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BackgroundMany children aged younger than 5 years living in low- and middle-income countries are at risk for poor development. Early child development (ECD) programs are cost-effective strategies to reduce poverty, crime, school dropouts, and socioeconomic inequality. With the spread of low-cost mobile phones and internet access in low- and middle-income countries, new service delivery models such as mobile phone–aided interventions have a great potential to improve early childhood development. ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the beliefs on importance of ECD, feasibility of a proposed intervention using mobile phones and factors that may affect the usability of the intervention among mothers of newborns in a poverty-stricken area in southwestern China. MethodsWe conducted an in-depth, semistructured interview study of 25 low-income mothers of newborns recruited from two county hospitals in Yunnan Province. We applied the health belief model and cultural competence theories to identify the facilitators, barriers, and preferences among the target population for parenting knowledge. ResultsThe results showed that the participants had low health literacy and high perceived needs for learning ECD knowledge. At the same time, they experienced several barriers to learning parenting information and following evidence-based instructions including having limited time, limited financial resources, and different opinions on childcare among family members. Many participants preferred to receive personalized messages tailored to their specific needs and preferred videos or graphics to text only in the messages. Many favored a separate module to support postpartum mental health. ConclusionsThe study assessed the acceptability of an early childhood intervention using mobile phones to meet the needs of the target population based on their beliefs, traits, and preferences and provided suggestions to refine the intervention to improve its usability.

Abstract Reductive amination by amine dehydrogenases is a green and sustainable process that produces only water as the by-product. In this study, a continuous flow process was designed utilizing a packed bed reactor filled with co-immobilized amine dehydrogenase wh84 and glucose dehydrogenase for the highly efficient biocatalytic synthesis of chiral amino alcohols. The immobilized amine dehydrogenase wh84 exhibited better thermo-, pH and solvent stability with high activity recovery. (S)-2-aminobutan-1-ol was produced in up to 99% conversion and 99% ee in the continuous flow processes, and the space-time yields were up to 124.5 g L-1 d-1. The continuous reactions were also extended to 48 h affording up to 91.8% average conversions. This study showcased the important potential to sustainable production of chiral amino alcohols in continuous flow processes.

As students transition from high school to college, their abilities to adapt and adjust are put to the test. This study examines the outcomes of a multi-stage study abroad program targeting first-year college students. The authors investigated student intercultural competence levels prior to matriculation, their development while abroad, and their continued expansion by means of a post-travel, on-campus component. Mixed-methods data collection and analyses indicated that students gained significant intercultural competence development through participating in a short-term overseas experience, which stretched into their transition to college life. This research contributes to the study abroad and intercultural learning literature by investigating the effect of an innovative program model and the understudied population of pre-freshman students. The findings provide practical implications for designing and assessing intercultural programing overseas and on campus.

Intercultural competence (ICC) is increasingly important for healthcare professionals, and study abroad (SA) programs have been one mechanism to increase students' ICC. With SA programs being cancelled due to the pandemic, and qualitative literature supporting virtual intercultural learning (ICL), the purpose of this paper is to describe a novel approach towards "study abroad" without traveling abroad and evaluate participant gains in ICC with a virtual international ICL experience embedded into a graduate level pediatric audiology course. Nine U.S students and ten students at a partner institution in India were enrolled in the course. Comparison of pre- and post-IDI® scores showed a significant increase in ICC in both groups of participants. The increase in the group mean score for the U.S. students was substantially higher than the group mean score increases in SA students from the same institution. Qualitative reflections support the quantitative data. Overall, results indicate that embedding virtual international ICL activities in a course can be an effective mechanism to enhance ICC, both for U.S. students without traveling abroad, and for the overseas partner students, indicating that the program was mutually beneficial.

