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Journal International de Bioethique Et... 2024The idea of collaborative governance is gaining popularity. However, how can it be truly collaborative? Decision-making systems with diverse stakeholders must deal with...
The idea of collaborative governance is gaining popularity. However, how can it be truly collaborative? Decision-making systems with diverse stakeholders must deal with different positions, roles, interests, missions, observations, and values. The co P·R·I·M·O·V (Position, Role, Interest, Mission, Observation, Values) bioethics tool aims to improve the practice of sustainable, collaborative, and democratic development of technosocial initiatives through its user-friendly format for professional ethicists. The tool follows the logic of Conflict of Interest (CoI) analysis used in organizational ethics frameworks. CoI, as an analytical unit in ethics, allows the anticipation and management of problems that may compromise the short- and long-term activities of a program and its governance. This tool was built on a case study for the implementation of monitoring of antibiotic use in animal health in Quebec, Canada. The use of this bioethics tool is strategic and can help negotiate positions and thus co-construct a common frame of reference between the stakeholders in view of a collaborative governance favoring cooperation.
Topics: Humans; Bioethics; Ethicists; Canada; Quebec
PubMed: 38423970
DOI: 10.3917/jibes.343.0103 -
Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi =... Feb 2024Parkinson's disease patients have early vocal cord damage, and their voiceprint characteristics differ significantly from those of healthy individuals, which can be used...
Parkinson's disease patients have early vocal cord damage, and their voiceprint characteristics differ significantly from those of healthy individuals, which can be used to identify Parkinson's disease. However, the samples of the voiceprint dataset of Parkinson's disease patients are insufficient, so this paper proposes a double self-attention deep convolutional generative adversarial network model for sample enhancement to generate high-resolution spectrograms, based on which deep learning is used to recognize Parkinson's disease. This model improves the texture clarity of samples by increasing network depth and combining gradient penalty and spectral normalization techniques, and a family of pure convolutional neural networks (ConvNeXt) classification network based on Transfer learning is constructed to extract voiceprint features and classify them, which improves the accuracy of Parkinson's disease recognition. The validation experiments of the effectiveness of this paper's algorithm are carried out on the Parkinson's disease speech dataset. Compared with the pre-sample enhancement, the clarity of the samples generated by the proposed model in this paper as well as the Fréchet inception distance (FID) are improved, and the network model in this paper is able to achieve an accuracy of 98.8%. The results of this paper show that the Parkinson's disease recognition algorithm based on double self-attention deep convolutional generative adversarial network sample enhancement can accurately distinguish between healthy individuals and Parkinson's disease patients, which helps to solve the problem of insufficient samples for early recognition of voiceprint data in Parkinson's disease. In summary, the method effectively improves the classification accuracy of small-sample Parkinson's disease speech dataset and provides an effective solution idea for early Parkinson's disease speech diagnosis.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Algorithms; Neural Networks, Computer; Recognition, Psychology; Speech
PubMed: 38403600
DOI: 10.7507/1001-5515.202304011 -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Jan 2024This study investigated the effect of trametenolic acid(TA) on the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2.2.15 cells by using Ras homolog gene...
This study investigated the effect of trametenolic acid(TA) on the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2.2.15 cells by using Ras homolog gene family member C(RhoC) as the target and probed into the mechanism, aiming to provide a basis for the utilization of TA. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was employed to examine the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells exposed to TA, and scratch and Transwell assays to examine the cell migration and invasion. The pull down assay was employed to determine the impact of TA on RhoC GTPase activity. Western blot was employed to measure the effect of TA on the transport of RhoC from cytoplasm to cell membrane and the expression of RhoC/Rho-associated kinase 1(ROCK1)/myosin light chain(MLC)/matrix metalloprotease 2(MMP2)/MMP9 pathway-related proteins. RhoC was over-expressed by transient transfection of pcDNA3.1-RhoC. The changes of F-actin in the cytoskeleton were detected by Laser confocal microscopy. In addition, the changes of cell migration and invasion, expression of proteins in the RhoC/ROCK1/MLC/MMP2/MMP9 pathway, and RhoC GTPase activity were detected. The subcutaneously transplanted tumor model of BALB/c nude mice and the low-, medium-, and high-dose(40, 80, and 120 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) TA groups were established and sorafenib(20 mg·kg~(-1)) was used as the positive control. The tumor volume and weight in each group were measured, and the expression of related proteins in the tumor tissue was determined by Western blot. The results showed that TA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with the IC_(50) of 66.65 and 23.09 μmol·L~(-1) at the time points of 24 and 48 h, respectively. The drug administration groups had small tumors with low mass. The tumor inhibition rates of sorafenib and low-, medium-and high-dose TA were 62.23%, 26.48%, 55.45%, and 62.36%, respectively. TA reduced migrating and invading cells and inhibited RhoC protein expression and RhoC GTPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, dramatically reducing RhoC and membrane-bound RhoC GTPase. The expression of ROCK1, MLC, p-MLC, MMP2, and MMP9 downstream of RhoC can be significantly inhibited by TA, as confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. After HepG2.2.15 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-RhoC to overexpress RhoC, TA down-regulated the protein levels of RhoC, ROCK1, MLC, p-MLC, MMP2, and MMP9 and decreased the activity of RhoC GTPase, with the inhibition level comparable to that before overexpression. In summary, TA can inhibit the migration and invasion of HepG2.2.15 cells. It can inhibit the RhoC/ROCK1/MLC/MMP2/MMP9 signaling pathway by suppressing RhoC GTPase activity and down-regulating RhoC expression. This study provides a new idea for the development of autophagy modulators targeting HSP90α to block the proliferation and inhibit the invasion and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via multiple targets of active components in traditional Chinese medicines.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; rhoC GTP-Binding Protein; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; rho GTP-Binding Proteins; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; rho-Associated Kinases; Sorafenib; Mice, Nude; Liver Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation
PubMed: 38403351
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20230914.703 -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Jan 2024The theory of kidney storing essence storage, an important part of the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), comes from the Chapter 9 Discussion on...
