Relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms in older adults: role of activities of daily living and sleep duration.

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated that frailty is associated with depressive symptoms among older people and significantly increase the risk of difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL). However, uncertainties remain regarding the mechanisms behind such relationship. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of ADL in the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms among older adults in China, and to explore to what extend sleep duration moderated the association between ADL and depressive symptoms. Methods: In this study, we carried out cross-sectional descriptive analysis and 1,429 participants were included in the analysis. A survey was conducted using questionnaires and instruments measuring frailty, depressive symptoms, ADL and sleep duration. Bootstrap analyses served to explore the impact of ADL in mediating frailty and depressed symptoms, as well as the effect of sleep duration in moderating ADL and depressive symptoms. Results: Compared to the robust group, the mediating effects of ADL between frailty and depressive symptoms were significant in the prefrail group and the frail group. The interaction term between sleep duration and ADL was significantly presented in the regression on depressive symptoms. Specifically, the Johnson-Neyman technique determined a range from 8.31 to 10.19 h for sleep duration, within which the detrimental effect of frailty on depressive symptoms was offset. Conclusion: Sleep duration moderated the indirect effect of ADL on the association between frailty and depressive symptoms. This provides support for unraveling the underlying mechanism of the association between frailty and depressive symptoms. Encouraging older adults to enhance ADL and obtain appropriate sleep duration might improve depressive symptoms for older adults with frailty and prefrailty.

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 60 PCOS women with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to vitamin D group (2000 IU/day) or control group. The observational parameters were measured at baseline and after treatment, including body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin release test, and lipid metabolism parameters. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D concentrations at different time points after vitamin D supplementation were significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.05). The BMI, WHR, insulin concentrations, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations in women of Vitamin D group after 12 weeks of treatment were significantly lower than that in women of control group (P < 0.05). The serum insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR at different time points of OGTT, serum TG, TC and LDL-C concentrations in women of vitamin D group (obesity) were significantly lower compared with control group (obesity) (P < 0.05). The BMI, WHR, TG, TC and LDL-C concentration in women of vitamin D group (IR) were significantly lower compared with control group (IR) (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in metabolic parameters between vitamin D group (non-obesity) and control group (non-obesity) (P > 0.05), and these differences of metabolic parameters were also not observed between vitamin D group (non-IR) and control group (non-IR) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation had beneficial effects on metabolic parameters in PCOS women, especially in women with obesity or insulin resistance.

Analysis of the life course effects of the disability dilemma among rural older adults in China.

Objective: To analyse whether the accumulation of early adverse experiences among individuals of different generations has an impact on disabilities and evaluate the cumulative effects of disadvantages in rural older adults in China. Methods: A Binary Logit Model was used to analyse the life course effects of the disability dilemma among rural older adults. Results: Regarding Activities of Daily Life (ADLs), there was no significant difference between older adults that experienced 1 adverse events and the control group. The probability of older adults experiencing difficulties in 2, 3, 4, or more types of ADLs was 1.486 times, 2.173 times, and 3.048 times higher than that of the control group, respectively. Regarding Instrumental Activities of Daily Life (IADLs), there was no significant difference between the population that experienced 1 or 2 adverse events and the control group. The probability of experiencing difficulties in 3, 4, or more types of IADLs was 1.527 times and 1.937 times higher than that of the control group, respectively. Early adverse events had a cumulative disadvantageous effect on disability in older adults. The longer the duration of adverse experiences, the higher the risk of disability in old age. Education had a significant mitigating effect on health risks. Conclusion: Pay attention to early factors in the life course, strengthen the promotion of health prevention concepts, and pay attention to the moderating and relieving effects of education on health. We should also gradually improve the rural disability care system and family health security capabilities in China's rural areas.

[Study on methods measuring mechanical properties of arterial wall by macroscopic indentation].

