Enhanced spontaneous radiation of quantum dots based on modulated anapole states in dielectric metamaterial.

Dielectric nanostructures exhibit low-loss electrical and magnetic resonance, making them ideal for quantum information processing. In this study, the periodic double-groove silicon nanodisk (DGSND) is used to support the anapole state. Based on the distribution properties of the electromagnetic field in anapole states, the anapoles are manipulated by cutting the dielectric metamaterial. Quantum dots (QDs) are used to stimulate the anapole and control the amplification of the photoluminescence signal within the QDs. By opening symmetrical holes in the long axis of the nanodisk in the dielectric metamaterial, the current distribution of Mie resonance can be adjusted. As a result, the toroidal dipole moment is altered, leading to an enhanced electric field (E-field) and Purcell factor. When the dielectric metamaterial is deposited on the Ag substrate separated by the silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer, the structure exhibits ultra-narrow perfect absorption with even higher E-field and Purcell factor enhancement compared to silicon (Si) nanodisks.

Utilizing an Integrated Flow Cathode-Membrane Filtration System for Effective and Continuous Electrochemical Hydrodechlorination.

Pd-based electrodes are recognized to facilitate effective electrochemical hydrodechlorination (EHDC) as a result of their superior capacity for atomic hydrogen (H*) generation. However, challenges such as electrode stability, feasibility of treating complex matrices, and high cost associated with electrode synthesis hinder the application of Pd-based electrodes for EHDC. In this work, we investigated the feasibility of degrading 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) by EHDC employing Pd-loaded activated carbon particles, prepared via a simple wet-impregnation method, as a flow cathode (FC) suspension. Compared to other Pd-based EHDC studies, a much lower Pd loading (0.02-0.08 mg cm-2) was used. Because of the excellent mass transfer in the FC system, almost 100% 2,4-DCP was hydrodechlorinated to phenol within 1 h. The FC system also showed excellent performance in treating complex water matrices (including hardness ion-containing wastewater and various other chlorinated organics such as 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid and trichloroacetic acid) with a relatively low energy consumption (0.26-1.56 kW h m-3 mg-1 of 2,4-DCP compared to 0.32-7.61 kW h m-3 mg-1 of 2,4-DCP reported by other studies). The FC synthesized here was stable over 36 h of continuous operation, indicating its potential suitability for real-world applications. Employing experimental investigations and mathematical modeling, we further show that hydrodechlorination of 2,4-DCP occurs via interaction with H*, with no role of direct electron transfer and/or HO•-mediated processes in the removal of 2,4-DCP.

Protective effects of Abrus cantoniensis Hance against liver injury through modulation of intestinal microbiota and liver metabolites.

Abrus cantoniensis Hance (ACH) is an ancient Chinese medicine herb known for its therapeutic effects. This study investigated the potential protective effect of ACH against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in mice. Fifty (n= 50) ICR mice were grouped into five groups. CCl4 was intraperitoneally injected into different mice groups: AM (CCl4 induced), AD (ACH-treated with 25 mg/kg), AZ (ACH-treated with 50 mg/kg), and AG (ACH-treated with100mg/kg) after every three days for a total of 31 days. The control group was denoted as AC. Additionally, groups AD, AZ, and AG received daily doses of ACH via gavage throughout the study period. According to our findings, ACH administration prominently mitigated liver pathological lesions and the increased liver index induced by CCl4 in mice (p < 0.05). Treatment with ACH resulted in a dose-dependent recovery of GSH-px, SOD, and CAT activities (p < 0.001). Moreover, the levels of TNF-α, MDA, and ALT showed significanlty decreasing trends with various doses of ACH (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that ACH increased the abundance of beneficial genera of Comoclathris, Aureobasidium, and Kazachstania while decreased the presence of pathogenic genera such as Sporobolomyces and Filobasidium. Additionally, ACH treatment ameliorated the changes in liver metabolism due to CCl4 and enhanced the beneficial liver metabolites. In conclusion, ACH shows potential in protecting the liver against oxidative stress and inflammation caused by CCl4 exposure, possibly through its effects on gut microbiota and liver metabolism. Therefore, the use of ACH may offer an effective approach for alleviating CCl4-induced liver injury.

