The field of healthcare is considered to be the most promising application of intelligent sensor networks.However,the security and privacy protection ofmedical images collected by intelligent sensor networks is a hot ...The field of healthcare is considered to be the most promising application of intelligent sensor networks.However,the security and privacy protection ofmedical images collected by intelligent sensor networks is a hot problem that has attracted more and more attention.Fortunately,digital watermarking provides an effective method to solve this problem.In order to improve the robustness of the medical image watermarking scheme,in this paper,we propose a novel zero-watermarking algorithm with the integer wavelet transform(IWT),Schur decomposition and image block energy.Specifically,we first use IWT to extract low-frequency information and divide them into non-overlapping blocks,then we decompose the sub-blocks by Schur decomposition.After that,the feature matrix is constructed according to the relationship between the image block energy and the whole image energy.At the same time,we encrypt watermarking with the logistic chaotic position scrambling.Finally,the zero-watermarking is obtained by XOR operation with the encrypted watermarking.Three indexes of peak signal-to-noise ratio,normalization coefficient(NC)and the bit error rate(BER)are used to evaluate the robustness of the algorithm.According to the experimental results,most of the NC values are around 0.9 under various attacks,while the BER values are very close to 0.These experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is more robust than the existing zero-watermarking methods,which indicates it is more suitable for medical image privacy and security protection.展开更多
Background:Awareness of clinical medical and dental students towards stress induced oral ulcer,to determine the most prevalent stress induced oral ulcers among the study population,and the relationship between perceiv...Background:Awareness of clinical medical and dental students towards stress induced oral ulcer,to determine the most prevalent stress induced oral ulcers among the study population,and the relationship between perceived stress level and prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study,involving clinical Medical and Dental students in College of Medical Sciences,University of Benin.Participants were in their 400,500,and 600 levels respectively with a sample size of 226 calculated using the Cochran formula for sample size determination.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire.Results:Two hundred and twenty-six respondents were interviewed in this survey.The age of the participants varied from 21-30 years,with mean age of 25.5%.Majority of the respondents(66.4%)were aware of stress induced oral ulcer.The prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer in this study was 12.8% with recurrent aphthous ulcers accounting for a prevalence of 35.5% of all stress induced oral ulcers.Conclusion:Findings from this study shows about 66.4%of clinical Medical and Dental students were aware of stress induced oral ulcer.The prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer in this study was 12.8%and was seen more in males than females,with recurrent aphthous ulcer been the most prevalent stress induced oral ulcer among the study population with a prevalence of about 35.5%.展开更多
Granular segregation is widely observed in nature and industry.Most research has focused on segregation caused by differences in the size and density of spherical grains.However,due to the fact that grains typically h...Granular segregation is widely observed in nature and industry.Most research has focused on segregation caused by differences in the size and density of spherical grains.However,due to the fact that grains typically have different shapes,the focus is shifting towards shape segregation.In this study,experiments are conducted by mixing cubic and spherical grains.The results indicate that spherical grains gather at the center and cubic grains are distributed around them,and the degree of segregation is low.Through experiments,a structured analysis of local regions is conducted to explain the inability to form stable segregation patterns with obviously different geometric shapes.Further,through simulations,the reasons for the central and peripheral distributions are explained by comparing velocities and the number of collisions of the grains in the flow layer.展开更多
The reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the oral microbiota has been proposed to be important for oral health and results in nitricoxide formation that can improve cardiometabolic conditions.Studies of bacterial compos...The reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the oral microbiota has been proposed to be important for oral health and results in nitricoxide formation that can improve cardiometabolic conditions.Studies of bacterial composition in subgingival plaque suggest thatnitrate-reducing bacteria are associated with periodontal health,but the impact of periodontitis on nitrate-reducing capacity(NRC)and,therefore,nitric oxide availability has not been evaluated.The current study aimed to evaluate how periodontitis affects theNRC of the oral microbiota.First,16S rRNA sequencing data from five different countries were analyzed,revealing that nitratereducing bacteria were significantly lower in subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients compared with healthy individuals(P<0.05 in all five datasets with n=20–82 samples per dataset).Secondly,subgingival plaque,saliva,and plasma samples wereobtained from 42 periodontitis patients before and after periodontal treatment.The oral NRC was determined in vitro by incubatingsaliva with 8 mmol/L nitrate(a concentration found in saliva after nitrate-rich vegetable intake)and compared with the NRC of 15healthy individuals.Salivary NRC was found to be diminished in periodontal patients before treatment(P<0.05)but recovered tohealthy levels 90 days post-treatment.Additionally,the subgingival levels of nitrate-reducing bacteria increased after treatment andcorrelated negatively with periodontitis-associated bacteria(P<0.01).No significant effect of periodontal treatment on the baselinesaliva and plasma nitrate and nitrite levels was found,indicating that differences in the NRC may only be revealed after nitrateintake.Our results suggest that an impaired NRC in periodontitis could limit dietary nitrate-derived nitric oxide levels,and the effecton systemic health should be explored in future studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells(CCSCs)are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer(CRC)patients.CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sou...BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells(CCSCs)are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer(CRC)patients.CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sources of CRC and are responsible for the progression,metastasis,and therapeutic resistance of CRC.Therefore,targeting this specific subpopulation has been recognized as a promising strategy for overcoming CRC.AIM To investigate the effect of VX-509 on CCSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism.METHODS CCSCs were enriched from CRC cell lines by in conditioned serum-free medium.Western blot,Aldefluor,transwell and tumorigenesis assays were performed to verify the phenotypic characteristics of the CCSCs.The anticancer efficacy of VX-509 was assessed in HCT116 CCSCs and HT29 CCSCs by performing cell viability analysis,colony formation,sphere formation,flow cytometry,and western blotting assessments in vitro and tumor growth,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assessments in vivo.RESULTS Compared with parental cells,sphere cells derived from HCT116 and HT29 cells presented increased expression of stem cell transcription factors and stem cell markers and were more potent at promoting migration and tumori-genesis,demonstrating that the CRC sphere cells displayed CSC features.VX-509 inhibited the tumor malignant biological behavior of CRC-stem-like cells,as indicated by their proliferation,migration and clonality in vitro,and suppressed the tumor of CCSC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo.Besides,VX-509 suppressed the CSC character-istics of CRC-stem-like cells and inhibited the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)signaling in vitro.Nodal was identified as the regulatory factor of VX-509 on CRC stem-like cells through analyses of differen-tially expressed genes and CSC-related database information.VX-509 markedly downregulated the expression of Nodal and its downstream phosphorylated Smad2/3 to inhibit EMT progression.Moreover,VX-509 reversed the dedifferentiation of CCSCs and inhibited the progression of EMT induced by Nodal overexpression.CONCLUSION VX-509 prevents the EMT process in CCSCs by inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of Nodal,and inhibits the dedifferentiated self-renewal of CCSCs.展开更多
