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Rationale, Aims, and Objectives Methods Results Conclusion The Perceptions of Palliative Care Instrument (PPCI) is a tool used to access perceptions towards palliative care in patients with advanced cancer. However, its psychometric properties have not been widely tested using modern psychometric methods. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the PPCI in patients with advanced cancer using Rasch analysis.Four hundred and forty four Participants were recruited from the Department of Medical Oncology at a tertiary care hospital in Xinxiang City, Henan Province, China, between October 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed the PPCI. Rasch analysis procedures were conducted, including assessment of unidimensionality, model‐date fit, rating scale function, differential item functioning, item‐person map, and person and item reliability.The unidimensionality of the PPCI was confirmed, although two items (18 and 21) did not fit the Rasch model. The degree of fit of each item to its respective dimension was excellent, with Infit MNSQ and Outfit MNSQ values ranging from 0.73 to 1.33. The PPCI demonstrated high reliability, with an item reliability of 0.99 and a person reliability of 0.77.The PPCI is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing perceptions of palliative care in advanced cancer patients. However, to further improve the quality and applicability of the PPCI, the deletion of items 18 and 21 is recommended, as they did not fit the Rasch model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enantioselective mechanism of the esterase QeH against the two enantiomers of quizalofop–ethyl (QE) has been primitively studied using computational and experimental approaches. However, it is still unclear how the esterase QeH adjusts its conformation to adapt to substrate binding and promote enzyme–substrate interactions in the catalytic kinetics. The equilibrium processes of enzyme–substrate interactions and catalytic dynamics were reproduced by performing independent molecular dynamics (MD) runs on the QeH-(R)/(S)-QE complexes with a newly developed residue-specific force field (RSFF2C). Our results indicated that the benzene ring of the (R)-QE structure can simultaneously form anion–π and cation–π interactions with the side-chain group of Glu328 and Arg384 in the binding cavity of the QeH-(R)-QE complex, resulting in (R)-QE being closer to its catalytic triplet system (Ser78-Lys81-Tyr189) with the distances measured for the hydroxyl oxygen atom of the catalytic Ser78 of QeH and the carbonyl carbon atom of (R)-QE of 7.39 Å, compared to the 8.87 Å for (S)-QE, whereas the (S)-QE structure can only form an anion–π interaction with the side chain of Glu328 in the QeH-(S)-QE complex, being less close to its catalytic site. The computational alanine scanning mutation (CAS) calculations further demonstrated that the π–π stacking interaction between the indole ring of Trp351 and the benzene ring of (R)/(S)-QE contributed a lot to the binding stability of the enzyme–substrate (QeH-(R)/(S)-QE). These results facilitate the understanding of their catalytic processes and provide new theoretical guidance for the directional design of other key enzymes for the initial degradation of aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) herbicides with higher catalytic efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshness of Atlantic salmon is influenced mainly by tissue metabolism, which in turn is affected by storage time and conditions. The alterations in taste profiles and nutritional values of salmon when packaged using vacuum methods have not been fully understood, and the factors contributing to these changes require further research. In this work, the extraction method for flavor nutrients from salmon was optimized via the Plackett–Burman (PB) test. A sensitive and rapid targeted metabolomics method for the simultaneous determination of 34 nutrients was successfully established via ultra-performance liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole/linear ion trap composite mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTRAP/MS), and various nutritional compositions during storage at 0 °C under different vacuum conditions (0 kPa or −90 kPa) for 4 and 8 days were analyzed. Results showed that storage time had a significant effect on salmon metabolism. The total amino acids decreased by 62.95% and 65.89% at 0 kPa and −90 kPa, respectively. Notably, a marked reduction in histidine after 8 days at −90 kPa may have diminished bitterness, while decreased levels of umami-tasting amino acids like glutamine and aspartic acid affected the overall flavor profile. Overall, the packaging conditions at 0 °C and 0 kPa were more suitable for the preservation of most nutrients in salmon. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the reduction in substances was mainly related to the alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism pathways. Alanine, inosine, and histidine, whose levels changed significantly, can bind to the typical umami taste receptor TIR1/TIR3 and can be biomarkers to monitor and determine the freshness or spoilage of salmon after 4–8 days of storage. This study revealed the changes in small-molecule nutrients in salmon during storage under different packaging conditions, which provides a reference for the packaging preservation technology of fresh salmon and new ideas for the evaluation of salmon quality and determination of freshness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the use of online self-learning application(APP) for precision teaching in joint diagnostic ultrasound. Methods Twelve sonographers were divided into three groups(4 in each) based on their experience in ultrasound diagnosis. At first, all of them were approached to the training courses in self-learning APP to study “the joint diagnostic ultrasound scoring system”. After that, they were admitted to “the ultrasound images assessment platform” in-APP to perform the ultrasound score on 140 small joints with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The overall agreement rate(%) and intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) values were calculated to analyze the assessment results among the three groups(%/ICC). A questionnaire survey was also administered at the end of the study via the APP to determine the ease of use of self-learning APP. Results A good interobserver agreement was reached among the three groups(65.2%～67.7%/0.49～0.97). In detail, the best interobserver results were found for the detection of Power Doppler Ultrasound(PDUS) synovitis(74.40%～81.70%/0.91～0.94) and tenosynovitis/paratenonitis in all joints(87.50%～93.80%/0.97～0.98). Good ICC values was found for the detection of Grayscale Ultrasound(GSUS) synovitis, but the agreement rate in this region was poor(45.10%～47.80%/0.58～0.74). For the presence or absence of erosions, moderate agreement rate was calculated, however, the ICC values among the three groups were poor(66.70%～77.80%/0.44～0.58). Regarding agreements in the finger joint regions, lower agreement results were found in both of MCP3(61.1%～71.3%) and PIP2/3 joints(57.4%～63.9%), and a variable agreement rates were found for wrist joints (64%～80%). The majority of survey respondents indicated favorable receptivity to the online self-learning APP(75%) including finding it helpful to improve the learning efficiency and interests (91.7%). Furthermore, a more accurate definition about the joint ultrasound score, standardization of image acquisition and adequate dynamic ultrasonography were advised to further improve interobserver agreements. Conclusions The online self-learning APP can be used as an effective tool in joint ultrasound training. A detailed analysis of the assessment results based on the feedback information from the trainees can help to further optimize and improve the teaching process to realize the precision teaching in joint diagnostic ultrasound.

