Quantitative Detection of Vertical Track Irregularities under Non-Stationary Conditions with Variable Vehicle Speed.

Track irregularities directly affect the quality and safety of railway vehicle operations. Quantitative detection and real-time monitoring of track irregularities are of great importance. However, due to the frequent variable vehicle speed, vehicle operation is a typical non-stationary process. The traditional signal analysis methods are unsuitable for non-stationary processes, making the quantitative detection of the wavelength and amplitude of track irregularities difficult. To solve the above problems, this paper proposes a quantitative detection method of track irregularities under non-stationary conditions with variable vehicle speed by order tracking analysis for the first time. Firstly, a simplified wheel-rail dynamic model is established to derive the quantitative relationship between the axle-box vertical vibration and the track vertical irregularities. Secondly, the Simpson double integration method is proposed to calculate the axle-box vertical displacement based on the axle-box vertical acceleration, and the process error is optimized. Thirdly, based on the order tracking analysis theory, the angular domain resampling is performed on the axle-box vertical displacement time-domain signal in combination with the wheel rotation speed signals, and the quantitative detection of the track irregularities is achieved. Finally, the proposed method is validated based on simulation and field test analysis cases. We provide theoretical support and method reference for the quantitative detection method of track irregularities.

Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by anti-M antibodies: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: We report a rare case of acute hemolytic reactions caused by immunoglobulin (Ig)M anti-M antibody and present a literature review. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old male patient who underwent blood transfusion developed fever, chills, soy sauce-colored urine, and changes in laboratory test results, including persistently decreased hemoglobin levels, neutrophilia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level, acute kidney injury, mild acute liver injury, and activation of the coagulation system, indicating acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR). Antibody screening and major crossmatching results indicated weak positive at 37°C for both posttransfusion and pretransfusion sample. Subsequent serological examinations indicated the presence of IgM anti-M antibodies in plasma but the direct antiglobulin and elution tests were negative. Antibody hemolytic activity assay confirmed AHTR caused by anti-M. The transfused red blood cells were MM and the patient is NN. These signs and symptoms disappeared rapidly and required no additional interventions before discharge. CONCLUSION: The accurate diagnosis of anti-M antibody-mediated acute hemolysis is essential for guiding treatment decisions.

Surface Facets Reconstruction in Copper-Based Materials for Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

The unavoidable and unpredictable surface reconstruction of metallic copper (Cu) during the electrocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction process is a double-edged sword affecting the production of high-value-added hydrocarbon products. It is crucial to control the surface facet reconstruction and regulate the targeted facets/facet interfaces, and further understand the mechanism between activity/selectivity and the reconstructed structure of Cu for CO2 reduction. Based on the current catalyst design methods, a facile strategy combining chemical reduction and electro-reduction is proposed to achieve specified Cu(111) facets and the Cu(110)/(111) interfaces in reconstructed Cu derived from cuprous oxide (Cu2O). The surface facet reconstruction significantly boosted the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon (C2+) products comparing to the unmodified catalyst. Theoretical and experimental analyses show that the Cu(110)/(111)s interface between Cu(110) and a small amount of Cu(111) can tailor the reaction routes and lower the reaction energy barrier of C-C coupling to ethylene (C2H4). The work will guide the surface facets reconstruction strategy for Cu-based CO2 electrocatalysts, providing a promising paradigm to understand the structural variation in catalysts.

Pretreatment of chitin depolymerization by expansin-like protein to improve hydrolysis efficiency.

Chitin is a polysaccharide similar to cellulose that contains abundant hydrogen bonds. Expansin-like proteins disrupt hydrogen bond networks, causing cellulose to swell and accelerating its degradation. We examined the effects of pretreatment with two expansin-like proteins, CxEXL22 (Arthrobotrys sp. CX1) and HcEXL (Hahella chejuensis), on chitin depolymerisation and enzymatic degradation. The efficiency of chitin degradation increased more than two-fold after pretreatment with expansin-like proteins. Following pretreatment with expansin-like proteins, chitin had a lower crystallinity index, greater d-spacing and crystallite size, and weaker hydrogen bonds, and the loosened porous microfibrils were more exposed than in untreated chitin. The rupture characterisation of crystalline chitin indicated that expansin-like proteins loosened the hydrogen bonds of the chitin polysaccharide chains, causing significant depolymerisation to expose more porous structures and enhance chitin accessibility.

