Psychometric Properties of the Brief Pain Inventory Among Patients With Osteoarthritis Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by pain and functional restrictions, necessitating precise and reliable pain evaluation for effective disease surveillance and postoperative treatment appraisal.

METHODS

This investigation recruited 110 participants who were slated to receive unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and administered 3 self-reported questionnaires: the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 5-level EuroQoL Group's 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), at baseline and 1 year after surgery. Using standard statistical methods and indicators, the BPI was subjected to a battery of psychometric evaluations, including assessments of reliability, validity, and responsiveness.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were no significant ceiling or floor effects observed. Additionally, the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of the BPI was above 0.8, suggesting that the questionnaire items are adequately related to one another. The study found moderate to very strong correlations between the pain and physical function domains of the BPI and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, as well as a strong correlation between the functional interference dimension of the BPI and the EQ-5D, supporting the construct validity of the BPI. Also, the BPI was found to be responsive to changes in pain over time, with a responsiveness index ranging from 2.55 to 3.19.

CONCLUSION

The BPI assessment tool demonstrated good reliability, validity, and responsiveness in knee osteoarthritis patients who have undergone TKA and can be a useful measurement tool in clinical research to evaluate the effectiveness of pain management strategies and surgical interventions.

Application of pedobarographic analysis in neglected congenital clubfoot patients following Ponseti treatment for recurrence prediction

Background

Neglected congenital clubfoot (NCCF) is a birth deformity that remains untreated until the child begins to walk. Irrespective of the treatment protocols employed, children with NCCF face an elevated risk of recurrence following the initial correction. Predicting this recurrence could enable early intervention for high-risk children, ultimately diminishing the likelihood of invasive surgery.

Methods

From January 2006 to January 2022, a total of 33 unilateral NCCF patients were enrolled in this study at Xijing Hospital. Pedobarographic tests were performed at three distinct time points: after the initial Ponseti treatment, before recurrence treatment, and after recurrence treatment. Four derivative parameters were developed for predicting recurrence, namely the difference of the contact time% (DCT%), difference of the contact area% (DCA%), difference of the peak pressure (DPP), and difference of the pressure-time integral (DPTI) between the two feet. ROC curves, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox regression were employed to identify potential prognostic factors.

Results

Out of the 33 unilateral NCCF patients, recurrence occurred in 8 individuals, with an average follow-up period of 109.8 months. The predictive parameter for recurrence is the midfoot (MF) zone's DCT% (MF-DCT%). When the contact time (CT)% of the affected side was 20.69% higher than that of the unaffected side, the hazard ratio (HR) of recurrence increased by 7.404 times. Another predictive plantar pressure parameter is the DPP in the MF zone (MF-DPP). If the PP of the affected side was 159% higher than that of the unaffected side, the HR of recurrence increased by 9.229 times. The MF-DCT% and MF-DPP of recurrence patients were assessed at three time points for comparisons, further validating their predictive ability for recurrence.

Conclusion

Although satisfactory clinical outcomes were achieved in patients with unilateral NCCF after the initial Ponseti treatment, the plantar pressure distribution does not return to normal levels, which may indicate future recurrence. DCT% and DPP in the MF zone can be used as plantar pressure predictors of recurrence in patients with NCCF.

Phenotypes of osteoarthritis-related knee pain and their transition over time: data from the osteoarthritis initiative

BACKGROUND

Identification of knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain phenotypes, their transition patterns, and risk factors for worse phenotypes, may guide prognosis and targeted treatment; however, few studies have described them. We aimed to investigate different pain phenotypes, their transition patterns, and potential risk factors for worse pain phenotypes.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), pain severity was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale. We identified the activity-related pain phenotypes and estimated the transition probabilities of pain phenotypes from baseline to the 24-month using latent transition analysis. We examined the risk factors at baseline with the 24-month pain phenotypes and the transition of pain phenotypes.

