Abscisic acid-induced transcription factor PsMYB306 negatively regulates tree peony bud dormancy release.

Bud dormancy is a crucial strategy for perennial plants to withstand adverse winter conditions. However, the regulatory mechanism of bud dormancy in tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) remains largely unknown. Here, we observed dramatically reduced and increased accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and bioactive gibberellins (GAs) GA1 and GA3, respectively, during bud endodormancy release of tree peony under prolonged chilling treatment. An Illumina RNA sequencing study was performed to identify potential genes involved in the bud endodormancy regulation in tree peony. Correlation matrix, principal component, and interaction network analyses identified a downregulated MYB transcription factor gene, PsMYB306, the expression of which positively correlated with 9-CIS-EPOXYCAROTENOID DIOXYGENASE 3 (PsNCED3) expression. Protein modeling analysis revealed 4 residues within the R2R3 domain of PsMYB306 to possess DNA binding capability. Transcription of PsMYB306 was increased by ABA treatment. Overexpression of PsMYB306 in petunia (Petunia hybrida) inhibited seed germination and plant growth, concomitant with elevated ABA and decreased GA contents. Silencing of PsMYB306 accelerated cold-triggered tree peony bud burst and influenced the production of ABA and GAs and the expression of their biosynthetic genes. ABA application reduced bud dormancy release and transcription of ENT-KAURENOIC ACID OXIDASE 1 (PsKAO1), GA20-OXIDASE 1 (PsGA20ox1), and GA3-OXIDASE 1 (PsGA3ox1) associated with GA biosynthesis in PsMYB306-silenced buds. In vivo and in vitro binding assays confirmed that PsMYB306 specifically transactivated the promoter of PsNCED3. Silencing of PsNCED3 also promoted bud break and growth. Altogether, our findings suggest that PsMYB306 negatively modulates cold-induced bud endodormancy release by regulating ABA production.

Regulatory mechanisms of macrophage-myofibroblast transdifferentiation: A potential therapeutic strategy for fibrosis.

Macrophage-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (MMT), a fibrotic process impacting diverse tissue types, has garnered recent scholarly interest. Within damaged tissues, the role of myofibroblasts is pivotal in the accumulation of excessive fibrous connective tissue, leading to persistent scarring or organ dysfunction. Consequently, the examination of MMT-related fibrosis is imperative. This review underscores MMT as a fundamental mechanism in myofibroblast generation during tissue fibrosis, and its exploration is crucial for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process. Gaining insight into these mechanisms promises to facilitate the development of therapeutic approaches aimed at inhibiting and reversing fibrosis, thereby offering potential avenues for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.

Association between a body shape index and female infertility: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and female infertility is not well understood. ABSI, a novel anthropometric measure, is gaining recognition for its ability to more accurately capture visceral fat characteristics than traditional metrics like BMI. This study aims to explore the association between ABSI and female infertility, considering its potential applications in medical screening and risk assessment. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the NHANES from 2013 to 2020. Female infertility was assessed through reproductive health questionnaires, and ABSI was calculated using waist circumference, BMI, and height. Weighted logistic regression models and trend tests were used to evaluate the association between ABSI and female infertility. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed to explore potential nonlinear relationships. Subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the consistency of the association across various demographic and health-related factors. Sensitivity analyses were also performed, including the exclusion of participants with missing covariate data, the application of propensity score matching, and restricting the analysis to women aged 20-45 years. RESULTS: The study included 3,718 participants, 433 of whom were diagnosed with infertility. Higher ABSI was associated with an increased risk of female infertility (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21-2.00, P = 0.001), as demonstrated by weighted logistic regression and trend tests. Women in the highest ABSI quartile had a significantly higher prevalence of infertility compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.27-2.37, P = 0.001). RCS curves indicated a linear positive relationship between ABSI and infertility risk, with a critical value at 0.079. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of these findings. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a positive linear relationship between ABSI and the risk of female infertility. The use of a simple, non-invasive ABSI measurement could facilitate the early identification of high-risk individuals in large-scale screenings, potentially helping to prevent or reduce the incidence of infertility.

miR-198 inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma by targeting BIRC5.

