Construction and Validation of a Chinese Translation of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale,Adolescent Edition

Background:Coping self-efficacy can help individuals mitigate the adverse emotional impacts of stress,anxiety,and other negative emotions,and it also influences individuals’academic performance,including school adjustment and academic burnout.It is an important factor affecting the mental health of adolescents.However,there is no measurement tool specifically designed for adolescent populations in China.Therefore,the purpose of this study is to assess the applicability of the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale(CSES)among Chinese adolescents.Methods:In September 2023,this study collected data through online questionnaires and ultimately conducted item analysis,exploratory factor analysis,confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),measurement invariance analysis,reliability analysis,and criterion-related validity analysis on a sample of 1157 adolescents.Results:The results of item analysis showed that the items of CSES were significantly different between the high and low groups.Further factor analysis results showed the existence of a factor solution that explained 59.09%of the total variation,with factor loadings ranging from 0.52–0.78.CFA supported the three-factor model of Chinese adolescent version of the CSES(CFI=0.923,TLI=0.914,IFI=0.923,RMSEA=0.068).Measurement invariance analysis indicates that the scale satisfies gender measurement invariance(ΔCFI=-0.002,-0.001>-0.01,ΔRMSEA=-0.001,0<0.02,ΔSRMR=0.005,0.007<0.01).The Chinese adolescent version of the CSES was positively correlated with the Social Support Appraisal Scale(SS-A)and the Life Orientation Test-Revised(LOT-R,r=0.670,0.673,both p<0.01),and negatively correlated with the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale(CPSS),the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI)and the Adolescent Student Burnout Inventory(ASBI,r=-0.694,-0.233,-0.680,both p<0.01).The Cronbach’sα,McDonald’sω,split-half reliability and test-retest reliability of the Chinese adolescent version of the CSES were 0.953,0.955,0.933 and 0.894,respectively.Conclusion:The results indicate that the three-factor model of the Chinese adolescent version of the CSES is acceptable and demonstrates high reliability and validity,establishing it as a precise tool for measuring and assessing coping self-efficacy among Chinese adolescents.

Construction and Validity of Chinese Translation of the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents

Background:In this study,the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents(UMHL-A)was revised and tested for its reliability and validity in Chinese middle school students,thus establishing a useful tool for assessing the mental health of individuals in this occupation.Methods:Our sample comprised 1208 junior high school students(58.85%male),aged between 11 and 15 years old.The Chinese version of the scale includes a mental health attitude subscale and mental health knowledge subscale,including attitudes towards seeking help,attitudes related to stigma,general mental health knowledge,and knowledge about specific mental illnesses,encapsulated in a total of 17 items.A series of psychometric analyses such as exploratory factor analysis(EFA),confirmatory factor analysis(CFA),and internal consistency reliability estimation were carried out in this study.Results:The results of the CFA indicated that the two-factor model had an acceptable model fit(Attitude(UMHL-A Likert):χ^(2)/df=4.107;RMSEA=0.072;SRMR=0.045;TLI=0.932;CFI=0.954;Knowledge(UMHL-A T/F):χ^(2)/df=3.647;RMSEA=0.066;SRMR=0.044;TLI=0.923;CFI=0.945).The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of subscales of the Chinese version UMHL-A were 0.80 and 0.78,respectively.Conclusion:In general,the Chinese version of the Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for adolescents has good reliability and validity and can be used as a tool to measure the mental health literacy of Chinese adolescents.

