The characteristics and environmental significance of BVOCs released by aquatic macrophytes.

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted by plants serve crucial biological functions and potentially impact atmospheric environment and global carbon cycling. Despite their significance, BVOC emissions from aquatic macrophytes have been relatively understudied. In this study, for the first time we identified there were 68 major BVOCs released from 34 common aquatic macrophytes, and these compounds referred to alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes, arenes, ethers, furans, ketones, phenol. For type of BVOC emissions from different life form and phylogenetic group of aquatic macrophytes, 34 of the 68 BVOCs from emergent and submerged macrophytes are classified into alkene and alcohol compounds, over 50% BVOCs from dicotyledon and monocotyledon belong to alcohol and arene compounds. Charophyte and pteridophyte emitted significantly fewer BVOCs than dicotyledon and monocotyledon, and each of them only released 12 BVOCs. These BVOCs may be of great importance for the growth and development of macrophytes, because many BVOCs, such as azulene, (E)-ß-farnesene, and dimethyl sulfide are proved to play vital roles in plant growth, defense, and information transmission. Our results confirmed that both life form and phylogenetic group of aquatic macrophytes had significantly affected the BVOC emissions form macrophytes, and suggested that the intricate interplay of internal and external factors that shape BVOC emissions from aquatic macrophytes. Thus, further studies are urgently needed to investigate the influence factors and ecological function of BVOCs released by macrophytes within aquatic ecosystem.

Ruthenium(II) complexes as mitochondrial inhibitors of topoisomerase induced A549 cell apoptosis.

Two new ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dip)2(PPßC)]PF6 (Ru1, dip = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, PPßC = N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)-1-phenyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxamide) and [Ru(phen)2(PPßC)]PF6 (Ru2, phen = 1, 10-phenanthroline) with ß-carboline derivative PPßC as the primary ligand, were designed and synthesized. Ru1 and Ru2 displayed higher antiproliferative activity than cisplatin against the test cancer cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 to 3.6 µM. Moreover, Ru1 and Ru2 preferentially accumulated in mitochondria and caused a series of changes in mitochondrial events, including the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, the damage of mitochondrial DNA, the depletion of cellular ATP, and the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Then, it induced caspase-3/7-mediated A549 cell apoptosis. More importantly, both complexes could act as topoisomerase I catalytic inhibitors to inhibit mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Accordingly, the developed Ru(II) complexes hold great potential to be developed as novel therapeutics for cancer treatment.

Risk factors and predictive model for abdominal wound dehiscence in neonates: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wound dehiscence (AWD) is a major complication of abdominal surgery, and neonates are a group with a high risk of AWD, which has serious consequences or can even result in death. The purpose of this study is to explore the risk factors for neonatal AWD and construct a predictive model. METHODS: The clinical data of 453 cases that underwent neonatal laparotomy from June 2009 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, among which 27 cases of AWD were identified. Nine factors, including gender, age at admission, weight at admission, preterm delivery, level of preoperative anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, operation time, incision length, and incision type, were analyzed to explore their correlation with neonatal AWD. RESULTS: The incidence of neonatal AWD was 6.0% (27/453), among which partial wound dehiscence accounted for 4.9% (22/453) and complete wound dehiscence accounted for 1.1% (5/453). Hypoproteinemia and incision type were the independent risk factors for neonatal AWD, and weight at admission was a protective factor for AWD in the multivariate models. All these factors were incorporated to construct a nomogram, and a calibration curve was plotted. The result indicated that the actual risk was close to the predicted risk when the predicted risk rate was greater than about 35%. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal AWD is closely related to hypoproteinemia and incision contamination. Our predictive model showed the potential to provide an individualized risk estimate of AWD for neonatal patients undergoing abdominal surgery.Key messagesNeonatal abdominal wound dehiscence (AWD) has a serious consequence and the incidence of neonatal AWD was about 6.0% and the complete AWD morbidity is 1.1%.Hypoproteinemia and incision type were the independent risk factors for neonatal AWD.Our predictive model showed the potential to provide an individualized risk estimate of AWD for neonatal patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

Synthesis of sulfonated chitosan-derived carbon-based catalysts and their applications in the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.

A novel sulfonated chitosan-derived carbon-based catalyst was successfully prepared via isoamyl nitrite-assisted sulfanilic acid sulfonation, and its catalytic activity was examined using dehydration of fructose. The structural and chemical properties of sulfonated chitosan-derived carbon were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, element analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption experiment, and acid-base titration experiment. KOH was used as activating agent in the synthesizing of carbon supports, and it was found that properly increasing the dose of KOH during activation stage had a positive effect on the subsequent sulfonation of prepared activated carbon. 4KSCC, with the highest sulfonation degree (2.04 mmol/g), exhibited high performance for the conversion of fructose to HMF in various solvent, and an optimal HMF yield of 80.9% was obtained at 140 °C in 40 min. In addition, the reusability of 4KSCC for fructose dehydration was fairly good.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypospadias With Megameatus Intact Prepuce.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnosis and treatment methods of hypospadias with megameatus intact prepuce (MIP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 27 MIP children, 13 of whom underwent tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIP procedure), 7 underwent the Duplay procedure, 5 underwent the Mathieu procedure, 1 underwent meatal advancement and glanuloplasty (MAGPI procedure), and 1 underwent the glans approximation procedure (GAP). The patients were followed for 6-36 months to evaluate the surgical outcomes by the Pediatric Penile Perception Score (PPPS). Results: A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 8.12 ± 3.0 years were enrolled in this study, and 25 cases (25/27, 92.6%) were accidentally discovered during the first visit for phimosis. The patients had a formed urethra of 0.5 to 1.5 cm. Complications occurred in 4 of the 27 patients (14.81%): 2 patients with urethral fistula and 2 patients with meatal stenosis. One patient had a case of self-healed urethral fistula, and the remaining 3 patients underwent reoperation. The post-operative effect was satisfactory in all patients, and the urinary flow and stream during urination were normal. The overall average PPPS score of non-operative surgeons and parents was satisfactory. There were no significant differences in meatus appearance, glans appearance, skin appearance, and general appearance PPPS score among the Mathieu, TIP, and Duplay surgical procedures. Conclusions: MIP clinical manifestations are concealed and usually noted when circumcision is attempted. The suitable procedure for each patient should be tailored according to the anatomic features, and several techniques can be used with good functional and cosmetic results.

