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Abstract Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and intracranial aneurysm (IA) were two different types of diseases that occurred in the brain, ruptured IA (RIA) survivors may experience varying degrees of cognitive dysfunction. Neither AD nor IA is easily recognizable by an early onset so that the incidence of adverse clinical outcomes would be on the rise. Therefore, we focused on the exploration of the shared genes and molecular mechanisms between AD and IA, which would be significant for the efficiency of co-screening and co-diagnosis. Two GEO datasets were selected for the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differentially expressed gene screening, obtaining 78 overlapped genes. Next, 9 hub genes were identified by the protein-protein interaction network, including PIK3CA, GAB1, IGF1R, PLCB1, PGR, PDGFRB, PLCE1, FGFR3, and SYNJ1. The interactions among the hub genes, miRNA, and TFs were also explored. Meanwhile, we performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses for the results of WGCNA and hub genes, which showed that the Ras signaling and Rap1 signaling were the main shared pathogenesis. In conclusion, the present bioinformatics analysis revealed that AD and IA had the shared genes and molecular mechanisms, and these outcomes were associated with inflammation and calcium homeostasis, which could provide research clues for further studies.

The synchronized development of mineralized bone and blood vessels is a fundamental requirement for successful bone tissue regeneration. Adequate energy production forms the cornerstone supporting new bone formation. ETS variant 2 (ETV2) has been identified as a transcription factor that promotes energy metabolism reprogramming and facilitates the coordination between osteogenesis and angiogenesis. In vitro molecular experiments have demonstrated that ETV2 enhances osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) by regulating the ETV2- prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2)- hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)- vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) axis. Notably, ETV2 achieves the rapid reprogramming of energy metabolism by simultaneously accelerating mitochondrial aerobic respiration and glycolysis, thus fulfilling the energy requirements essential to expedite osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, decreased α-ketoglutarate release from ETV2-modified DPSCs contributes to microcirculation reconstruction. Additionally, we engineered hydroxyapatite/chitosan microspheres (HA/CS MS) with biomimetic nanostructures to facilitate multiple ETV2-DPSC functions and further enhanced the osteogenic differentiation. Animal experiments have validated the synergistic effect of ETV2-modified DPSCs and HA/CS MS in promoting the critical-size bone defect regeneration. In summary, this study offers a novel treatment approach for vascularized bone tissue regeneration that relies on energy metabolism activation and the maintenance of a stable local hypoxia signaling state.

Background: Imbalances in Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune axes, coupled with disruptions in the gut microbiota (GM), play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cordycepin, a natural anti-inflammatory compound, holds promise in mitigating IBD by rebalancing these immune axes in conjunction with modulating the GM. The aim of this experiment is to investigate the potential of cordycepin in mitigating enteritis and elucidate the underlying mechanisms associated with its ameliorative effects on enteritis. Methods: On the day of inducing experimental colitis with Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS), mice in the DSS + Cordycepin and Cordycepin groups received 50 mg/kg/day Cordycepin via intra-gastric administration (i.g.) for seven consecutive days, respectively. Mice in the DSS and control groups were treated with equal volumes of saline. On day 8, all mice were euthanized under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. Results: In a DSS-induced colitis mouse model, Cordycepin treatment led to a significant reduction in the disease activity index (DAI), splenic weight, and colonic pathological injury while simultaneously improving body weight and colonic length. Furthermore, it positively impacted GM composition, resulting in decreased Th1 and Th17 cells, alongside an increase in Th2 and Treg cells. The contents of the mouse colon were extracted for microbial community analysis. Mouse blood was prepared into a single-cell suspension, and flow cytometry was used to assess the expressio of Treg, Th17, Th1, and Th2 immune cells. Conclusions: These results underscored the effective intervention of cordycepin in ameliorating DSS-induced colitis by harmonizing the interplay between GM and immune homeostasis.

