Association of systemic inflammation response index with mortality risk in older patients with hip fracture: a 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Objective: With a rapidly aging global population, the assessment of mortality risk following hip fracture in older adults has received increasing attention. Recently, the system inflammation response index (SIRI) has been identified as a novel prognostic marker to reflect both systemic inflammation and immune status. However, it is not yet known whether SIRI is a potential predictor of subsequent death in hip fracture patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between SIRI and mortality in older patients with hip fracture. Methods: A total of 1,206 older hip fracture patients undergoing surgery between January 2013 and December 2022 were consecutively derived from our longitudinal database. Patients were divided into three groups according to SIRI tertiles, calculated as neutrophil × monocyte / lymphocyte. Survival status was obtained from medical records or telephone interviews, and the study outcome was all-cause mortality after hip fracture at the longest follow-up. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression model were used to evaluate the association between SIRI and mortality. Moreover, a series of sensitivity analyses were conducted to further validate the robustness of the association. Results: During a median follow-up of 43.85 months, 337 patients (27.94%) died. After full adjustment, each unit increase in SIRI was significantly associated with a 2.2% increase in overall mortality (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.042, p = 0.029). Similarly, compared with the first tertile of SIRI, the second and third tertile showed a 1.335-fold (95% CI: 1.011-1.762, p = 0.042) and 1.447-fold (95% CI, 1.093-1.917, p = 0.010) higher risk of death. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the association. Moreover, RCS analysis revealed a positive non-linear relationship between SIRI and mortality (P for nonlinearity = 0.021). Conclusion: High SIRI level at admission was significantly and positively associated with an increased risk of death, suggesting that SIRI may be an independent predictor of mortality in older patients with hip fracture.

The roles of rare and abundant microbial species in the primary succession of biological soil crusts are differentiated in metal tailings ponds with different states.

Tailings ponds formed by long-term accumulation of mineral processing waste have become a global environmental problem. Even worse, tailings ponds are often simply abandoned or landfilled after they cease to be used. This allows pollution to persist and continue to spread in the environment. The significance of primary succession mediated by biological soil crusts for tailings pond remediation has been illustrated by previous studies. However, the process of primary succession may not be the same at different stages during the lifetime of tailings ponds. Therefore, we investigated the environmental differences and the successional characteristics of microbial communities in the primary successional stage of tailings ponds at three different states. The results showed that the primary succession process positively changed the environment of tailings ponds in any state of tailings ponds. The primary successional stage determined the environmental quality more than the state of the tailings pond. In the recently abandoned tailings ponds, abundant species were more subjected to heavy metal stress, while rare species were mainly limited by nutrient content. We found that as the succession progressed, rare species gradually acquired their own community space and became more responsive to environmental stresses. Rare species played an important role in microbial keystone species groups.

Serum Levels of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 as Biomarkers to Predict Radiotherapy Sensitivity in Cervical Cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant global health burden, and individualized treatment approaches are necessary due to its heterogeneity. Radiotherapy is a common treatment modality; however, the response varies among patients. The identification of reliable biomarkers to predict radiotherapy sensitivity is crucial. Methods: A cohort of 189 patients with stage IB2-IVA cervical cancer, treated with radiotherapy alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, was included. Serum samples were collected before treatment, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) concentrations were determined. Patients were categorized into radiotherapy-sensitive (RS) and radiotherapy-resistant (RR) groups based on treatment response. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival rates were analyzed. Results: The analysis of clinicopathological characteristics showed that age, family history of cervical cancer and post-menopausal status did not significantly differ between RS and RR groups. Tumor size demonstrated a borderline significant association with radiotherapy response, while differentiation degree was significantly associated. Serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the RR group compared to the RS group. Combined detection of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 improved the predictive ability for radiotherapy sensitivity. Higher serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels were observed in patients with lower tumor differentiation. Five-year overall survival rates differed significantly between patients with high and low ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels. Conclusion: Serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels show potential as predictive biomarkers for radiotherapy sensitivity in cervical cancer.

