ZmSCE1a positively regulates drought tolerance by enhancing the stability of ZmGCN5.

Drought stress impairs plant growth and poses a serious threat to maize (Zea mays) production and yield. Nevertheless, the elucidation of the molecular basis of drought resistance in maize is still uncertain. In this study, we identified ZmSCE1a, a SUMO E2-conjugating enzyme, as a positive regulator of drought tolerance in maize. Molecular and biochemical assays indicated that E3 SUMO ligase ZmMMS21 acts together with ZmSCE1a to SUMOylate histone acetyltransferase complexes (ZmGCN5-ZmADA2b). SUMOylation of ZmGCN5 enhances its stability through the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, ZmGCN5-overexpressing plants showed drought tolerance performance. It alleviated O 2 - $$ {\mathrm{O}}_2^{-} $$ accumulation, malondialdehyde content, and ion permeability. What's more, the transcripts of stress-responsive genes and abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent genes were also significantly upregulated in ZmGCN5-overexpressing plants under drought stress. Overexpression of ZmGCN5 enhanced drought-induced ABA production in seedlings. Taken together, our results indicate that ZmSCE1a enhances the stability of ZmGCN5, thereby alleviating drought-induced oxidative damage and enhancing drought stress response in maize.

Remnant cholesterol is superior to other lipid-related parameters for the prediction of cardiometabolic disease risk in individuals with hypertension: The Kailuan study.

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain which lipid-related parameter is most suitable for predicting the risk of cardiometabolic disease (CMD) in individuals with hypertension. AIMS: To explore which lipid-related parameter is most suitable for predicting the risk of CMD. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 30,378 patients with hypertension who completed the 2006-2007 Kailuan health examination and followed up until December 31, 2021. In the constructed model, the utilities of lipid-related parameters for the prediction of CMD were compared using the C-index, NRI, and IDI. The best predictor (remnant cholesterol, RC) was identified and the participants were grouped according to RC quartile. Cox proportional hazard analysis was then used to evaluate the relationship between RC and the risk of CMD. During a median follow-up period of 14.7 years (IQR 5.3-15.1), 9502 (31.27 %) participants with hypertension developed CMD. The C-index, NRI, and IDI values for RC were higher than those for the other lipid parameters. After adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors, compared with the quartile (Q)1 RC group, the adjusted hazard ratios for CMD of the Q2-Q4 groups were 1.09 (1.03-1.16), 1.17 (1.11-1.24), and 1.25 (1.18-1.33) (P < 0.0001). Restrictive cubic spline analysis revealed dose-dependent relationships of lipid parameters with the risk of CMD. CONCLUSIONS: RC is superior to other lipid parameters for the prediction of the risk of CMD in individuals with hypertension. As the concentration of RC increases, the risk of CMD in such individuals also increases.

[Association of dietary diversity and falls among Chinese people aged 65 years and above in 2018].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of falls and examine the association between the dietary diversity and falls among older Chinese adults. METHODS: We used data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS), a nationwide survey with 10 698 adults aged ≥65 years old in 23 provinces of China. Dietary diversity score(DDS) was constructed based on 11 items of a food frequency questionnaire. Participants were assigned into 4 groups(Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4) according to the quartile of DDS. The outcome observed was the incidence of fall in the past year acquired by questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between DDS and the risk of falls in the elderly. RESULTS: Among the 10 698 participants, 4686(43.8%) were male, and 6012(56.2%) were female, with a mean(SD) age of 85.03(11.8).6191(57.9%) of them were came from urban. Fall was reported by 22.9% of the 10698 participants. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, educational background, marital status, residence, sufficient income, smoking, drinking, regular exercise, sleep duration, Precentral obesity and central obesity, vision impairment, disability, nervous system diseases, and arthritis diseases, compared to the Q1 of DDS, OR were 0.83(95% CI 0.74-0.94) for Q2, 0.85(95% CI 0.74-0.97) for Q3, and 0.76(95% CI 0.66-0.81) for Q4(P_(trend)<0.01). In addition, a significant association was observed between higher consumption of fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and beans, with lower risk of falls, OR were 0.76(95% CI 0.66-0.87), 0.81(95% CI 0.73-0.89) and 0.88(95% CI 0.80-0.96), respectively. CONCLUSION: A higher DDS was associated with a lower risk of falls in the Chinese aged 65 years and above.

