Design and evaluation of powered lumbar exoskeleton based on human biomechanics.

Objectives: In view of the gradual rejuvenation and acceleration of lumbar spondylosis, a wearable powered lumbar exoskeleton based on a 6-SPU/SP parallel mechanism is designed based on the rehabilitation treatment method of lumbar forward flexion/extension, left/right lateral flexion and rotation.

Methods: First, the changes in human lumbar muscles are analyzed based on human biomechanics, and then the prototype design of the powered lumbar exoskeleton is implemented, including the mechanical mechanism design, and hardware module design. Finally, the simulation experiment of muscle force and output sensitivity test in the resistive mode are conducted.

Control strategies for trunk exoskeletons based on motion intent recognition: A review.

Background: Wearable trunk exoskeletons hold immense potential in fields such as healthcare and industry. Previous research has indicated that intention recognition control plays a crucial role in users' daily use of exoskeletons.

Objective: This review aims to discuss the characteristics of intention recognition control schemes for intelligent trunk exoskeletons under different control objectives over the past decade.

Identification and comparison of Chlamydia psittaci, Legionella and Mycoplasma pneumonia infection.

Introduction: Conventional etiological detection and pathogenic antibody methods make it challenging to identify the atypical pathogens among the community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) could rapidly detect all potentially infectious diseases and identifies novel or potential pathogens.

Methods: Eighteen patients diagnosed with atypical CAP were enrolled in this retrospective study, including nine Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia (C.

APCS-MLR model: A convenient and fast method for quantitative identification of nitrate pollution sources in groundwater.

Nitrate (NO) contamination in groundwater has diverse sources and complicated transformation processes. To effectively control NO pollution in groundwater systems, quantitative and accurate identification of NO sources is critical. In this work, we applied hydrochemical characteristics and isotope analysis to determine NO source apportionment.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation improves lipid metabolism and endothelial function by providing a beneficial eicosanoid-pattern in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A randomized, controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) have been reported to have beneficial cardiovascular effects, but its mechanism of protection against acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are under guideline-based therapy is not fully understood. Here, we used a metabolomic approach to systematically analyze the eicosanoid metabolites induced by ω-3 PUFA supplementation and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Participants with AMI after successful percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to 3 months of 2 g daily ω-3 PUFA and guideline-adjusted therapy (n = 30, ω-3 therapy) or guideline-adjusted therapy alone (n = 30, Usual therapy).

Nitrate source apportionment in groundwater using Bayesian isotope mixing model based on nitrogen isotope fractionation.

Accurate identification of nitrate (NO) sources is critical to address the issue of groundwater pollution. The nitrogen (N) isotopic enrichment factor (ɛ) is an important parameter to explain the N cycle and determine the proportional contribution of NO sources. Considering the isotopic fractionation effects in N transformation processes, this study quantitatively analyzed the NO sources in groundwater using stable isotopes (δN-NO and δO-NO) and the Bayesian isotope mixing model (SIAR).

Probucol Protects Against Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)/JNK-Caspase 3 Pathway in Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is an important clinical problem, yet its pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this study we explored the potential beneficial effects of probucol as treatment of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rats were divided into 3 groups: i) diabetic control, ii) diabetic with contrast, and iii) probucol treatment groups.

Western medication plus Traditional Chinese Medicine preparations in patients with chronic heart failure: a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of Western medication plus Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations.

Methods: This prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial began on September 17, 2008, and was completed on June 25, 2011. A total of 340 inpatients, aged 40-79 years, with exacerbating CHF from 10 hospitals were enrolled and randomly allocated within 24 h of admission.

Relation of red blood cell distribution width with CHADS and CHADS-VASc score in Chinese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Higher red cell distribution width (RDW) predicts adverse events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, there are limited data regarding the relationship between RDW and thromboembolism risk in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate the association between RDW and CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc scores used for the evaluation of thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

Assessment of flavonoids and volatile compounds in tea infusions of water lily flowers and their antioxidant activities.

Water lily, a member of the Nymphaeaceae family, can be made into tea on the basis of outstanding fragrance characteristics and health care functions. In this study, 16 flavonoids were identified and quantified in tea infusions prepared from the petals of 33 water lily cultivars using HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The infusions were analyzed with HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS; 29 volatile compounds were detected, of which nine were found to be scent components.

Systematic qualitative and quantitative assessment of fatty acids in the seeds of 60 tree peony (Paeonia section Moutan DC.) cultivars by GC-MS.

Seeds from Paeonia ostii and Paeoniarockii have been recently identified as novel resources of α-linolenic acid (ALA) in China. To assess whether tree peony cultivars can be used as oil resource, fatty acids (FAs) in 60 cultivars were monitored and evaluated in this study. The results indicated that the composition and content of FAs varied dramatically among different cultivars, in which ALA, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid were the dominant.

Probucol for the prevention of cystatin C-based contrast-induced acute kidney injury following primary or urgent angioplasty: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Probucol, a lipid-lowering drug with potent antioxidant properties, may reduce the risk of cystatin C (CyC)-based contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). The aim of this study was to observe the incidence of CyC-based CIAKI and assess the efficacy of probucol on prevention of CIAKI following primary or urgent coronary angioplasty.

Methods: A total of 204 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were prospectively randomized to a control group (108 patients, 74 male, 65.

Role of probucol in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury after coronary interventional procedure.

Enhanced production and reduced removal of oxygen free radicals may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI). Probucol, a lipid-lowering drug with potent antioxidant properties, has been widely used clinically for the prevention of the progression of atherosclerosis. We performed a prospective, randomized controlled trial to investigate the role of probucol in the prevention of CIAKI in patients undergoing planned coronary angiography (CAG) or intervention.