The effects of forewarning and divided attention on context retrieval in false recognition.

After studying a list of words that are semantically associated to a critical lure, participants are more likely to attribute a falsely recognised critical lure to the context of its strong than weak semantic associates. This is known as the source-strength effect. The current study investigated the roles of automatic and controlled processing in context retrieval in false recognition that is demonstrated by the source-strength effect. The results revealed that the source-strength effect was impervious to forewarning (Experiment 1) and remained intact when attentional resources at encoding were reduced (Experiment 2), suggesting that context retrieval in false recognition is based on automatic processes that are not amenable to conscious control and do not require many attentional resources. This interpretation is consistent with the associative activation theory, which proposes that context retrieval in false recognition is based on memory associations between contexts and critical lures that are automatically created when critical lures become automatically activated via spreading activation process.

Transfer-printed, tandem microscale light-emitting diodes for full-color displays.

Inorganic semiconductor-based microscale light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) have been widely considered the key solution to next-generation, ubiquitous lighting and display systems, with their efficiency, brightness, contrast, stability, and dynamic response superior to liquid crystal or organic-based counterparts. However, the reduction of micro-LED sizes leads to the deteriorated device performance and increased difficulties in manufacturing. Here, we report a tandem device scheme based on stacked red, green, and blue (RGB) micro-LEDs, for the realization of full-color lighting and displays. Thin-film micro-LEDs (size ∼100 µm, thickness ∼5 µm) based on III-V compound semiconductors are vertically assembled via epitaxial liftoff and transfer printing. A thin-film dielectric-based optical filter serves as a wavelength-selective interface for performance enhancement. Furthermore, we prototype arrays of tandem RGB micro-LEDs and demonstrate display capabilities. These materials and device strategies provide a viable path to advanced lighting and display systems.

Bone marrow stromal cell-derived exosomal circular RNA improves diabetic foot ulcer wound healing by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway and inhibiting ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) remains a serious chronic diabetic complication that can lead to disability. CircRNA-itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (circ-ITCH) was observed to be down-regulated in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, and overexpression of circ-ITCH could inhibit the processes of these diseases. However, the detailed physiological and pathological functions of circ-ITCH in wound healing of DFU remain undetermined. METHODS: Exosomes derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were isolated and identified. Cell viability and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and tube formation assays, respectively. The interplays of circ-ITCH, TATA-Box-binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA were analysed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined immunofluorescent staining and RNA pull-down assays. qRT-PCR, western blot or immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to measure the expression of circ-ITCH, TAF15, Nrf2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR) and ferroptosis-related makers. The mice DFU model was established to verify the in vitro results. RESULTS: Circ-ITCH was down-regulated in in vitro and in vivo models of DFU. Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelating agent, improved the viability and angiogenic ability of high glucose (HG)-treated HUVECs. Overexpression of circ-ITCH or co-cultured with exosomal circ-ITCH from BMSCs could alleviate HG-induced ferroptosis and improve the angiogenesis ability of HUVECs. Circ-ITCH in HUVECs recruited TAF15 protein to stabilize Nrf2 mRNA, thus activating the Nrf2 signalling pathway and suppressing ferroptosis. Exosomal circ-ITCH from BMSCs also accelerated the wound healing process by inhibiting ferroptosis in the DFU mice in a time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Exosomal circ-ITCH from BMSCs inhibited ferroptosis and improved the angiogenesis of HUVECs through activation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway by recruiting TAF15 protein, ultimately accelerating the wound healing process in DFU.