Insights into the synthesis, engineering, and functions of microbial pigments in Deinococcus bacteria.

The ability of Deinococcus bacteria to survive in harsh environments, such as high radiation, extreme temperature, and dryness, is mainly attributed to the generation of unique pigments, especially carotenoids. Although the limited number of natural pigments produced by these bacteria restricts their industrial potential, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology can significantly increase pigment yield and expand their application prospects. In this study, we review the properties, biosynthetic pathways, and functions of key enzymes and genes related to these pigments and explore strategies for improving pigment production through gene editing and optimization of culture conditions. Additionally, studies have highlighted the unique role of these pigments in antioxidant activity and radiation resistance, particularly emphasizing the critical functions of deinoxanthin in D. radiodurans. In the future, Deinococcus bacterial pigments will have broad application prospects in the food industry, drug production, and space exploration, where they can serve as radiation indicators and natural antioxidants to protect astronauts' health during long-term space flights.

Association between the atherogenic index of plasma trajectory and risk of heart failure among hypertensive patients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been shown to be positively correlated with cardiovascular events. However, it remains unclear whether hypertensive patients with long-term high AIP levels are at greater risk of developing heart failure (HF). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between AIP trajectory and the incidence of HF in hypertensive patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 22,201 hypertensive patients from the Kailuan Study who underwent three waves of surveys between 2006 and 2010. Participants were free of HF or cancer before or during 2010. The AIP was calculated as the logarithmic conversion ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Latent mixed modeling was employed to identify different trajectory patterns for AIP during the exposure period (2006-2010). Cox proportional hazard models were then used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident HF among different trajectory groups. RESULTS: Four distinct trajectory patterns were identified through latent mixture modeling analysis: low-stable group (n = 3,373; range, -0.82 to -0.70), moderate-low stable group (n = 12,700; range, -0.12 to -0.09), moderate-high stable group (n = 5,313; range, 0.53 to 0.58), and elevated-increasing group (n = 815; range, 1.22 to 1.56). During a median follow-up period of 9.98 years, a total of 822 hypertensive participants experienced HF. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, compared with those in the low-stable group, the HR and corresponding CI for incident HF in the elevated-increasing group, moderate-high stable group, and moderate-low stable group were estimated to be 1.79 (1.21,2.66), 1.49 (1.17,1.91), and 1.27 (1.02,1.58), respectively. These findings remained consistent across subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Prolonged elevation of AIP in hypertensive patients is significantly associated with an increased risk of HF. This finding suggests that regular monitoring of AIP could aid in identifying individuals at a heightened risk of HF within the hypertensive population.

Relationship of the trajectory of the triglyceride-glucose index with heart failure: the Kailuan study.

BACKGROUND: A high triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) is associated with a higher risk of incident heart failure. However, the effects of longitudinal patterns of TyG index on the risk of heart failure remain to be characterized. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to characterize the relationship between the trajectory of TyG index and the risk of heart failure. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 56,149 participants in the Kailuan study who attended three consecutive surveys in 2006-2007, 2008-2009, and 2010-2011 and had no history of heart failure or cancer before the third wave survey (2010-2011). The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2], and we used latent mixture modeling to characterize the trajectory of the TyG index over the period 2006-2010. Additionally, Cox proportional risk models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for incident heart failure for the various TyG index trajectory groups. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2010, four different TyG trajectories were identified: low-stable (n = 13,554; range, 7.98-8.07), moderate low-stable (n = 29,435; range, 8.60-8.65), moderate high-stable (n = 11,262; range, 9.31-9.30), and elevated-stable (n = 1,898; range, 10.04-10.25). A total of 1,312 new heart failure events occurred during a median follow-up period of 10.04 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident heart failure for the elevated-stable, moderate high-stable, and moderate low-stable groups were 1.55 (1.15, 2.08), 1.32 (1.08, 1.60), and 1.17 (0.99, 1.37), respectively, compared to the low-stable group. CONCLUSIONS: Higher TyG index trajectories were associated with a higher risk of heart failure. This suggests that monitoring TyG index trajectory may help identify individuals at high risk for heart failure and highlights the importance of early control of blood glucose and lipids for the prevention of heart failure.

