Roles of serum uric acid on the association between arsenic exposure and incident metabolic syndrome in an older Chinese population.

Growing evidences showed that heavy metals exposure may be associated with metabolic diseases. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying arsenic (As) exposure and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk has not been fully elucidated. So we aimed to prospectively investigate the role of serum uric acid (SUA) on the association between blood As exposure and incident MetS. A sample of 1045 older participants in a community in China was analyzed. We determined As at baseline and SUA concentration at follow-up in the Yiwu Elderly Cohort. MetS events were defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Generalized linear model with log-binominal regression model was applied to estimate the association of As with incident MetS. To investigate the role of SUA in the association between As and MetS, a mediation analysis was conducted. In the fully adjusted log-binominal model, per interquartile range increment of As, the risk of MetS increased 1.25-fold. Compared with the lowest quartile of As, the adjusted relative risk (RR) of MetS in the highest quartile was 1.42 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03, 2.00). Additionally, blood As was positively associated with SUA, while SUA had significant association with MetS risk. Further mediation analysis demonstrated that the association of As and MetS risk was mediated by SUA, with the proportion of 15.7%. Our study found higher As was remarkably associated with the elevated risk of MetS in the Chinese older adults population. Mediation analysis indicated that SUA might be a mediator in the association between As exposure and MetS.

Spatially resolved metabolomics visualizes heterogeneous distribution of metabolites in lung tissue and the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect of Prismatomeris connate extract.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive end-stage lung disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the progression of this disease remain elusive. Presently, clinically employed drugs are scarce for the treatment of PF. Hence, there is an urgent need for developing novel drugs to address such diseases. Our study found for the first time that a natural source of Prismatomeris connata Y. Z. Ruan (Huang Gen, HG) ethyl acetate extract (HG-2) had a significant anti-PF effect by inhibiting the expression of the transforming growth factor beta 1/suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic (TGF-ß1/Smad) pathway. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that HG-2 had effects on tyrosine kinase phosphorylation, cellular response to reactive oxygen species, and extracellular matrix (ECM) disassembly. Moreover, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was used to visualize the heterogeneous distribution of endogenous metabolites in lung tissue and reveal the anti-PF metabolic mechanism of HG-2, which was related to arginine biosynthesis and alanine, asparate and glutamate metabolism, the downregulation of arachidonic acid metabolism, and the upregulation of glycerophospholipid metabolism. In conclusion, we elaborated on the relationship between metabolite distribution and the progression of PF, constructed the regulatory metabolic network of HG-2, and discovered the multi-target therapeutic effect of HG-2, which might be conducive to the development of new drugs for PF.

Coal-gangue sound recognition using hybrid multi-branch CNN based on attention mechanism fusion in noisy environments.

The coal-gangue recognition technology plays an important role in the intelligent realization of fully mechanized caving face and the improvement of coal quality. Although great progress has been made for the coal-gangue recognition in recent years, most of them have not taken into account the impact of the complex environment of top coal caving on recognition performance. Herein, a hybrid multi-branch convolutional neural network (HMBCNN) is proposed for coal-gangue recognition, which based on improved Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient (MFCC) as well as Mel spectrogram, and attention mechanism. Firstly, the MFCC and its smooth feature matrix are input into each branch of one-dimensional multi-branch convolutional neural network, and the spliced features are extracted adaptively through multi-head attention mechanism. Secondly, the Mel spectrogram and its first-order derivative are input into each branch of the two-dimensional multi-branch convolutional neural network respectively, and the effective time-frequency information is paid attention to through the soft attention mechanism. Finally, at the decision-making level, the two networks are fused to establish a model for feature fusion and classification, obtaining optimal fusion strategies for different features and networks. A database of sound pressure signals under different signal-to-noise ratios and equipment operations is constructed based on a large amount of data collected in the laboratory and on-site. Comparative experiments and discussions are conducted on this database with advanced algorithms and different neural network structures. The results show that the proposed method achieves higher recognition accuracy and better robustness in noisy environments.

