The Association Between the Non-essential Metal Mixture and Handgrip Strength in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

There is limited research on the effects of non-essential metal (NEM) mixture on handgrip strength in the elderly. This study aimed to assess the associations of single NEMs and their mixture with handgrip strength in Chinese community-dwelling older adults. A total of 3807 elderly people aged 60 years or above were included in this study.

The interaction between physical activity and ambient particulate matters on cognitive function among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Background: The interaction between physical activity (PA) and ambient particulate matters (PMs) on cognition is rarely investigated. Our study aimed to assess the interactions of PA and PMs on cognitive function in older adults.

Methods: Our study comprised 3937 Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Associations of toxic metals and their mixture with hyperuricemia in Chinese rural older adults.

Previous studies have related single toxic metals (TMs) to hyperuricemia (HUA) among the general population, however, the association of the TM mixture with HUA, especially in older adults, remains poorly understood. We aimed to examine the relationships between individual TMs and their mixture and HUA in Chinese rural older adults. This study consisted of 2075 rural older adults aged 60 years or over.

APOE ε4 allele modifies the associations of toxic metals and their mixture with cognitive impairment among older adults.

Background: The evidence of interactive effect of the toxic metal (TM) mixture and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 gene on cognitive impairment in older adults is scarce. We aimed to explore whether the associations of single TMs and their mixture with cognitive impairment depend on APOE ε4 in Chinese community-dwelling older people.

Methods: A total of 1148 older adults from a subset of the baseline survey of a cohort study were included.

Progress and perspectives on iron-based electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries: a critical review.

Iron-based materials with significant physicochemical properties, including high theoretical capacity, low cost and mechanical and thermal stability, have attracted research attention as electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries (AMIBs). However, practical implementation of some iron-based materials is impeded by their poor conductivity, large volume change, and irreversible phase transition during electrochemical reactions. In this review we critically assess advances in the chemical synthesis and structural design, together with modification strategies, of iron-based compounds for AMIBs, to obviate these issues.

An enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction by the photothermal effect and its induced micro-electric field.

Promoting better thermodynamics and kinetics of electrocatalysts is key to achieving an efficient electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Utilizing the photothermal effect and micro-electric field of electrocatalysts is a promising approach to promote the sluggish OER. Herein, to reveal the relationship of the photothermal effect and its induced micro-electric field with OER performance, NiS coupled NiFe(OH) on nickel foam (NiS@NiFe(OH)/NF) is synthesized and subjected to the OER under near-infrared (NIR) light.

Physical activity attenuates the association of long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide with sleep quality and its dimensions in Chinese rural older adults.

Background: Joint impacts of air pollution and physical activity (PA) on sleep quality remain unaddressed. We aimed to investigate whether PA attenuates the association of long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO) with sleep quality and its dimensions in older adults.

Methods: This study included 3408 Chinese rural older adults.

Biphasic function of GSK3β in gefitinib‑resistant NSCLC with or without EGFR mutations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as gefitinib, are effective in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. However, the mechanism underlying acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs remains largely unknown. Therefore, the present study generated gefitinib-resistant PC-9 (PC-9G) cells, which were revealed to be more resistant to gefitinib-induced reductions in proliferation, migration and invasion, and increases in apoptosis, and had no detectable EGFR mutations compared with the control PC-9 cell line.

The Association Between Essential Metal Element Mixture and Sleep Quality in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Previous studies have related single essential metal elements (EMEs) to sleep quality among older adults, however, the association of the EME mixture with sleep quality remained poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between single EMEs and the EME mixture and sleep quality in older adults living in Chinese communities. This study consisted of 3957 older adults aged 60 years or over.

A Survey on the Integration of Blockchains and Databases.

The success of blockchain technology in cryptocurrencies reveals its potential in the data management field. Recently, there is a trend in the database community to integrate blockchains and traditional databases to obtain security, efficiency, and privacy from the two distinctive but related systems. In this survey, we discuss the use of blockchain technology in the data management field and focus on the fusion system of blockchains and databases.

Infrared Photodetection from 2D/3D van der Waals Heterostructures.

An infrared photodetector is a critical component that detects, identifies, and tracks complex targets in a detection system. Infrared photodetectors based on 3D bulk materials are widely applied in national defense, military, communications, and astronomy fields. The complex application environment requires higher performance and multi-dimensional capability.

