Effects of Exercise Habits and Gender on Sports e-Learning Behavior: Evidence from an Eye-Tracking Study.

Background/Objective: In the post-epidemic era, an increasing number of individuals were accustomed to learning sports and physical activity knowledge online for fitness and health demands. However, most previous studies have examined the influence of e-learning materials and resources on learners and have neglected intrinsic factors such as experience and physiological characteristics. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the effect of exercise habits and gender on sports e-learning behavior via eye-tracking technology. Methods: We recruited a sample of 60 undergraduate students (mean age = 19.6) from a university in Nanjing, China. They were randomly assigned into 4 groups based on 2 genders × 2 exercise habits. Their gaze behavior was collected by an eye-tracking device during the experiment. The cognitive Load Test and Learning Effect Test were conducted at the end of the individual experiment. Results: (1) Compared to the non-exercise habit group, the exercise habit group had a higher fixation count (P<0.05), a shorter average fixation duration (P<0.05), a smaller average pupil diameter (P<0.05), and a lower subjective cognitive load (P<0.05) and better learning outcome (P<0.05). (2) Male participants showed a greater tendency to process information from the video area of interest (AOIs), and had lower subjective cognitive load (P < 0.05) and better learning outcomes (P < 0.05). (3) There was no interaction effect between exercise habits and gender for any of the indicators (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that exercise habits effectively enhance sports e-learning outcomes and reduce cognitive load. The exercise habits group showed significant improvements in fixation counts, average fixation duration, and average pupil diameter. Furthermore, male subjects exhibited superior learning outcomes, experienced lower cognitive load, and demonstrated greater attentiveness to dynamic visual information. These conclusions are expected to improve sports e-learning success and address educational inequality.

Effectiveness of exercise intervention on improving fundamental motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a severe public health concern, and most of the children with ASD experience a substantial delay in FMS. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in improving FMS in children with ASD, and provide evidence to support the scientific use of exercise interventions in practice. Methods: We searched seven online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, Clinical Trials, and The Cochrane Library) from inception to May 20, 2022. We included randomized control trials of exercise interventions for FMS in children with ASD. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale. Stata 14.0 software was used for meta-analysis, forest plotting, subgroup analysis, heterogeneity analysis, and meta-regression. Results: Thirteen studies underwent systematic review (541 participants), of which 10 underwent meta-analysis (297 participants). Overall, exercise interventions significantly improved overall FMS in children with ASD. Regarding the three categories of FMS, exercise interventions significantly improved LMS (SMD = 1.07; 95% CI 0.73 to 1.41, p < 0.001), OCS (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.26, p = 0.001), and SS (SMD = 0.72; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.98, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: exercise interventions can effectively improve the FMS of children with ASD. The effects on LMS are considered as large effect sizes, while the effects on OCS and SS are considered as moderate effect sizes. These findings can inform clinical practice. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-12-0013/.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue measured by computed tomography and premature ventricular complexes originating from different sites.

AIMS: This study aims to explore the association between the features of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in different zones and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from different sites by computed tomography (CT). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 136 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for PVCs were incorporated in this study. One hundred and thirty-six matched controls were included in this study using the case-control method (1:1 matching). PVCs were classified into four subgroups: (1) right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs), (2) non-RVOT of the right ventricle (RV-PVCs), (3) left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-PVCs), and (4) non-LVOT of the left ventricle (LV-PVCs). The volume and density of EAT were quantified by CT. Patients with PVCs had a significantly higher volume and lower density of EAT than the controls (P < 0.001). The LVOT-PVCs and LV-PVCs had a higher left ventricle periventricular EAT volume (LV-EATv) proportion (P < 0.05). The right ventricle periventricular EAT volume (RV-EATv) proportion was higher in ROVT-PVCs and LVOT-PVCs (P < 0.05). RVOT-PVC patients had a higher volume ratio and a smaller density differential (P < 0.05). Patients with LVOT-PVCs had a lower volume ratio and the LV-PVCs showed a greater density differential (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher volume and lower density of EAT were significantly associated with frequent PVCs. The RVOT-PVC patients had a higher volume ratio and a smaller density differential. The LVOT-PVCs had a lower volume ratio and the LV-PVCs showed a greater density differential. These suggest a link between EAT structural properties and PVCs and a potential role for regional EAT in the development of PVCs.

