Yichun University

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and creative personality through the lens of epigenetic modifications within Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis genes. By analyzing DNA methylation patterns in key HPA axis genes-including corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), its receptor (CRHR1), CRH binding protein (CRHBP), melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), and the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), we examined how methylation variation was associated with the depressive symptoms-creativity link in 371 participants (190 women, 181 men). Our findings revealed that among individuals with methylation patterns putatively associated with reduced HPA axis activity, higher depressive symptoms were positively associated with creative personality, suggesting that in this biological context, introspective aspects of depressive symptoms may coincide with creative propensities. Conversely, among individuals with methylation patterns putatively associated with heightened HPA axis activity, higher depressive symptoms were negatively associated with creative personality. These results suggest that the association between depressive symptoms and creativity is not uniform but differs based on methylation variation in genes involved in stress response regulation. The findings highlight the potential role of HPA axis-related biological factors in understanding individual differences in the depression-creativity relationship, though the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference.

Sheep placenta is a functional food with proven pharmacological benefits, but its quality is often compromised by conventional drying methods. This study aimed to identify the optimal drying method for preserving the quality of sheep placenta by evaluating the effects of hot air drying (HAD), baking (BK), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) on its appearance, physicochemical properties, and odor. Physicochemical properties were assessed using colorimetry, texture profile analysis, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, and amino acid profiling. Volatile compound analysis was performed by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with an ultrafast gas chromatography electronic nose. Results showed that vacuum freeze dried samples maintained higher lightness, more intact microstructure, better retention of essential amino acids, and significantly lower fishy odor compared to samples treated with hot air drying or baking. Multimethod analysis (Mantel test, Pearson correlation, and TOPSIS) consistently identified vacuum freeze drying as the most effective process. These findings demonstrate that vacuum freeze drying is scientifically preferable for minimizing quality degradation in sheep placenta, providing valuable insights for its application in functional food processing.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy, affecting the tongue, palate, mouth floor, alveolar ridge, and buccal mucosa. Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, exhibits anti-oral cancer properties, but its mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate kaempferol's therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms in OSCC using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. Kaempferol's components and targets were identified via the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). OSCC-related genes were sourced from GeneCards and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Network and molecular docking analyses were performed using Cytoscape and Autodock, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). In vitro and in vivo experiments validated kaempferol's effects. Kaempferol induced ferroptosis, reducing OSCC cell viability and increasing apoptosis dose-dependently. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) emerged as a core gene mediating kaempferol's anti-OSCC effects via ferroptosis. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinity between kaempferol and CA9 (-6.24 kcal/mol). GO and KEGG analyses revealed kaempferol's modulation of p53/FoxO/cellular senescence pathways. Experiments confirmed kaempferol's inhibition of OSCC proliferation and migration through CA9/ferroptosis induction. Kaempferol exerts anti-OSCC effects via CA9/ferroptosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for OSCC.

A highly efficient pyro-catalytic system based on a g-C3N4/ZnO composite has been developed for dye degradation under near-room-temperature thermal cycling (25-60 °C). This system integrates pyroelectric charge generation with electrochemical redox reactions. The g-C3N4/ZnO for pyro-catalytic Rhodamine B (RhB) dye decomposition with 95.6% efficiency in the dark, whereas pristine g-C3N4 reached only approximately 60.1% under identical conditions. The degradation mechanism is primarily driven by the in situ generation of superoxide (•O2-) and hydroxyl (•OH) radicals, as verified by radical quenching experiments. The formation of the composite facilitates the efficient spatial separation of pyroelectric-induced charges, thereby endowing g-C3N4/ZnO with a significantly enhanced pyro-catalytic performance compared to g-C3N4 alone. This study demonstrates the promising application of g-C3N4/ZnO as a high-performance pyro-catalyst under mild thermal conditions, offering a sustainable and light-independent strategy for wastewater treatment by utilizing ambient temperature fluctuations.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal brain tumor, and despite conventional treatments, patient prognosis remains poor. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving GBM and identifying potential therapeutic targets is critical. MOV10, an RNA helicase, is overexpressed in multiple cancers and is considered an oncogene. Our analysis of datasets from TCGA, GEO, and CGGA showed that MOV10 expression is elevated in GBM and strongly negatively correlated with overall survival (OS). Cox regression confirmed MOV10 as an independent prognostic risk factor for GBM.Functional enrichment analysis revealed that MOV10 is involved in immune regulation and tumor progression pathways. We found that MOV10 expression is closely linked to immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and responses to immunotherapy. Immunofluorescence and Transwell assays confirmed that MOV10 knockdown reduced M2 macrophage migration and invasion in GBM cells. Clinical analysis further validated MOV10 overexpression in GBM tissues.In vitro, MOV10 silencing suppressed GBM cell proliferation, inhibited EMT-like processes, and promoted apoptosis through autophagy modulation. Our findings suggest that MOV10 plays a crucial role in GBM progression and could be a promising molecular target for therapy.