The Effects of Carotid Revascularization on 1-Year Cognitive Performance in Patients With Carotid Artery Stenosis.

PURPOSE: The impact of carotid revascularization on cognitive function for patients with severe carotid artery stenosis remains uncertain. This study is aimed to investigate the 1-year neurocognitive outcomes of patients who accept carotid revascularization and identify the risk factors associated with postoperative cognitive decline. METHODS: From April 2019 to April 2021, patients with ≥70% carotid artery stenosis who were treated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) were recruited for this study. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) instrument was used to evaluate cognitive function preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Logistic regression analysis was built to identify potential risk factors for postoperative long-term cognitive decline. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients who met the criteria were enrolled and completed 1-year follow-up. At 3, 6, and 12 months after carotid revascularization, the total MoCA score, attention, language fluency, and delayed recall score were significantly improved compared with the baseline scores (p<0.05). At 12 months, there was also a significant improvement in cube copying compared with baseline (p=0.034). Logistic regression analysis showed that the advancing age, left side, and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were independent risk factors for cognitive deterioration at 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, carotid revascularization has a beneficial effect on cognition function in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, while advancing age, left side, and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were significantly related to a decreased cognitive score after carotid revascularization. CLINICAL IMPACT: This study focused on the changes in cognitive function within 1 year after carotid revascularization in patients with severe carotid stenosis. Of course, carotid revascularization can improve the cognition function in these patients. On the other hand, we found the advancing age, left side and symptomatic carotid artery stenosis were significantly associated with decreased cognitive scores at 1 year after carotid revascularization, which suggests that clinicians may need to be aware of patients with these characteristics.

Antimicrobial activity and structure-activity relationships of molecules containing mono- or di- or oligosaccharides: An update.

Bacterial infections are the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the evolution and widespread distribution of antibiotic-resistance elements in bacterial pathogens exacerbate the threat crisis. Carbohydrates participate in bacterial infection, drug resistance and the process of host immune regulation. Numerous antimicrobials derived from carbohydrates or contained carbohydrate scaffolds that are conducive to an increase in pathogenic bacteria targeting, the physicochemical properties and druggability profiles. In the paper, according to the type and number of sugar residues contained in antimicrobial molecules collected from the literatures ranging from 2014 to 2024, the antimicrobial activities, action mechanisms and structure-activity relationships were delineated and summarized, for purpose to provide the guiding template to select the type and size of sugars in the design of oligosaccharide-based antimicrobials to fight the looming antibiotic resistance crisis.

5-HT Neurons Integrate GABA and Dopamine Inputs to Regulate Meal Initiation.

Obesity is a growing global health epidemic with limited effective therapeutics. Serotonin (5-HT) is one major neurotransmitter which remains an excellent target for new weight-loss therapies, but there remains a gap in knowledge on the mechanisms involved in 5-HT produced in the dorsal Raphe nucleus (DRN) and its involvement in meal initiation. Using a closed-loop optogenetic feeding paradigm, we showed that the 5-HT DRN ◊arcuate nucleus (ARH) circuit plays an important role in regulating meal initiation. Incorporating electrophysiology and ChannelRhodopsin-2-Assisted Circuit Mapping, we demonstrated that 5-HT DRN neurons receive inhibitory input partially from GABAergic neurons in the DRN, and the 5-HT response to GABAergic inputs can be enhanced by hunger. Additionally, deletion of the GABA A receptor subunit in 5-HT neurons inhibits meal initiation with no effect on the satiation process. Finally, we identified the instrumental role of dopaminergic inputs via dopamine receptor D2 in 5-HT DRN neurons in enhancing the response to GABA-induced feeding. Thus, our results indicate that 5-HT DRN neurons are inhibited by synergistic inhibitory actions of GABA and dopamine, which allows for the initiation of a meal.

Enhanced potency of an IgM-like nanobody targeting conserved epitope in SARS-CoV-2 spike N-terminal domain.

