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In China, industrial designers are usually educated with engineering background while product designers are educated with art background. Despite these educational differences, both of them are adept at tackling design-related issues. However, different educational backgrounds can affect the idea generation, especially in the early stages of the design progress. This study investigates the thinking processes of designers between engineering and art backgrounds in the early stages of the design process. Designers are encouraged to express ideas verbally or by sketching, and linkography was used to visually depict the designer's thinking process. Subsequently, with the help of vertical transformation value and the chunk, the features in the thinking of the two types of designers are explored, including: 1) In most cases, the vertical transformation value of the product designer is higher than that of industrial designer, which indicates that product designer is better at the reflection in design. 2) The chunk patterns in the linkographs show that industrial designers prefer to decompose tasks into sub-tasks and solve them individually, while product design participants tend to solve problems as a whole from a global view. These findings can enlighten the future research directions for design education and design organizations in multidisciplinary backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of wound healing post‐caesarean section, especially in twin pregnancies, remains a pivotal concern in obstetrics, given its implications for maternal health and recovery. Traditional methods, including conventional abdominal ultrasonography (CU), have been challenged by the advent of transvaginal ultrasonography (TU), offering potentially enhanced sensitivity and specificity. This meta‐analysis directly compares the efficacy of TU and CU in evaluating wound healing and scar formation, crucial for optimizing postoperative care. Results indicate that TU is associated with significantly better outcomes in wound healing, demonstrated by lower REEDA scores (SMD = −20.56, 95% CI: [−27.34.20, −13.77], p < 0.01), and in scar formation reduction, evidenced by lower Manchester Scar Scale scores (SMD = −25.18, 95% CI: [−29.98, −20.39], p < 0.01). These findings underscore the potential of integrating TU into routine post‐caesarean evaluation protocols to enhance care quality and patient recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Breakdown of tolerance and abnormal activation of B cells is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD). High levels of thyroid hormones (THs) play important roles in GD progression. However, the interactions between THs and abnormal activation of B cells remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the effect of high levels of THs on TLR4 expression and abnormal B cell differentiation. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients with GD and healthy controls (HCs) to evaluate the frequency of B cells, their subsets, and TLR4 expression in B cells. A high‐level T3 mouse model was used to study the interaction between THs and the TLR4 signalling pathway. Results: We found that the frequencies of CD19+, CD19+ TLR4+, CD19+ CD86+, and CD19+ CD138+ B cells were significantly higher, as were the expression levels of MRP8/MRP14 and MRP6 and MRP8, MRP14, and MRP6 messenger RNA (mRNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with GD. In high‐level T3 mice models, the serum MRP8/MRP14 and MRP6 levels and the TLR4 mRNA expression in PBMCs were significantly higher. TLR4 mRNA, protein expression, and cytokines downstream of TLR4, such as myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear transcription factor‐κB, were also increased in mouse spleen mononuclear cells. Conclusion: The present study indicated that high levels of T3 can induce abnormal differentiation and activation of B cells by promoting TLR4 overexpression and provide novel insights into the roles of THs in the pathogenesis of GD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activated B cells contribute to heart diseases, and inhibition of B‐cell activating factor (BAFF) expression is an effective therapeutic target for heart diseases. Whether activated B cells participate in the development and progression of hyperthyroid heart disease, and what induces B cells activation in hyperthyroidism are unknown. The present study aimed to determine the roles of BAFF overexpression induced by high concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) in the pathogenesis of hyperthyroid heart disease. Female C57BL/6J mice were subcutaneously injected with T3 for 6 weeks, and BAFF expression was inhibited using shRNA. Protein and mRNA expression of BAFF in mouse heart tissues evaluated via immunohistochemistry, western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Proportions of B cells in mouse cardiac tissue lymphocytes were quantified via flow cytometry. Morphology and left ventricle function were assessed using pathological sections and echocardiography, respectively. Here, we demonstrate that compared with the control group, the proportion of myocardial B cells was larger in the T3 group; immunohistochemistry, western blotting and PCR analyses revealed increased protein and mRNA expression levels of TNF‐α and BAFF in heart tissues of the T3 group. Compared with the normal controls group, in the T3 group, the diameter of myocardial cells and some echocardiographic values significantly increased and hypertrophy and structural disorder were noticeable. Our results revealed that elevated levels of circulating T3 can promote the expression of BAFF in myocardial cells and can lead to B‐cell activation, an elevated inflammatory response and ventricular remodelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to characterize the pattern of gene expression at the last stage of ovarian maturation in Chlamys farreri . Dynamic transcriptomic analysis of ovaries was performed at four time points prior to ovulation, using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. A total of 174,928 unigenes were obtained, among which 42,534 were annotated according to bioinformatics databases, such as NT, NR, Swiss-Prot, KOG, GO, and KEGG. Results