High-sensitivity C-reactive protein to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio predicts long-term adverse outcomes in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention: A prospective cohort study.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (CHR) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), but its predictive value for long-term adverse outcomes in patients with CAD following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unexplored and is the subject of this study. Patients with CAD who underwent PCI at the Korea University Guro Hospital-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (KUGH-PCI) Registry since 2004 were included. Patients were categorized into tertiles according to their CHR. The end points were all-cause mortality (ACM), cardiac mortality (CM) and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariate Cox regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and sensitivity analyses were performed. A total of 3260 patients were included and divided into Group 1 (CHR <0.830, N = 1089), Group 2 (CHR = 0.830-3.782, N = 1085) and Group 3 (CHR >3.782, N = 1086). Higher CHR tertiles were associated with progressively greater risks of ACM, CM and MACEs (log-rank, p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression showed that patients in the highest tertile had greater risks of ACM (HR: 2.127 [1.452-3.117]), CM (HR: 3.575 [1.938-6.593]) and MACEs (HR: 1.337 [1.089-1.641]) than those in the lowest tertile. RCS analyses did not reveal a significant non-linear relationship between CHR and ACM, CM or MACEs. The significant associations remained significant in the sensitivity analyses, RCS analyses with or without extreme values, subgroup analyses and multiple imputations for missing data. Elevated CHR is a novel, independent risk factor for long-term ACM, CM and MACEs in CAD patients following PCI.

Meta-analysis and systematic review of the relationship between sex and the risk or incidence of poststroke aphasia and its types.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and discuss the association of gender differences with the risk and incidence of poststroke aphasia (PSA) and its types, and to provide evidence-based guidance for the prevention and treatment of poststroke aphasia in clinical practice. DATA SOURCES: Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from January 1, 2002, to December 1, 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Including the total number of strokes, aphasia, the number of different sexes or the number of PSA corresponding to different sex. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies with missing data, aphasia caused by nonstroke and noncompliance with the requirements of literature types were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: 36 papers were included, from 19 countries. The analysis of 168,259 patients with stroke and 31,058 patients with PSA showed that the risk of PSA was 1.23 times higher in female than in male (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.19-1.29, P < 0.001), with a prevalence of PSA of 31% in men and 36% in women, and an overall prevalence of 34% (P < 0.001). Analysis of the risk of the different types of aphasia in 1,048 patients with PSA showed a high risk in females for global, broca and Wenicke aphasia, and a high risk in males for anomic, conductive and transcortical aphasia, which was not statistically significant by meta-analysis. The incidence of global aphasia (males vs. females, 29% vs. 32%) and broca aphasia (17% vs 19%) were higher in females, and anomic aphasia (19% vs 14%) was higher in males, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in the incidence and types of PSA. The risk of PSA in female is higher than that in male.

Expression analysis and antiviral activity of koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) viperin against carp edema virus (CEV).

Viperin, also known as radical S-Adenosyl methionine domain containing 2 (RSAD2), is an IFN stimulated protein that plays crucial roles in innate immunity. Here, we identified a viperin gene from the koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) (kVip). The ORF of kVip is 1047 bp in length, encoding a polypeptide of 348 amino acids with neither signal peptide nor transmembrane protein. The predicted molecular weight is 40.37 kDa and the isoelectric point is 7.7. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that putative kVip contains a radical SAM superfamily domain and a conserved C-terminal region. kVip was highly expressed in the skin and spleen of healthy koi carps, and significantly stimulated in both natural and artificial CEV-infected koi carps. In vitro immune stimulation analysis showed that both extracellular and intracellular poly (I: C) or poly (dA: dT) caused a significant increase in kVip expression of spleen cells. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of recombinant kVip (rkVip) not only reduced the CEV load in the gills, but also improved the survival of koi carps following CEV challenge. Additionally, rkVip administration effectively regulated inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-10) and interferon-related molecules (cGAS, STING, MyD88, IFN-γ, IFN-α, IRF3 and IRF9). Collectively, kVip effectively responded to CEV infection and exerted antiviral function against CEV partially by regulation of inflammatory and interferon responses.