Cyclic RGD functionalized liposomes targeted to activated platelets for thrombosis dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging.

Thrombotic disease is a serious threat to human health. The rapid and accurate detection of thrombosis is still a clinical challenge. To achieve the accurate diagnosis of thrombosis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nanomaterials-based contrast agents have been developed in recent years. In this study, cyclic RGD functionalized liposomes targeted to the activated platelets are developed for thrombosis dual-mode MRI. The cyclic RGD functionalized liposomes (cRGD@MLP-Gd) encapsulated with gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) are prepared, and their thrombus-targeted T1 and T2 MRI potential is evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results show that cRGD@MLP-Gd could actively bind to the activated platelets and gradually accumulate at the thrombus site with a T1 - T2 contrast enhancement imaging effect in vitro. In in vivo MRI experiments, cRGD@MLP-Gd exhibits a T2 contrast enhancement at 1 h after intravenous administration, followed by a visibly larger T1 contrast enhancement at the thrombus site. This dynamic property showed that cRGD@MLP-Gd could actively bind to thrombus and possessed an enhanced T1 and T2 dual-mode MRI effect in vivo. Our results establish the characterization, feasibility and superiority of cRGD@MLP-Gd for the rapid identification of thrombosis, showing great potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity to thrombosis of the MRI technique.

Vildagliptin Reduces Stenosis of Injured Carotid Artery in Diabetic Mouse Through Inhibiting Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via ER Stress/NF-κB Pathway.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are novel anti-hyperglycemic drugs for type 2 diabetes. It has been reported that DDP-4 inhibitor could exert pleiotropic effects on cardiovascular system. This study was to explore the effect and mechanism of vildagliptin on the stenosis of injured carotid artery in diabetic mouse. Twenty six-week-old male db/db mice (BKS) were randomized into vildagliptin treated and vehicle control groups. Ligation injury was first performed in left carotid arteries of all diabetic mice, then oral vildagliptin or equal amount of PBS was correspondingly administered to the mice from the next day to ligation injury for 4 weeks. Effects on proliferation were detected via histological and morphometric analysis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) markers were determined by immunoblot analysis. After 4 weeks of vildagliptin delivery, it was observed that the intimal area and neointimal thickness of the ligated carotid arteries were significantly reduced as compared to the control group. In vivo, vildagliptin suppressed the expressions of PCNA and α-SMA, phospho-p65, phospho-IKKα/ß, GRP78 and CHOP, as well as IRE-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In vitro, the proliferation and hypertrophy of VSMCs were significantly inhibited by blocking the IRE-1 pathway, and the inhibition of phospho-IRE-1 expression down-regulated the expression of phospho-IKKα/ß in VSMCs. Vildagliptin reduced the stenosis of injured carotid arteries in diabetic mice, and this effect was achieved via inhibiting the activation of ER stress/NF-κB pathway.

Clinical pharmacodynamics and long-term efficacy of Talcom vs. Plavix in patients undergoing coronary stent implantation: a randomized study with 5-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: Form II clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) has been extensively used in patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, the efficacy of form I clopidogrel bisulfate (Talcom) was less investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Talcom compared with Plavix. METHOD: Two hundred and forty-eight patients were recruited after receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Participants were randomly assigned to Talcom or Plavix group, and administered with Talcom or Plavix 75 mg od respectively in combination with aspirin 100 mg od for 12 months. Primary endpoints were set as levels of adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation (PLADP) on the 5th day and at 1 month after randomization. Patients were followed-up for 5 years. Bleeding events and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and cardiogenic re-admission were recorded. RESULTS: On the 5th day and at 1 month after randomization, the antiplatelet effect of Talcom was non-inferior to that of Plavix [PLADP (5th day): 30% (22%, 43%) vs. 33% (22%, 44%), p = 0.007; PLADP (1 month): 29% (19%, 43%) vs. 31% (22%, 43%), p = 0.005]. A total of 208 patients completed the follow-up, the incidences of MACE and bleeding were both comparable, and the MACE-free survival did not differ between the two groups. However, the expenditure was 32% lower for Talcom compared to Plavix during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: The antiplatelet effect of Talcom is non-inferior to Plavix, and the clinical efficacy and safety of Talcom and Plavix at 5 years were not significantly different in this study.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Chinese Women Younger Than 30 Years and 30 Years or Older and Correlated Biochemical Indices.