DeepRisk: A deep learning approach for genome-wide assessment of common disease risk.

The potential for being able to identify individuals at high disease risk solely based on genotype data has garnered significant interest. Although widely applied, traditional polygenic risk scoring methods fall short, as they are built on additive models that fail to capture the intricate associations among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This presents a limitation, as genetic diseases often arise from complex interactions between multiple SNPs. To address this challenge, we developed DeepRisk, a biological knowledge-driven deep learning method for modeling these complex, nonlinear associations among SNPs, to provide a more effective method for scoring the risk of common diseases with genome-wide genotype data. Evaluations demonstrated that DeepRisk outperforms existing PRS-based methods in identifying individuals at high risk for four common diseases: Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer.

Antibiotic Alternatives: Multifunctional Ultra-Small Metal Nanoclusters for Bacterial Infectious Therapy Application.

The prevalence of major bacterial infections has emerged as a significant menace to human health and life. Conventional treatment methods primarily rely on antibiotic therapy, but the overuse of these drugs has led to a decline in their efficacy. Moreover, bacteria have developed resistance towards antibiotics, giving rise to the emergence of superbugs. Consequently, there is an urgent need for novel antibacterial agents or alternative strategies to combat bacterial infections. Nanoantibiotics encompass a class of nano-antibacterial materials that possess inherent antimicrobial activity or can serve as carriers to enhance drug delivery efficiency and safety. In recent years, metal nanoclusters (M NCs) have gained prominence in the field of nanoantibiotics due to their ultra-small size (less than 3 nm) and distinctive electronic and optical properties, as well as their biosafety features. In this review, we discuss the recent progress of M NCs as a new generation of antibacterial agents. First, the main synthesis methods and characteristics of M NCs are presented. Then, we focus on reviewing various strategies for detecting and treating pathogenic bacterial infections using M NCs, summarizing the antibacterial effects of these nanoantibiotics on wound infections, biofilms, and oral infections. Finally, we propose a perspective on the remaining challenges and future developments of M NCs for bacterial infectious therapy.

Cheese Whey Protein and Blueberry Juice Mixed Fermentation Enhance the Freeze-Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Freeze-Drying Process.

The effects of MRS, whey protein and blueberry alone, and mixed fermentation on the survival rate of lactic acid bacteria under various freeze-drying conditions were investigated. The surface structure of the freeze-dried powders was also investigated to explore the anti-freezing protection mechanism of mixed whey protein and blueberry fermentation on the bacteria. It was found that the mixed fermentation medium of blueberry and whey protein has a protective effect on the freeze-drying bacteria and is better than the traditional MRS and whey protein medium. The optimal concentration of blueberry juice addition was 9%. The survival rate of the pre-freezing temperature at -80 °C was higher than at -20 °C after the pre-freezing and freeze-drying processes. The freeze-drying thickness of 0.3 cm could improve the survival rate of the bacteria. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated the interaction between the whey protein, anthocyanins, and the surface composition of the lactic acid bacteria.

Polystyrene nanoplastics at predicted environmental concentrations enhance the toxicity of copper on Caenorhabditis elegans.

Excessive nanoplastics not only pose a direct threat to the environment but also have the propensity to adsorb and interact with other pollutants, exacerbating their impact. The coexistence of nanoplastics and heavy metals in soils is a prevalent phenomenon. However, limited research existed about the joint effects of the two contaminants on soil organisms. In this paper, we ascertained the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) and copper (Cu2+) on soil organisms (Caenorhabditis elegans) at quantities that were present in the environment, further exploring whether the two toxicants were synergistic or antagonistic. The outcomes manifested that single exposure to low-dose PS-NPs (1 µg/L) would not cause significant damage to nematodes. After treatment with PS-NPs and Cu2+, the locomotion ability of nematode was impaired, accompanied by an elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and a biphasic response in antioxidant enzyme activity. Moreover, combined exposure to PS-NPs and Cu2+ induced the mRNA up-regulation of vit-6, cyp-35a2, hsp-16.2, age-1, and cep-1, both of which were stress-related genes. The comparative analysis between groups (with or without PS-NPs) revealed that the combined exposure group resulted in significantly greater toxic effects on nematodes compared with Cu2+ exposure alone. Furthermore, the addition of PS-NPs influenced the metabolic profiles of Caenorhabditis elegans under Cu2+ stress, with numerous differential metabolites associated with oxidative damage or defense mechanism. Overall, these findings manifested that PS-NPs at the expected environmental concentration elevated Cu2+ toxicity on nematodes.

