Search Results (863)

A series of 6:2 fluorotelomer ethoxylates (FTEOs) has been recently detected in human serum. Whether it has the potential to disrupt lipid metabolism in human populations remains largely unexplored. This study quantified serum concentrations of 6:2 FTEOs in 237 healthy Chinese adults, examined the gender- and age-specific differences in serum levels of 6:2 FTEOs, and investigated the associations between serum levels of 6:2 FTEOs and lipid profiles for the first time. Nine 6:2 FTEO homologues were detected in collected human serum, with detection frequencies of 22–81%. 6:2 FTEO8 and 6:2 FTEO9 were the more abundant 6:2 FTEO homologues in human serum, displaying the mean levels of 0.69 ng/mL (range < LOD–7.36 ng/mL) and 0.71 ng/mL (<LOD–8.12 ng/mL), respectively. Male participants had much higher (p < 0.05) mean serum levels of 6:2 FTEO6 (0.61 vs. 0.31 ng/mL), 6:2 FTEO7 (0.44 vs. 0.21 ng/mL), 6:2 FTEO8 (0.91 vs. 0.38 ng/mL), and 6:2 FTEO11 (0.35 vs. 0.18 ng/mL) than female subjects. Correlation analysis revealed a significantly positive relationship (p < 0.01) between the age of participants and human serum concentrations of 6:2 FTEO6–6:2 FTEO11. Multivariate linear regression identified significant positive associations between specific 6:2 FTEO homologues (e.g., 6:2 FTEO6, 6:2 FTEO8–6:2 FTEO10) and elevated total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Full article

This study investigated the psychological factors related to the enjoyment of playing musical instruments among Chinese adults. Additionally, it verified a model that can predict enjoyment using psychological variables, demographic profiles, and variables related to music to provide useful information and knowledge for further studies and interventions. The participants were 416 male and female Chinese adults aged 20–68 years. Predictive models were examined using stepwise regression and decision-tree analyses. The results revealed that extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and hardiness were positively correlated with the enjoyment of playing musical instruments, whereas the behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) showed negative correlations. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that fun-seeking accounted for the greatest variance in enjoyment in playing musical instruments. Fun-seeking, agreeableness, openness, self-directedness, and conscientiousness accounted for approximately 27.2% of the variance in enjoyment in playing musical instruments among Chinese adults. The decision-tree model included enjoyment of music class in childhood, self-directedness, age, experience playing musical instruments, experience growing up in a family that enjoys music, extraversion, and agreeableness. These findings suggest that psychological variables such as fun-seeking and agreeableness may play a more important role in Chinese adults’ enjoyment of playing musical instruments. Full article

Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of formulated feeds on gonadal and hepatopancreatic development of Eriocheir sinensis. However, there are limited studies on the effects of formulated feeds on the immune homeostasis and metabolism of muscle tissue in E. sinensis during the fattening period. Therefore, this study used metabolomic and lipidomic to systematically analyze the effects of formulated diets on muscle metabolism in female E. sinensis. The results indicate that the formulated feeds improved immune performance by inhibiting inflammatory responses, apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, the feed promoted amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis while decreasing muscle fatty acid metabolism. Metabolomic analysis reveal that pyrimidine metabolism is involved in the regulation of muscle physiological health in fattening female crabs. Lipidomic analysis revealed that the formulated feeds play a role in muscle immune homeostasis, amino acid and fatty acid metabolism by regulating the level of ceramide (Cer (d18:1/22:0)) in sphingolipid metabolism. Through subnetwork analysis, the functional interactions of sphingolipid metabolism with the pathways of sphingolipid signaling, apoptosis regulation, inflammatory response and lipid dynamic homeostasis were identified, which further defined the important role of sphingolipid metabolism in the regulation of muscle physiological health and metabolic homeostasis was further identified. In summary, the formulated feeds effectively promote immune homeostasis and metabolism in the muscle of female E. sinensis during the fattening period. These findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for feed formulation optimization and application in fattening practices. Full article

