Synthesis of Novel Propionamide-Methylpyrazole Carboxylates as Herbicidal Candidates.

Transketolase (TKL; EC 2.2.1.1) is a highly promising potential target for herbicidal applications. To identify novel TKL inhibitors, we designed and synthesized a series of 3-oxopropionamide-1-methylpyrazole carboxylate analogues and assessed their herbicidal activities. Ethyl 3-((1-((2,4-dichlorophenyl)amino)-1-oxopropan-2-yl)oxy)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate (D15) and ethyl 1-methyl-3-((1-oxo-1-((thiophen-2-ylmethyl)amino)propan-2-yl)oxy)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylate (D20) exhibited superior growth inhibition activities against both the root and stem of Amaranthus retroflexus (A. retroflexus) compared to nicosulfuron and mesotrione. Additionally, D15 achieved an inhibition rate of more than 90% against the roots and stems of Digitaria sanguinalis (D. sanguinalis), outperforming the four control agents at a concentration of 200 mg/L using the small cup method. In the pre-emergence herbicidal activity test, D15 effectively inhibited D. sanguinalis by more than 90% at 150 g ai/ha, surpassing the efficacy of the control, mesotrione. Conversely, in the postemergence herbicidal activity test, D20 exhibited efficient inhibition of A. retroflexus by more than 90% at 150 g ai/ha, outperforming the control agents nicosulfuron, mesotrione, and metamifop. The results of the TKL enzyme activity test showed that the IC50 values of compounds D15 and D20 were 0.384 and 0.655 mg/L, respectively, which were close to those of the control agents. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that D15 and D20 interacted favorably with the TKL of Setaria viridis. Such findings highlight the promising potential of D15 and D20 as lead TKL inhibitors for the optimization of new herbicides.

Effectiveness of early cervical functional exercise in patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of early cervical functional exercise (CFE) on clinical outcomes and safety of patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent ACDF from September 2019 to September 2020 were analyzed and randomly divided into two groups: the CFE group (27 cases) and the usual care (UC) group (33 cases). Then, all patients in the two groups received routine postoperative guidance care at the same time. Besides, the patients of the CFE group underwent a cervical functional exercise program after on the third day after ACDF. The evaluation was conducted preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores (JOA) were used to assess clinical outcomes and the safety was confirmed with routine postoperative radiological visits to ensure intervertebral stability. RESULTS: The CFE group reported lower neck pain scores on VAS at 1 month after surgery (P = 0.02) and higher postoperative scores by JOA at 1 month and 6 months, neck disability on NDI at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05) compared to the UC group. For postoperative dysfunction, the CFE group had more significant changes than the UC group at 1 month and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in cervical curves, fusion rate and fusion status between the two groups, and no revision surgery was recorded although a patient has one screw partially back out in UC group. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the cervical functional exercise could decrease cervical pain and improve postoperative function in patients after ACDF. It was a safe and effective treatment for postoperative rehabilitation. The use of a postoperative collar, especially for one or two-level ACDF may not be needed. PROTOCOL IDENTIFYING NUMBER: This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR1900025569) on 01/09/2019.

A Comparison of Throwing Arm Kinetics and Ball Velocity in High School Pitchers With Overall Fast and Overall Slow Cumulative Joint and Segment Velocities.

