Migration Rules and Mechanisms of Nano-Biochar in Soil Columns under Various Transport Conditions.

Compared to traditional biochar (BC), nano-biochar (NBC) boasts superior physicochemical properties, promising extensive applications in agriculture, ecological environments, and beyond. Due to its strong adsorption and migration properties, NBC may carry nutrients or pollutants to deeper soil layers or even groundwater, causing serious environmental risks. Nevertheless, the migration rules and mechanisms of NBC in soil are still unclear. Therefore, this study employed soil column migration experiments to systematically explore the migration rules and mechanisms of NBC under various flow rates, initial soil water contents, soil depths, and soil textures. The results showed that regulated by smaller particle size differences and greater surface charges, NBC exhibited a stronger migration ability compared with traditional BC. As the soil texture transitioned from fine to coarse, the migration capability of NBC significantly improved, driven by both pore structure and interaction forces as described by the DLVO theory. The migration ability of NBC was also greatly boosted as the soil transitioned from saturated to unsaturated conditions, primarily because of preferential flow. When the flow rate increased from 70% KS to 100% KS and 130% KS, the migration ability of NBC also increased accordingly, as changes in injection flow rates altered the velocity distribution of pore water. NBC in 25 cm soil columns was more prone to shallow retention compared with 10 cm soil columns, resulting in weaker overall migration ability. In addition, through fitting of the two-site kinetic model and related parameters, the penetration curves of NBC under various variable conditions were effectively characterized. These findings could offer valuable insights for NBC's future efficient, rational, and sustainable utilization, facilitating the evaluation and mitigation of its potential environmental risks.

Linking artificial sweetener intake with kidney function: insights from NHANES 2003-2006 and findings from Mendelian randomization research.

Background: The current investigation examines the association between artificial sweetener (AS) consumption and the likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), along with its impact on kidney function. Methods: We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003-2006 to conduct covariance analysis and weighted adjusted logistic regression, aiming to assess the association between artificial sweetener intake and CKD risk, as well as kidney function indicators. Subsequently, we employed Mendelian randomization methods to validate the causal relationship between the intake of artificial sweeteners, CKD risk, and kidney function indicators. Instrumental variable analysis using inverse-variance weighting and Robust adjusted profile score were the primary analytical methods employed. Results: A total of 20,470 participants were included in the study, with 1,257 participants ultimately included in the analysis. In all adjusted logistic regression models, no significant association was found between the intake of artificial sweeteners and CKD risk. Similarly, the summary odds ratios (OR) for each unit change in genetically predicted CKD risk were 2.14 (95% CI: 0.83, 5.21, p = 0.092), 1.41 (95% CI: 0.54, 3.63, p = 0.482), and 1.50 (95% CI: 0.50, 4.52, p = 0.468) for the impact of artificial sweeteners added to cereals, tea, and coffee, respectively. It was only observed that adding artificial sweeteners to coffee was associated with a modest reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: -0.108, -0.022, p = 0.003), the effect appeared to be relatively small and may not directly impact the individual level. Conclusion: Our study does not support a causal relationship between artificial sweetener intake and the risk of CKD. However, due to the limitations and potential confounding factors, these findings need to be further validated through larger sample sizes in observational studies and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Does the limb lengthening reduce the incidence of hip dislocation in patients with neurological disorders and insufficient muscle tension who undergoing hip arthroplasty?

