Succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT; locus symbol OXCT; E.C. 2.8.3.5) is the main determinant of the ketolytic capacity of tissues. Hereditary SCOT deficiency causes episodic ketoacidosis. ...Permanent ketosis has been regarded as a pathognomonic feature of SCOT deficiency. There are three SCOT-deficient patients from a small region in Japan and they have not manifested permanent ketosis, even though their ketoacidotic crises were as severe as those of other SCOT-deficient patients. All three were homozygous for the T435N mutation. Transient expression analysis of wild-type and mutant cDNA showed that the T435N mutant retained significant residual SCOT activities (20% for that of the wild-type at 39.5 degrees C, 25% at 37 degrees C, and 50% at 30 degrees C). The difference of residual SCOT activities at these temperatures in expression analyses was due to differences in the level of the mutant protein. SCOT activity of the T435N protein was more vulnerable than the wild-type to heat treatment at 42 degrees C and 55 degrees C. These temperature-sensitive characteristics of the mutant protein may explain, in part, why the patients developed ketoacidotic crises during febrile illness. In SCOT-deficient patients retaining some residual activity, permanent ketosis may be absent.
Life satisfaction can predict students' school engagement and academic performance, and has shown significant regional differences among adolescents. The predictive effect of economic factors as ...regional characteristics on adolescent life satisfaction has been extensively examined; however, the regional educational factors that could predict adolescent life satisfaction remain unknown. This study aimed to identify provincial-level educational factors that can predict adolescent life satisfaction.PurposeLife satisfaction can predict students' school engagement and academic performance, and has shown significant regional differences among adolescents. The predictive effect of economic factors as regional characteristics on adolescent life satisfaction has been extensively examined; however, the regional educational factors that could predict adolescent life satisfaction remain unknown. This study aimed to identify provincial-level educational factors that can predict adolescent life satisfaction.The participants comprised 16,737 students, aged 11-16 years (M age = 13.82; SD age = 0.77; 8767 girls, 7970 boys), from 31 provinces in China. Students completed measures on socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. Multilevel modeling was adopted in data analysis.MethodsThe participants comprised 16,737 students, aged 11-16 years (M age = 13.82; SD age = 0.77; 8767 girls, 7970 boys), from 31 provinces in China. Students completed measures on socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. Multilevel modeling was adopted in data analysis.Adolescent life satisfaction was positively correlated with family socioeconomic status, and negatively associated with age and academic ranking. Life satisfaction was lower for girls than boys. Some regional education development indicators could predict adolescent life satisfaction: ratio of students to teachers, ratio of students to teachers with master's degrees, and multimedia classroom size negatively correlated with adolescent life satisfaction; meanwhile per capita sports field area positively correlated with adolescent life satisfaction. Per capita education expenditure, classroom area, laboratory area, computer room area, language lab area, gymnasium area, green space area, sports field area, computers per student, number of books, and value of equipment and instruments could not significantly predict life satisfaction in this study.ResultsAdolescent life satisfaction was positively correlated with family socioeconomic status, and negatively associated with age and academic ranking. Life satisfaction was lower for girls than boys. Some regional education development indicators could predict adolescent life satisfaction: ratio of students to teachers, ratio of students to teachers with master's degrees, and multimedia classroom size negatively correlated with adolescent life satisfaction; meanwhile per capita sports field area positively correlated with adolescent life satisfaction. Per capita education expenditure, classroom area, laboratory area, computer room area, language lab area, gymnasium area, green space area, sports field area, computers per student, number of books, and value of equipment and instruments could not significantly predict life satisfaction in this study.The findings suggest that the life satisfaction of female adolescents, those in older age groups, with lower academic rankings and socioeconomic status, and those residing in regions with underdeveloped educational systems was relatively poor. These groups of adolescents should therefore be given special attention. To enhance their life satisfaction, some certain provinces should consider implementing measures such as increasing the number of teachers, reducing class sizes, and providing more opportunities for physical activity among junior middle school students.ConclusionThe findings suggest that the life satisfaction of female adolescents, those in older age groups, with lower academic rankings and socioeconomic status, and those residing in regions with underdeveloped educational systems was relatively poor. These groups of adolescents should therefore be given special attention. To enhance their life satisfaction, some certain provinces should consider implementing measures such as increasing the number of teachers, reducing class sizes, and providing more opportunities for physical activity among junior middle school students.
Purpose orientation has an important impact on the development of adolescence. An effective instrument is needed to describe the purpose orientation of youth. The aim of this research is to develop a ...reliable and valid scale to measure life purpose orientations of youth.
