Predictive value of angiopoietin-like protein 8 in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its progression:A case-control study

BACKGROUND The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is rapidly increasing,currently affecting approximately 25%of the global population.Liver fibrosis represents a crucial stage in the development of MAFLD,with advanced liver fibrosis elevating the risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Simple serum markers are less effective in diagnosing liver fibrosis compared to more complex markers.However,imaging techniques like transient elastography face limitations in clinical application due to equipment and technical constraints.Consequently,it is imperative to identify a straightforward yet effective method for assessing MAFLD-associated liver fibrosis.AIM To investigate the predictive value of angiopoietin-like protein 8(ANGPTL8)in MAFLD and its progression.METHODS We analyzed 160 patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography in the Endocrinology Department,Xiaogan Central Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology,during September 2021-July 2022.Using abdominal ultrasonography and MAFLD diagnostic criteria,among the 160 patients,80 patients(50%)were diagnosed with MAFLD.The MAFLD group was divided into the liver fibrosis group(n=23)and non-liver fibrosis group(n=57)by using a cut-off fibrosis-4 index≥1.45.Logistical regression was used to analyze the risk of MAFLD and the risk factors for its progression.Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum ANGPTL8 in MAFLD and its progression.RESULTS Compared with non-MAFLD patients,MAFLD patients had higher serum ANGPTL8 and triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index(both P<0.05).Serum ANGPTL8(r=0.576,P<0.001)and TyG index(r=0.473,P<0.001)were positively correlated with MAFLD.Serum ANGPTL8 was a risk factor for MAFLD[odds ratio(OR):1.123,95%confidence interval(CI):1.066-1.184,P<0.001).Serum ANGPTL8 and ANGPTL8+TyG index predicted MAFLD[area under the curve(AUC):0.832 and 0.886,respectively;both P<0.05].Compared with MAFLD patients without fibrosis,those with fibrosis had higher serum ANGPTL8 and TyG index(both P<0.05),and both parameters were positively correlated with MAFLD-associated fibrosis.Elevated serum ANGPTL8(OR:1.093,95%CI:1.044-1.144,P<0.001)and TyG index(OR:2.383,95%CI:1.199-4.736,P<0.013)were risk factors for MAFLD-associated fibrosis.Serum ANGPTL8 and ANGPTL8+TyG index predicted MAFLD-associated fibrosis(AUC:0.812 and 0.835,respectively;both P<0.05).CONCLUSION The serum levels of ANGPTL8 are elevated and positively correlated with MAFLD.They can serve as predictors for the risk of MAFLD and liver fibrosis,with the ANGPTL8+TyG index potentially exhibiting even higher predictive value.

Modified smoothed particle hydrodynamics approach for modelling dynamic contact angle hysteresis

Dynamic wetting plays an important role in the physics of multiphase flow, and has a significant influence on many industrial and geotechnical applications. In this work, a modified smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model is employed to simulate surface tension, contact angle and dynamic wetting effects at meso-scale. The wetting and dewetting phenomena are simulated in a capillary tube, where the liquid particles are raised or withdrawn by a shifting substrate. The SPH model is modified by introducing a newly developed viscous force formulation at the liquid-solid interface to reproduce the rate-dependent behaviour of the moving contact line. Dynamic contact angle simulations with the interfacial viscous force are conducted to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of this new formulation. In addition, the influence of interfacial viscous forces with different magnitude on the contact angle dynamics is examined by empirical power-law correlations;the derived constants suggest that the dynamic contact angle changes monotonically with the interfacial viscous force. The simulation results are consistent with experimental observations and theoretical predictions, implying that the interfacial viscous force can be associated with the slip length of flow and the microscopic surface roughness. This work demonstrates that the modified SPH model can successfully account for the rate-dependent effects of a moving contact line, and can be used for realistic multiphase flow simulations under dynamic conditions.

