Effect Of Treatment Research Articles

Effects of Photoperiod Treatments on Stock Plants and Cutting Rooting of Three Cultivars of Ornamental Perennials

Many species of herbaceous perennials now have numerous cultivars, with growth habits and flower colors unique to each cultivar. Vegetative propagation is required so that resulting plants are genetically identical to the parent plant. Although many cultivars are selected for precocious and vigorous flowering, it is often difficult to collect adequate vegetative cuttings from such cultivars for commercial production because juvenile (vegetative) growth is preferred for high-quality cuttings. Cuttings that are reproductive (with flower buds or flowers) can have reduced or delayed rooting and increased occurrences of fungal pathogens (especially Botrytis species), resulting in lack of crop uniformity. We sought to answer the question, can growing stock plants of herbaceous perennials under defined photoperiods extend the length of the vegetative period and enhance the rooting of cuttings harvested from these stock plants? In this study, stock plants of ‘P009S’ twinspur (Diascia integerrima), ‘Furman's Red’ sage (Salvia greggii), and ‘Wild Thing’ sage (Salvia greggii) were grown under ambient, 12-hour light, 10-hour light, and 8-hour light to determine if a particular photoperiod could be used to suppress reproductive growth by promoting vegetative growth, thereby enhancing cutting rooting success. Effects of photoperiod treatments varied among the plant cultivars studied. Plants grown under 8-hour photoperiod had longer duration of vegetative growth, smaller growth rates, and lower dry weights when compared with plants grown under 12-hour or 10-hour photoperiod. Plants grown under 12-hour photoperiod had shorter duration of vegetative growth, larger growth rates, and higher dry weights when compared with plants grown under 10-hour and 8-hour photoperiods. The probability of rooting of cuttings harvested from stock plants of ‘P009S’ twinspur, ‘Furman’s Red’ sage, and ‘Wild Thing’ sage grown under 12-hour and 10-hour photoperiods was greater when compared with cuttings harvested from stock plants grown under 8 h photoperiod.

Estrogens prevent the hypothalamus-periphery crosstalk induced by olanzapine intraperitoneal treatment in female mice: Effects on brown/beige adipose tissues and liver

Olanzapine (OLA) is a highly obesogenic second-generation antipsychotic (SGA). Recently we demonstrated that, contrarily to OLA oral treatment, intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration resulted in weight loss and absence of hepatic steatosis in wild-type (WT) and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)-deficient (KO) male mice. This protection relied on two central-peripheral axes connecting hypothalamic AMPK with brown/inguinal white adipose tissue (BAT/iWAT) uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and hypothalamic JNK with hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS). Herein, we addressed OLA i.p. treatment effects in WT and PTP1B-KO female mice. Contrarily to our previous results in WT females receiving OLA orally, the i.p. treatment did not induce weight gain or hyperphagia. Molecularly, in females OLA failed to diminish hypothalamic phospho-AMPK or elevate BAT UCP-1 and energy expenditure (EE) despite the preservation of iWAT browning. Conversely, OLA i.p. treatment in ovariectomized mice reduced hypothalamic phospho-AMPK, increased BAT/iWAT UCP-1 and EE, and induced weight loss as occurred in males. Pretreatment of hypothalamic neurons with 17β-estradiol (E2) abolished OLA effects on AMPK. Moreover, neither hypothalamic JNK activation nor hepatic FAS upregulation were found in WT and PTP1B-KO females receiving OLA via i.p. Importantly, this axis was reestablished upon ovariectomy. In this line, E2 prevented OLA-induced phospho-JNK in hypothalamic neurons. These results support the role of estrogens in sex-related dimorphism in OLA treatment. This study evidenced the benefit of OLA i.p. administration in preventing its obesogenic effects in female mice that could offer clinical value.

