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Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are pivotal in skeletal muscle development and are influenced by numerous regulatory factors. This study focuses on the regulatory and functional mechanism roles of lncMD1, a muscle-specific long non-coding RNA, in the proliferation and differentiation of goat SMSCs. Employing in vitro cultured goat SMSCs, this study demonstrated that lncMD1, functions as a decoy for miR-133a-3p and miR-361-3p. This interaction competitively binds these microRNAs to modulate the expression of dynactin subunit 2 (DCTN2) and dynactin subunit 1 (DCTN1), thereby affects SMSCs proliferation and differentiation. These findings enhance the understanding of non-coding RNAs in goat SMSCs growth cycles and offer a theoretical foundation for exploring the molecular processes of goat skeletal muscle myogenic development.
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Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the changes in supportive care needs, quality of life and social support during different chemotherapy cycles among elderly colorectal cancer patients. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study recruited 160 elderly colorectal cancer patients using convenience sampling at a hospital in Guangxi between August 2023 and April 2024. To assess supportive care needs, quality of life, and social support, we used a short form of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34), a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-colorectal (FACT-C), and a perceived social support scale (PSSS) prior to chemotherapy, as well as after the first, third, and sixth cycles. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to validate the changes over time in supportive care needs, quality of life, and social support. Results: 155 participants completed all questionnaire sessions across the six cycles. From pre-chemotherapy until after the sixth cycle of chemotherapy, the extent of physical and daily living requirements among all respondents fluctuated between 47.23% and 88.26%, psychological needs ranged from 60.84% to 97.67%, patient care and support needs ranged from 83.75% to 99.35%, healthcare system and information needs varied from 85.98% to 99.00%, while the level of sexual needs decreased from 1.51% to 0.65%. The mean SCNS-SF34 scores for these participants ranged between 103.81 ± 2.28 and 144.10 ± 1.08. Significant increases over time were seen for all domains of SCNS-SF34 (F=126.99, 347.41, 65.00, 72.34, 160.15, p<0.001), keeping a clear upward trend, except for sexual needs(F=0.712, p=0.546). The mean FACT-T scores dropped from 68.80 ± 1.00 to 51.24 ± 1.40, while the mean PSSS scores dropped from 55.77 ± 0.83 to 43.28 ± 1.05. The scores of FACT-T and PSSS showed statistically significant differences (F=231.21, 112.28, p<0.001), maintaining clear downward trends. Conclusion: During chemotherapy, elderly colorectal cancer patients continue to require high levels of supportive care, while their quality of life and social support gradually decline. This study offers healthcare practitioners a foundational understanding to identify and address the supportive care needs of elderly colorectal cancer patients across various chemotherapy phases, which facilitates the development of tailored strategies aimed at enhancing patients' quality of life.
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Purpose: This study investigates alterations in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and dopaminergic amacrine cells (DACs) in lid suture myopia (LSM) rats. Methods: LSM was induced in rats by suturing the right eyes for 4 weeks. Double immunofluorescence staining of ipRGCs and DACs in whole-mount retinas was performed to analyze changes in the density and morphology of control, LSM, and fellow eyes. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to detect related genes and protein expression levels. Results: Significant myopia was induced in the lid-sutured eye, but the fellow eye was not different to control. Decreased ipRGC density with paradoxically increased overall melanopsin expression and enlarged dendritic beads was observed in both the LSM and fellow eyes of the LSM rat retinas. In contrast, DAC changes occurred only in the LSM eyes, with reduced DAC density and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, sparser dendritic processes, and fewer varicosities. Interestingly, contacts between ipRGCs and DACs in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and the expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vesicular monoamine transporter protein 2 (VMAT2) mRNA were decreased in the LSM eyes. Conclusions: The ipRGCs and DACs in LSM rat retinas undergo multiple alterations in density, morphology, and related molecule expressions. However, the ipRGC changes alone appear not to be required for the development of myopia, given that myopia is only induced in the lid-sutured eye, and they are unlikely alone to drive the DAC changes. Reduced contacts between ipRGCs and DACs in the LSM eyes may be the structural foundation for the impaired signaling between them. PACAP and VMAT2, strongly associated with ipRGCs and DACs, may play important roles in LSM through complex mechanisms.
