Association between subcortical nuclei volume changes and cognition in preschool-aged children with tetralogy of Fallot after corrective surgery: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive disorders frequently occur in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) because of the hemodynamic abnormalities induced by preoperative cardiac structural changes. We aimed to evaluate subcortical nuclei volume changes and cognition in postoperative tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) children, and analyze their relationship with preoperative cardiac structural changes. METHODS: This case-control study involved thirty-six children with repaired TOF and twenty-nine healthy controls (HCs). We utilized three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted high-resolution structural images alongside the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) to evaluate the cognitive differences between the TOF and HC group. RESULTS: We observed notable differences in subcortical nuclei volume between the TOF and HC group, specifically in the left amygdala nucleus (LAM, TOF: 1292.60 ± 155.57; HC: 1436.27 ± 140.62, p < 0.001), left thalamus proper nucleus (LTHA, TOF: 6771.54 ± 666.03; HC: 7435.36 ± 532.84, p < 0.001), and right thalamus proper nucleus (RTHA, TOF: 6514.61 ± 715.23; HC: 7162.94 ± 554.60, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a diminished integrity of LAM ( ß:-19.828, 95% CI: -36.462, -3.193), which showed an inverse relationship with the size of the preoperative ventricular septal defect (VSD), correlated with lower working memory indices in children with TOF. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that subcortical nuclei structural injuries possibly potentially stemming from cardiac anatomical abnormalities, are associated with impaired working memory in preschool-aged children with TOF. The LAM in particular may serve as a potential biomarker for neurocognitive deficits in TOF, offering predictive value for future neurodevelopmental outcomes, and shedding light on the neurophysiological mechanisms of these cognitive impairments.

A novel antidepressant homogeneous polysaccharide YLP-1 from Millettia pulchra ameliorates tryptophan metabolism and SCFAs through modulating gut microbiota.

The root of Millettia pulchra (YLS) has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment of depression and insomnia in the Zhuang nationality of China, and its polysaccharides have potential antidepressant effect. In this study, a novel homogeneous polysaccharide (YLP-1) was purified from the crude polysaccharides of YLS, and it is mainly composed of glucose, arabinose and mannose with molar ratio of 87.25%, 10.77%, and 1.98%, respectively. YLP-1 is a novel α-glucan with the backbone of 1,4-Glcp and branched at C6 of 1,4,6-Glcp to combine 1,4-Manp and 1,5-Araf. The microstructure of YLP-1 displayed a uniform ellipsoidal-like chain morphology and dispersed uniformly in solution. YLP-1 effectively ameliorated depression-like ethological behaviors and restored the decreased catecholamine levels in chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced depression rats. Additionally, it significantly improved the disturbance of gut microbiota induced by CVS stimuli, particularly affecting bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as bacteria species Lactobacillus spp.. In vitro fermentation study further confirmed that YLP-1 intake could promote SCFAs production by Lactobacillus spp. YLP-1 also mitigated the disruption of tryptophan metabolites in urine and serum. These findings provide evidences for the further development of YLP-1 as a macromolecular antidepressant drug.

Integrative microbiome and metabolome profiles reveal the impacts of periodontitis via oral-gut axis in first-trimester pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis results from host-microbe dysbiosis and the resultant dysregulated immunoinflammatory response. Importantly, it closely links to numerous systemic comorbidities, and perplexingly contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Currently, there are limited studies on the distal consequences of periodontitis via oral-gut axis in pregnant women. This study investigated the integrative microbiome-metabolome profiles through multi-omics approaches in first-trimester pregnant women and explored the translational potentials. METHODS: We collected samples of subgingival plaques, saliva, sera and stool from 54 Chinese pregnant women at the first trimester, including 31 maternal periodontitis (Perio) subjects and 23 Non-Perio controls. By integrating 16S rRNA sequencing, untargeted metabolomics and clinical traits, we explored the oral-gut microbial and metabolic connection resulting from periodontitis among early pregnant women. RESULTS: We demonstrated a novel bacterial distinguisher Coprococcus from feces of periodontitis subjects in association with subgingival periodontopathogens, being different from other fecal genera in Lachnospiraceae family. The ratio of fecal Coprococcus to Lachnoclostridium could discriminate between Perio and Non-Perio groups as the ratio of subgingival Porphyromonas to Rothia did. Furthermore, there were differentially abundant fecal metabolic features pivotally enriched in periodontitis subjects like L-urobilin and kynurenic acid. We revealed a periodontitis-oriented integrative network cluster, which was centered with fecal Coprococcus and L-urobilin as well as serum triglyceride. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings about the notable influence of periodontitis on fecal microbiota and metabolites in first-trimester pregnant women via oral-gut axis signify the importance and translational implications of preconceptional oral/periodontal healthcare for enhancing maternal wellbeing.

