Clinical Value of Different Test Methods in Diagnosing Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Children.

This research aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of passive particle agglutination test, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) culture, cold agglutination test (CAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction-capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis (PCR-CEFA) for MP infection. Children with respiratory tract infections suspected to be MP infection were subjected to passive particle agglutination test, MP culture, CAT, ELISA, and PCR-CEFA. A total of 146 children (81 males, 65 females, mean age: 5.74 ± 3.32 years, and mean course of disease: 9.07 ± 5.18 days) met the inclusion criteria. The positivity rate of MP detection by MP culture was 69.18% (101/146). Using the MP culture method as the standard, higher sensitivity and positive predictive value were found in the PCR-CEFA compared with the other 3 methods. Appropriate methods are selected following the advantages and disadvantages of pathogen detection, and pediatric MP infection is analyzed by integrating various test results.

Polydopamine-Reinforced Hemicellulose-Based Multifunctional Flexible Hydrogels for Human Movement Sensing and Self-Powered Transdermal Drug Delivery.

The preparation of bio-based hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties, stable electrochemical properties, and self-adhesive properties remains a challenge. In this study, nano-polydopamine-reinforced hemicellulose-based hydrogels with typical multistage pore structures were prepared. The nanocomposite hydrogels exhibit stable mechanical properties and show no significant crushing phenomenon after 1000 cycles of cyclic compression. Its ultimate tensile strain was 101%, which is significantly higher than that of native skin. The shear adhesion strength of the hydrogel to skin tissue reaches 7.52 kPa, which is better than fibrin glue (Greenplast) (5 kPa), and the excellent adhesion property prolongs the service time of the hydrogel in biomedicine applications. The impedance of the hydrogel was reduced and the electrical conductivity was increased with the addition of nano-polydopamine. The prepared nanocomposite hydrogel can detect various body movements (even throat vibrations) in real time as a motion sensor while being able to rapidly load cationic drugs and facilitate transdermal introduction of electrically stimulated drug ions as a drug patch. It provides theoretical support for the fabrication of hemicellulose-based hydrogels with excellent properties through molecular design and nanoparticle reinforcement. This has important implications for the development of next-generation flexible materials suitable for health monitoring and self-administration.

High-performance arabinoglucuronoxylan-based biosurfactants for oily sludge separation.

Arabinoglucuronoxylan (AGX), an important carbohydrate polymer in lignocellulosic biomass, contains many functional groups. It has excellent amphiphilic modification properties and has potential application in the separation of oily sludge. In this study, a simple strategy for producing high-performance AGX-based biosurfactants was studied and the raw AGX was extracted from bamboo by hydrothermal treatment. AGX-based biosurfactants with amphiphilic structure were produced by AGX and dodecanal succinic anhydride (DDSA) using rapid homogeneous esterification reactions in deep eutectic solvents (DES). This resulted in a significant reduction in the surface tension of the water from 72.32 to 29.76 mN·m-1. These parameters are similar to those achieved using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a widely employed synthetic surfactant. Other physicochemical properties, including foamability, emulsification activity, stability, solubilization, and detergency were significantly improved compared to the unmodified AGX, demonstrate that AGX-based biosurfactants are promising detergents for oily sludge remediation and oil recovery. The results provide a new pathway for high value utilization of arabinoglucuronoxylan.

Efficient Separation and Recovery of Petroleum Hydrocarbon from Oily Sludge by a Combination of Adsorption and Demulsification.

The treatment of oily sludge (OS) can not only effectively solve environmental pollution but also contribute to the efficient use of energy. In this study, the separation effect of OS was analyzed through sodium lignosulfonate (SL)-assisted sodium persulfate (S/D) treatment. The effects of SL concentration, pH, temperature, solid-liquid ratio, revolving speed, and time on SL adsorption solubilization were analyzed. The effects of sodium persulfate dosage, demulsification temperature, and demulsification time on sodium persulfate oxidative demulsification were analyzed. The oil removal efficiency was as high as 91.28%. The results showed that the sediment was uniformly and finely distributed in the S/D-treated OS. The contact angle of the sediment surface was 40°, and the initial apparent viscosity of the OS was 56 Pa·s. First, the saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons on the sediment surface were adsorbed by the monolayer adsorption on SL. Stubborn, cohesive oil agglomerates were dissociated. Sulfate radical anion (SO4-·) with a high oxidation potential, was formed from sodium persulfate. The oxidation reaction occurred between SO4-· and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A good three-phase separation effect was attained. The oil recovery reached 89.65%. This provides theoretical support for the efficient clean separation of oily sludge.