Quercetin prevents methylmercury-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the cerebral cortex of mice.

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure can cause nerve damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is mainly mediated by mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics disorders. Quercetin (QE) plays an important role in activating silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), and SIRT1 activates peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), which can regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. The main purpose of this study was to explore the alleviating effects of QE on MeHg-induced nerve damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The results showed that QE could reduce the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the loss of membrane potential induced by MeHg. Meanwhile, QE activated SIRT1 activity and SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway, improved mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion and reduced mitochondrial fission. In summary, we hypothesized that QE prevents MeHg-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by activating SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

The Combination of Sinusoidal Perfusion Enhancement and Apoptosis Inhibition by Riociguat Plus a Galactose-PEGylated Bilirubin Multiplexing Nanomedicine Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis Progression.

Chronic liver injury and continuous wound healing lead to extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and liver fibrosis. The elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver leads to the apoptosis of hepatocytes and the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the current study, we describe a combination strategy of sinusoidal perfusion enhancement and apoptosis inhibition enabled by riociguat together with a tailor-designed galactose-PEGylated bilirubin nanomedicine (Sel@GBRNPs). Riociguat enhanced sinusoidal perfusion and decreased the associated ROS accumulation and inflammatory state of the fibrotic liver. Concurrently, hepatocyte-targeting galactose-PEGylated bilirubin scavenged excessive ROS and released encapsulated selonsertib. The released selonsertib inhibited apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) phosphorylation to alleviate apoptosis in hepatocytes. The combined effects on ROS and hepatocyte apoptosis attenuated the stimulation of HSC activation and ECM deposition in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. This work provides a novel strategy for liver fibrosis treatment based on sinusoidal perfusion enhancement and apoptosis inhibition.

Dielectrophoretic liquid lens driven by interdigitated sidewall electrodes.

This paper proposes a dielectrophoretic (DEP) liquid lens that is driven by interdigitated electrodes distributed on the sidewalls and has a structure similar to that of the electrowetting one produced by the company Corning. The interdigital electrodes are formed by winding double flexible wire electrodes wrapped in dielectric layers on the sidewall. Compared with the traditional planar electrode DEP lens, the proposed model ensures the stability of the optical axis of the liquid lens, simplifies the construction process of the interdigital electrode, realizes a continuous change in the focus from negative to positive, and reduces the response time. A truncated conical cavity dielectrophoretic liquid lens with an aperture of 5 mm is fabricated. When the voltage is 0-260 Vrms, it can reach shortest negative and positive focal lengths of -100 mm and 100 mm with a driving time of 190 ms and a relaxation time of 133 ms.

Label-free SERS ultrasensitive and universal detection of low back pain fingerprint based on SERS substrate.

Low back pain (LBP) seriously endangers human health and quality of life, and the detection of thoracolumbar fasciitis (TLF) is vital for the prevention and treatment of LBP. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is considered as a powerful technique for fingerprint detection due to the inherent richness of the spectral data. In this work, a novel SERS strategy based on a three-dimensional substrate was developed for fingerprint analysis for early diagnosis of TLF. A rat TLF model was established and the model was evaluated from the immunological and behavioral perspectives. Vibrational fingerprints were obtained by SERS testing of isolated fascial tissue and were used to explore the material changes during fasciitis. SERS spectra were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) that allowed unambiguous distinction and monitoring of component changes during TLF. Furthermore, in order to further clarify the occurrence and development of TLF, we combined clinical samples for analysis, and investigated the inflammatory factor expression levels of CRP and SAA in TLF. Our results demonstrated that tryptophan, phenylalanine and glycogen could unambiguously distinguish TLF as confirmed by SERS analysis, a method that is capable of noninvasive characterization of and diagnosis of TLF during LBP. We have provided a new tool that may promote in-depth study of the mechanism and treatment of fasciitis.

A Novel Integrated Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization and Flow Cathode System for Nitrate Removal and Ammonia Generation from Simulated Groundwater.

