Explore the vast range of titles available.

The objective of this study is to identify the active components of Crocus alatavicus and potential targets through a combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking technology combined with molecular dynamics simulation, and binding free energy analyses. A total of 253 active ingredients from C. alatavicus were screened, and 1360 associated targets were predicted through systematic searches conducted using TCMSP, SwissDrugDesign, and SymMap, which were integrated to construct a pharmacological network to dissect the relationships among active components, targets, diseases, and pathways; we found prostate cancer-related genes were significantly enriched among the targets. Subsequently, the core prostate cancer-related targets were identified in the network, and the binding interactions between protein targets and active components were evaluated using molecular docking technology. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy analyses were performed to verify the binding stability of the most promising complex. Then, protein–protein interaction network analysis was conducted to evaluate the core target sites, leading to the identification of nine target proteins with significant correlations, providing potential targets for cancer treatment. Furthermore, these targets were found to be associated with 20 signaling pathways, including neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions, prostate cancer, lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, as well as calcium signaling pathways. The active component–target–disease–pathway network diagram suggests that Capillarisin, Eugenol, 1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-propanol, 2,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3′-prenylchalcone, and 4-Hydroxymandelonitrile may serve as key components targeting prostate cancer. Molecular docking analyses demonstrated that Capillarisin has a high affinity for the androgen receptor (AR), and molecular dynamics simulation was performed to further verify the binding stability, indicating that Capillarisin may exert its pharmacological effects in prostate cancer. Based on the integrated strategies of network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and binding free energy analysis, this study generated novel insights into the active components of C. alatavicus and potential targets related to prostate cancer, thus providing valuable biological resources for future drug research and development.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a critical role in human thermogenesis and metabolic regulation. This study used infrared thermography to investigate the effects of short-term cold exposure on BAT activity and thermal sensation. Twelve healthy young adults were exposed to three ambient temperatures (17 °C, 19.5 °C, and 22.5 °C) for 120 min. Skin temperatures in the supraclavicular (SCV) and sternum (STR) regions were recorded every 10 min to estimate BAT activation, and subjective thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability were assessed throughout exposure. Results showed that BAT activity, as indicated by the SCV–STR temperature difference (ΔT), increased most rapidly during the first 30 min of exposure and gradually plateaued by 120 min. Lower ambient temperatures induced faster BAT activation in the early phase; however, differences between conditions diminished over time and were no longer statistically significant by 120 min. Subjective thermal responses varied significantly across conditions. Environments perceived as ‘cold’ or ‘cool’ led to discomfort after 60–90 min, whereas the ‘slightly cool’ condition maintained thermal comfort and acceptability throughout. Despite slower initial BAT activation under this condition, cumulative ΔT at 120 min was comparable to colder environments. These findings suggest that using subjective thermal sensation as a reference may offer a more accurate and individualized approach to designing cold exposure environments. Prolonged exposure to a Slightly Cool environment (~ 120 min) may effectively activate BAT while preserving thermal comfort, providing potential benefits for metabolic health and indoor climate design.

Background As new-formed basic-level teaching organizations, medical virtual teaching and research offices (VTROs) have been established in China since 2021. There still a lack of a comprehensive standard for them. The aim of this study was to construct a comprehensive system for evaluation of the medical VTROs. Methods The authors developed an initial draft of the VTROs evaluation system, based on the context, input, process, product model and a literature review. A total of 19 experts were invited to provide supportive advice and modification suggestions on the evaluation system in two Delphi rounds, and calculated coefficient value, consistency ratio, and weight for each first-, second-, and third-level indices. Results The CIPP model-based evaluation system developed included the subject and course categories. The subject category had 4 first-level indices, 14 s-level indices, and 46 third-level indices, while the course category had 4 first-level indices, 13 s-level indices, and 49 third-level indices. The recovery rates for two rounds were 94.7% and 89.5%. Coefficient value for the two subscales ranged from 0.097 to 0.207 in the second round, while weighted quality index values were established at all levels, with a consistency ratio < 0.1. Conclusions The VTROs evaluation system is CIPP-oriented, comprehensive, and reliable. It can serve a guide for construction, implementation, and evaluation of VTROs in medical field.

Background The global aging population presents challenges that are particularly acute in China. Older Chinese adults’ attitudes towards death significantly impact their quality of life. Death education is crucial for promoting positive perspectives on life and death. Narrative education offers a promising approach to facilitating death education. Integrating the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) model into death education will enhance the feasibility and acceptability of death education programs. Methods This mixed-methods feasibility study included a quasi-experimental trial and semi-structured interviews. Older adults in the intervention group ( N  = 27) received a 6-week KAP-based narrative life education program in addition to standard community health education; participants in the control group ( N  = 20) received only the normal community health education. In both groups, attitudes toward death and the meaning of life were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention. A post-intervention semi-structured interview and satisfaction survey were also conducted for the intervention group. Results Forty out of 47 older adults completed the program for an 85.1% retention rate. All of the older adults in the experiment were very satisfied and satisfied with the life education program, and no adverse events were reported. Compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group had a significant decrease in the fear of death ( P  =  0 .028), and substantial improvement in their value of life ( P  =  0 .031), goal of life ( P  =  0 .035), freedom of life ( P  =  0 .003), and the total score for purpose in life ( P  =  0 .017). The qualitative results yielded four themes: profound recognition of life and death, contradiction between thoughts and action, conflict between one’s acceptance and others’ avoidance, and evaluation of the life education program. Conclusions The KAP-based narrative life education program is feasible and acceptable for older Chinese community-dwelling adults. It is also potentially effective in improving attitudes toward death attitudes and the meaning of life in this cohort. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered at China Clinical Trial Registry as ChiCTR2300069551 on 2023-03-20. URL of registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=183176 .

The influence of the HS (hot streak) and unsteady wake on the overall cooling performance of a rotor blade was studied in this paper. The results show that: (1) Both the magnitude and temperature of the HS gradually drops down as it passes downstream of the vane passage. (2) Within one stator period, the highest cooling performance of the blade can be observed at the initial time points, when the LE (leading edge) of the blade turns towards the trailing edge of the vane. (3) The lowest cooling performance of the blade can be observed at the time point 0.5 T, when the LE of the blade turns towards the center of the vane passage. (4) Surface temperatures in areas with unfavorable local heat flow are usually higher than the temperature of the coolant. The additional TBCs may exert adverse effects on heat dissipation from the substrate metal to the mainstream, which has a negative effect on the improvement of the overall cooling effectiveness of the coated blade. (5) Within a stator period, a relatively higher overall cooling effectiveness increment due to the coating can be observed at the relative location with lower cooling performance. Consequently, the additional TBCs are beneficial for decreasing the surface temperature difference and thus controlling the thermal stress under the HS inlet condition.

Background Social isolation poses a significant threat to the health of older adults. However, there has been a lack of attention to the relationship between Internet use and social isolation. This study aimed to clarify the specific impact paths among Internet use, social network, social support, social well-being, and social isolation in nursing home residents. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 441 nursing home residents in Fujian and Shandong Provinces, China were surveyed between February 2023 and January 2024 using convenience sampling. Guided by the convoy model, a hypothetical theoretical model was developed and tested in this sample. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographics characteristics, Internet use, social isolation, social network, social support, and social well-being. Multiple stepwise linear regression was employed to identify factors influencing social isolation. Additionally, path analysis was conducted to examine the chain mediating effects of social networks, social support, and social well-being on the relationship between Internet use and social isolation. Results The total score of social isolation of the participants was 13.47 ± 3.58. Internet use, social isolation, social network, social support, and social well-being were all positively correlated. The results of multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that marital status, number of children, pre-retirement occupation, health, social network, social support, and social well-being were the main influencing factors of the social isolation of nursing home residents. Mediation effect analysis showed that Internet use has a non-significant direct effect on social isolation. The indirect effect of Internet use on social isolation was significantly exerted through social network, social support, social well-being, and the chain mediating pathways among them. Conclusion Encouraging nursing home residents to use the Internet is beneficial for their social connections and well-being. It can improve older adults’ social networks, social support, social well-being, and alleviate social isolation.