Development Trends and Prospects of Technology-Based Solutions for Health Challenges in Aging Over the Past 25 Years: Bibliometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: As the global population ages, we witness a broad scientific and technological revolution tailored to meet the health challenges of older adults. Over the past 25 years, technological innovations, ranging from advanced medical devices to user-friendly mobile apps, are transforming the way we address these challenges, offering new avenues to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the aging demographic. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically review the development trends in technology for managing and caring for the health of older adults over the past 25 years and to project future development prospects. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of literatures related to technology-based solutions for health challenges in aging, published up to March 18, 2024. The search was performed using the Web of Science Core Collection, covering a span from 1999 to 2024. Our search strategy was designed to capture a broad spectrum of terms associated with aging, health challenges specific to older adults, and technological interventions. RESULTS: A total of 1133 publications were found in the Web of Science Core Collection. The publication trend over these 25 years showed a gradual but fluctuating increase. The United States was the most productive country and participated in international collaboration most frequently. The predominant keywords identified through this analysis included "dementia," "telemedicine," "older-adults," "telehealth," and "care." The keywords with citation bursts included "telemedicine" and "digital health." CONCLUSIONS: The scientific and technological revolution has significantly improved older adult health management, particularly in chronic disease monitoring, mobility, and social connectivity. The momentum for innovation continues to build, with future research likely to focus on predictive analytics and personalized health care solutions, further enhancing older adults' independence and quality of life.

Rapid assessment of acetophenone using an anti-interfering triple-emission Ln3+-functionalized HOF@MOF sensor.

The development of high-performance sensors for rapidly detecting acetylacetone (AP) in water samples is necessary because its release into the environment can result in many vital problems for human health and environment. Herein, we first designed a hybrid by integrating HOF with ZIF-8 through a sequential growth strategy. By separately introducing blue-emitting SiQDs and green- and red-emitting Tb3+ and Eu3+ into ZIF-8 and HOF, the resultant ZIF-8@SiQDs@HOF@Eu3+@Tb3+ comprised three emission peaks at 484, 545 and 620 nm, all of which could be employed as switch-off responsive peaks to low concentrations of AP with a detection limit of 0.79 ppm. However, in environments with high concentrations of AP, a turn-on signal at 484 nm was observed. Thereupon, the ratiometric fluorescence intensity of the ternary emission varied within different concentration ranges, accompanied by the fluorescence color evolution from red to salmon to plum to purple to final blue. Moreover, a portable sensing film was fabricated for rapid warning, sensitive and visual determination of AP in complicated environments. Therefore, this triple-emission sensor with wide color variations and strong anti-interference advantages could promote further research to improve the selectivity, sensitivity and inherent self-correction of multimodal fluorescence detection and the ease of sensing operation.

Unleashing the Potential of Internet Hospitals: An In-Depth Examination of Information Platform Functionality and Performance.

