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Neuromuscular diseases pose significant health and economic challenges, necessitating innovative monitoring technologies for personalizable treatment. Existing devices detect muscular motions either indirectly from mechanoacoustic signatures on skin surface or via ultrasound waves that demand specialized skin adhesion. Here, we report a wireless wearable system, Laryngeal Health Monitor (LaHMo), designed to be conformally placed on the neck for continuously measuring movements of underlying muscles. The system uses near-infrared (NIR) light that features deep-tissue penetration and strong interaction with myoglobin to capture muscular locomotion. The incorporated inertial measurement unit sensor further decouples the superposition of signals from NIR recordings. Integrating a multimodal AI-boosted algorithm based on recurrent neural network, the system accurately classifies activities of physiological events. An adaptive model enables fast individualization without enormous data sources from the target user, facilitating its broad applicability. Long-term tests and simulations suggest the potential efficacy of the LaHMo platform for real-world applications, such as monitoring disease progression in neuromuscular disorders, evaluating treatment efficacy, and providing biofeedback for rehabilitation exercises. The LaHMo platform may serve as a general noninvasive, user-friendly solution for assessing neuromuscular function beyond the anterior neck, potentially improving diagnostics and treatment of various neuromuscular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent metabolic bone disease, especially when aggravated by aging and long-term bed rest of various causes and also when coupled with astronauts' longer missions in space. Research on the use of static magnetic fields (SMFs) has been progressing as a noninvasive method for osteoporosis due to the complexity of the disease, the inconsistency of the effects of SMFs, and the ambiguity of the mechanism. This paper studied the effects of mice subjected to hindlimb unloading (UL, HLU) and reloading by the 0.2 T–0.4 T static magnetic field (MMF). Primary bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were extracted to explore the mechanism. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used as an osteoporosis model by HLU for four weeks. The HLU recovery period (reloading, RL) was carried out on all FVEs and recovered in the geomagnetic field (45–64 μT, GMF) and MMF, respectively, for 12 h/d for another 4 weeks. The tibia and femur of mice were taken; also, the primary BMSCs were extracted. MMF promoted the recovery of mechanical properties after HLU, increased the number of osteoblasts, and decreased the number of adipocytes in the bone marrow. MMF decreased the total iron content and promoted the total calcium content in the tibia. In vitro experiments showed that MMF promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and inhibited adipogenic differentiation, which is related to iron metabolism, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and the PPARγ pathway. MMF accelerated the improvement in bone metabolism and iron metabolism in RL mice to a certain extent, which improved the bone quality of mice. MMF mainly promoted osteogenic differentiation and reduced the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which provides a reliable research direction and transformation basis for the osteoporosis of elderly, bedridden patients and astronauts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pig manure, as an organic fertilizer, can significantly affect soil nutrient content, pH, and electrical conductivity. Moreover, the accumulation of heavy metals in pig manure and their potential ecological risks are also important concerns in soil management. Additionally, grazing systems may influence soil health and ecological balance by altering the soil microbial community structure. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of grazing Tibetan pigs on soil quality, focusing on the physicochemical properties, heavy metal accumulation, and microbial diversity. In the surface soil after grazing (GS0), pH, EC, AP, and AK were significantly higher than before grazing (NS0) (p < 0.05), while AN showed no significant difference. In the 10 cm soil layer, pH, EC, AK, and AN in GS10 were significantly higher than in NS10 (p < 0.05), whereas AP was significantly lower (p < 0.05). At the 20 cm depth, pH, EC, AP, and AK in GS20 were significantly higher than in NS20 (p < 0.05), but AN was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Overall, AN, AP, and AK decreased with increasing soil depth, while pH and EC showed no significant changes between the 10 cm and 20 cm layers (p > 0.05). In GS0 soil, the contents of Cd(II) and Zn(II) were significantly lower than those in NS0 (p < 0.05), while Pb(II) content was significantly higher (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Cu(II), Ni(II), Cr(VI), As(V), and Hg(II) (p > 0.05). In GS10 soil, Ni and Pb(II) contents were higher, whereas Cu(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II) contents were lower. In GS20 soil, Pb(II) and Cr(VI) contents were higher, while Cu(II) and Zn(II) contents were lower. Overall, GS had consistently lower Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Hg(II) contents at all depths compared to NS, while Pb(II) and Cr(VI) contents were higher, showing depth-related variation trends, possibly due to plant absorption and heavy metal leaching. Probiotics such as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Acinetobacter increased significantly in soil, resulting in changes in the soil bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonol is the bioactive component in Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Cynanchum paniculatum and Paeonia * suffruticosa Andr. Paeonol has been previously demonstrated to inhibit the release of tumor necrosis factor [alpha] (TNF- [alpha]) and interluekin 6 (IL-6) in chondrocytes. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is downregulated in degraded cartilage and paeonol could induce nuclear accumulation of SIRT1. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the possible role of paeonol in chondrocyte inflammation and cartilage protection in osteoarthritis (OA) as well as its regulation of SIRT1. Primary chondrocytes from rat knee joints were transfected with short hairpin (sh)--SIRT1 and (or) paeonol prior to IL-1[beta] exposure, and then inflammatory response, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in the cells were evaluated concurrent with the activation of the nuclear factor [kappa][beta] (NF-[kappa][beta]) signaling pathway. Increased levels of TNF-[alpha], IL-17, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, and MMP-13 along with decreased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and type II collagen levels were found in IL-1[beta]-stimulated chondrocytes. Chondrocyte apoptosis was elevated and the NF-[kappa][beta] signaling pathway was activated in response to IL-1[beta] treatment. Paeonol enhanced SIRT1 expression to inactivate the NF-[kappa][beta] signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating inflammatory cytokine secretion, ECM degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, the results of the present study confirm the potential of paeonol as a candidate OA drug. Key words: osteoarthritis, chondrocyte, paeonol, sirtuin 1, nuclear factor [kappa][beta] pathway, inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, apoptosis. Le paeonol est le compose bioactif de Paeonia lactiflora Pall., de Cynanchum paniculatum et de Paeonia x suffruticosa Andr. On a deja montre que le paeonol permet d'inhiber la liberation de TNF-[alpha] et d'IL-6 dans les chondrocytes. La sirtuine 1 (SIRT1) est regulee a la baisse dans le cartilage endommage et le paeonol pourrait entrainer son accumulation dans le noyau. Par consequent, la presente etude porte sur le role eventuel du paeonol dans l'inflammation des chondrocytes et la protection du cartilage dans l'arthrose, de meme que son activite de regulation sur la SIRT1. Nous avons transfecte des chondrocytes primitifs de l'articulation du genou de rats avec de la sh-sirtuine 1 et/ou du paeonol avant une exposition a de l'IL-1[beta], puis evalue la reaction inflammatoire, l'apoptose et la degradation de la matrice extracellulaire des cellules ainsi que l'activation de la voie de signalisation du NF-[kappa][beta]. Nous avons observe une augmentation des taux de TNF- [alpha], d'IL-17, d'IL-6, de metalloproteinase matricielle (MMP)-1, de MMP-3 et de MMP-13, ainsi qu'une diminution des taux d'inhibiteurs tissulaires des metalloproteinases 1 et du collagene de type II dans les chondrocytes stimules a l'aide d'IL-1[beta]. L'apoptose des chondrocytes etait a la hausse et la voie de signalisation du NF-[kappa][beta] s'activait en reaction a l'administration d'IL- 1[beta]. Le paeonol a permis de faire augmenter l'expression de la SIRT1 pour une inactivation de la voie de signalisation du NF-[kappa][beta], avec des ameliorations consecutives sur le plan de la secretion des cytokines inflammatoires, de la degradation de la matrice extracellulaire et de l'apoptose des chondrocytes. En conclusion, les resultats de la presente etude viennent confirmer que le paeonol pourrait constituer un medicament candidat dans le traitement de l'arthrose. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : arthrose, chondrocyte, paeonol, sirtuine 1, voie de signalisation du NF-[kappa][beta], inflammation, degradation de la matrice extracellulaire, apoptose., Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic disease that impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide, primarily induces disability, joint stiffness, and pain (Zhi et al. 2020). The pathogenesis of OA, [...]

