Diosmetin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside from Pogostemonis Herba alleviated SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia by reshaping macrophage polarization and limiting viral replication.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Viral pneumonia is the leading cause of death after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite effective at early stage, long-term treatment with glucocorticoids can lead to a variety of adverse effects and limited benefits. The Chinese traditional herb Pogostemonis Herba is the aerial part of Pogostemon Cablin (Blanco) Benth., which has potent antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. It was used widely for treating various throat and respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, viral infection, cough, allergic asthma, acute lung injury and lung cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects of chemical compounds from Pogostemonis Herba in SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2-overexpressing mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells and hACE2 transgenic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hACE2-overexpressing RAW264.7 cells were exposed with SARS-CoV-2. The cell viability was detected by CCK8 assay and cell apoptotic rate was by flow cytometric assay. The expressions of macrophage M1 phenotype markers (TNF-α and IL-6) and M2 markers (IL-10 and Arg-1) as well as the viral loads were detected by qPCR. The mice were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant to induce viral pneumonia. The levels of macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells in the lung tissues of infected mice were analyzed by full spectrum flow cytometry. The expressions of key proteins were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Diosmetin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (DG) presented the strongest anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Intervention with DG at the concentrations of 0.625-2.5 µM not only reduced the viral replication, cell apoptosis, and the productions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in SARS-CoV-2-infected RAW264.7 cells, but also reversed macrophage polarity from M1 to M2 phenotype. Furthermore, treatment with DG (25-100 mg/kg) alleviated acute lung injury, and reduced macrophage infiltration in SARS-COV-2-infected mice. Mechanistically, DG inhibited SARS-COV-2 gene expression and HK3 translation via targeting YTHDF1, resulting in the inactivation of glycolysis-mediated NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: DG exerted the potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities. It reduced pneumonia in SARS-COV-2-infected mice via inhibiting the viral replication and accelerating M2 macrophage polarization via targeting YTHDF1, indicating its potential for COVID-19 treatment.

Infiltration by monocytes of the central nervous system and its role in multiple sclerosis: reflections on therapeutic strategies.

Mononuclear macrophage infiltration in the central nervous system is a prominent feature of neuroinflammation. Recent studies on the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis have highlighted the multiple roles of mononuclear macrophages in the neuroinflammatory process. Monocytes play a significant role in neuroinflammation, and managing neuroinflammation by manipulating peripheral monocytes stands out as an effective strategy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, leading to improved patient outcomes. This review outlines the steps involved in the entry of myeloid monocytes into the central nervous system that are targets for effective intervention: the activation of bone marrow hematopoiesis, migration of monocytes in the blood, and penetration of the blood-brain barrier by monocytes. Finally, we summarize the different monocyte subpopulations and their effects on the central nervous system based on phenotypic differences. As activated microglia resemble monocyte-derived macrophages, it is important to accurately identify the role of monocyte-derived macrophages in disease. Depending on the roles played by monocyte-derived macrophages at different stages of the disease, several of these processes can be interrupted to limit neuroinflammation and improve patient prognosis. Here, we discuss possible strategies to target monocytes in neurological diseases, focusing on three key aspects of monocyte infiltration into the central nervous system, to provide new ideas for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of Streptomyces melanosporofaciens X216 on microbial diversity in oilseed rape soil.

Introduction: Clubroot disease is a devastating soil borne disease caused by infection with Plasmodiophora brassicae, which primarily affects cruciferous plants. The microbial diversity of the soil is an essential indicator of its quality. Methods: This study measured the physicochemical properties of the soil to study the effect of its microbial diversity on the infection of oilseed rape with P. brassicae. High-throughput sequences of the soil bacteria and fungi in the inter-root soils of P. brassicae were analyzed under different treatment conditions. Results: In the study, it was found that the efficiency of strain X216 in preventing and controlling the root disease of rapeseed was positively correlated with the amount of solution used to irrigate the root system. The results of the greenhouse and field trials showed that the efficiency of strain X216 against the root disease of rapeseed was 43.16% in the field and 62.14% in the greenhouse. Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Rozellomycota, and Basidiomycota are critical phylum in the development of clubroot disease. The application of biocontrol increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Bacillus, Mesorhizobium, Mycobacterium, Streptomyces and Filobasidium, which affected the structure and abundance of microbial communities. A principal coordinate analysis showed that the microbial structure in the soil varied substantially in the bacterial community, and there was no significant difference in soil structure in the fungal community. Discussion: The occurrence of clubroot disease affected the structure of inter-root microbial community composition in the soil, which resulted in a decrease in its community diversity. The application of the biocontrol bacterium X216 increased the soil microbial diversity. It effectively reduced the occurrence of P. brassicae, and this study provides a basis to study the microbial diversity in cruciferous crops.

