The effectiveness of interventions on improving body image for pregnant and postpartum women: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Body image dissatisfaction, leading to a variety of negative emotions and adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes. Studies on body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women have been reported, yielding mixed results. Existing evidence lacks a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review interventions which aimed at improving body image during pregnancy and postpartum in women of childbearing age, and further to explore their effectiveness. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Database, to retrieve relevant studies. Body image was reported employing descriptive analysis, whereas the Cochrane Handbook tool was used to evaluate the quality and potential bias of each included study. RESULTS: Following established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 studies were identified from an initial 1,422 records for further analysis, involving 1290 participants. This systematic review grouped body image interventions into lifestyle interventions and psychological interventions based on their content. These interventions yielded more pronounced positive effects on improving body image in pregnant and postpartum women when compared to control groups. And, the statistical difference on psychological interventions is more significant on the whole. CONCLUSIONS: Our work offers a comprehensive overview of the effectiveness of body image interventions for pregnant and postpartum women. Psychological interventions are considered to be a suitable measure to improve body image for pregnant or postpartum women. Additional research and practical applications are recommended to enhance the mental health and well-being of perinatal women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registry: CRD42024531531.

Effect of cooking conditions on iron release from pots and development of kinetic models for iron supplementation in NIPs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the use of iron cookware as a potential strategy for alleviating iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and emphasises the need for action-oriented research in this area. In response to this need, our study systematically investigated the patterns of iron release from various types of cookware under different cooking conditions. Among these, nitrided iron pots (NIPs), the most widely used cookware, were selected for the development of kinetic models to predict iron release efficiently across a range of cooking temperatures and pH levels in food materials. Our results demonstrated that iron release from the pots was significantly influenced by cooking conditions such as the type of cookware, cooking temperatures, cooking times, types of acidic substances, and the pH of the cooking environment. Specifically, higher temperatures, longer cooking times, lower pH levels, and the presence of acetic acid were found to maximise iron release into food. We developed a series of kinetic models-Iron Release-Temperature Models (I, II, and III) and Iron Release-pH Models (IV, V, and VI)-to predict iron release from NIPs. The temperature models are applicable for cooking food with a pH of 5.00-6.00 within a temperature range of 50-100 °C, while the pH models are designed for food with a pH of 3.00-6.00 at boiling temperatures. Validation experiments confirmed the relative accuracy of these models. Additionally, when comparing the predicted iron release with the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) guidelines, the findings support the efficacy of iron pots as a viable method for iron supplementation.

Comparative efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system combined with plasma exchange versus plasma exchange in treating acute-on-chronic liver failure due to hepatitis B: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) in combination with plasma exchange (PE) compared to plasma exchange alone in the treatment of Acute-on-Chronic liver failure (LF) caused by hepatitis B. Until August 31, 2023, a comprehensive search of databases including Embase, Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, Wan Fang Medical Network, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library was carried out using keywords like "liver failure," "acute-on-chronic liver failure," "PE," "DPMAS," and related terms. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using QUADS (quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies). Software Revman 5.3 was used to examine the data, while Stata 15.1 was used to run Egger's test. Following thorough screening, 452 patients who received PE alone and 429 patients who received DPMAS in addition to PE were included. Every study that was included was of a high caliber. When comparing the DPMAS plus PE group to the PE alone group, the total bilirubin reduction was considerably higher (mean difference [MD] = -49.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -54.84 to -43.35, p < .00001). Prothrombin activity (PTA; MD = -1.53, 95% CI: -3.29 to -0.22, p = .09), albumin (ALB; MD = -0.58, 95% CI: -1.57 to 0.41, p = .25), prothrombin time (PT; MD = -0.07, 95% CI: -1.47 to 1.34, p = .92), and platelet count (PLT; MD = -0.08, 95% CI: -1.33 to 1.66, p = .90) did not differ significantly. The improvement in international standardized ratio (INR) was significantly greater in the PE group (MD = 0.07, 95% CI (0.03, 0.10), p = .0001). When combined with DPMAS, PE has been shown to be more effective in lowering total bilirubin levels. PE can also lower INR in individuals who have hepatitis B-related ACLF. This therapeutic strategy also lessens the need for plasma transfusions.

Risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis in small-for-gestational-age infants: a matched case-control study.

Few studies have focused on the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for NEC in SGA newborns. This study included consecutive SGA neonates admitted to a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi Province, China from Jan 2008 to Dec 2022. Patients with NEC (Bell's stage ≥ II) were assigned to the NEC group. Gestational age- and birth weight-matched non-NEC infants born during the same period at the same hospital were assigned to the control group. The risk factors associated with NEC were analyzed with univariate and logistic regression models. During the study period, 2,912 SGA infants were enrolled, 150 (5.15%) of whom developed NEC. In total, 143 patients and 143 controls were included in the NEC and control groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that sepsis (OR 2.399, 95% CI 1.271-4.527, P = 0.007) and anemia (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.166-4.204, P = 0.015) might increase the incidence of NEC in SGA infants and that prophylactic administration of probiotics (OR 0.492, 95% CI 0.303-0.799, P = 0.004) was a protective factor against NEC. Therefore, sepsis, anemia and a lack of probiotic use are independent risk factors for NEC in SGA infants.

On-site monitoring and numerical simulation on groundwater flow and pollution plume evolution in a hexavalent-chromium contaminated site.

Accurately ascertaining spatiotemporal distribution of pollution plume is critical for evaluating the effectiveness of remediation technologies and environmental risks associated with contaminated sites. This study concentrated on a typical Cr(VI) contaminated smelter being currently remediated using pump-and-treat (PAT) technology. Long-term on-site monitoring data revealed that two highly polluted regions with Cr(VI) concentrations of 162.9 mg/L and 234.5 mg/L existed within the contaminated site, corresponding to previous chromium slag yard and sewage treatment plant, respectively. The PAT technology showed significant removal performance in these highly polluted areas (>160 mg/L) after six months of pumping, ultimately achieving complete removal of the pollutants in these high-pollution areas. Numerical simulation results showed that although the current remediation scheme significantly reduced the Cr(VI) pollution degree, it did not effectively prevent the incursion of the pollution plume into the downstream residential area after 20 years. Additionally, an improved measure involving supplementary pumping wells was proposed, and its remediation effects were quantitatively evaluated. Results indicated that the environmental pollution risk of groundwater downstream could be effectively mitigated by adding pumping wells, resulting in a reduction of the pollution area by 20 % in the case of adding an internal well and 41 % with the addition of external wells after 20 years. The findings obtained in this study will provide an important reference and theoretical guidance for the reliability analysis and design improvement of the PAT remediation project.

Butyrate protects the intestinal barrier by upregulating Fut2 expression via MEK4-JNK signaling pathway activation.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe gastrointestinal inflammatory disease in neonates. Fucosyltransferase 2 (Fut2) regulates intestinal epithelial cell fucosylation. In this study, we aimed to investigate butyrate-mediated upregulation of Fut2 expression and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro models were established. SP600125 was used to inhibit the MEK4-JNK pathway, and anisomycin was used to activate the MEK4-JNK pathway. Fut2, occludin, and ZO-1 expressions were assessed. Furthermore, intestinal permeability was analyzed by FITC-Dextran. The expression of proteins in the MEK-4-JNK pathway was examined by western blotting. RESULTS: In vivo, the addition of exogenous butyrate notably upregulated Fut2, occludin, and ZO-1 expressions and reduced intestinal permeability in mice with NEC. Butyrate may increase the phosphorylation of MEK4, JNK, and c-jun, which are key components of the MEK4-JNK pathway. Additionally, SP600125 inhibited their phosphorylation, which was reversed by anisomycin treatment. In vitro, butyrate substantially increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions. Butyrate considerably increased Fut2 expression and markedly upregulated p-MEK4, p-JNK, and p-c-jun expressions. SP600125 administration decreased their expressions, while anisomycin administration increased their expressions. CONCLUSION: Butyrate upregulated Fut2 expression via activation of the MEK4-JNK pathway, improved intestinal barrier integrity, and protected neonatal mice from NEC. IMPACT: We found that exogenous butyrate could improve intestinal barrier integrity and protect against NEC in neonatal mice. Our data showed that exogenous butyrate supplementation upregulated Fut2 expression by activating the MEK4-JNK pathway. Our study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of NEC, thereby laying an experimental foundation for future clinical research on the use of butyrate in NEC treatment.

