Physical Activity Levels and Factors Affecting Them in Hospitalized Children With Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity promotes healthy physical and mental development in children with leukemia. However, the level of physical activity in hospitalized children with leukemia and the factors that influence it are unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to understand the physical activity level of hospitalized children with leukemia and to explore the factors influencing it to provide a reference for physical activity assessment and intervention in such children. METHODS: A total of 133 hospitalized children with leukemia completed a general information questionnaire, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Physical Activity Rating for Children and Youth, and the Children's Social Anxiety Scale. A cross-sectional study was used to explore the effects of different variables on the children's activity levels. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 44.4% had a low-intensity activity level, 35.3% had a moderate-intensity activity level, and 20.3% had a high-intensity activity level, with a total physical activity rating of 3 (1, 6). Chemotherapy phase (P = .007), screen time (P = .001), and social anxiety (P = .012) were identified as influential factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that children with hospitalized leukemia had lower-intensity physical activity levels, especially in the chemotherapy phase of induction remission. Furthermore, screen time and social anxiety had negative effects on the children's activity levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: According to the physical activity level of the children and the influencing factors, healthcare professionals should gradually improve children's mobility and promote their physical and mental health development through guidance and encouragement, and the development of personalized activity intervention programs.

Enrofloxacin hydrochloride toxicological effects on crucian carp reflected by serological changes and neurotoxicity.

Due to its water solubility and wide applicability, enrofloxacin hydrochloride (EH) may enter aquatic ecosystems and cause negative effects on aquatic organisms. This study aimed to explore toxicological effects via serological changes and neurotoxicity, which were induced by EH exposure in crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze). The drug residues in brain tissue and protein content in serum were determined to analyze serological changes. Alterations in brain tissue structure and function, cerebral microvessels permeability, and the expressions of gene and protein regarding blood-brain barrier (BBB) were studied to reflect the neurotoxicity. Employing a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, EH residues could be detected at various time-points throughout the experiment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that EH increased the levels of S100B, NSE and GFAP proteins in serum. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between serum S100B, NSE protein contents and EH residues (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed brain damage from EH exposure by the formation of vacuoles in brain glial cells, pyknosis of the nucleus, and a decrease in cell population density. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed morphological changes in microvessels and condensation of astrocyte nucleus. Evans blue (EB) permeability test visualized an obvious increase in cerebral microvessels leakage. The real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) results indicated that EH up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of S100B, NSE and GFAP, down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of P-gp, ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-5. The Western blot (WB) results demonstrated increased NSE and GFAP protein expressions, decreased P-gp and Occludin protein expressions following EH exposure in brain, in consistent with the gene expressions, respectively. In conclusion, these findings indicated that EH brought about marked rise in serum biomarker levels and disrupted the central nervous system (CNS) of crucian carp. These data would help elucidate the mechanism underlying EH-induced neurotoxicological effects.

Physicochemical Properties, Thermal Stability, and Pyrolysis Behavior of Antioxidative Lignin from Water Chestnut Shell Obtained with Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvents.

The molecular weight of lignin extracted from lignocellulosic biomass is an important factor in determining its valorization in industrial processes. Herein, this work aims to explore the extraction of high molecular weight and bioactive lignin from water chestnut shells under mild conditions. Five kinds of deep eutectic solvents were prepared and applied to isolate lignin from water chestnut shells. The extracted lignin was further characterized with element analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and Ultraviolet-visible and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The distribution of pyrolysis products was identified and quantified with thermogravimetric analysis-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry. The results showed that choline chloride/ethylene glycol/p-toluenesulfonic acid (1:1.8:0.2 molar ratio) exhibited the highest fractionation efficiency for lignin (84.17% yield) at 100 °C for 2 h. Simultaneously, the lignin showed high purity (90.4%), high relative molecular weight (37,077 g/mol), and excellent uniformity. Furthermore, the aromatic ring structure of lignin remained intact, consisting mainly of p-hydroxyphenyl, syringl, and guaiacyl subunits. The lignin generated a large number of volatile organic compounds during the depolymerization process, mainly composed of ketones, phenols, syringols, guaiacols, esters, and aromatic compounds. Finally, the antioxidant activity of the lignin sample was evaluated with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay; the lignin from water chestnut shells showed excellent antioxidant activity. These findings confirm that lignin from water chestnut shells has a broad application prospect in valuable chemicals, biofuels and bio-functional materials.

