Assessment of sedation by automated pupillometry in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative measurement of pupil change has not been assessed against the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) and spectral edge frequency (SEF) during sedation. The aim of this study was to evaluate pupillometry against these measures in sedated critically ill adult patients. METHODS: In ventilated and sedated patients, pupillary variables were measured by automated pupillometry at each RASS level from -5 to 0 after discontinuation of hypnotics, while processed electroencephalogram variables were displayed continuously and SEF was recorded at each RASS level. Correlations were made between percentage pupillary light reflex (%PLR) and RASS, and between %PLR and SEF. The ability of %PLR to differentiate light sedation (RASS ≥-2), moderate (RASS =-3), and deep sedation (RASS ≤-4) was assessed by areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: A total of 163 paired measurements were recorded in 38 patients. With decreasing sedation depth, median %PLR increased progressively from 20% (interquartile range 17-25%) to 36% (interquartile range 33-40%) (P<0.001). Strong correlations were found between %PLR and RASS (Rho=0.635) and between %PLR and SEF (R=0.641). Area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87 with a %PLR threshold of 28% differentiated moderate/light sedation from deep sedation with sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 83%. An AUC of 0.82 with a threshold of 31% distinguished light sedation from moderate/deep sedation with a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative assessment of %PLR correlates with other indicators of sedation depth in critically ill patients.

Estimating the effect of increasing ambient temperature on antimicrobial resistance in China: A nationwide ecological study with the difference-in-differences approach.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the possible consequences of rising ambient temperatures brought on by global warming have been extensively discussed. However, the epidemiological evidence on the effects of temperature on AMR is rare and little is known about the role of socioeconomic inequities. This ecological study obtained 31 provinces AMR data of Escherichia Coli (E. coli) from the China Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (CARSS) over the period from 2014 to 2020, which were linked to the meteorological and socioeconomic data published in the China Statistical Yearbook. Modified difference-in-differences (DID) analyses were performed to estimate the effect of ambient temperature on AMR of E. coli to third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefotaxime), carbapenems, and quinolones, adjusting for variations in meteorological and socioeconomic factors. We estimated that every 1 °C increase in average ambient temperature was associated with 2.71 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-4.24), 32.92 % (95 % CI: 15.62-52.81), and 1.81 % (95 % CI: 0.47-3.16) increase in the prevalence of E. coli resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefotaxime), carbapenems and quinolones, respectively. The link was more profound in the regions with lower temperature and a median level of average humidity, and the regions with lower income, lower expenditure (in economics), lower health resources, and lower hospital admissions. Neither the replacement of the temperature variable nor the alternative approaches for confounding adjustment changed the positive association between ambient temperature and AMR. In general, there exists a positive association between ambient temperature and AMR, although the strength of such an association varies by socioeconomic and health services factors. The association is possibly nonlinear, especially for E. coli resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. The findings suggest that AMR control programs should explicitly incorporate weather patterns to increase their effectiveness.

Spatio-Temporal Difference in Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and Its Influencing Factors Based on the SBM-Tobit Models in the Yangtze River Delta, China.

In the Yangtze River Delta region, where the agricultural economy is well developed and agricultural pollution and carbon emissions are significant, a regional study of AEE (Agricultural Eco-Efficiency) is crucial to reducing agricultural environmental pollution, improving the rationalization of agricultural production layout, and promoting the realization of low-carbon goals. The SBM-Tobit model and GIS were employed to analyze AEE based on the carbon emission evaluation system in the spatial and temporal characteristics, as well as the influencing factors and the migration path of the center of gravity in the "low carbon" context. A rational plan of agricultural production was proposed according to the results. The following results were obtained: (1) The level of AEE in the Yangtze River Delta region was high, and the region exhibited a U-shaped curve change from 2000 to 2020, with a fluctuating decrease from 2000 to 2003 and a fluctuating increase from 2004 to 2020. The regional spatial development balance was enhanced, while there was a spatial incongruity in the development process of AEE enhancement, high in the southwest and low in the northeast; (2) AEE generally had a high regionalized agglomeration of low-low in the southwest and high-high in the northeast. Nonetheless, temporal heterogeneity was observed in spatial correlation, and the correlation weakened with time variation; (3) Urbanization level, agricultural production structure, crop cultivation structure, and fertilizer application intensity were the main factors influencing AEE in the Yangtze River Delta region; (4) The center of gravity of AEE in the Yangtze River Delta region shifted to the southwest under the influence of "low-carbon" related policies. Therefore, the improvement of AEE in the Yangtze River Delta region should focus on inter-regional coordination and linkages, rational planning of production factors, and the formulation of measures under relevant carbon policies.

