Search Results (31,682)

Phubbing, a relatively new phenomenon in the field of digital risks, refers to the act of ignoring someone in favor of focusing on a smartphone during face-to-face interactions. Parental phubbing, a specific form of this behavior, is a prevalent negative parenting practice that can affect parent–child relationships and child development. However, the impact of parental phubbing on the emotional and behavioral development of preschool children remains unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between parental phubbing and preschoolers’ behavioral problems, as well as test whether parents’ mindful attention awareness (MAA) acts as a mediator between them. Method: A questionnaire was administered to 138 Italian parents (mean age = 38.5, SD = 6.2) of 138 kindergarten preschoolers (mean age = 3.9, SD = 1.03). Questionnaires included the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results: Analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between the MAAS and SDQ total scores, a positive correlation between the GSP total score and the SDQ total score, and a negative correlation between the GSP total score and the MAAS total score. The mediation analysis did not show a direct effect of GSP on SDQ, suggesting that parental phubbing did not directly predict children’s behavioral difficulties. Nevertheless, the indirect effect measured by bootstrapping was significant, indicating that parental MAA fully mediated the relationship between parental phubbing and preschoolers’ problematic behaviors. Conclusions: Although further research is needed, parental mindfulness may influence phubbing behaviors in parents providing valuable insights for early interventions aimed at reducing problem behaviors in young children. Full article

Isoquercitrin, a monoglucoside form of quercetin, exhibits superior antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects in comparison to its precursor, rutin. However, its natural abundance is limited. This study aimed to increase the functional value of Diospyros lotus leaf extract through enzymatic conversion of rutin to isoquercitrin using α-l-rhamnosidase and to evaluate the changes in biological activities after conversion. A sugar-free D. lotus leaf extract was prepared and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with α-l-rhamnosidase under optimized conditions (pH 5.5, 55 °C, and 0.6 U/mL). Isoquercitrin production was monitored via high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays, respectively. The enzymatic reaction resulted in complete conversion of 30 mM rutin into isoquercitrin within 180 min, increasing isoquercitrin content from 9.8 to 39.8 mM. The enzyme-converted extract exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant activity, with a 48% improvement in IC₅₀ value compared with the untreated extract. Similarly, LOX inhibition increased from 39.2% to 48.3% after enzymatic conversion. Both extracts showed higher inhibition than isoquercitrin alone, indicating synergistic effects of other phytochemicals present in the extract. This study is the first to demonstrate that α-l-rhamnosidase-mediated conversion of rutin to isoquercitrin in D. lotus leaf extract significantly improves its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The enzymatically enhanced extract shows potential as a functional food or therapeutic ingredient. Full article

The potent and selective ‘genetic zipper’ method for insect pest control consists of three essential components: an antisense DNA (the finder), its complementary mature rRNA or pre-rRNA of the pest (the target), and the host’s endogenous DNA-guided rRNase (the degrader). Although this approach has been validated, the spectrum of effective rRNA targets remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we report for the first time the insecticidal efficacy of a novel oligonucleotide insecticide, Eriola-11, which targets the mitochondrial 16S rRNA of the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann. We hypothesized that the antisense-mediated silencing of mitochondrial rRNA would impair aphid viability and lead to physiological disruptions associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism. Eriola-11 was applied either once or twice (with a 24 h interval) to aphid-infested plants, and aphid mortality was recorded over 14 days. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA expression levels were quantified using molecular assays, and the degradation kinetics of Eriola-11 were assessed in aphid tissue homogenates. Results showed significant insecticidal activity, with 67.55% mortality after a single treatment and 83.35% after two treatments. Treated aphids exhibited the loss of their characteristic white woolly wax covering, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA expression was reduced 0.66-fold relative to the control. Additionally, Eriola-11 was fully degraded by aphid DNases from tissue homogenates within 3 h, highlighting its rapid biodegradability. These findings establish mitochondrial 16S rRNA as a viable target for antisense insecticides and expand the catalogue of potential rRNA-based targets, offering a promising avenue for environmentally sustainable pest control strategies. Full article

Silica-modified electrodes possess physicochemical properties that make them valuable in electrochemical sensing and energy-related applications. Although intrinsically insulating, silica thin films can selectively interact with redox species, producing sieving effects that enhance electrochemical responses. We synthesized Class I hybrid silica matrices incorporating either negatively charged poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) or positively charged poly(diallyl dimethylammonium chloride). These hybrid films were deposited onto ITO electrodes and evaluated via cyclic voltammetry in aqueous ferrocenium solutions. The polyelectrolyte charge played a key role in the electroassisted incorporation of ferrocene: silica-PSS films promoted accumulation, while silica-PDADMAC films hindered it due to electrostatic repulsion. In situ UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed that only a fraction of the embedded ferrocene was electroactive. Nevertheless, this fraction enabled effective mediated detection of cytochrome c in solution. These findings highlight the crucial role of ionic interactions and hybrid composition in electron transfer to redox proteins, providing valuable insights for the development of advanced bioelectronic sensors. Full article

