Effect of low high-density lipoprotein levels on mortality of septic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

BACKGROUND:An increase in high-density lipoprotein(HDL)is well associated with a decreased cardiovascular risk,especially atherosclerosis.Recent studies suggest that lower levels of HDL may also be associated with an increased risk of sepsis and an increased rate of mortality in septic patients.However,this conclusion remains controversial.METHODS:MEDLINE,EMBASE,and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to September 30,2019.All studies were conducted to evaluate the correlation of lipoprotein levels and the risk and outcomes of sepsis in adult patients.The primary outcomes were the risk and mortality of sepsis.RESULTS:Seven studies comprising 791 patients were included.Lower levels of HDL had no marked relevance with the risk of sepsis(odds radio[OR]for each 1 mg/dL increase,0.94;95%CI 0.86–1.02;P=0.078),whereas lower HDL levels were related to an increased mortality rate in septic patients(OR for below about median HDL levels,2.00;95%CI 1.23–3.24;P=0.005).CONCLUSION:This meta-analysis did not reveal a signifi cant association between lower HDL levels and an increase in the risk of sepsis,whereas it showed that lower HDL levels are associated with a higher mortality rate in septic adult patients.These findings suggest that HDL may be considered as a promising factor for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in the future.

镁化焙烧钒渣中钒的酸浸动力学研究

为了促进钒渣镁化焙烧−酸浸提钒法的工业应用,研究钒渣镁化焙烧熟料中钒的酸浸出动力学。结合XRD、XPS和SEM,揭示在浸出初期的10 min内,MgSiO_(3)和大部分钒酸盐急剧地消耗酸,形成SiO2和V(V)的氧钒根离子。通过研究钒浸出效率随浸出时间的变化,建立钒浸出的动力学模型。结果表明,浸出过程分为两个不同的阶段,且两个阶段的动力学均遵循收缩核模型。0~10 min的浸出速率由固体产物层扩散和化学反应共同控制,而10~30 min的浸出速率仅由化学反应控制。因此,浸出初始10 min内加速传质很关键,而后续20 min内精确控温至关重要。

Gene signatures to therapeutics:Assessing the potential of ivermectin against t(4;14)multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND Multiple myeloma(MM)is a terminal differentiated B-cell tumor disease characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells and excessive levels of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the bone marrow.The translocation,(t)(4;14),results in high-risk MM with limited treatment alternatives.Thus,there is an urgent need for identification and validation of potential treatments for this MM subtype.Microarray data and sequencing information from public databases could offer opportunities for the discovery of new diagnostic or therapeutic targets.AIM To elucidate the molecular basis and search for potential effective drugs of t(4;14)MM subtype by employing a comprehensive approach.METHODS The transcriptional signature of t(4;14)MM was sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus.Two datasets,GSE16558 and GSE116294,which included 17 and 15 t(4;14)MM bone marrow samples,and five and four normal bone marrow samples,respectively.After the differentially expressed genes were identified,the Cytohubba tool was used to screen for hub genes.Then,the hub genes were analyzed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.Using the STRING database and Cytoscape,protein–protein interaction networks and core targets were identified.Potential small-molecule drugs were identified and validated using the Connectivity Map database and molecular docking analysis,respectively.RESULTS In this study,a total of 258 differentially expressed genes with enriched functions in cancer pathways,namely cytokine receptor interactions,nuclear factor(NF)-κB signaling pathway,lipid metabolism,atherosclerosis,and Hippo signaling pathway,were identified.Ten hub genes(cd45,vcam1,ccl3,cd56,app,cd48,btk,ccr2,cybb,and cxcl12)were identified.Nine drugs,including ivermectin,deforolimus,and isoliquiritigenin,were predicted by the Connectivity Map database to have potential therapeutic effects on t(4;14)MM.In molecular docking,ivermectin showed strong binding affinity to all 10 identified targets,especially cd45 and cybb.Ivermectin inhibited t(4;14)MM cell growth via the NF-κB pathway and induced MM cell apoptosis in vitro.Furthermore,ivermectin increased reactive oxygen species accumulation and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in t(4;14)MM cells.CONCLUSION Collectively,the findings offer valuable molecular insights for biomarker validation and potential drug development in t(4;14)MM diagnosis and treatment,with ivermectin emerging as a potential therapeutic alternative.

