Mediation Role of Recreational Physical Activity in the Relationship between the Dietary Intake of Live Microbes and the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index: A Real-World Cross-Sectional Study.

The main topic of this research is the relationship between dietary intake of live microbe-containing (LMC) foods, recreational physical activity (RPA), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). This study presented a cohort of 26,254 individuals in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), representing an estimated weighted population of 193,637,615 in the United States. Weighted multivariable linear regression models were used in consideration of the multi-stage sampling design. Results: The study found that medium-LMC foods were negatively associated with the SII [ß (95% CI): -4.807 (-7.752, -1.862), p = 0.002], indicating that their intake was correlated with lower levels of the SII. However, no significant associations were found with low- or high-LMC foods. The study also explored the relationship between RPA and the SII, finding that more time spent in RPA was negatively associated with the SII [ß (95% CI): -0.022 (-0.034, -0.011), p < 0.001]. A mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the role of RPA in the relationship between medium-LMC food intake and the SII. The analysis revealed that RPA had a notable indirect effect, contributing to 6.7% of the overall change in the SII. Overall, this study suggests that medium-LMC food intake and RPA may have beneficial effects on systemic immune inflammation.

Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to explore the acute effects of athletic taping techniques on foot arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT). METHODS: Twenty young female adults with FFT were recruited in the current study. Each participant was randomly divided into two taping groups, namely, augmented low-dye (ALD) and modified low-dye (MLD). The foot arch deformity and plantar pressure were measured at baseline, after taping and after 20 min of walking. The foot arch deformity was determined based on navicular drop distance (NDD) and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP). RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the NDD values were significantly lower after taping. After 20 min of walking, ALD taping resulted in a lower NDD value than MLD (p < 0.001). ALD maintained a higher RCSP than baseline after 20 min of walking (p = 0.004). Furthermore, compared with baseline, medial midfoot force-time integration (p = 0.013) and contact area (p = 0.022) increased after taping with MLD, and peak pressure in the medial midfoot increased after walking for 20 min with MLD (p = 0.026). Peak pressure in the second to fifth toes significantly decreased after 20 min of walking with ALD compared with that after taping immediately (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: ALD and MLD taping could improve FFT arch deformity and plantar pressure distribution, prospectively changing peak pressure of the second to fifth toe area and medial midfoot after 20 min of walking, integrated contact area and force-time integration medial midfoot during walking in young female adults. Furthermore, ALD taping could improve FFT deformity more than using MLD after 20 min of walking. Thus, when treating FFT in young female adults, ALD taping should be considered adaptively to guide arch support production and correct midfoot pronation.

Materials Strategies Tackling Interfacial Issues in Catalyst Layers of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

The most critical challenge for the large-scale commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), one of the primary hydrogen energy technologies, is to achieve decent output performance with low usage of platinum (Pt). Currently, the performance of PEMFCs is largely limited by two issues at the catalyst/ionomer interface, specifically, the poisoning of active sites of Pt by sulfonate groups and the extremely sluggish local oxygen transport toward Pt. In the past few years, emerging strategies are derived to tackle these interface problems through materials optimization and innovation. This perspective summarizes the latest advances in this regard, and in the meantime unveils the molecule-level mechanisms behind the materials modulation of interfacial structures. This paper starts with a brief introduction of processes and structures of catalyst/ionomer interfaces, which is followed by a detailed review of progresses in key materials toward interface optimization, including catalysts, ionomers, and additives, with particular emphasis on the role of materials structure in regulating the intermolecular interactions. Finally, the challenges for the application of the established materials and research directions to broaden the material library are highlighted.

