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Objective@#To understand vulnerability to psychological crisis among rural college students and its related factors, so as to provide reference for the prevention or intervention of psychological crisis among rural college students.@*Methods@#A total of 3 560 rural college students from grade one to grade three from five universities were selected using convenient cluster sampling method from January to September 2022 in Nanyang City. General information, vulnerability to psychological crisis, parenting style and Scale of Perceived Social Self efficacy (PSSE) were collected and analyzed through questionnaire.@*Results@#Among the investigated rule college students, the score of psychological crisis vulnerability and spoiling dimension of parenting style were (10.76± 3.46 ) points and (2.68±0.55) points, while the score of trust encouragement dimension of parenting style and PSSE were (2.52± 0.62 ) points and (3.29±0.61) points. Pearson correlation analysis showed that vulnerability to psychological crisis of rural students was positively correlated with spoiling and neglect ( r =0.32, 0.49), and was negatively correlated with trust encouragement, emotional warmth and PSSE ( r =-0.38, -0.53, -0.51)( P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that single parent family or other families, poor students, left behind experience, high score of spoiling and high score of neglect revealed high psychological crisis vulnerability ( P <0.05). High score of trust encouragement, high score of emotional warmth and PSSE were associated with low vulnerability to psychological crisis ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#Vulnerability to psychological crisis among rural college students is higher, which is related to the family structure, students whether they are poor, leftover experience, parenting style and PSSE. Mental health among rural college students should be promoted by strengthening communication with students parents and cultivating students social self efficacy.
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BACKGROUND: Unsubstantiated concerns have been raised on the potential correlation between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and infertility, leading to vaccine hesitancy in reproductive-aged population. Herein, we aim to evaluate the impact of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on embryo ploidy, which is a critical indicator for embryo quality and pregnancy chance. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 133 patients who underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles with next-generation sequencing technology from June 1st 2021 to March 17th 2022 at a tertiary-care medical center in China. Women fully vaccinated with two doses of Sinopharm or Sinovac inactivated vaccines (n = 66) were compared with unvaccinated women (n = 67). The primary outcome was the euploidy rate per cycle. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: The euploidy rate was similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups (23.2 ± 24.6% vs. 22.6 ± 25.9%, P = 0.768), with an adjusted ß of 0.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.08-0.10). After frozen-thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer, the two groups were also comparable in clinical pregnancy rate (75.0% vs. 60.0%, P = 0.289), with an adjusted odds ratio of 6.21 (95% CI: 0.76-50.88). No significant associations were observed between vaccination and cycle characteristics or other laboratory and pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination had no detrimental impact on embryo ploidy during in vitro fertilization treatment. Our finding provides further reassurance for vaccinated women who are planning to conceive. Future prospective cohort studies with larger datasets and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the conclusion.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Preimplantation Diagnosis , COVID-19/prevention & control , Ploidies , Blastocyst , Fertilization in Vitro , Genetic Testing , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Vaccination , Pregnancy Rate , COVID-19 Vaccines , SARS-CoV-2 , AneuploidyABSTRACT
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the malignant tumors with the worst prognosis worldwide because of a lack of early diagnostic markers and efficient therapies. Integrin, beta-like 1 (ITGBL1) is a β-integrin-related extracellular matrix protein and is reported to promote progression of some types of cancer. Nevertheless, the function of ITGBL1 in PC is still not clear. Herein, we found that ITGBL1 was highly expressed in PC tissues compared to normal tissues (P<0.05) and PC patients with higher TGBL1 expression showed worse prognosis. PANC-1 and AsPC-1 cells were used for gain/loss-of-function experiments. We found that ITGBL1-silenced cells exhibited decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities and delayed cell cycle, whereas ITGBL1 overexpression reversed these malignant behaviors. ITGBL1 was also demonstrated to activate the TGF-β/Smad pathway, a key signaling pathway in PC progression. Additionally, ITGBL1 expression was found to be suppressed by a suppressor of PC progression, c-Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2). Results of dual-luciferase assay indicated that transcription factor JDP2 could inhibit TGBL1 promoter activity. ITGBL1 overexpression inversed the effects of JDP2 up-regulation on cell function. Collectively, we concluded that ITGBL1 may be transcriptionally suppressed by JDP2 and promote PC progression through the TGF-β/Smad pathway, indicating that ITGBL1 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of PC.
