Prevalence of depression, anxiety in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Mental health risks associated with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic are often overlooked by the public. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on depression and anxiety disorders in China. Methods: Studies were analyzed and extracted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 flowchart. The studies were screened and extracted using electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov according to the predefined eligibility criteria. The Cochrane Review Manager software 5.3.1 was used for data analysis and the risk of bias assessment. Results: As of 2023, a total of 9,212,751 Chinese have been diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. A total of 913,036 participants in 44 studies were selected following the eligibility criteria, the statistical information of which was collected for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression and anxiety were 0.31 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.35; I2 = 100.0%, p < 0.001) and 0.29 (95% CI: 0.23, 0.36; I2 = 100.0%, p < 0.001), respectively. After performing a subgroup analysis, the prevalence of depression among women, healthcare workers, students, and adolescents was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.41), 0.33 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.44), 0.32 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.39), and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.44), respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the Chinese was overall high. Monitoring and surveillance of the mental health status of the population during crises such as sudden global pandemics are imperative. Systematic review registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier [CRD42023402190].

Sugarcane-Seed-Cutting System Based on Machine Vision in Pre-Seed Mode.

China is the world's third-largest producer of sugarcane, slightly behind Brazil and India. As an important cash crop in China, sugarcane has always been the main source of sugar, the basic strategic material. The planting method of sugarcane used in China is mainly the pre-cutting planting mode. However, there are many problems with this technology, which has a great impact on the planting quality of sugarcane. Aiming at a series of problems, such as low cutting efficiency and poor quality in the pre-cutting planting mode of sugarcane, a sugarcane-seed-cutting device was proposed, and a sugarcane-seed-cutting system based on automatic identification technology was designed. The system consists of a sugarcane-cutting platform, a seed-cutting device, a visual inspection system, and a control system. Among them, the visual inspection system adopts the YOLO V5 network model to identify and detect the eustipes of sugarcane, and the seed-cutting device is composed of a self-tensioning conveying mechanism, a reciprocating crank slider transmission mechanism, and a high-speed rotary cutting mechanism so that the cutting device can complete the cutting of sugarcane seeds of different diameters. The test shows that the recognition rate of sugarcane seed cutting is no less than 94.3%, the accuracy rate is between 94.3% and 100%, and the average accuracy is 98.2%. The bud injury rate is no higher than 3.8%, while the average cutting time of a single seed is about 0.7 s, which proves that the cutting system has a high cutting rate, recognition rate, and low injury rate. The findings of this paper have important application values for promoting the development of sugarcane pre-cutting planting mode and sugarcane planting technology.

Piezo1 activation facilitates ovarian cancer metastasis via Hippo/YAP signaling axis.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly malignant cancer with great metastatic potential. Here we aimed to investigate the role of Piezo1, a gene related to the mechanical environment of the tumor, in promoting the metastasis of OC. We performed Piezo1 knockdown in A-1847 cells using small hairpin RNAs, and the cells were inoculated subcutaneously in nude mice. Piezo1 knockdown decreased the tumor growth rate of OC tumor xenografts in mice and reduced cell migration in vitro. Metastasis in the lung was also attenuated after Piezo1 knockdown as revealed by HE staining of the lung tissues, which was concomitant with downregulation of E-Cadherin and vimentin and upregulation of N-Cadherin analyzed using western blot analysis, suggesting suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Migration of Piezo1-knockdown cells was also analyzed for their migratory capabilities using the scratch assay. We also analyzed the key proteins in the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway using western blot after treating A-1847 and 3AO cells with a Piezo1 inducer, Yoda1. Piezo1 inducer Yoda1 activated Hippo/YAP signal in OC cells. In conclusion, Piezo1 is overexpressed in OC tissues and contributes to OC tumor growth and metastasis. Suppression of Piezo1 is a potential therapeutic strategy for OC.

Emergency Management in a Dental Clinic During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic in Beijing.

BACKGROUND: In mid-March 2020, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 was to be characterised as a pandemic. The purpose of this article is to recommend emergency management procedures for dental clinics during this public health emergency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have implemented a series of emergency management measures to prevent cross-infection in our dental clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, including personnel scheduling, division of the clinic into functional areas, limitation or delay of non-emergency patients, staff protection and infection controls, clinical environmental disinfection, and the use of online consultation services, among others. RESULTS: Due to public health policy and dental emergency management, the number of dental visitors to our clinic dropped sharply, and no COVID-19 suspected cases or high-risk patients received treatment. There have been no reports of infection of dental staff or patients during dental treatment in China to date. CONCLUSION: These public health policies and dental emergency management measures were effective in controlling cross-infection of COVID-19 in the dental clinic. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: We share control measures for COVID-19, and hope that they will be helpful for dental professionals worldwide to continue to provide dental care in a safe and orderly manner.

