Fabrication of glass-based analytical devices by immobilizing nanomaterials on glass substrate with a fluorescent glue for the highly sensitive determination of mercury ions.

A facile method is reported to develop glass-based analytical devices (GADs) based on immobilizing nanomaterials on a glass substrate with fluorescent glue. The fluorescent glue was first prepared by coupling bovine serum albumin (BSA)-protected Au nanoclusters (NCs) and sugars (i.e., ascorbic acid, AA). The glue was then used to immobilize carbon dots (C-dots) on glass substrates to fabricate the portable GADs. The liquid glue-C-dots mixture and probable GADs were developed for Hg2+ detection. Under 365-nm excitation wavelength, the emission at 652 nm from the glue is gradually quenched with increasing concentrations of Hg2+. This quenching is explained in terms of the Stern-Volmer equation and is ascribed to static quenching. The fluorescent color of the glue and GADs gradually changes from pink to blue, with increasing concentrations of Hg2+. The limits of detection (LODs) for Hg2+ determination by bare eyes are 1 nM both for the glue and GADs, suggesting an uncompromised sensing capability even after immobilization. The detection sensitivity of GADs shows a significant improvement compared with the same material-based papers (5 µM). A linear relationship is observed between the total Euclidean distances (EDs) and Hg2+ concentration in the range 0-100 nM, providing the potential for Hg2+ quantification using GADs. The LOD is estimated to be 0.84 nM. To show a potentially practical application, the GADs were used to detect Hg2+ in certified reference material and lake water.

The effect of diabetes on corneal endothelium: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This research was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of diabetes mellitus on corneal endothelial cells. METHODS: The terms: ("diabetes mellitus" or "diabetes" or "diabetic") and ("corneal endothelium" or "cornea" or "Corneas") searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of science until August 2019. The included types of studies contained observational studies. The standard mean difference (SMD) which was deemed as main size effects for continuous data was calculated by means and standard deviations. The data on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), mean cell area (MCA), cell area variation coefficient (CV) and percentage of hexagonal cells (HEX) included in the study were collected and analyzed using stata15.1. RESULTS: The final 16 cross-sectional studies and 2 case-control studies were included for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus could reduce ECD (SMD = - 0.352, 95% CI -0.538, - 0.166) and the HEX (SMD = - 0.145, 95% CI -0.217, - 0.074), in addition to increasing CV (SMD = 0.195, 95% CI 0.123, 0.268). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant differences observed when combining MCA (SMD = 0.078, 95% CI -0.022, 0.178). In subgroup analysis, Type 2 diabetes patients owned less corneal ECD (P < 0.05). Moreover the same results also found during the subgroup form Asia, Europe and American. The meta-regression revealed the type of diabetes mellitus might be contributing to heterogeneity. (P = 0.008). The results indicated a significant publication bias for studies, with combined CV (Begg's test, P = 0.006; Egger's test, P = 0.005) and merged combined HEX (Begg's test, P = 0.113; Egger's test, P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: As indicated by meta-analysis, diabetes mellitus could cause a detrimental effect on corneal endothelium health. Diabetes mellitus contributed to the instability of corneal endothelium during the analysis. Therefore, further research is considered necessary to confirm our research results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CED 42019145858 .

A rapid reduction of Au(I→0) strategy for the colorimetric detection and discrimination of proteins.

A gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based sensing strategy based on rapid reduction of Au(I→0) is proposed. As a proof-of-concept study, the proposed sensing principle is designed for simultaneous and colorimetric detection and discrimination of multiple proteins. In the presence of H2O2, the target proteins could reduce Au(I) (i.e. HAuCl2) to AuNPs with different sizes, shapes and dispersion/aggregation states, thus resulting in rapidly colorimetric identification of different proteins. The optical response (i.e. color) of AuNPs is found to be characteristic of a given protein. The color response patterns are characteristic for each protein and can be quantitatively differentiated by statistical techniques. The sensor array is capable of discriminating proteins at concentrations as low as 0.1 µg/mL with high accuracy. A linear relationship was observed between the total Euclidean distances and protein concentration, providing the potential for protein quantification using this sensor array. The limit of detection (LOD) for catalase (Cat) is 0.08 µg/mL. The good linear range (from 0 to 8 µg/mL) has been used for the quantitative assay of Cat. To show a potentially practical application, this method was used to detect and discriminate proteins in human urine and tear samples. Graphical abstract We report a facile gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based sensing strategy, that is, "a rapid reduction of Au(I) to Au(0) nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes by analytes that having certain reducing capabilities, resulting in different colours." The proposed sensing principle is designed for simultaneous, colorimetric detection and discrimination of multiple proteins.

