Lipopolysaccharide inhibits osteoblast formation and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand degradation via autophagy inhibition.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand (RANKL) are the two important factors causing bone loss, which is an important pathogenesis for osteoporosis. However, the relationship between LPS and RANKL is not yet clear. LPS can be involved in the weakened osteoblast formation as an autophagy regulator, and osteoblasts and their precursors are the source cells for RANKL production. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between autophagy changes and RANKL production during LPS-regulated osteoblasts. Our results showed that LPS inhibited autophagy (LC3 conversion and autophagosome formation) and enhanced the protein and mRNA expression of RANKL in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast precursor line. Autophagy upregulation with Rapamycin over BECN1 overexpression rescued LPS-inhibited osteoblast formation and -promoted RANKL protein production in MC3T3-E1 cells. In vivo experiments supported that damaged bone mass, bone microstructure, osteoblastic activity (ALP and P1NP production by ELISA assays) and enhanced RANKL production by LPS administration were partially rescued by Rapamycin application. In conclusion, LPS can inhibit autophagy in osteoblast precursors, thereby inhibiting osteoblast formation and RANKL autophagic degradation.

Accuracy and digital screw path design of TiRobot-assisted pedicle screw placement for lumbar spondylolisthesis.

PURPOSE: To investigate lumbar spondylolisthesis screw placement assisted by TiRobot in terms of digital screw path design, accurate implementation, and accuracy evaluation method. METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 40 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis between December 2020 and August 2021 who underwent spine surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of PuTian University. Pre-operative computed tomography position and screw path designation, intra-operative pedicle screw placement according to pre-operative planning, and post-operative evaluation of the accuracy of screw placement were performed. 3D coordinates of the entry and exit points before and after the operation were collected. The qualified points at different levels of accuracy were counted. The screw placement accuracy was based on the absolute difference using the Chi-squared test. RESULTS: In total, 194 screws were successfully implanted with no screws penetrating the cortex. The absolute difference of entry points X, Y, and Z coordinates before and after the operation was 0.425 ± 0.294 mm, 0.417 ± 0.310 mm, and 0.466 ± 0.327 mm, respectively. The corresponding values in terms of exit points were 0.702 ± 0.470 mm, 0.963 ± 0.595mm, and 0.983 ± 0.566 mm, respectively. No obvious differences in coordinates before and after the operation were observed with an entry point degree of accuracy of ≥ 1.2 mm and exit point degree of accuracy of ≥ 2.1 mm. Therefore, the real surgery was consistent with the design. CONCLUSIONS: TiRobot-assisted lumbar spondylolisthesis surgery achieved optimal path designation and precise surgery.

Heavy-fermion quantum criticality and destruction of the Kondo effect in a nickel oxypnictide.

A quantum critical point arises at a continuous transformation between distinct phases of matter at zero temperature. Studies in antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion materials have revealed that quantum criticality has several classes, with an unconventional type that involves a critical destruction of the Kondo entanglement. To understand such varieties, it is important to extend the materials basis beyond the usual setting of intermetallic compounds. Here we show that a nickel oxypnictide, CeNiAsO, exhibits a heavy-fermion antiferromagnetic quantum critical point as a function of either pressure or P/As substitution. At the quantum critical point, non-Fermi-liquid behaviour appears, which is accompanied by a divergent effective carrier mass. Across the quantum critical point, the low-temperature Hall coefficient undergoes a rapid sign change, suggesting a sudden jump of the Fermi surface and a destruction of the Kondo effect. Our results imply that the enormous materials basis for the oxypnictides, which has been so crucial in the search for high-temperature superconductivity, will also play a vital role in the effort to establish the universality classes of quantum criticality in strongly correlated electron systems.

Formation of Molecular-Orbital Bands in a Twisted Hubbard Tube: Implications for Unconventional Superconductivity in K_{2}Cr_{3}As_{3}.

We study a twisted Hubbard tube modeling the [CrAs]_{∞} structure of quasi-one-dimensional superconductors A_{2}Cr_{3}As_{3} (A=K, Rb, Cs). The molecular-orbital bands emerging from the quasi-degenerate atomic orbitals are exactly solved. An effective Hamiltonian is derived for a region where three partially filled bands intersect the Fermi energy. The deduced local interactions among these active bands show a significant reduction compared to the original atomic interactions. The resulting three-channel Luttinger liquid shows various interaction-induced instabilities including two kinds of spin-triplet superconducting instabilities due to gapless spin excitations, with one of them being superseded by the spin-density-wave phase in the intermediate Hund's coupling regime. The implications of these results for the alkali chromium arsenides are discussed.