Hemicellulose and Nano/Microfibrils Improving the Pliability and Hydrophobic Properties of Cellulose Film by Interstitial Filling and Forming Micro/Nanostructure.

In this paper, nano/microfibrils were applied to enhance the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the sugarcane bagasse fiber films. The successful preparation of nano/microfibrils was confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fiber length analyzer (FLA), and ion chromatography (IC). The transparency, morphology, mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the cellulose films were evaluated. The results show that the nanoparticle was formed by the hemicellulose diffusing on the surface of the cellulose and agglomerating in the film-forming process at 40 °C. The elastic modulus of the cellulose film was as high as 4140.60 MPa, and the water contact angle was increased to 113°. The micro/nanostructures were formed due to hemicellulose adsorption on nano/microfilament surfaces. The hydrophobicity of the films was improved. The directional crystallization of nano/microfibrous molecules was found. Cellulose films with a high elastic modulus and high elasticity were obtained. It provides theoretical support for the preparation of high-performance cellulose film.

Integrated application of multi-omics approach and biochemical assays provides insights into physiological responses to saline-alkaline stress in the gills of crucian carp (Carassius auratus).

Given the decline of freshwater resources in recent years, the accessible space for freshwater aquaculture is rapidly shrinking, and aquaculture in saline-alkaline water has become a critical approach to meet the rising demand. However, the molecular mechanism behind the adverse effects of saline-alkaline water on fish and the regulatory mechanism in fish tolerance remains unclear. Here, adult crucian carp (Carassius auratus) were exposed to 60 mmol/L NaHCO3 for 30 days. It was observed that long-term carbonate alkalinity (CA) exposure not only caused gill oxidative stress but also changed the levels of several physiological parameters associated with ammonia transport, including blood ammonia, urea nitrogen (BUN), glutamine (Gln), and glutamine synthetase (GS). According to the metabolomics study, differential metabolites (DMs) engaged in various metabolic pathways, such as glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. In addition, transcriptomics data showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were closely related to ammonia transport, apoptosis, and immunological response. In general, comprehensive multi-omics and biochemical analysis revealed that crucian carp might adopt Rh glycoprotein as a carrier to mediate ammonia transport and increase glutamine and urea synthesis under long-term high saline-alkaline stress to mitigate the adverse effects of blocked ammonia excretion. Simultaneously, saline-alkaline stress caused the destruction of the antioxidant system and the disorder of lipid metabolism in the crucian carp gills, which induced apoptosis and immunological response. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate fish's molecular and metabolic mechanisms under saline-alkaline stress using integrated metabolomics, transcriptomics, and biochemical assays. Overall, the results of this study provided new insights into the molecular mechanism behind the adverse effects of saline-alkaline water on fish and the regulatory mechanism in fish tolerance.

Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Hemicellulose Adsorption onto Nanofibril Cellulose Surfaces by QCM-D.

The adsorption of hemicellulose derived from bagasse onto nanofibril cellulose has been studied in terms of kinetics and thermodynamics. In situ monitoring of bagasse hemicellulose with different molecular weights onto the nanofibril cellulose surfaces has been investigated using quartz crystal microbalance and dissipation. Then, the adsorption kinetics and thermodynamic properties were analyzed. Also, the sorption behavior and the adsorption layer properties were quantified in aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption mass was 2.8314 mg/m2 at a concentration of 200 mg/L. Also, compared with that of the low-molecular-weight hemicellulose, the adsorption capacity of the high-molecular-weight hemicellulose was higher, and the adsorption rate changed faster and could reach an equilibrium in a shorter time. The intraparticle diffusion kinetic model represented the experimental data very well. Therefore, the kinetics of hemicellulose on the fiber adsorption was commonly described by a three-stage process: mass to transfer, diffusion, and equilibrium. The Gibbs energy change of the adsorption of hemicellulose was found to range from -20.04 to -49.75 kJ/mol at 25 °C. The entropy change was >0. It was found that the adsorption was spontaneous, and the adsorbed mass increased with the increase in temperature. This strengthened the conclusion that the adsorption process of the bagasse hemicellulose on the NFC was driven by the increase in entropy caused by the release of water molecules due to hydrophobic interaction or solvent reorganization.

