Gapr for large-scale collaborative single-neuron reconstruction.

Whole-brain analysis of single-neuron morphology is crucial for unraveling the complex structure of the brain. However, large-scale neuron reconstruction from terabyte and even petabyte data of mammalian brains generated by state-of-the-art light microscopy is a daunting task. Here, we developed 'Gapr' (Gapr accelerates projectome reconstruction) that streamlines deep learning-based automatic reconstruction, 'automatic proofreading' that reduces human workloads at high-confidence sites, and high-throughput collaborative proofreading by crowd users through the Internet. Furthermore, Gapr offers a seamless user interface that ensures high proofreading speed per annotator, on-demand conversion for handling large datasets, flexible workflows tailored to diverse datasets and rigorous error tracking for quality control. Finally, we demonstrated Gapr's efficacy by reconstructing over 4,000 neurons in mouse brains, revealing the morphological diversity in cortical interneurons and hypothalamic neurons. Here, we present Gapr as a solution for large-scale single-neuron reconstruction projects.

Commensal bacteria direct selective cargo sorting to promote symbiosis.

Mucosal immunity protects a host from intestinal inflammation and infection and is profoundly influenced by symbiotic bacteria. Here we report that in mice symbiotic bacteria directed selective cargo sorting in Paneth cells to promote symbiosis through Nod2, a cytosolic bacterial sensor, and the multifunctional protein kinase LRRK2, both encoded by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated genes. Commensals recruited Nod2 onto lysozyme-containing dense core vesicles (DCVs), which was required for DCV localization of LRRK2 and a small GTPase, Rab2a. Deficiency of Nod2, LRRK2 or Rab2a or depletion of commensals resulted in lysosomal degradation of lysozyme. Thus, commensal bacteria and host factors orchestrate the lysozyme-sorting process to protect the host from enteric infection, implicating Paneth cell dysfunction in IBD pathogenesis.

Population genetic structure of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in different types of climatic zones in China.

BACKGROUND: Culex tritaeniorhynchus is widely distributed in China, from Hainan Island in the south to Heilongjiang in the north, covering tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate zones. Culex tritaeniorhynchus carries 19 types of arboviruses. It is the main vector of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), posing a serious threat to human health. Understanding the effects of environmental factors on Culex tritaeniorhynchus can provide important insights into its population structure or isolation patterns, which is currently unclear. RESULTS: In total, 138 COI haplotypes were detected in the 552 amplified sequences, and the haplotype diversity (Hd) value increased from temperate (0.534) to tropical (0.979) regions. The haplotype phylogeny analysis revealed that the haplotypes were divided into two high-support evolutionary branches. Temperate populations were predominantly distributed in evolutionary branch II, showing some genetic isolation from tropical/subtropical populations and less gene flow between groups. The neutral test results of HNQH (Qionghai) and HNHK(Haikou) populations were negative (P < 0.05), indicating many low-frequency mutations in the populations and that the populations might be in the process of expansion. Moreover, Wolbachia infection was detected only in SDJN (Jining) (2.24%), and all Wolbachia genotypes belonged to supergroup B. To understand the influence of environmental factors on mosquito-borne viruses, we examined the prevalence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus infection in three ecological environments in Shandong Province. We discovered that the incidence of JEV infection was notably greater in Culex tritaeniorhynchus from lotus ponds compared to those from irrigation canal regions. In this study, the overall JEV infection rate was 15.27 per 1000, suggesting the current risk of Japanese encephalitis outbreaks in Shandong Province. CONCLUSIONS: Tropical and subtropical populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus showed higher genetic diversity and those climatic conditions provide great advantages for the establishment and expansion of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. There are differences in JEV infection rates in wild populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus under different ecological conditions. Our results suggest a complex interplay of genetic differentiation, population structure, and environmental factors in shaping the dynamics of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The low prevalence of Wolbachia in wild populations may reflect the recent presence of Wolbachia invasion in Culex tritaeniorhynchus.

