Distribution of LPRD in OSAHS Patients: Is There a Correlation?

Objective: Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease (LPRD) are interrelated medical conditions affecting the respiratory system. This article aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the two. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on a total of 52 participants diagnosed with both OSAHS and LPRD. Clinical data of baseline demographics of year, sex, BMI, including clinical indicators such as AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index), OSAHS severity grading, RFS (Reflux Finding Score), RSI (Reflux Symptom Index), and 24-hour pH level were collected. Statistical analysis was then conducted to evaluate the correlation between OSAHS and LPRD. Results: Among the 52 patients, the the average age was 43.3±11.6 years with a mean 24.7±2.9 kg/m2 BMI level. The mean duration of OSAHS was 4.1±1.7 years with mean 38.7±12 AHI scores and 30.8% mild OSAHS, 51.9% moderate OSAHS, and 17.3% severe OSAHS. Mean LPRD duration was 3.2±1.5 years with a mean 15.9±4.9 RFS score, mean 28.0±6.8 RSI score, and mean 3.9±0.8 24-hour pH level. There was a strong positive correlation between AHI scores and both the RFS score (r>0.9, P < .01) and RSI score (r>0.9, P < .01). While a strong negative correlation between AHI scores and 24-hour pH level was observed (r < -0.8, P < .01). And there was a strong positive correlation between OSAHS severity levels and both the RSF score (r>0.8, P < .01) and RSI score (r>0.79, P < .01). While a significant negative correlation between OSAHS severity and 24-hour pH level was detected (r < -0.7, P < .01). Conclusions: The findings of this cross-sectional study demonstrate a strong positive correlation between the severity of OSAHS, as indicated by AHI scores, and the severity of LPRD, as measured by RFS and RSI scores. A negative correlation was also observed between AHI scores and 24-hour pH level, indicating a connection between these two medical conditions.

Does acupuncture treatment have satisfactory clinical efficacy for late-life depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in late-life depression (LLD). METHODS: A comprehensive search of seven electronic databases was conducted from inception to November 2022, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, VIP, CBM and the Wan Fang database. All data analysis were conducted by Revman 5.3. RESULTS: A total of nine RCTs involving 603 participants were included. The meta-analysis results showed that acupuncture combined with antidepressants significantly reduced HAMD scores (MD, -3.69 [95% CI, -5.11 to -2.27], I2 =74%) and a significantly higher cure rate (RR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.22], I2 = 0%) compared with antidepressants alone. However, no significant difference was found between acupuncture and antidepressants in reducing HAMD scores and improving clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture combined or not combined with antidepressants is an effective and safe treatment for LLD.

Maternal betaine status, but not that of choline or methionine, is inversely associated with infant birth weight.

Maternal one-carbon metabolism during pregnancy is crucial for fetal development and programming by DNA methylation. However, evidence on one-carbon biomarkers other than folate is lacking. We, therefore, investigated whether maternal plasma methyl donors, that is, choline, betaine and methionine, are associated with birth outcomes. Blood samples were obtained from 115 women during gestation (median 26·3 weeks, 90 % range 22·7-33·0 weeks). Plasma choline, betaine, methionine and dimethylglycine were measured using HPLC-tandem MS. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between plasma biomarkers and birth weight, birth length, the risk of small-for-gestational-age and large-for-gestational-age (LGA). Higher level of maternal betaine was associated with lower birth weight (-130·3 (95 % CI -244·8, -15·9) per 1 sd increment for log-transformed betaine). Higher maternal methionine was associated with lower risk of LGA, and adjusted OR, with 95 % CI for 1 sd increase in methionine concentration was 0·44 (95 % CI 0·21, 0·89). Stratified analyses according to infant sex or maternal plasma homocysteine status showed that reduction in birth weight in relation to maternal betaine was only limited to male infants or to who had higher maternal homocysteine status (≥5·1 µmol/l). Higher maternal betaine status was associated with reduced birth weight. Maternal methionine was inversely associated with LGA risk. These findings are needed to be replicated in future larger studies.

