Mirror Syndrome Combined with Postpartum Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Mirror syndrome is a rare disease characterized by "triple edema", while Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (PHUS) is a serious disease that occurs within a short period of time after the end of pregnancy, with a low prevalence and poor prognosis, and it is even rarer for both to occur in the same patient. METHODS: We report a case of mirror syndrome combined with PHUS and analyze the clinical data to improve the understanding of the disease. RESULTS: The patient presented clinically with "triple edema" and was diagnosed with mirror image syndrome. After cesarean section, the patient developed cardiac insufficiency, renal insufficiency, hemolysis, and other symptoms and was diagnosed as PHUS. After active treatment, the maternal prognosis was good. CONCLUSIONS: Mirror syndrome and PHUS are both clinically rare diseases with poor long-term prognosis if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner; therefore, awareness of the diseases, early and accurate diagnosis and timely and correct treatment should be improved.

Targeting CD300ld to normalize the tumor microenvironment: an emerging insight in cancer immunotherapy.

In a recent Nature elegant study, Wang et al. identified CD300ld, a novel functionally highly conserved tumor immunosuppressive receptor, highly expressed specifically on polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), as well as a key receptor in the regulation of recruitment and immunosuppressive function of PMN-MDSCs. Targeting CD300ld could remodel the tumor immune microenvironment, resulting in a broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect.

Retinitis pigmentosa with iris coloboma due to miR-204 gene variant in a Chinese family.

PURPOSE: To characterize the phenotype and genotype of a Chinese family with autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP) accompanied by iris coloboma. METHODS: The proband, a 34-year-old male, was examined with his family by using fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), autofluorescence, and full-field electroretinography (ffERG). Genetic analyses were conducted through whole-exome sequencing (WES) to screen for variations. RESULTS: Three members of this Chinese family were shown to be bilateral iris coloboma. The male proband and his mother exhibited typical RP feature. The proband's late grandfather had been documented manifestation of iris coloboma. The mode of inheritance was confirmed to be autosomal dominance. Through linkage analysis and WES, a heterozygous variation in the miR-204 gene (n.37C>T), a noncoding RNA gene, was identified in these three members. CONCLUSIONS: In this third independent and the first Asian family, the existence of a miR-204 variant associated with RP accompanied by iris coloboma was confirmed. Our findings reinforce the significance of miR-204 as an important factor influencing visual function in the retina. When phenotypes like RP accompanied by iris coloboma in an autosomal-dominant pattern, including in Chinese patients, miR-204 aberrations should be considered.

Watch-and-wait strategy vs. resection in patients with radiologic complete response after conversion therapy for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score-matching comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal subsequent management for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) who have achieved complete response (CR) following conversion therapy remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of the watch-and-wait (W-W) strategy versus surgical resection (SR) for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed patients with initially uHCC who underwent conversion therapy employing transarterial therapies combined with or without systemic therapies. Radiologic CR (rCR), clinical CR (cCR), and pathologic CR (pCR) were evaluated. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between the W-W and SR groups. RESULTS: Among 1880 patients with uHCC who underwent conversion therapy, 207 (11.0%) achieved rCR. Finally, we enrolled 149 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, including 74 receiving W-W strategy and 75 undergoing SR. Among the 149 patients with rCR, the W-W group demonstrated comparable 3-year OS rates to the SR group (80.9 vs 83.1%, P =0.77), but demonstrated inferior PFS rates (14.4 vs 46.5%, P =0.002). These results remained consistent after propensity score matching. For the 57 patients who achieved cCR, the W-W group exhibited comparable 3-year OS (88.1 vs 87.9%, P =0.89) and PFS rates (27.8 vs 40.8%, P =0.34) compared to SR group. Among the 75 patients in the SR group, 31 (41.3%) achieved pCR and 44 (58.7%) reached non-pCR. When compared with patients with pCR, those who achieved rCR in the W-W group showed comparable OS but inferior PFS rates. Moreover, patients who achieved rCR in the W-W group displayed both comparable OS and PFS rates to those with non-pCR. CONCLUSION: The W-W strategy offered comparable survival outcomes to SR in patients with initially uHCC who achieved rCR or cCR after conversion therapy. For these patients, the W-W strategy could be offered as an alternative treatment option.