Background: The soft-tissue tension is closely associated with postoperative hip dislocation in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially for those patients with neurological disorders and insufficient muscle tension. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of limb lengthening on the incidence of complications following THA in patients with neurological disorders and insufficient muscle tension. Methods: This retrospective analysis examines individuals with neurological disorders, such as ischemic stroke and poliomyelitis, who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) at our medical center between January 2015 and April 2021. Demographic and baseline characteristics (such as age, gender, muscle strength) were obtained from medical records. The limb length, offset and the positional parameters of both acetabular and femoral component were measured on pre- and postoperative plain radiograph. The primary outcome was the occurrence of hip dislocation. The secondary outcome included the incidence of other complications and the hip function (determined by Harris score). The correlation between the occurrence of hip dislocation and limb lengthening was analyzed. Results: A total of 258 patients were finally analyzed. The hip dislocations were identified in 35 patients (overall incidence = 13.57%). The incidence of early dislocation was lower in patients whose limb-length discrepancy (LLD) was over 20 mm (incidence = 4.1% for LLD >20 mm, 12.2% for LLD 10 mm-20 mm and 17% for LLD <10 mm). The odds ratio (OR) was 0.206 and 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.058-0.737 (compared between LLD <10 mm and LLD >20 mm). But the no difference was identified regarding on the incidence of late dislocation among patients with different LLD. Moreover, the overall incidence of other complications was elevated in patients with LLD >20 mm (incidence = 17.58% for LLD >20 mm, 11.11% for LLD 10 mm-20 mm and 3.19% for LLD <10 mm; OR = 6.464, 95% CI = 1.768-23.640). And the Harris scores, which reflected the hip function, was gradually decreased with the increasing in LLD. In terms of the relationship between the offset and dislocation rate, it was found that increased offset discrepancy was associated with decreased dislocation incidence (incidence = 4.71% for offset discrepancy >10 mm, 12.5% for offset discrepancy 5 mm-10 mm and 17.20% for offset discrepancy <5 mm; OR = 0.238, 95% CI = 0.076-0.742). Furthermore, increased offset discrepancy also bring a reduction in late dislocation. The incidences of late dislocation were 0%, 2.5% and 10.8% for offset discrepancy >10 mm, offset discrepancy 5 mm-10 mm and 17.20% for offset discrepancy respectively. Different from that of LDD, the incidences of other complications were similar among patients with different offset discrepancy. Besides, no influence of offset discrepancy on the hip function was identified in this study. Conclusion: Unfortunately, although increasing in limb length could partially reduce early dislocation postoperatively, it could not affect the incidence of late dislocation in those patients with neurological disorders and insufficient muscle tension. Moreover, over limb lengthening was associated with other postoperative complications and worse hip function. Instead, additional offset could reduce the probability of postoperative dislocation, without increasing the incidence of other complications. Therefore, femoral stem with lower cervico-diaphyseal angle (higher offset) should be recommended to patients with neurological disorders who were in high risk of postoperative dislocation. Isolated increasing in limb length should be avoided.

Viologen-based solution-processable ionic porous polymers for electrochromic applications.

Electrochromic porous thin films are promising for applications in smart windows and energy-efficient optical displays. However, their generally poor processing ability and excessive processing times remain grand challenges. Herein, we report the design and convenient synthesis of core-altered N-arylated viologens with aldehyde groups (πV-CHO) as new building blocks to prepare soluble, viologen-embedded ionic porous polymers. We also demonstrate that these polymers can be easily solution-processed by drop-coating to fabricate high-quality electrochromic films with tunable optoelectronic properties in a cost-effective fashion. The prepared films exhibit excellent electrochromic performance, including a low driving voltage (1.2-1.4 V), fast switching times (0.8-1.7 s), great coloration efficiency (73-268 cm2 C-1), remarkably high optical contrast up to 95.6%, long cycling stability, and tunable oxidation and reduction colors. This work sheds important light on a new molecular engineering approach to produce redox-active polymers with combined properties of intrinsic porosity, reversible and tunable redox activity, and solution processability. This provides the materials with an inherently broad utility in a variety of electrochemical devices for energy storage, sensors, and electronic applications.

Estimating deep soil water depletion and availability under planted forest on the Loess Plateau, China.

Deep soil water (DSW) plays a pivotal role in tree growth, susceptibility to drought-induced mortality, and belowground carbon and nutrient cycling. Assessing DSW depletion is essential for evaluating the resilience and sustainability of planted forests. But, due to the poor accessibility of deep soil layers, little is known about large scale DSW depletion. In this study, we leverage the concept that "plants are reliable indicators of deep soil water" to estimate DSW depletion in planted forests within the arid and semi-arid regions of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Our approach involves establishing a model that correlates forest age with DSW depletion. We then employ this model to estimate DSW depletion across the region, utilizing readily available data on the distribution of forest age and utilize the boundary models to consider the variability of DSW depletion estimated with forest age. Our results indicate that the model effectively estimates DSW depletion in planted forests, demonstrating a strong fit with an R2 of 0.71 and a low root mean square error (RMSE) of 332 mm. Notably, a substantial portion of the planted forest areas on the CLP has experienced DSW depletion from 800 mm to 1600 mm, and totaling 2.41 × 1010 m3 DSW depletion from 1995 to 2020 based on the general model. However, the available DSW in the existing planted forests on the CLP is estimated at only 1.73 × 1010 m3 by 2038. This suggests that there is potential risks and unsustainability for further afforestation efforts and carbon sequestration on the CLP under the current continuous afforestation measures. Our study holds significant implications for sustainable regional ecological management and quantifying water resources for carbon trading through afforestation.