BACKGROUND: Internet hospitals (IHs) have rapidly developed as a promising strategy to address supply-demand imbalances in China's medical industry, with their capabilities directly dependent on information platform functionality. Moreover, a novel theory of "Trinity" smart hospital has provided advanced guidelines of IHs construction. OBJECTIVE: To explore the construction experience, construction models, and development prospects based on operational data from IHs. METHODS: Based on existing information systems and internet service functionalities, our hospital has built a "Smart Hospital Internet Information Platform (SHIIP)" for IHs operation, actively to expand online services, digitalize traditional healthcare, and explore healthcare services modes throughout the entire process and lifecycle. This article encompasses the platform architecture design, technological applications, patient service content and processes, healthcare professional support features, administrative management tools, and associated operational data. RESULTS: Our platform has presented a remarkable set of data, including 82,279,669 visits, 420,120 online medical consultations, 124,422 electronic prescriptions, 92,285 medication deliveries, 6,965,566 pre-diagnosis triages, 4,995,824 offline outpatient appointments, 2,025 medical education articles with a total of 15,148,310 views, and so on. These data demonstrate the significant role of IH as an indispensable component of our physical hospital services, with a deep integration between online and offline healthcare systems. CONCLUSIONS: Attributing to extreme convenience and improved efficiency, our IH has achieved a wide recognition and use from both the public and healthcare workers, and the upward trends in multiple data metrics suggest a promising outlook for its sustained and positive development in the future. Our pioneering exploration holds tremendous significance and serves as a valuable guiding reference for IHs construction and the progressive development of the internet healthcare sector.

Effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on axonal regeneration in the corticospinal tract of female rats with spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to enhance spinal cord axon regeneration by modulating corticospinal pathways and improving motor nerve function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). NEW METHOD: TMS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that generates a magnetic field to activate neurons in the brain, leading to depolarization and modulation of cortical activity. Initially utilized for brain physiology research, TMS has evolved into a diagnostic and prognostic tool in clinical settings, with increasing interest in its therapeutic applications. However, its potential for treating motor dysfunction in SCI has been underexplored. RESULTS: The TMS intervention group exhibited significant improvements compared to the control group across behavioral assessments, neurophysiological measurements, pathological analysis, and immunological markers. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Unlike most studies that focus on localized spinal cord injury or muscle treatments, this study leverages the non-invasive, painless, and highly penetrating nature of TMS to focus on the corticospinal tracts, exploring its therapeutic potential for SCI. CONCLUSIONS: TMS enhances motor function recovery in rats with SCI by restoring corticospinal pathway integrity and promoting axonal regeneration. These findings highlight TMS as a promising therapeutic option for SCI patients with currently limited treatment alternatives.

Controllable Preparation of a Cu NCs@Zn-MOF Hybrid with Dual Emission Induced by an Ion Exchange Strategy for the Detection of Explosives.

The precise synthesis of Cu NCs is a highly desirable and controllable route for the preparation of desired structures and properties, which facilitates the rational design of valuable probes for fluorescence sensing and the understanding of structure-property relationships. Herein, an ion-exchange strategy combined with a bottom-up synthetic approach was utilized in the synthesis process of Cu NCs for the first time, which achieved the controllable synthesis of Cu NCs and in situ anchoring of Cu NCs on the support material HPU-14. The as-prepared Cu NCs@HPU-14-4h not only had a good peroxidase-like property but also exhibited stable dual-emitting fluorescence at 470 and 620 nm. Notably, the peroxidase-like property endowed Cu NCs@HPU-14-4h with the capability of highly sensitive colorimetric detection of H2O2 in a linear concentration from 0.1 to 140 µM (detection limit of 86.7 nM), and a change in the fluorescent color from red to blue could be observed by the naked eye. Furthermore, due to the large overlap between the absorption of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) and the excitation band of Cu NCs@HPU-14-4h, TNP could also be detected from 27 types of analogs and common ions with a limit of detection of 68 nM. Finally, a portable hydrogel probe with efficient wipe sampling was fabricated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) comprising Cu NCs@HPU-14-4h with the aim of on-site visualization of different explosives. Consequently, the current study not only provides a new idea for the precise synthesis of Cu NCs and their controllable anchoring on support materials but also offers an effective method for predicting H2O2 and TNP.

Developing Z-scheme Bi2MoO6@α-MnO2 beaded core-shell heterostructure in photoelectrocatalytic treatment of organic wastewater.

Photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) oxidation technology with the combination of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis is an ideal candidate for treatment of dyeing wastewater containing multifarious intractable organic compounds with high chroma. Constructing high-quality heterojunction photoelectrodes can effectively suppress the recombination of photo-generated carriers, thereby achieving efficient removal of pollution. Herein, a beaded Bi2MoO6@α-MnO2 core-shell architecture with tunable hetero-interface was prepared by simple hydrothermal-solvothermal process. The as-synthesized Bi2MoO6@α-MnO2 had larger electrochemically active surface area, smaller charge transfer resistance and negative flat band potential, and higher separation efficiency of e-/h+ pairs than pure α-MnO2 or Bi2MoO6. It is noteworthy that the as-synthesized Bi2MoO6@α-MnO2 showed Z-scheme heterostructure as demonstrated by the free radical quenching experiments. The optimized Bi2MoO6@α-MnO2-2.5 exhibited the highest degradation rate of 88.64% in 120 min for reactive brilliant blue (KN-R) and accelerated stability with long-term(∼10000s) at the current density of 50 mA cm-2 in 1.0 mol L-1 H2SO4 solution. This study provides valuable insights into the straightforward preparation of heterogeneous electrodes, offering a promising approach for the treatment of wastewater in various industrial applications.

Do social economic status modify the association between air pollution and depressive or anxiety symptoms? A big sample cross-sectional study from the rural areas of Central China.

BACKGROUND: Fewer studies have examined the relationship between air pollution and depressive or anxiety symptoms in rural residents. Social economic status (SES), as an important indicator of the current state of socioeconomic development, we know little about how it modifies the relationship between air pollution and symptoms of depression or anxiety. METHODS: The patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2) and generalized anxiety scale (GAD-2) were used to learn about the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, the social economic status of the participants was categorized into two levels: lower and higher, and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between air pollution and residents' symptoms of depression or anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 10,670 adults were enrolled in this study, of which a total of 1292 participants suffered from depressive symptoms and 860 suffered from anxiety symptoms. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3, singly or in combination, may be associated with the onset of depression symptoms, and there was a significant interaction between SES and exposure to PM2.5 or O3. Residents of areas with higher SES may have a lower risk of suffering from anxiety symptoms after O3 exposure compared to participants living in lower SES. LIMITATIONS: The study was a cross-sectional study, which may have lowered the quality level of the evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term PM2.5 and O3 exposure may be associated with an increased prevalence risk of depressive symptoms. Higher levels of SES may reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on depressive or anxiety symptoms.

ZP1-Y262C mutation causes abnormal zona pellucida formation and female infertility in humans.

Defective oocyte maturation is a common cause of female infertility. The loss of the zona pellucida (ZP) represents a specific condition of impaired oocyte maturation. The extracellular matrix known as the ZP envelops mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos, exerting significant influence on oogenesis, fertilization, and embryo implantation. However, the genetic factors leading to the loss of the ZP in oocytes are not well understood. This study focused on patients who underwent oocyte retrieval surgery after ovarian stimulation and were found to have abnormal oocyte maturation without the presence of the ZP. Ultrasonography was performed during the surgical procedure to evaluate follicle development. Peripheral blood samples from the patient were subjected to exome sequencing. Here, a novel, previously unreported heterozygous mutation in the ZP1 gene was identified. Within the ZP1 gene, we discovered a novel heterozygous mutation (ZP1 NM_207341.4:c.785A>G (p.Y262C)), specifically located in the trefoil domain. Bioinformatics comparisons further revealed conservation of the ZP1-Y262C mutation across different species. Model predictions of amino acid mutations on protein structure and cell immunofluorescence/western blot experiments collectively confirmed the detrimental effects of the ZP1-Y262C mutation on the function and expression of the ZP1 protein. The ZP1-Y262C mutation represents the novel mutation in the trefoil domain of the ZP1 protein, which is associated with defective oocyte maturation in humans. Our report enhances comprehension regarding the involvement of ZP-associated genes in female infertility and offers enriched understanding for the genetic diagnosis of this condition.

Organofluorosilicon Modified Polyacrylate with the Unidirectional Migration Promotion of Disperse Dyes toward Polyester Fabric for Wash-Free Digital Inkjet Dyeing.