Laparoscopic Duodenum-Preserving Pancreatic Head Resection via Inferior Infracolic Approach: A Surgical Approach for Benign Lesions.

Minimally invasive pancreatic resections are gaining popularity despite being technically demanding. However, in contrast to laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD), laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (LDPPHR) has not yet obtained wide acceptance. This could be attributed to the technical challenges involved in preserving the blood supply of the duodenum and bile duct. This study describes and demonstrates all the steps of LDPPHR. A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with a 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm pancreatic head cystic mass, which was detected unexpectedly. The surgery was performed using the 3D laparoscopy via an inferior infracolic approach. The operation lasted approximately 310 min with 100 mL of blood loss. Postoperatively, the patient experienced no complications and was discharged 5 days later. Pathology revealed intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. LDPPHR via an inferior infracolic approach is feasible and safe when performed by experienced surgeons in selected patients with thin mesenteric fat layers. The described technique for LDPPHR via inferior infracolic approach should be well standardized and performed at high-volume centers with experienced surgeons in both open and laparoscopic pancreatology.

Sishenwan Combined with Tongxie Yaofang Treats Ulcerative Colitis with Spleen-kidney Yang Deficiency and Liver Depression / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo induce the rat model of ulcerative colitis （UC） with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression， and explore the efficacy and mechanism of Sishenwan combined with Tongxie Yaofang （SSW&TXYF） based on the therapeutic principles of tonifying spleen， soothing liver， warming kidney， and astringing intestine. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomized into normal， model， mesalazine， and high-， medium-， and low-dose SSW&TXYF groups. The rats in other groups except the normal group were administrated with Sennae Folium decoction and hydrocortisone and received tail clamping for 14 days. On day 14， rats received enema with TNBS-ethanol solution to induce UC. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs from day 15 of modeling， and the body weight and mental state were observed and recorded. The sucrose preference test was performed from day 25. On day 28， the rectal temperature was measured， and the rats were administrated with 3% D-xylose solution at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 by gavage. Blood was sampled 1 h later， from which the serum was collected for measurement of the D-xylose content. The serum， hippocampus， and colorectum samples of rats were collected on day 29. The levels of gastrin （GAS）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticosterone （CORT）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）， interleukin （IL）-4， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and interferon （IFN）-γ in the serum and 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in the hippocampus were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the colonic lesions. The mRNA and protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， and c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the colon tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased body weight， anal temperature， and D-xylose content in the serum and increased GAS content （P<0.01）. The modeling led to cAMP/cGMP unbalance and decreased the ACTH and CORT content in the serum （P<0.01）， the preference for sucrose water， and the 5-HT content in the hippocampus （P<0.01）. Moreover， it shortened the colorectal length and caused massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and severe structural damage in the colon tissue. High， medium， and low doses of SSW&TXYF improved above indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced inflammatory infiltration， and repaired the pathological damage of the tissue. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed lowered IL-4 level （P<0.01） and elevated TNF-α and IFN-γ levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the serum， as well as up-regulated expression of p38 MAPK， ERK， and JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， SSW&TXYF elevated the IL-4 level （P<0.01）， lowered the TNF-α and IFN-γ levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK， ERK， and JNK （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionA rat model of UC with spleen-kidney Yang deficiency and liver depression was successfully established. SSW&TXYF can significantly mitigate this syndrome by reducing the inflammatory response in the colon and inhibiting the MAPK pathway.