Accurately evaluating the local biomechanics of arterial wall is crucial for diagnosing and treating arterial diseases. Indentation measurement can be used to evaluate the local mechanical properties of the artery. However, the effects of the indenter's geometric structure and the analysis theory on measurement results remain uncertain. In this paper, four kinds of indenters were used to measure the pulmonary aorta, the proximal thoracic aorta and the distal thoracic aorta in pigs, and the arterial elastic modulus was calculated by Sneddon and Sirghi theory to explore the influence of the indenter geometry and analysis theory on the measured elastic modulus. The results showed that the arterial elastic modulus measured by cylindrical indenter was lower than that measured by spherical indenter. In addition, compared with the calculated results of Sirghi theory, the Sneddon theory, which does not take adhesion forces in account, resulted in slightly larger elastic modulus values. In conclusion, this study provides parametric support for effective measurement of arterial local mechanical properties by millimeter indentation technique.

Identification of chronic non-atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia stages in the Correa's cascade through machine learning analyses of SERS spectral signature of non-invasively-collected human gastric fluid samples.

The progression of gastric cancer involves a complex multi-stage process, with gastroscopy and biopsy being the standard procedures for diagnosing gastric diseases. This study introduces an innovative non-invasive approach to differentiate gastric disease stage using gastric fluid samples through machine-learning-assisted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This method effectively identifies different stages of gastric lesions. The XGBoost algorithm demonstrates the highest accuracy of 96.88% and 91.67%, respectively, in distinguishing chronic non-atrophic gastritis from intestinal metaplasia and different subtypes of gastritis (mild, moderate, and severe). Through blinded testing validation, the model can achieve more than 80% accuracy. These findings offer new possibilities for rapid, cost-effective, and minimally invasive diagnosis of gastric diseases.

Effects of 6-Month Combined Physical Exercise and Cognitive Training on Neuropsychological and Neurophysiological Function in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Multidomain intervention may delay or ameliorate cognitive decline in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in the memory and inhibitory functions. However, no study systematically investigates the changes of brain function in cognitively-normal elderly with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) when they receive multidomain intervention. Objective: We aimed to examine whether a multidomain intervention could improve neuropsychological function and neurophysiological activities related to memory and inhibitory function in SCD subjects. Methods: Eight clusters with a total of 50 community-dwelling SCD older adults were single-blind, randomized into intervention group, which received physical and cognitive training, or control group, which received treatment as usual. For the neuropsychological function, a composite Z score from six cognitive tests was calculated and compared between two groups. For the neurophysiological activities, event-related potentials (ERPs) of memory function, including mismatch negativity (MMN) and memory-P3, as well as ERPs of inhibitory function, including sensory gating (SG) and inhibition-P3, were measured. Assessments were performed at baseline (T1), end of the intervention (T2), and 6 months after T2 (T3). Results: For the neuropsychological function, the effect was not observed after the intervention. For the neurophysiological activities, improved MMN responses of ΔT2-T1 were observed in the intervention group versus the control group. The multidomain intervention produced a sustained effect on memory-P3 latencies of ΔT3-T1. However, there were no significant differences in changes of SG and inhibition-P3 between intervention and control groups. Conclusions: While not impactful on neuropsychological function, multidomain intervention enhances specific neurophysiological activities associated with memory function.

The efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in patients with adult-onset still's disease: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Janus kinases inhibitors (JAKi) for adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) patients. METHODS: We searched the Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from inception up to 22 October 2023. The results were supplemented by a backward search of relevant publications. Two authors independently selected trials. The available studies were comprehensively reviewed and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies with a total of 35 patients were included in the review. Of these patients, 17 (48.6%) patients were treated with tofacitinib, 14 (40%) with baricitinib, 4 (11.4%) with ruxolitinib and 1 (2.9%) with upadacitinib. After treatment with JAKi, 17 (48.6%) patients showed complete remission, 12 (34.3%) patients showed partial remission, and 7 (20%) patients showed loss of efficacy or relapse. The use of ruxolitinib showed a remission rate of 100% in AOSD patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The incidence of adverse events (AEs) reported were mild and rare overall. Most AEs were abnormal lipid parameters (9.7%), bacterial pneumonia (3.2%), organised pneumonia (3.2%), diarrhoea (3.2%), increased heart rate (3.2%), menometrorrhagia (3.2%) and leukopenia (3.2%). One patient died from bacterial pneumonia. CONCLUSION: JAKi therapy may be an option for patients with AOSD, especially for refractory AOSD. For patients with AOSD complicated by MAS, ruxolitinib seems to be a better choice than other JAKi agents. Although our study shows that JAKi are well tolerated in AOSD patients, we still need to be on the lookout for fatal infections.

