[Analysis of long-term prognosis and risk factors in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and long-term prognosis of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Clinical information from 300 patients with DCM hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2013 to April 2023 was collected. Based on echocardiography results, the patients were divided into two groups: isolated DCM and DCM with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC). The MACEs, including major heart failure events, severe ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiovascular death, were recorded by outpatient or telephone follow-up. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with DCM. Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank were used for survival analysis to compare the difference in the incidence of cardiovascular events between the two groups. Results: The included 300 DCM patients were (47.8±16.8) years old, with 197 males (65.7%), of which 237 (79.0%) were isolated DCM and 63 (21.0%) were DCM with LVNC. The follow-up time was 4.0 (1.9, 6.2) years. A total of 142 (47.3%) MACEs occurred, including 117 (39.0%) major heart failure events, 20 (6.7%) severe ventricular arrhythmia events, and 53 (17.7%) cardiovascular death events. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (HR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.01-1.44, P=0.042), moderate or severe mitral regurgitation (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.19-2.47, P=0.004), increased ln (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) (HR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.10-1.54, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for dverse cardiovascular events in DCM patients, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) treatment (HR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.26-0.78, P=0.004) was independent protective factor. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis found no significant difference in the risk of MACEs between isolated DCM and DCM with LVNC (P=0.22). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the incidence of major heart failure, severe ventricular arrhythmia, and cardiovascular death between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: An increase in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and non use of ACEI/ARB/ARNI are independent predictors of cardiovascular events in DCM patients. There was no significant risk of MACEs in patients with isolated DCM and DCM with LVNC, and suggested that LVNC may be a unique phenotype and should be accurately managed in combination with genetic background.

Dynamics of the Deformable Fluid Interface Interacting with an Approaching Solid under the Electrostatic Field.

A theoretical model was developed to describe the dynamics of a deformable fluid interface interacting with an approaching solid without contact by both the attractive electrostatic and van der Waals (i.e., vdW) interaction, analogous to the situation in the experiments by electric force microscopy (i.e., EFM) or electric-surface force apparatus (i.e., E-SFA) involved in the soft fluid interface. On the basis of this model, a numerical study of the deformation of the fluid interface, the force-vs-separation behavior, and the critical limiting conditions of contact has systematically been carried out. Our results show that the surface pressure induced by the electrostatic interaction plays a more prominent role in the deformation of the fluid interface than the vdW interaction does, and there exists a principal length scale associated with the relative strength of the electrostatic field to the surface tension, affecting the fluid interface shape under the electrostatic field. It was also shown that both the force-distance curves and the corresponding curves of fluid interface deformation peak versus distance for various electrostatic fields satisfy the universal scaling power law. Moreover, an analytical solution to the Euler-Lagrange differential equation governing the deformation of the fluid interface under the external electric field is obtained, and two extended formulas for explicitly describing the principal length scales that respectively characterize the lateral and longitudinal deformations of the fluid interface were determined.

Identification and characterization of circRNAs in maize seedlings under deficient nitrogen.

Here, deep sequencing results of the maize transcriptome in leaves and roots were compared under high-nitrogen (HN) and low-nitrogen (LN) conditions to identify differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed non-coding RNA with widely regulatory potency that has been identified in animals and plants. However, the understanding of circRNAs involved in responsive nitrogen deficiency remains to be elucidated. A total of 24 and 22 DECs were obtained from the leaves and roots, respectively. Ten circRNAs were validated by divergent and convergent primers, and 6 DECs showed the same expression tendency validated by reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR. Integrating the identified differentially expressed miRNAs, 34 circRNAs could act as miRNA decoys, which might play important roles in multiple biological processes, including organonitrogen compound biosynthesis and regulation of the metabolic process. A total of 51 circRNA-parent genes located in the genome-wide association study identified loci were assessed between HN and LN conditions and were associated with root growth and development. In summary, our results provide valuable information regarding further study of maize circRNAs under nitrogen deficiency and provide new insights into screening of candidate genes as well as the improvement of maize regarding nitrogen deficiency resistance. CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression networks were constructed to explore the circRNAs that participated in biological development and nitrogen metabolism.

Core-shell nanowires of NiCo2O4@α-Co(OH)2 on Ni foam with enhanced performances for supercapacitors.

