Genomic analysis of Cobetia sp. D5 reveals its role in marine sulfur cycling.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of the most abundant sulfur-containing organic compounds on the earth, which is an important carbon and sulfur source and plays an important role in the global sulfur cycle. Marine microorganisms are an important group involved in DMSP metabolism. The strain Cobetia sp. D5 was isolated from seawater samples in the Yellow Sea area of Qingdao during an algal bloom. There is still limited knowledge on the capacity of DMSP utilization of Cobetia bacteria. The study reports the whole genome sequence of Cobetia sp. D5 to understand its DMSP metabolism pathway. The genome of Cobetia sp. D5 consists of a circular chromosome with a length of 4,233,985 bp and the GC content is 62.56%. Genomic analysis showed that Cobetia sp. D5 contains a set of genes to transport and metabolize DMSP, which can cleave DMSP to produce dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and 3-Hydroxypropionyl-Coenzyme A (3-HP-CoA). DMS diffuses into the environment to enter the global sulfur cycle, whereas 3-HP-CoA is catabolized to acetyl CoA to enter central carbon metabolism. Thus, this study provides genetic insights into the DMSP metabolic processes of Cobetia sp. D5 during a marine algal bloom, and contributes to the understanding of the important role played by marine bacteria in the global sulfur cycle.

Altered individual gray matter structural covariance networks in early abstinence patients with alcohol dependence.

While alterations in cortical thickness have been widely observed in individuals with alcohol dependence, knowledge about cortical thickness-based structural covariance networks is limited. This study aimed to explore the topological disorganization of structural covariance networks based on cortical thickness at the single-subject level among patients with alcohol dependence. Structural imaging data were obtained from 61 patients with alcohol dependence during early abstinence and 59 healthy controls. The single-subject structural covariance networks were constructed based on cortical thickness data from 68 brain regions and were analyzed using graph theory. The relationships between network architecture and clinical characteristics were further investigated using partial correlation analysis. In the structural covariance networks, both patients with alcohol dependence and healthy controls displayed small-world topology. However, compared to controls, alcohol-dependent individuals exhibited significantly altered global network properties characterized by greater normalized shortest path length, greater shortest path length, and lower global efficiency. Patients exhibited lower degree centrality and nodal efficiency, primarily in the right precuneus. Additionally, scores on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test were negatively correlated with the degree centrality and nodal efficiency of the left middle temporal gyrus. The results of this correlation analysis did not survive after multiple comparisons in the exploratory analysis. Our findings may reveal alterations in the topological organization of gray matter networks in alcoholism patients, which may contribute to understanding the mechanisms of alcohol addiction from a network perspective.

Decreased inter-hemispheric cooperation in major depressive disorder and its association with neurotransmitter profiles.

BACKGROUND: Inter-hemispheric cooperation is a prominent feature of the human brain, and previous neuroimaging studies have revealed aberrant inter-hemispheric cooperation patterns in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Typically, inter-hemispheric cooperation is examined by calculating the functional connectivity (FC) between each voxel in one hemisphere and its anatomical (structurally homotopic) counterpart in the opposite hemisphere. However, bilateral hemispheres are actually asymmetric in anatomy. METHODS: In the present study, we utilized connectivity between functionally homotopic voxels (CFH) to investigate abnormal inter-hemispheric cooperation in 96 MDD patients compared to 173 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). In addition, we analyzed the spatial correlations between abnormal CFH and the density maps of 13 neurotransmitter receptors and transporters. RESULTS: The CFH values in bilateral orbital frontal gyri and bilateral postcentral gyri were abnormally decreased in patients with MDD. Furthermore, these CFH abnormalities were correlated with clinical symptoms. In addition, the abnormal CFH pattern in MDD patients was spatially correlated with the distribution pattern of 5-HT1AR. LIMITATIONS: drug effect; the cross-sectional research design precludes causal inferences; the neurotransmitter atlases selected were constructed from healthy individuals rather than MDD patients. CONCLUSION: These findings characterized the abnormal inter-hemispheric cooperation in MDD using a novel method and the underlying neurotransmitter mechanism, which promotes our understanding of the pathophysiology of depression.

