Complement C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway mediates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in a mouse model of depression.

BACKGROUND: Both functional brain imaging studies and autopsy reports have indicated the presence of synaptic loss in the brains of depressed patients. The activated microglia may dysfunctionally engulf neuronal synapses, leading to synaptic loss and behavioral impairments in depression. However, the mechanisms of microglial-synaptic interaction under depressive conditions remain unclear. METHODS: We utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce a mouse model of depression, examining the effects of LPS on behaviors, synapses, microglia, microglial phagocytosis of synapses, and the C1q/C3-CR3 complement signaling pathway. Additionally, a C1q neutralizing antibody was employed to inhibit the C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway and assess its impact on microglial phagocytosis of synapses and behaviors in the mice. RESULTS: LPS administration resulted in depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, synaptic loss, and abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of mice. We found that the C1q/C3-CR3 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in this abnormal microglial activity. Treatment with the C1q neutralizing antibody moderated the C1q/C3-CR3 pathway, leading to a decrease in abnormal microglial phagocytosis, reduced synaptic loss, and improved behavioral impairments in the mice. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the C1q/C3-CR3 complement signaling pathway, which mediates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses, presents a novel potential therapeutic target for depression treatment.

Cannabinoid type 2 receptors play a crucial role in social defeat-induced depression.

BACKGROUND: The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating mood, but the specific involvement of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) in depression remains poorly understood. Similarly, the mechanisms by which electroacupuncture (EA) provides therapeutic benefits for depression are not clearly defined. This research aims to explore the function of CB2R in depression and examine if the therapeutic effects of EA are associated with the hippocampal CB2R system. METHODS: Mice experiencing social defeat stress (SDS) were used to model depression and anxiety behaviors. We quantified hippocampal CB2R and N-arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA) levels. The efficacy of a CB2R agonist, JWH133, in mitigating SDS-induced behaviors was evaluated. Additionally, EA's impact on CB2R and AEA was assessed, along with the influence of CB2R antagonist AM630 on EA's antidepressant effects. RESULTS: SDS led to depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, with corresponding decreases in hippocampal CB2R and AEA. Treatment with JWH133 ameliorated these behaviors. EA treatment resulted in increased CB2R and AEA levels, while AM630 blocked these antidepressant effects. LIMITATIONS: The study mainly focused on the SDS model, which may not entirely reflect other depression models. Besides, further investigation is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which CB2R and AEA contribute to EA's effects. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests hippocampal downregulation of CB2R and AEA contributes to depression. Upregulation of CB2R and AEA in response to EA suggests their involvement in EA's antidepressant effects. These findings provide insights into the role of the hippocampal CB2R system in depression and the potential mechanisms underlying EA's therapeutic effects.

Combining Anti-epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Therapy with Immunotherapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC).

INTRODUCTION: Monoclonal antibodies binding the EGFR, such as cetuximab and panitumumab, have been extensively used as targeted therapy for the treatment of mCRC. However, in clinical practice, it has been found that these treatment options have some limitations and fail to fully exploit their immunoregulatory activities. Meanwhile, because of the limited effects of current treatments, immunotherapy is being widely studied for patients with mCRC. However, previous immunotherapy trials in mCRC patients have had unsatisfactory outcomes as monotherapy. Thus, combinatorial treatment strategies are being researched. AREAS COVERED: The authors retrieved relevant documents of combination therapy for mCRC from PubMed and Medline. This review elaborates on the knowledge of immunomodulatory effects of anti-EGFR therapy alone and in combination with immunotherapy for mCRC. EXPERT OPINION: Although current treatment options have improved median overall survival (OS) for advanced disease to 30 months, the prognosis remains challenging for those with metastatic disease. More recently, the combination of anti-EGFR therapy with immunotherapy has been shown activity with complementary mechanisms. Hence, anti-EGFR therapy in combination with immunotherapy may hold the key to improving the therapeutic effect of refractory mCRC.

Ionic covalent organic framework for selective detection and adsorption of TcO4-/ReO4.

Herein, a novel fluorescent ionic covalent organic framework (BTTA-BDNP) based on a linked carbazole unit was constructed for the synchronous monitoring and capture of TcO4-/ReO4-. BTTA-BDNP has a fast fluorescence response time with a low detection limit (66.7 nM) for ReO4- (a non-radioactive substitute for TcO4-). Meanwhile, the high charge density and hydrophobic skeleton of BTTA-BDNP enable it to exhibit rapid and selective trapping of ReO4- in complex environments.

