Ammonia energy fraction effect on the combustion and reduced NOX emission of ammonia/diesel dual fuel.

With stringent regulations of internal combustion engine on reducing CO2 emission, ammonia has been used as an alternative fuel. Investigating how engine-related performance is affected by partial ammonia replacement of diesel fuel is essential for understanding the combustion. Therefore, in this study, a three-dimensional numerical simulation model is developed for the burning of two fuels of diesel and ammonia based on relevant parameters (i.e., compression ratio, load, ammonia energy fraction, etc.) in a lab-made diesel engine. The consequences of load and compression proportion on combustion and pollutant emissions are investigated for ammonia energy fractions between 50% and 90%. When the ammonia portion rises, the increased ammonia equivalent ratio causes ammonia to move away from the dilute combustion boundary and accelerates the combustion rate of ammonia. An increase in compression ratio significantly increases the specified thermal performance and combustion efficacy. When the compression ratio is 16, as the ammonia energy fractions increases, due to the increase in the proportion of ammonia, that is, the proportion of nitrogen atoms increases, more NOx is generated during the combustion process. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90%, as the compression ratio increases, the cylinder pressure and temperature increase. The combustion efficiency of ammonia increases, generating more NOx and NOx emissions can reach 0.66 mg/m3. At a compression ratio of 18, the NOx emissions can reach 1.59 mg/m3. However, under medium and low load conditions, as the ammonia fraction increases, the total energy of fuel decreases, and the combustion efficiency of ammonia decreases, resulting in a decrease in the heat released during combustion and a decrease in NOx emissions. When the ammonia substitution rate is 90% and the load is 25%, NOx emissions reach 0.1 mg/m3. This research provides theoretical suggestions for the profitable and use ammonia fuel in internal combustion engines in a clean manner.

Selective Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural Coupled with H2 Production over Surface Sulfur Vacancy-Rich Zn3In2S6/Bi2MoO6 Heterojunction Photocatalyst.

The construction of heterojunctions and surface defects is a promising strategy for enhancing photocatalytic activity. A surface sulfur vacancy (VS)-rich Zn3In2S6/Bi2MoO6 heterojunction photocatalyst (ZIS-VS/BMO) was herein developed for the selective oxidation of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to value-added 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) coupled with H2 production. The ZIS-VS/BMO heterojunction consisted of Bi2MoO6 (BMO) with preferentially exposed high-index (131) facets and VS-rich two-dimensional (2D) Zn3In2S6 (ZIS-VS) nanosheets with preferentially exposed high-index (102) facets. The directional transfer of light-driven electrons from BMO to ZIS-VS occurs in the heterojunction interface, as confirmed by an in situ irradiated XPS (ISI-XPS) measurement, which facilitates the electron-hole separation. The benefits of VS in activating HMF, suppressing overoxidation of DFF, and accelerating electron transport were disclosed by molecular simulation. ZIS-VS/BMO displays outstanding performance with a DFF yield of 74.1% and a DFF selectivity of 90%, as well as a rapid rate of H2 evolution. This research would help design highly efficient photocatalysts and develop a new technology for biomass resource utilization.

New Supercage Metal-Organic Framework Based on Allopurinol Ligands Showing Acetylene Storage and Separation.

To develop efficient adsorbent materials for storage and separation of C2 H2 , an unprecedented supercage MOF, [Me2 NH2 ]⋅[Zn3 (ALP)(TDC)2.5 ]⋅3.5DMF⋅2 H2 O (1) was constructed through medicinal molecule allopurinol (ALP) and S-containing 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (H2 TDC). 1 contains a novel linear trinuclear cluster that is composed by ALP and carboxylates and forms a final uncommon 5-connected yfy topological framework. The framework possesses three types of interlinked cages decorated by rich functional sites, and reveals not only high adsorption capacity for C2 H2 but also excellent selective separation for C2 H2 /CO2 and C2 H2 /CH4 at 298 K. Dynamic breakthrough experiments on C2 H2 /CO2 (1:1) mixture and C2 H2 /CH4 (1:1) mixture also demonstrated the potential of the material to separate C2 H2 from CO2 or CH4 mixtures. Molecular simulations were also studied to identify the different CO2 - and C2 H2 - binding sites in 1, such as carboxylate groups, S atoms and carbonyl groups.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and acute kidney injury after noncardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration is closely related to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgeries. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration and acute kidney injury after non-cardiac surgeries. METHOD: This was a single-center cohort study for elective non-cardiac non-kidney surgery from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. The endpoint was the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) 7 days postoperatively in the hospital. Preoperative serum High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration was examined by multivariate logistic regression models before and after propensity score weighting analysis. RESULTS: Of the 74,284 surgeries, 4.4% (3159 cases) suffered acute kidney injury. The odds ratio for HDL (0.96-1.14 as reference, < 0.96, 1.14-1.35, > 1.35) was 1.28 (1.14-1.41), P < 0.001; 0.91 (0.80-1.03), P = 0.150; 0.75 (0.64-0.85), P < 0.001, respectively. Using a dichotomized cutoff point for propensity analysis, Preoperative serum HDL <  1.03 mmol/L (> 1.03 as reference) was associated with increased risk of postoperative AKI, with odds ratio 1.40 (1.27 ~ 1.52), P < 0.001 before propensity score weighting, and 1.32 (1.21-1.46), P < 0.001 after propensity score weighting. Sensitivity analysis with other cut values of HDL showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Using multivariate regression analyses before and after propensity score weighting, in addition to multiple sensitivity analysis methods, this study found that following non-cardiac surgery, low HDL cholesterol levels were independent risk factors for AKI.

Associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate and cardiac biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk. Elevation of cardiac biomarkers in patients with renal dysfunction is ambiguous in the diagnosis of CVD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cardiac biomarkers, and the influence of renal dysfunction on the cardiac biomarkers. METHODS: We examined the cross-sectional associations of eGFR with cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in 812 adults and 215 child. Spearman correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the associations. RESULTS: For adults, lower eGFR CKD-EPI had significantly higher cTnI, CK-MB, LDH, HBDH, and BNP. There were negative correlations between eGFRCKD-EPI and cTnI, CK-MB, LDH, HBDH, and BNP. After adjustment for potential confounders, as compared with eGFRCKD-EPI  ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 , eGFRCKD-EPI  < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 remained associated with a 2.83 (1.08-7.41) [ratio (95% CI)] times higher cTnI and a 6.50 (2.32-18.22) [ratio (95% CI)] times higher HBDH. For child, lower eGFRSchwartz had significant higher CK and CK-MB. There were negative correlations between eGFRSchwartz and CK, and eGFRSchwartz and CK-MB. After adjustment for potential confounders, as compared with eGFRSchwartz  ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 , eGFRSchwartz  < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 revealed no significant higher CVD biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Reduced eGFR is associated with elevated cTnI and HBDH among adults without clinically evident CVD, but not child.

Grade 3 Echocardiographic Diastolic Dysfunction Is Associated With Increased Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Diastolic dysfunction is common and may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. This study investigated the hypothesis that, in patients with isolated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, higher grade diastolic dysfunction was associated with greater risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. Data of adult patients with isolated echocardiographic diastolic dysfunction (ejection fraction, ≥50%) who underwent noncardiac surgery from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 were collected. The primary end point was the occurrence of postoperative MACEs during hospital stay, which included acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, nonfatal cardiac arrest, and cardiac death. The association between the grade of diastolic dysfunction and the occurrence of MACEs was assessed with a multivariable logistic model. RESULTS: A total of 2976 patients were included in the final analysis. Of these, 297 (10.0%) developed MACEs after surgery. After correction for confounding factors, grade 3 diastolic dysfunction was associated with higher risk of postoperative MACEs (odds ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.27; P < .001) when compared with grades 1 and 2. Patients with grade 3 diastolic dysfunction developed more non-MACE complications when compared with grades 1 and 2 (uncorrected odds ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.95; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction undergoing noncardiac surgery, 10.0% develop MACEs during hospital stay after surgery; grade 3 diastolic dysfunction is associated with greater risk of MACEs.