Beyond conventional treatment: ASGR1 Leading the new era of hypercholesterolemia management.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with hypercholesterolemia being a major risk factor. Although various lipid-lowering therapies exist, many patients fail to achieve optimal cholesterol control, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. ASGR1 (asialoglycoprotein receptor 1), predominantly expressed on hepatocytes, has emerged as a key regulator of cholesterol metabolism and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) clearance. This receptor's ability to regulate lipid homeostasis positions it as a promising target for therapeutic intervention in hypercholesterolemia and related cardiovascular diseases. This review critically examines the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of ASGR1 in cholesterol metabolism, with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and related cardiovascular diseases. By analyzing recent advances in ASGR1 research, this article explores its role in liver-specific pathways, the implications of ASGR1 variants in CVD risk, and the prospects for developing ASGR1-targeted therapies. This review aims to provide a foundation for future research and clinical applications in hypercholesterolemia management.

EphrinB2-mediated chondrocyte autophagy induces post-traumatic arthritis via rupture of cartilage homeostasis.

EphrinB2, a member of the Ephrin family, has been linked to several orthopaedic conditions. Nevertheless, the correlation between ephrinB2 and post-traumatic arthritis (PTOA) remains unclear. Human PTOA cartilage from human and mouse knee joints was systematically analysed to investigate the relationship between EphrinB2 and PTOA using SO-FG and toluidine blue staining, micro-CT, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, lentiviral articular injection and in situ end labeling (TUNEL) assays. EphrinB2 expression was significantly downregulated in PTOA chondrocytes. Blocking EphrinB2 increased the breakdown of cartilage matrix in mice with PTOA via reducing the process of chondrocyte autophagy. The presence of severe cartilage damage was evident, as indicated by a considerable decrease in both cartilage thickness and area, accompanied by an increase in chondrocyte death. Altogether, EphrinB2 is required for the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis in post-traumatic arthritis, and EphrinB2 ablation is associated with accelerated chondrocyte matrix degeneration, finally causing damage to the articular cartilage.

Quantitative impact damage of apple based on hyperspectral imaging combined with mechanical parameters and size correction.

In order to solve the problem of decreasing the accuracy of quantitative prediction of damage of fruits resulting in the size difference of fruits, the spectral correction method based on the size difference of fruits was adopted. To provide richer theoretical knowledge for the quality detection of fruits and the design of damage reduction programs in reality. First, the undamaged spectra of the group of apples with better performance of the model were selected as the reference spectra by analyzing and comparing the modeling results of the prediction models of mechanical parameters with the single fruit diameter groups. The spectral correction coefficient was calculated with the formulas, and the damage spectra of three groups of apples were size-corrected by this coefficient to build the mechanical parameter models. Finally, the corrected spectra were screened for characteristic wavelengths by competitive adaptive reweighting and uninformative variable elimination algorithms. The results of study showed that the correlation coefficients of the prediction set of the models were improved by 2.1%-13% and the root mean square errors were reduced by 16%-51% with the spectrally corrected models compared with the precorrection models. Therefore, the size correction method can be used to eliminate the effect of size difference on the mechanical parameter models to improve the applicability of the quantitative damage prediction models, and it can provide the theoretical guidance to design the loss-reducing protective measures and the agricultural mechanized operation process.

Syntheses and performance study of three POM-viologen compounds with photo- and electric-stimulation response.