Prognostic value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet counts during chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive significance of dynamic changes in the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet counts (PLTs) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC) during chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 259 advanced GC patients receiving chemotherapy were enrolled and grouped by high or low NLR with a cut value of 2.5 and PLT with cut value of 300×109/L. The Kaplan-Meier survival model and the Log-rank test were carried out to determine the comparison on the overall survival differences. Cox regression analysis was employed to carry out both univariate and multivariate regression studies, aiming to explore potential prognostic factors acting independently. RESULTS: Higher pre-chemotherapy NLR exhibited an association with metastasis and advanced grade of Borrmann type, and higher NLR of pre- or post-chemotherapy GC patients was related with Borrmann type grade. Moreover, higher PLT counts are associated with advanced grades of Borrmann type. Interestingly, patients with lower post-chemotherapy NLR or decreasing NLR hold better overall response rate and disease control rate than those with higher NLR or increasing NLR. Furthermore, patients with high post-chemotherapy NLR alone or higher post-chemotherapy NLR plus higher post-chemotherapy PLT. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that high post-chemotherapy NLR and post-chemotherapy PLT might be adverse prognostic markers in advanced GC patients undergoing chemotherapy.

[Effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted and free-hand percutaneous kyphoplasty via pedicle of vertebra in treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture of thoracic vertebra].

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of TiRobot-assisted and C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) via pedicle of vertebra in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) of thoracic vertebrae. Methods: The clinical data of 85 patients with OVCF of thoracic vertebrae who were admitted between January 2020 and March 2023 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed including 40 patients (50 vertebrae) undergoing PKP assisted by TiRobot (group A) and 45 patients (50 vertebrae) undergoing PKP assisted by C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy (group B). There was no significant difference in the comparison of baseline data such as gender, age, body mass index, bone mineral density T-value, fracture segment, trauma history, and preoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Cobb angle of injured vertebra between the two groups ( P>0.05). The effectiveness evaluation indexes of the two groups, including the operation time, the volume of injected cement, the times of fluoroscopies, the length of hospital stay, and the occurrence of postoperative complications were collected and compared. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and CT of the injured vertebra were reviewed at 1 day after operation to observe whether there was cement leakage and to evaluate the distribution of cement in the injured vertebra. Before and after operation, pain was assessed using the NRS score, dysfunction was assessed using the ODI, and vertebral height recovery was assessed by measuring the Cobb angle of the injured vertebrae by X-ray films. Results: Both groups of patients successfully completed the operation, the operation time, the volume of injected cement, the times of fluoroscopies, and the length of hospital stay in group A were significantly less than those in group B ( P<0.05). The patients in two groups were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 9.6 months). Bone cement leakage occurred in 5 vertebrae in group A and 15 vertebrae in group B after operation, all of which leaked to the intervertebral space and around the vertebral body, and the patients had no obvious clinical symptoms. The difference of bone cement leakage between the two groups was significant ( P<0.05). No severe complication such as intraspinal leakage, infection, or vascular embolism was found in the two groups. At 1 day after operation, the distribution index of bone cement in group A was mostly grade Ⅴ, which was well dispersed; while in group B, it was mostly grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅴ; the difference of bone cement distribution index between the two groups was significant ( P<0.05). The NRS score, ODI, and Cobb angle of injured vertebra in both groups were significantly improved at 1 day after operation when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the difference of the above indexes between the two groups before and after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion: TiRobot-assisted unilateral PKP in the treatment of OVCF of thoracic vertebrae is safe and effective, which can reduce the X-ray transmission times during operation, shorten the operation time, reduce the volume of bone cement injection, and thus decrease incidence of bone cement leakage.

Environmental concentrations of anionic surfactants in lake surface microlayers enhance the toxicity of Microcystis blooms: Insight from photosynthesis, interspecies competition, and MC production.

