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To accurately assess the carbon emissions associated with assembled steel structure office buildings, this study develops a comprehensive life cycle carbon emission calculation. Utilizing advanced tools such as Autodesk Revit, Tekla Structures, and DeST-C, the model offers a detailed methodology for calculating emissions. This approach adheres to the guidelines set forth in the “Standard for the Calculation of Carbon Emission from Buildings” (GB/T 51366—2019). By applying this model to the Wuxi CEC PARK case study, the research quantifies the carbon footprint of such structures and compares these findings with those of assembled precast concrete structures and cast-in-place steel–concrete structures. The model encompasses all six stages of a building’s life cycle: material preparation and component production, logistics, operation and maintenance, renovation and reuse, and finally, dismantling and recycling. This comprehensive scope ensures that the model captures the carbon emissions linked to every aspect of “human, machine and material” interactions throughout the building’s life cycle. The accuracy of the calculation results is thus guaranteed. Specifically, the analysis highlights the carbon emission factors from steel structure components within the context of Wuxi CEC PARK. The results show that the average annual carbon emission intensity for the building is 59.47 kg·m−2·a−1. This figure is approximately 5.46 kg·m−2·a−1 and 13.59 kg·m−2·a−1 lower than that of the assembled PC structure and the cast-in-place steel–concrete structure, respectively. These results underscore the beneficial impact of assembled steel structures in reducing carbon emissions. The operation stage is the largest contributor to carbon emissions, accounting for 58.79% of the total. This is followed by carbon emissions from material preparation and component production, which represent 29.58%. The study finds a negative carbon emission value of −3295.27 t in the dismantling and reuse phase, indicating a significant reduction in emissions in this phase of the building’s life cycle. Additionally, the incorporation of renewable energy sources and plant carbon sinks into the building’s design further offsets carbon emissions, contributing an additional reduction of 389.33 t. The method proposed in this paper addresses the gap in existing methodologies for full life cycle carbon emission calculations for assembled steel structure office buildings. It provides a solid foundation for such buildings, promoting the adoption of assembled steel structure office buildings. It lays a foundational framework for assessing the carbon reduction potential of these structures, thereby facilitating their wider adoption within the construction industry. It provides a reference for future research on the prediction of carbon emissions for similar office buildings and advancing carbon reduction initiatives in the construction industry.

Abstract Background Although Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been linked to cardiac injury, the extent to which it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between T. gondii infection and CVD mortality in the United States population. Methods This study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2009 and 2014 to investigate the association between T. gondii infection and CVD mortality. The T. gondii infection status was determined by measuring serum T. gondii IgG antibody levels. CVD mortality outcomes were ascertained through linkage with the national mortality index records. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of T. gondii infection on CVD mortality. Results A total of 10,237 (Male, n = 5010; Female, n = 5227) individuals aged ≥ 20 years were included in the analysis, of which 1,632 were positive for T. gondii serum IgG antibodies. After a median follow-up of eight years, there were 312 deaths due to CVD. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, the risk of death from CVD was 40% higher in T. gondii-seropositive men compared with seronegative men (HR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.02–1.93), but not in women (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.57–1.34). These results remained consistent in further stratified and sensitivity analyses. Conclusion In this large population-based cohort study, T. gondii infection was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality in men, but not in women. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential sex-specific differences in the effects of T. gondii infection on CVD mortality. Future investigations should focus on validating these results and exploring the potential implications for cardiovascular risk assessment and management.

