Search Results (24,705)

Background and Objectives: This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of remimazolam versus propofol for sedation during colonoscopy, focusing on hemodynamic and respiratory outcomes. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to January 2025 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Outcomes included hypotension (primary outcome), bradycardia, respiratory depression, injection pain, sedation onset time, emergence time, procedure success rate, and recovery room stay. Effect sizes were reported as relative risks (RR) or mean differences (MD) using random-effects models. Results: Fourteen RCTs with 3290 participants were included. Remimazolam significantly reduced the risk of hypotension (RR: 0.44, 95% CI [0.39, 0.51], p = 0.0000), bradycardia (RR: 0.36, 95% CI [0.25, 0.53], p = 0.0000), respiratory depression (RR: 0.32, 95% CI [0.22, 0.45], p = 0.0000), and injection pain (RR: 0.14, 95% CI [0.09, 0.24], p = 0.0000) compared to propofol. Remimazolam had slower sedation onset (MD: 15.97 s, 95% CI [8.30, 23.64], p = 0.0000) but allowed faster emergence (MD: −0.91 min, 95% CI [−1.69, −0.13], p = 0.023) and shorter recovery room stays (MD: −2.20 min, 95% CI [−3.23, −1.17], p = 0.0000). Both drugs had similar procedure success rates. Conclusions: Remimazolam demonstrates superior safety and efficacy compared to propofol, reducing risks of hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression, and injection pain while enabling faster recovery. These findings support remimazolam as a viable sedative for colonoscopy, though further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results. Full article

Epichloë endophytic fungi are important microbial resources in agriculture and animal husbandry. Because of their stable symbiosis, species transmission, and positive effects on host plants, the use of endophytic fungi in grass breeding is of great significance. In this study, six inoculation methods were used, including the sterile seedling slit inoculation method, sterile seedling cut inoculation method, sterile seedling injection inoculation method, seed soaking inoculation method, seed piercing and then soaking inoculation method, and seed slit inoculation method. Spectrometry was used to construct new symbionts, and Liquid Chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to analyze the effects of endophytic fungi on the metabolism of new hosts. The physiological response of the new symbionts to salt and alkali stress was studied using a pot experiment. The results were as follows: In this study, Epichloë bromicola was successfully inoculated into Bromus inermis via the sterile seedling slit inoculation method, and new symbionts (EI) were obtained; the vaccination rate was 2.1%. Metabolites up-regulated by EI are significantly enriched in citrate cycle and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, suggesting that the symbiosis of endophytic fungi indirectly triggers the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through multiple metabolic pathways. The saline–alkali stress test showed that the host antioxidant system was active after inoculation, and the total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased compared with non-symbionts (EF) under mild stress (p < 0.05), which provided important clues to reveal the complex mechanism of plant–fungus symbiosis. This study provides practical guidance and a theoretical basis for plant adaptation under climate change, health management of grass seeds, and soil improvement through endophytic fungi. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of umbilical mesenchymal stem cell-derived apoptotic vesicles (UMSC-apoVs) in a 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced impairment in skin wound healing. Methods: UMSC-apoVs were isolated from UMSCs using differential centrifugation after the induction of apoptosis. A murine model was established by administering 5-FU via intravenous tail injection, followed by full-thickness skin wound creation. Mice received local injections of UMSC-apoVs at the lesion site. Wound healing was evaluated based on wound closure rates, histological analysis, and in vivo/in vitro functional assays. Rotenone (Rot)-pretreated UMSC-apoVs were used to explore the role of mitochondrial transfer between skin mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) and UMSC-apoVs in wound healing. Results: UMSC-apoVs significantly accelerated wound healing in 5-FU-treated mice, as demonstrated by enhanced wound closure rates and histological findings of reduced inflammatory infiltration and increased collagen deposition. UMSC-apoVs transferred mitochondria to SMSCs, enhancing viability, proliferation, and migration while reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in SMSCs. Rot pretreatment inhibited the therapeutic effects of UMSC-apoVs on wound healing by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction in UMSC-apoVs. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that UMSC-apoVs improve 5-FU-induced impaired skin wound healing by facilitating mitochondrial transfer, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for alleviating chemotherapy-induced impairment in wound healing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thyroid hormones are key regulators in hepatic metabolic pathways. Although they regulate various hepatic genes, only a few are known to be under direct transcriptional regulation through thyroid hormone receptors. To better understand the roles of thyroid hormones in the liver, it is critical to identify thyroid hormone-responsive genes at the cellular level. Methods: A cDNA microarray analysis was applied to primary cultures of rat hepatic cells treated with triiodothyronine (T3) at 10⁻⁹ M for 24 h to identify the differentially expressed genes. The identified gene expressions were further examined in vivo using F344 rats. The reporter gene assay was performed to investigate the transcriptional activity of the upstream region of the gene. Results: A limited number of genes were listed, and only three of them, pyridoxal kinase (Pdxk), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1), and solute carrier family 17 member 2 (Slc17a2), were confirmed to be upregulated by quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of these genes increased in the livers of F344 rats after T3 injection, suggesting the physiological relevance in vivo. There are two partially conserved thyroid hormone-responsive elements (TREs) in the upstream region of the rat Pdxk gene. The reporter gene assay indicated that an imperfect TRE (5′-gGGTCAxxxxAGGaCt-3′) located at −2146 was sufficient for the thyroid hormone-induced transcription of the gene. Conclusions: The present study identified novel T3-responsive genes, pdxk and Slc17a2. Promoter analyses showed that a single TRE in the pdxk gene accounts for the transcriptional regulation by T3. Full article