The theory of kidney storing essence storage, an important part of the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), comes from the Chapter 9 Discussion on Six-Plus-Six System and the Manifestations of the Viscera in the Plain Questions, which says that "the kidney manages closure and is the root of storage and the house of Jing(Essence)". According to this theory, essence is the fundamental substance of human life activities and it is closely related to the growth and development of the human body. Alzheimer's disease(AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases, with the main pathological features of Aβ deposition and Tau phosphorylation, which activate neurotoxic reactions and eventually lead to neuronal dysfunction and cell death, severely impairing the patient's cognitive and memory functions. Although research results have been achieved in the TCM treatment of AD, the complex pathogenesis of AD makes it difficult to develop the drugs capable of curing AD. The stem cell therapy is an important method to promote self-repair and regeneration, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) as adult stem cells have the ability of multi-directional differentiation. By reviewing the relevant literature, this paper discusses the association between BMSCs and the TCM theory of kidney storing essence, and expounds the material basis of this theory from the perspective of molecular biology. Studies have shown that TCM with the effect of tonifying the kidney in the treatment of AD are associated with BMSCs. Exosomes produced by such cells are one of the main substances affecting AD. Exosomes containing nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids can participate in intercellular communication, regulate cell function, and affect AD by reducing Aβ deposition, inhibiting Tau protein phosphorylation and neuroinflammation, and promoting neuronal regeneration. Therefore, discussing the prevention and treatment of exosomes and AD based on the theory of kidney storing essence will provide a new research idea for the TCM treatment of AD.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Alzheimer Disease; Exosomes; Kidney; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Neurons
PubMed: 38403338
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20231009.401 -
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo... Jan 2024Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations in medical institutions, as a unique and important form of preparations in China, have a long history of human use and...
[Pharmaceutical changes and countermeasures for transformation of traditional Chinese medicine preparations in medical institutions into new drugs based on human use experience].
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparations in medical institutions, as a unique and important form of preparations in China, have a long history of human use and serve as a bridge between clinical experience prescriptions and new Chinese medicine preparations. The state encourages medical institutions to transform their preparations into new traditional Chinese medicines, emphasizing their role as "incubators". Since the proposal of the traditional Chinese medicine registration and evaluation evidence system with the integration of TCM theory, human use experience(HUE), and clinical experience, the idea of transforming preparations used in medical institutions into new drugs based on HUE has been increasingly valued by drug research and development organizations. In the transformation process, pharmaceutical changes should be concerned from multiple aspects. This paper discusses the pharmaceutical changes and countermeasures based on the transformation of traditional Chinese medicine preparations in medical institutions into new drugs based on HUE from the aspects of excipients, dosage forms, production technology, production scale, packaging materials and containers, production sites, and registration standards. It is emphasized that scientific decisions should be made according to the characteristics and clinical needs of drugs to ensure the stability of drug quality. The impacts of pharmaceutical changes on drug quality should be objectively assessed based on appropriate evaluation indexes and detection methods. The layout should be carried out in advance, and the key pharmaceutical information of the preparations should be kept stable, so as to underpin the transformation of traditional Chinese medicine preparations in medical institutions into new drugs based on HUE.
Topics: Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Reference Standards; Quality Control; Drug Compounding; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 38403331
DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20231113.302 -
Gaceta Sanitaria Feb 2024To analyse the perceptions and experiences of young people in Spain about sexual violence (SV), its possible causes, victims and perpetrators..
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the perceptions and experiences of young people in Spain about sexual violence (SV), its possible causes, victims and perpetrators..
METHOD
Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 22 young people between 18 and 24 years old. A qualitative content analysis was carried out.