The aim of this review was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of exosomes, extracellular vesicles secreted by cells. They have emerged as potential therapeutic transporters for several diseases. This review provide...The aim of this review was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of exosomes, extracellular vesicles secreted by cells. They have emerged as potential therapeutic transporters for several diseases. This review provides an overview of exosomes’ therapeutic potential in cancer therapy and autoimmune conditions such as Coeliac Disease. The therapeutic effect is that the phospholipid-binding protein ANXA1 improves its anti-inflammatory properties. The review also analyzes the intricate processes of exosome production and composition ability to transport biomolecules such as proteins, microRNAs, and lipids, which promote intercellular communication and alter recipient cell behavior. Exosomes, linked to neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, present the means of targeted drug administration due to their innate specificity. Through genetic engineering and chemical modifications, exosomes can be tailored for specific purposes, demonstrating their versatility in targeted therapy. With ongoing research uncovering their therapeutic potential, exosomes present a promising frontier in novel medical treatments across various health conditions.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairments in the initial stage, which lead to severe cognitive dysfunction in the later stage. Action observation therapy (AOT) is...Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairments in the initial stage, which lead to severe cognitive dysfunction in the later stage. Action observation therapy (AOT) is a multisensory cognitive rehabilitation technique where the patient initially observes the actions and then tries to perform. The study aimed to examine the impact of AOT along with usual physiotherapy interventions to reduce depression, improve cognition and balance of a patient with AD. A 67 years old patient with AD was selected for this study because the patient has been suffering from depression, dementia, and physical dysfunction along with some other health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Before starting intervention, a baseline assessment was done through the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tool, the Mini-Cog Scale, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The patient received 12 sessions of AOT along with usual physiotherapy interventions thrice a week for four weeks, which included 45 minutes of each session. After four weeks of intervention, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in depression, cognition, and balance, whereas the BDI score declined from moderate 21/63 to mild 15/63 level of depression. The Mini-Cog score improved from 2/5 to 4/5, and the BBS score increased from 18/56 to 37/56. It is concluded that AOT along with usual physiotherapy intervention helps to reduce depression, improve cognition and balance of people with AD.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have a duty to maintain basic life support(BLS) skills. This study aims to evaluate medical students' factual knowledge of BLS and the training they receive.METHODS: A cross-se...BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have a duty to maintain basic life support(BLS) skills. This study aims to evaluate medical students' factual knowledge of BLS and the training they receive.METHODS: A cross-sectional, closed-response questionnaire was distributed to the fi rst-and fourth-year students studying at institutions in the United Kingdom. The paper questionnaire sought to quantify respondent's previous BLS training, factual knowledge of the BLS algorithm using five multiple choice questions(MCQs), and valuate their desire for further BLS training. Students received 1 point for each correctly identifi ed answer to the 5 MCQ's.RESULTS: A total of 3,732 complete responses were received from 21 medical schools. Eighty percent(n=2,999) of students completed a BLS course as part of their undergraduate medical studies. There was a signifi cant difference(P<0.001) in the percentage of the fourth-year students selecting the correct answer in all the MCQ's compared to the fi rst-year students except in identifyingthe correct depth of compressions required during CPR(P=0.095). Overall 10.3%(95% CI 9.9% to 10.7%) of respondents correctly identified the answer to 5 MCQ's on BLS: 9% of the first-year students(n=194) and 12% of the fourth-year students(n=190). On an institutional level the proportion of students answering all MCQ's correctly ranged from 2% to 54% at different universities. Eighty-one percent of students(n=3,031) wished for more BLS training in their curriculum.CONCLUSION: Factual knowledge of BLS is poor among medical students in the UK. There is a disparity in standards of knowledge across institutions and respondents indicating that they would like more training.展开更多
Nutritional status of a population or an individual could be assessed by clinical,biochemical and anthropometric means.It is widely used in the monitoring of growth and assessment of the nutritional status of children...Nutritional status of a population or an individual could be assessed by clinical,biochemical and anthropometric means.It is widely used in the monitoring of growth and assessment of the nutritional status of children and adults.Even though a large number of anthropometric studies is done in Nepal and Sri Lanka,on various projects related to the nutritional aspects,but only few have been done on anthropometry and due to lack of information on anthropometric data of Nepalese and Sri Lankan medical students,the present study was initiated at Nepal Medical college and Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya,Sri Lanka.The aim of the study was to measure height and weight of medical students of Nepal Medical College and Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya.A total of 1228(males 681;females 547)medical students participated in the study.The ratio of male to female was 1.24:1.The height was measured,to the nearest 0.1 cm without shoes,using a measuring tape affixed to the wall.The weight was recorded using weighing scale,with minimum clothes and without shoes to the nearest 0.1kg.Two tail unpaired t’test was performed to compare mean values.The percentile values were obtained using Microsoft excel for Windows 98.The age of the students varied from 18-26 years with a mean±SD of 20.77±1.17 and 20.90±1.10 in males and females respectively.The heights of the male and female medical students werel.65±0.08 and 1.61±0.08 and the weight was 59.70±9.26 and 55.54±9.16 respectively.The percentile values obtained for height and weight were compared with National Centre for Health statistics(NCHS) standards.The 50th percentile value of males height and weight corresponded to the 20th percentile and below the 20th percentile values respectively of the NCHS standard.The 50th percentile value of female’s height and weight corresponded to less than 10th and 15th percentiles respectively.The height and weight of only 9 males and 8 females were above the 50th percentile value of NCHS standards.The study reveals that the Nepalese medical students and Sri Lankan medical students are underweight and shorter compared to western standards.展开更多
