Causal relationship between physical activity and scoliosis: A Mendelian randomization study.

Scoliosis, marked by abnormal spinal curvature, is common in adolescents and can lead to chronic pain and reduced quality of life. The relationship between physical activity and scoliosis is debated. In this study, we aim to investigate the causal relationship between physical activity levels and idiopathic scoliosis risk using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Corrigendum: Outcomes of olecranon fractures in adolescents: comparison of tension band wiring and Herbert screw fixations.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.

Integrated DNA methylation analysis of peripheral blood from asbestos exposed populations and patients with malignant mesothelioma reveals novel methylation driver genes of diagnostic and prognostic relevance.

Effective biomarkers are paramount importance for the early detection and prognosis prediction of malignant mesothelioma (MM) which mainly caused by asbestos exposure, and DNA methylation has been demonstrated to be a potentially powerful diagnostic tool. To elucidate the relationship between asbestos exposure and alterations in DNA methylation patterns, as well as the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of differentially methylated regions and CpG sites (DMRs/DMCs) in the progression of MM. The current study employed reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to examine the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the peripheral blood of individuals exposed to asbestos and those diagnosed with MM, in comparison to the controls, and DMRs/DMCs were subsequently validated by targeted bisulfite sequencing (TBS).

The effect of the nucleolar protein ZNF385A on the ribosomal DNA copy number variation in response to Cr(VI)-induced DNA damage.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a widely distributed carcinogen in industrial contexts and general environmental contexts. Emerging research highlights the central role of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in DNA Damage Responses (DDRs). However, there remains a lack of investigation into the potential dose-dependent relationship between exposure to Cr(VI) and alterations in rDNA copy number (CN), as well as the related mechanisms underlying these effects.

Carbon metabolism mechanisms and evolution characteristics analysis of the food-water-energy nexus system under blue-green infrastructure changes.

Food, water, and energy comprise a complex system (FWE nexus) that generates much carbon emissions during operation. At the same time, urban blue-green infrastructure (BGI) has a critical carbon sequestration function. This paper combines the functions of the FWE nexus and BGI and uses ecological network analysis (ENA) and the Markov model to measure the carbon metabolism (CM) mechanisms and evolutionary characteristics of BGI and FWE nexus (BGI-FWE nexus) complex systems.

Cr (VI)-induced ribosomal DNA copy number variation is associated with semen quality impairment: Evidence from human to animal study.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the possible role of rDNA copy number variation in the association between hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] exposure and semen quality in semen donors and further confirm this association in mice.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, whole blood and semen samples were collected from 155 semen donors in the Zhejiang Human Sperm Bank from January 1st to April 31st, 2021. Adult C57BL/6 J male mice were treated with different doses of Cr (VI) (0, 10, or 15 mg/kg b.

Exosomal proteomics and cytokine analysis distinguish silicosis cases from controls.

Occupational silica exposure caused a serious disease burden of silicosis. There is currently a lack of sensitive and effective biomarkers for silicosis, and the pathogenesis of silicosis is unclear. Exosomes were significant in the pathogenesis of silicosis, and our study was carried out from exosomal proteomics and cytokine analysis.

Relationships among gut microbiota, plasma metabolites, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a mediation Mendelian randomization study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and to identify and quantify the potential role of plasma metabolites as mediators.

Methods: Using summary-level data from genome-wide association studies, a two-sample Mendelian randomization was conducted involving 131 gut microbiota genus, 1,400 plasma metabolites, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Additionally, a two-step approach was employed to quantify the proportion of the effect of gut microbiota on juvenile idiopathic arthritis mediated by plasma metabolites.

Effects of the SEMA4B gene on hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-induced malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells.

Our previous study identified the potential of SEMA4B methylation level as a biomarker for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] exposure. This study aimed to investigate the role of the SEMA4B gene in Cr(VI)-mediated malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. In our population survey of workers, the geometric mean [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of Cr in blood was 3.

Aminopeptidase O Protein mediates the association between and appendicular lean mass.

Objective: Investigating the causal relationship between and Appendicular lean mass (ALM) and identifying and quantifying the role of Aminopeptidase O Protein (AOPEP) as a potential mediator.

Methods: The summary statistics data of gut microbiota composition from the largest available genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis conducted by the MiBioGen Consortium ( = 13,266). Appendicular lean mass data were obtained from the UK-Biobank ( = 450,243).

Influence of dextrans on the textural, rheological, and microstructural properties of acid-induced faba bean protein gels.

Dextrans (DXs) are a group of natural polysaccharides with different branching patterns. Previous studies examining the effects of DXs on plant protein gels have only focused on α-(1 → 3)-branched DXs. Here, we compared the effects of α-(1 → 3)-branched DX L12 with those of two α-(1 → 2)-branched DXs on the properties of glucono-δ-lactone-induced faba bean protein isolate (FPI) gels.

Effects of Dextran on the Gel Properties of Faba Bean Protein Isolates Prepared Using Different Processes.

The properties of faba bean ( L.) protein isolate (FPI) gels depend on their starting protein material and can be modulated by the addition of polysaccharides. In order to investigate the interplay between these two factors, commercial FPI (FPI) and FPI prepared in-house (FPI) were used to fabricate glucono-delta-lactone-induced gels, with or without dextran (DX) addition.

Therapeutic targeting of CPSF3-dependent transcriptional termination in ovarian cancer.

Transcriptional dysregulation is a recurring pathogenic hallmark and an emerging therapeutic vulnerability in ovarian cancer. Here, we demonstrated that ovarian cancer exhibited a unique dependency on the regulatory machinery of transcriptional termination, particularly, cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF) complex. Genetic abrogation of multiple CPSF subunits substantially hampered neoplastic cell viability, and we presented evidence that their indispensable roles converged on the endonuclease CPSF3.