The importance of non-performing loans (NPLs) for the stability of financial sectors is difficult to overestimate. The NPL level depends on numerous factors; this study’s goal is to determine the impact of macroeconomic factors on NPLs with the mediation effect of foreign, saving and social factors in Kazakhstan’s banking sector. To determine the affecting factors, the authors performed a systematic literature review. To determine the dependencies between constructs, the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used. Macroeconomic factors’ direct effect on non-performing loans (NPLs) was examined; a significant negative dependence was determined. The mediation effect of foreign, saving, and social factors was investigated. Foreign factors have a mediation effect, strengthening the dependence between macro factors and NPLs. Nevertheless, they do not have a mediating effect; moreover, they balance and make the effect of macro factors on NPLs statistically insignificant. These findings allow policy-makers to stabilize the situation on NPLs in the financial markets of developing countries like Kazakhstan by directly influencing not only the financial sector but also other sectors of the national economy. Full article

Background: Senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, is a complex cellular phenomenon closely affiliated with age-related diseases and pathological fibrosis. Cellular senescence is now recognized as a significant contributor to organ fibrosis, largely driven by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, such as in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and myocardial fibrosis, which can lead to heart failure, cystic fibrosis, and fibrosis in pancreatic tumors, to name a few. MASH is a progressive inflammatory and fibrotic liver condition that has reached pandemic proportions, now considered the largest non-viral contributor to the need for liver transplantation. Methods: We previously studied Oxy210, an anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory, orally bioavailable, oxysterol-based drug candidate for MASH, using APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice, a humanized hyperlipidemic mouse model that closely recapitulates the hallmarks of human MASH. In this model, treatment of mice with Oxy210 for 16 weeks caused significant amelioration of the disease, evidenced by reduced hepatic inflammation, lipid deposition, and fibrosis, atherosclerosis and adipose tissue inflammation. Results: Here we demonstrate increased hepatic expression of senescence-associated genes and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), correlated with the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatorygenes in these mice during the development of MASH that are significantly inhibited by Oxy210. Using the HepG2 human hepatocyte cell line, we demonstrate the induced expression of senescent-associated genes and SASP by TGF-β and inhibition by Oxy210. Conclusions: These findings further support the potential therapeutic effects of Oxy210 mediated in part through inhibition of senescence-driven hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in MASH and perhaps in other senescence-associated fibrotic diseases. Full article

Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is an important indicator of soil organic carbon accumulation and loss and a key parameter in biogeochemical cycling models. Its regulatory mechanism is highly dependent on microbial communities and their dynamic mediation of abiotic factors. Land-use change (e.g., agricultural expansion, deforestation, urbanization) profoundly alter carbon input patterns and soil physicochemical properties, further exacerbating the complexity and uncertainty of CUE. Existing carbon cycle models often neglect microbial ecological processes, resulting in an incomplete understanding of how microbial traits interact with environmental factors to regulate CUE. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the microbial regulation mechanisms of CUE under land-use change and systematically explores how microorganisms drive organic carbon allocation through community compositions, interspecies interactions, and environmental adaptability, with particular emphasis on the synergistic response between microbial communities and abiotic factors. We found that the buffering effect of microbial communities on abiotic factors during land-use change is a key factor determining CUE change patterns. This review not only provides a theoretical framework for clarifying the microbial-dominated carbon turnover mechanism but also lays a scientific foundation for the precise implementation of sustainable land management and carbon neutrality goals. Full article

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear protein that can interact with a transmembrane cell surface receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) and mediates the inflammatory pathways that lead to various pathological conditions like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Blocking the HMGB1/RAGE axis using various small synthetic or natural molecules has been proven to be an effective therapeutic approach to treating these inflammatory conditions. However, the low water solubility of these pharmacoactive molecules limits their clinical use. Pharmaceutically active molecules with low solubility and bioavailability in vivo convey a higher risk of failure for drug development and drug innovation. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics parameters of these compounds are majorly affected by their solubility. Enhancement of the bioavailability and solubility of drugs is a significant challenge in the area of pharmaceutical formulations. This review mainly describes various technologies utilized to improve the bioavailability of synthetic or natural molecules which have been particularly used in various inflammatory conditions acting specifically through the HMGB1/RAGE pathway. Full article

