The impact of reading metacognitive strategies on mathematics learning efficiency and performance: An analysis using PISA 2018 data in China

The current study employed latent profile analysis to examine the application patterns of students' reading metacognitive strategies using PISA 2018 data in China. Subsequently, it explored the differences in students' mathematics learning efficiency and performance. The results revealed that: (1) Six types of reading metacognitive strategies application patterns were identified: "Novice - indifferent," "Veteran - average," "Novice - low evaluating," "Veteran - skilled," "Novice - mixed," and "Novice - arbitrary." (2) The primary factors that affect the classification of reading metacognitive strategies application patterns were gender, and family economic, social, and cultural statuses (ESCS). (3) Mathematics learning time could positively predict performance overall, but the mathematics learning time of "Veteran - skilled" and "Novice - mixed" students had no significant correlation with their mathematics performance. The findings suggests that educators should not blindly increase students' mathematics learning time but instead provide appropriate guidance based on their mastery patterns of reading metacognitive strategies to enhance mathematics learning efficiency and performance.

The effect of social media upward comparison on Chinese adolescent learning engagement: a moderated multiple mediation model

To investigate the mechanisms and boundary conditions of social media upward comparison on adolescents' learning engagement, this study utilized two separate approaches. In research 1, a convenience sampling method was employed to conduct a questionnaire survey among 609 adolescents. The aim was to explore the influence of social media's upward comparative tendency on learning engagement. In research 2, real social media platforms were utilized to select short videos as experimental materials. These materials were used to manipulate instantaneous social media upward comparison and examine its impact on learning engagement. The research 1's result indicated that the mediating effect of the sense of agency was significant, as well as the moderating effect of growth mindset. However, the mediating effect of positive-negative emotions was found to be insignificant.Regarding instantaneous social media upward comparison and learning engagement, positive and negative emotions were found to play a complete mediating role. However, the mediating role of agency and the moderating role of growth mindset were not significant.This study offers practical insights for educators, enabling them to develop a correct understanding and effectively regulate adolescents' use of social media.

Does China's residential mobility reduce fertility intentions? The mediating role of well-being

With declining fertility rates becoming a global trend, it is crucial to enhance the fertility intentions of mobile individuals of reproductive age. This study utilizes both questionnaire surveys and experimental methods to examine the influence of residential mobility on fertility intentions and the mediating role of well-being. The consistent findings from Study 1 and Study 2 (2a and 2b) indicate that residential mobility significantly negatively predicts individuals' fertility intentions, and well-being plays a significant mediating role between residential mobility and fertility intentions. This research, conducted from a psychological perspective, sheds light on the internal mechanisms linking residential mobility and fertility intentions, providing theoretical and empirical evidence to enhance fertility intentions among mobile populations in China.

Genomic characterisation of de novo EGFR copy number gain and its impact on the efficacy of first-line EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors for EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation generally respond well to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). However, genomic characterisation of de novo EGFR copy number gain (CNG) and its impact on the efficacy of first-line EGFR-TKIs remains unclear.

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective and real-world study included two cohorts that enroled EGFR mutant NSCLC patients. EGFR CNG was tested by next-generation sequencing of untreated tissue specimens. Cohort 1 detected the impact of EGFR CNG on first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment, and cohort 2 explored the genomic characterisation.

RESULTS

Cohort 1 enroled 355 patients from four cancer centres between January 2013 and March 2022. The patients were divided into three groups, included the EGFR non-CNG, EGFR CNG, and EGFR uncertain-CNG. No significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) was found between the three groups (10.0 months vs. 10.8 months vs. 9.9 months, respectively, p = 0.384). Furthermore, the overall response rate was not statistically significant in the EGFR CNG group compared to the EGFR non-CNG or uncertain arm (70.3% vs. 63.2% vs. 54.5%, respectively, p = 0.154). Cohort 2 included 7876 NSCLC patients with 16.4% showing EGFR CNG. Gene mutations such as TP53, IKZF1, RAC1, MYC, MET, CDKN2A/B and alterations of the metabolic-related and ERK signalling pathway were significantly associated with patients with EGFR CNG compared to those without.

CONCLUSIONS

De novo EGFR CNG had no effect on the efficacy of first-line EGFR-TKI treatment in EGFR mutant NSCLC patients, and tumours with EGFR CNG had more complex genomic profiles than those without.

PHF14 enhances DNA methylation of SMAD7 gene to promote TGF-β-driven lung adenocarcinoma metastasis

Aberrant activation of TGF-β signaling plays a pivotal role in cancer metastasis and progression. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the dysregulation of TGF-β pathway remain to be understood. Here, we found that SMAD7, a direct downstream transcriptional target and also a key antagonist of TGF-β signaling, is transcriptionally suppressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) due to DNA hypermethylation. We further identified that PHF14 binds DNMT3B and serves as a DNA CpG motif reader, recruiting DNMT3B to the SMAD7 gene locus, resulting in DNA methylation and transcriptional suppression of SMAD7. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PHF14 promotes metastasis through binding DNMT3B to suppress SMAD7 expression. Moreover, our data revealed that PHF14 expression correlates with lowered SMAD7 level and shorter survival of LAD patients, and importantly that SMAD7 methylation level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can potentially be used for prognosis prediction. Together, our present study illustrates a new epigenetic mechanism, mediated by PHF14 and DNMT3B, in the regulation of SMAD7 transcription and TGF-β-driven LAD metastasis, and suggests potential opportunities for LAD prognosis.

“Integrative learning” promotes learning but not memory in older rats

Background

We had previously advanced the concept of “Integrative Learning”, that is, “under the role of ‘meta-learning self’, learners actively integrate learning materials to achieve rapid and in-depth understanding of knowledge”, and designed an animal behavioral model to compare the effects of “Integrative Learning” (IL) vs. “Progressive Learning” (PL) in young rats. It was found that IL is more advantageous than PL. Here, we aim to examine whether the same phenomenon persist in older rats.