Vascular Smooth Muscle FTO Promotes Aortic Dissecting Aneurysms via m6A Modification of Klf5.

Background: Aortic dissecting aneurysm (ADA) represents an aortic remodeling disease with a high mortality rate. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) exerts RNA demethylation function to regulate gene expression related to stem cell differentiation, DNA damage repair, and tumorigenesis, but the role of FTO in ADA is still unclear. Methods: The expression and location of FTO in 43 ADA tissues and 11 normal tissues were determined by RT-qPCR, WB, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining. Detecting proliferation and migration of VSMCs. M6A methylated RNA immuno-precipitation qRT-PCR and dual luciferase reporter assay were performed for determining m6A level and interaction between m6A modulation and Klf5 mRNA, respectively. Results: FTO are highly expressed in VSMCs. FTO was positively correlated with BMI, triglyceride, and D-dimer (all P < 0.05). Functionally, both AngII-induced FTO expression and over expression of FTO promote cell proliferation and migration, whereas knockdown of FTO inhibits these functions. Mechanically, we identified Krüppel-like factor 5 (Klf5) as a target of FTO mediating m6A modification. Overexpression of FTO reduced m6A modification on Klf5 mRNA and promoted Klf5 mRNA expression. Furthermore, the p-GSK3ß and Klf5 levels increased after FTO overexpression. Finally, knockdown of FTO suppresses the p-GSK3ß levels and Klf5 expression regardless of AngII treatment. Conclusions: Our study revealed that FTO expression significantly contributes to the phenotype conversion of VSMCs and the ADA by the demethylation function (m6A), thereby providing a novel therapeutic target.

The Regulatory Mechanism and Biological Significance of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter in the Migration, Invasion, Angiogenesis and Growth of Gastric Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidences suggest that mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), a selective channel responsible for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, is involved in the progression of several cancers. In this study, we aimed to observe the clinical implications and biological functions of MCU in gastric cancer. METHODS: The expression of MCU in 90 pairs of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was examined using immunohistochemistry and correlation between MCU expression and clinical features was analyzed. After construction of stable MCU knockdown or overexpression gastric cancer cells, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), wound healing and transwell assays were performed to examine MMP levels, migration and invasion. Subcutaneous xenograft tumors induced by gastric cancer cells transfected with MCU siRNAs or controls were constructed. Immunofluorescence was used to detect CD34 expression. Western blot was used to detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins. RESULTS: MCU had a higher expression in gastric cancer tissues than normal tissues. Compared to gastric cancer tissues, its expression was significantly higher after omental metastasis. MCU expression was significantly correlated with depth of invasion (p=0.048), lymph metastasis (p=0.027), TNM stage (p=0.036) and distant metastasis (p=0.029). Patients with high MCU expression indicated a worse prognosis than those with its low expression (p=0.0098). MCU significantly increased the MMP levels of gastric cancer cells. Wound healing and transwell assay results showed that MCU promoted migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. In vivo, MCU knockdown significantly inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis. Both in vitro and in vivo, silencing MCU suppressed the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF as well as activity of EMT processes. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that highly expressed MCU could promote migration, invasion, angiogenesis and growth of gastric cancer, which could become a potential therapeutic marker for gastric cancer.

[Modeling of Abdominal Wall-Cecum Injury Adhesion and the Anti-adhesion Mechanism of mXG].

