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• Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may offer supplementary symptomatic relief and enhance knee range of motion in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. • PBMT may provide further pain relief in older adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis. • PBMT did not result in an improvement in exercise performance or muscle strength among older adults. To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) enhances the benefits of exercise in older adults. PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science, dated to February 2023. All included studies were randomized controlled trials of PBMT combined with exercise co-intervention in persons 60 years and older. Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC-total, pain, stiffness and function), perceived pain intensity, timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, 6-min walk test (6MWT), muscle strength, and knee range of motion were included. Two researchers independently performed data extraction. Article data were extracted in Excel and summarized by a third researcher. The meta-analysis included 14 of the 1864 studies searched in the database. No statistical differences were found between the treatment and control groups in terms of WOMAC-stiffness (mean difference [MD]=-0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.64 to 0.03), TUG (MD=-0.17, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.38), 6MWT (MD=32.2, 95% CI -44.62 to 109.01), or muscle strength (standardized mean difference=0.24, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.50). However, statistically significant differences were found for WOMAC-total (MD=-6.83, 95% CI -12.3 to -1.37), WOMAC-pain (MD=-2.03, 95% CI -4.06 to -0.01), WOMAC-function (MD=-5.03, 95% CI -9.11 to -0.96), visual analog scale/numeric pain rating scale (MD=-1.24, 95% CI -2.43 to -0.06), and knee range of motion (MD=1.47, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.88). In older adults who exercise regularly, PBMT can potentially provide additional pain relief, improve knee joint function, and increase knee joint range of motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of 10-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in fibromyalgia. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Ovid databases as of November 6, 2021. The inclusion criteria for this review were randomized controlled trials of 10-Hz rTMS for fibromyalgia, exploring the effects of 10-Hz rTMS on pain, depression, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Data extraction was performed independently by 2 evaluators according to predefined criteria, and the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The measurement outcomes include visual analog scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and so on. A total of 488 articles were screened, and the final 7 selected high-quality articles with 217 patients met our inclusion criteria. Analysis of the results showed that high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation at 10 Hz was significantly associated with reduced pain compared with sham stimulation in controls (standardized mean difference [SMD]=−0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.12 to −0.33; P <.001; I 2=46%) and was able to improve quality of life (SMD=−0.70; 95% CI, −1.00 to −0.40; P <.001; I 2=15%) but not improve depression (SMD=−0.23; 95% CI, −0.50 to 0.05; P =.11; I 2=33%). In addition, a subgroup analysis of pain conducted based on stimulation at the primary motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed no significant difference (SMD=−0.72; 95% CI, −1.12 to −0.33; P =.10; I2 =62%). Overall, 10-Hz rTMS has a significant effect on analgesia and improved quality of life in patients with FMS but did not improve depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney stones are a common urinary system condition that can progress to kidney disease. Previous studies on the association between tea consumption and kidney stones are inconsistent. A cross-sectional study to investigate the association between tea consumption and kidney stones was conducted from 2013 to 2014 and recruited 9,078 northern Chinese adults. A total of 8,807 participants were included in the final analysis. Participants' prevalence of kidney stones was 1.07%, 1.73%, and 2.25% based on their tea consumption frequency of never, occasionally, and often groups, respectively. Compared with the ‘never’ group, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the occurrence of kidney stones were 1.57 (1.00-2.46) and 1.65 (1.06-2.57) in the ‘occasionally’ and ‘often’ groups, respectively. After adjusting for sex, age, and other potential confounding factors, tea consumption still significantly increased the risk of kidney stones. Tea consumption is independently associated with an increased risk of kidney stones in the investigated population, suggesting that a decrease in the consumption of tea may be a preventive strategy for kidney stones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimated the dosimetry of 18 F-alfatide II with the method established by MIRD based on biodistribution data of mice. Six mice (three females and three males) were scanned for 160 min on an Inveon MicroPET/CT scanner after injection of 18 F-alfatide II via tail vein. Eight source organs were delineated on the CT images and their residence times calculated. The data was then converted to human using scaling factors based on organ and body weight. The absorbed doses for human and the resulting effective dose