A first-principles study of the electronic structure and point defects in higher manganese silicide Mn4Si7.

Point defects play a crucial role in determining the physical properties of solid-state semiconductor materials. However, theoretical investigations dedicated to point defects in higher manganese silicides (HMSs), promising thermoelectric materials composed of earth-abundant and eco-friendly elements, are surprisingly absent in the literature. Here, using first-principles calculations we systematically investigate the intrinsic and extrinsic point defects in a HMS, Mn4Si7. Our results indicate that the formation energies of intrinsic defects in Mn4Si7 are sufficiently high to preclude their significant concentration under thermal equilibrium growth conditions, and the experimentally observed p-type conductivity of the pure HMS could be a result of self-doping. Additionally, we calculated the defect formation energies of 14 candidate dopants by fully considering the secondary phases, which are in good agreement with experimental findings. Our results provide valuable guidance for optimizing the doping strategy of HMSs for device applications.

Preparation and characterization of BSA-loaded liraglutide and platelet fragment nanoparticle delivery system for the treatment of diabetic atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but its therapeutic options are limited. Liraglutide (LIR), a synthetic analog of GLP-1 approved as an anti-obesity drug by the FDA, has been reported as a promising drug for diabetic atherosclerosis. However, the main problem with LIR is its use that requires regular parenteral injections, which necessitates the improvement of drug delivery for increased efficiency and minimization of injection numbers. RESULTS: The objective of our present study was to prepare and characterize nanoparticles (BSA@LIR-PMF) for targeted drug delivery using LIR-encapsulated platelet membrane fragments (PMF) coated bovine serum albumin (BSA). We used various methods to characterize the prepared nanoparticles and evaluated their efficiency on diabetes-induced atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the nanoparticles were spherical and had good stability and uniform size with intact membrane protein structure. The loading and encapsulation rates (LR and ER) of BSA@LIR-PMF were respectively 7.96% and 85.56%, while the cumulative release rate was around 77.06% after 24 h. Besides, we also examined the impact of BSA@LIR-PMF on the proliferation, migration, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, lactate and ATP levels, and lipid deposition in the aortas. The results indicated that BSA@LIR-PMF could effectively inhibit ox-LDL-stimulated abnormal cell proliferation and migration, reduce the level of ROS and lactate concentration, and enhance the level of ATP, thereby improving oxidative phosphorylation in ox-LDL-treated cells. CONCLUSION: BSA@LIR-PMF significantly inhibited diabetes-induced atherosclerosis. It was anticipated that the BSA@LIR-PMF nanoparticles might be used for treating diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications.

The effect of mobile application-based technology on post-stroke aphasia: a systematic review.

Background: Enhancing speech-language therapy remains the most effective strategy for improving post-stroke aphasia, However, conventional face-to-face interventions often lack the necessary therapeutic intensity. In recent years, mobile application-based speech-language therapy has emerged progressively, offering new opportunities for independent rehabilitation among aphasic patients. This review aims to evaluate the impact of mobile application-based interventions on post-stroke aphasic. Methods: By conducting a systematic search across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus), we identified and included studies that investigated the utilization of mobile application-based technologies (such as computers, iPads, etc.) for treating post-stroke aphasia. Results: This study included 15 research investigations, including 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), four self-controlled studies and one cross-over experimental design study. Among these, eight studies demonstrated the efficacy of mobile application-based therapy in enhancing overall language functionality for post-stroke aphasia patients, three studies highlighted its potential for improving communication skills, three studies observed its positive impact on spontaneous speech expression. Moreover, four studies indicated its effectiveness in enhancing naming abilities, two studies underscored the positive influence of mobile application-based interventions on the quality of life for individuals with aphasia. Six studies noted that speech improvement effects were maintained during the follow-up period. Conclusion: The results of this review demonstrate the potential of mobile application-based interventions for improving speech-language function in individuals with aphasia. However, further high-quality research is needed to establish their effects across different domains and to delve into the comparative advantages of various treatment approaches. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=405248.

