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The present research examined the effects of an Early Advancement in Social–Emotional Health and Positivity (EASP) multicomponent positive psychological intervention on parents' well‐being in Hong Kong. Participants were parents of young children (N = 120; Mage = 37.19 years, SD = 4.71, range = 24–53; female = 95.00%) who participated in the one‐month randomized control trial. Participants were randomly assigned into the intervention (n = 50) and waitlist control groups (n = 70). Parents in the intervention group received two online workshops and an evidence‐based smartphone application that targeted four positive psychological skills: (1) mindful parenting, (2) hope, (3) positive reappraisal, and (4) growth mindset. The results of the multivariate regression analysis revealed that the intervention significantly improved various dimensions of participants' positive psychological skills, subjective well‐being, and psychological well‐being immediately at the conclusion of the program. The findings of this study underscore the importance of the well‐being payoffs linked to cultivating positive psychological skills among parents of young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Limited research has examined the well‐being of international preschool teachers, while intervention targeting their well‐being is even rarer. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 2‐month EASP (i.e., Early Advancement in Social‐Emotional Health and Positivity) positive psychological intervention program based on the PROSPER—which stands for positivity, relationship, outcome, strength, purpose, engagement, and resilience– framework on international preschool teachers' well‐being in Hong Kong. Eighty‐three teachers (Mage = 34.44 years, SD = 8.43, range = 19–53; female = 95.18%) were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 44) and waitlist control groups (n = 39). Teachers completed survey measures of PROSPER well‐being at baseline and after the intervention. The results of the multivariate regression analyses revealed that the intervention did not have significant overall effects on the PROSPER well‐being, Wilks' lambda F(7, 56) = 1.28, p = 0.28, η2 = 0.14. Yet, findings of univariate analyses suggested the intervention yielded significant medium effects on participants' relationship, outcome, strength and engagement (b = 0.26 to 0.45, 95% CI [0.04, 0.95], p = 0.02 to 0.03, η2 = 0.07 to 0.08). The findings underscore the practical utility of the PROSPER framework in supporting international preschool teachers' well‐being but, at the same time, highlight the need to further examine how cultural variations might implicate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Early Advancement in Social–Emotional Health and Positivity (EASP) program, a positive psychological intervention promoting preschool teachers' well‐being and the motivational aspect of professional competence. Participants were 273 in‐service preschool teachers (Mage = 34.56 years, SD = 9.52, range = 22–58; female = 98.90%) who participated in a 2‐month randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 143) receiving 1) four online workshops, 2) a smartphone app, and 3) an online activity, or to the wait‐list control group (n = 130), which received the intervention materials after all the data collection. Participants reported their well‐being dimensions, teaching self‐efficacy, and autonomous motivation for teaching before and after the intervention. Results from a path analytic model exhibited excellent fit with the data, χ2 = 37.62, df = 33, CFI =.99, TLI =.98, RMSEA =.02 [90% CI = 0.00, 0.05], SRMR =.02. The intervention had direct effects on changes in well‐being dimensions, including positivity, outcome, strength, engagement, and resilience (β =.14 to.26, ps =.00 to.04), and indirect intervention effects on changes in teaching self‐efficacy and autonomous motivation for teaching (β =.14 to.15, ps =.00 to.01). These findings highlighted the potential value of implementing positive psychological interventions in educational settings to promote the well‐being and professional competence among preschool teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the efficacy of the Early Advancement in Social‐Emotional Health and Positivity (EASP) programme, designed to enhance personal resources, namely self‐compassion and positivity among preschool social workers, to reduce stress and bolster work engagement. A total of 84 preschool social workers (Mage = 32.47 years, SD = 6.86, range = 22–55; female = 90.48%) participated in a 5‐week randomized control trial. Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 38), which received four online workshops and an online activity, or the wait‐list control group (n = 46), which received the intervention post‐data collection. Self‐compassion, positivity, work engagement, and work stress were measured before and after the intervention. Results from a path analytic model indicated excellent fit with the data, χ2 = 2.08, df = 3, Comparative Fit Index = 1.00, Tucker‐Lewis Index = 1.00, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.00 (90% CI = 0.00–0.16), SRMR = 0.03. The intervention demonstrated direct effects on changes in self‐compassion (β = 0.21, p = 0.04) and positivity (β = 0.28, p = 0.03), with indirect effects on work engagement (β = 0.13, p = 0.02), while no significant impact was observed on work stress (β = −0.09, p = 0.06). These findings underscore the efficacy of positive psychological interventions in fostering work engagement among social workers. Incorporating the EASP programme into ongoing professional development activities is recommended to enhance the job engagement and psychological well‐being of social workers in