Lateral Shuffle-Induced Fatigue Effects on Ankle Proprioception and Countermovement Jump Performance.

To determine how lateral shuffling/lateral shuffle (LS) -induced fatigue affects ankle proprioception and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Eighteen male college athletes performed 6 modes of a repeated LS protocol with 2 distances (2.5 and 5 m) and 3 speeds (1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 m/s). After LS, ankle inversion proprioception (AIP) was measured using the active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA). CMJ, blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after LS. The number of changes of direction (CODs) in each protocol was recorded. LS-induced fatigue was evident in BLa, HR and RPE (all p < 0.05), increasing with shorter shuffle distance and faster speed. RM-ANOVA showed a significant distance main effect on both AIP (p < 0.01) and CMJ (p < 0.05), but the speed main effect was only significant for CMJ (p ≤ 0.001), not AIP (p = 0.87). CMJ performance was correlated with BLa, HR and RPE (r values range from -0.62 to -0.32, all p ≤ 0.001). AIP was only correlated with CODs (r = -0.251, p < 0.01). These results suggested that in LS, shorter distance, regardless of speed, was associated with worse AIP, whereas subsequent CMJ performance was affected by both LS distance and speed. Hence, AIP performance was not related to physiological fatigue, but CMJ performance was. Results imply that LS affects processing proprioceptive input and producing muscular output differently, and that these two aspects of neuromuscular control are affected by physiological fatigue to varying degrees. These findings have implications for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Influences of Propofol, Ciprofol and Remimazolam on Dreaming During Anesthesia for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Randomized Double-Blind Parallel-Design Trial.

Purpose: To compare the influences of propofol, ciprofol and remimazolam on dreaming during painless gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: This study was a single-center, prospective, parallel-design, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Between May 2023 and October 2023, patients undergoing elective painless gastrointestinal endoscopy were recruited and randomly allocated into one of the three groups. Demographic data, intraoperative information, incidence of dreaming, insufficient anesthesia and intraoperative awareness, type of dream, patient satisfaction score, adverse events, and improvement of sleep quality were collected. Results: The difference in incidence of dreaming among the three groups was not significant (33.33% vs 48.33% vs 41.67%, p=0.061). The number of patients with intraoperative hypotension in the propofol group was larger than that of the remimazolam group (32 vs 12, p=0.001). However, the cases of intraoperative hypotension between propofol group and ciprofol group or ciprofol group and remimazolam group were comparable (32 vs 22, p=0.122; 22 vs 12, p=0.064). The percentage of insufficient anesthesia between propofol group and remimazolam group was significant (13.33% vs 1.67%, p=0.001), while no statistical difference was detected between propofol group and remimazolam group or ciprofol group and remimazolam group (13.33% vs 5.00%, p=0.025; 5.00% vs 1.67%, p=0.150). The ability of propofol to improve sleep quality at 1st post-examination day was significantly better than that of remimazolam (86.21% vs 72.88%, p=0.015), while it was not significant between propofol group and ciprofol group or ciprofol group and remimazolam group (86.21% vs 80.36%, p=0.236; 72.88% vs. 72.88%, p=0.181). Incidence of intraoperative awareness, intraoperative hypoxia, type of dream, satisfaction score, adverse events during recovery, and sleep improvement on the 7th post-examination day was not significant among the groups. Conclusion: Anesthesia with propofol, ciprofol and remimazolam, respectively, for gastrointestinal endoscopy did not induce statistical difference in the incidence of dreaming, despite that all of them are more likely to induce pleasant dreams.