were computed by OLINDA 1.1 software. The highest absorbed doses was observed in urinary bladder wall (male 0.102 mGy/MBq, female 0.147 mGy/MBq); and the lowest one was detected in brain (male 0.0030 mGy/MBq, female 0.0036). The total effective doses were 0.0127 mSv/MBq for male and 0.0166 mSv/MBq for female, respectively. A 370-MBq injection of 18 F-alfatide II led to an estimated effective dose of 4.70 mSv for male and 6.14 mSv for female. The potential radiation burden associated with 18 F-alfatide II/PET imaging therefore is comparable to other PET examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the fabrication of p-type silicon (Si) photocathodes consisting of well-ordered Si microwire (Si-MW) arrays coupled with non-precious and earth-abundant amorphous oxygen-rich molybdenum oxysulfide (MoO x S y ) as both a hydrogen evolution catalyst and a passivation layer. The MoO x S y is conformally grown on the Si-MW surface through photo-assisted cyclic voltammetric (CV) deposition. By adjusting the cycle numbers of the CV deposition, Si-MW array electrodes with different MoO x S y catalyst loadings (Si-MWs@MoO x S y ) have been obtained and comprehensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies. The photoelectrochemical performance of the Si-MWs@MoO x S y cathodes toward water reduction is investigated and compared with that of platinum nanoparticle decorated Si-MW array electrodes (Si-MWs@PtNPs). An optimized Si-MWs@MoO x S y photocathode is found to exhibit activity comparable to that of the Si-MWs@PtNPs one, with a much better stability in acidic medium. In neutral electrolyte, Si-MWs@MoO x S y outperforms Si-MWs@PtNPs in terms of both activity and stability. Given the low materials cost, easy and well-established electrode fabrication procedure, and high demonstrated photoelectrochemical performance, the Si-MWs@MoO x S y arrays reported here hold substantial promise for use as low-cost and efficient photocathodes for water reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation and platelet activation are critical phenomena in the setting of decompression sickness. Clopidogrel (Clo) inhibits platelet activation and may also reduce inflammation. The goal of this study was to investigate if Clo had a protective role in decompression sickness (DCS) through anti-inflammation way. Male Sprague–Dawley rats ( n = 111) were assigned to three groups: control + vehicle group, DCS + vehicle, DCS + Clo group. The experimental group received 50 mg/kg of Clo or vehicle for 3 days, then compressed to 1,600 kPa (150 msw) in 28 s, maintained at 150 msw for 242 s and decompressed to surface at 3 m/s. In a control experiment, rats were also treated with vehicle for 3 days and maintained at atmospheric pressure for an equivalent period of time. Clinical assessment took place over a period of 30 min after surfacing. At the end, blood samples were collected for blood cells counts and cytokine detection. The pathology and the wet/dry ratio of lung tissues, immunohistochemical detection of lung tissue CD41 expression, the numbers of P-selectin positive platelets and platelet–leukocyte conjugates in blood were tested. We found that Clo significantly reduced the DCS mortality risk (mortality rate: 11/45 with Clo vs. 28/46 in the untreated group, P < 0.01). Clo reduced the lung injury, the wet/dry ratio of lung, the accumulation of platelet and leukocyte in lung, the fall in platelet count, the WBC count, the numbers of activated platelets and platelet–leukocyte complexes in peripheral blood. It was concluded that Clo can play a protective role in decompression sickness through reducing post-decompression platelet activation and inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] PPAR-β/δ activation has a protective role against lung injury induced by HBO2. [•] GW0742 decreases inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in lungs after HBO2 exposure. [•] GW0742 elevates antioxidant enzyme activities after HBO2 exposure. [•] GW0742 reduces NF-κB activation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation after HBO2 exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As temporary structures, steel-sheet-pile-quay (SSPQ) retaining walls have been widely used to counteract excavation problems in Japan not only in urban areas, but also in mountainous areas. The most important features of retaining walls are that they are easy to install in any narrow space, they can be reused many times in different types of soil and, above all, they are strong enough to resist any kind of earth pressure. The shortcoming of retaining walls, however, is that the deformation of the structures may sometimes be rather large, which might become an obstacle for geotechnical engineers wanting to use them as permanent structures. In this paper, centrifuge model tests [1] on the seismic performance of SSPQ retaining walls are simulated systematically with a two-dimensional (2D) dynamic analysis using the finite element method (FEM). In the centrifuge model tests, an SSPQ retaining wall subjected to five consecutive seismic waves is considered. To analyze the influence of the soil density on the performance of the retaining wall and the ground, a middle dense Toyoura sand ground (D r =60%) and a dense Toyoura sand ground (D r =75%) are used. In the analysis, the seismic behavior of the SSPQ retaining wall and the surrounding ground are described separately by beam elements and a cyclic mobility model in which the stress-induced anisotropy, the density and the structure of the ground can be described in a unified way. In order to clarify the influence of the fixed