Almost all the neutralizing antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of spike (S) protein show weakened or lost efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged or emerging variants, such as Omicron and its sub-variants. This suggests that highly conserved epitopes are crucial for the development of neutralizing antibodies. Here, we present one nanobody, N235, displaying broad neutralization against the SARS-CoV-2 prototype and multiple variants, including the newly emerged Omicron and its sub-variants. Cryo-electron microscopy demonstrates N235 binds a novel, conserved, cryptic epitope in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the S protein, which interferes with the RBD in the neighboring S protein. The neutralization mechanism interpreted via flow cytometry and Western blot shows that N235 appears to induce the S1 subunit shedding from the trimeric S complex. Furthermore, a nano-IgM construct (MN235), engineered by fusing N235 with the human IgM Fc region, displays prevention via inducing S1 shedding and cross-linking virus particles. Compared to N235, MN235 exhibits varied enhancement in neutralization against pseudotyped and authentic viruses in vitro. The intranasal administration of MN235 in low doses can effectively prevent the infection of Omicron sub-variant BA.1 and XBB in vivo, suggesting that it can be developed as a promising prophylactic antibody to cope with the ongoing and future infection.

First Report of Paramyrothecium breviseta Causing Target Spot on Amorphophallus muelleri in Yunnan, China.

Amorphophallus muelleri is an Araceae plant with perennial tuber, widely used in food, pharmaceutical and chemical industry due to its richness in glucomannan. In April 2022, an outbreak of a target spot on A. muelleri plantlets was observed in a nursery in Ruili, Yunnan, China. The leafstalks of the diseased plantlets in the nursery turned brown and decayed (Fig.1 A-B), then gradually some water-soaked spots on the true leaves developed along the veins (Fig.1 A). Subquencely, the spots on the true leaves turned dark green to white-grayish in the center, which formed light to dark brown concentric rings with a target-like appearance surrounded by a yellow halo (Fig.1 C). When the temperature was 20-34℃ and the relatively humidity was 25-80%, dark-green to black sporodochia with white hypha appeared on the lower and upper leaf surfaces. Finally, 5-8% of the plants surveyed on 800 m2 of one-year-old plantlets in the nursery showed the symptoms and some plants with infected leafstalks would be death. Similar symptoms were also observed on about 10% of the transplanted plants surveyed on 12000 m2 (1.2 ha) of two-year-old plantlets in the field. Five diseased leaves from five distinct plantlets in the nursery were collected for pathogen isolation. Leaf pieces(5 x 5 mm) were cut from the edge of necrotic lesions, and surface-sterilized with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, 75% ethanol for 30 s, then rinsed 5 times by sterilized distilled water, finally put the leaf pieces on sterilized filter paper for 3-5 minutes to dry them and transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) in petri dishes at 25℃ for three days. Five pure cultures identical to colony and conidial characteristics were isolated from five individual plants. The representative pure culture (M1) was grayish-white and circular colonies were 7.50 cm in diamter after 15 days at 25℃, with dark green concentric rings of sporodochia, the dorsal view of the colonies were yellowish. Conidia were aseptate, smooth, cylindrical, 5.00-6.25 (5.71) x 1.25-1.67 (1.63) µm (n = 20) rounded at both ends. A spore suspension (1 x 106 spores/ml) was prepared by harvesting spores from 15-day-old cultures grown in the dark at 25℃, then a thirty-ml of spore suspension was sprayed on the healthy leaves of 10 two-year-old plantlets. Thirty-ml of sterile water was sprayed on the healthy leaves of another 10 seedlings and used as the control. All seedlings were placed in a nursery at 20 to 34℃ and a relative humidity of 25 to 80%. Similar symptoms (Fig.1 D-F) to those observed in the nursery and field developed on all the 10 seedlings inoculated with M1 after two days, but not on the control leaves. The pathogenicity tests were repeated for three times. Fungal cultures reisolated from the infected leaves were identical to the original colonies and conidia, completing Koch's postulates. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS, primers ITS1 and ITS4) region of ribosomal DNA (OQ553785), calmodulin (cmdA, primers CAL-228F and CAL2Rd)(OQ559103), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2, primers RPB2-5F2 and RPB2-7cR) (OQ559104) and ß-tubulin (tub2, primers Bt2a and Bt2b) (OQ559105) of M1 had 100%, 98.52%, 98.98% and 98.98% identity with the sequences of Paramyrothecium breviseta CBS544.75 (KU846289 for ITS, KU846262 for cmdA, KU846351 for rpb2, and KU846406 for tub2), respectively. In the phylogenic tree based on ITS, cmdA, rpb2 and tub2 gene sequences, the pure culture M1 clustered with P. breviseta CBS544.75, SDBR-CMU387, DRL4 and DRL3, which has been reported as the pathogen of leaf spot of Coffea arabica in China, C. canephora in China and Thailand (Wu et al. 2021; Withee et al. 2022). Molecular and morphological observations showed the pure culture M1 were P. breviseta (Withee et al. 2022), in addition the disease was named as target spot dueing to the typical target symptom on the leaves. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. breviseta on A. muelleri from Yunnan, China, as well as worldwide. This disease can caused serious economic losses of A. muelleri dueing to that it can result 5-8% death of the plants in the nursery.