Brain imaging of a gamified cognitive flexibility task in young and older adults.

The study aimed to develop and validate a gamified cognitive flexibility task through brain imaging, and to investigate behavioral and brain activation differences between young and older adults during task performance. Thirty-one young adults (aged 18-35) and 31 older adults (aged 60-80) were included in the present study. All participants underwent fMRI scans while completing the gamified cognitive flexibility task. Results showed that young adults outperformed older adults on the task. The left inferior frontal junction (IFJ), a key region of cognitive flexibility, was significantly activated during the task in both older and young adults. Comparatively, the percent signal change in the left IFJ was stronger in older adults than in young adults. Moreover, older adults demonstrated more precise representations during the task in the left IFJ. Additionally, the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and superior parietal lobule in older adults and the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and inferior frontal gyrus in young adults were also activated during the task. Psychophysiological interaction analyses showed significant functional connectivity between the left IFJ and the left IPL, as well as the right precuneus in older adults. In young adults, significant functional connectivity was found between the left IFJ and the left MFG, as well as the right angular. The current study provides preliminary evidence for the validity of the gamified cognitive flexibility task through brain imaging. The findings suggest that this task could serve as a reliable tool for assessing cognitive flexibility and for exploring age-related differences of cognitive flexibility in both brain and behavior.

Two Undescribed Germacrane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from Salvia cavaleriei var. simplicifolia Stib. and Their Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Activity.

Two undescribed germacrane-type sesquiterpenoids, salcasins A (1) and B (2), together with three known compounds (3-5) were isolated and identified from the whole plant of Salvia cavaleriei var. simplicifolia Stib. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, such as HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The relative configurations of 1 and 2 were established by analyzing their NOESY spectra as well as by 13C NMR calculations with DP4+ probability analyses. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comparing experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-Alzheimer's disease activities of 1-5 were evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans AD pathological model. Among all isolated compounds, salcasin A (1) significantly delayed AD-like symptoms of worm paralysis, which may be a potential anti-AD candidate agent.

Can the concentration of environmentally persistent free radicals describe its toxicity to Caenorhabditis elegans? Evidence provided by neurotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are emerging pollutants stabilized on or inside particles. Although the toxicity of EPFR-containing particles has been confirmed, the conclusions are always ambiguous because of the presence of various compositions. A clear dose-response relationship was always challenged by the fact that the concentrations of these coexisted components simultaneously changed with EPFR concentrations. Without these solid dose-response pieces of evidence, we could not confidently conclude the toxicity of EPFRs and the description of potential EPFR risks. In this study, we established a particle system with a fixed catechol concentration but different reaction times to obtain particles with different EPFR concentrations. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in response to different EPFR concentrations was systematically investigated at multiple biological levels, including behavior observations and biochemical and transcriptome analyses. Our results showed that exposure to EPFRs disrupted the development and locomotion of C. elegans. EPFRs cause concentration-dependent neurotoxicity and oxidative damage to C. elegans, which could be attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) promoted by EPFRs. Furthermore, the expression of key genes related to neurons was downregulated, whereas antioxidative genes were upregulated. Overall, our results confirmed the toxicity from EPFRs and EPFR concentration as a rational parameter to describe the extent of toxicity.

Antireflective vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser for LiDAR.

