Silver-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Nitrooxylation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids.

Here, we present a silver-catalyzed decarboxylative nitrooxylation via a radical-based approach. The substrate scope of this reaction prototype extends to nonactivated primary and secondary carboxylic acids. This protocol provides a practical method for the synthesis of an unprecedented family of organic nitrates and exhibits wide functional group compatibility. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that a high-valent silver(II) nitrate complex is a versatile NO3 resource pool, allowing for facile C-O bond formation.

Serum levels of vitamin B12 combined with folate and plasma total homocysteine predict ischemic stroke disease: a retrospective case-control study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify and quantify the association and investigate whether serum vitamin B12 alone or vitamin B12 combined with folate and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels could be used to predict the risk of acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. It included 259 inpatients experiencing their first-ever acute ischemic stroke and 259 age-matched, sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were categorized into groups based on the etiology of their stroke: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAAS, n = 126), cardio embolism (CEI, n = 35), small vessel disease (SVD, n = 89), stroke of other determined etiology (ODE, n = 5), and stroke of undetermined etiology (UDE, n = 4). The associations of serum vitamin B12, folate, and plasma tHcy levels with the risk of ischemic stroke were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the diagnostic power of vitamin B12, folate, and tHcy levels for ischemic stroke. RESULTS: Serum vitamin B12 and folate levels were significantly lower in ischemic stroke patients compared to controls, while plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher. The first quartile of serum vitamin B12 levels was significantly associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 2.289, 95% CI = 1.098-4.770), SVD (aOR = 4.471, 95% CI = 1.110-4.945) and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 3.216, 95% CI = 1.733-5.966). Similarly, the first quartile of serum folate levels was associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 3.480, 95% CI = 1.954-6.449), CEI (aOR = 2.809, 95% CI = 1.073-4.991), SVD (aOR = 5.376, 95% CI = 1.708-6.924), and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 3.381, 95% CI = 1.535-7.449). The fourth quartile of tHcy levels was also significantly associated with an increased risk of LAAS (aOR = 2.946, 95% CI = 1.008-5.148), CEI (aOR = 2.212, 95% CI = 1.247-5.946), SVD (aOR = 2.957, 95% CI = 1.324-6.054), and overall ischemic stroke (aOR = 2.233, 95% CI = 1.586-4.592). For predicting different types of ischemic stroke, vitamin B12 alone demonstrated the best diagnostic value for SVD, evidenced by a sensitivity of 71.0% and negative predictive value of 90.3%, along with the highest positive likelihood ratio (+ LR) for SVD. Vitamin B12 + tHcy + folate are valuable in predicting different types of ischemic stroke, with the most significant effect observed in SVD, followed by LAAS, and the weakest predictive effect in CEI. Additionally, vitamin B12 alone in combination with other indicators, such as folate alone, tHcy alone, and folate + tHcy could reduce negative likelihood ratio (-LR) and improve + LR. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 was an independent risk factor for acute ischemic stroke. The risk calculation model constructed with vitamin B12 + tHcy + folate had the greatest diagnostic value for SVD.

Electrochemical Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling with Nucleophiles.

Decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions are powerful tools for carbon-heteroatom bonds formation, but typically require pre-activated carboxylic acids as substrates or heteroelectrophiles as functional groups. Herein, we present an electrochemical decarboxylative cross-coupling of carboxylic acids with structurally diverse fluorine, alcohol, H2O, acid, and amine as nucleophiles. This strategy takes advantage of the ready availability of these building blocks from commercial libraries, as well as the mild and oxidant-free conditions provided by electrochemical system. This reaction demonstrates good functional-group tolerance and its utility in late-stage functionalization.

Aerodynamic evaluation of surgical design for the stenosis correction of airway.

Introduction: Congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is a rare but life-threatening disease that can lead to respiratory dysfunction in children. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children is characterized by prolonged partial upper airway obstruction and/or intermittent complete obstruction. Both of the diseases require surgical intervention. Although respective treatments of these two diseases are clear, there is a lack of literature discussing the surgical treatment of patients with CTS complicated by OSAS. Methods: We conducted a patient-specific study of patient with CTS complicated by OSAS. Computer-aided design was used to simulate surgical correction under different surgical sequences. Computational fluid dynamics was used to compare the outcomes of different sequences. Results: Aerodynamic parameters, pressure drop, velocity streamlines, wall shear stress (WSS), and the ratio of airflow distribution and energy loss rate were evaluated. An obvious interaction was found between the two diseases in different surgical sequences. The order of correction for CTS or OSAS greatly affected the aerodynamic parameters and turbulence flows downstream of tracheal stenosis and upstream of epiglottis. The CTS and OSAS had mutual influences on each other on the aerodynamic parameters, such as pressure drops and WSS. Discussion: When evaluating the priority of surgical urgency of CTS and OSAS, surgeons need to pay attention to the state of both CTS and OSAS and the physiological conditions of patients. The aerodynamic performance of the uneven airflow distribution and the potential impact caused by the correction of CTS should be considered in surgical planning and clinical management.