Sublethal effect and detoxifying metabolism of metaflumizone and indoxacarb on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a highly polyphagous invasive pest that damages various crops. Pesticide control is the most common and effective strategy to control FAW. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of metaflumizone and indoxacarb against third-instar FAW larvae using the insecticide-incorporated artificial diet method under laboratory conditions. Both metaflumizone and indoxacarb exhibited substantial toxicity against FAW, with LC50 values of 2.43 and 14.66 mg/L at 72 h, respectively. The sublethal effects of metaflumizone and indoxacarb on parental and F1 generation FAW were investigated by exposing third-instar larvae to LC10 and LC30 concentrations of these insecticides. Sublethal exposure to these two insecticides significantly shortened adult longevity, extended pupal developmental times and led to reduced pupal weight, pupation rates, and adult fecundity in the treated parental generation and F1 generation at LC10 or LC30 concentrations, in comparison to the control group. The larval developmental times were shortened in the parental generation but prolonged in the F1 generation, after being treated with sublethal concentrations of metaflumizone. Furthermore, larvae exposed to LC10 or LC30 concentrations of indoxacarb exhibited elevated activity levels of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and glutathione S-transferase, which coincides with the observed synergistic effect of piperonyl butoxide and diethyl maleate. In conclusion, the high toxicity and negative impact of metaflumizone and indoxacarb on FAW provided significant implications for the rational utilization of insecticides against this pest.

The diagnostic value of tenascin-C in acute aortic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Misdiagnosis of acute aortic syndrome (AAS) significantly increases mortality. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein related to cardiovascular injury. The elevation of TN-C in AAS and whether it can discriminate sudden-onset of acute chest pain in Chinese remains unclear. METHODS: We measured the plasma concentration of TN-C by ELISA in a cohort of 376 patients with chest or back pain. Measures to discriminate AAS from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were compared and calculated. RESULTS: From October 2016 to September 2021, 376 undiagnosed patients with chest or back pain were enrolled. 166 of them were finally diagnosed as AAS, 100 were ACS and 110 without cardiovascular diseases (NCV). TN-C was significantly elevated in AAS at 18.18 ng/mL (IQR: 13.10-27.68) compared with 7.51 ng/mL (IQR: 5.67-11.38) in ACS (P < 0.001) and 3.68 ng/mL (IQR: 2.50-5.29) in NCV (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in TN-C level among the subtypes of AAS. Of the 166 AAS patients, the peaked level of TN-C was at acute stage (P = 0.012), then a slight of decrease was observed at subacute stage. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for AAS patients versus NCV was 0.979 (95% CI: 0.964-0.994) for TN-C. At a cutoff level of 11.474 ng/mL, TN-C has a sensitivity of 76.0%, specificity of 85.5%, accuracy of 82.0%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 76.0%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.5%. Diagnostic performance of TN-C was superior to D-dimer and hs-cTnT. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of serum TN-C in AAS patients was significantly higher than that in ACS patients and NCV. TN-C could be a new biomarker to distinguish AAS patients in the early stage after symptoms onset from other pain diseases.

Variability of BMP-2 content in DBM products derived from different long bone.

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) has been regarded as an ideal bone substitute as a native carrier of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and other growth factors. However, the osteoinductive properties diverse in different DBM products. We speculate that the harvest origin further contributing to variability of BMPs contents in DBM products besides the process technology. In the study, the cortical bone of femur, tibia, humerus, and ulna from a signal donor were prepared and followed demineralizd into DBM products. Proteins in bone martix were extracted using guanidine-HCl and collagenase, respectively, and BMP-2 content was detected by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Variability of BMP-2 content was found in 4 different DBM products. By guanidine-HCl extraction, the average concentration in DBMs harvested from ulna, humerus, tibia, and femur were 0.613 ± 0.053, 0.848 ± 0.051, 3.293 ± 0.268, and 21.763 ± 0.344, respectively (p < 0.05), while using collagenase, the levels were 0.089 ± 0.004, 0.097 ± 0.004, 0.330 ± 0.012, and 1.562 ± 0.008, respectively (p < 0.05). In general, the content of BMP-2 in long bones of Lower limb was higher than that in long bones of upper limb, and GuHCl had remarkably superior extracted efficiency for BMP-2 compared to collagenase. The results suggest that the origin of cortical bones harvested to fabricate DBM products contribute to the variability of native BMP-2 content, while the protein extracted method only changes the measured values of BMP-2.