BACKGROUND: Individual maximum joint and segment angular velocities have shown positive associations with throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity in baseball pitchers. PURPOSE: To observe how cumulative maximum joint and segment angular velocities, irrespective of sequence, affect ball velocity and throwing arm kinetics in high school pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: High school (n = 55) pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastball pitches while being evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Maximum joint and segment angular velocities (lead knee extension, pelvis rotation, trunk rotation, shoulder internal rotation, and forearm pronation) were calculated for each pitcher. Pitchers were classified as overall fast, overall slow, or high velocity for each joint or segment velocity subcategory, or as population, with any pitcher eligible to be included in multiple subcategories. Kinematic and kinetic parameters were compared among the various subgroups using t tests with post hoc regressions and multivariable regression models created to predict throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity, respectively. RESULTS: The lead knee extension and pelvis rotation velocity subgroups achieved significantly higher normalized elbow varus torque (P = .016) and elbow flexion torque (P = .018) compared with population, with equivalent ball velocity (P = .118). For every 1-SD increase in maximum pelvis rotation velocity (87 deg/s), the normalized elbow distractive force increased by 4.7% body weight (BW) (B = 0.054; ß = 0.290; P = .013). The overall fast group was older (mean ± standard deviation, 16.9 ± 1.4 vs 15.4 ± 0.9 years; P = .007), had 8.9-mph faster ball velocity (32.7 ± 3.1 vs 28.7 ± 2.3 m/s; P = .002), and had significantly higher shoulder internal rotation torque (63.1 ± 17.4 vs 43.6 ± 12.0 Nm; P = .005), elbow varus torque (61.8 ± 16.4 vs 41.6 ± 11.4 Nm; P = .002), and elbow flexion torque (46.4 ± 12.0 vs 29.5 ± 6.8 Nm; P < .001) compared with the overall slow group. A multiregression model for ball velocity based on maximum joint and segment angular velocities and anthropometrics predicted 53.0% of variance. CONCLUSION: High school pitchers with higher maximum joint and segment velocities, irrespective of sequence, demonstrated older age and faster ball velocity at the cost of increased throwing shoulder and elbow kinetics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pitchers and coaching staff should consider this trade-off between faster ball velocity and increasing throwing arm kinetics, an established risk factor for elbow injury.

Kinematic Modeling of Pitch Velocity in High School and Professional Baseball Pitchers: Comparisons With the Literature.

Background: Kinematic parameters predictive of pitch velocity have been evaluated in adolescent and collegiate baseball pitchers; however, they have not been established for high school or professional pitchers. Purpose: To create multiregression models using anthropometric and kinematics features most predictive for pitch velocity in high school and professional pitchers and compare them with prior multiregression models evaluating other playing levels. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: High school (n = 59) and professional (n = 337) baseball pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastballs while being evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Using anthropometric and kinematic variables, multiregression models for pitch velocity were created for each group. A systematic review was conducted to determine previous studies that established kinematic models for ball velocity in youth, high school, and collegiate pitchers. Results: Leg length was predictive of pitch velocity for high school and professional pitchers (P < .001 for both). When compared with previously established models for pitch velocity, almost all groups were distinct from one another when assessing age (P maximum < .001), weight (P max = .0095), and pitch velocity (P max < .001). Stride length was a significant predictor for the youth/high school pitchers, as well as the current study's high school and professional pitchers (P < .001 for all). Maximal shoulder external rotation (collegiate: P = .001; professional: P < .001) and maximal elbow extension velocity (high school/collegiate: P = .024; collegiate: P < .001; professional: P = .006) were shared predictors for the collegiate and current study's professional group multiregression models. Trunk flexion at ball release was a commonly shared predictor in the youth/high school (P = .04), high school/collegiate (P = .003), collegiate (P < .001), and the current study's professional group (P < .001). Conclusion: Youth, high school, collegiate, and professional pitchers had unique, predictive kinematic and anthropometric features predictive of pitch velocity. Leg length, stride length, trunk flexion at ball release, and maximal shoulder external rotation were predictive features that were shared between playing levels. Clinical Relevance: Coaches, clinicians, scouts, and pitchers can consider both the unique and the shared predictive features at each playing level when attempting to maximize pitch velocity.

Porous VN nanosheet arrays on MXene carbon fibers for flexible supercapacitors.

VN usually has poor rate performance and cycle stability. In this work, porous VN nanosheet arrays were prepared on carbon nanofibers embedded with Ti3C2Tx nanosheets by electrospinning and chemical vapor deposition. The 3D network accelerates the transfer of electrons and electrolyte ions, prevents the aggregation of VN and the self-stacking of MXene, and enhances cycle stability. The solid-state flexible device comprising Co3O4, MXCF@VN, and KOH/PVA exhibits exceptional energy densities of 83.95 W h kg-1 and robust cycling stability (82.8% retention after 20 000 cycles).

Coexistence of a novel NDM-1-encoding MDR plasmid and an IMP-4-encoding IncN-IncU hybrid plasmid in a clinical isolate of Citrobacter freundii BC73.

