Aquatic photosynthetic carbon pump driven by periodic temperature variations affects dissolved inorganic carbon and hydrochemical characteristics in a groundwater-fed reservoir.

Under the influence of periodic temperature variations, biogeochemical cycling in water bodies is markedly affected by the periodic thermal stratification processes in subtropical reservoirs or lakes. In current studies, there is insufficient research on the influence and mechanism of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) distribution in karst carbon-rich groundwater-fed reservoirs under the coupled effects of thermal structure stratification and the biological carbon pump (BCP) effect. To address this issue, the Dalongdong (DLD) reservoir in the subtropical region of southern China was chosen as the site for long-term monitoring and research on relevant physicochemical parameters of water, DIC, and its stable carbon isotope (δ13CDIC), CO2 emission flux, as well as the reservoir's thermal stratification index. The results show that: (1) the DLD reservoir is a typical warm monomictic reservoir, which exhibits regular variations of mixing period-stratification period-mixing period on a yearly scale due to thermal structure changes; (2) DIC was consumed by aquatic photosynthetic organisms in the epilimnion during the stratification period, leading to a decrease in DIC concentration, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and CO2 emission flux, and an increase in stable carbon isotope (δ13CDIC). During the mixing period, the trend was reversed; (3) During the thermal stratification, aquatic photosynthesis and water temperature were the primary factors controlling DIC variations in both the epilimnion and thermocline. Regarding the hypolimnion, calcite dissolution, organic matter decomposition, and water temperature were the dominant controlling factors. These results indicate that although carbon-rich karst groundwater provides a plentiful supply of DIC in the DLD reservoir, its availability is still influenced by variations in the reservoir's thermal structure and the metabolic processes of aquatic photosynthetic organisms. Therefore, to better estimate the regional carbon budget in a reservoir or lake, future studies should especially consider the combined effects of BCP and thermal structure variations on carbon variations.

Predictors of mortality and poor outcome for patients with severe infectious encephalitis in the intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There are few thorough studies assessing predictors of severe encephalitis, despite the poor prognosis and high mortality associated with severe encephalitis. The study aims to evaluate the clinical predictors of mortality and poor outcomes at hospital discharge in patients with severe infectious encephalitis in intensive care units. METHOD: In two Chinese hospitals, a retrospective cohort study comprising 209 patients in intensive care units suffering from severe infectious encephalitis was carried out. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors predicting mortality in all patients and poor outcomes in all survivors with severe infectious encephalitis. RESULTS: In our cohort of 209 patients with severe encephalitis, 22 patients died, yielding a mortality rate of 10.5%. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure ≥ 400mmH2O (OR = 7.43), abnormal imaging (OR = 3.51), abnormal electroencephalogram (OR = 7.14), and number of rescues (OR = 1.12) were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality in severe infectious encephalitis patients. Among the 187 survivors, 122 (65.2%) had favorable outcomes, defined as the modified Rankine Scale (mRS) score (0 ~ 3), and 65(34.8%) had poor outcomes (mRS scores 4 ~ 5). Age (OR = 1.02), number of rescues (OR = 1.43), and tubercular infection (OR = 10.77) were independent factors associated with poor outcomes at discharge in all survivors with severe infectious encephalitis. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple clinical, radiologic, and electrophysiological variables are independent predictive indicators for mortality and poor outcomes in patients with severe encephalitis in intensive care units. Identifying these outcome predictors early in patients with severe encephalitis may enable the implementation of appropriate medical treatment and help reduce mortality rates.

Elevated caproic acid production from one-stage anaerobic fermentation of organic waste and its selective recovery by electro-membrane process.