early childhood education and care sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective teacher training programs entail cultivating not only professional teaching competencies but also promoting psychological strengths. However, there is a lack of investigation into how different modes of delivering psychological interventions influence well‐being outcomes in the teaching profession, such as preschool educators. This study examines the effects of different technologically driven modes of implementing a PROSPER‐based psychological intervention on positivity, relationship, outcome, strengths, purpose, engagement, and resilience. One hundred twenty‐eight pre‐service preschool teachers were randomly assigned to (1) the full intervention (i.e., online workshop and smartphone app); (2) the online workshop; (3) the smartphone app; and (4) the wait‐list control group. The results demonstrated that the online workshop mode yielded the strongest intervention effects on well‐being outcomes: positivity, purpose, engagement, and resilience. Although the smartphone app mode did not significantly improve psychological outcomes, combining this approach with the online workshop format appeared to have positive retention effects on positivity at the Time 3 follow‐up. The findings suggest that the traditional mode of implementing positive psychological interventions could be more effective than the smartphone app‐based mode in bolstering pre‐service teachers' well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water ice in the Martian mid‐latitudes has advanced and retreated in response to variations in the planet's orbit, obliquity, and climate. A 150 m‐diameter new impact crater near 35°N provides the lowest‐latitude impact exposure of subsurface ice on Mars. This is the largest known ice‐exposing crater and provides key constraints on Martian climate history. This crater indicates a regional, relatively pure ice deposit that is unstable and has nearly vanished. In the past, this deposit may have been tens of meters thick and extended equatorward of 35°N. We infer that it is overlain by pore ice emplaced during temporary stable intervals, due to recent climate variability. The marginal survival of ice here suggests that it is near the edge of shallow ice that regularly exchanges with the atmosphere. Plain Language Summary: A 150 m‐diameter new impact crater on Mars exposes water ice, constraining the nature of past and present ice sheets and paleoclimate. The past climate has varied, gradually removing a massive ice deposit that has nearly been lost at 35°N but survives at higher latitude. Key Points: Water ice is exposed in a 150 m‐diameter new impact crater near 35°N on MarsThe ice includes both massive ice and a covering layer of pore iceThis ice marks the southern margin of remaining ice deposits from high‐obliquity periods [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen‐1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate features that have been proposed to be lava or mud flows. Lander and rover data should help solve the scientific question concerning the origin of UP flows. We use our map to generate an initial stratigraphic framework of geomorphological features in order to help place future Zhurong data into the regional geologic context. Our mapping effort has detailed the distribution of three geomorphologic units and 11 types of surface features. Plain Language Summary: Mapping the locations of terrain features and their patterns of interactions helps to understand the geology of a locality. Our initial geomorphologic map is presented here, covering the area of 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E on Mars, and contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from the Chinese Tianwen‐1 mission to Mars. The map area, Utopia Planitia, exhibits features that may have been made by flowing lava or mud. Our map has three kinds of terrain and 11 kinds of surface features, which we use to interpret the regional geology surrounding Zhurong. We expect future Zhurong data will be able to test our hypotheses. Key Points: A 1:120,000 geomorphologic map has been constructed for an area in Utopia Planitia surrounding the Tianwen‐1 Zhurong roverWe interpret that this region exhibits a history of resurfacing by lava or mud flows, which appear to embay enigmatic cone featuresA stratigraphic framework is proposed for the three units and 11 features identified. Potential origins of key features are discussed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study tested the effects of an intervention based on the trans‐contextual model (TCM) on secondary school PE students' sport injury prevention behavior and on theory‐based motivational and social cognition mediators. Participants were PE students (N = 1168; Mage = 13.322 ± 1.045, range = 12–16; female = 51.721%) who participated in a 3‐month cluster‐randomized controlled trial. Schools were randomly assigned to a treatment group, in which PE teachers received training to be more supportive of psychological needs in teaching sport injury prevention, or a control group, in which PE teachers received no training. Participants completed survey measures of TCM variables and self‐reported sport injury prevention behavior at baseline and at 3‐month post‐intervention follow‐up. The proposed TCM model exhibited adequate fit with the data, χ2 = 143.080 (df = 19), CFI = 0.956, TLI = 0.916, RMSEA = 0.078 (90% CI = 0.066–0.090), and SRMR = 0.058. We found positive, statistically significant direct intervention effects on changes in perceived psychological need support (β = 0.064, p = 0.020). We also found positive, significant direct (β = 0.086–0.599, p < 0.001) and indirect (β = 0.002–0.027, p = 0.020–0.032) intervention effects on changes in TCM variables