A new lignan from Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & J. R. I. Wood.

A new lignan, 9'-O-angelyllariciresinol (1), and 20 known compounds (2-21) were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of Laggera crispata (Vahl) Hepper & J. R. I. Wood. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis (NMR, IR, UV, and MS). Activity screening showed that compound 5 exhibited significant inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, while compound 2 exhibited significant inhibitory effect against liver cancer cell line HepG2.

Association between hyperuricemia and chronic total coronary occlusion in non-chronic kidney disease populations: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) is an extremely hazardous condition that leads to various clinical phenomena and complications and results in social and economic burdens. Hyperuricemia (HU) is often associated with atherosclerosis. Few studies, however, have investigated the risk of CTO in individuals with HU and the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in this setting. METHODS: A cohort of 1245 individuals without chronic kidney disease from southwest China who underwent coronary angiography between February 2018 and June 2021 were enrolled. CTO was defined as a total occlusion of any coronary artery or arteries for more than 3 months. HU was defined as a serum uric acid level of ≥420 µmol/L in men and ≥360 µmol/L in women. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and subgroup analyses were applied to assess the relationship between HU and CTO. RESULTS: After adjustment, HU was noted to be associated with a 1.47-fold increase in the risk of CTO [odds ratio (OR), 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-2.58; P = 0.026]. As a continuous variable, uric acid was an independent predictor of CTO (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001-1.004; P = 0.047). Subgroup analyses showed that the risk of CTO was higher among individuals under 65 years of age (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.3-5.89), nonobese individuals (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.16-3.1), and those with dyslipidemia (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.04-3.11), while sex, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes did not show similar effects. Interaction analyses revealed no interaction among subgroups. CONCLUSION: Among individuals residing in southwest China, HU was associated with an increased risk of CTO in non-CKD individuals, especially those under 65 years of age and nonobese and dyslipidemic individuals.

Obinutuzumab in untreated primary membranous nephropathy: An observational case series.

BACKGROUND: As an initial treatment for primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), there remains a significant proportion of patients for whom rituximab is not fully effective. Here, we aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of obinutuzumab as initial treatment in patients with PMN. METHODS: In this observational case series, patients diagnosed with PMN and treated with obinutuzumab as initial treatment were included. Treatment response was assessed by 24-h urine total protein (24 h UTP) and serum albumin, and immunologic remission was assessed by phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies. RESULTS: Twelve patients with PMN receiving obinutuzumab as initial treatment were included. Over 6 months, a statistically significant reduction in 24 h UTP levels (p = 0.003) and an increase in serum albumin levels were observed (p < 0.001). By the 6-month follow-up, two patients (16.7%) achieved complete remission, eight (66.6%) reached partial remission, and two (16.7%) showed no remission. Immunological remission was observed in 44.4% of evaluable patients (n = 9) after 3 months, increasing to 100% (6/6) at 6 months. Except for cases 1, 2, and 3, the total B cell counts in the remaining patients fell to less than 5 cells/µL before the administration of the second dose of obinutuzumab, including seven patients with counts as low as 0 cells/µL. Mild to moderate treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 58.3% (7/12) of the patients. No serious TRAEs were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Obinutuzumab demonstrates promising potential as an initial treatment for PMN, with good effectiveness and a manageable safety profile. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Rice Floury Endosperm26 encoding a mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein is essential for RNA-splicing of mitochondrial genes and endosperm development.

Endosperm, the major storage organ in cereal grains, determines the grain yield and quality. Mitochondria provide the energy for dry matter accumulation, in the endosperm development. Although mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (mtSSBs) play a canonical role in the maintenance of single-stranded mitochondrial DNA, their molecular functions in RNA processing and endosperm development remain obscure. Here, we report a defective rice endosperm mutant, floury endosperm26 (flo26), which develops abnormal starch grains in the endosperm. Map-based cloning and complementation experiments showed that FLO26 allele encodes a mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein, named as mtSSB1.1. Loss of function of mtSSB1.1 affects the transcriptional level of many mitochondrially-encoded genes and RNA splicing of nad1, a core component of respiratory chain complex I in mitochondria. As a result, dysfunctional mature nad1 led to dramatically decreased complex I activity, thereby reducing ATP production. Our results reveal that mtSSB1.1 plays an important role in the maintenance of mitochondrial function and endosperm development by stabilizing the splicing of mitochondrial RNA in rice.

