Phonological awareness and RAN contribute to Chinese reading and arithmetic for different reasons.

The present study investigated how phonological awareness and rapid automatized naming (hereafter, RAN), simultaneously contributed to Chinese reading and arithmetic fluency. Specifically, we proposed a new hypothesized mechanism that processing speed would mediate the relations of RAN with Chinese reading and arithmetic fluency. One hundred and forty-five Chinese children at the fifth grade were administered with a battery of measures, including three phonological processing measures, character reading, and whole number computation, as well as nonverbal IQ, and vocabulary knowledge. Path analyses revealed that phonological awareness and RAN were uniquely related to character reading and arithmetic fluency, while phonological memory was not significantly correlated to either character reading or arithmetic fluency, after controlling for age, nonverbal IQ, and vocabulary knowledge. Further analysis indicated that processing speed demonstrated a mediating effect on the importance of RAN in character reading, rather than in arithmetic fluency. Results underscore the potential importance of phonological awareness and RAN in character reading and arithmetic fluency, and the mediating role of processing speed in RAN to promote Chinese character reading fluency.

Effects of 7-minute practices of breathing and meditation on stress reduction.

We compared the effects of 7-min practices of breathing and meditation on perceived stress reduction and related affective outcomes (active emotion, serenity, anxiety, and fatigue) during micro-breaks. Undergraduates from two classes (N = 59) completed the 7-point online surveys. Results supported the effects of both practices.

FOXP3 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma : Implications for cetuximab sensitivity and therapeutic strategies.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the impact of FOXP3 (transcription factor forkhead box P3) expression on the biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its influence on the sensitivity of ESCC cells towards cetuximab-targeted (an EGFR monoclonal antibody inhibitor) therapy. METHODS: A specifically designed recombinant FOXP3 shRNA plasmid was synthesized to target the human FOXP3 gene, and the plasmid was transfected into TE12 cells using a liposome method. Multiple assays were conducted to evaluate the effect of FOXP3 expression on ESCC cells and their response to cetuximab treatment. Proliferation activity and cetuximab sensitivity of ESCC cells were measured using the CCK­8 assay. The invasion ability of cells was assessed using an in vitro invasion assay. Furthermore, the efficacy of cetuximab in treating ESCC was analyzed using a tumorigenesis assay in nude mice. RESULTS: Silencing the FOXP3 gene in the TE12 cell line (shFOXP3 group) resulted in a significant reduction in FOXP3 mRNA and protein expression (p = 0.013). The shFOXP3 group exhibited slowed cell growth (p = 0.035), decreased invasion rate (p = 0.031), and increased sensitivity to cetuximab treatment (p = 0.039) compared to the control group (shNC group). In the in vivo tumorigenesis assay, the shFOXP3 group demonstrated a significant reduction in tumor volume and lung metastasis rate following cetuximab treatment (p = 0.028 and 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: High FOXP3 expression promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, while negatively affecting their sensitivity to cetuximab-targeted therapy. Consequently, targeting FOXP3 shows potential therapeutic implications for enhancing the effectiveness of cetuximab treatment in ESCC patients.

[Production and characterization of a novel aminopeptidase A from Lactococcus lactis].

Aminopeptidase A (Pep A) is a metal-dependent enzyme that specifically hydrolyze peptides with the N-terminal amino acids glutamic acid (Glu) and aspartic acid (Asp). A possible application of PepA is the hydrolysis of Glu/Asp-rich food proteins such as wheat gluten and casein, increasing the flavor and solubility of food protein. In the present study, the gene encoding a Pep A from Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis IL1403 was synthesized and introduced into Pichia pastoris GS115 (His4). Lc-Pep A was successfully expressed and secreted to the culture medium, followed by identification and purification to homogeneity. Characteristics study demonstrated that Lc-Pep A could specifically hydrolyze the substrates Glu-pNA and Asp-pNA with similar catalytic activity, and this was further confirmed by the kinetics parameters measured. Additionally, Lc-Pep A showed a broad thermostability and pH stability with an optimum temperature of 60 ℃ and an optimum pH of 8.0. The enzyme activity of Lc-Pep A was activated by metal ions Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ but was strongly inhibited by Ni2+and Cu2+. The routine proteinase inhibitor had no effect on the activity of Lc-Pep A. However, Lc-Pep A was strongly inhibited by the metallopeptidase inhibitor, EDTA, and disulfide bond-reducing agents. The study may facilitate production and application of Lc-Pep A.