Correction: Single-cell in vivo imaging of cellular circadian oscillators in zebrafish.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000435.].

Fluorescent aptasensor mediated with multiple ssDNA for sensitive detection of acetamiprid in vegetables based on magnetic Fe3O4/C-assisted separation.

Acetamiprid (ACE) is a highly effective broad-spectrum insecticide, and its widespread use is potentially harmful to human health and environmental safety. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4/carbon (Fe3O4/C), a derivative of metal-organic framework MIL-101 (Fe), was synthesized by a two-step calcination method. And a fluorescent sensing strategy was developed for the efficient and sensitive detection of ACE using Fe3O4/C and multiple complementary single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). By using aptamer with multiple complementary ssDNA, the immunity of interference of the aptasensor was improved, and the aptasensor showed high selectivity and sensitivity. When ACE was present, the aptamer (Apt) combined with ACE. The complementary strand of Apt (Cs1) combined with two short complementary strands of Cs1, fluorophore 6-carboxyfluorescein-labeled complementary strand (Cs2-FAM) and the other strand Cs3. The three strands formed a double-stranded structure, and fluorescence would not be quenched by Fe3O4/C. In the absence of ACE, Cs2-FAM would be in a single-chain state and would be adsorbed by Fe3O4/C, and the fluorescence of FAM would be quenched by Fe3O4/C via photoelectron transfer. This aptasensor sensitively detected ACE over a linear concentration range of 10-1000 nM with a limit of detection of 3.41 nM. The recoveries of ACE spiked in cabbage and celery samples ranged from 89.49% to 110.76% with high accuracy.

Application Effects of Individualized Diet Nursing Combined with the Modified Glasgow-Blatchford Scoring System in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding encompasses bleeding arising from esophageal, gastric, duodenal, or pancreaticobiliary lesions above the Treitz ligament. Research indicates a close association between improper diet and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Objective: This study aims to investigate the application effects of individualized diet nursing combined with the modified Glasgow-Blatchford scoring system in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Design: A randomized controlled study was conducted. Setting: The study took place at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Participants: From January 2021 to October 2022, 80 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were selected at our hospital. Using a random number table, they were divided into a control group and an observation group, each comprising 40 cases. Interventions: The control group received routine nursing, while the observation group received individualized diet nursing based on the Glasgow-Blatchford score in addition to routine nursing. Primary Outcome Measures: (1) bleeding frequency, hemostasis time, and hospital stay; (2) re-bleeding rate; (3) Glasgow-Blatchford scores; (4) quality of life; and (5) nursing satisfaction. Results: In the observation group, bleeding frequency, hemostasis time, and hospital stay significantly reduced compared to the control (P < .05). Post-nursing, the observation group had a lower re-bleeding rate (χ2=11.25, P < .05). Before nursing, no statistical differences existed in Glasgow-Blatchford and quality of life scores between groups (P > .05). Post-nursing, both groups saw reduced Glasgow-Blatchford scores, more so in the observation group (P < .05). Quality of life scores increased in both, more notably in the observation group (P < .05). Overall nursing satisfaction was higher in the observation group (P < .05). Conclusions: Individualized diet nursing, based on the Glasgow-Blatchford score, improves cure rates and quality of life and warrants promotion.

Effect of respiratory training on swallowing function in swallowing disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical efficacy of different respiratory training interventions on swallowing function in patients with swallowing disorders through the systematic review. METHODS: We reviewed the literature regarding the application of respiratory training therapy in patients with swallowing disorders, followed by a PRISMA search of published literature in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and EMBASE) in December 2022. Two reviewers performed study selection, quality evaluation, and risk of bias, followed by data extraction and detailed analysis. RESULTS: A total of six randomized controlled studies with a total sample size of 193 cases were included. Respiratory training improved swallowing safety (PAS (n = 151, SMD = 0.69, 95% CI - 1.11 to - 0.26, I2 = 36, p < 0.001)) and swallowing efficiency [residual (n = 63, SMD = 1.67, 95% CI - 2.26 to - 1.09, I2 = 23%, p < 0.001)] compared to control groups. The results of the qualitative analysis conducted in this study revealed that respiratory training enhanced hyoid bone movement but had no effect on swallowing quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory training interventions may improve swallowing safety and efficiency in patients with dysphagia. However, the level of evidence is low, and there is a limited amount of research on the effectiveness and physiology of this intervention to improve swallowing function. In the future, there is a need to expand clinical studies, standardize measurement tools, and improve study protocols.