AIM:To investigate whether screening for gallstone disease was economically feasible and clinically effective.METHODS:This clinical study was initially conducted in2002 in Taipei,Taiwan.The study cohort total included...AIM:To investigate whether screening for gallstone disease was economically feasible and clinically effective.METHODS:This clinical study was initially conducted in2002 in Taipei,Taiwan.The study cohort total included2386 healthy adults who were voluntarily admitted to a regional teaching hospital for a physical check-up.Annual follow-up screening with ultrasound sonography for gallstone disease continued until December 31,2007.A decision analysis using the Markov Decision Model was constructed to compare different screening regimes for gallstone disease.The economic evaluation included estimates of both the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of screening for gallstone disease.RESULTS:Direct costs included the cost of screening,regular clinical fees,laparoscopic cholecystectomy,and hospitalization.Indirect costs represent the loss of productivity attributable to the patient’s disease state,and were estimated using the gross domestic product for 2011 in Taiwan.Longer time intervals in screening for gallstone disease were associated with the reduced efficacy and utility of screening and with increased cost.The cost per life-year gained(average cost-effectiveness ratio)for annual screening,biennial screening,3-year screening,4-year screening,5-year screening,and no-screening was new Taiwan dollars(NTD)39076,NTD 58059,NTD 72168,NTD 104488,NTD 126941,and NTD 197473,respectively(P<0.05).The cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained by annual screening was NTD 40725;biennial screening,NTD64868;3-year screening,NTD 84532;4-year screening,NTD 110962;5-year screening,NTD 142053;and for the control group,NTD 202979(P<0.05).The threshold values indicated that the ultrasound sonography screening programs were highly sensitive to screening costs in a plausible range.CONCLUSION:Routine screening regime for gallstone disease is both medically and economically valuable.Annual screening for gallstone disease should be recommended.展开更多
Heart Failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by typical symptoms (e.g. breathlessness, ankle swelling and fatigue) that may be accompanied by signs (e.g. elevated jugular venous pressure, pulmonary crackles and peri...Heart Failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by typical symptoms (e.g. breathlessness, ankle swelling and fatigue) that may be accompanied by signs (e.g. elevated jugular venous pressure, pulmonary crackles and peripheral oedema) caused by a structural and/or functional cardiac abnormality, resulting in a reduced cardiac output and/or elevated intracardiac pressures at rest or during stress. Clinical studies investigating the aetiological patterns of heart failure in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) revealed that hypertension, cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease account for more than two-thirds of cardiac disease cases. The objective of this study therefore is to assess the pattern, precipitating factors and short term outcome of heart failure among patients admitted into our hospital. Method: The study was a prospective cross-sectional type conducted among in patients with heart failure in the medical ward of the hospital. Results: A total of three and fifty four (354) subjects were recruited into the study, comprising one hundred and twenty nine males (36.4%) and two hundred and twenty five (63.4%) females. Majority of the patients were admitted in NYHA functional class IV. This however improved to class II at discharge though few were discharged in NYHA class III. Heart failure secondary to progressive hypertensive heart disease was the most common (39.0%) followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy (22.6%) while idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (11.0%) and rheumatic heart disease (7.3%) were the third and fourth causes of heart failure respectively. The most common precipitating factor for heart failure in this study was chest infection (44.9%). In conclusion, the study revealed that progressive hypertensive heart disease was the leading cause of heart failure, followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy while idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease were ranked third and fourth causes of heart failure respectively. Though myocardial infarction is on the increase, it was found to be the fifth cause of heart failure. The study also identified the following precipitants of heart failure in decreasing order of occurrence: chest infection, non-adherence to prescription, and urinary tract infection.展开更多
Globally, there are an estimated 605 million people aged 60 years and above. Improvements in health care facilities have brought longevity, which is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the 20th centur...Globally, there are an estimated 605 million people aged 60 years and above. Improvements in health care facilities have brought longevity, which is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Objectives: To assess the morbidity pattern in geriatric people. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study. Results: Out of 208 aged 91 (43.7%) were males, 117 (56.25%) were females. Maximum number of males and females were from the age group 60 - 64 years. 117 (56.25%) had chronic problems and 15 (7.2%) acute. Musculo skeleton problem was the commonest (63%) complaint both in males and females, followed by cardio vascular problem (44%). Diabetes mellitus was more common in males than females and hypertension was more common in females than males. Chronic bronchitis was the commonest respiratory disorder in males (8.7%). Total 20 (9.6%) had psychological problems (depression), psychological problems more common in males 11 (12%) than females 9 (7.7%) Conclusion: The present study showed that chronic morbidity in elderly was significantly higher (56.3%) than acute (7.2%), most commonly affected system by chronic morbidity was musculo-skeletal followed by cardio vascular (CVS) and gastrointestinal (GIT). Psychological problems were more common in males (12%) than in females (7.7%). Psychological problems were more in lower socio-economic class-(V) than higher Class [1].展开更多
We study the ground states of attractive binary Bose-Einstein condensates with N particles,which are trapped in the steep potential wellsλV(x)inℝ2.We show that there exists a positive number N*such that if N>N*,th...We study the ground states of attractive binary Bose-Einstein condensates with N particles,which are trapped in the steep potential wellsλV(x)inℝ2.We show that there exists a positive number N*such that if N>N*,the system admits no ground state for anyλ>0.Moreover,there exist two positive numbers,M*andλ*(N),such that if N<M*,then for anyλ>λ*(N),the system admits at least one ground state.Asλ→∞,for any fixed N<M*,we give a detailed description for the limit behavior of both positive and semi-trivial ground states.展开更多
BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is the standard second-line treatment option for individuals with complications of decompensated cirrhosis,such as variceal bleeding and refractory ascites...BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is the standard second-line treatment option for individuals with complications of decompensated cirrhosis,such as variceal bleeding and refractory ascites.AIM To investigate whether recompensation existed in TIPS-treated patients with decompensated cirrhosis according to Baveno VII criteria.METHODS This retrospective analysis was performed on 64 patients who received TIPS for variceal bleeding or refractory ascites.The definition of recompensation referred to Baveno VII criteria and previous study.Clinical events,laboratory tests,and radiological examinations were regularly conducted during a preset follow-up period.The recompensation ratio in this cohort was calculated.Beyond that,univariate and multivariate regression models were conducted to identify the predictors of recompensation.RESULTS Of the 64 patients with a 12-mo follow-up,20(31%)achieved recompensation.Age[odds ratio(OR):1.124;95%confidence interval(CI):1.034-1.222]and postTIPS portal pressure gradient<12 mmHg(OR:0.119;95%CI:0.024-0.584)were identified as independent predictors of recompensation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis after TIPS.CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that nearly one-third of the TIPS-treated patients achieved recompensation within this cohort.According to our findings,recompensation is more likely to be achieved in younger patients.In addition,postoperative portal pressure gradient reduction below 12 mmHg contributes to the occurrence of recompensation.展开更多
