Dietary patterns and quality of life among night-shift nurses in tertiary hospitals in Hangzhou: a cross-sectional analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the dietary patterns of nurses working night shifts in tertiary hospitals in Hangzhou and to assess the association between these patterns and quality of life. The objective is to provide evidence from a nutritional standpoint to inform health promotion strategies within the nursing workforce.MethodA cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 1,024 valid questionnaires of dietary intake data were collected using the simplified Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ25), and quality of life was assessed via the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36). Factor analysis was utilized to identify major dietary patterns. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to explore differences in quality-of-life scores across dietary pattern groups.ResultsThree primary dietary patterns were identified: Traditional, Western, and Balanced. The traditional and balanced dietary patterns were associated with higher SF-36 scores across most dimensions compared to the western dietary pattern, with the exception of the general health dimension. Statistically significant differences were observed between the Traditional and Western patterns in physical functioning, emotional state, health transition, and general health (p < 0.05). Comparisons between the Balanced and Western patterns revealed significant differences in general health and health transition (p < 0.05), with no significant differences in other domains.ConclusionDistinct dietary patterns were observed among nurses engaged in night-shift work, with associations noted between specific patterns and quality-of-life outcomes. These findings suggest that dietary behavior may serve as a proxy for broader health-related behaviors. Interventions targeting nutritional habits may contribute to enhanced quality of life and support comprehensive health promotion strategies among nursing personnel

Quasi-Epitaxial Growth of β-Ga2O3-Coated Wide Band Gap Semiconductor Tape for Flexible UV Photodetectors

The epitaxial growth of technically important β-Ga2O3 semiconductor thin films has not been realized on flexible substrates due to the limitations of high-temperature crystallization conditions and lattice-matching requirements. We demonstrate the epitaxial growth of β-Ga2O3(−201) thin films on flexible CeO2(001)-buffered Hastelloy tape. The results indicate that CeO2(001) has a small bi-axial lattice mismatch with β-Ga2O3(−201), inducing simultaneous double-domain epitaxial growth. Flexible photodetectors are fabricated on the epitaxial β-Ga2O3-coated tape. Measurements reveal that the photodetectors have a responsivity of 4 × 104 mA/W, with an on/off ratio reaching 1000 under 254 nm incident light and 5 V bias voltage. Such a photoelectrical performance is within the mainstream level of β-Ga2O3-based photodetectors using conventional rigid single-crystal substrates. More importantly, it remained robust against more than 20,000 bending test cycles. Moreover, the technique paves the way for the direct in situ epitaxial growth of other flexible oxide semiconductor devices in the future

Relationship between eating attitudes, depression, and insight in schizophrenic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: a comparative study in Guangdong, China

BackgroundSchizophrenia, a severe mental disorder, is often complicated by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), which can further impact patients’ psychological health. This study investigated the differences in eating attitudes, depression, and insight between schizophrenic patients with and without comorbid T2DM and explored the correlations among these factors to provide empirical support for clinical interventions.MethodsThis case-control study was conducted in Guangdong Province, China. From December 2022 to May 2023, a total of 300 hospitalized patients with schizophrenia (92 with comorbid T2DM and 208 without T2DM) were recruited. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire (ITAQ). Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, were performed to examine differences and predictive factors of eating attitudes among patients. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (approval number: 2020028), and written informed consent was obtained from all participants.ResultsPatients with schizophrenia and comorbid T2DM exhibited significantly higher risks of eating disorders (EAT-26: 12.54 ± 9.77 vs. 9.07 ± 7.90, P=0.003), more severe depression (HAMD: 14.71 ± 7.36 vs. 11.80 ± 6.04, P=0.001), and poorer insight (ITAQ: 10.46 ± 6.01 vs. 12.16 ± 6.09, P=0.025) compared to those without T2DM. Regression analysis revealed that gender, weekly exercise frequency, depression, and insight were significant predictors of eating attitudes among patients with T2DM. For patients without T2DM, weekly exercise frequency, smoking status, and insight were significant predictors.ConclusionSchizophrenic patients with comorbid T2DM are facing increasing risks related to eating attitudes, depression, and insight which highlight the need for targeted interventions. Regular psychological assessment and tailored support strategies might improve their mental health and quality of life. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to clarify causal relationships and develop more effective interventions

