Search

AimsThe study was designed to develop a measurement for the motivation for and against change in methamphetamine users in the compulsory detoxification setting.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.SettingThe study was carried out in a compulsory detoxification center for male drug users in China.ParticipantsA total of 228 male methamphetamine users who had undergone the program for at least 30 days.MeasurementsThe motivation for/against change relating to compulsory detoxification was carried out using the Likert scale. A series of questionnaires were filled out by the participants, including the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran for rearing style, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, the adult ADHD self-report scale, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Participants were also asked to recall the withdrawal symptoms before the program and to rate their current craving levels.FindingsMotivations were grouped into three factors, namely, the expectation to use drugs upon the completion of the program (factor 1), the disagreement with the compulsory setting (factor 2), and the motivation to quit drug use (factor 3). Cronbach's alpha values were 0.8037, 0.8049, and 0.6292, respectively. The structural equation model showed that the overall motivation was characterized by motivation against change rather than that for change. The overall motivation was also directly affected by the current craving level and indirectly affected by the severity of addiction, paternal authoritarian upbringing style, and ADHD traits.ConclusionThis study provided a measurement of motivation for and against change in subjects with drug misconduct and suggested that the motivation against change may disclose more psychological barriers than the motivation for change.

Ecological city (eco-city) and its planning approach are emerging concepts in urban study, urban planning, ecological economics, environmental policy and corporate environmental management. However, opinions remain divided over the connotation and denotation of the term “ecological city”, what key issues ecocity planning can solve, and its specific contents. In this study, we present 10 basic propositions that define the eco-city and clarify its key parameters, thereby providing the basis for discussing the assumptions and principles underlying different approaches to sustainable urban development. We then summarize the concept and principles of an eco-city, and define the main requirements for ecocity planning. We conclude that an eco-city is a city in which the urban population, scale of land use and intensity of human activities are limited to the regional resource and environmental carrying capacity, which does not cause increasing or irreversible damage to the regional ecosystem’s structure,...

G-quadruplexes (G4) are four-stranded DNA secondary structures, which are involved in a diverse range of biological processes. Although the anti-cancer potential of G4s in promoters of oncogenes has been thoroughly investigated, the functions of promoter G4s in non-cancer-related genes are not well understood. The aims of this thesis are (i) to investigate the biological importance of promoter G4s in cardiac function-related genes, and (ii) to explore the feasibility and potential of multitargeting strategy at the single gene level. These aims have been achieved by revealing the prevalence of G4s in TRRs (transcription regulatory regions) of cardiac function-related genes via bioinformatics approaches, and then investigating potential biological significance of G4s in promoters of human MEF2D and TnIc genes via a combination of biophysical, molecular, and cell biology approaches. By using bioinformatics approaches, TRRs of cardiac function-related genes were found to be enriched by potential G4-forming sequences. According to these results, G4s from the promoters of human MEF2D and TnIc were chosen and subjected to biophysical characterisations in solution. By using EMSA, DMS footprinting, CD and smFRET spectroscopy, the formation, thermodynamic stability, and unfolding kinetics of MEF2D and TnIc G4s were investigated. Briefly, in 100 mM K+, the MEF2DG4 can adopt a hybrid of very stable parallel/anti-parallel G4(s), while the TnIc MNSG4 and -80G4 are able to adopt anti-parallel and parallel structures, respectively, with comparable stability as compared to other oncogene G4s. Subsequently, cooperative regulatory roles of TnIc G4s as enhancers once stabilised by a G4-binding ligand (di-copper complex) were observed in vitro mainly by dual luciferase reporter assays in HEK293 cells. Three possible G4-mediated mechanisms have been proposed. This work provides the first indication about the biological significance of promoter G4s in cardiac function-related genes, and the feasibility to target multiple G4s at the single gene level.

The effectiveness of breeding Indica photoperiod-sensitive genic male-sterile (PGMS) rice has been studied since 1982. Eight Indica male sterile lines have been bred from the progenies of Indica/Japonica or its reciprocals; their fertility response to photoperiod and temperature and fertility alteration were investigated. Five promising two-line inter-varietal hybrid rices of W6154S and W6184S have been developed through extensive test-crossing. Discussions made on the evaluation and utilization of Indica PGMS or TGMS lines in current two-line hybrid rice breeding.

Objective To probe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shenshu (BL 23) on morphine withdrawal syndrome and the mechanism. Methods Morphine dependence was induced in the rat by subcutaneous injection of morphine, and the acute withdrawal syndrome was precipitated b y intraperitoneal administration of naloxone. The rats were pretreated with 100 H z EA at Shenshu (BL 23) for one hour before the naloxone challenge. Withdrawal scores were calculated, and c-fos levels were detected by immunocytochemical meth od. Results EA at Shenshu (BL 23) could obviously inhibit withdrawal syndrome, decreased expression of c-fos in the PAG, paraventricular hypothalamus nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area and hypocampus while EA increase c-fos positive neurons in the amygdula and core of nucleus accumbens. Conclu sion EA at Shenshu (BL 23) can effectively inhibit morphine withdrawal s yndrome and many central nucleus groups are involved in the inhibition of EA on opioid m edicine dependence.