RESULTS

In 4796 participants, we identified four distinct knee pain phenotypes at both baseline and 24-month follow-up: no pain, mild pain during activity (Mild P-A), mild pain during both rest and activity (Mild P-R-A), and moderate pain during both rest and activity (Mod P-R-A). 82.9% knees with no pain at baseline stayed the same at 24-month follow-up, 17.1% progressed to worse pain phenotypes. Among "Mild P-A" at baseline, 32.0% converted to no-pain, 12.8% progressed to "Mild P-R-A", and 53.2% remained. Approximately 46.1% of "Mild P-R-A" and 54.5% of "Mod P-R-A" at baseline experienced remission by 24-month. Female, non-whites, participants with higher depression score, higher body mass index (BMI), higher Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade, and knee injury history were more likely to be in the worse pain phenotypes, while participants aged 65 years or older and with higher education were less likely to be in worse pain phenotypes at 24-month follow-up visit. Risk factors for greater transition probability to worse pain phenotypes at 24-month included being female, non-whites, participants with higher depression score, higher BMI, and higher KL grade.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified four distinct knee pain phenotypes. While the pain phenotypes remained stable in the majority of knees over 24 months period, substantial proportion of knees switched to different pain phenotypes. Several socio-demographics as well as radiographic lesions at baseline are associated with worse pain phenotypes at 24-month follow-up visit and transition of pain phenotypes.

Inner filter effect-based upconversion nanosensor for rapid detection of thiram pesticides using upconversion nanoparticles and dithizone-cadmium complexes

Herein, we propose a method for detecting thiram based on the fluorescence inner filter effect using upconversion nanoparticles and dithizone-cadmium complexes (DZ-Cd2+). The ultraviolet absorption of DZ-Cd2+ was in the range of 480-600 nm under alkaline conditions, resulting in fluorescence quenching of the nanoparticles at 540 nm. Thiram had a stronger coordination effect with Cd2+ than dithizone; thus, more thiram-cadmium complex (T-Cd2+) formed when thiram was added, leading to fluorescence recovery at 540 nm. The standard thiram curve was found to have a detection limit of 6.75 ng/mL in the linear range of 0.01-1000 µg/mL. In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography results for detecting thiram in apple samples revealed good application performance. The results demonstrate that the developed method has great potential to detect thiram residues in food.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of research on analgesia and total knee arthroplasty from 1990 to 2022

Background

In recent decades, there have been notable advancements in the field of analgesia and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aims to employ bibliometric analysis to elucidate the prevailing research focal points and trends within analgesia and TKA from 1990 to 2022.

Material and methods

Relevant publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica were used for visualization and bibliometric analysis of countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords.

Results

A total of 2776 publications on analgesia and TKA were identified, with the United States having the highest number of publications. The University of Copenhagen was the most productive institution, and Kehlet, Henrik was the most prolific author. The Journal of Arthroplasty had the most publications and citations. The most common keywords were "TKA," "pain management," "postoperative pain," "Total hip arthroplasty (THA)," and "postoperative management." Keyword burst detection demonstrated that adductor canal block (ACB) was a recent research hotspot.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a sharp increase in global publications on analgesia and TKA, and this trend is expected to continue. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal regimen for multimodal analgesia, the ideal location and volume of ACB, and their clinical significance.

Screening Ultra-Stable (Phenazine)dioxyalkanocic Acids with Varied Water-Solubilizing Chain Lengths for High-Capacity Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Aqueous redox flow batteries (ARFBs) hold great potential for large-scale energy storage. Recently, research on aqueous flow batteries has shifted toward water-soluble organic molecules with redox capabilities to reduce the use of mineral resources. The chemical and electrochemical stabilities of organic compounds are heavily influenced by their functional groups and reaction sites. In this study, we present a low-cost synthesis of the O-alkyl-carboxylate-functionalized derivatives of 2,3-dihydroxyphenazine, namely, phenazine-(2,3-diyl) dioxy dibutyric acid (DBEP) and phenazine-(2,3-diyl)dioxy diacetic acid (DAEP), which serve as negolytes and exhibit good reversibility and high redox kinetics. The evidence is provided to clarify the capacity degradation mechanisms of DAEP and DBEP by a series of comprehensive characterizations. Similar to anthraquinones functionalized with alkyl chains, the main degradation mechanism of DAEP modified with acetic acid is due to side chain loss. Longer side chains are more stable and can withstand long-term electrochemical reactions. DBEP modified with butyric acid exhibits superior chemical and electrochemical stability. Our results demonstrate that rational molecular design and suitable membranes, such as the alkaline ARFBs based on DBEP negolyte, potassium ferrocyanide (K4Fe(CN)6) posolyte, and custom sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membrane, can deliver a high open-circuit voltage of 1.17 V and high capacity retention of 99.997% per cycle for over 1000 cycles at 50 mA cm-2. This study highlights the importance of not only considering the modification position of the molecules but also focusing on the influence of various side chains on the redox core's stability toward sustainable grid-scale energy storage applications.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound for Assessment of Synovial Abnormalities Among Patients With Knee Pain: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Synovial abnormalities, which are modifiable treatment targets for knee pain, affect ~25% of adults. Ultrasound is a safe, inexpensive, and easily accessible imaging modality for assessing synovial abnormalities, but its diagnostic accuracy is still controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis by comparing ultrasound with the "reference standard" method, ie, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in assessing synovial abnormalities among patients with knee pain.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 7, 2022, to retrieve studies including patients with knee pain for evaluating 1) the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound versus MRI for synovial abnormalities (synovitis and synovial effusion) and 2) the correlations of synovial abnormalities assessed by ultrasound and MRI. The summary of diagnostic accuracy was analyzed using the bivariate model, and the correlation coefficients were pooled using the random effects model.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included, representing a total of 755 patients. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.65-0.96), 0.70 (95% CI 0.51-0.84), and 0.81 (95% CI 0.77-0.84) for synovitis and 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.95), 0.86 (95% CI 0.77-0.92), and 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.96) for synovial effusion, respectively. Strong correlations between ultrasound- and MRI-diagnosed synovitis (r = 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.71) and synovial effusion (r = 0.63, 95% CI 0.52-0.73) were observed.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound demonstrated a promising accuracy in detecting synovial abnormalities among patients with knee pain. The use of ultrasound provides equivalent synovial information to MRI but is less expensive and more accessible. Therefore, it is recommended as an adjuvant for managing patients with knee pain during diagnostic strategy and individualized treatment decision-making.

