Genome-wide identification of the key kinesin genes during fiber and boll development in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Kinesin is a kind of motor protein, which interacts with microtubule filaments and regulates cellulose synthesis. Cotton fiber is a natural model for studying the cellular development and cellulose synthesis. Therefore, a systematic research of kinesin gene family in cotton (Gossypium spp.) will be beneficial for both understanding the function of kinesin protein and assisting the fiber improvement. Here, we aimed to identify the key kinesin genes present in cotton by combining genome-wide expression profile data, association mapping, and public quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). Results showed that 159 kinesin genes, including 15 genes of the kinesin-13 gene subfamily, were identified in upland cotton; of which 157 kinesin genes can be traced back to the diploid ancestors, G. raimondii and G. arboreum. Using a combined analysis of public QTLs and genome-wide expression profile information, there were 29 QTLs co-localized together with 28 kinesin genes in upland cotton, including 10 kinesin-13 subfamily genes. Genome-wide expression profile data indicated that, among the 28 co-localized genes, seven kinesin genes were predominantly expressed in fibers or ovules. By association mapping analysis, 30 kinesin genes were significantly associated with three fiber traits, among which a kinesin-13 gene, Ghir_A11G028430, was found to be associated with both cotton boll length and lint weight, and one kinesin-7 gene, Ghir_D04G017880 (Gh_Kinesin7), was significantly associated with fiber strength. In addition, two missense mutations were identified in the motor domain of the Gh_Kinesin7 protein. Overall, the kinesin gene family seemingly plays an important role in cotton fiber and boll development. The exploited kinesin genes will be beneficial for the genetic improvement of fiber quality and yield.

Genome-wide identification of the key Kinesin genes during fiber and boll development in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L).

Kinesin is a kind of motor protein, which interacts with microtubule filaments and regulates cellulose synthesis. Cotton fiber is a natural model for studying the cellular development and cellulose synthesis. Therefore, a systematic research of Kinesin gene family in cotton (Gossypium spp.) will be beneficial for both understanding the function of Kinesin protein and assisting the fiber improvement. Here, we aimed to identify the key Kinesin genes present in cotton by combining genome-wide expression profile data, association mapping, and public quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Results showed that 159 Kinesin genes, including 15 genes of the Kinesin-13 gene subfamily, were identified in upland cotton; of which 157 Kinesin genes can be traced back to the diploid ancestors, G. raimondii and G. arboreum. Using a combined analysis of public QTLs and genome-wide expression profile information, there were 29 QTLs co-localized together with 28 Kinesin genes in upland cotton, including 10 Kinesin-13 subfamily genes. Genome-wide expression profile data indicated that, among the 28 co-localized genes, seven Kinesin genes were predominantly expressed in fibers or ovules. By association mapping analysis, 30 Kinesin genes were significantly associated with three fiber traits, among which a Kinesin-13 gene, Ghir_A11G028430, was found to be associated with both cotton boll length and lint weight, and one Kinesin-7 gene, Ghir_D04G017880 (Gh_Kinesin7), was significantly associated with fiber strength. In addition, two missense mutations were identified in the motor domain of the Gh_Kinesin7 protein. Overall, the Kinesin gene family seemingly plays an important role in cotton fiber and boll development. The exploited Kinesin genes will be beneficial for the genetic improvement of fiber quality and yield.

Gut microbially produced tryptophan metabolite melatonin ameliorates osteoporosis via modulating SCFA and TMAO metabolism.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a severe global health issue that has significant implications for productivity and human lifespan. Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been demonstrated to be closely associated with OP progression. Melatonin (MLT) is an important endogenous hormone that modulates bone metabolism, maintains bone homeostasis, and improves OP progression. Multiple studies indicated that MLT participates in the regulation of intestinal microbiota and gut barrier function. However, the promising effects of gut microbiota-derived MLT in OP remain unclear. Here, we found that OP resulted in intestinal tryptophan disorder and decreased the production of gut microbiota-derived MLT, while administration with MLT could mitigate OP-related clinical symptoms and reverse gut microbiota dysbiosis, including the diversity of intestinal microbiota, the relative abundance of many probiotics such as Allobaculum and Parasutterella, and metabolic function of intestinal flora such as amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and energy metabolism. Notably, MLT significantly increased the production of short-chain fatty acids and decreased trimethylamine N-oxide-related metabolites. Importantly, MLT could modulate the dynamic balance of M1/M2 macrophages, reduce the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and restore gut-barrier function. Taken together, our results highlighted the important roles of gut microbially derived MLT in OP progression via the "gut-bone" axis associated with SCFA metabolism, which may provide novel insight into the development of MLT as a promising drug for treating OP.

