OBJECTIVE: To identify the underlying mechanism by which quercetin (Que) alleviates sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were assigned to sham, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP+Que (50 mg/kg) groups (n=15 per group) by using a random number table. The sepsisrelated ARDS mouse model was established using the CLP method. In vitro, the murine alveolar macrophages (MH-S) cells were classified into control, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+Que (10 μmol/L), and LPS+Que+acetylcysteine (NAC, 5 mmol/L) groups. The effect of Que on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice lungs and MH-S cells was determined, and the mechanism with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also explored both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: Que alleviated lung injury in mice, as reflected by a reversal of pulmonary histopathologic changes as well as a reduction in lung wet/dry weight ratio and neutrophil infiltration (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, Que improved the survival rate and relieved gas exchange impairment in mice (P<0.01). Que treatment also remarkedly reduced malondialdehyde formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase depletion, and cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, Que treatment diminished the release of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistic investigation clarifified that Que administration led to a decline in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in addition to the suppression of ROS expression (P<0.01). Furthermore, in LPS-induced MH-S cells, ROS inhibitor NAC further inhibited ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, as well as oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell apoptosis on the basis of Que treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Que was found to exert anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects by suppressing the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway, thereby conferring protection for mice against sepsis-related ARDS.
Animals ; Sepsis/drug therapy* ; Quercetin/therapeutic use* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Mice ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages, Alveolar/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Protective Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective: To explore the role of mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms in the relationship between childhood psychological abuse and depressive symptoms among college students, in order to provide a basis for mental health promotion. Methods: From February to May 2023, a stratified random sampling method was used to select 1 799 freshmen to juniors from a university in Wuhu City, Anhui Province. The questionnaire survey was conducted using the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), Child Psychological Maltreatment Scale (CPMS), Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale (MPATS), 2-item General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2). Correlations among each variable were analyzed, and the chain mediating effect of mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms was explored. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among college students was 9.7%, and the positive detection rate of childhood psychological abuse was 28.6%. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with childhood psychological abuse, mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms ( r =0.28, 0.32, 0.27, P <0.01). Childhood psychological abuse was positively correlated with mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms ( r =0.29, 0.71, P <0.01). Mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms were positively correlated ( r =0.30, P <0.01). Childhood psychological abuse could effectively predict depressiove symptoms, mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms ( β =0.08, 0.06, 0.66, P <0.01). Mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms had a chain mediating effect between childhood psychological abuse and depression symptoms, with a total indirect mediating effect (effect=25.27%, P <0.05), accounting for 72.44% of the total effect. Conclusions Mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms play a chain mediating role between childhood psychological abuse and depressive symptoms. Focusing on childhood psychological abuse, mobile phone addiction and anxiety among college students are beneficial for depression symptoms prevention.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Akt2 inhibitor on macrophage polarization in the periapical tissue in a rat model of periapical inflammation. METHODS: Rat models of periapical inflammation were established in 28 normal SD rats by opening the pulp cavity of the mandibular first molars, followed by injection of normal saline and Akt2 inhibitor into the left and right medullary cavities, respectively. Four rats without any treatment served as the healthy control group. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after modeling, 7 rat models and 1 control rat were randomly selected for observation of inflammatory infiltration in the periapical tissues by X-ray and HE staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and localization of Akt2, macrophages and the inflammatory mediators. RT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, inflammatory mediators, miR-155-5p and C/EBPβ to analyze the changes in macrophage polarization. RESULTS: X-ray and HE staining showed that periapical inflammation was the most obvious at 21 days after modeling in the rats. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that compared with those in the control rats, the expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, miR-155-5p, C/EBPβ, and IL-10 increased significantly in the rat models at 21 days (P < 0.05). Compared with saline treatment, treatment with the Akt2 inhibitor significantly decreased the expression levels of Akt2, CD86, miR-155-5p and IL-6 and the ratio of CD86⁺M1/CD163⁺M2 macrophages (P < 0.05) and increased the expression levels of CD163, C/EBPβ and IL-10 in the rat models (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Inhibition of Akt2 can delay the progression of periapical inflammation in rats and promote M2 macrophage polarization in the periapical inflammatory microenvironment possibly by reducing miR-155-5p expression and activating the expression of C/EBPβ in the Akt signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Interleukin-10 ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory mechanism of human hepatocyte apoptosis induced by lysosomal membrane protein Sidt2 knockout. METHODS: The Sidt2 knockout (Sidt2^-/-) cell model was constructed in human hepatocyte HL7702 cells using Crispr-Cas9 technology.The protein levels of Sidt2 and key autophagy proteins LC3-II/I and P62 in the cell model were detected using Western blotting, and the formation of autophagosomes was observed with MDC staining.EdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry were performed to observe the effect of Sidt2 knockout on cell proliferation and apoptosis.The effect of chloroquine at the saturating concentration on autophagic flux, proliferation and apoptosis of Sidt2 knockout cells were observed. RESULTS: Sidt2^-/- HL7702 cells were successfully constructed.Sidt2 knockout significantly inhibited the proliferation and increased apoptosis of the cells, causing also increased protein expressions of LC3-II/I and P62(P < 0.05) and increased number of autophagosomes.Autophagy of the cells reached a saturated state following treatment with 50 μmol/L chloroquine, and at this concentration, chloroquine significantly increased the expressions of LC3B and P62 in Sidt2^-/- HL7702 cells. CONCLUSION Sidt2 gene knockout causes dysregulation of the autophagy pathway and induces apoptosis of HL7702 cells, and the latter effect is not mediated by inhibiting the autophagy-lysosomal pathway.
Humans ; Lysosome-Associated Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Autophagy ; Apoptosis ; Hepatocytes ; Lysosomes/metabolism* ; Chloroquine/pharmacology* ; Nucleotide Transport Proteins/metabolism*

