Enhancing iron content and growth of cucumber seedlings with MgFe-LDHs under low-temperature stress.

The development of cost-effective and eco-friendly fertilizers is crucial for enhancing iron (Fe) uptake in crops and can help alleviate dietary Fe deficiencies, especially in populations with limited access to meat. This study focused on the application of MgFe-layered double hydroxide nanoparticles (MgFe-LDHs) as a potential solution. We successfully synthesized and characterized MgFe-LDHs and observed that 1-10 mg/L MgFe-LDHs improved cucumber seed germination and water uptake. Notably, the application of 10 mg/L MgFe-LDHs to roots significantly increased the seedling emergence rate and growth under low-temperature stress. The application of 10 mg/L MgFe-LDHs during sowing increased the root length, lateral root number, root fresh weight, aboveground fresh weight, and hypocotyl length under low-temperature stress. A comprehensive analysis integrating plant physiology, nutrition, and transcriptomics suggested that MgFe-LDHs improve cold tolerance by upregulating SA to stimulate CsFAD3 expression, elevating GA3 levels for enhanced nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis, and reducing levels of ABA and JA to support seedling emergence rate and growth, along with increasing the expression and activity of peroxidase genes. SEM and FTIR further confirmed the adsorption of MgFe-LDHs onto the root hairs in the mature zone of the root apex. Remarkably, MgFe-LDHs application led to a 46% increase (p < 0.05) in the Fe content within cucumber seedlings, a phenomenon not observed with comparable iron salt solutions, suggesting that the nanocrystalline nature of MgFe-LDHs enhances their absorption efficiency in plants. Additionally, MgFe-LDHs significantly increased the nitrogen (N) content of the seedlings by 12% (p < 0.05), promoting nitrogen fixation in the cucumber seedlings. These results pave the way for the development and use of LDH-based Fe fertilizers.

No role of the third-trimester inflammatory factors in the association of gestational diabetes mellitus with postpartum cardiometabolic indicators.

BACKGROUND: The influence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on postpartum cardiometabolic indicators is primarily restricted to glucose and lipid metabolism, however the indicators for liver and kidney function have been rarely explored, and the role of the third-trimester inflammatory factors in these associations has never been investigated. METHODS: Based on the Ma'anshan birth cohort (MABC), women with or without GDM history were selected and invited to participate in a 6-year postpartum follow-up. The fasting blood samples were collected to measure 16 comprehensive metabolic indicators during a 6-year postpartum follow-up: fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCR), etc. Seven inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-17 A, were measured with serum samples collected during the third trimester of pregnancy. Linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between GDM and 6-year postpartum metabolic indicators, GDM and third-trimester inflammatory factors, and the third-trimester inflammatory factors and 6-year postpartum metabolic indicators. Mediating and moderating effect analyses were further performed to explore if the third-trimester inflammatory factors mediate or modify the association between GDM and postpartum cardiometabolic indicators. RESULTS: From July 2021 to August 2022, 307 participants have been followed up, with 99 women with a prior GDM history. Compared with those without GDM, individuals with a prior history of GDM had significantly elevated levels of FPG (ß = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.62, PFDR < 0.001), HbA1c (ß = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.34, PFDR = 0.009), TyG (ß = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.37, PFDR = 0.024) at 6 years postpartum, and the association between GDM and SCR (ß = 2.43, 95% CI: 0.02 to 4.85, PFDR = 0.144) reached nominal significance level. GDM history was associated with a decreased level of third-trimester IL-17 A (ß = -0.58, 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.18, PFDR = 0.035). No significant association between third-trimester inflammatory factors and 6-year postpartum metabolic indicators was observed. And no mediating or moderating effect of third-trimester inflammatory factors was observed in those associations. CONCLUSION: A prior history of GDM was significantly associated with elevated FPG, HbA1c, and TyG in women at 6 years postpartum, whereas third-trimester inflammatory factors had no role in mediating or moderating these associations.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan effectively controlled recurrent ovarian large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with low-level HER-2 expression: a case report.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the ovary is an extremely rare tumor with invasive clinical behavior and poor outcome. However, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment strategy. Surgery followed by chemotherapy is considered the most common therapeutic option. Here, we report a case of a 55-year-old woman with ovarian LCNEC who relapsed after radical surgery and multiple lines of therapy. The tumor lesions continued to grow, and further immunohistochemistry showed low human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. After treatment with the anti-HER2 drug trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd, formerly DS-8201a), the tumor burden was significantly reduced, and the patient achieved a progression-free survival (PFS) of 4 months. Our case provides a potential treatment option for recurrent ovarian LCNEC with low-level HER2 expression.