Anionic surfactants represented by linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) exhibit vertical heterogeneity of concentrations in aquatic environments owing to their amphiphilic structure. Field investigations showed that the concentration of anionic surfactants (mainly LAS) in the water surface microlayer (SML) of Lake Taihu reached 580 µg/L, higher than that in the lower layer. Floating Microcystis blooms overlap in space with the high concentration of anionic surfactants in SML. However, few studies have focused on the effects of anionic surfactants (e.g., LAS) on the interspecies competition between toxic and nontoxic Microcystis. In this study, coculture and monoculture experiments were conducted with both toxic and nontoxic Microcystis species to explore how the environmental concentration of LAS regulates the dominance of toxic Microcystis and toxicity from the perspective of photosynthesis, species dominance, and MC production. The results showed that LAS concentrations above 0.267 or 0.431 mg/L (depending on light conditions) selectively promoted the photosynthetic competitive advantage of toxic Microcystis, leading to its higher population proportion in the community. Additionally, LAS concentrations above 0.5 mg/L induced the synthesis and release of microcystins (MCs). The results of chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, electron microscopy and transcriptome sequencing suggested that compared with nontoxic Microcystis, toxic Microcystis can better resist LAS stress by dissipating excess light, maintaining an intact membrane structure and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that the photosynthetic damage of nontoxic Microcystis might be attributed to the impacts of LAS on the absorption and assimilation of nitrogen, which finally resulted in the degradation of phycobilisomes. This study can provide novel insight for establishing standards and safety management of wastewater discharge.

High systemic inflammation response index level is associated with an increased risk of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis: a large retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The association between inflammation and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has attracted increasing research interest. Recently, the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) has been proposed as a novel inflammatory biomarker, but its potential association with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) has not been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between SIRI and LEDVT risk in a large sample over a 10-year period (2012-2022). METHODS: All hospitalized patients who underwent lower extremity compression ultrasonography (CUS) examinations were consecutively identified from our hospital information system database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between SIRI and LEDVT risk. Sensitivity, restricted cubic spline and subgroup analyses were also performed. RESULTS: In total, 12643 patients were included, and 1346 (10.6%) LEDVT events occurred. After full adjustment, a higher SIRI level was significantly associated with an increased risk of LEDVT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.098, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.068-1.128, p < 0.001), and patients in quartile 4 had a 2.563-fold higher risk of LEDVT than those in quartile 1 (95% CI: 2.064-3.182, p < 0.001). A nonlinear relationship was observed (P for nonlinearity < 0.001), with an inflection point of 4.17. Below this point, each unit increase in SIRI corresponded to a 35.3% increase in LEDVT risk (95% CI: 1.255-1.458, p < 0.001). No significant difference was found above the inflection point (OR = 1.015, 95% CI: 0.963-1.069, p = 0.582). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of the association. This association also existed in both distal and proximal LEDVT. CONCLUSION: A High SIRI is significantly associated with an increased risk of LEDVT in hospitalized patients. Given that the SIRI is a readily available biomarker in clinical settings, its potential clinical use deserves further exploration.

A High SIRI is significantly associated with an increased risk of LEDVT in hospitalized patients.The association between SIRI and LEDVT risk was nonlinear, with an inflection point of 4.17.A positive association was observed below the inflection point, but no significant difference was found above this point.

Association between systemic immune-inflammation index and risk of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in hospitalized patients: a 10-year retrospective analysis.

Background: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), as a novel inflammatory biomarker, has recently attracted attention in cardiovascular disease research. However, the relationship between SII and risk of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) remains unclear to date. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association in a large sample over a 10-year period (2012-2022). Methods: All hospitalized patients undergoing lower extremity compression ultrasonography (CUS) examination were consecutively screened by searching our hospital information system database. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the optimal cut-off value for high and low SII group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between SII and LEDVT risk. Propensity score matching (PSM), subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Moreover, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression and two-piecewise linear regression models were used to assess the dose-response relationship between natural log transformed SII [ln(SII)] and risk of LEDVT. Results: A total of 16,725 consecutive hospitalized patients were included, and 1,962 LEDVT events occurred. After adjusting for confounding factors, patients in the high SII group (≥ 574.2 × 109/L) showed a 1.740-fold risk of LEDVT (95% CI: 1.546-1.959, P < 0.001), and elevated ln(SII) was associated with a 36.1% increased risk of LEDVT (95% CI: 1.278-1.449, P < 0.001). PSM, subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the association. A non-linear relationship was observed (P non-linear < 0.001), with a threshold value of 5.6 × 109/L for all LEDVT events. Above the threshold, each unit increase in ln(SII) had a 1.369-fold higher risk of LEDVT (95% CI: 1.271-1.475, P < 0.001). The association also existed in both distal and proximal LEDVT. Conclusion: Elevated SII is significantly associated with an increased risk of LEDVT in hospitalized patients. Additionally, the association is non-linear and exhibit a threshold effect.