Abstract Background While the high haemoglobin glycation index (HGI) has been extensively investigated in diabetic populations, its impact on patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains unclear. Methods We examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2018. HGI was determined using the formula recommended by Hempe et al., which calculates the difference between measured and predicted HbA1c. Predicted HbA1c was derived from the equation: 0.024 FPG + 3.1. National death index records up to December 31, 2019, were utilized to assess mortality outcomes. To estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for both all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, we utilized Cox proportional hazard models. A restricted cubic spline analysis was performed to explore the potential nonlinear relationship between HGI levels and mortality. Results Our cohort study comprised data from 1,057 participants with DKD (mean [SE] age, 61.61 [0.57] years; 48.24% female). The mean HGI level was 0.44 (SE 0.04). Over a median follow-up period of 6.67 years, we observed 381 deaths, including 140 due to CVD. Compared with participants in the second tertile of HGI levels (0.03–0.74), those in the lowest tertile of HGI (-5.29–0.02) exhibited an all-cause mortality hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% CI, 1.02–1.88) and a CVD mortality hazard ratio of 1.10 (95% CI, 0.67–1.81). Conversely, participants in the highest tertile (0.75–9.60) demonstrated an all-cause mortality hazard ratio of 1.48 (95% CI, 1.05–2.08) and a CVD mortality hazard ratio of 2.06 (95% CI, 1.13–3.77) after further adjusting for HbA1c and other important variables. Additionally, a restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a U-shaped relationship between HGI and all-cause mortality (P

Abstract Background Empowerment is a comprehensive concept involving intrapersonal, interactional, and behavioral aspects. However, there is a lack of a specific empowerment scale for Coronary artery disease (CAD) related to knowledge and skills in China. The reliability and validity of the Coronary Artery Disease Empowerment Scale (CADES) need to be tested. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of CADES among patients with CAD in China. Methods The study adopted a cross-sectional design. After obtaining the copyright by contacting the author, the original English CADES was developed into Chinese by forward translation, back-translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and a pretest (30 patients). The Chinese version of CADES was administered to 391 CAD patients between September 2022 and June 2023, with the reliability and validity of the version evaluated. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to examine the underlying factor structure of the translated questionnaire. The Cronbach’s α coefficient, Guttman’s split-half coefficient, and McDonald’s omega coefficient were calculated to verify the scale’s reliability. Results For the Chinese version of CADES, the scale-content validity index was 0.972, with the item-content validity index ranging from 0.86 to 1.00. The questionnaire comprised 25 items, and exploratory factor analysis extracted four factors with loadings > 0.40, explaining 62.382% of the total variance. An acceptable model fit was achieved (χ2/df = 1.764, RMSEA = 0.060, TLI = 0.901, CFI = 0.912, IFI = 0.913). The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the total questionnaire was 0.928, with coefficients for the four factors ranging from 0.683 to 0.913. The split-half reliability coefficient was 0.777, and the McDonald’s omega reliability coefficient was 0.926. Conclusions The Chinese version of CADES is reliable and valid among CAD patients in China. This instrument can serve as a valuable reference for guiding the implementation of targeted intervention strategies tailored to the empowerment status of CAD patients in clinical practice.

Abstract Objective The early identification and diagnosis of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) are essential yet difficult in patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To develop an evidence-based, nurse-leading early warning model for TA-TMA, and implement the healthcare quality review and improvement project. Methods This study was a mixed-methods, before-and-after study. The early warning model was developed based on quality evidence from literature search. The healthcare quality review and improvement project mainly included baseline investigation of nurse, improvement action and effectiveness evaluation. The awareness and knowledge of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses and the prognosis of patients underwent HSCT were compared before and after the improvement. Results A total of 1 guideline, 1 evidence synthesis, 4 expert consensuses, 10 literature reviews, 2 diagnostic studies, and 9 case series were included in the best evidence. The early warning model including warning period, high-risk characteristics and early manifestation of TA-TMA was developed. The improvement action, including staff training and assessment, suspected TA-TMA identification and patient education, was implemented. The awareness and knowledge rate of early parameter of TA-TMA among nurses significantly improved after improvement action (100% vs. 26.7%, P