Methods

Fifteen 12-month-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected as subjects and randomly divided into the IL group and the PL group, and a 14-unit integrative T-maze was constructed for the study. Training and testing procedures contained three stages: the learning stage, the memory retention test stage and the Gestalt transfer learning stage. Data on young rats (1-month-old) from the previous study were also drawn here for comparisons on learning performance.

Results

(1) The 12-session learning stage can be divided into three sub-stages as each sub-stage represented the new opening of one third of the whole path in the PL group. There were significant interactions in total errors made between groups and sessions: the PL group had significantly fewer errors during Sub-stage One due to a much shorter path to be learned, however, the IL group’s errors made sharply dropped as learning progressed into Sub-stage Two and Three, and were maintained at a significantly lower level than the PL group during Sub-stage Three. (2) When compared with young rats, age had a main effect on the number of errors made—the 1-month-old groups learned overall better and faster than the older groups, whereas the pattern of group differences between the IL and PL learning modes remained consistent across young and older groups. (3) Unlike young rats, during the memory retention test stage and the Gestalt transfer learning stage, the IL group did not perform better than the PL group in older rats.

Conclusions

(1) “Integrative Learning” promotes learning but not memory in older rats. (2) Higher-order cognitive abilities that support meta-cognition, long-term retention and knowledge transfer might be deteriorating in older rats.

LncRNA ZFAS1 promotes laryngeal cancer progression through RBFOX2-mediated MENA alternative splicing

Laryngeal cancer (LC) is the most common aggressive malignancy of the head and neck. LncRNA ZNFX1 antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1) displays oncogenic properties in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but its regulatory role in laryngeal cancer progression remains obscure. Here, we found that ZFAS1 expression in laryngeal cancer tissues and cells was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Highly expressed ZFAS1 was associated with advanced lymph node metastasis stages and clinical stages. ZFAS1 overexpression promoted LC cell proliferation, invasion, and N-cadherin and Vimentin expression, and suppressed E-cadherin expression. While ZFAS1 knockdown played an opposite role. Mechanistically, ZFAS1 stabilized RNA binding fox-1 homolog 2 (RBFOX2) protein expression by binding to RBFOX2, and RBFOX2 overexpression reversed the effect of ZFAS1 silence on cell functions. Moreover, highly expressed RBFOX2 led to skipping of MENA exon 11a and generating a pro-invasive isoform (MENA^INV ). MENA^INV overexpression effectively abolished the inhibitory effect of RBFOX2 knockdown on cell malignant progression. Furthermore, Hep2 cells infected with lentivirus-mediated ZFAS1 shRNA or negative control shRNA were subcutaneously injected into mice to assess the role of ZFAS1 in tumor growth. And the data showed that silencing ZFAS1 in vivo hindered xenograft tumor growth. In conclusion, silencing ZFAS1 alleviated malignant progression of laryngeal cancer cells and mouse xenograft tumor growth by regulating RBFOX2-mediated alternative splicing of MENA.

The relationship between social class and subjective well-being: A serial mediation model

Despite recent research associating social class with subjective well-being (SWB), the relationship between the two, manifested through victim justice sensitivity and envy, has not been properly investigated. Guided by social comparison and social cognitive tendency theories, we explored the direct and indirect relationships between social class and SWB among Chinese undergraduate students. This study employed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based research design. 1,405 undergraduate students completed questionnaires regarding subjective social class, victim justice sensitivity, envy, and SWB. The results showed that social class was positively related to SWB and negatively associated with victim justice sensitivity and envy. Victim justice sensitivity was negatively related to SWB, victim justice sensitivity was positively related to envy, and envy was negatively associated with SWB. Social class correlated with SWB through three paths: the mediating role of victim justice sensitivity, the mediating role of envy, and the serial mediating roles of victim justice sensitivity and envy. The results indicate that social class could contribute to college students’ SWB through the mechanisms of victim justice sensitivity and envy. This study advances the understanding of how the relationship between social class and college students’ SWB operates. Furthermore, the findings will facilitate the promotion of college students’ SWB.

[Risk factors for recurrence and survival analysis in locally advanced T4a papillary thyroid carcinoma after R0 resection]

Objective: To investigate the treatment outcomes and risk factors of postoperative recurrence in T4a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A total of 185 patients with locally advanced T4a PTC treated in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2006 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 females and 58 males, aged between 18 and 80 years, with 74 patients aged over 55 years. According to AJCC thyroid tumor staging, 111 cases were stage I (T4aN0M0 26 cases, T4aN1aM0 35 cases, and T4aN1bM0 50 cases) and 74 cases were stage Ⅲ (T4aN0M0 29 cases, T4aN1aM0 19 cases, and T4aN1bM0 26 cases). Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and the recurrence-free rate, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses on the clinical data were performed. Results: Recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion was observed in 150 cases, trachea invasion in 61 cases, esophagus invasion in 30 cases, and laryngeal structure invasion in 10 cases. Postoperative follow-up periods were 24-144 months, with an average of 68.29 months. Of the 185 patients, 18 (9.73%) had recurrences or metastases, including 9 cases (4.86%) died of recurrences or metastases. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were respectively 95.21% and 93.10%. The 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates were respectively 89.65% and 86.85%. Univariate analysis showed that age of onset, tumor diameter, preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, esophageal invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis were the risk factors for postoperative recurrence of T4a PTC(all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (OR=3.27, 95%CI: 1.11-9.61, P=0.032) and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (OR=4.71, 95%CI: 1.19-18.71, P=0.027) were independent risk factors for T4a PTC recurrence. Survival rate of patients with T4a PTC involving only the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the outer tracheal membrane was significantly better than that of patients with tracheal invasion (P<0.05). Conclusions: T4a PTC patients with R0 resection can still achieve good efficacy. Preoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and lateral cervical lymph node metastasis are independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence in the patients.

Depleting hsa_circ_0000567 suppresses acquired gefitinib resistance and proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells through regulating the miR-377-3p / ZFX axis: an in vitro and in vivo study

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) expression profile has been reported in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells resistant to gefitinib, and hsa_circ_0000567 was abnormally upregulated. However, its precise role in gefitinib resistance remains unclarified.