Epimedium Linn: A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Applications and Quality Control.

Epimedium genus is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has functions of tonifying kidney and yang, strengthening tendons and bones, dispelling wind and emoving dampness. It is mainly used for the treatment of impotence and spermatorrhea, osteoporosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review is to provide a systematic summary of the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical applications of the Epimedium Linn. In this paper, the relevant literature on Epimedium Linn. was collected from 1987 to the present day, and more than 274 chemical constituents, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, phenanthrenes, and others, were isolated from this genus. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Epimedium Linn. has osteoprotective, neuroprotective, cardiovascular protective, and immune enhancing pharmacological effects. In addition, Epimedium Linn. has been commonly used to treat osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In this paper, the distribution of resources, chemical compositions, pharmacological effects, clinical applications and quality control of Epimedium Linn. are progressed to provide a reference for further research and development of the resources of this genus.

Effect of ph on migration patterns and degradation pathways of sulfamethazine in soil systems.

Sulfonamide antibiotics (SAs) are widely used antimicrobial agents in livestock and aquaculture, and most of them entering the animal's body will be released into the environment as prodrugs or metabolites, which ultimately affect human health through the food chain. Both acid deposition and salinization of soil may have an impact on the migration and degradation of antibiotics. Sulfamethazine (SM2), a frequently detected compound in agricultural soils, has a migration and transformation process in the environment that is closely dependent on environmental pH. Nevertheless, scarcely any studies have been conducted on the effect of soil pH changes on the environmental behavior of sulfamethazine. We analyzed the migration and degradation mechanisms of SM2 using simulation experiments and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) techniques. The results showed that acidic conditions limited the vertical migration of sulfadimidine, and SM2 underwent different reaction processes under different pH conditions, including S-C bond breaking, S-N bond hydrolysis, demethylation, six-membered heterocyclic addition, methyl hydroxylation and ring opening. The study of the migration pattern and degradation mechanism of SM2 under different pH conditions can provide a solid theoretical basis for assessing the pollution risk of sulfamethazine degradation products under acid rain and saline conditions, and provide a guideline for remediation of antibiotic contamination, so as to better prevent, control and protect groundwater resources.

Evaluation of the evolutionary genetics and population structure of Culex pipiens pallens in Shandong province, China based on knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations and the mtDNA-COI gene.

BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes are important vectors for a range of diseases, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality in the human population. Culex pipiens pallens is dominant species of Culex mosquito in northern China and a major vector for both West Nile virus and Bancroftian filariasis. Insecticide application were largely applied to control the mosquito-mediated spread of these diseases, contributing to increasing rates of resistance in the mosquito population. The voltage-gated sodium channel (Vgsc) gene is the target site of pyrethroids, and mutations in this gene cause knockdown resistance (kdr). While these kdr mutations are known to be critical to pyrethroid resistance, their evolutionary origins remain poorly understood. Clarifying the origins of these mutations is potential to guide further vector control and disease prevention efforts. Accordingly, the present study was designed to study the evolutionary genetics of kdr mutations and their association with the population structure of Cx. p. pallens in Shandong province, China. METHODS: Adult Culex females were collected from Shandong province and subjected to morphological identification under a dissection microscope. Genomic DNA were extracted from the collected mosquitoes, the Vgsc gene were amplified via PCR and sequenced to assess kdr allele frequencies, intron polymorphisms, and kdr codon evolution. In addition, population genetic diversity and related population characteristics were assessed by amplifying and sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene. RESULTS: Totally, 263 Cx. p. pallens specimens were used for DNA barcoding and sequencing analyses to assess kdr allele frequencies in nine Culex populations. The kdr codon L1014 in the Vgsc gene identified two non-synonymous mutations (L1014F and L1014S) in the analyzed population. These mutations were present in the eastern hilly area and west plain region of Shandong Province. However, only L1014F mutation was detected in the southern mountainous area and Dongying city of Shandong Province, where the mutation frequency was low. Compared to other cities, population in Qingdao revealed significant genetic differentiation. Spatial kdr mutation patterns are likely attributable to some combination of prolonged insecticide-mediated selection coupled with the genetic isolation of these mosquito populations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that multiple kdr alleles associated with insecticide resistance are present within the Cx. p. pallens populations of Shandong Province, China. The geographical distributions of kdr mutations in this province are likely that the result of prolonged and extensive insecticide application in agricultural contexts together with frequent mosquito population migrations. In contrast, the low-frequency kdr mutation detected in central Shandong Province populations may originate from the limited selection pressure in this area and the relative genetic isolation. Overall, the study compares the genetic patterns revealed by a functional gene with a neutral marker and demonstrates the combined impact of demographic and selection factors on population structure.

Fotagliptin monotherapy with alogliptin as an active comparator in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) have become firmly established in treatment algorithms and national guidelines for improving glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).To report the findings from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial, which was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel DPP-4 inhibitor fotagliptin in treatment-naive patients with T2DM. METHODS: Patients with T2DM were randomized to receive fotagliptin (n = 230), alogliptin (n = 113) or placebo (n = 115) at a 2:1:1 ratio for 24 weeks of double-blind treatment period, followed by an open-label treatment period, making up a total of 52 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was to determine the superiority of fotagliptin over placebo in the change of HbA1c from baseline to Week 24. All serious or significant adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, mean decreases in HbA1c from baseline were -0.70% for fotagliptin, -0.72% for alogliptin and -0.26% for placebo. Estimated mean treatment differences in HbA1c were -0.44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.62% to -0.27%) for fotagliptin versus placebo, and -0.46% (95% CI: -0.67% to -0.26%) for alogliptin versus placebo, and 0.02% (95%CI: -0.16% to 0.19%; upper limit of 95%CI < margin of 0.4%) for fotagliptin versus alogliptin. So fotagliptin was non-inferior to alogliptin. Compared with subjects with placebo (15.5%), significantly more patients with fotagliptin (37.0%) and alogliptin (35.5%) achieved HbA1c < 7.0% after 24 weeks of treatment. During the whole 52 weeks of treatment, the overall incidence of hypoglycemia was low for both of the fotagliptin and alogliptin groups (1.0% each). No drug-related serious adverse events were observed in any treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the study demonstrated improvement in glycemic control and a favorable safety profile for fotagliptin in treatment-naive patients with T2DM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrail.gov NCT05782192.

Association Between Estradiol and Human Aggression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Although several studies have examined the association between estradiol and human aggression, a consistent understanding of their correlation has yet to be established. This study aimed to investigate this relationship comprehensively. METHODS: We systematically searched five English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL) from their inception to June 5, 2023. Two authors independently screened publications and extracted data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4, and a random-effects model was used to pool the data. RESULTS: We identified 14 eligible studies comprising data from 1820 participants that met the inclusion criteria. This meta-analysis indicated a positive correlation between estradiol and human aggression, albeit a weak one. The pooled Fisher z value was 0.16 (95% confidence interval = 0.05-0.26; I2 = 73%, p <.00001). Furthermore, we found that participants' sex and age, the measures of aggression, and the literature quality might be sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Human aggression exhibited a weak positive correlation with estradiol concentration, whereas this relationship was influenced by participants' sex and age, the measure of aggression used, and the quality assessment of the literature. Gaining a better understanding of the association between estradiol and aggression could aid in the identification of populations prone to aggression.