cGAS suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma independent of its cGAMP synthase activity.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a key innate immune sensor that recognizes cytosolic DNA to induce immune responses against invading pathogens. The role of cGAS is conventionally recognized as a nucleotidyltransferase to catalyze the synthesis of cGAMP upon recognition of cytosolic DNA, which leads to the activation of STING and production of type I/III interferon to fight against the pathogen. However, given that hepatocytes are lack of functional STING expression, it is intriguing to define the role of cGAS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the liver parenchymal cells derived malignancy. In this study, we revealed that cGAS was significantly downregulated in clinical HCC tissues, and its dysregulation contributed to the progression of HCC. We further identified cGAS as an immune tyrosine inhibitory motif (ITIM) containing protein, and demonstrated that cGAS inhibited the progression of HCC and increased the response of HCC to sorafenib treatment by suppressing PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway in cellular and animal models. Mechanistically, cGAS recruits SH2-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP1) via ITIM, and dephosphorylates p85 in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), which leads to the suppression of AKT-mTORC1 pathway. Thus, cGAS is identified as a novel tumor suppressor in HCC via its function independent of its conventional role as cGAMP synthase, which indicates a novel therapeutic strategy for advanced HCC by modulating cGAS signaling.

Evaluation of Various Approaches to Estimate Transplacental Clearance of Vancomycin for Predicting Fetal Concentrations using a Maternal-Fetal Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating drug transplacental clearance is vital for forecasting fetal drug exposure. Ex vivo human placenta perfusion experiments are the most suitable approach for this assessment. Various in silico methods are also proposed. This study aims to compare these prediction methods for drug transplacental clearance, focusing on the large molecular weight drug vancomycin (1449.3 g/mol), using maternal-fetal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (m-f PBPK) modeling. METHODS: Ex vivo human placenta perfusion experiments, in silico approaches using intestinal permeability as a substitute (quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) model and Caco-2 permeability in vitro-in vivo correlation model) and midazolam calibration model with Caco-2 scaling were assessed for determining the transplacental clearance (CLPD) of vancomycin. The m-f PBPK model was developed stepwise using Simcyp, incorporating the determined CLPD values as a crucial input parameter for transplacental kinetics. RESULTS: The developed PBPK model of vancomycin for non-pregnant adults demonstrated excellent predictive performance. By incorporating the CLPD parameterization derived from ex vivo human placenta perfusion experiments, the extrapolated m-f PBPK model consistently predicted maternal and fetal concentrations of vancomycin across diverse doses and distinct gestational ages. However, when the CLPD parameter was derived from alternative prediction methods, none of the extrapolated maternal-fetal PBPK models produced fetal predictions in line with the observed data. CONCLUSION: Our study showcased that combination of ex vivo human placenta perfusion experiments and m-f PBPK model has the capability to predict fetal exposure for the large molecular weight drug vancomycin, whereas other in silico approaches failed to achieve the same level of accuracy.

Nucleoside-diphosphate kinase of uropathogenic Escherichia coli inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis facilitating urinary tract infection.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the most common causative agent of urinary tract infection (UTI). UPEC invades bladder epithelial cells (BECs) via fusiform vesicles, escapes into the cytosol, and establishes biofilm-like intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs). Nucleoside-diphosphate kinase (NDK) is secreted by pathogenic bacteria to enhance virulence. However, whether NDK is involved in UPEC pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we find that the lack of ndk impairs the colonization of UPEC CFT073 in mouse bladders and kidneys owing to the impaired ability of UPEC to form IBCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that NDK inhibits caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis by consuming extracellular ATP, preventing superficial BEC exfoliation, and promoting IBC formation. UPEC utilizes the reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensor OxyR to indirectly activate the regulator integration host factor, which then directly activates ndk expression in response to intracellular ROS. Here, we reveal a signaling transduction pathway that UPEC employs to inhibit superficial BEC exfoliation, thus facilitating acute UTI.

Prevalence, distribution characteristic and risk factors of lumbar vertebral axial rotation in patients with lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study.

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the impact of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on vertebral axial rotation (VAR) in the lumbar spine, focusing on both close and distant neighboring vertebrae. A total of 516 patients with LDH and an equal number of healthy individuals were included in the study, matched for age and gender. The degree of axial rotation for each lumbar spine vertebra was assessed using the Nash-Moe index. The results revealed that the prevalence of VAR in the lumbar spine was significantly higher in the LDH group compared to the Control group (65.7% vs 46.7%, P < 0.001). Among the LDH group, the L2 vertebra had the highest frequency of VAR (49.5%), followed by L1 (45.1%), and then L3 to L5 (33.6%, 8.9%, 3.1%, respectively). A similar pattern was observed in the Control group (L2, 39.8%; L1, 34.6%; L3, 23.2%; L4, 3.1%; L5, 0.8%). Furthermore, the study found that disc herniation was associated with a higher incidence of VAR not only in close neighboring vertebrae but also in distant neighboring vertebrae. This indicates that the biomechanical influence of LDH extends beyond just the immediate adjacent vertebrae. To identify potential risk factors for VAR in LDH patients, multivariate analysis was performed. The results revealed that age was an independent risk factor for VAR (OR 1.022, 95% CI [1.011, 1.034], P < 0.001). However, the duration of symptoms and presence of back pain were not found to be significant risk factors for VAR.

LncRNA SNHG1 overexpression alleviates osteoarthritis via activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway and suppressing autophagy.

We hereby intend to further explore and confirm the underlying mechanism of Small nucleolar RNA Host Gene 1 (SNHG1) in osteoarthritis (OA). For in vitro assays, OA was induced in primary chondrocytes with interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) treatment; while for in vivo tests, OA model was established in mice using the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) method. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed with MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Cartilage tissue was stained by Safranin-O/Fast Green Staining. The mRNA and protein levels were separately determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. SNHG1 overexpression promoted the viability yet inhibited the apoptosis of chondrocytes injured by IL-1ß. Moreover, the overexpression of SNHG1 promoted B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression and activated phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway but suppressed the process of autophagy, which led to down-regulation of light chain 3 (LC3)-II/I level and up-regulation of P62 level. However, rapamycin (RAPA, an autophagy activator) and LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) reversed the effects of SNHG1 overexpression on the viability and apoptosis of chondrocytes as well as on the proteins related to PI3K/Akt pathway and autophagy. In OA-modeled mice, SNHG1 overexpression prevented the loss of chondrocytes via the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and the suppression of autophagy. SNHG1 overexpression might inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes by promoting PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibiting autophagy.

Dynamic event-triggered consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems under DoS attacks.

In this paper, we investigated leader-following consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) experiencing denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. We proposed a distributed control strategy incorporating an adaptive scheme and a state feedback control gain to eliminate the effects of system nonlinear dynamics and uncertainties. In addition, we introduced a dynamic event-triggered control (DETC) to minimize the utilization of communication resources. Finally, we provided simulation results to show the validity of the proposed approach.

How to assess the long-term recovery outcomes of patients with cauda equina syndrome before surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing recovery after decompression surgery for cauda equina syndrome (CES) are not completely identified. We aimed to investigate the most valuable predictors (MVPs) of poor postoperative recovery (PPR) in patients with CES and construct a nomogram for discerning those who will experience PPR. METHODS: 356 patients with CES secondary to lumbar degenerative diseases treated at *** Hospital were randomly divided into training (N=238) and validation (N=118) cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. Moreover, 92 patients from the **** Hospital composed the testing cohort. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression (LASSO) was used for selecting MVPs. The nomogram was developed by integrating coefficients of MVPs in the logistic regression, and its discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility were validated in all three cohorts. RESULTS: After 3 to 5 years of follow-up, the residual rates of bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and saddle anesthesia were 41.9%, 44.1%, 63.7%, and 29.0%, respectively. MVPs included stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, low stream, difficult defecation, fecal incontinence, and saddle anesthesia in order. The discriminatory ability of the nomogram was up to 0.896, 0.919, and 0.848 in the training, validation, and testing cohorts, respectively. Besides, the nomogram showed good calibration and clinical utility in all cohorts. Furthermore, the optimal cut-off value of the nomogram score for distinguishing those who will experience PPR was 148.02, above which postoperative outcomes tend to be poor. CONCLUSION: The first pre-treatment nomogram for discerning CES patients who will experience PPR was developed and validated, which will aid clinicians in clinical decision-making.

[Blocking Effects of Foliar Conditioners on Cadmium, Arsenic, and Lead Accumulation in Wheat Grain in Compound-contaminated Farmland].

