A new integrable two-component system with cubic nonlinearity

In this paper, a new integrable two-component system, mt=[m(uxvx−uv+uvx−uxv)]x,nt=[n(uxvx−uv+uvx−uxv)]x, where m=u−uxx and n=v−vxx, is proposed. Our system is a generalized version of the integrable system mt=[m(u2x−u2)]x, which was shown having cusped solution (cuspon) and W/M-shape soliton solutions by Qiao [J. Math. Phys. 47, 112701 (2006). The new system is proven integrable not only in the sense of Lax-pair but also in the sense of geometry, namely, it describes pseudospherical surfaces. Accordingly, infinitely many conservation laws are derived through recursion relations. Furthermore, exact solutions such as cuspons and W/M-shape solitons are also obtained

Co-suppression of sterol-regulatory element binding protein mediates etiolation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Arabidopsis plants were transformed with a chimeric construct containing expression cassettes for GFP election marker and CaMV 35S promoter-driven At5g35220 cDNA, via Agro bacterium-mediated method. Two transformants produced pigmentation deficient phenotype. Analysis revealed the decrease of chlorophyll in all etiolated plants. RT-PCR showed that, total At5g35220 mRNA levels were greatly inhibited in co-suppression lines. PORA and PORB mRNA expression were influenced also in the mutants. It is found that, the At5g35220 gene is responsive to both inhibitor and some hormone with regard to MVP/MEP pathway in our study.Key words: Etiolation, co-suppression, protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase gene (POR), light regulation

The global and regional prevalence of restless legs syndrome among adults:A systematic review and modelling analysis

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent neuro-sensory disorder that impairs quality of life. In this systematic review and modelling study, we estimated the global and regional prevalence of RLS and its associated factors.METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Medline for population-based studies on RLS prevalence published up to 12 November 2023. The included studies reported prevalence using the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group's (IRLSSG) minimal diagnostic criteria without limitations on frequency, duration, or severity. We applied a multilevel multivariable mixed-effects meta-regression to generate the age-specific and sex-specific prevalence of RLS for high socio-demographic index (H-SDI) and low and middle socio-demographic index (LM-SDI) regions. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) for RLS associated factors using random-effects models. Finally, we derived the regional prevalence and cases of RLS based on an associated factor-based model.RESULTS: From 52 articles across 23 countries, the global RLS prevalence in 2019 was estimated to be 7.12% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.15-9.76) among adults 20-79 years of age, equating to 356.07 million (95% CI = 257.61-488.09) affected individuals. Prevalence was similar in H-SDI (7.29%; 95% CI = 5.04-10.41) and LM-SDI (7.10%; 95% CI = 5.16-9.70) regions, with the majority of cases in LM-SDI countries (323.06 million; 90.73%). Europe had the highest (7.60%; 95% CI = 5.44-10.52) and Africa the lowest regional prevalence (6.48%; 95% CI = 4.70-8.87). The Western Pacific Region, meanwhile, had the most cases (111.91 million; 95% CI = 80.93-153.42). Factors positively associated with RLS included advanced age (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04-1.24), smoking (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.29-1.64), depression (OR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.26-2.32), and diabetes (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.19-1.97).CONCLUSIONS: A considerable global burden of RLS exists. Effective strategies are needed to increase awareness and optimise resource allocation to address this often-overlooked condition. High-quality epidemiological investigations employing standardised and rigorous criteria for RLS are essential for addressing RLS burden more effectively.REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42020161860.</p

Patterns of pediatric and adolescent female genital inflammation in China: an eight-year retrospective study of 49,175 patients in China

BackgroundGenital inflammation is one of the most frequent clinical complaints among girls, which was easily overlooked by the general public. This study aimed to investigate the patterns and epidemiological characteristics of pediatric and adolescent female genital inflammation in China.MethodsA retrospective observational study (2011 to 2018) was conducted among all female patients under the age of 0–18 years at the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology of The Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. Data were collected from the electronic medical records. The abnormal vaginal discharge of patient was collected for microbiological investigation by bacterial and fungal culture. Descriptive analysis was conducted to evaluate the genital inflammation pattern and epidemiological characteristics, including age, season, and type of infected pathogens.ResultsA total of 49,175 patients met the eligibility criteria of genital inflammation and 16,320 patients later came to the hospital for follow-up over the study period. The number of first-visit increased gradually from 3,769 in 2011 to 10,155 in 2018. The peak age of the first visit was 0–6 years old. Non-specific vulvovaginitis, lichen sclerosis, and labial adhesion were the top three genital inflammation. Among the top five potential common pathogens of vaginal infection, the prevalence of Haemophilus influenzae cases was the highest (31.42%, 203/646), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (27.74%, 176/646), Candida albicans (14.09%, 91/646), Escherichia coli (8.51%, 55/646), and Staphylococcus aureus (6.35%, 41/636). The specific disease categories and pathogens of genital inflammation vary by age groups and season.ConclusionOur study summarizes the pattern of pediatric and adolescent female genital inflammation over an 8-year period in China, emphasizing the need for more public awareness, healthcare services and research in this field

