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Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of dysphagia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Methods: The study evaluated the demographic characteristics, nutritional status, social functioning, and swallowing dysfunction of 109 hospitalized AD patients. Results: The sample include 65.1% of female patients, mainly concentrate in >70 years old (72.5%). The illness duration is mainly 0~5 years (62.4%). After adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, poor lifestyle habits, illness duration, marital status, route to admission, concomitant medical illness, nutritional status, and social functioning, we find that the swallowing function in patients with AD is related to route to admission and concomitant medical illness (mainly includes: circulatory disease and respiratory disease). Age =90 years old and more concomitant medical illness contribute to a lower swallowing dysfunction score in patients with AD (P<0.05). Conclusion: Age and concomitant medical illness are the important influencing factors in swallowing dysfunction in patients with AD. Therefore, we believe that future research should focus on the treatment and care of patients with medical conditions in order to enhance the swallowing function in patients with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder, is often complicated by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), which can further impact patients' psychological health. This study investigated the differences in eating attitudes, depression, and insight between schizophrenic patients with and without comorbid T2DM and explored the correlations among these factors to provide empirical support for clinical interventions. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Guangdong Province, China. From December 2022 to May 2023, a total of 300 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (92 with comorbid T2DM and 208 without T2DM) were recruited. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ). Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, were performed to examine differences and predictive factors of eating attitudes among patients. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (approval number: 2020028), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Results: Patients with schizophrenia and comorbid T2DM exhibited significantly higher risks of eating disorders (EAT-26: 12.54 ± 9.77 vs. 9.07 ± 7.90, P=0.003), more severe depression (HAMD: 14.71 ± 7.36 vs. 11.80 ± 6.04, P=0.001), and poorer insight (ITAQ: 10.46 ± 6.01 vs. 12.16 ± 6.09, P=0.025) compared to those without T2DM. Regression analysis revealed that gender, weekly exercise frequency, depression, and insight were significant predictors of eating attitudes among patients with T2DM. For patients without T2DM, weekly exercise frequency, smoking status, and insight were significant predictors. Conclusion: Schizophrenic patients with comorbid T2DM are facing increasing risks related to eating attitudes, depression, and insight which highlight the need for targeted interventions. Regular psychological assessment and tailored support strategies might improve their mental health and quality of life. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to clarify causal relationships and develop more effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boswellic acids is a general term for a series of pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds that are isolated from the oleogin resin of the Boswellia genus and serve as the main active ingredient. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, and anti-thrombotic properties. As a result, it has gained significant recognition among practitioners of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. These biological effects may be associated with multiple molecular targets and signal transduction pathways. However, the poor pharmacokinetic properties of the substance lead to lower bioavailability, which affects its effectiveness. To address this issue, scientists have proposed a number of strategies, such as solid dispersions, phytosome® technologies, and novel drug delivery systems. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview for boswellic acids on the phytochemistry, molecular mechanisms, potential therapeutic applications, and strategies to improve bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every facet of life, constituting a "new normal" and prompting an ongoing collective psychological crisis. People's ways of coping with the pandemic and corresponding wellbeing are of particular research interest; however, these constructs have largely been examined using deductive quantitative approaches, deficit-based lenses, and mononational samples. Methods: The current mixed-methods study used inductive-sequential (QUAL, QUAN) approaches to explore positive coping strategies (approach coping style and COVID-related connection appraisal) and well-being (loneliness, distress, and happiness) across individuals from the United States, Japan, and Mexico. Qualitative data were gathered from N = 141 U.S., Japanese, and Mexican adults to examine how people perceived connection during the pandemic. Results: Qualitative analyses illuminated common themes in which people appraised the pandemic as an opportunity for connection and strengthened interpersonal relationships. Quantitative measures, including a newly-developed questionnaire on COVID-related connection appraisal, were then administered to a separate sample of N = 302 adults in the U.S, Japan, and Mexico to assess associations among approach coping style, COVID-related connection appraisal, and well-being outcomes (loneliness, distress, happiness). Quantitative analyses found significant associations among approach coping style, COVID-related connection appraisal, and all well-being outcomes. Of note, these associations did not differ by country. COVID-related connection appraisal mediated the relationship between approach coping style and two well-being outcomes (loneliness and happiness). Discussion: Findings point to approach coping style