Representation learning in intraoperative vital signs for heart failure risk prediction.

Background: The probability of heart failure during the perioperative period is 2% on average and it is as high as 17% when accompanied by cardiovascular diseases in China. It has been the most significant cause of postoperative death of patients. However, the patient is managed by the flow of information during the operation, but a lot of clinical information can make it difficult for medical staff to identify the information relevant to patient care.

Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing a Formal Tetradentate Coordination Chelate: Structural Properties and Phosphorescence Fine-Tuned by Ancillaries.

Synthesis of the multidentate coordinated chelate N3C-H, composed of a linked functional pyridyl pyrazole fragment plus a peripheral phenyl and pyridyl unit, was obtained using a multistep protocol. Preparation of Ir(III) metal complexes bearing a N3C chelate in the tridentate (κ), tetradentate (κ), and pentadentate (κ) modes was executed en route from two nonemissive dimer intermediates [Ir(κ-N3CH)Cl] () and [Ir(κ-N3C)Cl] (). Next, a series of mononuclear Ir(III) complexes with the formulas [Ir(κ-N3C)Cl(py)] (), [Ir(κ-N3C)Cl(dmap)] (), [Ir(κ-N3C)Cl(mpzH)] (), and [Ir(κ-N3C)Cl(dmpzH)] (), as well as diiridium complexes [Ir(κ-N3C)(mpz)(CO)(H)] () and [Ir(κ-N3C)(dmpz)(CO)(H)] (), were obtained upon treatment of dimer with pyridine (py), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap), 4-methylpyrazole (mpzH), and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (dmpzH), respectively.

Effect of propofol, midazolam and dexmedetomidine on ICU patients with sepsis and on arterial blood gas.

Effects of propofol, midazolam and dexmedetomidine on patients with sepsis in intensive care unit (ICU) and on arterial blood gas (ABG) were studied. In total 429 ICU patients with sepsis, admitted to Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University from May 2015 to January 2019, were selected as research subjects for a prospective analysis. All patients received basic treatment, such as anti-infection treatment, correction of shock and improvement of microcirculation.

BMP10 preserves cardiac function through its dual activation of SMAD-mediated and STAT3-mediated pathways.

Bone morphogenetic protein 10 (BMP10) is a cardiac peptide growth factor belonging to the transforming growth factor β superfamily that critically controls cardiovascular development, growth, and maturation. It has been shown that BMP10 elicits its intracellular signaling through a receptor complex of activin receptor-like kinase 1 with morphogenetic protein receptor type II or activin receptor type 2A. Previously, we generated and characterized a transgenic mouse line expressing BMP10 from the α-myosin heavy chain gene promoter and found that these mice have normal cardiac hypertrophic responses to both physiological and pathological stimuli.

FGF-21 ameliorates essential hypertension of SHR via baroreflex afferent function.

Hypertension is a common complication of metabolic abnormalities associated with cardiovascular system and characterized by sexual dimorphism in mammals. Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) plays a critical role in metabolic-disorder related hypertension through the afferent loop of baroreflex. However, the gender difference in FGF-21-mediated blood pressure (BP) regulation via sexual dimorphic expression of FGFRs in the nodose (NG) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) were not elucidated in physiological and genomic form of hypertension.

Synthesis of Magnesium- and Silicon-modified Hydroxyapatites by Microwave-Assisted Method.

Nanopowders of hydroxyapatite (HA), modified by magnesium (MgHA) and by silicon (SiHA) were obtained by liquid-phase microwave synthesis method. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy results showed that Mg and SiO ions were present in the synthesized products both as secondary phases and as part of the HA phase. Whitlockite was found in the magnesium-modified HA (MgHA) and larnite was found in the silicon-modified HA (SiHA); ion substitution for both materials resulted in solid solutions.

Light-activated drug release from prodrug nanoassemblies by structure destruction.

We report here a novel light-triggered nanosystem based on co-assembling nanoaggregates (NAs) of lipophilic photosensitizers and lipophilic prodrugs containing multiple thioethers. Upon laser irradiation, the oxidization of the multiple thioethers by photosensitizer-generated singlet oxygen could rapidly destroy the NA structure, resulting in faster drug release than those containing a single thioether.

Characterization of tolerance and multi-enzyme activities in non-Saccharomyces yeasts isolated from Vidal blanc icewine fermentation.