Transcriptome analysis provides StMYBA1 gene that regulates potato anthocyanin biosynthesis by activating structural genes

Anthocyanin biosynthesis is affected by light, temperature, and other environmental factors. The regulation mode of light on anthocyanin synthesis in apple, pear, tomato and other species has been reported, while not clear in potato. In this study, potato RM-210 tubers whose peel will turn purple gradually after exposure to light were selected. Transcriptome analysis was performed on RM-210 tubers during anthocyanin accumulation. The expression of StMYBA1 gene continued to increase during the anthocyanin accumulation in RM-210 tubers. Moreover, co-expression cluster analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that the expression patterns of StMYBA1 gene were highly correlated with structural genes CHS and CHI. The promoter activity of StMYBA1 was significantly higher in light conditions, and StMYBA1 could activate the promoter activity of structural genes StCHS, StCHI, and StF3H. Further gene function analysis found that overexpression of StMYBA1 gene could promote anthocyanin accumulation and structural gene expression in potato leaves. These results demonstrated that StMYBA1 gene promoted potato anthocyanin biosynthesis by activating the expression of structural genes under light conditions. These findings provide a theoretical basis and genetic resources for the regulatory mechanism of potato anthocyanin synthesis

Spousal concordance in adverse childhood experiences and the association with depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults: findings across China, the US, and Europe

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with higher depressive risks in adulthood. Whether respondents’ ACEs are associated with their own depressive symptoms in adulthood and whether this association extends to their spouses’ depressive symptoms remain unexplored.MethodsData were from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). ACEs were categorized into overall, intra-familial, and extra-familial ACEs. Correlations of couples’ ACEs were calculated using Cramer’s V and partial Spearman’s correlation. Associations of respondents’ ACEs with spousal depressive symptoms were assessed using logistic regression, and mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediating role of respondents’ depressive symptoms.ResultsSignificant associations between husbands’ ACEs and wives’ depressive symptoms, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 2.09 (1.36–3.22) for 4 or more ACEs in CHARLS, and 1.25 (1.06–1.48) and 1.38 (1.06–1.79) for 2 or more ACEs in HRS and SHARE. However, wives’ ACEs were associated with husbands’ depressive symptoms only in CHARLS and SHARE. Findings in intra-familial and extra-familial ACEs were consistent with our main results. Additionally, respondents’ depressive symptoms mediated more than 20% of the effect of respondents’ ACEs on spousal depressive symptoms.ConclusionWe found that ACEs were significantly correlated between couples. Respondents’ ACEs were associated with spousal depressive symptoms, with respondents’ depressive symptoms mediating the association. The bidirectional implications of ACEs on depressive symptoms should be considered within household and effective interventions are warranted

RING finger 138 deregulation distorts NF-кB signaling and facilities colitis switch to aggressive malignancy

Prolonged activation of nuclear factor (NF)-кB signaling significantly contributes to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). New therapeutic opportunities are emerging from targeting this distorted cell signaling transduction. Here, we discovered the critical role of RING finger 138 (RNF138) in CRC tumorigenesis through regulating the NF-кB signaling, which is independent of its Ubiquitin-E3 ligase activity involved in DNA damage response. RNF138(−/−) mice were hyper-susceptible to the switch from colitis to aggressive malignancy, which coincided with sustained aberrant NF-кB signaling in the colonic cells. Furthermore, RNF138 suppresses the activation of NF-кB signaling pathway through preventing the translocation of NIK and IKK-Beta Binding Protein (NIBP) to the cytoplasm, which requires the ubiquitin interaction motif (UIM) domain. More importantly, we uncovered a significant correlation between poor prognosis and the downregulation of RNF138 associated with reinforced NF-кB signaling in clinical settings, raising the possibility of RNF138 dysregulation as an indicator for the therapeutic intervention targeting NF-кB signaling. Using the xenograft models built upon either RNF138-dificient CRC cells or the cells derived from the RNF138-dysregulated CRC patients, we demonstrated that the inhibition of NF-кB signaling effectively hampered tumor growth. Overall, our work defined the pathogenic role of aberrant NF-кB signaling due to RNF138 downregulation in the cascade events from the colitis switch to colonic neoplastic transformation and progression, and also highlights the possibility of targeting the NF-кB signaling in treating specific subtypes of CRC indicated by RNF138-ablation