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In order to improve the effective guidance of martial arts movements, a decomposition method of martial arts movements based on image recognition is proposed. First of all, visual image target sampling of martial arts action is performed, and most of the noise background is eliminated through morphological gradient operation. Then, the contour edge of the human body is obtained, the contour edge of each frame of the video is extracted, and the accumulation is realized in the same image. Using accumulation, the edge image calculates the grid-based HOG to obtain the image action feature vector. Secondly, using the improved dynamic time warping theory combined with the characteristics of the angle change of each joint under the action time sequence, the joint change sequence among various martial arts movements can be identified in order to realize the decomposition process of martial arts actions based on image recognition. The experimental results show that the use of image recognition can effectively decompose martial arts movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB‐MSCs) can exert a protective effect in rat models of acute liver failure (ALF). Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) is the predominant VEGF isoform and possesses a strong pro‐angiogenic function. In the present study, HUCB‐MSC served as the gene delivery vehicle for the VEGF165 gene, and we explored the therapeutic effects of this system on ALF. Methods: HUCB‐MSCs were infected with an adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐VEFG fusion protein (Ad‐VEGF165) to overexpress VEGF165 or an adenovirus expressing GFP (Ad‐GFP) as control. The control and modified HUCB‐MSCs were then transplanted into ALF model rats. Liver function and liver pathological changes were assessed by biochemical tests and liver histology. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to determine the expression of, CD34, Ki67 and VEGF. Results: VEGF165 overexpression enhanced the multipotency of HUCB‐MSCs and promoted the homing and colonization of HUCB‐MSC in the liver tissues of ALF rats. Furthermore, although HUCB‐MSC transplantation ameliorated liver damage and promoted liver regeneration to some extent in ALF rats, Ad‐VEGF165‐HUCB‐MSC transplantation showed stronger therapeutic effects on ALF. Conclusions: In summary, transplantation of VEGF165‐modified HUCB‐MSCs exert stronger therapeutic effects on ALF than HUCB‐MSCs. The present study provides a novel therapeutic approach for ALF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our studies was to systematically assess the accuracy and clinical value of plasma calcitonin in patients with liver failure complicated with bacterial infection. In this study, we included prospective observational studies or randomized controlled trials on PCT. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Heterogeneity, pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio, the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC), and metaregression analysis were performed using Stata16.0 software. Consequently, the studies revealed substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 96, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 94–99). The results of meta-analysis using random effect models suggested that the combined DOR was 10.67 (95% CI = 3.73–30.53). In addition, the threshold effect analysis showed that the threshold effect was 0.23 and the correlation coefficient was −0.48, indicating that there was no threshold effect. In the forest map, the DOR of each study and the combined DOR are not distributed along the same line, and Q = 2.2 × 1014, P ≤ 0.001. Furthermore, the metaregression analysis of PCT study design, bacterial infection site, and mean age displayed that the P values were >0.05. The combined sensitivity was 0.77 (95% CI = 0.54–0.90), the combined specificity was 0.76 (95% CI = 0.70–0.82), the combined positive likelihood ratio was 3.25 (95% CI = 2.33–4.52), the combined negative likelihood ratio was 0.30 (95% CI = 0.14–0.67), and the combined AUC was 0.80 (95% CI = 0.76–0.83). In conclusion, PCT has moderate diagnostic value for adult liver failure complicated with bacterial infection, and it is a better auxiliary diagnostic index for liver failure with bacterial infection. However, the results of procalcitonin must be carefully interpreted combined with medical history, physical examination, and microbiological assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiata pine wood (W) was modified with acetic anhydride and glutaraldehyde (GA) resulting in WAc and WGA to various weight percent gains (WPGs), whereas in WAc the effect is due to grafting and in WGA, crosslinking. The heat of vaporization of bound water (BW) of the modified woods was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the mass loss (due to water loss) of the samples by thermogravimetry (TG). The temperature program was in both cases from 25 to 40°C with 10°C min−1. The adsorbed or condensed water in wood were observed via low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR). At a comparable WPG level, the LFNMR analysis showed that the interaction of water with WGA was stronger than that with WAc. In both modified woods, a considerable reduction in the vaporization heat of BW was visible due to cell wall hydrophobization and bulking. The reduction of condensed water in micropores was lower for WGA than WAc, probably because BW needs more energy to evaporate from the crosslinked stiff WGA cell walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is a significant risk factor for the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, a convenient and efficacious non-invasive test for monitoring NAFLD progression in patients with obesity is currently lacking. This study aims to investigate the associations between CT-based body composition and the progression of biopsy-proven NAFLD in patients with obesity., Methods: Liver biopsy was conducted in patients with obesity, and the progression of NAFLD was evaluated by the NAFLD activity score (NAS). Body composition was assessed through abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans., Results: A total of 602 patients with an average age of 31.65 (±9.33) years old were included, comprising 217 male patients and 385 female patients. The wall skeletal muscle index (SMI), total SMI, and visceral fat index (VFI) were positively correlated with NAS in both male and female patients. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between high liver steatosis and wall SMI (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.30), total SMI (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.08), VSI (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.48 to 3.14), visceral fat to muscle ratio (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.18), and visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.12). Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was significantly associated with wall SMI (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.19) and VSI (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03 to 2.17). Liver fibrosis ≥ F2 was significantly associated with psoas muscle index (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.93) and psoas skeletal muscle density (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.89)., Conclusions: Our study suggested that certain CT-based body composition indicators, notably high VFI, were significantly associated with the progression of NAFLD in patients with obesity. Great attentions and timely managements should be given to these patients with body composition characteristics associated with the risk of NAFLD progression., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Peroxisome dynamics are crucial for intestinal stem cell (ISC) differentiation and gut regeneration. However, the precise mechanisms that govern peroxisome dynamics within ISCs during gut regeneration remain unknown. Using mouse colitis and Drosophila intestine models, we have identified a negative-feedback control mechanism involving the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and SOX21. This feedback mechanism effectively regulates peroxisome abundance during gut regeneration. Following gut injury, the released free very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) increase peroxisome abundance by stimulating PPARs-PEX11s signaling. PPARs act to stimulate peroxisome fission and inhibit pexophagy. SOX21, which acts downstream of peroxisomes during ISC differentiation, induces peroxisome elimination through pexophagy while repressing PPAR expression. Hence, PPARs and SOX21 constitute a finely tuned negative-feedback loop that regulates peroxisome dynamics. These findings shed light on the complex molecular mechanisms underlying peroxisome regulation in ISCs, contributing to our understanding of gut renewal and repair., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) can exert a protective effect in rat models of acute liver failure (ALF). Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF 165 ) is the predominant VEGF isoform and possesses a strong pro-angiogenic function. In the present study, HUCB-MSC served as the gene delivery vehicle for the VEGF 165 gene, and we explored the therapeutic effects of this system on ALF., Methods: HUCB-MSCs were infected with an adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-VEFG fusion protein (Ad-VEGF 165 ) to overexpress VEGF 165 or an adenovirus expressing GFP (Ad-GFP) as control. The control and modified HUCB-MSCs were then transplanted into ALF model rats. Liver function and liver pathological changes were assessed by biochemical tests and liver histology. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to determine the expression of, CD34, Ki67 and VEGF., Results: VEGF 165 overexpression enhanced the multipotency of HUCB-MSCs and promoted the homing and colonization of HUCB-MSC in the liver tissues of ALF rats. Furthermore, although HUCB-MSC transplantation ameliorated liver damage and promoted liver regeneration to some extent in ALF rats, Ad-VEGF 165 -HUCB-MSC transplantation showed stronger therapeutic effects on ALF., Conclusions: In summary, transplantation of VEGF 165 -modified HUCB-MSCs exert stronger therapeutic effects on ALF than HUCB-MSCs. The present study provides a novel therapeutic approach for ALF., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) have been used to facilitate healing in animal models of liver injury, while granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown to stimulate stem cell mobilization and these cells may contribute to liver repair. hUCB-MSCs were characterized by flow cytometry, and transplanted into rats with d-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) together with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Liver function, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes. Apoptosis was investigated by terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) cell proliferation assay was analyzed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. In the results, cultured hUCB-MSCs displayed proliferation and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potentials. hUCB-MSCs in combination with G-CSF significantly attenuated ALF-induced liver function injury. Furthermore, hUCB-MSCs and G-CSF treatment remarkably suppressed the secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MDA activation induced by ALF. In addition, inflammation, lesions and cell apoptosis in liver tissues were obviously ameliorated by application of hUCB-MSCs and G-CSF. In conclusion, hUCB-MSCs, alone or co-treatment with G-CSF could ameliorate ALF in rats by inhibiting liver function injury, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and liver cell apoptosis., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)