Correlation between the triglyceride-glucose index and chronic kidney disease among adults with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: fourteen-year follow-up.

Background and aims: According to previous studies, triglyceride-glucose (TyG) is related to chronic kidney disease (CKD), but no studies have explored the correlation between TyG and CKD among adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We aimed to explore the associations of the TyG index with CKD among adults with MAFLD. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, data from 11,860 participants who underwent a minimum of three health assessments between 2008 and 2015 were retrospectively collected. Participants were followed up until the final medical visit or health examination. CKD refers to an eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or the occurrence of two or more incidents of proteinuria. Results: Within a median 10·02-year follow-up period, 2005 (16·9%) participants reported developing CKD. Multivariate Cox regression models indicated a noticeable correlation between the TyG index and CKD incidence (HR per unit increase, 1.19; 95% CI: 1.09-1.29) and between the TyG index and CKD incidence (HR per SD increase, 1.12; 95% CI: 1.06-1.18). The CKD incidence increased by 1.8 times in participants in the highest TyG index quartile relative to patients in the lowest quartile of the TyG index quartile (HR 1·18, 95% CI: 1.01-1.38, P = 0.007). According to subgroup analysis, an elevated TyG index is likely to become more harmful to participants younger than 60 years (P for interaction = 0.035). Conclusion: An elevated TyG index may increase CKD incidence among MAFLD adults, particularly among younger people. Early intervention may help reduce the incidence of CKD.

Highly efficient LaMO3 (M = Co, Fe) perovskites catalyzed Fenton's reaction for degradation of direct blue 86.

Perovskite-structured catalysts LaMO3 (M = Co, Fe) were successfully synthesized and attempted to catalyze hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for the degradation of Direct Blue 86 (DB86), a carcinogenic phthalocyanine dye. The heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction revealed that the oxidative power of the LaCoO3-catalyzed H2O2 (LaCoO3/H2O2) process was higher than that of LaFeO3/H2O2. When LaCoO3 was calcined at 750 °C for 5 h, 100 mg/L of DB86 could be completely degraded within 5 min via LaCoO3/H2O2 system under H2O2 0.0979 mol/L, initial pH 3.0, LaCoO3 0.4 g/L, and 25 °C. The oxidative LaCoO3/H2O2 system has a low activation energy (14.68 kJ/mol) for DB86 degradation, indicating that it is a fast reaction process with highly favorable at high reaction temperatures. For the first time, a cyclic reaction mechanism of catalytic LaCoO3/H2O2 system was proposed based on the evidence of coexisting CoII and CoIII on the LaCoO3 surface and the presence of HO• radicals (major), O2•- radicals (minor), and 1O2 (minor). LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst was reusable and still maintained reactive with a satisfactory degradation efficiency within 5 min even after five consecutive uses. This study shows that the as-prepared LaCoO3 is a highly efficient catalyst for phthalocyanine dye degradation.

How to establishing an indicators framework for evaluating the performances in primary TB control institutions under the new TB control model? Based on a Delphi study conducted in Guangxi, China.

BACKGROUND: In China, the new TB control model of trinity form had been implemented in all parts, and the comprehensively evaluation to the performances in primary TB control institutions were closely related to the working capacity and quality of TB service, but there was still no an unified evaluation indicators framework in practice and few relevant studies. The purpose of this study was to establish an indicators framework for comprehensively evaluating the performances in primary TB control institutions under the new TB control model of trinity form in Guangxi, China. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to establish an indicators framework for comprehensively evaluating the performances in primary TB control institutions under the new TB control model of trinity form, and the analytic hierarchy process(AHP) was used to determine the weights of all levels of indicators, from September 2021 to December 2021 in Guangxi, China. RESULTS: A total of 14 experts who had at least 10 years working experience and engaged in TB prevention and control and public health management from health committee, CDC, TB designated hospitals and university of Guangxi were consulted in two rounds. The average age of the experts were (43.3 ± 7.549) years old, and the effective recovery rate of the questionnaire was 100.0%. The average value of authority coefficient of experts (Cr) in the two rounds of consultation was above 0.800. The Kendall's harmony coefficient (W) of experts' opinions on the first-level indicators, the second-level indicators and the third-level indicators were 0.786, 0.201 and 0.169, respectively, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Finally, an indicators framework was established, which included 2 first-level indicators, 10 second-level indicators and 37 third-level indicators. The results of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) showed that the consistency test of all levels of indicators were CI < 0.10, which indicating that the weight of each indicator was acceptable. CONCLUSION: The indicators framework established in this study was in line with the reality, had reasonable weights, and could provide a scientific evaluation tool for comprehensively evaluating the performances in primary TB control institutions under the new TB control model of trinity form in Guangxi, China.