and connection appraisal as pathways for resilience and growth in the face of global suffering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in genomics and transcriptomics accompanying the rapid accumulation of omics data have provided new tools that have transformed and expanded the traditional concepts of model fungi. Evolutionary genomics and transcriptomics have flourished with the use of classical and newer fungal models that facilitate the study of diverse topics encompassing fungal biology and development. Technological advances have also created the opportunity to obtain and mine large datasets. One such continuously growing dataset is that of the Sordariomycetes, which exhibit a richness of species, ecological diversity, economic importance, and a profound research history on amenable models. Currently, 3,574 species of this class have been sequenced, comprising nearly one-third of the available ascomycete genomes. Among these genomes, multiple representatives of the model genera Fusarium, Neurospora, and Trichoderma are present. In this review, we examine recently published studies and data on the Sordariomycetes that have contributed novel insights to the field of fungal evolution via integrative analyses of the genetic, pathogenic, and other biological characteristics of the fungi. Some of these studies applied ancestral state analysis of gene expression among divergent lineages to infer regulatory network models, identify key genetic elements in fungal sexual development, and investigate the regulation of conidial germination and secondary metabolism. Such multispecies investigations address challenges in the study of fungal evolutionary genomics derived from studies that are often based on limited model genomes and that primarily focus on the aspects of biology driven by knowledge drawn from a few model species. Rapidly accumulating information and expanding capabilities for systems biological analysis of Big Data are setting the stage for the expansion of the concept of model systems from unitary taxonomic species/genera to inclusive clusters of well-studied models that can facilitate both the in-depth study of specific lineages and also investigation of trait diversity across lineages. The Sordariomycetes class, in particular, offers abundant omics data and a large and active global research community. As such, the Sordariomycetes can form a core omics clade, providing a blueprint for the expansion of our knowledge of evolution at the genomic scale in the exciting era of Big Data and artificial intelligence, and serving as a reference for the future analysis of different taxonomic levels within the fungal kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) has become one of common complications occurring in CKD patients. Therefore, development of a new treatment for CKD-MBD is very important in the clinic. In China, Fucoidan (FPS), a natural compound of Laminaria japonica has been frequently used to improve renal dysfunction in CKD. However, it remains elusive whether FPS can ameliorate CKD-MBD. FGF23-Klotho signaling axis is reported to be useful for regulating mineral and bone metabolic disorder in CKD-MBD. This study thereby aimed to clarify therapeutic effects of FPS in the CKD-MBD model rats and its underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro, compared to Calcitriol (CTR). Methods: All male rats were divided into four groups: Sham, CKD-MBD, FPS and CTR. The CKD-MBD rat models were induced by adenine administration and uninephrectomy, and received either FPS or CTR or vehicle after induction of renal injury for 21 days. The changes in parameters related to renal dysfunction and renal tubulointerstitial damage, calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone lesion were analyzed, respectively. Furthermore, at sacrifice, the kidneys and bone were isolated for histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In vitro, the murine NRK-52E cells were used to investigate regulative actions of FPS or CTR on FGF23-Klotho signaling axis, ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway and Klotho deficiency. Results: Using the modified CKD-MBD rat model and the cultured NRK-52E cells, we indicated that FPS and CTR alleviated renal dysfunction and renal tubulointerstitial damage, improved calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone lesion, and regulated FGF23-Klotho signaling axis and ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway in the kidney. In addition, using the shRNA-Klotho plasmid-transfected cells, we also detected, FPS accurately activated ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway through Klotho loss reversal. Conclusion: In this study, we emphatically demonstrated that FPS, a natural anti-renal dysfunction drug, similar to CTR, improves renal injury-related calcium-phosphorus metabolic disorder and bone abnormality in the CKD-MBD model rats. More importantly, we firstly found that beneficial effects in vivo and in vitro of FPS on phosphorus reabsorption are closely associated with regulation of FGF23-Klotho signaling axis and ERK1/2-SGK1-NHERF-1-NaPi-2a pathway in the kidney. This study provided pharmacological evidences that FPS directly contributes to the treatment of CKD-MBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Problems: Patients with liver transplantation must take lifelong immunosuppressant medication to maintain the function of their hepatic graft. Based on clinical experience, we found that these patients were affected by both insufficient and remaining medication when they returned for outpatient service visits. After investigating the current situation, It was found that post-transplantation perceptions regarding medication were low in this patient group. After analysis, the identified causes of this included: (1) poor learning effect due to the interference from the multiple therapeutic catheter placement postoperatively; (2) delayed timing of assessing the awareness of information or perception of medication and lack of a post-operative follow-up mechanism; and (3) insufficient educational tools and materials for patients. Purposes: This study was