Fibroblast growth factor 9 reduces TBHP-induced oxidative stress in chondrocytes and diminishes mouse osteoarthritis by activating ERK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive disease that affects joints. Pathologically, it is characterized by oxidative stress-mediated excessive chondrocyte apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) has been shown to exert antioxidant effects and prevent degenerative diseases by activating ERK-related signaling pathways. However, the mechanism of FGF9 in the pathogenesis of OA and its relationship with anti-oxidative stress and related pathways are unclear. In this study, mice with medial meniscus instability (DMM) were used as the in vivo model whereas TBHP-induced chondrocytes served as the in vitro model to explore the mechanism underlying the effects of FGF9 in OA and its association with anti-oxidative stress. Results showed that FGF9 reduced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in TBHP-treated chondrocytes and promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 to activate the Nrf2/HO1 signaling pathway. Interestingly, silencing the Nrf2 gene or blocking the ERK signaling pathway abolished the antioxidant effects of FGF9. FGF9 treatment reduced joint space narrowing, cartilage ossification, and synovial thickening in the DMM model mice. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that FGF9 can inhibit TBHP-induced oxidative stress in chondrocytes through the ERK and Nrf2-HO1 signaling pathways and prevent the progression of OA in vivo.

Proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic burnout in undergraduate nursing students in China.

BACKGROUND: Academic burnout can affect nursing students' academic performance and psychological well-being. Little is known about the associations between proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic burnout. PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of academic burnout in undergraduate nursing students and to explore the associations between proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic burnout among nursing students in China. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design. Undergraduate nursing students were recruited from five medical schools in China to participate in an online survey from April to May 2020. The Proactive Personality Scale, Professional Self-Efficacy Scale for Nursing Students and Academic Burnout Scale were used to measure students' proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic burnout. RESULTS: A total of 1219 nursing students completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of academic burnout was 31.5% in nursing students, and improper behaviour showed the highest subscale score. Proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic year were negatively associated with nursing students' academic burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Academic burnout is prevalent in undergraduate nursing students in China. This study contributes to the understanding of the associations between proactive personality, professional self-efficacy and academic burnout in nursing students. Nursing educators should develop strategies to enhance students' proactivity and professional self-efficacy to decrease their academic burnout.