Background:The use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)is common among individuals with underlying chronic illnesses.Objective:This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the global prevalence and ...Background:The use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)is common among individuals with underlying chronic illnesses.Objective:This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the global prevalence and patterns of CAM use among individuals with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Search strategy:PubMed,Embase,and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus were searched from inception until 26th February 2024.Inclusion criteria:Original articles reporting the use of at least one type of CAM among individuals aged above 18 years old and at all stages of CKD or undergoing any form of kidney replacement therapy.Data extraction and analysis:Two independent reviewers performed the literature screening.The data were extracted from the included studies by one reviewer and cross-checked by another.Discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus among two reviewers.Primary information included prevalence of CAM use,types of CAM used,reasons for CAM use,factors associated with CAM use,and disclosure to healthcare providers.Meta-analyses were performed to determine the pooled prevalence of CAM use and non-disclosure of CAM using a random effect model.Results:Forty-one studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis.The pooled prevalence of CAM use was 43%(95%confidence interval:34%,51%),I2=99.46%.The reasons for CAM use included treatment of underlying comorbidities,complications or symptoms,maintenance of general health,and treatment of CKD.Nutritional approaches were the most common CAM modality,with 412different herbal and dietary supplements reported;psychological and physical approaches included massage therapy,relaxation techniques,and mind–body practices;and other complementary health approaches such as homeopathy,traditional Chinese medicine,and Ayurvedic medicine were also frequently reported.Factors associated with CAM use included sociodemographic characteristics such as older age,female gender,or higher income;disease or therapy factors such as not having diabetes,relying on hemodialysis,or poor adherence to medication;and patient or internal factors such as positive attitude towards CAM and perceived safety of CAM.About 66%(61%,72%)of CAM users did not disclose the use of CAM to their healthcare providers.Conclusion:CAM use is prevalent among individuals with CKD,and healthcare providers should communicate openly and effectively to emphasize the rational use of CAM to avoid potential harm.展开更多
Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory response in the central nervous system associated with various neurological conditions.The inflammatory process is typically treated with non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammat...Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory response in the central nervous system associated with various neurological conditions.The inflammatory process is typically treated with non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,which have a range of serious adverse effects.As an alternative,naturally derived molecules such as quercetin and its derivatives show promising anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on various physiological functions.Our objective was to synthesize the evidence on the anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin and its derivatives in in vivo models,in the face of neuroinflammatory insults induced by lipopolysaccharide,through a systematic review and meta-analysis.A search of the preclinical literature was conducted across four databases(Pub Med,Web of Science,Scielo,and Google Scholar).Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,assessed for methodological quality using CAMARADES,and risk of bias using the SYRCLE tool,and data were extracted from the studies.The quantitative assessment of quercetin effects on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microgliosis was performed through a meta-analysis.A total of 384 potentially relevant articles were identified,of which 11 studies were included in the analysis.The methodological quality was assessed,resulting in an average score of 5.8/10,and the overall risk of bias analysis revealed a lack of methodological clarity in most studies.Furthermore,through the meta-analysis,it was observed that treatment with quercetin statistically reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines,such as tumor necrosis factor alpha,interleukin 6,interleukin 1β(n=89;SMD=–2.00;95%CI:–3.29 to–0.71),and microgliosis(n=33;SMD=–2.56;95%CI:–4.07 to–1.10).In terms of underlying mechanisms,quercetin and its derivatives exhibit antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties,possibly through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/HO-1 pathways,increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing reactive species,and modulating the caspase pathway,increasing levels of anti-apoptotic proteins and decreasing proapoptotic proteins.Quercetin and its derivatives exhibit highly pleiotropic actions that simultaneously contribute to preventing neuroinflammation.However,despite promising results in animal models,future directions should focus on well-designed clinical studies to assess the safety,bioavailability,and efficacy of quercetin and its derivatives in humans.Additionally,standardization of methods and dosages in studies is crucial to ensure consistency of findings and optimize their application in clinical settings.展开更多
While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social ...While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social environment remains enigmatic. We set out to uncover endocrine correlates of mate choice, social environment, and reproductive investment in female red-backed fairy-wrens Malurus melanocephalus. In this socially monogamous, yet highly sexually promiscuous species, females experience discrete variation in the phenotype of their mates, which vary in both plumage signals and level of paternal care, and in the composition of their breeding groups, which consist of either the pair alone or with an additional cooperative auxiliary; fe- male investment varies according to these social parameters. We found that androgen, estrogen, and glucorticoid levels varied with reproductive stage, with highest androgen and estrogen concentrations during nest construction and highest corticosterone concentrations during the pre-breeding stage. These stage-dependent patterns did not vary with male phenotype or auxiliary presence, though androgen levels during pre-breeding mate selection were lower in females obtaining red/black mates than those obtaining brown mates. We found no evidence that androgen, estrogen, or corticosterone levels during the fertile period were re- lated to extra-pair young （EPY） frequency. This study demonstrates clear changes in steroid levels with reproductive stage, though it found little support for variation with social environment. We suggest hormonal responsiveness to social factors may be physiologically constrained in ways that are bypassed through exogenous hormone manipulations.展开更多
Modern hydrobiology,mainly,is based on conception,which may be named Conception of unicity of ecosystem stable state(CUESS):Mature ecosystems are stable and in dynamic equilibrium.Ecosystem state fluctuates around
