Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene on superficial scald and related metabolism in ‘Wujiuxiang’ pears during cold storage

‘Wujiuxiang’ (Pyrus bretschneideri R. × Pyrus communis L.) pears often suffer from superficial scald after long-term cold storage. In this study, harvested ‘Wujiuxiang’ pear fruits were fumigated with 1-MCP at concentrations of 0.5 μL/L and 1.0 μL/L and subsequently stored at low temperature (0 °C). The superficial scald index; flesh firmness; total soluble solids (TSS) content; respiration and ethylene production rates; relative membrane permeability; concentrations of α-farnesene, conjugated trienols (CTols), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and lipoxygenase (LOX) of the peel were investigated. The results showed that compared with control, 1-MCP reduced the index of superficial scald; maintained a higher firmness and a lower TSS content; inhibited the accumulation of H2O2, α-farnesene and conjugated trienols and the increase in cell membrane permeability; and maintained a higher activity of APX, SOD and CAT and a lower activity of LOX. These findings indicate that 1-MCP regulates the activities of H2O2-scavenging enzymes to inhibit the accumulation of H2O2 and thereby reduces cell membrane damage and inhibits the accumulation of conjugated trienols. Thus, 1-MCP could decrease the incidence of superficial scald in ‘Wujiuxiang’ pears

Decadal evolution of fluvial islands and its controlling factors along the lower Yangtze River

Fluvial islands are vital from both morphological and ecological perspectives and consequently have been hotspots of morphodynamic research in large rivers around the world. This study selected 14 representative fluvial islands in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and explored their spatial-temporal evolution, including their shape and area dynamics during 1945–2016, by interpreting remote sensing images and analyzing the hydrological data. Results indicated that the total area of the 14 fluvial islands showed a growing trend at an average rate of 0.30 km2 yr−1 during the 72 years. The island Fenghuangzhou experienced the largest change in area, while Xiaohuangzhou (XHZ) had the smallest change in area. Sediment discharge and flooding were assumed to be the primary natural factors controlling the island dynamics. Furthermore, dam construction and bank reinforcement also played a critical role in preventing shoreline collapse, improving channel conditions, and promoting the stability of fluvial islands. From 1976 to 2016, the maximum erosion occurred on the left XHZ, while the maximum accretion was found on the Qingjiezhou island. Almost the entire river section experienced an accretion process on the right bank, which was assumed to be caused by the construction of erosion control structures. Besides, the dynamics of the fluvial islands along the lower Yangtze River appears to follow the erosion processes of the river bank. Our findings can provide an important reference for sustainable utilization and management of fluvial islands

Identification of immunodiagnostic blood biomarkers associated with spinal cord injury severity

Blood always shows some immune changes after spinal cord injury (SCI), and detection of such changes in blood may be helpful for diagnosis and treatment of SCI. However, studies to date on blood immune changes after SCI in humans are not comprehensive. Therefore, to obtain the characteristics of blood immune changes and immunodiagnostic blood biomarkers of SCI and its different grades, a human blood transcriptome sequencing dataset was downloaded and analyzed to obtain differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIGs), related functions and signaling pathways related to SCI and its various grades. Characteristic biomarkers of SCI and its different grades were identified by using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression. Expression of biomarkers was verified through experiments. The area under the curve (AUC) of biomarkers was calculated to evaluate their diagnostic value, and differences in immune cell content were examined. In this study, 17 kinds of immune cells with different contents between the SCI group and healthy control (HC) group were identified, with 7 immune cell types being significantly increased. Differences in the content of immune cells between different grades of SCI and the HC group were also discovered. DEIGs were identified, with alteration in some immune-related signaling pathways, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathways, and axon guidance signaling pathways. The SCI biomarkers identified and those of American Spinal Injury Society Impairment Scale (AIS) A and AIS D of SCI have certain diagnostic sensitivity. Analysis of the correlation of immune cells and biomarkers showed that biomarkers of SCI, AIS A grade and AIS D grade correlated positively or negatively with some immune cells. CKLF, EDNRB, FCER1G, SORT1, and TNFSF13B can be used as immune biomarkers for SCI. Additionally, GDF11and HSPA1L can be used as biomarkers of SCI AIS A grade; PRKCA and CMTM2 can be used as biomarkers of the SCI AIS D grade. Detecting expression of these putative biomarkers and changes in related immune cells may be helpful for predicting the severity of SCI

Hyaluronic acid ameliorates intervertebral disc degeneration via promoting mitophagy activation

Activation of mitophagy was considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). There was evidence suggesting that hyaluronic acid (HA) can protect mitochondria from oxidative stress in chondrocytes, but its protective effects and mechanism in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) remain unclear. This study aimed to confirm the effect of HA promoting mitophagy and protecting mitochondria function in NPCs, and explore its underlying mechanism. NPCs were treated with high molecular weight HA, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and Cyclosporin A (CsA). Mitophagy, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, senescence and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation were measured. Then, NPCs were transfected with C1QBP siRNA, mitophagy and mitochondrial function were tested. The therapeutic effects of HA on IDD by promoting mitophagy were assessed in bovine intervertebral disc organ culture model. The results showed that TBHP induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, NPCs apoptosis, senescence and ECM degradation. Treated by HA, mitophagy was activated, concomitantly, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, senescence and ECM degradation were ameliorated. Mitophagy inhibition by CsA partially eliminated the protective effects of HA against oxidative stress. After transfected with C1QBP siRNA to reduce the expression of C1QBP in NPCs, the effect of HA promoting mitophagy was inhibited and the protective effect of HA against oxidative stress was weaken. Additionally, HA alleviated NPCs apoptosis and ECM degradation in bovine intervertebral disc organ culture model. These findings suggest that HA can protect mitochondrial function through activation of mitophagy in NPCs and ameliorate IDD. Furthermore, C1QBP is involved in HA promoting mitophagy and protecting NPCs from oxidative stress. Taken together, our results provide substantial evidence for the clinical applications of HA in the prevention and treatment of IDD

