Peeling mechanism of tomato induced by HHAIB: Microscopic, ultrastructure, chemical, physical and mechanical properties perspectives.

In order to better manage the peeling degree and avoid unnecessary losses, the current work aimed to explore the peeling mechanism of a novel peeling technology, high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB). The relationships between HHAIB peeling performance and the changes in skin temperature, skin structure, water state, pectin fractions content, and skin mechanical properties of tomatoes were analyzed. Results showed, after HHAIB treatment, the epicuticular wax was disrupted, the skin exhibited more and longer random cracks, the degradation of inner skin tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy, the free water percentage increased resulting in water loss in the whole tomato, the water-soluble pectin contents decreased in tomato fleshes, while the contents of chelate-soluble pectin and sodium-carbonate-soluble pectin increased. HHAIB heating reduced the elongation at break, and increased Young's Modulus of tomato peel. This study revealed the HHAIB peeling mechanism and provided new insights for developing HHAIB peeling technology.

[Chemical Oxygen Demand(COD) Composition and Contribution in Typical Waters of Baiyangdian Lake].

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an important index used to assess organic oxygen consumption pollution. To explore COD composition in the natural water in Baiyangdian Lake, the main composition, source, and influencing factors of oxygen-consuming organic substances in the water body were revealed through physical continuous classification, three-dimensional fluorescence, and other methods. The results showed that the COD of the two waters was affected by dissolved organic substances (protein-like and humus-like organic matters) with size of less than 220 nm (59%-93%), and inorganic substances had little effect on COD. The source of organic matter in overlying water was primarily affected by endophytic vegetation decomposition, sediment release (the release flux of TOC was in the range of 1.55-2.28 mg·(m2·d)-1), and other endogenous sources (biological index>0.8), as well as by land-based sources such as reed platform and artificial pollution (1.4

[Evaluation and Optimization of Rural Sewage Treatment Technologies in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Based on Group Decision Making and Analytic Hierarchy Process].

Rural sewage treatment in the Yangtze River basin is an important link to achieve the great protection of the Yangtze River, but the existing treatment technologies are difficult to choose and have various techniques and a lack of evaluation. Therefore, this study researched and collected the case information of rural sewage treatment projects in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, analyzed the application of each treatment technology under different collection modes and discharge standards, constructed the evaluation index system of rural sewage treatment technologies, and then conducted a classification evaluation of processing technologies for each application scenario based on group decision making and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The results showed that:the collection modes of rural sewage in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River were mainly single village or small-scale joint village, the treatment scale was mainly concentrated below 200 m3·d-1, the treatment technology was most applied by the anaerobic+ecological process (28.05%), and the application of integrated equipment was also more widely used (22.47%). The technical performance in the criterion layer had the largest weight (0.5039) in the evaluation index system, followed by those of economic benefits (0.2474), operation and management (0.1559), and environmental impact (0.0928), respectively; the four indicators of TP removal rate, ton water operation cost, ammonia nitrogen removal rate, and maintenance difficulty had higher weights. The evaluation and optimization results showed that the enhanced ecological and anaerobic+ecological treatment technologies were suitable for promotion and application in the rural areas of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The results of this study can provide scientific basis and reference for the selection of rural sewage treatment technologies in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among middle-aged and older adults in China.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and geographic variation of obesity-related hypertension in China among adults aged 45 years or older. Methods: Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2015. Stratified sample households covered 150 counties/districts and 450 villages/urban communities from 28 provinces by using household questionnaires, clinical measurements, and blood-based bioassays. A multivariable non-conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Results: The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension was 22.7%, ~120 million people, among adults aged 45 years or older in China. For people in the age ranges of 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and ≥75 years, the prevalence of obesity-related hypertension was 16.7, 24.3, 27, and 26.7%, respectively, and the prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among hypertensive participants was 66.0, 60.9, 54.2, and 47.3%, respectively. Compared with non-obesity-related hypertension, the obesity-related hypertensive patients had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia (all P < 0.0001). The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension showed a decreasing gradient from north to south and from east to west. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female gender, living in urban areas, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hyperuricemia were positively correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity-related hypertension among adults aged 45 years or older was high in China. Among hypertensive participants, older age was negatively correlated with obesity-related hypertension. Obesity-related hypertensive participants are more prone to aggregation of risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

[Effects of management on the content and spectral characteristics of soil dissolved organic carbon in a subtropical forest]. / ç»è¥æ–¹å¼å¯¹äºšçƒ­å¸¦æ£®æž—åœŸå£¤å¯æº¶æ€§æœ‰æœºç¢³å«é‡å’Œå ‰è°±å­¦ç‰¹å¾çš„å½±å“.

