Suppressing Dielectric Loss in MXene/Polymer Nanocomposites through Interfacial Interactions.

Although numerous polymer-based composites exhibit excellent dielectric permittivity, their dielectric performance in various applications is severely hampered by high dielectric loss induced by interfacial space charging and a leakage current. Herein, we demonstrate that embedding molten salt etched MXene into a poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE-CFE))/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) hybrid matrix induces strong interfacial interactions, forming a close-packed inner polymer layer and leading to significantly suppressed dielectric loss and markedly increased dielectric permittivity over a broad frequency range. The intensive molecular interaction caused by the dense electronegative functional terminations (-O and -Cl) in MXene results in restricted polymer chain movement and dense molecular arrangement, which reduce the transportation of the mobile charge carriers. Consequently, compared to the neat polymer, the dielectric constant of the composite with 2.8 wt % MXene filler increases from ∼52 to ∼180 and the dielectric loss remains at the same value (∼0.06) at 1 kHz. We demonstrate that the dielectric loss suppression is largely due to the formation of close-packed interfaces between the MXene and the polymer matrix.

Ropivacaine inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells via the SNX10/SRC/STAT3 pathway.

Gastric cancer currently has no effective treatment due to its high metastasis and heterogeneity. It has been reported that ropivacaine (Rop) can inhibit the growth, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer. However, the therapeutic mechanism of Rop still needs to be further explored to provide insights for its clinical application. This study aimed to explore the effects of Rop on the growth, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. The expression levels of SNX10 were assessed in gastric cancer tissues and cell line AGS by qRT-PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, wound-healing assay, and transwell assay were then used to examine the effects of Rop on the AGS cell viability, migration, invasion, and proliferation, respectively. Additionally, colony formation assay was used to measure cell proliferation ability, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis level. Protein levels of SNX10, SRC, and STAT3 were detected by western blot. According to the experimental results, the decreased SNX10 mRNA expression was observed in gastric cancer tissue and cell line AGS. Rop inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of AGS cells, but promoted apoptosis and upregulated SNX10 expression. Moreover, Rop inhibited the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, phosphorylation of SRC and STAT3. SNX10 knockdown could reverse Rop-induced anticancer effects. Collectively, Rop showed a potential role in preventing proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer. The action mechanism of Rop may be related to the upregulation of SNX10 expression and further inhibition of SRC/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings provide new insights into the anticancer properties of Rop.

Remote sensing approach in evaluating anthropogenic impacts on the spatiotemporal changes in net primary productivity of the Niger river basin, from 2000 to 2020.

Deterioration of the environment can be examined by utilizing a statistical evaluation of the effects of anthropogenic activities (beneficial or detrimental) on net primary productivity. The Niger River Basin's net primary productivity is significant both theoretically and practically for the management of the natural environment. It is important for her member countries to understand vegetation dynamics, maintain carbon balance, and ensure food security in the region. The research applied remote sensing to determine the relative impact of human activities on the net primary productivity of the Niger River Basin from 2000 to 2020. The study simulated the actual and potential net primary productivity using the Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach and Thornthwaite's Memorial Model respectively, while the result of the simulations was used to calculate human-influenced net primary productivity. The slope of the three simulations was calculated and merged in several scenarios using ArcGIS 10.8 to determine the impact of human activities on net primary productivity of the study area. The negative impacts of human activities were recorded in 89.88 % of the investigated area, while 10.12 % of the NRB had signs of positive impacts. Amongst the biomes, urban areas and bare land experienced the largest negative impacts (97.2 % and 99.8 %, respectively). The study advised the effectiveness of ecological restoration programs, through sound scientific and technical methods, such as those used in rural development, nomadic herding, environmental protection, and natural resource management policies.