Objective: To understand the status quo of school bullying among middle school students in Anhui Province and its correlation with family environment and education methods of students related to school bullying, so as to provide corresponding prevention and controlling measures against school bullying. Methods: The investigation has been conducted on the occurrence of school bullying among middle school students ranging from junior grade one to senior grade three in Hefei, Wuhu, Fuyang of Anhui Province, during which up to 1 826 students information has been gathered through Questionnaire Atar Platform using the school bullying scale and self designed questionnaire. SPSS 26.0 statistical software has been applied for data analysis. Results: The incidence of bullying was 41.40%, and among them, 14.46% were reported to bully others, 39.59% of them were of being bullied, and 12.65% of them were reported of bullying others and being bullied at the same time. Multivariate Logistic regression corrected model showed that quiet relationship with mother ( OR=1.76, 95%CI =1.22-2.53) was a risk factor for the bully, quiet relationship with father( OR=1.89, 95%CI=1.47-2.43 ), reorganized family ( OR=2.28, 95%CI =1.22-4.29) were the risk factors for the bullied, quiet/poor relationship between parents ( OR=1.52, 95%CI=1.06-2.17; OR=3.15, 95%CI =1.79-5.57) was a risk factor for the bully-bullied; Punishment and abuse( OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.10-1.90; OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.48-2.23; OR=1.47, 95%CI = 1.10- 1.96) were risk factors for the above three behaviors( P <0.05). Conclusion The incidence of school bullying is influenced by family environment and rearing style. In daily life, parents should be mindful of maintaining a good family relationship, fostering active communication with child, which can reduce the occurrence of school bullying.

Objective To investigate the morphological characteristics of Dermatophagoides farinae at different developmental stages. Methods The cultured D. farinae was isolated, and the external morphological features of mites at various developmental stages were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), including egg, larva, nymph and adult stages. Results The D. farinae egg appeared a long oval shape, and the larval mites had three pairs of legs. The nymph had four pairs of legs and underdeveloped genital pores containing genital setae and anal setae, and adult mites appeared long and oval in shape, with decorative patterns on epidermis, and had four pairs of legs. In male adult mites, remarkable thickening of the leg I and thicker and longer leg III than the leg IV were seen, and ventral genital regions were found between the basal segments of legs III and IV; the anus was surrounded by a circular peri-anal ring, with a pair of anal suckers and anal setae within the ring. In the female adult mites, slender legs III and IV with an equal length were seen, and a “λ-shape” genital hole was observed on the ventral surface, with a crescent-like genital plate in the anterior part, and the anus appeared a longitudinal slit. Conclusions An SEM observation of the external morphology of D. farinae provides understandings of the morphological characteristics of D. farinae, which is of great significance for the classification and identification.

Objective: This cross-sectional study explores the serial multiple mediation of the correlation between internet addiction and depression by social support and sleep quality of college students during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: We enrolled 2,688 students from a certain university in Wuhu, China. Questionnaire measures of internet addiction, social support, sleep quality, depression and background characteristics were obtained. Results: The prevalence of depression, among 2,688 college students (median age [IQR]=20.49 [20.0, 21.0] years) was 30.6%. 32.4% of the students had the tendency of internet addiction, among which the proportion of mild, moderate and severe were 29.8%, 2.5% and 0.1%, respectively. In our normal internet users and internet addiction group, the incidence of depression was 22.6% and 47.2%, respectively. The findings indicated that internet addiction was directly related to college students’ depression and indirectly predicted students’ depression via the mediator of social support and sleep quality. The mediation effect of social support and sleep quality on the pathway from internet addiction to depression was 41.97% (direct effect: standardized estimate=0.177; total indirect effect: standardized estimate= 0.128). The proposed model fit the data well. Conclusion Social support and sleep quality may continuously mediate the link between internet addiction and depression. Therefore, the stronger the degree of internet addiction, the lower the individual’s sense of social support and the worse the quality of sleep, which will ultimately the higher the degree of depression. We recommend strengthening monitoring of internet use during the COVID-19 epidemic, increasing social support and improving sleep quality, so as to reduce the risk of depression for college students.