designed to increase medication awareness from the current average of 68.3% to > 91% and to increase patient satisfaction with medication guidance from the current 63.0% to > 85% in patients who had received liver transplantation. Resolutions: The improvement strategy included: designing a health education sheet including related medication information and a daily medication record; designing a mnemonic, interactive video, or test to improve medication perception; creating measures associated with a monitor mechanism to assess medication knowledge. Results: After strategy implementation, medication awareness increased from 68.3% to 92.5% and satisfaction with medication guidance increased from 63.0% to 87.2%. Conclusions: The implementation of several strategies concurrently can enhance medication awareness in patients after liver transplantation and increase patient satisfaction with medication guid [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver injury caused by sepsis seriously impairs the normal physiology of the liver. Wedelactone (WED) has an obvious anti-inflammatory effect against liver damage caused by various factors. Nevertheless, further research is needed to determine if WED might mitigate acute liver damage linked to sepsis by influencing macrophage polarization. Methods: We first assessed the effect of WED on lipopolysaccharides-triggered liver injury by biochemistry assay and tissue staining. Inflammatory factors were assessed using the ELISA kits. The expression of Cluster of Differentiation 86 (CD86) and Cluster of Differentiation 206 (CD206) was measured by immunofluorescence assay. The protein levels of inducible nitric oxide sythase (iNOS), Arginase 1 (Arg-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), PI3K phosphorylation (p-PI3K), AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT), inhibitor of kappa B kinase (IKK), inhibitor of kappa B (IκB), and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) p65 were quantified by western blot analysis. Results: WED decreased the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX). Moreover, WED exerted effective anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the level of Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and increasing the level of Interleukin 10 (IL-10) in serum and cells. WED not only decreased CD86 and iNOS expression but also increased CD206 and Arg-1 expression. WED also downregulated the increased expression of PI3K, AKT, p-PI3K, p-AKT, IKK, and NF-kB p65 induced by lipopolysaccharides, while up-regulated the decreased expression of IkB. Besides, LY294002 with WED decreased the expression of protein PI3K, AKT, p-PI3K, p-AKT, IKK and NF-kB p65, and raised the expression of IkBa. Conclusion: Wedelolactone could attenuate sepsis-associated acute liver injury, and its mechanism may be associated with balancing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory by the regulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization via the PI3K/AKT/NF-kB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the most prevalent malignant monoclonal disease of plasma cells. There is mounting evidence that interactions with the bone marrow (BM) niche are essential for the differentiation, proliferation, survival, migration, and treatment resistance of myeloma cells. For this reason, gaining a deeper comprehension of how BM microenvironment compartments interact with myeloma cells may inspire new therapeutic ideas that enhance patient outcomes. This review will concentrate on the most recent findings regarding the mechanisms of interaction between microenvironment and MM and highlight research on treatment targeting the BM niche. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delivery systems based on albumin nanoparticles (NPs) have recently garnered substantial interest in anti-tumor drug development. However, systematic bibliometric analyses in this field remain lacking. This study aimed to analyze the current research status, hotspots, and frontiers in the application of albumin NPs in the field of oncology from a bibliometric perspective. Methods: Using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) as the data source, retrieved articles were analyzed using software, such as VOSviewer 1.6.18 and CiteSpace 6.1.6, and the relevant visualization maps were plotted. Results: From 1 January 2000, to 15 April 2024, 2,262 institutions from 67 countries/regions published 1,624 articles related to the application of albumin NPs in the field of oncology. The USA was a leader in this field and held a formidable academic reputation. The most productive institution was the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The most productive author was Youn YS, whereas Kratz F was the most frequently co-cited author. The most productive journal was the International Journal of Nanomedicine, whereas the Journal of Controlled Release was the most co-cited journal. Future research hotspots and frontiers included "rapid and convenient synthesis methods predominated by self-assembly," "surface modification," "construction of multifunctional NPs for theranostics," "research on natural active ingredients mainly based on phenolic compounds," "combination therapy," and "clinical applications". Conclusion: Based on our bibliometric analysis and summary, we obtained an overview of the research on albumin NPs in the field of oncology, identified the most influential countries, institutions, authors, journals, and citations, and discussed the current research hotspots and frontiers in this field. Our study may serve as an important reference for future research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a metasurface-based low-profile circularly polarized (CP) antenna with double-wide beam for global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), which covers primarily BDS-2 B1 band and BDS-3 B1 band. At first, a T-slot structure achieving a compact design is presented to effectively miniaturize the antenna. Except that, a gear-type parasitic ring and eight parasitic microstrip lines are proposed to broaden both the half power beamwidth (HPBW) and axial ratio beamwidth (ARBW) of the antenna. Furthermore, a metasurface unit featuring double "WIFI" logo structure is introduced. This unit is expanded into a 7 * 7 metasurface loaded under the antenna, significantly improving its radiation characteristics. After experimentation, the proposed antenna achieves notable results: 121° HPBW and 214° 3 dB-ARBW at 1.561 GHz and 121° HPBW and 236° 3 dB-ARBW at 1.575 GHz. Additionally, it demonstrates more than 3.52 dBic gain across the whole frequency band, whose simulation and test results are in agreement. These results show that the antenna can be used for various satellite communication systems necessitating CP antennas with wide ARBW and HPBW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) knee patients have limited ability in physical function, or difficulties with physical tasks and activities may develop disability. This study aimed to observe the predictors of self-reported and performancebased physical function in patients with knee OA by analyzing the impacts of demographic, pathological, and muscle impairment factors. Methods: 135 knee OA patients participated in this study to complete selfreported questionnaires using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). When measuring performance-based physical function, a 6-meter gait speed (6MGS) test was measured to evaluate their mobility, and a 5-time Sit-to-Stand test (5STS) was assessed to evaluate their balance. Pain intensity, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, age, body mass index (BMI), durations of symptoms, and radiographic severity were also collected. Spearman correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to explore the association and predictors in self-reported and performance-based physical function. Results: BMI and durations of symptoms did not indicate any significant correlation with either self-reported or performance-based physical function. Age is significantly negatively associated with 6MGS (r2 = -0.383, p < 0.01), while knee extensor muscle strength has a moderate correlation with 5STS (r2 = -0.528, p < 0.01). In the stepwise multiple linear regression models, pain intensity (ß = 0.712, p < 0.001), knee flexor muscle strength (ß = 0.112, p = 0.042) were significantly associated with self-reported physical function in daily activities and contributed to 55.0% of the variance in KOOS-PF score. Knee muscle strength, including knee extensor (5STS: ß = -0.428, p < 0.001) and flexor muscle strength (6MGS: ß = 0.367, p < 0.001), were the main predictors with performance-based physical function. Conclusion: Pain intensity was the leading risk factor of self-reported physical function, and knee flexor muscle strength contributed as well. The severity of knee OA, durations of symptoms and BMI did not contribute to physical function. However, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength were the main predictors of performance-based performance. Our results show that strengthening of weak knee muscles in both quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength should be considered a priory consideration in knee OA no matter if people are in the early or end-stage of knee OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the insight, treatment attitude, and related influencing factors of hospitalized elderly patients suffering from major depression. Methods: A total of 141 hospitalized elderly patients with depression were selected as the research objects. Insight was evaluated by the total score of the Insight and Treatment Attitude questionnaire (ITAQ). The data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric symptoms, delirium status, social functioning, social support, suicide risk, and cognitive function. Results: The sample included 74.5% of female patients, and the mean age was 67.53 (sd=7.19) years. The influencing factors of inpatients with depression included alcohol consumption, length of hospitalization, admission types, and the main caregivers (P<0.05). The various factors were further analyzed by linear regression, revealing that the insight and treatment attitude of elderly depressed hospitalized patients were mainly related to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (β= 0.225, 95% CI 0.055-0.395, P=0.01), dependent on a caregiver (β=-5.810, 95% CI -8.086~-3.535, P<0.001), the type of admission (involuntary admission) (β=-3.365, 95% CI -5.448~-1.283, P=0.002), Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) (β=-0.156, 95% CI -0.303~-0.010, P=0.037), and length of stay (=28 days) (β=2.272, 95% CI 0.055~-4.489, P=0.045). Conclusion: The level of insight was affected by cognitive function, involuntary admission, dependent on a caregiver, social function and length of stay. Future studies should focus on cognitive function recovery, observation of admission mode, and self-care ability in elderly patients with depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Himalayan griffons (Gyps himalayensis), known as the scavenger of nature, are large scavenging raptors widely distributed on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and play an important role in maintaining the balance of the plateau ecosystem. The gut microbiome is essential for host health, helping to maintain homeostasis, improving digestive efficiency, and promoting the development of the immune system. Changes in environment and diet can affect the composition and function of gut microbiota, ultimately impacting the host health and adaptation. Captive rearing is considered to be a way to protect Himalayan griffons and increase their population size. However, the effects of captivity on the structure and function of the gut microbial communities of Himalayan griffons are poorly understood. Still, availability of sequenced metagenomes and functional information for most griffons gut microbes remains limited. Methods: In this study, metagenome sequencing was used to analyze the composition and functional structures of the gut microbiota of Himalayan griffons under wild and captive conditions. Results: Our results showed no significant differences in the alpha diversity between the two groups, but significant