The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing in epidemic proportions and has become one of the most critical public health concerns.Cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes are the leading cause o...The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing in epidemic proportions and has become one of the most critical public health concerns.Cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.The cardiovascular diseases that accompany diabetes include angina,myocardial infarction,stroke,peripheral artery disease,and congestive heart failure.Among the various risk factors generated secondary to hyperglycemic situations,advanced glycation end products(AGEs)are one of the important targets for future diagnosis and prevention of diabetes.In the last decade,AGEs have drawn a lot of attention due to their involvement in diabetic pathophysiology.AGEs can be derived exogenously and endogenously through various pathways.These are a nonhomogeneous,chemically diverse group of compounds formed nonenzymatically by condensation between carbonyl groups of reducing sugars and free amino groups of protein,lipids,and nucleic acid.AGEs mediate their pathological effects at the cellular and extracellular levels by multiple pathways.At the cellular level,they activate signaling cascades via the receptor for AGEs and initiate a complex series of intracellular signaling resulting in reactive oxygen species generation,inflammation,cellular proliferation,and fibrosis that may possibly exacerbate the damaging effects on cardiac functions in diabetics.AGEs also cause covalent modifications and cross-linking of serum and extracellular matrix proteins;altering their structure,stability,and functions.Early diagnosis of diabetes may prevent its progression to complications and decrease its associated comorbidities.In the present review,we recapitulate the role of AGEs as a crucial mediator of hyperglycemia-mediated detrimental effects in diabetes-associated complications.Furthermore,this review presents an overview of future perspectives for new therapeutic interventions to ameliorate cardiovascular complications in diabetes.展开更多
We employ a Hall-effect magnetic sensor array to accurately track the trajectory of a single magnetic sphere,referred to as the“intruder,”within a three-dimensional vibro-fluidized granular bed to unravel the underl...We employ a Hall-effect magnetic sensor array to accurately track the trajectory of a single magnetic sphere,referred to as the“intruder,”within a three-dimensional vibro-fluidized granular bed to unravel the underlying physical mechanism governing the motion of the intruder.Within the acceleration range of 3.5 g≥Γ≥1.5 g,we find that,regardless of the intruder's initial position,it consistently reaches the same equilibrium depth when the vibration acceleration(Γ)and frequency(ω)are fixed.ForΓ≤2.5 g,the equilibrium position lies on the surface of the granular bed,while forΓ>2.5 g,it shifts below the surface.Additionally,intruders with different densities exhibit varying equilibrium depths,with higher density resulting in a deeper equilibrium position.To understand the mechanism behind the intruder's upward or downward motion,we measure its rising or sinking velocities under different vibration parameters.Our findings demonstrate that the rising velocity of the intruder,under varying vibration accelerations(Γ)and frequencies(ω),can be collapsed using the ratioΓ/ω,while the sinking velocity remains unaffected by the vibration strength.This confirms that the upward motion of the larger sphere,associated with the Brazil nut effect,primarily arises from the void-filling mechanism of the bed particles.Furthermore,our experiments reveal that the presence of convection within the bed particles has minimal impact on the motion of the intruder.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) external therapy on knee osteoarthritis patients with different TCM constitutions using musculoskeletal ultrasonography and contrast...Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) external therapy on knee osteoarthritis patients with different TCM constitutions using musculoskeletal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and to explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in knee joint diseases. Methods: A total of 57 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2019 to May 2021 were collected, and they were divided into qi stagnation and blood stasis type group (23 cases) and cold-dampness obstruction type group (34 cases) according to the traditional Chinese medicine method. All patients were given acupuncture combined with TCM fumigation and washing. All patients underwent musculoskeletal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography before and after treatment, observed and recorded relevant data, and compared the treatment effects between the two groups. Results: 85.96% (49/57) of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients had suprapatellar bursa effusion, 42.1% (24/57) had iliotibial band bursae effusion, some of which had poor sound transmission, and thickened synovium was seen in most effusions, 33.33% (19/57) had osteophyte formation. Compared with before treatment, the depth of suprapatellar sac effusion in the Qi stagnation and blood stasis type group decreased after treatment (P Conclusion: Musculoskeletal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of TCM external therapy on KOA for different TCM constitutions. Dynamic observation of synovial lesions of knee osteoarthritis provides a valuable imaging method for evaluating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.展开更多
The central nervous system(CNS)is a reservoir of immune privilege.Specialized immune glial cells are responsible for maintenance and defense against foreign invaders.The blood–brain barrier(BBB)prevents detrimental p...The central nervous system(CNS)is a reservoir of immune privilege.Specialized immune glial cells are responsible for maintenance and defense against foreign invaders.The blood–brain barrier(BBB)prevents detrimental pathogens and potentially overreactive immune cells from entering the periphery.When the double-edged neuroinflammatory response is overloaded,it no longer has the protective function of promoting neuroregeneration.Notably,microbiota and its derivatives may emerge as pathogen-associated molecular patterns of brain pathology,causing microbiome–gut–brain axis dysregulation from the bottom-up.When dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal flora leads to subsequent alterations in BBB permeability,peripheral immune cells are recruited to the brain.This results in amplification of neuroinflammatory circuits in the brain,which eventually leads to specific neurological disorders.Aggressive treatment strategies for gastrointestinal disorders may protect against specific immune responses to gastrointestinal disorders,which can lead to potential protective effects in the CNS.Accordingly,this study investigated the mutual effects of microbiota and the gut–brain axis,which may provide targeting strategies for future disease treatment.展开更多
基金supported in part by the Hainan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No.620MS067)the Intelligent Medical Project of Chongqing Medical University (ZHYXQNRC202101)the Student Scientific Research and Innovation Experiment Project of the Medical Information College of Chongqing Medical University (No.2020C006).
