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The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is a framework that supports the proactive, planned, coordinated and patient-centered care of chronic diseases. The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) scale is a valuable tool for evaluating patients’ perspectives on chronic care delivery based on the CCM. Few studies have examined its application in China. This study assesses hypertension care in Chinese patients and explores how PACIC scores relate to patient compliance. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hangzhou, China, from June to August 2021, including 253 hypertensive patients from 5 county hospitals and 13 primary healthcare centers. The study used the PACIC scale to assess hypertension care delivery and the Compliance of Hypertensive Patients scale (CHPS) to measure patient compliance. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between demographic characteristics and the total and domain scores of PACIC, as well as the association between CHPS and the domain scores of PACIC. The mean value of overall the PACIC score was 3.12 (out of 5). Problem solving/contextual domain had the highest average score for each item, while follow up/coordination domain had the lowest. Patient activation had negative effects on intention (β = −.18, P

This paper investigated the effect of additional sulfide and thiosulfate on Q235 carbon steel corrosion in alkaline solutions. Weight loss method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical measurements were used in this study to show the corrosion behavior and electrochemistry of Q235 carbon steel. Results indicate that the synergistic corrosion rate of Q235 carbon steel in alkaline solution containing sulfide and thiosulfate is larger than that of sulfide and thiosulfate alone, which could be due to redox reaction of sulfide and thiosulfate. The surface cracks and pitting characteristics of the specimens after corrosion were carefully examined and the corrosion products film is flake grains and defective. The main corrosion products of specimen induced by S2− and S2O32- are FeS, FeS2, Fe3O4, and FeOOH. The present study shows that the corrosion mechanism of S2− and S2O32- is different for the corrosion of Q235 carbon steel.

Sildenafil citrate, an oral drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, has low water solubility and oral bioavailability. The solubility is greatly influenced by the pH, changing from 37.25 mg/mL to 0.22 mg/mL with a change in pH from 1.2 to 8.0. This indicates that the absorption may decrease in patients who use drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), for gastroesophageal reflux disease. To improve the absorption of sildenafil citrate at various gastric pH levels, a sildenafil citrate orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), which has a rapid disintegration feature, was produced by a 3D printing technique. Our study investigated the pharmacokinetic parameters of the sildenafil citrate ODT in rats after oral administration and compared the absorption of the sildenafil citrate ODT and sildenafil citrate commercial tablet (RLD), with and without PPI treatment. The LC/MS/MS analysis of the plasma sildenafil concentration revealed that the area under curve from time 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞) of sildenafil in the sildenafil citrate ODT group was significantly higher than in the sildenafil citrate RLD group whether it was in combination with the PPI or not (274.8% and 144%, respectively; p < 0.05). The relative systemic bioavailability of sildenafil citrate RLD significantly decreased with the PPI, but that of sildenafil citrate ODT was not affected by the PPI. These results indicate that the relative systemic bioavailability of sildenafil citrate ODT was increased when it was prepared using the 3D printing technique and the absorption of this formulation was not affected by the PPI.

A huge and growing number of scientific papers are authored by non-native English speakers, driving increased demand for effective computer-based writing tools to help writers composing scientific articles. The Automated Evaluation of Scientific Writing (AESW) shared task promotes the use of natural language processing tools to improve the quality of scientific writing in English by predicting whether a given sentence needs language editing or not. In this study, we propose an Ensemble Multi-Channel Neural Networks (called EMC-NN) model for scientific language editing evaluation, comprised of three main parts: a multi-channel word embedding representation, a combination of Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory and Convolutional Neural Networks, and a majority voting ensemble. Experimental results on 143,804 testing sentences show that our proposed EMC-NN achieved an F1-score of 0.6367, outperforming the winner of the AESW-2016 competition task and the recent BERT transformers. Based on a series of in- depth analyses comparing the number of channels, ensemble size and network architectures, the proposed EMC-NN model is a relatively simple, but effective approach that offers significant performance improvements for scientific writing evaluation tasks.

Newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer increases year by year, while the prognosis of pancreatic cancer has not been very good. Statin drugs were found to have protective effects against a variety of cancers, but their association with pancreatic cancer remains to be clarified. This study used different pancreatic cancer cell lines and in different animal models to confirm the relationship between simvastatin and pancreatic cancer. Flow cytometry and luciferase-based bioluminescent images were used to investigate the cell cycle and tumor growth changes under simvastatin treatment. Simvastatin decreased the MIA PaCa-2 cells, PANC-1 cells, and BxPC-3 cell viability significantly and may arrest the cell cycle in the G0 phase. During in vivo study, subcutaneously implanted simvastatin pre-treated pancreatic cancer cells and intraperitoneally treated simvastatin continuously demonstrated a slower tumor growth rate and decreased the tumor/body weight ratio significantly. In intravenous implant models, implanted simvastatin-pre-treated BxPC-3 cells and cells treated along with simvastatin significantly decreased the tumor growth curve. Implanting the simvastatin-pre-treated pancreatic cells in the subcutaneous model showed better growth inhibition than the intravenous model. These results suggest simvastatin treatment may relate to different signaling pathways in local growth and metastasis. Pancreatic cancer cells presented different growth patterns in different animal-induced models, which could be important for clinical reference when it comes to the relationship of long-term statin use and pancreatic cancer.

High-purity intermetallic β-Ti (FeTi4) and FeTi alloys were prepared via molten salt electrolysis from a titanium-containing waste slag and Fe2O3 mixture using molten CaCl2 salt as the electrolyte. The mixed slag powders were pressed into a pellet that served as a cathode, while a graphite rod served as an anode. The electrochemical process was conducted at 900 °C with a cell voltage of 3.1 V under an inert atmosphere. The formation process of the alloys and the influence of the Ti:Fe atomic ratio on the product were investigated. With an increased proportion of Ti, the phase of the product changed from FeTi/Fe2Ti to FeTi/FeTi4, and different structures were observed. At a Ti:Fe ratio of 1.2:1 in the raw slag, an alloy with a sponge-like morphology and a small amount of FeTi4 were obtained. During the initial stages of electrolysis, a large amount of intermediate product (CaTiO3) was formed, accompanied by an abrupt decrease in current and increase in particle size. The current then increased and Fe2Ti alloy was gradually formed. Finally, as the reaction process extended inside the pellet, the current remained stable and the product mainly contained FeTi and FeTi4 phases. The observed stages, i.e., CaTiO3(TiO2) → Fe2Ti(Ti) → FeTi(FeTi4), were consistent with the thermodynamic analysis.

This study investigates the effect of sulfur on Q235 steel and 16Mn steel corrosion in sodium aluminate solution. The corrosion rate of Q235 steel and 16Mn steel reaches the maximum respectively when S ^2− and S _2 O _3 ^2− form synergistic corrosion and S ^2− is contained alone. But, the size of corroded particles is smaller in the solution containing only S _2 O _3 ^2− for two kinds of steel. The corrosion rate of 16Mn steel is greater than Q235 steel. Surface corrosion of two kinds of steel is both composed of sulfides (FeS and FeS _2 ) and oxides (Fe _2 O _3 , Fe _3 O _4 , Al _2 O _3 and NaFeO _2 ). The crystal particles of steel surface are mainly iron oxides according to EDS analysis. Nyquist plots of Q235 steel with different forms of sulfur have two capacitance-resistance arcs and no diffusion impedance. Nyquist plots of 16Mn steel with S _2 O _3 ^2− alone is consistent with Q235 steel. But, Nyquist plots of 16Mn steel presents a typical Warburg diffusion phenomenon with containing S ^2− alone and forming synergistic corrosion.

