Risk and protective factors associated with wound infection after neurosurgical procedures: A meta-analysis.

To systematically evaluate the risk factors for wound infection at the surgical site after neurosurgical craniotomy by meta-analysis, and to provide an evidence-based basis for preventing the occurrence of wound infection. A computerised search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang database was conducted for relevant studies on risk factors for surgical site wound infection after neurosurgical craniotomy published from the database inception to November 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and performed quality assessment in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. STATA 17.0 software was applied for data analysis. Overall, 18 papers with 17 608 craniotomy patients were included, of which 905 patients developed wound infections. The analysis showed that underlying diseases [OR = 2.50, 95% CI (1.68, 3.72), p < 0.001] and emergency surgery [OR = 2.47, 95% CI (1.80, 3.38), p < 0.001] were the risk factors for developing wound infections after craniotomy, age < 60 years [OR = 0.72, 95% CI (0.52, 0.98), p = 0.039] was a protective factor for wound infections; whereas sex [OR = 1.11, 95% CI (0.98, 1.27), p = 0.112] and the antimicrobial use [OR = 1.30, 95% CI (0.81 2.09), p = 0.276] were not associated with the presence or absence of wound infection after craniotomy. Underlying disease and emergency surgery are risk factors for developing wound infections after craniotomy, whereas age < 60 years is a protective factor. Clinicians can reduce the occurrence of postoperative wound infections by communicating with patients in advance about the possibility of postoperative wound infections based on these factors, and by doing a good job of preventing postoperative wound infections.

Gut microbiota influence frailty syndrome in older adults: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Frailty syndrome denotes a decreased capacity of the body to maintain the homeostasis and stress of the internal environment, which simultaneously increases the risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults, including disability, hospitalization, falls, and death. To promote healthy aging, we should find strategies to cope with frailty. However, the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome is not yet clear. Recent studies have shown that the diversity, composition, and metabolites of gut microbiota significantly changed in older adults with frailty. In addition, several frailty symptoms were alleviated by adjusting gut microbiota with prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiosis. Therefore, we attempt to explore the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome in older people from gut microbiota and summarize the existing interventions for frailty syndrome targeting gut microbiota, with the aim of providing timely and necessary interventions and assistance for older adults with frailty.

Thermal/Redox-triggered release of pyrazinic functional molecules by coordination polymers with luminescence monitoring ability.

Storage of volatile active molecules, along with the prolongation of their specific functions, requires the use of regulatable carriers. Pyrazine derivatives are highly volatile compounds with a broad application owing to their flavoring, pharmaceutical, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and insecticidal properties. In this study, pyrazines were stored by coordinating them with cuprous iodide to easily generate a series of luminescent coordination polymer (CP)-based carriers. The CPs could respond to thermal-redox stimuli and manipulate pyrazine release by breaking the labile Cu-N bonds when triggered by the two stimuli. Moreover, the release process could be visualized by decreased luminescence caused by the gradual decomposition of CP structures. The loading efficiencies ranged from 31% to 38%, and the controlled release behaviors accord with the zero-order kinetics. This work is the first to prove that CPs could function as dual stimuli-mediated delivery systems, which hold the potential to control the release and strengthen the usability of functional molecules.

Compatibility between cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ synergistically mitigates colitis mice through attenuating inflammation and restoring gut barrier.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific intestinal inflammation with complex pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula consists of several TCM herbs following the principle of herbal property and compatibility. Our previous studies found that Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD) exhibited anti-colitis capacity and the compatibility between hot-natured medicine and cold-natured medicine was main compatibility. However, the association between compatibility mechanism of HGD and its anti-colitis effect has not been fully illustrated yet. AIM OF STUDY: Here, we would explore whether cold-natured medicine Coptis chinensis Franch. plus Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid. (CP) and hot-natured medicine Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels plus Zingiber officinale Roscoe (AZ) in HGD respectively produce different impacts on UC, and exert synergistic effect on UC together. MATERIALS AND METHODS: UPLC/MS-MS was used to qualitatively analyze chemical profiles of CP, AZ and CPAZ extracts. CPAZ-UC target network was constructed using network pharmacology. Colitis mice was induced by 3% DSS for 7 days and treated with CP, AZ and CPAZ for another 7 days. The levels of multiple cytokines and proportions of innate and adaptive immune cells were determined to assess inflammatory profiles. The leakage of FITC-dextran, expressions of tight junction proteins were detected for evaluation of gut barrier function. RESULTS: CP, AZ and CPAZ could improve symptoms of colitis mice. CP showed superiority in reducing proportions of pro-inflammatory immune cells M1 cells, neutrophils, Th1 and Th17 cells, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α. In the contrast, AZ had advantage of elevating ratios of anti-inflammatory immune cells M2 and Treg cells as well as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß. In addition, CP and AZ synergistically regulated M1/M2 macrophage polarization and the following IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ production, thereby restoring intestinal mucosal barrier. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our study first demonstrated that cold-natured medicine CP and hot-natured medicine AZ took on different functions in treatment of colitis mice. Meanwhile, they exhibited synergistic effect on the alleviation of intestinal inflammation and reinforcement of gut barrier function and integrity.

