4-Nitrophenol at environmentally relevant concentrations mediates reproductive toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans via metabolic disorders-induced estrogen signaling pathway.

4-Nitrophenol (4-NP), as a toxic and refractory pollutant, has generated significant concern due to its adverse effects. However, the potential toxic effects and mechanism remained unclear. In this study, the reproduction, development, locomotion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of Caenorhabditis elegans were investigated to evaluate the 4-NP toxicity. We used metabolomics to assess the potential damage mechanisms. The role of metabolites in mediating the relationship between 4-NP and phenotypes was examined by correlation and mediation analysis. 4-NP (8 ng/L and 8 µg/L) caused significant reduction of brood size, ovulation rate, total germ cells numbers, head thrashes and body bends, and an increase in ROS. However, the oosperm numbers in uterus, body length and body width were decreased in 8 µg/L. Moreover, 36 differential metabolites were enriched in the significant metabolic pathways, including lysine biosynthesis, ß-alanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, galactose metabolism, propanoate metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and estrogen signaling pathway. The mechanism of 4-NP toxicity was that oxidative stress caused by the perturbation of amino acid, which had effects on energy metabolism through disturbing carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and finally affected the estrogen signaling pathway to exert toxic effects. Moreover, correlation and mediation analysis showed glycerol-3P, glucosamine-6P, glucosamine-1P, UDP-galactose, L-aspartic acid, and uracil were potential markers for the reproduction and glucose-1,6P2 for developmental toxicity. The results provided insight into the pathways involved in the toxic effects caused by 4-NP and developed potential biomarkers to evaluate 4-NP toxicity.

Phylogeography of the ambrosia beetle Euwallacea interjectus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): an emerging poplar pest and its Fusarium mutualists from poplar plantations in China.

Native to Asia, Euwallacea interjectus (Blandford) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is a destructive and invasive pest of live trees, and now it has been found in the United States and Argentina. In recent years, this pest appeared in high densities in poplar monocultures from Eastern China (Jiangsu and Shanghai) and Argentina and caused significant poplar mortality. However, the origin of the pests related to tree damage and the Fusarium mutualists from some poplar zones in China remained unclear. Here, we provided a broader phylogeographic analysis of E. interjectus based on the mitochondrial gene (cytochrome c oxidase I) to determine the global genetic structure of this species. Five mitochondrial lineages were found in the native area. Populations introduced to the United States were originated from 4 localities. The Argentine population was derived from Japan. The species was observed with strikingly high level of cytochrome c oxidase I intraspecific divergence that exceeded interspecific divergence, but the high intraspecific variation was correlated with geographical locations among the native populations. Two nuclear genes (arginine kinase and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2-aspartate transcarbamylase-dihydroorotase) were more conservative, and intraspecific differences were lower than interspecific differences. The mitochondrial genetic variation was probably caused by evolution of lineages among geographically isolated populations. But it is immature to infer the existence of cryptic species based on cytochrome c oxidase I differences. All samples collected from poplar populations were indigenous and formed close relationship with a specimen from eastern and southern China. Surprisingly, pests from poplar populations in Jiangsu and Shanghai showed different haplotypes and mutualists. This suggested that the control strategies should consider the genetic and mutualistic diversity of beetles at different poplar localities.

The effects of complement-independent, autoantibody-induced apoptosis of platelets in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Autoantibodies that cause platelet apoptosis may play a role in the development of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), specifically antibodies that target GPIIbIIIa and GPIbα. Our research aims to compare the impact of the antigen specificity of antiplatelet antibodies on normal platelets under conditions that do not rely on complement. Using a modified monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigen (MAIPA) assay, we detected the levels of autoantibodies against specific platelet membrane glycoproteins (GPIIb/IIIa, GPIb/IX) in the plasma of 36 patients diagnosed with chronic ITP. IgG was isolated and purified using a protein A agarose affinity chromatography column, and their concentrations were measured using spectrophotometry. We obtained normal platelets and treated them with the purified IgG anti-GPIIb/IIIa and/or anti-GPIb/IX antibodies, as well as an IgG-free buffer and healthy control IgG. Flow cytometry was used to analyze markers of apoptosis, including phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm), and platelet particle formation. Our results indicate that ITP patients with GPIb/IX-specific autoantibodies can induce platelet apoptosis and platelet particle formation through complement-independent pathways, which are not associated with platelet activation, while GPIIb/IIIa-specific autoantibodies did not have this effect. This suggests that specific autoantibodies may serve as a valuable predictive tool to identify patients who could potentially benefit from complement-inhibiting therapy in the future.

