Abstract
Background
To investigate the relationship between tongue fat content and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its effects on the efficacy of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in the ...Chinese group.
Method
Fifty-two participants concluded to this study were diagnosed as OSA by performing polysomnography (PSG) then they were divided into moderate group and severe group according to apnea hypopnea index (AHI). All of them were also collected a series of data including age, BMI, height, weight, neck circumference, abdominal circumference, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of upper airway and the score of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) on the morning after they completed PSG. The relationship between tongue fat content and severity of OSA as well as the association between tongue fat content in pre-operation and surgical efficacy were analyzed.Participants underwent UPPP and followed up at 3
rd
month after surgery, and they were divided into two groups according to the surgical efficacy.
Results
There were 7 patients in the moderate OSA group and 45 patients in the severe OSA group. The tongue volume was significantly larger in the severe OSA group than that in the moderate OSA group. There was no difference in tongue fat volume and tongue fat rate between the two groups. There was no association among tongue fat content, AHI, obstructive apnea hypopnea index, obstructive apnea index and Epworth sleepiness scale (all
P
> 0.05), but tongue fat content was related to the lowest oxygen saturation (r=-0.335,
P <
0.05). There was no significantly difference in pre-operative tongue fat content in two different surgical efficacy groups.
Conclusions
This study didn’t show an association between tongue fat content and the severity of OSA in the Chinese group, but it suggested a negative correlation between tongue fat content and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO
2
). Tongue fat content didn’t influence surgical efficacy of UPPP in Chinese OSA patients.
Trial registration
This study didn’t report on a clinical trial, it was retrospectively registered.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder in childhood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely distributed in the central nervous system and ...plays an important role in neural development. Despite several previous studies have examined the association between the Val66Met polymorphism BDNF and ADHD, the results are conflicting.
This study aimed to evaluate the association between Val66Met polymorphism and ADHD in case-control and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) studies using a meta-analysis.
Keywords "rs6265" or "Val66Met" and "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder" were used to search in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases before April 2021. Genotype data were extracted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Fifteen studies, comprising of 8,692 samples (containing 4,364 cases, 4,328 controls) and 1,578 families were included and results demonstrated that rs6265 was not associated with susceptibility to ADHD (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87-1.04,
= 0.291). Stratified analyses by study design, ethnicity, and sample size further supported that rs6265 was not associated with ADHD.
The present study shows that the polymorphism of the
Val66Met gene is not associated with susceptibility to ADHD.
By skillfully designing the double-sided protective structure, WS2 nanosheets in situ grow on reduced graphene oxide hollow spheres (Hs-rGO). Then nitrogen doped graphene (NG) is coated on the outer ...layer to obtained NG@WS2@Hs-rGO. Double-sided protective structure of NG@WS2@Hs-rGO is successfully fabricated via a facile synthesis strategy. When evaluated as an anode material for Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), NG@WS2@Hs-rGO exhibits a high specific capacity of 1309.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and excellent rate capability (166.1 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 4000 mA g−1). More strikingly, at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1, the NG@WS2@Hs-rGO electrode delivers a discharge capacity of 300.9 mAh g−1 after 320 cycles. The capacity retention of the electrode material reaches as high as 106% of the discharge capacity after the 10th cycle. Internally, the elastic Hs-rGO provides space for the bulk expansion of WS2. Externally, the outer layer of WS2 coated with NG not only improves the conductivity, but also provides more active sites for Li ion storage. The double-sided protective structure makes NG@WS2@Hs-rGO a potential anode material for light and high-performance LIBs.
Display omitted
•WS2 nanosheets in situ grow on reduced graphene oxide hollow spheres.•N-doped graphene is coated to obtained double-sided protective structure.•The battery with 3D hollow spherical structure fully uses of graphene.•A high discharge capacity of 300.9 mAh g−1 is obtained after 320 cycles at 1000 mA g−1.•Full-cells with coin type were firstly assembled with LFP/C as cathode and NG@WS2@Hs-rGO as anode.
Display omitted
•Type II heterojunction photocatalyst is synthesized from two spinel oxides.•The band structures are changed by the sites of metal captions on the spinel structure.•80% tetracycline ...can be photo-degraded in 150 min.•Photogenerated h+ and •OH are contributed to the removal of tetracycline.•The system of CuBi2O4/ZnFe2O4 heterojunction promotes the separation efficiency of electron hole pairs.