Objective This study aimed to assess household preparedness for emergency events and its determinants in China. Design A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 3541 households in China in 2015. Participants Households were selected using a stratified cluster sampling strategy, representing central, eastern, western and southern regions of China. The designed questionnaires were administered through face-to- face interviews. Outcome measures Household emergency preparedness was measured with 14 indicators, tapping into the supply of nine emergency necessities (food and water, extra batteries, battery-powered radio, battery-operated torch, first-aid kit, gas mask, fire extinguisher, escape ropes, whistle), coverage of accident insurance, knowledge of local emergency response systems (emergency numbers, exit routes and shelters) and availability of a household evacuation plan. If an individual acted on 9 of the 14 indicators, they were deemed well prepared. Logistic regression models were established to identify predictors of well preparedness based on 3541 returned questionnaires containing no missing values. Results Only 9.9% of households were well prepared for emergencies: 53.6% did not know what to do and 31.6% did not want to think about it. A higher level of preparedness was found in the respondents who have attained higher education (adjusted OR=0.826 compared with the higher level), participated in emergency training activities (adjusted OR=2.299), had better emergency knowledge (adjusted OR=2.043), reported less fate-submissiveness (adjusted OR=1.385) and more self-reliance (adjusted OR=1.349), prior exposure to emergency events (adjusted OR=1.280) and held more positive attitudes towards preparedness (adjusted OR=1.286). Conclusion Household preparedness for emergency events is poor in China. Lack of motivation, negative attitude to preparedness and knowledge shortfall are major but remediable barriers for household preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperglycemia-induced advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor for AGEs (RAGE) production play major roles in progression of diabetic nephropathy. Anti-RAGE effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPARδ) agonists was shown in previous studies. PPARδ agonists also stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion from human intestinal cells. Methods: In this study, the individual and synergic anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1 receptor (exendin-4) and PPARδ (L-165,041) agonists in AGE-treated rat mesangial cells (RMC) were investigated. Results: The results showed both exendin-4 and L-165,041 significantly attenuated AGE-induced IL-6 and TNF- α production, RAGE expression, and cell death in RMC. Similar anti-inflammatory potency was seen between 0.3 nM exendin-4 and 1 μM L-165,041. Synergic effect of exendin-4 and L-165,041 was shown in inhibiting cytokines production, but not in inhibiting RAGE expression or cell death. Conclusions: These results suggest that both GLP-1 receptor and PPARδ agonists have anti-inflammatory effect on AGE-treated rat mesangial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Chronic nonspecific lower back pain (LBP) is a common disease. Insufficient data is currently available to conclusively confirm the analgesic effects of laser acupuncture on LBP.This study evaluated the effectiveness of laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping in LBP treatment. Methods. Patients with chronic nonspecific LBP were enrolled for a randomized controlled trial and assigned to the laser acupuncture group (laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping) and control group (sham laser plus Chinese cupping). Laser acupuncture (808 nm; 40mW; 20Hz; 15 J/cm2) and Chinese cupping were applied on the Weizhong (BL40) and Ashi acupoints for 5 consecutive days. Plasma cortisol levels were assessed before and after the 5-day treatment session.The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded at baseline and throughout the 5-day treatment session. Results.After the treatment session, the plasma cortisol levels and VAS scores decreased significantly in both groups. In the laser acupuncture group, the VAS scores decreased significantly on days 4 and 5, and an enhanced reduction in VAS scores was observed. Conclusion. Laser acupuncture plus Chinese cupping at the Weizhong (BL40) and Ashi acupoints effectively reduced pain and inflammation in chronic nonspecific LBP. This therapy could be a suitable option for LBP treatment in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder, exhibits reduced cognitive function with no cure to date. One of the reasons for AD is the accumulation of Amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) plaque(s) that trigger aberrant gene expression and signaling, which results in neuronal cell death by an unknown mechanism(s). Misexpression of human Aβ42 in the developing retina of Drosophila exhibits AD-like neuropathology. Small non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of their target genes and thereby regulate different signaling pathways. In a forward genetic screen, we identified miR-277 (human ortholog is hsa-miR-3660) as a genetic modifier of Aβ42-mediated neurodegeneration. Loss-of-function of miR-277 enhances the Aβ42-mediated neurodegeneration. Whereas gain-of-function of miR-277 in the GMR > Aβ42 background downregulates cell death to maintain the number of neurons and thereby restores the retinal axonal targeting defects indicating the functional rescue. In addition, gain-of-function of miR-277 rescues the eclosion- and climbing assays defects observed in GMR > Aβ42 background. Thus, gain-of-function of miR-277 rescues both structurally as well as functionally the Aβ42-mediated neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we identified head involution defective (hid), an evolutionarily conserved proapoptotic gene, as one of the targets of miR-277 and validated these results using luciferase- and qPCR -assays. In the GMR > Aβ42 background, the gain-of-function of miR-277 results in the reduction of hid transcript levels to one-third of its levels as compared to GMR > Aβ42 background alone. Here, we provide a novel molecular mechanism where miR-277 targets and downregulates proapoptotic gene, hid, transcript levels to rescue Aβ42-mediated neurodegeneration by blocking cell death. These studies shed light on molecular mechanism(s) that mediate cell death response following Aβ42 accumulation seen in neurodegenerative disorders in humans and provide new therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration.

