Prediction of carbon emissions in China's construction industry using an improved grey prediction model.

As a significant source of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry garners widespread attention due to its high carbon emissions. Anticipating its development trends is crucial for energy conservation and emission reduction. In this paper, we utilize the carbon emission data from China's national and provincial construction sectors from 2012 to 2021, employ the grey prediction model optimized by the particle swarm optimization algorithm, coupled with a metabolic algorithm, to forecast the carbon emissions of the construction industry across China and its provinces. The results demonstrate that: (1) The dynamic grey prediction model combined with the metabolism algorithm has a better prediction effect than the classical model, and the relative error is reduced from 5.103 % to 0.874 %. (2) The carbon emissions of China's construction industry will continue to rise in the next decade, but the growth rate will decrease, and the proportion of indirect carbon emissions continues to increase. (3) There is a marked regional disparity in carbon emissions, with the eastern region exhibiting higher emission levels yet slower growth. In contrast, the western region has lower emission levels but experiences faster growth. These studies provide valuable insights for both the existing approaches to energy conservation and emission reduction, as well as for future policy improvements.

DNA Methylation Biomarkers Predict Objective Responses to PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibition Blockade.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment could bring long-lasting clinical benefits to patients with metastatic cancer. However, only a small proportion of patients respond to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, so predictive biomarkers are needed. Here, based on DNA methylation profiles and the objective response rates (ORRs) of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition therapy, we identified 269 CpG sites and developed an initial CpG-based model by Lasso to predict ORRs. Notably, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), our model can produce better performance (AUC = 0.92) than both a model based on tumor mutational burden (TMB) (AUC = 0.77) and a previously reported TMB model (AUC = 0.71). In addition, most CpGs also have additional synergies with TMB, which can achieve a higher prediction accuracy when joined with TMB. Furthermore, we identified CpGs that are associated with TMB at the individual level. DNA methylation modules defined by protein networks, Kyoto Encylopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and ligand-receptor gene pairs are also associated with ORRs. This method suggested novel immuno-oncology targets that might be beneficial when combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Thus, DNA methylation studies might hold great potential for individualized PD1/PD-L1 blockade or combinatory therapy.

[Is albumin administration beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective randomized control trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether albumin administration is beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomized control trial was designed. One hundred and twenty-seven patients suffered from hypoalbuminemia after gastrointestinal surgery were randomly divided into albumin group (64 cases) and saline group (control group, 63 cases) by using random number form. The albumin group was given 100 ml 20% human albumin daily for 3 days; and in control group, saline 100 ml daily was administered for 3 days after the operation. The disease course of postoperative hypoalbuminemia, nutritional status, complications and hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Plasma albumin level in both groups decreased significantly after the operation (P < 0.05). No significant differences was found in the change of postoperative plasma albumin level between the two groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative plasma albumin, total protein and pre-albumin levels were similar in the two groups. Three-day and 5-day plasma albumin recovery ratios were similar in the two groups, and the 7-day recovery ratio was lower in the albumin group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (23.4% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.116). CONCLUSION: Albumin administration in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery is not beneficial either in correcting hypoalbuminemia or in clinical outcomes.

Is albumin administration beneficial in early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery?: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons commonly see postoperative hypoalbuminemia, but whether exogenous albumin administration is beneficial for these patients is unclear. METHODS: A prospective, randomized study design was used, allocating 127 hypoalbuminemic patients into the albumin or saline group after gastrointestinal surgery. We investigated the development of postoperative hypoalbuminemia, nutritional status, postoperative fluid balance, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Plasma albumin concentrations of both groups decreased after operations (P <.01). No significant differences were found between groups (P >.05) in changes in postoperative plasma albumin concentration from baseline levels. Postoperative plasma albumin, total protein, and prealbumin levels were similar in the 2 groups. While 3-day and 5-day recovery ratios were similar, 7-day recovery ratios were lower in the albumin group (P <.05). No significant difference was found in overall fluid administration, urine output, or the incidence of postoperative complications between groups (23.4% for albumin group and 12.7% for control group, P = .116). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin administration in the early stage of postoperative hypoalbuminemia following gastrointestinal surgery is not beneficial in correcting hypoalbuminemia or in clinical outcomes.

Detection of hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutations in Chinese hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer kindreds.

AIM: To establish and validate the mutation testing for identification and characterization of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) in suspected Chinese patients. METHODS: Five independent Chinese kindreds with HNPCC fulfilling the classical Amsterdam criteria were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted after informed consent was obtained. The coding region of hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Mutations identified in the proband by DHPLC were directly sequenced using a 377 DNA sequencer, analyzed with a basic local alignment tool (BLAST), and tested in the corresponding family members by direct DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Mutations were identified in two Chinese HNPCC kindreds. One was the missense mutation of hMSH2 c.1808A-->G resulting in Asp 603 Gly identified in the proband of the fifth HNPCC (HNPCC5) kindred. In the HNP5 kindred, three family members were found to have this mutation and two of them had colorectal cancer. The other mutation of hMLH1 c.1882A-->G was identified in the HNP2 kindred's proband, which might be the nonsense mutation analyzed by BLAST. CONCLUSION: Pedigree investigation and mutation testing of hMSH2 and hMLH1 are the practical methods to identify high-risk HNPCC patients in China.