With the increasing use of tetracycline (TC) worldwide, it cannot be ignored the brought environmental risks. Therefore, it is critical to effectively solve TC in the environment. A novel type II heterojunction photocatalyst CuBi2O4/ZnFe2O4 (CBO-ZFO) for efficient TC degradation under visible light irradiation was developed. Various characterization techniques including XRD, XPS, TEM, HRTEM, UV–vis, ESR, PL, etc were used. It was proved that the excellent photocatalytic performance of CBO-ZFO composite photocatalyst was attributed to the formation of heterojunction. The formed heterojunction could promote the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers and reduce the existence of potential barriers, which could reduce the electron-hole recombination. A good stability had been shown after 5 cycles. The h+ and ·OH were the main active species of CBO-ZFO heterojunction composite in photocatalytic degradation mechanism.
Considering that the quality control indicators in Chinese medicine (CM) are disconnected from safety and effectiveness, Prof. Chang-xiao Liu et al. has proposed a concept regarding the quality ...marker (Q-marker) of CM to promote the healthy development of the CM industry and improve the CM quality control method.
In this study, we proposed a strategy to discover and verify the toxicity Q-marker of CM based on network toxicology.
First, traditional biochemical pathology indicators and sensitive biomarkers were used to predict the toxicity of CM. Next, the chemical composition of toxic CMs and their metabolites were rapidly identified by multidimensional detection techniques. Subsequently, the interaction network between “toxicity - toxic chemical composition - toxic target - effect pathway” was built through network toxicology, and the potential toxicity Q-marker of CM was initially screened. Finally, the chemical properties of toxicity Q-markers were verified by traceability and testability.
Based on the predicted results of network toxicology, the toxic compounds of CM were preliminarily identified, and the toxic mechanism was comprehensively interpreted. In the context of definite biological properties and chemical properties, the toxicity Q-marker was finally confirmed.
This extensive review provides a study method for the toxicity Q-marker of CM, which helps to systemically and thoroughly reveal the internal toxicity mechanism of CM. The in-depth study of the toxicity Q-marker provides the material basis and technical support for the safety evaluation of CM.
Display omitted
Abstract Introduction Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in the pathology of preeclampsia (PE). The survival of MSCs and angiogenesis in the maternal-fetal interface are important ...for a successful pregnancy. MicroRNA-136 (miR-136) is highly expressed in decidua-derived MSCs (MSCs) from PE compared with healthy donors (NC). The role of the MSCs aberrant expressed miR-136 in PE development is still unclear. In the present study, we examined the impact of miR-136 on the survival of MSCs and angiogenesis in the maternal-fetal interface. Methods MSCs were extracted and transfected with miR-136 mimic and interfering RNAs using lipofectamine-2000. Then cell apoptosis were tested using flow cytometry. HUVEC tube formation ability was tested on Matrigel co-cultured with conditioned MSCs supernatants. Results High level of miR-136 could suppress cell proliferation and promote apoptosis of MSCs through targeting BCL2. It could also impairs HUVEC capillary formation by suppressing VEGF. Discussion MiR-136 significantly increase the apoptosis and suppress the proliferation of MSCs. It could also inhibit the capillary formation and trophoblast cell invasion. These data suggest that decidua-derived miR-136 that is increased in PE is a potential causal factor of PE.
Regulator of chromosome condensation domain-containing protein 1 (RCCD1), previously reported as a partner of histone H3K36 demethylase KDM8 involved in chromosome segregation, has been identified as ...a potential driver for breast cancer in a recent transcriptome-wide association study. We report here that, unexpectedly, RCCD1 is also localized in mitochondria. We show that RCCD1 resides in the mitochondrial matrix, where it interacts with the mitochondrial contact site/cristae organizing system (MICOS) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to regulate mtDNA transcription, oxidative phosphorylation, and the production of reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, RCCD1 is upregulated under hypoxic conditions, leading to decreased generation of reactive oxygen species and alleviated apoptosis favoring cancer cell survival. We show that RCCD1 promotes breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and accelerates breast tumor growth in vivo. Indeed, RCCD1 is overexpressed in breast carcinomas, and its level of expression is associated with aggressive breast cancer phenotypes and poor patient survival. Our study reveals an additional dimension of RCCD1 functionality in regulating mitochondrial homeostasis, whose dysregulation inflicts pathologic states such as breast cancer.
