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Drawing on the situated expectancy-value, dimensional comparison theories, and the intersectionality approach, this article examined the changes in adolescents' math and science motivational beliefs, the parental and college correlates of those beliefs, and the differences at the intersection of gender and college generation status (i.e., female and male first- and continuing-generation college students). Findings based on the nationally representative high-school longitudinal study data (N = 12,070; M[subscript age] = 14 years; 54% female students; 28% first-generation college students; and 14% Latinx, 9% Black, 10% Asian, and 57% White) suggest that although adolescents' math and science ability self-concepts declined during high school, their science interest remained stable, and their math and science utility values increased. Adolescents' motivational beliefs in ninth grade and the changes from ninth to 11th grade positively predicted whether they declared a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college major. Parents' ninth-grade STEM support was more consistently associated with adolescents' concurrent beliefs compared to the changes in their beliefs. Finally, we found that female first-generation college students, who were more likely to be Latinx and Black students, tended to have lower math and science motivational beliefs, received less parental STEM support, and were less likely to choose a STEM major than their peers. The findings of this study indicate adolescents' math and science motivational development in high school matters for their college majors and that certain understudied groups, including female first-generation college students, may experience acute marginalization in STEM and warrant further attention.

To investigate the alleviating effect and mechanism of the docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylserine (DHA-PS) on bisphenol A (BPA)-induced liver injury in mice, the murine liver injury model was established by gavage of BPA (5 mg/kg) or co-administration of BPA and DHA-PS (50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The results showed that after administration of 100 mg/kg DHA-PS, the liver index, serum levels of AST, ALT, TC, TG, NEFA, and LDL-C in mice were significantly decreased, while HDL-C was significantly increased. The LPS, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MDA levels in liver tissues were effectively down-regulated, and IL-10, SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT levels were effectively up-regulated. The H&E and Oil Red O staining results showed that liver damage was notably repaired and lipid deposition was notably reduced after DHA-PS administration. Furthermore, metabolomics and immunohistochemical studies revealed that DHA-PS mainly regulates glycerophospholipid metabolism and the SIRT1-AMPK pathway to improve metabolic disorders of the liver caused by BPA. Therefore, DHA-PS could potentially alleviate BPA-induced murine liver injury through suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress, and modulating lipid metabolism disorders.

The protective effects of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phosphatidylserine (DHA-PS, 50 or 100 mg/kg) on bisphenol A (BPA)-induced intestinal damage were assessed. The biochemical indices, pathological examination, non-targeted metabolomics integrated with gut microbiota analysis, and immunofluorescence analysis were used to investigate the protective effects of DHA-PS and its underlying regulatory mechanism. The DHA-PS treatment improved the pathology of intestinal tract and increased the expression levels of Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1. In addition, the DHA-PS treatment also notably decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and increased the antioxidant enzymes activities. Moreover, DHA-PS treatment increased the relative abundances of Akkermansia, Alistipes, Butyricicoccus, Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002, Enterorhabdus, and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006. DHA-PS treatment alleviated BPA-induced intestinal damage by regulating the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan, lipid, and arachidonic acid metabolisms. Overall, this study suggested that DHA-PS could alleviate BPA-induced intestinal damage by enhancing the intestinal barrier integrity, improving gut microbial composition and metabolites, and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathways.

The intensification of production practices in the aquaculture industry has led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics to combat diseases and reduce costs, which has resulted in environmental pollution, posing serious threats to aquaculture sustainability and food safety. However, the toxic effect of florfenicol (FF) exposure on the hepatopancreas of crustaceans remains unclear. Herein, by employing Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) as subjects to investigate the toxic effects on histopathology, oxidative stress, apoptosis and microbiota of hepatopancreas under environment-relevant (0.5 and 5 μg/L), and extreme concentrations (50 μg/L) of FF. Our results revealed that the damage of hepatopancreas tissue structure caused by FF exposure in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Combined with the increased expression of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase 3, Caspase 8, p53, Bax and Bcl-2) at mRNA and protein levels, activation of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, FF exposure also induced oxidative stress, and apoptosis in hepatopancreas. Interestingly, 7 days exposure triggered more pronounced toxic effect in crabs than 14 days under environment-relevant FF concentration. Integrated biomarker response version 2 (IBRv2) index indicated that 14 days FF exposure under extreme concentration has serious toxicity effect on crabs. Furthermore, 14 days exposure to FF changed the diversity and composition of hepatopancreas microbiota leading remarkable increase of pathogenic microorganism Spirochaetes following exposure to 50 μg/L of FF. Taken together, our study explained potential mechanism of FF toxicity on hepatopancreas of crustaceans, and provided a reference for the concentration of FF to be used in culture of Chinese mitten crab.

