Neuroinflammatory processes are a central feature of Alzheimer’s disease(AD) in which microglia are over-activated, resulting in the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, ...deficiencies in the antiinflammatory system may also contribute to neuroinflammation. Recently, advanced methods for the analysis of genetic polymorphisms have further supported the relationship between neuroinflammatory factors and AD risk because a series of polymorphisms in inflammation-related genes have been shown to be associated with AD. In this review, we summarize the polymorphisms of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines related to AD, primarily interleukin-1(IL-1), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor beta, as well as their functional activity in AD pathology. Exploration of the relationship between inflammatory cytokine polymorphisms and AD risk may facilitate our understanding of AD pathogenesis and contribute to improved treatment strategies.
Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness index (PFI) and body mass index (BMI) of Tibetan children and adolescents in different high-altitude areas in Tibet, China. ...Methods: Using the stratified cluster sampling method, 3819 Tibetan children and adolescents from three different high-altitude areas including Nyingchi, Lhasa and Nagqu in the Tibet area of China were given grip strength, standing long jump, sitting forward bend, 50 m running and endurance running tests. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the physical fitness index in different high-altitude areas. In addition, the method of curve regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between PFI and BMI. Results: In general, the level of PFI in Nagqu, Tibet, China was lower than that in Nyingchi and Lhasa, and the levels of girls were generally lower than those of boys. The proportions of malnourished, normal, overweight and obese Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas were 11.8%, 79.7%, and 8.5%; those of girls were 3.3%, 82.3%, and 14.4%, respectively. The curve regression analysis showed that the model fitting of male Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu and female Nyingchi, Lhasa, Nagqu were all significant (F values were 29.697, 34.709, 37.500, 9.123, 9.785, 6.939, p < 0.01). The relationship between BMI and PFI generally showed an inverted “U” curve relationship. Conclusion: The negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of Tibetan boys in high-altitude areas is significantly higher than that of girls, and the negative impact of overweight and obesity on physical fitness of boys in Lhasa and Nyingchi area is more significant than that in the Nagqu area. In the future, attention should be paid to Lhasa and the occurrence of overweight and obesity among Tibetan boys in Nyingchi area in order to prevent the sharp decline of physical fitness and promote the physical and mental development of Tibetan children and adolescents in high-altitude areas.
In this work, a novel low‐cost and thermal conductive composite consisting of boron nitride (BN)/aluminum oxide (Al2O3) heat transfer network was constructed by the high packing volume fraction of ...two sizes Al2O3 spheres at the optimal weight ratio. The dense packing of 5 μm Al2O3 and 20 μm Al2O3 supports the BN sheets scattering around Al2O3 to interconnect into main three‐dimensional BN network, and acts as thermal conductive bridges forming secondary BN‐Al2O3 heat transfer networks. The maximum thermal conductivity of the composite reached 3.61 Wm−1 K−1, which was 20.1 times more than that of pure epoxy resin. Moreover, the excellent capacity of heat dissipation and the dielectric properties denoted that the composite can be used commendably in electronic components. This article is expected to provide a novel idea for the preparation of economical and high‐performance thermal conductive composites applied in new generation of microelectronic devices.
Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could potentially enhance photosynthesis and benefit plant growth by improving soil nutrient uptake and affecting plant hormone balance. Several recent ...studies have unveiled a correlation between alterations in photosynthesis and host plant resistance levels. Photosynthesis provides materials and energy for plant growth and immune defense and affects defense-related signaling pathways. Photosynthetic organelles, which could be strengthened by PGPR inoculation, are key centers for defense signal biosynthesis and transmission. Although endophytic PGPRs metabolize plant photosynthates, they can increase soluble sugar levels and alternate sugar type and distribution. Soluble sugars clearly support plant growth and can act as secondary messengers under stressed conditions. Overall, carbohydrate metabolism modifications induced by PGPR may also play a key role in improving plant resistance. We provide a concise overview of current knowledge regarding PGPR-induced modulation in carbohydrate metabolism under both pathogen-infected and pathogen-free conditions. We highlight PGPR application as a cost-saving strategy amidst unpredictable pathogen pressures.
Pancreatoblastoma (PB) is a rare malignant pancreatic epithelial tumor that mostly occurs in children and occasionally occurs in adults. The tumor has acinar cell differentiation and squamous ...corpuscles/squamous epithelial islands, which are frequently separated by fibrous bundles. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by the presence of numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum. Cases of pancreatoblastoma combined with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are rarely reported. A review of a rare case of adult pancreatoblastoma with atypical histological morphology combined with familial adenomatous polyposis is presented herein. In this case, the patient was first diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis and subsequently found to have pancreatoblastoma 1 year and 3 months later. This suggests pancreatoblastoma may occur in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis or a family history of the condition, indicating a possible association between the two tumors. Therefore, pancreatoblastoma should be included in a differential diagnosis for FAP patients with a pancreatic mass. The final diagnosis of pancreatoblastoma depends on the pathological diagnosis. Acinar-like cells and squamous corpuscles/squamous epithelial cell islands under light microscopy are the key diagnostic points. This case report also can improve the awareness of clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists on the presence of rare tumor-adult pancreatoblastoma in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.
The aim of the study is to examine the meta-linguistic awareness skills contributing to reading aloud in a Chinese-speaking child with hyperlexia.