BackgroundRecent studies have suggested that cell death may be involved in bone loss or the resolution of inflammation in periodontitis. Immunogenic cell death (ICD), a recently identified cell death pathway, may be involved in the development of this disease.MethodsBy analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) for periodontitis and scoring gene set activity, we identified cell populations associated with ICD, which were further verified by qPCR, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. By combining the bulk transcriptome and applying machine learning methods, we identified several potential ICD-related hub genes, which were then used to build diagnostic models. Subsequently, consensus clustering analysis was performed to identify ICD-associated subtypes, and multiple bioinformatics algorithms were used to investigate differences in immune cells and pathways between subtypes. Finally, qPCR and immunohistochemical staining were performed to validate the accuracy of the models.ResultsSingle-cell gene set activity analysis found that in non-immune cells, fibroblasts had a higher ICD activity score, and KEGG results showed that fibroblasts were enriched in a variety of ICD-related pathways. qPCR, Elisa and IF further verified the accuracy of the results. From the bulk transcriptome, we identified 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with ICD, and machine learning methods further identified 5 hub genes associated with ICD. Consensus cluster analysis based on these 5 genes showed that there were differences in immune cells and immune functions among subtypes associated with ICD. Finally, qPCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the ability of these five genes as biomarkers for the diagnosis of periodontitis.ConclusionFibroblasts may be the main cell source of ICD in periodontitis. Adaptive immune responses driven by ICD may be one of the pathogenesis of periodontitis. Five key genes associated with ICD (ENTPD1, TLR4, LY96, PRF1 and P2RX7) may be diagnostic biomarkers of periodontitis and future therapeutic targets.

A new type of disk groove mechanism was developed and manufactured. The effects of the structural and operating factors of the disk groove on the air film loading performance were examined using single factor and orthogonal experimental methods. The results of numerical simulation and experimental studies showed that the air film loading performance correlated positively with the orifice diameter and inlet pressure, with the orifice spacing and diameter having the most significant effects, and that the belt speed boosted the air film uniformity. Meanwhile, a comparative analysis of the corresponding level values showed that an air film thickness of 0.8 mm, orifice diameter of 5 mm, orifice spacing of 30 mm, inlet pressure of 8000 Pa, and conveyor speed of 5 m/s were the optimal parameter combinations for the maximum loading capacity. To verify the accuracy of the model, a field experiment was conducted at Jiangmen Southern Conveying Machinery Engineering Co., Ltd. The air film pressure at the experimental position matched the numerical simulation results. In addition, when the number of rows was one and the air volume was 10 m3/h, the smallest value of traction resistance was obtained under minimum power consumption.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4+T cells marked by the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3), are pivotal in maintaining immune equilibrium and preventing autoimmunity. In our review, we addressed the functional distinctions between Foxp3+Tregs and other T cells, highlighting their roles in autoimmune diseases and cancer. We uncovered the dual nature of Tregs: they prevented autoimmune diseases by maintaining self-tolerance while contributing to tumor evasion by suppressing anti-tumor immunity. This study underscored the potential for targeted therapeutic strategies, such as enhancing Treg activity to restore balance in autoimmune diseases or depleting Foxp3+Tregs to augment anti-tumor immune responses in cancer. These insights laid the groundwork for future research and clinical applications, emphasizing the critical role of Foxp3+Tregs in immune regulation and the advancement of next-generation immunotherapies.

Introduction Obesity has been identified as a significant risk factor for several chronic conditions, including diabetes, tumours and cardiovascular disease, and has been associated with increased mortality rates. Despite the well-established clinical practice of electroacupuncture (EA) as a potential treatment option for obesity, its efficacy remains questionable, primarily due to the paucity of empirical evidence supporting its therapeutic benefits.Methods and analysis The present study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of EA for weight loss in obese individuals with pre-diabetes, using a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial design. A total of 256 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: EA (comprising EA treatment with health education) or superficial acupuncture (SA) (comprising SA treatment with health education). The intervention will be administered three times per week for the initial 12 weeks, two times per week for the subsequent 8 weeks and one time per week for the final 4 weeks, with a 24-week follow-up period. The primary outcome measure will be the percentage of patients who achieve a reduction of 10% or more in their body weight at week 24. Secondary outcome measures will include changes in body weight and body mass index, blood test results, data collected by the body composition analyser, size of adipose tissue scanned by MRI of the abdomen and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life, the 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised and the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait. The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale will be employed to monitor every adverse reaction from baseline to follow-up.Ethics and dissemination This trial has received ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine under the registration number 2021SHL-KY-74. All participants will provide their written informed consent prior to their enrolment. The findings of this investigation will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scholarly conferences.Trial registration number NCT05237089.

