Randomized trial to assess worsening renal function by adding dapagliflozin for acute decompensated heart failure.

Aims: Dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality among patients with chronic heart failure. We aimed to evaluate the impact on a worsening renal function (WRF) by adding DAPA as compared to standard decongestive therapy with loop diuretics alone.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 114 consecutive acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 50%.

Quercetin-Driven Akkermansia Muciniphila Alleviates Obesity by Modulating Bile Acid Metabolism via an ILA/mA/CYP8B1 Signaling.

Global health is increasingly challenged by the growing prevalence of obesity and its associated complications. Quercetin, one of the most important dietary flavonoids, is being explored as an effective therapy for obesity with its mechanism remains understudied. Here in this study, it is demonstrated that quercetin intervention significantly reverses obesity-related phenotypes through reshaping the overall structure of microbiota, especially boosting colonization of the beneficial gut commensal Akkermansia muciniphila (A.

DFT Study of the ORR Catalytic Activity of As-Doped and As-N Co-Doped Graphene Substrates.

This study employs first-principles methods to investigate the ORR catalytic activity of As-doped and AsN co-doped graphene. As atoms, as catalytic active sites, exhibit excellent catalytic activity. Due to the strong interaction between As and N, the stability of the As-N co-doped substrate is enhanced.

Unraveling Various Sources of Particulates Matter in Air-Dust Samples Collected from North India Through Elemental Mapping and Concentration Correlation Using Micro-Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy.

Particulate matter (PM) found in the air is one of the major sources of pollution and air-borne diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the elemental concentration distribution of the PM to identify the pollutant sources. In this study, it has demonstrated the capabilities of micro-particle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) spectroscopy in quantitative analysis of air samples collected from the Old Delhi outdoor market and indoor locations in the Panjab University hostel in the winter months.

The Prevalence of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are more susceptible to microvascular complications. However, whether DM is associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is unclear. This observational study used data from the Coronary Microvascular Disease Registry (CMDR) (NCT05960474) and included patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) who underwent invasive CMD evaluation using the CoroVentis CoroFlow System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA).

Small fiber neuropathy in the post-COVID condition and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical significance and diagnostic challenges.

Background: Patients with post-COVID condition (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) experience symptoms potentially associated with small fiber neuropathy (SFN).

Methods: A sample of 90 participants, comprising 30 PCC patients, 30 ME/CFS patients, and 30 healthy controls (HC), matched by sex and age, was assessed. Neuropathic, autonomic, and fatigue symptoms were measured with TaskForce Monitor, the Sudoscan, heat and cold evoked potentials, In Vivo Corneal Confocal Microscopy (IVCCM), and specialized questionaries.

Inter-Observer Processing and Measurement Error Are Low for 2D Dental Measurements on Shared microCT Scans.

Objectives: Sharing micro-computed tomographic (μCT) scans of teeth increases data accessibility and reduces the need for repeated scans of any given specimen. However, the use of the same TIFF stacks or DICOMs by multiple individuals has the potential to introduce new sources of error. Here, we explore whether use of the same μCT scans by different persons produces comparable results.

Novel Silk Fibroin Based Bilayer Scaffolds for Bioabsorbable Internal Biliary Stenting.

Biliary duct reconstruction is one of the most challenging parts of liver transplantation and accounts for 40%-60% of complications. While current stent-based devices on the market show promising results in reducing complications, they are manufactured from permanent synthetic materials and require a second reintervention for their removal. This exposes the patients to other potential complications and increases healthcare costs.

Triggered "On/off" Luminescent Polypeptide Bowl-Shaped Nanoparticles for Selective Lighting of Tumor Cells.

Functional polymeric nanoparticles, especially those with anisotropic structures, have shown significant potential and advantages in biomedical applications including detecting, bioimaging, antimicrobial and anticancer. Herein, tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and azobenzene modified polypeptides of poly((-glutamic acid) tetraphenylethylene-stat-(-glutamic acid)) (P(GATPE-stat-GA)) and poly((-glutamic acid) azobenzene-stat-(-glutamic acid)) (P(GAAzo-stat-GA) are synthesized, which self-assemble into bowl-shaped nanoparticles (BNPs) with controlled diameter, opening size and fluorescent property individually, or by co-assembly. Due to the quenching effect of azobenzene, the fluorescence of the coassembled BNPs is completely inhibited.

In Vitro, Anti-Colon Cancer Activity of Green Dumbbell-Shaped Rhododendron luteum-Based Carbon Dots.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the third most common cancer overall. In this study, we investigate the anti-colon cancer potential of phytochemically, and thermally synthesised novel green carbon dots based on Rhododendron luteum (RL-CDs). A new synthesis method was used to produce carbon dots obtained from the Rhododendron luteum (RL) plant in an environmentally friendly manner.

Platinum-Nickel Oxide Cluster-Cluster Heterostructure Enabling Fast Hydrogen Evolution for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

Carbon black has been extensively employed as the support for noble metal catalysts for electrocatalysis applications. However, the nearly catalytic inertness and weak interaction with metal species of carbon black are two major obstacles that hinder the further improvement of the catalytic performance. Herein, we report a surface functionalization strategy by decorating transition metal oxide clusters on the commercial carbon black to offer specific catalytic activity and enhanced interaction with metal species.

Photoacids and Photobases: Applications in Functional Dynamic Systems.