Co-Designing Digital Health Intervention for Monitoring Medication and Consultation Among Transgender People in Underserved Communities: Collaborative Approach.

BACKGROUND: In many parts of the world, men who have sex with men and transgender individuals face criminalization and discrimination. As a result, they are less likely to seek medical help, despite experiencing higher rates of HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, and other health problems. Reaching key populations (KPs) with essential testing, care, and treatment services can be challenging, as they often have a higher likelihood of contracting and spreading the virus. They have limited access to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy (ART) services, which means that KPs may continue to serve as reservoirs for new HIV infections if they do not receive effective HIV programming. This ongoing issue complicates efforts to control the epidemic. Therefore, modeling a digital health system to track ARV medication access and use is crucial. This paper advocates for the use of digital interventions to manage the health of KPs in underserved regions, using Nigeria as a case study. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess digital health interventions for monitoring medication and consultations among transgender people in underserved communities. It also sought to determine whether a system exists that could support ART adherence in Nigeria. Additionally, the study evaluated design strategies to address privacy and confidentiality concerns, aiming to reduce nonadherence to ARV medications among KPs in Nigeria. METHODS: A qualitative approach was adopted for this research, involving a thematic analysis of information collected from interviews with clinicians and other health practitioners who work directly with these communities, as well as from an interactive (virtual) workshop. RESULTS: The findings from the thematic analysis indicate a need to increase attendance at ART therapy sessions through the implementation of an intensive care web app. Unlike previous solutions, this study highlights the importance of incorporating a reminder feature that integrates with an in-app telemedicine consultancy platform. This platform would facilitate discussions about client challenges, such as adverse drug effects, counseling sessions with clinical psychologists, and the impact of identity discrimination on mental health. Other data-driven health needs identified in the study are unique drug request nodes, client-led viral load calculators, remote requests, and drug delivery features within the web app. Participants also emphasized the importance of monitoring medication compliance and incorporating user feedback mechanisms, such as ratings and encouragement symbols (eg, stars, checkmarks), to motivate adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that technology-driven solutions could enhance ART adherence and reduce HIV transmission among transgender people. It also recommends that local governments and international organizations collaborate and invest in health management services that prioritize health needs over identity.

Temperature-mediated dynamics: Unravelling the impact of temperature on cuticular hydrocarbon profiles, mating behaviour, and life history traits in three Drosophila species.

In a world grappling with climate change, understanding the enduring impact of changes in temperatures on insect adult traits is crucial. It is proposed that cold- and warm-adapted species exhibit specialized behavioural and physiological responses to their respective temperature ranges. In contrast, generalist species maintain more stable metabolic and developmental rates across a broader range of temperatures, reflecting their ability to exploit diverse thermal niches. Here, we explored this intricate response to temperature exposure in three Drosophila species: Drosophila ezoana originating in Arctic regions, D. novamexicana in arid, hot environments, and in the cosmopolitan species D. virilis. Rearing these flies at 15, 20, 25, and 30 °C revealed striking variations in their cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles, known to mediate mate recognition and prevent water loss in insects. The cold-adapted D. ezoana consistently exhibited reduced CHC levels with increasing temperatures, while the warm-adapted D. novamexicana and the cosmopolitan D. virilis displayed more nuanced responses. Additionally, we observed a significant influence of rearing temperature on the mating behaviour of these flies, where those reared at the extreme temperatures, 15 and 30 °C, exhibiting reduced mating success. Consequently, this led to a decrease in the production of adult offspring. Also, these adult offspring underwent notable alterations in life history traits, reaching adulthood more rapidly at 25 and 30 °C but with lower weight and reduced longevity. Furthermore, among these offspring, those produced by the cold-adapted D. ezoana were more vulnerable to desiccation and starvation than those from the warm-adapted D. novamexicana and the cosmopolitan D. virilis. In summary, our research demonstrates that Drosophila species from diverse ecological regions exhibit distinct responses to temperature changes, as evidenced by variations in CHC profiles, mating behaviours, fertility, and life history traits. This provides valuable insights into how environmental conditions shape the biology and ecology of insects.