[Analysis of constituents in different parts of Forsythia suspensa by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activity]

This study aims to characterize and identify the chemical constituents in 11 parts of Forsythia suspensa by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-established chemical constituent database, including leaves, flowers, fruits, green F. suspensa, old F. suspensa, and seeds. The quality attributes and differences of different parts of F. suspensa were evaluated by principal component analysis, partial least square discriminant analysis, and other stoichiometric methods. A total of 79 compounds were identified, including 13 phenylethanol glycosides, 10 lignans, 12 flavonoids, 10 organic acids, 14 terpenoids, and 20 other types of compounds. Among them, 34 compounds were the main variables of difference between the different parts of F. suspensa, and the content of each component was relatively higher in the leaves and green F. suspensa. The LPS-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells was applied to study the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts of the different parts of F. suspensa and the main constituents. The results show that the extracts of green F. suspensa, flower, twig, and stem exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, and the constituents such as forsythoside A, phyllyrin, phillygenin, and(+)-pinoresinol-β-D-glucopyranoside could significantly inhibit anti-inflammatory activity released by NO. The chemical constituent in different parts of F. suspensa is analyzed comprehensively, and the anti-inflammatory activity is evaluated in this study, which provides a reference for the development and comprehensive utilization of F. suspensa resources.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of an Escherichia coli ST69 Strain Harboring blaCTX-M-27 on a Hybrid Plasmid

Objective

Escherichia coli is a common Gram-negative human pathogen. The emergence of E. coli with multiple-antibiotic-resistant phenotypes has become a serious health concern. This study reports the whole-genome sequences of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli EC6868 and explores the acquired antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) as well as their genetic contexts.

Methods

E. coli EC6868 was isolated from a vaginal secretion sample of a pregnant patient in China. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed, and whole-genome sequencing was conducted. The acquired ARGs, insertion sequence (IS) elements, and integrons within the genome of E. coli EC6868 were identified, and the genetic contexts associated with the ARGs were analyzed systematically.

Results

E. coli EC6868 was determined to belong to ST69 and harbored a 144.9-kb IncF plasmid (pEC6868-1) with three replicons (Col156, IncFIBAP001918, and IncFII). The ESBL gene blaCTX-M-27 was located on the structure "∆ISEcp1-blaCTX-M-27-IS903B", which was widely present in the species of Enterobacteriales. Other ARGs carried by plasmid pEC6868-1 were mainly located on the 18.9-kb IS26-composite transposon (five copies of intact IS26 and one copy of truncated IS26) composing of IS26-mphA-mrx(A)-mphR(A)-IS6100, ∆TnAs3-eamA-tet(A)-tetR(A)-aph(6)-Id-aph(3")-Ib-sul2-IS26, and a class 1 integron, which was widely present on IncF plasmids of E. coli, mainly distributed in ST131, ST38, and ST405. Notably, pEC6868 in our study was the first report on a plasmid harboring the 18.9-kb structure in E. coli ST69 in China.

