NFATc2-dependent epigenetic downregulation of the TSC2/Beclin-1 pathway is involved in neuropathic pain induced by oxaliplatin.

Neuropathic pain is a common dose-limiting side effect of oxaliplatin, which hampers the effective treatment of tumors. Here, we found that upregulation of transcription factor NFATc2 decreased the expression of Beclin-1, a critical molecule in autophagy, in the spinal dorsal horn, and contributed to neuropathic pain following oxaliplatin treatment. Meanwhile, manipulating autophagy levels by intrathecal injection of rapamycin (RAPA) or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) differentially altered mechanical allodynia in oxaliplatin-treated or naïve rats.

Does auditory numerosity and non-numerical magnitude affect visual non-symbolic numerical representation?

In the present study, we investigated the effects of auditory numerosity and magnitude (loudness) on visual numerosity processing. Participants compared numerosities of two sequential dot arrays. The second dot array was paired with a tone array that was independent of visual comparison.

Social Exclusion Among Older Rural Residents in China: Does Either Non-Agricultural Work or Living Away from Their Hometowns over the Courses of Their Lives Make any Difference?

This paper analyses the prevalence of social exclusion experienced by older rural residents in China and investigates the impact of work and residence history on rural residents' social exclusion in later life. Data are from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Logistic regression models are used.

Joint analysis of multivariate failure time data with latent variables.

We propose a joint modeling approach to investigate the observed and latent risk factors of the multivariate failure times of interest. The proposed model comprises two parts. The first part is a distribution-free confirmatory factor analysis model that characterizes the latent factors by correlated multiple observed variables.

Effect of an IMB Model-Based Education on the Acceptability of HPV Vaccination Among College Girls in Mainland China: A Cluster RCT.

Objective: Despite the fact that the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) has been approved in mainland China since 2016, there is a lack of inoculation among Chinese college women. This multi-center, online interventional RCT based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model intended to investigate if the intervention may improve human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance and awareness among target women.

Methods: Participants were selected from comprehensive universities and allocated to 1 of 2 groups: intervention or control.

Comparison of inpatient spending and readmission rates for patients treated by male versus female physicians in China: An observational study.

Objective: To determine whether there are significant differences in costs of treatment and readmission rates for hospital consultations undertaken by female versus male physicians in China.

Methods: Using data from the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance program from January 2018 through October 2019, we investigated spending patterns and clinical outcomes for patients at tertiary hospitals in one of the largest cities in China by the gender of the attending physician. Our sample included 79,085 hospitalizations treated by 3993 physicians in internal medicine departments.

Prevalence and Predictors of PTSD During the Initial Stage of COVID-19 Epidemic among Female College Students in China.

Background: College students are vulnerable and may experience high stress due to COVID-19, especially girls. This study aims to identify posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related factors among the target population during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: In the initial phase of COVID-19 epidemic (February 23 to March 5, 2020), 2205 female college students from six provinces in mainland China were enrolled in this study and completed the online survey about the cognitive status of COVID-19, including the Impact of Event Scale-6, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and a self-developed 10-item Perceived threat scale.

Mean corrected generalized estimating equations for longitudinal binary outcomes with report bias.

Cocaine addiction is an important public health problem worldwide. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a counseling intervention for supporting cocaine-dependent individuals through recovery and relapse prevention. It may reduce patients' cocaine uses by improving their motivations and enabling them to recognize risky situations.

Colorectal Cancer Detected by Machine Learning Models Using Conventional Laboratory Test Data.

Current diagnostic methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) are colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy, which are invasive and complex procedures with possible complications. This study aimed to determine models for CRC identification that involve minimally invasive, affordable, portable, and accurate screening variables. This was a retrospective study that used data from electronic medical records of patients with CRC and healthy individuals between July 2017 and June 2018.

Machine Learning for Predicting Motor Improvement After Acute Subcortical Infarction Using Baseline Whole Brain Volumes.

Neuroimaging biomarkers are valuable predictors of motor improvement after stroke, but there is a gap between published evidence and clinical usage. In this work, we aimed to investigate whether machine learning techniques, when applied to a combination of baseline whole brain volumes and clinical data, can accurately predict individual motor outcome after stroke. Upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessments (FMA-UE) were conducted 1 week and 12 weeks, and structural MRI was performed 1 week, after onset in 56 patients with subcortical infarction.

