Impacts on rural community development and governance by different land ownership: A comparative study based on two villages in China

The capability of rural community governance is significantly impacted by the different types of land ownership when capital investment in rural tourism to achieve rural revitalisation. The outcomes of which profoundly affect sustainable rural development. This study, by utilising a theoretical framework using double movement theory, aims to assess the impacts on rural community governance by two different land ownership models, the Enterprise-based Model (EBM) and the Community-based Model (CBM), in the process of capital flow to the countryside (CFC). Case studies of the two villages were adopted to examine and explore the logic of interaction between stakeholders and reveal the internal mechanism of rural community governance. The results of this research indicate that the CBM has considerable advantages over the EBM. In the CBM, the village collective retains land ownership without fully marketising, which allows villagers to maintain their bargaining power with investors whilst increasing their local awareness. In the EBM, however, the local government promotes the conversion of land ownership. The villagers benefit more from one-time acquisition but lose sustainable benefits created by local development. Stakeholders call for the need to create a development model beyond the market economy by maintaining China's rural land system in the process of CFC. In this regard, this paper provides an original contribution

Blood Pressure Changes in Relation to Arsenic Exposure in a U.S. Pregnancy Cohort

Background: Inorganic arsenic exposure has been related to the risk of increased blood pressure based largely on cross-sectional studies conducted in highly exposed populations. Pregnancy is a period of particular vulnerability to environmental insults. However, little is known about the cardiovascular impacts of arsenic exposure during pregnancy. Objectives: We evaluated the association between prenatal arsenic exposure and maternal blood pressure over the course of pregnancy in a U.S. population. Methods: The New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study in which \u3e 10% of participant household wells exceed the arsenic maximum contaminant level of 10 μg/L established by the U.S. EPA. Total urinary arsenic measured at 24–28 weeks gestation was measured and used as a biomarker of exposure during pregnancy in 514 pregnant women, 18–45 years of age, who used a private well in their household. Outcomes were repeated blood pressure measurements (systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure) recorded during pregnancy. Results: Using linear mixed effects models, we estimated that, on average, each 5-μg/L increase in urinary arsenic was associated with a 0.15-mmHg (95% CI: 0.02, 0.29; p = 0.022) increase in systolic blood pressure per month and a 0.14-mmHg (95% CI: 0.02, 0.25; p = 0.021) increase in pulse pressure per month over the course of pregnancy. Conclusions: In our U.S. cohort of pregnant women, arsenic exposure was associated with greater increases in blood pressure over the course of pregnancy. These findings may have important implications because even modest increases in blood pressure impact cardiovascular disease risk

A Longitudinal Analysis about the Effect of Air Pollution on Astigmatism for Children and Young Adults

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between air pollution and astigmatism, considering the detrimental effects of air pollution on respiratory, cardiovascular, and eye health. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 127,709 individuals aged 4-27 years from 9 cities in Guangdong Province, China, spanning from 2019 to 2021. Astigmatism was measured using cylinder values. Multiple measurements were taken at intervals of at least 1 year. Various exposure windows were used to assess the lagged impacts of air pollution on astigmatism. A panel data model with random effects was constructed to analyze the relationship between pollutant exposure and astigmatism. Results: The study revealed significant associations between astigmatism and exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5) over time. A 10 {\mu}g/m3 increase in a 3-year exposure window of NO2 and PM2.5 was associated with a decrease in cylinder value of -0.045 diopters and -0.017 diopters, respectively. A 0.1 mg/m3 increase in CO concentration within a 2-year exposure window correlated with a decrease in cylinder value of -0.009 diopters. No significant relationships were found between PM10 exposure and astigmatism. Conclusion: This study concluded that greater exposure to NO2 and PM2.5 over longer periods aggravates astigmatism. The negative effect of CO on astigmatism peaks in the exposure window of 2 years prior to examination and diminishes afterward. No significant association was found between PM10 exposure and astigmatism, suggesting that gaseous and smaller particulate pollutants have easier access to human eyes, causing heterogeneous morphological changes to the eyeball

