Mapping global zoonotic niche and interregional transmission risk of monkeypox: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of monkeypox have been ongoing in non-endemic countries since May 2022. A thorough assessment of its global zoonotic niche and potential transmission risk is lacking. METHODS: We established an integrated database on global monkeypox virus (MPXV) occurrence during 1958 - 2022. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to examine the evolution of MPXV and effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated over time to examine the dynamic of MPXV transmissibility. The potential ecological drivers of zoonotic transmission and inter-regional transmission risks of MPXV were examined. RESULTS: As of 24 July 2022, a total of 49 432 human patients with MPXV infections have been reported in 78 countries. Based on 525 whole genome sequences, two main clades of MPXV were formed, of which Congo Basin clade has a higher transmissibility than West African clade before the 2022-monkeypox, estimated by the overall Rt (0.81 vs. 0.56), and the latter significantly increased in the recent decade. Rt of 2022-monkeypox varied from 1.14 to 4.24 among the 15 continuously epidemic countries outside Africa, with the top three as Peru (4.24, 95% CI: 2.89-6.71), Brazil (3.45, 95% CI: 1.62-7.00) and the United States (2.44, 95% CI: 1.62-3.60). The zoonotic niche of MPXV was associated with the distributions of Graphiurus lorraineus and Graphiurus crassicaudatus, the richness of Rodentia, and four ecoclimatic indicators. Besides endemic areas in Africa, more areas of South America, the Caribbean States, and Southeast and South Asia are ecologically suitable for the occurrence of MPXV once the virus has invaded. Most of Western Europe has a high-imported risk of monkeypox from Western Africa, whereas France and the United Kingdom have a potential imported risk of Congo Basin clade MPXV from Central Africa. Eleven of the top 15 countries with a high risk of MPXV importation from the main countries of 2022-monkeypox outbreaks are located at Europe with the highest risk in Italy, Ireland and Poland. CONCLUSIONS: The suitable ecological niche for MPXV is not limited to Africa, and the transmissibility of MPXV was significantly increased during the 2022-monkeypox outbreaks. The imported risk is higher in Europe, both from endemic areas and currently epidemic countries. Future surveillance and targeted intervention programs are needed in its high-risk areas informed by updated prediction.

Relations between psychological quality and training in basketball players / Relações entre a qualidade psicológica e o treinamento em jogadores de basquetebol / Relaciones entre la calidad psicológica y el entrenamiento en jugadores de baloncesto

ABSTRACT Introduction Psychological monitoring and psychological intervention of basketball players has been a focus of attention in sports training. In basketball, players consume much physical energy and also much mental energy. Psychological tension and emotional changes cause basketball players to restrict their technical abilities. Objective Analyze the relationship between sport-induced mental fatigue and pre-game emotions in basketball players. Methods This paper selects 40 basketball players as research volunteers. A survey questionnaire and mathematical statistics were used to analyze the relationship between basketball players' mental fatigue, training level, and pre-game emotions. This paper analyzes the relationship between psychological quality and training level of basketball players. Results There were significant correlations between various dimensions of sport-induced mental fatigue and basketball players' pregame emotions. Basketball players' pre-game self-confidence is mainly affected by training game competence and excessive energy consumption. Conclusion The psychological quality of basketball players is significantly correlated with the level of training. Athletes should pay attention to psychological quality training in sports competitions. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução O acompanhamento psicológico e a intervenção psicológica dos jogadores de basquete tem sido foco de atenção no treinamento esportivo. No basquetebol, os jogadores consomem muita energia física e também muita energia mental. A tensão psicológica e as alterações emocionais fazem com que os jogadores de basquetebol restrinjam suas habilidades técnicas. Objetivo Analisar a relação entre a fadiga mental induzida pelo esporte e as emoções pré-jogo nos jogadores de basquete. Métodos Este trabalho seleciona 40 jogadores de basquetebol como voluntários de pesquisa. Utilizou-se um questionário de pesquisa e estatísticas matemáticas para analisar a relação entre a fadiga mental dos jogadores de basquetebol, o nível de treinamento e as emoções pré-jogo. Este trabalho analisa a relação entre a qualidade psicológica e o nível de treinamento dos jogadores de basquetebol. Resultados Houve correlações significativas entre as várias dimensões da fadiga mental induzida pelo esporte e a emoção no pré-jogo dos jogadores de basquete. A autoconfiança dos jogadores de basquetebol antes do jogo é afetada principalmente pela competência dos jogos de treinamento e pelo consumo excessivo de energia. Conclusão A qualidade psicológica dos jogadores de basquetebol está significativamente correlacionada com o nível de treinamento. Os atletas devem prestar atenção ao treinamento de qualidade psicológica nas competições esportivas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción El acompañamiento psicológico y la intervención psicológica de los jugadores de baloncesto han sido objeto de atención en el entrenamiento deportivo. En el baloncesto, los jugadores consumen mucha energía física y también mucha energía mental. La tensión psicológica y los cambios emocionales hacen que los jugadores de baloncesto limiten sus habilidades técnicas. Objetivo Analizar la relación entre la fatiga mental inducida por el deporte y las emociones previas al partido en jugadores de baloncesto. Métodos Este trabajo selecciona a 40 jugadores de baloncesto como voluntarios para la investigación. Para analizar la relación entre la fatiga mental de los jugadores de baloncesto, el nivel de entrenamiento y las emociones previas al partido se utilizó un cuestionario de encuesta y estadísticas matemáticas. Este artículo analiza la relación entre la calidad psicológica y el nivel de entrenamiento de los jugadores de baloncesto. Resultados Hubo correlaciones significativas entre las diversas dimensiones de la fatiga mental inducida por el deporte y las emociones previas al partido de los jugadores de baloncesto. La autoconfianza de los jugadores de baloncesto antes del partido se ve afectada principalmente por la competencia del juego de entrenamiento y el consumo excesivo de energía. Conclusión La calidad psicológica de los jugadores de baloncesto está significativamente correlacionada con el nivel de entrenamiento. Los deportistas deben prestar atención a la calidad psicológica del entrenamiento en las competiciones deportivas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Psychological distress and its associated risk factors among university students.

