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Background Functional ability is the important prerequisite to live independently and achieve aging in place, which depends on the complex interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Identifying the trends and influencing factors of functional ability would contribute to the accurate assessment and intervention of geriatric health. This study aimed to disentangle the moderating effect of 3 types of social support, namely objective support, subjective support, and support utilization, on the relationship between frailty and functional ability trajectories. Methods This was a secondary analysis using data from a prospective 3-wave study with a sample of 777 Chinese community-dwelling older adults. Social support was assessed using the Social Support Rating scale. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale. Functional ability was measured by the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. Latent growth curve models were implemented to test their relationships. Results Objective support but not subjective support or support utilization moderated on the relationship between frailty and functional ability slope. Functional ability decline over time was buffered by objective support among robust individuals but exacerbated among (pre)frail individuals. Conclusions The moderating effect of social support on the relationship between frailty and functional ability trajectory varies by support types, which reminded that social support may be a promising intervention target to maintain functional independence for frail individuals, opening up a new perspective on social support in the field of disability prevention. Effective interventions should particularly address objective support in conjunction with empowering the frail older population to optimize the trajectory of functional ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, an effective means to preoperatively predict the malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) remains lacking due to similarities in clinical appearance. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) parameters and microvessel structure in tumors with histologically confirmed SIP and inverted papilloma‐associated squamous cell carcinoma (IP‐SCC), as well as correlate DCE‐MRI findings with angiogenesis biomarkers. Methods: Absolute quantitative DCE‐MRI parameters (Ktrans, Kep, Ve) based on the Tofts model and model‐free semi‐quantitative indices (Tpeak, WR, MaxSlope) of SIP (n = 22) and IP‐SCC (n = 20) were investigated. Regions of interest (ROIs) were oriented according to the tumor subsites in the surgical records. Micro‐vessel density (MVD) counts and tight junction protein (claudin‐5) expression were evaluated in tumor specimens obtained during surgery. Differences in the above data were compared between the two groups. Correlations between DCE‐MRI parameters and angiogenic biomarkers were analyzed. Results: Compared with SIP specimens, IP‐SCC specimens were characterized by a significantly higher MVD and a leakier microvessel barrier. The values of Tpeak and Ve were significantly higher for SIP than those for IP‐SCC, whereas WR, MaxSlope, and Kep were significantly lower, indicating early enhancement and a faster dispersion model in IP‐SCC. MVD was positively correlated with WR and Kep and negatively correlated with Tpeak. Tpeak was slightly positively correlated to claudin‐5 expression. Conclusion: DCE‐MRI can serve as a noninvasive biomarker of angiogenesis in the malignant transformation from SIP to IP‐SCC. DCE‐MRI may assist in the differentiation of malignancies and treatment selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Given the low incidence, heterogeneous behavior, and diverse anatomical sites of salivary gland cancer (SGC), there are a limited number of clinical studies on its management. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to report the cumulative evidence on postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for SGC of the head and neck. Based on 2962 patients with SGC from 26 studies, this study demonstrated the long-term survival and toxicities of PORT as a local treatment modality for SGC. Considering the suboptimal disease-free survival and distant metastasis-dominant recurrent patterns, however, an intensified treatment strategy is needed. Background: Because of the rarity, heterogeneous histology, and diverse anatomical sites of salivary gland cancer (SGC), there are a limited number of clinical studies on its management. This study reports the cumulative evidence of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for SGC of the head and neck. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases between 7th and 10th November 2023. Results: A total of 2962 patients from 26 studies between 2007 and 2023 were included in this meta-analysis. The median RT dose was 64 Gy (range: 56–66 Gy). The median proportions of high-grade, pathological tumor stage 3 or 4 and pathological lymph node involvement were 42% (0–100%), 40% (0–77%), and 31% (0–75%). The pooled locoregional control rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89–94%), 89% (95% CI, 86–93%), and 84% (95% CI, 73–92%), respectively. The pooled disease-free survival (DFS) rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 77% (95% CI, 70–83%), 67% (95% CI, 60–74%), and 61% (95% CI, 55–67%), respectively. The pooled overall survival rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 84% (95% CI, 79–88%), 75% (95% CI, 72–79%), and 68% (95% CI, 62–74%), respectively. Severe late toxicity ≥ grade 3 occurred in 7% (95% CI, 3–14%). Conclusion: PORT showed favorable long-term efficacy and safety in SGC, especially for patients with high-grade histology. Considering that DFS continued to decrease, further clinical trials exploring treatment intensification are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the cargo owner’s satisfaction and obtain better economic benefits for shipping companies, the ship deployment along routes and speed optimization of tramp ships are studied, considering the influencing factors of ship scheduling with the configuration and speed of self-owned ships and chartered ships. A goal is developed by minimizing sailing cost, fuel, and waiting cost at ports, penalty cost for late arrival at ports, time cost, and voyage ship chartering cost by applying fuzzy time window to characterize the cargo owner’s satisfaction. The model of scheduling and speed optimization with fuzzy time window for heterogeneous tramp ships is established. A variable neighborhood genetic simulated annealing (VNGSA) algorithm is presented to solve the problem. First, the ship type is matched with the cargo. Then the route is generated according to the time constraint. Finally, the neighborhood search strategy is adopted to improve the solution quality. Computational results indicate that integrated planning for ship scheduling and speed can reduce sailing cost; considering time requirement of cargo owners can increase their satisfaction. This paper can enrich tramp ship routing and speed optimization problems and provide a theoretical tool for shipping companies to make related decisions.

