Thermodynamic Controlled Regioselective C1-Functionalization of Indolizines with 3-Hydroxyisoindolinones via Brønsted Acid Catalyzed aza-Friedel-Crafts Reaction.

A Brønsted acid catalyzed aza-Friedel-Crafts reaction of indolizines with 3-hydroxyisoindolinones has been established, which constructs isoindolinone derivatives bearing a tetrasubstituted stereocenter in good to high yields and enantioselectivities. Notably, this strategy provides a new access to C1-functionalization of indolizines with excellent regioselectivities. Moreover, this intriguing C1-regioselective transformation was induced under thermodynamic control.

Diverse effects of gaze direction on heading perception in humans.

Gaze change can misalign spatial reference frames encoding visual and vestibular signals in cortex, which may affect the heading discrimination. Here, by systematically manipulating the eye-in-head and head-on-body positions to change the gaze direction of subjects, the performance of heading discrimination was tested with visual, vestibular, and combined stimuli in a reaction-time task in which the reaction time is under the control of subjects. We found the gaze change induced substantial biases in perceived heading, increased the threshold of discrimination and reaction time of subjects in all stimulus conditions. For the visual stimulus, the gaze effects were induced by changing the eye-in-world position, and the perceived heading was biased in the opposite direction of gaze. In contrast, the vestibular gaze effects were induced by changing the eye-in-head position, and the perceived heading was biased in the same direction of gaze. Although the bias was reduced when the visual and vestibular stimuli were combined, integration of the 2 signals substantially deviated from predictions of an extended diffusion model that accumulates evidence optimally over time and across sensory modalities. These findings reveal diverse gaze effects on the heading discrimination and emphasize that the transformation of spatial reference frames may underlie the effects.

A novel clinical diagnostic marker predicting the relationship between visceral adiposity and renal function evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the Chinese physical examination population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of body fat deposition on the kidney has received increasing attention. The Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) is an important indicator of recent research. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictive value of CVAI and other organ obesity indicators in predicting CKD in Chinese residents. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 5355 subjects was performed. First, the study utilized locally estimated scatterplot smoothing to describe the dose-response relationship between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and CVAI. The L1-penalized least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm was used for covariation screening, and the correlation between CVAI and eGFR was quantified using multiple logistic regression. At the same time, the diagnostic efficiency of CVAI and other obesity indicators was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: CVAI and eGFR were negatively correlated. Using group one as the control, an odds ratio (OR) was calculated to quantify CVAI quartiles (ORs of Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 2.21, 2.99, and 4.42, respectively; P for trend < 0.001). CVAI had the maximum area under the ROC curve compared with other obesity indicators, especially in the female population (AUC: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.71-0.76). CONCLUSIONS: CVAI is closely linked to renal function decline and has certain reference value for the screening of CKD patients, particularly in women.

Exploring the partial degradation of polysaccharides: Structure, mechanism, bioactivities, and perspectives.

Polysaccharides are promising biomolecules with lowtoxicity and diverse bioactivities in food processing and clinical drug development. However, an essential prerequisite for their applications is the fine structure characterization. Due to the complexity of polysaccharide structure, partial degradation is a powerful tool for fine structure analysis, which can effectively provide valid information on the structure of backbone and branching glycosidic fragments of complex polysaccharides. This review aims to conclude current methods of partial degradation employed for polysaccharide structural characterization, discuss the molecular mechanisms, and describe the molecular structure and solution properties of degraded polysaccharides. In addition, the effects of polysaccharide degradation on the conformational relationships between the molecular structure and bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities, are also discussed. Finally, we summarize the prospects and current challenges for the partial degradation of polysaccharides. This review will be of great value for the scientific elucidation of polysaccharide fine structures and potential applications.

A case of glycogen storage disease type â a with gout as the first manifestation. / 以痛风为首发的糖原贮积症â a型一例.

A 24-year-old male was admitted due to recurrent redness, swelling, fever and pain in the ankle, frequently accompanied by hungry feeling. Dual energy CT scans showed multiple small gouty stones in the posterior edge of the bilateral calcaneus and in the space between the bilateral metatarsophalangeal joints. The laboratory examination results indicated hyperlipidemia, high lactate lipids, and low fasting blood glucose. Histopathology of liver biopsy showed significant glycogen accumulation. The results of gene sequencing revealed the compound heterozygous mutations of the G6PC gene c.248G>A (p.Arg83His) and c.238T>A (p.Phe80Ile) in the proband. The c.248G>A mutation was from mother and the c.238T>A mutation was from father. The diagnosis of glycogen storage disease type Ⅰa was confirmed. After giving a high starch diet and limiting monosaccharide intake, as well as receiving uric acid and blood lipids lowering therapy, the condition of the patient was gradually stabilized. After a one-year follow-up, there were no acute episodes of gout and a significant improvement in hungry feeling in the patient.