Abstract The pathology of depression is related to the imbalance of various neurotransmitters. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), the main brain region producing 5-HT, is crucially involved in the pathophysiology of depression. It contains several neuron types, in which GABAergic neurons are activated by stimuli associated with negative experiences and 5-HT neurons are activated by reward signals. However, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we found that p11, a multifunctional protein associated with depression, was down-regulated by chronic social defeat stress in 5-HTDRN neurons. Knockdown of p11 in DRN induced depression-like behaviors, while its overexpression in 5-HTDRN neurons alleviated depression-like behavior caused by chronic social defeat stress. Further, p11 regulates membrane trafficking of glutamate receptors in 5-HTDRN neurons, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism underlying the participation of p11 in the pathological process of depression. This may facilitate the understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of depression.

Safely and appropriately disposing of metalworking fluids sludge (MFS) remains a challenge owing to its highly hazardous properties, this work investigated MFS pyrolysis at various temperatures (500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 °C) for energy recovery and safety treatment of MFS. The experimental results indicated that inherent minerals at higher temperatures could enhance the gas yields and promote the qualities of oil and gas from MFS pyrolysis. The highest pyrolysis gas yield was achieved at 18.86 wt% after MFS pyrolysis at 900 °C. GC-MS analysis revealed that the inherent minerals facilitated a decrease in oxygenated and nitrogenated compounds within the oil, while simultaneously leading to a substantial increase in hydrocarbon contents. Notably, the highest content of aromatics (61.16%) was attained during pyrolysis at 900 °C. Moreover, inherent minerals improved carbon sequestration and the characteristics of biochar during the MFS pyrolysis. The leaching contents of heavy metals in biochars were reduced, thereby reducing the heavy metals associated environmental risk. This research suggests that the pyrolysis process was a promising approach for simultaneous energy recovery and MFS disposal with low environmental risk.

ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic efficiency and prognostic value of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in comparison with adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for functional lateralization in primary aldosteronism (PA). Histology and long-term clinical follow-up normally serve as the gold standard for such diagnosis.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 26 patients diagnosed with PA. All patients underwent 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT and AVS. Postsurgical biochemical and clinical outcomes of patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA), as diagnosed by PET/CT or AVS, were assessed by applying standardized Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome (PASO) criteria. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect the expression of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and CXCR4.ResultsOn total, 19 patients were diagnosed with UPA; of these, 13 patients were lateralized by both PET/CT and AVS, four patients were lateralized by PET-only, and two by AVS-only. Seven subjects with no lateralization on AVS and PET received medical therapy. All patients achieved complete biochemical success except one with nodular hyperplasia lateralized by AVS alone. The consistency between PET/CT and AVS outcomes was 77% (20/26). Moreover, CYP11B2-positive nodules were all CXCR4-positive and showed positive findings on PET. Patients who achieved complete biochemical and clinical success had a higher uptake on PET as well as stronger expression levels of CXCR4 and CYP11B2.ConclusionOur analysis showed that 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT could enable non-invasive diagnosis in most patients with PA and identify additional cases of unilateral and surgically curable PA which could not be classified by AVS. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT should be considered as a first-line test for the future classification of PA.

This study investigated the frictional properties of HPMC under different load and concentration conditions through friction experiments and surface characterization. The study aimed to explore and reveal the influence of load and concentration on the frictional properties of HPMC, as well as its anti−wear mechanism. The results of the study indicated that under the same solution concentration, the effect of load on the friction coefficient of HPMC was not significant. Specifically, for samples with low concentration (C−0.2), the wear ratio of HPMC under a 4 N load (1.01 × 10−11 mm3·N−1·m−1) was significantly lower than the wear ratio under a 2 N load (1.71 × 10−10 mm3·N−1·m−1). The orientation−driven formation of graphite−like carbon nanosheets, initiated by the decomposition of HPMC short chains, created a tribofilm−containing organic−chain mixed nanosheet on the sliding contact surface, which prevented direct contact between the upper and lower friction pairs. This achieved the anti−wear mechanism of two−body wear (tribo−film of an mDLC−coated ball and tribo−film of a GLC−coated Si wafer), ultimately leading to a state of ultra−low wear at the interface. The excellent anti−wear performance of HPMC suggests its potential as a candidate for the next generation of environmentally friendly bio−based solid lubricants.

