Characterization and discrimination of lamb with different breeds and muscle types using precursors and volatile compounds.

The unique aromas of mutton stem from the chemical reactions between the characteristic precursors during cooking. This study aimed to establish the relationship of volatile compounds and aroma precursors (protein, fat, free amino acids and fatty acids) in lamb from different breeds and muscle types. Hong lamb was characterized by greater tenderness and water holding capacity, higher polyunsaturated fatty acids and higher essential/non-essential amino acids in comparison with Hu lamb. Aldehydes, such as heptanal, hexanal, octanal and nonanal were higher in Hong-ST compared with Hu-ST. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that aroma precursors were closely related to volatile components of cooked lamb. Discriminant analysis results showed that precursors and volatile compounds could be used to identify the breeds and muscle types of lamb. These findings revealed the contributors of lamb aroma and might help understand the regulatory mechanism of aroma in lamb from different breeds and muscle types.

Different machine learning methods based on maxillary sinus in sex estimation for northwestern Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Sex estimation is a critical aspect of forensic expertise. Some special anatomical structures, such as the maxillary sinus, can still maintain integrity in harsh environmental conditions and may be served as a basis for sex estimation. Due to the complex nature of sex estimation, several studies have been conducted using different machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of sex prediction from anatomical measurements. MATERIAL & METHODS: In this study, linear data of the maxillary sinus in the population of northwest China by using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) were collected and utilized to develop logistic, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) models for sex estimation with R 4.3.1. CBCT images from 477 samples of Han population (75 males and 81 females, aged 5-17 years; 162 males and 159 females, aged 18-72) were used to establish and verify the model. Length (MSL), width (MSW), height (MSH) of both the left and right maxillary sinuses and distance of lateral wall between two maxillary sinuses (distance) were measured. 80% of the data were randomly picked as the training set and others were testing set. Besides, these samples were grouped by age bracket and fitted models as an attempt. RESULTS: Overall, the accuracy of the sex estimation for individuals over 18 years old on the testing set was 77.78%, with a slightly higher accuracy rate for males at 78.12% compared to females at 77.42%. However, accuracy of sex estimation for individuals under 18 was challenging. In comparison to logistic, KNN and SVM, RF exhibited higher accuracy rates. Moreover, incorporating age as a variable improved the accuracy of sex estimation, particularly in the 18-27 age group, where the accuracy rate increased to 88.46%. Meanwhile, all variables showed a linear correlation with age. CONCLUSION: The linear measurements of the maxillary sinus could be a valuable tool for sex estimation in individuals aged 18 and over. A robust RF model has been developed for sex estimation within the Han population residing in the northwestern region of China. The accuracy of sex estimation could be higher when age is used as a predictive variable.

Characterization of Key Aroma Compounds and Main Contributing Amino Acids in Hot-Pressed Oil Prepared from Various Peanut Varieties.

The production of peanut oil in the industrial sector necessitates the utilization of diverse raw materials to generate consistent batches with stable flavor profiles, thereby leading to an increased focus on understanding the correlation between raw materials and flavor characteristics. In this study, sensory evaluations, headspace solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), odor activity value (OAV) calculations, and correlation analysis were employed to investigate the flavors and main contributing amino acids of hot-pressed oils derived from different peanut varieties. The results confirmed that the levels of alcohols, aldehydes, and heterocyclic compounds in peanut oil varied among nine different peanut varieties under identical processing conditions. The OAVs of 25 key aroma compounds, such as methylthiol, 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and 2,3-glutarone, exceeded a value of 1. The sensory evaluations and flavor content analysis demonstrated that pyrazines significantly influenced the flavor profile of the peanut oil. The concentrations of 11 amino acids showed a strong correlation with the levels of pyrazines. Notably, phenylalanine, lysine, glutamic acid, arginine, and isoleucine demonstrated significant associations with both pyrazine and nut flavors. These findings will provide valuable insights for enhancing the sensory attributes of peanut oil and selecting optimal raw peanuts for its production.