Micronized acellular dermal matrix combined with platelet rich plasma in the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A self-controlled split face study.

BACKGROUND: Micronized acellular dermal matrix (mADM) can induce tissue regeneration and repair, and filling. OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and safety of (mADM) were evaluated in the treatment of atrophic acne scar. METHODS: In this single-blinded, self-controlled, split-face study, 16 patients (48 scar sites) were divided into treatment group (24 scar sites) and control group (24 scar sites). One side of the affected area was treated with mADM combined with platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection as the treatment group; the other side of the affected area was treated with PRP injection as the control group. The efficacy was evaluated by the Acne scar assessment scale (ASAS) and Acne Scar Weight Rating Scale (ECCA) 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: After 3-month treatment in 16 patients, the atrophic acne scars in both groups were all improved. The ASAS score and ECCA weight score in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (2.50 ± 0.51 vs. 3.62 ± 0.77 and 14.17 ± 10.18 vs. 31.88 ± 13.25; p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: Short-term 3-month treatment period. Small sample size limits generalizability of results. CONCLUSION: The curative effect of mADM combined with PRP is significantly better than that of PRP alone.

Relationship Between Heart Rate Variability Parameters and Short-Term Prognosis of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the link between heart rate variability (HRV) and short-term adverse outcomes (re-hospitalisation or death due to cardiac arrhythmia, recurrent myocardial infarction, heart failure, all-cause death) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, China, from January 2018 to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: Clinical data of 245 patients diagnosed with AMI were retrospectively analysed. After discharge from the hospital, patients were followed for a year and categorised into two groups based on the occurrence of adverse events: the adverse event group (n=82) and the no adverse event group (n=163). Differences in clinical characteristics were compared, independent factors influencing adverse events were analysed, and diagnostic efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed age, hyperlipidaemia, specific HRV parameters (SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, PNN50, LF/HF), and myocardial injury markers (CK-MB, cTnI, NT-proBNP) as associated with these events (all p < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed decreased SDNN, decreased SDANN, increased LF/HF, and elevated levels of CK-MB, cTnI, and NT-proBNP as independent influences. Both HRV parameters and myocardial injury markers were reliable predictors on ROC curve analysis. The highest diagnostic efficacy was achieved by combining these predictors. CONCLUSION: AMI patients frequently experience short-term adverse events. Both HRV parameters and myocardial injury markers, which demonstrate significant predictive efficacy, independently influence these outcomes. KEY WORDS: Acute myocardial infarction, Coronary angiography, Heart rate variability, Myocardial injury, Risk factors.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with hematological malignancies: A multicenter, retrospective study in China.

BACKGROUND: Data on SARSCoV-2 infection in children with hematological malignancies (HM) are limited. Here, we describe the clinical features of children with HM after SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate the potential risk factors for disease severity. METHODS: Children with HM and SARS-CoV-2 infection from five hospitals in five cities in Henan, China from October 2022 to January 2023 were retrospectively included. Clinical information and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status were collected for further analyses. RESULTS: A total of 285 children with HM and SARS-CoV-2 infections were included. COVID-19 was asymptomatic in 3.2% of the patients (n = 9), mild in 89.1% (n = 254), moderate in 5.3% (n = 15), severe in 1.8% (n = 5), and critical in 0.7% (n = 2). Fever (92.4%) and cough (56.9%) were the most common symptoms. Most (249, 88.3%) children were managed at home during their COVID-19 illness. Of the 36 children admitted to the hospital, two required intensive care unit care, 11 required supplementary oxygen, and two non-invasive ventilation. A total of 283 (99.3%) children fully recovered and two (0.7%) died due to COVID-19. Significant risk factors for increased severity of infection in multivariable analyses were the presence of comorbidity (OR, 10.4; 95%CI, 2.8-38.7; p < 0.0001), neutropenia (OR, 10.4; 95%CI, 2.6-41.8; p = 0.001), and lymphopenia (OR, 4.2; 95%CI, 1.2-15.4; p = 0.029). A total of 30.9% (88/285) of the children received at least one dose of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine at COVID-19 diagnosis. Compared with children who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, fever was significantly more common in unvaccinated children (79.3% vs. 93.8%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Children with HM are not at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 compared to the general pediatric population. However, comorbidities such as lymphopenia and neutropenia may increase the risk of developing moderate or severe/critical disease. Our data may help in management decisions for this vulnerable population.