An important element in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China is the guarantee of gender equality in all fields. The principle is not reflected in terms of corporate governance and senior management, however. A study of the largest 400 companies listed on Chinese stock exchanges shows far fewer female board members and senior managers than male counterparts and only a small improvement over the course of a decade. A comparison of gender balances in terms of a range of variables, including stock exchange listing, industry type, and ownership type, reveals better balances in wholly privately owned firms than in those with controlling state interests. Subject to intervening government policies to promote state-owned enterprises over private sector counterparts, the pattern over the decade studied suggests there is a possibility privately owned enterprises may gradually displace state-owned companies in the largest 400 group and gender balances in senior roles in the largest 400 group will consequently improve. Full article

The mental and physical health of college students, especially in urban environments like Shanghai, is crucial given the high academic and urban stressors, which were intensified by the COVID-19 lockdown. Prior research has shown gender differences in health impacts during public health crises, with females often more vulnerable to mental health issues. Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the physical and psychological health of Chinese college students post-lockdown, focusing on the relationship between stress, anxiety, depression, sleep patterns, and physical health, with a particular emphasis on gender differences. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 116 students in Shanghai, utilizing psychological scales (HAMA, IPAQ, PSQI, SDS, FS 14, PSS, SF-36) and physical fitness tests (resting heart rate, blood pressure, hand grip, forced vital capacity, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, one-minute sit-up test and the one-minute squat test, single-leg stand test with eyes closed), to analyze health and behavior during the pandemic lockdown. All students have undergone the same life habits during the pandemic. Results: The HAMA scores indicated no significant levels of physical or mental anxiety. The PSS results (42.45 ± 8.93) reflected a high overall stress level. Furthermore, the PSQI scores (5.4 ± 2.91) suggested that the participants experienced mild insomnia. The IPAQ scores indicated higher levels of job-related activity (1261.49 ± 2144.58), transportation activity (1253.65 ± 987.57), walking intensity (1580.78 ± 1412.20), and moderate-intensity activity (1353.03 ± 1675.27) among college students following the lockdown. Hand grip strength (right) (p = 0.001), sit-and-reach test (p = 0.001), standing long jump (p = 0.001), and HAMA total score (p = 0.033) showed significant differences between males and females. Three principal components were identified in males: HAMA, FS14, and PSQI, explaining a total variance of 70.473%. Similarly, three principal components were extracted in females: HAMA, PSQI, and FS14, explaining a total variance of 69.100%. Conclusions: Our study underscores the complex interplay between physical activity (PA), mental health, and quality of life, emphasizing the need for gender-specific interventions. The persistent high stress, poor sleep quality, and reduced PA levels call for a reorganized teaching schedule to enhance student well-being without increasing academic pressure. Full article

Tetranychus urticae, commonly known as the two-spotted spider mite, is a highly adaptable and polyphagous arthropod in the family Tetranychidae, capable of feeding on over 1200 plant species, including strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The fitness and microbiota of herbivorous arthropods can vary significantly across different plant species and cultivars. In this study, we investigated the fecundity, longevity, growth rate, and microbiota composition of T. urticae reared on seven Chinese strawberry cultivars: Hongyan (HY), Yuexiu (YX), Tianshi (TS), Ningyu (NY), Xuetu (XT), Zhangjj (ZJ), and Xuelixiang (XLX). Our findings revealed significant differences among cultivars: mites reared on the XT cultivar exhibited the highest fecundity (166.56 ± 7.82 eggs), while those on XLX had the shortest pre-adult period (7.71 ± 0.13 days). Longevity was significantly extended in mites reared on XLX, XT, and NY cultivars (25.95–26.83 days). Microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Proteobacteria dominated (>89.96% abundance) across all mite groups, with Wolbachia as the predominant symbiont (89.58–99.19%). Male mites exhibited higher bacterial diversity (Shannon and Chao1 indices) than females, though Wolbachia abundance did not differ significantly between sexes or cultivars. Functional predictions highlighted roles of microbiota in biosynthesis, detoxification, and energy metabolism. These findings underscore the influence of host plant variety on T. urticae fitness and microbiota composition, suggesting potential strategies for breeding resistant strawberry cultivars and leveraging microbial interactions for pest management. Full article