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia was associated with acute kidney injury in high-risk patients following non-cardiac surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following non-cardiac surgery with adverse short- and long- term morbidity and mortality. Evidence shows that hypoalbuminemia is associated with increased AKI risk in patients with infectious diseases and cancer and following cardiac surgery and transplant surgery. However, little evidence is available on non-cardiac surgery population. Thus, we investigated the association between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and AKI following non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed perioperative risk factors and preoperative serum albumin concentration in 729 consecutive adult patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. Each patient was categorized according to maximal Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria based on creatinine changes and urine output within the first week after surgery. Multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between preoperative hypoalbuminemia and postoperative AKI. RESULTS: Of 729 patients, 188 (25.8%) developed AKI. AKI incidence was higher in patients with preoperative serum albumin < 37.5 g/L than in those with preoperative serum albumin ≥37.5 g/L [35.9% (98/273) vs. 19.7% (90/456), P < 0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative serum albumin < 37.5 g/L (odds ratio 1.892; 95% confidence interval 1.238-2.891; P = 0.003) was independently associated with postoperative AKI. Patients with preoperative serum albumin < 37.5 g/L tended to have a higher but not significant ratio in AKI stage 2 (2.6% vs 1.1%, P = 0.144) and much higher ratio in AKI stage 3 (4.8% vs 0.7%, P < 0.001) than those with preoperative serum albumin ≥37.5 g/L. AKI patients had a higher in-hospital mortality rate [6.9% (13/188) vs. 0.2% (1/541), P < 0.001]. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative survival rate decreased with increasing AKI severity (P < 0.001). Postoperative AKI was also associated with other worse outcomes, such as prolonged mechanical ventilation [53.4 (33.0, 73.8) vs 14.7 (11.1, 18.3) hours, P < 0.001], intensive care unit stay [4.0 (3.1, 4.9) vs 2.0 (1.8, 2.3) days, P < 0.001], postoperative hospital stay [17.8 (14.8, 20.9) vs 12.3 (11.3, 13.3) days, P < 0.001], and higher total cost [13,453 (8538, 20,228) vs 11,306 (6277, 16,400) dollars, P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with AKI after non-cardiac surgery, and postoperative AKI was associated with poor outcomes.

[Isolation and identification of endophytic fungi from Huperzia serrata and their metabolites' inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase and anti-inflammatory activities].

A total of 27 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Huperzia serrata,which were richly distributed in the stems and leaves while less distributed in roots. The 27 strains were identified by Internal Transcribed Spacer( ITS) r DNA molecular method and one of the strains belongs to Basidiomycota phylum,and other 26 stains belong to 26 species,9 general,6 families,5 orders,3 classes of Ascomycota Phylum. The dominant strains were Colletotrichum genus,belonging to Glomerellaceae family,Glomerellales order,Sordariomycetes class,Ascomycota Phylum,with the percentage of 48. 15%. The inhibitory activities of the crude extracts of 27 endophytic fungal strains against acetylcholinesterase( ACh E) and nitric oxide( NO) production were evaluated by Ellman's method and Griess method,respectively. Crude extracts of four fungi exhibited inhibitory activities against ACh E with an IC50 value of 42. 5-62. 4 mg·L~(-1),and some fungi's crude extracts were found to inhibit nitric oxide( NO) production in lipopolysaccharide( LPS)-activated RAW264. 7 macrophage cells with an IC50 value of 2. 2-51. 3 mg·L~(-1),which indicated that these fungi had potential anti-inflammatory activities.The chemical composition of the Et OAc extract of endophytic fungus HS21 was also analyzed by LCMS-IT-TOF. Seventeen compounds including six polyketides,four diphenyl ether derivatives and seven meroterpenoids were putatively identified.

An Uncommon Carboxyl-Decorated Metal-Organic Framework with Selective Gas Adsorption and Catalytic Conversion of CO2.

A new three-dimensional (3D) framework, [Ni(btzip)(H2 btzip)]⋅2 DMF⋅2 H2 O (1) (H2 btzip=4,6-bis(triazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid) as an acidic heterogeneous catalyst was constructed by the reaction of nickel wire and a triazolyl-carboxyl linker. Framework 1 possesses intersected 2D channels decorated by free COOH groups and uncoordinated triazolyl N atoms, leading to not only high CO2 and C2 H6 adsorption capacity but also significant selective capture for CO2 and C2 H6 over CH4 and CO in 273-333 K. Moreover, 1 reveals chemical stability toward water. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations confirmed the multiple CO2 - and C2 H6 -philic sites. As a result of the presence of accessible Brønsted acidic COOH groups in the channels, the activated framework demonstrates highly efficient catalytic activity in the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with propylene oxide/4-chloromethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one/3-butoxy-1,2-epoxypropane into cyclic carbonates.

Ligand Configuration-Induced Manganese(II) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, Sorption, and Magnetic Properties.