Conclusion

The 3GC-R E. coli ST69 strain with an MDR IncF plasmid carrying blaCTX-M-27 and other ARGs, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, macrolides, sulfonamides, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, was identified in a hospital in China. Mobile genetic elements including ISEcp1, IS903B, IS26, Tn3, IS6100 and class 1 integron were found within the MDR region, which could play important roles in the global dissemination of these resistance genes.

Obstetric outcomes in Jehovah's Witnesses: case series over nine years in a London teaching hospital

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to assess obstetric and fetal outcomes of Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) mothers in an inner city teaching hospital, as well as to examine the acceptance rates of various blood fractions and blood transfusion alternatives.

METHODS

Case series to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes of JWs over a nine period between 2013 and 2021.

RESULTS

There were 146 pregnancies extracted from our database, of which 10 were early pregnancy losses. Data from 136 deliveries > 24 weeks' gestation were assessed, with a mean maternal age and gestational age of 30.26 (± 5.4) years and 38.7 (± 5.3) weeks, respectively. 57% had normal vaginal deliveries, 8% had instrumental births and 35% had caesarean births. Mean estimated blood loss at caesarean was 575 (± 305.6) mls, while the overall mean estimated loss was 427.8 (± 299.8) mls. Cell salvage was performed in all caesarean sections but autologous transfusion was only necessary for 26%. Consultant presence was documented in 62% of caesarean births. The mean birthweight and 5-min Apgar scores were 3.31 (± 0.05) kg and 9.1 (± 0.09), respectively. There were no maternal deaths or admissions to the adult intensive care unit and the most serious complication was a uterine rupture following a trial of scar, after which the baby required cooling for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant JWs received obstetric care led by senior clinicians, with optimisation of haematinics, minimizing of blood loss at delivery and access to technology such as cell salvage.

Exploring the role of lactylation-related genes in osteosarcoma: A deep dive into prognostic significance and therapeutic potential

Osteosarcoma (OS), notorious for its complex pathogenesis and formidable prognosis, represents a significant medical quandary. This research embarked on a quest to unravel the implications of lactylation-related genes (LRGs) in OS, offering a novel lens through which to interpret its intricacies. A meticulous evaluation of 329 LRGs within the TARGET dataset spotlighted 27 paramount genes, intricately intertwined with survival. These genes highlighted metabolic processes-particularly amino acid metabolism-as key players, as evidenced in both GO and KEGG analyses. Utilizing consensus clustering and principal component analysis, the 93 OS samples were segmented into two distinct groups, differing notably in overall and event-free survival. Cluster 2 demonstrated a heightened immune response, contrasting the other cluster. Machine learning techniques, like generalized boosted model, CoxBoost, and RSF, spotlighted MYC and GOT2 as critical genes. Using multivariate Cox regression, a risk model was developed, categorizing patients into high and low-risk groups, each displaying varied survival patterns. Additionally, a contrast was observed between MYC and GOT2's associations with HLA molecules, emphasizing their distinct roles in antigen presentation. Potential therapeutic avenues were identified for each risk group, with special attention to mutations in MYC, particularly amplifications, hinting at its role in tumor progression. Finally, delving deeper into the role of MYC, Western blot analyses exhibited amplified myc protein levels in OS cells U-2 and MG-63 when juxtaposed against human osteoblastic cells Hfob1.19. A focused knockdown of myc in OS cells subsequently confirmed its influence on cell proliferation and migration, with reduced myc expression resulting in inhibited cell activities. Furthermore, immunofluorescence assays corroborated myc's heightened expression in OS cells relative to normal osteoblastic cells. In summary, this study accentuates the vital role of LRGs and specifically MYC in OS, ushering in a horizon of tailored therapeutic strategies.

Magnetic-encoded fluorescent nanospheres-based competitive immunoassay for near-simultaneous detection of four mycotoxins in wheat

Simultaneous detection of mycotoxins is important for food safety. In this study, a magnetic-encoded fluorescent nanosphere-based competitive immunosensor (cFMEIS) with 2×2 array was first developed for simultaneous detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in wheat. Specifically, magnetic nanoparticles with strong and weak responses were conjugated with mycotoxin antigens as capture probes. Fluorescent nanoparticles doped with europium ion (Eu3+) and terbium ion (Tb3+) with red and green emission were coupled with mycotoxin antibodies as signal probes. Using a magnetic field, immune complexes were sequentially separated in a complex system and fluorescently detected. The detection limits of AFB1, DON, OTA, and ZEN were 0.032, 0.141, 0.097, and 0.376 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries in the certified reference material of wheat flour ranged from 81.6 to 120.0 %. Owing to its high accuracy, selectivity, and sensitivity, the cFMEIS shows great promise as an efficient and sensitive multitarget sensor for mycotoxins.