Electrochemical reduction of nitrate is a promising method for the removal of nitrate from contaminated groundwater. However, the presence of hardness cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) in groundwaters hampers the electroreduction of nitrate as a result of the precipitation of carbonate-containing solids of these elements on the cathode surface. Thus, some pretreatment process is required to remove unwanted hardness cations. Herein, we present a proof-of-concept of a novel three-chambered flow electrode unit, constituting a flow electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) unit and a flow cathode (FC) unit, which achieves cation removal, nitrate capture and reduction, and ammonia generation in a single cell without the need for any additional chemicals/electrolyte. The addition of the FCDI unit not only achieves removal of hardness cations but also concentrates the nitrate ions and other anions, which facilitates nitrate reduction in the subsequent FC unit. Results show that the FCDI cell voltage influences electrode stability but has a minimal impact on the overall nitrate removal performance. The concentration of coexisting anions influences the nitrate removal due to competitive sorption of anions on the electrode surface. Our results further show that stable electrochemical performance was obtained over 26 h of operation. Overall, this study provides a scalable strategy for continuous nitrate electroreduction and ammonia generation from nitrate contaminated groundwaters containing hardness ions.

Sleep Deprivation and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Current Understandings and Implications.

Gut microbiota comprises the microbial communities inhabiting our gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Accordingly, these complex communities play a fundamental role in many host processes and are closely implicated in human health and diseases. Sleep deprivation (SD) has become increasingly common in modern society, partly owing to the rising pressure of work and the diversification of entertainment. It is well documented that sleep loss is a significant cause of various adverse outcomes on human health including immune-related and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with these SD-induced human diseases. In this review, we summarize the gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by SD and the succedent diseases ranging from the immune system and metabolic system to various organs and highlight the critical roles of gut microbiota in these diseases. The implications and possible strategies to alleviate SD-related human diseases are also provided.

Functional characterization of a Colchicum autumnale L. double-bond reductase (CaDBR1) in colchicine biosynthesis.

MAIN CONCLUSION: An alkenal double-bond reductase enzyme (CaDBR1) was cloned from Colchicum autumnale L. The encoded enzyme catalysed 4-coumaraldehyde to 4-hydroxydihydrocinnamaldehyde (4-HDCA). Its functional characterization increased the understanding of colchicine biosynthesis. As a traditional medical plant, Colchicum autumnale L. is famous for producing colchicine, a widely used drug for alleviating gout attacks. The biosynthetic pathway of colchicine was revealed most recently, and 4-hydroxydihydrocinnamaldehyde (4-HDCA) has been verified as a crucial intermediate derived from L-phenylalanine. However, the functional gene that catalyses the formation of 4-HDCA remains controversial. In this study, the alkenal double-bond reductase (DBR) gene member CaDBR1 was cloned and characterized from C. autumnale. Bioinformatics analysis predicted and characterized the basic physicochemical properties of CaDBR1. Recombinant CaDBR1 protein was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by a Ni-NTA column. In vitro enzyme assays indicated that CaDBR1 could catalyse 4-coumaraldehyde to form 4-HDCA but could not generate 4-HDCA by taking cinnamaldehyde as a substrate. Stable transformation into tobacco BY-2 cells revealed that CaDBR1 localized in the cytoplasm, and tissue-specific expression results showed that CaDBR1 had the highest expression in bulbs. All these results verify and confirm the participation and contribution of CaDBR1 in the biosynthesis pathway of 4-HDCA and colchicine alkaloids in C. autumnale.

MicroRNA-223 downregulation promotes HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its related protein, HBV X (HBx), play an important role in podocyte injury in HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN). The microRNA MiR-223 is expressed in several diseases, including HBV-associated disease, while the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a major role in pyroptosis. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of action of miR-223 in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis. A quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay showed that miR-223 was downregulated in HBx-transfected podocytes. Transfection with an miR-223 mimic abolished the expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cytokines that are released as a result of NLRP3 overexpression. Moreover, transfection with HBx and NLRP3 overexpression plasmids increased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, especially in the presence of miR-223 inhibitors. Thus, miR-223 downregulation plays an important role in HBx-induced podocyte pyroptosis by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that miR-223 is a potential therapeutic target for alleviating HBV-GN inflammation.