Diastereoselective and E/Z-Selective Synthesis of Functionalized Quinolizine Scaffolds via the Dearomative Annulation of 2-Pyridylacetates with Nitroenynes.

An organocatalytic Michael/aza-Michael cascade reaction was developed to build the functionalized quinolizine scaffolds in 60-82% yields, excellent diastereoselectivities, and E/Z selectivities. This protocol involves the [3 + 3] annulations of 2-pyridylacetates with nitroenynes through the dearomative strategy in the presence of an organic base under mild conditions. The versatile late-stage derivatizations further demonstrated the synthetic utility of this methodology.

Water-based Fe3O4 magnetic fluid-coated Aspergillus niger spores for treating liquid contaminated with Cr(VI).

The use of magnetic biosorbents for the remediation of heavy metals has attracted increasing attention due to their ease of separation and reusability. We developed a method for preparing superparamagnetic biosorbent materials using water-based magnetic fluids. Water-based magnetic fluid-spores (WMFSs) were obtained by combining water-based magnetic fluid (WMF) with Aspergillus niger spores at ratios of 0.6:1 (WMFS1), 0.8:1 (WMFS2), 1:1 (WMFS3), 1.2:1 (WMFS4), and 1.4:1 (WMFS5). A magnetic composite material was prepared from magnetic nanoparticles and spores in a ratio of 1:1 as a control. The adsorption efficiency and separation effect of WMFS3 were significantly better than those of the magnetic composite material. The morphology and structure of WMFS3 were characterized by performing transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that Fe3O4 magnetic particles were uniformly coated on the spore surface. The superparamagnetism of WMFS3 was tested using a vibrating sample magnetometer. At pH 2.0, the maximum adsorption capacity of WMFS3 for Cr(VI) was 105 mg/g; in the pH range of 2.0-3.0, the adsorption equilibrium time of WMFS3 was 60 min. Thus, the adsorption process conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm. Thermodynamic studies showed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorption mechanisms of WMF3 for Cr(VI) included electrostatic, reduction, and complexation adsorption. This biosorbent material showed excellent adsorption performance for Cr(VI) and is promising for wastewater resource applications.

Effects of prenatal exposure to pyrethroid pesticides on neurodevelopment of 1-year- old children: A birth cohort study in China.

Pregnant women have been ubiquitously exposed to pyrethroid pesticides. Previous studies, mainly based on third trimester measurements of maternal urinary pyrethroid metabolites, have reported inconsistent findings in the effects of prenatal pyrethroid exposure on children's neurodevelopmental outcomes. The purpose of this study was to clarify if pyrethroid exposure during the entire three trimesters of pregnancy may be associated with deleterious effects on infant neurodevelopmental status, particularly at a high dosage of exposure. We measured maternal urinary concentrations of pyrethroid metabolites in all trimesters of pregnancy and assessed children's neurodevelopment at one year of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III). Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the effects of metabolites (3-PBA, 4 F-3-PBA, cis-DBCA) in each trimester on BSID-III composite scores. Logistic regression analyses were applied to predict developmental delay vs non-delayed status (cut-off composite score of below 80 for developmental delay) based on the maternal levels of pyrethroid metabolites. In the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the detection rates of pyrethroid metabolites were 94.7%, 90.7%, and 89.0%; the 50th percentiles of exposure level were 0.24 µg/g, 0.24 µg/g and 0.21 µg/g for 3-PBA, 0.14 µg/g, 0.17 µg/g and 0.15 µg/g for 4 F-3PBA, 0.21 µg/g, 0.25 µg/g and 0.19 µg/g for cis-DBCA respectively. In the second trimester, 3-PBA was inversely associated with Cognition and Language scores [ß = -3.34 (95% CI = -6.11, -0.57) and ß = -2.90 (95% CI = -5.20, -0.61), respectively], and significantly increased the risk of Cognition and Language developmental delay [OR= 1.64 (95% CI = 1.03, 2.62) and OR = 1.52 (95% CI = 1.06, 2.19), respectively]; cis-DBCA was inversely associated with Adaptive Behavior scores [ß = -0.73 (95% CI = -1.27, -0.19)], and significantly increased the risk of Adaptive Behavior developmental delay [OR= 1.11 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.21)]. When the maternal levels of pyrethroid metabolites were stratified into the regression models according to the 90th percentile of exposure, in the first trimester, Cognition and Motor scores were inversely associated with higher cis-DBCA [ß = -7.19 (95% CI = -12.97, -1.41) and ß = -8.20 (95% CI = -13.35, -3.05), respectively], Language scores were inversely associated with higher 3-PBA [ß = -6.01 (95% CI = -10.96, -1.06)]; in the second trimester, Cognition scores were inversely associated with higher cis-DBCA [ß = -6.64 (95% CI = -12.51, -0.76)], Language scores were inversely associated with higher 3-PBA [ß = -5.17 (95% CI = -10.07, -0.27)] and cis-DBCA [ß = -5.40 (95% CI = -10.28, -0.52)]. We concluded that pyrethroid exposure in the first and second trimesters was associated with poorer infants neurodevelopmental outcomes at one year of age, and these effects were particularly pronounced at high levels of pyrethroid exposure.