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors of the first batch of college students returning to school during COVID-19 epidemic, so as to provide scientific basis for taking corresponding measures. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among the first batch of college students returning from a certain university by cluster sampling, which included general demographic characteristics, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). Results: The detection rate of sleep disorders was 19.33%(522/2 701). The mother s education level was high school or technical secondary school or below(OR=2.24, 95%CI=1.47-3.41), never eat breakfast(OR=3.25, 95%CI=1.86-5.68), families were damaged during the outbreak (OR=1.48, 95%CI=1.17-1.87) and negative coping (OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.12-1.17) were risk factors for sleep disorders(P<0.05). Compared to having a very poor relationship with parents, the relationship between parents was average(OR=0.23, 95%CI=0.06-0.89), better(OR=0.23, 95%CI=0.06-0.87), very good (OR=0.19, 95%CI=0.05-0.74) were protective factors for sleep disorders(P<0.05). Exercise once or twice a week during the epidemic(OR=0.76, 95%CI=0.58-1.00), positive coping (OR=0.93, 95%CI=0.91-0.96) were protective factors for sleep disorders(P<0.05). Conclusion In this COVID-19 epidemic, the sleep quality of returning college students was affected to different extent, and the relationship between parents, sports, mother s education, breakfast habits, and family damage during the COVID-19 were factors affecting their sleep quality. Targeted psychological intervention measures should be given to returning college students in the early stage.

Objective: To investigate the mental health and influencing factors of college students during online learning under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, and to provide a scientific basis for mental health education. Methods: From June to July 2020, a cluster sampling method was used to select one medical and non-medical colleges and universities in southern Anhui Province. Among them, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to conduct an online questionnaire survey among 3 781 medical and non-medical college students. Results: The reporting rates of depression, anxiety and stress among medical college students (30.03%, 31.05% and 14.50%, respectively) were lower than those of non-medical college students(44.49%, 46.22%, 24.81%)(χ2=81.49, 88.26, 63.08, P<0.05). During the online learning period of college students, the depression and anxiety were mainly moderate(18.43%, 20.68%), and the stress was mainly mild and moderate(9.41%, 5.29%). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that non-medical students, poor parent relationships, poor relationships with fathers, teachers inadequate preparation before class, and dissatisfaction with online teaching results were prone to depression(OR=1.84, 1.28, 1.63, 1.75,1.24), anxiety (OR=1.79, 1.22, 1.65, 1.77, 1.19) and stress(OR=2.09, 1.41, 1.58, 1.29,1.48)(P<0.05). Girls were less prone to depression (OR=0.82) and anxiety(OR=0.74); College students who live in rural areas were more likely to have anxiety symptoms(OR=1.27); Senior students were more likely to feel stress(P<0.05). Conclusion The detection rate of depression, anxiety and stress negative emotion in college students was higher during online study. Families and schools should pay attention to the mental health of college students during online learning, and provide targeted psychological counseling for different students.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the state of depression and anxiety and assciated factors of back to school college students during the outbreak of COVID-19, so as to provide theoretical basis for emotional counseling and psychological crisis intervention after long term school closure due to epidemic outbreak. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select the first batch of 2 697 back to school students in a high vocational college. The survey content includes basic information questionnaire, Depression Self rating Scale (SDS) and Anxiety Self rating Scale(SAS). Results: The detection rate of depression and anxiety was 31.8% and 10.4% respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of depression in female college students was 1.28 times higher than that in male students. The risk of depression among college students with family loss experience caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 was 1.30 times that of those without family loss experience caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. Outgoing personality(OR=0.62), neutral (OR=0.55) and mild temper(OR=0.46), moderate frequency of physical exercise per week(1-2 times:OR=0.73, 3-4 times:OR=0.65) were protective effects for depression in college students.Low frequency of breakfast were the risk effects for depression in college. The risk of anxiety among college students who was the only child in the family was 1.61 times higher than that who was not the only child in the family. The risk of anxiety among college students with family loss experience caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 was 1.45 times higher than that college students without family loss experience caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. Neutral temper, mild temper and physical exercise 1-2 times a week were associated with lower level of anxiety in college students(OR=0.67,0.56,0.67). Breakfast skipping (OR=2.03) was associated with higher levvel of anxiety in college students. Conclusion During the outbreak of COVID-19, the first batch of back to school college students presented high level of depression. Colleges are suggested to promptly carry out effective emotional relief and psychological intervention for students, especially those whose family suffered in COVID-19, the only child in the family, with poor breakfast eating habits, as well as breakfast skipping and lack of physical exercise.