The differences of artificial measures, such as logging residue management, between assisted natural regeneration and afforestation may change the content and structure of soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and affect forest carbon cycle. In this study, we investigated the effects of managements on the content and spectral characteristics of DOC in a subtropical forest, which contained the forest of assisted natural regeneration (Ⅱ), and the plantation (Ⅲ), both were converted from mature secondary forests (Ⅰ). Results showed that DOC content in the 0-10 cm soil layer was significantly decreased by 21% and 50% in Ⅱ and Ⅲ, respectively, compared with that in Ⅰ. The DOC/SOC (soil organic carbon) ratios of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers were significantly decreased by 27% and 43% after the conversion, respectively. In the 0-10 cm soil layer, the aromatic index and humification index of DOC in Ⅱ were significantly higher than that in Ⅲ. The infrared absorption ratio of soil DOC in the range of 3700-3000 cm-1, 1650-1620 cm-1, 1160-1000 cm-1, and 690-530 cm-1 in Ⅱ was higher than that in Ⅲ, indicating that the DOC in Ⅱ had higher carboxylic acids and aromatic substances than Ⅲ. The fluorescence index of DOC in Ⅱ and Ⅲ ranged from 1.4 to 1.9, and the biological index of Ⅱ was significantly higher than that of Ⅲ, indicating that Ⅲ had higher protein components in DOC and being more bioavailable. Thus, the differences of the content and structure of DOC between Ⅱ and Ⅲ might cause higher soil carbon pool of Ⅱ than that of Ⅲ.

High prevalence and low awareness of hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients among adults aged 50-79 years in Southwest China.

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its associated risk factors among hypertensive patients in Southwest China. METHODS: From September 2013 to March 2014, a multistage, stratified sampling was conducted on 3505 hypertensive people aged 50-79 years who lived in urban communities within Chengdu and Chongqing, using a questionnaire and performing physical and biochemical measurements. RESULTS: In the study population, approximately 18.2% of all hypertensive participants had hyperuricemia (638/3505), with a prevalence rate of 21.5% in men and 16.2% in women (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aging, without spouse, current drinking, preferring hotpot, hypertriglyceridemia, BMI ≥ 25 kg/ m2, and central obesity were all positively correlated with hyperuricemia, whereas female gender was negatively correlated with hyperuricemia. The prevalence of hyperuricemia among hypertensive patients in urban adults aged 50-79 years in southwestern China was high, while levels of awareness were extremely low. DISCUSSION: Improved hyperuricemia health knowledge should be delivered to improve public awareness of the disease and it may need aggressive strategies aiming at the prevention and treatment of hyperuricemia. It is may necessary to encourage people to check blood uric acid levels when they first time to be diagnosed with hypertension, especially in the elderly.

Total knee arthroplasty exhibits satisfactory long-term clinical efficacy in the treatment of hemophilia patients with stiff knees.