[Changes of soil water budget in the area covered by biological soil crusts in Mu Us sandy land, China]. / æ¯›ä¹Œç´ æ²™åœ°ç”Ÿç‰©ç»“çš®è¦†ç›–åŒºåœŸå£¤æ°´åˆ†æ”¶æ”¯å˜åŒ–ç‰¹å¾.

Exploring and quantifying the impacts of biological soil crusts on soil hydrological processes and soil water budget in semi-arid ecosystems can provide a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and reconstruction in deserts. Based on continuous observation of soil water content in different types of areas covered by biological soil crusts (e.g., algae, moss) and bare sand in the Mu Us sandy land during the growing season (May to October) from 2018 to 2020, we examined the effects of biological soil crusts on soil water budget at a depth of 0-40 cm. Results showed that algae and moss crusts significantly reduced soil water supplement below 40 cm by rainfall and increased soil water evaporation loss, compared with that under bare sand. In the relatively wet year (2018), the amount of soil water expenditure (seepage+evaporation) covered by bare sand and the various types of biological soil crusts was less than that of rainfall, resulting in net soil water income. In the relative dry years (2019 and 2020), the amount of soil water expenditure covered by dominant algae and moss crusts was higher than that of rainfall, causing net soil water deficit, but opposite for bare sand. Biological soil crusts led to the imbalance of soil water budget of 0-40 cm depth and even soil water deficit in relatively dry years, which may lead to the succession of plant communities to be dominated by shallow-rooted plants in this area.

Comparison of organic matter (OM) pools in water, suspended particulate matter, and sediments in eutrophic Lake Taihu, China: Implication for dissolved OM tracking, assessment, and management.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in lake water. However, studies on what extent and how both sources affect DOM composition are lacking, which hampers DOM management. Herein, DOM, SPM-extracted particulate organic matter (POM), and sediment-extracted organic matter (SOM) were characterized and compared in terms of absorption spectral properties and chemical composition in Lake Taihu, a large cyanobacterial bloom-affected shallow lake. A statistical method was proposed to quantify the similarity of organic matter (OM) in the different states and to evaluate the potential effects of SPM and sediments on DOM. Results showed that POM and DOM were mainly composed of small-molecular-size and low-humified organic components (i.e., 27 %-38 % tryptophan-like and ~30 % protein-like substances), and most of them were derived from autochthonous sources. While tyrosine-like (57 %) and humic-like (27 %) substances were dominant in SOM. The OM similarity between POM and DOM was approximately 1.5 times higher than that between SOM and DOM, indicating the greater effect of SPM than sediments on DOM composition. High pH and low nitrogen (e.g., nitrate and ammonia) were positively correlated to the OM similarity between POM and DOM. Further, the findings indicated that nitrogen limitation enhanced the OM exchange between POM and DOM by promoting the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in cyanobacterial aggregates. The obtained findings highlighted the importance of SPM in shaping the DOM composition relative to sediments and facilitating the DOM management in bloom-affected lakes.

Sequential damage assessment of the posterolateral complex of the knee joint: a finite element study.