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Objective: Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor and is generally treated with radiotherapy combined with radiosensitizers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the radiosensitization effects of berberine on osteosarcoma cells and the role of Rad51 in radiosensitivity by berberine. Materials and Methods: Cells from the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 were exposed to γ-ray irradiation (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy) and berberine (20 μM). Radiosensitivity was evaluated by determining cell viability using an MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle and apoptosis. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to analyze the mRNA and protein expressions of Rad51. The protein levels of E-cadherin and vimentin were also measured to evaluate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Tumor invasion was determined by the Boyden chamber assay. Results: Berberine exacerbated the decline in viability of MG-63 cells exposed to γ-rays irradiation at various concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100 μmol/L) and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase as well as apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expressions of Rad51 were significantly decreased by berberine in MG-63 cells. Inhibition of Rad51 by B02 enhanced the radiosensitivity of MG-63 cells. Berberine inhibited their invasive capability as well as increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin protein levels; this indicated that berberine suppressed the EMT process in MG-63 cells exposed to γ-rays irradiation. Conclusion: Berberine enhances the radiosensitivity of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells. Rad51 is a potential target of berberine in the radiosensitization of osteosarcoma
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Objective: Radiotherapy becomes more and more important in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the development of technology, especially in unresectable cases. Metformin has a synergistic benefit with radiotherapy in some cancers, but remains unclear in HCC. This study aims to investigate the effect of metformin on radiosensitivity of HCC cells and the roles of specificity protein 1 (Sp1) as a target of metformin. Methods: The SMMC-7721 cell line was exposed to various doses of γ-ray irradiation (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy) and with or without different concentrations of metformin (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mM) to measure the radiosensitivity using MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle by propidium iodide (PI) staining and apoptosis by Hoechst 33342/PI staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to analyze the Sp1 mRNA and protein expressions of Sp1 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker E-cadherin and Vimentin. The invasion capability was measured by the Boyden chamber assay. Results: In SMMC-7721 cells exposed to irradiation, metformin reduced proliferation and survival cells at various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 mM) and induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and inhibited invasion. In SMMC-7721 cells with irradiation, the mRNA and protein expressions of Sp1 were significantly decreased by metformin as well as a selective Sp1 inhibitor. Metformin attenuated transforming growth factor-β1 induced decrease of E-cadherin and increase of Vimentin proteins. Conclusion: Metformin demonstrated enhanced radiosensitivity and inhibition of EMT in HCC cells. Sp1 might be a target of metformin in radiosensitization
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OBJECTIVES: Many studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) could be potential biomarkers for various diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of serum exosomal miRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Serum exosomes were isolated from 38 patients with SLE and 18 healthy controls (HCs). The expression of miR-21, miR-146a and miR-155 within exosomes was examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, we evaluated the diagnostic value of exosomal miRNAs. RESULTS: Exosomal miR-21 and miR-155 were upregulated (p<0.01), whereas miR-146a expression (p<0.05) was downregulated in patients with SLE, compared to that in HCs. The expression of miR-21 (p<0.01) and miR-155 (p<0.05) was higher in SLE patients with lupus nephritis (LN) than in those without LN (non-LN). The analysis of ROC curves revealed that the expression of miR-21 and miR-155 showed a potential diagnostic value for LN. Furthermore, miR-21 (R=0.44, p<0.05) and miR-155 (R=0.33, p<0.05) were positively correlated with proteinuria. The expression of miR-21 was negatively associated with anti-SSA/Ro antibodies (R=−0.38, p<0.05), and that of miR-146a was negatively associated with anti-dsDNA antibodies (R=−0.39, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that exosomal miR-21 and miR-155 expression levels may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of SLE and LN.
