Associations among health-promoting lifestyle, self-care agency and health-related quality of life in Bai older adults with hypertension in Yunnan China

Background Previous Chinese studies focused on the prevalence and influential factors of hypertension; however, little is known about their self-care literacy and quality of life among the Bai older adults with hypertension. The purpose of this research was to explore the associations among health-promoting lifestyle, self-care agency, and health-related quality of life in Bai ethnic older patients with hypertension, as well as the related factors of hypertension self-care abilities. Methods A total of 472 Bai ethnic hypertension older adults aged 60 and above were enrolled in this study voluntarily from 5 rural communities of the Bai ethnic group. The Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCAS) was employed to assess the Self-care ability of hypertension for the subjects, the Health-promoting lifestyle profile II(HPLP-II) was utilized to evaluate the health behavior, and MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was chosen to assess the HRQOL for the studying population. All descriptive analyses, including demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, and clinical characteristics were stratified by Bai hypertensive elderly. Pearson correlation analysis model was used to examine the associations among health-promoting lifestyle, self-care agency, and health-related quality of life in Bai ethnic elderly with hypertension. Results The HPLP-II, ESCA, and of HRQOL levels of the subjects were low, and the mean HPLP and ESCA scores had no significant statistical variance among different age groups. Significant statistical differences were found in Bai elderly subjects in the domain of PF and PH as well as the overall score in SF-36(all P< 0.01), 60–64 year group had the highest score of the above three domains in SF-36 than other age groups. The SF-36 scores were positively associated with HPLP and ESCA levels. Conclusion The HPLP-II, ESCA, and of HRQOL levels of the Bai subjects were poor in the Bai ethnic hypertensive elderly. The HRQOL scores of subjects were positively connected with HPLP-II and ESCA abilities. More attention should be paid to lifestyle, healthy behaviors, and self-care abilities improvements to enhance the better HRQOL of Bai minority older adults with hypertension

Crif1 Promotes Osteoporosis in Mice after Radiation

Abstract Radiation induces rapid bone loss and enhances bone resorption and RANKL expression. RANKL provides the crucial signal to induce osteoclast differentiation and plays an important role in bone resorption. However, the mechanisms of radiation-induced osteoporosis are not fully understood. Here, we show that Crif1 expression increases in bone marrow cells after radiation. Conditional Crif1 deletion in bone marrow cells causes decreases in RANKL expression and the RANKL/OPG ratio, and relieves bone loss after radiation in mice. We further demonstrated in vitro that Crif1 promotes RANKL secretion via the cAMP/PKA pathway. Moreover, protein-protein docking screening identified five compounds as Crif1 inhibitors; these compounds dramatically suppressed RANKL secretion and CREB phosphorylation when cells were exposed to forskolin. This study enriches current knowledge of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and provides insights into potential therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis treatment

Multifunctional Evolution and Allocation Optimization of Rural Residential Land in China

The rural residential land functions are the comprehensive embodiment of the storage quantity and structural organization of the rural man&ndash;land system. Mastering the evolution rule and allocation situation is the basis of effective rural land management and targeted poverty alleviation activities. Based on the theoretical understanding of rural residential multifunction, this paper identifies five functional types and characteristic elements uses a variety of methods to calculate to reveal the spatio-temporal differentiation and allocation and discusses the process mechanism and spatial pattern of function optimization. According to the results, during the sample period, the multifunctional index of rural residential land in China was ranked from large to small as residential function (RF), living function (LF), service function (SF), production function (PF) and ecological function (EF), and the growth rate was ranked from large to small as ecological function (EF), production function (PF), residential function (RF), living function (LF) and service function (SF), and the comprehensive function index increased by more than 50%. The distribution characteristics of all the functional indexes were basically the same. The regional performance was east &gt; central &gt; northeast &gt; west, and the range of each functional index in terms of the interprovincial performance decreased; however, the convergence degree increased, and the number of provinces with comparative advantages in terms of the various functions expanded to more than 50%. The living, ecological, and comprehensive functions increased, while the residential, production, and service functions decreased. The continuous deprivation of the functions and their deprivation in many provinces are problems. This study can provide decision support for promoting the normalization and standardization of superior rural functions

Multifunctional Evolution and Allocation Optimization of Rural Residential Land in China

