Rapid detection of furanyl fentanyl in complex matrices using Leidenfrost desorption-assisted low-temperature arc plasma ionization mass spectrometry.

The abuse of illicit drugs poses serious threats to the physical and mental health of users, as well as to the overall safety and welfare of society. In this work, we present a newly developed technique for drug detection based on mass spectrometry. This technique combines Leidenfrost desorption with low-temperature arc plasma ionization mass spectrometry. This method is applicable for detecting furanyl fentanyl in complex matrices. Key advantages of this technique include minimal sample fragmentation and high sensitivity for detection. The Leidenfrost desorption plays a pivotal role in this methodology, as it spontaneously concentrates analyte molecules during the gradual evaporation of the solvent. Eventually, these concentrated molecules are redistributed at their highest concentrations, resulting in exceptionally high sensitivity. In the course of our investigation, we achieved a remarkable detection limit of 10 pg mL-1 for furanyl fentanyl in pure water. Moreover, the characteristic ion peaks of furanyl fentanyl can be distinctly identified within complex matrices such as wine, beverages, urine, and lake water. This innovative drug detection technology offers several advantages, including a simple setup, cost-effectiveness, rapid detection, high sensitivity, and minimal sample pretreatment.

Revisiting the predictive role of truncal-type occlusion sign for acute large vessel stroke treated by endovascular thrombectomy: A scoping review.

Background and purpose The truncal type occlusion (TTO) sign observed during endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is thought to predict the etiology and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). However, the interpretation of the present results and the clinical utility of this sign needs further investigation. This scoping meta-review aimed to assess the predictive value of the TTO sign, thus identifying methodological limitations in current study designs. Methods Studies published up to January 2023 were identified by systematically searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively synthesize the evidence on the predictive value of the TTO sign. An 8-point scale was introduced to narratively summarize the current evidence level and methodological quality of included studies. Results We included 10 studies in this review. For the prediction of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR of the TTO sign were 0.73, 0.87, 5.5 and 0.31, respectively (all p<0.05). For recanalization failure after primary thrombectomy, the sensitivity, specificity, PLR and NLR were 0.44, 0.91, 4.9 and 0.61, respectively (all p<0.05). The strength of evidence was low due to the methodological limitations and lack of adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion The predictive values of the TTO sign for the etiology of LVO-AIS was considerable but seemed limited for current interpretation. Several confounders could influence the determination and predictive value of the TTO sign, requiring methodological adjustments in future research. Endovascular practitioners encountering this sign during thrombectomy should draw specific attention to stroke etiology, thus promoting timely adjustment of intra- and postprocedural strategies.

Angiographic Pattern of M1 Stenosis Predicts Territorial Stroke in Patients Receiving Aggressive Medication without Stenting.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between different angiographic patterns of middle cerebral artery M1 segment stenosis and related territorial stroke in patients receiving aggressive medical treatment without stenting. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our patient registry database to identify ICAS patients diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography between January 2017 and December 2020 and identified 3 different angiographic patterns (normal, shift, and dilation) in 124 patients with M1 stenosis. The association between these patterns and recurrent ischemic stroke in the M1 territory was analyzed. RESULTS: The rates of recurrent M1 territorial stroke and transient ischemic attack in the normal group, shift group, dilation group and shift-dilation group were 34.5%, 35.0%, 78.3%, and 44.4% respectively. In patients with the shift pattern, the rate of recurrent stroke is significantly higher at a deflection angle ≥9.32° than at a deflection angle <9.32°(P < 0.05). In patients with dilation pattern, the rate of recurrent stroke is significantly higher than patients with non-dilation pattern (72.3% vs. 36.8%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Angiographic patterns of M1 stenosis may predict recurrent territorial strokes, thus providing a surrogate marker to identify high-risk patients for potential endovascular treatment.

Revisiting the role of TEG-PM in stroke prevention by drug selection for mono-antiplatelet medication following dual-antiplatelet treatment.