Apnoea may be induced by pharmacological or ventilatory measures in animals under general anaesthesia to prevent motion blur on thoracic computed tomography (CT) sequences. The effectiveness of such methods has previously been reported in terms of CT image quality but not in the success of apnoea induction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different methods used to induce apnoea. A total of 61 client-owned dogs undergoing general anaesthesia for thoracic CT were randomised to group M (n = 30) and group V (n = 31). In group M, midazolam 0.2 mg kg⁻¹ was administered by rapid intravenous injection. In group V, dogs were mechanically ventilated to maintain normocapnia, before pausing the ventilator for image acquisition. Apnoea was induced in 77% of dogs in group M and 94% in group V (p = 0.08). The onset of apnoea was quicker and of a longer duration in group V (p < 0.001). Changes in cardiorespiratory parameters and the degree of atelectasis were greater following midazolam administration. For these reasons, the authors recommend interruption of mechanical ventilation to induce apnoea in suitable dogs, as it enables the period of apnoea to be more controlled and repeated if required. Full article

This study aims to evaluate and optimize the influences of operational factors, including the engine’s rotational speed, methane mass, diesel mass, and the duration of injected diesel fuel on the methane/diesel reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) light-duty engine’s performance and emissions by executing the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGAII). The optimizations aimed to minimize peak firing pressure simultaneously, decrease indicated specific fuel consumption, and reduce tailpipe emissions. It is found that the excess air ratios of (2.22 to 2.37) are the range of feasible results of the RCCI engine, and the power should be less than 0.89 from the maximum design load of the diesel engine when it works without it after treatment. The methane/diesel RCCI engine achieves an indicative thermal efficiency of 51%. The Pareto results from the NSGA algorithm occur on multiple fronts, and there is a tradeoff between power and nitrogen oxide (NOx) in addition to unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs) and carbon monoxide (CO) with NOx emissions. Moreover, EURO IV emissions regulations can occur when using a start of injection (SOI) of −35 CA, a diesel mass of 1.82 mg, a methane mass of 9.74 mg, a diesel injection duration of 2.63 CA, and a rotational speed of 2540 rpm. This accomplished a reduction in indicative specific fuel consumption by 27.8%, higher indicative efficiency by 21.9%, and emissions reductions compared to a conventional diesel engine. Full article