Computer-aided design to enhance the stability of aldo-keto reductase KdAKR.

The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) KdAKR from Kluyvermyces dobzhanskii can reduce t-butyl 6-chloro-(5S)-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((5S)-CHOH) to t-butyl 6-chloro-(3R,5S)-dihydroxyhexanoate ((3R,5S)-CDHH), which is the key chiral intermediate of rosuvastatin. Herein, a computer-aided design that combined the use of PROSS platform and consensus design was employed to improve the stability of a previously constructed mutant KdAKRM6 . Experimental verification revealed that S196C, T232A, V264I and V45L produced improved thermostability and activity. The "best" mutant KdAKRM10 (KdAKRM6 -S196C/T232A/V264I/V45L) was constructed by combining the four beneficial mutations, which displayed enhanced thermostability. Its T50 15 and Tm values were increased by 10.2 and 10.0°C, respectively, and half-life (t1/2 ) at 40°C was increased by 17.6 h. Additionally, KdAKRM10 demonstrated improved resistance to organic solvents compared to that of KdAKRM6 . Structural analysis revealed that the increased number of hydrogen bonds and stabilized hydrophobic core contributed to the rigidity of KdAKRM10 , thus improving its stability. The results validated the feasibility of the computer-aided design strategy in improving the stability of AKRs.

Novel PTCH1 Mutation Causes Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the aetiology and pathogenesis of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GS; also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome [NBCCS] or basal cell nevus syndrome [BCNS]) in a Chinese family. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on genomic DNA samples from the subjects in a family, followed by the investigation of pathogenesis via bioinformatic approaches and conformational analysis. RESULTS: A novel heterozygous non-frameshift deletion patched 1 (PTCH1) [NM_000264: c.3512_3526del (p.1171_1176del)] was identified by WES and further validated by Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatic and conformational analysis showed that the mutation caused altered PTCH1 protein structure, which may be related to functional abnormalities. CONCLUSION: This study expands the mutation spectrum of PTCH1 in GS and facilitates the early diagnosis and screening of GS. PTCH1 [c.3512_3526del (p.1171_1176del)] may cause structural abnormalities and functional disabilities, leading to GS in families.

The volume of gray matter mediates the relationship between glucolipid metabolism and neurocognition in first-episode, drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia.

We aimed to examine the hypotheses that glucolipid metabolism is linked to neurocognition and gray matter volume (GMV) and that GMV mediates the association of glucolipid metabolism with neurocognition in first-episode, drug-naïve (FEDN) patients with schizophrenia. Parameters of glucolipid metabolism, neurocognition, and magnetic resonance imaging were assessed in 63 patients and 31 controls. Compared to controls, patients exhibited higher levels of fasting glucose, triglyceride, and insulin resistance index, lower levels of cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, poorer neurocognitive functions, and decreased GMV in the bilateral insula, left middle occipital gyrus, and left postcentral gyrus. In the patient group, triglyceride levels and the insulin resistance index exhibited a negative correlation with Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP) mean latency, a measure of attention within the Cambridge Neurocognitive Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), while showing a positive association with GMV in the right insula. The mediation model revealed that triglyceride and insulin resistance index had a significant positive indirect (mediated) influence on RVP mean latency through GMV in the right insula. Glucolipid metabolism was linked to both neurocognitive functions and GMV in FEDN patients with schizophrenia, with the effect pattern differing from that observed in chronic schizophrenia or schizophrenia comorbid with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, glucolipid metabolism might indirectly contribute to neurocognitive deficits through the mediating role of GMV in these patients.

Checklist of the genus Ridsdalea (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae) in Vietnam with description of the new species R.backanensis.

The paper provides an identification key and an annotated list of all six species of the genus Ridsdalea J.T.Pereira & K.M.Wong (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae) recorded in the flora of Vietnam, along with data on their valid names, synonyms, types, and distribution. A new species, R.backanensis, discovered in the limestone area of Bac Kan Province (northern Vietnam), is described and illustrated. Detailed data on its characters, ecology, distribution, phenology, preliminary IUCN conservation status, and taxonomical notes are given. The newly discovered species is potentially interesting for cultivation as an ornamental tree that may be effectively used in garden and urban green architecture.