A constructed microbial consortia-based strategy to enhance caproic acid production from one-stage mixed-fermentation of glucose was developed, which incubated with acidogens (Clostridium sensu stricto 1, 11 dominated) and chain elongators (including Clostridium sensu stricto 12, Sporanaerobacter, and Caproiciproducens) acclimated from anaerobic sludge. Significant product upgrading toward caproic acid (8.31 g‧L-1) and improved substrate degradation was achieved, which can be greatly attributed to the lactic acid platform. Whereas, a small amount of caproic acid was observed in the control incubating with acidogens, with an average concentration of 2.09 g‧L-1. The strategy accelerated the shape and cooperation of the specific microbial community dominated by Clostridium sensu stricto and Caproiciproducens, which thereby contributed to caproic acid production via the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, the tailored electrodialysis with bipolar membrane enabled progressive up-concentration and acidification, allowing selective separation of caproic acid as an immiscible product with a purity of 82.58 % from the mixture.

Heat-Localized and Salt-Resistant 3D Hierarchical Porous Ceramic Platform for Efficient Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is a highly promising approach to achieve sustainable desalination and tackle the global freshwater crisis. Despite advancements in this field, achieving balanced thermal localization and salt resistance remains a challenge. Herein, the study presents a 3D hierarchical porous ceramic platform for SDIE applications. The utilized alumina foam ceramics (AFCs) exhibit remarkable corrosion resistance and chemical stability, ensuring a prolonged operational lifespan in seawater or brines. The millimeter-scale air-filled pores in AFCs prevent thermal losses through conduction with bulk water, resulting in heat-localized interfaces. The hydrophilic nature of macroporous AFC skeletons facilitates rapid water replenishment on the evaporating surface for effective salt-resistant desalination. Benefiting from its self-radiation adsorption and side-assisted evaporation capabilities, the AFC-based evaporators exhibit high indoor evaporation rates of 2.99 and 3.54 kg m-2 h-1 under one-sided and three-sided illumination under 1.0 sun, respectively. The AFC-based evaporator maintains a high evaporation rate of ≈2.77 kg m-2 h-1 throughout the 21-day long-term test. Furthermore, it achieves a daily water productivity of ≈10.44 kg m-2 in outdoor operations. This work demonstrates the potential of 3D hierarchical porous ceramics in addressing the trade-off between heat localization and salt resistance, and contributes to the development of durable solar steam generators.

High-frequency dynamics of CO2 emission flux and its influencing factors in a subtropical karst groundwater-fed reservoir, south China.

Revealing the magnitude, dynamics, and influencing factors of CO2 emissions across the water-air interface in karst water with high frequency is crucial for accurately assessing the carbon budget in a karst environment. Due to the limitations of observation methods, the current research is still very insufficient. To solve the above problems and clarify the main influencing factors of CO2 emission in karst water, this study selected Dalongdong (DLD) Reservoir, located in the typical karst peak and valley area in southwest China, to carry out a multi-parameter high-frequency monitoring study from January to December 2021, and used the thin boundary model method to estimate the CO2 flux across the water-air interface (CF). The average annual flux of DLD reservoir is 84.48 mmol·(m2·h)-1, which represents a CO2 source overall. However, during the stratification period in August, there is a transient carbon sink due to negative CO2 emission. The alteration of thermal stratification in water is crucial in regulating the seasonal variation of CF. Meanwhile, the diurnal variation is significantly influenced by changes in hydrochemical parameters during the thermal stratification stage. Compared to low wind speeds (<3 m/s), high wind speeds (≥3 m/s) have a greater impact on the CO2 flux. Furthermore, high-frequency continuous data revealed that the reservoir triggered a CO2 pulse emission during the turnover process, primarily at night, leading to unusually high CO2 flux values. It is of great significance to monitor and reveal the process, flux, and control factors of CO2 flux in land water at a high-frequency strategy. They will help improve the accuracy of regional or watershed carbon budgets and clarify the role of global land water in the global carbon budget.

Coated sodium butyrate ameliorates high-energy and low-protein diet induced hepatic dysfunction via modulating mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy and apoptosis in laying hens.