How active coping influences school-aged children's rapid automatized naming: A chain mediation model involving subjective vitality and aerobic fitness.

Rapid automatized naming (RAN) has been proven to be important for students' academic performance, but it remains unclear whether and how dealing with stressors (e.g., active coping) is associated with children's development of RAN. To examine this question, this research views the growth of RAN as a cross-stressor adaptation process and proposes that school-aged children may build up adapted and modified stress response systems through active coping in dealing with stressors and cognitive tasks. Based on the broaden-and-build theory and the mind-body unity theory, we explored the impact of active coping on RAN and hypothesized that subjective vitality and aerobic fitness chain mediated the relationship between active coping and RAN. We used two Likert-like scales to measure active coping and subjective vitality, used a number-reading task to measure RAN, and used the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test to measure aerobic fitness. We recruited 303 elementary students in grades 3-5 in China. Results showed that both subjective vitality and aerobic fitness mediated the impact of active coping on time for RAN. Further, the chain indirect effect of active coping→subjective vitality→aerobic fitness→time for RAN was significant, but the reversed chain mediation was not significant. General resources (e.g., subjective vitality) have been shown to be relatively more important than simple physical resources (e.g., aerobic fitness) for RAN. These preliminary findings may contribute to both the cross-stressor-adaptation and active coping literature and have potential implications for improving RAN in school-aged children.

Clinical significance of adjuvant therapy after radical surgery for primary osteosarcoma of the jaws.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma of the jaw is one of the rare malignancies and the role of postoperative adjuvant therapy is unclear. This study explored the efficacy of adjuvant therapy after radical surgery for primary osteosarcoma of the jaw. METHODS: The data were retrospectively analyzed from May 2012 to June 2021. The recurrence rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and 5­year overall survival (OS) rate were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Intergroup rates were examined by chi-square test. RESULTS: 125 post-radical surgery patients were included. The median follow-up time was 66 months. Forty five cases suffered recurrence. The recurrence rate was 36.0%, and the 5­year OS rate was 68.8%. In the adjuvant treatment group, twenty eight of 99 patients experienced disease progression. In the surgical treatment alone group, seventeen of 26 patients experienced disease progression. The recurrence rates in the two groups were 28.3 and 65.4%, respectively (χ2 = 12.303, p < 0.001). The 5­year OS rate was 75.8 and 42.3%, respectively (χ2 = 10.734, p = 0.001). The median DFS of the relapse patients was 15.1 months (95% CI:13.00-17.20 months), and the 5­year OS rate was 40.0%. Among them, 28 patients received adjuvant therapy while 17 received surgical treatment alone. The median DFS was 15.7 and 11.5 months, respectively, p = 0.024. The median OS was 69.6 months (95% CI 55.69 ~ 83.51 months) and 62.4 months (95% CI 49.06 ~ 75.74 months), respectively(p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Adjuvant therapy is one of the effective measures to reduce the relapse rate and improve OS after radical surgery for primary osteosarcoma of the jaw.

Relationship Between Mindfulness and Physical Activity in College Students: The Mediating Effect of Eudaimonic Well-Being.