Biochemical profiling of the protein encoded by grass carp reovirus genotype II.

In this study, we obtained the whole genome sequence of GCRV-DY197 and investigated the localization, post-translational modifications, and host interactions of the 11 viral proteins encoded by GCRV-DY197 in grass carp ovary (GCO) cells. The whole genome sequence is 24,704 kb and contains 11 segments (S1-S11). Subcellular localization showed that the VP1, VP2, VP3, VP5, VP56, and VP35 proteins were localized in both cytoplasm and nucleus, whereas the NS79, VP4, VP41, VP6, and NS38 proteins were localized in the cytoplasm. The NS79 and NS38 proteins were phosphorylated, and the ubiquitination modification sites were identified in VP41 and NS38. An interaction network containing 9 viral proteins and 140 host proteins was also constructed. These results offer a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the biochemical characteristics and pathogenic mechanism of GCRV-II.

Discovery of first-in-class DOT1L inhibitors against the R231Q gain-of-function mutation in the catalytic domain with therapeutic potential of lung cancer.

Recent research certified that DOT1L and its mutations represented by R231Q were potential targets for the treatment of lung cancer. Herein, a series of adenosine-containing derivatives were identified with DOT1LR231Q inhibition through antiproliferation assay and Western blot analysis in the H460R231Q cell. The most promising compound 37 significantly reduced DOT1LR231Q mediated H3K79 methylation and effectively inhibited the proliferation, self-renewal, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cell lines at low micromolar concentrations. The cell permeability and cellular target engagement of 37 were verified by both CETSA and DARTS assays. In the H460R231Q OE cell-derived xenograft (CDX) model, 37 displayed pronounced tumor growth inhibition after intraperitoneal administration at 20 mg/kg dose for 3 weeks (TGI = 54.38%), without obvious toxicities. A pharmacokinetic study revealed that 37 possessed tolerable properties (t 1/2 = 1.93 ± 0.91 h, F = 97.2%) after intraperitoneal administration in rats. Mechanism study confirmed that 37 suppressed malignant phenotypes of lung cancer carrying R231Q gain-of-function mutation via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Moreover, analysis of the binding modes between molecules and DOT1LWT/R231Q proteins put forward the "Induced-fit" allosteric model in favor to the discovery of potent DOT1L candidates.

A two-step strategy to expand primary human hepatocytes in vitro with efficient metabolic and regenerative capacities.