Senescent renal tubular epithelial cells activate fibroblasts by secreting Shh to promote the progression of diabetic kidney disease

IntroductionDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the complications of diabetes; however, the pathogenesis is not yet clear. A recent study has shown that senescence is associated with the course of DKD. In the present study, we explored whether senescent renal tubular cells promote renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by secreting Sonic hedgehog (Shh) which mediates fibroblast activation and proliferation in DKD.MethodsA 36-week-old db/db mice model and the renal tubular epithelial cells were cultured in high glucose (HG, 60 mmol/L) medium for in vivo and in vitro experiments.ResultsCompared to db/m mice, blood glucose, microalbuminuria, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and UACR (microalbuminuria/urine creatinine) were markedly increased in db/db mice. Collagen III, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were also increased in db/db mice kidneys, suggesting fibrosis and inflammation in the organ. Moreover, the detection of SA-β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) showed that the activity of SA-β-Gal in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells increased, and the cell cycle inhibition of the expression of senescence-related gene cell cycle inhibitor p16INK4A protein and p21 protein increased, indicating that renal fibrosis in db/db mice was accompanied by cell senescence. Furthermore, Shh is highly expressed in the injured renal tubules and in the kidney tissue of db/db mice, as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results of immunofluorescence staining showed increased positive staining for Shh in renal tubular epithelial cells of db/db mice and decreased positive staining for Lamin B1, but increased positive staining for γH2A.X in cells with high Shh expression; similar results were obtained in vitro. In addition, HG stimulated renal tubular epithelial cells to secrete Shh in the supernatant of the medium. D-gal treatment of renal tubular epithelial cells increased the protein levels of Shh and p21. We also found enhanced activation and proliferation of fibroblasts cultured with the supernatant of renal tubular epithelial cells stimulated by HG medium but the proliferative effect was significantly diminished when co-cultured with cyclopamine (CPN), an inhibitor of the Shh pathway.DiscussionIn conclusion, HG induces renal tubular epithelial cell senescence, and the secretion of senescence-associated proteins and Shh mediates inflammatory responses and fibroblast activation and proliferation, ultimately leading to renal fibrosis

A Belief Network Reasoning Framework for Fault Localization in Communication Networks

A small fault in a large communication network may cause abrupt and large alarms, making the localization of the root cause of failure a difficult task. Traditionally, fault localization is carried out by an operator who uses alarms in alarm lists; however, fault localization process complexity needs to be addressed using more autonomous and intelligent approaches. Here, we present an overall framework that uses a message propagation mechanism of belief networks to address fault localization problems in communication networks. The proposed framework allows for knowledge storage, inference, and message transmission, and can identify a fault’s root cause in an event-driven manner to improve the automation of the fault localization process. Avoiding the computational complexity of traditional Bayesian networks, we perform fault inference in polytrees with a noisy OR-gate model (PTNORgate), which can reduce computational complexity. We also offer a solution to store parameters in a network parameter table, similar to a routing table in communication networks, with the aim of facilitating the development of the algorithm. Case studies and a performance evaluation show that the solution is suitable for fault localization in communication networks in terms of speed and reliability

A Belief Network Reasoning Framework for Fault Localization in Communication Networks

A small fault in a large communication network may cause abrupt and large alarms, making the localization of the root cause of failure a difficult task. Traditionally, fault localization is carried out by an operator who uses alarms in alarm lists; however, fault localization process complexity needs to be addressed using more autonomous and intelligent approaches. Here, we present an overall framework that uses a message propagation mechanism of belief networks to address fault localization problems in communication networks. The proposed framework allows for knowledge storage, inference, and message transmission, and can identify a fault’s root cause in an event-driven manner to improve the automation of the fault localization process. Avoiding the computational complexity of traditional Bayesian networks, we perform fault inference in polytrees with a noisy OR-gate model (PTNORgate), which can reduce computational complexity. We also offer a solution to store parameters in a network parameter table, similar to a routing table in communication networks, with the aim of facilitating the development of the algorithm. Case studies and a performance evaluation show that the solution is suitable for fault localization in communication networks in terms of speed and reliability.</jats:p

