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PurposeInvestigating the changes of regional homogeneity (ReHo) values and both static and dynamic functional connectivity (FC) before and after Traditional Chinese Manual Therapy (Tuina) in patients with lumbar disk herniation (LDH) through resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI). Based on this, we observe the effect of Tuina on the above abnormal changes.MethodsPatients with LDH (n = 27) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 28) were recruited. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning was performed two times in LDH patients, before Tuina (time point 1, LDH-pre) and after the sixth Tuina (time point 2, LDH-pos). And for one time in HCs which received no intervention. The ReHo values were compared between LDH-pre and HCs. The significant clusters detected by ReHo analysis were selected as seeds to calculate static functional connectivity (sFC). We also applied the sliding-window to perform dynamic functional connectivity (dFC). To evaluate the Tuina effect, the mean ReHo and FC values (both static and dynamic) were extracted from significant clusters and compared between LDH and HCs.ResultsIn comparison to HCs, LDH patients displayed decreased ReHo in the left orbital part middle frontal gyrus (LO-MFG). For sFC analysis, no significant difference was found. However, we found decreased dFC variance between LO-MFG and the left Fusiform, and increased dFC variance in the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus and left precuneus. Both ReHo and dFC values revealed after Tuina, the brain activities in LDH patients were similar to HCs.ConclusionThe present study characterized the altered patterns of regional homogeneity in spontaneous brain activity and those of functional connectivity in patients with LDH. Tuina can reshape the function of the default mode network (DMN) in LDH patients, which may contribute to the analgesic effect of Tuina in LDH patients.

BACKGROUND: The study of unstable atherosclerotic plaques is limited by the absence of ideal animal models to reproduce the plaque instability observed in humans. In this study, we attempted to develop a novel animal model for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques using dehydrated ethanol lavage in rabbits fed a Western diet (WD). METHODS: A total of 30 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomized to 5 groups, including a control group with or without WD, a balloon injury with WD group, and an ethanol injury with or without WD group. Operations were conducted using the right common carotid artery as the target vessel. All animals were followed up for 3 months unless a vascular event occurred. Blood samples and carotid artery specimens were ultimately collected for analysis of atherogenesis. RESULTS: Compared to rabbits in which lesions were induced by balloon injury, those subjected to an ethanol lavage with high cholesterol diet showed progressive atherosclerotic lesions in all carotid artery segments, which were characterized by greater plaque burden, smaller minimum lumen area (MLA), and increased vulnerability as indicated by abundant macrophages, scattered smooth muscle cell (SMC) composition, higher matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in plaques, thinner fibrous cap thickness, and higher possibility of stroke event (50% vs. 0%). Meanwhile, the serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels in the ethanol injury group with a high-cholesterol diet were significantly higher than those in the balloon injury group after 3 months (all P

The hot deformation characteristics of a GH4169 superalloy are investigated at the temperature and strain rate ranges of 1193–1313 K and 0.01–1 s−1, respectively, through Gleeble-3500 simulator. The hot deformed microstructures are analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technology. The effects of deformation parameters on the features of flow curves and annealing twins are discussed in detail. It is found that the shapes of flow curves are greatly affected by the deformation temperature. Broad peaks appear at low deformation temperatures or high strain rates. In addition, the evolution of annealing twins is significantly sensitive to the deformation degree, temperature, and strain rate. The fraction of annealing twins first decreases and then rises with the added deformation degree. This is because the initial annealing twin characters disappear at the relatively small strains, while the annealing twins rapidly generate with the growth of dynamic recrystallized grains during the subsequent hot deformation. The fraction of annealing twins is relatively high when the deformation temperature is high or the strain rate is low. In addition, the important role of annealing twins on dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behaviors are elucidated. The obvious bulging at initial twin boundaries, and the coherency of annealing twin boundaries with dynamic recrystallized grain boundaries, indicates that annealing twins can motivate the DRX nucleation during the hot deformation.

