Does Upward Social Comparison on SNS Inspire Adolescent Materialism? Focusing on the Role of Self-Esteem and Mindfulness.

The present study tested the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of mindfulness in the association between upward social comparison on social network sites (SNSs) and adolescent materialism. A sample of 880 Chinese adolescents completed measures of upward social comparison on SNSs, materialism, self-esteem, mindfulness, and demographic information. Results showed that self-esteem mediated the link between upward social comparison on SNSs and adolescent materialism. That is, upward social comparison on SNSs was positively associated with adolescent materialism through the decreased self-esteem. Moreover, mindfulness acted as an important moderator in the mediation model. Both the direct association between upward social comparison on SNSs and materialism and the indirect association via self-esteem were moderated by mindfulness. These two associations were both weaker for adolescents with higher mindfulness than for those with lower mindfulness. These findings would advance our understanding of how and when upward social comparison on SNSs is associated with adolescent materialism. Limitations and implications of the present study are discussed.

[Temporal-Spatial Characteristics and Variability in Aerosol Optical Depth over China During 2001-2017].

Based on the latest monthly data of moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Terra C6.1 aerosol optical depth (AOD), the temporal-spatial distribution and variability trend in AOD over China during 2001-2017 are analyzed to explore the distribution and variation characteristics of AOD in China. Regarding the spatial characteristics, the first prominent high-value center of the annual mean AOD was located in the industrially and economically developed areas of the North China Plain, Central China, the Yangtze River Delta region, the Pearl River Delta region, and the Sichuan Basin. The second prominent high-value center of the annual mean AOD was located in the dust aerosol-dominated areas of Taklimakan Desert. Two low-value centers of the annual mean AOD were located in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia to the north of Northeast China and the Tibet Plateau. Regarding the temporal characteristics, the AOD value peaked in eight areas in spring and summer. The annual mean AOD values in the Taklimakan Desert, Sichuan Basin, and Pearl River Delta peaked from March to May, and those in the North China Plain, Central China, and Yangtze River Delta peaked from May to July. The trend characteristics showed that during 2001-2006, the AOD in Northwest China and Inner Mongolia showed a downtrend, and that in the east-central China and the eastern part of southwest China showed a growth trend. During 2007-2012, the trend of AOD in the Tibetan Plateau and the Taklimakan Desert changed from decreasing to increasing. The growth trend of AOD in the North China Plain and the Sichuan Basin was weakened, and the AOD in the Yangtze River Delta showed a weak downward trend. During 2013-2017, the AOD in most areas of China showed a significant downward trend.

[Expressions of immunogenic molecules in low-dose radiotherapy-treated human renal clear cell carcinoma 786-0 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of low-dose radiation on the expression of immunogenic membrane molecules calreticulin (CRT) and MHC-I/II on the surface of human renal clear cell carcinoma 786-0 cells. METHODS: The inhibitory activity of low-dose radiation on cell line 786-0 was examined by CCK-8 assay. And the post-radiation membrane expressions of CRT, MHC-I and MHC-II were measured by flow cytometry while CRT was visualized by immunofluorescence photography. RESULTS: The inhibition rates on the proliferative capacities of four 786-0 cell lines rose with the incremental radiation doses of 0, 6, 12 and 24 Gy. And the CRT expression levels of each experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). Along with incremental doses of irradiation, the average calreticulin fluorescence intensities increased gradually initially and then there was a downward trend. The membrane expressions of MHC-I and MHC-II of each experimental group was significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). As the irradiation dose increased, the average MHC-I fluorescence intensities increased gradually in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The low-dose radiotherapy may up-regulate CRT and MHC class I/II related with the immunogenicity of tumor cells to induce immune response against tumors.

Effective adoptive transfer of haploidentical tumor-specific T cells in B16-melanoma bearing mice.

BACKGROUND: Adoptive transfer of allogeneic tumor-specific T cells often results in severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here, we sought to maximize graft-versus-tumor and minimize GVHD by using haploidentical T cells in pre-irradiated B16-melanoma bearing mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice bearing B16-melanoma tumors were irradiated with 0, 5, or 7 Gy total body irradiation (TBI), or 7 Gy TBI plus bone marrow transplantation. Tumor areas were measured every 3 days to assess the influence of irradiation treatment on tumor regression. B16-melanoma bearing mice were irradiated with 7 Gy TBI; sera and spleens were harvested at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 after irradiation. White blood cell levels were measured and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-b1) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry were performed to test TGF-b1, IL-10 and Foxp3 mRNA levels and the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in spleens. B16-melanoma bearing C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 7 Gy TBI followed by syngeneic (Syn1/Syn2) or haploidentical (Hap1/Hap2), dendritic cell-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (DC-CTLs) treatment, tumor areas and system GVHD were observed every 3 days. Mice were killed 21 days after the DC-CTLs adoptive transfer; histologic analyses of eyes, skin, liver, lungs, and intestine were then performed. RESULTS: Irradiation with 7 Gy TBI on the B16-melanoma-bearing mice did not influence tumor regression compared to the control group; however, it down-regulated the proportion of Tregs in spleens and the TGF-b1 and IL-10 levels in sera and spleens, suggesting inhibition of autoimmunity and intervention of tumor microenvironment. Adoptive transfer of haploidentical DC-CTLs significantly inhibited B16-melanoma growth. GVHD assessment and histology analysis showed no significant difference among the groups. CONCLUSION: Adoptive transfer of haploidentical tumor-specific T cells in irradiation-pretreated B16-melanoma bearing mice preserved antitumor capacity without causing a GVHD response.

[Expression of SM22α and its relationship with lymph node metastasis in breast cancer].

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the relationship between the expression of SM22α and the lymph node (LN) metastasis of breast cancer and to investigate its molecular mechanisms. METHODS: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of SM22α in breast cancer tissue and adjacent normal breast tissue. RT-PCR and Western blot were employed to investigate the SM22α mRNA and protein level in tissues of breast fibroadenoma, breast cancer without LN metastasis and breast cancer with LN metastasis. RT-PCR and zymography were used to detect the MMP2 and MMP9 expression and activity and TIMP1 expression level in breast fibroadenoma, breast cancer samples without LN metastasis and those with LN metastasis respectively. RESULTS: the expression level of SM22α mRNA in breast cancer was significantly lower than that in breast fibroadenoma or adjacent normal breast tissue (5.1% ± 2.4% vs 15.1% ± 5.3% vs 30.1% ± 5.1%, P < 0.01). The protein and mRNA expression level of SM22α in breast cancer samples with LN metastasis were significant lower than those of breast cancer without LN metastasis (6.2% ± 3.1% vs 10.1% ± 4.1%, P < 0.01). Both the expression and activity of MMP2 and MMP9 in breast cancer samples with LN metastasis were significant higher than those without LN metastasis (P < 0.01). A strong negative correlation was found between SM22α protein level and MMP2 activity (r = -0.848; n = 27; P < 0.01) or MMP9 activity (r = -0.916; n = 27; P < 0.01) in breast cancer tissue. CONCLUSION: a down-regulation of SM22α in breast cancer is correlated with LN metastasis. SM22α may inhibit the LN metastasis through a negative regulation of MMP2 and MMP9 in breast cancer.