Achieving smooth motion in displacement amplification piezoelectric stick-slip actuator.

Traditional piezoelectric stick-slip actuators often suffer from significant backward motion phenomena, which greatly impact their output performance. To overcome this issue, a novel displacement amplification piezoelectric stick-slip actuator was meticulously designed. It integrates an L-shaped displacement amplification mechanism with a parallelogram-compliant mechanism.

Improving sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of whey protein supplementation with or without resistance training.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to comprehensively analyze the effects of whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake with or without resistance training (RT) in older patients, either from the community or hospital, who were diagnosed with sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP or AWGS criteria.

Methods: This meta-analysis study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023407885). We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for RCTs up to June 1, 2023.

Effect of Pre-Operative Low Serum Pre-Albumin on Surgical Site Infection in Post-Surgery Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The correlation between pre-operative serum pre-albumin and surgical site infection (SSI) has been the focus of many studies. However, existing literature presents conflicting evidence on this association. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to determine the significance of low serum pre-albumin as a prognostic factor SSI, and to assess the potential utility of pre-albumin in predicting SSI.

A state-of-the-art review of functional magnetic resonance imaging technique integrated with advanced statistical modeling and machine learning for primary headache diagnosis.

Primary headache is a very common and burdensome functional headache worldwide, which can be classified as migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), and other primary headaches. Managing and treating these different categories require distinct approaches, and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a research hotspot to explore primary headache.

Untargeted lipidomic analysis and network pharmacology for parthenolide treated papillary thyroid carcinoma cells.

Background: With fast rising incidence, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common head and neck cancer. Parthenolide, isolated from traditional Chinese medicine, inhibits various cancer cells, including PTC cells. The aim was to investigate the lipid profile and lipid changes of PTC cells when treated with parthenolide.

Prognostic and clinicopathologic significance of PLIN2 in cancers: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The relationship between PLIN2 expression and prognosis, and clinicopathological significance of various cancers has been extensively studied, but the results are not completely consistent. This review followed the guidelines for systematic reviews of prognostic factors studies and was reported under the Preferred Reporting Program for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Academia for relevant articles up to September 2, 2022, and calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to determine the association between PLIN2 expression and the prognosis of various cancers.

In vitro production of infectious Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.

An effective vaccine is needed for the prevention and elimination of malaria. The only immunogens that have been shown to have a protective efficacy of more than 90% against human malaria are Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (PfSPZ) manufactured in mosquitoes (mPfSPZ). The ability to produce PfSPZ in vitro (iPfSPZ) without mosquitoes would substantially enhance the production of PfSPZ vaccines and mosquito-stage malaria research, but this ability is lacking.

Increased levels of anti-PfCSP antibodies in post-pubertal females versus males immunized with PfSPZ Vaccine does not translate into increased protective efficacy.

Background: While prior research has shown differences in the risk of malaria infection and sickness between males and females, little is known about sex differences in vaccine-induced immunity to malaria. Identifying such differences could elucidate important aspects of malaria biology and facilitate development of improved approaches to malaria vaccination.

Methods: Using a standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, IgG antibodies to the major surface protein on (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ), the Pf circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP), were measured before and two weeks after administration of a PfSPZ-based malaria vaccine (PfSPZ Vaccine) to 5-month to 61-year-olds in 11 clinical trials in Germany, the US and five countries in Africa, to determine if there were differences in vaccine elicited antibody response between males and females and if these differences were associated with differential protection against naturally transmitted Pf malaria (Africa) or controlled human malaria infection (Germany, the US and Africa).

A First for Human Vaccinology: GMP Compliant Radiation Attenuation of Sporozoites for Production of a Vaccine Against Malaria.

Ionizing radiation (UV, X-ray and ɣ) administered at an appropriate dose to pathogenic organisms can prevent replication while preserving metabolic activity. We have established the GMP process for attenuation by ionizing radiation of the (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ) in Sanaria PfSPZ Vaccine, a protective vaccine against malaria. Mosquitoes raised and infected aseptically with Pf were transferred into infected mosquito transport containers (IMTC) and ɣ-irradiated using a Co source.

Molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction method for simultaneous determination of seven nitroimidazoles from honey by HPLC-MS/MS.

In this work, a selective sample cleanup procedure that combined molecular imprinting technique with solid phase extraction was developed for the simultaneous extraction of the seven nitroimidazoles (NMZs) from honey samples. The molecular imprinting polymers for NMZs were prepared through bulk polymerization method using 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole as template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross linking agent. The obtained molecular imprinting polymers showed high affinity to template molecule and was used as selective sorbent for simultaneously selective extraction of the seven NMZs from honey matrix.

Protection against malaria at 1 year and immune correlates following PfSPZ vaccination.

An attenuated Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoite (SPZ) vaccine, PfSPZ Vaccine, is highly protective against controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) 3 weeks after immunization, but the durability of protection is unknown. We assessed how vaccine dosage, regimen, and route of administration affected durable protection in malaria-naive adults. After four intravenous immunizations with 2.

Optimizing Intradermal Administration of Cryopreserved Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoites in Controlled Human Malaria Infection.

Controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) is a powerful tool to evaluate malaria vaccine and prophylactic drug efficacy. Until recently CHMI was only carried out by the bite of infected mosquitoes. A parenteral method of CHMI would standardize Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (PfSPZ) administration, eliminate the need for expensive challenge facility infrastructure, and allow for use of many P.

Effects of Losartan and Amlodipine on Left Ventricular Remodeling and Function in Young Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of prehypertensive losartan and amlodipine administration on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats-stroke prone (SHRSP).

Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats-stroke prone were prehypertensively administered losartan, amlodipine, or vehicle. Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as a control.

[Impact of resting heart rate on new-onset diabetes in population without hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the impact of resting heart rate (RHR) on new-onset diabetes (NOD) in population without hypertension.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed in 2006 and 2007 and screened 101 510 participants. All subjects were employees of the Kailuan Group, a state-run coal mining company.

Long-term prehypertension treatment with losartan effectively prevents brain damage and stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Prehypertension has been associated with adverse cerebrovascular events and brain damage. The aims of this study were to investigate ⅰ) whether short‑ and long-term treatments with losartan or amlodipine for prehypertension were able to prevent blood pressure (BP)-linked brain damage, and ⅱ) whether there is a difference in the effectiveness of treatment with losartan and amlodipine in protecting BP-linked brain damage. In the present study, prehypertensive treatment with losartan and amlodipine (6 and 16 weeks treatment with each drug) was performed on 4-week‑old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).

Protection against malaria by intravenous immunization with a nonreplicating sporozoite vaccine.

Consistent, high-level, vaccine-induced protection against human malaria has only been achieved by inoculation of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites (SPZ) by mosquito bites. We report that the PfSPZ Vaccine--composed of attenuated, aseptic, purified, cryopreserved PfSPZ--was safe and well tolerated when administered four to six times intravenously (IV) to 40 adults. Zero of six subjects receiving five doses and three of nine subjects receiving four doses of 1.

[Spiral computed tomography imaging of internal carotid artery diameter: a report of 260 cases].

Objective: To explore the diameter of internal carotid artery by arterial phase imaging of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT).

Methods: A total of 260 routine brain CT scans of the examiner were performed. And the arterial phase images of carotid artery were acquired, observed and measured through a three-dimensional reconstruction workstation.

[CT radiographic study of different paths of iliac screw path].

Objective: To investigate the best effective and accepted path of iliac screws for lumbar sacral spine and pelvis to provide reference for reconstruction.

Methods: From Feb. 2009 to Aug.

Molecularly imprinted polymer as SPE sorbent for selective extraction of melamine in dairy products.

In this paper, a highly selective sample cleanup procedure combining molecular imprinting and solid-phase extraction (MI-SPE) was developed for the isolation of melamine in dairy products. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using melamine as the template molecule, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linking monomer. The melamine imprinted polymer was used as selective sorbent for the solid-phase extraction of melamine from dairy products.