Adolescents and Children Age Estimation Using Machine Learning Based on Pulp and Tooth Volumes on CBCT Images.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate adolescents and children age using stepwise regression and machine learning methods based on the pulp and tooth volumes of the left maxillary central incisor and cuspid on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, and to compare and analyze the estimation results. METHODS: A total of 498 Shanghai Han adolescents and children CBCT images of the oral and maxillofacial regions were collected. The pulp and tooth volumes of the left maxillary central incisor and cuspid were measured and calculated. Three machine learning algorithms (K-nearest neighbor, ridge regression, and decision tree) and stepwise regression were used to establish four age estimation models. The coefficient of determination, mean error, root mean square error, mean square error and mean absolute error were computed and compared. A correlation heatmap was drawn to visualize and the monotonic relationship between parameters was visually analyzed. RESULTS: The K-nearest neighbor model (R2=0.779) and the ridge regression model (R2=0.729) outperformed stepwise regression (R2=0.617), while the decision tree model (R2=0.494) showed poor fitting. The correlation heatmap demonstrated a monotonically negative correlation between age and the parameters including pulp volume, the ratio of pulp volume to hard tissue volume, and the ratio of pulp volume to tooth volume. CONCLUSIONS: Pulp volume and pulp volume proportion are closely related to age. The application of CBCT-based machine learning methods can provide more accurate age estimation results, which lays a foundation for further CBCT-based deep learning dental age estimation research.

Lower Limb Proprioception in Low Back Pain and Its Relationship With Voluntary Postural Control.

This study aimed to investigate whether patients with low back pain (LBP) had impaired lower limb proprioception and its association with somatosensory acuity. Thirty patients with LBP and 30 asymptomatic people volunteered, using Sway Discrimination Apparatus tests to assess somatosensory acuity during voluntary anteroposterior and mediolateral postural sway. Results showed significantly reduced somatosensory acuity in mediolateral sway in LBP patients (p = 0.005) with ankle, knee, and hip proprioception showing significantly impairment compared to asymptomatic controls (all p ≤ 0.012). Regression analysis showed that ankle and hip proprioception were significantly associated with somatosensory perception (0.001 ≤ p ≤ 0.026, 0.067 ≤ R2≤ 0.235). Overall, findings suggested a global deterioration of lower limb proprioception in LBP patients, with ankle and hip proprioception playing crucial role in somatosensory perception.

Advances in Nanotechnology for Enhancing the Solubility and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs.

This manuscript offers a comprehensive overview of nanotechnology's impact on the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs, with a focus on BCS Class II and IV drugs. We explore various nanoscale drug delivery systems (NDDSs), including lipid-based, polymer-based, nanoemulsions, nanogels, and inorganic carriers. These systems offer improved drug efficacy, targeting, and reduced side effects. Emphasizing the crucial role of nanoparticle size and surface modifications, the review discusses the advancements in NDDSs for enhanced therapeutic outcomes. Challenges such as production cost and safety are acknowledged, yet the potential of NDDSs in transforming drug delivery methods is highlighted. This contribution underscores the importance of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical engineering, suggesting it as a significant advancement for medical applications and patient care.

Neuroimaging features of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.

Cognitive dysfunctions are one of the key symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD), which exist not only during the onset of diseases but also before the onset, even after the remission of psychiatric symptoms. With the development of neuroimaging techniques, these non-invasive approaches provide valuable insights into the underlying pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and information of cognitive remediation interventions. This review synthesizes existing neuroimaging studies to examine domains of cognitive impairment, particularly processing speed, memory, attention, and executive function in SZ and MDD patients. First, white matter (WM) abnormalities are observed in processing speed deficits in both SZ and MDD, with distinct neuroimaging findings highlighting WM connectivity abnormalities in SZ and WM hyperintensity caused by small vessel disease in MDD. Additionally, the abnormal functions of prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe are found in both SZ and MDD patients during various memory tasks, while aberrant amygdala activity potentially contributes to a preference to negative memories in MDD. Furthermore, impaired large-scale networks including frontoparietal network, dorsal attention network, and ventral attention network are related to attention deficits, both in SZ and MDD patients. Finally, abnormal activity and volume of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and abnormal functional connections between the DLPFC and the cerebellum are associated with executive dysfunction in both SZ and MDD. Despite these insights, longitudinal neuroimaging studies are lacking, impeding a comprehensive understanding of cognitive changes and the development of early intervention strategies for SZ and MDD. Addressing this gap is critical for advancing our knowledge and improving patient prognosis.

Preparation of a Polymeric Phosphoramide Flame-Retardant and Its Effect on the Flame-Retardant Properties of Epoxy Resin.

