New T staging recommendations for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The International Union for Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer (UICC/AJCC) rT staging is not clinically practical for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). The aim of this study was to establish a new rT staging to guide the treatment of rNPC. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 patients diagnosed with rNPC between January 2012 and December 2020, using ROC curve analysis to evaluate its effectiveness. RESULTS: We analyzed the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of patients diagnosed with rNPC according to the 8th (UICC/AJCC) rT staging, and found that the overall survival of rT1 and rT2 patients (OS; 29.98% vs. 27.09%, p = 0.8059) and progression-free survival (PFS; 28.48% vs. 26.12%, p = 0.4045) had no significant difference. In rT1 and rT2 patients of this study, overall survival(OS; 30.44% vs. 24.91%, p = 0.0229) and progression-free survival(PFS 29.12% vs. 24.03%, p = 0.0459) had a significant difference. Smoking, family history, and time interval of initial recurrence were independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. CONCLUSION: The new rT staging of this study has a better predictive value for survival of rNPC patients than the 8th (UICC/AJCC) rT staging.

Human Salivary Histatin-1 Attenuates Osteoarthritis through Promoting M1/M2 Macrophage Transition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammation-driven degenerative joint disease. Human salivary peptide histatin-1 (Hst1) shows pro-healing and immunomodulatory properties. but its role in OA treatment is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of Hst1 in the inflammation modulation-mediated attenuation of bone and cartilage damage in OA. Hst1 was intra-articularly injected into a rat knee joint in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA model. Micro-CT, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses showed that Hst1 significantly attenuates cartilage and bone deconstruction as well as macrophage infiltration. In the lipopolysaccharide-induced air pouch model, Hst1 significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry (FCM), metabolic energy analysis, and high-throughput gene sequencing showed that Hst1 significantly triggers M1-to-M2 macrophage phenotype switching, during which it significantly downregulated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, cell migration assay, Alcian blue, Safranin O staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and FCM showed that Hst1 not only attenuates M1-macrophage-CM-induced apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase expression in chondrogenic cells, but it also restores their metabolic activity, migration, and chondrogenic differentiation. These findings show the promising potential of Hst1 in treating OA.

Dicalcium silicate-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy-mediated macrophagic inflammation promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Dicalcium silicate (Ca2SiO4, C2S) has osteogenic potential but induces macrophagic inflammation. Mitochondrial function plays a vital role in macrophage polarization and macrophagic inflammation. The mitochondrial function of C2S-treated macrophages is still unclear. This study hypothesized: (i) the C2S modulates mitochondrial function and autophagy in macrophages to regulate macrophagic inflammation, and (ii) C2S-induced macrophagic inflammation regulates osteogenesis. We used RAW264.7 cells as a model of macrophage. The C2S (75-150 µg/ml) extract was used to analyze the macrophagic mitochondrial function and macrophage-mediated effect on osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The results showed that C2S extract (150 µg/ml) induced TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 production in macrophages. C2S extract (150 µg/ml) enhanced reactive oxygen species level and intracellular calcium level but reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production. TEM images showed reduced mitochondrial abundance and altered the mitochondrial morphology in C2S (150 µg/ml)-treated macrophages. Protein level expression of PINK1, Parkin, Beclin1 and LC3 was upregulated but TOMM20 was downregulated. mRNA sequencing and KEGG analysis showed that C2S-induced differentially expressed mRNAs in macrophages were mainly distributed in the essential signaling pathways involved in mitochondrial function and autophagy. The conditioned medium from C2S-treated macrophage robustly promoted osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs. In conclusion, our results indicate mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagy as the possible mechanism of C2S-induced macrophagic inflammation. The promotion of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by the C2S-induced macrophagic inflammation suggests the potential application of C2S in developing immunomodulatory bone grafts.

Chondroinductive/chondroconductive peptides and their-functionalized biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering.