boundary adopted in the centrifuge model vibration tests, an analysis in prototype scale, that completely corresponds to the conditions of the centrifuge model tests, and an analysis in full scale, that corresponds to the real ground conditions, are carried out. By comparing the calculated results with the results of the centrifuge model vibration tests, the anti-seismic capacity of the SSPQ retaining wall and the dynamic performance of the ground during earthquakes are discussed in detail. The accuracy of the evaluation method using FEM is also verified. The purpose of this study is to establish an evaluation approach for the seismic behavior of SSPQ retaining walls as permanent earth-balanced structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: (Nd0.4Pr0.6)9Fe76−x Nb x B15 (x=0–5) flakes were fabricated by slow quenching from master alloys. Effects of Nb on crystallization behavior and magnetic properties of flakes have been systematically investigated. For the sample with x=0, the metastable compound (Nd,Pr)2Fe23B3 crystallized as a precursor from amorphous state and then transformated to the (Nd,Pr)2Fe14B and α-Fe phases, and the (Nd,Pr)1.1Fe4B4 phase was formed on further increasing annealing temperature to 700°C. So the crystallization process of the (Nd0.4Pr0.6)9Fe76B15 alloy was as follows: amorphous phase (AP)→AP′+(Nd,Pr)2Fe23B3→(Nd,Pr)2Fe14B+α-Fe→(Nd,Pr)2Fe14B+α-Fe+(Nd,Pr)1.1Fe4B4. For the sample with x=4, the α-Fe phase was first formed from amorphous matrix, and then the (Nd,Pr)2Fe14B and Fe3B phases subsequently crystallized from residual amorphous phase. So the crystallization process of the (Nd0.4Pr0.6)9Fe72Nb4B15 alloy was as follows: amorphous phase (AP)→α-Fe+AP′ →α-Fe+Fe3B+(Nd,Pr)2Fe14B. The addition of Nb to (Nd0.4Pr0.6)9Fe76B15 alloy could suppress the formation of the metastable (Nd,Pr)2Fe23B3 phase and nonmagnetic (Nd,Pr)1.1Fe4B4 phase. Meanwhile, microstructure of (Nd0.4Pr0.6)9Fe76B15 flakes was significantly refined by introducing Nb. After optimal annealing treatment, the intrinsic coercivity increased from 397.3kA/m for the Nb-free sample to 1297kA/m for the 5at% Nb-doped sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease of which the clinical progression and factors related to death are still unclear. Objective: To identify the clinical progression of SFTS and explore predictors of fatal outcome throughout the disease progress. Study design: A prospective study was performed in a general hospital located in Xinyang city during 2011–2013. Confirmed SFTS patients were recruited and laboratory parameters that were commonly evaluated in clinical practice were collected. The clinical progression was determined based on analysis of dynamic profiles and Friedman's test. At each clinical stage, the laboratory features that could be used to predict fatal outcome of SFTS patients were identified by stepwise discriminant analysis. Results: Totally 257 survivors and 54 deceased SFTS patients were recruited and the data of 11 clinical and laboratory parameters along their entire disease course were consecutively collected. Three clinical stages (day 1–5 post onset, day 6–11 post onset and day 12 to hospital discharge) were determined based on distinct clinical parameters evaluations. Multivariate discriminant analysis at each clinical stage disclosed the indicators of the fatal outcome as decreased platelet counts at early stage, older age and increased AST level at middle stage, and decreased lymphocyte percentage and increased LDH level at late stage. Conclusions: The significant indicators at three clinical stages could be used to assist identifying the patients with high risk of death. This knowledge might help to perform supportive treatment and avoid fatality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous studies showed that homocysteine (Hcy) reduces endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) numbers and impairs functional activity. Atorvastatin, HMG-CoA inhibition has been showed to have protective effects on EPCs. Recent studies have demonstrated that reduced EPCs numbers and activity are associated with EPCs apoptosis. However, the protective mechanisms of atorvastatin on HHcy-induced EPCs apoptosis remain to be determined. This study was designed to examine the effect of atorvastatin on homocysteine-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in EPCs. EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood and characterized, then challenged with Hcy (50–500μmol/L) in the presence or absence of atorvastatin (0.01–1μmol/L) or various stress signaling inhibitors, including mevalonate (100μmol/L), antioxidants N-acetyl cysteine (NAC, 10μmol/L), the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI 10μmol/L), the eNOS inhibitor NGmono-methyl-l-arginine LNMA (1mmol/L), and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 (10μmol/L). Apoptosis was evaluated by FACS analysis and cell viability was determined by MTT assay. ROS were detected by 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFH-DA). NADPH oxidases were evaluated with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Expression of Nox4 mRNA and p-p38MAPK protein was measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Our data revealed that atorvastatin significantly suppressed Hcy-induced ROS accumulation and EPCs apoptosis. Atorvastatin also antagonized homocysteine-induced activation of NADPH oxidase and overexpression of Nox4 mRNA and p-p38MAPK protein. Similar effects occurred with EPCs transfected with Nox4 siRNA. These findings demonstrated that atorvastatin may inhibit Hcy-induced NADPH oxidase activation, ROS accumulation, and EPCs apoptosis through Nox4/p38MAPK dependent mechanisms, all of which may contribute to atorvastatin-induced beneficial effects on EPCs function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The binding abilities of N-salicyloyltryptamine for various anions were investigated by UV–vis, fluorescence and 1H NMR titration spectra. The obtained results indicated that N-salicyloyltryptamine could selectively recognize biologically important F− and AcO− along with obvious changes in the absorption and emission spectra. Interestingly, addition of F− or AcO− to DMSO solution of N-salicyloyltryptamine caused a notable blueshift and remarkable enhancement in its fluorescence emission spectra. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Alloys of composition Nd10.8Dy0.75Tb0.75Fe79.7− x Co x Zr0.8Nb0.8Cu0.4B6.0 (x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15) were prepared by melt spinning at 22m/s and subsequent annealing. Phase analysis revealed single-phase materials. Magnetic structure and remanence analysis indicated strong exchange coupling between neighboring grains in all samples. The remanence polarization J r and maximum energy product (BH)max increased first and then decreased with further increasing Co content x although the intrinsic coercivity H ci decreased with increasing x. The increase in remanence polarization J r by the substitution of Co for Fe is mainly caused by the increase in the saturation polarization J s rather than by the improvement of exchange-coupling interactions. Optimum magnetic properties with J r=1.041T, H ci=944.9kA/m and (BH)max=155.1kJ/m3 were achieved for x=12 ribbons. The mechanism of magnetic hardening in all samples was of pinning type by analyzing initial magnetization and the dependence on applied magnetizing field of the coercivity and remanence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The discovery of ordered mesoporous materials (OMMs) synthesized in the presence of surfactant templates was a significant breakthrough in the field of porous materials. OMMs offer unprecedented potential for the immobilization of catalysts because of their large pore spaces, ordered pore sizes, and relatively homogeneous pore surfaces. This article briefly summarizes recent advances in the immobilization of homogeneous and enzyme catalysts on OMMs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Creep-fatigue tests for GH4169 under symmetric and asymmetric strain cyclic loadings. • Comprehensive study on the cyclic plastic evolution and creep-fatigue life of GH4169. • GH4169 shows tension–compression asymmetry and more obvious tensile cyclic softening. • Mean stress relaxes under asymmetric and symmetric loading with valley strain dwells. • Cyclic softening dominated by back stress evolution and accelerated by strain dwells. Cyclic behavior of a nickel-based GH4169 superalloy under fully-reversed and asymmetric creep-fatigue tests with strain-controlled is investigated at 650℃. Significant tension–compression asymmetry and continuous cyclic softening are observed for all loading waveforms. The material exhibits mean stress relaxation under asymmetric loading and fully-reversed loading with valley strain dwells. Moreover, stress relaxation behavior during the dwell period is almost independent of the number of cycles. In order to identify the deformation mechanism, the evolutions of mean value and amplitude of the internal stress (back stress and effective stress) based on the partition of hysteresis loops are analyzed. Results show that both the cyclic softening and mean stress relaxation are primarily dominated by the evolution of back stress and secondarily affected by that of effective stress. Such findings lay a solid foundation for further investigations of reasonable cyclic deformation description and accurate life prediction in GH4169 alloy under creep-fatigue loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although RNA interference (RNAi) technology shows great potential in cancer treatment, the tumor target delivery and sufficient cytosolic transport of RNAi agents are still the main obstacles for its clinical applications. Herein, we report a functional supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticle vector for RNAi agent loading and tumor target therapy. Molecular block adamantane-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) (Ad-PEG) was modified with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific binding ligand GE11 or pH-sensitive fusogenic peptide GALA and then used for self-assembly with cyclodextrin-grafted branched polyethylenimine (CD-PEI), adamantane-grafted polyamidoamine dendrimer (Ad-PAMAM), and plasmid DNA containing a small hairpin RNA expression cassette against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into functional DNA-loaded supramolecular nanoparticles (GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs) based on molecular recognition and charge interaction. These functional peptides facilitated the target cell binding, internalization, and endosomal escape of GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs, resulting in increased reporter gene expression and efficient targeted gene silencing. The systemic delivery of the GE11&GALA-pshVEGF@SNPs can efficiently downregulate the intratumoral VEGF protein levels, reduce blood vessel formation, and significantly inhibit A549 xenograft tumor growth. These results reveal the potential of these multifunctional self-assembled nanoparticles as a nucleic acid drug delivery system for the treatment of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]