More than half of all cancers demonstrate aberrant c-Myc expression, making this arguably the most important human oncogene. Deregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are also commonly implicated in tumorigenesis, and some limited examples have been established where lncRNAs act as biological tuners of c-Myc expression and activity. Here, we demonstrate that the lncRNA denoted c-Myc Enhancing Factor (MEF) enjoys a cooperative relationship with c-Myc, both as a transcriptional target and driver of c-Myc expression. Mechanistically, MEF functions by binding to and stabilizing the expression of hnRNPK in colorectal cancer cells. The MEF-hnRNPK interaction serves to disrupt binding between hnRNPK and the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM25, which attenuates TRIM25-dependent hnRNPK ubiquitination and proteasomal destruction. In turn, the stabilization of hnRNPK through MEF enhances c-Myc expression by augmenting the translation c-Myc. Moreover, modulating the expression of MEF in shRNA-mediated knockdown and overexpression studies revealed that MEF expression is essential for colorectal cancer cell proliferation and survival, both in vitro and in vivo. From the clinical perspective, we show that MEF expression is differentially increased in colorectal cancer tissues compared to normal adjacent tissues. Further, correlations exist between MEF, c-Myc, and hnRNPK suggesting the MEF-c-Myc positive feedback loop is active in patients. Together these data demonstrate that MEF is a pivotal partner of the c-Myc network and propose MEF as a valuable therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

Subglacial lakes and hydrological systems play crucial roles in Antarctic subglacial hydrology, water balance, subglacial geomorphology, and ice dynamics. Satellite altimetry has revealed that some recurrent water exchange occurs in subglacial lakes. They are referred to as ’active lakes’, which prominently influence a majority of subglacial hydrological processes. Our analysis indicates that active subglacial lakes are more likely to be situated in regions with higher surface ice flow velocities. Nevertheless, the origin of subglacial lakes still remains enigmatic and uncertain. They could have potential associations with geothermal heat, ice sheets melting, and ice flow dynamics. Subglacial lake drilling and water sampling have the potential to provide valuable insights into the origin of subglacial lakes and subglacial hydrological processes. Moreover, they could also offer unique opportunities for the exploration of subglacial microbiology, evolution of the Antarctic ice sheets, and various fundamental scientific inquiries. To date, successful drilling and sampling has been accomplished in Lake Vostok, Lake Mercer, and Lake Whillans. However, the use of drilling fluids caused the water sample contamination in Lake Vostok, and the drilling attempt at Lake Ellsworth failed due to technical issues. To explore more of the conditions of the Antarctic subglacial lakes, the Lake Centro de Estudios Científicos (Lake CECs) and Lake Snow Eagle (LSE) drilling projects are upcoming and in preparation. In this study, we aim to address the following: (1) introduce various aspects of Antarctic subglacial lakes, subglacial hydrological elements, subglacial hydrology, and the interactions between ice sheets and the ocean; and (2) provide an overview and outlook of subglacial lakes drilling projects.