Comparative efficacy of telehealth interventions on promoting cancer screening: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Cancer screening is a pivotal method for reducing mortality from disease, but the screening coverage is still lower than expected. Telehealth interventions demonstrated significant benefits in cancer care, yet there is currently no consensus on their impact on facilitating cancer screening or on the most effective remote technology. DESIGN: A network meta-analysis was conducted to detect the impact of telehealth interventions on cancer screening and to identify the most effective teletechnologies. METHODS: Six English databases were searched from inception until July 2023 to yield relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two individual authors completed the literature selection, data extraction, and methodological evaluations using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Traditional pairwise analysis and network meta-analysis were performed to identify the overall effects and compare different teletechnologies. RESULTS: Thirty-four eligible RCTs involving 131,644 participants were enrolled. Overall, telehealth interventions showed statistically significant effects on the improvement of cancer screening. Subgroup analyses revealed that telehealth interventions were most effective for breast and cervical cancer screening, and rural populations also experienced benefits, but there was no improvement in screening for older adults. The network meta-analysis indicated that mobile applications, video plus telephone, and text message plus telephone were associated with more obvious improvements in screening than other teletechnologies. CONCLUSION: Our study identified that telehealth interventions were effective for the completion of cancer screening and clarified the exact impact of telehealth on different cancer types, ages, and rural populations. Mobile applications, video plus telephone, and text message plus telephone are the three forms of teletechnologies most likely to improve cancer screening. More well-designed RCTs involving direct comparisons of different teletechnologies are needed in the future. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Telehealth interventions should be encouraged to facilitate cancer screening, and the selection of the optimal teletechnology based on the characteristics of the population is also necessary.

Bacterial Community Influences the Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on Lipid Metabolism, Immune Response, and Antioxidant Capacity in Dogs.

Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), the most prevalent probiotic, has demonstrated the ability to improve the relative abundance of intestinal microorganisms and boost immunity. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. This study evaluated body weight, nutrient apparent digestibility, serum indices, and bacterial communities in Chinese rural dogs from a L. acidophilus supplementation group (Lactobacillus acidophilus, n = 6) and a control group (CON, n = 6). The results indicated that L. acidophilus had no significant impact on the body weight and apparent nutrient digestibility of Chinese rural dogs. In comparison with the CON group, L. acidophilus significantly reduced the levels of cholesterol (CHO) and increased the levels of IgA, IFN-α, and T-AOC. Bacterial diversity indices were significantly reduced in the LAC group compared to the CON groups, and MetaStat analysis demonstrated notable distinctions in 14 bacterial genera between the groups. These bacterial genera exhibited correlations with physiological indices such as CHO, IgA, IFN-α, and T-AOC. In conclusion, L. acidophilus can modulate lipid metabolism, immunity, and antioxidant capacity by regulating the relative abundance of specific bacterial communities, which helps dogs to adapt to today's lifestyle.

Self-calibrated atom-interferometer gyroscope by modulating atomic velocities.

Atom-interferometer gyroscopes have attracted much attention for their long-term stability and extremely low drift. For such high-precision instruments, self-calibration to achieve an absolute rotation measurement is critical. In this work, we propose and demonstrate the self-calibration of an atom-interferometer gyroscope. This calibration is realized by using the detuning of the laser frequency to control the atomic velocity, thus modulating the scale factor of the gyroscope. The modulation determines the order and the initial phase of the interference stripe, thus eliminating the ambiguity caused by the periodicity of the interferometric signal. This self-calibration method is validated through a measurement of the Earth's rotation rate, and a relative uncertainty of 162 ppm is achieved. Long-term stable and self-calibrated atom-interferometer gyroscopes have important applications in the fields of fundamental physics, geophysics, and long-time navigation.