Objective: This study aimed to (1) determine the long-term clinical efficacy of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the treatment of hemophilia patients with stiff knessknees, (2) assess the 5- and 10-year prosthesis survival in hemophilia, and (3) determine whether the severity of preoperative stiffness would affect postoperative clinical outcomes and complication rates. Methods: The clinical data of 71 patients (78 knees) with hemophilia and concomitant knee stiffness who had undergone TKA between September 2007 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were male, their mean age at the time of surgery was 38.4. ± 7.9 years (range: 21-63 years), and the mean follow-up time was 8.7 years. To determine the effect of stiffness severity on clinical outcomes, the participants were categorized into two groups: severe [preoperative range of motion (ROM): <50°, 34 knees] and moderate (preoperative ROM: 50-90°, 44 knees). At preoperative and final follow-up, patients' post-TKA clinical and radiological outcomes, quality of life, complications, and long-term survival were assessed. Results: Flexion contracture improved from 23.2 ± 10.8° before surgery to 5.9 ± 7.5° upon final follow-up, the Knee Society Score (KSS) increased from 31.4 ± 12.4 to 74.9 ± 11.5, and the KSS functional score increased from 37.6 ± 9.3 to 81.4 ± 12.8. The mean ROM improved from 54.6 ± 32.6° preoperatively to 80.9 ± 34.5° postoperatively. The 36-Item Short Form Survey physical and mental scores also improved significantly. All these differences were statistically significant before and after surgery (P < 0.001). The following postoperative complications occurred in 10 knees (12.8%): hemarthrosis (n = 3), stiffness (n = 4), superficial infection (n = 1), skin necrosis (n = 1), and periprosthetic infection (n = 2), and revision TKA was performed on two knees. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of the prostheses were 98.5% and 93.7%, respectively. The mean ROM in the severe group increased from 30.7 ± 18.7° preoperatively to 70.5 ± 28.3° postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean flexion contracture decreased from 27.3 ± 10.8° to 6.4 ± 12.0° (p < 0.001). The mean KSS improved from 27.0 ± 7.8 to 68.3 ± 9.6 (p < 0.001). The mean ROM in the moderate group improved from 84.3 ± 22.7 to 92.9 ± 28.8 (p < 0.001), while the mean flexion contracture decreased from 12.8 ± 11.0° to 4.8 ± 5.0° (p < 0.001) and the mean KSS improved from 41.3 ± 11.5 to 81.3 ± 12.2 (p < 0.001). The severe group had worse postoperative ROM and functional scores than the moderate group. Furthermore, the severe group used varus-valgus constrained or hinged prostheses more frequently (52.8% vs. 18.1%) and had more complications (18.9% vs. 9.0%) than the moderate group. Conclusion: TKA exhibits satisfactory long-term efficacy in patients with hemophilic knee joint disease involving preoperative stiffness, thus potentially providing a significant improvement in function and reducing pain. Furthermore, severely stiff knee joints have worse clinical outcomes and more complications than moderately stiff knee joints.

Prevalence and related factors of dyslipidemia among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in Southwestern China.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its related factors among urban adults aged 35 to 79 years in Southwestern China. From September 2013 to March 2014, a multi-stage sampling was conducted, and a total of 10,221 people aged 35-79 years living in Chengdu and Chongqing were included. More than 30 investigators were trained in data collection, including questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood biomarkers testing. The prevalence of high triglycerides (≥ 2.3 mmol/L), high total cholesterol (≥ 6.2 mmol/L), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≥ 4.1 mmol/L), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (< 1.0 mmol/L), and dyslipidemia were 15.7% (95% confidence interval, 15.0-16.4%), 5.4% (4.9-5.8%), 2.5% (2.2-2.8%), 5.7% (5.3-6.2%), and 27.4% (26.5-28.2%), respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was positively correlated with higher education level, monthly income over 2000 CNY, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, overweight and obesity, and central obesity, and negatively correlated with daily physical exercise. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Southwestern China is lower than the national average level, with high triglycerides being the most common form of dyslipidemia.