The purpose of the study was to develop tailored messages for improving mental health and adjustment of Asian international students (AISs) in the United States. The PEN-3 cultural model was used to contextualize the role of culture in mental health needs of AISs. Applying a mixed method approach, the study developed messages through a multistep participatory process consisting of three focus groups (n = 15 participants), 13 individual interviews, one expert consultation, and an online survey (n = 85 responses). Data analysis led to the development of seven broad themes with seven tailored messages under each theme, including increasing the awareness of mental health and reducing stigma; motivational quotes; available and accessible resources for AISs to improve mental health; seeking help from social network and developing interpersonal skills; adjusting to American culture and college life; coping strategies to reduce stress and improve mental health and adjustment; and safety issues. The implications for culturally responsive programs are discussed.

Participation in intensive, immersive, service-learning study abroad programs with intentional intercultural activities embedded in the course curriculum has been shown to enhance cultural competence as measured via the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI®) (Krishnan, Masters, Holgate, Wang & Calahan, 2017; Krishnan, Lin & Benson, 2020). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative impact of embedding intercultural learning activities on students' intercultural competence when included in an on-campus course compared to a study abroad program. The intervention group consisted of 34 students enrolled in the on-campus course which incorporated intentional intercultural activities. Forty-one students who did not take the course comprised the control group. Comparison of the pre- and post-IDI® scores showed a significant increase in intercultural competence in the intervention group and no change in score in the control group participants. Qualitative data supported these findings. The increase in group mean score is slightly lower than group mean score increases in study-abroad students. Results indicate that incorporating intentional intercultural learning activities in an on-campus course can be an effective mechanism for students to enhance intercultural competence without travelling abroad.

The role of Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in tumor progression has been gradually clarified in different kinds of solid tumors. Hence, we aim to elucidate its prognostic value for glioma. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data combined with corresponding clinical information obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired based on CHI3L1 expression profiles and were used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression methods, along with a nomogram, were employed to establish a predictive model. Compared with the corresponding non-tumor tissues, CHI3L1 expression was significantly upregulated in various types of solid tumors, correlating with poor clinical outcomes including glioma. GO analysis identified oxidative stress-related genes (ORGs) that were differentially expressed and modulated by CHI3L1, with 11 genes subsequently identified as potential predictors, using Univariate-Cox regression and LASSO regression. In addition, an index of oxidative stress-related genes (ORGI) was established, demonstrating its prognostic value in conjunction with CHI3L1 expression. The aberrant expression of CHI3L1 was proved in glioma patients through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Meanwhile, the knockdown of CHI3L1 inhibited glioma growth in vitro, and real-time Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed decreased ORG expression upon CHI3L1 knockdown, suggesting the potential prognostic value of CHI3L1 as a therapeutic target for glioma.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe neurological condition characterized by inflammation in the central nervous system. SERPINA3 has garnered attention as a potential biomarker for assessing this inflammation. Our study aimed to explore the predictive value of postoperative serum SERPINA3 levels in identifying the risk of cerebral edema and its prognostic implications in TBI. This study is a prospective observational study, including 37 patients with TBI who finally met our criteria. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Levels of Cognitive Functioning (LCF), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and Early Rehabilitation Barthel Index (ERBI) scores at six months after trauma were defined as the main study endpoint. We further calculated the ventricle-to-intracranial-volume ratio (VBR) at 6 months from CT scans. The study included patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores ranging from 3 to 8, who were subsequently categorized into two groups: the critical TBI group (GCS 3–5 points) and the severe TBI group (GCS 6–8 points). Within the critical TBI group, SERPINA3 levels were notably lower. However, among patients with elevated SERPINA3 levels, both the peak intracranial pressure (ICP) and average mannitol consumption were significantly reduced compared with those of patients with lower SERPINA3 levels. In terms of the 6-month outcomes measured via the GOS, LCF, DRS, and ERBI, lower levels of SERPINA3 were indicative of poorer prognosis. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between serum SERPINA3 levels and the VBR. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the predictive performance of SERPINA3. In conclusion, incorporating the novel biomarker SERPINA3 alongside traditional assessment tools offers neurosurgeons an effective and easily accessible means, which is readily accessible early on, to predict the risk of intracranial pressure elevation and long-term prognosis in TBI patients.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder associated with a loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra. The diagnosis of PD is sensitive since it shows clinical features that are common with other neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, most symptoms arise at the late stage of the disease, where most dopaminergic neurons are already damaged. Several studies reported that oxidative stress is a key modulator in the development of PD. This condition occurs due to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the cellular system and the incapability of antioxidants to neutralize it. In this study, we focused on the pathology of PD by measuring serum xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, which is an enzyme that generates ROS. Interestingly, the serum XO activity of patients with PD was markedly upregulated compared to patients with other neurological diseases (ONDs) as a control. Moreover, serum XO activity in patients with PD showed a significant correlation with the disease severity based on the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages. The investigation of antioxidant status also revealed that serum uric acid levels were significantly lower in the severe group (HY ≥ 3) than in the ONDs group. Together, these results suggest that XO activity may contribute to the development of PD and might potentially be a biomarker for determining disease severity in patients with PD.