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress is an important mental health problem among university students. The goal of this study was to determine psychological distress and its associated risk factors among students in the Anhui province. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 1304 students. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the general demography and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was completed. Psychological distress was assessed using the GHQ-12-item questionnaire. A dichotomous category split was imposed on the GHQ-12 for the purpose of analysis. A GHQ-12 score of 4 or higher indicated psychological distress. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 system. RESULTS: A total of 1304 samples were analyzed in this study. The results indicated that the education level of the father and mother was associated with the students' psychological distress (P<0.001). A significant association was found between high-intensity exercise and low-intensity exercise and psychological distress. However, no significant difference was identified between gender and psychological distress (P=0.173). CONCLUSION: The education level of parents, high-intensity exercise, and low-intensity exercise were associated with psychological distress. Our results suggest that it is indispensable to raise awareness of psychological disorders and its associated risk factors among university students. Further studies are required to develop appropriate interventions for high-risk groups.

Psychological distress and its associated risk factors among university students

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Psychological distress is an important mental health problem among university students. The goal of this study was to determine psychological distress and its associated risk factors among students in the Anhui province. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 1304 students. In this study, a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the general demography and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was completed. Psychological distress was assessed using the GHQ-12-item questionnaire. A dichotomous category split was imposed on the GHQ-12 for the purpose of analysis. A GHQ-12 score of 4 or higher indicated psychological distress. The data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 system. RESULTS A total of 1304 samples were analyzed in this study. The results indicated that the education level of the father and mother was associated with the students' psychological distress (P<0.001). A significant association was found between high-intensity exercise and low-intensity exercise and psychological distress. However, no significant difference was identified between gender and psychological distress (P=0.173). CONCLUSION The education level of parents, high-intensity exercise, and low-intensity exercise were associated with psychological distress. Our results suggest that it is indispensable to raise awareness of psychological disorders and its associated risk factors among university students. Further studies are required to develop appropriate interventions for high-risk groups.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O estresse psicológico é um importante problema de saúde mental entre estudantes universitários. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o estresse psicológico e seus fatores de risco associados entre os estudantes na província de Anhui. MÉTODOS Um estudo transversal foi realizado entre uma amostra de 1.304 indivíduos. Nesse estudo, foi preenchido um questionário autoaplicável que consiste na demografia geral e no Questionário Geral de Saúde (GHQ-12). O problema psicológico foi avaliado utilizando o questionário GHQ de 12 itens. Uma divisão dicotômica de categoria foi imposta ao GHQ-12 para efeito de análise. Uma pontuação de quatro ou mais no GHQ-12 mostrava que um indivíduo tem problemas psicológicos. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SPSS 20.0. RESULTADOS Um total de 1.304 amostras foi analisado neste estudo. Os resultados indicaram que o nível de educação do pai e da mãe estava associado com estudantes em estresse psicológico (P<0,001). Foi encontrada uma associação significativa entre o exercício de alta intensidade e o exercício de baixa intensidade com o estresse psicológico. No entanto, não foi identificada qualquer diferença significativa entre o gênero e o estresse psicológico (P=0,173). CONCLUSÃO O nível de educação dos pais, exercícios de alta intensidade e exercícios de baixa intensidade foram associados com estresse psicológico. Nossos resultados sugerem que é indispensável aumentar a sensibilização para as perturbações psicológicas e para os fatores de risco associados aos estudantes universitários. São necessários mais estudos para desenvolver intervenções adequadas para grupos de alto risco.

