PDCD4 triggers α-synuclein accumulation and motor deficits via co-suppressing TFE3 and TFEB translation in a model of Parkinson's disease.

TFE3 and TFEB, as the master regulators of lysosome biogenesis and autophagy, are well characterized to enhance the synaptic protein α-synuclein degradation in protecting against Parkinson's disease (PD) and their levels are significantly decreased in the brain of PD patients. However, how TFE3 and TFEB are regulated during PD pathogenesis remains largely vague. Herein, we identified that programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) promoted pathologic α-synuclein accumulation to facilitate PD development via suppressing both TFE3 and TFEB translation. Conversely, PDCD4 deficiency significantly augmented global and nuclear TFE3 and TFEB distributions to alleviate neurodegeneration in a mouse model of PD with overexpressing α-synuclein in the striatum. Mechanistically, like TFEB as we reported before, PDCD4 also suppressed TFE3 translation, rather than influencing its transcription and protein stability, to restrain its nuclear translocation and lysosomal functions, eventually leading to α-synuclein aggregation. We proved that the two MA3 domains of PDCD4 mediated the translational suppression of TFE3 through binding to its 5'-UTR of mRNA in an eIF-4A dependent manner. Based on this, we developed a blood-brain barrier penetrating RVG polypeptide modified small RNA drug against pdcd4 to efficiently prevent α-synuclein neurodegeneration in improving PD symptoms by intraperitoneal injections. Together, we suggest PDCD4 as a PD-risk protein to facilitate α-synuclein neurodegeneration via suppressing TFE3 and TFEB translation and further provide a potential small RNA drug against pdcd4 to treat PD by intraperitoneal injections.

High-fidelity sub-petabit-per-second self-homodyne fronthaul using broadband electro-optic combs.

With the exponential growth in data density and user ends of wireless networks, fronthaul is tasked with supporting aggregate bandwidths exceeding thousands of gigahertz while accommodating high-order modulation formats. However, it must address the bandwidth and noise limitations imposed by optical links and devices in a cost-efficient manner. Here we demonstrate a high-fidelity fronthaul system enabled by self-homodyne digital-analog radio-over-fiber superchannels, using a broadband electro-optic comb and uncoupled multicore fiber. This self-homodyne superchannel architecture not only offers capacity boosting but also supports carrier-recovery-free reception. Our approach achieves a record-breaking 15,000 GHz aggregated wireless bandwidth, corresponding to a 0.879 Pb/s common public radio interface (CPRI) equivalent data rate. Higher-order formats up to 1,048,576 quadrature-amplitude-modulated (QAM) are showcased at a 100 Tb/s class data rate. Furthermore, we employ a packaged on-chip electro-optic comb as the sole optical source to reduce the cost, supporting a data rate of 100.5 Tb/s with the 1024-QAM format. These demonstrations propel fronthaul into the era of Pb/s-level capacity and exhibit the promising potential of integrated-photonics implementation, pushing the boundaries to new heights in terms of capacity, fidelity, and cost.

Detection of Endoleak after Endovascular Aortic Repair through Deep Learning Based on Non-contrast CT.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a deep learning model for detecting post-endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) endoleak from non-contrast CT. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 245 patients who underwent EVAR between September 2016 and December 2022. All patients underwent both non-enhanced and enhanced follow-up CT. The presence of endoleak was evaluated based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) and radiology reports. First, the aneurysm sac was segmented, and radiomic features were extracted on non-contrast CT. Statistical analysis was conducted to investigate differences in shape and density characteristics between aneurysm sacs with and without endoleak. Subsequently, a deep learning model was trained to generate predicted segmentation of the endoleak. A binary decision was made based on whether the model produced a segmentation to detect the presence of endoleak. The absence of a predicted segmentation indicated no endoleak, while the presence of a predicted segmentation indicated endoleak. Finally, the performance of the model was evaluated by comparing the predicted segmentation with the reference segmentation obtained from CTA. Model performance was assessed using metrics such as dice similarity coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: This study finally included 85 patients with endoleak and 82 patients without endoleak. Compared to patients without endoleak, patients with endoleak had higher CT values and greater dispersion. The AUC in validation group was 0.951, dice similarity coefficient was 0.814, sensitivity was 0.877, and specificity was 0.884. CONCLUSION: This deep learning model based on non-contrast CT can detect endoleak after EVAR with high sensitivity.