Objectives: (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection is a novel, rapid-acting antidepressant for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection in healthy Chinese subjects following ascending single intravenous doses ranging from 10.0 mg to 180 mg. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 50 healthy male and female Chinese subjects after single ascending doses of (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection (10.0, 30.0, 60.0, 120, and 180 mg). Ten subjects (including two subjects treated with a placebo) were included in each dose cohort. Pharmacokinetic characteristics, safety, and tolerability profiles of the study drug were evaluated. Results: After the intravenous doses administered from 10.0 mg to 180 mg of (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection to the subjects, the C_max and AUC values for both (R)-ketamine and its metabolite (R)-norketamine in the subjects increased approximately proportionally to the doses. The average peak plasma concentration levels at the five dose cohorts ranged from 56.0 to 1424 ng/mL and 27.7 to 491 ng/mL for (R)-ketamine and (R)-norketamine, respectively. The adverse events of (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection were temporary and recovered spontaneously without treatment. Conclusions: In summary, (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection was safe and well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. The clinical study results laid a foundation for the further clinical studies of (R)-ketamine hydrochloride injection in patients. Full article

Although career choice is a kind of individual behavior, as the gatekeeper of the discipline, doctoral students’ academic career intention reflects the attractiveness of the academic labor market and determines the sustainable development of academic careers. An analysis of data (N = 1322) from a survey among Chinese doctoral students reveals that (1) environmental factors, such as departmental atmosphere and advisor support, cognitive factors like academic interest and research self-efficacy, as well as behavioral factors including research engagement and publication rates, significantly promote doctoral students’ academic career intentions; (2) female doctoral students and those from prestigious institutions show stronger academic career aspirations; (3) the influence of interest factors on doctoral students’ commitment to an academic career is particularly pronounced, especially in the field of fundamental science; (4) a clear understanding of career paths positively moderates the effect of interest on academic career intentions. Within increasingly severe competition in the global academic labor market, it is necessary to provide more support for doctoral students who are willing to engage in academic careers by enhancing career planning guidance for doctoral students and supporting them in making rational career plans and adequate preparations. Full article

Rana dybowskii, widely distributed and extensively farmed in northeast China, holds significant economic value, particularly for its fallopian tubes, which are used as a traditional Chinese medicinal tonic known as “Oviductus Ranae.” As the light spectrum is a cost-effective regulatory factor in aquaculture, understanding its effects on the tadpole stage of R. dybowskii is critical for optimizing cultivation practices. This study investigated the effects of five light colors (white, red, yellow, blue, and green) on steroid hormone levels and gut microbiota composition in R. dybowskii tadpoles. Steroid hormone levels were measured on days 15, 30, 45, and 60 using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while gut microbial communities were analyzed through high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Results showed that the testosterone (T) level of frogs in green light (group G) peaked on day 60 (2.62 ± 3.70 ng/g). The estradiol (E2) level in blue light (group B) also peaked on day 60 (2.87 ± 0.71 ng/g). Importantly, sex ratio analysis revealed that the proportion of females was highest under blue light, reaching 61.11%. Meanwhile, the richness and diversity of the gut bacterial community of the tadpoles was highest under yellow light, followed by blue light. These data suggest that hormone levels fluctuated and the composition of the gut flora of R. dybowskii changed under different light colors. Our results advance R. dybowskii physiological knowledge and support aquaculture practices. Full article

