Dignity in nursing homes: A qualitative descriptive study of older adults' experiences.

Background: With the deepening trend of global aging, the issue of dignity of older adults has received widespread attention. The research on the dignity of older adults in nursing homes in China has only just begun, and it is necessary to further explore the dignity experience of older adults in nursing homes.

Research Objective: To investigate the thematic features of dignity experiences of older adults residing in nursing homes in mainland China.

Boron-Doped Molecular Carbons Bearing a Formal Boron-Inserted Pentalene: Synthesis, Electronic Structures and Properties.

Two boron-doped molecular carbons (BMCs), featuring one formal boron-inserted pentalene (BP) embedded into the CB or CB polycyclic π-skeleton, were successfully synthesized. Despite their small-size conjugated structures, both of them exhibit unusual broad light absorption, narrow energy gaps, and electron-accepting ability, as well as local antiaromaticity with pseudo 4π electrons. As disclosed, these intriguing physical properties are significantly contributed by the boron atom and pentagonal ring in the BP substructure, thus demonstrating the importance of such BP incorporation into polycyclic π-systems.

Protocol for establishing CRISPR-Cas12a for efficient genome editing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages.

We developed an efficient type V CRISPR-Cas12a system tailored specifically for Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages, showcasing its remarkable cleavage activity and the ability to precisely introduce genetic modifications, including point mutations, deletions, and insertions, into phage genomes. Here, we present a protocol for establishing CRISPR-Cas12a for genome editing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages. We describe steps for the construction of pCRISPR-12a plasmid and guide RNA and the utilization of the type V CRISPR-Cas12a system for precise genetic editing of phages.

Spiro-Fused vs 575-Ringed Boron-Doped Polycyclic π-Systems: Selective Synthesis, Reactivity and Properties.

Incorporation of heteroatoms and/or non-hexagonal rings into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can alter their intrinsic structures and physical properties. However, it is challenging to construct PAHs featuring boron/carbon composition and non-hexagonal combination. Herein, we disclose the selective synthesis of spiro-type and pentagon/heptagon-containing boron-doped polycyclic π-systems by the Scholl reaction.

Comparison of the Visual Outcomes and Optical Quality of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and Toric Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation to Correct High Astigmatism.

Purpose: To compare 6-month visual outcomes and optical quality after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and toric Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical Company) implantation for high myopia astigmatism.

Methods: This was a prospective non-randomized study. Overall, 88 eyes of 88 patients with high astigmatism (≥ 2.

The Imbalance of Homeostasis in Neutrophil Extracellular Traps is Associated with Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a challenging complication in liver cirrhosis, with no currently available sensitive diagnostic markers. This study aimed to investigate the potential of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) as diagnostic indicators for PVT in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: We analyzed 145 CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients from the Ditan study and 33 from the Changgung validation study, categorizing them based on PVT occurrence.

Pressure Enabled Drug Delivery (PEDD) Significantly Increases Intraarterial Delivery of Embolic Microspheres to Liver Tumors in a Porcine Model.

This study aims to test the hypothesis that Pressure Enabled Drug Delivery (PEDD) with a TriNav device would increase delivery of Embospheres via hepatic artery infusion to liver tumors in an oncopig model when compared to a conventional endhole microcatheter. Embospheres (100-300um in size) were fluorescently labeled and infused into porcine liver tumors using conventional technique (n=8) or by PEDD (n=8). Liver tissue was harvested and we analyzed images with a custom Visiopharm Deep Learning algorithm (Visiopharm A/S) to quantitate signal intensity.

Correlation between oxygenation function and laboratory indicators in COVID-19 patients based on non-enhanced chest CT images and construction of an artificial intelligence prediction model.

Objective: By extracting early chest CT radiomic features of COVID-19 patients, we explored their correlation with laboratory indicators and oxygenation index (PaO/FiO), thereby developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model based on radiomic features to predict the deterioration of oxygenation function in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 384 patients with COVID-19, whose baseline information, laboratory indicators, oxygenation-related parameters, and non-enhanced chest CT images were collected. Utilizing the PaO/FiO stratification proposed by the Berlin criteria, patients were divided into 4 groups, and differences in laboratory indicators among these groups were compared.