Abstract China has implemented a series of long-term measures to control the spread of COVID-19, however, the effects of these measures on other chronic and acute respiratory infectious diseases remain unclear. Tuberculosis (TB) and scarlet fever (SF) serve as representatives of chronic and acute respiratory infectious diseases, respectively. In China’s Guizhou province, an area with a high prevalence of TB and SF, approximately 40,000 TB cases and hundreds of SF cases are reported annually. To assess the impact of COVID-19 prevention and control on TB and SF in Guizhou, the exponential smoothing method was employed to establish a prediction model for analyzing the influence of COVID-19 prevention and control on the number of TB and SF cases. Additionally, spatial aggregation analysis was utilized to describe spatial changes in TB and SF before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The parameters of the TB and SF prediction models are R2 = 0.856, BIC = 10.972 and R2 = 0.714, BIC = 5.325, respectively. TB and SF cases declined rapidly at the onset of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, with the number of SF cases decreasing for about 3–6 months and the number of TB cases remaining in decline for 7 months after the 11th month. The spatial aggregation of TB and SF did not change significantly before and after the COVID-19 outbreak but exhibited a marked decrease. These findings suggest that China’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures also reduced the prevalence of TB and SF in Guizhou. These measures may have a long-term positive impact on TB, but a short-term effect on SF. Areas with high TB prevalence may continue to experience a decline due to the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in the future.

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are the most critical grain storage proteins that determine the unique processing qualities of wheat. Although it is a part of the superior HMW-GS pair (Dx5+Dy10), the contribution of the Dy10 subunit to wheat processing quality remains unclear. In this study, we elucidated the effect of Dy10 on wheat processing quality by generating and analyzing a deletion mutant (with the Dy10-null allele), and by elucidating the changes to wheat flour following the incorporation of purified Dy10. The Dy10-null allele was transcribed normally, but the Dy10 subunit was lacking. These findings implied that the Dy10-null allele reduced the glutenin:gliadin ratio and negatively affected dough strength (i.e., Zeleny sedimentation value, gluten index, and dough development and stability times) and the bread-making quality; however, it positively affected the biscuit-making quality. The incorporation of various amounts of purified Dy10 into wheat flour had a detrimental effect on biscuit-making quality. The results of this study demonstrate that the Dy10 subunit is essential for maintaining wheat dough strength. Furthermore, the Dy10-null allele may be exploited by soft wheat breeding programs.

Background: Living-learning communities and global or diversity learning experiences have been identified as educational practices which often have a "high impact" on student success, as well as providing interpersonal competencies that are greatly valued by employers. Even without a specific intercultural or diversity component, living-learning communities would seem to offer rich settings for the development of the ability to work effectively across cultural difference. Yet intercultural learning outcomes are rarely assessed outside the domain of study abroad or diversity training programs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a "global science" living-learning community can increase the intercultural competence of first year international and domestic students, as measured by a well-known quantitative instrument, the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Results: In the first 2 years of the study, the intercultural learning content focused primarily on 'dealing effectively with difference' and produced minimal mean gains in intercultural competence. Examination of qualitative data from these experiences (using a well-known rubric to frame the analysis) as well as a review of the literature around intercultural learning (principally in study abroad contexts) suggested that focusing on similarity and self-awareness, coupled with individualized feedback, was likely to be a more appropriate pedagogy for students' competency development. Following the curriculum revision, 2 years worth of participants exhibited much higher mean gains in IDI scores, as well as higher rates of shifting to a new stage of effectiveness by semester's end. Conclusions: This study contributes to the STEM education literature by attempting to apply several years of research findings about effective intercultural competence development, principally from study abroad programs, to STEM education in on-campus contexts. In so doing, it has implications for how STEM educators can more effectively work towards cultivating global-ready STEM graduates, and towards reaching STEM students who, for whatever reason, do not typically participate in study abroad.