Preferences of cancer survivors for follow-up care: a systematic review of discrete choice experiments

Abstract Background The unmet post-treatment needs and issues of cancer survivors for follow-up care are still significant, matching appropriate and acceptable follow-up care to cancer survivors’ preferences, may increase adherence of survivors to health programs and quality of life. There is a knowledge gap about how cancer survivors measured their choices between different aspects of follow-up care. As discrete choice experiments (DCE) have been widely used in patient preference elicitation, we reviewed DCE on follow-up care for cancer survivors. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched, up to October 06, 2024. Original studies reporting preferences of cancer survivors for follow-up care elicited by DCE were eligible. Findings were presented using a narrative synthesis. Using two validated checklists to evaluate the quality of the included DCE studies. Results A total of 3525 records were identified and 9 papers were included. The studies were conducted in the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and China with 123 to 722 participants evaluated preferences of cancer survivors for follow-up care. Most of included cancer survivors were after completed the main treatment. Several key attributes for cancer survivors’ follow-up care were identified including healthcare provider, services offered, frequency of visits, contact mode, familiarity of healthcare provider with patients’ medical history/continuity of care. Conclusions The systematic review focusing on preferences of cancer survivors follow-up care and attributes identified in these studies, the results may inform healthcare providers should take cancer survivors preferences into account

Activity and Function Studies of The&amp;nbsp;Promoter Cis-Acting Elements of The Key Enzymes in Saponins Biosynthesis&amp;nbsp;of DS From&amp;nbsp;Panax Notoginseng

Abstract Background：Panax notoginseng is a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of blood diseases, in which saponins were the main active components. Dammarenediol synthase (DS) is a key enzyme in the saponin synthesis pathway of P. notoginseng.The promoter is an important region to regulate gene expression, and the study of the promoter sequence provides important evidence for revealing the mechanism of gene expression regulation. Methods: However, there was still little research on the promoter function of P. notoginseng. In this study, the 1382 bp promoter upstream of DS from P. notoginseng was cloned and sequenced. The promoter sequence was analyzed by online databases. The plant expression vector fused with the β-glucuronidase gene was constructed, transferred into Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Then tobacco was injected, and its response to exogenous hormones (gibberellin and abscisic acid) was studied by transient expression to verify its unique action elements. Results: The results showed that the tobacco leaves transferred with DS promoter had significantly increased GUS protease activity after spraying GA and ABA, indicating that both DS promoter can specifically and significantly respond to exogenous GA and ABA signal. Conclusions: These findings will help us to better understand the regulatory mechanisms of the upstream region of the DS gene and provide a basis for future research on the interaction of cis-acting elements of promoters with related transcription factors.</jats:p

Shanghai Containerised Freight Index Forecasting Based on Deep Learning Methods: Evidence from Chinese Futures Markets

With the escalation of global trade, the Chinese commodity futures market has ascended to a pivotal role within the international shipping landscape. The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), a leading indicator of the shipping industry's health, is particularly sensitive to the vicissitudes of the Chinese commodity futures sector. Nevertheless, a significant research gap exists regarding the application of Chinese commodity futures prices as predictive tools for the SCFI. To address this gap, the present study employs a comprehensive dataset spanning daily observations from March 24, 2017, to May 27, 2022, encompassing a total of 29,308 data points. We have crafted an innovative deep learning model that synergistically combines Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures. The outcomes show that the CNN-LSTM model does a great job of finding the nonlinear dynamics in the SCFI dataset and accurately capturing its long-term temporal dependencies. The model can hand