[Studies on the interaction between malanin and metal ions by fluorescence spectra methods].

A novel protein with anti-tumor activities named malanin was isolated and purified from an endemic plant in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Effects of copper ion, silver ion and calcium ion on malanin and apo-malanin fluorescence spectra were studied. The results showed that copper ion leads to obvious statistic quenching of malanin and apo-malanin fluorescence. The dissociation constant of them from malanin and apo-malanin were about 2.37 X 10(-4) and 2.66 X 10(-4) mol · L(-1), respectively. The silver ion did not have quenching action on malanin fluorescence, but it had statistic quenching effect on apo-malanin fluorescence, and its dissociation constant was 2.37 X 10(-4) mol · L(-1). Calcium ion did not have quenching action on malanin and apo-malanin fluorescence. It plays an important role in keeping malanin natural conformation.

Competing topological and Kondo insulator phases on a honeycomb lattice.

We investigate the competition between the spin-orbit interaction of itinerant electrons and their Kondo coupling with local moments densely distributed on the honeycomb lattice. We find that the model at half-filling displays a quantum phase transition between topological and Kondo insulators at a nonzero Kondo coupling. In the Kondo-screened case, tuning the electron concentration can lead to a new topological insulator phase. The results suggest that the heavy-fermion phase diagram contains a new regime with a competition among topological, Kondo-coherent and magnetic states, and that the regime may be especially relevant to Kondo lattice systems with 5d-conduction electrons. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results in the context of the recent experiments on SmB(6) implicating the surface states of a topological insulator, as well as the existing experiments on the phase transitions in SmB(6) under pressure and in CeNiSn under chemical pressure.

Persulfate enhanced removal of bisphenol A by copper oxide/reduced graphene oxide foam: Influencing factors, mechanism and degradation pathway.

The CuO/reduced graphene oxide foam (CuO/RGF) with excellent recyclability was prepared via hydrothermal method followed by freeze drying treatment for bisphenol A (BPA) removal via activating peroxydisulfate (PDS). SEM, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, BET, and TG techniques were used to investigate the structure and property of CuO/RGF. The effect of degradation conditions (pH, PDS amount, Cl-, HCO3-, HA and FA) on BPA removal by CuO/RGF were investigated. The result presented that CuO nanosheet was inserted into the RGF carrier with three-dimensional structure. The degradation rate constant of BPA over CuO/RGF (0.00917 min-1) was 1.24 and 6.46 times higher than those of BPA over CuO (0.00714 min-1) and RGF (0.00142 min-1). More importantly, the pore structure of RGF can successfully limit the release of Cu (II) compared to pure CuO. According to quenching test as well as electron spin resonance (EPR) spectra, BPA degradation was triggered by 1O2, •OH and SO4•-, which was the combination of nonradical (1O2) and radical activation of PDS (•OH and SO4•-). The possible degradation route of BPA was proposed based on intermediates obtained by combining solid phase extraction pretreatment technique with high performance liquid-mass spectrometry. After assessing the viability of MCF-7 cells, we can see that the estrogenic activities of treated solution reduced without producing stronger endocrine disruptors.

The comparative study on inhibitory effect of natural organic matters on the TiO2 and activated carbon/TiO2 composites for the removal of 17α-ethinylestradiol.

To reduce or eliminate the inhibition effect of natural organic matters (NOMs) in water on TiO2 photocatalysis for removal of emerging contaminants, four activated carbon/titanium dioxide (AC/TiO2) composites with different pore structure were prepared by hydrothermal method. The results showed that anatase TiO2 particles were uniformly distributed in the pores or onto the surface of activated carbons. The total removal rate of 6 mg L-1 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on the four AC/TiO2 composites reached above 90%, 30% higher than that of EE2 on TiO2. The degradation rate constants of EE2 on four kinds of AC/TiO2 were much higher than that on TiO2. Further study indicated that the adsorption removal ratio of EE2 on the composites was slightly reduced mainly because competitive adsorption between hydrophilic NOMs (HA and FA) and EE2 molecules when HA and FA coexisted with EE2 in water. But importantly, the obvious inhibitory effect of FA for TiO2 photocatalysis was eliminated on four composites because the introduction of AC with excellent adsorption capacity can preferentially transfer hydrophobic EE2 molecules onto adsorption sites of TiO2/AC composites.

Pressure-driven quantum criticality in iron-selenide superconductors.