CircRNA AFF4 induced by KDM1A promotes osteogenic differentiation through FNDC5/Irisin pathway.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circ) AFF4 was documented to regulate osteogenesis but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The preliminary study showed that circ_AFF4 may promote osteogenesis via FNDC5/Irisin. Furthermore, the online prediction tool indicated the interaction of circ_AFF4, insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), FNDC5 and lysine (K)-specific demethylase 1 A (KDM1A). Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the relationships of KDM1A, circ_AFF4, IGF2BP3 and FNDC5/Irisin during osteogenesis. METHODS: The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and osteogenic-related factors were determined using ALP and alizarin red S (ARS) staining, real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) and western blot. Immunoprecipitation (RIP), pull-down assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to examine the interactions among circ_AFF4/IGF2BP3/FNDC5. A mouse in vivo model was utilized to further confirm the regulatory effect on bone formation. RESULTS: Circ_AFF4 and KDM1A expression levels were increased during osteoinduction of BM-MSCs. Knockdown of circ_AFF4 and KDM1A significantly suppressed BM-MSC osteogenesis. We also proved that KDM1A directly bound to circ_AFF4 and FNDC5 promoter and induced circ_AFF4 and FNDC5 expression. Furthermore, circ_AFF4 enhanced the stability of FNDC5 by generating a circ_AFF4, IGF2BP3 and FNDC5 RNA-protein complex, and thereby induced Irisin and osteogenesis. The in vitro data was confirmed with in vivo model. CONCLUSION: These findings elucidate that KDM1A induces circ_AFF4, which promotes promote osteogenesis via IGF2BP3. This study indicates that circ_AFF4 may potentially represent a critical therapeutic target for the diseases.

Altered neural responses to missed chance contribute to the risk-taking behaviour in individuals with Internet gaming disorder.

Missed chance is a powerful factor in shaping risk-taking behaviour. The abnormal risk-taking behaviour is an obvious feature of individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the relationship between the neural responses to missed chance and risk-taking behaviour in IGD individuals remains unclear. In the current fMRI study, 28 IGD subjects (12 female, 23.04 ± 2.43 years old) and 26 healthy control (HC) subjects (13 female, 23.58 ± 2.67 years old) participated in fMRI scanning during performance of a sequential risk-taking task. The general linear model and the psycho-physiological interaction analyses were conducted to explore the difference in neural responses between the two groups. The results showed that IGD subjects reported more regret for the large missed chance and took more risk than HC subjects. Moreover, compared with HC subjects, IGD subjects exhibited greater activations in brain regions like ventral striatum (VS) and superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and stronger VS-thalamus functional connectivity for the large missed chance. Additionally, among IGD subjects, the SFG activation for the large missed chance was positively correlated with the risk-taking behaviour. Together, the results revealed the altered neural responses to missed chance contributed to the risk-taking behaviour in IGD individuals. The findings could help to clearly understand why IGD individuals continue playing online games despite the risks of widely known and could provide a new perspective for the intervention of IGD.

Pseudogene PTENP1 sponges miR-214 to regulate the expression of PTEN to modulate osteoclast differentiation and attenuate osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Osteoporosis (OP) is a common bone metabolic disease with a high incidence. Our study aimed to explore the pseudogene PTENP1/miR-214/PTEN axis to modulate the osteoclast differentiation in osteoporosis. METHODS: Patients with osteoporosis were recruited in our study, and RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis mouse model were established in vitro and in vivo, respectively. RESULTS: Pseudogene PTENP1 and PTEN were significantly down-regulated and miR-214 was up-regulated in osteoporosis patients. In addition, overexpression of PTENP1 or silence of miR-214 inhibited the expression levels of osteoclast specific markers and osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. Overexpression of PTENP1 or silence of miR-214 also inhibited the levels of phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT, p65 nuclear translocation, IκBα degradation and the expression level of NFATc1. AlsoSilence of PTENP1 or overexpression of miR-214 induced the osteoclast differentiation under normal physiological condition. Pseudogene PTENP1 sponged miR-214 to regulate the expression of PTEN. CONCLUSIONS: In an ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis mouse model, obvious pathological changes in bone tissues were found, and bone marrow mononuclear cells in this group were more likely to differentiate into osteoclasts. Therefore, pseudogene PTENP1 sponged miR-214 to regulate the expression of PTEN to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and attenuate osteoporosis by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Attenuated self-serving bias in people with internet gaming disorder is related to altered neural activity in subcortical-cortical midline structures.

