Treadmill Running Regulates Adult Neurogenesis, Spatial and Non-spatial Learning, Parvalbumin Neuron Activity by ErbB4 Signaling

Exercise can promote adult neurogenesis and improve symptoms associated with schizophrenia and other mental disorders via parvalbumin (PV)-positive GABAergic interneurons in the dentate gyrus ErbB4 is the receptor of neurotrophic factor neuregulin 1, expressed mostly in PV-positive interneurons. Whether ErbB4 in PV-positive neurons mediates the beneficial effect of exercise and adult neurogenesis on mental disorder needs to be further investigation. Here, we first conducted a four-week study on the effects of AG1478, an ErbB4 inhibitor, on memory and neurogenesis. AG1478 significantly impaired the performance in several memory tasks, including the T-maze, Morris water maze, and contextual fear conditioning, downregulated the expression of total ErbB4 (T-ErbB4) and the ratio of phosphate-ErbB4 (p-ErbB4) to T-ErbB4, and associated with neurogenesis impairment. Interestingly, AG1478 also appeared to decrease intracellular calcium levels in PV neurons, which could be reversed by exercise. These results suggest exercise may regulate adult neurogenesis and PV neuron activity through ErbB4 signaling. Overall, these findings provide further evidence of the importance of exercise for neurogenesis and suggest that targeting ErbB4 may be a promising strategy for improving memory and other cognitive functions in individuals with mental disorders.

[Analysis on characteristics and influencing factors of COVID-19 confirmed cases with viral nucleic acid re-positive after discharge in Guangdong Province]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of COVID-19 confirmed cases with viral nucleic acid re-positive in anal and/or throat swabs after discharge during the domestic imported epidemic stage in Guangdong Province in early 2020. Methods: The COVID-19 confirmed cases with the onset time before March 1, 2020 in Guangdong Province were collected to analyze the demographic data, epidemiological characteristics, and specimen collection and testing data after discharge. Logistic regression model was used for influencing factors analysis of re-positive cases. Results: A total of 1 286 COVID-19 confirmed cases were included, the M(Q₁,Q₃) of age was 44(32,58)years, 617 cases were male, 224 cases were re-positive in anal and/or throat swabs with the re-positive rate 17.42%. The M(Q₁,Q₃) of age of re-positive cases was 35(23, 50) years, which was younger than that of re-negative cases age was those 46(33, 59) years (P<0.001). With the increase of age, re-positive rate decreased (χ²_trend=52.73, P<0.001). 85.27% (191/224) of re-positive cases were found in 14 d after discharge, the duration time of re-positive status was 13(7, 24) d, and 81.69% (183/224) of re-positive cases were re-tested negative in 28 d after re-positive date. No fever and other symptoms had been observed among re-positive cases during the whole follow-up. No secondary infectious cases had been found among close contacts after 14 d of centralized isolation and sampling screening. Univariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that the influencing factors of the re-positive cases included age, occupation, clusters, clinical types, and admission time. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis revealed that age was an independent risk factor. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 viral nucleic acid re-positive is found in COVID-19 confirmed cases after discharge in Guangdong Province. Most re-positive cases are confirmed among 14 d after discharge and re-test to negative among 28 d after re-positive date. Age is an risk factor for re-positive cases after discharge.

Alveolar Bone Marrow Gli1+ Stem Cells Support Implant Osseointegration

Osseointegration is the key issue for implant success. The in vivo properties of cell populations driving the osseointegration process have remained largely unknown. In the current study, using tissue clearing-based 3-dimensional imaging and transgenic mouse model-based lineage tracing methods, we identified Gli1+ cells within alveolar bone marrow and their progeny as the cell population participating in extraction socket healing and implant osseointegration. These Gli1⁺ cells are surrounding blood vessels and do not express lineage differentiation markers. After tooth extraction and delayed placement of a dental implant, Gli1⁺ cells were activated into proliferation, and their descendants contributed significantly to new bone formation. Ablation of Gli1⁺ cells severely compromised the healing and osseointegration processes. Blockage of canonical Wnt signaling resulted in impaired recruitment of Gli1⁺ cells and compromised bone healing surrounding implants. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Gli1⁺ cells surrounding alveolar bone marrow vasculature are stem cells supporting dental implant osseointegration. Canonical Wnt signal plays critical roles in regulating Gli1⁺ stem cells.