Labor linkages and flow paths of industry in China.

As economic power increases and market patterns adapt, labor becomes an increasingly significant factor of production. However, there is a dearth of discourse regarding the structural changes that have occurred in the correlation of the labor force across industries, as well as a visual representation of the labor force's movement across industries. To quantify and analyze the correlation effect with greater precision, it is necessary to establish an input-output model as the foundation of analysis, comparing the changes in the total output of the economic system prior to and subsequent to the exclusion using the vertical integration algorithm. By decomposing the path structure, the average propagation distance of the labor force population's demand for each industry can be determined. By employing labor force population data from the corresponding years and China's input-output tables published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) from 2005 to 2020, this study conducts a quantitative analysis of the correlation effect between labor force population and the trend of its transfer across 19 industries. The findings indicate that the correlation effect between labor force and population is most pronounced in the manufacturing sector. Furthermore, the construction sector faces an especially critical requirement for labor force personnel from other industries. The article culminates with a recommendation that the government enhance its macro-control endeavors to address labor market risk shocks and take an active stance in response to labor market fluctuations.

Ottowia cancrivicina sp. nov., isolated from human stomach.

A Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated 10c7w1T, was isolated from a human gastrointestinal tract. Colonies on agar plates were small, circular, smooth and beige. The optimal growth conditions were determined to be 37 °C, pH 7.0-7.5 and 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Comparative analysis of complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 10c7w1T showed the highest sequence similarity of 95.8 % to Ottowia beijingensis MCCC 1A01410T, followed by Ottowia thiooxydans (95.2 %) JCM 11629T. The average amino acid identity values between 10c7w1T and O. beijingensis MCCC 1A01410T and O. thiooxydans JCM 11629T were above 60 % (71.4 and 69.5 %). The average nucleotide identity values between strain 10c7w1T and O. beijingensis MCCC 1A01410T and O. thiooxydans JCM 11629T were 76.9 and 72.5 %, respectively. The dominant fatty acids (≥10 %) were straight chain ones, with summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 00 being the most abundant. Q-8 was the only respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids of strain 10c7w1T were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 10c7w1T was 63.6 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain 10c7w1T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Ottowia, for which the name Ottowia cancrivicina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10c7w1T (=MCCC 1H01399T=KCTC 92200T).

Effect of Haoqin Qingdan Tang on influenza A virus through the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Influenza, a viral respiratory illness, leads to seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Given the rising resistance and adverse reactions associated with anti-influenza drugs, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emerges as a promising approach to counteract the influenza virus. Specifically, Haoqin Qingdan Tang (HQQDT), a TCM formula, has been employed as an adjuvant treatment for influenza in China. However, the active compounds and underlying mechanisms of HQQDT remain unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate HQQDT's antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities in both in vivo and in vitro, and further reveal its active ingredients and mechanism. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to verify the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of HQQDT. Subsequently, the active ingredients and mechanism of HQQDT were explored through combining high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis and network pharmacology. Finally, the examinations of cell cytokines and signaling pathways aimed to elucidate the predicted mechanisms. RESULTS: The results indicated that HQQDT exhibited inhibitory effects on influenza viruses A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), A/HK/1/68 (H3N2), and A/California/4/2009 (H1N1) in vitro. Furthermore, HQQDT enhanced the survival rate of influenza-infected mice, reduced the lung index and lung virus titer, and mitigated lung tissue damage in vivo. The proinflammatory cytokine expression levels upon influenza virus infection in PR8-induced A549 cells or mice were suppressed by HQQDT, including IL-6, IL-1ß, CCL2, CCL4, IP-10, interferon ß1 (IFN-ß1), the interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and hemagglutinin (HA). Twenty-two active components of HQQDT against influenza were identified using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis. Based on network pharmacological predictions, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway is considered the most relevant for HQQDT's action against influenza. Finally, western blot assays revealed that HQQDT regulated the protein level of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in PR8-infected A549 cells and lung tissue. CONCLUSION: These findings verified the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of HQQDT through JAK-STAT signaling pathway in influenza infections, laying the foundation for its further development.

