[Predictive value of albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio for acute kidney injury in infants undergoing ventricular septal defect repair with cardiopulmonary bypass].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) for postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in infants with ventricular septal defect repair under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on infants diagnosed with ventricular septal defect in Anhui Children's Hospital from January 2019 to July 2023. The infants were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether AKI occurred in hospital after operation. Demographic data, preoperative data, intraoperative data, postoperative data and laboratory results during CPB were collected. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to find the factors of AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predictive value of AFR for postoperative AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB. RESULTS: A total of 215 children were collected, including 28 in AKI group and 187 in non-AKI group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, body weight, height, history of pneumonia and history of chronic heart failure between the two groups, but the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the AKI group was significantly lower than that in the non-AKI group (0.526±0.028 vs. 0.538±0.030, P = 0.048). The duration of CPB (minutes: 74.1±12.1 vs. 65.8±11.3, P < 0.001), aortic cross-clamping (minutes: 41.7±9.7 vs. 37.2±9.4, P = 0.021) and hypothermic circulation arrest (21.4% vs. 8.6%, P = 0.047) in AKI group were significantly higher than those in non-AKI group, but there were no significant differences in the proportion of ultrafiltration and urine volume between the two groups. The length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in AKI group was significantly longer than that in non-AKI group (days: 5.3±2.0 vs. 4.0±1.7, P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in duration of mechanical ventilation and the proportion of postoperative hypotension between the two groups. During CPB, the levels of blood glucose (mmol/L: 9.4±1.3 vs. 8.8±0.8, P < 0.001), blood lactic acid (mmol/L: 2.2±0.3 vs. 2.0±0.3, P = 0.015) and serum creatinine (µmol/L: 79.7±11.5 vs. 74.4±10.9, P = 0.018) in AKI group were significantly higher than those in non-AKI group, while the AFR was significantly lower than that in non-AKI group (8.5±1.3 vs. 10.2±1.6, P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the levels of hemoglobin, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase between the two groups during CPB. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that AFR was a protective factor for AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB [odds ratio (OR) = 0.439, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.288-0.669, P < 0.001]. Blood glucose (OR = 2.133, 95%CI was 1.239-3.672, P = 0.006) and blood lactic acid (OR = 5.568, 95%CI was 1.102-28.149, P = 0.038) were risk factors for AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of AFR in predicting AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB was 0.804 (95%CI was 0.712-0.897, P < 0.001). When the optimal cut-off value was less than 9.05, the corresponding sensitivity was 75.0% and the specificity was 72.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Low AFR (≤9.05) during CPB is an independent risk factor for AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB. AFR during CPB has a high predictive value for postoperative AKI after ventricular septal defect repair with CPB.

Knocking down TNFAIP1 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in pediatric pneumonia through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection with increasing global incidences. Children are more susceptible to pneumonia than adults, and its incidences grow extremely high during peak seasons. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of childhood pneumonia. METHODS: This study examined the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducible protein 1 (TNFAIP1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pneumonia mice. After LPS exposure, lung function, TNFAIP1 activation, infarction volume, oxidative stress, lung tissue apoptosis ratio, and inflammatory response were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining, hematoxylin and eosin staning, Western blot analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling assay, and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, respectively. The mechanism of TNFAIP1 regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway was analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: TNFAIP1 expression was enhanced in the LPS-induced pneumonia mice but was negatively correlated with the LPS-induced lung injury. Silencing TNFAIP1 alleviated inflammatory response, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular apoptosis in LPS-induced pneumonia. Moreover, PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathways were predominantly involved in the TNFAIP1-mediated lung injury, which also played a role in the process of LPS-induced pneumonia. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that TNFAIP1 acted as a negative regulator of acute pneumonia by attenuating inflammatory response, production of ROS, and cellular apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. The findings suggested that TNFAIP1 is a potential candidate for pneumonia therapy.

Noninvasive diagnostic method using optical coherence tomography detected a vulnerable dentin enamel junction created by phosphoric acid etching.

