Comprehensive assessment of risk factors and pathogenic characteristics of wound infections following thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with surgical resection as a primary treatment modality. However, postoperative wound infections (PWIs) pose significant risks following thoracoscopic radical resection. This study aims to identify the risk factors and pathogenetic characteristics associated with PWIs in lung cancer surgery. A comprehensive retrospective study was conducted from August 2021 to June 2023 at our institution. The study included 30 patients who developed PWIs and 60 controls who did not, following thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer. We evaluated various factors including age, hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, body mass index (BMI), operation time, prophylactic antibiotic use, diabetes mellitus and tumour staging. Diagnostic criteria for PWIs were based on clinical signs and microbiological confirmation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, utilizing chi-square tests, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The predominant pathogens identified in PWIs were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Univariate analysis revealed operation time (≥4 h) and diabetes mellitus as significant risk factors for PWIs, while prophylactic antibiotic use was associated with a lower incidence of PWIs. Multivariate analysis further confirmed these findings, highlighting prolonged operation time and diabetes as significant predictors of PWIs, and antibiotic use as a protective factor. Prolonged operation time and diabetes mellitus significantly increase the risk of PWIs following thoracoscopic radical resection for lung cancer, whereas prophylactic antibiotics play a protective role. These findings underscore the importance of tailored preventive strategies in clinical practice to minimize the occurrence of postoperative infections and improve surgical outcomes in lung cancer patients.

Characterization of a novel recombinant calcium-binding protein from Arca subcrenata and its anti-hepatoma activities in vitro and in vivo.

Previous studies demonstrated that ASP-3 was a novel calcium-binding protein from Arca subcrenata that effectively inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. To further study the antitumor activity and mechanism of ASP-3, the cytotoxic effects of recombinant ASP-3 were evaluated in HepG2 cells. The results demonstrated that ASP-3 inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells by competitively binding to the EGF binding pocket of EGFR and inhibiting the JAK-STAT, RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK, and PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathways mediated by EGFR. ASP-3 significantly inhibited tumor growth in a HepG2 cell subcutaneous xenograft nude mouse model, and its (25 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg) tumor inhibition rates were 46.92 % and 60.28 %, respectively. Furthermore, the crystal structure of ASP-3 was resolved at 1.4 Å. ASP-3 formed as a stable dimer and folded as an EF-Hand structure. ASP-3 stably bound to domain I and domain III of the EGFR extracellular region by using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. Compared with the endogenous ligand EGF, ASP-3 displayed a stronger interaction with EGFR. These experimental results indicated that recombinant ASP-3 possessed an effective anti-hepatoma effect. So, it might be a potential molecule for liver cancer therapy.

Efficient optimization and development of two methods for the determination of acrylamide in deep-frying oil by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: Application of multifactor analysis assessment strategy.

A new multifactor analysis assessment strategy was developed for evaluating, optimizing, and comparing analytical techniques for acrylamide in frying oils. Based on five indices (absolute recovery, absolute matrix effect, the intensity of the full ion scan, and the precursor ion scan to m/z 184 and m/z 241), the proposed strategy was performed with radar analysis, relative contribution analysis, and the entropy-weighted technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution analysis. Two novel methods based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction methodology and gel permeation chromatography-liquid-liquid extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry have been developed for the analysis of acrylamide in frying oils. Two methods were suitable for rapid and sensitive analysis of acrylamide in oils in different laboratories, with a limit of quantitation at 2 µg/kg, and the average recovery ranging from 92.5% to 107.8%, with relative standard deviations below 10%. When considering automation efficiency and matrix effects, gel permeation chromatography is the most efficient method, whereas the other method has an advantage when analyzing large samples. The developed methods were used in a pilot study to analyze frying oils with acrylamide content below 9.82 µg/kg, showing that the repeated frying process did not produce significant content of acrylamide in oils.

Exploring the influencing factors of carbon neutralization in Chinese manufacturing enterprises.

