From micropores to mechanical strength: Fabrication and characterization of edible corn starch-sodium alginate double network hydrogels with Ca2+ cross-linking.

This study explores the fabrication and characterization of corn starch‑sodium alginate double network hydrogels using two distinct calcium ion cross-linking methods: the gluconolactone immersed method (GIM) and the calcium chloride immersed method (CCIM). We investigated the ionic cross-linking mechanism of these hydrogels and compared their microstructure and mechanical properties. Our results highlight significant differences between GIM and CCIM hydrogels, with the CCIM method producing a more uniform and compact network.

Effect of different exit-site care dressings on preventing peritoneal dialysis related infection from nontropical area: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Object: This study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of various dressings in preventing exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCO), Sino Med, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 1 January 1999 to 10 July 2023. The language restrictions were Chinese and English.

Effects of elicitors from culture filtrate of CL105 on flavonoid production of s calli.

Introduction: Endophytic fungi can promote secondary metabolite accumulation in medicinal plants. Previously, we observed that the culture filtrate of CL105 promoted flavonoid production in calli. However, the active ingredients and mechanisms associated with this secondary metabolite accumulation remain unclear.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea severity and depression risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has received considerable attention as a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms. The systematic review was conducted to confirm the dose‒response connection between OSA severity and depression risk. A systematic literature search of English and Chinese articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases from their inception to 28 August 2023 was conducted.

Dietary nutrient intake and nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: To investigate the dietary nutrient intake of Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, identify influencing factors, and explore the correlation between dietary nutrient intake and nutritional and disease control indicators.

Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. A dietary survey was conducted using a three-day dietary record method, and a self-designed diet management software was utilized to calculate the daily intake of dietary nutrients.

Eco-friendly electronic food labels: Development and application of Ion-SSPB double network hydrogel.

Although various conductive hydrogels have been developed for sensing, ideal materials for meeting the safety and toughness requirements of food detection are still lacking. This study introduces Ion-SSPB, a conductive hydrogel fabricated from eco-friendly, food-grade materials such as corn starch (CS), sodium alginate (SA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bentonite (BT). It leverages a green manufacturing approach designed for application in electronic food sensors.

The influence of near-infrared therapy on arteriovenous fistula patency in haemodialysis patients: A multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD). AVF malfunction remains a major clinical problem and is a significant independent risk factor for death. Although far-infrared (FIR) therapy has been shown to reduce complications and improve the patency rate of AVFs in various studies, it has been cautiously recommended by the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines for AVF care due to insufficient evidence.

[Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 infection in patients undergoing hemodialysis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of hemodialysis patients with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a single-center from Beijing.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 who received regular hemodialysis at Peking University Third Hospital from November 30, 2022 to January 4, 2023 were selected as the study objects. Clinical symptoms, severity and duration of symptoms during the period of virus positive were investigated in the form of questionnaires, and the basic information of the patients, as well as the results of blood tests (routine blood and blood biochemistry, .

Green, tough, and heat-resistant: A GDL-induced strategy for starch-alginate hydrogels.

Hydrogels fabricated by non-covalent interaction garnered significant attention for their eco-friendly and robust mechanical attributes, and are often used in food, medicine and other fields. Although starch-alginate hydrogels exhibit high adhesion and are environmentally sustainable, their applications are limited due to their low elasticity and hardness. Addressing this challenge, we introduce a solvent-induced strategy using glucolactone (GDL) to fabricate hydrogels with enhanced strength and thermal resilience.

Dietary knowledge-attitude-practice status in hemodialysis patients: a latent profile analysis.

Background: Hemodialysis patients require a reasonable dietary intake to manage their disease progression effectively. However, there is limited research on these patients' overall dietary knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) status. This study aimed to investigate the dietary KAP status and latent profiles in hemodialysis patients and identify sociodemographic and disease-related factors associated with these profiles and dietary practice.

YKL-40 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) serum levels are associated with abdominal aortic calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Vascular calcification (VC) is highly prevalent and predicts cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. The mechanisms are still unclear. Inflammation is a well-known inducer of VC.

Importance of timing and training to implement awake prone positioning in patients with COVID-19: a single-center prospective observational study.

