Background： Pulmonary embolism （PE） can be difficult to diagnose in elderly patients because of the coexistent diseases and the combination of drugs that they have taken. We aimed to compare the clinical diagnostic...Background： Pulmonary embolism （PE） can be difficult to diagnose in elderly patients because of the coexistent diseases and the combination of drugs that they have taken. We aimed to compare the clinical diagnostic values of the Wells score, the revised Geneva score and each of them combined with D-dimer for suspected PE in elderly patients. Methods： Three hundred and thirty-six patients who were admitted for suspected PE were enrolled retrospectively and divided into two groups based on age （≥65 or 〈65 years old）. The Wells and revised Geneva scores were applied to evaluate the clinical probability of PE, and the positive predictive values of both scores were calculated using computed tomography pulmonary arteriography as a gold standard： overall accuracy was evaluated by the area under the curve （AUC） of receiver operator characteristic curve： the negative predictive values of D-dimcr, the Wells score combined with D-dimer, and the revised Geneva score combined with D-dimer were calculated. Results： Ninety-six cases （28.6%） were definitely diagnosed as PE among 336 cases, among them 56 cases （58.3%） were 〉65 years old. The positive predictive values of Wells and revised Geneva scores were 65.8% and 32.4%, respectively （P 〈 0.05） in the elderly patients; the AUC for the Wells score and the revised Geneva score in elderly was 0.682 （95% confidence interval [CI] ： 0.612- 0.746） and 0.655 （95% CI： 0.584-0.722）, respectively （P = 0.389）. The negative predictive values of D-dimer. the Wells score combined with D-dimer, and the revised Geneva score combined with D-dimer were 93.7%, 100%, and 100% in the elderly, respectively. Conclusions： The diagnostic value of the Wells score was higher than the revised Geneva score for the elderly cases with suspected PE. The combination of either the Wells score or the revised Geneva score with a normal D-dimer concentration is a sate strategy to rule out PE.展开更多
In this study,micro/nanostructures are fabricated on the surface of 3Cr13 stainless steel via laser etching,and a superhydrophobic coating with silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)is prepared by utilizing the reduction–adsorp...In this study,micro/nanostructures are fabricated on the surface of 3Cr13 stainless steel via laser etching,and a superhydrophobic coating with silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)is prepared by utilizing the reduction–adsorption properties of polydopamine(PDA).We investigate the effect of soaking time from the“one-step method”on the reduction of nano-Ag,surface wettability,and antibacterial properties.Scanning electron microscopy is performed to analyze the distribution of nano-Ag on the surface,whereas X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to analyze the crystal structures and chemical compositions of different surfaces.Samples deposited with PDA on their surface are soaked in a 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane water–alcohol solution containing AgNO3 for 3 h.Subsequently,a“one-step method”is used to prepare low-adhesion superhydrophobic surfaces containing AgNPs.As immersion progresses,more AgNPs are deposited onto the surface.Compared with the polished surface,the samples prepared via the“one-step method”show significant antibacterial properties against both gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.The antibacterial properties of the surface improve as immersion progresses.展开更多
The reaction order plays a crucial role in evaluating the response rate of acid-rock.However,the conventional two-scale model typically assumes that the reaction order is constant as one,which can lead to significant ...The reaction order plays a crucial role in evaluating the response rate of acid-rock.However,the conventional two-scale model typically assumes that the reaction order is constant as one,which can lead to significant deviations from reality.To address this issue,this study proposes a novel multi-order dynamic model for acid-rock reaction by combining rotating disk experimental data with theoretical derivation.Through numerical simulations,this model allows for the investigation of the impact of acidification conditions on different orders of reaction,thereby providing valuable insights for on-site construction.The analysis reveals that higher response orders require higher optimal acid liquid flow rates,and lower optimal H+diffusion coefficients,and demonstrate no significant correlation with acid concentration.Consequently,it is recommended to increase the displacement and use high-viscosity acid for reservoirs with high calcite content,while reducing the displacement and using low-viscosity acid for reservoirs with high dolomite content.展开更多
A small subset of patients with active ulcerative colitis is non-responsive to major known non-biological therapies. We reported 5 patients with positive serum proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANC...A small subset of patients with active ulcerative colitis is non-responsive to major known non-biological therapies. We reported 5 patients with positive serum proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) and tried to (1) identify the common clinical features of these patients; (2) investigate the efficacy of a novel therapy using a Chinese medicine compound; and (3) attract more gastroenterologists to be engaged in further study of this subset of patients. The common manifestations of disease in these 5 patients included recurrent bloody diarrhea and inflammatory lesions involving the entire colorectal mucosa. Initial treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone successfully induced remission. Four of these 5 patients were steroid-dependence, and immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, were in effective. In 3 patients, only the particular Chinese medicine compound could induce and maintain remission. One patient underwent colectomy. No vascular inflammatory lesions were found by histopathological examination. Although more cases are needed for confirmation, our study indicates thatulcerative colitis with positive PR3-ANCA may belong to a subtype of refractory ulcerative colitis. The particular Chinese medicine compound used in our study is by far the most effective in the management of these patients, with additional advantages of having no noticeable side-effects and less financial burden.展开更多