Abstract Background Global human activities were significantly impacted by the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection in Central Fujian Province during the pandemic. Methods Cervical samples were collected from 21,612 outpatients and 12,664 females who underwent physical examinations and HPV screening at the People’s Hospital of Fujian Province in Fuzhou from April 2020 to April 2023. HPV detection and genotyping were conducted using PCR hybridization. Results The overall HPV infection rate was 16.1% during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the outpatient group exhibiting a greater infection rate (19.0%) than did the healthy group (12.3%). The top five high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes in both groups were HPV52, HPV53, HPV58, HPV16, and HPV51. Additionally, HPV81 and HPV43 were the two most common low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes in the patient group, while HPV81 and HPV42 were the two most common LR-HPV genotypes in the healthy group. The highest prevalence of HPV infection was observed in individuals aged ≤ 24 years (28.4%, 95% CI 25.9–30.9), followed by those aged ≥ 55 years (23.6%, 95% CI 21.6–24.7) and other age groups. The prevalence decreased from 23.0% (95% CI 22.4–23.7) in 2018–2019 to 13.8% (95% CI 12.0-15.5) in 2023. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and genotypes of HPV infection in the female population of Central Fujian Province from 2020 to 2023. The findings indicate that the prevalence of HPV infection in Central Fujian Province remains relatively low compared to the national average. Furthermore, the prevalence of HPV decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, as the pandemic waned, there was potential for an increase in HPV infection rates. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen HPV screening and vaccination strategies to prevent the potential spread of HPV.

It is known that load forecasting plays an important role for the smart grids and mostly, the users have the combinational load forecast demands with different time-scales. However, due to various internal or external factors, such as poor management, the available load data set is limited. Therefore, the problem becomes as the high-precision combinational load forecast at different time-scales but with limited valid datasets. In this paper, taking the work in a city power company of China as an example, an empirical study for this problem is considered and then a robust forecasting system is built. The forecasting models are designed and screened and then constructed a model library for the system. In order to improve the robustness of the designed system, a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) based dynamic model selection method is proposed and finally the performance of the system is verified on the State Grid Chongqing Company of China. The results indicate that our designed multi-temporal-spatial-scales load forecast system can dynamically select the best model for different demands, which demonstrates that the build system is an effective and reliable system-level solution. In particular, for the annual based load forecast, 80% of the industries in the considered city have a MAPE less than 5%, while the MAPE of the whole city is less than 2.160%; for the monthly based load forecast, 87% of the industries in the considered city have a MAPE less than 10%, while the MAPE for the whole city is less than 3.755%. In addition, for the annual based forecast, GM(1,1) is mostly used for the industry-based forecasts, but the model with the highest average forecast accuracy is LR-ER. While for region-based forecasts, the mostly selected models are GM(1,n) and AR. For the monthly based forecast, GM(1,1)-SI and FOA-HW have a higher average accuracy than other models for both industries- and region-based forecasts, respectively.