Background Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a rare and sight-threatening complication following refractive surgery. SmartSurfACE surgery is the result of combining transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (trans-PRK) with Smart Pulse Technology (SPT) to diminish surface irregularities of the residual stromal bed after surgery with less pain, faster re-epithelialization, and better postoperative visual acuity. In this article, we report the first case of HSK following SmartSurf ACE without history of herpetic eye disease. Case presentation A 21-year-old woman underwent bilateral SmartSurfACE without history of clinical herpetic infection, active eye disease, or systemic disease. Mild superficial punctate keratitis occurred on the tenth postoperative day. The condition was not improved by ophthalmic drugs of anti-inflammation or epithelial healings. Dendritic corneal ulcer appeared within one month, which is the commonly recognized clinical manifestation of herpes simplex keratitis. The patient was managed with topical and systemic antiviral agents. After nine days of antiviral therapy, the lesion healed up, remaining mild stromal scarring in both eyes ultimately. Conclusion Herpes simplex keratitis is a rare but sight-threatening complication following refractive surgery. For the ocular irritation symptoms of postoperative patients, we should consider the possibility of HSK and give timely treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on albuminuria, nephrin (NPH) and transforming-growth-factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) levels in urine and low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes (T2D ) patients.Methods: A randomized, blank-controlled clinical trial included 68 T2D patients and 10 controls. Based on the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), 68 diabetic patients were stratified into three levels, UACR in urine were measured as indications of podocyte injury and renal fibrosis. Low-grade inflammation was assessed by the levels of IL-6, TNFα and hsCRP.Results: After 12 weeks of SGLT2i treatment, the levels of UACR and NPH decreased, UTGF-β1 increased in the T2D with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups, NPH (1.12[0.59,1.29] vs 0.71[0.41,1.07] ug/ml, P=0.022) and (1.29[0.99,1.96] vs 0.93[0.57,1.31] ug/ml, P=0.002), UTGF-β1 (4.88±1.31vs 7.27±1.21 pg/ml, P˂0.001) and (4.30±1.34 vs 6.78±2.59 pg/ml, P˂0.001), respectively. The changes in NPH were positively correlated with the UACR and negatively correlated with UTGF-β1 in T2D with albuminuria.Conclusions: SGLT2i alleviate nephrin loss and enhance TGF-β1 excretion in urine in T2DM with albuminuria. The anti-albuminuric effect of SGLT2i could be attributed to mitigating podocyte apoptosis and attenuating renal fibrosis.Trial registration:This clinical trial was registered on 15/10/2019, in ClinicalTrials.gov, and the registry number is NCT04127084.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on albuminuria, nephrin(NPH) and transforming-growth-factor-beta1(TGF-β1) expression in urine, glucose and lipid metabolism, low grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes(T2D ) patients.Methods: Sixty-eight patients with T2D were divided into three groups according urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR), UACR in urine were measured as indications of podocyte injury and renal fibrosis. Low grade inflammation was assessed by the levels of IL-6,TNFα and hsCRP.Results: After 12 weeks SGLT2i treatment, UACR and NPH remarkably decreased, TGF-β1 dramatically increased in urine in T2D with microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups, NPH(1.12[0.59, 1.29] vs 0.71[0.41, 1.07] ug/ml, P=0.022) and (1.29[0.99, 1.96] vs 0.93[0.57, 1.31]ug/ml, P=0.002), UTGF-β1(4.88±1.31 vs 7.27±1.21pg/ml, P˂0.001) and (4.30±1.34 vs 6.78±2.59pg/ml, P˂0.001), respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analyses show that TGF-β1, BMI, UACR, HDL-C, TNFα and IL-6 have significant effects on NPH levels.Conclusions: Our study showed that SGLT2i alleviate nephrin loss and enhance TGF-β1 excretion in urine in T2DM with albuminuria. The anti-albuminuric effect of SGLT2i could be attributed to mitigating podocyte apoptosis and attenuating renal fibrosis.Trial registration: This clinical trial has been registered on September 30, 2019 in ClinicalTrials.gov and the registry number is NCT04127084.