An easy-built Halbach magnet for LF-NMR with high homogeneity using optimized target-field passive shimming method.

The aim of this work is to develop a Halbach magnet that possesses characteristics such as easy-built, low cost and high homogeneity for use in a portable low-field NMR (LF-NMR) system. Considering portability, a 4-ring Halbach magnet was designed through simulation and mechanical modelling, which was successfully constructed in a general laboratory setting. The obtained field strength (B) was 0.

Associations between maternal occupational exposures and pregnancy outcomes among Chinese nurses: a nationwide study.

Background: Several studies have provided evidence about adverse pregnancy outcomes of nurses involved in occupational exposure. However, the pregnancy outcomes among nurses in middle-income countries are not well demonstrated. The main aim of this study is to present the prevalence and influencing factors of pregnancy outcomes among female nurses in China.

Clinical study of a steel cable fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.

Background: In order to overcome the shortcomings of common surgical fixation methods for Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis (DTS) injuries, which include the inability to exercise early, significant surgical trauma, and the risk of loosening and breakage of implants, we have designed and implemented a new technique using steel cable fixation to treat DTS injuries.

Methods: Twenty-six patients treated with steel cable fixation for DTS injury between March 2013 and March 2019 in the Second Hospital of Tangshan City trauma department were followed up to monitor the efficacy of treatment. There were 16 males and 10 females between the ages of 19 and 64, with a mean age of 41.

Spatiotemporal evolution and trend prediction of regional water-energy-food-ecology system vulnerability: a case study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China.

The vulnerability study of the water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) system in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is of great significance for ensuring water, energy, food, and ecological security. In this study, the concept of vulnerability of WEFE systems is explained, and then its mechanism is analyzed. Based on the vulnerability concept of the WEFE system and combined with the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework and the exposure-sensitivity-adaptability (ESA) capacity model, this study constructs an evaluation index system for the vulnerability of the WEFE system.

Changes in Hole and Electron Injection under Electrical Stress and the Rapid Electroluminescence Loss in Blue Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Devices.

Blue quantum dot light-emitting devices (QLEDs) suffer from fast electroluminescence (EL) loss when under electrical bias. Here, it is identified that the fast EL loss in blue QLEDs is not due to a deterioration in the photoluminescence quantum yield of the quantum dots (QDs), contrary to what is commonly believed, but rather arises primarily from changes in charge injection overtime under the bias that leads to a deterioration in charge balance. Measurements on hole-only and electron-only devices show that hole injection into blue QDs increases over time whereas electron injection decreases.

Influence of Encapsulation on the Efficiency and Positive Aging Behavior in Blue Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Devices.

Encapsulating blue quantum dot light-emitting devices (QLEDs) using an ultraviolet curable resin is known to lead to a significant increase in their efficiency. Some of this efficiency increase occurs immediately, whereas some of it proceeds over a period of time, typically over several tens of hours following the encapsulation, a behavior commonly referred to as positive aging. The root causes of this positive aging, especially in blue QLEDs, remain not well understood.

Features of metabolism associated molecular patterns in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Exploring pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metabolic landscape would contribute to further understand PDAC from the metabolic perspective and provide more details for precise treatment design. This study aims to describe metabolic landscape of PDAC. Bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the differences of genome, transcriptome, and proteome levels of metabolic patterns.

Ribosomal DNA copy number alteration in blood sample from gastric cancer patients.

Background: Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is the most abundant and important housekeeping gene in the cell. It usually acted as DNA damage sensor in DNA damage reaction. Gastric cancer (GC) as a tumor with high morbidity and mortality, it is hard to diagnosis in an early stage.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-induced ribosomal DNA copy number variation and DNA damage responses and their associations with nucleolar protein HRAS in humans and cells.

The carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and its compounds has been widely recognized, yet the mechanism of genetic damage is still not fully understood. The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number is recently considered a potential marker of cancer-associated stress. To investigate the roles of rDNA copy number variation (CNV) in DNA damage responses (DDRs) induced by Cr(VI) and the potential mechanism from nucleolar protein HRAS, a cross-sectional study in Cr(Ⅵ)-exposed workers and an in vitro experiment using HeLa cells were conducted.

WeChat as a platform for blending problem/case-based learning and paper review methods in undergraduate paediatric orthopaedics internships: a feasibility and effectiveness study.

Background: Paediatric orthopaedics is a significant and difficult for undergraduate students to master. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we used the WeChat platform to combine the advantages offered by problem-based learning (PBL), case-based learning (CBL) and paper review teaching methods to establish a new blended online teaching model and demonstrated its feasibility and effectiveness.

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a new blended pedagogical method that uses the WeChat platform and combines PBL, CBL and paper review.

Inverted Solution-Processed Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Devices with Wide Band Gap Quantum Dot Interlayers.

Despite its benefits for facilitating device fabrication, utilization of a polymeric hole transport layer (HTL) in inverted quantum dots (QDs) light-emitting devices (IQLEDs) often leads to poor device performance. In this work, we find that the poor performance arises primarily from electron leakage, inefficient charge injection, and significant exciton quenching at the HTL interface in the inverted architecture and not due to solvent damage effects as is widely believed. We also find that using a layer of wider band gap QDs as an interlayer (IL) in between the HTL and the main QDs' emission material layer (EML) can facilitate hole injection, suppress electron leakage, and reduce exciton quenching, effectively mitigating the poor interface effects and resulting in high electroluminescence performance.