The molecular characterization and immune protection of adhesion protein 65 (AP65) of Trichomonas vaginalis.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to the surface of the host cell is the precondition for T. vaginalis parasitism and pathogenicity, causing urogenital infection. The AP65 of T. vaginalis (TvAP65) involves in the process of adhesion. So, the present study was aimed at investigating the molecular characterization and vaccine candidacy of TvAP65 for protecting the host from the onset of Trichomoniasis. METHODS: The open reading frame (ORF) of TvAP65 was amplified and then inserted into pET-32a (+) to clone recombinant TvAP65 (rTvAP65). The immunoblotting determined the immunogenicity and molecular size of TvAP65, while immunofluorescence staining visualized and the precise localization of TvAP65 in T. vaginalis trophozoites. Animal challenge and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test were used to evaluate the immunoprotection and the types of the immune response of TvAP65. RESULTS: By the sequence analysis, TvAP65 encoded a 63.13 kDa protein that consisted 567 amino acid residues with a high antigenic index. The western blotting revealed that rTvAP65 and native TvAP65 could interact with the antibodies in the rat serums post hoc rTvAP65 immunization and the serums from the mice that were experimentally infected with T. vaginalis, respectively. Immunofluorescence stained TvAP65 on the surface of T. vaginalis trophozoites. Moreover, following emulsification with Freund's adjuvant, rTvAP65 was subsequently administered to BALB/c mice three times at 0, 2, and 4 weeks and the results from this animal challenge experiments showed significant increases in immunoglobulins of IgG2a, IgG1, and IgG, and cytokine of IFN-γ, and IL-2, and 10. Lastly, rTvAP65 vaccinated animals had a prolonged survival time (26.80 ± 4.05) after challenged by T. vaginalis. CONCLUSIONS: TvAP65 mediated the adhesion of T. vaginalis to the host epithelia for the pathogenesis of the parasite and can be considered as a candidate protein for designing a functional vaccine that induces cell-mediated and humoral immunity against the T. vaginalis infection.

Interlayered Forward Osmosis Membranes with Ti3C2Tx MXene and Carbon Nanotubes for Enhanced Municipal Wastewater Concentration.

Forward osmosis (FO) hybrid systems have the potential to simultaneously recover nutrients and water from wastewater. However, the lack of membranes with high permeability and selectivity has limited the development and scale-up of these hybrid systems. In this study, we fabricated a novel thin-film nanocomposite membrane featuring an interlayer of Ti3C2Tx MXene intercalated with carbon nanotubes (M/C-TFNi). Owing to the enhanced confinement effect on interfacial degassing and increased amine monomer sorption by the interlayer, the resulting M/C-TFNi FO membrane has a greater degree of cross-linking and roughness. In comparison with the thin-film composite (TFC) membrane without an interlayered structure, the M/C-TFNi membrane attained a water flux that was four times higher and a lower specific salt flux. Notably, the M/C-TFNi membrane exhibited excellent concentration efficiency for real municipal wastewater and enhanced rejection of ammonia nitrogen, which breaks the permeability-selectivity upper bound. This study provides a new avenue for the rational design and development of high-performance FO membranes for environmental applications.