In this study, the authors investigated the performance of different buffer layers through the electrical parameters such as J<sub>sc</sub>, V<sub>oc</sub>, QE and η of the quaternary system C...In this study, the authors investigated the performance of different buffer layers through the electrical parameters such as J<sub>sc</sub>, V<sub>oc</sub>, QE and η of the quaternary system Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub> solar cells. The performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub>solar cells has been modeled and numerically simulated by using the SCAPS- 1D device simulation tool. The cells with a ZnSe, Zn(O,S) and (Zn,Mg)O buffer layers were compared with the reference CdS buffer layer. The investigation of ZnSe, Zn(O, S) and (Zn,Mg)O-based cells to substitute the traditional CdS in the future shows that the ZnSe-buffer layer is a potential material to replace CdS, which revealed the best efficiency of 20.76%, the other electrical parameters are: J<sub>SC</sub> = 34.6 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, V<sub>OC</sub> = 0.76 V and FF = 79.6%. The losses as a function of the temperature are estimated at 0.1%/K, among all kinds of buffer layers studied. We have also shown that the use of a high band-gap buffer layer is necessary to obtain a better short-circuit current density J<sub>SC</sub>. From our results, we note that the chalcogenide solar cells with Zn-based alternative buffer layer have almost the same stability thatthe traditional CdS buffer layer solar cells have.展开更多
A smartphone-based context-aware augmentative and alternative communication(AAC) was applied was in order to enhance the user's experience by providing simple, adaptive, and intuitive interfaces. Various potential...A smartphone-based context-aware augmentative and alternative communication(AAC) was applied was in order to enhance the user's experience by providing simple, adaptive, and intuitive interfaces. Various potential context-aware technologies and AAC usage scenarios were studied, and an efficient communication system was developed by combining smartphone's multimedia functions and its optimized sensor technologies. The experimental results show that context-awareness accuracy is achieved up to 97%.展开更多
In the US Federal government, an analysis of alternatives (AoA) is required for a significant investment of resources. The AoA yields the recommended alternative from a set of viable alternatives for the investment de...In the US Federal government, an analysis of alternatives (AoA) is required for a significant investment of resources. The AoA yields the recommended alternative from a set of viable alternatives for the investment decision. This paper presents an integrated AoA and project management framework for analyzing new or emerging alternatives (e.g., Cloud computing), as may be driven by an information system strategy that incorporates a methodology for analyzing the costs, benefits, and risks of each viable alternative. The case study in this paper, about a business improvement project to provide public health and safety services to citizens in a US Federal agency, is a practical application of this integrated framework and reveals the benefits of this integrated approach for an investment decision. The decision making process in the framework—as an integrated, organized, and adaptable set of management and control practices—offers a defensible recommendation and provides accountability to stakeholders.展开更多
The paper presents a technical solution which provides energy saving at full speed, as well as duplication of screw propeller and main propulsion system incase it＇s out of order. The description of the corresponding ...The paper presents a technical solution which provides energy saving at full speed, as well as duplication of screw propeller and main propulsion system incase it＇s out of order. The description of the corresponding device, designed for transport refrigerator ship, is shown as well as its location on board. Value of energy saving from the use of contra propeller is estimated. The results of the assessment required power to move the ship at low speed by the action of the contra propeller operating in the reactive mode are demonstrated. It is shown, that the ship equipped with the proposed device will get the additional class notation related to the redundancy or duplication of the propulsion system of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.展开更多
In this study, we use the respective advantages of the tabu search (TS) and the Web-based technologies to develop a Web-based decision support system (DSS) for cell formation (CF) problems considering alternative proc...In this study, we use the respective advantages of the tabu search (TS) and the Web-based technologies to develop a Web-based decision support system (DSS) for cell formation (CF) problems considering alternative process routings and machine sequences simultaneously. With the assistance of our developed Web-based system, the CF practitioners in the production departments can interact with the systems without knowing the details of algorithms and can get the best machine cells and part families with minimize the total intercellular movement wherever and whenever they may need it. To further verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the system developed, an example taken from the literature is ado- pted for illustrational purpose. Moreover, a set of test problems with various sizes drawn from the literature is used to test the performance of the proposed system. Corresponding results are compared to several well-known algorithms previously published. The results indicate that the proposed system improves the best results found in the literature for 67% of the test problems. These show that the proposed system should thus be useful to both practitioners and researchers.展开更多
Single-pixel imaging(SPI)enables efficient sensing in challenging conditions.However,the requirement for numerous samplings constrains its practicality.We address the challenge of high-quality SPI reconstruction at ul...Single-pixel imaging(SPI)enables efficient sensing in challenging conditions.However,the requirement for numerous samplings constrains its practicality.We address the challenge of high-quality SPI reconstruction at ultra-low sampling rates.We develop an alternative optimization with physics and a data-driven diffusion network(APD-Net).It features alternative optimization driven by the learned task-agnostic natural image prior and the task-specific physics prior.During the training stage,APD-Net harnesses the power of diffusion models to capture data-driven statistics of natural signals.In the inference stage,the physics prior is introduced as corrective guidance to ensure consistency between the physics imaging model and the natural image probability distribution.Through alternative optimization,APD-Net reconstructs data-efficient,high-fidelity images that are statistically and physically compliant.To accelerate reconstruction,initializing images with the inverse SPI physical model reduces the need for reconstruction inference from 100 to 30 steps.Through both numerical simulations and real prototype experiments,APD-Net achieves high-quality,full-color reconstructions of complex natural images at a low sampling rate of 1%.In addition,APD-Net’s tuning-free nature ensures robustness across various imaging setups and sampling rates.Our research offers a broadly applicable approach for various applications,including but not limited to medical imaging and industrial inspection.展开更多
