Face and object visual working memory deficits in first-episode schizophrenia correlate with multiple neurocognitive performances

Background Working memory(WM)deficit is considered a core feature and cognitive biomarker in patients with schizophrenia.Several studies have reported prominent object WM deficits in patients with schizophrenia,suggesting that visual WM in these patients extends to non-spatial domains.However,whether non-spatial WM is similarly affected remains unclear.Aim This study primarily aimed to identify the processing of visual object WM in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.Methods The study included 36 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 35 healthy controls.Visual object WM capacity,including face and house WM capacity,was assessed by means of delayed matching-to sample visual WM tasks,in which participants must distribute memory so that they can discriminate a target sample.We specifically examined their anhedonia experience by the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale and the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale.Cognitive performance was measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS).Results Both face and house WM capacity was significantly impaired in patients with schizophrenia.For both tasks,the performance of all the subjects was worse under the high-load condition than under the low-load condition.We found that WM capacity was highly positively correlated with the performance on RBANS total scores(r=−0.528,p=0.005),RBANS delayed memory scores(r=−0.470,p=0.013),RBANS attention scores(r=−0.584,p=0.001),RBANS language scores(r=−0.448,p=0.019),Trail-Making Test:Part A raw scores(r=0.465,p=0.015)and simple IQ total scores(r=−0.538,p=0.005),and correlated with scores of the vocabulary test(r=−0.490,p=0.011)and scores of the Block Diagram Test(r=−0.426,p=0.027)in schizophrenia.No significant correlations were observed between WM capacity and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale symptoms.Conclusions Our research found that visual object WM capacity is dramatically impaired in patients with schizophrenia and is strongly correlated with other measures of cognition,suggesting a mechanism that is critical in explaining a portion of the broad cognitive deficits observed in schizophrenia.

Metabolomics Combined with Network Pharmacology Uncovers Effective Targets of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction for Its Protection from Sepsis-Associated Acute Lung Injury

Sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI)is a leading cause of death among septic complications.Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction(TSD),a classical recipe from traditional Chinese medicine used for treating ischemic stroke,has been recently reported to alleviate inflammation and inflammation-stimulated injuries related to the pathology of ALI.Here,we first observed the therapeutic effect of TSD on sepsis-induced ALI.Based on integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis(NPA)techniques,we aim to understand the mechanism of TSD alleviating ALI.TSD’s effects were observed in rats modeled by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)and rat macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Metabolomics analyses were applied to determine the ingredients in the medicine and key metabolites correlated to the NPA for the prediction of TSD targets.Gene and protein expressions of the key predicted targets were evaluated in the lung tissue and macrophages of septic model rat by quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays,respectively.TSD improved survival rate and protected against lung injury in CLP rats.Eleven endogenous metabolites were related to TSD’s actions.TSD significantly suppressed IL-6 and TNF-αsecretions and their gene expressions both in the lung tissue of the model rats and in LPS-stimulated macrophages.TSD also restored decreased lung protein expression of VEGFA in septic model rats.Targeted proteins and their affecting metabolites were finally validated in an external test set of rats.This study shows that metabolomics coupled with NPA is a promising approach to explore potential targets of medicine with complex compositions.

The Role of Engineer-in-Chief and the Introduction of Foreign Hydraulic Dredging Technology and River Conservancy into China,1890s-1930s

This paper discusses studies of the development of river conservancy in modern China,and the role of engineers-in-chief in river improvement planning on rivers such as the Hai-ho(Haihe)and the Whangpoo(Huangpu).It discusses the introduction of foreign hydraulic dredging technology and management into two major Chinese ports.It then analyses the process by which two agencies of the Chinese government absorbed and adjusted this technology to suit local circumstances in the treaty ports of Tianjin and Shanghai beginning in the 1890s.Without prior experience in river conservancy,the conservancy boards adopted a range of foreign technologies.This allowed them to develop into major institutions that facilitated increasing trade flows between China and the rest of the world.Of particular significance in this process of technological change was the role of the expatriate engineers-in-chief who were employed as chief executive officers of both agencies.They were responsible for establishing the operations of the agencies,accommodating an increasing range of responsibilities such as financial and human resource management,and training Chinese engineers and managers for senior positions until they were ready to replace the expatriate engineers-in-chief after the 1930s.

Multi-regional input-output analysis for China＇s regional CH4 emissions

China is the largest CH4 emitter in the world. Given the importance of CH4 in greenhouse gas emission inventories, the characteristics ofChina＇s CH4 emissions at different scales deserve to be fully understood. Presented in this paper is an interprovincial input output embodi- ment analysis of China＇s regional CH4 emissions in 2007, based on the most recently available multi-regional input- output table, and relevant CH4 emissions data. The results show that the eastern, central and western areas contribute to 48.2%, 28.6%, and 23.3% of the national total embodied emissions, respectively. Guangdong has the highest level of embodied CH4 emissions among all of the 30 regions. The Agriculture sector produces the most embodied CH4 emissions in final demand, followed by the Construction, Food Production and Tobacco Processing, and Other Service Activities sectors. Significant net transfers of embodied CH4 emission flows are identified from the central and western areas to the eastern area via interregional trade. Shanxi is the largest interregional exporter of embodied CH4 emissions. In contrast, Guangdong is the largest interregional importer. Energy activities, agricultural activities, and waste management comprise 65.6%, 30.7%, and 3.7% of the total embodied CH4 emissions in interregional trade, respectively. By using consumption-based accounting principles, the emis- sion magnitudes, per capita emissions, and emission intensities of most eastern regions increase remarkably, while those of some central and western regions decrease largely. To achieve regional CH4 emission mitigation, comprehensive mitigation measures should be designed under consideration of regional transfer of emission responsibility.