Efficacy and safety of vortioxetine for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of vortioxetine for Chinese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) over 10 weeks.Methods: A total of 120 patients with MDD were randomly assigned to two groups that received vortioxetine 20 mg or placebo for 10 weeks. The outcomes were the change from baseline in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) at Week 10, and the presence of adverse events.Results: A total of 113 patients completed the study. Vortioxetine showed greater efficacy than the placebo in improving MADRS, HAM-A, CGI-I, and SDS scores at Week 10. However, no significant differences were found between the groups for any treatment-emergent adverse events. No suicide related to vortioxetine treatment was recorded.Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study showed that 10 weeks of vortioxetine treatment was efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with MDD.

Application value of real-time shear wave elastography in the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs is a venous reflux disorder caused by abnormal coagulation of blood components, primarily characterised by swelling and pain in the lower limbs. Key risk factors include prolonged immobility due to bed rest, pregnancy, postpartum or postoperative states, traumas, malignant tumours and long-term contraceptive use. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in diagnosing lower-limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: A total of 91 patients with DVT were selected and divided into three groups: acute phase (n= 29), subacute phase (n= 30) and chronic phase (n= 32). The Young's modulus of the patients was measured using real-time SWE. The diagnostic efficacy of Young's modulus was evaluated by ROC curves. The hardness differences in Young's modulus across different parts of the same thrombus (head, body and tail) were measured using SWE. RESULTS: Before treatment, significant differences were observed in Young's modulus among patients with DVT (P< 0.001). Following anticoagulant therapy, catheter-directed thrombolysis and systemic thrombolysis, significant differences were noted in Young's modulus among patients at the same stage but receiving different treatments (acute phase: P= 0.003; subacute phase: P= 0.014; chronic phase: P= 0.004). Catheter-directed thrombolysis had greater efficacy than anticoagulant therapy. The area under the curve for SWE in staging patients was 0.917, with a sensitivity of 92.36% and specificity of 93.81%. Significant differences in Young's modulus were found between the thrombus head and thrombus body and tail but not between the thrombus body and thrombus tail. CONCLUSION: Measurement of Young's modulus using SWE can serve as an auxiliary means of evaluating staging, predicting pulmonary embolism and selecting treatment in patients with DVT.

Effects of nursing team communication and collaboration on treatment outcomes in intensive care unit patients with severe pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Severe pneumonia is a common severe respiratory infection worldwide, and its treatment is challenging, especially for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). AIM: To explore the effect of communication and collaboration between nursing teams on the treatment outcomes of patients with severe pneumonia in ICU. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 patients with severe pneumonia who were treated at the ICU of the hospital between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023. We compared and analyzed the respiratory mechanical indexes [airway resistance (Raw), mean airway pressure (mPaw), peak pressure (PIP)], blood gas analysis indexes (arterial oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen partial pressure, and oxygenation index), and serum inflammatory factor levels [C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), cortisol (COR), and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1)] of all patients before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before treatment, there was no significant difference in respiratory mechanics index and blood gas analysis index between 2 groups (P > 0.05). However, after treatment, the respiratory mechanical indexes of patients in both groups were significantly improved, and the improvement of Raw, mPaw, plateau pressure, PIP and other indexes in the combined group after communication and collaboration with the nursing team was significantly better than that in the single care group (P < 0.05). The serum CRP and PCT levels of patients were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant compared with that of nursing group alone (P < 0.05). The levels of serum COR and HMGB1 before and after treatment were also significantly decreased between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The communication and collaboration of the nursing team have a significant positive impact on respiratory mechanics indicators, blood gas analysis indicators and serum inflammatory factor levels in the treatment of severe pneumonia patients in ICU.