RFX6 facilitates aerobic glycolysis-mediated growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting PGAM1.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells undergo reprogramming of glucose metabolism to support uncontrolled proliferation, of which the intrinsic mechanism still merits further investigation. Although regulatory factor X6 (RFX6) is aberrantly expressed in different cancers, its precise role in cancer development remains ambiguous. METHODS: Microarrays of HCC tissues were employed to investigate the expression of RFX6 in tumour and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Functional assays were employed to explore the role of RFX6 in HCC development. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, untargeted metabolome profiling and sequencing were performed to identify potential downstream genes and pathways regulated by RFX6. Metabolic assays were employed to investigate the effect of RFX6 on glycolysis in HCC cells. Bioinformatics databases were used to validate the above findings. RESULTS: HCC tissues exhibited elevated expression of RFX6. High RFX6 expression represented as an independent hazard factor correlated to poor prognosis in patients with HCC. RFX6 deficiency inhibited HCC development in vitro and in vivo, while its overexpression exerted opposite functions. Mechanistically, RFX6 bound to the promoter area of phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) and upregulated its expression. The increased PGAM1 protein levels enhanced glycolysis and further promoted the development of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: RFX6 acted as a novel driver for HCC development by promoting aerobic glycolysis, disclosing the potential of the RFX6-PGAM1 axis for therapeutic targeting.

H-NMR-based metabolomics study on the effects of raw and processed radix Wikstroemia indica on endogenous metabolites in rat plasma.

Based on metabolomics, to study the mechanism of Radix Wikstroemia indica (RWI) "Sweat soaking method" processing detoxification. The raw drug group and processed products was given raw RWI and processed RWI respectively by gavage. The control group was given the same amount of 1% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose distilled water by gavage. After 7 days of continuous gavage, blood samples were collected. The blood samples of rats in each group were analyzed by 1H-NMR technology to explore the changes of endogenous metabolism and the possible metabolic pathways to rats before and after processing. Compared with the control group, the raw RWI could significantly reduce 16 metabolites and increase 10 metabolites. The processed RWI can increase the levels of most metabolites that decrease to the raw RWI, such as 13 metabolites such as alanine, L-glutamine, L-valine, L-serine, betaine and glutamic acid; At the same time, the metabolites that increased in the level of crude products were down-regulated, such as asparagine, lactic acid, 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, sucrose, glucose and D-glucose. Compared with raw products, RWI treated with "Sweat soaking method" can reversely regulate or reduce amino acid, choline metabolism, energy and carbohydrate metabolism, thereby reducing hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Dysregulation of PLOD2 Promotes Tumor Metastasis and Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background and Aims: Metastasis is a major factor associated with high recurrence and mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients while the underlying mechanism of metastasis remains elusive. In our study, procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 2 (PLOD2) was shown to be involved in the process of metastasis in HCC. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and HCC tissue microarrays were used to evaluate the expression of genes. In vitro migration, invasion, in vivo subcutaneous tumor model and in vivo lung metastasis assays were used to determine the role of PLOD2 in tumor growth and metastasis in HCC. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis were performed to uncover the downstream factor of PLOD2 in HCC cells. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to evaluate the interaction between PLOD2 and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5). Results: The expression of PLOD2 in HCC tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues, and increased PLOD2 expression was often found in advanced tumors and was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. In vitro experiments, knockdown of PLOD2 reduced the migration and invasion of human HCC cells. Loss of PLOD2 suppressed human HCC growth and metastasis in a subcutaneous tumor model and a lung metastasis model. Baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3) was proven to be the downstream factor of PLOD2 in human HCC cells. In addition, PLOD2 was transcriptionally regulated by IRF5 in HCC cells. Conclusions: High expression of PLOD2 was regulated by IRF5, which was correlated with the poor survival of HCC patients. PLOD2 enhanced HCC metastasis via BIRC3, suggesting that PLOD2 might be a valuable prognostic biomarker for HCC treatment.

Application of Surface Landmarks Combined with Image-Guided Sinus Location in the Retrosigmoid Approach and Their Clinic-Image Relationship Analysis.