[Deep learning reconstruction algorithm for coronary CT angiography in assessing obstructive coronary artery disease caused by calcified lesions: the clinical application value]

Objective: To investigate the image quality of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) subjected to deep learning-based reconstruction algorithm (DLR) method and its diagnostic performance for stenosis caused by coronary calcified lesions. Methods: We enrolled 33 consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent CCTA and subsequently invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 1 month in the department of radiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between February 2020 and February 2021. Among them, there are 26 males and 7 females, age range from 45 to 86 (61.9±9.0) years. The CCTA images were reconstructed with DLR and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR). Image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated on the aorta root, left main artery, proximal left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary artery of the CCTA images and were used to evaluate the objective image quality (IQ). Subjective IQ score was graded using Likert four-point scale (1 for excellent and 4 for poor). The diagnostic performance of obstructive coronary artery disease caused by calcified lesions on CCTA subjected to DLR and HIR methods were evaluated using ICA as the reference standard. Results: A total of 123 lesions in 33 patients were included in the analysis. Image noise of DLR image was significantly lower than that on HIR image(defined as the standard deviation of the attenuation values in the aortic root: 18.12±3.66 vs 24.19±5.71, P<0.001), CNR and SNR of DLR image in the aortic root were higher (CNR:43.83±23.73 vs 26.38±9.69, P<0.001,SNR:26.66±7.83 vs 21.23±8.65, P<0.001). Subjective scores of DLR was better than HIR image (1.12±0.41 vs 1.46±0.60,P<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DLR and HIR images for diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease caused by calcified lesions were 100.0%, 77.4%, 78.9% and 100.0%, 63.5%, 65.9%%, respectively. The number of false positive cases on DLR image decreased by 38% compared with HIR. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence based DLR can significantly reduce the image noise and improve the image quality of CCTA. DLR helps to improve the diagnostic performance of CCTA in assessing obstructive coronary artery disease caused by calcified lesions, which may have good clinical application value.

BONE DEVELOPMENT AND FRACTURE HEALING IS NORMAL IN MICE THAT HAVE A DEFECT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Ectopic lymphatics form in bone and promote bone destruction in diseases such as Gorham-Stout disease, generalized lymphatic anomaly, and kaposiform lymphangiomatosis. However, the role lymphatics serve in normal bone development and repair is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to characterize bone development and fracture healing in mice that have a defect in the development of the lymphatic vasculature. We found that bones in wild-type adult mice and mouse embryos did not have lymphatics. We also found that bone development was normal in Vegfr3Chy/Chy embryos. These mice do not have lymphatics and die shortly after birth. To determine whether lymphatics serve a role in postnatal bone development and fracture healing, we analyzed bones from Vegfr3wt/Chy mice. These mice are viable and have fewer lymphatics than wild-type mice. We found that postnatal bone development and fracture healing was normal in Vegfr3wt/Chy mice. Taken together, our results suggest that lymphatics do not play a major role in normal bone development or repair.

Estimating diet costs: Bridging the gap between food supply price databases and dietary intake data

Introduction

The cost of food is a key influence on diet. The majority of diet cost studies match intake data from population-based surveys to a single source of food supply prices such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Our aim was to examine the nutritional significance of using food supply data to price dietary intakes in Canada.

Methods

We examined food groups and nutrients in dietary intakes captured by the CPI. For prices, we used 2015 Canadian CPI average monthly item prices. For dietary intakes, we used reported intakes from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition, 1st 24-hour recall (n = 20,487). i) 2015 CPI item prices ($/g) were matched to the 156 food items from the 2015 CCHS-Nutrition as full, partial, or non-match; ii) CPI capture (full or partial match) per total intake (g), without water, was calculated for each respondent; iii) descriptive statistics and quantile regression (α = 0.05) were used to compare intakes of Canadian Nutrient File food groups and nutrients by quantile of CPI capture.

Results

The CPI captured on average 74% of total dietary intake (g) without water. A greater proportion of protein and fat intake was captured by the CPI as compared to carbohydrate, sodium, fibre, and sugar intake. Intakes of beef, poultry, sausages, pork, and breakfast foods had among the best match; snack foods, nuts, veal, and alcoholic beverages had among the worst. Individuals in the poorest CPI capture quantile consumed the greatest fibre (g), carbohydrates (g), total sugar (g), fat (g), protein (g), and energy (kcal) as compared to those with best CPI capture.