The increasing concern regarding the environmental impact of conventional plastics has intensified the search for sustainable alternatives. This study investigated the development and characterization of biocomposites produced from glue flour (GF), a wheat milling by-product, and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) using injection molding. GF/PBS ratios of 100/0 (PBS0), 80/20 (PBS20), 70/30 (PBS30), and 60/40 (PBS40) (w/w) were evaluated in terms of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The results showed that increasing the PBS content significantly enhanced tensile strength from 1.36 MPa (PBS0) to 12.23 MPa (PBS40) and Young’s modulus from 0.12 MPa to 1.54 MPa. Water solubility decreased from 37.03% (PBS0) to 16.08% (PBS40), and linear shrinkage was reduced from 5.5% (PBS0) to around 2.0% (PBS40). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed improved homogeneity and reduced granule visibility with higher PBS concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra indicated intensified interactions between starch, proteins, and PBS as its content in the formulation increased. Thermal analysis revealed that biocomposites containing PBS exhibited well-defined melting (Tm ~115 °C) and crystallization (Tc ~80 °C) temperatures, indicating more consistent thermal behavior than the PBS-free sample. These findings suggest that GF/PBS biocomposites have strong potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics, offering viable applications across various industrial sectors. Full article

Optical chaos generated by a semiconductor laser under cascaded optical injection is experimentally and numerically investigated. A semiconductor slave laser under continuous-wave optical injection from a master laser is employed as the chaotic laser. The chaotic output optically injects a third laser to enhance the chaotic properties. Using three semiconductor lasers coupled in a master-slave configuration without any delay-based components, optical chaos is generated without any time-delay signatures present. Flat broadband chaos is observed with standard and effective bandwidths reaching six and three times the relaxation resonance frequency of the semiconductor laser, respectively. For simultaneous flat and broadband chaos, the chaotic optical injection of the second stage is adjusted for weak injection strength and a high positively detuned frequency. Full article

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that significantly affects quality of life. Conventional treatment approaches include pharmacological interventions, physical therapy, and procedures such as dry needling. Among these, ultrasound-guided injections (USGIs) have gained recognition for their precision and therapeutic benefits. Additionally, repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique for pain management. This perspective article examines the physiological mechanisms and clinical applications of USGIs and rPMS, particularly in the lumbar multifidus muscle, and explores their potential synergistic effects. MPS is often associated with chronic muscle dysfunction due to energy depletion, leading to persistent pain and motor impairment. USGIs play a crucial role in restoring muscle perfusion, disrupting pain cycles, and providing diagnostic insights in real time. In parallel, rPMS modulates neuromuscular activation, enhances endogenous pain control, and promotes functional recovery. Ultrasound guidance enhances the precision and effectiveness of interventions, such as dry needling, interfascial plane blocks, and fascial hydrodissection, while rPMS complements these strategies by facilitating neuromuscular reconditioning and reducing pain via central and peripheral mechanisms. The preliminary findings suggest that combining multifidus USGIs with rPMS results in significant pain relief and functional improvements in patients with chronic low back pain. Integrating USGIs with rPMS represents a promising multimodal strategy for managing MPS. By combining targeted injections with non-invasive neuromodulation, clinicians may optimize therapeutic outcomes and provide sustained relief for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Further research is needed to refine treatment protocols and assess the long-term efficacy. Full article

Several researchers recently demonstrated that attackers can interfere with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor’s normal function or take complete control of sensor measurements by physically injecting malicious signals into the sensor. Although there are existing methods for detecting such signal injection attacks, most do not provide resilience. Indeed, detection-only methods cannot respond when attacks have already occurred, which results in accidents such as crashes or falls. In this paper, we propose the first method that can detect signal injection attacks on IMU sensors based on the relation between the gyroscope and the magnetometer, and provide long-term resilience against these attacks. We construct a mathematical model to estimate one sensor’s data from the other’s data based on their relation. With this mathematical model, the device can detect signal injection attacks on the IMU sensor and continue to function in a near-normal state based on the estimated data. Our method can be easily adapted to deployed devices since it requires only estimation software and no additional hardware. We evaluated our method using a total of five open datasets and commercial devices. Our method has a resilience of 99.78% against signal injection attacks while consuming only reasonable computational costs. Full article