Secular trend of gout incidence in the UK: an age-period-cohort analysis

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of gout in the UK appears to have declined since 2013; however, whether such a trend occurred across participants born in different years (ie, birth cohort) is unknown. We aimed to examine the effects of the birth cohort on gout incidence using an age-period-cohort (APC) model.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Nationwide data from the UK primary care database.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals between 30 and 89 years of age were included. We excluded individuals who had gout history when entering the database and individuals with less than 1 year of continuous follow-up between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2019.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Gout was identified using READ codes assigned by general practitioners. The incidence of gout between 1999-2013 and 2011-2019 was analysed with APC model.

RESULTS

The incidence of gout between 1999 and 2013 increased with birth cohorts. Compared with those born in 1949-1953 (reference), the age-adjusted and period-adjusted rate ratios (RRs) of incident gout increased from 0.39 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.46) in participants born in 1910-1914 to 2.36 (95% CI 2.09 to 2.66) in participants born in 1979-1983 (p for trend <0.001). In contrast, the incidence of gout between 2011 and 2019 decreased with birth cohorts. Compared with those born in 1949-1953 (reference), the age-adjusted and period-adjusted RRs of incident gout declined from 2.75 (95% CI 2.30 to 3.28) in participants born in 1922-1926 to 0.75 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.87) in participants born in 1976-1980 but then increased slightly to 0.95 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.17) in participants born in 1985-1989.

CONCLUSIONS

The gout incidence between 1999 and 2013 in the UK increased with the birth cohorts and then decreased between 2011 and 2019 except for those born after 1980. Future monitoring is needed to help identify aetiological factors and guide preventive and treatment strategies for gout.

Generating dual structurally and functionally skin-mimicking hydrogels by crosslinking cell-membrane compartments

The skin is intrinsically a cell-membrane-compartmentalized hydrogel with high mechanical strength, potent antimicrobial ability, and robust immunological competence, which provide multiple protective effects to the body. Methods capable of preparing hydrogels that can simultaneously mimic the structure and function of the skin are highly desirable but have been proven to be a challenge. Here, dual structurally and functionally skin-mimicking hydrogels are generated by crosslinking cell-membrane compartments. The crosslinked network is formed via free radical polymerization using olefinic double bond-functionalized extracellular vesicles as a crosslinker. Due to the dissipation of stretching energy mediated by vesicular deformation, the obtained compartment-crosslinked network shows enhanced mechanical strength compared to hydrogels crosslinked by regular divinyl monomers. Biomimetic hydrogels also exhibit specific antibacterial activity and adequate ability to promote the maturation and activation of dendritic cells given the existence of numerous extracellular vesicle-associated bioactive substances. In addition, the versatility of this approach to tune both the structure and function of the resulting hydrogels is demonstrated through introducing a second network by catalyst-free click reaction-mediated crosslinking between alkyne-double-ended polymers and azido-decorated extracellular vesicles. This study provides a platform to develop dual structure- and function-controllable skin-inspired biomaterials.

Effects of Photoperiod on Survival, Growth, Physiological, and Biochemical Indices of Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) Juveniles

Through a 30-day experiment, this study investigated the effects of five photoperiods (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D) on the survival, enzyme activity, body color, and growth-related gene expression of redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) juveniles. The results showed that C. quadricarinatus juveniles under 18L:6D and 24L:0D photoperiods exhibited the highest survival rate, which was significantly higher than the survival rates of juveniles under the other three photoperiods (p < 0.05). However, the 0L:24D group had the highest final body weight and weight gain rate, significantly surpassing those of the 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D groups (p < 0.05). Regarding enzyme activity and hormone levels, juveniles under the 18L:6D photoperiod exhibited relatively higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM) enzymes than those under other photoperiods, but their levels of melatonin and cortisol were relatively low. In addition, the 24L:0D group showed the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Analysis of gene expression levels revealed that retinoid X receptor (RXR) and α-amylase (α-AMY) genes in C. quadricarinatus juveniles exhibited significantly higher expression levels under the 18L:6D photoperiod than those under the other four photoperiods (p < 0.05). With increasing daylight exposure, the body color of C. quadricarinatus changed from pale blue to yellow-brown. In summary, C. quadricarinatus juveniles achieved high survival rates, good growth performance, strong antioxidant stress response, and immune defense capabilities under an 18 h photoperiod. Therefore, in the industrial seedling cultivation of redclaw crayfish, it is recommended to provide 18 h of daily light. Further, the study demonstrated the ability to manipulate the body color of C. quadricarinatus through controlled artificial photoperiods. These findings provide essential technical parameters needed for the industrial cultivation of C. quadricarinatus juveniles.

