As Thailand and China mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year,most headlines will naturally focus on trade deals,railways,and strategic partnerships.But tucked behind the golden spires of Bangkok...As Thailand and China mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year,most headlines will naturally focus on trade deals,railways,and strategic partnerships.But tucked behind the golden spires of Bangkok’s Wat Po temple lies a quieter,gentler form of diplomacy—one that happens through kneading hands,respectful bows,and an ancient art passed down across generations.At the Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School,headmaster Serat Tangtrongchitr sees Thai massage not only as a healing craft,but as a cultural bridge—one that connects people across borders,languages,and belief systems.“We don’t just teach massage,”Serat said,his voice calm but assured.“We teach a way of life.And when people from other cultures learn this with us—Chinese students included—they come to understand not just the techniques,but the heart of Thai culture.”展开更多
In this paper, we aim to use an innovative model to integrate applied work on a fast-acting mind-body intervention, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB), with theoretical work based on psychology and neuroscience. In an affect-ob...In this paper, we aim to use an innovative model to integrate applied work on a fast-acting mind-body intervention, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB), with theoretical work based on psychology and neuroscience. In an affect-object generative inference and regulation (AGIR) model, we propose that functional dynamics between two systems, the affect-object thought generation system and the cognitive control system, can guide an individual to achieve homeostasis within self and harmonious relationships with others. We used Neurosynth (www.neurosynth.org), an automated meta-analysis database, to identify potential brain substrates underlying the key components in the AGIR model. Based on the findings, some brain regions are implicated as the key cortical substrates in this model, corroborating our central hypothesis that a hallmark of mind-body wellbeing can be characterized as a low-frequency anti-correlantion between 1) the cognitive control system including the dorsal anterior/middle cingulate cortex, and 2) the affect-object thought generation system including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. MBB provides an efficient strategy for responding to and dissolving a fundamental problem that impairs mind-body wellbeing, i.e., unrealistic identity-grasping consisting of self-centered embodied expectations of self and others. We demonstrated how theoretical and applied work could be integrated by drawing evidence from the neuroscience literature to support the AGIR model, and then we applied the AGIR model to elucidate how MBB might work.展开更多
Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common and costly problems in drilling operations.This highlights the importance of wellbore strengthening treatment sthat can utilize lost circulation materials(L...Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common and costly problems in drilling operations.This highlights the importance of wellbore strengthening treatment sthat can utilize lost circulation materials(LCMs)to seal fractures associated with the wellbore.In this work,a numerical model accounting for the deformation of surrounding rock,fluid flow in the fracture,fracture propagation,and the transport of LCMs is presented to investigate the wellbore strengthening,from the fracture initiation to the fracture arrest,due to plugs formed by LCMs.The equations governing the rock deformation and fluid flow are solved by the dual boundary element method and the finite volume method,respectively.The transport of LCMs is solved based on an empirical constitutive model in suspension flow,and several characteristic quantities are derived by dimensional analysis.It is found that two dimensionless parameters,dimensionless toughness and normalized initial particle concentration,control the migration of LCM particles.The numerical results show that the dimensionless toughness influences the entrance and bridging of LCMs while the initial concentration controls the location of the particle bridging.When the initial concentration is larger than 0.8,the particle bridging tends to occur near the fracture entry.Conversely,when the initial concentration is less than 0.8,the particle bridging occurs near the fracture tip.This work provides an effective tool to predict the LCM transport and plugging in the wellbore strengthening process.展开更多
BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with esophageal mucosal bridges often experience symptoms such as chest pain and dysphagia,which pose considerable challenges for endo-scopic surgical interventions.CASE SUMMARY We presen...BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with esophageal mucosal bridges often experience symptoms such as chest pain and dysphagia,which pose considerable challenges for endo-scopic surgical interventions.CASE SUMMARY We present a case involving early-stage esophageal cancer discovered in a resting room,notable for the rare manifestation of esophageal mucosal bridging.Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary discussion and the development of a treatment strategy,we proceeded with endoscopic submucosal dissection for the patient.During the procedure,we encountered operational challenges due to the presence of a diverticulum and a partial absence of the muscularis propria.To facilitate the retraction of a portion of the resected specimen,we utilized dental floss.Ultimately,we successfully excised the entire lesion.After a three-day period of fasting with a water-only diet,subsequent iodine water cholan-giography did not indicate any perforations,and the patient was advised to transition to a liquid diet.The patient was discharged five days post-operation.A follow-up endoscopy conducted three months later revealed scar-like changes in the mid-esophagus,with the patient reporting no significant discomfort.CONCLUSION In summary,although esophageal mucosal bridges are rarely documented,they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mechanical dysphagia.Furthermore,endoscopic therapy represents a feasible approach for their mana-gement.展开更多
