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•K+ cations can tailor the eight-membered ring window size of RHO zeolite to selectively adsorb N2 from CH4 based on their difference in kinetic diameters.•Ion-exchanged degree of K+ ...cations in RHO zeolite can be controlled to obtain greater N2/ CH4 separation performance.•In the PSA simulation, K-RHO zeolite exhibits higher CH4 throughput than ETS-4 owing to higher N2 working capacity of K-RHO zeolite.
Zeolite RHO, a microporous zeolite, has the great possibility for N2/CH4 separation by regulating the size of the eight-membered ring window on the RHO framework. In this work, the ability of ion-exchanged RHO zeolites for N2/CH4 separation is investigated, and a highly nitrogen selectivity adsorbents are developed. RHO samples were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. Alkali metal cations (Na+, K+, Cs+) was used for ion exchange. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms of N2 and CH4 were measured at normal temperature and fitted by the Langmuir equation. The adsorbent selection parameters (S parameters) were calculated based on the working capacity and equilibrium selectivity of N2/CH4, which are used to comprehensively evaluate the selectivity of N2/CH4. The results indicate that the cations have effects on the regulation of the eight-membered ring window. In particularly, K-RHO no.2 sample which is obtained by ion exchange of K+ cations exhibit the best N2/CH4 separation performance, which is a potential nitrogen selective adsorbent. In addition, the product throughputs of RHO and the commercial adsorbent ETS-4 were compared by common PSA simulation process with essentially the same product purity and recovery. The results show that K-RHO no.2 has 36 % higher product throughput than ETS-4, which can compensate for the problem of low N2 working capacity of ETS-4 in industrial application.
6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (PFKFB3) is a crucial regulator of glycolysis that has been implicated in angiogenesis and the development of diverse diseases. However, the functional role and regulatory ...mechanism of PFKFB3 in early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE) remain to be elucidated. According to previous studies, noncoding RNAs play crucial roles in EOPE pathogenesis. The goal of this study was to investigate the functional roles and co-regulatory mechanisms of the metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1)/microRNA (miR)-26/PFKFB3 axis in EOPE. In our study, decreased MALAT1 and PFKFB3 expression in EOPE tissues correlates with endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction. The results of in vitro assays revealed that PFKFB3 regulates the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of ECs by modulating glycolysis. Furthermore, MALAT1 regulates PFKFB3 expression by sponging miR-26a/26b. Finally, MALAT1 knockout reduces EC angiogenesis by inhibiting PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis flux, which is ameliorated by PFKFB3 overexpression. In conclusion, decreased MALAT1 expression in EOPE tissues reduces the glycolysis of ECs in a PFKFB3-dependent manner by sponging miR-26a/26b and inhibits EC proliferation, migration, and tube formation, which may contribute to abnormal angiogenesis in EOPE. Thus, strategies targeting PFKFB3-driven glycolysis may be a promising approach for the treatment of EOPE.
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This study showed that decreased MALAT1 modulates PFKFB3-driven glycolysis through sponge miR-26a/26b in ECs, thus contributing to the abnormal angiogenesis observed in patients with early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE). These findings have improved our understanding of the mechanism of action of the MALAT1/miR-26/PFKFB3 axis in EOPE and provide PFKFB3 as a promising therapeutic target.
This study focused on Asian-Americans who have rarely been studied in previous disaster research and examined their disaster preparedness when they provided caregiving. Using a sample of 4316 ...individuals from the 2017 Federal Emergency Management Agency National Household Survey, linear regressions were performed to investigate racial differences in disaster preparedness of individuals with two types of caregiving responsibilities (i.e., 1) caring for children, and (2) caring for older adults or those with disabilities), as well as how access to preparedness-related information moderated such differences. The results showed that on average individuals who had children in their households reported better disaster preparedness, so did those who provided care for older or disabled family members or friends. But further examination with two-way interaction showed that this finding did not apply to Asians, among whom the caregivers of children were particularly disadvantaged with lower levels of preparedness relative to non-caregivers. Actually, Asian caregivers of children were the most disadvantaged group when compared to either caregivers or and non-caregivers of other races, namely White, African-American, and Native American. In addition, the vulnerability of Asian caregivers of children was magnified when there is a lack of information about how to get better prepared for disasters. The findings highlighted the uniqueness of the Asian population in disaster preparedness, their vulnerability to caregiving responsibilities, and the importance of information access. The findings could guide interventions and programs to serve and engage Asian communities in disaster planning and promote their disaster preparedness and resilience.