Subject(s)
Humans , Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis , Lupus Nephritis/genetics , MicroRNAs , Circulating MicroRNA , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics , BiomarkersABSTRACT
Objective To understand the endemic situation and distribution features of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District,Nanchang City,Jiangxi Province from 2009 to 2014,so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of schistosomia-sis in the future.Methods The endemic data of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District were collected by taking the village as a unit from 2009 to 2014.An endemic database was established,and the SaTScan software was applied to analyze the spatiotemporal aggregation areas of Schistosoma japonicum infection in crowd,Oncomelania hupensis snails and cattle.Results The S.japoni-cum infection rate of crowd was decreased from 0.10％in 2009 to 0.000 68％in 2014.The infection rate of O.hupensis snails was greatly fluctuated from 2009 to 2014,the highest was 1.04％in 2012,but it fell to 0 in 2014.The highest infection rate of cattle was 1.98％in 2012,and it fell to 0 in 2014.The spatial temporal clustering detection showed that three areas of crowd infection were mainly concentrated in 20 villages of Changyi Township,Lianyu Township and Songhu Town;two areas of snail infection were mainly concentrated in five villages of Changyi Township and Nanji Township;one area of cattle infection was mainly con-centrated in three villages of Changyi Township.Conclusions The endemic situation of schistosomiasis presents a declining trend in Xinjian District from 2009 to 2014 as a whole.However,the potential risks of the rebound of the disease still exist,and the six clustering areas of infection are still the key areas for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the future.
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Background: Mutation breeding is one of the most important routes to achieving high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) productivity using Schizochytrium. However, few selection strategies have been reported that aim to generate a high DHA content in Schizochytrium lipids. Results: First, culture temperature altered the butanol tolerance of Schizochytrium limacinum B4D1. Second, S. limacinum E8 was obtained by selecting mutants with high butanol tolerance. This mutant exhibited a 17.97% lower proportion of DHA than the parent strain S. limacinum B4D1. Third, a negative selection strategy was designed in which S. limacinum F6, a mutant with poor butanol tolerance, was obtained. The proportion of DHA in S. limacinum F6 was 11.22% higher than that of parent strain S. limacinum B4D1. Finally, the performances of S. limacinum B4D1, E8 and F6 were compared. These three strains had different fatty acid profiles, but there was no statistical difference in their biomasses and lipid yields. Conclusion: It was feasible to identified the relative DHA content of S. limacinum mutants based on their butanol tolerance.
Subject(s)
Docosahexaenoic Acids/biosynthesis , Butanols/metabolism , Stramenopiles/genetics , Stramenopiles/metabolism , Selection, Genetic , Temperature , Eicosapentaenoic Acid/metabolism , Biomass , Butanols/toxicity , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Fatty Acids/chemistry , Stramenopiles/drug effects , Fermentation , MutationABSTRACT
Background: Malate involves in the citrate/malate and transhydrogenase cycles to provide precursors for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) synthesis. The optimal strategy was investigated for increasing DHA production in Schizochytrium species during fermentation. Results: DHA production increased by 47% and reached 5.51 g/L when 4 g malate/L was added during the rapid lipid accumulation stage in shake-flasks culture. Inducing effects of malate was further investigated through the analysis of three kinetic parameters, including specificcell growth rate(μ), specific glucose consumption rate (qGlu)and DHA formation rate (qDHA). DHA concentration was enhanced through a novel fed-batch strategy to a maximum value of 30.7 g/L, giving a yield of 0.103 g DHA/g glucose and a productivity of 284 mg L-1 h-1. Conclusion: A novel malate feeding strategy was developed that enhanced DHA yield and productivity of Schizochytrium species which may offer a desirable method for industrial applications.
Subject(s)
Docosahexaenoic Acids/metabolism , Microalgae/metabolism , Malates/metabolism , Kinetics , Biomass , Fermentation , NADPABSTRACT
To validate a cheaper and more accessible flow cytometry-based method of assessing Asialoglycoprotein Receptor [ASGPR] expression for hepatic functional reserve. A retrospective analysis. Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, from January 2011 to October 2013. Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma [HCC] undergoing major hepatectomy at Beijing Ditan Hospital, during the study period were retrospectively studied. The fraction of hepatocytes expressing ASGPR in liver tissues was assessed by flow cytometry. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative hepatic dysfunction. The correlation between ASGPR expression and pre-operative liver function parameters with the outcomes of hepatectomy were analyzed. Fewer hepatocytes from patients with postoperative hepatic dysfunction expressed ASGPR [63.3 [57.3 - 68.2]] than from patients without postoperative hepatic dysfunction [72.4 [70.6 - 76.3], p < 0.001]. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated ASGPR levels to be independently correlated with postoperative hepatic dysfunction [Odds ratio 3.34, 95% CI: 2.61-6.02, p < 0.001], and the Receiver Operating Characteristic [ROC] curve for prediction of postoperative liver dysfunction at