Boron Removal from Reverse Osmosis Permeate Using an Electrosorption Process: Feasibility, Kinetics, and Mechanism.

Boron is present in the form of boric acid (B(OH)3 or H3BO3) in seawater, geothermal waters, and some industrial wastewaters but is toxic at elevated concentrations to both plants and humans. Effective removal of boron from solutions at circumneutral pH by existing technologies such as reverse osmosis is constrained by high energy consumption and low removal efficiency. In this work, we present an asymmetric, membrane-containing flow-by electrosorption system for boron removal. Upon charging, the catholyte pH rapidly increases to above ∼10.7 as a result of water electrolysis and other Faradaic reactions with resultant deprotonation of boric acid to form B(OH)4- and subsequent removal from solution by electrosorption to the anode. Results also show that the asymmetric flow-by electrosorption system is capable of treating feed streams with high concentrations of boron and RO permeate containing multiple competing ionic species. On the basis of the experimental results obtained, a mathematical model has been developed that adequately describes the kinetics and mechanism of boron removal by the asymmetric electrosorption system. Overall, this study not only provides new insights into boron removal mechanisms by electrosorption but also opens up a new pathway to eliminate amphoteric pollutants from contaminated source waters.

Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate with Simultaneous Ammonia Recovery Using a Flow Cathode Reactor.

The presence of excessive concentrations of nitrate in industrial wastewaters, agricultural runoff, and some groundwaters constitutes a serious issue for both environmental and human health. As a result, there is considerable interest in the possibility of converting nitrate to the valuable product ammonia by electrochemical means. In this work, we demonstrate the efficacy of a novel flow cathode system coupled with ammonia stripping for effective nitrate removal and ammonia generation and recovery. A copper-loaded activated carbon slurry (Cu@AC), made by a simple, low-cost wet impregnation method, is used as the flow cathode in this novel electrochemical reactor. Use of a 3 wt % Cu@AC suspension at an applied current density of 20 mA cm-2 resulted in almost complete nitrate removal, with 97% of the nitrate reduced to ammonia and 70% of the ammonia recovered in the acid-receiving chamber. A mathematical kinetic model was developed that satisfactorily describes the kinetics and mechanism of the overall nitrate electroreduction process. Minimal loss of Cu to solution and maintenance of nitrate removal performance over extended use of Cu@AC flow electrode augers well for long-term use of this technology. Overall, this study sheds light on an efficient, low-cost water treatment technology for simultaneous nitrate removal and ammonia generation and recovery.

Unbalanced ER-mitochondrial calcium homeostasis promotes mitochondrial dysfunction and associated apoptotic pathways activation in methylmercury exposed rat cortical neurons.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a cumulative environmental pollutant that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and cause damage to the brain, mainly targeting the central nervous system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of calcium ion (Ca2+ ) homeostasis between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. Rat primary cortical neurons exposed to MeHg (0.25-1 µm) underwent dose-dependent cell damage, accompanied by increased Ca2+ release from the ER and elevated levels of free Ca2+ in cytoplasm and mitochondria. MeHg also increased the protein and messenger RNA expressions of the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor, ryanodine receptor 2, and mitochondrial calcium uniporter. Ca2+ channel inhibitors 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate and procaine reduced the release of Ca2+ from ER, while RR and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate inhibited Ca2+ uptake from mitochondria. In addition, pretreatment with Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM effectively restored mitochondrial membrane potential levels, inhibited over opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and maintained mitochondrial function stability. Meanwhile, the expression of mitochondrial apoptosis-related proteins recovered to some extent, along with the reduction of the early apoptosis ratio. These results suggest that Ca2+ homeostasis plays an essential role in mitochondrial damage and apoptosis induced by MeHg, which may be one of the important mechanisms of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.

