Effects of functional strength training on pain, function, and lower extremity biomechanics in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder affecting the lower extremity. This study aimed to compare the effects of functional strength training (FST) and standard strength training (SST) in PFPS patients.

Methods: Forty college students (aged 18-30 years) with PFPS and no exercise habits were randomized into FST group (n = 20) and SST group (n = 20).

Cardiotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and associated mechanism of myocardial cell injury in mice.

Aims: Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging organic pollutants generated by plastic degradation and are ubiquitous in the environment. They can be accumulated through the food webs and enter the human body through dietary intake, posing health risks. The main target organs of NP accumulation are the lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys.

Xanthium-Inspired Microsphere Morphology Depends on the Dual Self-Assembly Behavior of Macromolecules.

The self-assembly of macromolecular segments promotes the fabrication of polymer microspheres with multiple morphologies. Inspired by the xanthium shells, A dual-driven self-assembly method have defined that enables the construction of multi-dimensional morphologies on the microsphere surface at emulsion-confined interfaces. The two driving forces are derived from the phase separation caused by the immiscibility of macromolecular segments and the different interactions between chain segments of different hydrophilicity and water molecules.

Electroactive Asymmetric Dressing for Spatiotemporal Deep Burn Scarless Healing and Management.

Burn care and treatment differ markedly from other types of wounds, as they are significantly more prone to infections and struggle to maintain fluid balance post-burn. Moreover, the limited self-healing abilities exacerbate the likelihood of scar formation, further complicating the recovery process. To tackle these issues, an asymmetric wound dressing comprising a quercetin-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P34HB@Qu) hydrophilic layer and a zinc oxide nanoparticle-loaded, thermally treated polyvinylidene fluoride (HPVDF@ZnO) hydrophobic layer is designed.

Non-additive effects of leaf-litter flammability on eight subtropical tree species: Implications for forest species composition and fire susceptibility.

The readiness of leaf-litter to burn in the presence of fire differs greatly between species. Thus, forests composed of different species vary in their susceptibility to fire. Fire susceptibility of forests may also differ from the arithmetic means of flammability of their component species, i.