The WD40 repeat (WDR) domain is present in a wide range of proteins, providing sites for protein‒protein interactions. Recent studies have shown that WDR proteins play indispensable roles in spermatogenesis, such as in spermatocyte division, sperm head formation and flagellar assembly. In this study, we identified a novel testis-specific gene, WDR64, which has the typical characteristics of WD40 proteins with two β-propellers, and is highly conserved in Mammalia. RT-PCR and Western blot results revealed that WDR64 was highly expressed in testis. WDR64 protein was weakly expressed at postnatal Day 7, increased substantially at postnatal Day 28 and maintained at high levels thereafter. Further immunofluorescence demonstrated that WDR64 was localized posterior to the nucleus in steps 8–14 spermatids in line with the dynamic localization of manchette, moved to the flagella in steps 15–16 spermatids, and localized at the midpiece of the flagellum in mature spermatozoa. To explore the function of WDR64, we performed immunoprecipitation‒mass spectrometry (IP‒MS) to screen its interacting proteins and found that WDR64 interacted with ODF1 to form a complex. The WDR64/ODF1 complex is located at the manchette during nucleus shaping and finally at the midpiece of the mature spermatozoa tail, suggesting that it may be involved in the assembly of the manchette and flagella during spermiogenesis. Our findings provide the first understanding of the expression pattern of WDR64 and its potential molecular mechanism in spermiogenesis.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare different intensities of aerobic exercise for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in terms of glycemic control, pain relief, and functional outcomes.MethodsA prospective randomized open-label parallel multicenter clinical trial conducted at two hospitals in Shanghai and Sichuan that included 228 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Enrollment occurred between January 2021 and February 2023, and follow-up was completed in September 2023. Participants were randomized to threshold training/high-intensive stationary cycling training (n=76), intensive endurance/moderate-intensive stationary cycling training (n=77), and regular rehabilitation programs (n=75). The primary outcome at the 6-month follow-up was the HbA1c level. Key secondary outcomes included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscale of pain and quality of life.ResultsOf 228 patients, 212 (93%) completed the trial. The mean adjusted (sex, baseline BMI, and baseline outcome measures) HbA1c level at the 6-month follow-up decreased significantly in the high-intensive training group compared with other groups (high-intensity group vs. control group; difference, 0.51%, 95% confidence interval, 0.05% to 1.15%). Mean KOOS subscales of pain and quality of life were statistically significantly different between the control group and moderate-intensity or high-intensity groups, but no statistical differences were noted between the different intensities of aerobic exercise. Patients in all groups achieved a greater reduction in BMI but no significant differences were observed between groups.ConclusionIn KOA and T2DM patients, high-intensity stationary cycling can significantly improve glycemic control compared with moderate-intensity and regular rehabilitation programs. However, high-intensity stationary cycling does not exert a superior effect on pain relief and functional improvement for KOA compared with moderate-intensity and regular rehabilitation programs.

Abstract Chirality constitutes an inherent attribute of nature. The catalytic asymmetric synthesis of molecules with central, axial, and helical chirality is a topic of intense interest and is becoming a mature field of research. However, due to the difficulty in synthesis and the lack of a prototype, less attention has been given to planar chirality arising from the destruction of symmetry on a single planar ring. Herein, we report the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of planar-chiral dianthranilides, a unique class of tub-shaped eight-membered cyclic dilactams. This protocol is enabled by cinchona alkaloid-catalyzed (dynamic) kinetic resolution. Under mild conditions, various C 2 - or C 1 -symmetric planar-chiral dianthranilides have been readily prepared in high yields with excellent enantioselectivity. These dianthranilides can serve as an addition to the family of planar-chiral molecules. Its synthetic value has been demonstrated by kinetic resolution of racemic amines via acyl transfer, enantiodivergent synthesis of the natural product eupolyphagin, and preliminary antitumor activity studies.

Background: Diabetes mellitus leads to a high risk of knee osteoarthritis, which would require total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Functional rehabilitation is often used for TKA, and telerehabilitation is gaining popularity in postoperative functional rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor can improve the functional results of telerehabilitation. Method: This prospective randomized controlled trial included participants from a single orthopedic center in China. In total, 131 patients participated in this study, which was a two-arm, single-assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups the telerehabilitation group with IMU sensor-based feedback assistance (IMU group) or without IMU sensor-based feedback assistance (TELE group). The TELE group received a 6-week home-based rehabilitation program with video instructions on a tablet and remote coaching, whereas the IMU group received the same rehabilitation program and remote coaching; the program was assisted by an inertial sensor system. Patients were evaluated at baseline, hospital discharge, 8 weeks, and 24 weeks after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcome measures included range of motion, functional, and strength tests. Results: A total of 116 participants completed this study (59 in IMU, 57 in TELE group). No significant demographic differences were noted. KOOSs and muscle strength in both groups improved over time. There were significant benefits of IMU group in most comparisons at the 24-week assessments, adjusted for baseline value. Conclusion: Our results showed that IMU sensor can improve functional results of telerehabilitation in diabetic patients after TKA. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100053313.

