The role of mitochondrial DNA copy number in cardiometabolic disease: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: This study used a bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization study to investigate the potential causal links between mtDNA copy number and cardiometabolic disease (obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, type 2 diabetes [T2DM], coronary artery disease [CAD], stroke, ischemic stroke, and heart failure). METHODS: Genetic associations with mtDNA copy number were obtained from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from the UK biobank (n = 395,718) and cardio-metabolic disease were from largest available GWAS summary statistics. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was conducted, with weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO as sensitivity analyses. We repeated this in the opposite direction using instruments for cardio-metabolic disease. RESULTS: Genetically predicted mtDNA copy number was not associated with risk of obesity (P = 0.148), hypertension (P = 0.515), dyslipidemia (P = 0.684), T2DM (P = 0.631), CAD (P = 0.199), stroke (P = 0.314), ischemic stroke (P = 0.633), and heart failure (P = 0.708). Regarding the reverse directions, we only found that genetically predicted dyslipidemia was associated with decreased levels of mtDNA copy number in the IVW analysis (ß= - 0.060, 95% CI - 0.044 to - 0.076; P = 2.416e-14) and there was suggestive of evidence for a potential causal association between CAD and mtDNA copy number (ß= - 0.021, 95% CI - 0.003 to - 0.039; P = 0.025). Sensitivity and replication analyses showed the stable findings. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this Mendelian randomization study did not support a causal effect of mtDNA copy number in the development of cardiometabolic disease, but found dyslipidemia and CAD can lead to reduced mtDNA copy number. These findings have implications for mtDNA copy number as a biomarker of dyslipidemia and CAD in clinical practice.

Neuroprotective properties of the Lilium brownii extracts in the experimental model of Parkinson's disease.

Lilium brownii (L. brownii) is a plant that can be used for both medicine and food. Its bulbs are commonly used to treat neurological disorders like depression, insomnia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanism by which it treats PD is not yet fully understood. This study aims to investigate the possible mechanism of L. brownii extract in treating PD and to compare the efficacy of ethanol and aqueous extracts of L. brownii. In this study, mice with PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP) were given L. brownii extracts for 30 days, and the effects of both extracts were then evaluated. Our study demonstrated that both extracts of L. brownii effectively improved motor dysfunction in PD mice induced by MPTP. Additionally, they increased the number of neurons in the substantia nigra region of the mice. Moreover, both extracts reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferrous ion (Fe2+), while increasing levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum. They also influenced the expression of proteins associated with the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Interestingly, while both extracts had similar behavioral effects, the ethanol extract appeared to have a more significant impact on individual proteins in the p62-Keap1-Nrf2 pathway compared to the aqueous extract, possibly due to its higher phenolic acid glyceride content. In conclusion, L. brownii shows promise as an effective and safe treatment for PD.

Associations of 24-hour movement behaviors with emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents.

PURPOSE: The role of adherence to the recommendations for 24-hour movement behaviors (24-HMB), including physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep duration (SLP), in relation to emotional and behavioral problems in Chinese adolescents remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate these associations and explore potential sex differences. METHODS: This school-based cross-sectional study included 15,071 Chinese adolescents with a mean age of 14.53 (SD: 1.65) years. Data on emotional and behavioral problems and 24-HMB (including PA, ST, and SLP) were collected. Analysis was performed using general linear mixed models, with additional sex-stratified analyses conducted. RESULTS: The number of 24-HMB recommendations met was negatively associated with total difficulties (ß estimate=-0.96, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.85) and positively related to prosocial behavior (ß estimate = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.46) among adolescents. Compared with none of the recommendations met, meeting all recommendations (total difficulties: ß estimate=-2.98, 95% CI: -3.41 to -2.55; prosocial behaviors: ß estimate = 1.05, 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.24) demonstrated the strongest association with both difficulties and prosocial behaviors, followed by meeting recommendations for PA + ST (total difficulties: ß estimate=-2.15, 95% CI: -2.41 to -1.90; prosocial behaviors: ß estimate = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.09). These associations were consistently significant in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Adherence to more 24-HMB recommendations, particularly meeting all recommendations or combined PA + ST recommendations, could improve emotional and behavioral well-being among adolescent girls and boys. The significance of balanced movement behaviors for promoting adolescent mental health merits increased attention.