As the development of new power systems accelerates and the impacts of high renewable energy integration and extreme weather intensify,grid-alternative energy storage is garnering increasing attention for its grid-int...As the development of new power systems accelerates and the impacts of high renewable energy integration and extreme weather intensify,grid-alternative energy storage is garnering increasing attention for its grid-interaction benefits and clear business models.Consequently,assessing the value of grid-alternative energy storage in the systemtransition has become critically important.Considering the performance characteristics of storage,we propose a value assessment frame-work for grid-alternative energy storage,quantifying its non-wires-alternative effects from both cost and benefit perspectives.Building on this,we developed a collaborative planning model for energy storage and transmission grids,aimed at maximizing the economic benefits of storage systems while balancing investment and operational costs.The model considers regional grid interconnections and their interactions with system operation.By participating in system operations,grid-alternative energy storage not only maximizes its own economic benefits but also generates social welfare transfer effects.Furthermore,based on multi-regional interconnected planning,grid-alternative energy storage can reduce system costs by approximately 35%,with the most significant changes observed in generation costs.Multi-regional coordinated planning significantly enhances the sys-tem’s flexibility in regulation.However,when the load factor of interconnection lines between regions remains constant,system operational flexibility tends to decrease,leading to a roughly 28.9%increase in storage investment.Additionally,under regional coordinated planning,the greater the disparity in wind power integration across interconnected regions,the more noticeable the reduction in system costs.展开更多
Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer(CAR-NK)cell therapy is an alternative immunotherapy that provides robust tumor-eliminating effects without inducing life-threatening toxicities and graft-versus-host disease.CA...Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer(CAR-NK)cell therapy is an alternative immunotherapy that provides robust tumor-eliminating effects without inducing life-threatening toxicities and graft-versus-host disease.CAR-NK cell therapy has enabled the development of“off-the-shelf”products that bypass the lengthy and expensive cell manufacturing process1.展开更多
Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change...Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change,and high dependence on farm inputs for intensive production constrain the longer-term sustainability of rice systems.Government and agribusiness actors are encouraging more farmers to grow non-rice crops and supporting the upscaling of alternative crops to paddy rice.We used a qualitative approach to investigate the value chain characteristics,as well as constraints and opportunities of alternative crops via two case studies(baby corn and honeydew melon)in An Giang and Hau Giang provinces,Vietnam.Data collection involved focus group discussions with local farmers and interviews with farmers and industry experts.Thematic analysis was used to compile the findings,and the results were validated with local government staff.The baby corn value chain featured on-going and stable market demand(including value-addition)and better vertical coordination(e.g.,written contracts and financial support).The honeydew melon value chain featured positive relationships between farmers and traders despite less-developed vertical coordination.There are opportunities for value chain engagement through product quality certification,value-addition,and accessing high-value domestic and export markets.However,farmers require crop-specific and generic support from private and public sectors.Increased labour requirements and limited access to finance and credit limit value chain participation.Upscaling and marketing alternative crops can enhance farmer profitability and support non-farming agricultural business establishment,economic growth,and community development.Efficient value chains will be critical to ensure the adoption of alternative crops and development of crop-specific agribusiness models.These findings can inform policy-makers and change facilitators in designing targeted interventions to support the adoption of alternative crops in the study area as well as in Vietnam and globally.展开更多
Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SC...Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SCP),derived from methanotrophic bacteria,presents a promising alternative by converting methane into protein,potentially addressing both the need for alternative protein sources and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of SCP inclusion(0%,25%,50%,and 75%fish meal replacement)on the health,gene expression,and gut microbiome of yellowtail kingfish(YTK,Seriola lalandi)following a 35-day growth trial.Results The study found that SCP inclusion at the highest level of fishmeal replacement(75%)induced a mild inflammatory response in the hindgut of the fish.However,micromorphological assessments of the hindgut,serum biochemistry,and gene expression analyses revealed no significant detrimental effects from SCP replacement.Notably,there were indications of improved lipid digestibility with SCP.Furthermore,SCP inclusion significantly enhanced microbial richness and altered the composition of the gut microbiome,introducing beneficial bacterial taxa that may contribute to improved gut health and resilience.Conclusions This study highlights SCP as a viable and sustainable alternative to fish meal in YTK diets.The findings suggest that SCP can be included in YTK diets without adverse health effects at moderate levels and may even offer benefits in terms of lipid digestibility and gut microbiome diversity.These results contribute to the advancement of more sustainable aquaculture practices.展开更多
Caspases,which play key roles in cell apoptosis,undergo alternative splicing to form different splicing variants that can regulate the apoptotic process.Lepidopteran insect caspases undergo alternative splicing,althou...Caspases,which play key roles in cell apoptosis,undergo alternative splicing to form different splicing variants that can regulate the apoptotic process.Lepidopteran insect caspases undergo alternative splicing,although the functions of their splicing variants are still unclear.The Spodoptera exigua caspase-5(SeCaspase-5)gene was cloned and found to produce four different splicing variants with different gene sequences and protein functional domains,which were named SeCaspase-5a,SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.Overexpression of these variants in S.exigua cells(Se-3)showed that SeCaspase-5a had a proapoptotic function,whereas SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not.Semi-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of the SeCaspase-5 variants significantly differed during Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus(AcMNPV)infection.Furthermore,the SeCaspase-5 variants were constructed into the AcMNPV bacmid and transfected into Se-3 cells,which revealed that SeCaspase-5a promoted cell apoptosis and reduced virus production,whereas SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not promote cell apoptosis but instead increased virus production.Moreover,an analysis of the interactions between the SeCaspase-5 variants revealed that SeCaspase-5a directly interacted with SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.Coexpression of these variants in Se-3 cells also revealed that SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d inhibited the proapoptotic function of SeCaspase-5a,resulting in a reduction in the percentage of apoptotic cells by about 20%.These results indicate that SeCaspase-5 undergoes alternative splicing and is involved in regulating the apoptosis induced by baculovirus infection.These findings increase our understanding of the functions of lepidopteran insect caspases and provide new insights into the mechanism of host-cell apoptosis induced by baculoviruses.展开更多