Miro1 improves the exogenous engraftment efficiency and therapeutic potential of mitochondria transfer using Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells.

Mitochondria are important for maintaining cellular energy metabolism and regulating cellular senescence. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes subunits of the OXPHOS complexes which are essential for cellular respiration and energy production. Meanwhile, mtDNA variants have been associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including MELAS, for which no effective treatment has been developed. To alleviate the pathological conditions involved in mitochondrial disorders, mitochondria transfer therapy has shown promise. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) have been identified as suitable mitochondria donors for mitochondria-defective cells, wherein mitochondrial functions can be rescued. Miro1 participates in mitochondria trafficking by anchoring mitochondria to microtubules. In this study, we identified Miro1 over-expression as a factor that could help to enhance the efficiency of mitochondrial delivery. More specifically, we reveal that Miro1 over-expressed WJMSCs significantly improved intercellular communications, cell proliferation rates, and mitochondrial membrane potential, while restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics in mitochondria-defective fibroblasts. Furthermore, Miro1 over-expressed WJMSCs decreased rates of induced apoptosis and ROS production in MELAS fibroblasts; although, Miro1 over-expression did not rescue mtDNA mutation ratios nor mitochondrial biogenesis. This study presents a potentially novel therapeutic strategy for treating mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and other diseases associated with dysfunctional mitochondria, while the pathophysiological relevance of our results should be further verified by animal models and clinical studies.

Effects of intensive glycemic control on microvascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus are modified by long-term HbA1c variability: A post hoc analysis of the ACCORD trial.

AIMS: To assess the impact of long-term visit-to-visit variability in HbA1c on microvascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its influence on the effects of intensive glycemic control. METHODS: Included were participants with T2DM enrolled in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) who had at least three measurements of HbA1c prior to new-onset microvascular outcomes, namely nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy. Variability in HbA1c was defined as the coefficient of variation (CV) across HbA1c measurements obtained from enrollment to the transition from intensive to standard glycemic therapy. RESULTS: During a median of 22,005, 23,121, and 13,080 person-years of follow-up, 2,905 nephropathy, 2,655 retinopathy, and 1,974 neuropathy cases were recorded, respectively. Median CV (IQR) was 7.91 % (5.66 %-10.76 %) in the standard treatment group and 9.79 % (7.32 %-13.35 %) in the intensive treatment group. In the standard treatment group, lower HbA1c-CV (the first versus the second quartile) was associated with a higher risk of all microvascular outcomes, while higher HbA1c-CV (the fourth quartile) was associated with a higher risk of nephropathy only. In the intensive treatment group, only higher HbA1c-CV was associated with a higher risk of developing the microvascular outcomes. Intensive therapy reduced all microvascular outcomes among individuals with lower HbA1c-CV, but increased the risk among those with the highest HbA1c-CV (all P values for interaction < 0.0001). For example, hazard ratios (95 % CI) of retinopathy comparing intensive with standard treatments were 0.65 (0.56-0.75), 0.84 (0.71-0.98), 0.97 (0.82-1.14) and 1.28 (1.08-1.53) across the lowest to the highest quartiles of HbA1c variability. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of intensive glycemic control on microvascular outcomes in T2DM appear to be modified by the variability of HbA1c during the treatment process, suggesting the significance of dynamic monitoring of HbA1c levels and timely adjustments to the therapeutic strategy among individuals with a high HbA1c variability.

Chiral nanopesticides: the invincible opponent of plant viruses.

Viral diseases of plants are exceptionally difficult to control in agriculture production. Recently, Gao et al. discovered that engineered site-selective nanoparticles (NPs), incorporating metal ion-based proteolytic activity and nanoscale chirality, can be used as potent, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly antiviral agents to kill plant viruses.