Conclusions

The poorest quantile of CPI capture reflects individuals with high intakes of nutrients of concern including fat, carbohydrates, and sugar; potential bias in estimating fibre and protein intake was also detected. Researchers and decision makers should attend to differential misclassification bias and opportunities for tailored datasets to price dietary intakes.

Key messages

Given the proliferation of diet cost studies using food supply prices, this novel study highlights the importance of understanding the biases in using food supply data to price dietary intakes. Nutrition researchers and decision makers can use these findings to strengthen food supply price data to support the monitoring of diet costs in relation to diet quality and health outcomes.

[Analysis on the cluster epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 in Guangdong Province]

Objective: Analysis of clustering characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Guangdong Province. Methods: The COVID-19 cases in Guangdong Province onset from January 1 to February 29, 2020 were collected from Chinese information system for disease control and prevention and Emergency Public Reporting System. Obtain the epidemiological survey data of the cluster epidemic situation, and clarify the scale of cluster epidemic situation, the characteristics of the index cases, family and non-family subsequent cases. Calculate serial interval according to the onset time of the index cases and subsequent cases, secondary attack rate based on the close contacts tracking results, the characteristics of different cases in the clustered epidemic were compared. Results: A total of 283 cluster were collected, including 633 index cases, 239 subsequent cases. Families are mainly clustered, the total number involved in each cluster is in the range of 2-27, M (P₂₅, P₇₅) are 2.0 (2.0, 4.0). During January 15 to February 29, the secondary attack rate is 2.86% (239/8 363) in Guangdong Province, the family secondary attack rate was 4.84% (276/3 697), and the non-family secondary attack rate was 1.32% (61/4 632). According to the reporting trend of the number of cases in Guangdong Province, it can be divided into four stages, the rising stage, the high platform stage, the descending stage and the low level fluctuation period. The secondary attack rate of the four stages were 3.5% (140/3 987), 2.3% (55/2 399), 2.6% (37/1 435), 1.3% (7/542), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.003). Conclusion: COVID-19 cluster mainly occurs in families in Guangdong Province. The scale of the clustered epidemic was small; the serial interval was short; and the overall secondary attack rate was low.

Novel multiparameter correlates of Coxiella burnetii infection and vaccination identified by longitudinal deep immune profiling

Q-fever is a flu-like illness caused by Coxiella burnetii (Cb), a highly infectious intracellular bacterium. There is an unmet need for a safe and effective vaccine for Q-fever. Correlates of immune protection to Cb infection are limited. We proposed that analysis by longitudinal high dimensional immune (HDI) profiling using mass cytometry combined with other measures of vaccination and protection could be used to identify novel correlates of effective vaccination and control of Cb infection. Using a vaccine-challenge model in HLA-DR transgenic mice, we demonstrated significant alterations in circulating T-cell and innate immune populations that distinguished vaccinated from naïve mice within 10 days, and persisted until at least 35 days post-vaccination. Following challenge, vaccinated mice exhibited reduced bacterial burden and splenomegaly, along with distinct effector T-cell and monocyte profiles. Correlation of HDI data to serological and pathological measurements was performed. Our data indicate a Th1-biased response to Cb, consistent with previous reports, and identify Ly6C, CD73, and T-bet expression in T-cell, NK-cell, and monocytic populations as distinguishing features between vaccinated and naïve mice. This study refines the understanding of the integrated immune response to Cb vaccine and challenge, which can inform the assessment of candidate vaccines for Cb.

Development of a novel hybrid method combining finite difference method and dissipative particle dynamics to simulate thrombus formation on orifice flow

In our previous works, the transport of activated platelets (APs) on orifice flow has been simulated by finite difference method (FDM). And the distribution of AP concentration on the flow was obtained. However, the effect of platelet aggregation on the distribution of AP concentration can't be investigated by FDM because FDM can't simulate platelet aggregation. On the other hand, platelet aggregation has been simulated by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). In this paper, a hybrid method combining FDM and DPD is proposed to investigate the effect of platelet aggregation on the distribution of AP concentration. And the hybrid method is used to simulate thrombus formation on orifice flow. As for the effect of platelet aggregation, it is found that the distribution of AP concentration in the hybrid method is different from the distribution in FDM at the places of platelet aggregation. It is considered that the difference is induced by platelet aggregation. As for the distribution of thrombus, higher AP concentration and more aggregated APs are found around the reattachment point and in the recirculation area. It is considered that thrombus is mainly distributed at these places in the simulation. And according to our previous experimental results, thrombus is mainly distributed around the reattachment point and in the recirculation area. It is concluded that the effect of platelet aggregation on the distribution of AP concentration can be investigated by the hybrid method, and the computational results agree with our previous experimental results.