The printing and dyeing industry is currently accelerating toward a direction of high efficiency, energy conservation, environmental protection, and integration with digitalization. Disperse dye wash-free digital inkjet dyeing is a revolutionary breakthrough for cleaning and coloring polyester fabric. Based on the solubility parameters and the hot-melt dyeing characteristics of disperse dyes, soft, hard, and functional monomers of acrylate were used as the main body. Moreover, single-vinyl fluorinated polysiloxane and divinyl polysiloxane with low solubility parameters were used as modified monomers. A modified polyacrylate (PFSMA) adhesive containing silicon in the main chain and fluorine silicon in the side chain was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. Using disperse digital inkjet dyeing of polyester fabric without washing can realize energy saving, emission reduction, and carbon reduction. Results showed that the optimum preparation conditions of PFSMA were as follows: DVFS molecular weight of 957 g/mol and DVFS content of 2.5 wt %. Compared with that of polyacrylate (PA), the glass-transition temperature of PFSMA film decreased, and its water resistance, toughness, and adhesion enhanced. When the PFSMA content in the wash-free disperse red ink was 8 wt %, the color yields of the front and back of the PFSMA jet-dyed polyester fabric were 18.86 and 13.28, respectively. Moreover, the color yield of the front of PFSMA jet-dyed polyester fabric was 39.9% higher than that of the pure liquid disperse red jet-dyed fabric. The simulated fixation rate was 87.9%, approximately 2.9 times higher than that of the PA wash-free jet-dyed fabric. The color fastness to dry rubbing reached level 4 and the color fastness to wet rubbing reached level 3-4, which was one level higher than that of pure liquid disperse red jet-dyed fabrics. The color fastness to soaping reached grade 5 and the color fastness to heat compression reached grades 4-5 and above. The fabric was a little firmer but smoother. The color properties, color fastness, and hand feeling of the PFSMA wash-free jet-dyed polyester fabric exceeded the levels of commercially available adhesives.

SP1 promotes high glucose-induced lens epithelial cell viability, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via regulating FGF7 and PI3K/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic cataract (DC) is a common complication of diabetes and its etiology and progression are multi-factorial. In this study, the roles of specific protein 1 (SP1) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) in DC development were explored. METHODS: DC cell model was established by treating SRA01/04 cells with high glucose (HG). MTT assay was conducted to evaluate cell viability. Transwell assay and wound-healing assay were performed to assess cell migration and invasion. Western blot assay and qRT-PCR assay were conducted to measure the expression of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Collagen I, Fibronectin, SP1 and FGF7 expression. CHIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay were conducted to analyze the combination between FGF7 and SP1. RESULTS: FGF7 was upregulated in DC patients and HG-induced SRA01/04 cells. HG treatment promoted SRA01/04 cell viability, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while FGF7 knockdown abated the effects. Transcription factor SP1 activated the transcription level of FGF7 and SP1 overexpression aggravated HG-induced SRA01/04 cell injury. SP1 silencing repressed HG-induced SRA01/04 cell viability, migration, invasion and EMT, but these effects were ameliorated by upregulating FGF7. Additionally, SP1 knockdown inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway by regulating the transcription level of FGF7. CONCLUSION: Transcription factor SP1 activated the transcription level of FGF7 and the PI3K/AKT pathway to regulate HG-induced SRA01/04 cell viability, migration, invasion and EMT.

A prospective study on maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: It is evident that periodontitis is linked to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. This prospective study explored the potential link of maternal periodontal diseases to neonatal adverse outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 193 generally healthy females in their third trimester (34-36 weeks) of pregnancy were enrolled. All subjects received full-mouth periodontal assessment, and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated. Demographic data, lifestyles and anthropometric measurements of the neonates (e.g., body length and head circumference) were recorded. Herein, small-for-gestational age (SGA) referred to gender- and age-adjusted birth weight below the 10th percentile in line with the standard reference. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were performed for examining the association of periodontal parameters with SGA.  Results: There were 8.3% (16/193) of neonates with SGA. Significantly positive correlation existed between the percentage of tooth sites with increased probing depth and an elevated risk of SGA (OR: 1.052; P < 0.05). Yet, the PISA was positively associated with the risk of SGA (OR: 1.002; P < 0.05) as well. No significant link occurred between maternal periodontal status and other neonatal outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that there could be a link between maternal periodontal diseases and neonatal adverse outcomes like SGA. Further investigation is required to clarify the current findings and potential implications for promoting maternal oral/periodontal health and newborn health.