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Células Amácrinas , Western Blotting , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Miopia , Células Ganglionares da Retina , Opsinas de Bastonetes , Animais , Células Ganglionares da Retina/patologia , Células Ganglionares da Retina/metabolismo , Ratos , Miopia/metabolismo , Células Amácrinas/metabolismo , Células Amácrinas/patologia , Opsinas de Bastonetes/metabolismo , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Proteínas Vesiculares de Transporte de Monoamina/metabolismo , Proteínas Vesiculares de Transporte de Monoamina/genética , Masculino , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Pálpebras/patologia , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase/metabolismo , Contagem de Células , Proteína Vesicular 2 de Transporte de GlutamatoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) among early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) patients in Nanchong City to inform the development of targeted treatment plans. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 642 patients diagnosed with UGIC were included. A phenomenological approach was employed, involving in-depth face-to-face interviews to explore patients' real-life experiences with QoL, with an emphasis on spiritual and psychological aspects. Data analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step method. Statistical analyses included one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-tests, binary logistic regression, and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: QoL was significantly reduced in patients with early-stage GI cancer (P<0.001), with prevalent symptoms of anxiety and depression necessitating focused psychological interventions and enhanced medical care. Influential factors on QoL included income, health insurance coverage, illness duration, and levels of anxiety and depression (P<0.001). A strong negative correlation was observed between QoL scores and both the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (r=-0.7808, P<0.001) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (r=-0.7493, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the substantial impact of anxiety and depression on the QoL of patients with early-stage UGIC. The findings provide a theoretical basis for implementing comprehensive long-term care strategies.
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Objective: This study aims to characterize the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment in older adults within Chinese community settings. Background: Research exploring the interrelation between malnutrition and cognitive impairment in the older adult community-dwelling population is scarce. The impact of nutritional status on cognitive function in aging adults has not been definitively established. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in one urban and one rural community in Chengdu, China, from October 2022 to March 2023. The sample included 706 older adults. Logistic regression was utilized to determine independent risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Results: The study found a significant prevalence of MCI at 32.0% among the older adult population. Among those suffering from malnutrition, 55.6% were affected by MCI. The logistic regression analysis indicated that malnutrition risk (OR = 2.192, 95% CI 1.431 to 3.357, p < 0.001), rural residence (OR = 1.475, 95% CI 1.003 to 2.170, p = 0.048), age (70-79 years old; OR = 2.425, 95% CI 1.611 to 3.651, p < 0.001; ≥80 years old: OR = 4.773, 95% CI 2.571 to 8.859, p < 0.001), male (OR = 1.584, 95% CI 1.085 to 2.313, p = 0.017), middle education level (OR = 0.986, 95% CI 1.627 to 5.482, p < 0.001), and ADL dependence (OR = 1.810, 95% CI 1.158 to 2.827, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with the occurrence of MCI. Conclusion: The findings indicate a widespread occurrence of MCI in community-dwelling older Chinese adults. The association between malnutrition, as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), and cognitive decline is evident. Older adult individuals with nutritional risk, advancing age, rural residence, male gender, moderate education, and ADL dependency are at increased likelihood of developing MCI. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify the temporal relationships between MCI, demographic factors, and whether improvements in nutritional status or ADL can reduce the incidence of MCI in this population.
