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BackgroundDeterioration of self-reported oral health and decline in cognitive function are two main adverse health outcomes experienced by the older adults. Little evidence was found on the psychosocial mechanism between self-reported oral health and cognitive function. This study explores the association between self-reported oral health and cognitive function and examines the mediating effect of life satisfaction among the community-dwelling elderly in Jinan, China.MethodsA total of 512 older individuals (60+) were included in the study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE), and self-reported oral health was measured using the Chinese version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between self-reported oral health, life satisfaction, and cognitive function. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the possible effect of covariates. Structural equation modelling and Bootstrap analyses were conducted to verify the mediating role of life satisfaction.ResultsThe mean MMSE score was 25.65 ± 4.42. Better self-reported oral health was significantly associated with a higher level of life satisfaction, and those with higher life satisfaction experienced better cognitive function. Age, educational level and source of living expenses were found to be cofounding variables. Life satisfaction partially mediated the effect of self-reported oral health on cognitive function (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.010 to 0.075). The mediating effect of life satisfaction accounted for 24% of the total effect.ConclusionThe level of cognitive function was relatively high. Self-reported oral health was positively associated with cognitive function, and the mediating effect of life satisfaction was proven to exist in the community-dwelling older individuals. Early screening for oral diseases and a greater focus on life satisfaction are recommended.

Background This study aimed to retrospectively explore the safety and feasibility of computed tomography (CT)‐guided synchronous microwave ablation (MWA) followed by core‐needle biopsy (CNB) via a coaxial cannula for highly suspected malignant lung ground‐glass opacities (GGOs). Methods The clinical data of 66 patients (66 GGOs) treated with CT‐guided synchronous MWA followed by CNB via a coaxial cannula from January 2019 to January 2021 were included in this study. The technical success rate, curative effect, and complications were evaluated. Results Technical success rates were 100%. The pneumothorax rate was 36.4% (24/66). 72.7% (48/66) patients had the bronchopulmonary hemorrhage, 81.3% of hemorrhage was attributable to CNB. 24.2% (16/66) patients had varying degrees of pleural effusion. The pathological results were adenocarcinomas (n = 44), atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (n = 2), chronic inflammation (n = 3) and indeterminate pathological diagnosis (n = 17) with a 69.7% (46/66) positive diagnosis rate. The therapeutic response rate was 100.0% (66/66). Conclusions Synchronous MWA followed by CNB via a coaxial cannula has a satisfactory ablation effectiveness and an acceptable biopsy positive rate, which is an alternative treatment for highly suspected malignant GGOs., Synchronous microwave ablation followed by core‐needle biopsy can reduce the influence of biopsy‐induced pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage on microwave ablation, which has a satisfactory therapeutic effect and an acceptable diagnostic positivity rate.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors mainly occur in the stomach, intestine, pancreas, and lung and are rarely detected in the thyroid. Thyroid neuroendocrine tumors, designated medullary thyroid carcinoma, generally present with elevated calcitonin. Calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid are extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we present a case report of a 56-year-old female patient with a neck pain complaint. Total thyroidectomy was conducted after comprehensive evaluation, and diagnosis was confirmed as calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid. Two months later, liver metastasis was detected, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was subsequently performed to control growth. However, the curative effect was unsatisfactory and multiple intrahepatic metastases occurred after 3 mo. CONCLUSION: Owing to the rarity of this disease, no clear guidelines are available for treatment. In addition to reporting this rare case, we have reviewed and summarized associated medical literature with an aim to provide a comprehensive reference platform for subsequent research.

Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Measurements of the variables in this study.

Stalk lodging in maize causes yield and quality losses worldwide. This could potentially be prevented through breeding and improved crop management. Breeding efforts and management optimization are however, hampered by the lack of an internode growth model and an indicator for stalk lodging resistance. With this study, we aim to contribute to a solution for this problem. We report on the results of a two-year field study in which we measured and analyzed plant traits assumed to be related to stalk lodging resistance, in five cultivars. These traits include plant and basal internode morphology, dry matter constituents accumulation, and mechanical strength of basal internode. Results from a logistic regression analysis indicate that, the stalk lodging incidence was significantly affected by the development process of the basal internode. The rapid accumulation duration of lignin, internode plumpness and cellulose were found to be the most important contributors to mechanical strength of basal internode. The correlation between Rind penetration strength (PS) and stalk lodging rate was found to be higher than the correlation between bending strength (BS) and the stalk lodging rate. In addition, PS was found to be more stable than BS over development stages and years. Dry matter constituents accumulation in the basal internode, especially lignin accumulation, were found to be the dominant process determining the mechanical strength of the basal internode. Breeding and crop management strategies aiming to prolong the duration of rapid lignin and dry matter accumulation in the basal internode may thus significantly contribute to improved lodging resistance in future maize cultivars.