Efficacy and effect on lipid profiles of switching to ainuovirine-based regimen versus continuing efavirenz-based regimen in people with HIV-1: 24-week results from a real-world, retrospective, multi-center cohort study.

Ainuovirine (ANV), a novel non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), was approved in China in 2021. In a previous randomized phase 3 trial, ANV demonstrated non-inferior efficacy relative to efavirenz (EFV) and was associated with lower rates of dyslipidemia. In this study, we aimed to explore lipid changes in treatment-experienced people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 (PWH) switching to ANV from EFV in real world. At week 24, 96.65% of patients in the ANV group and 93.25% in the EFV group had HIV-1 RNA levels below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Median changes from baseline in CD4 +T cell counts (37.0 vs 36.0 cells/µL, P = 0.886) and CD4+/CD8 +ratio (0.03 vs 0.10, P = 0.360) were similar between the two groups. The ANV group was superior to the EFV group in mean changes in total cholesterol (TC, -0.06 vs 0.26 mmol/L, P = 0.006), triglyceride (TG, -0.6 vs 0.14 mmol/L, P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, 0.09 vs 0.08 mmol/L, P = 0.006), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, -0.18 vs 0.29 mmol/L, P < 0.001) at week 24. We also observed that a higher proportion of patients demonstrated improved TC (13.55% vs 4.45%, P = 0.015) or LDL-C (12.93% vs 6.89%, P = 0.017), and a lower proportion of patients showed worsened LDL-C (5.57% vs 13.52%, P = 0.017) with ANV than with EFV at week 24. In conclusion, we observed good efficacy and favorable changes in lipids in switching to ANV from EFV in treatment-experienced PWH in real world, indicating a promising switching option for PWH who may be more prone to metabolic or cardiovascular diseases.

Lycorine inhibits Ang II-induced heart remodeling and inflammation by suppressing the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Ang II induces hypertensive heart failure (HF) via hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic actions. Lycorine (LYC) is an alkaloid derived from Lycoris bulbs, and it possesses anti-cardiovascular disease-related activities. Herein, we explored the potential LYC-mediated regulation of Ang II-induced HF. METHODS: Over 4 weeks, we established a hypertensive HF mouse model by infusing Ang II into C57BL/6 mice using a micro-osmotic pump. For the final two weeks, mice were administered LYC via intraperitoneal injection. The LYC signaling network was then deduced using RNA sequencing. RESULTS: LYC administration strongly suppressed hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, and cardiac inflammation. As a result, it minimized heart dysfunction while causing no changes in blood pressure. The Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) network/phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) was found to be a major modulator of LYC-based cardioprotection using RNA sequencing study. We further confirmed that in cultured cardiomyocytes and mouse hearts, LYC reduced the inflammatory response and downregulated the Ang II-induced PI3K-AKT/NF-κB network. Moreover, PI3K-AKT or NF-κB axis depletion in cardiomyocytes completely abrogated the anti-inflammatory activities of LYC. CONCLUSION: Herein, we demonstrated that LYC safeguarded hearts in Ang II -stimulated mice by suppressing the PI3K-AKT/NF-κB-induced inflammatory responses. Given the evidence mentioned above, LYC is a robust therapeutic agent for hypertensive HF.

Reconfigurable spin current transmission and magnon-magnon coupling in hybrid ferrimagnetic insulators.

