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Centering on Yōitsu Honda, a leading figure in the Japanese Christian Church during the Meiji era, this paper examines how he actively sought to reconcile Christian doctrine with nationalist ideology in the context of the formation of the modern emperor-centered state and Japan’s overseas expansion. Honda’s thought and practice illustrate the adaptive reconfigurations of faith and the corresponding shifts in political orientation undertaken by some Japanese Christians under the pressures of the period, as they sought to secure space for the church’s survival and development. Although Honda’s strategy temporarily enhanced the social standing and political influence of the church he served, it also, to some extent, eroded the critical capacity and moral autonomy of his religious thought. Over time, his Christian faith increasingly aligned with Japanese state policy and, under specific historical conditions, became implicated in Japanese militarism. This case thus illuminates the dilemmas confronted by imported religions in contexts characterized by intense nationalism.

Allium mongolicum Regel ( A. mongolicum ) is a perennial and xerophytic Liliaceous allium plant in high altitude desert steppe and desert areas. Feeding A. mongolicum greatly reduced unpleasant mutton flavor and improves meat quality of sheep. We analyzed epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of water extracts of A. mongolicum (WEA) on sheep muscle and adipose using RNA-Seq and whole-genome Bisulfite sequencing. Feeding WEA reduced differentially expressed genes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) between two tissues but increased differentially methylation regions (DMRs). LncRNA and DMR targets were both involved in ATP binding, ubiquitin, protein kinase binding, regulation of cell proliferation, and related signaling pathways, but not unsaturated fatty acids metabolism. Besides, tissue specific targets were involved in distinct functional annotations, e.g., Golgi membrane and endoplasmic reticulum for muscle lncRNA, oxidative phosphorylation metabolism for adipose lncRNA, dsRNA binding for muscle DMRs. Epigenetic regulatory networks were also discovered to discovered essential co-regulated modules, e.g., co-regulated insulin secretion module ( PDPK1 , ATP1A2 , CACNA1S and CAMK2D ) in adipose. The results indicated that WEA induced distinct epigenetic regulation on muscle and adipose to diminish transcriptome differences between tissues, which highlights biological functions of A. mongolicum , tissue similarity and specificity, as well as regulatory mechanism of mutton odor.

Objective: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a clinical puzzle, especially in patients who still suffered from moderate and severe pain after standard treatment. This single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled, prospective, and non-inferiority study observed the safety and effectiveness of the epidural application of morphine or hydromorphone, trying to provide an alternative method for those patients with refractory PHN. Methods: Eighty PHN patients with a visual analogue scale (VAS) still greater than 50 mm after routine management were randomly divided into two groups according to 1:1, respectively. One group received epidural morphine (EMO group), and the other group received epidural hydromorphone (EHM group). VAS, the number of breakthrough pain, quality of life (QOL), and anxiety/depression assessment (GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores) were also observed before treatment, at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 60, and 90 days after treatment, as well as side effects. Opioid withdrawal symptoms (OWSs) were also measured from 3 to 28 days after treatment. Results: The EHM group was non-inferior to the EMO group in terms of the VAS decrease relative to baseline (VDRB) after 1-week treatment. The VAS of the two groups on all days after treatment was significantly lower than the corresponding baseline findings ( p < 0.05). The breakthrough pain (BTP) decreased significantly after treatment and lasted until 14 days after treatment ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in BTP between the two groups at each time point ( p > 0.05). In terms of the QOL, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 outcomes, those were significantly improved after treatment ( p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the two groups ( p > 0.05). No significant AE difference across the two groups was observed in this study. Few reports of OWS were found in this trial, and there were no significant differences between the two groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: EHM was non-inferior to EMO in terms of the VDRB after 1-week treatment. For patients with VAS still greater than 50 mm after standard treatment, short-term application of EMO or EHM can ameliorate intractable pain, improve the quality of life, and have no obvious side effects. Short-term epidural opioid application will not lead to the appearance of OWS.

The development of secondary hair follicles in cashmere goats directly influences the yield and quality of cashmere, and hair follicle morphogenesis is a complex biological process involving multiple signaling pathways and regulatory factors. In recent years, the regulatory role of long non-coding RNAs in hair follicle development has gradually been uncovered. Based on a previously established transcriptome database of embryonic skin tissue from cashmere goats, this study ultimately identified lncRNA MRPS28, which exhibits significant differential expression during the morphogenesis of secondary hair follicles. Our results indicate that lncRNA MRPS28 is a non-coding RNA transcribed from the intron region of the MRPS28 gene. Additionally, it can inhibit the proliferation and migration of dermal fibroblasts while promoting their apoptosis. Further mechanistic studies have shown that lncRNA MRPS28 acts as a competing endogenous RNA, sponging chi-miR-145-5p, thereby relieving its inhibitory effect on the target gene NUAK1. This, in turn, inhibits the formation of dermal papilla structures and ultimately affects the morphogenesis of secondary hair follicles during the embryonic period. This study provides a novel perspective on dissecting the regulatory network of hair follicle development in cashmere goats and offers potential theoretical insights for breeding new strains of cashmere goats.