The energy release of energetic composites is severely limited by the inert alumina(Al_(2)O_(3))layer on the surface of aluminum(Al).Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)could eliminate Al_(2)O_(3)layer due to its highly elec...The energy release of energetic composites is severely limited by the inert alumina(Al_(2)O_(3))layer on the surface of aluminum(Al).Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)could eliminate Al_(2)O_(3)layer due to its highly electronegativity and oxidability of fluorine.However,adding PTFE particles would weaken interfacial interactions resulted in poor mechanical properties and interfacial exothermic reaction.Herein,a bridging Al-PTFE as fuel and interfacial reinforcing agent was added and used to prepare LLM-105/AlPTFE microspheres,achieving both high energy output and excellent mechanical properties.The energy release and combustion reaction performance of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are significantly improved due to high reaction heat and increased interfacial reaction area of Al-PTFE.The maximum pressure and pressurization rate of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are 164.06 kPa and 29.88 kPa/s,respectively,which are 40.11%and 16.67%higher than those of physical mixed samples.Furthermore,the tensile strength and compressive strength of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are 100.40%and 26.47%higher than those of LLM-105/Al.This work provides a new approach to improve the energy release and mechanical properties for energetic composites.展开更多
Biocatalysis with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADP)-dependent oxidoreductases faces a challenge in improving the efficiency of the costly cofactor utilization.Although enzyme fusion can offer cofactor ...Biocatalysis with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADP)-dependent oxidoreductases faces a challenge in improving the efficiency of the costly cofactor utilization.Although enzyme fusion can offer cofactor regeneration,the high-volume input and limited cofactor recyclability still make the enzymatic processes unsustainable.Therefore,it is of great significance to reduce cofactor input in a fusion enzyme(FuE)system,but no successful practice has been reported.Herein,we design a decapeptide bridge,RRRQRRRARR(R10),with high affinity for NADPH to construct fusion oxidoreductases(phenylacetone monooxygenase and phosphite dehydrogenase)for ester synthesis and NADP recycling.The peptide bridge enables electrostatic cofactor channeling that transports NADPH/NADP^(+)across the peptide between the enzymes’NADP-binding pockets,so the fusion enzyme(FuE-R10)presents 2.1-folds and 2.0-folds higher conversions than mixed free enzymes and a flexible linker(GGGGSGGGGS)-fused enzyme,respectively,at NADPH/FuE of 0.1.The fusion enzyme,FuE-R5,bridged by a half-shortened linker,is proved more effective in facilitating cofactor channeling;compared to the mixed free enzymes,FuE-R5 exhibits two orders of magnitude reduction of NADPH input in ester synthesis.The work has thus demonstrated the potential of the cofactor bridging strategy in the development of sustainable cofactor-dependent cascade biocatalysis.展开更多
The Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Forum on Bridging the AI Divide and Opening Ceremony of AIM Global CoE were held on July 27 in Minhang district,Shanghai.The event was hosted by AIM Global CoE,and co-orga...The Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Forum on Bridging the AI Divide and Opening Ceremony of AIM Global CoE were held on July 27 in Minhang district,Shanghai.The event was hosted by AIM Global CoE,and co-organized by Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute(SAIRI),Shanghai Technology Innovation Center,Shanghai Grand Neobay Investment Development Group,and Organizing Committee of AI Journey Conference.Asian Association of Business Incubation(AABI)and SAIRI served as the international partners.展开更多
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its millenniaold wisdom rooted in the principles of holistic Yin-Yang balance and “Bianzheng Lunzhi”[辨证论治, Zhenghou(证候) differentiation and treatment], has long offered ...Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its millenniaold wisdom rooted in the principles of holistic Yin-Yang balance and “Bianzheng Lunzhi”[辨证论治, Zhenghou(证候) differentiation and treatment], has long offered a unique lens to understand human health and disease.However, the modern scientific interpretation of TCM remains at the stage of “knowing that it works, but not knowing why it works”.展开更多
Blinatumomab has demonstrated efficacy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL),achieving a measurable residual disease(MRD)negativity rate of 78%(1).Its addition to consolidation chemotherapy or administration p...Blinatumomab has demonstrated efficacy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL),achieving a measurable residual disease(MRD)negativity rate of 78%(1).Its addition to consolidation chemotherapy or administration prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)has been shown to significantly improve overall survival(OS)and relapse-free survival(RFS)in adult B-ALL patients(2,3).展开更多
In the Kigongo area of Mwanza Region,northwest Tanzania,fishmonger Neema Aisha remembers how the morning’s fresh catch would sour while she queued for the ferry,putting her business at risk.
