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Several studies have reported the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), while some ophthalmologists are concerned that TCM may be a risk factor for CSC as some chinese herbs contain hormonal ingredients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM in treating patients with CSC. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of TCM for CSC were searched up to July 10, 2023 on the following biological databases without language and publication time restrictions: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, The Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Wanfang, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). Review Manager V.5.4.1 and Stata 14 software were used for data analysis. Finally, thirty-eight studies were finally included including 23 RCTs and 15 cohort studies. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the routine treatment alone, the combination of TCM can not only reduce the recurrence rate (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.21,0.40; I2 = 0%) and central retinal thickness (CRT) (MD = - 35.63, 95% CI: - 45.96,-25.30; I2 = 89%) of CSC, but improve patients' best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (SMD = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.62,1.11; I2 = 77%); additionally, it has no obvious side effects compared with routine treatment (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.39,1.34; I2 = 10%). Overall, this study shows that the use of TCM does not increase the risk of CSC recurrence; on the contrary, the combination of TCM may reduce the recurrence of CSC and improve BCVA and CRT in patients with CSC compared with conventional treatment.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a prominent perfluorinated compound commonly found in the environment, known to pose various risks to human health. However, the removal of PFOS presents significant challenges, primarily due to the limited discovery of bacteria capable of effectively degrading PFOS. Moreover, single degradation bacteria often encounter obstacles in individual cultivation and the breakdown of complex pollutants. In contrast, microbial consortia have shown promise in pollutant degradation. This study employed a continuous enrichment method, combined with multiple co-metabolic substrates, to investigate a microbial consortium with the potential for PFOS degradation. By employing this methodology, we effectively identified a microbial consortium that demonstrated the capacity to reduce PFOS when exposed to an optimal concentration of methanol. The consortium predominantly comprised of Hyphomicrobium species (46.7%) along with unclassified microorganisms (53.0%). Over a duration of 20 days, the PFOS concentration exhibited a notable decrease of 56.7% in comparison to the initial level, while considering the exclusion of adsorption effects. Furthermore, by comparing the predicted metabolic pathways of the microbial consortium with the genome of a known chloromethane-degrading bacterium, Hyphomicrobium sp. MC1, using the KEGG database, we observed distinct variations in the metabolic pathways, suggesting the potential role of the unclassified microorganisms. These findings underscore the potential effectiveness of a "top-down" functional microbial screening approach in the degradation of stubborn pollutants.

The study on transient characteristics of pump as turbines during atypical startup has not been deeply explored yet. In order to reveal the transient characteristics of a small centrifugal pump reversing as turbine during startup process in this paper, the transient hydraulic performance experiments are conducted for three steady rotational speed cases. Under the condition of each case, three, five and, three valve opening scenarios are completed to measure the performance. The dimensionless analysis are also employed so as to better reveal transient behavior of the pump as turbine during atypical startup. The results show that the rise rate of each performance parameter is different, wherein the shaft power and rotational speed have the fastest rising rate, followed by the flow rate, and the head rise is the slowest. It is clearly seen that the shock phenomenon in static pressure easily occurs at the outlet of pump as turbine. With the increase of valve opening, the dimensionless flow rate, head and, power coefficient all show the evolution trend of gradually increasing.

