[Consistency evaluation of multidimensional quality attributes of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma by fusion of multi-source information].

The quality control of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces is one of the key tasks in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. In this study, multi-source information fusion was employed to fuse the data from near-infrared spectroscopy, electronic tongues, and other tests and establish an overall quality consistency evaluation method for Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, which provided methodological support for the overall quality evaluation of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. The near-infrared spectroscopy information was measured in both static and dynamic states for 23 batches of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma samples from different sources, and the electronic tongue sensory information, moisture content, and leachate content were measured. The overall quality of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma was evaluated by multi-source information fusion. The results showed that the near-infrared spectroscopy information of 16122103, 801000509, 801000352, 701003656, HX21L01, and 160956 was different from that of other batches of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma powder in the static state, and 701003298, 16122103, 701003656, 701003107, 801000229, and 18090404 were the different batches in the dynamic state. The moisture content showed no significant difference between batches. The leachate content in the batch 801000509 was different from that in other batches. The electronic tongue sensory information of 150721004, 151237, 160703004, HX21M01, HX21K04, HX21K01, and 601003516 was different from that of other batches. Furthermore, data layer fusion was employed to analyze the overall quality of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Four batches, 150721004, HX21M01, HX21K04, and HX21K01, showed the parameters exceeding the 95% control limits and differed from the other samples in terms of the overall quality. This study integrated the information of moisture, near-infrared spectroscopy, and other sources to evaluate the quality consistency among 23 batches of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma samples, which provides a reference for the quality consistency evaluation of Chinese medicinal decoction pieces.

[Predictive value of lipoproteins on progression to chronic critical illness in intensive care unit patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive value of lipoproteins on the progression of critically ill patients to chronic critical illness (CCI). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze clinical data of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022. The levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and apolipoproteins (ApoA-I, ApoB) at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after admission to ICU were collected. The progression to CCI was recorded. CCI was defined as the length of ICU stay ≥14 days with sustained organ dysfunction [sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score ≥2]. Differences in lipoprotein levels between the patients with and without CCI were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for critically ill patients progressing to CCI. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of lipoproteins on critically ill patients progressing to CCI. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. 137 patients (68.5%) progressed to CCI, and 63 patients (31.5%) did not. The lipoprotein indicators in the CCI group showed a decrease after the acute phase, while the lipoprotein indicators in the non-CCI group showed an increase. The levels of HDL, LDL, ApoA-I, and ApoB at various time points in the CCI group were significantly lower than those in the non-CCI group. HDL at 7 days in the CCI group was significantly lower than that in the non-CCI group [mmol/L: 0.44 (0.31, 0.61) vs. 0.67 (0.49, 0.75), P < 0.01]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that 7-day HDL was an independent risk factor for critically ill patients progressing to CCI [odds ratio (OR) = 0.033, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.004-0.282, P = 0.002]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 7-day HDL for predicting critically ill patients progressing to CCI was 0.702, with a 95%CI of 0.625-0.779, P < 0.001. When the optimal cut-off value was 0.59 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 69.8%, and the specificity was 72.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of lipoproteins is closely related to the progression of critically ill patients, and 7-day HDL has a certain predictive value for critically ill patients progressing to CCI. Continuously observation of the change trend of lipoprotein level is helpful to judge the progression of CCI in critically ill patients.

Relationship between serum sodium level and sepsis-induced coagulopathy.

Purpose: A discussion about the correlation between the level of serum sodium and sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC). Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on sepsis patients who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022. Based on the presence of coagulation disorders, the patients were divided into two groups: sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and non-sepsis-induced coagulopathy (non-SIC) groups. We recorded demographic characteristics and laboratory indicators at the time of ICU admission, and analyzed relationship between serum sodium level and SIC. Results: One hundred and twenty-five patients with sepsis were enrolled, among which, the SIC and the non-SIC groups included 62 and 63 patients, respectively. Compared to patients in the non-SIC group, the level of serum sodium of those in the SIC was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Multi-factor logistic regression showed serum sodium level was independently associated with SIC (or = 1.127, p = 0.001). Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that the higher the serum sodium level, the significantly higher the SIC score was (r = 0.373, p < 0.001). Additionally, the mortality rate of patients with sepsis in the ICU were significantly correlated with increased serum sodium levels (p = 0.014). Conclusion: An increase in serum sodium level was independently associated with an increased occurrence of SIC and also associated with the poor prognosis for patients with sepsis.

Soil mixing with organic matter amendment improves Albic soil physicochemical properties and crop yield in Heilongjiang province, China.

Crop productivity in Albic soil is poor, owing to poor soil physicochemical properties. Mixing of Aw layers, representing Albic soil, with B layers, could improve the physicochemical properties of Albic soil, which is characterized by poor humus on the topsoil and high penetration resistance. The objective of the present study conducted in 2015-2016 in an Albic soil region in Heilongjiang province, China, was to explore the effects of different soil mixing strategies on the physicochemical properties of Albic soil and crop yield. There were four soil mixing treatments: conventional subsoiler (CS), three-stage subsoil mixing plough (TSMP), four-stage subsoil mixing plough (FSMP), and three-stage subsoil interval mixing plough (TSIMP). Our results demonstrated that the Aw layer bulk density of Albic soil under TSMP, FSMP, and TSIMP decreased significantly compared to that under CS. In addition, the total porosity of the soil under these treatments increased significantly in 2 years. Compared to the water holding capacity under the CS treatment, other treatments increased significantly in the Aw layer. Furthermore, soil penetration resistance of the Aw layer decreased following Aw and B layer mixing. All three soil mixing treatments also increased soil aggregate stability and cation exchange capacity but reduced soil organic carbon content in the Aw layer. Soil mixing increased soybean and maize seed yield. Overall, Aw and B layer mixing improved Albic soil structure and physiochemical properties and increased crop yield; thus, this mixing is a feasible approach for Albic soil improvement, with optimal improvements observed under the FMSP strategy, which also added organic substances to the Aw layer.

Inorganic matter modified water-based copolymer prepared by chitosan-starch-CMC-Na-PVAL as an environment-friendly coating material.

Inorganic matter modifications were used to improve the hydrophobic properties and slow-release effects of water-based copolymer films. Water-based copolymers were prepared by aqueous polymerization of polyvinyl alcohol, starch, chitosan, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and then, zeolite powder, volcanic ash or biochar were added to prepare the inorganic matter modified water-based copolymer films. The results showed that the inorganic matter modified water-based copolymer films had enhanced thermal stability, reductions in O-H and water vapour permeability, and increased crystallinity and roughness. Compared with water-based copolymer films, the water absorption capacities of the zeolite powder modified water-based copolymer films, volcanic ash modified water-based copolymer films, and biochar modified water-based copolymer films were reduced by 42.8 %, 50.0 % and 39.0 %, and their ammonium permeability was reduced by 53.0 %, 12.1 % and 1.1 %, respectively. Inorganic matter modified water-based copolymer films have properties that make them suitable for use in preparing slow-release coating materials.