Heat stress is a major threat to maize(Zea mays L.)production worldwide.Heat shock transcription factors(HSFs)play vital roles in plant responses to heat stress.However,the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying ...Heat stress is a major threat to maize(Zea mays L.)production worldwide.Heat shock transcription factors(HSFs)play vital roles in plant responses to heat stress.However,the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying HSF-meditated thermotolerance in maize remain largely unexplored.In this study,we demonstrate that the alternative splicing of ZmHsf23 modulates heat stress tolerance in maize.Hsf23 produced two functional transcripts,Hsf23L and Hsf23S,which differ by the presence of a cryptic mini-exon in Hsf23L that is spliced out in Hsf23S.Both transcripts were strongly induced by heat stress.Mutants lacking Hsf23L alone(hsf23l)or both Hsf23L and Hsf23S(hsf23l23s)exhibited increased susceptibility to heat stress,whereas overexpression of Hsf23S enhanced heat stress tolerance in maize.Subsequently,we found that Hsf23S positively regulates heat stress tolerance by directly activating the transcription of three sHSP genes(Hsp16.9,Hsp17.2,and Hsp18a)and TIL1 gene.In addition,Hsf23L physically interacted with Hsf23S and enhanced the transcriptional activation of Hsf23S on the sHSPs and TIL1 promoters.Notably,genetic analysis suggested that co-overexpression of Hsf23L and Hsf23S further improves heat tolerance of the transgenic plants.Taken together,these results reveal two splicing variants of ZmHsf23 cooperatively regulate maize heat tolerance,thus highlighting potential value of ZmHsf23 in breeding heat-tolerant maize varieties.展开更多
Somatic variants in the cancer genome influence gene expression through diverse mechanisms depending on their specific locations.However,a systematic evaluation of the effects of somatic variants located in 3'untr...Somatic variants in the cancer genome influence gene expression through diverse mechanisms depending on their specific locations.However,a systematic evaluation of the effects of somatic variants located in 3'untranslated regions(3'UTRs)on alternative polyadenylation(APA)of m RNA remains lacking.In this study,we analyze 10,199 tumor samples across 32 cancer types and identify 1333 somatic single nucleotide variants(SNVs)associated with abnormal 3'UTR APA.Mechanistically,these 3'UTR SNVs can alter cisregulatory elements,such as the poly(A)signal and UGUA motif,leading to changes in APA.Minigene assays confirm that 3'UTR SNVs in multiple genes,including RPS23 and CHTOP,induce aberrant APA.Among affected genes,62 exhibit differential stability between tandem 3'UTR isoforms,including HSPA4and UCK2,validated by experimental assays.Finally,we establish that SNV-related abnormal APA usage serves as an additional layer of expression regulation for tumor-suppressor gene HMGN2 in breast cancer.Collectively,this study reveals 3'UTR APA as a critical mechanism mediating the functional impact of somatic noncoding variants in human cancers.展开更多
In this paper,we investigate a distributed multi-input multi-output and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(MIMO-OFDM) dual-functional radar-communication(DFRC) system,which enables simultaneous communication a...In this paper,we investigate a distributed multi-input multi-output and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(MIMO-OFDM) dual-functional radar-communication(DFRC) system,which enables simultaneous communication and sensing in different subcarrier sets.To obtain the best tradeoff between communication and sensing performance,we first derive Cramer-Rao Bound(CRB) of targets in detection area,and then maximize the transmission rate by jointly optimizing the power/subcarriers allocation and the selection of radar receivers under the constraints of detection performance and total transmit power.To tackle the non-convex mixed integer programming problem,we decompose the original problem into a semidefinite programming(SDP) problem and a convex quadratic integer problem and solve them iteratively.The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm,as well as the performance improvement brought by optimizing radar receivers selection.展开更多
Rice straw,a by-product of rice cultivation,is commonly disposed of through open-field burning,which contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation.This study aims to identify the key factors influencing f...Rice straw,a by-product of rice cultivation,is commonly disposed of through open-field burning,which contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation.This study aims to identify the key factors influencing farmers’decisions on rice straw management and to develop policy recommendations that encourage the sustainable utilization of rice straw within the supply chain.A mixed-methods approach was adopted,combining qualitative interviews with nine key informants and a quantitative survey of 585 rice farmers across Thailand.Multinomial Logit Regression(MLR)was employed to analyze farmers’preferences among four management options:burning,composting,animal feeding,and selling.The results reveal that membership in farmer groups,ownership of livestock,access to baling machinery,knowledge,and skills related to straw utilization,ease of field access,availability of storage facilities,engagement in integrated farming,and year-round access to baling services significantly increased the likelihood of choosing sustainable alternatives over the burning straw.These findings underscore the importance of both capacity-building and infrastructure in enabling sustainable practices.Based on these insights,the study proposes a multi-level policy framework to enhance the value creation of rice straw.National policies should focus on expanding access to machinery and supporting innovation,while local governments should facilitate farmer training and improve straw logistics.Strengthening farmer organizations and market connections is also crucial for scaling adoption.Overall,structural integration and stakeholder coordination are key to reducing straw burning and promoting sustainable resource use in rice-producing regions.展开更多
文摘Background:The use of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)is common among individuals with underlying chronic illnesses.Objective:This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the global prevalence and patterns of CAM use among individuals with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Search strategy:PubMed,Embase,and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus were searched from inception until 26th February 2024.Inclusion criteria:Original articles reporting the use of at least one type of CAM among individuals aged above 18 years old and at all stages of CKD or undergoing any form of kidney replacement therapy.Data extraction and analysis:Two independent reviewers performed the literature screening.The data were extracted from the included studies by one reviewer and cross-checked by another.Discrepancies were resolved by discussion and consensus among two reviewers.Primary information included prevalence of CAM use,types of CAM used,reasons for CAM use,factors associated with CAM use,and disclosure to healthcare providers.Meta-analyses were performed to determine the pooled prevalence of CAM use and non-disclosure of CAM using a random effect model.Results:Forty-one studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis.The pooled prevalence of CAM use was 43%(95%confidence interval:34%,51%),I2=99.46%.The reasons for CAM use included treatment of underlying comorbidities,complications or symptoms,maintenance of general health,and treatment of CKD.Nutritional approaches were the most common CAM modality,with 412different herbal and dietary supplements reported;psychological and physical approaches included massage therapy,relaxation techniques,and mind–body practices;and other complementary health approaches such as homeopathy,traditional Chinese medicine,and Ayurvedic medicine were also frequently reported.Factors associated with CAM use included sociodemographic characteristics such as older age,female gender,or higher income;disease or therapy factors such as not having diabetes,relying on hemodialysis,or poor adherence to medication;and patient or internal factors such as positive attitude towards CAM and perceived safety of CAM.About 66%(61%,72%)of CAM users did not disclose the use of CAM to their healthcare providers.Conclusion:CAM use is prevalent among individuals with CKD,and healthcare providers should communicate openly and effectively to emphasize the rational use of CAM to avoid potential harm.