Synthesis and Thermal Properties of Bio-Based Janus Ring Siloxanes Incorporating Terpenes and Terpenoids.

A mild and highly selective hydrosilylation method was employed to synthesize five novel well-defined Janus ring siloxanes bearing terpenes and terpenoids, which are the main bioactive components of essential oils. The characterization of these new bio-sourced molecular materials, derived from hydrosilyl-substituted all--cyclotetrasiloxane, was conducted through comprehensive analyses using multinuclear NMR, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the newly synthesized Janus rings was investigated, and the siloxane skeleton was shown to confer an enhanced thermal stability compared with free terpenes and terpenoids.

Dose response of leisure time physical activity and biological aging in type 2 diabetes: a cross sectional study.

To investigate the relationship between Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) patterns and PhenoAgeAccel in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), emphasizing the role of regular LTPA in mitigating biological aging. This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018, including 4,134 adults with T2D. Multivariable linear regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) methods were employed to assess the relationship between LTPA and Phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), with segmented likelihood ratio tests to detect nonlinear thresholds.

Multi-targets cleavage of BmNPV genome through genome-wide repeat sequence using CRISPR/Cas9 antiviral system.

The escalating severity of Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) infections poses significant challenges to the silkworm industry, especially when massive production shifts occur from the eastern regions to western regions with lower labor costs. Education and experience levels are different and disease control is badly needed. To solve the problems, we have developed an innovative CRISPR/Cas9 system specifically targeting BmNPV to enhance viral resistance.

Increased thyroid hormone sensitivity is correlated with visceral obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: The study aimed to assess whether thyroid hormone (TH) sensitivity is related to visceral fat area (VFA) and visceral obesity in euthyroid subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: 750 euthyroid patients with T2D were enrolled. A VFA of 80 cm or more was considered visceral obesity.

Ultrasound-based artificial intelligence model for prediction of Ki-67 proliferation index in soft tissue tumors.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the value of deep learning (DL) combined with radiomics and clinical and imaging features in predicting the Ki-67 proliferation index of soft tissue tumors (STTs).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 394 patients with STTs admitted from January 2021 to December 2023 in two separate hospitals were collected. Hospital-1 was the training cohort (323 cases, of which 89 and 234 were high and low Ki-67, respectively) and Hospital-2 was the external validation cohort (71 cases, of which 23 and 48 were high and low Ki-67, respectively).

Efficient synthesis of cellulose acetate through one-step homogeneous acetylation of cotton cellulose in binary ionic liquids.

Cellulose acetate (CA) is an important cellulose derivative with a wide range of applications. To adopt a more efficient and environmentally friendly method to synthesize cellulose acetate, a binary ionic liquid mixture of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole chloride salt (BmimCl) and 1-butyl-3-methyldihydroimidazole phosphate (BmimHPO) was used. Compared to the conventional methods, this approach didn't require pre-activation of cellulose and the process of homogeneous acetylation proceeded without a catalyst.

ROS-Responsive Nanoparticles with Antioxidative Effect for the treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes necessitating early intervention to impede progression, despite current clinical treatments focusing on advanced stages. Essential oils from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) have demonstrated efficacy in protecting against high glucose (HG)-induced Müller cell activation and DR development. This study introduced a reactive oxidative species (ROS)-responsive drug delivery system (NPS@EOFAZ) targeting early DR stages and oxidative stress.

Advances in the synthesis and properties of sulfur quantum dots for food safety detection and antibacterial applications.

Food safety is closely related to human health and has become a worldwide, pressing concern. Food safety analysis is essential for ensuring food safety. Sulfur quantum dots (SQDs), a new type of zero-dimensional metal-free nanomaterials, have recently become the focus of scientific research due to their good luminescence properties, dispersibility, biocompatibility, and inherent antibacterial properties.