The association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with type 2 diabetes mellitus: recent findings from NHANES 2007-2018.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the relationship between NHHR (non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in US adults, using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2007 to 2018. METHODS: This study explored the connection between NHHR and T2DM by analyzing a sample reflecting the adult population of the United States (n = 10,420; NHANES 2007-2018). NHHR was characterized as the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. T2DM was defined based on clinical guidelines. This research used multivariable logistic models to examine the connection between NHHR and T2DM. Additionally, it included subgroup and interaction analyses to assess variations among different groups. Generalized additive models, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis were also employed to analyze the data further. RESULTS: The study included 10,420 subjects, with 2160 diagnosed with T2DM and 8260 without. The weighted multivariate logistic regression model indicated an 8% higher probability of T2DM for each unit increase in NHHR (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15) after accounting for all covariates. Subgroup analysis outcomes were uniform across various categories, demonstrating a significant positive relationship between NHHR and T2DM. Interaction tests showed that the positive link between NHHR and T2DM remained consistent regardless of age, body mass index, smoking status, moderate recreational activities, hypertension, or stroke history, with all interaction P-values exceeding 0.05. However, participants' sex appeared to affect the magnitude of the connection between NHHR and T2DM (interaction P-value < 0.05). Also, a nonlinear association between NHHR and T2DM was discovered, featuring an inflection point at 1.50. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that an increase in NHHR may be correlated with a heightened likelihood of developing T2DM. Consequently, NHHR could potentially serve as a marker for estimating the probability of T2DM development.

Construction and application of carbon aerogels in microwave absorption.

Electromagnetic pollution that threatens human health, the ecological environment and electronic equipment has been recognized as a serious environmental issue. In view of this, microwave absorbing materials (MAMs) are urgently required in modern society. Compared with traditional MAMs, carbon aerogels have inherent advantages in microwave absorption because of their high porosity and controllable conductive networks. Moreover, they are self-supporting 3D architectures with tailorable shapes, which satisfy most application scenarios. Therefore, carbon aerogels have aroused great interest in recent years and are being developed as promising absorption materials. In this review, we emphasize recent developments in carbon-aerogel-based MAMs constructed with some typical carbon nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes and pyrolytic carbon. Their preparation methods, especially some newly developed strategies, are introduced as well as their influence on the structures and properties of aerogels. With a brief analysis of classic microwave absorption processes, we propose the requirements and strategies for modifying carbon aerogels to achieve ideal microwave absorption performance. Finally, we provide comprehensive comparisons of the MA performances of various carbon aerogels that show application potential and set forth the challenges and prospects of this kind of MAM.

Mechanism for the Intercalation of Aniline Cations into the Interlayers of Graphite.

The dynamic behaviors of aniline cation (ANI+) intercalating into graphite interlayers are systematically studied by experimental studies and multiscale simulations. The in situ intercalation polymerization designed by response surface methods implies the importance of ultrasonication for achieving the intercalation of ANI+. Molecular dynamics and quantum chemical simulations prove the adsorption of ANI+ onto graphite surfaces by cation-π electrostatic interactions, weakening the π-π interactions between graphene layers. The ultrasonication that follows breaks the hydrated ANI+ clusters into individual ANI+. Thus, the released positive charges of these dissociative cations and reduced steric hindrance significantly improve their intercalation ability. With the initial kinetic energy provided by ultrasonic field, the activated ANI+ are able to intercalate into the interlayer of graphite. This work demonstrates the intercalation behaviors of ANI+, which provides an opportunity for investigations regarding organic-molecule-intercalated graphite compounds.

Photoreversible fluorescent modulation of nanoparticles via one-step miniemulsion polymerization.

A nitrobenzoxadiazolyl(NBD)-based fluorescent dye and a photochromic spiropyran derivative are incorporated into polymeric nanoparticles via a one-step miniemulsion polymerization. The diameter of the nanoparticles can be varied from approximately 40 nm to 80 nm by adjusting the polymerization conditions. The prepared nanoparticles exhibit the spectral properties of both NBD dye and spiropyran, indicating that the two chromophores are incorporated into the nanoparticles. The determined amount of NBD and spiropyran in the nanoparticles are about approximately 85-90% of the feed amount, while the determined weight ratios of spiropyran to NBD in nanoparticles are very close to that of feed ratios, suggesting the miniemulsion polymerization is a suitable approach for incorporating multiple chromophores into individual nanoparticles with controlled amounts (content) and ratio. UV and visible light can be applied to modulate the fluorescence emission of NBD dye in nanoparticles. Upon UV irradiation, the spiropyran moieties in nanoparticles are converted to the open-ring (McH form) structure and upon visible-light irradiation they return to the closed-ring (SP form) structure; as a result, the fluorescence of NBD can be reversibly "switched off" and "switched on". Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from the excited NBD dye molecules to the McH form of the spiropyran moieties is the drives the fluorescence modulation. The nanoparticles display fairly good photoreversibility, photostability, and relatively fast photoresponsivity upon alternate UV/Vis irradiation. This class of photoresponsive nanoparticles may find applications in biological fields, such as labeling and imaging, as well as in optical fields, for example, individually light-addressable nanoscale devices.