BACKGROUND: Fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS), a fatty liver disease in laying hens, poses a grave threat to the layer industry, stemming from its ability to trigger an alarming plummet in egg production and usher in acute mortality among laying hens. Increasing evidence suggests that the onset and progression of fatty liver was closely related to mitochondria dysfunction. Sodium butyrate was demonstrated to modulate hepatic lipid metabolism, alleviate oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro and mice models. Nevertheless, there is limited existing research on coated sodium butyrate (CSB) to prevent FLHS in laying hens, and whether and how CSB exerts the anti-FLHS effect still needs to be explored. In this experiment, the FLHS model was induced by administering a high-energy low-protein (HELP) diet in laying hens. The objective was to investigate the effects of CSB on alleviating FLHS with a focus on the role of CSB in modulating mitochondrial function. METHODS: A total of 288 healthy 28-week-old Huafeng laying hens were arbitrarily allocated into 4 groups with 6 replicates each, namely, the CON group (normal diet), HELP group (HELP diet), CH500 group (500 mg/kg CSB added to HELP diet) and CH750 group (750 mg/kg CSB added to HELP diet). The duration of the trial encompassed a period of 10 weeks. RESULTS: The result revealed that CSB ameliorated the HELP-induced FLHS by improving hepatic steatosis and pathological damage, reducing the gene levels of fatty acid synthesis, and promoting the mRNA levels of key enzymes of fatty acid catabolism. CSB reduced oxidative stress induced by the HELP diet, upregulated the activity of GSH-Px and SOD, and decreased the content of MDA and ROS. CSB also mitigated the HELP diet-induced inflammatory response by blocking TNF-α, IL-1ß, and F4/80. In addition, dietary CSB supplementation attenuated HELP-induced activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), mitochondrial damage, and decline of ATPase activity. HELP diet decreased the autophagosome formation, and downregulated LC3B but upregulated p62 protein expression, which CSB administration reversed. CSB reduced HELP-induced apoptosis, as indicated by decreases in the Bax/Bcl-2, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and Cyt C expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary CSB could ameliorate HELP diet-induced hepatic dysfunction via modulating mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy, and apoptosis in laying hens. Consequently, CSB, as a feed additive, exhibited the capacity to prevent FLHS by modulating autophagy and lipid metabolism.

Digital PBL-CBL teaching method improves students' performance in learning complex implant cases in atrophic anterior maxilla.

Background: The clinical teaching of esthetic implant-supported restoration of the atrophic maxilla is challenging due to the complexity and unpredictability of bone and soft tissue augmentation. The traditional problem-based learning and case-based learning method (PBL-CBL method) with a full digital workflow (digital PBL-CBL method) provides the students a chance to view clinical cases in a more accurate and measurable way. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the new digital PBL-CBL method in teaching complex implant cases in esthetic area. Materials & Methods: A full digital workflow of dental implant therapy was established for patients with severely atrophic anterior maxilla. The digital data of cases done in the new workflow was used as teaching materials in digital PBL-CBL teaching. Fifty-four postgraduate students were randomly selected and divided into three groups, including traditional PBL-CBL group (students taught in a PBL-CBL method with no digital cases), digital PBL-CBL group (students taught in a PBL-CBL method with full digital cases) and control group (students taught in didactic teacher-centered method). After training for three months, a study of the students' opinions on the corresponding teaching method was carried out through a feedback questionnaire. A theory test was used to evaluate students' mastery of knowledge about tissue augmentation and esthetic implant restoration. A case analysis was used to determine whether students could apply the knowledge to problem solving. Results: The digital PBL-CBL method resulted in a higher rate of satisfaction than the traditional PBL-CBL method and the didactic teacher-centered method in all items except for "This approach decreases extracurricular work". Case analysis scores of the digital PBL-CBL group were significantly higher than that of the traditional PBL-CBL group and the control group. For the theory test, the digital PBL-CBL group (61.00 ± 6.80) but not traditional PBL-CBL group (55.22 ± 9.86) obtained a significant higher score than the control group (45.11 ± 12.76), although no significant difference was found between the digital PBL-CBL group and the traditional PBL-CBL group. Conclusion: Compared with other methods, students taught with the digital PBL-CBL method showed higher satisfaction and better performance in acquisition of academic knowledge and ability in solving practical clinical problems. The digital PBL-CBL method provided a promising alternative for teaching complex implant cases at the anterior maxilla.