Two New Isospirostanol-Type Saponins from the Bulbs of Lilium Brownii and Their Anti-Hepatocarcinogenic Activity.

Bulbs of Lilium brownii, commonly known as "Bai-he" in China, serve both edible and medicinal purposes in clinical practice. In this study, two new isospirostanol-type saponins were isolated from L. brownii, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic method, and absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectral data obtained from combined acid hydrolysis. Two compounds were finally identified as 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-ß-D-glucopyranoside]-(22R,25R)-5α-spirosolane-3ß-ol (1) and 3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-ß-D-glucopyranoside}-(22R,25R)-5α-spirosolane-3ß-ol (2), respectively. Further, we found that compound 2 significantly suppressed the proliferation of SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells with IC50 values of 26.3±1.08 µM and 30.9±1.59 µM, whereas compound 1 didn't inhibit both of the two hepatocellular carcinoma. Subsequently, compound 2 effectively decreased the levels of interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α and the expression of Bcl-2, and increased the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 proteins. Which indicated that the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of compound 2 involves reducing the level of inflammation and inducing apoptosis.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a segmented alternating shift pattern based on wearable vital signs monitoring devices during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of an alternating shift pattern in two-hour segments in the state of emergency management of public health events. METHODS: A cross-sectional research design was conducted in our study. The nursing staff working in the admission ward of suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 in December 2022 were selected as subjects by the whole-group sampling method. We adopted a shift pattern of alternating shifts every two-hour in the isolation wards. The vital signs parameters were captured by uniformly wearing the multi-signs sensing devices, and the questionnaires collected the symptoms. RESULTS: Sixty-seven female participants, with a mean age of 33.09 ± 5.96 years, were included in this study. Measurements of body temperature (T), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), and heart rate (HR) while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) all remained within normal limits. None of the nurses reported sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, or dyspnea. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the critical care group and the non-critical care group in terms of age (P = 0.041), working duration (P = 0.036), and the total number of entries into isolation areas for nursing care (rounds) (P = 0.007). However, there were no statistically significant differences in vital signs based on age, work duration, or body mass index (BMI). The data indicated a notable increase in body temperature compared to other vital sign parameters with increasing work time while wearing PPE. Body temperature approached the upper limit when working close to 2 h long. CONCLUSIONS: The alternating shift pattern in two-hour segments can effectively maintain the physical well-being of nurses wearing PPE without increasing the burden on nursing staff or the wastage of protective materials. This approach is recommended for addressing similar public health events in the future.

Genetic and enzymatic characterization of two novel blaNDM-36, -37 variants in Escherichia coli strains.

The widespread of different NDM variants in clinical Enterobacterales isolates poses a serious public health concern, which requires continuous monitoring. In this study, three E. coli strains carrying two novel blaNDM variants of blaNDM-36, -37 were identified from a patient with refractory urinary tract infection (UTI) in China. We conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), enzyme kinetics analysis, conjugation experiment, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and bioinformatics analysis to characterize the blaNDM-36, -37 enzymes and their carrying strains. The blaNDM-36, -37 harboring E. coli isolates belonged to ST227, O9:H10 serotype and exhibited intermediate or resistance to all ß-lactams tested except aztreonam and aztreonam/avibactam. The genes of blaNDM-36, -37 were located on a conjugative IncHI2-type plasmid. NDM-37 differed from NDM-5 by a single amino acid substitution (His261Tyr). NDM-36 differed from NDM-37 by an additional missense mutation (Ala233Val). NDM-36 had increased hydrolytic activity toward ampicillin and cefotaxime relative to NDM-37 and NDM-5, while NDM-37 and NDM-36 had lower catalytic activity toward imipenem but higher activity against meropenem in comparison to NDM-5. This is the first report of co-occurrence of two novel blaNDM variants in E. coli isolated from the same patient. The work provides insights into the enzymatic function and demonstrates the ongoing evolution of NDM enzymes.