BACKGROUND: To protect and maintain the positivity of self-concept, normal people usually show a self-serving bias (internal attribution of positive events and external attribution of negative events) by the motives of self-enhancement and self-protection. Additionally, self-serving assessments predominantly activate the subcortical-cortical midline structures (CMS) in healthy individuals. However, little is known about self-serving bias and its underlying neural correlates among individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD). METHODS: Twenty-four participants with IGD and 25 recreational Internet gaming users (RGUs) were scanned while attributing the causes of positive/negative self- and other-related events that could occur in both the game-world and real-world contexts. Region-of-interest (within CMS regions) and parametric analysis were performed to investigate the neural correlates of self-serving bias in IGD. RESULTS: Behaviorally, the IGD participants attributed more negative and fewer positive events to themselves than RGU participants in both contexts. Neurally, during the attributions of negative events, the IGD participants exhibited increased ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) activation in both contexts compared with RGU participants. Higher vmPFC activation was associated with weaker self-protective motivation in the IGD group. Meanwhile, during the attributions of positive events, the IGD participants exhibited decreased precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex activation in the real world compared with RGU participants. Parametric analysis showed a reduced positive correlation between precuneus activation and self-attribution ratings of positive events in the real world in the IGD group relative to the RGU group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that individuals with IGD show an attenuated self-serving bias and altered brain activity within CMS regions involved in self-attribution, providing evidence for the negative self-concept and weakened abilities in both self-enhancement and self-protection in IGD.

Correction to: Attenuated self-serving bias in people with internet gaming disorder is related to altered neural activity in subcortical-cortical midline structures.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Patient-specific instrument-assisted minimally invasive internal fixation of calcaneal fracture for rapid and accurate execution of a preoperative plan: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional methods for minimally invasive internal fixation (MIIF) of calcaneal fractures require extensive intraoperative fluoroscopy, and fracture recovery is usually not ideal. We developed a new surgical procedure using digital surgical simulation and constructed a patient-specific instrument (PSI) for calcaneal fracture that we used during the operation. This study investigated whether PSI-assisted MIIF of calcaneal fracture enables rapid and accurate execution of the preoperative plan. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with Sanders type III or IV fresh calcaneal fractures who had undergone PSI-assisted MIIF at our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. We analyzed perioperative data including intraoperative fluoroscopy time, concurrence of internal fixation actual usage (IFAU) with the preoperative plan, surgery time, and complications. We also compared pre- and postoperative actual measurements from X-ray radiographs and computed tomography images including Böhler, Gissane, and calcaneus valgus angles; subtalar joint width; and calcaneal volume overlap ratio with the preoperative design. All patients had been followed up and their American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) score was available. RESULTS: Mean intraoperative fluoroscopy time was 3.95 ± 1.78 h; IFAU in 16 patients (16 ft) was the same as the preoperative plan; mean surgery time was 28.16 ± 10.70 min; and none of the patients developed complications. Böhler, Gissane, and calcaneus valgus angles and subtalar joint width did not differ between pre- and postoperative plans; however, the actual preoperative values of each of these parameters differed significantly from those measured postoperatively. The calcaneal volume overlap ratio with the preoperative design was 91.2% ± 2.3%. AOFAS scores increased with time, with significant differences in the score at each time point. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed PSI-assisted calcaneal fracture MIIF method can rapidly and accurately execute the preoperative plan.

Surgery simulation teaching based on real reconstruction aid versus traditional surgical live teaching in the acquisition of an adult total hip arthroplasty surgical technique for developmental dysplasia of the hip: a randomized comparative study.