One-step fabrication of three-dimensional macropore copolymer-modified polycarbonate array by photo-crosslinking for protein immunoassay.

A photocross-linked copolymer was prepared, and could rapidly form a macropore structure in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) without the addition of porogen. The photo-crosslinking process contained the crosslinking of the copolymer itself and that with the polycarbonate substrate. The three-dimensional (3D) surface was achieved through one-step photo-crosslinking of the macropore structure. The macropore structure can be finely regulated by multiple dimensions, including monomer structure of the copolymer, PBS and copolymer concentration. Compared with the two-dimensional (2D) surface, the 3D surface has a controllable structure, a high loading capacity (59 µg cm-2) and immobilization efficiency (92%), and the effect of inhibiting the coffee ring for protein immobilization. Immunoassay results show that a 3D surface immobilized by IgG has high sensitivity (LOD value of 5 ng mL-1) and broader dynamic range (0.005-50 µg mL-1). This simple and structure-controllable method for preparing 3D surfaces modified by macropore polymer has great potential applications in the fields of biochips and biosensing.

Extraction and purification of grape seed polysaccharides using pH-switchable deep eutectic solvents-based three-phase partitioning.

T-butanol is widely used in three-phase partitioning (TPP), which is harmful to the environment. pH-switchable deep eutectic solvents (DESs) can be used as recyclable alternatives to t-butanol. This study aimed to construct DES-based TPP for extracting and purifying grape seed polysaccharides (GSP). The main influence factors were investigated in single-factor experiments. DES-1 (dodecanoic acid: octanoic acid = 1:1)-based extraction was screened, and the extraction yield reached the maximum of 98.04 mg/g under the optimal conditions. Furthermore, DES can be recycled, only suffering a small loss capacity in extraction yield after 25 cycles. Most importantly, the extractability of DES could be completely recovered after switching and regeneration. The molecular weight of obtained GSP was 60 kDa, and the main monosaccharides of GSP included mannose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. This study provides an efficient and sustainable method for the extraction of bioactive substances.

Phonological activation improves semantic access provided by Arabic digits and number words.

Arabic digits (e.g., "6") and number words (e.g., "", "six", " ") are the two main formats in which numbers can be represented. Although phonology plays a crucial role in the semantic accessing of alphabetic words and Chinese characters, whether it is involved in the processing of different numerical notations, which have been shown to be dissociable from characters, is still unknown. Using a parity judgment task, two experiments were performed by manipulating the phonological relationship between a prime and a target. The primes were Tibetan or Chinese characters and the targets were presented either as number words (Experiment 1) or as Arabic digits (Experiment 2). The results revealed that phonology affected semantic access for both number words and Arabic digits. Additionally, semantic access for Tibetan number words was more susceptible to phonological information. The results for Arabic digits followed the same pattern for Tibetan primes. Further, language proficiency also affected the role of phonology in number processing. Participants with low language proficiency relied more on phonological encoding when processing the numbers. The results suggest that phonology is crucial for semantic access of different numerical notations.

Metabolism and residue differences of Enrofloxacin between the brain and peripheral tissues and the resulting brain damages in crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze).

This study aimed to explore the metabolism and residue differences of Enrofloxacin (ENR) at two doses between the brain and peripheral tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) along with the brain damages caused by ENR in crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze). The concentrations of ENR in tissues were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Relying on the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method, brain damages caused by the drug were evaluated by the section of pathological tissue. Metabolism and residue results showed that ENR could be detected in the brain throughout the experiment both at median lethal dose (LD50 at 96 h, 1949.84 mg/kg) and safe dose (SD, 194.98 mg/kg), as well as in the three peripheral tissues. The maximum residue at LD50 followed the decreasing order of liver >kidney > brain > muscle. Although the Cmax of ENR at SD in the brain was significantly lower than that in other peripheral tissues (p < .05), it still reached 41.91 µg/g. The T1/2 of ENR in brain tissue at the same dose was both shorter than that in peripheral tissues. At LD50 , the amount of ENR residues in brain was lower than that in peripheral tissues on the whole, except that it had been higher than in the muscle for the first 3 h. At SD, the drug residue in brain tissue was lower than that in peripheral tissues from 12 h to 960 h, but it exceeded the muscle and kidney at 1 h and 6 h, respectively. At 960 h, the residual amount of ENR at SD in the brain was 0.09 µg/g, while it was up to 0.15 µg/g following the oral administration at LD50 . Demonstrated by the HE staining, there were pathological lesions caused by ENR in the brain at LD50 , which were characterized by sparse neural network and increased staining of glial cells. The present results indicated that metabolism and residue of ENR in crucian carp were affected by the tissue type and drug dosage, and the ENR could also bring about histopathological changes in the brain.