A monolithic integrated full-wave bridge rectifier consisted of horizontal Schottky-barrier diodes(SBD)is prepared based on 100 nm ultra-thinβ-Ga_(2)O_(3)and demonstrated the solar-blind UV(SUV)light-modulated charac...A monolithic integrated full-wave bridge rectifier consisted of horizontal Schottky-barrier diodes(SBD)is prepared based on 100 nm ultra-thinβ-Ga_(2)O_(3)and demonstrated the solar-blind UV(SUV)light-modulated characteristics.Under SUV light illumination,the rectifier has the excellent full-wave rectification characteristics for the AC input signals of 5,12,and 24 V with different frequencies.Further,experimental results confirmed the feasibility of continuously tuning the rectified output through SUV light-encoding.This work provides valuable insights for the development of optically programmable Ga_(2)O_(3)ACDC converters.展开更多
AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC pa...AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.展开更多
Several therapeutic procedures have been proposed as bridging treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)awaiting liver transplantation(LT).The most used treatments include transarterial chemoembolizati...Several therapeutic procedures have been proposed as bridging treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)awaiting liver transplantation(LT).The most used treatments include transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation.Surgical resection has also been successfully used as a bridging procedure,and LT should be considered a rescue treatment in patients with previous HCC resection who experience tumor recurrence or post-treatment severe decompensation of liver function.The aims of bridging treatments include decreasing the waiting list dropout rate before transplantation,reducing HCC recurrence after transplantation,and improving post-transplant overall survival.To date,no data from prospective randomized studies are available;however,for HCC patients listed for LT within the Milan criteria,prolonging the waiting time over 6-12 mo is a risk factor for tumor spread.Bridging treatments are useful in containing tumor progression and decreasing dropout.Furthermore,the response to pre-LT treatments may represent a surrogate marker of tumor biological aggressiveness and could therefore be evaluated to prioritize HCC candidates for LT.Lastly,although a definitive conclusion can not be reached,the experiences reported to date suggest a positive impact of these treatments on both tumor recurrence and post-transplant patient survival.Advanced HCC may be downstaged to achieve and maintain the current conventional criteria for inclusion in the waiting list for LT.Recent studies have demonstrated that successfully downstaged patients can achieve a 5-year survival rate comparable to that of patients meeting the conventional criteria without requiring downstaging.展开更多
High-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)is a noninvasive modality that uses an extracorporeal source of focused ultrasound energy.This technique was introduced by Lynn et al and is able to induce coagulative necrosis i...High-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)is a noninvasive modality that uses an extracorporeal source of focused ultrasound energy.This technique was introduced by Lynn et al and is able to induce coagulative necrosis in selected tissues without damaging adjacent structures.Although HIFU has been studied for 50years,recent technological developments now allow its use for tumours of the liver,prostate and other sites.In liver disease,HIFU has been used to treat unresectable,advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and liver metastases.Hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious health problem worldwide and is endemic in some areas because of its association with hepatitis B and C viruses(in 20%of cases).Liver transplantation(LT)has become one of the best treatments available because it removes both the tumour and the underlying liver disease such as cirrhosis(which is present in approximately 80%of cases).The prerequisite for longterm transplant success depends on tumour load and strict selection criteria regarding the size and number of tumour nodules.The need to obtain the optimal benefit from the limited number of organs available has prompted strict selection criteria limited to only those patients with early HCC who have a better long-term outcome after LT.The so-called"bridging therapy"has the aim of controlling disease burden for patients who are on the organ transplant waiting list.Amongst various treatment options,transarterial chemoembolisation and radiofrequency ablation are the most popular treatment choices.Recently,Cheung et al demonstrated that HIFU ablation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HCC patients with advanced cirrhosis as a bridging therapy and that it reduced the dropout rate from the liver transplant waiting list.In this commentary,we discuss the current value of HIFU in the treatment of liver disease,including its value as a bridging therapy,and examine the potential advantages of other therapeutic strategies.展开更多
We present a case of a 71-year-old male who hadchest symptoms at rest and during effort. He had felt chest oppression during effort for 1 year,and his chest symptoms had recently worsened. One month before admission h...We present a case of a 71-year-old male who hadchest symptoms at rest and during effort. He had felt chest oppression during effort for 1 year,and his chest symptoms had recently worsened. One month before admission he felt chest squeezing at rest in the early morning. He presented at our institution to evaluate his chest symptoms. Electrocardiography and echocardiography failed to show any specific changes. Because of the possibility that his chest symptoms were due to myocardial ischemia,he was admitted to our institution for coronary angiography(CAG). An initial CAG showed mild atherosclerotic changes in the proximal segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) and mid-segment of the left circumflex coronary artery. Subsequent spasm provocation testing using acetylcholine revealed a bilateral coronary vasospasm,which was relieved after the intracoronary infusion of nitroglycerin. Finally,a CAG showed myocardial bridging(MB) of the mid-distal segments of the LAD. Fractional flow reserve using the intravenous administration of adenosine triphosphate was positive at 0.77,which jumped up to 0.90 through the myocardial bridging segments when the pressure wire was pulled back. Thus,coronary vasospasm and MB might have contributed to his chest symptoms at rest and during effort. Interventional cardiologists should consider the presence of MB as a potential cause of myocardial ischemia.展开更多
