Variation in Nutritional Components and Antioxidant Capacity of Different Cultivars and Organs of Basella alba.

Basella alba is a frequently consumed leafy vegetable. However, research on its nutritional components is limited. This study aimed to explore the variation in the nutritional components and antioxidant capacity of different cultivars and organs of Basella alba. Here, we primarily chose classical spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to characterize the variation in nutritional components and antioxidant capacity among different organs (inflorescences, green fruits, black fruits, leaves, and stems) of eight typical cultivars of Basella alba. The determination indices (and methods) included the total soluble sugar (anthrone colorimetry), total soluble protein (the Bradford method), total chlorophyll (the ethanol-extracting method), total carotenoids (the ethanol-extracting method), total ascorbic acid (the HPLC method), total proanthocyanidins (the p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde method), total flavonoids (AlCl3 colorimetry), total phenolics (the Folin method), and antioxidant capacity (the FRAP and ABTS methods). The results indicated that M5 and M6 exhibited advantages in their nutrient contents and antioxidant capacities. Additionally, the inflorescences demonstrated the highest total ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents, while the green and black fruits exhibited relatively high levels of total proanthocyanidins and antioxidant capacity. In a comparison between the green and black fruits, the green fruits showed higher levels of total chlorophyll (0.77-1.85 mg g-1 DW), total proanthocyanidins (0.62-2.34 mg g-1 DW), total phenolics (15.28-27.35 mg g-1 DW), and ABTS (43.39-59.16%), while the black fruits exhibited higher levels of total soluble protein (65.45-89.48 mg g-1 DW) and total soluble sugar (56.40-207.62 mg g-1 DW) in most cultivars. Chlorophyll, carotenoids, and flavonoids were predominantly found in the leaves of most cultivars, whereas the total soluble sugar contents were highest in the stems of most cultivars. Overall, our findings underscore the significant influence of the cultivars on the nutritional composition of Basella alba. Moreover, we observed notable variations in the nutrient contents among the different organs of the eight cultivars, and proanthocyanidins may contribute significantly to the antioxidant activity of the fruits. On the whole, this study provides a theoretical basis for the genetic breeding of Basella alba and dietary nutrition and serves as a reference for the comprehensive utilization of this vegetable.

Poor nutritional status is associated with the severity of omicron infection in the older adults.

BACKGROUND: The Omicron wave of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains the dominant strain worldwide. The studies of nutritional status in geriatric people with COVID-19 Omicron variant are limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of poor nutritional status among Omicron infected older patients, and to explore the correlation between the nutritional status and the severity of Omicron infection in older patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. According to the clinical symptoms, patients were divided into two groups: mild and moderate to severe. Mini Nutritional Assessment short-form (MNA-SF) was conducted when patients were admitted and poor nutritional status was defined as MNA-SF score of 0-11. The inflammatory markers including neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic inflammatory index (SII) were calculated and compared between two groups. RESULTS: Total of 324 patients were enrolled, with median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 73 (17) years. Overall, 241 cases were mild, 83 cases were moderate to severe at the time of diagnosis and that 54.3% of patients had poor nutritional status. Patients with poor nutritional status were found to be older (P < 0.001) and less vaccinated (P < 0.001), with a longer virus shedding duration (P = 0.022), more comorbidities (≥ 2) (P = 0.004) and higher value of NLR (P < 0.001), PLR (P < 0.001) and SII (P = 0.012). Vaccination, cycle threshold value in ORF1ab gene (OR CT value) and female, higher MNA-SF score was negatively connected with probability of moderate to severe infection. For every 1 score increase in MNA-SF, the odds ratio of moderate to severe infection decreased by 14.8% [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.852; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.734-0.988; P = 0.034]. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with poor nutritional status are more likely to develop moderate to severe Omicron infection.