Association between parental unhealthy behaviors and offspring’s cardiovascular health status: Results from a cross-sectional analysis of parent–offspring pairs in China

BackgroundCardiovascular health (CVH) in children and adolescents, which might be largely influenced by parental behaviors, may affect the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. However, few studies have been conducted to explore the associations between parental behaviors and CVH status of offspring in China.MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Chinese children and adolescents aged 7–18 years old, with a total of 10,043 parent–offspring pairs included. Parental behaviors included moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), dietary behaviors, and weight status. The CVH status of offspring was consulted by The American Heart Association, including seven factors. The associations between parental behaviors and CVH status of offspring were evaluated by multilevel logistic regression. Stratified analyses were conducted to explore the potential modifying influence of sociodemographic factors.ResultsMost of the offspring had five ideal CVH factors; only 21.04% had six to seven ideal CVH factors. Parental unhealthy behaviors were associated with high odds of nonideal CVH status of offspring. Parental overweight/obesity, insufficient MVPA, and unhealthy dietary behaviors could increase the odds of owning one to three ideal CVH factors in offspring, with corresponding odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval) of 1.61 (1.32–1.96), 1.31 (1.10–1.56), and 2.05 (1.43–2.94), respectively. There was a dose–response relationship between parental single unhealthy behavior and the odds of nonideal CVH status in offspring (P-trend < 0.001). Offspring with overweight parents had ORs of 1.25 for nonideal CVH status, compared to offspring with normal-weight parents. Among offspring who had the same number of ideal CVH factors, the cumulative association between unhealthy behaviors of parents and offspring’s nonideal CVH status increased if parents had more unhealthy behaviors (P-trend < 0.001).ConclusionsParental overweight/obesity, insufficient MVPA, and unhealthy dietary behaviors were strongly associated with CVH status in offspring. With a cumulative association, more unhealthy parental behaviors were associated with higher odds of offspring’s nonideal CVH status, suggesting that targeting parental behaviors might facilitate attainment of improving CVH status of children and adolescents

Pax transactivation domain-interacting protein is required for preserving hematopoietic stem cell quiescence via regulating lysosomal activity

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) maintain lifetime whole blood hematopoiesis through self-renewal and differentiation. In order to sustain HSC stemness, most HSC reside in a quiescence state, which is affected by diverse cellular stress and intracellular signal transduction. How HSC accommodate those challenges to preserve lifetime capacity remains elusive. Here we show that Pax transactivation domain-interacting protein (PTIP) is required for preserving HSC quiescence via regulating lysosomal activity. Using a genetic knockout mouse model to specifically delete Ptip in HSC, we find that loss of Ptip promotes HSC exiting quiescence, and results in functional exhaustion of HSC. Mechanistically, Ptip loss increases lysosomal degradative activity of HSC. Restraining lysosomal activity restores the quiescence and repopulation potency of Ptip-/- HSC. Additionally, PTIP interacts with SMAD2/3 and mediates transforming growth factor-β signaling-induced HSC quiescence. Overall, our work uncovers a key role of PTIP in sustaining HSC quiescence via regulating lysosomal activity

Weight self-misperception and Obesity-related Knowledge, Attitudes, Lifestyle Behaviors and Cardio-metabolic Markers among Chinese School-aged Children and Adolescents

Abstract Objective: The relationships between childhood weight self-misperception and obesity-related factors particularly health markers have not been extensively discussed. This study aims to examine the associations between weight self-misperception and obesity-related knowledge, attitudes, lifestyles and cardio-metabolic markers among Chinese pediatric population. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Data sourced from a national survey in Chinese seven provinces in 2013. Participants: Children and adolescents aged 5-19 years. Results: Of the total 14079 participants, there were 14.5% and 2.2% participants over-estimated and under-perceived their weight, respectively. Multi-variable logistic regression was applied to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% Cl) of obesity-related behaviors and cardio-metabolic markers by actual and perceived weight status. Individuals who perceived themselves as overweight/obese were more likely to have prolonged screen time, insufficient dairy intake, and over sugar-sweetened beverages consumption (all P<0.05), regardless of their weight. Furthermore, actual overweight/obese individuals had higher odds of abnormal cardio-metabolic markers, but a smaller magnitude of association was found among weight under-estimators. Among non-overweight/obese individuals, weight over-estimation was positively associated with abdominal obesity (OR: 10.49, 95% CI: 7.45, 14.76), elevated blood pressure (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.51), and dyslipidemia (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.58). Conclusions: Weight over-perception was more prevalent than under-estimation, particularly in girls. Weight over-estimators tended to master better knowledge but behave more unhealthily, both weight over-perception and actual overweight/obesity status were associated with poorer cardio-metabolic markers. Future obesity intervention programs should additionally pay attention to the population with inaccurate estimation of weight who were easily overlooked

School-based assessment in Hong Kong: impact on students' attitudes and anxiety

published_or_final_versionEducationDoctoralDoctor of Philosoph

SCoA Chinese simplified script

This is a translation of the Student Conceptions of Assessment inventory (version 6) into Chinese simplified script by Dr Manman Gao who was a PhD student at Hong Kong University at the time. <div><br></div