Development of O2 and NO Co-Doped Porous Carbon as a High-Capacity Mercury Sorbent.

In this study, a novel Hg0 adsorption strategy based on nonthermal plasma and porous carbon was proposed and tested. The O2 and NO in flue gas were used to activate porous carbon with auxiliary plasma. The plasma significantly increased the functionalities on the carbon surface, and it has a negligible effect on the textural properties of porous carbon. The O2/NO co-doped porous carbon was used to remove elemental mercury (Hg0). The sample functionalized by plasma in 4% O2 and 200 ppm NO (balanced with N2) for 3 min exhibited superior Hg0 adsorption ability, which could be assigned to the formation of a large amount of C═O, C-NO, and C-NO2. O2, NO, and HCl have a positive effect on Hg0 adsorption, whereas SO2 and H2O have an inhibitory effect on Hg0 removal. The equilibrium Hg0 adsorption capacity of optimal O2/NO co-doped porous carbon was found to be 12315 µg/g, which was far greater than that of brominated activated carbon (1061 µg/g). Density functional theory was used to investigate the mechanism responsible for Hg0 adsorption. C═O and C-NO improved the interaction of Hg0 with neighboring carbon sites. C-NO2 could react with Hg0 by forming HgO.

Oxygen-Rich Porous Carbon Derived from Biomass for Mercury Removal: An Experimental and Theoretical Study.

A porous carbon was synthesized by the combination of freeze-drying and CO2 activation from starch. Nonthermal plasma was employed to quickly produce oxygen functional groups on a porous carbon surface. The plasma treatment has a negligible effect on the textural properties of the porous carbon. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses suggested that the plasma treatment significantly increased the amount and promoted the evolution of oxygen groups on surface. The unique pore structure of porous carbon was proven favorable to effective oxygen loading. The elemental mercury (Hg0) adsorption ability of the oxygen enriched porous carbon was tested. The results indicated that the oxygen-rich porous carbon constitutes an effective sorbent for Hg0 removal. The excellent textural properties, surface atomic oxygen concentration, and the type of oxygen group are the three key factors for realizing high Hg0 removal performance. Density functional calculations were performed to understand the effect of oxygen groups on Hg0 adsorption. Carbonyl and ester groups are beneficial for Hg0 adsorption, whereas epoxy, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups inhibit Hg0 adsorption. Plasma treatment enhances Hg0 adsorption by increasing the amount of ester and carbonyl groups on surface.

MicroRNA let-7b induces lens epithelial cell apoptosis by targeting leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) in age-related cataract.

Owing to a rapidly aging population, vision impairment caused by age-related cataract has become very common. Age-related cataract has also become one of the principal causes of blindness, and apoptosis of lens epithelial cells contributes to non-congenital cataract development. Previous studies have reported that microRNA let-7b (let-7b) is upregulated in cataractous lens epithelial cells, and the expression level of let-7b is positively associated with N, C and P cataract scores. However, the role of let-7b in the development of age-related cataract remains unclear. Here, we observed that the expression level of let-7b in the anterior lens capsules of age-related cataract was significantly higher than that in the normal anterior lens capsules. We performed ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to induce lens epithelial cell apoptosis. The results showed that the expression level of let-7b in lens epithelial cells which were treated by UV irradiation was significantly higher than that in the control, and let-7b promoted UV irradiation-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we showed that leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) was a direct target of let-7b, and let-7b modulated lens epithelial cell apoptosis by directly targeting Lgr4. These findings will offer new insights into our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of cataract.