Multijunction vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have gained popularity in automotive LiDARs, yet achieving a divergence of less than 16° (D86) is difficult for conventional extended cavity designs due to multiple-longitudinal-mode lasing. Our innovation, the antireflective vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (AR-VCSEL), addresses this challenge by introducing an antireflective light reservoir, where the electric field intensity is substantially higher than the gain region. This reduces the required cavity length for minimal divergence, preserving the single-longitudinal-mode lasing. A 6-junction AR-VCSEL array showcases a halved divergence and tripled brightness compared to its conventional counterpart. Various multijunction AR-VCSEL array designs achieve a divergence range of 8° to 16° (D86). Notably, a 7 µm AR-VCSEL emitter achieves 28.4 mW in single transverse mode lasing. AR-VCSEL stands out among semiconductor lasers, offering a well-balanced power density and brightness, making it a cost-effective solution for long-distance LiDARs. The antireflective cavity concept may inspire diverse applications in photonic devices beyond LiDARs.

Existing hip joint disease is associated with an increased incidence of hip fracture in adults: A retrospective survey of 9710 individuals from a single center.

Objective: In hip disease patients, pain and movement restrictions might cause changes in bone strength and increase the likelihood of falls, finally leading to hip fracture. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of, characteristics of and risk factors for hip fracture in patients with existing hip disease. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with existing hip disease treated at both outpatient and inpatient departments of our institute were identified by searching the electronic medical record system and followed retrospectively for the occurrence of hip fracture. Demographic and clinical characteristics, such as age, sex and kind of primary hip disease, were collected from the electronic medical record system. The incidence and timing of hip fracture were estimated, and a Cox regression model was built to identify the independent risk factors for hip fracture in these patients. Results: A total of 9710 eligible patients were included. After a mean follow-up of 3.97 years, hip fractures were identified in 95 patients, for an estimated incidence of hip fracture of 978.37 per 100,000 patients. The femoral neck was involved in 49 fractures (51.58 %), and the femoral trochanter was involved in 45 fractures (47.37 %). Four independent risk factors and one protective factor for hip fracture in patients with hip diseases were identified: age (HR = 1.116, 95 % CI = 1.094-1.138), the presence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (HR = 2.201, 95 % CI = 1.217-3.980), a lower Harris hip score (HR = 0.966, 95 % CI = 0.949-0.982), a history of previous hip surgery (HR = 2.126, 95 % CI = 1.304-3.466) and the use of walking aids (HR = 0.588, 95 % CI = 0.354-0.975). A scoring system with a total score of 20 points was built, which included all of the above risk factors. The predictive scores for a low risk (estimated incidence of hip fracture ≤30 %), a moderate risk (estimated incidence of hip fracture 31 %-69 %), and a high risk (estimated incidence of hip fracture ≥70 %) of hip fracture were ≤8.5 points, 9.0-13.0 points and ≥13.5 points, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of hip fracture in the special population of patients with existing hip disease was determined. Elderly patients, patients with a history of hip surgery, patients with osteonecrosis and patients with poor Harris hip scores were at increased risk of hip fracture. In patients with a predictive score greater than 9 points, indicating a moderate to high risk of hip fracture, the use of a walking aid might reduce the risk of hip fracture.

Management of esophageal cancer in patients with a right aortic arch or double aortic arch: a case series of 34 cases.

BACKGROUND: Few cases describing patients with a right aortic arch (RAA) or double aortic arch (DAA) and esophageal cancer (EC) have been reported. METHODS: We analyzed RAA and DAA cases treated with esophagectomy in our center's database and reported in English-language studies until April 1, 2023. Our study assessed the malformation characteristics and surgical details of EC patients with RAA and DAA. RESULTS: We extracted data of 24 EC patients with RAAs and 10 EC patients with DAAs. In both groups, the patients were more likely to be Japanese and male, to have squamous cell carcinoma and to have tumors located in the upper thoracic esophagus or middle thoracic esophagus. Left thoracotomy was commonly applied for RAA patients. For DAA patients, the proportions of left-sided and right-sided approaches were similar. Esophagectomy under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in RAA or DAA patients had been performed on a routine basis in recent years. There were two anastomotic leakages in each group. Specifically, Kommerell diverticulum rupture occurred in 1 RAA patient; gastric tube dilation occurred in 1 DAA patient; and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury occurred in 2 RAA patients. The postoperative course was uneventful for most patients in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal carcinoma is rarely seen in patients with an RAA or DAA. To adequately dissect superior mediastinal LNs, an auxiliary incision (such as sternotomy), the left door open method or a preceding cervical procedure should be used appropriately. Esophagectomy, whether via thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery, can be performed safely for both RAA and DAA.

A Nickel Anchored Covalent Organic Framework as Unimolecular Metallaphotocatalyst for Visible Light Driver C-P Bond Coupling Reaction.

The urgent need to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing organophosphine compounds is underscored by their extensive applications in organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and photoelectric materials. Metalated covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs), which seamlessly integrate the inherent photo properties of COF with the catalytic capabilities of metal ions, offer an optimal material for efficient transformation of organics sustainably. In this study, we introduce a simple COF with nickel anchorages (Bpy-COF-NiCl2 ) as a unimolecular metallaphotocatalytic system for effective C-P bond formation. This heterogeneous photocatalyst exhibits superior catalytic performance, achieving yields of up to 95 %, and demonstrates broad substrate tolerance and functional group reactivity. Notably, the metallaphotocatalytic system has demonstrated the capability to process aryl bromides to produce the desired product, a feat not previously reported. Finally, the production and reusability test at the gram scale attests to its superior practicality for designing future organic cross-coupling reactions.

Acceptability Assessment of an Executive Function Training Game FISHERMAN for Older Adults.

Objective: In recent years, an increasing number of gamification tools have been developed for older adults; however, few studies have explored the acceptability of these tools after initial use and sustained use in older adults. In the current study, we focus on "FISHERMAN," an executive function training game containing a cognitive game and an exergame, with the aim of investigating and comparing the acceptability of both versions of "FISHERMAN" after initial use and 3 months of sustained use in older adults. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six older adults were randomly assigned to the cognitive game training group or the exergame training group. Participants completed two 1-hour sessions per week for 12 weeks. Acceptability was evaluated through a validated, 7-point, self-rating, Interactive Technology Art Installation Technology Acceptance Model Questionnaire after the first and last training sessions, with higher ratings representing higher acceptability. The questionnaire included 22 items and 9 acceptability dimensions: usage behavior, intention to use, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived playfulness, subjective norm, image, output quality, and result demonstrability. Descriptive statistics were conducted to evaluate acceptability after initial and sustained use. Two-way (time: initial use and sustained use; group: cognitive game group and exergame group) repeated ANOVAs were conducted to investigate the differences in acceptability. Post hoc, within-group, paired-sample t test analyses were performed to evaluate changes in game acceptability for each group over time. Results: After initial use and 3 months of sustained use, the average scores for overall acceptability and individual dimensions exceeded 5.5 of 7 points in both groups. The two groups presented different changes from initial use to sustained use. The overall acceptability, usage behavior, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use were significantly improved after training within the cognitive game group, while perceived playfulness was significantly reduced within the exergame group. Conclusions: The current study provided preliminary evidence that older adults had high acceptability for both the cognitive game and exergame versions of "FISHERMAN." After sustained use, acceptability of the cognitive game increased and acceptability of the exergame decreased, highlighting the importance of assessing game acceptability after initial and sustained use.

Effects of lifestyle and its interaction with anemia on cognitive function in older adults: A longitudinal study.

A better understanding of the impact of lifestyle factors on cognitive function in older adults is critical for developing intervention strategies to achieve successful aging. Moreover, older adults who fulfill the World Health Organization criteria for anemia have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. In the current study, we aimed to assess the buffering effects of lifestyle on cognitive function in older Chinese adults through a nationally representative survey. The sample consisted of 1201 participants (mean age: 82.39 ± 12.08 years, 52.1% female) from the 2011/2012 and 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between changes in lifestyle factors and the rate of cognitive function changes, as well as the effects of the interaction between lifestyle factors and anemia on cognitive function changes. Increased levels of participation in leisure activities, social activities, and dietary diversity delayed cognitive decline. Persistent anemia accelerated cognitive decline, while frequent participation in leisure activities delayed cognitive decline due to anemia. The increased levels of participation in leisure activities, social activities, and dietary diversity can alleviate the cognitive decline caused by aging itself, and more frequently participation in leisure activities can also alleviate the adverse effects of anemia on cognitive function in older adults.

