Glycemic control and neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus treated using glyburide, metformin, or insulin: a pairwise and network meta-analysis.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the comparative efficiency and safety of the use of glyburide, metformin, and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials that compared glyburide, metformin, and insulin in GDM. Data regarding glycemic control and neonatal safety were collected and analyzed in pairwise and network meta-analyses. RESULTS: A total of 4533 individuals from 23 trials were included. Compared with glyburide, metformin reduced 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2HPG) to a greater extent (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.18; 95% credible interval (CI) 0.01, 0.34). There were significantly lower prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia (risk difference (RD) - 0.07; 95%CI - 0.11, - 0.02) and preeclampsia (RD - 0.03; 95%CI - 0.06, 0) in the metformin group than in the insulin group. The metformin group had significantly lower birth weight (SMD - 0.17; 95%CI - 0.25, - 0.08) and maternal weight gain (SMD - 0.61; 95%CI - 0.86,- 0.35) compared with the insulin group. Network meta-analysis suggested that metformin had the highest probability of successfully controlling glycemia and preventing neonatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that metformin may be as effective as insulin for glycemic control and is the most promising drug for the prevention of neonatal and maternal complications.

Utility of real-time 3D visualization system in the early stage of phacoemulsification training.

AIM: To determine the teaching effects of a real-time three dimensional (3D) visualization system in the operating room for early-stage phacoemulsification training. METHODS: A total of 10 ophthalmology residents of the first-year postgraduate were included. All the residents were novices to cataract surgery. Real-time cataract surgical observations were performed using a custom-built 3D visualization system. The training lasted 4wk (32h) in all. A modified International Council of Ophthalmology's Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric (ICO-OSCAR) containing 4 specific steps of cataract surgery was applied. The self-assessment (self) and expert-assessment (expert) were performed through the microsurgical attempts in the wet lab for each participant. RESULTS: Compared with pre-training assessments (self 3.2±0.8, expert 2.5±0.6), the overall mean scores of post-training (self 5.2±0.4, expert 4.7±0.6) were significantly improved after real-time observation training of 3D visualization system (P<0.05). Scores of 4 surgical items were significantly improved both self and expert assessment after training (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The 3D observation training provides novice ophthalmic residents with a better understanding of intraocular microsurgical techniques. It is a useful tool to improve teaching efficiency of surgical education.

Research progress on animal models of corneal epithelial-stromal injury.

A corneal epithelial-stromal defect is recognized as a major contributor to corneal scarring. Given the rising prevalence of blindness caused by corneal scarring, increasing attention has been focused on corneal epithelial-stromal defects. Currently, the etiology and pathogenesis of these defects remain inadequately understood, necessitating further investigation through experimental research. Various modeling methods exist both domestically and internationally, each with distinct adaptive conditions, advantages, and disadvantages. This review primarily aims to summarize the techniques used to establish optimal animal models of corneal epithelial-stromal injury, including mechanical modeling, chemical alkali burns, post-refractive surgery infections, and genetic engineering. The intention is to provide valuable insights for studying the mechanisms underlying corneal epithelial-stromal injury and the development of corresponding therapeutic interventions.

A novel gatifloxacin-loaded intraocular lens for prophylaxis of postoperative endophthalmitis.

Postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) has been the most threatening complication after cataract surgery, which perhaps can be solved by the antibiotic-loaded intraocular lens (IOL). However, most drug-loaded IOLs demonstrate insufficient drug quantity, short release time, increased implantation-related difficulties or other noticeable drawbacks. To prevent POE and to address these deficiencies, a drug-loaded copolymer IOL, prepared from poly (urethane acrylate) prepolymer, isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP), Irgacure 819, RUVA-93, and gatifloxacin (GAT), was rapidly fabricated via photocuring and by using a 3D-printed mold. This composite displayed an outstanding and controllable GAT release behavior in vitro, a high light transmittance, and a moderate refractive index. Also, it demonstrated improved strain stress and elongation compared with the reference commercial acrylic IOL material. In vivo tests demonstrated satisfying released drug concentration at the early treatment stage. In vitro and in vivo studies further confirmed the remarkable bacterial inhibition and prevention of POE by the proposed IOL, which also displayed good biocompatibility. These findings suggested that the GAT-loaded IOL could be a promising implant to prevent and cure POE, also the proposed methods could inspire more designs for various medical applications.