Coherent spin waves possess immense potential in wave-based information computation, storage, and transmission with high fidelity and ultra-low energy consumption. However, despite their seminal importance for magnonic devices, there is a paucity of both structural prototypes and theoretical frameworks that regulate the spin current transmission and magnon hybridization mediated by coherent spin waves. Here, we demonstrate reconfigurable coherent spin current transmission, as well as magnon-magnon coupling, in a hybrid ferrimagnetic heterostructure comprising epitaxial Gd3Fe5O12 and Y3Fe5O12 insulators. By adjusting the compensated moment in Gd3Fe5O12, magnon-magnon coupling was achieved and engineered with pronounced anticrossings between two Kittel modes, accompanied by divergent dissipative coupling approaching the magnetic compensation temperature of Gd3Fe5O12 (TM,GdIG), which were modeled by coherent spin pumping. Remarkably, we further identified, both experimentally and theoretically, a drastic variation in the coherent spin wave-mediated spin current across TM,GdIG, which manifested as a strong dependence on the relative alignment of magnetic moments. Our findings provide significant fundamental insight into the reconfiguration of coherent spin waves and offer a new route towards constructing artificial magnonic architectures.

Study on Forming Mechanism of the Recast Layer on the Workpiece Surface during Micro EDM.

In comparison to conventional EDM, micro EDM distinguishes itself through its brief discharge duration, narrow discharge channel radius, and concentrated energy density. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive research on the surface formation characteristics in this domain. This paper delves into the formation mechanism of the recast layer in micro EDM workpieces, scrutinizing the primary factors that influence the formation process and the morphological attributes of the recast layer. We conducted a series of single-pulse experiments and micro EDM trials. Utilizing surface fitting tools, our experimental findings facilitated the derivation of a relational expression between the recast layer thickness of high-speed steel and the discharge parameters in micro EDM. Notably, when the energy is below 100 µJ, the recast layer thickness remains under 10 µm. Specifically, at an energy level of 16 µJ, opting for a smaller capacitance of 2200 pf and a higher voltage of 120 V in micro EDM results in a thinner recast layer. This study serves as a cornerstone for future efforts aimed at controlling and assessing the surface morphology of micro EDM.

Estrogen signaling in the dorsal raphe regulates binge-like drinking in mice.

Estrogens promote binge alcohol drinking and contribute to sex differences in alcohol use disorder. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. This study aims to test if estrogens act on 5-hydroxytryptamine neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (5-HTDRN) to promote binge drinking. We found that female mice drank more alcohol than male mice in chronic drinking in the dark (DID) tests. This sex difference was associated with distinct alterations in mRNA expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and 5-HT-related genes in the DRN, suggesting a potential role of estrogen/ERs/5-HT signaling. In supporting this view, 5-HTDRN neurons from naïve male mice had lower baseline firing activity but higher sensitivity to alcohol-induced excitation compared to 5-HTDRN neurons from naïve female mice. Notably, this higher sensitivity was blunted by 17ß-estradiol treatment in males, indicating an estrogen-dependent mechanism. We further showed that both ERα and ERß are expressed in 5-HTDRN neurons, whereas ERα agonist depolarizes and ERß agonist hyperpolarizes 5-HTDRN neurons. Notably, both treatments blocked the stimulatory effects of alcohol on 5-HTDRN neurons in males, even though they have antagonistic effects on the activity dynamics. These results suggest that ERs' inhibitory effects on ethanol-induced burst firing of 5-HTDRN neurons may contribute to higher levels of binge drinking in females. Consistently, chemogenetic activation of ERα- or ERß-expressing neurons in the DRN reduced binge alcohol drinking. These results support a model in which estrogens act on ERα/ß to prevent alcohol-induced activation of 5-HTDRN neurons, which in return leads to higher binge alcohol drinking.

Effect of feeding fermented distiller's grains diets on immune status and metabolomics of spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in finishing cattle.

