Investigating autonomic dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome from skin to brain: A case-control study using EMG-SSR and fNIRS.

Background: Autonomic dysfunction is a well-recognized complication associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). ANS maladaptation could underlie a potential pathogenetic mechanism of PCS, contributing to PCS symptoms. However, there remains an ongoing debate regarding whether autonomic and neuropathic symptoms observed in PCS patients are indicative of central or peripheral ANS pathology.

Identification and mechanism of wheat protein disulfide isomerase-promoted gluten network formation.

Formation of the gluten network depends on glutenin crosslinking via disulfide bonds, and wheat protein disulfide isomerase (wPDI) plays an important role in this process. Here, we identify a substrate gluten protein of wPDI and the mechanism underlying wPDI-promoted glutenin crosslinking. Farinographic, rheologic, and alveographic analysis unambiguously proves that wPDI improves gluten network formation, which is directly observed by 3D reconstruction of the gluten network.

Integrative rehabilitation in the treatment of lumbosacral muscle strain in elite trampoline athletes: a pilot study.

Background: Lumbosacral muscle strain (LMS) is common in Chinese elite trampoline athletes. Advanced lumbar muscle activation is necessary for postural control before upper extremity voluntary movements, called anticipatory postural adjustment to reduce internal postural interference (IPI). The potential of delayed lumbar muscle activation has been reported in patients with non-specific LBP (NLBP) in response to IPI.

Changes in Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids in IBS Patients and Effects of Different Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the results are conflicting.

Objective: Here, a systematic review of case-control studies detecting fecal SCFAs in IBS patients compared with healthy controls (HCs) and self-controlled studies or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating fecal SCFA alterations after interventions were identified from several databases.

Data Sources: A systematic search of databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) identified 21 studies published before 24 February 2023.

Efficient removal of allicin from the stalk of Allium fistulosum for dietary fiber production.

The stalk of Allium fistulosum contains dietary fibers with complicated monosaccharide composition and glycosidic bond linkages, which renders it a better dietary fiber supplement. However, the unfavorable odor, majorly contributed by allicin, limits its applications. Although many physical and chemical methods have been developed to remove allicin, there is currently no comparison between their efficiencies.

AepG is a glucuronosyltransferase involved in acidic exopolysaccharide synthesis and contributes to environmental adaptation of Haloarcula hispanica.

The attachment of a sugar to a hydrophobic lipid carrier is the first step in the biosynthesis of many glycoconjugates. In the halophilic archaeon Haloarcula hispanica, HAH_1206, renamed AepG, is a predicted glycosyltransferase belonging to the CAZy Group 2 family that shares a conserved amino acid sequence with dolichol phosphate mannose synthases. In this study, the function of AepG was investigated by genetic and biochemical approaches.

Flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in different body positions in patients with post-stroke.

Background: Spinal stretch reflex (SSR) hyperexcitability reflected by the H-reflex has been reported in more strongly affected extremities after stroke. The H-reflex in the lower extremities is modulated by body position normally and alternatively modulated post-stroke.

Objective: This study aimed to preliminarily explore how upper extremity (UE) H-reflexes are modulated by body position after stroke, which remains unknown.

Application of tDCS in children with cerebral palsy: A mini review.

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of diseases characterized by persistent central dyskinesia, postural development disorder and activity limitation syndromes caused by nonprogressive brain injury in the developing fetus or infant, which is often accompanied by sensory, cognitive and attention disorders. The routine rehabilitation methods for children with CP mainly include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other methods. In recent years, noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS), as a relatively new intervention method, has been widely used because of its potential to regulate cortical excitability and plasticity.

Cyclic stretch-induced the cytoskeleton rearrangement and gene expression of cytoskeletal regulators in human periodontal ligament cells.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the mechanism of the stretch-induced cell realignment and cytoskeletal rearrangement by identifying several mechanoresponsive genes related to cytoskeletal regulators in human PDL cells.

Material And Methods: After the cells were stretched by 1, 10 and 20% strains for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 or 24 h, the changes of the morphology and content of microfilaments were recorded and calculated.

Size-tunable copper nanocluster aggregates and their application in hydrogen sulfide sensing on paper-based devices.

Polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), a strong polyelectrolyte, was used to prepare red photoluminescent PSS-penicillamine (PA) copper (Cu) nanoclusters (NC) aggregates, which displayed high selectivity and sensitivity to the detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The size of the PSS-PA-Cu NC aggregates could be readily controlled from 5.5 μm to 173 nm using different concentrations of PSS, which enabled better dispersity and higher sensitivity towards H2S.

[Cylic stretching force-induced late apoptosis in human periodontal ligament cells].

Purpose: To investigate the effect of stretching force on late apoptosis of human periodontal ligament cells.

Methods: HPDLCs were cultured in vitro, and cells were stretched by dynamic mechanical strain 1%, 10% and 20% for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Then late apoptosis were detected through TUNEL method binding by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Cyclic stretch induced gene expression of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules in human periodontal ligament cells.

Objective: Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play an important role in maintaining periodontal homeostasis upon force loading caused by mastication or orthodontic force. Previous studies revealed stretch-induced realignment of human PDL cells, but the mechanism for this phenomenon still remains unclear. As extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion molecules play critical roles in cell migration and alignment, this study aimed to identify mechanoresponsive genes related to ECM and adhesion in human PDL cells.

Cyclic stretch influenced expression of membrane connexin 43 in human periodontal ligament cell.

Objective: Periodontal ligament (PDL) cells play an important role in preserving periodontal homeostasis and periodontal remodelling in response to mechanical stimulations. Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is essential for homeostasis and many other biological processes of multicellular organisms. While the role of GJIC in mechanotransduction of PDL cells remains largely unknown.