Application of E-coach chronic disease management model in rehabilitation management of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a health (E)-coach chronic disease management model on the rehabilitation behaviour management of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). METHODS: The E-coach chronic disease management model was constructed based on a literature review and expert interviews. The effect of the E-coach model on patients with ASO during hospitalisation was analysed by comparing the compliance rates of blood glucose control, blood pressure control, drug compliance, ankle-brachial index, 6-min walking test (6MWT) and pain-free walking distance (PFWD) scores between the E-coach and control groups. RESULTS: In total, 212 patients with ASO were included in this study. After the intervention, the blood pressure compliance rate (44.8% vs. 65.7%) and blood glucose compliance rate (48.6% vs. 66.8%) were higher in the E-coach group than in the control group (p < 0.05). After intervention, compared with the control group, the patients in the E-coach group had better drug compliance (6.8 ± 1.9 vs. 7.9 ± 1.0), and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The scores for the 6MWT (329.19 ± 5.58 vs. 353.00 ± 9.76; 412.65 ± 12.59 vs. 499.16 ± 18.43) and PFWD (219.15 ± 11.96 vs. 225.36 ± 16.13; 331.62 ± 51.36 vs. 369.42 ± 75.71) tests were significantly higher in the E-coach group than in the control group at 1 and 6 months after intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The E-coach chronic disease management model can effectively improve the control rates of blood glucose and blood pressure and the behaviour management of patients with ASO and is thus worthy of clinical reference.

Achieving Excellent Dielectric and Energy Storage Performance in Core-Double-Shell-Structured Polyetherimide Nanocomposites.

The development of pulse power systems and electric power transmission systems urgently require the innovation of dielectric materials possessing high-temperature durability, high energy storage density, and efficient charge-discharge performance. This study introduces a core-double-shell-structured iron(II,III) oxide@barium titanate@silicon dioxide/polyetherimide (Fe3O4@BaTiO3@SiO2/PEI) nanocomposite, where the highly conductive Fe3O4 core provides the foundation for the formation of microcapacitor structures within the material. The inclusion of the ferroelectric ceramic BaTiO3 shell enhances the composite's polarization and interfacial polarization strength while impeding free charge transfer. The outer insulating SiO2 shell contributes excellent interface compatibility and charge isolation effects. With a filler content of 9 wt%, the Fe3O4@BaTiO3@SiO2/PEI nanocomposite achieves a dielectric constant of 10.6, a dielectric loss of 0.017, a high energy density of 5.82 J cm-3, and a charge-discharge efficiency (η) of 72%. The innovative aspect of this research is the design of nanoparticles with a core-double-shell structure and their PEI-based nanocomposites, effectively enhancing the dielectric and energy storage performance. This study provides new insights and experimental evidence for the design and development of high-performance dielectric materials, offering significant implications for the fields of electronic devices and energy storage.

Novel compounds of Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz) increases collagen, antioxidants, inhibits adipogenesis.

Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz), is rich in nutrients and contains various bioactive components such as polyphenols and alkaloids. The new compound has a broad application prospect, including food additives, health products, drugs, etc. The purpose of this study was to find out new compounds from Djulis. It was found that 24 compounds including 7 phenols, 11 flavonoids, 4 plant alkaloids, 2 sterols. Among those, TCI-CF-22-S (Methyl 3,6-dihydroxy-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate), TCI-CF-23-S (Methyl 6-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate), TCI-CF-24-S (Kaempferol-3-O-b-D-apifuranosyl-(1→2)-a-L-arabinopyranoside) were isolated from djulis sources for the first time, and the structures of compounds were assigned by 1D, 2D NMR spectroscopy. TCI-CF-01(Caffeic acid), TCI-CF-02 (20-Hydroxyecdysone), TCI-CF-03 (Japonicone), TCI-CF-04 (3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetiate), TCI-CF-05 (Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside-7-O-rhamnopyranoside), TCI-CF-06 (Guanosine), TCI-CF-07(Adenine), TCI-CF-08 (Coumaric acid) increased collagen production, and TCI-CF-03 (Japonicone), TCI-CF-04 (3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetiate), TCI-CF-06 (Guanosine), TCI-CF-17 (Rutin), TCI-CF-20 (Protocatechuic acid) decreased advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In addition, TCI-CF-22-S (Methyl 6-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate), TCI-CF-23-S (Methyl 3,6-dihydroxy-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate) inhibited the formation of fatty oil droplets. Djulis has 24 compounds that may have various applications, including increasing collagen production and reducing advanced glycation end products and fatty oil droplets.

TUG-891 inhibits neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress and pyroptosis activation and protects neurons in a mouse model of intraventricular hemorrhage.