Discovery of new quaternized norharmane dimers as potential anti-MRSA agents.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-caused infections greatly threaten public health. The discovery of natural-product-based anti-MRSA agents for treating infectious diseases has become one of the current research focuses. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify promising anti-MRSA agents with a clear mechanism based on natural norharmane modified by quaternization or dimerization. METHODS: A total of 32 norharmane analogues were prepared and characterized. Their antibacterial activities and resistance development propensity were tested by the broth double-dilution method. Cell counting kit-8 and hemolysis experiments were used to assess their biosafety. The plasma stability, bactericidal mode, and biofilm disruption effects were examined by colony counting and crystal violet staining assays. Fluorescence microscopy, metabolomic analysis, docking simulation and spectra titration revealed its anti-MRSA mechanisms. The mouse skin infection model was used to investigate the in vivo efficacy. RESULTS: Compound 5a was selected as a potential anti-MRSA agent, which exhibited potent anti-MRSA activity in vitro and in vivo, low cytotoxicity and hemolysis under an effective dose. Moreover, compound 5a showed good stability in 50% plasma, a low tendency of resistance development and capabilities to disrupt bacterial biofilms. The mechanism studies revealed that compound 5a could inhibit the biosynthesis of bacteria cell walls, damage the membrane, disturb energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, and interfere with protein synthesis and nucleic acid function. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that compound 5a is a promising candidate for combating MRSA infections, providing valuable information for further exploiting a new generation of therapeutic antibiotics.

[Weight gain rate in the first and second trimesters and risk of gestational diabetes:a prospective cohort study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the rate of weight gain in the first and second trimesters and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM). METHODS: A total of 1189 maternal cases were included at baseline from May to September 2019 when they first came to the Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Ma'anshan for delivery and establishment of maternal health handbook(≤14 weeks+6). A total of 968 maternal cases were included in the final analysis, including 289 cases of GDM. Information on maternal socio-demographic characteristics, past history and lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed to screen for GDM at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Multi-factor logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the rate of weight gain in the first and second trimesters and GDM. RESULTS: After adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI, age, occupation, number of births, number of pregnancies, type of residence, family history of diabetes, season of conception and mode of conception, an increased risk of GDM was found for rapid weight gain in early pregnancy compared with appropriate rate of gain(rapid group: aOR=1.92, 95%CI 1.20-3.07). No risk of GDM was found for rapid or slow weight gain in mid-pregnancy(rapid group : aOR=0.89, 95%CI 0.47-1.70)(slow group: aOR=1.57, 95%CI 0.85-2.90). Further stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI, pre-pregnancy BMI <24-overly rapid growth rate in early pregnancy was a risk factor for GDM(rapid group; aOR=1.98, 95%CI 1.16-3.38) and no significant association was observed in pregnant women with pre-pregnancy BMI ≥24(slow group: aOR=0.79, 95%CI 0.29-2.12; rapid group: aOR=1.61, 95%CI 0.60-4.30). A multiplicative model showing no interaction between pre-pregnancy BMI and early pregnancy weight gain rate for GDM. CONCLUSION: Excessive growth rate in the first pregnancy can affect the risk of GDM.

Joint Association of Dietary Protein Intake and Eating Habits with the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

Because the associations between different dietary protein sources and the risks of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are inconsistent, and those of eating habits with GDM have rarely been explored, we aimed to investigate the independent and joint association of major dietary protein sources and eating habits with GDM in a case-control study including 353 GDM cases and 718 controls in China. Dietary protein intake and eating habits prior to GDM diagnosis were collected through questionnaires at 24~28 gestational weeks. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent and joint associations of dietary protein intake and eating habits with GDM. The Anderson model was used assess if there is an additive interaction between them. Animal protein, red meat protein and dairy products protein intake were significantly and positively associated with GDM. Among the eating habits, preferences for hot food, firm food and soft food were significantly associated with higher odds of GDM. Individuals with unhealthy eating habits and high dietary protein simultaneously had the highest odds of GDM, and the ORs were 2.06 (1.25, 3.41) for the total protein, 2.97 (1.78, 4.96) for animal meat, 3.98 (2.41, 6.57) for the red meat protein and 2.82 (1.81, 4.41) for the dairy protein; the p values for the trend were all significant (p < 0.001). However, no additive interaction was detected. In conclusion, our study found that dietary protein intake and eating habits prior to GDM diagnosis were both independently and jointly associated with the odds of GDM.