Heavy metal contamination of soil has become a hot issue of social concern due to its impact on the safety of agricultural products in recent years. Wheat is one of the most dominant staple food crops worldwide and has become a major source of toxic metals in human diets. Foliar application was considered to be a more efficient and economical method of heavy metal remediation. Field experiments were carried out in Cd-, As-, and Pb-contaminated farmland soils. The effects of foliar conditioners on the accumulation of Cd, As, and Pb in wheat grains were investigated after being sprayed with Zn (0.2% ZnSO4), Mg (0.4% MgSO4), and Mn (0.2% MnSO4) separately and in combination. Thus, the effective foliar conditioners were selected to block the accumulation of Cd, As, and Pb in wheat grains grown in combined heavy metal-contaminated farmland in north China. The results showed that, compared with that in the control, the Cd, As, and Pb contents in wheat grains of the Zn+Mg+Mn foliar treatment were significantly decreased by 18.96%, 23.87%, and 51.31%, respectively, and TFgrain/straw decreased by 14.62%, 27.73%, and 47.70%, respectively. Thus, spraying the compound foliar conditioner of Zn+Mg+Mn could effectively reduce heavy metal accumulation in wheat grains through inhibition translocation of those metals from stem leaves to grain. In addition, the results indicated that Cd and As were mainly distributed at the central endosperm (34.08%-37.08%), whereas Pb was primarily distributed at the pericarp and seed coat (27.78%) of the wheat grain. Compared with that in the control, spraying the compound foliar conditioner of Zn+Mg+Mn extremely decreased Cd and As accumulation in the aleurone layer of the wheat grain by 81.10% and 82.24%, respectively. Except for the pericarp, seed coat, and central endosperm layers, the Pb content in each grain layer was dramatically decreased by 42.85% to 91.15%. There was only a significant negative correlation between heavy metal content and Zn content in the aleurone layer (P2) of wheat flour. In summary, the accumulation of Cd, As, and Pb in wheat grains, especially in the aleurone layer, could be effectively reduced by foliar conditioner application at the jointing, booting, and early filling stages of wheat, separately. Furthermore, besides the foliar treatment, removing wheat bran to reduce Cd contamination in wheat grains is highly recommended to ensure the safe production of wheat.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium remodels mitochondrial dynamics of macrophages via the T3SS effector SipA to promote intracellular proliferation.

Mitochondrial dynamics are critical in cellular energy production, metabolism, apoptosis, and immune responses. Pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cells' mitochondrial functions, facilitating their proliferation and dissemination. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Tm), an intracellular foodborne pathogen, causes diarrhea and exploits host macrophages for survival and replication. However, S. Tm-associated mitochondrial dynamics during macrophage infection remain poorly understood. In this study, we showed that within macrophages, S. Tm remodeled mitochondrial fragmentation to facilitate intracellular proliferation mediated by Salmonella invasion protein A (SipA), a type III secretion system effector encoded by Salmonella pathogenicity island 1. SipA directly targeted mitochondria via its N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence, preventing excessive fragmentation and the associated increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of mitochondrial DNA and cytochrome c into the cytosol. Macrophage replication assays and animal experiments showed that mitochondria and SipA interact to facilitate intracellular replication and pathogenicity of S. Tm. Furthermore, we showed that SipA delayed mitochondrial fragmentation by indirectly inhibiting the recruitment of cytosolic dynamin-related protein 1, which mediates mitochondrial fragmentation. This study revealed a novel mechanism through which S. Tm manipulates host mitochondrial dynamics, providing insights into the molecular interplay that facilitates S. Tm adaptation within host macrophages.

A 3D hierarchical TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4arrays photoanode with dual-heterojunction for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance.

A novel 3D hierarchical TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4arrays with dual heterojunctions photoanode is constructed by stepwise deposition of CaIn2S4nanosheets and ultrathin C3N4onto the well-aligned TiO2nanorods arrays. Integrating the merit of the superior ability of CaIn2S4and C3N4to harvest visible light, dual type-Ⅱ heterojunction band structure and one-dimensional ordered nanostructures, the TiO2/CaIn2S4/C3N4photoanode exhibits simultaneous significant improvements in visible-light harvesting, charge separation and electron transfer capability. At 1.23 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode) under AM 1.5 G irradiation, the TiO2/CaIn2S475/C3N4photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density of 4.5 mA cm-2, which is 5.2 and 51.1-fold higher than that of TiO2/CaIn2S475 and pristine TiO2photoanode, respectively. Moreover, the applied bias photo-to-current efficiency (ABPE) of the TiO2/CaIn2S475/C3N4photoanode reaches 3.5% at 0.36 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode). These results are helpful for fabricating more efficient heterostructure photoelectrodes.

