Colorimetric screening model for identification of menaquinone-7 (MK-7) producing strains.

In this study, a novel colorimetric screening method for identifying menaquinone-7 (MK-7) producing strains was established using potassium permanganate. To our knowledge, this method represents the first direct screening methodology for the identification of MK-7 producing strains. Utilizing this screening method, a new MK-7 producing strain, Bacillus subtilis GSA-184, was identified from the soil of the Tibetan Plateau. Under the optimized fermentation medium (50 g/L glycerol, 30 g/L yeast extract powder, 100 g/L soybean peptone, 1 g/L KH2PO4, and 1 g/L MnSO4), the production of MK-7 was increased to 25.7 mg/L. Additionally, the maximum production of MK-7 reached 36.46 mg/L after 48 h in a 5-L fermenter. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-04097-1.

Polyethylene nanoplastics, tebuconazole and cadmium affect soil-wheat system by altering rhizosphere microenvironment under single or combined exposure.

Microplastics and nanoplastics (NPs) are pollutants of global concern. However, the understanding of the combined effects of NPs and other pollutants in the soil-plant system remains limited, particularly for polyethylene (PE), the primary component of agricultural films. This study investigated the effects of PE NPs (0.5 %, w/w), fungicide tebuconazole (Te, 10 mg·kg-1), and cadmium (Cd, 4.0 mg·kg-1) on the soil-wheat system under single and combined exposures. The synergistic toxicity observed between NPs and Te impacted the nutritional conditions and antioxidant mechanisms of the soil-wheat system. The NPs increased the concentration of Cd in roots and the proportion of bioavailable Cd, exacerbating oxidative stress in wheat and inhibiting biomass. The soil-wheat system responded to stress by upregulating or downregulating pathways related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and sugar metabolism under various treatments. Sixteen functional genes associated with carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy utilization, and gene repair at KEGG level 3 were employed to sustain microenvironmental homeostasis. Correlation analysis between microorganisms and environmental factors showed that various PGPG played roles in maintaining the health of the soil-wheat system. These results help to elucidate the comprehensive effects of NPs with other pollutants on the soil-plant system and provide new perspectives for toxic mechanisms.

Alginate-derived biomass carbon­molybdenum disulfide heterogeneous materials: Vertically grown/uniformly dispersed molybdenum disulfide nanosheets/nanoflowers for wastewater treatment.

In order to improve the dispersion of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and enhance the performance of MoS2, two alginate-derived biomass carbon-MoS2 (BC-MoS2) composites: CMB/CMS, were prepared by introducing BC during the synthesis of MoS2 by hydrothermal. The effects of different gels, times and temperatures of the synthesized BC-MoS2 were investigated, and the adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB), basic fuchsin (BF) and copper ions (Cu2+) was tested. The results indicated that the vertical growth of MoS2 on the BC surface could be realized when using xero-gel, while the BC and MoS2 were mixed uniformly when using wet-gel. Compared with MoS2, the hydrophilicity and water dispersibility of BC-MoS2 were greatly improved, and BC-MoS2 had better adsorption capacity for MB/BF/Cu2+ (99.61/86.83/60 mg/g). The adsorption mechanism exhibits that the adsorption force of BC-MoS2 on MB/BF is mainly based on the electrostatic force, and the adsorption on Cu2+ comes from the electrostatic force and the Lewis soft-soft interaction. This study dramatically enriches the application of transition metal chalcogenides and provides a meaningful reference for wastewater treatment.

Terpolymerization of Ethylene with Hexene and Styrene Derivatives by Half-Sandwich Scandium Catalyst.

The terpolymerization of ethylene with hexene and styrene derivatives was achieved with a rare earth metal catalyst (C5Me4SiMe3)Sc(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)2 to prepare functional polyethylene. The catalyst system exhibited high activity in the terpolymerization of ethylene with hexene and amine-substituted styrene, affording terpolymers a moderate molecular weight and a unimodal molecular weight distribution. In addition, the comonomer content of the terpolymers can be controlled by changing the feeding ratio of monomers. The aliphatic region of the 13C NMR spectra reveals that the structural units of the comonomers are separately incorporated into the polyethylene backbone. Terpolymers containing styrene derivatives exhibit enhanced tensile strength and significantly improve hydrophilic properties.