Background: Patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) experience a high incidence of progression to heart failure (HF) despite current therapies. We speculated that steroid hormone metabolic disorders distinct adverse phenotypes and contribute to HF. Methods: We measured 18 steroids using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in 2023 patients from the Registry Study of Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease (BIOMS‐IHD), including 1091 patients with IHD in a retrospective discovery set and 932 patients with IHD in a multicentre validation set. Our outcomes included incident HF after a median follow‐up of 4 years. Results: We demonstrated steroid‐based signatures of inflammation, coronary microvascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy that were associated with subsequent HF events in patients with IHD. In both cohorts, patients with a high steroid–heart failure score (SHFS) (>1) exhibited a greater risk of incident HF than patients with a low SHFS (≤1). The SHFS further improved the prognostic accuracy beyond clinical variables (net reclassification improvement of 0.628 in the discovery set and 0.299 in the validation set) and demonstrated the maximal effect of steroid signatures in patients with IHD who had lower B‐type natriuretic peptide levels (pinteraction = 0.038). Conclusions: A steroid‐based strategy can simply and effectively identify individuals at higher HF risk who may derive benefit from more intensive follow‐ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zirconia‐corundum‐mullite composites were prepared from andalusite, ZrO2, and α‐Al2O3 and evaluated for application as solar thermal storage materials in this study. The effects of ZrO2 concentration (0–25 wt%) and sintering temperature(1500–1650°C) on the bending strength, phase composition, microstructure, dimensional stability, and thermal shock resistance of the samples were investigated. The results showed that sample C2 (containing 10 wt% ZrO2) sintered at 1600°C exhibited the best properties. A portion of Y2O3 existed in ZrO2, which excited a small amount of t‐ZrO2 in the sample after sintering, while the other portion of Y2O3 was separated from ZrO2 and participated in the formation of a high‐temperature liquid phase. The liquid phase reduced the dimensional stability of the sample. However, the liquid phase could also promote sintering, reducing the optimal sintering temperature, with lower sintering temperatures increasing the dimensional stability of the sample. Once again, the C2 sample exhibited the highest thermal shock resistance, with a strength loss of 2.76 MPa after 30 thermal shock tests. The thermal storage density(25–1100°C) of C2 was 1121 kJ/kg. In summary, sample C2 exhibits a high degree of dimensional stability and thermal shock resistance and can thus be used as a reliable solar thermal storage material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In current pig farming, pigs are susceptible to stress-induced adverse emotions. Emotional contagion may propagate these emotions within a herd, potentially affecting overall welfare. Typically, treatments of individual pigs should be conducted separately from the group. Thus, after separation from treatment on an individual pig, the behavioral responses and heart rate changes of the companion pig were recorded to determine if the sensory avoidance was effective. It was found that peers were still affected by the treated pigs after sensory avoidance. Separation from treatment does not eliminate the effects of the treated pig on companion pigs, which can still be affected in post-treatment contact. In the pig farming industry, it is recommended to avoid groups when treating individuals to reduce adverse reactions in the group. However, can this eliminate the adverse effects effectively? Piglets were assigned to the Rewarding Group (RG), the Punishing Group (PG), and the Paired Control Group (PCG). There were six replicates in each group, with two paired piglets per replicate. One piglet of the RG and PG was randomly selected as the Treated pig (TP), treated with food rewards or electric shock, and the other as the Naive pig (NP). The NPs in the RG and PG were unaware of the treatment process, and piglets in the PCG were not treated. The behavior and heart rate changes of all piglets were recorded. Compared to the RG, the NPs in the PG showed longer proximity but less contact behavior, and the TPs in the PG showed more freezing behavior. The percentage change in heart rate of the NPs was synchronized with the TPs. This shows that after sensory avoidance, the untreated pigs could also feel the emotions of their peers and their emotional state was affected by their peers, and the negative emotions in the pigs lasted longer than the positive emotions. The avoidance process does not prevent the transfer of negative emotions to peers via emotional contagion from the stimulated pig. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Serine proteinase inhibitors, clade B, member 3 (SerpinB3) and B4 are highly similar in amino acid sequences and associated with inflammation regulation. We investigated SerpinB3 and B4 expression and their roles in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods. The expression of SerpinB3 and B4 in nasal mucosa tissues, brush cells, and secretions from CRSwNP patients was measured, and their regulation by inflammatory cytokines were investigated. Their functions were also analyzed using air–liquid interface (ALI)-cultured primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) and transcriptomic analysis. Results. Both SerpinB3 and B4 expression was higher in nasal mucosa, brush cells, and secretions from eosinophilic (E) CRSwNP and nonECRSwNP patients than in healthy controls. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that SerpinB3 and B4 were primarily expressed in epithelial cells and their expression was higher in CRSwNP patients. SerpinB3 and B4 expression was upregulated by interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-6, and IL-17a. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to recombinant SerpinB3 and B4 stimulation. Both the DEGs of SerpinB3 and B4 were associated with disease genes of nasal polyps and inflammation in DisGeNET database. Pathway enrichment indicated that downregulated DEGs of SerpinB3 and B4 were both enriched in cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, with CXCL8 as the hub gene in the protein–protein interaction networks. Furthermore, CXCL8/IL-8 expression was downregulated by recombinant SerpinB3 and B4 protein in ALI-cultured HNECs, and upregulated when knockdown of SerpinB3/B4. Conclusion. SerpinB3/B4 expression is upregulated in nasal mucosa of CRSwNP patients. SerpinB3/B4 may play an anti-inflammatory role in CRSwNP by inhibiting the expression of epithelial cell-derived CXCL8/IL-8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]