How to Optimize Tuberculosis Health Education in College Under the New Situation? Based on a Cross-Sectional Study Among Freshmen of a Medical College in Guangxi, China.

Background: China is a country with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB), and students are the high-risk group for TB. The enrollment scale of colleges has increased dramatically due to the advancement of the enrollment expansion system of Chinese colleges. Consequently, this has brought severe challenges to TB prevention and control in colleges. In 2017, a new TB control guide for schools was issued in China, which included the 8 core knowledge of TB. The target of the overall awareness rate on TB among population was "≥85%," which was proposed by the "13th Five-Year" National TB Control Plan in China. The cognition of the 8 core knowledge of TB in the new guide among college students is crucial to achieve this target, but few studies on this have been reported. Based on the abovementioned new situation and the new guide, this study aimed to investigate and analyze the cognition, attitudes, and health education needs on TB among freshmen of a medical college in Guangxi province, and discuss how to optimize TB health education in colleges in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among freshmen of a medical college in Guangxi, China. A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct an on-site questionnaire survey. The data was entered in Epidata 4.4.2.1 and was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Including descriptive statistics and t-test, and the criterion for statistically significant difference was p < 0.05. Results: A total of 583 freshmen responded to the survey questionnaires. Regarding cognition about the 5 related knowledge of TB, 551 (94.5%) freshmen knew about the predilection site of TB, while 333 (57.1%), 328 (56.4%), 257 (44.1%), and 201 (34.5%) freshmen knew about the pathogen, the policies about free treatment, the designated hospitals, and the World TB Day, respectively. Regarding cognition on the 8 core knowledge of TB, the overall awareness rate among the freshmen is 73.3%(3,420/4,664); the awareness rate of the knowledge that "guarantee adequate sleep, reasonable diet, and strengthen physical exercise can reduce the incidence of TB" among them was the highest at 88.7% (517/583); and the awareness rate of the knowledge that "coughing or sputum expectoration occurred for more than 2 weeks should be suspected of infecting TB and seeking medical treatment in time" among them was the lowest at 47.5% (277/583). Whether students received health education on TB (T = 4.267, p = 0.000) and whether students heard of TB (T = 3.739, p = 0.000) are the main factors of cognition. Five hundred sixty-two (96.4%) and 565 (96.9%) freshmen were willing to learn and tell others about the knowledge of TB, respectively. Three hundred seventy (63.5%.) freshmen, the highest amount, were willing to accept TB health education in the forms of "website, Weibo, and WeChat." Conclusion: The cognition on the 5 related knowledge of TB among freshmen is unbalanced, and the overall awareness rate of the 8 core knowledge of TB among freshmen still needs to be improved. Freshmen who have not heard of TB and have not received TB health education before enrollment are the key intervention groups. It is recommended that institutions make full use of modern multimedia technology, continuously optimize the health education forms, implement precise policies, and strengthen the theoretical and practical health education on TB from the initial entry of freshmen into colleges.

Influence of chloride ions on organic contaminants decolorization through the Fe0-activated persulfate oxidation process: efficiency and intermediates.