Value of CT-based radiomics in evaluating the response of bone metastases to systemic drug therapy in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the value of nonenhanced computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics in determining disease progression in breast cancer patients with bone marrow metastases and to develop a model for assessing treatment efficacy. METHODS: A total of 134 breast cancer patients with bone metastases were enrolled from three hospitals. Nonenhanced CT was performed after two cycles of drug treatment. The images were categorized into an invalid and a valid group according to disease progression status. The largest osteolytic lesions' maximum cross-sections in the CT images were selected as regions of interest (ROIs) for feature extraction. Variance threshold, SelectKBest, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to reduce feature dimensionality. K-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and decision tree (DT) algorithms were trained to establish radiomics models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the models. RESULTS: The KNN classifier demonstrated the best performance compared to the random grouping method. In the validation group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.810. In the cross-validation method, the RF classifier showed the best performance with an AUC of 0.84. CONCLUSION: Nonenhanced CT-based radiomics provides a promising method for evaluating the efficacy of systemic drug therapy in breast cancer patients with osteolytic bone metastases.

The impact of metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes on unplanned readmission risk in patients with COPD: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: There is an inconsistent association between overweight/obesity and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Considering that different metabolic characteristics exist among individuals in the same body mass index (BMI) category, the classification of overweight/obesity based on metabolic status may facilitate the risk assessment of COPD. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes and unplanned readmission in patients with COPD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD). According to metabolic overweight/obesity phenotypes, patients were classified into four groups: metabolically healthy non-overweight/obesity (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy non-overweight/obesity (MUNO), metabolically healthy with overweight/obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy with overweight/obesity (MUO). The primary outcome was unplanned readmission to hospital within 30 days of discharge from index hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) and total charges of readmission within 30 days. Results: Among 1,445,890 patients admitted with COPD, 167,156 individuals were unplanned readmitted within 30 days. Patients with the phenotype MUNO [hazard ratio (HR), 1.049; 95%CI, 1.038-1.061; p < 0.001] and MUO (HR, 1.061; 95%CI, 1.045-1.077; p < 0.001) had a higher readmission risk compared with patients with MHNO. But in elders (≥65yr), MHO also had a higher readmission risk (HR, 1.032; 95%CI, 1.002-1.063; p = 0.039). Besides, the readmission risk of COPD patients with hyperglycemia or hypertension regardless of overweight/obesity increased (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In patients with COPD, overweight/obesity alone had little effect on unplanned readmission, whereas metabolic abnormalities regardless of overweight/obesity were associated with an increased risk of unplanned readmission. Among the metabolic abnormalities, particular attention should be paid to hyperglycemia and hypertension. But in elders (≥65yr) overweight/obesity and metabolic abnormalities independently exacerbated the adverse outcomes.

Effect of α-methyl on the performance of photocurable 3D printing polyurethane materials.

For photosensitive polyurethane systems, reactive diluents are indispensable components whose main role is to reduce the viscosity of the polyurethane prepolymer to meet the requirements of the photocurable 3D printing technology for high fluidity of the precursor solution. Generally, the reactive diluent would be involved in the photocuring reaction, which in turn has a remarkable impact on the mechanical, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic characteristics of the photosensitive polyurethane system. However, this feature is usually neglected in the study of photosensitive urethane acrylate (PUA) systems, so there is a considerable necessity to investigate the mechanism of active diluents in the photocured reaction of PUA systems. In this work, the effects of α-methyl groups along the chains of diluent molecules on the photoreaction kinetics, photocurable 3D printing, mechanical and mechanical properties, and thermodynamic characteristics of PUAs were investigated employing hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxyethyl acrylate as active diluents, respectively. The relationship between chemical structure and kinetics of PUA systems was also elucidated by using dynamic mechanical analysis tests. The results demonstrated that the α-methyl group blocks the migration of reactive radicals, reduces the efficiency of the photoreaction, and causes an increase in the rigidity and strength of the molecular chain. This study not only revealed the effect of α-methyl on the kinetic mechanical and thermal performance of PUA systems but also paves the way for the development of a new class of photosensitive PUA materials used for the photocurable 3D printing technology.