Age-Related Changes in Plantar Sensation and Ankle Proprioception in Adolescents to Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Plantar sensation and ankle proprioception occur in a stage-like variance across the life span. However, changes in adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of plantar sensation and ankle proprioception in adolescents to older adults. METHODS: A total of 212 participants were recruited in the study and were divided into four groups, including adolescents (n = 46), young adults (n = 55), middle-aged adults (n = 47), and older adults (n = 54). Plantar tactile sensitivity/tactile acuity/vibration threshold and ankle movement threshold/joint position sense/force sense were assessed in all groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to analyze the differences in Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments between different age groups in different plantar positions. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine differences in foot vibration threshold, two-point discrimination, and ankle proprioception between different age groups. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (p < .001), the two-point discrimination test (p < .05), and the vibration threshold test (p < .05) in the six tested plantar positions among adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. For ankle proprioception, significant differences were found in movement thresholds in ankle plantar flexion (p = .01), ankle dorsiflexion (p < .001), ankle inversion (p < .001), and ankle eversion (p < .001), as well as relative absolute errors in the ankle force senses of ankle plantar flexion (p = .02) and ankle dorsiflexion (p = .02) across the four age groups. CONCLUSION: Plantar sensation and ankle proprioception were sensitive in adolescents and young adults than in middle-aged adults and older adults.

Multi-sites synergistic modulation in oxygen reduction electrocatalysis.

Revealing the types of and interplays among multiple active-sites in iron-nitrogen-carbon (FeNC) materials is of great significance for developing high-performance, Fe-based non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this paper, a single-atom FeNC catalyst is prepared through high-temperature pyrolyzing of melamine foam (MF), iron phthalocyanine (FePc), phthalocyanine (Pc), and zinc (Zn)-salts composite. The catalyst is found to contain a variety of active-sites, including carbon atom next to pyridinic-N (pyridinicNC), Fe-N4 and pore defect. It is shown that MF with high N-content is responsible for the formation of the main pyridinicNC sites and in the meantime acts as the self-sacrificed template for framework of the catalyst. The presence of Pc can facilitate the formation of the predominant Fe-N4 sites, since the interplay between Pc and FePc results in a confinement of Fe-N4. Zn-salts serve as the pore-forming additives to create sufficient pore defects which can also anchor pyridinicNC and Fe-N4 structures. The results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the multiple active-sites function synergistically to enable high-efficiency ORR electrocatalysis. The optimal FeNC catalyst shows superior ORR activity with a half-wave potential of ∼0.88 V (vs. RHE), as well as high methanol tolerance and electrochemical stability compared to the commercial carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) catalyst.

Validity and Reliability of Inertial Measurement Units on Lower Extremity Kinematics During Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are useful in monitoring running and alerting running-related injuries in various sports settings. However, the quantitative summaries of the validity and reliability of the measurements from IMUs during running are still lacking. The purpose of this review was to investigate the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of IMUs for measuring gait spatiotemporal outcomes and lower extremity kinematics of health adults during running. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases were searched from inception until September 2021. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) evaluated the validity or reliability of measurements from IMUs, (2) measured specific kinematic outcomes, (3) compared measurements using IMUs with those obtained using reference systems, (4) collected data during running, (5) assessed human beings and (6) were published in English. Eligible articles were reviewed using a modified quality assessment. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the pooled correlation coefficients of validity and reliability. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles were included in the systematic review, and data from 12 were pooled for meta-analysis. The methodological quality of studies ranged from low to moderate. Concurrent validity is excellent for stride length (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.937 (0.859, 0.972), p < 0.001), step frequency (ICC (95% CI) = 0.926 (0.896, 0.948), r (95% CI) = 0.989 (0.957, 0.997), p < 0.001) and ankle angle in the sagittal plane (r (95% CI) = 0.939 (0.544, 0.993), p = 0.002), moderate to excellent for stance time (ICC (95% CI) = 0.664 (0.354, 0.845), r (95% CI) = 0.811 (0.701, 0.881), p < 0.001) and good for running speed (ICC (95% CI) = 0.848 (0.523, 0.958), p = 0.0003). The summary Fisher's Z value of flight time was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). Similarly, the stance time showed excellent test-retest reliability (ICC (95% CI) = 0.954 (0.903, 0.978), p < 0.001) and step frequency showed good test-retest reliability (ICC (95% CI) = 0.896 (0.837, 0.933), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings in the current review support IMUs measurement of running gait spatiotemporal parameters, but IMUs measurement of running kinematics on lower extremity joints needs to be reported with caution in healthy adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021279395.

Pt utilization in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: structure impacting factors and mechanistic insights.