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) industry is currently facing the challenges of origin fraud, as well as a lack of precision and interpretability of existing traceability methods. Here, we propose a high-precision origin traceability method based on a combination of stable isotope analysis and interpretable machine learning. We sampled Chinese mitten crabs from six origins representing diverse aquatic environments and farming practices, and analyzed their δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ²H, and δ¹⁸O stable isotope compositions in different sexes and tissues (hepatopancreas, muscle, and gonad). By comparing the classification performance of Random Forest, XGBoost, and Logistic Regression models, we found that the Random Forest model outperformed the others, achieving high accuracy (91.3%) in distinguishing samples from different origins. Interpretation of the optimal Random Forest model, using SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis, identified δ²H in male muscle, δ¹⁵N in female hepatopancreas, and δ¹³C in female hepatopancreas as the most influential features for discriminating geographic origin. This analysis highlighted the crucial role of environmental factors, such as water source, diet, and trophic level, in origin discrimination and demonstrated that isotopic characteristics of different tissues provide unique discriminatory information. This study offers a novel paradigm for stable isotope traceability based on explainable machine learning, significantly enhancing the identification capability and reliability of Chinese mitten crab origin traceability, and holds significant implications for food safety assurance. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global health threat, with inappropriate antibiotic self-medication (ASM) being a key contributor. China—as the world’s largest antibiotic consumer—faces significant challenges despite regulatory efforts, compounded by limited contemporary data during the COVID-19 pandemic. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2021 China Family Health Index Survey (n = 11,031 participants across 120 cities). Trained investigators administered face-to-face questionnaires assessing ASM practices, decision-making factors, and sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression identified determinants of ASM. Overall, ASM prevalence was 33.7% (n = 3717), with no urban-rural difference (p > 0.05). Physician advice (78.2%), drug safety (67.1%), and efficacy (64.2%) were primary selection criteria; rural residents prioritized drug price and salesperson recommendations more than their urban counterparts (p < 0.01). Key predictors included higher ASM odds among females (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.18–1.43), middle-aged adults (46–59 years; OR = 1.20, 95%CI:1.02–1.42), those with health insurance (resident: OR = 1.33; commercial: OR = 1.62), and individuals with drinking histories (OR = 1.20, 95%CI:1.10–1.31). Lower odds were associated with primary education (OR = 0.69, 95%CI:0.58–0.81), unemployment (OR = 0.88, 95%CI:0.79–0.98), and absence of chronic diseases (OR = 0.56, 95%CI:0.47–0.67). One-third of Chinese residents engaged in ASM during the pandemic, driven by intersecting demographic and behavioral factors. Despite converging urban-rural prevalence rates, distinct decision-making drivers necessitate context-specific interventions, including strengthened pharmacy regulation in rural areas, tailored education programs for high-risk groups, and insurance system reforms to disincentivize self-medication. Full article

Background/Objectives: To investigate associations between Follistatin (FST) gene polymorphisms (SNPs) and baseline musculoskeletal traits, and their interactions with 16-week exercise interventions. Methods: A cohort of 470 untrained Northern Han Chinese adults (208 males, 262 females), sourced from the “Research on Key Technologies for an Exercise and Fitness Expert Guidance System” project, was analyzed. These participants were previously randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups (Hill, Running, Cycling, Combined) or a non-exercising Control group, and completed their respective 16-week protocols. Body composition, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and serum follistatin levels were all assessed pre- and post-intervention. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was utilized for the body composition, BMC, and BMD measurements. FST SNPs (rs3797296, rs3797297) were genotyped using matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) or microarrays. To elucidate the biological mechanisms, we performed in silico functional analyses for rs3797296 and rs3797297. Results: Baseline: In females only, the rs3797297 T allele was associated with higher muscle mass (β = 1.159, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.202–2.116, P_{_adj} = 0.034) and BMC (β = 0.127, 95% CI: 0.039–0.215, P_{_adj} = 0.009), with the BMC effect significantly mediated by muscle mass. Exercise Response: Interventions improved body composition, particularly in females. Gene-Exercise Interaction: A significant interaction occurred exclusively in women undertaking hill climbing: the rs3797296 G allele was associated with attenuated muscle mass gains (β = −1.126 kg, 95% CI: −1.767 to −0.485, P_{_adj} = 0.034). Baseline follistatin correlated with body composition (stronger in males) and increased post-exercise (primarily in males, Hill/Running groups) but did not mediate SNP effects on exercise adaptation. Functional annotation revealed that rs3797297 is a likely causal variant, acting as a skeletal muscle eQTL for the mitochondrial gene NDUFS4, suggesting a mechanism involving muscle bioenergetics. Conclusions: Findings indicate that FST polymorphisms associate with musculoskeletal traits in Northern Han Chinese. Mechanistic insights from functional annotation reveal potential pathways for these associations, highlighting the potential utility of these genetic markers for optimizing training program design. Full article