Three new coordination polymers, {[Mn3(pzbtz)2(Cl)2(H2O)2]·4H2O}n (1), {Mn2(pzbtz)(SO4)(H2O)3]·3H2O}n (2), and {[Mn3(pzbtz)3(H2O)3]·1.5DMA·2H2O}n (3), have been solvothermally synthesized with MnCl2/MnSO4 and a bitriazole ligand, 5'-(pyrazin-2-yl)-2H,4'H-3,3'-bi(1,2,4-triazole) (H2pzbtz), in different solvent systems. H2pzbtz shows different geometrical configurations and coordination modes, leading to the diverse three-dimensional (3D) frameworks of 1-3. Complex 1 contains the trinuclear Mn3(tr)4X2 (X = Cl or H2O) clusters and reveals an unobserved (3,4,8)-connected sqc929 topological framework with two types of cages. Complex 2 is a new (3,4,6)-connected network based on dinuclear Mn2(tr)2 clusters, and 3 shows an 8-connected bcu topology with a novel tetranuclear Mn4(tr)6 cluster. Complexes 1 and 2 show antiferromagnetic properties, while 3 reveals spin-canting magnetic behavior with an uncommonly high Tc around 44 K. In addition, 1 also possesses good adsorption selectivity for CO2 over CH4 and N2 and an uncommon gate-opening phenomenon.

Long Non-Coding RNA Expression Signature Hallmarks Promising Efficacy in Identification of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Meta-Analysis Study.

BACKGROUND: The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are significantly altered in an expanding list of malignant neoplasms, suggesting that they might be popularized as potential biomarkers for cancer detection. This study sought to validate the diagnostic efficacy of lncRNA expression signature(s) as potential biomarker(s) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis. METHODS: We conducted the online databases search for all eligible studies. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12.0 and Meta-Disc 1.4 statistical programs. Sensitivity analysis and a meta-regression test were applied to deeply trace the underlying heterogeneity sources. RESULTS: Eight cohorts comprised 775 NSCLC patients and 630 matched controls were included. Our data manifested that lncRNA expression profiling harbored a pooled sensitivity of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.71 - 0.82) and specificity of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80 - 0.90) in discriminating NSCLC cases from cancer-free individuals, along with an AUC (area under the curve) value of 0.88. Further subgroup analysis revealed that paralleled testing of lncRNAs (sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.90, 0.80 and 0.96, respectively) substantially strengthened the diagnostic efficacy as compared with the single testing pattern (sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.71, 0.77 and 0.82, respectively). Other stratified analysis of ethnicity, histology type, and test matrix also presented robust results. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results indicate that lncRNA expression signature(s) might be applicable as complementary biomarker(s) for the identification of NSCLC.

Assessment of Glycated Albumin as a Useful Indicator for Renal Dysfunction in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Population.

BACKGROUND: Glycated albumin (GA) reflects serum glucose of the preceding 2 - 3 weeks and plays an important role in diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed at investigating whether GA can assess renal dysfunction in population. METHODS: 3818 individuals attending physical examination were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and divided into five groups: healthy controls, impaired fasting glucose, DM without renal complications, DM with albuminuria, and nondiabetic chronic kidney disease patients. All analyses were conducted using the subjects with both fasting venous blood and morning urine samples. RESULTS: Among all groups, mean GA, hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, and serum creatinine were the highest and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was the lowest in DM with albuminuria group. When eGFR was 90 - 105 mL/minute/1.73 m2 or mildly decreased to 60 - 90 mL/minute/1.73 m2, GA increased significantly with elevating albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) from 0 - 10 mg/g to 10 - 30 mg/g to > 30 mg/g (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). GA increased further when eGFR decreased moderately to severely as a result of renal function continuing to deteriorate (eGFR ≤ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2).When ACR ≤ 30 mg/g and eGFR ≤ 60 mL/minute/ 1.73 m2, more than 50% subjects were DM patients and had significantly higher GA levels than other subjects with eGFR > 105 mL/minute/1.73 m2. After adjusting demographics, every 5% rise of GA levels showed a 1.778fold increased risk in all subjects (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.778; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.373 - 2.302; p < 0.001) and 1.737-fold risk in DM subjects (adjusted OR, 1.737; 95% CI, 1.221 - 2.471; p = 0.002) for occurrence of ACR > 30mg/g in contrast to ACR ≤ 30 mg/g. Compared to eGFR > 90 mL/minute/1.73 m2, 5% rise of GA levels showed a 1.482-fold risk for eGFR 60 - 90 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (adjusted OR, 1.482; 95% CI, 1.112 - 1.975; p = 0.007) and a 1.996-fold risk for eGFR ≤ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (adjusted OR, 1.996; 95% CI, 1.366 - 2.916; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased GA serves as a risk marker for renal dysfunction. GA combined with eGFR and ACR can reflect renal function changes in population.