The flammability of epoxy resins and knowing how to achieve curing are particularly important factors during use. A novel approach for enhancing the fire resistance and reducing the smoke emission of epoxy resin during the curing process is suggested, which involves the utilization of a three-source integrated polymerization intumescent flame-retardant. In this study, the synthesis of poly 4,4-diaminodiphenylsulfone spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphonate (PCS) is achieved through using solution polymerization, utilizing 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and spirocyclic pentaerythritol bisphosphorate disphosphoryl chloride (SPDPC) as initial components. Following that, the EP underwent the inclusion of PCS to examine its resistance to heat, its ability to prevent flames, its effectiveness in reducing smoke and its curing effect. Compared to the unmodified epoxy resin, the addition of PCS can not only cure the epoxy resin, but also decompose before the epoxy resin and has a good carbonization effect. With the addition of 7 wt.% PCS, the LOI value can achieve 31.2% and successfully pass the UL-94 test with a V-0 rating. Moreover, the cone calorimeter experiment demonstrated a noteworthy decline of 59.7% in the maximum heat release rate (pHRR), 63.7% in overall heat release (THR), and 42.3% in total smoke generation (TSP). Based on the examination of TG-FTIR and SEM findings, there is ample evidence to suggest that PCS, functioning as a phosphorus-nitrogen intumescent flame-retardant that combines three origins, has the potential to exhibit a favorable flame-retardant impact in both its gas and condensed phases.

Modulation of Heart Rate Variability and Brain Excitability through Acute Whole-Body Vibration: The Role of Frequency.

This cross-over study aimed to explore effects of acute whole-body vibration (WBV) at frequencies of 5-35 Hz on heart rate variability and brain excitability. Thirteen healthy physically active college students randomly completed eight interventions under the following conditions: static upright standing without vibration (CON), static squat exercise (knee flexion 150°) on the vibration platform (SSE), and static squat exercise (knee flexion 150°) combined with WBV at vibration frequency of 5, 9, 13, 20, 25, and 35 Hz. Five bouts × 30 s with a 30-s rest interval were performed for all interventions. The brain's direct current potentials (DCPs), frequency domain variables (FDV) including normalized low frequency power (nLF), normalized high frequency power (nHF) and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF), along with the mean heart rate (MHR) were collected and calculated before and after the WBV intervention. Results suggested that WBV frequency at 5 Hz had a substantial effect on decreasing DCPs [-2.13 µV, t(84) = -3.82, p < 0.05, g = -1.03, large] and nLF [-13%, t(84) = -2.31, p = 0.04, g = -0.62, medium]. By contrast, 20-35 Hz of acute WBV intervention considerably improved DCPs [7.58 µV, t(84) = 4.31, p < 0.05, g = 1.16, large], nLF [17%, t(84) = 2.92, p < 0.05, g = 0.79, large] and the LF/HF [0.51, t(84) = 2.86, p < 0.05, g = 0.77, large]. A strong (r = 0.7, p < 0.01) correlation between DCPs and nLF was found at 5 Hz. In summary, acute WBV at 20-35 Hz principally activated the sympathetic nervous system and increased brain excitability, while 5-Hz WBV activated the parasympathetic nervous system and reduced brain excitability. The frequency spectrum of WBV might be manipulated according to the intervention target on heart rate variability and brain excitability.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase prompts bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by driving macrophage M2 polarization in mice.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible, fatal interstitial lung disease lacking specific therapeutics. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) salvage biosynthesis pathway and a cytokine, has been previously reported as a biomarker for lung diseases; however, the role of NAMPT in pulmonary fibrosis has not been elucidated. Methods: We identified the NAMPT level changes in pulmonary fibrosis by analyzing public RNA-Seq databases, verified in collected clinical samples and mice pulmonary fibrosis model by Western blotting, qRT-PCR, ELISA and Immunohistochemical staining. We investigated the role and mechanism of NAMPT in lung fibrosis by using pharmacological inhibition on NAMPT and Nampt transgenic mice. In vivo macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes and reinfusion of IL-4-induced M2 bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from wild-type mice, combined with in vitro cell experiments, were performed to further validate the mechanism underlying NAMPT involving lung fibrosis. Results: We found that NAMPT increased in the lungs of patients with IPF and mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. NAMPT inhibitor FK866 alleviated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and significantly reduced NAMPT levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The lung single-cell RNA sequencing showed that NAMPT expression in monocytes/macrophages of IPF patients was much higher than in other lung cells. Knocking out NAMPT in mouse monocytes/macrophages (Namptfl/fl;Cx3cr1CreER) significantly alleviated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice, decreased NAMPT levels in BALF, reduced the infiltration of M2 macrophages in the lungs and improved mice survival. Depleting monocytes/macrophages in Namptfl/fl;Cx3cr1CreER mice by clodronate liposomes and subsequent pulmonary reinfusion of IL-4-induced M2 BMDMs from wild-type mice, reversed the protective effect of monocyte/macrophage NAMPT-deletion on lung fibrosis. In vitro experiments confirmed that the mechanism of NAMPT engaged in pulmonary fibrosis is related to the released NAMPT by macrophages promoting M2 polarization in a non-enzyme-dependent manner by activating the STAT6 signal pathway. Conclusions: NAMPT prompts bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by driving macrophage M2 polarization in mice. Targeting the NAMPT of monocytes/macrophages is a promising strategy for treating pulmonary fibrosis.