Gold nanoparticles exhibit anti-osteoarthritic effects via modulating interaction of the "microbiota-gut-joint" axis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that can cause severe pain, motor dysfunction, and even disability. A growing body of research indicates that gut microbiota and their associated metabolites are key players in maintaining bone health and in the progression of OA. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a series of active metabolites that widely participate in bone homeostasis. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with outstanding anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, have been demonstrated to ameliorate excessive bone loss during the progression of osteoporosis (OP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the protective effects of GNPs on OA progression are not clear. Here, we observed that GNPs significantly alleviated anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced OA in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed that GNPs changed gut microbial diversity and structure, which manifested as an increase in the abundance of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Additionally, GNPs increased levels of SCFAs (such as butyric acid), which could have improved bone destruction by reducing the inflammatory response. Notably, GNPs modulated the dynamic balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10. To sum up, our study indicated that GNPs exhibited anti-osteoarthritis effects via modulating the interaction of "microbiota-gut-joint" axis, which might provide promising therapeutic strategies for OA.

Atorvastatin exerts a preventive effect against steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head by modulating Wnt5a release.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH) is a prevalent form of osteonecrosis in young individuals. More efficacious clinical strategies must be used to prevent and treat this condition. One of the mechanisms through which SONFH operates is the disruption of normal differentiation in bone marrow adipocytes and osteoblasts due to prolonged and extensive use of glucocorticoids (GCs). In vitro, it was observed that atorvastatin (ATO) effectively suppressed the impact of dexamethasone (DEX) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically by augmenting their lipogenic differentiation while impeding their osteogenic differentiation. To investigate the underlying mechanisms further, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of BMSCs subjected to different treatments, leading to the identification of Wnt5a as a crucial gene regulated by ATO. The analyses showed that ATO exhibited the ability to enhance the expression of Wnt5a and modulate the MAPK pathway while regulating the Wnt canonical signaling pathway via the WNT5A/LRP5 pathway. Our experimental findings provide further evidence that the combined treatment of ATO and DEX effectively mitigates the effects of DEX, resulting in the upregulation of osteogenic genes (Runx2, Alpl, Tnfrsf11b, Ctnnb1, Col1a) and the downregulation of adipogenic genes (Pparg, Cebpb, Lpl), meanwhile leading to the upregulation of Wnt5a expression. So, this study offers valuable insights into the potential mechanism by which ATO can be utilized in the prevention of SONFH, thereby holding significant implications for the prevention and treatment of SONFH in clinical settings.

