Testing and comparing two self-care-related instruments among older Chinese adults

OBJECTIVES:The study aimed to test and compare the reliability and validity, including sensitivity and specificity of the two self-care-related instruments, the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE), and the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale-Revised (ASAS-R), among older adults in the Chinese context. METHODS:A cross-sectional design was used to conduct this study. The sample consisted of 1152 older adults. Data were collected by a questionnaire including the Chinese version of SASE (SASE-CHI), the Chinese version of ASAS-R (ASAS-R-CHI) and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale (ESCA). Homogeneity and stability, content, construct and concurrent validity, and sensitivity and specificity were assessed. RESULTS:The Cronbach's alpha (α) of SASE-CHI was 0.89, the item-to-total correlations ranged from r = 0.15 to r = 0.81, and the test-retest correlation coefficient (intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC) was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99-1.00; P<0.001). The Cronbach's α of ASAS-R-CHI was 0.78, the item-to-total correlations ranged from r = 0.20 to r = 0.65, and the test-retest ICC was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.96; P<0.001). The content validity index (CVI) of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI was 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. The findings of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) confirmed a good construct validity of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI. The Pearson's rank correlation coefficients, as a measure of concurrent validity, between total score of SASE-CHI and ESCA and ASAS-R-CHI and ESCA were assessed to 0.65 (P<0.001) and 0.62 (P<0.001), respectively. Regarding ESCA as the criterion, the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for the cut-point of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91-0.94) and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.80-0.86), respectively. CONCLUSION:There is no significant difference between the two instruments. Each has its own characteristics, but SASE-CHI is more suitable for older adults. The key point is that the users can choose the most appropriate scale according to the specific situation

Bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles: endogenous roles, therapeutic potentials and their biomimetics for the treatment and prevention of sepsis

Sepsis is one of the medical conditions with a high mortality rate and lacks specific treatment despite several years of extensive research. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) are emerging as a focal target in the pathophysiology and treatment of sepsis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from pathogenic microorganisms carry pathogenic factors such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and virulence factors and are regarded as “long-range weapons” to trigger an inflammatory response. In particular, the small size of bEVs can cross the blood-brain and placental barriers that are difficult for pathogens to cross, deliver pathogenic agents to host cells, activate the host immune system, and possibly accelerate the bacterial infection process and subsequent sepsis. Over the years, research into host-derived EVs has increased, leading to breakthroughs in cancer and sepsis treatments. However, related approaches to the role and use of bacterial-derived EVs are still rare in the treatment of sepsis. Herein, this review looked at the dual nature of bEVs in sepsis by highlighting their inherent functions and emphasizing their therapeutic characteristics and potential. Various biomimetics of bEVs for the treatment and prevention of sepsis have also been reviewed. Finally, the latest progress and various obstacles in the clinical application of bEVs have been highlighted

Influential factors on urine EV DNA methylation detection and its diagnostic potential in prostate cancer

The value of Extracellular vesicles (EVs) diagnostic markers is widely recognized. However, current research on EV DNA remains limited. This study investigates the biological properties, preprocessing factors, and diagnostic potential of EV DNA. We found that DNA positive vesicles account for 23.3% ± 6.7% of the urine total EV, with a large amount of DNA attached to the outside. EV DNA fragments are large, there is no significant effect on uEV DNA when store urine less than 6 h at 4°C. In addition, the influence of different EV extraction methods on methylation detection is also minor. More importantly, RASSF1A methylation in urine total EV DNA can distinguish between PCa and BPH, with an AUC of 0.874. Our results suggest the potential of urine EV DNA as a novel marker for PCa diagnosis. This provides a new idea for the study of urinary tumor markers

Classification of subtypes and identification of dysregulated genes in sepsis

BackgroundSepsis is a clinical syndrome with high mortality. Subtype identification in sepsis is meaningful for improving the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The purpose of this research was to identify subtypes of sepsis using RNA-seq datasets and further explore key genes that were deregulated during the development of sepsis.MethodsThe datasets GSE95233 and GSE13904 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential analysis of the gene expression matrix was performed between sepsis patients and healthy controls. Intersection analysis of differentially expressed genes was applied to identify common differentially expressed genes for enrichment analysis and gene set variation analysis. Obvious differential pathways between sepsis patients and healthy controls were identified, as were developmental stages during sepsis. Then, key dysregulated genes were revealed by short time-series analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model. In addition, the MCPcounter package was used to assess infiltrating immunocytes. Finally, the dysregulated genes identified were verified using 69 clinical samples.ResultsA total of 898 common differentially expressed genes were obtained, which were chiefly related to increased metabolic responses and decreased immune responses. The two differential pathways (angiogenesis and myc targets v2) were screened on the basis of gene set variation analysis scores. Four subgroups were identified according to median expression of angiogenesis and myc target v2 genes: normal, myc target v2, mixed-quiescent, and angiogenesis. The genes CHPT1, CPEB4, DNAJC3, MAFG, NARF, SNX3, S100A9, S100A12, and METTL9 were recognized as being progressively dysregulated in sepsis. Furthermore, most types of immune cells showed low infiltration in sepsis patients and had a significant correlation with the key genes. Importantly, all nine key genes were highly expressed in sepsis patients.ConclusionThis study revealed novel insight into sepsis subtypes and identified nine dysregulated genes associated with immune status in the development of sepsis. This study provides potential molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis

Testing and comparing two self-care-related instruments among older Chinese adults

Objectives The study aimed to test and compare the reliability and validity, including sensitivity and specificity of the two self-care-related instruments, the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE), and the Appraisal of Self-care Agency Scale-Revised (ASAS-R), among older adults in the Chinese context. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to conduct this study. The sample consisted of 1152 older adults. Data were collected by a questionnaire including the Chinese version of SASE (SASE-CHI), the Chinese version of ASAS-R (ASAS-R-CHI) and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale (ESCA). Homogeneity and stability, content, construct and concurrent validity, and sensitivity and specificity were assessed. Results The Cronbach's alpha (α) of SASE-CHI was 0.89, the item-to-total correlations ranged from r = 0.15 to r = 0.81, and the test-retest correlation coefficient (intra-class correlation coefficient, ICC) was 0.99 (95% CI, 0.99±1.00; P<0.001). The Cronbach's α of ASAS-R-CHI was 0.78, the item-to-total correlations ranged from r = 0.20 to r = 0.65, and the test-retest ICC was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92±0.96; P<0.001). The content validity index (CVI) of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI was 0.96 and 0.97, respectively. The findings of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) confirmed a good construct validity of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI. The Pearson's rank correlation coefficients, as a measure of concurrent validity, between total score of SASE-CHI and ESCA and ASAS-R-CHI and ESCA were assessed to 0.65 (P<0.001) and 0.62 (P<0.001), respectively. Regarding ESCA as the criterion, the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve for the cut-point of SASE-CHI and ASAS-R-CHI were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.91±0.94) and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.80±0.86), respectively. Conclusion There is no significant difference between the two instruments. Each has its own characteristics, but SASE-CHI is more suitable for older adults. The key point is that the users can choose the most appropriate scale according to the specific situation.publishedVersionNivå

Misorientation effect of grain boundary on the formation of discontinuous precipitation in second and third generation single crystal superalloys

[001] tilt artificial grain boundaries of Ni-based single crystal superalloys CMSX-4 and DD10 have been prepared by self-diffusion bonding. The microstructural stability of 0 ∼ 30∘ artificial grain boundaries have been investigated after heat treatment at 1100 ∘C for 0 ∼ 300 h. TCP phases and cellular colony developed on boundaries are related to misorientation angle of the bonded boundaries of DD10 and DD10 alloys as well as the bonded boundaries of CMSX-4 and DD10 alloys. The heterogeneous nucleation of TCP phase, enveloped by γ′ film, occurred along 15∘ and 20∘ boundaries. Discontinuous Precipitation (DP) reaction occurred along high misorientation angle (20∘∼ 30∘) boundaries. However, no TCP phase formation existed along grain boundaries with different misorientation angles in CMSX-4/CMSX-4 bonded alloys as well as for a 0∘ boundary in DD10/DD10 and CMSX-4/DD10 bonded alloys. The current study clearly suggests that grain boundary precipitation and its morphology were influenced by the misorientation angle of grain boundary and the content of refractory elements in alloy

Influence of Solvent and Electrical Voltage on Cathode Plasma Electrolytic Deposition of Al2O3 Antioxidation Coatings on Ti-45Al-8.5Nb Alloys

Al2O3 coatings were prepared on Ti-45Al-8.5Nb alloys via cathodic plasma electrolysis deposition (CPED) in both 1.2 M Al(NO3)3 aqueous and ethanolic solutions. Different voltages were also applied during the deposition process to optimize coating properties. Coatings deposited in both solutions mainly consisted of &gamma;-Al2O3, with some Al(OH)3 found in coatings prepared in aqueous solution. Coatings prepared in ethanol solution exhibited better oxidation resistance at 900 &deg;C as well as better substrate adhesion, which was mainly due to smaller crater sizes on coating surfaces. The deposition process was discussed in detail and the reason for the smaller craters examined. The results suggested that solution surface tension mainly influenced the average diameter of hydrogen bubbles that formed on cathode surfaces during the process. Smaller bubbles lead to both lower current densities on cathodes and smaller crater sizes on coatings

Compositional effect on TCP phase formation in Ru-containing Ni-based single crystal superalloys

Microstructural instability involving the formation of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases is restricted during the alloy development of Ni-based single crystal superalloys. In this study, the effects of alloying elements including Co, Cr, Mo and Ru on the formation of different TCP phases were investigated in a series of single crystal superalloys. Experimental results showed that more additions of Cr and Mo promoted the TCP phase formation, while Co and Ru played a positive role in improving microstructural stability. It is indicated that σ, P and R phases existed with various morphology and compositions in different experimental alloys during thermal exposure at 1100 ∘C. The content of Co, Cr and Mo in those alloys affected the types of TCP phases significantly, while Ru additions showed a negligible effect. R phase was prone to form in alloys containing high level of Co addition. Meanwhile, the ratio of Cr and Mo content had strong influence on the formation of σ and P phases in alloys containing low level of Co addition. The effects of alloying additions on the elemental partitioning ratios between γ and γ′ phases contributed to their corresponding influence on TCP phase formation