Self-Trapped Exciton Emission in Highly Polar 0D Hybrid Ammonium/Hydronium-Based Perovskites Triggered by Antimony Doping.

Various monovalent cations are employed to construct metal halide perovskites with various structures and functionalities. However, perovskites based on highly polar A-site cations have seldom been reported. Here, a novel hybrid 0D (NH4)x(OH3)3-xInCl6 perovskite with highly polar hydronium OH3+ cations is introduced in this study. Upon doping with Sb3+, hybrid 0D (NH4)x(OH3)3-xInCl6 single crystals exhibited highly efficient broadband yellowish-green (550 nm) and red (630 nm) dual emissions with a PLQY of 86%. The dual emission arises due to Sb3+ occupying two sites within the crystal lattice that possess different polarization environments, leading to distinct Stokes shift energies. The study revealed that lattice polarity plays a significant role in the self-trapped exciton emission of Sb3+-doped perovskites, contributing up to 25% of the Stokes shift energy for hybrid 0D (NH4)x(OH3)3-xInCl6:Sb3+ as a secondary source, in addition to the Jahn-Teller deformation. These findings highlight the potential of Sb3+-doped perovskites for achieving tunable broadband emission and underscore the importance of lattice polarity in determining the emission properties of perovskite materials.

Aortic calcification accelerates cardiac dysfunction via inducing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.

Vascular calcification (VC) is a known predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerosis and chronic renal disease. However, the exact relationship between VC and cardiovascular mortality remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the underlying mechanisms between VC progression, arterial stiffness, and cardiac dysfunction. C57BL/6 mice were administered intraperitoneally vitamin D3 (VD3) at a dosage of 35×104 IU/day for 14 days. At day 42, VC extent, artery elasticity, carotid artery blood flow, aorta pulse propagation velocity, cardiac function, and pathological changes were evaluated. Heart apoptosis was detected using TUNEL and immunohistochemistry staining. In vitro, rat cardiomyocytes H9C2 were exposed to media from calcified rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured in calcification medium, and then H9C2 apoptosis and gene expression related to cardiac function were assessed. VD3-treated mice displayed a significant aortic calcification, increased pulse propagation velocity of aortae, and reduced cardiac function. Aortae showed increased calcification and elastolysis, with increased heart apoptosis. Hearts demonstrated higher levels of ANP, BNP, MMP2, and lower levels of bcl2/bax. Moreover, calcified rat VSMC media induced H9C2 apoptosis and upregulated genes expression linked to cardiac dysfunction. Our data provide evidence that VC accelerates cardiac dysfunction, partially by inducing cardiomyocytes apoptosis.

Dietary carotenoids intake and sex differences in relation to chronic kidney disease a cross-sectional assessment in the NHANES study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current evidence on the relationship between dietary carotenoids intake (DCI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. Moreover, whether there is an association between DCI and prevalence of CKD and how this association might be impacted by sex is not clear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 4507 women and 4396 men were included for analysis. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey carried out in the USA. The exposure factor for this analysis was DCI. The outcome was CKD, defined as eGFR < 60mL/min/1.73 m2. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyzed the associations of DCI and prevalence of CKD both in men and women. There was a significant inverse association between higher DCI and prevalence of CKD only among females. Per LgDCI unit increment, the multivariable adjusted odd ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for prevalence of CKD was 0.72 (0.58, 0.90) in females and 0.95 (0.77, 1.18) in males. When compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs of the highest quartile of DCI for prevalence of CKD were 0.59 (0.40, 0.87) in females and 0.87 (0.60, 1.26) in males. The associations remained similar in the subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a higher intake of dietary carotenoids is associated with a lower prevalence of CKD in women, but not in men.

Interpreting the chemical changes and therapeutic effect of Coptidis Rhizoma against ulcerative colitis before and after processing based on mathematical statistics and network pharmacology.

