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"Li, Wei-Ying"
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The Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Chinese Older Adults: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression
Sarcopenia, with risk factors such as poor nutrition and physical inactivity, is becoming prevalent among the older population. The aims of this study were (i) to systematically review the existing data on sarcopenia prevalence in the older Chinese population, (ii) to generate pooled estimates of the sex-specific prevalence among different populations, and (iii) to identify the factors associated with the heterogeneity in the estimates across studies. A search was conducted in seven databases for studies that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese older adults, aged 60 years and over, published through April 2020. We then performed a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence, and investigated the factors associated with the variation in the prevalence across the studies using meta-regression. A total of 58 studies were included in this review. Compared with community-dwelling Chinese older adults (men: 12.9%, 95% CI: 10.7–15.1%; women: 11.2%, 95% CI: 8.9–13.4%), the pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults from hospitals (men: 29.7%, 95% CI:18.4–41.1%; women: 23.0%, 95% CI:17.1–28.8%) and nursing homes (men: 26.3%, 95% CI: 19.1 to 33.4%; women: 33.7%, 95% CI: 27.2 to 40.1%) was higher. The multivariable meta-regression quantified the difference of the prevalence estimates in different populations, muscle mass assessments, and areas. This study yielded pooled estimates of sarcopenia prevalence in Chinese older adults not only from communities, but also from clinical settings and nursing homes. This study added knowledge to the current epidemiology literature about sarcopenia in older Chinese populations, and could provide background information for future preventive strategies, such as nutrition and physical activity interventions, tailored to the growing older population.
Journal Article
Characterization of bHLH/HLH genes that are involved in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling in fiber development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Background
Basic helix-loop-helix/helix-loop-helix (bHLH/HLH) transcription factors play important roles in plant development. Many reports have suggested that bHLH/HLH proteins participate in brassinosteroid (BR) hormone signaling pathways to promote cell elongation. Cotton fibers are single-cells and derived from seed surface. To explore the roles of bHLH/HLH proteins in cotton fiber development progress by modulating BR signaling pathway, we performed a systematic analysis of the
bHLH/HLH
gene family in upland cotton (
Gossypium hirsutum
) genome.
Results
In this study, we identified 437
bHLH/HLH
genes in upland cotton (
G. hirsutum
) genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that GhbHLH/HLH proteins were split into twenty six clades in the tree. These
GhbHLH/HLH
genes are distributed unevenly in different chromosomes of cotton genome. Segmental duplication is the predominant gene duplication event and the major contributor for amplification of
GhbHLH/HLH
gene family. The
GhbHLH/HLHs
within the same group have conserved exon/intron pattern and their encoding proteins show conserved motif composition. Based on transcriptome data, we identified 77
GhbHLH/HLH
candidates that are expressed at relatively high levels in cotton fibers. As adding exogenous BR (brassinolide, BL) or brassinazole (Brz, a BR biosynthesis inhibitor), expressions of these
GhbHLH/HLH
genes were up-regulated or down-regulated in cotton fibers. Furthermore, overexpression of GhbHLH282 (one of the BR-response genes) in Arabidopsis not only promoted the plant growth, but also changed plant response to BR signaling.
Conclusion
Collectively, these data suggested that these
GhbHLH/HLH
genes may participate in BR signaling transduction during cotton fiber development. Thus, our results may provide a valuable reference data as the basis for further studying the roles of these
bHLH/HLH
genes in cotton fiber development.
Journal Article
Comparative chloroplast genome analysis of Ficus (Moraceae): Insight into adaptive evolution and mutational hotspot regions
As the largest genus in Moraceae,
Ficus
is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions and exhibits a high degree of adaptability to different environments. At present, however, the phylogenetic relationships of this genus are not well resolved, and chloroplast evolution in
Ficus
remains poorly understood. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast genomes of 10 species of
Ficus
, downloaded and assembled 13 additional species based on next-generation sequencing data, and compared them to 46 previously published chloroplast genomes. We found a highly conserved genomic structure across the genus, with plastid genome sizes ranging from 159,929 bp (
Ficus langkokensis
) to 160,657 bp (
Ficus religiosa
). Most chloroplasts encoded 113 unique genes, including a set of 78 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, four ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and one pseudogene (
infA
). The number of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) ranged from 67 (
Ficus sagittata
) to 89 (
Ficus microdictya
) and generally increased linearly with plastid size. Among the plastomes, comparative analysis revealed eight intergenic spacers that were hotspot regions for divergence. Additionally, the
clpP
,
rbcL
, and
ccsA
genes showed evidence of positive selection. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that none of the six traditionally recognized subgenera of
Ficus
were monophyletic. Divergence time analysis based on the complete chloroplast genome sequences showed that
Ficus
species diverged rapidly during the early to middle Miocene. This research provides basic resources for further evolutionary studies of
Ficus
.