Effect of intravenous lidocaine on the ED50 of propofol for inserting gastroscope without body movement in adult patients: a randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Circulatory and respiratory depression are common problems that occur in propofol alone sedation during gastroscopy. As a widely used analgesic adjuvant, intravenous lidocaine can reduce the consumption of propofol during Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or colonoscopy. However, it is still unknown the median effective dose (ED50) of propofol when combined with lidocaine intravenously. This study aimed to compare the ED50 of propofol with or without intravenous lidocaine for inserting gastrointestinal endoscope successfully. METHODS: Fifty nine patients undergoing gastroscopy or gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were randomly divided into control group (Group C, normal saline + propofol) or lidocaine group (Group L, lidocaine + propofol). Patients were initially injected a bolus of 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine in Group L, whereas equivalent volume of 0.9% saline in Group C. Anaesthesia was then induced with a single bolus of propofol in all subjects. The induction dose of propofol was determined by the modified Dixon's up-and-down method, and the initial dose was 1.5 mg/kg in both groups. The primary outcome was the ED50 of propofol induction dose with or without intravenous lidocaine. The secondary outcomes were the induction time, the first propofol bolus time (FPBT: from MOAA/S score ≤ 1 to first rescue bolus propofol), and adverse events (AEs: hypoxemia, bradycardia, hypotension, and body movements). RESULTS: Totally, 59 patients were enrolled and completed this study. The ED50 of propofol combined with lidocaine was 1.68 ± 0.11 mg/kg, significantly reduced compared with the normal saline group, 1.88 ± 0.13 mg/kg (P = 0.002). There was no statistical difference in induction time (P = 0.115) and the FPBT (P = 0.655) between the two groups. There was no significantly difference about the AEs between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The ED50 of propofol combined with intravenous lidocaine for successful endoscope insertion in adult patients, was 1.68 ± 0.11 mg/kg significantly reduced compared with the control group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No: ChiCTR2200059450. Registered on 29 April 2022. Prospective registration. http://www.chictr.org.cn .

How Public Health Agencies Break through COVID-19 Conversations: A Strategic Network Approach to Public Engagement.

In times of public health emergencies, health agencies need to engage and communicate with the public in real-time to share updates and accurate information. This is especially the case for the COVID-19 pandemic where public engagement can potentially save lives and flatten the curve. This paper considers how the use of interactive features and strategic network positions of health agencies on social media influenced their public engagement outcomes. Specifically, we analyzed 203 U.S. public health agencies' Twitter activity and the public engagement they received by extracting data from a large-scale Twitter dataset collected from January 21st to May 31st, 2020. Results show that health agencies' network position in addition to their two-way communication strategy greatly influenced the level of public engagement with their COVID-19 related content on Twitter. Findings highlight the benefits of strategic social media communication of public health agencies resides not only in how agencies use social media but also in their formation of network position to amplify their visibility. As official sources of health and risk information, public health agencies should coordinate their social media communication efforts to strategically position themselves in advantageous network positions to augment public engagement outcomes.

U.S. Fortune 500's stakeholders engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence for proactive approaches.

In times of a national crisis such as COVID-19, it is important for organizations to show that they are good corporate citizens. At the same time, organizations should carefully select the type of messages that resonate with stakeholders so as to reduce stakeholder skepticism. This study examines how U.S. Fortune 500 companies discussed their COVID-19 pandemic CSR actions on Facebook over 15 months and how the public responded to such messages. We identified three CSR themes: internal stakeholder proactive CSR, external stakeholder proactive CSR, and external stakeholder accommodative CSR. When publics engaged, external stakeholder proactive CSR was significantly associated with better behavioral engagement outcomes, more positive emotional engagement outcomes, and less negative emotions. However, such effects are moderated by industry type. Our findings inform public relations theory and practice and suggest that in times of major crises, organizations should prioritize proactive approaches to engage external stakeholders while being mindful of specific institutional contexts.

rs1990622 variant associates with Alzheimer's disease and regulates TMEM106B expression in human brain tissues.

