The Predictive Value of Red Cell Distribution Width for the Risk of Sepsis in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the association between red cell distribution width (RDW) and sepsis in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients, and assess its predictive value for sepsis in AP patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study collected patients' data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care databases. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were exploited to compare the mortality within 30 days in AP patients with or without sepsis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated.

3D cross-linked structure of dual-active site CoMoO nanosheets@graphite felt electrode for vanadium redox flow battery.

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) can accelerate the sluggish kinetics of vanadium redox reaction, but face challenges like limited active sites and difficulties in nanometerization, highlighting the urgent need for new TMO electrocatalysts for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). CoMoO features high electrochemical activity, numerous redox sites, flexible control, and short electron pathways. Herein, a high catalytic and super stable graphite felt electrode modified in situ with network cross-linking CoMoO nanosheets (CoMoO@GF) was prepared via hydrothermal and heat treatment method to enhance VRFB performance.

Dust event identification and characterization with one-year online observations in Beijing.

Dust storms have a profound impact on air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and human well-being by carrying vast amounts of particles over distances of thousands of kilometers. However, the overall characteristics of these dust events and their influence on secondary pollution in the northern China region are not yet well understood, due to a lack of long-term, comprehensive observations and objective identification techniques. Based on principal component analysis combined with high-time-resolution observations of particulate matter components, here we developed a robust method to identify dust storm events and identified 14 dust events in Beijing in 2019.

Efficacy of sorafenib plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: A meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sorafenib plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Twelve randomized controlled trials published until 28 Sep 2022 were finally included. Of the total 1746 patients, of whom 458 received sorafenib and TACE treatment (Group S+TACE), and 1288 only underwent TACE (Group TACE), were enrolled.

Highly active nitrogen-phosphorus co-doped carbon fiber@graphite felt electrode for high-performance vanadium redox flow battery.

Heteroatom-doped electrodes offer promising applications for enhancing the longevity and efficiency of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). Herein, we controllably synthesized N, P co-doped graphite fiber electrodes with conductive network structure by introducing protonic acid and combining electrodeposition and high temperature carbonization. HSO and HPO act as auxiliary and dopant, respectively.

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery: Review and Perspective of 3D Electrodes.

Vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) has garnered significant attention due to its potential for facilitating the cost-effective utilization of renewable energy and large-scale power storage. However, the limited electrochemical activity of the electrode in vanadium redox reactions poses a challenge in achieving a high-performance VRFB. Consequently, there is a pressing need to assess advancements in electrodes to inspire innovative approaches for enhancing electrode structure and composition.

A New Type of Quartz Smog Chamber: Design and Characterization.

Since the 1960s, many indoor and outdoor smog chambers have been developed worldwide. However, most of them are made of Teflon films, which have relatively high background contaminations due to the wall effect. We developed the world's first medium-size quartz chamber (10 m), which is jointed with 32 pieces of 5 mm thick polished quartz glasses and a stainless-steel frame.

Evolution of organic carbon during COVID-19 lockdown period: Possible contribution of nocturnal chemistry.

Carbonaceous aerosol is one of the main components of atmospheric particulate matter, which is of great significance due to its role in climate change, earth's radiation balance, visibility, and human health. In this work, carbonaceous aerosols were measured in Shijiazhuang and Beijing using the OC/EC analyzer from December 1, 2019 to March 15, 2020, which covered the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The observed results show that the gas-phase pollutants, such as NO, NO, and aerosol-phase pollutants (Primary Organic Compounds, POC) from anthropogenic emissions, were significantly reduced during the lockdown period due to limited human activities in North China Plain (NCP).

The impact of ammonium on the distillation of organic carbon in PM.

Thermal desorption coupled with different detectors is an important analysis method for ambient carbonaceous aerosols. However, it is unclear how the compounds coexisting in both the gas and particle phases affect carbonaceous aerosol concentrations and measurements during thermal desorption. We observed matrix effects leading to a redistribution of different OC fractions (OC1 to OC4) during the thermal desorption process.

Silencing of functional p53 attenuates NAFLD by promoting HMGB1-related autophagy induction.

Background And Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease worldwide, but its pathogenesis remains imprecisely understood and requires further clarification. Recently, the tumor suppressor p53 has received growing attention for its role in metabolic diseases. In this study, we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to identify the contribution of p53-autophagy regulation to NAFLD.

Novel Fluorescence Method for Determination of Spatial Interparticle Distance in Polymer Nanocomposites.

Interparticle distance (ID) is generally used for spatial evaluation on the dispersion of nanofillers in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) in order to gain in-depth insight into fundamental understanding of reinforcement and structure-property correlation. However, currently available methods mainly rely on two-dimensional observation technologies or simulation methods. Herein, using layered double hydroxides (LDHs) in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as a model matrix, we developed a novel spatial ID determination method through a post labeling fluorescent imaging technique.

LB100 ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway.

Background: It is well known that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with insulin resistance (IR). LB100, a serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor, is closely related to IR. However, there is little data regarding its direct influence on NAFLD.

Allyl isothiocyanate ameliorates lipid accumulation and inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease the Sirt1/AMPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Background: Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), a classic anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic agent, was recently identified as a potential treatment for obesity and insulin resistance. However, little is known about its direct impact on the liver.

Aim: To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of AITC in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (commonly referred to as NAFLD).

CYP3A suppression during diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is independent of PXR regulation.

Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity is inhibited, and its expression is suppressed during many diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism is controversial. Here, we report that PXR may not take part in the downregulation of CYP3A during NAFLD.

Three-dimensional direct visualization of silica dispersion in polymer-based composites.

The uniform dispersion of silica fillers or other neutral fillers in the polymer matrix is significant for fabricating high-performance polymer-based composites. However, there is a long-standing challenge to provide a comprehensive, wide-area and real 3D distribution map to achieve direct visualization for the dispersion state of neutral silica. Herein, we propose a novel strategy for modifying silica fillers with commercial fluorophores to form fluorescent fillers in a standard manner.