The repair of articular cartilage defects is still challenging in the fields of orthopedics and maxillofacial surgery due to the avascular structure of articular cartilage and the limited regenerative capacity of mature chondrocytes. To provide viable treatment options, tremendous efforts have been made to develop various chondrogenically-functionalized biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering. Peptides that are derived from and mimic the functions of chondroconductive cartilage extracellular matrix and chondroinductive growth factors, represent a unique group of bioactive agents for chondrogenic functionalization. Since they can be chemically synthesized, peptides bear better reproducibility, more stable efficacy, higher modifiability and yielding efficiency in comparison with naturally derived biomaterials and recombinant growth factors. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge in the designs of the chondroinductive/chondroconductive peptides, the underlying molecular mechanisms and their-functionalized biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering. We also systematically compare their in-vitro and in-vivo efficacies in inducing chondrogenesis. Our vision is to stimulate the development of novel peptides and their-functionalized biomaterials for cartilage tissue engineering.

Translation of Plant RNA Viruses.

Plant RNA viruses encode essential viral proteins that depend on the host translation machinery for their expression. However, genomic RNAs of most plant RNA viruses lack the classical characteristics of eukaryotic cellular mRNAs, such as mono-cistron, 5' cap structure, and 3' polyadenylation. To adapt and utilize the eukaryotic translation machinery, plant RNA viruses have evolved a variety of translation strategies such as cap-independent translation, translation recoding on initiation and termination sites, and post-translation processes. This review focuses on advances in cap-independent translation and translation recoding in plant viruses.

Homegarden agroecosystems managed by Salar people on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

BACKGROUND: Salar is a Turkic-speaking Islamic ethnic group in China living mainly in Xunhua Salar Autonomous County (Xunhua or Xunhua County), Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Salar people are skilled in horticulture and their homegarden (HG) management. They are regarded as the first people on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to practice horticulture, especially manage their HGs, traditional farming systems, and supplementary food production systems. Traditional knowledge of Salar people associated with their HGs always contributes significantly to the local livelihood, food security, ornamental value, and biodiversity conservation. The cultivation of different plants in HGs for self-sufficiency has a long tradition in China's rural areas, especially in some mountainous areas. However, Salar traditional HGs have not been described. The present paper aims to report the features of Salar HGs mostly based on agrobiodiversity and its ecosystem services. METHODS: The methods used in this work included semi-structured interviews and participatory observation. A total of 60 households in three townships, 9 villages were surveyed. There are 4-12 family members in each household, aged from 20 to 86 years old. The homestead size is between 200 and 1200 m2. Plant species cultivated in Salar HGs were identified according to Flora of China. Based on a comprehensive survey of Salar HGs and related to background data, we identified and characterized the most important services and functions provided by Salar HGs. RESULTS: According to primary production systems, there are 4 different types of Salar HGs, including ornamental focus, product focus, dual-purpose and multi-purpose. In total, 108 (excluding weeds and bonsai) plant species were recorded in Salar HGs, within 43 plant families. The most important and frequently used plants are Rosa chinensis, Armeniaca vulgar, Prunus salicina, and Ziziphus jujuba. About 4 to 32 plant species were recorded in each homegarden. We found that the Salar HGs, as a typical agroecosyste, prossess multiple servcices and functions that directly benefit households according to the field investigation. CONCLUSION: This paper reveals the floristic diversity of Salar HGs. It presents useful information in the homegarden agroecosystem of Salar people, such as HG types and species diversity in Salar HGs. Ecosystem functions and services research suggested that the Salar HG agroecosystem provides agroecosystem services mainly related to supply and culture services. Salar HGs are important as food supplement resources, aesthetics symbol, and cultural spaces.

[Effect of vertical anterior laryngectomy with pedicled sternohyoid flap for vocal cord reconstruction and glottal morphology].

