MicroRNA-141 Represses HBV Replication by Targeting PPARA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression primarily at the post-transcriptional level and play critical roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In this report, miR-141 was identified to repress HBV expression by screening a small miRNA expressing library and synthetic miR-141 mimics could also significantly suppress HBV expression and replication in HepG2 cells. Bioinformatic analysis and experiment assays indicate that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA) was the target of hsa-miR-141 during this process. Furthermore, knockdown of PPARA by small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibited HBV replication similar to levels observed for miR-141. Promoter functional analysis indicated that repression of HBV replication by miR-141 mimics or siRNA was mediated by interfering with the HBV promoter functions, consistent with previous studies demonstrating that PPARA regulated HBV gene expression through interactions with HBV promoter regulatory elements. Our results suggest that miR-141 suppressed HBV replication by reducing HBV promoter activities by down-regulating PPARA. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with HBV-host interactions. Furthermore, this information may facilitate the development of novel anti-HBV therapeutic strategies

Causative agent distribution and antibiotic therapy assessment among adult patients with community acquired pneumonia in Chinese urban population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of predominant microbial patterns in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) constitutes the basis for initial decisions about empirical antimicrobial treatment, so a prospective study was performed during 2003–2004 among CAP of adult Chinese urban populations.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Qualified patients were enrolled and screened for bacterial, atypical, and viral pathogens by sputum and/or blood culturing, and by antibody seroconversion test. Antibiotic treatment and patient outcome were also assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Non-viral pathogens were found in 324/610 (53.1%) patients among whom <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent (126/610, 20.7%). Atypical pathogens were identified in 62/195 (31.8%) patients carrying bacterial pathogens. Respiratory viruses were identified in 35 (19%) of 184 randomly selected patients with adenovirus being the most common (16/184, 8.7%). The nonsusceptibility of <it>S. pneumoniae </it>to penicillin and azithromycin was 22.2% (Resistance (R): 3.2%, Intermediate (I): 19.0%) and 79.4% (R: 79.4%, I: 0%), respectively. Of patients (312) from whom causative pathogens were identified and antibiotic treatments were recorded, clinical cure rate with β-lactam antibiotics alone and with combination of a β-lactam plus a macrolide or with fluoroquinolones was 63.7% (79/124) and 67%(126/188), respectively. For patients having mixed <it>M. pneumoniae </it>and/or <it>C. pneumoniae </it>infections, a better cure rate was observed with regimens that are active against atypical pathogens (e.g. a β-lactam plus a macrolide, or a fluoroquinolone) than with β-lactam alone (75.8% vs. 42.9%, <it>p </it>= 0.045).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Chinese adult CAP patients, <it>M. pneumoniae </it>was the most prevalent with mixed infections containing atypical pathogens being frequently observed. With <it>S. pneumoniae</it>, the prevalence of macrolide resistance was high and penicillin resistance low compared with data reported in other regions.</p

The Impact of Green R&D Activities on SO2 Emissions: Evidence from China

Prior research on the effectiveness of improving environmental performance has acknowledged the importance of domestic research and development (R&D) activities. However, these studies remain general and ambiguous because they assume that all R&D operations are associated with environmental performance. The corresponding empirical evidence is inexact and ambiguous. In this study, we focus on the effect of green R&D activities on SO2 emission. Considering that heterogeneity exists in green R&D activities, we divide them into two groups for two purposes. The empirical results, explored based on China’s interprovincial data between 2000 and 2016, suggest that green R&D activities critically influence the reduction of SO2 emissions. However, the R&D activities of different purposes show statistically differentiated effects on SO2 emissions. Primarily, utility-type R&D activities show the most significant positive impact on SO2 emissions reduction. Subsequent research based on the panel threshold also indicates that the impact of green R&D activities on SO2 emissions shows nonlinear characteristics, depending on the technology’s absorptive ability

Evaluation of effects of ultrasound-assisted curing on the flavor of Chinese bacon

The curing stage is of great importance in flavor formation during Chinese bacon processing. Ultrasound-assisted curing plays an essential role in the Lipid oxidation of meat products. In this study, GC–MS and electronic nose were used to analyze the influence of different power ultrasonic-assisted curing on the flavor formation of Chinese bacon. Through the analysis of phospholipid and lipase, the fundamental precursors of ultrasonic on the flavor of Chinese bacon were determined. It was found that there were differences in the flavor contour description of Chinese bacon between the ultrasonic treatment group, mainly due to the change in the W1W sensor. A total of 28 volatile compounds were detected by GC–MS, and the aldehyde content increased with ultrasonic power. PC and PE are the main flavor precursors in the curing process. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the curing technology of Chinese bacon

Comparison of Different Methods to Estimate Canopy Water Storage Capacity of Two Shrubs in the Semi-Arid Loess Plateau of China