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia afflicts 1%of the world population.Clinical studies suggest that schizophrenia patients may have an imbalance of mitochondrial energy metabolism via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activ...BACKGROUND Schizophrenia afflicts 1%of the world population.Clinical studies suggest that schizophrenia patients may have an imbalance of mitochondrial energy metabolism via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activity.Moreover,recent studies have shown that ERVWE1 is also a risk factor for schizophrenia.Nevertheless,there is no available literature concerning the relationship between complex I deficits and ERVWE1 in schizophrenia.Identifying risk factors and blood-based biomarkers for schizophrenia may provide new guidelines for early interventions and prevention programs.AIM To address novel potential risk factors and the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial complex I deficiency caused by ERVWE1 in schizophrenia.METHODS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect differentially expressed risk factors in blood samples.Clinical statistical analyses were performed by median analyses and Mann-Whitney U analyses.Spearman’s rank correlation was applied to examine the correlation between different risk factors in blood samples.qPCR,western blot analysis,and luciferase assay were performed to confirm the relationship among ERVWE1,cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 1(CPEB1),NADH dehydrogenase ubiquinone flavoprotein 2(NDUFV2),and NDUFV2 pseudogene(NDUFV2P1).The complex I enzyme activity microplate assay was carried out to evaluate the complex I activity induced by ERVWE1.RESULTS Herein,we reported decreasing levels of CPEB1 and NDUFV2 in schizophrenia patients.Further studies showed that ERVWE1 was negatively correlated with CPEB1 and NDUFV2 in schizophrenia.Moreover,NDUFV2P1 was increased and demonstrated a significant positive correlation with ERVWE1 and a negative correlation with NDUFV2 in schizophrenia.In vitro experiments disclosed that ERVWE1 suppressed NDUFV2 expression and promoter activity by increasing NDUFV2P1 level.The luciferase assay revealed that ERVWE1 could enhance the promoter activity of NDUFV2P1.Additionally,ERVWE1 down展开更多
BACKGROUND Chromosomal Xq28 region duplication encompassing methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MECP2)results in an identifiable phenotype and global developmental delay known as MECP2 duplication syndrome(MDS).This syndrome...BACKGROUND Chromosomal Xq28 region duplication encompassing methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MECP2)results in an identifiable phenotype and global developmental delay known as MECP2 duplication syndrome(MDS).This syndrome has a wide range of clinical manifestations,including abnormalities in appearance,neurodevelopment,and gastrointestinal motility;recurrent infections;and spasticity.Here,we report a case of confirmed MDS at our institution.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old Chinese boy presented with intellectual disability(poor intellectual[reasoning,judgment,abstract thinking,and learning]and adaptive[lack of communication and absent social skills,apraxia,and ataxia]functioning)and dysmorphism.He had no history of recurrent infections,seizures,or bowel dysfunction,which is different from that in reported cases.Microarray comparative genomic hybridization confirmed MECP2 duplication in the patient and his mother who is a carrier.The duplication size was the same in the patient and his mother.No prophylactic antibiotic or anti-seizure therapy was offered to the patient or his mother before or after the consultation.CONCLUSION MDS is rare and has various clinical presentations.Clinical suspicion is critical in patients presenting with developmental delays.展开更多
By adjusting the waveguide length ratio, we study the extraordinary characteristics of electromagnetic waves propagating in one-dimensional(1D) parity-time-symmetric(PT-symmetric) two-segment-connected triangular opti...By adjusting the waveguide length ratio, we study the extraordinary characteristics of electromagnetic waves propagating in one-dimensional(1D) parity-time-symmetric(PT-symmetric) two-segment-connected triangular optical waveguide networks with perfect and broken integer waveguide length ratios respectively. It is found that the number and the corresponding frequencies of the extremum spontaneous PT-symmetric breaking points are dependent on the waveguide length ratio. Near the extremum breaking points, ultrastrong extraordinary transmissions are created and the maximal can arrive at, respectively, 2.4079 × 10^14 and 4.3555 × 10^13 in both kinds of networks. However, bidirectional invisibility can only be produced by the networks with broken integer waveguide length ratio, whose mechanism is explained in detail from the perspective of photonic band structure. The findings of this work can be useful optical characteristic control in the fabrication of PT-symmetric optical waveguide networks, which possesses great potential in designing optical amplifiers,optical energy saver devices, and special optical filters.展开更多