Objective:To explore the effect of vocal cord reconstruction with sternohyoid muscle flap pedicled with vertical anterior laryngectomy. Method:The clinical data of 43 cases of laryngeal carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. According to whether the vocal cords were reconstructed, they were divided into vocal cord reconstruction group and non reconstruction group. Among them, 20 patients in the reconstruction group were reconstructed with pedicled sternohyoid muscle flap and 23 patients in non-reconstruction group. In the non reconstruction group, the external membrane of thyroid cartilage was used to repair the wounds. Postoperative respiratory function, swallowing function, pronunciation function, postoperative prognosis, complications, and recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. Reconstruction of glottis after vocal cord reconstruction was evaluated by electronic laryngoscope and CT scan. Result:①Patients in both groups survived during the follow-up period. One patient in the non-reconstructed group had recurrence, and the reconstituted group had no relapse, 3 cases with complications occurred in the reconstruction group, including 2 cases with granulation tissue in the glottic area, 1 case with laryngeal fistula, and 2 cases with aspiration pneumonia were found in the non-reconstruction group. ②1 year postoperative tracheal cannula removal rate, gastric tube removal and pronunciation quality: the tracheal cannula removal rate was 100% in the two groups after surgery; the gastric tube removal time in the reconstruction group was（13.2±2.8） days, and （16.6±5.3） days in the non-reconstruction group （P<0.05）; reconstruction group had good pronunciation in 10 cases, moderate in 6 cases, and poor in 4 cases. Non-reconstructed group had good pronunciation in 4 cases, medium in 14 cases, and poor in 5 cases. Those with moderate or higher were compared no significant difference （P>0.05）, and those with good pronunciation were statistically different （P<0.05）. ③The transverse and anteroposterior diameter in reconstruction group was similar with the normal people （P>0.05）; however, the transverse and anteroposterior diameter in the non-reconstructed group was significantly different with that of the normal people （P>0.05）, the transverse diameter of the reconstructed group and the non-reconstructed group were compared with no significant difference （P>0.05）, but there was significant difference in the anteroposterior diameter between the two groups （P<0.05）. The area in both groups were different with the normal people （P<0.05）; ④Glottic area morphology: the two groups of patients showed different degrees of swelling in the arytenoid cartilage area, the shape of the glottic region in the reconstructed group was approximately triangular, and the glottic morphology in the non-reconstructed group was approximately circular. Conclusion:After vocal cord reconstruction, there were increased rate of tracheal cannula extubation, well covered wallowing and phonation function, and the quality of life of patients was improved.

Dicalcium silicate microparticles modulate the differential expression of circRNAs and mRNAs in BMSCs and promote osteogenesis via circ_1983-miR-6931-Gas7 interaction.

Dicalcium silicate microparticle (C2S)-based biomaterials have a potential for bone and dental tissue regenerative applications. The C2S-mediated transcriptome level mechanism in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during bone-defect healing has not been investigated yet. In this study, we elucidated the differential expression pattern of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in C2S-treated MSCs and their involvement in the osteogenesis process. C2S robustly enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and cranial bone defect healing. C2S-treatment modulated the differential expression of mRNAs and circRNAs in MSCs. Differentially expressed circRNAs and mRNAs were involved in competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA-interaction networks). These ceRNA-interaction networks regulated the signaling pathways associated with osteogenesis, e.g., Wnt, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling. C2S-treatment upregulated the expression of circ_1983, Gas7, and Runx2 in BMSCs. RNase R and luciferase activity assay confirmed the stability and miR-6931 sponging property of circ_1983, respectively. Knockdown of circ_1983 enhanced miR-6931 expression but inhibited Gas7 and Runx2 expression and osteogenic differentiation in C2S-treated MSCs. In conclusion, for the first time, we report the role of cicr_1983-miR-6931-Gas7 ceRNA-interaction in C2S-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and bone defect healing. This study opens a new research stream "the role of circRNAs-mediated ceRNA-interaction in biomaterials and stem cell-based bone tissue engineering".

Are concepts of achievement-related emotions universal across cultures? A semantic profiling approach.