Objectives: To investigate the genetic characteristics and transmission mechanism of the NDM-1-, IMP-4-, and SHV-12-producing multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolate, Citrobacter freundii BC73. Methods: C. freundii BC73 was isolated from a urine specimen of a urological patient diagnosed with bladder cancer at a Chinese teaching hospital. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using DL-120E susceptibility cards and DL-96A system. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the isolate was performed using the Illumina and Oxford Nanopore platforms to analyze the genetic context of drug resistance genes and plasmid characteristics. The phylogenetic tree was constructed and visualized by KSNP3.0 software and iTOL5.0 online database. Results: C. freundii isolate BC73 co-carrying bla NDM-1, bla IMP-4 and bla SHV-12 were multidrug-resistant. bla NDM-1 and bla IMP-4 were located on a novel IncFIB-like plasmid, pCFBC1, and an IncN-IncU hybrid plasmid, pCFBC2, respectively. The transferability of bla NDM-1 and bla IMP-4 from C. freundii BC73 to E. coli J53 was successfully demonstrated. The genetic context of the bla NDM-1 and bla IMP-4 genes were ISCR27-groEL-∆groES-cutA-dsbD-trpF-ble MBL-bla NDM-1-∆ISAba125-IS3000 and intI1-bla IMP-4-Kl.pn.13-mobC-IS6100, respectively. Additionally, two extensive transposition units (MGE1 in pCFBC1, MGE2 in pCFBC2) were identified and numerous antimicrobial resistance genes were discovered on it. Conclusion: To our knowledge, our study represents the first characterization of a ST22 C. freundii isolate co-harboring bla NDM-1, bla IMP-4, and bla SHV-12, obtained from a urine sample. The dissemination of this MDR isolate should be of close concern in future clinical surveillance.

Sign of Neck Mass as the Chief Complaint: A Case Report and Literature Review About Thyroid Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Commonly, the thyroid gland is regarded as an organ with fewer metastatic diseases, and colorectal metastasis to the thyroid (CMT) is rarely reported, especially, with that the clinical sign of thyroid metastasis nidus is the chief complaint. The CMT occurs in advanced colorectal cancer and is associated with poor prognosis and short survival. Case Report: In this case, we reported a patient with the sign of neck mass as the first manifestation of CMT. The patient underwent a partial thyroidectomy in June 2019, immunohistochemical findings of thyroid carcinoma suggested the possibility of adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal tract. The patient underwent a colonoscopy in July 2019 and a colonic mass was found. Pathological examination diagnosed rectal adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical treatment, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The patient died in June 2022. Conclusion: The metastasis disease would not be ignored at all, when a patient complains at signs of neck mass. Further, the possibility of metastasis cancer should be considered once thyroid nodules occur in patients with colorectal cancer. Even though the biological characteristics and stage of the primary tumor have an important impact on the prognosis, positive standardized treatments can also be helpful.

An Analysis of Intrapitch Variation in Joint and Segment Velocities With Throwing Arm Kinetics in High School and Professional Baseball Pitchers.