Degradation of Levofloxacin by a green zero-valent iron-loaded carbon composite activating peroxydisulfate system: Reactivity, products and mechanism.

In this study, a green zero-valent iron-loaded carbon composite (ZVI-SCG) was synthesized using coffee grounds and FeCl3 solution through two-steps method, and the synthesized ZVI-SCG was used in the activation of peroxydisulfate (PDS) to degrade Levofloxacin (LEX). Results revealed that ZVI-SCG exhibited a great potential for LEX removal by adsorption and catalytic degradation in the ZVI-SCG/PDS system, and 99% of LEX was removed in the ZVI-SCG/PDS system within 60 min. ZVI-SCG/PDS system showed a high reactivity toward LEX degradation under realistic environmental conditions. Also, the ZVI-SCG/PDS system could effectively degrade several quinolone antibiotics including gatifloxacin, ciprofloxacin and LEX in single and simultaneous removal modes. A potential reaction mechanism of LEX degradation by ZVI-SCG/PDS system was proposed, SO4•-, HO•, O2•- and 1O2 involved in radical and non-radical pathways took part in catalytic degradation of LEX by ZVI-SCG/PDS system, but HO• might be the main reactive species for LEX degradation. The possible degradation pathway of LEX was also proposed based on the identified ten intermediate products, LEX degradation was successfully achieved through decarboxylation, opening ring and hydroxylation processes. The potential toxicity of LEX and its oxidation products decreased significantly after treatment. This study provides a promising strategy of water treatment for the antibiotics-containing wastewater.

Identification and exploration of the pyroptosis-related molecular subtypes of breast cancer by bioinformatics and machine learning.

OBJECTIVES: To classify breast cancer (BRCA) according to the expression of pyroptosis-related genes and explore their molecular characteristics. METHODS: Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) was used for subtype classification based on 21 pyroptosis-related genes in the TCGA database. Survival analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis were conducted to assess the NMF results' performance. XGBoost, CatBoost, logistic regression, neural network, random forest, and support vector machine were utilized to perform supervised machine learning and construct prediction models. Genetic mutations, tumor mutational burden, immune infiltration, methylation, and drug sensitivity were analyzed to explore the molecular signatures of different subtypes. Lasso, RF, and Cox regression were operated to construct a prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: BRCA patients were divided into two subtypes (named Cluster1 and Cluster2). Survival analysis (P = 0.02) and t-SNE analysis demonstrated that Cluster1 and Cluster2 were well classified. The XGBoost model achieved reliable predictions on both training and validation sets. Regarding molecular characteristics, Cluster1 had higher TMB, immune cell infiltration, and m6A methylation-related gene expression than Cluster2. There was also a statistically significant difference between the two subtypes concerning drug susceptibility. Finally, a 5-gene prognostic model was constructed using Lasso, RF, and Cox regression and validated in the GEO database. CONCLUSION: Our study may provide new insights from bioinformatics and machine learning for exploring pyroptosis-related subtypes and their respective molecular signatures in BRCA. In addition, our models may be helpful for the treatment and prognosis of BRCA.

[Effects of simulated precipitation changes on plant community characteristics of wetland in the Yellow River Delta, China]. / 模拟降雨量变化对黄河三角洲湿地植物群落特征的影响.