Ketogenic diet modifies ribosomal protein dysregulation in KMT2D Kabuki syndrome

BackgroundKabuki syndrome (KS) is a genetic disorder caused by DNA mutations in KMT2D, a lysine methyltransferase that methylates histones and other proteins, and therefore modifies chromatin structure and subsequent gene expression. Ketones, derived from the ketogenic diet, are histone deacetylase inhibitors that can ‘open’ chromatin and encourage gene expression. Preclinical studies have shown that the ketogenic diet rescues hippocampal memory neurogenesis in mice with KS via the epigenetic effects of ketones. MethodsSingle-cell RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry-based proteomics were used to explore molecular mechanisms of disease in individuals with KS (n=4) versus controls (n=4). FindingsPathway enrichment analysis indicated that loss of function mutations in KMT2D are associated with ribosomal protein dysregulation at an RNA and protein level in individuals with KS (FDR <0.05). Cellular proteomics also identified immune dysregulation and increased abundance of other lysine modification and histone binding proteins, representing a potential compensatory mechanism. A 12-year-old boy with KS, suffering from recurrent episodes of cognitive decline, exhibited improved cognitive function and neuropsychological assessment performance after 12 months on the ketogenic diet, with concomitant improvement in transcriptomic ribosomal protein dysregulation. InterpretationOur data reveals that lysine methyltransferase deficiency is associated with ribosomal protein dysfunction, with secondary immune dysregulation. Diet and the production of bioactive molecules such as ketone bodies serve as a significant environmental factor that can induce epigenetic changes and improve clinical outcomes. Integrating transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical data can define mechanisms of disease and treatment effects in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. FundingThis study was supported by the Dale NHMRC Investigator Grant (APP1193648) (R.D), Petre Foundation (R.D), and The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation/Kids Research Early and Mid-Career Researcher Grant (E.T).

Objective Bayesian Meta-Analysis Based on Generalized Marginal Multivariate Random Effects Model

Objective Bayesian inference procedures are derived for the parameters of the multivariate random effects model generalized to elliptically contoured distributions. The posterior for the overall mean vector and the between-study covariance matrix is deduced by assigning two noninformative priors to the model parameter, namely the Berger and Bernardo reference prior and the Jeffreys prior, whose analytical expressions are obtained under weak distributional assumptions. It is shown that the only condition needed for the posterior to be proper is that the sample size is larger than the dimension of the data-generating model, independently of the class of elliptically contoured distributions used in the definition of the generalized multivariate random effects model. The theoretical findings of the paper are applied to real data consisting of ten studies about the effectiveness of hypertension treatment for reducing blood pressure where the treatment effects on both the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure are investigated.

Effect of heat treatment on the structural and emulsifying properties of copra meal protein: Improving interfacial properties to enhance performance of its Pickering emulsion

This study investigated the impact of different temperatures and durations on the structural and emulsifying properties of copra meal protein. Additionally, the stability of copra meal protein Pickering emulsions was assessed through rheological and interfacial characteristics. Findings revealed a positive correlation between emulsification properties and heating temperature and duration. Thermal aggregates, facilitated by hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide bonds, significantly enhanced surface hydrophobicity. Heat-treated copra meal protein-based Pickering emulsions demonstrate enhanced adsorption at the oil-water interface and resistance to diffusion. The three-phase contact angle increases from 57.7° to 79.8° following heating at 95 °C for 30 min. The addition of NaCl and heating treatment did not affect emulsion particle size or interface adsorption ability. But it improved the rheological properties to varying degrees. These results offer valuable insights for optimizing the physicochemical and functional attributes of copra meal protein in the food industry.

Effect of ozone treatment on thermo tolerant Campylobacter contaminated poultry products retailed at Baghdad markets/Iraq

Effect of ozone treatment on thermo tolerant Campylobacter contaminated poultry products retailed at Baghdad markets/Iraq

Influences of solution temperature on microstructures and performance of electron beam welded joints of laser powder bed fusion TC11 thin-walled samples

The effects of subtransus treatment (750 °C, 800 °C, 850 °C, 900 °C, and 950 °C) as well as supertransus treatment (1100 °C) on the microstructures and mechanical performance of electron beam welded (EBW) joints of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) TC11 alloy were investigated. At a solution temperature of 950 °C, globular α phases and transformed β phases were observed in the joint. When the solution temperature exceeded the β transus temperature (Tβ), α colonies and massive α phases emerged in the joints, resulting in Widmanstatten structures. The base metal (BM) exhibited the highest microhardness, followed by the heat affected zone (HAZ), whereas the fusion zone (FZ) demonstrated the lowest microhardness. As the solution temperature increases, the microhardness of joints decreases at first and then increases. Notably, the joint subjected to a solution temperature of 850 °C exhibited the lowest microhardness. When the solution temperature was ≥900 °C, transformed β phases emerged within the joints, resulting in an elevation of microhardness. Below Tβ, the elongation of welded joints gradually augmented while the tensile strength reduced at first and then increased with the rising solution temperature. Microstructures in joint with solution temperature of 950 °C consisted of lamellar α phases, globular α phases, and transformed β phases. As a result, the joint exhibited an optimal balance between strength (1103.1 ± 34.9 MPa) and plasticity (9.37 ± 0.20%). Ductile fracture characteristics with dimples on the fracture surface were observed in the tensile samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that a solid solution temperature of 950 °C is optimal for LPBF TC11 alloy.

Effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed polylactic acid: Study of competition between crystallization and interlayer bonding

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a popular additive manufacturing technique because of its flexibility, customization, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. However, due to the layer-by-layer fabrication process and the formation of voids, the mechanical properties of printed parts are lower than other manufacturing techniques. As a solution, heat treatments can effectively mitigate additive manufacturing limitations and improve the mechanical properties of printed parts. The interlayer bonding and subsequently mechanical properties of 3D-printed PLA were affected by the competition between crystallization and chain diffusion of 3D-printed polylactic acid during the heat treatment process. This competition highlights the importance of optimization of heat treatment. Additionally, crystallite growth could cause a reduction in some mechanical properties, like elongation. The size, distribution, and content of voids are also influenced by heat treatment, playing a crucial role in the mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts. In this research, printed samples were heat-treated at temperatures of 75 ºC, 110 ºC, and 130 ºC for two hours. Furthermore, compression-molded samples were fabricated to inspect a comparison of mechanical properties between the traditional and additive manufacturing methods and investigate the effect of layer-by-layer fabrication on these properties. Sample AM-75 showed a 15.5% improvement in bonding strength compared to the non-annealed printed sample, resulting in an increase of 20.2% in tensile strength and 275% in impact strength. Moreover, annealing the sample at 130 ºC resulted in a 7.6% reduction in porosity and a significant improvement of 220% in crystallinity, heat deflection temperature, flexural modulus, and flexural strength, with improvements of 121%, 29.5%, and 15.2% respectively.

Emulsifying and interfacial properties of glutenin processed by pH-shifting treatment

Modifying and improving protein functionality is crucial for expanding the application of proteins in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pH-shift treatments on the emulsifying and interfacial properties of glutenin (Glu). Glu was exposed to acidic (pH 1–3) and basic (pH 10–13) pH values for 4 h and subsequently neutralized for refolding. The pH-shifting treatments significantly improved Glu surface wettability with three-phase contact angle from 66.21 ± 2.31° to 91.4 ± 0.88°. The alkali shift treatment resulted in samples with larger Kdiff values. The treated samples also showed amplitude and frequency dependence in their E, Ev, and Ed values, with higher E and Ed values indicating an elastic membrane at the interface. Emulsions prepared from Glu treated with alkali shift treatment exhibited smaller particle size, larger ζ-potential, and more stable storage properties. The rheological results indicated higher viscosity, thixotropy and creep of emulsions prepared from alkali shift treated Glu. In conclusion, treatment of Glu with alkali shift resulted in significant improvements in emulsifying and interfacial properties, suggesting that Glu may be a more promising ingredient for use in food.

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride plus sufentanil citrate inhibits glucose metabolism and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in human esophageal squamous carcinoma KYSE30 cells by modulating the JAK/STAT3/HIF‑1α axis.

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (DEX-HCl) and sufentanil citrate (SFC) are commonly used anesthetic drugs for esophageal cancer (EC) surgery. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of DEX-HCl and SFC treatment on glucose metabolism and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in EC. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), clonogenic, wound healing and Transwell migration assays were performed to assess the effects of the DEX-HCl and SFC on KYSE30 cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Changes in lactate and glucose levels in KYSE30 cells were also detected. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression levels of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and glucose metabolism-related proteins. The results of CCK8, clonogenic and wound healing assays demonstrated that DEX-HCl and SFC inhibited KYSE30 cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Similarly, the combined DEX-HCl and SFC treatment significantly reduced lactate production, ATP production and glucose levels in KYSE30 cells. Western blotting indicated that DEX-HCl and SFC could reduce JAK/STAT and metastasis-related protein expression. Demonstrating a reduction in Hexokinase 2, matrix metallopeptidase 2 and 9, N-cadherin and lactate dehydrogenase A protein expression levels. The effects of DEX-HCl and SFC combined treatment were counteracted by the addition of JAK/STAT pathway activator RO8191, which suggested that DEX-HCl and SFC could serve a role in mediating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in KYSE30 cells.

