Impact of perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery on wound infection in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery: A meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of perioperative application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concepts on wound infections and post-operative complications in patients receiving orthopaedic surgery, to provide a theoretical basis for post-operative care. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of ERAS to patients receiving orthopaedic surgery, published up to October 2023, were identified in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Literature was screened and evaluated by two reviewers based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted from the final included articles. Data were analysed using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 20 RCTs were included in the analysis, which included 1875 patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery, of whom 938 and 937 were in the ERAS and control groups, respectively. The analysis revealed that in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery, implementation of ERAS in the perioperative period was associated with a significantly reduced the rate of wound infections (1.6% vs. 6.19%, risk ratio [RR]: 0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18-0.50, p < 0.001) and complication (5.12% vs. 21.88%, RR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.17-0.32, p < 0.001) and can effectively shorten the hospital length of stay (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -2.50 days, 95% CI: -3.17 to -1.83 days, p < 0.001) compared with that of conventional care. The available evidence suggests that the implementation of ERAS in the perioperative period of patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery could effectively reduce the rate of wound infections and complications, shorten the hospital length of stay and promote the early recovery of patients.

Effect of humanised care on the surgical site wound infection after caesarean: A meta-analysis.

Herein, a meta-analysis was conducted to systematically evaluate the effect of humanised care on maternal postoperative wound infections in patients who underwent caesarean section. A computerised search of Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Wanfang database was performed, supplemented by a manual search from database inception to September 2023, to collate randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the application of humanised care during the perioperative period of caesarean section. Two researchers screened and selected studies identified according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the included literature was evaluated for quality, extracted information and required data. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Twenty RCTs comprising 2408 patients were included. The results revealed the humanised care group had a lower incidence of postoperative wound infections (0.83% vs. 4.32%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.46, p < 0.00001) and fewer postoperative complications than the conventional care group (4.32% vs. 16.35%, OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.16-0.31, p < 0.00001), with lower anxiety scores (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -3.15, 95% CI: -3.90 to -2.40, p < 0.00001) and depression scores (SMD: -3.68, 95% CI: -4.49 to -2.88, p < 0.00001). The application of humanised care during the perioperative period of caesarean section can prevent postoperative wound infection, reduce postoperative complications and help alleviate maternal anxiety and depression, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

A prospective study on the application of HINTS in distinguishing the localization of acute vestibular syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) is a common clinical syndrome in neurology clinics and emergency department. Canonical standard for AVS diagnosis requires the presence of persistent vertigo for more than 24 h. HINTS (head impulse-nystagmus-test of skew) is an emerging scheme in the diagnosis of AVS. In this prospective study, we evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of HINTS in distinguishing between central and peripheral AVS. METHODS: A cohort of 239 cases with complete clinical record was recruited in the study. All patients completed emergency brain CT examination to exclude hemorrhagic stroke. HINTS examination was conducted to distinguish between central AVS and peripheral AVS, and all patients completed head MRI, BAEP and vestibular function examinations within one week. Patients diagnosed as central AVS were subject to angiography (CTA/MRA/DSA), and patients with peripheral AVS were considered for a 3-month follow-up to correct the initial diagnosis. RESULTS: Patients with central AVS were associated with an elder age, higher incidences of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, family history of stroke and previous history of stroke. Posterior circulation cerebral infarction, vestibular migraine and cerebellitis were the dominant diseases associated with central AVS. The sensitivities of HIT, GE, and TS in the diagnosis of central AVS were 73.5%, 61.2%, and 26.5%, and the specificities were 97.9%, 92.6%, and 93.2% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of HINTS for central AVS diagnosis is 89.8% and the specificity is 84.2%. HINTS is an easy-to-operate, low-cost, high-sensitivity and specific examination technique, which is practical in neurology outpatient clinics and emergency departments.

Photothermal and adsorption effects of silver selenide nanoparticles modified by different surfactants in nursing care of cancer patients.