BACKGROUND: A simulation and model (SM) teaching aid using 3D printing was developed to improve a training course for total hip arthroplasty of adult developmental dysplasia of the hip (adult DDH-THA). We named this new method Surgery Simulation Teaching based on a Real Reconstruction Aid (RRA-SST). A prospective randomized comparison was performed with the traditional surgical live teaching method to evaluate the training effectiveness of RRA-SST for adult DDH-THA. METHODS: Twenty-six trainees, who were already practicing but were not experienced, participated in the study. We randomly divided the trainees into two groups: Group A (n = 13) received RRA-SST and group B (n = 13) received traditional surgical live teaching. A surgery simulation test and a questionnaire were used for evaluation. Next, each group received training with the other teaching method, and then the test and questionnaire were used again for evaluation. RESULTS: After the first test, the RRA-SST method was shown to produce better results than the traditional surgical live teaching method. After the second test, the results showed the training effect in both groups reached the same level, which was level as Group A RRA-SST results. Analysis of the questionnaire results showed that the training effect of RRA-SST was higher than that of traditional surgical live teaching, from multiple perspectives. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RRA-SST improved participant performance according to simulation assessment. RRA-SST can be helpful for trainees who are already practicing but not experienced when developing proficiency in adult DDH-THA surgical techniques.

Effect of patient-specific instrument on lowering threshold for junior physicians to perform total hip arthroplasty on developmental dysplasia of the hip patients.

PURPOSE: To create a patient-specific instrument (PSI) in lowering the surgical experience requirement for junior physicians to perform total hip arthroplasty (THA) on developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients. METHODS: Combined with rapid prototyping technology, we created a PSI and established DDH hip model in vitro. We enrolled 48 junior physicians and randomly assigned them into two groups. After creation of the PSI, they performed simulated THA surgery on a full-scale hip model with or without PSI on DDH models. The planned prothesis orientation, post-operative prothesis orientation, and surgery time were recorded. RESULTS: The final cup inclination was 42.0 ± 0.8° in PSI group and 37.8 ± 2.0° in control group, while final cup anteversion was 16.0 ± 0.7° in PSI group and 24.7 ± 3.5° in control group. The △inclination in PSI group was smaller than that in control group (4.2 ± 0.5° vs 9.5 ± 1.4°, P < 0.01), so does △inclination (2.9 ± 0.4° in PSI group vs 15.2 ± 2.5° in control group, P < 0.01). The outlier percent was 8.3% in PSI group and 70.8% in control group (P < 0.01). At the same time, the PSI group did not prolong the operation time (P = 0.551). CONCLUSION: The PSI can greatly increase the accuracy of placing the cup orientation and lower the threshold for junior physicians to perform THA on DDH patients. It could be a training tool for them to increase their THA surgical skills.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 promoted BMP2 expression to regulate osteogenic differentiation by sponging miRNA-214.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is of much significance for bone formation, the imbalance of it would result in osteoporosis and other pathological bone defects. Increasing evidences showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs played vital roles in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation. LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 was often regarded as an imprinted lncRNA and was related to tumor progression, while its function in osteogenic differentiation remained unclear. METHOD: qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of KCNQ1OT1, miR-214 and osteogenesis-related genes BMP2, Runx2, OPN, and OCN. Western blotting was carried out to detect osteogenesis-related markers. The osteoblastic phenotype was evidenced by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Alizarin Red S accumulation detection. Bioinformatics and luciferase assays were used to predict and validate the interaction between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-214 as well as BMP2 and miR-214. RESULTS: KCNQ1OT1 was significantly up-regulated during the process of osteogenic induction while miR-214 was contrarily down-regulated. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited osteogenic differentiation and down-regulated BMP2 and osteogenesis-related genes. It was also confirmed that KCNQ1OT1 directly interacted with miR-214. Meanwhile, miR-214 could bind to 3'UTR of BMP2 and therefore inhibited its expression. Furthermore, co-transfection of miR-214 inhibitor could rescue the down-regulation of BMP2 and osteogenesis-related genes and osteogenic differentiation suppression induced by KCNQ1OT1 knockdown. Moreover, miR-214 inhibitor significantly reversed the decreased protein levels of p-Smad1/5/8, Runx2 and Osterix induced by shKCNQ1OT1. CONCLUSIONS: KCNQ1OT1 positively regulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by acting as a ceRNA to regulate BMP2 expression through sponging miR-214.