A Comparison of Dynamic SPECT Coronary Flow Reserve with TIMI Frame Count in the Treatment of Non-Obstructive Epicardial Coronary Patients.

Background: Microvascular dysfunction in patients with non-obstructive epicardial coronary may aggravate patient's symptoms or lead to various clinical events. Objective: To investigate the correlation between dynamic single photon emission computed tomography (D-SPECT) derived coronary flow reserve (CFR) and TIMI frame count (TFC) in patients with non-obstructive epicardial coronary patients. Methods: Patients with suspected or known stable CAD who were recommended to undergo invasive coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled in this study. Those who had non-obstructive coronary received TIMI frame count (TFC) and D-SPECT. A cut-off value of >40 was defined as slow flow referred to TFC. Results: A total of 47 patients diagnosed with non-obstructive coronary were enrolled. The mean age of patients was 66.09 ± 8.36 years, and 46.8% were male. Dynamic SPECT derived coronary flow reserve (CFR) was significantly correlated with TIMI frame count in 3 epicardial coronary (LAD: r=-0.506, P = 0.0003; LCX: r= -0.532, P = 0.0001; RCA: r= -0.657, P < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of CFR in identifying abnormal TIMI frame count < 40 was 100.0% and 57.6% in LAD, 62.5% and 87.0% in LCX, 83.9% and 75.0% in RCA, respectively. The optimal CFR cut-off values were 2.02, 2.47, and 1.96 among the three vessels. Conclusion: In patients with non-obstructive coronary, CFR derived from D-SPECT was strongly correlated with TFC. This study demonstrates that that CFR may be an alternative non-invasive method for identifying slow flow in non-obstructive coronary.

[Factors related to the poor coronary collateral circulation in patients with coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors related to poor coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and the synergy effects among various factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: A total of 180 patients with coronary angiography confirmed CAD (at least one major coronary artery stenosis equal to or greater than 95%) were included in this study. Coronary collateral circulation was graded according to the Rentrop scoring system. There were in 54 patients with Rentrop 0 and 1 (poor CCC) and 126 patients with Rentrop 2 and 3 (good CCC). Clinical data including age, weight, gender, history of smoking, and factors that were known to influence the development of collateral s, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and estimate glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) levels were also documented. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to detect possible factors related to CCC. RESULTS: (1) FBG levels and the incidence of eGFR < 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) were significant higher in Rentrop 0 and 1 group than in Rentrop 2 and 3 group (P = 0.001, P = 0.034, respectively). (2) After adjusting for age, gender, smoking habits, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, FBG levels (OR = 1.374, P = 0.005) and eGFR levels (OR = 2.412, P = 0.013) remained as independent risk factors for CCC. (3) The ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off point for FBG to predict poor CCC was 5.8 mmol/L. The area under the ROC curve was 0.656 (P = 0.001). (4) According to FBG and eGFR, patients were further divided into FBG ≥ 5.8 mmol/L and eGFR < 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) group (group A), FBG ≥ 5.8 mmol/L and eGFR ≥ 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) group (group B), FBG < 5.8 mmol/L and eGFR < 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) group (group C), and FBG<5.8mmol/L and eGFR ≥ 60 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) group (group D). The frequencies of poor CCC of the four groups were 51.7% (15/29) , 36.7% (18/49), 35.5% (11/31) and 12.7% (8/63) respectively (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, smoking habits, hypertension and dyslipidemia, the risk of poor CCC in group A, B and C patients were 7.494 (95%CI = 1.410-7.551, P = 0.001), 3.921 (95%CI = 1.061-6.910, P = 0.005) and 3.474 (95%CI = 0.160-4.477, P = 0.047) times higher than patients in group D. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that higher FBG levels and lower eGFR are independent predictors of poor CCC in CAD patients. Higher FBG levels and lower eGFR evoke a synergistic effect on poor CCC in CAD patients.