Associations of park features with park use and park-based physical activity in an urban environment in Asia: A cross-sectional study

Park use is associated with health, yet our understanding of park features related to their use is limited. Singapore's parks were audited for 30 micro-features, then geospatial analysis characterized micro-features scores for parks nearest to participants' homes. Adults (3,435) reported their park use and park-based physical activity. Using linear regression models, we found living near a park with higher micro-features scores was associated with more time in parks and park-based physical activity. Specific micro-features were associated with more park time (wildlife areas, water features, forested areas, unpaved trails (2–2.6 h/month, p < 0.05)) and with physical activity in parks (water features, forested areas, large playground, open green spaces (1.8–2.2 h/month, p < 0.05)). These findings could inform parks planning to support population-health.     

科技期刊全媒体平台建设思维探究——以金属加工全媒体平台为例

【目的】 通过对金属加工杂志社搭建的全媒体平台(以下简称“金属加工全媒体平台”)特色和建设思维的研究,为科技类期刊的全媒体平台建设提供借鉴。【方法】 采用访谈法、观察法和个案分析法等对金属加工全媒体平台的建设和运营情况进行资料收集、思考和分析。【结果】 金属加工全媒体平台的特色在于它不仅是不断延展的开放式平台,也是优质内容的一站式平台,更是用户导向的服务平台,亦是杂志社主导的共建性平台。【结论】 虽然金属加工杂志社的“大而全型”全媒体平台只是科技类期刊全媒体平台的一种类型,但其平台建设中的差异化思维、用户思维和融合思维具有普适性,可以为其他科技期刊的全媒体平台建设提供参考。     

In-silico screening for DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitors: Combined homology modeling,docking, molecular dynamic study followed by biological investigation

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a key enzyme in non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) repair pathway. The targeted inhibition of such enzyme would furnish a valuable option for cancer treatment. In this study we report the development of validation of enzyme homology model, and the subsequent use of this model to perform docking-based virtual screening against a database of FDA-approved drugs. The nominated highest ranking hits (Praziquantel and Dutasteride) were subjected to biological investigation. Additionally, molecular dynamic study was carried-out for binding mode exploration. Results of the biological evaluation revealed that both compounds inhibit the DNA-PK enzymatic activity at relatively high concentration levels with an IC₅₀ of 17.3 μM for praziquantel and >20 μM for dutasteride. Furthermore, both agents enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of doxorubicin and cisplatin on breast cancer (MCF7) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines. This result indicates that these two hits are good candidate as DNA-PK inhibitors and worth further structural modifications to enhance their enzyme inhibitory effects.     

Study of autosomal STR loci with IBS method in full sibling identification

Objective: We investigated the application of 51 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci with the identity by state (IBS) method and a discriminant function algorithm in full-sib identification. Methods: A total of 342 pairs of full sibs (FSs) and 3900 pairs of unrelated individuals (UIs) were genotyped for 51 STR loci. Groups were formed in accordance with discrimination power (DP) values and the number of loci, and IBS scores of FSs and UIs were analyzed and compared. The discriminant functions of FS-UI were determined by using the Fisher discriminant with SPSS software. Results: All IBS in FSs and UIs groups showed normal distributions and there were significant differences between FS-UI. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the detection efficiency of full-sib identification was affected by both the locus polymorphism and the number of loci detected. Comparing the rate of false positive and false negative of discriminant function between groups, a higher average DP value and larger number of loci detected were associated with a lower rate of miscarriage of justice and were more helpful for full-sib identification. Conclusion: STRs with higher DP values should be selected when additional autosomal markers are required for FS identification. Discriminant analysis with the IBS method is highly applicable for the FS-UI test.     

Prevention of Clostridium difficile infections—The role of vaccines and therapeutic immunoglobulins

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming gram-positive bacterium that causes sometimes severe infections of the gut of affected individuals. The high prevalence of C. difficile infections has caused the Center for Disease Control to characterize this disease as “an immediate health threat that requires urgent and aggressive action.” A major issue with existing treatments for C. difficile is their reliance on antibiotics to kill the bacterium. These antibacterial agents cause disruptions in the gut flora that normally compete with C. difficile, rendering the gut lumen susceptible to a new round of infection or to germination of persistent C. difficile spores. This cycle of infection and recurrence underscores the need for novel approaches to the treatment and prevention of C. difficile infections. This review summarizes previous and ongoing efforts to develop active and passive immunization strategies for the prevention of primary and recurrent C. difficile infections.     

Tri-allelic patterns of STRs and partially homologous non-sister chromatid crossover observed in a parentage test

A maternity testing case is reported, in which the child showed tri-allelic patterns in two short tandem repeat (STR) loci. The genotypes of Penta D of the mother and the child were 9,13 and 9,10,13, respectively. Those of D21S11 were 32.2,35 and 29,35, respectively, but intensity ratio of alleles 29 and 35 of the child was 1:2. These results suggested the copy number variations (CNVs) or trisomy of chromosome 21. By further examination using STR-based chromosome aneuploidy detection kit, three alleles were detected in D21S1411, LFG21 and Penta D, and 2 alleles with intensity ratio of 1:2 were observed in D21S2502, D21S1435, D21S11 and D21S1246. Karyotype and whole-genome SNP array analyses showed that the child had a free trisomy 21. In addition, partially homologous non-sister chromatid crossover occurred at the region 19181770-39499178 on the long arm of chromosome 21.     

Parental phubbing accelerates depression in late childhood and adolescence:A two-path model

IntroductionPhubbing is a social exclusion behavior related to mobile phone use. It undermines interpersonal relationships and mental health. This study aimed to test the connections between parental phubbing and depression in late childhood and adolescence, as well as the mediating roles of parental warmth, parental rejection, and relatedness need satisfaction.MethodsWe conducted two studies. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study of 530 Chinese students (268 boys and 262 girls, M_age = 13.15 ± 0.64 years) who completed self-report questionnaires. We conducted structural modeling to test the relationship between parental phubbing and depression. Study 2 used a short longitudinal design to validate the results of Study 1 and test the mediating roles of parental warmth, parental rejection, and relatedness need satisfaction. In Study 2, we recruited 293 Chinese students (151 boys, 141 girls, and one participant with no reported gender information, M _age = 12.87 ± 0.74 years) to complete the questionnaires and applied structural equation modeling to analyze the data.ResultsTwo sequential mediation effects were found. The first was parental phubbing → parental warmth → relatedness need satisfaction → depression (protection-reduced effect). The second was parental phubbing → parental rejection → relatedness need satisfaction → depression (risk-increased effect). Gender differences were non-significant.ConclusionsThe study revealed that parental phubbing was associated with students’ depression in late childhood and adolescence through two paths. The present study highlights the need to establish family norms regulating mobile phone use to reduce phubbing.