Delayed postoperative neurological deficits from scoliosis correction: a case series and systematic review on clinical characteristics, treatment, prognosis, and recovery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the clinical features, treatment modalities, and risk factors influencing neurological recovery in patients who underwent scoliosis correction with delayed postoperative neurological deficit (DPND). METHODS: Three patients with DPND were identified from 2 central databases for descriptive analysis. Furthermore, all DPND cases were retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases. Neurological function recovery was categorized into complete and incomplete recovery groups based on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. RESULTS: Two patients were classified as type 3, and one was classified as type 2 based on the MRI spinal cord classification. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) was consistently negative throughout the corrective procedure, and intraoperative wake-up tests were normal. The average time to DPND development was 11.8 h (range, 4-18 h), and all three patients achieved complete recovery of neurological function after undergoing revision surgery. A total of 14 articles involving 31 patients were included in the literature review. The mean time to onset of DPND was found to be 25.2 h, and 85.3% (29/34) of patients experienced DPND within the first 48 h postoperatively, with the most common initial symptoms being decreased muscle strength and sensation (26 patients, 83.9%). Regarding neurological function recovery, 14 patients were able to reach ASIA grade E, while 14 patients were not able to reach ASIA grade E. Univariate analysis revealed that preoperative diagnosis (p = 0.004), operative duration (p = 0.017), intraoperative osteotomy method (p = 0.033), level of neurological deficit (p = 0.037) and deficit source (p = 0.0358) were significantly associated with neurological outcomes. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis indicated a strong correlation between preoperative diagnosis (p = 0.003, OR, 68.633; 95% CI 4.299-1095.657) and neurological prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that spinal cord ischemic injury was a significant factor for patients experiencing DPND and distraction after corrective surgery may be a predisposing factor for spinal cord ischemia. Additionally, it is important to consider the possibility of DPND when limb numbness and decreased muscle strength occur within 48 h after corrective scoliosis surgery. Moreover, emergency surgical intervention is highly recommended for DPND caused by mechanical compression factors with a promising prognosis for neurological function, emphasizing the importance of taking into account preoperative orthopedic diagnoses when evaluating the potential for neurological recovery.

Economical one-pot synthesis of isoquercetin and D-allulose from quercetin and sucrose using whole-cell biocatalyst.

Isoquercetin and D-allulose have diverse applications and significant value in antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and lipid metabolism. Isoquercetin can be synthesized from quercetin, while D-allulose is converted from D-fructose. However, their production scale and overall quality are relatively low, leading to high production costs. In this study, we have devised a cost-effective one-pot method for biosynthesizing isoquercetin and D-allulose using a whole-cell biocatalyst derived from quercetin and sucrose. To achieve this, the optimized isoquercetin synthase and D-allulose-3-epimerase were initially identified through isofunctional gene screening. In order to reduce the cost of uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) during isoquercetin synthesis and ensure a continuous supply of UDPG, sucrose synthase is introduced to enable the self-circulation of UDPG. At the same time, the inclusion of sucrose permease was utilized to successfully facilitate the catalytic production of D-allulose in whole cells. Finally, the recombinant strain BL21/UGT-SUS+DAE-SUP, which overexpresses MiF3GTMUT, GmSUS, EcSUP, and DAEase, was obtained. This strain co-produced 41±2.4 mg/L of isoquercetin and 5.7±0.8 g/L of D-allulose using 120 mg/L of quercetin and 20 g/L of sucrose as substrates for 5 h after optimization. This is the first green synthesis method that can simultaneously produce flavonoid compounds and rare sugars. These findings provide valuable insights and potential for future industrial production, as well as practical applications in factories.

TROP2 promotes the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells via calcium ion-dependent ER stress signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms of tumor-associated calcium signal transduction factor 2 (TROP2) affecting the occurrence and development of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: The TCGA database, immunohistochemical staining, and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of TROP2 in TNBC tissues and cells. The protein expressions of TROP2 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) after TROP2 knockdown were detected by western blot (WB). Cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 and colony formation assay, Annexin V-APC/PI flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis, and intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) was detected by flow cytometry with Fura 2-AM fluorescent probe. Finally, the morphological changes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the expression of ER stress (ERS)-related proteins was detected by WB and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: TROP2 was up-regulated in TNBC tumor tissues and cells. Silencing TROP2 decreased the proliferation rate and clone formation number, and increased the apoptosis rate and the Ca2+ level in TNBC cells. These phenomena were reversed after the addition of 2-APB. In addition, after TROP2 knockdown, the expressions of IP3R and ERS-related proteins were up-regulated, the ER was cystic dilated, and ERS was activated. And the addition of 2-APB significantly inhibited the activation of ERS induced by TROP2 knockdown. CONCLUSION: TROP2 regulated the proliferation and apoptosis of TNBC cells through a Ca2+-dependent ERS signaling pathway.