Comparison of Effects of Propofol Combined with Different Doses of Esketamine for ECT in the Treatment of Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mood disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has a significant effect on treatment-resistant MDD. Esketamine may have potential advantages in improving the efficacy of ECT, and the strong affinity of this compound for NMDAR renders it a viable therapeutic option for the management of depression. This study aims to compare the effects of different doses of esketamine combined with propofol anesthesia versus propofol anesthesia alone in ECT, aiming to provide further insights for optimizing ECT and enhancing comprehensive treatment outcomes for depression. Study Design and Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial involving subjects and evaluators. One hundred eleven patients scheduled for ECT were randomly assigned to three groups. In Group P, propofol at 1mg/kg was administered intravenously. In Group P+E, propofol at a dosage of 0.5mg/kg and esketamine at a dosage of 0.5mg/kg was administered intravenously. Patients in Group P+SE received propofol at a dosage of 0.75mg/kg and esketamine at a dosage of 0.25mg/kg. The same anesthesia protocol was used for the same patient until the end of the last treatment. The primary outcome measures were the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and the Digit symbol substitution test (DSST). Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, readmission rate, hemodynamic status, recovery, and adverse events. Discussion: This study aimed to compare the effects of propofol combined with different doses of esketamine for ECT. The results may provide a better choice for ECT anesthesia.

Carbonization of quercetin into nanogels: a leap in anticoagulant development.

Quercetin, a flavonoid abundantly found in onions, fruits, and vegetables, is recognized for its pharmacological potential, especially for its anticoagulant properties that work by inhibiting thrombin and coagulation factor Xa. However, its clinical application is limited due to poor water solubility and bioavailability. To address these limitations, we engineered carbonized nanogels derived from quercetin (CNGsQur) using controlled pyrolysis and polymerization techniques. This led to substantial improvements in its anticoagulation efficacy, water solubility, and biocompatibility. We generated a range of CNGsQur by subjecting quercetin to varying pyrolytic temperatures and then assessed their anticoagulation capacities both in vitro and in vivo. Coagulation metrics, including thrombin clotting time (TCT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and prothrombin time (PT), along with a rat tail bleeding assay, were utilized to gauge the efficacy. CNGsQur showed a pronounced extension of coagulation time compared to uncarbonized quercetin. Specifically, CNGsQur synthesized at 270 °C (CNGsQur270) exhibited the most significant enhancement in TCT, with a binding affinity to thrombin exceeding 400 times that of quercetin. Moreover, variants synthesized at 310 °C (CNGsQur310) and 290 °C (CNGsQur290) showed the most substantial delays in PT and aPTT, respectively. Our findings indicate that the degree of carbonization significantly influences the transformation of quercetin into various CNGsQur forms, each affecting distinct coagulation pathways. Additionally, both intravenous and oral administrations of CNGsQur were found to extend rat tail bleeding times by up to fivefold. Our studies also demonstrate that CNGsQur270 effectively delays and even prevents FeCl3-induced vascular occlusion in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Thus, controlled pyrolysis offers an innovative approach for generating quercetin-derived CNGs with enhanced anticoagulation properties and water solubility, revealing the potential for synthesizing self-functional carbonized nanomaterials from other flavonoids for diverse biomedical applications.