Willingness to Accept Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and its Influencing Factors Using Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills Model: A Cross-Sectional Study of Female College Freshmen in Mainland China.

Background: This study aimed to assess the awareness and attitudes toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among female college freshmen and explore their willingness and associated factors to receive the HPV vaccine based on the information-motivation-behavior skills (IMB) model.

Methods: From February 21 to April 30, 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among female freshmen in seven colleges in mainland China. Socio-demographic characteristics, health-related awareness, knowledge of HPV, motivation, and behavioral skills toward HPV vaccination were assessed using questionnaires.

Short-Term Impact of Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea on the Interaction Between Various Cortical Areas.

Introduction: Sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) can change brain structure and function. These alterations are related to respiratory event-induced abnormal sleep, however, how brain activity changes during these events is less well understood.

Methods: To study information content and interaction among various cortical regions, we analyzed the variations of permutation entropy (PeEn) and symbolic transfer entropy (STE) of electroencephalography (EEG) activity during respiratory events.

Chinese Aesthetic Mask: Three Forehead and Five Eyes-Holistic Processing and Facial Attractiveness.

Human face processing has been attributed to holistic processing. Here, we ask whether humans are sensitive to configural information when perceiving facial attractiveness. By referring to a traditional Chinese aesthetic theory-Three Forehead and Five Eyes-we generated a series of faces that differed in spacing between facial features.

Perceived Beliefs, Uncertainty, and Behavioral Responses During the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: Findings From a Convenience Sample.

Purpose: To investigate perceived beliefs, uncertainty, and behavioral responses among Chinese residents toward the COVID-19 outbreak, and explore their relationships amid an incipient pandemic.

Design: A cross-sectional correlational survey with a combination of a convenience and snowball sampling design.

Setting: This study was conducted online from February 7 to 14, 2020, the third week after the lockdown of Wuhan city on January 23.

Chemopreventive effect of galangin against benzo(a)pyrene-induced stomach tumorigenesis through modulating aryl hydrocarbon receptor in Swiss albino mice.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive potential of galangin against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced stomach carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Stomach cancer was induced in experimental mice using BaP oral administration. The mice were treated with galangin (10 mg/kg b.

Association between relationship characteristics and willingness to use PrEP among same-sex male couples: a cross-sectional actor-partner analysis in Guangzhou, China.

The association between relationship characteristics and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) acceptability among same-sex male couples has been limitedly examined. Dyadic survey data of 139 concordant HIV-negative same-sex male couples in Guangzhou, China were collected. The willingness to use PrEP was measured assuming that the participant's partner was HIV-positive.

Is Weak Acid Beneficial for Addressing Checkpoint Inhibitor-Triggered Cancer Hyper Progression in Anti-PD1/PD-L1 Immunotherapies?

Numerous cases of checkpoint inhibitor-triggered cancer hyperprogression have been documented. A previous hypothesis attributes cancer onset to the local buildup of hydrogen chloride, jointly mediated by hydrogen bond donors and acceptors and basic amino acids. The anti-PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapies may have caused a surge of protons or chloride ions for the effective treatment of neoplasm, thus giving rise to the local formation of hydrogen chloride and subsequently cancer hyperprogression in some susceptible individuals.

Is It Possible to Establish a Tumor-Suppressive Microenvironment With Glycine and Valine Supplement?

A tumorigenic microenvironment can give rise to neoplasm. A shift from this condition to a tumor-suppressive microenvironment is of significant benefit to susceptible individuals. The carbonyl groups of glycine and valine have long bond lengths, consequently generating potent affinities to divalent cations such as calcium.

Treatment decision-making for older adults with cancer: A qualitative study.

Background: Independent decision-making is one of the basic rights of patients. However, in clinical practice, most older cancer patients' treatment decisions are made by family members.

Objective: This study attempted to analyze the treatment decision-making process and formation mechanism for older cancer patients within the special cultural context of Chinese medical practice.

Comparison of 2 Ear Molding Systems for Nonsurgical Management of Newborn Auricular Deformities.

Background: Congenital auricular deformities are common diseases in newborn infants. We compared the efficacy of 2 ear molding systems in the nonsurgical management of newborn auricular deformities in Chinese infants.

Methods: A total of 462 newborns with auricular deformities were treated with either the EarWell or the LiangEar ear molding systems.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Steroids and Diuretics in the Treatment of Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of steroids and diuretics in the treatment of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL).

Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Sci databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of ALHL with steroids and diuretics. The Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.