Coinfection of Cage-Cultured Spotted Sea Bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) with Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida Associated with Skin Ulcer.

Spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) is a high-economic-value aquacultural fish widely distributed in the coastal and estuarine areas of East Asia. In August 2020, a sudden outbreak of disease accompanied by significant mortality was documented in L. maculatus reared in marine cage cultures located in Nanhuang island, Yantai, China. Two coinfected bacterial strains, namely, NH-LM1 and NH-LM2, were isolated from the diseased L. maculatus for the first time. Through phylogenetic tree analysis, biochemical characterization, and genomic investigation, the isolated bacterial strains were identified as Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, respectively. The genomic analysis revealed that V. harveyi possesses two circular chromosomes and six plasmids, while P. damselae subsp. piscicida possesses two circular chromosomes and two plasmids. Furthermore, pathogenic genes analysis identified 587 and 484 genes in V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. piscicida, respectively. Additionally, drug-sensitivity testing demonstrated both V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. piscicida exhibited sensitivity to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, orfloxacin, minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, and ceftriaxone. Moreover, antibiotic resistance genes were detected in the plasmids of both strains. Extracellular product (ECP) analysis demonstrated that both V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. piscicida can produce hemolysin and amylase, while V. harveyi additionally can produce caseinase and esterase. Furthermore, infected fish displayed severe histopathological alterations, including infiltration of lymphocytes, cellular degeneration and necrosis, and loose aggregation of cells. Artificial infection assays determined that the LD50 of P. damselae subsp. piscicida was 3 × 105 CFU/g, while the LD50 of V. harveyi was too low to be accurately evaluated. Furthermore, the dual infection of V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. piscicida elicits a more rapid and pronounced mortality rate compared to single challenge, thereby potentially exacerbating the severity of the disease through synergistic effects. Ultimately, our findings offer compelling evidence for the occurrence of coinfections involving V. harveyi and P. damselae subsp. piscicida in L. maculatus, thereby contributing to the advancement of diagnostic and preventative measures for the associated disease.

Development of a real-time recombinase-aided amplification assay for rapid and sensitive detection of Edwardsiella piscicida.

Edwardsiella piscicida, a significant intracellular pathogen, is widely distributed in aquatic environments and causes systemic infection in various species. Therefore, it's essential to develop a rapid, uncomplicated and sensitive method for detection of E. piscicida in order to control the transmission of this pathogen effectively. The recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay is a newly developed, rapid detection method that has been utilized for various pathogens. In the present study, a real-time RAA (RT-RAA) assay, targeting the conserved positions of the EvpP gene, was successfully established for the detection of E. piscicida. This assay can be performed in a one-step single tube reaction at a temperature of 39°C within 20 min. The RT-RAA assay exhibited a sensitivity of 42 copies per reaction at a 95% probability, which was comparable to the sensitivity of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. The specificity assay confirmed that the RT-RAA assay specifically targeted E. piscicida without any cross-reactivity with other important marine bacterial pathogens. Moreover, when clinical specimens were utilized, a perfect agreement of 100% was achieved between the RT-RAA and qPCR assays, resulting a kappa value of 1. These findings indicated that the established RT-RAA assay provided a viable alternative for the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of E. piscicida.

Corilagin alleviates ferroptosis in diabetic retinopathy by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent complication of diabetes, with a rising global incidence, and can result in significant vision impairment and potential blindness in adults. Corilagin (COR) has been shown to regulate several pathological processes. However, the specific protective role and mechanism of action of COR in DR remain unknown. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The protective effects and mechanisms of COR in DR were examined using the ARPE-19 cell line and C57BL/6 mice. Intraretinal tissue damage and molecular markers were evaluated to investigate the impact of COR on oxidative stress and cell death pathways. KEY RESULTS: In vitro, COR significantly reduced the cytotoxic effects of high glucose (HG) on ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, COR also effectively decreased HG-induced lipid peroxidation, iron deposition, and ferroptosis and reduced damage to retinal tight junction proteins. Similarly, an in vivo study of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM mice showed that the daily gavage of COR for eight weeks notably alleviated DR. Mechanistically, COR activated the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro, preventing HG-induced alterations in morphological and biochemical parameters. Notably, our study demonstrated that compared with controls, Nrf2 knockout mice and siNrf2-treated cells were more vulnerable to ferroptosis under HG conditions, and the protective effect of COR on DR was substantially diminished in these models. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These data indicate that COR has a protective effect against HG-induced retinal injury via a mechanism associated with the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant pathway and ferroptosis regulation.

