As an alternative strategy for H2 production under ambient conditions, solar‐driven lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion provides a very attractive approach to store and utilize solar energy sustainably. ...Exploiting efficient photocatalyst for photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion is of huge significance and remains the key challenge for development of solar H2 generation from lignocellulose. Herein, 2D‐2D MoS2/TiO2 photocatalysts with large 2D nanojunction were constructed for photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion. In this smart structure, the 2D nanojunctions acted as efficient channel for charge transfer from TiO2 to MoS2 to improve charge separation efficiency and thus enhance photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion activity. The 2 % MoS2/TiO2 photocatalyst showed the highest photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion performance with the maximal H2 generation rate of 201 and 21.4 μmol h−1 g−1 in α‐cellulose and poplar wood chip aqueous solution, respectively. The apparent quantum yield at 380 nm reached 1.45 % for 2 % 2D‐2D TiO2/MoS2 photocatalyst in α‐cellulose aqueous solution. This work highlights the importance of optimizing the interface structures of photocatalyst for solar‐driven lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion.
Fun in the sun: 2D‐2D MoS2/TiO2 photocatalysts with large 2D nanojunction are developed as a new strategy for solar‐driven photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion. The smartly designed structure of 2D‐2D MoS2/TiO2 photocatalysts provides abundant channels for charge transfer, resulting in high charge separation efficiency and good photocatalytic lignocellulose‐to‐H2 conversion activity.
CCDC88C gene, which encodes coiled‐coil domain containing 88C, is essential for cell communication during neural development. Variants in the CCDC88C caused congenital hydrocephalus, some accompanied ...by seizures. In patients with epilepsy without acquired etiologies, we performed whole‐exome sequencing (trio‐based). Two de novo and two biallelic CCDC88C variants were identified in four cases with focal (partial) epilepsy. These variants did not present or had low frequencies in the gnomAD populations and were predicted to be damaging by multiple computational algorithms. Patients with de novo variants presented with adult‐onset epilepsy, whereas patients with biallelic variants displayed infant‐onset epilepsy. They all responded well to anti‐seizure medications and were seizure‐free. Further analysis showed that de novo variants were located at crucial domains, whereas one paired biallelic variants were located outside the crucial domains, and the other paired variant had a non‐classical splicing and a variant located at crucial domain, suggesting a sub‐molecular effect. CCDC88C variants associated with congenital hydrocephalus were all truncated, whereas epilepsy‐associated variants were mainly missense, the proportion of which was significantly higher than that of congenital hydrocephalus‐associated variants. CCDC88C is potentially associated with focal epilepsy with favorable outcome. The underlying mechanisms of phenotypic variation may correlation between genotype and phenotype.
Two de novo and two biallelic CCDC88C variants were identified in four cases with focal epilepsy without neurodevelopmental disorders. CCDC88C variants associated with congenital hydrocephalus were all truncated, whereas epilepsy‐associated variants were mainly missense, the proportion of which was significantly higher than that of patients with congenital hydrocephalus.
Insect chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been proposed to capture and transport hydrophobic chemicals from air to olfactory receptors in the lymph of antennal chemosensilla. They may represent a new ...class of soluble carrier protein involved in insect chemoreception. However, their specific functional roles in insect chemoreception have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we report for the first time three novel CSP genes (AlinCSP1-3) of the alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) by screening the antennal cDNA library. The qRT-PCR examinations of the transcript levels revealed that all three genes (AlinCSP1-3) are mainly expressed in the antennae. Interestingly, these CSP genes AlinCSP1-3 are also highly expressed in the 5(th) instar nymphs, suggesting a proposed function of these CSP proteins (AlinCSP1-3) in the olfactory reception and in maintaining particular life activities into the adult stage. Using bacterial expression system, the three CSP proteins were expressed and purified. For the first time we characterized the types of sensilla in the antennae of the plant bug using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Immunocytochemistry analysis indicated that the CSP proteins were expressed in the pheromone-sensitive sensilla trichodea and general odorant-sensitive sensilla basiconica, providing further evidence of their involvement in chemoreception. The antennal activity of 55 host-related semiochemicals and sex pheromone compounds in the host location and mate selection behavior of A. lineolatus was investigated using electroantennogram (EAG), and the binding affinities of these chemicals to the three CSPs (AlinCSP1-3) were measured using fluorescent binding assays. The results showed several host-related semiochemicals, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-hexen-1-al and valeraldehyde, have a high binding affinity with AlinCSP1-3 and can elicit significant high EAG responses of A. lineolatus antennae. Our studies indicate the three antennae-biased CSPs may mediate host recognition in the alfalfa plant bug A. lineolatus.