Design and Methods of the Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hearing loss has been identified as a major modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. The Early Age-Related Hearing Loss Investigation (EARHLI) study will assess the mechanisms linking early age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and cognitive impairment. Randomized, controlled, single-site, early phase II, superiority trial. Tertiary academic medical center. One hundred fifty participants aged 55 to 75 years with early ARHL (severity defined as borderline to moderate) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment will be included. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to a best practice hearing intervention or a health education control. The primary study outcome is cognition measured by the Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study-Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite. Secondary outcomes include additional measures of cognition, social engagement, and brain organization/connectivity. Trial enrollment will begin in early 2024. After its completion in 2028, the EARHLI trial should offer evidence on the effect of hearing treatment versus a health education control on cognitive performance, social engagement, and brain organization/connectivity in 55- to 75-year-old community-dwelling adults with early ARHL and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Effect of post-weld heat treatment on the microstructure, phase composition and mechanical properties of dissimilar Al-Mg-Li/Al-Cu-Li laser welded joints

Butt joints of the V-1461 and 1424 heat treated aluminum–lithium alloys of the third generation were welded with a CO2 laser and studied in detail for the first time. In particular, spatial distributions of the formed phases and their evolution upon post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), determining the mechanical properties of the joints, were investigated. The PWHT included quenching and subsequent artificial aging. The key factors, affecting the metallurgical processes in a weld pool, were the following: 1) the alloying elements and the thermal properties of the alloys, 2) the dynamics of the local non-equilibrium melting, the convective transfer of the molten metal in the weld pool and its subsequent solidification, 3) the cooling rate, and 4) the PWHT procedure. By using synchrotron radiation and scanning electron microscopy, new θ(Al2Cu), T1(Al2CuLi) and S1(Al2MgLi) phases were found in the weld metal that were absent in both base metals. This phenomenon reduced the mechanical properties of the joints to the levels, corresponding to about 50 % of the 1424 alloy as the weakest one. Quenching contributed to the formation of the δ′(Al3Li) strengthening phase in the weld metal. As a result, the ultimate tensile strength increased up to 70 % and elongation up to 95 % of the corresponding levels of the 1424 alloy. Artificial aging made it possible to form the T1(Al2CuLi) strengthening phase, to increase the content of the δ′(Al3Li) one, as well as to improve the mechanical properties of the joint. In this case, the ultimate tensile strength was 411 MPa, the yield point was 327 MPa and elongation was 1.7 %. These values were close to those for the 1424 alloy (about 80 %, 89 % and 23 %, respectively).

Effect of light treatmeat on oxidation and flavour of dry-cured Wuchang fish

Lighting conditions are an important factor affecting dry-cured products. This study investigated the effects of treatments with different light intensities (0 lx, 1000 lx, 25000 lx) and different light sources including red light, blue light, UV-light on oxidation leve and flavor change in dry-cured Wuchang fish. The results showed that dry-cured Wuchang fish exhibited an attractive brown-yellow color, the highest oxidation degree of myoglobin (Mb), the highest fat oxidation under the light conditions of 25000 lx light intensity and UV-light irradiation. This phenomenon was observed that the degree of Mb oxidation was increased, while the degree of fat oxidation was increased. At 25000 lx light intensity and UV-light irradiation, dry-cured Wuchang fish showed an ignificantly decreased fatty acid conten (especially oleic acid and linoleic acid), significantly increased characteristic volatile compound contents (22 for 25,000 lx light intensity and 27 for UV-light irradiation), which contributed to the improvement of quality stability of dry-cured Wuchang fish. Our findings provide theoretical support for the industrial application of exogenous light in dry-cured Wuchang fish.

Research of active compounds from Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus and potential targets against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma based on Network pharmacology.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is a series of lymphoid malignancies in some aggressive subtypes with unsatisfactory treatment effects. Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus (Xie Bai) is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-cancer activities, which may potentially suppress aggressive NHL. This study tries to discover active components and targets of Xie Bai in treating NHL by network pharmacology-based approaches. Compounds and related targets of Xie Bai were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform. Target genes associated with NHL were searched by GeneCards and DisGeNET, then the overlapped targets were further analyzed by STRING tool, GO, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was employed to verify the interaction between compounds and targets. 11 bioactive compounds were successfully identified, with 30 targets that were screened out for the treatment of NHL. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that Xie Bai exerted its potential effects against NHL via pathways in cancer, such as PI3K/ AKT, p53, and MAPK signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that 3 active compounds (quercetin, beta-sitosterol, and naringenin) had good affinity with selected 6 targets（TP53, AKT1, CASP3, CCND1, HPK1, and NLRP3). Identifying six potential genes could accurately be docked with Xie Bai and had close interactions with NHL, which may provide insight into further research and new treatment strategy.

