Deciphering prognostic indicators in non-HIV cryptococcal meningitis: Constructing and validating a predictive Nomogram model.

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a well-recognized fungal infection, with substantial mortality in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in non-HIV adults remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the characteristics and prognostic indicators of CM in non-HIV adult patients, integrating a novel predictive model to guide clinical decision-making.

Association of exposure to multiple perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and glucose metabolism in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2018.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure and glucose metabolism indices.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 waves were used. A total of 611 participants with information on serum PFASs (perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA); perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUA); perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS); perfluorooctane sulfonates acid (PFOS); perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA)), glucose metabolism indices (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin) as well as selected covariates were included.

Analysis of relationship between mixed heavy metal exposure and early renal damage based on a weighted quantile sum regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression model.

Background: Occupation, environmental heavy metal exposure, and renal function impairment are closely related. The relationship between mixed metal exposure and chronic renal injury is inadequately described, and the interaction between each metal is poorly explored.

Objective: This cross-sectional study assessed mixed heavy metal exposure in the general population and their relationship with early renal impairment, as well as possible interactions between metals.

Band gap characteristics of new composite multiple locally resonant phononic crystal metamaterial.

Locally resonant phononic crystal (LRPC) exhibit elastic wave band gap characteristics within a specific low-frequency range, but their band gap width is relatively narrow, which has certain limitations in practical engineering applications. In order to open a lower frequency band gap and broaden the band gap range, this paper proposes a new composite multiple locally resonant phononic crystal (CMLRPC). Firstly, the band structure of the CMLRPC is calculated by using the finite element method, and then the formation mechanism of the band gap of the CMLRPC is studied by analyzing its vibration mode, and the band gap width is expanded by adjusting the size of the single primitive cell in the supercell model of the CMLRPC.

Predicting the transmission dynamics of novel coronavirus infection in Shanxi province after the implementation of the "Class B infectious disease Class B management" policy.

Background: China managed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with measures against Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases, in a major shift of its epidemic response policies. We aimed to generate robust information on the transmission dynamics of novel coronavirus infection in Shanxi, a province located in northern China, after the implementation of the "Class B infectious disease Class B management" policy.

Methods: We consolidated infection data in Shanxi province from December 6, 2022 to January 14, 2023 through a network questionnaire survey and sentinel surveillance.

Association of prenatal exposure to PM and NO with gestational diabetes in Western New York.

Background: Although many studies have examined the association between prenatal air pollution exposure and gestational diabetes (GDM), the relevant exposure windows remain inconclusive. We aim to examine the association between preconception and trimester-specific exposure to PM and NO and GDM risk and explore modifying effects of maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking, exercise during pregnancy, race and ethnicity, and neighborhood disadvantage.

Methods: Analyses included 192,508 birth records of singletons born to women without pre-existing diabetes in Western New York, 2004-2016.

Model-based analysis of the incidence trends and transmission dynamics of COVID-19 associated with the Omicron variant in representative cities in China.

Background: In 2022, Omicron outbreaks occurred at multiple sites in China. It is of great importance to track the incidence trends and transmission dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to guide further interventions.

Methods: Given the population size, economic level and transport level similarities, two groups of outbreaks (Shanghai vs.

Epidemiological characteristics and transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hohhot, China: a time-varying SQEIAHR model analysis.

Background: On September 28, 2022, the first case of Omicron subvariant BF.7 was discovered among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in Hohhot, China, and then the epidemic broke out on a large scale during the National Day holiday. It is imminently necessary to construct a mathematical model to investigate the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Hohhot.

Disparities in insecurity, social support, and family relationships in association with poor mental health among US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health. Identifying risk factors and susceptible subgroups will guide efforts to address mental health concerns during the pandemic and long-term management and monitoring after the pandemic. We aimed to examine associations of insecurity (concerns about food, health insurance, and/or money), social support, and change in family relationships with poor mental health and to explore disparities in these associations.

Integrated analysis of transcriptome-wide mA methylation in a Cd-induced kidney injury rat model.

Background: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that N6-methyladenosine (mA) plays important roles in a variety of diseases. However, the specific functions of mA in CdCl-induced kidney injury remain unclear.

Objective: Here, we investigate a transcriptome-wide map of mA modifications and explore the effects of mA on Cd-induced kidney injury.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and estimated glomerular filtration rate in adults: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES (2017-2018).