Interactions between overweight/obesity and alcohol dependence impact human brain white matter microstructure: evidence from DTI.

There is inconsistent evidence for an association of obesity with white matter microstructural alterations. Such inconsistent findings may be related to the cumulative effects of obesity and alcohol dependence. This study aimed to investigate the possible interactions between alcohol dependence and overweight/obesity on white matter microstructure in the human brain. A total of 60 inpatients with alcohol dependence during early abstinence (44 normal weight and 16 overweight/obese) and 65 controls (42 normal weight and 23 overweight/obese) were included. The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures [fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD)] of the white matter microstructure were compared between groups. We observed significant interactive effects between alcohol dependence and overweight/obesity on DTI measures in several tracts. The DTI measures were not significantly different between the overweight/obese and normal-weight groups (although widespread trends of increased FA and decreased RD were observed) among controls. However, among the alcohol-dependent patients, the overweight/obese group had widespread reductions in FA and widespread increases in RD, most of which significantly differed from the normal-weight group; among those with overweight/obesity, the alcohol-dependent group had widespread reductions in FA and widespread increases in RD, most of which were significantly different from the control group. This study found significant interactive effects between overweight/obesity and alcohol dependence on white matter microstructure, indicating that these two controllable factors may synergistically impact white matter microstructure and disrupt structural connectivity in the human brain.

In vitro inhalation bioaccessibility and health risk assessment of difenoconazole in the atmosphere.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the risk of pesticide inhalation in populations around farmland is necessary because inhalation is one of the ways in which pesticides can risk human health. This study aimed to identify the inhalation risk of difenoconazole on humans by using dose-response and exposure assessments. RESULTS: In the field simulation application, respiratory exposure in populations around farmland ranged from 71 to 430 ng/m3 . Using response surface methodology, the maximum bioaccessibility of difenoconazole in three simulated lung fluids was 35.33% in Gamble's solution (GS), 34.12% in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF), and 42.06% in simulated interstitial lung fluid (SLF). Taking the proliferation activity of the A549 cell model as the endpoint, the benchmark dose limit and benchmark dose of difenoconazole on A549 cells were 16.36 and 5.60 mg/kg, respectively. The margin of exposure to difenoconazole in GS, ALF and SLF were, respectively, 8.66 × 105 to 5.28 × 106 , 8.97 × 105 to 5.47 × 106 and 7.28 × 105 to 4.44 × 106 . CONCLUSION: The risk assessment results indicate that under all circumstances, applying difenoconazole is safe for populations around farmland. However, a fan-shaped nozzle, suspension concentrate and greater inhalation height increase the risk of inhalation. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Knockdown of the glutamate-gated chloride channel gene decreases emamectin benzoate susceptibility in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda.

Emamectin benzoate (EB), a derivative of avermectin, is the primary insecticide used to control the fall armyworm (FAW) in China. However, the specific molecular targets of EB against FAW remain unclear. In this study, we cloned the glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) gene, which is known to be a primary molecular target for avermectin. We first investigated the transcript levels of SfGluCl in FAW and found that the expression level of SfGluCl in the head and nerve cord was significantly higher than that in other tissues. Furthermore, we found that the expression level of SfGluCl was significantly higher in eggs than that in other developmental stages, including larvae, pupae, and adults. Additionally, we identified three variable splice forms of SfGluCl in exons 3 and 9 and found that their splice frequencies remained unaffected by treatment with the LC50 of EB. RNAi mediated knockdown of SfGluCl showed a significant reduction of 42% and 65% after 48 and 72 h of dsRNA feeding, respectively. Importantly, knockdown of SfGluCl sifgnificantly reduced LC50 and LC90 EB treatment induced mortality of FAW larvae by 15% and 44%, respectively, compared to the control group feeding by dsEGFP. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the mortality of FAW larvae treated with the control insecticides chlorantraniliprole and spinetoram. Finally, molecular docking simulations revealed that EB bound to the large amino-terminal extracellular domain of SfGluCl by forming five hydrogen bonds, two alkyl hydrophobic interactions and one salt bridge. These findings strongly suggest that GluCl may serve as one of the molecular targets of EB in FAW, shedding light on the mode of action of this important insecticide.