Effects of a Multicomponent Intervention With Cognitive Training and Lifestyle Guidance for Older Adults at Risk of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a multicomponent intervention program on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).Methods: This was a 2-arm, randomized controlled trial in which a multicomponent intervention was applied. Participants were recruited from June 2020 to August 2020, randomization and intervention began in August 2020, and the entire program ended in January 2021. It included cognitive training (mnemonic strategy training) and lifestyle guidance (diet, sleep, and exercise guidance) for 7 weeks. A total of 123 Chinese community-dwelling older adults experiencing MCI or SCD were randomly divided into a multicomponent intervention group (n = 62) and a health education group (n = 61). The global cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The cognitive domains outcomes included memory functions measured using the immediate and delayed tests of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and Logical Memory Test (LMT), and executive function and attention measured using the Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Digit Span Test (DST). Data were collected at baseline and postintervention.Results: For cognitive outcome, the results of linear mixed-effect model showed significant time × group effects in the MMSE (Cohen d =0.63 [95% CI, 0.27 to 1.00], F = 10.25, P = .002). This study found significant time × group effects in AVLT-immediate (Cohen d = 0.47 [95% CI, 0.11 to 0.83], F = 8.18, P = .005), AVLT delayed (Cohen d = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.10 to 0.81], F = 4.59, P = .034), LMT-delayed (Cohen d = 0.71 [95% CI, 0.34 to 1.07], F = 4.59, P = .034), DSST (Cohen d = 0.27 [95% CI, -0.08 to 0.63], F = 4.83, P = .030), and DST (Cohen d =0.69 [95% CI, 0.33 to 1.05], F = 8.58, P = .004).Conclusions and Implications: The results support the feasibility and effectiveness of the multicomponent intervention program in improving cognitive function in community dwelling older adults at risk of dementia. The high adherence of this program shows its potential for promotion in the community and supports a larger and longer trial.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200061420).

Bone transport induces the release of factors with multi-tissue regenerative potential for diabetic wound healing in rats and patients.

Tibial cortex transverse distraction is a surgical method for treating severe diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. We show that antioxidant proteins and small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) with multiple-tissue regenerative potential are released during bone transport (BT) in humans and rats. These vesicles accumulate in diabetic wounds and are enriched with microRNAs (miRNAs) (e.g., miR-494-3p) that have high regenerative activities that improve the circulation of ischemic lower limbs while also promoting neovascularization, fibroblast migration, and nerve fiber regeneration. Deletion of miR-494-3p in rats reduces the beneficial effects of BT on diabetic wounds, while hydrogels containing miR-494-3p and reduced glutathione (GSH) effectively repair them. Importantly, the ginsenoside Rg1 can upregulate miR-494-3p, and a randomized controlled trial verifies that the regimen of oral Rg1 and GSH accelerates wound healing in refractory DFU patients. These findings identify potential functional factors for tissue regeneration and suggest a potential therapy for DFUs.

Effects of Dietary Callicarpa nudiflora Aqueous Extract Supplementation on Growth Performance, Growth Hormone, Antioxidant and Immune Function, and Intestinal Health of Broilers.

