncRNA MAFG-AS1 is predicted to interact with miR-146a, which can target Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a key player in periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the roles of MAFG-AS1 in periodontitis. It was observed that MAFG-AS1 was downregulated in the human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) derived from periodontitis-affected teeth. Dual-luciferase assay revealed that co-transfection of MAFG-AS1 expression vector and miR-146a mimic showed significantly lower relative luciferase activity comparing to co-transfection of MAFG-AS1 expression vector and negative control (NC) miRNA. However, MAFG-AS1 and miR-146a failed to affect each other. Interestingly, MAFG-AS1 overexpression led to the upregulated TLR4. In addition, MAFG-AS1 overexpression also led to the inhibited proliferation of PDLSCs. Therefore, MAFG-AS1 may regulate the proliferation of PDLSCs and the expression of TLR4 to participate in periodontitis.

MiR-143-3p Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells by Targeting KLF5 and Inactivating the Wnt/ß-Catenin Pathway.

Human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) play a vital role in cell regeneration and tissue repair with multi-directional differentiation potential. microRNAs (miRs) are implicated in the osteogenesis of hPDLCs. This study explored the mechanism of miR-143-3p in osteogenesis of hPDLCs. Osteogenic differentiation of isolated hPDLCs was induced. KLF5 expression during osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs was detected and then silenced in hPDLCs. Binding relationship between KLF5 and miR-143-3p was predicted and verified. hPDLCs were treated with miR-143-3p mimic or overexpressing KLF5, and then osteogenic specific markers and mineralized nodules were measured. The key factors of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway during osteogenesis of hPDLCs were measured. KLF5 expression was upregulated during osteogenesis of hPDLCs. KLF5 silencing or miR-143-3p mimic reduced osteogenic specific markers and mineralized nodules. Overexpression of KLF5 could reverse the inhibitory effect of miR-143-3p on osteogenic differentiation. miR-143-3p mimic and KLF5 silencing inactivated the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway reversed the repression effect of miR-143-3p mimic on osteogenesis of hPDLCs. In conclusion, miR-143-3p inhibited osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs by targeting KLF5 and inactivating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.