Sigmoidal relationship between liver fat content and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Chinese adults.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between liver fat content (LFC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and determine the new threshold of LFC to diagnose NAFLD. METHODS: The data from questionnaire survey, general physical examination, laboratory examination, and image examination were collected. Multivariate regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect analysis were performed using the R software to investigate the relationship between LFC and NAFLD and to identify the new threshold of LFC to diagnose NAFLD. RESULTS: The prevalence of NAFLD was 30.42%, with a significantly higher prevalence in men than in women. Regression analyses demonstrated that LFC odds ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.24-1.31) in fully-adjust model. Analysis of the LFC quartile, with Q1 as a reference, revealed that the odds ratios of NAFLD were 1.47 (95% CI: 1.08-1.99), 2.29 (95% CI: 1.72-3.06), and 10.02 (95% CI: 7.45-13.47) for Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups, respectively. Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis displayed a nonlinear relationship between LFC and NAFLD, and the threshold was 4.5%. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that when LFC was 4.5%, the area under curve (95% CI) was 0.80 (0.79-0.82), and the sensitivity and specificity of LFC in diagnosing NAFLD were 0.64% and 0.82%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The relationship between LFC and NAFLD was sigmoidal, with an inflection point of 4.5%.

Hemodynamic-based virtual surgery design of double-patch repair for pulmonary arterioplasty in tetralogy of Fallot.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Surgical correction of pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) is essential to the prognosis of patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The double-patch method of pulmonary arterioplasty is usually applied in case of multiple stenosis in TOF patients' pulmonary artery (PA) and when PAS cannot be relieved by the single-patch method. The surgical planning for the double-patch design remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to investigate the double-patch design with different angulations between the left pulmonary artery (LPA) and the right pulmonary artery (RPA), and to understand postoperative hemodynamic alterations by the application of computer-aided design (CAD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. METHODS: The three-dimensional model of the PA was reconstructed based on preoperative computed tomography imaging data obtained from the patient with TOF. Three postoperative models with different designs of double-patch were created by "virtual surgery" using the CAD technique. Double-Patch 120 Model was created with double patches implanted in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) and the PA bifurcation and without changing the spatial position of PA. The angulation between the LPA and the RPA was defined as θ, which equaled to 120° in Pre-Operative Model and Double-Patch 120 Model. Based on Double-Patch 120 Model, Double-Patch 110 Model and Double-Patch 130 Model were generated with θ equaled to 110° and 130°, respectively. Combined with CFD, the differences of velocity streamlines, wall shear stress (WSS), flow distribution ratio (FDR), and energy loss (EL) were compared to analyze postoperative pulmonary flow characteristics. RESULTS: The values of velocity and WSS decreased significantly after virtual surgery. Obvious vortices and swirling flows were observed downstream of the stenosis of RPA and LPA in Pre-Operative Model, while fewer vortices developed along the anterior wall of the expanded lumens of RPA, especially in Double-Patch 110 Model. With the relief of PAS, two relatively higher WSS regions were observed at the posterior walls of RPA and LPA. The maximum WSS values in these regions of Double-Patch 110 Model were lower than those in Double-Patch 120 Model and Double-Patch 130 Model. Furthermore, the FDRs were elevated and the ELs were greatly reduced. It was found that Double-Patch 110 Model with the angulation between the LPA and the RPA equaled to 110° showed relatively better properties of hemodynamics than other models. CONCLUSIONS: The angulation between the LPA and the RPA is an important factor that should be integrated in the double-patch design for TOF repair. Virtual surgery based on patient-specific vascular model and computational hemodynamics can be used to provide assistance for individualized surgical planning of double-patch arterioplasty.

Association Between Circulating Zinc Levels and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome: Insights from a Bi-directional Mendelian Randomization Analysis and Cross-Sectional Study.