Study 1 established a preliminary pool of items based on a literature review, an open-form questionnaire, and some expert opinions. Study 2 used exploratory factor analysis and performed internal consistency and reliability tests. The sample consisted of 442 young Chinese students, divided into males (49.3%) and females (50.7%) with an age range of 13 to 22 years. Study 3 performed confirmatory factor analysis and tested the scale's calibration validity and test-retest reliability. The confirmatory sample comprised 91,635 young Chinese students, divided into males (43.2%) and females (56.5%) with an age range of 12 to 23 years. The calibration validity sample consisted of 572 participants, aged 12 to 22. The test-retest reliability sample consisted of 200 participants.
Through exploratory factor analysis, the four-factor structure revealed contains personal growth, social promotion, family well-being, and personal well-being purpose orientations. This four factor-structure revealed a 65.26% cumulative variance. The four factors' alpha reliability was 0.89 for personal growth, 0.87 for social promotion, 0.86 for family well-being, and 0.87 for personal well-being, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fitting index had a good four-factor structure. The calibration validity and test-retest reliability were acceptable.
These findings demonstrated that the 19-item findings demonstrated that the Youth Purpose Orientation Scale is a valid and reliable measure. In future research, it can be used to measure purpose orientation in youth.
In order to explore the feasibility of using template/hydrothermal method to produce mesoporous biochars from real biomass directly for adsorptive removal of pharmaceuticals, six mesoporous biochar ...samples were produced from bamboo waste through this method and characterized, and their adsorption capabilities for berberine hydrochloride and matrine from water were evaluated. Characterization results confirmed the mesoporous structures of the biochar samples, and the biochars had BET surface areas in the range of 180 to 880 m2/g. Pore properties of the biochars mainly depended on the synthesis compositions and were related to their adsorption capabilities. The bamboo derived mesoporous biochars provided effective adsorption with the highest uptake amounts of 645 and 496 mg/g for berberine hydrochloride and matrine at 0.1 mg/mL and 298 K, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium could be reached in 90 min for berberine hydrochloride and 60 min for matrine on the selected mesoporous biochar. This study provides an effective strategy to produce biomass derived mesoporous biochars as efficient adsorbents in water treatment and pharmaceutical purification.
•Dietary inclusion of porcine bile acids improved the average daily gain of weaned pigs during the later experiment period.•Porcine bile acids treatment in weaned pigs increased nutrient ...digestibility and serum antioxidant capacity.•Porcine bile acids can be used as an effective feed additive for weaned pigs at a recommended dose of 100 mg/kg diet.
This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of porcine bile acids (BA) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs. One hundred and eighty pigs were assigned into five groups for 42 days. Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 60, 80, 100 or 120 mg/kg BA. Six pigs per treatment were selected for blood sampling at days 28 and 42. Fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen from day 39–42. Supplementation with BA improved average daily gain (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.05) of pigs during days 29−42 and 1−42. From day 1–28, activities of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased (P < 0.01) compared with the control treatment. Serum glutathione (GSH) content was elevated linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) in response to BA supplementation. During day 29–42, activities of SOD (linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P < 0.01) and GSH-Px (P < 0.01), and the levels of GSH (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic, P < 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) (P < 0.05) increased with increasing levels of BA supplementation. Moreover, pigs fed 80 and 100 mg/kg porcine BA had greater (P < 0.01) dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) digestibility compared to control-fed pigs. These results suggested that dietary supplementation with porcine BA can improve growth performance, antioxidant capacity and nutrient digestibility of weaned pigs.
Partial or complete replacement of non-renewable composite materials with natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, such as basalt fiber, carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced polymer composite ...can reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources and damage to the ecological environment in civil engineering construction. It is of great significance for solving global warming, developing green manufacturing and low-carbon cities, and promoting sustainable development in civil engineering. Therefore, this paper focused on mechanical properties of ramie fiber reinforced polymer (RFRP) composites. Futhermore, the shear capacity of RC beams strengthened with ramie fiber sheet was studied, and the bearing characteristics and failure modes of RC beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer composites was analyzed. The results show that after the surface treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid, silane coupling agent (KH-550 and KH-560) and aluminum zirconium coupling agent, the mechanical properties of RFRP composites enhanced significantly. Moreover, the surface wettability and interfacial properties of ramie fiber to the epoxy resins were improved by about 40 %. The shear strength results show that after the reinforcement of ramie fiber sheets, the bearing capacity and mid-span deflection of RC beams were greatly improved, and the silane coupling agent (KH-560) modifying ramie fiber sheets had better reinforcement than other fiber sheets. It could be concluded that the replacement of ordinary fiber sheets by ramie fiber sheets can not only reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources, but also improve the shear resistance of RC beams strengthened with the fiber sheets.