The impact of parental overprotection on the emotions and behaviors of pediatric hematologic cancer patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Parental overprotection may have an impact on children's emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs). As pediatric hematologic cancer patients have compromised immune systems, parents of such children often worry excessively, interfering with their daily lives. Therefore, avoiding overprotection is crucial for the overall physical and mental health of pediatric hematologic cancer patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the current status of EBPs in pediatric hematologic cancer patients and analyze their associated risk factors. Design: This work was a multicenter cross-sectional observational and correlational study. We collected data anonymously through parental questionnaires from three pediatric hematologic oncology hospitals in China. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parental Overprotection Measure (POM) scale, and a general information survey designed by the research team were employed to assess children's EBPs, the degree of parental overprotection, as well as basic demographic and disease-related information. Chi-square tests and generalized linear mixed-effects regression analysis were used to analyze the factors influencing EBPs among the pediatric hematologic cancer patients. Setting and participants: Using a convenience sampling method, a total of 202 participants' parents were selected. All participants were invited to complete the questionnaire through one-on-one guidance. Results: Emotional symptoms accounted for the highest proportion of abnormal EBPs in children (27.72%), followed by peer problems (26.24%), prosocial behavior (25.74%), behavioral problems (14.36%), and total difficulties (13.86%). A minority of children had abnormal hyperactivity scores (4.95%). The results of a generalized linear mixed regression analysis showed that age, duration of illness, and parental overprotection were significant factors influencing abnormal EBPs in children (p < 0.05). A POM score threshold of 37 exhibited good sensitivity (74%) and specificity (90%) in predicting abnormal EBPs in children. Conclusion: Pediatric hematologic cancer patients under excessive parental protection are more prone to experiencing EBPs. Healthcare professionals should guide parents to reduce this excessive protection, thus mitigating the occurrence of EBPs in children.

Study on eye movement characteristics and intervention of basketball shooting skill.

Background: The shooting aiming point is very important in basketball because it may affect the field goal percentage (FG%). The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of shooting aiming point practice on FG% and to search for new training methods for shooting improvement in basketball. Methods: A total of 24 expert basketball players and 24 amateur basketball players participated in the shooting task of Experiment 1. The participants in the two groups wore an eye movement instrument while shooting the ball. The shooting techniques included free throws, 45° direct shots and 45° bank shots to verify the differences in shooting aiming points between expert basketball players and amateur basketball players. Forty-eight amateur basketball players participated in the teaching experiment of Experiment 2. Twenty-four participants participated in routine teaching, and 24 participants had shooting aiming point practice for nine weeks to verify the difference in FG% between the two groups. The shooting aiming points of the participants were assessed immediately after shooting. Results: Experiment 1 found that expert basketball players used shorter fixation duration, fewer fixation numbers and more reasonable (simple and efficient) fixation distributions than amateur players. Moreover, expert basketball players took the front edge of the hoop as the aiming point, and amateur players took the central or back edge of the hoop as the aiming point; the FG% of the expert group (83.47%) was significantly higher than that of the amateur group (34.86%) (P < 0.01). Experiment 2 found that for the total FG% of the three tests, the intervention group (30.19%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (27.27%) (P < 0.05). After five weeks of aiming point training, it can be found that was no significant difference in the FG% between the intervention group (28.19%) and the control group (26.53%) (P > 0.05). After 9 weeks of shooting aiming point training, the FG% of the intervention group (36.39%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (30.14%) (P < 0.05), and the FG% of the intervention group increased faster than that of the control group. Additionally, the aiming point of the intervention players changed from the center and back edge of the hoop to the front. Conclusion: (1) There was a correlation between basketball shooting aiming point and FG%. FG% with the front edge of the hoop as the aiming point was higher than the back edge hoop or center. (2) The FG% could be more quickly improved by shooting aiming point practice; it will not be affected in a short time (5 weeks); however, 9 weeks of practice can significantly improve the FG%.