基金supported by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil(CAPES)[Finance Code 001](to MGS)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico(CNPq)fellowship[research grants 309840/2022-8]。
文摘Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory response in the central nervous system associated with various neurological conditions.The inflammatory process is typically treated with non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,which have a range of serious adverse effects.As an alternative,naturally derived molecules such as quercetin and its derivatives show promising anti-inflammatory properties and beneficial effects on various physiological functions.Our objective was to synthesize the evidence on the anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin and its derivatives in in vivo models,in the face of neuroinflammatory insults induced by lipopolysaccharide,through a systematic review and meta-analysis.A search of the preclinical literature was conducted across four databases(Pub Med,Web of Science,Scielo,and Google Scholar).Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria,assessed for methodological quality using CAMARADES,and risk of bias using the SYRCLE tool,and data were extracted from the studies.The quantitative assessment of quercetin effects on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microgliosis was performed through a meta-analysis.A total of 384 potentially relevant articles were identified,of which 11 studies were included in the analysis.The methodological quality was assessed,resulting in an average score of 5.8/10,and the overall risk of bias analysis revealed a lack of methodological clarity in most studies.Furthermore,through the meta-analysis,it was observed that treatment with quercetin statistically reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines,such as tumor necrosis factor alpha,interleukin 6,interleukin 1β(n=89;SMD=–2.00;95%CI:–3.29 to–0.71),and microgliosis(n=33;SMD=–2.56;95%CI:–4.07 to–1.10).In terms of underlying mechanisms,quercetin and its derivatives exhibit antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties,possibly through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/HO-1 pathways,increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing reactive species,and modulating the caspase pathway,increasing levels of anti-apoptotic proteins and decreasing proapoptotic proteins.Quercetin and its derivatives exhibit highly pleiotropic actions that simultaneously contribute to preventing neuroinflammation.However,despite promising results in animal models,future directions should focus on well-designed clinical studies to assess the safety,bioavailability,and efficacy of quercetin and its derivatives in humans.Additionally,standardization of methods and dosages in studies is crucial to ensure consistency of findings and optimize their application in clinical settings.
基金Acknowledgement We sincerely appreciate the commendable field efforts of a large number of field technicians who assisted with data collection during the course of this study, as well as logistical support provided by B. Congdon, T. Daniel, J. Lindsay and D. Westcott. We also thank members of the Schwabl and Webster labs for their valuable input throughout. Thanks also to Becca Sail＇an and Maren Vitousek for the invitation to contribute to this volume. This research was conducted with appropriate permits and permissions from the governments of Queensland and Australia, and material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation （USA） through grants to MSW and HS and a graduate traineeship to DGB.
文摘While our understanding of male reproductive strategies is informed by extensive investigations into endocrine mechanisms, the proximate mechanisms by which females compete for mates and adjust reproduction to social environment remains enigmatic. We set out to uncover endocrine correlates of mate choice, social environment, and reproductive investment in female red-backed fairy-wrens Malurus melanocephalus. In this socially monogamous, yet highly sexually promiscuous species, females experience discrete variation in the phenotype of their mates, which vary in both plumage signals and level of paternal care, and in the composition of their breeding groups, which consist of either the pair alone or with an additional cooperative auxiliary; fe- male investment varies according to these social parameters. We found that androgen, estrogen, and glucorticoid levels varied with reproductive stage, with highest androgen and estrogen concentrations during nest construction and highest corticosterone concentrations during the pre-breeding stage. These stage-dependent patterns did not vary with male phenotype or auxiliary presence, though androgen levels during pre-breeding mate selection were lower in females obtaining red/black mates than those obtaining brown mates. We found no evidence that androgen, estrogen, or corticosterone levels during the fertile period were re- lated to extra-pair young （EPY） frequency. This study demonstrates clear changes in steroid levels with reproductive stage, though it found little support for variation with social environment. We suggest hormonal responsiveness to social factors may be physiologically constrained in ways that are bypassed through exogenous hormone manipulations.