Trio-based whole-exome sequencing reveals mutations in early-onset high myopia.

PURPOSE: Myopia, especially high myopia (HM), represents a widespread visual impairment with a globally escalating prevalence. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic foundations associated with early-onset HM (eoHM) while delineating the genetic landscape specific to Shaanxi province, China. METHODS: A comprehensive analysis of whole-exome sequencing was conducted involving 26 familial trios displaying eoHM. An exacting filtration protocol identified potential candidate mutations within acknowledged myopia-related genes and susceptibility loci. Subsequently, computational methodologies were employed for functional annotations and pathogenicity assessments. RESULTS: Our investigation identified 7 genes and 10 variants associated with HM across 7 families, including a novel mutation in the ARR3 gene (c.139C>T, p.Arg47*) and two mutations in the P3H2 gene (c.1865T>C, p.Phe622Ser and c.212T>C, p.Leu71Pro). Pathogenic mutations were found in syndromic myopia genes, notably encompassing VPS13B, TRPM1, RPGR, NYX and RP2. Additionally, a thorough comparison of previously reported causative genes of syndromic myopia and myopia risk genes with the negative sequencing results pinpointed various types of mutations within risk genes. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation into eoHM within Shaanxi province adds to the current understanding of myopic genetic factors. Our results warrant further functional validation and ocular examinations, yet they provide foundational insights for future genetic research and therapeutic innovations in HM.

Cell-free Nucleic Acid as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers for Gastric Cancer: a Systematic Review.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy with early detection being crucial for survival. Liquid biopsy analysis using cell-free nucleic acid is a preferred method for detection. Hence, we conducted a systematic review to assess the diagnostic efficacy of cell-free nucleic acid markers for GC. Methods: We searched PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases for articles that conformed to our inclusion and exclusion criteria from 2012 to 2022. The following information was abstracted: first author, year of publication, country/region, age, male proportion, tumor stage for cases, specimen type, measurement method, targeted markers and diagnostic related indicators (including sensitivity, specificity, AUC, P-value). Results: Fifty-eight studies examined cell-free RNAs (cfRNAs) with a total of 62 individual circulating markers and 7 panels in serum or plasma, while 21 studies evaluated cell-free DNAs (cfDNAs) with 29 individual circulating markers and 7 panels. For individual cfRNAs, the median (range) sensitivity and specificity were 80% (21% - 98%) and 80% (54% - 99%), respectively. The median (range) sensitivity and specificity for cfRNA panels were 86% (83% - 90%) and 75% (60% - 98%), respectively. In comparison, the median (range) sensitivity and specificity reported for individual cfDNAs were 50% (18% - 96%) and 93% (57% - 100%), respectively, while cfDNA panels had a median (range) sensitivity and specificity of 85% (41% - 92%) and 73.5% (38% - 90%), respectively. The meta results indicate that cfRNA markers exhibit high sensitivity (80%) and low specificity (80%) for detecting GC, while cfDNA markers have lower sensitivity (59%) but higher specificity (92%). Conclusions: This review has demonstrated that cell-free nucleic acids have the potential to serve as useful diagnostic markers for GC. Given that both cfRNA and cfDNA markers have shown promising diagnostic performance for GC, the combination of the two may potentially enhance diagnostic efficiency.

Secofumitremorgins C and D, a pair of atropisomers from saltern-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus GXIMD00544.