Artificial intelligence automated surgical phases recognition in intraoperative videos of laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) is one of the most challenging operations and has a long learning curve. Artificial intelligence (AI) automated surgical phase recognition in intraoperative videos has many potential applications in surgical education, helping shorten the learning curve, but no study has made this breakthrough in LPD. Herein, we aimed to build AI models to recognize the surgical phase in LPD and explore the performance characteristics of AI models. METHODS: Among 69 LPD videos from a single surgical team, we used 42 in the building group to establish the models and used the remaining 27 videos in the analysis group to assess the models' performance characteristics. We annotated 13 surgical phases of LPD, including 4 key phases and 9 necessary phases. Two minimal invasive pancreatic surgeons annotated all the videos. We built two AI models for the key phase and necessary phase recognition, based on convolutional neural networks. The overall performance of the AI models was determined mainly by mean average precision (mAP). RESULTS: Overall mAPs of the AI models in the test set of the building group were 89.7% and 84.7% for key phases and necessary phases, respectively. In the 27-video analysis group, overall mAPs were 86.8% and 71.2%, with maximum mAPs of 98.1% and 93.9%. We found commonalities between the error of model recognition and the differences of surgeon annotation, and the AI model exhibited bad performance in cases with anatomic variation or lesion involvement with adjacent organs. CONCLUSIONS: AI automated surgical phase recognition can be achieved in LPD, with outstanding performance in selective cases. This breakthrough may be the first step toward AI- and video-based surgical education in more complex surgeries.

Structural biology of terpene synthases.

Structural biology research of terpene synthases (TSs) has provided a useful basis to understand their catalytic mechanisms in producing diverse terpene products with polycyclic ring systems and multiple chiral centers. However, compared to the large numbers of>95,000 terpenoids discovered to date, few structures of TSs have been solved and the understanding of their catalytic mechanisms is lagging. We here (i) introduce the basic catalytic logic, the structural architectures, and the metal-binding conserved motifs of TSs; (ii) provide detailed experimental procedures, in gene cloning and plasmid construction, protein purification, crystallization, X-ray diffraction data collection and structural elucidation, for structural biology research of TSs; and (iii) discuss the prospects of structure-based engineering and de novo design of TSs in generating valuable terpene molecules, which cannot be easily achieved by chemical synthesis.

End-expiratory lung volumes as a potential indicator for COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: End-expiratory lung volume (EELV) has been observed to decrease in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Yet, research investigating EELV in patients with COVID-19 associated ARDS (CARDS) remains limited. It is unclear whether EELV could serve as a potential metric for monitoring disease progression and identifying patients with ARDS at increased risk of adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective study included mechanically ventilated patients diagnosed with CARDS during the initial phase of epidemic control in Shanghai. EELV was measured using the nitrogen washout-washin technique within 48 h post-intubation, followed by regular assessments every 3-4 days. Chest CT scans, performed within a 24-hour window around each EELV measurement, were analyzed using AI software. Differences in patient demographics, clinical data, respiratory mechanics, EELV, and chest CT findings were assessed using linear mixed models (LMM). RESULTS: Out of the 38 patients enrolled, 26.3% survived until discharge from the ICU. In the survivor group, EELV, EELV/predicted body weight (EELV/PBW) and EELV/predicted functional residual capacity (EELV/preFRC) were significantly higher than those in the non-survivor group (survivor group vs. non-survivor group: EELV: 1455 vs. 1162 ml, P = 0.049; EELV/PBW: 24.1 vs. 18.5 ml/kg, P = 0.011; EELV/preFRC: 0.45 vs. 0.34, P = 0.005). Follow-up assessments showed a sustained elevation of EELV/PBW and EELV/preFRC among the survivors. Additionally, EELV exhibited a positive correlation with total lung volume and residual lung volume, while demonstrating a negative correlation with lesion volume determined through chest CT scans analyzed using AI software. CONCLUSION: EELV is a useful indicator for assessing disease severity and monitoring the prognosis of patients with CARDS.