Shengmai San for Treatment of Cardiotoxicity from Anthracyclines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Shengmai San in patients with cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by searching China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase Databases from the inceptions until December 2020. The Cochrane Handbook was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. Data analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Totally 19 RCTs with 2,331 participants were included in this review. Results showed that in improving arrhythmia (13 RCTs, n=1,877, RR=0.37, 95%CI 0.25 to 0.52, P<0.00001), the treatment group was superior to the control group. In terms of reducing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.79, 95%CI -0.93 to -0.65, P<0.00001) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD, 2 RCTs, n=128, MD=-0.58, 95%CI -0.82 to -0.35, P<0.00001), the treatment group was also better than the control group. In reducing myocardial enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) [(3 RCTs, n=256, SMD=-0.80, 95%CI -1.16 to -0.44, P<0.0001), (2 RCTs, n=126, SMD=-0.62, 95%CI -0.98 to -0.26, P=0.0007)], the treatment group was superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: Shengmai San has a positive effect on the treatment of cardiotoxicity from anthracyclines. However, in the future, it is still necessary to conduct high-quality RCTs to verify its efficacy.

Construction of organic-inorganic "chelate" adsorption sites on metal oxide semiconductor for room temperature NO2 sensing.

Metal oxide semiconductors (MOS) have been extensively studied for gas sensing due to their excellent chemical stability and adjustable electronic properties. However, there is still a lack of ingenious design strategies to achieve customizable gas detection in complex environments. Herein, a novel and scalable strategy of constructing organic-inorganic "chelate" adsorption sites is proposed to promote the affinity of MOS sensing materials to target molecules. Specifically, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was decorated on In2O3 tubes (AG/Inx), and its NO2 sensing performance was studied. As a result, the optimal AG/Inx shows boosted room-temperature NO2 response, and its response to 1 ppm NO2 is 4.8 times that of In2O3. More attractively, the optimal AG/Inx exhibits good selectivity, as well as outstanding detection ability (Rg/Ra = 1.6) for low concentration NO2 (20 ppb). Experimental results suggest that APTES-rGO not only acts as the electron acceptor to accelerate charge transfer, but also enhances NO2 adsorption. Further theoretical calculations reveal that NO2 is simultaneously adsorbed at rGO and APTES via a flexible "chelate" mechanism. The multidentate adsorption configuration remarkably strengthens the NO2-host interaction, which is conducive to improving sensing performance. This work may inspire the material design of a new generation high-performance gas sensors.

Au25 Nanoclusters Incorporating Three-Dimensionally Ordered Macroporous In2O3 for Highly Sensitive and Selective Formaldehyde Sensing.

Detection of formaldehyde (FA) in the atmosphere is of significant importance because exposure to FA may cause serious health problems such as sick-house syndrome, leukemia, and cancer. Modifying metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) with noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) is an efficient method to enhance FA-sensing properties. Herein, a series of Au25 nanocluster (NC)-decorated three-dimensionally ordered macroporous In2O3 materials (Au25/3DOM In2O3) is created, and the loading amount of Au25 NCs was optimized based on FA responses. To reveal the effect of gold size on FA responses, we constructed Au144 NC-loaded 3DOM In2O3 and Au NP (2.9 nm)-modified 3DOM In2O3 and compared their gas-sensing properties with the optimal Au25/3DOM In2O3. The results show that in comparison with its counterparts, the optimal Au25/3DOM In2O3 presents higher sensitivity, shorter response/recovery times, better selectivity, and excellent reproducibility. More attractively, the responses to FA are dependent on the size of Au particles loaded on In2O3. We suggest that the enhanced FA responses for the optimal material are mainly attributed to the electronic and chemical-sensitization effects of Au25 NCs, and the size-dependent effect of FA responses is ascribed to the size of Au NPs affecting the formation of oxygen-adsorbing species. This work provides an efficient way for fabricating noble metal NP-loaded MOSs with tunable gas-sensing properties.