It is essential to realize an expected low usage of platinum (Pt) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for the large-scale market penetration of PEMFC-powered vehicles. As well as seeking Pt-based catalysts with a high specific activity, improving Pt utilization through structure optimization of the catalyst layer (CL) has been the main route and apparently a more practical way so far to develop high-performance low-Pt PEMFCs. Despite the significant progress achieved in the past 2-3 decades, a visible gap remains between the current Pt demand of automobile PEMFCs and the target value. To further increase Pt utilization, insights from previous studies are necessary. This review analyzes the structural factors that impact the current-generation efficiency of Pt in PEMFC electrodes in great detail, with emphasis particularly put on the mechanistic and molecule-level insights into the structural effects. The contents include the so-called local transport resistance associated with the permeation and diffusion of oxygen molecules in the ionomer film covering the Pt surface, regulation of ionomer aggregation through molecular interactions between ink components, modulation of ionomer distribution through pore size exclusion and surface electrostatic interaction of the carbon support, optimization of the coupling between the reaction and transport processes through graded composition, and the formation of highways of protons, electrons, and gas molecules through component alignment. We provide a critical analysis of the measurement methods and theoretical models assessing the local transport resistance, which is considered as a crucial issue in the current-generation efficiency of Pt in ultralow-Pt CL. Finally, new opportunities toward the further promotion of Pt utilization are proposed. These subjects and discussions should be of great significance in the rational design and precise fabrication of PEMFC electrodes, and may also inspire similar subjects in other electrochemical energy technologies such as water electrolysis, CO2 reduction, and batteries.

Effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus. METHODS: The following databases were searched up to March 2020, including Web of Science, Pubmed, EBSCO, CNKI and Cochrane Library. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed by I2 index and funnel plots, respectively. In addition, Cochrane scale was used to evaluate the quality of research. RESULTS: Navicular height for three antipronation taping techniques significantly increased immediately post tape compared with baseline (mean difference = 4.86 mm, 95% CI = 2.86-6.87 mm, Z = 4.75, p < 0.001). The highest increase was observed in Augmented low-Dye (ALD). Modified low-Dye (MLD) was second only to ALD (p<0.001). Navicular height after walking for 10 min was much higher than baseline (p<0.001), with MLD decreased smaller than ALD. CONCLUSIONS: ALD was the most effective taping technique for controlling foot arch collapse immediately post tape compared with baseline, followed by MLD. By contrast, MLD could possibly performed better than ALD in maintaining immediate navicular height after walking for 10 min. Low-Dye could make resting calcaneal stance position closer to neutral position. Although positive effects of Navicular sling, low-Dye and Double X taping interventions were observed, they could not maintain this immediate navicular height effect after a period of higher intensity weight-bearing exercise.

Bibliometric Evaluation of Global Tai Chi Research from 1980-2020.

While studies on the health benefits of Tai Chi have sprung up over the past four decades, few have engaged in collecting global data, estimating the developing trends, and conducting reviews from the perspective of visualization and bibliometric analysis. This study aimed to provide a summary of the global scientific outputs on Tai Chi research from 1980 to 2020, explore the frontiers, identify cooperation networks, track research trends and highlight emerging hotspots. Relevant publications were downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database between 1980 and 2020. Bibliometric visualization and comparative analysis of authors, cited authors, journals, co-cited journals, institutions, countries, references, and keywords were systematically conducted using CiteSpace software. A total of 1078 publications satisfied the search criteria, and the trend of annual related publications was generally in an upward trend, although with some fluctuations. China (503) and Harvard University (74) were the most prolific country and institution, respectively. Most of the related researches were published in the journals with a focus on sport sciences, alternative medicine, geriatrics gerontology, and rehabilitation. Our results indicated that the current concerns and difficulties of Tai Chi research are "Intervention method", "Targeted therapy", "Applicable population", "Risk factors", and "Research quality". The frontiers and promising domains of Tai Chi exercise in the health science field are preventions and rehabilitations of "Fall risk", "Cardiorespiratory related disease", "Stroke", "Parkinson's disease", and "Depression", which should receive more attention in the future.

