Search

A mild Pd-catalyzed three-component cascade cyclization functionalization of o-iodostyrenes, internal alkynes and boron reagents is presented. The transformation is driven by a controlled reaction sequence of intermolecular carbopalladation, intramolecular Heck-type cyclization, and a borylation process to give versatile boryl-functionalized indene skeletons in a selective fashion. Significantly, (Bpin)2, (Bneop)2 and CH2(Bpin)2 as boron sources are all tolerated. Additionally, the synthetic utility of this approach is demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis and synthetic transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective loading of spatially separated redox cocatalysts on direct Z-scheme heterojunctions holds great promise for advancing the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis, which however is limited to the photodeposition of noble metal cocatalysts and the fabrication of hollow double-shelled semiconductor heterojunctions. Moreover, the co-exposure of discrete cocatalyst and semiconductor increases the product diversity when both the exposed sites of which participate in CO2 photoreduction. Herein, we present a facile and versatile protocol to overcome these limitations via surface coating of Z-scheme heterojunctions with bifunctional noble-metal-free cocatalysts. With Cu2O/Fe2O3 (CF) as a model heterojunction and layered Ni(OH)2 as a model cocatalyst, it is found that Ni(OH)2 lying on the surfaces of Cu2O and Fe2O3 separately co-catalyzes the CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation. Thorough experimental and theoretical investigation reveals that the Ni(OH)2 outer layer: (i) mitigates the charge recombination in CF and balances their transfer and consumption; (ii) reduces the rate-determining barriers for CO2-to-CO and H2O-to-O2 conversion, (iii) suppresses the side proton reduction occurring on CF, and (iv) protects the CF from component detachment. As expected, the redox reactions stoichiometrically proceed, and significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity, selectivity, and stability in CO generation are achieved by the stacked Cu2O/Fe2O3@Ni(OH)2 in contrast to CF. This study demonstrates the significance of the synergy between bifunctional cocatalysts and Z-scheme heterojunctions for improving the efficacy of overall redox reactions, opening a fresh avenue for the rational design of artificial photosynthetic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between high myopia susceptibility and Ras protein-specific guanine nucleotide-releasing factor-1(RASGRF1) gene polymorphism among college students in Zhejiang. Methods. A stratified whole-group sampling method was used to select 218 cases of college students in Zhejiang who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from January, 2019, to December, 2021, and they were divided into 77 cases (154 eyes) in the high myopia group and 141 cases (282 eyes) in the medium-low myopia group according to the degree of myopia, and 109 cases of college volunteers without myopia from the same period of medical examination in the region were included in the control group. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in functional regions were selected by searching the literature and genetic databases, and the base sequences of rs939658, rs4778879, and rs8033417 loci were obtained by genotyping candidate SNPs using multiplex ligase detection reaction technique. The cardinality test was used to compare the differences in genotype frequency distribution of each locus of the RASGRF1 gene between the high myopia group and the low to moderate myopia group and the control group. Results. The genotype frequencies and allele frequencies of the RASGRF1 gene rs939658 locus in the high myopia group compared with the moderate-low myopia group and the control group were not statistically significant P > 0.05 . The genotype frequencies and allele frequencies of the rs4778879 locus of the RASGRF1 gene were compared among the three groups, and the differences were not statistically significant P > 0.05 . The genotype frequency and allele frequency of the rs8033417 locus of the RASGRF1 gene differed significantly among the three groups P < 0.05 . Conclusion. The polymorphism of the rs8033417 locus of the RASGRF1 gene was significantly correlated with the susceptibility of high myopia among college students in Zhejiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nonspecific chronic low back pain (NCLBP) is a leading contributor to disease burden worldwide, and the management of NCLBP has always been a problem. This study is designed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of m-health-based core stability exercise (CSE) combined with self-compassion training (SCT) and compare it with m-health-based CSE alone for the management of NCLBP. Methods: This study is a pilot, patient-blinded randomized controlled trial. Participants with NCLBP were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. All the participants received m-health-based CSE, but those in the intervention group also received SCT before CSE. The intervention took place weekly on Saturday or Sunday for 4 weeks in total. Patients self-assessed their outcomes by filling out electronic questionnaires at 4 and 16 weeks after the start of the study. The primary outcome metrics for these questionnaires were back pain disability (based on the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ) and Pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS; current pain, worst pain, average pain). The secondary outcome metrics were anxiety (GAD-7,7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale), Depression Symptoms (PHQ-9,Patient Health Questionnaire-9), pain catastrophizing (PCS, Pain Catastrophizing Scale) and Self-efficiency (PSEQ, Pain Self-Efficiency Questionnaire). Results: A total of 37 patients comprising 28 (75.7%) females completed the study, with 19 patients in the intervention group and 18 in the control group. The mean (SD) patient age was 35.2 (11.1) years. For all primary outcomes, although there were no significant differences between groups, we found that participants in the intervention group improved function and pain earlier. The RMDQ score changed by − 1.771 points (95% CI − 3.768 to 0.227) from baseline to 4 weeks in the control group and by − 4.822 points (95% CI − 6.752 to − 2.892) in the intervention group (difference between groups, − 3.052 [95% CI − 5.836 to − 0.267]). Also, the RMDQ score changed by − 3.328 points (95% CI − 5.252 to − 1.403) from baseline to 16 weeks in the control group and by − 5.124 points (95% CI − 7.014 to − 3.233) in the intervention group (difference between groups − 1.796 [95% CI − 4.501 to 0.909]). A similar pattern was found in the NRS scores. For secondary outcomes, the intervention group was superior to the control group in for GAD-7 (intervention difference from CSE along at week 16, − 2.156 [95% CI − 4.434 to − 0.122; P value for group effect was 0.030]). At the end of treatment, the improvement in PCS in the intervention group was significant (difference in PCS score at week 4, − 6.718 [95% CI − 11.872 to − 1.564]). We also found significant changes in PCS in the control group (− 6.326 [95% CI, − 11.250 to − 1.401]) at the 16-week follow-up. As for PSEQ, there were no apparent differences between the two groups. There were no adverse events relented to study participation. Conclusions: The pilot study is feasible to deliver, and our results indicate that participants in the group of m-health-based CSE combined with SCT may experience faster relief from pain intensity and back disability than those in the group of m-health-based CSE alone. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100042810. Plain Language Summary: The impact of chronic low back pain on people's life quality and social economy is increasing year by year. Helping patients self-manage low back pain through a biological-psycho-social model seems to be an effective management approach, but the lack of connectivity between disciplines limits the development of multidisciplinary collaboration. Mindfulness-related therapy (self-compassion training) has been proven to be effective in chronic pain, and exercise therapy is widely used in rehabilitation medicine. In this study, these two programs were combined. We also used mobile health technology in the study, which brings a lot of convenience for research. The results of the study showed that the efficacy of the combined group seemed to be more obvious and worthy of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness of the RUSI on a single sustained contraction of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TrA) has rarely been reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if the use of RUSI, as visual biofeedback, could enhance the ability of activation and continuous contraction of the trunk muscles including LM and TrA. Methods: Forty healthy individuals were included and randomly assigned into the experimental group and control group. All subjects performed a preferential activation of the LM and/or TrA (maintained the constraction of LM and/or TrA for 30 s and then relaxed for 2 min), while those in the experimental group also received visual feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness of LM and/or TrA at rest and during contraction (Tc-max, T15s, and T30s) were extracted and recorded. The experiment was repeated three times. Results: No significant differences were found in the thickness of LM at rest (P > 0.999), Tc-max (P > 0.999), and T15s (P = 0.414) between the two groups. However, the ability to recruit LM muscle contraction differed between groups at T30s (P = 0.006), with subjects in the experimental group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback maintaining a relative maximum contraction. Besides, no significant differences were found in the TrA muscle thickness at rest (P > 0.999) and Tc-max (P > 0.999) between the two groups. However, significant differences of contraction thickness were found at T15s (P = 0.031) and T30s (P = 0.010) between the two groups during the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), with greater TrA muscle contraction thickness in the experimental group. Conclusions: RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback, which can promote continuous contraction, and improve the ability to activate the LM and TrA muscles in healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) has been increasingly used as a form of biofeedback when instructing and re-training muscle contraction. However, the effectiveness of the RUSI on a single sustained contraction of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis (TrA) has rarely been reported. This preliminary study aimed to determine if the use of RUSI, as visual biofeedback, could enhance the ability of activation and continuous contraction of the trunk muscles including LM and TrA.Methods: Forty healthy individuals were included and randomly assigned into the experimental group and control group. All subjects performed a preferential activation of the LM and/or TrA (maintained the constraction of LM and/or TrA for 30 s and then relaxed for 2 min), while those in the experimental group also received visual feedback provided by RUSI. The thickness of LM and/or TrA at rest and during contraction (Tc-max, T15s, and T30s) were extracted and recorded. The experiment was repeated three times.Results: No significant differences were found in the thickness of LM at rest (P > 0.999), Tc-max (P > 0.999), and T15s (P = 0.414) between the two groups. However, the ability to recruit LM muscle contraction differed between groups at T30s (P = 0.006), with subjects in the experimental group that received visual ultrasound biofeedback maintaining a relative maximum contraction. Besides, no significant differences were found in the TrA muscle thickness at rest (P > 0.999) and Tc-max (P > 0.999) between the two groups. However, significant differences of contraction thickness were found at T15s (P = 0.031) and T30s (P = 0.010) between the two groups during the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver (ADIM), with greater TrA muscle contraction thickness in the experimental group.Conclusions: RUSI can be used to provide visual biofeedback, which can promote continuous contraction, and improve the ability to activate the LM and TrA muscles in healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimed to examine the relationship between physical performance and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese older adults. Methods: The sample comprised 956 relatively healthy and aged ≥ 65 years old Chinese community-dwelling participants (mean age, 72.56 ± 5.43 years; 56.8% female), which did not include those with dementia, severe cognitive impairment, mental illness etc. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale were used for the initial classification of patients with MCI. Physical performance was measured via hand grip, Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and 4-m walking speed. Results: The physical performance (grip strength, TUGT, and 4-m walking speed) correlated with MCI. The grip strength [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93– 0.99] and 4-m walking speed (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.10– 0.64) correlated negatively with MCI, while TUGT (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03– 1.13) and MCI correlated positively. Conclusion: The physical performance (grip strength, TUGT, and 4-m walking speed) correlated with MCI. Further analysis showed that the grip strength was associated with overall cognition, time orientation, recall, and language, while TUGT and 4-m walking speed were associated with overall cognition and various cognitive domains, except recall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference 1 Lin S, Zhu B, Zheng Y. Effect of real-time ultrasound imaging for biofeedback on trunk muscle contraction in healthy subjects: a preliminary study. Shanshan Lin, Bo Zhu and Yiyi Zheng contributed equally to this work. [Extracted from the article]