Journal bearings are prone to failure due to lubrication state degradation under extreme operating conditions. To address the unclear transition mechanism and undefined state boundaries under insufficient lubrication, a coupled tribological model of engine journal bearings was established. Through parameter analysis and dynamic failure mechanism study, the effects of radial clearance, temperature, rotational speed, load, and surface roughness on the lubrication state transition were revealed. The results indicate that radial clearance, oil temperature, rotational speed, applied load and surface roughness are all decisive factors for lubrication transition, and every parameter has its unique critical threshold; once exceeding the limit, the oil film integrity is damaged and the lubrication rapidly shifts from mixed lubrication toward boundary lubrication. After crossing critical thresholds, aggravated asperity contact further triggers continuous temperature rise and viscosity reduction, which may induce closed-loop thermal deterioration and eventually accelerate bearing failure. The research findings provide a theoretical basis for robust design and operational safety monitoring of journal bearings.

Our previous study reported the translocator protein to play a critical role in neuropathic pain and the possible mechanisms in the spinal cord. However, its mechanism in the peripheral nervous system is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to explore the distribution of translocator protein in the dorsal root ganglion and the possible mechanisms in peripheral nervous system in a rat model of spared nerve injury. Our results showed that translocator protein was activated in dorsal root ganglion after spared nerve injury. The translocator protein signals were primarily colocalized with neurons in dorsal root ganglion. A single intrathecal (i.t.) injection of translocator protein agonist (7-chloro-5–4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-2-H-1,4-benzodiaze-pine-2) (Ro5-4864) exerted remarkable analgesic effect compared with the spared nerve injury group (P < 0.01). After i.t. administration of 2 µg Ro5-4864 on day 3, the expression of translocator protein in ipsilateral dorsal root ganglion was significantly increased on day 7(P < 0.01) but decreased on day 14 (P < 0.05) compared with the same point in time in the control group. The duration of translocator protein activation in dorsal root ganglion was remarkably shortened. Ro5-4864 also inhibited the activation of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1(p-ERK1) (P < 0.01), p-ERK2 (D7: P < 0.01, D14: P < 0.05), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (P < 0.05) in dorsal root ganglion. Meanwhile, i.t. administration of 2 µg Ro5-4864 on day 3 further accelerated the expression of myelin protein zero(P0) and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). Our results suggested Ro5-4864 could alleviate neuropathic pain and attenuate p-ERK and brain-derived neurotrophic factor activation in dorsal root ganglion. Furthermore, Ro5-4864 stimulated the expression of myelin regeneration proteins which may also be an important factor against neuropathic pain development. Translocator protein may present a novel target for the treatment of neuropathic pain both in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Sheep and goats, among the earliest domesticated animals, hold significant historical importance in Chinese animal husbandry. The rapid advancement of modern biotechnology has rendered genome wide association studies (GWAS) and selection signature analyses have become indispensable tools in livestock genetic research. This review summarizes recent progress in the application of these methods to sheep and goat breeding in China, analyzes existing challenges in the research, and suggests potential research strategies. GWAS and selection signature analyses have identified key genomic regions associated with agronomically important traits. Genes such as LHX2, FGF12 and Notch3 are associated with hair follicle growth and development, while RBM11, SMARCA5 and GAB1 are linked to body size in sheep. Additionally, BMPRIB has been identified as a determinant of reproductive performance and growth rate in both sheep and goats. Despite progress, several challenges remain, including incomplete reference genomes, insufficient phenotypic data, inadequate algorithms, and a lack of functional validation and practical application of findings. Future work must prioritize genomic refinement, the integration of multi-omics, and the development of algorithm. Enhanced international collaboration is crucial to deciphering the genetic basis of key traits, thereby advancing global industry. These initiatives will enable highly precise breeding strategies. Through precise identification and selection of individuals with desirable genetic traits, breeders can significantly enhance the efficiency of genetic improvement. Using Hua sheep 50k chip as an example, it effectively identifies individuals with superior reproductive genes (such as BMPRIB) at an early stage, increases the lambing rate by 27.7%, accelerates the propagation of high-quality breeding groups, provides a large number of breeding sheep with excellent genetic traits for the global sheep industry, and improve the overall quality of germplasm. This will ultimately enhance the sustainable development of global sheep and goat production.