Obesity-related diseases have been on the rise, making it important to promote physical activity. Smart sports watches are popular among young people and can play a role in this regard. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different watch head design types on the visual image of smart sports watches. Based on sales data, seven sports smartwatches with sales of over 2000 units were selected from a sample of 50 as representative samples. A factor analysis and questionnaire survey were used to identify four groups of adjectives that describe watch heads: Sporty and Smart, precious and exquisite, distinctive and avant-garde, and trendy and technological. College students evaluated the seven watches using these adjectives, and using triangular fuzzy mathematics theory, the watches were divided into three categories. The results show that the seven watches had significant differences in appearing "Sporty and Smart" and "precious and exquisite", while the visual imagery of "distinctive and avant-garde" and "trendy and technological" had no significant difference. Based on the grouping analysis of the seven samples, it is concluded that: the slim and compact shape without excessive decoration has a sense of sportiness and simplicity; the square shape combined with left and right buttons has a sense of sportiness and fashion; the unique connection between the round shape, the watch strap, and the watch head, as well as the strong mechanical feeling, have a sense of value. To substantiate the validity of our research findings, we devised three novel specimens based on the morphological elements of sports watches and conducted surveys accordingly. Statistical analysis revealed a fundamental coherence between the performance of these specimens in four stylistic domains and the expression of style-forming elements, confirming the reference value of these findings in the stylistic design of sports smartwatches. This study provides designers with references for improving the design and development efficiency of smart sports watches, promoting their sustainable development.

ObjectiveTo explore the value of ultrasound in evaluating T/N staging of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).MethodsThe clinical data of 1206 patients with DTC in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Cervical ultrasound was performed before surgery, and the standard ultrasound images of thyroid nodules and cervical lymph nodes I to VII were retained. According to the 8th TNM staging guidelines of AJCC DTC, the T/N stages were assessed by preoperative ultrasonic data. Then, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predicted value, positive predicted value (PPV), and diagnostic value of ultrasound T/N staging were assessed using postoperative pathological staging as the reference.ResultsUltrasonic T-stage had good consistency to pathological T stage in T4a and T4b tumors (kappa value>0.75), and moderate consistency to pathological T stage in T1, T2 and T3a tumors (kappa value between 0.4 and 0.75). ultrasonic T-stage had a sensitivity higher than 66%, except in T3b assessment (13/44, 29.5%, 95%CI: 16.1%-43.0%). All ultrasonic T-stage had specificity higher than 93%, except in T1b assessment (734/889, 82.6%, 95%CI: 80.1%-85.1%). The PPV of ultrasonic T1a to T4b was 94.3% (494/524), 61.0% (242/397), 54.4% (87/160), 34.3% (12/35), 20.3% (13/64), 100% (22/22) and 100% (4/4), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy values were 83% in T1a, 81% in T1b, 91% in T2, 98% in T3a, 93% in T3b, 99% in T4a and 100% in T4b. Nltrasonic N-stage had poor consistency to pathological N stage in any N stages (kappa valueConclusionUltrasound has a good consistency and high accuracy in assessing the T-stage of DTC. However, the consistency and accuracy were poor in N-staging. It has a certain reference value in reducing excessive surgical treatment of DTC.

Aims The number of ventilator-dependent patients is rapidly increasing globally. As a result, long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV) patients face the choice of receiving health care in respiratory care wards (RCWs) rather than at home. In this study, we applied Andersen’s behavioral theoretical model (ABM) to investigate the determinants of the health care service decisions of patients receiving LTMV. Methods A cross-sectional research design and cluster random sampling were used to select 365 participants from nine RCWs and eight home care facilities in northern Taiwan. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results Of the predisposing factors, advanced age and an education level of at least junior high school influenced the choice to use RCW services. Being married, living with extended family, and medium or higher socioeconomic status were associated with the decision to use home care services. Of the enabling factors, patients with more caregivers, those whose family caregivers held strong beliefs about providing care, and those who perceived greater social support from health care providers were more likely to choose home care services. Of the need factors examined, poor cognitive function and higher dependence on assistance for activities of daily living (ADL) increased the probability of patients choosing RCW services. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis indicated that our final model accounted for 44.8% of the observed variance in health care service choice. Conclusions ABM enables an improved understanding of the health care service choices of LTMV patients. Our findings also highlight the importance of rigorously assessing patient needs and helping patients choose the most appropriate health care service.