Epidemiology and Prognostic Factors Analysis of Electrical Injuries in Shaanxi, China: A Single-Center Observational Study of 385 Cases.

The objective of this research is to investigate the epidemiological features of electrical injuries in Shaanxi Province, China, examine their prognosis, and ascertain the factors that impact the outcomes. Telephone follow-ups were conducted with electrical injury patients at our hospital between 2011 and 2021, yielding the following results: Most electrical injuries occur in males (94.3%) and younger or middle-aged individuals. The most common voltages involved are 220V and 380V. Since 2016, there has been a 20.1% annual decrease in electrical injuries, with most cases occurring from April to September. Patients typically undergo 1 surgical procedure (0,3), with a 14.8% amputation rate and an average hospital stay of 21 days (9,43). 1.8% of electrical injury patients have died, 17.1% have permanent nerve damage, and 10.8% need help with daily tasks. 18.5% have psychological issues and 9.6% have PTSD. 93.7% return to work in an average of 6 months (2,12). Amputation risk is influenced by voltage, muscle injury, and current pathway; skin grafting risk is mainly due to voltage. Heart injuries are affected by unconsciousness and current pathways; labor loss risk factors include voltage, falls from heights, and muscle injury; nerve damage is linked to muscle injury. Cataract development risk is associated with electric shock to the head and neck. It is crucial to address the psychological well-being of patients and provide necessary support. Patient input should be taken into account when deciding on treatment for non-functional limbs. Physicians should evaluate prognostic factors and provide appropriate treatment to enhance patient outcomes.

Vascular endothelial cells of Mongolian gerbils are resistant to cholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage.

Atherosclerosis is essentially the leading factor behind occurrences of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-associated incidents, while mitochondrial dysfunction is also the main cause of atherosclerosis. The present study conducted a comparative analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in cholesterol-induced vascular endothelial cells (VECs) from Mongolian gerbils, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and humans. It reported that the inhibitory effect of cholesterol treatment on the viability of Mongolian gerbil VECs was markedly lower than the other two types of VECs at the same concentration. Following cholesterol treatment, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, reactive oxygen species level, calcium concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential of Mongolian gerbil VECs did not change markedly. These results suggested that the function of mitochondria in the VECs of Mongolian gerbil is normal. Additionally, cholesterol treatment also did not alter the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ATP, NADH-CoQ reductase and cytochrome c oxidase in Mongolian gerbil VECs. It was hypothesized that the VECs of Mongolian gerbils have certain resistance to oxidative damage induced by cholesterol. In brief, the present study demonstrated that VECs of Mongolian gerbils are resistant to cholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. The aforementioned findings establish a theoretical foundation for the advancement of innovative strategies in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

[Research and Application Progress of Biochar in Amelioration of Saline-Alkali Soil].

Saline-alkali land， as one of the farmland problems that seriously threatens grain yield in the 21st century， is widely distributed and has great potential for development. Biochar is a relatively efficient novel soil amendment， which can play an important role in alleviating the soil acid-base barrier， soil pollution control， carbon sequestration， and fertilizer slow release and has a great prospect in promoting sustainable agricultural development. In recent years， the research and application of biochar to improve saline-alkali soil have attracted much attention. However， due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the structural components of biochar， the improvement effect of biochar on saline-alkali soil is highly uncertain， and there is also a lack of systematic summary and in-depth discussion of the key mechanisms， which limits the further popularization and application of biochar technology in the improvement of saline-alkali soil. This study comprehensively analyzed the effects of biochar on physicochemical properties， nutrient availability， and biological characteristics of saline-alkali soil； summarized the improvement effects of biochar and modified biochar on saline-alkali soil and their effects on quality and efficiency； and elucidated the possible mechanism of biochar in the improvement of saline-alkali soil. The future research prospect of biochar was discussed in order to provide reference for further research and development of green， efficient， and accurate improvement technology of biochar in saline-alkali soil and its popularization and application.