Early identification and diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of sepsis-related acute lung injury: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction, and the most common and vulnerable organ is the lungs, with sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) increasing mortality. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have improved our understanding of sepsis-related ARDS in terms of epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, prognosis, and other aspects, as well as our ability to prevent, detect, and treat sepsis-related ARDS. However, sepsis-related lung injury remains an important issue and clinical burden. Therefore, a literature review was conducted on sepsis-related lung injury in order to further guide clinical practice in reducing the acute and chronic consequences of this condition. Methods: This study conducted a search of the MEDLINE and PubMed databases, among others for literature published from 1991 to 2023 using the following keywords: definition of sepsis, acute lung injury, sepsis-related acute lung injury, epidemiology, risk factors, early diagnosis of sepsis-related acute lung injury, sepsis, ARDS, pathology and physiology, inflammatory imbalance caused by sepsis, congenital immune response, and treatment. Key Content and Findings: This review explored the risk factors of sepsis, sepsis-related ARDS, early screening and diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment and found that in view of the high mortality rate of ARDS associated with sepsis. In response to the high mortality rate of sepsis-related ARDS, some progress has been made, such as rapid identification of sepsis and effective antibiotic treatment, early fluid resuscitation, lung-protective ventilation, etc. Conclusions: Sepsis remains a common and challenging critical illness to cure. In response to the high mortality rate of sepsis-related ARDS, progress has been made in rapid sepsis identification, effective antibiotic treatment, early fluid resuscitation, and lung-protective ventilation. However, further research is needed regarding long-term effects such as lung recruitment, prone ventilation, and the application of neuromuscular blocking agents and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

HIF-1α knockdown attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress in ischemic stroke male rats via CXCR4/NF-κB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a sensitive indicator of oxygen homeostasis, of which the expression elevates following hypoxia/ischemia. This study reveals the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of HIF-1α on ischemic stroke (IS). METHODS: IS model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-modeled male rats and oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-treated mice hippocampal cells HT22, followed by the silencing of HIF-1α and the overexpression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Following the surgery, Garcia's grading scale was applied for neurological evaluation. Cerebral infarcts and injuries were visualized using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, malondialdehyde, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, were calculated via ELISA. MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit were adopted to determine the viability and cytotoxicity of OGD/R-modeled cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated using a 2'-7'dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe. The levels of HIF-1α, CXCR4, and NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: HIF-1α knockdown improved Garcia's score, attenuated the cerebral infarct, inflammation, and ROS generation, and alleviated the levels of inflammatory cytokines and CXCR4/NF-κB p65 in MCAO-modeled rats. Such effects were reversed following the overexpression of CXCR4 and NF-κB. Also, in OGD/R-treated HT22 cells, HIF-1α silencing diminished the cytotoxicity and ROS production and reduced the expressions of CXCR4/NF-κB p65, while promoting viability. However, CXCR4/NF-κB p65 overexpression did the opposite. CONCLUSION: HIF-1α knockdown alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in IS through the CXCR4/NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Topic Delivery of an Inhibitor of Serine Racemase on Laser-Induced Choroidal Vasculopathy.

Purpose: Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF antibodies remains the primary therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (exAMD), although its efficacy is limited. Previous research has demonstrated that both a loss-of-function mutation of srr and the intravenous injection of a serine racemase inhibitor, L-aspartic acid ß-hydroxamate (L-ABH), significantly inhibit laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice. Given that L-ABH is a small molecule, this study investigated the effects of L-ABH administered via eye drops on CNV, aiming to develop a noninvasive treatment strategy for exAMD. Methods: CNV models in mice and rhesus macaques were established through laser photocoagulation. Seven monkeys were randomly assigned to receive either saline solution or L-ABH eye drops. Intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of fluorescein characterized CNV in both mice and monkeys. Fluorescein fundus angiography was used to assess leakage, whereas optical coherence tomography measured retinal thickness in the monkeys. Results: L-ABH eye drops significantly reduced fluorescein leakage in laser-injured mice (P < 0.001 compared to saline). In laser-injured rhesus macaques, the average percent changes in leakage areas treated with L-ABH were 2.5% ± 25.8% (P = 0.004) and 1.5% ± 75.7% (P = 0.023 compared to saline solution) on day 14 and day 28, respectively. However, L-ABH eye drops did not significantly affect the number of grade IV laser spots or retinal thickness, whereas bevacizumab did. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of an SRR inhibitor in two animal models of laser-induced CNV. Translational Relevance: This represents the first investigation into the effects of topical delivery of an SRR inhibitor on CNV.