Pectin extracted from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peel and its usage in edible film.

Pectin was extracted from red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peel using two different extraction methods: subcritical water extraction (SCWE) and conventional acid extraction (AE), from two different types of peels, fresh peel puree and dried peel powder. SCWE method on fresh peel puree showed an ∼18.88 % increase in pectin yield compared to AE. Extracted pectin is classified as low methoxyl pectin (DE: 8.51-50.64 %), with an average molecular weight ranging from 115.23 kDa to 577.84 kDa and a Gal-A content of 44.09 % - 53.90 %. The potential of pectin from fresh peel puree to be applied as a biodegradable film was further explored. Different pectin concentrations (3-5 % w/v) were used to prepare the films. Regarding the film performance, PF-S5, which was produced from SCWE with 5 % of pectin concentration, exhibits better thermal stability (Tdmax 250 °C, residue of 28.69 %) and higher moisture barrier (WVP 5.59 × 10-11 g.cm-1.s-1.Pa-1). In comparison, PF-A showed lower water solubility (45.14-69.15 %), higher water contact angle (33.01° - 44.35°), and better mechanical properties (TS: 2.12-4.11 MPa, EB: 48.72-61.39 %). Higher molecular weight accompanied by higher DE and Gal-A content contributes to better pectin film properties.

Safety of tildrakizumab: a disproportionality analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database from 2018-2023.

Background: Tildrakizumab, the IL-23 inhibitor, is used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Many studies have reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with Tildrakizumab. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe ADRs associated with Tildrakizumab monotherapy by mining data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods: The signals of Tildrakizumab-associated ADRs were quantified using disproportionality analyses such as the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and the multiitem gamma Poisson shrinker (MGPS) algorithms. Results: A total of 10,530,937 reports of ADRs were collected from the FAERS database, of which 1,177 reports were identified with tildrakizumab as the "primary suspect (PS)". Tildrakizumab-induced ADRs occurred against 27 system organ classes (SOCs). A total of 32 significant disproportionality Preferred Terms (PTs) conformed to the algorithms. Unexpected significant ADRs such as coronavirus infection, herpes simplex, diverticulitis, atrial fibrillation and aortic valve incompetence were also possible. The median time to onset of Tildrakizumab-associated ADRs was 194 days (interquartile range [IQR] 84-329 days), with the majority occurring, within the first 1 and 3 months after initiation of Tildrakizumab. Conclusion: This study identified a potential signal for new ADRs with Tildrakizumab, which might provide important support for clinical monitoring and risk prediction.

The promotion of biofilm dispersion: a new strategy for eliminating foodborne pathogens in the food industry.

Food safety is a critical global concern due to its direct impact on human health and overall well-being. In the food processing environment, biofilm formation by foodborne pathogens poses a significant problem as it leads to persistent and high levels of food contamination, thereby compromising the quality and safety of food. Therefore, it is imperative to effectively remove biofilms from the food processing environment to ensure food safety. Unfortunately, conventional cleaning methods fall short of adequately removing biofilms, and they may even contribute to further contamination of both equipment and food. It is necessary to develop alternative approaches that can address this challenge in food industry. One promising strategy in tackling biofilm-related issues is biofilm dispersion, which represents the final step in biofilm development. Here, we discuss the biofilm dispersion mechanism of foodborne pathogens and elucidate how biofilm dispersion can be employed to control and mitigate biofilm-related problems. By shedding light on these aspects, we aim to provide valuable insights and solutions for effectively addressing biofilm contamination issues in food industry, thus enhancing food safety and ensuring the well-being of consumers.

Thin-film lithium niobate-based electro-optic comb cloning for self-homodyne coherent communication.

As the optical communication industry advances, metropolitan area networks (MANs) and radio access networks (RANs) are extensively deployed on a large scale, demanding energy-efficient integrated light sources and simplified digital signal processing (DSP) technologies. The emergence of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) has given rise to high-performance, energy-efficient on-chip modulators, making on-chip optical frequency comb (OFC) more appealing. Owing to the phase uniformity and stability of this chip-scale device, it has been possible to eliminate the carrier frequency phase estimation (CPE) in DSP stacks using comb-clone-enabled self-homodyne detection. Here we report the first use, to our knowledge, of a TFLN on-chip electro-optic (EO) frequency comb to realize comb cloning and self-homodyne coherent detection. We transmit three optical pilot tones and eight data channels encoded with 20 Gbaud polarization-multiplexed 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (PM-16-QAM) over 10 km and 80 km standard single-mode fibers. The bit error ratios (BERs) of the eight channels reach below 10-3, a result made possible by our on-chip comb. The scalability and mass producibility of on-chip EO combs, combined with the simplified DSP, show potential in our proposed fifth-generation (5G) RAN and MAN transmission scheme.