OBJECTIVE: To construct the adhesion model of abdominal wall-cecum injury and explore the prevention and treatment effect of modified xyloglucan (mXG) thermosensitive hydrogel on abdominal wall-cecal injury adhesion. METHODS: SD rats were used to construct the abdominal wall-cecal injury adhesion model. Model mice were randomly divided into blank control group (Control), commercial chitosan membrane Control group (Film) and mXG thermosensitive hydrogel group (Hydrogel), each group contained 16 rats.In the Hydrogel group, 1 mL 4% (m/V) mXG solution was smeared on the wound surface of abdominal wall and the cecum, then closed the abdomen after gel was formed (3 min).In the Film group, 2 cm×3 cm chitosan anti-adhesion Film was applied onto the wound surface of the abdominal wall before abdominal closure.In the Control group, 1 mL normal saline was applied onto the wound surface of abdominal wall and the cecum before abdominal closure.On 7 and 14 d after the operation, rats'abdominal cavity was opened by surgery to examine and score the adhesion grade between the abdominal wall and the cecum, with double-blind design.Meanwhile, the adhesion tissue or wound tissue was taken and stained by HE, Masson and Van Gieson to histological evaluate the anti-adhesion effect.The expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was determined by immunohistochemical staining as well. Another group of 12 SD rat models were subjected to mXG thermosensitive hydrogel intervention.At the 1 and 6 weeks postoperation, rats main organs such as heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney were taken for histological examination with HE staining for the purpose of evaluation the toxicity of mXG in vivo. RESULTS: Adhesion grade evaluation results showed that Film group rats occurred mild adhesion, Control group rats occurred severe adhesion, while in Hydrogel group hardly rats occured adhesion, and the differences were statistically significant(P < 0.05). Histological results showed that the Hydrogel group rats recovered well at 7 d after surgery.In healing wound tissue, no mutated tissue was observed, but a certain degree of inflammatory cell infiltration was still existed. At 14 d after surgery, the inflammation cells in the wound were significantly reduced, and the healing tissue containing only a small amount of collagen fibers under the neonatal mesothelial layer.But the other two groups showed different degrees of adhesion at the 7 and 14 d post surgery.Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TGF-ß1 and CTGF in the Hydrogel group were both weaker than those in the other groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In vivo toxicity tests did not show significant changes in the structure of the organs of mXG gel intervention rats at different time points. CONCLUSION: mXG thermosensitive hydrogel plays a good role in physical isolation during the key period of adhesion formation and effectively prevent the occurrence of cecum-abdominal adhesion.

Hepatic, Metabolic, and Toxicity Evaluation of Repeated Oral Administration of SnS2 Nanoflowers in Mice.

Tin sulfide (SnS2) nanoflowers (NFs) with highly photocatalytic activity for wastewater treatment may lead to potential health hazards via oral routes of human exposure. No studies have reported the hepatic effects of SnS2 NFs on the metabolic function and hepatotoxicity. In this study, we examined the hepatic effects of the oral administration of SnS2 NFs (250-1000 mg/kg) to ICR mice for 14 days, with the particle size ranging from 50 to 200 nm. Serum and liver tissue samples were assayed using biochemical analysis, liver histopathology and metabolic gene expression. The different sizes of SnS2 NFs (250 mg/kg dose), such as 50, 80, and 200 nm, did not induce any adverse hepatic effect related to biochemical parameters or histopathology in the treated mice compared with controls. The oral administration of 50-nm SnS2 NFs at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 14 days produced dose-dependent hepatotoxicity and inflammatory responses in treated mice. Furthermore, the expression of metabolic genes in the liver tissues was altered, supporting the SnS2 NF-related hepatotoxic phenotype. The oral administration of SnS2 NFs also produced abnormal microstructures in the livers of the treated mice. Taken together, these data indicate that the increased risk of hepatotoxicity in SnS2 NF-treated mice was independent of the particle size but was dependent on their dose. The no-observed-adverse effect level was <250 mg/kg for the 50-nm SnS2 NFs. Our study provides an experimental basis for the safe application of SnS2 NFs.

Editor's Highlight: Effects of Intraperitoneal Injection of SnS2 Flowers on Mouse Testicle.

SnS2 nanoflowers (SnS2 NFs) have been widely used in photoelectric and catalytic applications. However, its explosure and reproductive toxicity is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exposure to 3 different sized-SnS2 flowers (dose: 38 mg/kg; size: 50, 80, and 200 nm) in testes of mice for 4 weeks by intraperitoneal injection. Though the body weight of mice treated or not with SnS2 NFs was not different, and SnS2 NFs were distributed to the organs including liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain, and testis, more distribution SnS2 NFs (50 and 80 nm) were found in testicle tissues compared with SnS2 flowers (200 nm) in those tissues. The results of sperm count and survival analysis, histopathological evaluation, and qRT-PCR detection showed that there was moderate reproductive toxicity induced by the small-sized SnS2 NFs in testicle tissues. Furthermore, elevated malondialdehyde level and decreased superoxide dismutase activity were also observed in the SnS2 NFs (dose: 38 mg/kg; size: 50 and 80 nm) treated groups. Likewise, the qRT-PCR data indicated that SnS2 NFs can induce apoptosis and inflammation responses. Although the pro-inflammation marker of TNF-α, IL-1ß, iNOS, and COX-2 at the mRNA levels were higher expression in 50 and 80 nm groups than that in control and 200 nm group, no statistical significance existed between 50 and 80 nm groups. Accordingly, the repeated-dose toxicity of SnS2 NFs in testicle tissues was also observed in a dose-dependent manner by intraperitoneal injection of SnS2 NFs (size: 50 nm; 0.38, 3.8, and 38 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, when determined by sperm count, survival rate, and qRT-PCR analysis. In addition, transmission electron microscopy showed that the ultrastructural abnormalities formed by the small-sized SnS2 NFs in testes were more severe than those formed by the large-sized SnS2 in testes. Taken together, these findings implied that the SnS2 NFs activated inflammation responses that signified apoptosis in murine testes. This study provided useful information for risk analysis and regulation of SnS2 NFs by administration agencies.