The rural residential land functions are the comprehensive embodiment of the storage quantity and structural organization of the rural man–land system. Mastering the evolution rule and allocation situation is the basis of effective rural land management and targeted poverty alleviation activities. Based on the theoretical understanding of rural residential multifunction, this paper identifies five functional types and characteristic elements uses a variety of methods to calculate to reveal the spatio-temporal differentiation and allocation and discusses the process mechanism and spatial pattern of function optimization. According to the results, during the sample period, the multifunctional index of rural residential land in China was ranked from large to small as residential function (RF), living function (LF), service function (SF), production function (PF) and ecological function (EF), and the growth rate was ranked from large to small as ecological function (EF), production function (PF), residential function (RF), living function (LF) and service function (SF), and the comprehensive function index increased by more than 50%. The distribution characteristics of all the functional indexes were basically the same. The regional performance was east > central > northeast > west, and the range of each functional index in terms of the interprovincial performance decreased; however, the convergence degree increased, and the number of provinces with comparative advantages in terms of the various functions expanded to more than 50%. The living, ecological, and comprehensive functions increased, while the residential, production, and service functions decreased. The continuous deprivation of the functions and their deprivation in many provinces are problems. This study can provide decision support for promoting the normalization and standardization of superior rural functions

Sorafenib-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Applications and Perspectives

As a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved molecular-targeted chemotherapeutic drug, sorafenib (SF) can inhibit angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, leading to improved patient overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, SF is an oral multikinase inhibitor as a single-agent therapy in renal cell carcinoma. However, the poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties and undesirable side effects (anorexia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and severe skin toxicity, etc.) seriously limit its clinical application. To overcome these drawbacks, the entrapment of SF into nanocarriers by nanoformulations is an effective strategy, which delivers SF in a target tumor with decreased adverse effects and improved treatment efficacy. In this review, significant advances and design strategies of SF nanodelivery systems from 2012 to 2023 are summarized. The review is organized by type of carriers including natural biomacromolecule (lipid, chitosan, cyclodextrin, etc.); synthetic polymer (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), polyethyleneimine, brush copolymer, etc.); mesoporous silica; gold nanoparticles; and others. Co-delivery of SF and other active agents (glypican-3, hyaluronic acid, apolipoprotein peptide, folate, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) for targeted SF nanosystems and synergistic drug combinations are also highlighted. All these studies showed promising results for targeted treatment of HCC and other cancers by SF-based nanomedicines. The outlook, challenges and future opportunities for the development of SF-based drug delivery are presented

Recent Advances in Fluorescent Methods for Polyamine Detection and the Polyamine Suppressing Strategy in Tumor Treatment

The biogenic aliphatic polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) are responsible for numerous cell functions, including cell proliferation, the stabilization of nucleic acid conformations, cell division, homeostasis, gene expression, and protein synthesis in living organisms. The change of polyamine concentrations in the urine or blood is usually related to the presence of malignant tumors and is regarded as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of cancer. Therefore, the detection of polyamine levels in physiological fluids can provide valuable information in terms of cancer diagnosis and in monitoring therapeutic effects. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in fluorescent methods for polyamine detection (supramolecular fluorescent sensing systems, fluorescent probes based on the chromophore reaction, fluorescent small molecules, and fluorescent nanoparticles). In addition, tumor polyamine-suppressing strategies (such as polyamine conjugate, polyamine analogs, combinations that target multiple components, spermine-responsive supramolecular chemotherapy, a combination of polyamine consumption and photodynamic therapy, etc.) are highlighted. We hope that this review promotes the development of more efficient polyamine detection methods and provides a comprehensive understanding of polyamine-based tumor suppressor strategies

Performance of ethanol and ethanol-NaHCO3 based foamed WMA mixtures for low emission asphalt technology