Split-level folding, step-type tension-relieving suture technique, and the evaluation on scar minimization.

BACKGROUND: Prevailing tension-reducing suture methods have a spectrum of issues. This study presents a straightforward yet highly efficacious suture technique known as the Split-level Folding, Step-type Tension-relieving Suture technique, which could play a pivotal role in preempting incisional scarring. AIMS: To introduce Split-level Folding, Step-type Tension-relieving Suture technique and assess its effect on scar minimization. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 64 patients who underwent treatment utilizing the proposed suturing methodology. Assessment parameters included the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), scar width, complications, and all evaluated at 6- and 12-month postoperatively. RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up, the POSAS and VSS scores in the normal suture group (32.58 ± 5.43, 3.58 ± 1.39) were considerably higher than the step-type suture group (29.75 ± 3.56, p = 0.0007; 2.78 ± 1.17, p = 0.0006). Moreover, the step-type suture group showcased a significantly narrower average incision scar width (1.62 ± 0.36) than the normal suture group (1.87 ± 0.42, p = 0.0004). This novel tension-relieving suture technique that effectively circumvents the occurrence of persistent localized eversion and other complications often associated with traditional tension-relieving sutures. CONCLUSIONS: The Split-level Folding, Step-type Tension-relieving Suture technique emerges as a highly promising option for averting incisional scarring. This suture method works well for incisions on the chest, back, and extremities, resulting in significantly better long-term outcomes.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy measures of frontal hemodynamic responses in Parkinson's patients and controls performing the Timed-Up-and-Go test.

Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), hemodynamic responses (i.e., changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin) were measured while participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy controls performed the Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUGT), and differences in cortical activity at baseline and three different intervals were examined between the two groups. Seventeen PD patients and twenty-two controls participated in the study, but two PD patients were excluded from statistical analysis due to the presence of freezing of gait and using walking aids during the TUGT. During the TUGT, activity in the front, left, right and total frontal cortices initially decreased significantly, then significantly increased in PD participants and low-risk faller PD participants, compared to when in a sitting position. ΔHbO (HbO change from baseline) over the front, left and total frontal cortices in the PD group was significantly lower than the control group in interval 1 (P = 0.019, P = 0.014 and P = 0.031, respectively), while significantly higher than the control group in interval 2 over the left frontal cortex (P = 0.010). No significant differences were observed between the high-risk faller and low-risk faller subgroups of PD participants in ΔHbO and ΔHbR in the three intervals (P > 0.05). In the high-risk faller subgroup, ΔHbO over the left frontal cortex was significantly higher than the right frontal cortex in interval 2 and interval 3 (P = 0.015, P = 0.030, respectively). There was a strong positive correlation between education and HbR concentration over the right frontal cortex in PD participants (rho = 0.557, P = 0.031), while there were strong negative correlations between PD duration and HbR concentration over the right and total frontal cortices in the high-risk faller subgroup of PD participants (rho = -0.854, P = 0.014 for the right; rho = -0.784, P = 0.037 for the total). The falls prediction cutoff TUGT time for PD participants was 14.2 s. These results suggest that frontal cognition training, along with exercise training, could be used as an effective training method to improve motor performance in PD patients, especially for those at high-risk for falls.

The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical fitness in young adults: a historical control study.