Previous studies on the relationship between zinc and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have yielded inconsistent results. This comprehensive study aimed to elaborately explore the impact of zinc on MetS risk factors. The bi-directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed to estimate the causal relationship between zinc and MetS risk factors. Additionally, a retrospective cross-sectional study incorporated 4389 subjects to provide a broader perspective in conjunction with the MR analyses. In the MR analyses, genetically instrumented zinc was positively associated with five of the MetS components in Europeans, including BMI, FBG, HbA1c, TC, and LDL-c (ß (95%CI) = 0.023 (0.019-0.027), 0.019 (0.013-0.025), 0.041 (0.022-0.060), 0.027 (0.013-0.042), and 0.018 (0.010-0.026), respectively). In the cross-sectional study, higher concentration of zinc was strongly associated with increased BMI, LDL-c, and UA (ß (95%CI) = 0.040 (0.010-0.085), 0.026 (0.018-0.035), and 1.529 (0.614-2.445), respectively). Moreover, these unfavorable associations were more obvious in women compared to men, with a borderline significant interaction effect for BMI (P=0.051). Our study showed that higher blood concentration of zinc, an essential trace element, was associated with unfavorable changes of the component metabolic risk factors of MetS, especially with BMI and LDL-c. Notably, these associations seemed to be more pronounced in women rather than in men. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of zinc status in the underlying mechanisms of MetS.

Effect of low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on arterial stiffness in older patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes / Efecto de una sal baja en sodio aplicada a la dieta china DASH modificada sobre la rigidez arterial en pacientes mayores con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2

Background and purpose: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has multifunctional health benefits. We evaluated theeffects of low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on arterial stiffness in older patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.Methods: sixty-one older adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to low sodium salt group (n = 31) or normalsodium salt group (n = 30). They were given the Chinese modified DASH diet plus low-sodium salt (52 % sodium chloride) or same diet plusregular salt (99 % sodium chloride) for eight weeks, respectively. Brachial and ankle pulse wave conduction velocity, ankle brachial index andatherosclerosis-related indices were measured at baseline and week 8. In addition, 24-hour urine and blood samples were measured at baseline,the 4th week and the end of the intervention.Results: as compared with the baseline, the low sodium salt group significantly decreased in ankle brachial index (-0.09 ± 0.11, p < 0.001)and brachial and ankle pulse wave conduction velocity (-133.07 ± 265.99 cm/s, p = 0.010) at week 8 while the normal sodium salt group onlydecreased significantly in ankle brachial index (-0.06 ± 0.12, p = 0.010) at week 8.Conclusion: the low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet may improve arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension and type 2diabetes. Further research with an extended follow-up is needed. (AU)

Antecedentes y propósito: la dieta DASH (del inglés Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) tiene beneficios multifuncionales para la salud.Evaluamos los efectos de una sal baja en sodio aplicada a la versión modificada china de la dieta DASH sobre la rigidez arterial en pacientesmayores con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2.Métodos: sesenta y un adultos mayores con hipertensión arterial y diabetes tipo 2 fueron asignados al azar al grupo de sal baja en sodio (n= 31) o al grupo de sal con contenido normal de sodio (n = 30). Se les administró la versión china modificada de la dieta DASH más sal bajaen sodio (52 % de cloruro de sodio) o la misma dieta más sal con la cantidad normal de sodio (99 % cloruro de sodio) durante ocho semanas,respectivamente. Se midieron la velocidad de onda de pulso brazo-tobillo, el índice brazo-tobillo y los índices relacionados con la aterosclerosis alinicio del estudio y a la semana 8. Se recogieron muestras de orina y sangre de 24 horas al inicio, a la cuarta semana y al final de la intervención.Resultados: en comparación con el estado inicial, el grupo de sal baja en sodio disminuyó significativamente el índice brazo-tobillo (-0,09 ±0,11, p < 0,001) y la velocidad de onda de pulso brazo-tobillo (-133,07 ± 265,99 cm/s, p = 0,010) en la semana 8, mientras que el grupode sal con contenido normal de sodio solo disminuyó significativamente en el índice brazo-tobillo (-0,06 ± 0,12, p = 0,010) en la semana 8.Conclusión: la sal baja en sodio aplicada a la versión china modificada de la dieta DASH puede mejorar la rigidez arterial en pacientes conhipertensión y diabetes tipo 2. Se necesitan más investigaciones con un seguimiento prolongado. (AU)

Effect of 23 % low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on cerebrovascular function in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes: a pilot study / Efecto de la sal con un 23 % de sodio aplicada a la dieta china DASH modificada sobre la función cerebrovascular en pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2: un estudio piloto

Aim: to investigate the effects of low sodium formula salt combined with the Chinese Modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on cerebrovascular function in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Methods: an eight-week single-arm trial was conducted in 66 patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes to investigate effects of low sodium formula salt (potassium chloride 56 %, sodium chloride 23 %, 5 g/day) combined with Chinese Modified DASH diet on cerebrovascular function (measured by transcranial Doppler sonography), indicators of chronic diseases (blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids) and urinary excretion. The above indicators were performed before and after intervention. Results: fifty-nine subjects completed the study. Peak systolic velocity, mean flow velocity, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index of internal cerebral artery and vertebral artery decreased significantly (p < 0.05); pulsatility index and resistance index of anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery decreased significantly (p < 0.05); and end-diastolic velocity and pulsatility index of basilar artery decreasedsignificantly (p < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Blood pressure and blood glucose control rates increased significantly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: based on the study, 23 % low-sodium formula combined with CM-DASH diet pattern can improve cerebrovascular function in community patients with hypertension complicated with diabetes and has a good short-term benefit of blood pressure and glucose control. (AU)