Objectives During craniotomy for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) lesions, the exact exposure of the margin of the venous sinuses complex remains an essential but risky part of the procedure. Here, we revealed the exact position of the asterion and sinus complex by combining preoperative image information and intraoperative cranial landmarks, and analyzed their clinic-image relationship. Methods Ninety-four patients who underwent removal of vestibular schwannoma (VS) through retrosigmoid craniotomies were enrolled in the series. To determine the exact location of the sigmoid sinus and the transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus junction (TSSJ), we used preoperative images, such as computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with intraoperative anatomical landmarks. The distance between the asterion and the sigmoid sinus was measured using MRI T1 sequences with gadolinium and/or the CT bone window. Results In 94 cases of retrosigmoid craniotomies, the asterion lay an average of 12.71 mm on the posterior to the body surface projection to the TSSJ. Intraoperative cranial surface landmarks were used in combination with preoperative image information to identify the distance from the asterion to the sigmoid sinus at the transverse sinus level, allowing for an appropriate initial burr hole (the margin of the TSSJ). Conclusion By combining intraoperative anatomical landmarks and preoperative image information, the margin of the TSSJ, in particular, the inferior margin of the transverse sinus, can be well and thoroughly identified in the retrosigmoid approach.

Polarized Tunneling Transistor for Ultrafast Memory.

In today's information age, high performance nonvolatile memory devices have become extremely important. Despite their potential, existing devices suffer from limitations, such as low operation speed, low memory capacity, short retention time, and a complex preparation process. To overcome these limitations, advanced memory designs are required to improve speed, memory capacity, and retention time and reduce the number of preparation steps. Here, we present a nonvolatile floating-gate-like memory device based on a transistor that uses the polarization effect of ferroelectric material PZT (Pb[Zr0.2Ti0.8]O3) for regulating tunneling electrons for charging and discharging the MoS2 channel layer. The transistor is defined as a polarized tunneling transistor (PTT) and does not require a tunnel layer or a floating-gate layer. The PTT demonstrates an ultrafast programming/erasing speed of 25/20 ns and a response time of 120/105 ns, which is comparable to the ultrafast flash memories based on van der Waals heterostructures. Additionally, the PTT has a high extinction ratio of 104, a long retention time of 10 years, and a simple fabrication process. Our research provides future guidelines for the development of the next generation of ultrafast nonvolatile memory devices.

Tandem addition of nucleophilic and electrophilic reagents to vinyl phosphinates: the stereoselective formation of organophosphorus compounds with congested tertiary carbons.

Carbon anions formed via the addition of Grignard reagents to SP-vinyl phosphinates were modified with electrophilic reagents to afford organophosphorus compounds with diverse carbon skeletons. The electrophiles included acids, aldehydes, epoxy groups, chalcogens and alkyl halides. When alkyl halides were used, bis-alkylated products were afforded. Substitution reactions or polymerization occurred when the reaction was applied to vinyl phosphine oxides.

Lead-Free Halide Perovskites for Direct X-Ray Detectors.

Lead halide perovskites have made remarkable progress in the field of radiation detection owing to the excellent and unique optoelectronic properties. However, the instability and the toxicity of lead-based perovskites have greatly hindered its practical applications. Alternatively, lead-free perovskites with high stability and environmental friendliness thus have fascinated significant research attention for direct X-ray detection. In this review, the current research progress of X-ray detectors based on lead-free halide perovskites is focused. First, the synthesis methods of lead-free perovskites including single crystals and films are discussed. In addition, the properties of these materials and the detectors, which can provide a better understanding and designing satisfactory devices are also presented. Finally, the challenge and outlook for developing high-performance lead-free perovskite X-ray detectors are also provided.

PRMT3-mediated arginine methylation of IGF2BP1 promotes oxaliplatin resistance in liver cancer.

Although oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy has been effective in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primary or acquired resistance to oxaliplatin remains a major challenge in the clinic. Through functional screening using CRISPR/Cas9 activation library, transcriptomic profiling of clinical samples, and functional validation in vitro and in vivo, we identify PRMT3 as a key driver of oxaliplatin resistance. Mechanistically, PRMT3-mediated oxaliplatin-resistance is in part dependent on the methylation of IGF2BP1 at R452, which is critical for the function of IGF2BP1 in stabilizing the mRNA of HEG1, an effector of PRMT3-IGF2BP1 axis. Also, PRMT3 overexpression may serve as a biomarker for oxaliplatin resistance in HCC patients. Collectively, our study defines the PRTM3-IGF2BP1-HEG1 axis as important regulators and therapeutic targets in oxaliplatin-resistance and suggests the potential to use PRMT3 expression level in pretreatment biopsy as a biomarker for oxaliplatin-resistance in HCC patients.