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Disfunção Cognitiva , Desnutrição , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , China/epidemiologia , Disfunção Cognitiva/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , População do Leste Asiático , Modelos Logísticos , Desnutrição/epidemiologia , Estado Nutricional , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , População Rural/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
Energy and environmental issues have increasingly garnered significant attention for sustainable development. Flexible and shape-stable phase change materials display great potential in regulation of environmental temperature for energy saving and human comfort. Here, inspired by the water absorption behavior of salt-tolerant animals and plants in salinity environment and the Hofmeister theory, highly stable phase change salogels (PCSGs) are fabricated through in situ polymerization of hydrophilic monomers in molten salt hydrates, which can serve multiple functions including thermal management patches, smart windows, and ice blocking coatings. The gelation principles of the polymer in high ion concentration solution are explored through the density functional theory simulation and verified the feasibility of four types of salt hydrates. The high concentration chaotropic ions strongly interacted with polymer chains and promoted the gelation at low polymer concentrations which derive highly-stable and ultra-moisturizing PCSGs with high latent heat (> 200 J g-1). The synergistic adhesion and transparency switching abilities accompanied with phase transition enable their smart thermal management. The study resolves the melting leakage and thermal cycling stability of salt hydrates, and open an avenue to fabricate flexible PCM of low cost, high latent heat, and long-term durability for energy-saving, ice-blocking, and thermal management.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of berberine hydrochloride on intestinal mucosal barrier damage in sepsis rats and its mechanism. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats were divided into a control group (Sham group, 6 cases), a sepsis model group (LPS group, 14 cases), a berberine hydrochloride intervention group (Ber group, 14 cases), and a Notch signaling pathway inhibition group (DAPT group, 14 cases) according to random number table method. The DAPT group was intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg Notch signaling pathway inhibition DAPT 2 hours before modeling. The sepsis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Sham group was injected with an equal amount of saline (2 mL). The Ber group and DAPT group were treated with gavage of 50 mg/kg berberine hydrochloride 2 hours after modeling; Sham group and LPS group were treated with gavage of an equal amount of saline (2 mL). The temperature, weight, behavior and survival rate of rats were observed at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours of modeling. After 24 hours of modeling, abdominal aortic blood was collected under anesthesia, and intestinal tissues were obtained after euthanasia. The pathological changes of ileum were observed under light microscope. The ultrastructure of ileum was observed under transmission electron microscope. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (iFABP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin1), Notch1 and their downstream target signals in the ileum tissue. RESULTS: After 24 hours of modeling, compared with the Sham group, the LPS group, Ber group, and DAPT group showed a decrease in weight and an increase in temperature. Among them, the LPS group showed the most significant changes, followed by the DAPT group, and the Ber group showed the least significant changes. The survival rates of the LPS group, Ber group, and DAPT group were all lower than those of the Sham group [42.9% (6/14), 57.1% (8/14), 57.1% (8/14) vs. 100% (6/6)], and six rats were taken from each group for subsequent testing. Macroscopic observation of the intestine showed that the LPS group had the most severe edema in the ileum tissue and abdominal bleeding, with significant improvement in the Ber group and followed by the DAPT group. Under the light microscope, the LPS group showed disordered arrangement of glandular tissue in the ileum mucosa, significantly reduced goblet cells, and extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells, which were significantly improved in the Ber group but less improved in the DAPT group. Under electron microscopy, the LPS group showed extensive shedding of ileal microvilli and severe damage to the tight junction complex structure of intestinal epithelial cells, which was significantly improved in the Ber group but less improved in the DAPT group. The levels of serum DAO, iFABP, TNF-α, IL-6 in the LPS group were significantly higher than those in the Sham group, while the above indicators in the Ber group were significantly lower than those in the LPS group [DAO (µg/L): 4.94±0.44 vs. 6.53±0.49, iFABP (ng/L): 709.67±176.97 vs. 1 417.71±431.44, TNF-α (ng/L): 74.70±8.15 vs. 110.36±3.51, IL-6 (ng/L): 77.34±9.80 vs. 101.65±6.92, all P < 0.01], while the above indicators in the DAPT group were significantly higher than those in the Ber group. The results of RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of Occludin, Claudin1, Notch1, and Hes1 in the ileum tissue of LPS group rats were decreased compared to the Sham group, which were significantly increased in the Ber group compared with the LPS group [mRNA expression: Occludin mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.61±0.74 vs. 0.30±0.12, Claudin1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.97±0.37 vs. 0.58±0.14, Notch1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.29±0.29 vs. 0.36±0.10, Hes1 mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 1.22±0.39 vs. 0.27±0.04; protein expression: Occludin/GAPDH: 1.17±0.14 vs. 0.74±0.04, Claudin1/GAPDH: 1.14±0.06 vs. 0.58±0.10, Notch1/GAPDH: 0.87±0.11 vs. 0.56±0.09, Hes1/GAPDH: 1.02±0.13 vs. 0.62±0.01; all P < 0.05], while those in the DAPT group were significantly lower than those in the Ber group. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of berberine hydrochloride can significantly improve intestinal mucosal barrier damage in sepsis rats, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating the expression of intestinal mechanical barrier tight junction protein through Notch1 signal.