文摘The field of healthcare is considered to be the most promising application of intelligent sensor networks.However,the security and privacy protection ofmedical images collected by intelligent sensor networks is a hot problem that has attracted more and more attention.Fortunately,digital watermarking provides an effective method to solve this problem.In order to improve the robustness of the medical image watermarking scheme,in this paper,we propose a novel zero-watermarking algorithm with the integer wavelet transform(IWT),Schur decomposition and image block energy.Specifically,we first use IWT to extract low-frequency information and divide them into non-overlapping blocks,then we decompose the sub-blocks by Schur decomposition.After that,the feature matrix is constructed according to the relationship between the image block energy and the whole image energy.At the same time,we encrypt watermarking with the logistic chaotic position scrambling.Finally,the zero-watermarking is obtained by XOR operation with the encrypted watermarking.Three indexes of peak signal-to-noise ratio,normalization coefficient(NC)and the bit error rate(BER)are used to evaluate the robustness of the algorithm.According to the experimental results,most of the NC values are around 0.9 under various attacks,while the BER values are very close to 0.These experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is more robust than the existing zero-watermarking methods,which indicates it is more suitable for medical image privacy and security protection.
文摘Background:Awareness of clinical medical and dental students towards stress induced oral ulcer,to determine the most prevalent stress induced oral ulcers among the study population,and the relationship between perceived stress level and prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study,involving clinical Medical and Dental students in College of Medical Sciences,University of Benin.Participants were in their 400,500,and 600 levels respectively with a sample size of 226 calculated using the Cochran formula for sample size determination.Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire.Results:Two hundred and twenty-six respondents were interviewed in this survey.The age of the participants varied from 21-30 years,with mean age of 25.5%.Majority of the respondents(66.4%)were aware of stress induced oral ulcer.The prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer in this study was 12.8% with recurrent aphthous ulcers accounting for a prevalence of 35.5% of all stress induced oral ulcers.Conclusion:Findings from this study shows about 66.4%of clinical Medical and Dental students were aware of stress induced oral ulcer.The prevalence of stress induced oral ulcer in this study was 12.8%and was seen more in males than females,with recurrent aphthous ulcer been the most prevalent stress induced oral ulcer among the study population with a prevalence of about 35.5%.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.12072200 and 12372384)。
文摘Granular segregation is widely observed in nature and industry.Most research has focused on segregation caused by differences in the size and density of spherical grains.However,due to the fact that grains typically have different shapes,the focus is shifting towards shape segregation.In this study,experiments are conducted by mixing cubic and spherical grains.The results indicate that spherical grains gather at the center and cubic grains are distributed around them,and the degree of segregation is low.Through experiments,a structured analysis of local regions is conducted to explain the inability to form stable segregation patterns with obviously different geometric shapes.Further,through simulations,the reasons for the central and peripheral distributions are explained by comparing velocities and the number of collisions of the grains in the flow layer.
基金funded by grants from EU Marie Curie ITN RAPID(grant number 290246)Versus Arthritis(Grant Number 20823)+4 种基金the BBSRC(BB/P504567/1)supported by a student stipend from the University of Glasgow and Dentsply Sirona(Project Number 300881)supported by a grant from the European Regional Development Fund and the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation and Universities with the reference RTI2018-102032-B-I00the Valencian Innovation Agency with the reference INNVAL20/19/006supported by an FPI fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science,Innovation,and Universities with the reference Bio2015-68711-R。
文摘The reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the oral microbiota has been proposed to be important for oral health and results in nitricoxide formation that can improve cardiometabolic conditions.Studies of bacterial composition in subgingival plaque suggest thatnitrate-reducing bacteria are associated with periodontal health,but the impact of periodontitis on nitrate-reducing capacity(NRC)and,therefore,nitric oxide availability has not been evaluated.The current study aimed to evaluate how periodontitis affects theNRC of the oral microbiota.First,16S rRNA sequencing data from five different countries were analyzed,revealing that nitratereducing bacteria were significantly lower in subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients compared with healthy individuals(P<0.05 in all five datasets with n=20–82 samples per dataset).Secondly,subgingival plaque,saliva,and plasma samples wereobtained from 42 periodontitis patients before and after periodontal treatment.The oral NRC was determined in vitro by incubatingsaliva with 8 mmol/L nitrate(a concentration found in saliva after nitrate-rich vegetable intake)and compared with the NRC of 15healthy individuals.Salivary NRC was found to be diminished in periodontal patients before treatment(P<0.05)but recovered tohealthy levels 90 days post-treatment.Additionally,the subgingival levels of nitrate-reducing bacteria increased after treatment andcorrelated negatively with periodontitis-associated bacteria(P<0.01).No significant effect of periodontal treatment on the baselinesaliva and plasma nitrate and nitrite levels was found,indicating that differences in the NRC may only be revealed after nitrateintake.Our results suggest that an impaired NRC in periodontitis could limit dietary nitrate-derived nitric oxide levels,and the effecton systemic health should be explored in future studies.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82074298Chengdu Science and Technology Bureau Project,No.2021-YF05-01726-SN“Xinglin Scholars”Research Promotion Program of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,No.QJRC2022007.
