Amyloplast is involved in the MIZ1-modulated root hydrotropism.

Roots exhibit hydrotropism in response to moisture gradients, with the hydrotropism-related gene Mizu-kussei1 (MIZ1) playing a role in regulating root hydrotropism in an oblique orientation. However, the mechanisms underlying MIZ1-regulated root hydrotropism are not well understood. In this study, we employed obliquely oriented experimental systems to investigate root hydrotropism in Arabidopsis. We found that the miz1 mutant displays reduced root hydrotropism but increased root gravitropism following hydrostimulation, as compared to wild-type plants. Conversely, overexpression of AtMIZ1 leads to enhanced root hydrotropism but decreased root gravitropism following hydrostimulation, as compared to wild-type plants. Using co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry (IP-MS), we explored proteins that interact with AtMIZ1, and we identified PGMC1 co-immunoprecipitated with MIZ1 in vivo. Furthermore, the miz1 mutant exhibited higher expression of the PGMC1 gene and increased phosphoglucomutase (PGM) activity, while AtMIZ1 overexpressors resulted in lower expression of the PGMC1 gene, reduced amyloplast amount, and reduced PGM activity in comparison to wild-type roots. In addition, different Arabidopsis natural accessions having difference in their hydrotropic response demonstrated expression level of PGMC1 was negatively correlated with hydrotropic root curvature and AtMIZ1 expression. Our results provide valuable insights into the role of amyloplast in MIZ1-regulated root hydrotropism.

Measurement properties of the backward walk test in people with balance and mobility deficits: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Backward walking is an indispensable component of activities of daily living. The backward walk test has been used to assess balance, mobility, and fall risk in different populations. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize measurement properties of the backward walk test in people with balance and mobility deficits. METHODS: Three bibliographic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, were searched on June 18th, 2023. Cross-sectional or cohort studies assessing the measurement properties (reliability, validity, responsiveness) of the backward walk test were included. The COSMIN risk of bias checklist was used for methodological quality assessment. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were completed by two reviewers independently and in duplicate. RESULTS: A total of 786 records were identified from three databases. Fourteen studies published from 2019 to 2023 with a total of 853 participants were included. Two studies were rated inadequate in quality assessment, all other studies demonstrated adequate to very good quality. The participants population included patients with cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, hip and knee arthroplasty, dementia, and community-dwelling older adults. Good interrater and intrarater reliability, and moderate to good concurrent validity of the backward walk test were demonstrated. SIGNIFICANCE: The review demonstrates that the backward walk test appears to be a valid and reliable tool in different patient populations. The 3-meter backward walk time and 3-meter backward walk speed can be used as outcome measures in clinical practice to assess balance and mobility and track progress throughout the course of physical rehabilitation. Future studies with a prospective cohort design are required to provide information regarding the predictive validity of the backward walk test for fall risk assessment.

A gender recognition method based on EEG microstates.

BACKGROUND: Gender carries important information related to male and female characteristics, and a large number of studies have attempted to use physiological measurement methods for gender classification. Although previous studies have shown that there exist statistical differences in some Electroencephalographic (EEG) microstate parameters between males and females, it is still unknown that whether these microstate parameters can be used as potential biomarkers for gender classification based on machine learning. METHODS: We used two independent resting-state EEG datasets: the first dataset included 74 females and matched 74 males, and the second one included 42 males and matched 42 females. EEG microstate analysis based on modified k-means clustering method was applied, and temporal parameter and nonlinear characteristics (sample entropy and Lempel-Ziv complexity) of EEG microstate sequences were extracted to compare between males and females. More importantly, these microstate temporal parameters and complexity were tried to train six machine learning methods for gender classification. RESULTS: We obtained five common microstates for each dataset and each group. Compared with the male group, the female group has significantly higher temporal parameters of microstate B, C, E and lower temporal parameters of microstate A and D, and higher complexity of microstate sequence. When using combination of microstate temporal parameters and complexity or only microstate temporal parameters as classification features in an independent test set (the second dataset), we achieved 95.2% classification accuracy. CONCLUSION: Our research findings indicate that the dynamics of microstate have considerable Gender-specific alteration. EEG microstates can be used as neurophysiological biomarkers for gender classification.

Pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aims to identify, critically appraise, and summarize current evidence regarding the feasibility and efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation. METHODS: Three bibliographic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched from inception to October 1, 2023. Clinical trials assessing the feasibility and efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation were eligible for inclusion. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool were used for methodological quality assessment. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were completed by two independent reviewers. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the effects of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials and three single cohort clinical trials were included in this review. Four studies were evaluated as good quality, and four as fair. Pelvic floor telerehabilitation was well tolerated and demonstrated good patient compliance and satisfaction. Pooled analysis indicated significant effects of pelvic floor telerehabilitation on the severity of urinary incontinence with a large effect size, pelvic floor muscle strength with a large effect size, and quality of life with a medium effect size. CONCLUSION: This systematic review demonstrates that pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation is a feasible and effective approach and highlights its efficacy in patients with urinary incontinence. This review supports the application of pelvic floor muscle training in telerehabilitation and informs further clinical and research endeavors to incorporate digital health technologies in managing pelvic floor dysfunction.

HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK ASSESSED BY TISSUE MICROCIRCULATORY MONITORING: A NARRATIVE REVIEW.

ABSTRACT: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) is a common complication after traumatic injury. Early identification of HS can reduce patients' risk of death. Currently, the identification of HS relies on macrocirculation indicators such as systolic blood pressure and heart rate, which are easily affected by the body's compensatory functions. Recently, the independence of the body's overall macrocirculation from microcirculation has been demonstrated, and microcirculation indicators have been widely used in the evaluation of HS. In this study, we reviewed the progress of research in the literature on the use of microcirculation metrics to monitor shock. We analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of each metric and found that microcirculation monitoring could not only indicate changes in tissue perfusion before changes in macrocirculation occurred but also correct tissue perfusion and cell oxygenation after the macrocirculation index returned to normal following fluid resuscitation, which is conducive to the early prediction and prognosis of HS. However, microcirculation monitoring is greatly affected by individual differences and environmental factors. Therefore, the current limitations of microcirculation assessments mean that they should be incorporated as part of an overall assessment of HS patients. Future research should explore how to better combine microcirculation and macrocirculation monitoring for the early identification and prognosis of HS patients.

Performance-based outcome measures of upper extremity in virtual reality and telerehabilitation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence regarding measurement properties of upper extremity performance-based outcome measures performed in virtual reality or in telerehabilitation to inform clinical applications and research endeavors. METHODS: Five bibliographic databases, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, and Scopus, were searched on July 12, 2023. Studies assessing the measurement properties (reliability, validity, responsiveness) of upper extremity performance-based outcome measures in virtual reality and telerehabilitation were eligible for inclusion. The COSMIN risk of bias checklist was used for methodological quality assessment. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were completed by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: A total of 240 records were identified from the five databases. Nine cross-sectional studies published from 2016 to 2023 were included. Participants included 210 patients with neurological conditions and 184 healthy subjects. In virtual reality studies, four implemented the Box and Block Test, one the Arm Research Action Test, and one the Peg Insertion Test. In telerehabilitation studies, three implemented the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity. For quality assessment, one study was rated inadequate, one was rated doubtful, and all others demonstrated adequate to good quality. Most studies demonstrated good test-retest reliability and concurrent validity to the original in-person assessments. CONCLUSION: Implementing upper extremity performance-based outcome measures in virtual reality and telerehabilitation is feasible and promising. Further studies are warranted to develop and refine remote assessment paradigms and validate them on a larger scale to inform clinical application and promote digital health in rehabilitation.

Bayesian predictive model averaging approach to joint longitudinal-survival modeling: Application to an immuno-oncology clinical trial.

In immuno-oncology clinical trials, multiple immunological biomarkers are usually examined over time to comprehensively and appropriately evaluate the efficacy of treatments. Because predicting patients' future survival statuses on the basis of such recorded longitudinal information might be of great interest, joint modeling of longitudinal and time-to-event data has been intensively discussed as a toolkit to implement such a prediction. To achieve a desirable predictive performance, averaging over multiple candidate predictive models to account for the model uncertainty might be a more suitable statistical approach than selecting the single best model. Although Bayesian model averaging can be one of the approaches, several problems related to model weights with marginal likelihoods have been discussed. To address these problems, we here propose a Bayesian predictive model averaging (BPMA) method that uses Bayesian leave-one-out cross-validation predictive densities to account for the subject-specific and time-dependent nature of the prediction. We examine the operating characteristics of the proposed BPMA method in terms of the predictive accuracy (ie, the calibration and discrimination abilities) in extensive simulation studies. In addition, we discuss the strengths and limitations of the proposed method by applying it to an immuno-oncology clinical trial in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

MIZ1 acts downstream of PGM1 in regulating root hydrotropism.

The MIZ1 play an important role in root hydrotropism. However, the relationship between MIZ1-regulated hydrotropism and amyloplast-mediated gravitropism remain largely unclear. Here, we generated the miz1/pgm1 double mutants by crossing the non-hydrotropic miz1 mutant with the amyloplast-defective pgm1 mutant, which lacks gravitropic response. Our results showed that the miz1/pgm1 mutants exhibited a significant reduction in amyloplast and gravitropic bending, while maintaining a similar ahydrotropic phenotype as the miz1 single mutant. These findings suggest that MIZ1 plays a role in hydrotropism downstream of PGM1. Understanding the mechanisms of interaction between hydrotropism and gravitropism is crucial for comprehending the rooting patterns of plants in natural conditions. The counteracting relationship between root hydrotropism and gravitropism in the miz1 mutant should receive attention in this field, particularly considering the interference from gravitropism on Earth.

