Immobilization or mobilization of heavy metal(loid)s in lake sediment-water interface: Roles of coupled transformation between iron (oxyhydr)oxides and natural organic matter.

Iron (Fe) (oxyhydr)oxides and natural organic matter (NOM) are active substances ubiquitously found in sediments. Their coupled transformation plays a crucial role in the fate and release risk of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) in lake sediments. Therefore, it is essential to systematically obtain relevant knowledge to elucidate their potential mechanism, and whether HMs provide immobilization or mobilization effect in this ternary system.

Comprehensive Optimization of Packing Parameters for Hydraulic-Packed Capillary Columns.

Rationale: The performance of the capillary column directly impacts the separation efficiency of complex sample in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies. The hydraulic packing system offers an effective solution by reducing packing time and expediting the preparation process of column preparation. However, its operational complexity and strict parameter regulation requirements hinder efficient application.

A Systematic Approach to Optimizing Regional Industrial Networks for High Eco-Efficiency Transformation.

Industrial networks have become intricately interwoven, utilizing material resources to meet humanity's needs. Recently, sustainable technologies have been pursued to enhance industrial efficiency and reduce environmental and resource impacts. However, current research lacks a comprehensive methodology and typical cases for constructing efficient resource-based industrial networks.

Optimization of the extraction process of goji berry pectin using response surface methodology and its suitability as thickener for yogurt.

Although goji berry with many main biological activity components is a nutritional medicinal and edible plan and widespread in the northeast of China, its current development also faces a new challenge of overcapacity. So this study was largely focused to investigate the optimal extraction process conditions (extraction water proportion, acidic pH regulating reagent, adjusted pH, extraction temperature, extraction time) for goji berry with increased yield. Box Behnken experimental design (BBD) was used to model the mathematical model of the relationship between the three main influence of pivotal extraction parameters (extraction pH, extraction time and extraction temperature) selected by the single factor experiments on the responses of goji berry pectin yield (%).

Association between within-target risk factors and life expectancy free from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes in New Zealand between 1994 and 2018: a multi-ethnic cohort study.

Background: The extent to which type 2 diabetes (T2D) reduces life expectancy depends on the risk of complications. We aimed to characterise the relationship between risk factors for diabetes complications and life expectancy, in individuals with T2D, free from major chronic disease, in a regional database linked with national New Zealand health databases.

Methods: A prospective cohort study design was employed, analysing data from individuals with T2D drawn from the comprehensive Diabetes Care Support Service database (1994-2018).

Evaluation of cardiac remodeling in pediatric chronic kidney disease by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the reference method for assessing cardiac remodeling. To our knowledge, no study has reported a comprehensive analysis of left ventricular(LV) cardiac remodeling using CMR in different stages of pediatric CKD.

Life-Cycle Environmental Impacts of Additive-Related Chemicals in Polyvinyl Chloride Plastics and the Mitigation Potential.

Plastic additive-related chemicals, particularly in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, have become a key issue in plastic pollution. Although addressing plastic pollution through the life-cycle approach is crucial, the environmental impacts of typical plastic additive-related chemicals in PVC plastics during the cradle-to-gate stage remain unexplored. Consequently, managing the life-cycle environmental impacts of these additives remains challenging.

Isospongian Diterpenoids from the Leaves of Amomum tsao-ko Promote GLP-1 Secretion via Ca/CaMKII and PKA Pathways and Inhibit DPP-4 Enzyme.

Three uncommon isospongian diterpenoids including a new one, 3-epi-kravanhin A (2), were isolated from the leaves of Amomum tsao-ko. Compounds 2 and 3 dose-dependently promoted GLP-1 secretion on STC-1 cells with promotion ratios of 109.7 % and 186.

Sex differences in clinical profile, left ventricular remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes among diabetic patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a cardiac-MRI-based study.

Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Evidence has shown that sex differences may be an important contributor to phenotypic heterogeneity in patients with HFrEF. Although diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently coexists with HFrEF and results in a worse prognosis, there remains a need to identify sex-related differences in the characteristics and outcomes of this population.