METHODS

Levels of hsa_circ_0000567, microRNA (miR)-377-3p and zinc finger protein X-linked (ZFX) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Direct attachment was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Gefitinib resistance was measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, and xenograft in mice.

RESULTS

Expression of hsa_circ_0000567 was upreguated in human gefitinib-resistant human LUAD tissues and cells (HCC827/GR and PC9/GR). Clinically, higher hsa_circ_0000567 correlated with advanced tumor burden. Blockage of hsa_circ_0000567 suppressed cell viability, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value, colony formation ability, and expression of Bcl-2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HCC827/GR and PC9/GR cells under gefitinib treatment or not, accompanied with enhanced apoptosis rate and Bax expression. In vivo, tumor growth of PC9/GR cells untreated and treated with gefitinib was restrained by silencing hsa_circ_0000567. miR-377-3p was directly regulated by hsa_circ_0000567, and then targeted ZFX. Similar to hsa_circ_0000567 knockdown, overexpressing miR-377-3p inhibited chemoresistance in genitinib-resistant LUAD cells in vitro, whereas, depleting miR-377-3p was able to promote gefitinib resistance in spite of hsa_circ_0000567 knockdown. Moreover, restoring ZFX abrogated miR-377-3p-mediated chemosensitivity in genitinib-resistant LUAD cells in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The hsa_circ_0000567/miR-377-3p/ZFX axis might contribute to acquired gefitinib resistance in LUAD cells both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting hsa_circ_0000567 as a novel therapeutic target in treatment of gefitinib-resistant LUAD.

Empathy and teachers’ fairness behavior: The mediating role of moral obligation and moderating role of social value orientation

This study examined the mediating effect of moral obligation and moderating effect of social value orientation on the relationship between empathy and fairness behavior in Chinese teachers. Seven hundred and twenty-six Chinese teachers completed self-reported questionnaires regarding empathy, moral obligation, social value orientation, and fairness behavior. The results revealed that moral obligation mediated the link between empathy and teachers’ fairness behavior. Teachers’ social value orientation moderated the associations between empathy and moral obligation and moral obligation and fairness behavior. The associations between empathy and moral obligation and moral obligation and fairness behavior were more robust for those with high SVO scores (i.e., prosocial). This study identified the critical factors associated with teachers’ fairness behavior, supplying empirical support for existing theories and providing practical implications for interventions designed to improve Chinese teachers’ classroom environment.

Metastatic Tumor Cell-Specific FABP7 Promotes NSCLC Metastasis via Inhibiting β-Catenin Degradation

Metastasis accounts for 90% of cancer-related deaths and represents a prominent malignant feature in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while tumor cell-specific mechanisms and molecules pivotal for the metastatic capacity remain unclear. By analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data, we found that fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) was specifically up-regulated in tumor cells of metastatic NSCLC patients and might be a prognostic indicator for poor survival. Experimental studies based on NSCLC cell lines showed that FABP7 promoted the metastatic competencies of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that FABP7 was important to canonical Wnt signaling activation and competitively inhibited the interaction between β-catenin and components of its cytoplasmic degradation complex, thereby repressing the phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination and degradation of β-catenin. Our present study identifies FABP7 as a metastatic tumor cell-specific pro-metastatic gene and uncovers a previously unknown regulatory mechanism underlying Wnt hyperactivation via FABP7-impaired cytoplasmic β-catenin degradation, implicating a novel molecule in regulating NSCLC metastasis.

Social Support and a Sense of Purpose: The Role of Personal Growth Initiative and Academic Self-Efficacy

Objective: Studies have consistently found a positive relationship between social support and a sense of purpose; however, less is known about the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. The present study bridges this gap by proposing and testing a path model illustrating the mediating effects of personal growth initiative and academic self-efficacy on the linkage between social support and a sense of purpose.

Method: A total of 2,085 Chinese college students completed the revised versions of the Social Support, Personal Growth Initiative, Academic Self-Efficacy, and Sense of Purpose Scales.

Results: The results show that social support, personal growth initiative, and academic self-efficacy were all significantly associated with a sense of purpose. As predicted, personal growth initiative and academic self-efficacy mediated the relationship between social support and a sense of purpose, respectively. The results also support the hypothesized serial mediating effect.

Conclusion: Individuals who feel more social support have a higher level of personal growth initiative, their academic self-efficacy is stronger, and their academic self-efficacy further enhances their sense of purpose. Additionally, comparisons among the three indirect effects indicated that the effect of personal growth initiative was significantly greater than those of the other two measures. Thus, it can be concluded that personal initiative plays a greater role in enhancing a sense of purpose. These findings not only help to understand how social support enhances the sense of purpose, but also provide insight into the underlying mechanism.

The relationship between cyberbullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration: The role of social responsibility

Previous studies have found some influencing factors of cyberbullying. However, little is known about how cyberbullying victimization and social responsibility influence college students' cyberbullying perpetration or about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying these relationships. Social responsibility involves not only individuals' deep cognition and special emotional identification of social responsibility but also their firm attitude and responsible actions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between college students' cyberbullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration and whether this relationship is moderated by social responsibility. The study sample consisted of 1,016 Chinese college students (425 males) ranging in age from 19 to 25 (mean age 22). All participants completed questionnaires on cyberbullying victimization, cyberbullying perpetration and social responsibility. The results indicated that cyberbullying victimization is positively related to cyberbullying perpetration and that this relationship is mediated by social responsibility. This study highlights the harmful impact of cyberbullying victimization on college students, more notably, the underlying mechanisms between cyberbullying victimization and cyberbullying perpetration are explored, revealing that social responsibility can reduce the promoting effect of cyberbullying victimization on cyberbullying perpetration.

Dispositional Awe and Online Altruism: Testing a Moderated Mediating Model

Dispositional awe has a positive effect on prosociality. However, it has not been tested whether this disposition appears in online altruism. Using a large sample of 3,080 Chinese undergraduates, this study tested a moderated mediating model that takes self-transcendent meaning in life (STML) as a mediator and subjective socioeconomic status (SSES) as a moderator. As predicted, dispositional awe was positively correlated with online altruism, partly via the indirect effect of STML. SSES moderated both the direct and indirect effects. Specifically, the predictive effects of dispositional awe on both online prosocial behavior and STML were greater for lower rather than higher SSES. This study extends the prosociality of dispositional awe to cyberspace. Other implications are also discussed herein.