BACKGROUNDS: Dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel for minor strokes or TIAs has been demonstrated in several RCTs. Whether drug selection for mono-antiplatelet therapy (MAPT) following DAPT may influence stroke recurrence has not been clarified, especially for patients with intracranial atherosclerosis stenosis (ICAS). The Thrombelastography Platelet Mapping (TEG-PM) assay claimed to be capable of monitoring platelet function secondary to antiplatelet therapy. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive role of TEG-PM in individualized drug selection for MAPT following DAPT in patients with minor stroke or TIA. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our patient database to identify individuals with minor stroke or TIA between February 2019 and July 2022. Patients were divided into ICAS and non-ICAS groups, and the efficacy and safety of TEG-PM-guided MAPT for stroke prevention after minor stroke or TIA were investigated in each group. RESULTS: ICAS patients with TEG-PM-guided MAPT had lower rates of recurrent stroke than patients without TEG-PM guidance during a mean follow-up period of 18.1 months (6.3% vs 15.2%; p = 0.04). Patients without ICAS also tended to benefit from TEG-PM-guided MAPT with lower rates of stroke recurrence (2.6% vs 8.7%; p = 0.02). No difference in the safety outcome of any bleeding events was observed in patients with TEG-PM-guided MAPT and those without (ICAS group, 2.1% vs 3.0%; p = 0.68; non-ICAS group, 1.3% vs 2.3%; p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: The TEG-PM could be a tangible preprocessing in drug selection for MAPT following DAPT in patients with minor strokes or TIAs, especially for those with non-stented ICASs.

Bioengineering approaches for the endometrial research and application.

The endometrium undergoes a series of precise monthly changes under the regulation of dynamic levels of ovarian hormones that are characterized by repeated shedding and subsequent regeneration without scarring. This provides the potential for wound healing during endometrial injuries. Bioengineering materials highlight the faithful replication of constitutive cells and the extracellular matrix that simulates the physical and biomechanical properties of the endometrium to a larger extent. Significant progress has been made in this field, and functional endometrial tissue bioengineering allows an in-depth investigation of regulatory factors for endometrial and myometrial defects in vitro and provides highly therapeutic methods to alleviate obstetric and gynecological complications. However, much remains to be learned about the latest progress in the application of bioengineering technologies to the human endometrium. Here, we summarize the existing developments in biomaterials and bioengineering models for endometrial regeneration and improving the female reproductive potential.

Drawing time-density curve with Fiji/ImageJ: An alternative approach for parametric coding of cerebral digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative spatiotemporal analysis of digital subtraction angiography could support clinical decision making for the management of cerebral vascular disease. However, there is a lack of free and user-friendly applications. The objective of our study is to devise a free and simple solution for parametric coding of digital subtraction angiography. NEW METHOD: By driving the time-density curves in the region of interest, the digital subtraction angiography images were color-coded and quantitatively analyzed using fully open-source and free software (Fiji/ImageJ). The similarity factor (f2) was used to compare the resolution profiles between time-density curves generated with commercial software on the Siemens workstation (syngo iFlow, Siemens Healthcare, Berlin, Germany) and our method. RESULTS AND COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD: Sixteen patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke resulting from acute occlusion of the distal internal carotid artery or the first segment of the middle cerebral artery were selected for analysis. Angiography images were successfully processed with syngo iFlow and Fiji/ImageJ. The images processed with Fiji/ImageJ provided excellent anatomic and hemodynamic details. In all patients, the similarity factor (f2) values of the time-density curves derived from the same region of interest were 99.90 (range 99.85-99.95). CONCLUSIONS: The ImageJ/Fiji software provides a user-friendly and free alternative for parametric coding of digital subtraction angiography.

Optional or optimal? off-label stenting for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke. In addition to the Wingspan stent system, several self-expanding stents have been used off-label to treat intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis lesions. The purpose of this review is to assess the existing data on the off-label use of self-expanding stents in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, to highlight methodological limitations in current study designs, and thus providing strategies and precautions for clinical practice. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published up to April 2022. In addition to the meta analysis of Enterprise, Neuroform EZ and closed cell stent respectively, we used a narrative synthesis to summarize and discuss the appropriate strategies and precautions for the use of each stent. RESULTS: We identified 17 studies (1091 patients with 1124 lesions) reporting 6 types of off-label self-expanding stents. The most common endpoints reported were incidence of short-term complications (range: 0-15.8%, median: 3.8%), long-term complications (range: 0-12.0%, median: 0%). Potential risks include infeasibility of stenting hard lesions or tortuous vessels, stent migration, and in-stent thrombosis. Less is known about the conditions that are appropriate for an optimal stent (e.g., open-cell, close-cell, hybrid cell). There was considerable heterogeneity across studies with regards to study populations and study designs. CONCLUSIONS: The potential risks and benefits should be carefully considered when using off-label stents for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, particularly given the current evidence power. As a potential option for the Wingspan stent, based on device's approval only, a tailored approach with lesion-specific devices could be beneficial in certain patients.