Unraveling the relationship between gut microbiota and site-specific endometriosis: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Although numerous studies have illustrated the connection between gut microbiota and endometriosis, a conspicuous gap exists in research focusing on the pathogenesis of endometriosis at various sites and its linkage with infertility.

Methods: In this study, we used a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the effect of gut microbiota on the development of endometriosis in different regions, including the uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, pelvic peritoneum, vagina, and rectovaginal septum, as well as the intestine. Additionally, we explored the correlation between gut microbiota and endometriosis-induced infertility.

The clinical characteristics and pathogenic variants of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease in 210 patients: a systematic review.

Aims: Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), as a rare kind of Cushing's syndrome, is frequently misdiagnosed. To get a better understanding of the disease, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and pathogenic variants of PPNAD.

Methods: Databases were searched, and the pathogenic variants and clinical manifestations of patients were summarized from the relevant articles.

Progress in Core-Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Materials for Enriching Post-Translationally Modified Peptides.

Endogenous peptides, particularly those with post-translational modifications, are increasingly being studied as biomarkers for diagnosing various diseases. However, they are weakly ionizable, have a low abundance in biological samples, and may be interfered with by high levels of proteins, peptides, and other macromolecular impurities, resulting in a high limit of detection and insufficient amounts of post-translationally modified peptides in real biological samples to be examined. Therefore, separation and enrichment are necessary before analyzing these biomarkers using mass spectrometry.

Associations of prediabetes and sleep duration, and inflammation as a mediator in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep duration and prediabetes, as well as to evaluate the influence of inflammation in mediating this association.

Methods: A total of 4632 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included in this study, comprising both baseline and 4-year follow-up data. The prospective relationship between sleep duration and the risk of prediabetes was examined using logistic regression models.

Integrated optimization modelling framework for low-carbon and green regional transitions through resource-based industrial symbiosis.

The development and utilization of bulk resources provide the basic material needs for industrial systems. However, most current resource utilization patterns are unsustainable, with low efficiencies and high carbon emissions. Here, we report a quantitative tool for resource-based industries to facilitate sustainable and low-carbon transitions within the regional economy.

Glycemic control and clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: insight from ventricular remodeling using cardiac MRI.

Background: Glycemic control, as measured by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), is an important biomarker to evaluate diabetes severity and is believed to be associated with heart failure development. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) commonly coexist, and the combination of these two diseases indicates a considerably poorer outcome than either disease alone. Therefore, glycemic control should be carefully managed.

Four Parallel Pathways in T4 Ligase-Catalyzed Repair of Nicked DNA with Diverse Bending Angles.

The structural diversity of biological macromolecules in different environments contributes complexity to enzymological processes vital for cellular functions. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and electron microscopy are used to investigate the enzymatic reaction of T4 DNA ligase catalyzing the ligation of nicked DNA. The data show that both the ligase-AMP complex and the ligase-AMP-DNA complex can have four conformations.

Individualized Weight Management and Its Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes in Overweight/Obese Infertile Women: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Previous studies link overweight/obesity to reduced fertility, highlighting weight intervention as vital for better pregnancy outcomes. However, clarity on the role and efficacy of weight loss in enhancing pregnancy is inconsistent.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of individualized weight intervention on pregnancy among Chinese overweight/obese infertile women and explore body composition indexes influencing pregnancy outcomes.

"Access to pharmacy services is difficult in China": a qualitative study from the perspective of transplant recipients to explore their expectations.

Purpose: To gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of Chinese organ transplant recipients' perceptions, expectations, and suggestions of pharmacy services to hospital pharmacists.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in central China, from February to December 2020. Participants were collected with a purposive and snowball sampling method.

Tailoring Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticle Surface Coating for Macrophage-Affinity Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, while macrophages as key players in plaque progression and destabilization are promising targets for atherosclerotic plaque imaging. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) has emerged as a powerful noninvasive imaging technique for the evaluation of atherosclerotic plaques within arterial walls. However, the visualization of macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques presents considerable challenges due to the intricate pathophysiology of the disease and the dynamic behavior of these cells.