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IntroductionThere have been studies indicating that children’s unsociability was associated with poorer socio-emotional functioning in China. Although some researchers have found that parenting behavior would influence the relationship between children’s unsociability and adjustment, the role of parental psychological control has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of parental psychological control on the relationship between unsociability and socio-emotional functioning in Chinese children.MethodsA total of 1,275 students from Grades 3 to 7 (637 boys, Mage = 10.78 years, SD = 1.55 years) were selected from four public schools in Shanghai to participate in this study. Data of unsociability, peer victimization and social preference were collected from peer-nominations, and data of parental psychological control, depressive symptoms and social anxiety were collected from self-reports.ResultsThere were positive associations between unsociability and peer victimization, depressive symptoms, and social anxiety, as well as a negative association between unsociability and social preference. Parental psychological control moderated these associations, specifically, the associations between unsociability and peer victimization, social preference, and depressive symptoms were stronger, and the association between unsociability and social anxiety was only significant among children with higher level of parental psychological control.DiscussionThe findings in the current study highlight the importance of parental psychological control in the socio-emotional functioning of unsociable children in the Chinese context, enlightening educators that improving parenting behavior is essential for children’s development.

ObjectivesThe goal of the present study was to examine the moderating effect of classroom sociable norm on the relations between unsociability and internalizing problems (the indicators included depression, loneliness and self-esteem) in Chinese adolescents.MethodsParticipants were N = 1,160 adolescents in Grade 4–8 from Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. They completed questionnaires about unsociability, sociability, and social preference via peer nominations, while depression, loneliness, and self-esteem were collected via self-report.ResultsIt was found that unsociability was positively associated with depression and loneliness, and negatively associated with self-esteem. Moreover, the relations between unsociability and indicators of internalizing problems were moderated by classroom sociable norm. More specifically, the significant positive associations between unsociability and depression and loneliness were stronger in classrooms with high sociable norm, and the negative association between unsociability and self-esteem was only significant in such classrooms.ConclusionThe findings suggest that classroom sociable norm plays an important role in unsociable adolescents’ psychological adjustment in China. Researchers should focus more on the influence of classroom environment on adolescents’ development in future.

Overexposure to antibiotics originating in wastewater has profound environmental and health implications. Conventional treatment methods are not fully effective in removing certain antibiotics, such as the commonly used antibiotic, tetracycline, leading to its accumulation in water catchments. Alternative antibiotic removal strategies are garnering attention, including sonocatalytic oxidative processes. In this work, we investigated the degradation of tetracycline using a combination of TiO2 fractured nanoshells (TFNs) and an advanced sonochemical reactor design. The study encompassed an examination of multiple process parameters to understand their effects on the degradation of tetracycline. These included tetracycline adsorption on TFNs, reaction time, initial tetracycline concentration, solvent pH, acoustic pressure amplitude, number of acoustic cycles, catalyst dosage, TFNs' reusability, and the impact of adjuvants such as light and H2O2. Though TFNs adsorbed tetracycline, the addition of ultrasound was able to degrade tetracycline completely (with 100% degradation) within six minutes. Under the optimal operating conditions, the proposed sonocatalytic system consumed 80% less energy compared to the values reported in recently published sonocatalytic research. It also had the lowest CO2 footprint when compared to the other sono-/photo-based technologies. This study suggests that optimizing the reaction system and operating the reaction under low power and at a lower duty cycle are effective in achieving efficient cavitation for sonocatalytic reactions.

Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic, caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, has seriously threatened human life and security in recent years and has had a serious impact on economic development. A range of strategies, including antibodies, small‐molecule agents and vaccines, have been developed and widely used to combat SARS‐CoV‐2. However, the uncertain development and susceptibility to mutation of SARS‐CoV‐2 pose challenges to these approaches, making it necessary to develop a broader range of strategies to complement and expand the diversity of attacks against SARS‐CoV‐2. As promising tools against SARS‐CoV‐2, aptamers have attracted wide attention due to their unique molecular properties. In this review, we survey SARS‐CoV‐2 aptamers and aptamer‐based detection tools as well as aptamer‐based therapeutics. In addition, we analyze the potential value of aptamers in the investigation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection mechanism and vaccine design. Finally, we look forward to the future development direction of aptamers against SARS‐CoV‐2 or other viruses.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive disease. The commonly used drugs for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis can only delay the damage of lung function but cannot prolong the life of patients. Atractylodin (ATR), a kind of herbal medicine that has been proven to protect anti-inflammation and attenuate acute lung injury, was investigated to determine whether it could provide a new idea for the treatment of IPF by reducing the inflammatory reaction and collagen formation in the process of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: In vivo experiments, mice were divided into 6 groups, normal group, model, drug group (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg) and positive control group (pirfenidone). Mice were given BLM through trachea, and after 24 h, normal saline, different concentrations of atractylodin and pirfenidone were given respectively. On 7 days, 14 days and 21 days, the weight, lung function, alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were tested. In vitro experiments to investigate the effect of atractylodin on fibroses, NIH3T3 cells were induced by TGF-β1 to detect the formation of cellular collagen and the phosphorylation level of Smad2/3 at different time points after their fibrosis. Results: The results showed that atractylodin could alleviate the lung function damage (FVC, FEV100, Tidal volume, tissue elastance) caused by BLM, reduce the inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), neutrophils and macrophage infiltration in the alveolar lavage fluid, as well as the formation and deposition of collagen (fibronectin, α-SMA, ColA1). In vitro studies have demonstrated that atractylodin can alleviate TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Conclusion: Atractylodin can alleviate the lung function damage and attenuate pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM through inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. This may provide new ideas for the treatment of IPF.