Reduced Diversities and Clonally Expanded Sequences of T-Cell Receptors in Patients With Essential Hypertension and Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: It has long been hypothesized that the abnormal immune responses contribute to the essential hypertension (EH) and its subclinical target organ damage (STOD). However, the mechanism is unclear. This study aimed at exploring the potential association with abnormal T-cell responses and EH, STOD, and early atherosclerosis in patients with EH. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 146 patients with EH and 73 age-matched normotensive individuals. The expressed peripheral TCR (T-cell receptor) ß repertoire was analyzed by high through-put sequencing. RESULTS: The TCRß repertoires of the patients with EH were significantly different, with significantly elevated certain TCR beta variable (TRBV) and joint (TRBJ) gene usages, significantly reduced TCRß diversity indexes (diversity 50s) and numbers of total TCRß clonal types, significantly elevated percentages of the biggest TCRß clones and numbers of clones accounting >0.1% sequences, compared with those in the normotensive controls. Decreased diversity 50s and increased biggest TCRß clone percentages were independently correlated with carotid intima-media thickness and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA) in the patients with EH. Moreover, the diversity 50s were further significantly reduced and the biggest TCRß clone percentages were significantly increased in the patients with EH with SCA (n=89) comparing to the patients with EH/patients without SCA (n=57), and in patients with EH/SCA with carotid plaque (n=22) comparing to patients with EH/SCA/patients without carotid plaque (n=67). Importantly, specific TCRß clones were identified in different subgroups of the patients with EH. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal that abnormal T-cell responses may play important roles in the progression of EH and its SCA, especially the formation of carotid plaque. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn; Unique identifier: ChiCTR2100054414.

Conserved Covarying Gut Microbial Network in Preterm Infants and Childhood Growth During the First 5 Years of Life: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinally conserved microbe-microbe interactions may provide insights to understand the complex dynamic system of early-life gut microbiota among preterm infants. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to profile the covarying network of gut microbiota among preterm infants and investigate its potential influence on host growth (2-5 y). METHODS: We collected time-series stool samples (n = 717 from children and n = 116 from mothers) among 51 preterm and 51 full-term infants from birth up to 5 y of age and among 53 mothers. The included infants underwent time-series measurements of early-life gut microbiota (0-5 y) and growth (2-5 y) from June 2014 to April 2017. The covarying taxa that exhibited consistent covariation from day 1 to year 5 were defined as conserved features in the development of gut microbiota. Childrens' height-for-age z score (HAZ) and weight-for-age z score were calculated according to World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. RESULTS: We observed distinct dynamic patterns of both microbial alpha and beta diversity comparing preterm infants with full-term controls during the very early stage (<3 mo). Moreover, we identified a covarying network containing 10 taxa as a conserved gut microbial feature of these preterm infants from birth to 5 y old. This covarying network was distinctive between preterm and full-term infants before 3 mo of age (P < 0.001) and tended to be similar as the infants grew up. Several covarying taxa of the network during early life (<3 mo) were associated with childhood growth (2-5 y) (eg, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 with HAZ, ß = -0.32, q < 0.01), and the human milk feeding duration was a main modulating factor. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm born children possess conserved and distinct covarying microbiota during very early life, which may have a profound influence on their growth later in life. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03373721.

Variation in the Main Health-Promoting Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Three Leafy Vegetables in Southwest China.

Malabar spinach (Basella alba), amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor), and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) are leafy vegetables found in Southwest China. The variation of chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity was studied in the leaves and stems of the three vegetables. The content of main health-promoting compounds and the antioxidant capacity in the leaves were higher than that in the stems, indicating that the leaves of the three vegetables possess greater nutritional value. The trend of total flavonoids in all three vegetables was similar to the trend of antioxidant capacity, suggesting that the total flavonoids may be the major antioxidants wihin these vegetables. Eight individual phenolic compounds were detected in three different vegetables. The most abundant levels of individual phenolic compounds in the leaves and stems of malabar spinach, amaranth, and sweet potato were 6'-O-feruloyl-d-sucrose (9.04 and 2.03 mg g-1 DW), hydroxyferulic acid (10.14 and 0.73 mg g-1 DW), and isorhamnetin-7-O-glucoside (34.93 and 6.76 mg g-1 DW), respectively. Sweet potato exhibited a higher total and individual phenolic compound content compared to malabar spinach and amaranth. Overall, the results demonstrate that the three leafy vegetables possess high nutritional value, and could be used not only for consumption but also in various other fields, including medicine and chemistry.