Genetic predisposition and antipsychotic treatment effect on metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia: a ten-year follow-up study using the Estonian Biobank

Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients exhibit 30% higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared to the general population with its suboptimal management contributing to increased mortality. Large-scale studies providing real-world evidence of the underlying causes remain limited. To address this gap, we used real-world health data from the Estonian Biobank, spanning a median follow-up of ten years, to investigate the impact of genetic predisposition and antipsychotic treatment on the development of MetS in SCZ patients. Specifically, we set out to characterize antipsychotic treatment patterns, genetic predisposition of MetS traits, MetS prognosis, and body mass index (BMI) trajectories, comparing SCZ cases (n=677) to age- and sex-matched controls (n=2708). SCZ cases exhibited higher genetic predisposition to SCZ (OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.58-1.94), but lower polygenic burden for increased BMI (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.88-0.96) and C-reactive protein (OR=0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97) compared to controls. While SCZ cases showed worse prognosis of MetS (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.54-2.46), higher antipsychotic adherence within the first treatment year was associated with reduced long-term MetS incidence. Linear mixed modelling, incorporating multiple BMI timepoints, underscored the significant contribution of both, antipsychotic medication, and genetic predisposition to higher BMI, driving the substantially upward trajectory of BMI in SCZ cases. These findings contribute to refining clinical risk prediction and prevention strategies for MetS among SCZ patients and emphasize the significance of incorporating genetic information, long-term patient tracking, and employing diverse perspectives when analyzing real-world health data. EU Horizon 2020, Swedish Research Council, Estonian Research Council, Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, University of Tartu.

Impact of new maize variety adoption on yield and fertilizer input in China: Implications for sustainable food and agriculture

CONTEXTCrop variety adoption is considered as one of the main strategies for farmers to enhance productivity under stress brought by the climate change, with less environment impacts. It holds an upstream position in the whole life cycle of agricultural clean production, compared to the field management and agricultural non-point source pollution treatment. OBJECTIVEThis paper aims to (i) assess the impact of new maize variety adoption on maize yield and fertilizer input; (ii) analyze the main determinants of farmers' new maize variety choice in the context of climate change, and (iii) identify the heterogeneity of small-scale and large-scale farmers in maize variety choice and its impacts. METHODSBased on plot-level data collected from three major grain producing provinces in China, we employ a treatment effects model to correct the potential bias resulting from the farmers' self-selection and estimate the direct impacts of farmers' new maize variety adoption and the main determinants of such adoption. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe empirical results indicate that the adoption of new maize varieties significantly increases maize yield by 9.4% but fertilizer use by 16.6 kg/mu (1 mu = 1/15 ha) as well, and this trade-off between economic impacts and environmental impacts is more pronounced among small-scale farmers. However, in the face of natural disasters, adopting new maize varieties results in a significant reduction in yield losses by 1.4% and a decrease in fertilizer input for natural disaster management by 2.45 kg/mu, as compared to the adoption of old varieties. What's more, our findings suggest that a higher frequency of pest and disease disasters significantly increases the probability of new maize variety adoption by farmers, while a higher frequency of climate disasters significantly decreases the probability. SIGNIFICANCEThe estimated impacts of new maize varieties point out the need of synergistically optimized resistance and nutrient use efficiency for crop breeding, which have important policy implications for sustainable food and agriculture. Also, the significant factor analysis contributes to the proposal of feasible ways to promote the farmers' adoption behavior.