Silver selenide nanoparticles have advantages of low cytotoxicity, desirable near-infrared light response characteristics, and easy surface modification, which attract increasing attention in chemo-photothermal therapy and nursing care of cancer patients. In this contribution, we synthesized Ag2Se nanoparticles modified by the surfactant of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using a ligand exchange strategy. Their microstructure and composition were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray Photo-electronic Spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The CTAB modified Ag2Se nanoparticles exhibited a uniform diameter distribution centered at ~12 nm. In order to investigate the photothermal and adsorption effects of CTAB-Ag2Se nanocomposites, we also prepared sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) modified Ag2Se nanoparticles to make a comparison. The CTAB-Ag2Se nanoparticles showed high photothermal properties, a photothermal conversion efficiency of 20.1% and a high drug adsorption performance of 48.2 µg/mg. Importantly, the CTAB-Ag2Se-DOX presented an MCF-7 cell activity of only 27.3% under near-infrared radiation. The results revealed that the surface-modified Ag2Se nanoparticles with CTAB had stronger antitumor ability.

Distribution Pattern, Emission Characteristics and Environmental Impact of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Download Ash and Dust from Iron and Steel Enterprise.

Download ash and emission dust samples were collected from sintering, coking, ironmaking and steelmaking processes of iron and steel enterprises in Laiwu. Sixteen kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority controlled lists were quantitatively analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Laser particle size analyzer was used to obtain the distribution pattern of download ash. It was found that the diameter distribution pattern from four production processes was quite different. The proportion of fine particulate (0-2.5 µm) was the highest (72.62%) in the steelmaking refining process, and was 28.962% in the ironmaking process. Moreover, the particle size in download ash from steelmaking refining is all less than 10 µm and that from the ironmaking process was 52.92%. The medium-sized particles (10-100 µm) were dominant in sinter and coking download ashes. The total PAHs (∑16PAHs) mass concentration ranged from 0.49 ± 0.06 to 69.63 ± 5.57 µg·g-1 in download ash samples, and varied from 2.815 ± 0.253 to 19.429 ± 2.545 µg·m-3 in emission dust samples. The ∑16PAHs values were both largest in download ash and dust emission from the coking process (69.63 ± 5.57 µg·g-1 and 19.429 ± 2.545 µg·m-3, respectively). The most abundant individual PAHs were benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, phenanthrene, benzo[a]anthracene in ash samples, and benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene in emission dust samples. Dominant compounds were high-molecular weight (four- to six-ring) PAHs in both ash and dust samples. The concentration order of individual compounds in PM10 and PM2.5 in ambient air around the steel plant was completely consistent with each other, and the concentration of ∑16PAHs was the highest in the steel plant and lowest in Daqin village because of upwind of the steel plant. The concentrations of benzo[b]fluoranthene and fluoranthene in ambient air were comparatively high, and were in accordance with the higher concentration of the two monomers in the download ash samples, which suggested that the effect of the emission flue gas from the steel plant on ambient air was necessary to concern.

Neonatal thyroid function born to mothers living with long-term excessive iodine intake from drinking water.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of long-term excessive maternal iodine intake on neonatal thyroid function are less known. This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal excessive iodine intake from drinking water on thyroid functions of both mothers and their neonates. DESIGN AND METHODS: This observational study was performed in high iodine (HI) areas and adequate iodine (AI) intake areas, including 384 healthy pregnant women in late gestation (mean week 39·3 ± 1·6 weeks) and their newborns. Blood and urine samples were obtained from pregnant women, while cord blood samples were obtained from neonates. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid function were evaluated. RESULTS: The median maternal UIC was 1241 and 217 µg/l in HI and AI areas, respectively (P < 0·001). The concentrations of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) in neonates in HI areas were 7·33 mIU/l (range 5·47, 11·06 mIU/l), 2·93 ± 0·59 and 15·03 ± 1·92 pmol/l, respectively, while that were 4·71 mIU/l (range 3·96, 6·04 mIU/l), 2·31 ± 0·28 and 16·50 ± 1·35 pmol/l in AI neonates (P < 0·05). Similar changes were also observed in neonates in HI areas when excluding the effect of maternal thyroid autoimmunity. Cord blood TSH concentration (r = 0·31, P = 0·001) and FT3 concentration (r = 0·43, P = 0·001) were positively correlated with maternal UIC. Cord blood FT4 concentration was negatively correlated with maternal UIC (r = -0·25, P = 0·001). Mothers living in HI areas (ß = 0·296, 95% CI: 0·163, 0·255) and with subclinical hypothyroidism (ß = 0·360, 95% CI: 0·034, 0·175) contributed to elevated cord blood TSH concentration in neonates, while male neonates were more likely to present with higher TSH concentration compared with female infants (ß = -0·760, 95% CI: -0·119, -0·033). CONCLUSIONS: Excessive iodine intake during pregnancy was associated with an increased rate of hyperthyrotropinaemia in neonates and their mothers, especially in male neonates.

