Digestive properties and peptide profiles exhibited significant differences between skim camel milk and bovine milk powder after static in vitro simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion.

This study aims to analyze the differences in digestion properties and peptide profiles between the skim camel and bovine milk powder after static in vitro simulated infant gastrointestinal digestion. The hydrolysis degree of camel milk proteins exceeded by 13.18% that of bovine milk. The concentration and release rate of free amino groups in the camel milk digesta was higher than that of bovine milk powder, which was likely due to the higher ß-/αs-casein ratio and larger casein micelle size in camel milk. Camel milk powder presented higher ß-CN coverage and comparatively shorter bioactive peptides compared to bovine milk powder. The anti-inflammatory peptide KVLPVPQ displayed the highest abundance in camel milk powder. Outcomes of this study showed that camel milk proteins possessed superior digestibility and unique peptides, which outlined the potential nutritional implications of camel milk for infants.

Exosomal miR-141-3p from PDLSCs Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Senescence of PDLSCs by Activating the KEAP1-NRF2 Signaling Pathway.

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are the most promising stem cells for periodontal tissue engineering. Senescent PDLSCs have diminished abilities to proliferate and differentiate, affecting the efficiency of periodontal tissue repair and regeneration. Stem cell-derived exosomes are important participants in intercellular information exchange and can help ameliorate senescence. In this study, we investigated PDLSC senescence in a high glucose microenvironment as well as the ability of human periodontal ligament stem cell-derived exosomes (PDLSC-Exos) to alleviate cellular senescence and the underlying mechanisms. Herein, PDLSCs and PDLSC-Exos were isolated and extracted. Then, cellular senescence indicators were evaluated after high glucose (25 mM) treatment of cultured PDLSCs. PDLSC-Exos were cocultured with senescent PDLSCs to further explore the role of PDLSC-Exos in cellular senescence and determine the differences in cellular oxidative stress levels after PDLSC-Exo treatment. Next, we investigated whether PDLSC-Exos alleviated cellular senescence by restoring the balance of oxidative stress signals and explored the underlying molecular pathways. We discovered that PDLSCs underwent premature senescence due to high glucose culture, but they were rejuvenated by PDLSC-Exos. The rejuvenating effects of PDLSC-Exos were notably reversed by cotreatment with ML385, an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), indicating that this recovery depended on NRF2 activation. Further analyses revealed that microRNA-141-3p (miR-141-3p) was expressed at relatively high levels in PDLSC-Exos and was instrumental in PDLSC-Exo-mediated restoration by downregulating Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which is a negative regulator of NRF2 expression. Our findings suggest that PDLSC-Exos alleviate high glucose-induced senescence of PDLSCs by transferring miR-141-3p to activate the KEAP1-NRF2 signaling pathway. Based on this research, PDLSC-Exos may behave similarly to their parental PDLSCs and have significant effects on cellular senescence by delivering their encapsulated bioactive chemicals to target cells.

Intestinal changes associated with nitrite exposure in Bufo gargarizans larvae: Histological damage, immune response, and microbiota dysbiosis.

Nitrite is a ubiquitous toxic compound in aquatic ecosystems and has negative effects on aquatic organisms. The intestine and the trillions of microbes that inhabit it, play an integral role in maintaining digestive and immune functions. However, the effects of nitrite on intestinal health and microflora have been poorly investigated. Therefore, the present study evaluated the response of intestinal histology, immunity, digestive enzyme activities and microbiota to nitrite exposure in Bufo gargarizans tadpoles. The results showed that nitrite caused damage to the intestine and impaired digestive performance. Significant changes in the transcriptional profiles of genes involved in oxidative stress (sod, gpx and hsp), inflammation, and immunity (socs3, il-27, il-1ß and il-17d) were observed in the NO2-N treatment groups. In addition, exposure to nitrite induced alterations of intestinal microbial diversity, structure and composition, suggesting that nitrite may lead to intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. It is noteworthy that probiotics (e.g., Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria) were decreased after exposure to nitrite, whereas potentially opportunistic pathogens such as Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were elevated. Functional prediction and correlation analysis suggested that the above changes may interfere with metabolic function and trigger various diseases. Taken together, we concluded that nitrite exposure induced intestinal microbial dysbiosis, which may lead to immune dysfunction and metabolic disorder, and ultimately to histological damages in B. gargarizans. Further, this study will provide a scientific basis for further understanding the risk of nitrite pollution on the intestinal health of amphibians.

Children and Adolescents' Psychological Well-Being Became Worse in Heavily Hit Chinese Provinces during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