文摘Background： Pulmonary embolism （PE） can be difficult to diagnose in elderly patients because of the coexistent diseases and the combination of drugs that they have taken. We aimed to compare the clinical diagnostic values of the Wells score, the revised Geneva score and each of them combined with D-dimer for suspected PE in elderly patients. Methods： Three hundred and thirty-six patients who were admitted for suspected PE were enrolled retrospectively and divided into two groups based on age （≥65 or 〈65 years old）. The Wells and revised Geneva scores were applied to evaluate the clinical probability of PE, and the positive predictive values of both scores were calculated using computed tomography pulmonary arteriography as a gold standard： overall accuracy was evaluated by the area under the curve （AUC） of receiver operator characteristic curve： the negative predictive values of D-dimcr, the Wells score combined with D-dimer, and the revised Geneva score combined with D-dimer were calculated. Results： Ninety-six cases （28.6%） were definitely diagnosed as PE among 336 cases, among them 56 cases （58.3%） were 〉65 years old. The positive predictive values of Wells and revised Geneva scores were 65.8% and 32.4%, respectively （P 〈 0.05） in the elderly patients; the AUC for the Wells score and the revised Geneva score in elderly was 0.682 （95% confidence interval [CI] ： 0.612- 0.746） and 0.655 （95% CI： 0.584-0.722）, respectively （P = 0.389）. The negative predictive values of D-dimer. the Wells score combined with D-dimer, and the revised Geneva score combined with D-dimer were 93.7%, 100%, and 100% in the elderly, respectively. Conclusions： The diagnostic value of the Wells score was higher than the revised Geneva score for the elderly cases with suspected PE. The combination of either the Wells score or the revised Geneva score with a normal D-dimer concentration is a sate strategy to rule out PE.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52175207)the National Science and Technology Fund Project of China(2020-JCJQ-JJ-378).
文摘In this study,micro/nanostructures are fabricated on the surface of 3Cr13 stainless steel via laser etching,and a superhydrophobic coating with silver nanoparticles(AgNPs)is prepared by utilizing the reduction–adsorption properties of polydopamine(PDA).We investigate the effect of soaking time from the“one-step method”on the reduction of nano-Ag,surface wettability,and antibacterial properties.Scanning electron microscopy is performed to analyze the distribution of nano-Ag on the surface,whereas X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to analyze the crystal structures and chemical compositions of different surfaces.Samples deposited with PDA on their surface are soaked in a 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane water–alcohol solution containing AgNO3 for 3 h.Subsequently,a“one-step method”is used to prepare low-adhesion superhydrophobic surfaces containing AgNPs.As immersion progresses,more AgNPs are deposited onto the surface.Compared with the polished surface,the samples prepared via the“one-step method”show significant antibacterial properties against both gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.The antibacterial properties of the surface improve as immersion progresses.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project No.51874336)the National Key Technologies Research and Development Program of China during the 13th Five-Year Plan Period(Project No.2017ZX005030005)。
文摘The reaction order plays a crucial role in evaluating the response rate of acid-rock.However,the conventional two-scale model typically assumes that the reaction order is constant as one,which can lead to significant deviations from reality.To address this issue,this study proposes a novel multi-order dynamic model for acid-rock reaction by combining rotating disk experimental data with theoretical derivation.Through numerical simulations,this model allows for the investigation of the impact of acidification conditions on different orders of reaction,thereby providing valuable insights for on-site construction.The analysis reveals that higher response orders require higher optimal acid liquid flow rates,and lower optimal H+diffusion coefficients,and demonstrate no significant correlation with acid concentration.Consequently,it is recommended to increase the displacement and use high-viscosity acid for reservoirs with high calcite content,while reducing the displacement and using low-viscosity acid for reservoirs with high dolomite content.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30570829
文摘A small subset of patients with active ulcerative colitis is non-responsive to major known non-biological therapies. We reported 5 patients with positive serum proteinase-3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) and tried to (1) identify the common clinical features of these patients; (2) investigate the efficacy of a novel therapy using a Chinese medicine compound; and (3) attract more gastroenterologists to be engaged in further study of this subset of patients. The common manifestations of disease in these 5 patients included recurrent bloody diarrhea and inflammatory lesions involving the entire colorectal mucosa. Initial treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone successfully induced remission. Four of these 5 patients were steroid-dependence, and immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, were in effective. In 3 patients, only the particular Chinese medicine compound could induce and maintain remission. One patient underwent colectomy. No vascular inflammatory lesions were found by histopathological examination. Although more cases are needed for confirmation, our study indicates thatulcerative colitis with positive PR3-ANCA may belong to a subtype of refractory ulcerative colitis. The particular Chinese medicine compound used in our study is by far the most effective in the management of these patients, with additional advantages of having no noticeable side-effects and less financial burden.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81971943,No.81772196,No.31470264,No.81271820,No.30870789,and No.30300117the Stanley Foundation of United States,No.06R-1366(for Zhu F)the Medical Science Advancement Program(Basic Medical Sciences)of Wuhan University,No.TFJC 2018002.