As a typical dibenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine (TET) is clinically used for the treatment of silicosis, inflammatory pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases in China. Recent investigations ...have demonstrated the outstanding anticancer activity of this structure, but its poor aqueous solubility severely restricts its further development. Herein, a series of its 14-N-amino acid-substituted derivatives with improved anticancer effects and aqueous solubility were designed and synthesized. Among them, compound 16 displayed the best antiproliferative activity against human colorectal cancer (HCT-15) cells, with an IC50 value of 0.57 μM. Compared with TET, 16 was markedly improved in terms of aqueous solubility (by 5-fold). Compound 16 significantly suppressed the colony formation, migration, and invasion of HCT-15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with it being more potent in this respect than TET. Additionally, compound 16 markedly impaired the morphology and motility of HCT-15 cells and induced the death of colorectal cancer cells in double-staining and flow cytometry assays. Western blot results revealed that 16 could induce the autophagy of HCT-15 cells by significantly decreasing the content of p62/SQSTM1 and enhancing the Beclin-1 level and the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I. Further study showed that 16 effectively inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of umbilical vein endothelial cells, manifesting in a potent anti-angiogenesis effect. Overall, these results revealed the potential of 16 as a promising candidate for further preclinical studies.
According to the American Diabetes Association guidelines, random glucose testing in an average adult produces values ranging from 80 to 140 mg/dL (4.4–7.8 mmol/L), with ≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) ...considered to show diabetes. ...diabetic patients with long-term exposure to increased glucose may have reduced the adverse effects of hyperglycemia on metabolism. ...other cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and lipid levels, were required to maintain near-normal ranges in addition to glycemia control in the clinical treatment of diabetic patients. Glucose toxicity and pathophysiological changes caused by chronically elevated blood glucose play a major role in cerebral microvascular and macrovascular damage through metabolic and structural derangements. Because of multiple confounding factors in the AIS patient population, the relationship between ABG and diabetes with clinical outcomes has varied considerably among studies. ...no data were collected on the duration of diabetes or type of treatment.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE—We aim to compare the risk of 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence and death for atrial fibrillation diagnosed after stroke (AFDAS), atrial fibrillation known before stroke (KAF), ...and sinus rhythm (SR).
METHODS—From June 2012 to January 2013, 19 604 patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted to 219 urban hospitals in the China National Stroke Registry II. Based on heart rhythm assessed during admission, we classified patients as AFDAS, KAF, or SR. We explored the relationship between heart rhythm groups and 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence or death by using Cox regression adjusted for multiple covariates. Considering that death is a competing risk for stroke recurrence, we used the competing risks analysis of Fine and Gray and subdistribution Cox proportional hazards to test the association between heart rhythm and 1-year outcomes.
RESULTS—Among 19 604 ischemic stroke patients, 17 727 had SR, 495 AFDAS, and 1382 KAF. At 1 year, 54 (10.9%) patients with AFDAS, 182 (13.2%) with KAF, and 1008 (5.7%) with SR had recurrent ischemic strokes (P<0.0001). Mortality was 22.0% in patients with AFDAS, 22.1% in patients with KAF, and 7.0% in patients with SR (P<0.0001). AFDAS-related ischemic stroke recurrence adjusted risk was higher than that of SR (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratios, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.29–2.01) but not different from that of KAF (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.87–1.45). The adjusted risk of 1-year death for AFDAS was also higher than that of SR (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.37–2.12) and not different from that of KAF (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.86–1.41).
CONCLUSIONS—This study showed that AFDAS had similar risk of 1-year ischemic stroke recurrence and mortality when compared with KAF and higher risk when compared with SR. The potential risk of AFDAS should be given more emphasis, and appropriate treatment is needed to achieve reduction in the incidence of stroke recurrence and mortality.
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with high porosity could act as an ideal substitute for supercapacitors, but their poor electrical conductivities limit their electrochemical performances. In order to ...overcome this problem, conductive polypyrrole (PPy) has been introduced and a novel nanocomposite resulting from polyoxometalate (POM)-based MOFs (NENU-5) and PPy has been reported. It comprises the merits of POMs, MOFs, and PPy. Finally, the highly conductive PPy covering the surfaces of NENU-5 nanocrystallines can effectively improve the electron/ion transfer among NENU-5 nanocrystallines. The optimized NENU-5/PPy nanocomposite (the volume of Py is 0.15 mL) exhibits high specific capacitance (5147 mF·cm–2), larger than that of pristine NENU-5 (432 mF·cm–2). Furthermore, a symmetric supercapacitor device based on a NENU-5/PPy-0.15 nanocomposite possesses an excellent areal capacitance of 1879 mF·cm–2, which is far above other MOF-based supercapacitors.
Abstract
Objective
We aimed to investigate factors related to the 90-day poor prognosis (mRS≥3) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke, construct 90-day poor prognosis ...prediction models for patients with TIA or minor stroke, and compare the predictive performance of machine learning models and Logistic model.