Openness to experience and dispositional awe: The moderating role of subjective socioeconomic status and mediating role of Zhong-Yong thinking style in Chinese undergraduates

Existing research has established that openness to experience can enhance dispositional awe. For the first time, the current study examines whether subjective socioeconomic status (SSES) moderates and a Zhong-Yong thinking style mediates this effect. A sample of 2,377 Chinese undergraduates (mean age 20.7, ranging from 18 to 26) was recruited. As shown in previous research, openness was found to be positively associated with dispositional awe. As predicted, the relationship was moderated by familial and school SSES. The positive correlation was significantly larger in cases of lower familial and school SSES. The mediating effect of Zhong-Yong thinking style was also supported in the relationship between openness and dispositional awe, as was the moderating effect of familial SSES; however, a suppressive effect was found for school SSES. The implications of this study are discussed herein.

The role of character positional frequency in oral reading: A developmental study

How frequently a character appears in a word (positional character frequency) is used as a cue in word segmentation when reading aloud in the Chinese language. In this study we created 176 sentences with a target word in the center of each. Participants were 76 college students (mature readers) and 76 third-grade students (beginner readers). Results show an interaction effect of age and positional frequency of the initial character in the word on gaze duration. Further analysis shows that the third-grade students' gaze duration was significantly longer in high, relative to low, positional character frequency of the target words. This trend was consistent with refixation duration, and there was a marginally significant interaction between age and total fixation time. Overall, positional character frequency was an important cue for word segmentation in oral reading in the Chinese language, and third-grade students relied more heavily on this cue than did college students.

Dispositional awe and prosocial tendency: The mediating roles of selftranscendent meaning in life and spiritual self-transcendence

Dispositional awe is a self-transcendent experience that has been investigated in few empirical studies. We explored the mediating effects of both self-transcendent meaning in life and spiritual selftranscendence in the relationship between dispositional awe and prosocial tendency. Participants were 1,907 Chinese undergraduates. As predicted, self-transcendent meaning in life and spiritual selftranscendence mediated the relationship between dispositional awe and prosocial behavior. These findings not only demonstrate the mediating effect of self-transcendence on prosocial tendency, but also support dispositional awe as an element of self-transcendence.

AKT-induced lncRNA VAL promotes EMT-independent metastasis through diminishing Trim16-dependent Vimentin degradation

Despite the importance of AKT overactivation in tumor progression, results from clinical trials of various AKT inhibitors remain suboptimal, suggesting that AKT-driven tumor metastasis needs to be further understood. Herein, based on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) profiling induced by active AKT, we identify that VAL (Vimentin associated lncRNA, LINC01546), which is directly induced by AKT/STAT3 signaling, functions as a potent pro-metastatic molecule and is essential for active AKT-induced tumor invasion, metastasis and anoikis resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). Impressively, chemosynthetic siRNAs against VAL shows great therapeutic potential in AKT overactivation-driven metastasis. Interestingly, similar to activated AKT in LAD cells, although unable to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), VAL exerts potent pro-invasive and pro-metastatic effects through directly binding to Vimentin and competitively abrogating Trim16-depedent Vimentin polyubiquitination and degradation. Taken together, our study provides an interesting demonstration of a lncRNA-mediated mechanism for active AKT-driven EMT-independent LAD metastasis and indicates the great potential of targeting VAL or Vimentin stability as a therapeutic approach.

Social class and envy among Chinese undergraduates: Victim justice sensitivity as a mediator

We examined the relationship between social class and envy, and the role of victim justice sensitivity in this relationship among a group of 1,405 Chinese undergraduates. The students completed measures of subjective social class, victim justice sensitivity, and dispositional envy. The results show that a lower social class was significantly and negatively related to envy and victim justice sensitivity, whereas victim justice sensitivity was significantly and positively related to envy. As predicted, a lower social class was very closely correlated with envy. In addition, individuals with a lower (vs. higher) social class had a greater tendency toward victim justice sensitivity, which, in turn, increased their envy. Overall, our results advance scholarly research on the psychology of social hierarchy by clarifying the relationship between social class and the negative emotion of envy.

Teachers' self-efficacy and formative assessment of students: Moderating role of school goal structure

Although the importance of formative assessment of student progress has been well covered in previous studies, implementing formative assessment in the classroom requires targeted tools and educational policies. Therefore, we examined the factors that affect teachers' use of formative assessment practices and analyzed the moderating effect of the school's mastery goal structure in the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy and their use of formative assessment practices. Participants were 507 Chinese primary school teachers, who completed a survey. Structural equation modeling results reveal that teachers' selfefficacy regarding formative assessment and perception of a school mastery goal structure each positively predicted the use of formative assessment practices. The moderating effect of the school mastery goal structure in the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy and their use of formative assessment practices was also statistically significant. Our findings have implications for policy making and practice as well as for further studies regarding formative assessment of students.

Continuous elevation of plasma asprosin in pregnant women complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A nested case-control study

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the expression of asprosin, a novel insulin resistance-related factor, in plasma and placenta of pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

This is a nested case-control study within the prospective study named Early Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (EDoGDM). Forty pregnant women with GDM and forty control cases with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were recruited in the present study. Asprosin levels were tested by ELISA in maternal plasma at 18-20 and 24-28 gestational weeks and before delivery, as well as in umbilical plasma. Asprosin concentrations were compared between GDM and NGT groups, and the relationship between asprosin and other parameters were analyzed. Expression of asprosin in placenta was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Asprosin was elevated in plasma of GDM pregnant women and their offspring, after adjusted by maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics and lipid profiles. Asprosin was expressed in placenta from both GDM and NGT pregnant women.

DISCUSSION

Protein asprosin is expressed in human placenta and is elevated in the plasma of pregnant women complicated with GDM and their offspring. As an insulin resistance-related factor increased before 20 gestational weeks, asprosin may play a role as a potential early biomarker of GDM.