In the context of the information age and smart tourism, the government’s initiative to open up internal tourism data is conducive to releasing the commercial and social value of tourism data resources.This paper used the coefficient of variation method and the entropy weight method for combined weighting, constructed an evaluation index system for government tourism data opening, calculated the scores of 21 provincial administrative regions, and used fsQCA to compare high and low evaluation values with configuration analysis.The results showed that the index system included 4 first-level indicators, 17 second-level indicators and 51 third-level indicators, which effectively evaluated the performance of tourism data opening in provincial administrative regions; the utilization layer and data layer were the first-level indicators with higher weights, legal policy efficiency, content, platform relationship, etc.were second-level indicators with higher weights;high evaluation values were configured as comprehensive development type and data-assisted application type, and low evaluation values were configured as insufficient policy ＆amp; utilization type and platform ＆amp; data problem type.The research results are helpful to provide a reference prototype for the research and practice of tourism data opening evaluation.

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a widespread zoonotic parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water. It poses a significant public health threat, especially to pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] plays a critical role in regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses, particularly in its anti-infective capacity. However, the relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and T. gondii infection remains uncertain.MethodsWe analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2009–2014 to explore the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and T. gondii infection. Extensive demographic, comorbidity, and dietary data were collected. The status of T. gondii infection was determined using serum anti-IgG antibodies. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). In addition, weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were performed.ResultsOur analysis included 10,157 participants (mean [SE] age, 45.38 [0.39] years; 49.73% female) who met the inclusion criteria. Serum 25(OH)D levels were categorized into quintiles, with the second quintile serving as the reference group. The final model, adjusted for age, sex, race, education level, poverty income ratio, body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, depression, physical activity, alcohol intake, seasonal testing, and dietary vitamin D, revealed the following adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the quintiles: 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–0.93) for the first, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.69–1.10) for the third, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58–0.95) for the fourth, and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49–0.91) for the fifth. Additionally, a restricted cubic spline analysis revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between serum 25(OH)D and T. gondii infection, with an inflection point at approximately 51.29 nmol/L. Odds ratios to the left and right of the inflection point were 1.17 (95% CI: 1.03–1.32) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.90–0.98) per 10 nmol/L, respectively.ConclusionOur study uncovers an inverted U-shaped relationship between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and T. gondii infection, with an inflection point around 51.29 nmol/L.

Abstract Functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains challenging due to the lack of direct intervention methods for hepatic inflammation. Multi‐omics research offers a promising approach to understand hepatic inflammation mechanisms in CHB. A Bayesian linear model linked gene expression with clinical parameters, and population‐specific expression analysis (PSEA) refined bulk gene expression into specific cell types across different clinical phases. These models were integrated into our analysis of key factors like inflammatory cells, immune activation, T cell exhaustion, chemokines, receptors, and interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs). Validation through multi‐immune staining in liver specimens from CHB patients bolstered our findings. In CHB patients, increased gene expression related to immune cell activation and migration was noted. Marker genes of macrophages, T cells, immune‐negative regulators, chemokines, and ISGs showed a positive correlation with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels but not hepatitis B virus DNA levels. The PSEA model confirmed T cells as the source of exhausted regulators, while macrophages primarily contributed to chemokine expression. Upregulated ISGs (ISG20, IFI16, TAP2, GBP1, PSMB9) in the hepatitis phase were associated with T cell and macrophage infiltration and positively correlated with ALT levels. Conversely, another set of ISGs (IFI44, ISG15, IFI44L, IFI6, MX1) mainly expressed by hepatocytes and B cells showed no correlation with ALT levels. Our study presents a multi‐omics analysis integrating bulk transcriptomic, single‐cell sequencing data, and clinical data from CHB patients to decipher the cause of intrahepatic inflammation in CHB. The findings confirm that macrophages secrete chemokines like CCL20, recruiting exhausted T cells into liver tissue; concurrently, hepatocyte innate immunity is suppressed, hindering the antiviral effects of ISGs.