Objetivo: investigar los efectos de una sal baja en sodio combinada con la versión china de la dieta DASH (del inglés Dietary Approaches to StopHypertension) modificada en la función cerebrovascular en pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: en 66 pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2 se llevó a cabo un ensayo de ocho semanas para investigar los efectos de la sal baja en sodio (cloruro de potasio 56 %, cloruro de sodio 23 %, 5 g/día) combinada con la dieta DASH en su versión china modificada en la función cerebrovascular (medido por sonografía Doppler transcraneal), los indicadores de enfermedades crónicas (presión arterial, glucosa sanguínea y lípidos sanguíneos) y la excreción urinaria. Los indicadores anteriores se midieron antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: cincuenta y nueve sujetos completaron el estudio. La velocidad sistólica máxima, la velocidad media del flujo, la velocidad diastólica final, el índice de pulsatilidad y el índice de resistencia de la arteria cerebral anterior y la arteria vertebral disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05); el índice de pulsatilidad y el índice de resistencia de la arteria cerebral anterior y la arteria media disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05); y la velocidad diastólica final y el índice de pulsatilidad de la arteria basilar disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05). La presión arterial sistémica, la presión arterial diastólica, la glucosa arterial en ayuno y la glucemia posprandial disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, p < 0,001, p < 0,001). La presión arterial y las tasas de control de glucosa en sangre aumentaron significativamente (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la fórmula de sal con un 23 % de sodio combinada con la dieta DASH en su versión china modificada puede mejorar la función cerebrovascular en pacientes comunitarios con hipertensión complicada por la diabetes y es beneficiosa a corto plazo para la presión arterial y el control de la glucosa. (AU)

The potential effect of salvianolic acid B against rat ischemic brain injury in combination with mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and Salvianolic acid B (SAB) are known to exert potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. But the effect of SAB and MSCs combination treatment on the cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) is not clear. METHODS: After the CI/RI animal model established, rats were administered with MSCs and SAB individually or combination treatment. To evaluate the therapeutic potential, behavioral tests, TTC staining, Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunofluorescence assays were performed to evaluate the neuroprotection and endogenous neurogenesis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed to evaluate the anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammatory effect. Meanwhile, the expression of the TLR4/NF-ĸB/MYD88 signal pathway-related proteins was evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: MSCs and SAB individually or combination treatment have protective effect in CI/RI rats. More importantly, the rats with the combination treatment showed a better behavioral recovery, neurogenesis and smaller infarct size compared with the rats administered with MSCs or SAB individually. Further research showed that the combination treatment decreased CI/RI induced inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, including inhibiting the production of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, the neuroprotection effect of SAB and MSCs combination was achieved through the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB/MyD88 signaling pathway related proteins, including inhibition the protein levels of TLR4, MYD88, p-NF-κB p65, TRAF6-and action of SIRT1 in brain tissues. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the MSCs and SAB combination treatment had better protective effect against rat ischemic brain injury. The combination of SAB and MSCs may provide a potent and promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke and is worthy for further development.

Serum iron fluctuations link ferroptosis process with mortality and prognosis of acute pancreatitis.

Recently, the existence of ferroptosis has been confirmed in chronic pancreatitis. However, its role in acute pancreatitis (AP) process, especially in critical status, has not yet been mentioned. To verify this hypothesis, we included 873 AP patients (training set) and 1,188 NAFLD patients (internal validation set) selected from MIMIC-III (Medical Information Mark for Intensive Care) database and 218 AP patients (external validation set) in Linshui County People's Hospital ICU data. We analyzed the correlation between mortality and ferroptosis associating factors (such as serum iron, ALP, lactate, etc.) in them through regression analysis. In addition, to test the significance of these factors, the nomogram, AUC, and DCA analysis were applied. The results showed that serum iron, IBC, ALP, and lactate (p < 0.05) were independent factors for the mortality and prognosis of these patients. These correlations suggest ferroptosis and follow-up cell programmed death may own an important clinical interference significance among this population.

Effect of 23 % low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on cerebrovascular function in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes: a pilot study.