Staged angioplasty: A sensible approach to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid artery stenting? A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether staged angioplasty (SAP) is a safe and effective treatment to prevent hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed according to established criteria to identify eligible articles published before October 2020. Pooled dichotomous data were presented as odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effect models. The efficacy endpoints were hyperperfusion syndrome (HPS), hyperperfusion phenomenon (HPP), and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The safety endpoint was post-procedural thromboembolic events. The feasibility of the procedure was assessed by device-related adverse events (vessel dissection and failed angioplasty) in SAP. RESULTS: Ten studies (1030 participants) were eligible. SAP was superior to regular CAS in preventing HPS (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.86, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the rate of thromboembolic events between the SAP group and the regular CAS group. The rates of vessel dissection and failed angioplasty with the use of a 3.0-mm-diameter balloon were 5.4% and 0.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SAP may reduce the incidence of post-CAS HPS without increasing procedure-related complications. A 3.0-mm-diameter balloon used in SAP may be appropriate for Asian populations. However, the confounded study design and confused definitions of reporting items hinder the current recommendation of SAP in clinical use.

Does radiological conjugate eye deviation sign play a role in acute stroke imaging? A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The diagnostic value of non-contrast CT (NCCT) in acute stroke imaging remains indispensable, especially under emergency conditions with limited resources. The radiological conjugate eye deviation (RCED) has been demonstrated as a NCCT sign to predict acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or AIS secondary to large vessel occlusion (LVO) in recent studies. We performed a meta-analysis to gain a better understanding into the predictive role of RCED for AISs and LVO-AISs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. The search focused on studies published between January 2000 and August 2020 that reported the predictive value of RCED for the diagnosis of AIS or LVO-AIS. Principal measurements of the meta-analysis were the overall sensitivity, specificity, the positive likelihood ratio (PLR), and the negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of RCED in predicting AIS and LVO-AIS. RESULTS: We included 11 studies (n = 2304). For AIS, RCED had a sensitivity of 0.37 (95% CI 0.27-0.47), a specificity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.73-0.93), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.58 (95% CI 0.53-0.62), PLR was 2.5 (95% CI 1.5-4.4), and NLR was 0.74 (95% CI 0.65-0.84). For LVO-AIS, RCED had a sensitivity of 0.63 (95% CI 0.46-0.77), a specificity of 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.82), AUC was 0.63 (95% CI 0.46-0.77), PLR was 2.7 (95% CI 1.7-4.3), and NLR was 0.49 (95% CI 0.3-0.78). CONCLUSION: RCED can be used to predict LVO-AIS. It is expected that this method will be extensively used and validated in acute stroke imaging, especially under emergency conditions with limited resources.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic data provide insights into gene networks associated with lignification in postharvest Lei bamboo shoots under low temperature.

Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys violascens) shoots are delicious food in Asia. Here, the molecular basis of lignification in postharvest Lei bamboo shoots under low temperature (LT) is revealed by transcriptomic and metabolomics analyses for the first time. We identified substantial accumulations of jasmonates (JAs) and major lignin biosynthesis precursors (coumarin, trans-4-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid and L-phenylalanine). Transcriptome analysis indicated that some regulatory genes were significantly differentially expressed, and the expression patterns of them were highly consistent with the changes in the key lignin precursors or JA profiles. Co-expression analysis showed that the LT responsive genes PvCRPK-4/-5, PvICE2-1/2, PvDREB2B might form a network module with the lignin (PvC3H-2/3, PvC4H-2/4, PvCAD-1/2/3/4, etc.) or JA biosynthesis genes (PvOPR2, PvJAZ-4 and PvPEX5, etc.), indicating a LT-lignification or LT-JA-lignification regulatory pathway in Lei bamboo shoots. Above all, our findings provide new an insight into the LT-associated lignification in postharvest bamboo shoots.

Better late than never: initial experience of intra-arterial pulsed-urokinase-injection as a salvage therapy for refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cochlear vascular micro-thrombosis has been hypothesized as one of the pathogenic mechanisms for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) refractory to regular management. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of intra-arterial pulsed-injection urokinase (IAPU) as a salvage therapy for SSNHL after the failure of conventional therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our patient database to identify refractory SSNHL patients between November 2017 and July 2020. Study outcomes before and after the IAPU therapy were compared between IAPU and conventional therapy groups. RESULTS: Sixty-seven moderate-profound SSNHL patients (29 in IAUP group, 38 in control group) were included in this study. Compared to the control group, patients in the IAPU group showed more significant improvement in pure tone average (PTA) (34.2 ± 23.5 vs. 10.7 ± 13.1, p < 0.001) and degree of hearing recovery (total: 20.7% vs. 5.3%, partial: 24.1% vs. 10.5%, mild: 27.6% vs. 13.2% and non: 27.6% vs. 71.1%) 2 weeks after admission. In the IAPU group, a significant improvement of PTA (86.6 ± 11.5 vs. 54.6 ± 20.1 dB, p < 0.005) was observed on the first day after IAPU treatment. CONCLUSION: In carefully selected SSNHL cases with a highly suspected vascular origin, IAPU is a safe and effective therapy when conventional treatments have failed. Despite the encouraging findings of our work, large studies are needed to better investigate the strengths and limitations of this salvage therapy.