A pair of atropisomers secofumitremorgins C (1a) and D (1b), together with fifteen known alkaloids (2-16), were isolated from a saltern-derived fungus Aspergillus fumigatus GXIMD00544. The structures of atropisomers 1a and 1b were elucidated by the detailed spectroscopic data, chemical reaction and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1 and 8 displayed antifungal spore germination effects against plant pathogenic fungus associated with sugarcane Fusarium sp. with inhibitory rates of 53% and 77% at the concentration of 100 µM, repectively. Atropisomers 1 also exhibited antifouling potential against Balanus amphitrite larval settlement with an inhibitory rate of 96% at the concentration of 100 µM.

Electrochemistry promotion of Fe(â ¢)/Fe(â ¡) cycle for continuous activation of PAA for sludge disintegration: Performance and mechanism.

In this study, electrochemistry was used to enhance the advanced oxidation of Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA (EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA) to disintegrate waste activated sludge, and its performance and mechanism was compared with those of EC, PAA, EC/PAA and Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA. Results showed that the EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process effectively improved sludge disintegration and the concentrations of soluble chemical oxygen demand, polysaccharides and nucleic acids increased by 62.85%, 41.15% and 12.21%, respectively, compared to the Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process. Mechanism analysis showed that the main active species produced in the EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process were •OH, R-O• and FeIVO2+. During the reaction process, sludge flocs were disrupted and particle size was reduced by the combined effects of active species oxidation, electrochemical oxidation and PAA oxidation. Furthermore, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was degraded, the conversion of TB-EPS to LB-EPS and S-EPS was promoted and the total protein and polysaccharide contents of EPS were increased. After sludge cells were disrupted, intracellular substances were released, causing an increase in nucleic acids, humic acids and fulvic acids in the supernatant, and resulting in sludge reduction. EC effectively accelerated the conversion of Fe(Ⅲ) to Fe(Ⅱ), which was conducive to the activation of PAA, while also enhancing the disintegration of EPS and sludge cells. This study provided an effective approach for the release of organic matter, offering significant benefits in sludge resource utilization.

Effect of tocilizumab plus corticosteroid on clinical outcome in patients hospitalized with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging viral hemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates. The blockade of pro-inflammatory cytokines presents a promising therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We conducted a randomized clinical trial at the 154th hospital, Xinyang, Henan Province. Eligible patients with severe SFTS disease were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to receive either a single intravenous infusion of tocilizumab plus usual care; or usual care only. The primary outcome was the clinical status of death/survival at day 14, while secondary outcomes included improvement from baseline in liver and kidney damage and time required for hospital discharge. The efficacy of tocilizumab plus corticosteroid was compared to those receiving corticosteroid alone. The trial is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry website (ChiCTR2300076317). RESULTS: 63 eligible patients were assigned to the tocilizumab group and 126 to the control group. The addition of tocilizumab to usual care was associated with a reduced death rate (9.5%) compared to those received only usual care (23.0%), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15 to 0.91, P = 0.029). Combination therapy of tocilizumab and corticosteroids was associated with a significantly reduced fatality (aHR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.56; P = 0.002) compared to those receiving corticosteroids alone. CONCLUSIONS: A significant benefit of reducing fatality in severe SFTS patients was observed by using tocilizumab. A combined therapy of tocilizumab plus corticosteroids was recommended for the therapy of severe SFTS.

Seroprevalence and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites that are considered important causes of abortion in livestock, causing huge economic losses. Hunan Province ranks 12th in the production of beef and mutton in China. However, limited data are available on the seroprevalence, risk factors and molecular characterization of T. gondii and N. caninum in beef cattle and goats in Hunan province, China. METHODS: Sera of 985 beef cattle and 1147 goats were examined for the presence of specific antibodies against T. gondii using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and anti-N. caninum IgG using competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (cELISA). Statistical analysis of possible risk factors was performed using PASW Statistics. Muscle samples of 160 beef cattle and 160 goats were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA (B1 gene) and N. caninum DNA (Nc-5 gene) by nested PCR. The B1 gene-positive samples were genotyped at 10 genetic markers using the multilocus nested PCR-RFLP (Mn-PCR-RFLP). RESULTS: Specific IgG against T. gondii were detected in 8.3% (82/985) and 13.3% (153/1147) and against N. caninum in 2.1% (21/985) and 2.0% (23/1147) of the beef cattle and goats, respectively. Based on statistical analysis, the presence of cats, semi-intensive management mode and gender were identified as significant risk factors for T. gondii infection in beef cattle. Age was a significant risk factor for T. gondii infection in goats (P < 0.05), and age > 3 years was a significant risk factor for N. caninum infection in beef cattle (P < 0.05). PCR positivity for T. gondii was observed in three beef samples (1.9%; 3/160) and seven chevon samples (4.4%; 7/160). Genotyping of PCR positive samples identified one to be ToxoDB#10. The N. caninum DNA was observed in one beef sample (0.6%; 1/160) but was negative in all chevon samples. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale serological and molecular investigation of T. gondii and N. caninum and assessment of related risk factors in beef cattle and goats in Hunan Province, China. The findings provide baseline data for executing prevention and control of these two important parasites in beef cattle and goats in China.