Validation of chronic kidney disease risk categorization system in Chinese patients with kidney disease: A cohort study.

AIM: To validate the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines risk stratification system based on the combination of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria. METHODS: This was a cohort study. A total of 1219 study population were recruited. Estimated GFR and proteinuria measured by using 24 h urine protein excretion rate (PER) were predictors. Adverse outcomes included all-cause mortality (ACM) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Follow-up was done by regular visit, telephone interview and electronic medical records. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years, 153 (12.6%) and 43 (3.5%) patients experienced ESRD and ACM, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio for ESRD and ACM (compared with patients with eGFR > 60 mL/min per 1.7 m²) was of 29.8 and 3.6 for those with eGFR of 15-29 mL/min per 1.73 m², respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio for ESRD and ACM (compared with patients with PER < 150 mg/24h) was of 15.9 and 3.9 for those with PER > 500 mg/24h. Higher KDIGO guidelines risk categories (indicating lower eGFR or higher proteinuria) were associated with a graded increase in the risk for the ESRD (P < 0.001) and ACM (P < 0.001). Reclassification of KDIGO guidelines risk categories yielded net reclassification improvements for those with ESRD or ACM event (NRIevents ) of 33.3% or 30.2%. CONCLUSION: Lower eGFR and higher proteinuria are risk factors for ESRD and ACM in Chinese patients. The KDIGO guidelines risk categorization system assigned patients who went on to have the event to more appropriate CKD risk categories.

Effects of degree of quaternization on the preparation and characterization of insulin-loaded trimethyl chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes optimized by central composite design.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of varying degrees of quaternization (DQ: 22, 35 and 41%) on the preparation and characterization of insulin (INS)-loaded polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) prepared by N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC). A two factor-five level central composite design was used for the optimization. The concentrations of INS and TMC were defined as independent variables, while the entrapment efficiency (EE%) and loading efficiency (LE%) as dependent variables. The three optimized INS-TMC PECs were characterized for their size, zeta potential, EE% and LE%. The morphology and electrostatic interaction of PECs were evaluated. Then, the stability in the enzyme solution and in vitro release as well as mucoadhesive properties of the three PECs were all investigated. The results showed that the size and EE% of the optimum formulations were significantly decreased using TMC of higher DQ, while the zeta potential and LE% were slightly influenced by DQ. The stability assay exhibited partial protection of TMC PECs, and the better protective effect was observed for PECs of higher DQ. The in vitro release study presented different initial and sustained release behaviors of INS-TMC PECs and the mucin adsorption study confirmed a positive correlation between the DQ and the mucoadhesive property of PECs.

Assessment of ground instability risk of lower seam longwall panels during crossing overlying remnant pillars.

One of the most challenging safety problems is ground instability during crossing overlying remnant pillars (CORP). Ground instability not only causes injury to miners or fatalities, but also leads to interruptions in the mining operations and breakdowns in equipment. In this paper, 12 major parameters influencing the ground instability were firstly determined based on extensive international experience associated with CORP. The consequences of the ground instability were then assessed in terms of miners' health and financial losses. Afterwards, a practical method to assess the ground instability risk of lower-seam longwall panels during CORP was developed based on its probability and consequence. Finally, this method was successfully used to determine the best scheme for CORP of LW10-103 at Mugua coal mine. The main advantage of this method is that it enables mining engineers to easily use international experience for assessing the risk of ground instability and selecting reasonable supports during CORP.

Serum level of soluble CD14 subtype predicts long-term prognosis in sepsis patients with cardiac dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, and some sepsis patients will develop cardiac dysfunction. Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) has been demonstrated to be a promising predictor of mortality, although the prediction of SICD itself remains unclear. Clinical studies have shown that soluble CD14 subtype (sCD14-ST) may be a useful predictor for sepsis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of sCD14-ST for SICD in patients with sepsis. METHODS: Patients with SICD from three intensive care units (ICUs) of three medical centers between January 2015 and December 2018 were enrolled. Clinical data and information were collected from hospital and clinic records. Blood samples at admission were collected and serum levels of sCD14-ST were tested. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were recorded. Echocardiography was repeated at the end of 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were enrolled into the final analysis. During 1-year follow-up, MACEs occurred in 35 (29.9%) patients. Most MACEs occurred with 3 months after discharge. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR =1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-2.3, P=0.036), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) (OR =1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1, P=0.027), creatine (Cr) (OR =1.6, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5, P=0.022), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (OR =1.7, 95% CI: 1.3-2.6, P=0.012), and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 subtype (sCD14-ST) (OR =1.9, 95% CI:1.4-3.1, P=0.015) were predictors for MACEs in patients with SICD at 1-year follow-up. Area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) of sCD14-ST to MACEs was 0.784, and the cutoff point was 748.3 µg/L with a sensitivity of 0.78 and a specificity of 0.74 respectively. Blood test at the end of 1-year follow-up revealed that patients with a lower sCD14-ST level had better lower Cr, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). CONCLUSIONS: MACEs mainly occurred within 3 months after discharge in patients with SICD, and high baseline serum levels of sCD14-ST predicted poor prognosis in patients with SICD.