Association between serum uric acid and homocysteine levels among adults in the United States: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown that both elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels and hyperhomocysteinemia are risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between the two has not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the possible link between SUA levels and homocysteine (Hcy) levels. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 17,692 adults aged > 19 years in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2006 were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between SUA and Hcy levels. In addition, smooth curve fitting (penalized spline method) and threshold effect analysis were performed. RESULTS: Multivariable linear analysis showed that Hcy levels increased by 0.48 µmol/L (ß = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.43-0.53) for every 1 mg/dL increase in SUA levels. We found a nonlinear relationship between SUA and Hcy levels. The results of threshold effect analysis showed that the inflection point for SUA levels was 7.1 mg/dL (ß = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.23-0.36 and ß = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.67-1.43 on the left and right sides of the inflection point, respectively). The p-values was less than 0.001 when using the log likelihood ratio test. This nonlinear relationship was also found in both sexes. The inflection point for SUA levels was 5.4 mg/dL in males and 7.3 mg/dL in females, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study showed that the SUA levels were positively correlated with Hcy levels. And we found a nonlinear relationship between SUA and Hcy levels.

A Multilevel Primary Care Intervention to Improve Follow-Up of Overdue Abnormal Cancer Screening Test Results: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Realizing the benefits of cancer screening requires testing of eligible individuals and processes to ensure follow-up of abnormal results. Objective: To test interventions to improve timely follow-up of overdue abnormal breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer screening results. Design, Setting, and Participants: Pragmatic, cluster randomized clinical trial conducted at 44 primary care practices within 3 health networks in the US enrolling patients with at least 1 abnormal cancer screening test result not yet followed up between August 24, 2020, and December 13, 2021. Intervention: Automated algorithms developed using data from electronic health records (EHRs) recommended follow-up actions and times for abnormal screening results. Primary care practices were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to (1) usual care, (2) EHR reminders, (3) EHR reminders and outreach (a patient letter was sent at week 2 and a phone call at week 4), or (4) EHR reminders, outreach, and navigation (a patient letter was sent at week 2 and a navigator outreach phone call at week 4). Patients, physicians, and practices were unblinded to treatment assignment. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was completion of recommended follow-up within 120 days of study enrollment. The secondary outcomes included completion of recommended follow-up within 240 days of enrollment and completion of recommended follow-up within 120 days and 240 days for specific cancer types and levels of risk. Results: Among 11 980 patients (median age, 60 years [IQR, 52-69 years]; 64.8% were women; 83.3% were White; and 15.4% were insured through Medicaid) with an abnormal cancer screening test result for colorectal cancer (8245 patients [69%]), cervical cancer (2596 patients [22%]), breast cancer (1005 patients [8%]), or lung cancer (134 patients [1%]) and abnormal test results categorized as low risk (6082 patients [51%]), medium risk (3712 patients [31%]), or high risk (2186 patients [18%]), the adjusted proportion who completed recommended follow-up within 120 days was 31.4% in the EHR reminders, outreach, and navigation group (n = 3455), 31.0% in the EHR reminders and outreach group (n = 2569), 22.7% in the EHR reminders group (n = 3254), and 22.9% in the usual care group (n = 2702) (adjusted absolute difference for comparison of EHR reminders, outreach, and navigation group vs usual care, 8.5% [95% CI, 4.8%-12.0%], P < .001). The secondary outcomes showed similar results for completion of recommended follow-up within 240 days and by subgroups for cancer type and level of risk for the abnormal screening result. Conclusions and Relevance: A multilevel primary care intervention that included EHR reminders and patient outreach with or without patient navigation improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03979495.

KIF18A improves migration and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through inhibiting PTEN signaling.