Background: We conducted this randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint for treatment of negative mood and sleep quality in healthcare workers during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 180 participants were divided in a 1:1 ratio into two groups, the treatment group (for moxibustion) and the control group (for no treatment). The treatment group had a 30-minute moxibustion therapy once a day for two weeks, followed by a two-week follow-up. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) was used to assess the degree of the participants' anxiety, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to examine their depressed condition. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) was used to measure the level of burnout among healthcare workers. To determine the severity of insomnia, the Sleep Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS) was utilized. At baseline, week 2, and week 4, all scales were evaluated. Results: Compared to the control group, the treatment group improved more significantly in the HAMA at week 2 (MD = -19.01, 95% CI: -21.89 to -16.14; P

Background: Infections of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and the subsequent quarantine can culminate in anxious mood and sleep disturbances. The objective of this clinical trial was to investigate the effect of traditional Qigong with music therapy on relieving anxiety and improving the quality of sleep in Chinese adults with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A total of 200 asymptomatic COVID-19 infected patients were randomly assigned into two groups during their quarantine period in Chongming Island, Shanghai. The patients in the treatment group daily received Baduanjin Qigong, five-elements music therapy and routine care, while the patients in the control group only took the routine care. The primary outcome was anxiety levels measured by the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Secondary outcomes included the quality of sleep measured by the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), the degree of depression measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), as well as the self-efficacy in the Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS). An online questionnaire was given to all participants on the day of arrival to determine the baseline for all outcomes and then given again on the day of discharge. A one-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze the differences between the two groups after intervention. Results: At the end of the intervention, 177 (88.5%) patients finished the questionnaire. Patients in the treatment group had clearly decreased GAD-7 scores (MD = 2.7, 95% CI = 2.3, 3.2) after the daily exercise and music. Patients in the control group had little changes in the GAD-7 (MD = −0.2, 95%CI = −0.7, 0.3, P = 0.07), as well as the PHQ-9 (MD = 0.1, 95%CI = −0.5, 0.6, P = 0.66) after the routine care, when compared to their baseline scores. There were statistical between-group differences in GAD-7 (MD = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.2, 3.6, P

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) film has gained widespread popularity as a versatile and important solid lubricant material in the field of tribology. Among various types of DLC films, hydrogen-rich DLC (a-C:H) film as a high-performance material has greatly enhanced anti-friction and anti-wear. However, despite its remarkable capabilities, the surface chemical properties and tribological performance of a-C:H film are significantly influenced by the surrounding environment, in special atmospheric conditions. Its super-slip mechanism involves the participation of hydrogen atoms, which can weaken the normal electron number of the outermost layer of a-C:H film. What is more, it is essential to investigate tribofilms in a vacuum or inert gas environment to ascertain the appropriate tribological properties of a-C:H film, which helps in mitigating oxidation effects. When non-doped DLC films are subjected to friction in a dry nitrogen or argon environment, they create sp3-C-rich transfer films on the contact surface, resulting in macroscopic super-slip effects. This paper aims to introduce and discuss the diverse nanostructures of in situ tribofilms in a-C:H film, focusing on the working environment, and explore the prospective application directions of a-C:H film.

Abstract We aimed to establish a computerized diagnostic model to predict placenta accrete spectrum (PAS) disorders based on T2-weighted MR imaging. We recruited pregnant women with clinically suspected PAS disorders between January 2015 and December 2018 in our institution. All preoperative T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) MR images were manually outlined on the picture archive communication system terminal server. A nnU-Net network for automatic segmentation and the corresponding radiomics features extracted from the segmented region were applied to build a radiomics-clinical model for PAS disorders identification. Taking the surgical or pathological findings as the reference standard, we compared this computerized model’s diagnostic performance in detecting PAS disorders. In the training cohort, our model combining both radiomics and clinical characteristics yielded an accuracy of 0.771, a sensitivity of 0.854, and a specificity of 0.750 in identifying PAS disorders. In the testing cohort, this model achieved a segmentation mean Dice coefficient of 0.890 and yielded an accuracy of 0.825, a sensitivity of 0.830 and a specificity of 0.822. In the external validation cohort, this computer-aided diagnostic model yielded an accuracy of 0.690, a sensitivity of 0.929 and a specificity of 0.467 in identifying placenta increta. In the present study, a machine learning model based on preoperative T2WI-based imaging had high accuracy in identifying PAS disorders in respect of surgical and histological findings.