Advances in the Study of Probiotics for Immunomodulation and Intervention in Food Allergy.

Food allergies are a serious food safety and public health issue. Soybean, dairy, aquatic, poultry, and nut products are common allergens inducing allergic reactions and adverse symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, allergic eczema, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Probiotics are assumed as an essential ingredient in maintaining intestinal microorganisms' composition. They have unique physiological roles and therapeutic effects in maintaining the mucosal barrier, immune function, and gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, and preventing diarrhea and food allergies. Multiple pieces of evidence reveal a significant disruptive effect of probiotics on food allergy pathology and progression mechanisms. Thus, this review describes the allergenic proteins as an entry point and briefly describes the application of probiotics in allergenic foods. Then, the role of probiotics in preventing and curing allergic diseases by regulating human immunity through intestinal flora and intestinal barrier, modulating host immune active cells, and improving host amino acid metabolism are described in detail. The anti-allergic role of probiotics in the function and metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract has been comprehensively explored to furnish insights for relieving food allergy symptoms and preventing food allergy.

Effect of mean heart rate on 30-day mortality in ischemic stroke with atrial fibrillation: Data from the MIMIC-IV database.

Background: The relationship of mean heart rate (MHR) with 30-day mortality in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association between MHR within 24 h of admission to the ICU and 30-day mortality among patients with atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data on US adults from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV, version 1.0) database. Patients with ischemic stroke who had atrial fibrillation for and first time in ICU admission were identified from the MIMIC-IV database. We used multivariable Cox regression models, a restricted cubic spline model, and a two-piecewise Cox regression model to show the effect of the MHR within 24 h of ICU admission on 30-day mortality. Results: A total of 1403 patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation (mean [SD] age, 75.9 [11.4] years; mean [SD] heart rate, 83.8[16.1] bpm; 743 [53.0%] females) were included. A total of 212 (15.1%) patients died within 30 days after ICU admission. When MHR was assessed in tertials according to the 25th and 50th percentiles, the risk of 30-day mortality was higher in participants in group 1 (< 72 bpm; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.79-1.91) and group 3 (≥82 bpm; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.23-2.57) compared with those in group 2 (72-82 bpm). Consistently in the threshold analysis, for every 1-bpm increase in MHR, there was a 2.4% increase in 30-day mortality (adjusted HR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.01-1.039) in those with MHR above 80 bpm. Based on these results, there was a J-shaped association between MHR and 30-day mortality in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation admitted to the ICU, with an inflection point at 80 bpm of MHR. Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort study, MHR within 24 h of admission was associated with 30-day mortality (nonlinear, J-shaped association) in patients with ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation in the ICU, with an inflection point at about 80 bpm and a minimal risk observed at 72 to 81 bpm of MHR. This association was worthy of further investigation. If further confirmed, this association may provide a theoretical basis for formulating the target strategy of heart rate therapy for these patients.

Sirtuin 3 Plays a Critical Role in the Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-like Effects of Kaempferol.

An estimated 20% of women experience depression at some point during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), as the main therapy for depression and other menopausal syndromes, comes with a few undesirable side effects and a potential increase in cancer and cardiovascular risk. Consequently, there is a dire need for the development of new therapies to treat menopausal depression. Oxidative stress combined with the decline in sex hormones might explain the occurrence of psychological symptoms characteristic of menopause. Therefore, antioxidants have been suggested as a promising therapy for aging-associated diseases, such as menopausal depression. As a flavonoid antioxidant, kaempferol might have a potential neuroprotective action. Hence, the study was conducted to assess the potential antidepressant action of kaempferol and clarify the underlying mechanism. The results show that kaempferol has potential beneficial effects on VCD-induced rodent model of menopausal depression and produces antioxidant effects as well as increases the deacetylation of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and the protein level of Sirtuin3 (Sirt3) in the hippocampus. On the contrary, Sirt3 depletion abrogated the antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects as well as antioxidant effects of kaempferol. In conclusion, kaempferol might produce antidepressant effects via upregulating the expression of Sirt3, the major deacetylase in mitochondria, and subsequently activate the mitochondrial antioxidases. These findings shed some light on the use of kaempferol or vegetables and herbs that contain kaempferol as a complementary therapy for menopausal depression.