and behaviors to prevent sport injuries. Our findings support the TCM as a useful framework for building an intervention for promoting sport injury prevention behaviors among secondary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mars exhibits diverse surface changes at all latitudes and all seasons. Active processes include impact cratering, aeolian sand and dust transport, a variety of slope processes, changes in polar ices, and diverse effects of seasonal CO2 frost. The extent of surface change has been surprising and indicates that the present climate is capable of reshaping the surface. Activity has important implications for the Amazonian history of Mars: understanding processes is a necessary step before we can understand their implications and variations over time. Plain Language Summary: Many surface processes are active across the surface of Mars, producing changes that can be observed from orbit and by landed missions. The observed changes include new impact craters, sand and dust transported by the wind, a variety of flows on slopes, and many changes to perennial ice deposits. Many changes are driven by seasonal CO2 frost. These changes indicate that surface evolution on Mars is ongoing and not confined to past climate conditions. Key Points: Many different surface processes are actively shaping the geomorphology of Mars todayCurrent surface changes must be understood in order to correctly interpret changing environments over timeSeveral active Martian processes were not predicted and lack a terrestrial analog [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are dark linear markings on Mars that regrow annually and likely originate from the flow of either liquid water or granular material. Following the great dust storm (or planet‐encircling dust event, PEDE) of Mars year (MY) 34, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment has seen many more candidate RSL than in typical Mars years. They have been imaged at more than 285 unique locations from August 2018 (when the atmosphere was clearing as the PEDE decayed) to August 2019, about half (157) of which are locations where RSL have not been documented previously. In MY34, 150 active RSL sites were identified in the southern middle latitudes (SML, ‐60° to ‐30°), whereas an average of 36 active sites were observed in each previous year (MY28–33). Post‐PEDE RSL are also present during southern summer over a wider range of latitude, slope aspect, and Ls (areocentric longitude of the sun) than in prior years. These RSL sites usually show evidence for recent dust deposition: obscuration of relatively dark areas, an overall brighter and redder surface than in prior years, and dust devil tracks, which indicate dust lifting by several mechanisms. We speculate that dust‐lifting processes may initiate and sustain RSL activity. The RSL may form from flows of dust (perhaps clumped) and/or sand that is destabilized by dust movement or directly mobilized by dust devils. If this is the case, then the otherwise puzzling recurrence and year‐to‐year variability of RSL activity can be at least partly explained. The dust replenishment varies from year to year, which could explain interannual variations in RSL activity. Plain Language Summary: Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are puzzling active slope features on Mars that resemble seeping water. Following the great dust storm of 2018, many more candidate RSL were seen than in typical Mars years. These RSL sites usually show evidence for recent dust deposition. There are clear dust devil tracks in 73% of poststorm images in the southern middle latitudes in the summer, where and when dust devils are most active. The tracks indicate dust lifting, by several mechanisms. We suggest that dust‐lifting processes on steep slopes may initiate and sustain RSL formed from flows of dust (perhaps clumped) and/or sand that is destabilized by dust movement. The otherwise puzzling recurrence and year‐to‐year variability of RSL activity can be explained by variable yearly dust fallout. Key Points: The origin of recurring slope lineae (RSL) on present‐day Mars has been controversial, including hypotheses with seeping water or dry granular flowsRecurring slope line were substantially more abundant following the planet‐encircling dust event in 2018Dust‐lifting processes present multiple possible mechanisms that can trigger downslope movement of dust and sand [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ice in the Martian midlatitudes is typically covered by a layer of dust or regolith, it is exposed in some locations by fresh impact craters or in erosional scarps. In both cases, the exposed ice is massive or excess ice with a low lithic content. We find that erosional scarps occur between 50° and 61° north and south latitude and that they are concentrated in and near Milankovič crater in the northern hemisphere and southeast of the Hellas basin in the southern hemisphere. These may represent locations of particularly thick or clean bodies of ice. Pits created by retreat of the scarps represent sublimation‐thermokarst landforms that evolve in a manner distinct from other ice‐loss landforms on Mars. New impact craters reveal that clean subsurface ice is widespread at middle‐ and high‐latitudes in both hemispheres at depths less than 1 m. Both the depth to ice and the ice content appear to exhibit significant variability over tens to hundreds of meters. The lowest‐latitude exposed ice is near 39°N and is at the edge of a region where impact exposures between 40° and 50°N are common, consistent with other indications of a high ice content. This lowest‐latitude ice may be currently unstable and subliming. Impact craters on lineated valley fill excavate ice blocks that may represent the top of debris‐covered