Background: Gastrointestinal reactions, pain and discomfort are inevitable in patients undergoing common gastroscopy. Acupuncture is an effective therapy that assists in the perioperative period; however, evidence of it relieving discomfort is limited. We conducted this trial to observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on discomfort caused by gastroscopy without sedatives. Methods: This was a single-centre, patient-assessor blind, randomised controlled trial. Sixty patients requiring gastroscopy were randomly assigned to the EA and control groups (sham acupuncture, SA, group) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the EA group underwent treatment at acupoints LI4 (Hegu), PC6 (Neiguan), ST36 (Zusanli), and ST34 (Liangqiu) for 30 min before gastroscopy, whereas patients in the SA group underwent superficial acupuncture at non-acupoints. The patients’ nausea level, throat discomfort, bucking, and agitation were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) within 30 min after gastroscopy. The mean VAS score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Inventory Scale, used to evaluate patients’ preoperative anxiety levels, and the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S6), used to assess anxiety before and after gastroscopy. The patients’ vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oxygen saturation, were recorded before, during, and after gastroscopy. Results: At 30 min after gastroscopy, the mean VAS score in the EA group (4.20 ± 0.63) was lower than that in the control group (5.14 ± 0.70, mean difference (MD): − 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 1.28, − 0.59, P

Abstract Background Gastroscopy procedures are frequently performed under general sedation to minimize discomfort. Patients who refuse a sedative injection may experience more discomfort and adverse reactions such as pain and nausea. These instances reduce patient compliance and willingness to participate in future procedures. Acupuncture has been shown to have an anti-nausea and analgesic effect; however, there is limited data available that demonstrates the efficacy of acupuncture when applied before gastroscopy. Methods A total of 60 participants will be randomly assigned to the electroacupuncture (EA) group and the sham electroacupuncture (SEA) group at a ratio of 1:1. Acupuncture treatment will be performed before gastroscopy for a duration of 30 min. All patients will complete detailed questionnaires at 30 min and 7 days post-procedure to record the severity of their symptoms. The primary outcome will be the average of 4 standard visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in the categories of nausea, vomiting, throat discomfort, and agitation as reported by the patient. The secondary outcomes will be patient’s anxiety level as recorded by the 6-item short form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S6) and Amsterdam Pre-Operative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS), preference in a future endoscopy, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP). Anxiety scales will be assessed before and after acupuncture; others will be completed at 30 min and 7 days post-procedure. The duration of the gastroscopy and the number of biopsies will be recorded after operation. Discussion This randomized controlled trial will explore the feasibility of the further clinical application of electroacupuncture for the improvement of patient discomfort during gastroscopy without systemic sedation. Trial registration ChiCTR2000040726 . This trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2020SHL-KY-11). Registration date 12 August 2020.

Abstract Background Electroacupuncture (EA) is generally accepted as a safe and harmless treatment option for alleviating depression. However, there are several challenges related to the use of EA. Although EA has been shown to be effective in treating depression, the molecular mechanism is unclear. Objective To reveal the therapeutic effect of EA and its possible mechanism in the treatment of depression. Search strategy We performed a systematic search according to PRISMA guidelines. We electronically searched PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Information Site and the VIP information database for animal studies in English published from the inception of these databases to December 31, 2019. Inclusion criteria Electronic searches of PubMed, WOS, the CNKI, Wanfang and the VIP database were conducted using the following search terms: (depression OR depressive disorder OR antidepressive), (rat OR mouse) AND (acupuncture OR EA). Data extraction and analysis The data were extracted primarily by one author, and a follow-up review was conducted by the other authors. Results Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria. The most commonly used method for inducing depression in animal models was 21 days of chronic unpredictable mild stress. For the depression model, the most commonly selected EA frequency was 2 Hz. Among the 28 selected studies, 11 studies observed depression-related behaviors and used them as indicators of EA efficacy. The other 17 studies focused on mechanisms and assessed the indexes that exhibited abnormalities that were known to result from depression and then returned to a normal range after EA treatment. Treatment of depression by EA involves multiple therapeutic mechanisms, including inhibition of HPA axis hyperactivity and inflammation, regulation of neuropeptides and neurotransmitters, modulation of the expression of particular genes, restoration of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, increased expression of BDNF, and regulation of several signaling pathways. Conclusions This review reveals that the mechanisms underlying the effect of acupuncture involve multiple pathways and targets, suggesting that acupuncture is a wholistic treatment for people rather than for diseases. Our findings also explain why acupuncture can treat various disorders in addition to depression.