20-Hydroxyecdysone receptor-activated Bombyx mori CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein gamma regulates the expression of BmCBP and subsequent histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation in Bo. mori

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP or CREBBP) plays important roles in regulating gene transcription and animal development. However, the process by which CBP is up-regulated to impact insect development is unknown. In this study, the regulatory mechanism of Bombyx mori CBP (BmCBP) expression induced by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) was investigated. In the Bo. mori cell line, DZNU-Bm-12, 20E enhanced BmCBP transcription and histone H3K27 acetylation. BmCBP RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in decreased histone H3K27 acetylation. Additionally, the luciferase activity analysis revealed that the transcription factor, Bo. mori CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein gamma (BmC/EBPg), activated BmCBP transcription, which was suppressed by BmC/EBPg RNAi and promoted by BmC/EBPg overexpression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation results demonstrated that BmC/EBPg could bind to the C/EBP cis-regulatory elements in two positions of the BmCBP promoter. Moreover, BmC/EBPg transcription was enhanced by the 20E receptor (BmEcR), which bound to the BmC/EBPg promoter. BmEcR RNAi significantly inhibited the transcriptional levels of BmC/EBPg and BmCBP in the presence of 20E. Furthermore, the BmEcR-BmC/EBPg pathway regulated the acetylation levels of histone H3K27. Altogether, these results indicate that BmEcR enhances the expression of BmC/EBPg, which binds to the BmCBP promoter, activates BmCBP expression and leads to histone H3K27 acetylation.

Adaptation of plants to high-calcium content kart regions: possible involvement of symbiotic microorganisms and underlying mechanisms

Rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes can help their hosts absorb nutrients and regulate the levels of plant hormones. Moreover, they can modulate the expressions of host genes, assist hosts in eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secreting volatile organic compounds. Therefore, rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes are considered as determinant factors driving processes involved in the growth of host plants. However, the physiological and ecological functions, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying the behavior of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes in their role in the adaptive capacity of host plants in the karstic high-calcium environment have not been systematically studied. This review summarizes the physiological and molecular mechanisms of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes which help host plants to adapt to various kinds of adverse environments. The adaptive capacities of plants growing in adverse environments, partly, or totally, depends on microorganisms co-existing with the host plants.

Watershed, climate, and stable isotope data (oxygen-18 and deuterium) for 50 boreal lakes in the oil sands region, northeastern Alberta, Canada, 2002-2017

Watershed data, climate and stable data collected over a 16-year period from a network of 50 lakes in northeastern Alberta, are provided to allow for broader incorporation into regional assessments of environmental impacts, particularly hydrologic and geochemical processes under changing climate and land use development. Oxygen-18 and deuterium analyses of water samples are provided from late summer surveys of 50 lakes with varying land cover and permafrost conditions. Six sub-groups of lakes are represented, including Stony Mountains, West Fort McMurray, Northeast Fort McMurray, Birch Mountains, Caribou Mountains and Shield. This dataset includes 1582 isotopic analyses made on 791 water samples and 3164 isotope mass balance model outputs, as well as 800 lake/watershed parameters, 5600 climate parameters, and 800 modelled values for isotopic composition of precipitation used in the computations. Model data are provided to facilitate evaluation of transferability of the model for other applications, and to permit more sophisticated spatial analysis and intercomparison with geochemical and biological datasets. Details and further discussion on the isotope mass balance approach are provided in “Regional trends in water balance and runoff to fifty boreal lakes: a 16-year isotope mass balance assessment including evaluation of hydrologic drivers” [1]. Overall, the data are expected to be useful, in comparison with local and regional datasets, for water resource management and planning, including design of monitoring networks and environmental impact assessments for oil sands projects.

