A polydimethylsiloxane armed with epoxy, alkoxy and acrylate groups was synthesized from silanol terminated-PDMS and epoxy and acrylate groups functionalized silane coupling agents, and utilized as ...the adhesion promoter (AP) to prepare addition-cured liquid silicone rubber that exhibited self-adhesion ability (SA-LSR) with biocompatible thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) sheets. The structural characteristics of AP were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which demonstrated the strong adhesion to polyester-based TPU sheets due to a sufficient amount of acrylate groups, epoxy groups and silanol groups obtained by the hydrolysis of alkoxy groups. In detail, the peel-off strength of SA-LSR and TPU joints reached up to 7.63 N mm
after the optimization of adhesion promoter including type and content, and curing condition including time and temperature. The cohesive failure was achieved during the sample breakage process. Moreover, the SA-LSR showed a good storage stability under proper storage conditions. This design strategy provided the feasibility to combine the advantages of addition-cured liquid silicone rubber and plastics with low melting points, promoting the potential application range of those silicone-based materials.
Magnetic biochar is a potential economical additive for anaerobic digestion. To better understand the possible role of magnetic biochar on methanization performance, the effect of magnetic biochar on ...anaerobic digestion process and its enhancement mechanism were explored. The performance of magnetic biochar on methane production from hydrogenogenic effluent was better than that of raw biochar. The final methane production with magnetic biochar addition was 53.28% and 70.92% higher than that of raw biochar addition and the control, respectively. The modified Gompertz equation showed that the addition of magnetic biochar increased the maximum methane production potential and maximum methane production rate by 77.72% and 71.57%, respectively. Magnetic biochar improved the cell biomass and promoted the utilization efficiency of acetate and butyrate. Raw biochar stimulated the secretion of microbial extracellular cytochromes, while magnetic biochar significantly increased the relative abundance of the
pilA
gene in conductive pili. The addition of magnetic biochar enriched syntrophic partners
Syntrophomonas
and
Methanosarcina
and enhanced the hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis pathway. In this study, the addition of magnetic biochar resulted in higher methane production of hydrogenogenic effluent, which improved the energy conversion efficiency of waste biomass. This study also provided new insights into the underlying mechanism by which magnetic biochar enhanced anaerobic digestion performance.
Graphical abstract
We assessed the safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of two- and three-dose schedules of the novel bivalent HPV16/18 vaccine (HPV-2, Walrinvax) in the per-protocol target population of ...initially seronegative 9–14 year-old girls, including a non-inferiority comparison with the three-dose schedule in 18–26 year-old women.
This randomized phase 3b trial in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, involved healthy Chinese females in two age cohorts; 600 girls aged 9–14 years and 300 women aged 18–26 years. Girls were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either two (Months 0,6) or three (Months 0,2,6) intramuscular doses of HPV-2. All participants were monitored for immunogenicity as neutralizing antibodies up to 36 months. Primary objectives were non-inferiority analyses of immunogenicity between two- and three-dose girl groups and adult women at Month 7; safety assessments were based on participant-completed diary cards.
All groups demonstrated marked increases in neutralizing antibodies against HPV 16 and 18 that persisted above baseline to 36 months. Month 7 responses in both girl groups were non-inferior to those in the women and were statistically higher after two-doses than girls or women who received three doses. GMTs waned after month 7, but then maintained a plateau level until month 36. Vaccination was well tolerated in all groups with no serious adverse events reported.
Immune responses to two doses of HPV-2 vaccine in adolescent girls were non-inferior to those after three doses in young women, an age cohort in which clinical efficacy of HPV-2 against cervical cancer has been demonstrated.
Aim
To review and clarify the strengths and directions of associations between nephrolithiasis and hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM) and gallstones (GS) given the inconsistent results ...reported in cohort studies.
Methods
Relevant literature was searched in PubMed and EMBASE from inception to July 2019, for cohort studies that examined the relationships between kidney stones and these three diseases among adults. Pooled relative risks (RRs) were calculated by maximally adjusted risk estimates using a random effect model. Subgroup analysis, meta‐regression and sensitivity analysis were conducted whenever appropriate.