Abstract Background Cancer-related insomnia (CRI) is one of the most prevalent complaints among cancer survivors and severely impairs patients’ quality of life. As a popular non-pharmacological alternative treatment, acupuncture provides a good clinical curative effect on insomnia. The aim of this trial is to evaluate efficacy and safety of electro-acupuncture on insomnia in patients with lung cancer. Method This is a protocol for a multicenter randomized single-blinded sham-controlled trial. We will randomly assign 252 eligible patients with lung cancer-related insomnia into two groups at a ratio of 1:1, the treatment group (EA) and the control group (sham EA). All treatment will be given 3 times per week for 8 weeks, and a 12-week follow-up will be conducted. The primary outcome will be measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The secondary outcomes will include sleep parameters recorded from the actigraphy, scores from Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). All adverse effects during the trial will be assessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). All analyses will be based on ITT principle and performed with the statistical software SPSS (version 24.0) by t test, rank-sum test, chi-square, and so on. A two-sided significance level will be set at 5%. Discussion This large-sample trial protocol will evaluate the efficacy of electro-acupuncture on insomnia in patients with lung cancer. This protocol, if proven to be effective, will contribute to filling the gap in treatment options in the CRI field and provide a promising intervention for insomnia in lung cancer survivors. Trial registration ChiCTR ChiCTR1900026395. Registered on 8 October 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=44068

Abstract Background Postoperative pain is common after nasal endoscopic surgery. It interferes with the quality of sleep and delays postoperative recovery. Acupuncture is an effective tool for pain management. However, electroacupuncture specifically for the relief of postoperative pain after nasal endoscopic surgery has not yet been studied in a randomized controlled trial. Methods/design This randomized sham-controlled patient- and assessor-blind pilot trial has been designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in managing postoperative pain following nasal endoscopic surgery to treat sinusitis due to nasal polyps. Altogether, 30 participants will be randomly allocated to an electroacupuncture or non-invasive sham control in a 1:1 ratio. Treatment will occur within 2 h before the operation, immediately after the operation upon arrival in the recovery ward, and once daily for 3 days. The primary outcome is the pain numerical rating scale, which will be analyzed using the area under the curve. The secondary outcome measures include heart rate and blood pressure after the operation, sleep quality during the hospital stay (actigraph), quality of recovery, and the 36-item short form health survey. This trial will use an intention-to-treat analysis. Discussion This pilot randomized controlled trial will explore the feasibility of the further clinical application of electroacupuncture for the management of postoperative pain. It will inform the design of a further full-scale trial. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900024183. Registered on 29 June 2019.

Quan-xing Baijiu, a famous brand with different style characteristics from traditional strong-aroma Baijiu, is considered superior due to its “jiao-xiang” (caramel) flavor and the “he-run” (soft, moistening, and harmonious) style. In this study, gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) was used to analyze the special flavors of Quan-xing Baijiu. The flavor fingerprints of six traditional strong-aroma Baijiu were determined using fragrance, taste, and entirety style in order to establish the individual style of Quan-xing Baijiu. The results indicated that 3-methyl butanol, ethyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl acetate, and ethyl caprylate were the main important aroma compound, which contributed to the he-run style in Quan-xing Baijiu. A standard of Quan-xing Baijiu’s typical style was established by flavor fingerprint. Together with the concordance rate evaluation method, this standard can help determine the characteristics of Baijiu samples for quality control. A rate above 81% represents a typical product staleness and good stability, while a rate below 73% represents a nontypical Quan-xing Baijiu product.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Abstract Background The National Institutes of Health estimates the prevalence of insomnia in menopausal women at 40–50%. Some studies have shown that acupuncture might be effective in treating primary insomnia and insomnia related to depression and stroke. Although there are some programs supporting insomnia during the menopausal transition, there are few randomized controlled trials (RCT) to provide evidence regarding their effectiveness. We design a RCT of suitable sample size to verify the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with insomnia during the menopausal transition and to form an optimized acupuncture treatment protocol. Method/Design In this randomized, single-site, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 84 eligible patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the acupuncture group (n = 42) or the sham control group (n = 42) in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will receive a total of 18 treatment sessions for eight consecutive weeks. Treatments will be given three times per week in the first four weeks, twice a week for the next two weeks, and finally once weekly for the final two weeks. Treatment will utilize eight main acupoints (GV20, GV24, GV29, RN6, RN4, SP6, HT7, EX-HN22) and extra two acupoints based on syndrome differentiation. The primary outcome will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The secondary outcomes will be measured by sleep parameters recorded in the Actigraphy (SE, TST, SA), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Menopause Quality of Life (Men-QOL). The primary outcomes will be assessed at baseline, week 4, week 8, and the first and third month after the end of treatment. Discussion If the results confirm that acupuncture is effective and safe for the treatment on insomnia in menopausal women, this positive outcome could provide evidence for clinical application. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800018645. Registered on 10 January 2018.