Combination therapy(toripalimab and lenvatinib)-associated toxic epidermal necrolysis in a patient with metastatic liver cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND Both programmed cell death-1(PD-1)inhibitors and lenvatinib,which have a synergistic effect,are promising drugs for tumor treatment.It is generally believed that combination therapy with a PD-1 inhibitor and lenvatinib is safe and effective.However,we report a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis(TEN),a grade 4 toxicity,after this combination therapy.CASE SUMMARY A 39-year-old male presented with erythema,blisters and erosions on the face,neck,trunk and limbs 1 wk after receiving combination therapy with lenvatinib and toripalimab,a PD-1 inhibitor.The skin injury covered more than 70%of the body surface area.He was previously diagnosed with liver cancer with cervical vertebra metastasis.Histologically,prominent necrotic keratinocytes,hyperkeratosis,liquefaction of basal cells and acantholytic bullae were observed in the epidermis.Blood vessels in the dermis were infiltrated by lymphocytes and eosinophils.Direct immunofluorescence staining was negative.Thus,the diagnosis was confirmed to be TEN(associated with combination therapy with toripalimab and lenvatinib).Full-dose and long-term corticosteroids,high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and targeted antibiotic drugs were administered.The rashes gradually faded;however,as expected,the tumor progressed.Therefore, sorafenib and regorafenib were given in succession, and the patient was still alive at the10-mo follow-up.CONCLUSIONCautious attention should be given to rashes that develop after combination therapy with PD-1inhibitors and lenvatinib. Large-dose and long-course glucocorticoids may be crucial for thetreatment of TEN associated with this combination treatment.

选择性还原分离和回收酸性浸出液中的碲和铋

提出一种用Na_(2)SO_(3)和Fe粉选择性分离和回收碲铋矿酸性浸出液中碲、铋的简单、高效方法。采用SEM-EDS、XRD、XPS和ICP-OES等手段研究碲、铋的选择性还原机理。过剩系数为16的Na_(2)SO_(3)在80℃和10 min条件下可还原99.83%的Te,粗碲品位达93.78%。此外,搅拌促进Na_(2)SO_(3)溶解,从而加速Te还原。过剩系数为7.5的Fe在60℃和40 min条件下可置换99.39%的Bi,粗铋品位达92.35%。采用循环浸出碲铋矿的方法可提高浸出液中Te(Ⅳ)和Bi(Ⅲ)的浓度并降低Fe(Ⅲ)的浓度,减少Na_(2)SO_(3)的消耗。

Microemulsion leaching of vanadium from sodium-roasted vanadium slag by fusion of leaching and extraction processes

The fusion of the leaching and purification processes was realized by directly using microemulsion as the leaching agent.The bis-(2-ethyhexyl)phosphoric acid(DEHPA)/n-heptane/NaOH microemulsion system was established to directly leach vanadates from sodium-roasted vanadium slag.The effect of the leaching agent on the leaching efficiency was investigated,in addition to the molar ratio of H_(2)O/NaDEHP(W),DEHPA concentration,solid/liquid ratio,stirring time,and leaching temperature.In optimal situations,the vanadium leaching efficiency reaches 79.57%.The X-ray diffraction characterization of the leaching residue and the Raman spectrum of the microemulsion before and after leaching demonstrate the successful entry of vanadates from the sodium-roasted vanadium slag into the microemulsion.The proposed method successfully realizes the leaching and purification of vanadates in one step,thereby greatly reducing production costs and environmental pollution.It also offers a new way to achieve the green recovery of valuable metals from solid resources.

Quick valence analysis method of vanadium toward accurate toxicity assessment of vanadium-containing hazardous wastes

In order to develop a quick, efficient and sensitive valence analysis method of vanadium(Ⅴ), the highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was utilized to separate and quantify EDTA-complexed Ⅴ(Ⅲ), Ⅴ(Ⅳ) and Ⅴ(Ⅴ) ions. The influence of EDTA, TBAOH, solution pH and organic modifier on retention behavior of V-EDTA complexes was investigated. Complexed Ⅴ(Ⅲ), Ⅴ(Ⅳ) and Ⅴ(Ⅴ) ions can be separated and quantified in 5 min, with detection limits of 0.04 mg/L Ⅴ(Ⅲ), 0.07 mg/L Ⅴ(Ⅳ), and 0.06 mg/L Ⅴ(Ⅴ), respecti vely. The established method is applied to analyzing the hazardous waste of V-Cr-bearing reducing slag and results demonstrate 49.94% of its Ⅴ element to be toxic Ⅴ(Ⅴ). This work opens a new avenue for quick and accurate toxicity assessment of hazardous wastes containing multivalent heavy metals.