In recent years, stimulus responsive materials have received widespread attention. Under solvothermal conditions, three polyoxometalates-viologen organic-inorganic hybrid compounds were successfully constructed by combining a viologen ligand 1-(3-Nitro-benzyl)-[4,4']bipyridinyl-1-ium bromide (1,3-nibipy·Br) with octamolybdate, namely [Cu2(1,3-nibipy)4(H2O)2(ß-Mo8O26)2]·2H2O (1), [Cu2(1,3-nibipy)4(H2O)4(ß-Mo8O26)]·(ß-Mo8O26) (2) and (1,3-Hnibipy)2·(ß-Mo8O26) (3). These three compounds can exhibit color changing properties under both light and electrical stimulation. Through characterizations of PXRD, FT-IR, UV-vis spectra, XPS, EPR, CV, and other tests, the photochromic and electrochromic properties of these three compounds are caused by the generation of viologen radicals. Compounds 1-3 have a rapid photoresponse efficiency and can be made into mixed matrix films for use as ultraviolet detectors. In addition, coated filter paper synthesized from acetonitrile and compounds can serve as an innovative erasable ink-free printing material medium, which is suitable for various erasable ink-free printing and anti-counterfeiting fields. We further investigated the electrochromic devices prepared from compounds 1-3, which achieved color change at a voltage of around -0.2 V and exhibited good stability after 500 cycles.

Effect of irisin on ovarian phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways of rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the independent effects of irisin on insulin resistance (IR) in ovary of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and explore possible pathways. METHODS: We established PCOS medel using Poretsky L's method, then PCOS rats were randomly divided into model group (M) and irisin group (I), and normal rats (N) were used as the control. Then rats in the group I were injected with recombinant irisin. Then the levels of circulating fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) and PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways in each group were observed, as well as the effects of irisin on the levels of circulating HOMA-IR and PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways in ovary of PCOS rats were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with normal group, levels of FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR of model group were significantly increased (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively), levels of average optical density by IHC of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, and AKT (p = 0.015, p = 0.010, p = 0.005, and p = 0.009, respectively) and levels of mRNA concentration of PI3K and AKT (p = 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively) were decreased, while the levels of average optical density of p-ERK, ERK (p = 0.011, and p = 0.013, respectively) and level of mRNA concentration of ERK (p < 0.001) were increased in ovary. After irisin intervention, compared with model group, levels of FBG, FINS, and HOMA-IR of rats in irisin group were significantly decreased (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively), levels of average optical density by IHC of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, and AKT (p = 0.030, p = 0.024, p = 0.012, and p = 0.025, respectively) and levels of mRNA concentration of PI3K and AKT (p = 0.002, and p = 0.003, respectively) were significantly increased, while the levels of average optical density of p-ERK, ERK (p = 0.004, and p = 0.026, respectively) and level of mRNA concentration of ERK (p = 0.001) were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that irisin could not only improve circulating insulin resistance, but may also improve ovarian IR through an increase in the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling and a decrease of MAPK/ERK signaling.

Two functionally interchangeable Vps9 isoforms mediate pollen tube penetration of style.

Style penetration by pollen tubes is essential for reproductive success, a process requiring canonical Rab5s in Arabidopsis. However, functional loss of Arabidopsis Vps9a, the gene encoding for guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) of Rab5s, did not affect male transmission, implying the presence of a compensation program or redundancy. By combining genetic, cytological, and molecular approaches, we report that Arabidopsis Vps9b is a pollen-preferential gene, redundantly mediating pollen tube penetration of style with Vps9a. Vps9b is functionally interchangeable with Vps9a, whose functional distinction results from distinct expression profiles. Functional loss of Vps9a and Vps9b results in the mis-targeting of Rab5-dependent tonoplast proteins, defective vacuolar biogenesis, disturbed distribution of post-Golgi vesicles, increased cellular turgor, cytosolic acidification, and disrupted organization of actin microfilaments (MF) in pollen tubes, which collectively lead to the failure of pollen tubes to grow through style.

Cu/Pd-Catalyzed Tandem Carbonylative Synthesis of Ester-Containing 3,4-Dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one Derivatives from Alkyne-Tethered α-Bromocarbonyls.

A Cu/Pd-catalyzed tandem radical cyclization and carbonylation of alkyne-tethered α-bromocarbonyls with phenols has been developed for the expedited construction of ester-containing 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one scaffolds. By employing benzene-1,3,5-triyl triformate (TFBen) as the CO source, the reaction proceeded smoothly to afford a series of ester-containing 3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives in high yields. Moreover, this method could be utilized in the late-stage modifications of bioactive molecules.