文摘Modern hydrobiology,mainly,is based on conception,which may be named Conception of unicity of ecosystem stable state(CUESS):Mature ecosystems are stable and in dynamic equilibrium.Ecosystem state fluctuates around
文摘In this study, the authors investigated the performance of different buffer layers through the electrical parameters such as J<sub>sc</sub>, V<sub>oc</sub>, QE and η of the quaternary system Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub> solar cells. The performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub>solar cells has been modeled and numerically simulated by using the SCAPS- 1D device simulation tool. The cells with a ZnSe, Zn(O,S) and (Zn,Mg)O buffer layers were compared with the reference CdS buffer layer. The investigation of ZnSe, Zn(O, S) and (Zn,Mg)O-based cells to substitute the traditional CdS in the future shows that the ZnSe-buffer layer is a potential material to replace CdS, which revealed the best efficiency of 20.76%, the other electrical parameters are: J<sub>SC</sub> = 34.6 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, V<sub>OC</sub> = 0.76 V and FF = 79.6%. The losses as a function of the temperature are estimated at 0.1%/K, among all kinds of buffer layers studied. We have also shown that the use of a high band-gap buffer layer is necessary to obtain a better short-circuit current density J<sub>SC</sub>. From our results, we note that the chalcogenide solar cells with Zn-based alternative buffer layer have almost the same stability thatthe traditional CdS buffer layer solar cells have.
基金Project supported by the Changwon National University(2013-2014),Korea
文摘A smartphone-based context-aware augmentative and alternative communication(AAC) was applied was in order to enhance the user's experience by providing simple, adaptive, and intuitive interfaces. Various potential context-aware technologies and AAC usage scenarios were studied, and an efficient communication system was developed by combining smartphone's multimedia functions and its optimized sensor technologies. The experimental results show that context-awareness accuracy is achieved up to 97%.
文摘In the US Federal government, an analysis of alternatives (AoA) is required for a significant investment of resources. The AoA yields the recommended alternative from a set of viable alternatives for the investment decision. This paper presents an integrated AoA and project management framework for analyzing new or emerging alternatives (e.g., Cloud computing), as may be driven by an information system strategy that incorporates a methodology for analyzing the costs, benefits, and risks of each viable alternative. The case study in this paper, about a business improvement project to provide public health and safety services to citizens in a US Federal agency, is a practical application of this integrated framework and reveals the benefits of this integrated approach for an investment decision. The decision making process in the framework—as an integrated, organized, and adaptable set of management and control practices—offers a defensible recommendation and provides accountability to stakeholders.
文摘The paper presents a technical solution which provides energy saving at full speed, as well as duplication of screw propeller and main propulsion system incase it＇s out of order. The description of the corresponding device, designed for transport refrigerator ship, is shown as well as its location on board. Value of energy saving from the use of contra propeller is estimated. The results of the assessment required power to move the ship at low speed by the action of the contra propeller operating in the reactive mode are demonstrated. It is shown, that the ship equipped with the proposed device will get the additional class notation related to the redundancy or duplication of the propulsion system of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.
文摘In this study, we use the respective advantages of the tabu search (TS) and the Web-based technologies to develop a Web-based decision support system (DSS) for cell formation (CF) problems considering alternative process routings and machine sequences simultaneously. With the assistance of our developed Web-based system, the CF practitioners in the production departments can interact with the systems without knowing the details of algorithms and can get the best machine cells and part families with minimize the total intercellular movement wherever and whenever they may need it. To further verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the system developed, an example taken from the literature is ado- pted for illustrational purpose. Moreover, a set of test problems with various sizes drawn from the literature is used to test the performance of the proposed system. Corresponding results are compared to several well-known algorithms previously published. The results indicate that the proposed system improves the best results found in the literature for 67% of the test problems. These show that the proposed system should thus be useful to both practitioners and researchers.
基金upported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.62305184)the Major Key Project of Pengcheng Laboratory(Grant No.PCL2024A1)+1 种基金the Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province(Grant No.2023A1515012932)the Science,Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality(Grant No.WDZC20220818100259004).
文摘Single-pixel imaging(SPI)enables efficient sensing in challenging conditions.However,the requirement for numerous samplings constrains its practicality.We address the challenge of high-quality SPI reconstruction at ultra-low sampling rates.We develop an alternative optimization with physics and a data-driven diffusion network(APD-Net).It features alternative optimization driven by the learned task-agnostic natural image prior and the task-specific physics prior.During the training stage,APD-Net harnesses the power of diffusion models to capture data-driven statistics of natural signals.In the inference stage,the physics prior is introduced as corrective guidance to ensure consistency between the physics imaging model and the natural image probability distribution.Through alternative optimization,APD-Net reconstructs data-efficient,high-fidelity images that are statistically and physically compliant.To accelerate reconstruction,initializing images with the inverse SPI physical model reduces the need for reconstruction inference from 100 to 30 steps.Through both numerical simulations and real prototype experiments,APD-Net achieves high-quality,full-color reconstructions of complex natural images at a low sampling rate of 1%.In addition,APD-Net’s tuning-free nature ensures robustness across various imaging setups and sampling rates.Our research offers a broadly applicable approach for various applications,including but not limited to medical imaging and industrial inspection.
基金funded by the Technology Project of State Grid Jibei Electric Power Supply Co.,Ltd.(Grant Number:52018F240001).
