Calcium and Magnesium Regulation of Kernel Sugar Content in Maize: Role of Endogenous Hormones and Antioxidant Enzymes.

Ca and Mg are essential micronutrients for plant growth, and they play a crucial role in plant development and responses to adversity by influencing the activities of endogenous hormones and antioxidant enzymes. However, the specific mechanisms through which calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) regulate the kernel sugar content through endogenous hormones and antioxidant enzymes remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the impact of Ca and Mg on the physiology of maize leaves and kernel quality by determining the activities of antioxidant enzymes and endogenous hormones, and the kernel sugar content in maize leaves when supplemented with different levels of Ca and Mg.

The Effects of a Newborn Care Education Program on Mothers' Self-Confidence, Care Knowledge, and Breastfeeding Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To assess the effect of newborn care education programs on mothers' self-confidence, care knowledge, and exclusive breastfeeding behavior and anxiety.

Methods: We searched for intervention studies comparing newborn care education programs versus standard care for mothers in five comprehensive databases (July 2024). The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool.

A skin-mountable flexible biosensor based on Cu-MOF/PEDOT composites for sweat ascorbic acid monitoring.

Continuous monitoring of sweat nutrients offers valuable insights into metabolic cycling and health levels. However, existing methods often lack adaptability and real-time capabilities. Here, we propose a skin-mountable flexible biosensor integrated with metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived composites for real-time monitoring of sweat ascorbic acid (AA) levels.

Diagnostic accuracy of galactomannan and lateral flow assay in invasive aspergillosis: A diagnostic meta-analysis.

Background: Efficient diagnosis of patients at high risk for invasive (IA) improves the outcome of the disease. Lateral flow assay (LFA) is a novel technology and assessing its diagnostic accuracy is of great significance in the clinical management of IA.

Methods: A meta-analysis using case-control studies was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of LFA alone or galactomannan (GM) combined with LFA (GM-LFA) as screening tests for IA.

The contribution of Ca and Mg to the accumulation of amino acids in maize: from the response of physiological and biochemical processes.

Background: The quality of maize kernels is significantly enhanced by amino acids, which are the fundamental building blocks of proteins. Meanwhile, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), as important nutrients for maize growth, are vital in regulating the metabolic pathways and enzyme activities of amino acid synthesis. Therefore, our study analyzed the response process and changes of amino acid content, endogenous hormone content, and antioxidant enzyme activity in kernels to the coupling addition of sugar alcohol-chelated Ca and Mg fertilizers with spraying on maize.

Network meta-analysis of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the treatment of chronic constipation in adults.

Objective: To compare the outcomes associated with the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the treatment of chronic constipation in adults.

Methods: We searched eight electronic databases from database inception to July 11, 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that report efficacy and safety for the treatment of chronic constipation. The risk of bias in the included RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane tool, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis framework.

Triglyceride-glucose index predicts sepsis-associated acute kidney injury and length of stay in sepsis: A MIMIC-IV cohort study.

Background: Inflammation and stress response may be related to the occurrence of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) in patients with sepsis.Insulin resistance (IR) is closely related to the stress response, inflammatory response, immune response and severity of critical diseases. We assume that the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an alternative indicator for IR, is associated with the occurrence of SA-AKI in patients with sepsis.

Miniaturized Implantable Fluorescence Probes Integrated with Metal-Organic Frameworks for Deep Brain Dopamine Sensing.

Continuously monitoring neurotransmitter dynamics can offer profound insights into neural mechanisms and the etiology of neurological diseases. Here, we present a miniaturized implantable fluorescence probe integrated with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for deep brain dopamine sensing. The probe is assembled from physically thinned light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and phototransistors, along with functional surface coatings, resulting in a total thickness of 120 μm.

Effect of calcium and magnesium on starch synthesis in maize kernels and its physiological driving mechanism.

The content of kernel starch (STC), which is a fundamental indicator of the nutritional value of maize, is directly correlated with the grain's taste and aroma. Both calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are critical nutrients that play a significant role in the growth and development of maize, as well as in the synthesis of STC. To determine the physiological driving mechanisms of Ca and Mg effects on the accumulation of STC synthesis in maize kernels and the characteristics of their effects on endogenous hormones and enzymes of STC synthesis in maize leaves, our study applied foliar Ca and Mg fertilizers at various levels to maize prior to pollination.

Capillary-Assisted Assembly of Soft Conductive Polymer Nanopillar/Tube Arrays and Applications.

Nanopillar/tube arrays have emerged as encouraging platforms, possessing remarkable advantages, including large specific areas and highly aligned orientations. Despite the progress of nano/microfabrication technologies, facile and controllable fabrication of conductive polymer nanopillar/tube arrays remains challenging. In this study, we demonstrate that the air-liquid interfacial self-assembly can be extended to obtain three-dimensional nanostructured arrays.

Ca and Mg stimulate protein synthesis in maize kernel through the action of endogenous hormones and defense enzymes.