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction with adequate and excessive iodine intake in Hebei Province, People's Republic of China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore (i) the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in populations with adequate and excessive iodine intakes and (ii) the effect of iodine exposure on the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Hebei in 2010. The population was classified as having adequate or excessive iodine intake according to the iodine concentration in drinking water. Demographic information was collected by questionnaire. Levels of serum thyroid hormones, thyroid autoantibodies and iodine in drinking water and urine were measured. SETTING: Villages with adequate or excessive drinking water iodine in Hebei Province, People's Republic of China. SUBJECTS: A total of 854 men and women aged 20-50 years who had lived in the surveyed areas for over 5 years, including 348 from the adequate iodine area (AIA) and 506 from the excessive iodine area (EIA). RESULTS: Median urinary iodine concentration was 185 µg/l in AIA and 1152 µg/l in EIA. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in AIA was 10.3%, which included 1.1% with hypothyroidism and 8.1% with subclinical hypothyroidism; and 20.6% in EIA, which included 3.6% with hypothyroidism and 13.6% with subclinical hypothyroidism. The positive rates of thyroglobulin antibody were 16.1% in AIA and 11.9% in EIA; the positive rates of thyroperoxidase antibody were 20.7% in AIA and 16.4% in EIA. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive iodine intake may lead to increased prevalence of biochemical thyroid dysfunction, especially biochemical hypothyroidism. This is not related to an increase in prevalence of thyroid antibodies. Women are more susceptible to iodine excess.

[Species Identification of Puparium Samples of Common Sarcosaphagous Flies Based on Molecular Marker Analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of empty puparia in species identification of common sarcosaphagous flies. METHODS: Fifty-five samples of adult flies and their empty puparia were collected. All the samples were identified as 2 families, 6 genera and 8 species by morphological characteristics. The samples were divided into 3 groups according to their time period between eclosion and our analyses: less than 2 years (n = 23), 2-5 years (n = 20), and more than 5 years (n = 12). The mtDNA of each sample was extracted by CTAB method. The purity and concentration of DNA were tested. PCR products were amplified using two sets of primers. Two sequences of CO I gene (sequence I: 498 bp, sequence II : 841 bp) from each sample were compared to the sequences in GenBank using BLAST for species identification. RESULTS: The mtDNA was extracted successfully from all the samples. DNA concentration of adult chest muscle preserved less than or equal to 5 years and empty puparia preserved less than 2 years ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 µg/µl, and the value of A260/A280 ranged from 1.6 to 1.8. The purity and concentration was lower than 1.6 and 1.0 µg/µl, when the adult chest muscle and empty puparia preserved more than 5 years and 2 years, respectively. DNA concentration of the samples significantly decreased with the prolonged preservation time (P < 0.01). Two sequences of CO I gene was amplified in adult chest muscle and empty puparia which preserved less than 2 years. The success rates of amplification decreased with the prolonged preservation time, especially for the sequence II (P < 0.01). The morphological identification of 8 species did not match exactly with the results based on the COI gene, correct species identification occurred in 6 and 7 species out of 8 based on the two sequences, respectively, and their Max ident value exceeded 97% CONCLUSION: Empty puparium samples can be used to extract mtDNA and identify species.

Relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and health-related quality of life among patients with acute coronary syndrome: Mediation of illness perception.

AIMS: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often experience reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which may be attributable to the disease severity and psychological stress. While illness perception is speculated to be a potential pathway underlying these relationships, evidence supporting this mechanism remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL and whether these relationships are mediated by illness perception in patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were collected from June to July 2019 and June to September 2020 in the cardiology departments of four public hospitals in China. Eligible patients completed measures of disease severity, psychological stress, illness perception, HRQOL, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Data were analyzed employing hierarchical multiple regression and structural equation modeling. This study included 405 participants (mean age 60.63 years, 67.4% male). After controlling for sociodemographic and clinical covariates, higher levels of disease severity (ß=0.115, P=0.024) and psychological stress (ß=-0.209, P＜0.001) were associated with poorer HRQOL; however, the relationships became non-significant after adding illness perception into the regression model. Structural equation modeling analysis suggested that illness perception played a mediating role between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL, accounting for 45.95% and 65.79% of the total effects, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found that illness perception mediated the relationships between disease severity, psychological stress, and HRQOL among patients with ACS. Improving patients' HRQOL should consider its important influencing factors with a focus on promoting positive illness perception.