The association between total homocysteine and blood pressure in two independent Chinese populations.

Hypertension and hyperhomocystinemia have a joint effect on the risk of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and blood pressure in two independent Chinese populations. Four thousand five hundred and fifty-five participants who underwent health examinations between March 2016 and September 2016 at Peking University First Hospital were enrolled as 'Population 1', and 2689 participants who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled as 'Population 2'. None of the study participants were taking antihypertensive medication or vitamins, or had cardio-cerebrovascular disease or chronic kidney disease stages 4 or 5. In Population 1, a 5 µmol/L increase in tHcy was associated with a 0.47 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.70 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 0.14 mmHg (95% CI: -0.02 to 0.30 mmHg, p = 0.08) increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In Population 2, a 5 µmol/L increase in tHcy was associated with a 0.42 mmHg (95% CI: 0.13-0.72 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in SBP and a 0.29 mmHg (95% CI: 0.09-0.49 mmHg, p < 0.01) increase in DBP. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in Population 1 (by 47%; odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.98, p = 0.01) and in Population 2 (by 55%;OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.15-2.08, p < 0.01) in participants with tHcy ≥ 15 µmol/l than in those with tHcy < 10 µmol/L. Stratified analysis showed that the association was stronger in women than in men.

Oxymatrine prevents the development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension via regulation of the NG, NG-dimethyl-L-arginine metabolism pathways in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of oxymatrine in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension and its possible influence on the NG,NG-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) metabolism pathway. Pulmonary hypertension was induced in rats by a single-dose injection of monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). Daily oral administration of oxymatrine (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was started on the day following the monocrotaline injection for 28 days. Oxymatrine (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly attenuated monocrotaline-induced lung and right ventricular hypertrophy, right ventricular systolic pressure elevation, and right ventricular dysfunction. Oxymatrine also reduced the thickening of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial medial wall. Meanwhile, oxymatrine normalized the level of pulmonary asymmetric ADMA and attenuated the upregulated expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1). Oxymatrine had no effect on the expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 2 (PRMT2) and NG,NG-Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1), which were upregulated in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertensive rats. However, the expression of the protein NG,NG-Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2) did not differ among all groups (all P﹥0.05). These results suggest that oxymatrine may offer protective effects on the development of pulmonary hypertension by ameliorating pulmonary remodeling and modulating the ADMA metabolism pathway.

Polyketides from Alternaria alternata MT-47, an endophytic fungus isolated from Huperzia serrata.

Four new polyketides, alternatains A-D (1-4), along with 17 known compounds (5-21) were obtained from the solid substrate fermentation cultures of Alternaria alternata MT-47, an endophytic fungus isolated from the medicinal plant of Huperzia serrata. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques (1D and 2D NMR, IR, and HRESIMS) and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) method. Compounds 4, 6, 15, and 21 exhibited inhibitory activities on ATP release of thrombin-activated platelets with IC50 values in the range of 18.2-68.8 µM.

Lycopodium alkaloids from Huperzia serrata.

Five new Lycopodium alkaloids, huperzine Y1 (1), huperzine Y2 (2), huperzine Y3 (3), (+)-huperzine Z (4a) and (-)-huperzine Z (4b) as well as ten known alkaloids (5-14) were isolated from Huperzia serrata. The structures of the new compounds were established using extensive spectroscopic (1D and 2D NMR, IR, and HRESIMS) and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) methods. Compounds 4a and 4b were a pair of enantiomers successfully separated by chiral HPLC resolution. Compounds 2 and 3 indicated inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase with IC50 value of 57.1 ±â€¯1.6 and 32.7 ±â€¯1.0 µΜ, respectively. However, no compound showed inhibitory effect on butyrocholinesterase at the concentration of 100 µΜ.