INTRODUCTION: Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) is one of the most frequently used herbs to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and is often processed before usage. However, the composition changes and therapeutic effects of CR before and after processing in the treatment of UC are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to explore the chemical components and therapeutic effects of crude and processed CR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CR was processed according to the 2020 version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and multivariate statistical analysis were used to screen the different compounds before and after processing. The network pharmacological prediction was carried out. The mechanism and therapeutic effects between crude and processed CR were verified by using dextran sulphate sodium-induced UC mice assay. RESULTS: Ten compounds distinguish crude and processed CR based on multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacology predicts that the 10 compounds mainly play a role through TNF-α and IL-6 targets and PI3K/Akt and HIF-1 signalling pathways, and these results are verified by molecular biology experiments. For IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α inflammatory factors, CR is not effective, while CR stir-fried with Evodiae Fructus (CRFE) and ginger juice (CRGJ) are. For PI3K/p-Akt, Cleaved caspase3, NF- κBp65 and HIF-1α signalling pathways, CR has therapeutic effects, while CRFE and CRGJ are significant. CONCLUSION: Overall, CRFE and CRGJ show better effects in treating UC. The chemical changes of processing and the efficacy of processed CR are correlated, which provides a scientific basis for the clinical use of crude and processed CR.

Association between serum copper levels and stroke in the general population: A nationally representative study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to explore the association between serum copper levels and the prevalence of stroke. METHODS: Data were obtained from 3 consecutive National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2011-2016). Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between serum copper levels and self-reported stroke. RESULTS: A total of 5,151 adults met the inclusion criteria. A total of 181 (3.51%) stroke patients were identified. In comparison to individuals with serum copper levels in the lowest tertile (<16.4 µmol/l), those with levels in the middle tertile (16.4-19.8 µmol/l) had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-2.25), while those with levels in the highest tertile (>19.8 µmol/l) had an OR of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.01-5.52). Furthermore, each standard deviation (SD) increase in serum copper was found to be positively associated with the prevalence of stroke, with an OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.11-1.86). Dose‒response analysis showed a positive linear association between serum copper levels and stroke (Pnonlinearity=0.554). CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study suggested a positive association between serum copper levels and stroke among American adults.

International tertiary education students experienced difficulties in dietary transitions in Australia: A qualitative study.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: More attention to the diet and nutritional status of international students in Australian universities is indicated. This qualitative research aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of dietary changes among international students after they arrived in Australia. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with international students from China and India who were studying at a large urban Australian university. An approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for coding and data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 14 interviews were included. International students were able to consume more international foods, dairy products and animal proteins in Australia as a result of increased exposure to a larger variety of these foods compared with their home countries. However, they experienced some difficulties in eating vegetables and authentic traditional foods due to limited availability and higher prices in Australia. It was challenging for these students to live independently and cook for themselves for the first time and with a limited food budget and time, but many students improved their cooking skills over time. Less frequent main meals with more snacking sessions were reported. Weight fluctuations were commonly experienced and craving for traditional foods no longer accessible may negatively impact mental health. CONCLUSIONS: International students adapted to the Australian food environment but believed the food choices available did not meet their food preferences or perhaps nutritional requirements. SO WHAT: Some intervention from universities and/or government may be needed to ease the barriers to consumption of affordable and desirable meals in a time-saving manner for international students.

Construction and application of artificial lipoproteins using adiposomes.

Lipoproteins are complex particles comprised of a neutral lipid core wrapped with a phospholipid monolayer membrane and apolipoproteins on the membrane, which is closely associated with metabolic diseases. To facilitate the elucidation of its formation and dynamics, as well as its applications, we developed an in vitro system in which adiposomes, consisting of a hydrophobic core encircled by a monolayer-phospholipid membrane, were engineered into artificial lipoproteins (ALPs) by recruiting one or more kinds of apolipoproteins, for example, apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I, ApoE, ApoA-IV, and ApoB. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated the stability and biological activity of ALPs derived from adiposomes, which resembles native lipoproteins. Of note, adiposomes bearing ApoE were internalized via clathrin-mediated endocytosis following LDLR binding and were delivered to lysosomes. On the other hand, adiposomes bearing ApoA-IV mimicked the existing form of endogenous ApoA-IV and exhibited significant improvement in glucose tolerance in mice. In addition, the construction process was simple, precise, reproducible, as well as easy to adjust for mass production. With this experimental system, different apolipoproteins can be recruited to build ALPs for some biological goals and potential applications in biomedicine.