BACKGROUND Prospective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)that underwent liver transplant(LT)after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)for downstaging versus bridging.Overa...BACKGROUND Prospective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)that underwent liver transplant(LT)after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)for downstaging versus bridging.Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated,eligibility for LT,time on the waiting list and radiological response were compared.After TACE,only patients within Milan Criteria(MC)were transplanted.More patients underwent LT in bridging group.Five-year post-transplant overall survival,recurrence-free survival has no difference between the groups.Complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group.Patients in DS group can achieve posttransplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability,at five years,just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.AIM To determine long-term outcomes of patients with HCC that underwent LT after DEB-TACE for downstaging vs bridging.METHODS Prospective cohort study of 200 patients included from April 2011 through June 2014.Bridging group included patients within MC.Downstaging group(out of MC)was divided in 5 subgroups(G1 to G5).Total tumor diameter was≤8 cm for G1,2,3,4(n=42)and was>8 cm for G5(n=22).Downstaging(n=64)and bridging(n=136)populations were not significantly different.Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Additionally,eligibility for LT,time on the waiting list until LT and radiological response were compared.RESULTS After TACE,only patients within MC were transplanted.More patients underwent LT in bridging group 65.9%(P=0.001).Downstaging population presented:higher number of nodules 2.81(P=0.001);larger total tumor diameter 8.09(P=0.001);multifocal HCC 78%(P=0.001);more post-transplantation recurrence 25%(P=0.02).Patients with maximal tumor diameter up to 7.05 cm were more likely to receive LT(P=0.005).Median time on the waiting list was significantly longer in downstaging group 10.6 mo(P=0.028).Five-year posttransplant overall survival was 73.5%in downstaging and 72.3%bridging groups(P=0.31),and recurrence-free survival was 62.1%in downstaging and 74.8%bridging groups(P=0.93).Radiological response:complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group(P=0.004).CONCLUSION Tumors initially exceeding the MC down-staged after DEB-TACE,can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability,at five years,just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.展开更多
Previous studies have shown that exogenous gangliosides promote nervous system regeneration and synapse formation. In this study, 10 mm sciatic nerve segments from New Zealand rabbits were thawed from cryopreservation...Previous studies have shown that exogenous gangliosides promote nervous system regeneration and synapse formation. In this study, 10 mm sciatic nerve segments from New Zealand rabbits were thawed from cryopreservation and were used for the repair of left sciatic nerve defects through allograft bridging. Three days later, 1 mL ganglioside solution （1 g/L） was sub- cutaneously iniected into the right hind leg of rabbits. Compared with non-injected rats, muscle wet weight ratio was increased at 2-12 weeks after modeling. The quantity of myelinated fibers in regenerated sciatic nerve, myelin thickness and fiber diameter were elevated at 4-12 weeks after modeling. Sciatic nerve potential amplitude and conduction velocity were raised at 8 and 12 weeks, while conduction latencies were decreased at 12 weeks. Experimental findings indicate that ganglioside can promote the regeneration of sciatic nerve defects after repair with cryopre- served peripheral nerve allografts.展开更多
The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease scor...The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease score. In order to reduce dropping out, different bridging therapies are employed. We report the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma of stage two and an extremely low platelet count (20×10 9 /L). The ablation was successful. Blood tests showed that his liver function was similar before and after the treatment. No adhesion was encountered in the liver transplantation performed six months later.展开更多
BACKGROUND：Previous tissue-engineered nerve studies have focused on artificial nerve and nerve cell cultures.The effects of regeneration chambers with autologous nerve bridging for the repair of nerve defects remain ...BACKGROUND：Previous tissue-engineered nerve studies have focused on artificial nerve and nerve cell cultures.The effects of regeneration chambers with autologous nerve bridging for the repair of nerve defects remain unclear.OBJECTIVE：To explore the feasibility and advantages of chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segments for repairing 12-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A randomized,controlled,animal study using nerve tissue engineering was performed at the Animal Laboratory and Laboratory of Histology and Embryology,Liaoning Medical University from June 2008 to March 2009.MATERIALS：Chitosan powder was purchased from Jinan Haidebei Marine Bioengineering,China.METHODS：A sciatic nerve segment of approximately 8 mm was excised from the posterior margin of the piriformis muscle of Sprague Dawley rats.The two nerve ends shrank to form a 12-mm defect,and the nerve defect was repaired using a chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segment （bridge group）,a chitosan tube-encapsulated autologous nerve segment （encapsulation group）,and a chitosan tube alone （chitosan tube alone group）,respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Histological and ultrastructural changes of the injured sciatic nerve;number