Objective: To understand the trends of classroom lighting and illumination of primary and secondary schools in Beijing from 2016 to 2023, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted improvement measures. Methods: A sampling survey was conducted on the lighting and illumination indicators of 8 390 classrooms in primary and secondary schools in Beijing from 2016 to 2023. The survey included classroom daylight factor, window to floor area ratio, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on the desks, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on blackboards, as well as classroom lighting and blackboard illumination sources. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Chi square test, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the trend of classroom lighting and illumination changes. Results: Except the window to floor area ratio, the measured values and compliance rates of all lighting and illumination indicators showed an overall upward trend from 2016 to 2023 (daylight factor r = 0.27, χ 2 trend =206.80, average illuminance on the desk surface r =0.30, χ 2 trend =87.97, illuminance uniformity on the desk surface r =0.14, χ 2 trend =73.59, average illuminance on the blackboard r =0.33, χ 2 trend =477.43, illuminance uniformity on the blackboard r = 0.09, χ 2 trend =50.76) (all P ＜0.01). The lighting and illumination indicators of classrooms (included classroom daylight factor, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on the desks, average illuminance and illuminance uniformity on blackboards) in urban schools, primary schools, and secondary schools from 2016 to 2023 showed an upward trend (urban r =0.23-0.40, χ 2 trend =88.66-392.18; primary school r =0.12-0.36, χ 2 trend =39.50-281.44; secondary schools r =0.06-0.31, χ 2 trend =11.79-213.73) (all P ＜ 0.01 ). The illuminance uniformity on the blackboard in suburban schools showed a downward trend ( r = -0.09, χ 2 trend =31.53, both P ＜0.01). The illuminance uniformity on the desk surface in suburban schools showed no significant change ( r =0.03, χ 2 trend =1.23, both P ＞0.05). The other indicators showed an upward trend (daylight factor r =0.28, χ 2 trend =40.69, average illuminance on the desk surface r =0.24, χ 2 trend =16.35, average illuminance on the blackboard r =0.25, χ 2 trend =118.05, all P ＜0.01). The trends of classroom and blackboard illumination sources were that fluorescent lamps decreased year by year and LED lamps increased by year (classroom illumination sources χ 2 trend =1 059.82, blackboard illumination sources χ 2 trend =1 070.25, both P ＜0.01). Conclusions The classroom lighting and illumination in primary and secondary schools in Beijing has shown an overall improving trend from 2016 to 2023. However, problems remain, such as limited improvement of illuminance uniformity indicators, late start and poor effect of reconstruction in suburban schools. Further improvements are still needed.

ObjectiveThis study employs a special conformational engineering (CE) technology to construct an α-chymotrypsin-like active center, which includes a catalytic triad, an oxyanion hole, and a substrate-binding site, on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), thereby creating an AgNP-based artificial hydrolase with high catalytic activity. This study provides a new approach for the design of highly efficient artificial enzymes and enzyme-mimicking. MethodsAgNPs were chosen as the scaffold to build the an α-chymotrypsin-like active center. A special CE procedure enables the designed peptide, Triad5, to adopt an α‑helical conformation on AgNPs, with the key catalytic residues located on one side of the α-helix forming a catalytic active center with a catalytic triad, an oxyanion hole, and a substrate-binding site. The CE procedure consists of three steps, including conformation induction via trifluoroethanol (TFE), conformation stabilization on AgNPs via Ag-S bonds, and TFE removal via lyophilization. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra were used to confirm the formation and stabilization of the α-helix conformation. Mutations of the key residues combined with stopped-flow kinetic experiments were used to demonstrate the indispensability of each key residue and the synergistic effects among the catalytic triad, the oxyanion hole, and the substrate-binding site. ResultsCD spectra show that the designed Triad5 alone is in random coil conformation; when conjugated on AgNPs, Triad5 still remains largely unstructured; but after the CE treatment, Triad5 adopts a typical α-helical conformation on AgNPs as designed, thus produces an AgNP-based artificial hydrolase, Silverzyme. Silverzyme exhibits extremely high hydrolytic activity towards p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NPA), with an extremely high catalytic turnover number per active site of 3.5 s^-1, which is even higher than that of α-chymotrypsin. As a comparison, the AgNP-Triad5 conjugate without CE treatment shows much lower catalytic activity than Silverzyme, highlighting the important role of the right conformation of the active center for the catalytic activity and the power of the CE treatment. When the key residues of the catalytic triad of Silverzyme were mutated to alanine, the overall catalytic efficiency of this mutant dropped by about 2 orders of magnitude, unambiguously demonstrating the key role of the designed catalytic triad. Similarly, when the residues for the oxyanion hole were deleted, the mutant with the intact catalytic triad also showed significantly decreased catalytic activity, highlighting the indispensable role of the oxyanion hole for the catalytic activity. Unexpectedly, when both the catalytic triad and the oxyanion hole were kept intact, a slight change of the binding site also resulted in significantly decreased catalytic activity, indicating that the designed binding site is at the right position to align the substrate in the right orientation in the active center for catalytic hydrolysis. These results confirm the synergy among the catalytic triad, the oxyanion hole, and the substrate-binding site, indicating successful mimicking of the active center of α-chymotrypsin. Moreover, Silverzyme shows better thermal stability than α-chymotrypsin, and can even hydrolyze the tough non-activated ester diethyl phthalate, a priority pollutant by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). ConclusionThis study successfully mimicked the complex catalytic active center of α-chymotrypsin using a conformational engineering strategy, and produced a highly active artificial hydrolase with a well-defined structure and catalytic mechanism. The findings highlight the significant potential of conformational engineering.