Identification of Tiletamine, Zolazepam and Their Metabolites in Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault by GC-QTOF-MS

Objective To identify tiletamine, zolazepam and their metabolites in samples from drug facilitated sexual assault by gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry （GC-QTOF-MS）. Methods Urine samples of victims were collected, and detected by GC-QTOF-MS after liquid-liquid extraction and concentration. The molecular formula of fragments ions was identified by determination of accurate mass numbers, to detect related substances. Results Tiletamine, zolazepam, three metabolites of tiletamine and two metabolites of zolazepam were identified in urine samples from actual cases. Conclusion GC-QTOF-MS provides abundant and accurate information of fragment ions mass numbers, which can be used for qualitative identification of tiletamine, zolazepam and their metabolites in drug facilitated sexual assault.

IGFBP7 inhibits cell proliferation by suppressing AKT activity and cell cycle progression in thyroid carcinoma

Background

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant endocrine tumor and is classified into papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), which have substantially different characteristics. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) has recently been recognized as a tumor suppressor in many cancer types. However, the expression pattern of IGFBP7 and its biological function in various types of thyroid carcinoma remain poorly understood.

Results

We found that the protein levels of IGFBP7 in FTC and ATC tissues were significantly lower or even absent compared with those in normal thyroid, benign thyroid adenoma and classical PTC tissues. Moreover, overexpression of IGFBP7 in two undifferentiated ATC cell lines, ARO and FRO, and one differentiated FTC cell line, WRO, significantly inhibited cell proliferation in vitro. In vivo experiments revealed that ectopic IGFBP7 expression markedly suppressed growth of tumor xenografts derived from these thyroid cancer cell lines, while IGFBP7 silencing accelerated tumor growth. At the mechanistic level, overexpression of IGFBP7 dramatically suppressed phosphorylation-mediated activation and kinase activity of AKT, causing an upregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p27^Kip1 and p21^Cip1 and induction of G1/S cell cycle arrest, while silencing IGFBP7 exerted the opposite effects.

Conclusions

IGFBP7 expression is decreased or even absent in FTC and ATC. Acting as a cell cycle repressor, IGFBP7 plays an important tumor-suppressive role in human thyroid cancer, especially in FTC and ATC subtypes and may represent a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for human thyroid cancer treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13578-019-0310-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Teachers' Emotional Intelligence and Self-efficacy: Mediating Role Of Teaching Performance

We investigated the relationship between teachers' emotional intelligence (EI) and self-efficacy, and tested whether this relationship was mediated by teaching performance. Participants were 467 Chinese middle school teachers (312 women; 66.8%). They completed 3 questionnaires relating to EI, self-efficacy, and teaching performance. The results showed that the total effect of EI on self-efficacy was .61, indicating that higher EI is positively correlated with a higher level of self-efficacy. This relationship was partially mediated by teaching performance. In the mediating model for teaching performance, the direct effect of EI on teachers' self-efficacy was .23 and the mediating effect of teaching performance on the relationship between EI and teachers' self-efficacy was .45. In addition, both the direct and mediating effects were invariant across gender and teaching experience. These results indicate that an increase in EI largely enhances teachers' self-efficacy only when emotional skills are successfully used to improve teachers' performance.

MTA1 promotes viability and motility in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by modulating IQGAP1 expression

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is frequently seen in Chinese, especially the population that resides in southeast China. Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is a chromatin modifier and plays a role in tumor cell metastasis. IQGAP1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein that contributes to cytoskeleton remodeling. This study aimed to investigate the role of MTA1 and IQGAP1 in NPC malignant transformation. MTA1 and IQGAP1 expression in NPC (n = 43) and control tissues (n = 31) were detected using qRT-PCR, immunoblot, and immunohistochemistry. MTA1 was overexpressed in CNE-1 and CNE-2 cell line by pcDNA3.1/MTA1 transfection. Dominant-negative p53 was transfected to inhibit p53 activity. si-IQGAP1 or dominant-negative IQGAP1 (IQGAP1ΔGRD) was used to suppress IQGAP1 activity. Cell proliferation was measured by CKK-8 assay. Cell migration was evaluated by Transwell assay. The results showed that MTA1 and IQGAP1 were highly expressed in NPC tissues compared with the controls. Forced expression of MTA1 accelerated cell proliferation and migration and upregulated IQGAP1 expression in a p53-independent way. Knockdown of IQGAP1 or transfection of dominant-negative IQGAP1 impeded tumor cell proliferation and migration as well as PI3K/Akt signaling induced by MTA1. In conclusion, MTA1 participates in NPC malignant transformation via regulating IQGAP1 expression and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

CK1α suppresses lung tumour growth by stabilizing PTEN and inducing autophagy

The contribution of autophagy to cancer development remains controversial, largely owing to the fact that autophagy can be tumour suppressive or oncogenic in different biological contexts. Here, we show that in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CK1α) suppresses tumour growth by functioning as an autophagy inducer to activate an autophagy-regulating, tumour-suppressive PTEN/AKT/FOXO3a/Atg7 axis. Specifically, CK1α bound the C-terminal tail of PTEN and enhanced both PTEN stability and activity by competitively antagonizing NEDD4-1-induced PTEN polyubiquitination and abrogating PTEN phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting AKT activity and activating FOXO3a-induced transcription of Atg7. Notably, blocking CK1α-induced Atg7-dependent autophagy cooperates with oncogenic HRasV12 to initiate tumorigenesis of lung epithelial cells. An association of a CK1α-modulated autophagic program with the anti-neoplastic activities of the CK1α/PTEN/FOXO3a/Atg7 axis was demonstrated in xenografted tumour models and human NSCLC specimens. This provides insights into the biological and potentially clinical significance of autophagy in NSCLC.