[Characteristics and Source Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in Typical Ozone Pollution Processes During Summer in Jinan, China].

Based on a typical ozone （O3） pollution process in Jinan City from June 16 to 26, 2021, the variation characteristics of O3 and its precursor volatile organic compounds （VOCs） during different pollution periods （clean period （CP）, pollution rise period （PRP）, heavy pollution period （HPP）, and pollution decline period （PDP）） in the urban area were analyzed. Both positive matrix factorization （PMF） and an observation-based model （OBM） were used to identify the main sources of VOCs, O3 production mechanisms, and sensitive species. The results showed that the average value of ρ（O3-8h） during the HPP period in the urban area was （246.67±11.24） µg·m-3, and ρ（O3-1h） had a peak value of 300 µg·m-3. The volume fractions of VOCs and NO2 concentration were affected by the decrease in planetary boundary layer and wind speed, which were 76.99%-145.36% and 127.78%-141.18% higher than those in the other three periods, respectively, and were the main reasons for the aggravation of O3 pollution. Alkanes, oxygenated volatile organic compounds （OVOCs）, and halogenated hydrocarbons accounted for 43.81%, 20.98%, and 17.43% of VOCs in urban areas, respectively. All of them showed significant growth during the HPP period, with acetone, propane, and ethane being the top three species by volume in each stage and isopentane showing the highest growth during the HPP period. Alkene, alkanes, and aromatic hydrocarbons accounted for 40.19%, 28.06%, and 21.92% of the ozone generation potential （OFP）. 1-butene, toluene, isopentane, and isoprene were the species with higher OFP. Isoprene had the highest OFP during the PRP phase, and 1-butene had the highest OFP during the HPP phase. The volume fraction of isopentane significantly increased OFP. The correlation coefficient between VOCs and CO preliminarily indicated that motor vehicle exhaust and oil and gas volatilization were the main sources of VOCs during the HPP period. Further use of PMF revealed that solvent use sources, combustion sources, motor vehicle exhaust+oil and gas volatilization sources, industrial emission sources, and plant sources were important sources of VOCs in urban areas. The contribution of motor vehicle exhaust+oil and gas volatilization sources in the HPP period to VOCs was 3.09-14.72 times higher than that in other periods. The contribution of solvent use sources to VOCs was approximately 2.50 times higher than that in the CP and PRP periods. The main sources of VOCs volume fraction increase were motor vehicle exhaust, oil and gas volatilization sources, and solvent use sources. Potential sources and concentration weight analysis found that VOCs were also affected by the transmission of VOCs to Binzhou and Dongying in the northeast direction. The OBM results indicated that the main pathway of O3 formation in urban areas was the reaction of peroxide hydroxyl radicals （HO2·ï¼‰ and methyl peroxide radicals （CH3O2·ï¼‰ with NO, and the net ozone generation rate during the HPP phase [P（O3）net] was 24×10-9 h-1. Based on the sensitivity experiment results, the alkene components of 1-butene, propylene, cis-2-butene, and ethylene were the dominant species for O3 production.

Revolutionizing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care: The Senotherapeutic Approach.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a prevalent and profoundly debilitating complication that afflicts individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). These ulcers are associated with substantial morbidity, recurrence rates, disability, and mortality, imposing substantial economic, psychological, and medical burdens. Timely detection and intervention can mitigate the morbidity and disparities linked to DFU. Nevertheless, current therapeutic approaches for DFU continue to grapple with multifaceted limitations. A growing body of evidence emphasizes the crucial role of cellular senescence in the pathogenesis of chronic wounds. Interventions that try to delay cellular senescence, eliminate senescent cells (SnCs), or suppress the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) have shown promise for helping chronic wounds to heal. In this context, targeting cellular senescence emerges as a novel therapeutic strategy for DFU. In this comprehensive review, we look at the pathology and treatment of DFU in a systematic way. We also explain the growing importance of investigating SnCs in DFU and highlight the great potential of senotherapeutics that target SnCs in DFU treatment. The development of efficacious and safe senotherapeutics represents a pioneering therapeutic approach aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals affected by DFU.