BACKGROUND: Kinesin family member 18A (KIF18A) is involved in the development of a variety of human malignancies. However, we have never known the influences of KIF18A on colorectal cancer (CRC). The study is designed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of KIF18A on the progression of colorectal cancer. METHODS: We have not only analyzed the database using GEO, but have examined the effect of KIF18A on the development of CRC by subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. HE staining was used to observe tumor size. Besides, we make use of Western blotting to monitor the expression of related proteins. In addition, the scratch wound assay and Transwell assay were conducted to detect the effect of KIF18A on the migration and invasion of CRC cells. RESULTS: The results of GEO database analysis suggested that KIF18A had a positive correlation with the growth of CRC. The results of subcutaneous tumorigenesis and HE staining in nude mice explained that KIF18A promoted the progression of CRC. Both scratch wound assay and Transwell indicated that the migration and invasion of CRC could be promoted by KIF18A. The results of Western blot illustrated that KIF18A could forward the migration and invasion of CRC cells, and inhibit PTEN, which promoted the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thus bringing about the expression of MMP2 and MMP9. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, KIF18A can further the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by means of inhibiting PTEN transcription. Therefore, it is inferred that that KIF18A is a therapeutic target for CRC.

Mental health during the omicron pandemic: A comparison between medical staff and non-medical staff.

BACKGROUND: A considerable number of people suffered from mental disorders due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As the virus mutated, the effect of COVID-19 changed. This study intends to compare the mental health between the medical staff and non-medical staff during the Omicron pandemic, and to analyze the relevant risk factors. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted by a set of online questionnaires, 1246 medical staff and 1246 non-medical staff were selected after a 1:1 propensity score matching. The questionnaires included the demographic characteristics, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Insomnia Severity Index Scale (ISI), and the Psychological Resilience Scale(CD-RISC). RESULTS: Compared with medical staff, non-medical staff scored higher on CAS and CES-D (both P < 0.001). Non-medical staff had higher prevalence of anxiety (55.0 % versus 47.3 %; adjusted OR = 1.45, 95 % CI = 1.23-1.70), depression (62.4 % versus 53.4 %; adjusted OR = 1.46, 95 % CI = 1.23-1.73) and insomnia (46.5 % versus 43.4 %; adjusted OR = 1.21, 95 % CI = 1.02-1.43). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being female, being younger than 40 years, having an annual income of <50,000 yuan, paying attention to omicron, in the course of an infection and below bachelor degree influenced anxiety, depression and insomnia of the medical staff and non-medical staff to different degree. LIMITATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study only collected data through the network. Therefore, the validity was reduced to some extent. The outbreak of the Omicron epidemic posed a significant challenge to public mental health, with non-medical staff at the highest risk for mental health problems.

Electron Donor-Acceptor Complex Induced Fused Indoles with Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents.

An operationally simple and efficient method for the cyclization of tertiary amines and hypervalent iodine reagents enabled by an EDA complex has been developed. A series of [1,2-α]indoles derivatives were obtained in good yields, including some key intermediates for the synthesis of biologically active molecules. In addition, this established strategy features a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.

Engineered exosomes reprogram Gli1+ cells in vivo to prevent calcification of vascular grafts and autologous pathological vessels.

Calcification of autologous pathological vessels and tissue engineering blood vessels (TEBVs) is a thorny problem in clinic. However, there is no effective and noninvasive treatment that is available against the calcification of TEBVs and autologous pathological vessels. Gli1+ cells are progenitors of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and can differentiate into osteoblast-like cells, leading to vascular calcification. Our results showed that the spatiotemporal distribution of Gli1+ cells in TEBVs was positively correlated with the degree of TEBV calcification. An anticalcification approach was designed consisting of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells delivering lncRNA-ANCR to construct the engineered exosome-Ancr/E7-EXO. The results showed that Ancr/E7-EXO effectively targeted Gli1+ cells, promoting rapid SMC reconstruction and markedly inhibiting Gli1+ cell differentiation into osteoblast-like cells. Moreover, Ancr/E7-EXO significantly inhibited vascular calcification caused by chronic kidney disease. Therefore, Ancr/E7-EXO reprogrammed Gli1+ cells to prevent calcification of vascular graft and autologous pathological vessel, providing unique insights for an effective anticalcification.