MicroRNA-29a-3p Prevents Drug-Induced Acute Liver Failure through Inflammation-Related Pyroptosis Inhibition

Objective Little is known about the role of microRNA-29a-3p(miR-29a-3p)in inflammation-related pyroptosis,especially in drug-induced acute liver failure(DIALF).This study aimed to identify the relationship between miR-29a-3p and inflammation-related pyroptosis in DIALF and confirm its underlying mechanisms.Methods Thioacetamide(TAA)-and acetaminophen(APAP)-induced ALF mouse models were established,and human samples were collected.The expression levels of miR-29a-3p and inflammation and pyroptosis markers were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Western blotting,or immunochemical staining in miR-29a-3p knock-in transgenic mouse(MIR29A(KI/KI))DIALF models.In addition,RNA sequencing was conducted to explore the mechanisms.Results MiR-29a-3p levels were decreased in TAA-and APAP-induced DIALF models.MiR-29a-3p prevented DIALF caused by TAA and APAP.RNA sequencing and further experiments showed that the protective effect of miR-29a-3p on DIALF was mainly achieved through inhibition of inflammation-related pyroptosis,and the inhibition was dependent on activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.In addition,miR-29a-3p levels were reduced,and pyroptosis was activated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and liver tissues of DIALF patients.Conclusion The study supports the idea that miR-29a-3p inhibits pyroptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway to prevent DIALF.MiR-29a-3p may be a promising therapeutic target for DIALF.

AFLP and MSAP Analysis of ‘Lane Late’ Navel Orange and Its Bud Sport Pumpkin-like Navel Orange

[Objectives]The paper was to analyze the differences of genes and genome methylation between‘lane late’navel orange and it’s bud sport pumpkin-like navel orange,and to reveal the causes of bud sport.[Methods]Amplification fragment length polymorphism(AFLP)and methylation sensitive amplification polymorphism(MSAP)were used to analyze the differences in genes and genome methylation of‘lane late’navel orange and its bud sport pumpkin-like navel orange.[Results]Gene mutation occurred between the‘lane late’navel orange and its bud sport pumpkin-like navel orange.A total of 15 differential bands were obtained by AFLP markers,and the percentage of polymorphic bands was 6.0000%.Meantime,10 differential bands were obtained by MSAP markers,and the percentage of polymorphic bands was 5.4645%.The semimethylation rate and permethylation rate of‘lane late’navel orange were higher than that of pumpkin-like navel orange,that is,pumpkin-like navel orange had demethylation(demethylation ratio was 1.6393%).[Conclusions]It is proved at the DNA level that the emergence of bud sport pumpkin-like navel orange is due to gene mutation,and the DNA methylation level of the bud sport material has also changed.This study lays a foundation for further exploring the mechanism of bud sport.

Modelling and fabrication of wide temperature range Al_(0.24)Ga_(0.76)As/GaAs Hall magnetic sensors

Silicon Hall-effect sensors have been widely used in industry and research fields due to their straightforward fabrication process and CMOS compatibility.However,as their material property limitations,technicians usually implement complex CMOS circuits to improve the sensors’performance including temperature drift and offset compensation for fitting tough situation,but it is no doubt that it increases the design complexity and the sensor area.Gallium arsenide(GaAs)is a superior material of Hall-effect device because of its large mobility and stable temperature characteristics.Concerning there is no specified modelling of GaAs Hall-effect device,this paper investigated its modelling by using finite element method(FEM)software Silvaco TCAD®to help and guide GaAs Hall-effect device fabrication.The modeled sensor has been fabricated and its experimental results are in agreement with the simulation results.Comparing to our previous silicon Hall-effect sensor,the GaAs Hall-effect sensor demonstrates potential and reliable benchmark for the future Hall magnetic sensor developments.

TLC Identification of Laggerae Alatae Herba and Extraction Process of Chlorogenic Acid