Recent progress in high-voltage P2-Na x TMO2 materials and their future perspectives.

P2-type layered materials (Na x TMO2) have become attractive cathode electrodes owing to their high theoretical energy density and simple preparation. However, they still face severe phase transition and low conductivity. Current research on Na x TMO2 is mostly focused on the modification of bulk materials, and the application performances have been infrequently addressed. This review summarizes the information on current common P2-Na x TMO2 materials and discusses their sodium-storage mechanisms. Furthermore, modification strategies to improve their performance are addressed for practical applications based on a range of key parameters (output voltage, specific capacity, and lifespan). We also discuss the future development trends and application prospects for P2 cathode materials.

Application of methylation in the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, mainly characterized by perifibrocartilage osteitis of the sacroiliac joints and spinal enthesitis. To date, the exact pathogenesis of AS remains elusive. It is generally believed that AS is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, infection, environment, and immunity. Among them, genetic factors are the primary determinants of disease risk and severity. In recent years, epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation have been extensively surveyed with respect to the pathogenesis of AS. This review summarizes the latest research progress of methylation in AS, from whole-genome sequencing to individual differentially methylated gene. And finally, the role of methylase in AS inflammation, autophagy, and osteogenic differentiation was explored. In summary, the results of this review attempt to explain the role of methylation in the occurrence and development of AS and point out the shortcomings of current methylation research, providing directions for subsequent methylation research in AS.

Structural and functional characterization of the bacterial Cap3 enzyme in deconjugation and regulation of the cyclic dinucleotide transferase CD-NTase.

The Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and cGAS/DncV-like nucleotidyltransferase (CD-NTase) enzymes belong to the key components of the innate immune sensor system that generates cyclic dinucleotide molecules in response to danger signals. Recently, it was discovered that CD-NTase in bacteria can undergo conjugation to protein substrates via an E1/E2 enzyme-mediated process, resembling ubiquitin modification system. Subsequently, these CD-NTase conjugated molecules will be hydrolyzed by the Cap3 enzyme in the same gene cluster. However, the experimental structure of bacterial CD-NTase recognized by Cap3 is unknown. Here, we first determined the crystal structure of the Cap3 enzyme in complex with the C-terminal tail of CD-NTase. Our structural and enzymatic analysis revealed that the C-terminal tail of CD-NTase is both necessary and sufficient for the Cap3-mediated hydrolysis of CD-NTase from its substrates. Interestingly, we further observed that after the hydrolysis reaction, the terminal glycine residue of the CD-NTase C-terminal tail was sequentially removed by Cap3, indicating that Cap3 might play a role in quenching the CD-NTase conjugation reaction. Our work provides experimental evidence elucidating the interaction between Cap3 and CD-NTase, and suggests a potential role for Cap3 in the bacterial Cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signaling system (CBASS).

Validation of Jianpi Qingre Tongluo Recipe in Reducing Inflammation and Dyslipidemia in Osteoarthritis via Lnc RNA HOTAIR/APN/PI3K/AKT.

Objective: Jianpi Qingre Tongluo Recipe (JQP) has been widely used in clinical practice, and its anti-Osteoarthritis (OA) effectiveness and specific mechanism have been concerned. This study aims to explore the clinical effect of JQP in reducing inflammation and dyslipidemia in OA and the molecular mechanism. Methods: The clinical efficacy of JQP in OA treatment was assessed through data mining. Through the network pharmacology technology, the interactive network of "active component-target-disease" was developed, the interaction relationship of the related proteins was analyzed, and enrichment analysis of gene pathway biological process was conducted. Molecular docking was carried out with PyMOL and AutodockTools-1.5.7. Finally, cell experiments were used to verify JQP's delay of immune inflammation in OA. Results: We found that JQP could ameliorate the immune inflammatory and lipid metabolism indicators; reduce VAS and SAS score in OA. A total of 98 genes overlapped between target genes of JQP and OA. TNF, IL-6, IL-1ß, and AKT1 shared the highest centrality among all target genes. KEGG analysis unveiled that 98 intersection genes were predominantly enriched in PI3K/AKT pathway in the anti-OA system. In vitro, after peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) stimulation, inflammatory cytokines imbalances and the expressions of adiponectin (APN) were decreased in osteoarthritis-chondrocytes (OA-CH). Furthermore, JQP-containing serum protected OA-CHs through down-regulating HOTAIR levels, thereby up-regulating APN and depressing PI3K/AKT pathway. Conclusion: This study suggests that JQP might reduce inflammation and improve lipid metabolism of OA by regulating HOTAIR/APN/PI3K/AKT. Our results bring a new solution for OA.

