NLRC5 exerts anti-endometriosis effects through inhibiting ERβ-mediated inflammatory response.

Background: Endometriosis is well known as a chronic inflammatory disease. The development of endometriosis is heavily influenced by the estrogen receptor β (ERβ), while NOD-like receptors (NLRs) family CARD domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties during endometriosis. However, whether NLRC5-mediated anti-inflammation is involved in the ERβ-mediated endometriosis is still uncertain.

Fourier-Based Frequency Space Disentanglement and Augmentation for Generalizable Face Anti-Spoofing.

Generalizing face anti-spoofing (FAS) models to unseen distributions is challenging due to domain shifts. Previous domain generalization (DG) based FAS methods focus on learning invariant features across domains in the spatial space, which may be ineffective in detecting subtle spoof patterns. In this paper, we propose a novel approach called Frequency Space Disentanglement and Augmentation (FSDA) for generalizable FAS.

Assessment of left atrial function in patients with metabolic syndrome by four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantification.

Objective: This study aimed at assessing the changes of left atrial (LA) volume and strain function in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients using four-dimensional automatic left atrial quantification (4D-LAQ) and exploring independent correlative factors for LA function.

Methods: A total of 110 MS patients and 70 normal controls were selected and assigned into the MS group and the control group, respectively. Echocardiogram parameters were routinely examined and the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) were measured with a parasternal long axis of left ventricle(LV).

Evaluation of global and regional myocardial work in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients by left ventricular pressure-strain loop.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the value of left ventricular (LV) press-strain loop (PSL) in evaluating global and regional myocardial work (MW) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.

Methods: A total of 30 HCM patients with interventricular septum hypertrophy (HCM group) and 35 healthy subjects (control group) were selected from First Hospital of Qinhuangdao. The general clinical data and conventional ultrasound parameters of two groups were acquired.

Association between epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome.

Given the inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of EAT thickness and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 194 participants imaged with echocardiography were evaluated. In accordance with the median EAT thickness, MS patients fell into thin EAT group and thick EAT group.

Efficacy and safety of anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for distal humerus fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to summarize available evidence of anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for patients with distal humerus fractures.

Materials And Methods: The databases were searched from PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Database (VIP), and Wan Fang Database up to June 2022. The clinical outcome included operation time, fracture healing time, hospital stays, elbow joint function, and ulnar neuritis rate.

Evaluation of carotid plaque vulnerability with different echoes by shear wave elastography and CEUS.

Objective: Using shear wave elastography (SWE) and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)to examine carotid plaques with different echoes, and explore a reliable method to quantify characteristics associated with vulnerable carotid plaques.

Methods: 2D ultrasound, SWE and CEUS were performed on 244 carotid plaques, and the echoes were evaluated according to the Gray-Weale classification scale and gray-scale median (GSM), and the mean Young's modulus (YM) of the plaque was measured and the intraplaque neovascularization was observed to investigate the relationship between carotid plaque types with different echo characteristics, GSM and the values of each parameter of YM and CEUS. The relationship between GSM and YM and CEUS values was investigated.

The efficacy of "TiRobot"orthopaedic robot-assisted VS conventional fluoroscopic percutaneous screw fixation of the sacroiliac joint.

Purpose: This study is to compare the precision and safety of the orthopaedic robot with conventional fluoroscopy for assisted percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw implantation.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 57 patients with unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries who were admitted and met the criteria between January 2017 and January 2022. All of these patients underwent percutaneous sacroiliac joint screw implantation, and their clinical data were split into two groups based on the surgical technique: a RA group (robot-assisted implantation, 30 patients, 54 screws) and a CF group (conventional fluoroscopic freehand implantation, 27 patients, 42 screws).

Proline-rich protein from S. mutans can perform a competitive mineralization function to enhance bacterial adhesion to teeth.

A proline-rich region was found in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) surface antigen I/II (Ag I/II). The functions of this region were explored to determine its role in the cariogenic abilities of S.

Adsorption Behavior of Environmental Gas Molecules on Pristine and Defective MoSiN: Possible Application as Highly Sensitive and Reusable Gas Sensors.