Optimization of the ultrasound-assisted aqueous enzymatic extraction of Pinus koraiensis nuts oil by response surface methodology.

Response surfaces methodology was established in order to optimize ultrasound-assisted aqueous alkaline protease extraction parameters of Pinus koraiensis nuts oil (PNO) in this short communication. On the oil yield, the impacts of single factors were studied. The solid-liquid ratio, enzyme concentration, enzyme hydrolysis temperature, and enzyme hydrolysis duration were chosen for further optimization of the extraction process utilizing a Box-Behnken design based on statistical significance analysis. Under ideal extraction conditions, a maximum oil recovery of 68.35% was achieved: solid-liquid ratio, enzyme concentration, enzyme hydrolysis temperature, and enzyme hydrolysis duration were 1:5 (g/mL), 3.23 mg/g, 44 °C, and 2.84 h, respectively. Furthermore, physicochemical properties testing revealed that the oil was of higher quality than other approaches. Meanwhile, the DPPH radical-scavenging activities increased with increased content compared to olive oil, with an IC50 value of 0.082 mg/mL. The method has a lot of potential when it comes to extracting oils from plants.

Evaluation and comparison of adaptive immunity through analyzing the diversities and clonalities of T-cell receptor repertoires in the peripheral blood.

The adaptive immune system plays an important role in defending against different kinds of diseases, including infection and cancer. There has been a longtime need for a simple method to quantitatively evaluate the potency of adaptive immunity in our bodies. The tremendously diversified T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires are the foundation of the adaptive immune system. In this study, we analyzed the expressed TCRß repertoires in the peripheral blood of 582 healthy donors and 60 cancer patients. The TCR repertoire in each individual is different, with different usages of TCR Vß and Jß genes. Importantly, the TCR diversity and clonality change along with age and disease situation. Most elder individuals and cancer patients have elevated numbers of large TCRß clones and reduced numbers of shared common clones, and thus, they have very low TCR diversity index (D50) values. These results reveal the alteration of the expressed TCRß repertoire with aging and oncogenesis, and thus, we hypothesize that the TCR diversity and clonality in the peripheral blood might be used to evaluate and compare the adaptive immunities among different individuals in clinical practice.

Numerical Simulation of the Shear Capacity of a GFRP-Strengthened Natural Bamboo-Bolt Composite Joint.

As an ecological green building material, natural bamboo has many advantages such as a light weight, high strength, and short growth cycle. Natural bamboo is widely used in landscape architecture and fabricated structures. However, in bamboo building structures, the most common bolted joints often appear cleaved along the grain. In this paper, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) is designed to wrap and improve the shear capacity of natural bamboo-bolt composite joints. According to the corresponding material parameters, the finite element model of composite joints is established, and the key influencing variables of the bearing capacity, namely the bolt diameter, bamboo tube outer diameter, and screw end distance, are analyzed. In addition, according to the European analytical yield model of bolted connections, the analytical calculation method of the bearing capacity is proposed and compared with the experimental and simulated values. The results showed that the numerical model and the modified analytical model can suitably describe the bearing capacity of composite joints, and a higher bolt diameter, along with the bamboo outer diameter, will lead to a higher ultimate load of the composite joints. Moreover, the bearing capacity of composite joints has no obvious relationship with the end spacing.

The rice transcription factor Nhd1 regulates root growth and nitrogen uptake by activating nitrogen transporters.

Plants adjust root architecture and nitrogen (N) transporter activity to meet the variable N demand, but their integrated regulatory mechanism remains unclear. We have previously reported that a floral factor in rice (Oryza sativa), N-mediated heading date-1 (Nhd1), regulates flowering time. Here, we show that Nhd1 can directly activate the transcription of the high-affinity ammonium (NH4+) transporter 1;3 (OsAMT1;3) and the dual affinity nitrate (NO3-) transporter 2.4 (OsNRT2.4). Knockout of Nhd1 inhibited root growth in the presence of NO3- or a low concentration of NH4+. Compared to the wild-type (WT), nhd1 and osamt1;3 mutants showed a similar decrease in root growth and N uptake under low NH4+ supply, while nhd1 and osnrt2.4 mutants showed comparable root inhibition and altered NO3- translocation in shoots. The defects of nhd1 mutants in NH4+ uptake and root growth response to various N supplies were restored by overexpression of OsAMT1;3 or OsNRT2.4. However, when grown in a paddy field with low N availability, nhd1 mutants accumulated more N and achieved a higher N uptake efficiency (NUpE) due to the delayed flowering time and prolonged growth period. Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism underlying the growth duration-dependent NUpE.