Jianpi Qingre Tongluo Decoction exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on AS by inhibiting the NONHSAT227927.1/JAK2/STAT3 axis.

Purpose: This study aims to determine whether Jianpi Qingre Tongluo Decoction (JQP) alleviates ankylosing spondylitis (AS) inflammation via the NONHSAT227927.1/JAK2/STAT3 axis. Methods: The effect of JQP on immune-inflammatory indicators in AS patients was explored through a combination of data mining, association rule analysis, and random walk model evaluation. Subsequently, network pharmacology and molecular docking were performed to screen out the potential signaling pathway. ELISA, PCR and wb were used to evaluate the effect of JQP on AS-FLS activity and inflammatory factors. The role of NONHSAT227927.1/JAK2/STAT3 combination in inflammation was studied by editing NONHSAT227927.1 and adding the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor AG490. Involvement of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway was detected by PCR, WB, or immunofluorescence analysis. Results: Retrospective data mining results show that JQP can effectively reduce the immune inflammatory response in AS patients. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, it is speculated that JQP exerts its effect on AS through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Overexpression of NONHSAT227927.1 activated the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and promoted the expression of inflammatory factors, while serum containing JQP reversed the effects of NONHSAT227927.1 overexpression. NONHSAT227927.1 silencing inhibits the proliferation of AS-FLSs, inhibits the levels of inflammatory factors, and reduces the expression of JAK2/STAT3 protein. After adding the pathway blocker AG490, it was observed that the cell viability of AS-FLSs was reduced by inflammatory factors and the levels of JAK2/STAT3 were inhibited. , and overexpression of NONHSAT227927.1 can reverse this trend. Conclusions: JQP exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on AS by inhibiting the NONHSAT227927.1/JAK2/STAT3 axis.

Exploring the mechanism of luteolin improving immune and inflammatory responses in systemic sclerosis based on systems biology and cell experiments.

There is a growing trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat immune diseases. This study reveals the possible mechanism of luteolin, an active ingredient in the core prescription of TCM, in alleviating systemic sclerosis (SSc) inflammation. Bibliometrics was performed to retrieve the core keywords of SSc inflammation. The key inflammatory indicators in the serum samples of 50 SSc patients were detected by ELISA. Data mining was applied for correlation analysis, association rule analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis on the clinical indicators and medication of 50 SSc patients before and after treatment to determine the core prescription. Network pharmacology was used for identifying candidate genes and pathways; molecular docking was conducted to determine the core monomer components of the prescription, providing a basis for subsequent in vitro molecular mechanism research. The effect of luteolin on SSc-human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) viability and inflammatory factors was evaluated by means of ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blot. The role of TNF in inflammation was explored by using a TNF overexpression vector, NF-κB inhibitor (PKM2), and SSc-HDF. The involvement of TNF/NF-κB pathway was validated by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. TCM treatment partially corrected the inflammatory changes in SSc patients, indicating its anti-inflammatory effects in the body. Atractylodes, Yam, Astragalus root, Poria cocos, Pinellia ternata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Safflower, Cassia twig, and Angelica were identified as the core prescriptions for improving inflammatory indicators. Luteolin was the main active ingredient in the prescription and showed a strong binding energy with TNF and NF-κB. Luteolin exerted anti-inflammatory effects in vitro by reducing inflammatory cytokines in SSc-HDF and inhibiting the activation of TNF/NF-κB. Mechanistically, luteolin inhibited the activation of the TNF/NF-κB pathway in SSc-HDF, as manifested by an increase in extranuclear p-P65 and TNF but a decrease in intranuclear p-P65. Interestingly, the addition of PKM2 augmented the therapeutic function of luteolin against inflammation in SSc-HDF. Our study showed the TCM alleviates the inflammatory response of SSc by inhibiting the activation of the TNF/NF-κB pathway and is an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of SSc.