The canopy water storage capacity of vegetation has great significance for the hydrological cycle. We used the Pereira regression analysis method, scale-up method, and simulated rainfall method to determine canopy water storage capacity from 2014 to 2018. The Pereira regression analysis was affected mainly by the seasonal variation in the leaf area index and the observation method of throughfall. The canopy water storage capacity was 0.68 mm and 0.72 mm for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides, respectively. The canopy water storage capacity of C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides was 0.73 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively, using the scale-up method. The scale-up method showed that water storage capacity per area of the canopy components was in the order of branches (0.31 mm) &gt; leaves (0.27 mm) &gt; trunks (0.15 mm) for C. korshinskii, and trunks (0.33 mm) &gt; branches (0.29 mm) &gt; leaves (0.14 mm) for H. rhamnoides. We used eight simulated rainfall intensities to determine the canopy water storage capacity for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides, which was 0.63 mm and 0.59 mm, respectively

Comparison of Different Methods to Estimate Canopy Water Storage Capacity of Two Shrubs in the Semi-Arid Loess Plateau of China

The canopy water storage capacity of vegetation has great significance for the hydrological cycle. We used the Pereira regression analysis method, scale-up method, and simulated rainfall method to determine canopy water storage capacity from 2014 to 2018. The Pereira regression analysis was affected mainly by the seasonal variation in the leaf area index and the observation method of throughfall. The canopy water storage capacity was 0.68 mm and 0.72 mm for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides, respectively. The canopy water storage capacity of C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides was 0.73 mm and 0.76 mm, respectively, using the scale-up method. The scale-up method showed that water storage capacity per area of the canopy components was in the order of branches (0.31 mm) > leaves (0.27 mm) > trunks (0.15 mm) for C. korshinskii, and trunks (0.33 mm) > branches (0.29 mm) > leaves (0.14 mm) for H. rhamnoides. We used eight simulated rainfall intensities to determine the canopy water storage capacity for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides, which was 0.63 mm and 0.59 mm, respectively

Effects of Primary and Secondary Psychopathy on Deontological and Utilitarian Response Tendencies: The Mediator Role of Alexithymia

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to provide more nuanced insights into the effects of sub-dimensional levels of psychopathy on moral dilemma judgments. To this end, this study examined the effects of primary and secondary psychopathy on utilitarian and deontological response tendencies. Moreover, this study also explored the mediating role of alexithymia as well as the moderating role of gender in these effects. (2) Methods: A total of 1227 participants were recruited through the online questionnaire service wjx.cn. After deleting unfinished questionnaires, the remaining 1170 participants were included in the final data analysis. Each participant completed a demographic information questionnaire, the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and six pairs of moral dilemmas. Descriptive and correlational analyses of study variables were conducted in SPSS 22.0. Mediation and gender difference analyses were conducted in AMOS 23.0. (3) Results: Primary psychopathy was negatively correlated with deontological response tendencies and uncorrelated with utilitarian response tendencies. By contrast, secondary psychopathy also correlated negatively with deontological response tendencies, but it correlated positively with utilitarian response tendencies. Mediation analysis revealed that alexithymia only mediated the relationship between secondary psychopathy and deontological response tendencies. Multi-group analysis revealed that there was no difference between females and males in the indirect effect model. (4) Conclusions: People with high primary psychopathy are less likely to reject harm in moral dilemmas. By contrast, people with high secondary psychopathy have high alexithymia, which causes them to be less concerned about avoiding harm, and they are more likely to maximize outcomes in moral dilemmas. These findings shed new light on the moral dilemma judgments of individuals with primary and secondary psychopathy

Misuse of booster cushions among children and adults in Shanghai—an observational and attitude study during buckling up

<p><b>Objective:</b> Traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of fatalities among Chinese children. Booster cushion usage in China is low, and there are no studies showing how a population with limited experience handles booster cushions during buckling up. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the handling of and explore the attitudes toward booster cushions among children, parents, and grandparents in Shanghai.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> An observational study including a convenience sample of 254 children aged 4–12 years was conducted in 2 passenger cars at a shopping center in Shanghai. Parents, grandparents, or the children themselves buckled up the child on 2 types of booster cushions, a 2-stage integrated booster cushion (IBC) and an aftermarket booster cushion (BC). The test participants were observed during buckling up, first without and then with instructions. The test leaders conducted structured interviews.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Ninety-eight percent of the uninstructed participants failed to buckle up without identified misuse on the aftermarket booster cushion and 31% of those uninstructed on the integrated booster cushion. The majority of misuse was severe, including placing the belt behind the arm and the lap belt routing above the guiding loops. Instruction reduced misuse to 58% (BC) and 12% (IBC), respectively, and, in particular, severe misuse. Some misuse was related to limited knowledge of how to buckle up on the booster cushion, and some misuse was intentional in order to reduce discomfort.</p> <p>The participants, both children and adults, reported that they preferred the IBC due to good comfort and convenience. Safety was reported as the main reason for adults using booster cushions in general, whereas children reported comfort as the most important motivation.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Education is needed to ensure frequent and correct use of booster cushions in China and to raise safety awareness among children and adults. Furthermore, it is important that the booster cushions offer intuitively correct usage to a population with limited experience of booster cushions.</p> <p>This is the first study published on the handling of and attitude toward booster cushions after child restraints laws were introduced in Shanghai 2014.</p