TRAF6-mediated ubiquitination of AKT1 in the nucleus occurs in a ß-arrestin2-dependent manner upon insulin stimulation.

AKT, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), serves as a crucial regulator of numerous biological functions, including cell growth, metabolism, and tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that the kinase activity of AKT is regulated via ubiquitination by various E3 ligase enzymes in response to different stimuli. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin-induced AKT ubiquitination are not yet fully understood. Here, we show that activation of the insulin receptor (IR) leads to enhanced ubiquitination of AKT1 at K8 and K14 residues, facilitated by the cytosolic E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme, TRAF6. Further investigation using AKT1 mutants with modified nucleocytoplasmic shuttling properties reveals that TRAF6-mediated AKT1 ubiquitination occurs within the nucleus in a ß-Arr2-dependent manner. The nuclear entry of TRAF6 depends on importin ß1, while ß-Arr2 regulates this process by facilitating the interaction between TRAF6 and importin ß1. Additionally, the ubiquitination of AKT1 is essential for its translocation to the activated IR on the plasma membrane, where it plays a functional role in recruiting Glut4 and facilitating glucose uptake. This study uncovers the cellular components and processes involved in insulin-induced ubiquitination and activation of AKT1, providing insights and detailed strategies for manipulating AKT1.

Ecofriendly dual-function cotton fabric with antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties based on modified natural materials.

Ecofriendly fabrics with antibacterial and anti-adhesion properties have been attracted an increasing attention in recent years. Herein, natural menthol modified polyacrylate (PMCA) antibacterial adhesion agent was synthesized by esterification and polymerisation while natural pterostilbene-grafted-chitosan (PGC) antibacterial agent was prepared through Mannich reaction. The antibacterial and anti-adhesion cotton fabric was fabricated through durable PMCA dip finishing and then layer-by-layer self-assembly of PGC. The results showed that the antibacterial adhesion rates and antibacterial rates of the dual-function cotton fabric against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli reached up to 99.9 %. Its antibacterial adhesion rates improved by 36.1 % and 40.1 % in comparison with those of cotton fabric treated by menthol alone. Meanwhile against S. aureus, the dual-function cotton fabrics improved the antibacterial rates by 56.7 % and 36.4 %, respectively, from those of chitosan- and pterostilbene-treated fabrics. Against E. coli, the improvements were 89.4 % and 24.8 %, respectively. After 20 household washings, the dual-function cotton fabric maintained >80 % of its original anti-adhesion and antibacterial rates against both species. The dual-function cotton fabric also possessed safe and excellent wearability.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Patients with Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Cross-Sectional Surveys.

OBJECTIVE: Glaucoma is a chronic disease with an insidious onset that often brings severe psychological burden to patients. Therefore, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, we explore the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients, and provide clinically valuable information for medical staff. METHODS: Computer searches were conducted for relevant studies in PubMed, Embase, ProQuest PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and China VIP Database. The search date range was from the establishment of the database to December 2023. Literature was screened and data were extracted. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature, and RevMan5.4 was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The total sample size of the 15 included studies was 24,334 cases. All included studies were of high quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that, compared with control patients without glaucoma, patients with glaucoma were more likely to experience depression and to have more severe depressive symptoms [RR (Relative Risk) = 5.92, 95% CI (Confidence Interva) (3.29, 10.66), p < 0.01]; they were also more likely to experience anxiety and to have more severe anxiety symptoms [RR = 2.99, 95% CI (1.93, 4.64), p < 0.01]. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the two studies by Cumurcu E. 2005 and Yochim 2012 were the sources of heterogeneity in the meta-analysis of depression; and the three studies by Mabuchi 2012, Otori 2017, and Yochim 2012 were the sources of heterogeneity in the meta-analysis of anxiety disorders. CONCLUSION: People with glaucoma are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than people without glaucoma. Medical staff should pay greater attention to patients' emotional problems and help patients improve their quality of life.

Identification of antidepressant constituents from Xiangfu-chuanxiong herbal medicine pair via spectrum-effect relationship analyses, molecular docking and corticosterone-induced PC12 cells.