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) may be important environmental risk factors affecting renal function. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between PFASs and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in univariate exposure and multivariate co-exposure models of PFASs. A total of 1700 people over 18 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2017-2018 were selected as subjects to explore the relationships between eGFR and six PFASs (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFUA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS)).

Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Aims: To examine the association between alcohol consumption and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed among US adults during May-August 2020 through social networks and ResearchMatch. We collected information on demographic, lifestyles and mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Association of ambient fine particulate matter exposure with gestational diabetes mellitus and blood glucose levels during pregnancy.

Background: Previous studies have examined the associations between ambient fine particulate matter (PM) exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, limited studies explored the relationships between PM exposure and blood glucose levels during pregnancy, especially in highly polluted areas.

Objectives: To examine the associations of prenatal ambient PM exposure with GDM and blood glucose levels, and to identify the sensitive exposure windows in a highly air-polluted area.

Coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic prediction in Shanghai under the "dynamic zero-COVID policy" using time-dependent SEAIQR model.

It's urgently needed to assess the COVID-19 epidemic under the "dynamic zero-COVID policy" in China, which provides a scientific basis for evaluating the effectiveness of this strategy in COVID-19 control. Here, we developed a time-dependent susceptible-exposed-asymptomatic-infected-quarantined-removed (SEAIQR) model with stage-specific interventions based on recent Shanghai epidemic data, considering a large number of asymptomatic infectious, the changing parameters, and control procedures. The data collected from March 1st, 2022 to April 15th, 2022 were used to fit the model, and the data of subsequent 7 days and 14 days were used to evaluate the model performance of forecasting.

Urinary cadmium and peripheral blood telomere length predict the risk of renal function impairment: a study of 547 community residents of Shanxi, China.

Few reports have investigated the predictive value of urinary cadmium (UCd) and telomere length on renal function impairment. Therefore, we constructed nomogram models, using a cross-sectional survey to analyze the potential function of UCd and telomere length in renal function impairment risk. We randomly selected two community populations in Shanxi, China, and general information of the subjects was collected through face-to-face questionnaire surveys.

Mediating effect of telomere length in a hypertension population exposed to cadmium: a case-control study.

Cadmium (Cd) is associated with telomere length and hypertension, respectively, but the mechanism behind its relationship is unclear. Our study aimed to clarify the role of telomere length in the relationship between Cd and hypertension. A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted with 213 hypertensive patients and 213 normotensive controls in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, from February and June 2016.

COVID-19 Related Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD among US Adults.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures often result in individual isolation, which can lead to adverse mental outcomes. We collected online questionnaires from 3,952 US adults to examine the impact of "shelter-in-place" guidelines on mental health, and to explore potential disparities and modifiable factors. Self-reported anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms were associated with more restrictive quarantine.

Efficiency and safety of autologous chimeric antigen receptor T-cells therapy used for patients with lymphoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has produced promising response rates in patients with B cell malignancies. However, previous meta-analyses have demonstrated that CAR T-cell efficacy is unsatisfactory in patients with lymphoma unlike in patient with other hematological malignancies, but these studies included insufficient numbers of studies and patients with lymphoma. Furthermore, clinicians are interested in the effects of infusion dose, CAR structure, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and conditioning therapy regimen.

Diazoxide inhibits of ER stress‑mediated apoptosis during oxygen‑glucose deprivation in vitro and cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion in vivo.

Neuroprotective strategies using diazoxide (DZX) have been demonstrated to limit ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‑induced injury and cell apoptosis. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, DZX has been reported to improve β‑cell function and reduce their apoptosis, through suppressing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, the effects of DZX on ER stress during I/R‑induced neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus remains to be elucidated.

Neuroprotective effects of lycopene pretreatment on transient global cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion in rats: The role of the Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of lycopene in a mouse model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) and the role of the Nrf2/HO‑1 signaling pathway. A total of 60 male C57BL/6 mice, aged 12 weeks and weighing 20‑24 g, were used in the present study. The mice were randomly assigned to three groups: Control, BCCAO and BCCAO + lycopene.

Plasma Homocysteine Levels Predict the Risk of Acute Cerebral Infarction in Patients with Carotid Artery Lesions.

This study examined the association between elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the risk of acute cerebral infarction in patients with carotid artery lesions. A total of 78 patients were divided into two groups, the high Hcy group (n = 38; Hcy levels >15 umol/L) and the low Hcy group (n = 40; Hcy levels ≤15 umol/L). High-resolution B-mode ultrasounds were performed to assess intima media thickness (IMT), infarcts, plaques, and stenosis in the extracranial carotid artery of these patients.