LINC00998 Modulating M2 Macrophage Activation in Allergic Rhinitis by Stabilizing BOB.1 mRNA.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is globally recognized as a considerable threat to human health with a rising prevalence and a substantial medical and socioeconomic burden. Numerous studies have emphasized the significance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in allergic responses. Hence, this research dealt with exploring the involvement of the lncRNA LINC00998 in the mechanism of AR. Methods: LINC00998 expression was assessed by qRT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells acquired from individuals with AR. Additionally, the potential relationship between LINC00998 and macrophage polarization was observed in vitro. Then we constructed AR mice model and macrophage polarization models using THP-1 cells as well as primary human macrophages to verify the M2 shift in AR and the low expression level of LINC00998 in M2 macrophages. We used gain- and loss-of-function experiments to explore the modification of LINC00998 in macrophage polarization. Furthermore, we explored the underlying mechanism of LINC00998 mediates through qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and Western blot. Results: The analysis revealed a significant decrease in LINC00998 expression in the samples obtained from patients with AR. LINC00998 is markedly increased in M1 macrophages whereas decreased in M2 macrophages in vitro. Furthermore, suppression of LINC00998 caused a remarkable enhancement in M2 polarization, whereas its overexpression led to its attenuation. Knockdown of LINC00998 led to a remarkable downregulation of BOB.1 mRNA and protein, while overexpression of LINC00998 upregulated their expression. Moreover, it was found that BOB.1 modulated macrophage polarization through the PU.1/IL-1ß axis. Meanwhile, the modulation of LINC00098 overexpression on macrophage polarization and PU.1/ IL-1ß can be reversed by BOB.1 siRNA. Conclusion: This research revealed the lncRNA LINC00998 altered M2 macrophage polarization by regulating the BOB.1/PU.1/IL-1ß axis, which open up new avenues for studying the pathogenesis of AR.

[Fuyu Decoction ameliorates myocardial fibrosis in rat model of heart failure by regulating Nrf2/GPX4-mediated ferroptosis].

This study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of Fuyu Decoction(FYD) in the treatment of myocardial fibrosis in the rat model of heart failure(HF). Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into a modeling group(n=50) and a sham group(n=10). A post-myocardial infarction HF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into model, low-dose(2.5 g·kg~(-1)) FYD(FYD-L), high-dose(5.0 g·kg~(-1)) FYD(FYD-H), and FYD+Nrf2 inhibitor(ML385, 30 mg·kg~(-1)) groups(n=10). FYD was administrated by gavage and ML385 by intraperitoneal injection. The rats in the sham and model groups were administrated with equal amounts of normal saline by gavage. After 8 weeks of intervention, the cardiac function indicators were measured, and the myocardial tissue morphology and collagen deposition were observed. The positive expression of collagens Ⅰ and Ⅲ, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were examined, and the levels of Fe~(2+) and reactive oxygen species(ROS) were determined. The protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and acyl-coenzyme A synthase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) in the myocardial tissue were determined. Compared with sham group, the model group showed decreased left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS), increased left ventricular end internal dimension in systole(LVIDs), left ventricular internal diameter in diastole(LVIDd), and myocardial collagen deposition, positive expression of collagens Ⅰ and Ⅲ, elevated apoptosis rate and malondialdehyde(MDA), Fe~(2+), and ROS levels, lowered superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH) levels, down-regulated protein levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4, and up-regulated protein level of ACSL4. Compared with the model group, the above indicators were restored by FYD. Moreover, ML385 reversed the protective effect of FYD on myocardial fibrosis in HF rats. In conclusion, FYD can inhibit ferroptosis by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, thereby ameliorating myocardial fibrosis in HF rats.