TROP2 regulates cisplatin sensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer cells by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a kind of breast cancer with a high metastasis rate and poor prognosis. As a transmembrane glycoprotein, tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TROP2) plays a certain role in the cancers. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of TROP2 affecting cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in TNBC from endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). MDA-MB-231 and CDDP-resistant cell lines MDA-MB-231/CDDP were used in this study, and the expression of TROP2 was detected by western blotting. After transfecting with the interference sequence of siRNA targeting TROP2, cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by the cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and flow cytometry, and the expression of ERS-marker proteins was detected by western blotting. Furthermore, the effects of ERS in TROP2 on drug resistance of TNBC cells were explored by using ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA). Results found that TROP2 expression in MDA-MB-231/CDDP was significantly upregulated compared with MDA-MB-231. The expression of TROP2 in MDA-MB-231/CDDP was significantly decreased after transfection with siRNA-TROP2, and the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231/CDDP cells was significantly decreased after further induction with CDDP. TROP2 significantly affected TNBC cell cloning, apoptosis, and the expression of ERS-related marker proteins, while 4-PBA reversed the promoting effects of siRNA-TROP2 on apoptosis and ERS, as well as the inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, suggesting that TROP2 affected the resistance of TNBC cells to CDDP through ERS. In conclusion, TROP2 inhibited apoptosis of TNBC cells, improved the cell cloning ability, and regulated the sensitivity of TNBC cells to CDDP through ERS.

Engineering of human tryptophan hydroxylase 2 for efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptophan.

L-Tryptophan hydroxylation catalyzed by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) presents a promising method for synthesizing 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), yet the limited activity of wild-type human TPH2 restricts its application. A high-activity mutant, MT10 (H318E/H323E), was developed through semi-rational active site saturation testing (CAST) of wild-type TPH2, exhibiting a 2.85-fold increase in kcat/Km over the wild type, thus enhancing catalytic efficiency. Two biotransformation systems were developed, including an in vitro one-pot system and a Whole-Cell Catalysis System (WCCS). In the WCCS, MT10 achieved a conversion rate of only 31.5 % within 32 h. In the one-pot reaction, MT10 converted 50 mM L-tryptophan to 44.5 mM 5-HTP within 8 h, achieving an 89 % conversion rate, outperforming the M1 (NΔ143/CΔ26) variant. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated enhanced interactions of MT10 with the substrate, suggesting improved binding affinity and system stability. This study offers an effective approach for the efficient production of 5-HTP.

Optimal selection of specimens for metagenomic next-generation sequencing in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infections.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) across synovial fluid, prosthetic sonicate fluid, and periprosthetic tissues among patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), intending to optimize specimen selection for mNGS in these patients. Methods: This prospective study involved 61 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty between September 2021 and September 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Among them, 43 cases were diagnosed as PJI, and 18 as aseptic loosening (AL) based on the American Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. Preoperative or intraoperative synovial fluid, periprosthetic tissues, and prosthetic sonicate fluid were collected, each divided into two portions for mNGS and culture. Comparative analyses were conducted between the microbiological results and diagnostic efficacy derived from mNGS and culture tests. Furthermore, the variability in mNGS diagnostic efficacy for PJI across different specimen types was assessed. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS diagnosis was 93% and 94.4% for all types of PJI specimens; the sensitivity and specificity of culture diagnosis was 72.1% and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture (X2 = 6.541, P=0.011), with no statistically significant difference in specificity (X2 = 1.029, P=0.310). The sensitivity of the synovial fluid was 83.7% and the specificity was 94.4%; the sensitivity of the prosthetic sonicate fluid was 90.7% and the specificity was 94.4%; and the sensitivity of the periprosthetic tissue was 81.4% and the specificity was 100%. Notably, the mNGS of prosthetic sonicate fluid displayed a superior pathogen detection rate compared to other specimen types. Conclusion: mNGS can function as a precise diagnostic tool for identifying pathogens in PJI patients using three types of specimens. Due to its superior ability in pathogen identification, prosthetic sonicate fluid can replace synovial fluid and periprosthetic tissue as the optimal sample choice for mNGS.

Novel aerogels based on supramolecular G-quadruplex assembly with intrinsic flame retardancy and thermal insulation.