Pyroptosis plays an important role in hemorrhagic stroke. Excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress can cause endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction and cellular pyroptosis by regulating the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway. However, the relationship between pyroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress after intraventricular hemorrhage is unclear. In this study, we established a mouse model of intraventricular hemorrhage and found pyroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in brain tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of the selective GPR120 agonist TUG-891 inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress, pyroptosis, and inflammation and protected neurons. The neuroprotective effect of TUG-891 appears related to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and pyroptosis activation.

Activatable fluorescent probes for real-time imaging-guided tumor therapy.

Surgery and drug therapy are the two principal options for cancer treatment. However, their clinical benefits are hindered by the difficulty of accurate location of the tumors and timely monitoring of the treatment efficacy of drugs, respectively. Rapid development of imaging techniques provides promising tools to address these challenges. Compared with conventional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography etc., fluorescence imaging exhibits high spatial resolution, real-time imaging capability, and relatively low costs devices. The advancements in fluorescent probes further accelerate the implementation of fluorescence imaging in tumor diagnosis and treatment monitoring. In particular, the emergence of site-specifically activatable fluorescent probes fits the demands of tumor delineation and real-time feedback of the treatment efficacy. A variety of small molecule probes or nanoparticle-based probes have been developed and explored for the above-mentioned applications. This review will discuss recent advances in fluorescent probes with a special focus on activatable nanoprobes and highlight the potential implementation of activatable nanoprobes in fluorescence imaging-guided surgery as well as imaging-guided drug therapy.

Correction: Fluorido-bridged robust metal-organic frameworks for efficient C2H2/CO2 separation under moist conditions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2SC06699H.].

Fluorido-bridged robust metal-organic frameworks for efficient C2H2/CO2 separation under moist conditions.

The modern technology for acetylene production is inevitably accompanied by the contamination of carbon dioxide and moisture impurities. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with rational configurations of fluorine as the hydrogen-bonding acceptor (HBA), exhibit excellent affinities to capture acetylene from the gas mixtures. Currently, most research studies feature anionic fluorine groups as structural pillars (e.g., SiF6 2-, TiF6 2-, NbOF5 2-), whereas in situ insertion of fluorine into metal clusters is rather challenging. Herein, we report a unique fluorine-bridged Fe-MOF, i.e., DNL-9(Fe), which is assembled by mixed-valence FeIIFeIII clusters and renewable organic ligands. The fluorine species in the coordination-saturated structure offer superior C2H2-favored adsorption sites facilitated by hydrogen bonding, with a lower C2H2 adsorption enthalpy than other reported HBA-MOFs, demonstrated by static/dynamic adsorption tests and theoretical calculations. Importantly, DNL-9(Fe) shows exceptional hydrochemical stability under aqueous, acidic, and basic conditions, and its intriguing performance for C2H2/CO2 separation was even maintained at a high relative humidity of 90%.

Sodium oxamate reduces lactate production to improve the glucose homeostasis of Micropterus salmoides fed high-carbohydrate diets.

The study was performed to evaluate the effects of the reduced lactate production by sodium oxamate (SO) on growth performance, lactate and glucose and lipid metabolism, and glucose tolerance of Micropterus salmoides fed high-carbohydrate (CHO) diets. In in vitro study, primary hepatocytes were incubated for 48 h in a control medium (5.5 mM glucose), a high-glucose medium (25 mM glucose, HG), or a SO-containing high-glucose medium (25 mM glucose + 50 mM SO, HG-SO). Results indicated lactate and triglyceride (TG) levels, and lactate dehydrogenase a (LDH-a) expression in the HG-SO group were remarkably lower than those of the HG group. In in vivo study, M. salmoides (5.23 ± 0.03 g) were fed four diets containing a control diet (10% CHO, C) and three SO contents [0 (HC), 100 (HC-SO1), and 200 (HC-SO2) mg·kg-1, respectively] of high-CHO diets (20% CHO) for 11 wk. High-CHO diets significantly reduced weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), p-AMPK-to-t-AMPK ratio, and expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), fructose-1,6-biphosphatase (FBPase), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT1α) compared with the C group, whereas the opposite was true for plasma levels of glucose, TG, lactate, tissue glycogen, and lipid contents, and expression of LDH-a, monocarboxylate transporter 1 and 4 (MCT1 and MCT4), insulin, glucokinase (GK), pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit (PDH), sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), fatty acid synthase (FAS). The HC-SO2 diets remarkably increased WGR, SGR, p-AMPK-to-t-AMPK ratio, and expression of IRS1, IGF-I, IGF-IR, GK, PDHα, PDHß, FAS, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), PPARα, and CPT1α compared with the HC group. Besides, HC-SO2 diets also enhanced glucose tolerance of fish after a glucose loading. Overall, the reduced lactate production by SO benefits growth performance and glucose homeostasis of high-CHO-fed M. salmoides through the enhancement of glycolysis, lipogenesis, and fatty acid ß-oxidation coupled with the suppression of glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis.