BACKGROUND: Improper sequencing order of maximal joint and segment velocities has been identified as an important predictor for both throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity. PURPOSE: To investigate the intrapitcher variation of maximal segment velocities and the relationship to throwing arm kinetics and ball velocity in high school (HS) and professional (PRO) pitchers. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: HS (n = 59) and PRO (n = 338) pitchers, instructed to throw 8 to 12 fastball pitches, were evaluated with 3-dimensional motion capture (480 Hz). Maximal joint and segment velocities were calculated for each pitch, and the standard deviation of the maxima was calculated per pitcher. These standard deviations were used to classify pitchers as "low variance" or "high variance" for each segmental velocity subgroup, "overall low variance" or "overall high variance" based on cumulative segment velocity variation, or "population," with any pitcher eligible to be included in multiple subcategories. Maximal velocities and throwing arm kinetics were compared among the various subgroups. RESULTS: The HS low-variance shoulder internal rotation velocity subgroup (4949 ± 642 deg/s) had significantly lower maximal shoulder internal rotation velocity compared with HS population (5774 ± 1057 deg/s) (P < .001); similar findings were observed for PROs (5269 ± 835 vs 5824 ± 1076 deg/s; P < .001), as well as lower shoulder superior force compared with the PRO population (14.8% ± 8.8% vs 17.8% ± 8.8% body weight; P = .001). The PRO low-variance lead knee extension velocity subgroup had significantly lower maximal lead knee extension velocity (216 ± 135 vs 258 ± 125 deg/s; P = .001) and shoulder distractive force (111.5% ± 14.4% vs 115.6% ± 15.9% body weight; P = .003) compared with the PRO population. The PRO overall low-variance subgroup had significantly lower shoulder distractive force (111.8% ± 14.1% vs 119.6% ± 15.5% body weight; P = .008) and elbow anterior force (40.6% ± 5.0% vs 43.6% ± 6.2% body weight; P = .008) compared with the PRO overall high-variance subgroup. CONCLUSION: HS and PRO pitchers with low variance for joint and segment velocities achieved significantly lower maximal velocities in the subgroup of interest, while preserving ball velocity. PRO pitchers with overall low variance among multiple maximal joint and segment velocities demonstrated decreased shoulder distractive and elbow anterior force. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PRO pitchers with low intrapitch variation in maximal joint and segment velocities may be viewed as kinetically conservative throwers. These pitchers with similarly maintained mechanics between pitches may have an increasingly regimented form that preserves kinetic forces about the throwing arm. The opposite may be true for PRO pitchers with increased variability in segmental velocities during their pitching motion, as they showed increased throwing arm kinetics including shoulder distractive and elbow anterior force compared with the overall low-variance group, theoretically increasing their risk of injury.

What are the differences in paraspinal muscle morphometry among degenerative spondylolisthesis patients, isthmic spondylolisthesis patients, and healthy individuals? A propensity score matching analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the morphometry of paraspinal muscles in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS), and healthy individuals. METHODS: Thirty-seven pairs of DS patients were selected using propensity score matching with IS patients, while 37 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, and BMI were selected as controls. The relative cross-sectional area (rCSA), and relative functional cross-sectional area (rfCSA) of paraspinal muscles were measured, and the degree of fatty infiltration (FI) was calculated. Based on occupational differences, the patients were also divided into worker and farmer groups, and the same measurements were taken on them. RESULTS: At the L3/L4 level, the multifidus (MF) FI was greater in the DS and IS groups than in the control group, the erector spinae (ES) rfCSA was higher in the IS group than in the DS and control groups. At the L4/L5 level, MF rfCSA was smaller in the DS and IS groups than in the control group; ES rfCSA was higher in the IS group than in the DS and control groups. At the L5/S1 level, MF rfCSA was smaller in the DS and IS groups than in the control group; ES rfCSA was higher in the IS group than in the DS group. At the L3/L4, L4/L5 level, MF rfCSA were higher in the worker group than in the farmer group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The morphological changes in paraspinal muscles in patients with DS were dominated by selective atrophy of the MF, while in patients with IS, the morphological changes in paraspinal muscle showed selective atrophy of the MF accompanied by compensatory hypertrophy of the ES. The surgeon should consider the morphological differences in paraspinal muscle between different types of lumbar spondylolisthesis when establishing the appropriate surgical program.

