Search Results (133)

Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) in infectious disease hospitals, particularly in high-risk settings, remains a critical yet understudied occupational hazard. A mixed-methods study was conducted at a Chinese infectious disease hospital, combining quantitative surveys (N = 675) and semi-structured interviews (28 HCWs, 17 patients/families). Logistic regression was used to analyze WPV incidence and predictors, while a thematic analysis of interview data identified contextual drivers. Psychological violence (34.1%) was significantly more prevalent than physical violence (2.2%), with outpatient departments (44.1%) and temporary staff (OR = 1.72) at the highest risk. Qualitative themes revealed systemic triggers, including communication breakdowns, environmental stressors, and organizational gaps in safety protocols and reporting. This study addressed a critical gap by incorporating the perspectives of HCWs and patients, revealing that WPV perceptions vary due to differing expectations and experiences. From these results, the CARE (Communication, Advocacy, Respect, Education) framework proposes actionable strategies: standardized SBAR communication protocols, enhanced security protocols in high-risk units, and mandatory anti-violence training. These findings underscore the need to strengthen the occupational health system to mitigate WPV and to improve healthcare quality. Full article

The brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål, 1854), is the most devastating pest of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Although insecticides are used to control this pest, host plant resistance is a more effective and economic solution. Therefore, identification of N. lugens-resistant genes and elucidation of their underlying resistance mechanisms are critical for developing elite rice cultivars with enhanced and durable resistance. Research has shown that in the long-term evolutionary arms race, rice has developed complex defense systems against N. lugens, while N. lugens has developed diverse and sophisticated strategies to overcome the plant’s defenses. This review emphasizes recent advances in the molecular interactions between rice and the N. lugens, particularly focusing on the resistance mechanisms of 17 cloned major N. lugens resistance genes, which have significantly improved our understanding of the molecular basis of rice–N. lugens interactions. We also highlight the roles of several N. lugens salivary components in activating or suppressing rice defense responses. These insights provide a foundation for developing sustainable and effective strategies to manage this devastating pest of rice. Full article

Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat) Hemsl. (Hangbaiju), which has been widely consumed as a herbal tea for over 3000 years, is renowned for its biosafety and diverse bioactivities. This study investigates the impact of polyphenol-rich Hangbaiju extracts (HE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. HE contains phenolic acids and flavonoids with anti-obesity properties, such as apigenin, luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-(6″-acetylglucoside), etc. To establish the obesity model, mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 8 per group) and administered with either HE or water for 42 days under high-fat or low-fat dietary conditions. Administration of low (LH) and high (HH) doses of HE both significantly suppressed body weight growth (by 16.28% and 16.24%, respectively) and adipose tissue enlargement in obese mice. HE significantly improved the serum lipid profiles, mainly manifested as decreased levels of triglycerides (28.19% in LH and 19.59% in HH) and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (44.34% in LH and 54.88% in HH), and further attenuated liver lipid deposition. Furthermore, HE significantly decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio 0.23-fold (LH) and 0.12-fold (HH), indicating an improvement in the microecological balance of the gut. HE administration also elevated the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Allobaculum, norank_f__Muribaculaceae), while suppressing harmful pathogenic proliferation (e.g., Dubosiella, Romboutsia). In conclusion, HE ameliorates obesity and hyperlipidemia through modulating lipid metabolism and restoring the balance of intestinal microecology, thus being promising for obesity therapy. Full article