Viscosity estimation model of fluorine-containing mold flux for continuous casting.

A viscosity estimation model for fluorine-containing mold flux for continuous casting was investigated based on the Arrhenius formula and the rotating cylinder method combined with nonlinear regression analysis. This model is highly applicable and not limited by the slag of a certain composition. For most slag compositions, the viscosities estimated with this model deviated from the measured values by no more than 10%, which was in better agreement with the measured values than the viscosities estimated by the Riboud, Iida and Mills models. According to the model calculation and experimental detection, a viscosity isogram of CaF2-Na2O-Al2O3-CaO-SiO2-MgO slag was produced, and the mass fraction of CaF2 in the low-viscosity zone was nearly 14%. An X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis of slag after the viscosity test showed that CaF2 and Na2O were significantly reduced, and the measured viscosity was greater than the theoretical viscosity due to the volatilization.

The SOC1-like gene BoMADS50 is associated with the flowering of Bambusa oldhamii.

Bamboo is known for its edible shoots and beautiful texture and has considerable economic and ornamental value. Unique among traditional flowering plants, many bamboo plants undergo extensive synchronized flowering followed by large-scale death, seriously affecting the productivity and application of bamboo forests. To date, the molecular mechanism of bamboo flowering characteristics has remained unknown. In this study, a SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1)-like gene, BoMADS50, was identified from Bambusa oldhamii. BoMADS50 was highly expressed in mature leaves and the floral primordium formation period during B. oldhamii flowering and overexpression of BoMADS50 caused early flowering in transgenic rice. Moreover, BoMADS50 could interact with APETALA1/FRUITFULL (AP1/FUL)-like proteins (BoMADS14-1/2, BoMADS15-1/2) in vivo, and the expression of BoMADS50 was significantly promoted by BoMADS14-1, further indicating a synergistic effect between BoMADS50 and BoAP1/FUL-like proteins in regulating B. oldhamii flowering. We also identified four additional transcripts of BoMADS50 (BoMADS50-1/2/3/4) with different nucleotide variations. Although the protein-CDS were polymorphic, they had flowering activation functions similar to those of BoMADS50. Yeast one-hybrid and transient expression assays subsequently showed that both BoMADS50 and BoMADS50-1 bind to the promoter fragment of itself and the SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP)-like gene BoSVP, but only BoMADS50-1 can positively induce their transcription. Therefore, nucleotide variations likely endow BoMADS50-1 with strong regulatory activity. Thus, BoMADS50 and BoMADS50-1/2/3/4 are probably important positive flowering regulators in B. oldhamii. Moreover, the functional conservatism and specificity of BoMADS50 and BoMADS50-1 might be related to the synchronized and sporadic flowering characteristics of B. oldhamii.

The volatilization behaviour of typical fluorine-containing slag in steelmaking.

It was taken as typical steelmaking fluorine-containing slag systems with the remelting electroslag, continuous casting mould flux and refining slag. The volatilization behaviour of each slag system was analysed by thermogravimetric (TG) and mass spectrometry (MS) detection. The results showed that the remelting electroslag volatilized significantly above 1300°C and the volatiles were mainly CaF2, MgF2 with a small amount of SiF4 and AlF3; the continuous casting mould flux volatilization was divided into two stages, in the first stage (500°C∼800°C), CaF2 and Na2O reacted to form NaF, and in the second stage (greater than 1200°C), the CaF2 evaporation was highlighted; for CaF2-CaO-based refining slag, the volatilization was the most significant at the eutectic point 84% CaF2-16% CaO, and the volatility can be reduced by adding 5% SiO2. This research will be guiding significance for the composition and performance control of fluorine-containing slag and metallurgical environmental protection in the steelmaking process.

Effect of the heating rate and premelting process on the melting point and volatilization of a fluorine-containing slag.