Method
We selected TIA and minor stroke patients from a prospective registry study (CNSR-III). Demographic characteristics,smoking history, drinking history(≥20g/day), physiological data, medical history,secondary prevention treatment, in-hospital evaluation and education,laboratory data, neurological severity, mRS score and TOAST classification of patients were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in the training set to identify predictors associated with poor outcome (mRS≥3). The predictors were used to establish machine learning models and the traditional Logistic model, which were randomly divided into the training set and test set according to the ratio of 70:30. The training set was used to construct the prediction model, and the test set was used to evaluate the effect of the model. The evaluation indicators of the model included the area under the curve (AUC) of the discrimination index and the Brier score (or calibration plot) of the calibration index.
Result
A total of 10967 patients with TIA and minor stroke were enrolled in this study, with an average age of 61.77 ± 11.18 years, and women accounted for 30.68%. Factors associated with the poor prognosis in TIA and minor stroke patients included sex, age, stroke history, heart rate, D-dimer, creatinine, TOAST classification, admission mRS, discharge mRS, and discharge NIHSS score. All models, both those constructed by Logistic regression and those by machine learning, performed well in predicting the 90-day poor prognosis (AUC >0.800). The best performing AUC in the test set was the Catboost model (AUC=0.839), followed by the XGBoost, GBDT, random forest and Adaboost model (AUCs equal to 0.838, 0, 835, 0.832, 0.823, respectively). The performance of Catboost and XGBoost in predicting poor prognosis at 90-day was better than the Logistic model, and the difference was statistically significant(
P
<0.05). All models, both those constructed by Logistic regression and those by machine learning had good calibration.
Conclusion
Machine learning algorithms were not inferior to the Logistic regression model in predicting the poor prognosis of patients with TIA and minor stroke at 90-day. Among them, the Catboost model had the best predictive performance. All models provided good discrimination.
Biomechanical tests are widely used in animal studies on osteoporotic fracture healing. However, the biomechanical recovery process is still unknown, leading to difficulty in choosing time points for ...biomechanical tests and in correctly assessing osteoporotic fracture healing. To determine the biomechanical recovery process during osteoporotic fracture healing, studies on osteoporotic femur fracture healing with biomechanical tests in ovariectomized rat (OVX) models were collected from PUBMED, EMBASE, and Chinese databases. Quadratic curves of fracture healing time and maximum load were fitted with data from the analyzed studies. In the fitted curve for normal fractures, the predicted maximum load was 145.56 N, and the fracture healing time was 88.0 d. In the fitted curve for osteoporotic fractures, the predicted maximum load was 122.30 N, and the fracture healing time was 95.2 d. The maximum load of fractured femurs in OVX rats was also lower than that in sham rats at day 84 post-fracture (D84 PF). The fracture healing time was prolonged and maximum load at D84 PF decreased in OVX rats with closed fractures. The maximum load of Wister rats was higher than that of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, but the fracture healing time of SD and Wister rats was similar. Osteoporotic fracture healing was delayed in rats that were < = 12 weeks old when ovariectomized, and at D84 PF, the maximum load of rats < = 12 weeks old at ovariectomy was lower than that of rats >12 weeks old at ovariectomy. There was no significant difference in maximum load at D84 PF between rats with an osteoporosis modeling time <12 weeks and > = 12 weeks. In conclusion, fracture healing was delayed and biomechanical property decreased by osteoporosis. Time points around D95.2 PF should be considered for biomechanical tests of osteoporotic femur fracture healing in OVX rat models. Osteoporotic fracture healing in OVX rats was affected by the fracture type but not by the strain of the rat.
Food-mediated allergic reactions have emerged as a major health problem. The underlying mechanisms that promote uncontrolled type 2 immune responses to dietary allergens in the gastrointestinal tract ...remain elusive.
We investigated whether altering IL-25 signaling enhances or attenuates allergic responses to food allergens.
Mice of an IL-25 transgenic mouse line (iIL-25Tg mice), which constitutively overexpress intestinal IL-25, and Il17rb−/− mice, in which Il17rb gene expression is disrupted, were sensitized and gavage fed with ovalbumin (OVA). We assessed symptomatic characteristics of experimental food allergy, including incidence of diarrhea, incidence of hypothermia, intestinal TH2 immune response, and serum OVA-specific IgE and mast cell protease 1 production.
Rapid induction of Il25 expression in the intestinal epithelium preceded onset of the anaphylactic response to ingested OVA antigen. iIL-25Tg mice were more prone and Il17rb−/− mice were more resistant to experimental food allergy. Resident intestinal type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were identified as the major producers of IL-5 and IL-13 in response to IL-25. Reconstituting irradiated wild-type mice with Rora−/− or Il17rb−/− bone marrow resulted in a deficiency or dysfunction of the ILC2 compartment, respectively, and resistance to experimental food allergy. Repeated intragastric antigen challenge induced a significant increase in numbers of CD4+ TH2 cells, which enhance IL-25–stimulated IL-13 production by ILC2s ex vivo and in vivo. Finally, reconstituted IL-13–deficient ILC2s had reduced capability to promote allergic inflammation, resulting in increased resistance to experimental food allergy.
IL-25 and CD4+ TH2 cells induced by ingested antigens enhance ILC2-derived IL-13 production, thereby promoting IgE-mediated experimental food allergy.
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