Blood-brain barrier permeability to enrofloxacin in Pengze crucian carp (Carassius auratus var. Pengze).

BACKGROUND: Enrofloxacin (ENR) is a kind of quinolone antibiotic that is most widely used antimicrobials in veterinary practice, and possesses both a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against a range of bacteria and adverse effects towards plants and animals. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to explore the permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) to ENR and brain injury based on crucian carp orally administrated with high dose of ENR. METHODS: Juvenile Pengze crucian carp were treated with half lethal dose (LD50 ) or safe dose (SD50 ) of ENR. BBB permeability was determined by evaluating ENR contents detected by HPLC and evens blue contents estimated by confocal laser scanning microscope. Brain damage was evaluated by measuring protein and mRNA contents of related molecules with western blotting and qPCR. RESULTS: Data indicated that ENR destroyed BBB structure of crucian carp and enhanced permeability of the biological barrier, resulting in more ENR crossed BBB and induced brain damage of crucian carp. CONCLUSIONS: This data indicated that ENR can induce brain damage of crucian carp through destroying BBB structure and enhancing permeability.

Channel Function of Polycystin-2 in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Protects against Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mutations of PKD2, which encodes polycystin-2, cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The prevailing view is that defects in polycystin-2-mediated calcium ion influx in the primary cilia play a central role in the pathogenesis of cyst growth. However, polycystin-2 is predominantly expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and more permeable to potassium ions than to calcium ions. METHODS: The trimeric intracellular cation (TRIC) channel TRIC-B is an ER-resident potassium channel that mediates potassium-calcium counterion exchange for inositol trisphosphate-mediated calcium ion release. Using TRIC-B as a tool, we examined the function of ER-localized polycystin-2 and its role in ADPKD pathogenesis in cultured cells, zebrafish, and mouse models. RESULTS: Agonist-induced ER calcium ion release was defective in cells lacking polycystin-2 and reversed by exogenous expression of TRIC-B. Vice versa, exogenous polycystin-2 reversed an ER calcium-release defect in cells lacking TRIC-B. In a zebrafish model, expression of wild-type but not nonfunctional TRIC-B suppressed polycystin-2-deficient phenotypes. Similarly, these phenotypes were suppressed by targeting the ROMK potassium channel (normally expressed on the cell surface) to the ER. In cultured cells and polycystin-2-deficient zebrafish phenotypes, polycystin-2 remained capable of reversing the ER calcium release defect even when it was not present in the cilia. Transgenic expression of Tric-b ameliorated cystogenesis in the kidneys of conditional Pkd2-inactivated mice, whereas Tric-b deletion enhanced cystogenesis in Pkd2-heterozygous kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: Polycystin-2 in the ER appears to be critical for anticystogenesis and likely functions as a potassium ion channel to facilitate potassium-calcium counterion exchange for inositol trisphosphate-mediated calcium release. The results advance the understanding of ADPKD pathogenesis and provides proof of principle for pharmacotherapy by TRIC-B activators.

Factors of Parents-Reported Readiness for Hospital Discharge in Children with Acute Leukemia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the existing status and to explore the influencing factors of parents-reported readiness for hospital discharge in children with acute leukemia (AL) in China and to propose optimizing pathways and recommendations of discharge readiness for clinical reference. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for the 122 children with AL who were discharged from the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University; their parents were investigated by using the modified Chinese version of Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). Data were collected between September 2020 and May 2021.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to explore the influencing factors of readiness for hospital discharge. Results: The 122 children with AL included 52 females and 70 males with mean age 6.08 years. The total RHDS score was 7.7 ± 1.2, and 68.9% of the participants had high readiness for hospital discharge (RHDS score >7). The total QDTS score was 7.6 ± 2.0. Parent marital status (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.31-18.05), education status (OR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.18-12.55), family per capita monthly income (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-2.99), and high QDTS (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11-2.68) were risk factors for high RHDS. Conclusions: Our data suggest parents of children with AL had high readiness for hospital discharge and had the ability to take care of their children after discharge. Parental marital status, education status, QDTS score, and family per capita monthly income were independently associated with high RHDS.