This study systematically evaluated the effects of pH (4–10) on the gelation properties, structural characteristics, and in vitro digestion–fermentation behavior of fish gelatin (FG, 6% (w/v)) hydrogels combined with either xanthan gum (XG, 0.07% (w/v)) or κ-carrageenan (κC, 0.07% (w/v)). The results revealed that the gel strength, hardness, and chewiness of the composite gels initially increased (pH 4–6) and subsequently decreased with rising pH levels. This trend correlated with the formation of a dense gel network structure. Furthermore, as pH increased, in vitro digestibility showed a similar pH-dependent trend, with FG–XG demonstrating superior enhancement compared to FG–κC. The addition of XG and κC resulted in increased gas production and a decreased pH during fermentation. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that both FG–XG and FG–κC improved the abundances of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidete while reducing Firmicutes. Compared to FG–XG and FG, FG–κC promoted higher levels of the genera Lachnospiraceae and Bacteroides, suggesting a more favorable impact on intestinal health. These findings provide valuable insights into the pH-responsive functional properties of FG-based hydrogels and their potential applications in designing novel food matrices with enhanced nutritional and probiotic attributes. Full article

Background: Frailty is common in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and is associated with poor prognosis and increased mortality. Anti-inflammatory dietary education is a promising and cost-effective strategy for frailty improvement. Methods: A prospective, assessor-blinded, two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of a 12-week dietary inflammatory index (DII)-based anti-inflammatory dietary education program on frailty in frail CRC patients. Participants in the intervention group received a DII-based anti-inflammatory dietary education, while the control group received a routine health education. Outcome measurements included the Fried frailty phenotype (FP), DII, plasma inflammatory biomarkers, body mass index (BMI), nutritional status, and quality of life (QoL), which were all assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results: A total of 86.4% (57/66) of participants completed the follow-up. No statistically significant baseline differences were observed between groups. After the intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in DII (p = 0.029), BMI (p = 0.012), mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scores (p = 0.027), and QoL (p = 0.014) compared with the control group. Within-group comparisons revealed significant decreases in frailty status (p = 0.031), DII (p = 0.008), and interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.003), and significant increases in IL-10 (p = 0.021), MNA scores (p = 0.010), and QoL (p < 0.001) in the intervention group, with no significant changes in the control group. Conclusions: DII-based anti-inflammatory dietary education can improve the frailty, nutritional status, and QoL of frail CRC patients by modulating systemic inflammation. Given its acceptability and utility, this strategy may be incorporated into routine cancer health education. Full article

Background: Duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) is often insidious due to the low rate of early diagnosis and because the mechanisms that underlie its malignant progression are poorly understood. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial regulatory role in promoting tumor malignancy. Hence, this study aimed to identify novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets for DA. Methods: Surgical resection samples and normal tissues from DA patients were collected for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The characteristics of TME in DA patients were analyzed, and the differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) were screened. Functional experiments were performed to verify the relationship between Linc01559, G-rich sequence binding factor 1 (GRSF1), and tumor malignant phenotype. Results: The present study revealed that DA exhibits a significantly upregulated expression of acidic environment markers and a high degree of macrophage infiltration. Further investigation revealed that macrophages upregulate the expression of the long noncoding RNA, Linc01559, in DA through the STAT3/c-MYC signaling pathway, thereby promoting malignant phenotypes such as invasion, metastasis, tumor stemness, and apoptosis. The interaction between GRSF1 and Linc01559 was subsequently confirmed using RNA pulldown-mass spectrometry. It was further revealed that Linc01559 promotes the malignant phenotype of duodenal cancer cells through its interaction with GRSF1. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the acidic microenvironment influences the phenotype of DA by regulating the Linc01559–GRSF1 axis. Therefore, these findings provide potential targets for the early detection and treatment of DA. Full article

Elderly individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at higher risk of developing cytokine storms and severe outcomes, yet specific biomarkers remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the alteration of primary bile acid metabolism in elderly patients with severe COVID-19 using untargeted metabolomics (n = 31), followed by targeted metabolomics to compare patients with disease progression (n = 16) to those without (n = 48). Significant reductions in chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) levels were identified in severe cases, with GCDCA levels at admission correlating strongly with peak inflammatory markers. In vitro, CDCA, GCDCA, and their receptors, Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) and Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), effectively inhibited the inflammatory response induced by SARS-CoV-2. NOD-like receptor pathway, activated by SARS-CoV-2, may modulate inflammatory cytokines under the treatment of CDCA, GCDCA, and TGR5. CDCA and GCDCA levels at admission predicted disease progression, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for severe COVID-19 in the elderly and highlighting their regulatory role in inflammation, pointing to new therapeutic avenues. Full article