Impact of an AI-Based laparoscopic cholecystectomy coaching program on the surgical performance: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard for treating symptomatic gallstones but carries inherent risks like bile duct injury (BDI). While critical view of safety (CVS) is advocated to mitigate BDI, its real-world adoption is limited. Additionally, significant variations in surgeon performance impede procedural standardization, highlighting the need for a feasible, innovative, and effective training approach. The aim of this study is to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted coaching program for LC to enhance surgical education and improve surgeon's performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-center, randomized controlled trial from May 2022 to August 2023 to assess the impact of an AI-based coaching program, SmartCoach, on novice performing LC. Surgeons and patients meeting specific inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either a coaching group with AI-enhanced feedback or a self-learning group. The primary outcome was assessed using the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Rating Form (LCRF), with secondary outcomes including surgical safety, efficiency, and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, with significance set at P-value less than 0.05. RESULTS: Between May 2022 and August 2023, 22 surgeons were initially enrolled from 10 hospitals, with 18 completing the study. No demographic differences were noted between coaching and self-learning groups. In terms of surgical performance (LCRF scores), the coaching group showed significant improvement over time (31 to 40, P=0.008), outperforming the self-learning group by study end (40 vs 38, P=0.032). Significant improvements in CVS achievement were also noted in the coaching group (11% to 78%, P=0.021). Overall, the coaching program was well-received, outpacing traditional educational methods in both understanding and execution of CVS and participants in the intervention group expressed strongly satisfaction with the program. CONCLUSIONS: The AI-assisted surgical coaching program effectively improved surgical performance and safety for novice surgeons in LC procedures. The model holds significant promise for advancing surgical education.

Ligand-free Pd-catalyzed highly selective arylation of activated and unactivated alkenes via oxidative and reductive heck coupling.

In this work, an eco-friendly, green, efficient approach for oxidative and reductive Heck-Mizoroki (HM) reactions was developed, which offered acceptable yields from first-pass experiments. Mono-arylation was achieved without the use of ligands, directing groups, or prefunctionalized alkenes. Considering mild reaction conditions, good functional group compatibility, and great regioselectivity, the method can find broad applications in novel medicine and material development and discovery processes.

Self-constructed water-in-oil Pickering emulsions as a tool for increasing bioaccessibility of betulin.

Self-constructed water-in-oil emulsions can be stabilized by a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, betulin. A higher betulin concentration (3%) results in smaller emulsion droplet sizes. Microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and rheology indicate that the stabilizing mechanism is attributed to betulin crystals on the emulsion interface and within the continuous phase, thereby enabling excellent freeze/thaw and thermal stability. The betulin Pickering emulsion (1%) significantly increased betulin bioaccessibility (22.4%) compared to betulin alone (0.2%) and betulin-oil physical mixture (7.9%). A higher level of betulin at 3% leads to smaller emulsion particle size, potentially resulting in a greater surface area. This, in return, promotes a higher release of free fatty acids (FFA), contributing to the release and solubilization of betulin from emulsions. Additionally, it leads to the formation of micelles, further increasing betulin bioaccessibility (29.3%). This study demonstrates Pickering emulsions solely stabilized by phytochemical betulin provides an innovative way to improve its bioaccessibility.

Research Progress on the Etiology and Treatment of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.