The predictive value of CHA2DS2-VASc score on the prognosis of patients with atrial fibrillation based on a prospective cohort study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, and it is associated with an increased risk of mortality, stroke, and peripheral embolism. The risk of stroke in AF is heterogeneous and dependent on underlying clinical conditions included in current risk stratification schemes. Recently, the CHA2DS2-VASc score has been incorporated into guidelines to encompass common stroke risk factors observed in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to study the predictive value of CHA2DS2-VASc score on the prognosis of patients with AF to determine the correlation of major complications including cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhage in patients with AF with oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet aggregation drugs and to identify the risk factors for all-cause mortality. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 181 patients with AF who underwent physical examinations at Hai'an Qutang Central Hospital from January 2020 to December 2020. The patient's general condition, chronic disease history, CHA2DS2-VASc [congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, and sex category (female)] score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lipid metabolism, and oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet aggregation medication during physical examination were recorded. By using telephone meetings to complete the follow-up, we tracked the patient's cerebral infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, and survival status within 2 years of follow-up, statistically analyzed the relationship between AF complications and medication, and grouped patients with AF based on the CHA2DS2-VASc score to evaluate its predictive ability for mortality outcomes in these patients. Results: The patients were divided into four groups according to the medication situation, and the incidence of cerebral infarction in the combination group was significantly lower than that in the non-medication group (0.0% vs. 19.2%; P<0.01). The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the non-drug group (13.8% vs. 0.0%; P<0.01). The logistic regression model indicated that patients with a history of cerebral infarction had an increased risk of death compared to those without a history of cerebral infarction [odds ratio (OR) =7.404; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.255-24.309]. After grouping according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score, we found that there was a significant difference in the 2-year survival rate between patients with CHA2DS2-VASc score <5 and those with a score ≥5 (P<0.01). The characteristic curve analysis of the participants showed that the CHA2DS2-VASc score had good predictive ability for all-cause mortality in patients with AF (area under the curve =0.754), with a cutoff value of 4, a sensitivity of 62.50%, a specificity of 86.06%, and a 95% CI of 0.684-0.815. Conclusions: The CHA2DS2-VASc score demonstrated high predictive value for all-cause mortality in patients with AF.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells is inhibited by microRNA-494-3p via targeting lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2.

BACKGROUND: Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of inflammation and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. According to our previous study, the expression of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is significantly upregulated in septic patients and is positively correlated with the severity of this disease. Herein, we investigated the potential roles of Lp-PLA2-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs) in LPS-induced inflammation in murine mononuclear macrophages (RAW264.7 cells). METHODS: In LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, Lp-PLA2 was confirmed to be expressed during the inflammatory response. The function of microRNA-494-3p (miR-494-3p) in the LPS-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells was determined by the transfection of a miR-494-3p mimic or inhibitor in vitro. RESULTS: Compared to the control, LPS induced a significant increase in the Lp-PLA2 level, which was accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators. The bioinformatics and qRT‒PCR results indicated that the miR-494-3p level was associated with Lp-PLA2 expression in the LPS-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results confirmed that the 3'-UTR of Lp-PLA2 was a functional target of microRNA-494-3p. During the LPS-induced inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells, targeting Lp-PLA2 and transfecting miR-494-3p mimics significantly upregulated the expression of miR-494-3p, leading to a reduction in the release of inflammatory factors and conferring a protective effect on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: By targeting Lp-PLA2, miR-494-3p suppresses Lp-PLA2 secretion, thereby alleviating LPS-induced inflammation, which indicates that miR-494-3p may be a potential target for sepsis treatment.

Advanced Materials for NH3 Capture: Interaction Sites and Transport Pathways.

Ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free, hydrogen-rich chemical related to global food safety, clean energy, and environmental protection. As an essential technology for meeting the requirements raised by such issues, NH3 capture has been intensively explored by researchers in both fundamental and applied fields. The four typical methods used are (1) solvent absorption by ionic liquids and their derivatives, (2) adsorption by porous solids, (3) ab-adsorption by porous liquids, and (4) membrane separation. Rooted in the development of advanced materials for NH3 capture, we conducted a coherent review of the design of different materials, mainly in the past 5 years, their interactions with NH3 molecules and construction of transport pathways, as well as the structure-property relationship, with specific examples discussed. Finally, the challenges in current research and future worthwhile directions for NH3 capture materials are proposed.

Effects of different observed datasets on the calibration of crop model parameters with GLUE: A case study using the CROPGRO-Soybean phenological model.

Suitable combinations of observed datasets for estimating crop model parameters can reduce the computational cost while ensuring accuracy. This study aims to explore the quantitative influence of different combinations of the observed phenological stages on estimation of cultivar-specific parameters (CPSs). We used the CROPGRO-Soybean phenological model (CSPM) as a case study in combination with the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) method. Different combinations of four observed phenological stages, including initial flowering, initial pod, initial grain, and initial maturity stages for five soybean cultivars from Exp. 1 and Exp. 3 described in Table 2 are respectively used to calibrate the CSPs. The CSPM, driven by the optimized CSPs, is then evaluated against two independent phenological datasets from Exp. 2 and Exp. 4 described in Table 2. Root means square error (RMSE) (mean absolute error (MAE), coefficient of determination (R2), and Nash Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE)) are 15.50 (14.63, 0.96, 0.42), 4.76 (3.92, 0.97, 0.95), 4.69 (3.72, 0.98, 0.95), 3.91 (3.40, 0.99, 0.96) and 12.54 (11.67, 0.95, 0.60), 5.07 (4.61, 0.98, 0.93), 4.97 (4.28, 0.97, 0.94), 4.58 (4.02, 0.98, 0.95) for using one, two, three, and four observed phenological stages in the CSPs estimation. The evaluation results suggest that RMSE and MAE decrease, and R2 and NSE increase with the increase in the number of observed phenological stages used for parameter calibration. However, there is no significant reduction in the RMSEs (MAEs, NSEs) using two, three, and four observed stages. Relatively reliable optimized CSPs for CSMP are obtained by using at least two observed phenological stages balancing calibration effect and computational cost. These findings provide new insight into parameter estimation of crop models.

Mitochondrial ACSS1-K635 acetylation knock-in mice exhibit altered metabolism, cell senescence, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Acetyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 1 (ACSS1) uses acetate to generate mitochondrial acetyl-CoA and is regulated by deacetylation by sirtuin 3. We generated an ACSS1-acetylation (Ac) mimic mouse, where lysine-635 was mutated to glutamine (K635Q). Male Acss1K635Q/K635Q mice were smaller with higher metabolic rate and blood acetate and decreased liver/serum ATP and lactate levels. After a 48-hour fast, Acss1K635Q/K635Q mice presented hypothermia and liver aberrations, including enlargement, discoloration, lipid droplet accumulation, and microsteatosis, consistent with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). RNA sequencing analysis suggested dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism, cellular senescence, and hepatic steatosis networks, consistent with NAFLD. Fasted Acss1K635Q/K635Q mouse livers showed increased fatty acid synthase (FASN) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), both associated with NAFLD, and increased carbohydrate response element-binding protein binding to Fasn and Scd1 enhancer regions. Last, liver lipidomics showed elevated ceramide, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and lysophosphatidylcholine, all associated with NAFLD. Thus, we propose that ACSS1-K635-Ac dysregulation leads to aberrant lipid metabolism, cellular senescence, and NAFLD.