Solidification and heat transfer of molten steel slag particles during air quenching process

In order to effectively utilize the resources and energy of molten steel slag,the variation of precipitation phase and specific heat of air quenched steel slag(AQSS)particles during continuous cooling process was investigated by FactSage and thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry.The cooling and solidification process of molten AQSS particles was simulated by Fluent.The microstructure changes in AQSS particles in solidification process were analyzed using an ultrahigh temperature laser confocal microscope and a scanning electron microscope.The results indicated that in the cooling process of molten AQSS particles,the precipitation of Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) resulted in the largest change of specific heat.Under the condition of slow cooling,the cooling rate is more obviously affected by specific heat.When the initial air velocity was 300 m s^(-1),there was the highest temperature difference in AQSS particles during cooling process.What is more,the compactness of the boundary region of AQSS particles was obviously better than that of its central region.

Determination of potential management zones from soil electrical conductivity,yield and crop data

One approach to apply precision agriculture to optimize crop production and environmental quality is identifying management zones. In this paper,the variables of soil electrical conductivity (EC) data,cotton yield data and normalized differ-ence vegetation index (NDVI) data in an about 15 ha field in a coastal saline land were selected as data resources,and their spatial variabilities were firstly analyzed and spatial distribution maps constructed with geostatistics technique. Then fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm was used to define management zones,fuzzy performance index (FPI) and normalized classification entropy (NCE) were used to determine the optimal cluster numbers. Finally one-way variance analysis was performed on 224 georefer-enced soil and yield sampling points to assess how well the defined management zones reflected the soil properties and produc-tivity level. The results reveal that the optimal number of management zones for the present study area was 3 and the defined management zones provided a better description of soil properties and yield variation. Statistical analyses indicate significant differences between the chemical properties of soil samples and crop yield in each management zone,and management zone 3 presented the highest nutrient level and potential crop productivity,whereas management zone 1 the lowest. Based on these findings,we conclude that fuzzy c-means clustering approach can be used to delineate management zones by using the given three variables in the coastal saline soils,and the defined management zones form an objective basis for targeting soil samples for nutrient analysis and development of site-specific application strategies.

Construction of Multi-level Space-filling Designs via Code Mappings

Space-filling designs are widely used in various fields because of their nice space-filling properties.Uniform designs are one of space-filling designs,which desires the experimental points to scatter uniformly over the experimental area.For practical need,the construction and their properties of nine-level uniform designs are discussed via two code mappings in this paper.Firstly,the algorithm of constructing nine-level uniform designs is presented from an initial three-level design by the Type-I code mapping and tripling technique.Secondly,the algorithm of constructing nine-level uniform designs is presented from a three-level base design by the Type-II code mapping and generalized orthogonal arrays.Moreover,relative properties are discussed based on the two code mappings.Finally,some numerical examples are given out for supporting our theoretical results.

A critical review of vanadium-based electrode materials for rechargeable magnesium batteries

Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs)are one of the most promising next-generation energy storage devices due to their high safety and low cost.With a large family and versatile advantageous structures,vanadium-based compounds are highly competitive as electrode materials of RMBs.This review summa-rizes the structural characteristics,electrochemical performance,and refinement methods of vanadium-based materials,including vanadium oxides,vanadium sulfides,vanadates,vanadium phosphates,and vanadium spinel compounds,as RMB cathodes.Although relatively less,vanadium-based materials as RMB anodes are also introduced.According to the application requirements of RMBs,present common strategies are concluded to improve the electrochemical performance of vanadium-based materials;the probably promising development directions are also proposed,which are not limited only to the elec-trode materials,but also the compatible electrolytes and separator materials.In the near future,RMBs are expected from their large-scale application,standing at the forefront of the energy storage era.

An acupoint-originated human interstitial fluid circulatory network

To the Editor:Since 1027,when the Tian Sheng Bronze Statue showing acupoints and meridians was first introduced for medical practitioners,it has evolved to the currently used acupoints and meridians atlas in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).[1]To date,the acupoints represent defined areas on the body surface relative to certain landmarks.The acupoints in the extremity endings would connect anatomically with diverse associated visceral organs or tissues,forming a Meridian and Collateral network.Illustrated on the atlas,each main meridian is usually a virtual line connecting a group of adjacent acupoints that correlate with certain visceral organ.In modern medical science,the anatomical structures of main meridians remain largely unclarified.