Mechanism and Characteristics of Oil Recovery from Oily Sludge by Sodium Lignosulfonate Treatment.

The separation of oil components from oily sludge is an important component of soil remediation and energy recovery. Therefore, establishing a green and efficient separation technology is of great significance. In this study, oily sludge was separated using sodium lignosulfonate (SL) treatment. The effects of temperature, SL concentration, rotate speed, time, and pH on the oil removal rate were studied. The optimal conditions were as follows: temperature, 30 °C; SL concentration, 2.0 g·L-1; rotate speed, 200 rpm; time, 60 min; and pH 11. The maximum oil removal rate was 83.21%. The physicochemical properties of oily sludge were analyzed. The soil was looser, and the contact angle (55°) of the soil surface was reduced. Alkanes, aldehydes, ketones, carbonic acids, benzene rings, and alicyclic ethers were removed. The result shows that the SL treatment removed a wider range of petroleum hydrocarbon and had a stronger oil removal capacity. It provides a new method for the green and efficient separation of oily sludge.

High-throughput metabolomics method based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: Insights into the underlying mechanisms of salinity-alkalinity exposure-induced metabolites changes in Barbus capito.

It is critical to investigate the adaptive development and the physiological mechanism of fish in external stimulation. In this study, the response of Barbus capito to salinity-alkalinity exposure was explored by high-throughput nontargeted and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to investigate metabolic biomarker and pathway changes. Meanwhile, the biochemical indexes of Barbus capito were measured to discover the chronic impairment response to salinity-alkalinity exposures. A total of 29 tissue metabolites were determined to deciphering the endogenous metabolic changes of fishes during the different concentration salinity-alkalinity exposures environment, which were mainly involved in the key metabolism including the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, citrate cycle, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Finally, we found the amino acid metabolism as key target was associated with the endogenous metabolites and metabolic pathways of Barbus capito to salinity-alkalinity exposures. In conclusion, metabolomics is a potentially powerful tool to reveal the mechanism information of fish in various exposure environments.

MFC/NFC-Based Foam/Aerogel for Production of Porous Materials: Preparation, Properties and Applications.

Nanofibrillated cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose are potential raw materials separated from plant fibers with a high aspect ratio and excellent mechanical properties, which can be applied in various fields (packaging, medicine, etc.). They have unique advantages in the preparation of aerogels and foams, and have attracted widespread attention in recent years. Cellulose-based porous materials have good biodegradability and biocompatibility, while high porosity and high specific surface area endow them with strong mechanical properties and liquid retention performance, which can be used in wall construction, sewage treatment and other fields. At present, the preparation method of this material has been widely reported, however, due to various process problems, the actual production has not been realized. In this paper, we summarize the existing technical problems and main solutions; in the meantime, two stable systems and several drying processes are described, and the application potential of cellulose-based porous materials in the future is described, which provides a reference for subsequent research.

Exploring the metabolic biomarkers and pathway changes in crucian under carbonate alkalinity exposure using high-throughput metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS.