Introduction: Aim: to investigate the effects of low sodium formula salt combined with the Chinese Modified Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on cerebrovascular function in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Methods: an eight-week single-arm trial was conducted in 66 patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes to investigate effects of low sodium formula salt (potassium chloride 56 %, sodium chloride 23 %, 5 g/day) combined with Chinese Modified DASH diet on cerebrovascular function (measured by transcranial Doppler sonography), indicators of chronic diseases (blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids) and urinary excretion. The above indicators were performed before and after intervention. Results: fifty-nine subjects completed the study. Peak systolic velocity, mean flow velocity, end-diastolic velocity, pulsatility index and resistance index of internal cerebral artery and vertebral artery decreased significantly (p < 0.05); pulsatility index and resistance index of anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery decreased significantly (p < 0.05); and end-diastolic velocity and pulsatility index of basilar artery decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Blood pressure and blood glucose control rates increased significantly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: based on the study, 23 % low-sodium formula combined with CM-DASH diet pattern can improve cerebrovascular function in community patients with hypertension complicated with diabetes and has a good short-term benefit of blood pressure and glucose control.

Introducción: Objetivo: investigar los efectos de una sal baja en sodio combinada con la versión china de la dieta DASH (del inglés Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) modificada en la función cerebrovascular en pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: en 66 pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2 se llevó a cabo un ensayo de ocho semanas para investigar los efectos de la sal baja en sodio (cloruro de potasio 56 %, cloruro de sodio 23 %, 5 g/día) combinada con la dieta DASH en su versión china modificada en la función cerebrovascular (medido por sonografía Doppler transcraneal), los indicadores de enfermedades crónicas (presión arterial, glucosa sanguínea y lípidos sanguíneos) y la excreción urinaria. Los indicadores anteriores se midieron antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: cincuenta y nueve sujetos completaron el estudio. La velocidad sistólica máxima, la velocidad media del flujo, la velocidad diastólica final, el índice de pulsatilidad y el índice de resistencia de la arteria cerebral anterior y la arteria vertebral disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05) ; el índice de pulsatilidad y el índice de resistencia de la arteria cerebral anterior y la arteria media disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05); y la velocidad diastólica final y el índice de pulsatilidad de la arteria basilar disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,05). La presión arterial sistémica, la presión arterial diastólica, la glucosa arterial en ayuno y la glucemia posprandial disminuyeron significativamente (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, p < 0,001, p < 0,001). La presión arterial y las tasas de control de glucosa en sangre aumentaron significativamente (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la fórmula de sal con un 23 % de sodio combinada con la dieta DASH en su versión china modificada puede mejorar la función cerebrovascular en pacientes comunitarios con hipertensión complicada por la diabetes y es beneficiosa a corto plazo para la presión arterial y el control de la glucosa.

Pyro-Phototronic Effect-Enhanced Photocurrent of a Self-Powered Photodetector Based on ZnO Nanofiber Arrays/BaTiO3 Films.

Self-powered photodetectors (PD) based on ferroelectric materials have gained huge attention because of the spontaneous polarization and unique photovoltaic effect. However, the low photocurrent values and switch ratio of the ferroelectric materials limit their further practical applications in a wide temperature range. In this study, the self-powered ZnO nanofiber array/BaTiO3 (ZnO-NFA/BTO) PD was fabricated by high-ordered ZnO-NFA via electrospinning method deposited on a 300 nm BTO film synthesized using sol-gel method. The electrospinning can prepare ZnO-NFAs with a controllable diameter (100 nm) and orientation and is directly deposited on the quartz at a large scale, which simplifies the fabrication process. This device possesses a greater on/off ratio of 2357 at zero bias than that of BTO PD (3.33) and the ZnO-NFA PD (125) at 0.2 V. The highest responsivity and specific detectivity are 1.41 mA W-1 and 1.48 × 109 Jones at 368 nm under 0 V bias, respectively, which is enhanced about three magnitudes than the pristine BTO PD (1.21 µA W-1 and 1.02 × 109 Jones). The photocurrent of the ZnO-NFA/BTO PD strongly depends on the temperature. After the cooling system and prepolarization processing are both introduced, the largest light current (475 nA) and photovoltaic plateaus (585 nA) are enhanced by about 4417 and 4278% under 368 nm at a power intensity of 4.46 mW cm-2 at 0 °C, respectively. The enhancement of photocurrent is associated with a ferro-pyro-phototronic effect, evidenced by enhanced ferroelectric polarization. The ZnO-NFA/BTO PD can detect weak signals at low power intensity with a wide temperature range of 0-100 °C under 0 V bias. The self-powered ZnO-NFA/BTO PD provides a new and promising way to fabricate high-performance and low-cost photodetectors from inorganic perovskite materials.