Analysis of blood biochemistry and non-targeted metabolomics of endometritis in dairy cows.

The incidence of bovine endometritis, which has a negative impact on the reproduction of dairy cows, has been recently increasing. In this study, the differential markers and metabolites of healthy cows and cows with endometritis were analyzed by measuring blood biochemical indicators and immune factors using biochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits combined with nontargeted metabolomics. The LC-QTOF platform was used to evaluate the serum metabolomics of healthy cows and cows with endometritis after 21-27 days of calving. The results showed that glucose, free fatty acid, calcium, sodium, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the serum of cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (P < 0.05). However, the serum potassium, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor levels were significantly higher in cows with endometritis (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum metabolome data analysis of the two groups showed that the expression of 468 metabolites was significantly different (P < 0.05), of which 291 were upregulated and 177 were downregulated. These metabolites were involved in 78 metabolic pathways, including amino acid, nucleotide, carbohydrate, lipid, and vitamin metabolism pathways; signal transduction pathways, and other biological pathways. Taken together, negative energy balance and immune activation, which are related to local abnormalities in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism, were the important causes of endometritis in dairy cows. Metabolites such as glucose, carnosine, dehydroascorbic acid, L-malic acid, tetrahydrofolic acid, and UDP-glucose may be used as key indicators in the hematological diagnosis and treatment of endometritis in dairy cows.

From Insulator to Superconductor: A Series of Pressure-Driven Transitions in Quasi-One-Dimensional TiS3 Nanoribbons.

Transition metal trichalcogenides (TMTCs) offer remarkable opportunities for tuning electronic states through modifications in chemical composition, temperature, and pressure. Despite considerable interest in TMTCs, there remain significant knowledge gaps concerning the evolution of their electronic properties under compression. In this study, we employ experimental and theoretical approaches to comprehensively explore the high-pressure behavior of the electronic properties of TiS3, a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) semiconductor, across various temperature ranges. Through high-pressure electrical resistance and magnetic measurements at elevated pressures, we uncover a distinctive sequence of phase transitions within TiS3, encompassing a transformation from an insulating state at ambient pressure to the emergence of an incipient superconducting state above 70 GPa. Our findings provide compelling evidence that superconductivity at low temperatures of ∼2.9 K is a fundamental characteristic of TiS3, shedding new light on the intriguing high-pressure electronic properties of TiS3 and underscoring the broader implications of our discoveries for TMTCs in general.

MNDA expression and its value in differential diagnosis of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas: a comprehensive analysis of a large series of 1293 cases.