C. nudiflora is notably rich in flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides, making it a significant natural source of antioxidants. We examined the effects of C. nudiflora aqueous extract (CNE) on growth performance, antioxidant function, immunity, intestinal barrier function, nutrient transporters, and microbiota of broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a basal diet with 0 (control, CON), 300 mg/kg (CNEL), 500 mg/kg (CNEM), and 700 mg/kg (CNEH) CNE for 42 days. CNEL and CNEM groups quadratically increased body weight and average daily gain but decreased feed-to-gain ratios during the starter and whole phases. Regarding the immune response of broilers, CNE treatment linearly down-regulated jejunal myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interferon-γ expression in the liver (d 21), while decreasing jejunal IL-1ß expression and the concentration of serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (d 42). The CNEM and CNEH groups had lower MyD88 and nuclear factor kappa B expression in the liver (d 21) compared to the CON group. Broilers in the CNEL and CNEM groups had higher spleen index and thymus index (d 21) and interleukin-10 expression from the liver and jejunal mucosa (d 42) than that in the CON group. For the antioxidant capacity of broilers, CNE treatment linearly decreased the content of malonaldehyde and increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity in serum (d 42). CNEM and CNEH groups linearly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in serum and heme oxygenase-1 expression in the liver, while increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum, jejunal nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 expression, and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression in the liver (d 42). As for the growth hormone of broilers, CNEM group increased the level of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and up-regulated jejunal glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) expression (d 21). Broilers in the CNEM and CNEH groups had higher jejunal GLP-2 expression and growth hormone (GH) expression in the liver and the level of serum GH (d 42) than that in the CON group. Additionally, the villus height and jejunal Occludin and Claudin-1 expression in the CNEM group increased. CNE-containing diets resulted in a linear increase in the expression of jejunal zonula occluden-1 (d 21), villus height to crypt depth ratio, jejunal Occludin, excitatory amino acid transporters-3, and peptide-transporter 1 (d 42). The regulation of Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae_Ruminococcus, and Butyricicoccus genera indicated that CNEH altered the composition of the cecal microbiota. In general, supplementing broilers with C. nudiflora aqueous extract could boost hormones, immune and antioxidant function, and gut health, improving their growth performance. Hence, CNE was a promising poultry feed additive, with 500 mg/kg appearing to be the optimal dose.

From cup to clock: exploring coffee's role in slowing down biological aging.

Background: Previous research has proposed that coffee consumption may have potential health benefits, yet the effect of coffee on one's biological age has not been determined to date. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of coffee drinking on biological aging. Methods: Participants were chosen from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and had to meet the selection criteria. Coffee consumption was evaluated through two 24-hour dietary questionnaires. Biological age was measured using both the PhenoAge and KDM-BA algorithms. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were adopted to analyze the association of coffee consumption with biological aging. Results: A total of 13 384 participants with an average daily coffee consumption of 1.73 cups were included. Participants with higher coffee consumption tended to be older, male, non-Hispanic white; had a higher educational level beyond high school; were more likely to be married; had better financial status; and were less likely to smoke or engage in excessive drinking. These individuals with higher coffee consumption exhibited a younger biological age in relation to their chronological age, as indicated by lower mean advancements in PhenoAge and KDM-BA scores. Furthermore, coffee intake was found to be inversely related to PhenoAge and KDM-BA progressions, as well as to the chances of accelerated biological aging, both in unadjusted and adjusted models. These associations remained consistent across all age and gender groups. Additionally, some heterogeneity was also observed among body mass index and physical activity categories. Conclusions: Coffee drinking was inversely related to biological age advancements and the likelihood of accelerated biological aging. Moderate coffee consumption may offer substantial benefits in reducing biological aging.

RanGAP1 maintains chromosome stability in limb bud mesenchymal cells during bone development.

BACKGROUND: Bone development involves the rapid proliferation and differentiation of osteogenic lineage cells, which makes accurate chromosomal segregation crucial for ensuring cell proliferation and maintaining chromosomal stability. However, the mechanism underlying the maintenance of chromosome stability during the rapid proliferation and differentiation of Prx1-expressing limb bud mesenchymal cells into osteoblastic precursor cells remains unexplored. METHODS: A transgenic mouse model of RanGAP1 knockout of limb and head mesenchymal progenitor cells was constructed to explore the impact of RanGAP1 deletion on bone development by histomorphology and immunostaining. Subsequently, G-banding karyotyping analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the effects of RanGAP1 deficiency on chromosome instability. Finally, the effects of RanGAP1 deficiency on chromothripsis and bone development signaling pathways were elucidated by whole-genome sequencing, RNA-sequencing, and qPCR. RESULTS: The ablation of RanGAP1 in limb and head mesenchymal progenitor cells expressing Prx1 in mice resulted in embryonic lethality, severe cartilage and bone dysplasia, and complete loss of cranial vault formation. Moreover, RanGAP1 loss inhibited chondrogenic or osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Most importantly, we found that RanGAP1 loss in limb bud mesenchymal cells triggered missegregation of chromosomes, resulting in chromothripsis of chromosomes 1q and 14q, further inhibiting the expression of key genes involved in multiple bone development signaling pathways such as WNT, Hedgehog, TGF-ß/BMP, and PI3K/AKT in the chromothripsis regions, ultimately disrupting skeletal development. CONCLUSIONS: Our results establish RanGAP1 as a critical regulator of bone development, as it supports this process by preserving chromosome stability in Prx1-expressing limb bud mesenchymal cells.