The composites of NiCo2O4 with unique structures are extensively explored as promising electrodes. In this work, core-shell structured nanowires anchored on nickel foam are synthesized by the hydrothermal synthesis of NiCo2O4 as core and subsequent electrodeposition of α-Co(OH)2 as shell. The core-shell composites exhibit enhanced electrochemical performances ascribing to the synergistic reactions from both materials, showing higher specific capacitance than any single component. By changing the deposition time, the mass loading of α-Co(OH)2 can be easily controlled. The electrochemical performances of the hybrid electrodes are diverse with the mass loading of Co(OH)2. The optimized hybrid electrode with 3 mins electrodeposition exhibits the highest specific capacitance (1298 F g-1 at 1 A g-1) among all electrodes. The redox reaction is a main contributor to the total specific capacitance through electrochemical kinetics analysis. An asymmetric supercapacitor assembled by the optimized material as positive electrode and activated carbon as negative electrode can achieve a relatively high energy density of 39.7 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 387.5 W kg-1 (at 0.5 A g-1) in a voltage of 1.55 V.

[Epidemiological study of bone and joint injury based on urban medical insurance database].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence rate of bone and joint injury in China and to describe the three-dimension distribution of the disease (area, time and people). METHODS: Based on a cross-sectional design, a retrospective study was conducted by using Chinese basic medical insurance database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017 to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of bone and joint injury. The prevalence rate of bone and joint injury in each city was calculated, and then using meta-analyses to estimate the pooled prevalence of each area and the whole country. The pooled prevalence rates were compared among the different groups of populations, in terms of geographical area, time and population characteristics (age and gender). RESULTS: A total of 28 419 264 subjects were included in this study, including 705 793 patients with bone and joint injury. From 2013 to 2017, in Chinese basic medical insurance database, the overall prevalence rate of bone and joint injury was 141.5(95%CI: 90.4－203.7) per 10 000 population, and the prevalence rates of non-specific or polyarticular disease, knee disease, and shoulder disease were 101.6 (95%CI: 63.5－148.4)per 10 000 population, 22.5(95%CI:15.1－31.4)per 10 000 population and 10.9 (95%CI: 6.4－16.4)per 10 000 population. The prevalence rates varied across the areas, the highest rate was observed in North China, with the prevalence of 310.6 (95%CI: 12.6－989.7) per 10 000 population, and the lowest rate was observed in Southwest China, with the prevalence of 59.0 (95%CI: 37.5－85.2) per 10 000 population. The prevalence rate of bone and joint injury increased over the study period, from 111.1 (95%CI: 56.0－182.5)per 10 000 population in 2013 to 175.5 (95%CI: 116.8－245.5)per 10 000 population in 2017. The prevalence of bone and joint injury in the female population was 149.1 (95%CI: 94.2－215.9) per 10 000 population, which was higher than that of men [133.6(95%CI: 86.2－190.9) per 10 000 population]. The higher prevalence of knee disease, unspecified or polyarticular disease, and bone and joint injury were observed in people aged 60 years and older, while the prevalence of shoulder disease peaked in 40－59 years old people [20.6 (95%CI: 12.5－30.5) per 10 000 population]. CONCLUSION: This study reported a relative low prevalence of bone and joint injury in China from 2013 to 2017. The prevalence increased over the study period, and the highest prevalence rate was observed in North China. The prevalence rate showed differences among different groups of populations, and higher rates were observed in females and people aged 60 years and older.

Full-length sequence of the MICA allele, MICA*067, identified in a Chinese individual.

MICA*067 differs from MICA*004:01:01 by a single nucleotide change in exon 3, 374 A>G.

Synthesis of single-phase CuCo2-xNixS4 for high-performance supercapacitors.

Developing safe, efficient and environment-friendly energy storage systems continues to inspire researchers to synthesize new electrode materials. Doping or substituting host material by some guest elements has been regarded as an effective way to improve the performance of supercapacitors. In this work, single-phase CuCo2-xNixS4 materials were synthesized by a facile two-step hydrothermal method, where Co in CuCo2S4 was substituted by Ni. Cobalt could be easily substituted with Ni in a rational range to keep its constant phase. But, a high content of Ni resulted in a multi-phase composite. Among a series of CuCo2-xNixS4 materials with different Ni/Co mole ratios, CuCo1.25Ni0.75S4 material presented a significantly high specific capacitance (647 F g-1 or 272 C g-1 at 1 A g-1) and the best cycling stability (∼98% specific capacitance retention after 10,000 charge-discharge cycles), which was mainly due to the modified composition, specific single phase, higher electroconductivity, more electroactive sites and the synergistic effect between Ni and Co. Moreover, the assembled asymmetric capacitor using CuCo1.25Ni0.75S4 as a positive electrode and activated carbon as a negative electrode delivered a high energy density of 31.8 Wh kg-1 at the power density of 412.5 W kg-1. These results demonstrated that ternary metal sulfides of CuCo2-xNixS4 are promising electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors.

