Tracing fossil-based plastics, chemicals and fertilizers production in China.

Phasing down fossil fuels is crucial for climate mitigation. Even though 80-90% of fossil fuels are used to provide energy, their use as feedstock to produce plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals, is associated with substantial CO2 emissions. However, our understanding of hard-to-abate chemical production remains limited. Here we developed a chemical process-based material flow model to investigate the non-energy use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in China. Results show in 2017, the chemical industry used 0.18 Gt of coal, 88.8 Mt of crude oil, and 12.9 Mt of natural gas as feedstock, constituting 5%, 15%, and 7% of China's respective total use. Coal-fed production of methanol, ammonia, and PVCs contributes to 0.27 Gt CO2 emissions ( ~ 3% of China's emissions). As China seeks to balance high CO2 emissions of coal-fed production with import dependence on oil and gas, improving energy efficiency and coupling green hydrogen emerges as attractive alternatives for decarbonization.

Circadian rhythm regulation in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus: Insights into clock gene expression, photoperiod susceptibility, and neurohormone signaling.

Sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus displays the typical circadian rhythms. This present study investigated the molecular regulation of clock genes, as well as monoamines and melatonin, in multiple tissues of A. japonicus, responding to the photoperiod. In order to determine their pivotal role in circadian rhythms, the crucial clock genes, namely AjClock, AjArnt1, AjCry1, and AjTimeless, were identified and a comprehensive analysis of their expressions across various tissues in adult A. japonicus was conducted, revealing the potential existence of central and peripheral oscillators. Results demonstrated that the tissues of polian vesicle and nerve ring exhibited significant clock gene expression associated with the orchestration of circadian regulation, and that environmental light fluctuations exerted influence on the expression of these clock genes. However, a number of genes, such as AjArnt1 and AjCry1, maintained their circadian rhythmicity even under continuous light conditions. Moreover, we further investigated the circadian patterns of melatonin (MT), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA) secretion in A. japonicus, data that underscored the tissue-specific regulatory differences and the inherent adaptability to dynamic light environments. Collectively, these findings will provide the molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm in echinoderms and the candidate tissues playing the role of central oscillators in sea cucumbers.

Numerical analysis of streaming potential induced by loads in micro-pores of articular cartilage.

In order to understand the distribution of streaming potentials in cartilage pores, this paper established finite element model to analyze. The results showed that the streaming potential in cartilage micro-pores increased along the axis. The electric potential in 5 µm straight micro-pore was about 50 µV, and the electric potential of curved bifurcation model was about 30 µV. The pressure and Zeta potential had a linear growth relationship with the streaming potential. The streaming potential decreased with the increase of ion concentration until ion concentration was saturated. These results could provide a theoretical basis for cartilage research.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key genes and pathways related to gonad development in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus.

The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an economically important marine species in China, and understanding the mechanisms underlying its gonad development is crucial for successful reproduction and breeding. In this study, we performed transcriptome comparisons and analyses of A. japonicus gonadal and non-gonadal tissues to identify genes and molecular pathways associated with gonadal development. We also supplemented the annotation of the A. japonicus genome. Collectively, results revealed a total of 941 ovary-specific genes and 2499 testis-specific genes through different expression analysis and WGCNA analysis. The most enriched pathways in ovary and testis were "DNA replication" and "purine metabolism", respectively. Additionally, we identified key candidate gene modules that control gonad development and germ cell maturation, with CDT1 and DYNC2LI1 serving as hub genes. Our findings provide important insights into the gonadal development system of A. japonicus and offer valuable references for further research on reproductive biology in this marine invertebrate species.

Bisphenol A (BPA) Directly Activates the G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 and Triggers the Metabolic Disruption in the Gonadal Tissue of Apostichopus japonicus.

The sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, is a marine benthic organism that feeds on small benthic particulate matter and is easily affected by pollutants. Bisphenol A (BPA, 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol) has been identified as an endocrine disruptor. It is ubiquitously detectable in oceans and affects a variety of marine animals. It functions as an estrogen analog and typically causes reproductive toxicity by interfering with the endocrine system. To comparatively analyze the reproductive effects of estradiol (E2) and BPA on sea cucumbers, we identified a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in A. japonicus and investigated its effects on reproduction. The results showed that BPA and E2 exposure activated A. japonicus AjGPER1, thereby mediating the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. High-level expression of AjGPER1 in the ovarian tissue was confirmed by qPCR. Furthermore, metabolic changes were induced by 100 nM (22.83 µg/L) BPA exposure in the ovarian tissue, leading to a notable increase in the activities of trehalase and phosphofructokinase. Overall, our findings suggest that AjGPER1 is directly activated by BPA and affects sea cucumber reproduction by disrupting ovarian tissue metabolism, suggesting that marine pollutants pose a threat to the conservation of sea cucumber resources.