Megameatus intact prepuce treated with urethral plate-preserving surgery: a retrospective study of an unusual hypospadias variant.

BACKGROUND: Megameatus intact prepuce (MIP) is a unique variant of hypospadias and is a clinically rare condition. Due to the anatomical characteristics of the MIP hypospadias variant presenting a unique challenge to surgeons, no single urethroplasty method provides a universal solution for all patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of hypospadias after MIP repair by urethral plate-preserving urethroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 25 coronal or distal MIP patients, with a median age of 8, with most deficiencies being discovered during their first hospital visit for phimosis. Correction with urethroplasty was performed for all patients; 5 underwent the Mathieu procedure, 13 underwent the tubularized incised plate (TIP) procedure, and 7 underwent the Duplay procedure. The 25 patients were followed up for 6 to 36 months to evaluate the surgical outcomes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in intraoperative bleeding, hospital stays, postoperative analgesia rate, and cure rate among the three surgical procedures. The operative time for the Mathieu procedure was longer than that for the TIP and Duplay procedures, which did not differ. Complications occurred in 4 of the 25 patients (16.0%), and the overall complication-free survival rate at 1 year after surgery was 80.5%. The age at the time of surgery, urethral plate width, urethroplasty length, surgical procedures, or meatal location (coronal or distal penis) were not independently predictive of complications. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of MIP are often concealed and then accidentally discovered during hospital visits for phimosis; thus, the actual incidence of MIP might be higher. The urethral plate should be preserved during MIP-correcting treatment, especially for coronal or distal MIP. The same satisfactory outcomes can be obtained with Mathieu, TIP, or Duplay urethroplasty.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with intermittent upper intestinal obstruction: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant genetic syndrome characterized by a unique type of gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyp associated with oral and anal mucocutaneous pigmentations. Peutz-Jeghers polyps occur most numerously in the small intestine but frequently in the colon and stomach, only a few cases have been reported in the duodenum. PATIENT CONCERN: A further family history survey discovered 10 out of 14 members of the family (in 4 generations) had mucocutaneous pigmentations, but many of them were living in rural areas where they had no access to specialized medical services, so none were checked with endoscopy for polyps of hamartoma. DIAGNOSES: We report the case of a boy patient with mucocutaneous pigmentations over the lips, and a history of recurrent bouts of vomit and anemia over the preceding two years, no abdominal pain and mass. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed some small polyps in the stomach and multiple sessile polyps in the second part of the duodenum, but colonoscopy exam did not reveal any lesion. INTERVENTIONS: A double polypectomy and duodenum segmentary resection with end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Histopathology of the resected duodenum polyps indicated it to be a typical hamartomatous polyp. OUTCOMES: The child was under regular follow-up and recovered well. LESSONS: In this case, the patient was characteristic with pigmentations on his lips and intermittent upper intestinal obstruction (due to mass duodenal polyps), there are no definitive guidelines for the treatment to duodenal PJS hamartomatous polyp, each case requires tailor-made management.

Diagnosis and treatment of pediatric benign pneumoperitoneum: A case report series of 9 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Benign pneumoperitoneum (BPPT) is defined as asymptomatic free intraabdominal air or as pneumoperitoneum without peritonitis. Symptomatic free air requires surgical anagement, but management of asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum is controversial. In this study, we investigate the diagnosis and treatment of BPPT in children. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The clinical data of 9 pediatric patients with BPPT who were admitted to our hospital from January 2000 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed to summarize the diagnosis and treatment. Overall, 9 cases were included with 8 males and 1 female, aged from 4 days to 4 years. Among them there were 6 newborns (including 1 premature infant). Patients were all admitted to hospital with the major clinical symptom of abdominal distension, including 2 cases accompanied by tachypnea, 2 cases with vomiting, 1 case with diarrhea, and 2 cases with fever. No previous constipation or obstructive defecation existed. Six newborns had meconium defecation within 24 hours after birth. Physical examination revealed all patients with relaxed abdominal wall except 1 patient with abdominal distension had slight muscle stiffness and hyperactive bowel sounds. Abdominal X-ray suggested free air under the diaphragm in all cases. INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOMES: All patients except for one case of laparotomy were conservatively treated and cured with fasting, infection prevention, rehydration, abdominocentesis, and close observation. Nine cases of patients were all discharged with no death occurrence. After discharge follow-up of 7 months to 6 years was conducted. There was no recurrence of similar symptoms, and children were in good growth and development. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of BPPT mainly relies on clinical symptoms in patient, careful abdominal examination, abdominal X-ray combined with abdominocentesis, and the exclusion of gastrointestinal perforation for confirmation. Conservative treatment can cure the disease. Attention should be paid to distinguish with surgical pneumoperitoneum to avoid unnecessary surgical exploration.