Serum Uric Acid Is Independently Associated with Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 212 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients was conducted in Xiamen, China. All patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) recordings for OSAHS diagnosis.

Black Phosphorus-Based Multimodal Nanoagent: Showing Targeted Combinatory Therapeutics against Cancer Metastasis.

In breast cancer chemophotothermal therapy, it is a great challenge for the development of multifunctional nanoagents for precision targeting and the effective treatment of tumors, especially for metastasis. Herein, we successfully design and synthesize a multifunctional black phosphorus (BP)-based nanoagent, BP/DTX@PLGA, to address this challenge. In this composite nanoagent, BP quantum dots (BPQDs) are loaded into poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) with additional conjugation of a chemotherapeutic agent, docetaxel (DTX).

l-Histidine, arachidonic acid, biliverdin, and l-cysteine-glutathione disulfide as potential biomarkers for cured pulmonary tuberculosis.

Lack of laboratory standards for cured tuberculosis (TB) can lead to early discharge of untreated TB patients from the hospital, resulting in increased risk of TB spread and of developing drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to detect heparin anticoagulant in plasma of untreated TB patients, two-month treated TB patients, cured TB subjects, and healthy controls. Screening of differentially expressed metabolites resulted in identification of four differentially expressed metabolites such as, l-Histidine, Arachidonic acid (AA), Biliverdin, and l-Cysteine-glutathione disulfide after 6 months of TB treatment.

Soluble glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor regulates Helios expression in myasthenia gravis.

Background: Helios is important for functional and phenotype stability of regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, the role of Helios in autoimmune diseases and its regulation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of Helios Tregs in myasthenia gravis (MG) and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and its ligand (GITRL) in the modulation of Helios.

A comparison between sulfuric acid and oxalic acid leaching with subsequent purification and precipitation for phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge incineration ash.

Wet chemical approach is widely applied for P extraction from incinerated sewage sludge ash (ISSA) due to the relatively simple process and low lost. In this study, HSO and HCO were compared to recover P from ISSA through three steps of acid leaching, cation exchange resin (CER) purification and precipitation. Transformations of P speciation and mineral phases in ISSA from 600 to 900 °C were studied.

Protective effects of polysaccharides from Cordyceps gunnii mycelia against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression to TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB signalling in BALB/c mice.

Polysaccharides are closely associated with immune regulation. In this study, the aim was to investigate the effect of polysaccharides from Cordyceps gunnii mycelia (PPS) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunodeficient mice. Compared with the CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice, the spleen and thymus indexes in mice with orally administered PPS were significantly increased, body weight loss was alleviated, and the natural killer (NK) cytotoxicity and proliferative activities of the lymphocytes were elevated.

Restraint stress of male mice induces apoptosis in spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells: role of the FasL/Fas system†.

The mechanisms by which psychological stress impairs semen quality are largely unknown. By using a restraint-stressed mouse model, we studied the role of the FasL/Fas system in psychological stress-induced apoptosis of spermatozoa and spermatogenic cells. Male mice were restrained for 48 h before examination for sperm fertilizing potential and for apoptosis and FasL/Fas expression in spermatozoa, spermatogenetic cells/seminiferous tubules, and caudae epididymides.

Yield performance of machine-transplanted double-season rice grown following oilseed rape.

Growing oilseed rape in the fallow season may be a feasible alternative to growing green manure (e.g. Chinese milk vetch) for improving rice productivity.

Modeling correlation and heterogeneity in crash rates by collision types using full bayesian random parameters multivariate Tobit model.

Crashes present different collision types. There usually exist unobserved risk factors which could jointly affect crash rates of different types, resulting in correlation and heterogeneity issues across observations. The primary objective of the study is to propose a novel random parameters multivariate Tobit (RPMV-Tobit) model for evaluating risk factors on crash rates of different collision types.

Comparison of dynamic changes in aortic diameter during the cardiac cycle measured by computed tomography angiography and transthoracic echocardiography.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between dynamic changes in aortic diameter and corresponding measurement methods.

Methods: Consecutive adult (nonaneurysmal) patients being surgically treated for heart disease (mean age, 51 ± 11 years; range, 29-76 years; N = 25) were included in this study. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS).

Antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of a novel multitarget inhibitor, CS2164, in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma models.

As a novel orally active multitarget small molecule inhibitor, CS2164 has shown broad antitumor activities against several human tumor xenograft models in immune-compromised mice. However, the ability of CS2164 to modulate antitumor immunity in an immune-competent mouse tumor model remains undefined, although antiangiogenic treatment has been reported to affect immune cell infiltration and remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. In the present study, the subcutaneous and ascites hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models in syngeneic Balb/c mice established by inoculation of an H22 hepatoma cell line were utilized to investigate the antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of CS2164.

Fetuin-B Links Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Chronic Kidney Disease in Obese Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: There is no evidence available on the association of Fetuin-B with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and mechanisms linking nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to CKD are not fully understood. We aimed to explore the independent associations and potential mechanisms of Fetuin-B and NAFLD with CKD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,072 Chinese adults who underwent serum Fetuin-B test and hepatic ultrasonography scanning was conducted in Xiamen, China.