Background: Menopause in women marks the knot of reproductive life, and menopause is defined as the last menstrual period in a woman, but this is caused by the failure of the ovarian reserve. The average age of natural menopause in the general population of women has remained around 50-52 years. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a debilitating clinical syndrome that manifests as a decline in ovarian function in women under 40. This condition is a prominent cause of female infertility. Summary: POI is a debilitating condition that not only wreaks havoc on patients' physical and mental well-being but also imposes substantial mental, psychological, and economic burdens, particularly on women. In addition to diminished fertility, individuals afflicted with POI face an elevated risk of developing debilitating conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. The etiologies of POI are highly heterogeneous, and it can be caused by spontaneous genetic defects or induced by autoimmune diseases, infections, and iatrogenic or environmental factors. Alarmingly, idiopathic POI, a subtype characterized by an unknown etiology, accounts for more than half of all POI cases. Currently, clinical interventions for POI primarily consist of hormone replacement therapy. Fertility preservation methods are cryopreservation of embryos, oocytes, and ovarian tissue. Immunological interventions, gene editing techniques, and stem cell-based therapies are being explored to unravel the diverse etiologies and underlying mechanisms of POI, thereby enabling the identification of optimal therapeutic interventions. These innovative approaches offer unprecedented opportunities to advance the field of reproductive medicine. Key Messages: The main aim of this paper was to offer a succinct summary of the latest research breakthroughs concerning the elucidation of the mechanisms governing the origin and management of POI.

Prokaryotic taxonomy and functional diversity assessment of different sequencing platform in a hyper-arid Gobi soil in Xinjiang Turpan Basin, China.

Turpan Basin located in the eastern Xinjiang is a typical arid inland basin with extremely scarce water resources and a fragile ecosystem. Prokaryotic communities with unique genetic and physiological modifications can survive and function in such harsh environments, offering diverse microbial resources. However, numerous microbes can enter the viable but non-culturable state because of drought stress in the desert soil. In this work, next generation sequencing (NGS) technology based on DNA nanoball sequencing platform (DNBSEQ-G400) and sequencing-by-synthesis platform (NovaSeq 6000) were applied to analyze the prokaryotic diversity in three hyper-arid Gobi soils from Flaming Mountain, Toksun, and Kumtag. The comparison between two platforms indicated that DNBSEQ-G400 had better repeatability and could better reflect the prokaryotic community of this hyper-arid region. The diversity analysis based on DNBSEQ-G400 identified a total of 36 bacterial phyla, including Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, Bacillota, Actinomycetota, Methanobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, Nitrososphaerota, and Planctomycetota. The environmental factors, including soluble salt, available potassium, total nitrogen, and organic matter, were positively correlated with the abundance of most prokaryote. In addition, the prokaryotic community assembly in hyper-arid soil was well described by neutral-based models, indicating that the community assembly was mainly controlled by stochastic processes. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis of Actinomycetota proved that such extremophiles played an important role in the ecosystems they colonize. Overall, our result provides a reference for choosing the appropriate sequencing platform and a perspective for the utilization of soil microbial resources from hyper-arid regions.

Delayed lung injury on the nonsurgical side increases mortality in patients after lung cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The incidence of pulmonary complications following lung cancer surgery has declined recently; however, postoperative acute lung injury (PALI) is still common. The present study aimed to assess the prognosis of PALI after lung cancer surgery on different injury sides, describe its clinical characteristics and identify risk factors. Methods: This was a monocenter retrospective study conducted in a university surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Patients requiring respiratory support with severe hypoxemia after lung cancer surgery were included. Patients were categorized based on the radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) score ratio, which calculates the severity of surgical/nonsurgical side of lung injury [RRALE; RALE score of the surgical side (RALES) divided by RALE score of nonsurgical side (RALENS)], into two groups: the nonsurgical-side lung injury group (RRALE <1) and others (RRALE ≥1). The primary outcome was 90-day mortality, and secondary outcomes included in-hospital 28-day mortality, total intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS and 6-month survival. Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. Nine patients were included in the RRALE <1 group and seven patients were included in the RRALE ≥1 group. At 90 days, six patients in the RRALE <1 group had died, whereas none died in the RRALE ≥1 group (P=0.01). No significant difference was observed in in-hospital 28-day all-cause mortality (P=0.48) or ICU or hospital LOS (P=0.34 and P=0.36, respectively) between the two groups. Survival at 6 months was significantly lower in the RRALE <1 group (33.33%) than in the RRALE ≥1 group (100.00%) (P=0.009). Conclusions: Patients with severe lung injury on the nonsurgical side after lung cancer surgery had high 90-day mortality rates. Large prospective studies and accurate monitoring data are needed in the future to identify the risk factors and therapy for such lung injury.