Synthesis of Layered Double Hydroxides with Phosphate Tailings and Its Effect on Flame Retardancy of Epoxy Resin.

In this work, phosphate tailings (PTs) were used as raw materials for the preparation of Ca-Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs-1) and Ca-Mg-Al-Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs-2) by co-precipitation method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and XPS and applied as a flame retardant to improve the fire safety of epoxy resin (EP). The results showed that both LDHs-1 and LDHs-2 exhibited layered structure and high crystallinity. Compared with neat EP, the value of limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 25.8 to 29.3 and 29.9 with 8 wt% content of LDHs-1 and LDHs-2, respectively. The flame retardant properties of the composite material were characterized by cone calorimeter (CC), and the results showed that the peak value of the smoke production rate (SPR) decreased more than 45% and 74%, total smoke production (TSP) reduced nearly 64% and 85% with the addition of LDHs-1 and LDHs-2. Meanwhile, the value of the total heat release (THR) reduced more than 28% and 63%. The conversion from LDHs to layered double oxide (LDO) might be conducive to the fire safety of EP. Moreover, the transformation of Fe-OH to Fe-O could promote the early cross-linking of polymer. In summary, LDHs-2 could significantly improve the carbonization process of EP and suppress the smoke released during the combustion process.

High Normal Urinary Albumin-Creatinine Ratio Is Associated With Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, HTN With T2DM, Dyslipidemia, and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Chinese Population: A Report From the REACTION Study.

Background: Albuminuria has been widely considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which is associated with hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), HTN with T2DM, and dyslipidemia. However, the associations between albuminuria and HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs are still unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association of albuminuria thoroughly, especially within the normal range, with the abovementioned diseases in the Chinese population. Methods: This study included 40,188 participants aged over 40 years from seven centers across China. Urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) was firstly divided into the ≥30-mg/g group, indicating kidney damage, and <30-mg/g group. Furthermore, UACR was divided into five groups: the <20%, 20%-39%, 40%-59%, 60%-79%, and ≥80% groups, according to the quintile division of participants within the normal range. Propensity score matching was used to reduce bias, and multiple logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association between UACR and HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs. Results: Multivariable regression analysis revealed that UACR, even within the normal range, is significantly associated with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs, and the association between UACR and HTN with T2DM was the most significant in model 3 even after adjusting for confounding factors (HTN: OR = 1.56 (95% CI = 1.45-1.68), p < 0.0001; T2DM: OR = 1.78 (95% CI = 1.60-1.97), p < 0.0001; HTN with T2DM: OR = 1.76 (95% CI = 1.59-1.95), p < 0.0001; dyslipidemia: OR = 1.08 (95% CI = 1.01-1.14), p = 0.0146; CVDs: OR = 1.12 (95% CI = 1.00-1.25), p = 0.0475). In the stratified analysis, high normal UACR was significantly associated with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, and dyslipidemia in subgroups. Conclusions: In summary, we observe a higher prevalence of HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs in abnormal UACR and reveal a significant association of UACR, even within the normal range, with HTN, T2DM, HTN with T2DM, dyslipidemia, and CVDs.

Insights Into Genome-Wide Association Study for Diabetes: A Bibliometric and Visual Analysis From 2001 to 2021.

Hundreds of research and review articles concerning genome-wide association study (GWAS) in diabetes have been published in the last two decades. We aimed to evaluate the hotspots and future trends in GWAS in diabetes research through bibliometric analysis. Accordingly, 567 research and review articles published between 2001 and 2021 were included. A rising trend was noted in the annual number of publications and citations on GWAS in diabetes during this period. Harvard University and Harvard Medical School have played leading roles in genome research. Hotspot analyses indicated that DNA methylation and genetic variation, especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus, are likely to remain the research hotspots. Moreover, the identification of genetic phenotypes associated with adiposity, metabolic memory, pancreatic islet, and inflammation is the leading trend in this research field. Through this review, we provide predictions on the main research trends in the future so as to shed light on new directions and ideas for further investigations on the genetic etiology of diabetes for its prevention and treatment.

Preparation of a Novel Organic Phosphonic Acid Intercalated Phosphate Tailings Based Hydrotalcite and Its Application in Enhancing Fire Safety for Epoxy Resin.

Phosphate tailings (PTs) are solid waste, which is produced by phosphate flotation. In this work, PTs were used as raw materials for the preparation of diethylenetriamine pentamethronic acid (DTPMP) intercalated trimetal (Ca-Mg-Al) layered double hydroxides (TM-DTPMP LDHs) by co-precipitation method. TM-DTPMP LDHs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and applied as a flame retardant to improve the fire safety of epoxy resin (EP). The results showed that the composite materials exhibited obvious layered structure. After intercalation, layer spacing increased from 0.783 to 1.78 Å. When the amount of TM-DTPMP LDH in EP was 8%, the limitted oxygen index of the composite material increased from the original 19.2% to 30.2%. In addition, Cone calorimeter (CC) and Raman spectrum results indicated that with the addition of TM-DTPMP LDHs, the value of heat release rate peak (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) were reduced by more than 43% and 60%, while the value of smoke formation rate (pSPR) and the total smoke production (TSP) decreased nearly 64% and 83%, respectively. The significant reduction in the release of combustion heat and harmful smoke during EP combustion may be attributed to the synergistic flame-retardant effect between hydrotalcite and DTPMP. This work exhibited great potential for the green recycling of PTs and the enhancement of the fire safety of EP.

Lipid Accumulation Product is Associated with Urinary Albumin-creatinine Ratio in Chinese Prediabitic Population: A Report from the REACTION Study.

BACKGROUND: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) as a powerful marker of visceral obesity is an independent risk factor of chronic kidney disease. The present study attempted to explore the association between LAP and albuminuria in prediabetic individuals. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study and enrolled 26,529 participants with prediabetes over 40 years old with prediabetes from seven provinces in China. LAP was calculated from waist circumference and fasting triglycerides. Elevated albuminuria was defined by urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥30 mg/g. Propensity score matching was applied to reduce bias, comparison between LAP and other traditional visceral obesity indices was performed and multiple logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between LAP and albuminuria in the prediabetic population. RESULTS: Individuals with uACR ≥30 mg/g were older and had higher BP, BMI, WC, TG, fasting insulin, glycohemoglobin and LAP, as well as lower eGFR and HDL level. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed elevated LAP was associated with increased odds of albuminuria (OR [95%CI]Q2 vs Q1 1.09 [0.94, 1.27], OR [95%CI]Q3 vs Q1 1.13 [0.97, 1.31], OR [95%CI]Q4 vs Q1 1.42 [1.21, 1.67], P for trend=0.018), and superior over waist-to-hip ratio or waist-to-height ratio. Stratification indicated that the prediabetic population with higher LAP level and characterized by female gender, middle age, being overweight, and rise in blood pressure were more likely to have increased uACR. CONCLUSION: Elevated level of LAP was associated with increased albuminuria in the prediabetic population in China.