Space charge injection in polypropylene (PP) significantly weakens the stability of HVDC cables. Impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) is often used as insulation material for AC cables, but in the DC field, IPC has the problem of space charge accumulation. This is because there is a multi-phase structure inside the IPC to which ethylene monomer was added in the production process, and the difference in physicochemical properties of each phase is an important reason for the accumulation of space charge inside the material. In this work, the vinyl phases and propenyl phases of two types of IPC were separated. The film samples were prepared and tested at 30 °C and 50 °C for DC electrical conductivity, and at 30 °C, 50 °C, and 80 °C for space charge. The experimental results show that the DC conductivity of vinyl phases is significantly higher than that of propenyl phases in both types of IPC. The degrees of mismatch between the DC conductivity of vinyl phase and that of propenyl phase are different in the two types of IPC, and the mismatch degree of DC conductivity is from several times to hundreds of times. The conductivity of the two vinyl samples is ohmic. The conductivity of the two propenyl phases shows nonlinearity under different electric field intensity, and the mismatch degree of the two phases increases with temperature. Compared to untreated IPC, at all test temperatures, the maximum space charge density of the propenyl samples is much lower, which can be reduced by about 1/3 at 50 °C and by about 50% at 80 °C. The density of heteropolar charge produced by impurity ionization in the samples and the depth of electrode injection both decreased. At each temperature, the distortion rate of the electric field in propenyl samples is lower than that in IPC, the distortion rate can be reduced by more than 15%, and the distortion rate can be reduced by nearly half at 80 °C. The charge dissipation characteristic of propenyl samples during depolarization is also optimized compared with IPC samples, the time required for charge dissipation to reach stability is shortened, and the residual charge density in the sample is reduced at the end of depolarization. In addition, the relevance between the variation of DC conductivity of phases and space charge characteristics was discussed according to SCLC (space charge limited current) theory. This work provides a feasible reference for the manufacture of high-reliability polypropylene-based cable material with excellent insulation performance. Full article

Chlorella sp. was cultivated in a closed system using PET bottles (5 L) and with the continuous injection of air and commercial gas (98% CO₂) and in simulated conditions (15% CO₂, 73% N₂, and 12% O₂). The culture medium was prepared using well water and mining wastewater, the cultivation period occurred in a 10-day cycle, and the cell growth curves were evaluated through cell counting using a Neubauer chamber. The cultivation was carried out under the following conditions: temperature at 22 °C to 25 °C; aeration rate with commercial and simulated CO₂ gas at 0.01 vvm; and synthetic air containing 0.042% CO₂. The dry biomass productivity was 0.81 g·L⁻¹·day⁻¹ and the maximum CO₂ fixation rate was 0.90 g·L⁻¹·day⁻¹ when the microalgae were cultivated with a continuous flow of simulated waste gas and a culture medium composed of wastewater. The percentages of macromolecules obtained in the biomass cultivated in wastewater reached 20.95%, 26.48%, and 9.3% for lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, respectively. Full article