The ecological consequences of the construction and operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, particularly its unique operation strategy of storing clear water and releasing turbid water, exerts a profound influence on the composition and dynamics of local fish communities. To date, detailed and comprehensive research on seasonal changes in the fish community across the entire reservoir remains scarce. This study aims to fill this research gap by systematically investigating fish diversity through a comprehensive assessment of six main river reaches and eight major tributaries. The investigation employs environmental DNA (eDNA) technology across three critical life-cycle stages: breeding, feeding, and overwintering periods. A total of 124 fish species were recorded, comprising 10 orders, 20 families, and 80 genera. The comparative analyses of historical data suggest a significant decline in lotic and endemic fish populations, accompanied by a concurrent increase in lentic, eurytopic, and non-native fish species. Notably, the composition of fish communities exhibited similarities between breeding and overwintering periods. This study highlights the occurrence of significant seasonal fluctuations in the fish communities, showing a preference for reservoir tails and tributaries as optimal habitats. Water temperature has a predominant influence on structuring fish communities within aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates variations in the biodiversity of fish communities using historical data, with a focus on changes linked to reservoir operations and water impoundment activities. By integrating historical data, this research examines changes in fish diversity that are associated with water storage processes. It provides foundational data on the current composition and diversity of fish communities within the watershed, elucidating the spatiotemporal variations in fish diversity and the mechanisms by which environmental factors influence these communities. Furthermore, the current study serves as a valuable reference for understanding the changes in fish communities within other large reservoirs. Full article

Reservoir regulation and river training works are significant factors influencing downstream channel evolution. However, there is still a lack of systematic studies on the evolution patterns under their synergistic impacts. In particular, the adaptability of shoal training works under hydrological variability conditions needs further investigation. The main purpose of this study is to undertake a thorough analysis of the efficacy of river training works related to shoal erosion control and to identify its underlying causes and potential mitigation strategies. By reviewing completed river training works and collecting and analyzing hydrological data of the middle Yangtze River, we developed and applied a hydro-morphological model to simulate the river evolution processes. A systematic evaluation was undertaken on the impact of training works on shoal erosion. The results indicate that the river training works can influence local hydrological and hydrodynamic conditions, thereby enhancing shoals’ resistance to erosion and decelerating shoal shrinkage. However, under altered hydrologic regimes, the effectiveness of training works wanes, thus failing to fully achieve its intended effects. Specifically, the bank protection project attenuated the intensity of scour at the head of the continent by 30% (average annual scour depth reduced from 2.1 m to 1.5 m) and increased the local stability index by 14.5% (from 0.744 to 0.852), but it is still below the critical threshold (1.024). The findings of this study are expected to provide a scientific basis for the planning and implementation of river training works in the Middle Yangtze River and serve as a reference for addressing similar issues in other regions. Full article

The development of shale gas relies on hydraulic fracturing technology and requires the injection of a large amount of fracturing fluid. The well shut-off period after fracturing can promote water infiltration and suction. Optimizing the well shut-off time is crucial for enhancing the recovery rate. Among existing methods, the dimensionless time model is widely used, but it has limitations because it does not represent the length of on-site scale features. In this study, we focused on the shut-in time for a deep shale gas well (Lu-A) in Luzhou and a medium-deep shale gas well (Wei-B) in Weiyuan. By integrating the spontaneous seepage and aspiration experiments in the laboratory and the post-pressure backflow data (including mineralization degree, liquid volume recovery rate, etc.), a multi-scale well shutdown time prediction model considering the characteristic length was established. The experimental results show that the spontaneous resorption characteristic times of Lu-A and Wei-B are 3 h and 22 h, respectively. Based on the inversion of crack monitoring data, the key parameters such as the weighted average crack width (1.73/1.30 mm) and crack spacing (0.20/0.32 m) of Lu-A and Wei-B were obtained. Through the scale upgrade calculation of the feature length (0.10/0.16 m), the system determined that the optimal well shutdown times for the two wells were 14.5 days and 16.7 days, respectively. The optimization method based on a multi-parameter analysis of backflow fluid proposed in this study not only solves the limitations of the traditional dimensionless time model in characterizing the feature length but also provides a theoretical basis for the formulation of the well shutdown system and nozzle control strategy of shale gas wells. Full article