Analysis of the Drug Sensitivity of Escherichia coli Isolated from Sheep in Yangling,Shaanxi Province

This study was conducted to investigate the drug sensitivity of Escherichia coli isolated from sheep, providing data reference for clinical medication. Fifty-four samples were collected from a certain sheep farm in Yangling, Shaanxi Province for E. coli isolation and identification, and K-B disk diffusion method was used to carry out the dug sensitivity test of 40 E. coli to the eight antimicrobials of spectinomycin, amikacin, tobramycin, enrofloxacin, nalidixic acid, levofloxacin, salafloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The results showed that there were 40 positive E. coli strains and the isolation rate was 74.7%. The resistance rates of the 40 E. coli to spectinomycin, amikacin,tobramycin and nalidixic acid were 85%, 95%, 97.5% and 87.5%, respectively, while the resistance rate to enrofloxacin, levofloxacin, salafloxacin and ciprofloxacin were relatively low and the resistance rates were 35%, 20%, 25% and 17.5%, respectively. The isolates showed different levels of drug resistance to eight antimicrobials and the highest resistance rate was 97.5%. It reminds that the sheep farm should strictly control the dosage according to the antimicrobial sensitive data in clinic.

Phylogenetic analysis of 48 gene families revealing relationships between Hagfishes, Lampreys, and Gnathostomata

It has become clear that the extant vertebrates are divided into three major groups, that is, hagfishes, lampreys, and jawed vertebrates. Morphological and molecular studies, however, have resulted in conflicting views with regard to their interrelationships. To clarify the phylogenetic relationships between them, 48 orthologous protein-coding gene families were analyzed. Even as the analysis of 34 nuclear gene families supported the monophyly of cyclostomes, the analysis of 14 mitochondrial gene families suggested a closer relationship between lampreys and gnathostomes compared to hagfishes. Lampreys were sister group of gnathostomes. The results of this study supported the cyclostomes. Choice of outgroup, tree-making methods, and software may affect the phylogenetic prediction, which may have caused much debate over the subject. Development of new methods for tackling such problems is still necessary.

Tissue factor/FVII regulates doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in glioblastoma via activating PI3K/Akt signaling

Objective： To investigate the role of tissue factor （TF） in chemotherapeutic reagent - induced apoptosis on human glioblastoma and explore its mechanism. Methods： The expression of TF was examined by Western blotting. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin was determined by WST assay. The activation of Caspase-3 and PARP induced by adoxorubicin were tested by Western blotting. Results： Human glioblastoma cell line U373MG expressed high level of TF while LN-229 was with low-TF level. The chemotherapeutic reagent doxorubicin revealed stronger cytotoxic effect on high-TF U373MG cells than IowoTF LN-229 cells. Enforced strong expression of TF was achieved by transfection of TF-pcDNA3 combinant on LN-229 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Enforced TF expression in transfected LN-229 cells not only impaired the doxorubicin-induced cleavage of Caspase-3 and PARP, but also inhibited the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin. Furthermore, activation of Akt was strong in high-TF U373MG cells but weak in IowoTF LN-229 cells. Incubation of factor VII （FVII） with enforced TF-expressing LN-229 cells increased the phosphorylaUon of Akt in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion： These results suggest that over-expression of TF on glioblastoma could inhibit doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Interaction of FVII and TF activates the downstream PI3K/Akt pathway. Tumor-derived over-expression of TF might play a role in chemotherapy resistance in glioblastoma, at lest in part, by activating PI3K/Akt-mediated survival and anti-apoptotic mechanism through the interaction of TF/FVII signaling.

Linking bacterial and archaeal community dynamics to related hydrological,geochemical and environmental characteristics between surface water and groundwater in a karstic estuary

Subterranean estuaries(STEs)are characterized by the mixing of terrestrial fresh groundwater and seawater in coastal aquifers.Although microorganisms are important components of coastal groundwater ecosystems and play critical roles in biogeochemical transformations in STEs,limited information is available about how their community dynamics interact with hydrological,geochemical and environmental characteristics in STEs.Here,we studied bacterial and archaeal diversities and distributions with 16S rRNA-based Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology between surface water and groundwater in a karstic STE.Principal-coordinate analysis found that the bacterial and archaeal communities in the areas where algal blooms occurred were significantly separated from those in other stations without algal bloom occurrence.Canonical correspondence analysis showed that nutrients and salinity can explain the patterns of bacterial and archaeal community dynamics.The results suggest that hydrological,geochemical and environmental characteristics between surface water and groundwater likely control the bacterial and archaeal diversities and distributions in STEs.Furthermore,we found that some key species can utilize terrestrial pollutants such as nitrate and ammonia in STEs,indicating that these species(e.g.,Nitrosopumilus maritimus,Limnohabitans parvus and Simplicispira limi)may be excellent candidates for in situ degradation/remediation of coastal groundwater contaminations concerned with the nitrate and ammonia.Overall,this study reveals the coupling relationship between the microbial communities and hydrochemical environments in STEs,and provides a perspective of in situ degradation/remediation for coastal groundwater quality management.