Advances in objective assessment of ergonomics in endoscopic surgery: a review.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery, in particular endoscopic surgery, has revolutionized the benefits for patients, but poses greater challenges for surgeons in terms of ergonomics. Integrating ergonomic assessments and interventions into the multi-stage endoscopic procedure contributes to the surgeon's musculoskeletal health and the patient's intraoperative safety and postoperative recovery. Objective: The purpose of this study was to overview the objective assessment techniques, tools and assessment settings involved in endoscopic procedures over the past decade and to identify the potential factors that induce differences in high workloads in endoscopic procedures and ultimately to design a framework for ergonomic assessment in endoscopic surgery. Methods: Literature searches were systematically conducted in the OVID, pubmed and web of science database before October 2022, and studies evaluating ergonomics during the process of endoscopic procedures or simulated procedures were both recognized. Results: Our systematic review of 56 studies underscores ergonomic variations in endoscopic surgery. While endoscopic procedures, predominantly laparoscopy, typically incur less physical load than open surgery, extended surgical durations notably elevate ergonomic risks. Surgeon characteristics, such as experience level and gender, significantly influence these risks, with less experienced and female surgeons facing greater challenges. Key assessment tools employed include electromyography for muscle fatigue and motion analysis for postural evaluation. Conclusion: This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis and framework of objective ergonomic assessments in endoscopic surgery, and suggesting avenues for future research and intervention strategies. By improving the ergonomic conditions for surgeons, we can enhance their overall health, mitigate the risk of WMSDs, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Borana rangeland of southern Ethiopia: Estimating biomass production and carrying capacity using field and remote sensing data.

Assessing rangeland productivity is critical to reduce ecological degradation and promote sustainable livestock management. Here, we estimated biomass productivity and carrying capacity dynamics in the Borana rangeland of southern Ethiopia by using field-based data and remote sensing data (i.e., normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)). Data was collected from both rainy and dry seasons when biomass production was high and low respectively. Results of linear regression showed that both biomass production (R2 adj = 0.672) and NDVI value (R2 adj = 0.471) were significantly decreased from 1990 to 2019. Field data and NDVI values for mean annual biomass showed a significant linear relationship. The model accuracy in the annual relationship between the observed and predicted biomass values was strong (R2 adj = 0.986) but with high standard error, indicating that the observed biomass production in the rangeland area was not in good condition as compared with the predicted one. This study suggests that, using NDVI data and field-based data in combined way has high potential to estimate rangeland biomass and carrying capacity dynamics at extensively grazed arid and semi-arid rangelands. And to use for estimating stoking rates and predicting future management techniques for decision making.

Validation of the vault prediction model based on the sulcus-to-sulcus diameter and lens thickness: a 925-eye prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To verify the accuracy and stability of the prediction formula based on the ciliary sulcus diameter and lens thickness and to analyse factors influencing the prediction results. METHODS: In total, 925 eyes from 506 subjects were enrolled in this prospective study between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. Subjects were divided into four seasons, each spanning three months. The target vault was set to be between 300 µm and 700 µm according the prediction formula. The actual vault was measured one month postoperatively. The Bland-Altman test, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) were used to evaluate the agreement between the predicted vault and the actual vault. Eyes with absolute prediction errors greater than 300 µm were further analysed. RESULTS: The mean predicted vaults for the four seasons were 503 ± 99, 494 ± 96, 481 ± 92 and 502 ± 93 µm, while the mean actual vaults were 531 ± 189, 491 ± 179, 464 ± 179 and 529 ± 162 µm, respectively. The predicted and actual vaults of the overall subjects were 493 ± 95 and 500 ± 180 µm, respectively. Of the 925 eyes, 861 eyes (93.08%), 42 eyes (4.54%), and 22 eyes (2.38%) showed a normal vault, high vault, and low vault, respectively. Bland-Altman plots showed that the mean difference between the actual vault and predicted vault overall (± 95% LoA) was 6.43 ± 176.2 µm (-339 to 352 µm). Three UBM features may lead to large prediction errors (more than 300 µm): wide iris-ciliary angle (ICA), iris concavity and anteriorly positioned ciliary body. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the accuracy and stability of the prediction formula through the validation of a large sample size and a long time span. Wide ICA, iris concavity and anteriorly positioned ciliary body may have an effect on vault.