BACKGROUND: The posterolateral complex (PLC), which consists of the popliteus tendon (PT), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and popliteofibular ligament (PFL), is an indispensable structure of the knee joint. The aim of this study was to explore the functionality of the PLC by determining the specific role of each component in maintaining posterolateral knee stability. METHODS: A finite element (FE) model was generated based on previous material property data and magnetic resonance imaging of a volunteer's knee joint. The injury order of the PLC was set as LCL, PFL, and PT. A combined compressive load of 1150 N and an anterior tibial load of 134 N was applied to the tibia to investigate tibial displacement (TD). Tibial external rotation (TER) and tibial varus angulation (TVA) were measured under bending motions of 5 and 10 Nm. The instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR) of the knee joint under different rotation motions was also recorded. RESULTS: The TD of the intact knee under a combined compressive load of 1150 N and an anterior tibial load of 134 N matched the values determined in previous studies. Our model showed consistent increases in TD, TVA, and TER after sequential damage of the PLC. In addition, sequential disruption caused the IAR to shift superiorly and laterally during varus rotation and medially and anteriorly during external rotation. In the dynamic damage of the PLC, LCL injury had the largest effect on TD, TVA, TER, and IAR. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential injury of the PLC caused considerable loss of stability of the knee joint according to an FE model. The most significant structure of the PLC was the LCL.

Assessment of Combination of Automated Pupillometry and Heart Rate Variability to Detect Driving Fatigue.

Objectives: Approximately 20~30% of all traffic accidents are caused by fatigue driving. However, limited practicability remains a barrier for the real application of available techniques to detect driving fatigue. Use of pupillary light reflex (PLR) may be potentially effective for driving fatigue detection. Methods: A 90 min monotonous simulated driving task was utilized to induce driving fatigue. During the task, PLR measurements were performed at baseline and at an interval of 30 min. Subjective rating scales, heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored simultaneously. Results: Thirty-two healthy volunteers in China participated in our study. Based on the results of subjective evaluation and behavioral performances, driving fatigue was verified to be successfully induced by a simulated driving task. Significant variations of PLR and HRV parameters were observed, which also showed significant relevance with the change in Karolinska Sleepiness Scale at several timepoints (|r| = 0.55 ~ 0.72, P < 0.001). Furthermore, PLR variations had excellent ability to detect driving fatigue with high sensitivity and specificity, of which maximum constriction velocity variations achieved a sensitivity of 85.00% and specificity of 72.34% for driving fatigue detection, vs. 82.50 and 78.72% with a combination of HRV variations, a nonsignificant difference (AUC = 0.835, 0.872, P > 0.05). Conclusions: Pupillary light reflex variation may be a potential indicator in the detection of driving fatigue, achieving a comparative performance compared with the combination with heart rate variability. Further work may be involved in developing a commercialized driving fatigue detection system based on pupillary parameters.

Monitoring contamination of perchlorate migrating along the food chain to dairy products poses risks to human health.

Assessments of human exposure to sodium perchlorate via dairy sources are limited. The current study applied untargeted metabolomics (LOD, 1.08-35.60 µg L-1; LOQ, 2.54-90.58 µg L-1; RSD < 6.2%) and proteomics methods by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS to investigate the metabolic pathways and nutritional quality of goat milk contaminated with sodium perchlorate. Specifically, 11 metabolites including lactose (from 2.01 to 0.58 mg L-1), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (from 1.23 to 0.45 mg L-1), hypoxanthine (from 0.63 to 0.08 mg L-1), etc. and 3 crucial enzymes include α-lactalbumin, xanthine dehydrogenase and creatine kinase related to the quality traits of goat milk after sodium perchlorate treatment. Overall, except for spermidine, other related metabolites significantly decreased with the increase of sodium perchlorate concentration 0-160 µg L-1 and storage time (4-12 h). Collectively, we provide previously uncharacterized goat milk nutritional quality degradation mechanism induced by sodium perchlorate and a reference to ensure its safe use in human health.