Bidirectional relationship between C-reactive protein and depressive symptoms considering cumulative effect among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Introduction: Research examining the bidirectional relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and depressive symptoms, while accounting for cumulative effect of repeated episodes of CRP or depressive symptoms, is currently deficient in non-Western populations. Methods: A nationally representative population-based cohort data from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was utilized. In bi-directional analysis, we considered both single determinations and two successive determinations of CRP or depressive symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression assessed the association between elevated CRP levels at baseline or repeated episodes of CRP elevations over two successive determinations and subsequent elevated depressive symptoms, and vice versa. Results: Although single determinations of CRP or depressive symptoms yielded non-significant results in both directions, full multivariate models, adjusting for baseline depressive symptoms, socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, metabolic measures, and health status, revealed a significantly positive association based on two successive determinations of CRP or depressive symptoms. This significant association was observed between cumulative effects of sustained CRP elevations over two successive determinations (2 vs. 0) and subsequent elevated depressive symptoms (OR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.17) and between cumulative effect of repeated episodes of depression (2 vs. 0) and later elevated CRP (OR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.56). Furthermore, sex-stratified analyses confirmed the robustness of these relationships. Conclusion: There are bidirectional associations between depressive symptoms and CRP, driven by the cumulative effect of repeated episodes of CRP or depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. These findings hold significant clinical implications, highlighting the potential of both anti-inflammatory and anti-depression approaches.

Chiral inversion induced by aromatic interactions in short peptide assembly.

Although hydrophobic interactions provide the main driving force for initial peptide aggregation, their role in regulating suprastructure handedness of higher-order architectures remains largely unknown. We here interrogate the effects of hydrophobic amino acids on handedness at various assembly stages of peptide amphiphiles. Our studies reveal that relative to aliphatic side chains, aromatic side chains set the twisting directions of single ß-strands due to their strong steric repulsion to the backbone, and upon packing into multi-stranded ß-sheets, the side-chain aromatic interactions between strands form the aromatic ladders with a directional preference. This ordering not only leads to parallel ß-sheet arrangements but also induces the chiral flipping over of single ß-strands within a ß-sheet. In contrast, the lack of orientational hydrophobic interactions in the assembly of aliphatic peptides implies no chiral inversion upon packing into ß-sheets. This study opens an avenue to harness peptide aggregates with targeted handedness via aromatic side-chain interactions.

Can one long peritoneal dwell with icodextrin replace two short dwells with glucose?

Background: Due to the slower dissipation of the osmotic gradient, icodextrin-based solutions, compared to glucose-based solutions, can improve water removal. We investigated scenarios where one icodextrin-based long dwell (Extraneal) replaced two glucose-based exchanges. Methods: The three-pore model with icodextrin hydrolysis was used for numerical simulations of a single exchange to investigate the impact of different peritoneal dialysis schedules on fluid and solute removal in patients with different peritoneal solute transfer rates (PSTRs). We evaluated water removal (ultrafiltration, UF), absorbed mass of glucose (AbsGluc) and carbohydrates (AbsCHO, for glucose and glucose polymers), ultrafiltration efficiency (UFE = UF/AbsCHO) per exchange, and specified dwell time, and removed solute mass for sodium (ReNa), urea (ReU), and creatinine (ReCr) for a single peritoneal exchange with 7.5% icodextrin (Extraneal®) and glucose-based solutions (1.36% and 2.27%) and various dwell durations in patients with fast and average PSTRs. Results: Introducing 7.5% icodextrin for the long dwell to replace one of three or four glucose-based exchanges per day leads to increased fluid and solute removal and higher UF efficiency for studied transport groups. Replacing two glucose-based exchanges with one icodextrin exchange provides higher or similar water removal and higher daily sodium removal but slightly lower daily removal of urea and creatinine, irrespective of the transport type present in the case of reference prescription with three and four daily exchanges. Conclusion: One 7.5% icodextrin can replace two glucose solutions. Unlike glucose-based solutions, it resulted only in minor differences between PSTR groups in terms of water and solute removal with UFE remaining stable up to 16 h.

Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) in Chinese pregnant women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study addresses the scarcity of research on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) in China. It aims to explore the current NVP status in the country using validated questionnaires, analyze associated factors, and provide a useful reference for future research. The study also compares results from different assessment tools. METHODS: Online questionnaires were utilized to gather data from 535 pregnant women across 24 provinces. Demographic, pregnancy, and NVP-related information were collected. NVP severity was assessed using Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea (PUQE) and the Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (RINVR) scales. Ordinal logistic regression identified factors linked to NVP severity. Differences between PUQE and RINVR assessments were compared. RESULTS: NVP prevalence exceeded 90%, with 96.1% assessed by PUQE and 90.8% by RINVR. Incidence decreased from nausea to retching and vomiting. Severe NVP correlated with reduced gestational weight gain, younger age, fewer gestational weeks, and living in North (all P values < 0.05). There was moderate consistency between PUQE and RINVR assessments. The NVP prevalence assessed by the PUQE is higher than that assessed by the RINVR in the same population. However, the proportion of NVP levels above moderate assessed by RINVR is greater than that assessed by PUQE. CONCLUSIONS: NVP is highly prevalent among Chinese pregnant women, with nausea being predominant. RINVR assessments may be better able to identify severe NVP, thereby improving the low treatment rates for severe NVP.

Age-specific incidence trends of 32 cancers in China, 1983 to 2032: Evidence from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents.

The long-term incidence trends of 32 cancers in China remained unclear. Cancer statistics for young population were often presented in aggregate, masking important heterogeneity. We aimed to assess the incidence trends of 32 cancers in China from 1983 to 2032, stratified by sex and age groups. Data on cancer incidence from 1983 to 2017 were extracted from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volumes VI-XII. The age-period-cohort model was utilized to assess age and birth cohort effects on the temporal trends of 32 cancers in China, while the Bayesian age-period-cohort model was utilized to project future trends from 2018 to 2032. An increase in cohort effects is observed in some cancers such as thyroid and kidney cancers. Eight of the 12 obesity-related cancers may rise in the 0-14 age group, and nine in the 15-39 age group from 2013 to 2032. Liver and stomach cancers show an increasing trend among the younger population, contrasting with the observed declining trend in the middle-aged population. There has been a significant rise in the proportions of cervical cancer among females aged 40-64 (4.3%-19.1%), and prostate cancer among males aged 65+ (1.1%-11.8%) from 1983 to 2032. Cancer spectrum in China is shifting toward that in developed countries. Incidence rates of most cancers across different age groups may increase in recent cohorts. It is essential to insist effective preventive interventions, and promote healthier lifestyles, such as reducing obesity, especially among younger population.

EQ-5D-5L Population Scores in Mainland China: Results From a Nationally Representative Survey 2021.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of monitoring changes in the population scores of the most recent version, EQ-5D-5L, in mainland China. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by assessing the EQ-5D-5L scores in mainland China using a nationally representative sample. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2021 Survey of Health Index of Chinese Families, which covered 31 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities in mainland China. The survey used a multistage quota sampling strategy encompassing 120 prefecture-level cities. Quotas were allocated to each prefecture-level city in accordance with the 2020 China Population Census. This approach resulted in a final sample of 11 030 eligible questionnaires. The utility index (UI) and EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ VAS) scores were reported for the entire sample (age-gender-urban/rural weighted) and by the characteristics of the study participants. RESULTS: The study participants had a weighted mean UI of 0.939 (SD 0.135) and EQ VAS score of 80.19 (SD 18.39). The most commonly reported problem was anxiety/depression (26.37%), whereas self-care was the least reported problem (6.18%). Those who were male, were younger, lived without chronic conditions and disabilities, had higher levels of education, earned higher monthly household income, and were covered by basic medical insurance for urban employees had higher scores in both the UI and EQ VAS. CONCLUSION: This study revealed slightly lower UI scores despite a much higher drop in EQ VAS scores whereas China maintained minimum cases of COVID-19 in 2021 compared with the population norms recorded in 2019. Further studies are warranted to unveil the full impacts of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Gut microbiota alterations in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia from Shanghai, China.

Background: The importance of the gut microbiota in maintaining bone homeostasis has been increasingly emphasized by recent research. This study aimed to identify whether and how the gut microbiome of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia may differ from that of healthy individuals. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 27 individuals with osteoporosis (OP), 44 individuals with osteopenia (ON), and 23 normal controls (NC). The composition of the gut microbial community was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: No significant difference was found in the microbial composition between the three groups according to alpha and beta diversity. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteriota were significantly higher and Synergistota was significantly lower in the ON group than in the NC group. At the genus level, Roseburia, Clostridia_UCG.014, Agathobacter, Dialister and Lactobacillus differed between the OP and NC groups as well as between the ON and NC groups (p < 0.05). Linear discriminant effect size (LEfSe) analysis results showed that one phylum community and eighteen genus communities were enriched in the NC, ON and OP groups, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the abundance of the Dialister genus was positively correlated with BMD and T score at the lumbar spine (p < 0.05). Functional predictions revealed that pathways relevant to amino acid biosynthesis, vitamin biosynthesis, and nucleotide metabolism were enriched in the NC group. On the other hand, pathways relevant to metabolites degradation and carbohydrate metabolism were mainly enriched in the ON and OP groups respectively. Conclusions: Our findings provide new epidemiologic evidence regarding the relationship between the gut microbiota and postmenopausal bone loss, laying a foundation for further exploration of therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO).