Development, validation and reliability testing of the hospice care environment scale.

BACKGROUND: WHO stated the environment is an important factor affecting the development of hospice care. The environment is the sum of factors affecting behavior besides the individual factors. Currently, a scale to comprehensively assess the hospice environment of nurse is still lacking. This study aimed to develop an instrument to investigate the environmental factors affecting hospice care of nurses. METHODS: Literature review and a semi-structured interview were conducted to form the items pool of the Hospice Care Environment Scale. Two rounds of Delphi expert consultation were conducted by 16 experts to revise the scale dimensions and entries to form the Hospice Care Environment Scale. A psychometric evaluation was then performed among 530 oncology nurses in a large tertiary oncology hospital in Hubei Province. The 500 valid questionnaires were randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio, sample 1 (n1 = 250) for item screening and sample 2 (n2 = 250) for quality evaluation of the resulting scale. Item analysis, reliability analysis, validity analysis and acceptability analysis were performed. RESULT: The Hospice Care Environment Scale consists of two dimensions and 13 entries. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Hospice Care Environment Scale was 0.970, and the Cronbach's α coefficient of the two dimensions were 0.952 and 0.969, respectively, with the Item-content validity index and average Scale- content validity index of the scale was both 1.000. The validation factor analysis showed the standardized path coefficients of each item were basically above 0.5, and the factor structure model was stable and suitable. The average completion time of the scale was about 3 min, which had good feasibility. CONCLUSION: The Hospice Care Environment Scale to assess the environment of hospice care services, has good content and construct validity and reliability. This scale can provide guidance to evaluate the hospice care environment.

Current status of electronic health literacy among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their perceptions of online health information: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus often rely on internet-based health information for managing their condition. This study aims to investigate the present state of electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus, analyze the influencing factors, and explore their experiences regarding accessing, comprehending, evaluating, and applying online health information pertinent to gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed methods research design was adopted in this study. Initially, 235 women with gestational diabetes mellitus participated in a cross-sectional survey. The research tools included general information and the Chinese version of the electronic Health Literacy Scale (eHEALS). Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics of the sample, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the factors influencing electronic health literacy among women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Secondly, 11 women with gestational diabetes mellitus joined semi-structured in-depth interviews to obtain their perceptions about online health information. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis to develop themes. RESULTS: The median score of eHEALS in the Chinese version among 235 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus was 29 (interquartile range [IQR], 26 to 32). Factors influencing electronic health literacy among these women included accessing health information from medical professionals (ß = 0.137, p = 0.029) and utilizing health information from applications (ß = 0.159, p = 0.013). From the qualitative phase of the study, four thematic categories emerged: reasons and basis for accessing health information from the Internet; address barriers to accessing and applying online health information; desires for a higher level of online health information services; outcomes of accessing and applying online health information. CONCLUSION: The electronic health literacy of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus remains suboptimal and warrants improvement. The sources of access to health information affect electronic health literacy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Moreover, women facing gestational diabetes encounter numerous impediments when attempting to access health-related information online, underscoring the necessity for enhanced online health information services to meet their needs.