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This study examined the age differences in perceived preparedness for the continuation of COVID-19 pandemic; and tested the moderating effects of three types of social support, i.e., ...emotional, financial and instrumental support. Using a sample of 450 adults in Texas, USA from the research project ‘Vulnerability and Resilience to Disasters’ (October 2020 to January 2021), results of multiple linear regressions showed that compared with people aged over sixty-five, those aged eighteen–forty-four perceived a lower level of preparedness for the ongoing COVID-19 and there was no significant difference in perceived preparedness between individuals aged sixty-five+ and those aged forty-five–sixty-four. Receiving emotional and instrumental support was, respectively, more important for people aged sixty-five+ to perceive a better level of preparedness than for those aged eighteen–forty-four and forty-five–sixty-four. The findings highlighted the unique strengths of older adults in COVID-19 preparedness from the life course perspective and the importance of social support in their disaster preparedness. Based on these findings, social workers could incorporate the wisdom and experience of older adults into disaster management and develop age-specific interventions to promote preventive behaviours during future public health disasters.
This study examined how older adults (aged sixty-five+) differed from younger people (aged eighteen–forty-four) and middle-aged adults (aged forty-five–sixty-four) in perceived preparedness for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; and tested how emotional, financial and instrumental support affected the above age differences. Results of multiple linear regressions showed that older adults perceived a higher level of preparedness for the ongoing COVID-19 than younger people, and their preparedness level was not significantly different from that of middle-aged adults. Besides, receiving emotional and instrumental support was, respectively, more pronounced for older adults to get prepared than for younger and middle-aged adults. These findings highlighted the strengths of older adults and the importance of social support in COVID-19 preparedness, which provided some important implications for social work services and programmes during the ongoing pandemic and future public health disasters. First, social workers should appreciate the resources and assets that older adults obtain from life experience and actively incorporate their important lessons and wisdom into disaster preparedness and prevention campaigns. Second, the concept of social support can be emphasised in disaster preparedness education and training programmes, especially for older adults.
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the differences in perceived disaster preparedness between Asian Americans and other major races in the USA, namely, Whites, African Americans and Native ...Americans, and how information-seeking behaviours and self-efficacy (i.e. perceived ability in conducting preparedness behaviours) mediated these racial differences. Data used were from the 2017 National Household Survey conducted by US Federal Emergency Management Agency and included 4,493 respondents. Multiple mediation analysis with percentile and bias-corrected bootstrapping was performed. Results showed that the perceived preparedness level of Asian Americans was lower than that of Whites and Native Americans. Asian Americans’ lower level of self-efficacy explained their disadvantages in perceived disaster preparedness compared with Whites, African Americans and Native Americans. The disadvantages of Asian Americans relative to Native Americans were also attributed to fewer information-seeking behaviours. Based on these findings, disaster-related social work services and intervention strategies can be developed to improve the preparedness mechanisms within the Asian American community and reduce racial disparities in disaster planning.
This article examined how Asian Americans differed in perceived disaster preparedness from Whites, African Americans and Native Americans. In addition, we investigated whether their information-seeking behaviours and self-efficacy (i.e. perceived ability in performing preparedness behaviours) could explain the above racial differences. Based on the results of multiple mediation analysis, the authors found:
• In general, Asian Americans perceived a lower level of preparedness than Whites and Native Americans.
• Asian Americans tended to perceive a lower level of self-efficacy, which may account for their disadvantages in preparedness relative to Whites, African Americans and Native Americans.
• The inadequate preparedness of Asian Americans relative to Native Americans was also attributed to fewer information-seeking behaviour.
These findings enriched the literature on Asian Americans, an underrepresented racial group in disaster research, and provided some implications for disaster social work practice:
• By collaborating with Asian American community organisations, social workers can provide Asian Americans with linguistically and culturally appropriate services that meet their special needs in preparedness-related information seeking.
• By using a transdisciplinary approach, social workers can incorporate self-efficacy enhancement modules into disaster preparedness education for Asian Americans.