Analysis of Correlation Between Coronary Heart Disease and Genetic Polymorphism Detected by Gold Magnetic Nanoparticles Chromatography.

It aimed to explore the correlation of Glu504Lys locus mutation of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) with coronary heart disease (CHD) based on gold magnetic nanoparticles (GMNPs) chromatography and amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (ARMS-PCR). 120 CHD patients admitted to the cardiovascular Department of Wenling First People's Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University from December 2020 to December 2021 were selected as Case group and 80 non-CHD patients admitted during the same period were selected as Ctrl group. The venous blood and indexes of Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), and Fasting Blood Glucose (FBS) were collected. The ARMS-PCR GMNPs chromatography based on ARMS-PCR and immunochromatography assay was adopted to detect gene polymorphism of ALDH2. Correlation between ALDH2 gene polymorphism and risk factors of CHD was analyzed via logistic regression. In contrast to Ctrl group, the genotypes of GG, GA, and AA in Case group were evidently different (P < 0.05), and the frequency of A allelic gene was obviously increased (P < 0.05). Under the dominant model, frequency of GA + AA genotype in Case group was remarkably higher in contrast to Ctrl group (P < 0.05). Under the recessive model, there was no obvious difference in genotype frequency between two groups. In contrast to Ctrl group, TC, LDL-C, and FBS in Case group were notably increased (P < 0.05), while HDL-C was notably decreased (P < 0.05). The distribution frequency of abnormal LDL-C, HDL-C, and FBS in Case group was notably higher in contrast to Ctrl group (P < 0.05). LDL-C and FBS had no obvious effect on the genotypes and frequency distribution of alleles in CHD patients. However, the frequency distribution of genotypes of GA and AA and A allelic gene in patients with abnormal HDL-C was notably lower in contrast to those with normal HDL-C (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal HDC-C with A allelic gene were independent risk factors for CHD (P = 0.001, OR = 1.934). The gene polymorphism of Glu504Lys locus of ALDH2 was closely related to the pathogenesis of CHD, A allelic gene may be a susceptibility gene for CHD, and patients with abnormal HDC-C and carried A allelic gene had relatively higher incidence of CHD.

Establishment and validation of symptomatic patients colorectal screening score for predicting colorectal neoplasia risk.

OBJECTIVES: Currently, most colorectal neoplasia (CRN) screening strategies target asymptomatic individuals. However, studies on patients with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms (NSGS) are limited. We aimed to develop a CRN risk score specifically for patients with NSGS. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent initial colonoscopy between June 2020 and June 2021. A new risk scoring system was constructed and its applicability was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1522 consecutive patients were enrolled, among whom 1016 symptomatic patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. The constructed Symptomatic Patients Colorectal Screening (SPCS) score showed higher diagnostic efficacy and sensitivity than several previous scoring systems. Using the SPCS score, the patients were divided into a low-risk group (-2 to 3 points) and a high-risk group (4-10 points) for CRN. Additionally, the detection rate of CRN in the training and validation cohorts of the high-risk group were 41.7% and 37.0%, respectively. The SPCS score detected 79.3% (188/237) of CRN and 87.5% (42/48) of advanced CRN in the high-risk group, which reduced the workload of colonoscopy to 45.9% (466/1016). CONCLUSION: An effective CRN risk scoring system was established and validated for symptomatic patients, which accurately classified individuals into low-risk and high-risk groups for CRN and might be used to optimize colonoscopic resource allocation.

Disrupted white matter structural networks in individuals with alcohol dependence.

Previous diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have demonstrated widespread white matter microstructure damage in individuals with alcoholism. However, very little is known about the alterations in the topological architecture of white matter structural networks in alcohol dependence (AD). This study included 67 AD patients and 69 controls. The graph theoretical analysis method was applied to examine the topological organization of the white matter structural networks, and network-based statistics (NBS) were employed to detect structural connectivity alterations. Compared to controls, AD patients exhibited abnormal global network properties characterized by increased small-worldness, normalized clustering coefficient, clustering coefficient, and shortest path length; and decreased global efficiency and local efficiency. Further analyses revealed decreased nodal efficiency and degree centrality in AD patients mainly located in the default mode network (DMN), including the precuneus, anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyrus, median cingulate and paracingulate gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and medial part of the superior frontal gyrus. Furthermore, based on NBS approaches, patients displayed weaker subnetwork connectivity mainly located in the region of the DMN. Additionally, altered network metrics were correlated with intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and global assessment function (GAF) scores. Our results may reveal the disruption of whole-brain white matter structural networks in AD individuals, which may contribute to our comprehension of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of alcohol addiction at the level of white matter structural networks.