Results
Of 3537 papers, 21 articles with each including 1 to 3 cohorts were identified. In this meta‐analysis, nephrolithiasis was reciprocally linked to HTN, DM and GS. Kidney stones were significantly associated with 31%, 33% and 46% higher risks of incident HTN, DM and GS whereas GS was associated with a significantly higher risk of nephrolithiasis (RR: 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28‐1.73), followed by HTN (RR: 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11‐1.52) and DM (RR: 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07‐1.29). Also, females with DM (RR: 1.29; 95% CI, 1.08‐1.55) were more likely to develop kidney stones than diabetic male patients (RR: 0.91; 95% CI, 0.75‐1.10).
Conclusion
Although additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the mechanisms, this study revealed possible bidirectional associations between nephrolithiasis and HTN, diabetes and GS, which reinforced the notion of nephrolithiasis as a systemic disease that requires comprehensive investigations.
SUMMARY AT A GLANCE
This systematic review and meta‐analysis demonstrates a bidirectional association between nephrolithiasis with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and gallstones. Due to a substantial between‐study heterogeneity and possible publication bias, further studies are needed to confirm the mechanistic links between kidney stones and other metabolic disorders.
Highlights ► HFMD outbreaks cause high mortality in mainland China since 2008. ► Enterovirus 71 (EV71) was associated with high-mortality HFMD outbreaks. ► EV71 vaccine will be the most effective ...measure to reduce morbidity and mortality. ► The Phase I clinical study evaluated safety and immunogenicity of EV71 vaccine. ► EV71 was well tolerated and highly immunogenic in healthy subjects.
Microbes strongly affect invasive plant growth. However, how phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil microbes distinctively affect seedling mortality and growth of invaders across ontogeny under varying ...soil nutrient levels remains unclear. In this study, we used the invader Ageratina adenophora to evaluate these effects. We found that higher proportions of potential pathogens were detected in core microbial taxa in leaf litter than rhizosphere soil and thus leaf inoculation had more adverse effects on seed germination and seedling survival than soil inoculation. Microbial inoculation at different growth stages altered the microbial community and functions of seedlings, and earlier inoculation had a more adverse effect on seedling survival and growth. The soil nutrient level did not affect microbe-mediated seedling growth and the relative abundance of the microbial community and functions involved in seedling growth. The effects of some microbial genera on seedling survival are distinct from those on growth. Moreover, the A. adenophora seedling-killing effects of fungal strains isolated from dead seedlings by non-sterile leaf inoculation exhibited significant phylogenetic signals, by which strains of Allophoma and Alternaria generally caused high seedling mortality. Our study stresses the essential role of A. adenophora litter microbes in population establishment by regulating seedling density and growth.
Flavonoids and isoflavonoids are polyphenolic secondary metabolites usually produced by plants adapting to changing ecological environments over a long period of time. Therefore, their biosynthesis ...pathways are considered as the most distinctive natural product pathway in plants. Seemingly, the flavonoids and isoflavones from fungi and actinomycetes have been relatively overlooked. In this review, we summarized and classified the isoflavones and flavonoids derived from fungi and actinomycetes and described their biological activities. Increasing attention has been paid to bioactive substances derived from microorganism whole-cell biotransformation. Additionally, we described the utilization of isoflavones and flavonoids as substrates by fungi and actinomycetes for biotransformation through hydroxylation, methylation, halogenation, glycosylation, dehydrogenation, cyclisation, and hydrogenation reactions to obtain rare and highly active biofunctional derivatives. Overall, among all microorganisms, actinomycetes are the main producers of flavonoids. In our review, we also summarized the functional genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis.