BACKGROUND: miR-198 is involved in the formation, migration, invasion, and metastasis of various malignant cancers. However, the function and mechanism of action of miR-198 in the tumorigenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remain elusive. Here, we aimed to explore the role of miR198 in RCC. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed to estimate the level of survivin in RCC sections. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression level of miR-198 in fresh RCC tissues. Furthermore, the target relationship between miR-198 and BIRC5 was predicted using the TargetScanHuman 7.2 database and verified via dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blotting. The effects of miR-198 on the viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of A498 and ACHN cells were studied using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, transwell migration assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. Additionally, a xenograft nude mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of miR-198 on RCC tumorigenesis. RESULTS: The expression levels of BIRC5 and miR-198 were respectively higher and lower in RCC tissues than those in normal adjacent tissues. Furthermore, miR-198 could inhibit luciferase activity and reduce the protein level of survivin without affecting the BIRC5 mRNA levels. miR-198 inhibited cell viability, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis; co-transfection with BIRC5 could rescue these effects. Moreover, miR-198 could repress tumor growth in the xenograft nude mouse model of RCC. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that miR-198 suppresses RCC progression by targeting BIRC5.

LreEF1A4, a Translation Elongation Factor from Lilium regale, Is Pivotal for Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Tobacco Rattle Virus Infections and Tolerance to Salt and Drought.

Eukaryotic translation elongation factors are implicated in protein synthesis across different living organisms, but their biological functions in the pathogenesis of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and tobacco rattle virus (TRV) infections are poorly understood. Here, we isolated and characterized a cDNA clone, LreEF1A4, encoding the alpha subunit of elongation factor 1, from a CMV-elicited suppression subtractive hybridization library of Lilium regale. The infection tests using CMV remarkably increased transcript abundance of LreEF1A4; however, it also led to inconsistent expression profiles of three other LreEF1A homologs (LreEF1A1-3). Protein modelling analysis revealed that the amino acid substitutions among four LreEF1As may not affect their enzymatic functions. LreEF1A4 was ectopically overexpressed in petunia (Petunia hybrida), and transgenic plants exhibited delayed leaf and flower senescence, concomitant with increased transcription of photosynthesis-related genes and reduced expression of senescence-associated genes, respectively. A compromised resistance to CMV and TRV infections was found in transgenic petunia plants overexpressing LreEF1A4, whereas its overexpression resulted in an enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stresses. Taken together, our data demonstrate that LreEF1A4 functions as a positive regulator in viral multiplication and plant adaption to high salinity and dehydration.

Bioavailability comparison of a new form of vilazodone XVII to IV in beagles using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Vilazodone hydrochloride (CAS 163521-12-8) is polymorphic and has 15 crystal forms, referred to as I-XI and XIII-XVI. In the study, we prepared and performed structural identification of a new crystal form named XVII. To investigate this in vivo, a rapid and sensitive method based on liquid-liquid extraction, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of vilazodone hydrochloride in dog plasma. This HPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to a bioavailability comparison of two crystal forms of vilazodone hydrochloride (IV and XVII) in six healthy beagles using a single-dose, two-way crossover design. The maximum plasma concentration (C(max)), the time taken to reach C(max), and the area under the concentration-time curve were determined following oral administration of 10 mg vilazodone hydrochloride (IV or XVII) to beagles. These analyses revealed no significant bioavailability differences between vilazodone hydrochloride forms IV and XVII in dogs.

Advertisement design in dynamic interactive scenarios using DeepFM and long short-term memory (LSTM).