Aims: The Royal Free Hospital Nutritional Prioritizing Tool (RFH-NPT), the Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool (LDUST) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) were used by nurses to screen, compare, and analyze the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis. The application value of different screening tools was summarized in the nutritional screening of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: In this study, LDUST, RFH-NPT, and NRS2002 were used by nurses to screen the nutritional status of hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis within 24–48 h after admission. The study calculated validity indicators such as sensitivity, specificity, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC), and reliability indicators such as the Kappa coefficient. The efficacy of these screening tools in the nutritional screening of patients with liver cirrhosis was compared. Results: Among the 207 patients, LDUST and NRS2002 identified 72.9 % and 23.7 % as undernourished, respectively. The sensitivity of LDUST and NRS2002 were 92.1 % and 30.0 %, respectively. The Kappa value of LDUST and RFH-NPT was 0.620, and the Kappa value of LDUST compared with NRS2002 was 0.144. Conclusion: This study shows that the Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool, a special screening tool for patients with liver cirrhosis, has a more reliable screening effect and higher sensitivity than NRS2002. The Liver Disease Undernutrition Screening Tool is recommended for nutritional screening in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Cadmium (Cd) is an accumulative toxic metal which poses a serious threat to human health, even in trace amounts. One of the most important steps in the pathophysiology of lung cancer (LC) is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this investigation, a cell malignant transformation model was established by exposing human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) to a low dose of Cd for 30 weeks, after which a highly expressed circular RNA (circ_000999) was identified. Cd-induced EMT was clearly observed in rat lungs and 16HBE cells, which was further enhanced following circ_000999-overexpression. Furthermore, upregulated EIF4A3 interacted with the parental gene AGTPBP1 to promote high expression of circ_000999. Subsequent experiments confirmed that circ_000999 could regulate the EMT process by competitively binding miR-205-5p and inhibiting its activity, consequently upregulating expression of zinc finger E-box binding protein 1 (ZEB1). Importantly, the circ_000999 expression level in LC tissues was significantly increased, exhibiting a strong correlation with EMT indicators. Overall, these findings provide a new objective and research direction for reversing lung EMT and subsequent treatment and prevention of LC.

The yellow-margin box turtle, Mauremys mutica, is valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its perceived health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. Beyond the traditional application, this study found that anti-liver cancer peptides could be derived from the turtle shell glue hydrolysates (TSGH) through enzymatic hydrolysis using various proteases. The anti-liver cancer mechanisms of these peptides were explored and selected using network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and validated with an in vitro HepG2 cell model. Results showed that pepsin hydrolysate showed the most promising inhibition of liver cancer cell growth. Among the identified and slected peptides (FDF, FSG, LLLPKP, and NGY), FDF was found to be the most effective inhibitor of liver cancer cell proliferation. FDF showed a positive correlation with increased intracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as well as a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Furthermore, a significant rise in the mRNA expression of Caspase-3, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was observed. This suggests that FDF promotes apoptosis in HepG2 cells through apoptotic pathways, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These results highlight the potential of turtle shell glue (TSG) peptides in the development of novel anti-tumor drugs, providing a foundation for further exploration of TSG utilization.

Slurry-infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) has excellent potential for application as a new material with good crack resistance, impact resistance, and seismic performance. In this paper, SIFCON blocks were cast in a single pour using the custom-made two-dimensional directional steel fiber placement device, followed by compressive testing. Based on the test results, the effects of fly ash substitution rate, steel fiber aspect ratio, and steel fiber volume fraction on the compressive bearing capacity and ductility of SIFCON blocks were investigated. The results indicate that the custom-made device in this paper effectively achieves the directional placement of steel fibers, offering a cost-effective solution that optimizes the construction process. Regarding the test results, it was observed that the compressive bearing capacity of SIFCON blocks decreases linearly with increasing fly ash substitution rate, while the addition of fly ash improves the ductility of the blocks. Notably, a 31% decrease in bearing capacity was noted when the fly ash substitution rate increases from 0% to 40%, whereas the ductility ratio increased by 99% for the same substitution rate range. Furthermore, the results revealed a positive correlation between the bearing capacity and ductility of SIFCON blocks with higher steel fiber aspect ratios and volume fractions. Specifically, the bearing capacity increased by 19% and 33% with steel fiber aspect ratio increments from 33 to 70 and volume fraction increases from 10% to 14%, respectively. Additionally, the ductility ratio of the test blocks increased by 104% when the aspect ratio of the steel fibers increased from 33 to 70, and by 37% when the volume fraction of steel fibers rose from 10% to 14%.