Brønsted photoacids and photobases are a unique class of molecules that undergo a major change in their pK values between their ground and excited states, resulting in donating or accepting a proton, respectively, but only after light excitation. This property of photoacids/photobases makes them an attractive tool for light-gating various dynamic processes. Here, we review the use of this property to manipulate functional dynamic systems with light.

The Effect of Toolbox Trainings on Nursing Sensitive Quality Indicators: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Toolbox training or toolbox talks is short-term training to improve occupational health and safety practices in various sectors. These on-the-job trainings provide employees with opportunities to ask questions and share experiences, facilitating the enhancement of workplace safety practices. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of toolbox trainings provided to nurses on nursing-sensitive quality indicators (pain management, pressure ulcer, patient falls, peripheral venous catheter complications, and adverse event reporting) in the workplace.

Investigating the effects of a high boiling point solvent in slot die-coated halide perovskite solar cells.

To commercialize perovskite solar cells and advance beyond lab-scale comparisons, understanding large-area film formation using slot-die coating is essential to improve film homogeneity. Adding high-boiling-point solvents like NMP to the perovskite ink extends film's processing window, but the effects of varying NMP levels on gas-quenched slot-die coatings remain unclear. This article examines how different NMP ratios impact film quality, showing that a moderate amount of NMP as a co-solvent reduces defects, as observed through photoluminescence, hyperspectral absorbance, and back-illuminated optical absorptions.

Aggregation-induced Electrochemiluminescence of AgNCs Enhanced with Ti3C2Tx AuNPs@MXene Composites for Ultrasensitive Detection of microRNA.

MXene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial, has metal conductivity, high electronegativity, functionalized with surface groups, which makes them has wide applications in catalysis and biosensing. However, studies on the principle of enhanced electro-chemiluminescence (ECL) by MXene composites and the improvement of their performance in catalyzing the ECL reaction are still in their infancy. In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are obtained by mild reductive reduction and loaded in situ on the Ti3C2Tx MXene surface to form the composites (AuNPs@MXene).

Epiberberine Improves Hyperglycemia and Ameliorates Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic syndrome characterised by absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin secretion. The alkaloids from Rhizoma coptidis have potential hypoglycemic effects. Epiberberine (EPI), a protoberberine alkaloid extracted from Rhizome coptidis, has been found to regulate lipid metabolism.

Synergy of Pyridinic-N and Co Single Atom Sites for Enhanced Oxygen Redox Reactions in High-Performance Zinc-Air Batteries.

Cobalt single-atom catalysts (SACs) have the potential to act as bi-functional electrocatalysts for the oxygen-redox reactions in metal-air batteries. However, achieving both high performance and stability in these SACs has been challenging. Here, a novel and facile synthesis method is used to create cobalt-doped-nitrogen-carbon structures (Co-N-C) containing cobalt-SACs by carbonizing a modified ZIF-11.

Predictive Value of Preoperative Nutritional Risk Index for Screw Loosening After Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Elderly Patients With Lumbar Spine Diseases.

Objective: Pedicle screw loosening is one of the common complications in elderly patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for lumbar spine disease. Malnutrition, prevalent among elderly patients, has been shown to be associated with increased complications. The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) serves as a simple indicator of nutritional status.

Prevalence and Treatment Patterns of Anaemia in Individuals With Chronic Kidney Disease Across Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: Anaemia is a significant complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its prevalence and treatment patterns in Asia are poorly understood. We sought to quantify prevalence of anaemia and its treatment in people with CKD across the region.

The Hidden Value of Adult Informal Care in Europe.

The hidden value of adult informal care (IC) refers to the unaccounted value of informal care in overall costs of long-term care (LTC) estimates. This paper estimates the net value of adult IC in Europe, drawing on a well-being-based methodology. We use an instrumental variable strategy and a longitudinal and cross-country dataset to estimate the causal effect of the extensive and intensive margin of caregiving on subjective well-being.

Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of first-line early combination of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan: A modelling study.

Aims: Early dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and metformin (DPP4i-Met) combination has been shown to extend the time to treatment failure and provide better glycaemic control for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients; however, the long-term clinical and economic outcomes of early DPP4i-Met combination remain unknown. We seek to assess the comparative long-term clinical and cost-effectiveness of DPP4i-Met versus Met for treatment-naïve T2D patients with inadequately controlled HbA1c (i.e.

Diffusion/Modulator Dual-Mediated Solid-Liquid/Vapor Interfacial Synthesis of Crystalline Covalent Organic Framework Membranes.

Constructing oriented crystalline covalent organic framework (COF) membranes with controllable thickness for water purification is highly desirable. Herein, we present a simple and universal protocol to prepare high-quality COF membranes on the inner wall of a glass vessel using a diffusion/modulator dual-mediated solid-liquid/vapor interfacial synthesis strategy. By meticulous control of the solvent and temperature, a thin supersaturated spreading liquid layer was formed on the glass wall surface and served as a confined microreactor for incubating crystal nuclei.

Tissue Mimetic Membranes for Healing Augmentation of Tendon-Bone Interface in Rotator Cuff Repair.

The globally prevalent rotator cuff tear has a high re-rupture rate, attributing to the failure to reproduce the interfacial fibrocartilaginous enthesis. Herein, a hierarchically organized membrane is developed that mimics the heterogeneous anatomy and properties of the natural enthesis and finely facilitates the reconstruction of tendon-bone interface. A biphasic membrane consisting of a microporous layer and a mineralized fibrous layer is constructed through the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) strategy followed by a co-axial electrospinning procedure.