Three cases of ovarian actinomycosis with literature review.

BACKGROUND: Actinomycosis is an actinomycete infection, a rare zoonotic disease characterized by chronic suppurative inflammation and granulomatous inflammation. When injury occurs to the mucosa where parasites are present, actinomycetes can invade the mucosa. Widespread use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) has increased the incidence rate of pelvic actinomycosis among women. The clinical manifestation of ovarian actinomycosis is mostly a solid or cystic ovarian mass, which can invade surrounding tissue and may be accompanied by elevated levels of the tumor marker cancer antigen 125 (CA125). Therefore, ovarian actinomycosis is easily misdiagnosed as a malignant ovarian tumor. CASE DESCRIPTION: Three cases of ovarian actinomycosis diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2020 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All 3 patients had a history of IUD implantation for more than 10 years. All patients presented with abdominal masses and abdominal pain. One patient had weight loss, and 2 patients had elevated tumor marker CA125. Imaging results showed that all patients had ovarian space-occupying lesions involving the surrounding tissue; therefore, all patients were suspected to have malignant ovarian tumors before surgery. All 3 patients underwent surgical treatment. Specifically, 1 patient underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and 2 patients underwent total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. All patients received high-dose antibiotic treatment after surgery, and thus far, relapse has not been observed. Postoperative pathologicexamination showed purulent inflammation and sulfur granules, consistent with ovarian actinomycosis. Anaerobic culture was positive for 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian actinomycosis is closely related to long-term IUD implantation. The clinical manifestations and imaging features of this disease are not specific; therefore, preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The disease is easily misdiagnosed as ovarian cancer. Sulfur granules are signs of ovarian actinomycosis, and thus, those with this manifestation should be carefully screened by pathologic examination. Surgery combined with antibiotic treatment is effective for ovarian actinomycosis, resulting in a good prognosis.

Novel N1 or N9 modified α-carboline analogues as potential ligands in Alzheimer's disease therapy: Synthesis and neurobiological activity evaluation.

A series of new α-carboline analogues modified at N1 or N9 positions by alkyl, benzyl and phenyl were synthesized and characterized as potential ligands for AD therapy. These compounds exhibited multifunctional neurobiological activities including anti-neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective and cholinesterase inhibition. Among them, compound 5d with good drug-like properties and no cytotoxicity, showed potent inhibitory activity against NO production (IC50 = 1.45 µM), which could suppress the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Further mechanism exploration indicated that compound 5d could regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway by decreasing the phosphorylation of IκB-α and p65. Notably, compound 5d could effectively decrease the LPS-induced aberrations in zebrafish. Compounds 3b, 4f, 5c, 5g, 5m and 6i exhibited potential neuroprotective activity (cell viability > 70 %) in the H2O2-induced PC-12 neuronal death model and rescued the SOD activity. In particular, compounds 3b, 4f, and 5g activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and improved the expressions of antioxidant proteins NQO-1 and HO-1, which alleviated the head cell apoptosis in zebrafish. Additionally, compound 6i exhibited potential inhibitory activity against BuChE with IC50 of 0.77 µM. Overall, this work provided some lead compounds based on α-carboline used for AD therapy.

Loss of Pten in Renal Tubular Cells Leads to Water Retention by Upregulating AQP2.

Introduction: Phosphatase and tensin (PTEN) is a multifunctional gene associated with the normal development and physiological function of various tissues including the kidney. However, its role in renal tubular reabsorption function has not been well elucidated. Methods: We generated a renal tubule-specific Pten knockout mouse model by crossing Ptenfl/fl mice with Ksp-Cre transgenic mice, evaluated the effect of Pten loss on renal tubular function, and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Results: Pten loss resulted in abnormal renal structure and function and water retention in multiple organs. Our results also demonstrated that aquaporin-2 (AQP2), an important water channel protein, was upregulated and concentrated on the apical plasma membrane of collecting duct cells, which could be responsible for the impaired water balance in Pten loss mice. The regulation of Pten loss on AQP2 was mediated by protein kinase B (AKT) activation. Conclusions: Our results reveal a connection between PTEN gene inactivation and water retention, suggesting the importance of PTEN in normal kidney development and function.