A prediction model for sulcus-to-sulcus diameter in myopic eyes: a 1466-sample retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To establish and verify the accuracy and reliability of a sulcus-to-sulcus diameter (STS) prediction model. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the prediction formula was established with the data from 1466 eyes from 733 subjects from July 2020 to April 2021 and verified with the data from 278 eyes from 139 subjects between May 2021 and June 2021. Each subject was measured with a Pentacam, IOLMaster 700, OPD-Scan III, and ultrasound biomicroscope. The prediction formulas were established with multiple linear regression, and intergroup correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman tests were used to assess the agreement between the predicted and actual STS (actual STS was measured by UBM). RESULTS: The explanatory variables relevant to the horizontal STS (STSH) were the Pentacam white-to-white diameter (WTWP; standardized partial regression coefficient [ß] = 0.330; p < 0.001), the flat K value (ß = -0.211; p < 0.001), and the anterior corneal diameter (ACD) (ß = 0.178; p < 0.001). The corresponding multiple regression equation was : STSH (mm) = 8.061 + 0.510 × WTWP - 0.090 × Flat K value + 0.430 × ACD. The explanatory variables relevant to the vertical STS (STSV) were the WTWP (ß = 0.435; p < 0.001), the steep K value (ß = -0.271; p < 0.001), and the ACD (ß = 0.187; p < 0.001). The corresponding multiple regression equation was : STSV (mm) = 8.540 + 0.492 × WTWP - 0.075 × Steep K value + 0.329 × ACD. The bias of the predicted to the actual STSH was - 0.021, with 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) from - 0.499 to 0.457. The bias of the predicted to the actual STSV was 0.057, with 95% LoA from - 0.462 to 0.575. The ICC was 0.883 between the predicted and actual STSH and 0.859 between the predicted and actual STSV. CONCLUSIONS: The Pentacam-measured WTW, the K value and the ACD are important for predicting the STS diameter. The prediction model has good accuracy and reliability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Emerging Function of Ecotype-Specific Splicing in the Recruitment of Commensal Microbiome.

In recent years, host-microbiome interactions in both animals and plants has emerged as a novel research area for studying the relationship between host organisms and their commensal microbial communities. The fitness advantages of this mutualistic interaction can be found in both plant hosts and their associated microbiome, however, the driving forces mediating this beneficial interaction are poorly understood. Alternative splicing (AS), a pivotal post-transcriptional mechanism, has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in plant development and stress responses among diverse plant ecotypes. This natural variation of plants also has an impact on their commensal microbiome. In this article, we review the current progress of plant natural variation on their microbiome community, and discuss knowledge gaps between AS regulation of plants in response to their intimately related microbiota. Through the impact of this article, an avenue could be established to study the biological mechanism of naturally varied splicing isoforms on plant-associated microbiome assembly.

Effects of dietary leucine and valine levels on growth performance, glycolipid metabolism and immune response in Tilapia GIFT Oreochromis niloticus.