Liver abscess is a common clinical liver disease mainly caused by suppurative bacteria or amoebae, with early clinical signs of chills, high fever, jaundice, and other symptoms. Establishing its early diagnosis is difficult, which may lead to misdiagnosis.To observe the effects of psychological guidance combined with evidence-based health intervention in patients with liver abscess treated with ultrasound.A total of 120 patients with bacterial liver abscess admitted to our hospital from May 2018 to February 2021 were selected and divided into groups according to their intervention plan.After the intervention, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS), and quality of life scores (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, mental health) were lower than before the intervention in the two groups. The observation group had lower negative sentiment, SPBS, and quality of life scores than the control group. In the observation group, 31 and 24 patients had good and general compliance, respectively, with a compliance rate of 91.67%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group. The observation group had significantly lower total incidence of incision infection, abdominal abscess, hemorrhage, and severe abdominal pain than the control group.Three-dimensional psychological guidance combined with evidence-based health intervention in treating liver abscess can reduce patients' burden and negative emotions, improve patient compliance and quality of life, and reduce complications.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy with prevalence of 1/500-1/200. Up to now, 1500 mutations in more than 30 genes have been found to be related to the disease. Pathogenic gene mutations together with polymorphisms of modifying genes and environmental factors play various roles in the disease processes, resulting in phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease, ranging from no symptoms to sudden cardiac death. The pathological phenotypes of HCM mainly include cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, disordered array, fibrosis, myocardial ischemia, and others. In recent years, many research efforts have been devoted to exploring the influence of HCM genotype on phenotype, and development of treatment methods based on genetics. This article focuses on the correction between HCM genotype and phenotype and summarizes the research progresses on HCM in terms of pathogenic genes, pathogenesis, associated modification factors and treatment methods, thereby providing insights on the future research and development on the genetics of HCM.肥厚型心肌病(hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,HCM)是一种以左心室肥厚为突出特征的常染色体显性遗传病,其发病率为1/500~1/200。目前已发现超过30个基因的1500种突变与该疾病的发生发展相关,致病基因变异连同修饰基因多态性、环境因素等影响因素发挥作用,使得疾病表型极具异质性,临床表现上从无任何症状到心源性猝死均可发生,病理表型主要包括心肌细胞肥大、排列紊乱及纤维化、心肌缺血等。近年来,许多研究致力于探究HCM基因型对表型的影响, 并基于遗传背景对HCM的治疗方法进行研发。本文以HCM基因型-表型的关联为重点,从HCM的致病基因、关联影响因素和最新治疗手段等多方面综述了HCM的研究进展,以期为研究HCM的发生发展及治疗方向提供遗传学方面的思路。.

Staggered spinning is an advanced method to manufacture thin-walled cylindrical parts. The microstructure evolution, which dominantly influences the overall performance, is very complex during the staggered spinning of Ni-based cylinder. In this work, the influences of feed rate and wall thickness reduction on the microstructures of a thin-walled Hastelloy C-276 cylinder during staggered spinning are investigated. It is found that the deformation of parts is highly inhomogeneous, and the microstructures are sensitive to the feed rate and wall thickness reduction during the staggered spinning. When the wall thickness reduction is small, the single slip is responsible for the deformation of grains. The deformation mechanism changes from single slip to cross slip with the increase of wall thickness reduction. Moreover, the uniform deformation of thin-walled Hastelloy C-276 cylinder can be obtained when the feed rate is about 0.8 mm/r or the wall thickness reduction is about 44.1%. These findings provide guidance for controlling the microstructures of thin-walled cylindrical parts during staggered spinning.

To investigate the difference of parent's cognition of children's space loss and its influencing factors, to provide reference for children's oral health education, in order to reduce the incidence of malocclusion.A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information and related problems of 36 parents whose children received space loss treatment. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for statistical analysis.Parents paid more attention to the common oral problems of their children, the awareness of oral prevention and health care were weak, the attention to treatment was higher than that of prevention. The attitude of parents to the cognition and targeted treatment of malocclusion caused by space loss was low(27.78%), which was significantly different from that of caries (75.00%) and premature loss of deciduous teeth (63.89%). The total cognition of space loss was 61.11%. The cognitive degree of parents with different characteristics was different: the cognitive degree of parents over 50 years old was lower(14.29%), the cognitive degree of parents with higher education was higher(82.35%), there was no significant difference in cognitive degree among different gender, occupation and family monthly income groups. Parents paid more attention to the basic oral health of their children, most of the interval time between this visit and the last visit was 3 months(63.89%). The main purpose of the visit was caries or tooth pain caused by caries(63.89%). Most of parents did not know the harmful effect of space loss(72.22%). There were more parents who did not know the necessity of treatment to space loss(58.33%). Parents mainly learned the treatment to space loss through the doctor's education during dental visits(72.22%). The number of active visits were less when space loss occured(22.22%), and most of parents were recommended by dentist when they came to the clinics(72.22%). Most parents were able to accept the dentists' advice on the treatment of space loss(77.78%).It is necessary to strengthen the propaganda, coverage and depth of oral health education care, strengthen the awareness of oral preventive health care, especially for the parents with special personality on the importance of space loss, to prevent primary teeth caries and premature loss of primary teeth, avoid the loss of dental space, make the complete primary dentition to form a normal permanent dentition.