Background: Awake prone positioning (APP) is broadly implemented in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 related disease [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] admitted to hospital with severe respiratory distress syndrome. This prospective observational study aimed to explore the factors influencing the implementation of APP in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19, all hospitalized with positive X-ray findings and oxygen supplementation requirement, in the Respiratory Step-Down Unit of the Peking University Third Hospital between January 6, 2023, and January 20, 2023, were included in this study.

Higher serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels are associated with increased visceral fat in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, has emerged as a new potentially important cause of increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, the possible causes whereby TMAO potentiates atherosclerosis development remain poorly defined. The strong association between gut microbiota and obesity suggested that the TMAO pathway may be linked to the pathogenesis of obesity.

[Screening and molecular identification of endophytic fungi promoting accumulation of flavonoids in callus of Scutellaria baicalensis].

To screen and identify the endophytic fungal strains that could promote the accumulation of flavonoids in the callus of Scutellaria baicalensis. Seventeen endophytic fungal strains from S. baicalensis were used to prepare mycelium elicitors and fermentation broth elicitors.

Hybrid biodegradable materials from starch and hydrocolloid: fabrication, properties and applications of starch-hydrocolloid film, gel and bead.

The potential for utilizing starch and hydrocolloids as sustainable biomaterials has garnered significant attention among researchers. The biodegradability and functional properties of composite films, gels, and beads, as well as their environmental friendliness, make them attractive options for a variety of applications. However, the hydrophilicity, brittleness, and regeneration limitations of starch materials can be addressed through the incorporation of non-starch hydrocolloids.

Starch modification through its combination with other molecules: Gums, mucilages, polyphenols and salts.

Apart from its non-toxicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability, starch has demonstrated eminent functional characteristics, e.g., forming well-defined gels/films, stabilizing emulsions/foams, and thickening/texturizing foods, which make it a promising hydrocolloid for various food purposes.

Myeloperoxidase PET Imaging Tracks Intracellular and Extracellular Treatment Changes in Experimental Myocardial Infarction.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a highly oxidative, pro-inflammatory enzyme involved in post-myocardial infarction (MI) injury and is a potential therapeutic target. While multiple MPO inhibitors have been developed, the lack of an imaging reporter to select appropriate patients and assess therapeutic efficacy has hampered clinical development. Thus, a translational imaging method to detect MPO activity non-invasively would help to better understand the role MPO plays in MI and facilitate novel therapy development and clinical validation.

Longitudinal association between dietary protein intake and survival in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Decreased dietary protein intake (DPI) may lead to protein-energy malnutrition and may be associated with increased mortality risk. We hypothesized that longitudinal changes in dietary protein intake have independent associations with survival in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: 668 stable PD patients were selected in the study from January 2006 to January 2018 and were followed up until December 2019.

Association between P2Y1 and P2Y12 polymorphisms and acute myocardial infarction and ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between P2Y1 and P2Y12 genotypes and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Quanzhou population and to determine associations between P2Y1 and P2Y12 genotypes and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in this population.

Methods: All subjects were screened for P2Y1 (c.1622A > G) and P2Y12 (H1/H2, c.

Relationship between gut microbiota and vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The pathogenesis of VC is complicated and unclear. Uremic toxins produced by gut microbiota can promote VC.

Fabrication of biodegradable blend plastic from konjac glucomannan/zein/ PVA and understanding its multi-scale structure and physicochemical properties.

Exploration and synthesis of degradable plastics can alleviate and avoid environmental pollution induced by petroleum-based plastics. In this study, a konjac glucomannan (KGM)/zein/PVA ternary blend plastic was successfully prepared by casting. The results showed that, despite the presence of particle aggregation from incompatible components in blend plastic, the addition of KGM and zein improved its compatibility which is consistent with the formation of continuous dark regions and the reduction of roughness average (Ra) results in the AFM characterization.

Rapid Screening of 352 Pesticide Residues in Chrysanthemum Flower by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry with Sin-QuEChERS Nanocolumn Extraction.

To analyze pesticide residues, GC coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap MS (GC-Orbitrap-MS) has become a powerful tool because of its unique characteristics of accurate mass full-spectrum acquisition, high resolution, fast acquisition rates, and overcoming matrix interference. This paper presents an efficiency evaluation of GC-Orbitrap-MS for identification and quantitation in the 352 pesticide residues analysis of chrysanthemum flowers in full-scan mode. A streamlined pretreatment approach using one-step extraction and dilution was used, which provided high-throughput processing and excellent recovery.