Design and Experimental Study of Shape Memory Alloy and Piezoelectric Composite Power Generation Device.

In order to solve the problem of ineffective utilization of waste heat generated by energy consumption in industrial production and life, a low-frequency thermal energy conversion type piezoelectric energy trap is proposed, and relevant theoretical analysis and experimental research are conducted. The device utilizes a piezoelectric film (polyvinylidene fluoride) combined with a shape memory alloy and features a simple green structure that can supply energy to microelectronic devices. First, the structural design and working principle of the device are analyzed and the dynamics model is built. Second, COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software (Version 5.6) is used to analyze and calculate the output voltage of shape memory alloy shrinkage, piezoelectric film shape and parameters. Finally, the experimental prototype is machined and fabricated by the fine engraving machine, and the experimental platform is built for relevant performance tests. The experimental results show that when the temperature is 100 °C, the maximum strain of shape memory alloy with 1 mm diameter is 0.148 mm. When the shape of the piezoelectric film is triangular, the length of the bottom edge is equal to the height of the triangle and the thickness ratio is 0.5, the maximum output voltage is 2.12 V. The experimental results verify the feasibility of the designed device and provide new ideas for subsequent research on piezoelectric energy capture.

Soil microbe-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling during primary succession of biological soil crusts in tailings ponds.

Tailings ponds resulting from mining operations have led to serious environmental hazards, and their bioremediation is an area of ongoing exploration. Primary succession represents the starting point of biotic community establishment and development, with soil carbon and nitrogen cycling being critical to this process. To investigate the soil microbial-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling patterns accompanying primary succession, we selected three types of tailings ponds as study areas and set up sampling sites for different stages of primary succession. The results showed that primary succession promoted microbe-mediated carbon and nitrogen cycling. It also led to improvements in soil nutrient availability and enzyme activity. In primary succession, the main pathways of carbon cycling are 3HP and rTCA, and nitrogen cycling is nitrate assimilation. In the early stages, microbes mediated more anaerobic and microaerobic processes. As succession proceeded, the pattern of microbial contributions to the carbon and nitrogen cycles changed. As succession proceeds, the functional metabolic potential of the carbon cycle gradually rises, while the nitrogen cycle shows a dramatic increase after the accumulation of autotrophic biomass. In addition, we found a positive coupling pattern between the carbon and nitrogen cycles. These findings support the optimization of bioremediation strategies for tailings ponds.

Cyanobacterial organic matter (COM) positive feedback aggravates lake eutrophication by changing the phosphorus release characteristics of sediments.

Phosphorus is a key nutrient that causes eutrophication in lakes. Our investigation of 11 eutrophic lakes found that the concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the water column and EPC0 in sediments decreased with aggravated eutrophication. There was a significant negative correlation between the SRP concentrations and eutrophication parameters such as chlorophyll a (Chl-a), total phosphorus (TP) and algal biomass (P < 0.001). In addition, SRP concentrations were significantly affected by EPC0 (P < 0.001), while EPC0 was significantly affected by the content of cyanobacterial organic matter (COM) in sediments (P < 0.001). Based on these findings, we hypothesized that COM can alter the phosphorus release characteristics of sediments, including the phosphorus adsorption parameters of sediment (PAPS) and the phosphorus release rate of sediment (PRRS), thereby stabilizing SRP concentrations at lower levels and rapidly replenishing them when depleted by phytoplankton, which in turn benefits cyanobacteria due to their low SRP adaptation strategies. Simulation experiments were conducted to confirm this hypothesis by adding higher plant OM and COM to sediments. The results showed that all types of OM could significantly increase the maximum phosphorus adsorption capacity (Qmax), but only COM could reduce sediment EPC0 and promote PRRS (P < 0.001). Changes in these parameters (i.e., Qmax, EPC0, and PRRS) resulted in a larger SRP adsorption quantity and faster SRP release rate at low SRP concentrations. This promotes the competitive edge of cyanobacteria due to they have a higher affinity for phosphorus than other algae. As an important component of cyanobacteria, EPS can change the phosphorus release characteristics (i.e., PAPS and PRRS) by reducing sediment particle size and increasing sediment surface functional groups. This study revealed the positive feedback effect of COM accumulation in sediments on lake eutrophication from the perspective of phosphorus release characteristics of sediments, which provides a basic reference for the risk assessment of lake eutrophication.

Integrated network pharmacology and fecal metabolomic analysis of the combinational mechanisms of Shexiang Baoxin Pill against atherosclerosis.

Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) has an excellent therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis (AS), but the combinational mechanisms of SBP against AS remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the combinational mechanisms of SBP against AS by comprehensive network pharmacology and fecal metabolomic analysis. Bufonis venenum, one of the adjuvant medicines in SBP, is an animal medicine with a narrow therapeutic window. Considering animal protection, we evaluated the anti-AS effect of SBP without BV (SBP-BV) using ApoE-/- mouse models, culture cells, and metabolomic methods. Our data suggested that SBP showed remarkable anti-atherosclerotic effects through multiple targets and multiple pathways, while each component in SBP played different roles in their synergistic effect. Notably, SBP-BV showed comparable effects with SBP in the treatment of AS. Both SBP and SBP-BV could reduce cholesterol uptake in RAW264.7 cells and prevent the occurrence and development of AS in WD-induced ApoE-/- mice by attenuating the atherosclerotic plaque area, and reducing inflammatory cytokines and cholesterol levels in vivo. Our finding might provide new insights into the research and development of new anti-atherosclerosis drugs.

Anatomic distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism: A 10-year retrospective analysis.

Aims: To investigate the potential relationship between anatomic distribution of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (LEDVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed in patients diagnosed with LEDVT, which were confirmed by bilateral lower extremity compression ultrasonography (CUS) examination. According to the ultrasound reports, thrombus sidedness was categorized as unilateral and bilateral lower extremity, thrombus location was classified into distal and proximal LEDVT. Anatomic distributions of LEDVT were further subdivided depending on the combination of thrombus sidedness and location. Patients with PE were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes (I26.0 and I26.9), and divided into PE group and Non-PE group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between anatomic distribution of LEDVT and PE. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results: A total of 2,363 consecutive patients with LEDVT were included, of whom 66.10% and 33.90% were unilateral and bilateral LEDVT, as well as 71.39% and 28.61% were isolated distal and proximal LEDVT, respectively. After the diagnosis of LEDVT, 185 patients (7.83%) developed PE. The proportions of PE ranged between the lowest (4.07%) in unilateral-distal LEDVT and highest (14.55%) in bilateral-proximal LEDVT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that bilateral LEDVT (odds ratios [OR] = 2.455, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.803-3.344, P < 0.001) and proximal LEDVT (OR = 1.530, 95% CI: 1.105-2.118, P = 0.010) were risk factors for developing PE. Moreover, unilateral-proximal (OR = 2.129, 95% CI: 1.365-3.320, P = 0.00), bilateral-distal (OR = 3.193, 95% CI: 2.146-4.752, P < 0.001) and bilateral-proximal LEDVT(OR = 3.425, 95% CI: 2.093-5.603, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PE. Sensitivity analyses also confirmed the robustness of these associations. Conclusion: Patients with unilateral-proximal, bilateral-distal or bilateral-proximal are more likely to suffer from PE than those with unilateral-distal LEDVT.

pT1-2 gastric cancer with lymph node metastasis predicted by tumor morphologic features on contrast-enhanced computed tomography