Temperature effects on plasmalogen profile and quality characteristics in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) during depuration.

The quality of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) can be affected by many factors during depuration, in which temperature is the major element. In this study, we aim to determine the quality and plasmalogen changes in C. gigas depurated at different temperatures. The quality was significantly affected by temperature, represented by varying survival rate, glycogen content, total antioxidant capacity, alkaline phosphatase activity between control and stressed groups. Targeted MS analysis demonstrated that plasmalogen profile was significantly changed during depuration with PUFA-containing plasmalogen species being most affected by temperature. Proteomics analysis and gene expression assay further verified that plasmalogen metabolism is regulated by temperature, specifically, the plasmalogen synthesis enzyme EPT1 was significantly downregulated by high temperature and four plasmalogen-related genes (GPDH, PEDS, Pex11, and PLD1) were transcriptionally regulated. The positive correlations between the plasmalogen level and quality characteristics suggested plasmalogen could be regarded as a quality indicator of oysters during depuration.

Unanticipated mid-flight external trunk perturbation increased frontal plane ACL loading variables during sidestep cuttings.

Unanticipated trunk perturbation is commonly observed when anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur during direction-changing manoeuvres. This study aimed to quantify the effect of mid-flight medial-lateral external trunk perturbation directions/locations on ACL loading variables during sidestep cuttings. Thirty-two recreational athletes performed sidestep cuttings under combinations of three perturbation directions (no-perturbation, ipsilateral-perturbation, and contralateral-perturbation relative to the cutting leg) and two perturbation locations (upper-trunk versus lower-trunk). The pushing perturbation was created by customised devices releasing a slam ball to contact participants near maximum jump height prior to cutting. Perturbation generally resulted in greater peak vertical ground reaction force and slower cutting velocity. Upper-trunk contralateral perturbation showed the greatest lateral trunk bending away from the travel direction, greatest peak knee flexion and abduction angles, and greatest peak internal knee adduction moments compared to other conditions. Such increased ACL loading variables were likely due to the increased lateral trunk bending and whole-body horizontal velocity away from the cutting direction caused by the contralateral perturbation act at the upper trunk. The findings may help understand the mechanisms of indirect contact ACL injuries and develop effective cutting techniques for ACL injury prevention.

Revealing the synergistic effect of Ni single atoms and adjacent 3d metal doped Ni nanoparticles in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Herein, we report the successful fabrication of a series of transition metal doped Ni nanoparticles (NPs) coordinated with Ni single atoms in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (denoted as Ni1+NPsM-NCNTs, M = Mn, Fe, Co, Cu and Zn; Ni1 = Ni single atom). X-ray absorption fine structure reveals the coexistence of Ni single atoms with Ni-N4 coordination and NiM NPs. When applied for electrocatalytic CO2RR, the Ni1+NPsM-NCNT compounds show the Faradaic efficiency of CO (FECO) with a volcano-like tendency of Mn < Fe ≈ Co < Zn < Cu, in which the Ni1+NPsCu-NCNT exhibits the highest FECO of 96.92%, a current density of 171.25 mA cm-2 and a sustainable stability over 24 hours at a current density of 100 mA cm-2, outperforming most reported examples in the literature. Detailed experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that for Ni1+NPsCu-NCNTs, the electron transfer from NiCu NPs to Ni single atoms strengthens the adsorption of *COOH intermediates. Moreover, the d-band center of Ni-N in Ni1+NPsCu-NCNT is upshifted, providing stronger binding with the reaction intermediates of *COOH, whereas the NiCu NPs increase the Gibbs free energy change of the Volmer step, suppressing the competitive HER.