O2 -Assisted Four-Component Reaction of Vinyl Magnesium Bromide with Chiral N-tert-Butanesulfinyl Imines To Form syn-1,3-Amino Alcohols.

An O2 -assisted, four-component reaction has been developed to synthesize a wide range of syn-1,3-amino alcohols in one step. The reaction proceeds by oxygenation of vinyl magnesium bromide (component-I) with O2 (component-II) to give a magnesium enolate of acetaldehyde, which undergoes addition to a chiral N-tert-butanesulfinyl imine (component-III) followed by a sequential addition with excess vinyl magnesium bromide (component-IV). The approach allows diastereoselective synthesis of anti/syn- and syn/syn-3-amino-1,5-diols in good yields with high diastereoselectivity. The method was illustrated in an efficient, four-step synthesis of piperidine alkaloid (-)-2'-epi-ethylnorlobelol.

Genome-based development of 15 microsatellite markers in fluorescent multiplexes for parentage testing in captive tigers.

As one of the most endangered species, tiger (Panthera tigris) inbreeding has become an urgent issue to address. Using a microsatellite (short tandem repeat, STR) identification system, paternity testing may be helpful to avoid inbreeding in captive breeding programs. In this study, we developed a genome-based identification system named tiger pedigree identification multiplex system (TPI-plex). By analyzing the entire tiger genome, 139,967 STR loci were identified and 12.76% of these displayed three to six alleles among three re-sequenced individual tiger genomes. A total of 204 candidate STRs were identified and screened with a reference population containing 31 unrelated captive tigers. Of these, 15 loci were chosen for inclusion in the multiplex panel. The mean allele number and mean expected heterozygosity (He) were 7.3333 and 0.7789, respectively. The cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) and total probability of discrimination power (TDP) reached 0.999999472 and 0.999999999999995, respectively. The results showed that the TPI-plex system can be applied in routine pedigree identification for captive tigers. We also added a sex identification marker named TAMEL into the TPI-plex for sex determination.

Altered Intestinal Microbiota Composition Associated with Enteritis in Yellow Seahorses Hippocampus kuda (Bleeker, 1852).

Enteritis comprises one of the most common diseases affecting the survival of farmed yellow seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), an important economic fish species cultured worldwide. Although there are several studies describing bacteria associated with seahorse, the microbial alternations associated with enteritis in seahorse has not been extensively investigated. In the present study, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal microbiota of seahorse suffering from enteritis. The results showed that the diversity, structure, and function of intestinal microbiota were significantly different between healthy and diseased seahorse. Particularly, significant increase was observed in Brevinema, Mycobacterium, and Vibrio, as well as significant decrease in Psychrobacter, Bacillus, and Shewanella in diseased seahorse (P < 0.05). In addition, PICRUSt predictions revealed that the intestinal microbiota significantly changed the specific metabolic pathways (related to metabolic diseases, replication and repair, transport and catabolism, infectious diseases and immune system) in diseased seahorse (P < 0.05). Altogether, our findings point out the association between changes of the intestinal microbiota and enteritis in seahorse, which provide basic information useful for optimization of breeding regimes and improvements in the health of this endangered species in captivity.

TMEM16B determines cholecystokinin sensitivity of intestinal vagal afferents of nodose neurons.