Parvalbumin Interneuron Activation-Dependent Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Is Required for Treadmill Running to Reverse Schizophrenia-Like Phenotypes

Physical exercise can alleviate some of the schizophrenia symptoms in patients, the mechanisms, however, are still unclear. To investigate whether the GABAergic interneuron involved in the therapeutic effect of treadmill running on schizophrenia, the parvalbumin (PV)-positive GABAergic interneurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) was specifically activated or abolished and the effects were evaluated. In the MK801-induced schizophrenia-like animal model, we found:(1) Treadmill running rescued the schizophrenia-related behavioral phenotypes, promoted the adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and increased the dendrite number and complexity of newborn neurons. (2) Treadmill running increased the number of PV-positive interneurons in the DG; genetic ablation of these interneurons reduced adult neurogenesis and abolished the effect of treadmill running on the schizophrenia-related behaviors. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of these interneurons improved neurogenesis and alleviated the schizophrenia-related behaviors. These results suggest a pivotal role of PV-positive interneuron-mediated adult neurogenesis in exercise. (3) However, schizophrenia-related behavioral phenotypes and adult neurogenesis in the DG could still be reversed by exercise after specifically knocking out the schizophrenia-related gene ErbB4 in PV interneurons, as a means to reduce their GABA release. These results suggest that activation of PV interneurons in the DG is sufficient for treadmill running to reverse schizophrenia-like phenotypes.

Effect of age at menarche on microvascular complications among women with Type 1 diabetes

AIM

To test the hypothesis that delayed menarche is associated with an increased microvascular complication risk among women with Type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

We studied the female participants of an ongoing prospective study of childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes diagnosed during the period 1950-1980. Of 325 women, we included data from 315 who had reached menarche by the study baseline (1986-1988) and who self-reported their age at menarche. Both cross-sectional and prospective analyses over the 25-year follow-up were used to assess the relationship of age at menarche with the prevalence, incidence and cumulative incidence of microvascular complications, comprising overt nephropathy, proliferative retinopathy and confirmed distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

RESULTS

In cross-sectional analyses at baseline, the odds of overt nephropathy increased 1.24 times (P=0.02) with each annual increase in age at menarche, and 3.2 times (P=0.009) in those with delayed menarche compared with women with normal menarche onset, after adjustment. Similarly, the cumulative incidence of overt nephropathy increased 1.16 times (P=0.01) with each older year of menarche and women with delayed menarche were at twofold increased risk of overt nephropathy (hazard ratio 2.30, P=0.001) compared with women with normal menarche onset. However, age at menarche was not significantly associated with either proliferative retinopathy or confirmed distal symmetric polyneuropathy after adjusting for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

Age at menarche was significantly associated with the prevalence and cumulative incidence of overt nephropathy, but not with proliferative retinopathy or confirmed distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Type 1 diabetes. Women with delayed menarche may therefore be targeted for early screening and timely interventions to prevent the development of nephropathy.

[Health-related quality of life and health-adjusted life expectancy among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, in Guangdong province]

Objective: To estimate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) which were associated with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in people from Guangdong province of China. Methods: Data on both NCDs prevalence and EuroQol-5 Dimensions-3 Levels measured HRQOL were gathered from the Fifth National Health Survey in Guangdong province, 2013. Logistic regression model and multiple linear regression model were employed to explore the impact of NCDs on HRQOL. Life expectancy (LE) and HALE were used to evaluate the comprehensive impact of chronic diseases on population health. Results: A total of 68 550 inhabitants were included in the analysis. Graded logistic regression showed that the impact of chronic diseases on all dimensions of quality of life was statistically significant after adjusting for social demographic characteristics. The greatest health impact was on the pain/discomfort health dimension [OR=4.48 (95%CI:4.20-4.77)], followed by anxiety/depression[OR=3.95 (95%CI: 3.62- 4.31)], daily activities [OR=3.69 (95%CI: 3.37-4.04)], mobility [OR=3.63 (95%CI: 3.34-3.94)]and ability on self-care [OR=3.30 (95%CI: 2.98-3.66)]. Losses of LE and HALE caused by NCDs were 12.7 and 14.6 years respectively while the overall expected gain was 3.8 years in HALE, when NCDs were taken away. Conclusions: Our data showed that NCDs had shortened the healthy life span of patients through reducing the HRQOL and also causing heavy disease burden on both patients with NCDs and the communities. Health-care related policies on NCDs need to be developed, for the elderly, in particular.

