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With more than 833 million hectares of saline soils worldwide, which are found primarily in arid and semiarid regions, soil salinisation poses a serious threat to global food security and agricultural development. Therefore, a variety of saline soil improvement strategies, including physical, chemical, hydrological and biological methods, have been developed. These methods offer the possibility of rehabilitating saline-alkaline land by improving soil properties, reducing salt concentrations, and promoting plant growth. Among them, the use of microorganisms is considered to have great potential. The microbial communities in saline–alkaline soils are complex and diverse and include saline-tolerant and salinophilic microorganisms that adapt to high-salt and high-alkaline environments by regulating gene expression and altering metabolism and osmotic balance; these microorganisms play important roles in balancing soil ecosystems and maintaining soil fertility. In addition, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can increase plant tolerance to saline and alkaline stress and promote plant growth through various mechanisms, such as phytohormone modulation, osmoregulation, antioxidant defence enhancement, and improved nutrient availability. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of these microbial adaptation mechanisms and their probiotic effects, highlighting the potential for developing efficient microbial fertilisers for the sustainable use of saline soils and the enhancement of agricultural production.

Background Internet gaming has gained widespread popularity in China, yet the classification of problematic gaming subtypes based on personality traits remains limited. This study aimed to employ latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct groups of online gamers and compare key variables across these groups. Methods An online survey was conducted within 5593 internet gaming users, including a demographic questionnaire, queries on internet gaming usage, the Video Gaming Dependency Scale, and the Chinese Big Five Inventory-brief version. LPA was applied to identify distinct user groups, followed by an examination of associations between profile membership and auxiliary variables. Results LPA identified three gamer categories for problematic gaming: “high-risk” (64.78%), “medium-risk” (3.22%), and “low-risk” (32%). High-risk gamers allocated more time and financial resources to gaming for escapism and leisure purposes. The medium-risk group sought enjoyable experiences, exhibiting traits that were intermediate between the high- and low-risk groups. High-risk gamers demonstrated elevated levels of neuroticism, accompanied by lower scores in other Big Five personality traits. In contrast, medium-risk gamers scored low across all Big Five dimensions, while low-risk gamers achieved higher scores in all traits except neuroticism. Notably, the low-risk group reported forming the fewest new online friendships, despite sharing similar social motivations with the other groups. Conclusion Traits such as low neuroticism and high conscientiousness serve as protective factors against gaming addiction, while being unmarried or an only child provides additional safeguards. Conversely, increased time and financial investment in gaming activities are associated with a heightened risk of addiction. These findings are crucial for identifying high-risk gamers and informing the development of targeted interventions.

F-box protein 11 (FBXO11) is a member of F-Box protein family, which has recently been proved to be associated with intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and behavioral abnormalities (IDDFBA, OMIM: 618089). In this study, 12 intellectual disability individuals from 5 Chinese ID families were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES), sanger sequencing, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were conducted. Almost all the affected individuals presented with mild to severe intellectual disability (12/12), global developmental delay (10/12), speech and language development delay (8/12) associated with a range of alternate features including increased body weight (7/12), short stature (6/12), seizures (3/12), reduced visual acuity (4/12), hypotonia (1/12), and auditory hallucinations and hallucinations (1/12). Distinguishingly, malformation was not observed in all the affected individuals. WES analysis showed 5 novel FBXO11 variants, which include an inframe deletion variant, a missense variant, two frameshift variants, and a partial deletion of FBXO11 (exon 22-23). RNA-seq indicated that exon 22-23 deletion of FBXO11 results in a new mRNA structure. Conservation and protein structure prediction demonstrated deleterious effect of these variants. The DEGs analysis revealed 148 differentially expressed genes shared among 6 affected individuals, which were mainly associated with genes of muscle and immune system. Our research is the first report of FBXO11-associated IDDFBA in Chinese individuals, which expands the genetic and clinical spectrum of this newly identified NDD/ID syndrome.