The strength of evidence regarding long-term changes to fitness resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdowns is deficient. This two-site retrospective study aimed to investigate the long-term changes in physical fitness among young adults a year after the onset of the pandemic using a robust historical control. University freshmen who underwent physical fitness tests in 2019 and completed a follow-up in 2020 (study group) were included. The primary focus was to compare the current cohort with a historical control group who completed the same tests a year prior (2018). A total of 5376 individuals were recruited, of which 2239 were in the study group. Compared with the control, the study group exhibited a decrease in anaerobic fitness, with an overall difference of -0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], [-1.33 to -0.36]); declines in aerobic fitness, with a difference of -2.25 [-3.92 to -0.57] for males and -4.28 [-4.97 to -3.59] for females; a reduced explosive fitness (-2.68 [-3.24 to -2.12]); and a decreased upper-body strength in females (-1.52 [-2.16 to -0.87]). The fitness of young adults has been considerably compromised by COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity to prevent long-term health implications.

Detection of human serum albumin using a rare-earth nanosheet fluorescent probe based on intensity and lifetime signals.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is an important biomarker for early disease diagnosis. Therefore, the detection of HSA in biological samples is important. In this study, for the sensitive detection of HSA, a fluorescent probe based on Eu(III)-doped yttrium hydroxide nanosheets was designed and sensitized by α-thiophenformyl acetone trifluoride as an antenna. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared nanosheet fluorescent probe were studied by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. A detailed investigation of the fluorescence properties of the as-obtained nanosheet probe revealed that the Eu(III) emission intensity was linearly and selectively enhanced by the consecutive addition of HSA. Furthermore, the lifetime signal of this probe was enhanced with increasing concentration. The sensitivity of the nanosheet probe to HSA is discussed based on the results of ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, and infrared spectral analyses, the findings demonstrate that the nanosheet fluorescent probe we prepared is a highly sensitive and selective tool for detecting HSA concentration with a high intensity and a large lifetime change.

COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipient and Waitlist Patients: Implications of Chest Radiographic Severity Score.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the chest radiographic severity score (CXR-SS) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who are kidney transplant recipients compared with patients on the waitlist. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort includes 78 kidney transplant recipients (50 men, mean age 59.9±11.9 y) and 59 kidney transplant waitlist patients (33 men, mean age 58.8±10.8 y) diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 15 and May 30, 2020 with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patient chest radiographs were divided into 6 zones and examined for consolidation. Primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and intubation. Predictors of our primary and secondary outcomes were identified by bivariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in CXR-SS between 2 groups (P=0.087). Transplant recipients had significantly higher rates of hospitalization (odds ratio, 6.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 39.3; P<0.001), ICU admission (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-35.9; P=0.002), intubation (odds ratio, 11; 95% CI: 2.4-96.9; P=0.001), and mortality (odds ratio, 17; 95% CI: 3.9-153.1; P<0.001). A higher CXR-SS was not predictive of mortality, intubation, or ICU admission. CXR-SS was associated with hospital admission overall (odds ratio, 1.613; 95% CI: 1.04-2.49; P=0.0314). CONCLUSION: The CXR-SS was not predictive of mortality, ICU admission or intubation in our population. Kidney transplant patients with COVID-19 had near universal hospital admission, more than one-third mortality and about a quarter were intubated and admitted to the ICU-all significantly worse outcomes than for patients on the transplant waitlist.