RESULTS
In the juvenile narratives, the lack of definition and accuracy about what SV is stands out, except for mentioning rape, lack of consent and use of force in sexual relations. The girls, self-perceived as the main victims, also break with these narratives by providing a broader vision and gender inequalities related. In general, the most prevailed idea is that VS is perpetrated by men against women in heterosexual relationships inside and outside the couple. Regarding explanations, references coexist to both contextual factors (linked to gender inequalities and the social construction of sexual relationships) and behavioural factors (which includes the viewing of pornography). Tentatively proposals for improvement related to sexual and affective education emerge.
CONCLUSIONS
In the perceptions of the young people, ambiguity seems to coexist with explicit references to the different ways in which it manifests itself and the influence of gender inequalities. Sex and life experience appear to influence these narratives. It is necessary to promote a more critical perspective on the social construction of SV and intimate relationships in the young population.
PubMed: 38401370
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2024.102371 -
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology... Feb 2024As a rule, an experiment carried out at school or in undergraduate study courses is rather simple and not very informative. However, when the experiments are to be...
As a rule, an experiment carried out at school or in undergraduate study courses is rather simple and not very informative. However, when the experiments are to be performed using modern methods, they are often abstract and difficult to understand. Here, we describe a quick and simple experiment, namely the enzymatic characterization of ptyalin (human salivary amylase) using a starch degradation assay. With the experimental setup presented here, enzyme parameters, such as pH optimum, temperature optimum, chloride dependence, and sensitivity to certain chemicals can be easily determined. This experiment can serve as a good model for enzyme characterization in general, as modern methods usually follow the same principle: determination of the activity of the enzyme under different conditions. As different alleles occur in humans, a random selection of test subjects will be quite different with regard to ptyalin activities. Therefore, when the students measure their own ptyalin activity, significant differences will emerge, and this will give them an idea of the genetic diversity in human populations. The evaluation has shown that the pupils have gained a solid understanding of the topic through this experiment.
PubMed: 38400823
DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21825 -
Neuropsychologia Apr 2024Embodied cognition theories predict a functional involvement of sensorimotor processes in language understanding. In a preregistered experiment, we tested this idea by...
Embodied cognition theories predict a functional involvement of sensorimotor processes in language understanding. In a preregistered experiment, we tested this idea by investigating whether interfering with primary motor cortex (M1) activation can change how people construe meaning from action language. Participants were presented with sentences describing actions (e.g., "turning off the light") and asked to choose between two interpretations of their meaning, one more concrete (e.g., "flipping a switch") and another more abstract (e.g., "going to sleep"). Prior to this task, participants' M1 was disrupted using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The results yielded strong evidence against the idea that M1-rTMS affects meaning construction (BF > 30). Additional analyses and control experiments suggest that the absence of effect cannot be accounted for by failure to inhibit M1, lack of construct validity of the task, or lack of power to detect a small effect. In sum, these results do not support a causal role for primary motor cortex in building meaning from action language.
Topics: Humans; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Motor Cortex; Language; Cognition
PubMed: 38395339
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108832 -
Zhongguo Yi Liao Qi Xie Za Zhi =... Jan 2024Through the effective application of (EP), to continuously improve the corresponding management tools to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical device in the...
Through the effective application of (EP), to continuously improve the corresponding management tools to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medical device in the quality management system, risk management system, evaluation of safety and effectiveness for the supervision departments and manufacturers. The current status of the application of EP and the application issues are analyzed in the study. Take artificial joint products for example, the idea of using EP in quality management system, risk management system and evaluation of safety and effectiveness is investigated, and several thoughts are proposed. Supervision departments should strengthen the unified understanding of EP, develop requirements according to the classification of medical device,and refine specific execution requirements.
Topics: Risk Management; Equipment and Supplies
PubMed: 38384222
DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-7104.230072 -
IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis... Aug 2024As an effective technique to extend the depth-of-field (DOF) of optical lenses, multi-focus image fusion has recently become an active topic in image processing...
As an effective technique to extend the depth-of-field (DOF) of optical lenses, multi-focus image fusion has recently become an active topic in image processing community. However, a major problem remaining unsolved in this field is the lack of universal criteria in selecting objective evaluation metrics. Consequently, the metrics utilized in different studies often vary significantly, leading to high difficulties in achieving unbiased evaluation. To address this problem, this paper proposes a statistic-based approach for verifying the effectiveness of objective metrics in multi-focus image fusion. The core idea is to adopt statistical correlation measures to evaluate the performance consistency between a certain fusion metric and some popular full-reference image quality assessment models. In addition, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based fusion metric is presented to measure the similarity between the source images and the fused image based on the semantic features at multiple abstraction levels. A comparative study is conducted to evaluate 20 existing fusion metrics using the proposed statistic-based approach on a large-scale, realistic and with-ground-truth multi-focus image fusion dataset recently released. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach in evaluating the effectiveness of objective metrics and the advantage of our CNN-based metric.
PubMed: 38376964
DOI: 10.1109/TPAMI.2024.3367905