文摘BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer stem cells(CCSCs)are heterogeneous cells that can self-renew and undergo multidirectional differentiation in colorectal cancer(CRC)patients.CCSCs are generally accepted to be important sources of CRC and are responsible for the progression,metastasis,and therapeutic resistance of CRC.Therefore,targeting this specific subpopulation has been recognized as a promising strategy for overcoming CRC.AIM To investigate the effect of VX-509 on CCSCs and elucidate the underlying mechanism.METHODS CCSCs were enriched from CRC cell lines by in conditioned serum-free medium.Western blot,Aldefluor,transwell and tumorigenesis assays were performed to verify the phenotypic characteristics of the CCSCs.The anticancer efficacy of VX-509 was assessed in HCT116 CCSCs and HT29 CCSCs by performing cell viability analysis,colony formation,sphere formation,flow cytometry,and western blotting assessments in vitro and tumor growth,immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assessments in vivo.RESULTS Compared with parental cells,sphere cells derived from HCT116 and HT29 cells presented increased expression of stem cell transcription factors and stem cell markers and were more potent at promoting migration and tumori-genesis,demonstrating that the CRC sphere cells displayed CSC features.VX-509 inhibited the tumor malignant biological behavior of CRC-stem-like cells,as indicated by their proliferation,migration and clonality in vitro,and suppressed the tumor of CCSC-derived xenograft tumors in vivo.Besides,VX-509 suppressed the CSC character-istics of CRC-stem-like cells and inhibited the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)signaling in vitro.Nodal was identified as the regulatory factor of VX-509 on CRC stem-like cells through analyses of differen-tially expressed genes and CSC-related database information.VX-509 markedly downregulated the expression of Nodal and its downstream phosphorylated Smad2/3 to inhibit EMT progression.Moreover,VX-509 reversed the dedifferentiation of CCSCs and inhibited the progression of EMT induced by Nodal overexpression.CONCLUSION VX-509 prevents the EMT process in CCSCs by inhibiting the transcription and protein expression of Nodal,and inhibits the dedifferentiated self-renewal of CCSCs.
文摘The aim of this review was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of exosomes, extracellular vesicles secreted by cells. They have emerged as potential therapeutic transporters for several diseases. This review provides an overview of exosomes’ therapeutic potential in cancer therapy and autoimmune conditions such as Coeliac Disease. The therapeutic effect is that the phospholipid-binding protein ANXA1 improves its anti-inflammatory properties. The review also analyzes the intricate processes of exosome production and composition ability to transport biomolecules such as proteins, microRNAs, and lipids, which promote intercellular communication and alter recipient cell behavior. Exosomes, linked to neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, present the means of targeted drug administration due to their innate specificity. Through genetic engineering and chemical modifications, exosomes can be tailored for specific purposes, demonstrating their versatility in targeted therapy. With ongoing research uncovering their therapeutic potential, exosomes present a promising frontier in novel medical treatments across various health conditions.
文摘Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairments in the initial stage, which lead to severe cognitive dysfunction in the later stage. Action observation therapy (AOT) is a multisensory cognitive rehabilitation technique where the patient initially observes the actions and then tries to perform. The study aimed to examine the impact of AOT along with usual physiotherapy interventions to reduce depression, improve cognition and balance of a patient with AD. A 67 years old patient with AD was selected for this study because the patient has been suffering from depression, dementia, and physical dysfunction along with some other health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Before starting intervention, a baseline assessment was done through the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tool, the Mini-Cog Scale, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The patient received 12 sessions of AOT along with usual physiotherapy interventions thrice a week for four weeks, which included 45 minutes of each session. After four weeks of intervention, the patient demonstrated significant improvement in depression, cognition, and balance, whereas the BDI score declined from moderate 21/63 to mild 15/63 level of depression. The Mini-Cog score improved from 2/5 to 4/5, and the BBS score increased from 18/56 to 37/56. It is concluded that AOT along with usual physiotherapy intervention helps to reduce depression, improve cognition and balance of people with AD.
文摘BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals have a duty to maintain basic life support(BLS) skills. This study aims to evaluate medical students' factual knowledge of BLS and the training they receive.METHODS: A cross-sectional, closed-response questionnaire was distributed to the fi rst-and fourth-year students studying at institutions in the United Kingdom. The paper questionnaire sought to quantify respondent's previous BLS training, factual knowledge of the BLS algorithm using five multiple choice questions(MCQs), and valuate their desire for further BLS training. Students received 1 point for each correctly identifi ed answer to the 5 MCQ's.RESULTS: A total of 3,732 complete responses were received from 21 medical schools. Eighty percent(n=2,999) of students completed a BLS course as part of their undergraduate medical studies. There was a signifi cant difference(P<0.001) in the percentage of the fourth-year students selecting the correct answer in all the MCQ's compared to the fi rst-year students except in identifyingthe correct depth of compressions required during CPR(P=0.095). Overall 10.3%(95% CI 9.9% to 10.7%) of respondents correctly identified the answer to 5 MCQ's on BLS: 9% of the first-year students(n=194) and 12% of the fourth-year students(n=190). On an institutional level the proportion of students answering all MCQ's correctly ranged from 2% to 54% at different universities. Eighty-one percent of students(n=3,031) wished for more BLS training in their curriculum.CONCLUSION: Factual knowledge of BLS is poor among medical students in the UK. There is a disparity in standards of knowledge across institutions and respondents indicating that they would like more training.
文摘Nutritional status of a population or an individual could be assessed by clinical,biochemical and anthropometric means.It is widely used in the monitoring of growth and assessment of the nutritional status of children and adults.Even though a large number of anthropometric studies is done in Nepal and Sri Lanka,on various projects related to the nutritional aspects,but only few have been done on anthropometry and due to lack of information on anthropometric data of Nepalese and Sri Lankan medical students,the present study was initiated at Nepal Medical college and Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya,Sri Lanka.The aim of the study was to measure height and weight of medical students of Nepal Medical College and Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya.A total of 1228(males 681;females 547)medical students participated in the study.The ratio of male to female was 1.24:1.The height was measured,to the nearest 0.1 cm without shoes,using a measuring tape affixed to the wall.The weight was recorded using weighing scale,with minimum clothes and without shoes to the nearest 0.1kg.Two tail unpaired t’test was performed to compare mean values.The percentile values were obtained using Microsoft excel for Windows 98.The age of the students varied from 18-26 years with a mean±SD of 20.77±1.17 and 20.90±1.10 in males and females respectively.The heights of the male and female medical students werel.65±0.08 and 1.61±0.08 and the weight was 59.70±9.26 and 55.54±9.16 respectively.The percentile values obtained for height and weight were compared with National Centre for Health statistics(NCHS) standards.The 50th percentile value of males height and weight corresponded to the 20th percentile and below the 20th percentile values respectively of the NCHS standard.The 50th percentile value of female’s height and weight corresponded to less than 10th and 15th percentiles respectively.The height and weight of only 9 males and 8 females were above the 50th percentile value of NCHS standards.The study reveals that the Nepalese medical students and Sri Lankan medical students are underweight and shorter compared to western standards.
