Chinese Sources for AfterWards:From Premodern Poetry,Paintings,and Medical Texts to Modern Novels,Film,and Documentaries

This paper focuses on Chinese sources suggested for a narrative medicine(NM)program,called AfterWards.Dr Lauren Small established AfterWards in 2014 and has been coordinating it since out of the Pediatrics Department at Johns Hopkins Medicine.In early 2019,she started giving a series of lectures and workshops about AfterWards to Chinese medical educators and clinicians in Beijing and Shanghai.She created an AfterWards Facilitator’s Guide based on Western-language sources for workshop participants.She also started to organize with Jiang Yuhong(Peking Union Medical College)a workshop for Chinese colleagues to be held at Johns Hopkins Medicine in October 2019.They invited the author to participate.The idea was hatched then to develop Chinese source materials following the AfterWards structure for an updated Facilitator’s Guide that Dr Small had initially written.A typical one-hour AfterWards session consists of a specific five-part structure:a literary text or artwork,an associated theme,discussion topics,a writing exercise,and shared reflection.While the content of the program always changes from session to session,the basic structure remains the same.This paper summarizes the types of Chinese sources and their related narrative-medicine themes that were originally selected for inclusion in the updated AfterWards Facilitator’s Guide intended for Chinese colleagues.These sources about coping with sick family members,aging,and illness ranged from the textual(classical Chinese poems on aging and diagnostic forms for training students)and visual(premodern Chinese paintings and murals of medical encounters)to the fictive(novels)and performative(contemporary Asian-American film in English and Chinese-language film and documentaries).

Exploring Splicing Variants and Novel Genes in Sacred Lotus Based on RNA-seq Data

Sacred lotus(Nelumbo nucifera)is a typical aquatic plant,belonging to basal eudicot plant,which is ideal for genome and genetic evolutionary study.Understanding lotus gene diversity is important for the study of molecular genetics and breeding.In this research,public RNA-seq data and the annotated reference genome were used to identify the genes in lotus.A total of 26,819 consensus and 1,081 novel genes were identified.Meanwhile,a comprehensive analysis of gene alternative splicing events was conducted,and a total of 19,983“internal”alternative splicing(AS)events and 14,070“complete”AS events were detected in 5,878 and 5,881 multi-exon expression genes,respectively.Observations made from the AS events show the predominance of intron retention(IR)subtype of AS events representing 33%.IR is followed by alternative acceptor(AltA),alternative donor(AltD)and exon skipping(ES),highlighting the universality of the intron definition model in plants.In addition,functional annotations of the gene with AS indicated its relationship to a number of biological processes such as cellular process and metabolic process,showing the key role for alternative splicing in influencing the growth and development of lotus.The results contribute to a better understanding of the current gene diversity in lotus,and provide an abundant resource for future functional genome analysis in lotus.

The protective effect of cyclodextrin on the color quality and stability of Cabernet Sauvignon red wine

The impact of cyclodextrins(CDs)on wine quality and stability remains largely unknown.This study systematically assessed the protective effect of the post-fermentation addition of CDs on color stability of red wine from the viewpoints of color characteristics,copigmentation and phenolic profiles.The grey relational analysis(GRA)and principal component analysis(PCA)methods were employed to dissect the key effective determinants related to color quality.The addition of CDs induced a significant hyperchromic effect of 8.19-25.40%,a significant bathochromic effect and an enhancement of the color intensity.Furthermore,the evolution of anthocyanin forms and the content of monomeric anthocyanins revealed that β-CD is a superior favorable cofactor during wine aging,but for long-term aging,2-HP-β-CD and 2-HP-γ-CD are more beneficial in promoting the formation of polymerized anthocyanins and color stability.This work provides an important reference for the use of CDs to enhance the color quality and stability of red wines.

外源6-BA对小苍兰‘Red Lion’生长及花期调控的影响

本试验以小苍兰品种‘Red Lion’为材料,研究喷施不同浓度6-BA(25、50、100 mg/L和200 mg/L)对小苍兰生长、生理生化特性及花期的影响,以期为小苍兰花期调控和切花栽培提供技术支持。结果表明:喷施适当浓度的6-BA有利于延长小苍兰‘Red Lion’花期;6-BA浓度为200 mg/L时显著提高小苍兰的花朵直径、花葶长度、小花数、株高、叶片数,较对照花期延长11 d、花朵直径增加50.45%、小花数增加114.89%,同时叶片的丙二醛含量较CK降低34.65%,叶片抗氧化酶(POD、CAT)活性升高,分别比CK提高97.26%和393.24%。综之,喷施适当浓度的6-BA能够显著提高小苍兰‘Red Lion’花朵质量及数量,延长小苍兰花期,其中200 mg/L 6-BA处理效果最佳。