Identification and development of a functional marker of TaGW2 associated with grain weight in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The OsGW2 gene is involved in rice grain development, influencing grain width and weight. Its ortholog in wheat, TaGW2, was considered as a candidate gene related to grain development. We found that TaGW2 is constitutively expressed, with three orthologs expressing simultaneously. The coding sequence (CDS) of TaGW2 is 1,275 bp encoding a protein with 424 amino acids, and has a functional domain shared with OsGW2. No divergence was detected within the CDS sequences in the same locus in ten varieties. Genome-specific primers were designed based on the sequence divergence of the promoter regions in the three orthologous genes, and TaGW2 was located in homologous group 6 chromosomes through CS nulli-tetrasomic (NT). Two SNPs were detected in the promoter region of TaGW2-6A, forming two haplotypes: Hap-6A-A (-593A and -739G) and Hap-6A-G (-593G and -769A). A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was developed based on the -593 A-G polymorphism to distinguish the two haplotypes in TaGW2-6A. This gene was fine mapped 0.6 cM from marker cfd80.2 near the centromere in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. Two hundred sixty-five Chinese wheat varieties were genotyped and association analysis revealed that Hap-6A-A was significantly associated with wider grains and higher one-thousand grain weight (TGW) in two crop seasons. qRT-PCR revealed a negative relationship between TaGW2 expression level and grain width. The Hap-6A-A frequencies in Chinese varieties released at different periods showed that it had been strongly positively selected in breeding. In landraces, Hap-6A-A is mainly distributed in southern Chinese wheat regions. Association analysis also indicated that Hap-6A-A not only increased TGW by more than 3 g, but also had earlier heading and maturity. In contrast to Chinese varieties, Hap-6A-G was the predominant haplotype in European varieties; Hap-6A-A was mainly present in varieties released in the former Yugoslavia, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary and Portugal.

The effect of capsule tension ring on posterior capsule opacification: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Posterior capsule opacification is one of the most common complications after cataract surgery. Studies have suggested that the introduction of a capsule tension ring might play a critical role in the prevention of capsule opacification, yet quantitative evidence is still lacking. This work consists of a meta-analysis on available data in order to explore the influence of a capsule tension ring on posterior capsule opacification. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature on capsule tension ring and posterior capsule opacification was carried out using the Embase, Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases. The selected studies included randomized controlled trials, retrospective studies and prospective studies published before June 2020. The studies of interest were selected by two reviewers independently from the included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were used in order to assess the association. A fixed-effects model or a random-effects model was applied to combine data according to heterogeneities. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Publication bias was estimated using the Egger test. Statistical analysis was performed using the stata15.1 software. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included in total 8 studies involving 379 cases and 333 controls. There was a statistically significant difference of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rate (OR=0.241, 95% CI: 0.145, 0.400 I2=42.1%) between the capsule tension ring group and the control group, indicating that the tension ring reduced the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rate. Further studies with continuous data also revealed that the use of capsule tension ring was associated with a lower posterior capsule opacification score (SMD = -1.402, 95% CI: -2.448, -0.355 I2=95.0%). The sensitivity analysis suggested that the result of the re-combined analysis did not change notably, indicating that the result was reliable and stable. Both pooled analysis showed no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: The findings of this meta-analysis confirmed that capsule tension ring might reduce capsule opacification. Further studies should be made to validate the result.

Epidermal stem cells maintain stemness via a biomimetic micro/nanofiber scaffold that promotes wound healing by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) play a vital role in wound healing and skin renewal. Although biomaterial scaffolds have been used for transplantation of EpSCs in wound healing, the ex vivo differentiation of EpSCs limits their application. METHODS: To inhibit the differentiation of EpSCs and maintain their stemness, we developed an electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)+cellulose acetate (CA) micro/nanofiber for the culture and transplantation of EpSCs. The modulation effect on EpSCs of the scaffold and the underlying mechanism were explored. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for label-free quantitative proteomics was used to analyze proteomic changes in EpSCs cultured on scaffolds. In addition, the role of transplanted undifferentiated EpSCs in wound healing was also studied. RESULTS: In this study, we found that the PCL+CA micro/nanofiber scaffold can inhibit the differentiation of EpSCs through YAP activation-mediated inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway. Significantly differentially expressed proteomics was observed in EpSCs cultured on scaffolds and IV collagen-coated culture dishes. Importantly, differential expression levels of ribosome-related proteins and metabolic pathway-related proteins were detected. Moreover, undifferentiated EpSCs transplanted with the PCL+CA scaffold can promote wound healing through the activation of the Notch signaling pathway in rat full-thickness skin defect models. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study demonstrated the role of the PCL+CA micro-nanofiber scaffold in maintaining the stemness of EpSCs for wound healing, which can be helpful for the development of EpSCs maintaining scaffolds and exploration of interactions between biomaterials and EpSCs.