Femoral neck fracture patients with ischaemic stroke choose hemiarthroplasty or constrained liner total hip arthroplasty? A retrospective comparative study of 199 cases.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the long-term survival rate, complications, as well as the clinical and radiological outcomes of hemiarthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty using constrained polyethylene liners in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study that included patients with ischemic stroke who underwent hip arthroplasty from March 2010 to September 2017. In the Constrained Acetabular Liners (CAL) group, patients received an uncemented acetabular shell with a constrained polyethylene liner. The Dual Mobility (DM) group underwent hemiarthroplasty (HA). Additionally, hip function, range of motion, quality of life, the incidence of clinical complications, and prosthesis stability were investigated. Results: 96 patients with unilateral femoral neck fractures who underwent hip replacement with CAL were included in the CAL group, while 103 patients who underwent hip replacement with a dual mobility head were included in the DM group. VAS, and SF-36 data were available for both CAL and DM groups. At the 1-year postoperative follow-up, the HHS in the CAL group was significantly lower than that in the DM group (80.83 ± 3.91 vs. 83.17 ± 4.15, P < 0.05). The VAS score in the CAL group peaked at the 1-year follow-up (2.07 ± 0.91 vs. 1.49 ± 0.85, P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of HSS, VAS, and SF-36 at the last follow-up after surgery. Operative time and the amount of bleeding in the DM group were significantly lower than those in the CAL group (105.30 ± 29.68 vs. 94.85 ± 31.07; 355.11 ± 123.95 vs. 302.22 ± 107.68, P < 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the mean leg length discrepancy between the two groups. Conclusion: The clinical, imaging, and postoperative complications of the CAL and DM groups were analyzed. The prognosis for DM appears to be more beneficial for early patient recovery, but a higher likelihood of recurrent dislocation is observed. CAL offers excellent stability for primary THA in high-risk patients; however, attention should be given to preventing aseptic loosening.

Lipid-lowering drugs affect lung cancer risk via sphingolipid metabolism: a drug-target Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The causal relationship between lipid-lowering drug (LLD) use and lung cancer risk is controversial, and the role of sphingolipid metabolism in this effect remains unclear. Methods: Genome-wide association study data on low-density lipoprotein (LDL), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and triglycerides (TG) were used to develop genetic instrumental variables (IVs) for LLDs. Two-step Mendelian randomization analyses were performed to examine the causal relationship between LLDs and lung cancer risk. The effects of ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), and ceramidases on lung cancer risk were explored, and the proportions of the effects of LLDs on lung cancer risk mediated by sphingolipid metabolism were calculated. Results: APOB inhibition decreased the lung cancer risk in ever-smokers via ApoB (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.92, p = 0.010), LDL (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.96, p = 0.040), and TG (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46-0.83, p = 0.015) reduction by 1 standard deviation (SD), decreased small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) risk via LDL reduction by 1 SD (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.56-0.90, p = 0.016), and decreased the plasma ceramide level and increased the neutral ceramidase level. APOC3 inhibition decreased the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) risk (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.43-0.84, p = 0.039) but increased SCLC risk (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.17-4.09, p = 0.029) via ApoB reduction by 1 SD. HMGCR inhibition increased SCLC risk via ApoB reduction by 1 SD (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.38-6.70, p = 0.014). The LPL agonist decreased SCLC risk via ApoB (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.58, p = 0.012) and TG reduction (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.43-0.77, p = 0.003) while increased the plasma S1P level. PCSK9 inhibition decreased the ceramide level. Neutral ceramidase mediated 8.1% and 9.5% of the reduced lung cancer risk in ever-smokers via ApoB and TG reduction by APOB inhibition, respectively, and mediated 8.7% of the reduced LUAD risk via ApoB reduction by APOC3 inhibition. Conclusion: We elucidated the intricate interplay between LLDs, sphingolipid metabolites, and lung cancer risk. Associations of APOB, APOC3, and HMGCR inhibition and LPL agonist with distinct lung cancer risks underscore the multifaceted nature of these relationships. The observed mediation effects highlight the considerable influence of neutral ceramidase on the lung cancer risk reduction achieved by APOB and APOC3 inhibition.