BACKGROUND: Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are highly valuable for drug-metabolism evaluation, liver disease modeling and hepatocyte transplantation. However, their availability is significantly restricted due to limited donor sources, alongside their constrained proliferation capabilities and reduced functionality when cultured in vitro. To address this challenge, we aimed to develop a novel method to efficiently expand PHHs in vitro without a loss of function. METHODS: By mimicking the in vivo liver regeneration route, we developed a two-step strategy involving the de-differentiation/expansion and subsequent maturation of PHHs to generate abundant functional hepatocytes in vitro. Initially, we applied SiPer, a prediction algorithm, to identify candidate small molecules capable of activating liver regenerative transcription factors, thereby formulating a novel hepatic expansion medium to de-differentiate PHHs into proliferative human hepatic progenitor-like cells (ProHPLCs). These ProHPLCs were then re-differentiated into functionally mature hepatocytes using a new hepatocyte maturation condition. Additionally, we investigated the underlying mechanism of PHHs expansion under our new conditions. RESULTS: The novel hepatic expansion medium containing hydrocortisone facilitated the de-differentiation of PHHs into ProHPLCs, which exhibited key hepatic progenitor characteristics and demonstrated a marked increase in proliferation capacity compared to cells cultivated in previously established expansion conditions. Remarkably, these subsequent matured hepatocytes rivaled PHHs in terms of transcriptome profiles, drug metabolizing activities and in vivo engraftment capabilities. Importantly, our findings suggest that the enhanced expansion of PHHs by hydrocortisone may be mediated through the PPARα signaling pathway and regenerative transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a two-step strategy that initially induces PHHs into a proliferative state (ProHPLCs) to ensure sufficient cell quantity, followed by the maturation of ProHPLCs into fully functional hepatocytes to guarantee optimal cell quality. This approach offers a promising means of producing large numbers of seeding cells for hepatocyte-based applications.

The risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and its impact on clinical effect in IgA nephropathy: A retrospective observational study.

AIM: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease worldwide. Pregnant IgAN patients are more susceptible to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). However, the risk factor for APO and its effects on the long-term renal outcome of pregnant IgAN patients remained unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study covering 2003-2019 that included 44 female IgAN patients with pregnancy history to investigate the risk factor for APO and its impact on clinical outcome in IgAN. Renal function outcome and proteinuria remission were evaluated in pregnant IgAN women with and without APO. RESULTS: In this retrospective and observational study, we found that patients with APO exhibited higher levels of serum creatinine and IgM, and lower haemoglobin levels while other clinical characteristics, pathological characteristics and therapy protocol had no significant difference. We found that anaemia and a higher level of serum IgM were independent risk factors for APO. IgAN pregnant women without APO experienced a higher proportion of proteinuria remission than those with APO, but there is no difference in the renal function outcome. CONCLUSION: Pregnant IgAN patients with higher risks, including lower haemoglobin levels and higher IgM levels deserve intensive monitoring, and aggressive therapy to reduce proteinuria should be carried out in pregnant IgAN patients with APO.

Discovery of Novel Non-nucleoside DOT1LR231Q Inhibitors with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties and Anti-lung Cancer Efficacy.

Given the considerable potential of DOT1LR231Q inhibitors in lung cancer therapy and the problematic pharmacokinetics of nucleoside inhibitors, our group launched a development program of non-nucleoside DOT1LR231Q inhibitors to improve the pharmacokinetic properties. Herein, two series of non-nucleoside compounds bearing piperidine or 3-(aminomethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol as "ribose mimics" were designed and evaluated through antiproliferation assay and western blot analysis. The optimal TB22 inhibited the proliferation of H460R231Q cells with an IC50 value of 2.85 µM, about 13-fold more potent than SGC0946. Notably, TB22 demonstrated significant in vivo efficacy (TGI = 60.57%) in H460R231Q cell-derived xenograft models and improved pharmacokinetic properties (t1/2 = 6.06 ± 2.94 h and CL = 55.18 ± 8.56 mL/kg/min). Moreover, a mechanism study validated that TB22 suppressed malignant phenotypes of lung cancer cells harboring R231Q mutation via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This work provides a promising molecule for lung cancer therapy in favor of clinical patients.

Establishment of Chemotherapy Prediction Model Based on Hypoxia-Related Genes for Oral Cancer.