To explore the effect of feeding fermented distiller's grains (FDG) diets on spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) immune status and metabolomics in finishing cattle, eighteen Guanling crossbred cattle (18 months old, 250.0 ± 25 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups: a basal diet (Control) group, an FDG-15% group, and an FDG-30% group (containing 0%, 15% and 30% FDG to partially replace the concentrates, respectively). After 75 days, the spleens and MLN were collected for detection of relative spleen weight, immune parameters, and metabolomic analysis. Compared with the Control group, FDG-30% group significantly increased (P<0.05) the relative spleen weight. In addition, the level of IL-17A in the spleen of the FDG-30% group was significantly higher than that of the FDG-15% group. Metabolomic analysis showed that differential metabolites (VIP＞1, P＜0.05) of spleen and MLN in FDG-15% and FDG-30% groups are mostly lipids and lipid molecules. KEGG analysis illustrated that choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance were metabolic pathways in spleen shared by FDG-15% group vs.Control group and FDG-30% group vs.Control group, and choline metabolism in cancer was a metabolic pathway in MLN shared by FDG-15% group vs.Control group and FDG-30% group vs.Control group. These results suggest that feeding FDG may promote spleen development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance. Additionally, it may affect MLN development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: Fermented distiller's grains (FDG) is a high quality alternative to feed because it is rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. The spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) are important peripheral immune organs in animals, whose status reflects the health of the animal. However, there are few reports on the effect of feeding FDG diets on spleen and MLN immune status and metabolomics in domestic animals. In this study, we found that feeding FDG may promote spleen development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer, glycerophospholipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and insulin resistance metabolic pathways, and may affect MLN development by regulating choline metabolism in cancer. This study extends our understanding of the metabolomics of the spleen and MLN in FDG and helps to further understand of the immunomodulatory effects of the FDG diet.

Observation of Ferromagnetism in Dilute Magnetic Halide Perovskite Semiconductors.

Dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) have attracted much attention because of their potential use in spintronic devices. Here, we demonstrate the observation of robust ferromagnetism in a solution-processable halide perovskite semiconductor with dilute magnetic ions. By codoping of magnetic (Fe2+) and aliovalent (Bi3+) metal ions into CH3NH3PbCl3 (MAPbCl3) perovskite, ferromagnetism with well-saturated magnetic hysteresis loops and a maximum coercivity field of 1280 Oe was observed below 12 K. The ferromagnetic resonance measurements revealed that the incorporation of aliovalent ions modulates the carrier concentration and plays an essential role in realizing the ferromagnetism in dilute magnetic halide perovskites. Magnetic ions are proposed to interact through itinerant charge carriers to achieve ferromagnetic coupling. Our work provides a new avenue for the development of solution-processable magnetic semiconductors.

Neuroinflammation Targeting Pyroptosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives in Stroke.

Pyroptosis is a recently identified type of pro-inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD) mediated by inflammasomes and nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLs) and dependent on members of the caspase family. Pyroptosis has been widely reported to participate in the occurrence and progression of various inflammatory diseases, including stroke, a frequently lethal disease with high prevalence and many complications. To date, there have been no effectively therapeutic strategies and methods for treating stroke. Pyroptosis is thought to be closely related to the occurrence and development of stroke. Understanding inflammatory responses induced by the activation of pyroptosis would be hopeful to provide feasible approaches and strategies. Targeting on molecules in the upstream or downstream of pyroptosis pathway has shown promise in the treatment of stroke. The present review summarizes current research on the characteristics of pyroptosis, the function and pathological phenomena of pyroptosis in stroke, the molecule mechanisms related to inflammatory pathways, and the drugs and other molecules that can affect outcomes after stroke. These findings may help identify possible targets or new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

Modelling the dynamic basic reproduction number of dengue based on MOI of Aedes albopictus derived from a multi-site field investigation in Guangzhou, a subtropical region.