Medical expenditure for lung cancer in China: a multicenter, hospital-based retrospective survey.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical expenditure incurred for lung cancer care and analyze the trend therein for the period 2002-2011 using nationally representative data in China METHODS: This study was based on 10-year, multicenter retrospective expenditure data collected from hospital records, covering 15,437 lung cancer patients from 13 provinces diagnosed during the period 2002-2011. All expenditure data were adjusted to 2011 to eliminate the effects of inflation using China's annual consumer price index. RESULTS: The direct medical expenditure for lung cancer care (in 2011) was 39,015 CNY (US$6,041) per case, with an annual growth rate of 7.55% from 2002 to 2011. Drug costs were the highest proportionally in the total medical expenditure (54.27%), followed by treatment expenditure (14.32%) and surgical expenditure (8.10%). Medical expenditures for the disease varied based on region, hospital level, type, and stage. CONCLUSION: The medical expenditure for lung cancer care is substantial in China. Drug costs and laboratory test are the main factors increasing medical costs.

Method for Zero-Waste Circular Economy Using Worms for Plastic Agriculture: Augmenting Polystyrene Consumption and Plant Growth.

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the major plastics contributing to environmental pollution with its durability and resistance to natural biodegradation. Recent research showed that mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and superworms (Zophobas morio) are naturally able to consume PS as a carbon food source and degrade them without observable toxic effects. In this study, we explored the effects of possible food additives and use of worm frass as potential plant fertilizers. We found that small amounts of sucrose and bran increased PS consumption and that the worm frass alone could support dragon fruit cacti (Hylocereus undatus) growth, with superworm frass in particular, supporting better growth and rooting than mealworm frass and control media over a fortnight. As known fish and poultry feed, these findings present worms as a natural solution to simultaneously tackle both the global plastic problem and urban farming issue in a zero-waste sustainable bioremediation cycle.

Water quality criteria and ecological risk assessment for ammonia in the Shaying River Basin, China.

Current Chinese surface water environmental quality standard GB3838-2002 for ammonia fails to take water quality factors and native organism distributions in different basins into consideration. In this study, ammonia toxicity tests were performed using three aquatic organisms native to the Shaying River Basin (China). Published ammonia toxicity data with pH and temperature, and toxicity data acquired in this study were used to establish water quality criteria. The final criterion maximum concentration (CMC) and criterion continuous concentration (CCC) for the Shaying River Basin were 5.09 and 1.36 (mg total ammonia nitrogen (TAN))/L (pH 7 and 20 °C), respectively. In addition, based on the corresponding relationship between ammonia toxicity and temperature and pH, the ecological risk assessment of ammonia was conducted in different seasons for the Shaying River using a tiered approach of both hazard quotient (HQ) and the joint probability (JPC) methods. Two methods gave consistent results: the ecological risks of ammonia to aquatic species in the Shaying River Basin were severe and the risk could be ranked as wet season > flat season > dry season. It is therefore indicating that monitoring, evaluation, and early warning of ammonia pollution need to be taken to prevent and control the risks posed by ammonia pollution, especially for wet season (because of high temperatures and pH) or flat season (because of high pH values). We hope the present work could provide valuable information to manage and control ammonia pollution in the Shaying River Basin.

Economic evaluation of the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is a common cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children in Hong Kong (HK) with a high economic burden. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing rotavirus vaccination into the HK Government's Childhood Immunisation Programme (CIP) and to include the potential protective effect of the vaccine against seizures. METHODS: A decision-support model was customised to estimate the potential impact, cost-effectiveness and benefit-risk of rotavirus vaccination in children below 5 years over the period 2020-2029 in HK. Two doses of Rotarix® and three doses of RotaTeq® were each compared to no vaccination. Rotavirus treatment costs were calculated from a governmental health sector perspective (i.e., costs of public sector treatment) and an overall health sector perspective (both governmental and patient, i.e., costs of public sector treatment, private sector treatment, transport and diapers). We ran probabilistic and deterministic uncertainty analyses. RESULTS: Introduction of rotavirus vaccination in HK could prevent 49,000 (95% uncertainty interval: ~44,000-54,000) hospitalisations of rotavirus gastroenteritis and seizures and result in ~50 (95% uncertainty interval: ~25-85) intussusception hospitalisations, over the period 2020-2029 (a benefit-risk ratio of ~1000:1), compared to a scenario with no public or private sector vaccine use. The discounted vaccination cost would be US$51-57 million over the period 2020-2029 based on per-course prices of US$72 (Rotarix®) or US$78 (RotaTeq®), but this would be offset by discounted treatment cost savings of US$70 million (government) and US$127 million (governmental and patient health sector). There was a greater than 94% probability that the vaccine could be cost-saving irrespective of the vaccine product or perspective considered. All deterministic 'what-if' scenarios were cost-saving from an overall health sector perspective (governmental and patient). CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus vaccination is likely to be cost-saving and have a favourable benefit-risk profile in HK. Based on the assumptions made, our analysis supports its introduction into CIP.