Roles of conserved residues in the receptor binding sites of human parainfluenza virus type 3 HN protein.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) entry and intrahost spread through membrane fusion are initiated by two envelope glycoproteins, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) protein. Binding of HN protein to the cellular receptor via its receptor-binding sites triggers conformational changes in the F protein leading to virus-cell fusion. However, little is known about the roles of individual amino acids that comprise the receptor-binding sites in the fusion process. Here, residues R192, D216, E409, R424, R502, Y530 and E549 located within the receptor-binding site Ⅰ, and residues N551 and H552 at the putative site Ⅱ were replaced by alanine with site-directed mutagenesis. All mutants except N551A displayed statistically lower hemadsorption activities ranging from 16.4% to 80.2% of the wild-type (wt) level. With standardization of the number of bound erythrocytes, similarly, other than N551A, all mutants showed reduced fusogenic activity at three successive stages: lipid mixing (hemifusion), content mixing (full fusion) and syncytium development. Kinetic measurements of the hemifusion process showed that the initial hemifusion extent for R192A, D216A, E409A, R424A, R502A, Y530A, E549A and H552A was decreased to 69.9%, 80.6%, 71.3%, 67.3%, 50.6%, 87.4%, 84.9% and 25.1%, respectively, relative to the wt, while the initial rate of hemifusion for the E409A, R424A, R502A and H552A mutants was reduced to 69.0%, 35.4%, 62.3%, 37.0%, respectively. In addition, four mutants with reduced initial hemifusion rates also showed decreased percentages of F protein cleavage from 43.4% to 56.3% of the wt. Taken together, Mutants R192A, D216A, E409A, R424A, R502A, Y530A, E549A and H552A may lead to damage on the fusion activity at initial stage of hemifusion, of which decreased extent and rate may be associated with impaired receptor binding activity resulting in the increased activation barrier of F protein and the cleavage of it, respectively.

[Nitrogen Distribution and Inorganic Nitrogen Diffusion Flux in a Shallow Lake During the Low Temperature Period: A Case Study of the Baiyangdian Lake].

The distribution of inorganic nitrogen across the sediment-water interface in Baiyangdian Lake, the largest shallow lake in North China, was examined during the low temperature period. Furthermore, the influence of inorganic nitrogen diffusion flux in sediment porewater on the overlying water quality was analyzed. The results showed that the mean TN concentration in the surface water ranged from 4.83 to 8.23 mg·L-1, the mean NH4+-N concentration ranged from 0.21 to 0.34 mg·L-1, and the mean NO3--N concentration ranged from 0.01 to 2.75 mg·L-1. TN exceeds the Class V water quality standard for surface water, indicating serious pollution. The mean TN content of the sediments ranged from 681 to 4365 mg·kg-1, of which TON was the main form of TN, accounting for 61.6%-93.1%. NH4+-N was the main form of TIN, with a mean content ranging from 28.9 to 116.3 mg·kg-1, and a mean NO3--N content of between 5.2 and 23.7 mg·kg-1, which is relatively low. The NH4+-N concentration in the porewater was 3 to 16 times that of the overlying water, showing a gradual accumulation trend. The diffusion flux ranges of NH4+-N, NO3--N, and NO2--N across the sediment-water interface were -0.55-4.09, -1.44-3.67, and -0.88-0.04 mg·(m2·d)-1, respectively. There was still a potential release risk during the low temperature period. A large amount of NH4+-N accumulated in the sediments during the low-temperature period, which may affect the quality of the overlying water after the temperature rises. Therefore, studying the distribution of nitrogen across the sediment-water interface, and the risk of internal release of inorganic nitrogen during the low temperature period, is of great significance for improving water quality in Baiyangdian Lake and understanding the internal nitrogen pollution of shallow lakes.