To investigate the influence of phosphoric acid etching on the dentin enamel junction (DEJ) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Human teeth were assigned to four groups: 1. control, no additional treatment (CT); 2. The primer of "SE Bond2" was applied (SE), 3. "Enamel Conditioner" was applied (EC), 4. "K-etchant syringe" was applied (KE). After treatment, the DEJ was observed using a laser microscope (CLSM), OCT, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) test at the DEJ was performed. No cracks were observed by CLSM. In contrast, cracks were observed all samples by SEM. Additionally, OCT revealed a white line along the DEJ in all KE specimens and some EC specimens. The UTS test showed a significant difference between CT and KE. This study found that phosphoric acid etching may cause excessive demineralization and weaken the DEJ. This fragility was observed using a non-invasive diagnostic method using OCT.

Knocking down TNFAIP1 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in pediatric pneumonia through PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway

Background: Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection with increasing global incidences. Children are more susceptible to pneumonia than adults, and its incidences grow extremely high during peak seasons. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of childhood pneumonia. Methods: This study examined the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha-inducible protein 1 (TNFAIP1) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pneumonia mice. After LPS exposure, lung function, TNFAIP1 activation, infarction volume, oxidative stress, lung tissue apoptosis ratio, and inflammatory response were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining, hematoxylin and eosin staning, Western blot analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling assay, and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay, respectively. The mechanism of TNFAIP1 regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)–protein kinase B (Akt)–nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Results: TNFAIP1 expression was enhanced in the LPS-induced pneumonia mice but was negatively correlated with the LPS-induced lung injury. Silencing TNFAIP1 alleviated inflammatory response, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cellular apoptosis in LPS-induced pneumonia. Moreover, PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathways were predominantly involved in the TNFAIP1-mediated lung injury, which also played a role in the process of LPS-induced pneumonia. Conclusion: This study suggested that TNFAIP1 acted as a negative regulator of acute pneumonia by attenuating inflammatory response, production of ROS, and cellular apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. The findings suggested that TNFAIP1 is a potential candidate for pneumonia therap (AU)

Appearance of fetal intestinal obstruction on fetal MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the imaging findings of fetal intestinal obstruction diagnosed by MRI and compare with postnatal surgery findings. METHODS: MRI data of 3346 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed; we found 47 cases of suspected fetal small intestinal obstruction. Twenty-nine underwent postnatal surgery. RESULTS: We identified one case of jejunal obstruction secondary to perforation, five annular pancreas, 10 duodenal stenoses, four jejunal stenoses, five jejunal atresias, two ileal atresias, four intestinal volvulus, and four intestinal malrotations. We further found four cases of duodenal stenosis with intestinal malrotation (two cases also showed volvulus). On fetal MRI, annular pancreas and duodenal obstruction manifested as a "double bubble." Jejunal stenosis appeared as a "triple bubble." Jejunal and ileal atresia mainly manifested as proximal dilatation with high signal on T1WI. Intestinal volvulus showed a sausage-like intestinal distortion and mixed signals on T1WI and DWI sequences. Intestinal malrotations were characterized as abnormal duodenal morphology. We missed two malrotations; one jejunal obstruction was misdiagnosed. CONCLUSION: Prenatal MRI can accurately determine the degree of intestinal obstruction and help qualitatively diagnose its possible etiology according to changes in MRI signals in multiple sequences, providing guidance for prenatal counseling.

Media Disaster Reporting Effects on Public Risk Perception and Response to Escalating Tornado Warnings: A Natural Experiment.

Previous research has evaluated public risk perception and response to a natural hazards in various settings; however, most of these studies were conducted either with a single scenario or after a natural disaster struck. To better understand the dynamic relationships among affect, risk perception, and behavioral intentions related to natural disasters, the current study implements a simulation scenario with escalating weather intensity, and includes a natural experiment allowing comparison of public response before and after a severe tornado event with extensive coverage by the national media. The current study also manipulated the display of warning information, and investigated whether the warning system display format influences public response. Results indicate that (1) affect, risk perception, and behavioral intention escalated as weather conditions deteriorated, (2) responses at previous stages predicted responses at subsequent stages of storm progression, and (3) negative affect predicted risk perception. Moreover, risk perception and behavioral intention were heightened after exposure to the media coverage of an actual tornado disaster. However, the display format manipulation did not influence behavioral responses. The current study provides insight regarding public perception of predisaster warnings and the influence of exposure to media coverage of an actual disaster event.

High-Performance Pd3Pb Intermetallic Catalyst for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction.