Association of mucus eosinophil-derived neurotoxin levels with disease control status in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the biomarkers for uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is important for directing treatment decisions. Eosinophilia has been reported to be involved in the poor disease control of CRS and mucus eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) is potentially a biomarker of intense eosinophil activation. This study aimed to assess the relationship between mucus EDN levels, disease severity, and degree of CRS control. METHODS: A total of 150 adult patients with CRS and 25 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. The nasal mucus and tissue specimens were collected to analyze EDN levels. Disease severity was assessed by Lund-Mackay score and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) score. Five CRS symptom severities during the prior month (nasal blockage, rhinorrhoea/postnasal drip, facial pain/pressure, smell, sleep disturbance or fatigue), use of rescue medications in the last six months, and the presence of diseased mucosa on nasal endoscopy were obtained. Consistent with the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 CRS control criteria, uncontrolled CRS was defined as meeting at least three items. RESULTS: 40% of patients with CRS presented with uncontrolled status. Patients with uncontrolled CRS had significantly higher nasal mucus EDN levels (P = 0.010), percentage of blood eosinophil (P = 0.015), SNOT-22 score (P < 0.001), Lund-Mackay score (P = 0.008), and a more eosinophilic dominant phenotype of CRS (P < 0.001) than patients with controlled CRS. Furthermore, mucus EDN levels were positively correlated with blood eosinophils (r = 0.541, P = 0.005), SNOT-22 score (r = 0.460, P = 0.021), and Lund-Mackay score (r = 0.387, P = 0.039). Mucus EDN levels were the significant parameter related to uncontrolled CRS in multivariable analysis after adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities (odds ratio = 1.323; P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Mucus EDN levels may be a potential biomarker for identifying the CRS control status.

Trim14-IκBα Signaling Regulates Chronic Inflammatory Pain in Rats and Osteoarthritis Patients.

Chronic inflammatory pain is the highest priority for people with osteoarthritis when seeking medical attention. Despite the availability of NSAIDs and glucocorticoids, central sensitization and peripheral sensitization make pain increasingly difficult to control. Previous studies have identified the ubiquitination system as an important role in the chronic inflammatory pain. Our study displayed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase tripartite motif-containing 14 (Trim14) was abnormally elevated in the serum of patients with osteoarthritis and pain, and the degree of pain was positively correlated with the degree of Trim14 elevation. Furthermore, CFA-induced inflammatory pain rat model showed that Trim14 was significantly increased in the L3-5 spinal dorsal horn (SDH) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and in turn the inhibitor of nuclear factor Kappa-B isoform α (IκBα) was decreased after Trim14 elevation. After intrathecal injection of Trim14 siRNA to inhibit Trim14 expression, IκBα expression was reversed and increased, and the pain behaviors and anxiety behaviors of rats were significantly relieved. Overall, these findings suggested that Trim14 may contribute to chronic inflammatory pain by degrading IκBα, and that Trim14 may become a novel therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory pain.

Gray matter volume and corresponding covariance connectivity are biomarkers for major depressive disorder.

The major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and severe mental disorder. To identify a reliable biomarker for MDD is important for early diagnosis and prevention. Given easy access and high reproducibility, the structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) is an ideal method to identify the biomarker for depression. In this study, sMRI data of first episode, treatment-naïve 66 MDD patients and 54 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls (HC) were used to identify the differences in gray matter volume (GMV), group-level, individual-level covariance connections. Finally, the abnormal GMV and individual covariance connections were applied to classify MDD from HC. MDD patients showed higher GMV in middle occipital gyrus (MOG) and precuneus (PCun), and higher structural covariance connections between MOG and PCun. In addition, the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) was applied and revealed the genetic basis for the changes of gray matter volume. Importantly, we reported that GMV in MOG, PCun and structural covariance connectivity between MOG and PCun are able to discriminate MDD from HC. Our results revealed structural underpinnings for MDD, which may contribute towards early discriminating for depression.

Deactivation of the Unfolded Protein Response Aggravated Renal AA Amyloidosis in HSF1 Deficiency Mice.