EZH2 promotes cell proliferation by regulating the expression of RUNX3 in laryngeal carcinoma

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a highly conserved histone methyltransferase, which is overexpressed in different types of cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. It is reported that EZH2 can directly down-regulate RUNX3 by increasing histone H3 methylation. However, the role of EZH2 in the development and progression of laryngeal carcinoma has not yet been investigated, and the relationship between EZH2 and RUNX3 in laryngeal carcinoma is rarely reported. The current study aims to determine the role of EZH2 in the progression of laryngeal carcinoma, and investigate the interaction between EZH2 and the tumor suppressor RUNX3. Our study found that EZH2 is overexpressed in laryngeal carcinoma patients, and silencing EZH2 by EZH2 siRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation of laryngeal carcinoma cells. Besides, we also found that RUNX3 is repressed in laryngeal carcinoma patients. Moreover, RUNX3 as a downstream target protein of EZH2 is up-regulated by EZH2 siRNA accompanied by a decrease in the trimethylation modification pattern of H3K27. RUNX3 siRNA inhibits the decreased proliferation induced by EZH2 siRNA. Furthermore, β-catenin protein expression is down-regulated by EZH2 siRNA and up-regulated by RUNX3 siRNA, and RUNX3 siRNA inhibits the down-regulation effect of EZH2 siRNA on β-catenin protein expression. Additionally, the Wnt/β-catenin activator BIO reverses the inhibitory effect of EZH2 siRNA on Hep-2 cell proliferation. Taken together, our results suggest that EZH2 regulates cell proliferation potentially by targeting RUNX3 through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in laryngeal carcinoma.

CCT6A suppresses SMAD2 and promotes prometastatic TGF-β signaling

Paradoxically, during early tumor development in many cancer types, TGF-β acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas in the advanced stages of these cancers, increased TGF-β expression is linked to high metastasis and poor prognosis. These findings suggest that unidentified mechanisms may function to rewire TGF-β signaling toward its prometastatic role in cancer cells. Our current study using non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines, animal models, and clinical specimens demonstrates that suppression of SMAD2, with SMAD3 function intact, switches TGF-β-induced transcriptional responses to a prometastatic state. Importantly, we identified chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 6A (CCT6A) as an inhibitor and direct binding protein of SMAD2 and found that CCT6A suppresses SMAD2 function in NSCLC cells and promotes metastasis. Furthermore, selective inhibition of SMAD3 or CCT6A efficiently suppresses TGF-β-mediated metastasis. Our findings provide a mechanism that directs TGF-β signaling toward its prometastatic arm and may contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies targeting TGF-β for NSCLC.

Working Memory Load and Reminder Effect on Event-Based Prospective Memory of High- and Low-Achieving Students in Math

The effects of working memory (WM) demand and reminders on an event-based prospective memory (PM) task were compared between students with low and high achievement in math. WM load (1- and 2-back tasks) was manipulated as a within-subject factor and reminder (with or without reminder) as a between-subject factor. Results showed that high-achieving students outperformed low-achieving students on all PM and n-back tasks. Use of a reminder improved PM performance and thus reduced prospective interference; the performance of ongoing tasks also improved for all students. Both PM and n-back performances in low WM load were better than in high WM load. High WM load had more influence on low-achieving students than on high-achieving students. Results suggest that low-achieving students in math were weak at PM and influenced more by high WM load. Thus, it is important to train these students to set up an obvious reminder for their PM and improve their WM.

MiR-340 impedes the progression of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting EZH2

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignant tumor of the otolaryngeal region and accounts for 1-2% of all malignancies diagnosed worldwide. miR-340 down-regulation and EZH2 up-regulation have been frequently identified in multiple cancers, but the role of miR-340 and EZH2 in LSCC has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the regulative role of miR-340 in EZH2 expression and LSCC progression. The results showed that EZH2 was up-regulated and miR-340 was down-regulated in both Hep-2 cells and LSCC tissues. Molecularly, our results confirmed that miR-340 directly targeted EZH2 gene and inhibited EZH2 expression. MTT assay and BrdU assay showed that miR-340 transfection reduced the cell proliferation ability of Hep-2 cells. The transwell assay indicated that the invasion and migration ability of Hep-2 cells was dramatically inhibited by miR-340 transfection. In addition, miR-340 transfection induced cell apoptosis with concomitant enhancement of Bax, increase of Caspase-3 expression and activity, and reduction of Bcl-2 expression in Hep-2 cells. Both miR-340 transfection and EZH2 knockdown induced p27 expression and suppressed PI3K/Akt activation in Hep-2 cells. Strikingly, EZH2 knockdown reduced cell proliferation, and EZH2 overexpression significantly rescued the miR-340-mediated suppressive effect on cell proliferation. Moreover, miR-340 could obviously induce the inhibition of Hep-2 cell-derived tumor growth and EZH2/p27 expression ratio in vivo. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-340 impedes LSCC progression by targeting EZH2 with the possible mechanism to enhance the expression of anti-oncogene p27 and suppress PI3K/Akt activation, providing a novel target and a potential therapeutic pathway against LSCC.

[The expression and clinical significance of MyD88 in laryngeal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in laryngeal carcinoma and its clinical significance.

METHOD

Fifty-one patients with laryngeal carcinoma were collected, and all patients were confirmed by pathological diagnosis results. The expression of MyD88 protein was detected by immunohistochemical method in laryngeal cancer and its adjacent tissues to investigate the correlation among MyD88 expression, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients.

RESULT

The positive expression rate of MyD88 in laryngeal cancer tissues was 68.6%, significantly higher than that in normal tissues adjacent to carcinoma of which positive expression rate was 11.8%; MyD88 positive rate had nothing to do with laryngeal cancer patients age, sex, differentiation and tumour location (all P > 0.05), but correlated with clinical stage (P < 0.01) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). In addition, the study also found that the expression of MyD88 quantity was inversely proportional with the five-year survival rate. The survival rate of patients with higher expression of MyD88 was significantly lower than that of patients with lower expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MyD88 may be an important participant in the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma, MyD88 targeted therapy may improve the prognosis of patients with laryngeal cancer.

[The diagnosis applying effects of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in BBPV disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnosis applying effects of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(oVEMP) in peripheral BPPV disease.

METHOD

During September 2012 to January 2015, we selected 80 healthy people in our hospital medical center as the control group, choose the same period of primary benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as the observation group of 80 patients. Two groups were carried out fully functional auditory evoked potential analysis, determination of oVEMP and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP) anomaly amplitude threshold, P1 latencies, N1 incubation period.