Background: Paulownia, an ecologically and economically valuable plant species native to China, is notable for its excellent timber quality and strong adaptability. Among them, Paulownia catalpifolia displays the ability to survive in cold climate, a trait associated with northern China. Yet, the molecular information for its cold-tolerance has not been explored. This study was to investigate the changes in physiological indices and transcript levels of P. catalpifolia following cold exposure, which could provide evidence for revealing whether there were differences in the genetic basis of inducing physiological perturbations between moderate low temperature (MLT) and extreme low temperature (ELT). Results: The detection of physiological indices under diverse degrees of chilling stress showed similar patterns of alteration. Enhanced accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, such as soluble sugar and soluble protein, were more conducive under ELT compared to MLT in P. catalpifolia. Moreover, we observed leaf wilting symptoms distinctly after exposure to ELT for 48 h, while this effect was not obvious after MLT exposure for 48 h. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between MLT and ELT demonstrated 13,688 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), most of them appeared after 12 h and 48 h of treatment. GO and KEGG analyses elucidated prominent enrichment in aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase activity term and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. Therefore, it was speculated that the DEGs involved in the above processes might be related to the difference in the contents of soluble protein and soluble sugar between MLT and ELT. Time series clustering analyses further highlighted several key genes engaged in the ‘Glycosyltransferases’, ‘Galactose metabolism’ and ‘Starch and sucrose metabolism’ pathways as well as the ‘tyrosine decarboxylase activity’ term. For instance, cellulose synthase-like A (CLSA2/9), raffinose synthase (RafS2), β-amylase (BAM1) and tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase (TYDC1/2/5) genes, diverging in their expression trends between MLT and ELT, might significantly affect the soluble sugar and soluble protein abundance within P. catalpifolia. Conclusion: Between MLT and ELT treatments, partial overlaps in response pathways of P. catalpifolia were identified, while several genes regulating the accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances had disparate expression patterns. These findings could provide a novel physiological and molecular perspective for P. catalpifolia to adapt to complex low temperature habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi, Trechispora albofarinosa, T. bisterigmata, T. pileata and T. wenshanensis spp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Trechispora albofarinosa is characterized by the farinose basidiomata with flocculence hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and ellipsoid, warted basidiospores. Trechispora bisterigmata is characterized by the membranous basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, rhizomorphic sterile margin, barrelled basidia and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora pileata is characterized by the laterally contracted base, solitary or imbricate basidiomata, fan shaped pileus, radially striate-covered surface with appressed scales, odontioid hymenophore surface, and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora wenshanensis is characterized by a cottony basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface, and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and LSU marker of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS+nLSU sequences highlighted that four new species were grouped into the genus Trechispora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang has abundant cotton by-products resources, but their utilization rate is relatively low. Cotton by-products include cotton stalks, cottonseed meal, cottonseed hulls, cottonseed residue, and more. Among them, cottonseed meal is an important protein source in livestock and poultry production, while cotton stalks, cottonseed hulls, and cottonseed residue can serve as coarse feed sources for ruminant animals. However, the long-term application of cotton by-products in the livestock and poultry breeding industry is constrained due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as free gossypol and the relatively high crude fiber content in cotton stalks, cottonseed hulls, and cottonseed residue. The article reviews the production, types, nutritional value of cotton by-products, and their research and application in the livestock and poultry breeding industry, aiming to provide a reference for further application of cotton by-products in the livestock and poultry breeding industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to explore the nutritional characteristics and feeding value of a mixed silage containing cotton stalks, whole corn plants, and sugar beet residue. The experiment was divided into three groups: The control group (CK group) used whole corn plant silage, while Group A and Group B used a 1:1 mixture of cotton stalks with whole corn plants and sugar beet pulp for silage, with three replicates in each group. After 90 days of fermentation, samples were taken for analysis of silage fermentation quality, nutritional characteristics, and