Comparison of bivalirudin versus heparin in adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulant therapy: A retrospective case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: There were controversial opinions on the use of bivalirudin versus heparin for anticoagulant therapy in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus heparin for the maintenance of systemic anticoagulation during adult veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). METHODS: Adult patients who received V-V ECMO support in our center between February 2018and February 2022 were retrospectively recruited. We analyzed their ECMO support time, platelet count, coagulation indicators, blood product infusion volume, the incidence of thrombosis and bleeding, probability of successful weaning of ECMO, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients received V-V ECMO support. Thirty-four patients were finally included according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 14 and 20 accepted bivalirudin and heparin for anticoagulant therapy, respectively. The Minimum platelet value (98.50 × 109/L (85.50, 123.75) vs 49.50 × 109/L (31.25, 83.00), p = 0.002) and mean platelet value (149.90 × 109/L (127.40, 164.80) vs 74.55 × 109/L (62.45, 131.60), p = 0.03) and the ratio of successful weaning of ECMO (92.8% vs 60.0%, p = 0.033) in bivalirudin group were significantly higher than those in heparin group. The red blood cell infusion volume (7.00 U (3.00, 13.25) vs 13.75 U (7.25, 22.63), p = 0.039), platelet infusion volume (0.00 mL (0.00, 75.00) vs 300 mL (0.00, 825.00), p = 0.027), and the incidence of major bleeding (0.00% vs 30%, p = 0.024) in bivalirudin group were significantly lower than those in heparin group. CONCLUSIONS: In V-V ECMO-supported adult patients, systemic anticoagulation with bivalirudin has achieved the same anticoagulation targets as heparin with less frequency of major bleeding events and lower requirement for blood products without significantly increased risk of thrombosis. Bivalirudin most likely is a safe and effective anticoagulation method for adult patients supported by V-V ECMO.

The association between maternal tea consumption and the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension: A retrospective cohort study in Lanzhou, China.

BACKGROUND: Existing evidence on the relationship between maternal tea consumption and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the association between maternal tea consumption and the risk of PIH. METHODS: This study analysed the data of women without chronic hypertension who participated in a retrospective birth cohort study conducted from 2010 to 2012 at the Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Lanzhou, China. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between tea consumption and the risk of PIH and its clinical subtypes by different tea exposure time windows. RESULTS: Among the 10,452 women included in this study, tea consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with an increased risk of PIH (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 2.05), gestational hypertension (OR = 1.86, 95 % CI: 1.07, 3.21), and early-onset preeclampsia (OR = 2.93, 95 % CI: 1.21, 7.09). This was especially the case with black tea (OR = 3.57, 95 % CI: 1.67, 7.62). CONCLUSIONS: Tea consumption during pregnancy might be associated with an increased risk of PIH, gestational hypertension, and early-onset preeclampsia. These findings have important implications for public health in reducing the PIH.

Determining optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in a northwest Chinese population: A CONSORT.

ABSTRACT: To determine optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) for the Chinese population.Live singleton deliveries at the largest maternal & childcare hospital in northwest China from 2010 to 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the lowest aggregated risk of interested perinatal outcomes based on Chinese adult body mass index (BMI) categories.Eight thousand eight hundred seventy enrolled parturients were divided into 4 groups according to their prepregnancy BMI: underweight (21.31%, BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (67.81%, 18.5 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2), overweight (8.99%, 24 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2 and obese (1.89%, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2). The optimal GWG values for the above 4 groups were 16.7 kg (GWG range, 12.0-21.5), 14.5 kg (9.5-19.5), 11.5 kg (7.0-16.5), and 8.0 kg (5.0-13.0). The rates of inadequate, optimal and excessive GWG in present study were 6.14% (545), 62.34% (5529), and 31.52% (2796) respectively, which were significantly different from those of the 2009 Institute of Medicine recommendation (χ2 = 1416.05, Pinteraction < 0.0001).Wider optimal GWG ranges than those recommended by Institute of Medicine were found in our study, and our proposed criteria seems to be practical to the Chinese population.

Flexible endoscope visualization to assist in the removal of a string of 10 schwannomas at the cauda equina: technical case report.

Bead-like schwannomas at the cauda equina are rare but benign intraspinal tumors. They can involve multiple nerve roots and spread within the spinal canal, and open resection would cause significant trauma. The authors have successfully applied a novel minimally invasive technique for the total removal of such schwannomas. A 68-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of left waist and leg pain. MRI demonstrated multiple intraspinal lesions located from L1 to S1. The diagnosis was bead-like schwannomas at the cauda equina. Two incisions were made at the T12 and L5 levels. A flexible endoscope was introduced into the spinal canal following hemisemilaminectomy under a microscope to identify the relationship between the tumors and the carrying nerves. After dissecting both cranial and caudal ends of the carrying nerve, the string of bead-like tumors was gently pulled out from the caudal end as a whole. The endoscope was reintroduced into the spinal canal to ensure complete tumor removal. The patient recovered quickly, and no tumor residual was found at postoperative MRI. Flexible endoscope-assisted visualization plus microscopic hemisemilaminectomy via 2 incisions is a feasible minimally invasive approach for selected patients with bead-like schwannomas at the cauda equina.