Single-cell in vivo imaging of cellular circadian oscillators in zebrafish.

The circadian clock is a cell-autonomous time-keeping mechanism established gradually during embryonic development. Here, we generated a transgenic zebrafish line carrying a destabilized fluorescent protein driven by the promoter of a core clock gene, nr1d1, to report in vivo circadian rhythm at the single-cell level. By time-lapse imaging of this fish line and 3D reconstruction, we observed the sequential initiation of the reporter expression starting at photoreceptors in the pineal gland, then spreading to the cells in other brain regions at the single-cell level. Even within the pineal gland, we found heterogeneous onset of nr1d1 expression, in which each cell undergoes circadian oscillation superimposed over a cell type-specific developmental trajectory. Furthermore, we found that single-cell expression of nr1d1 showed synchronous circadian oscillation under a light-dark (LD) cycle. Remarkably, single-cell oscillations were dramatically dampened rather than desynchronized in animals raised under constant darkness, while the developmental trend still persists. It suggests that light exposure in early zebrafish embryos has significant effect on cellular circadian oscillations.

MicroRNA-specific therapeutic targets and biomarkers of apoptosis following myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

MicroRNAs are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that participate in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, it is involved in the regulation of apoptosis after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. For example, the alteration of mitochondrial structure is facilitated by MicroRNA-1 through the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins, such as Bax and Bcl-2, thereby mitigating cardiomyocyte apoptosis. MicroRNA-21 not only modulates the expression of NF-κB to suppress inflammatory signals but also activates the PI3K/AKT pathway to mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury. Overexpression of MicroRNA-133 attenuates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressed the oxidative stress response, thereby mitigating cellular apoptosis. MicroRNA-139 modulates the extrinsic death signal of Fas, while MicroRNA-145 regulates endoplasmic reticulum calcium overload, both of which exert regulatory effects on cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Therefore, the article categorizes the molecular mechanisms based on the three classical pathways and multiple signaling pathways of apoptosis. It summarizes the targets and pathways of MicroRNA therapy for ischemia-reperfusion injury and analyzes future research directions.

The effectiveness of a workplace violence prevention strategy based on situational prevention theory for nurses in managing violent situations: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) poses a significant occupational hazard for nurses. The efficacy of current education and training programs in mitigating WPV incidence among nurses remains uncertain, possibly due to insufficient consideration of clinical contexts and nurses' specific needs. Therefore, this study developed a WPV prevention strategy based on the actual requirements of clinical nurses and situational prevention theory and aimed to explore its application effects. METHODS: Under the guidance of situational prevention theory, a WPV prevention strategy for nurses was constructed through literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion. This study adopted a self-controlled research design, and trained 130 nurses selected from a comprehensive tertiary grade A hospital in Suzhou in this WPV prevention strategy. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, including the revised WPV questionnaire, WPV severity grading scale, and hospital WPV coping resources scale. The WPV incidence, severity, and WPV coping resource scores of nurses were collected before the intervention, as well as at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months after training. RESULTS: The WPV prevention strategy comprised 11 prevention plans based on 11 high-risk situational elements of WPV. Each prevention plan included the WPV prevention flowchart, treatment principle, and communication strategy. The strategy demonstrated excellent feasibility and practicality. Following the intervention, the overall incidence of WPV among nurses significantly decreased from 63.85% (baseline) to 46.15% (9 months after training) (P < 0.05). After the training, the severity of psychological violence (Wald χ² = 20.066, P < 0.001) and physical violence (Wald χ² = 9.100, P = 0.028) reported by nurses decreased compared to the baseline (P < 0.05). Moreover, the overall WPV coping resource score significantly increased from [66.50 (57.00, 77.25) points] (baseline) to [80.00 (68.00, 97.25) points] (9 months after training) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The described WPV prevention strategy, grounded in situational prevention theory and tailored to the needs of clinical nurses, effectively reduced WPV incidence, mitigated its severity, and enhanced nurses' WPV coping resources. This approach offered new avenues for nurses in the prevention of WPV.