[Objectives]Taking chlorogenic acid as index component,TLC and content determination method of Laggerae Alatae Herba were established.[Methods]TLC identification used silica gel G thin-layer plate,and butyl acetate∶formic acid∶water(7∶2.5∶2.5)was taken as developing agent,and it was inspected under ultraviolet lamp(365 nm).The content was determined by chromatographic column Inertsil ODS-3 C_(18)(4.60 mm×250 mm,5μm).Mobile phase:methanol-0.1%phosphoric acid(28∶72);detection wavelength:329 nm;flow speed:1.0 mL/min;column temperature:25℃;injection volume:10μL.[Results]Chlorogenic acid can be detected by TLC,with clear spots and good specificity.When injection volume of chlorogenic acid was between 0.099 and 0.990μg(R^(2)=0.9999),there was good linear relationship.In low,medium and high sample adding groups of Laggerae Alatae Herba,average recovery rates of chlorogenic acids were 98.80%(RSD=2.09%),98.24%(RSD=1.96%)and 99.65%(RSD=2.15%).[Conclusions]The method could effectively identify medicinal material Laggerae Alatae Herba,and accurately measure the content of chlorogenic acid in Laggerae Alatae Herba,thereby providing a scientific basis for developing and using medicinal resources of Laggerae Alatae Herba.

Tyrosine promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in pansy(Viola×wittrockiana)by inducing ABA synthesis

Viola×wittrockiana(pansy)is an important ornamental plant,particularly during winter and spring.In previous studies,we found that the tyrosine decarboxylase gene of pansy(VwTYDC)was expressed differently in blotched and non-blotched areas of pansy petals,suggesting that tyrosine may have a role in anthocyanin biosynthesis.In this study,we found that virus-induced gene silencing of VwTYDC caused an accumulation of pink pigmentation in pansy petals.Likewise,exogenous tyrosine treatment(TYRT)induced the formation of black stripes in nonblotched petal areas.Metabolome analysis indicated that the contents of two anthocyanins,cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside,increased significantly in the TYRT areas.RT-qPCR results revealed that the anthocyanin-related genes VwHCT,VwC3′H,VwCHS,and VwUGT were upregulated in the same areas.Transcriptome analysis revealed that four genes involved in the abscisic acid(ABA)biosynthesis pathway(VwNCED,VwABA2,VwAAO3,and VwCYP707A)were significantly upregulated in the same TYRT areas.ABA content was measured by ESI-HPLCMS/MS,and ABA content was significantly higher in TYRT areas than in control areas.In addition,when exogenous ABA was spread onto nonblotched petal areas,anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were upregulated just as with tyrosine.Thus,transcriptome and metabolite analyses revealed a possible novel regulatory network for anthocyanin biosynthesis in which tyrosine induces ABA synthesis and ABA then promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis in pansy petals.

Using Huntingtin Knock-In Minipigs to Fill the Gap Between Mouse Models and Patients with Huntington's Disease

Huntington＇s disease （HD） is an inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by pro- gressive motor deficits, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. It is caused by a pathological expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in exon 1 of the HD gene, resulting in the translation of a mutant form of huntingtin protein （mutant Htt） with an expanded polyglutamine domain in the N-terminal region [1 ]. Despite great progress in understanding the pathogenesis of HD using multiple mouse models, the exact mechanisms by which mutant Htt induces neuronal dysfunction and death are still not completely clear, and there is no curative treatment for this disease. An important reason is that the mouse, which is the most widely used animal model in HD research, differs from the human in many aspects, including the physiology, drug metabolism, blood-brain barrier, life span, brain volume, and neuroanatomical organization [2]. Thus, it is necessary to establish HD models with higher species than rodents, such as the dog, pig, and non- human primate, so as to bridge the gap between preclinical mouse models and clinical studies.

A Resource for Inactivation of MicroRNAs Using Short Tandem Target Mimic Technology in Model and Crop Plants

microRNAs (miRNAs)are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that bind to mRNAs and target them for cleavage and/or translational repression,leading to gene silencing.We previously developed short tandem target mimic (STTM)technology to deactivate endogenous miRNAs in Arabidopsis.Here,we created hundreds of STTMs that target both conserved and species-specific miRNAs in Arabidopsis,tomato,rice,and maize,providing a resource for the functional interrogation of miRNAs.We not only revealed the functions of several miRNAs in plant development,but also demonstrated that tissue-specific inactivation of a few miRNAs in rice leads to an increase in grain size without adversely affecting overall plant growth and development.RNA-seq and small RNAseq analyses of STTM156/157 and STTM165/166 transgenic plants revealed the roles of these miRNAs in plant hormone biosynthesis and activation,secondary metabolism,and ion-channel activity-associated electrophysiology,demonstrating that STTM technology is an effective approach for studying miRNA functions.To facilitate the study and application of STTM transgenic plants and to provide a useful platform for storing and sharing of information about miRNA-regulated gene networks,we have established an online Genome Browser (https://blossom.ffr.mtu.edu/designindex2.php) to display the transcriptomic and miRNAomic changes in STTMinduced miRNA knockdown plants.