Effect of low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on arterial stiffness in older patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Background and purpose: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has multifunctional health benefits. We evaluated the effects of low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet on arterial stiffness in older patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Methods: sixty-one older adults with hypertension and type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to low sodium salt group (n = 31) or normal sodium salt group (n = 30). They were given the Chinese modified DASH diet plus low-sodium salt (52 % sodium chloride) or same diet plus regular salt (99 % sodium chloride) for eight weeks, respectively. Brachial and ankle pulse wave conduction velocity, ankle brachial index and atherosclerosis-related indices were measured at baseline and week 8. In addition, 24-hour urine and blood samples were measured at baseline, the 4th week and the end of the intervention. Results: as compared with the baseline, the low sodium salt group significantly decreased in ankle brachial index (-0.09 ± 0.11, p < 0.001) and brachial and ankle pulse wave conduction velocity (-133.07 ± 265.99 cm/s, p = 0.010) at week 8 while the normal sodium salt group only decreased significantly in ankle brachial index (-0.06 ± 0.12, p = 0.010) at week 8. Conclusion: the low-sodium salt applied to Chinese modified DASH diet may improve arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Further research with an extended follow-up is needed.

Introducción: Antecedentes y propósito: la dieta DASH (del inglés Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) tiene beneficios multifuncionales para la salud. Evaluamos los efectos de una sal baja en sodio aplicada a la versión modificada china de la dieta DASH sobre la rigidez arterial en pacientes mayores con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: sesenta y un adultos mayores con hipertensión arterial y diabetes tipo 2 fueron asignados al azar al grupo de sal baja en sodio (n = 31) o al grupo de sal con contenido normal de sodio (n = 30). Se les administró la versión china modificada de la dieta DASH más sal baja en sodio (52 % de cloruro de sodio) o la misma dieta más sal con la cantidad normal de sodio (99 % cloruro de sodio) durante ocho semanas, respectivamente. Se midieron la velocidad de onda de pulso brazo-tobillo, el índice brazo-tobillo y los índices relacionados con la aterosclerosis al inicio del estudio y a la semana 8. Se recogieron muestras de orina y sangre de 24 horas al inicio, a la cuarta semana y al final de la intervención. Resultados: en comparación con el estado inicial, el grupo de sal baja en sodio disminuyó significativamente el índice brazo-tobillo (-0,09 ± 0,11, p < 0,001) y la velocidad de onda de pulso brazo-tobillo (-133,07 ± 265,99 cm/s, p = 0,010) en la semana 8, mientras que el grupo de sal con contenido normal de sodio solo disminuyó significativamente en el índice brazo-tobillo (-0,06 ± 0,12, p = 0,010) en la semana 8. Conclusión: la sal baja en sodio aplicada a la versión china modificada de la dieta DASH puede mejorar la rigidez arterial en pacientes con hipertensión y diabetes tipo 2. Se necesitan más investigaciones con un seguimiento prolongado.

Production of virus-like particles of porcine circovirus 2 in baculovirus expression system and its application for antibody detection.

BACKGROUND: Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) is one of the pathogens that leads to a growing and persistent threat in pigs. Thus, the development of serological detection methods for PCV-2 is of great necessity for clinical diagnosis as well as epidemiological investigations. This study aimed to establish an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to examine antibodies against PCV-2 based on virus-like particles (VLPs). RESULTS: Recombinant PCV-2 Cap protein was expressed in the baculovirus-insect cells system and PCV-2 VLPs were observed over transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PCV-2 VLPs were shown to have good immunogenicity in mice and stimulated a high level of PCV-2 antibody titers. Using PCV-2 VLPs as coating antigen, the indirect ELISA can detect PCV-2 antibodies in animals with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 98.33% and 93.33% compared to immunofluorescence assay (IFA), respectively. The intra- and inter-assay coefficient variations (CVs) were < 10% in a batch, and < 15% in different batches, indicating good repeatability. There was no cross-reaction of this ELISA with antibodies against other porcine viruses. A total of 170 serum samples collected from different pig farms in China were tested for PCV-2 antibodies, and 151 (88.8%) samples were PCV-2 antibody positive. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that this ELISA was rapid, specific, and reproducible and can be used for large-scale serological investigations of PCV-2 antibodies in pigs.