Soil calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) mineral states in rain-fed arid regions of Northwest China are inefficient, and their levels of substitution and water-soluble states are far below the lowest threshold required for maize growth, resulting in frequent physiological diseases, restricting synthesis of kernel protein (CRP). Our study set up different levels of foliar spraying of Ca and Mg fertilizers before maize pollination to examine the response characteristics of physiological and biochemical indicators in kernel, and the driving process of CRP synthesis. The main findings were: (1) Ca and Mg significantly increased the levels of CRP and endogenous hormones, and the activities of defense enzymes and CRP synthesis enzymes, which decreased significantly and stabilized at the maturity stage of maize.

Efficacy and safety of pharmacological intervention for smoking cessation in smokers with diseases: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the most effective and best-tolerated drugs for treating diseased smokers.

Methods: Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving different pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation in disease patients (January 2023). Network meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.

The effectiveness of continuing education programmes for health workers in rural and remote areas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Health workers in rural and remote areas shoulder heavy responsibilities for rural residents. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of continuing education programs for health workers in rural and remote areas.

Methods: Eight electronic databases were searched on 28 November 2021.

The effects of surface vegetation coverage on the spatial distribution of PM in the central area of Nanchang City, China.

The frequent occurrence of haze has caused widespread concern in China, and PM is thought to be the main cause. Previous research showed that PM was not only influenced by meteorological conditions but also by land cover especially surface vegetation. It was concluded that PM concentration is significantly influenced by surface vegetation, but spatially how and in what manner are still unanswered.

The Synthesis of Biphasic Metabolites of Carfentanil.

Carfentanil is an ultra-potent synthetic opioid. The Russian police force used both carfentanil and remifentanil to resolve a hostage incident in Moscow. This reported use sparked an interest in the pharmacology and toxicology of carfentanil in the human body, and data on its metabolites were later published.

Interpregnancy Interval After Clinical Pregnancy Loss and Outcomes of the Next Frozen Embryo Transfer.

Importance: The optimal interpregnancy interval (IPI) after a clinical pregnancy loss (CPL) remains controversial. Few studies have addressed the role of the IPI after a preceding CPL during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the association between different IPI lengths after a preceding CPL and pregnancy outcomes of the next frozen embryo transfer (FET).

Efficacy of internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) may provide an accessible alternative to face-to-face treatment, but the evidence base in adolescents is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy of ICBT in addressing depression among adolescents.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched on June 8, 2023.

Effectiveness and Safety of Varenicline for Smoking Cessation: An Overview and Meta-analysis.

Objective: An overview, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of varenicline for smoking cessation.

Methods: Systematic reviews (SRs) and randomized controlled trials evaluating varenicline versus placebo for smoking cessation were included. A forest plot was used to summarize the effect size of the included SRs.

The TOFr of 0.75 to 0.85 is the optimal timing for IONM during thyroid surgery: a prospective observational cohort study.

Backgroud: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is one of the serious complications of thyroid tumour surgery, surgical treatment of thyroid cancer requires careful consideration of the RLN and its impact on glottis function. There has been no unified standard for precise neuromuscular block monitoring to guide the monitoring of RLN in thyroid surgery. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between Train-of-four stabilization ratio (TOFr) and neural signal values of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INOM) during thyroid operation, and further to determine the optimal timing for INOM during thyroid operation.

The effects of active workstations on reducing work-specific sedentary time in office workers: a network meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials.

Background: Active workstations have been proposed as a feasible approach for reducing occupational sedentary time. This study used a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess and compare the overall efficacy of active workstation interventions according to type and concomitant strategy for reducing work-specific sitting time in office workers.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from database inception until May 2022 to obtain randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of active workstations with or without concomitant strategies for reducing occupational sedentary time in office workers.

Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for smoking cessation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of antidepressants in helping smokers quit tobacco dependence, five databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT ) on different antidepressant interventions involving smoking cessation in populations (September 2022). The STATA 15.1 software was used to perform network meta-analysis.

Fully printed and self-compensated bioresorbable electrochemical devices based on galvanic coupling for continuous glucose monitoring.

Real-time glucose monitoring conventionally involves non-bioresorbable semi-implantable glucose sensors, causing infection and pain during removal. Despite bioresorbable electronics serves as excellent alternatives, the bioresorbable sensor dissolves in aqueous environments with interferential biomolecules. Here, the theories to achieve stable electrode potential and accurate electrochemical detection using bioresorbable materials have been proposed, resulting in a fully printed bioresorbable electrochemical device.

Preferences for training needs of village doctors in China: a systematic review.

Background: Village doctors, as gatekeepers of the health system for rural residents in China, are often confronted with adversity in providing the basic public healthcare services.

Objective: We sought to summarize the training contents, training method, training location, and training costs most preferred by village doctors in China and hope to provide evidence and support for the government to deliver better training in the future.

Methods: Eight databases were searched to include studies that reported on the training needs of village doctors in China.