Risk factors for renal outcomes in children with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a nationwide retrospective study in China.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a life-threatening systemic vasculitis featured by liability to renal involvement. However, there are few studies on the risk factors and predictive models for renal outcomes of AAV in children. METHODS: Data from 179 AAV children in multiple centers between January 2012 and March 2020 were collected retrospectively. The risk factors and predictive model of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in AAV were explored. RESULTS: Renal involvement was the most typical manifestation (95.5%), and the crescent was the predominant pathological lesion (84.9%). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was evaluated in 114 patients, of whom 59.6% developed ESRD, and the median time to ESRD was 3.20 months. The eGFR [P = 0.006, odds ratio (OR) = 0.955, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.924-0.987] and the percentages of global glomerulosclerosis (pGGS; P = 0.018, OR = 1.060, 95% CI = 1.010-1.112) were independent risk factors for ESRD of renal biopsy. Based on the pGGS and eGFR at renal biopsy, we developed three risk grades of ESRD and one predictive model. The Kaplan‒Meier curve indicated that renal outcomes were significantly different in different risk grades (P < 0.001). Compared with serum creatinine at baseline, the predictive model had higher accuracy (0.86 versus 0.58, P < 0.001) and a lower coefficient of variation (0.07 versus 0.92) in external validation. CONCLUSIONS: Renal involvement is the most common manifestation of pediatric AAV in China, of which more than half deteriorates into ESRD. The predictive model based on eGFR at renal biopsy and the pGGS may be stable and accurate in speculating the risk of ESRD in AAV children. Supplementary file 2 (MP4 18937 KB).

Diagnostic performance of renal cortical elasticity by supersonic shear wave imaging in pediatric glomerular disease.

PURPOSE: To explore the diagnostic performance of renal cortical elasticity expressed by Young's modulus (YM) using the supersonic shear wave imaging (SSI) technique in pediatric glomerular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-one children with glomerular disease confirmed by renal biopsy and sixty healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Conventional and SSI ultrasound examinations were performed in all individuals for both kidneys. We measured renal length, renal width, renal thickness, parenchyma thickness, interlobar arterial resistive index (RI) and the YM of the middle and lower pole. RESULTS: Regardless of which pole and which side of the kidney, the YM in the disease group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). The YM of the middle pole in the left kidney demonstrated the largest AUC (0.936, P < 0.001), and the corresponding cut-off value was 15.48 kPa with a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 86.7%. There was no significant difference in the YM among different pathological types of pediatric glomerular disease in the disease group, and the same in different grades of patients with Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy by Lee classification and the Oxford Classification as well as Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) by International Study of Kidney Disease in Children (ISKDC) classification (P > 0.05). We found positive but weak correlations between the YM and renal length (r = 0.299, P = 0.001), renal width (r = 0.408, P < 0.001), renal thickness (r = 0.299, P = 0.001), and parenchyma thickness (r = 0.212, P = 0.015), whereas the YM had no significant correlations with age, sex, BMI, interlobar arterial RI, and laboratory findings (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SSI technology is a non-invasive and feasible method for the diagnosis of pediatric glomerular disease. However, SSI did not show good performance in distinguishing different pathological types and disease grades in our study.

[Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Troposphere O3 and Precursors HCHO and NO2 in East China].

Based on OMI remote sensing satellite data, the temporal and spatial characteristics of tropospheric ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations in East China from 2005 to 2021 were analyzed, and the backward trajectory (HYSPLIT) model was used to explore their sources. The results showed that ① during the 17 years, the tropospheric O3 concentration steadily increased, reached the maximum value in 2010, and then showed a fluctuating and undulating state. NO2 showed an increasing trend from 2005 to 2012 and slowly decreased from 2012 to 2021. The average HCHO concentration showed an increasing trend from 1.15×1016molec·cm-2 in 2005 to 1.8×1016 molec·cm-2 in 2021. ② In terms of spatial characteristics, the concentrations of the three pollutants generally showed a pattern of high concentration in the north and low concentration in the south, with a high concentration in the north, uncharacteristic concentration in the middle, and low concentration in the south. ③ The sensitivity of O3 was as follows:η<2.3 in spring, which belonged to the VOCs control area; η<4.2 in summer, showing that most areas were NOx-VOCs coordinated control areas and a few areas were VOCs control areas; η<4.2 in autumn, which was primarily controlled by VOCs, with a few of them being NOx-VOC synergistic control areas; and η<2.3 in winter, which was a VOCs-controlled area. VOCs were primarily controlled in Shandong Province. ④ Owing to the high concentration of O3 in Shandong Province from 2005 to 2021, Jinan, the capital city of Shandong Province in 2021, was selected for ozone source analysis. The O3 concentration increased in Jinan in 2021 owing to two aspects. First, the long-distance air transportation primarily originated from Lianyungang City in Jiangsu Province and Cangzhou City in Hebei Province. Second, the close air mass transport originated from the pollution of cities near Jinan and the economic zones of the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, and the aggregation analysis results corresponded with those of the potential source contribution factor algorithm (PSCF) and the weighted trajectory analysis (CWT).