Inhibiting Formation and Reduction of Li2 CO3 to LiCx at Grain Boundaries in Garnet Electrolytes to Prevent Li Penetration.

Poor ion and high electron transport at the grain boundaries (GBs) of ceramic electrolytes are the primary reasons for lithium filament infiltration and short-circuiting of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASLMBs). Herein, it is discovered that Li2 CO3 at the GBs of Li7 La3 Zr2 O12 (LLZO) sheets is reduced to highly electron-conductive LiCx during cycling, resulting in lithium penetration of LLZO. The ionic and electronic conductivity of the GBs within LLZO can be simultaneously tuned using sintered Li3 AlF6 . The generated LiAlO2 (LAO) infusion and F-doping at the GBs of LLZO (LAO-LLZOF) significantly reduce the Li2 CO3 content and broaden the energy bandgap of LLZO, which decreases the electronic conductivity of LAO-LLZOF. LAO forms a 3D continuous ion transport network at the GB that significantly improves the total ionic conductivity. Lithium penetration within LLZO is suppressed and an all-solid-state LiFePO4 /LAO-LLZOF/Li battery stably cycled for 5500 cycles at 3 C. This work reveals the chemistry of Li2 CO3 at the LLZO GBs during cycling, presents a novel lithium penetration mechanism within garnet electrolytes, and provides an innovative method to simultaneously regulate the ion and electron transport at the GBs in garnet electrodes for advanced ASLMBs.

Progress on metal-support interactions in Pd-based catalysts for automobile emission control.

The interactions between metals and oxide supports, so-called metal-support interactions (MSI), are of great importance in heterogeneous catalysis. Pd-based automotive exhaust control catalysts, especially Pd-based three-way catalysts (TWCs), have received considerable research attention owing to its prominent oxidation activity of HCs/CO, as well as excellent thermal stability. For Pd-based TWCs, the dispersion, chemical state and thermal stability of Pd species, which are crucial to the catalytic performance, are closely associated with interactions between metal nanoparticles and their supporting matrix. Progress on the research about MSI and utilization of MSI in advanced Pd-based three-way catalysts are reviewed here. Along with the development of advanced synthesis approaches and engine control technology, the study on MSI would play a notable role in further development of catalysts for automobile exhaust control.

Weakly solvated EC-free linear alkyl carbonate electrolytes for Ni-rich cathode in rechargeable lithium battery.

Ethylene carbonate (EC) in the electrolyte is not stable in cells operated at high voltage (≥4.4V) or with Li metal anode, which greatly reduce the energy density and lifetime of the rechargeable lithium battery. Herein, an EC-free linear alkyl carbonate-based electrolyte is developed, which enables the high-voltage (≥4.4V) and low-temperature (-30°C) application of Ni-rich cathode (LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, NCM811). The EC-free system, consisting of LiPF6 and LiNO3 in ternary linear alkyl carbonates, possesses low viscosity, weakly solvated structure, and high interfacial stability with both the Ni-rich cathode and the Li metal anode to avoid continuous electrode/electrolyte side reactions and metal dissolution from the cathode. As a result, the Li||NCM811 cell delivers remarkable capacity retention of 93 ± 0.5% at the voltage of 4.4V and 88 ± 0.6% at 4.5V over 100 cycles. This study provides very encouraging perspective to develop EC-free carbonate-based electrolyte for high-voltage and low-temperature application in high-energy-density rechargeable lithium batteries.

Facile Electroless Plating Method to Fabricate a Nickel-Phosphorus-Modified Copper Current Collector for a Lean Lithium-Metal Anode.