文摘As the development of new power systems accelerates and the impacts of high renewable energy integration and extreme weather intensify,grid-alternative energy storage is garnering increasing attention for its grid-interaction benefits and clear business models.Consequently,assessing the value of grid-alternative energy storage in the systemtransition has become critically important.Considering the performance characteristics of storage,we propose a value assessment frame-work for grid-alternative energy storage,quantifying its non-wires-alternative effects from both cost and benefit perspectives.Building on this,we developed a collaborative planning model for energy storage and transmission grids,aimed at maximizing the economic benefits of storage systems while balancing investment and operational costs.The model considers regional grid interconnections and their interactions with system operation.By participating in system operations,grid-alternative energy storage not only maximizes its own economic benefits but also generates social welfare transfer effects.Furthermore,based on multi-regional interconnected planning,grid-alternative energy storage can reduce system costs by approximately 35%,with the most significant changes observed in generation costs.Multi-regional coordinated planning significantly enhances the sys-tem’s flexibility in regulation.However,when the load factor of interconnection lines between regions remains constant,system operational flexibility tends to decrease,leading to a roughly 28.9%increase in storage investment.Additionally,under regional coordinated planning,the greater the disparity in wind power integration across interconnected regions,the more noticeable the reduction in system costs.
基金supported by grants from the Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project(Grant No.2023ZD0501300)Science Technology Department of Zhejiang Province(Grant No.2021C03117)+2 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.82350104 and 82170219)Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,China(Grant No.LY23H080004 and LY24H080001)Medical Health Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Provincial Health Commission(Grant No.2021KY199)。
文摘Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer(CAR-NK)cell therapy is an alternative immunotherapy that provides robust tumor-eliminating effects without inducing life-threatening toxicities and graft-versus-host disease.CAR-NK cell therapy has enabled the development of“off-the-shelf”products that bypass the lengthy and expensive cell manufacturing process1.
基金funded by the 2022-2023 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research(ACIAR)Alumni Research Support Facility(ARSF)programme:“Farmers’adaptive capacity and agricultural transformation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta:understanding and supporting value chain engagement”the ACIAR-funded project“Farmer options for crops under saline conditions(FOCUS)in the Mekong River Delta,Vietnam”(SLaM/2018/144)to this study.
文摘Agricultural production(especially intensive rice production)is a primary income source for over 2.0×10^(7) people in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta.However,adverse climate change impacts,socio-economic change,and high dependence on farm inputs for intensive production constrain the longer-term sustainability of rice systems.Government and agribusiness actors are encouraging more farmers to grow non-rice crops and supporting the upscaling of alternative crops to paddy rice.We used a qualitative approach to investigate the value chain characteristics,as well as constraints and opportunities of alternative crops via two case studies(baby corn and honeydew melon)in An Giang and Hau Giang provinces,Vietnam.Data collection involved focus group discussions with local farmers and interviews with farmers and industry experts.Thematic analysis was used to compile the findings,and the results were validated with local government staff.The baby corn value chain featured on-going and stable market demand(including value-addition)and better vertical coordination(e.g.,written contracts and financial support).The honeydew melon value chain featured positive relationships between farmers and traders despite less-developed vertical coordination.There are opportunities for value chain engagement through product quality certification,value-addition,and accessing high-value domestic and export markets.However,farmers require crop-specific and generic support from private and public sectors.Increased labour requirements and limited access to finance and credit limit value chain participation.Upscaling and marketing alternative crops can enhance farmer profitability and support non-farming agricultural business establishment,economic growth,and community development.Efficient value chains will be critical to ensure the adoption of alternative crops and development of crop-specific agribusiness models.These findings can inform policy-makers and change facilitators in designing targeted interventions to support the adoption of alternative crops in the study area as well as in Vietnam and globally.
基金Fisheries Research Development Corporation,Grant/Award Number:2017-030.
文摘Background With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal,identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential.Single-cell protein(SCP),derived from methanotrophic bacteria,presents a promising alternative by converting methane into protein,potentially addressing both the need for alternative protein sources and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of SCP inclusion(0%,25%,50%,and 75%fish meal replacement)on the health,gene expression,and gut microbiome of yellowtail kingfish(YTK,Seriola lalandi)following a 35-day growth trial.Results The study found that SCP inclusion at the highest level of fishmeal replacement(75%)induced a mild inflammatory response in the hindgut of the fish.However,micromorphological assessments of the hindgut,serum biochemistry,and gene expression analyses revealed no significant detrimental effects from SCP replacement.Notably,there were indications of improved lipid digestibility with SCP.Furthermore,SCP inclusion significantly enhanced microbial richness and altered the composition of the gut microbiome,introducing beneficial bacterial taxa that may contribute to improved gut health and resilience.Conclusions This study highlights SCP as a viable and sustainable alternative to fish meal in YTK diets.The findings suggest that SCP can be included in YTK diets without adverse health effects at moderate levels and may even offer benefits in terms of lipid digestibility and gut microbiome diversity.These results contribute to the advancement of more sustainable aquaculture practices.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32202393)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(ZR2021QC190)+1 种基金the Science and Technology Benefiting the People Demonstration Project of Qingdao,China(24-1-8-xdny-10-nsh)the Qingdao Agricultural University High-level Talent Fund,China(663/1120101)。