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of chloride ions (Cl-) on organic contaminants decolorization by the Fe0-activated persulfate process (PS/Fe0), as well as the generation of transformation products. Orange II (OII) was chosen as the target pollution. The results indicated that Cl- influenced the OII decolorization by PS/Fe0 system, resulting in the generation of chlorine-containing by-products. OII containing Cl- solution can be efficiently decolorized by PS/Fe0 process, and the decolorization efficiencies changed depending on Cl- concentration due to the reaction between Cl- and sulfate radicals (SO4 -•). The operating cost for 94% color and 64% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of the OII dye was estimated at 0.73 USD/m3. The chlorine-containing by-products, such as chlorobenzene, 3,5-dichloro-benzene-1,2-diol, and 2,3-dichloro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-naphthoquinone, were generated during the reaction. The results further indicated that increasing both PS concentration and temperature enhanced OII decolorization and reduced the generation of chlorine-containing intermediates. The addition of ultrasound can further decrease the generation of chlorine-containing intermediates under high-temperature conditions. The proposed pathways of decolorization of OII containing Cl- also indicated that SO4 -• dominated the OII degradation, while the presence of Cl- led to the generation of chlorine-containing intermediates.

Preparation of Porous γ-Fe2O3@mWO3 Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Drug Loading and Controlled Release.

BACKGROUND: The use of chemotherapy drug is hindered by relatively low selectivity toward cancer cells and severe side effects from uptake by noncancerous cells and tissue. Thus, targeted drug delivery systems are preferred to increase the efficiency of drug delivery to specific tissues as well as to decrease its side effects. The aims of this paper are develop microwave-triggered controlled-release drug delivery systems using porous γ-Fe2O3@mWO3 multifunctional core-shell nanoparticles. We also studied its magnetic- microwave to heat responsive properties and large specific surface area. We chose ibuprofen (IBU) as a model drug to evaluate the loading and release function of the γ- Fe2O3@mWO3 nanoparticles. METHODS: We used a direct precipitation method and thermal decomposition of CTAB template method to synthesize core-shell structured γ-Fe2O3@mWO3 nanoparticles. The specific surface areas were calculated by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The load drug and controlled release of the γ-Fe2O3@mWO3 triggered by microwave was determined with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS: The γ-Fe2O3@mWO3 nanoparticles possesses high surface area of 100.09 m2/g, provides large accessible pore diameter of 6.0 nm for adsorption of drug molecules, high magnetization saturation value of 43.6 emu/g for drug targeting under foreign magnetic fields, quickly convert electromagnetic energy into thermal energy for controlled release by microwave-triggered which was caused by mWO3 shell. The IBU release of over 78% under microwave discontinuous irradiation out classes the 0.15% within 20s only stirring release. This multifunctional material shows good performance for targeting delivery and mWO3 microwave controlled release of anticancer drugs based on all the properties they possess. CONCLUSION: The porous shell and the introduction of absorbing material not only increased the drug loading efficiency of the nanoparticles but also realized the microwave-stimulated anticancer drug controlled release. The nanoparticles would be very promising for microwave-induced controlled drug release, targeted drug delivery and hyperthermia therapy using microwave.