High-performance electrode materials of heteroatom-doped lignin-based carbon materials for supercapacitor applications.

Supercapacitors are the preferred option for supporting renewable energy sources owing to many benefits, including fast charging, long life, high energy and power density, and saving energy. While electrode materials with environmentally friendly preparation, high performance, and low cost are important research directions of supercapacitors. At present, the growing global population and the increasingly pressing issue of environmental pollution have drawn the focus of numerous researchers worldwide to the development and utilization of renewable biomass resources. Lignin, a renewable aromatic polymer, has reserves second only to cellulose in nature. Ten million tonnes of industrial lignin are produced in pulp and paper mills annually, most of which are disposed of as waste or burned for fuel, seriously depleting natural resources and polluting the environment. One practical strategy to accomplish sustainable development is to employ lignin resources to create high-value materials. Based on the high carbon content and rich functional groups of lignin, the lignin-based carbon materials generated after carbonization treatment display specific electrochemical properties as electrode materials. Nevertheless, low electrochemical activity of untreated lignin precludes it from achieving its full potential for application in energy storage. Heteroatom doping is a common modification method that aims to improve the electrochemical performance of the electrode materials by optimizing the structure of the lignin, improving its pore structure and increasing the number of active sites on its surface. This paper aims to establish theoretical foundations for design, preparation, and optimizing the performance of heteroatom-doped lignin-based carbon materials, as well as for developing high-value-added lignin materials. The most reported the mechanism of supercapacitors, the doping process involving various types of heteroatoms, and the analysis of how heteroatoms affect the performance of lignin-based carbon materials are also detailed in this review.

Structure and Phylogenetic Relationships of Scolopacidae Mitogenomes (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae).

The family Scolopacidae presents a valuable subject for evolutionary research; however, molecular studies of Scolopacidae are still relatively understudied, and the phylogenetic relationships of certain species remain unclear. In this study, we sequenced and obtained complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from Actitis hypoleucos and partial mtDNA from Numenius arquata, Limosa limosa, and Limnodromus semipalmatus. The complete mtDNA contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. Scolopacidae contained three types of start codons and five types of stop codons (including one incomplete stop codon, T--). In 13 protein-coding genes, average uncorrected pairwise distances (Aupd) revealed that ATP8 was the least conserved while COX3 had the lowest evolutionary rate. The ratio of Ka/Ks suggested that all PCGs were under purifying selection. Using two methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the family Scolopacidae, it was found that the genera Xenus and Actitis were clustered into another sister group, while the genus Phalaropus is more closely related to the genus Tringa. The genera Limnodromus, Gallinago, and Scolopax form a monophyletic group. This study improves our understanding of the evolutionary patterns and phylogenetic relationships of the family Scolopacidae.

IL-37d suppresses Rheb-mTORC1 axis independently of TCS2 to alleviate alcoholic liver disease.

Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) crucially suppresses Rheb activity to prevent mTORC1 activation. However, mutations in TSC genes lead to mTORC1 overactivation, thereby causing various developmental disorders and cancer. Therefore, the discovery of novel Rheb inhibitors is vital to prevent mTOR overactivation. Here, we reveals that the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-37d can bind to lysosomal Rheb and suppress its activity independent of TSC2, thereby preventing mTORC1 activation. The binding of IL-37d to Rheb switch-II subregion destabilizes the Rheb-mTOR and mTOR-S6K interactions, further halting mTORC1 signaling. Unlike TSC2, IL-37d is reduced under ethanol stimulation, which results in mitigating the suppression of lysosomal Rheb-mTORC1 activity. Consequently, the recombinant human IL-37d protein (rh-IL-37d) with a TAT peptide greatly improves alcohol-induced liver disorders by hindering Rheb-mTORC1 axis overactivation in a TSC2- independent manner. Together, IL-37d emerges as a novel Rheb suppressor independent of TSC2 to terminate mTORC1 activation and improve abnormal lipid metabolism in the liver.