The foaming techniques implemented in Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) have been highly recognized to aid in the production of eco-friendly asphalt mixtures. However, to a certain extent, the application of this technology is limited by its defects in moisture sensitivity and rutting resistance. Prior to this, the WMA mixtures were prepared using ethanol and ethanol-NaHCO3 foamed binders and were tested to evaluate their moisture susceptibility, rutting potential, crack resistance and thermal cracking potential. The mixture samples were prepared based on the mixture design for a 9.5 mm nominal maximum aggregate size. The designed traffic level was less than 3 million Equivalent Single-Axle Loads (ESALs). Nano-hydrated lime was incorporated during the preparation of the sample as a filler material. The foamed WMA mixtures were prepared at three different temperatures: 80 °C, 100 °C and 120 °C; meanwhile, the control Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) sample was prepared at 155 °C and 145 °C. For the purpose of incorporating the temperature losses during the foaming process, the foamed binders were produced at a temperature higher than the production temperatures by approximately 20 °C. Overall, the results show that 1% and 3% ethanol-foamed WMA mixtures are found to have a comparable or better performance than the control HMA mixture, especially for the samples prepared at 120 °C. The addition of nano-hydrated lime contributed to the increase on the adhesive and cohesive characteristic of mixtures; hence, improving the resistance to moisture damage. Regardless of the contents of the foaming agent and production temperatures, most of the foamed WMA mixtures prepared using a combination of foaming agents have comparable thermal cracking characteristics as the control HMA mixture. The resistance to rutting of foamed WMA mixtures increased with the increase in the production temperatures. The sample prepared at 120 °C is found to have much lower or comparable rut depths to the control HMA mixture. However, the combination of ethanol with 1% NaHCO3 was optimal for these foamed WMA mixtures prepared at 80 °C to obtain a good long-term performance

Characterizations of foamed asphalt binders prepared using combinations of physical and chemical foaming agents

The objective of this study is to characterize the foamed asphalt binders prepared using different combinations of physical and chemical foaming agents. The foamed asphalt binders were investigated using the Rotational Viscosity (RV), Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) and expansion ratio tests. Asphalt binders were also evaluated after short-term and long-term aging conditions. During the asphalt binder’s foaming process, the preheated binder was formerly foamed using a physical foaming agent (either water or ethanol), followed by the addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to improve the bubbling and the stability of the foam. Theoretically, through this process, numerous bubbles are generated by the vaporized ethanol or water, and the gases are released by NaHCO3, which significantly increases the volume of foamed asphalt. All foamed asphalt binders were produced at the same temperature, 100 °C, to diminish the inconsistency of binder-aging conditions during the preheating process. Overall, the results indicated that ethanol has better characteristics in lowering the viscosity of asphalt binders at low temperatures and is expelled from the asphalt binder after continuous heating at temperatures higher than its boiling point (78 °C). Although the addition of NaHCO3 has slightly increased the foamed binder viscosity that may affect its workability, it substantially lowers the volatile loss of foamed binders, as well as significantly improves the expansion ratio and the resistance to rutting

Quality of life, self-care knowledge access, and self-care needs in patients with colon stomas one month post-surgery in a Chinese Tumor Hospital

Objective: This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated the quality of life (QoL), self-care knowledge access, and self-care needs of colorectal cancer patients after colostomy. Methods: A total of 142 colorectal cancer patients in the Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province were invited to this survey one month post-colostomy. QoL of the participants was assessed using the Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF). A self-prepared questionnaire was also administered to explore the sources of self-care knowledge and self-care needs of this population. Results: Response mean scores of the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, namely, physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environmental health were 53.49, 57.95, 65.78 and 50.75, respectively. No significant differences were found in the gender, age, education level, and occupation type in QoL scale among the groups using the u test and ANOVA (p > 0.05). However, female colostomates scored higher grades in the physical area of QoL than male patients; the participants who willingly attended the self-care courses obtained higher scores in social area than those who were not willing. Conclusion: The QoL of this population was not favorable. Self-care program can be developed in accordance with the needs and educational background of the colostomates

A useful quantitative model for determination of enantiomeric composition of racemate praziquantel by ultraviolet spectroscopy combined with partial least squares and its application to praziquantel tablets

A simple and novel method has been proposed to determine the enantiomeric composition of racemate praziquantel (PZQ) by using the analysis of ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy combined with partial least squares (PLS). This method does not rely on the use of expensive carbohydrates such as cyclodextrins, but on the use of inexpensive sucrose, which is equally effective as carbohydrate. PZQ has two enantiomers. Through measuring the slight difference in the UV spectral absorption of PZQ due to different interactions between its two enantiomers and sucrose, the enantiomeric composition was determined by a quantitative model based on PLS analysis. The model showed that the correlation coefficients of calibration set and validation set were 0.9971 and 0.9972, respectively. The root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) were 0.0167 and 0.0129, respectively. Then, the independent data of PZQ tablets were also used to test how well the quantitative model of PLS predicted the enantiomeric composition. The ratio of S-PZQ in tablet was 0.492, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography as the reference value. Six solutions of the tablet samples were prepared, and the ratios of S-PZQ in tablet samples in the validation set were predicted by the PLS model. Their relative errors with the reference value were not more than 4%. Therefore, the established model could be accurate and employed to predict the enantiomeric compositions of PZQ tablets