Altered Wnt5a expression affects radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

It has been reported that upregulation of wingless-type protein 5a (Wnt5a) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Wnt5a expression is often upregulated in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells. However, the biological functions or molecular mechanisms of radiosensitivity in NSCLC remain unknown.

Wnt7a inhibits transformed cell proliferation while promoting migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most important cause of lung cancer death. Wnt7a is a known tumor suppressor gene which is often downregulated in NSCLC, and restoration of Wnt7a leads to decreased NSCLC cell proliferation. However, the biological role of Wnt7a in the migration and invasion in NSCLC remains unclear.

Overexpression of Wnt7a enhances radiosensitivity of non-small-cell lung cancer via the Wnt/JNK pathway.

The Wingless-type protein 7a (Wnt7a) plays an antiproliferative role in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous studies have indicated that Wnt7a expression was downregulated in radiation-resistant NSCLC cells. However, little is known about its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in radiosensitivity of NSCLC.

Effects of Tai Chi on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Health-Related Outcomes in Older Community Adults at Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi compared with no exercise control on the cerebral hemodynamic parameters and other health-related factors in community older adults at risk of ischemic stroke. A total of 170 eligible participants were randomly allocated to Tai Chi or control group. The cerebral hemodynamic parameters and physical fitness risk factors of cardiovascular disease were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks.

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of α-FeO/C using acid-pickled iron oxide red for Li-ion batteries.

To recycle the waste and meet the demand for anode materials for Li-ion battery, α-FeO/C for use as anode material is successfully prepared via a simple hydrothermal process using acid-pickled iron oxide red as raw material. The techniques of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize the product. The synthesis conditions, including temperature and time, are optimized by orthogonal experimental design.

Tiaopi huxin recipe improved endothelial dysfunction and attenuated atherosclerosis by decreasing the expression of caveolin-1 in ApoE-deficient mice.

The Tiaopi Huxin recipe (TPHXR) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the clinical treatment of coronary heart disease. However, the mechanism of TPHXR treatment of atherosclerosis (AS) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we have aimed to explore the potential antiatherosclerotic effect of TPHXR and its underlying mechanisms.

Effect of Tai Chi on Cardiac and Static Pulmonary Function in Older Community-Dwelling Adults at Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of tai chi exercise on cardiac and static lung function for older community-dwelling adults at risk of ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 170 older community-dwelling adults (aged 55-75 years old) at risk of ischemic stroke were allocated to either tai chi training group (85 cases, five 60-min sessions of tai chi training per week for 12 weeks) or control group (85 cases, usual pbysical activity for 12 weeks) using a computer-generated randomization. The echocardiographic parameters of cardiac structure, cardiac function and static lung function were measured at baseline, after 12 weeks of intervention and additional 12-week follow-up period by a blinded professional staffmember using a color Doppler ultrasound imaging device or a cardiopulmonary function instrument.

Three-Dimensional Honeycomb-Structural LiAlO-Modified LiMnPO Composite with Superior High Rate Capability as Li-Ion Battery Cathodes.

In the efforts toward the rapidly increasing demands for high-power application, cathode materials with three-dimensional (3D) architectures have been proposed. Here, we report the construction of the 3D LiAlO-LiMnPO/C cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries in an innovation way. The as-prepared 3D active materials LiMnPO/C and the honeycomb-like Li-ion conductor LiAlO framework are used as working electrode directly without additional usage of polymeric binder.

Cooperative Repression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor Type 2 Receptor Translation by MicroRNA 195 and RNA-Binding Protein CUGBP1.

Insulin-like growth factor type 2 (IGF2) receptor (IGF2R) recognizes mannose 6-phosphate-containing molecules and IGF2 and plays an important role in many pathophysiological processes, including gut mucosal adaptation. However, the mechanisms that control cellular IGF2R abundance are poorly known. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) critically regulate gene expression programs in mammalian cells by modulating the stability and translation of target mRNAs.

Subjective perceived impact of Tai Chi training on physical and mental health among community older adults at risk for ischemic stroke: a qualitative study.

Background: Evidence from quantitative studies suggest that Tai Chi produces a variety of health-related benefits, but few qualitative studies have investigated how older adults perceive the benefit of Tai Chi. The objective of the current study was to qualitatively evaluate the perceived benefits of Tai Chi practice among community older population.

Methods: This study was conducted with participants from a trial examining the effects of a 12-week Tai Chi training on ischemic stroke risk in community older adults (n = 170).