Acid Neutralization by Composite Lysine Nanoparticles for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery through Mitigating Mitochondrial Dysfunction.

After spinal cord injury (SCI), significant alterations in the tissue microenvironment lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the remodeling of neural circuits, thereby impeding recovery. Although previous studies have demonstrated a marked decrease in pH at the injury site, creating an acidic microenvironment, the impact of improving this acidic microenvironment on SCI recovery has not been investigated. This study prepared a lysine@hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticle/gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) (L@H/G) composite hydrogel. The L@H/G composite hydrogel was demonstrated to release lysine and efficiently improve the acidic microenvironment slowly. Significantly, the composite hydrogel reduced cell apoptosis, promoted nerve regeneration, inhibited glial scar formation, and ultimately enhanced motor function recovery in mice with SCI. Mechanistically, the L@H/G hydrogel improved the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and fatty acid metabolism, restoring energy supply and facilitating mitochondrial function recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report confirming that improving the acidic microenvironment could promote SCI repair, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI.

Evaluating the pro-survival potential of apoptotic bodies derived from 2D- and 3D- cultured adipose stem cells in ischaemic flaps.

In the realm of large-area trauma flap transplantation, averting ischaemic necrosis emerges as a pivotal concern. Several key mechanisms, including the promotion of angiogenesis, the inhibition of oxidative stress, the suppression of cell death, and the mitigation of inflammation, are crucial for enhancing skin flap survival. Apoptotic bodies (ABs), arising from cell apoptosis, have recently emerged as significant contributors to these functions. This study engineered three-dimensional (3D)-ABs using tissue-like mouse adipose-derived stem cells (mADSCs) cultured in a 3D environment to compare their superior biological effects against 2D-ABs in bolstering skin flap survival. The findings reveal that 3D-ABs (85.74 ± 4.51) % outperform 2D-ABs (76.48 ± 5.04) % in enhancing the survival rate of ischaemic skin flaps (60.45 ± 8.95) % (all p < 0.05). Mechanistically, they stimulated angiogenesis, mitigated oxidative stress, suppressed apoptosis, and facilitated the transition of macrophages from M1 to M2 polarization (all p < 0.05). A comparative analysis of microRNA (miRNA) profiles in 3D- and 2D-ABs identified several specific miRNAs (miR-423-5p-up, miR30b-5p-down, etc.) with pertinent roles. In summary, ABs derived from mADSCs cultured in a 3D spheroid-like arrangement exhibit heightened biological activity compared to those from 2D-cultured mADSCs and are more effective in promoting ischaemic skin flap survival. These effects are attributed to their influence on specific miRNAs.

Brain Short-Chain Fatty Acids Induce ACSS2 to Ameliorate Depressive-Like Behavior via PPARγ-TPH2 Axis.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been increasingly evidenced to be important bioactive metabolites of the gut microbiota and transducers in controlling diverse psychiatric or neurological disorders via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, the precise mechanism by which brain SCFAs extert multiple beneficial effects is not completely understood. Our previous research has demonstrated that the acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase short-chain family member 2 (ACSS2) is a novel target of the rapid and long-lasting antidepressant responses. Here, we show that micromolar SCFAs significantly augment both total cellular and nuclear ACSS2 to trigger tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) promoter histone acetylation and its transcription in SH-SY5Y cells. In chronic-restraint-stress-induced depression mice, neuronal ACSS2 knockdown by stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus in the hippocampus abolished SCFA-mediated improvements in depressive-like behaviors of mice, supporting that ACSS2 is required for SCFA-mediated antidepressant responses. Mechanistically, the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is identified as a novel partner of ACSS2 to activate TPH2 transcription. Importantly, PPARγ is also responsible for SCFA-mediated antidepressant-like effects via ACSS2-TPH2 axis. To further support brain SCFAs as a therapeutic target for antidepressant effects, d-mannose, which is a naturally present hexose, can significantly reverse the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in the chronic-restraint-stress-exposure mice and augment brain SCFAs to protect against the depressive-like behaviors via ACSS2-PPARγ-TPH2 axis. In summary, brain SCFAs can activate ACSS2-PPARγ-TPH2 axis to play the antidepressive-like effects, and d-mannose is suggested to be an inducer of brain SCFAs in resisting depression.