differences in beta diversity. Taxonomic classification revealed that the most abundant phyla in the gut of Himalayan griffons were Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes_A, Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Campylobacterota. At the functional level, a series of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) functional pathways, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) categories, virulence factor genes (VFGs), and pathogen-host interactions (PHI) were annotated and compared between the two groups. In addition, we recovered nearly 130 metagenomeassembled genomes (MAGs). Discussion: In summary, the present study provided a first inventory of the microbial genes and metagenome-assembled genomes related to the Himalayan griffons, marking a crucial first step toward a wider investigation of the scavengers microbiomes with the ultimate goal to contribute to the conservation and management strategies for this near threatened bird. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, cellulose was effectively separated from eucalyptus wood with ternary solvents containing organic base 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine and other organic solvents such as morpholine, N-ethyl morpholine, dimethyl formamide, glycerin, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. It was found that the combination of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine with morpholine was favorable for achieving high delignification and less loss of cellulose. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose achieved 89.8% and 81.4% after heating for 6 h at 160 °C, respectively. It was found that the combination of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl guanidine with morpholine was favorable for achieving high delignification and less loss of cellulose. The removal of lignin and hemicellulose achieved 89.8% and 81.4% after heating for 6 h at 160 °C, respectively. The addition of morpholine and water promoted the dissolution of lignin and reduced the degradation of cellulose. Subsequently, the crude cellulose was further purified through a simplified bleaching process, the final removal of lignin and hemicellulose increased to 98.7% and 97.5% respectively, and cellulose with a purity of 96.9% was achieved. The scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the diameter of cellulose bundles decreased from about 250 μm to about 20 μm after organic solvents treatment. The fiber bundle was completely separated into a single fiber with a diameter of about 5–10 μm after bleaching process. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity of fiber from 69.4% to 83.3%, implying a reduction of lignin and hemicellulose in eucalyptus. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed the high selective removal of lignin and hemicellulose. Two-dimensional 1H-13C Heteronuclear singular quantum correlation was performed to investigated the structure units and linkages of lignin and found that only the structural signal of C5-H5 in guaiacyl (G5) alone existed in the aromatic region, while the signals -OCH3, Cγ–Hγ in β-O-4' (Aγ) and β-β' (Cγ) remained in the side chain region, indicating that lignin could be effectively degraded and dissolved by the ternary solvents. In conclusion, high purity cellulose was obtained from eucalyptus wood by environmentally friendly and recyclable processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Inaccurate Forrest classification may significantly affect clinical outcomes, especially in high risk patients. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a real-time deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) system to assess the Forrest classification of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB). Methods A training dataset (3868 endoscopic images) and an internal validation dataset (834 images) were retrospectively collected from the 900th Hospital, Fuzhou, China. In addition, 521 images collected from four other hospitals were used for external validation. Finally, 46 endoscopic videos were prospectively collected to assess the real-time diagnostic performance of the DCNN system, whose diagnostic performance was also prospectively compared with that of three senior and three junior endoscopists. Results The DCNN system had a satisfactory diagnostic performance in the assessment of Forrest classification, with an accuracy of 91.2% (95%CI 89.5%–92.6%) and a macro-average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 in the validation dataset. Moreover, the DCNN system could judge suspicious regions automatically using Forrest classification in real-time videos, with an accuracy of 92.0% (95%CI 80.8%–97.8%). The DCNN system showed more accurate and stable diagnostic performance than endoscopists in the prospective clinical comparison test. This system helped to slightly improve the diagnostic performance of senior endoscopists and considerably enhance that of junior endoscopists. Conclusion The DCNN system for the assessment of the Forrest classification of PUB showed satisfactory diagnostic performance, which was slightly superior to that of senior endoscopists. It could therefore effectively assist junior endoscopists in making such diagnoses during gastroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se)-enriched Brassica napus L. is a valuable organic Se supplement. In this study, the fermentation broth enriched with organic Se (FFS) was prepared using Lactobacillus plantarum to ferment the substrate of Se-enriched Brassica napus L. Significant increases were observed after fermentation in total sugars, reducing sugars, soluble proteins, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). The organic Se was retained at a concentration of 54.75 mg/g in the freeze-dried sample. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed good separation between the FFS and unfermented (FS) groups. Fragrant 2-ethyloxetane had the highest content among all volatiles, while sinapine had the highest content among all phenolic compounds. The fermentation process showed remarkable improvement in the abundance and concentration of volatile compounds and phenolic contents, making FFS exhibit strong antioxidant activity and inhibitory capacity against α-glucosidase activity. The bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds was significantly greater in FFS compared to FS. ADMET analysis revealed that the majority of phenolic compounds contained in FFS did not exhibit mutagenicity toxicity, hepatotoxicity, skin sensitization, or blood-brain barrier penetration, indicating a favorable level of biosafety. Overall, our study provides a new insight into the further utilization of Se-enriched Brassica napus L. in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed cancer immunotherapy. However, significant challenges limit its application beyond B cell-driven malignancies, including limited clinical efficacy, high toxicity, and complex autologous cell product manufacturing. Despite efforts to improve CAR T cell therapy outcomes, there is a growing interest in utilizing alternative immune cells to develop CAR cells. These immune cells offer several advantages, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent function, tumor microenvironment (TME) modulation, and increased tissue infiltration capabilities. Currently, CAR products from various T cell subtypes, innate immune cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, and even exosomes are being explored. These CAR products often show enhanced antitumor efficacy, diminished toxicity, and superior tumor penetration. With these benefits in mind, numerous clinical trials are underway to access the potential of these innovative CAR cells. This review aims to thoroughly examine the advantages, challenges, and existing insights on these new CAR products in cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arachidonic acid (AA) has three main metabolic pathways: the cycloxygenases (COXs) pathway, the lipoxygenases (LOXs) pathway, and the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) pathway. AA produces epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) through the CYPs pathway. EETs are very unstable in vivo and can be degraded in seconds to minutes. EETs have multiple degradation pathways, but are mainly degraded in the presence of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). sEH is an enzyme of bifunctional nature, and current research focuses on the activity of its C-terminal epoxide hydrolase (sEH-H), which hydrolyzes the EETs to the corresponding inactive or low activity diol. Previous studies have reported that EETs have cardiovascular protective effects, and the activity of sEH-H plays a role by degrading EETs and inhibiting their protective effects. The activity of sEH-H plays a different role in different cells, such as inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and migration, but promoting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Therefore, it is of interest whether the activity of sEH-H is involved in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases by affecting the function of different cells through EETs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate regional water resource carrying capacity, the subtraction set pair analysis is adopted to calculate the connection number, and an evaluation model of the regional water resource carrying capacity based on quadratic subtraction set pair potential is established. The model is applied to assess the water resource carrying capacity of 16 cities in Anhui province, China, 2015. The results show that the water resource carrying capacity was sever throughout the province in 2015. Specifically, the carrying capacity in southern part of Anhui province was better than that in the northern part. The main factor of water resource carrying status varied in different cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a biphasic catalyst is of great significance for improving reaction efficiency and its industrial application. Herein a novel biphasic catalyst containing three functional groups of chlorophenol, amino and carboxyl was synthesized and used as mimic glucose isomerase to catalyze the isomerization. The mimic enzyme exhibited excellent catalytic performance for isomerization of glucose to fructose under mild conditions. Temperature and pH of solution showed significant influence on the conversion of glucose and the selectivity of fructose. The yield and selectivity of fructose reached 32.4 % and 91.0 % after reacting 2 h, respectively, at pH 9.5 and 90 °C. The solubility of the catalyst exhibited dual sensitivity to both pH and temperature. The catalyst was in a soluble state during the reaction process and could be precipitated by reducing the pH and temperature of the reaction system. The catalyst could be reused and still maintained good catalytic activity after five consecutive cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) fail to achieve normalization of CD4+ T cell counts and function, especially in immunological non-responders (INRs). The frequencies of Ki67+CD4+ T cells were inversely associated with CD4+ T cell counts in HIV infected patients. Early ART did not normalize CD4+ T cell proliferation. However, the features of the abnormal proliferation CD4+ T cell in INRs are far from known. Method: PLWH were divided into INRs (n= 16) and immunological responders (IRs, n= 53) groups. Mass cytometry was applied to peripheral blood T cells to profile the immune cells and liquid chip technique was used to measure plasma levels of cytokines and chemokines. Correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between the degree of CD4+ T cell proliferation and immune function. Results: The percentage of Ki67+ CD4+ T cells were significant higher in INRs, and we defined these cells with significant higher level of Ki67, as overproliferating cells. No significant difference of markers' expression (HLA-DR, CD38, CD57, PD-1, PD-L1, CD107a, perforin) was found between INRs and IRs. Compared with naïve CD4+ T cells in INRs, Ki67+ CD4+ T cells exhibited lower levels of CD57 and CD38. Whereas Ki67+ T cells exhibited higher levels of CD38 and CD57 and activation compared with differentiated mature central memory CD4+ T cells