Associations of psychological status and ultrasonic characteristics of thyroid nodules in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The morbidity of thyroid cancer has been increasing in the last decades all over the world. In addition to the more sensitive thyroid nodule screening technology, several social and environmental factors might represent credible candidates for this increase. They include psychological stress, lifestyle-associated risk factors, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental pollutants. Foremost, psychological stress had gained high interest as a possible promoter and a modifiable risk factor for thyroid nodules in recent years. The present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and psychological status of the population during the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and assessed the association of psychosocial determinants and the ultrasonic characteristics of thyroid nodules. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 490 adult subjects who had received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and were not infected with COVID-19, and did not know whether they had thyroid nodules, received thyroid color ultrasound examination and psychological questionnaire survey. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21). Sleep quality was rated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PQSI). The characteristics of 243 subjects with thyroid nodules were described and recorded in detail by thyroid color ultrasound, and the correlations between anxiety, depression, sleep quality, clinical indicators, and thyroid nodule ultrasound characteristics were analyzed. Associations between psychological status (mutually adjusted predictors) and ultrasonic characteristics of thyroid nodules (outcome) were modeled using binary logistic regression controlling for sex, age, BMI, TSH, FT3, and FT4. Results: Depression was positively correlated with thyroid hypoechoic nodule (OR = 3.720, 95%CI 1.615-8.570), microcalcification of thyroid nodule (OR = 3.638, 95%CI 1.476-8.966), the aspect ratio of thyroid nodule>1 (OR = 3.860, 95%CI 1.052-14.161), the unclear boundary of thyroid nodule (OR = 4.254, 95%CI 1.359-13.312), and the irregular edge of thyroid nodule (OR = 4.134, 95%CI 1.810-9.439). Anxiety was positively correlated with microcalcification of thyroid nodules (OR = 4.319, 95%CI 1.487-11.409). Stress was positively correlated with thyroid hypoechoic nodules (OR = 4.319, 95%CI 1.487-11.409), microcalcification of thyroid nodules (OR = 2.724, 95%CI 1.038-7.151), and the irregular edge of thyroid nodules (OR = 2.478, 95%CI 1.077-5.705). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that depression, anxiety, and stress were associated with the morbidity of thyroid nodules and thyroid ultrasound characteristics. During COVID-19, people's negative emotions increased significantly compared to before. Negative emotions might be harmful to thyroid health. Therefore, during periods of high stress, strategies to prevent psychological problems should be implemented to improve thyroid health.

Gender differences in the ideal cutoffs of visceral fat area for predicting MAFLD in China.

BACKGROUND: Since the discovery of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in 2020, no report on the connection between the visceral fat area (VFA) and MAFLD has been published in China, and the ideal cutoffs of VFA for predicting MAFLD has not been determined so far. Thus, the purpose of this research was to clarify the relationship between VFA and MAFLD and the ideal cutoffs of VFA to predict MAFLD in the Chinese population. METHODS: Five thousand three hundred forty subjects were included in this research, with 30% randomly selected for the validation set (n = 1602) and 70% for the Training set (n = 3738). The association between VFA and MAFLD was determined by multiple logistic regression. ROC curves were used to evaluate the prediction effect of VFA on MAFLD. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the VFA ORs (95% CIs) were 1.25 (1.20, 1.29) for women and 1.15 (1.12, 1.17) for men. Meanwhile, the VFA quartile OR (95% CI) were 3.07 (1.64, 5.75), 7.22 (3.97, 13.14), 18.91 (10.30, 34.71) for women and 3.07 (1.64, 5.75), 7.22 (3.97, 13.14),18.91 (10.30, 34.71) for men in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups compared with Q1. The ROC curve showed the VFA, WC, WHR, and WHtR to predict MAFLD, the AUC value of VFA was the highest and the prediction effect was the best. The ideal cutoffs of VFA to predict MAFLD was 115.55 cm2 for women and 178.35 cm2 for men, and the AUC was 0.788 and 0.795, respectively. Finally, the AUC was 0.773 for women and 0.800 for men in the validation set. CONCLUSION: VFA was an independent predictive factor for MAFLD, and the ideal cutoff of VFA to predict MAFLD was 115.55 cm2 in women and 178.35 cm2 in men.

High-Performance Room-Temperature NO2 Gas Sensor Based on Au-Loaded SnO2 Nanowires under UV Light Activation.

Optical excitation is widely acknowledged as one of the most effective means of balancing sensor responses and response/recovery properties at room temperature (RT, 25 °C). Moreover, noble metals have been proven to be suitable as photosensitizers for optical excitation. Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) determines the liberalization of quasi-free electrons in noble metals under light irradiation, and numerous injected electrons in semiconductors will greatly promote the generation of chemisorbed oxygen, thus elevating the sensor response. In this study, pure SnO2 and Au/SnO2 nanowires (NWs) were successfully synthesized through the electrospinning method and validated using XRD, EDS, HRTEM, and XPS. Although a Schottky barrier led to a much higher initial resistance of the Au/SnO2 composite compared with pure SnO2 at RT in the dark, the photoinduced resistance of the Au/SnO2 composite became lower than that of pure SnO2 under UV irradiation with the same intensity, which confirmed the effect of LSPR. Furthermore, when used as sensing materials, a detailed comparison between the sensing properties of pure SnO2 and Au/SnO2 composite toward NO2 in the dark and under UV irradiation highlighted the crucial role of the LSPR effects. In particular, the response of Au/SnO2 NWs toward 5 ppm NO2 could reach 65 at RT under UV irradiation, and the response/recovery time was only 82/42 s, which far exceeded those under Au modification-only or optical excitation-only. Finally, the gas-sensing mechanism corresponding to the change in sensor performance in each case was systematically proposed.