We report a finding of a pressure-induced quantum critical transition in K0.8Fe(x)Se2 (x = 1.7 and 1.78) superconductors through in situ high-pressure electrical transport and x-ray diffraction measurements in diamond anvil cells. Transitions from metallic Fermi liquid behavior to non-Fermi liquid behavior and from antiferromagnetism to paramagnetism are found in the pressure range of 9.2-10.3 GPa, in which superconductivity tends to disappear. The change around the quantum critical point from the coexisting antiferromagnetism state and the Fermi liquid behavior to the paramagnetism state and the non-Fermi liquid behavior in the iron-selenide superconductors demonstrates a unique mechanism for their quantum critical transition.

Iron pnictides as a new setting for quantum criticality.

Two major themes in the physics of condensed matter are quantum critical phenomena and unconventional superconductivity. These usually occur in the context of competing interactions in systems of strongly correlated electrons. All this interesting physics comes together in the behavior of the recently discovered iron pnictide compounds that have generated enormous interest because of their moderately high-temperature superconductivity. The ubiquity of antiferromagnetic ordering in their phase diagrams naturally raises the question of the relevance of magnetic quantum criticality, but the answer remains uncertain both theoretically and experimentally. Here, we show that the undoped iron pnictides feature a unique type of magnetic quantum critical point, which results from a competition between electronic localization and itinerancy. Our theory provides a mechanism to understand the experimentally observed variation of the ordered moment among the undoped iron pnictides. We suggest P substitution for As in the undoped iron pnictides as a means to access this example of magnetic quantum criticality in an unmasked fashion. Our findings point to the iron pnictides as a much-needed setting for quantum criticality, one that offers a unique set of control parameters.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Overall Wellbeing: Mediating Role of Virtual Reality Fitness for Physical-Psychological Health and Physical Activity.

Background: Virtual reality applications are made for various objectives such as business, entertainment, education, and healthcare. Anxiety, phobias, distress, disordered eating, drug addiction, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression, and autism spectrum disorders may benefit from virtual reality-based approaches. The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the way we live, enjoy, study, sport, and socialize significantly. Virtual reality fitness technology gained much attention during the COVID-19 preventive measures time. Objective: The present study explores the role of virtual reality fitness in improving overall wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic home isolation period in terms of physical-psychological health and physical activity. Methods: A total of 2300 individuals were recruited using the snowball sampling technique to participate in the study. The primary data were collected using an anonymous web-based survey. SPSS-23 and Smart-PLS 3.2.9 software were used to analyze the data. Results: The direct path coefficient analysis of the study constructs show that virtual reality fitness has (preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> overall wellbeing, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical exercise, and preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical health) profound effects on the research participants' mental and physical wellbeing of the study participants while indirect mediation analysis shows that virtual reality fitness has (preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness ->overall wellbeing, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness -> physical exercise, preventive measures -> virtual reality fitness ->physical health) significant impacts. Conclusion: Our study results concluded that house exercises through virtual reality fitness are a good substitute for public gyms and private group fitness programs during the first pandemic wave for physical-psychological and overall wellbeing. Virtual reality fitness technology can alleviate many of the challenges brought on by the epidemic, resulting in increased utilization.

Fitness Apps, Live Streaming Workout Classes, and Virtual Reality Fitness for Physical Activity During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Empirical Study.

Background: Physical activity is an essential need of the human body that helps improve the physical fitness of an individual and creates a positive impact on overall wellbeing. Smartphone applications play an essential role in providing several benefits to consumers by offering various capabilities in terms of health and fitness.COVID-19 preventive measures shut down public places, and people cannot go to the gym and parks for physical activity. Smart applications for physical activity are an effective way to keep active while staying at home. Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the mediating role of the e-platforms physical activity among the Chinese people in China during the COVID-19 lockdown. Method: The participants in this study were Chinese citizens living in home isolation during the early stages of the epidemic in China. The primary data was collected via an online survey using a convenience sample strategy in accordance with the study purpose. The collected data were cleaned by using the SPSS-25 statistical software. SmartPLS 3.0 software was used to investigate the suggested study framework utilizing the structural equation modeling technique. Results: Descriptive statistics shows that the ratio of gender includes 49% (n = 2,626) male and 51% females in the entire sample. SEM results show that all hypotheses (H1: ß = 0.497, T = 43.068, P = <0.001; H2: ß = 0.498, T = 41.078, P = <0.001; H3: ß = 0.498, T = 41.078, P = <0.001; H4: ß = 0.471, T = 39.103, P = <0.001; H5: ß = 0.468, T = 42.633, P = <0.001; H6: ß = 0.251, T = 11.212, P = <0.001; H7: ß = 0.367, T = 16.032, P = <0.001; H8: ß = 0.170, T = 13.750, P = <0.001; H9: ß = 0.125, T = 10.604, P = <0.001; H10: ß = 0.173, T = 14.842, P = <0.001) were statistically confirmed. Conclusion: In COVID-19, when there are limited physical activity resources, smart applications play an essential role as an alternative to gyms and change people's perspective regarding the adoption of health and fitness. Smart applications have made exercise and physical activity accessible and convenient to adopt.