Under the changing climate scenario, changes in precipitation regimes are expected to alter soil water and salinity conditions, with consequences on the characteristics of plant community in estuarine wetland. Here, we used a six-year (2015-2020) precipitation manipulation experiment to examine how plant community characteristics responded to precipitation changes in the Yellow River Delta. The results showed that soil electrical conductivity significantly decreased, while soil moisture significantly increased with increasing precipitation. Precipitation changes altered plant community composition. Increased precipitation reduced the absolute dominance of Suaeda glauca and Suaeda salsa, but increased that of Triarrhena sacchariflora and Imperata cylindrica. Shannon index and Margalef richness index of plant community significantly increased with increasing precipitation. Compared with the control, both decreased and increased precipitation decreased the plant community abundance, frequency and coverage. The treatment of 60% increased precipitation significantly decreased plant community frequency by 54.9%, while the 60% decreased precipitation, 40% decreased precipitation, 40% increased precipitation and 60% increased precipitation treatment significantly decreased plant abundance by 38.9%, 33.8%, 35.8% and 45.7%, respectively. The aboveground biomass significantly increased with increasing precipitation, but aboveground plant biomass under 60% increased precipitation treatment being lower than that reducing under 40% increased precipitation treatment, probably due to the negative effects of flooding stress. In addition, Margalef richness index had a significantly positive relationship with aboveground biomass. Aboveground biomass, Shannon diversity index, Margalef richness index, and Simpson diversity index were negatively related to soil electrical conductivity, and aboveground plant biomass was positively related to soil moisture. Our results revealed that precipitation changes regulate growth characteristics, species composition, and diversity of plant community by altering soil water and salinity conditions in a coastal wetland.

Intraocular Lens with Mussel-Inspired Coating for Preventing Posterior Capsule Opacification via Photothermal Effect.

Phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens (IOLs) has been widely applied as a standard treatment for cataract, which is the leading cause of vision impairment. However, it still remains a critical challenge to prevent posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in terms of postoperative visual quality. Herein, we report IOLs with mussel-inspired coatings for inhibiting lens epithelial cells and then preventing PCO through photothermal conversion effect. The mussel-inspired coatings are deposited on the nonoptical surface areas of IOLs, endowing the modified IOLs with efficient photothermal conversion property. The temperature can be facilely raised to 50-60 °C for the photothermal IOLs (PT-IOLs) by near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation at a safe intensity of 0.3 W/cm2. These PT-IOLs display high capability of inhibiting lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro. Therefore, under routine NIR laser irradiation, New Zealand white rabbits implanted with the PT-IOLs demonstrate significantly lower evaluation of PCO (EPCO) scores than the control groups. The overall results indicate that our PT-IOLs provide a promising choice for the clinical prevention of PCO, thus opening a way to maintain the postoperative visual qualities for cataract patients.

Tetra-aqua-bis(1,10-phenanthroline)bis-[µ(2)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxyl-ato(3-)]tricopper(II) dihydrate.

The title compound, [Cu(3)(C(5)HN(2)O(4))(2)(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)(4)]·2H(2)O, is a trinuclear copper(II) complex in which two centrosymmetrically related pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxyl-ate(3-) and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands bind three Cu(II) atoms, with one Cu(II) atom located on a center of symmetry. In each complex, there are four coordinated water mol-ecules and two solvent water mol-ecules, which participate in extensive hydrogen-bond patterns. These inter-actions, as well as π-π inter-actions between neighbouring 1,10-phenanthroline ligands [shortest atom-to-atom distance = 3.363 (3) Å], extend the crystal structure into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

N,N-Bis(2-pyridylmeth-yl)aniline.

In the title compound, C(18)H(17)N(3), the two pyridyl rings make a dihedral angle of 54.55 (13)°. The dihedral angles between the phenyl ring and the two pyridyl rings are 73.61 (13) and 81.40 (13)°. In the crystal, weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions are observed.

catena-Poly[[dichloridozinc(II)]-µ-1,1'-(butane-1,4-di-yl)diimidazole-κN:N].

