miR-582-5p targets Skp1 and regulates NF-κB signaling-mediated inflammation.

A well-tuned inflammatory response is crucial for an effective immune process. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a key mediator of inflammatory and innate immunity responses, and its dysregulation is closely associated with immune-related diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important inflammation modulators. However, miRNA-regulated mechanisms that implicate NF-κB activity are not fully understood. This study aimed to identify a potential miRNA that could modulate the dysregulated NF-κB signaling during inflammation. We identified miR-582-5p that was significantly downregulated in inflamed murine adipose tissues and RAW264.7 cells. S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 (SKP1), a core component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates the NF-κB pathway, was proposed as a biological target of miR-582-5p by using TargetScan. The binding of miR-582-5p to a 3'-untranslated region site on Skp1 was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay; in addition, transfection with a miR-582-5p mimic suppressed SKP1 expression in RAW264.7 cells. Importantly, exogenous miR-582-5p attenuated the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 through suppressing the degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor alpha, followed by the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Therefore, exogenously applied miR-582-5p can attenuate the NF-κB signaling pathway via targeting Skp1; this provides a prospective therapeutic strategy for treating inflammatory and immune diseases.

The development strategies of amateur table tennis matches in China based on the SWOT-AHP model: a case study in Shanghai.

Given the significance of amateur sports matches in health promotion and city culture construction. It is essential to systematically analyze the organizational mode of city amateur matches and propose development strategies. This study aimed to investigate the sustainable development strategies for city amateur matches in China. This study adopted a hybrid model of combined SWOT and the AHP analysis, using the Shanghai City Amateur Table Tennis Matches (ATTM) as a case study. Results showed that 20 factors of the SWOT analysis were included, and the ranking of weights of the SWOT group are Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Threats, respectively, and the strategic vector (θ, ρ) are (74.21°, 0.5861). ATTM should adopt the S-O pioneering strategy and leverages its advantages and opportunities to promote further development. The findings indicate that ATTM with advanced organizational mode, has good internal strengths and external opportunities, which can enlighten the development of amateur table tennis matches for other regions and countries. Future research should apply the hybrid model to a broader range of events and conduct comparative analyses across countries and regions.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Intervention on Improving Sleep-Related Outcomes for People with Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Sleep-related outcomes in people with diabetes are poor, which is closely linked to reducing the development of diabetes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based intervention presents innovative solutions that can help improve sleep-related outcomes. Aim: This synthesis aims to assess the effectiveness of CBT-based intervention compared to controls in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) for sleep-related outcomes among people with diabetes. Methods: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan Fang database. We examined CBT-based intervention's effectiveness on sleep-related outcomes in people with diabetes in RCTs identified in these databases from their inception to 1st November 2023, and updated on 15 January 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool by two reviewers. The meta-analysis of included studies was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Seven studies in total (n = 2633 participants) were included in this systematic review based on our inclusion criteria. The systematic review found CBT-based intervention significantly improved sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI scores) at immediate post-intervention [95% CI=(-1.31 to -0.32), p = 0.001], six months [95% CI=(-0.75 to -0.22), p = 0.0003], and 12 months [95% CI=(-0.72 to -0.24), <0.0001], compared to control groups. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated that six sessions [95% CI= (-0.38 to -0.13), p < 0.0001] or more than six sessions [95% CI=(-1.76 to -0.02), p = 0.05] of CBT-based intervention could improve sleep quality compared to controls (I2=0%). Interestingly, CBT-based intervention improves total sleep time at post-intervention in people with diabetes compared to the control group [95% CI= (-0.57 to -0.12), p = 0.003]. However, there was no significant that CBT-based intervention is beneficial to time to fall asleep [95% CI (-1.89 to 0.43), p = 0.22] and sleep efficiency [95% CI (-1.27 to 0.27), p = 0.20] after intervention, compared to control group. Conclusion: CBT-based intervention appears to have a beneficial effect on improving sleep quality and total sleep time among people with diabetes. CBT-based intervention could be considered a strategy among healthcare providers to enhance sleep quality and total sleep time for people with diabetes. More RCTs with rigorous designs and long-term follow-up are warranted to provide conclusive evidence of the CBT-based intervention on sleep-related outcomes and to explore the mechanisms by which the CBT-based interventions improve sleep-related outcomes.

New Advances in Antenna Design toward Wearable Devices Based on Nanomaterials.

Wearable antennas have recently garnered significant attention due to their attractive properties and potential for creating lightweight, compact, low-cost, and multifunctional wireless communication systems. With the breakthrough progress in nanomaterial research, the use of lightweight materials has paved the way for the widespread application of wearable antennas. Compared with traditional metallic materials like copper, aluminum, and nickel, nanoscale entities including zero-dimensional (0-D) nanoparticles, one-dimensional (1-D) nanofibers or nanotubes, and two-dimensional (2-D) nanosheets exhibit superior physical, electrochemical, and performance characteristics. These properties significantly enhance the potential for constructing durable electronic composites. Furthermore, the antenna exhibits compact size and high deformation stability, accompanied by greater portability and wear resistance, owing to the high surface-to-volume ratio and flexibility of nanomaterials. This paper systematically discusses the latest advancements in wearable antennas based on 0-D, 1-D, and 2-D nanomaterials, providing a comprehensive overview of their development and future prospects in the field.