BACKGROUND: It has been well established that the TMEM106B gene rs1990622 variant was a frontotemporal dementia (FTD) risk factor. Until recently, growing evidence highlights the role of TMEM106B in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it remains largely unclear about the role of rs1990622 variant in AD. METHODS: Here, we conducted comprehensive analyses including genetic association study, gene expression analysis, eQTLs analysis, and colocalization analysis. In stage 1, we conducted a genetic association analysis of rs1990622 using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets from International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (21,982 AD and 41,944 cognitively normal controls) and UK Biobank (314,278 participants). In stage 2, we performed a gene expression analysis of TMEM106B in 49 different human tissues using the gene expression data in GTEx. In stage 3, we performed an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) analysis using multiple datasets from UKBEC, GTEx, and Mayo RNAseq Study. In stage 4, we performed a colocalization analysis to provide evidence of the AD GWAS and eQTLs pair influencing both AD and the TMEM106B expression at a particular region. RESULTS: We found (1) rs1990622 variant T allele contributed to AD risk. A sex-specific analysis in UK Biobank further indicated that rs1990622 T allele only contributed to increased AD risk in females, but not in males; (2) TMEM106B showed different expression in different human brain tissues especially high expression in cerebellum; (3) rs1990622 variant could regulate the expression of TMEM106B in human brain tissues, which vary considerably in different disease statuses, the mean ages at death, the percents of females, and the different descents of the selected donors; (4) colocalization analysis provided suggestive evidence that the same variant contributed to AD risk and TMEM106B expression in cerebellum. CONCLUSION: Our comprehensive analyses highlighted the role of FTD rs1990622 variant in AD risk. This cross-disease approach may delineate disease-specific and common features, which will be important for both diagnostic and therapeutic development purposes. Meanwhile, these findings highlight the importance to better understand TMEM106B function and dysfunction in the context of normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Flow Electrode Capacitive Deionization (FCDI): Recent Developments, Environmental Applications, and Future Perspectives.

With the increasing severity of global water scarcity, a myriad of scientific activities is directed toward advancing brackish water desalination and wastewater remediation technologies. Flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI), a newly developed electrochemically driven ion removal approach combining ion-exchange membranes and flowable particle electrodes, has been actively explored over the past seven years, driven by the possibility of energy-efficient, sustainable, and fully continuous production of high-quality fresh water, as well as flexible management of the particle electrodes and concentrate stream. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of current advances of this interesting technology with particular attention given to FCDI principles, designs (including cell architecture and electrode and separator options), operational modes (including approaches to management of the flowable electrodes), characterizations and modeling, and environmental applications (including water desalination, resource recovery, and contaminant abatement). Furthermore, we introduce the definitions and performance metrics that should be used so that fair assessments and comparisons can be made between different systems and separation conditions. We then highlight the most pressing challenges (i.e., operation and capital cost, scale-up, and commercialization) in the full-scale application of this technology. We conclude this state-of-the-art review by considering the overall outlook of the technology and discussing areas requiring particular attention in the future.

Premature atrial complexes can predict atrial fibrillation in ischemic stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several studies have explored premature atrial complexes (PACs) as high-risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) in ischemic stroke patients; however, the results were controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine whether PACs can predict AF in ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: We comprehensively searched the published literature in PubMed, Embase, and Wiley-Cochrane library databases from inception through August 18, 2020. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed by the fixed-effect model or the random-effect model based on heterogeneity. RESULTS: We identified 12 eligible studies including 2340 stroke patients with a mean age of 65.9 years. PACs were highly associated with AF occurrence in stroke (pooled OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 3.06-5.65) and cryptogenic stroke patients (pooled OR: 3.72, 95% CI: 2.66-5.20). Subgroup analysis showed PAC presence and frequent PACs were correlated with stroke in AF patients (pooled OR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.65-8.36 and pooled OR: 5.12, 95% CI: 3.12-8.41, respectively). Frequent PACs were identified as the risks for asymptomatic AF (OR: 6.18, 95% CI: 3.23-11.83) and future AF occurrence (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 2.62-5.26) in stroke patients. The definition of frequent PACs was inconsistent, and was >70 beats/24 h based on Holter monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: PACs confer high risks for asymptomatic AF and future AF occurrence in stroke patients.