Journal Article
Apigenin suppresses the stem cell-like properties of triple-negative breast cancer cells by inhibiting YAP/TAZ activity
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a clinical challenge because of the absence of effective therapeutic targets. In TNBC, overexpression of YAP and TAZ correlates with bioactivities of cancer stem cells (CSCs), high histological grade, resistance to chemotherapy, and metastasis. Thus, YAP/TAZ may serve as potential therapeutic targets in TNBC. To identify YAP/TAZ inhibitors, in previous experiments, we screened a library of natural compounds by using YAP/TAZ luciferase reporter assay and identified apigenin as a potential inhibitor. In this study, we demonstrated that apigenin significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of TNBC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that apigenin inhibited stemness features of TNBC cells in both in vitro and in vivo assays. Our mechanism study demonstrated that apigenin decreased YAP/TAZ activity and the expression of target genes, such as CTGF and CYR61, in TNBC cells. We also showed that apigenin disrupted the YAP/TAZ-TEADs protein–protein interaction and decreased expression of TAZ sensitized TNBC cells to apigenin treatment. Collectively, our studies suggest that apigenin is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of TNBC patients with high YAP/TAZ activity.
Journal Article
The high-affinity transporter BnPHT1;4 is involved in phosphorus acquisition and mobilization for facilitating seed germination and early seedling growth of Brassica napus
Background
Seed germination and seedling establishment are two of the most critical phases in plant development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of phosphorus on seed germination and post-germinated growth of oilseed rape are unclear so far. Here, we report the role of
BnPHT1;4
in seed germination and early seedling development of
Brassica napus
.
Results
Our results show that
BnPHT1;4
is preferentially expressed in cotyledons of early developing seedlings. Overexpression of
BnPHT1;4
in oilseed rape promoted seed germination and seedling growth. Expression levels of the genes related to ABA and GA biosynthesis and signaling were significantly altered in
BnPHT1;4
transgenic seedlings. Consequently, active GA level was up-regulated, whereas ABA content was down-regulated in
BnPHT1;4
transgenic seedlings. Furthermore, exogenous GA could promote seed germination of wild type, while exogenous ABA could partially recover the advanced-germination phenotype of
BnPHT1;4
transgenic seeds. Total phosphorus content in cotyledons of the transgenic seedlings was decreased more rapidly than that in wild type when Pi was supplied or deficient, and Pi contents in shoots and roots of the
BnPHT1;4
transgenic plants were higher than those in wild type under high and low Pi conditions.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that the high-affinity transporter BnPHT1;4 is involved in phosphorus acquisition and mobilization for facilitating seed germination and seedling growth of
Brassica napus
by modulating ABA and GA biosynthesis.
Journal Article
Effect of an OwlSpace Programming Course on the Computational Thinking of Elementary School Students
This study investigates the effect of programming courses on the computational thinking (CT) skills of elementary school students and the learning effectiveness of students from different backgrounds who are studying programming. We designed a OwlSpace programming course into an elementary school curriculum. Students in fourth and fifth grades were taught the fundamentals of programming. We measured and analyzed the effectiveness of their CT skills and self-efficacy in CT. The researchers analyzed the changes in the CT of different gender, different grade, and different past experience students in programming courses and then made specific recommendations for information technigy teachers and related units. The results demonstrate that students learned and improved their CT skills by taking OwlSpace programming course. Additionally, gender, grade, and past experience are found to have no impact on the students’ learning that means the course can improve students ability without limited any characteristics.