A Novel Adsorbent Prepared by Aluminum-Containing Waste Residue and Its Application for Congo Red Wastewater Decolorization

Modified aluminum slag (MAS) was applied as an adsorbent for Congo red (CR) prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of Ca(OH)2. At 25°C, with a MAS dosage of 0.3 g, initial CR concentration of 100 mg/L and initial pH = 5, and the adsorption time was 40 min, the CR removal efficiency was 98.41%. The adsorption trend of CR conformed to the second-order kinetics, and the adsorption isotherm follows the Freundlich isotherm model. Compared with RAS, MAS has a larger pore volume and specific surface area. The mechanism of action of MAS on CR was the interaction between membrane diffusion and internal diffusion, and the adsorption rate during the membrane diffusion was the fastest.

Red/ET同源重组介导的基因克隆载体pBACS的构建、鉴定与应用

目的通过Red/ET同源重组技术构建pBACS基因克隆及测序质粒载体。方法以质粒pBAC2015、pET28a为模板设计四对引物,PCR扩增得到四段彼此间有50 bp同源区域的基因片段,分别命名为bac-sop、bac-ori、bac-kan和bac-T7。利用Red/ET同源重组技术,将四段基因片段电转至E.coli GB05-dir感受态中进行线线重组。经酶切、测序验证阳性克隆质粒。此外,对重组质粒pBACS进行稳定性鉴定;利用pBACS分别进行细菌16S rDNA和真菌ITS基因克隆和基因测序。结果酶切和测序的验证结果显示,质粒的大小、元件方向及序列正确;pBACS具有较强的稳定性,适用于作为基因工程的克隆载体;可高效用于细菌16S rDNA和真菌ITS序列的克隆,阳性率为100%。结论成功利用Red/ET技术构建克隆载体pBACS,质粒载体具有稳定性强、重组效率高的特点,在基因克隆和基因测序等方面具有良好的应用潜力。

5G RedCap技术在电力行业应用的研究

Red Cap(5G轻量化)技术通过精简设备能力和降低复杂度,达到节约成本、降低设备功耗和缩小尺寸等目标,同时保留了5G原生能力,实现了技术和成本的平衡。本文研究了Red Cap的技术特性和相关国家政策,并结合电力行业网络需求,分析Red Cap在电力行业不同场景的应用和部署方案,探讨了Red Cap技术的发展潜力和运营商的部署策略。

Using Optical Tweezers to Study the Friction of the Red Blood Cells

In the last two decades the study of red blood cell elasticity using optical tweezers has known a rise appearing in the scientific research with regard to the various works carried out. Despite the various work done, no study has been done so far to study the influence of friction on the red blood cell indentation response using optical tweezers. In this study, we have developed a new approach to determine the coefficient of friction as well as the frictional forces of the red blood cell. This approach therefore allowed us to simultaneously carry out the indentation and traction test, which allowed us to extract the interfacial properties of the microbead red blood cell couple, among other things, the friction coefficient. This property would be extremely important to investigate the survival and mechanical features of cells, which will be of great physiological and pathological significance. But taking into account the hypothesis of friction as defined by the isotropic Coulomb law. The experiment performed for this purpose is the Brinell Hardness Test (DB).

Analysis and Assessment on the Heavy Metals in a Severely Degraded Subtropical Red Soil Region

5 different forests of Pinus massoniana, Schima superba, Liquidambar formosana, P. massoniana × S. superba, P. massoniana × L. formosana as the research object were set up to study the Cr, Cu and Zn content of degraded red soil region in subtropics. The soil heavy metal pollution degree was evaluated by national environmental quality standard (II class). The results showed that three soil metals of P. massoniana × S. superba were the highest, and the soil metals enrichment ability was strong. The order of single factor pollution index of metal elements was Cu (1.38) > Cr (0.81) > Zn (0.42), and moderately pollution, pollution warning and no pollution, respectively. There was no significant correlation between three soil heavy metals and soil total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). These results suggested that the accumulation of heavy metal elements was not derived from the parent material of soil. There was a significant positive correlation between the three metal elements which indicated that the sources of the three elements were similar. The structural equation model showed that the direct and indirect effects among the influencing factors ultimately affected the activity of heavy metals by cascade effects.