Systemic amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, which is considered the second most common form of systemic amyloidosis usually takes place several years prior to the occurrence of chronic inflammation, generally involving the kidney. Activated HSF1, which alleviated unfolded protein response (UPR) or enhanced HSR, is the potential therapeutic target of many diseases. However, the effect of HSF1 on AA amyloidosis remains unclear. This study focused on evaluating effect of HSF1 on AA amyloidosis based on HSF1 knockout mice. As a result, aggravated amyloid deposits and renal dysfunction have been found in HSF1 knockout mice. In progressive AA amyloidosis, HSF1 deficiency enhances serum amyloid A production might to lead to severe AA amyloid deposition in mice, which may be related to deactivated unfolded protein response as well as enhanced inflammation. Thus, HSF1 plays a significant role on UPR related pathway impacting AA amyloid deposition, which can mitigate amyloidogenic proteins from aggregation pathologically and is the possible way for intervening with the pathology of systemic amyloid disorder. In conclusion, HSF1 could not only serve as a new target for AA amyloidosis treatment in the future, but HSF1 knockout mice also can be considered as a valuable novel animal model for renal AA amyloidosis.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict postoperative delirium in older patients after major abdominal surgery: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is a common complication in older patients, with poor long-term outcomes. This study aimed to investigate risk factors and develop a predictive model for postoperative delirium in older patients after major abdominal surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively recruited 7577 patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent major abdominal surgery between January 2014 and December 2018 in a single hospital in Beijing, China. Patients were divided into a training cohort (n = 5303) and a validation cohort (n = 2224) for univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and to build a nomogram. Data were collected for 43 perioperative variables, including demographics, medical history, preoperative laboratory results, imaging, and anesthesia information. RESULTS: Age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, white blood cell count, glucose, total protein, creatinine, emergency surgery, and anesthesia time were associated with postoperative delirium in multivariate analysis. We developed a nomogram based on the above 8 variables. The nomogram achieved areas under the curve of 0.731 and 0.735 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The discriminatory ability of the nomogram was further assessed by dividing the cases into three risk groups (low-risk, nomogram score < 175; medium-risk, nomogram score 175~199; high-risk, nomogram score > 199; P < 0.001). Decision curve analysis revealed that the nomogram provided a good net clinical benefit. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a nomogram that could predict postoperative delirium with high accuracy and stability in older patients after major abdominal surgery.

A smartphone-assisted portable sensing hydrogel modules based on UCNPs and Co3O4 NPs for fluorescence quantitation of hypoxanthine in aquatic products.

Hypoxanthine is a promising index for evaluating the freshness of various aquatic products. Combined the hydrogels containing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), Co3O4 NPs, and N-ethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-methylaniline sodium salt/4-amino-antipyrine (TOPS/4-AAP) with a smartphone, a portable sensor was developed for the convenient, sensitive detection of hypoxanthine. With the H2O2 from xanthine oxidase (XOD)-catalyzed reactions of hypoxanthine, the fluorescence of UCNPs was effectively quenched by the purple product produced from the oxidization of TOPS/4-AAP catalyzed by Co3O4 NPs exhibiting peroxidase activity, among which the color change could be transformed into digital signals for quantification of hypoxanthine. The Green value in the RGB analysis of the fluorescence image was negatively proportional to hypoxanthine concentration in the range of 2.5-20 mg/L with a detection limit of 0.69 mg/L and a quantitation limit of 2.30 mg/L. Finally, this sensor was applied for hypoxanthine detection in real aquatic products, showing potential application for freshness evaluation of aquatic products.

BDNF mimetics recover palmitic acid-induced injury in cardiomyocytes by ameliorating Akt-dependent mitochondrial impairments.