In light of the novel coronavirus's (COVID-19's) threat to public health worldwide, we sought to elucidate COVID-19's impacts on the mental health of children and adolescents in China. Through online self-report questionnaires, we aimed to discover the psychological effects of the pandemic and its associated risk factors for developing mental health symptoms in young people. We disseminated a mental health survey through online social media, WeChat, and QQ in the five Chinese provinces with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the late stage of the country-wide lockdown. We used a self-made questionnaire that queried children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 on demographic information, psychological status, and other lifestyle and COVID-related variables. A total of 17,740 children and adolescents with valid survey data participated in the study. 10,022 (56.5%), 11,611 (65.5%), 10,697 (60.3%), 6868 (38.7%), and 6225 (35.1%) participants presented, respectively, more depressive, anxious, compulsive, inattentive, and sleep-related problems compared to before the outbreak of COVID-19. High school students reported a greater change in depression and anxiety than did middle school and primary school students. Despite the fact that very few children (0.1%) or their family members (0.1%) contracted the virus in this study, the psychological impact of the pandemic was clearly profound. Fathers' anxiety appeared to have the strongest influence on a children's psychological symptoms, explaining about 33% of variation in the child's overall symptoms. Other factors only explained less than 2% of the variance in symptoms once parents' anxiety was accounted for. The spread of COVID-19 significantly influenced the psychological state of children and adolescents in participants' view. It is clear that children and adolescents, particularly older adolescents, need mental health support during the pandemic. The risk factors we uncovered suggest that reducing fathers' anxiety is particularly critical to addressing young people's mental health disorders in this time.

Vitamin D3/vitamin D receptor signaling mitigates symptoms of post-stroke depression in mice by upregulating hippocampal BDNF expression.

Elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying post-stroke depression (PSD) could aid in the development of effective treatments. The present study explored whether Vitamin D3 (VitD3) can function as an antidepressant in PSD model mice and whether the effect is mediated by upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) combined with chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) to established the PSD model. For the mice in each group, Longa and Berderson behavioral tests were performed to evaluate motor function, sucrose preference and forced swimming tests were conducted to assess the cardinal depression-like behaviors anhedonia and helplessness, and western blot and immunohistochemistry were conducted to measure the levels of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and BDNF expression levels in mouse hippocampus. Compared to MCAO alone, subsequent CUMS aggravated motor dysfunction and depression-like behaviors, whereas injection of calcitriol (VitD3) enhanced expression levels of VDR and BDNF in the hippocampus as well as ameliorated both motor dysfunction and depression-like behaviors of PSD model mice, with optimal efficacy at 25 µg/kg. Injection of a BDNF-binding protein (TrkB-IgG) almost completely reversed the antidepressant and neuroprotective effects of VitD3, strongly suggesting that VitD3 improved motor dysfunction and depression-like behaviors in PSD model mice by promoting hippocampal BDNF signaling. Modulation of hippocampal BDNF by VitD3 treatment could be an effective strategy for prevention and treatment of PSD.

Serious Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Providers in China Between 2004 and 2018.

Introduction: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare providers has severe consequences and is underreported worldwide. The aim of this study was to present the features, causes, and outcomes of serious WPV against healthcare providers in China. Method: We searched for serious WPV events reported online and analyzed information about time, location, people, methods, motivations, and outcomes related to the incident. Result: Serious WPV reported online in China (n = 379) were mainly physical (97%) and often involved the use of weapons (34.5%). Doctors were victims in most instances (81.1%). Serious WPV mostly happened in cities (90.2%), teaching hospitals (87.4%), and tertiary hospitals (67.9%) and frequently in Emergency Department (ED), Obstetrics and Gynecology Department (OB-GYN), and pediatric departments; it was most prevalent in the months of June, May, and February. Rates of serious WPV increased dramatically in 2014 and decreased after 2015, with death (12.8%), severe injury (6%), and hospitalization (24.2%) being the major outcomes. A law protecting healthcare providers implemented in 2015 may have helped curb the violence. Conclusion: Serious WPV in China may stem from poor patient-doctor relationships, overly stressed health providers in highly demanding hospitals, poorly educated/informed patients, insufficient legal protection, and poor communication. Furthering knowledge about WPV and working toward curtailing its presence in healthcare settings are crucial to increasing the safety and well-being of healthcare workers.

Chinese version of the Optimism and Pessimism Scale: Psychometric properties in mainland China and development of a short form.

This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Optimism and Pessimism Scale in a sample of 730 adult Chinese individuals. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the bidimensionality of the scale with two factors, optimism and pessimism. The total scale and optimism and pessimism factors demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity. Population-based normative data and mean values for gender, age, and education were determined. Furthermore, we developed a 20-item short form of the Chinese version of the Optimism and Pessimism Scale with structural validity comparable to the full form. In summary, the Chinese version of the Optimism and Pessimism Scale is an appropriate and practical tool for epidemiological research in mainland China.

Enhanced intensity dependence as a marker of low serotonergic neurotransmission in high optimistic college students.

Positive psychology focuses were on the merits of individuals, such as optimism and positive attitude, and the subsequent cultivation of these virtues. Optimism or pessimism is a significant predictor of physical health outcomes. The present study examined whether optimism or pessimism is associated with the loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP), a biological indicator of serotonergic neurotransmission, for the N1, P2, and N1/P2 peaks in college students. The amplitudes and amplitude-stimulus intensity function (ASF) slopes of the N1, P2, and N1/P2 peaks were determined in the 24 (10 males) high optimistic and 24 (14 males) high pessimistic individuals. Significantly higher P2 ASF slopes were found in the optimistic group relative to the pessimistic group. Concerning peaks and ASF slopes of N1 and N1/P2, no significant differences were observed. Our results suggest that the serotonergic neurotransmission of the high optimistic college students was inferior to that of the pessimistic ones. Further investigations are needed to provide sufficient support for our results.