Synthesis and Study of Crown Ether-Appended Tetraplatinum(II) Macrocylic Chemosensors for Cation Detection.

Two new functionalized platinum(II) rectangles, Pt1 and Pt2, were designed and synthesized from phenanthro crown ether- and biphenyl polyether-bridged bicarboxylate ligands, respectively. The fluorescence titration study of rectangles Pt1 and Pt2 with alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal cations indicated that Pt1 can selectively recognize Na+, while Pt2 has selective binding ability for Mg2+. These selectivity findings suggest that the comparative size and conformational nature of the polyether receptor cavity have a crucial influence on the cation selection.

Structural Change and Radical Generation of a Cadmium-Based Metal-Organic Framework Induced by an Electric Field.

Herein we report the structural change and radical generation of a cadmium-based metal-organic framework (Cd-MOF) induced by external electric fields. Under a weaker single electric field, different coordination modes of Cd-L lead to 3D → 2D structural change. Under stronger superposed electric fields, Cd-MOF was excited to produce a stable free radical. This study will provide a new avenue for the controlled assembly of MOFs.

Emergency Nursing Based on PEWS can Improve the Condition of Children with Acute Asthma.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of emergency nursing interventions, specifically those based on the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS), on children diagnosed with acute asthma, to promote the recovery of children with asthma and improve the quality of care for children with asthma. Methods: A total of 80 children, Acute asthma attacks under the age of 12, diagnosed with acute asthma and admitted to the Emergency Department of Hebei Children's Hospital between June 2018 and June 2019 were selected as participants for this study. They were randomly assigned to either the control group or the PEWS group. There was no significant statistical difference in age, gender, course of disease, and disease severity between the two groups of children. In the control group, children received standard emergency nursing interventions, while in the PEWS group, children received emergency nursing interventions based on the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS). To evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions, several outcome measures were compared between the two groups. This included assessing the duration for symptoms to disappear, analyzing pulmonary function indicators and respiratory dynamics indicators, measuring scores from the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), and evaluating nursing satisfaction. Results: Following the implementation of the nursing interventions, 1. The average cough disappearance time of children in the PEWS group was 1.97 days shorter than that in the control group, the average wheezing disappearance time was 0.97 days shorter, the average dyspnea disappearance time was 0.64 days shorter, and the average lung wheezing disappearance time was 1.19 days shorter, which indicated that emergency care based on PEWS shortened the duration of symptoms in children with asthma. 2. The average FEV1 of children in the PEWS group was 9.87% higher than the control group, the average FVC was 0.62L higher, the average PEF was 9.84% higher, the average V70 was 0.91% higher, the average V50 was 0.43% higher , and the average V25 was 0.37% higher, when compared with control group. These results indicates that emergency care based on PEWS enhances the lung function of children with asthma. 3. The average respiratory rate of children in the PEWS group was 8.05 times/min lower, and the average dynamic respiratory system compliance was 6.91 mL/cmH2O higher, than that in the control group, which indicated that emergency care based on PEWS improved respiratory dynamics indicators in children with asthma. 4. The average PAQLQ symptom dimension score of children in the PEWS group was 0.84 points higher, the average activity dimension score was 0.34 points higher, and the average emotional dimension score was 0.47 points higher when compared with the control group. This indicated that emergency care based on PEWS improves the quality of life of children with asthma. 5. The nursing satisfaction of children in the PEWS group was 95%, higher than 72.5% in the control group, indicating that emergency care based on PEWS improved the satisfaction of asthma children with the nursing process. Conclusion: The implementation of PEWS based emergency care in pediatric asthma patients has important clinical significance in promoting recovery and improving the quality of care for asthma patients. The implementation of emergency nursing interventions based on the Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) for children with acute asthma has been found to be effective in promoting the recovery of their condition, enhancing their quality of life, and improving nursing satisfaction.