Tuning the threshold voltage of carbon nanotube transistors by n-type molecular doping for robust and flexible complementary circuits.

Tuning the threshold voltage of a transistor is crucial for realizing robust digital circuits. For silicon transistors, the threshold voltage can be accurately controlled by doping. However, it remains challenging to tune the threshold voltage of single-wall nanotube (SWNT) thin-film transistors. Here, we report a facile method to controllably n-dope SWNTs using 1H-benzoimidazole derivatives processed via either solution coating or vacuum deposition. The threshold voltages of our polythiophene-sorted SWNT thin-film transistors can be tuned accurately and continuously over a wide range. Photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the SWNT Fermi level shifted to the conduction band edge with increasing doping concentration. Using this doping approach, we proceeded to fabricate SWNT complementary inverters by inkjet printing of the dopants. We observed an unprecedented noise margin of 28 V at V(DD) = 80 V (70% of 1/2V(DD)) and a gain of 85. Additionally, robust SWNT complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor inverter (noise margin 72% of 1/2VDD) and logic gates with rail-to-rail output voltage swing and subnanowatt power consumption were fabricated onto a highly flexible substrate.

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures.

A better understanding of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, their effect on joint mechanics, and the relationship between altered mechanics and osteoarthritis could aid in the development or refinement of treatment methods. Finite element modeling is accepted as the reference standard for evaluating joint contact stresses. The objective of the present study was to analyze the in vivo joint mechanical data from finite element modeling for normal and injured subtalar joints. A 3-dimensional model of the ankle-hindfoot was developed and validated. Both height loss and width increases in the calcaneus were simulated. Next, they were used to investigate the relationship between calcaneal height or width and the contact mechanics of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint. The contact area/joint area ratio increased in the subtalar joint with injury when the calcaneal width increased. Moreover, the peak contact pressure and the proportion of the area under high contact pressure (>6 MPa) increased. The contact area/joint area ratio decreased with reduced calcaneal height, but the peak contact pressure remained almost constant. The width increases of the calcaneus somewhat limited the subtalar joint motion, especially for eversion; however, the height loss mostly resulted in subtalar rotatory instability. The height loss diminished the subtalar joint's stability in eversion, internal rotation, and external rotation. The results of the present study support the advisability of surgery for these complex injuries. Reestablishing the calcaneal height and width could restore the normal kinematics and contact stress distribution in the subtalar joint, improve the tibiotalar position, and diminish long-term degeneration in the ankle.

Electronic structures at the interface between Au and CH3NH3PbI3.

The electronic properties of interfaces formed between Au and organometal triiodide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) are investigated using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). It is found that the CH3NH3PbI3 film coated onto the substrate of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/indium tin oxide (ITO) by a two-step method presents n-type semiconductor behavior, with a band gap of 1.7 eV and a valence band (VB) edge of 1.0 eV below the Fermi energy (EF). An interface dipole of 0.1 eV is observed at the CH3NH3PbI3/Au interface. The energy levels of CH3NH3PbI3 shift upward by ca. 0.4 eV with an Au coverage of 64 Å upon it, resulting in band bending, hence a built-in field in CH3NH3PbI3 that encourages hole transport to the interface. Hole accumulation occurs in the vicinity of the interface, facilitating the hole transfer from CH3NH3PbI3 to Au. Furthermore, the shift of the VB maximum of CH3NH3PbI3 toward the EF indicates a decrease of energy loss as holes transfer from CH3NH3PbI3 to Au.

An Empirical Investigation of the Relationships Among Self-Esteem, Depression and Self-Serving Bias in People with Internet Gaming Disorder.