The compatibility of current collectors with reactive Li is key to inducing stable Li cycling and prolonged cycle life of lean Li-metal batteries. Herein, a thin and uniform layer of Ni-P complex was built on the surface of a Cu current collector (NiP@Cu) via an efficient, controllable, and cost-effective electroless plating method. The thickness, morphology, composition, and roughness of the Ni-P deposition were successfully regulated. Lithiophilicity of the current collector was greatly improved by Ni-P deposition, which effectively reduced the Li nucleation overpotential and suppressed the Li dendrite growth. In addition, NiP@Cu promoted an inorganic LiF/Li3P-rich solid electrolyte interphase to facilitate interfacial charge transfer and eliminate excessive side reactions between Li and the electrolyte. As a result, the Coulombic efficiency of half-cells remained above 98.5% for more than 400 cycles at 0.5 mA/cm2 and 98.2% for more than 250 cycles at 1 mA/cm2. Full cells with NiP@Cu also showed superior performance compared to those with bare Cu. This work proposes a promising surface modification method to develop a stable, dendrite-free, and cost-effective anode current collector for high-energy-density lean Li-metal batteries.

Rational Engineering of Anode Current Collector for Dendrite-Free Lithium Deposition: Strategy, Application, and Perspective.

Lithium metal anodes have attracted extensive attention due to their high theoretical capacity and low redox potential. However, low Coulombic efficiency, serious parasitic reaction, large volume change, and dendrite growth during cycling have hindered their practical application. The engineering of an anode current collector provides important advances to solve these problems, eliminate excess lithium usage, and substantially increase the energy density. In this review, we summarize the engineering strategies of an anode current collector with emphasis on different methods and applications in lithium metal-based systems. Finally, the perspectives and challenges of current collector engineering for lithium metal anode are discussed.

Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the Prime Time Sister Circles (PTSC) program's impact on hypertension among midlife African American women.

BACKGROUND: The Prime-Time Sister Circles® (PTSC) program is a multifaceted, community-based peer support intervention targeting African American women who are 40 to 75 years of age. It aims to reduce hypertension disparities observed among African American women by promoting adherence to antihypertensive therapies, including lifestyle modification and therapeutic regimens. METHODS: The PTSC randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of the PTSC Program on improved blood pressure control, healthcare utilization attributed to cardiovascular events, and healthcare costs. The study began in 2016 and will end in 2022. African American women who are 40-75 years old, have been diagnosed with hypertension, reside in Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, Maryland, and receive their care from Unity Health Care, a federally qualified health center in Washington, D.C., or Baltimore Medical System, a federally qualified health center in Baltimore, Maryland, are eligible to participate. Those randomized to the intervention group participate in the PTSC Program, which spans 13 weeks and comprises facilitator-led discussions, didactic training about hypertension management, and peer-based problem-solving concerning CVD risk factors and their amelioration. Blood pressure, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, self-reported adherence, physical activity, dietary practices, stress, and healthcare utilization data are collected at baseline, 13 weeks (end of the intervention), 9 months (months post-intervention), and 15 months (one year after the intervention). Healthcare costs will be computed at the end of the study. The study's design is reported in the present manuscript, wherein we employed the SPIRIT checklist to guide its construction. DISCUSSION: Disparities in hypertension prevalence and management observed among mid-life African American women exist as a result of a confluence of structural determinants of health. Consequently, there is a need to develop, implement, and evaluate culturally appropriate and relevant interventions that are tailored to their lived experiences. The PTSC Trial aims to assess the impact of the program on participants' cardiovascular, psychosocial, and cost outcomes. Its results have implications for advancing the science of designing and implementing culturally relevant interventions for African American women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Unique identifier: NCT04371614 . Retrospectively registered on April 30, 2020.

Effects of circadian rhythm disorder on body composition in women aged 31-40 years.

BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythm disorder caused by lack of sleep, day-night reversal, or staying up late, can cause irreparable damage to the body, a significant increase in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of women in this age bracket. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of circadian disruption on body composition and insulin resistance in women aged 31-40 years. METHODS: Thirty female with circadian rhythm disorder and employed of the Foot Bath Club in Qufu city were selected as the research subjects, and a body composition analyzer was used to test the subjects' body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum melatonin (MT) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and blood glucose and insulin levels were detected by glucose oxidase and chemiluminescence assays, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that circadian rhythm disorder caused a rise in blood pressure, whereas body water, especially lower limb water and intra- and extracellular fluid, decreased significantly. Circadian disruption also resulted in decreased muscle mass, protein quality, and melatonin production, but increased visceral fat levels and insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that circadian rhythm disorders are responsible for changes in body composition, melatonin levels, and insulin resistance in women aged 31-40 years and may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Wuhan mobile cabin hospital: A critical health policy at a critical time in China.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to systematically analyze the effect of Wuhan mobile cabin hospitals (WMCHs) on the novel coronavirus-caused pneumonia (COVID-19) prevention and control in China. Between February 5, 2020 and March 10, 2020, a total of 16 mobile cabin hospitals were constructed in 3 batches to offer over 13,000 beds and admitted more than 12,000 patients in Wuhan City. The strategy of implementing WMCHs in 3 batches played a key role in fighting against COVID-19 in China. (1) The first batch of WMCHs increased hospital admission capacity of COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, which showed initial effect on COVID-19 epidemic control. (2) The operation of the second batch of WMCHs greatly contributed to the rapid growth in discharged patients. (3) After launching the third batch of WMCHs, the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Wuhan improved considerably. The last batch of WMCHs made a substantial contribution to defeating the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan.