PURPOSE: To investigate the value of tumor morphologic features of pT1-2 gastric cancer (GC) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in assessing lymph node metastasis (LNM) with reference to histopathological results. METHODS: Eighty-six patients seen from October 2017 to April 2019 with pT1-2 GC proven by histopathology were included. Tumor volume and CT densities were measured in the plain scan and the portal-venous phase (PVP), and the percent enhancement was calculated. The correlations between tumor morphologic features and the N stages were analyzed. The diagnostic capability of tumor volume and enhancement features in predicting the LN status of pT1-2 GCs was further investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Tumor volume, CT density in the PVP, and tumor percent enhancement in the PVP correlated significantly with the N stage (rho: 0.307, 0.558, and 0.586, respectively). Tumor volumes were significantly lower in the LNM- group than in the LNM+ group (14.4 mm3 vs. 22.6 mm3, P = 0.004). The differences between the LNM- and LNM+ groups in the CT density in the PVP and the percent enhancement in the PVP were also statistically significant (68.00 HU vs. 87.50 HU, P < 0.001; and 103.06% vs. 179.19%, P < 0.001, respectively). The area under the ROC curves for identifying the LNM+ group was 0.69 for tumor volume and 0.88 for percent enhancement in the PVP, respectively. The percent enhancement in the PVP of 145.2% and tumor volume of 17.4 mL achieved good diagnostic performance in determining LNM+ (sensitivity: 71.4%, 82.1%; specificity: 91.4%, 58.6%; and accuracy: 84.9%, 66.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Tumor volume and percent enhancement in the PVP of pT1-2 GC could improve the diagnostic accuracy of LNM and would be helpful in image surveillance of these patients.

Geosmin disrupts energy metabolism and locomotor behavior of zebrafish in early life stages.

Geosmin has been commonly detected both in various aquatic environments and biota, but its exact toxicological mechanisms to organisms need further experimentation. In the present study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to geosmin at nominal concentrations of 50, 500 and 5000 ng/L for 120 h post-fertilization (hpf), followed by locomotor activity and biochemical parameter examination, and multi-omics investigation of the transcriptome and metabolome. The results showed that geosmin exposure significantly reduced the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes I-V, ATP content and mitochondrial respiration and suppressed the locomotor behavior of zebrafish larvae. Transcriptomics analysis revealed that the transcripts of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and lipid metabolism were significantly affected, indicating that geosmin disrupts energy metabolism. Furthermore, metabolomics results showed that 3 classes of lipids, namely glycerophospholipids (GPs), sphingolipids (SLs) and fatty acyls (FAs) were significantly decreased after geosmin exposure. This study provides novel insight into the underlying mechanisms of geosmin-induced energy metabolism and highlights the need for concern about geosmin exposure.

Effect of bovine myosin heavy chain 3 on proliferation and differentiation of myoblast.

The myosin heavy chain 3 (MYH3) gene is an essential gene that affects muscle development. This study aimed to discuss the expression characteristics of the MYH3 gene and its effect on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine myoblasts. Quantitative real time-PCR results display that the expression level of MYH3 was higher in muscle tissue, and the expression increased in the early stage of myoblast differentiation. Interfering with the MYH3 gene in myoblasts resulted in fewer EDU-positive cells and decreased expression of proliferation marker genes. Interference with MYH3 can also affect the differentiation process of myoblasts. Regarding phenotype, myotube differentiation in the interference group was slowed or even stopped. Interference with the expression of MYH3 could significantly reduce the expression of myogenic differentiation marker genes. The above results show that MYH3 is mainly expressed in muscle tissue and is highly expressed in the early stage of differentiation of bovine myoblasts, and interfering with the MYH3 can promote the proliferation and inhibit the differentiation of bovine myoblasts. This study provides a theoretical basis for revealing the regulatory process of bovine myoblast proliferation and differentiation and bovine molecular breeding.

The Widowhood Effect on Mortality in Older Patients with Hip Fracture.

Objective: Widowed people have increased mortality than married people of the same age, a phenomenon known as the widowhood effect. This study aimed to investigate whether this effect exists in older patients with hip fracture. Methods: Using our own hip fracture database, a total of 1101 hip fracture patients were consecutively included from January 2014 to December 2021. Marital status was stratified as married (n = 793) and widowed (n = 308). Patients survival status was obtained from medical records or telephone follow-ups, and the outcomes were all-cause mortality at 30 days, 1 year and at latest follow-up. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between marital status and mortality, and subgroup analyses according to sex were also conducted. Results: Compared with married patients, widowed patients were more likely to be older, female and intertrochanteric fracture, and were less likely to be urban area, smoking, drinking, and surgical treatment (P < 0.05). After a median follow-up of 37.1 months, the 30-day mortality was 4.3% (n = 47), 1-year mortality was 19.3% (n = 178), and total mortality was 34.2% (n = 376). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that widowed marital status remained an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality (HR = 1.437, 95% CI: 1.054-1.959, P = 0.022), and total mortality (HR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.038-1.618, P = 0.022), whereas this association was not found in 30-day mortality (HR = 1.200, 95% CI: 0.607-2.376, P = 0.599). Moreover, subgroup analyses also found that the widowhood effect on mortality was present in both male and female. Conclusion: Widowed marital status seems to be an independent risk factor for long-term mortality in older patients with hip fracture.