Neuroprotective effects of FK866 against traumatic brain injury: Involvement of p38/ERK pathway.

OBJECTIVE: FK866 is an inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), which exhibits neuroprotective effects in ischemic brain injury. However, in traumatic brain injury (TBI), the role and mechanism of FK866 remain unclear. The present research was aimed to investigate whether FK866 could attenuate TBI and clarified the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: A controlled cortical impact model was established, and FK866 at a dose of 5 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally at 1 h and 6 h, then twice per day post-TBI until sacrifice. Brain water content, Evans blue dye extravasation, modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), Morris water maze test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and western blot were performed. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that FK866 significantly mitigated the brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and ameliorated the neurological function post-TBI. Moreover, FK866 decreased the number of Iba-1-positive cells, GFAP-positive astrocytes, and AQP4-positive cells. FK866 reduced the protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited NF-κB from translocation to the nucleus. FK866 upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, diminished the expression of Bax and caspase 3, and the number of apoptotic cells. Moreover, p38 MAPK and ERK activation were significantly inhibited by FK866. INTERPRETATION: FK866 attenuated TBI-induced neuroinflammation and apoptosis, at least in part, through p38/ERK MAPKs signaling pathway.

Correlations between the polymorphism of +869T/C in TGF-ß1 and rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlations between the polymorphism of the gene first exon +869T/C in transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The patient group included 150 RA patients at the Department of Rheumatology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College between March 2014 and May 2017 and 150 healthy cases as the control group. The polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and relationships between RA patients and genotypes were analyzed using logistic regression. RESULTS: The genotype frequency distribution and the genotype frequency of +869T/C locus was statistically different between two groups (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the genotype frequency of +869 CC in the inpatient group was significantly lower (17.3% vs 32.7%), while the genotype frequency of +869 TT increased significantly (29.3% vs 20.7%). The T allele frequency in inpatient group was significantly higher than that in control group (57.83% vs 48.82%), while the C allele frequency in control group was significantly higher than that in inpatient group (51.18% vs 42.17%). CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of the gene first exon +869T/C in TGF-ß1 significantly correlated with RA and CC genotype might be the susceptible gene of RA.

Local Delivery of ß-Elemene Improves Locomotor Functional Recovery by Alleviating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Reducing Neuronal Apoptosis in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious global problem that leads to permanent motor and sensory deficits. This study explores the anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of the natural extract ß-elemene in vitro and in a rat model of SCI. METHODS: CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity. A model of cell injury was established using cobalt chloride. Apoptosis was evaluated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting assay of annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining. A rat SCI model was created via the modified Allen's method and Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were used to assess locomotor function. Inflammatory responses were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptotic and surviving neurons in the ventral horn were respectively observed via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and Nissl staining. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression. RESULTS: ß-elemene (20 µg/ml) promoted cell viability by activating phosphorylation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. ß-elemene reduced CoCl2-induced cellular death and apoptosis by suppressing the expression levels of CHOP, cleaved-caspase 12, 78-kilodalton glucose-regulated protein, cleaved-caspase 3, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In the rat model of SCI, Nissl and TUNEL staining showed that ß-elemene promoted motor neuron survival and reduced neuronal apoptosis in the spinal cord ventral horn. BBB scores showed that ß-elemene significantly promoted locomotor behavioral recovery after SCI. In addition, ß-elemene reduced the ELISA-detected secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß. CONCLUSION: ß-elemene reduces neuronal apoptosis by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro and in vivo. In addition, ß-elemene promotes locomotor function recovery and tissue repair in SCI rats. Thus, our study provides a novel encouraging strategy for the potential treatment of ß-elemene in SCI patients.

ß-Elemene Enhances GAP-43 Expression and Neurite Outgrowth by Inhibiting RhoA Kinase Activation in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury.