This article addresses the evolving landscape of data advertising within network-based new media, seeking to mitigate the accuracy limitations prevalent in traditional film and television advertising evaluations. To overcome these challenges, a novel data-driven nonlinear dynamic neural network planning approach is proposed. Its primary objective is to augment the real-time evaluation precision and accuracy of film and television advertising in the dynamic interactive realm of network media. The methodology primarily revolves around formulating a design model for visual advertising in film and television, customized for the dynamic interactive milieu of network media. Leveraging DeepFM+long short-term memory (LSTM) modules in deep learning neural networks, the article embarks on constructing a comprehensive information statistics and data interest model derived from two public datasets. It further engages in feature engineering for visual advertising, crafting self-learning association rules that guide the data-driven design process and system flow. The article concludes by benchmarking the proposed visual neural network model against other models, using F1 and root mean square error (RMSE) metrics for evaluation. The findings affirm that the proposed model, capable of handling dynamic interactions among images, visual text, and more, excels in capturing nonlinear and feature-mining aspects. It exhibits commendable robustness and generalization capabilities within various contexts.

Congenital Middle Ear Cholesteatoma: A Report of 3 Cases and a Literature Review.

Background: Congenital cholesteatoma is defined as a white mass behind an intact eardrum without a history of otitis media or previous otologic procedures. Congenital cholesteatoma is a relatively rare disease that accounts for about 2% to 5% of all cholesteatomas. However, the actual incidence rate of congenital cholesteatoma may be underestimated. Conductive hearing loss is the most common presenting symptom. The current study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and management of patients with congenital cholesteatoma and promote awareness of the disease in unilateral or asymmetric conductive hearing loss patients. Methods: In this study, we report a case series of 3 patients including 1 child, 1 adolescent, and 1 young adult, managed in our department between June and August 2023, and present a summary of the literature. Results: Congenital cholesteatoma is primarily a pediatric disease, but it has also been reported in adults. Two cases presented with unilateral secretory otitis media, and 1 case presented with asymmetric unilateral conductive hearing loss. Two patients of Potsic stage III congenital middle ear cholesteatomas underwent transcanal endoscopic ear surgery, and 1 patient of Potsic stage IV underwent conventional microscopic approach canal wall-up mastoidectomy combined with endoscopy. Conclusions: In children or young adults with persistent unilateral or asymmetric conductive hearing loss, congenital middle ear cholesteatoma should be considered. Congenital cholesteatoma cannot be ruled out in children with unilateral secretory otitis media.

Human mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes improve ovarian function in chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency mice by inhibiting ferroptosis through Nrf2/GPX4 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy exposure has become a main cause of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). This study aimed to evaluate the role and molecular mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hUMSC-Exos) in ovarian function protection after chemotherapy. METHODS: hUMSC-Exos were applied to cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency mice and human ovarian granulosa tumor cells (KGN) to determine their effects on follicular development and granulosa cell apoptosis. Evaluation was done for iron ion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation levels, and changes in iron death-related molecules (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), Glutathione Peroxidase enzyme 4 (GPX4), and Solute carrier family 7 member 11 cystine glutamate transporter (SLC7A11; xCT)). Furthermore, rescue experiments using an Nrf2 inhibitor were performed to assess the therapeutic effects of hUMSC-Exos on granulosa cells. RESULTS: hUMSC-Exos promoted ovarian hormone levels and primary follicle development in POI mice and reduced granulosa cell apoptosis. After hUMSC-Exos treatment, the ROS production, free iron ions and lipid peroxidation levels of granulosa cells decreased, and the iron death marker proteins Nrf2, xCT and GPX4 also decreased. Furthermore, the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 significantly attenuated the effects of hUMSC-Exos on granulosa cells. CONCLUSION: hUMSC-Exos inhibit ferroptosis and protect against CTX-induced ovarian damage and granulosa cell apoptosis through the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway, revealing a novel mechanism of hUMSC-Exos in POI therapy.