RESULT

The cVEMP abnormal rate in the observation group was 28.8%, the oVEMP abnormal rate was 38.8%, while cVEMP and oVEMP abnormal rates in the control group was 1.3% and 2.5% respectively that compared to significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). The oVEMP test amplitude in the observation group was (5.98 ± 2.15) µv, the N1 incubation period was (10.03 ± 0.76)ms, while the control group were (4.09 ± 2.11)µv and (11.67 ± 0.78) ms that compared difference were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cVEMP test amplitude in the observation group was (154.8 ± 43.9)2 µv, while the control group was (180.49 ± 45.34)µv, compared the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Paroxysmal positional vertigo patients ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials abnormal rate is relatively high, the utricle dysfunction for more severe than the balloon can be the subject of an objective function of the ear stone judgment, judgment in favor of the disease.

Generational Differences in Work Values in China

We examined the generational differences in Chinese employees' work values using the Chinese Work Values Scale with 1,015 Chinese employees across three generations (i.e., Cultural Revolution generation, n = 148; Transitional generation, n = 355; Millennial generation, n = 512). We found that, even with gender, education, and position taken into account, the Millennial generation placed more importance on intrinsic and extrinsic rewards than did the Transitional generation or the Cultural Revolution generation, and that the Cultural Revolution generation placed more importance on altruism than did the younger generations. Results also showed that generation exerted more influence on work values than did age. This implies that, taking these results into account, current human resource management practices in organizations and institutions in China should be adjusted accordingly.

Effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron on the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-1 and C666-1 cells

This paper mainly studied the effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron on the proliferation of two kinds of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines, CNE-1 and C666-1, and their mechanisms of action. Extract was obtained by heat reflux extraction with ethanol, and the effect of extract on the extracellular matrix adhesion of the cells, on their proliferation process, as well as on their colony-forming ability were tested using MTT assay. The results showed that the yield of dry extract was 36.4%. 2.5 g/ml extract in the high concentration group exhibited inhibitory activity that was directly proportional to the concentration on CNE-1 cells, while not exhibiting obvious proportional trend in respect with C666-1 cells. However, the inhibition rates against two types of cells can both reach between 30% ~ 50%. Under the effect of ethanol extract of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron, proliferative capacities of C666-1 and CNE-1 cells were affected to some extent.

Breast-Conserving Surgery Is Preferred Though Not Commonly Performed in an Urban Region of China

Introduction: Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiation therapy has proven to be as effective as modified radical mastectomy, and has, therefore, been considered as the standard treatment for patients with localized breast cancer in Western societies. However, performance of BCS for the treatment of breast cancer in China is not as common as in Western countries. This study was to evaluate healthy women's attitudes towards BCS in an urban region of China.Method: Between February and March 2009, three hundred and fifty healthy women from three urban suburbs of Taiyuan city in Northern China were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Participants' characteristics, including age, education, occupation, and attitudes towards breast cancer treatment options and involvement of treatment decisions, were collected and analyzed.Results: Three hundred and fifteen women returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 90%. The median age of the participants was 31.2 years old (range: 16 – 69 years old). Among them, 49.2% were married, 27.9% had received high levels of education, and 87.3%, 95.2% and 71.4% would like to know the disease status, to involve making treatment decisions, and to accept BCS, respectively, if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Women aged above 45 years were more likely to choose BCS compared with those less than 45 years old (73.4% vs 61.5%, P = 0.08). There was no association between choices of surgical approaches and levels of education or occupation. As for breast cancer treatment information sources, 76.8% of the participants mentioned oncologists, followed by the internet (12.1%), friends, and media (10.8%). Almost all responders (93.3%) would like to attend hospitals specialized in cancer treatment if breast lumps were detected.Conclusion: Although only 7.1% of breast cancer patients attending a specialized tumor hospital in Taiyuan city underwent BCS, the current study indicate that most women in Northern China would prefer BCS to mastectomy if they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Therefore, further occupational training is warranted for oncologists in China so that optimal treatments for patients with breast cancer can be carried out.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6077.

The Developing Nature of Menstrual and Reproductive Factors Associated with Breast Cancer Risk among Women in an Urban Region of China

Introduction: The incidence rate of female breast cancer has increased rapidly over the past 20 years in China. It has become the leading cause of newly diagnosed cancer and a major cause of mortality among women in some large Chinese cities with higher socio-economic status. This was partly explained by the change of lifestyle and reproductive risk factors. However, little data exists on the extent to which the menstrual and reproductive factors with breast cancer risk have changed in other less developed Chinese cities.Method: One cross sectional study was conducted in urban region of Taiyuan of China from September 2008 to March 2009. One thousand and five hundreds healthy women were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Participants' characteristics, including age, education, occupation, weight, height, age at menarche, age at first birth, parity, duration of breastfeeding, and age at menopause were collected and analyzed. Study subjects were divided into six groups: younger than or equal to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60 and older than 60 years old.Results: One thousand four hundreds and twenty eight women returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 95.2%. Median age of women in this study was 39 years old (range: 16 – 86 years old). There was a 4.8cm difference in the mean height between women born in 1990s and 1940s. The average age at menarche dropped from 16 years for women aged above 60 to 14.3 years for those younger than 20 years old. The average birth rate markedly decreased from 4.4 births per woman in the 1960s to 1.1 births per woman in the 1990s. The mean age at first birth increased 5.6 years through the period from the 1940s to 1980s. The breastfeeding time significantly reduced from 20.3 months to 3.6 months over 40 years.Conclusion: This study indicates that there has been significant change in the menstrual and reproductive factors associated with breast cancer risk in the last 40 years. These changes will certainly influence the incidence rate of breast cancer in the local city. Therefore, measures are needed to enhance the awareness of breast cancer and its early-detection methods among the urban region women in China.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 6068.