Eliciting Older Cancer Patients' Preferences for Follow-Up Care to Inform a Primary Healthcare Follow-Up Model in China: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Increasing longevity and advances in treatment have increased the cancer burden in the elderly, resulting in complex follow-up care needs; however, in China, little is known about the follow-up care preferences of these patients. This study quantified older cancer patients' preferences for follow-up care and examined the trade-offs they are willing to make to accept an alternative follow-up model. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was conducted among inpatients aged over 60 years with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer, at two large tertiary hospitals in Nantong, China. Preference weights for follow-up care were estimated using mixed logit analysis. Subgroup analysis and latent class analysis were used to explore preference heterogeneity. RESULTS: Complete results were obtained from 422 patients (144 with breast cancer, 133 with prostate cancer, 145 with colorectal cancer), with a mean age of 70.81 years. Older cancer patients stated a preference for follow-up by specialists over primary healthcare (PHC) providers ( ß = -1.18, 95% confidence interval -1.40 to -0.97). The provider of follow-up care services was the most valued attribute among patients with breast cancer (relative importance [RI] 37.17%), while remote contact services were prioritized by patients with prostate (RI 43.50%) and colorectal cancer (RI 33.01%). The uptake rate of an alternative care model integrating PHC increased compared with the baseline setting when patients were provided with preferred services (continuity of care, individualized care plans, and remote contact services). CONCLUSION: To encourage older cancer patients to use PHC-integrated follow-up care, alternative follow-up care models need to be based on patients' preferences before introducing them as a routine option.

Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs.

A ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that leads to the generation of ketones. While KDs improve certain health conditions and are popular for weight loss, detrimental effects have also been reported. Here, we show mice on two different KDs and, at different ages, induce cellular senescence in multiple organs, including the heart and kidney. This effect is mediated through adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inactivation of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) by caspase-2, leading to p53 accumulation and p21 induction. This was established using p53 and caspase-2 knockout mice and inhibitors to AMPK, p21, and caspase-2. In addition, senescence-associated secretory phenotype biomarkers were elevated in serum from mice on a KD and in plasma samples from patients on a KD clinical trial. Cellular senescence was eliminated by a senolytic and prevented by an intermittent KD. These results have important clinical implications, suggesting that the effects of a KD are contextual and likely require individual optimization.

Identifying influence factors and thresholds of the next day's pollen concentration in different seasons using interpretable machine learning.

The prevalence of pollen allergies is a pressing global issue, with projections suggesting that half of the world's population will be affected by 2050 according to the estimation of the World Health Organization (WHO). Accurately forecasting pollen allergy risks requires identifying key factors and their thresholds for aerosol pollen. To address this, we developed a technical framework combining advanced machine learning and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) technology, focusing on Beijing. By analyzing meteorological data and vegetation phenology, we identified the factors influencing next-day's pollen concentration (NDP) in Beijing and their thresholds. Our results highlight vegetation phenology data from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure as crucial factors in spring. In contrast, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), air temperature, and wind speed are significant in autumn. Leveraging SHAP technology, we established season-specific thresholds for these factors. Our study not only confirms previous research but also unveils seasonal variations in the relationship between radar-derived vegetation phenology data and NDP. Additionally, we observe seasonal fluctuations in the influence patterns and threshold values of daily air temperatures on NDP. These insights are pivotal for improving pollen concentration prediction accuracy and managing allergic risks effectively.

Ultrasensitive detection of chlortetracycline in animal-origin food using molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on SnS2/ZnCo-MOF and AuNPs.

The chlortetracycline (CTC) residue in food poses a threat to human health. Therefore, developing sensitive, convenient and selective analytical methods for CTC detection is crucial. This study innovatively uses tin disulfide/bimetallic organic framework (SnS2/ZnCo-MOF) nanocomposites in conjunction with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to co-modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Further, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based electrochemical sensing platform Au-MIP/SnS2/ZnCo-MOF/Au/GCE (AZG) was fabricated for selective CTC detection. SnS2/ZnCo-MOF enhanced the stability and surface area of the AZG sensor. The presence of AuNPs facilitated electron transport between the probe and the electrode across the insulating MIP layer. The fixation of AuNPs and MIP via electropolymerization enhanced the selective recognition of this sensor and amplified its output signal. The AZG sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range (0.1-100 µM), low detection limit (0.072 nM), and high sensitivity (0.830 µA µM-1). It has been used for detecting CTC in animal-origin food with good recovery (96.08%-104.60%).

Association between ambient temperature and risk of notifiable infectious diseases in China from 2011 to 2019.