Minocycline alleviates abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses in a mouse model of depression.

BACKGROUND: As antidepressants commonly used in the clinic have proved to be problematic, it is urgent to gain an updated understanding of the pathogenesis of depression and find potential therapeutic targets. Since both functional brain imaging studies and autopsy reports indicated that there is indeed a loss of synapses in depressed patients, it is necessary to explore the mechanism of this process. METHODS: We firstly investigated the effect of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), a mouse model of depression, on behaviors, synapses, microglia, and microglial phagocytosis of synapses in mice. Then, as it is unclear whether microglial phagocytosis leads to synaptic loss, or synaptic loss induces the microglial clearance in CSDS mice, we used minocycline, a microglial activation inhibitor, to inhibit the microglial phagocytosis of synapses and study its effect on synapses and behaviors in CSDS mice. RESULTS: Our results showed that the expression levels of PSD-95 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of CSDS mice were significantly reduced, while the microglia were significantly activated and the Iba1+CD68+ cell (phagocytic microglia) density was increased. We co-labeled the synaptic protein PSD-95 with the microglia marker Iba1 and found that the microglia in the hippocampal DG of CSDS mice contained significantly more PSD-95 engulfed puncta, which revealed that microglia in CSDS mice abnormally phagocytized synapses. Moreover, our results indicated that minocycline treatment dampened microglial activation, decreased the phagocytic microglia density, reduced abnormal microglial phagocytosis of synapses, reversed synaptic loss, and alleviated behavioral impairment in CSDS mice. CONCLUSIONS: Under depressive pathological conditions, the activated microglia may abnormally engulf neuronal synapses causing synaptic loss and behavioral impairments. Thus, microglial phagocytosis may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of depression.

Identification of predictive factors for post-transarterial chemoembolization liver failure in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Post-transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) liver failure occurs frequently in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The identification of predictors for post-TACE liver failure is of great importance for clinical decision-making in this population. AIM: To investigate the occurrence rate and predictive factors of post-TACE liver failure in this retrospective study to provide clues for decision-making regarding TACE procedures in HCC patients. METHODS: The clinical records of HCC patients treated with TACE therapy were reviewed. Baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters of these patients were extracted. Logistic models were used to identify candidates to predict post-TACE liver failure. RESULTS: A total of 199 HCC patients were enrolled in this study, and 70 patients (35.2%) developed post-TACE liver failure. Univariate and multivariate logistic models indicated that microspheres plus gelatin embolization and main tumor size > 5 cm were risk predictors for post-TACE liver failure [odds ratio (OR): 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-16.3, P = 0.027; OR: 2.3, 95%CI: 1.05-5.3, P = 0.039, respectively]. Conversely, HCC patients who underwent tumor resection surgery before the TACE procedure had a lower risk for post-TACE liver failure (OR: 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.95, P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Microspheres plus gelatin embolization and main tumor size might be risk factors for post-TACE liver failure in HCC patients, while prior tumor resection could be a favorable factor reducing the risk of post-TACE liver failure.

Association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variant C677T with serum homocysteine levels and the severity of ischaemic stroke: a case-control study in the southwest of China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism is linked to the risk of ischaemic stroke and circulating homocysteine (Hcy) levels in a Chinese population. METHODS: This case-control study recruited angiogram-diagnosed patients with ischaemic stroke and healthy control subjects. The plasma Hcy concentrations were measured and the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism was genotyped. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of the ischaemic stroke. RESULTS: This study recruited 198 patients with ischaemic stroke and 168 controls. The TT genotype conferred a higher risk for ischaemic stroke than the CC genotype (odds ratio of 3.563; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.412, 4.350). The T allele was the predisposing allele for ischaemic stroke. Hcy had an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.624 (95% CI 0.530, 0.758). The ROC for Hcy demonstrated its usefulness in predicting ischaemic stroke. Hcy levels were not associated with ischaemic stroke severity as measured by the NIHSS. CONCLUSION: The MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism affects circulating Hcy levels. The MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and hyperhomocysteinaemia may play important roles in predicting the risk of ischaemic stroke.