Indirect contact matters:Mid-flight external trunk perturbation increased unilateral anterior cruciate ligament loading variables during jump-landings

Purpose:To determine the effect of unanticipated mid-flight medial-lateral external perturbation of the upper or lower trunk on anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)loading variable s during jump-landings.Methods:Thirty-two participants performed double-leg vertical jump-landings while bilateral kinematics and kinetics were collected under 6conditions(upper or lower trunk perturbation locations;no,left,or right perturbation directions).Two customized catapult apparatuses were created to apply pushing perturbation to participants near the maximal jump height.Results:The ball contacted participants near the center of mass for the lower-trunk conditions and approximately 23 cm above the center of mass for the upper-trunk conditions.Under upper-trunk perturbation,the contralateral leg demonstrated significantly smaller knee flexion angles at initial contact and greater peak knee abduction angles,peak vertical ground reaction forces,peak knee extension moments,and peak knee adduction moments compared to other legs among all conditions.Under lower-trunk perturbation,the contralateral leg showed significantly smaller knee flexion angles at initial contact and increased peak vertical ground reaction forces and peak knee extension moments compared to legs in the no-perturbation conditions.Conclusion:Mid-flight external trunk pushing perturbation increased ACL loading variables for the leg contralateral to the perturbation.The uppertrunk perturbation resulted in greater changes in ACL loading variables compared to the lower-trunk perturbation,likely due to trunk and ipsilateral leg rotation and more laterally located center of mass relative to the contralateral leg.These findings may help us understand the mechanisms of indirect-contact ACL injuries and develop jump-landing training strategies under mid-flight trunk perturbation to better prevent ACL injury.

Role and Effects of Eucommia ulmoides Leaves in the Growth Process of Livestock and Poultry

Substitutes of feed antibiotics have been a key research topic in the new stage of animal husbandry.Chinese veterinary medicine refers to decoction pieces and their preparations processed from natural plants,animals,and minerals and used for animal disease prevention and improvement of animal production performance under the guidance of Chinese veterinary pharmacy theory.Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract has many active functional components such as chlorogenic acid,E.ulmoides polysaccharides and flavonoids,which have many biological properties such as antibacterial,antioxidant,immune-regulation,sugar ester-and bone metabolism-regulation effects.This paper explored active ingredients and biological properties of E.ulmoides leaf extract,as well as its role and effects in livestock and poultry breeding,providing a scientific basis for the use of E.ulmoides leaves in livestock and poultry breeding.

Analysis of Compliance Management Practice of American Drug Registration Applicants and Its Enlightenment to China

In order to achieve the goal of drug safety, effectiveness and quality control, corporate compliance management construction is significant. Therefore, this paper systematically analyzes the seven elements of compliance management for U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers as described in the Compliance Program Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers issued by the HHS-Office of Inspector General, as well as further analyzes the implementation of the guidance by representative multinational companies in different drug registration stages. Finally, some suggestions and implications are proposed to strengthen the construction of compliance management for Chinese drug registration applicants based on the former practical experience.

陕西省碳排放时空格局演变及其影响因素

基于DMSP/OLS和NPP/VIIRS夜间灯光数据,运用探索性空间分析、冷热点分析和标准差椭圆分析等方法,估算了2000~2020年陕西省碳排放量,探讨了陕西省碳排放的时空演化特征,并构建了空间杜宾面板模型分析其影响因素.结果表明:(1)2000~2020年陕西省碳排放总量呈现持续增长趋势;碳排放分布具有显著的地域差异规律,呈现“陕北>关中>陕南”的分布态势.(2)碳排放重心向陕西东北方向移动,说明陕西东部地区和北部地区对全省碳排放量的影响作用加强;碳排放具有显著的空间正自相关性,即表现为集聚效应;碳排放的冷热点转化较为明显,热点在陕北地区扩张,冷点逐渐消失.(3)陕西省碳排放的直接正向影响因素有城镇化率、人口数量、单位GDP能耗、产业结构和经济增长,其中城镇化快速发展和人口规模扩大是陕西省碳排放持续增长的主要推动力.