The predictive factors that are associated with the number of sutures used during meniscal repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with the consumption of a large number of sutures during arthroscopic meniscus repair procedures. METHODS: All patients who received meniscal repair, with or without concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were included in the current study. Demographic data (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and injury-to-surgery interval) and surgical data (the site of the tear, side of the meniscus, presence of an ACL rupture or not and the number of sutures) were retrospectively collected from our medical records. The number of sutures was divided into two groups (1-2 sutures versus > 2 sutures). The stitching process was implemented through an all-inside technique using a meniscal repair device (Fast-Fix; Smith & Nephew). According to the length and stability of the meniscal tear, one to seven sutures were used. Univariate analysis consisted of chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients, including 168 males and 57 females, was finally included. In the univariate analysis, we found that those patients who underwent meniscus repair within one month after meniscus tear were more likely to need fewer sutures than those who underwent surgery more than one month after injury (70/110 versus 59/115, p=0.062). In total, 75/109 (68.8%) lateral meniscal tears were repaired with fewer sutures than medial (34/72, 47.2%) and bilateral meniscus injuries (20/44, 45.4%; p=0.003). In the multivariate analysis, we found that the duration of injury (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.16-3.64, p=0.013), presence of an ACL injury (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.97-7.21, p< 0.001) and the side of the meniscus (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14-0.65, p=0.002) were associated with the number of sutures used during meniscal repair procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent meniscal repair within one month after meniscus tear, especially lateral menisci tears, were more likely to need fewer sutures. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; level of evidence, 3.

Which factors are associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair?

Purpose To investigate the potential factors associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair Methods Patients who received partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair in our institution from Jan 2015 to Dec 2019 were included in current study. The inclusion criteria were (1) meniscus tear treated using meniscectomy or repair, (2) with or without concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, (3) not multiligamentous injury. Demographic data, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), injury-to-surgery interval and intra-articular factors such as the location of injury, medial or lateral, ACL rupture or not and the option of procedure (partial meniscectomy or repair) were documented from medical records. Univariate analysis consisted of chi-square. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to adjust for confounding factors. Results 592 patients including 399 males and 193 females with a mean age of 28.7 years (range from 10 to 75 years) were included in current study. In the univariate analysis, male (p = 0.002), patients aged 40 years or younger (p < 0.001), increased weight (p = 0.010), Posterior meniscus torn (0.011), concurrent ACL ruputure (p < 0.001), lateral meniscus (p = 0.039) and early surgery (p < 0.001) were all associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair. However, After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that age (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17 - 0.68, p = 0.002), ACL injury (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.97 - 7.21, p < 0.001), side of menisci (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.43 - 7.55, p = 0.005), site of tear (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07 - 0.32, p < 0.001), and duration of injury (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 - 0.82, p = 0.008) were associated with the prevalence of meniscus repair. Conclusions Meniscal tear in aged patients especially those with concomitant ACL injury is likely to be repaired. Additionally, in order to increase the prevalence of repair and slow down progression of OA, the surgical procedure should be performed within two weeks after meniscus tear especially when the tear is located at lateral meniscal posterior. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; level of evidence, 3.

Hidden blood loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery: a retrospective study of 765 cases at a single centre.

BACKGROUND: In scoliosis corrective surgery, total blood loss is composed of visible blood loss, including intraoperative haemorrhage and drainage, and hidden blood loss in which blood extravasates into the tissues and accumulates in the surgical field. The purpose of this study was to investigate hidden blood loss (HBL) and its potential risk factors in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery and elucidate the influence of HBL on the necessity for postoperative blood transfusion. METHODS: We retrospectively studied adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis from January 2014 to December 2018 at our hospital. The patients' demographics, blood loss-related parameters, surgeries and blood loss data were extracted. The association between patient characteristics and HBL was analyzed by Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors associated with HBL. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influence of HBL on the necessity for postoperative blood transfusion. RESULTS: A total of 765 patients, of whom 128 were male and 637 were female (age range 10-18 years), were included in this study. The mean volume of HBL was 693.5 ± 473.4 ml, accounting for 53.9 % of the total blood loss. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that preoperative Hct (p = 0.003) and allogeneic blood transfusion (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for HBL, while tranexamic acid (p = 0.003) was negatively correlated with HBL. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that HBL > 850 ml (P < 0.001, OR: 8.845, 95 % CI: 5.806-13.290) was an independent risk factor for the necessity for postoperative blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial HBL occurred in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgeries. Allogeneic blood transfusion and preoperative Hct were independent risk factors for HBL, while tranexamic acid was negatively related to HBL. HBL and its influencing factors should be considered when planning perioperative transfusion management. Patients with HBL greater than 850 ml should be closely monitored in cases of postoperative anaemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of 3-methylenetetrahydropyrans by palladium-catalyzed oxa-[4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-alkenylbenzothiazoles.