Acupuncture ameliorates depression-like behavior of poststroke depression model rats through the regulation of gut microbiota and NLRP3 inflammasome in the colon.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of acupuncture on gut microbiota and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in the colon in poststroke depression (PSD) model rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into four groups: sham surgery group, poststroke depression group, acupuncture group, and probiotics group. Acupuncture therapy at Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoints in the acupuncture group and probiotic gavage therapy in the probiotics group were performed once per day for 2 weeks. Behaviors of depression were assessed by using weight measurements, sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swimming test. Histopathological alterations in the colon were determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, the expression of NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 pathway-related proteins was analyzed by western blotting. Serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 were derived from ELISA. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to examine and analyze the differences of gut microbiota of rats among all groups. Acupuncture was effective to increase weight and ameliorate depressive-like behaviors in PSD rats. Acupuncture increased the diversity of gut microbiota, upregulated the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae, and decreased the relative abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Eggerthellaceae, and Streptococcaceae at family level. Acupuncture effectively improved the pathological changes in the colon. Meanwhile, acupuncture reduced NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 protein expressions in the colon, and serum levels of IL-18 and IL-1ß. Acupuncture may reduce depressive-like behaviors of PSD by regulating the gut microbiota and suppressing hyperactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the colon. Microbiota-gut-brain axis may be an effective target pathway for acupuncture treatment of PSD.

A compound enzyme as an additive to a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor for enhanced lignocellulose removal from codigestion: Performance, membrane characteristics and microorganisms.

To explore the enzyme-enhanced strategy of a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane reactor (AnDMBR), the anaerobic codigestion system of food waste and corn straw was first operated stably, and then the best combination of compound enzymes (laccase, endo-ß-1,4-glucanase, xylanase) was determined via a series of batch trials. The results showed that the methane yield (186.8 ± 19.9 mL/g VS) with enzyme addition was 12.2 % higher than that without enzyme addition. Furthermore, the removal rates of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin increased by 31 %, 36 % and 78 %, respectively. In addition, dynamic membranes can form faster and more stably with enzyme addition. The addition of enzymes changed the structure of microbial communities while maintaining sufficient hydrolysis bacteria (Bacteroidetes), promoting the proliferation of Proteobacteria as a dominant strain and bringing stronger acetylation ability. In summary, the compound enzyme strengthening strategy successfully improved the methane production, dynamic membrane effect, and degradation rate of lignocellulose in AnDMBR.

A new substrate equalization method for optimizing the influent conditions and fluid flow patterns of a multifed upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor with mature anammox granules.

To improve nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) and achieve homogenous distribution of anammox sludge and substrate, a new substrate equalization theory and a cumulative overload index was proposed for multifed upflow anaerobic sludge bed (MUASB) reactors with mature anammox granules. The performance and flow patterns of MUASB reactors were investigated under various influent conditions. The results showed that the nitrogen removal performance and stability of MUASB reactors could be optimized by minimizing the cumulative load. The NRE gradually increased from 83.3 ± 2.2 %, 86.8 ± 4.2 % to 89.3 ± 4.1 % and 89.7 ± 1.6 % in feeding flow tests and feeding port tests, respectively. Furthermore, the flow patterns were compared based on residence time distribution and computational fluid dynamics, indicating that a better equilibrium distribution of microorganisms and substrates could be achieved in the MUASB reactors under the lowest cumulative load. Therefore, substrate equalization theory can be used to optimize the nitrogen removal performance of MUASB reactors with low-carbon footprints.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolites in Rats with Poststroke Depression.

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been found to be an effective therapy for treating PSD. However, the underlying mechanisms of EA's efficacy remain unclear. This research aimed to investigate the effects of EA on alterations in gut microbiota and fecal metabolome in PSD rats. Methods: Analyses of gut microbiome and fecal metabolome were performed to identify gut microbes and their functional metabolites in a sham group, PSD group, and EA group. We conducted enrichment analysis to identify the differential metabolic pathways in three groups. Correlations between altered gut microbes and differential metabolites after EA treatment were studied. Results: PSD showed decreased species-richness/diversity indices of microbial composition, characterized by an increase in Muribaculaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Oscillospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae and a decrease in Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Bacteroidaceae. Of these, the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae were reversed by EA. Furthermore, PSD was associated with 34 differential fecal metabolites, mainly belonging to steroid hormone biosynthesis, that could be regulated by EA. Conclusion: Regulation of gut microbiome and lipid metabolism could be one of the potential mechanisms for EA treatment for alleviating the depressive behaviors of PSD.

Long-term in-situ starvation and reactivation of co-digestion with food waste and corn straw in a continuous AnDMBR: Performance, sludge characteristics, and microorganism community.