One of the key issues facing the government in achieving carbon neutrality is what methods can be used to effectively reduce carbon emissions. Taking manufacturing enterprises as an example, this paper studies the carbon emission reduction effects of green technology innovation subsidy (GIS), carbon tax (CT), and carbon emission trading (CET). Under the background of social welfare and carbon emission reduction efficiency, we get the results of optimal carbon emission reduction measures in different environments. The results are as follows: (1) In the initial and mature stage of green technology innovation, GIS is the best choice to improve the degree of green manufacturing and maximize social welfare. CT and CET are the best choice to obtain the highest SE (carbon emission reduction efficiency). (2) In the transitional stage, CET and CT can promote the maturity of green technology. However, with the maturity of green technology, the promotion of green technology has weakened. CT is the best choice to achieve the highest SE. (3) When the carbon tax or carbon trading price is at a high or low level, raising the tax rate or carbon trading price can increase the income of enterprises. Therefore, the government should take measures according to the objectives of different stages. When the goal is to maximize social benefits, GIS is the best choice in the initial stage and transition stage, and CET or CT is the best choice in the transition stage. In the initial stage and fertilization stage, when the highest SE, CT, or CET is the best choice, while in the transition stage, CT is the best choice.

Health insurance status and risk factors of mortality in patients with septic acute kidney injury in Ningbo, China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between health insurance status and outcomes of septic acute kidney injury (AKI) related hospitalizations in an intensive care unit (ICU) in Ningbo, China. METHODS: For this retrospective study, information was extracted from patients notes and billing records for patients >18 years of age with a diagnosis of AKI admitted to the ICU department, Ningbo First Hospital from April 2013 to March 2018. RESULTS: Of the 368 patients with sepsis admitted to ICU, 167 (45%) developed AKI; 95 patients were insured and 72 were uninsured. Compared with insured patients, uninsured patients were younger, had higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, but had less catheter interventions and received less renal replacement therapy (RRT). Results from a multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of ICU mortality were age, APACHE II scores, MODS scores, use of RRT and lack of insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Uninsured patients with septic AKI were younger, stayed a shorter time in ICU, had higher illness severity scores and a higher ICU mortality than insured patients. Importantly a major risk factor for ICU mortality in this group was lack of insurance.

Comprehensive assessment of the association of WNK4 polymorphisms with hypertension: evidence from a meta-analysis.

The relationship between with-no-lysine [K] kinase 4 (WNK4) gene polymorphisms and hypertension has been widely investigated, However, the studies yielded contradictory results. To evaluate these inconclusive findings comprehensively, we therefore performed a meta-analysis. Ten articles encompassing 16 independent case-control studies with 6089 hypertensive cases and 4881 normotensive controls were selected for this meta-analysis. Four WNK4 gene polymorphisms were identified (G1155942T, G1156666A, T1155547C, and C6749T). The results showed statistically significant associations of G1155942T polymorphism (allelic genetic model: odds ration or OR = 1.62, 95% confidence interval or CI: 1.11-2.38, P = 0.01; dominant model: OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.07-3.19, P = 0.03) and C6749T polymorphism (allele contrast: OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.60-2.59, P<0.01; dominant model: OR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.59-2.62, P<0.01; and homozygous model: OR = 5.01, 95% CI: 1.29-19.54, P = 0.02) with hypertension risk. However, neither C1155547T nor G1156666A was associated significantly with hypertension susceptibility. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggested that WNK4 G1155942T and C6749T gene polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility and development of hypertension. Further well-designed studies with larger sample size are required to elucidate the association of WNK4 gene multiple polymorphisms with hypertension risk.

MG132 ameliorates kidney lesions by inhibiting the degradation of Smad7 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Smad7 is the main negative regulatory protein in the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) downstream signaling pathway, which plays an important role in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and may be related to the ubiquitin proteasome pathway (UPP). AIM: We investigated the role of UPP in regulating TGF-ß/SMAD signaling and explored the therapeutic effect of the ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor MG132 on DN. METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into a diabetes group and a normal control group. Rats in the diabetes group were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were then randomly divided into a diabetic nephropathy group (DN group), an MG132 high concentration (MH) group, and an MG132 low concentration (ML) group. After 8 weeks of treatment, 24-hour urinary microalbumin (UAlb), urinary protein/urinary creatinine (Up/Ucr) values, ALT, AST, Bcr, kidney damage, TGF-ß, Smad7, fibronectin (FN), and Smurf2 were detected. RESULTS: The body mass and Smad7 protein expression decreased in DN group, but kidney weight, kidney weight index, UAlb, Up/Ucr, FN and Smurf2 mRNA expression, and TGF-ß protein expression increased. However, these changes diminished following treatment with MG132, and a more pronounced effect was evident in MH group compared to ML group. CONCLUSION: MG132 alleviates kidney damage by inhibiting Smad7 ubiquitin degradation and TGF-ß activation in DN.