Integrating bioinformatic resources to identify characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis-related usual interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often accompanied by a common extra-articular manifestation known as RA-related usual interstitial pneumonia (RA-UIP), which is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. To identify potential mechanisms, we conducted bioinformatics analysis based on high-throughput sequencing of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. RESULTS: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis identified 2 RA-positive related modules and 4 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-positive related modules. A total of 553 overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEG) were obtained, of which 144 in the above modules were further analyzed. The biological process of "oxidative phosphorylation" was found to be the most relevant with both RA and IPF. Additionally, 498 up-regulated genes in lung tissues of RA-UIP were screened out and enriched by 7 clusters, of which 3 were closely related to immune regulation. The analysis of immune infiltration showed a characteristic distribution of peripheral immune cells in RA-UIP, compared with IPF-UIP in lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS: These results describe the complex molecular and functional landscape of RA-UIP, which will help illustrate the molecular pathological mechanism of RA-UIP and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for RA-UIP in the future.

Tailoring Ionic Liquid Chemical Structure for Enhanced Interfacial Engineering in Two-Step Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as versatile tools for interfacial engineering in perovskite photovoltaics. Their multifaceted application targets defect mitigation at SnO2 -perovskite interfaces, finely tuning energy level alignment, and enhancing charge transport, meanwhile suppressing non-radiative recombination. However, the diverse chemical structures of ILs present challenges in selecting suitable candidates for effective interfacial modification. This study adopted a systematic approach, manipulating IL chemical structures. Three ILs with distinct anions are introduced to modify perovskite/SnO2 interfaces to elevate the photovoltaic capabilities of perovskite devices. Specifically, ILs with different anions exhibited varied chemical interactions, leading to notable passivation effects, as confirmed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation. A detailed analysis is also conducted on the relationship between the ILs' structure and regulation of energy level arrangement, work function, perovskite crystallization, interface stress, charge transfer, and device performance. By optimizing IL chemical structures and exploiting their multifunctional interface modification properties, the champion device achieved a PCE of 24.52% with attentional long-term stability. The study establishes a holistic link between IL structures and device performance, thereby promoting wider application of ILs in perovskite-based technologies.

Sex-specific differences in the effect of the atherogenic index of plasma on prediabetes and diabetes in the NHANES 2011-2018 population.

BACKGROUND: Although a great deal of scientific evidence on the epidemiological risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes has been accumulated, there is still insufficient evidence to explore sex-related differences. The aim of this study was to examine sex-specific differences in the effect of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) on prediabetes and diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included data from 10099 American adults. The exposure variable was the AIP, which was defined as log10 (triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). The outcome variables included prediabetes and diabetes defined by the 2013 American Diabetes Association guidelines. RESULTS: The median age (mean ± SD) was 48.51 ± 18.42 years, and the average value (SD) of the AIP was - 0.09 (0.34). The prevalence of prediabetes was 40.24%, and that of diabetes was 21.32%. Overall, there was a significant positive association between the AIP and prediabetes and diabetes (per 1-unit increment in the AIP: OR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.75, 3.54). The multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that for each unit increment in the AIP, the prediabetes and diabetes prevalence increased 4.96-fold among female participants (OR 4.96, 95% CI 2.68, 9.18) but not among male participants. We found that the AIP was not related to the prevalence of prediabetes or diabetes (OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.87, 2.29) among males. There was an interaction between sex and the AIP (P for interaction < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a higher AIP was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, and the above relationships occurred only among women and not men.

Sleep Patterns Modify the Association between Vitamin D Status and Coronary Heart Disease: Results from NHANES 2005-2008.