Cardiac lipotoxicity is a prevalent consequence of lipid metabolism disorders occurring in cardiomyocytes, which in turn precipitates the onset of heart failure. Mimetics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), such as 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) and 7,8,3'-trihydroxyflavone (THF), have demonstrated significant cardioprotective effects. However, it remains unclear whether these mimetics can protect cardiomyocytes against lipotoxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of DHF and THF on the lipotoxic effects induced by palmitic acid (PA), as well as the concurrent mitochondrial dysfunction. H9c2 cells were subjected to treatment with PA alone or in conjunction with DHF or THF. Various factors such as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, death ratio, and mitochondrial function including mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species (mito-SOX) production, and mitochondrial respiration were assessed. PA dose-dependently reduced cell viability, which was restored by DHF or THF. Additionally, both DHF and THF decreased LDH content, death ratio, and mito-SOX production, while increasing MMP and regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, DHF and THF specifically activated Akt signaling. The protective effects of DHF and THF were abolished when an Akt inhibitor was used. In conclusion, BDNF mimetics attenuate PA-induced injury in cardiomyocytes by alleviating mitochondrial impairments through the activation of Akt signaling.

TNF-α/TNFR1 activated astrocytes exacerbate depression-like behavior in CUMS mice.

Neuroinflammation is considered to be a significant mechanism contributing to depression. Several studies have reported that A1 astrocytes were highly prevalent in human neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the precise mechanism by which A1 astrocytes contribute to depression remains unclear. Clinical studies have suggested a correlation between TNF-α, an activator of A1 astrocytes, and the severity of depression. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that TNF-α might worsen depression by activating A1 astrocytes. Our previous studies indicated that Rhodomyrtone (Rho) has the potential to improve depression-like behavior in mice. However, the exact mechanism for this effect has not been fully elucidated. Importantly, it was reported that Rho alleviated skin inflammation in a mouse model of psoriasis by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that rhodomyrtone may exert antidepressant effects by modulating the TNF-α pathway. However, further research is required to investigate and validate these hypotheses, shedding light on the relationships between neuroinflammation, A1 astrocytes, TNF-α, and depression. By obtaining a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms, these findings could lead to the development of novel antidepressant strategies that target the TNF-α pathway in the context of neuroinflammation. In vivo, based on the established chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mouse depression model, we characterized the mechanism of TNF-α and Rho during depression by using several behavioral assays, adeno-associated virus(AAV) transfection, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and other experimental methods. In vitro, we characterized the effect of Rho on inflammation in TNF-α-treated primary astrocytes. TNFR1 expression was significantly increased in the hippocampus of depression-like mice, with increased astrocytes activation and neuronal apoptosis. These processes were further enhanced with increasing levels of TNF-α in the cerebrospinal fluid of mice. However, this process was attenuated by knockdown of TNFR1 and infliximab (Inf; a TNF-α antagonist). Injection of rhodomyrtone decreased the expressions of TNFR1 and TNF-α, resulting in significant improvements in mouse depression-like behaviors and reduction of astrocyte activation. TNF-α could be involved in the pathophysiological process of depression, through mediating astrocytes activation by binding to TNFR1. By blocking this pathway, Rho may be a novel antidepressant.

GRAVEN: a database of teaching method that applies gestures to represent the neurosurgical approach's blood vessels and nerves.

BACKGROUND: In this era of rapid technological development, medical schools have had to use modern technology to enhance traditional teaching. Online teaching was preferred by many medical schools. However due to the complexity of intracranial anatomy, it was challenging for the students to study this part online, and the students were likely to be tired of neurosurgery, which is disadvantageous to the development of neurosurgery. Therefore, we developed this database to help students learn better neuroanatomy. MAIN BODY: The data were sourced from Rhoton's Cranial Anatomy and Surgical Approaches and Neurosurgery Tricks of the Trade in this database. Then we designed many hand gesture figures connected with the atlas of anatomy. Our database was divided into three parts: intracranial arteries, intracranial veins, and neurosurgery approaches. Each section below contains an atlas of anatomy, and gestures represent vessels and nerves. Pictures of hand gestures and atlas of anatomy are available to view on GRAVEN ( www.graven.cn ) without restrictions for all teachers and students. We recruited 50 undergraduate students and randomly divided them into two groups: using traditional teaching methods or GRAVEN database combined with above traditional teaching methods. Results revealed a significant improvement in academic performance in using GRAVEN database combined with traditional teaching methods compared to the traditional teaching methods. CONCLUSION: This database was vital to help students learn about intracranial anatomy and neurosurgical approaches. Gesture teaching can effectively simulate the relationship between human organs and tissues through the flexibility of hands and fingers, improving anatomy interest and education.