Dietary Coated Sodium Butyrate Ameliorates Hepatic Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation via Enhancing Antioxidative Function in Post-Peaking Laying Hens.

During the aging process of laying hens, hepatic oxidative stress damage and lipid accumulation are prone to occur, leading to the deterioration of egg quality and a decline in production properties. This research was designed to explore the effects of different levels of coated sodium butyrate (CSB) addition on oxidation resistance, inflammatory reaction, lipid metabolism and hepatic oxidative damage-related gene expression in aged laying hens. A total of 720 healthy 52 weeks old Huafeng laying hens were arbitrarily divided into 5 groups of 6 replicates with 24 birds each and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg CSB for 8 weeks, respectively. The CSB quadratically upgraded GSH-Px activities and downgraded MDA content in the liver and serum. The LDL-C, NEFA and TG contents decreased quadratically in CSB groups and significantly reduced the fatty vacuoles as well as the formation of fat granules in the liver (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the CSB quadratically upregulated the gene expression of IL-10, Nrf2 and HO1, but downregulated the gene expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α and Keap1 in a quadratic manner (p < 0.05). Moreover, the CSB quadratically degraded the mRNA level of fatty acid synthesis but increased the gene level of key enzymes of fatty acid catabolism (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary CSB supplementation has a favorable effect in protecting against liver injury and alleviating lipid accumulation and inflammation by enhancing hepatic antioxidative function in aged laying hens.

Direct Alkylation of Quinoxalinones with Boracene-Based Alkylborate under Visible Light Irradiation.

An efficient synthesis of a variety of 3-alkyl quinoxalinones via C-H direct alkylation by photoredox catalysis between quinoxalinones and alkylborates is reported. A range of quinoxalinones was tolerated well. This visible-light photocatalysis reaction allows access to structurally diverse 3-alkyl quinoxalinones in good to excellent yields. The practicality of this protocol was demonstrated by the concise synthesis of a potential bioactive nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist.

Association of low-level blood lead with plasma homocysteine in US children and adolescents.

Although research in adults has revealed a positive relationship between blood lead levels (BLLs) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in adults, few studies have investigated this relationship in children and adolescents. We evaluated the relationship between lowlevel blood lead and Hcy levels in US children and adolescents. A total of 8,313 children and adolescents aged 8-19 participated in this study via the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between continuous BLLs and Hcy levels. The dose-dependent relationship between continuous BLLs and Hcy levels was analyzed using smooth curve fitting. The average age of participants was 14.1 ± 3.3 years (50.3% male). The mean values of BLLs and Hcy levels were 1.45 µg/dL and 5.77 µmol/L, respectively. In a multivariable adjusted model, an increase in 1.0 µg/dL of BLLs was associated with an elevation of 0.06 µmol/L in Hcy levels (ß = 0.06, 95%CI:0.02-0.10, P = 0.001). A linear relationship between BLLs and Hcy levels was discovered using smooth curve fitting (P non-linearity = 0.464). The relationship between low-level blood lead and Hcy levels was stronger on participants with lower serum folate levels (P for interaction = 0.002). Low BLLs were positively associated with plasma Hcy levels in children and adolescents, which varies depending on the levels of folate, vitamin B, and dietary supplements involved in Hcy metabolism.

Association of red cell distribution width with the risk of 3-month readmission in patients with heart failure: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: In recent years, red cell distribution width (RDW) has been found to be associated with the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) in Western countries. However, evidence from Asia is limited. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RDW and the risk of 3-month readmission in hospitalized Chinese HF patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed HF data from the Fourth Hospital of Zigong, Sichuan, China, involving 1,978 patients admitted for HF between December 2016 and June 2019. The independent variable in our study was RDW, and the endpoint was the risk of readmission within 3 months. This study mainly used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Smoothed curve fitting was then used to assess the dose-response relationship between RDW and the risk of 3-month readmission. Results: In the original cohort of 1,978 patients with HF (42% male and 73.1% aged ≥70 years), 495 patients (25.0%) were readmitted within 3 months after discharge. Smoothed curve fitting showed a linear correlation between RDW and the risk of readmission within 3 months. In the multivariable-adjusted model, every 1% increase in RDW was associated with a 9% increased risk of readmission within 3 months (hazard ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.15; P < 0.005). Conclusions: A higher RDW value was significantly associated with a greater risk of 3-months readmission in hospitalized patients with HF.