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Berberina , Mucosa Intestinal , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Sepse , Animais , Berberina/farmacologia , Sepse/tratamento farmacológico , Sepse/metabolismo , Sepse/complicações , Masculino , Ratos , Mucosa Intestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Mucosa Intestinal/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
The presence of spread through air spaces (STASs) in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma is a significant prognostic factor associated with disease recurrence and poor outcomes. Although current STAS detection methods rely on pathological examinations, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities for automated histopathological image analysis. This study developed a deep learning (DL) model for STAS prediction and investigated the correlation between the prediction results and patient outcomes. To develop the DL-based STAS prediction model, 1053 digital pathology whole-slide images (WSIs) from the competition dataset were enrolled in the training set, and 227 WSIs from the National Taiwan University Hospital were enrolled for external validation. A YOLOv5-based framework comprising preprocessing, candidate detection, false-positive reduction, and patient-based prediction was proposed for STAS prediction. The model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.83 in predicting STAS presence, with 72% accuracy, 81% sensitivity, and 63% specificity. Additionally, the DL model demonstrated a prognostic value in disease-free survival compared to that of pathological evaluation. These findings suggest that DL-based STAS prediction could serve as an adjunctive screening tool and facilitate clinical decision-making in patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.
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AIM: To evaluate the effect of low-degree astigmatism on objective visual quality through the Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS). METHODS: This study enrolled 46 participants (aged 23 to 30y, 90 eyes) with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. The cylindrical lenses (0, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 D) were placed at the axial direction (180°, 45°, 90°, and 135°) in front of the eyes with the best correction to form 16 types of regular low-degree astigmatism. OQAS was used to detect the objective visual quality, recorded as the objective scattering index (OSI), OQAS values at contrasts of 100%, 20%, and 9% predictive visual acuity (OV100%, OV20%, and OV9%), modulation transfer function cut-off (MTFcut-off) and Strehl ratio (SR). The mixed effect linear model was used to compare objective visual quality differences between groups and examine associations between astigmatic magnitude and objective visual quality parameters. RESULTS: Apparent negative relationships between the magnitude of low astigmatism and objective visual quality were observed. The increase of OSI per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were 0.38 (95%CI: 0.35, 0.42), 0.50 (95%CI: 0.46, 0.53), 0.49 (95%CI: 0.45, 0.54) and 0.37 (95%CI: 0.34, 0.41), respectively. The decrease of MTFcut-off per degree of astigmatism at 180°, 45°, 90°, and 135° axis were -10.30 (95%CI: -11.43, -9.16), -12.73 (95%CI: -13.62, -11.86), -12.75 (95%CI: -13.79, -11.70), and -9.97 (95%CI: -10.92, -9.03), respectively. At the same astigmatism degree, OSI at 45° and 90° axis were higher than that at 0° and 135° axis, while MTFcut-off were lower. CONCLUSION: Low astigmatism of only 0.50 D can significantly reduce the objective visual quality.