The marine environment may change the force on the fluid and inevitably influence bubble behavior and the two-phase flow in the reactor core, which are vital to the safety margin of a nuclear reactor. To explore the effect of the marine motion on the flow and heat transfer features of subcooled flow boiling in the reactor core, the volume of fluid (VOF) method is employed to reveal the interaction between the interface structure and two-phase flow in the subchannel under rolling motion. The variations of several physical parameters are obtained, including the transverse flow, the vapor volume fraction, the vapor adhesion ratio, and the phase distribution of boiling two-phase flow with time. Sensitivity analyses of the amplitude and the period of the rolling motion were performed to demonstrate the mechanisms of the influence of the rolling motion. We found that the transverse flow in the subchannel was mainly affected by the Euler force under the rolling motion. In contrast to the two-phase flow in the static state, the vapor volume fraction and vapor adhesion ratio show different characteristics under rolling motion. Additionally, the onset of significant void (OSV) point changes periodically under rolling motion.

Thanks to the geometric and material complexity of additive manufacturing, the design space of mechanical parts has been developed, in which lattice filling structure customization can be applied to the solid filling of mechanical parts to achieve the goal of mechanical structure lightweight. A kind of diamond lattice structure unit is designed by imitating the natural method based on Design for Additive Manufacturing of mechanical parts. The mathematical model of the relative density and mechanical properties of the unit are established, and the relationship between the two is obtained, which is verified by simulations; then the relatively uniform results are obtained. The variable density hypothesis of diamond lattice structure is proposed, the methods of simulations and compression tests are used to verify the hypothesis, and the results show that the variable density structure with the density of the filling element decreasing gradually with the stress point as the center has better compression performance and concurrently verify the correctness and applicability of the equivalent modulus of elasticity mathematical model. The results of this study can be applied to the solid sandwich filling of pressure mechanical parts, and the stress density matching relationship can be carried out to further specific design.

ObjectiveThe quality and rationality of many recently registered clinical studies related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) needs to be assessed. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the current status of COVID-19 related registered clinical trial.MethodsWe did an electronic search of COVID-19 related clinical studies registered between December 1, 2019 and February 21, 2020 (updated to May 28, 2020) from the ClinicalTrials.gov, and collected registration information, study details, recruitment status, characteristics of the subjects, and relevant information about the trial implementation process.ResultsA total of 1,706 studies were included 10.0% of which (n=171) were from France, 943 (55.3%) used an interventional design, and 600 (35.2%) used an observational design. Most of studies (73.6%) aimed to recruit fewer than 500 people. Interferon was the main prevention program, and antiviral drugs were the main treatment program. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine (230/943, 24.4%) were widely studied. Some registered clinical trials are incomplete in content, and 37.4% of the 1,706 studies may have had insufficient sample size.ConclusionThe quality of COVID-19 related studies needs to be improved by strengthening the registration process and improving the quality of clinical study protocols so that these clinical studies can provide high-quality clinical evidence related to COVID-19.

