Environmental attitudes of Chinese students in higher education institutions

This study investigates the influence of environmental attitudes of Chinese students in higher education institutions (HEIs). It included 988 students at ten higher education institutions and administered an “environmental attitudes inventory" questionnaire to investigate gender, grade level of study, institution level, parental educational background, scholarships, annual household income, students' leadership experience and the extent to which variables such as participation in environment-related courses affect students' attitudes towards the environment. Furthermore, the study relied on descriptive and analytical methods. The results show significant differences in grade, school level and parents' educational backgrounds on students' environmental attitudes. In contrast, gender, scholarship, annual family income and student leader experience related to the environment did not appear as significant factors. This paper suggests that education policymakers incorporate these influences into a vision of environmental educational reform to inform the remedial actions needed by higher education institutions

The traditional Chinese medicine formulation Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction regulates the tumor matrix and improves the anti-tumor efficacy of TP-PEG-LPs

The Ruanjian Sanjie Decoction (RSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation consisting of Spica Prunellae, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae Seu Pleiones, Concha Ostreae and Semen Coicis, and widely used as an adjuvant in anti-cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of RSD on the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumors, and on the efficacy of anti-cancer nano-formulations in a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with triptolide encapsulated in PEG-modified liposomes (TP-PEG-LPs), either alone or in combination with RSD. The combination treatment significantly retarded tumor growth relative to the untreated controls, indicating the potent adjuvant effect of RSD in targeted anti-cancer therapy. In addition, RSD also reduced the amount of total collagen and collagen I and increased that of collagen III in the tumor ECM, along with decreasing the expression of the pro-angiogenic VEGF. Finally, even high doses of RSD did not significantly affect the liver and kidney function or body weight, indicating low toxicity

Role of optical coherence tomography angiography in myopic choroidal neovascularization after intravitreal injections of Ranibizumab

AIM: To investigate the change of myopic choroidal neovascularization treated by ranibizumab and evaluate their value in monitoring the effect of anti- vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)therapy.METHODS: The study enrolled 30 patients(30 eyes)diagnosed with myopic choroidal neovascularization. All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab 0.05mL(10mg/mL). Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), non-contact tonometer, ophthalmoscope, fundus fluorescein angiograph(FFA)and OCTA were evaluated monthly until 6mo. The changes of BCVA and central macular thickness(CMT)were compared at 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment.RESULTS: All patients received an average of 1.70±0.65 injections. BCVA was 0.96±0.17(LogMAR)before therapy, and BCVA 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment respectively improved by 0.23±0.09, 0.34±0.07, 0.38±0.11. The differences were significant(t=5.461, 8.191, 8.894; Pt=12.007, 13.360, 9.531; PCONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia is effective and safe; OCTA is a noninvasive and time-saving new technology, and it also is a promising tool for clinicians to make preliminary diagnosis and assess treatment efficacy in the follow-up visits

Comparison of preprocessing methods and storage times for touch DNA samples

Aim To select appropriate preprocessing methods for different substrates by comparing the effects of four different preprocessing methods on touch DNA samples and to determine the effect of various storage times on the results of touch DNA sample analysis. Method Hand touch DNA samples were used to investigate the detection and inspection results of DNA on different substrates. Four preprocessing methods, including the direct cutting method, stubbing procedure, double swab technique, and vacuum cleaner method, were used in this study. DNA was extracted from mock samples with four different preprocessing methods. The best preprocess protocol determined from the study was further used to compare performance after various storage times. DNA extracted from all samples was quantified and amplified using standard procedures. Results The amounts of DNA and the number of alleles detected on the porous substrates were greater than those on the non-porous substrates. The performances of the four preprocessing methods varied with different substrates. The direct cutting method displayed advantages for porous substrates, and the vacuum cleaner method was advantageous for non-porous substrates. No significant degradation trend was observed as the storage times increased. Conclusion Different substrates require the use of different preprocessing method in order to obtain the highest DNA amount and allele number from touch DNA samples. This study provides a theoretical basis for explorations of touch DNA samples and may be used as a reference when dealing with touch DNA samples in case work

Associative role of HLA-DRB1 as a protective factor for susceptibility and progression of Parkinson’s disease: a Chinese cross-sectional and longitudinal study

BackgroundPrevious genome-wide association studies investigating the relationship between the HLA-DRB1 and the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have shown limited racial diversity and have not explored clinical heterogeneity extensively.MethodsThe study consisted of three parts: a case–control study, a cross-sectional study, and a longitudinal cohort study. The case–control study included 477 PD patients and 477 healthy controls to explore the relationship between rs660895 and PD susceptibility. The cross-sectional study utilized baseline data from 429 PD patients to examine the correlation between rs660895 and PD features. The longitudinal study included 388 PD patients who completed a 3-year follow-up to investigate the effects of rs660895 on PD progression.ResultsIn the case–control study, HLA-DRB1 rs660895-G allele was associated with a decreased risk of PD in allele model (adjusted OR=0.72, p = 0.003) and dominant model (AG + GG vs. AA: adjusted OR = 0.67, p = 0.003). In the cross-sectional analysis, there was no association between rs660895 and the onset age, motor phenotype, or initial motor symptoms. In the longitudinal analysis, PD patients with the G allele exhibited a slower progression of motor symptoms (MDS-UPDRS-III total score: β = −5.42, p < 0.001, interaction ptime × genotype < 0.001) and non-motor symptoms (NMSS score: β = −4.78, p = 0.030, interaction ptime × genotype < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings support HLA-DRB1 rs660895-G allele is a protective genetic factor for PD risk in Chinese population. Furthermore, we also provide new evidence for the protective effect of rs660895-G allele in PD progression