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USP25 encodes ubiquitin-specific proteases 25, a key member of deubiquitinating enzyme family and is involved in neural fate determination. Although abnormal expression in Down's syndrome was reported previously, the specific role of USP25 in human diseases has not been defined. In this study, we performed trio-based whole exome sequencing in a cohort of 319 cases (families) with generalized epilepsy of unknown etiology. Five heterozygous USP25 variants including two de novo and three co-segregated variants were determined in eight individuals affected by generalized seizures and/or febrile seizures from five unrelated families. The frequency of USP25 variants showed a significantly high aggregation in this cohort compared to the East Asian population and all populations in the gnomAD database. The mean onset ages of febrile and afebrile seizures were 10 months (infancy) and 11.8 years (juvenile), respectively. The patients achieved seizure freedom except one had occasional nocturnal seizures at the last follow-up. Two patients exhibited intellectual disability. Usp25 was ubiquitously expressed in mouse brain with two peaks on embryonic days (E14âE16) and postnatal day 21, respectively. Similarly, USP25 expressed in fetus/early childhood stage with a second peak at approximately 12â20 years old in human brain, consistent with the seizure onset age at infancy and juvenile in the patients. To investigate the functional impact of USP25 deficiency in vivo, we established Usp25 knock-out mice, which showed increased seizure susceptibility compared to wild-type mice in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure test. To explore the impact of USP25 variants, we employed multiple functional detections. In HEK293T cells, the severe phenotype associated variant (p.Gln889Ter) led to a significant reduction of mRNA and protein expressions but formed a stable truncated dimers with increment of deubiquitinating enzyme activities and abnormal cellular aggregations, indicating a gain-of-function effect. The p.Gln889Ter and p.Leu1045del increased neuronal excitability in mice brain, with a higher firing ability in p.Gln889Ter. These functional impairments align with the severity of the observed phenotypes, suggesting a genotype-phenotype correlation. Hence, a moderate association between USP25 and epilepsy was noted, indicating USP25 is potentially a predisposing gene for epilepsy. Our results from Usp25 null mice and the patient-derived variants indicated that USP25 would play epileptogenic role via loss-of-function or gain-of-function effects. The truncated variant p.Gln889Ter would have profoundly different effect on epilepsy. Together, our results underscore the significance of USP25 heterozygous variants in epilepsy, thereby highlighting the critical role of USP25 in the brain.
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Serratia marcescens, as a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, is a rare cause of peritonitis and has worse clinical outcomes than Gram-positive peritonitis. In this case report, we describe a case of Serratia marcescens associated peritonitis that was successfully cured without catheter removal. A 40-year-old male patient with peritoneal dialysis who worked in the catering industry was admitted to the hospital for 16 hours after the discovery of cloudy peritoneal dialysate and abdominal pain. Ceftazidime and cefazolin sodium were immediately given intravenously as an empirical antibiotic regimen. After detecting Serratia marcescens in the peritoneal diasate culture, the treatment was switched to ceftazidime and levofloxacin. The routine examination of peritoneal dialysate showed a significant decrease in white blood cells, the peritoneal dialysate became clear, and the peritoneal dialysis catheter was retained. The patient was treated for 2 weeks and treated with oral antibiotics for 1 week. It is necessary to further strengthen the hygiene of work environment to prevent Serratia marcescens infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. We recommend that patients with Serratia marcescens associated peritonitis should be treated with a combination of antibiotics as early as possible empirically, and at the same time, the peritoneal dialysis fluid culture should be improved, and the antibiotic regimen should be timely adjusted according to the drug sensitivity results. For patients with clinical symptoms for more than 3 days, considering the strong virulence of Serratia marcescens, whether to use meropenem directly or not can provide a reference for clinical decision-making. Further clinical studies are needed to achieve more precise anti-infective treatment.