The construction of supramolecular aerogels still faces great challenges. Herein, we present a novel bio-based supramolecular aerogel derived from G-Quadruplex self-assembly of guanosine (G), boric acid (B) and sodium alginate (SA) and the obtained GBS aerogels exhibit superior flame-retardant and thermal insulating properties. The entire process involves environmentally friendly aqueous solvents and freeze-drying. Benefiting from the supramolecular self-assembly and interpenetrating dual network structures, GBS aerogels exhibit unique structures and sufficient self-supporting capabilities. The resulting GBS aerogels exhibit overall low densities (36.5-52.4 mg/cm3), and high porosities (>95 %). Moreover, GBS aerogels also illustrate excellent flame retardant and thermal insulating properties. With an oxygen index of 47.0-51.1 %, it can easily achieve a V-0 rating and low heat, smoke release during combustion. This work demonstrates the preparation of intrinsic flame-retardant aerogels derived from supramolecular self-assembly and dual cross-linking strategies, and is expected to provide an idea for the realization and application of novel supramolecular aerogel materials.

Identification and Validation of the Glycolysis and Immune-related Gene Signature for Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Glycolysis has a role in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. However, the functions and clinical role for facilitating the prognosis prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) based on glycolysis and immune-related genes remain to be identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genes associated with glycolysis and immunity (GI) were identified from established databases (MSigDB and ImmPort). The TCGA (training cohort) and GSE39582 (validation cohort) datasets were used. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses were applied for model construction. The prognostic power of the GI signature was examined by multivariate Cox regression analysis. The correlations between the GI signature, immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) genes were analyzed. To further validate the identified gene signature, quantitative RT-PCR was performed. Cell proliferation assays were conducted for CCK8 detection. RESULTS: A new GI model was constructed, and this signature may serve as an independent prognostic biomarker in CRC. The GI signature remained an effective tool for predicting prognosis among each clinical subgroup. This signature was related to immune cell infiltration of myeloid dendritic cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and response to the ICB immunotherapy-related genes IDO1, BTLA, PD-L1 and PD-L2. In addition, our findings showed that PMM2, IL20RB, and NTF4 exhibited high expression levels in CRC. The upregulation of these genes resulted in the promotion of the proliferation of CRC cells. CONCLUSION: This novel prognostic signature contributed to CRC risk stratification and survival prediction based on glycolysis and immune status.

Parental Homework Involvement and Students' Achievement: A Three-Level Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Applying a three-level meta-analysis, the goal of our investigation was to examine the relationship between parental homework involvement and students' achievement, and to investigate whether certain study features could have resulted in the inconsistent results relating to this relationship from prior studies. METHOD: We identified a total of 28 studies (32 independent samples) with 252 effect sizes for a total of 378222 participants. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis revealed an overall weak negative relationship between parental homework involvement and students' achievement ( r = −0.064, p < 0.001). The overall relationship was moderated by the dimension of parental homework involvement. Specifically, students' achievement was positively related to autonomy support, but largely unrelated to content support, parental control, frequency, and mixed. Additionally, the overall relationship was moderated by achievement measure, grade level, and parent gender. CONCLUSIONS: Given that parental autonomy support was the only dimension that was positively related to students' achievement, it would be important to conduct qualitative research that provides longitudinal descriptions of parent-child interactions relating to homework tasks as children make their transition from elementary to middle and high school.

The impact of non-environmental factors on the chemical variation of Radix Scrophulariae.