feeding value indicators. The results indicated that compared to the CK group, the pH values increased (P<0.05) and the Fisher's score decreased (P<0.05) in Group A and Group B. The CP, NDF, and ADF contentration increased (P<0.05), while the NFC content decreased in Group A and Group B (P<0.05). The RFV and RFQ of Group A were higher than those of Group B (P<0.05). Compared to the CK group, the in vitro gas production decreased in Group A and Group B, with Group A having higher gas production than Group B. The IVDMD of Group A and Group B was lower than that of the CK group (P<0.05). The study suggests that the feeding value of the mixed silage with cotton stalks, whole corn plants, and sugar beet residue is still lower than that of the whole corn plant silage. However, Group A exhibits a feeding value closer to that of the CK group, indicating higher application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective CTD-related immune thrombocytopenia (CTD-ITP) represents an unmet medical need because the drugs that are available are only partly effective and have considerable side-effects. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of sirolimus in refractory CTD-ITP patients. Methods We did a single-arm, open-label, pilot study of sirolimus in patients with CTD-ITP unresponsive to, or intolerant of, conventional medications. Patients received oral sirolimus for 6 months at a starting dose of 0.5–1 mg per day, with dose adjusted according to tolerance and to maintain a therapeutic range of 6–15 ng/ml. The primary efficacy end point was changes in platelet count, and overall response assessed according to the ITP International Working Group Criteria. Safety outcomes included tolerance as assessed by the occurrence of common side-effects. Results Between November 2020 and February 2022, 12 consecutively hospitalized patients with refractory CTD-ITP were enrolled and prospectively followed. Of these, six patients (50%) achieved complete response, two (16.7%) achieved partial response, and four (33.3%) were no response under therapy. Three of four patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and two of three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus achieved overall response. One of two patients with overlapping Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus achieved complete response at 6 months. No severe drug-related toxicities were observed. Conclusion Our results do support sirolimus as an alternative regimen for refractory CTD-ITP patients, including systemic lupus erythematosus and primary SS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Design Setting Participants Main Outcome Measures Results Conclusion To provide guidance for clinical endotypes by constructing a risk‐predictive model of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP).A cross‐sectional study.Single‐centre trial at tertiary medical institutions.A cross‐sectional study included 343 CRSwNP patients divided into ECRSwNP (n = 237) and non‐ECRSwNP (n = 106) groups using surgical pathology.Single‐factor and multivariate analysis were used to identify statistically significant variables for constructing a nomogram, including the history of AR, hyposmia score, ethmoid sinus score, BEP and BEC. The model's performance was evaluated based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).Allergic rhinitis, hyposmia score, ethmoid sinus score, peripheral blood eosinophil percentage (BEP) and eosinophil count (BEC) were retained for the construction nomogram of ECRSwNP. The nomogram exhibited a certain accuracy, with an AUC of 0.897 (95% CI: 0.864–0.930), good agreement in the calibration curve and a 0.891 C‐index of internal validation. Moreover, the DCA with a threshold probability between 0.0167 and 1.00 indicated a higher net benefit and greater clinical utility.The construction of a predictive risk model of ECRSwNP based on easily accessible factors could assist clinicians in more conveniently defining endotypes to make optimal diagnoses and treatment choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li-rich layered oxides are promising candidates for high-capacity Li-ion battery cathode materials. In this study, we employ first-principles calculations to investigate the effect of F doping on Li-rich Li 2 MnO 3 layered cathode materials. Our findings reveal that both Li 2 MnO 3 and Li 2 MnO 2.75 F 0.25 exhibit significant volume changes (greater than 10%) during deep delithiation, which could hinder the cycling of more Li ions from these two materials. For Li 2 MnO 3 , it is observed that oxygen ions lose electrons to compensate for charge during the delithiation process, leading to a relatively high voltage plateau. After F doping, oxidation occurs in both the cationic (Mn) and anionic (O) components, resulting in a lower voltage plateau at the beginning of the charge, which can be attributed to the oxidation of Mn 3+ to Mn 4+ . Additionally, F doping can somewhat suppress the release of oxygen in Li 2 MnO 3 , improving the stability of anionic oxidation. However, the increase of the activation barriers for Li diffusion can be observed after F doping, due to stronger electrostatic interactions between F - and Li + , which adversely affects the cycling kinetics of Li 2 MnO 2.75 F 0.25 . This study enhances our understanding of the impact of F doping in Li 2 MnO 3 based on theoretical calculations., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)