Effects of a Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Diet on the Plasma Lipidome and Its Association with Atherosclerotic Burden in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease-A Randomized, Open-Label, Cross-over Study.

A vegetarian diet has been associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Plasma triacylglycerols, ceramides, and phosphatidylcholines may improve prediction of recurrent coronary events. We sought to investigate effects of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (VD) on plasma lipidome in CAD patients and simultaneously assess associations of plasma lipids with the extent of coronary atherosclerotic burden. We analyzed 214 plasma lipids within glycerolipid, sphingolipid, and sterol lipid classes using lipidomics from a randomized controlled, crossover trial comprising 31 CAD patients on standard medical therapy. Subjects completed a four-week intervention with VD and isocaloric meat diet (MD), separated by a four-week washout period. The VD increased levels of 11 triacylglycerols and lowered 7 triacylglycerols, 21 glycerophospholipids, cholesteryl ester (18:0), and ceramide (d18:1/16:0) compared with MD. VD increased triacylglycerols with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acyls while decreased triacylglycerols with saturated fatty acyls, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins than MD. The Sullivan extent score (SES) exhibited on coronary angiograms were inversely associated with triacylglycerols with long-chain unsaturated fatty acyls. Phosphatidylcholines that were lower with VD were positively associated with SES and the total number of stenotic lesions. The VD favorably changed levels of several lipotoxic lipids that have previously been associated with increased risk of coronary events in CAD patients.

A highly-active, stable and low-cost platinum-free anode catalyst based on RuNi for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells.

The development of cost-effective hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells is limited by the lack of high-performance and low-cost anode hydrogen oxidation reaction catalysts. Here we report a Pt-free catalyst Ru7Ni3/C, which exhibits excellent hydrogen oxidation reaction activity in both rotating disk electrode and membrane electrode assembly measurements. The hydrogen oxidation reaction mass activity and specific activity of Ru7Ni3/C, as measured in rotating disk experiments, is about 21 and 25 times that of Pt/C, and 3 and 5 times that of PtRu/C, respectively. The hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell with Ru7Ni3/C anode can deliver a high peak power density of 2.03 W cm-2 in H2/O2 and 1.23 W cm-2 in H2/air (CO2-free) at 95 °C, surpassing that using PtRu/C anode catalyst, and good durability with less than 5% voltage loss over 100 h of operation. The weakened hydrogen binding of Ru by alloying with Ni and enhanced water adsorption by the presence of surface Ni oxides lead to the high hydrogen oxidation reaction activity of Ru7Ni3/C. By using the Ru7Ni3/C catalyst, the anode cost can be reduced by 85% of the current state-of-the-art PtRu/C, making it highly promising in economical hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells.

[Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Jiaxing River Network].

