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Aim: To explore the actual experience of psychological distress of adult women of reproductive age at different stages after breast cancer diagnosis. Design: Qualitative. Methods: Eighty‐one patients with breast cancer‐related distress thermometer scores >4 were selected using a purposive sampling method. Patients were divided into newly diagnosed and 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, 9‐ and 12‐month groups according to time since diagnosis and then interviewed. A phenomenological approach was adopted to analyse interview content, and different themes were extracted. Results: Women exhibited different levels of psychological distress depending on the time since diagnosis, with newly diagnosed patients showing the highest distress. Within 1 year post‐diagnosis, different events caused patients distress. Themes extracted at new diagnosis and 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, 9‐ and 12 months post‐diagnosis included sadness and disbelief, loss of control, optimistic but concerned, physical and mental exhaustion, difficulties returning to society and limited sexual intimacy, respectively; all groups expressed reproductive concerns. Conclusion: Clinical nurses should focus on different psychologically distressing events to provide targeted interventions at distinct phases. For women of childbearing age, clinical nurses should pay particular attention to patients' marriage and reproductive concerns. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: During the year after a breast cancer diagnosis, patients of childbearing age experience events that cause psychological distress that differ depending on time since diagnosis. Nurses should focus on core stressful events and perform specific nursing interventions. Impact: To provide holistic care, nurses should consider the psychological and emotional changes patients may undergo. For women of childbearing age, clinical nurses should pay particular attention to patients' marriage and fertility concerns, and be able to provide evidence‐based professional guidance on reproductive preservation techniques. Reporting Method: The study was reported using the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: Patients contributed to data collection through interviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a prevalent metabolic bone disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microstructure. Despite the high prevalence of this disease, no effective treatment for osteoporosis has been developed. Exercise has long been considered a potent anabolic factor that promotes bone mass via upregulation of myokines secreted by skeletal muscle, exerting long‐term osteoprotective effects and few side effects. Irisin was recently identified as a novel myokine that is significantly upregulated by exercise and could increase bone mass. However, the mechanisms underlying exercise‐induced muscle‐bone crosstalk remain unclear. Here, we identified that polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) are increased in skeletal muscles following a 10‐week treadmill exercise programme, which then promotes the expression and release of FNDC5/irisin. In osteoblasts, irisin binds directly to Cav1, which recruits and interacts with AMP‐activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) to activate the AMPK pathway. Nrf2 is the downstream target of the AMPK pathway and increases the transcription of HMOX1 and Fpn. HMOX1 is involved in regulating the cell cycle and promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts. Moreover, upregulation of Fpn in osteoblasts enhanced iron removal, thereby suppressing ferroptosis in osteoblasts. Additionally, we confirmed that myotube‐derived exosomes are involved in the transportation of irisin and enter osteoblasts through caveolae‐mediated endocytosis. In conclusion, our findings highlight the crucial role of irisin, present in myotube‐derived exosomes, as a crucial regulator of exercise‐induced protective effects on bone, which provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying exercise‐dependent treatment of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have numerous applications in the field of carbon nanomaterials. However, the associated toxicity concerns have increased significantly because of their widespread use. The inhalation of MWCNTs can lead to nanoparticle deposition in the lung tissue, causing inflammation and health risks. In this study, celastrol, a natural plant medicine with potent anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reduced the number of inflammatory cells, including white blood cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, and levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, in mice lungs exposed to MWCNTs. Moreover, celastrol inhibited the activation of the NF-κB-signaling pathway. This study confirmed these findings by demonstrating comparable reductions in inflammation upon exposure to MWCNTs in mice with the deletion of NF-κB (P50−/−). These results indicate the utility of celastrol as a promising pharmacological agent for preventing MWCNT-induced lung tissue inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weight of the breasts affects women's center of gravity; thus, the loss of a unilateral breast directly causes a change in body posture when a patient undergoes unilateral modified radical mastectomy. This study examined the effects of an external prosthesis (EP), immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), and body shape training (BST) on body posture, body image, and quality of life in patients with breast cancer with unilateral mastectomy through an 18-month follow-up. Of 810 individuals screened for eligibility, 722 were enrolled and randomly assigned into three comparison groups (EP [n = 157] vs. IBR [n = 157]; EP [n = 143] vs. BST [n = 143]; IBR [n = 61] vs. BST [n = 61]). IBR was superior to EP and BST, with the smallest trend of changes in body posture, the least body image distress, and a higher quality of life. EP was superior to BST, with the smallest trend of changes in body posture, the least body image distress, and a higher quality of life. IBR can effectively maintain body posture and improve body image, thereby reducing body image distress and improving quality of life. It is the best choice for breast cancer patients with unilateral mastectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HMOs (Human milk oligosaccharide) has an impact on maternal and infant health. Colostrum samples of 70 breastfeeding women in China were collected and recorded clinical characteristics. The major oligosaccharides and microbiota were quantitated in colostrum. The concentration of fucosylated HMOs in primipara was higher than that of multipara (p = 0.030). The concentration of N-acetylated HMOs in vaginal delivery milk was less than that of cesarean (p = 0.038). Non-fucosylated HMOs of breastfeeding women were less than that of breast pump (p = 0.038). Meanwhile, the concentration of LNT was positively correlated with Lactobacillus (r = 0.250, p = 0.037). DS-LNT was negatively correlated with Staphylococcus (r = – 0.240, p = 0.045). There was a positive correlation of Streptococcus with LNFP II (r = 0.314, p = 0.011) and 3-SL (r = 0.322, p = 0.009). In addition, there was a negative correlation between 2'-FL and 3-FL (r = – 0.465, p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between LNT and LNnT (r = 0.778, p = 0.001). Therefore, the concentration of HMOs is related to number of deliveries, delivery mode, lactation mode and perinatal antibiotic. The concentration of HMOs is related to Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Streptococcus in colostrum. In addition, there are connections between different oligosaccharides in content. The study protocol was also registered in the ClinicalTrails.gov (ChiCTR2200064454) (Oct. 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaplasma capra is an emerging tickborne human pathogen initially recognized in China in 2015; it has been reported in ticks and in a wide range of domestic and wild animals worldwide. We describe whole-genome sequences of 2 A. capra strains from metagenomic sequencing of purified erythrocytes from infected goats in China. The genome of A. capra was the smallest among members of the genus Anaplasma. The genomes of the 2 A. capra strains contained comparable G+C content and numbers of pseudogenes with intraerythrocytic Anaplasma species. The 2 A. capra strains had 54 unique genes. The prevalence of A. capra was high among goats in the 2 endemic areas. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the A. capra strains detected in this study were basically classified into 2 subclusters with those previously detected in Asia. Our findings clarify details of the genomic characteristics of A. capra and shed light on its genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The mechanistic basis by which boron (B) deprivation inhibits root growth via the mediation of root apical auxin transport and distribution remains elusive. This study showed that B deprivation repressed root growth of wild‐type Arabidopsis seedlings, which was related to higher auxin accumulation (observed with DII‐VENUS and DR5‐GFP lines) in B‐deprived roots. Boron deprivation elevated the auxin content in the root apex, coinciding with upregulation of the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis‐related genes (TAA1, YUC3, YUC9, and NIT1) in shoots, but not in root apices. Phenotyping experiments using auxin transport‐related mutants revealed that the PIN2/3/4 carriers are involved in root growth inhibition caused by B deprivation. B deprivation not only upregulated the transcriptional levels of PIN2/3/4, but also restrained the endocytosis of PIN2/3/4 carriers (observed with PIN‐Dendra2 lines), resulting in elevated protein levels of PIN2/3/4 in the plasma membrane. Overall, these results suggest that B deprivation not only enhances auxin biosynthesis in shoots by elevating the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis‐related genes but also promotes the polar auxin transport from shoots to roots by upregulating the gene expression levels of PIN2/3/4, as well as restraining the endocytosis of PIN2/3/4 carriers, ultimately resulting in auxin accumulation in root apices and root growth inhibition. Significance Statement: While boron (B) deprivation‐induced root growth inhibition is causally associated with auxin accumulation and transport, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This work showed that enhanced auxin biosynthesis resulting from upregulation of the expression levels of auxin biosynthesis‐related genes in shoots and increased protein levels of PIN2/3/4 carriers in the plasma membrane mediated by increased transcript levels of PIN2/3/4 genes in roots combined with restrained endocytosis of PIN2/3/4 carriers result in auxin overaccumulation in root apices and consequently root growth inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the value of mixed reality (MR) in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer. Methods: A total of 300 patients with breast cancer who underwent SLNB enrolled and were randomly divided into two groups. In group A, only dye (an injection of methylene blue) was used to detect sentinel lymph nodes, while in group B MR was used for positioning in addition to dye. (MR localization method: Before the surgery, we built a 1:1 3D reconstruction model based on the patient's CT or MRI original data, and after the patient was injected with dye, we completed MR localization by overlapping the pre-marked image with the model.) Results: During surgery, the detection time in group B was significantly shorter than in group A (3.62 ± 1.20 vs.7.87 ± 1.86; p < 0.001). At 1-month post-surgery follow-up, the incidence of pain in group B was lower than that in group A (2.70 vs. 8.28%, p = 0.036). The incidence of upper limb dysfunction was lower in group B than in group A (2.03 vs. 8.97%, p = 0.009). In terms of the incidence of pain, group B was better than group A (0.68 vs. 3.45%, p = 0.094). The satisfaction of the two groups was scored, and the results showed that group B was better than group A (4.04 ± 0.91 vs.3.32 ± 0.94, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The application of MR to SLNB in breast cancer can significantly reduce the detection time and the occurrence of complications and improve patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universal anxiety questionnaires such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety are widely used to measure preoperative anxiety. There is currently major interest in developing a surgery-specific preoperative anxiety assessment tool. This study aimed to develop and validate a preoperative anxiety scale for breast cancer patients. Based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews, a draft assessment scale was constructed. The scale was revised after two rounds of Delphi consultations, and a pilot test was performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. The final scale consisted of 33 items and a global rating score with an item-level content validity of 0.765–0.941. The scale-level content validity was 0.964. Exploratory factor analysis identified four principal factors, and the cumulative contribution of variance was 62.49%. The load value of the common factors of each item was > 0.5. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a chi-square test of the goodness of fit (휒2/df) = 1.617. The root mean square error of approximation was 0.042, the goodness of fit index was 0.886, the comparative fit index was 0.956, and the normal fit index was 0.894. The total and dimension scores were positively correlated (r = 0.513–0.767, p < 0.001) with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety scores. The scale developed in this study has good reliability and validity and can be easily used to objectively assess preoperative anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Our previous study revealed that micronised bamboo powder (MBP) can promote the growth performance of broilers aged 1-22 days by improving oxidation resistance, balancing intestinal microflora and regulating metabolic pathways. Aims. This study evaluates the effects of MBP on growth performance, intestinal development, caecal chyme microflora and metabolic pathways of broilers during the grower period, age 24-45 days. Methods. Slow-growing spotted-brown broilers (n = 880, age 24 days) were randomly divided into two groups according to weight and sex and fed either a maize-based diet (control) or a diet with MBP at 1% replacing equivalent maize. Key results. No significant difference was observed in growth performance between MBP and control groups. Broilers receiving MBP exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) caecal organ index, jejunum villus height and villi:crypt ratio. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was higher, and relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was lower in the MBP group. Addition of MBP also significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated abundance of p_Firmicutes, f_Alicyclobacillaceae, g_Acutalibacter, f_Peptococcaceae, f_Clostridiaceae, f_Bacillaceae, g_Enterococcus and f_Enterococcaceae, while downregulating abundance of p_Bacteroidetes, f_Bacteroidaceae, g_Bacteroides, o_Bacteroidales and c_Bacteroidia. For the metabolic pathways, 66 were observed to differ between dietary groups, including alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid metabolism, butyric acid metabolism, arginine synthesis, linoleic acid metabolism and ^-alanine metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed that Firmicutes in caecal chyme were significantly positively correlated (P < 0.05) with some fatty acids including syringic, 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic and butyric acids. Bacteroidetes were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with some amino acids including L-alanine, L-threonine, 3-methylthiopropionic acid and L-glutamic acid. Conclusions. Replacing maize with MBP at 1% had no negative effect on growth performance of broilers. Feeding MBP improved intestinal development and increased the relative abundance of bacteria that promotes fatty acid metabolism and fibre degradation. Implications. MBP provides an alternative to maize and is a beneficial source of fibre; further research is warranted to determine the optimum feeding level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the subtype of breast cancer with the worst prognosis, and it is highly heterogeneous. There is growing evidence that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a crucial role in tumor development, maintenance, and treatment responses. Notably however, the full effects of the TIME on prognosis, TIME characteristics, and immunotherapy responses in TNBC patients have not been fully elucidated. Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas data were used to data analysis. Single‐cell sequencing and tissue microarray analysis were used to investigate gene expression. The concentrations and distributions of immune cell types were determined and analyzed using the CIBERSORT strategy. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score and the IMvigor210 cohort were used to estimate the sensitivity of TNBC patients with different prognostic statuses to immune checkpoint treatment. Results: Five immune‐related genes associated with TNBC prognosis (IL6ST, NR2F1, CKLF, TCF7L2, and HSPA2) was identified and a prognostic evaluation model was constructed based on those genes. The respective areas under the curve of the prognostic nomogram model at 3 and 5 years were 0.791 and 0.859. The group with a lower nomogram score, with a better prognosis survival status and clinical treatment benefit rate. Conclusion: A prognostic model for TNBC that was closely related to the immune landscape and therapeutic responses was constructed. This model may help clinicians to make more precise and personalized treatment decisions pertaining to TNBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how family resilience and individual resilience reduce perceived stress and psychological distress in young female breast cancer survivors with fertility intention. Methods: From June 2020 to June 2021, female breast cancer survivors were selected from the cancer centers of 10 tertiary Level A general hospitals in five cities of Sichuan Province. The survivors completed the Chinese versions of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a self-report distress thermometer. A multiple mediation effects test and structural equation modeling were used to explore the relationships among family resilience, individual resilience, perceived stress, and psychological distress. Results: The direct effect of family resilience on perceived stress was β = -0.320 (95% confidence interval -0.365, -0.271, P < 0.01). The direct effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.263 (95% confidence interval -0.363, -0.153, P < 0.001). The direct effect of family resilience on individual resilience was β = 0.593 (95% confidence interval 0.542–0.640, P < 0.001). The indirect effect of family resilience on psychological distress was β = -0.322 (95% confidence interval -0.373, -0.274, P < 0.001). Both perceived stress and individual resilience mediated the relationship between family resilience and psychological distress. Furthermore, a partial mediating effect of perceived stress and individual resilience on family resilience and psychological distress was observed. Conclusion: Young female breast cancer survivors in China experience moderate levels of psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: This study examines the effects of family beliefs and family strength on individual resilience and quality of life among young breast cancer survivors and determines whether family strength mediates the effect of family beliefs on individual resilience and quality of life. Background: Family beliefs and family strength are meaningful protective factors that help individuals maintain physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored their impact on individual resilience and quality of life. Design: This study was conducted using a cross‐sectional survey with a three‐stage, stratified, convenience sampling approach following the STROBE guideline. Methods: From August 2020 to May 2021, participants completed the shortened Chinese version of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Chinese version of the Family Beliefs Scale, the Family Strength Scale and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Breast scale. Structural equation modelling and multiple mediation effects test were used to explore the relationships among family beliefs, family strength, individual resilience and quality of life. Results: The final model accounted for 44.5% and 78.1% of the total variance of individual resilience and quality of life, respectively. Family beliefs had an indirect effect on both individual resilience and quality of life through family strength. Family strength had a direct effect on individual resilience and had both a direct and an indirect effect on quality of life. Family strength mediated the correlations of family beliefs with individual resilience and quality of life. Conclusion: Mobilising family resources to establish healthy family beliefs and exert positive family strength will help increase young breast cancer survivors' individual resilience and improve quality of life. Relevance to clinical practice: This study confirms the importance for clinical nursing practice to mobilise family resources and develop interventions centred on family beliefs and family strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The supply of boron (B) alleviates the toxic effects of aluminum (Al) on root growth; however, the mechanistic basis of this process remains elusive. This study filled this knowledge gap, demonstrating that boron modifies auxin distribution and transport in Al‐exposed Arabidopsis roots. In B‐deprived roots, treatment with Al induced an increase in auxin content in the root apical meristem zone (MZ) and transition zone (TZ), whereas in the elongation zone (EZ) the auxin content was decreased beyond the level required for adequate growth. These distribution patterns are explained by the fact that basipetal auxin transport from the TZ to the EZ was disrupted by Al‐inhibited PIN‐FORMED 2 (PIN2) endocytosis. Experiments involving the modulation of protein biosynthesis by cycloheximide (CHX) and transcriptional regulation by cordycepin (COR) demonstrated that the Al‐induced increase of PIN2 membrane proteins was dependent upon the inhibition of PIN2 endocytosis, rather than on the transcriptional regulation of the PIN2 gene. Experiments reporting on the profiling of Al3+ and PIN2 proteins revealed that the inhibition of endocytosis of PIN2 proteins was the result of Al‐induced limitation of the fluidity of the plasma membrane. The supply of B mediated the turnover of PIN2 endosomes conjugated with indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and thus restored the Al‐induced inhibition of IAA transport through the TZ to the EZ. Overall, the reported results demonstrate that boron supply mediates PIN2 endosome‐based auxin transport to alleviate Al toxicity in plant roots. Significance Statement: Aluminum toxicity and boron deficiency are limiting factors for agricultural production in acid soils, which make up almost half of the world's arable land. Boron fertilization alleviates aluminum toxicity but the mechanism remains unclear. The study shows that boron supply releases aluminum‐induced root growth arrest by facilitating endosome‐based polar auxin transport via PIN2 polar localization in the upper half of the plasma membrane (shootward). We provide solid support for boron fertilizer in remediating aluminum toxicity in acid soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bees use a complex form of spatial referential communication. Their “waggle dance” communicates the direction, distance, and quality of a resource to nestmates by encoding celestial cues, retinal optic flow, and relative food value into motion and sound within the nest. We show that correct waggle dancing requires social learning. Bees without the opportunity to follow any dances before they first danced produced significantly more disordered dances with larger waggle angle divergence errors and encoded distance incorrectly. The former deficit improved with experience, but distance encoding was set for life. The first dances of bees that could follow other dancers showed neither impairment. Social learning, therefore, shapes honey bee signaling, as it does communication in human infants, birds, and multiple other vertebrate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The association between nonstenotic plaque at the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) remains unknown. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of a larger build‐up of petrous plaque is more prevalent in the ipsilateral versus the contralateral side among ESUS patients without plaque in the intracranial and proximal ICA. Methods: From a total of 243 patients with ESUS and 160 patients with small‐vessel disease (SVD) without proximal ICA plaque, we enrolled 88 ESUS and 103 SVD patients without ipsilateral nonstenotic intracranial and proximal ICA plaque in the present study. Targeting the petrous segment of the ICA on two sides, plaque burden including plaque thickness, lumen area, vessel area, wall area, and percentage of luminal stenosis, and composition features (presence/absence of the ruptured fibrous cap, ulcer plaque, thrombus, discontinuity of plaque surface [DPS], intraplaque hemorrhage and complicated plaque) were assessed by high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Results: We found a higher prevalence of petrous plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm ipsilateral versus contralateral to the stroke (25/88 [28.4%] vs. 12/88 [13.6%], odds ratio [OR] 3.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–9.70), but this imbalance was not seen in SVD. In patients with plaque thickness ≥3.5 mm, the presence of DPS (OR 4.05, 95% CI 1.11–14.78) and complicated plaque (OR 5.00, 95% CI 1.10–22.82) was more closely related to an index ESUS, a finding that was not evident in the subgroup with petrous plaque <3.5 mm (p for interaction = 0.027). Conclusions: The present study provided the first evidence supporting a potential etiological role of vulnerable petrous plaque in ESUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate an association between percentage lipid‐rich necrotic core (LRNC) and an index ischemic stroke in an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) cohort. Methods: A total of 167 ESUS patients with 259 non‐stenotic intracranial plaques including 155 ipsilateral and 104 contralateral to stroke were finally enrolled in the current analysis. The multi‐dimensional parameters involving remodeling index (RI), plaque burden (PB), LRNC, discontinuity of plaque surface (DPS), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and vulnerable plaque defined as presence of complicated plaque were evaluated by high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Results: We found that %LRNC was an independent predictor for ESUS in model 1 (OR: 2.574, 95% CI: 1.854–3.573, P < 0.001), and model 2 (OR: 2.550, 95% CI: 1.835–3.545, P < 0.001), but the association was not seen in PB. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the discrimination of LRNC for ESUS was significantly superior to that of PB (absolute difference: 0.121, 95% CI: 0.056–0.205, P < 0.001). Importantly, a significantly positive synergy between the remodeling pattern and LRNC in response to plaque vulnerability was found by Sankey diagram (P for interaction = 0.001). Conclusion: This is the first report that LRNC, beyond PB, may be correlated with an index ESUS, and a synergistic effect between positive remodeling and larger LRNC could promote plaque vulnerability. The findings suggest that a potential target subgroup may benefit from stroke prevention with intensive statin, although this must be confirmed in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: In this experiment, a ZnO-fibre complex was prepared using the hydrothermal methods of "water solubility," "coupling agent," and "high temperature and high pressure". Binding rate, antibacterial activity, microstructure, and the infrared spectrum were measured using biomimetic digestion, bacterial proliferation tests, and ultra-fine electron microscopes. At first, ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different ratios of material and water. They was divided into five groups with ratios of 1:0, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8, and 1:10, respectively. The ZnO-fibre complexes were prepared with different coupling agents on the basis of experiment 1. They were divided into four groups. The ratio for material and water in the control group was 1:0, and in the treatment group, was 1:4. Treatment groups 2 and 3 had 10% guar gum or 10% bamboo fibre polymer composites (BFP) added on the basis of group 1. A ZnO-fibre complex was successfully prepared by adding 10% BFP at a ratio of material:water of 1:4, at a high temperature of 120 °C and a high pressure of 0.3 MPa for 20 min. The ZnO-binding rate reached 99.05%. The zinc oxide may bind to the carbonyl group of bamboo powder and adhere to the surface of and gaps in the bamboo fibre. The growth inhibition rate of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus was double that of the common ZnO additive and Zn concentration. It is expected to be used as a slowrelease ZnO additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the status of spouses' burdens of caring for breast cancer survivors and explore the relationships between social support, family resilience, breast cancer survivors' individual resilience, and caregiver burden.Methods: A cross-sectional study on 315 young and middle-aged breast cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers was conducted at eight comprehensive Southwest China hospitals. The caregivers completed the Chinese Version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, while breast cancer survivors completed the shortened Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the relationships among social support, family resilience, survivors' individual resilience, and caregiver burden.Results: Caregiver burden (45.76 ± 14.66) was found to be severe. Social support, family resilience, and individual resilience were significantly negatively associated with caregiver burden (β =  - 0.421, P < 0.001; β =  - 0.208, P < 0.001; and β =  - 0.444, P < 0.001, respectively). Individual resilience not only partially mediated the relationship between family resilience and caregiver burden (b =  - 0.052; 95% confidence interval, - 0.110, - 0.018), but also partially mediated the relationship between support and caregiver burden (b =  - 0.045; 95% confidence interval, - 0.102, - 0.011).Conclusions: The findings suggest that higher social support, family resilience, and individual resilience tend to ease caregivers' burden. Healthcare workers should have an in-depth understanding of the care needs of survivors, actively contact social security departments and social organizations to provide financial, technical, and emotional support, and provide family-based care-skills training and psychological counseling to reduce spousal caregivers' burdens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The aim was to investigate the characteristics of non‐stenotic intracranial plaque (NSIP) in embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) subtypes by high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Consecutive patients with ESUS who were mandatory for high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively enrolled. Based on the location and arterial supply of the infarct, the ESUS were categorized into three types: cortical ESUS, subcortical ESUS and mixed ESUS. The NSIP parameters including plaque location, morphology (plaque distribution, remodeling index and plaque burden) and composition (thick fibrous cap, discontinuity of plaque surface, intraplaque hemorrhage and complicated plaque) were evaluated amongst the subtypes. Results: Of 243 patients, there were 87 (35.8%) cortical ESUS, 127 (52.3%) subcortical ESUS and 29 (11.9%) mixed ESUS. Significant differences were found in plaque location (p < 0.001), plaque quadrant (p < 0.001), remodeling index (p < 0.001), plaque burden (p < 0.001), discontinuity of plaque surface (p < 0.001), intraplaque hemorrhage (p = 0.001) and complicated plaque (p < 0.001) of ipsilateral NISP amongst the different ESUS subtypes, except for fibrous cap (p = 0.135). However, no differences were found amongst contralateral NISP. In addition, the clinical characteristics of the differences between ESUS subtypes were striking, including age (p = 0.004), initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.039), serum urea (p = 0.011) and creatinine (p = 0.002). Conclusion: This is the first report of significantly heterogeneous characteristics of ipsilateral NSIP and clinical findings amongst ESUS subtypes, which may suggest their different underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brain-computer interface (BCI) translates a user's thoughts such as motor imagery (MI) into the control of external devices. However, some people, who are defined as BCI illiteracy, cannot control BCI effectively. The main characteristics of BCI illiterate subjects are low classification rates and poor repeatability. To address the problem of MI-BCI illiteracy, we propose a distribution adaptation method based on multi-kernel learning to make the distribution of features between the source domain and target domain become even closer to each other, while the divisibility of categories is maximized. Inspired by the kernel trick, we adopted a multiple-kernel-based extreme learning machine to train the labeled source-domain data to find a new high-dimensional subspace that maximizes data divisibility, and then use multiple-kernel-based maximum mean discrepancy to conduct distribution adaptation to eliminate the difference in feature distribution between domains in the new subspace. In light of the high dimension of features of MI-BCI illiteracy, random forest, which can effectively handle high-dimensional features without additional cross-validation, was employed as a classifier. The proposed method was validated on an open dataset. The experimental results show that that the method we proposed suits MI-BCI illiteracy and can reduce the inter-domain differences, resulting in a reduction in the performance degradation of both cross-subjects and cross-sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: GDF15 may be a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. In this analysis, we aimed to quantitative analysis the levels of GDF15 in patients with neurological diseases and in health control, and then to determine its potential diagnostic utility. Methods: Two researchers separately conducted a systematic search of the relevant studies up to January 2021 in Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science. Effect sizes were estimated to use the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by the summary receiver operating characteristics curve (SROC) method. The sensitivity analysis was performed by the "one‐in/one‐out" approach. Considering the considerable heterogeneity among studies, random‐effects model was used for the meta‐analysis investigation. Results: A total of eight articles were included in this meta‐analysis and systematic review. The pooled results of the random effect model indicated GDF15 levels were significantly higher in patients with neurodegenerative disease than healthy people (SMD = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.44–1.40, Z = 3.75, p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of biomarker of GDF15 were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.75–0.97), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.67–0.65), and AUC = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90), respectively. Conclusions: GDF15 levels were higher in patients with neurodegenerative disease than healthy people. And serum levels of GDF15 were a better marker for diagnostic utility of neurodegenerative disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Improvement of ewe reproduction is considerable by appropriately increasing litter size and sustaining non‐seasonal breeding. However, their genetic makeups have not been entirely elucidated. Genome‐wide analyses of 821 individuals were performed by combining three genomic approaches (genome‐wide association study, XP‐nSL, and runs of homozygosity). Consequently, 35 candidate genes including three domestication genes (TSHR, GTF2A1, and KITLG) were identified. Other than the FecB mutation at BMPR1B, we described a significant association of a missense mutation rs406686139 at seasonal lambing‐associated TSHR gene with litter size. Some promising novel genes may be relevant for sheep reproduction by multitude biological processes, such as FETUB functioning in fertilization, HNRNPA1 in oogenesis, DCUN1D1 in spermatogenesis, and HRG in fertility outcome. The present study suggests that improvement of ewe reproduction is attributed to selective breeding, and casts light on the genetic basis and improvement of sheep reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have compared the etiology and clinical features between pure lateral medullary infarction (LMI) and pure medial medullary infarction (MMI). Methods: All patients included were hospitalized at The First Affiliated Hospital and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2015 to July 2020. Their risk factors, clinical manifestation, stroke mechanisms and short‐term prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among the 387 patients enrolled, 266 (68.7%) had LMI, 109 (28.2%) had MMI, and 12 (3.1%) (nine men and three women) had LMI plus MMI. We analyzed the 375 patients of LMI and MMI. The average ages of LMI and MMI were 59.4 years and 62.69 years, respectively. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the existing risk factors of MMI relative to LMI. Prior infarction, poor glycemic control, and atherosclerosis were more frequently associated with MMI than with LMI. The clinical manifestation was significantly different between LMI and MMI. We used modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score as the short‐term prognostic evaluation criteria, and MMI appeared worse than LMI. Conclusions: This study reveals that: (1) patients with MMI are older than those with LMI; (2) prior infarction, poor glycemic control, and atherosclerosis are independent risk factors of MMI than that of LMI; (3) the clinical manifestations of LMI and MMI are heterogeneous; (4) short‐term prognosis of MMI is worse than LMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four types of metal-organic structures exhibiting specific dimensionality were studied using scanning tunneling microscopy and Monte Carlo simulations. The four structures were self-assembled out of specifically designed molecular building blocks via the same coordination motif on an Au(111) surface. We found that the four structures behaved differently in response to thermal annealing treatments: The two-dimensional structure was under thermodynamic control while the structures of lower dimension were under kinetic control. Monte Carlo simulations revealed that the self-assembly pathways of the four structures are associated with the characteristic features of their specific heat. These findings provide insights into how the dimensionality of supramolecular coordination structures affects their thermodynamic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have indicated that FLT3 , NLRP5 , and TGIF1 play a pivotal role in sheep fecundity. Nevertheless, little is known about the association of the polymorphisms of these genes with litter size (LS). In this study, the selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using a Sequenom MassARRAY® platform, and the distribution of different genotypes of the SNPs in the seven sheep breeds (Small-tailed Han, Hu, Cele Black, Suffolk, Tan, Prairie Tibetan, and Sunite sheep) were analyzed. The reliability of the estimated allele frequency for all seven SNPs was at least 0.9545. Given the association of the TGIF1 g.37866222C > T polymorphism with LS in Small-tailed Han sheep (p<0.05), fecundity differences might be caused by the change in amino acid from proline (Pro) to serine (Ser), which has an impact on secondary, tertiary protein structures with concomitant TGIF1 functionality changes. The FLT3 rs421947730 locus has a great effect on the LS (p<0.05), indicating that the locus of FLT3 in synergy with KILTG is likely to facilitate ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation. Moreover, NLRP5 rs426897754 is associated with the LS of the second and third parities (p<0.05). We speculate that a synonymous variant of NLRP5 may be involved in folliculogenesis accompanied by BMP15, FSHR, BMPR1B, AMH, and GDF9, resulting in the different fecundity of Small-tailed Han sheep. Our studies provide valuable genetic markers for sheep breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Toll‐like receptor (TLR) family acts as a bridge connecting innate and acquired immunity. TLR10 remains one of the least understood members of this family. Some studies have examined TLR10 ligands, dimerization of TLR10 with other TLRs, and downstream signalling pathways and functions, but they have often arrived at conflicting conclusions. TLR10 can induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines by forming homodimers with itself or heterodimers with TLR1 or other TLRs, but it can also inhibit proinflammatory responses when co‐expressed with TLR2 or potentially other TLRs. Mutations in the Toll/Interleukin 1 receptor (TIR) domain of TLR10 alter its signalling activity. Polymorphisms in the TLR10 gene can change the balance between pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory responses and hence modulate the susceptibility to infection and autoimmune diseases. Understanding the full range of TLR10 ligands and functions may allow the receptor to be exploited as a therapeutic target in inflammation‐ or immune‐related diseases. Here, we summarize recent findings on the pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory roles of TLR10 and the molecular pathways in which it is implicated. Our goal is to pave the way for future studies of the only orphan TLR thought to have strong potential as a target in the treatment of inflammation‐related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies investigated the potential mechanism of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) from extracranial artery plaque, but there has been no study other than a case report on high-risk intracranial plaque in ESUS.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the issue by evaluating the morphology and composition of intracranial plaque in patients with ESUS and small-vessel disease (SVD) using 3.0-T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.Methods: Two hundred forty-three consecutive patients with ESUS and 160 patients with SVD-associated stroke between January 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Multidimensional parameters involving the presence of plaque on both sides, including remodeling index (RI), plaque burden, presence of discontinuity of plaque surface, thick fibrous cap, intraplaque hemorrhage, and complicated American Heart Association type VI plaque at the maximal luminal narrowing site, were evaluated using intracranial high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Among 243 patients with ESUS, the prevalence of intracranial plaque was much higher in the ipsilateral than the contralateral side (63.8% vs. 42.8%; odds ratio [OR]: 5.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.83 to 9.73), a finding that was not evident in patients with SVD (35.6% vs. 30.6%; OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 0.87 to 5.26; p = 0.134). Logistic analysis showed that RI was independently associated with ESUS in model 1 (OR: 2.329; 95% CI: 1.686 to 3.217; p < 0.001) and model 2 (OR: 2.295; 95% CI: 1.661 to 3.172; p < 0.001). RI alone with an optimal cutoff of 1.162, corresponding to an area under the curve of 0.740, had good diagnostic efficiency for ESUS.Conclusions: The present study supports an etiologic role of high-risk nonstenotic intracranial plaque in ESUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Characterization results show that NiO-TiO 2 heterojunction was formed. • NiO-TiO 2 heterojunction achieves a single response when H 2 and CO coexist. • NiO-TiO 2 heterojunction model was constructed by first-principle calculations. • The gas selectivity mechanism is explained in detail at the nanoscale. Utilizing p-n composite material to fabricate metal-oxide semiconductors (MOSs) gas sensors is a promising strategy to achieve ultrahigh selectivity detection of reducing gases, such as H 2 and CO. This work utilized a facile doping method to synthesize p-NiO/n-xTiO 2 nanoparticles with p-n heterojunction. The p-NiO/n-1.0TiO 2 nanoparticles annealed at 550 °C exhibited ultrahigh selectivity with an n-type gas-sensitive response to H 2 at 300 °C, eliminating the cross-sensitivity phenomenon. This gas selectivity to H 2 and CO highly depends on the Ni:Ti molar ratios and operating temperature. Under repeated ventilation conditions, the response values of p-NiO/n-1.0TiO 2 sensor to H 2 and CO remained unchanged, confirming its excellent stability. Multiple gas experiments show that the p-NiO/n-1.0TiO 2 sensor can be utilized to selectively detect any of H 2 , CH 4 , NO 2 , and SO 2 in the presence of CO. Furthermore, the study of H 2 and CO adsorption