Identification of HLA-B*15:296 by next-generation sequencing technology in a Chinese Han individual.

HLA-B*15:296 differs from HLA-B*15:01:01:01 in exon 3 by a single nucleotide.

[Comorbidities and concomitant medication use in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C: a descriptive epidemiological analysis].

Objective: To analyze the comorbidity and concomitant medications use in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological methods was carried out in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C and data from 2013 to 2015 were accessed through the China Medical Insurance database. Results: Among a chronic HCV cohort of 2 958 cases, the top five comorbidities were diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, gastroduodenitis, and co-infection with HBV and HCV. The three most common concomitant medications prescribed for mentioned comorbidities were acarbose, metformin and repaglinide (Diabetes), nifedipine, amlodipine and metoprolol (Hypertension), aspirin, nifedipine and amlodipine (Ischemic heart disease), omeprazole, pantoprazole and levolfoxacin (Gastroduodenitis), ribavirin, pegylated interferon alpha-2a and alpha-2b ( Co- infected with hepatitis B and C virus). Conclusion: The five most frequent comorbidities in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C are diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, gastroduodenitis, and co-infection with HBV and HCV. A concomitant medication use in those patients with comorbidities causes potential drug-drug interactions.

The full-length genomic sequence of a novel HLA-C*07 allele, HLA-C*07:63, identified in a Chinese individual.

HLA-C*07:63 differs from HLA-C*07:04:01 by a single nonsynonymous change, resulting in an amino acid substitution.

Identification of a novel allele, HLA-A*02:189, in a Chinese Han individual.

HLA-A*02:189 differs from HLA-A*02:01:01:01 by a single substitution in exon 3 (846 G > T).

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus arrhizus var. tonkinensis.

Mucormycosis is a rare life-threatening opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. We report a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus arrhizus var. tonkinensis, the first formally reported case in the literature. Early diagnosis, reversal of predisposing factors, surgical debridement and prompt administration of antifungal therapy are critical for good outcome.

The novel KIR3DS1*084 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual.

KIR3DS1*084 allele differs from the closest allele KIR3DS1*01301 at nucleotide 308 C>T in exon 3.

The novel KIR3DS1*083 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual.

KIR3DS1*083 allele differs from the closest allele KIR3DS1*01301 by 3 mutations in exon 4.

The full length genomic sequence of a novel HLA-A*24 allele, HLA-A*24:353, identified in a patient with hepatitis B infection.

HLA-A*24:353 differs from HLA-A*24:02:01 by an amino acid exchange glutamine to glutamate at position 316.

The novel KIR3DS1*085 allele identified in a southern Chinese Han individual.

KIR3DS1*085 allele differs from the closest allele KIR3DS1*01301 at nucleotide 934 C>T in exon 5.

Chemotherapeutic effect of Zerumbone on melanoma cells through mitochondria-mediated pathways.

BACKGROUND: Zerumbone (ZER) is a phytochemical that appears to regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis. It has been reported to have an anti-tumour effect in various malignant cells; however, the effect and the mechanism of ZER on melanoma cells needs to be clarified. AIM: To explore whether ZER has an effect on human melanoma cells and to identify the mechanisms involved. METHODS: We determined the chemotherapeutic action of ZER on the human malignant melanoma (MM) A375 cell line by CCK-8 immunohistochemistry, Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry analysis. We also investigated the signalling pathways by which ZER induces apoptosis in A375 cells, using western blotting, reverse transcription PCR and caspase-3 activity analysis. RESULTS: ZER induced significant cytotoxic action in A375 cells. Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry apoptosis analysis further demonstrated that ZER induced apoptosis in A375 cells. Treatment with ZER downregulated Bcl-2 gene and protein levels, upregulated Bax and Cytochrome c gene and protein levels, and activated Caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS: ZER might have a chemotherapeutic effect on human melanoma cells through mitochondria-mediated pathways.

A novel HLA-A*24 allele, HLA-A*24:325, identified in a Chinese individual.

HLA-A*24:325 differs from A*24:02:01:01 by two nucleotide substitutions at position 411 and 412.