A novel molybdenite depressant for efficient selective flotation separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite

A novel small molecule depressant(M-DEP)was used to separate chalcopyrite and molybdenite via flotation.The results showed that M-DEP had an excellent selective depression on molybdenite,while had little effect on the flotation of chalcopyrite.The adsorption capacity of M-DEP on the surface of molybdenite was greater than that on chalcopyrite surface.The adsorption of M-DEP reduced the floatability of molybdenite and had less effect on the floatability of chalcopyrite,which was due to its different adsorption modes on the surface of the two minerals.Furthermore,the interaction between chalcopyrite and M-DEP was mainly chemical interaction,and almost all of the adsorbed M-DEP molecules were removed and replaced by sodium butyl xanthate(SBX).By contrast,hydrophobic interaction was the main way in which M-DEP was adsorbed on the molybdenite surface with little chemical interaction,which was less interfered by SBX addition.Therefore,M-DEP had a super selective depression on molybdenite.The study provided a novel depressant and approach for the deep separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite via flotation.

Solidification/Stabilization of Chromium in Red Mud-based Geopolymer

Up to 1.5wt%of Cr(Ⅲ)salts(CrCl_(3),and Cr_(2)O_(3))and Cr(Ⅵ)salts(Na_(2)CrO_(4),and CaCr_(2)O_(7))were incorporated into red mud-based geopolymers,respectively.The solidification/stabilization,compressive strength,and durability of the Cr-containing geopolymers were investigated.The experimental results indicate that the red mud-based geopolymer could effectively solidify/stabilize different types of Cr salts with solidification/stabilization rates of above 99.61%.Geopolymers are environmentally safe when the dosage of CaCr_(2)O_(7)is≤1.0wt%,or the dosage of CrCl_(3),Cr_(2)O_(3),and Na_(2)CrO_(4)is≤1.5wt%,respectively.The effects of Cr salts on the compressive strength varies with the type and content of Cr salts.The freeze-thaw cycle is more destructive to geopolymer properties than sulfate attack or acid rain erosion.The solidification/stabilization of Cr is mainly attributed to the following reasons:a)The chemical binding of Cr is related to the formation of Cr-containing hydrates(eg,magnesiochromite((Mg,Fe)(Cr,Al)_(2)O_(4)))and doping into N-A-S-H gel and C-A-S-H gel framework;b)The physical effect is related to the encapsulation by the hydration products(e g,N-A-S-H gel and C-A-S-H gel).This study provides a reference for the treatment of hazardous Cr-containing wastes by solid waste-based geopolymers.

Evolution model and failure mechanisms of rainfall-induced cracked red clay slopes:insights from Xinshao County,China

Red clay landslides are widely distributed worldwide,resulting in severe loss of life and property.Although rainfall-induced red clay slopes have received extensive attention,the role of cracks in the evolutionary process of red clay slopes and their connection to failure mechanisms is still poorly understood.A comprehensive approach integrating field investigation,laboratory tests,and numerical simulations was conducted to study the 168 red clay landslides in Xinshao County,China.The results show that red clay is prone to forming cracks at high moisture content due to its low swelling and high shrinkage properties.The failure mode of red clay slopes can be summarized in three stages:crack generation,slope excavation,and slope failure.Furthermore,the retrospective analysis and numerical simulations of the typical landslide in Guanchong indicated that intense rainfall primarily impacts the shallow layer of soil within approximately 0.5 m on the intact slope.However,cracks change the pattern of rainfall infiltration in the slope.Rainwater infiltrates rapidly through the preferential channels induced by the cracks rather than uniformly and slowly from the slope surface.This results in a significant increase in both the depth of infiltration and the saturated zone area of the cracked slope,reaching 3.8 m and 36.2 m^(2),respectively.Consequently,the factor of safety of the slope decreases by 13.4%compared to the intact slope,ultimately triggering landslides.This study can provide valuable insights into understanding the failure mechanisms of red clay slopes in China and other regions with similar geological settings.