Concentration properties of biopolymers via dead-end forward osmosis.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in excess sludge of wastewater treatment plants are valuable biopolymers that can act as recovery materials. However, effectively concentrating EPSs consumes a significant amount of energy. This study employed novel energy-saving pressure-free dead-end forward osmosis (DEFO) technology to concentrate various biopolymers, including EPSs and model biopolymers [sodium alginate (SA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and a mixture of both (denoted as BSA-SA)]. The feasibility of the DEFO technology was proven and the largest concentration ratios for these biopolymers were 94.8 % for EPSs, 97.1 % for SA, 97.8 % for BSA, and 98.4 % for BSA-SA solutions. An evaluation model was proposed, incorporating the FO membrane's water permeability coefficient and the concentrated substances' osmotic resistance, to describe biopolymers' concentration properties. Irrespective of biopolymer type, the water permeability coefficient decreased with increasing osmotic pressure, remained constant with increasing feed solution (FS) concentration, increased with increasing crossing velocity in the draw side, and showed little dependence on draw salt type. In the EPS DEFO concentration process, osmotic resistance was minimally impacted by osmotic pressure, FS concentration, and crossing velocity, and monovalent metal salts were proposed as draw solutes. The interaction between reverse diffusion metal cations and EPSs affected the structure of the concentrated substances on the FO membrane, thus changing the osmotic resistance in the DEFO process. These findings offer insights into the efficient concentration of biopolymers using DEFO.

Knee osteoarthritis patients assessed during walking for ankle inversion movement discrimination sensitivity.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects dynamic balance control and increases the risk of falling during walking. However, the mechanisms underlying this are still unclear. Diminished ankle proprioception during walking has been found to be related to fear of falling in older adults, with a gender difference in incidence of falling. This study aimed to determine 1) whether ankle inversion proprioceptive acuity during walking is impaired in patients with KOA; and 2) whether there is any difference between genders. Methods: Thirty-two patients with KOA (F:M = 17:15, Median age = 52.5, BMI = 22.3 ± 3.0) and 34 healthy controls without KOA (HC) (F:M = 17:17; median age = 49.0, BMI = 22.5 ± 2.7) were recruited. In patients with KOA, ankle inversion proprioceptive acuity was measured on the affected side using the ankle inversion discrimination apparatus for walking (AIDAW), whilst HC were assessed on a randomly selected side. Two-way (2*2) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the main effects and interaction between gender and KOA condition. Results: Two-way ANOVA showed a significant KOA main effect (F = 26.6, p < 0.001, ƞp 2 = 0.3) whereby AIDAW scores during walking for individuals with KOA were significantly lower than those without KOA (KOA vs. HC: 0.746 ± 0.057 vs. 0.807 ± 0.035). There was neither a gender main effect nor interaction (both p > 0.05). Conclusion: Individuals with KOA demonstrated lower ankle proprioception scores during walking compared to their healthy counterparts, with a similar level of impairment in ankle proprioceptive acuity between male and female patients. A low score may contribute to an increased risk of falling in the KOA population. The current findings suggest the need for global concern about lower limb proprioception in the clinical management of KOA.

A Unique Surgical Case of Mixed Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma With Heterologous Mesenchymal Differentiation and Conventional Adenocarcinomatous Elements.

Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is very rare among all invasive breast carcinomas, accounting for less than 1.0% of them. MBCs are classified into five subtypes, including mixed MBC - where the mix might be multiple metaplastic elements or a mixture of epithelial and mesenchymal elements. Overall survival for mixed MBC tends to correlate with a significantly worse outcome. Therefore, an early accurate diagnosis and surgical treatment for mixed MBCs must allow for an improved quality of life and better prognosis. However, there have not been many recently published papers describing the detailed cytological features of mixed MBCs on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. A 60-year-old female presented with a history of a hard breast mass on the left lateral side, showing an ill-defined and marginally enhanced tumor nodule on magnetic resonance imaging. The cytologic specimens of FNA contained a large number of three-dimensional, cohesive and sheet-like clusters, or non-cohesive single cells, of highly atypical spindled sarcomatoid to oval epithelioid cells having hyperchromatic pleomorphic nuclei and mitotic figures, in a necrotic and hemorrhagic background. A small amount of osteoid matrix-like substance was rarely seen, associated with a very small number of osteoclast-like giant cells. We first interpreted it as an invasive breast carcinoma of high grade. A mastectomy was performed, and a gross examination of the neoplasm revealed a hemorrhagic solid tumor lesion with a gray-whitish cut surface, measuring approximately 35 × 24 × 21 mm in diameter. On a microscopic examination, the tumor was predominantly composed of the proliferation of highly atypical oval to spindled cells predominantly in a sarcomatous growth fashion with focal production of chondroid and osteoid matrix, peripherally coexisted with a smaller volume of conventional invasive breast carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed that the sarcomatous tumor cells were specifically positive for vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, or epithelial membrane antigen. Therefore, we finally made a diagnosis of invasive mixed MBC with heterologous mesenchymal differentiation and conventional adenocarcinomatous elements. To the best of our knowledge, this would most recently be the first case report of mixed MBC with heterologous mesenchymal differentiation and conventional adenocarcinomatous elements, with a focus on its FNA cytomorphologic findings. We should be aware that owing to its characteristic cytological features, cytopathologists might be able to make a correct diagnosis of MBC, based on multiple and adequate samplings.

Binding Strengths and Orientations in CO2 Adsorption on Cationic Scandium Oxides: Governing Factor Revealed by a Combined Infrared Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption is a critical step to curbing carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Among various options, transition metal oxides have received extensive attention as promising CO2 adsorbents due to their affordability and sustainability for large-scale use. Here, the nature of binding interactions between CO2 molecules and cationic scandium oxides of different sizes, i.e., ScO+, Sc2O2+, and Sc3O4+, is investigated by mass-selective infrared photodissociation spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations. The well-accepted electrostatic considerations failed to provide explanations for the trend in the binding strengths and variations in the binding orientations between CO2 and metal sites of cationic scandium oxides. The importance of orbital interactions in the driving forces for CO2 adsorption on cationic scandium oxides was revealed by energy decomposition analyses. A molecular surface property, known as the local electron attachment energy, is introduced to elucidate the binding affinity and orientation-specific reactivity of cationic scandium oxides upon the CO2 attachment. This study not only reveals the governing factor in the binding behaviors of CO2 adsorption on cationic scandium oxides but also serves as an archetype for predicting and rationalizing favorable binding sites and orientations in extended surface-adsorbate systems.

Ankle inversion proprioception measured during stair descent can identify chronic ankle instability.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) may experience recurrent ankle sprains and symptoms during daily activities such as stair descent, where the associated proprioceptive deficit is largely unevaluated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reliability and validity of an ankle inversion discrimination apparatus for stair descent, and examine whether proprioceptive scores from this apparatus are associated with patient-reported symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: Sixty-six participants volunteered in this study. The ankle inversion discrimination apparatus was purpose-built to assess ankle proprioception across four positions of ankle inversion (10°, 12°, 14°, and 16°) during stair descent. The Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve (AUC) was employed as the ankle proprioceptive discrimination score. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability ICC (3,1) for the whole group was 0.825, with 0.747 for the non-CAI group (95%CI = 0.331-0.920) and 0.701 for CAI (95%CI = 0.242-0.904). The CAI group performed at a significantly lower level than non-CAI on the ankle inversion discrimination apparatus for stair descent assessment (0.769 ± 0.034 vs. 0.830 ± 0.035, F = 33.786, p < 0.001). CAIT scores were strongly and significantly correlated with scores from this apparatus (Spearman's rho = 0.730, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ankle inversion discrimination apparatus for stair descent is reliable and valid for assessing task-specific ankle proprioceptive impairments in CAI. The strong and significant relationship found between ankle proprioception during stair descent and the severity of CAI suggests that rehabilitation programs focusing on deficits in ankle inversion proprioception during stair descent may improve self-reported instability in CAI.