Osteoporosis and cement usage in total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Cement usage in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasingly common. However, osteoporosis-related fracture risk in cemented vs uncemented THA patients is poorly characterized. We aim to analyze the usage of metabolic bone care and osteoporosis fracture risk in cemented vs uncemented THA patients using FRAX and radiographic bone measurements. METHODS: Chart review on 250 THA patients was performed retrospectively. Demographics, FRAX scores, hip radiograph measurements, osteoporosis diagnosis, treatment and screening were compared between cemented and uncemented THA patients. Logistic regression model was used to analyze factors influencing cement usage. RESULTS: Cemented THA patients have significantly higher osteoporosis-related fracture risk as measured by FRAX major (20% vs 13%) and FRAX hip (8% vs 5%). There is no significant difference in osteoporosis treatment, vitamin D / calcium supplementation, or metabolic bone disease screening based on patients' cement status. Female sex and rheumatoid arthritis status significantly predict cement usage, but FRAX scores do not predict cement usage. Additionally, 50% (10/20) of patients with Dorr C classification were uncemented. CONCLUSION: Although some patients undergoing THA with high osteoporosis-related fracture risk were identified and cemented, some risk factors including poor proximal femur shape (by Dorr classification) and poor bone quality (as measured by FRAX score) were potentially overlooked. Cemented patients had an increased risk for fractures but did not receive appropriately increased osteoporosis screening or treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Comparison of the predictive values of MRI-based vertebral bone quality scores for the determination of osteoporosis in different diseases.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine the consistency of vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores for assessing osteoporosis across different etiologies and explore the predictive value of various VBQ scores for fragility vertebral fractures. METHODS: Patients with fragility fractures were matched by age and sex to patients with lumbar degeneration. VBQ scores were calculated in T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Differential analysis of bone quality was performed based on etiology. RESULTS: A total of 96 inpatients were retrospectively enrolled. VBQT1 scores were only sensitive to osteoporotic bone in degenerative group (p < 0.01), failing to identify osteoporosis in fractured group (p > 0.05). For the degenerative group, the area under the curve (AUC) using the VBQT1 scores to differentiate osteoporosis was 0.72. After controlling the confounding variables, only VBQT2 scores were significantly higher in fractured group than degenerative group, with a greater AUC of 0.82 predicting fragility fractures. VBQT1 scores moderately correlated with femoral neck T-scores in degenerative group (r = -0.45, p < 0.01) but not in fractured group (r = -0.24, p > 0.05). VBQT2 scores were not associated with femoral neck T-scores (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of VBQs scores in assessing osteoporosis post-fracture. Only non-fractured patients' bone quality is fully susceptible to VBQT1 scores. While VBQT1 scores may not correlate with fragility fractures, VBQT2 scores present a viable alternative.

Ti3C2Tx MXene-embedded MnO2-based hydrophilic electrospun carbon nanofibers as a freestanding electrode for supercapacitors.

Herein, MnO2 nanoflowers are electrodeposited on a self-supported and electroconductive electrode in which 2D Ti3C2Tx nanosheets are encased in carbon nanofibers (MnO2@Ti3C2Tx/CNFs). This improves the conductivity and hydrophilicity of the MnO2 composite electrode. The asymmetric supercapacitor shows a high energy density of 46.4 W h kg-1 and a power density of 4 kW kg-1.

Kinematic and Kinetic Comparisons of Arm Slot Position Between High School and Professional Pitchers.

Background: Throwing arm kinetics differ in pitchers at varying arm slot (AS) positions (frontal-plane arm position at ball release relative to the vertical axis). Purpose: To determine how kinematic and kinetic values differ between professional and high school pitchers with varying AS positions, and whether these differences are similarly observed in both populations. Methods: High school (n = 130) and professional (n = 288) pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastballs under 3-dimensional motion capture technology. Pitchers in each cohort were subdivided based on mean AS position at ball release: AS1 (least degree of AS: most overhand throwing styles), AS2 (intermediate degree of AS: three-quarter throwing styles), or AS3 (greatest degree of AS: most sidearm throwing styles). Kinetic and kinematic parameters were compared between groups. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Results: High school pitchers had a more overhand AS at ball release (50° ± 11°) compared with professional pitchers (58° ± 14°) (P < .001). In both cohorts, AS1 pitchers had significantly greater shoulder abduction (high school, P <0.001; professional, P <0.0001) and lateral trunk flexion (high school, P < 0.001; professional, P <0.0001) at ball release compared with AS3 pitchers. Professional pitchers with an AS3 position had significantly delayed timing of maximum upper trunk angular velocity compared with AS1 pitchers (64% ± 7% vs 57% ± 7% of pitch time, respectively; P < .0001). A significant positive correlation between AS and elbow flexion torque was found in high school pitchers (P = .002; ß = 0.28), and a significant negative correlation between AS and elbow varus torque (P < .001; ß = -0.22) and shoulder internal rotation torque (P < .001; ß = -0.20) was noted in professional pitchers. Conclusion: AS position was related to shoulder abduction and trunk lateral tilt. Professional and high school pitchers with varying AS positions did not experience similar changes in throwing arm kinetics. Clinical Relevance: In professional pitchers, the earlier onset of maximum upper trunk angular velocity with overhand throwing style may reflect inappropriate pelvis-trunk timing separation, a parameter implicated in upper extremity injury, and the negative correlation between AS and elbow varus and shoulder internal rotation torque suggests that both excessive and minimal AS positions have negative implications.