Previous research has shown many benefits of mindfulness for physical and psychological health, including its link to such health behaviors as increased physical activity (PA). We re-examined the association between mindfulness and PA to better understand a possible mediating role of eudaimonic well-being in this association, while controlling for participants' age, gender, and affect. We had 738 undergraduate student participants (45.0% females; M age = 19.58 years) complete measures of trait mindfulness, eudaimonic well-being, and PA, and we used age, gender, and affect as covariates in a single-wave assessment. We conducted this mediation analysis with a bootstrapping technique to produce 10,000 resamples. We replicated findings of a significant relationship between mindfulness and enhanced eudaimonic well-being (ß = 0.474, p < 0.001), which in turn contributed to increased PA (ß = 0.193, p < 0.001). The bootstrapping method indicated a significant indirect effect of eudaimonic well-being (ß = 0.092, 95% CI = [0.043, 0.142]) in the relationship between mindfulness and PA through eudaimonic well-being. Thus, eudaimonic well-being may mediate the connection between mindfulness and PA. College administrators should consider incorporating mindfulness into health promotion programs as a means of enhancing college students' well-being and health behaviors.

Yeast Cell Surface Engineering of a Nicotinamide Riboside Kinase for the Production of ß-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide via Whole-Cell Catalysis.

ß-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) has been widely used as a nutraceutical for self-medication. The one-step conversion of nicotinamide riboside (NR) to ß-NMN has been considered to be the most promising synthetic route for ß-NMN. Here, human nicotinamide riboside kinase 2 (NRK-2) was functionally displayed on the cell surface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100, forming a whole-cell biocatalyst (Whole-cell NRK-2). Whole-cell NRK-2 could convert nicotinamide riboside (NR) to ß-NMN efficiently in the presence of ATP and Mg2+, with a maximal activity of 64 IU/g (dry weight) and a Km of 3.5 µM, similar to that of free NRK-2 reported previously. To get the best reaction conditions for ß-NMN synthesis, the amounts of NR, ATP, and Mg2+ used, pH, and temperature for the synthetic reaction were optimized. Using Whole-cell NRK-2 as the catalyst under the optimized conditions, ß-NMN synthesized from NR reached a maximal conversion rate of 98.2%, corresponding to 12.6 g/L of ß-NMN in the reaction mixture, which was much higher than those of synthetic processes reported. Additionally, Whole-cell NRK-2 had good pH stability and thermostability, required no complicated treatments before or after use, and could be reused in sequential production. Therefore, this study provided a safe, stable, highly effective, and low-cost biocatalyst for the preparation of ß-NMN, which has great potential in industrial production.

The influence of sports on proactive personality and academic achievement of college students: The role of self-efficacy.

Objective: To explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between the proactive personality and academic performance of college students in different sports groups. Methods: A questionnaire survey is used to study 552 college students. The research tools include the proactive personality scale, the self-efficacy scale table (general, academic, and self-regulation efficacy scale tables), and the academic performance self-report scale table. This research employs SPSS 11.0 statistical software to carry out correlation analysis, regression analysis, and t-tests on the data collected, while the test of mediating effect is carried out by AMOS 22.0. Results: (1) The degree of self-efficacy and academic performance of college students participating in physical activities is significantly greater than that of the non-sports group; (2) the proactive personality level of the sports group is significantly higher than the non-sports group in the dimension of "conscientiousness"; (3) a confirmatory factor analysis of the mediating effect hypothesis model, using the structural equation model, found that self-efficacy plays a full mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance; the direct effect of self-efficacy on the proactive personality and academic performance of college students in different sports groups is not significant. Conclusion: College students involved in sports exercise have higher scores on some items about proactive personality than non-sports groups; girls' self-efficacy level is higher than that of boys; self-efficacy plays a full mediating role in the relationship between proactive personality and academic performance; self-efficacy had no significant effect on proactive personality and gender in different sports groups.

Self-Control Mediates, and Mobile Phone Dependence Moderates, the Relationship Between Psychological Capital and Attitudes Toward Physical Exercise Among Chinese University Students.