Coal humus acid functionalized high stability fluorescent copper nanoclusters for tumor identification by sequential off-on-off monitoring tryptophan and Hg2.

The abnormalities of Tryptophan (Trp) and mercury ions (Hg2+) not only easily activate diseases, including mental illness and cancer, but also seriously affect human wellbeing. Fluorescent sensors are profoundly attractive options for identifying amino acids and ions; however, most sensors remain challenging due to the multipliable cost and deviation from the asynchronous quenching detection. In particular, fluorescent copper nanoclusters with high stability that quantitatively monitoring Trp and Hg2+ successively have seldom been reported. Herein, we employ coal humus acid (CHA) as a protective ligand and successfully construct weak cyan fluorescent copper nanoclusters (CHA-CuNCs) by a rapid, environmentally benign and cost-effective method. Significantly, the fluorescence of CHA-CuNCs is obviously improved by introducing Trp, because the indole group of Trp enhances the radiative recombination and aggregation-induced emissions. Interestingly, CHA-CuNCs not only realizes the highly selective and specific detection of Trp with a linear range of 25-200 µM and a detection limit of 0.043 µM based on the turn-on fluorescence strategy, but also quickly achieves the consecutive turn-off detection of Hg2+ due to the chelation interaction between Hg2+ and pyrrole heterocycle in Trp. Moreover, this method is successfully applied in the analysis of Trp and Hg2+ in real samples. Furthermore, the confocal fluorescent imaging of tumor cells demonstrates that CHA-CuNCs can be used for bioimaging and cancer cell recognition with Trp and Hg2+ abnormalities. These findings provide new guidance for the eco-friendly synthesis of CuNCs with eminent sequential off-on-off optical sensing property, indicating good prospects in biosensing and clinical medicine applications.

MOF-Derived CoNi Nanoalloy Particles Encapsulated in Nitrogen-Doped Carbon as Superdurable Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst.

Carbon-encapsulated transition metal catalysts have caught the interest of researchers in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their distinctive architectures and highly tunable electronic structures. In this work, we synthesized N-doped carbon encapsulated with CoNi nanoalloy particles (CoNi@NC) as the electrocatalysts. The metal-organic skeleton ZIF-67 nanocubes were first synthesized, and then Ni2+ ions were inserted to generate CoNi-ZIF precursors by a simple ion-exchange route, which was followed by pyrolysis and with urea for the introduction of nitrogen (N) at a low temperature to synthesize CoNi@NC composites. The results reveal that ZIF-67 pyrolysis can dope more N atoms in the carbon skeleton and that the pyrolysis temperature influences the ORR and OER performances. The sample prepared by CoNi@NC pyrolysis at 650 °C has a high N content (9.70%) and a large specific surface area (167 m2 g-1), with a positive ORR onset potential (Eonset) of 0.89 V vs. RHE and half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.81 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH, and the overpotential of the OER measured in 1 M KOH was only 286 mV at 10 mA cm-2. The highly efficient bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalysts synthesized by this method can offer some insights into the design and synthesis of complex metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hybrid structures and their derivatives as functional materials in energy storage.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Cascade sp2 C-H Bond Functionalization to Construct Substituted Acridine with Diarylamine and Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents.

A photocatalyzed cascade double C-C formation via sp2 C-H bond activation of diarylamines with hypervalent iodine diazo reagents was developed. A variety of diarylamines and hypervalent iodine(III) reagents were tolerated well, and a range of substituted acridines with yields ranging from moderate to excellent was provided efficiently. The protocol introduces diazo groups onto diarylamines and enables subsequent late-stage assembly point functionalization with the diazonium structure, forming two new C-C bonds in a sequential fashion.