E7 as a Promising Biomarker for Monitoring the Progression of Cervical Lesions in Patients with HPV 16/18 Infections.

Objective: To investigate the expression of E7 protein and its relationship with the progression and prognosis of cervical pre-cancerous lesions in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 infections. Methods: A total of 211 patients with positive HPV 16/18 were included in this study. Patients were categorized into three groups based on colposcopy results: NILM (Negative for Intraepithelial Lesion or Malignancy), LSIL (Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion), and HSIL (High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion). E7 protein levels were quantified using Immunochromatographic Assay and compared using ANOVA. Cervical E7 protein levels were assessed before and one year after cervical cone biopsy in the HSIL group. Results: Among HPV 16/18-positive patients with normal Cervical Thinprep Cytologic Test (TCT) results, E7 protein content exhibited abnormal and significant values (P = .001). Mean E7 protein levels for the NILM, LSIL, and HSIL groups were 44.52 ng/mL, 114.60 ng/mL, and 389.20 ng/mL, respectively, and showed statistical significance (P = .000). In the HSIL group, E7 protein levels in HPV-negative patients were significantly lower one year after cervical cone biopsy compared to before (P = .001). However, HPV-positive patients displayed no significant alteration in E7 protein levels before and after biopsy (P = .08). Conclusions: E7 protein levels in detached cervical cells are closely associated with the severity and prognosis of cervical pre-cancerous lesions, suggesting their potential role as a biomarker for monitoring cervical lesion development.

Alleviative effect of melatonin against the nephrotoxicity induced by cadmium exposure through regulating renal oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction, and fibrosis in a mouse model.

Chronic cadmium (Cd) exposure causes severe adverse health effects on the human body, especially the kidney tissue. Studies have demonstrated oxidative stress to be involved in renal pathological variations after exposure to Cd, but few effective treatments are available for the disease yet. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the potential therapeutic intervention and its underlying molecular mechanisms of melatonin (MT), a natural antioxidant with multiple biological activities, against renal injury caused by Cd exposure in mice. C57BL/6 male mice (eight-week-old) were intragastrically administered with CdCl2, MT, or both for 30 days. Biochemical analysis showed that MT intervention significantly improved the SOD, GSH, and CAT activities while markedly decreasing the kidney MDA content of the mice exposed to Cd. Histological examination indicated that Cd exposure resulted in the atrophy of the renal glomerular, the degeneration and dilation of tubules, and the accumulation of fibrocytes. By contrast, MT administration effectively ameliorated the histological outcome of the injured kidney tissue. Moreover, administrating MT significantly inhibited proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and iNOS expression in Cd-treated mice. Further, MT treatment markedly suppressed the expressions of renal fibrosis-related factors TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and collagen Ⅰ in the injured renal tissue and the accumulation and development of renal fibrosis. In addition, the administration of MT significantly reduced the expression of caspase-3 and cell apoptotic death in the kidney tissue of Cd-exposed mice. In all, the data showed that MT has a compelling therapeutic potential in alleviating the pathological variations of renal injury caused by Cd exposure.

The effect of voice training interventions on patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Voice training has been proposed as an intervention to improve swallowing function in patients with dysphagia. However, little is known about the effects of voice training on swallowing physiology. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review investigates the effect of voice training on the swallowing function of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia and provides the theoretical basis for improving the swallowing function and life quality of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review using a narrative synthesis approach of all published studies was sought with no date restrictions. Five electronic databases (EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to April 2022. STUDY SELECTION: Eight studies were included. Two researchers screened the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and carried out quality control according to the Cochrane handbook5.1.0. Data were analyzed narratively and descriptively. CONCLUSIONS: In general, statistically significant positive therapy effects were found. Voice training improves the oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing in patients with neurological causes of dysphagia, such as stroke, and in patients with non-neurological causes of dysphagia, such as head and neck cancer. However, the current literature is limited and further primary research is required to provide more evidence to support voice training intervention in dysphagia.  Future studies could  further refine the content of voice training interventions, increase the number of patients enrolled, assess the long-term effects of voice training interventions and add associated assessments of the quality of life after treatment.