Characteristics and enhanced antioxidant activity of glycated Morchella esculenta protein isolate

Abstract Morchella esculenta (L) Pers. is a highly valued edible and medicinal fungus that remains underutilized. For this study, the effects of glycation treatment on antioxidant activity and characteristics of the M. esculenta protein isolate (MPI) were investigated via the Maillard reaction. Conjugation between MPI and xylose was proven via UV-vis, FT-IR, intrinsic fluorescence analysis, and SDS-PAGE. Amino acid analysis revealed involvement of lysine, arginine and tyrosine in MPI, forming a covalent cross-link with xylose. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that glycated MPI (MPIG) possesses a more favorable thermal stability compared to native MPI (MPIN), heated MPI (MPIH) and an unheated mixture of MPI and xylose (MPI-XM). MPIG exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity compared to MPIN, MPIH, and MPI-XM. These results indicate MPIG can serve as a promising novel source of nutraceutical and functional ingredients that exert antioxidant activity.

Anti-inflammatory activity and chemical composition of dichloromethane extract from Piper nigrum and P. longum on permanent focal cerebral ischemia injury in rats

Abstract White pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and long pepper (Piper longum L.) belong to family Piperaceae and are commonly used as household spices and traditional medicine worldwide, specifically in China and Southeast Asia. In Traditional Chinese Hui Medicine, these herbs are widely used for treatment of stroke. Our present study investigated effects of these herbs on inflammation in rat model with cerebral ischemia. After subjecting the rats to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) for 6 h, at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, dichloromethane fraction from white pepper and long pepper, respectively, was intragastrically administered once a day for seven consecutive days. Cerebral cortical and hippocampal tissues were collected after seven days. Superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 were measured by spectrophotometer. Phytochemical profile of dichloromethane fraction was determined through HPLC. Dichloromethane fraction exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing expression or production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. By contrast, dichloromethane fraction showed activity against pMCAO injury by reducing oxygen-free radicals through increased superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malonaldehyde level. HPLC analysis revealed piperine as major component of dichloromethane fraction. These results show that dichloromethane fraction provides protection against cerebral ischemia. The possible mechanism is related to anti-inflammatory activity and reduction in oxygen-free radicals.

M4(CH2)4 cubane-type rare-earth methylidene complexes: unique reactivity toward unsaturated C-O, C-N, and C-S bonds.

The reactivity of the cubane-type rare-earth methylidene complex [Cp'Lu(µ(3)-CH(2))](4) (1, Cp' = C(5)Me(4)SiMe(3)) with various unsaturated electrophiles was investigated. The reaction of 1 with CO (1 atm) at room temperature gave the bis(ketene dianion)/dimethylidene complex [Cp'(4)Lu(4)(µ(3)-CH(2))(2)(µ(3),η(2)-O-C=CH(2))(2)] (2) in 86 % yield through the insertion of two molecules of CO into two of the four lutetium-methylidene units. In the reaction with the sterically demanding N,N-diisopropylcarbodiimide at 60 °C, only one of the four methylidene units in 1 reacted with one molecule of the carbodiimide substrate to give the mono(ethylene diamido)/trimethylidene complex [Cp'(4)Lu(4)(µ(3)-CH(2))(3) {iPrNC(=CH(2))NiPr}] (3) in 83% yield. Similarly, the reaction of 1 with phenyl isothiocyanate gave the ethylene amido thiolate/trimethylidene complex [Cp'(4)Lu(4)(µ(3)-CH(2))(3) {PhNC(S)=CH(2)}] (4). In the case of phenyl isocyanate, two of the four methylidene units in 1 reacted with four molecules of the substrate at ambient temperature to give the malonodiimidate/dimethylidene complex [Cp'(4)Lu(4)(µ(3)-CH(2))(2) {PhN=C(O)CH(2)(O)C=NPh}(2)] (5) in 87% yield. In this reaction, each of the two lutetium-methylidene bonds per methylidene unit inserted one molecule of phenyl isocyanate. All the products have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microelemental analyses.