of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers; nerve conduction velocity; leg muscle atrophy; and sciatic nerve functional index.RESULTS：At 4 months after implantation,the chitosan tube was absorbed.The tube was thin,but maintained the original shape,and vascular proliferation was observed around the tube.In the bridge group,regenerative myelinated nerve fibers were thick and orderly,with a thick myelin sheath and intact axonal structure.The number of myelinated nerve fibers and nerve conduction velocity were significantly greater compared with the other groups （P〈 0.01）.Moreover,nerve and muscle function was significantly improved following chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segment treatment compared with the other groups （P〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION：Chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segments exhibited better repair effects on nerve defects compared with chitosan tubeencapsulated autologous nerve segments and a chitosan tube alone.This method provided a simple and effective treatment for long-segmental nerve defects.展开更多
The particulate toughening behaviour of epoxy resins modified by ductile thermoplastics is elucidated here by various bridging models. The experimental data for three different epoxy/PSF sys- tems are presented to ill...The particulate toughening behaviour of epoxy resins modified by ductile thermoplastics is elucidated here by various bridging models. The experimental data for three different epoxy/PSF sys- tems are presented to illustrate the trend of the toughening characteristics. The conventional continuous bridging model is shown to have underestimated the effect of the particulate toughening. A joint appli- cation of the discrete bridging model and the multiple bridging model, however, shows promising result for modified epoxy systems such as AG80/DDS/PSF and E51/DDS/PSF. These models also provide quantitative descriptions for the crack pinning phenomenon previously observed by Fu and Sun in AG80/DDS/PSF.展开更多
文摘As Thailand and China mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year,most headlines will naturally focus on trade deals,railways,and strategic partnerships.But tucked behind the golden spires of Bangkok’s Wat Po temple lies a quieter,gentler form of diplomacy—one that happens through kneading hands,respectful bows,and an ancient art passed down across generations.At the Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School,headmaster Serat Tangtrongchitr sees Thai massage not only as a healing craft,but as a cultural bridge—one that connects people across borders,languages,and belief systems.“We don’t just teach massage,”Serat said,his voice calm but assured.“We teach a way of life.And when people from other cultures learn this with us—Chinese students included—they come to understand not just the techniques,but the heart of Thai culture.”
文摘In this paper, we aim to use an innovative model to integrate applied work on a fast-acting mind-body intervention, Mind-Body Bridging (MBB), with theoretical work based on psychology and neuroscience. In an affect-object generative inference and regulation (AGIR) model, we propose that functional dynamics between two systems, the affect-object thought generation system and the cognitive control system, can guide an individual to achieve homeostasis within self and harmonious relationships with others. We used Neurosynth (www.neurosynth.org), an automated meta-analysis database, to identify potential brain substrates underlying the key components in the AGIR model. Based on the findings, some brain regions are implicated as the key cortical substrates in this model, corroborating our central hypothesis that a hallmark of mind-body wellbeing can be characterized as a low-frequency anti-correlantion between 1) the cognitive control system including the dorsal anterior/middle cingulate cortex, and 2) the affect-object thought generation system including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex. MBB provides an efficient strategy for responding to and dissolving a fundamental problem that impairs mind-body wellbeing, i.e., unrealistic identity-grasping consisting of self-centered embodied expectations of self and others. We demonstrated how theoretical and applied work could be integrated by drawing evidence from the neuroscience literature to support the AGIR model, and then we applied the AGIR model to elucidate how MBB might work.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52371279)the Program for International Exchange and Cooperation in Education by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China(Grant No.57220500123).
文摘Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common and costly problems in drilling operations.This highlights the importance of wellbore strengthening treatment sthat can utilize lost circulation materials(LCMs)to seal fractures associated with the wellbore.In this work,a numerical model accounting for the deformation of surrounding rock,fluid flow in the fracture,fracture propagation,and the transport of LCMs is presented to investigate the wellbore strengthening,from the fracture initiation to the fracture arrest,due to plugs formed by LCMs.The equations governing the rock deformation and fluid flow are solved by the dual boundary element method and the finite volume method,respectively.The transport of LCMs is solved based on an empirical constitutive model in suspension flow,and several characteristic quantities are derived by dimensional analysis.It is found that two dimensionless parameters,dimensionless toughness and normalized initial particle concentration,control the migration of LCM particles.The numerical results show that the dimensionless toughness influences the entrance and bridging of LCMs while the initial concentration controls the location of the particle bridging.When the initial concentration is larger than 0.8,the particle bridging tends to occur near the fracture entry.Conversely,when the initial concentration is less than 0.8,the particle bridging occurs near the fracture tip.This work provides an effective tool to predict the LCM transport and plugging in the wellbore strengthening process.
基金Supported by the Research Project of the Chinese Digestive Early Cancer Physicians’Joint Growth Program,No.GTCZ-2021-AH-34-0012.