BACKGROUND: Although an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been reported in individuals with low vitamin D status, this remains controversial. Growing evidence suggests that sleep behaviors may influence vitamin D endocrine functions. OBJECTIVES: We explored the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [[25(OH)D] concentrations and CHD and whether sleep behaviors modify this relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 7511 adults aged ≥20 y in 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that included serum 25(OH)D concentrations and provided information on sleep behaviors and history of CHD was performed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and CHD, whereas stratified analyses and multiplicative interaction tests were used to evaluate the modification effect of overall sleep patterns and each sleep factor on this relationship. The overall sleep patterns integrated 4 sleep behaviors (sleep duration, snoring, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness) in the form of healthy sleep score. RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were inversely associated with risk of CHD (P < 0.01). Hypovitaminosis D [serum 25(OH)D <50nmol/L] was associated with a 71% increased risk of CHD (OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.28, 2.28; P < 0.01) compared with that in participants with sufficient vitamin D [serum 25(OH)D ≥75nmol/L], and the association was more evident and stable among participants with poor sleep patterns (P-interaction < 0.01). Among the individual sleep behaviors, sleep duration had the strongest interaction with 25(OH)D (P-interaction < 0.05). The association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and risk of CHD was more pronounced in participants with sleep duration <7 h/d or >8 h/d compared with those with sleep duration 7-8 h/d. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the influence of lifestyle-related behavioral risk factors, such as sleep behaviors (especially sleep duration), need to be considered when evaluating the association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and CHD as well as the clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation.

Copper Powder and Pd(II) Salts Triggered One-Pot Aromatic Halide Homocoupling via a Radical Pathway.

(sp2)C-(sp2)C bond formation is one of the most utilitarian techniques in target synthesis and material and pharmaceutical production. Biaryls usually emerge with the coupling of aryl halides or pseudohalides and require the prepreparation of an organometallic reagent, which results in low efficiency and atomic economy. The classic Ullmann reactions could be adopted to directly synthesize biaryls from aromatic halides. However, the requirement of extremely high temperatures limits the usage of the methodology in manufacturing. At the same time, the mechanism triggers a wide debate between classic redox and redox reactions involving radicals. In this work, a bimetallic system was demonstrated, referring to stoichiometric copper powder in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2, which contributed to delivering various symmetric/asymmetric (sp2)C-(sp2)C species. It has been proposed that the coupling process might be promoted via radicals produced by redox between Cu(0) and Pd(IV) species in the heating system. Increasing examples demonstrated the good tolerance of this method for aryl bromide among functional groups.

Nontarget Identification of Novel Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Rainfall Runoffs and Agricultural Soils around a Plastic Recycling Industrial Park.

Plastic recycling and reprocessing activities may release organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers into the surrounding environment. However, the relevant contamination profiles and impacts remain not well studied. This study investigated the occurrence of 28 OPEs and their metabolites (mOPEs) in rainfall runoffs and agricultural soils around one of the largest plastic recycling industrial parks in North China and identified novel organophosphorus compounds (NOPs) using high-resolution mass spectrometry-based nontarget analysis. Twenty and twenty-seven OPEs were detected in runoff water and soil samples, with total concentrations of 86.0-2491 ng/L and 2.53-199 ng/g dw, respectively. Thirteen NOPs were identified, of which eight were reported in the environment for the first time, including a chlorine-containing OPE, an organophosphorus heterocycle, a phosphite, three novel OPE metabolites, and two oligomers. Triphenylphosphine oxide and diphenylphosphinic acid occurred ubiquitously in runoffs and soils, with concentrations up to 390 ng/L and 40.2 ng/g dw, respectively. The downwind areas of the industrial park showed elevated levels of OPEs and NOPs. The contribution of hydroxylated mOPEs was higher in soils than in runoffs. These findings suggest that plastic recycling and reprocessing activities are significant sources of OPEs and NOPs and that biotransformation may further increase the ecological and human exposure risk.