High, but stable, trend in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: A population-based study in Xiamen, China.

Aims/introduction: Diabetes prevalence in China has increased, but the trend in gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence is unclear. The objective of the present study was to examine the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Xiamen, China, and its association with maternal risk factors.

Materials And Methods: This linked-database cohort study used the Medical Birth Registry of Xiamen.

IL-2 gene polymorphisms affect tacrolimus response in myasthenia gravis.

Purpose: The IL-2 gene polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with the development of autoimmune disease. However, there are no published studies examining the influence of the IL-2 gene polymorphisms on the response of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients to tacrolimus (Tac). The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of IL-2 and Tac response in MG patients.

Synthesis of sub-micrometric SAPO-34 by a morpholine assisted two-step hydrothermal route and its excellent MTO catalytic performance.

SAPO-34 with a sub-micrometer crystal size was synthesized by a double hydrothermal treatment employing cost-effective morpholine as a structure directing agent, which presented an enhanced catalytic lifetime (nearly 3 times the conventional one) in the reaction of methanol to olefins with a higher light olefin selectivity (total selectivity of 97.1%). Detailed studies of the sample after different time intervals in the second crystallization with and without additional morpholine were carried out, which offered insight into crystal degradation and re-crystallization phenomena.

Independent Association of Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Levels With Impaired Liver Enzymes in Hyperthyroid Patients.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is identified as a potential biomarker for liver diseases. However, information is limited regarding serum FGF21 and impaired liver function in hyperthyroidism. We aim to determine the potential association of serum FGF21 levels with impaired liver enzymes in hyperthyroid patients.

Electrocatalytic Tandem Synthesis of 1,3-Disubstituted Imidazo[1,5- a]quinolines via Sequential Dual Oxidative C(sp3)-H Amination in Aqueous Medium.

An NHI-mediated tandem electrosynthesis of 1,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,5- a]quinolines was developed from readily available starting materials in aqueous medium, affording a variety of 1,3-disubstituted imidazo[1,5- a]quinolines with good to excellent yields.

Higher plasma concentration of TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer metastasis.

Purpose: We aimed to explore the association of plasma TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) level with colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 126 CRC patients was conducted in Xiamen, China. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted OR and 95% CIs of plasma TIGAR concentration for CRC metastasis in different models with adjustment for potential confounders.

Multifunctionalization of Unactivated Cyclic Ketones via an Electrochemical Process: Access to Cyclic α-Enaminones.

The multifunctionalization of unactivated cyclic ketones was developed via an electrochemically intermolecular α-amination under metal-free conditions. The reaction can be carried out smoothly with a broad scope of the aromatic amines substrates under mild conditions, affording a variety of α-enaminones with good to excellent yields in one step.

Crash injury severity analysis using a two-layer Stacking framework.

Crash injury severity analysis is useful for traffic management agency to further understand severity of crashes. A two-layer Stacking framework is proposed in this study to predict the crash injury severity: The fist layer integrates advantages of three base classification methods: RF (Random Forests), AdaBoost (Adaptive Boosting), and GBDT (Gradient Boosting Decision Tree); the second layer completes classification of crash injury severity based on a Logistic Regression model. A total of 5538 crashes were recorded at 326 freeway diverge areas.

Electrocatalytic Intermolecular C(sp)-H/N-H Coupling of Methyl N-Heteroaromatics with Amines and Amino Acids: Access to Imidazo-Fused N-Heterocycles.

An efficient NHI-mediated intermolecular annulation of methyl N-heteroaromatics with amines/amino acids was developed by virtue of anodic oxidation, providing a variety of functionalized imidazo-fused N-heterocycles with good to excellent yields. The practicality of this protocol was demonstrated by the readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, water tolerance, scalability, and the diverse transformations of the electrolysis product.

Polydrug use patterns and their impact on relapse among heroin-dependent patients in Shanghai, China.

Aims: To describe the polysubstance use patterns of heroin-dependent patients and to understand the impact of polysubstance use patterns on relapse during the 5 years after completing compulsory rehabilitation programmes.

Design: In this secondary analysis, the baseline data of 503 heroin-dependent patients were linked with their 5-year follow-up data from official records.

Setting: Four compulsory rehabilitation centres in Shanghai, China.

No association between tumor laterality and cardiac-related mortality in breast cancer patients after radiotherapy: a population-based study.

Introduction: To assess the effect of tumor laterality to cardiac-related deaths of breast cancer in the current radiation practices using a large modern population-based study.

Methods: Women diagnosed with breast cancer from 2000 to 2008 were included using the current Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The primary outcome of this study was the cardiac-related mortality.

Low-normal free triiodothyronine and high leukocyte levels in relation to stroke severity and poor outcome in acute ischemic stroke with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Background: It is uncertain that the effect of free triiodothyronine (FT3) within normal ranges on initial severity and early functional outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis (ICAS). The predictive values of white blood cell (WBC) and FT3 are also unclear in symptomatic ICAS (sICAS) patients.

Methods: We consecutively reviewed 848 ischemic stroke patients admitted into Xiangya Hospital within 72 h after symptom onset.