from the transcriptome analysis revealed a time-dependent pattern of global transcriptional responses. When compared to the 0 d library, 99, 152, and 3248 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the 3, 10, and 21 d libraries, respectively. Those three libraries shared only 10 DEGs, the majority of which were time-specific. Pairwise comparisons of each profile demonstrated that DEGs were related to hormone metabolism and receptors, cell division, gametogenesis, and vitellogenesis pathways. Notably, when adjacent sampling time point groups were compared, the only DEG throughout the experimental period was related to the G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. The present study provides the first dynamic transcriptomic analysis of C. farreri for evaluation of the molecular basis of gonadal maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Reduction of Sheng-Nao-Kang decoction (RSNK), composed of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge., Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi., Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen., is a modified traditional Chinese medicinal formula of Sheng-Nao-Kang pill preparation, which has been investigated its protective effect on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat in our previous report. Aim of the study To evaluate the antithrombotic effect of RSNK in blood stasis model rats and explore the potential mechanisms. Materials and methods Subcutaneous injection of norepinephrine and bovine serum albumin combined with ice water bath was used to establish the acute blood stasis rat model. The anticoagulant activities were investigated by measuring activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), and the content of fibrinogen (FIB). Meanwhile, the levels of thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ), prostaglandins I 2 (PGI 2 ), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and endothelin (ET) were detected. Results The treatment of RSNK was able to prolong APTT, TT and PT, and decrease FIB content obviously. Furthermore, it markedly suppressed TXB 2 level and up-regulated 6-keto-PGF 1α level of the blood-stasis model rats, accompanied with the decrease of T/K. The level of ET and TXA 2 in plasma was down-regulated and the levels of eNOS in plasma and PGI 2 in serum was up-regulated in RSNK-treated rats compared with model rats ( P <0.05). Conclusion The present study suggested that RSNK possessed remarkable antithrombotic property in blood stasis model rats induced by ice water bath and subcutaneous injection of norepinephrine and bovine serum albumin. This property could be associated with its anticoagulation activity, the regulation of active substances in vascular endothelium and maintaining the balance of TXA 2 and PGI 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new diarylheptanoid glycosides (1 – 4), (1 S ,3 R ,5 S)-2-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4 ' - O - β -D-glucopyranoside (1), (1 S ,3 R ,5 S)-2-(4,5-dihydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4 ' - O - β -D-glucopyranoside (2), (1 S ,3 R ,5 S)-2-(4-hydroxy- 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-4 ' - O - β -D-glucopyranoside (3), and (1 R ,3 R ,5 R)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)- 6-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-tetrahydropyran-4-ol-3- O - β -D-glucopyranoside (4) were isolated from the 50% ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale peel. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR-ESI-MS and extensive spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR). Compounds 1 – 4 significantly increased the survival rate of human normal lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the concentration of 10 μM. Four new diarylheptanoid glycosides (1 – 4), were isolated from the 50% ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale peel. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by HR-ESI-MS and extensive spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, 1D-NMR, and 2D-NMR). Compounds 1 – 4 significantly increased the survival rate of human normal lung epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) induced by LPS at the concentration of 10 μ M. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that a cumulative cisplatin dose of 200 mg/m 2 might be adequate in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) era for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). However, two cycles of once-every-3-weeks cisplatin at 100 mg/m 2 has never been prospectively compared with standard once-a-week cisplatin regimen., Patients and Methods: This trial was conducted at three hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Patients who met the eligibility criteria were recruited (ChiCTR-TRC-12001979) and randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated sequence to receive once-every-3-weeks cisplatin at 100 mg/m 2 for two cycles or once-a-week cisplatin at 40 mg/m 2 for six cycles concurrently with IMRT. Primary endpoint was failure-free survival and between-group absolute difference of 10% as the noninferiority margin., Results: A total of 510 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up time was 58.3 months with 85.4% of 3-year failure-free survival in the once-every-3-weeks group and 85.6% in the once-a-week group. An absolute difference of -0.2% (95% confidence interval, -6.3 to 5.9; P noninferiority = 0.0016). Acute toxicities of grade 3 or higher occurred in 55.8% in the once-every-3-weeks group and 66.3% in the once-a-week group ( P = 0.015). The most common acute toxicities were hematologic abnormalities, including leukopenia (16% vs. 27%; P = 0.0022) and thrombocytopenia (1% vs. 5%; P = 0.015). The late grade 3-4 auditory loss rate was significantly lower in the once-every-3-weeks group than the once-a-week group (6% vs. 13%; P = 0.0039)., Conclusions: Once-every-3-weeks cisplatin as concurrent chemoradiotherapy is noninferior to once-a-week cisplatin in the treatment efficacy in the LANPC. Although both regimens are well tolerated, severe acute toxicities and late-onset auditory loss are higher in the once-a-week group., (©2021 The Authors; Published by the American Association for Cancer Research.)