KCNQ1 rs2237895 gene polymorphism increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in Asian populations.

BACKGROUND: The association of single nucleotide polymorphism of KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently controversial. It is unknown whether this association can be gene realized across different populations. AIM: To determine the association of KCNQ1 rs2237895 with T2DM and provide reliable evidence for genetic susceptibility to T2DM. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, Baidu Academic, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Liter-ature Database, and Wanfang to investigate the association between KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 and the risk of T2DM up to January 12, 2022. Review Manager 5.4 was used to analyze the association of the KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 polymorphism with T2DM and to evaluate the publication bias of the selected literature. RESULTS: Twelve case-control studies (including 11273 cases and 11654 controls) met our inclusion criteria. In the full population, allelic model [odds ratio (OR): 1.19; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.09-1.29; P < 0.0001], recessive model (OR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.11-1.29; P < 0.0001), dominant model (OR: 1.27. 95%CI: 1.14-1.42; P < 0.0001), and codominant model (OR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.15-1.60; P = 0.0003) (OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.10-1.36; P = 0.0002) indicated that the KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 polymorphism was significantly correlated with susceptibility to T2DM. In stratified analysis, this association was confirmed in Asian populations: allelic model (OR: 1.25; 95%CI: 1.13-1.37; P < 0.0001), recessive model (OR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.11-1.49; P = 0.0007), dominant model (OR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.20-1.52; P < 0.0001), codominant model (OR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.22-1.81; P < 0.0001) (OR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.16-1.36; P < 0.0001). In non-Asian populations, this association was not significant: Allelic model (OR: 1.06, 95%CI: 0.98-1.14; P = 0.12), recessive model (OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 0.75-1.42; P = 0.83), dominant model (OR: 1.06; 95%CI: 0.98-1.15; P = 0.15), codominant model (OR: 1.08; 95%CI: 0.82-1.42; P = 0.60. OR: 1.15; 95%CI: 0.95-1.39; P = 0.14). CONCLUSION: KCNQ1 gene rs2237895 was significantly associated with susceptibility to T2DM in an Asian population. Carriers of the C allele had a higher risk of T2DM. This association was not significant in non-Asian populations.

A comparative study on fundamental movement skills among children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children aged 7-10.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with unique differences in social interaction, communication, and a spectrum of behavioral characteristics. In the past, motor disturbance in individuals with ASD has not been considered a significant core deficit due to the predominant focus on sociability and communication issues. However, recent studies indicate that motor deficits are indeed associated with the fundamental symptoms of ASD. As there is limited research on the motor behavior of children with ASD, particularly in China, the objective of this study is to investigate the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children with ASD and compare them to typically developing children. Method: The study recruited 108 children with ASD (87 boys, 21 girls) aged 7-10 years from two special education rehabilitation centers in Wuhan, China. For comparison, a control group of 108 typically developing children, matched by age and gender, was randomly selected from three local primary schools. FMS were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2), which evaluates manual dexterity, aiming and catching, as well as static and dynamic balance. Group differences on MABC-2 percentile scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U test. Effect sizes were also calculated for practical significance. Results: Findings from the study showed that a significant majority, around 80%, of children with ASD either displayed motor challenges or were at risk of developing such delays. When comparing to their typically developing peers, children with ASD scored notably lower in areas of manual dexterity, ball skills, and both static and dynamic balance (with all these findings being statistically significant at p < 0.001). Interestingly, gender did not show a significant influence on these results (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In addition to addressing the other skill development areas outlined in the diagnostic manual for ASD, clinicians diagnosing and treating children with ASD should also assess the presence of motor skill development. For individuals with ASD who have co-existing motor difficulties, it is essential to offer evidence-based interventions tailored to their specific needs.