Correlation between dysphagia and serum albumin levels and prognosis: a retrospective study.

Introduction: Introduction: dysphagia is a common complication of stroke, and serum albumin is widely recognized as a strong prognostic marker of health and/or disease status. However, the correlation between dysphagia and serum albumin levels has not been established. Objectives: to observe the correlation between dysphagia and serum albumin levels and prognosis in patients with stroke. Methods: we performed a retrospective study of patients hospitalized between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2022. A total of 1,370 patients were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: dysphagia and non-dysphagia. Binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the correlation between dysphagia, albumin, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), activities of daily living (ADL), and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of pneumonia in the dysphagia group was 2.417 times higher than that in the non-dysphagia group (OR = 2.417, 95 % CI: 1.902-3.072, p = 0.000). The risk of mRS ≥ 3 and modified Barthel index (MBI) < 60 in patients with dysphagia was 3.272-fold (OR = 3.272, 95 % CI: 2.508-4.269, p < 0.001) and 1.670-fold (OR = 1.670, 95 % CI: 1.230-2.268, p < 0.001), respectively; and the risk of hypoproteinemia was 2.533 times higher (OR = 2.533, 95 % CI: 1.879-3.414, p = 0.000). Stepwise linear regression showed that dysphagia was significantly correlated with lower albumin levels and higher mRS, lower ADL, and longer LOS in patients with stroke (ß = -0.220, ß = 0.265, ß = -0.210, and ß = 0.147, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: dysphagia in patients with stroke is associated with decreased albumin levels and has an impact on its prognosis.

Introducción: Introducción: la disfagia es una complicación común del accidente cerebrovascular, y la albúmina sérica es ampliamente reconocida como un fuerte marcador pronóstico del estado de salud y/o enfermedad. Sin embargo, no se ha establecido la correlación entre la disfagia y los niveles de albúmina sérica. Objetivos: observar la correlación entre la disfagia y los niveles de albúmina sérica y el pronóstico en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular. Métodos: realizamos un estudio retrospectivo de pacientes hospitalizados entre el 1 de junio de 2018 y el 1 de junio de 2022. Se inscribieron un total de 1.370 pacientes, los cuales fueron divididos en dos grupos: con disfagia y sin disfagia. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión logística binaria y de regresión lineal múltiple para analizar la correlación entre la disfagia, la albúmina, la escala de Rankin modificada (ERm), las actividades de la vida diaria (AVD) y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (TEH). Resultados: después de ajustar por factores de confusión, el riesgo de neumonía en el grupo de disfagia fue 2,417 veces mayor que en el grupo sin disfagia (OR = 2,417, IC 95 %: 1,902-3,072, p = 0,000). El riesgo de ERm ≥ 3 y el índice de Barthel modificado (MBI) < 60 en pacientes con disfagia se multiplicó por 3,272 veces (OR = 3,272, IC 95 %: 2,508-4,269, p < 0,001) y 1,670 veces (OR = 1,670, IC 95 %: 1,230-2,268, p < 0,001), respectivamente; el riesgo de hipoproteinemia fue 2,533 veces mayor (OR = 2,533, IC 95 %: 1,879-3,414, p = 0,000). La regresión lineal por pasos mostró que la disfagia se correlacionó significativamente con niveles más bajos de albúmina y ERm más altos, AVD más bajos y TEH más prolongados en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular (ß = -0,220, ß = 0,265, ß = -0,210 y ß = 0,147, respectivamente; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la disfagia en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular se asocia a una disminución de los niveles de albúmina y repercute en su pronóstico.