Herbal medicine pair, composed of two single herbs, is a relatively fixed minimum prescription unit in the traditional Chinese medicine's formula and has special significance in clinic. The combination of Xiangfu (the rhizoma of Cyperus rotundus L, XF) and Chuanxiong (the rhizoma of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort, CX) has been recoded as an herbal medicine pair XF-CX in the Yuan Dynasty (1347 CE) of China and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine formula, including Chaihu Shugan San, which has been clinically used for treatment of depression. However, the optimal ratio of the XF-CX herbal medicine pair and its antidepressant constituents are still unclear. Herein, the antidepressive-like effects of XF-CX herbal medicine pairs with different ratios of XF and CX (2:1, 1:1, 1:2) were evaluated using behavioral despair animal models in mice, and then its potential antidepressant constituents were recognized by spectrum-effect relationship analyses. Finally, the potential antidepressant constituents of the XF-CX herbal medicine pair were validated by molecular docking with glucocorticoid receptor and corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC12 cell injury model. The results indicated that different ratios of XF-CX pairs had antidepressive-like effects, and the XF-CX (2:1) exhibited a more significant effect. Thirty-two potential antidepressant constituents in the XF-CX herbal medicine pair were screened out from the spectrum-effect relationship combined molecular docking analyses. Among them, senkyunolide A, cyperotundone, Z-ligustilide, and levistilide A were validated to have protective effects against CORT-induced injury in PC12 cells. Our findings not only obtained the optimal ratio of XF-CX in the herbal medicine pair for the treatment of depression but also its potential antidepressant constituents, which will benefit in elucidating the mechanism of action and promoting the application of the herbal medicine pair in the clinic.

Pitfalls in Developing Machine Learning Models for Predicting Cardiovascular Diseases: Challenge and Solutions.

In recent years, there has been explosive development in artificial intelligence (AI), which has been widely applied in the health care field. As a typical AI technology, machine learning models have emerged with great potential in predicting cardiovascular diseases by leveraging large amounts of medical data for training and optimization, which are expected to play a crucial role in reducing the incidence and mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases. Although the field has become a research hot spot, there are still many pitfalls that researchers need to pay close attention to. These pitfalls may affect the predictive performance, credibility, reliability, and reproducibility of the studied models, ultimately reducing the value of the research and affecting the prospects for clinical application. Therefore, identifying and avoiding these pitfalls is a crucial task before implementing the research. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive summary on this topic. This viewpoint aims to analyze the existing problems in terms of data quality, data set characteristics, model design, and statistical methods, as well as clinical implications, and provide possible solutions to these problems, such as gathering objective data, improving training, repeating measurements, increasing sample size, preventing overfitting using statistical methods, using specific AI algorithms to address targeted issues, standardizing outcomes and evaluation criteria, and enhancing fairness and replicability, with the goal of offering reference and assistance to researchers, algorithm developers, policy makers, and clinical practitioners.

Inhomogeneous Strain Behaviors of the High Strength Pipeline Girth Weld under Longitudinal Loading.

Unforeseen failures in girth welds present a significant challenge for the pipeline industry. This study utilizes 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) assisted cross-weld tensile testing to analyze the strain response of high-strength thick-walled pipelines, providing essential insights into the strain migration and fracture mechanisms specific to girth welds. The results reveal that the welding process significantly affects the mechanical distribution within the girth weld. The tested Shielded Metal Arc Welded (SMAW-ed) pipe exhibited undermatched girth welds due to high heat input, while Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) introduced a narrower weld and Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ) with higher hardness than the base metal, indicative of overmatched girth welds. Strain migration, resulting from a combination of metallurgical heterogeneous materials and geometrical reinforcement strengthening, progressed from the softer HAZ to the base metal in the SMAW-ed sample with reinforcement, ultimately leading to fracture in the base metal. In contrast, the GMAW-ed sample shows no strain migration. Reinforcement significantly improves the tensile strength of girth welds and effectively prevents failure in the weld region. Sufficient reinforcement is crucial for minimizing the risk of failure in critical areas such as the weld metal and HAZ, particularly in SMAW-ed pipes.