Virtual Reality Fitness (VRF) for Behavior Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mediation Analysis Approach.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cellphone health apps and virtual reality fitness for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's were beneficial. Virtual reality has been used to treat PTSD, depression, anxieties, dementia, ADHD, dyslexia, and pain control in various settings. Virtual reality exercise has been studied for its effects on biological, mental, rehabilitation, behavior, and attitude management. PURPOSE: This research aimed to find out the role of virtual reality fitness (VRF) for behavior management during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the demographic characteristics of the study participants and the use of fitness and health apps. METHODS: The population for the current study was Chinese residents across China who were in home isolation during the early pandemic in China. According to the study objective, a convenience sampling method was used to collect the primary data through an online survey. SPSS-25 statistical software was used to analyze the demographic information and clean and prepare the data to test all proposed hypotheses. The proposed research framework was examined using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach through SmartPLS 3.0 software. RESULTS: The structural equation model analysis shows that all the proposed hypotheses (H1: ß = 0.137, t = 10.454, p = <0.000; H2: ß = 0.256, t = 16.824, p = <0.000; H3: ß = 0.418, t = 27.827, p = <0.000; H4: ß = 0.133, t = 8.913, p = <0.000; H5: ß = 0.076, t = 4.717, p = <0.000; H6: ß = 0.162, t = 10.532, p = <0.000; H7: ß = 0.384, t = 26.645, p = <0.000) are confirmed. CONCLUSION: Fitness and health apps with virtual reality fitness play a substantial role in improving the overall quality of life and positively influencing behavior and attitude.

Block spin ground state and three-dimensionality of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se2.

The magnetic properties and electronic structure of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se(2) is studied using first-principles calculations. The ground state is checkerboard antiferromagnetically coupled blocks of the minimal Fe(4) squares, with a large block-spin moment ∼11.2 µ(B). The magnetic interactions could be modeled with a simple spin model involving both the inter- and intrablock, as well as the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor couplings. The calculations also suggest a metallic ground state except for y=0.8 where a band gap ∼400-550 meV opens, showing an antiferromagnetic insulator ground state for (K,Tl)(0.8)Fe(1.6)Se(2). The electronic structure of the metallic (K,Tl)(y)Fe(1.6)Se(2) is highly three dimensional with unique Fermi surface structure and topology. These features indicate that the Fe-vacancy ordering is crucial to the physical properties of (K,Tl)(y)Fe(2-x)Se(2).

The Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Health-Psychological Health, Physical Activity, and Overall Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Emotional Regulation.

Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide. Different measures have been adopted worldwide to contain the COVID-19, and these measures have various impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) and lockdown policy on physical health (PH)-psychological health (PsH), physical activity (PA), and overall well-being (OW) in the context of HRQoL, exploring the mediating role of emotional regulation (ER). Method: The current study was conducted in two provincial cities of China. An online survey was conducted in both the cities to collect the data. After quantifying the data, a total of 2,200 respondents data were analyzed through appropriate statistical techniques. Results: The study results indicate that CP was found significantly and negatively related to PH (ß = -0.157, t = 9.444, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between CP and PsH (ß = 0.779, t = 45.013, p < 0.001). The third prediction revealed a significant negative relationship between the CP and OW (ß = -0.080, t = 5.261, p < 0.001). The CP and PA had a significant negative relationship (ß = -0.047, t = 3.351, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The PH, PsH, and OW of the Chinese people were affected due to the CP and lockdown measures. It is suggested that ER intervention reduces the negative psychological impacts for improving quality of life. ER can function one's sentiments in their social environment effectively for quality of life.

Mental Health among Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Country Comparison.

Despite the global impact of COVID-19, studies comparing the effects of COVID-19 on population mental health across countries are sparse. This study aimed to compare anxiety and depression symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown among adults from 11 countries and to examine their associations with country-level COVID-19 factors and personal COVID-19 exposure. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (≥18 years) in 11 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United States). Mental health (anxiety, depression, resilient coping, hope) and other study data were collected between June-August 2020. Of the 13,263 participants, 62.8% were female and 51.7% were 18-34 years old. Participants living in Brazil had the highest anxiety and depression symptoms while participants living in Singapore had the lowest. Greater personal COVID-19 exposure was associated with increased anxiety and depression symptoms, but country-level COVID-19 factors were not. Higher levels of hope were associated with reduced anxiety and depression; higher levels of resilient coping were associated with reduced anxiety but not depression. Substantial variations exist in anxiety and depression symptoms across countries during the COVID-19 lockdown, with personal COVID-19 exposure being a significant risk factor. Strategies that mitigate COVID-19 exposure and enhance hope and resilience may reduce anxiety and depression during global emergencies.