Effects of Tai Chi exercise on improving walking function and posture control in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: It remains unclear whether Tai Chi is effective for walking function and posture control improvements in aged populations with knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on improving walking function and posture control in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis by updating the latest trial evidence. METHODS: Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, PEDro, and Cochrane library were searched up to October 1, 2020 to identify RCTs evaluating Tai Chi for improving walking function and posture control in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The primary outcomes were walking function and posture control. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan Version 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 603 participants with knee osteoarthritis in the 11 trials were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: The Tai Chi group was associated with better performance in 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), time up and go test (TUG) and "Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index" Physical Function Score than the control group ([MD: 46.67, 95% CI 36.91-56.43, P < .001]), ([MD: -0.89, 95% CI -1.16 to -0.61, P < .001]), ([MD: -11.28, 95% CI -13.33 to -9.24, P < .001]). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provided evidence from 11 RCTs that Tai Chi could be an excellent physical training strategy for improving walking function and posture control in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Assuming that Tai Chi is at least effective and safe in most areas, it can be used as an adjuvant and reliable physical training strategy for walking function upgrading and balance control improvements for older patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Graphene oxide orientated by a magnetic field and application in sensitive detection of chemical oxygen demand.

An upright GO (UGO) modified screen-printed electrode was prepared with the help of the external magnetic field for improving its electrochemical performance. The ratio of GO: Nafion and the magnetic field intensity on the properties of UGO were examined by scanning electron microscope, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The magnetic field intensity does not influence the electron transfer kinetics but increase the number of active sites and therefore enhance the electroactive surface area. In addition, the UGO electrode that was electrodeposited Ni nanoparticles (denotes as Ni NPs/UGO modified electrode) display excellent oxidation towards glycine using chronoamperometry. The Ni NPs/UGO modified electrode indicated an excellent performance for electrochemical COD (chemical oxide demand) analysis with a linear detection range of 0.1-400 mg/L and a lower detection limit of 0.02 mg/L. Moreover, this Ni NPs/UGO modified electrode can be applied to the rapid determination of COD in general real water samples. The results were in agreement with those obtained by using the standard method (ISO 6060).

A nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide modified screen-printed electrode for amperometric determination of chemical oxygen demand.

A nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide (NiNP/Nf-GO) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) was developed for rapid and environmentally friendly electrochemical determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The morphology and the electrochemical performance of the SPEs with different surface modifications were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, amperometry, and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. Interestingly, incorporation of graphene oxide as supporting materials to the NiNP/Nf-GO modified SPE enables high catalyst loading and electrode contact, leading to excellent electrocatalytic oxidation ability. A flow detection system was constructed based the newly designed NiNP/Nf-GO modified SPE with USB connection, a 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell (TLFC), and a peristaltic pump. The flow detection system showed an excellent performance for COD analysis with a linear detection range of 0.1~400 mg L-1 and a lower detection limit of 0.05 mg L-1 with an oxidation potential of 0.45 V. The system was further applied to determine the COD in surface water samples. The results were consistent with those obtained by using the standard method (ISO 6060). Graphical abstract A novel nickel nanoparticle/nafion-graphene oxide (NiNP/Nf-GO) modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) with excellent electrocatalytic oxidation ability was designed and fabricated. This electrode with USB connection was applied in a flow detection system equipped with a 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell and a peristaltic pump for environmentally friendly electrochemical determination of chemical oxygen demand.

A New Electrochemical System Based on a Flow-Field Shaped Solid Electrode and 3D-Printed Thin-Layer Flow Cell: Detection of Pb2+ Ions by Continuous Flow Accumulation Square-Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry.

Here we describe a new and sensitive flow electrochemical detection system that employs a novel flow-field shaped solid electrode (FFSSE). The system was constructed with a 3D-printed thin-layer flow cell (TLFC) and a flat screen-printed FFSSE with USB connection. This interface facilitates continuous flow accumulation square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The flow distribution in the working space of TLFC was simulated using the finite element method (FEM) and the shape and configuration of electrodes were optimized accordingly. We demonstrated the electrochemical determination of Pb2+ using this newly designed TLFC-FFSSE detection system without removal of oxygen from samples. This TLFC-FFSSE based system showed an attractive stripping voltammetric performance compared to a traditional ASV based method. A linear range for detection of Pb2+ was found to be 0.5-100 µg/L (0.5 to 100 ppb) and a detection limit of 0.2 µg/L (0.2 ppb) was achieved in the presence of bismuth as codeposition metal. The system was further applied to detect Pb2+ in biological broths of methane fermentation. The electrochemical detection results were consistent with that obtained from atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) analysis and the average recovery was found to be 95.5-106.5% using a standard addition method. This new flow electrochemical detection system showed better sensitivity and reproducibility compared to a traditional ASV based method. Such a system offers great potential for on-site and real-time detection of heavy metals where compact, inexpensive, robust, and low-volume analysis is required.