Summary: The premetastatic niche (PMN) contributes to lung-specific metastatic tropism in osteosarcoma. However, the crosstalk between primary tumor cells and lung stromal cells is not clearly defined. Here, we dissect the composition of immune cells in the lung PMN and identify granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (gMDSC) infiltration as positively associated with immunosuppressive PMN formation and tumor cell colonization. Osteosarcoma-cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) activate lung interstitial macrophages to initiate the influx of gMDSCs via secretion of the chemokine CXCL2. Proteomic profiling of EVs reveals that EV-packaged S100A11 stimulates the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway in macrophages by interacting with USP9X. High level of S100A11 expression or circulating gMDSCs correlates with the presentation of lung metastasis and poor prognosis in osteosarcoma patients. In summary, we identify a key role of tumor-derived EVs in lung PMN formation, providing potential strategies for monitoring or preventing lung metastasis in osteosarcoma.

Conclusion: This study suggested that virus-triggered autoimmunity may contribute to HSCR through activation of innate immunity, which facilitates the diagnosis and prevention of HSCR.

BackgroundEmbodied conversational agents (ECAs) are computer-generated animated humanlike characters that interact with users through verbal and nonverbal behavioral cues. They are increasingly used in a range of fields, including health care. ObjectiveThis scoping review aims to identify the current practice in the development and evaluation of ECAs for chronic diseases. MethodsWe applied a methodological framework in this review. A total of 6 databases (ie, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Web of Science) were searched using a combination of terms related to ECAs and health in October 2023. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data. This review followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) statement. ResultsThe literature search found 6332 papers, of which 36 (0.57%) met the inclusion criteria. Among the 36 studies, 27 (75%) originated from the United States, and 28 (78%) were published from 2020 onward. The reported ECAs covered a wide range of chronic diseases, with a focus on cancers, atrial fibrillation, and type 2 diabetes, primarily to promote screening and self-management. Most ECAs were depicted as middle-aged women based on screenshots and communicated with users through voice and nonverbal behavior. The most frequently reported evaluation outcomes were acceptability and effectiveness. ConclusionsThis scoping review provides valuable insights for technology developers and health care professionals regarding the development and implementation of ECAs. It emphasizes the importance of technological advances in the embodiment, personalized strategy, and communication modality and requires in-depth knowledge of user preferences regarding appearance, animation, and intervention content. Future studies should incorporate measures of cost, efficiency, and productivity to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits of using ECAs in health care.

Introduction Long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy (LHBT) is characterised by persistent pain and disability of shoulder joint, impairing patients’ quality of life. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment, which promotes tissue regeneration and repair. However, ESWT has a side effect that often causes short-term pain and swelling in the treatment area. It is known that the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) on relieving swelling and pain. Due to insufficient clinical evidence from current limited studies, this randomised controlled study aims to explore the effects of ESWT combined with KT on upper limb function during individuals with LHBT.Methods and analysis A 2×2 factorial design, double-blind, randomised controlled trial will be conducted. A total of 144 participants will be randomly allocated into one of four groups (KT+ESWT, KT+sham ESWT, sham KT+ESWT or sham KT+sham ESWT) to participate in a 4-week treatment programme. Measurements will be taken at pretreatment (baseline), immediately after treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. The primary endpoint will be the Constant-Murley score (CMS), the secondary endpoints will include the pain Numerical Rating Scale, range of motion, pressure pain threshold and soft tissue hardness of biceps, speed test and global rating of change. Repeated measures analysis of variance will be used to compare differences among the effects of different interventions.Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. In addition to international conference reports, findings will be disseminated through international publications in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number ChiCTR2100051324.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a new type of material resource which have attracted significant attention in recent years. REEs have emerged as essential metals in modern-day technology due to their unique functions. The long-term, large-scale mining and utilization of rare earths has caused serious environmental pollution and constitutes a global health issue, which has raised concerns regarding the safety of human health. However, the toxicity profile of suspended particulate matter in REEs in the environment, which interacts with the human body, remains largely unknown. Studies have shown that REEs can enter the human body through a variety of pathways, leading to a variety of organ and system dysfunctions through changes in genetics, epigenetics, and signaling pathways. Through an extensive literature search and critical analysis, we provide a comprehensive overview of the available evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and make recommendations for future research directions.