Characterization of biomass burning tracers in particulate matter at 12 sites in China: Significant increase of coal combustion emitted levoglucosan in northern China during winter.

Biomass burning (BB) is the largest contributor to carbonaceous aerosols globally. Specific organic tracers can track BB particles and identify BB types. At present, there is limited information on the composition of BB tracers on a continental scale. In this study, we conducted year-round sampling of particulate matter (PM) at 12 sites in China. Nine BB tracers were measured in PM with aerodynamic diameters <1.1 µm (PM<1.1), in the range of 1.1-3.3 µm (PM1.1-3.3), and > 3.3 µm (PM>3.3). The annual average concentration of these nine BB tracers (∑9 BB tracers) in the total PM was 366 ng m-3 with the majority of levoglucosan (66 %). The concentration of ∑9 BB tracers was higher in northern China than in southern China, especially in winter. ∑9 BB tracers were most enriched in PM<1.1 (50-61 % in mass), followed by PM1.1-3.3 and PM>3.3. The highest concentrations of ∑9 BB tracers were observed in winter, while satellite-recorded fire spots were intensive in autumn and spring. The mismatch of seasonal trends between them indicated that the high levels of BB tracers in winter was not due to open BB. The composition of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and vanillic acid suggested that the burning of crop residues and softwoods were the major BB types in China. The ratio of levoglucosan to mannosan could neither identify the major BB types in China nor distinguish between BB and coal combustion. Correlation analysis and the PMF model demonstrated that non-BB sources contributed 7 %-58 % to levoglucosan at the 12 sites, with coal combustion being the predominant non-BB source in China, especially in northern urban sites during winter. Our findings suggest that caution should be taken in application of these organic tracers to identify BB types and estimate BB aerosols.

A novel embedded KVO3/NC anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Vanadium-based metallic salts, characterized by their intrinsic low electronic conductivity, are impeding their advancement as anode materials in the realm of lithium-ion battery technology. This study presents a novel embedded anode material KVO3/NC (KVO/NC) synthesized via a sol-gel method, with KVO3 (KVO) particles in situ growing on N-doped carbon, thereby ameliorating conductivity and electrochemical performance. The findings reveal that KVO/NC composite has three lithium-ion storage sites, ultra-high cycling stability (289 mA h/g@5000 cycles@10 C@100 %), and superior rate performance (249 mA h/g@15 C; 221 mA h/g@20 C). Coupled with LiFePO4 cathode, it achieves a competitive energy density (391 W h kg-1@0.1 C; 1-3.9 V). This work reveals the practical potential of KVO/NC as a new type of lithium-ion battery anode material with high energy density and long cycle life through a series of ex situ/in situ characterizations.

Cuprate-like electronic structures in infinite-layer nickelates with substantial hole dopings.

Superconducting infinite-layer (IL) nickelates offer a new platform for investigating the long-standing problem of high-temperature superconductivity. Many models were proposed to understand the superconducting mechanism of nickelates based on the calculated electronic structure, and the multiple Fermi surfaces and multiple orbitals involved create complications and controversial conclusions. Over the past five years, the lack of direct measurements of the electronic structure has hindered the understanding of nickelate superconductors. Here we fill this gap by directly resolving the electronic structures of the parent compound LaNiO2 and superconducting La0.8Ca0.2NiO2 using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We find that their Fermi surfaces consist of a quasi-2D hole pocket and a 3D electron pocket at the Brillouin zone corner, whose volumes change upon Ca doping. The Fermi surface topology and band dispersion of the hole pocket closely resemble those observed in hole-doped cuprates. However, the cuprate-like band exhibits significantly higher hole doping in superconducting La0.8Ca0.2NiO2 compared to superconducting cuprates, highlighting the disparities in the electronic states of the superconducting phase. Our observations highlight the novel aspects of the IL nickelates, and pave the way toward the microscopic understanding of the IL nickelate family and its superconductivity.

Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel PET Tracer for Noninvasive Evaluation of FGL1 Status in Tumors.

Fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) is a potential novel immune checkpoint target for malignant tumor diagnosis and therapy. Accurate detection of FGL1 levels in tumors via noninvasive PET imaging might be beneficial for managing the disease. To achieve this, multiple FGL1-targeting peptides (FGLP) were designed, and a promising candidate, 68Ga-NOTA-FGLP2, was identified through a high-throughput screening approach using microPET imaging of 68Ga-labeled peptides. Subsequent in vitro cell experiments showed that uptake values of 68Ga-NOTA-FGLP2 in FGL1 positive Huh7 tumor cells were significantly higher than those in FGL1 negative U87 MG tumor cells. Further microPET imaging showed that the Huh7 xenografts were clearly visualized with a favorable contrast. ROI analysis showed that the uptake values of the tracer in Huh7 xenografts were 2.63 ± 0.07% ID/g at 30 min p.i.. After treatment with an excess of unlabeled FGLP2, the tumor uptake significantly decreased to 0.54 ± 0.05% ID/g at 30 min p.i.. Moreover, the uptake in U87 MG xenografts was 0.44 ± 0.06% ID/g at the same time point. The tracer was excreted mainly through the renal system. 18F-FDG PET imaging was also performed in mice bearing Huh7 and U87 MG xenografts, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the uptake between the tumors with different FGL1 expressions. Preclinical data indicated that 68Ga-NOTA-FGLP2 might be a suitable radiotracer for in vivo noninvasive visualization of tumors with abundant expression of FGL1. Further investigation of 68Ga-NOTA-FGLP2 for tumor diagnosis and therapy is undergoing.

Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Its Predictors in Renal Transplant Recipients in Hunan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Kidney transplantation is a critical treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) significantly impacting patient outcomes. HPL involves behaviors like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, stress management, and habit modification. However, few studies have analyzed the HPL of renal transplant recipients, addressing a significant gap in current research. Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictors of HPL in renal transplant recipients using the Chinese Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled renal transplant recipients completing the revised Chinese HPLP at organ transplant center in a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province of China between May 2022 and July 2022. Results: A total of 450 patients were included, comprising 256 males (56.9%), with a mean age of 44.85 ± 10.57 years. The mean score of self-actualization, health responsibility, interpersonal support, physical activity, stress management, nutrition, and overall HPLP were 15.27 ± 5.03 (possible range: 0-24), 11.41 ± 4.18 (possible range: 0-24), 11.61 ± 3.13 (possible range: 0-18), 7.53 ± 3.79 (possible range: 0-18), 12.68 ± 3.61 (possible range: 0-21), 11.17 ± 2.41 (possible range: 0-15), and 69.66 ± 16.98 (possible range: 0-120), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that urban residence (OR = 2.061, 95% CI: 1.350-3.148, P = 0.001), non-smoking after transplantation (OR = 2.010, 95% CI: 1.123-3.600, P = 0.019) and two post-transplant complications (OR=0.387, 95% CI: 0.218-0.689, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Although renal transplant recipients exhibit a moderate level of HPL, targeted interventions are essential to improve these behaviors. These interventions should focus especially on individuals from rural households, post-transplant smokers, and those experiencing post-transplant complications, to enhance their quality of life and clinical outcomes.