Journal Article
Building bridges of excellence: a comprehensive competence framework for nurses in hospice and palliative care—a mixed method study
Background
Hospice and Palliative Care (HPC) is in high demand in China; however, the country is facing the shortage of qualified HPC nurses. A well-suited competence framework is needed to promote HPC human resource development. Nevertheless, existing unstandardized single-structured frameworks may not be sufficient to meet this need. This study aimed at constructing a comprehensive multi-structured HPC competence framework for nurses.
Methods
This study employed a mixed-method approach, including a systematic review and qualitative interview for HPC competence profile extraction, a two-round Delphi survey to determine the competences for the framework, and a cross-sectional study for framework structure exploration. The competence profiles were extracted from publications from academic databases and interviews recruiting nurses working in the HPC field. The research team synthesized profiles and transferred them to competences utilizing existing competence dictionaries. These synthesized competences were then subjected to Delphi expert panels to determine the framework elements. The study analyzed theoretical structure of the framework through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) based on a cross-sectional study receiving 491 valid questionnaires.
Results
The systematic review involved 30 publications from 10 countries between 1995 and 2021, while 13 nurses from three hospitals were interviewed. In total, 87 and 48 competence profiles were respectively extracted from systematic review and interview and later synthesized into 32 competences. After the Delphi survey, 25 competences were incorporated into the HPC competence framework for nurses. The EFA found a two-factor structure, with factor 1 comprising 18 competences namely Basic Competences; factor 2 concluding 7 competences namely Developmental Competences.
Conclusions
The two-factor HPC competence framework provided valuable insights into the need and directions of Chinese HPC nurses’ development.
Journal Article
JLcoding Language Tool for Early Programming Learning
This paper proposes a symmetry language of block-based to design novel educational programming called the JLcoding system. JLcoding system helps students convert from a block-based language to a text-based programming language. The interface and function of the system are block-based programs such as Scratch, but it is designed with text-based architecture. The system contains graphic teaching to teach the basic knowledge of programming, such that students can maintain interest and confidence when learning computational thinking. The system simultaneously combines the advantages of block-based and text-based programming. This research engaged 41 students who learned block-based programming language as the research objects. The experimental results show that the students can obtain higher post-test scores than the pre-test scores after learning the JLcoding system. The degree of learning progress was not affected by their gender. Additionally, it was discovered that male students have higher confidence in their programming abilities, and students who have learning interests are more motivated to continue learning the program.
Journal Article
Discovery and Mechanistic Elucidation of Glycyrrhizic Acid Composite Gel in Promoting Wound Healing: A Modernized Study Based on Shengji Yuhong Ointment
Objectives: Shengji Yuhong Ointment (SJYHO) is a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription used for refractory wounds, yet its systemic pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to identify its key active compounds and develop a simplified, effective topical formulation. Methods: We employed an integrated approach, combining network pharmacology and machine learning to screen the key constituents and core targets of SJYHO. The lead compound, glycyrrhizic acid, was formulated into a hydrogel (GA-Gel). Its therapeutic efficacy was evaluated in a full-thickness excisional wound model in Sprague-Dawley rats over 21 days, assessing healing kinetics, histology, and pain behavior. The interaction between glycyrrhizic acid and the identified target PPIA, along with its immunomodulatory effects, was validated through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and RT-qPCR. Results: Our integrated analysis identified PPIA as the core target and glycyrrhizic acid as a key bioactive component of SJYHO. Animal experiments demonstrated that GA-Gel significantly accelerated wound closure, which was driven by its multi-faceted actions: reducing inflammation, promoting collagen deposition, alleviating pain, and modulating late-stage angiogenesis. Mechanistically, we confirmed that glycyrrhizic acid stably binds to PPIA. Furthermore, GA-Gel treatment mediated wound immune infiltration by specifically regulating CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and memory B cells, an effect that was dependent on PPIA targeting. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that glycyrrhizic acid, formulated as GA-Gel, recapitulates the wound-healing benefits of SJYHO by specifically targeting PPIA and modulating the immune microenvironment. Our findings not only elucidate a key mechanistic pathway but also present GA-Gel as a rationally designed, clinically translatable therapy for acute and chronic wounds.
Journal Article