Ginsenoside Rc ameliorated atherosclerosis via regulating gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.

Atherosclerosis (AS) and the accompanied cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were the leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, the association between CVDs, gut microbiota, and metabolites had aroused increasing attention. In the study, we headed our investigation into the underlying mechanism of ginsenoside Rc (GRc), an active ingredient of ginsenosides used for the treatment of CVDs, in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice with high-fat diet (HFD). Seven-week-old male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into four groups: the normal control (NC) group, the HFD group, the GRc group (40 mg/kg/d), and the atorvastatin (Ato) group (10 mg/kg/d). Atherosclerotic injury was evaluated by aortic lesions, serum lipid levels, and inflammatory factors. The composition of gut microbiota and fecal metabolite profile were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequence and untargeted metabolomics, respectively. The results showed that GRc significantly alleviated HFD-induced aortic lesions, reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1ß, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HFD-C) level, as well as the alteration of gut microbiota composition, function, and metabolite profile. GRc also reversed HFD change of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at the phylum level, Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, Ileibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibaculum, Oscillibacter, Blautia, and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the genus level, and 23 key metabolites involved in taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, primary bile acid biosynthesis, purine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and glucagon signaling pathways. Additionally, eight differential intestinal floras at the genus level were associated with 23 key differential metabolites involving atherosclerotic injury. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that GRc ameliorated atherosclerotic injury, regulated microbial and metabolomic changes in HFD-induced ApoE-/- mice, and suggested a potential correlation among gut microbiota, metabolites, and atherosclerotic injury regarding the mechanisms of GRc against AS.

Muscular Calf Vein Thrombosis Is Associated With Increased 30-Day Mortality But Not 90-Day Mortality in Older Patients With Hip Fracture.

Calf deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is common in patients with hip fractures. However, studies on whether calf DVT has an impact on the prognosis are limited. This retrospective cohort study explored the association between calf DVT and 30-day and 90-day all-cause mortality in older patients with hip fractures. A total of 564 consecutive patients who underwent ultrasound examination were identified from our hip fracture database and categorized into patients with calf DVT (axial DVT, muscular DVT) and no DVT. Of these, 86 patients (15.2%) had ultrasound-confirmed calf DVT, including 66 patients with muscular DVT, and 20 patients with axial DVT. The 30-day and 90-day all-cause mortality were 2.5% and 6.0%, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that calf DVT was significantly associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 3.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 9.84, p = 0.04), but this risk relationship did not persist at 90-day follow-up (HR 1.59, 95% CI 0.69 to 3.71, p = 0.28). When calf DVT was further categorized, muscular DVT remained an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (HR 3.95, 95% CI 1.18 to 13.15, p = 0.03), whereas this relationship was not found in axial DVT (HR 1.79, 95% CI 0.21 to 15.02, p = 0.59). In conclusion, calf DVT, especially muscular calf DVT but not axial DVT, is independently associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality in older patients with hip fracture, but this risk relationship did not persist at 90-day follow-up.

Simulation Analysis and Performance Test of a Compressible Piezoelectric Pump Fluid Cavity.

The large load loss of piezoelectricity pumps leads to fluid energy in the fluid chamber during fluid transportation. In this paper, the output performance of a piezoelectricity pump is improved by changing the structure parameters of the fluid chamber to reduce the fluid load. The mechanism of fluid flow energy loss in the body cavity of hydraulic pumps is simulated and analyzed, and the influence of the dimensions of the inlet and outlet valves and the height of the cavity on fluid energy loss is obtained. The flow rate and pressure of inlet and outlet valves with different cavity heights and different driving frequencies are obtained. The results show that the flow rate and output pressure of the hydraulic pump are optimized when the cavity height is 3 mm, and the inlet and outlet valve diameters are 2.5 mm.