A green cross-linking method for the preparation of renewable threedimensional graphene sponges for efficient adsorption of Congo red dye

Graphene-based materials possess significant potential for the treatment of dye wastewater due to their exceptional adsorption properties toward stubborn pollutants.However,their utilization is hindered by high preparation costs,low yields,environmental pollution during synthesis,and challenges in regenerating the adsorbent.This study proposes a novel approach to address these limitations by developing nitrogen-doped three-dimensional(3D)polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)crosslinked graphene sponges(N-PGA)using a cross-linking method with ammonium carbonate.This method offers a relatively mild,environmentally friendly approach.Ammonium carbonate serves as both a reducing and modifying agent,facilitating the formation of the intrinsic structure of N-PGA and acting as a nitrogen source.Meanwhile,PVA is utilized as the cross-linking agent.The results demonstrate that N-PGA exhibits a favorable internal 3D hierarchical porous structure and possesses robust mechanical properties.The measured specific surface area(BET)of N-PGA was as high as406.538 m^(2)·g^(-1),which was favorable for its efficient adsorption of Congo red(CR)dye molecules.At an initial concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),N-PGA achieved an impressive removal rate of 89.6%and an adsorption capacity of 112 mg·g^(-1)for CR dye.Furthermore,it retained 79%of its initial adsorption capacity after 10 cycles,demonstrating excellent regeneration performance.In summary,the synthesized N-PGA displays remarkable efficacy in the adsorption of CR dye in wastewater,opening up new possibilities for utilizing 3D porous graphene nanomaterials as efficient adsorbents in wastewater treatment.

Synthesis and Characterization of Naproxen-Salicylate Derivatives as Potential Dual-Targeted Inhibitors of Dihydrofolate Reductase

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF). Chemotherapy drugs such as methotrexate help to slow the progression of cancer by limiting the ability of dividing cells to make nucleotides by competitively inhibiting DHFR. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been previously reported to exhibit competitive inhibition of DHFR, in addition to their primary action on cyclooxygenase enzymes. This interaction interferes with the enzymatic reduction of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, thereby impeding the folate metabolism pathway essential for nucleotide synthesis and cell proliferation. This activity stems from their structural resemblance to the p-aminobenzoyl-l-glutamate (pABG) moiety of folate, a substrate of DHFR. It has been established that NSAIDs containing a salicylate group (which has structural similarities to pABG), such as diflunisal, exhibit stronger DHFR-binding activity. In this study, we synthesized salicylate derivatives of naproxen with the aim of exploring their potential as inhibitors of DHFR. The interactions between these derivatives and human DHFR were characterized using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and structural methods. Through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis, enzymatic assays, and quantitative ELISA, we investigated the binding affinity and inhibitory potency of the synthesized salicylate derivatives towards DHFR. The findings of this study suggest the potential of salicylate derivatives of naproxen as promising candidates for the inhibition of DHFR, thereby offering novel therapeutic opportunities for modulating the inflammatory process through multiple pathways. Further optimization of these derivatives could lead to the development of more efficacious dual-targeted analogs with enhanced therapeutic benefits.

Red cell distribution width/platelet ratio estimates the 3-year risk of decompensation in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-induced cirrhosis

BACKGROUND For compensated advanced chronic liver disease(cACLD)patients,the first decompensation represents a dramatically worsening prognostic event.Based on the first decompensation event(DE),the transition to decompensated advanced chronic liver disease(dACLD)can occur through two modalities referred to as acute decompensation(AD)and non-AD(NAD),respectively.Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension(CSPH)is considered the strongest predictor of decompensation in these patients.However,due to its invasiveness and costs,CSPH is almost never evaluated in clinical practice.Therefore,recognizing noninvasively predicting tools still have more appeal across healthcare systems.The red cell distribution width to platelet ratio(RPR)has been reported to be an indicator of hepatic fibrosis in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease(MASLD).However,its predictive role for the decompensation has never been explored.AIM In this observational study,we investigated the clinical usage of RPR in predicting DEs in MASLD-related cACLD patients.METHODS Fourty controls and 150 MASLD-cACLD patients were consecutively enrolled and followed up(FUP)semiannually for 3 years.At baseline,biochemical,clinical,and Liver Stiffness Measurement(LSM),Child-Pugh(CP),Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD),aspartate aminotransferase/platelet count ratio index(APRI),Fibrosis-4(FIB-4),Albumin-Bilirubin(ALBI),ALBI-FIB-4,and RPR were collected.During FUP,DEs(timing and modaities)were recorded.CSPH was assessed at the baseline and on DE occurrence according to the available Clinical Practice Guidelines.RESULTS Of 150 MASLD-related cACLD patients,43(28.6%)progressed to dACLD at a median time of 28.9 months(29 NAD and 14 AD).Baseline RPR values were significantly higher in cACLD in comparison to controls,as well as MELD,CP,APRI,FIB-4,ALBI,ALBI-FIB-4,and LSM in dACLD-progressing compared to cACLD individuals[all P<0.0001,except for FIB-4(P:0.007)and ALBI(P:0.011)].Receiving operator curve analysis revealed RPR>0.472 and>0.894 as the best cut-offs in the prediction respectively of 3-year first DE,as well as its superiority compared to the other non-invasive tools examined.RPR(P:0.02)and the presence of baseline-CSPH(P:0.04)were significantly and independently associated with the DE.Patients presenting baseline-CSPH and RPR>0.472 showed higher risk of decompensation(P:0.0023).CONCLUSION Altogether these findings suggest the RPR as a valid and potentially applicable non-invasive tool in the prediction of timing and modalities of decompensation in MASLD-related cACLD patients.