Endometriosis (EMs) is characterized by ectopic growth of active endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The Luoshi Neiyi prescription (LSNYP) has been extensively used for treating EMs in China. However, data on the active chemical components of LSNYP are insufficient, and its pharmacological mechanism in EMs treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of LSNYP for EMs through network pharmacology based on the components absorbed into the blood. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze blood components, and a series of network pharmacology strategies were utilized to predict targets of these components and EMs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, component-target-disease network construction, gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Additionally, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and and experiments were conducted to validate the HIF1A/EZH2/ANTXR2 pathway associated with hypoxic pathology in EMs. Thirty-four absorbed components suitable for network pharmacology analysis were identified, and core targets, such as interleukin 6, EGFR, HIF1A, and EZH2, were founded. Enrichment results indicated that treatment of EMs with LSNYP may involve the regulation of hypoxia and inflammatory-related signaling pathways and response to oxidative stress and transcription factor activity. Experimental results demonstrated that LSNYP could decrease the expression of HIF1A, ANTXR2, YAP1, CD44, and β-catenin, and increased EZH2 expression in ectopic endometrial stromal cells and endometriotic tissues. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations manifested that there was stable combinatorial activity between core components and key targets of the HIF1A/EZH2/ANTXR2 pathway. LSNYP may exert pharmacological effects on EMs via the HIF1A/EZH2/ANTXR2 pathway; hence, it is a natural herb-related therapy for EMs.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adversely influenced human physical and mental health, including emotional disorders and addictions. This study examined substance and Internet use behavior and their associations with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online self-report questionnaire was administered to 2196 Chinese adults between February 17 and 29, 2020. The questionnaire contained the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), questions on demographic information, and items about substance and Internet use characteristics. Our results revealed that males consumed less alcohol (p < 0.001) and areca-nut (p = 0.012) during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Age, gender, education status, and occupation significantly differed among increased substance users, regular substance users, and nonsubstance users. Time spent on the Internet was significantly longer during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and 72% of participants reported increased dependence on the Internet. Compared to regular Internet users, increased users were more likely to be younger and female. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age <33 years (OR = 2.034, p < 0.001), increased substance use (OR = 3.439, p < 0.001), and increased Internet use (OR = 1.914, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with depression. Moreover, anxiety was significantly related to female gender (OR = 2.065, p < 0.001), “unmarried” status (OR = 1.480, p = 0.017), nonstudents (OR = 1.946–3.030, p = 0.001), and increased substance use (OR = 4.291, p < 0.001). Although there was a significant decrease in social substance use during the pandemic, more attention should be paid to increased Internet use. Increased Internet use was significantly associated with both anxiety and depression, and increased substance use was related to depression. Professional support should be provided to vulnerable individuals to prevent addiction.

Frame structures equipped with steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) have been widely used in high-rise buildings due to their good seismic performance. In this study, the strip model and combined strip model were used to analyze the performance of SPSWs. Furthermore, an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) was established to optimize the steel frame for 5, 10, and 20 stories. For each layer, layout optimization was conducted to determine the best configurations of the SPSWs, and two cases of size optimizations of conventional SPSW configurations in the frame were conducted. Results indicate the following: (i) the total weight of the five-story steel frame of layout optimization to determine the best SPSW configuration was approximately 10% lighter than those of the size optimization of conventional SPSW configurations, and this proportion gap expanded to approximately 15–25% for the 10-story and 20-story steel frames; (ii) the steel frame weight could be significantly reduced if the average percentages of story shear resisted by web plates are increased; and (iii) in the steel frame of layout optimization, the structural elements, especially the plate elements, were better utilized than those of size optimization when their inter-story drift ratios met the specification requirements. These results highlight the prominent performances of some important indicators of the design of an SPSW system with the layout optimized using IGA.

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is prevalent globally and linked to significant negative outcomes. Impoverished rural adolescents face unique risks due to limited supervision and unequal digital resources, with limited longitudinal research conducted in this population. Existing studies show sex differences in IGD prevalence, but their manifestations and mechanisms in rural populations remain unclear. This is the first large-sample cross-sectional and prospective cohort study targeting impoverished adolescents in rural areas. It aimed to determine the prevalence of IGD among impoverished rural adolescents, identify sex-specific risk and protective factors, and evaluate the longitudinal predictors of IGD. In this study, self-administered questionnaires were used to collect demographic characteristics, affective states, impulsivity, gaming time, and scores for IGD. First, the prevalence of IGD at baseline and follow-up, along with sex differences, was calculated. Correlation analysis was conducted to explore variables associated with IGD. Subsequently, multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify baseline and follow-up predictors of IGD. The cross-sectional analysis at baseline included 13,931 valid responses (IGD prevalence: n=725, 5.2%; males: 489/7304, 6.7%; females: 236/6627, 3.6%). A 1-year longitudinal follow-up showed IGD prevalence of 5% (692/13,931; males: 511/7304, 7.0%; females: 181/6627, 2.7%; after multiple imputations). Common baseline factors were gaming time (females: odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% CI 1.08-1.14, P<.001; males: OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09-1.13, P<.001), self-esteem scores (females: OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.98, P=.002; males: OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92-0.97, P<.001), depression scores (females: OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11-1.16, P<.001; males: OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09-1.13, P<.001), and impulsive behavior (females: OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10-1.22, P<.001; males: OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.14, P<.001). Companionship (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.97; P=.03) was a protective factor for females, while age (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15; P=.02) and poor self-regulation (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11; P=.001) posed extra risk for males at baseline. Longitudinal predictors were baseline gaming time (females: OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09, P<.001; males: OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05, P=.03) and impulsive behavior (females: OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.30-1.46, P<.001; males: OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.22-1.31, P<.001). Baseline companionship (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.23-0.43; P<.001) was a protective factor for females, while baseline poor self-regulation (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.27-1.37; P<.001) was a predictive factor for males after 1 year. IGD prevalence was lower in rural than in urban populations and higher in males than in females. Impulsivity, gaming time, and guardian companionship showed sex differences: females relied more on companionship, whereas males were more vulnerable to poor self-regulation. Interventions should address these differences, strengthening family support and psychological adjustment. This study provides novel insights into sex-specific pathways of IGD in rural settings and offers empirical evidence for developing targeted prevention strategies, highlighting its practical significance for public health.