The correlation between chronic endometritis and Caesarean scar diverticulum.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors for Caesarean Scar Diverticulum (CSD) with Chronic Endometritis (CE) and the correlation between CE and clinical symptoms of CSD. METHODS: The frequency of CE in 44 patients with CSD who underwent surgical treatment and 20 control women who underwent total hysterectomy was assessed and the clinical symptoms in the presence and absence of CE were compared. In accordance with the presence of one or more CD138-positive plasma cells per high-power field, CE was classified as mild or severe group. RESULTS: According to multivariate analysis, the presence of mild CE (OR 8.963, 95 % CI 2.177-36.907, p = 0.002) or severe CE (OR 21.773, 95 % CI 2.285-207.419, p = 0.007) was significantly associated with CSD. Mild CE (OR 12.390, 95 % CI 1.158-132.511, p = 0.037) or severe CE (OR 22.463, 95 % CI 1.657-304.541, P = 0.019) or depth of diverticulum (OR 1.294, 95 % CI 1.003-1.668, p = 0.047) was associated with prolonged menstruation in patients with CSD. The degree of CE in patients with CSD was positively correlated with the days of prolonged menstruation (r = 0.552, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with haemoglobin level (r = -0.408, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: CE was associated with CSD and its clinical symptoms, including prolonged menstruation and decreased haemoglobin. The severity of clinical symptoms of CSD is associated with endometrial inflammation.

A tree peony RING-H2 finger protein, PsATL33, plays an essential role in cold-induced bud dormancy release by regulating gibberellin content.

Bud dormancy is crucial for woody perennial plants to resist low-temperature stress in winter. However, the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying bud dormancy release are largely unclear. Here, a tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) transcript ARABIDOPSIS TOXICOS EN LEVADURA 33 (PsATL33), encoding a RING-H2 finger protein, was selected from previously generated RNA sequencing data of chilling-treated buds. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of PsATL33 in the regulation of cold-induced bud dormancy release. Subcellular localization assay revealed that PsATL33 was localized to the nucleus and plasma membrane. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis showed that PsATL33 was dramatically upregulated during cold-triggered bud dormancy release. Exogenous treatments with gibberellin (GA3) increased, but abscisic acid (ABA) inhibited the transcription of PsATL33. Ectopic transformation assay indicated that overexpression of PsATL33 in petunia promoted seed germination, plant growth, and axillary bud break. Silencing of PsATL33 in tree peony through virus-induced gene silencing assay delayed bud dormancy release. tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-PsATL33-infected buds exhibited reduced expression levels of dormancy break-related genes EARLY BUD-BREAK 1 (PsEBB1) and CARBOXYLESTERASE 15 (PsCXE15). Silencing of PsATL33 decreased the accumulation of bioactive GAs, GA1 and GA3, rather than ABA. Transcript levels of several genes involved in GA biosynthesis and signaling, including GA20-OXIDASE 1 (PsGA20ox1), GA3-OXIDASE 1 (PsGA3ox1), PsGA3ox3, GA2-OXIDASE 1 (PsGA2ox1), and GA-INSENSITIVE 1A (PsGAI1A), were changed by PsATL33 silencing. Taken together, our data suggest that PsATL33 functions as a positive regulator of cold-induced bud dormancy release by modulating GA production.

Osteopontin-driven partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition governs the development of middle ear cholesteatoma.

Cholesteatoma is a common disease of the middle ear. Currently, surgical removal is the only treatment option and patients face a high risk of relapse. The molecular basis of cholesteatoma remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Osteopontin (OPN), a predominantly secreted protein, plays a crucial role in the development of middle ear cholesteatoma. Global transcriptome analysis revealed the loss of epithelial features and an enhanced immune response in human cholesteatoma tissues. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining of middle ear cholesteatoma validated the reduced expression of epithelial markers, as well as the elevated expression of mesenchymal markers including Vimentin and Fibronectin, but not N-Cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) or ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1), indicating a partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state. Besides, the expression of OPN was significantly elevated in human cholesteatoma tissues. Treatment with OPN promoted cell proliferation, survival and migration and led to a partial EMT in immortalized human keratinocyte cells. Importantly, blockade of OPN signaling could remarkably improve the cholesteatoma-like symptoms in SD rats. Our mechanistic study demonstrated that the AKT-zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) axis mediated the effects of OPN. Overall, these findings suggest that targeting the OPN signaling represents a promising strategy for the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Anti-Inflammation and Angiogenesis by Targeting Macrophages in a Rat Uterine Scar Model.