Synthesis and Study of Photothermal Properties of a Mixed-Valence Nanocluster CuI/CuII with Strong near-Infrared Optical Absorption Supported by 4-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Ligand.

The first mixed-valence nanocluster CuI/CuII with the highest percentage of CuII ions was synthesized by using 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (Calix4), with the formula DMF2⊂[(CO3)2-@CuII6CuI3(Calix4)3Cl2(DMF)5(H3O)]•DMF (1), as a photothermal nanocluster. Its structure was characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. In addition, the charge state and chemical composition of the nanocluster were determined using electrospray ionization spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum. The results of the XPS and X-ray crystallography revealed that there are two independent CuII and CuI centers in nanocluster 1 with the relative abundances of 66.6 and 33.3% for CuII and CuI, respectively. The nanocluster contains three four-coordinated CuI ions with a square-planar geometry and six five-coordinated CuII ions with a square pyramid geometry. The nanocluster shows strong near-infrared optical absorption in the solid state and excellent photothermal conversion ability (the equilibrium temperature ∼78.2 °C) with the light absorption centers in 286-917 nm over previous reported pentanucleus CuI4CuII clusters and CuII compounds.

Effects of virtual reality in the early-stage stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology and has shown promising outcomes in stroke rehabilitation. VR can create an enriched environment, facilitate task-specific training, and provide multimodal sensorimotor feedback to augment functional recovery by driving the experience-dependent plasticity, which is prominent in the early-stage after stroke. PURPOSE: This review aimed to systematically identify and examine the feasibility and effectiveness of VR intervention applied within one-month after stroke on functional outcomes of patients. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were searched across six databases published between 2000 and 2021. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted to compare VR-based rehabilitation and conventional rehabilitation. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled trials were included in this review, and all of them meet the criteria for good quality. The results confirmed the feasibility of applying VR in early stroke rehabilitation. In the meta-analyses, there were no significant differences between VR and control on upper extremity function (SMD = 0.22, P = .10), Activities of Daily Living outcomes (SMD = 0.15, P = .11), balance (SMD = 0.18, P = .86), and cognition (SMD = 0.34, P = .06). CONCLUSION: VR is a feasible approach and demonstrates comparable effectiveness in functional outcomes with conventional rehabilitation in patients with stroke at the early-stage. Further research focusing on the application of VR in acute stroke survivors with adequate sample size, additional follow-up evaluation and valid outcome measures are warranted.

Construction of eight mixed-valence pentanuclear CuI4CuII clusters using ligands with inhomogeneous electron density distribution: synthesis, characterization and photothermal properties.

To enhance light absorption in the visible region for the utilization of sunlight, eight mixed-valence polynuclear CuI/CuII clusters have been synthesized for evaluating their photothermal conversion performance. They are fabricated considering the ligand's electron density distribution inhomogeneity using 1,2,3-triazole (3N) or tetrazole (4N) and different mono-phosphine ligands. We report here the synthesis, crystal structure, characterization, optical properties, and photothermal conversion performance of these clusters. X-ray crystal structures reveal that those pentanuclear clusters are neutral clusters with octahedrally-coordinated copper(II) ion being surrounded by four tetrahedrally coordinated copper(I) ions. Interestingly, with the introduction of the mixed-valence centers, these compounds show additional light absorption centers in 350-600 nm via the IVCT transition mechanism, compared with our previously reported Cu(II) compounds. These clusters show excellent photothermal conversion performance, with an average equilibrium temperature (∼60 °C) and a temperature increment (∼40 °C), which are also superior to Cu(II) complexes (the average equilibrium temperature ∼55 °C). This work proves that it is possible to design and prepare new polynuclear mixed-valence CuI/CuII clusters for achieving high-performance photothermal conversion materials.

Acute oral toxicity test and assessment of combined toxicity of cadmium and aflatoxin B1 in kunming mice.

Cadmium and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are both common and widespread pollutants in food and feed. There are several reports on toxicity induced by Cadmium or AFB1 alone, but few address the toxicity caused by co-exposure to the two substances. In this study, 42 female and 42 male Kunming (KM) mice were divided into seven groups to test the acute oral toxicity of CdCl2 and AFB1, using Karber's method. The combined toxicity was assessed using the Keplinger evaluation system. Acute toxicity symptoms, deaths, and body and organ weights were evaluated, and hematological, blood biochemical, and histopathological analyses were conducted. The results revealed the following median lethal doses (LD50): LD50(Female KM mice) = 62.56 mg/kg; LD50(Male KM mice) = 48.79 mg/kg; LD50(KM mice)=55.27 mg/kg. The combined toxicity of AFB1 and CdCl2 showed an additive effect in mice, and an increase in the mixed dose of AFB1 and CdCl2 resulted in greater toxicity. These results demonstrated that the combined toxicity of AFB1 and CdCl2 was greater than the toxicities of the individual components in mice; thus, this may cause particular challenges when addressing these hazards in food and feed and the associated risk to human and animal health.