Evaluating Depressive Symptoms Among Low-Socioeconomic-Status African American Women Aged 40 to 75 Years With Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. African American women of low socioeconomic status with uncontrolled hypertension are at risk of having severe depressive symptoms, yet there is limited research about the mental health of this vulnerable population. Data from the Prime Time Sister Circles randomized clinical trial (PTSC-RCT) study can shed light on the prevalence of depressive symptoms among low-socioeconomic-status older African American women with hypertension. Objective: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among low-socioeconomic-status African American women aged 40 to 75 years with uncontrolled hypertension who receive their care from a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and to identify risk factors associated with depressive symptoms. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional analysis of data from the PTSC-RCT of depressive symptomology, measured using an adapted version of the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CES-D-10). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. We used logistic regression models to investigate the factors associated with participants with or without symptoms of depression. We used baseline data from the PTSC-RCT study, including 316 African American English-speaking women between ages 40 and 75 years with hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg), who received their primary care at a FQHC in Washington, DC, in 2017 and 2018 and were flagged by the FQHC as uncontrolled. Main Outcomes and Measures: We used the CES-D-10 from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to measure presence of depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 57.0% of the women in the study (180 of 316) scored greater than or equal to 10 on the CES-D-10. Depressive symptoms had a negative association with a postsecondary education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.492; 95% CI, 0.249-0.968) and a positive association with the number of chronic conditions (aOR, 1.235; 95% CI, 1.046-1.460) and smoking (aOR, 1.731; 95% CI, 1.039-2.881). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of low-income African American women with uncontrolled hypertension, more than half had symptoms of depression that was associated with less than high-school education, chronic conditions, and smoking. Low-income African American women with uncontrolled hypertension should be screened and adequately treated for depressive symptoms. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04371614.

Antiangiogenic effect of arsenic trioxide in HUVECs by FoxO3a-regulated autophagy.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been shown to have antitumor effect in different tumors, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Autophagy plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy and has been found to be activated by ATO in different cells. However, the role of autophagy in the antitumor effect of ATO has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of autophagy in the antiangiogenic effect of ATO in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and its underlying mechanism. Our data showed that ATO suppresses angiogenesis and induces autophagy in HUVECs through upregulation of forkhead box protein O3 (FoxO3a). Co-incubated with autophagy inhibitor or knockdown of FoxO3a effectively inhibited ATO-induced autophagy and reversed the antiangiogenic effect of ATO, indicating that ATO-induced autophagy plays an antiangiogenic role in HUVECs. Our results highlight the importance of autophagy in the antiangiogenic effect of ATO and provide an improved understanding of the function of ATO.

Factors Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life of Parents Who Lost Their Only Child: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central China.

Purpose: The number of families who lost their only child was over one million in 2012 in China, and it is growing rapidly every year. Without their only child, they will inevitably worry about their health and life for their later years. It is important to explore the quality of life and influencing factors of the parents. Methods: The cluster sampling method was adopted to select the participants in Wuhu city, Anhui province, central China. The generalized linear regression models were performed to analyze factors influencing EQ-VAS scores. Results: The parents with different monthly income (P = 0.001) and self-rated health status (P < 0.001) had different EQ-VAS scores. Educational level, self-rated health status, number of chronic diseases, depression and having grandchildren were significantly associated with their EQ-VAS score. Conclusion: The government should encourage public medical institutions to provide convenient health management and medical services to this vulnerable group. Priority treatment should be given to the parents who already have multiple diseases. The parents who were depressed should be given timely intervention. The government should give more financial subsidies to the parents who need to raise their grandchildren.