Effect of breathing exercises on oxidative stress biomarkers in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Breathing exercises improve oxidative stress in healthy young adults and patients with diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, the mechanism of respiratory intervention is controversial. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of breathing exercises on oxidative stress biomarkers in humans and provide evidence for the clinical application of breathing exercises. Methods: The Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG databases were searched for studies about the effects of breathing exercises on human oxidative stress levels, with no restraints regarding time, race, or language. The experimental group included various breathing exercises, and the outcome index included malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione, nitric oxide, vitamin C, or total antioxidant capacity levels from a randomized controlled trial. Data were extracted by more than two authors and reviewed by one author. Results: Ten studies were included from five countries. Data from patients with no disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, or diabetes were included. Participants who performed breathing exercises had greater changes in the included biomarkers than those who did not, suggesting that these biomarkers can be used to evaluate oxidative stress after respiratory interventions. Conclusion: Breathing exercises increased SOD and GSH activities and decreased MDA content. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022337119, identifier CRD42022337119.

Presbyphagia: Dysphagia in the elderly.

Dysphagia has been classified as a "geriatric syndrome" and can lead to serious complications that result in a tremendous burden on population health and healthcare resources worldwide. A characteristic age-related change in swallowing is defined as "presbyphagia." Medical imaging has shown some changes that seriously affect the safety and efficacy of swallowing. However, there is a general lack of awareness of the effects of aging on swallowing function and a belief that these changes are part of normal aging. Our review provides an overview of presbyphagia, which has been a neglected health problem for a long time. Attention and awareness of dysphagia in the elderly population should be strengthened, and targeted intervention measures should be actively implemented.

Direct Hydroxylarylation of Benzylic Carbons (sp3/sp2/sp) via Radical-Radical Cross-Coupling Powered by Paired Electrolysis.

Diaryl alcohol moieties are widespread in pharmaceuticals. Existing methods for the synthesis of diaryl alcohols require the use of pre-functionalized benzylic alcohols, aromatic aldehydes, or ketones as starting materials. Herein, the first convergent paired electrochemical approach to the direct hydroxylarylation of unactivated benzylic carbons (sp3/sp2/sp) is proposed. This protocol features direct functionalization of unactivated benzylic C(sp3)-H bonds and benzylic sp2/sp-carbons, mild conditions (open air, room temperature), an environmentally friendly procedure (without any external catalyst/mediator/additive), and direct access to sterically hindered alcohols from inexpensive and readily available alkyl/alkenyl/alkynylbenzenes. Mechanistic studies, including divided-cell experiments, isotope labeling, radical trapping, electron paramagnetic resonance, reaction kinetics, and cyclic voltammetry, strongly support the proposed radical-radical cross-coupling between transient ketyl radicals and persistent radical anions. Gram-scale synthesis and diversification of drug derivatives have visualized the tremendous potential of this protocol for practical applications.

Impact of delayed veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning on postoperative rehabilitation of lung transplantation: a single-center comparative study.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is a reliable and effective extracorporeal life support during lung transplantation (LTx). However, the clinical benefit of delayed VV-ECMO weaning remains unclear. The current study aims to investigate whether delayed weaning of VV-ECMO is more beneficial to the rehabilitation for lung transplant patients. Patients who underwent LTx with VV-ECMO between January 2017 and January 2019 were included. Enrollment of patients was suitable for weaning off ECMO immediately after surgery. Randomization was performed in the operating room. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Besides, univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate risk of postoperative complications. Compared to VV-ECMO weaning immediately after LTx, delayed weaning was associated with shorter hospital length of stay (days, 31 vs. 46; P < 0.05), lower incidence of noninvasive ventilation (4.3% vs. 24.4%; P < 0.05), primary graft dysfunction (PGD) (6.4% vs. 29.3%; P < 0.05), atrial fibrillation (AF) (4.3% vs. 22%, P < 0.05), and respiratory failure (4.3% vs. 19.5%; P < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regressions revealed that VV-ECMO weaning after LTx was independently correlated with increased risk of developing PGD [odds ratio (OR), 5.97, 95% CI 1.16-30.74], AF (OR, 6.87, 95% CI 1.66-28.47) and respiratory failure (OR, 6.02, 95% CI 1.12-32.49) by comparison of delayed VV-ECMO weaning. Patients with delayed VV-ECMO weaning are associated with lower complications and short hospital length of stay, while it relates to longer mechanical ventilation. These findings suggest that delayed VV-ECMO after LTx can facilitate rehabilitation.