Case study approach was used with one case of ...hyperlexia (TYH) and two control groups: typically developing (TD) children matched for chronological age (CA) and TD children matched for mental ability (MA). A battery of phonological, morphological, and orthographic awareness skill tests were administered.
Results from the modified
-test found that the hyperlexic child did not demonstrate advanced meta-linguistic awareness skills in comparison with the two control groups. On the contrary, TYH's morphological awareness skills were even lower than the CA control group. Also, in the orthographic awareness test, TYH demonstrated weaker knowledge of character structure and components than the two control groups although his ability in the recognition of real words is intact. In addition, the predictability of orthographic awareness skill was comparable to the CA group with predicted score showed no difference to his obtained score, while TYH achieved a significantly higher reading score than what his morphological awareness skills should predict with reference to TD children of similar age; as well as what his phonological awareness skill predict with reference to the MA group.
The findings suggest that TYH can achieve advanced reading ability with comparable phonological and orthographic awareness skill, despite his weakness in morphological awareness. It is concluded that the hyperlexic reading in Chinese might be achieved through the direct mapping between the whole character and the sound.
The present study elucidated the structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory activity of a novel polysaccharide isolated from
, which is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant.
polysaccharide ...(OFP) was extracted and subsequently purified by chromatography using a DEAE cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-75 column. The molecular weight was determined as 6.2 kDa. HPGPC and monosaccharide composition analysis revealed a homogeneous polysaccharide containing only Glc. Chromatography and spectral analysis showed that the possible chemical structure consisted of →4)-α-Glcp-(1→ and a small quantity of →4,6)-β-Glcp-(1→ in the main chain and →6)-β-Glcp-(1→, α-Glcp-(1→, and β-Glcp-(1→ in the side chain. Morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated that OFP had a multi-branched structure, and the sugar chain molecules of polysaccharide appeared aggregated. OFP was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 cells and by decreasing the extent of xylene-induced ear swelling in mice.
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are industrially produced in large quantities in the Liaohe River Basin. Their discharge inevitably causes environmental contamination. However, very limited information ...is available on their environmental levels and distributions in this typical industrial region. In this study, short chain CPs (SCCPs) were analyzed in sediments, paddy soils, and upland soils from the Liaohe River Basin, with concentrations ranging from 39.8 to 480.3 ng/g dry weight. A decreasing trend in SCCP concentrations was found with increasing distance from the cities, suggesting that local industrial activity was the major source of SCCP contamination. A preliminary sediment inventory of SCCPs indicated approximately 30.82 tonnes of SCCPs residual in the sediments from the Liaohe River. The average discharge of SCCPs was estimated to be about 74.4 mg/tonne industrial wastewater. The congener group profiles showed that the relative abundances of shorter chain and lower chlorinated CP congeners (C10–CPs with 5 or 6 chlorine atoms) in soils in rural areas were higher than in sites near cities, which demonstrated that long-range atmospheric transportation could be the major transport pathway. Environmental degradation of SCCPs might occur, where higher chlorinated congeners could dechlorinate to form the lower chlorinated congeners.
A new strategy was devised for the total synthesis of highly oxidized ent‐kauranoids. A highly regio‐ and diastereoselective intermolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition involving a diene embedded in a ...substituted bicyclo4.1.0 skeleton was used to assemble all carbon centers but C17 of the target molecule at an early stage of the synthesis. Subsequent synthetic steps, including redox manipulations, SmI2‐mediated cyclization, and isomerization reactions, afforded the antitumor natural product maoecrystal P.
Less is not always more: A strategy involving the incorporation of a substituted cyclopropane ring to generate an overbred intermediate was devised for the total synthesis of the highly oxidized bioactive ent‐kauranoid maoecrystal P. Starting from a strained bicyclo4.1.0 ketone, a sequence based on intermolecular Diels–Alder cycloaddition, allylic oxidation, SmI2‐mediated cyclization, and late‐stage oxidation reactions led to the target molecule.
The association of soyfoods or soybean products with executive functions in the brain has been less well studied. In this study, we investigated the consumption of soyfoods or soybean products and ...its association with executive functions in Chinese adolescents.
A three-stage stratified whole group sampling method was used to investigate the consumption of soyfoods or soybean products and executive functions among 1643 Chinese adolescents aged 13–15 years. One-way ANOVA and chi-square test were used to compare the basic conditions and executive functions of adolescents with different soyfoods or soybean products consumption. Linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the association between soyfoods or soybean products and executive functions.
The proportions of Chinese adolescents with soyfoods or soybean products consumption ≤0 time/week, 1–3 time/week, and ≥4 time/week were 41.14 %, 46.80 %, and 12.05 %, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that with adolescents with soyfoods or soybean products consumption ≥4 time/week as a reference, adolescents with ≤0 time/week were less likely to have executive dysfunction in inhibiting functional (OR = 17.523, 95 % CI: 7.501, 40.938), 2back (OR = 3.384, 95 % CI: 1.729, 6.623), and switching functional (OR = 7.846, 95 % CI: 3.300, 18.657), were at higher risk of executive dysfunction (P < 0.001).
Chinese adolescents' consumption of soyfoods or soybean products is inadequate and has a positive association with executive functions. The consumption of soyfoods or soybean products among Chinese adolescents should be increased in the future.
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