Physical exercise can improve the psychological capital while the attitude toward physical exercise will affect one's exercise behavior. However, moderating factors that may influence how physical exercise affects psychological capital remains unknown. We conducted a survey of 519 Chinese university students to investigate the mediating role of self-control between attitudes toward physical exercise and psychological capital, and whether this mediating role is moderated by mobile phone dependence. We found that attitudes toward physical exercise had a positive predictive effect on the psychological capital of university students. Besides, self-control mediated the relationship between attitudes toward physical exercise and psychological capital. The influence of self-control on psychological capital was moderated by mobile phone dependence: the influence of self-control on psychological capital decreased with higher mobile phone dependence. Our results suggest that attitudes toward physical exercise can positively predict the psychological capital of university students, with self-control playing a mediating role between them.

Association of physical activity and positive thinking with global sleep quality.

This study examined the association of different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking with a global sleep quality among college students. The research question was: to what degree were the different intensity levels of physical activity and positive thinking significantly associated with the global sleep quality among college students? We recruited students, who enrolled in regular physical education classes during a fall semester at a major public university. 553 students signed the consent form and indicated their voluntary participation in this study. The final data set for analysis consisted of 403 college students with the mean age of 19.01 years ± 1.559 years (217 males vs. 186 females) based on the results of data screening. They completed three questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Positive Thinking Scale (PTS) during a regular physical education class. The multiple regression model revealed that vigorous-intensity physical activity, positive thinking, and negative thinking were collectively and individually associated with the Global PSQI sleep quality (F = 19.389, p = .000), explaining 12.8% of the total variance in the Global PSQI sleep quality for the total sample. College students' engaging in vigorous intensity level of physical activity, and having a good level of positive thinking and a low level of negative thinking were both collectively and individually linked to the Global PSQI sleep quality.

The relationship between physical activity intensity and subjective well-being in college students.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity (PA) and subjective well-being (SWB) by focusing on the intensity of PA and different components of SWB. Participants: The sample included 723 undergraduate students (mean age = 19.3 years). Methods: Participants responded to questionnaires measuring life satisfaction, happiness, positive affect, negative affect, vigorous-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA, and walking. Multiple regression models were performed with the SWB variables as the outcomes and PA variables as the predictors while controlling for age and sex. Results: While vigorous-intensity PA was the only significant predictor for life satisfaction, both moderate-intensity PA and vigorous-intensity PA were positively associated with happiness and positive affect and negatively associated with negative affect. Walking was not associated with any component of SWB. Conclusion: PA has a positive relationship with SWB in college students and this relationship differs by the intensity of PA and the component of SWB.

The immediate and durable effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress and the underlying mechanisms. Participants: Healthy undergraduates from four yoga and four fitness classes participated in Study 1 (n = 191) and Study 2 (n = 143), respectively (in 2017 Fall). Methods: Study 1 evaluated the immediate effect (a 60-minute practice) while Study 2 evaluated the durable effect (a 12-week intervention). Results: Results showed that immediate stress reduction was more salient in the yoga group than that in the fitness group in Study 1. Yoga group had a greater increase in mindfulness, which predicted stress reduction. Similar observations were made in Study 2 showing the durable effect of yoga on stress reduction through mindfulness. Conclusions: Yoga intervention is better than fitness exercises in helping undergraduates cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. These findings may guide future interventions in stress management in college students.

Effects of team sports on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and sleep quality in college students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of team sports on alleviating depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and poor sleep quality in college students. Participants: Undergraduates (n = 291) from a major public university in China. Methods: A 12-week quasi-experimental study was conducted. Students were enrolled in team sports classes (n = 138, experimental group) and aerobic dance classes (n = 153, comparison group). Data was collected via questionnaires at pre and post-test. Results: Results indicated significant improvement in depression and sleep quality for college students over time (p < .05). Depression levels decreased significantly more for team sports group (p < .05) compared to aerobic dance group. Results showed no significant differences in anxiety or perceived stress between the two groups over time (p > .05). Conclusions: Team sports may help reduce depression and poor sleep quality in college students. However, physical activity alone may not help improve anxiety and perceived stress.