and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Ki67+ cells did not show higher levels of senescence and activation compared to certain Ki67- CD4+ central memory T cells in IRs. Furthermore, Ki67+ CD4+ Tcm cells exhibited positive correlations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: We proposed and validated the hypothesis of "pathological proliferation" in INRs: excessive proliferation of CD4+ T cells in INRs may be accompanied by aberrant activation, senescence and loss of immune function. Eventually, such over-proliferating but poor-quality cells in INRs result in incomplete recovery of both CD4+ T cell counts and function. An intervention that enhancing the proliferative capacity or functional ability or both of CD4+ T cell in INRs might therefore be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of arithmetic and drawing writing on communication skills, quality of life, and cognitive impairment among people with mild and moderate dementia. Methods: We recruited 45 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia into this study. The participants were randomly divided into arithmetic group (n=14), drawing writing group (n=16), and control group (n=15). The arithmetic group was educated to understand the addition and subtraction formulas, then wrote down the correct answers between the number of 20 and 100. The drawing writing group was guided to name, draw, and write a given object. Both were trained by therapist for 12 weeks (40 minutes per week). Blinded assessors measured global cognitive function, communication skills, and quality of life using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale, the subscales of Functional Assessment of Communication Skills scale and Quality of Life—Alzheimer’s Disease scale at baseline and after 12 weeks’ intervention. Results: After the 12-week intervention, the participants with mild-to-moderate dementia of the arithmetic writing group and the drawing writing group showed statistically significant improvement in communication skills and quality of life compared with the control group (social communication: 6.00 ± 0.69 vs. 6.06 ± 0.92 vs. 3.98 ± 1.33; basic needs communication: 6.32 ± 0.48 vs. 6.42 ± 0.53 vs. 4.25 ± 1.49; quality of life: 33.23 ± 5.34 vs. 34.07 ± 3.49 vs. 25.07 ± 2.60). In addition, MMSE scores of the arithmetic group tended to improve after the 12-week intervention (14.77 ± 3.06 vs. 17.31 ± 4.80, P < .01), but stabled in drawing writing group (14.27 ± 4.28 vs. 14.53 ± 5.26, P > .05) and significant decreased in the control group (13.73 ± 2.58 vs. 10.13 ± 3.23, P < .01). Conclusion: Arithmetic, drawing, and writing are effective in improving communication skills and quality of life; arithmetic also could delay the decline of cognitive function in people with mild-to-moderate dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze changes in survival outcomes in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) treated consecutively over a 16-year period using a population-based cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of OCCC from 2000 to 2015 using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. The ovarian cancer-specific survival (OCSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed according to the year of diagnosis. Joinpoint Regression Program, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: We included 4257 patients in the analysis. The analysis of annual percentage change in OCSS (P=0.014) and OS (P=0.006) showed that patients diagnosed in later years had significantly better outcomes compared to those diagnosed in early years. The results of the multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the year of diagnosis was the independent prognostic factor associated with OCSS (P=0.004) and had a borderline effect on OS (P=0.060). Regarding the SEER staging, the OCSS (P=0.017) and OS (P=0.004) of patients with distant stage showed a significant trend toward increased, while no significant trends were found in the survival of patients with localized or regional stage diseases. Similar trends were found in those aged <65 years or those treated with surgery and chemotherapy. However, no statistically significant changes in the survival rate were found in those aged =65 years or those receiving surgery alone regardless of SEER stage during the study period. Conclusions: Our study observed a significant increase in the survival outcomes in OCCC from 2000 to 2015, and patients aged <65 years and those with distant stage experienced a greater improvement in survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic inflammation and glucose metabolism have been closely related to the survival of cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether preoperative glucose-to-lymphocyte ratio (GLR) can be used to predict the survival of cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively examined 2172 cancer patients who underwent surgery from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016. There were 240 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 378 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), 221 patients with breast cancer (BC), 335 patients with gastric cancer (GC), 270 patients with liver cancer, 233 patients with esophageal cancer (EC), 295 patients with renal cancer, and 200 patients with melanoma. The formula for preoperative GLR calculation was as follows: GLR=glucose/lymphocyte count. The overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The predictive factors for OS were determined using multivariate analysis. Results: The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median survival time in the high-GLR group was much shorter than that of those in the low-GLR group for different cancers. Cox multivariate regression analysis reveals that preoperative GLR was an independent factor for predicting overall survival in different tumor types. Conclusion: Elevated preoperative GLR was remarkably associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with NSCLC, CRC, breast cancer, gastric cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, and melanoma. Preoperative GLR promises to be an