IMPORTANCE: Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is considered an important marker of ovarian reserve; however, the exact function of AMH has yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate factors correlated with AMH levels in Chinese women. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Healthy women were divided into 2 groups: aged younger than 30 years and 30 years or older. Anti-müllerian hormone levels and biochemical indices were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Eighty women younger than 30 and 29 women 30 years or older were included. The mean AMH level in women younger than 30 years was 8.2 ± 4.4 ng/mL (range, 0.1-17.2 ng/mL), and in those 30 years or older was 5.2 ± 4.3 ng/mL (range, 0.1-13.3 ng/mL). Half of women younger than 30 years had an AMH level above a median of 8.0 ng/mL (interquartile range, 4.9-11.2 ng/mL), whereas the median in those 30 years or older was 4.6 ng/mL (interquartile range, 1.3-8.5 ng/mL). In women younger than 30 years, calcium was positively correlated (P = 0.014) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was negatively correlated with AMH (P < 0.001). No correlations of calcium and SHBG with AMH were found in women 30 years or older, but a positive correlation between triglycerides and testosterone and AMH was noted (P = 0.020 and P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Anti-müllerian hormone levels are positively or negatively correlated with testosterone, calcium, SHBG, and triglycerides in Chinese women.

Fluoride Release from Hollow Silica Microsphere-Containing Dental Restorative Acrylate Resin.

Hollow silica microspheres with mesoporous shells were prepared by the sacrificial template method. Hollow silica microsphere-containing acrylate resin-based dental restoration materials were prepared by using hollow silica microspheres as NaF reservoirs. Fluoride release performances from naked hollow silica microspheres, acrylate resin, and hollow silica microsphere-containing acrylate resin-based dental restorative materials in an artificial saliva were investigated. The results showed that hollow silica microsphere-containing acrylate resin-based dental restorative materials had higher cumulative fluoride release quantities and sustained fluoride release rates than traditional acrylate resin-based dental restorative materials. Fluoride release could be tuned by changing the mesoporous shell thickness of hollow silica microsphere.

Synthesis of different sized and porous hydroxyapatite nanorods without organic modifiers and their 5-fluorouracil release performance.

Porous biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanorods of various sizes were synthesized by the combination of chemical precipitation and hydrothermal method without the use of organic modifiers. The HAP nanorod samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption techniques. HAP nanorods with average diameters and average lengths ranging from 8.5 to 26.6 nm and from 23.1 to 49.7 nm, respectively, could be controllably synthesized via these methods. Low autoclaving temperature and high pH value favored the formation of relatively small HAP nanorods. The TEM images showed that the nanorods possessed porous structures with average pore diameters ranging from 1.6 to 2.7 nm. These HAP nanoparticles effectively prolonged the release time of 5-fluorouracil up to 24h. The as-synthesized HAP nanorods displayed no cytotoxicity to bone marrow stem cells at low HAP concentration, indicating that these nanorod materials could serve as potential carriers for novel drug release systems.

Size-controlled preparation of α-calcium sulphate hemihydrate starting from calcium sulphate dihydrate in the presence of modifiers and the dissolution rate in simulated body fluid.

Different-sized α-calcium sulphate hemihydrate (α-CSH) rods were hydrothermally prepared by converting calcium sulphate dihydrate at 110-140°C in the presence of MgCl2, sodium citrate (CANa), and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) as the modifiers. The α-CSH rods with the average diameters and the average lengths in the ranges of 2.6-5.2 and 17.5-33.1 µm, respectively, were tunably prepared. The presence of the modifiers favoured the formation of small-sized α-CSH rods. The effect of the modifiers on decreasing the diameters of α-CSH rods was in an order of SDBS>CANa>MgCl2. The dissolution rates of the different-sized α-CSH rods prepared at 140°C in simulated body fluid were in an order of α-CSH (CANa)>α-CSH (MgCl2)>α-CSH (reference)>α-CSH (SDBS). The naked and small-sized α-CSH rods had high dissolution rates. The adsorption of SDBS on the surfaces of α-CSH rods decreased their dissolution rates.