Population aging is occurring rapidly worldwide, challenging the global economy and healthcare services. Brain aging is a significant contributor to various age-related neurological and ...neuropsychological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Several extrinsic factors, such as exposure to ionizing radiation, can accelerate senescence. Multiple human and animal studies have reported that exposure to ionizing radiation can have varied effects on organ aging and lead to the prolongation or shortening of life span depending on the radiation dose or dose rate. This paper reviews the effects of radiation on the aging of different types of brain cells, including neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and cerebral endothelial cells. Further, the relevant molecular mechanisms are discussed. Overall, this review highlights how radiation-induced senescence in different cell types may lead to brain aging, which could result in the development of various neurological and neuropsychological disorders. Therefore, treatment targeting radiation-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation may prevent radiation-induced brain aging and the neurological and neuropsychological disorders it may cause.
•Rice tcd11 mutant lacking TCD11 exhibits a thermo-sensitive phenotype.•TCD11 encodes plastid ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) in chloroplasts.•The disruption of TCD11 reduces expressions of certain ...chloroplasts-associated genes and impedes the assembly of ribosome in chloroplasts at low temperature.•TCD11 plays an important role in chloroplast development under cold stress.
Plastid ribosome proteins (PRPs) are important components for chloroplast biogenesis and early chloroplast development. Although it has been known that chloroplast ribosomes are similar to bacterial ones, the precise molecular function of ribosomal proteins remains to be elucidated in rice. Here, we identified a novel rice mutant, designated tcd11 (thermo-sensitive chlorophyll-deficient mutant 11), characterized by the albino phenotype until it died at 20°C, while displaying normal phenotype at 32°C. The alteration of leaf color in tcd11 mutants was aligned with chlorophyll (Chl) content and chloroplast development. The map-based cloning and molecular complementation showed that TCD11 encodes the ribosomal small subunit protein S6 in chloroplasts (RPS6). TCD11 was abundantly expressed in leaves, suggesting its different expressions in tissues. In addition, the disruption of TCD11 greatly reduced the transcript levels of certain chloroplasts-associated genes and prevented the assembly of ribosome in chloroplasts at low temperature (20°C), whereas they recovered to nearly normal levels at high temperature (32°C). Thus, our data indicate that TCD11 plays an important role in chloroplast development at low temperature. Upon our knowledge, the observations from this study provide a first glimpse into the importance of RPS6 function in rice chloroplast development.
Aim
The purpose of this study was to translate the Stoma‐quality of life into Chinese and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese patients.
Background
Quality of life is an important issue ...for patients with colostomy, and its appropriate and precise measurement is beneficial to promoting better care. The Stoma‐quality of life questionnaire has been widely used; however, the validity and reliability of its Chinese version has not been determined.
Design
A cross‐sectional validation study was conducted.
Methods
We translated the Stoma‐quality of life into Chinese using standardized methods. Then it was psychometrically tested on a convenience sample of 513 patients with colostomy. Construct validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was measured with Cronbach's alpha and the split‐half Spearman–Brown coefficient.
Results
The content validity, the Cronbach's α coefficient and the Spearman–Brown split‐half reliability coefficient indicated adequate validity and reliability. The exploratory factor analysis yielded four common factors, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 67.5%. Moreover, the confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that the Chinese version of Stoma‐quality of life is an effective and reliable measurement for evaluating the quality of life of patients with colostomy.
Summary statement
What is already known about this topic?
Quality of life (QOL) is an important issue for patients with colostomy, and it is conducive to evaluate the effect of specific treatment and nursing interventions. However, a tailored instrument measuring QOL in Chinese patients with colostomy is lacking.
The Stoma‐QOL is a widely used stoma‐specific instrument based on Hunt and McKennal's basic QOL demand model and has shown acceptable psychometric properties.
What this paper adds?
This study provides evidence of the construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Stoma‐QOL‐C.
The four‐factor structure of the scale shows the aspects and complexity of QOL of patients with colostomy.
The study proves the Stoma‐QOL‐C a valid and reliable measure of assessing QOL of patients with colostomy.
The implication of this paper:
The Stoma‐QOL‐C could be used as a disease‐specific scale to evaluate the QOL of patients with colostomy.
This study adds the knowledge of the psychometric properties regarding the inventory in diverse cultural backgrounds.
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