Prevalence and associated factors of hyperuricemia among urban adults aged 35-79 years in southwestern China: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Hyperuricemia is prevalent throughout the world. However, a well-designed large-scale epidemiological investigation of hyperuricemia in southwestern China is lacking. A regional representative sample of 10,141 participants were included using multistage, stratified sampling in Chengdu and Chongqing from September 2013 to March 2014. Hyperuricemia was defined as the self-reported of the doctor's diagnosis of hyperuricemia, or serum uric acid > 420 µmol/L in men or serum uric acid > 360 µmol/L in women. The overall age- and sex-standardized prevalence of hyperuricemia among adults aged 35-79 years was 13.5%. Compared with women, the prevalence of hyperuricemia in men was higher (17.3% versus 10.0%). Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, overweight or obesity, central obesity were associated with an increased risk for hyperuricemia both in men and in women. Married men and women were not susceptible to hyperuricemia. Current cigarette smoking was an associated risk factor of hyperuricemia only in women. Hyperuricemia has become a major health problem among urban adults aged 35-79 years in southwestern China, and special attention should be paid to men. Comorbidities associated with hyperuricemia and causality worth further investigation.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in a Very Elderly Chinese Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and explore the associated risk factors in a very elderly southwest Chinese population. METHODS: From September 2015 to June 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to obtain a representative sample of 1,326 participants over 80 years old living in Chengdu. The presence of DM was based on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h plasma glucose (2-hPG) levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) of the potential associated factors. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 83.5 ± 3.1 years. The overall prevalence of DM was 27.4%. The prevalence was higher in males (30.2%) than females (24.7%) ( P = 0.02). The prevalence of DM increased with body mass index (BMI) and decreased with aging. The multivariate analysis suggested that male sex ( OR = 1.433; 95% CI, 1.116-1.843), hypertension ( OR = 1.439; 95% CI, 1.079-1.936), overweight or obesity ( OR = 1.371; 95% CI, 1.023-1.834), high heart rate (≥ 75 beats/min; OR = 1.362; 95% CI, 1.063-1.746), and abdominal obesity ( OR = 1.615; 95% CI, 1.216-2.149) were all significantly positively correlated with DM. However, age was negatively correlated with DM ( OR = 0.952; 95% CI, 0.916-0.989). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of DM and newly diagnosed DM in a very elderly southwest Chinese population was high. OGTT screening should be performed regularly in people aged ≥ 80 years to ensure timely diagnosis of DM.

[Currency Survey and Influencing Factors Analysis on the Knowledge and Behavior Related to Brucellosis among Occupational Workers in Jianyang City].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the status and influencing factors of the knowledge and behavior related to brucellosis among occupational workers in Jianyang city, and to provide basic information for developing regional specific strategies for brucellosis prevention and control. METHODS: With multistage cluster random sampling, occupational workers aged ≥18 yr. who had been in contact with sheep and their products were interviewed through a questionnaire about demographic characteristic, knowledge, and behavior related to brucellosis. The knowledge and practice scores were described as frequency and percentage, and the awareness rate of knowledge about brucellosis was calculated. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of knowledge and behavior related to brucellosis. RESULTS: In total, 378 workers were recruited. The minority (25.1%) of the workers had heard of brucellosis, and the awareness rate of brucellosis was 22.0%. Occupational protective behaviors were poor, and the scoring rates of wearing protective clothes, mask and gloves were 58.7%, 76.5%, 71.7% respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the awareness rate of knowledge about brucellosis decreased with age, while the low educational level was found to be associated with low awareness of knowledge about brucellosis, and occupation type had association with the awareness rate of knowledge. Besides, the awareness of knowledge about brucellosis was a protective factor and occupation type were associated with the behavior related to brucellosis. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge and behavior related to brucellosis are poor among occupational workers in Jianyang. It is necessary to continuously implement targeted health education and health promotion programs in this region, and the people with low education level and livestock farmers should be paid special attention to.

Liraglutide ameliorates beta-cell function, alleviates oxidative stress and inhibits low grade inflammation in young patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth is escalating rapidly. We aimed to evaluate the effects of liraglutide on beta-cell function, metabolic productions of oxidative stress, low grade inflammation compared with metformin in young patients with recent onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive 8-week liraglutide or metformin treatment. Beta-cell function was assessed by modified beta cell function index (MBCI), early phase of insulin secretion index (ΔI30/ΔG30), proinsuin to insulin ratio (P/I) and the insulin area under the curve (AUCins). The expression of 8-OH-dG and 8-iso-PGF2α and hs-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured as indications of oxidative stress and low grade inflammation. RESULTS: After 8 weeks liraglutide treatment, MBCI, ΔI30/ΔG30, AUCins significantly increased, 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF2α, P/I and hs-CRP remarkably reduced. The differences before and after 8-week liraglutide treatment in ΔMBCI (11.1 [2.81, 43.08] vs 0.00 [- 8.16, 10.47], P = 0.017), ΔLNΔI30/ΔG30 (0.44 [0.04, 0.85] vs - 0.09 [- 0.33, 0.36], P = 0.049), ΔAUCins (117 [- 8, 376] vs - 21 [- 314, 109] mIU/L, P = 0.013), ΔP/I (- 0.05 [- 0.09, - 0.03] vs - 0.02 [- 0.04, 0.01], P = 0.026)were remarkably enhanced compared to those of the metformin therapy. The expression of 8-OH-dG, 8-iso-PGF2α and hs-CRP also decreased after 8-week metformin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that liraglutide administration was more effective on ameliorating beta-cell function than metformin treatment in young patients with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both liraglutide and metformin could alleviate the level of oxidative stress and attenuate low grade inflammatory, we speculate this effect may not the main mechanism of beta-cell function improvement by liraglutide in diabetic patients.Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trials registry, chiCTR1800018008, Registered 27 August 2018-retrospectively registered.