Causal associations between intermediate very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-total lipids ratio and peptic ulcer: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiologic investigations have consistently demonstrated a strong association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and the occurrence of peptic ulcers (PU). However, the precise causal relationship between these factors remains ambiguous. Consequently, this study aims to elucidate the potential correlation between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and the incidence of peptic ulcer. AIM: To investigate the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) association with PU via genetic methods, guiding future clinical research. METHODS: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL and peptic ulcer were retrieved from the IEU OpenGWAS project (https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk). For the forward Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, 72 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as instrumental variables. These SNPs were selected based on their association with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL, with peptic ulcer as the outcome variable. Conversely, for the inverse MR analysis, no SNPs were identified with peptic ulcer as the exposure variable and the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL as the outcome. All MR analyses utilized inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary analytical method. Additionally, weighted median and MR-Egger methods were employed as supplementary analytical approaches to assess causal effects. Egger regression was used as a supplementary method to evaluate potential directional pleiotropy. Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were conducted using the leave-one-out method to evaluate result stability and mitigate biases associated with multiple testing. RESULTS: The genetically predicted ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was significantly associated with an elevated risk of peptic ulcer (IVW: OR = 2.557, 95%CI = 1.274-5.132, P = 0.008). However, no causal association of peptic ulcer with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was observed in the inverse Mendelian randomization analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study reveals a significant association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and an elevated risk of peptic ulcers. However, further validation through laboratory investigations and larger-scale studies is warranted to strengthen the evidence and confirm the causal relationship between these factors.

The Elabela-APJ axis attenuates sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction by reducing pyroptosis by balancing the formation and degradation of autophagosomes.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening severe inflammatory reaction caused by the host's dysregulated response to infection. Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) has been confirmed to occur in 50 % of patients with septic shock. Currently, the pathophysiological mechanism of SIMD is complex, and there is no targeted treatment. Elabela is another endogenous ligand of Aplnr (APJ). The protective effect of APJ on the heart has been proven. Elabela (Ela) has been shown to have a variety of cardiovascular protective effects. However, there are no studies demonstrating the protective effect of Ela-APJ axis on SIMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, C57BL/J mice were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg/d Ela for 2 weeks, and in vitro, AC16 cells were treated with 1 µM Ela for 24 h. A 7-0 thread was used to ligate the distal end of the cecum, followed by puncture with a 20-gauge needle. Once a small amount of fluid leaks out, release the cecum back into the abdominal cavity. We measured the survival rates of the mice, performed ultrasound on their hearts, and evaluated the effects of the treatments. The serum and cell supernatant were extracted to detect myocardial injury markers and pyroptosis-related indicators. Western blotting was used to detect autophagy and pyroptosis-related protein. Molecular docking and other experiments were also used to detect changes in related proteins. RESULTS: In vivo, Ela significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice, improved cardiac function, and reduced the production of myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress and pyroptosis. In vitro, Ela unblocked autophagy flow by affecting TFEB transcription. Autophagy reduces inflammation and oxidative stress by selectively degrading inflammatory bodies and ultimately alleviates pyroptosis. CONCLUSION: We had demonstrated for the first time that in sepsis, Ela promoted the degradation of inflammasomes, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited the occurrence of pyroptosis by unblocking autophagy flow.

Clinical characteristics and risk stratification for late-onset herpes zoster following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients is significantly higher than that of the general public. Although routine antiviral prophylaxis is recommended, late-onset HZ has been highlighted, yet limited information is known about its clinical features and predictors. Here, we conducted a retrospective nested case-control study to identify patients with late-onset HZ, defined as a diagnosis of HZ after 1 year of transplantation, among allo-HSCT recipients between 2012 and 2017 at Peking University People's Hospital. Three controls were matched for each patient. A total of 201 patients developed late-onset HZ. Age over 20 years, absence of neutrophil engraftment by 14 days, mental disorders, immunosuppressant use at 1 year, and a peripheral CD4+/CD8+ ratio ≥0.5 at 1 year were independent risk factors, among which the CD4+/CD8+ ratio demonstrated good discriminative power for predicting late-onset HZ. For patients with a CD4+/CD8+ ratio <0.5, patient age, neutrophil engraftment time, mental disorders, and immunosuppressant use were potential risk factors. A stratification algorithm was accordingly established, classifying the transplant recipients into three risk groups. Whether the algorithm could facilitate the administration of posttransplant antiviral prophylaxis merits further validation.

Low thermal quenching of metal halide-based metal-organic framework phosphor for light-emitting diodes.

Phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (PC-WLEDs) have attracted considerable attention in solid-state lighting and display. However, urgent issues of thermal quenching and high cost remain formidable challenges. Herein, a novel metal-organic framework (MOF) phosphor [CdCl2(AD)] was facilely prepared using a mixture of CdCl2 and acridine (AD) under solvothermal conditions. It shows intensive green emission with a long lifetime of 31.88 ns and quantum yield of 65% while maintaining 95% and 84% of its initial emission intensity after remaining immersed in water for 60 days and being heated to 150 °C, respectively. The low thermal quenching of this MOF material is comparable to or can even exceed that of commercial inorganic phosphors. The combination of experiments and theoretical calculations reveals that the alternating arrangement of delocalized AD π-conjugated systems and CdCl2 inorganic chains through strong coordination bonds and π⋯π stacking interactions imparts the MOF phosphor with high thermal stability and optoelectronic performance. The successful fabrication of green and white LED devices by coating [CdCl2(AD)] and/or N630 red phosphor on a 365/460 nm commercial diode chip suggests a promising and potential alternative to commercial phosphors.

The applications of Keggin-based metal-organic compounds in sensing and catalysis.

Environmental pollution and energy problems caused by excessive use of fossil fuels deviate from the theme of green and sustainable development. It is very promising to detect small molecules or catalyze the conversion of pollutants to obtain renewable energy by using photoelectric technology. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to develop materials with low detection limits and high catalytic performance. Keggin polyoxometalate-based metal-organic compounds (POMOCs) hold great promise for sensing, and catalytic applications due to their controllable structure, remarkable reversible multi-electron transfer capability and multi-component synergistic activity. In this review, the applications of Keggin POMOCs in photocatalytic/electrocatalytic conversion of energy materials and the detection of metal ion/inorganic molecule are introduced. The different mechanisms of Keggin POM units and MOF units in sensors and catalysis are discussed. Additionally, the prospects of the Keggin POMOCs as electrode materials or catalysts for enhancing the performance of sensors and catalysts are discussed, which will provide a platform for further development of advanced Keggin POMOC material-based sensors and catalytic systems.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors as subsequent treatment in older adults with non-small cell lung cancer and synchronous brain metastases.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the mainstay treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there is a lack of studies assessing ICIs as subsequent treatment in older adults with NSCLC and brain metastasis (BM). This retrospective cohort study compared the real-world survival of older patients with NSCLC and BM at diagnosis [synchronous BM (SBM)] previously treated with chemotherapy receiving ICI versus chemotherapy as subsequent treatment. Methods: Patients with NSCLC and SBM ≥65 years previously treated with chemotherapy were identified using the SEER-Medicare database (2010-2019). Patients receiving new chemotherapy and/or Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved ICIs as second/third-line treatment were included, excluding those ever-receiving targeted therapies. Each ICI patient was matched to one chemotherapy patient by time to subsequent treatment (within ±30 days) from diagnosis. Overall survival (OS) time was measured from the start of subsequent treatment to death, censored at disenrollment from Medicare Part A/B, enrollment in Part C, or end of study (December 31, 2019), whichever came first. OS curves were estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method and log-rank test. Hazard ratio (HR) was estimated using a multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Matched cohorts included 546 patients [273 in each group; median age 71 (range, 65-87) years]. ICI patients were older, more likely non-Hispanic, with squamous cell carcinoma, and liver metastasis compared to chemotherapy. KM estimated better survival in ICI than chemotherapy {median survival: 209 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 160-275] vs. 155 days (95% CI: 135-187); log-rank P<0.001}. ICI was associated with a lower adjusted hazard of death [HR =0.63; 95% CI: 0.52-0.75; P<0.001] compared to subsequent chemotherapy treatment. Conclusions: In this population-based study of older patients with NSCLC and SBM previously treated with chemotherapy, subsequent treatment with ICI was associated with improved survival compared to chemotherapy.

Blood trihalomethane and urinary haloacetic acid concentrations in relation to hypertension: An observational study among 1162 healthy men.

