Artificial intelligence application versus physical therapist for squat evaluation: a randomized controlled trial.

Artificial intelligence technology is becoming more prevalent in health care as a tool to improve practice patterns and patient outcomes. This study assessed ability of a commercialized artificial intelligence (AI) mobile application to identify and improve bodyweight squat form in adult participants when compared to a physical therapist (PT). Participants randomized to AI group (n = 15) performed 3 squat sets: 10 unassisted control squats, 10 squats with performance feedback from AI, and 10 additional unassisted test squats. Participants randomized to PT group (n = 15) also performed 3 identical sets, but instead received performance feedback from PT. AI group intervention did not differ from PT group (log ratio of two odds ratios = - 0.462, 95% confidence interval (CI) (- 1.394, 0.471), p = 0.332). AI ability to identify a correct squat generated sensitivity 0.840 (95% CI (0.753, 0.901)), specificity 0.276 (95% CI (0.191, 0.382)), PPV 0.549 (95% CI (0.423, 0.669)), NPV 0.623 (95% CI (0.436, 0.780)), and accuracy 0.565 95% CI (0.477, 0.649)). There was no statistically significant association between group allocation and improved squat performance. Current AI had satisfactory ability to identify correct squat form and limited ability to identify incorrect squat form, which reduced diagnostic capabilities.Trial Registration NCT04624594, 12/11/2020, retrospectively registered.

Preparation and characterization of partial de-O-sulfation of heparin oligosaccharide library.

The O-sulfation, including 2-O- and 6-O-sulfation, in heparan sulfate (HS) have important biological and pathophysiological roles. Therefore, the ability to chemically generate a series of oligosaccharides, which have a similar structure to the naturally-occurring, 2-O- and 6-O-sulfating oligosaccharides from HS, would greatly contribute to investigating their natural role in HS. In this study, a heparin oligosaccharide library, including dp2, dp4 and dp6, were prepared from the chemical modification of the fully sulfated dp2, dp4 and dp6. Chemical reaction conditions were optimized to generate different patterns of 2-O- and 6-O-sulfated oligosaccharides, then the disaccharide composition and structure of the library was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF/MS) analysis. This provides a foundation for further structural and functional studies of O-sulfated groups in HS.

Structural analysis of glycosaminoglycans from Oviductus ranae.

Oviductus ranae (O.ran.) has been widely used as a tonic and a traditional animal-based Chinese medicine. O.ran. extracts have been reported to have numerous biological activities, including activities that are often associated with mammalian glycosaminoglycans such as anti-inflammatory, antiosteoperotic, and anti-asthmatic. Glycosaminoglycans are complex linear polysaccharides ubiquitous in mammals that possess a wide range of biological activities. However, their presence and possible structural characteristics within O.ran. were previously unknown. In this study, glycosaminoglycans were isolated from O.ran. and their disaccharide compositions were analyzed by liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-MS-ITTOF). Heparan sulfate (HS)/heparin (HP), chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were detected in O.ran. with varied disaccharide compositions. HS species contain highly acetylated disaccharides, and have various structures in their constituent chains. CS/DS chains also possess a heterogeneous structure with different sulfation patterns and densities. This novel structural information could help clarify the possible involvement of these polysaccharides in the biological activities of O.ran..

Structural analysis of glycosaminoglycans from Colla corii asini by liquid chromatography-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry.

Colla corii asini (CCA) made from donkey-hide has been widely used as a traditional animal-based Chinese medicine. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are structurally complex classes of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. However, their possible structural characteristics in CCA are not clear. In this study, GAG fractions containing CS/DS and HA were isolated from CCA and their disaccharide compositions were analyzed by high sensitivity liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-MS-ITTOF). The result showed that CS/DS/HA disaccharides were detected in the three lower salt fractions from anion-exchange chromatography. The sulfation patterns and densities of CS/DS chains in these fractions differed greatly, while HA chains varied in their chain lengths. The quantitative analysis first revealed that the amount of GAGs in CCA varied significantly in total and in each fraction. This novel structural information could help clarify the possible involvement of these polysaccharides in the biological activities of CCA.