BACKGROUND: More than half of the global population lives in areas at risk of dengue (DENV) transmission. Developing an efficient risk prediction system can help curb dengue outbreaks, but multiple variables, including mosquito-based surveillance indicators, still constrain our understanding. Mosquito or oviposition positive index (MOI) has been utilized in field surveillance to monitor the wild population density of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou since 2005. METHODS: Based on the mosquito surveillance data using Mosq-ovitrap collection and human landing collection (HLC) launched at 12 sites in Guangzhou from 2015 to 2017, we established a MOI-based model of the basic dengue reproduction number (R0) using the classical Ross-Macdonald framework combined with a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: During the survey period, the mean MOI and adult mosquito density index (ADI) using HLC for Ae. albopictus were 12.96 ± 17.78 and 16.79 ± 55.92, respectively. The R0 estimated from the daily ADI (ADID) showed a significant seasonal variation. A 10-unit increase in MOI was associated with 1.08-fold (95% CI 1.05, 1.11) ADID and an increase of 0.14 (95% CI 0.05, 0.23) in the logarithmic transformation of R0. MOI-based R0 of dengue varied by month and average monthly temperature. During the active period of Ae. albopictus from April to November in Guangzhou region, a high risk of dengue outbreak was predicted by the MOI-based R0 model, especially from August to October, with the predicted R0 > 1. Meanwhile, from December to March, the estimates of MOI-based R0 were < 1. CONCLUSIONS: The present study enriched our knowledge about mosquito-based surveillance indicators and indicated that the MOI of Ae. albopictus could be valuable for application in estimating the R0 of dengue using a statistical model. The MOI-based R0 model prediction of the risk of dengue transmission varied by month and temperature in Guangzhou. Our findings lay a foundation for further development of a complex efficient dengue risk prediction system.

Relationship between paravertebral muscle degeneration and spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a clinically common degenerative disease of the spine, and spinal-pelvic sagittal balance and paravertebral muscle degeneration have been a research focus in recent years. To explore the relationship between the degeneration of paravertebral muscle and the changes in the spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in LDH patients, 105 LDH patients (experimental group) and 63 healthy volunteers (control group) hospitalized in Ordos Central Hospital from January 2020 and January 2023 were included as study subjects. All the patients underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and spinal X-ray using uniform criteria. The correlation between the paravertebral muscle and sagittal-pelvic sagittal parameters of the patients with LDH was obtained from two imaging examinations, and the data were organized and grouped to explore the correlation between these parameters. No significant difference in general data existed between the groups (P > 0.05). In the L4/5 LDH patients group, the ratio of fat infiltration (FIR) in the healthy side [multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES)] was negatively correlated with the lumbar lordosis (LL) (r = -0.461, r = -0.486, P < 0.05). The relative cross-sectional area (RCSA) of the bilateral MF was positively correlated with the pelvic tilt (r = 0.549, r = 0.515, P < 0.05). The bilateral ES RCSA was negatively correlated with the sagittal vertical axis (r = -0.579, r = -0.621, P < 0.05). A positive correlation existed between the RCSA and thoracic kyphosis in the healthy side ES (r = 0.614, P < 0.05). In the L5/S1 LDH patients group, a negative correlation existed between the FIR and LL in the healthy side ES (r = -0.579, P < 0.05). Thus, the paravertebral muscle parameters were correlated with the spinal-pelvic sagittal parameters in the patients with LDH.

Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU based on real-world data: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal distension is a relatively common complication in postoperative lung cancer patients, which affects patients' early postoperative recovery to varying degrees. However, the current status of the incidence of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients and the affecting factors are not well understood. This study aims at exploring the incidence of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU based on real-world data and analyzing its influencing factors. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing patients who underwent lung cancer resections in the Lung Cancer Center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from April 2020 to April 2021. Nevertheless, patients younger than 18 years and those whose information was limited in medical records were excluded. All data were obtained from the hospital HIS system. In this study, the influencing factors of abdominal distension were analyzed by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression methods. RESULTS: A total of 1317 patients met eligibility criteria, and were divided into the abdominal distended group and the non-distended group according to whether abdominal distension occurred after surgery. Abdominal distension occurred in a total of 182 cases(13.8%). The results of the univariate analysis showed that, compared with the non-distended group, the abdominal distended group had these features as follows: more women (P = 0.021), older (P = 0.000), lower BMI (P = 0.000), longer operation duration (P = 0.031), more patients with open thoracotomy (P = 0.000), more patients with pneumonectomy (p = 0.002), more patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.000), more days of hospitalization on average (P = 0.000), and higher costs of hospitalization on average (P = 0.032). Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that sex (OR = 0.526; 95% CI = 0.378 ~0.731), age (OR = 1.154; 95%CI = 1.022 ~1.304) and surgical approach (OR = 4.010; 95%CI = 2.781 ~5.781) were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of abdominal distension in patients after lung cancer surgery in ICU. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of abdominal distension was high in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU, and female, older and patients with open thoracotomy were more likely to experience abdominal distension. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (registration number was ChiCTR2200061370).