The miR167-OsARF12 module regulates rice grain filling and grain size downstream of miR159

Grain weight and quality are always determined by grain filling.Plant microRNAs have drawn attention as key targets for regulation of grain size and yield.However,the mechanisms that underlie grain size regulation remain largely unclear because of the complex networks that control this trait.Our earlier studies demonstrated that suppressed expression of miR167(STTM/MIM167)substantially increased grain weight.In a field test,the yield increased up to 12.90%-21.94% because of a significantly enhanced grain filling rate.Here,biochemical and genetic analyses revealed the regulatory effects of miR159 on miR167 expression.Further analysis indicated that OsARF12 is the major mediator by which miR167 regulates rice grain filling.Overexpression of OsARF12 produced grain weight and grain filling phenotypes resembling those of STTM/MIM167 plants.Upon in-depth analysis,we found that OsARF12 activates OsCDKF;2 expression by directly binding to the TGTCGG motif in its promoter region.Flow cytometry analysis of young panicles from OsARF12-overexpressing plants and examination of cell number in cdkf;2 mutants verified that OsARF12 positively regulates grain filling and grain size by targeting OsCDKF;2.Moreover,RNA sequencing results suggested that the miR167-OsARF12 module is involved in the cell development process and hormone pathways.OsARF12-overexpressing plants and cdkf;2 mutants exhibited enhanced and reduced sensitivity to exogenous auxin and brassinosteroid(BR)treatment,confirming that targeting of OsCDKF;2 by OsARF12 mediates auxin and BR signaling.Our results reveal that the miR167-OsARF12 module works downstream of miR159 to regulate rice grain filling and grain size via OsCDKF;2 by controlling cell division and mediating auxin and BR signals.

[2+2]Photocycloaddition Reaction Regulated the Stability and Morphology of Hydrogels

Photoresponsive supramolecular gels as intelligent non-invasive responsive materials can undergo changes in color,state,morphology and electronic properties upon photo irradiation,making them attractive for a variety of applications.Herein,a novel supramolecular hydrogelator DBE with 1,4-divinylbenzene as the central core,connected via amide linkage to l-phenylalanine and peripheral hydrophilic groups,was designed to evaluate the effect of[2+2]photocycloaddition reaction on supramolecular hydrogels.UV irradiation decreases the solubility of the hydrogelator DBE and hence,causes the destruction of the gel.SEM images clearly show that irradiation with UV light could induce disintegration of the right-handed helical nanofibers entangled network,which turns into nanoparticles and eventually massive crystals.Circular dichroism and vibrational circular dichroism data also indicate the formation of right-handed helical nanofibers in DBE gel.FTIR and MALDI-TOF-MS spectrum confirm that the variation of stability and aggregated morphology of DBE gel after UV irradiation is attributed to[2+2]cycloaddition reaction of vinyl units.This study presents a wonderful model for regulating the stability and aggregated morphology of supramolecular hydrogels via photo irradiation,as well as offers new ideas for designing novel photo responsive materials.