Age-related secretion of grancalcin by macrophages induces skeletal stem/progenitor cell senescence during fracture healing

Skeletal stem/progenitor cell (SSPC) senescence is a major cause of decreased bone regenerative potential with aging, but the causes of SSPC senescence remain unclear. In this study, we revealed that macrophages in calluses secrete prosenescent factors, including grancalcin (GCA), during aging, which triggers SSPC senescence and impairs fracture healing. Local injection of human rGCA in young mice induced SSPC senescence and delayed fracture repair. Genetic deletion of Gca in monocytes/macrophages was sufficient to rejuvenate fracture repair in aged mice and alleviate SSPC senescence. Mechanistically, GCA binds to the plexin-B2 receptor and activates Arg2-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, resulting in cellular senescence. Depletion of Plxnb2 in SSPCs impaired fracture healing. Administration of GCA-neutralizing antibody enhanced fracture healing in aged mice. Thus, our study revealed that senescent macrophages within calluses secrete GCA to trigger SSPC secondary senescence, and GCA neutralization represents a promising therapy for nonunion or delayed union in elderly individuals.

Site-specific metal-support interaction to switch the activity of Ir single atoms for oxygen evolution reaction

The metal-support interactions (MSI) could greatly determine the electronic properties of single-atom catalysts, thus affecting the catalytic performance. However, the typical approach to regulating MSI usually suffers from interference of the variation of supports or sacrificing the stability of catalysts. Here, we effectively regulate the site-specific MSI of Ir single atoms anchored on Ni layered double hydroxide through an electrochemical deposition strategy. Cathodic deposition drives Ir atoms to locate at three-fold facial center cubic hollow sites with strong MSI, while anodic deposition drives Ir atoms to deposit onto oxygen vacancy sites with weak MSI. The mass activity and intrinsic activity of Ir single-atom catalysts with strong MSI towards oxygen evolution reaction are 19.5 and 5.2 times that with weak MSI, respectively. Mechanism study reveals that the strong MSI between Ir atoms and the support stimulates the activity of Ir sites by inducing the switch of active sites from Ni sites to Ir sites and optimizes the adsorption strength of intermediates, thereby enhancing the activity.

Multi-View Cross-Fusion Transformer Based on Kinetic Features for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Using PPG Signal

Noninvasive blood glucose (BG) measurement could significantly improve the prevention and management of diabetes. In this paper, we present a robust novel paradigm based on analyzing photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. The method includes signal pre-processing optimization and a multi-view cross-fusion transformer (MvCFT) network for non-invasive BG assessment. Specifically, a multi-size weighted fitting (MSWF) time-domain filtering algorithm is proposed to optimally preserve the most authentic morphological features of the original signals. Meanwhile, the spatial position encoding-based kinetics features are reconstructed and embedded as prior knowledge to discern the implicit physiological patterns. In addition, a cross-view feature fusion (CVFF) module is designed to incorporate pairwise mutual information among different views to adequately capture the potential complementary features in physiological sequences. Finally, the subject- wise 5- fold cross-validation is performed on a clinical dataset of 260 subjects. The root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) of BG measurements are 1.129 mmol/L and 0.659 mmol/L, respectively, and the optimal Zone A in the Clark error grid, representing none clinical risk, is 87.89%. The results indicate that the proposed method has great potential for homecare applications.