Verifying that conceptualisations of emotions are consistent across languages and cultures is a critical precondition for meaningful cross-cultural research on emotional experience. For achievement-related emotions tied to successes or failures, such evidence is virtually non-existent. To address this gap, we compared Canadian, German, Colombian, and Chinese university students' (NTotal = 126) perceptions of affective, cognitive, motivational, physiological, and expressive characteristics of 16 achievement-related emotions using a psycholinguistic tool for profiling emotion concepts (Achievement Emotions CoreGRID). Cross-cultural similarity of emotion concepts quantified through double-entry intraclass correlations was generally high, and highest for their affective, cognitive, and motivational components. However, results also point to cultural variation, particularly for physiological and expressive components. Variation in perceived physiological characteristics was most pronounced for boredom, and for comparisons of Canada, Germany, and Colombia with China. Implications for theoretical propositions of universality of emotion concepts and future research on achievement-related emotions are discussed.

Transformation from Nanofibers to Nanoribbons in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Solution by Adding Alkylthiols.

An intriguing morphological transition from poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) 1D nanofibers to 2D nanoribbons enabled by the addition of a series of alkylthiols is reported. First, P3HT 1D nanofibers are formed due to strong anisotropic π-π stacking between planar rigid backbones. Upon the addition of alkylthiols, P3HT nanofibers are transformed into nanoribbons associated with the crystallographic transition from edge-on orientation to flat-on orientation. The content of alkylthiols has a great influence on the P3HT morphology in the solution. The mechanism of such a morphological transformation is discussed based on the interaction between alkylthiols and P3HT chains. This work offers an effective strategy to tailor the crystal morphology and dimension of P3HT, which not only improves the understanding of P3HT crystallization but also may enable such discovery into conjugated polymer-based optoelectronic devices.

Unravelling the Correlation between Charge Mobility and Cocrystallization in Rod-Rod Block Copolymers for High-Performance Field-Effect Transistors.

Cocrystallization involving two or more components aggregating into cocrystals allows the preparation of materials with markedly improved charge mobility. This approach however, is little explored in all-conjugated block copolymers (BCPs). Herein, we report the first investigation into the correlation between cocrystals and charge mobility in a series of new all-conjugated BCPs: poly(3-butylthiophene)-b-poly(3-hexylselenophene) (P3BT-b-P3HS) for high-performance field-effect transistors. These rationally synthesized rod-rod BCPs self-assemble into cocrystals with high charge mobilities. Upon one-step thermal annealing, their charge mobilities decrease slightly despite their increased crystallinities. After two-step thermal annealing, P3BT-b-P3HS (P3BT/P3HS=2:1) and (1:1) cocrystals disappear and phase separation occurs, leading to greatly decreased charge mobilities. In contrast, P3BT-b-P3HS (1:2) retains its cocrystalline structure and its charge mobility.

Challenge or hindrance: Does job stress affect presenteeism among Chinese healthcare workers?

BACKGROUND: We examined the effects of challenge stress and hindrance stress on general health and presenteeism among Chinese healthcare workers. METHODS: Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate data from a national hospital survey in China (n = 1392). Job stress, general health, and presenteeism were measured by the Perceived Ability to Work Scale, the 8-item Short-Form Health Survey, and the Challenge- and Hindrance-Related Self-reported Stress Scale. RESULTS: Challenge stress and hindrance stress were significantly positively correlated (ß = 0.62, SE = 0.021; p < 0.001). Challenge stress was directly negatively associated with presenteeism (ß = -0.05, SE = 0.037; p < 0.001), while hindrance stress was positively associated with presenteeism (ß = 0.25, SE = 0.040; p < 0.001). These associations with presenteeism were partially mediated by health. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital managers should provide healthcare workers with an appropriate level of challenge, but employee health is the most important consideration. Further efforts targeting job stress and health of junior healthcare workers are required.

