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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been shown to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and accumulate in human brain. The BBB transmission and accumulation efficiency of PFAS, as well as the potential health risks from human co-exposure to legacy and emerging PFAS due to differences in transport efficiency, need to be further elucidated. In the present pilot study, 23 plasma samples from glioma patients were analyzed for 17 PFAS. The concentrations of PFAS in six paired brain tissue and plasma samples were used to calculate the BBB transmission efficiency of PFAS (RPFAS). This RPFAS analysis was conducted with utmost care and consideration amid the limited availability of valuable paired samples. The results indicated that low molecular weight PFAS, including short-chain and emerging PFAS, may have a greater potential for accumulation in brain tissue than long-chain PFAS. As an alternative to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) exhibited brain accumulation potential similar to that of PFOS, suggesting it may not be a suitable substitute concerning health risk in brain. The BBB transmission efficiencies of perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOS, and 6:2 Cl-PFESA showed similar trends with age, which may be an important factor influencing the entry of exogenous compounds into the brain. A favorable link between perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) and the development and/or progression of glioma may be implicated by a strong positive correlation (r2 = 0.94; p

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of manual reduction combined with pedicle fixation through Wiltse paraspinal approach (WPA) in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Methods From May 2017 to May 2019, 48 thoracolumbar fractures patients without neurological symptoms were enrolled in this study. Forty‐eight patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the different surgical treatment. Group 1 was manual reduction combined with pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse paraspinal approach treatment group. Group 2 was pedicle screw fixation through traditional posterior approach treatment group. The operation time (OT), intraoperative blood loss (BL), postoperative drainage (PD), time of brace (TB) and the cobb angle recovery of the injured kyphosis in the prone position were obtained and compared between the two groups, respectively. Comparison of cobb angle changes, serum creatine kinase (CK) level, pain visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and multifidus cross‐sectional (MCS) area changes were achieved between the two groups, respectively. Results Forty‐eight patients were enrolled in this study and each group had 24 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in patient's age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). There were 20 males and four females in group 1. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of patients were 61.99 ± 11.00 years (range, 42–75 years), 175.21 ± 4.49 cm, 76.71 ± 4.87 kg, and 24.98 ± 1.03 kg/m2 in group 1, respectively. Group 2 had 18 males and six females, and the mean age, height, weight, and BMI of patients were 57.95 ± 9.22 years (range, 44–77 years), 176.37 ± 4.56 cm, 77.42 ± 4.61 kg, and 24.87 ± 1.10 kg/m2 in group 2, respectively. The mean bleeding volume of group 1 was significantly less than group 2 (64.13 ± 9.77 ml and 152.13 ± 10.73 ml, respectively) (P

L-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), which is used for treatment of mild and moderate acute ischemic stroke, exerts its effects by modulating the Nrf2 pathway. However, it has not been established whether NBP exerts its preventive effects in high-risk ischemic stroke patients through the Nrf2 pathway. We investigated whether NBP exerts its preventive effects through the Nrf2 pathway in long-term NBP pretreated dMCAO mice models. Nrf2+/+ wild-type and Nrf2−/− knockout mice were randomized into the vehicle group (equal volume vegetable oil), NBP-low-dose group (20 mg/kg) and NBP-high-dose group (60 mg/kg). The drug was administered once daily by gavage for a month. Then, a permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion model (dMCAO) was established after pretreatment with NBP. Neurological deficits, cerebral infarct volumes, brain water contents, activities of SOD, GSH-Px and MDA levels were determined. Further, axonal injury and demyelination, expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in ischemic brains were determined. Long-term NBP pretreatment significantly improved neurological functions, reduced cerebral infarction volumes, reduced brain water contents, increased SOD, GSH-Px activities, decreased MDA contents, reduced neurological injuries, axonal damage as well as demyelination, while increasing Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 mRNA as well as protein expressions in dMCAO mice models.

This study explores the influence mechanism of perceived servant leadership on innovative behavior among college students in Hebei Province, China, and the chain-mediating role of innovative atmosphere and innovative self-efficacy. This study adopts the questionnaire survey method and the convenience sampling method, and 478 college students are collected. The results show that the perception of servant leadership by college students in Hebei Province in China significantly positively affects innovative behavior; The innovative atmosphere and innovative self-efficacy mediate between college students' perceived servant leadership and innovative behavior.

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of educational choice on the intention to enter the examination, and the mediating role of career decision-making self-efficacy. A total of 1391 freshmen from six higher vocational colleges in Guangdong Province of China were investigated with Education Choices Scale, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale and Willingness to Apply Scale. The results showed that educational choice and career decision-making self-efficacy had significant effects on the willingness to apply. Career decision-making self-efficacy plays a mediating role in the significant positive impact of educational choice on the willingness to apply. Therefore, China's educational institutions and policy makers should focus on cultivating vocational students' career decision-making self-efficacy and improving their confidence and ability in career decision-making. To help students better understand their interests, values, and career goals, and to help students better understand the career fields they face professionally.

Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting specific mRNAs. However, the possible role of miRNAs in the ovary differentiation and development of fish is not well understood. In this study, we examined the expression profiles and differential expression of miRNAs during three key stages of ovarian development and different developmental stages in common carp Cyprinus carpio. Results A total of 8765 miRNAs were identified, including 2155 conserved miRNAs highly conserved among various species, 145 miRNAs registered in miRBase for common carp, and 6505 novel miRNAs identified in common carp for the first time. Comparison of miRNA expression profiles among the five libraries identified 714 co-expressed and 2382 specific expressed miRNAs. Overall, 150, 628, and 431 specifically expressed miRNAs were identified in primordial gonad, juvenile ovary, and adult ovary, respectively. MiR-6758-3p, miR-3050-5p, and miR-2985-3p were highly expressed in primordial gonad, miR-3544-5p, miR-6877-3p, and miR-9086-5p were highly expressed in juvenile ovary, and miR-154-3p, miR-5307-5p, and miR-3958-3p were highly expressed in adult ovary. Predicted target genes of specific miRNAs in primordial gonad were involved in many reproductive biology signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor-β, Wnt, oocyte meiosis, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Notch, p53, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathways. Target-gene prediction revealed upward trends in miRNAs targeting male-bias genes, including dmrt1, atm, gsdf, and sox9, and downward trends in miRNAs targeting female-bias genes including foxl2, smad3, and smad4. Other sex-related genes such as sf1 were also predicted to be miRNA target genes. Conclusions This comprehensive miRNA transcriptome analysis demonstrated differential expression profiles of miRNAs during ovary development in common carp. These results could facilitate future exploitation of the sex-regulatory roles and mechanisms of miRNAs, especially in primordial gonads, while the specifically expressed miRNAs represent candidates for studying the mechanisms of ovary determination in Yellow River carp.

The number of graduates from China's higher vocational colleges and universities is increasing, and making wise career decisions plays a key role in students' career development. This study is based on the conceptual framework of the Career Self-Management Model of the Social Cognitive Career Theory. This study constructed a model that can improve the quality of career decision-making among college students in higher vocational institutions and explores the effects of career values, career decision self-efficacy, and career goals on career decision-making. Questionnaire data from 654 students attending higher education institutions in China were used. The results showed that both career values and career decision self-efficacy had significant positive effects on career decisions. Moreover, both career decision self-efficacy and career goals played a mediating role. The results demonstrate the applicability of the Career Self-Management Model conceptual framework to the study of career decision-making among college students attending higher education institutions.

Background/Aims Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) is a promising endoscopic intervention for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the effect of ARMA on esophageal motility remains unclear. Methods Twenty patients with PPI-dependent GERD receiving ARMA were prospectively enrolled. Comprehensive self-report symptom questionnaires, endoscopy, 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring, and high-resolution impedance manometry were performed and analyzed before and 3 months after ARMA. Results All ARMA procedures were performed successfully. Symptom scores, including GerdQ (11.16 ± 2.67 to 9.11 ± 2.64, P = 0.026) and reflux symptom index (11.63 ± 5.62 to 6.11 ± 3.86, P = 0.001), improved significantly, while 13 patients (65%) reported discontinuation of PPI. Total acid exposure time (5.84 ± 4.63% to 2.83 ± 3.41%, P = 0.024) and number of reflux episodes (73.05 ± 19.34 to 37.55 ± 22.71, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after ARMA. Improved esophagogastric junction (EGJ) barrier function, including increased lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (13.89 ± 10.78 mmHg to 21.68 ± 11.5 mmHg, P = 0.034), 4-second integrated relaxation pressure (5.75 ± 6.42 mmHg to 9.99 ± 5.89 mmHg, P = 0.020), and EGJ-contractile integral (16.42 ± 16.93 mmHg·cm to 31.95 ± 21.25 mmHg·cm, P = 0.016), were observed. Esophageal body contractility also increased significantly (distal contractile integral, 966.85 ± 845.84 mmHg·s·cm to 1198.8 ± 811.74 mmHg·s·cm, P = 0.023). Patients with symptom improvement had better pre-AMRA esophageal body contractility. Conclusions ARMA effectively improves symptoms and reflux burden, EGJ barrier function, and esophageal body contractility in patients with PPIdependent GERD during short-term evaluation. Longer follow-up to clarify the sustainability of ARMA is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]