The satiety effects and metabolic actions of cholecystokinin (CCK) have been recognized as potential therapeutic targets in obesity for decades. We identified a potentially novel Ca2+-activated chloride (Cl-) current (CaCC) that is induced by CCK in intestinal vagal afferents of nodose neurons. The CaCC subunit Anoctamin 2 (Ano2/TMEM16B) is the dominant contributor to this current. Its expression is reduced, as is CCK current activity in obese mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Reduced expression of TMEM16B in the heterozygote KO of the channel in sensory neurons results in an obese phenotype with a loss of CCK sensitivity in intestinal nodose neurons, a loss of CCK-induced satiety, and metabolic changes, including decreased energy expenditure. The effect on energy expenditure is further supported by evidence in rats showing that CCK enhances sympathetic nerve activity and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, and these effects are abrogated by a HFD and vagotomy. Our findings reveal that Ano2/TMEM16B is a Ca2+-activated chloride channel in vagal afferents of nodose neurons and a major determinant of CCK-induced satiety, body weight control, and energy expenditure, making it a potential therapeutic target in obesity.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Reaction of Silacyclobutanes with Unactivated Alkynes to Afford Silacyclohexenes.

A Rh-catalyzed reaction of silacyclobutanes (SCBs) with unactivated alkynes has been developed to form silacyclohexenes with high chemoselectivity. Good enantioselectivity at the stereogenic silicon center was achieved using a chiral phosphoramidite ligand. The resulting silacyclohexenes are useful scaffolds for synthesizing structurally attractive silacyclic compounds.

Development of self-stratified antibacterial polymers via click chemistry.

An azide-modified long perfluorinated tail quaternary ammonium methacrylate compound (M2) was designed and synthesized. The fluorine containing polyurethane (PU-F) with strong antibacterial properties was prepared via click reaction of M2 and a clickable polymer (PU-Al), which exhibited surface segregation. The PU-F film showed a total kill against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) at an M2 content around 1 wt%. A disk diffusion test confirmed that the ligation efficiency of the antibacterial agents and polymer chains via click chemistry was excellent, and covalent conjugation of the QACs to the polymers prevented leaching.

Association of overweight and obesity with exercise and school surrounding environment among primary school students in Lanzhou / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze correlation between overweight and obesity among primary school students in Lanzhou with exercise and environmental factors around schools, and to provide a reference for reducing the overweigh and obesity rate of students.@*Methods@#Using cluster random sampling method, a total of 3 600 pupils from grade 4 to grade 6 in 8 primary schools in 4 districts of Lanzhou were investigated. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between overweight and obesity, exercise and environmental factors surrounding schools.@*Results@#The overweight rate was 13.8% (18.0% for boys and 9.5% for girls) and the obesity rate was 10.8%(11.7% for boys and 9.8% for girls), there was statistical significance in the differences of overweight rate between genders(χ2=55.10, P<0.01). There was no statistical significance in the differences of obesity rate between genders(χ2=3.39, P=0.07). The primary environmental factors causing overweight and obesity among boys included number of Internet cafes(OR=1.81), while for girls it was number of fast food restaurants(OR=2.39).@*Conclusion@#Too many Internet cafes and fast food restaurants surrounding school associates with higher risk of obesity among students. Public health interventions should be implemented targeting surrounding environment of schools, which might help reducing the occurrence of overweight and obesity in primary school students.

The volume-regulated anion channel (LRRC8) in nodose neurons is sensitive to acidic pH.

The leucine rich repeat containing protein 8A (LRRC8A), or SWELL1, is an essential component of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) that is activated by cell swelling and ionic strength. We report here for the first time to our knowledge its expression in a primary cell culture of nodose ganglia neurons and its localization in the soma, neurites, and neuronal membrane. We show that this neuronal VRAC/SWELL1 senses low external pH (pHo) in addition to hypoosmolarity. A robust sustained chloride current is seen in 77% of isolated nodose neurons following brief exposures to extracellular acid pH. Its activation involves proton efflux, intracellular alkalinity, and an increase in NOX-derived H2O2. The molecular identity of both the hypoosmolarity-induced and acid pHo-conditioned VRAC as LRRC8A (SWELL1) was confirmed by Cre-flox-mediated KO, shRNA-mediated knockdown, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated LRRC8A deletion in HEK cells and in primary nodose neuronal cultures. Activation of VRAC by low pHo reduces neuronal injury during simulated ischemia and N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced (NMDA-induced) apoptosis. These results identify the VRAC (LRRC8A) as a dual sensor of hypoosmolarity and low pHo in vagal afferent neurons and define the mechanisms of its activation and its neuroprotective potential.