The catalase-peroxidase PiCP1 plays a critical role in abiotic stress resistance, pathogenicity and asexual structure development in Phytophthora infestans.

Catalase-peroxidase is a heme oxidoreductase widely distributed in bacteria and lower eukaryotes. In this study, we identified a catalase-peroxidase PiCP1 (PITG_05579) in Phytophthora infestans. PiCP1 had catalase/peroxidase and secretion activities and was highly expressed in sporangia and upregulated in response to oxidative and heat stresses. Compared with wild type, PiCP1-silenced transformants (STs) had decreased catalase activity, reduced oxidant stress resistance and damped cell wall integrity. In contrast, PiCP1-overexpression transformants (OTs) demonstrated increased tolerance to abiotic stresses and induced the upregulation of PR genes in the host salicylic acid pathway. The high concentration of PiCP1 can also induced callose deposition in plant tissue. Importantly, both STs and OTs have severely reduced sporangia formation and zoospore releasing rate, but the sporangia germination rate and type varied depending on environmental conditions. Comparative sequence analyses show that catalase-peroxidases are broadly distributed and highly conserved among soil-borne plant parasitic oomycetes, but not in freshwater-inhabiting or strictly plants-inhabiting oomycetes. In addition, we found that silencing PiCP1 downregulated the expression of PiCAT2. These results revealed the important roles of PiCP1 in abiotic stress resistance, pathogenicity and in regulating asexual structure development in response to environmental change. Our findings provide new insights into catalase-peroxidase functions in eukaryotic pathogens.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) in Screening Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) is used worldwide to screen people quickly and easily at high risk for swallowing disorders. However, the best EAT-10 cutoff value is still controversial. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we estimated and compared the diagnostic accuracy of EAT-10 cutoff values of 2 and 3 for screening dysphagia. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP databases from May 2008 to March 2022. The meta-analysis included 7 studies involving 1064 subjects from 7 different countries. Two studies were classified as high quality and five studies as medium quality. With an EAT-10 cutoff value of 2, using flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing or video fluoroscopic swallowing study as the gold standard, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.93), 0.59 (95% CI 0.39-0.77), 2.17 (95% CI 1.38-3.42), 0.19 (95% CI 0.13-0.29), and 11.49 (95% CI 5.86-22.53), respectively. When a cutoff of 3 was used, these values were 0.85 (95% CI 0.68-0.94), 0.82 (95% CI 0.65-0.92), 4.84 (95% CI 1.72-13.50), 0.18 (95% CI 0.07-0.46), and 26.24 (95% CI 5.06-135.95), respectively. Using EAT-10 cutoff values of 2 and 3, the areas under the curve were 0.873 (95% CI 0.82-0.93) and 0.903 (95% CI 0.88-0.93), respectively, showing good diagnostic performance. EAT-10 can be used as a preliminary screening tool for dysphagia. However, a cutoff of 3 is recommended for EAT-10 due to better diagnostic accuracy.

Pd/MIL-100(Fe) as hydrogen activator for FeIII/FeII cycle: Fenton removal of sulfamethazine.

Masses of iron sludge generated from engineering practice of classic Fenton reaction constraints its further promotion. Accelerating the FeIII/FeII cycle may be conducive to reducing the initial ferrous slat dosage and the final iron sludge. Based on the reduction of Pd/MIL-100(Fe)-activated hydrogen, an improved Fenton system named MHACF-MIL-100(Fe) was developed at ambient temperature and pressure. 97.8% of sulfamethazine, the target pollutant in this work, could be degraded in 5 min under the conditions of 20 mM H2O2, 25 µM ferrous chloride, initial pH 3.0, 2 g·L-1 composite catalyst Pd/MIL-100(Fe) and hydrogen gas 60 mL·min-1. Combining density functional theory (DFT) calculation and intermediate detection, the degradation of this antibiotic was inferred to start from the cleavage of N-S bond. The catalytic of Pd/MIL-100(Fe), demonstrated by the removal efficiency of SMT and the catalyst morphology, remained intact after six reaction cycles. The present study provides an insight into the promotion of Fenton reaction.