This work aim to study the tolerance and aroma-related enzymes activities of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts in Vidal blanc icewine from the Huanren region of China. The strains were identified by sequencing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain genes and all representative non-Saccharomyces yeasts were belonged to genera Metschnikowia, Hanseniaspora, Torulaspora, Candida, and Debaryomyces. A total of 28 strains were carried out for tolerance experiments and results suggested that most of them could tolerate 500 g/L glucose, 4% ethanol, 20 g/L tartaric acid, and 350 mg/L SO .

Kinetic stability-driven cytotoxicity of small-molecule prodrug nanoassemblies.

Nanoassemblies (NAs) of small-molecule lipophilic prodrugs have been widely investigated for efficient drug delivery in cancer therapy, but their kinetic stability has not attracted sufficient attention in the past studies. Herein, we reported that kinetic stability has a great influence on the drug release from the NAs of lipophilic prodrugs in physiologically relevant media. Based on the co-assembled FRET nanosystems of two lipophilic fluorescent prodrugs, we demonstrated that NAs constructed by lipophilic prodrugs containing shorter alkyl chains or those with higher unsaturated degrees displayed poorer kinetic stability, which further resulted in remarkably faster drug release in mouse plasma and various tissue homogenates.

An Injectable, Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Click Cross-Linked Azobenzene Hydrogel for Breast Cancer Chemotherapy.

Injectable hydrogels possess huge potential as localized drug carriers in breast cancer chemotherapy, owing to several advantages, including easy target administration, enhanced therapeutic efficiency, and less systemic side effects. Herein, we describe an injectable, near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive click cross-linked azobenzene hydrogel (AzoGel) that displays NIR irradiation-mediated smart drug release. The hydrogel can be formed via click cross-linking by mixing two kinds of gelatin derivatives functioned with dibenzylcyclooctyne (DBCO) and azidated azobenzene (N₃-Azo) respectively.

Amino acid substitutions in a polygalacturonase inhibiting protein (OsPGIP2) increases sheath blight resistance in rice.

Background: An economic strategy to control plant disease is to improve plant defense to pathogens by deploying resistance genes. Plant polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) have a vital role in plant defense against phytopathogenic fungi by inhibiting fungal polygalacturonase (PG) activity. We previously reported that rice PGIP1 (OsPGIP1) inhibits PG activity in Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of rice sheath blight (SB), and is involved in regulating resistance to SB.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Amides To Achieve Biaryls via C-N Bond Cleavage.

The palladium-catalyzed decarbonylative Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of amides via selective amide C-N bond cleavage was reported, which afforded mild access to substitute biaryl products in the presence of low catalyst loading with NaHCO as the base in good yields within 4 h (29 examples).

Subcutaneous brompheniramine for cutaneous analgesia in rats.

Brompheniramine as an antihistamine blocked sodium channels, and local anesthetics by blocking sodium channels produced the local anesthetic effects. The authors aimed to assess local anesthetic quality and duration of brompheniramine when compared to the local anesthetic mepivacaine. After rats were shaved and injected subcutaneously on the dorsal skin, the panniculus reflex, induced via applying a noxious pinprick to the skin (injected area), was scored.

Prokineticin Receptor-1 Signaling Inhibits Dose- and Time-Dependent Anthracycline-Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity Via Myocardial and Vascular Protection.

Objectives: This study investigated how different concentrations of doxorubicin (DOX) can affect the function of cardiac cells. This study also examined whether activation of prokineticin receptor (PKR)-1 by a nonpeptide agonist, IS20, prevents DOX-induced cardiovascular toxicity in mouse models.

Background: High prevalence of heart failure during and following cancer treatments remains a subject of intense research and therapeutic interest.

Dopamine enhancement of dextrorphan-induced skin antinociception in response to needle pinpricks in rats.

Background: Dextrorphan with long-acting local anesthetic effects did not cause system toxicity as fast as bupivacaine, while catecholamines (i.e., epinephrine) with the vasoconstrictive characteristics enhanced the effects of local anesthetic drugs.

Phentolamine Reverses Epinephrine-Enhanced Skin Antinociception of Dibucaine in Rats.