Background Root-associated microbiomes are crucial for assisting host and parasitic plants cope with environmental stress. However, little research exists on bacterial community characteristics of parasites and hosts under different parasitic statuses. In this study, we used Cistanche tubulosa and Tamarix chinensis as parasitic and host plant models, respectively, and aimed to determine the assembly mechanisms and role in assisting plants in salt stress tolerance of root-associated bacterial communities. Results The different parasitic statuses are closely related to the variations in bacterial communication and community assembly mechanisms between the host and parasitic plants. The percentages of potential microbiota sourced from the parasite to the host (44.83% and 83.50%) were greater than those from the host to the parasite (17.50% and 54.67%) in the re-parasitism and flowering stages, illustrating that parasites play a dominant role in shaping the host root microbiota. In addition, the host has a more complex and robust root microbiota co-occurrence network than the parasite does, whereas the KEGG results revealed that the predicted bacterial communities of the parasite-associated microbiota contain more genes in plant growth promotion, salt‒alkali stress resistance, and substance metabolism. Moreover, the salinity, NH 4 + , and total potassium were significantly correlated with the bacterial community distributions of the two plants. Conclusion Our results indicate that parasitic status significantly affects the distribution of root bacterial communities, bacterial transfer, and material metabolism of the two plants at different parasitic statuses, reflecting the adaptive mechanisms of plants and bacteria under parasitic relationships and providing ideas for the utilization of saline-alkaline land.

Two types of lateral resistance structural systems, namely unstiffened steel plate shear walls (USPSWs) and stiffened steel plate shear walls (SSPSWs), are typically used in high-rise structures. Numerous experimental and numerical studies have been conducted on the structural performance of SSPSWs. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of column flexural stiffness on SSPSW systems. In this study, an analysis and numerical investigation of SSPSWs with variable column flexural stiffnesses was performed. The hysteretic performance, secant stiffness reduction and energy dissipation of SSPSWs with four column flexural stiffnesses were investigated. The column flexural stiffness reduction in the USPSWs and SSPSWs did not negatively influence the overall performance of drift ratios up to 2.5%. Moreover, the infill plates of the USPSWs and SSPSWs could achieve the ultimate strengths similar to the theoretical values despite the column not satisfying the minimum flexural stiffness requirements from CSA S16-09 and PEER/ATC72-1, which indicated that these requirements could be conservative.

Introduction: Several studies have reported structural and functional abnormalities of the amygdala caused by methamphetamine addiction. However, it is unknown whether abnormalities in amygdala function persist in long-term methamphetamine abstainers. Methods: In this study, 38 long-term male methamphetamine abstainers (>12 months) and 40 demographically matched male healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Considering the heterogeneous nature of the amygdala structure and function, we chose 4 amygdala subregions (i.e., left lateral, left medial, right lateral, and right medial) as regions of interest (ROI) and compared the ROI-based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) at the whole-brain voxel-wise between the two groups. We explored the relationship between the detected abnormal connectivity, methamphetamine use factors, and the duration of withdrawal using correlation analyses. We also examined the effect of methamphetamine use factors, months of withdrawal, and sociodemographic data on detected abnormal connectivity through multiple linear regressions. Results: Compared with HCs, long-term methamphetamine abstainers showed significant hyperconnectivity between the left lateral amygdala and a continuous area extending to the left inferior/middle occipital gyrus and left middle/superior temporal gyrus. Abnormal connections negatively correlated with methamphetamine withdrawal time (r = −0.85, p < 0.001). The linear regression model further demonstrated that the months of withdrawal could identify the abnormal connectivity (β adj = −0.86, 95%CI: −1.06 to −0.65, p < 0.001). Discussion: The use of methamphetamine can impair the neural sensory system, including the visual and auditory systems, but this abnormal connectivity can gradually recover after prolonged withdrawal of methamphetamine. From a neuroimaging perspective, our results suggest that withdrawal is an effective treatment for methamphetamine.