[Fe2S2-Agx]-Hydrogenase Active-Site-Containing Coordination Polymers and Their Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Reaction Properties.

Three [Fe2S2-Agx]-hydrogenase active-site-containing coordination polymers (CPs), {[Fe2S2-Ag1](4-cpmt)2(CO)6(ClO4-)}n (1), {[Fe2S2-Ag2](4-cpmt)2(CO)6(OTf-)2(benzene)}n (2), and {[Fe2S2-Ag2](3-cpmt)2(CO)6(ClO4-)2}n (3), were obtained by a direct synthesis method from ligands [FeFe](4-cpmt)2(CO)6 [L1; 4-cpmt = (4-cyanophenyl)methanethiolate] and [FeFe](3-cpmt)2(CO)6 [L2; 3-cpmt = (3-cyanophenyl)methanethiolate] with silver salts. 1-3 represent the first examples of [FeFe]-hydrogenase-based CPs. It was worth noting that the Ag-S bonding between the Ag centers and S atoms of a [Fe2S2] cluster produced a novel [Fe2S2-Agx] (x = 1 or 2) catalytic site in all three polymers. The results of photochemical H2 generation experiments indicated that 2 and 3 containing [Fe2S2-Ag2] active sites showed obviously improved catalytic performances compared with ligands L1 and L2 and [Fe2S2-Ag1]-containing 1. This work provides a pioneering strategy for the direct synthesis of [Fe2S2]-based CPs or metal-organic frameworks.

Monolayer Nanosheets Exfoliated from Cage-Based Cationic Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The rational design and preparation of monolayer metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets remain great challenges. Recently, we found that monolayer MOF nanosheets can be facially exfoliated on a large scale from pristine two-dimensional (2D) MOFs with substantially reduced interlaminar interaction. By employing cage-like bicyclocalix[2]arene[2]triazine tri-imidazole as the building block, a family of cationic two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (2D MOFs) with steric layer were designed and prepared. The single crystal structures have clearly identified that only very weak and sparse distributed C-H···π interaction exists between adjacent layers.On the basis of density functional theory calculation, the interlayer interaction of these cage-based cationic 2D MOFs was estimated to be 1/46th of that of graphite. Due to the extremely weak interaction, these cationic 2D MOFs tend to degenerate into an "amorphous" state after being soaked in other solvents; they can be readily exfoliated into 1.1 nm thick monolayer nanosheets with a high degree of thickness homogeneity, large lateral size, and significantly enlarged surface area. This work has identified that a cage-like molecule is the ideal building block for 2D cationic MOFs and ultrathin nanosheets; It was futher confirmed that weakening the interlaminar interaction is an effective strategy for facilely producing monolayer nanosheets.

Online risky behavior and sleep quality among Chinese college students: The chain mediating role of rumination and anxiety.

This study explored the chain mediating effects of rumination and anxiety in the relationship between online risky behavior and sleep quality among Chinese college students. A sample of 1039 Chinese college students (Mage = 19.49, SD = 1.14, 53.32% males) were investigated with Online Risky Behavior Scale (ORBS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The results showed that: (1) There is a significant positive correlation among online risky behavior, sleep quality, rumination and anxiety, and (2) Online risky behavior could not directly affect sleep quality, but it can affect sleep quality through the mediation of rumination and anxiety. The chain mediating effects includes three paths: The mediating role of rumination, the mediating role of anxiety, and the chain mediating role of rumination and anxiety after controlling for gender, grade, major, and network usage time. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how online risky behavior affects sleep quality and provide important practical guidance for improving sleep quality.

Dose-response association of the ZJU index and fatty liver disease risk: A large cohort in China.

AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the sex-specific association between the ZJU index and risk of fatty liver disease in a large Chinese cohort. METHODS: A total of 28 729 adults without fatty liver disease at baseline and who completed at least one follow-up of annual examinations between 2009 and 2016 were included in this study. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for fatty liver disease risk associated with the ZJU index. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.01 years, 7373 developed fatty liver disease. There were significant associations between the ZJU index and fatty liver disease for women and men with increasing HRs as the quartiles increase across Q2-Q4, corresponding HRs (95% CIs) in M3 were 2.28 (1.98-2.64), 3.52 (3.07-4.04), and 4.87 (4.24-5.59) for women and 2.44 (2.17-2.75), 4.18 (3.73-4.68), and 6.23 (5.56-6.98) for men. The association between the ZJU index and fatty liver disease risk remained significant in all the subgroups except that of T2DM and abdominal obesity subgroups for men. However, the association became nonsignificant when comparing Q3 and Q2 of the ZJU index with reference in the subgroups of T2DM for men, and nonsignificant when comparing Q3 of the ZJU index with reference in the subgroups of participants with T2DM and abdominal obesity for women. CONCLUSION: The ZJU index was significantly associated with the risk of fatty liver disease in Chinese population. It will be better to keep body mass index, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose at a normal level for preventing fatty liver disease.

Association between blood urea nitrogen and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population: a cohort study.

To examine the association between blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among Chinese adults, we performed an ongoing cohort study of 38578 Chinese adults (56.3% males; average age, 41.6 y) who underwent repeated health check-up examinations between 2009 and 2016 and without T2DM at baseline. During follow-up, incident T2DM cases were identified based on self-report, medication use, measurements of fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post oral glucose, or haemoglobinA1c. 2009 (5.2%) cases confirmed with incident T2DM were identified during median follow-up of 3.1 years. With increasing quartiles of BUN levels, the incidences of T2DM gradually increased with 0.69%, 1.11%, 1.53%, and 1.87% for quartile 1 to quartile 4 (p trend <0.001). Compared with quartile 1, the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and its 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for T2DM risk were 1.16 (0.97-1.38) for quartile 2, 1.28 (1.07-1.51) for quartile 3, and 1.28 (1.08-1.52) for quartile 4 (p trend = 0.005). HR for per each standard deviation increase in BUN level was 1.10 (1.04-1.16) (p trend <0.001). This association tended to be more pronounced in those with a lower body mass index at baseline (p-interaction <0.001). Our results suggested that BUN levels were positively associated with incident T2DM risk among Chinese adults. Future prospective investigations in other populations are necessary to confirm our findings.

Specific Activation In Vivo of HIV-1 by a Bromodomain Inhibitor from Monocytic Cells in Humanized Mice under Antiretroviral Therapy.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) effectively suppresses HIV-1 replication and enables HIV­infected individuals to live long, productive lives. However, the persistence of HIV-1 reservoirs of both T and myeloid cells with latent or low-replicating HIV-1 in patients under cART makes HIV-1 infection an incurable disease. Recent studies have focused on the development of strategies to activate and purge these reservoirs. Bromodomain and extraterminal domain proteins (BETs) are epigenetic readers involved in modulating gene expression. Several bromodomain inhibitors (BETi) are reported to activate viral transcription in vitro in HIV-1 latency cell lines in a P-TEFb (CDK9/cyclin T1)-dependent manner. Little is known about BETi efficacy in activating HIV-1 reservoir cells under cART in vivo Here we report that a BETi (I-BET151) efficiently activated HIV-1 reservoirs under effective cART in humanized mice in vivo Interestingly, I-BET151 during suppressive cART in vivo activated HIV-1 gene expression only in monocytic cells and not in CD4+ T cells. We further demonstrate that BETi preferentially enhanced HIV-1 gene expression in monocytic cells rather than in T cells and that whereas CDK9 was involved in activating HIV-1 by I-BET151 in both monocytic and T cells, CDK2 enhanced HIV-1 transcription in monocytic cells but inhibited it in T cells. Our findings reveal a role for CDK2 in differential modulation of HIV-1 gene expression in myeloid cells and in T cells and provide a novel strategy to reactivate monocytic reservoirs with BETi during cART.IMPORTANCE Bromodomain inhibitors have been reported to activate HIV-1 transcription in vitro, but their effect on activation of HIV-1 reservoirs during cART in vivo is unclear. We found that BETi (I-BET151) treatment reactivated HIV-1 gene expression in humanized mice during suppressive cART. Interestingly, I-BET151 preferentially reactivated HIV-1 gene expression in monocytic cells, but not in CD4 T cells, in cART-treated mice. Furthermore, I-BET151 significantly increased HIV-1 transcription in monocytic cells, but not in HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells, via CDK2-dependent mechanisms. Our findings suggest that BETi can preferentially activate monocytic HIV-1 reservoir cells and that a combination of reservoir activation agents targeting different cell types and pathways is needed to achieve reactivation of different HIV-1 reservoir cells during cART.