Proteomic analysis reveals potential therapeutic targets for childhood asthma through Mendelian randomization.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and poses a significant threat to their health. This study aims to assess the relationship between various plasma proteins and childhood asthma, thereby identifying potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: Based on publicly available genome-wide association study summary statistics, we employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteins and asthma. Mediation analysis was then conducted to evaluate the indirect influence of plasma proteins on childhood asthma mediated through risk factors. Comprehensive analysis was also conducted to explore the association between plasma proteins and various phenotypes using the UK Biobank dataset. RESULTS: MR analysis uncovered a causal relationship between 10 plasma proteins and childhood asthma. Elevated levels of seven proteins (TLR4, UBP25, CBR1, Rac GTPase-activating protein 1 [RGAP1], IL-21, MICB, and PDE4D) and decreased levels of three proteins (GSTO1, LIRB4 and PIGF) were associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma. Our findings further validated the connections between reported risk factors (body mass index, mood swings, hay fever or allergic rhinitis, and eczema or dermatitis) and childhood asthma. Mediation analysis revealed the influence of proteins on childhood asthma outcomes through risk factors. Furthermore, the MR analysis identified 73 plasma proteins that exhibited causal associations with at least one risk factor for childhood asthma. Among them, RGAP1 mediates a significant proportion (25.10%) of the risk of childhood asthma through eczema or dermatitis. Finally, a phenotype-wide association study based on these 10 proteins and 1403 diseases provided novel associations between these biomarkers and multiple phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Our study comprehensively investigated the causal relationship between plasma proteins and childhood asthma, providing novel insights into potential therapeutic targets.

Pre- and postpartum fear of childbirth and its predictors among rural women in China.

BACKGROUND: Fear of childbirth (FOC) can influence both maternal and child health. Research on FOC in China is scarce, especially on rural women. This study aimed to assess pre- and postpartum FOC and its predictors among Chinese rural women. METHODS: This was a prospective correlation study. A total of 569 women completed the prenatal questionnaire in the third trimester, and 477 of them completed the postpartum questionnaire within three days after childbirth. Maternal socio-demographic information, clinical information, childbirth self-efficacy and prenatal and postpartum FOC were investigated. FOC was evaluated using the Wijma Childbirth Expectancy/ Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ). Descriptive, bivariate, multivariate linear regression analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean pre- and postpartum FOC scores were 64.5 (standard deviation: 25.1) and 64.3 (standard deviation: 23.9), respectively, with 20.8% of women reporting severe fear before childbirth and 18.2% after childbirth. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed predictors for higher levels of prenatal FOC including higher education level, nullipara, higher monthly household income, lower family support, and lower childbirth self-efficacy (p < 0.05) and the predictors for higher levels of postpartum FOC included unemployed status, lower childbirth self-efficacy, and higher prenatal FOC (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression showed that higher childbirth self-efficacy reduced the likelihood of severe prenatal FOC (OR: 0.99, p < 0.001), while severe prenatal FOC increased the likelihood of severe postpartum FOC (OR: 3.57, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The rural women have high levels of FOC before and after childbirth, with approximately 20% experiencing severe FOC during both periods. Higher education level, nullipara, higher monthly household income, lower family support, and lower childbirth self-efficacy are predictors of heightened prenatal FOC. Unemployed status, lower childbirth self-efficacy, and higher prenatal FOC are predictors of heightened postpartum FOC. Notably, enhancing childbirth self-efficacy emerges as crucial in mitigating severe prenatal FOC, while severe prenatal FOC significantly increases the likelihood of severe postpartum FOC. The development of targeted intervention strategies for the above factors can help reduce women's FOC level and improve their overall pregnancy and childbirth experience.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrial fibrillation: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Background: In observational studies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is linked to atrial fibrillation (AF). It is uncertain whether the relationship is due to GERD-induced AF or GERD caused by AF, or confusion with factors related to GERD and AF such as obesity and sleep-disordered breathing. We applied bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR), in which genetic variations are used as instrumental variables to resolve confounding and reverse causation issues, to determine the causal effect between GERD and AF. Methods: Using summary data from the GERD and AF genome-wide association study (GWAS), a bidirectional MR was performed to estimate the causative impact of GERD on AF risk and AF on GERD risk. The GWAS of GERD meta-analysis comprised 78707 cases and 288734 controls. GWAS summary data for AF, including 45766 AF patients and 191924 controls, were used to genetically predicted AF. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the major MR approach used. MR-PRESSO was implemented to detect heterogeneity and correct the effect of outliers. Weighted median and MR-Egger regression were applied to test heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results: The genetic instruments of GERD related to increasing the risk of AF, with an OR of 1.339 (95% CI: 1.242-1.444, p < 0.001). However, after removing the outlier 8 SNPs, genetically predicted AF was not associated with an elevated risk of GERD (p = 0.351). Conclusions: Our result suggested that GERD had a causal effect on AF. However, no evidence was identified that AF elevated the risk of GERD.

