Search

Objective To explore the relationships among various influencing factors of cognitive function in elderly patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain of the elderly (CMPE) based on structural equation modeling. Methods From November 2023 to June 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to select 510 hospitalized CMPE patients at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University for a questionnaire survey. Multiple linear stepwise regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to analyze the influencing factors of cognitive function in CMPE patients. Results The average cognitive function score of the 510 CMPE patients was (24.84 ±3.792). The SEM analysis revealed that chronic disease status, age, depression, and pain scores had negative direct effects on cognitive function, with effect values of -0.422 (95%C7: -0.668 to -0.268), -0.357 (95%C7: -0.449 to -0.226), -0.146 (95%C7: -0.226 to -0.066), and -0.141 (95%C7: -0.239 to -0.084), respectively. Educational level and social support had positive direct effects on cognitive function, with effect values of 0.201 (95%C7: 0.179 to 0.313) and 0.148 (95%C7: 0.096 to 0.260). Among these, educational level, social support, and pain scores exhibited both direct and indirect effects on cognitive function, with total effect values of 0.243 (95%C7: 0.179 to 0.313), 0.175 (95%C7: 0.096 to 0.260), and -0.160 (95%C7: -0.239 to -0.084), respectively. Conclusion Cognitive function in CMPE patients requires improvement. Medical institutions should conduct cognitive screenings and interventions early to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and delay the onset of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shank family proteins are enriched at the postsynaptic density (PSD) of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. They serve as synaptic scaffolding proteins and appear to play a critical role in the formation, maintenance and functioning of synapse. Increasing evidence from genetic association and animal model studies indicates a connection of SHANK genes defects with the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we first update the current understanding of the SHANK family genes and their encoded protein products. We then denote the literature relating their alterations to the risk of neuropsychiatric diseases. We further review evidence from animal models that provided molecular insights into the biological as well as pathogenic roles of Shank proteins in synapses, and the potential relationship to the development of abnormal neurobehavioral phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is important for multiple cognitive functions. We sort to establish a minimal or non-invasive radiation approach to ablate AHN using guinea pigs as an animal model. 125I seeds with different radiation dosages (1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.3 mCi) were implanted unilaterally between the scalp and skull above the temporal lobe for 30 and 60 days, with the radiation effect on proliferating cells, immature neurons, and mature neurons in the hippocampal formation determined by assessment of immunolabeled (+) cells for Ki67, doublecortin (DCX), and neuron-specific nuclear antigen (NeuN), as well as Nissl stain cells. Spatially, the ablation effect of radiation occurred across the entire rostrocaudal and largely the dorsoventral dimensions of the hippocampus, evidenced by a loss of DCX+ cells in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of dentate gyrus (DG) in the ipsilateral relative to contralateral hemispheres in reference to the 125I seed implant. Quantitatively, Ki67+ and DCX+ cells at the SGZ in the dorsal hippocampus were reduced in all dosage groups at the two surviving time points, more significant in the ipsilateral than contralateral sides, relative to sham controls. NeuN+ neurons and Nissl-stained cells were reduced in the granule cell layer of DG and the stratum pyramidale of CA1 in the groups with 0.6-mCi radiation for 60 days and 1.0 mCi for 30 and 60 days. Minimal cranial trauma was observed in the groups with 0.3– 1.0-mCi radiation at 60 days. These results suggest that extracranial radiation with 125I seed implantation can be used to deplete HAN in a radioactivity-, duration-, and space-controllable manner, with a "non-invasive" stereotactic ablation achievable by using 125I seeds with relatively low radioactivity dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single crystals of two novel chiral tetranucleate copper(II)-based complexes (TNCu-A and TNCu-B) containing L -methioninol-derived Schiff-bases were obtained. Their single structures were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, infrared (IR) rays, elemental analysis, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. TNCu-A can effectively inhibit human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to form a tubular structure and it induces apoptosis of human triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and HUVECs in vitro in a mitochondria dependent manner. Moreover, in vivo TNCu-A can remarkably inhibit the growth of triple-negative breast cancer from which MDA-MB-231 cells were xenografted into severely immunodeficient nude mice by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by dramatically inhibiting the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and