Association between metabolic healthy obesity and female infertility: the national health and nutrition examination survey, 2013-2020.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been confirmed to be associated with infertility. However, the association between metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), a subset of obesity with no metabolic abnormalities, and female infertility has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to examine the association between MHO and the risk of female infertility among United States. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional design and included 3542 women aged 20-45 years who were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2020 database. The association between MHO and the risk of infertility was evaluated using risk factor-adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Higher BMI and WC were associated with increased infertility risk after adjusting for potential confounding factors (OR (95% CI): 1.04(1.02, 1.06), P = 0.001; OR (95% CI): 1.02 (1.01, 1.03), P < 0.001; respectively). After cross-classifying by metabolic health and obesity according to BMI and WC categories, individuals with MHO had a higher risk of infertility than those with MHN (OR (95% CI): 1.75(0.88, 3.50) for BMI criteria; OR (95% CI): 2.01(1.03, 3.95) for WC criteria). A positive linear relationship was observed between BMI/WC and infertility risk among metabolically healthy women (Pnon-linearity=0.306, 0.170; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MHO was associated with an increased risk of infertility among reproductive-aged women in the US. Obesity itself, regardless of metabolic health status, was associated with a higher infertility risk. Our results support implementing lifestyle changes aimed at achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight in all individuals, even those who are metabolically healthy.

Changes of the posterior paraspinal and psoas muscle in patients with low back pain: a 3-year longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the changes of the posterior paraspinal muscles (PPM) and psoas muscle in patients with low back pain (LBP) over time. METHODS: Patients with LBP who had a repeat lumbar MRI with a minimum of 3-years apart at a tertiary referral center were analyzed. MRI-based quantitative assessments of the PPM and the psoas muscle were conducted for the baseline and follow-up MRI. The cross sectional area (CSA), the functional cross sectional area (fCSA) and the fat area (FAT) were calculated using a dedicated software program. The fatty infiltration (FI,%) of the regions of interest was calculated. Differences between the 1st and 2nd MRI were calculated for all assessed muscular parameters. RESULTS: A total of 353 patients (54.4%female) with a median age of 60.1 years and BMI of 25.8 kg/m2 at baseline were analyzed. The mean time between the 1st and 2nd MRI was 3.6 years. The fCSAPPM declined in both sexes significantly from the 1st to the 2nd MRI, whereas the FATPPM increased. In line with this result, the FIPPM increased in both males (29.9%) and females (19.4%). Females had a higher FIPPM and FIPsoas than males in both MRIs. In females, no significant changes were found for the psoas muscle. The CSAPsoas and fCSAPsoas in males were significantly smaller in the 2nd MRI. With increasing age, a significant trend in a decrease in ∆FIPPM was observed for both sexes. CONCLUSION: The study revealed significant quantitatively muscular changes in males and females, especially in the posterior paraspinal muscles in only three years' time.

VTSNN: a virtual temporal spiking neural network.

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have recently demonstrated outstanding performance in a variety of high-level tasks, such as image classification. However, advancements in the field of low-level assignments, such as image reconstruction, are rare. This may be due to the lack of promising image encoding techniques and corresponding neuromorphic devices designed specifically for SNN-based low-level vision problems. This paper begins by proposing a simple yet effective undistorted weighted-encoding-decoding technique, which primarily consists of an Undistorted Weighted-Encoding (UWE) and an Undistorted Weighted-Decoding (UWD). The former aims to convert a gray image into spike sequences for effective SNN learning, while the latter converts spike sequences back into images. Then, we design a new SNN training strategy, known as Independent-Temporal Backpropagation (ITBP) to avoid complex loss propagation in spatial and temporal dimensions, and experiments show that ITBP is superior to Spatio-Temporal Backpropagation (STBP). Finally, a so-called Virtual Temporal SNN (VTSNN) is formulated by incorporating the above-mentioned approaches into U-net network architecture, fully utilizing the potent multiscale representation capability. Experimental results on several commonly used datasets such as MNIST, F-MNIST, and CIFAR10 demonstrate that the proposed method produces competitive noise-removal performance extremely which is superior to the existing work. Compared to ANN with the same architecture, VTSNN has a greater chance of achieving superiority while consuming ~1/274 of the energy. Specifically, using the given encoding-decoding strategy, a simple neuromorphic circuit could be easily constructed to maximize this low-carbon strategy.

