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In this paper, we construct an approximation to the Pitman–Yor process by truncating its two‐parameter Poisson–Dirichlet representation. The truncation is based on a decreasing sequence of random weights, thus having a lower approximation error compared to the popular truncated stick‐breaking process. We develop an exact simulation algorithm to sample from the approximation process and provide an alternative MCMC algorithm for the parameter regime where the exact simulation algorithm becomes slow. The effectiveness of the simulation algorithms is demonstrated by the estimation of the functionals of a Pitman–Yor process. Then we adapt the approximation process into a Pitman–Yor process mixture model and devise a blocked Gibbs sampler for posterior inference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonging the lifetime of SAPO‐34 catalysts and enhancing their olefin selectivity in methanol‐to‐olefin (MTO) reactions are critical yet challenging objectives. Here, a series of hierarchical SAPO‐34 catalysts were synthesized using a straightforward recrystallization method. The incorporation of triethylamine into the recrystallization mother liquor facilitated the formation of mesopores, achieving a high solid yield of up to 90%. Notably, the addition of phosphoric acid and ammonium polyvinyl phosphate alcohol during the recrystallization process significantly enhanced the crystallinity and regularity of the hierarchical SAPO‐34 crystals, consequently increasing the mesopore size. Due to the substantially improved mass transfer efficiency and moderated acidity, the SP34‐0.14P‐0.06R catalysts exhibited a prolonged lifetime of 344 min and 80.3% selectivity for ethylene and propylene at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 2 h−1. This performance markedly surpasses that of the parent SP34 catalyst, which demonstrated a lifetime of 136 min and a selectivity of 78.0%. Remarkably, the SP34‐0.14P‐0.06R maintained a lifetime of 166 min even at a high WHSV of 10 h−1, which is more than 5‐fold greater than that of the original microporous SP34. This research offers valuable insights into the design and development of hierarchically porous zeolites with high yields, enhancing the efficiency of MTO reactions and other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the specific effects and mechanisms of donepezil (DNPZ) hydrochloride on inflammation and apoptosis in ulcerative colitis (UC). In vivo and in vitro models of UC were established using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced mice and NCM460 cells, respectively. Following oral administration of DNPZ, body weight, disease activity index (DAI) scores and colon lengths of mice were recorded. Histopathological damage was detected employing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Inflammatory factors were tested using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Apoptosis was estimated utilizing terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling and western blot. Low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP1)/AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK)/nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐ κB) signaling proteins were detected utilizing western blot. NCM460 cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit (CCK)‐8. We found that DNPZ partially restored body weight, reduced DAI scores and attenuated intestinal pathological damage in DSS‐induced mice. Additionally, inflammatory factors decreased significantly after DNPZ treatment, accompanied by reduced apoptosis level. Phosphorylation (p)‐AMPK increased and p‐p65 decreased after DNPZ treatment, whereas LRP1 knockdown showed the opposite effect. Moreover, DNPZ treatment greatly restored NCM460 cell viability after DSS stimulation. DNPZ attenuated DSS‐induced inflammation and apoptosis in NCM460 cells, which was reversed by LRP1 knockdown. In summary, DNPZ hydrochloride attenuates inflammation and apoptosis in UC via LRP1/AMPK/NF‐κB signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft magnetic high‐entropy alloy thin films (HEATFs) exhibit remarkable freedom of material‐structure design and physical‐property tailoring, as well as, high cut‐off frequencies and outstanding electrical resistivities, making them potential candidates for high‐frequency magnetic devices. In this study, a CoCrFeNi film with excellent soft magnetic properties is developed by forming a novel core–shell structure via native oxidation, with ferromagnetic elements Fe, Co, and Ni as the core and the Cr oxide as the shell layer. The core–shell structure enables a high saturation magnetization, enhances the electrical resistivity, and thus reduces the eddy‐current loss. For further optimizing the soft magnetic properties, O is deliberately introduced into the HEATFs, and the O‐incorporated HEATFs exhibit an electrical resistivity of 237 µΩ·cm, a saturation magnetization of 535 emu cm−3, and a coercivity of 23 A m−1. The factors that determine the ferromagnetism and coercivity of the CoCrFeNi‐based HEATFs are examined in detail by evaluating the microstructures, magnetic domains, chemical valency, and 3D microscopic compositional distributions of the prepared films. These results are anticipated to provide insights into the magnetic behaviors of soft magnetic HEATFs, as well as aid in the construction of a promising material‐design strategy for these unique materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Forbes expressed fat-free mass (FFM, in kg) as the cube of height (H, in m): FFM = 10.3 × H3. Our objective is to examine the potential influence of gender and population ancestry on the association between FFM and height. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis involving an existing dataset of 279 healthy subjects (155 males and 124 females) with age 5-59 years and body mass index (BMI) 14-28 kg/m2. FFM was measured by a four-component model as the criterion. Results: Nonlinear regression models were fitted: FFM = 10.8 × H2.95 for the males and FFM = 10.1 × H2.90 for the females. The 95% confidence intervals for the exponential coefficients were (2.83, 3.07) for the males and (2.72, 3.08) for the females, both containing hypothesized value 3.0. Population ancestry adjustment was considered in the H-FFM model. The coefficient of the H-FFM model for male Asians is smaller than that for male Caucasians ( P = 0.006), while there is no statistically significant difference among African-Americans, Caucasians and Hispanics: 10.6 for the males (10.1 for Asians, 10.8 for African-Americans, 10.7 for Caucasians and 10.4 for Hispanics) and 9.6 for the females (9.3 for Asians, 9.8 for African-Americans, 9.6 for Caucasians and 9.5 for Hispanics). Age adjustment was unnecessary for the coefficient of the H-FFM model. Conclusion: Height is the most important factor contributing to the magnitude of FFM across most of the lifespan, though both gender and ancestry effects are significant in the H-FFM model. The proposed H-FFM model can be further used to develop a mechanistic model to explain why population ancestry, gender and age influence the associations between BMI and %Fat. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated if poly‐lactic acid (PLA) nanopillar array can trigger the differentiation of human epicardial (ADSCs) (heADSCs) into cardiomyocyte‐like cells and explored the effects of these cardiomyocyte‐like cells on myocardial infarction (MI) in vivo. PLA nanopillar array (200 nm diameter) and plain PLA film (PLA planar) induced heADSCs were marked with carboxyfluorescein. After 7 days, the expressions of myocardiocyte‐specific genes were significantly enhanced in cells seeded on PLA nanopillar array compared with that on PLA planar, especially CACNA1C, KCNH2, and MYL2 genes (p < 0.05). However, the expressions of cardiac troponin T (cTNT), KCNQ1, and KCNA5 were lower than those in PLA planar‐induced heADSCs (p < 0.05), whereas GATA4 tended to increase with time. The cells with positively stained α‐actinin and cTNT were elevated in heADSCs induced by PLA nanopillar array compared with those induced by PLA planar only (p < 0.05). In vivo experiments showed that cardiac function was improved after injecting PLA‐nanopillar array‐induced heADSCs into the ischemic heart (p < 0.05, compared with PLA planar + MI group). Furthermore, tyrosine hydroxylase density was significantly lower (p < 0.05). PLA nanopillar array directly drives the differentiation of heADSCs into cardiomyocyte‐like cells, and the induced heADSCs exhibit a protective effect on ischemic myocardium by improving cardiac function in MI rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS), characterized by thinning or disappearance of the pituitary stalk, hypoplasia of the anterior pituitary, and an ectopic posterior pituitary, can lead to congenital combined pituitary hormone deficiency. There is a high prevalence of various metabolic disorders, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in this population. Objective: To investigate the characteristics of NAFLD in Chinese adult patients with PSIS and its association with growth hormone deficiency. Design: Retrospective cross‐sectional study in a tertiary referral center of China. Patients: Adult patients with PSIS diagnosed, followed up between September 2019 and August 2021, were consecutively enrolled. Measurements: Abdominal ultrasonography images were evaluated and noninvasive fibrosis scores were determined to assess the severity of NAFLD. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters were compared between patients with and without NAFLD. Logistic regression was performed to assess the independent effects of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) on NAFLD. Results: A total of 93 patients (77 men, 16 women, mean age: 29.6 ± 7.1 years) were included. The prevalence of NAFLD and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis was 50.5% and 4.3%, respectively. Insufficient hormone therapy and prominent metabolic disorders, including central obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, were more common in the NAFLD (+) group. After adjusting for multiple variables, IGF‐1 <−2 standard deviation score (SDS) was found to be associated with an increased prevalence of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR]: 4.