BACKGROUND: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have demonstrated efficacy in repairing uterine scars, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: Uterine injury was surgically induced in a rat model, followed by immediate transplantation of 5 × 10 ^ 5 hUC-MSCs to each side of the uterus. Uterine morphology was evaluated at days 14 and 30 using HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry assessed macrophage polarization, angiogenesis and endometrial receptivity in the endometrium. Additionally, the regulatory effects of hUC-MSCs on macrophage polarization were explored through coculture. qRT-PCR quantified the expression of anti-inflammatory (IL10 and Arg1) and pro-inflammatory (iNOS and TNF-α) factors. Western blotting evaluated CD163 expression. RESULTS: Transplantation of hUC-MSCs promoted the healing of uterine injuries and tissue regeneration while inhibiting tissue fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry at days 14 and 30 post-transplantation demonstrated the polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype in the uterine injury area in the presence of hUC-MSCs. Furthermore, hUC-MSC transplantation improved angiogenesis and endometrial receptivity in the uterine injury rat model, associated with increased IL10 expression. hUC-MSC-induced angiogenesis can be resisted by depleted macrophages. In vitro coculture experiments further demonstrated that hUC-MSCs promoted IL10 expression in macrophages while suppressing TNF-α and iNOS expression. Western blotting showed enhanced CD163 expression in macrophages following hUC-MSC treatment. CONCLUSIONS: hUC-MSCs contribute to the healing of uterine injuries by targeting macrophages to promote angiogenesis and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors.

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies a novel proliferation cell type affecting clinical outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely deadly neoplasm, with only a 5-year survival rate of around 9%. The tumor and its microenvironment are highly heterogeneous, and it is still unknown which cell types influence patient outcomes. Methods: We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome (ST) to identify differences in cell types. We then applied the scRNA-seq data to decompose the cell types in bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. We employed unbiased machine learning integration algorithms to develop a prognosis signature based on cell type makers. Lastly, we verified the differential expression of the key gene LY6D using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Results: In this study, we identified a novel cell type with high proliferative capacity, Prol, enriched with cell cycle and mitosis genes. We observed that the proportion of Prol cells was significantly increased in PDAC, and Prol cells were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additionally, the marker genes of Prol cell type, identified from scRNA-seq data, were upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in the bulk RNA-seq data. We further confirmed that mutant KRAS and TP53 were associated with an increased abundance of Prol cells and that these cells were associated with an immunosuppressive and cold tumor microenvironment in PDAC. ST determined the spatial location of Prol cells. Additionally, patients with a lower proportion of Prol cells in PDAC may benefit more from immunotherapy and gemcitabine treatment. Furthermore, we employed unbiased machine learning integration algorithms to develop a Prol signature that can precisely quantify the abundance of Prol cells and accurately predict prognosis. Finally, we confirmed that the LY6D protein and mRNA expression were markedly higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal pancreatic tissue. Conclusions: In summary, by integrating bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq, we identified a novel proliferative cell type, Prol, which influences the OS and PFS of PDAC patients.

NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in hippocampus of D-galactose-induced aging rats.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion (CD) plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases. In this study, we used D-galactose (D-gal) to generate an animal model of aging and the involvement and causative mechanisms of mitochondrial damage in such a model were investigated. Twenty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: D-gal group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The quantity of the mtDNA CD in the hippocampus was determined using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). We found that the level of mtDNA CD was significantly higher in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats than in control rats. In comparison with the control group, the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus of D-gal-treated rats was damaged, and the protein levels of NOX and UCP2 were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. This study demonstrated that the levels of mtDNA CD and NOX protein expression were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. These findings indicate that NOX-dependent reactive oxygen species generation may contribute to D-gal-induced mitochondrial damage.

Protocol for assessing auditory brainstem response in mice using a four-channel recording system.

Evaluating auditory sensitivity is critical to hearing research, particularly to that focusing on hearing impairment. Auditory brainstem response recording is frequently used in mice to assess auditory sensitivity and is an approach superior to the traditional techniques. Here, we describe a protocol for recording ABR in mice using four-channel equipment. We detail the procedures of animal preparation, the setup of the ABR recording system, the click- and tone burst-evoked ABR recordings, and data analysis.

Analysis of the performance of the efficient di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-degrading bacterium Rhodococcus pyridinovorans DNHP-S2 and associated catabolic pathways.

The widespread use of plastic has led to the global occurrence of phthalate esters (PAEs) pollution. PAEs can be effectively removed from polluted environments by microbe-mediated degradation. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has the highest residual concentration in agricultural soil-contaminated areas compared to other PAEs in most of China. The Rhodococcus pyridinovorans DNHP-S2 microbial isolate identified was found to efficiently degrade DEHP. Within a 72 h period, the bacteria were able to degrade 52.47% and 99.75% of 500 mg L-1 DEHP at 10 °C and 35 °C, respectively. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) was first identified as an intermediate metabolite of DEHP, which is different from the previously reported DEHP catabolic pathway. Genomic sequencing of DNHP-S2 identified benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3/1,2-dioxygenase as potential mediators of DEHP degradation, consistent with the existence of two downstream metabolic pathways governing DEHP degradation. Three targets DEHP metabolism-related enzymes were found to be DEHP-inducible at the mRNA level, and DNHP-S2 was able to mediate the complete degradation of DEHP at lower temperatures, as confirmed via RT-qPCR. DNHP-S2 was also found to readily break down other PAEs including DMP, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). Together, these results thus highlight DNHP-S2 as a bacterial strain with great promise as a tool for the remediation of PAE pollution. In addition to providing new germplasm and genetic resources for use in the context of PAE degradation, these results also offer new insight into the potential mechanisms whereby PAEs undergo catabolic degradation, making them well-suited for use in PAE-contaminated environments.

Correlation between mental quality and training intensity in university swimmers / Correlação entre qualidade mental e intensidade de treinamento de nadadores universitários / Correlación entre la calidad mental y la intensidad del entrenamiento en nadadores universitarios