Identifying a competency improvement strategy for infection prevention and control professionals: A rapid systematic review and cluster analysis.

Remarkable progress has been made in infection prevention and control (IPC) in many countries, but some gaps emerged in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Core capabilities such as standard clinical precautions and tracing the source of infection were the focus of IPC in medical institutions during the pandemic. Therefore, the core competences of IPC professionals during the pandemic, and how these contributed to successful prevention and control of the epidemic, should be studied. To investigate, using a systematic review and cluster analysis, fundamental improvements in the competences of infection control and prevention professionals that may be emphasized in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, WanFang Data, and CBM databases for original articles exploring core competencies of IPC professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic (from January 1, 2020 to February 7, 2023). Weiciyun software was used for data extraction and the Donohue formula was followed to distinguish high-frequency technical terms. Cluster analysis was performed using the within-group linkage method and squared Euclidean distance as the metric to determine the priority competencies for development. We identified 46 studies with 29 high-frequency technical terms. The most common term was "infection prevention and control training" (184 times, 17.3%), followed by "hand hygiene" (172 times, 16.2%). "Infection prevention and control in clinical practice" was the most-reported core competency (367 times, 34.5%), followed by "microbiology and surveillance" (292 times, 27.5%). Cluster analysis showed two key areas of competence: Category 1 (program management and leadership, patient safety and occupational health, education and microbiology and surveillance) and Category 2 (IPC in clinical practice). During the COVID-19 pandemic, IPC program management and leadership, microbiology and surveillance, education, patient safety, and occupational health were the most important focus of development and should be given due consideration by IPC professionals.

The relationship between polysaccharide structure and its antioxidant activity needs to be systematically elucidated.

Polysaccharides have a wide range of applications due to their excellent antioxidant activity. However, the low purity and unclear structure of polysaccharides have led some researchers to be skeptical about the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides. The current reports on the structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides are sporadic, so there is an urgent need to systematically summarize the antioxidant effects of polysaccharides with clear structures and the relationships between the structures to provide a scientific basis for the development and application of polysaccharides. This paper will systematically elucidate the structure-activity relationship of antioxidant polysaccharides, including the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage, degree of branching, advanced conformation and chemical modification. For the first time, the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides is related to their chemical structure through histogram and radar map, and further studies using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. We critically discussed how the source, chemical structure and chemically modified groups of polysaccharides significantly contribute to their antioxidant activity and summarized the current research status and shortcomings of the structure-activity relationship of antioxidant polysaccharides. This review provides a theoretical basis and new perspective for further research on the structure-activity relationship of antioxidant polysaccharides and the development of natural antioxidants.

A Negative Regulatory Feedback Loop within the JAK-STAT Pathway Mediated by the Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase DUSP14 in Shrimp.

The JAK-STAT pathway is a central communication node for various biological processes. Its activation is characterized by phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor STAT. The regulatory balance of JAK-STAT signaling is important for maintenance of immune homeostasis. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) induce dephosphorylation of tyrosine residues in intracellular proteins and generally function as negative regulators in cell signaling. However, the roles of PTPs in JAK-STAT signaling, especially in invertebrates, remain largely unknown. Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei is currently an important model for studying invertebrate immunity. This study identified a novel member of the dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) subclass of the PTP superfamily in P. vannamei, named PvDUSP14. By interacting with and dephosphorylating STAT, PvDUSP14 inhibits the excessive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, and silencing of PvDUSP14 significantly enhances humoral and cellular immunity in shrimp. The promoter of PvDUSP14 contains a STAT-binding motif and can be directly activated by STAT, suggesting that PvDUSP14 is a regulatory target gene of the JAK-STAT pathway and mediates a negative feedback regulatory loop. This feedback loop plays a role in maintaining homeostasis of JAK-STAT signaling and is involved in antibacterial and antiviral immune responses in shrimp. Therefore, the current study revealed a novel inhibitory mechanism of JAK-STAT signaling, which is of significance for studying the regulatory mechanisms of immune homeostasis in invertebrates.