There have been some studies investigating the effects of air pollutants on male football players, but few have examined the gender-specific impact of air pollution on the athletic performance of female football players. This research gap limits the development of tailored training and competition strategies. Here, generalized mixed modeling was employed to assess the effects of main ambient air pollutants, i.e., particulate matter less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5), ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO), on athletic performance indicators (total movement distance (TMD), jogging distance (JD), and walking distance (WD)) among 14 female football players during 16 matches in the 2020 season of the Chinese Football Association Women’s Super League. Our findings indicate a significant negative association between the O₃ concentration and athletic performance, with fixed effect coefficients of −22.426 ± 8.889 for TMD, −10.817 ± 3.697 for JD, and −6.943 ± 3.265 for WD. The NO₂ concentration was significantly correlated with both TMD and JD, while PM_2.5, SO₂, and CO concentrations had minimal or negligible effects. Additionally, aerobic fitness was reduced as the O₃ concentration increased. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing gender-specific training and competition strategies under varying air quality conditions, offering a basis for more targeted health and performance interventions in professional female football players. Full article

Following the emergence of COVID-19, breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections have demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in both occurrence and clinical severity. This case–control study aimed to elucidate the factors associated with the incidence, duration, and severity of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms among Chinese adults during the Omicron wave. The analysis was based on data from a national COVID-19 surveillance program encompassing six provinces—Jiangsu, Chongqing, Shandong, Hunan, Anhui, and Yunnan—and included both laboratory-confirmed and clinically diagnosed cases. Data were systematically collected between February and April 2023. For each confirmed case, a matched control was selected through simple random sampling, matched on sex, age (±5 years), and province of residence. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess a range of potential determinants, including demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and pre-existing medical conditions, in relation to the risk of infection, as well as the persistence and severity of symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection. A total of 10,426 cases and 10,426 matched controls were included in the final analysis. Among the infected individuals, 963 (9.24%) reported persistent symptoms, while 773 (7.41%) experienced moderate-to-severe clinical manifestations. Occasional alcohol consumption, presence of comorbidities, tea and coffee intake, overweight status, and a longer interval since the last vaccination dose were all significantly associated with increased odds of infection (OR > 1, FDR < 0.05). Conversely, weekly alcohol consumption and smoking were associated with a decreased risk (OR < 1, FDR < 0.05). Female sex was significantly associated with both persistent and moderate-to-severe symptoms. Additional risk factors for prolonged or severe symptoms included older age, being underweight or overweight, a history of immunotherapy, coffee consumption, and the presence of comorbidities. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes and highlight the interplay between host characteristics and behavioral factors. The results support the development of personalized prevention strategies aimed at reducing the clinical burden and long-term impact of COVID-19. Full article

Seahorse (Hippocampus spp.) is popular in the markets of traditional Chinese medicine, aquarium, and curio. In order to protect wild stocks and still meet the market demand, China attempted the large-scale cultivation of seahorses in the early 21st century and achieved it in the 2010s. However, in recent years, two new issues have gradually emerged in Chinese seahorse cultivation. One is that the juveniles are prone to disease during diet conversion, and the other is that the reproductive performance of broodstocks is significantly reduced. With the aim to provide some measures that can alleviate these issues, in the present study, we used lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus, a species widely cultured in China) as the experimental subject and Astragalus polysaccharides (APSs) as the immunostimulant to test whether APSs could improve the immune-health status and reproductive performance of seahorses. The measured indices for reproductive performance included ovarian lipid content, assessment time required before mating for paired male and female seahorses, mating success rate, brood size, and newborn body height. The results showed that for juveniles during diet conversion, their body weight, survival rate, plasma immunocytokine contents (interleukin-2, interferon-α, and immunoglobulin M), and alpha diversity indices (Simpson and Pielou’s-e) of the intestinal microbiota were significantly higher than those of the control group after dietary APSs. For broodstocks, compared with the control group, the expression of lipid substances in the ovary was significantly upregulated, the assessment time was significantly shortened, and the body height of their newborns was significantly increased in the APS group. These results demonstrate that APSs could indeed improve the immune-health status and reproductive performance of seahorses, providing guidance for addressing existing issues in seahorse cultivation. Full article