AIMS: MNDA (myeloid nuclear differentiation antigen) has been considered as a potential diagnostic marker for marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), but its utility in distinguishing MZL from other B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs) and its clinicopathologic relevance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are ambiguous. We comprehensively investigated MNDA expression in a large series of B-NHLs and evaluated its diagnostic value. METHODS: MNDA expression in a cohort of 1293 cases of B-NHLs and 338  cases of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) was determined using immunohistochemistry and compared among different types of B-NHL. The clinicopathologic relevance of MNDA in DLBCL was investigated. RESULTS: MNDA was highly expressed in MZLs (437/663, 65.9%), compared with the confined staining in marginal zone B-cells in RLH; whereas neoplastic cells with plasmacytic differentiation lost MNDA expression. MNDA expression was significantly higher in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL, 79.6%, p = 0.006), whereas lower in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL, 44.8%, p = 0.001) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL, 25%, p = 0.016), and dramatically lower in follicular lymphoma (FL, 5.2%, p < 0.001), compared with MZL. 29.6% (63/213) of DLBCLs were positive for MNDA. The cases in non-GCB group exhibited a higher rate of MNDA positivity (39.8%) compared to those in GCB group (16.3%) (p < 0.001), and MNDA staining was more frequently observed in DLBCLs with BCL2/MYC double-expression (50%) than those without BCL2/MYC double-expression (24.8%) (p = 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between MNDA and CD5 expression in DLBCL (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: MNDA was highly expressed in MZL with a potential utility in differential diagnosis between MZL and RLH as well as FL, whereas its value in distinguishing MZL from MCL, CLL/SLL is limited. In addition, MNDA expression in DLBCL was more frequently seen in the non-GCB group and the BCL2/MYC double-expression group, and demonstrated a correlation with CD5, which deserves further investigation. The clinical relevance of MNDA and its correlation with the prognosis of these lymphomas also warrant to be fully elucidated.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Resistance to Common Antibiotics: An Overview of Current Methods and Techniques.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an essential cause of tuberculosis treatment failure and death of tuberculosis patients. The rapid and reliable profiling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) drug resistance in the early stage is a critical research area for public health. Then, most traditional approaches for detecting MTB are time-consuming and costly, leading to the inappropriate therapeutic schedule resting on the ambiguous information of MTB drug resistance, increasing patient economic burden, morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, novel diagnosis methods are frequently required to meet the emerging challenges of MTB drug resistance distinguish. Considering the difficulty in treating MDR-TB, it is urgently required for the development of rapid and accurate methods in the identification of drug resistance profiles of MTB in clinical diagnosis. This review discussed recent advances in MTB drug resistance detection, focusing on developing emerging approaches and their applications in tangled clinical situations. In particular, a brief overview of antibiotic resistance to MTB was present, referred to as intrinsic bacterial resistance, consisting of cell wall barriers and efflux pumping action and acquired resistance caused by genetic mutations. Then, different drug susceptibility test (DST) methods were described, including phenotype DST, genotype DST and novel DST methods. The phenotype DST includes nitrate reductase assay, RocheTM solid ratio method, and liquid culture method and genotype DST includes fluorescent PCR, GeneXpert, PCR reverse dot hybridization, ddPCR, next-generation sequencing and gene chips. Then, novel DST methods were described, including metabolism testing, cell-free DNA probe, CRISPR assay, and spectral analysis technique. The limitations, challenges, and perspectives of different techniques for drug resistance are also discussed. These methods significantly improve the detection sensitivity and accuracy of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MRT) and can effectively curb the incidence of drug-resistant tuberculosis and accelerate the process of tuberculosis eradication.

Association between self-efficacy, spiritual well-being and the willingness to provide spiritual care among nursing staff in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Spiritual care plays a significant role in holistic patient care, addressing not only physical ailments but also attending to patients' emotional and spiritual well-being. While the importance of spiritual care in nursing is widely recognized, there is often a gap in understanding nurses' willingness to provide such care. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the association between self-efficacy, spiritual well-being, and willingness to provide spiritual care among nursing staff. METHODS: The study conducted a cross-sectional survey of full-time registered nurses at a hospital in Taiwan from January 2019 to December 2019. A sample comprising 168 nurses was selected for participation in the study through a random sampling method. In addition to collecting demographic variables, the assessment tools used in the study include the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) for measuring self-efficacy, the Spiritual Index of Well-Being Chinese Version (SIWB-C) for evaluating spiritual well-being, and the Spiritual Care Needs Inventory (SCNI) to gauge willingness to provide spiritual care. RESULTS: Most participants in the study were female, accounting for 98.2% (n = 165). The mean age of all 168 nurses was 37.1 ± 9.3 years. Additionally, most participants held a Bachelor's degree (79.2%, n = 133) and possessed clinical experience was 10.5 ± 9.3 years. Through logistic regression analysis, it was found that regardless of whether participants have received sufficient spiritual care training, both GSES and SIWB-C remain influential factors in determining the provision of spiritual care. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between healthcare management and nursing staff is essential for fostering a healthcare environment that not only appreciates the physical and spiritual dimensions of patient care but also prioritizes the enhancement of nurses ' self-efficacy and well-being.