Dipicolylamine Functionalized Polyfluorene Based Gel with Lower Critical Solution Temperature: Preparation, Characterization, and Application.

A thermoresponsive fluorescent polymer gel with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase transition has been prepared by cooperating conjugated fluorene homopolymer poly(2,7-(9,9-di(8-di(2-picolyl)aminooctyl))fluorene) (PPAOF) and small organic dye sulforhodamine B (SRB) or its sodium salt (SRB-Na). The sol-gel phase transition originates from the electrostatic interactions between the protonated pyridyl/amino groups in PPAOF and the sulfonic groups in the organic dye molecules, as revealed by FTIR, variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Consequently, the LCST value can be finely controlled by simply tuning the component concentrations. Moreover, due to the inefficient energy transfer, the resulting fluorescent polymer gel exhibits two independent emission bands at 440 and 577 nm, assigned to the characteristic emissions from fluorene homopolymer and organic dye, respectively. Furthermore, this fluorescent polymer gel exhibits a reversible electrofluorochromic (EFC) property with high fluorescence contrast when it is assembled in a single-layer supporting electrolyte-free EFC device. Most interestingly, different fluorescence colors can be achieved from the two electrodes of the device. Our findings may present a new way to design conjugated polymer based LCST gels and EFC materials.

The determinants of presenteeism: a comprehensive investigation of stress-related factors at work, health, and individual factors among the aging workforce.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of presenteeism, taking health and individual factors into account. METHODS: A quantitative analysis applying structural equation modelling analysis was conducted on the basis of secondary data from the Health and Retirement Survey (2008 wave), which measured presenteeism and its determinants. RESULTS: Stress-related factors at work (ß =-0.35, p<0.001), individual factors (α =-0.27, p<0.001), and health (ß =0.24, p<0.001) were significantly related to presenteeism. Individual factors were found to be directly correlated with stress-related factors at work (ß =0.22, p<0.001). Significant indirect effects between stress-related factors at work and presenteeism (Sobel z=-6.61; p<0.001) and between individual factors and presenteeism (Sobel z=-4.42; p<0.001), which were mediated by health, were also found. Overall, the final model accounted for 37% (R(2)=0.37) of the variance in presenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates some important and practical guidelines for employers to avoid the burdens of stress-related presenteeism among their employees. These findings could help select target factors in the design and implementation of effective presenteeism interventions in the aging working population.

Effects of Co-Worker and Supervisor Support on Job Stress and Presenteeism in an Aging Workforce: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach.

We examined the effects of co-worker and supervisor support on job stress and presenteeism in an aging workforce. Structural equation modelling was used to evaluate data from the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Survey in the United States (n = 1649). The level of presenteeism was low and the level of job stress was moderate among aging US workers. SEM revealed that co-worker support and supervisor support were strongly correlated (ß = 0.67; p < 0.001). Job stress had a significant direct positive effect on presenteeism (ß = 0.30; p < 0.001). Co-worker support had a significant direct negative effect on job stress (ß = -0.10; p < 0.001) and presenteeism (ß = -0.11; p < 0.001). Supervisor support had a significant direct negative effect on job stress (ß = -0.40; p < 0.001) but not presenteeism. The findings suggest that presenteeism is reduced by increased respect and concern for employee stress at the workplace, by necessary support at work from colleagues and employers, and by the presence of comfortable interpersonal relationships among colleagues and between employers and employees.

Antioxidants from Gerbera piloselloides: an ethnomedicinal plant from southwestern China.

Gerbera piloselloides is a very important ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal plant used by indigenous peoples in southwestern China. Ten compounds were obtained using activity-guided isolation, including a parasorbosid derivative, two caffeic acid derivatives, two coumarins and five flavonoids, and identified from the whole plant of G. piloselloides. This is the first report of compound 5 as natural product. Six compounds were reported in the Gerbera genus for the first time. The antioxidant activity of all the compounds was evaluated by using ABTS assay, and the chemotaxonomic implication of this study was also discussed.