Mammographic density and breast cancer risk factors in Chinese women

Abstract #4082

Background: Past studies have indicated that mammographic density is associated with not only breast cancer risk but also breast cancer risk factors in women living in western nations. However, to data, no such association has been shown among native Chinese women. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effects of age, body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, parity, and menopausal status on mammographic patterns in women from a province of Northern China.&#x2028; Methods: Seven hundred and two women's mammograms and information of the breast cancer risk factors were obtained from Shanxi province cancer hospital in Northern China. Mammograms were assessed according to the Wolfe classification.&#x2028; Results: Age, BMI, parity, and menopause were inversely and independently related to high-risk mammographic parenchymal patterns. However, there was no statistically significant association between age at menarche and high mammographic density. Relative to subjects aged less than or equal to 35 years, subjects aged greater than 55 years had reduced 62% (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.14 – 1.00) odds of having a high-risk pattern. In comparison to women whose BMI was less than or equal to 25, there was a 51% and 72% reduction in the odds of having high-risk mammographic patterns for those with BMI 25 to 30 and larger than or equal to 30 respectively (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32 - 0.74; OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12 - 0.68 respectively). Women with more than three children had decreased 68% risk to have high mammographic density compared to those who were nulliparous (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.1 – 1.0). Premenopausal women were more than four times likely to have a high-risk pattern than postmenopausal women (OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 2.17 – 7.87).&#x2028; Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that mammographic parenchymal patterns are also associated with some risk factors of breast cancer in native Chinese women. This is consistent with most studies carried out in Western countries. Further studies are needed to determine the relationship between quantitative percentage density and breast cancer risk factors.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4082.

Awareness of breast cancer among women in an urban region of China

Abstract #2104

Introduction: Even though breast cancer can be cured if detected early and treated appropriately, it remains the most common cause of cancer mortality for women living in some major cities in China. Moreover, the incidence of this disease has increased steadily in China over the last two decades. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the knowledge about breast cancer concerning risk factors, signs and symptoms, effective screening methods, treatment choices and prognosis among native Chinese women.&#x2028; Method: Two hundred and seventy healthy women were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire in Taiyuan city of China. Participants' characteristics, including age, education, occupation, and awareness of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were collected and analyzed.&#x2028; Results: Two hundred and thirty nine women had returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 88.5%. The median age of women in this study was 44 years old (range: 25 – 72). Among them, more than one third had received tertiary education, 6.7% had breast cancer family history, and one quarter ever had benign breast disease. Most of the participants (60.3%) did not know how to perform breast self-examination (BSE), whereas 61.5% never did BSE. Only 2.9% of those who had performed BSE did so regularly. As for effective screening methods, more than half of the participants chose clinical breast examination (CBE), and 21.8% regarded mammography as a reliable mean. Most of women considered breast cancer a curable disease and assumed that therapeutic approaches should include surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, and in some cases, traditional Chinese medicine. Only 8.8% of the participants identified two or more of the eight breast cancer risk factors. The factors mostly identified included breast cancer family history (33.5%), late birth (10%), and early age at menarche (9.6%). The breast cancer signs and symptoms mostly indicated were breast lump (54.4%), breast pain (26.4%), and nipple discharge (23.9%). Women who received high level education appeared to be more likely to perform BSE and possessed more knowledge regarding to breast cancer risk factors and treatment.&#x2028; Conclusion: The study indicates that awareness of breast cancer among Chinese women needs to be improved, and that breast cancer early-detection measures needs to be enhanced in China.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2104.

[Luminescence dependence upon concentration and temperature in YPO4:Pr3+]

Under selective excitation 3P0 state of Pr3+ ion in YPO4, the emission spectra and fluorescence decay curves are measured at different concentrations and temperatures. The origin of the spectral line located at 613.2 nm has been discussed and assigned to be the 1D2 (gamma 3)-->3H4 (gamma 5) transition. The different concentration dependence of emission intensities of levels 3P0 and 1D2 has been studied. Using static model, the fluorescence decay curve of 1D2 level is fitted, and the result shows that the cross-relaxation caused by the interaction of dipole-quadrupole between adjacent Pr3+ ions results in the concentration quenching.

[A probe into rehabilitating occlusion of majority teeth missing]

It is generally to be found that decrease of occlusal vertical dimension, worn occlusive surface of remaining teeth without opposite teeth and loss of intercusping position (ICP), etc. in the patients with majority teeth missing. In western countries, fixed restorations (including implant dentures) are routinely used for the patients with majority teeth missing in order to rehabilitate occlusion. The authors applied occlusal theory, combining with the clinical facilities and used one-piece casting base and functional impression technique for rehabilitation of occlusion. The purpose of this article was to summarize clinical experiences, to explore the relative problems concerning rehabilitation for patients with majority teeth missing.

Differing regulation of major histocompatibility class II and adhesion molecules on human umbilical vein endothelial cells by serotonin

Major histocompatibility class II molecules (MHC class II), whose biosynthesis and expression by endothelial cells can be induced by gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma), play a major role in antigen recognition and subsequent cell-cell interactions involved in the initiation of immune responses. Adhesion molecules such as E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), whose biosynthesis and membrane expression by endothelial cells is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNF), are necessary for the attachment and subsequent extravasation of leukocytes into the surrounding tissue. In the present study, the effects of preformed inflammatory mediators (histamine and serotonin) on the induction and expression of MHC class II, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 molecules by human umbilical vein endothelial cells were examined. Serotonin but not histamine was found to significantly inhibit in a dose-response fashion the induction and expression of MHC class II molecules. Inhibition occurred when it was added 24 h before, at the same time (most effective), or 24 h after IFN-gamma stimulation. No enhancement or stimulation of MHC class II biosynthesis could be detected using moderate or low concentration of either histamine or serotonin alone. In contrast to MHC class II molecules, neither serotonin nor histamine blocked the induction and biosynthesis of E-selectin and ICAM-1 molecules as detected by specific H18/7 and RR1/1 monoclonal antibodies, respectively, using flow cytometry. These findings suggest that serotonin but not histamine can assist in regulating the induction and expression of MHC class II molecules. Failure to block biosynthesis of E-selectin and ICAM-1 induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta indicates the inhibitory effect exerted by serotonin was selective in nature.