The melting point and volatilization characteristics of a fluorine-containing slag were investigated under different heating rates and premelting processes. The "hemisphere method" was used to detect the melting point, and the results showed that the measurements for the fluorine-free slag increased with increasing heating rate, and the deviation reached 60 °C and was affected by the hysteresis and fractional melting. The measured values and volatilization of the fluorine-containing slag decreased with increasing heating rate. The weight loss reached 16.8%, and the melting point deviation reached 90 °C, which was primarily affected by the volatility. The melting point of the synthetic fluorine-containing slag was 70 °C higher than that of the premelted slag due to flux volatilization of 8.3%. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed a large amount of CaF2 on the surface of the melted slag. The internal crystals in the synthetic slag were mainly diamond-shaped calcium fluoroaluminate (3CaO·3Al2O3·CaF2) and those in the premelted slag were needle-shaped cuspidine (3CaO·2SiO2·CaF2) that formed during secondary crystallization. Two factors that impacted the volatilization were proposed: one is the content of free CaF2, and the other is the slag structure. Based on these factors, volatilization models for synthetic and premelted fluorine-containing slags were established. This work is of significance for relevant measurement specifications to ensure the repeatability and comparability of the physicochemical properties, especially for volatile-containing slags.

PeSNAC-1 a NAC transcription factor from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) confers tolerance to salinity and drought stress in transgenic rice.

NAC (NAM, AFAT and CUC) proteins play necessary roles in plant response to environmental stresses. However, the functional roles of NAC genes in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), an essential economic perennial woody bamboo species, are not well documented. In this study, we retrieved 152 PeNAC genes from the moso bamboo V2 genome, and PeSNAC-1 was isolated and functionally characterized. PeSNAC-1 was localized in the nucleus and had no transactivation activity in yeast. PeSNAC-1 extremely expressed in rhizome and young roots (0.1 and 0.5 cm) and was significantly induced by drought and salt treatments but repressed by abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate and high temperature (42 °C) in moso bamboo. Under water shortage and salinity conditions, survival ratios, Fv/Fm values, physiological indexes such as activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase and contents of malondialdehyde, H2O2 and proline were significantly higher in transgenic rice than the wild type, which suggests enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress in PeSANC-1 overexpressed plants. Transcript levels of Na+/H+ antiporter and Na+ transporter genes (OsSOS1, OsNHX1 and OsHKT1;5), ABA signaling and biosynthesis genes (OsABI2, OsRAB16, OsPP2C68, OsLEA3-1, OsLEA3, OsNCED3, OsNCED4 and OsNCED5) and ABA-independent genes (OsDREB1A, OsDREB1B and OsDREB2A) were substantially higher in transgenic as compared with the wild type. Moreover, protein interaction analysis revealed that PeSNAC-1 could interact with stress responsive PeSNAC-2/4 and PeNAP-1/4/5 in both yeast and plant cells, which indicates a synergistic effect of those proteins in regulating the moso bamboo stress response. Our data demonstrate that PeSNAC-1 likely improved salt and drought stress tolerance via modulating gene regulation in both ABA-dependent and independent signaling pathways in transgenic rice. In addition, PeSNAC-1 functions as an important positive stress regulator in moso bamboo, participating in PeSNAC-1 and PeSNAC-2/4 or PeSNAC-1 and PeNAP-1/4/5 interaction networks.

Development and Characterization of EST-SSR Markers From RNA-Seq Data in Phyllostachys violascens.

Bamboo are woody grass species containing important economic and ecological values. Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys violascens) is a kind of shoot-producing bamboo species with the highest economic yield per unit area. However, identifying different varieties of Lei bamboo based on morphological characteristics is difficult. Microsatellites play an important role in plant identification and genetic diversity analysis and are superior to other molecular markers. In this study, we identified 18,356 expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) loci in Lei bamboo transcriptome data. A total of 11,264 primer pairs were successfully designed from unigenes of all EST-SSR loci, and 96 primer pairs were randomly selected and synthesized. A total of 54 primer pairs were used for classifying 16 Lei bamboo varieties and 10 different Phyllostachys species. The number of polymorphism alleles among the 54 primer pairs ranged from 3 to 12 for P. violascens varieties and 3 to 20 for Phyllostachys. The phylogenetic tree based on polymorphism alleles successfully distinguished 16 P. violascens varieties and 10 Phyllostachys species. Our study provides abundant EST-SSR resources that are useful for genetic diversity analysis and molecular verification of bamboo and suggests that SSR markers developed from Lei bamboo are more efficient and reliable than ISSR, SRAP or AFLP markers.