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Antibacterianos , Diálise Peritoneal , Peritonite , Infecções por Serratia , Serratia marcescens , Humanos , Serratia marcescens/isolamento & purificação , Masculino , Peritonite/microbiologia , Peritonite/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Infecções por Serratia/microbiologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Antibacterianos/administração & dosagem , Diálise Peritoneal/efeitos adversos , Resultado do Tratamento , Remoção de Dispositivo , Levofloxacino/uso terapêutico , Ceftazidima/uso terapêutico , Ceftazidima/administração & dosagem , Cefazolina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Cartilage repair and regeneration have become a global issue that millions of patients from all over the world need surgical intervention to repair the articular cartilage annually due to the limited self-healing capability of the cartilage tissues. Cartilage tissue engineering has gained significant attention in cartilage repair and regeneration by integration of the chondrocytes (or stem cells) and the artificial scaffolds. Recently, polysaccharide-protein based scaffolds have demonstrated unique and promising mechanical and biological properties as the artificial extracellular matrix of natural cartilage. In this review, we summarize the modification methods for polysaccharides and proteins. The preparation strategies for the polysaccharide-protein based hydrogel scaffolds are presented. We discuss the mechanical, physical and biological properties of the polysaccharide-protein based scaffolds. Potential clinical translation and challenges on the artificial scaffolds are also discussed.
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Cartilagem Articular , Polissacarídeos , Regeneração , Engenharia Tecidual , Alicerces Teciduais , Alicerces Teciduais/química , Humanos , Polissacarídeos/química , Regeneração/efeitos dos fármacos , Engenharia Tecidual/métodos , Animais , Cartilagem Articular/fisiologia , Proteínas/química , Hidrogéis/química , Condrócitos/citologia , Condrócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Materiais Biocompatíveis/química , Materiais Biocompatíveis/farmacologia , Cartilagem/fisiologia , Cicatrização/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In 2009, China launched a new round of healthcare reform to provide households with secure, efficient, convenient, equitable and affordable healthcare services. Healthcare reform is underpinned by three critical pillars: the health workforce, funding, and infrastructure, with reform of the health workforce being particularly significant. OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the disparities in regional distribution and the inequity of healthcare workforce allocation across hospitals and primary health centers in China over twelve years. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal data from the National Health Statistics Yearbook 2011-2022 and National Statistical Yearbook in China from 2011 to 2022 were collected for analysis. PARTICIPANTS: The focus was on hospitals and primary health centers, explicitly examining their health technician and nursing workforce. METHODS: The research utilized four key indicators of the healthcare workforce to evaluate the distribution of health resources between hospitals and primary health centers. Furthermore, the Gini coefficient and Theil index were employed to assess the inequality in allocating the health workforce. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2021, there was a nationwide increase in the ratio of health workers per 1000 population in hospitals and primary health centers. It is noted that rural districts had higher ratios than urban districts in terms of the number of health technicians and nurses per 1000 population, whether in hospitals or primary health centers; western districts had higher ratios than eastern and central districts did. In the same year, at different levels of medical institutions, the Theil indices of health technicians and nurses in hospitals were lower than those in primary health centers in terms of both demographic and geographical dimensions. Regarding the allocation of the health workforce by population, the Gini coefficient remained below 0.3, while for geographical allocation, it exceeded 0.4. CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzed the temporal trends and inequality of health-resource allocation at the hospital and primary health center levels in China, noting trends of improvements in the quantity and inequality in health workforce allocation from 2010 to 2021, suggesting the success of the government's efforts to advance healthcare reform since 2009. The allocation of health workforce based on population exhibits greater fairness compared to geographical distribution.