In order to study the pollution source and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Jiaxing river network, PAHs were analyzed by GC-MS. The results show that with the influence of rainfall and surface runoff in the wet season, the types and mass concentrations of PAHs in the river network of Jiaxing differ from the dry season. Ten and 16 priority PAHs were detected in the dry season and wet season, respectively. The average mass concentration of PAHs in the dry season was 143.83ng·L-1 and 73.47ng·L-1 in the wet season. The range of mass concentration of PAHs in the dry and wet season was 77.32-283.76ng·L-1 and 13.05-133.02ng·L-1, respectively, and 2-ring and 3-ring PAHs accounted for 79.18% in the dry season and 73.60% in the wet season. PAHs pollution in the river network of Jiaxing was at a low level compared with the domestic and foreign areas. The isomer ratio and principal component analysis found that the PAHs in the Jiaxing river network mainly come from urban non-point source pollution, combustion source, and traffic pollution in the dry season and wet season. The results of the Kalf risk entropy method show that in the dry season, naphthalene(Nap), acenaphthylene(Acy), acenaphthene(Ace), fluorene(Flu), phenanthrene(Phe), anthracene(Ant), fluoranthene(Fla), pyrene(Pyr), and benzo(a)anthracene(BaA) are at moderate ecological risk. In the wet season, Nap, Acy, Flu, Phe, Fla, Pyr, BaA, benzo(b)fluoranthene(BbF), benzo(k)fluoranthene(BkF), benzo(a)pyrene(BaP), indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene(InP), and benzo(g,h,i)perylene(BghiP) are at moderate ecological risk. In the dry season, ∑PAHs are at moderate ecological risk, and low in the wet season. On the whole, PAHs pollution in the Jiaxing river network presents moderate ecological risk levels, and measures to reduce the ecological risk of PAHs in the river network should be taken by the Departments concerned.

Application of 3D-Printed Orthopedic Cast for the Treatment of Forearm Fractures: Finite Element Analysis and Comparative Clinical Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study is aimed at investigating the mechanical characteristics of a cast-wrapped fractured forearm and performing a clinical comparative study of our own developed 3D-printed orthopedic cast. METHODS: An integrated finite element (FE) model including a forearm and a 3D-printed cast wrapping the forearm was created. The distal radial ulna in this model was cut through to mimic the bone fracture. A 400 N force and 1 Nm rotation moment, which were much larger than the loading conditions encountered in daily life for a human being, were applied on the palm. We conducted a comparative clinical study by using statistical assessment. 60 patients with forearm fractures were selected and treated with manual reduction and external fixation cast. All patients were divided into three groups with equal members (20): (a) 3D-printed external cast group, (b) traditional plaster external fixation group, and (c) splint external fixation group. The clinical efficacy, wrist function, and patient satisfaction were scored and compared. RESULTS: In the condition of 400 N loading, the fracture displacements in anterior-posterior (AP), posterior-anterior (PA), medial to lateral (ML), and lateral to medial (LM) compression directions were 1.2648, 1.3253, 0.8503, and 0.8957 (mm), respectively, and the corresponding fracture stresses were 4.5986, 3.9129, and 5.0334, 7.9197 (MPa), respectively. In the inward (IR) and outward (OR) rotations, the fracture displacements were both 0.02628 (mm), and the corresponding fracture surface stresses were 0.1733 and 0.1723 (MPa), respectively. In the clinical efficacy, wrist function, and patient comfort evaluation, the total scores of group A were both higher than those in groups B and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A 3D-printed orthopedic cast was capable of exerting appropriate mechanical correction loads on specific areas to maintain optimal alignment of a fractured forearm and thus could achieve the favorable clinical efficacy and patient comfort.

[Measurement of Traffic Carbon Emissions and Pattern of Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (1985-2016)].

The "top-down" method was used to measure the traffic carbon emissions from 1985 to 2016 in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and analyze its spatial pattern and temporal evolution characteristics. Considering the unexpected output, a three-stage DEA model was constructed to evaluate and compare the traffic carbon emission efficiency of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, excluding the influence of external environment variables and random errors. The study found that first, the total traffic carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Economic Belt showed a rising trend, among which the carbon emissions from petroleum energy consumption accounted for the largest proportion. Sichuan, Hubei, and Hunan and the Su-Zhe-Hu Region were the high-value areas of traffic carbon emissions in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, respectively. Second, from the east to west, the center of traffic carbon emissions generally showed a changing track of moving east first and then west; from the north to south, it highlighted the characteristics of increasing concentrated distribution along the Yangtze River in space. Third, there was an obvious spatial differentiation in the traffic carbon emission efficiency values of different provinces; from 2007 to 2016, the efficiency value of the eastern region was the highest, but the value of the central region changed from higher than that in the western region to lower than that in the western region. Finally, external environmental factors had a significant impact on the efficiency of traffic carbon emissions, in which the optimization of industrial structure was found to be conducive to the improvement of traffic carbon emission efficiency, while the influence of government intervention was changed from "innovation compensation" effect to "compliance cost" effect.