KLF5 promotes cervical cancer proliferation, migration and invasion in a manner partly dependent on TNFRSF11a expression.

Although the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) plays important roles in both inflammation and cancer, the mechanism by which this factor promotes cervical carcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated a potential role for tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11a (TNFRSF11a), the corresponding gene of which is a direct binding target of KLF5, in tumour cell proliferation and invasiveness. Coexpression of KLF5 and TNFRSF11a correlated significantly with tumorigenesis in cervical tissues (P < 0.05) and manipulation of KLF5 expression positively affected TNFRSF11a mRNA and protein expression. Functionally, KLF5 promoted cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness in a manner dependent partly on TNFRSF11a expression. Moreover, in vivo functional TNFRSF11a-knockdown mouse studies revealed suppression of tumorigenicity and liver metastatic potential. Notably, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced KLF5 expression by activating the p38 signalling pathway and high KLF5 and TNFRSF11a expression increased the risk of death in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Our results demonstrate that KLF5 and TNFRSF11a promote cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness.

DDQ-Mediated Three-Component Dioxygenation of Alkenes.

A new DDQ-mediated three-component dioxygenation of alkenes has been established, providing a direct and metal-free access toward densely functionalized 4,5-dichloro-3-hydroxyphthalonitrile derivatives with generally good to excellent yields under mild conditions. During this process, DDQ plays dual roles as both a dehydrogenation reagent and a coupling partner, enabling oxidative coupling to form two C-O functionalities in a highly atom-economy fashion.

[Expression of peroxiredoxin I in the rats exposed to silica].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the change in protein expression of peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) during pulmonary fibrosis among rats exposed to silica dust and to investigate the role of Prx I in pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Ninety male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 60) and experimental group (n = 30). The control group received intratracheal perfusion of saline (1 ml), while the experimental group received intratracheal perfusion of suspension of silica dust (50 mg/ml) to establish a rat model of silicosis. At 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 weeks after treatment, 10 rats in control group and 5 rats in experimental group were sacrificed. The lung tissues were collected for conventional pathological observation. The protein expression of Prx I at each time point was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS: Among the rats exposed to silica dust, Prx I was seen in the form of brown particles that were mainly distributed in the alveolar septa and the cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells around the blood vessels and tracheae. The control group showed weak protein expression of Prx I, and the experimental group had significantly higher protein expression of Prx I than the control group at all time points (P < 0.05). In the experimental group, the protein expression of Prx I was upregulated significantly at 1 and 2 weeks and decreased at 3∼8 weeks. CONCLUSION: The change in protein expression of Prx I may be one of the important causes of the onset and development of pulmonary fibrosis in rats exposed to free silica.

[Facial Demodex infection among college students in Tangshan].

A survey indicated that the prevalence of Demodex infection among 512 college students in Tangshan was 36.3% (186/512), that of males and females was 39.3% (81/206) and 34.3% (105/306) respectively (P>0.05). The infection of Demodex folliculorum accounted for 82.3% (153/186), followed by D. brevis (7.5%, 14/186) and mixed infection (10.2%, 19/186). The prevalence was 47.0% (93/198) in subjects with oily skin, 26.6% (37/139) in those with dry skin, and 33.9% (56/165) in mixed-type skin (P<0.05). Subjects with facial diseases (62.0%, 75/121), such as rosacea and acne, were more likely to be infected with Demodex than those with healthy skin (27.6%, 80/290) (P<0.05). Prevalence in those lived in humid environment (67.9%, 95/140) was higher than those lived in the desiccating environment (24.5%, 91/372) (P<0.05).