To explore the effects of in-situ starvation and reactivation in a continuous anaerobic dynamic membrane reactor (AnDMBR), the anaerobic co-digestion system of food waste and corn straw was firstly start-up and stability operated, and then stopped feeding substrate approximately 70 days. After long-term in-situ starvation, the continuous AnDMBR was reactivated using the same operation conditions and organic loading rate as the continuous AnDMBR used before in-situ starvation. Results shown that the anaerobic co-digestion of corn straw and food waste in the continuous AnDMBR can resume stable operation within 5 days, and the corresponding methane production of 1.38 ± 0.26 L/L/d was completely returned to the methane production before in-situ starvation (1.32 ± 0.10 L/L/d). Through analysis of the specific methanogenic activity and key enzyme activity of the digestate sludge, only the acetic acid degradation activity of methanogenic archaea can be partially recovered, however, the activities of lignocellulose enzyme (lignin peroxidase, laccase, and endoglucanase), hydrolase (α-glucosidase) and acidogenic enzyme (acetate kinas, butyrate kinase, and CoA-transferase) can be fully recovered. Analysis of microorganism community structure using metagenomic sequencing technology showed that starvation decreased the abundance of hydrolytic bacteria (Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes) and increased the abundance of small molecule-utilizing bacteria (Proteobacteria and Chloroflexi) due to lack of substrate during the long-term in-situ starvation stage. Furthermore, the microbial community structure and key functional microorganism still maintained and similar with that of starvation final stage even after long-term continuous reactivation. The reactor performance and sludge enzymes activity in the continuous AnDMBR co-digestion of food waste and corn straw can be well reactivated after long-term in-situ starvation, even though the microbial community structure can not be recovered to the initiating stage.

Complete genome sequence of Pelagibacterium halotolerans B2(T).

Pelagibacterium halotolerans B2(T) is a marine halotolerant bacterium that was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the East China Sea. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of the type strain P. halotolerans B2(T), which consists of one chromosome (3,944,837 bp; 61.4% G+C content) and one plasmid (4,050 bp; 56.1% G+C content). This is the first complete genome of a member of the Pelagibacterium genus.

NLRP3 inflammasome activation in gestational diabetes mellitus placentas is associated with hydrogen sulfide synthetase deficiency.

The placenta may play a key role in the activation of inflammation and initiation of insulin resistance (IR) during gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pathogenesis. Interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18, regulated by NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, are important inflammatory cytokines in the initiation of maternal IR during GDM. However, the mechanism responsible for the regulatory of NLRP3 inflammasome in placenta remains unknown. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exerts anti-inflammatory function partially via suppressing the activation of the NLPR3 inflammasome. The present study aimed to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome, H2S synthetase cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-ß-synthetase (CBS) in placenta in the pathogenesis of GDM. Clinical placenta samples were collected from pregnant women with GDM (n=16) and healthy pregnant women at term (n=16). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, CBS and CSE in the placenta samples. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome and H2S synthetase. Human placental cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of NaHS (0, 10, 25 and 50 nmol/l) or L-cysteine (0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mmol/l). In addition, western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, while ELISA was performed to measure the production of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the culture media. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 increased, while the expression levels of CBS and CSE decreased in the placenta samples. In addition, the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were inversely correlated with the expression levels of CBS and CSE. Notably, NaHS and L-cysteine significantly suppressed the expression levels of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, and the production of IL-1 and IL-18 in human placental cells. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that H2S synthetase deficiency in placenta may contribute to excessive activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in GDM.