Z3495, a LysR-Type Transcriptional Regulator Encoded in O Island 97, Regulates Virulence Gene Expression in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an important foodborne pathogen that infects humans by colonizing the large intestine. The genome of EHEC O157:H7 contains 177 unique O islands (OIs). Certain OIs significantly contribute to the heightened virulence and pathogenicity exhibited by EHEC O157:H7. However, the function of most OI genes remains unknown. We demonstrated here that EHEC O157:H7 adherence to and colonization of the mouse large intestine are both dependent on OI-97. Z3495, which is annotated as a LysR-type transcriptional regulator and encoded in OI-97, contributes to this phenotype. Z3495 activated the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) gene expression, promoting bacterial adherence. Deletion of z3495 significantly decreased the transcription of ler and other LEE genes, the ability to adhere to the host cells, and colonization in the mouse large intestine. Furthermore, the ChIP-seq results confirmed that Z3495 can directly bind to the promoter region of rcsF, which is a well-known activator of Ler, and increase LEE gene expression. Finally, phylogenetic analysis revealed that Z3495 is a widespread transcriptional regulator in enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. As a result of this study, we have gained a deeper understanding of how bacteria control their virulence and provide another example of a laterally acquired regulator that regulates LEE gene expression in bacteria.

Chronic cauda equina syndrome decompression surgery recovery is very "bad"? Based on patient self-assessment.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to degenerative lumbar spine diseases are sometimes mild and tend to be ignored by patients, resulting in delayed treatment. In addition, the long-term efficacy of surgery is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive factors of CES and post-operative recovery in patients with symptoms lasting > 3 months. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2020, data of 45 patients with CES secondary to lumbar disk herniation/lumbar spinal stenosis were collected from a single center. The patients had bladder, bowel or sexual dysfunction and decreased perineal sensation that lasted for > 3 months. A 2-year post-operative follow-up was conducted to evaluate recovery outcomes, which were measured by validated self-assessment questionnaires conducted by telephone and online. RESULTS: Overall, 45 CES patients (57.8% female; mean age, 56 years) were included. The duration of pre-operative CES symptoms was 79.6 weeks (range, 13-730 weeks). The incidence of saddle anesthesia before decompression was 71.1% (n = 32), bladder dysfunction 84.4% (n = 38), bowel dysfunction 62.2% (n = 28) and sexual dysfunction 64.4% (n = 29). The overall recovery rate of CES after a 2-year follow-up was 64.4%. The rates of the residual symptoms at the last follow-up were as follows: saddle anesthesia 22.2%, bladder dysfunction 33.3%, bowel dysfunction 24.4% and sexual dysfunction 48.9%. Pre-operative saddle anesthesia, overactive bladder and sexual dysfunction were risk factors for poor prognosis after decompression. CONCLUSION: CES patients with symptoms lasting > 3 months may recover after surgery. Sexual dysfunction has a high residual rate and should not be ignored during diagnosis and treatment.

Intelligent fault diagnosis algorithm of rolling bearing based on optimization algorithm fusion convolutional neural network.

As an essential component of mechanical equipment, the fault diagnosis of rolling bearings may not only guarantee the systematic operation of the equipment, but also minimize any financial losses caused by equipment shutdowns. Fault diagnosis algorithms based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been widely used. However, traditional CNNs have limited feature representation capabilities, thereby making it challenging to determine their hyperparameters. This paper proposes a fault diagnosis method that combines a 1D-CNN with an attention mechanism and hyperparameter optimization to overcome the aforementioned limitations; this method improves the search speed for optimal hyperparameters of CNN models, improves the diagnostic accuracy, and enhances the representation of fault feature information in CNNs. First, the 1D-CNN is improved by combining it with an attention mechanism to enhance the fault feature information. Second, a swarm intelligence algorithm based on Differential Evolution (DE) and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) is proposed, which not only improves the convergence accuracy, but also increases the search efficiency. Finally, the improved 1D-CNN alongside hyperparameters optimization are used to diagnose the faults of rolling bearings. By using the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Jiangnan University (JNU) datasets, when compared to other common diagnosis models, the results demonstrate the usefulness and dependability of the DE-GWO-CNN algorithm in fault diagnosis applications by demonstrating the increased diagnostic accuracy and superior anti-noise capabilities of the proposed method. The fault diagnosis methodology presented in this paper can accurately identify faults and provide dependable fault classification, thereby assisting technicians in promptly resolving faults and minimizing equipment failures and operational instabilities.