An 8-week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of dietary leucine (Leu) and valine (Val) levels on growth performance, glycolipid metabolism and immune response in Oreochromis niloticus. Fish (15.23 ± 0.05 g) were randomly fed four diets containing two Leu levels (1.2% and 2.3%) and two Val levels (0.7% and 1.4%) as a 2 × 2 experimental design (LL-LV, LL-HV, HL-LV and HL-HV). Compared with LL-LV group, the growth parameters (final weight, daily growth coefficient (DGC) and growth rate per metabolic body weight (GRMBW)), feed conversion rate (FCR), the activities of intestinal amylase, lipase, creatine kinase (CK) and Na+, K+-ATPase, liver NAD+/NADH ratio, as well as the expression of SIRT1, GK, PK, FBPase, PPARα, CPT IA, ACO and IL10 all increased significantly in the HL-LV group; however, in the high Val group, final weight, DGC, GRMBW, intestinal enzyme activities, as well as the expression of PEPCK, SREBP1, FAS, IL8 and IL10 of the HL-HV group were significantly lower than those of the LL-HV group, while the opposite was true for the remaining indicators. Significant interactions between dietary Leu and Val were observed in final weight, DGC, GRMBW, plasma IL1ß and IL6 levels, intestinal amylase and CK activities, liver NAD+/NADH ratio, as well as the expression of SIRT1, PK, PEPCK, FBPase, SREBP1, FAS, PPARα, CPT IA, ACO, NF-κB1, IL1ß, IL6 and IL10. The highest values of growth parameters, intestinal enzyme activities and expression of SIRT1, FBPase, PPARα, CPT IA and ACO were observed in the HL-LV group, while the opposite was true for the expression of SREBP1, FAS, PPARα, NF-κB1, IL1ß and IL6. Overall, our findings indicated that dietary Leu and Val can effect interactively, and fish fed with diets containing 2.3% Leu with 0.7% Val had the best growth performance and hepatic health status of O. niloticus.

Interactions between dietary carbohydrate and thiamine: implications on the growth performance and intestinal mitochondrial biogenesis and function of Megalobrama amblycephala.

A12-week experiment was conducted to evaluate the influences of thiamine ongrowth performance, and intestinal mitochondrial biogenesis and function of Megalobramaamblycephala fed a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet. Fish (24·73 (sem 0·45) g) were randomly assigned to one of four diets: two carbohydrate (CHO) levels (30 and 45 %) and two thiamine levels (0 and 1·5 mg/kg). HC diets significantly decreased DGC, GRMBW, FIMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, lipase, Na+, K+-ATPase, CK, complexes I, III and IV, intestinal ML, number of mitochondrial per field, ΔΨm, the P-AMPK: T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1ß protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1ß, mitochondrial transcription factor A, Opa-1, ND-1 and COX-1 and 2, while the opposite was true for ATP, AMP and reactive oxygen species, and the transcriptions of dynamin-related protein-1, fission-1 and mitochondrial fission factor. Dietarythiamine concentrations significantly increased DGC, GRMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, Na+, K+-ATPase, CK, complexes I and IV, intestinal ML, number of mitochondrial per field, ΔΨm, the P-AMPK:T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1ß protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1ß, Opa-1, ND-1, COX-1 and 2, SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. Furthermore, a significant interaction between dietary CHO and thiamine was observed in DGC, GRMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, CK, complexes I and IV, ΔΨm, the AMP:ATP ratio, the P-AMPK:T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1ß protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1ß, Opa-1, COX-1 and 2, SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. Overall, thiamine supplementation improved growth performance, and intestinal mitochondrial biogenesis and function of M. amblycephala fed HC diets.

Predictive value of spiral shape in coronary plaque progression: an intraindividual comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a pilot study to explore the value of spiral-shaped sign of plaque from coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in predicting plaque progression by intraindividual comparison. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with a total of 60 plaques who received serial CCTA were retrospectively included and intraindividual compared. The spiral shape was defined as plaques coursing along the long axis of a coronary artery and encircling it at an angle of ≥ 180 degrees. The high-risk and other plaque signs were recorded. RESULTS: On baseline CCTA, the spiral shape (P < 0.01) and length (P < 0.05) of plaques were more frequently seen in the progression group than in the nonprogression group; however, there was no difference between two groups in terms of high-risk plaque signs. In the progression group, plaque length, volume, and napkin-ring sign on follow-up CCTA were significantly greater than at baseline (P < 0.05). In the nonprogression group, there were fewer low-attenuation and positive remodeling plaques on follow-up CCTA than at baseline (P < 0.05). The spiral shape (standardized ß = -4.55; P < 0.01) was an independent risk factor for plaque progression. There were 24 spiral plaques in the progression group, of which 16 (66.7%) had progression below the twist point of the spiral shape. CONCLUSIONS: The baseline spiral shape is more frequently found in those lesions that progress than in those that do not in patients with multiple coronary lesions, and the spiral shape is an independent predictor of which plaques will progress.