glacial ice. Together, these landforms indicate widespread, clean subsurface ice at middle‐latitudes on Mars. The distribution and properties of this ice could provide information about past climate conditions. Plain Language Summary: Ice occurs at the surface near the north and south poles of Mars, but in the midlatitudes it is usually buried beneath rocks and dust. Impact craters and erosion expose the ice in some places. At these locations, the ice is generally clean, with little dust or rocky material embedded within it, in contrast with pore ice filling in voids in soil. The erosional exposures are concentrated in and near Milankovič crater in the northern hemisphere and southeast of the Hellas basin in the southern hemisphere and occur at a narrow range of latitudes. These may be locations of particularly thick, clean ice. Impact craters reveal that some amount of such subsurface ice is widespread. The craters help to define the lowest latitude where ice is present and how deeply it is buried, which could provide information about the history of the climate on Mars. Key Points: Subsurface ice with a low lithic content is exposed in scarps and around new impact craters at mid‐latitude and high‐latitude on MarsIce‐exposing scarps indicate localized accumulations of thick clean ice and are concentrated in specific regions of MarsImpact craters help define the distribution of subsurface ice, and indicate a region of high ice content at relatively low‐latitude [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to predict secondary school students' motivation toward sport injury prevention in "in‐school" and "out‐of‐school" contexts, and their sport injury prevention behavior at 3‐month follow‐up using the trans‐contextual model (TCM). Hong Kong secondary school students (N = 1566; mean age = 13.34 years, range = 11 to 19; female = 49.42%) were recruited. Participants were asked to complete a survey comprising previously validated scales measuring TCM constructs at baseline and a measure of sport injury prevention behavior at follow‐up three months later. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the hypothesized paths among TCM constructs. A SEM specifying hypothesized paths among TCM variables showed acceptable fit with the data (χ2(29) = 418.55, CFI =.93, TLI =.90, and RMSEA =.09, 90% CI [.09,.10], and SRMR =.05). Findings supported tenets of the TCM: the effects of perceived autonomy support from PE teachers on in‐school autonomous motivation toward injury prevention, the trans‐contextual relationship between students' "in‐school" and "out‐of‐school" autonomous motivation toward injury prevention, and the effects of autonomous motivation toward injury prevention on social cognitive variables and subsequent sport injury prevention behaviors. Results supported the tenets proposed within the TCM in predicting students' "in‐school" and "out‐of‐school" autonomous motivation toward sport injury prevention. Findings underscore the potential importance of autonomy support from PE teachers in facilitating students' sport injury prevention behaviors. Further longitudinal and intervention research is warranted to establish temporal and causal effects of TCM variables in sport injury prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive system. In that regard, several epidemiological studies suggest that long‐term exposure to estrogen could increase ovarian cancer risk, although its precise role remains controversial. To decipher a mechanism for this, we previously generated a mathematical model of how estrogen‐mediated upregulation of the transcription factor, E2F6, upregulates the ovarian cancer stem/initiating cell marker, c‐Kit, by epigenetic silencing the tumor suppressor miR‐193a, and a competing endogenous (ceRNA) mechanism. In this study, we tested that previous mathematical model, showing that estrogen treatment of immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells upregulated both E2F6 and c‐KIT, but downregulated miR‐193a. Luciferase assays further confirmed that microRNA‐193a targets both E2F6 and c‐Kit. Interestingly, ChIP‐PCR and bisulphite pyrosequencing showed that E2F6 also epigenetically suppresses miR‐193a, through recruitment of EZH2, and by a complex ceRNA mechanism in ovarian cancer cell lines. Importantly, cell line and animal experiments both confirmed that E2F6 promotes ovarian cancer stemness, whereas E2F6 or EZH2 depletion derepressed miR‐193a, which opposes cancer stemness, by alleviating DNA methylation and repressive chromatin. Finally, 118 ovarian cancer patients with miR‐193a promoter hypermethylation had poorer survival than those without hypermethylation. These results suggest that an estrogen‐mediated E2F6 ceRNA network epigenetically and competitively inhibits microRNA‐193a activity, promoting ovarian cancer stemness and tumorigenesis. Estrogen‐mediated E2F6 competing endogenous network epigenetically and competitively inhibits microRNA‐193a activity, promoting ovarian cancer stemness and tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this three‐study paper was to develop and validate the Perceived Social Influence in Sport Scale‐2 (PSISS‐2) that aimed to resolve the limitations of PSISS‐1 in assessing the relative social influence of significant others in youth sport. In Study 1, a pool of 60 items generated from revisiting a qualitative dataset about significant others of young athletes were examined by two expert panel reviews in terms of content validity, clarity, coverage, and age‐appropriateness, leading to the development of 16 items of the PSISS‐2. In Study 2, multi‐group exploratory structural equation model for PSISS‐2 was conducted among 904 young athletes, and the results supported a model comprising positive influence (ie, conditional and