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was induced to form cold-set gel by using glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) and sodium chloride (NaCl), and characteristics of the gel and its embedding potential to bioactive molecules were investigated. The results from texture analyzer indicated that hardness and springiness of BSA cold-set gel were improved by increasing GDL or NaCl, but the gel with lower concentration of GDL (1.0%) and NaCl (0.2 M) had better water holding capacity (WHC). GDL had a significant influence on storage modulus (G’) and loss modulus (G″) but it did not appear to be applicable to NaCl. Light transmittance at 500 nm and average particle size were used to characterize formation of BSA cold-set gel as pH values decreased, and the results suggested that BSA molecules had aggregated at the pH value of the gel point. Microstructure and fractal analysis from confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) further suggested that electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction played important roles in the formation of the cold-set gel and it could be deduced that structure and properties of the gel were closely related to the forces. BSA cold-set gel showed an excellent embedding performance to encapsulate bioactive molecules (used quercetin as representative), and achieved effective slow-release action, especially in simulated intestinal juice of pH 7.5. BSA cold-set gel may have important potential application in encapsulation, protection, delivery and controlled-release of some fragile bioactive components, so the research provides a theoretical basis for its application.

The biological responses of artificial biomaterials are affected strongly by its interfacial topography, especially from nano- to microscale. The structure controllability is essential for the design and synthesis of novel biomedical materials. Herein, the effect of soluble silk fibroin (SF) on the cathodic electrolytic deposition (ELD) behavior of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) coating is studied. It is observed that the addition of soluble SF does not change the inorganic phase of the coating (OCP), but it has a remarkable effect on the microstructure of the deposited coating. As a result, the OCP/SF composite coating possessed a micro/nano multilevel structure is finely constructed on titanium implant by using ELD technology. Such OCP/SF composite coating significantly promotes preosteoblast cells adhesion, spreading and proliferation. In general, effects have been made to produce an in-depth understanding of protein incorporated ELD technology to extend its application in the biomedical field. It provides a promising strategy to design and synthesize biomaterials with specific biomimetic structures and functions.

Staggered spinning is a cost-effective method to manufacture axisymmetric components, especially for the ultrathin cylindrical parts. However, due to the complex material flow behavior during staggered spinning of Ni-based thin-walled cylindrical parts, the accurate control of geometric precision is still a great challenge. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model (FEM) is developed to investigate the effects of staggered spinning parameters on the dimensional accuracy of a thin-walled Hastelloy C-276 cylindrical part. It is found that the deviations of wall thickness and inner diameter are sensitive to spinning parameters. Based on the results from the finite element analysis, the optimized spinning parameters are obtained for the studied thin-walled cylindrical part, i.e., an appropriate wall thickness reduction range is 30%–40% during the single pass spinning. Meanwhile, the effects of feed ratio on the uniformities of wall thickness and inner diameter are significant, and a suitable feed ratio is 0.8 mm/r. Finally, the industrial three-roller staggered spinning experiments are carried out to verify a fact that the developed FEM, as well as the optimized spinning parameters, can be effectively used for the staggered spinning of thin-walled Hastelloy C-276 cylindrical parts.

In this study, a strategy based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is developed to control the microstructures of a Ni-based superalloy during hot forging. This strategy is composed of three parts, namely, material models, optimality criterions, and a PSO algorithm. The material models are utilized to predict microstructure information, such as recrystallization volume fraction and average grain size. The optimality criterion can be determined by the designed target microstructures and random errors. The developed strategy is resolved using the PSO algorithm, which is an intelligent optimal algorithm. This algorithm does not need a derivable objective function, which renders it suitable for dealing with the complex hot forging process of alloy components. The optimal processing parameters (deformation temperature and strain rate) are obtained by the developed strategy and validated by the hot forging experiments. Uniform and fine target microstructures can be obtained using the optimized processing parameters, which indicates that the developed strategy is effective for controlling the microstructural evolution during the hot forging of the studied superalloy.

Sn-based N-doped carbon composites (Sn–CN) were simply fabricated via a one-pot thermal reaction. This experiment uses SnCl4·5H2O, resorcinol, formaldehyde and melamine as raw material. In order to...