Gene expression prognostic of early relapse risk in low-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children.

ETV6::RUNX1 is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and is associated with favorable outcomes, especially in low-risk children. However, as many as 10% of children relapse within 3 years, and such early relapses have poor survival. Identifying children at risk for early relapse is an important challenge. We interrogated data from 87 children with low-risk ETV6::RUNX1-positive B-cell ALL and with available preserved bone marrow samples (discovery cohort). We profiled somatic point mutations in a panel of 559 genes and genome-wide transcriptome and single-nucleotide variants. We found high TIMD4 expression (> 85th-percentile value) at diagnosis was the most important independent prognostic factor of early relapse (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.07 [1.76, 14.62]; p = 0.03). In an independent validation cohort of low-risk ETV6::RUNX1-positive B-cell ALL (N = 68) high TIMD4 expression at diagnosis had an HR = 4.78 [1.07, 21.36] (p = 0.04) for early relapse. In another validation cohort including 78 children with low-risk ETV6::RUNX1-negative B-cell ALL, high TIMD4 expression at diagnosis had an HR = 3.93 [1.31, 11.79] (p = 0.01). Our results suggest high TIMD4 expression at diagnosis in low-risk B-cell ALL in children might be associated with high risk for early relapse.

The associations of daytime napping and motoric cognitive risk syndrome: Findings from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

INTRODUCTION: Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), characterized by subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait in older populations, is associated with sleep duration. However, the association between MCR and daytime nap duration has not been thoroughly explored. METHODS: Baseline data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were used in this study. MCR was defined as the coexistence of subjective cognitive complaints and objective slow gait speed without a history of dementia or mobility disability. Daytime nap duration was categorized into four groups: no napping, short napping (<30 min), moderate napping (30-89 min) and extended napping (≥90 min). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the association of daytime napping duration and MCR. RESULTS: A total of 4230 individuals aged ≥60 were included in the current analysis, of which 463 were diagnosed with MCR. Moderate napping of 30-89 min per day was found to be significantly associated with lower odds of MCR compared with the reference group of no napping. In subgroup analysis, individuals with sleep durations of <7 h per night had lower odds of MCR in the model that adjusted for all potential confounders with ≥30 min daytime nap duration compared with no napping. Interestingly, for people with a night sleep duration of 7-8 h, only those with a moderate nap of 30-89 min had lower odds of MCR than non-nappers after adjustment for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: A moderate nap of 30-89 min could lower the odds of MCR, especially for older adults with a night sleep duration of ≤8 h.

Synergistic antibacterial and antifouling wound dressings: Integration of photothermal-activated no release and zwitterionic surface modification.

Addressing the pervasive issue of bacteria and biofilm infections is crucial in the development of advanced antifouling wound dressings. In this study, a novel wound healing treatment using sulfobetaine (SBMA) decorated electrospun fibrous membrane based on polycaprolactone (PCL)/nitric oxide (NO) donors was developed. The fabrication involved a dual strategy, first integrating NO donors into mesoporous polydopamine (MPDA) and complexed with PCL/PEI to electrospin nanofibers. The fibrous membrane exhibited a potent antibacterial response upon irradiation at 808 nm, owing to a combination of NO and photothermal effect that effectively targets bacteria and disrupts biofilms. Surface functionalization of the membrane with PEI allowed for the attachment of SBMA via Michael addition, fabricating a zwitterionic surface, which significantly hinders protein adsorption and reduces biofilm formation on the wound dressing. In vitro and in vivo assessments confirmed the rapid bactericidal capabilities and its efficacy in biofilm eradication. Combining photothermal activity, targeted NO release and antifouling surface, this multifaceted wound dressing addresses key challenges in bacterial infection management and biofilm eradication, promoting efficient wound healing.