Abstract Background Calcium ions (Ca2+), secondary messengers, are crucial for the signal transduction process of the interaction between plants and pathogens. Ca2+ signaling also regulates autophagy. As plant calcium signal-decoding proteins, calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) have been found to be involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, information on their functions in response to powdery mildew attack in wheat crops is limited. Result In the present study, the expression levels of TaCDPK27, four essential autophagy-related genes (ATGs) (TaATG5, TaATG7, TaATG8, and TaATG10), and two major metacaspase genes, namely, TaMCA1 and TaMCA9, were increased by powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Bgt) infection in wheat seedling leaves. Silencing TaCDPK27 improves wheat seedling resistance to powdery mildew, with fewer Bgt hyphae occurring on TaCDPK27-silenced wheat seedling leaves than on normal seedlings. In wheat seedling leaves under powdery mildew infection, silencing TaCDPK27 induced excess contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS); decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT); and led to an increase in programmed cell death (PCD). Silencing TaCDPK27 also inhibited autophagy in wheat seedling leaves, and silencing TaATG7 also enhanced wheat seedling resistance to powdery mildew infection. TaCDPK27-mCherry and GFP-TaATG8h colocalized in wheat protoplasts. Overexpressed TaCDPK27-mCherry fusions required enhanced autophagy activity in wheat protoplast under carbon starvation. Conclusion These results suggested that TaCDPK27 negatively regulates wheat resistance to PW infection, and functionally links with autophagy in wheat.

The multi-component pharmacokinetic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is vital to clarify the theory and mechanism of TCM. Based on information of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion dynamic changes for active components of TCM in vivo, the material basis for the safety and efficacy can be elucidated via combination with pharmacodynamics. However, due to the complexity and diversity of TCM components, and their complicated and unclear interactions with biological system, there are many bottleneck problems for the multi-component pharmacokinetics of TCM, such as the numerous chemical composition and diverse metabolic reaction make it difficult to identify their structures and interpret metabolic pathway in vivo; and unclear active components, low concentrations of target components in biological samples, endogenous interferences from matrix and lack of authentic standards bring difficulties to establish qualitative and quantitative methods. In recent years, the pretreatment methods for biological samples have been well developed. The separation and extraction efficiency for multi-component of TCM in vivo and in vitro have been significantly improved using various high-throughput, fast and automated pretreatment techniques. The development of chromatography and mass spectrometry promotes the rapid comprehensive and accurate discovery and quantification for multi-component of TCM. Novel analytical methods such as mass spectrometry imaging was used to provide new strategies for multi-component pharmacokinetics of TCM. In this paper, the development and application of analytical techniques for multi-component pharmacokinetic of TCM in the past 10 years were summarized, and a brief perspective was discussed. Firstly, the pretreatment of biological sample was introduced, the advantages and disadvantages of some usual sample pretreatment methods were compared such as protein precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, microextraction, microdialysis. The applications of these different pretreatment techniques in the pharmacokinetics research of TCM were interviewed. Then, the principles and developments of different chromatographic techniques including high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography used in multi-component pharmacokinetic of TCM were introduced. Finally, the mass spectrometry ionization techniques were summarized and discussed including electrospray ionization and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for liquid chromatography, electron impact and chemical ionization for gas chromatography, desorption electrospray ionization, direct analysis in real time, mass spectrometry imaging.