Follicular atresia is a natural process of follicular degeneration in mammal ovaries, significantly impacting female reproductive potential. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain underexplored, particularly those involving non-coding RNAs like PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). In this study, we collected single antral follicles from the ovaries of 180-day-old commercial sows, classified them as healthy (HF) and atretic (AF) based on morphological and biochemical criteria, and sequenced the RNA samples using the Illumina Hiseq 3000 system (San Diego, CA, USA). piRNAs were identified using three algorithms, and the differential expression was compared and validated by qPCR. The target genes of differentially expressed piRNAs were predicted and subjected to functional analysis. A total of 452 piRNAs were identified across all samples, with 103 showing differential expression between HFs and AFs. Among the top 12 piRNAs with the most significant expression differences validated by qPCR, 5 (piR-23, piR-27, piR-64, piR-65, and piR-76) exhibited statistically significant differences. Pathway analysis showed that these piRNAs primarily targeted genes involved in cell apoptosis regulation, inflammation and oxidative stress response, substance transport and signal transduction, and cellular structural integrity maintenance. Our study provides the first comprehensive profile of piRNAs in porcine ovarian follicles during atresia and reveals underlying potential regulatory mechanisms. These findings enhance our understanding of piRNA functions during the early follicular atresia process and offer insights for further functional studies and biomarker development in ovarian pathology. Full article

In recent years, copper pollution has gradually become one of the major problems of soil environmental pollution. Lignin plays an important role in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. CCoAOMT is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis process. In this study, the CCoAOMT gene family members of Platycodon grandiflorus were identified by bioinformatics methods, and their basic characteristics and potential functions were analyzed. The results showed that five members of the PgCCoAOMT gene family were identified in P. grandiflorus, with protein lengths ranging from 246 to 635 amino acids, and were evenly distributed on four chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PgCCoAOMT gene family was divided into two subclades, namely Clade1a, Clade1b, Clade1c, Clade1d, and Clade2. The cis-regulatory element analysis of the promoter revealed that the PgCCoAOMT members contained a large number of cis-regulatory elements responsive to stress, and conjecture PgCCoAOMT2, PgCCoAOMT4, and PgCCoAOMT5 were involved in the lignin synthesis. The qRT-PCR results showed that, within 5 days of copper stress treatment, except for the PgCCoAOMT4 gene, the other genes exhibited different expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of all five PgCCoAOMT genes increased significantly at 7 days of treatment. With the increase in the number of days of treatment, the content of lignin in the seedings of P. grandiflorus showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing under copper stress. In general, in the copper stress treatment of 1–3 days, the transcriptional inhibition of PgCCoAOMT1 and PgCCoAOMT3 and the increase in lignin content contradicted each other, suggesting that there was post-translational activation or alternative metabolic pathways compensation. Meanwhile, in the 7-day treatment, the coordinated up-regulation of the genes was accompanied by the failure of lignin synthesis, which pointed to the core bottleneck of metabolic precursors depletion and enzyme activity inactivation caused by root damage. Research objective: This study reveals the expression level of the PgCCoAOMT gene in the seedings of P. grandiflorus under copper stress, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of P. grandiflorus response to copper stress and for subsequent improvement of root resistance in P. grandiflorus. Full article