M2 macrophage inhibits the antitumor effects of Lenvatinib on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background and objectivesThe relationship between the tumor microenvironment and the network of key signaling pathways in cancer plays a key role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important inflammatory cells in the tumor microenvironment and play an important role in tumorigenesis and progression. Macrophages in malignant tumors, mainly the M2 subtype, promote tumor progression by producing cytokines and down-regulating anti-inflammatory immune responses. Several articles have investigated the effect of macrophages on the sensitivity of cancer chemotherapeutic agents, but few such articles have been reported in cholangiocarcinoma, so we investigated the effect of M2 macrophage on the sensitivity of cholangiocarcinoma cells to Lenvatinib compared to M1.MethodsTHP-1 monocytes were polarized to M0 macrophage by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and then induced to differentiate into M1 and M2 macrophages by LPS, IFN-γ and IL-4 and IL-13, respectively. Macrophages and cholangiocarcinoma cells were co-cultured prior to 24 hours of Lenvatinib administration, cancer cell apoptosis was detected by western-blot, FACS analysis of Annexin V and PI staining. Furthermore, we use xCELLigence RTCA SP Instrument (ACEA Bio-sciences) to monitor cell viability of Lenvatinib administration in co-culture of cholangiocarcinoma cells and macrophages. After tumorigenesis in immunodeficient mice, Lenvatinib was administered, and the effects of M2 on biological characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma cells were investigated by immuno-histochemistry.ResultsmRNA and protein expression of M1 and M2 markers confirmed the polarization of THP-1 derived macrophages, which provided a successful and efficient model of monocyte polarization to TAMs. Lenvatinib-induced apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells was significantly reduced when co-cultured with M2 macrophage, whereas apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells co-cultured with M1 macrophage was increased. In the CDX model, Lenvatinib-induced cancer cell apoptosis was markedly reduced, and proliferative cells increased in the presence of M2 macrophages. Angiogenesis related factors was significantly increased in cholangiocarcinoma cells co-cultured with M2.ConclusionCompared with M1, M2 macrophages can inhibit the anti-tumor effect of Lenvatinib on cholangiocarcinoma through immune regulation, which may be related to the tumor angiogenesis factor effect of M2 macrophage

Deciphering the role of HPV-mediated metabolic regulation in shaping the tumor microenvironment and its implications for immunotherapy in HNSCC

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as a complex and variable malignancy, poses a significant threat to human health. Since the intricate association between HPV and HNSCC emerged, its role within the TME has garnered extensive attention. HPV+HNSCC exhibits distinct immunological characteristics within the TME, intricately intertwined with mechanisms of immune evasion. HPV employs multifaceted pathways to intervene in metabolic regulation within the TME, exerting influence over immune cell functionality and neoplastic cell genesis. Furthermore, the heightened immune reactivity exhibited by HPV+HNSCC within the TME augments responses to immune interventions such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Therefore, amidst the current limitations of therapeutic approaches, immunotherapy stands as a promising strategy to overcome the conventional confines of treating HNSCC. This article comprehensively outlines the impact of HPV on the inception and progression of HNSCC while discussing the amalgamation of metabolic regulation within the TME and immunotherapeutic strategies. By intervening in the reciprocal interactions between HPV and HNSCC within the TME, the potential to modulate the efficacy of immune-based treatments becomes evident. Concurrently, a synthesis of pertinent biomarker development is summarized. Such endeavors hold paramount significance for personalized therapeutic approaches and the more effective management of HNSCC patients

Caulobacter and Novosphingobium in tumor tissues are associated with colorectal cancer outcomes

Diversity and composition of the gut microbiome are associated with cancer patient outcomes including colorectal cancer (CRC). A growing number of evidence indicates that Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in CRC tissue is associated with worse survival. However, few studies have further analyzed the differences in bacteria in tumor tissues of different patients depending on the survival time of CRC patients. Therefore, there is a need to further explore the bacterial differences in tumor tissues of patients with different prognoses and to identify key bacteria for analysis. Here, we sought to compare the differences in tumor microbiome between patients with long-term survival (LS) longer than 3 years or 4 and 5 years and patients with short-term survival (SS) in the present study cohort. We found that there were significant differences in tumor microbiome between the LS and SS and two bacteria—Caulobacter and Novosphingobium—that are present in all of the three groups. Furthermore, by analyzing bacteria in different clinical features, we also found that lower levels of microbiome (Caulobacter and Novosphingobium) have long-term survival and modulating microbiome in tumor tissue may provide an alternative way to predict the prognosis of CRC patients

Association between Arsenic Exposure from Drinking Water and Longitudinal Change in Blood Pressure among HEALS Cohort Participants

Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between arsenic exposure and prevalence of high blood pressure; however, studies examining the relationship of arsenic exposure with longitudinal changes in blood pressure are lacking. Method: We evaluated associations of arsenic exposure in relation to longitudinal change in blood pressure in 10,853 participants in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS). Arsenic was measured in well water and in urine samples at baseline and in urine samples every 2 years after baseline. Mixed-effect models were used to estimate the association of baseline well and urinary creatinine-adjusted arsenic with annual change in blood pressure during follow-up (median, 6.7 years). Result: In the HEALS population, the median water arsenic concentration at baseline was 62 μg/L. Individuals in the highest quartile of baseline water arsenic or urinary creatinine-adjusted arsenic had a greater annual increase in systolic blood pressure compared with those in the reference group (β = 0.48 mmHg/year; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.61, and β = 0.43 mmHg/year; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.56 for water arsenic and urinary creatinine-adjusted arsenic, respectively) in fully adjusted models. Likewise, individuals in the highest quartile of baseline arsenic exposure had a greater annual increase in diastolic blood pressure for water arsenic and urinary creatinine-adjusted arsenic, (β = 0.39 mmHg/year; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.49, and β = 0.45 mmHg/year; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.55, respectively) compared with those in the lowest quartile. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that long-term arsenic exposure may accelerate age-related increases in blood pressure. These findings may help explain associations between arsenic exposure and cardiovascular disease

A Novel Mechanism for Gabapentin Actions: Up-regulation of δGABAA Receptors

Gabapentin is a widely used anticonvulsant and analgesic drug that also causes anxiolysis, sedation and ataxia. The mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Previously, we showed that gabapentin increases a tonic inhibitory conductance in hippocampal neurons that is generated by 5 subunit- and subunit-containing GABAM.Sc.2018-03-01 00:00:0

A Novel Mechanism for Gabapentin Actions: Up-regulation of δGABAA Receptors

Gabapentin is a widely used anticonvulsant and analgesic drug that also causes anxiolysis, sedation and ataxia. The mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. Previously, we showed that gabapentin increases a tonic inhibitory conductance in hippocampal neurons that is generated by 5 subunit- and subunit-containing GABAM.Sc.2018-03-01 00:00:0

Temeljna študija o učinkovitosti na mestu izdelanega samostojnega betonskega pilota X prereza

X-section cast-in-place concrete (XCC) piles are used because they have a higher bearing capacity than circularsection cast-in-place concrete (CCC) piles of the same cross-sectional area. Although the bearing capacity of XCC piles has been studied, the performance of XCC single piles, especially for the stress-transfer mechanism dependent on the geometrical effects, is still not fully understood. This paper reports two comparative field static load tests on an XCC and a CCC single pile of the same cross-sectional area. In addition, corresponding threedimensional numerical back-analyses are performed to provide a fundamental understanding. The measured and computed results reveal that the XCC single pile has an approximately 25% higher ultimate bearing capacity than the CCC single pile. This is because the XCC single pile has an approximately 20% larger total side resistance, which is caused by a 60% larger pile perimeter and a slightly smaller unit side resistance. Lateral soil arching effects are developed, causing a non-uniform effective normal stress and a shear stress across the circumference of the XCC single pile. It is suggested that XCC single piles have a higher efficiency in terms of material saving compared with CCC single piles.Na mestu izdelani betonski piloti X prereza (XCC) se uporabljajo, ker imajo višjo nosilnost kot na mestu izdelani betonski piloti krožnega prereza (CCC) z enako površino prereza. Čeprav je bila preučevana nosilnost XCC pilotov, uspešnost samostojnih XCC pilotov, predvsem glede mehanizma prenosa napetosti v odvisnosti od geometrijskih učinkov, še vedno ni povsem jasna. V prispevku je podana primerjava terenskih statičnih obremenilnih preizkusov za XCC in CCC samostojna pilota z enako površino prečnega prereza. Za boljše razumevanje so bile dodatno izvedene tridimenzionalne numerične povratne analize. Izmerjeni in izračunani rezultati kažejo, da ima XCC samostojni pilot približno 25% višjo mejno nosilnost kot CCC samostojni pilot. To je zato, ker ima XCC samostojni pilot približno 20% višji skupni stranski odpor, ki je zaradi 60% večjega obsega prereza pilota in nekoliko manjše stranske odpornosti na enoto površine. V zemljini so se razvili bočni ločni učinki, ki povzročajo neenakomerno razporeditev efektivne normalne in strižne napetosti po obsegu XCC samostojnega pilota. Ugotovimo lahko, da imajo XCC samostojni piloti višjo učinkovitost z vidika privarčevanega materiala v primerjavi s CCC samostojnimi piloti