Continuous flow biocatalysis: synthesis of purine nucleoside esters catalyzed by lipase TL IM from Thermomyces lanuginosus.

Purine nucleoside ester is one of the derivatives of purine nucleoside, which has antiviral and anticancer activities. In this work, a continuous flow synthesis of purine nucleoside esters catalyzed by lipase TL IM from Thermomyces lanuginosus was successfully achieved. Various parameters including solvent, reaction temperature, reaction time/flow rate and substrate ratio were investigated. The best yields were obtained with a continuous flow microreactor for 35 min at 50 °C with the substrate ratio of 1 : 5 (nucleosides to vinyl esters) in the solvent of tert-amyl alcohol. 12 products were efficiently synthesized with yields of 78-93%. Here we reported for the first time the use of lipase TL IM from Thermomyces lanuginosus in the synthesis of purine nucleoside esters. The significant advantages of this methodology are a green solvent and mild conditions, a simple work-up procedure and the highly reusable biocatalyst. This research provides a new technique for rapid synthesis of anticancer and antiviral nucleoside drugs and is helpful for further screening of drug activity.

Angelicin: A leading culprit involved in fructus Psoraleae liver injury via inhibition of VKORC1.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The adverse effects of Fructus Psoraleae (FP), especially liver injury, have attracted wide attention in recent years. AIM OF THE STUDY: To establish a system to explore potential hepatotoxic targets and the chief culprit of liver injury based on clinical experience, network pharmacological method, molecular docking, and in vitro and in vivo experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical applications and adverse reactions to FP were obtained from public literatures. Components absorbed in the blood were selected as candidates to search for potential active targets (PATs) of FP. Subsequently, potential pharmacological core targets (PPCTs) were screened through the "drug targets-disease targets" network. Non-drug active targets (NPATs) were obtained by subtracting the PPCTs from the PATs. The potential hepatotoxic targets (PHTs) of FP were the intersection targets obtained from Venn analysis using NPATs, hepatotoxic targets, and adverse drug reaction (ADR) targets provided by the databases. Then, potential hepatotoxic components and targets were obtained using the "NPATS-component" network relationship. Molecular docking and in vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity experiments were performed to verify the targets and related components. RESULTS: Overall, 234 NPATs were acquired from our analysis, and 6 targets were identified as PHTs. Results from molecular docking and in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that angelicin is the leading cause of liver injury in FP, and VKORC1 plays an important role. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that six targets, especially VKORC1, are associated with the PHTs of FP, and angelicin is the leading culprit involved in FP liver injury via inhibition of VKORC1.

Enhancing the Spermidine Synthase-Based Polyamine Biosynthetic Pathway to Boost Rapid Growth in Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Diatoms, efficient carbon capture organisms, contribute to 20% of global carbon fixation and 40% of ocean primary productivity, garnering significant attention to their growth. Despite their significance, the synthesis mechanism of polyamines (PAs), especially spermidine (Spd), which are crucial for growth in various organisms, remains unexplored in diatoms. This study reveals the vital role of Spd, synthesized through the spermidine synthase (SDS)-based pathway, in the growth of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. PtSDS1 and PtSDS2 in the P. tricornutum genome were confirmed as SDS enzymes through enzyme-substrate selectivity assays. Their distinct activities are governed primarily by the Y79 active site. Overexpression of a singular gene revealed that PtSDS1, PtSDS2, and PtSAMDC from the SDS-based synthesis pathway are all situated in the cytoplasm, with no significant impact on PA content or diatom growth. Co-overexpression of PtSDS1 and PtSAMDC proved essential for elevating Spd levels, indicating multifactorial regulation. Elevated Spd content promotes diatom growth, providing a foundation for exploring PA functions and regulation in diatoms.