The effects of dance interventions on physical function and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Fundamental physical functions such as postural control and balance are vital in preserving everyday life, affecting an individual's quality of life. Dance is a physical activity that offers health advantages across various life stages. Nevertheless, the effects of dance interventions on physical function, postural control, and quality of life among older adults have remained underexplored. The review aimed to examine the strength of evidence for dance interventions on physical function and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted across four databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline), focusing on studies involving more than four weeks of dance interventions. MeSH terms [dance or dance intervention or dance rehabilitation or dance movement] and [motor function or functional capacity or postural control or functional mobility or mobility or postural balance or balance or flexibility or gait] and [well-being or quality of life or life satisfaction] were utilized in the search. This review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023422857). Included studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias. RESULTS: The search revealed 885 studies, and 16 met the inclusion criteria. The effects of various dance genres on physical functions and quality of life were compared. Most studies showed that dance intervention improved physical function, balance, postural control and quality of life. Dance intervention showed a high level of adherence compared to physiotherapy, self-care, conventional therapy, and aerobic and resistance exercise. CONCLUSION: In terms of improving physical function and quality of life, structured dance is a safe and relatively effective alternative to exercise. Note the effect of movement selection and intensity in the dance interventions. Dance with music may increase participants' interest, encouraging more physical activity among middle-aged and older adults.

Diagnosis and Treatment Pathway of MDR/RR-TB in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

This study aims to understand MDR/RR-TB patients' experience from seeking TB-related health care to diagnosis and treatment completion, as well as the social determinants with the waiting time for DST and treatment, pre-treatment attrition, and treatment outcome based on a retrospective cohort study. Univariate and multi-variate logistic regressions were used to analyze the associated factors. The median time of waiting time for DST and treatment was 24.00 and 30.00 days, respectively. Non-residential patients (aOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.14-7.70), registered before 2018 (aOR: 19.93, 95% CI: 8.99-48.51), first visited a county-level hospital (aOR: 4.65, 95% CI: 1.08-21.67), sputum smear-negative (aOR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.28-10.16), and comorbid with pneumoconiosis (aOR: 7.10, 95% CI: 1.23-47.98) had a longer DST delay. The pre-treatment attrition was 26.9% (82/305). Elderly, non-residential patients and patients registered before 2018 were more likely to refuse MDR/RR treatment. However, in housekeeping/unemployment and farmer/fisherman, recurrent patients tended to take therapeutic measures actively. The successful treatment rate was 62.1% (105/169). Elderly, comorbidity with diabetes and sputum smear conversion time >1 month may lead to poorer outcomes. Immediate interventions should be taken to smooth diagnosis and treatment pathways and improve the social protections further so as to encourage patients to cooperate with the treatment actively.

The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Public Emergencies and the Response Capability of Residents in Shanghai after the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Cross-Sectional Study.

People's knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) are a part of the public's emergency response capability and play an important role in controlling public health emergencies. This study aims to evaluate Shanghai residents' KAP and the response ability regarding public health emergency events in China. An anonymous questionnaire investigation including demographics, socioeconomic characteristics and KAP was conducted through the online survey system from April 19 to April 30 2020. Of the 1243 people who completed the questionnaire, 1122 respondents (90.3%) had a good, positive attitude, while only 46.8% of participants had good knowledge, 46.2% performed well in the aspect of practice and 19.5% of residents had good response capability. It was found that men (OR:1.57,95% CI: 1.16-2.13), and people with 10 to 12 years or longer than 12 years of education (OR: 2.08,95% CI: 1.14-3.92; OR: 3.56,95% CI: 1.96-6.72) had the best public emergency response capability. Positive attitudes may be significantly associated with good practice (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.18-2.64). Internet and television were the major media for people to acquire knowledge and skills. A lack of knowledge, poor perception and poor emergency response ability were found in Shanghai residents. Target intervention should be developed and implemented to improve the knowledge and skills of people for dealing with public emergency events.

Magnesium and Nitrogen Co-Doped Mesoporous Carbon with Enhanced Microporosity for CO2 Adsorption.

Mesoporous carbons (MC) have attracted a tremendous amount of interest due to their efficient molecular transport properties. However, the limited number of active sites and low microporosity generally impede their use for practical applications. Herein, we have fabricated Mg and N co-doped mesoporous carbon (Mg-NMC) with high microporosity via one-pot synthetic route followed by further steam activation. In comparison with the parent N-doped mesoporous carbon, Mg-NMC shows partially ordered mesostructure and improved CO2 adsorption capacity attributed to the introduction of basic site after Mg doping. Upon further steam activation, the microporosity is enhanced to 37.3%, while the CO2 adsorption capacity is also increased by 70.4% at 273 K and 1.0 bar.