Radix Scrophulariae is a commonly used Chinese herb derived from the dried root of Scrophularia ningpoesis Hemsl. (S. ningpoensis). It is difficult to accurately estimate the dosage of Chinese medicinal materials used in the prescription because of the chemical variation caused by various factors. To analyze the non-environmental factors affecting the chemical variation of Radix Scrophulariae, we planted nine different cultivated varieties of S. ningpoensis in the same plantation. Based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, we found that the materials from the cultivated varieties could be divided into two groups, the Zhejiang group, and the southwest China group. The genetic distance based on molecular data between the two groups was above 0.3882, and the Euclidean distance based on chemical data between the two groups was above 5.312. The correlation analysis between the genetic distance matrix based on SRAP and the Euclidean distance matrix based on 18 HPLC peaks of the whole underground part revealed that the genetic differentiation and chemical variation were positively related, r = 0.7196 (p < 0.05). The genetic background, different part of the roots and the different development of the roots are the three non-environmental factors causing the chemical variation. The coefficient of variation (C.V) of chemical composition of Radix Scrophulariae with different genetic background reached to 93.62 %, the C.V of the chemical composition of Radix Scrophulariae derived from the same variety reached to 64.21 %, the C.V of the chemical composition of Radix Scrophulariae derived from the middle part of the roots of S. ningpoensis from the same variety reached to 45.55 %. The C.V of chemical composition of Radix Scrophulairae produced in the same plantation could be controlled to 38.43 % by using the same variety of roots with the approximate mass derived from the middle part of the roots under 20 g. Our findings provided insights to decrease the chemical variation of Chinese medicinal materials by controlling non-environmental factors.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients: a 3-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the independent effect of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the combined effects of hs-CRP and other traditional risk factors on microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients during the 3-year follow-up period. METHODS AND RESULTS: Baseline hs-CRP levels and other risk factors were measured in 280 adults in 2007. In the third year of examination, 199 patients (mean age 62.5 ±â€…9.5, men 59.3%) were approached for the measurement of microalbuminuria. The subjects were classified into two groups by the median of baseline hs-CRP. Compared to the patients with baseline hs-CRP below the median group (n = 99, 50%), the group with baseline hs-CRP above the median (n = 100, 50%) had higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (P = 0.007) at the end of follow-up period. ACR at the end of follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes (ß = 0.342; P < 0.001), baseline SBP (ß = 0.148; P = 0.02), and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP (ß = 0.169; P = 0.01), while adversely correlated with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (ß = -0.163; P = 0.02) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. In addition, ACR change during follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes (ß = 0.359; P < 0.001) and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP (ß = 0.190; P = 0.004) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. The combined effects of baseline hs-CRP and conventional risk factors, such as male sex, diabetes, smoking status, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and mildly reduced eGFR had a greater risk for microalbuminuria progression. There was no difference in eGFR changes during the follow-up period between two groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings offer a new piece of evidence on the predictive value of baseline hs-CRP for microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients, and highlight those who combined with traditional cardiovascular risk factors had a greater risk for developing microalbuminuria.

A graphene@Cu-MOF hybrid synthesized by mechanical ball milling method and its flame retardancy and smoke suppression effect on EP.

The traditional method of preparing graphene will cause serious environmental pollution, and the combustion of polymer materials will seriously harm people's health. In this paper, a Cu-MOF-coated graphene composite flame retardant (G@Cu-MOF) rich in flame retardant elements such as B and N was synthesized through green mechanical ball milling method. Flame retardants reduce the threat to the environment and people's lives and property. After adding 6 wt% G@Cu-MOF, the peak heat release rate, total heat release rate, CO production and CO2 production of epoxy resin (EP) composite samples decreased by 55, 14, 59, and 55%, respectively. This type of Cu-MOF releases incombustible gases such as boron trifluoride (BF3) and ammonia (NH3) during combustion, diluting the concentration of combustible gases and producing copper borate in the condensed phase. Cu2+ is reduced to Cu, and boron compounds are converted into boron oxides. The thermal conductivity of graphene can reduce the temperature of the matrix, and has good flame retardancy. It synergistically acts with Cu-MOF to promote the formation of high-quality residual char, and can significantly inhibit the heat and smoke release of EP. It plays a role in flame retardancy and protecting the substrate from fire. This study provides a new approach for preparing graphene hybrid flame retardants through mechanical ball milling, in order to improve the flame retardancy of EP and suppress the release of smoke and toxic gases.