Physical Inactivity, Non-Communicable Diseases and National Fitness Plan of China for Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: China has the world's largest population, going under health transition due to industrialization, urbanization, and a sedentary lifestyle. About 82% of China's disease burden is due to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical activity (active travel) is the best preventive measure against NCDs. The Chinese government has introduced several steps to improve national fitness and overcome NCDs among the aging population. Exercise and sports play a vital role in promoting physical activity and helpful in accomplishing the national fitness level for Healthy China under the national fitness plan (NFP). OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to explore the role of national fitness plan (NFP) in promoting physical activity and health well-being preventing NCDs under built environment intervention. METHODS: The study was exploratory, and the mixed-method approach was used to analyze the primary and secondary data. Quantitative content analysis was used to analyze the collected data. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect the primary data from those individuals rich in knowledge about the National Fitness Plan (NFP) of China and its role in promoting physical activity for physical fitness. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (32.0%) said that the national fitness plan helps promote sports environment and health. About 28.0% reported that NFP helps promote cycling and walk environments for physical activity and health promotion and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). CONCLUSION: Participation in physical exercise and sports is the preferred approach to prevent different diseases. In the context of rising active living among the Chinese people, the facilities such as built environment and green parks under the national fitness plan (NFP) for sports play a crucial role in the mitigation of NCDs.

Physical Activity among Adults Residing in 11 Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown.

During the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, physical activity (PA) behaviors were altered worldwide due to public health measures such as "lockdown." This study described PA among adults residing in 11 countries during COVID-19 lockdown and examined factors associated with PA engagement. We conducted a cross-sectional anonymous survey among adults (≥18 years old) in 11 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, China, India, Ireland, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United States). Of 11,775 participants, 63.7% were female and 52.8% were 18-34 years old. More than 40% of participants were insufficiently active (43.9%) and reported a decrease in their PA during lockdown (44.8%). Statistically significant differences were observed in (1) proportions of participants being insufficiently active, (2) level of PA, and (3) decrease in PA across the 11 countries. More stringent governmental policy responses were associated with greater likelihood of being insufficiently active during lockdown (adjusted odds ratio = 1.22, 95% confidence interval = 1.03, 1.45). Higher depression or anxiety scores were associated with greater likelihood of decreased level of PA during lockdown.We found substantial reductions in PA levels during COVID-19 lockdown across countries. Country-specific PA promotion interventions are needed during this and similar global emergencies.

Band narrowing and Mott localization in iron oxychalcogenides La2O2Fe2O(Se,S)2.

Bad metal properties have motivated a description of the parent iron pnictides as correlated metals on the verge of Mott localization. What has been unclear is whether interactions can push these and related compounds to the Mott-insulating side of the phase diagram. Here we consider the iron oxychalcogenides La2O2Fe2O(Se,S)2, which contain an Fe square lattice with an expanded unit cell. We show theoretically that they contain enhanced correlation effects through band narrowing compared to LaOFeAs, and we provide experimental evidence that they are Mott insulators with moderate charge gaps. We also discuss the magnetic properties in terms of a Heisenberg model with frustrating J1-J2-J2' exchange interactions on a "doubled" checkerboard lattice.

[Metrx quadrant system in the surgery of lumbar spondylolisthesis: preliminary clinical application].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and minimal invasiveness of quadrant posterior distraction system in the posterior lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) surgery. METHODS: Sixty-one LS patients were randomly divided into two groups: quadrant posterior minimally invasive surgery system as invasive group (n = 30) and traditional open surgery as open group (n = 31). The clinical outcome of pain relief was assessed by the scoring systems of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) for low back pain. Radiographic assessment: preoperative and 1-day, 3-month and last follow-up (12 months) radiographs were analyzed including the index of relative posterior disc height. RESULTS: The scores of VAS and ODI of invasive group were less than open group at Months 3 and 12 post-operation (P < 0.01). Relative posterior disc height of intra-operation and Month 3 was not significantly different (P > 0.05). And there was only statistical significance difference within 12 months (P < 0.05). At Month 12 post-operation, the fluctuating rate was slight. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive operation with Quadrant is less traumatic to the patients than traditional open operation in the protection of spinal stability, postoperative rehabilitation and radiographs. This new minimally invasive spine technique should be popularized.