The safety and efficacy of five surgical treatments in prostate enucleation: a network meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the comparative outcomes of five different energy types on surgical efficacy and postoperative recovery in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. METHODS: The literature was systematically reviewed on December 1st, 2023, encompassing studies retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases that incorporated clinical studies of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), Thulium:YAG laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP), transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation of prostate (PKEP), diode laser enucleation of the prostate (DiLEP) and thulium fiber laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuFLEP) in the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia. Two independent reviewers extracted study data and conducted quality assessments using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Network meta-analysis (NMA) was employed to indirectly analyze the outcomes of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EEP) techniques. RESULTS: The study included a total of 38 studies, comprising 21 non-randomized controlled trials (nRCTs) and 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), incorporating five distinct techniques: holmium laser, Thulium:YAG laser, bipolar plasma, diode laser and thulium fiber laser. In comparing treatment durations, ThuLEP and HoLEP had shorter overall hospital stays than PKEP, while the enucleation time of ThuLEP and HoLEP was shorter than that of ThuFLEP. Moreover, the enucleation tissue weight of both thulium fiber laser and holmium laser was heavier than bipolar plasma. However, the analysis did not reveal any statistically significant variation in complications among the various types of enucleation. In postoperative follow-up, the IPSS at 3 months post-operation was superior in the Thulium:YAG laser group compared to the holmium laser group. The thulium fiber laser technique demonstrated significant advantages over other enucleation methods in terms of QoL and PVR at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Theoretical properties may vary among different energy sources; however, there are no discernible clinical differences in operation-related parameters, postoperative complications, and postoperative follow-up. Therefore, the choice of laser does not significantly impact the outcome. However, due to the limited number of included studies, future research should focus on larger sample sizes and multicenter investigations to further validate the findings of this study.

The effectiveness of digital twins in promoting precision health across the entire population: a systematic review.

Digital twins represent a promising technology within the domain of precision healthcare, offering significant prospects for individualized medical interventions. Existing systematic reviews, however, mainly focus on the technological dimensions of digital twins, with a limited exploration of their impact on health-related outcomes. Therefore, this systematic review aims to explore the efficacy of digital twins in improving precision healthcare at the population level. The literature search for this study encompassed PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SinoMed, CNKI, and Wanfang Database to retrieve potentially relevant records. Patient health-related outcomes were synthesized employing quantitative content analysis, whereas the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scales were used to evaluate the quality and potential bias inherent in each selected study. Following established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies were screened from an initial 1321 records for further analysis. These studies included patients with various conditions, including cancers, type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, qi deficiency, post-hepatectomy liver failure, and dental issues. The review coded three types of interventions: personalized health management, precision individual therapy effects, and predicting individual risk, leading to a total of 45 outcomes being measured. The collective effectiveness of these outcomes at the population level was calculated at 80% (36 out of 45). No studies exhibited unacceptable differences in quality. Overall, employing digital twins in precision health demonstrates practical advantages, warranting its expanded use to facilitate the transition from the development phase to broad application.PROSPERO registry: CRD42024507256.

Quantitative evaluation of CTP derived time-density alterations versus CTP for collateral status prediction with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Collateral status is a pivotal determinant of clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS); however, its evaluation can be challenging. We investigated the predictive value of CT perfusion (CTP) derived time and density alterations versus CTP for collateral status prediction in AIS. METHODS: Consecutive patients with anterior circulation occlusion within 24 h were retrospectively included. Time-density curves of the CTP specified ischemic core, penumbra, and the corresponding contralateral unaffected brain were obtained. The collateral status was dichotomised into robust (4-5 scores) and poor (0-3 scores) using multiphase collateral scoring, as described by Menon et al.. Receiver operating characteristic curves and multivariable regression analysis were performed to assess the predictive ability of CTP-designated tissue time and density alterations, CTP for robust collaterals, and favourable outcomes (mRS score of 0-2 at 90 days). RESULTS: One-hundred patients (median age, 68 years; interquartile range, 57-80 years; 61 men) were included. A smaller ischemic core, shorter peak time delay, lower peak density decrease, lower cerebral blood volume ratio, and cerebral blood flow ratio in the CTP specified ischemic core were significantly associated with robust collaterals (PFDR ≤ 0.004). The peak time delay demonstrated the highest diagnostic value (AUC, 0.74; P < 0.001) with 66.7 % sensitivity and 73.7 % specificity. Furthermore, the peak time delay of less than 8.5 s was an independent predictor of robust collaterals and favourable clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Robust collateral status was significantly associated with the peak time delay in the ischemic core. It is a promising image marker for predicting collateral status and functional outcomes in AIS.