Retrospective cohort study of neonatal blood transfusion in China.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion therapy is extremely important for certain neonatal diseases, but the threshold for neonatal blood transfusion is not the same in different countries. Until now, clinical studies to determine the suitable threshold for newborns in China are lacking. Therefore, it is of high importance to establish a multi-center cohort study to explore appropriate transfusion thresholds for newborns in China. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study investigated neonatal blood transfusion therapy administered from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, with the aim of evaluating the effect of restricted and nonrestricted blood transfusion on neonatal health. The subjects were enrolled in 46 hospitals in China. A total of 5669 neonatal cases were included in the study. Clinical diagnosis and transfusion treatment of these neonates were collected and the data were retrospectively analyzed. The neonates were followed up 1 week and 1 month after leaving the hospital. The newborns' and their mothers' data were collected containing 280 variables in the database. The primary outcome of the study was mortality, and the secondary outcomes were complications, hospital stays, NICU hospital stays and hospital costs. RESULTS: Results from the < 1500 g group showed that there was a higher mortality rate in the restricted transfusion group (11.41%) when compared with the non-restricted transfusion group (5.12%) (P = 0.000). Among the secondary outcomes, the restricted transfusion group had fewer costs. Results from the 1500-2500 g group showed that the mortality rates of the restricted and non-restricted transfusion groups were 3.53% and 4.71%, respectively, however there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P = 0.345). Among the secondary outcomes, the restricted transfusion group had fewer hospital stays, NICU hospital stays and hospital costs. The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis was lower in the restricted transfusion group (OR, 2.626; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.445 to 4.773; P = 0.003). The results from the ≥ 2500 g restricted transfusion group suggested that the mortality rate of (3.02%) was significantly lower than that of non-restricted transfusion group (9.55%) (P = 0.000). Among the secondary outcomes, the restricted transfusion group had fewer hospital stays and hospital costs. The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was lower in the restricted transfusion group (OR, 4.624; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.32 to 9.216; P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Current transfusion protocols for newborns weighing less than 1500 g may be inappropriate and lead to higher mortality. The current transfusion threshold performed better for the other two weight groups.

Immunomodulation of Antibody Glycosylation through the Placental Transfer.

Establishing an immune balance between the mother and fetus during gestation is crucial, with the placenta acting as the epicenter of immune tolerance. The placental transfer of antibodies, mainly immunoglobulin G (IgG), is critical in protecting the developing fetus from infections. This review looks at how immunomodulation of antibody glycosylation occurs during placental transfer and how it affects fetal health. The passage of maternal IgG antibodies through the placental layers, including the syncytiotrophoblast, stroma, and fetal endothelium, is discussed. The effect of IgG subclass, glycosylation, concentration, maternal infections, and antigen specificity on antibody transfer efficiency is investigated. FcRn-mediated IgG transport, influenced by pH-dependent binding, is essential for placental transfer. Additionally, this review delves into the impact of glycosylation patterns on antibody functionality, considering both protective and pathological effects. Factors affecting the transfer of protective antibodies, such as maternal vaccination, are discussed along with reducing harmful antibodies. This in-depth examination of placental antibody transfer and glycosylation provides insights into improving neonatal immunity and mitigating the effects of maternal autoimmune and alloimmune conditions.

Multifunctional Characteristics of BCTH:0.5% Sm3+ Ceramics Prepared via Hydrothermal Method and Powder Injection Molding.

Briefly, 0.005-mol Sm3+-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Hf0.1)O3 ([(Ba0.85Ca0.15)0.995Sm0.005](Ti0.9Hf0.1)O3, BCTH:0.005Sm3+) lead-free ceramics were prepared via hydrothermal method and powder injection molding using paraffin and oleic acid as binders, and the effects of preparation method and sintering conditions on microstructure, dielectric behavior and optical properties were investigated. XRD Rietveld refinement reveals the coexistence of orthogonal, rhombohedral and tetragonal phases, in which the crystal structure and phase fraction are influenced greatly by sintering temperature and holding time. The ceramics present enhanced relaxor behavior and frequency dispersion phenomenon as compared with those prepared by the solid-state sintering method, and the diffusive index γ value is within 1.421-1.673. The transition mechanism and luminescence performance of BCTH:0.005 Sm3+ were analyzed by Blasse formula, photoluminescence spectrum and fluorescence lifetimes, where emission peaks show slight blueshift, fluorescence decay lifetime becomes shorter, electric multipole interaction dominates the energy transfer mechanism, and the down-conversion luminescence is one-photon absorption process. The CIE chromaticity color coordinate (0.4746, 0.5048), correlated color temperature 3134 K and color purity 93.58% are achieved, which reveals that the BCTH:0.005 Sm3+ ceramics express high quality yellow emission rather than orange-red light of the hydrothermal method synthesized nano-powder, and have potential application in optical field.