The effect of the degree of milling (DM) on the distribution of the residual bran layer on the surface of rice grains and subsequent rice quality is essential for rice milling technology. This study ...used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to examine the microstructure of japonica rice grains, the microstructural changes in different bran portions after milling, and the content and distribution changes of the elements and nutrients in rice after milling to identify the components that can quantify bran residue according to DM. The SEM results revealed that the thickness of the bran layer and the depth of the grooves in different parts of a rice grain varied, while the depth of the grooves differed between varieties. When DM was 12%, aleurone layer (Al) cells embedded in endosperm (En) remained in the dorsal area. It was speculated that this was the reason why there was no significant difference in bran degree when the DM estimated via grain weight loss increased from 10% to 14% (P > 0.05). The EDS elemental mapping image showed the qualitative distribution of the elements, which was condensed in the bran and uniform in the En. The compositional changes revealed that milling caused the loss of rice nutrients, and the loss rate of DM at 0–10% was more serious than that of DM at 10%–14%. Higher DM (>10%) could remove marginal bran from the dorsal groove. Therefore, the crude protein, ash, crude fat, dietary fiber, vitamin B1 (VB1), and vitamin B2 (VB2) content did not change significantly (P > 0.05), while the magnesium (Mg), kalium (K), and phosphorus (P) levels decreased substantially (P < 0.05). The microstructural and compositional changes indicated that the DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 2% to 10%, with the bran decreasing progressively. The DM estimated via the grain weight loss increased from 10% to 14%, with minimal changes in the residual bran in the dorsal grooves of the rice grains, while the Mg, P, and K levels presented precise DM indices during the rice milling process. This result will provide a theoretical reference for the accurate evaluations of DM.
Display omitted
In early March 2022, the highly contagious Omicron variant rapidly emerged in Shanghai. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety in isolated or ...quarantined populations under lockdown.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between May 12 and 25, 2022. The depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, self-efficacy and perceived social support in the 167 participants under isolated or quarantined were examined using the Patient Health Questionnaires-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS). Data on demographic information were also collected.
The prevalence of depression and anxiety in isolated or quarantined populations was estimated to be 12 and 10.8%, respectively. Higher education level, being healthcare workers, being infected, longer duration of segregation and higher perceived stress level were identified as risk factors for depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the relationship between perceived social support and depression (anxiety) was mediated not only by perceived stress but also the chain of self-efficacy and perceived stress.
Being infected, higher education level, longer duration of segregation and higher perceived stress were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety among isolated or quarantined populations under lockdown. The formulation of psychological strategies that promote one's perceived social support and self-efficacy as well as reduce perceived stress is supposed to be drawn.
•Thermoelectric technology is able to recover waste heat from moving vehicles.•Micro-TEG on wheel hub achieves 3.9 ℃ temperature difference.•The micro-TEG module is sufficient to power the ...temperature and pressure sensors.•Driving simulations show accuracy over 94% for temperature and pressure signals.
Worldwide, there's a push for carbon reduction through energy conservation. Yet, the potential of employing thermoelectric technology to recover waste heat from moving vehicles remains largely unexplored. This study employs precise simulations to analyze temperature distribution in car tires, unveiling possibilities for energy recovery. At 20 ℃ and 120 km/h, tire temperature peaks at 91.2 ℃ due to friction and rubber deformation. A micro thermoelectric generator (micro-TEG) on the wheel hub, serving as a heat sink, reveals a 3.9 ℃ effective temperature difference. A roadmap, considering factors like ambient temperature, speed, and TE leg size, guides exploration of micro-TEG's maximum power. This leads to a designed module with 8 micro-TEG units (weight: 5.3 g, area: 16 × 4 mm2, fill factor: 20 %, TE leg: 0.4 × 0.4 × 1.2 mm3) in series. Exposed to a 20 ℃ temperature difference, it shows open circuit voltage and maximum power of 1.47 V/1.41 V and 12.06 mW/11.58 mW in flat and curved states. Rigorous testing confirms stability. The 8.96 g module integrates with energy management and Bluetooth circuits. During simulated driving, mobile software records signals with over 94 % consistency. This advances dynamic waste heat recovery, enabling passive tire sensing and innovative links to the Internet of Things (IoT), contributing to field progress.