ABSTRACT Introduction: We should pay attention to physical and psychological training still in the growth phase of athletes to ensure a better overall performance quality. Psychological training can be an effective tool to improve the technical level and skills of swimming. Objective: This paper discusses the relationship between mental health education and training intensity in college swimmers. Methods: The mental health of professional swimmers in college sports is explored with study subjects undergoing a 10-week training trial. The comparison of clinical effects between various psychological training modalities and swimmers' self-management is analyzed. In a second step, this paper performs statistics and analysis on the questionnaire and experimental data. Results: The exercise ability of the control group was significantly improved after relaxation training, tension training, and thought control training (P<0.05). The results showed that the learning effect of the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Psychological training and self-regulation in training have a good effect on improving the mental quality of competitive sports players. This approach improves athletes' performance more effectively than other approaches. The psychological self-regulation training method is one that swimming coaches should pay attention to and advocate vigorously. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Devemos prestar atenção aos exercícios físicos e psicológicos ainda na fase do crescimento dos atletas para garantir uma melhor qualidade geral de seu desempenho. O treinamento psicológico pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz para melhorar o nível técnico e as habilidades da natação. Objetivo: Este artigo discute a relação entre educação em saúde mental e intensidade de treinamento nos nadadores universitários. Métodos: A saúde mental de nadadores profissionais em esportes universitários é explorada com os sujeitos do estudo sendo submetidos a um teste de treinamento de 10 semanas. A comparação dos efeitos clínicos entre diversas modalidades de formação psicológica é executada e analisa-se a autogestão dos nadadores. Num segundo momento, este artigo realiza estatísticas e análises sobre o questionário e dados experimentais. Resultados: A capacidade de exercício do grupo controle foi significativamente melhorada após o treinamento de relaxamento, treinamento de tensão e treinamento de controle de pensamento (P<0,05). Os resultados mostraram que o efeito de aprendizagem do grupo experimental foi significativamente melhor do que o do grupo controle (P<0,05). Conclusão: O treinamento psicológico da autorregulação no treinamento tem um bom efeito na melhoria da qualidade mental dos jogadores esportivos competitivos. Essa abordagem melhora o desempenho do atleta de forma mais eficaz do que outras abordagens. O método de treinamento psicológico da autorregulação é um método que os treinadores de natação devem prestar atenção e defender vigorosamente. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Debemos prestar atención al entrenamiento físico y psicológico todavía en la fase de crecimiento de los deportistas para garantizar una mejor calidad general de su rendimiento. El entrenamiento psicológico puede ser una herramienta eficaz para mejorar el nivel técnico y las habilidades de natación. Objetivo: Este trabajo analiza la relación entre la educación en salud mental y la intensidad del entrenamiento en nadadores universitarios. Métodos: Se explora la salud mental de los nadadores profesionales de deportes universitarios con sujetos de estudio sometidos a una prueba de entrenamiento de 10 semanas. Se realiza la comparación de los efectos clínicos entre varias modalidades de entrenamiento psicológico y se analiza la autogestión de los nadadores. En un segundo paso, este documento realiza estadísticas y análisis sobre el cuestionario y los datos experimentales. Resultados: La capacidad de ejercicio del grupo de control mejoró significativamente tras el entrenamiento de relajación, el entrenamiento de tensión y el entrenamiento de control del pensamiento (P<0,05). Los resultados mostraron que el efecto de aprendizaje del grupo experimental fue significativamente mejor que el del grupo de control (P<0,05). Conclusión: El entrenamiento psicológico de la autorregulación en el entrenamiento tiene un buen efecto en la mejora de la calidad mental de los jugadores deportivos de competición. Este enfoque mejora el rendimiento de los atletas de forma más eficaz que otros enfoques. El método de entrenamiento de autorregulación psicológica es uno de los que los entrenadores de natación deberían prestar atención y defender enérgicamente. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

The Role of Superabsorbent Polymer on Strength and Microstructure Development in Cemented Dredged Clay with High Water Content.

This paper presents the role of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) on strength and microstructure development in cemented clays with notably high water content. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were performed to identify strength behavior and microstructure. Results showed that SAP significantly influenced the mechanical behavior of cemented clays with notably high water content, characterized by an increase in the unconfined compressive strength and a decrease in the after-curing water content with SAP content. This revealed that the strength increase due to SAP was directly related to the water absorption by SAP. Meanwhile, XRD results showed that the hydration products were controlled by cement and lime content, regardless of SAP content. That meant there was no chemical reaction between SAP particles used in this study and cement or lime. The microstructure analysis by SEM revealed that SAP played an important role in the microstructure of cemented clays. With an increase in SAP content, the water absorbed by SAP increased significantly, leading to a decrease in the pore volume and a denser soil fabric. This behavior indicated that the primary role of SAP on strength increase was to absorb and fix water in cemented clays. Consequently, the clay⁻cement cluster distance decreased with an increase in solid mass (soil particles and swollen SAP particles) and a decrease in pore water. The corresponding tighter flocculated fabric due to SAP eventually led to the strength increase.