The improvement in yield in cultivar mixtures has been well established. Despite increasing knowledge of the improvement involving within-species diversification and resource use efficiency, little is known about the benefits arising from relatedness-mediated intraspecific interactions in cultivar mixtures. This study used a relatedness gradient of rice cultivars to test whether neighbor relatedness contributes to improvements in grain yields in cultivar mixtures. We experimentally demonstrated the grain yield of rice cultivar mixtures with varying genetic relatedness under both field and controlled conditions. As a result, a closely related cultivar mixture had increased grain yield compared to monoculture and distantly related mixtures by optimizing the root-to-shoot ratio and accelerating flowering. The benefits over monoculture were most pronounced when compared to the significant yield reductions observed in distantly related mixtures. The relatedness-mediated improvement in yields depended on soil volume and nitrogen use level, with effects attenuating under larger soil volumes or nitrogen deficiency. Furthermore, neighbor relatedness enhanced the richness and diversity of both bacterial and fungal communities in the rhizosphere soil, leading to a significant restructuring of the microbial community composition. These findings suggest that neighbor relatedness may improve the grain yield of rice cultivar mixtures. Beneficial plant–plant interactions may be generated by manipulating cultivar kinship within a crop species. A thorough understanding of kinship strategies in cultivar mixtures offers promising prospects for increasing crop production. Full article

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and cause-related marketing has reshaped corporate social responsibility practices while triggering a conflict between technological instrumental rationality and moral value transmission. Building on the Persuasion Knowledge Model (PKM) and AI aversion literature, this research employs two experiments to reveal that AI disclosure exerts a unique inhibitory effect on consumers’ purchase intentions in cause-related marketing contexts compared to non-cause-related marketing scenarios. Further analysis uncovers a chain mediation pathway through consumer skepticism and advertisement attitudes, explaining the psychological mechanism underlying AI disclosure’s impact on purchase intentions. The study also identifies the moderating role of AI aversion within this chain model. The findings provide a new theoretical perspective for integrating AI disclosure, consumer psychological responses, and marketing effectiveness while exposing the “value-instrumentality” conflict inherent in AI applications for cause-related marketing. This research advances the evolution of the PKM in the digital era and offers practical insights for cause-related marketing enterprises to balance AI technology application with optimized disclosure strategies. Full article

Perturbations in the tightly regulated processes of VLDL biosynthesis and secretion can directly impact both liver and cardiovascular health. Patients with metabolic disorders have an increased risk of developing hepatic steatosis, which can lead to cirrhosis. These associated metabolic risks underscore the importance of discerning the role of different cellular proteins involved in VLDL biogenesis, transport, and secretion. Small VCP-Interacting Protein (SVIP) has been identified as a component of VLDL transport vesicles and VLDL secretion. This study evaluates the cellular effects stemming from the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated depletion of SVIP in rat hepatocytes. The SVIP-knockout (KO) cells display an increased VLDL retention with elevated intracellular levels of ApoB100 and neutral lipid staining. RNA sequencing studies reveal an impaired PPARα and Nrf2 signaling in the SVIP KO cells, implying a state of metabolic reprograming, with a shift from fatty acid uptake, synthesis, and oxidation to cells favoring the activation of glucose by impaired glycogen storage and increased glucose release. Additionally, SVIP KO cells exhibit a transcriptional profile indicative of acute phase response (APR) in hepatocytes. Many inflammatory markers and genes associated with APR are upregulated in the SVIP KO hepatocytes. In accordance with an APR-like response, the cells also demonstrate an increase in mRNA expression of genes associated with protein synthesis. Together, our data demonstrate that SVIP is critical in maintaining hepatic lipid homeostasis and metabolic balance by regulating key pathways such as PPARα, Nrf2, and APR. Full article

The oral–gut microbiota axis is a relatively new field of research. Although most studies have focused separately on the oral and gut microbiota, emerging evidence has highlighted that the two microbiota are interconnected and may influence each other through various mechanisms shaping systemic health. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an overview of the interactions between oral and gut microbiota, and the influence of diet and related metabolites on this axis. Pathogenic oral bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, can migrate to the gut through the enteral route, particularly in individuals with weakened gastrointestinal defenses or conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease, contributing to disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Bile acids, altered by gut microbes, also play a significant role in modulating these microbiota interactions and inflammatory responses. Oral bacteria can also spread via the bloodstream, promoting systemic inflammation and worsening some conditions like cardiovascular disease. Translocation of microorganisms can also take place from the gut to the oral cavity through fecal–oral transmission, especially within poor sanitary conditions. Some metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, indole and its derivatives, bile acids, and lipopolysaccharides produced by both oral and gut microbes seem to play central roles in mediating oral–gut interactions. The complex interplay between oral and gut microbiota underscores their crucial role in maintaining systemic health and highlights the potential consequences of dysbiosis at both the oral and gastrointestinal level. Some dietary patterns and nutritional compounds including probiotics and prebiotics seem to exert beneficial effects both on oral and gut microbiota eubiosis. A better understanding of these microbial interactions could therefore pave the way for the prevention and management of systemic conditions, improving overall health outcomes. Full article