Comparing the Psychological Effects of Meditation- and Breathing-Focused Yoga Practice in Undergraduate Students.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to compare the psychological effects of meditation- and breathing-focused yoga practice in undergraduate students. METHODS: A 12-weeks yoga intervention was conducted among a group of undergraduate students enrolled in four yoga classes at an academically prestigious university in Beijing, China. Four classes were randomized to meditation-focused yoga or breathing-focused yoga. A total of 86 participants finished surveys before and after the 12-weeks intervention, measuring work intention, mindfulness, and perceived stress. The repeated-measure multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) followed by univariate analyses were conducted to examine the differences in work intention, mindfulness, and stress between the two yoga intervention groups over the semester, after controlling for age and gender. RESULTS: The repeated-measure MANCOVA revealed significant group differences with a median effect size [Wilks' lambda, Λ = 0.90, F(3, 80) = 3.10, p = 0.031, η2 = 0.104]. Subsequent univariate analyses showed that students in the breathing-focused yoga group had significant higher work intentions [F (1, 82) = 5.22; p = 0.025; η2 p = 0.060] and mindfulness [F (1, 82) = 6.33; p = 0.014; η2 p = 0.072] but marginally lower stress [F (1, 82) = 4.20; p = 0.044; η2 p = 0.049] than students in the meditation-focused yoga group. CONCLUSION: Yoga practice with a focus on breathing is more effective than that with a focus on meditation for undergraduates to retain energy for work, keep attention and awareness, and reduce stress.

Production of a bispecific antibody targeting TNF-α and C5a in Pichia pastoris and its therapeutic potential in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an alternative therapeutic modality for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a novel bispecific antibody (BsAb) targeting human tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and human complement component C5a was constructed. RESULTS: BsAb was expressed in Pichia pastoris and secreted into the culture medium as a functional protein. In vitro functional study demonstrated that BsAb could simultaneously bind to TNF-α and C5a and neutralize their biological actions. Furthermore, BsAb showed significant improvements in both the antigen-binding affinity and the neutralizing ability as compared to its original antibodies produced in E. coli. It was also found that TNF-α and C5a had an additive/synergistic effect on promoting the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and C5a receptor (C5aR) expression in human macrophages. Compared to single inhibition of TNF-α or C5a with respective antibody, BsAb showed a superior efficacy in blocking inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and C5aR response, as well as in lowering the C5a-mediated chemotaxis of macrophages via C5aR in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: With improved production processing and the ability to simultaneously block TNF-α and C5a action, BsAb has a great potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent and may offer a better therapeutic index for RA.

Relationship of physical activity and sleep with depression in college students.

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between physical activity, sleep and depression among college students and gender differences in physical activity, sleep and depression. Methods: Participants were 1143 students from a large public university in Beijing and completed three questionnaires to measure their physical activity habits, sleep patterns, and depression levels. Data from were analyzed using descriptive statistics, stepwise regression, and an independent t test. Results: Results indicated that vigorous physical activity and sleep variables significantly predicted depression levels for the overall sample (F = 77.286, p = .000). When examined by gender, vigorous and moderate physical activity variables significantly predicted depression for males (t = -2.772, p = .006; t = -2.622, p = .009), whereas no level of physical activity had a significant relationship with depression for females. Conclusions: Rigorous physical activity and quality sleep may be beneficial to helping college students reduce and regulate depressive symptoms, however may vary by gender.