The top 100 most cited articles in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma over the last decade: A bibliometric analysis and review.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) represents the most prevalent cancer globally. The past decade has witnessed significant advancements in BCC treatment, primarily through bibliometric studies. Aiming to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of BCC treatments to comprehend the research landscape and identify trends within this domain, a dataset comprising 100 scientific publications from the Web of Science Core Collection was analyzed. Country co-operation, journal co-citation, theme bursts, keyword co-occurrence, author co-operation, literature co-citation, and field-specific references were examined using VOSviewer and CiteSpace visualization tools. These articles, published between 2013 and 2020, originated predominantly from 30 countries/regions and 159 institutions, with the USA and Germany at the forefront, involving a total of 1118 authors. The keyword analysis revealed significant emphasis on the hedgehog pathway, Mohs micrographic surgery, and photodynamic therapy. The research shows developed nations are at the forefront in advancing BCC therapies, with significant focus on drugs targeting the hedgehog pathway. This treatment avenue has emerged as a crucial area, meriting considerable attention in BCC therapeutic strategies.

Recent advancements in mogrosides: A review on biological activities, synthetic biology, and applications in the food industry.

Mogrosides are low-calorie, biologically active sweeteners that face high production costs due to strict cultivation requirements and the low yield of monk fruit. The rapid advancement in synthetic biology holds the potential to overcome this challenge. This review presents mogrosides exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and liver protective activities, with their efficacy in diabetes treatment surpassing that of Xiaoke pills (a Chinese diabetes medication). It also discusses the latest elucidated biosynthesis pathways of mogrosides, highlighting the challenges and research gaps in this field. The critical and most challenging step in this pathway is the transformation of mogrol into a variety of mogrosides by different UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs), primarily hindered by the poor substrate selectivity, product specificity, and low catalytic efficiency of current UGTs. Finally, the applications of mogrosides in the current food industry and the challenges they face are discussed.

Effects of Baduanjin practice on emotional, attention and cognitive function in acupuncturists: protocol for a clinical randomized controlled neuroimaging trial.

Background: In Chinese medicine, the mental focus and emotional stability of acupuncturists are key to optimal clinical outcomes. Many renowned acupuncturists utilize Traditional Chinese Qigong practices to enhance their concentration and emotional regulation abilities. Nevertheless, the existing literature lacks comprehensive evidence addressing this matter. Methods: This study will enroll 99 acupuncturists and randomly allocate them to one of three groups: Baduanjin, aerobic exercise, or a waiting-list control. The Baduanjin group will undertake 24 weeks of training, with three one-hour sessions weekly. The aerobic group will engage in brisk walking for the same duration and frequency. The control group will not receive any specific training. Assessments of emotion regulation, attention, cognitive functions, finger sensation, and athletic ability will be conducted at baseline (-1 week), mid-intervention (12 weeks), and post-intervention (24 weeks). Additionally, 20 participants from each group will undergo fMRI scans before and after the intervention to explore brain functional and structural changes relating to emotion, attention, cognition, motor skills, and sensory perception. Discussion: This study aims to contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness of Qigong practice, specifically Baduanjin, in enhancing emotional regulation, attention, and cognitive functions in acupuncturists and to investigate the neuroimaging mechanisms behind these effects. Ethics and dissemination: Approved by the Sichuan Regional Ethics Review Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. 2023KL - 118) and adhering to the Declaration of Helsinki. Results will be shared through policy briefs, workshops, peer-reviewed journals, and conferences.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2300076447.

Micro-computed tomographic evaluation on the quality of single-cone obturation using a modified passive-deflation sealer injection needle: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to design a modified passive-deflation sealer injection needle and investigate its ability to improve obturation quality of single-cone technique through assessing the distribution of voids in root canals using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight mandibular incisors were divided into eight groups (n = 6), according to the taper of root canal preparation (0.06 or 0.04), the needle used for sealer injection (modified or commercial iRoot SP injection needle), and the obturation method (iRoot SP sealer-only or single-cone obturation). After obturation, each specimen was scanned by micro-CT. The volumetric percentage and distribution of all voids were first analyzed and compared among groups, then the open and closed voids were separately analyzed and compared among single-cone obturation groups. RESULTS: Compared to commercial needle groups, modified needle groups showed much less voids, especially in the apical root canal part (P < 0.05). Besides, the modified needle groups produced much less open voids than commercial needle groups despite the root canal taper (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified passive deflation sealer injection needle could effectively improve the quality of single-cone obturation through reducing intra-canal voids, especially open voids throughout the root canal, thus might possibly be developed as an effective intra-canal sealer delivering instrument.