文摘Caspases,which play key roles in cell apoptosis,undergo alternative splicing to form different splicing variants that can regulate the apoptotic process.Lepidopteran insect caspases undergo alternative splicing,although the functions of their splicing variants are still unclear.The Spodoptera exigua caspase-5(SeCaspase-5)gene was cloned and found to produce four different splicing variants with different gene sequences and protein functional domains,which were named SeCaspase-5a,SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.Overexpression of these variants in S.exigua cells(Se-3)showed that SeCaspase-5a had a proapoptotic function,whereas SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not.Semi-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of the SeCaspase-5 variants significantly differed during Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus(AcMNPV)infection.Furthermore,the SeCaspase-5 variants were constructed into the AcMNPV bacmid and transfected into Se-3 cells,which revealed that SeCaspase-5a promoted cell apoptosis and reduced virus production,whereas SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d did not promote cell apoptosis but instead increased virus production.Moreover,an analysis of the interactions between the SeCaspase-5 variants revealed that SeCaspase-5a directly interacted with SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d.Coexpression of these variants in Se-3 cells also revealed that SeCaspase-5b,SeCaspase-5c and SeCaspase-5d inhibited the proapoptotic function of SeCaspase-5a,resulting in a reduction in the percentage of apoptotic cells by about 20%.These results indicate that SeCaspase-5 undergoes alternative splicing and is involved in regulating the apoptosis induced by baculovirus infection.These findings increase our understanding of the functions of lepidopteran insect caspases and provide new insights into the mechanism of host-cell apoptosis induced by baculoviruses.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFF1000301)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31771805)。
文摘Heat stress is a major threat to maize(Zea mays L.)production worldwide.Heat shock transcription factors(HSFs)play vital roles in plant responses to heat stress.However,the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying HSF-meditated thermotolerance in maize remain largely unexplored.In this study,we demonstrate that the alternative splicing of ZmHsf23 modulates heat stress tolerance in maize.Hsf23 produced two functional transcripts,Hsf23L and Hsf23S,which differ by the presence of a cryptic mini-exon in Hsf23L that is spliced out in Hsf23S.Both transcripts were strongly induced by heat stress.Mutants lacking Hsf23L alone(hsf23l)or both Hsf23L and Hsf23S(hsf23l23s)exhibited increased susceptibility to heat stress,whereas overexpression of Hsf23S enhanced heat stress tolerance in maize.Subsequently,we found that Hsf23S positively regulates heat stress tolerance by directly activating the transcription of three sHSP genes(Hsp16.9,Hsp17.2,and Hsp18a)and TIL1 gene.In addition,Hsf23L physically interacted with Hsf23S and enhanced the transcriptional activation of Hsf23S on the sHSPs and TIL1 promoters.Notably,genetic analysis suggested that co-overexpression of Hsf23L and Hsf23S further improves heat tolerance of the transgenic plants.Taken together,these results reveal two splicing variants of ZmHsf23 cooperatively regulate maize heat tolerance,thus highlighting potential value of ZmHsf23 in breeding heat-tolerant maize varieties.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2023YFC3603300,2021YFA0909300)National Natural Science Foundation of China(92249302,32370592,32400437)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(BX20230073 and 2023M740709)。
文摘Somatic variants in the cancer genome influence gene expression through diverse mechanisms depending on their specific locations.However,a systematic evaluation of the effects of somatic variants located in 3'untranslated regions(3'UTRs)on alternative polyadenylation(APA)of m RNA remains lacking.In this study,we analyze 10,199 tumor samples across 32 cancer types and identify 1333 somatic single nucleotide variants(SNVs)associated with abnormal 3'UTR APA.Mechanistically,these 3'UTR SNVs can alter cisregulatory elements,such as the poly(A)signal and UGUA motif,leading to changes in APA.Minigene assays confirm that 3'UTR SNVs in multiple genes,including RPS23 and CHTOP,induce aberrant APA.Among affected genes,62 exhibit differential stability between tandem 3'UTR isoforms,including HSPA4and UCK2,validated by experimental assays.Finally,we establish that SNV-related abnormal APA usage serves as an additional layer of expression regulation for tumor-suppressor gene HMGN2 in breast cancer.Collectively,this study reveals 3'UTR APA as a critical mechanism mediating the functional impact of somatic noncoding variants in human cancers.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFB2905605)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (62072229)。
文摘In this paper,we investigate a distributed multi-input multi-output and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(MIMO-OFDM) dual-functional radar-communication(DFRC) system,which enables simultaneous communication and sensing in different subcarrier sets.To obtain the best tradeoff between communication and sensing performance,we first derive Cramer-Rao Bound(CRB) of targets in detection area,and then maximize the transmission rate by jointly optimizing the power/subcarriers allocation and the selection of radar receivers under the constraints of detection performance and total transmit power.To tackle the non-convex mixed integer programming problem,we decompose the original problem into a semidefinite programming(SDP) problem and a convex quadratic integer problem and solve them iteratively.The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm,as well as the performance improvement brought by optimizing radar receivers selection.
文摘Rice straw,a by-product of rice cultivation,is commonly disposed of through open-field burning,which contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation.This study aims to identify the key factors influencing farmers’decisions on rice straw management and to develop policy recommendations that encourage the sustainable utilization of rice straw within the supply chain.A mixed-methods approach was adopted,combining qualitative interviews with nine key informants and a quantitative survey of 585 rice farmers across Thailand.Multinomial Logit Regression(MLR)was employed to analyze farmers’preferences among four management options:burning,composting,animal feeding,and selling.The results reveal that membership in farmer groups,ownership of livestock,access to baling machinery,knowledge,and skills related to straw utilization,ease of field access,availability of storage facilities,engagement in integrated farming,and year-round access to baling services significantly increased the likelihood of choosing sustainable alternatives over the burning straw.These findings underscore the importance of both capacity-building and infrastructure in enabling sustainable practices.Based on these insights,the study proposes a multi-level policy framework to enhance the value creation of rice straw.National policies should focus on expanding access to machinery and supporting innovation,while local governments should facilitate farmer training and improve straw logistics.Strengthening farmer organizations and market connections is also crucial for scaling adoption.Overall,structural integration and stakeholder coordination are key to reducing straw burning and promoting sustainable resource use in rice-producing regions.