up-regulating the expressions of proapoptotic proteins caspase-9 and Bax, and simultaneously inhibiting tumor angiogenesis by decreasing the density of vascular endothelial cells and suppressing migration and even partially inducing apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shank3 is a postsynaptic scaffolding protein of excitatory synapses. Mutations or variations of SHANK3 are associated with various psychiatric and neurological disorders. We set to determine its normal expression pattern in the human brain, and its change, if any, with age and Alzheimer's disease (AD)-type β-amyloid (Aβ) and Tau pathogenesis. In general, Shank3 immunoreactivity (IR) exhibited largely a neuropil pattern with differential laminar/regional distribution across brain regions. In youth and adults, subsets of pyramidal/multipolar neurons in the cerebrum, striatum, and thalamus showed moderate IR, while some large-sized neurons in the brainstem and the granule cells in the cerebellar cortex exhibited light IR. In double immunofluorescence, Shank3 IR occurred at the sublemmal regions in neuronal somata and large dendrites, apposing to synaptophysin-labeled presynaptic terminals. In aged cases, immunolabeled neuronal somata were reduced, with disrupted neuropil labeling seen in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus in AD cases. In immunoblot, levels of Shank3 protein were positively correlated with that of the postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) among different brain regions. Levels of Shank3, PSD95, and synaptophysin immunoblotted in the prefrontal, precentral, and cerebellar cortical lysates were reduced in the aged and AD relative to youth and adult groups. Taken together, the differential Shank3 expression among brain structures/regions indicates the varied local density of the excitatory synapses. The enriched Shank3 expression in the forebrain subregions appears inconsistent with a role of this protein in the modulation of high cognitive functions. The decline of its expression in aged and AD brains may relate to the degeneration of excitatory synapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease transmitted from canines to humans and livestock. Periodic deworming is recommended by the WHO/OIE as a highly effective measure against echinococcosis. However, manual deworming involves significant challenges, particularly in remote areas with scarce resources. The insufficient awareness delivering praziquantel (PZQ) baits for dogs leads to low compliance rate. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a novel smart collar for dogs to address these challenges. We developed a smart Internet of Things (IoT)-based deworming collar which can deliver PZQ baits for dogs automatically, regularly, quantitatively with predominant characteristics of being waterproof, anti-collision, cold-proof and long life battery. Its performance was tested in two remote locations on the Tibetan Plateau. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the compliance of the dog owners. Further, a randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the difference between smart-collar deworming and manual deworming. The collar's effectiveness was further assessed on the basis of Generalized Estimation Equations (GEE). The testing and evaluation was done for 10 smart deworming collars in factory laboratory, 18 collars attached for 18 dogs in Seni district, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and 523 collars attached for 523 dogs in Hezuo city, Gansu province, China. The anti-collision, waterproof, and coldproof proportion of the smart collars were 100.0%, 99.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. When compared to manual deworming, the dogs' risk of infection with Echinococcus on smart-collar deworming is down to 0.182 times (95% CI: 0.049, 0.684) in Seni district and 0.355 (95%CI: 0.178, 0.706) in Hezuo city, the smart collar has a significant protective effect. The owners' overall compliance rate to attach the smart collars for their dogs was 89%. The smart deworming collar could effectively reduce the dogs' risk of infection with Echinococcus in dogs, significantly increase the deworming frequency and coverage and rapidly remove worm biomass in dogs. Thus, it may be a promising alternative to manual deworming, particularly in remote areas on the Tibetan Plateau. Author summary: Echinococcosis remains a critical but neglected zoonotic parasitic disease transmitted between canines and livestock or wild rodents. Dogs play a key role in Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) and E. multilocularis transmission, dual infection also occurs in dogs in co-endemic regions in China. The initial egg-production phase occurs over a span of 34–58 days (E. granulosus) or 28–35 days (E. multilocularis) following infection. The free-living eggs, voided with faeces of the definitive host, can withstand extreme weather conditions and remain viable for 240 days (E. granulosus) or 41 months (E. multilocularis) in the environment. Removal or reduction of the worm biomass in dogs will have the greatest and fastest effect in terms of reducing active transmission. In China, although significant efforts have been expended to achieve monthly manual deworming, the actual frequency and coverage thereof remain low; therefore, Echinococcus spp. is still highly prevalent among dogs. Moreover, echinococcosis