Inspired by the recent practical application of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials as gas sensors, catalysts, and materials for waste gas disposal, herein, the adsorption behaviors of environmental gas molecules, including NO, CO, O, CO, NO, HO, HS, and NH, on the 2D pristine and defective MoSiN (MSN) monolayers were systematically investigated using spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results reveal that all the gas molecules are physically adsorbed on the MSN surface with small charge transfer, but the electronic structures of NO, NO, and O are obviously modified due to the in-gap states. The introduction of N vacancy on the MSN surface enhances the interaction between gas molecules and the substrate, especially for NO and O.

TiRobot-Assisted Percutaneous Cannulated Screw Fixation in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fractures: A Minimum 2-Year Follow-up of 50 Patients.

Objective: To assess the long-term clinical efficacy of TiRobot-assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients with unilateral femoral neck fractures who were treated with TiRobot-assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation from September 2017 to May 2018. After at least 2 years of follow-up, the results of treatment, including operation duration, frequency of fluoroscopy use, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, medical expense, screw placement accuracy, rate of fracture healing and necrosis of the femoral head, and Harris hip scores at the last follow up, were recorded and compared with those of 83 matched patients who underwent conventional manual positioning surgery.

Effect of changes in serum levels of endogenous hydrogen sulfide on fracture healing: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant).

Background: Fracture is a common disease; many factors affect fracture healing. Recent studies have confirmed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays an essential role in bone formation, but most of these studies are drawing conclusions based on animal experiment; whether H2S could promote fracture healing in patients is still unclear. We aim to investigate the change of serum H2S in fracture patients, and analyze its effort on fracture healing.

Theoretical screening of efficient single-atom catalysts for nitrogen fixation based on a defective BN monolayer.

The electrocatalytic reduction of naturally abundant N2 to NH3 is an attractive approach to replace the Haber-Bosch nitrogen-fixation process that causes enormous energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, designing high-performance catalysts toward the electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (eNRR) remains one of the greatest challenges in this area. Herein, high-throughput screening of catalysts for the NRR among a series of transition metal atoms supported on a defective hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheet is performed through spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) computations.

Novel Atraumatic End-to-Side Repair Model Exhibits Robust Collateral Sprouting Independent of Donor Fiber Injury.

Background: A central issue underlying end-to-side neurorrhaphy technique is whether injury to the donor nerve fibers is necessary for successful reinnervation of the recipient nerve. To address this question, the authors developed a novel atraumatic end-to-side neurorrhaphy model that uses the preexisting anatomical structure of the median nerve as the Y-chamber to study the mechanism of collateral sprouting.

Methods: In this rat forelimb model, the authors transected the musculocutaneous nerve and the lateral head of the median nerve, and coapted their distal stumps together.

Intercostal nerve transfer to neurotize the musculocutaneous nerve after traumatic brachial plexus avulsion: a comparison of two, three, and four nerve transfers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of different numbers of intercostal nerve (ICN) transfers for elbow flexion and to determine whether age, body mass index (BMI), type of injury, and preoperative delay influence the outcomes. From 2004 to 2010, 32 (30 included) consecutive patients underwent ICN transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve following brachial plexus injury. Elbow flexion strength was evaluated according to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) grading system.

Effect of magnesium sulfate and nifedipine on the risk of developing pulmonary edema in preterm births.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of developing pulmonary edema in women exposed to nifedipine, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), or both in a preterm setting.

Study Design: We carried out a retrospective case-control study at a large tertiary care center from 2007 to 2012. Cases of pulmonary edema were age, and gestational age matched to controls at a ratio of 1 case to 4 controls.

Effect of isolated unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis on ventilation and exercise performance in rats.

The degree of impairment of ventilation and exercise performance after unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis (UDP) induced by phrenic nerve injury has been controversial due to heterogeneity in the published clinical studies. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of isolated UDP on breathing and exercise performance in conscious rats. Breathing was measured by unrestrained whole body plethysmography during quiet breathing and after moderate aerobic exercise.