Clinicopathologic features, treatment, survival, and prognostic factors of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma: A nomogram development based on SEER database and validation in multicenter study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to comprehensively understand the combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) and develop a nomogram for prognostic prediction of CHC. METHODS: Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database (year 2004-2014). Propensity-score matching (PSM) was used to match the demographic characteristic of the CHC versus hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). A nomogram model was established to predict the prognosis in terms of cancer specific survival (CSS). The established nomogram was externally validated by a multicenter cohort. RESULTS: A total of 71,756 patients enrolled in our study including 62,877 HCC patients, 566 CHC patients, and 8303 ICC patients. The CHC, HCC, and ICC are not exactly similar in clinical characteristic. After PSM, the CSS of CHC was better than HCC but comparable to ICC. Tumor size, M stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and surgery were independently prognostic factors of CHC and were included in the establishment of novel nomogram. The c-index of the novel nomogram in SEER training set and multicenter validation was 0.779 and 0.780, respectively, which indicated that the model was with better discrimination power. In addition, decision curve analyses proved the favorable potential clinical effect of the predictive model. Lastly, a risk classification based on nomogram also verified the reliability of the model. CONCLUSION: CHC had better survival than HCC but was comparable to ICC. The nomogram was established based on tumor size, M stage, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and well validated by external multicenter cohort.

Burden of cardiovascular disease from 1990 to 2017 in Henan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death in China. Little is known about the CVD burden and risk factors in Henan Province, China. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the CVD burden and main risk factors between 1990 and 2017 in the Henan Province in China. METHODS: The methodological framework and analytical strategies adopted in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 were used. RESULTS: (1) Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to CVDs increased from 355.0 per 100,000 persons in 1990 to 364.1 per 100,000 persons in 2017 in Henan. (2) Age-standardized disability adjusted life years (DALYs) rate fell by 3.9% from 1990 to 2017. However, the number of DALYs attributed to CVDs increased by 75.9% from 4.2 million person-years in 1990 to 7.3 million person-years in 2017. (3) The age-standardized years lived with disability (YLDs) rate increased by 27.5% from 1990 to 2017. However, years of life lost (YLLs) rate decreased by 6.7% from 1990 to 2017. The contribution of YLLs to the DALYs decreased from 91.4% in 1990 to 89.2% in 2017. (4) Stroke (52.3%) and ischemic heart diseases (38.8%) accounted for 91.1% of total CVDs DALYs among adults in 2017. (5) Dietary factors such as high intake of sodium, alcohol use and low intake of fruits, high systolic blood pressure, and tobacco use were the top risk factors for CVDs, and the estimated population attributable fraction in 2017 was 69.4%, 56.7% and 25.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The absolute burden of CVDs in Henan is still high, although age-standardized DALYs declined between 1990 and 2017. The prevention and control of stroke and ischemic heart diseases should focus on a few modifiable risk factors which mainly contributed to the burden of CVDs, such as dietary factors, high systolic blood pressure, and tobacco use.

Venous thromboembolism in patients with severe lung cancer: a narrative review.

OBJECTIVE: At present, there are several guidelines for cancer complicated with VTE, but there is no specific recommendation for the treatment of lung cancer complicated with VTE. Whether is necessary to explore treatment and prevention of VTE in lung cancer. BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of severe lung cancer that can entail many adverse effects for patients. The incidence of VTE is higher in patients with lung cancer than in those with other kinds of solid tumors, and it is especially high among patients with lung adenocarcinoma, at advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages, or with a history of central venous catheter (CVC) or chemotherapy. However, the clinical symptoms of VTE in patients with lung cancer are not typical and cannot be detected easily, and the clinical prevention rate is low. In the acute phase of VTE in lung cancer, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of patients typically ranges from 2 to 4 points, leaving end-stage maintenance therapy as the only treatment option. METHODS: Here, we analyze the existing literature and discuss the current status (including epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and risk factors), risk assessment tools, and the treatment and prevention of VTE in severe lung cancer. We focus particularly on the use of low-molecular-weight heparin and new oral anticoagulants (including in the management of thrombocytopenia after antitumor therapy) in lung cancer patients with VTE. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale prospective multicenter studies on the treatment and prevention of VTE in lung cancer are necessary.

Correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-2 polymorphisms and first and recurrent atherosclerotic ischemic stroke events: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2, encoded by the MMP2 gene) 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms and first and recurrent ischemic stroke in a Chinese population. METHODS: Patients with first and recurrent ischemic stroke were included. Serum MMP-2 was measured, and MMP2 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms were detected. The associations between MMP2 1306C/T and 735C/T polymorphisms and first and recurrent ischemic stroke were analyzed. RESULTS: Serum MMP-2 in patients with first and recurrent ischemic stroke was significantly higher compared with controls, and patients with recurrent ischemic stroke had higher MMP-2 than those with first ischemic stroke. The frequency of the CC genotype and C allele of MMP2 735C/T was highest in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke, followed by patients with first ischemic stroke, and controls. Conversely, the genotype and allele of MMP2 1306C/T did not significantly differ between groups. The CC genotype of MMP2 735C/T was independently associated with first and recurrent ischemic stroke (odds ratios = 1.45 and 1.64, respectively), as was the C allele of MMP2 735C/T (odds ratios = 1.68 and 1.77, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The CC genotype and C allele of MMP2 735C/T were associated with first and recurrent ischemic stroke in a Chinese population.

Addition of low-dose sufentanil to ropivacaine for reducing shivering and visceral traction pain during cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of low-dose sufentanil for preventing shivering and visceral traction pain during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. A total of 112 full-term parturients who underwent elective caesarean delivery were randomly divided into two groups. Group R received 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine intrathecally and group RS received 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine plus 5 µg sufentanil intrathecally. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the maximum sensory block time, motor block time, duration of the surgery, and heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and blood oxygen saturation before and 1, 5, and 10 minutes after spinal anesthesia, and at the end of the surgery between the two groups. Shivering was significantly more common in group R (n = 30) than in group RS (n = 8). The incidence of visceral traction pain in group R (46.43%) was significantly higher than that in group RS (14.29%). There was no significant difference in the newborns' Apgar scores between the groups. CONCLUSION: Adding low-dose sufentanil to ropivacaine can significantly reduce the incidence of shivering and visceral traction pain after spinal anesthesia.

Early therapeutic interventions of traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the early interventions of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on the conversion time of nucleic acid in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and find possible underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 300 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were treated with TCM, at a designated hospital in China. The patients were categorized into three groups: TCM1, TCM2 and TCM3, who respectively received TCM interventions within 7, 8-14, and greater than 15 days of hospitalization. Different indicators such as the conversion time of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid, the conversion time of fecal nucleic acid, length of hospital stay, and inflammatory markers (leukocyte count, and lymphocyte count and percentage) were analyzed to observe the impact of early TCM interventions on these groups. RESULTS: The median conversion times of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid in the three groups were 5.5, 7 and 16 d (P < 0.001), with TCM1 and TCM2 being statistically different from TCM3 (P < 0.01). TCM1 (P < 0.05) and TCM3 (P < 0.01) were statistically different from TCM2. The median conversion times of fecal nucleic acid in the three groups were 7, 9 and 17 d (P < 0.001). Conversion times of fecal nucleic acid in TCM1 were statistically different from TCM3 and TCM2 (P < 0.01). The median lengths of hospital stay in the three groups were 13, 16 and 21 d (P < 0.001). TCM1 and TCM2 were statistically different from TCM3 (P < 0.01); TCM1 and TCM3 were statistically different from TCM2 (P < 0.01). Both leucocyte and lymphocyte counts increased gradually with an increase in the length of hospital stay in TCM1 group patients, with a statistically significant difference observed at each time point in the group (P < 0.001). Statistically significant differences in lymphocyte count and percentage in TCM2 (P < 0.001), and in leucocyte count (P = 0.043) and lymphocyte count (P = 0.038) in TCM3 were observed. The comparison among the three groups showed a statistically significant difference in lymphocyte percentage on the third day of admission (P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: In this study, it was observed that in COVID-19 patients treated with a combination of Chinese and Western medicines, TCM intervention earlier in the hospital stay correlated with faster conversion time of pharyngeal swab and fecal nucleic acid, as well as shorter length of hospital stay, thus helping promote faster recovery of the patient. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to improving inflammation in patients with COVID-19.

Low Band Gap Benzoxazole-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photo-Enhanced Targeted Uranium Recovery.

The inherent features of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) make them highly attractive for uranium recovery applications. A key aspect yet to be explored is how to improve the selectivity and efficiency of COFs for recovering uranium from seawater. To achieve this goal, a series of robust and hydrophilic benzoxazole-based COFs is developed (denoted as Tp-DBD, Bd-DBD, and Hb-DBD) as efficient adsorbents for photo-enhanced targeted uranium recovery. Benefiting from the hydroxyl groups and the formation of benzoxazole rings, the hydrophilic Tp-DBD shows outstanding stability and chemical reduction properties. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of the hydroxyl groups and the benzoxazole rings in the π-conjugated frameworks significantly decrease the optical band gap, and improve the affinity and capacity to uranium recovery. In seawater, the adsorption capacity of uranium is 19.2× that of vanadium, a main interfering metal in uranium extraction.

Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control and Their Associated Socioeconomic Factors in China: A Spatial Analysis of A National Representative Survey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate and interpret the associations between socioeconomic factors and the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension at the provincial level in China. METHODS: A nationally and provincially representative sample of 179,059 adults from the China Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance study in 2015-2016 was used to estimate hypertension burden. The spatial Durbin error model was fitted to investigate socioeconomic factors associated with hypertension indicators. RESULTS: Overall, it was estimated that 29.20% of the participants were hypertensive nationwide, among whom, 34.32% were aware of their condition, 27.69% had received antihypertensive treatment, and 7.81% had controlled their condition. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was associated with hypertension prevalence (coefficient: -2.95, 95% CI: -5.46, -0.45) and control (coefficient: 6.35, 95% CI: 1.36, 11.34) among adjacent provinces and was also associated with awareness (coefficient: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.74) and treatment (coefficient: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.21, 4.14) in local province. Beds of internal medicine (coefficient: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.23) was associated with control in local province. Old dependency ratio (coefficient: -3.58, 95% CI: -5.35, -1.81) was associated with treatment among adjacent provinces and with control (coefficient: -1.69, 95% CI: -2.42, -0.96) in local province. CONCLUSION: Hypertension indicators were not only directly influenced by socioeconomic factors of local area but also indirectly affected by characteristics of geographical neighbors. Population-level strategies should involve optimizing supportive socioeconomic environment by integrating clinical care and public health services to decrease hypertension burden.

Band Gap Engineering in Vinylene-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Contaminants and Disinfection of Bacteria.

Photocatalysis is regarded as one of the most promising technologies to remove organic contaminants. At present, most of the covalent organic frameworks (COFs) used as photocatalysts are connected by imine or borate bonds, which have relatively low stability and relatively poor π-delocalization. Herein, we report, for the first time, vinylene-linked COFs constructed by various diacetylene and triazine moieties for photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants and disinfection of bacteria. The pioneering introduction of diacetylene moieties not only enhances conjugated π-electrons delocalization but also optimizes the electronic band structures that significantly improve photocatalytic activity. Therefore, the vinylene-bridged COFs have excellent photocatalytic activity with ultrahigh stability and great π-electron delocalization, thus exhibiting ultrafast photocatalytic degradation efficiency for phenol and norfloxacin (>96%, within 15 min). Our work provides a strong basis for the rational regulation of the chemical structure of COFs to enhance their photocatalytic activity, thus broadening the application of COFs in photocatalysis.

Effects of Tanreqing Capsule on the negative conversion time of nucleic acid in patients with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional Chinese medicine plays a significant role in the treatment of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tanreqing Capsule (TRQC) was used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of TRQC in the treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 82 patients who had laboratory-confirmed mild and moderate COVID-19; patients were treated with TRQC in one designated hospital. The treatment and control groups consisted of 25 and 57 cases, respectively. The treatment group was given TRQC orally three times a day, three pills each time, in addition to conventional Western medicine treatments which were also administered to the control group. The clinical efficacy indicators, such as the negative conversion time of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid, the negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid, the duration of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid, and the improvement in the level of immune indicators such as T-cell subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD45) were monitored. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients in the treatment group, compared to the control group, had a shorter negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid (4 vs. 9 days, P = 0.047) and a shorter interval of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid (0 vs. 2 days, P = 0.042). The level of CD3+ T cells increased in the treatment group compared to the control group ([317.09 ± 274.39] vs. [175.02 ± 239.95] counts/µL, P = 0.030). No statistically significant differences were detected in the median improvement in levels of CD4+ T cells (173 vs. 107 counts/µL, P = 0.208) and CD45+ T cells (366 vs. 141 counts/µL, P = 0.117) between the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSION: Significant reductions in the negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid and the duration of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid were identified in the treatment group as compared to the control group, illustrating the potential therapeutic benefits of using TRQC as a complement to conventional medicine in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19. The underlying mechanism may be related to the improved levels of the immune indicator CD3+ T cells.