Genetic spectrum of CAKUT and risk factors for kidney failure: a pediatric multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tracts (CAKUT) are the leading cause of kidney failure in children with phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. Our objective was to describe the genetic spectrum and identify the risk factors for kidney failure in children with CAKUT. METHODS: Clinical and genetic data were derived from a multicenter network (Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database, CCGKDD) and the Chigene database. A total of 925 children with CAKUT who underwent genetic testing from 2014 to 2020 across China were studied. Data for a total of 584 children wereobtained from the CCGKDD, including longitudinal data regarding kidney function. The risk factors for kidney failure were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: A genetic diagnosis was established in 96 out of 925 (10.3%) children, including 72 (8%) with monogenic variants, 20 (2%) with copy number variants (CNVs), and 4 (0.4%)with major chromosomal anomalies. Patients with skeletal abnormalities were more likely to have large CNVs or abnormal karyotypes than monogenic variants. Eighty-two patients from the CCGKDD progressed to kidney failure at a median age of 13.0 (95% confidence interval, 12.4-13.6) years, and twenty-four were genetically diagnosed with variants of PAX2, TNXB, EYA1, HNF1B and GATA3 or the 48, XXYY karyotype. The multivariate analysis indicated that solitary kidney, posterior urethral valves, bilateral hypodysplasia, the presence of certain variants and premature birth were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic spectrum of CAKUT varies among different subphenotypes. The identified factors indicate areas that require special attention.

Health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D-3L for the spouses of breast cancer patients.

To explore factors influencing the health-related quality of life of spouses of breast cancer patients and the suitable questionnaires for this purpose. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. The spouses of breast cancer patients were included and evaluated via face-to-face interviews. Self-designed demographic characteristics and disease-related questionnaires, the 12-item health survey questionnaire (SF-12), the three-level European five-dimensional health status scale (EQ-5D-3L), and the Social Support Rate Scale (SSRS) were used. The internal consistency reliability measure Cronbach's coefficient, criterion-related validity, construct validity, and sensitivity were used to evaluate the applicability of the EQ-5D-3L. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the factors associated with the health-related quality of life of spouses of breast cancer patients. We investigated a total of 100 spouses of breast cancer patients. Cronbach's α, the internal consistency reliability coefficient, was 0.502. The EQ-5D-3L health utility score was moderately correlated with PCS-12 (r=0.46, p=0.0001) and weakly correlated with MCS-12 (r=0.35, p=0.0001). The EQ-5D-3L health utility score for the spouses of breast cancer patients was 0.870, and the EQ-VAS was 78.3. In multivariate analysis, social support and cognition of the treatment effect were factors that influenced the EQ-5D-3L health utility score. The EQ-5D-3L has good reliability, validity, and sensitivity for measuring the physiological aspects of the health-related quality of life of spouses of BC patients. EQ-5D-3L was considered suitable for this study.

Characterization of aroma-active compounds in Dongli by quantitative descriptive analysis, gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-olfactometry.

Dongli, or frozen pear, is a traditional Chinese snack with a unique flavor. This study identified the aroma-active volatile compounds (VOCs) in Dongli using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA), gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). QDA indicated that Dongli of all cultivars presented increased sweet and wine aromas. A total of 21 VOCs were identified by GC-MS/MS. Bidirectional orthogonal partial least square (O2PLS) analysis, GC-O analysis, detection frequency analysis (DFA), and relative odor activity values (ROAV) showed that: estragole and anethole contributing "anise, green" aromas were the key aromatic VOCs of fresh pears, while ethyl butanoate, butyl acetate, heptyl acetate, benzaldehyde, and geranyl acetone contributing "sweet, fruity, green" aromas were the key aromatic VOCs of Dongli. The results revealed that the repeated freezing treatment promoted a unique aroma in pears. This study would contribute to developing new pear products. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05463-8.