A facile approach for cupric ion detection in aqueous media using polyethyleneimine/PMMA core-shell fluorescent nanoparticles.

A facile approach was developed to produce a dye-doped core-shell nanoparticle chemosensor for detecting Cu(2+) in aqueous media. The core-shell nanoparticle sensor was prepared by a one-step emulsifier-free polymerization, followed by the doping of the fluorescent dye Nile red (9-diethylamino- 5H-benzo[alpha] phenoxazine-5-one, NR) into the particles. For the nanoparticles, the hydrophilic polyethyleneimine (PEI) chain segments serve as the shell and the hydrophobic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) constitutes the core of the nanoparticles. The non-toxic and biocompatible PEI chain segments on the nanoparticle surface exhibit a high affinity for Cu(2+) ions in aqueous media, and the quenching of the NR fluorescence is observed upon binding of Cu(2+) ions. This makes the core-shell nanoparticle system a water-dispersible chemosensor for Cu(2+) ion detection. The quenching of fluorescence arises through intraparticle energy transfer (FRET) from the dye in the hydrophobic PMMA core to the Cu(2+)/PEI complexes on the nanoparticle surface. The energy transfer efficiency for PEI/PMMA particles with different diameters was determined, and it is found that the smaller nanoparticle sample exhibits higher quenching efficiency, and the limit for Cu(2+) detection is 1 microM for a nanoparticle sample with a diameter of approximately 30 nm. The response of the fluorescent nanoparticle towards different metal ions was investigated and the nanoparticle chemosensor displays high selectivity and antidisturbance for the Cu(2+) ion among the metal ions examined (Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), Hg(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+) and Pb(2+)). This emulsifier-free, biocompatible and sensitive fluorescent nanoparticle sensor may find applications in cupric ion detection in the biological and environmental areas.

Serum secretory phospholipase A2 group IB correlates with the severity of membranous nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Serum secretory phospholipase A2 group IB (sPLA2-IB) is involved in the pathological processes of membranous nephropathy (MN). To date, there is no large-scale study validating the usefulness of circulating sPLA2-IB in the follow-up of patients with MN. This study investigated the role of circulating sPLA2-IB in the evaluation of severity of MN. METHODS: A total of 158 patients with primary membranous nephropathy (pMN), 34 with secondary membranous nephropathy (sMN) and 53 healthy controls were enrolled. Histological staging was made for all MN patients. 36 of the pMN patients accepted immunosuppressive therapy and 11 sMN patients who received treatment of primary disease were followed up for 6 months. Serum group IB secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-IB), M-type phospholipase A2 receptor antibody (PLA2R-Ab), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride and 24-hour urine protein were measured at the time of diagnosis. SPLA2-IB and 24-hour urine protein were measured at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: Circulating sPLA2-IB levels were significantly higher in pMN and sMN patients compared to controls and negatively correlated with TP and albumin, whereas positively correlated with 24-hour urine protein. PLA2-IB was found increased with the severity of proteinuria when divided MN patiens into three groups according to degree of proteinuria. Through the 6-month follow-up, sPLA2-IB and 24 h-urine protein levels were found significantly decreased when patients with pMN or sMN reached remission. By ROC analysis, PLA2R-Ab was demonstrated to be most significant in the differential diagnosis of pMN and sMN compared with 24-hour urinary protein and serum sPLA2-IB. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited significance to differentiate pMN from sMN, sPLA2-IB was correlated with the level of proteinuria in MN patients suggesting to be a potential biomarker for monitoring disease severity and therapeutic effects of both pMN and sMN.

miR-124 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Glioblastoma via the Inhibition of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3.

MicroRNAs are important regulators of multiple cellular processes, and aberrant miRNA expression has been observed in human glioblastoma (GBM). The present study was to evaluate the level of miR-124 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in GBM tissues and cells. We further investigated the molecular mechanisms of miR-124 and STAT3 in GBM cell lines U87 and U251. Here, we found that miR-124 expression was downregulated in GBM tissues and U87 and U251 cells (all p < 0.001) but not associated with blood routine (RBC, WBC count, etc.) and liver and renal function indicators (all p > 0.05). By contrast, STAT3 was upregulated. Furthermore, the expression of miR-124 was inversely proportional to that of STAT3 mRNA or protein (p = 0.013, p = 0.015, respectively). In vitro studies demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-124 played a suppressor role in the proliferation of U87 and U251 cells and promoted cell apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-124 binding to the 3'-UTR regions of STAT3 inhibited the expression of STAT3 in U87 and U251 cells. However, the inhibitor of miR-124 promoted the expression of STAT3 and cell proliferation. In conclusion, our data suggest that miR-124 may have a potential role in treatment of GBM patients and that miR-124 is a novel regulator of invasiveness and tumorigenicity in GBM cells by targeting STAT3. The miR-124/STAT3 pathway may be a useful therapeutic agent in GBM patients.