The title compound, [ZnCl(2)(C(10)H(14)N(4))](n), is a coordination polymer consisting of zigzag chains propagating in [001], in which the metal cation exhibits a distorted tetrahedral ZnCl(2)N(2) coordination. Adjacent chains are linked by inter-molecular C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

tert-Butyl 4-formyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxyl-ate.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(9)H(12)N(2)O(3), weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into chains. Further weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds together with π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.672 (4) Å] between neighbouring chains lead to a double-chain structure propagating in [100].

Octa-aqua-bis(µ(2)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-di-carboxyl-ato)tricopper(II) tetra-hydrate.

In the trinucler Cu(II) complex mol-ecule of the title compound, [Cu(3)(C(5)HN(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(8)]·4H(2)O, the central Cu(II) atom is located on an inversion centre and is coordinated in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The equatorial sites are occupied by two N and two O atoms from two pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligands and the axial positions are occupied by two water mol-ecules. The two other symmetry-related Cu(II) atoms are penta-coordinated and assume a square-pyramidal geometry. In the crystal structure, coordinated and uncoordinated water mol-ecules and carboxyl-ate O atoms are linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Constructing mixed-metal coordination polymers from copper(II)-pyridinedicarboxylate metalloligands.

In the mixed-metal complex catena-poly[bis[diaquasilver(I)] [bis[aquacopper(II)]-mu(3)-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylato-2':1:1'kappa(5)N,O(2):O(5):O(5),O(5')-mu-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylato-2:1kappa(4)N,O(2):O(5),O(5')-disilver(I)-mu(3)-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylato-1:1':2''kappa(5)O(5),O(5'):O(5):N,O(2)-mu-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylato-1':2'''kappa(4)O(5),O(5'):N,O(2)] hexahydrate], {[Ag(H(2)O)(2)][AgCu(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].3H(2)O}(n), a square-pyramidal Cu(II) center is coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate (2,5-pydc) ligands and a water molecule, forming a [Cu(2,5-pydc)(2)(H(2)O)](2-) metalloligand. One Ag(I) center is coordinated by five O atoms from three 2,5-pydc ligands and, as a result, the [Cu(2,5-pydc)(2)(H(2)O)](2-) metalloligands act as linkers in a unique mu(3)-mode connecting Ag(I) centers into a one-dimensional anionic double chain along the [101] direction. The other Ag(I) center is coordinated by two water molecules, forming an [Ag(H(2)O)(2)](+) cation. Four adjacent Ag(I) centers are associated by Ag...Ag interactions [3.126 (1) and 3.118 (1) A], producing a Z-shaped Ag(4) unit along the [010] direction and connecting the anionic chains into a two-dimensional layer structure. This study offers information for engineering mixed-metal complexes based on copper(II)-pyridinedicarboxylate metalloligands.

N-Acetyl-N-{2-[(Z)-2-chloro-3,3,3-tri-fluoro-prop-1-en-yl]phen-yl}acetamide.

The title compound, C(13)H(11)ClF(3)NO(2), adopts a Z conformation. Halogen⋯oxygen inter-actions [Cl⋯O = 2.967 (3) Å] in the crystal packing lead to the formation of a dimer joined by two Cl⋯O bonds.

catena-Poly[[[tetra-aqua-zinc(II)]-µ-4,4'-bipyridine-κN:N'] benzene-1,4-di-carboxyl-ate].

In the title compound, {[Zn(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)(4)](C(8)H(4)O(4))}(n), the Zn(II) atoms, lying on a twofold rotation axis, are bridged by 4,4'-bipyridine ligands, resulting in a linear chain along the b axis. In the chain, the Zn(II) atom adopts a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry involving four water mol-ecules at the equatorial positions. The noncoordinated benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl-ate anion, which is also located on a twofold rotation axis, bridges adjacent chains through O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

A polymorph of diaqua-bis(pyrazine-2-carboxyl-ato-κN,O)copper(II).