回旋加速器主磁铁非理想磁场垫补方法研究

回旋加速器主磁场的精密测量和误差垫补技术是回旋加速器技术研究的一个重要方向,也是设备建造的关键环节之一。由于受铁材料内部缺陷、机械加工误差等因素的影响,回旋加速器主磁铁所产生非理想磁场通常会偏离所需要的等时性磁场分布,且含有一定幅值的谐波磁场。因此,在研制回旋加速器的过程中需对非理想磁场进行多次垫补,通过修正实际磁场的分布而最终达到使用要求。与传统磁场垫补算法相比,本文提出了一种基于多元线性回归模型的垫补算法,加入对一次谐波磁场的计算,实现对磁场等时性误差与一次谐波误差同时进行定量化垫补,省去了单独针对一次谐波磁场的垫补过程。为避免增加有限元计算量,本文在新算法中使用了基于1/4磁铁模型获取平均磁场、一次谐波磁场的垫补形状函数。最后使用本文所提垫补方法,将中国原子能科学研究院16 MeV回旋加速器主磁场的等时性误差降低至10-4量级、一次谐波磁场降低至6 Gs以内。实验结果表明,本文提出的算法具有形状函数计算量小、垫补精度高、迭代次数少的特点。

回旋加速器主磁铁镶条再加工工艺研究

回旋加速器主磁场测量与垫补是回旋加速器技术研究的一个重要方向。为实现回旋加速器主磁场垫补理论要求,其垫补方式可采用边缘垫补方式。该方式要求加工的镶条边缘曲线的精度优于0.02 mm。然而,镶条初次加工方式为配做形式,本身镶条材料硬度低、形状薄且长,在强磁场条件下,细微扰动就会引起磁场剧烈变化,实际需要进行垫补加工量非常小。故保证镶条边缘曲线再加工精度是实现回旋加速器功能非常重要的工作。文章从边缘理论曲线获得方式出发,提出加工精度具体要求和边缘曲线加工的实现方式,并考虑其坐标系关系,设计了一种保证镶条边缘曲线再加工精度的工装。该工装可同时固定两根镶条,提供合适的参考点,实现镶条在加速器上的位置复现。该工装应用于16 Mev加速器镶条垫补加工,每次垫补结果机械测量误差在0.02 mm,磁场复测后实际加工磁场与理论垫补磁场精度好于10-3。

21 mA强流多峰场负氢离子源的设计与实验研究

负氢离子源是强流质子回旋加速器的核心设备之一,其性能指标很大程度上决定了加速器最终束流的流强与品质。本文介绍了一种运用于强流质子回旋加速器上的多峰场负氢离子源的设计与实验研究,针对强流质子回旋加速器的高流强需求,通过深入研究高密度等离子体的产生和约束、高效虚拟过滤场、强流负氢离子引出等关键问题,解决制约提高负氢束流强度的瓶颈,在中国原子能科学研究院原有15 mA多峰场负氢离子源的基础上,基本保留原有的多峰场设计,通过采用四圆环灯丝结构,优化虚拟过滤场和引出结构,并改善真空系统,将平均引出束流提高至21 mA,实现了我国加速器领域灯丝驱动直流负氢离子源20 mA流强的突破。

实时监测铣削力的分体式智能刀柄设计与切削测试

实时监测切削过程可提升表面质量和切削效率,为解决台式测力仪价格昂贵、布置装置过程费时费力等问题,提出了一种可同时测量三轴切削力和相应扭矩的分体式智能刀柄设计方法,搭建了实时监测铣削力的无线传输智能刀柄系统,并基于Kistler 9257B测力平台开展动态测试,验证了智能刀柄铣削力数据的准确性。

电子病历联动时间节点提醒系统对严重创伤患者急诊救治时间节点及其预后的影响研究

目的明确创伤中心电子病历联动时间节点提醒系统(以下简称提醒系统)的临床应用效果。方法选取2022年6月至2023年3月湖州市第一人民医院创伤中心接诊的严重创伤患者90例,将2022年6月至10月收治的患者45例纳入对照组,进行常规院前院内救治流程,2022年11月至2023年3月收治的严重创伤患者45例纳入实验组,实施提醒系统引导救治流程。比较两组患者的医疗质控指标、急诊黑洞步骤耗时及患者结局指标。结果实验组患者的床旁FAST超声检查时间、CT扫描完成时间、急诊室滞留时间、护理等待时间、制定诊疗方案及手术谈话耗时、路途转运耗时均显著短于对照组(P<0.05);两组患者的首剂氨甲环酸给药时间、损伤控制性处置完成时间、重症监护病房住院时间、有创机械通气时间、救治成功率比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论提醒系统的应用有助于强化医护配合,缩短不必要的救治等待时间,加快严重创伤救治过程中的时间节点转换。