Objectives: Radiotherapy improves the survival rate of cancer patients, yet it also involves some inevitable complications. Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is one of the most serious complications, especially the radiotherapy of thoracic tumors, which is characterized by cardiac oxidative stress disorder and programmed cell death. At present, there is no effective treatment strategy for RIHD; in addition, it cannot be reversed when it progresses. This study aims to explore the role and potential mechanism of microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) in RIHD.Methods: Mice were injected with miR-223-3p mimic, inhibitor, or their respective controls in the tail vein and received a single dose of 20 Gy whole-heart irradiation (WHI) for 16 weeks after 3 days to construct a RIHD mouse model. To inhibit adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) or phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D), compound C (CompC) and AAV9-shPDE4D were used.Results: WHI treatment significantly inhibited the expression of miR-223-3p in the hearts; furthermore, the levels of miR-223-3p decreased in a radiation time-dependent manner. miR-223-3p mimic significantly relieved, while miR-223-3p inhibitor aggravated apoptosis, oxidative damage, and cardiac dysfunction in RIHD mice. In addition, we found that miR-223-3p mimic improves WHI-induced myocardial injury by activating AMPK and that the inhibition of AMPK by CompC completely blocks these protective effects of miR-223-3p mimic. Further studies found that miR-223-3p lowers the protein levels of PDE4D and inhibiting PDE4D by AAV9-shPDE4D blocks the WHI-induced myocardial injury mediated by miR-223-3p inhibitor.Conclusion: miR-223-3p ameliorates WHI-induced RIHD through anti-oxidant and anti-programmed cell death mechanisms via activating AMPK by PDE4D regulation. miR-223-3p mimic exhibits potential value in the treatment of RIHD.

Three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography is an emerging technique for assessing right ventricular (RV) volume and function, but 3D‐RV normal values from a large Chinese population are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to establish normal values of 3D‐RV volume and function in healthy Chinese volunteers. A total of 1117 Han Chinese volunteers from 28 laboratories in 20 provinces of China were enrolled, and 3D‐RV images of 747 volunteers with optimal image quality were ultimately analyzed by a core laboratory. Both vendor‐dependent and vendor‐independent software platforms were used to analyze the 3D‐RV images. We found that men had larger RV volumes than women did in the whole population, even after indexing to body surface area, and older individuals had smaller RV volumes. The normal RV volume was significantly smaller than that recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines in both sexes. There were significant differences in 3D‐RV measurements between the two vendor ultrasound systems and the different software platforms. The echocardiographic measurements in normal Chinese adults II study revealed normal 3D‐RV volume and function in a large Chinese population, and there were significant differences between the sexes, ages, races, and vendor groups. Thus, normal 3D‐RV values should be stratified by sex, age, race, and vendor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The clinical usefulness of doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline with antitumor activity, is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis were closely associated with DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction. It has been reported that microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) was involved into the regulation of redox balance. However, the role of miR-128-3p in DOX-related cardiac injury remains not yet understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effect of miR-128-3p in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods. To induce DOX-related acute cardiac injury, mice were subjected to a single injection of DOX. Inhibition of myocardial miR-128-3p was achieved by an adeno-associated virus (AAV9) system carrying a miR-128-3p sponge. Results. The data in our study indicated that miR-128-3p was upregulated in DOX-treated hearts and cardiomyocytes. Inhibition of miR-128-3p attenuated DOX-related cardiac injury and improved cardiac function in mice. Moreover, miR-128-3p inhibition could suppress myocardial inflammatory response, oxidative damage, and cell apoptotic death in DOX-treated mice. Further analysis showed that miR-128-3p could directly target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and decrease PPAR-γ expression. Moreover, the protective effects provided by miR-128-3p inhibition were abolished by a PPAR-γ antagonist in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions. miR-128-3p inhibition attenuated DOX-related acute cardiac injury via the regulation of PPAR-γ in mice.