The title compound, [Cu(C(5)H(3)N(2)O(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], is a new polymorph of the previously reported compound [Klein et al. (1982 ▶). Inorg. Chem.21, 1891-1897]. The Cu(II) atom, lying on an inversion center, is coordinated by two N atoms and two O atoms from two pyrazine-2-carboxyl-ate ligands and by two water mol-ecules in a distorted octa-hedral geometry with the water mol-ecules occupying the axial sites. Inter-molecular O-H⋯O, O-H⋯N and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect the complex mol-ecules into a two-dimensional layer parallel to (10), whereas the previously reported polymorph exhibits a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network.

catena-Poly[diammonium [diaqua-bis(pyridine-2,4-dicarboxyl-ato-κN,O)cuprate(II)] [[diaqua-copper(II)]-µ-pyridine-2,4-dicarboxyl-ato-κN,O:O-[tetra-aqua-cadmium(II)]-µ-pyridine-2,4-dicarboxyl-ato-κO:N,O] hexa-hydrate].

The title mixed-metal complex, {(NH(4))(2)[Cu(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)][CdCu(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·6H(2)O}(n), contains one octa-hedrally coordinated Cd(II) center and two octa-hedrally coordinated Cu(II) centers, each lying on an inversion center. The two Cu(II) atoms are each coordinated by two O atoms and two N atoms from two 2,4-pydc (2,4-H(2)pydc = pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid) ligands in the equatorial plane and two water mol-ecules at the axial sites, thus producing two crystallographically independent [Cu(2,4-pydc)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2-) metalloligands. One metalloligand exists as a discrete anion and the other connects the Cd(H(2)O)(4) units, forming a neutral chain. O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connects the polymeric chains, complex anions, ammonium cations and uncoordinated water mol-ecules into a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

Nanomaterials with a photothermal effect for antibacterial activities: an overview.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies have been expected to provide innovative platforms for addressing antibacterial challenges, with potential to even deal with bacterial infections involving drug-resistance. The current review summarizes recent progress over the last 3 years in the field of antibacterial nanomaterials with a photothermal conversion effect. We classify these photothermal nanomaterials into four functional categories: carbon-based nanoconjugates of graphene derivatives or carbon nanotubes, noble metal nanomaterials mainly from gold and silver, metallic compound nanocomposites such as copper sulfide and molybdenum sulfide, and polymeric as well as other nanostructures. Different categories can be assembled with each other to enhance the photothermal effects and the antibacterial activities. The review describes their fabrication processes, unique properties, antibacterial modes, and potential healthcare applications.

Neuroligin 3 Regulates Dendritic Outgrowth by Modulating Akt/mTOR Signaling.

Neuroligins (NLs) are a group of postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules that function in synaptogenesis and synaptic transmission. Genetic defects in neuroligin 3 (NL3), a member of the NL protein family, are associated with autism. Studies in rodents have revealed that mutations of NL3 gene lead to increased growth and complexity in dendrites in the central nervous system. However, the detailed mechanism is still unclear. In our study, we found that deficiency of NL3 led to morphological changes of the pyramidal neurons in layer II/III somatosensory cortex in mice, including enlarged somata, elongated dendritic length, and increased dendritic complexity. Knockdown of NL3 in cultured rat neurons upregulated Akt/mTOR signaling, resulting in both increased protein synthesis and dendritic growth. Treating neurons with either rapamycin to inhibit the mTOR or LY294002 to inhibit the PI3K/Akt activity rescued the morphological abnormalities resulting from either NL3 knockdown or knockout (KO). In addition, we found that the hyperactivated Akt/mTOR signaling associated with NL3 defects was mediated by a reduction in phosphatase and tensin (PTEN) expression, and that MAGI-2, a scaffold protein, interacted with both NL3 and PTEN and could be a linker between NL3 and Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results suggest that NL3 regulates neuronal morphology, especially dendritic outgrowth, by modulating the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, probably via MAGI-2. Thereby, this study provides a new link between NL3 and neuronal morphology.