Graphene has emerged as one of the most promising solid lubricants owing to their exceptional lubricity. The atomically thin nature and its ability to conformally adsorb on the sliding surfaces provide unprecedented pathways for modifying the friction and wear behaviors of the mechanical moving parts. Here, the tribological responses of several representative tribo-couples including bare steel, diamond-like carbon and ceramic materials are investigated to explore the potentials of graphene as surface modifier. Specific emphasis is devoted to the graphene-induced reconstruction of the sliding interface and the growth mechanism of nanostructured tribofilms formed on the contact surface using high-resolution microscopic technique. The results reveal the unique properties of graphene regarding the friction reduction and wear protection irrespective of the types of counterpart materials, graphene-processed methods, dry or humid tests environments. Nevertheless, the interfacial features and the bonding characteristics of the tribofilms are diversified in each specific rubbing case, demonstrating the distinguished adaption capacity of graphene to the tribo-testing conditions. The present findings shed light on the lubrication phenomenon of graphene at the microscale and may provide useful design criterion for 2D-based solid lubricants.

Laser-MIG hybrid multi-layer welding (LMHMW) technology has been employed in paraxial configuration with laser leading for the welding of 20 mm thick Q235 carbon steel plates to exploit the hybridization effect that addresses the shortcomings of the individual process as well as to compliment their merits. The bilateral effects of arc augmented laser welding have resulted in complete joint penetration, process efficiency, stability and gap bridge ability. Samples welded under varying heat inputs in multiple passes have been analyzed for their microstructure evaluation using an optical microscope followed by tensile and Vickers hardness testing in various regions of the weld zones. This process was conducted to characterize the effect of heat input on the mechanical properties of the welded joints. The experimental results illustrate that different heat inputs have significant effects on the microstructure, heat affected zone width and mechanical properties of welded joints. The microhardness near the fusion line decreases dramatically due to the influence of the phase transformation process, and the highest microhardness value is obtained in the center of the weld seam. By using reasonable process parameters, the strength of the welded joint can obtain 458.5 MPa.

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer of neuroectodermal origin. The mechanisms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) against melanoma metastasis are not clear. Here fat-1 and wild type (WT) mice were injected with B16F10 melanoma cells via the tail vein to establish lung metastasis model. Endogenous n-3 PUFAs were associated with a reduction in grossly visible pulmonary metastases and outgrowth through inhibition of mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET), which was characterized by decreased expression of epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1, and increased expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin in tumour tissues from fat-1 mice compared with WT controls. In addition, n-3 PUFA-mediated inhibition of MET may have been associated, in part, with the: (i) formation of n-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators and (ii) decreased expression of mature IL-1β and p-NF-κB, and enhanced expression of superoxide dismutase-1. These results suggest that n-3 PUFAs exert their antitumourigenic activities, in part, via their anti-inflammatory properties.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

To satisfy the harsh service demand of stainless steel and aviation bearing steel, the anticorrosion and wettability behaviors of 9Cr18 stainless steel and M50 bearing steel tailored by ion beam surface modification technology were experimentally investigated. By controlling the ion implantation (F+, N+, N+ + Ti+) or deposition processes, different surface-modified layers and ceramic layers or composite layers with both effects (ion implantation and deposition processes) were obtained on metal surfaces. The wettability was characterized by a contact angle instrument, and the thermodynamics stabilization of ion implantation-treated metals in corrosive solution was evaluated through an electrochemical technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed for detecting the chemical bonding states of the implanted elements. The results indicated that ion implantation or deposition-induced surface-modified layers or coating layers could increase water contact angles, namely improving hydrophobicity as well as thermodynamic stabilization in corrosive medium. Meanwhile, wettability with lubricant oil was almost not changed. The implanted elements could induce the formation of new phases in the near-surface region of metals, and the wettability behaviors were closely related to the as-formed ceramic components and amorphous sublayer.

Fluorescent and flame-retardant two-component waterborne polyurethane coatings were synthesized using 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene, a halogen-free polyphosphate and a hydrophilic curing agent, and their properties were systematically characterized. The average particle sizes and zeta potential values were below 170 nm and −30 mV. Meanwhile, the multifunctional two-component waterborne polyurethane coatings had strong fluorescence intensities. When comparing with the coatings with 0.5 wt % 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene, the coatings with 1.0 wt % 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene had a stronger microphase separation. Interestingly, the thermostability of the multifunctional coatings was remarkably improved through 1.0 wt % 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene, and besides it belonged to nonflammable materials. Additionally, all of the coating films passed the solvent resistance testing. These samples with different amounts of 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene are environmental friendly, especially applications that require transparent and fluorescent coatings.