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of 3-methylenetetrahydropyrans via palladium-catalyzed oxa-[4 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-alkenylbenzothiazoles with allyl carbonates bearing a nucleophilic alcohol side chain is presented. This synthetic methodology tolerates a wide variety of 2-alkenylbenzothiazoles and afforded the desired 3-methylenetetrahydropyrans in good yields and excellent dr. In addition, further derivatizations resulted in new scaffolds, making them useful synthetic precursors.

Intrinsic Nanoscale Structure of Thin Film Composite Polyamide Membranes: Connectivity, Defects, and Structure-Property Correlation.

Transport of water, solutes, and contaminants through a thin film composite (TFC) membrane is governed by the intrinsic structure of its polyamide separation layer. In this work, we systematically characterized the nanoscale polyamide structure of four commercial TFC membranes to reveal the underlying structure-property relationship. For all the membranes, their polyamide layers have an intrinsic thickness in the range of 10-20 nm, which is an order of magnitude smaller than the more frequently reported apparent thickness of the roughness protuberances due to the ubiquitous presence of nanovoids within the rejection layers. Tracer filtration tests confirmed that these nanovoids are well connected to the pores in the substrates via the honeycomb-like opening of the backside of the polyamide layers such that the actual separation takes place at the frontside of the polyamide layer. Compared to SW30HR and BW30, loose membranes XLE and NF90 have thinner intrinsic thickness and greater effective filtration area (e.g., by the creation of secondary roughness features) for their polyamide layers, which correlates well to their significantly higher water permeability and lower salt rejection. With the aid of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tracer tests, the current study reveals the presence of nanosized defects in a polyamide film, which is possibly promoted by excessive interfacial degassing. The presence of such defects not only impairs the salt rejection but also has major implications for the removal of pathogens and micropollutants.

Mechanistic Insights into the Role of Polydopamine Interlayer toward Improved Separation Performance of Polyamide Nanofiltration Membranes.

Interlayered thin-film nanocomposite membranes (TFNi) are an emerging type of membranes with great potential to overcome the permeability-selectivity upper bound of conventional thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes. However, the exact roles of the interlayer and the corresponding mechanisms leading to enhanced separation performance of TFNi membranes remain poorly understood. This study reports a polydopamine (PDA)-intercalated TFNi nanofiltration membrane (PA-PSF2, PDA coating time of 2 h) that possessed nearly an order of magnitude higher water permeance (14.8 ± 0.4 Lm-2 h-1 bar-1) than the control TFC membrane (PA-PFS0, 2.4 ± 0.5 Lm-2 h-1 bar-1). The TFNi membrane further showed enhanced rejection toward a wide range of inorganic salts and small organic molecules (including antibiotics and endocrine disruptors). Detailed mechanistic investigation reveals that the membrane separation performance was enhanced due to both the direct "gutter" effect of the PDA interlayer and its indirect effects resulting from enhanced polyamide formation on the PDA-coated substrate, with the "gutter" effect playing a more dominant role. This study provides a mechanistic and comprehensive framework for the future development of TFNi membranes.

A Critical Review on Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes with Interlayered Structure: Mechanisms, Recent Developments, and Environmental Applications.

The separation properties of polyamide reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes, widely applied for desalination and water reuse, are constrained by the permeability-selectivity upper bound. Although thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes incorporating nanomaterials exhibit enhanced water permeance, their rejection is only moderately improved or even impaired due to agglomeration of nanomaterials and formation of defects. A novel type of TFN membranes featuring an interlayer of nanomaterials (TFNi) has emerged in recent years. These novel TFNi membranes show extraordinary improvement in water flux (e.g., up to an order of magnitude enhancement) along with better selectivity. Such enhancements can be achieved by a wide selection of nanomaterials, ranging from nanoparticles, one-/two-dimensional materials, to interfacial coatings. The use of nanostructured interlayers not only improves the formation of polyamide rejection layers but also provides an optimized water transport path, which enables TFNi membranes to potentially overcome the longstanding trade-off between membrane permeability and selectivity. Furthermore, TFNi membranes can potentially enhance the removal of heavy metals and micropollutants, which is critical for many environmental applications. This review critically examines the recent developments of TFNi membranes and discusses the underlying mechanisms and design criteria. Their potential environmental applications are also highlighted.