珠海市慢性疾病预防控制能力建设现状分析

目的 了解珠海市基本公共卫生服务慢性疾病项目管理现状、管理能力及基础资源配置等,分析评估基础资源配置效率和慢性疾病防控能力建设制约因素与需求等,为制定慢性疾病预防控制相关政策和防控策略提供依据。方法 在调查的7家疾控中心和29家基层医疗卫生机构中,共有卫生技术在岗人员590人,结合定性访谈进行现场问卷调查,应用数据包络分析技术(DEA模型)分析珠海市各镇街基层医疗卫生机构基本公共卫生服务慢性疾病管理资源配置投入产出效率。结果 珠海市开展慢性疾病预防控制服务项目的基层医疗卫生技术人员的平均年龄为(38.34±10.34)岁,大专及以下学历人员占48.1%,初级职称或无职称人员占59.5%,公共卫生专业人员仅占29.5%,非在编人员占55.1%。2021年珠海市25个镇街综合效率(TE)平均值为0.785,6个镇街TE达到DEA有效,其他均存在不同程度产出不足的情况。结论 强化珠海市政府慢性疾病管理职责,可通过完善慢性疾病管理基础配置、加快推进慢性疾病管理信息化建设、采取形式多样的督导与培训等方式提升慢性疾病预防控制能力建设。

基于OBE理念的数控车削创意作品课程教学改革探究

OBE理念引导工程类本科实践教学着眼于“新工科”和“课程思政”,对工程类本科实践教学提出了挑战。数控车削创意作品课程打破传统的指定零部件的程序开发与数字化加工模式,把数控车削的程序开发、数字化加工和创意作品的构思、设计与加工相结合,打造以培养学生“积极应对变化、主动塑造世界、具备家国情怀”为目标导向的创意作品课程。

江西发现两栖动物新记录种——潮汕蝾螈

2018年5月,在江西省乐安县招携镇(27.162639°N,115.918945°E,海拔338 m)和宜黄县黄陂镇(27.327765°N,116.064343°E,海拔661 m)进行两栖动物调查时,采集到1号和2号蝾螈属(Cynops)物种标本,经形态特征比较和线粒体COI基因测序比对,确定此次采集的标本均为有尾目(Anura)蝾螈科(Ranidae)蝾螈属的潮汕蝾螈(Cynops orphicus),系江西省两栖动物分布新记录。

长三角地区高新技术产业政策文本量化研究——基于919份政策文本的二模网络分析

揭示长三角地区高新技术产业政策的演化特征,为政策制定者优化顶层设计、完善政策体系提供参考建议。以1991—2022年长三角地区919份高新技术产业政策文本为研究对象,基于政策主题、政策发文主体和政策工具3个维度,利用自然语言处理、二模网络分析、主题编码等方法对高新技术产业政策文本进行量化研究,并对结果进行可视化呈现。研究发现:(1)政策主题方面,政府关注的领域越来越多元化、系统化和具体化,但是政策较强调政府的宏观指导和对行政手段的使用,较少涉及市场及长三角一体化发展等方面;(2)政策发文主体方面,市级及以下级别发文主体开始发挥作用,且专业化、个性化、基层化的发文主体越来越多,政策发文主体的区位分布不够均衡;(3)政策工具方面,环境型政策工具使用最多,需求型政策工具使用不足,政策工具的使用与地区、发展阶段和时代背景相关。基于上述问题,提出具体的政策建议,包括:增强政策的区域协同性;建立健全高新技术产业政策的市场化机制;优化对政策工具的使用。

基于移动端与PC的数字化设备管理方案

数字化是现代智能制造的重要标签,也是生产效率和管理标准化提升的有效手段。文章对数字化设备管理现状进行了研究,阐述了一种数字化设备管理系统的开发方案,可以通过手持移动终端与PC电脑对该系统进行实时操作,实现设备全流程系统化管理,支撑设备资产管理、点检、维保、备件、应用数据分析等多项业务。该方案可以有效降低设备管理难度,助力设备管理提效,同时给企业带来较大经济收益。