Effects of Cadmium Exposure on Leydig Cells and Blood Vessels in Mouse Testis.

Environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) contributes to a decline in the quality of human semen. Although the testis is sensitive to Cd exposure, the mechanism underlying how cadmium affects the testis remains to be defined. In this study, male mice were treated with intraperitoneal injections of 0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg/day for 10 days, respectively. Both the testicular weight and the 3ß-HSD activity of Leydig cells were significantly reduced with the administration of 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg/day. The height of endothelial cells in the interstitial blood vessels significantly increased with the use of 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg/day compared with the control. Western blot data showed that the protein levels of CD31, αSMA, caveolin and Ng2 increased with cadmium exposure, and this increase was particularly significant with the administration of 2.5 mg CdCl2/kg/day. CD31, αSMA, caveolin and Ng2 are related to angiogenesis. Based on our data, cadmium exposure may stimulate the proliferation of the mural cells and endothelial cells of blood vessels, which may lead to abnormal function of the testis.

Autoantibodies against p53, MMP-7, and Hsp70 as Potential Biomarkers for Detection of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are two predominant histological types of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), lacking effective early diagnostic markers. In this study, we assessed the diagnostic value of autoantibodies against p53, MMP-7, and Hsp70 in skin SCC and BCC. ELISA was performed to detect levels of autoantibodies in sera from 101 NMSC patients and 102 normal controls, who were recruited from the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. A receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value. The serum levels of autoantibodies against p53, MMP-7, and Hsp70 were higher in NMSCs than those in the normal controls (all P < 0.01). The AUC of the three-autoantibody panel was 0.841 (95% CI: 0.788-0.894) with the sensitivity and specificity of 60.40% and 91.20% when differentiating NMSCs from normal controls. Furthermore, measurement of this panel could differentiate early-stage skin cancer patients from normal controls (AUC: 0.851; 95% CI: 0.793-0.908). Data from Oncomine showed that the level of p53 mRNA was elevated in BCC (P < 0.05), and the Hsp70 mRNA was upregulated in SCC (P < 0.001). This serum three-autoantibody panel might function in assisting the early diagnosis of NMSC.

Psychological Capital Mediates the Association Between Perceived Organizational Support and Work Engagement Among Chinese Doctors.

Background: As experts studying occupational health psychology know, low level of work engagement leads to higher turnover intentions. Some researchers have put a focus on the association between organizational support and work engagement. However, little has been done concerning the mediating effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on the association between perceived organizational support (POS) and work engagement (vigor, dedication, absorption) among Chinese doctors. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been carried out from November to December in 2017, in Liaoning Province, China. The questionnaire consists of Survey of Perceived Organizational Support, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and demographic and working variables. The self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 1,009 doctors. Effective responses were collected from 836 participants (82.85%). Hierarchical multiple regression and the asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to examine the association between POS and work engagement mediated by PsyCap. Results: After controlling the demographic and working variables, POS was positively related to vigor (ß = 0.402, P < 0.01), dedication (ß = 0.413, P < 0.01), and absorption (ß = 0.373, P < 0.01). Psychological capital was positively associated with vigor (ß = 0.442, P < 0.001), dedication (ß = 0.413, P < 0.001), and absorption (ß = 0.395, P < 0.001). Thus, PsyCap [a × b = 0.1895, bias-corrected and accelerated 95% confidence interval (BCa 95% CI) = 0.1524, 0.2290]; a × b = 0.1517, BCa 95% CI = 0.1180, 0.1875; a × b = 0.1693, BCa 95% CI = 0.1299, 0.2099] significantly mediated the association between POS and vigor, dedication, and absorption, respectively. Conclusion: There was a low level of work engagement among Chinese doctors. Perceived organizational support could indirectly improve vigor, dedication, and absorption, partially through mediator PsyCap. Perceived organizational support intervention, education, and training in PsyCap should be carried out to cope with work engagement.