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

Eightly-four novel thioheterocyclic nucleoside derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Most of the compounds inhibited the growth of HCT116 and HeLa cancer cells in vitro, among them 33a and 36b exhibited potent activity against HCT116 cells (IC₅₀ = 0.27 and 0.49 μmol/L, respectively). Both compounds 33a and 36b inhibited cell metastasis, arrested the cell cycle in the G₂/M phase, and induced apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that 33a and 36b increased ROS levels, led to DNA damage, ER stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibited autophagy in HCT116 cells. Biological information analysis, RNA-sequencing, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay, cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), and SPR experiments identified that compounds 33a and 36b showed antitumor activity by suppressing the c-MYC pathway. c-MYC silencing assays indicated that c-MYC proteins participated in 33a-mediated anticancer activities in HCT116 cells. More importantly, compound 33a presented favorable pharmacokinetic properties in mice (T _1/2 = 6.8 h) and showed significant antitumor efficacy in vivo without obvious toxicity, showing promising potential for further clinical development.

Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations, yet these sensations are unstable. The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within the distributed network outside the stimulated site. To address this problem, we recruited 69 patients who experienced visual sensations during invasive electrical stimulation while intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) data were recorded. We found significantly flattened power spectral slopes in distributed regions involving different brain networks and decreased integrated information during elicited visual sensations compared with the non-sensation condition. Further analysis based on minimum information partitions revealed that the reconfigured network interactions primarily involved the inferior frontal cortex, posterior superior temporal sulcus, and temporoparietal junction. The flattened power spectral slope in the inferior frontal gyrus was also correlated with integrated information. Taken together, this study indicates that the altered electrophysiological signatures provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying subjective visual sensations.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Visual Perception/physiology* ; Electric Stimulation ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Electrocorticography ; Electroencephalography ; Brain Mapping

