BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

BACKGROUND: The contraction behaviors of cardiomyocytes (CMs), especially contraction synchrony, are crucial factors reflecting their maturity and response to drugs. A wider field of view helps to observe more pronounced synchrony differences, but the accompanied greater computational load, requiring more computing power or longer computational time. METHODS: We proposed a method that directly correlates variations in optical field brightness with cardiac tissue contraction status (CVB method), based on principles from physics and photometry, for rapid video analysis in wide field of view to obtain contraction parameters, such as period and contraction propagation direction and speed. RESULTS: Through video analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived CMs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) cultured on aligned and random nanofiber scaffolds, the CVB method was demonstrated to obtain contraction parameters and quantify the direction and speed of contraction within regions of interest (ROIs) in wide field of view. The CVB method required less computation time compared to one of the contour tracking methods, the LucasKanade (LK) optical flow method, and provided better stability and accuracy in the results. CONCLUSION This method has a smaller computational load, is less affected by motion blur and out-of-focus conditions, and provides a potential tool for accurate and rapid analysis of cardiac tissue contraction synchrony in wide field of view without the need for more powerful hardware.

China has a large, advanced, and rapidly aging population, coupled with a trend of decreasing birth rates that is exacerbating the issue of an aging society. It is expected that by 2030, China will become a hyper-aged society. As the demographic dividend gradually diminishes, the working-age population is shrinking in size and becoming increasingly older, making elderly labor force an important resource. Japan and South Korea have accumulated rich experience in promoting the healthy employment and occupational health services for the elderly workforce. It is necessary for China to thoroughly consider the issue and implement corresponding measures. This article compared and analyzed the current employment situation of aging populations in China, Japan, and South Korea, revealing that Japan and South Korea presented certain advantages in healthy employment policies, occupational health measures for the elderly, and digital economy. Taking into account the circumstances in China, we can further strengthen occupational health promotion activities, optimize employment structure, utilize new technologies such as artificial intelligence, promote active aging, ensure the sustainable development of elderly labor force resources, steadily enhance comprehensive national strength, and meet the increasing demand for better quality of life among the people.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between plasma total α-synuclein (α-syn), phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-α-syn), neurofilament light chain(NfL) and subtypes of Parkinson disease(PD).Methods:A total of 62 PD patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Huai 'an No. 1 People 's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2021 to January 2023 were selected and scored on the Hoehn-Yahr stage(H-Y), unified Parkinson's disease rating scale Ⅲ(UPDRS-Ⅲ), levodopa equivalent daily dosage(LEDD), mini-mental state examination(MMSE), Parkinson disease quality of life questionnaire(PDQ-39) and activities of daily living(ADL). During the same period, 25 healthy individuals matched in age and sex were enrolled as the control group (HC). Clinical characteristics and blood samples were collected. The plasma levels of α-syn, p-α-syn and NfL were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). PD patients were divided into tremor dominant type (TD, n=27) and akinetic-rigid dominant type (AR, n=35) based on UPDRS-Ⅲ scores. Multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 software to determine the influencing factors of subtypes of Parkinson disease. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off point of plasma NfL between the AR type and the TD type. Results:Plasma α-syn, p-α-syn, NfL levels in the PD group were significantly higher than those of the HC group ( Z=-2.537, -6.580, -7.101, all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the AR type and the TD type in disease duration, H-Y stage, UPDRS-Ⅲ scores, LEDD and MMSE scores ( Z=-2.503, -3.021, -2.025, -2.086, -2.409, all P<0.05). While no significant difference was found in plasma α-syn and p-α-syn levels between the AR type and TD type ( Z=-0.341, -0.085, both P>0.05), the plasma NfL levels were notably higher in the AR type(92.79(16.84, 117.53) pg/mL) compared to the TD type (12.10(6.99, 100.17) pg/mL)( Z=-2.236, P<0.05). Plasma NfL levels were correlated with rigidity scores ( r=0.438, P<0.001), UPDRS-Ⅲ scores ( r=0.337, P<0.05) and motor subtypes ( r=0.286, P<0.05) in PD patients. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NfL was risk factor for AR( B=0.002, OR=1.002, 95% CI=1.001-1.003, P=0.017). The ROC curve analysis indicated that plasma NfL levels could predict different subtypes of PD with an AUC=0.667, optimal cutoff =26.527. Conclusion:There is a correlation between elevated plasma NfL levels and the occurrence of AR type of PD, suggesting that nerve injury is probably involved in the occurrence and progression of various motor subtypes of PD.

Objective:To understand the current status of the use of aspirin in perioperative period of thoracic surgery in China and the awareness of thoracic surgeons on the prevention and treatment of arterial thromboembolic diseases during the perioperative period.Methods:A survey was conducted among thoracic surgeons nationwide using an electronic questionnaire through a software platform from January 20, 2024 to February 29, 2024. The questionnaire mainly included three parts: basic information, aspirin use, and awareness of arterial thromboembolic diseases, with a total of 27 questions.Results:A total of 1318 valid questionnaires were collected, covering all 33 provincial administrative regions except Taiwan. 69.7%(919/1 318) of thoracic surgeons stopped using aspirin for all patients before surgery; differences could be found in the timing of aspirin withdrawal before surgery and resumption after surgery. 65.1%(858/1 318) of surgeons made perioperative medication decisions based on domestic guidelines or consensus, while 20.9%(276/1 318) of surgeons based their decisions on departmental or personal experience. 87.9%(1 159/1 318) of surgeons believed that it is necessary to develop guidelines for the prevention of arterial thromboembolic diseases in the perioperative period of thoracic surgery.Conclusion:The current use strategy of aspirin in the perioperative period of thoracic surgery in China shows a high degree of inconsistency, and there are also significant differences in the awareness of arterial thromboembolic diseases. It is necessary to establish guidelines for the prevention and treatment of arterial thromboembolic diseases in the perioperative period.

ObjectiveTo study the brain network during balance control tasks in older adults. MethodsFrom January to April, 2022, 22 healthy young adults and 20 healthy older adults were recruited from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University and communities. They were asked to finish standing tasks on the plantar pressure plate with eyes opening and closing, while the functional connectivities (FC) of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and primary motor cortex (PMC) were measured with functional near-infrared spectroscopy. ResultsCompared with the young adults, the area of the ellipse (Z = -2.884, P < 0.01) and the maximum swing (Z = -2.481, P < 0.05) increased in the older adults as eyes closing. During the standing task, the intra-FC of left (t = 2.978, P < 0.01) and right (Z = -3.123, P < 0.01) PFC decreased in the older adults, and the inter-FC of right PMC to left PFC (t = 2.087, P < 0.05) and right PFC to left PFC (t = 3.471, P < 0.001) decreased, too. ConclusionThe FC of PFC decreased in healthy older adults during balance control tasks, which may be a indicator for aging brain.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy