Alternative Intervention Strategies Research Articles

A Systematic Review on the Use of AI for Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in Buildings

Global warming, climate change and the energy crisis are trending topics around the world, especially within the energy sector. The rising cost of energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global temperatures stem from the over-reliance on fossil fuel as the major energy resource. These challenges have highlighted the need for alternative energy resources and urgent intervention strategies like energy consumption reduction and improving energy efficiency. The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in a building accounts for about 70% of energy consumption, and a decision to reduce energy consumption may impact the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of the building. It is important to adequately balance the tradeoff between IEQ and energy management. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions are being explored for improving building energy performance without compromising IEQ. This paper systematically reviews recent studies on AI and machine learning (ML) for building energy management and IEQ by exploring common use areas, the methods or algorithms applied and the results obtained. The overall purpose of this research is to add to the existing body of work and to highlight energy-related AI applications in buildings and the related gaps. The result shows five common application areas: thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) control; energy management and energy consumption prediction; indoor temperature prediction; anomaly detection; and HVAC controls. Gaps involving policy, real-life scenario applications, and insufficient study of the visual and acoustic comfort areas are also identified. Very few studies take into consideration the need to follow IEQ standards in the selection process and positioning of sensors in AI applications for IEQ in buildings. This study reveals a need for more systematically summarized research.

You are not like the rest of them: disrupting meta-perceptions dilutes dehumanization

Political polarization, fueled by conflicting meta-perceptions, presents a critical obstacle to constructive discourse and collaboration. These meta-perceptions-how one group perceives another group's views of them-are often inaccurate and can lead to detrimental outcomes such as increased hostility and dehumanization. Across two studies, we introduce and experimentally test a novel approach that exposes participants to atypical, counter-stereotypical members of an opposing group who either confirm or disrupt their existing meta-perceptions. We find that disrupting meta-perceptions decreases dehumanization of the partner, increases interest in wanting to learn more about them, but fails to increase willingness to interact in the future with the partner. We conduct an exploratory text analysis to uncover differences in word choice by condition. Our research adds a new dimension to the existing body of work by examining the efficacy of alternative intervention strategies to improve intergroup relations in politically polarized settings.

Unveiling the Efficacy of Physiotherapy Strategies in Alleviating Low Back Pain: A Comprehensive Review of Interventions and Outcomes.

Low back pain (LBP) presents a significant burden globally, affecting individuals of all ages, but it is more common in adults aged 30-60 years oldand demographics including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Physiotherapy interventions are commonly employed to manage LBP due to their non-invasive nature and potential for addressing underlying biomechanical dysfunctions. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the efficacy of various physiotherapy strategies in alleviating LBP, considering a range of interventions and their associated outcomes. Through a thorough examination of existing literature from January 2017 to October 2023, this review synthesises evidence on the effectiveness of interventions such as manual therapy, exercise therapy, electrotherapy modalities, and education-based approaches. The review also scrutinizes the comparative effectiveness of different physiotherapy modalities and their suitability for specific patient populations, considering factors such as chronicity, severity, and underlying pathology. By critically evaluating the evidence base, this review aims to provide insights into the most effective physiotherapy strategies for alleviating LBP, chronic low back pain (CLBP)and chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) and guiding clinical practice towardevidence-based interventions. The Visual Analogue Scale and Numerical Pain Rating Scale for pain, Oswestry Disability Index andRoland-Morris Disability Questionnaire for disability, Modified-Modified Schober Test for measurement of lumbar flexion and extensionand static and dynamic balance for assessing postural stability and balance were among the measures used to foresee enhancements in pain, disability, balance, and LBP symptoms. Twenty-one studies that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion (aged 20 to 50 years and of both genders) were added to the review. Exercises for core stability, strengthening, orthosis (a medical device designed to support, align, stabilise, or correct musculoskeletal structures and functions), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, heat massage therapy, interferential current (a form of electrical stimulation used in physical therapy), Mulligan's mobilization (a manual therapy technique), low-level laser therapy, and McGill stabilization exercises (core exercises) were among the therapeutic strategies. The McKenzie method (back exercises), ultrasound, sensory-motor training, Swiss ball exercises, and other techniques reduced pain and enhanced strength, balance, and ease of daily activities. Every therapeutic approach has an impact on recovery rates ranging from minimal to maximal. Conventional physical therapy is less effective than most recent advancedtechniques like mobilisation and exercises. In summary, the integration of manual techniques, orthoses and alternative intervention strategies with conservative therapeutic approaches can effectively alleviate pain, enhance function and yield better overall outcomes. To get more information about the optimal dosage, therapeutic modalitiesand long-term effects of these treatments, more admirable research is required. This paper aims to expand the scientific discourse by exploring non-traditional physiotherapy interventions and assessing their efficacy in light of the rigorous standards set forth by the latest WHO guidelines.

The role of tourists’ and residents emotions on resilient landscape restoration after extreme events

Forest areas and mountainous territories provide crucial ecosystem services, among which cultural-recreational services are of particular relevance in the Alps. In 2018, the mountain area of Northeast Italy was struck by the VAIA windstorm, resulting in extensive damage to trail networks and substantial landscape transformations in valleys. Restoring the storm-affected area while considering forest resilience and public preferences became a critical need. This research is aimed at assessing the landscape scenic preferences of visitors and residents of the area impacted by the storm with reference to alternative intervention strategies for restoring the VAIA-affected forests. The psychophysical approach was applied to understand residents preferences and a survey was conducted in May 2022, involving 713 residents in the Veneto region. Respondents were requested to evaluate the scenic quality of 8 landscape typologies characterized by panoramic and non-panoramic views, forests with and without fallen trees, and meadows cultivated or abandoned. They were also required to associate eight proposed categories of emotions with the landscapes, providing scores accordingly. To analyze the factors affecting landscape scenic quality we estimated two regression models. The first model highlighted that the scenic quality of the landscape is positively correlated with panoramic views, cultivated meadows, and forests, while abandoned areas or trees felled by VAIA have negative correlations. The second model demonstrated the existence of a strong relationship between landscape quality and the emotions evoked, with certain emotions significantly impacting scenic quality perception. The second model explains a higher proportion of the scenic quality scores than the first one (R2 = 0.788 vs R2 = 0.527) meaning that emotions are a better predictor of scenic quality than the physical characteristics of the territory. Our results suggest that, in order to improve the recreational services of the mountain territories, for restoring the VAIA-affected forests it will be necessary to remove the felled trees and at the same time increase the presence of panoramic views by substituting in some areas the forests with cultivated meadows.

Post-translational regulation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor provides new targets for cholesterol regulation.

The amount of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) on the surface of hepatocytes is the primary determinant of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level. Although the synthesis and cellular trafficking of the LDLR have been well-documented, there is growing evidence of additional post-translational mechanisms that regulate or fine tune the surface availability of the LDLR, thus modulating its ability to bind and internalise LDL-cholesterol. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and the asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 both independently interact with the LDLR and direct it towards the lysosome for degradation. While ubiquitination by the E3 ligase inducible degrader of the LDLR also targets the receptor for lysosomal degradation, ubiquitination of the LDLR by a different E3 ligase, RNF130, redistributes the receptor away from the plasma membrane. The activity of the LDLR is also regulated by proteolysis. Proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane region of the LDLR by γ-secretase destabilises the receptor, directing it to the lysosome for degradation. Shedding of the extracellular domain of the receptor by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloprotease and cleavage of the receptor in its LDL-binding domain by bone morphogenetic protein-1 reduces the ability of the LDLR to bind and internalise LDL-cholesterol at the cell surface. A better understanding of how the activity of the LDLR is regulated will not only unravel the complex biological mechanisms controlling LDL-cholesterol metabolism but also could help inform the development of alternative pharmacological intervention strategies for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia.

Mechanical Restraint in Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: Prevalence and Associated Clinical Variables.

Background and Objectives: mechanical restraint (MR) is a controversial issue in emergency psychiatry and should be better studied to implement other alternative therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of MR in an Italian psychiatric unit and identify the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as the pharmacological pattern associated with MR. Materials and Methods: all subjects (N = 799) consecutively admitted to an Italian psychiatric inpatient unit were recruited. Several sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Results: The prevalence of MR was 14.1%. Males, a younger age, and a single and migrant status were associated with the MR phenomenon. MR was more prevalent in patients affected by other diagnoses and comorbid illicit substance use, in patients with aggressive behaviors, and those that were involuntary admitted, leading significantly to hospitalization over 21 days. Furthermore, the patients that underwent MR were taking a lower number of psychiatric medications. Conclusions: Unfortunately, MR is still used in emergency psychiatry. Future research should focus on the dynamics of MR development in psychiatry, specifically considering ward- and staff-related factors that could help identify a more precise prevention and alternative intervention strategies.

Physiotherapeutic Interventions for Individuals Suffering From Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review.

The foot and the lower leg comprise the ankle joint complex. The foot is crucial for the maintenance of posture. Frequently, overuse or repeated microtrauma to the fascia causes plantar fasciitis. This review aims to suggest the efficacy of various plantar fasciitis (PF) interventions based on modifications in clinical results. This review included studies from 2019 to March 2023 identified through a systematic literature search. The measures used to predict improvement in pain, discomfort, and foot function symptoms included the Visual Analog scale, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, Pressure Point Threshold by algometer, Weight-Bearing Lunge Test by inch tape, and range of motion. The review included 20 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Therapeutic interventions included insoles, foot orthosis, foam roller stretching, manual stretching, muscle strengthening, intrinsic muscle activities, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, dry needling, laser, ultrasound, and others, which resulted in pain reduction, improved foot function, and ease of everyday routine. All therapeutic strategies used impacts resulting from minimal to maximal recovery. Various advanced approaches are more effective than conventional physical therapy. In conclusion, conservative therapeutic strategies with manual techniques, orthoses, and alternative intervention strategies can be combined to effectively relieve pain and improve function and overall results. Further high-quality studies are essential to learn more about the ideal dose, treatment approaches, and long-term impacts of these therapies.

A pragmatic clinical trial assessing the effect of a targeted notification and clinical support pathway on the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy (NOTIFY-LVH)

Electronic health records contain vast amounts of cardiovascular data, including potential clues suggesting unrecognized conditions. One important example is the identification of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on echocardiography. If the underlying causes are untreated, individuals are at increased risk of developing clinically significant pathology. As the most common cause of LVH, hypertension accounts for more cardiovascular deaths than any other modifiable risk factor. Contemporary healthcare systems have suboptimal mechanisms for detecting and effectively implementing hypertension treatment before downstream consequences develop. Thus, there is an urgent need to validate alternative intervention strategies for individuals with preexisting-but potentially unrecognized-LVH. Through a randomized pragmatic trial within a large integrated healthcare system, we will study the impact of a centralized clinical support pathway on the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and other LVH-associated diseases in individuals with echocardiographic evidence of concentric LVH. Approximately 600 individuals who are not treated for hypertension and who do not have a known cardiomyopathy will be randomized. The intervention will be directed by population health coordinators who will notify longitudinal clinicians and offer to assist with the diagnostic evaluation of LVH. Our hypothesis is that an intervention that alerts clinicians to the presence of LVH will increase the detection and treatment of hypertension and the diagnosis of alternative causes of thickened myocardium. The primary outcome is the initiation of an antihypertensive medication. Secondary outcomes include new hypertension diagnoses and new cardiomyopathy diagnoses. The trial began in March 2023 and outcomes will be assessed 12 months from the start of follow-up. The NOTIFY-LVH trial will assess the efficacy of a centralized intervention to improve the detection and treatment of hypertension and LVH-associated diseases. Additionally, it will serve as a proof-of-concept for how to effectively utilize previously collected electronic health data to improve the recognition and management of a broad range of chronic cardiovascular conditions. NCT05713916.

The Phenomenon of Hatred in Adolescents: A Systemic-Relational Study and Alternative Intervention Strategies

<p class="06IsiAbstrak"><span class="Longtext"><span>The prevalence of hatred among adolescents, spanning schools, families, communities, and cyberspace, is a significant issue that requires further research, especially among Indonesian youth in the school environment. This qualitative study investigates hatred in adolescents using a systemic relational paradigm and alternative intervention strategies. Through in-depth interviews with five participants and a focus on three hate themes, it was found that all participants had experienced hatred, leading to distancing themselves from and severing connections with their haters. Some participants reported long-term trauma and feelings of anger and threat. They committed to reducing hatred and redirecting their focus to positive aspects, acknowledging the harmful effects of nurturing hatred. Relational hatred arises from family conflicts, particularly those involving parents, and social conflicts that induce trauma, emphasizing the crucial role of the family and social environment in prevention and intervention efforts. Addressing the phenomenon of hatred among adolescents is crucial to protecting both haters and those who are hated, providing an opportunity for counsellors and other supportive figures to implement suitable interventions.</span></span></p>

High Expression of G9a Induces Cisplatin Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Chemotherapeutic drug resistance is the main obstacle that affects the efficacy of current therapies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which needs to be addressed urgently. High expression of histone methyltransferase G9a was reported to play a pivotal role in the progression of HCC. Regulatory mechanism of aberrant activation of G9a in HCC and the association with subsequent cisplatin (DDP) resistance still remains ambiguous. This study strived to investigate mechanism of G9a overexpression and its impact on cisplatin resistance in HCC cells. In this experimental study, we investigated effects of different concentrations of cisplatin in combination with BIX-01294 or PR-619 on viability and apoptosis of HuH7 and SNU387 cells via CCK-8 kit and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Colony formation capacity was applied to evaluate effect of cisplatin with or without BIX-01294 on cell proliferation, and western blotting was used to verify expression level of the related proteins. Global mRNA expression profile analysis was adopted to identify differentially expressed genes associated with overexpression of G9a. We observed that overexpression of G9a admittedly promoted cisplatin resistance in HCC cells. Global mRNA expression profile analysis after G9a inhibition showed that DNA repair and cell cycle progression were downregulated. Moreover, we identified that deubiquitination enzymes (DUBs) stabilized high expression of G9a in HCC through deubiquitination. Additionally, cisplatin could significantly inhibit proliferation of DUBs-deficient HCC cells, while promoting their apoptosis. Collectively, our data indicated that DUBs stabilize G9a through deubiquitination, thereby participating in the cisplatin resistance of HCC cells. The elucidation of this mechanism contributes to propose a potential alternative intervention strategy for the treatment of HCC patients harboring high G9a levels.

Small Changes in Patient Arrival and Consultation Times Have Large Effects on Patients' Waiting Times: Simulation Analyses for Primary Care.

(1) Background: Workflows are a daily challenge in general practices. The desired smooth work processes and patient flows are not easy to achieve. This study uses an operational research approach to illustrate the general effects of patient arrival and consultation times on waiting times. (2) Methods: Stochastic simulations were used to model complex daily workflows of general practice. Following classical queuing models, patient arrivals, queuing discipline, and physician consultation times are three key factors influencing work processes. (3) Results: In the first scenario, with patients arriving every 7.6 min and random consultation times, the individual patients' maximum waiting time increased to more than 200 min. The second scenario with random patient arrivals and random consultation times increased the average waiting time by up to 30 min compared to patients arriving on schedule. A busy morning session based on the second scenario was investigated to compare two alternative intervention strategies to reduce subsequent waiting times. Both could reduce waiting times by a multiple for each minute of reduced consultation time. (4) Conclusions: Aiming to improve family physicians' awareness of strategies for improving workflows, this simulation study illustrates the effects of strategies that address consultation times and patient arrivals.

Evaluating the impact of alternative intervention strategies in accelerating onchocerciasis elimination in an area of persistent transmission in the West Region of Cameroon.

Alternative strategies are recommended to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination in problematic areas including areas where annual ivermectin (IVM) distributions are unable to interrupt transmission. The aim of this study was to accelerate progress towards elimination in the Massangam health district, West Region of Cameroon where impact evaluations demonstrated ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis infection and high microfilaria (mf) prevalence despite more than 20 years of annual IVM distribution. Parasitological, entomological, and breeding site surveys were conducted in 2015 delineating a focus of high transmission and identified three communities with high mf prevalence. Individuals in these communities were screened for mf yearly for a period of two years and those positive treated each year with doxycycline 100mg daily for five weeks. In addition, surrounding communities were given biannual IVM. Temephos-based applications were performed once a week for 10 consecutive weeks on Simulium damnosum s.l. breeding sites. Parasitological and entomological assessments were conducted after two years of implementation and findings compared with 2015 baseline. Alternative strategies accelerated progress towards elimination through a significant mf reduction (χ2: 40.1; p<0.001) from 35.7% (95%CI: 29.0-42.8) to 12.3% (95%CI, 9.0-16.4). Reductions were furthermore recorded over a longer period, with a reduction of prevalence of 29.0% under AIS in 2017-2019 compared to 14.6% with IVM in 2011-2015; and by 23.2% following the two years of alternative strategies compared to 20.3% reduction over 15 years of treatment with IVM (1996-2011). Entomological assessment demonstrates that transmission is still ongoing despite the reduction in mf which is expected in an environment with complex breeding sites and open transmission zones, i.e., where migration of flies or humans to and from neighbouring areas is common. This study provides evidence that alternative strategies are feasible and effective and should be considered in areas where transmission is sustained throughout long term uninterrupted MDA with IVM. However, there is need to consider wider transmission zones, and further explore optimal timing of larviciding with treatment to impact transmission.

Effective strategies towards eradicating the tuberculosis epidemic: An optimal control theory alternative

The efforts to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) globally has been on-going for over decades, though the world is yet to be free from the disease. This, possibly, necessitated the inclusion of the health target to wipe-off the disease from the world by the year 2030 in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Here, we used a deterministic model to capture the disease transmission dynamics and formulated the SDG as an optimal control problem subject to the disease dynamics model incorporating three time-dependent control variables, namely, vaccination, treatment for actively infected individuals without drug resistance, and treatment for the actively infected individuals with drug resistance. Based on Pontryagin’s maximum principle, we derived the problem’s optimality system and solved the resulting system numerically to investigate the effects of using at least any one of the three control measures on the dynamics of TB. Findings from the simulations of our results were discussed. Furthermore, efficiency and cost-effectiveness analyses were conducted to reveal the most efficient and most cost-effective single, double and triple interventions needed to prevent and control the spread of TB in the population with limited resources. The study recommends that the intervention strategy which combines all the controls is the most efficient strategy that can be implemented to reduce the spread of TB significantly in the population when the resources are available. In resource-limited communities, single application of optimal vaccination and combination of optimal vaccination and treatment control for actively infected individuals without drug resistance are the alternative intervention strategies that can be implemented to effectively manage the burden of TB in the population.

Host-acting antibacterial compounds combat cytosolic bacteria.

The sharp increase in infections associated with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens that have seriously compromised traditional chemotherapeutics is becoming a devastating public health threat worldwide. Thus, there is an urgent unmet demand to pursue alternative intervention strategies to circumvent this problem. Advances in host-acting antibacterial compounds (HACs) have provided promising, emerging approaches to reduce or eliminate internalized bacteria. In this review we focus mainly on the interactions between host cells and facultative intracellular bacteria to explore potential targets for the discovery and development of HACs. Additionally, we summarize the targets of recently described HACs and their modes of action and pharmacological activities against diverse pathogenic bacteria-associated infections. This overview of HACs sheds light on alternative strategies to treat clinical infections associated with cytosolic bacteria and the development of novel antibacterial agents.

The nutritional status of young children 0-24 months attending clinics in Tshwane health sub-district 1, Gauteng province, South Africa

Children between the ages 0 - 24 months are at high nutritional risk, which affects their growth and development, cognitive capacity, and productivity in adulthood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional status of young children 0 - 24 months attending clinics in Tshwane Health Sub-District 1, Gauteng province, South Africa. A clinic-based cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study design was applied in this study. Anthropometric data were collected from 270 young children (107 aged 0 – 6 months, 91 aged 6.1 – 12 months, 47 aged 12.1 – 18 months, and 25 aged 18.1 – 24 months) in 10 clinics in Tshwane Health Sub-District 1 using a questionnaire. Data was captured on a Microsoft Excel 2016 spreadsheet and analysed using SAS (SAS Institute Inc, Carey, NC, USA), Release 9.4. A Pearson chi-square test was used to test for correlation between the socio-economic, demographic and the nutritional status of young children, where a P-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. The results of the study showed that 160 (59.3%) had normal weight for length, 18 (6.7%) were wasted, 22 (8.2%) were severely wasted, 24 (8.9%) were overweight and 46 (17.0%) were obese. One hundred and fifty-six (57.8%) had normal weight for age, 47 (17.4%) were underweight, 17 (6.3%) were severely underweight, 39(14.4%) had weight for age &gt;+2SD and 11(4.1%) had weight for age &gt;+3SD. 204 (75.6%) had normal length for age, 26 (9.6%) were stunted, 40 (14.8%) were severely stunted. For overweight young children, there was a significant association between weight and the number of people in the households, at P&lt;0.038 and mothers weekly spend on food, at P&lt;0.027. There was a significant association between length and the number of persons in the households at P&lt;0.047, mothers' income at P&lt;0.047, and mothers weekly spend on food at P&lt;0.051. For underweight young children, there was a significant association between weight and weekly spend on food at P&lt;0.037. There was a significant association between length and mothers' education at P&lt;0.007. Although, the majority of young children had normal weight for length, normal weight for age and normal length for age. In this study, a significant number of young children were malnourished. The young child’s weight for length and weight for age were influenced by the mother’s weekly expenditure on food. Since the mother’s employment status influences the child's weight and length, the implementation of alternative nutrition intervention strategies to monitor and improve the nutritional status of young children is necessary. Key words: Underweight, wasting, stunting, undernutrition, overweight, obesity, malnutrition, nutritional status, young children, mothers

Just participation or just participation? A participatory justice model for more successful theory of change design, implementation, and solution uptake

While a wide consensus acknowledges that participation is critical for the successful implementation of change that improves the livelihoods of people and communities around the world, justly securing that participation from stakeholders (at both the design and implementation stages) remains a demanding problem. This paper proposes a heuristic model for increasing participation that not only helps to investigate instances of nonparticipation but also opens up alternative intervention strategies and pathways for designers and implementers to consider toward more justly increasing participation and overcoming nonparticipation. Applied to a successful case of participation in Gurúè District, Mozambique—where an 89% solution adoption of an improved postharvest seed storage method was measured two years after initial training—this paper demonstrates the key importance of designing opportunities and motivations for participation into any solutions or innovations but especially justice as a factor for successful realization of theory of change efforts (all the more so in developing nation contexts). Applied to a second case study, this paper also explores participation despite little to no motivation to do so. Aiming to afford designers and implementers of theory of change interventions a tool for more successfully and exactly matching innovation goals with innovation outcomes, the paper also addresses broader implications for the model within theory of change approaches generally.