Previous studies on temperature and infectious diseases primarily focused on individual disease types, yielding inconsistent conclusions. This study collected monthly data on notifiable infectious disease cases and meteorological variables across 7 provinces in China from 2011 to 2019. A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to evaluate the association between ambient temperature and infectious diseases within each province, and random meta-analysis was applied to evaluate the pooled effect. Extreme hot temperature (the 97.5th percentile) was positively associated with the risk of respiratory infectious diseases with the relative risk (RR) of 1.45 (95%CI: 1.01-2.08). Conversely, extreme cold temperature (the 2.5th percentile) was negatively associated with intestinal infectious diseases and zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases, reporting RRs of 0.43 (95%CI: 0.30-0.60) and 0.46 (95%CI: 0.38-0.57), respectively. This study described the nonlinear association between ambient temperature and infectious diseases with different transmission routes, informing comprehensive prevention and control strategies for temperature-related infectious diseases.

Uranyl Affinity between Uranyl Cation and Different Kinds of Monovalent Anions: Density Functional Theory and Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship Model.

In order to design effective extractants for uranium extraction from seawater, it is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the bonding properties between the uranyl cation (UO22+) and various ligands. Therefore, we employed density functional theory to investigate the complexation reactions of UO22+ with 29 different monovalent anions (L-1), exploring both mono- and bidentate coordination. We proposed a novel concept called "uranyl affinity" (Eua) to facilitate the establishment of a standardized scale for assessing the ease or difficulty of coordination bond formation between UO22+ and diverse ligands. Furthermore, we conducted an in-depth investigation into the underlying mechanisms involved. During the process of uranyl complex [(UO2L)+] formation, lone pair electrons from the coordinating atom in L- are transferred to either the lowest unoccupied molecular degenerate orbitals 1ϕu or 1δu of the uranyl ion, which originate from the uranium atom's 5f unoccupied orbitals. In light of discussion concerning the mechanisms of coordination bond formation, quantitative structure-property relationship analyses were conducted to investigate the correlation between Eua and various structural descriptors associated with the 29 ligands under investigation. This analysis revealed distinct patterns in Eua values while identifying key influencing factors among the different ligands.

Is early bilateral compression ultrasonography and D-dimer monitoring appropriately for prophylaxis and diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis after cesarean section women: a single-center observation study of Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is most prevalent among parturients following a cesarean section (CS). The objective of this study was to assess the practical utility of bilateral compression ultrasonography (CUS) of the lower limbs, coupled with D-dimer monitoring, in the early diagnosis of VTE within the Han Chinese population. METHODS: Our prospective observational study included 742 women who underwent CUS and D-dimer testing on the first day post-CS. Subsequently, telephone or outpatient follow-ups were conducted until 42 days postpartum. States of hypercoagulation and thrombosis, as indicated by CUS, were classified as CUS abnormal. A D-dimer level ≥ 3 mg/l was considered the D-dimer warning value. Early ambulation and mechanical prophylaxis were universally recommended for all parturients post-CS. A sequential diagnostic strategy, based on the 2015 RCOG VTE risk-assessment tool, was employed. Therapeutic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) were administered for the treatment of thromboembolic disease. Prophylactic doses of LMWH were given for VTE prophylaxis in parturients with hypercoagulative status accompanied by D-dimer levels ≥ 3 mg/l. All high-risk women (RCOG score ≥ 4 points) were additionally treated with preventive LMWH. Statistical analyses were conducted using the R statistical software, with a two-sided P value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of VTE and 727 instances without VTE were observed. The overall VTE rate post-CS was 2.02% (15/742), with 66.7% (10/15) being asymptomatic. Eleven patients received a VTE diagnosis on the first postpartum day. Among the 41 parturients exhibiting hypercoagulation ultrasound findings and D-dimer levels ≥ 3 mg/l, despite receiving pharmacological VTE prophylaxis with LMWH, 4.88% (2/41) in the high-risk group were eventually diagnosed with VTE. A total of 30.86% (229/742) exhibited normal ultrasound findings and D-dimer levels < 3 mg/l on the first day post-CS, with no VTE occurrences in the postpartum follow-up. According to RCOG's recommendation, 78.03% (579/742) of cesarean delivery women should receive prophylactic anticoagulation, while only 20.62% (153/742) met our criterion for prophylactic anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: The strategy of timely routine bilateral CUS and D-dimer monitoring is conducive to the early diagnosis and treatment of VTE, significantly reducing the use of LMWH in the Chinese Han population.