transmission is still rampant, as the heavy disease burden suggests. We propose a novel, smart, Internet of Things (IoT)-based deworming tool that can deliver PZQ baits to dogs regularly and automatically. It could increase the deworming frequency and coverage significantly, reduce the risk of infection by down to 0.182–0.355 times, and prevent canine infections by removing the worm biomass in dogs rapidly. This deworming collar could also potentially prevent the transmission of echinococcosis from dogs to humans and livestock completely. It may be an excellent alternative to existing manual deworming methods, and the difficulties associated with performing deworming in remote areas with scarce resources can be overcome. Since the discovery of PZQ as the most effective antiworm drug, few breakthroughs have been achieved in terms of novel tools and technologies for the control of echinococcosis. Over the last 50 years, echinococcosis control measures have lagged to keep up with the World Health Organization (WHO) roadmap for the elimination of the disease owing to the practical difficulties in remote areas with scarce resources as well as the lack of promotion of new technologies. We expect the proposed smart deworming collar to herald the development of more innovative technologies for controlling echinococcosis by accelerating the elimination of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild apple Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem. (Rosales: Rosaceae), the ancestor of cultivated apples, is widely distributed in Central Asia and is recognized as an important germplasm bank. Recently, the invasive pest Agrilus mali Matsumura (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), originally distributed in eastern Asia, has damaged endemic apple forests in the Yili River valley, Xinjiang, China, and has spread rapidly, infesting more than 80% of wild apple trees in this region.We investigated the life‐history traits and native natural enemies in the recently invaded range during 2016 and 2017. Agrilus mali has a univoltine life cycle and overwinters as young larvae in galleries in the cambium. Adults emerged from early June to mid‐August and their density peaked in mid‐July.Several native natural enemies were identified from Agrilus mali larvae, including Atanycolus denigrator (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), the mite Pyemotes moseri Yu et Liang (Acari: Pyemotidae) and fungal entomopathogens.Combined, these natural enemies were responsible for mortality rates ranging from 20% to 80% during the summer and autumn. The most abundant and important natural enemy was A. denigrator, which was responsible for up to 15% mortality of A. mali.The results of the present study suggest that augmentation and conservation of A. denigrator and P. moseri should be considered with respect to biological control against this devastating pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single crystals of two novel mixed-ligand copper(ii)-based complexes were obtained and characterized. These complexes can remarkably induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation, suppress migration and metastasis, and inhibit angiogenesis to inhibit the growth of cervical cancer by down-regulating the expressions of the important proteins FAK, Akt and Erk1/2 or their phosphorylated proteins p-FAK, p-Akt, and p-Erk1/2 downstream of the VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroimmunological disorder characterized by central nervous system demyelination, axonal injury and loss. Considering the complexity of its aetiopathogenesis, early diagnosis of MS and individualized management are challenging in clinical practice. As the pathophysiologic and pharmacological indicators, studies on biomarkers in MS are useful for early prediction and diagnosis, monitoring of disease activity and predicting treatment response. In this review, we will summarize recent development of biomarker studies in MS from protein molecules to noncoding RNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability evaluation of the process of water abstraction, distribution, and use for irrigation can contribute to the policy of decision making in irrigation development. Emergy theory and method are used to evaluate a pumping irrigation district in China. A corresponding framework for its emergy evaluation is proposed. Its emergy evaluation shows that water is the major component of inputs into the irrigation water production and utilization systems (24.7% and 47.9% of the total inputs, resp.) and that the transformities of irrigation water and rice as the systems' products (1.72E + 05 sej/J and 1.42E + 05 sej/J, resp.; sej/J = solar emjoules per joule) represent their different emergy efficiencies. The irrigated agriculture production subsystem has a higher sustainability than the irrigation water production subsystem and the integrated production system, according to several emergy indices: renewability ratio (%R), emergy yield ratio (EYR), emergy investment ratio (EIR), environmental load ratio (ELR), and environmental sustainability index (ESI). The results show that the performance of this irrigation district could be further improved by increasing the utilization efficiencies of the main inputs in both the production and utilization process of irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]