基金Supported by Grant from the National Science Council,No.NSC-98-2314-B-350-002-MY3(in part)
文摘AIM:To investigate whether screening for gallstone disease was economically feasible and clinically effective.METHODS:This clinical study was initially conducted in2002 in Taipei,Taiwan.The study cohort total included2386 healthy adults who were voluntarily admitted to a regional teaching hospital for a physical check-up.Annual follow-up screening with ultrasound sonography for gallstone disease continued until December 31,2007.A decision analysis using the Markov Decision Model was constructed to compare different screening regimes for gallstone disease.The economic evaluation included estimates of both the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of screening for gallstone disease.RESULTS:Direct costs included the cost of screening,regular clinical fees,laparoscopic cholecystectomy,and hospitalization.Indirect costs represent the loss of productivity attributable to the patient’s disease state,and were estimated using the gross domestic product for 2011 in Taiwan.Longer time intervals in screening for gallstone disease were associated with the reduced efficacy and utility of screening and with increased cost.The cost per life-year gained(average cost-effectiveness ratio)for annual screening,biennial screening,3-year screening,4-year screening,5-year screening,and no-screening was new Taiwan dollars(NTD)39076,NTD 58059,NTD 72168,NTD 104488,NTD 126941,and NTD 197473,respectively(P<0.05).The cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained by annual screening was NTD 40725;biennial screening,NTD64868;3-year screening,NTD 84532;4-year screening,NTD 110962;5-year screening,NTD 142053;and for the control group,NTD 202979(P<0.05).The threshold values indicated that the ultrasound sonography screening programs were highly sensitive to screening costs in a plausible range.CONCLUSION:Routine screening regime for gallstone disease is both medically and economically valuable.Annual screening for gallstone disease should be recommended.
文摘Heart Failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by typical symptoms (e.g. breathlessness, ankle swelling and fatigue) that may be accompanied by signs (e.g. elevated jugular venous pressure, pulmonary crackles and peripheral oedema) caused by a structural and/or functional cardiac abnormality, resulting in a reduced cardiac output and/or elevated intracardiac pressures at rest or during stress. Clinical studies investigating the aetiological patterns of heart failure in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) revealed that hypertension, cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease account for more than two-thirds of cardiac disease cases. The objective of this study therefore is to assess the pattern, precipitating factors and short term outcome of heart failure among patients admitted into our hospital. Method: The study was a prospective cross-sectional type conducted among in patients with heart failure in the medical ward of the hospital. Results: A total of three and fifty four (354) subjects were recruited into the study, comprising one hundred and twenty nine males (36.4%) and two hundred and twenty five (63.4%) females. Majority of the patients were admitted in NYHA functional class IV. This however improved to class II at discharge though few were discharged in NYHA class III. Heart failure secondary to progressive hypertensive heart disease was the most common (39.0%) followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy (22.6%) while idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (11.0%) and rheumatic heart disease (7.3%) were the third and fourth causes of heart failure respectively. The most common precipitating factor for heart failure in this study was chest infection (44.9%). In conclusion, the study revealed that progressive hypertensive heart disease was the leading cause of heart failure, followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy while idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and rheumatic heart disease were ranked third and fourth causes of heart failure respectively. Though myocardial infarction is on the increase, it was found to be the fifth cause of heart failure. The study also identified the following precipitants of heart failure in decreasing order of occurrence: chest infection, non-adherence to prescription, and urinary tract infection.
文摘Globally, there are an estimated 605 million people aged 60 years and above. Improvements in health care facilities have brought longevity, which is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Objectives: To assess the morbidity pattern in geriatric people. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study. Results: Out of 208 aged 91 (43.7%) were males, 117 (56.25%) were females. Maximum number of males and females were from the age group 60 - 64 years. 117 (56.25%) had chronic problems and 15 (7.2%) acute. Musculo skeleton problem was the commonest (63%) complaint both in males and females, followed by cardio vascular problem (44%). Diabetes mellitus was more common in males than females and hypertension was more common in females than males. Chronic bronchitis was the commonest respiratory disorder in males (8.7%). Total 20 (9.6%) had psychological problems (depression), psychological problems more common in males 11 (12%) than females 9 (7.7%) Conclusion: The present study showed that chronic morbidity in elderly was significantly higher (56.3%) than acute (7.2%), most commonly affected system by chronic morbidity was musculo-skeletal followed by cardio vascular (CVS) and gastrointestinal (GIT). Psychological problems were more common in males (12%) than in females (7.7%). Psychological problems were more in lower socio-economic class-(V) than higher Class [1].
基金supported by NSFC(12075102 and 11971212)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(lzujbky-2020-pd01)。
文摘We study the ground states of attractive binary Bose-Einstein condensates with N particles,which are trapped in the steep potential wellsλV(x)inℝ2.We show that there exists a positive number N*such that if N>N*,the system admits no ground state for anyλ>0.Moreover,there exist two positive numbers,M*andλ*(N),such that if N<M*,then for anyλ>λ*(N),the system admits at least one ground state.Asλ→∞,for any fixed N<M*,we give a detailed description for the limit behavior of both positive and semi-trivial ground states.
基金Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82200650Key Research and Development(R and D)Projects of Shanxi Province,No.202102130501014+3 种基金Shanxi Provincial Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine,No.202204010501004Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,No.202203021211021Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,No.202203021212046Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province,No.20210302123258.