Probiotics have been used to promote pioneer colonization by beneficial bacteria in poultry. The purpose of the present study (four trials) was to determine if an in ovo injection with Bifidobacterium saeculare (B2-2, B3-4) and/or lactic acid bacteria (LAB18, LAB46) at d18 of embryogenesis reduced Enterococcus and Gram-negative bacterial colonization in the gut at hatch. An environmental challenge model was used to simulate microbial contamination in large-scale hatch cabinets in a laboratory setting. In all trials, gut homogenates obtained from chicks at hatch were plated to enumerate relevant bacterial populations. Performance was evaluated in trials two and four. The top treatments in trial one were selected for further testing in trials 2–4. The significance level for all analyses was set at p < 0.05. A meta-analysis of gut bacterial recovery for trials 2–4 revealed that the administration of probiotic treatments increased LAB and/or bifidobacteria at hatch compared to non-treated groups. LAB46 + B2-2 was more effective at reducing Gram-negative bacteria and Enterococcus in the gut compared to other probiotic treatments. All treatments improved d14 BW and d0–14 BWG compared to non-treated groups. These results indicate that exposure to beneficial bacteria during late embryogenesis can prevent colonization by opportunistic pathogens associated with contamination in commercial hatch cabinets and may also improve early performance in broiler chickens. Full article

Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSPs), plant-derived polysaccharides widely used in the pharmaceutical field, exhibit various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, research on their application in chicks remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of PSP against liver injury in chicks using an LPS-induced inflammatory model. A total of 200 one-day-old Hy-Line Brown laying chicks were randomly assigned to five groups (40 chicks each): a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, an LPS group, and three PSP groups receiving low (250 mg/L), medium (500 mg/L), and high (1000 mg/L) doses of PSP (PSP250_LPS, PSP500_LPS, and PSP1000_LPS, respectively). The experiment lasted 21 days. During this period, the LPS and PSP groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1500 μg/kg LPS on days 14, 16, 18, and 20, while the CON group received normal saline. On day 21, organs were collected for analysis. The results indicated that PSP treatment significantly reduced the liver and kidney indices that were elevated by LPS (p < 0.05) without affecting the indices of the spleen, thymus, or bursa of Fabricius (p > 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that PSP alleviated LPS-induced ballooning degeneration and cell swelling in hepatocytes. Furthermore, PSP treatment decreased the levels of ALT and AST and significantly mitigated increases in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α while enhancing the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing of liver samples revealed that LPS significantly altered the expression of 10 genes in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, which were regulated by PSP intervention. qPCR validation supported these findings. Furthermore, biochemical analyses of liver tissue showed that PSP alleviated oxidative stress by affecting levels of SOD, MDA, NADPH, ROS, and H₂O₂. In conclusion, PSP may alleviate LPS-induced liver injury in chicks by modulating the PPAR signaling pathway. These findings provide valuable insights for promoting healthy chick rearing and ensuring the safe supply of poultry products. Full article

Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent, demonstrates efficacy against various types of cancer. Combining DOX with the antihypertensive drug hydralazine (HDZ) has been proposed as cardioprotective combination therapy, allowing for the use of a reduced DOX dose. The current study describes the remote co-loading of DOX and HDZ into PEGylated liposomes using, for the first time, a simultaneous pH gradient technique. First, PEGylated liposomes were prepared using an ethanol injection method and remotely loaded with DOX and HDZ. Then, DOX- and HDZ-loaded liposomes (Lip-DOX-HDZ) were characterized using DLS, TEM, FTIR, thermal analysis, drug leakage, and stability. Furthermore, the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity were evaluated in two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231) and two normal cell lines (human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and rat cardiac cells (H9C2)). The results revealed that Lip-DOX-HDZ had a particle size of 158 ± 18 nm, PDI of 0.22 ± 0.08, and zeta potential of −22 ± 5 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of DOX and HDZ was 90% and 30%, respectively. Moreover, the IC₅₀ values of Lip-DOX-HDZ showed higher cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 (5.5 ± 0.4 µM) and MCF7 (6.25 ± 0.9 µM) breast cancer cell lines compared to normal cells: HDF cells (20 ± 3.0 µM) and H9C2 cardiac cells (19.37 ± 2.0 µM). Our study found that remotely loaded Lip-DOX-HDZ showed a ~4-fold lower toxicity and selectivity for normal cells (HDFs and H9C2), compared to breast cancer cells. This suggests that Lip-DOX-HDZ is a promising nanocarrier for both DOX and HDZ, clinically potent molecules. Full article