Nature's answer to flexible electronics: Polysaccharide-based hydrogel sensors.

Polysaccharide hydrogel based flexible sensors exhibit significant promise for human health monitoring, leveraging their exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable surface chemistry. To date, research on polysaccharide hydrogels in flexible electronic sensing has achieved substantial progress. However, a systematic structure-property relationship linking fabrication strategies, network structure, hydrogel properties, and sensing performances remains unestablished.

Dietary energy intake predicts mortality in Chinese patients with peritoneal dialysis: a single-center 18 years' follow-up study.

Background: Lower dietary energy intake (DEI) may be associated with increased mortality risk. This study aims to analyze the influence of baseline DEI, time average DEI, and other factors on survival in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Method: It was a single-center retrospective cohort study.

From micropores to mechanical strength: Fabrication and characterization of edible corn starch-sodium alginate double network hydrogels with Ca2+ cross-linking.

This study explores the fabrication and characterization of corn starch‑sodium alginate double network hydrogels using two distinct calcium ion cross-linking methods: the gluconolactone immersed method (GIM) and the calcium chloride immersed method (CCIM). We investigated the ionic cross-linking mechanism of these hydrogels and compared their microstructure and mechanical properties. Our results highlight significant differences between GIM and CCIM hydrogels, with the CCIM method producing a more uniform and compact network.

Effect of different exit-site care dressings on preventing peritoneal dialysis related infection from nontropical area: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Object: This study aims to conduct a systematic review and network meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of various dressings in preventing exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCO), Sino Med, Wan Fang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) from 1 January 1999 to 10 July 2023. The language restrictions were Chinese and English.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea severity and depression risk: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has received considerable attention as a potential risk factor for depressive symptoms. The systematic review was conducted to confirm the dose‒response connection between OSA severity and depression risk. A systematic literature search of English and Chinese articles published in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases from their inception to 28 August 2023 was conducted.

Dietary nutrient intake and nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: To investigate the dietary nutrient intake of Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, identify influencing factors, and explore the correlation between dietary nutrient intake and nutritional and disease control indicators.

Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. A dietary survey was conducted using a three-day dietary record method, and a self-designed diet management software was utilized to calculate the daily intake of dietary nutrients.

Eco-friendly electronic food labels: Development and application of Ion-SSPB double network hydrogel.

Although various conductive hydrogels have been developed for sensing, ideal materials for meeting the safety and toughness requirements of food detection are still lacking. This study introduces Ion-SSPB, a conductive hydrogel fabricated from eco-friendly, food-grade materials such as corn starch (CS), sodium alginate (SA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and bentonite (BT). It leverages a green manufacturing approach designed for application in electronic food sensors.

Green, tough, and heat-resistant: A GDL-induced strategy for starch-alginate hydrogels.

Hydrogels fabricated by non-covalent interaction garnered significant attention for their eco-friendly and robust mechanical attributes, and are often used in food, medicine and other fields. Although starch-alginate hydrogels exhibit high adhesion and are environmentally sustainable, their applications are limited due to their low elasticity and hardness. Addressing this challenge, we introduce a solvent-induced strategy using glucolactone (GDL) to fabricate hydrogels with enhanced strength and thermal resilience.

Importance of timing and training to implement awake prone positioning in patients with COVID-19: a single-center prospective observational study.

Background: Awake prone positioning (APP) is broadly implemented in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 related disease [coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] admitted to hospital with severe respiratory distress syndrome. This prospective observational study aimed to explore the factors influencing the implementation of APP in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19, all hospitalized with positive X-ray findings and oxygen supplementation requirement, in the Respiratory Step-Down Unit of the Peking University Third Hospital between January 6, 2023, and January 20, 2023, were included in this study.

[Screening and molecular identification of endophytic fungi promoting accumulation of flavonoids in callus of Scutellaria baicalensis].

To screen and identify the endophytic fungal strains that could promote the accumulation of flavonoids in the callus of Scutellaria baicalensis. Seventeen endophytic fungal strains from S. baicalensis were used to prepare mycelium elicitors and fermentation broth elicitors.

Hybrid biodegradable materials from starch and hydrocolloid: fabrication, properties and applications of starch-hydrocolloid film, gel and bead.

The potential for utilizing starch and hydrocolloids as sustainable biomaterials has garnered significant attention among researchers. The biodegradability and functional properties of composite films, gels, and beads, as well as their environmental friendliness, make them attractive options for a variety of applications. However, the hydrophilicity, brittleness, and regeneration limitations of starch materials can be addressed through the incorporation of non-starch hydrocolloids.

Relationship between gut microbiota and vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Vascular calcification (VC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The pathogenesis of VC is complicated and unclear. Uremic toxins produced by gut microbiota can promote VC.

The cultivable endophytic fungal community of : diversity and relevance to flavonoid production by the host.

(), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, is widely used because of its important pharmacological activities. However, the endophytic fungi that promote flavonoid accumulation in remain unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the endophytic fungal community of and screened the endophytic fungi that might promote flavonoid synthesis in .

Biodegradation behavior and digestive properties of starch-based film for food packaging - a review.

Non-degradable plastic places a serious burden on the environment, so consumers and researchers are working to develop biodegradable, safe, and sustainable food packaging materials. The starch-based film has become emerging material for food packaging. Not only does it shows excellent physicochemical properties, but also provides the desired degradation characteristics after use or the digestive properties after consumption, thus needing to comprehensively evaluate the quality of starch-based food packaging materials.

Peritoneal dialysis can maintain nitrogen balance with low Kt/V in anuric patients.

Background: A big concern for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is dialysis adequacy in anuric patients. Some studies have even suggested that CAPD patients should be transferred to hemodialysis when they become anuric in order to achieve adequate dialysis. In the present study, we tried to find out whether anuric patients can maintain nitrogen balance with standard or even lower dialysis dose.

Prognostic implications of predialysis patients' symptoms in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: As kidney disease progresses, patients often experience a variety of symptoms. There are very few studies reporting spectrum of predialysis patients' symptoms in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Furthermore, the clinical significance of predialysis patients' symptoms for PD patients' prognosis remains unknown.

Daily self-care practices influence exit-site condition in patients having peritoneal dialysis: A multicenter cross-sectional survey.

Aims: To investigate practice patterns in exit-site care and identify the risk factors for exit-site infection.

Design: A quantitative cross-sectional design.

Methods: Data were collected in 12 peritoneal dialysis (PD) centres in 2018.

Serum Sphingosine-1-phosphate level and peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Given the important role of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in maintaining the hemostasis in intestinal barrier function and regulation of inflammation and immune, we hypothesize that S1P might be a biomarker to predict peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: In this case-control study, 78 stable, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients were enrolled and followed for the episode of PD associated peritonitis. Patients were divided into two groups by whether or not they had peritonitis during follow-up: non-peritonitis ( = 65) and peritonitis ( = 13) group.

Loss of the Normal Gradient in Arterial Compliance and Outcomes of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background: In dialysis patients, loss of the normal gradient in arterial compliance, assessed by the pulse wave velocity (PWV) ratio, predicts all-cause mortality better than does carotid-femoral PWV (CF-PWV) alone. However, the prognostic significance of the PWV ratio for outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients remains unclear.

Methods: In this longitudinal cohort study, CKD patients who visited our CKD management clinic between April 27, 2006, and March 27, 2008, were included and followed up.

Low-dose dialysis combined with low protein intake can maintain nitrogen balance in peritoneal dialysis patients in poor economies .

Objective: Due to limited economic conditions, we tried to provide "fitted" dialysis doses instead of the doses recommended by the international guidelines to the individual patients. In the present cross-sectional study, we studied the dialysis adequacy and nutritional status of 5 peritoneal dialysis patients who had a low dialysis dose (2 bags, 4,000 mL/day).

Methods: The 3-day dietary records were reviewed to calculate patients' energy, protein, and nitrogen intake (NI).

What's the Optimal Lipids Level for Dialysis Patients? A Cohort Study from a Chinese Dialysis Center in a University Hospital.

Background: With lipid level being a major contributing factor for cardiovascular health, the high cardiovascular mortality among dialysis patients has raised substantial concerns in regard to the optimal lipid level in these patient population.

Objective: To explore the optimal lipid level for the survival of dialysis patients.

Methods: The lipid profile was measured for each patient.

Influence of Different Payment Schemes on the Clinical Outcome in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Unlabelled: ♦

Background: Cost is always a big issue for dialysis patients. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of different payment schemes on dialysis adequacy and clinical outcome in our peritoneal dialysis program. ♦

Methods: This is a single-center cohort study.

Heart rate variability predicts mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: The predictive value of heart rate variability (HRV) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) has never been tested.

Methods: In this study, the associations between HRV measures and the mortality in 81 PD patients were analyzed. HRV was measured by using 5-min recordings of a stationary system by a standardized method.

Salvia miltiorrhiza: Traditional medicinal uses, chemistry, and pharmacology.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SM) is a very popular medicinal plant that has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases, especially coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, either alone or in combination with other Chinese plant-based medicines. Although a large number of studies on SM have been performed, they are scattered across a variety of publications. The present review is an up-to-date summary of the published scientific information about the traditional uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, side effects, and drug interactions with SM, in order to lay the foundation for further investigations and better utilization of SM.

Potassium metabolism in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Hypokalemia is common and may have contributed to the poor clinical outcome in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this study, we made a detailed investigation on the potassium metabolism in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and tried to find out the possible factors associated with the high prevalence of hypokalemia in PD patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey in 243 clinically stable CAPD patients was made in our PD center in 2010.