The large primary carbides in H13 steel significantly affect its service life. In this study, pre-dispersion technology is used to disperse CeO2 nanoparticles, which are then introduced into H13 steel. The effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on the inclusions, primary carbides, microstructures, and properties of H13 steel are investigated. Ce-containing inclusions with size of 0.5–2 μm are generated and distributed uniformly in H13 steel owing to the reduction of CeO2 by Al and C. Both the dendrite structure and primary carbides in H13 steel are refined by CeO2 nanoparticles. The secondary dendrite arm spacing decreases from 13.51 ± 2.34 to 6.90 ± 1.23 μm. The size and number of primary carbides decrease from 1 to 5 to 1–3 μm, and from 1125 to 725/mm2, respectively. This is attributable to the disregistry of Ce-containing inclusions and primary carbides/austenite. The segregation of alloy elements in H13 steel is calculated using the Clyne–Kurz model. The properties of H13 steel are improved via the addition of CeO2; in particular, its tensile strength, total elongation rate, and hardness are 726.38 MPa, 23.43%, and 243.49, respectively, which corresponds to increases by approximately 5.58%, 8.27%, and 10.11%, respectively. The results can facilitate improvements to the performance of H13 steel and the development of rare earth steel.

ObjectiveTo explore contemporary connotation of active health for providing a theoretical basis to the development of scientific, efficient, and standard management model of active health. MethodsUsing active health, proactive health and protective health as preliminary key words, domestic and foreign literature and Web page contents relevant to the definition of active health were retrieved via searching databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang Data, VIP Data, and authoritative websites for the period from 2000 through 2022. A keyword matrix was established with co-term analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis was conducted with SPSS 25.0. ResultsTotally 51 literatures and web page contents of 8 authoritative websites were finally included in the analysis. Multidimensional scaling analysis on dissimilar matrix of 36 screened-out key words resulted in a stress value of 0.23279 and a regression squared value of 0.71918; based on the key words, the connotation of active health could be elucidated in four dimensions: practice theory, participation subject, implementation approach, and health result. ConclusionCurrent connotation of active health may implicate four dimensions of practice theory, participation subject, implementation approach, and health result. More studies are needed on active health theory-based medical model and practice.

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 is a severe test for China′s response to major public health emergencies. Through literature reviews, we summarized approval system and process for research/development and marketing of medicine and test reagents related to responses to major public health emergencies in many foreign countries and conducted comparative studies on the system and process at home and abroad for providing references to relevant system construction and administrative management China.

A new concept for the diagnosis and management of non-functional dyspepsia in guidelines was lacking in the past decade. Medical advancement has proven pancreatic fibrosis (essential image evidence of early chronic pancreatitis) to be a cause of dyspepsia and related to pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the clinical picture, biomarker, and percentage of pancreatic fibrosis in the dyspeptic population. A total of 141 consecutive patients were retrospectively enrolled. They were diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease, 9.2% (n = 13); pancreatic fibrosis, 17% (n = 24); pure Helicobacter pylori infection, 19.9% (n = 28); functional dyspepsia, 53.2% (n = 75); and chronic pancreatitis, 0.7% (n = 1). Among those with pancreatic fibrosis, (n = 24), 11 were diagnosed on the basis of a pancreatic acoustic radiation force impulse exceeding 1.4 m/s, and the remaining 13 were diagnosed with early chronic pancreatitis with at least three of the Japanese endoscopic ultrasonography criteria. The anatomic distribution of parenchymal criteria of early chronic pancreatitis was head, 53%; body, 38%; and tail, 9%. There were 17 cases (71%, 17/24) without Helicobacter pylori and whose dyspepsia improved after pancreatic enzyme replacement with a ratio of 82.3% (14/17). Of the 141 cases, 19 received gastric emptying scintigraphy and Western blot analysis of chromogranin-A in duodenal mucosa. Delayed gastric emptying was more common in functional dyspepsia and chromogranin-A was expressed more in pancreatic fibrosis. In conclusion, pancreatic fibrosis (including early chronic pancreatitis) outnumbered peptic ulcer disease in the dyspeptic population and pancreatic enzyme therapy was effective for 82% of cases. In early chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic fibrosis is dominant in the head location, and duodenum mucosa chromogranin-A is a potential biomarker with increased expression in an age-matched manner.