High nitrogen removal and electricity generation of anaerobic fluidized bed coupled microbial fuel cell for Anammox

The current challenge in wastewater denitrification lies in the treatment of low carbon to nitrogen ratio(C/N) wastewater. Integrating Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation(Anammox) with a microbial fuel cell(MFC) enables simultaneous pollutant removal and electricity generation, leading to enhanced treatment efficiency and reduced energy consumption. However, achieving stable and effective treatment effects under high nitrogen concentration conditions remains a general research difficulty. The Anaerobic fluidized bed MFC(AFB-MFC) experiment successfully integrated Anammox ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) into the anode and cathode chambers, resulting in a continuous operation for 258 days. The reactor successfully initiated operation within 48 days and maintained stable performance within an NLR range of 0.5-1.0 kgN/m3/d. The system performance was found to be influenced by DO and substrate concentration, demonstrating consistent high nitrogen removal ability across different HRT. Ultimately, the Anammox AFB-MFC achieved a nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) of 96.89%, while its power generation performance gradually improved, yielding a final output voltage ranging from 370 to 420mV. The microbial community within the reactor comprised diverse electricity-producing bacteria and AnAOB. This study highlights the excellent denitrification and power generation potential of Anammox AFB-MFC under low energy consumption conditions and provides theoretical groundwork for the practical implementation of Anammox.

Effect of three-volt moxibustion with helium-neon laser irradiation on quality of care in patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis

BACKGROUND Lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis is a relatively common orthopedic disease with a high incidence rate. It most commonly occurs in the lumbar 4-5 and lumbar 5-sacral 1 vertebrae, which account for approximately 95% of cases. It mostly occurs in people aged 30-50 years old and greatly affects their quality of life. AIM To determine the effect of triple-voltage acupuncture combined with helium-neon laser irradiation on the quality of care and improvement of symptoms in patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylolisthesis. METHODS In this study, we selected 120 patients with lumbar radiculopathy spondylosis who were treated at our hospital between June 2019 to June 2020. The patients were divided into control and observation groups according to the random number table method, with 60 patients in each group. Patients in the observation group were treated with three-volt moxibustion combined with helium-neon laser irradiation, and those in the control group were treated with lumbar traction. After 1 month of treatment, the lumbar pain scores, lumbar spine motor functions, clinical treatment effects, and nursing satisfaction of the two groups were compared. RESULTS The results showed that acupuncture combined with laser irradiation significantly improved the patients' clinical symptoms, i.e. , reduced their low back pain, significantly lower numerical rating scale pain scores in the observation group than in the control group, and better lumbar spine motility than in the control group, compared to lumbar traction. In addition, they were cared for. The treatment effectiveness rate of the observation group was 95.5%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (81.67%). Satisfaction with care was higher than 90 points in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Our study provides a clinical rationale for the future treatment of patients with lumbar spine disease. However, further extensive research is needed for validation.

Religious Leaders’ Compliance with State Authority: Experimental Evidence from COVID-19 in Pakistan

Abstract A randomized controlled trial in Pakistan tests whether one-on-one engagement with community religious leaders can encourage them to instruct congregants to follow government regulations. Treated religious leaders are 25 percent more likely to comply with government requirements to tell congregants they should wear a mask to prevent COVID transmission when attending prayers. Treatment effects do not depend on the religious content of the message. Effects are driven by respondents who already understand the mechanics of COVID transmission at baseline, suggesting the treatment does not work by correcting basic knowledge about the disease, but rather through a mechanism of persuasion.

Evaluation of acute thrombus regression effect of edoxaban for deep vein thrombosis in patients with cancer: a single-center prospective observational study.

Although there are reports on the recurrence prevention in the chronic phase using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with cancer, acute thrombus regression effect using DOACs has not been assessed. This study aimed to assess the thrombus regression effect of initial treatment using edoxaban for acute lower-extremity DVT in patients with active cancer. In this observational study, among the inpatients with cancer and lower-extremity DVT who underwent initial treatment with edoxaban at our hospital from November 2019 to December 2021, 34 consenting patients were recruited in this study. The quantitative ultrasound thrombus (QUT) score of thrombus volume was calculated at baseline (before administration) and 7-14 days after the start of edoxaban administration, using lower-extremity venous ultrasound to evaluate changes in thrombus volume. The primary and secondary endpoints were the acute thrombus regression effect of edoxaban and the impact of patients' clinical frailty on the thrombus regression effect, respectively. Anticoagulant therapy with edoxaban significantly reduced QUT score (p < 0.001). In addition, regardless of the Clinical Frailty Scale scores, QUT score decreased significantly. Initial treatment with edoxaban was effective for lower-extremity DVT in patients with cancer. In addition, the effect was the same independent of the degree of frailty.