Background: The objective of the experiment was to assess the antinociceptive effect of dibucaine, bupivacaine, and epinephrine. To assess the mechanism of action of the interaction between dibucaine and epinephrine, phentolamine, a nonselective α-adrenergic antagonist, was added to the mixture.

Methods: We assessed sensory blockade with these drugs by injecting 0.

Dispositional mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion from others as moderators between stress and depression in caregivers of patients with lung cancer.

Objective: The present study aimed to identify the most important protective factors predicting caregivers' depressive symptoms among factors of caregivers' dispositional mindfulness, self-compassion, compassion from others, and patients' dispositional mindfulness and their moderator effects on the relationship between caregiving stress and depressive symptoms.

Methods: A total of 72 lung cancer outpatients and their family caregivers participated in this study. Family caregivers completed the Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale, and Compassion from Others Scale.

14-3-3/Tau Interaction and Tau Amyloidogenesis.

The major function of microtubule-associated protein tau is to promote microtubule assembly in the central nervous system. However, aggregation of abnormally phosphorylated tau is a hallmark of tauopathies. Although the molecular mechanisms of conformational transitions and assembling of tau molecules into amyloid fibril remain largely unknown, several factors have been shown to promote tau aggregation, including mutations, polyanions, phosphorylation, and interactions with other proteins.

Antiviral and Antibacterial Effects of Silver-Doped TiO₂ Prepared by the Peroxo Sol-Gel Method.

A series of multifunctional silver-doped titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO₂) nanocomposites with various silver contents were synthesized by the peroxo sol-gel method using TiCl4 as a precursor and H₂O₂ as a peptizing agent. The sol was used to coat a glass substrate, thereby forming a thin film. The antiviral and antibacterial activities of the Ag/TiO₂ films and their use in the photocatalytic degradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue were investigated.

Porous aluminum electrodes with 3D channels and zig-zag edges for efficient hydrogen evolution.

An eco-friendly electrochemical approach, including base and acid treatments, and anodization, has been developed for preparation of defect-rich porous aluminum electrodes for efficient hydrogen evolution. A small Tafel slope value of 43 mV dec-1 reveals improved reaction kinetics through the micropores, 3D channels, and zig-zag edges of the aluminum electrode. It exhibits an onset potential of 460 mV and an overpotential of 580 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm-2 due to the porous and edge structures that enhance the charge transfer and mass transport.

Rapid 3D printing of functional nanoparticle-enhanced conduits for effective nerve repair.

Nerve conduits provide an advanced tool for repairing the injured peripheral nerve that often causes disability and mortality. Currently, the efficiency of conduits in repairing peripheral nerve is unsatisfying. Here, we show a functional nanoparticle-enhanced nerve conduit for promoting the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

Ultrasound therapy reduces persistent post-thoracotomy tactile allodynia and spinal substance P expression in rats.

Background: Therapeutic ultrasound (TU) alleviates nerve injury-associated pain, while the molecular mechanisms are less clear. This is an investigator-initiated experimental study to evaluate the mechanisms and effects of ultrasound on prolonged post-thoracotomy pain in a rodent model.

Methods: The rats were randomly separated into four groups (n=8 per group): sham-operation (sham; group 1), thoracotomy and rib retraction (TRR; group 2), and TRR procedure followed by TU (TRR+TU-3; group 3) or TU with the ultrasound power turned off (TRR+TU-0; group 4).

Uricase and Horseradish Peroxidase Hybrid CaHPO₄ Nanoflower Integrated with Transcutaneous Patches for Treatment of Hyperuricemia.

Currently, there are approximately 170 million hyperuricemia patients in China. Conventional drug therapy has limited clinical benefits and may induce serious side effects. Enzyme replacement therapy has attracted much attention owing to its advantages of strong specificity, small dosage, and remarkable curative effect.

3D Printing Enabled Customization of Functional Microgels.

Injectable microgels show great promising applications in cell therapy and drug delivery. Currently, there remains a challenge to rapidly and cost-effectively fabricate customized microgels. Here, we present a digital light processing based three-dimensional (3D) printing process to fabricate microgels with tailored shapes and sizes.

The small GTPase Rhb1 is involved in the cell response to fluconazole in Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is an important fungal pathogen in humans. Rhb1 is a small GTPase of the Ras superfamily and is conserved from yeasts to humans. In C.