A Study on the Psychological Factors Affecting the Quality of Life Among Ovarian Cancer Patients in China.

PURPOSE: We aim to test whether resilience mediates the association of fear of progression (FoP) with quality of life (QoL) among ovarian cancer patients in China. METHODS: We collected 230 questionnaires from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University in Liaoning Province, and 209 completed the questionnaire survey. The survey instrument consisted of four questionnaires: a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy general instrument, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationship among FoP, resilience, and QoL, including physical well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being, and functional well-being. We used asymptotic and resampling strategies to examine the indirect effect of resilience. RESULTS: FoP was negatively associated with resilience (r=-0.543, P<0.01) and QoL (physical well-being: r=-0.537, P<0.01; social well-being: r=-0.426, P<0.01; emotional well-being: r=-0.487, P<0.01; functional well-being: r=-0.529, P<0.01). Resilience was positively related with QoL (physical well-being: r=0.449, P<0.01; social well-being: r=0.548, P<0.01; emotional well-being: r=0.430, P<0.01; functional well-being: r=0.655, P<0.01). Resilience partly mediated the association between FoP and physical well-being (a×b=-0.05, BCa 95% CI: -0.09, -0.02), social well-being (a×b=-0.21, BCa 95% CI: -0.29, -0.14), emotional well-being (a×b=-0.05, BCa 95% CI: -0.08, -0.02), and functional well-being (a×b=-0.24, BCa 95% CI: -0.32, -0.17). The proportion of the mediating effect accounted for by resilience were 22.57%, 57.22%, 26.02%, 53.42% for physical well-being, social well-being, emotional well-being and functional well-being, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study showed that resilience could mediate the association between fear of progression and quality of life. It suggests that resilience might provide a potential target for intervention in quality of life with ovarian cancer.

Perceived Organizational Support Associated with Depressive Symptoms Among Petroleum Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the association between perceived organizational support (POS) and depressive symptoms, and to further explore whether self-efficacy can act as a moderator between POS and depressive symptoms among Chinese petroleum workers. METHODS: There was a cross-sectional study conducted at a petrochemical enterprise in Liaoning Province, China, from July to August 2018. A series of questionnaires were accomplished by 1836 petroleum workers, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of SPOS score, GSES score, and SPOS score×GSES score interaction with CES-D score. A simple slope analysis will be carried out if the interaction has statistical significance. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analysis showed that SPOS score (ß=-0.538, P<0.01) and GSES score (ß=-0.313, P<0.01) played a main influence on CES-D score. The SPOS score×GSES score interaction term significantly explained an extra 9.7% of the variance (F=253.932, adjusted R 2=0.582, ΔR 2=0.097, P<0.01). The interaction term was positively correlated with CES-D score (ß=0.334, P<0.01). The relationship between SPOS score and CES-D score gradually decreased in the low (1 SD below the mean, ß=-0.589, P<0.01), mean (ß=-0.338, P<0.01), and high (1 SD above the mean, ß=-0.087, P<0.01) groups of GSES score. CONCLUSION: This study showed that POS and self-efficacy played a main influence on depressive symptoms, and the interaction term was positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Self-efficacy could attenuate the association between POS and depressive symptoms. It suggests that appropriate POS and self-efficacy enhancement measures ought to be supplied to relieve depressive symptoms.

Serum IGFBP-1 as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of early-stage upper gastrointestinal tumour.