The aims of this study is to explore the metabolomic biomarker and pathway changes in crucian under carbonate alkalinity exposures using high-throughput metabolomics analysis based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) for carrying out adaptive evolution of fish in environmental exposures and understanding molecular physiological mechanisms of saline-alkali tolerance in fishes. Under 60 day exposure management, the UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS technology, coupled with a pattern recognition approach and metabolic pathway analysis, was utilized to give insight into the metabolic biomarker and pathway changes. In addition, biochemical parameters in response to carbonate alkalinity in fish were detected for chronic impairment evaluation. A total of twenty-seven endogenous metabolites were identified to distinguish the biochemical changes in fish in clean water under exposure to different concentrations of carbonate alkalinity (CA); these mainly involved amino acid synthesis and metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism and the citrate cycle (TCA cycle). Compared with the control group, CA exposure increased the level of blood ammonia; TP; ALB; Gln in the liver and gills; GS; urea in blood, the liver and gills; CREA; CPS; Glu and LDH; and decreased the level of weight gain rate, oxygen consumption, discharge rate of ammonia, SOD, CAT, ALT, AST and Na+/K+-ATPase. At low concentrations, CA can change the normal metabolism of fish in terms of changing the osmotic pressure regulation capacity, antioxidant capacity, ammonia metabolism and liver and kidney function to adapt to the CA exposure environment. As the concentration of CA increases, various metabolic processes in crucian are inhibited, causing chronic damage to the body. The results show that the metabolomic strategy is a potentially powerful tool for identifying the mechanisms in response to different environmental exposomes and offers precious information about the chronic response of fish to CA.

Cortistatin is dysregulated in skin tissue of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and suppresses keratinocyte proliferation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is characterized by the unregulated proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and increased expression of proinflammatory mediators in the skin. Cortistatin, an endogenous cyclic neuropeptide, inhibits the proliferation of inflammatory cells. We investigated the expression of cortistatin in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and examined its effects on keratinocyte growth in vitro. METHODS: Serum levels of cortistatin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 72 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 76 age-matched healthy volunteers. Cortistatin expression was also examined by immunohistochemistry of skin biopsies from 14 patients and 14 healthy subjects. The effects of cortistatin on the proliferation of primary keratinocytes were assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and BrdU incorporation assay. Intracellular levels of cAMP in keratinocytes in the presence or absence of cortistatin were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum levels of cortistatin and expression levels in skin were significantly lower in patients with psoriasis than in healthy subjects. Cortistatin inhibited keratinocyte proliferation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner and substantially reduced intracellular cAMP levels in keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Cortistatin is downregulated in the skin of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and suppresses keratinocyte growth in vitro.

Effects of Vietnamese Sophora Root on growth, adhesion, invasion and motility of melanoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Vietnamese Sophora Root mainly contains active constituents such as alkaloids, and it has anti-tumour, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of the paper was to study the effects of Vietnamese Sophora Root on growth, adhesion, invasion and motility of mouse melanoma B16BL6 cells, and to preliminarily explore its mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT assay was used to detect the effect of Vietnamese Sophora Root aqueous extract on B16BL6 cell proliferation. Cell adhesion assay, reconstituted basement membrane invasion assay and chemotactic motility assay were used to observe the effects of Vietnamese Sophora Root aqueous extract on adhesion, invasion and motility of B16BL6 cells. RESULTS: Different concentrations of Vietnamese Sophora Root aqueous extracts had different degrees of inhibitory effects on B16BL6 proliferation. With the decrease of concentration, the proliferation inhibitory effect decreased and even turned to promoting effect. The extract significantly inhibited the adhesion of B16BL6 cells to the basement membrane component LN, and had a significant effect on both the invasive and migratory capacities of B16BL6 cells through the basement membrane. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the aqueous extract of Vietnamese Sophora Root can inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells, as well as their adhesion and movement.