Tissue Clearing and Its Application to Bone and Dental Tissues

Opaqueness of animal tissue can be attributed mostly to light absorption and light scattering. In most noncleared tissue samples, confocal images can be acquired at no more than a 100-µm depth. Tissue-clearing techniques have emerged in recent years in the neuroscience field. Many tissue-clearing methods have been developed, and they all follow similar working principles. During the tissue-clearing process, chemical or physical treatments are applied to remove components blocking or scattering the light. Finally, samples are immersed in a designated clearing medium to achieve a uniform refractive index and to gain transparency. Once the transparency is reached, images can be acquired even at several millimeters of depth with high resolution. Tissue clearing has become an essential tool for neuroscientists to investigate the neural connectome or to analyze spatial information of various types of brain cells. Other than neural science research, tissue-clearing techniques also have applications for bone research. Several methods have been developed for clearing bones. Clearing treatment enables 3-dimensional imaging of bones without sectioning and provides important new insights that are difficult or impossible to acquire with conventional approaches. Application of tissue-clearing technique on dental research remains limited. This review will provide an overview of the recent literature related to the methods and application of various tissue-clearing methods. The following aspects will be covered: general principles for the tissue-clearing technique, current available methods for clearing bones and teeth, general principles of 3-dimensional imaging acquisition and data processing, applications of tissue clearing on studying biological processes within bones and teeth, and future directions for 3-dimensional imaging.

[The clinical features and prognosis of nasal Schwannoma]

Objective:To investigate the experience of nasal Schwannoma in order to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Method:Clinicopathological data and follow-up results of nine patients, which histopathology proved nasal Schwannoma were collected and analyzed. Result:The patients were referred to our clinic due to the space-occupying symptoms or signs of tumour compression. There were no specific findings in imaging examination. The patients were treated by operation except a multiple Schwannoma patient.The recurrence after operation were rare. The main features of pathological diagnosis was a strong expression of S-100 protein. Conclusion:Nasal Schwannoma usually has no specific clinical manifestations. Imaging examination is valuable to the determination of surgical range and the diagnosis of benign and malignant diseases. The diagnosis depends on histologic examination. Surgery is the only effective treatment. The best surgical procedure selection hinges on the lesion location and the prognosis is excellent.

Sleep Quality and Related Psychosocial Variables Among Renal Transplant Patients

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined sleep quality in the post renal transplant population of China, but few studies have actually confirmed the related psychosocial variables of sleep quality in renal transplant recipients with home care.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates sleep quality and its related psychosocial variables among renal transplant patients.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study using a convenient sampling approach. Self-report questionnaires were applied to 485 renal transplant patients. All participants completed the General Data Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Self-Rating Depression Scale, the Three-Dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths, and the Flourishing Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 438 valid questionnaires were included in the analysis. The global PSQI score was 5.86 (SD, 3.20), significantly lower than the norm; 128 (29.2%) recipients were classified as having poor sleep quality (global PSQI > 7). In the component score of PSQI, sleep onset latency was the highest; the others from high to low are sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction, subjective sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep duration, and use of hypnotic medication. A total of 19.6% reported sleeping fewer than 6 hours a night, 64.8% reported that they had to get up to use the bathroom, and 50.0% woke up in the middle of the night or early morning at least 1 night per week in the past month. Significant differences in the PSQI scores were observed in renal transplant patients of different sex, age, residence, career, length of post-renal transplant period, comorbidity, kidney function, and depressive symptoms (P < .05). The PSQI scores were positively correlated with depression (Self-Rating Depression Scale) (P < .01) but negatively correlated with inquisitiveness (Three-Dimensional Inventory of Character Strengths-inquisitiveness) and psychological well-being (Flourishing Scale) (P < .01).

CONCLUSION

The sleep quality of renal transplant patients was lower than that of the general population. Character strengths and well-being can increase the level of sleep quality in renal transplant patients. Psychosocial intervention is necessary for improving the sleep quality of renal transplant recipients in China.