文摘BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with esophageal mucosal bridges often experience symptoms such as chest pain and dysphagia,which pose considerable challenges for endo-scopic surgical interventions.CASE SUMMARY We present a case involving early-stage esophageal cancer discovered in a resting room,notable for the rare manifestation of esophageal mucosal bridging.Following a comprehensive multidisciplinary discussion and the development of a treatment strategy,we proceeded with endoscopic submucosal dissection for the patient.During the procedure,we encountered operational challenges due to the presence of a diverticulum and a partial absence of the muscularis propria.To facilitate the retraction of a portion of the resected specimen,we utilized dental floss.Ultimately,we successfully excised the entire lesion.After a three-day period of fasting with a water-only diet,subsequent iodine water cholan-giography did not indicate any perforations,and the patient was advised to transition to a liquid diet.The patient was discharged five days post-operation.A follow-up endoscopy conducted three months later revealed scar-like changes in the mid-esophagus,with the patient reporting no significant discomfort.CONCLUSION In summary,although esophageal mucosal bridges are rarely documented,they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mechanical dysphagia.Furthermore,endoscopic therapy represents a feasible approach for their mana-gement.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.T2222027 and 12202416)。
文摘The energy release of energetic composites is severely limited by the inert alumina(Al_(2)O_(3))layer on the surface of aluminum(Al).Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)could eliminate Al_(2)O_(3)layer due to its highly electronegativity and oxidability of fluorine.However,adding PTFE particles would weaken interfacial interactions resulted in poor mechanical properties and interfacial exothermic reaction.Herein,a bridging Al-PTFE as fuel and interfacial reinforcing agent was added and used to prepare LLM-105/AlPTFE microspheres,achieving both high energy output and excellent mechanical properties.The energy release and combustion reaction performance of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are significantly improved due to high reaction heat and increased interfacial reaction area of Al-PTFE.The maximum pressure and pressurization rate of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are 164.06 kPa and 29.88 kPa/s,respectively,which are 40.11%and 16.67%higher than those of physical mixed samples.Furthermore,the tensile strength and compressive strength of LLM-105/Al-PTFE microspheres are 100.40%and 26.47%higher than those of LLM-105/Al.This work provides a new approach to improve the energy release and mechanical properties for energetic composites.
文摘Biocatalysis with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADP)-dependent oxidoreductases faces a challenge in improving the efficiency of the costly cofactor utilization.Although enzyme fusion can offer cofactor regeneration,the high-volume input and limited cofactor recyclability still make the enzymatic processes unsustainable.Therefore,it is of great significance to reduce cofactor input in a fusion enzyme(FuE)system,but no successful practice has been reported.Herein,we design a decapeptide bridge,RRRQRRRARR(R10),with high affinity for NADPH to construct fusion oxidoreductases(phenylacetone monooxygenase and phosphite dehydrogenase)for ester synthesis and NADP recycling.The peptide bridge enables electrostatic cofactor channeling that transports NADPH/NADP^(+)across the peptide between the enzymes’NADP-binding pockets,so the fusion enzyme(FuE-R10)presents 2.1-folds and 2.0-folds higher conversions than mixed free enzymes and a flexible linker(GGGGSGGGGS)-fused enzyme,respectively,at NADPH/FuE of 0.1.The fusion enzyme,FuE-R5,bridged by a half-shortened linker,is proved more effective in facilitating cofactor channeling;compared to the mixed free enzymes,FuE-R5 exhibits two orders of magnitude reduction of NADPH input in ester synthesis.The work has thus demonstrated the potential of the cofactor bridging strategy in the development of sustainable cofactor-dependent cascade biocatalysis.
文摘The Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Forum on Bridging the AI Divide and Opening Ceremony of AIM Global CoE were held on July 27 in Minhang district,Shanghai.The event was hosted by AIM Global CoE,and co-organized by Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute(SAIRI),Shanghai Technology Innovation Center,Shanghai Grand Neobay Investment Development Group,and Organizing Committee of AI Journey Conference.Asian Association of Business Incubation(AABI)and SAIRI served as the international partners.
文摘Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with its millenniaold wisdom rooted in the principles of holistic Yin-Yang balance and “Bianzheng Lunzhi”[辨证论治, Zhenghou(证候) differentiation and treatment], has long offered a unique lens to understand human health and disease.However, the modern scientific interpretation of TCM remains at the stage of “knowing that it works, but not knowing why it works”.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82170206 and No.82470213)Project of Disciplines of Excellence(No.20234Z0002)。
文摘Blinatumomab has demonstrated efficacy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia(B-ALL),achieving a measurable residual disease(MRD)negativity rate of 78%(1).Its addition to consolidation chemotherapy or administration prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT)has been shown to significantly improve overall survival(OS)and relapse-free survival(RFS)in adult B-ALL patients(2,3).
文摘In the Kigongo area of Mwanza Region,northwest Tanzania,fishmonger Neema Aisha remembers how the morning’s fresh catch would sour while she queued for the ferry,putting her business at risk.
基金supported by Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province of China(Grant No.2023JCYB574)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.62204203)。
文摘A monolithic integrated full-wave bridge rectifier consisted of horizontal Schottky-barrier diodes(SBD)is prepared based on 100 nm ultra-thinβ-Ga_(2)O_(3)and demonstrated the solar-blind UV(SUV)light-modulated characteristics.Under SUV light illumination,the rectifier has the excellent full-wave rectification characteristics for the AC input signals of 5,12,and 24 V with different frequencies.Further,experimental results confirmed the feasibility of continuously tuning the rectified output through SUV light-encoding.This work provides valuable insights for the development of optically programmable Ga_(2)O_(3)ACDC converters.