Ionic Liquid Confined in Mesoporous Polymer Membrane with Improved Stability for CO2/N2 Separation.

Supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) have a promising prospect of application in flue gas separation, owing to its high permeability and selectivity of CO2. However, existing SILMs have the disadvantage of poor stability due to the loss of ionic liquid from the large pores of the macroporous support. In this study, a novel SILM with high stability was developed by confining ionic liquid in a mesoporous polymer membrane. First, a mesoporous polymer membrane derived from a soluble, low-molecular-weight phenolic resin precursor was deposited on a porous Al2O3 support, and then 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF4]) was immobilized inside mesopores of phenolic resin, forming the SILM under vacuum. Effects of trans-membrane pressure difference on the SILM separation performance were investigated by measuring the permeances of CO2 and N2. The SILM exhibits a high ideal CO2/N2 selectivity of 40, and an actual selectivity of approximately 25 in a mixed gas (50% CO2 and 50% N2) at a trans-membrane pressure difference of 2.5 bar. Compared to [emim][BF4] supported by polyethersulfone membrane with a pore size of around 0.45 µm, the [emim][BF4] confined in a mesoporous polymer membrane exhibits an improved stability, and its separation performance remained stable for 40 h under a trans-membrane pressure difference of 1.5 bar in a mixed gas before the measurement was intentionally stopped.

Overexpression of Dlx2 leads to postnatal condyle degradation.

Distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx2), a member of the Dlx family of transcription factors, is important for the development of craniofacial tissues. Previous studies based on knock­out mutant mice revealed that Dlx2 primarily disturbed the development of tissues from maxillary arch. The present study used a transgenic mouse model to specifically overexpress Dlx2 in neural crest cells in order to investigate the role of Dlx2 overexpression in post­natal condyle in mice. The model was constructed and the phenotype observed using gross observation, micro­CT scan and histological examination. The model determined that overexpression of Dlx2 may lead to postnatal condyle malformation, subchondral bone degradation and irregular histological structure of the condylar cartilage. In addition, the expression of osteocalcin in the condyle region was markedly downregulated, whereas expression of msh homeobox 2 was upregulated. The results of the present study suggest that Dlx2 overexpression in cranial neural crest cells would disrupt the development of post­natal condyle, which demonstrates that the expression level and the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Dlx2 may be important in regulating the development of post-natal condyle in mice, and also offered a possible temporal­mandibular joint osteoarthritis model animal for future studies.

The Study of Cross-layer Optimization for Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks Implemented in Coal Mines.

Wireless sensor networks deployed in coal mines could help companies provide workers working in coal mines with more qualified working conditions. With the underground information collected by sensor nodes at hand, the underground working conditions could be evaluated more precisely. However, sensor nodes may tend to malfunction due to their limited energy supply. In this paper, we study the cross-layer optimization problem for wireless rechargeable sensor networks implemented in coal mines, of which the energy could be replenished through the newly-brewed wireless energy transfer technique. The main results of this article are two-fold: firstly, we obtain the optimal relay nodes' placement according to the minimum overall energy consumption criterion through the Lagrange dual problem and KKT conditions; secondly, the optimal strategies for recharging locomotives and wireless sensor networks are acquired by solving a cross-layer optimization problem. The cyclic nature of these strategies is also manifested through simulations in this paper.

Effect of fibroblast growth factor 9 on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells and dental pulp stem cells.

The role of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) in bone formation may depend on gene dosage, developmental stage, cell type or interactions with other cytokines. In the present study bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were cultured and osteogenically induced in vitro, treated with exogenous FGF9 at varying concentrations. Alkaline phosphatase staining, alizarin red S staining, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed in order to investigate the gene expression levels of osteogenic markers. The results of the present study demonstrated that FGF9 enhanced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal­regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) during osteogenic induction in BMSCs and DPSCs, which are derived from different tissues. FGF9 also inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and DPSCs through the activation of ERK1/2. These findings suggested that FGF9 may be an inhibitor of osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and its application in vivo requires investigation in the future.

The effect of fibroblast growth factor 9 on the osteogenic differentiation of calvaria-derived mesenchymal cells.