A rapid and convenient derivatization method for quantitation of short-chain fatty acids in human feces by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are associated with intestinal microbiota and diseases in humans. SCFAs have a low response in mass spectrometry, and in order to increase sensitivity, reduce sample consumption, shorten analysis time, and simplify sample preparation steps, a derivatization method was developed. METHODS: We converted seven SCFAs into amide derivatives with 4-aminomethylquinoline. The reaction occurred for 20 min at room temperature. The analytes were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column and quantitated in the positive ion electrospray ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring. Acetic acid-d4 was used as the stable-isotope-labeled surrogate analyte for acetic acid in the working solutions, while the other stable-isotope-labeled standards were used as internal standards (ISs). RESULTS: Method validation showed that the intra-day and inter-day precision of quantitation for the seven SCFAs over the whole concentration range was ≤3.8% (n = 6). The quantitation accuracy ranged from 85.5% to 104.3% (n = 6). Most important, the collected feces were vortexed immediately with ethanol. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a new derivatization method for a precise, accurate, and rapid quantitation of SCFAs in human feces using ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. This method successfully determined the concentration of SCFAs in human feces and could assist in the exploration of intestinal microbiota and diseases.

Plasma Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 and Superoxide Dismutase are Independent Predicators of Cognitive Impairment in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Patients: Diagnosis and Assessment.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are linked to regulating vascular/neuro-inflammation and stroke. Using a retrospective design, we investigated whether circulating Lp-PLA2 and SOD in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients were associated with cognitive impairment. Eighty-seven CSVD patients were recruited. Plasma Lp-PLA2 and SOD were determined, and cognitive status was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The severity of white matter hypoerintensities (WMHs) in CSVD patients was rated according to Fazekas scales, and Lp-PLA2/SOD levels and MMSE/MoCA were compared. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between Lp-PLA2 and SOD and the cognitive impairment. Ordinal logistic regression and generalized linear models (OLRGLMs) were applied to confirm whether Lp-PLA2 and SOD are independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in CVSD. Lp-PLA2 and SOD with mild or severe cognitive impairment were lower than those with normal congnition. Lp-PLA2 and SOD in CSVD patients with severe WMHs were significantly lower than those with mild or moderate WMH lesions. We noted positive linear associations of Lp-PLA and SOD with cognitive impairment in CSVD, independent of LDL-C. OLRGLMs confirmed that Lp-PLA2 and SOD were independent risk factors of cognitive impairment in CSVD. Lp-PLA2 and SOD are independently associated with cognitive impairment and WMH lesion, and may be useful for the rapid evaluation of cognitive impairment in CSVD. Lp-PLA2/SOD are modifiable factors that may be considered as therapeutic targets for preventing cognitive impairment in CSVD.

Cost-effective high-spatial-resolution photon-counting optical time-domain reflectometry at 850 nm.

Optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR) is a widely employed instrument for monitoring the property of fiber links. Traditional OTDR always suffers from the trade-off between its spatial resolution and the sensitivity of light detection. Therefore, it cannot be applied in critical applications, such as in aviation, where OTDR with a high spatial resolution of several centimeters is required. In this paper, we develop a cost-effective photon-counting OTDR based on our homemade gain-switching pulsed laser at 850 nm. Thanks to the short pulse width of the laser and the relatively small time jitter of the photon detector, our photon-counting OTDR achieves a spatial resolution of less than 9 cm and satisfies the requirements for monitoring short fiber links in various types of airplanes. Finally, we realize a fully running system for monitoring an optical cable with 32 fiber channels on a plane.