Purpose: International students are highly vulnerable to the risk of mental health worsening before and during the pandemic (COVID-19). This study investigated international students’ mental health pre- and post-pandemic (COVID-19). Methods: It is a longitudinal study, and data were collected online, pre-pandemic (N = 470) and during the pandemic (N = 420). Using a random sampling technique, a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure mental health, including depression and anxiety. Results: Findings show that international students’ mental health was good in pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, international students were found to be more depressed and anxious during the pandemic. Findings also investigated that in the pre-pandemic phase, young students’ and mainly females’ mental health was worsened. Conclusion: This study concluded that students’ mental problems are alarming, so the university should provide psychological services for the student’s mental health. Post-pandemic is leaving long-lasting psychological effects and will require further investigation.

Background: To examine the association between pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the risk of preeclampsia. Methods: This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD42022361571. The primary outcome was preeclampsia. Two evaluators independently reviewed the included studies, assessed their risk of bias, and extracted the data. Unadjusted and adjusted ratios with 95% confidence intervals and 95% prediction intervals were calculated. Heterogeneity was quantified using the І ² statistic, where І ² ≥ 50% indicated the presence of significant heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the overall findings. Results: A total of 8 studies, including 10,951,184 pregnant women, of whom 13,333 were diagnosed with RA, met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed that pregnant women with RA were significantly more likely to develop preeclampsia than those without RA (pooled odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.52–1.80; P < .001; І ² < .001). Conclusion: RA during pregnancy is associated with higher odds of preeclampsia.

Background: The incidence and mortality of clear cell carcinoma of the kidney increases yearly. There are limited screening methods and advances in treating kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC). It is important to find new biomarkers to screen, diagnose and predict the prognosis of KIRC. Some studies have shown that CD72 influences the development and progression of colorectal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and acute lymphoid leukemia. However, there is a lack of research on the role of CD72 in the pathogenesis of KIRC. This study aimed to determine whether CD72 is associated with the prognosis and immune infiltration of KIRC, providing an essential molecular basis for the early non-invasive diagnosis and immunotherapy of KIRC. Methods: Using TCGA, GTE, GEO, and ImmPort databases, we obtained the differentially expressed mRNA (DEmRNA) associated with the prognosis and immunity of KIRC patients. We used the Kruskal–Wallis test to identify clinicopathological parameters associated with target gene expression. We performed univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses to determine the effect of target gene expression and clinicopathological parameters on survival. We analyzed the target genes' relevant functions and signaling pathways through enrichment analysis. Finally, the correlation of target genes with tumor immune infiltration was explored by ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis. Results: The results revealed that patients with KIRC with higher expression of CD72 have a poorer prognosis. CD72 was associated with the Pathologic T stage, Pathologic stage, Pathologic M stage, Pathologic N stage, Histologic grade in KIRC patients, Laterality, and OS event. It was an independent predictor of the overall survival of KIRC patients. Functional enrichment analysis showed that CD72 was significantly enriched in oncogenic and immune-related pathways. According to ssGSEA and Spearman correlation analysis, CD72 expression was significantly associated with tumor immune cells and immune checkpoints. Conclusion: Our study suggests that CD72 is associated with tumor immunity and may be a biomarker relevant to the diagnosis and prognosis of KIRC patients.

Background: According to reports, maternal rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been suggested as a possible adverse factor for developing small for gestational age (SGA) in offspring. However, some studies have also indicated a need for a more statistically significant association between the two. Understanding the relationship between maternal RA and the risk of SGA is crucial for identifying potential adverse outcomes and implementing appropriate interventions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the association between maternal RA and the risk of offspring developing SGA.Methods: This study was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (ID: CRD42022357590). A systematic literature search was conducted to identify eligible studies up to August 2022. Quality assessment was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The Q test and I² test tested and estimated heterogeneity among studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CI were calculated using random or fixed effects models depending on the heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments were also performed.Results: Seven studies, including 12,323,918 participants, were included in the analysis. The results showed a statistically significant association between maternal RA and SGA (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.29–2.23, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed stable results. The funnel plot of the symmetric distribution and the results of Begg’s and Egger’s tests showed no publication bias.Conclusion: Maternal RA is associated with an increased risk of SGA in offspring. However, more studies are still needed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying maternal RA and SGA association.Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier [CRD42022357590].

Background. BEX family genes are expressed in many tissues and play significant roles in neuronal development. Methods. In this study, a mouse model of Bex2 gene knockout was generated, using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. A fragment of the coding exon was successfully deleted. RT-qPCR confirmed loss of gene expression at the mRNA level. A transcriptomic study of the brain was performed to identify genes and pathways under Bex2 regulation. Essential biological functions under the control of Bex2 related to brain development were identified. Results. A total of 93 genes were found as differentially expressed. Among up-regulated genes, Zfp967 and Zfp984, are zf protein-related genes. Tmsb15l is related to neuronal physiology. Among KEGG pathways, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and neuroactive ligand-receptor integration were most enriched. GO analysis identified cellular process, biological regulation, the metabolic process for Biological Processes. Cell, cell membrane, extracellular region and synapsis were found for Cellular Component. While binding, catalytic activity, molecular function were found for Molecular Function. A total of 53 KEGG disease terms were identified, included TNDM, Non-syndromic X-linked mental retardation, Neurodegeneration due to cerebral folate transport deficiency, Schizencephaly. Besides, HMGA, TF-Otx, RXR-like, SAND, zf-C2H2 and Homeobox transcription factors were enriched. A further study is required to confirm and explain each aspect identified.