Baseline serum albumin and its dynamic change is associated with type 2 diabetes risk: A large cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the associations of baseline serum albumin level and its dynamic change with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk in a large Chinese cohort study. METHODS: This cohort study included 30 442 adults without T2DM at first entry, who completed at least one follow-up of annual examinations between 2009 and 2016. Serum albumin level was measured at baseline and at every annual check-up. The dynamic change in serum albumin level (∆ALB) was calculated by subtracting serum albumin level at baseline from that at the last follow-up. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with Cox regression models. RESULTS: During 7 years of follow-up, we identified 1634 T2DM events. From the lowest to the highest quartile of serum albumin level, adjusted HRs (95% CI) were 1.00 (reference), 0.96 (0.94, 1.01), 0.98 (0.95, 1.02) and 0.88 (0.85, 0.98), respectively. As compared with stable change in serum albumin (-0.2 ≤ ∆ALB <1.0 g/L), the risk of T2DM increased for ∆ALB < -2.0 g/L (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.24-1.68) and decreased for ∆ALB ≥3.0 g/L (0.81, 0.68-0.97) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Restricted cubic splines showed a linear dose-response association between baseline serum albumin level and T2DM risk (Pnonlinearity 0.715) and a nonlinear dose-response association between ∆ALB and T2DM risk (Pnonlinearity 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline serum albumin level appears to be inversely associated with T2DM risk. Adults with reduced serum albumin level could be early identified for diabetes risk in clinical practice.

Photochromic Rhenium-Based Molecular Rectangles: Syntheses, Structures, Photophysical Properties, and Electrochemistry.

Two novel fac-Re(CO)3-based rectangles {[(CO)3Re(µ-Cl)2Re(CO)3]2(µ-L)2} (1) and {[(CO)3Re(µ-OC4H9)2Re(CO)3]2(µ-L)2}(2) based on new photochromic dithienylethene-containing ligand 2,7-di(pyridin-4-yl)-9,10-bis(5-chloro-2-methylthien-3-yl)-phenanthrene (L) were prepared. They displayed varying photochromic properties both in solution and in the single-crystal state. Through a judicious choice of the bridging ligands along the short sides of the rectangles, the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the complexes could also be readily tuned.

Non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae bacteraemia in mainland China from 2005 to 2019: clinical, epidemiological and genetic characteristics.