essential predictor of survival for cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fault fractures usually have large openings and considerable extension. Accordingly, cross-linked gel materials are generally considered more suitable plugging agents than water-based gels because the latter often undergo contamination via formation water, which prevents them from being effective over long times. Hence, in this study, a set of oil-based composite gels based on waste grease and epoxy resin has been developed. These materials have been observed to possess high compressive strength and resistance to the aforementioned contamination, thereby leading to notable increase in plugging success rate. The compressive strength, thickening time, and resistance to formation water pollution of these gels have been evaluated indoors. The results show that the compressive strength of the gel can reach 11 MPa; additionally, the related gelation time can be controlled to be more than 3 h, thereby providing a safe construction time; Invasion of formation water has a small effect on the gel strength and does not shorten the thickening time. All considered performance indicators of the oil-based gel confirm its suitability as a plugging agent for fault fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoterpenoids are typically present in the secretory tissues of higher plants, and their biosynthesis is catalyzed by the action of monoterpene synthases (MTSs). However, the knowledge about these enzymes is restricted in a few plant species. MTSs are responsible for the complex cyclization of monoterpene precursors, resulting in the production of diverse monoterpene products. These enzymatic reactions are considered exceptionally complex in nature. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the catalytic mechanism of MTSs to elucidate their ability to produce diverse or specific monoterpenoid products. In our study, we analyzed thirteen genomes of Dipterocarpaceae and identified 38 MTSs that generate a variety of monoterpene products. By focusing on four MTSs with different product spectra and analyzing the formation mechanism of acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic products in MTSs, we observed that even a single amino acid mutation can change the specificity and diversity of MTS products, which is due to the synergistic effect between the shape of the active cavity and the stabilization of carbon-positive intermediates that the mutation changing. Notably, residues N340, I448, and phosphoric acid groups were found to be significant contributors to the stabilization of intermediate terpinyl and pinene cations. Alterations in these residues, either directly or indirectly, can impact the synthesis of single monoterpenes or their mixtures. By revealing the role of key residues in the catalytic process and establishing the interaction model between specific residues and complex monoterpenes in MTSs, it will be possible to reasonably design and engineer different catalytic activities into existing MTSs, laying a foundation for the artificial design and industrial application of MTSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The striatum, known as the input nucleus of the basal ganglia, is extensively studied for its diverse behavioral roles. However, the relationship between its neuronal and vascular activity, vital for interpreting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals, has not received comprehensive examination within the striatum. Here, we demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of dorsal striatal neurons or their afferents from various cortical and subcortical regions induces negative striatal fMRI responses in rats, manifesting as vasoconstriction. These responses occur even with heightened striatal neuronal activity, confirmed by electrophysiology and fiber-photometry. In parallel, midbrain dopaminergic neuron optogenetic modulation, coupled with electrochemical measurements, establishes a link between striatal vasodilation and dopamine release. Intriguingly, in vivo intra-striatal pharmacological manipulations during optogenetic stimulation highlight a critical role of opioidergic signaling in generating striatal vasoconstriction. This observation is substantiated by detecting striatal vasoconstriction in brain slices after synthetic opioid application. In humans, manipulations aimed at increasing striatal neuronal activity likewise elicit negative striatal fMRI responses. Our results emphasize the necessity of considering vasoactive neurotransmission alongside neuronal activity when interpreting fMRI signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis for postinjury peripheral nerve regeneration remains suboptimal. Although transplantation of exogenous Schwann cells (SCs) has been considered a promising treatment to promote nerve repair, this strategy has been hampered in practice by the limited availability of SC sources and an insufficient postengraftment cell retention rate. In this study, to address these challenges, SCs were aggregated into spheroids before being delivered to an injured rat sciatic nerve. We found that the three-dimensional aggregation of SCs induced their acquisition of a repair phenotype, as indicated by enhanced levels of c-Jun expression/activation and decreased expression of myelin sheath protein. Furthermore, our in vitro results demonstrated the superior potential of the SC spheroid-derived secretome in promoting neurite outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion neurons, enhancing the proliferation and migration of endogenous SCs, and recruiting macrophages. Moreover, transplantation of SC spheroids into rats after sciatic nerve transection effectively increased the postinjury nerve structure restoration and motor functional recovery rates, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of SC spheroids. In summary, transplantation of preassembled SC spheroids may hold great potential for enhancing the cell delivery efficiency and the resultant therapeutic outcome, thereby improving SC-based transplantation approaches for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]