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is one of the world’s most prominent biodiversity hotspots. Understanding the spatial patterns of ecological uniqueness in its plant communities is essential for uncovering the mechanisms of community assembly and informing effective conservation strategies. In this study, we analyzed data from 758 plots across 338 sites on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. For each plot, the vegetation type was classified, and all plant species present, along with their respective abundance or coverage, were recorded in the database. To assess overall compositional variation, community β-diversity was quantified, while a plot-level approach was applied to determine the influence of local environmental conditions and community characteristics on ecological uniqueness. We used stepwise multiple regressions, variation partitioning, and structural equation modeling to identify the key drivers of spatial variation in ecological uniqueness. Our results show that (1) local contributions to β-diversity (LCBD) exhibit significant geographic variation—increasing with longitude, decreasing with latitude, and showing a unimodal trend along the elevational gradient; (2) shrubs and trees contribute more to β-diversity than herbaceous species, and LCBD is strongly linked to the proportion of rare species; and (3) community characteristics, including species richness and vegetation coverage, are the main direct drivers of ecological uniqueness, explaining 36.9% of the variance, whereas climate and soil properties exert indirect effects through their interactions. Structural equation modeling further reveals a coordinated influence of soil, climate, and community attributes on LCBD, primarily mediated through soil nutrient availability. These findings provide a theoretical basis for adaptive biodiversity management on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and underscore the conservation value of regions with high ecological uniqueness. Full article

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure has been linked to increased lung damage due to compromised vascular barrier function, while 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone derived from Caesalpinia sappan, is known for its pharmacological benefits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects; however, its potential role in mitigating PM_2.5-induced pulmonary damage remains unexplored. To confirm the inhibitory effects of 3-DSC on PM_2.5-induced pulmonary injury, this research focused on evaluating how 3-DSC influences PM_2.5-induced disruption of the barrier of the endothelial cells (ECs) in the lungs and the resulting pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, proinflammatory protein activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and histology were assessed in PM_2.5-treated ECs and mice. This study demonstrated that 3-DSC effectively neutralized the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by PM_2.5 exposure in the lung endothelial cells, suppressing ROS-triggered p38 MAPK activation while enhancing Akt signaling pathways critical to preserving vascular barrier function. In animal models, 3-DSC administration markedly decreased vascular permeability, attenuated the influx of immune cells into the lung tissue, and lowered inflammatory mediators like cytokines in the airways of PM_2.5-exposed mice. These data suggest that 3-DSC might exert protective effects on PM_2.5-induced inflammatory lung injury and vascular hyperpermeability. Full article

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune imbalance demands novel ameliorative strategies beyond conventional approaches. Methods: In this study, the probiotic properties of Lactobacillus paracasei L21 (L. paracasei L21) and its ability to ameliorate colitis were evaluated using an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal crypt epithelial cell (IEC-6) model and an in vivo dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC mouse model. Results: In vitro, L. paracasei L21 decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8) while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels (p < 0.05) in LPS-induced IEC-6 cells, significantly enhancing the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1), thereby restoring the intestinal barrier. In vivo, both viable L. paracasei L21 and its heat-inactivated postbiotic (H-L21) mitigated weight loss, colon shortening, and disease activity indices, concurrently reducing serum LPS and proinflammatory mediators. Interventions inhibited NF-κB signaling while activating HIF1α/AhR pathways, increasing IL-22 and mucin MUC2 to restore goblet cell populations. Gut microbiota analysis showed that both interventions increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria (Lactobacillus, Dubococcus, and Akkermansia) and improved faecal propanoic acid and butyric acid levels. H-L21 uniquely exerted an anti-inflammatory effect, marked by the regulation of Dubosiella, while L. paracasei L21 marked by the Akkermansia. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of L. paracasei L21 as a candidate for the development of both probiotic and postbiotic formulations. It is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the management of UC and to drive the development of the next generation of UC therapies. Full article