Long-term outcomes among ischemic stroke TOAST subtypes: A 12-year Cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in short-term ischemic stroke (IS) prognosis among Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) subtypes were observed. Notably, little is known about the long-term prognosis of different subtypes in China. We aim to investigate the long-term outcome in IS patients and try to explore the potential interactive effects between IS subtypes and antithrombotic therapy. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort of stroke survivors. Patients diagnosed with first-ever IS at the Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from January 2010 to December 2019 were recruited. They were followed until September 2022 to assess recurrence, mortality, and functional recovery. The multivariate Fine-Gray model assessed stroke recurrence, while Cox regression estimated hazard ratios. Modified Rankin Scale scores(mRS) were analyzed using the generalized linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: At baseline, 589 of 950 participants (62.00 %) were male. The longest follow-up was 150 months, the shortest was 1.5 months, and the median follow-up was 81.0 months. Cardio-embolism (CE) bore the highest mortality risk compared to large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) (HR=4.43,95 %CI 1.61-12.23). Among survivors on anticoagulant therapy, CE exhibited a reduced risk of mortality (HR = 0.18, 95 % CI 0.04-0.80). In function recovery, small artery occlusion (SAO) demonstrated more favorable prognostic outcomes (ß=-2.08, P<0.01, OR=0.13,95 %CI 0.03-0.47). Among survivors taking antiplatelet drugs, SAO demonstrated a slower pace of functional recovery compared to LAA (ß=1.39, P=0.05, OR=3.99,95 %CI 1.01-15.74). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes post-first IS vary among TOAST subtypes. Anticoagulant therapy offers long-term benefits among patients of the CE. However, prolonged administration of antiplatelet drugs among SAO patients may be limited in improving function recovery. Physicians should carefully consider treatment options for different IS subtypes to optimize patient outcomes and stroke care effectiveness.

Malicious Tumor? Pathological Fracture of the Femur in Children Caused by Myelolipoma: A Case Report and Review of Literatures.

Myelolipoma is a kind of benign lipoma containing myeloid cells. It is a rare type of tumor that typically presents as an occasional adrenal tumor, generally manifesting as a nonfunctional adrenal mass. Although it can occur in extra-adrenal tissues, its occurrence in bone tissue is extremely rare. Most cases are discovered accidentally during physical examinations of adults, and there are currently no reports of cases with pathological fractures as the main symptoms. We present a case of a 15-year-old teenager who developed a pathological fracture caused by femoral myelolipoma. The diagnosis of the specific type of bone tumor of the patient was determined through pathology and imaging. To treat the condition, we utilized a technique known as the "soft drill" to fully access the tumor space, remove the bone septum, and scrape away the diseased tissue. The fracture was then stabilized using a hybrid external fixation. After a 2-year follow-up period, there was no recurrence of the bone tumor. This case is the first case of intraosseous myelolipoma that occurred in a minor with the initial symptom of pathological fracture, filling the gap in our existing body of knowledge and providing a reference for the treatment of this type of intraosseous myelolipoma.

Effects of Different Carbon and Nitrogen Ratios on Yield, Nutritional Value, and Amino Acid Contents of Flammulina velutipes.

The carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio in the cultivation medium significantly influences the growth rate, vigor of mycelium, yield of fruiting bodies, and their nutritional composition. Recently, agricultural and forestry wastes have been increasingly used in cultivating Flammulina velutipes. However, systematic research on how these materials affect the nutritional and functional properties of the fruiting bodies is lacking. This study investigated the effects of different C/N ratios on F. velutipes cultivation. We evaluated the agronomic traits, nutritional composition, and flavor compounds of the fruiting bodies. Our findings reveal that an optimal C/N ratio of 27:1 in the composted substrates enhances the total yield of fruiting bodies, with 25.1% soybean straw as the primary raw material. This ratio also significantly increases the levels of crude protein, total amino acids, and essential amino acids in the fruiting bodies (p < 0.05). Fruiting bodies from the high-nitrogen (HN) treatment showed the highest content of umami amino acids and equivalent umami concentration value. Additionally, we employed an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics approach to analyze the metabolite profiles of fruiting bodies cultivated in high-nitrogen (HN), medium-nitrogen (MN), and low-nitrogen (LN) substrates. We found that the carbon-nitrogen ratio can affect the flavor and quality of fruiting bodies by regulating amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism and other related pathways. Our results suggest that a C/N ratio of 27:1 offers numerous benefits for the cultivation of F. velutipes with comprehensive analyses and has promising application prospects.

[Mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu Tablets against hepatic fibrosis based on transcriptome and single-cell sequencing].

This study aimed to investigate the role of macrophage polarization in the treatment of liver fibrosis by Fuzheng Huayu Tablets(FZHY) through single-cell, transcriptome sequencing and in vitro and in vivo experiments. Liver fibrosis-related datasets, transcriptomic datasets, and single-cell sequencing datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database to screen differential genes. Liver fibrosis-related genes were obtained from GeneCards, DisGeNET, NCBI, PharmgKB, TTD and OMIM databases. Macrophage polarization-related genes were obtained from the GeneCards database. The above three gene sets were intersected to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network. Cytoscape software was used to screen core proteins, and the expression pattern of core proteins was visualized by single-cell sequencing. A mouse model of liver fibrosis was constructed using carbon tetrachloride(CCl_4). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of liver tissues. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-ß1(TGF-ß1) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were detected by colorimetry. The le-vels of inflammatory factors in serum were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-ß1, cluster of differentiation 86(CD86) and thrombospondin 1(THBS1) in liver tissues were detected by Western blot(WB). Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to stimulate RAW264.7 cells to construct the M1 macrophage polarization model. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was used to detect cell viability. WB was used to detect the protein expressions of CD86 and THBS1 in cells, and the messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA) expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin(IL)-1ß by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR). The results showed that a total of 26 potential genes related to the polarization of liver fibrosis macrophages were obtained, and 10 core proteins related to the polarization of liver fibrosis macrophages such as THBS1, lumican(LUM) and fibulin-5(FBLN5) were screened. Single-cell data analysis indicated that THBS1, ranking highest, may be expressed by M1 macrophages. Animal experiments demonstrated that FZHY reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in CCl_4-induced mouse liver, relieved liver injury and inflammation levels, and inhibited the expressions of α-SMA, TGF-ß1, CD86, and THBS1 proteins. Cell experiments revealed that FZHY significantly reduced intracellular expression of CD86 and THBS1 proteins and mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß. In conclusion, FZHY may ameliorate liver fibrosis by inhibiting THBS1 protein expression, suppressing M1 macrophage polarization, and reducing inflammation.

Toxicity effects and mechanism of micro/nanoplastics and loaded conventional pollutants on zooplankton: An overview.

Micro/nanoplastics in aquatic environments is a noteworthy environmental problem. Zooplankton, an important biological group in aquatic ecosystems, readily absorb micro/nanoplastics and produce a range of toxic endpoints due to their small size. This review summarises relevant studies on the effects of micro/nanoplastics on zooplankton, including combined effects with conventional pollutants. Frequently reported adverse effects include acute/chronic lethal effects, oxidative stress, gene expression, energetic homeostasis, and growth and reproduction. Obstruction by plastic entanglement and blockage is the physical mechanism. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity are molecular mechanisms. Properties of micro/nanoplastics, octanol/water partition coefficients of conventional pollutants, species and intestinal environments are important factors influencing single and combined toxicity. Selecting a wider range of micro/nanoplastics, focusing on the aging process and conducting field studies, adopting diversified zooplankton models, and further advancing the study of mechanisms are the outstanding prospects for deeper understanding of impacts of micro/nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystem.