Preclinical assessment of the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of S-propargyl-cysteine, a novel H2S donor, in Sprague-Dawley rats.

AIM: To study the distribution, metabolism and excretion of S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), a novel hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, after oral administration in rats. METHODS: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The tissue distribution of [(35)S] SPRC-derived radioactivity was measured using a liquid scintillation counter. The plasma protein binding of SPRC was examined using 96-well equilibrium dialysis. The excretion of SPRC in urine, bile and feces was analyzed using the LC-MS/MS method. The major metabolites in rat biomatrices were identified using MRM information-dependent, acquisition-enhanced product ion (MRM-IDA-EPI) scans on API 4000QTrap system. RESULTS: After oral administration of [(35)S]-SPRC at a dose of 75 mg/kg, [(35)S] SPRC-derived radioactivity displayed broad biological distribution in various tissues of rats, including its target organs (heart and brain) with the highest in kidney. On the other hand, the binding of SPRC to human, rat and dog plasma protein was low. Only 2.18% ± 0.61% and 0.77% ± 0.61% of the total SPRC administered was excreted unchanged in the bile and urine. However, neither intact SPRC nor its metabolites were detected in rat feces. The major metabolic pathway in vivo (rat bile, urine, and plasma) was N-acetylation. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results suggest that SPRC possesses acceptable pharmacokinetic properties in rats.

In vitro assessment of the bioaccessibility of fatty acids and tocopherol from soybean oil body emulsions stabilized with ι-carrageenan.

The present investigation aimed to expand the knowledge of the in vitro bioaccessibility of fatty acids and tocopherol from natural soybean oil body emulsions stabilized with different concentrations of ι-carrageenan. Several physicochemical parameters including proteolysis of the interfacial layer, interfacial composition, and microstructure were evaluated with regard to their impact on the bioaccessibility of fatty acids and tocopherol. Results from simulated human digestion in vitro indicated that the bioaccessibility of total fatty acids and tocopherol decreased (62.7-8.3 and 59.7-19.4%, respectively) with the increasing concentration of ι-carrageenan. During the in vitro digestion procedure, ι-carrageenan affected physicochemical properties of the emulsions, thereby controlling the release of fatty acids and tocopherol. These results suggested that soybean oil body emulsions stabilized with ι-carrageenan could provide natural emulsions in foods that were digested at a relatively slow rate, the important physiological consequence of which might be increasing satiety.

[Alprazolam use improves psychological status and reduces hospitalization costs in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of alprazolam use on psychological status and hospitalization cost in patient with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiology studies or radiofrequency catheter ablation. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 142 inpatients [77 males, mean age (43.1 +/- 14.5) years] were randomly assigned to receive alprazolam (0.4 mg qd at 10PM for 3 days, n = 72) or placebo (n = 70) 3 days before scheduled electrophysiology studies or radiofrequency catheter ablation. All patients were examined by the Chinese version of Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) at 24 hours before the procedure. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the scores of somatization (1.38 +/- 0.40 vs. 1.65 +/- 0.56, P < 0.01), anxiety (1.50 +/- 0.39 vs. 1.69 +/- 0.50, P < 0.05), phobic anxiety (1.24 +/- 0.36 vs. 1.47 +/- 0.57, P < 0.01), psychotism constructs (1.24 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.30, P < 0.05) and global severity index (1.36 +/- 0.35 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.37, P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in alprazolam group. The hospitalization costs were also significantly lower in alprazolam group (32 498 +/- 1170) yuan compared to placebo group (32 947 +/- 1096) yuan, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The alprazolam use before electrophysiology studies and radiofrequency catheter ablation can improve the patients' psychological status and reduce the hospitalization costs.