Hydrochars produced via hydrothermal carbonization of rice husk were post-treated using three different acids and two bases. The post-treated hydrochars were characterized using different methods and ...evaluated for adsorption of dyes and antibiotics from aqueous solutions. The post-treated hydrochars had carbon and oxygen contents in the range of 37.4% to 44.7% and 29.9% to 38.6%, respectively, and their surfaces were rich in oxygen-containing functional groups and negative surface charges. Post-treatment remarkably influenced the physico-chemical properties of the hydrochars’ surfaces. All post-treated hydrochars could adsorb the model organics from aqueous solutions with the highest adsorption amount of 327, 353, 336, and 309 mg/g for Congo red, berberine hydrochloride, tetracycline, and acridine orange, respectively, at 0.3 mg/mL and 25 °C. The combined effects of functional groups, surface area, and negative surface charge of the hydrochars could assist in the adsorption of organics. The Langmuir-isotherm model provided a good fit for the adsorption of acridine orange, tetracycline, and berberine hydrochloride on the selected hydrochars, while the adsorption of Congo red generated linear isotherms indicating a partition-involved mechanism. The adsorption of the organics onto the hydrochars is a spontaneous and mainly physical adsorption process with a quite fast adsorption rate.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diseases are rare disorders whose prevalence is estimated around 1 in 5000. Patients are usually tested only for deletions and for common mutations of mtDNA which account ...for 5-40% of cases, depending on the study. However, the prevalence of rare mtDNA mutations is not known.
We analysed the whole mtDNA in a cohort of 743 patients suspected of manifesting a mitochondrial disease, after excluding deletions and common mutations. Both heteroplasmic and homoplasmic variants were identified using two complementary strategies (Surveyor and MitoChip). Multiple correspondence analyses followed by hierarchical ascendant cluster process were used to explore relationships between clinical spectrum, age at onset and localisation of mutations.
7.4% of deleterious mutations and 22.4% of novel putative mutations were identified. Pathogenic heteroplasmic mutations were more frequent than homoplasmic mutations (4.6% vs 2.8%). Patients carrying deleterious mutations showed symptoms before 16 years of age in 67% of cases. Early onset disease (<1 year) was significantly associated with mutations in protein coding genes (mainly in complex I) while late onset disorders (>16 years) were associated with mutations in tRNA genes. MTND5 and MTND6 genes were identified as 'hotspots' of mutations, with Leigh syndrome accounting for the large majority of associated phenotypes.
Rare mitochondrial DNA mutations probably account for more than 7.4% of patients with respiratory chain deficiency. This study shows that a comprehensive analysis of mtDNA is essential, and should include young children, for an accurate diagnosis that is now accessible with the development of next generation sequencing technology.
Objective: To explore the relationship between the level of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) and reversion from prediabetes to normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Methods: A two-year retrospective ...cohort study was conducted on 398 participants with complete information. These 398 participants were divided into an NGT group and an abnormal glucose metabolism (AGM) group after 2 years of follow-up. The baseline level of FABP4 was determined, and the role of FABP4 in predicting reversion from prediabetes to NGT was investigated using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results: Over the two-year follow-up period, 37.4% (149/398) of the participants reverted from prediabetes to NGT. The participants with AGM had a higher baseline level of FABP4 than those with NGT. The baseline level of FABP4 was significantly negatively correlated with reversion from prediabetes to NGT. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio, the level of fasting blood glucose (FBG) odds ratio (OR) 0.336, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.196-0.576), 2-h post-challenge blood glucose (2hBG) OR 0.697, 95% CI (0.581-0.837), and FABP4 OR 0.960, 95% CI (0.928-0.993) at baseline were significant independent predictors of reversion from prediabetes to NGT. The area under the curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristic curve for FABP4 was 0.605 (95% CI: 0.546-0.665), and the AUC for FABP4 combined with FBG and 2hBG was 0.716 (95% CI: 0.663-0.769). Conclusion: A higher baseline level of FABP4 was positively correlated with an adverse profile of diabetes risk factors and negatively correlated with reversion from prediabetes to NGT. FABP4, FBG and 2hBG were predictors of reversion from prediabetes to NGT. Keywords: fatty acid-binding protein 4, FABP4, prediabetes, normal glucose tolerance, abnormal glucose metabolism
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