[A systematic evaluation on the quality of Meta-analysis in articles published in National Medical Journal of China from 1998 to 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To assess qualities on methodologies and reporting on Meta-analysis used in papers being published in National Medical Journal of China. METHODS: Computerized literature searching was performed in Wangfang Medical Online to collect articles that Meta-analysis was used in the National Medical Journal of China since January 1998 until October 2014. Manual retrieval was also conducted.Qualities on methodologies and reporting were evaluated by both Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) scales. RESULTS: A total of 74 papers were included. The results on the qualities of methodology evaluation in these papers were 3 to 10 (median 7) scores, 10 articles (13.5%) were rated as high, 61 articles (82.4%) as moderate and 3 articles (4.1%) as low. No statistically significant difference existed in each year of AMSTAR score (χ(2) = 10.205, P = 0.423). The titles of AMSTAR scales with a lower coincidence rate were "Was a list of studies (included and excluded) provided?", "Was the conflict of interest stated?", "Was the status of publication (i.e.grey literature) used as an inclusion criterion?" and "Was the likelihood of publication bias assessed?". The results on the qualities of reporting evaluation in these papers were 5.5 to 26 (median 20) scores, 9 articles (12.2%) scored <15 points, 39 articles (52.7%) 15.5-21 points and 26 articles (35.1%) 21.5-27 points. There was statistically significant difference in each year of PRISMA score (F = 4.301, P = 0.000). And the year 2010 was the highest one. The titles of PRISMA scales with a lack of comprehensive reports were "Structured summary", "Objectives of introduction", "Protocol & registration", "Data collection process", "Data items", "Risk of bias in individual studies", "Risk of bias across studies", "Additional analyses", "Study selection","Risk of bias within studies", "Conclusion limitations", "Conclusions" and "Funding support" etc. CONCLUSIONS: Articles of Meta-analysis published in National Medical Journal of China have a high quality so as to provide rationales for clinical decision-making. However, both of qualities on methodology and reports sill call for continual improvements.

[A systematic evaluation on the quality of Meta-analysis in articles published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery from 1998 to 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the methodological quality and reporting quality on Meta-analysis being published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. METHODS: Computerized literature searching was carried out in Wanfang Medical Online to collect articles that Meta-analysis was used in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery since it was founded till July, 2014. Manual retrieval was also conducted. Two researchers independently screened for literature and extracted data. Qualities on methodologies or on the processes of reporting and reviewing were evaluated by both AMSTAR and PRISMA scales. RESULTS: Forty-two papers on meta-analyses were included in this study. Results on the quality of methodology evaluation showed that the lowest and highest scores were 6 and 9 respectively, the median score was 7. Two articles (4.8%) were rated as high, 40 articles (95.2%) as moderate and 0 articles (0%) as low. Although the quality of methodology was above the average, however, there were still some problems seen in some papers as the conflict of interest was not stated, the list of studies (included and excluded) was not provided, a comprehensive literature search was not performed, the likelihood of publication bias was not assessed, etc. Results on the quality of reporting evaluation showed that the lowest and highest scores were 14 and 22 respectively, the average score was 18.43 ± 2.03, 3 articles (7.1%) scored less than 15 points, 35 articles (83.3%) scored 15.5-21 points, and 4 articles (9.6%) scored 21.5-27 points. The included reviews had high quality on the titles of the report, inclusion criteria, rationale of introduction, synthesis of results, results of individual. However, the abstract, objectives of introduction, scheme and registered, inclusion criteria, research screening, additional analysis, conclusion limitations, funding support etc. were lack of comprehensive reports. CONCLUSIONS: Articles on Meta-analysis published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery are of high quality. The Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery can provide better evidence for clinical decision to gastrointestinal surgeons. However, both of qualities on methodology and reports sill call for continuous improvement.

[Acceptability and influencing factors on pre-exposure prophylaxis programs among female sex workers in Guangxi, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) program on prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi of China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was administered among 405 FSWs in Nanning, Liuzhou and Beihai cities of Guangxi, China. Self-designed questionnaire, face to face interviews were used to collect HIV-related risk behaviors, knowledge and acceptability of PrEP. RESULTS: After an introduction on PrEP, presuming that it was effective, safe and free of charge, 85.9% of the 405 FSWs said they would use it. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that significant factors of intent to use PrEP would include the followings: workplace (OR = 2.256, P = 0.009), monthly income (OR = 0.257, P = 0.004), family closeness (OR = 0.338, P = 0.012), knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR = 2.802, P = 0.028), HIV/AIDS risk was introduced from a strange client (OR = 0.363, P = 0.049), whether the gatekeeper ordering the use of condom (OR = 0.432, P = 0.010), whether consistent using condom with clients (OR = 3.010, P = 0.002), whether ever using drugs to prevent STD infection (OR = 3.570, P = 0.049) etc. CONCLUSION: Awareness on HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-protection seemed the main influential factors while health education might promote the acceptability of PrEP.