Application of modified primary closure of the pelvic floor in laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision for low rectal cancer.

AIM: To introduce a novel, modified primary closure technique of laparoscopic extralevator abdominal perineal excision (LELAPE) for low rectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 76 patients with rectal cancer who underwent LELAPE from March 2013 to May 2016. Patients were classified into the modified primary closure group (32 patients) and the biological mesh closure group (44 patients). The total operating time, reconstruction time, postoperative stay duration, total cost, postoperative complications and tumor recurrence were compared. RESULTS: All surgery was successfully performed. The pelvic reconstruction time was 14.6 ± 3.7 min for the modified primary closure group, which was significantly longer than that of the biological mesh closure group (7.2 ± 1.9 min, P < 0.001). The total operating time was not different between the two groups (236 ± 20 min vs 248 ± 43 min, P = 0.143). The postoperative hospital stay duration was 8.1 ± 1.9 d, and the total cost was 9297 ± 1260 USD for the modified primary closure group. Notably, both of these categories were significantly lower in this group than those of the biological mesh closure group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). There were no differences observed between groups when comparing other perioperative data, long-term complications or oncological outcomes. CONCLUSION: The modified primary closure method for reconstruction of the pelvic floor in LELAPE for low rectal cancer is technically feasible, safe and cost-effective.

Liraglutide suppresses non-esterified free fatty acids and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 compared with metformin in patients with recent-onset type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that liraglutide could have an impact on glucose and lipid metabolism disorder and adhesion molecule activation, which may play important roles in the vascular damage of diabetes. In this study, we examined the effects of liraglutide versus metformin on non-esterified free fatty acids, beta-cell insulin secretion, and adhesion molecule levels in patients with recent-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this study, 60 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 33.97 ± 5.67 years) were randomly assigned to receive once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or oral metformin. Before the study and after the 8-week treatment period, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Plasma glucose, lipids and lipoprotein, plasma insulin, glycaemic and insulin responses, non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, 120 min of NEFA (155 ± 125 vs 99 ± 73 µmol/L, P = 0.026) and the levels of sVCAM-1 (465 ± 136 vs 382 ± 131 ng/ml, P = 0.013) significantly decreased, while the early phase insulin secretion index (24.94 [7.78, 38.89] vs. 31.13 [17.67, 59.09], P = 0.031), fasting plasma insulin (104 [51, 123] vs 113 [54, 171] mIU/L, P = 0.015), 60 min plasma insulin (326 [165, 441] vs 471 [334, 717] mIU/L, P = 0.005), 120 min plasma insulin (401 [193, 560] vs 500 [367, 960] mIU/L, P = 0.047), and insulin area under the curve (AUCins) (648 [321, 742] vs 738 [451, 1118] mIU/L, P = 0.005) remarkably increased for patients in the liraglutide treatment group. The levels of sVCAM-1 dramatically decreased after 8 weeks of liraglutide treatment (503 ± 182 vs 382 ± 131 ng/ml, P = 0.046) compared to that of the metformin treatment group. At the same time, the differences before and after liraglutide treatment in 120 min of NEFA (- 32 [- 96, - 5] vs 5 [- 35, 38] µmol/L, P = 0.033) and AUCins (738 [451, 1118] vs 594 [357, 1216] mIU/L, P = 0.014) were remarkably enhanced compared to that of the metformin therapy. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in fasting NEFA after liraglutide or metformin treatment. The reduction of 120 min NEFA (ΔNEFA) was positively correlated with the decrease of sVCAM-1 (ΔsVCAM-1) after 8 weeks of liraglutide treatment (r = 0.523, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that liraglutide administration is more effective than metformin in reducing 120 min NEFA and suppressing sVCAM-1 levels for recent-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. We suggest that this outcome may be because liraglutide is associated with potentiating insulin secretion capacity, inhibiting vascular inflammatory cytokines, and antagonizing atherosclerosis.