Effects of different management practices on soil microbial community structure and function in alpine grassland.

Management practices, such as grazing exclusion and reseeding, have been implemented to mitigate the degradation of grassland. Low grazing intensities and reseeding increase grass production. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated the effects of these measures on the soil microbial community structure and function in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP). To reveal the effects of management practices on soil microbes and give a reference to assess and improve ecosystems functions, we here evaluated the impact of various types of grazing (exclusion, seasonal, and traditional), reseeding (annual oat (Avena fatua) grassland (RO) and perennial artificial grassland cultivated >10 y), and integrated restoration (weed control and no-tillage reseeding) measures on soil microbial community structure and function in the QTP. The Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were highest for prokaryotes under RO and for fungi under integrated grassland restoration. Relative Actinobacteria abundance was higher under seasonal grazing than that under integrated grassland restoration. The latter had relatively higher abundances of Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria and comparatively lower abundance of Thermoleophilia. There were significantly higher abundances of plant pathogens under seasonal grazing than those under other managements. There were significantly high proportions of pathotrophs and saprotrophs (10.0%) under seasonal and traditional grazing, respectively. The proportion of pathotrophs under integrated restoration (10.0%) was about seven-fold greater than that under grazing exclusion (1.5%). The relative differences among treatments in terms of soil water content, plant biomass, and soil C:N partially explained the differences in their prokaryotic community compositions. Increases in soil organic carbon and C:N may explain the observed changes in the soil fungal communities. The management practices affected soil microorganisms mainly by altering the soil nutrient profile. Grazing attracted specific pathotrophs and saprotrophs while repelling certain plant pathogens. Hence, modulations in soil microbial community structure and function must be considered in the process of planning for the implementation of grassland degradation management measures.

Evaluating the impact of an information-based education and training platform on the incidence, severity, and coping resources status of workplace violence among nurses: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence among nurses has emerged as a critical issue, posing a significant threat to their occupational safety. Education and training are the primary measures employed to prevent and respond to workplace violence. However, the current approaches have proven ineffective, possibly due to a lack of consideration for the specific needs of clinical nurses. Therefore, it is essential to explore the effectiveness of an informational education and training platform tailored to nurses' requirements. This study aimed to investigate the impact of such a platform on the incidence, severity, and coping resources of WPV in nurses. METHODS: This research was a quasi-experimental study. An information-based education and training platform focused on nurse workplace violence was developed through literature reviews, expert meetings, consultations with software development companies, and a trial run. A tertiary general hospital in Suzhou was selected, in which hospital district A was the intervention group and hospital district B was the control group. A total of 276 nurses were recruited, 140 in the intervention group and 136 in the control group. The nurses' incidence, severity, coping resources status, and evaluation of the application were measured before the intervention and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. RESULTS: The overall incidence of workplace violence, verbal aggression, and verbal threat among nurses showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for the time effect, while the incidence of physical aggression demonstrated statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for the between-group effect and the time effect. The severity of physical violence among nurses exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for the between-group effect and time effect, and the severity of psychological violence showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) for the time effect. Nurses' total coping resources score and dimensions also showed statistically significant differences in terms of group, time, and interaction effects (P < 0.001). The evaluation questionnaire for the mobile application indicated usefulness scores of 2 (1, 2); ease of learning scores of 2 (1, 2); ease of use scores of 2 (1, 2); trust scores of 2 (1, 2.75); acceptance score of 1 (1, 2); and satisfaction scores of 2 (1, 2). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the nurse workplace violence information-based education and training platform proved beneficial in reducing the incidence and severity of workplace violence among nurses and enhancing their coping resources. This outcome suggested the platform's potential for further application and promotion in clinical settings.