A peer-coaching approach was adopted in the out-of-class stage of the flipped classroom. Out of the classroom, learning tutors help students engage in learning and improve performance. Eighty-seven participants from two classes were involved in this study. One class of 44 students was the experimental group with the peer-coaching approach in a flipped classroom, and the other class of 43 students served as the control group learning by the conventional video-based flipped classroom mode. The experimental results revealed that peer coaching improved student engagement and interaction out of class. In the experimental group, students interacted not only with tutors and group peers but also with students from other groups. The experimental results also show that the proposed approach could improve students' learning achievements.

Cambrian shales in China and elsewhere contain abundant oil and gas resources. However, due to its deep burial and limited outcrop, there has been relatively little research conducted on it. The Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift in the Tarim Basin of western China, specifically the Xidashan–Xishanbulake Formation (Fm.) and overlying Moheershan Fm. provide a case study through the use of organic petrology, mineralogy, organic and elemental geochemistry, with the aim of analyzing and exploring the hydrocarbon generation potential (PG) and organic matter (OM) enrichment mechanisms within these shale formations. The results indicate that: (1) the Cambrian shale of the Tadong low uplift exhibits relatively dispersed OM that consists of vitrinite‐like macerals and solid bitumen. These formations have a higher content of quartz and are primarily composed of silica‐based lithology; (2) shale samples from the Xidashan–Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations demonstrate high total organic carbon (TOC) and low pyrolytic hydrocarbon content (S2) content. The OM is predominantly type I and type II kerogens, indicating a high level of maturation in the wet gas period. These shales have undergone extensive hydrocarbon generation, showing characteristics of relatively poor PG; (3) the sedimentary environments of the Xidashan–Xishanbulake and Moheershan formations in the Tadong low uplift are similar. They were deposited in warm and humid climatic conditions, in oxygen‐deficient environments, with stable terrigenous inputs, high paleoproductivity, high paleosalinity, weak water‐holding capacity, and no significant hydrothermal activity; and (4) the relationship between TOC and the paleoproductivity parameter (P/Ti) is most significant in the Lower Cambrian Xidashan–Xishanbulake Fm., whereas correlation with other indicators is not evident. This suggests a productivity‐driven OM enrichment model, where input of land‐derived material was relatively small during the Middle Cambrian, and the ancient water exhibited lower salinity. A comprehensive pattern was formed under the combined control of paleoproductivity and preservation conditions. This study provides valuable guidance for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bone-milling surgical procedures, the intense friction between the tool and bone material often results in high cutting temperatures, leading to the thermal necrosis of bone cells. This paper aims to investigate the effect of micro-texture on the tribological properties of YG8 cemented carbide in contact with bone. The main objective is to guide the design of tool surface microstructures to reduce frictional heat generation. To minimize experimental consumables and save time, numerical simulations are first conducted to determine the optimal machining depth for the texture. Subsequently, micro-textures with different shapes and pitches are prepared on the surface of YG8 cemented carbide. These textured samples are paired with bovine cortical bone pins featuring various bone unit arrangements, and friction and wear tests are conducted under physiological saline lubrication. The experimental results indicate that the appropriate shape and pitch of the micro-texture can minimize the coefficient of friction. The parallel arrangement of bone units exhibits a lower coefficient of friction compared to the vertical arrangement. This study holds significant implications for the design and fabrication of future micro-texture milling cutters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]