A novel NHEJ gene signature based model for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is the predominant DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway in human. However, the relationship between NHEJ pathway and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. We aimed to explore the potential prognostic role of NHEJ genes and to develop an NHEJ-based prognosis signature for HCC. METHODS: Two cohorts from public database were incorporated into this study. The Kaplan-Meier curve, the Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and Cox analyses were implemented to determine the prognostic genes. A NHEJ-related risk model was created and verified by independent cohorts. We derived enriched pathways between the high- and low-risk groups using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). CIBERSORT and microenvironment cell populations-counter algorithm were used to perform immune infiltration analysis. XRCC6 is a core NHEJ gene and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was further performed to elucidate the prognostic impact. In vitro proliferation assays were conducted to investigate the specific effect of XRCC6. RESULTS: A novel NHEJ-related risk model was developed based on 6 NHEJ genes and patients were divided into distinct risk groups according to the risk score. The high-risk group had a poorer survival than those in the low-risk group (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, an obvious discrepancy in the landscape of the immune microenvironment also indicated that distinct immune status might be a potential determinant affecting prognosis as well as immunotherapy reactiveness. High XRCC6 expression level associates with poor outcome in HCC. Moreover, XRCC6 could promote HCC cell proliferation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: In brief, this work reveals a novel NHEJ-related risk signature for prognostic evaluation of HCC patients, which may be a potential biomarker of HCC immunotherapy.

TACE-HAIC combined with targeted therapy and immunotherapy versus TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumour thrombus: a propensity score matching study.

BACKGROUND: The long-term survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is poor. Systemic therapy, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy are widely used in HCC patients with PVTT. This study aims to explore the efficacy of combining systemic therapy with transarterial-based therapy in HCC patients with PVTT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed data of HCC patients with PVTT treated with combination therapy (TACE-hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and PD-1 inhibitors) or TACE alone in SYSUCC from 2011 to 2020. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival, and overall response rate were compared. Propensity score matching was used to minimize confounding bias. RESULTS: A total of 743 HCC patients with PVTT received combination therapy ( n =139) or TACE alone ( n =604). After propensity score matching, the overall response rate was significantly higher in the combination group than in the TACE group [42.1% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.001 (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours); 53.7% vs. 7.8%, P < 0.001 (modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumours)]. The combination group showed significantly better OS than the TACE group (median OS not reached vs. 10.4 months, P < 0.001). The median progression-free survival of the combination and TACE groups was 14.8 and 2.3 months ( P < 0.001), respectively. Tumour downstaging followed by salvage liver resection was significantly more common for the combination therapy group than for TACE group (46.3% vs. 4.5%, P < 0.001). After salvage liver resection, 31.6% (30/95) and 1.7% (3/179) of the patients achieved a pathological complete response in the combination and TACE groups, respectively ( P < 0.001). The grade 3/4 adverse events rates were similar between the two groups (28.1% vs. 35.9%, P =0.092). CONCLUSION: Compared with TACE alone, combination therapy was safe enough and resulted in survival benefits. This is a promising treatment option for HCC patients with PVTT.

Preparation of Vinylphosphonates from Ketones Promoted by Tf2O.

An efficient triflic anhydride promoted phosphorylation of ketone was disclosed, and vinylphosphorus compounds were prepared under solvent- and metal-free conditions. Both aryl and alkyl ketones could perform smoothly to give vinyl phosphonates in high to excellent yields. In addition, the reaction was easy to carry out and easy to scale up. Mechanistic studies suggested that this transformation might involve nucleophilic vinylic substitution or a nucleophilic addition-elimination mechanism.