Association with the plasma atherogenic index with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in the US population.

Plasma atherogenic index (AIP) reflects a novel intricate biochemical indicator of lipids' metabolism. The involvement of lipid metabolism for pathogenesis concerning nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been established. However, the precise association across AIP and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis remains unclear. This present investigation explored the potential correlation across AIP, hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Data were acquired through National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2020. Hepatic steatosis was detected through the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), while hepatic fibrosis was examined via liver stiffness measurement (LSM). The study employed multiple linear, Fitted smoothed curves and subgroup analyses were used for investigating relationships between the AIP, CAP, and LSM. The study recruited 6239 participants. In multivariate linear regression analysis, findings indicated a remarkable correlation between AIP and exacerbated NAFLD risk [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.17 (1.12, 1.21)]. Analysis further revealed a positive link across AIP and hepatic steatosis, as indicated through the CAP [ß (95% CI), 4.07 (3.32, 4.82)]. Tests for non-linearity, revealed a non-linear correlation between AIP and CAP (inflection point = 0.22). Subgroup analyses assessed the consistency of the link across AIP and CAP, indicating that the association remained comparable across all subgroups. Following the adjustment for all relevant variables, the linear regression analysis revealed a lack of statistical significance across the AIP and hepatic fibrosis. [LSM, ß (95% CI), -0.39 (-1.06, 0.28), P = .2501]. Smooth-fitting curves examined the link across AIP and LSM and showed a U-shaped pattern, indicating their positive correlation with AIP less than 0.48. However, no significant correlation was observed with AIP more than 0.48. This study highlighted a substantial positive relationship across AIP and hepatic steatosis, as measured through CAP, and suggests that it may be used as an efficient and rapid measure for clinical prediction of hepatic steatosis.

Association of antenatal corticosteroids with mortality and morbidities in very preterm infants born to women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is the most common cause of indicated preterm delivery, but the impact of prenatal steroid exposure on the outcomes of preterm infants born to HDP mothers, who may be at risk for intrauterine hypoxia-ischemia, remains uncertain. The study objective is to evaluate the mortality and morbidities in HDP for very preterm infants (VPIs) exposed to different course of ANS. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study comprising infants with < 32 weeks gestation born to women with HDP only from 1 Jan. 2019 to 31 Dec. 2021 within 40 participating neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Sino-northern network. ANS courses included completed, partial, repeated, and no ANS. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed on administration of ANS and short-term outcomes before discharge. RESULTS: Among 1917 VPIs born to women with HDP only, 987(51.4%) received a complete course of ANS within 48 h to 7 days before birth, 560(29.2%) received partial ANS within 24 h before delivery, 100(5.2%) received repeat ANS and 270 (14.1%) did not receive any ANS. Compared to infants who received complete ANS, infants unexposed to ANS was associated with higher odds of death (AOR 1.85; 95%CI 1.10, 3.14), Severe Neurological Injury (SNI) or death (AOR 1.68; 95%CI 1.29,3.80) and NEC or death (AOR 1.78; 95%CI 1.55, 2.89), the repeated ANS group exhibits a significant negative correlation with the duration of oxygen therapy days (correlation coefficient - 18.3; 95%CI-39.2, -2.1). However, there were no significant differences observed between the full course and partial course groups in terms of outcomes. We can draw similar conclusions in the non-SGA group, while the differences are not significant in the SGA group. From KM curve, it showed that the repeated group had the highest survival rate, but the statistical analysis did not indicate a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Even partial courses of ANS administered within 24 h before delivery proved to be protective against death and other morbidities. The differences mentioned above are more pronounced in the non-SGA group. Repeat courses demonstrate a trend toward protection, but this still needs to be confirmed by larger samples.