Baicalein ameliorates ulcerative colitis by improving intestinal epithelial barrier via AhR/IL-22 pathway in ILC3s.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which is closely related to gut barrier dysfunction. Emerging evidence shows that interleukin-22 (IL-22) derived from group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) confers benefits on intestinal barrier, and IL-22 expression is controlled by aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Previous studies show that baicalein protects the colon from inflammatory damage. In this study we elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of baicalein on intestinal barrier function in colitis mice. Mice were administered baicalein (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 10 days; the mice freely drank 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) on D1-D7 to induce colitis. We showed that baicalein administration simultaneously ameliorated gut inflammation, decreased intestinal permeability, restored tight junctions of colons possibly via promoting AhR/IL-22 pathway. Co-administration of AhR antagonist CH223191 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) partially blocked the therapeutic effects of baicalein in colitis mice, whereas AhR agonist FICZ (1 µg, i.p.) ameliorated symptoms and gut barrier function in colitis mice. In a murine lymphocyte line MNK-3, baicalein (5-20 µM) dose-dependently increased the expression of AhR downstream target protein CYP1A1, and enhanced IL-22 production through facilitating AhR nuclear translocation, these effects were greatly diminished in shAhR-MNK3 cells, suggesting that baicalein induced IL-22 production in AhR-dependent manner. To further clarify that, we constructed an in vitro system consisting of MNK-3 and Caco-2 cells, in which MNK-3 cell supernatant treated with baicalein could decrease FITC-dextran permeability and promoted the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occluding in Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that baicalein ameliorates colitis by improving intestinal epithelial barrier via AhR/IL-22 pathway in ILC3s, thus providing a potential therapy for UC.

TMA/TMAO in Hypertension: Novel Horizons and Potential Therapies.

Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease and a risk factor for various diseases. Although its mechanisms and therapies are constantly being updated and developed, they are still not fully clarified. In recent years, novel gut microbiota and its metabolites have attracted widespread attention. It is strongly linked with physiological and pathological systems, especially TMA and TMAO. TMA is formed by intestinal microbial metabolism of choline and L-carnitine and converted into TMAO by FMO3. This paper collected and collated the latest researches and mainly discussed the following four parts. It introduced gut microbiota; provided a focus on TMA, TMA-producing bacteria, and TMAO; summarized the alternations in hypertensive patients and animals; discussed the mechanisms of TMAO with two respects; and summarized the regulatory factors may be as new interventions and therapies of hypertension. And, more relevant studies are still prospected to be accomplished between hypertension and TMA/TMAO for further clinical services.

Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CH4 Modulated by Chloride Modification on Bi2WO6 Nanosheets.

Solar-driven photocatalytic CO2 reduction into CH4 with H2O is considered to be a promising way to alleviate the energy crisis and greenhouse effect. However, current CO2 photoreduction technologies tend to overlook the role of photooxidation half reaction as well as the effect of the protons produced by water oxidation on CH4 generation, resulting in low CO2 conversion efficiency and poor CH4 selectivity. In the present study, a series of chloride-modified Bi2WO6 nanosheets were constructed in view of chloride-assisted photocatalytic water oxidation. The results show that the CH4 yield of the synthesized sample can be enhanced up to about 10 times compared to that with no Cl- modification. Besides, the selectivity of CH4 can be regulated by the loading amount of chloride, varying from 51.29% for Bi2WO6 to 94.98% for the maximum. The increase of product yield is attributed to chloride modification, which not only changed the morphology of the catalyst, but also modified the pathway of water oxidation. Further studies on intermediate products and the density functional theory calculation confirm that the Cl- ions on Bi2WO6 nanosheets not only promote H2O oxidation, but also lower the energy barrier for intermediate *CHO generation, thus facilitating CH4 production. The results gained herein may provide some illuminating insights into the design of a highly selective photocatalyst for efficient CO2 reduction.

N-Doped Graphene Quantum Dot-Decorated Three-Dimensional Ordered Macroporous In2O3 for NO2 Sensing at Low Temperatures.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) detection is of great importance because the emission of NO2 gas profoundly endangers the natural environment and human health. However, a few challenges, including lowering detection limit, improving response/recovery kinetics, and reducing working temperature, should be further addressed before practical applications. Herein, a series of N-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD)-modified three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) In2O3 composites are constructed and their NO2 response properties are studied. The results show that compared to pure 3DOM In2O3, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/3DOM In2O3, and N-doped graphene sheets (NS)/3DOM In2O3, the N-GQDs/3DOM In2O3 sensing materials exhibit higher NO2 responses with fast response and recovery speed and low working temperature (100 °C). In addition, the detection limit of NO2 response for the optimal N-GQDs/In2O3 sensor is as low as 100 ppb. Upon exposure to CO, CH4, NH3, acetone, ethanol, toluene, and formaldehyde, only very weak responses could be observed, indicating good selectivity for the synthesized material. More attractively, the responses of the optimized N-GQDs/In2O3 sensor exhibit no obviously big fluctuation over 60 days, implying good long-term stability. We suggest that the formation of heterojunctions between 3DOM In2O3 and N-GQDs and the doping N atoms in N-GQDs play crucial roles in improving the NO2 sensing properties.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the freshwater crab Neilupotamon xinganense (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidea).

In this study, we first obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of Neilupotamon xinganense (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidea). The genome is 16,965 bp in length and typically consists of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs genes, two rRNAs genes, and one putative control region). In addition, the mitogenome has 20 non-coding regions ranging from 1 to 683 bp in length. This study provides DNA data for further researches on population genetics and phylogenetics.