Molecular characterization of a cation-dependent mannose-6-phosphate receptor gene in Crassostrea hongkongensis and its responsiveness in Vibrio alginolyticus infection.

The cation-dependent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CD-M6PR) is a P-type lectin that plays a crucial role in lysosomal enzyme transport, bacterial resistance, and viral entry. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the ORF of the CD-M6PR gene from Crassostrea hongkongensis and named it ChCD-M6PR. We analyzed the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of ChCD-M6PR, its tissue expression pattern and immune response to Vibrio alginolyticus. Our results showed that the ORF of ChCD-M6PR was 801 bp long and encoded a protein of 266 amino acids with a signal peptide at the N-terminus, as well as Man-6-P_recep, ATG27 and transmembrane structural domains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Crassostrea hongkongensis shared the highest similarity with Crassostrea gigas in the terms of CD-M6PR. The ChCD-M6PR gene was found to be expressed in various tissues, with the highest expression observed in the hepatopancreas and the lowest in the hemocytes by the fluorescence quantitative PCR. Furthermore, the expression of ChCD-M6PR gene was significantly up-regulated for a short time in response to Vibrio alginolyticus infection in the gill and hemocytes, while it was down-regulated in the gonads. The expression patterns of ChCD-M6PR also varied in the other tissues. The 96 h cumulative mortality rate of Crassostrea hongkongensis infected with Vibrio alginolyticus after knockdown the ChCD-M6PR gene was significantly higher. Overall, our findings suggests that ChCD-M6PR plays a crucial role in the immune response of Crassostrea hongkongensis to Vibrio alginolyticus infection, and its tissue-specific expression patterns may be indicatitive of varied immune responses across tissues.

Forearm Pronation at Foot Contact: A Biomechanical Motion-Capture Analysis in High School and Professional Pitchers.

Background: It has previously been speculated that baseball pitchers who display excessive forearm pronation at foot contact (FC) have a higher propensity toward ulnar collateral ligament injury and subsequent surgery. Purpose: To evaluate the association between degree of forearm pronation/supination at FC and throwing arm kinetics in high school and professional pitchers, at both the individual (intrapitcher) and the group (interpitcher) level. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: High school (n = 41) and professional (n = 196) pitchers threw 8 to 12 fastballs while being assessed with a 3-dimensional motion-capture system (480 Hz). Pitchers at each playing level were divided into a supination or pronation subgroup depending on degree of forearm pronation at FC. Regression models were built to observe the relationship between forearm pronation at FC and kinetic and kinematic parameters of interest. Results: At both the individual and the group level of high school and professional pitchers, there was no significant correlation between forearm pronation at FC and elbow varus torque (P min = .21). For every 10° increase in forearm pronation at FC in the individual high school pitcher, elbow flexion at FC decreased by 5°, whereas maximum elbow extension velocity was achieved 0.6% later in the pitch. In addition, elbow medial force increased by 4.1 N and elbow varus torque increased by 0.8 N·m for every 10° increase in forearm supination at FC. For every 10° increase in forearm supination in the individual professional pitcher, ball velocity increased by 0.5 m/s, shoulder external rotation at FC decreased by 11°, and elbow medial force decreased by 5.5 N. Conclusion: Supination- or pronation-predominant forearm motion during the pitch did not significantly differ between playing levels. Excessive forearm pronation at FC was not a significant risk factor for increased throwing arm kinetics for high school or professional pitchers. There was a weak positive association between forearm supination at FC and elbow varus torque in the individual high school pitcher. Ultimately, coaches and pitchers may be better served by redirecting their focus to other mechanical aspects of the pitch that may have stronger associations with injury risk implications as well as performance.