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Mão de Obra em Saúde , Atenção Primária à Saúde , China , Estudos Longitudinais , Atenção Primária à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Mão de Obra em Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Hospitais/estatística & dados numéricos , Disparidades em Assistência à Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Parents of preterm infants experience anxiety and stress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Visitation restrictions due to COVID-19 have increased maternal pressure and limited bonding opportunities. Little research exists in Taiwan on using video conferencing as a solution. This study investigates depression and stress levels in mothers of preterm infants and evaluates the effectiveness of video visitation during NICU restrictions. METHODS: This study adopts a cross-sectional design and a qualitative survey. Mothers of premature infants were recruited and they participated in the study. Interventions for video visits were scheduled on the third day of admission to the NICU (T1) and during the second week of the study (T2). After each video visit, participants completed an online survey. The study's online survey used structured questionnaires including demographics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Parental Stress Scale (PSS): Infant Hospitalization (IH). RESULTS: A total of 51 mothers of preterm infants participated in the study. During the T1 and T2 periods, single mothers with lower educational levels and those aged below 30 experienced depression and high levels of stress. Lower birth weight and gestational age were associated with maternal depression. Video visitation intervention led to a significant decrease in depression scores (EPDS, T1: 11.3 ± 5.5 vs. T2: 10.1 ± 5.2, p = 0.039). Positive correlations were observed between EPDS and PSS: IH scores (p < 0 .005). CONCLUSION: Video visitation intervention can reduce maternal depression in mothers with preterm infants. Since it is practical, video visitation may be applied even after the pandemic.
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As a physical mutagen, carbon ion beam (CIB) irradiation can induce high-frequency mutation, which is user-friendly and environment-friendly in plant breeding. In this study, we resequenced eight mutant lines which were screened out from the progeny of the CIB-irradiated dehulled rice seeds. Among these mutants, CIB induced 135,535 variations, which include single base substitutions (SBSs), and small insertion and deletion (InDels). SBSs are the most abundant mutation, and account for 88% of all variations. Single base conversion is the main type of SBS, and the average ratio of transition and transversion is 1.29, and more than half of the InDels are short-segmented mutation (1-2 bp). A total of 69.2% of the SBSs and InDels induced by CIBs occurred in intergenic regions on the genome. Surprisingly, the average mutation frequency in our study is 9.8 × 10-5/bp and much higher than that of the previous studies, which may result from the relatively high irradiation dosage and the dehulling of seeds for irradiation. By analyzing the mutation of every 1 Mb in the genome of each mutant strain, we found some unusual high-frequency (HF) mutation regions, where SBSs and InDels colocalized. This study revealed the mutation mechanism of dehulled rice seeds by CIB irradiation on the genome level, which will enrich our understanding of the mutation mechanism of CIB radiation and improve mutagenesis efficiency.
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Genoma de Planta , Mutação , Oryza , Sementes , Oryza/genética , Oryza/efeitos da radiação , Sementes/genética , Sementes/efeitos da radiação , Carbono , Mutação INDEL , Íons PesadosAssuntos
Angiomiolipoma , Hiperplasia Nodular Focal do Fígado , Neoplasias Hepáticas , Humanos , Angiomiolipoma/patologia , Angiomiolipoma/complicações , Angiomiolipoma/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patologia , Neoplasias Hepáticas/complicações , Neoplasias Hepáticas/diagnóstico , Hiperplasia Nodular Focal do Fígado/patologia , Hiperplasia Nodular Focal do Fígado/diagnóstico , Hiperplasia Nodular Focal do Fígado/complicações , Feminino , Adulto , Fígado/patologia , Fígado/diagnóstico por imagem , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
This work investigates the physicochemical characteristics of grease-trap wastewater discharged from a large community market. It proposes potential mechanisms of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) solid formation, separation, and accumulation inside grease traps. Sixty-four samples, i.e., the floated scum, suspended solid-liquid wastewater, and settled sludge, were collected from the grease-trap inlet and outlet chambers. A lower pH of 5-6 at 25-29 °C inside the grease trap than those reported under the sewer conditions (pH 6-7) was revealed. A significant difference in solid and dissolved constituents was also discovered between the inlet and outlet chambers, indicating that the baffle wall could affect the separation mechanism. The sludge samples had 1.5 times higher total solids (TS) than the scum samples, i.e., 0.225 vs. 0.149 g g-1 TS, revealing that the sludge amount impacted more significantly the grease trap capacity and operation and maintenance. In contrast, the scum samples had 1.4 times higher volatile solids (VS) than the sludge samples, i.e., 0.134 vs. 0.096 g g-1 VS, matching with the 64.2 vs. 29.7% of carbon content from CHN analysis. About 2/3 of the free fatty acids (FFAs) with palmitic acids were the primary saturated FFAs, while the remaining 1/3 of unsaturated FFAs were found in the solid and liquid samples. Although up to 0.511 g g-1 FOG can be extracted from the scum samples, none from the sludge samples. More diverse minerals/metals other than Na, Cl, and Ca were found in the sludge samples than in the scum samples. Grease-trap FOG solids and open drain samples exhibited similar physicochemical properties to those reported in the literature. Four potential mechanisms (crystallization, emulsification, saponification, and baffling) were presented. This work offers insights into the physicochemical properties of grease-trap wastewater that can help explore its FOG solid formation, separation, and accumulation mechanisms inside a grease trap.