Meat color is the most intuitive measure of meat quality and has a significant impact on consumer preference. To explore the molecular mechanisms affecting duck pectoralis meat color, the phenotypic traits of Cherry Valley duck (CV, eight males and eight females) and Huai Fu duck (HF, eight males and eight females) were compared; three males and three females of each variety were later selected for transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to reveal key molecular processes. This study found that the expression level of CA3 (carbonic anhydride enzyme 3) is positively correlated with the meat color phenotype, suggesting that it may play a positive regulatory role in the formation of meat color. The expression trend of the ST13 gene is opposite to the phenotype, suggesting that it may play a negative regulatory role. With the participation of CA3 and NDUF family genes (such as NDUFC2, NDUFB2, etc.), the oxidative phosphorylation pathway plays a key role in meat color formation by regulating the oxygenation/deoxygenation state of myoglobin and intracellular pH value. Although the effects of these genes and pathways on meat color have been discovered, their specific genetic mechanisms and molecular functions still need further verification. This provides important clues for further understanding the molecular mechanism of meat color formation and may offer potential molecular targets for improving meat color or breeding new varieties. Full article

Background: Elderly patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at higher risk of developing cytokine storm and severe outcomes; however, specific immunological and proteomic biomarkers for early prediction remain unclear in this vulnerable group. Methods: We enrolled 182 elderly COVID-19 patients from the Chinese PLA General Hospital between November 2022 and April 2023, categorizing them based on progression to respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (defined as severe progression). Olink proteomic analysis was performed on admission serum from 40 propensity score-matched samples, with differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) validated by cytometric bead array (CBA) in 178 patients. To predict severe progression, a model was developed using a 70% training set and validated on a 30% validation set. LASSO regression screened features followed by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to optimize the model by incrementally incorporating features ranked by random forest importance. Results: Elderly patients progressing to severe COVID-19 exhibited early immune dysregulation, including neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytopenia, elevated procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), as well as coagulation dysfunction and multi-organ injury. Proteomics identified a set of biomarkers, including tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and revealed disruptions in signaling pathways, including the mTOR and VEGF signaling pathways. The optimal predictive model, which incorporated PCT, IL-6, monocyte percentage, lymphocyte count, and TRAIL, achieved an area under curve (AUC) of 0.870 (0.729–1.000) during validation. TRAIL levels negatively correlated with fibrinogen (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Elderly COVID-19 patients with severe progression demonstrate early immune dysregulation, hyperinflammation, coagulation dysfunction, and multi-organ injury. The model we proposed effectively predicts disease progression in elderly COVID-19 patients, providing potential biomarkers for early clinical risk stratification in this vulnerable population. Full article

Workplace psychosocial hazards pose significant risks to the well-being of health workers (HWs). This study aimed to explore the levels of psychosocial factors experienced by Chinese and international workers and examine associations between psychosocial factors, health-related outcomes (mental problems and general health), and turnover intention across various occupational stages. A cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified cluster sampling methods at four hospitals in southern China. Psychosocial factors, mental health, general health, and turnover intention were assessed using the Chinese version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 1054 HWs participated in this study (response rate: 80.21%). Compared to international samples, Chinese HWs showed significant differences in nine psychosocial dimensions, particularly interpersonal relations, leadership, and the work–individual interface. Senior hospital managers reported significantly higher stress (51.09 ± 23.88, p < 0.001), sleep troubles (53.26 ± 24.92, p = 0.003), and poorer general health (57.61 ± 37.26, p = 0.035) than other occupational stages. Work–life conflict (β = 0.172), emotional demands (β = 0.132), and role clarity (β = −0.132) were the strongest predictors of mental health issues. Hiding emotions demands (β = −0.141) and leadership quality (β = 0.130) most strongly predicted general health. The turnover intention rate was 11.01%, with job satisfaction (OR = 0.964) being the strongest negative predictor. Reducing psychosocial stressors, particularly in work–life balance, role clarity, emotional demand, and leadership quality, could improve HWs’ well-being and reduce turnover intention. Full article