Highly Efficient and Selective Photooxidation of Sulfur Mustard Simulant by a Triazolobenzothiadiazole-Moiety-Functionalized Metal-Organic Framework in Air.

A photoactive triazolobenzothiadiazole (TBTD)-conjugated terphenyldicarboxylate (TPDC) linker was introduced into a porous and robust UiO-68 isoreticular zirconium metal-organic framework (denoted as UiO-68-TBTD) by the de novo synthetic approach of mixed TPDC struts. Under blue-light-emitting-diode irradiation, UiO-68-TBTD can serve as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the highly efficient and selective oxidation of a sulfur mustard simulant (2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide) to the corresponding much less toxic sulfoxide product, with a half-life of only 3 min in the open air atmosphere.

Comparing the Intramedullary Nail and Extramedullary Fixation in Treatment of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures.

Treatment options for unstable intertrochanteric fractures include intramedullary nail and extramedullary fixation, although evidence regarding the most appropriate treatment for such fractures remains controversial. Our hypothesis was that there would be no obvious differences in mortality rates, functional outcomes and complications between the two groups. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to compare the relative advantages of intramedullary nail and extramedullary fixation. A total of 10 randomized controlled trials including only patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were included in the final analysis. We found that no statistically significant difference in one-year mortality was observed between the two groups (RR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.55-1.10, p = 0.160). Analysis of exact p values from five included studies indicated that functional outcomes were markedly better for patients of the intramedullary nail group when compared with those of the extramedullary fixation group (p = 0.0028), although evidence remains controversial. Higher incidences of all complications were noted for extramedullary fixation (RR:1.48, 95% CI: 1.12-1.96, p = 0.006). However, no significant differences in implant-related complications were observed between the two groups (RR:1.20, 95% CI: 0.73-1.97, p = 0.475). Therefore, comparing with extramedullary fixation, the intramedullary nail method would be more reliable and should be encouraging for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

Contribution of 3CD Region to the Virulence of Enterovirus 71.

Enterovirus 71 is a neuroinvasive virus that is associated with severe neurological complications. We had earlier suggested that the replication capacity of a severe strain was higher than that of a mild strain. The recombinant 3CRV and 3CDRV virus strains were successfully rescued in our previous study. In the present study, we found no difference in virulence between 3CRV and severe strains. However, the capacity of replication and to cause cell injury of 3CDRV strain decreased in vitro, especially at 39.5 °C. Replacement of 3CD region in the severe strain led to milder symptoms, less body weight loss, and lower viral load in ICR mice. Histopathological findings indicated less severe injury in mice infected with 3CDRV strain. This study suggests that the 3CD region contributes to the attenuation of the severe strain, including its replication capacity and temperature sensitivity.

Ratiometric Luminescent Detection of Organic Amines Due to the Induced Lactam-Lactim Tautomerization of Organic Linker in a Metal-Organic Framework.

Here we demonstrate that a fluorescent benzothiadiazole (BTD)-conjugated terphenyldicarboxylate (TPDC) linker (denoted as H2-ostpdc) has been hybridized by a quinoxaline-2,3-(1H,4H)-dione (QD) moiety possessing lactam-lactim tautomerism, which was further integrated into a robust and porous UiO-68 type zirconium metal-organic framework (MOF UiO-68-osdm) by utilizing the mixed two dicarboxylate struts with the same ligand lengths. The resultant MOF UiO-68-osdm can work as a ratiometric luminescent sensor for visual and selective detection of alkyl amines. Furthermore, it can discriminate secondary alkylamines from other type amine species.