Hyperuricemia (HUA) may lead to myocardial cell damage, thereby promoting the occurrence and adverse outcomes of heart diseases. In this review, we discuss the latest clinical research progress, and ...explore the impact of HUA on myocardial damage-related diseases such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and heart failure. We also combined recent findings from basic research to analyze potential mechanisms linking HUA with myocardial injury. In different pathological models (such as direct action of high uric acid on myocardial cells or combined with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model), HUA may cause damage by activating the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome-induced inflammatory response, interfering with cardiac cell energy metabolism, affecting antioxidant defense systems, and stimulating reactive oxygen species production to enhance the oxidative stress response, ultimately resulting in decreased cardiac function. Additionally, we discuss the impact of lowering uric acid intervention therapy and potential safety issues that may arise. However, as the mechanism underlying HUA-induced myocardial injury is poorly defined, further research is warranted to aid in the development novel therapeutic strategies for HUA-related cardiovascular diseases.
Placental angiogenesis disorder and placental dysplasia are important causes of many pregnancy complications. Due to safety and economic benefits, effective treatment strategies are currently ...limited. PFKFB3 is a key regulator of glycolysis that controls angiogenesis through a metabolic pathway independent of genetic signals. In this study, we constructed the nanodrug T-NPPFKFB3 and explored its feasibility to promote angiogenesis and enhance placental function. First, liposomes containing PFKFB3 overexpression plasmids modified by the placental homing peptide CGKRK were synthesized by the thin film method. In vivo experiments revealed that T-NPPFKFB3 injected intravenously specifically accumulated in the mouse placenta and therein upregulated the expression of PFKFB3 without affecting its expression in other important organs. In addition, T-NPPFKFB3 promoted placental angiogenesis and increased the fetal and placental weights of the mice. Finally, we evaluated the safety of T-NPPFKFB3. The expression levels of ALS/AST/BUN in the sera of pregnant mice were not significantly different from those in the sera of control group mice. However, T-NPPFKFB3 did not cause obvious fetal abnormalities or alter the average litter size. In conclusion, T-NPPFKFB3 can specifically target the placenta, promote angiogenesis, and enhance placental function without obvious side effects. Therefore, it has potential as a new strategy for the treatment of pregnancy complications.
AbstractThis study investigated how disaster types, namely those with shorter and longer warning lead times, contextualized individuals’ preparatory actions, especially those associated with their ...response efficacy perception (i.e., the belief that preparations are effective in risk reduction) and age. The working sample included 1,304 respondents from the 2017 US National Household Survey. Logistic regressions showed that individuals with higher levels of response efficacy perception were more likely to prepare after learning information about how to prepare. Respondents in areas prone to short lead-time disasters were less likely to prepare than those in areas exposed to longer lead-time disasters. Response efficacy perception was more important for taking action to prepare for short lead-time disasters, which was observed only among older adults but not among younger adults. These findings revealed the impacts of disaster types and response efficacy perception on disaster preparedness and older adults’ unique vulnerability and resilience, which could guide policymaking and interventions to promote national disaster preparedness tailored to regional peculiarities.
This research was conducted to test the direct effect of cultural capital and indirect effect of meaning making on depression among Chinese older adults in bereavement living in rural area. A sample ...of 352 older adults participated in this research. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to secure the construct validity of cultural capital, and path analysis with multiple mediators was run to investigate the mediation model including cultural capital, depression, meaning making, and meaning making squared. Meaning making and it squared form (a high level of meaning making) were mediators in the direct relationship cultural capital and depression. The results revealed a significantly positive indirect effect of cultural capital on depression through meaning making and a significantly negative indirect effect through the square of meaning making. The direct effect of cultural capital on depression did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggested a full mediating role of high quality of meaning making. Enhancing the levels of cultural capital and meaning making by means of education programs was recommended, since Chinese traditional culture has features in helping the widowed older adults adapt to the death of their partners.
This study examined the age differences in perceived and actual preparedness for a pandemic, the latent classes of preparation information, and the moderating effect of class membership on the age ...differences observed. Latent class analysis, logistic regression, and Poisson regression were performed based on a sample of 6305 adults from FEMA's 2021 National Household Survey. Four classes were identified concerning disaster preparation information received: class 1 “Insufficient information”, class 2 “Information emphasizing disaster preparedness”, class 3 “Information emphasizing disease preparedness”, and class 4 “Comprehensive information”. Results showed that older adults perceived to be better prepared for a pandemic but engaged in fewer actual preparations relative to younger adults. Compared to people in the “Information emphasizing disease preparedness” class, those in the “Information emphasizing disaster preparedness” class and “Comprehensive information” class were more likely to take actual preparations for a pandemic; When people got older, such gaps increased significantly. These findings highlighted the life course differences in pandemic preparedness and the impacts of different preparation information strategies, which provided important implications for disaster preparedness education and communication campaigns.
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