Trends, complications, and readmission of allogeneic red blood cell transfusion in primary total hip arthroplasty in china: a national retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Decrease in allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion rates following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been reported in the United States, but whether other countries share the same trend remains unclear. Additionally, the relation of allogenic RBC transfusion to the risk of complications in THA remains controversial. Using the Chinese national inpatient database, the current study aimed to examine trends, complications, charges, and readmission patterns of allogeneic RBC transfusion in THA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing primary THA between 2013 and 2019 were included, and then stratified into the transfusion and the non-transfusion group based on the database transfusion records. A generalized estimating equation model was used to investigate trends in transfusion rates. After propensity-score matching, a logistic regression model was used to compare the complications, rates and causes of 30-day readmission between two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 10,270 patients with transfusion and 123,476 patients without transfusion were included. Transfusion rates decreased from 19.11% in 2013 to 9.94% in 2019 (P for trend < 0.001). After matching, no significant differences in the risk of of in-hospital death (odds ratio [OR], 4.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-18.83), wound infection (OR 0.72; 95%CI 0.45-1.17), myocardial infarction (OR 1.17; 95%CI 0.62-2.19), deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.25; 95%CI 0.88-1.78), pulmonary embolism (OR 2.25; 95%CI 0.98-5.17), readmission rates (OR 1.07; 95%CI 0.88-1.30) and readmission causes were observed between two groups. However, the transfusion group had higher hospitalization charges than the non-transfusion group (72,239.89 vs 65,649.57 Chinese yuan [CNY], P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that allogeneic RBC transfusion in THA was not associated with the increased risk of complications and any-cause readmission. However, the currently restrictive transfusion policy should be continued because excessive blood transfusion may increase the socioeconomic burden.

Effectiveness of Faster Aspart versus Insulin Aspart in Children with Type 1 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Intensive insulin regimens are recommended to achieve glycemic goals in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) is a new formulation of insulin aspart (IAsp) in which L-arginine and niacinamide are added to assure formulation stability, early absorption, and ultra-fast action. This meta-analysis compares faster aspart with IAsp for blood sugar control in children with type 1 diabetes. This study suggested treating diabetes with insulin, especially in children with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from 2000 to 2023 without language restrictions. Blood glucose monitoring, HbA1c, care model, insulin aspart, IAsp, faster aspart, type 1 diabetes, and pediatrics are Mesh keywords. Cochrane Q statistics and index tested heterogeneity. To account for heterogeneity, Q=145.99 (P-value < 0.001) and =97.26%, and the random-effect model was used to aggregate primary study results. The meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials was conducted in accordance with PRISMA standards.

Results

The overall estimate measure i.e. mean difference was found to be 5.44 [0.45, 10.44] and 7.71 [7.16, 8.26] which indicate significant reduction in the HbA1C level in the fast acting insulin aspart group as compared to the IAsp in T1D. However, the mean difference with respect to BMI was found to be -0.06 [-0.60, 0.48] which indicate non-significant reduction.

Conclusion

Faster aspart had faster onset and more early exposure than IAsp in children and adolescents with greater and more variable anti-insulin antibody levels than adults did. Hence fast-acting insulin aspart may provide better glucose control than IAsp in T1D.

A paper-based photoelectrochemical aptsensor using near-infrared light-responsive AgBiS2 nanoflowers as probes for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus in pork

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that can easily cause outbreaks of food-borne diseases. In this work, a signal-enhanced three-dimensional paper-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptsensor for the rapid and sensitive determination of S. aureus was developed. Specifically, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrodeposited on a paper-based working electrode to provide binding sites for a sulfhydryl-functionalized aptamer. Subsequently, S. aureus was captured with high specificity by a carboxyl-functionalized aptamer modified with amino-functionalized AgBiS2 nanoflowers (NH2-AgBiS2 NFs), which functionalized as PEC probes that generated strong photocurrent under irradiation with 980-nm light. By exploiting the "aptamer-target-aptamer" PEC sensing platform, the rapid and ultrasensitive detection of S. aureus was achieved. The sensor had a wide linear range of 20 to 2 × 107 CFU/mL and low limit of detection of 4 CFU/mL. Further, the applicability of the as-prepared aptsensor was successfully certified for the analysis of pork samples artificially contaminated with S. aureus.

Alzheimer's Disease and Aging Association: Identification and Validation of Related Genes

BACKGROUND

Aging is considered a key risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to identify and validate potential aging-related genes associated with AD using bioinformatics analysis.