文摘AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.
文摘Several therapeutic procedures have been proposed as bridging treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)awaiting liver transplantation(LT).The most used treatments include transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation.Surgical resection has also been successfully used as a bridging procedure,and LT should be considered a rescue treatment in patients with previous HCC resection who experience tumor recurrence or post-treatment severe decompensation of liver function.The aims of bridging treatments include decreasing the waiting list dropout rate before transplantation,reducing HCC recurrence after transplantation,and improving post-transplant overall survival.To date,no data from prospective randomized studies are available;however,for HCC patients listed for LT within the Milan criteria,prolonging the waiting time over 6-12 mo is a risk factor for tumor spread.Bridging treatments are useful in containing tumor progression and decreasing dropout.Furthermore,the response to pre-LT treatments may represent a surrogate marker of tumor biological aggressiveness and could therefore be evaluated to prioritize HCC candidates for LT.Lastly,although a definitive conclusion can not be reached,the experiences reported to date suggest a positive impact of these treatments on both tumor recurrence and post-transplant patient survival.Advanced HCC may be downstaged to achieve and maintain the current conventional criteria for inclusion in the waiting list for LT.Recent studies have demonstrated that successfully downstaged patients can achieve a 5-year survival rate comparable to that of patients meeting the conventional criteria without requiring downstaging.
文摘High-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)is a noninvasive modality that uses an extracorporeal source of focused ultrasound energy.This technique was introduced by Lynn et al and is able to induce coagulative necrosis in selected tissues without damaging adjacent structures.Although HIFU has been studied for 50years,recent technological developments now allow its use for tumours of the liver,prostate and other sites.In liver disease,HIFU has been used to treat unresectable,advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and liver metastases.Hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious health problem worldwide and is endemic in some areas because of its association with hepatitis B and C viruses(in 20%of cases).Liver transplantation(LT)has become one of the best treatments available because it removes both the tumour and the underlying liver disease such as cirrhosis(which is present in approximately 80%of cases).The prerequisite for longterm transplant success depends on tumour load and strict selection criteria regarding the size and number of tumour nodules.The need to obtain the optimal benefit from the limited number of organs available has prompted strict selection criteria limited to only those patients with early HCC who have a better long-term outcome after LT.The so-called"bridging therapy"has the aim of controlling disease burden for patients who are on the organ transplant waiting list.Amongst various treatment options,transarterial chemoembolisation and radiofrequency ablation are the most popular treatment choices.Recently,Cheung et al demonstrated that HIFU ablation is a safe and effective method for the treatment of HCC patients with advanced cirrhosis as a bridging therapy and that it reduced the dropout rate from the liver transplant waiting list.In this commentary,we discuss the current value of HIFU in the treatment of liver disease,including its value as a bridging therapy,and examine the potential advantages of other therapeutic strategies.
文摘We present a case of a 71-year-old male who hadchest symptoms at rest and during effort. He had felt chest oppression during effort for 1 year,and his chest symptoms had recently worsened. One month before admission he felt chest squeezing at rest in the early morning. He presented at our institution to evaluate his chest symptoms. Electrocardiography and echocardiography failed to show any specific changes. Because of the possibility that his chest symptoms were due to myocardial ischemia,he was admitted to our institution for coronary angiography(CAG). An initial CAG showed mild atherosclerotic changes in the proximal segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) and mid-segment of the left circumflex coronary artery. Subsequent spasm provocation testing using acetylcholine revealed a bilateral coronary vasospasm,which was relieved after the intracoronary infusion of nitroglycerin. Finally,a CAG showed myocardial bridging(MB) of the mid-distal segments of the LAD. Fractional flow reserve using the intravenous administration of adenosine triphosphate was positive at 0.77,which jumped up to 0.90 through the myocardial bridging segments when the pressure wire was pulled back. Thus,coronary vasospasm and MB might have contributed to his chest symptoms at rest and during effort. Interventional cardiologists should consider the presence of MB as a potential cause of myocardial ischemia.