Introduction: People are generally characterized by a self-serving bias which describes the tendency to ascribe positive outcomes or success to internal or personal causes (self-enhancement motivation) and ascribe negative outcomes or failure to external or situational causes (self-protection motivation). It has been found that the individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) who have low self-esteem and high depression exhibit an attenuated self-serving bias. However, the relationships among self-esteem, depression and self-serving bias are not clearly identified. Methods: A sample of 138 IGD participants completed self-esteem and depression scales and a causal attribution task (Study 1) to examine the relationships among self-esteem, depression and self-serving bias (both self-enhancement and self-protection). In follow-up Study 2, 28 IGD participants were recruited to undertake self-affirmation intervention which can affirm one's sense of global self-view and bolster self-esteem to explore whether self-affirmation would trigger a reduction of depression and a raise of self-serving bias. Results: The results of path analysis in Study 1 showed that the self-serving bias was predicted by self-esteem and depression, and the depression played a mediating role between self-esteem and self-serving bias. The results of Study 2 showed that the IGD participants reported higher self-esteem, lower depression and engaged in more self-protection motivation after affirming-self manipulation as compared with affirming-other manipulation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that self-esteem predicts self-serving bias through depression and self-affirmation could trigger an increase of self-esteem, further decrease depression and improve self-serving bias for the individuals with IGD. The present article clearly identified the relationships among these factors and provided a new approach to promote positive self-concept in individuals with IGD. Future research is warranted to explore the lasting benefits of self-affirmation on domains of education, relationships and gaming withdrawal for the individuals with IGD among different populations.

N1F(Improved-Nephropathy 1 Formula) Ameliorates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis via Inhibiting Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Regulating the FGF23/P38MAPK/Wnt Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Renal fibrosis is the primary pathway in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) towards end-stage renal failure. The currently used drugs currently are ineffective, and their mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the nephroprotective effect of Improved-Nephropathy 1 Formula (N1F) in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and explore the potential mechanisms of N1F-containing serum in treating TGF-ß1-induced human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). METHODS: SD rats received 2-week continuous N1F gavage starting on day 2 after UUO. HK-2 cells were pretreated with a P38MAPK inhibitor for 1 h in vitro, followed by induction of the cells with TGF-ß1 and treatment with N1F 48 h later. The chemical composition of N1F was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Orbitrap high-resolution liquid mass spectrometry. Renal function was assessed by measuring serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urine protein (Upro) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson's trichrome (Masson) staining were used to evaluate the extent of renal tissue damage and fibrosis. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the protein levels of relevant indices. The RNA levels of the relevant indices were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: We identified 361 chemical components in the water extract of N1F. These chemical components of N1F significantly reduced the area associated with interstitial fibrosis in the kidneys of UUO rats and the levels of serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and urinary protein. Additionally, N1F decreased the protein levels of FGF23, Wnt1, ß-catenin and p-P38MAPK/P38MAPK, along with the expression of renalfibrosis-associated proteins, α-SMA, FN, Collagen III, and Vimentin in the renal tissues of the UUO rats, while enhancing klotho and DKK1 protein levels. In vitro experiments revealed that inhibition of P38MAPK signaling significantly suppressed the expression of proteins related to the Wnt signaling pathway, with a concomitant decrease in the expression of FGF23 and an increase in the expression of Klotho. Notably, the P38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) had similar effects to N1F in altering the above-mentioned indices in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: N1F may exhibit potential therapeutic efficacy against renal fibrosis by inhibiting the FGF23/P38MAPK/Wnt signaling pathway, consequently inhibiting extracellular matrix deposition due to renal injury.