The Effects of Diagnosis-Related Group Payment on Diagnostic Cerebral Angiograms through a Transradial and Transfemoral Approach: A Comparative Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral angiography is an X-ray examination technique widely used in hospitals. At present, it is mainly divided into two kinds of angiography examination: transfemoral artery and transradial artery puncture. The diagnosis-related group (DRG) system is a new type of payment standard recognized internationally, but its impact on medical care and health outcomes is currently controversial. AIM: In this study, we conducted a comparative study on two invasive approaches, transradial artery and transfemoral artery puncture and observed whether DRG had an impact on the quality of the medical process. METHODS: We compared and analyzed patients undergoing cerebral angiography via the femoral artery and radial artery puncture by recording the relevant parameters and comfort scale scores (GCQ) during the operation, as well as postoperative complications. At the same time, we observed the proportion of different puncture routes and the success rate of cerebral angiography before and after the implementation of a DRG payment simulation. RESULTS: The results of the comparative analysis of patients' transradial artery and transfemoral artery puncture angiography showed that the puncture success rate (99.1% vs. 97.2%, P > 0.05), angiography success rate (97.3% vs. 95.1%, P > 0.05), and X-ray radiation time (4.82 vs. 5.15 min, P > 0.05) demonstrated no significant difference. The ambulation time (1.52 vs. 12.06 h, P < 0.05), puncture time (22.42 vs. 31.02 min, P < 0.05), and complications (3.57% vs. 9.03%, P < 0.05) of the radial artery group were significantly lower than those of the femoral artery group. In contrast, the GCQ score of the radial artery group at each stage after angiography was significantly higher than that of the femoral artery group (P < 0.05). Compared with before the DRG simulation, the proportion of cerebral angiography with transradial artery puncture increased significantly after its implementation. CONCLUSION: Compared with transfemoral cerebrovascular angiography, transradial cerebrovascular angiography has many advantages, such as less local damage, less pain, less postoperative bed-rest time, significantly lower incidence of total complications, and a lower cost. Following the implementation of the DRG payment method, the quality of the angiography medical process improved.

Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery in Early-Onset High Myopia Patients With Partial Cataract.

Purpose: By reporting clinical characteristics and retinal image quality before and after refractive lens replacement surgery in early-onset high myopia (eoHM) patients presenting with partial cataract, we emphasized the need for an objective way to grade the severity of partial cataracts. Methods: This retrospective, consecutive case series included six Chinese patients (nine eyes). Analysis of previous medical records, visual acuity, optometry, retinal image quality, and axial length (AXL) before surgery and after surgery was performed. Results: Five females and one male (nine eyes) with a mean (± SD) age of 11.6 ± 7.9 years (range: 4-25 years) were included in this study. The preoperative spherical power ranged from -7.5 to -42 D. The mean follow-up time was 36 months (range: 24-48 months). Phacoemulsification was followed by in-the-bag implantation of intraocular lens. For patients who were under 6 years old, posterior capsulotomy + anterior vitrectomy were performed simultaneously. All surgeries were uneventful and no postoperative complications occurred during the entire follow-up period. All patients' uncorrected visual acuity improved by ≥2 lines postoperatively(Snellen acuity). LogMAR best-corrected visual acuity was improved at 24-month (P = 0.042) and endpoint (P = 0.046) follow-ups. Modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTFcutoff) and objective scatter index (OSI) was significantly improved at 12-month (P = 0.025, P = 0.038), 24-month (P = 0.005, P = 0.007) and endpoint (P = 0.005, P = 0.008) follow-ups. Postoperative AXL remained stable during 2-4 year follow-ups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Refractive lens replacement surgery is safe and effective for improving functional vision in eoHM patients presenting with partial cataract. Retinal image quality could provide a useful and objective way to facilitate partial cataract severity evaluation and surgery decision making.

Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Recent observational studies have explored the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and stroke with controversial results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to investigate this possible association. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science database were searched from inception until December 2019, and updated on May 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed by generic inverse variance method. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. The PROSPERO registered number of this study is CRD42020167330. Results: Twenty observational (15 cohort, 4 cross-sectional, and 1 case-control) studies with 17,060,388 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of data from 18 studies with 17,031,672 participants has shown that NAFLD was associated with mildly increased risk of stroke (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.30, P = 0.0005). Similar results were observed in most of the subgroup analyses we performed. Sensitivity analyses did not alter these findings. Meta-analysis of data from 3 studies with 29,614 participants has shown that insufficient evidence to support the proposed association between NAFLD-fibrosis and an increased risk of stroke. Conclusions: We found that NAFLD was associated with increased risk of stroke. However, there was insufficient evidence to support the proposed association between NAFLD-fibrosis and an increased risk of stroke. To better understand any association, future well-designed prospective studies that take fully account of specific population, type of stroke, and confounding factors are warranted. Systematic Review Registration: Unique Identifier: CRD42020167330.