Development of a convenient detection method for Trichomonas vaginalis based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification targeting adhesion protein 65.

BACKGROUND: Trichomoniasis resulting from Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) has been considered as a commonly seen disease with the transmission way of sex. At present, the detection methods of T. vaginalis mainly include wet mount microscopy, culture, PCR, immunofluorescence and ELISA. However, all of these detection methods exist shortcomings. METHODS: In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay that targeted the species-specific sequence of adhesion protein 65 (AP65) gene had been conducted to detect T. vaginalis. The optimum reaction system and conditions were optimized in this rapid detection method. RESULTS: The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the LAMP assay targeting the AP65 gene was 1000 times more sensitive than the nested PCR targeting the actin gene commonly used for detection of T. vaginalis, and the detecting limitation of the former was 10 trichomonad. Moreover, the amplification of the target gene AP65 by LAMP assay exhibited high specificity and the product was exclusively from T. vaginalis. The detection technique of LAMP did not exhibit cross-reactivity with the common pathogens of Trichinella spiralis, Toxoplasma gondii, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present study, the LAMP assay with the target of AP65 gene, was suitable for the early diagnosis of T. vaginalis infections. Consequently, the LAMP assay was proposed by the current study as a point-of-care examination and an alternative molecular tool which exhibited the potential value in the treatment, control and prevention of trichomoniasis transmission and relevant complication.

Perioperative predictors of prolonged length of hospital stay following total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study from a single center in China.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing the length of hospital stay is an ideal course of action to appropriately allocate medical resources. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify perioperative factors that may decrease the length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: In this study, we collected the data on 1112 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty surgery (TKAs) at our institution from Jan 1, 2011 to Nov 31, 2017. Based on the published literature, 16 potential factors (12 preoperative variables, 1 intraoperative variable, and 3 postoperative variables) were investigated. The patients requiring a hospital stay longer than the mean LOS (8 days) were defined as patients with a prolonged LOS. The factors with a P value less than 0.1 in the univariate analysis were further analysed in a multivariate model. An ordinal regression was used to determine independent risk factors for a prolonged LOS. RESULTS: The mean LOS was 8.3 days (±4.3), with a range of 2 to 30 days. Sixteen variables were analysed by univariate analysis, and 11 of them had p < 0.1 and were included in the multivariable model. Finally, 9 factors were found to be associated with a prolonged LOS. Among the 9 variables, 2 were surgery-related factors (operative time and intraoperative blood loss), and 3 were patient-related factors (age, ASA classification and neurological comorbidities). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the clinical protocol, complications, the patient's age, the ASA classification, neurological comorbidities, the operative time, the ward, intraoperative blood loss and the surgeon were all factors contributing to a prolonged LOS. In clinical practice, these factors provide important information for the surgeon and are useful for identifying patients with a high risk of a prolonged LOS.

An Integrated Gold-Film Temperature Sensor for In Situ Temperature Measurement of a High-Precision MEMS Accelerometer.

Temperature sensors are one of the most important types of sensors, and are employed in many applications, including consumer electronics, automobiles and environmental monitoring. Due to the need to simultaneously measure temperature and other physical quantities, it is often desirable to integrate temperature sensors with other physical sensors, including accelerometers. In this study, we introduce an integrated gold-film resistor-type temperature sensor for in situ temperature measurement of a high-precision MEMS accelerometer. Gold was chosen as the material of the temperature sensor, for both its great resistance to oxidation and its better compatibility with our in-house capacitive accelerometer micro-fabrication process. The proposed temperature sensor was first calibrated and then evaluated. Experimental results showed the temperature measurement accuracy to be 0.08 °C; the discrepancies among the sensors were within 0.02 °C; the repeatability within seven days was 0.03 °C; the noise floor was 1 mK/√Hz@0.01 Hz and 100 µK/√Hz@0.5 Hz. The integration test with a MEMS accelerometer showed that by subtracting the temperature effect, the bias stability within 46 h for the accelerometer could be improved from 2.15 µg to 640 ng. This demonstrates the capability of measuring temperature in situ with the potential to eliminate the temperature effects of the MEMS accelerometer through system-level compensation.