BACKGROUND: Early detection would improve upper gastrointestinal cancer prognosis. We aimed to identify serum protein biomarker for the detection of early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: We performed a three-tiered study including 2028 participants from three medical centres. First, we applied two different antibody arrays to screen candidate serum proteins that increased in 20 patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) compared with 20 normal controls. We then evaluated the selected protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 1064 participants including 731 upper gastrointestinal cancer patients (287 ESCCs, 237 oesophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas (EJAs), and 207 stomach cancers) and 333 normal controls. The diagnostic value of the selected protein was finally validated in two independent cohorts of ESCC patients and controls (n=472 and 452, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic was used to calculate diagnostic accuracy. FINDINGS: Serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) identified in both antibody arrays showed significantly elevated levels in upper gastrointestinal cancers, compared with normal controls. Serum IGFBP-1 provided high diagnostic accuracy of early-stage ESCC, EJA, stomach and cancer (areas under the curve: 0·898, 0·936 and 0·864, respectively). This protein maintained diagnostic performance for early-stage ESCC in independent cohorts 1 and 2 (0·849 and 0·911, respectively). Additionally, serum levels of IGFBP-1 dropped significantly after surgical resection of primary tumours, compared with the corresponding pre-operative ESCC samples (p < 0·05). INTERPRETATION: Serum IGFBP-1 represents a promising diagnostic biomarker to detect early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer.

The association between resilience, perceived organizational support and fatigue among Chinese doctors: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue influences doctors' physical and mental health seriously, additionally, the topic has received wide attention recently. This study aimed to identify the association among resilience, perceived organizational support (POS) and fatigue, and to further explore whether POS could be a moderator in the association between resilience and fatigue in Chinese doctors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Liaoning Province in China in 2018. Out of 1000 randomly selected doctors, 866 completed the Chalder Fatigue Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Survey of Perceived Organizational Support, and the questions about demographic characteristics and job condition variables. The association among resilience, POS and resilience × POS interaction with physical and mental fatigue were examined by hierarchical multiple regression. Simple slope analysis was conducted to visualize the interaction. RESULTS: The association between resilience and physical fatigue was gradually increased in the low (1 standard deviation [SD] below the mean, ß = -0.127, P< 0.05), mean (ß = -0.292, P < 0.05) and high (1 SD above the mean, ß = -0.457, P < 0.05) groups of POS. Additionally, the association was also different in the low (1 SD below the mean, ß = -0.240, P < 0.01), mean (ß = -0.357, P < 0.01) and high (1 SD above the mean, ß = -0.474, P < 0.01) groups of POS. LIMITATIONS: Due to the cross-sectional design, the study cannot draw any conclusion of causal relationships among study variables. CONCLUSIONS: POS could moderate the association among resilience, physical and mental fatigue. More interventions related to resilience and POS will be helpful to alleviate fatigue among Chinese doctors.

Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 as a Potential Biomarker in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma.

Background/Aims: Esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EJA) is a malignant tumor associated with high morbidity and has attracted increasing attention due to a rising incidence and low survival rate. Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, but noninvasive and effective tests are lacking, resulting in diagnoses at advanced stages. This study explored the diagnostic value of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in EJA. Methods: A total of 120 EJA patients and 88 normal controls were recruited, and their serum levels of IGFBP7 were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the diagnostic value, and Pearson chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between IGFBP7 and clinical parameters. Kaplan- Meier survival analysis was carried out to assess the effect of IGFBP7 on overall survival (OS). Results: The levels of IGFBP7 were higher in both early- and late-stage EJA patients than in normal controls (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for EJA patients was 0.794 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.733 to 0.854), with a cutoff value of 2.716 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 63.3% (95% CI, 54.0% to 71.8%) and a specificity of 90.9% (95% CI, 82.4% to 95.7%). For the diagnosis of early-stage EJA, the same cutoff value and specificity were obtained, but the sensitivity of IGFBP7 was 54.3% (95% CI, 36.9% to 70.8%). Patients with low IGFBP7 protein expression had lower OS than those with high expression (p=0.034). The multivariate analysis showed that IGFBP7 is an independent prognostic factor for EJA (p=0.011). Conclusions: Serum IGFBP7 acts as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for EJA.

Effects of CD4 cell count and antiretroviral therapy on mucocutaneous manifestations among HIV/AIDS patients in Yunnan, China.