Comparative study of the effect of loading increments on the mesophilic codigestion of waste activated sludge and food waste: Reactor performance, stability analysis, and microbial community.

The performance and stability of mesophilic codigestion of waste activated sludge (WAS) and food waste (FW) were compared in two parallel, continuously stirred tank reactors using high- and low-magnitude loading increments for the loading regimes. The results indicated that a high methane (CH4) production of 6.98 L L-1·d-1 was realized without volatile fatty acid accumulation via low-magnitude loading increments at a high loading of 26.5 g-COD·L-1·d-1, and this system was more stable and achieved a higher efficiency than the codigestion system that used high-magnitude loading increments at similar loading and operating conditions. Furthermore, higher CH4 yields of 258-334 mL-CH4·g-COD-1, TCOD removal efficiencies of 64-79%, conversion ratios of 62-88%, and methanogenic activities of 0.37-0.40 g-CH4-COD·g-VS-1·d-1 were consistently maintained via the low-magnitude loading increments during the high-rate period. High abundances of the phyla Firmicutes (63.3%) and genus Methanosarcina (94.5%) contributed to the high rates and stable operating conditions of the mesophilic system for WAS and FW codigestion using low-magnitude loading increments.

Does urinary metabolite signature act as a biomarker of post-stroke depression?

Background: It is difficult to conduct the precise diagnosis of post-stroke depression (PSD) in clinical practice due to the complex psychopathology of depressive disorder. Several studies showed that gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-identified urinary metabolite biomarkers could significantly discriminate PSD from stroke survivors. Methods: A systematic review was performed for the keywords of "urinary metabolite" and "PSD" using Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Wanfang, CNKI, CBM, and VIP database from inception to 31 March 2022. Results: Four related studies were included in the review. Differential urinary metabolites including lactic acid, palmitic acid, azelaic acid, and tyrosine were identified in all the included studies. As a significant deviation in the metabolite biomarker panel, glyceric acid, azelaic acid, phenylalanine, palmitic acid, pseudouridine, and tyrosine were found in at least 2 included studies, which indicated good potential for the differentiation of PSD. Conclusion: The systematic review provided evidence that differential urinary metabolites analyzed by the GC-MS-based approach might be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PSD.

Application of lateral supraclavicular incision in unilateral thyroid papillary carcinoma surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The standard approach to thyroidectomy is a collar incision via the anterior neck, and the neck scar has always been a source of worry for patients. Acceptable wound cosmetology has become a focus for thyroid surgeons. OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness and cosmetic results of thyroidectomy through a lateral supraclavicular incision. METHODS: 180 patients were randomly divided into two groups: a lateral supraclavicular approach and a conventional transcervical approach. The main outcomes included incision length, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospitalization expense, early postoperative pain measured by visual analog scale, infection, and perceived cosmetic outcome. RESULTS: There were no statistical significances between the two groups in terms of age, gender, nodule size, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, total drainage volume, hospital expense and postoperative complications, whereas there were significant differences in terms of incision length (5.2±1.04cm vs. 6.9±1.14cm, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lateral supraclavicular incision is a safe and feasible approach for thyroidectomy. Compared with conventional approach, it provides a better cosmetic result.

Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in atherosclerosis: an update.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a member of the ligand-activated nuclear receptor family. Thiazolidinediones, such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, are synthetic agonists selective for PPARγ and have been used in the clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, beyond the metabolic effects on glycemic control, PPARγ and its ligands also have profound effects on cardiovascular biological and pathophysiological processes. As cardiovascular diseases are closely associated with insulin resistance, and the major cause of death and complications of type 2 diabetes, a comprehensive understanding of the cardiovascular roles of this receptor is critical for the rational application of the existing agonists and the future development of therapeutic modulators. Therefore, this review will focus on the recent advances regarding the cardiovascular functions of PPARγ and its recognized effects on major cardiovascular diseases, in particular, atherosclerosis and associated processes.