METHODS

Datasets GSE36980 and GSE5281 were selected to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and the immune cell correlation analysis and GSEA analysis of DEGs were performed. The intersection with senescence genes was taken as differentially expressed senescence-related genes (DESRGs), and the GSE44770 dataset was used for further validation. The potential biological functions and signaling pathways were determined by GO and KEGG, and the hub genes were identified by 12 algorithms in Cytohubba. The expression of 10 hub genes in different brain regions was determined and single-cell sequencing analysis was performed, and diagnostic genes were further screened by gene expression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, a miRNA-gene network of diagnostic genes was constructed and targeted drug prediction was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 2137 DEGs were screened from the GSE36980 and GSE5281 datasets, and 278 SRGs were identified from the CellAge database. The overlapping DEGs and SRGs constituted 29 DESRGs, including 14 senescence suppressor genes and 15 senescence inducible genes. The top 10 hub genes, including MDH1, CKB, PSMD14, SMARCA4, PEBP1, DDB2, ITPKB, ATF7IP, YAP1, and EWSR1 were screened. Furthermore, four diagnostic genes were identified: PMSD14, PEBP1, ITPKB, and ATF7IP. The ROC analysis showed that the respective area under the curves (AUCs) of PMSD14, PEBP1, ITPKB, and ATF7IP were 0.732, 0.701, 0.747, and 0.703 in the GSE36980 dataset and 0.870, 0.817, 0.902, and 0.834 in the GSE5281 dataset. In the GSE44770 dataset, PMSD14 (AUC, 0.838) and ITPKB (AUC, 0.952) had very high diagnostic values in the early stage of AD. Finally, based on these diagnostic genes, we found that the drug Abemaciclib is a targeted drug for the treatment of age-related AD. Flutamide can aggravate aging-related AD.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that cellular SRGs might play an important role in AD. PMSD14, PEBP1, ITPKB, and ATF7IP have the potential as specific biomarkers for the early diagnosis of AD.

Spatially heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology induced by climate change threaten the integrity of the avian migration network

Phenological responses to climate change frequently vary among trophic levels, which can result in increasing asynchrony between the peak energy requirements of consumers and the availability of resources. Migratory birds use multiple habitats with seasonal food resources along migration flyways. Spatially heterogeneous climate change could cause the phenology of food availability along the migration flyway to become desynchronized. Such heterogeneous shifts in food phenology could pose a challenge to migratory birds by reducing their opportunity for food availability along the migration path and consequently influencing their survival and reproduction. We develop a novel graph-based approach to quantify this problem and deploy it to evaluate the condition of the heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology for 16 migratory herbivorous waterfowl species in Asia. We show that climate change-induced heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology could cause a 12% loss of migration network integrity on average across all study species. Species that winter at relatively lower latitudes are subjected to a higher loss of integrity in their migration network. These findings highlight the susceptibility of migratory species to climate change. Our proposed methodological framework could be applied to migratory species in general to yield an accurate assessment of the exposure under climate change and help to identify actions for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate-related risks.

Sestrin 2 protects human lens epithelial cells from oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide by regulating the mTOR/Nrf2 pathway

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the effect and potential mechanism of Sestrin 2 (SESN2) in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs).

METHODS

To mimic the oxidative stress environment, SAR01/04 cells were treated with 200 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 24 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were checked by cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry. Western blot was taken to check the protein changes of SESN2, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphorylated (p)-mTOR, ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (p70S6K), p-p70S6K, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected via the corresponding reagent kit. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

SESN2 was down-regulated in cataract lens tissue and up-regulated in SAR01/04 cells treated with H2O2. Under treatment of H2O2, up-regulation of SESN2 improved cell viability, enhanced the activity of SOD and CAT, inhibited cell apoptosis, and reduced the levels of MDA, ROS, IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α, while down-regulation of SESN2 caused the contrary effects. Further bioinformatics analysis suggested that SESN2 regulated the mTOR signaling pathway. Treatment of H2O2 inhibited p-mTOR and p-p70S6K protein expression, while overexpression of SESN2 increased p-mTOR and p-p70S6K protein expression in the H2O2 group and down-regulation of SESN2 further decreased p-mTOR and p-p70S6K protein expression in the H2O2 group. Additionally, H2O2 increased Nrf2 protein expression, and overexpression of SESN2 further increased Nrf2 protein expression in the H2O2 group. Importantly, rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR signaling pathway) and knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the promotive effects of SESN2 on cell viability and the inhibitive effects of SESN2 on cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory reaction.

CONCLUSION

SESN2 protected HLECs damage induced by H2O2, which was related to the activation of mTOR/Nrf2 pathway.