Dietary strategies to promote the abundance of intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila, a focus on the effect of plant extracts

• Alternative dietary intervention strategies for AKK have broad application prospects. • Some plant extracts can significantly increase the abundance of intestinal AKK. • The mechanism may be promoting the secretion of mucins and antibacterial ability. As the next generation of probiotics, Akkermansia muciniphila has attracted a lot of attention and research because of its probiotic properties. However, it is not on the list of strains that can be added to food in any country, and its sensitivity to oxygen and the availability of animal-derived media limit its industrial production. Alternative dietary intervention strategies have broad application prospects. This review uses plant extracts as the main framework to summarize studies on increasing the abundance of A. muciniphila in recent years. Polyphenols, alkaloids, capsaicin, plant-derived carbohydrates, and some Chinese medicines can significantly increase the abundance of A. muciniphila in the gut. Promoting the abundance of A. muciniphila 's mechanisms focused on promoting the secretion of mucins and their antibacterial ability. This paper provides a lot of theoretical basics for the development of dietary strategies that can improve intestinal A. muciniphila abundance in the future.

Enhanced autophagy alleviated corneal allograft rejection via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activity

Autophagy has been reported to be involved in many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. Manipulating autophagy is recognized as a promising therapeutic approach for treating immunological diseases, including allograft rejection, and graft-versus-host disease. However, whether autophagy was closely associated with the pathogenesis of corneal allograft rejection remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that rapamycin (RAPA)-induced autophagy alleviated corneal allograft rejection. By contrast, blocking autophagic activity using 3-methyladeine (3-MA) aggravated corneal transplantation rejection. Mechanistically, we revealed that the enhanced autophagic turnover by RAPA inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activity through NLRP3degradation. While blocking the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes by bafilomycin A1(BafA1), the reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activity induced by RAPA was significantly restored, with increased protein levels of NLRP3 and cleaved Casp-1(p10), as well as IL-1β secretion. Moreover, we further revealed that pharmacologically blocking NLRP3 inflammasome signaling prolonged the survival of corneal allografts. Taken together, these findings underscored the critical roles of enhanced autophagy in treating corneal allograft rejection, which provided an alternative intervention strategy to control corneal transplantation rejection.

Increasing the Awareness of Stroke Among Canadian Women.

Previous studies have shown that there is increased mortality of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke among Canadian women. The morbidity of stroke is also higher among Canadian women because they are less likely to recover from stroke, and they generally tend to have a greater disability from a stroke when compared to men. In order to help minimize these issues, six interventional strategies were evaluated using four criteria: 1) the evidence-based criterion, 2) the socioeconomic-based criterion, 3) the ethics-based criterion, and 4) the sustainable-based criterion. Upon analysis, two alternative interventional strategies were recommended: increased public awareness of stroke symptoms and increased public awareness of stroke risk factors among Canadian women.

Interfering with alternatively activated macrophages by CSF-1R inhibition exerts therapeutic capacity on allergic airway inflammation

PurposeAllergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder with airway hyperresponsiveness and tissue remodeling as the main pathological characteristics. The etiology of asthma is relatively complicated, involving genetic susceptibility, epigenetic regulation, environmental factors, and immune imbalance. Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R), highly expressed in myeloid monocytes, plays an important role in regulating inflammation. However, the pathological role of CSF-1R and the therapeutic effects of CSF-1R inhibitor in allergic airway inflammation remain indistinct. MethodsThe house dust mite (HDM)-triggered allergic airway inflammation model was conducted to fully uncover the efficacies of CSF-1R inhibition, as illustrated by histopathological examinations, biochemical analysis, ELISA, RT-PCR, Western blotting assay, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were differentiated and polarized upon IL-4/IL-13 induction to clarify the underlying mechanisms of CSF-1R inhibition. ResultsHerein, we presented that the expression of CSF-1R was increased in HDM-induced experimental asthma and inhibition of CSF-1R displayed dramatic effects on the disease severity of asthma, referring to suppressing the secretion of allergic mediators, dysfunction of airway epithelium, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, CSF-1R inhibitor could markedly restrain the polarization and expression of transcriptional factors of alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) in the presence of IL-4/IL-13 and reduce the recruitment of CSF-1R-dominant macrophages, both in acute and chronic allergic airway inflammation model. ConclusionCollectively, our findings demonstrated the molecular pathological mechanism of CSF-1R in allergic airway diseases and suggested that targeting CSF-1R might be an alternative intervention strategy on the homeostasis of airway immune microenvironment in asthma.