behavior on the NiO-TiO 2 revealed that H 2 is more easily adsorbed on the NiO-TiO 2 heterojunction surface than CO. Introduction of H 2 caused electron transfer between the gas molecule and surface atoms of the heterojunction, while the electronic structure of the system remained unchanged after CO adsorption. This study provides an effective method to improve the selectivity of MOS-based gas sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fecundity is important for farm blue fox (Vulpes lagopus), who with asthenospermia have be a problem in some of farms in China. A key symptom of asthenospermia is decreased sperm motility. The decreased secreting beta-defensin108 (vBD108) of blue fox is speculated be related to asthenospermia. To clarify this idea, the mRNA expression of vBD108 in testis and epididymis of blue foxes with asthenospermia were detected and compared to the healthy one. The antibody was prepared and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results: The vBD108 in testis and epididymis was found both in blue fox with asthenospermia and healthy group by the method of immunohistochemistry. The expression of vBD108 mRNA in testes (P < 0.05) and epididymal corpus (P < 0.0001) in asthenospermia group was lower than that in healthy group. Conclusions: These results suggested that vBD108 deficiency may related to blue fox asthenospermia. Meanwhile, the study on the blue fox vBD108 provides a hopeful direction to explore the pathogenesis of blue fox asthenospermia in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid crystals (LC) have been found to have many unique characteristics during the last few decades. The liquid crystal phase is ubiquitous in the biological world, as well as in cellulose and its derivatives. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), which can obtain the chiral LC phase in aqueous suspension, have been attracting much attention. The unique size and properties of CNC, such as their light weight, special optical properties, non-toxicity, and biocompatibility, etc., have made them widely applicable in diverse fields. This brief literature review introduces the relationship between the LC phase and CNC. Advantages of CNC as a liquid crystal forming material and the preparation of CNC are discussed. The left-handed cholesteric phase structure and the corresponding unique optical properties of CNC-based LC are described in detail. The CNC-based LC aqueous suspension and three stages of forming LC phase are also described. Then, the main reasons accounting for the brittleness and non-uniformity of pristine CNC-based LC are summarized, as well as ways to overcome these problems. Finally, some optical applications of CNC-based LC films in anti-counterfeiting, colorimetric sensors, and composite devices are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a spinal 3-dimensional deformity with an unknown cause. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal body and contributes to the occurrence and progression of IS. In our previous preliminary study, it was reported that high concentrations of melatonin can induce osteoblast apoptosis, thus acting as an IS treatment, but the mechanism of action is unknown. Therefore, the present study was performed to further investigate the possible mechanism underlying the efficacy of melatonin as a treatment for IS. The present results indicated that high concentrations of melatonin mediate endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced apoptosis in hFOB 1.19 cells, and this resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in the expression of Septin4, as well as the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, GRP94 and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, osteoblasts were overexpressed with Septin4 and the mechanism via which melatonin induces osteoblast ERS was demonstrated to be via the regulation of Septin4. In addition, it was indicated that cytoskeleton destruction, cell morphology changes and the decrease in the number of cells were aggravated after osteoblasts were overexpressed with Septin4, as indicated by phalloidin and DAPI staining. Collectively, the present results suggest that the Septin4 protein may be a target of ERS in melatonin-induced osteoblast apoptosis, which is involved in bone metabolism diseases, thus providing novel evidence for clinical melatonin treatment of IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel N-spiral resonator with open-loop secondary coupling structure (OLSCS) is proposed to realize a compact ultra-narrowband high temperature superconducting (HTS) filter. The coupling strength and polarity between the resonators can be significantly reduced and changed by introducing OLSCS, thus the required weak coupling can be achieved in a very compact size. A six-pole superconducting filter at 1701 MHz with a fractional bandwidth of 0.19% is designed to validate this method. The filter is fabricated on MgO substrate with a compact size of 15 mm × 10 mm. The measured insertion loss is 0.79 dB, and the return loss is better than 17.4 dB. The experimental results show a good agreement with the simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin secreted by the pineal body is associated with the occurrence and development of idiopathic scoliosis. Melatonin has a concentration-dependent dual effect on osteoblast proliferation, in which higher concentrations can inhibit osteoblast proliferation and induce apoptosis; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, flow cytometry was used to demonstrate that osteoblast cells treated with melatonin exhibited significantly increased early and late stage apoptotic rates as the concentration increased. Chromatin condensation in the nucleus and apoptotic body formation could be observed using fluorescent microscopy in osteoblast cells treated with 2 mM melatonin. Western blotting results showed that there was an upregulation in the expression of apoptosis marker proteins [poly (AD P-ribose) polymerase 1 (PAR P-1)], endoplasmic reticulum stress [ER S; C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa (GRP78)] and autophagy [microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3ß (LC 3)-I/LC 3II ]. PAR P-1 expression was not altered when treated with ER S inhibitor 4PBA and autophagy inhibitor 3MA, whereas 4PBA or 3MA in combination with 2 mM melatonin (or the three together) significantly increased PAR P-1 expression. Furthermore, the use of septin7 small interfering RNA confirmed that increased expression of GRP78 and CHOP was related to septin7, and melatoninmediated ER S was necessary for septin7 activation. These findings suggest that ERS and autophagy might occur in the early stage of treatment with a high concentration of melatonin, and each might play a protective role in promoting survival; in a later stage, ER S and autophagy might interact and contribute to the induction of apoptosis. Overall, the results indicated that septin7 may be a target protein of melatonin-induced ER S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: A large number of basic and clinical studies have proved that remote ischemic conditioning has neuroprotective effect. For example, remote ischemic conditioning showed a neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model. Recent clinical studies suggested that remote ischemic conditioning may improve neurological function and reduce the risk of recurrence in ischemic stroke patients. However, there is a lack of convincing evidence for the neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic conditioning on ischemic stroke, which deserves further study. Aim: To explore the efficacy and safety of remote ischemic conditioning for acute moderate ischemic stroke. Sample size estimates: A maximum of 1800 subjects are required to test the superiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a one-sided 0.025 level of significance, stratified by gender, age, time from onset to treatment, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (6–10 vs. 11–16), degree of responsible vessel stenosis, location of stenosis, and stroke etiology. Methods and design: Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke is a prospective, random, open label, blinded endpoint and multi-center study. The subjects are divided into experimental group and control group randomly. The experimental group was treated with remote ischemic conditioning twice daily with 200 mmHg pressure for 10–14 days besides guideline-based therapy. The control group was treated according to the guidelines. Study outcome: The primary efficacy endpoint is favorable functional outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale 0–1 at 90 days post-randomization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No single pure enantiomeric pesticide residues was investigated and set regulations for tea quality safety and risk assessment. Objective: Due to lack of chiral pesticide analysis method and data, the Maximum residue limits (MRLs) about the chiral pesticides in tea was unknown. Method: An analytical method for the determination of chiral pesticide residues by QuEChERS combined chiral liquid chromatography quadruple/linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS-Qtrap) was