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21–24.55, p =.035). Per 1 SDS increase in IGF‐1 was associated with a 27% lower risk of NAFLD (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52–0.97, p =.042). Conclusion: NAFLD is a frequent comorbidity among Chinese adult patients with PSIS and is strongly associated with lower IGF‐1 levels. Timely and appropriate hormone replacement, particularly growth hormone may contribute to decreasing the risk of NAFLD in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study developed a risk scoring tool and examined its applicability using data from the Kihon Checklist cohort dataset for 19 months to predict the transition from no certification for long‐term care to long‐term care level 3 or above. Methods: Data were collected from 26 357 functionally independent, community‐dwelling older adults in a Japanese city who answered the Checklist in 2014 and were followed for 19 months. Individuals certified for long‐term care during the follow‐up period were classified into three levels depending on their certification status: low, moderate, and high long‐term care levels. Relationships between the Kihon Checklist domains and high long‐term care levels were examined using the logistic regression model. A score chart predicting incidents of high long‐term care levels was created to facilitate its applicability. Results: As of 2016, 971 participants were certified for long‐term care (3.7%), of which 168 (0.6%), 357 (1.4%), and 446 (1.7%) were certified as high, moderate, and low long‐term care levels, respectively. Variables associated with the certification of high long‐term care level included difficulties in activities of daily living, a decline in locomotor and cognitive function in the Kihon Checklist domains, and age. The score chart was created based on these variables and demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability, with an area under curve of 0.817 (95% confidence interval: 0.785–0.849). Conclusions: The Kihon Checklist can predict the future development of a high degree of dependency. The score chart we developed can be easily implemented to identify older adults at high risk with reasonable accuracy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 797–802. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis is an important neuronal cell death mechanism. Previous studies reported that activation of melanocortin MC4 receptor exerted neuroprotection in several neurological diseases. Here, we have investigated the role of MC4 receptor activation with RO27-3225 in suppressing neuronal pyroptosis after experimental intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and the underlying mechanism.Experimental Approach: One hundred and sixty-nine male CD1 mice were used. ICH was induced by injection of bacterial collagenase into the right-side basal ganglia. RO27-3225, a selective agonist of MC4 receptor, was injected intraperitoneally at 1 hr after ICH. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we used the specific MC4 receptor antagonist HS024 and NQDI-1, a specific inhibitor of the apoptosis signalling-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). Neurological tests, Western blot, Fluoro-Jade C, TUNEL, and immunofluorescence staining were conducted.Key Results: Expression of MC4 receptor and the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 1 (NLRP1) inflammasome in brain were increased after ICH. RO27-3225 treatment decreased neuronal pyroptosis and neurobehavioural deficits at 24 and 72 hr after ICH. RO27-3225 reduced the expression of p-ASK1, p-JNK, p-p38 MAPK, NLRP1 inflammasome, cleaved caspase-1, and IL-1β after ICH. HS024 pretreatment prevented the effects of RO27-3225. Similar to RO27-3225, NQDI-1 alone improved neurological functions and down-regulated ASK1/JNK/p38MAPK expression after ICH.Conclusions and Implications: RO27-3225 suppressed NLRP1-dependent neuronal pyroptosis and improved neurological function, possibly mediated by activation of MC4 receptor and inhibition of ASK1/JNK/p38 MAPK signalling pathways, after experimental ICH in mice. The MC4 receptor may be a promising therapeutic target for the management of ICH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, positron emission tomography-computed tomography ( PET-CT) was used to monitor the maximal standard uptake value ( SUVmax) in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with epithermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutation to prove its role in predicting the prognosis of targeted therapy. Methods A total of 46 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma ( IIIb- IV stage) were enrolled in the current study. They were positive for EGFR mutation. All patients received gefitinib (250 mg per day, administered orally). PET- CT was conducted prior to (at baseline) and six months after gefitinib administration for the lesion size and SUVmax. The recommendations of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer criteria were chosen for PET assessment. Metabolic response ( SUV decline < −25%) was compared with morphologic response evaluated by CT scan and overall survival. Result Compared to patients with △ SUV% ≥ 25% (progressive metabolic disease), the survival time was significantly prolonged in △ SUV% < −25% (including complete metabolic response and progressive metabolic disease) (10.6/18.4, P = 0.000), but was not in −25% ≤ △ SUV% < 25% (stable metabolic disease) (10.6/10.7, P = 0.088). Patients who achieved △ SUV% < −25% after treatment were associated with a longer median survival, higher control rate, and better prognosis. There was a strong correlation between SUV changes (△ SUV%) and CT size change (△lesion size%) (R2 = 0.891, P = 0.000). Conclusion Changes in the SUV could be used to predict the prognosis of targeted therapy in advanced lung adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Facile and Convenient Synthesis of N'1,N'3-Dialkyl-N'1,N'3-bis(arylcarbonothioyl)-malonohydrazides via Propylphosphonic Anhydride Coupling" by Zhiqiang Xia and colleagues is presented.