Infusing sodium bicarbonate suppresses hydrogen peroxide accumulation and superoxide dismutase activity in hypoxic-reoxygenated newborn piglets.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (SB) has recently been questioned although it is often used to correct metabolic acidosis of neonates. The aim of the present study was to examine its effect on hemodynamic changes and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) generation in the resuscitation of hypoxic newborn animals with severe acidosis. METHODS: Newborn piglets were block-randomized into a sham-operated control group without hypoxia (n = 6) and two hypoxia-reoxygenation groups (2 h normocapnic alveolar hypoxia followed by 4 h room-air reoxygenation, n = 8/group). At 10 min after reoxygenation, piglets were given either i.v. SB (2 mEq/kg), or saline (hypoxia-reoxygenation controls) in a blinded, randomized fashion. Hemodynamic data and blood gas were collected at specific time points and cerebral cortical H(2)O(2) production was continuously monitored throughout experimental period. Plasma superoxide dismutase and catalase and brain tissue glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, nitrotyrosine and lactate levels were assayed. RESULTS: Two hours of normocapnic alveolar hypoxia caused cardiogenic shock with metabolic acidosis (PH: 6.99 ± 0.07, HCO(3)(-): 8.5 ± 1.6 mmol/L). Upon resuscitation, systemic hemodynamics immediately recovered and then gradually deteriorated with normalization of acid-base imbalance over 4 h of reoxygenation. SB administration significantly enhanced the recovery of both pH and HCO(3-) recovery within the first hour of reoxygenation but did not cause any significant effect in the acid-base at 4 h of reoxygenation and the temporal hemodynamic changes. SB administration significantly suppressed the increase in H(2)O(2) accumulation in the brain with inhibition of superoxide dismutase, but not catalase, activity during hypoxia-reoxygenation as compared to those of saline-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhancing the normalization of acid-base imbalance, SB administration during resuscitation did not provide any beneficial effects on hemodynamic recovery in asphyxiated newborn piglets. SB treatment also reduced the H(2)O(2) accumulation in the cerebral cortex without significant effects on oxidative stress markers presumably by suppressing superoxide dismutase but not catalase activity.

[Amplitude integrated electroencephalography characteristics of normal preterm newborns: a multicenter clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in preterm infants and changes of maturation with gestational age. METHODS: aEEG monitoring was done within 3 days of age with domestically produced digital aEEG set (CFM3000). Duration of each recording was at least 4 hours. The continuity, sleep-wake cycle, voltage and bandwidth of all aEEG tracing were analyzed. RESULTS: The percent of continuity background increased from 30% of 28 weeks to 85.7% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 28.2, P = 0.026); the percent of mature sleep-wake cycle increased from 10% of 28 weeks to 100% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 192.4, P < 0.01). Low bound voltage increased with gestational age, from (6.8 ± 1.7) µV (28 w) to 9.7 - 10.1 µV (35 - 36 w) (F = 11.4, P < 0.01). Bandwidth of the narrow band decreases gradually with gestational age, from 1.45 cm (28 w) to (0.86 ± 0.24) cm (36 w) (F = 8.731, P < 0.01). The correlation coefficient for continuity, sleep-wake cycle, low bound voltage and bandwidth of narrow band, and total scores were 0.32, 0.81, 0.38, 0.55 and 0.78 respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The older the gestational age of infants at birth, the more mature the aEEG pattern, manifested as increased continuity and sleep-wake cycle, the higher low bound voltage and more narrowed bandwidth with increased gestational age.

[Evaluation of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) through a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: Eleven children's or maternal & child hospitals participated in a collective network. All infants of birth weight < 2000 g, born in or transferred to one of the participating centers from January 1st 2005 to February 28th 2006 were recruited. Timely ophthalmologic examinations were performed. The relevant data at baseline and endpoints were collected at each unit. RESULTS: A total of 882 preterm infants fulfilled the screening criteria and 752 finished a followup. And 123 infants (16.4%) had some degree of ROP. Infants with ROP had a lower gestational age, birth weight and a longer duration of oxygen versus those without ROP [(30.82 +/- 0.20) weeks vs (32.56 +/- 0.09) weeks, (1430 +/- 25) g vs (1636 +/-10) g, (11.6 +/- 1.4) d vs (4.4 +/- 0.3) d]. Through a univariate analysis, birth weight, gestational age, asphyxia, oxygen duration > 5 days, apnea, surfactant usage, pneumonia, anemia, blood transfusion, acidosis and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) were associated with ROP (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that birth weight (OR = 0.998), apnea (OR = 1.653) and blood transfusion (OR = 1.763) were independent risk factors for ROP. CONCLUSION: Asphyxia, oxygen duration > 5 days, surfactant usage, anemia, acidosis and NRDS, lower birth weight, apnea and blood transfusion may improve the risks of ROP.