developed and applied to the analysis of various teas. Results: The mean recoveries for pesticides enantiomers ranged from 75.9% to 112.4%. Reproducibility represented by relative standard deviation percentage was 10% or less. Good linearity was achieved for all enantiomers with determination coefficients (r²) greater than 0.99. The detection of limit (CCa) and quantification of limit (CCb) were 0.2 ~1 mg/kg and 0.5~5 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions: The method was suitable for monitoring the enantiomeric pesticide residues in various teas. Highlights: Enantioselective multiclass pesticide residues were determined in various teas by LC-MS/MS-Qtrap, additional Qtrap scan functions greatly enhance the performance of screening, confirmation, and identification of chiral pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether the abnormal caloric test (C-test) affects recurrence rate in horizontal semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (HSC-BPPV) with residual dizziness (RD) is not clear. Objectives: 1) Analyze the association of the cycles of canalith repositioning procedure (CRP), C-test and RD after CRP and 2) determine which affects the recurrence rate in idiopathic HSC-BPPV. Materials and methods: Eighty-four patients with HSC-BPPV (canal type) were included in this work. The cycles of CRP, C-test, the RD after CRP and HSC-BPPV recurrence rate were recorded. Depending on the times of CRP and patients who presented dizziness after treatment, patients were divided into four groups, the relationship between abnormal C-test and RD was analyzed. The outcomes of recurrence rate were compared between groups, respectively. Results: (1) The abnormal C-test prevalence among the HSC-BPPV patients with RD was 36% while in no RD group was 14.7%. The difference was statistically significant (p=.045). (2) The recurrence rate was 11.8% in no RD group but in RD group the rate was higher (32%, p = .039). When patients combined with abnormal C-test, the recurrence rate was significantly higher (77.8% vs. 20%) (p = .033). Conclusions: A weak correlation between RD and abnormal C-test is noted. Presence of RD and abnormal C-test in patients with HSC-BPPV predicts a higher recurrence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyampholyte (PA) hydrogels have attracted great attention as an innovative material having tough, self-healing, and viscoelastic behavior. PA hydrogels are synthesized using one-step radical polymerization of equal amounts of oppositely charged ionic monomers at a very high monomer concentration. They have 50-70 wt% of water at an equilibrium state, much lower than that of conventional hydrogels that usually have a high-water content (>80%). They are strongly viscoelastic and have a high toughness (fracture energy of 1,000-4,000 J/m²), a high modulus (0.01-8 MPa), a high failure strain (150-1,500%), and a failure stress (0.1-2 MPa), together with 100% self-recovery and a high self-healing efficiency behavior. These excellent mechanical performances are comparable to that of rubbers, most tough double-network hydrogels, and soft bio-tissues. The extensive experimental studies show that these multiple mechanical properties are related to the formation of dynamical features of inter- and intra-chain ionic bonds, and this study opens a common strategy to develop tough and self-healing hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is a universally farmed fish species in China and has a large farming scale and economic value. With the high-density cultural mode in mandarin fish, viral diseases, such as infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) and Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV), have increased loss, which has seriously restricted the development of aquaculture. Y-Box binding protein 1 (YB-1) is a member of cold shock protein family that regulates multiple cellular processes. The roles of mammalian YB-1 protein in environmental stress and innate immunity have been studied well, but its roles in teleost fishes remain unknown. In the present study, the characteristic of S. chuatsi YB-1 (sc YB-1) and its roles in cold stress and virus infection were investigated. The sc YB-1 obtained an 1541 bp cDNA that contains a 903 bp open reading frame encoding a protein of 300 amino acids. Tissue distribution results showed that the sc YB-1 is a ubiquitously expressed gene found among tissues from mandarin fish. Overexpression of sc YB-1 can increase the expression levels of cold shock-responsive genes, such as scHsc70a , scHsc70b , and scp53. Furthermore, the role of sc YB-1 in innate immunity was also investigated in mandarin fish fry (MFF-1) cells. The expression level of sc YB-1 was significant change in response to poly (I:C), poly (dG:dC), PMA, ISKNV, or SCRV stimulation. The overexpression of sc YB-1 can significantly increase the expression levels of NF-κB-responsive genes, including scIL-8, scTNF-α , and scIFN-h. The NF-κB-luciferase report assay results showed that the relative expression of luciferin was significantly increased in the cells overexpressed with sc YB-1 compared with those in cells overexpressed with control plasmid. These results indicate that sc YB-1 can induce the NF-κB signaling pathway in MFF-1 cells. Overexpressed sc YB-1 can downregulate the expression of ISKNV viral major capsid protein (mcp) gene but upregulates the expression of SCRV mcp gene. Moreover, knockdown of sc YB-1 using siRNA can upregulate the expression of ISKNV mcp gene but downregulates the expression of SCRV mcp gene. These results indicate that sc YB-1 suppresses ISKNV infection while enhancing SCRV infection. The above observations suggest that sc YB-1 is involved in cold stress and virus infection. Our study will provide an insight into the roles of teleost fish YB-1 protein in stress response and innate immunity. • S. chuatsi YB-1 (sc YB-1) is involved in the cold stress response in mandarin fish. • sc YB-1 can regulate the NF-κB signaling pathway in MFF-1 cells. • sc YB-1 suppresses ISKNV infection but enhances SCRV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops and analyzes a pth degree immersed finite element (IFE) method for solving the elliptic interface problems with meshes independent of the coefficient discontinuity in the involved partial differential equations. The proposed pth degree IFE functions are macro polynomials constructed by weakly solving a Cauchy problem locally on each interface element according to the interface jump conditions. To alleviate the discontinuous effects of IFE functions, penalties on both the edges of interface elements and the interface itself are employed in the proposed IFE scheme. New techniques are introduced to analyze the proposed IFE functions in a format of macro polynomials, including their existence, the optimal approximation capabilities of the resulting IFE spaces, and trace inequalities. These results are then further applied to prove that the proposed IFE method converges optimally in both the L2 and H1 norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: The evidence of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with not clearly disabling minor stroke (low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 0–5) is still insufficient. Recent early terminated PRISMS trial could not provide definitive conclusion, although suggesting the similar functional outcome between alteplase and aspirin groups. Recent two clinical trials provide a definitive evidence for the superiority of dual antiplatelet to mono-antiplatelet in minor stroke. However, the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet vs. alteplase in the treatment of acute minor stroke are not known. Aim: To explore the efficacy and safety of dual antiplatelet with aspirin and clopidogrel vs. alteplase in the treatment of acute minor stroke. Sample size estimates: A maximum of 760 subjects are required to test the non-inferiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a one-sided 0.025 level of significance, stratified by age, diabetes, time from onset to treatment, stroke etiology, degree of vascular stenosis, location of index vessel. Methods and design: ARAMIS is a prospective, randomized, open label, blinded assessment of endpoints (PROBE) and multicenter clinical trial in China. The subjects are randomized to the control arm (intravenous alteplase with standard dose of 0.9 mg/kg, followed by guideline-based treatment 24 h after thrombolysis) or the experiment arm (clopidogrel: loading dose of 300 mg on the first day, followed by 75 mg daily for 10–14 days; aspirin: 100 mg on the first day, followed by 100 mg daily for 10–14 days; after the combination, antiplatelet will be given based on guideline till 90 days). Study outcome: The primary efficacy endpoint is favorable functional outcome, defined as a mRS 0–1 assessed at 90-day post-randomization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is for proving that the partially penalized immersed finite element (PPIFE) methods developed in [25] converge optimally under the standard piecewise H² regularity assump-tion for the exact solution. In energy norms, the error estimates given in this paper are better than those in [25] where a stronger piecewise