Associations between dietary copper intake and hypertriglyceridemia among children and adolescents in the US.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A relationship exists between dietary copper intake and hypertriglyceridemia in the United States (US). However, children and adolescents have there is limited research data for children and adolescents, who have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to carefully evaluate this relationship. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 3982 children and adolescents who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006. The outcome variable was hypertriglyceridemia, defined as a triglyceride (TG) concentration >150 mg/dL. Multivariate and binary logistic regression models were applied in this study. The median (Q1-Q3) copper intake and TG levels were 0.98 (0.71-1.32) mg/d and 72.00 (53.00-100.00) mg/dL, respectively. The smoothing curve showed an inverted L-shaped relationship between copper intake and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia in American children and adolescents. A binary logistic regression model was developed to evaluate the relationship between copper intake and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, and the inflection point was 0.76 mg/d. The odds of developing hypertriglyceridemia significantly increased with increasing levels of copper intake (odds ratio (OR), 2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-2.86) in participants with copper intake >0.76 mg/d (P for log likelihood ratio test = 0.032). The association between high copper intake and increased hypertriglyceridemia risk was significantly stronger in participants with a high body mass index (BMI; ≥23 kg/m2) (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.42-3.07) than in those with a low BMI (tertile 1-2) (p for interaction = 0.048). Moreover, the increase in copper intake in adolescents aged 13-18 years significantly increased the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.38-2.76; p for interaction = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Higher dietary copper intake increases the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, especially among US adolescents with a BMI ≥23 kg/m2.

Ethnic Disparities in Risk Factors for Myopia among Han and Minority Schoolchildren in Shawan, Xinjiang, China.

SIGNIFICANCE: The ethnic differences in myopia rates, ocular dimensions, and risk factors between Han and non-Han schoolchildren observed in this study may help fill the knowledge gap about ethnic minorities and are important for China and other countries to address vision-related health inequalities among different ethnic groups. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of juvenile myopia and elucidate the disparities of risk factors among Han and non-Han school students in Xinjiang, China. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study of 876 schoolchildren from grades 1 to 9 was conducted in the Anjihai Middle School in Shawan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Visual acuity and ocular biometry were assessed, and personal information, including behavior, birth status, and familial factors, was collected using self-made standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: The myopia rate among students of Han ethnicity (50.5%) was the highest, followed by Hui (41.3%) and Uygur et al. (32.0%, P < .001). Similar patterns were observed for mean axial length. The mean axial lengths are 23.7, 23.4, and 23.3 mm, respectively ( P = .01). Overall, performing high-quality eye exercises, longer sleep duration, being born in summer, parental smoking, and consuming more food containing anthocyanins were all associated with a lower incidence of myopia. Meanwhile, Han ethnicity, intensive near task, bad eye habits, and myopic mothers were associated with higher odds of myopia. After adjusting for environmental influences pertaining to myopia, the variation in myopia prevalence between Han and Uygur et al. remained significant, whereas it changed to not significant between Han and Hui ethnicities. CONCLUSIONS: Significant disparities were found in the prevalence of myopia among various ethnic groups in Shawan, Xinjiang. Life habits, birth status, and familial factors may contribute to such variance and play different roles in the occurrence of juvenile myopia among various ethnicities.

The Association of Malnutrition With Chronic Kidney Disease in the Older Chinese Population With Hypertension: Evidence From the China H-type Hypertension Registry Study.

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence of the dose-response association between the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Hence, this study aimed to determine the association between GNRI and CKD in the elderly Chinese population with hypertension. METHODS: Data were derived from the China H-type Hypertension Registry. A total of 9,897 elderly patients with hypertension were included in the cross-sectional analysis. GNRI was calculated using the serum albumin and weight loss and the specific formula was as follows: GNRI = [1.489 × serum albumin (g/L)] + [41.7 × (actual weight/ideal weight)]. The outcome of our study was CKD, which was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate value of <60 mL/minute/1.73 m2. The association between the GNRI and CKD was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The present study population was composed of 9,897 participants with an average age of 68.67 (6.10) years. In particular, it was consisted of 4,683 (47.32%) male and 5,214 (52.68%) female participants. Overall, there was a significantly negative association between GNRI and CKD prevalence (per 1 increment; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-0.97). In a fully adjusted model, compared with the participants in the highest group tertiles 3 (GNRI ≥112), the participants in group tertiles 1 (GNRI <106) and group tertiles 2 (GNRI ≥106 ≤ 112) increased the prevalence of CKD by 57% (OR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.28-1.93) and 5% (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.86-1.28), respectively. Moreover, similar results were observed when the GNRI was assessed as a categorical variable based on the clinical cutoff values. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional analysis found a significant negative association between GNRI and CKD among the elderly Chinese adults with hypertension.