The effects of back extensor strength in different body positions on health-related quality of life in patients with degenerative spinal deformity.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative spinal deformity (DSD) is believed to originate from degeneration of the discs and facet joints and vertebral wedging. Currently, the nosogeny of DSD is not yet fully clarified and there has been no systematic study on the impact of their lower back muscle strength on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of back extensor strength (BES) in different body positions and examine their correlations with health-related quality of life (HQOL) in degenerative spinal deformity (DSD) patients. METHODS: Participants comprised 60 DSD patients and 40 healthy volunteers. Maximal isometric BES was evaluated by dynamometers with the subject in three different positions (standing, prone, sitting). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score were used to evaluate patient HQOL. Correlations between the BES in different body positions and HQOL were analysed. RESULTS: The BES values in three body positions were significantly smaller in DSD patients than healthy subjects (P< 0.05). The standing BES was found to be negatively associated with ODI and RMQ (R= 0.313, p< 0.05 and R= 0.422, p< 0.01, respectively). A negative relationship between sitting BES and RMQ was also seen (R= 0.271, p< 0.05). In addition, the standing and prone BES were positively correlated with the physical functioning score of the SF-36 (R= 0.471, p< 0.01 and R= 0.289, p< 0.05, respectively), and the sitting BES was positively correlated with the role-physical score of the SF-36 (R= 0.436, p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the back extensor muscle is compromised in DSD patients and there are differences in predicting the severity of disability and physical HQOL scores with BES in different positions. Standing BES was the most reliable contributor to HQOL among three body positions.

Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for rapid molecular identification in spinal infection diagnosis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for detecting pathogens in spinal infections and to identify the differences in the diagnostic performance between mNGS and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). Methods: A total of 76 consecutive patients with suspected spinal infections who underwent mNGS, culture, and histopathological examinations were retrospectively studied. The final diagnosis of the patient was determined by combining the clinical treatment results, pathological examinations, imaging changes and laboratory indicators. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS and culture were determined. Results: The difference between the two detection rates was statistically significant (p < 0.001), with mNGS exhibiting a significantly higher detection rate (77.6% versus 18.4%). The average diagnosis time of mNGS was significantly shorter than that of bacterial culture (p < 0.001, 1.65 versus 3.07 days). The sensitivity and accuracy of mNGS were significantly higher than that of the culture group (p < 0.001, 82.3% versus 17.5%; 75% versus 27.6%), whereas the specificity of mNGS (42.9%) was lower than that of the culture group (p > 0.05, 42.9% versus 76.9%). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value (PPV) of pus were higher than those of tissue samples for mNGS, whereas for culture, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and PPV of tissue samples were higher than those of pus. tNGS demonstrated higher sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) than mNGS (80% versus 50%; 87.5% versus 68.8%). Conclusion: mNGS for spinal infection demonstrated better diagnostic value in developing an antibiotic regimen earlier, and it is recommended to prioritize pus samples for testing through mNGS. Moreover, tNGS outperformed other methods for diagnosing spinal TB and identifying antibiotic-resistance genes in drug-resistant TB.

Ultrarobust, Self-Healing Poly(urethane-urea) Elastomer with Superior Tensile Strength and Intrinsic Flame Retardancy Enabled by Coordination Cross-Linking.

Poly(urethane-urea) elastomers (PUUEs) have gained significant attention recently due to their growing demand in electronic skin, wearable electronic devices, and aerospace applications. The practical implementation of these elastomers necessitates many exceptional properties to ensure robust and safe utilization. However, achieving an optimal balance between high mechanical strength, good self-healing at moderate temperatures, and efficient flame retardancy for poly(urethane-urea) elastomers remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we incorporated metal coordination bonds and flame-retarding phosphinate groups into the design of poly(urethane-urea) simultaneously, resulting in a high-strength, self-healing, and flame-retardant elastomer, termed PNPU-2%Zn. Additional supramolecular cross-links and plasticizing effects of phosphinate-endowed PUUEs with relatively remarkable tensile strength (20.9 MPa), high elastic modulus (10.8 MPa), and exceptional self-healing efficiency (above 97%). Besides, PNPU-2%Zn possessed self-extinguishing characteristics with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 26.5%. Such an elastomer with superior properties can resist both mechanical fracture and fire hazards, providing insights into the development of robust and high-performance components for applications in wearable electronic devices.