Purpose: Identify the hypoxia genes related to chemotherapy resistance of oral cancer, and construct a chemotherapy response model by machine learning algorithm. Methods: 72 oral cancer patients with complete chemotherapy records and chemotherapy reactions were screened from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. According to the chemotherapy reactions, they were divided into chemotherapy sensitive group and chemotherapy resistant group. The differential genes were screened by Limma package. Then the chemotherapy response gene were screened by univariate analysis. Based on the gene expression profile of chemotherapy response, four machine learning algorithms were used to construct the prediction model of chemotherapy response. The core genes were screened by lasso regression analysis. Finally, the prognosis and immune infiltration of the core genes were analyzed. The results were verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: We obtained 22 hypoxia related differential genes. Univariate analysis found 6 Chemotherapy response genes. Machine learning algorithms show that XGBoost have the best predictive performance for chemotherapy response. ALDOA is the core gene of chemotherapy resistance. Conclusions: Successfully constructed a chemotherapy prediction model for oral cancer by machine learning algorithm. Under hypoxia, the high expression of ALDOA is associated with chemotherapy resistance in oral cancer.

The effect of simulated problem learning in nursing ethics on moral sensitivity, empathy and critical thinking of nursing students: A quasi-experimental study.

AIM: Compare the effects of Simulation with problem-based learning (SPBL) and Problem-based learning (PBL) in nursing ethics education on nursing students' moral sensitivity, empathy, critical thinking, test scores and teaching satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Promoting nursing students' individual and ethical and abilities through education is an essential way to improve their ethical performance and build trustful relationship with patients. Despite significant efforts in this area, few have evaluated the effectiveness of Simulation with problem-based learning and Problem-based learning as applied to nursing ethics education. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design based on a non-equivalent control group pre-test/post-test. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used. Participants were 161 undergraduate nursing students from two levels of a university, 88 subjects in the experimental group were taught using Simulation with problem-based learning and 73 subjects in the control group were taught using Problem-based learning. A pre-test, post-test and questionnaire were used to assess the effectiveness of student nursing ethics education. χ2 test was used to examine group differences in students' characteristics and satisfaction with teaching post-intervention. Student's t-test was used to assess group differences in scale scores and test scores. RESULTS: Compared to the pre-test, empathy as well as critical thinking were significantly higher in the PBL group (P<0.05), but there was no significant change in moral sensitivity (P>0.05); moral sensitivity, empathy and critical thinking were significantly higher in the SPBL group (P<0.05). Moreover, this study also showed that improvement in moral sensitivity, empathy, critical thinking and grades was more significant in the SPBL group of nursing students compared to the PBL group (P<0.05) and no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of teaching satisfaction (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of Simulation with problem-based learning in nursing ethics education has a positive impact on nursing students' competency development and knowledge acquisition. Nurse educators should consider this teaching method and promote change to increase the effectiveness of nursing ethics education.

Nonconjugated Polyurethane Derivatives with Aggregation-Induced Luminochromism for Multicolor and White Photoluminescent Films.

A simple and effective strategy to obtain solid-state multicolor emitting materials is a particularly attractive topic. Nonconventional/nonconjugated polymers are receiving widespread attention because of their advantages of rich structural diversity, low cost, and good processability. However, it is difficult to control the molecular conformation or to obtain the crystal structure of amorphous molecules, which means it is a challenge to obtain nontraditional polymeric materials with multicolor emission. In this work, a polyurethane derivative (PUH) with red-shifted emission was synthesized by a simple one-pot polymerization reaction. By exploiting the aggregation-induced luminochromism of PUH, a series of plastic films with tunable emission from blue to orange, and white-light emission, was obtained by doping different amounts of PUH into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), thereby changing the aggregation degree of PUH. This work demonstrates the excellent promise of polyurethane derivatives for the simple fabrication of large-scale flexible luminescent films.

Upregulation of NFE2L1 reduces ROS levels and α-synuclein aggregation caused by GBA1 knockdown.