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) have demonstrated cardiovascular and reproductive toxicity. However, the associations and mechanisms of DBP exposure in relation to hypertension among healthy young men, which are critical for gaining new insights into the prevention and treatment of male subfertility, remain unclear. In 2017-2018, we recruited 1162 healthy Chinese men. A single blood sample was collected and measured for trihalomethane (THM) concentrations (n = 956). Up to 2930 repeated urinary samples were collected at baseline and during follow-up periods and determined for haloacetic acid concentrations. Oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers were measured in within-subject pooled urinary samples (n = 1003). In total, 403 (34.68 %) participants were diagnosed with stage 1-2 hypertension (≥130/80 mmHg) and 108 (9.29 %) stage 2 hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg). In adjusted models, blood bromodichloromethane (BDCM) concentrations were positively associated with the risk of stage 1-2 and stage 2 hypertension [ORs= 1.48 (95 % CI: 1.15, 1. 91) and 1.65 (95 % CI: 1.08, 2.51), respectively, per 2.7-fold increase in BDCM concentrations]. Additionally, we found positive associations between DBP exposure biomarkers and urinary concentrations of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine. However, these OS biomarkers were unrelated to hypertension. Our results suggest that BDCM exposure may be associated with a greater risk of hypertension among healthy young men.

Pleural pro-gastrin releasing peptide is a potential diagnostic marker for malignant pleural effusion induced by small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Serum pro-gastrin releasing peptide (proGRP) is a well-recognized diagnostic marker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Pleural effusion is common in patients with advanced SCLC. The diagnostic accuracy of pleural proGRP for malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has not yet been established. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural proGRP for MPE. Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with undiagnosed pleural effusions from two centers (Hohhot and Changshu). An electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect pleural fluid proGRP. The diagnostic accuracy of proGRP for MPE was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: In both the Hohhot (n=153) and Changshu (n=58) cohorts, pleural proGRP in MPE patients did not significantly differ from that in patients with benign pleural effusions (BPEs) (Hohhot, P=0.91; Changshu, P=0.12). In the Hohhot and Changshu cohorts, the areas under the curves (AUCs) of proGRP were 0.51 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41-0.60] and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.47-0.77), respectively. However, patients with SCLC-induced MPE had significantly higher proGRP levels than those with BPE and other types of MPE (P=0.001 for both). In the pooled cohort, the AUC of proGRP for SCLC-induced MPE was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.78-1.00, P=0.001). At a threshold of 40 pg/mL, proGRP had a sensitivity of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.61-1.00) and specificity of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.52-0.66). The positive likelihood ratio was 2.61 (95% CI: 1.99-3.41), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0. Conclusions: Pleural proGRP has no diagnostic value for MPE, but has high diagnostic accuracy for SCLC-induced MPE. In patients with proGRP levels <40 pg/mL, MPE secondary to SCLC can be excluded.

[Interpretation of the 2023 "Guidelines for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants: the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition"]. / ã€Šç¾Žå›½è‚ å¤–è‚ å† è¥å »å­¦ä¼šæ—©äº§å„¿è‚ å¤–è¥å »æŒ‡å—ï¼ˆ2023）》解读.

The "Guidelines for parenteral nutrition in preterm infants: the American Society for parenteral and enteral nutrition" were developed by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition in September 2023. The guidelines provide recommendations on 12 key clinical questions regarding parenteral nutrition (PN) for preterm infants. In comparison to similar guidelines, this set offers more detailed perspectives on PN for preterm infants. It presents evidence-based recommendations for the commencement time, nutrient dosage, and composition of PN, considering primary outcomes such as growth and development, as well as secondary outcomes like sepsis, retinopathy of prematurity, parenteral nutrition-related liver disease, and jaundice. This article aims to interpret the guidelines to provide a reference for colleagues in the field.

Apolipoprotein E in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion: a prospective diagnostic test accuracy study.

INTRODUCTION: Pleural effusion is common in clinical practice, and its differential diagnosis remains challenging for clinicians. This study investigates the diagnostic value of apolipoprotein E (apoE) in patients with undetermined pleural effusion. METHODS: This prospective, double-blind study enrolled 152 patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion. Their pleural fluid apoE levels were measured, and a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of apoE. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to assess apoE's net benefit. Subgroup analyses were performed to investigate the effect of age on the diagnostic accuracy of apoE. RESULTS: Among the included participants, 23 had heart failure (HF). HF patients had the lowest apoE level among pleural effusion patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of apoE for HF was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.69-0.89). At the threshold of 40 mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of apoE were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.87-1.00) and 0.33 (95% CI: 0.25-0.42), respectively. The decision curve for apoE was above reference lines. The AUC of apoE decreased in older patients. CONCLUSION: Pleural fluid apoE has moderate diagnostic value for HF and has net benefits in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion. The diagnostic accuracy of apoE decreases with age.