The Rotary Inverted Pendulum (RIP) is a widely used underactuated mechanical system in various applications such as bipedal robots and skyscraper stabilization where attitude control presents a significant challenge. Despite the implementation of various control strategies to maintain equilibrium, optimally tuning control gains to effectively mitigate uncertain nonlinearities in system dynamics remains elusive. Existing methods frequently rely on extensive experimental data or the designer's expertise, presenting a notable drawback. This paper proposes a novel tracking control approach for RIP, utilizing a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) in combination with a reduced-order observer. Initially, the RIP system is mathematically modeled using the Newton-Euler-Lagrange method. Subsequently, a composite controller is devised that integrates an LQR for generating nominal control signals and a reduced-order observer for reconstructing unmeasured states. This approach enhances the controller's robustness by eliminating differential terms from the observer, thereby attenuating unknown disturbances. Thorough numerical simulations and experimental evaluations demonstrate the system's capability to maintain balance below50Hz and achieve precise tracking below1.4 rad, validating the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Previous studies have shown that diet and physical activity can influence constipation. However, the combined effect of diet and physical activity on constipation remains unclear. Methods: Constipation was defined based on stool consistency and frequency, while overall diet quality was assessed using Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores. Participants were categorized into low (metabolic equivalent [MET]-min/wk < 500) and high physical activity groups (MET-min/wk = 500). The association between diet and constipation across physical activity groups was analyzed using survey logistic regression and restricted cubic splines. Results: Higher HEI-2015 scores were associated with reduced constipation risk in the high physical activity group when constipation was defined by stool consistency (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-0.99). However, in the low physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores did not significantly affect constipation risk (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97-1.05). Similar results were found when constipation was defined based on stool frequency. In the high physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores were significantly associated with a reduced constipation risk (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94-0.98). Conversely, in the low physical activity group, increased HEI-2015 scores did not affect the risk of constipation (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.90-1.03). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a higher HEI-2015 score is negatively associated with constipation among individuals with high physical activity levels but not among those with low physical activity levels. This association was consistent when different definitions of constipation were used. These results highlight the importance of combining healthy diet with regular physical activity to alleviate constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Okara is a by-product from the soybean industry and an abundant resource of insoluble soybean fiber (ISF). ISF with various properties could be obtained by different extraction methods. It is an attractive option to utilize okara by taking advantage of ISF as an emulsifier or stabilizer. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated ISF (ISFUT), superfine grinding reduced the particle size and viscosity of ISF (ISFSG). Steam explosion increased the water solubility from 17.5% to 51.7% but decreased the water holding capacity and swelling capacity of ISF (ISFSE) from 15.0 and 14.0 g/g to 4.2 and 3.3 g/g, respectively. Emulsions prepared by ISFUT and ISFSG before or after enzymatic hydrolysis presented large oil droplets and were unstable. Although emulsions prepared by ISFSE after enzymatic hydrolysis (ISFSE-E) showed flocculation, the volume-weighted average diameter (19.7 ~m) were the smallest while the viscosity and viscoelastic modulus were the highest, and exhibited excellent physical stability during storage. CONCLUSION: ISF obtained by physical and hydrolysis treatment displayed diverging physicochemical properties while ISF prepared by steam explosion-enzymatic hydrolysis presented the best potential to stabilize emulsions. The present study could provide novel information about the utilization of okara by the application of ISF as an emulsifier or stabilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]