unconditional positive influence combined), punishment (ie, conditional negative influence), and dysfunction (ie, unconditional negative influence) as three factors. The goodness of fit of the three‐factor model was acceptable and invariant across the coach‐, father‐, mother‐, and teammates‐versions of PSISS‐2. In support of the criterion validity of PSISS‐2, the three factors explained substantial variance of young athletes' perceived competence, effort, enjoyment, and trait anxiety in sport. Study 3 examined the relationship between PSISS‐2 factors, psychological need support, and controlling behaviors in a subsample of 452 young athletes, and the findings supported the concurrent validity and discriminant validity of the scale. In conclusion, the data are supportive of PSISS‐2. The three factors of the scale (ie, positive influence, punishment, and dysfunction) may form a new framework for understanding and comparing the relative role of significant others in youth sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of hepatic transporters, including organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) and multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs), is altered in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, functional data in humans are lacking. In this study, 99mTc‐mebrofenin (MEB) was used to evaluate OATP1B1/1B3 and MRP2 function in NASH patients. Healthy subjects (n = 14) and NASH patients (n = 7) were administered MEB (∼2.5 mCi). A population pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe systemic and hepatic MEB disposition. Study subjects were genotyped for SLCO1B1 variants. NASH increased systemic and hepatic exposure (median ± 2 SE, healthy vs. NASH) to MEB (AUC0‐300,blood: 1,780 ± 242 vs. 2,440 ± 775 μCi*min/L, P = 0.006; AUC0‐180,liver: 277 ± 36.9 vs. 433 ± 40.3 kcounts*min/sec, P < 0.0001) due to decreased biliary clearance (0.035 ± 0.008 vs. 0.017 ± 0.002 L/min, P = 0.0005) and decreased Vcentral (11.1 ± 0.57 vs. 6.32 ± 1.02 L, P < 0.0001). MEB hepatic CLuptake was reduced in NASH and also in healthy subjects with SLCO1B1 *15/*15 and *1A/*15 genotypes. The pharmacokinetics of drugs that are OATP1B1/1B3 and MRP2 substrates may be substantially altered in NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereology is a quantitative and comparative method that utilizes planes, lines, and points for the estimation of three-dimensional parameters in morphological studies. It primarily focuses on geometrical features of objects such as number, density, length, area, and volume. A scientometric study was conducted to analyze global research trends in application of stereology in biomedical research. Stereology has gained wide application resulting into design-based stereological methods. Data for this study were retrieved from the SCOPUS database. At least 5,732 publications employing stereology as analytical tool were produced in a period of 50 years between 1966 and 2016. Half (2,858; 49.87%) of these publications were produced in the last 12 years from 2005 to 2016. The relative growth rate (RGR) of publications decreased from 1967 (0.69) to 2016 (0.03) whereas the doubling time (DT) increased from 1.00 to 20.56 in the same period. A great majority (5,332; 93.02%) of the publications retrieved from SCOPUS were journal articles in various biomedical fields. The Journal of Microscopy tops the list of journals with at least 205 articles. The most productive country was USA with at least 1663 (23.10%) publications and Aarhus Universitet tops the list of institutions with at least 306 publications. J.R. Nyengaard was the most prolific author who contributed at least 125 publications. The highly cited article had a total of 2,054 citations with an average of over 82 citations per year. Given the growing importance of stereology in biomedical research, it is necessary to promote its application among scholars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV) infection is detected in various epithelial malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) and gastric cancer ( GC). EBV comprises some unique molecular features and encodes viral genes and micro RNAs (mi RNAs) by its own DNA sequence. EBV genes are required to maintain latency and contribute to oncogenic property. mi RNAs encoded by EBV have been shown to contribute to initiation and progression of EBV-related malignancies. By a number of genomic profiling studies, some EBV mi RNAs were confirmed to be highly expressed in EBV-associated gastric cancer ( EBVa GC) samples and cell lines. The majority host targets of the EBV mi RNAs are important for promoting cell growth and inhibiting apoptosis, facilitating cell survival and immune evasion. However, the integrated molecular mechanisms related to EBV mi RNAs remain to be investigated. In this review, we summarized the crucial role of EBV mi RNAs in epithelial malignancies, especially in EBVa GC. Collectively, EBV mi RNAs play a significant role in the viral and host gene regulation network. Understanding the comprehensive potential targets and relevant functions of EBV mi RNAs in gastric carcinogenesis might provide better clinical translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CCCTC‐binding factor (CTCF) is a DNA‐binding protein that interacts with a large number of highly divergent target sequences throughout the genome. It is implicated in a variety of functions, including chromatin organization and transcriptional control. The functional role of CTCF in tumour pathogenesis remains elusive. We showed that CTCF is frequently upregulated in a subset of primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) as compared with non‐tumoural liver. Overexpression of CTCF was associated with shorter disease‐free survival of patients. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated suppression of CTCF inhibited cell proliferation, motility and invasiveness in HCC cell lines; these effects were correlated with prominent reductions in the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), the shelterin complex member telomerase repeat‐binding factor 1, and forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1). In contrast, upregulation of CTCF was positively correlated with FOXM1 and TERT expression in clinical HCC biopsies. Depletion of CTCF resulted in reduced motility and invasiveness in HCC cells that could be reversed by ectopic expression of FOXM1, suggesting that FOXM1 is one of the important downstream effectors of CTCF in HCC. Reporter gene analysis suggested that depletion of CTCF is associated with reduced FOXM1 and TERT promoter activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis further revealed occupancy of the FOXM1 promoter by CTCF in vivo. Importantly, depletion of CTCF by shRNA significantly inhibited tumour progression and metastasis in HCC mouse models. Our work uncovered a novel functional role of CTCF in HCC pathogenesis, which suggests that targeting CTCF could be further explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC. © 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dark topographic slumps several meters wide, tens of meters in length, and up to a meter in depth are observed on the slopes of Juventae Chasma (JC), Valles Marineris (VM), Mars. These slumps usually originate near the terminal points of recurring slope lineae (RSL). Near their initiation points, the slumps have topographic depressions due to the removal of materials; near their lowermost reaches, new materials are deposited in lobes. Over the course of three Mars years, 10 active slumps have been observed in JC, all of which formed in or near the same season (areocentric longitude: Ls 0°-120°). Mars Color Imager (MARCI) observations show low-altitude atmospheric obscurations confined within the topography of the VM and JC in the seasons when the slumps form. In one instance, data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars and MARCI show evidence of H2O ice in the atmospheric obscuration, likely due to the formation of a low-level afternoon cloud above a dust storm, or mixing of condensate clouds with a diffuse dust cloud. The presence of atmospheric obscurations with H2O ice near times when the slumps form is intriguing, but no direct evidence currently exists to support that they aid in slump formation. Further monitoring of this site will help establish if RSL and/or atmospheric events play a role in the creation of contemporary slumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We sought to examine the relationship between preoperative platelet function and perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing CABG. Background There are many ways to measure platelet aggregability. Little is known about their correlations with one another, or with bleeding. Methods We prospectively studied 50 patients undergoing a first isolated off-pump CABG. Thirty-four were exposed to a thienopyridine prior to surgery; 16 were not. Preoperative platelet function was measured by VerifyNow®, TEG®, AggreGuide™, Plateletworks®, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, and light transmission aggregometry. Bleeding was assessed 2 ways: drop from pre- to nadir postoperative hematocrit, and chest tube drainage. Correlation coefficients were calculated using Spearman's rank-order correlation. Results Mean age was 62 years. Patient characteristics and surgical details were similar between the thienopyridine-exposed and non-exposed patients. The correlation coefficients between the 4 point-of-care platelet function measurements and hematocrit change ranged from −0.2274 to 0.2882. Only Plateletworks® correlated with drop in hematocrit (r = 0.2882, P = 0.0470). The correlation coefficients between each of the 4 point-of-care platelet function tests and the chest tube drainage were also poor, ranging from −0.3073 to 0.2272. Both AggreGuide™ (r = −0.3073, P = 0.0317) and VASP (r = −0.3187, P = 0.0272) were weakly but significantly correlated with chest tube drainage. The correlation among the 4 point-of-care platelet function measurements was poor, with coefficients ranging from −0.2504 to 0.1968. Conclusions We observed little correlation among 4 platelet function tests, and between those assays and perioperative bleeding defined 2 different ways. Whether any of these assays should be used to guide decision making in individual patients is unclear. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:223-232) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Previous reports from these authors found that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study sought to identify the molecular target of PPARγ and characterize its antitumor effect in HCC. METHODS: Optimal PPARγ binding activity was obtained using the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (100 μM) as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Under PPARγ activation, 114 PPARγ downstream targets associated with cancer development were identified by oligonucleotide microarray and Gene Ontology analysis. Among them, Cbp/p300-interacting transactivator, with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain, 2 (CITED2) was the most prominent PPARγ-bound target, as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: CITED2 messenger RNA and protein was significantly down-regulated in primary HCCs compared with their adjacent nontumor tissues. PPARγ induced expression of CITED2 in HCC cell lines after adenovirus-PPARγ transduction. The biological function of CITED2 was evaluated by loss- and gain-of-function assays. CITED2 knockdown