Ni nanocatalysts supported on mesoporous Al2O3-CeO2 for CO2 methanation at low temperature.

The selectivity and activity of a nickel catalyst for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to form methane at low temperatures could be enhanced by mesoporous Al2O3-CeO2 synthesized through a one-pot sol-gel method. The performances of the as-prepared Ni/Al2O3-CeO2 catalysts exceeded those of their single Al2O3 counterpart giving a conversion of 78% carbon dioxide with 100% selectivity for methane during 100 h testing, without any deactivation, at the low temperature of 320 °C. The influence of CeO2 doping on the structure of the catalysts, the interactions between the mesoporous support and nickel species, and the reduction behaviors of Ni2+ ions were investigated in detail. In this work, the addition of CeO2 to the composites increased the oxygen vacancies and active metallic nickel sites, and also decreased the size of the nickel particles, thus improving the low temperature catalytic activity and selectivity significantly.

Analysis of Heparan sulfate/heparin from Colla corii asini by liquid chromatography-electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry.

Colla corii asini (CCA) made from donkey-hide has been widely used as a health-care food and an ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine. Heparan sulfate (HS)/heparin is a structurally complex class of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) that have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. However, their presence within CCA, and their possible structural characteristics, were previously unknown. In this study, GAG fractions containing HS/heparin were isolated from CCA and their disaccharide compositions were analyzed by high sensitivity liquid chromatography-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-MS-ITTOF). This revealed that, in addition to the eight commonly seen HS disaccharides, the four rare N-unsubstituted disaccharides were also detected in significant quantities. The disaccharide compositions varied significantly between HS/heparin fractions indicating chains with differing domain structures. This novel structural information may lead to a better understanding of the biological activities (i.e. anticoagulation and antitumor action) of CCA.

Preparation of Ni based mesoporous Al2O3 catalyst with enhanced CO2 methanation performance.

A Ni based mesoporous γ-Al2O3 (MA) catalyst was prepared via partial hydrolysis without organic surfactants and employed in the carbon dioxide methanation reaction. The obtained catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, H2-TPR, XRD, XPS, TG, SEM and TEM-EDS techniques. CO2 methanation was performed in a fixed-bed reactor. A high surface area of MA with excellent hydrothermal stability was obtained, which promoted the dispersion of nickel species, producing a better catalytic performance. Incorporation of more NiO species into the Ni/MA catalyst increased the amount of active metallic Ni sties, further improving the catalytic activity and CH4 selectivity. Moreover, the monolithic skeleton of MA with fabric-like walls suppressed the aggregation of active metallic Ni sites and carbon deposition, enhancing the catalyst's stability, which provides a new insight for potential industrial applications.

Directly Converting Syngas to Linear α-Olefins over Core-Shell Fe3O4@MnO2 Catalysts.

Converting syngas to value-added chemicals via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis has attracted much attention, whereas the direct hydrogenation of CO to heavy olefins, especially linear α-olefins (LAOs), remains a challenge. In this study, we designed a core-shell Fe3O4@MnO2 catalyst to realize the direct conversion of syngas to LAOs with high efficiency. This catalyst exhibited a high selectivity of 79.60% for total alkenes and 64.95% for C4+ alkenes, 91% of which are LAOs, at a CO conversion of approximately 75%. Promotion of the electron transfer from MnO2 to Fe3O4 inside the core-shell Fe3O4@MnO2 catalyst facilitated the dissociative adsorption of CO molecules on Fe3O4 and the spillover of H atoms onto the MnO2, which enhanced C-C coupling, weakened the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst, and improved the production of LAOs. A superior stability over 100 h was observed, demonstrating the promising potential of this catalyst for industrial applications.