The hot deformation behaviors of an aged Inconel 718 superalloy are investigated by isothermal compression experiments at four strain rates and five deformation temperatures on a Gleeble-3500 thermo-mechanical simulator. The experimental results show that the true stresses are obviously affected by strain rate and deformation temperature. The true stress increases rapidly at the beginning of hot compressive deformation, which ascribes to the intense work hardening. The true stresses at high deformation temperatures are lower than those at lower deformation temperatures. The dynamic softening induced by DRX is weak at a relatively low deformation temperature. A strain-compensated Arrhenius-type constitutive equation linked with true stress, strain rate and deformation temperature is developed for the studied superalloy. The material constants ( α \alpha , n, Q and A) in the developed model are expressed as the functions of true strain. The flow stresses calculated by the developed constitutive equation are nicely consistent with the experimental ones, which confirms that the developed constitutive equation can accurately describe the hot deformation behaviors of the studied superalloy.

The influences of solution cooling on the microstructures, mechanical properties and hot corrosion resistance of a nickel-based superalloy are researched. It is found that the mechanical properties and hot corrosion resistance are greatly influenced by the solution cooling methods including furnace-cooling (FC), water-cooling (WC) and air-cooling (AC). For the FC superalloy, large amount of coarse γ′′ (Ni3Nb) and γ′ (Ni3Al) phases precipitate from the matrix, and δ (Ni3Nb) phase preferentially precipitates on grain boundaries. Besides, compared with the WC and AC superalloys, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength and micro-hardness of the FC superalloy are higher, but the elongation to fracture is lower. Additionally, the hot corrosion behavior can be well described by the sulfidation-oxidation model and the alkaline-base melting model. Furthermore, the FC superalloy has the best hot corrosion resistance among the three solution cooled superalloys

Background The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth is escalating rapidly. We aimed to evaluate the effects of liraglutide on beta-cell function, metabolic productions of oxidative stress, low grade inflammation compared with metformin in young patients with recent onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive 8-week liraglutide or metformin treatment. Beta-cell function was assessed by modified beta cell function index (MBCI), early phase of insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30), proinsuin to insulin ratio (P/I) and the insulin area under the curve (AUCins). The expression of 8-OH-dG and 8-iso-PGF2α and hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured as indications of oxidative stress and low grade inflammation. Results After 8 weeks liraglutide treatment, MBCI, ΔI30/ΔG30, AUCins significantly increased, 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF2α, P/I and hs-CRP remarkably reduced. The differences before and after 8-week liraglutide treatment in ΔMBCI (11.1 [2.81, 43.08] vs 0.00 [− 8.16, 10.47], P = 0.017), ΔLNΔI30/ΔG30 (0.44 [0.04, 0.85] vs − 0.09 [− 0.33, 0.36], P = 0.049), ΔAUCins (117 [− 8, 376] vs − 21 [− 314, 109] mIU/L, P = 0.013), ΔP/I (− 0.05 [− 0.09, − 0.03] vs − 0.02 [− 0.04, 0.01], P = 0.026)were remarkably enhanced compared to those of the metformin therapy. The expression of 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF2α and hs-CRP also decreased after 8-week metformin treatment. Conclusions These data demonstrated that liraglutide administration was more effective on ameliorating beta-cell function than metformin treatment in young patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both liraglutide and metformin could alleviate the level of oxidative stress and attenuate low grade inflammatory, we speculate this effect may not the main mechanism of beta-cell function improvement by liraglutide in diabetic patients. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trials registry, chiCTR1800018008, Registered 27 August 2018—retrospectively registered.

Purpose To establish an environment-induced dry eye model in rabbits using a controlled drying system (CDS). Methods Rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. The rabbits in the dry group were housed in the CDS, in which the relative humidity, airflow, and temperature were controlled at 22% ± 4%, 3 to 4 m/s, and 23°C to 25°C for 14 days. The rabbits in the control group were housed in a normal environment at the same time. A Schirmer test, fluorescein staining, and lissamine green staining were performed. On day 14, the eyeballs and lacrimal glands were processed for evaluating the corneal epithelial thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration index, goblet cell density, and expression of the MUC5AC protein and caspase-3 protein. The mRNA expression of the involved inflammatory genes was analyzed. Results The CDS was able to maintain a dry environment, in which the tear production decreased, and the ocular surface staining increased over time in the rabbits. In the dry group, the corneal epithelium became thinner, inflammatory cells were noted, goblet cells and MUC5AC proteins decreased, and the increased levels of caspase-3 proteins and inflammatory cytokines were observed in the ocular surface tissues and lacrimal glands. Conclusions This CDS could create a dry environment, in which the rabbits exhibited a pathological change in dry eye similar to that in humans. Translational relevance This model would be helpful in offering a platform to identify and test candidate therapies for environment-induced dry eye and to explore its underlying mechanisms.