Long-term exposure to excessive iodine from water is associated with thyroid dysfunction in children.

Previous studies have indicated an association between iodine excess and increased incidence of thyroid dysfunction in adults. However, there have been few studies on how the intake of excessive iodine affects thyroid function in children. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a long-term exposure to excessive iodine on thyroid dysfunction in children. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid function in 371 children from a high iodine (HI) area (water iodine: 150-963 µg/L) and 150 children from an adequate iodine (AI) area (water iodine: 12.8-50.9 µg/L) were measured. The water iodine concentration in the HI area was higher than that in the AI area (P < 0.001) and the median urinary iodine concentration of children in the HI area was 1030 µg/L, which was 8.6 times that of children in the AI area (123 µg/L) (P < 0.001). Children in the HI area had a higher concentration of sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone and higher positivity of both thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb). The prevalence of thyroid diseases was higher in HI area children than that in AI area children (P = 0.000), especially subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH; P = 0.004). A body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 22.3 kg/m(2) was associated with the incidence of SCH (OR: 5.51; 95% CI: 1.52, 19.9; P = 0.009). UIC ≥ 600 µg/L (OR: 3.62; 95% CI: 1.22, 10.8; P = 0.024) and TPOAb or TGAb-positivity (Ab+ OR: 6.48; 95% CI: 1.78, 23.6; P = 0.005) in children were significantly and independently associated with SCH. Interactions between UIC ≥ 800 µg/L and Ab+ (P-interaction = 0.004) were found. Furthermore, increased thyroid volume was correlated with higher UIC (ß = 0.22; P = 0.002). Excessive iodine intake in children in HI areas is associated with impaired thyroid function; UIC ≥ 600 µg/L and Ab+ are the risk factors for SCH. Effective measures need to be taken for reducing excessive iodine intake.

[Survey on iodine nutrition in high water regions of children, adult and the third trimester pregnant women in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the iodine nutrition status of the susceptible population after stop supplying iodized salt and discuss whether there is iodine nutritional status difference in different populations in high-iodine areas in China. METHODS: Spot investigation methods were being used, 371 children, 506 adults and 210 cases of pregnant women during the third trimester were selected as respondents. The morning Urine was collected to determinate the urine iodine level. Drinking water was collected to determinate the local water iodine level. RESULTS: The water iodine level was between 150.3-962.6 microg/L in investigation areas; The median urinary iodine (MUI) of children, adults and pregnant woman was respective 1032.08 microg/L, 1152.01 microg/L and 1240.70 microg/L. Meanwhile 96.2% children and 93.1% adults urine iodine level was more than 300 microg/L and 84.3% of pregnant women urine iodine level was more than 500 microg/L, which belongs to excessive iodine intake. The chi-square test on the distribution of urinary iodine indicate that there is statistical differences in three different population (chi2 = 44.84, P = 0.000). Kruskal-Wallis H test show that the MUI in three different crowd are not all the same (chi2 = 12.83, P = 0.002), when compared by pairs, the difference in MUI between pregnant and children or adults was founded. CONCLUSION: The iodine nutrition status of children, adult and the third trimester pregnant women in high water regions were iodine excess. The monitor on iodine nutrition status in different peoples should be enhanced. Urinary iodine level of Children can't completely represent the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women, iodine nutritional status monitor standard for pregnant women should be established.

Downregulation of USP33 inhibits Slit/Robo signaling pathway and is associated with poor patient survival of glioma.