in the hepatocyte cell line LO2 and HCC cell line Hep3B significantly increased cell viability and clonogenicity, and promoted G1-S phase transition in both cell lines. In contrast, ectopic expression of CITED2 in HepG2 and BEL7404 HCC cell lines significantly suppressed cell growth. The tumor suppressive effect of CITED2 was associated with up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p15INK4B, p21Wat1/Cip1, p27Kip1, antiproliferative regulator interferon alpha 1, proapoptotic mediators including tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A), TNFRSF25, caspase-8, granzyme A, and the tumor suppressor gene maspin. CITED2 was also associated with the down-regulation of cell cycle regulator cyclin D1, oncogene telomerase reverse transcriptase, and proinvasion/metastasis gene matrix metallopeptidase 2. CONCLUSIONS: CITED2 is a direct effector of PPARγ for tumor suppression. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying sources of ground water pollution and deblurring astronomical galaxy images are two important applications generating growing interest in the numerical computation of parabolic equations backward in time. However, while backward uniqueness typically prevails in parabolic equations, the precise data needed for the existence of a particular backward solution is seldom available. This paper discusses previously unexplored non-uniqueness issues, originating from trying to reconstruct a particular solution from imprecise data. Explicit 1D examples of linear and nonlinear parabolic equations are presented, in which there is strong computational evidence for the existence of distinct solutions wred( x, t) and wgreen( x, t), on 0 ≤ t ≤ 1. These solutions have the property that the traces wred( x,1) and wgreen( x,1) at time t = 1 are close enough to be visually indistinguishable, while the corresponding initial values wred( x,0) and wgreen( x,0) are vastly different, well-behaved, physically plausible functions, with comparable L2 norms. This implies effective non-uniqueness in the recovery of wred( x,0) from approximate data for wred( x,1). In all these examples, the Van Cittert iterative procedure is used as a tool to discover unsuspected, valid, additional solutions wgreen( x,0). This methodology can generate numerous other examples and indicates that multidimensional problems are likely to be a rich source of striking non-uniqueness phenomena. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As of April 2010, all maternity care at government healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone is provided at no cost to patients. In late 2010, we conducted a community health census of 18 sections of the city of Bo (selected via randomized cluster sampling from 68 total sections). Among the 3421 women with a history of pregnancy who participated in the study, older women most often reported having a history of both home and hospital deliveries, while younger women showed a preference for hospital births. The proportion of lastborn children delivered at a healthcare facility increased from 71.8% of offspring 10-14 years old to 81.1% of those one to nine years old and 87.3% of infants born after April 2010. These findings suggest that the new maternal healthcare initiative has accelerated an existing trend toward a preference for healthcare facility births, at least in some urban parts of Sierra Leone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: By using genome-wide methylation screening, the authors identified ring finger protein 180 ( RNF180) as preferentially methylated in cancer. This study was undertaken to clarify its structure and functional role in gastric cancer. METHODS: The transcription start site and core functional promoter region of RNF180 were revealed by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends and luciferase activity assays. Promoter methylation was detected by combined bisulfite restriction analysis and bisulfite genomic sequencing. Cell growth was detected by colony formation assay, apoptosis by annexin V assay, and RNF180 target genes by cDNA microarray. RESULTS: The authors revealed the transcription start site of RNF180 gene and identified the functional core promoter region (−202/+372) in the CpG island, which could be silenced by in vitro methylation assay. RNF180 was silenced in 6 of 7 gastric cancer cell lines and significantly down-regulated in primary gastric cancers compared with adjacent normal tissues ( P = .001). Loss of gene expression was associated with promoter methylation. Re-expression of RNF180 suppressed cell growth ( P < .001) and induced apoptosis ( P < .05), which were mediated by up-regulating the antiproliferation regulators MTSS1 and CDKN2A and the proapoptotic mediator TIMP3. Promoter methylation of RNF180 was detected in 76% (150 of 198) of primary gastric cancers and 55% (11 of 20) of intestinal metaplasia, but in none of 23 normal gastric tissues. Methylated RNF180 DNA was detected in the plasma of 56% of gastric cancer patients, but not in healthy controls ( P = .003). Patients with low or loss of RNF180 expression had significantly poorer overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: RNF180 is a novel potential tumor suppressor in gastric carcinogenesis and has potential clinical utility as a biomarker for gastric cancer patients. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the diversity of G and P genotypes of rotavirus strains in Burkinabe children were examined. Between November 2008 and February 2010, 447 stool samples were collected from children <5 years of age with acute diarrhea visiting hospital in Ouagadougou. Group A rotavirus was previously detected in 151/447 (33.8%) of the samples tested by an immunochromatographic test and these samples were now tested further for rotavirus G and P genotypes by RT-PCR. Of these, the rotavirus type genes were amplified by RT-PCR for 140/151 (92.7%) samples and G and P genotypes were successfully determined for 81 (57.9%) and 130 (92.9%) samples, respectively. The most prevalent G genotypes were G1, 34/140 (24.3%), and G9, 21/140 (15%), while the predominant P genotypes were P[6], 56/140 (40%), and P[8], 54/140 (38.6%). Among the single infections, 63/140 (45%), the predominant G/P combinations were: G1P[8] (33%), G9P[8] (29%), and G2P[6] (14%). The unusual strains G1P[9] (3%), G12P[6] (3%), G10P[6] (2%), and G2P[8] (2%) were also detected. In a high number of strains 61/140 (43.6%), the G genotype could not be determined and mixed infections were determined in 17/140 (12.1%) of strains identified. This study highlights the high diversity and presence of unusual rotavirus strains in children in Burkina Faso. J. Med. Virol. 83:1485-1490, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EZH2 is the histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferase of polycomb-repressive complex 2. It transcriptionally silences cohorts of developmental regulators in stem/progenitors and cancer cells. EZH2 is essential in maintaining stem cell identity by globally repressing differentiation programs. Analogously, it plays a key role in oncogenesis by targeting signaling molecules that control cell differentiation. Emerging data indicate that EZH2 promotes cancer formation and progression through epigenetic activation of oncogenic signaling cascades and inhibition of pro-differentiation pathways. Genome-wide mapping analysis has been expanding the repertoire of target genes and the associated signaling pathways regulated by EZH2. Better understanding of the molecular basis of such regulations in various cancer types will help establish EZH2-mediated epigenetic silencing as a therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed that conflict management affects organizations’ beliefs that they have an effective voice (procedural justice), have shared their benefits fairly (distributive justice), and are treated respectfully (interactional justice). Structural equation analysis results suggest that a cooperative approach to conflict facilitates justice in its 3 forms in organizational relationships, and that justice, in turn, results in partner strategic advantage and innovation. Results from a sample of 103 pairs of customer and supplier organizations in Shanghai were interpreted as providing support for the value of justice for collaborative work between organizations. The findings also suggest that a cooperative approach to managing conflict is an important antecedent to justice in organizational relationships in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reduced contractility due to dysregulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) is a common pathologic feature of chronic heart failure. Calcium stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum play a major role in regulating cardiac contractility. Several animal models of heart failure have been treated by altering the regulation of the sarcoplamic reticulum ATPase through ablation or down-regulation of its inhibitor peptide, phospholamban (PLN). Methods We have designed two small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) to block the synthesis of PLN via RNA interference. These were tested in cell culture using a co-transfection assay and using adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery to cardiomyocytes. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blots were used to measure reduction in PLN mRNA and protein levels. Reduction of PLN was also documented by indirect immunofluorescence. Free cytosolic calcium and contractile properties of transduced cardiomyocytes was examined on fura-2-loaded cells. Direct cardiac injection was used to deliver AAV1-shRNAs to mice, and reduction of PLN was measured by indirect immunofluorescence. Results Both siRNAs led to significant reduction of PLN RNA and protein levels in cultured cells. Down-regulation of PLN led to enhanced cell shortening and relaxation and to a decrease in the time constant of calcium decay, signs of improved contractility and calcium handling. In the hearts of AAV-infected mice, shRNA-transduced cells showed significant reduction in the level of PLN. Conclusions Our results suggest that AAV-delivered shRNAs mediated physiologically significant suppression of phospholamban that may be useful in combating the effects of chronic heart failure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chilling during male gametophyte development in rice inhibits development of microspores, causing male sterility. Changes in cellular ultrastructure that have been exposed to mild chilling include microspores with poor pollen wall formation, abnormal vacuolation and hypertrophy of the tapetum and unusual starch accumulation in the plastids of the endothecium in post-meiotic anthers. Anthers observed during tetrad release also have callose (1,3-β-glucan) wall abnormalities as shown by immunocytochemical labelling. Expression of rice anther specific monosaccharide transporter (OsMST8) is greatly affected by chilling treatment. Perturbed carbohydrate metabolism, which is particularly triggered by repressed genes OsINV4 and OsMST8 during chilling, causes unusual starch storage in the endothecium and this also contributes to other symptoms such as vacuolation and poor microspore wall formation. Premature callose breakdown apparently restricts the basic framework of the future pollen wall. Vacuolation and hypertrophy are also symptoms of osmotic imbalance triggered by the reabsorption of callose breakdown products due to absence of OsMST8 activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]