Visible Light-Induced Room-Temperature Formaldehyde Gas Sensor Based on Porous Three-Dimensional ZnO Nanorod Clusters with Rich Oxygen Vacancies.

Oxygen vacancy (VO) is a kind of primary point defect that extensively exists in semiconductor metal oxides (SMOs). Owing to some of its inherent qualities, an artificial manipulation of VO content in one material has evolved into a hot research field, which is deemed to be capable of modulating band structures and surface characteristics of SMOs. Specific to the gas-sensing area, VO engineering of sensing materials has become an effective means in enhancing sensor response and inducing light-enhanced sensing. In this work, a high-efficiency microwave hydrothermal treatment was utilized to prepare a VO-rich ZnO sample without additional reagents. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy test revealed a significant increase in VO proportion, which was from 9.21% in commercial ZnO to 36.27% in synthesized VO-rich ZnO possessing three-dimensional and air-permeable microstructures. The subsequent UV-vis-NIR absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy indicated an extension absorption in the visible region and band gap reduction of VO-rich ZnO. It turned out that the VO-rich ZnO-based sensor exhibited a considerable response of 63% toward 1 ppm HCHO at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) under visible light irradiation. Particularly, the response/recovery time was only 32/20 s for 1 ppm HCHO and further shortened to 10/5 s for 10 ppm HCHO, which was an excellent performance and comparable to most sensors working at high temperatures. The results in this work strongly suggested the availability of VO engineering and also provided a meaningful candidate for researchers to develop high-performance RT sensors detecting volatile organic compounds.

Effect of 52 % low-sodium salt applied to CM-DASH Diet on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risks in patients with hypertension and type-2 diabetes.

Introduction: Introduction: hypertension and diabetes are chronic disorders associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of 52 % low-sodium salt applied to the Chinese-modified DASH (CM-DASH) diet on risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in patients with hypertension and type-2 diabetes. Methods: the low-sodium salt group (LSSG) took 5 g/day of 52 % low-sodium salt plus CM-DASH diet for 8 weeks, while the normal-sodium salt group (NSSG) took the same dose of normal-sodium salt plus CM-DASH diet for 8 weeks. Blood tests, 24-hour urine tests, anthropometric measurements, and 10-year risk of ASCVD prediction were assessed. Results: compared with baseline, both LSSG and NSSG showed a significant reduction in 10-year risk of ASCVD, but we did not find any statistically significant differences in 10-year risk of ASCVD between LSSG and NSSG. Conclusions: our study shows that salt limits and DASH diets reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease whereas low-sodium salt containing 52 % sodium chloride did not significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to regular salt. Due to the limitations of the research, additional studies will be necessary to confirm our findings.

Introducción: Introducción: la hipertensión y la diabetes son trastornos crónicos asociados a un mayor riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivos: evaluar el efecto de la sal baja en sodio (52 %) aplicada a la dieta DASH modificada en China (CM-DASH) sobre los riesgos de enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica (ECA) en pacientes con hipertensión arterial y diabetes de tipo 2. Métodos: el grupo de sal baja en sodio (LSSG) tomó 5 g/día de sal baja en sodio al 52 % más dieta CM-DASH durante 8 semanas, mientras que el grupo de sal normal en sodio (NSSG) tomó la misma dosis de sal normal en sodio más dieta CM-DASH durante 8 semanas. Se evaluaron los análisis de sangre, los análisis de orina de 24 horas, las mediciones antropométricas y los riesgos de predicción de ECVA a 10 años. Resultados: en comparación con el valor basal, tanto el LSSG como el NSSG mostraron una reducción significativa de los riesgos a 10 años de ECVA, mientras que no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los riesgos a 10 años de ECVA entre el LSSG y el NSSG. Conclusiones: nuestro estudio muestra que los límites de sal y las dietas DASH reducen el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular mientras que la sal baja en sodio con un 52 % de cloruro sódico no redujo significativamente el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en comparación con la sal normal. Debido a las limitaciones de la investigación, serán necesarios estudios adicionales para confirmar nuestros hallazgos.