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture. METHODS: From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of membrane-induced technique combined with gastrocnemius muscle flap transposition in treating traumatic osteomyelitis of the upper tibia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 7 patients with traumatic osteomyelitis of the upper tibia who were treated with membrane-induced technique combined with gastrocnemius muscle flap transposition from January 2022 to December 2023. Among them, there were 4 males and 3 females; aged from 29 to 57 years old; 4 patients were treated after open fracture, 2 patients were treated after closed fracture, and 1 patient was treated after scalding; the courses of disease ranges from 2 weeks to 8 years; sinus tracts were present in all patients, and the lesion range of the tibia ranged from 5 to 9 cm. The results of deep tissue bacterial culture showed that 2 patients were negative, 3 patients were staphylococcus aureus, 1 patient was methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, and 1 patient was pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1 patient was klebsiella pneumoniae. After debridement, the range of bone defect ranged from 8 to 12 cm, and the cortical defect accounted for approximately 30% of the circumference. The area of soft tissue defect ranged from 8.0 cm×2.0 cm to 10.0 cm×6.0 cm. At the first stage, vancomycin-loaded/meropenem/gentamicin-loaded bone cement was implanted. The gastrocnemius muscle flap was repositioned to cover the wound surface and free skin grafting was performed. After an interval of 7 to 10 weeks, the stageⅡsurgery was performed to remove bone cement. Autologous iliac bone mixed with vancomycin/gentamicin and calcium sulfate artificial bone was transplanted, and the wound was sutured. One patient retained the original internal plants, one patient removed the internal plants and replaced them with steel plate external fixation, one patient replaced the internal plants and added steel plate external fixation, and three patients were simply fixed with steel plate external fixation. One year after operation, the recovery of knee joint and ankle joint functions was evaluated by using Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee joint score and Kofoed ankle joint function score respectively. RESULTS: All patients had their wounds closed simultaneously with bone cement implantation and healed well. All patients were followed up for 12 to 17 months after operation, and satisfactory bone healing was achieved at 6 months after stageⅡsurgery. Twelve months after operation, all patients had good bone healing without obvious limping was observed when walking. At 12 months after operation HSS knee joint score ranged from 93 to 100 points, and Kofoed ankle function score ranged from 96 to 100 points. CONCLUSION For traumatic osteomyelitis of the upper tibia, a staged treatment plan combining membrane-induced technique and gastrocnemius flap transposition on the basis of thorough debridement could safely cover the wound surface, effectively control bone infection and achieve satisfactory bone healing, without adverse effects on limb function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis/surgery* ; Adult ; Surgical Flaps ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia/injuries* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of 3D printing spinal external fixator combined with McKenzie therapy for patients with lumbar dics herniation (LDH). METHODS: Sixty patients with LDH between January 2022 and January 2023 were enrolled. Among them, 30 patients were given McKinsey training. According to different treatment methods, all patients were divided into McKenzie group and McKenzie + 3D printing group, 30 patients in each group. The McKenzie group provided McKenzie therapy. The McKenzie + 3D printing group were treated with 3D printing spinal external fixation brace on the basis of McKenzie therapy. Patients in both groups were between 25 and 60 years of age and had their first illness. In the McKenzie group, there were 19 males and 11 females, with an average age of (48.57±5.86) years old, and the disease duration was (7.03 ±2.39) months. The McKenzie + 3D printing group, there were 21 males and 9 females, with an average age of (48.80±5.92) years old, and the disease duration was(7.30±2.56) months. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and lumbar spine function was assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. VAS, ODI and JOA scores were compared between two groups before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 months. The VAS for the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(6.533±0.860), (5.133±1.008), (3.933±0.868), (2.900±0.759), (2.067±0.640), (1.433±0.504), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were (6.467±0.860), (5.067±1.048), (4.600±0.968), (3.533±1.008), (2.567±0.728), (1.967±0.809), respectively. The ODI of the McKenzie group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were (41.033±6.810)%, (37.933±6.209)%, (35.467±6.962)%, (27.567±10.081)%, (20.800±7.531)%, (13.533±5.158)%, respectively. For the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group, the corresponding ODI were(38.033±5.605)%, (33.000±6.192)%, (28.767±7.045)%, (22.200±5.517)%, (17.700±4.836)%, (11.900±2.771)%, respectively. The JOA scores of the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment were(8.900±2.074), (13.133±2.330), (15.700±3.583), (20.400±3.480), (22.267±3.084), (24.833±2.640), respectively. In the McKenzie group, the corresponding scores were(9.200±2.091), (12.267±2.406), (15.333±3.198), (18.467±2.240), (20.133±2.751), (22.467±2.849), respectively. Before the initiation of treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed in the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores between two groups (P>0.05). At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the VAS in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly lower than that in the McKenzie group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The comparison of ODI between two groups at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). At 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment, the JOA score in the McKenzie combined with 3D printing group was significantly higher than that in the McKenzie-only group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of 3D printed functional spinal external fixation brace with McKenzie therapy can significantly improve and maintain lumbar function in patients with LDH.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; External Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Braces ; Treatment Outcome