Diversity, Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Epibenthic Echinoderms in Dungonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan

The abundance, distribution and diversity of epibenthic echinoderm were investigated at Dungonab Bay in the Red Sea coastal water of the Sudan. Four permanent line transects were chosen. Eight (30 × 2) square metre belt transects along each permanent line transect at 20 metre intervals were used to collect data. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses. Spatial variations of epibenthic echinoderm abundance were assessed with one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical agglomerative clustering was used to identify and illustrate the similarities in echinoderm abundance between line transects and between belt transects. Indices of richness (d), diversity (H'), evenness (J') and dominance (C) were used to explain the diversity of epibenthic echinoderm species. The distribution pattern of each echinoderm species was determined in each permanent line transect. A total of 986 individuals were recorded within sixteen species of epibenthic echinoderms in the four line transects. Holothuriidae was the dominant family (5 species and 342 individuals). The most abundant echinoderms species was Pearsonothuria graeffei (77 individuals, about 7.81%). Abundances intra-transects and intra-families were insignificant (f = 1.67, p = 0.183, df = 3 and f = 3.24, p = 0.083, df = 9, respectively). The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou evenness index (J'), Margalef species richness index (d), and Simpson Dominance index (C) were 2.738, 0.9875, 2.791 and 0.07159, respectively. The distribution patterns of all species in the study transects varied between clumped and uniform, with the exception of Asthenosoma varium of the Echinothuridae family, which had clumped distribution patterns in all transects. The study concluded that Dungonab Bay supports rich and diverse communities of epibenthic echinoderms.

JrATHB-12 mediates JrMYB113 and JrMYB27 to control the anthocyanin levels in different types of red walnut

Red walnut has broad market prospects because it is richer in anthocyanins than ordinary walnut.However,the mechanism driving anthocyanin biosynthesis in red walnut is still unknown.We studied two types of red walnut,called red walnut 1(R1),with a red pericarp and seed coat,and red walnut 2(R2),with a red seed coat only.R1 mostly contained cyanidin-3-O-galactoside,while R2 contained a various amounts of cyanidin-3-Ogalactoside,cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside,and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside.The LDOX-2(LOC109007163)and LDOX-3(LOC109010746)genes,which encode leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase/anthocyanidin synthase(LDOX/ANS),were preliminarily indicated as the crucial genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis in R1 and R2,respectively.The MYB differential genes analysis showed that MYB27 and MYB113 are specifically expressed in the red parts of R1 and R2,respectively,and they are regarded as candidate regulatory genes.Ectopic expression in Arabidopsis and transient injection in walnut showed that both MYB27 and MYB113 were located in the nucleus and promoted anthocyanin accumulation,while MYB27 promoted the expression of LDOX-2,and MYB113 promoted the expression of LDOX-3and UAGT-3.Yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that MYB27 could only bind to the LDOX-2 promoter,while MYB113 could bind to the promoters of both LDOX-3 and UAGT-3.In addition,we also identified an HD-Zip transcription factor,ATHB-12,which is specifically expressed in the pericarp.After silencing the expression of ATHB-12,the R2 pericarp turned red,and MYB113 expression increased.Further experiments showed that ATHB-12 could specifically interact with MYB113 and bind to its promoter.This suggests that MYB27controls R1 coloration by regulating LDOX-2,while MYB113 controls R2 coloration by regulating LDOX-3 and UAGT-3,but ATHB-12 can specifically bind to and inhibit the MYB113 of the R2 pericarp so that it becomes unpigmented.This study reveals the anthocyanin biosynthetic mechanisms in two different types of red walnut and provides a scientific basis for the selection and breeding of red walnut varieties.