文摘BACKGROUND Schizophrenia afflicts 1%of the world population.Clinical studies suggest that schizophrenia patients may have an imbalance of mitochondrial energy metabolism via inhibition of mitochondrial complex I activity.Moreover,recent studies have shown that ERVWE1 is also a risk factor for schizophrenia.Nevertheless,there is no available literature concerning the relationship between complex I deficits and ERVWE1 in schizophrenia.Identifying risk factors and blood-based biomarkers for schizophrenia may provide new guidelines for early interventions and prevention programs.AIM To address novel potential risk factors and the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial complex I deficiency caused by ERVWE1 in schizophrenia.METHODS Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect differentially expressed risk factors in blood samples.Clinical statistical analyses were performed by median analyses and Mann-Whitney U analyses.Spearman’s rank correlation was applied to examine the correlation between different risk factors in blood samples.qPCR,western blot analysis,and luciferase assay were performed to confirm the relationship among ERVWE1,cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 1(CPEB1),NADH dehydrogenase ubiquinone flavoprotein 2(NDUFV2),and NDUFV2 pseudogene(NDUFV2P1).The complex I enzyme activity microplate assay was carried out to evaluate the complex I activity induced by ERVWE1.RESULTS Herein,we reported decreasing levels of CPEB1 and NDUFV2 in schizophrenia patients.Further studies showed that ERVWE1 was negatively correlated with CPEB1 and NDUFV2 in schizophrenia.Moreover,NDUFV2P1 was increased and demonstrated a significant positive correlation with ERVWE1 and a negative correlation with NDUFV2 in schizophrenia.In vitro experiments disclosed that ERVWE1 suppressed NDUFV2 expression and promoter activity by increasing NDUFV2P1 level.The luciferase assay revealed that ERVWE1 could enhance the promoter activity of NDUFV2P1.Additionally,ERVWE1 down
文摘BACKGROUND Chromosomal Xq28 region duplication encompassing methyl-CpG-binding protein 2(MECP2)results in an identifiable phenotype and global developmental delay known as MECP2 duplication syndrome(MDS).This syndrome has a wide range of clinical manifestations,including abnormalities in appearance,neurodevelopment,and gastrointestinal motility;recurrent infections;and spasticity.Here,we report a case of confirmed MDS at our institution.CASE SUMMARY A 12-year-old Chinese boy presented with intellectual disability(poor intellectual[reasoning,judgment,abstract thinking,and learning]and adaptive[lack of communication and absent social skills,apraxia,and ataxia]functioning)and dysmorphism.He had no history of recurrent infections,seizures,or bowel dysfunction,which is different from that in reported cases.Microarray comparative genomic hybridization confirmed MECP2 duplication in the patient and his mother who is a carrier.The duplication size was the same in the patient and his mother.No prophylactic antibiotic or anti-seizure therapy was offered to the patient or his mother before or after the consultation.CONCLUSION MDS is rare and has various clinical presentations.Clinical suspicion is critical in patients presenting with developmental delays.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11674107,61475049,11775083,61875057,61774062,and 61771205)Special Funds for the Cultivation of Guangdong College Students’ Scientific and Techonlogical Innovation,China(Grant No.pdjhb0139)
文摘By adjusting the waveguide length ratio, we study the extraordinary characteristics of electromagnetic waves propagating in one-dimensional(1D) parity-time-symmetric(PT-symmetric) two-segment-connected triangular optical waveguide networks with perfect and broken integer waveguide length ratios respectively. It is found that the number and the corresponding frequencies of the extremum spontaneous PT-symmetric breaking points are dependent on the waveguide length ratio. Near the extremum breaking points, ultrastrong extraordinary transmissions are created and the maximal can arrive at, respectively, 2.4079 × 10^14 and 4.3555 × 10^13 in both kinds of networks. However, bidirectional invisibility can only be produced by the networks with broken integer waveguide length ratio, whose mechanism is explained in detail from the perspective of photonic band structure. The findings of this work can be useful optical characteristic control in the fabrication of PT-symmetric optical waveguide networks, which possesses great potential in designing optical amplifiers,optical energy saver devices, and special optical filters.