Background Although there are different treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia, their efficacy and safety differ. We are currently exploring a new minimally invasive interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Purpose To determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation (US-TPLA) for the treatment of BPH. Material and Methods Twenty patients with BPH (mean age = 73.9 ± 9.2 years) who underwent US-TPLA from June 2018 to January 2020 with a subsequent six-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. After local anesthesia, a 21-G trocar was inserted into the prostate tissue under ultrasound monitoring, followed by 1064 nm diode laser irradiation. Changes in international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR), prostate volume, and complications were evaluated six months after surgery. Results All patients underwent the operation successfully without serious complications. After six months, the average IPSS improved from 22.7 ± 5.3 to 9.1 ± 3.2 ( P Conclusion US-TPLA is safe and feasible for the treatment of BPH. An evaluation at the six-month follow-up is effective.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Identification of OsObgC1 Ds transposon insertion mutants by phenotypic and PCR method. Figure S2. The effect of overexpression of OsObgC1Δ1-293 in E. coli on the cell growth. Figure S3. OsL13-GFP and OsL11-GFP exhibited a punctate staining pattern in chloroplasts.

We report on a 31-year-old male patient with non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, low grade of the renal pelvis disguised as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The only symptom of the patient was lower back pain. The initial renal-enhanced computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography showed that the right kidney had a benign lesion and this inflammatory lesion might be xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. A percutaneous renal biopsy was performed and histopathologic examination revealed a xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Initially, we diagnosed it as xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and treated it with antibiotics. One and a half years later, the patient suffered from back pain again. The lesion increased significantly and a right renal pelvic lesion with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy was considered a malignant lesion on computed tomography scan. Therefore, radical resection of right renal pelvis carcinoma was performed under retroperitoneal laparoscopy. Intraoperative frozen section was reported as right renal urothelial carcinoma with no metastasis in renal hilar lymph node. Postoperative histopathologic examination revealed non-invasive papillary urothelial carcinoma, low grade of renal pelvis.

An LC-ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS method coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was developed for chemical fingerprinting of Cyathula officinalis Kuan. Ten peaks were selected as common peaks, and cyasterone was used as a reference. The relative areas of the common peaks were used for hierarchical clustering analysis, principal component analysis and similarity calculation. A total of 31 samples collected from different sources were classified into three groups (principal component analysis) or four groups (hierarchical clustering analysis). The similarities of the 31 batches of C. officinalis samples were between 0.653 and 0.999. The results obtained suggested that the chromatographic fingerprint technique could efficiently evaluate C. officinalis.

High-pressure ultrasound-assisted extraction was used to extract polysaccharides from the Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizomes. Three independent variables, namely, extraction temperature (X1), ultrasonic power (X2) and extraction time (X3) were investigated. Response surface methodology was performed based on the results of single-factor tests. Experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis, and results were examined using appropriate statistical methods. The optimal conditions were as follows: extraction temperature of 85°C, ultrasonic power of 187 W and extraction time of 29 min. Under these conditions, the experimental yield of polysaccharides was 5.33%, which is close to the predicted yield of 5.41%. The extracted and purified polysaccharides showed excellent antioxidative effects on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazy, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro.

High-pressure ultrasound-assisted extraction technology was applied to extract ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A, ligustilide and levistolide A from Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizomes. Seven independent variables, including solvent type, pressure, particle size, liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction temperature, ultrasound power, and extraction time were examined. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using a Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the experimental conditions (extraction temperature, ultrasonic power, and extraction time) on the basis of the results of single factor tests for the extraction of these six major components in L. chuanxiong rhizomes. The experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and were also examined using appropriate statistical methods. The best extraction conditions were as follows: extraction solvent: 40% ethanol; pressure: 10 MPa; particle size: 80 mesh; liquid-to-solid ratio: 100:1; extraction temperature: 70 °C; ultrasonic power, 180 W; and extraction time, 74 min.

The pheromone of the female purple stem borer,Z-11-hexadecenyl acetate, identified by Nesbitt, was not active in field trapping in China. From EAG, TLC, GC, and GC-MS tests, we found thatZ-11-hexadecenyl acetate,Z-11-hexadecenol, andZ-11-hexadecenal were the pheromone components, and the preferred blend ratio in field tests was 4∶1∶0.1. The number of captures of the later generations was substantially lower than that of the overwintered generation.

In the mainland of China, the male Oriental armyworm was not attracted to the sex pheromone components (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-hexadecenol identified by Takahashi et al. in 1979. By means of EAG, GC, and GC-MS techniques, (Z)-11-hexadecenal, hexadecenal, and (Z)-11-hexadecenol were found in female gland washings, and encouraging captures were obtained in preliminary field trapping.

(E)11-Hexadecenyl acetate was identified from sex pheromone gland extract of female eggplant borer. The acetate synthesized in the laboratory showed high attractant activity in the field.