Biallelic mutations in the GBA1 gene result in Gaucher disease (GD), and both patients with GD and carriers of a single GBA1 mutation have an increased susceptibility to Parkinson's disease (PD), but the underlying mechanisms of this association are not yet clear. In previous studies, we established Gba1 F213I point mutation mice and found that homozygous Gba1 F213I mutant mice died shortly after birth, while heterozygous mice could survive normally. In this study, we investigated the transcriptomic changes in the brain tissue of Gba1 F213I heterozygous mice, identifying 138 differentially expressed genes. Among them, Nfe2l1 was the most significantly downregulated gene. Inhibition or knockdown of GBA1 in BE(2)-M17 cells resulted in decreased expression levels of NFE2L1. Knockdown of GBA1 or NFE2L1 could lead to an elevation in intracellular aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, while upregulation of NFE2L1 effectively mitigated those cellular manifestations induced by GBA1 knockdown. In summary, our in vitro results showed that upregulation of NFE2L1 may provide a therapeutic benefit for cellular phenotypes resulting from GBA1 knockdown, providing new insights for future research on GD and GBA1-associated PD.

van der Waals-bonded graphene clusters enhance thermal conductivity of phase-change materials for advanced thermal energy management.

Organic phase-change materials possess immense application potential, but their low thermal conductivity (≤0.5 W m-1 K-1) severely limits the thermal energy charge/discharge rate, impeding their practical implementation in the field of advanced energy. While incorporating thermally conductive fillers into the phase-change matrix can address this issue, achieving a thermal conductivity exceeding 10 W m-1 K-1 at a filler content below 30 vol% remains challenging, attributed to the absence of a well-designed filler interface and structure. Herein, a strategy for developing planar graphene clusters and subsequently integrating them with phase-change microcapsules to fabricate composites using compression molding was demonstrated. The proposed graphene clusters are formed by closely aligned and overlapping graphene sheets that bond together through van der Waals forces, resulting in a significant decrease in junction thermal resistance within the composites. Combining this interface design with compression-induced construction of a highly oriented structure, the composites achieved a remarkable thermal conductivity of 103 W m-1 K-1 with ≈29 vol% filler addition, enhancing the thermal energy charge/discharge rate by over two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the composites possess the essential enthalpy values, competent strength, and ease of shaping, making them applicable across various domains of thermal energy management.

Abstracts of randomized controlled trials in splint therapy for temporomandibular disorders: Reporting quality and spin.

BACKGROUND: Poor reporting quality and spin in randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts can lead to misinterpretation and distorted interpretation of results. OBJECTIVES: This methodological study aimed to assess the reporting quality and spin among RCT abstracts on splint therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and explore the association between spin and potentially related factors. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed for RCTs on splint therapy for TMD. The reporting quality of each abstract was assessed using the original 16-item CONSORT for abstracts checklist. The authors evaluated the presence and characteristics of spin only in abstracts with nonsignificant primary outcomes according to pre-determined spin strategies. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the presence of spin. RESULTS: A total of 148 abstracts were included in the reporting quality evaluation. The mean overall CONSORT score (OCS) was 5.86 (score range: 0-16). Only interventions, objectives and conclusions were adequately reported. Of the 61 RCT abstracts included for spin analysis, spin was identified in 38 abstracts (62.3%), among which 32 abstracts (52.3%) had spin in the Results section and 21 (34.4%) had spin in the Conclusions section. A significantly lower presence of spin was found in studies with exact p-value reporting (OR: 0.170; 95% CI: 0.032-0.887; p = .036) and a two-arm comparison design (OR: 11.777; 95% CI: 2.171-63.877; p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The reporting quality of RCT abstracts on splint therapy for TMD is suboptimal and the prevalence of spin is high. More awareness and joint efforts are needed to improve reporting quality and minimize spin.