In mainland China, the clinical, epidemiological and genetic features of non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) bacteraemia have been scarcely investigated. Herein, we describe a patient with NOVC bacteraemia diagnosed in our hospital and present a retrospective analysis of literature reports of 32 other cases in China, detailing the clinical epidemiology, antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of isolates. Most patients were male (84.8%; median age, 53 years) and had predisposing factors, such as cirrhosis, malignant tumours, blood diseases and diabetes. In addition to fever, gastroenteritis was the most frequent presenting symptom. The mortality rate during hospitalisation was 12.1%. NOVC bacteraemia cases were more common in June-August, with the majority in coastal provinces and the Yangtze River basin. Only 42.4% of cases were attributed to consumption of marine (aquatic) products. Tetracycline, third-generation cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones were the most effective antimicrobial agents, and the highest frequencies of resistance were recorded for ampicillin/sulbactam (37.5%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (33.3%), ampicillin (29.2%) and sulfamethoxazole (20%). Multi-drug resistant isolates were not detected. Limited data indicate that ctxAB and tcpA genes were absent in all NOVC isolates but other putative virulence genes (hlyA, toxR, hap and rtxA) were common. Ten multilocus sequence types were identified with marked genetic heterogeneity between different isolates. As clinical manifestations of NOVC bacteraemia may vary widely, and isolates exhibit genetic diversity, clinicians and public health experts should be alerted to the possibility of infection with this pathogen because of the high prevalence of liver disease in China.

LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio discordance with lipid parameters and carotid intima-media thickness: a cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: The discordance of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) ratio with alterative lipid parameters may explain the inconsistent association of CIMT with the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the associations between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio discordance with alternative lipid parameters and elevated carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) risk in a large cohort in Beijing, China. METHODS: In total, 13,612 adults who didn't have elevated CIMT at baseline and who participated in at least one follow-up of annual examination between 2009 and 2016 were included in this cohort study. A multivariable Cox regression model was utilized to evaluate the associations of discordance of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with TC, TGs, LDL-C and HDL-C with elevated CIMT risk. RESULTS: During 37,999 person-years of follow-up, 2004 individuals (1274 men and 730 women) developed elevated CIMT. Among individuals with normal TC and TGs, 16.6 and 15.2% individuals had a discordantly high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, respectively, and the risk of elevated CIMT increased by 1.54 (95% CI 1.33, 1.77) and 1.53 (95% CI 1.33, 1.76), respectively, comparing to individuals with a concordantly low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. A high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio could significantly increase elevated CIMT risk regardless of discordance/concordance with LDL-C and HDL-C (P < 0.001). A low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with discordantly normal HDL-C and high LDL-C (13.2% of individuals) had a 32% (HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.11, 1.57) higher risk of elevated CIMT than concordantly low LDL-C and normal HDL-C. Sensitivity analysis by excluding CIMT developed in the first 2 years follow-up further confirmed the above results. CONCLUSIONS: A high LDL-C/HDL-C ratio could significantly increase elevated CIMT risk regardless of discordance/concordance with TC, TGs, LDL-C and HDL-C Even a low LDL-C/HDL-C ratio with discordantly high LDL-C and normal HDL-C could also significantly increase CIMT risk. Individuals should maintain both the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C at normal levels to prevent elevated CIMT.

Concomitant Use of Tetrathiafulvalene and 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane within the Skeletons of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Structures, Magnetism, and Electrochemistry.

In search of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), redox-active donors and acceptors, namely, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), were concomitantly used as skeletal components with diamagnetic metal nodes (Cd and Zn) to construct unique framework materials. Six isostructural frameworks were synthesized by diffusion of metal salts, TTF(py)4, and either paramagnetic Li(TCNQ) or diamagnetic H2TCNQ. They were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, and their physical properties were studied, including two postsynthetic modifications involving crystal-to-crystal transformations following a solid-solution reaction with I2. The highly colored crystals of two isostructural Zn and Cd frameworks contain undulating Cd-TTF(py)4 layers entwined with TCNQ in a chicken-wire net as part of the skeleton of the MOF as well as TCNQ intercalated within the channels, while nitrate anions are occluded within the cavities formed by the pyridine moieties. Reaction with I2 replaces each intercalated TCNQ•- within the channels with I3-. The optical properties and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra indicate the presence of only radical TCNQ•- in the parent compounds, while the magnetic susceptibilities enabled an estimation of the amount of TCNQ•- ( S = 1/2) leading to almost paramagnetic behavior. Solid-state electrochemistry provides evidence of several one-electron redox states corresponding to the electroactive cores.