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Esgotos , Eliminação de Resíduos Líquidos , Águas Residuárias , Águas Residuárias/química , Esgotos/químicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Air volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause allergic reaction mainly via the respiratory tract or skin. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between daily visits by patients with urticaria and short-term changes in exposure to ambient air VOCs. METHODS: The dependent variable was information from patients with urticaria at a medical center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 2014/01/01 to 2018/07/31. The multivariable model included one-day average 75th percentile values of air VOCs and meteorologic data retrieved from Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network database, and was analyzed using a case-crossover study design and conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Total daily clinic visits for urticaria were significantly positively associated with higher levels of 4 VOCs (ethylbenzene, toluene, m-/p-xylene, and o-xylene (adjusted odds ratio (AOR: 1.03-1.28)) on the visit days, and 10 VOC levels on the fourth lag day (benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, cyclohexane, and ethylene (AOR: 1.02-3.02)). Analyses of age and gender subgroups revealed that men showed resistance on the visit day, and women, older, and younger patients were more vulnerable. Men were influenced by higher benzene levels (AOR = 1.24) on the fourth lag day. Higher values of more than 6 VOCs on the fourth lag day significantly affected women, younger and older patients (AOR: 1.04-6.5). The most notable VOCs were methylcyclohexane (women AOR = 3.28, younger AOR = 3.82) and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (women AOR = 2.77, older AOR = 6.5) on the fourth lag day, which had the lowest concentrations but highest influence. CONCLUSION: The concentration of certain air VOCs significantly affected daily visits for urticaria.
RESUMO
Water-soluble rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched citrus pectin (WRP) has promising effect on antimicrobial defense. We aim to determine whether the modified acidic (A) or neutral (B) WRP solutions can improve intestinal microbial dysbiosis in burn-injured mice. Male Balb/c mice were gavaged with WRPs at 80, 160, 320 mg/kg. Body weight daily for 21 days before exposed to thermal injury of 15 % total body surface area and mortality was monitored. Mice with 80 mg/kg WRPs were also subjected to fecal DNAs and T cell metabonomics analysis, intestinal and plasma glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) detection, plasma defensin, immunoglobin and intestinal barrier examinations at 1 and 3d postburn (p.b.). Burn-induced mortality was only improved by low dose WRP-A (P = 0.039). Both WRPs could prevent the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in burn injury by reducing the expansion of inflammation-promoting bacteria. Both WRPs suppressed ileum GLP-1 production at 1d p.b. (P = 0.002) and plasma GLP-1 levels at 3d p.b. (P = 0.013). Plasma GLP-1 level correlated closely with ileum GLP-1 production (P = 0.019) but negatively with microbiota diversity at 1d p.b. (P = 0.003). Intestinal T cell number was increased by both WRPs in jejunum at 3d p.b. However, the exaggerated splenic T cell metabolism in burn injury was reversed by both WRPs at 1d p.b. The burn-increased plasma defensin ß1 level was only reduced by WRP-B. Similarly, the intestinal barrier permeability was only rescued by WRP-B at 1d p.b. WRP-A rather than WRP-B could reduce burn-induced mortality in mice by suppressing intestinal GLP-1 secretion, restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis and improving adaptive immune response.