BACKGROUND: Gliomas are the most common malignant tumors in the central nervous system originating from brain glial cells. Although characterized as highly invasive and highly malignant, few molecular targeting therapies have been developed. Ubiquitin Specific Protease 33 (USP33), a gene encoding a deubiquinating enzyme important in a variety of processes, including Slit-dependent cell migration and beta-2 adrenergic receptor signaling, participates in the development of several malignant tumors, however, its role in the development of glioma has not been evaluated. METHODS: Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to examine the expression of USP33 in glioma tissues and cell lines. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine USP33 expressions in glioma tissue microarray. Transwell assay was performed to analyze the effect of USP33 on glioma cell line migration. The Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were applied to evaluate the prognostic value of USP33 expression. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to identify the independent prognostic factors associated with overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that USP33 expression was significantly downregulated in glioma tissues. Lower expression of USP33 was associated with a poorer patient disease-free survival and overall survival. In vitro studies revealed that overexpression of USP33 significantly inhibited the migration ability of glioma cells. Mechanistically, USP33 inhibits glioma cell migration by regulating the function of Slit/Robo signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of USP33 is associated with poor patient survival of glioma. USP33 inhibits glioma cell migration by Slit/Robo signaling pathway. This mechanism may be applied for development of targeting therapy especially for the high-grade glioma.

Molecular dynamics study of low molecular weight gel forming salt-triggered dipeptide.

Molecular dynamics simulation method was used to study the aggregation of Na and Ca salts in different concentrations of Naphthalene-dipeptide (2NapFF) solutions. The results show that high-valence Ca2+ triggers the formation of a gel at a certain dipeptide concentration, and the low-valence Na+ system follows the aggregation law of general surfactants. The results also show that hydrophobic and electrostatic forces are the main driving forces for the formation of dipeptide aggregates, and that hydrogen bonds do not play a major role in the formation of dipeptide solution aggregates. Hydrophobic and electrostatic effects are the main driving forces for the formation of gels in dipeptide solutions triggered by Ca2+. Electrostatic attraction drives Ca2+ to form a weak coordination with four oxygen atoms on two carboxyl groups, which causes the dipeptide molecules to form a gel with a branched network structure.

One-pot preparation of supramolecularly functionalized silver nanoparticles for surface plasmon resonance based dual-modal sensing of phytotoxic polychlorinated biphenyl.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as a member of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have posed a risk to humans and the environment until today. The monitoring of phytotoxic PCB which is toxic to plants, is especially important for ecological early warning and pollution management. In this work, ß-cyclodextrin modified silver nanoparticles are prepared in a one-pot method, integrating the synthesis and surface modification in one step. The nanoparticles can supramolecularly immobilize 2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 28) on their surface and construct a surface plasmon resonance-based nanosensor. Surface plasmon-resonance light scattering and surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing of PCB 28 are realized using the nanosensor. The dual-modal sensing shows excellent performance for the potential practical monitoring of phytotoxic POPs in the plant and its growing environment.

[Study on the iodine status of pregnant women and thyroid function of neonate in high iodine area].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the iodine status of pregnant women and its impact on thyroid function of neonates in high iodine area. METHODS: A total of 210 pregnant women were chosen from a hospital in Haixing county, Hebei province. Pregnant women's random urinary and neonates' cord blood were collected. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was examined by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. The levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (sTSH) in serum were measured by chemiluminescence. RESULTS: The age of 210 pregnant women was (27.69 +/- 4.73) years old, whose urinary iodine median (inter-quartile range ) was 1240.70 (1292.68) microg/L. 84.3% (177/210) of the pregnant women had excessive iodine intake (UIC > or = 500 microg/L), 13.8% (29/210) had more than adequate iodine intake( UIC within 250 - 499 microg/L), 0.5% (1/210) had adequate iodine intake (UIC within 150 - 249 microg/L) and 1.4% (3/210) had insufficient iodine intake (UIC < 150 microg/L). The average serum level of FT3, FT4 in neonates were (2.93 +/- 0.59), (15.03 +/- 1.92) pmol/L, respectively. The median (inter-quartile range) of serum sTSH in neonates were 7.33 (5.59) mU/L 78.1% (164/210) of the neonates' serum TSH were beyond 5 mU/L. There were no correlation between pregnant women's urinary iodine level and neonates' serum FT3 and sTSH level (P > 0.05), but there was a positive correlation between pregnant women's urinary iodine level and neonates' serum FT4 level (P < 0.01). Serum FT4 level of the neonates with whose mothers had insufficient iodine intake ((12.99 +/- 1.10) pmol/L) were statistically lower than those with their mothers had excessive iodine intake (15.16 +/- 1.83) pmol/L) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Most of the pregnant women in high iodine area were excessive for iodine nutrition, but still a few pregnant women had insufficient iodine nutrition. The level of neonates' serum sTSH were relatively high and monitoring of risk of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism should be strengthened.