Hurricanes are limiting the mangrove canopy heights in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mangrove canopy height (MCH) has been described as a leading characteristic of mangrove forests, protecting coastal economic interests from hurricanes. Meanwhile, winter temperature has been considered the main factor controlling the MCH along subtropical coastlines. However, the MCH in Cedar Key, Florida (∼12 m), is significantly higher than in Port Fourchon, Louisiana (∼2.5 m), even though these two subtropical locations have similar winter temperatures. Port Fourchon has been more frequently impacted by hurricanes than Cedar Key, suggesting that hurricanes may have limited the MCH in Port Fourchon rather than simply winter temperatures. This hypothesis was evaluated using novel high-resolution remote sensing techniques that tracked the MCH changes between 2002 and 2023. Results indicate that hurricanes were the limiting factor keeping the mean MCH at Port Fourchon to <1 m (2002-2013), as the absence of hurricane impacts between 2013 and 2018 allowed the mean MCH to increase by 60 cm despite the winter freezes in Jan/2014 and Jan/2018. Hurricanes Zeta (2020) and Ida (2021) caused a decrease in the mean MCH by 20 cm, breaking branches, defoliating the canopy, and toppling trees. The mean MCH (∼1.6 m) attained before Zeta and Ida has not yet been recovered as of August 2023 (∼1.4 m), suggesting a longer-lasting impact (>4 years) of hurricanes on mangroves than winter freezes (<1 year). The high frequency of hurricanes affecting mangroves at Port Fourchon has acted as a periodic "pruning," particularly of the tallest Avicennia trees, inhibiting their natural growth rates even during quiet periods following hurricane events (e.g., 12 cm/yr, 2013-2018). By contrast, the absence of hurricanes in Cedar Key (2000-2020) has allowed the MCH to reach 12 m (44-50 cm/yr), implying that, besides the winter temperature, the frequency and intensity of hurricanes are important factors limiting the MCH on their latitudinal range limits in the Gulf of Mexico.

Vaginal delivery of triplets after emergency transvaginal cerclage: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: To report a peculiar case of vaginal delivery of a triplet after emergency transvaginal cerclage and to find a way to optimize some extreme situations encountered in clinical practice after evaluating feasibility. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 33-year-old gravida 6, para 0050 woman at 21 + 6 weeks of gestation was referred to the obstetric department for opening of the cervical canal. An emergency McDonald cerclage was performed at 22 weeks of gestation after a comprehensive assessment, and the pregnancy ended with vaginal delivery at 24 + 6 weeks of gestation. The postpartum period was normal, and the newborns were discharged to home care after treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. INTERVENTIONS: After discussing the risks, the patient requested emergency transvaginal McDonald cerclage at 22 weeks of gestation. OUTCOMES: Emergency McDonald cerclage was performed at 22 weeks of gestation, and the pregnancy ended with vaginal delivery at 24 + 6/25 weeks of gestation, successfully prolonging gestation by 20/21 days. The postpartum period had no exceptional circumstances, and newborns were discharged to home care after treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit for 104/98/104 days. LESSONS: Emergency cerclage seems to be impossible in multiple pregnancies. However, in this case, after a comprehensive assessment, it was feasible to extend the gestational age by emergency cerclage, and prompt and accurate evaluation is important to avoid complications and individualize the following management. In this case, we may find a way to optimize some extreme situations encountered in clinical practice and offer a glimmer of hope for families challenged with multiple pregnancies at risk of preterm delivery. However, more high-quality studies are needed to prove the effectiveness and safety of emergency cerclages in triplets.

Development of polyvinyl alcohol/carrageenan hydrogels and fibers via KOH treatment for Morse code information transmission.

To solve the inherent problems of conductive hydrogels, such as relatively low mechanical properties and fatigue resistance, inability to work after water loss, and difficulty weaving. In this study, the borax-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/k-carrageenan (kC) conducting hydrogels (BPKKOH) were prepared by a simple one-pot method, and KOH treatment was used instead of the cumbersome and time-consuming freeze-thaw cycle to improve the comprehensive properties. The KOH treatment increased the hydrogel hydrogen bonding content by 7.72 % and synergized with the induction of kC by K+ to enhance the tensile and compressive strengths by 8.12 and 34.6 times, respectively. Meanwhile, the BPKKOH hydrogel's fatigue resistance and shape recovery after water loss were improved. Additionally, the BPKKOH hydrogels can be monitored for finger bending, showing clear and stable differences in electrical signals. BPKKOH hydrogels combined with Morse code realize applications in information transmission and encryption/decryption. Notably, introducing KOH ensures the molding and preparation of BPKKOH hydrogel fibers while having good signal responsiveness and monitoring ability. More importantly, it can be woven into fabrics that can be loaded with heavy weights, which has the potential to be directly applied in smart wearables. This work provides new ideas for applying flexible sensors and wearable smart textiles.