Metformin alleviates ethanol-induced cardiomyocyte injury by activating AKT/Nrf2 signaling in an ErbB2-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Metformin, a first-line oral anti-diabetic drug, has recently been reported to exert protective effect on various cardiovascular diseases. However, the potential role of metformin in ethanol-induced cardiomyocyte injury is still unknown. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on ethanol-induced cardiomyocyte injury and its underlying mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were exposed to ethanol for 24 h to establish an ethanol-induced cardiomyocyte injury model, and followed by treatment with metformin in the presence or absence of Lapatinib (an ErbB2 inhibition). CCK8 and LDH assays demonstrated that metformin improved cell viability in cardiomyocytes exposed to ethanol. Furthermore, metformin suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reduced the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and C-CAS-3). In addition, our results showed that metformin activated the AKT/Nrf2 pathway, and then promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation and the transcription of its downstream antioxidant genes (HO-1, CAT and SOD2), thereby inhibiting oxidative stress. Interestingly, we found that ErbB2 protein expression was significantly inhibited in ethanol-treated cardiomyocytes, which was markedly reversed by metformin. In contrast, Lapatinib largely abrogated the activation of AKT/Nrf2 signaling by metformin, accompanied by the increases in oxidative stress and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, indicating that metformin prevented ethanol-induced cardiomyocyte injury in an ErbB2-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study provides the first evidence that metformin protects cardiomyocyte against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by activating ErbB2-mediated AKT/Nrf2 signaling. Thus, metformin may be a potential novel treatment approach for alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Nomogram model for the risk of insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents based on anthropomorphology and lipid derived indicators.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to screen for measures and lipid-derived indicators associated with insulin resistance (IR) in obese children and adolescents and develop a nomogram model for predicting the risk of insulin resistance. METHODS: A total of 404 eligible obese children and adolescents aged 10-17 years were recruited for this study from a summer camp between 2019 and 2021. The risk factors were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-logistic regression model, and a nomogram model was developed. The diagnostic value of the model was evaluated by plotting the receiver operator characteristic curve and calculating the area under the curve. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method, with 1000 self-samples to evaluate the model stability. The clinical applicability of the model was assessed by plotting the clinical decision curve. RESULTS: On the basis of the LASSO regression analysis results, three lipid-related derivatives, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL-c, and LDL-c/HDL-c, were finally included in the IR risk prediction model. The nomogram model AUC was 0.804 (95% CI: 0.760 to 0.849). Internal validation results show a C-Index of 0.799, and the mean absolute error between the predicted and actual risks of IR was 0.015. The results of the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test show a good model prediction (χ2 = 9.523, P = 0.300). CONCLUSION: Three early warning factors, TG/HDL-c, TC/HDL-c, and LDL-c/HDL-c, were screened, which can effectively predict the risk of developing IR in obese children and adolescents, and the nomogram model has an eligible diagnostic value.

Research on soft sensing method of photosynthetic bacteria fermentation process based on ant colony algorithm and least squares support vector machine.

Photosynthetic bacteria wastewater treatment is an efficient water pollution treatment method, but photosynthetic bacteria fermentation is a multivariable, non-linear, and time-varying process. So it is difficult to establish an accurate model. Aiming at the difficulty of online measurement of key parameters, such as bacterial concentration and matrix concentration in photosynthetic bacteria fermentation process, an improved ant colony algorithm least squares support vector machine (AC-LSSVM) soft sensing model method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the virtual sensing subsystem of the photosynthetic bacteria fermentation process is proposed, with measurable parameters as input and unmeasurable key parameters as output, and the left inverse soft sensing model of virtual sensing is constructed. Then, the ant colony algorithm can quickly find the shortest path to optimize the parameters of the traditional PI regulation, to improve the dynamic performance and accuracy of parameter measurement in the fermentation process. After that, the ant colony algorithm is used to optimize penalty parameters C and kernel parameters σ of LSSVM, which effectively avoids the local optimization and improves the computing power and global optimization ability. Finally, the soft sensing prediction model of the photosynthetic bacteria fermentation process based on AC-LSSVM is established. Compared with SVM and LSSVM prediction models, the root mean square error of bacterial concentration and matrix concentration based on the AC-LSSVM model are 0.468 and 0.126, respectively. The simulation analysis shows that this model has less error and better prediction ability, and it can meet the needs of online prediction of key parameters of photosynthetic bacteria fermentation.