Gynecological emergency ultrasound in daytime and at night: differences that cannot be ignored.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography, the preferred adjunct examination method and the differential diagnostic tool for gynecologic emergency, can reflect the change pattern of gynecological diseases in daytime and at night. The purpose of this study was to analyze the diseases through gynecological emergency ultrasound in daytime and at night and to evaluate the day-night difference in the accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the 2016 clinical data of the patients who had undergone gynecological emergency ultrasound at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, and the results of the ultrasound diagnosis were compared with the clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The following categories of gynecologic emergency diseases during the daytime and at night have significant statistical differences in the constituent ratio (P<0.001); ectopic pregnancy, intrauterine pregnancy, acute pelvic inflammatory disease, no organic lesion in uterine and adnexa; while the constituent ratio of abortion and trophoblastic diseases, ovarian tumor, uterine and endometrial lesions, was no statistical difference during the daytime and at night (P>0.05). The overall coincidence rate of ultrasound diagnosis was 96.3% (daytime, 97.9%; night, 86.4%). The coincidence rates of ectopic pregnancy ultrasonography diagnosis in daytime and at night were 96.4 and 75.4%, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Since the different constituent ratio of disease between daytime and night gynecological emergency ultrasound was significantly different, and the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound at night was low; hence, the ultrasound doctor at night should pay attention to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the ability of differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, and it is suggested that some suspected cases during the night should be reexamined again in the daytime to eliminate the errors resulted from subjective factors.

Association of four genetic polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor-A gene and development of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

This study meta-analyzed the literature on possible association of four polymorphisms (+936C/T, -460C/T, -2578C/A and -1154G/A) in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A gene with risk of ovarian cancer. Meta-analysis of 7 case-control studies involving +936C/T, 4 studies involving -460C/T, 4 studies involving -2578C/A and 2 studies involving -1154G/A showed significant association between -460C/T and ovarian cancer risk. This risk was observed in the total population (allelic model, OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.26-2.59, P = 0.001; recessive model, OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.13-2.98, P = 0.01; dominant model, OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.39-0.67, P < 0.001; homozygous model, OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.72-3.56, P < 0.001; heterozygous model, OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.26-2.21, P < 0.001) and in the subgroup of Asian study participants. The CA genotype at -2578C/A was a risk factor in the total population, while the CT genotype at +936C/T was a protective factor in Caucasians. None of the five genetic models suggested a significant association between -1154G/A and ovarian cancer risk in the entire study population, or between +936C/T and risk in Asian or Chinese participants. These findings should be verified in large, well-designed studies.

miR-944 acts as a prognostic marker and promotes the tumor progression in endometrial cancer.

microRNA-944 (miR-944) has been reported to be deregulation and play either tumor suppressive or oncogenic function in human malignancies. Previous studies have reported that miR-944 is overexpressed in gynecological malignancies including cervical cancer and breast cancer. While, the clinical significance of miR-944 and its function in human endometrial carcinoma (EC) keep unknown. The levels of miR-944 were analyzed in 68 EC tissues and 20 normal endometrial tissues. Results showed that miR-944 was significantly overexpressed in EC tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. In addition, increased levels of miR-944 also observed in EC cell lines. Clinicopathological analysis verified that miR-944 expression was associated with international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) stages and pathology classification of EC. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis found that miR-944 highly expressing EC patients showed a notable shorter survival. Further experiments revealed that miR-944 knockdown significantly inhibited growth and cell cycle progression while facilitated apoptosis in Ishikawa cells. In turn, miR-944 overexpression prominently promoted proliferation and cell cycle progression, and suppressed apoptosis in KLE cells. In vivo experiments further confirmed that miR-944 silencing notably restrained the tumor growth of EC in nude mice. Mechanically, cell adhesion molecule 2 (CADM2) was recognized as a direct downstream target of miR-944 in EC cells. An inverse correlation between miR-944 and CADM2 expression was observed in EC tissues. Interestingly, CADM2 overexpression showed similar effects to miR-944 knockdown in Ishikawa cells with decreased growth, cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and increased apoptosis. Taken together, this work support the first evidence that miR-944 can be potentially used as a promising biomarker and novel therapeutic target for human EC.