Extensive efforts to develop highly active and strongly durable electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction are motivated by a need for metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Here, we report a very promising catalyst prototype of structurally ordered Pd-based alloys, Pd3Pb intermetallic compound. Such structurally ordered Pd3Pb/C exhibits a significant increase in mass activity. More importantly, compared to the conventional Pt/C catalysts, ordered Pd3Pb/C is highly durable and exhibits a much longer cycle life and higher cell efficiency in Zn-air batteries. Interestingly, ordered Pd3Pb/C possesses very high methanol tolerance during electrochemical oxygen reduction, which make it an excellent methanol-tolerant cathode catalyst for alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study provides a promising route to optimize the synthesis of ordered Pd-based intermetallic catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.

Winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.) quality forecasting method based on electronic nose.

Winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.) quality forecasting method utilising electronic nose (EN) and double-layered cascaded series stochastic resonance (DCSSR) was investigated. EN responses to jujubes stored at room temperature were continuously measured for 8 days. Jujubes' physical/chemical indexes, such as firmness, colour, total soluble solids (TSS), and ascorbic acid (AA), were synchronously examined. Examination results indicated that jujubes were getting ripe during storage. EN measurement data was processed by stochastic resonance (SR) and DCSSR. SR and DCSSR output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) maximums (SNR-MAX) discriminated jujubes under different storage time successfully. Multiple variable regression (MVR) results between physical/chemical indexes and SR/DCSSR eigen values demonstrated that DCSSR eigen values were more suitable for jujube quality determination. Quality forecasting model was developed using non-linear fitting regression of DCSSR eigen values. Validating experiments demonstrated that forecasting accuracy of this model is 97.35%. This method also presented other advantages including fast response, non-destructive, etc.

Mesoporous TiN as a noncarbon support of Ag-rich PtAg nanoalloy catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media.

There has been growing interest in noncarbon supports for fuel cell reactions, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. Herein, we report a robust mesoporous titanium nitride (TiN) which is not only kinetically stable in alkaline media, but also electrochemically stable in the potential range of fuel cell operation. This binary nitride exhibits an order of magnitude higher electronic conductivity than carbon black. Bimetallic Ag-rich PtAg nanoalloy is selected as the catalyst for the ORR in alkaline media due to their superior activity and relatively low cost. TiN-supported Pt1 Ag9 nanoalloy catalysts are synthesized by a new and efficient approach with KEt3 BH as reducing agent and THF as solvent. Pt1 Ag9 /TiN exhibits much higher mass activity and durability for the ORR in alkaline media than Pt1 Ag9 /C, Pt/C and Ag/C catalysts, suggesting that mesoporous TiN is a very promising support in alkaline media.

Synthesis of structurally ordered Pt3Ti and Pt3V nanoparticles as methanol oxidation catalysts.

Structurally ordered Pt3Ti or Pt3V intermetallic nanoparticle catalysts with ultrasmall particle sizes have never been successfully synthesized. Herein, we present a KCl-nanoparticle method to successfully provide such compounds. These two catalysts show enhanced catalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation compared to pure Pt.

Structure analysis and antimutagenic activity of a novel salt-soluble polysaccharide from Auricularia polytricha.

BACKGROUND: Auricularia polytricha is known to be a highly nutritious foodstuff. We report here the purification, structure characterization and antimutagenic activity in vivo of a 0.9% NaCl solution-soluble polysaccharide (SSP) from the mycelia of A. polytricha. RESULTS: Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a TSK-G5000PWXL column and gel filtration chromatography on Sephacryl S-400 HR indicated that SSP is homogeneous with an average molecular weight of about 9.30 × 10(5) Da. The structure of SSP was revealed by chemical methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results indicated that SSP is a glucan consisting of a1,3-ß-glucan, 1,6-α-glucan, 1,4-α-glucan and 1,3-α-glucan backbone with a single 1,6-α-d-glucopyranosyl side-branching unit on every nine residues, on average, along the main chain. Atomic force microscopy indicates the presence of macromolecular species in morphology and shows a clear association of prolate particle. Meanwhile, SSP was found to significantly preventing micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes and reticulocytes of mice (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that polysaccharide SSP from A. polytricha exhibits antimutagenic activity against the in vivo DNA-damaging effect of the indirectly acting alkylating agent cyclophosphamide.