Jujube residue is an abundant and low-cost dietary fiber resource, but its relatively lower hydration and functional properties limit its utilization as an ingredient of functional food. Thus, cellulase and hemicellulase hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by phosphate grafting (EPG), and enzymatic hydrolysis assisted by acrylate grafting (EAG) were used to improve the functional properties of jujube residue dietary fiber (JRDF) in this study. The results evidenced that these modifications all increased the porosity of the microstructure of JRDF and increased the soluble fiber content, surface area, and hydration properties, but reduced its brightness (p < 0.05). Moreover, JRDF modified by enzymolysis combined with acrylate grafting offered the highest extractable polyphenol content, oil, sodium cholate, and nitrite ion sorption abilities. Meanwhile, JRDF modified via enzymolysis assisted by phosphate grafting showed the highest soluble fiber content (23.53 g∙100 g−1), water-retention ability (12.84 g∙g−1), viscosity (9.37 cP), water-swelling volume (10.80 mL∙g−1), and sorption ability of copper (II) and lead (II) ions. Alternatively, JRDF modified with cellulase hydrolysis alone exhibited the highest glucose adsorption capacity (21.9 g∙100 g−1) at pH 7.0. These results indicate that EPG is an effective way to improve the hypolipidemic effects of JRDF, while EAG is a good choice to enhance its hydration and hypoglycemic properties.

Abstract In this work, we synthesized an ionic liquid (IL)—(Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate maleate ([DMAEMA]MA) as the crosslinker, through one-pot to synthesized hydrogels with high adsorption capacity for dye in water. Both anionic dyes (methylene blue, rhodamine B) and cationic dyes (congo red, eosin B) could be adsorbed by this type of hydrogel with different adsorption mechanism, and its adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RHB), congo red (CR), eosin B (EB) were 489.1, 463.2, 465.5 and 462 mg/g (amount of dye adsorbed per gram of hydrogel), respectively. The surface structure of the hydrogel before and after adsorption was observed and compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM). After studying the adsorption isotherms of the hydrogel adsorbent, it was found that the hydrogel adsorbent had two adsorption mechanisms. This was not found in reported literatures previously.

Pork makes up the highest proportion of household expenditure on meat in China and supply and demand have been basically stable in the past decade. However, the catastrophic outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in August 2018 disrupted the balance and reduced the national herd by half within six months. The consequence was a gross lack of supply to the market and consumer demand was unable to be met. Accordingly, live pig prices rose sharply from 2019. In order to assess the influence of ASF on the price of the live pigs, we use a price function to characterize the relationship between price of the live pigs and the nation's pig stock, and then establish a time delay ASF epidemic dynamical model with the price function. By analyzing the dynamical behaviors of the model, we calculate the basic reproductive number, discuss the stability of equilibrium, and obtain the critical conditions for Hopf bifurcation. The model reasonableness is confirmed by carrying out data fitting and parameter estimation based on price data of the live pigs, the pig stock data and the outbreak data of ASF. By performing sensitivity analysis, we intuitively show the impact of ASF on the price of live pigs and the pig stocks, and assess the key factors affecting the outbreak of ASF. The conclusion is drawn that, with the control measures adopted by related government department in China, the basic reproductive number ($ R_0 = 0.6005 $) means that the ASF epidemic has been controlled. Moreover, the price of the live pig increases linearly with $ R_0 $, while the effect of the number of infected pigs on the subsequent price is non-linear related. Our findings suggest that society and the government should pay more attention to the prevention of animal disease epidemics.