[Application of Fe3[KG-*2/5]O4/Mulberry Stem Biochar Effects on Soil Arsenic Species and Rice Arsenic Content].

The passivation effect of Fe3O4/mulberry pole biochar (Fe-MBC) prepared at different carbonization temperatures on soil available arsenic content was studied through soil culture experiments, and Fe-MBC-800 (prepared by carbonization at 800℃) with good passivation effect was selected and characterized. The effects of 1%-7% (mass fraction of biochar to soil) Fe-MBC-800, MBC-800, and Fe3O4 on soil pH value, soil electrical conductivity, soil arsenic form, rice biomass, and total arsenic (As) content in rice were studied using a pot experiment. The results showed that:①Fe-MBC-800 successfully loaded Fe3O4, and its main functional groups were C=O double bond, O-H bond, C-O bond, and Fe-O bond. The specific surface areas of Fe-MBC-800, MBC-800, and Fe3O4 were 209.659 m2·g-1, 517.714 m2·g-1, and 68.025 m2·g-1, respectively. ②The addition of Fe-MBC-800 could increase the soil pH value, decrease the soil EC value, increase the content of residual arsenic in soil, and reduce the content of water-soluble arsenic and available arsenic in the soil. Under the treatment using 7% Fe-MBC-800 (ω) amendments, the content of water-soluble arsenic and available arsenic in the soil decreased by 81.6% and 56.33%, respectively. ③When the addition ratio of Fe-MBC-800 in the soil was 5%-7%, it could promote the growth of rice plants, increase rice biomass, and reduce the bioaccumulation of arsenic by between 62.5% and 68.75%.

Diagnosis of Early Bacterial Pneumonia and Sepsis After Cardiovascular Surgery: A Diagnostic Prediction Model Based on LASSO Logistic Regression.

Background: Early postoperative bacterial pneumonia and sepsis (ePOPS), which occurs within the first 48 hours after cardiovascular surgery, is a serious life-threatening complication. Diagnosis of ePOPS is extremely challenging, and the existing diagnostic tools are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to construct a novel diagnostic prediction model for ePOPS. Methods: Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) with logistic regression was used to construct a model to diagnose ePOPS based on patients' comorbidities, medical history, and laboratory findings. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the model discrimination. Results: A total of 1203 patients were recruited and randomly split into a training and validation set in a 7:3 ratio. By early morning on the 3rd postoperative day (POD3), 103 patients had experienced 133 episodes of bacterial pneumonia or sepsis (15 patients had both). LASSO logistic regression model showed that duration of mechanical ventilation (P=0.015), NYHA class ≥ III (P=0.001), diabetes (P<0.001), exudation on chest radiograph (P=0.011) and IL-6 on POD3 (P<0.001) were independent risk factors. Based on these factors, we created a nomogram named DICS-I with an AUC of 0.787 in the training set and 0.739 in the validation set. Conclusion: The DICS-I model may be used to predict the risk of ePOPS after cardiovascular surgery, and is also especially suitable for predicting the risk of IRAO. The DICS-I model could help clinicians to adjust antibiotics on the POD3.

STM studies on porphyrins and phthalocyanines at the liquid/solid interface for molecular-scale electronics.

Porphyrins and phthalocyanines are promising candidates for single-molecule electronics. Among the many characterization tools, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) represents a very powerful one to gain insight into the electronic properties at the molecular level, by correlating the charge transport behaviours of π-conjugated molecules with ultrahigh resolution imaging. In view of the sophistication of molecular self-assembly in the presence of a solution phase, in this frontier, we focus on STM studies on porphyrins and phthalocyanines at the liquid/solid interface, placing emphasis on the electronic and magnetic properties, as well as the switching behaviour of surface-confined or surface-anchored molecules. Furthermore, we have also addressed the topics of potential that can be exploited in this area.