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) plays complicated and crucial roles in bone formation, and the biologic effect of FGF9 may depend on the gene dosage, developmental stage, cell type, or interactions with other cytokines. In this study, we demonstrated that FGF9 enhanced the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 in calvaria-derived mesenchymal cells. However, the inhibitory effect of FGF9 on the osteogenic differentiation of calvaria-derived mesenchymal cells did not depend on the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2. Combined with the previous findings that FGF9 promotes dental pulp stem cells chondrogenesis in vitro, we suggest that FGF9 may be applied to promote chondrogenesis and inhibit osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Accelerated orthodontic tooth movement following le fort I osteotomy in a rodent model.

PURPOSE: In surgery-first accelerated orthognathic surgery, the clinical phenomenon of accelerated orthodontic tooth movement after osteotomy is a benefit compared with the conventional approach. However, because much of the literature on this phenomenon is based on empirical evidence and case reports, experimental animal-based studies are needed to verify and quantify this acceleration effect. The purpose of this prospective experimental study was to identify whether osteotomy procedures increase tooth movement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Le Fort I osteotomies were performed on the left maxillas in 15 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats. After surgery, a continuous force of 0.5 N was placed on the maxillary left first molar to move the tooth mesially. Another 15 rats had no surgery and served as controls. On days 1, 14, and 28, digital caliper measurements were taken to record tooth movement. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the maxillary left first molars moved significantly more rapidly on days 14 and 28 (P < .05). Histologic findings showed more active alveolar bone remodeling. CONCLUSION: Le Fort I osteotomy significantly accelerated the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Histologically, more active and extensive bone remodeling was observed after osteotomy.

p75 neurotrophin receptor positive dental pulp stem cells: new hope for patients with neurodegenerative disease and neural injury.

Neurodegenerative diseases and neural injury are 2 of the most feared disorders that afflict humankind by leading to permanent paralysis and loss of sensation. Cell based treatment for these diseases had gained special interest in recent years. Previous studies showed that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) could differentiate toward functionally active neurons both in vitro and in vivo, and could promote neuranagenesis through both cell-autonomous and paracrine neuroregenerative activities. Some of these neuroregenerative activities were unique to tooth-derived stem cells and superior to bone marrow stromal cells. However, DPSCs used in most of these studies were mixed and unfractionated dental pulp cells that contain several types of cells, and most were fibroblast cells while just contain a small portion of DPSCs. Thus, there might be weaker ability of neuranagenesis and more side effects from the fibroblast cells that cannot differentiate into neural cells. p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) positive DPSCs subpopulation was derived from migrating cranial neural crest cells and had been isolated from DPSCs, which had capacity of differentiation into neurons and repairing neural system. In this article, we hypothesize that p75NTR positive DPSCs simultaneously have greater propensity for neuronal differentiation and fewer side effects from fibroblast, and in vivo transptantation of autologous p75NTR positive DPSCs is a novel method for neuranagenesis. This will bring great hope to patients with neurodegenerative disease and neural injury.

The effect of overexpression of Dlx2 on the migration, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cranial neural crest stem cells.

Craniofacial skeleton mainly originate from the cranial neural crest stem cells (CNCCs), which is a subpopulation of neural crest stem cells (NCCs). Dlx2, a member of the homeodomain family of transcription factors, plays crucial roles in the development of the CNCCs derived craniofacial skeleton. Previous reports reveal that Dlx2-targeted null mutation resulted in anomalies in the skeletal derivatives of CNCCs in mice. Dlx2 overexpression in ova disturbed the migration and differentiation of affected CNCCs and induced the development of ectopic skeleton elements. However, whether Dlx2 overexpression can impair the morphogenesis of CNCCs derived craniofacial skeleton in vivo has not been explored. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse overexpressing Dlx2 in NCCs (Wnt1Cre::iZEG-Dlx2). The Wnt1Cre::iZEG-Dlx2 embryos showed decreased cell proliferation, increased cell apoptosis, abnormal chondrogenesis and impaired osteogenesis within the CNCCs population, resulting in obvious craniofacial defects that ranged from a cleft lip and midfacial clefts to neural tube defects and exencephaly. Adult Wnt1Cre::iZEG-Dlx2 mice showed nasal and premaxillary hypoplasia and spinal deformities. These findings reveal that Dlx2 overexpression in NCCs may be a new pathogenesis of facial cleft and spinal kyphosis in mammals, and may offer us a useful model organism to find suitable therapy methods for these genetic defects that may be different from the traumatic defect and resected defect.