Wafer-scale single-orientation 2D layers by atomic edge-guided epitaxial growth.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials hold tremendous promise for post-Si nanoelectronics due to their unique optical and electrical properties. Significant advances have been achieved in device fabrication and synthesis routes for 2D nanoelectronics over the past decade; however, one major bottleneck preventing their immediate applications has been the lack of a reproducible approach for growing wafer-scale single-crystal films despite tremendous progress in recent experimental demonstrations. In this tutorial review, we provide a systematic summary of the critical factors-including crystal/substrate symmetry and energy consideration-necessary for synthesizing single-orientation 2D layers. In particular, we focus on the discussions of the atomic edge-guided epitaxial growth, which assists in unidirectional nucleation for the wafer-scale growth of single-crystal 2D layers.

Association of weight-adjusted-waist index with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in China: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As a new simple anthropometric index, the weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) appears to be superior to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in assessing both muscle and fat mass. We aimed to explore the association of WWI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in southern China. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 12,447 participants (mean age, 59.0 ± 13.3 years; 40.6% men) in Jiangxi Province from the China Hypertension Survey study were included. WWI was defined as WC divided by the square root of weight. The outcome was all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. During a median follow-up of 5.6 years, 838 all-cause deaths occurred, with 390 cardiovascular deaths. Overall, there was a nonlinear positive relationship of WWI with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Accordingly, compared with participants in quartiles 1-3 (<11.2 cm/√kg), a significant higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.58) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.77) were found in quartile 4 (≥11.2 cm/√kg). Further adjustment for BMI and WC did not substantially alter the results. No significant interactions were found in any of the subgroups (sex, age, area, physical activity, current smoking, current alcohol drinking, hypertension, and stroke). CONCLUSION: Higher WWI levels (≥11.2 cm/√kg) were associated with increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in southern China. These findings, if confirmed by further studies, suggested that WWI may serve as a simple and effective anthropometric index in clinical practice.

Study on the metabolism profile of flavanomarein in Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.

Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (family Asteraceae) is a popular medicine-food plant, which improves chronic diseases such as hyperlipemia, hypertension, and diabetes. Flavanomarein is the main active component of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt, in which the blood concentration of volunteers is low and bioavailability is poor. Thus, the understanding of flavanomarein metabolites and metabolic pathways is significant to clarify its effectiveness. This study systematically studied the metabolites of flavanomarein by oral and injection. The biological samples (feces, urine, and plasma) were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in negative ion mode. The metabolic law of flavanomarein in the liver was further verified by a liver microsomal incubation experiment in vitro. A total of 12 metabolites were identified by oral administration while 15 metabolites were detected by injection. It was shown that metabolic pathways include acetylation, hydroxylation, glucuronidation, methylation, dehydrogenation, and so forth. The liver extraction rate of flavanomarein was 0.08, which means the metabolic stability of flavanomarein is well in rats' liver microsomes. It is a systematic study on the metabolism of flavanomarein and provides a metabolic rationale for further in-depth in vivo biotransformation.

Zero-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Copper-Based Halides with Highly Efficient Orange-Red Emission.

Lead-free metal halides are promising luminescent materials with low non-toxicity, tunable emission, and high luminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The development of red light-emitting materials with high PLQY to meet the color coordinate requirements for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and wide color gamut displays remains a major scientific challenge. Herein, novel lead-free copper-based halide materials are reported. PEA4 Cu4 I4 is an efficient orange-red broad emission with a highest PLQY of 73.6%. All three materials, namely, those of ((R)-(+)-α-PEA)4 Cu4 I4 , ((S)-(-)-α-PEA)4 Cu4 I4 , and (ß-PEA)4 Cu4 I4 with zero-dimensional structures have large exciton binding energies and Huang-Rhys factors, thus causing efficient self-trapped exciton emissions. A prototypical orange-red LED device is fabricated successfully that demonstrates the potential of copper-based halide materials in lighting and display applications.