Approaches to genotyping individual miracidia of Schistosoma japonicum.

Molecular genetic tools are needed to address questions as to the source and dynamics of transmission of the human blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum in regions where human infections have reemerged, and to characterize infrapopulations in individual hosts. The life stage that interests us as a target for collecting genotypic data is the miracidium, a very small larval stage that consequently yields very little DNA for analysis. Here, we report the successful development of a multiplex format permitting genotyping of 17 microsatellite loci in four sequential multiplex reactions using a single miracidium held on a Whatman Classic FTA indicating card. This approach was successful after short storage periods, but after long storage (>4 years), considerable difficulty was encountered in multiplex genotyping, necessitating the use of whole genome amplification (WGA) methods. WGA applied to cards stored for long periods of time resulted in sufficient DNA for accurate and repeatable genotyping. Trials and tests of these methods, as well as application to some field-collected samples, are reported, along with the discussion of the potential insights to be gained from such techniques. These include recognition of sibships among miracidia from a single host, and inference of the minimum number of worm pairs that might be present in a host.

[Report on 55 cases of small intestine hookworm disease diagnosed by capsule endoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the diagnostic value of capsule endoscopy for small intestine hookworm disease. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical data and capsule endoscope image of 55 patients with small intestine hookworm disease in the hospital from June 2006 to June 2012. RESULTS: Among these patients, 40 cases manifested as gastrointestinal bleeding, 7 had iron deficiency anemia, 6 had chronic abdominal pain, and 2 showed abdominal distension or discomfort. Hookworm eggs were found in stool specimens of 2 cases, 6 cases showed peripheral eosinophilia, 46 cases were found to be fecal occult blood positive. Out of the 55 cases investigated, 44 showed anemia (11 severe, 26 moderate, and 7 mild). All patients were definitely diagnosed by capsule endoscopy. The hookworms were translucent and about 5-10 mm in length. Hookworms in most cases were diffusely distributed, but 12 patients suffered massive and severe hookworm infection. In most cases, hookworms were found in the proximal small intestine, and 6 in the distal intestine. Erosion and injury in intestinal mucosa around the hookworm were observed in several cases. CONCLUSION: Capsule endoscopy is an effective and safe diagnostic technique for hookworm disease in small intestine.

[Report on 16 cases of small intestine ascariasis diagnosed by capsule endoscopy].

The clinical data and capsule endoscopy image of 16 adult patients with small intestine ascariasis were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively from June 2006 to June 2012 in West China Hospital. Among the 16 patients, 15 cases manifested as gastrointestinal bleeding, 15 cases showed anemia (3 severe, 10 moderate, and 2 mild), 2 had hypoalbuminemia, 1 had peripheral blood eosinophilia. All the cases were found to be fecal occult blood positive, but no Ascaris eggs found in the feces. Capsule endoscopy showed they were infected with Ascaris worms. The worms were found in the proximal small intestine in 14 patients and 2 in the distal intestine. Mucosal erythema and erosions around the worm were observed in 3 cases, and 7 cases were found with active bleeding or old haemorrhage in small intestine.

Tactile sensing technology in bionic skin: A review.

Bionic skin has shown great potential in the fields of multifunctional robots and medical care. The tactile sensor, an important part of bionic skin, is used to measure the temperature, humidity, pressure, vibration, and other physical quantities including the external environment, object shape, and structure size. As a result, tactile sensors can be applied as epidermal sensors amounted on human skin to monitor the health and motion of users, and applied on soft robotics to help robots sense the environment information around. This paper analyzes and discusses the research progress of tactile sensing technology applied in bionic skin in recent years, including capacitive tactile sensors, piezoresistive tactile sensors, piezoelectric tactile sensors, photoelectric tactile sensors, magnetic tactile sensors, electrochemical sensors, and multi-component tactile sensors. In addition, the principle of each tactile sensor, advantages and disadvantages of various tactile sensors, and their practical applications in various fields are summarized. Finally, the future research direction of bionic skin sensing technology is outlooked.

[Mid-term evaluation on schistosomiasis control effect in Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control in Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate measures for schistosomiasis prevention and control. METHODS: According to the data of historical schistosomiasis prevalence, 5 villages were selected as research sites and field investigations were conducted. RESULTS: The average density of Oncomelania hupensis snails was 0.41 snails/0.1 m2, and there were no schistosome-infected snails. There were no acute schistosomiasis cases in these five villages. For local residents, the health education leaflets were more suitable than warning signs, and for migrant population, they were more concerned about the warning signs. CONCLUSION: After the implementation of effective prevention and control works, the epidemic risks of schistosomiasis have been controlled. However, the health education, surveillance, and prevention measures for schistosomiasis still need to be persisted in.