[Influence of Light Source and Paper Color on the Exhibiting Preference of Traditional Calligraphy].

The Chinese calligraphy is a unique art of traditional Chinese culture. The core of color preference for Chinese calligraphy is figural preference, which is a special kind of color combination preference. Currently, the exhibition of calligraphy is always lack of scientific basis in the aspect of color science. In this research, the influence of light sources and paper color on the preference of traditional calligraphy was analyzed based on subjective and objective experiments. The relative spectral power distribution of 5 typical light sources (correlated color temperature: 2 500, 3 500, 4 500, 5 500 and 6 500 K) and spectral reflectance of 5 typical Chinese rice papers (white, orange, light white, red, yellow-white) were firstly measured and then transformed into CIEXYZ and CIECAM02 color space, respectively. Subsequently, the correlation between those colors attributes and 1 000 series of psychophysical experiment data from 40 observers on calligraphy exhibiting preference was analyzed. At last, the influence factors of the correlation were discussed form a multiple statistical point of view, such as normal distribution, correlation analysis and multiple regression. The experimental results indicated that the exhibiting preference of Chinese calligraphy is obviously different with that of ordinary color preference cases, for it is mainly affected by the attributes of lighting sources instead of the contrast of hue and lightness. The authors believe that the finding of the research will provided effective support for the development of calligraphy exhibiting in near future for museums and gallaries.

[Effect of post-liver transplantation administration of ursodeoxycholic acid on serum liver tests and biliary complications: a randomized clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: Endogenous hydrophobic bile acids may be a pathogenetic factor of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).This study was designed to investigate the effects of hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), when administered early after OLT, on serum liver tests and on the incidence of biliary complications. METHODS: A total of 112 adult patients undergoing OLT were randomly assigned to one of two groups for receipt of UDCA (13 to 15 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks, n=56) or a placebo (n=56). All patients underwent serum liver testing and measurement of serum bile acids during the 4 weeks following OLT.Patients with T-tube underwent measurement of biliary bile acids during the 4 weeks following OLT.Biliary complications, as well as patient and graft survival rates, were analyzed during the follow-up period (mean of 65.6 months). RESULTS: At post-OLT days 7, 21 and 28, the UDCA-treated patients showed significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (all P less than 0.05).In addition, the UDCA-treated patients showed significantly lower incidence of biliary sludge and casts within the first year post-OLT (3.6% vs.14.3%; x2=3.953, P=0.047). However, there were no significant differences for the incidence of other biliary complications at post-OLT years 1, 3 and 5.The graft and patient survival rates were also similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: UDCA, when administered early after OLT, improves results from serum liver tests and decreases the incidence of biliary sludge and casts within the first postoperative year.

The effect of adding a home program to weekly institutional-based therapy for children with undefined developmental delay: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Early rehabilitation for children with developmental delay without a defined etiology have included home and clinic programs, but no comparisons have been made and efficacy is uncertain. We compared a weekly visit for institutional-based therapy (IT) to IT plus a structured home activity program (HAP). METHODS: Seventy children who were diagnosed with motor or global developmental delay (ages 6-48 months and mean developmental age 12.5 months) without defined etiology were recruited (including 45 males and 23 females). The outcomes included the comprehensive developmental inventory for infants and toddlers test and the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory. RESULTS: Children who received only IT improved in developmental level by 2.11 months compared with 3.11 months for those who received a combination of IT and HAP (p = 0.000). On all domains of the comprehensive developmental inventory for infants and toddlers test, except for self-help, children who participated in HAP showed greater improvements, including in cognition (p = 0.015), language (p = 0.010), motor (p = 0.000), and social (p = 0.038) domains. Except on the subdomain of self-care with caregiver assistance, the HAP group showed greater improvement in all the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory subdomains (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early intervention programs are helpful for these children, and the addition of structured home activity programs may augment the effects on developmental progression.