The study on transient characteristics of pump as turbines during atypical startup has not been deeply explored yet. In order to reveal the transient characteristics of a small centrifugal pump reversing as turbine during startup process in this paper, the transient hydraulic performance experiments are conducted for three steady rotational speed cases. Under the condition of each case, three, five and, three valve opening scenarios are completed to measure the performance. The dimensionless analysis are also employed so as to better reveal transient behavior of the pump as turbine during atypical startup. The results show that the rise rate of each performance parameter is different, wherein the shaft power and rotational speed have the fastest rising rate, followed by the flow rate, and the head rise is the slowest. It is clearly seen that the shock phenomenon in static pressure easily occurs at the outlet of pump as turbine. With the increase of valve opening, the dimensionless flow rate, head and, power coefficient all show the evolution trend of gradually increasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity-related diseases have been on the rise, making it important to promote physical activity. Smart sports watches are popular among young people and can play a role in this regard. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different watch head design types on the visual image of smart sports watches. Based on sales data, seven sports smartwatches with sales of over 2000 units were selected from a sample of 50 as representative samples. A factor analysis and questionnaire survey were used to identify four groups of adjectives that describe watch heads: Sporty and Smart, precious and exquisite, distinctive and avant-garde, and trendy and technological. College students evaluated the seven watches using these adjectives, and using triangular fuzzy mathematics theory, the watches were divided into three categories. The results show that the seven watches had significant differences in appearing "Sporty and Smart" and "precious and exquisite", while the visual imagery of "distinctive and avant-garde" and "trendy and technological" had no significant difference. Based on the grouping analysis of the seven samples, it is concluded that: the slim and compact shape without excessive decoration has a sense of sportiness and simplicity; the square shape combined with left and right buttons has a sense of sportiness and fashion; the unique connection between the round shape, the watch strap, and the watch head, as well as the strong mechanical feeling, have a sense of value. To substantiate the validity of our research findings, we devised three novel specimens based on the morphological elements of sports watches and conducted surveys accordingly. Statistical analysis revealed a fundamental coherence between the performance of these specimens in four stylistic domains and the expression of style-forming elements, confirming the reference value of these findings in the stylistic design of sports smartwatches. This study provides designers with references for improving the design and development efficiency of smart sports watches, promoting their sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to realize the lightweight design of mobile pump truck, this paper takes the frame of a certain type of mobile pump truck as the research object. The response surface method is used to carry out lightweight design of the longitudinal beam structure of the frame, and the finite element method is used to establish the finite element model to compare and analyze the optimized and original designs. The results show that the height, width and thickness of the optimized longitudinal beam section are reduced by 10mm, 11mm, and 0.8mm respectively, and the weight of the whole frame is reduced by 35.8kg. Before and after optimization, the displacement and stress changes of the frame are small in four motion situations, which meet the lightweight requirements of optimization design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is the main symptom of osteoarthritis, which severely reduces the patients' quality of life. Stimulated neuroinflammation and elevated mitochondrial oxidative stress are associated arthritis pain. In the present study, arthritis model was established by intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) on mice. Knee swelling, pain hypersensitivity and motor disability were observed in CFA-induced mice. In spinal cord, neuroinflammation was triggered and presented as severe infiltration of inflammatory cells and up-regulated expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (caspase-1) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Mitochondrial function was disrupted and characterized as elevated expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein (Bax), dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) and cytochrome C (Cyto C), and reduced expressions of Bcl-2 and Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. Meanwhile, as a potential target for pain management, glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) activity was up-regulated in CFA induced mice. To explore potential therapeutic options for arthritis pain, GSK-3β inhibitor TDZD-8 was intraperitoneally injected for three days on CFA mice. Animal behavioral tests found that TDZD-8 treatment elevated mechanical pain sensitivity, suppressed spontaneous pain and recovered motor coordination. Morphological and protein expression analysis indicated that TDZD-8 treatment decreased spinal inflammation score and inflammatory related protein levels, recovered mitochondrial related protein levels, and increased Mn-SOD activity. In summary, TDZD-8 treatment inhibits GSK-3β activity, reduces mitochondrial mediated oxidative stress, suppresses spinal inflammasome response, and alleviates arthritis pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]