H³ regularity was assumed. Furthermore, with the standard piecewise H² regularity assumption, this paper proves that these PPIFE methods also converge optimally in the L² norm which could not be proved in [25] because of the excessive H³ regularity requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) serves as a vital regulator of bone metabolism, but its role in pathologically overactive osteoclast differentiation remains elusive. Here, we identify lncRNA Dancr (Differentiation Antagonizing Non-protein Coding RNA) as a critical suppressor of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, which is down-regulated in response to estrogen deficiency. Global or osteoclast-specific Dancr Knockout mice display significant trabecular bone deterioration and enhanced osteoclast activity, but minimal alteration of bone formation. Moreover, the bone-targeted delivery of Dancr by Adeno-associated viral remarkably attenuates ovariectomy-induced osteopenia in mice. Mechanistically, Dancr establishes a direct interaction with Brahma-related gene 1 to prevent its binding and preserve H3K27me3 enrichment at the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 and proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-beta promoters, thereby maintaining appropriate expression of osteoclastic genes and metabolic programs during osteoclastogenesis. These results demonstrate that Dancr is a key molecule maintaining proper osteoclast differentiation and bone homeostasis under physiological conditions, and Dancr overexpression constitutes a potential strategy for treating osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on biomagnification of alternative brominated flame retardants (ABFRs) is limited and results are inconclusive, due in part to uncertainty in the understanding of predator/prey relationships. In the present study, a predatory fish, Channa argus , and several forage fish species were obtained from an ABFR contaminated site. The predator/prey relationships were identified based on fatty acid (FA) signatures in the predator and prey. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) for several ABFRs including decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), 1,2‑bis(2,4,6‑tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), hexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromotoluene (PBT), and pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) were estimated based on the identified predator/prey relationships. The results showed that crucian carp was the main prey of C. argus , contributing to 71%–100% to its total diet. The mean BMFs for DBDPE, BTBPE, and HBB were 0.06, 0.40, and 0.91, respectively, indicating trophic dilution of these ABFRs. However, biomagnification of PBT and PBEB, with BMFs of 2.09 and 2.13, respectively, was observed. The BMFs for PBT, PBEB and HBB were comparable to or even higher than those for some polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners estimated in the same individual predator, indicating that these emerging pollutants may pose significant environmental risks. The BMFs for ABFRs and PBDEs were significantly and negatively correlated to the log K OW s of these chemicals, suggesting that the biomagnification of these chemicals was depressed due to their superhydrophobic nature. • BMFs for ABFRs were estimated based on diet composition of the predator. • PBT and PBEB magnified while DBDPE, BTBPE, and HBB diluted in the predator. • BMFs for ABFRs are comparable to or even higher than those for PBDEs. • One of the few reports on the biomagnification potential of ABFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop an effective, low-cost, single-visit cervical screening strategy incorporating a modified Pap test and visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol's iodine for low-income settings.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort trial. Two low-income Muslim Uyghur communities in China's far western Kashi Prefecture served as pilot and validation study sites, respectively, and 4,049 women (aged 30-59 years) were screened. The conventional Pap test was modified using a cotton swab to collect cervical cells without scraping the cervix using an Ayre spatula, allowing visual inspection with acetic acid (and visual inspection with Lugol's iodine if visual inspection with acetic acid was negative) to be performed in a single visit. Results from both tests were available within 1-2 hours. Women positive for either or both underwent same-day biopsy that was shipped by a courier service to a central pathology laboratory.Results: Single-visit screening incorporating both a modified Pap test and visual inspection achieved a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 91.6-100), which was superior to Pap testing (76%, 95% CI 66.3-85.7; P<.001) or visual inspection with acetic acid-visual inspection with Lugol's iodine (48%, 95% CI 36.7-59.3; P<.001) alone in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or worse lesions. Rapid interpretation of both diagnostic procedures facilitated efficient same-day biopsy that achieved a negative predictive value of 98.2% in detecting CIN 2 or worse lesions. The increased sensitivity and minimized loss of follow-up allowed this approach to identify an extremely high prevalence of CIN 1 (2,741/100,000, 95% CI 2,238-3,245/100,000), CIN 2 or 3 (1,457/100,000, 95% CI 1,088-1,826/100,000), and cervical cancer (395/100,000, 95% CI 202-589/100,000) among these underscreened, at-risk women.Conclusion: Single-visit cervical screening with both a modified Pap test and visual inspection has greater sensitivity to detect high-grade CINs, reduces loss of follow-up, and could be an efficient low-cost strategy for low-resource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge management poses a great challenge to China's urbanization process as the number of wastewater treatment plants increases and the discharge standards are strengthened. China's sludge production rate is still low compared with developed countries but is undergoing a rapid growth due to increasing urbanization. Sludge management requires a systematic solution which integrates environmental effectiveness, social acceptability, and economic affordability based on a life cycle approach. In this study, we assess the environmental and economic performance of hydrothermal-pyrolysis technology (HPT), an emerging technology for sludge disposal. Climate change, human toxicity, costs, beneficial use of sludge and land occupation are used as indicators to compare HPT with conventional disposal methods, including incineration with two water contents, landfill, and compost. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) model based on the LCA results (PSO-LCA) was built to find a sustainable sludge management system in Xiamen. HPT was the most favorable scenario for sludge disposal overall, but given capacity restrictions and a trade-off between indicators, the optimal disposal proportion was for landfill to account for 9.3% of total sludge disposal, incineration with water content of 80% to account for 35.9%, HPT to account for 28.9% and compost to account for the remaining 25.9%. As further dewatering contributes a significant fraction to human toxicity effects and economic performance, the amount of dewatering should be selected based on the subsequent disposal process. The PSO-LCA method provides scientific evidence to inform decision makers to find a sustainable sludge management plan in accordance with wastewater features and socioeconomic conditions in Chinese cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In situ techniques reveal reaction mechanism under reaction conditions. • CeO 2 stabilizes Cu active species at low temperature by keeping the cyclic transition of Cu2+ and Cu+. • CeO 2 stabilizes Fe active species at high temperature by promoting the cyclic transition between Fe3+ and Fe2+. • Ceria-Promoted and realized copper and iron oxides cooperatively catalyze NO x efficient elimination. The copper and iron oxides highly dispersed on CeO 2 composite system was successfully synthesized by solid-state based methods for NO reduction by CO with a certain sulfur and water resistance. The conversion of NO at 100, 150 and 220 °C can reach ∼40 %, ∼80 % and ∼100 % respectively, at space velocity = 65,000 mL·g−1·h−1. Here, some ex/in-situ characterization techniques are used to explore the active species and catalytic mechanism in the reaction process. The results show that the catalyst system has a large number of defects and contains highly reactive oxygen species. During the reaction, the dominant Ce species can promote the formation of Cu+ active species and enhance its relative stability. Also, under higher temperature reaction atmosphere, Ce species can stabilize Fe3+ and maintain the catalytic performance. The stabilization effect of Ce species on copper and iron makes the catalyst have a quite wider active window. To understand the selective catalytic reduction process of NO by CO, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed by in-situ DRIFTS. Overall, this work provides a possible foundation for understanding the structure, catalytic stability, and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]