Exploring the inherent mechanism of residents' participation behavior in neighborhood regeneration projects: an empirical study using an extended IMB model in China.

Introduction: Resident participation has gained increasing prominence and significance in the pursuit of sustainable neighborhoods regeneration. However, the current state of resident participation practices remains beset by several challenges, which present formidable impediments to the initiation and execution of neighborhood regeneration initiatives. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of residents' participation behavior to enhance resident participation in neighborhood regeneration projects. Methods: The present study employs the extended Information-Motivation-Behavioral (IMB) model to examine the determinants and mechanisms influencing residents' willingness and participation in neighborhood regeneration projects, with a specific focus on the Chinese context. Drawing upon data from 477 meticulously validated questionnaires administered to residents, the study applies structural equation modeling (SEM) to unravel the intrinsic dynamics of residents' participation behavior. Results: The empirical findings of this research reveal that information, motivation, and the perceived local government support all exert a significant impact on residents' participation willingness. Notably, motivation emerges as the most influential factor. Discussion: This study uncovers a direct influence of local government organizations on both residents' willingness and their actual participation, suggesting that government organizations can spearhead innovative strategies to bolster residents' willingness and furnish avenues for translating willingness into tangible participation. The outcomes of this study furnish an indispensable theoretical framework and offer policy recommendations that hold paramount importance for the deployment of novel interventions geared toward stimulating active involvement of residents in neighborhood regeneration.

Acute transverse myelitis and subacute thyroiditis associated with dengue viral infection: A case report and literature review.

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare manifestation of dengue infection. To the best of our knowledge, only 6 cases of acute transverse myelitis as a manifestation of dengue infection have been reported thus far. The present study described a case of acute transverse myelitis complicated with subacute thyroiditis 6 days after the onset of dengue viral infection. In addition, the available literature was searched to identify similar previous cases. Treatment with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone immunoglobulin plasmapheresis and physiotherapy resulted in partial recovery at 3 months post-infection. In conclusion, the involvement of dengue infection should be considered in patients who develop central nervous system manifestations during or after the recovery period of dengue infection. Furthermore, since methylprednisolone and immunoglobulin are effective during the active phase of the infection, prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial.

Spatiotemporal expression of Nogo-66 receptor after focal cerebral ischemia.

NgR, the receptor for the neurite outgrowth inhibitor Nogo-66, plays a critical role in the plasticity and regeneration of the nervous system after injury such as ischemic stroke. In the present study, we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the regional expression of NgR in rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). NgR protein expression was not observed in the center of the lesion, but was elevated in the marginal zone compared with control and sham-operated rats. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus (CA1, CA2, and CA3) showed the greatest expression of NgR. Furthermore, NgR expression was higher in the ipsilesional hemisphere than on the control side in the same coronal section. Although time-dependent changes in NgR expression across brain regions had their own characteristics, the overall trend complied with the following rules: NgR expression changes with time showed two peaks and one trough; the first peak in expression appeared between 1 and 3 days after MCAO; expression declined at 5 days; and the second peak occurred at 28 days.

Carotid proliferative plaque formation in a canine model of chronic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports describing arterial plaque formation induced by hypertension alone. The aim of this study was to establish a canine model of chronic hypertension and investigate carotid plaque development. METHODS: Ten beagles were studied; 5 underwent bilateral renal artery constriction via a novel vascular clip, and 5 sham-operated animals served as controls. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), lipid values, the intima-media thickness, and the carotid artery plaque score were investigated during 1 year after placement of the clips. RESULTS: The mean SBP and DBP over time were significantly greater in the constriction group (P < 0.001 for SBP, P < 0.01 for DBP). There were no significant differences in blood lipid levels or other biochemical parameters. Carotid plaques were demonstrated at 4 months postoperation in the constriction group; and in the constriction group, intima-media thickness became significantly greater at 4 months (P < 0.05), and plaque scores became significantly higher at 8 months (P = 0.034) after clip placement. Carotid stenosis was proved by digital subtraction angiography 1 year after clip placement, and histological examination revealed that the plaques were mainly comprised of smooth muscle cells, proteoglycans, and collagen fibers, but few macrophages and little lipid. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid proliferative plaques were developed in a canine model of chronic hypertension induced by a novel vascular clip. The plaques were mainly comprised of smooth muscle cells, proteoglycans, and collagen fibers.

[Evaluation of myelin basic protein levels with receiver operating characteristic curves for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum myelin basic protein (MBP) levels in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the CSF and serum levels of MBP in patients with MS (n=45), patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) (n=36) and control subjects (control) (n=33). The sensitivity and specificity of MBP in CSF and serum in the diagnosis of MS were evaluated using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The MBP levels in CSF and serum both increased significantly in MS group as compared with those in GBS (P<0.01) and control groups (P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve of MBP in CSF was 0.853-/+0.037 for MS diagnosis, and with the optimal cut-off value of 0.87 pg/ml, CSF MBP showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 83.7% and specificity of 78.3%. The AUC of the ROC curve of serum MBP was 0.761-/+0.046, and the optimal cut-off value of 0.25 pg/ml resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity of 62.8% and specificity of 73.9%. No statistically significant difference was found between the two AUCs (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of CSF and serum MBP levels allows accurate diagnosis of MS, and MBP level in the CSF has greater diagnostic sensitivity than serum MBP. The combination of both CSF and serum MBP levels may serve as a sensitive index for the diagnosis of MS.

[Association among serous and cerebrospinal fluid TNF-alpha level, gene polymorphisms of TNF-alpha and multiple sclerosis in Han nationality of southern China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association among serous and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) TNF-alpha level, gene polymorphisms of TNF-alpha and multiple sclerosis (MS) in Han nationality of southern China. METHODS: MS diagnosis was base on Poser (1983) criteria. Fifty-five patients with nonimmulogical diseases and 68 patients with MS from southern China were enrolled in the study, and their TNF-alpha level of serum and CSF were measured by double antibody sandwich ABC-ELISA. TNF-alpha -308G/A in 106 normal healthy subjects and 68 MS patients was genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the serous TNF-alpha level between nonimmune patients and active MS patients (234+/- 76 pg/mL vs 276+/- 71 pg/mL, P< 0.05), but not in the CSF (245+/- 83 pg/mL vs 265+/- 78 pg/mL, P> 0.05). The gene frequency distribution of TNF-alpha -308G/A was corresponding with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The positive rate of genotype AA and the gene frequency of allele A of TNF-alpha were 4.4% and 14.0% in MS group, and 0 and 8.50% in healthy subjects, there was no statistical significance (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The TNF-alpha level in serum is associated with active MS, but not in the CSF. The gene polymorphisms of TNF-alpha -308G/A is not associated with MS in Han nationality of southern China.