RhoA signaling pathway inhibitors such as Y27632 (a ROCK inhibitor) have recently been applied as treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI) because they promote neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration in neurons. ß-Elemene, a compound that is extracted from a natural plant (Curcuma zedoary), influences the expression level of RhoA protein. Whether it can promote neurite outgrowth in motor neurons or enhance locomotor recovery in SCI remains unclear. Here, we initially demonstrated that ß-elemene promotes neurite outgrowth of ventral spinal cord 4.1 (VSC4.1) motoneuronal cells and primary cortical neurons. Pull-down assays showed that ß-elemene significantly inhibits the activation of RhoA kinase. Western blotting assays suggested ß-elemene markedly inhibits the phosphorylation of limk and confilin and significantly increases the expression level of GAP-43. Then, in a rat model of SCI, hematoxylin-eosin and myelin staining showed that ß-elemene reduces the area of lesion cavity and spares the white matter. BBB scores showed ß-elemene significantly promotes locomotor behavioral recovery. In addition, western blotting assays and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that the expression level of GAP-43 is upregulated by ß-elemene treatment in vivo. Thus, our study provided an encouraging novel strategy for the potential treatment of SCI patients with ß-elemene.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Removal of a Lumbar Epidural Angiolipoma via Interlaminar Approach: A Technical Report.

BACKGROUND: Although percutaneous endoscopic technique has been routinely used in the treatment of disk herniation, there are few reports on its application in the management of intraspinal tumors. We present a case report of lumbar epidural angiolipoma that was totally removed by percutaneous endoscopic technique. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 63-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of progressively worsening low back pain. No abnormal neurologic finding was noted on physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a dorsally located L2-3 epidural lesion, suggestive of a noninfiltrating angiolipoma. During the operation, an 8-mm skin incision was made, and a dilator was bluntly inserted toward the interlaminar space, followed by insertion of a working cannula onto the ligamentum flavum and placement of the endoscope. The interlaminar space was enlarged by resection of part of the lower rim of the right L2 vertebral laminae, and the right side of the interlaminar ligamentum flavum was removed to expose the tumor. The tumor was totally removed piecemeal under endoscopic guidance, and pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of angiolipoma. CONCLUSIONS: This report supports the application of percutaneous endoscopic technique in the surgical resection of noninfiltrating extradural lumbar angiolipoma.

Microscope-assisted endoscopic interlaminar ligation of spinal arteriovenous fistulas: technical note.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are the most common type of spinal arteriovenous malformations, and microsurgical ligation is the treatment modality most frequently used for these lesions. Developments in endoscopic techniques have made endoscopy an even less invasive alternative to routine microsurgical approaches in spine surgery, but endoscopic management of SDAVF or other intradural spinal lesions has not been reported to date. The authors describe the use of a microscope-assisted endoscopic interlaminar approach for the ligation of the proximal draining vein of an L-1 SDAVF in a 58-year-old man. A complete cure was confirmed by postoperative angiography. The postoperative course was uneventful, and short-term follow-up showed improvements in the patient's neurological function. The authors conclude that the endoscopic interlaminar approach with microscope assistance is a safe, minimally invasive, innovative technique for the surgical management of SDAVFs in selected patients.

Minimally invasive removal of lumbar intradural extramedullary lesions using the interlaminar approach.

OBJECT Posterior midline laminectomy or hemilaminectomy has been successfully applied as the standard microsurgical technique for the treatment of spinal intradural pathologies. However, the associated risks of postoperative spinal instability increase the need for subsequent fusion surgery to prevent potential long-term spinal deformity. Continuous efforts have been made to minimize injuries to the surrounding tissue resulting from surgical manipulations. The authors report here their experiences with a novel minimally invasive surgical approach, namely the interlaminar approach, for the treatment of lumbar intraspinal tumors. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of patients at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine who underwent minimally invasive resection of lumbar intradural-extramedullary tumors. By using an operative microscope, in addition to an endoscope when necessary, the authors were able to treat all patients with a unilateral, paramedian, bone-sparing interlaminar technique. Data including preoperative neurological status, tumor location, size, pathological diagnosis, extension of resections, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and clinical outcomes were obtained through clinical and radiological examinations. RESULTS Eighteen patients diagnosed with lumbar intradural-extramedullary tumors were treated from October 2013 to March 2015 by this interlaminar technique. A microscope was used in 15 cases, and the remaining 3 cases were treated using a microscope as well as an endoscope. There were 14 schwannomas, 2 ependymomas, 1 epidermoid cyst, and 1 enterogenous cyst. Postoperative radiological follow-up revealed complete removal of all the lesions and no signs of bone defects in the lamina. At clinical follow-up, 14 of the 18 patients had less pain, and patients' motor/sensory functions improved or remained normal in all cases except 1. CONClUSIONS When meeting certain selection criteria, intradural-extramedullary lumbar tumors, especially schwannomas, can be completely and safely resected through a less-invasive interlaminar approach using a microscope, or a microscope in addition to an endoscope when necessary. This approach was advantageous because it caused even less bone destruction, resulting in better postoperative spinal stability, no need for facetectomy and fusion, and quicker functional recovery for the patients. Individualized surgical planning according to preoperative radiological findings is key to a successful microsurgical resection of these lesions through the interlaminar space.