文摘BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is the standard second-line treatment option for individuals with complications of decompensated cirrhosis,such as variceal bleeding and refractory ascites.AIM To investigate whether recompensation existed in TIPS-treated patients with decompensated cirrhosis according to Baveno VII criteria.METHODS This retrospective analysis was performed on 64 patients who received TIPS for variceal bleeding or refractory ascites.The definition of recompensation referred to Baveno VII criteria and previous study.Clinical events,laboratory tests,and radiological examinations were regularly conducted during a preset follow-up period.The recompensation ratio in this cohort was calculated.Beyond that,univariate and multivariate regression models were conducted to identify the predictors of recompensation.RESULTS Of the 64 patients with a 12-mo follow-up,20(31%)achieved recompensation.Age[odds ratio(OR):1.124;95%confidence interval(CI):1.034-1.222]and postTIPS portal pressure gradient<12 mmHg(OR:0.119;95%CI:0.024-0.584)were identified as independent predictors of recompensation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis after TIPS.CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that nearly one-third of the TIPS-treated patients achieved recompensation within this cohort.According to our findings,recompensation is more likely to be achieved in younger patients.In addition,postoperative portal pressure gradient reduction below 12 mmHg contributes to the occurrence of recompensation.
文摘The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is growing in epidemic proportions and has become one of the most critical public health concerns.Cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.The cardiovascular diseases that accompany diabetes include angina,myocardial infarction,stroke,peripheral artery disease,and congestive heart failure.Among the various risk factors generated secondary to hyperglycemic situations,advanced glycation end products(AGEs)are one of the important targets for future diagnosis and prevention of diabetes.In the last decade,AGEs have drawn a lot of attention due to their involvement in diabetic pathophysiology.AGEs can be derived exogenously and endogenously through various pathways.These are a nonhomogeneous,chemically diverse group of compounds formed nonenzymatically by condensation between carbonyl groups of reducing sugars and free amino groups of protein,lipids,and nucleic acid.AGEs mediate their pathological effects at the cellular and extracellular levels by multiple pathways.At the cellular level,they activate signaling cascades via the receptor for AGEs and initiate a complex series of intracellular signaling resulting in reactive oxygen species generation,inflammation,cellular proliferation,and fibrosis that may possibly exacerbate the damaging effects on cardiac functions in diabetics.AGEs also cause covalent modifications and cross-linking of serum and extracellular matrix proteins;altering their structure,stability,and functions.Early diagnosis of diabetes may prevent its progression to complications and decrease its associated comorbidities.In the present review,we recapitulate the role of AGEs as a crucial mediator of hyperglycemia-mediated detrimental effects in diabetes-associated complications.Furthermore,this review presents an overview of future perspectives for new therapeutic interventions to ameliorate cardiovascular complications in diabetes.
基金Project supported by the Space Application System of China Manned Space Programthe National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12072200 and 12002213)。
文摘We employ a Hall-effect magnetic sensor array to accurately track the trajectory of a single magnetic sphere,referred to as the“intruder,”within a three-dimensional vibro-fluidized granular bed to unravel the underlying physical mechanism governing the motion of the intruder.Within the acceleration range of 3.5 g≥Γ≥1.5 g,we find that,regardless of the intruder's initial position,it consistently reaches the same equilibrium depth when the vibration acceleration(Γ)and frequency(ω)are fixed.ForΓ≤2.5 g,the equilibrium position lies on the surface of the granular bed,while forΓ>2.5 g,it shifts below the surface.Additionally,intruders with different densities exhibit varying equilibrium depths,with higher density resulting in a deeper equilibrium position.To understand the mechanism behind the intruder's upward or downward motion,we measure its rising or sinking velocities under different vibration parameters.Our findings demonstrate that the rising velocity of the intruder,under varying vibration accelerations(Γ)and frequencies(ω),can be collapsed using the ratioΓ/ω,while the sinking velocity remains unaffected by the vibration strength.This confirms that the upward motion of the larger sphere,associated with the Brazil nut effect,primarily arises from the void-filling mechanism of the bed particles.Furthermore,our experiments reveal that the presence of convection within the bed particles has minimal impact on the motion of the intruder.
文摘Objective: To evaluate the curative effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) external therapy on knee osteoarthritis patients with different TCM constitutions using musculoskeletal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, and to explore the application value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in knee joint diseases. Methods: A total of 57 patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2019 to May 2021 were collected, and they were divided into qi stagnation and blood stasis type group (23 cases) and cold-dampness obstruction type group (34 cases) according to the traditional Chinese medicine method. All patients were given acupuncture combined with TCM fumigation and washing. All patients underwent musculoskeletal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography before and after treatment, observed and recorded relevant data, and compared the treatment effects between the two groups. Results: 85.96% (49/57) of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients had suprapatellar bursa effusion, 42.1% (24/57) had iliotibial band bursae effusion, some of which had poor sound transmission, and thickened synovium was seen in most effusions, 33.33% (19/57) had osteophyte formation. Compared with before treatment, the depth of suprapatellar sac effusion in the Qi stagnation and blood stasis type group decreased after treatment (P Conclusion: Musculoskeletal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of TCM external therapy on KOA for different TCM constitutions. Dynamic observation of synovial lesions of knee osteoarthritis provides a valuable imaging method for evaluating the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.
文摘The central nervous system(CNS)is a reservoir of immune privilege.Specialized immune glial cells are responsible for maintenance and defense against foreign invaders.The blood–brain barrier(BBB)prevents detrimental pathogens and potentially overreactive immune cells from entering the periphery.When the double-edged neuroinflammatory response is overloaded,it no longer has the protective function of promoting neuroregeneration.Notably,microbiota and its derivatives may emerge as pathogen-associated molecular patterns of brain pathology,causing microbiome–gut–brain axis dysregulation from the bottom-up.When dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal flora leads to subsequent alterations in BBB permeability,peripheral immune cells are recruited to the brain.This results in amplification of neuroinflammatory circuits in the brain,which eventually leads to specific neurological disorders.Aggressive treatment strategies for gastrointestinal disorders may protect against specific immune responses to gastrointestinal disorders,which can lead to potential protective effects in the CNS.Accordingly,this study investigated the mutual effects of microbiota and the gut–brain axis,which may provide targeting strategies for future disease treatment.