Background To overcome the challenge of psychotherapist scarcity in applying pain psychotherapy in clinical practice, we developed a virtual reality (VR) program delivering weeks of pain psychotherapy without psychotherapists, with a focus on minimizing the risk of motion sickness. Objectives We conducted a single-arm pilot study to assess the efficacy and motion sickness associated with a VR session delivering guided imagery and breathing techniques selected from the initial course of our VR program, involving patients suffering from various acute and chronic pain. Methods Patients underwent a 15-min VR session. Pain-related and anxiety ratings using a 0–10 numerical rating scale were collected pre-, during-, post-VR and in 6-h follow-up. Motion sickness symptoms were assessed using Simulator Sickness Questionnaire pre- and post-VR. Results Patients (n = 73) reported their perceived pain intensity and anxiety reduced significantly from pre- to post-VR by 22.9% and 45.0% (all p < 0.0001), respectively. Such modulatory effects of VR in pain perception and anxiety persisted at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 6 h post-VR (all p < 0.0001). The pre-post beneficial effects of VR were independent from patients’ demographic characteristics and their pain duration. Importantly, only six patients (8.2%) had post-VR motion sickness symptoms, and only one patient reported moderate level of severity. Conclusion These findings suggest the selected VR session delivering pain psychotherapeutic techniques may be effective and tolerable for patients with varying pain conditions, which provides initial evidence for the development of future randomized controlled trials of the complete VR program.

The link between gut microbes and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been already observed in some studies, but some bacterial families/species were found to be inconsistently up or down regulated. This issue has been rarely explored in the Chinese population. In this study, we assessed whether or not gut microbiota dysbiosis was associated with children with ASD in China. We enrolled 45 children with ASD (6-9 years of age; 39 boys and 6 girls) and 45 sex- and age-matched neurotypical children. Dietary and other socio-demographic information was obtained via questionnaires. We characterized the composition of the fecal microbiota using bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. The ASD group showed less diversity and richness of gut microbiota than the neurotypical group, as estimated by the abundance-based coverage estimator index and the phylogenetic diversity index. The analysis of beta diversity showed an altered microbial community structure in the ASD group. After adjustment for confounders and multiple testing corrections, no significant group difference was found in the relative abundance of microbiota on the level of the phylum. At the family level, children with ASD had a lower relative abundance of than the healthy controls. Moreover, a decrease in the relative abundance of genera , and was observed in ASD group. This study provides further evidence of intestinal microbial dysbiosis in ASD and sheds light on the characteristics of the gut microbiome of autistic children in China.

Aims/Introduction The role of irisin in maternal glucose metabolism and how it would respond to dietary n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 PUFA) intake remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether maternal plasma irisin is associated with glucose metabolism and whether this association is modified by dietary n‐3 PUFA. Materials and Methods A total of 932 pregnant women (20–28 weeks’ gestation) aged 20–45 years were recruited. Dietary n‐3 PUFA was estimated using a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Plasma irisin and insulin were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA). Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed with a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. Adjusted multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were carried out to examine the associations between plasma irisin and glucose metabolism. The moderating effect of dietary n‐3 PUFA intake was determined by fully multiplicative models by including the interaction term. Results Maternal plasma irisin was negatively associated with HOMA‐IR and oral glucose tolerance test 0 h glucose level (β −0.250, −0.067; corrected P‐value for false discovery rate = 0.012, 0.018, respectively), positively associated with HOMA of insulin sensitivity (β 0.028; corrected P‐value for false discovery rate = 0.012), but not associated with postprandial glucose or the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, we found a moderating effect of dietary n‐3 PUFA on the relationships of plasma irisin with HOMA‐IR and HOMA of insulin sensitivity; these associations were strengthened with increased n‐3 PUFA intake (β −0.037, 0.004; P = 0.014, 0.041, respectively). Conclusions Plasma irisin was negatively associated with HOMA‐IR and fasting glucose, whereas it was positively associated with HOMA of insulin sensitivity in pregnant women. We first showed that these associations were modified by dietary n‐3 PUFA intake. Plasma irisin was negatively associated with HOMA‐IR while positively associated with HOMA‐IS in pregnant women, and we first demonstrated these associations were modified by dietary n‐3 PUFA intake.