BACKGROUND: The affecting factors of mucocutaneous manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients remain unclear in China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted among HIV/AIDS patients in Yunnan, China. The demographic data, mucocutaneous manifestations, CD4 cell counts, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens were collected. The effects of CD4 cell count and ART on the spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 508 HIV/AIDS patients, 86.0% of cases showed mucocutaneous manifestations. The average CD4 cell count (176 cells/µl) of the patients with manifestations was significantly lower than those without manifestations (328 cells/µl) (P < 0.001). Diseases such as herpes zoster, oral candidiasis, condyloma acuminatum, genital herpes, oral leukoplakia, talaromycosis, cryptococcosis, and HIV-PPE (pruritic papular eruption) were represented quite frequently in patients with CD4 cell count <200 cells/µl (P < 0.05), but eczema was suffered by those with CD4 cell count ≥200 cells/µl (P < 0.05). ART could decline the incidence of herpes zoster, oral candidiasis, condyloma acuminatum, genital herpes, oral leukoplakia, talaromycosis, and cryptococcosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mucocutaneous manifestations are closely related to the CD4 cell count and can be used as early predictors of HIV/AIDS and immune status in clinic. ART could reduce the incidence of certain mucocutaneous manifestations.

Moderating Role of Self-Esteem Between Perceived Organizational Support and Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Nurses are undertaking tremendous physical and psychological pressure, which may reduce their subjective well-being (SWB). This study is aimed to identify the relationship among perceived organizational support (POS), self-esteem, and SWB, and to further explore whether self-esteem could be a moderator in the association between POS and SWB in Chinese nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in Liaoning Province in China, in 2018. 606 valid questionnaires were collected. Demographic factors, job conditions, the Index of Well-Being, Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS), and Rosenberg's Self Esteem Scale (RSES) were included in each questionnaire. The association among POS, self-esteem, and POS × self-esteem interaction with SWB were examined by hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The interaction was visualized by using simple slope analysis. RESULTS: Average score of SWB in Chinese nurses was 8.27 ± 2.64. Being married was positively related to SWB, while having longer work time per week, having night shift and dissatisfied with nurse-patient relationship were correlated with lower SWB. POS and self-esteem were important factors for SWB. Self-esteem could moderate the relationship between POS and SWB. When self-esteem was higher, POS had a greater effect on SWB. CONCLUSION: Subjective well-being of nurses in the study was at a low level. Self-esteem could moderate the association between POS and SWB. More interventions related to POS and self-esteem will be helpful to improve SWB among nurses.

Association between transformational leadership and occupational burnout and the mediating effects of psychological empowerment in this relationship among CDC employees: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is playing a vital role in protecting public health and safety. However, few studies have researched on the occupational burnout of CDC employees in the world. Previous studies have reported that transformational leadership could improve the level of psychological empowerment and ameliorate burnout of the employees. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between transformational leadership and burnout and to test the mediating role of psychological empowerment in this relationship among CDC employees in China. Methods: Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey, Transformational Leadership Questionnaire, and Psychological Empowerment Scale were used to measure burnout, transformational leadership, and psychological empowerment. A total of 385 CDC employees (effective response rate: 96.25%) were included in the study. We analyzed the association between transformational leadership and three subscales of burnout with hierarchical linear regression analyses. The mediating role of psychological empowerment was finally examined by asymptotic and resampling strategies. Results: Transformational leadership was negatively associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment after controlling sociodemographic and working context characteristics. Transformational leadership and psychological empowerment, respectively, accounted for 9.3% and 12.3% of the variance in emotional exhaustion; 8.5% and 16.7% of the variance in depersonalization; and 6.7% and 10.0% of the variance in reduced personal accomplishment. We found that psychological empowerment played a partially mediating role on the relationship between transformational leadership and burnout. The proportion of psychological empowerment's mediating effect was 41.56% for emotional exhaustion, 50.62% for depersonalization, and 44.32% for reduced personal accomplishment. Conclusions: It was suggested that transformational leadership could decrease the risk of burnout by the pathway of promoting the employee's psychological empowerment. Interventions focusing on transformational leadership and psychological empowerment should be of significance to cut burnout.