[Investigation of thyroid function abnormalities in children in high water iodine areas of Hebei province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the level of thyroid function and the prevalence of the thyroid diseases of children in high water iodine areas. METHOD: Two primary schools were selected by purposive sampling from Haixing county, Hebei province in April 2010. A total of 371 children were selected from six classes by cluster sampling in the schools. Morning-urine and venous blood (5 ml) were collected to measure the levels of urinary iodine, free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)) and sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (sTSH) in serum and to evaluate the iodine status and thyroid function of children. RESULTS: The median urinary iodine of the children was 1032.08 µg/L. Overall, 96.2% (357/371) of the children's urinary iodine were ≥ 300 µg/L and 68.5% (254/371) were ≥ 800 µg/L. The level of FT(3) and FT(4) were (6.28 ± 0.81) pmol/L and (16.37 ± 2.72) pmol/L, respectively. The median of sTSH was 4.01 mU/L. The FT(4) among boys ((16.63 ± 2.60) pmol/L) was significantly higher than that among girls ((15.99 ± 2.85) pmol/L) (P < 0.05). Overall, 44 subjects were diagnosed as thyroid disease (11.9%), 25 were subclinical hypothyroidism (57% of the total patients), 4 were hypothyroidism (9%), 10 were hyperthyroidism (23%) and 5 were subclinical hyperthyroidism (11%). In the urinary iodine of 200 - 799 µg/L, the prevalence of thyroid disease and hypothyroidism were 6.3% (7/111) and 14.6% (27/254), respectively. When urinary iodine ≥ 800 µg/L, the prevalence of thyroid diseases and hypothyroidism were 3.6% (4/111) and 8.3% (21/254), respectively. CONCLUSION: Most of the children in high water iodine areas had excessive iodine intake. Levels of the children's thyroid hormone were within the normal range. The prevalence of thyroid disease were high, in these areas and the thyroid disease were mainly the subclinical hypothyroidism.

[Thyroid function and serum lipids of adults living in areas of excessive iodine in water in Hebei province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the iodine status and the prevalence of thyroid disease and dyslipidemia in adults living in areas of excessive iodine in water in Hebei Province, and to explore the impact of excessive iodine intake on dyslipidemia. METHODS: Subjects were selected from Haixing County in Cangzhou, Hebei. Fasting morning urine and venous blood were collected to test the levels of urinary iodine and serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (sTSH). Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) and total cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were also measured. RESULTS: The median of urinary iodine was 1094.92 (627.38 - 1511.81) microg/L. There were 66 (22.0%) adults diagnosed as thyroid disorder, including 3 (1.0%) hyperthyroidism patients, 7 (2.3%) subclinical hyperthyroidism patients, 12 (4.0%) hypothyroidism patients and 44 (14.7%) subclinical hypothyroidism patients. The levels of CHO, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were (5.46 +/- 1.06) mmol/L, 2.19 (1.70 - 2.96) mmol/L, 1.18 (1.03 - 1.45) mmol/L and (3.08 +/- 1.05) mmol/L respectively, no significant difference was observed between the thyroid disorder patients or non-patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dyslipidemia in adults living in areas of excessive iodine in water was high.

Effect of continuity of care on quality of life and medication compliance of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of continuity of care (COC) on the quality of life and medication compliance of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 98 patients with STEMI that were treated in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2018. The 98 cases were assigned to a control group given routine nursing and an experimental group given routine nursing combined with COC according to different nursing approaches. The quality of life and medication compliance in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Higher role-emotional (RE) scores were observed in the control group after nursing (P<0.05). Compared to results before nursing as well as the control group, the experimental group obtained higher quality of life scores in the dimensions of physical functioning (PF), role-physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), RE, mental health (MH), and better medication compliance after the implementation of COC (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a markedly lower incidence of minor bleeding and arrhythmia, a higher nursing satisfaction, and a higher excellent and good rate of cardiac function (P<0.05). The experimental group outperformed the control group in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-min walking distance (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: COC improves the quality of life, medication compliance, and nursing satisfaction of STEMI patients, and reduces adverse events.