文摘BACKGROUND Prospective study of 200 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)that underwent liver transplant(LT)after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization(DEB-TACE)for downstaging versus bridging.Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated,eligibility for LT,time on the waiting list and radiological response were compared.After TACE,only patients within Milan Criteria(MC)were transplanted.More patients underwent LT in bridging group.Five-year post-transplant overall survival,recurrence-free survival has no difference between the groups.Complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group.Patients in DS group can achieve posttransplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability,at five years,just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.AIM To determine long-term outcomes of patients with HCC that underwent LT after DEB-TACE for downstaging vs bridging.METHODS Prospective cohort study of 200 patients included from April 2011 through June 2014.Bridging group included patients within MC.Downstaging group(out of MC)was divided in 5 subgroups(G1 to G5).Total tumor diameter was≤8 cm for G1,2,3,4(n=42)and was>8 cm for G5(n=22).Downstaging(n=64)and bridging(n=136)populations were not significantly different.Overall survival and tumor recurrence rates were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method.Additionally,eligibility for LT,time on the waiting list until LT and radiological response were compared.RESULTS After TACE,only patients within MC were transplanted.More patients underwent LT in bridging group 65.9%(P=0.001).Downstaging population presented:higher number of nodules 2.81(P=0.001);larger total tumor diameter 8.09(P=0.001);multifocal HCC 78%(P=0.001);more post-transplantation recurrence 25%(P=0.02).Patients with maximal tumor diameter up to 7.05 cm were more likely to receive LT(P=0.005).Median time on the waiting list was significantly longer in downstaging group 10.6 mo(P=0.028).Five-year posttransplant overall survival was 73.5%in downstaging and 72.3%bridging groups(P=0.31),and recurrence-free survival was 62.1%in downstaging and 74.8%bridging groups(P=0.93).Radiological response:complete response was observed more frequently in bridging group(P=0.004).CONCLUSION Tumors initially exceeding the MC down-staged after DEB-TACE,can achieve post-transplant survival and HCC recurrence-free probability,at five years,just like patients within MC in patients undergoing DEB-TACE.
文摘Previous studies have shown that exogenous gangliosides promote nervous system regeneration and synapse formation. In this study, 10 mm sciatic nerve segments from New Zealand rabbits were thawed from cryopreservation and were used for the repair of left sciatic nerve defects through allograft bridging. Three days later, 1 mL ganglioside solution （1 g/L） was sub- cutaneously iniected into the right hind leg of rabbits. Compared with non-injected rats, muscle wet weight ratio was increased at 2-12 weeks after modeling. The quantity of myelinated fibers in regenerated sciatic nerve, myelin thickness and fiber diameter were elevated at 4-12 weeks after modeling. Sciatic nerve potential amplitude and conduction velocity were raised at 8 and 12 weeks, while conduction latencies were decreased at 12 weeks. Experimental findings indicate that ganglioside can promote the regeneration of sciatic nerve defects after repair with cryopre- served peripheral nerve allografts.
文摘The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease score. In order to reduce dropping out, different bridging therapies are employed. We report the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma of stage two and an extremely low platelet count (20×10 9 /L). The ablation was successful. Blood tests showed that his liver function was similar before and after the treatment. No adhesion was encountered in the liver transplantation performed six months later.
文摘BACKGROUND：Previous tissue-engineered nerve studies have focused on artificial nerve and nerve cell cultures.The effects of regeneration chambers with autologous nerve bridging for the repair of nerve defects remain unclear.OBJECTIVE：To explore the feasibility and advantages of chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segments for repairing 12-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A randomized,controlled,animal study using nerve tissue engineering was performed at the Animal Laboratory and Laboratory of Histology and Embryology,Liaoning Medical University from June 2008 to March 2009.MATERIALS：Chitosan powder was purchased from Jinan Haidebei Marine Bioengineering,China.METHODS：A sciatic nerve segment of approximately 8 mm was excised from the posterior margin of the piriformis muscle of Sprague Dawley rats.The two nerve ends shrank to form a 12-mm defect,and the nerve defect was repaired using a chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segment （bridge group）,a chitosan tube-encapsulated autologous nerve segment （encapsulation group）,and a chitosan tube alone （chitosan tube alone group）,respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：Histological and ultrastructural changes of the injured sciatic nerve;number of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers; nerve conduction velocity; leg muscle atrophy; and sciatic nerve functional index.RESULTS：At 4 months after implantation,the chitosan tube was absorbed.The tube was thin,but maintained the original shape,and vascular proliferation was observed around the tube.In the bridge group,regenerative myelinated nerve fibers were thick and orderly,with a thick myelin sheath and intact axonal structure.The number of myelinated nerve fibers and nerve conduction velocity were significantly greater compared with the other groups （P〈 0.01）.Moreover,nerve and muscle function was significantly improved following chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segment treatment compared with the other groups （P〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION：Chitosan tube bridging autologous nerve segments exhibited better repair effects on nerve defects compared with chitosan tubeencapsulated autologous nerve segments and a chitosan tube alone.This method provided a simple and effective treatment for long-segmental nerve defects.
基金The project sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under the Grant 5870134.
文摘The particulate toughening behaviour of epoxy resins modified by ductile thermoplastics is elucidated here by various bridging models. The experimental data for three different epoxy/PSF sys- tems are presented to illustrate the trend of the toughening characteristics. The conventional continuous bridging model is shown to have underestimated the effect of the particulate toughening. A joint appli- cation of the discrete bridging model and the multiple bridging model, however, shows promising result for modified epoxy systems such as AG80/DDS/PSF and E51/DDS/PSF. These models also provide quantitative descriptions for the crack pinning phenomenon previously observed by Fu and Sun in AG80/DDS/PSF.