Background The Internet has been integrated into various aspects of senior life. However, the popularity of digitization does not mean that digital devices are well-inclusive. It is considered important to explore the willingness of nursing home residents to use smartphones in the context of the development of “Digital China.” Objectives To explore the perceptions and concerns of smartphone use in nursing home residents. Method The study employed a descriptive qualitative design. A purposive sample of 22 nursing home residents was recruited as participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data between April 2024 and June 2024. Interviews were transcribed, and analyzed by the qualitative content analysis method. Results Nursing home residents were wandering at the crossroads of smartphone use. Four specific categories emerged: (1) Positive appraisal of smartphones’ value; (2) Internal cognitive biases in smartphone use; (3) Objective constraints on smartphone use; and (4) Practical strategies for digital inclusion. Their cognitive biases involved low perceived usefulness, lack of basic knowledge, and technological anxiety; and the objective constraints were physical aging, unfriendly operating systems, and poor digital inclusion environments. Residents expected instrumental digital support including visual smartphone use guidelines, peer or intergenerational beside guidance, and digital life scenarios. Conclusions This study clarifies the subjective and objective challenges encountered by nursing home residents in using smartphones. It provides fresh insights from the perspective of nursing home residents for developing environmentally sensitive digital inclusion intervention strategies.

Introduction Patients with terminal‐stage cancer frequently experience multiple symptoms simultaneously. Little is known about how core symptom clusters differ in advanced‐cancer patients with different survival expectancies receiving hospice care. To identify the core symptom clusters of hospice‐care cancer patients with different survival expectancies and compare the features of their symptom networks. Methods In this retrospective study, secondary data analysis was conducted. Records of 6946 patients with advanced cancer who received home‐based hospice care service in a hospice center from April 2001 to December 2020 were collected and analyzed using network analysis. Results This analysis included 6946 patients with advanced cancer receiving hospice care. In patients with survival expectancies of 0–6 months, loss of appetite was identified as the core symptom (rs = 4.03, rb = 5.21, rc = 2.63), and five symptom clusters were identified. Malnutrition was the core symptom in patients with survival expectancies of 6–12 months (rs = 2.83, rb = 2.43, rc = 0.93), and nine symptom clusters were identified. Wasting syndrome was the core symptom cluster in two groups. The network density of symptoms in patients with < 6 months of survival expectancy (91.99) was higher than in patients with 6–12 months (28.39). Conclusions Nutrition impact symptoms are the core symptoms for home‐hospice care cancer patients with a survival period of 1 year or below. Moreover, hospice cancer patients with short survival expectancies have greater inter‐symptom impact.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza L.) is a globally popular medicinal and edible plant, with nearly 30 species distributed across all continents. The usable part is primarily the root. To understand the metabolic differences among different Glycyrrhiza species, we selected four species and performed comprehensive analyses of their roots. Metabolomic profiling was conducted using UPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS, while transcriptomic analysis was carried out using RNA-sequencing. A total of 2716 metabolites were identified, including flavonoids (527 types) and terpenoids (251 types), among various other components. Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to explore the medicinal value and potential pharmacological ingredients of these metabolites. Joint analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic data revealed significant differences in differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pairwise comparisons among the four species. These differences were primarily enriched in the isoflavone pathway. Further investigation into the regulatory mechanisms of isoflavone biosynthesis in different Glycyrrhiza species identified key genes and metabolites involved in isoflavone biosynthesis. Finally, we made reasonable predictions of the potential suitable habitats for the four Glycyrrhiza species, aiming to provide new insights for the development and utilization of licorice resources. The results of this study can serve as a basis for the development and utilization of licorice and for in-depth research on the regulation of isoflavone biosynthesis in licorice.

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the combined influences of film cooling and thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) on the cooling performances of a NASA C3X guide vane. The results show that: (1) film cooling on the pressure side is more effective than suction side, especially on the trailing edge where multiple cooling and thermal protection techniques include internal cooling and TBCs are necessary. (2) TBCs show positive and negative roles in improving cooling performance at the same time for the coated vane with or without film cooling. Without film cooling, TBCs show negative roles on the regions with lower temperature external hot gas, which is caused by flow acceleration from the stagnation line of the suction side. (3) Internal cooling improvement caused by coolant introduction leads to a larger cooling effectiveness inclement due to TBCs near coolant plenums and film cooling holes. However, the influence of TBCs on cooling effectiveness increment goes down and even shows negative roles on the regions away from coolant plenums and under the effective coverage of the film cooling. (4) Improving the convective heat transfer of coolant with the wall of coolant plenums and film cooling holes is the guarantee of improving the cooling performance of a coated vane.