The effect of co-culturing costal chondrocytes and dental pulp stem cells combined with exogenous FGF9 protein on chondrogenesis and ossification in engineered cartilage.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), which arise from cranial neural crest cells, are multipotent, making them a candidate for use in tissue engineering that may be especially useful for craniofacial tissues. Costal chondrocytes (CCs) can be easily obtained and demonstrate higher initial cell yields and expansion than articular chondrocytes. CCs have been found to retain chondrogenic capacity that can effectively repair articular defects. In this study, human CCs were co-cultured with human DPSCs, and the results showed that the CCs were able to supply a chondro-inductive niche that promoted the DPSCs to undergo chondrogenic differentiation and to enhance the formation of cartilage. Although CCs alone could not prevent the mineralization of chondro-differentiated DPSCs, CCs combined with exogenous FGF9 were able to simultaneously promote the chondrogenesis of DPSCs and partially inhibit their mineralization. Furthermore, FGF9 may activate this inhibition by binding to FGFR3 and enhancing the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in DPSCs. Our results strongly suggest that the co-culture of CCs and DPSCs combined with exogenous FGF9 can simultaneously enhance chondrogenesis and partially inhibit ossification in engineered cartilage.

Dlx2 over-expression: a possible mechanism for first branchial arch malformation.

The first branchial arch malformation (FBAM) is a rare congenital defect associated with anomalous development of the first and second branchial arches. Cause of FBAM still remains unknown, and is thought in most cases to be multifactorial, involving both genetic and enviromental factors. Dlx2 as a member of the Dlx homeobox gene family, plays a crucial role in the development of the first branchial arch. The tissues regulated mainly by Dlx2 are coincident with the tissues mainly involved in FBAM. Dlx2 over-expression generated by electroporation transfection can disturb the migration and differentiation of cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs), which migrate to the branchial arches and in turn give rise to much of the facial skeleton and connective tissues. Furthermore, Dlx2 over-expression can be found in the first branchial arch spontaneous mutant mice. So we hypothesize that Dlx2 over-expression mutation causes FBAM due to an increase in cell-cell adhesion and inhibiting the migration of CNCC to the first branchial arch in the early stage, or migrating to an incorrect position and can't differentiate into normal tissues. What an exact role of Dlx2 over-expression in FBAM remains to be investigated and Dlx2 over-expression transgenic mouse will be a nice model for further research in FBAM.

Antifungal drug susceptibility of oral Candida albicans isolates may be associated with apoptotic responses to Amphotericin B.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is the important opportunistic fungal pathogens which can cause oral Candidiasis and even more seriously systemic infection. Apoptosis of C. albicans induced by environmental factor such as weak acid and antifungal drugs were studied recently. Illustrating the phenomenon of apoptosis in C. albicans may help us to discover new antifungal therapy by activating the fungal cells to suicide. METHODS: Two oral C. albians clinical isolates which isolated respectively from healthy host [Strain 23C: minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) is 0.125 microg/ml for Amphotericin B (AmB)] and advanced cancer patient (Strain 28A: MIC is 2 microg/ml for AmB), were induced by 1 microg/ml AmB in vitro for 200 min, and then studied the apoptosis markers using terminal deoxynucletidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) (shown by diaminobenzidine and fluorescent isothiocyanate), and the ultrastructure of cell nuclear using transmission electron microscope (TEM), quantitative analysis using flow cytometry for the rapid exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer membrane and propodium iodide (PI) double staining. C. albicans conference strain YEM30 was used as the control strain. RESULTS: With TUNEL assay and TEM, we detected the typical characteristics of apoptosis. Strain 23C (with low MIC) showed significantly higher percentage of apoptosis (19.92%) compared with Strain 28A (with high MIC) which was isolated from the cancer patient (7.29%) (P < 0.01). In addition, 7.3% of early apoptosis cells of Strain 23C can form colonies on the plates, while 15% for Strain 28A. None of the PI+ cells can form colony. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis of oral C. albicans isolates can be induced by AmB. The feature of antifungal drug susceptibility of the oral C. albicans clinical isolates may associate with the response of apoptosis inducing.

[Study on oral Candida albicans apoptosis in vitro].

PURPOSE: Candida albicans is one of the main opportunistic pathogen for human , the aim of this study is to investigate the phenomena of apoptosis in oral Candida albicans induced by acetic acid. METHODS: The Candida albicans of clinical strains were induced to apoptosis by using a weak acid acetic acid.The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TEM. The data were processed for Chi-square test using SPSS11.5 software package. RESULTS: Oral Candida albicans had classic apoptosis when induced by proper concentration of acetic acid, and different concentrations of acetic acid had variable ability of inducing apoptosis of Candida albicans. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis can be detected in clinical strains of Candida albicans, the mechanism of apoptosis needs further research for the purpose of developing new antifungal drugs. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.30400498) and 2007 National College Student Innovative Planning Project.