Integrative Analysis of Genome,3D Genome,and Transcriptome Alterations of Clinical Lung Cancer Samples

Genomic studies of cancer cell alterations,such as mutations,copy number variations(CNVs),and translocations,greatly promote our understanding of the genesis and development of cancers.However,the 3D genome architecture of cancers remains less studied due to the complexity of cancer genomes and technical difficulties.To explore the 3D genome structure in clinical lung cancer,we performed Hi-C experiments using paired normal and tumor cells harvested from patients with lung cancer,combining with RNA sequenceing analysis.We demonstrated the feasibility of studying 3D genome of clinical lung cancer samples with a small number of cells(1×10^(4)),compared the genome architecture between clinical samples and cell lines of lung cancer,and identified conserved and changed spatial chromatin structures between normal and cancer samples.We also showed that Hi-C data can be used to infer CNVs and point mutations in cancer.By integrating those different types of cancer alterations,we showed significant associations between CNVs,3D genome,and gene expression.We propose that 3D genome mediates the effects of cancer genomic alterations on gene expression through altering regulatory chromatin structures.Our study highlights the importance of analyzing 3D genomes of clinical cancer samples in addition to cancer cell lines and provides an integrative genomic analysis pipeline for future larger-scale studies in lung cancer and other cancers.

Analysis of the Microbiome Based on 16S rRNA Gene Signature in Women with Preterm versus Term Birth

Objective: To characterize and compare the microbiome signature in the maternal, intrauterine, and fetal environments and the associated bacterial species in women who experienced preterm birth and term birth.Methods: A total of 140 women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled in this study. Among them, 31 experienced spontaneous preterm delivery (gestational age < 37 weeks), and 28 of them experienced vaginal delivery at term. Maternal peripheral blood, saliva, and vaginal discharge samples and fetal membrane, amniotic fluid, and cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery under sterile conditions. DNA was isolated from the fetal membrane and umbilical cord blood samples, and the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. The sequence data were quality-filtered, chimera-checked, and organized into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on phylogeny. Principal coordinate analysis of beta diversity measures was used for visualization. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) algorithm and Wilcoxon test were used to differentiate the microbiomes found in the fetal membranes and cord blood in the cases of preterm birth.Results: OTU analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed similar microbiomes in the maternal peripheral blood, amniotic fluid, fetal membranes, and cord blood. However, the LEfSe algorithm revealed significantly different bacterial compositions in the fetal environment between the preterm and term groups, with some of the bacterial species originating from the maternal peripheral blood or saliva.Conclusions: The bacteria in the intrauterine and fetal environments may originate from other body sites through hematogenous transmission, and may cause the occurrence of preterm birth.

Identification of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks in late-onset pre-eclampsia

Objective:Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are implicated in multiple pathophysiological processes in placenta-related disorders;however,their expression and function in late-onset pre-eclampsia(LOPE)remain unclear.This study aimed to investigate the expression of lncRNAs in LOPE,construct a competing endogenous RNA(ceRNA)network,and identify the pathways associated with LOPE pathogenesis.Methods:We performed lncRNA and mRNAs microarray profiling to identify the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in LOPE compared to those in normal pregnancy.Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was performed to validate differentially expressed genes.Subsequently,we generated an interaction network between lncRNAs,(micro-RNAs)miRNAs,and mRNAs based on the Pearson’s correlation coefficient between lncRNAs and mRNAs.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses were performed to understand the functional significance of differentially expressed lncRNAs(DElncRNAs)in LOPE.Results:We identified 29 DElncRNAs(25 upregulated and four downregulated)and 212 differentially expressed mRNAs(DEmRNAs;203 upregulated and nine downregulated)in LOPE placentas.Within them,six lncRNAs and four mRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR.GO and KEGG analyses revealed the potential pathways affected by these mRNAs,such as positive regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis,chemokine signaling pathway,and response to hypoxia.Finally,we constructed a ceRNA network including three DElncRNAs and 124 DEmRNAs,whose competing interactions may be mediated by 17 miRNAs.Two DElncRNAs,ENST00000515376 and ENST00000520544,were found to be hub genes,as they interacted with most miRNAs and mRNAs.ENST00000515376 is most likely related to the metabolic process of arachidonic acid,whereas ENST00000520544 is more likely related to the coagulation system,such as the regulation of blood coagulation and platelet degranulation.Conclusion:Differential expression profile of lncRNAs and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in LOPE provide potential therapeutic targets for this disease.