Red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio is a simple promising prognostic marker in acute cholangitis requiring biliary drainage

Background: It is crucial to assess the severity of acute cholangitis(AC). There are currently several prognostic markers. However, the accuracies of these markers are not satisfied. The present study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the red cell distribution width(RDW)-to-albumin ratio(RAR) for the prognosis of AC. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients diagnosed with AC between May 2019 and March 2022. RAR was calculated, and its predictive ability for in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit(ICU) admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: Out of 438 patients, 34(7.8%) died. Multivariate analysis showed that malignant etiology [odds ratio(OR) = 4.816, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.936-11.980], creatinine(OR = 1.649, 95% CI: 1.095-2.484), and RAR(OR = 2.064, 95% CI: 1.494-2.851) were independent risk factors for mortality. When adjusted for relevant covariates, including age, sex, malignant etiology, Tokyo severity grading(TSG), Charlson comorbidity index, and creatinine, RAR significantly predicted mortality(adjusted OR = 1.833, 95% CI: 1.280-2.624). When the cut-off of RAR was set to 3.8, its sensitivity and specificity for mortality were 94.1% and 56.7%, respectively. Patients with an RAR of > 3.8 had a 20.9-fold(OR = 20.9, 95% CI: 4.9-88.6) greater risk of mortality than the remaining patients. The area under the curve value of RAR for mortality was 0.835(95% CI: 0.770-0.901), which was significantly higher than that of TSG and the other prognostic markers, such as C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, and procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio. Lastly, RAR was not inferior to TSG in predicting ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization. Conclusions: RAR successfully predicted the in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization of patients with AC, especially in-hospital mortality. RAR is a promising marker that is more convenient than TSG and other prognostic markers for predicting the prognosis of patients with AC.

Analysis of Calcined Red Mud Properties and Related Mortar Performances

Red mud(RM)is a low-activity industrial solid waste,and its utilization as a resource is currently a hot topic.In this study,the micro characteristics of red mud at different calcination temperatures were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The performance of calcined red mud was determined through mortar strength tests.Results indicate that high-temperature calcination can change the mineral composition and microstructure of red mud,and increase the surface roughness and specific surface area.At the optimal temperature of 700°C,the addition of calcined red mud still leads to a decrease in mortar strength,but its activity index and flexural coefficient increase by 16.2%and 11.9%with respect to uncalcined red mud,reaching values of 0.826 and 0.974,respectively.Compared with the control group,the synergistic activation of calcined red mud with slag can increase the compressive and flexural strength of the mortar by 12.9%and 1.5%,reaching 8.7 and 62.4 MPa,respectively.Correspondingly,the activity index and flexural coefficient of the calcined RM and GGBS(Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag)mixtures also increase to 1.015 and 1.130,respectively.

Predictive value of red blood cell distribution width and hematocrit for short-term outcomes and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported that low hematocrit levels indicate poor survival in patients with ovarian cancer and cervical cancer,the prognostic value of hematocrit for colorectal cancer(CRC)patients has not been determined.The prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width(RDW)for CRC patients was controversial.AIM To investigate the impact of RDW and hematocrit on the short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis of CRC patients who underwent radical surgery.METHODS Patients who were diagnosed with CRC and underwent radical CRC resection between January 2011 and January 2020 at a single clinical center were included.The short-term outcomes,overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)were compared among the different groups.Cox analysis was also conducted to identify independent risk factors for OS and DFS.RESULTS There were 4258 CRC patients who underwent radical surgery included in our study.A total of 1573 patients were in the lower RDW group and 2685 patients were in the higher RDW group.There were 2166 and 2092 patients in the higher hematocrit group and lower hematocrit group,respectively.Patients in the higher RDW group had more intraoperative blood loss(P<0.01)and more overall complications(P<0.01)than did those in the lower RDW group.Similarly,patients in the lower hematocrit group had more intraoperative blood loss(P=0.012),longer hospital stay(P=0.016)and overall complications(P<0.01)than did those in the higher hematocrit group.The higher RDW group had a worse OS and DFS than did the lower RDW group for tumor node metastasis(TNM)stage I(OS,P<0.05;DFS,P=0.001)and stage II(OS,P=0.004;DFS,P=0.01)than the lower RDW group;the lower hematocrit group had worse OS and DFS for TNM stage II(OS,P<0.05;DFS,P=0.001)and stage III(OS,P=0.001;DFS,P=0.001)than did the higher hematocrit group.Preoperative hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS[P=0.017,hazard ratio(HR)=1.256,95%confidence interval(CI):1.041-1.515]and DFS(P=0.035,HR=1.194,95%CI:1.013-1.408).CONCLUSION A higher preoperative RDW and lower hematocrit were associated with more postoperative complications.However,only hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS in CRC patients who underwent radical surgery,while RDW was not.