Early predictors of Epstein-Barr virus infection in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can be reactivated and proliferated with fatal outcome in immuno-compromised people, but the clinical consequences of EBV infection in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) remain uncertain. In this study, we investigated the infection rate, the influence and the early predictors of EBV infection in SFTS patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, SFTS patients who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2011 to August 2021 were enrolled and divided into infected and non-infected groups. We compared the demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations and signs, laboratory tests and prognosis, and explored the risk factors of EBV infection by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 120 hospitalized SFTS patients with EBV-DNA testing were enrolled in this study. Patients with EBV infection had statistically significant higher mortality rate (32.0% vs. 11.43%, P = 0.005). Compared with the non-infected group, the EBV-infected group had higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine-kinase (CK), fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), D-dimer, and CD56+ cell counts, lower levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, complement 3 (C3), and C4. The proportion of patients with age ≥ 60 years and ferritin > 1500.0 ng/ml in the EBV-infected group was significantly higher than that in the non-infected group. The results of ROC analysis showed that the cut-off values of CRP, IgG, C3, C4, and CD56+ cell counts to predict EBV infection were 13.2 mg/l, 12.5 g/l, 1.1 g/l, 0.6 g/l, 0.3 g/l, and 94.0 cells/µl. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years old, CRP > 13.2 mg/l, BUN > 5.4 mmol/l, ferritin > 1500.0 ng/ml, IgG < 12.5 g/l, IgM < 1.1 g/l, C4 < 0.3 g/l, and CD56+ cell counts > 94.0 cells/µl were the independent risk factors of EBV infection in SFTS patients. CONCLUSIONS: SFTS combined with EBV infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is necessary to strengthen screening for EBV infection and its early predictive markers after admission in SFTS patients.

Interfacial modulation of nicotinamide additive enables 9700 h Zn metal batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have recently been paid great attention due to their robust safety features, high theoretical capacity, and eco-friendliness, yet their practical application is hindered by the serious dendrite formation and side reactions of Zn metal anode during cycling. Herein, a low-cost small molecule, nicotinamide (NIC), is proposed as an electrolyte additive to effectively regulate the Zn interface, achieving a highly reversible and stable zinc anode without dendrites. NIC molecules not only modify the Zn2+ solvation structure but also preferentially adsorb on the Zn surface than solvated H2O to protect the Zn anode and provide numerous nucleation sites for Zn2+ to homogenize Zn deposition. Consequently, the addition of 1 wt% NIC enables Zn||Zn symmetric cells an ultra-long lifespan of over 9700 h at 1 mA cm-2, which expands nearly 808 times compared to that without NIC. The advantages of NIC additives are further demonstrated in NaVO||Zn full cells, which exhibit exceptional capacity retention of 90.3 % after 1000 cycles with a high Coulombic efficiency of 99.9 % at 1 A/g, while the cell operates for only 42 cycles without NIC additive. This strategy presents a promising approach to solving the anode problem, fostering advancements in practical AZIBs.

Rationality and implication of catheter-based adrenal ablation for bilateral primary aldosteronism.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) for bilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) are the mainstay option recommended by guidelines, but poor compliance occurs due to numerous side effects. We aimed to examine whether catheter-based adrenal ablation could be an alternative treatment for bilateral PA.644 PA patients were included from a total of 6054 hypertensive patients. Adrenal CT scan and adrenal venous sampling (AVS) were both performed for PA subtype classification. Clinical and biochemical outcomes were assessed at 6 months after treatment according to the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome (PASO) criteria.93 patients with PA were recruited to be treated by adrenal ablation, including 25 bilateral PA and 68 unilateral PA according to AVS results. Office SBP and DBP significantly decreased from baseline levels, serum potassium levels increased and ARR significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in both the bilateral and unilateral groups. In the bilateral group, complete, partial and absent clinical success was achieved in 6 (24.0%), 11 (44.0%) and 8(32.0%) patients, respectively. In the unilateral group, complete, partial and absent clinical success was achieved in 12 (17.6%), 37 (54.4%), and 19 (27.9%) patients, respectively. The numbers of patients achieving complete, partial, and absent biochemical success were 15 (60.0%), 6 (24.0%), and 4 (16.0%), respectively, in the bilateral group versus 37 (54.4%), 9 (13.2%), and 22 (32.3%), respectively, in the unilateral group. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the beneficial outcomes of unilateral adrenal ablation for patients with bilateral PA. Our findings provide insight into an alternative option for patients with bilateral excess aldosterone.

Corrigendum: Binocular balance across spatial frequency in anisomyopia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1349436.].