Impact of Preseason Climate Factors on Vegetation Photosynthetic Phenology in Mid-High Latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

During the period preceding the vegetation growing season (GS), temperature emerges as the pivotal factor determining phenology in northern terrestrial ecosystems. Despite extensive research on the impact of daily mean temperature (Tmean) during the preseason period, the influence of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on vegetation photosynthetic phenology (i.e., the impact of the plant photosynthetic cycle on seasonal time scale) has largely been neglected. Using a long-term vegetation photosynthetic phenology dataset and historical climate data, we examine vegetation photosynthetic phenology dynamics and responses to climate change across the mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere from 2001 to 2020. Our data reveal an advancing trend in the start of the GS (SOS) by -0.15 days per year (days yr-1), affecting 72.1% of the studied area. This is particularly pronounced in western Canada, Alaska, eastern Asia, and latitudes north of 60°N. Conversely, the end of the GS (EOS) displays a delaying trend of 0.17 days yr-1, impacting 62.4% of the studied area, especially northern North America and northern Eurasia. The collective influence of an earlier SOS and a delayed EOS has resulted in the notably prolonged length of the GS (LOS) by 0.32 days yr-1 in the last two decades, affecting 70.9% of the studied area, with Eurasia and western North America being particularly noteworthy. Partial correlation coefficients of the SOS with preseason Tmean, DTR, and accumulated precipitation exhibited negative values in 98.4%, 93.0%, and 39.2% of the study area, respectively. However, there were distinct regional variations in the influence of climate factors on the EOS. The partial correlation coefficients of the EOS with preseason Tmean, DTR, and precipitation were positive in 58.6%, 50.1%, and 36.3% of the region, respectively. Our findings unveil the intricate mechanisms influencing vegetation photosynthetic phenology, holding crucial significance in understanding the dynamics of carbon sequestration within terrestrial ecosystems amidst climate change.

The status quo, contributors, consequences and models of digital overuse/problematic use in preschoolers: A scoping review.

Digital devices play a critical role in preschoolers' learning and development. Despite the evidence that digital devices use may facilitate preschoolers' learning and development, their overuse/problematic use has become a global concern as the popularity and widespread use of digital devices. This scoping review aims to synthesize the empirical evidence to identify the status quo, influential factors, developmental outcomes, and models of overuse/problematic use in preschoolers. This search has identified 36 studies published in international peer-reviewed journals during 2001-2021, converging into four common topics: the current situation, the influential factors, the consequences, and the models. First, the average percentages of overuse and problematic use across the studies collected in this research were 48.34%, and 26.83%, separately. Second, two influential factors were identified: (1) children's characteristics and (2) parental and family factors. Third, early digital overuse/problematic use was found to have a negative impact on the following domains: (1) physical health, (2) psychosocial health, (3) problematic behaviors, and (4) cognitive development; Fourth, most relevant studies adopted general linear models, while few of them adopted experimental designs. Finally, the implications for future studies and practical improvements are also addressed.

Stress and Internet Addiction: Mediated by Anxiety and Moderated by Self-Control.

Background: The link between stress and Internet addiction (IA) has been confirmed. However, the mechanism underlying the correlation is poorly understood. Thus, the current study proposed a moderated mediation model to test the mediating role of anxiety and the moderating role of self-control (SC) in the link between stress and IA. Methods: Eight hundred and sixty-one Chinese college students (Mage = 20.62 years; SD = 1.58; male = 47.7%) were required to complete an online questionnaire package, including a depression-anxiety-stress scale, a self-control scale, and an Internet addiction test. The PROCESS macro developed based on SPSS was used to test the moderated mediation model. Results: When controlling for gender and age, the results revealed that anxiety partially mediated the link between stress and IA. Specifically, the more stressed college students are, the higher their anxiety level is, and the more likely they are to become addicted to the Internet. Additionally, the direct and indirect links between stress and IA were all moderated by SC. SC buffered the effect of stress on anxiety and anxiety on IA but enhanced stress on IA. Conclusion: These findings emphasized the predictor role of stress on IA and provided insights on intervening in college students' excessive Internet use behaviors for educators, such as reducing anxiety levels and improving self-control abilities.