Characterizing the PAHs in surface waters and snow in the Athabasca region: Implications for identifying hydrological pathways of atmospheric deposition

The composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in snow and surface waters in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) was characterized in order to identify major contributors to the organics detected in rivers and lakes in the region. PAH concentrations, measured by three monitoring programs in 2011, were used to compare the PAH compositions of snow and surface waters across the AOSR. The 2011 dataset includes total (dissolved+particulate) concentrations of thirty-four parent and alkylated PAH compounds in 105 snow, 272 river, and 3 lake samples. The concentration of PAHs in rivers varies seasonally, with the highest values observed in July. The timing of increases in PAH concentrations in rivers coincides with the high river discharge during the spring freshet, indicating that this major hydrological event may play an important role in delivering PAHs to rivers. However, the composition of PAHs present in rivers during this period differs from the composition of PAHs present in snow, suggesting that direct runoff and release of PAHs accumulated on snow may not be the major source of PAHs to the Athabasca River and its tributaries. Instead, snowmelt may contribute indirectly to increases in PAHs due to hydrological processes such as erosion of stream channels, remobilization of PAH-containing sediments, increased catchment runoff, and snowmelt-induced groundwater inputs during this dynamic hydrologic period. Better understanding of transformations of PAH profiles during transport along surface and subsurface flow paths in wetland-dominated boreal catchments would improve identification of potential sources and pathways in the region. The compositional differences highlight the challenges in identifying the origins of PAHs in a region with multiple potential natural and anthropogenic sources particularly when the potential transport pathways include air, soil and water.

XtalFluor-E® mediated proto-functionalization of N-vinyl amides: access to N-acetyl N,O-acetals

XtalFluor-E® has been extensively used in a broad range of reactions in the past few years. Here we report its use with protic nucleophiles in a catalytic manner for the in situ generation of protons that lead to the proto-functionalization of activated olefins. Utilizing the latter protocol, proto etherification of enamides gives rise to N,O-acetals in nearly quantitative yields.

[Molluscicidal effect of suspension concentrate of niclosamide ethanolamine salt]

Objective To evaluate the molluscicidal effect of suspension concentrate of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (SCNE) against Oncomelania hupensis snails in laboratory and field. Methods The experiment of SCNE against the snails by using the immersing and spraying methods was performed in laboratory and field, with control groups of wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPN). Results In the laboratory, LC_50(s) of SCNE for 24, 48 h and 72 h by using the immersion method were 0.092 6, 0.062 9 mg/L and 0.054 9 mg/L, respectively. The mortality rates of snails for 24, 48 h and 72 h by using the immersion method were all 100% with the concentrations of 0.25 mg/L. The mortality rates of snails were all 100% while spraying SCNE for 3 d in the laboratory with the concentrations of 0.25 g/m². In Jiangling County, except 0.5 g/m³ SCNE immersing the snails for 24 h, the mortality rates of snails by using SCNE with the immersing method were all 100%. While the concentration of SCNE was 0.5 g/m³ or above, the mortality rates were all 100% after the use of it with the immersion method for 2 d in Gong'an County. In Jiangling County, the mortality rates of snails by using SCNE 0.5 g/m³ for 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d with the spraying method were 87.5%, 92.82% and 97.40% respectively. While the concentration of SCNE was 0.5 g/m³, the mortality rates were 85.94%, 86.78% and 94.21% respectively after the use of it with the spraying method for 1 d, 3 d, 7 d in Gong'an County, and the molluscicidal effect of SCNE (1.0 g/m²) was higher than that of WPN. Conclusion SCNE has a high molluscicidal effect in the laboratory and field, and it is a novel and simple formulation of niclosamide.

First measurement of the edge charge exchange recombination spectroscopy on EAST tokamak

An edge toroidal charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (eCXRS) diagnostic, based on a heating neutral beam injection (NBI), has been deployed recently on the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The eCXRS, which aims to measure the plasma ion temperature and toroidal rotation velocity in the edge region simultaneously, is a complement to the exiting core CXRS (cCXRS). Two rows with 32 fiber channels each cover a radial range from ∼2.15 m to ∼2.32 m with a high spatial resolution of ∼5-7 mm. Charge exchange emission of Carbon VI CVI at 529.059 nm induced by the NBI is routinely observed, but can be tuned to any interested wavelength in the spectral range from 400 to 700 nm. Double-slit fiber bundles increase the number of channels, the fibers viewing the same radial position are binned on the CCD detector to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling shorter exposure time down to 5 ms. One channel is connected to a neon lamp, which provides the real-time wavelength calibration on a shot-to-shot basis. In this paper, an overview of the eCXRS diagnostic on EAST is presented and the first results from the 2015 experimental campaign will be shown. Good agreements in ion temperature and toroidal rotation are obtained between the eCXRS and cCXRS systems.