Ammonia is one of the most important toxic metabolites in the intestine of animals. It can cause intestinal damage and associated intestinal diseases through different endogenous or exogenous stimuli. However, the definition of harmful ammonia concentration and the molecular mechanism of ammonia - induced intestinal epithelial injury remain unclear. In this study, we found that the viability of porcine IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells significantly decreased with the increase of NH4Cl dose (20–80 mM). Ammonia (40 mM NH4Cl) increased the expression level of ammonia transporter RHCG and disrupted the intestinal barrier function of IPEC-J2 cells by reducing the expression levels of the tight junction molecules ZO-1 and Claudin-1. Ammonia caused elevated levels of ROS and apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cells. This was manifested by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GPx, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration. In addition, the expression levels of apoptosis-related molecules Caspase-9, Caspase-3, Fas, Caspase-8, p53 and Bax were increased, the expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 was decreased. Moreover, the antioxidant NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteamine) effectively alleviated ammonia-induced cytotoxicity, reduced ROS level, Ca2+ concentration, and the apoptosis of IPEC-J2 cells. The results suggest that ammonia-induced excess ROS triggered apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway, death receptor pathway and DNA damage. This study can provide reference and theoretical basis for the definition of harmful ammonia concentration in pig intestine and the effect and mechanism of ammonia on pig intestinal health.

Objectives Gut microbiota and dysbiosis are closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. It is necessary to popularize gut microbiota-related knowledge to the public. And the instant messaging client on smartphones supplies a perfect tool to achieve this goal. Hence, we will describe the current status of gut microbiota education spread by WeChat official accounts. Methods The keywords of “gut microbiota,” “fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT),” and “probiotics” were searched in the articles published from January 2015 to August 2020 on the WeChat official accounts. And the data were analyzed based on the 10 common gut dysbiosis-related diseases. Results A total of 3061 WeChat official accounts have published 11,239 articles on gut microbiota dysbiosis-related diseases, with a rising trend in the total article numbers and the total pageviews. The keywords of “gut microbiota” dominate 50.61%, and the articles on inflammatory bowel disease had the largest proportion. Additionally, articles on the keyword “gut microbiota” also included cancer and obesity, articles on the keyword “FMT” mainly consist of Clostridium difficile infection and psychological disease, and the keyword “probiotics” was mainly related to obesity and irritable bowel syndrome disease. The top three total pageviews were on inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and cancer. Conclusion This study indicates the current research hotspots and public concerns on the gut microbiota, and WeChat as an instant messaging client plays an important role in promoting the scientific popularization of gut microbiota.

Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) plays a critical role in the carbon and biogeochemical cycles within aquatic ecosystems. Satellite imagery can be employed to determine aquatic CDOM concentrations, highlighting the need for effective and precise algorithms for this task. In this study, a cruise survey dataset containing CDOM absorption coefficients and water-leaving radiances in the Pearl River estuary (PRE) was utilized to develop machine learning algorithms for CDOM retrieval from Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) observations. Based on OLI wavelength bands, five bands and six band-ratios were chosen as input parameters for the machine learning models. Six machine learning models were trained to develop CDOM algorithms, including Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The results indicated that, among the six machine learning models, the XGBoost algorithm performed best, with the highest R2 value of 0.9 and the lowest CDOM root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.37 m−1, outperforming empirical algorithms. The XGBoost algorithm identified B4/B1 as the most critical input parameter, contributing 71%, followed by B3/B2 with a 16% contribution, where B1, B2, B3, and B4 are the wavelength bands of the OLI. These two band-ratios accounted for most of the contributions, suggesting their significant role in CDOM retrieval from Landsat OLI images. By employing the developed XGBoost algorithm, CDOM spatial patterns at six instances were derived from Landsat-8 OLI image reflectance, illustrating CDOM variations in the PRE influenced by various factors. Further analysis revealed that, in the PRE, tides and winds are the primary driving forces behind the spatial and temporal variability of CDOM. At present, the exploration of employing machine learning algorithms to infer CDOM concentrations in this region remains relatively limited; therefore, with a higher R2 value, the machine learning model we established unveils fresh and novel results.

SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections have been reported because of the reduced efficacy of vaccines against the emerging variants globally. However, an accurate model to predict SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection is still lacking. In this retrospective study, 6,189 vaccinated individuals, consisting of SARS-CoV-2 test-positive cases (n = 219) and test-negative controls (n = 5970) during the outbreak of the Delta variant in September 2021 in Xiamen and Putian cities, Fujian province of China, were included. The vaccinated individuals were randomly split into a training (70%) cohort and a validation (30%) cohort. In the training cohort, a visualized nomogram was built based on the stepwise multivariate logistic regression. The area under the curve (AUC) of the nomogram in the training and validation cohorts was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.780–0.858) and 0.838 (95% CI, 0.778–0.897). The calibration curves for the probability of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection showed optimal agreement between prediction by nomogram and actual observation. Decision curves indicated that nomogram conferred high clinical net benefit. In conclusion, a nomogram model for predicting SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection based on the real-world setting was successfully constructed, which will be helpful in the management of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection.