Predictive value of TEG for deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To analyze the value of thromboelastogram （TEG） parameters in predicting deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD）. Methods Thirty-five COPD patients complicated with deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs were assigned into the observation group， and 35 COPD patients without deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs of the same period were recruited in the control group. TEG parameters （R value of coagulation reaction time， K value of blood coagulation time， α angle of coagulation and MA value of maximum clot intensity）， routine blood test， blood gas analysis and baseline data were collected within 24 hours after admission. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve analysis were used to analyze the predictive value of all parameters of TEG for deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with COPD. Results R value， K value and α angle were significantly correlated with deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with COPD （all P < 0.05）. The area under the ROC curve （AUC） of R value was 0.787 （95%CI： 0.679-0.895）， 0.758 for K value （95%CI： 0.646-0.870）， 0.689 for α angle （95%CI： 0.565-0.812）， and 0.660 for MA value （95%CI： 0.533-0.787）， respectively. The combination of four parameters yielded higher sensitivity and specificity for predicting deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs （AUC：0.882， 95%CI：0.796-0.969， all P < 0.001）， the cut-off value was 0.436， the sensitivity was 94.3% and the specificity was 80%， respectively. Conclusions R value， K value and α angle in TEG are the independent predictors of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with COPD. R value， K value and α angle can properly predict deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with COPD， and the combination of R value， K value， α angle and MA value yields higher sensitivity and specificity

Exometabolomic analysis of decidualizing human endometrial stromal and perivascular cells

Differentiation of endometrial fibroblasts into specialized decidual cells controls embryo implantation and transforms the cycling endometrium into a semi-permanent, immune-protective matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. This process starts during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle with decidual transformation of perivascular cells (PVC) surrounding the terminal spiral arterioles and endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) underlying the luminal epithelium. Decidualization involves extensive cellular reprogramming and acquisition of a secretory phenotype, essential for coordinated placental trophoblast invasion. Secreted metabolites are an emerging class of signalling molecules. Here, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterise the dynamic changes in metabolite secretion (exometabolome) of primary PVC and EnSC decidualized over 8 days. We identified 79 annotated metabolites differentially secreted upon decidualization, including prostaglandin, sphingolipid, and hyaluronic acid metabolites. Secreted metabolites encompassed 21 metabolic pathways, most prominently glycerolipid and pyrimidine metabolism. Although temporal exometabolome changes were comparable between decidualizing PVC and EnSC, 32 metabolites were differentially secreted across the decidualization time-course. Further, targeted metabolomics demonstrated a conspicuous difference in xanthine secretion between decidualized PVC and EnSC. Taken together, our findings indicate that the metabolic footprints generated by different decidual subpopulations encode spatiotemporal information that may be important for optimal embryo implantation

Peritoneal Fluid Cytokines Reveal New Insights of Endometriosis Subphenotypes

Endometriosis is a common inflammatory gynecological disorder which causes pelvic scarring, pain, and infertility, characterized by the implantation of endometrial-like lesions outside the uterus. The peritoneum, ovaries, and deep soft tissues are the commonly involved sites, and endometriotic lesions can be classified into three subphenotypes: superficial peritoneal endometriosis (PE), ovarian endometrioma (OE), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). In 132 women diagnosed laparoscopically with and without endometriosis (n = 73, 59 respectively), and stratified into PE, OE, and DIE, peritoneal fluids (PF) were characterized for 48 cytokines by using multiplex immunoassays. Partial-least-squares-regression analysis revealed distinct subphenotype cytokine signatures—a six-cytokine signature distinguishing PE from OE, a seven-cytokine signature distinguishing OE from DIE, and a six-cytokine-signature distinguishing PE from DIE—each associated with different patterns of biological processes, signaling events, and immunology. These signatures describe endometriosis better than disease stages (p < 0.0001). Pathway analysis revealed the association of ERK1 and 2, AKT, MAPK, and STAT4 linked to angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration, and inflammation in the subphenotypes. These data shed new insights on the pathophysiology of endometriosis subphenotypes, with the potential to exploit the cytokine signatures to stratify endometriosis patients for targeted therapies and biomarker discovery

A 2-D Parallel Convex Hull Algorithm with Optimal Communication Phases

We investigate the problem of finding the twodimensional convex hull of a set of points on a coarsegrained parallel computer. Recently Goodrich has devised a parallel sorting algorithm for n items on P processors which achieves an optimal number of communication phases for all ranges of P n. Ferreira et al. have recently introduced a deterministic convex hull algorithm with a constant number of communication phases for n and P satisfying n P 1+ffl . Here we obtain a new parallel 2-D convex hull algorithm with an optimal bound on number of communication phases for all values of P n while maintaining optimal local computation time. 1. Introduction and Background Analysis of running costs for PRAM algorithms may be unrealistic for implementations on real parallel machines, largely because of the greater non-local memory access costs for actual parallel machines [10] [31]. In an effort to bridge the gap between algorithmic study and practical implementation of parallel algorithms, V..

Changes in Bone Turnover Markers after Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures in Males and Females

Background. To explore the normal changes in bone turnover markers (BTMs) and the correlations between the different BTMs after osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Meanwhile, we explored the related differences that exist between sexes. Methods. A total of 130 OVCF patients were retrospectively reviewed. Using IBM SPSS 19.0 statistical software, the differences in the levels of BTMs and clinical parameters between sexes were assessed using Student’s unpaired t test, and one-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of the three groups of samples. The correlations between P1NP, CTX, and clinical factors were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results. P1NP was 52.15 ng/ml within two weeks in male patients, and the level increased to 96.33 ng/ml after 12 weeks; in female patients, the increase was not as obvious as in male patients. CTX in male patients reached as much as approximately twice the initial value after 12 weeks. However, the situation in female patients was diverse. CTX was 0.58 ng/ml within two weeks and increased to 0.61 ng/ml within 2-12 weeks after the onset of OVCF. Subsequently, CTX decreased suddenly after 12 weeks. The increase in P1NP levels within 2 weeks after OVCF was significantly correlated with the levels of osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP). Changes in CTX within 2 weeks after OVCF were considerably related to phosphorus, 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), OC, and BAP. Conclusion. The levels of P1NP and CTX increased differently in males and females after OVCF. The levels of OC and BAP were correlated with the levels of P1NP and CTX within 2 weeks of OVCF

Pollution Assessment and Source Apportionment of Soil Heavy Metals in a Coastal Industrial City, Zhejiang, Southeastern China

In this research, Ningbo City, a typical industrial city in southeastern China, was selected as the study area, and the concentrations of 12 heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, Hg, As, Co, V, Se, and Mn) were measured at 248 sampling points. Pollution index methods were used to assess the status of soil heavy metal contamination, and the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model and Unmix model were integrated to identify and apportion the sources of heavy metal contamination. The results indicated that nearly 70% of the study area was polluted by heavy metals, and that Ni, Cr, and Zn were the main enriched heavy metals. The five sources identified using the PMF model were a geological source, an atmospheric deposition source, a transportation emissions source, a mixed source of agriculture and industry, and a mixed source of geology and industry. The four sources identified using the Unmix model were a mixed source of geology, agriculture, and industry (14.27%); a transportation emissions source (4.76%); a geological source (14.7%); and a mixed source of geology and industry (66.28%). These results have practical significance, as they can help to carry out pollution source risk assessment and give priority to the management of pollution source control

Synthesis and solar cells applications of EO-PF-DTBT polymer

Poly{[2,7-(9,9-bis-(1-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)-fluorene)]-alt-[5, 5-(4,7-di-2′-thienyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)]} (EO-PF-DTBT) was synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction. The polymer is soluble in common organic solvent, such as toluene, THF, and chloroform, and it also shows solubility in polar solvent, such as cyclopentanone. Solar cells based on EO-PF-DTBT and PC61BM show maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.65% with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.86 V, a short circuit current density (JSC) of 6.10 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 51% under AM 1.5G illumination at 100 mW/cm2, which is the best results for fluorene and 4,7-di-2-thienyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole copolymers and PC61BM blend. The 1,8-diiodooctane can work well to reduce the over-aggregated phase structure in polymer solar cells. Our results suggest that the introducing high hydrophilic side chain into conjugated polymer donor materials can tune the aggregation structure and improve the solar cells performances.</p

Navigation-Guided Endoscopy Combined with Deep Lateral Orbitotomy for Removal of Small Tumors at the Lateral Orbital Apex

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of the navigation-guided endoscopy combined with deep lateral orbitotomy for removal of small tumors at the lateral orbital apex. Design. A retrospective, noncomparative case series. Methods. Retrospective analysis of ten patients (10 eyes) with small tumors at the lateral orbital apex comprised navigation-guided endoscopy combined with deep lateral orbitotomy at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from November 2015 to November 2017. In each case, the indication of surgery was existing or imminent visual impairment due to the tumor. The removal was believed to be complete if the mass was removed intactly during the surgery. The tumor character was confirmed by pathological examination after surgery. Patients were followed up to 3 months after surgery. Best corrected visual acuity before and after surgery was compared. Results. All tumors were completely removed by the navigation-guided endoscopic approach. The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity was 6/15 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 6/40–6/8.5), and the mean postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 6/10 (95% CI 6/15–6/7.5). 5 of 7 (71%) patients with vision loss gained visual improvement in different degrees after surgery, and the rest of the patients had preoperative best corrected visual acuity. Visual field of all patients also improved. 8 cavernous hemangiomas and 2 schwannomas were confirmed postoperatively by pathology. 4 patients accompanied with limitation of eye abduction, which recovered spontaneously in an average of 4 weeks. No other serious complications occurred. Conclusions. Navigation-guided endoscopy combined with deep lateral orbitotomy seems to be a feasible, efficient, and safe approach for removing small tumors at the lateral orbital apex. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800019244

Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation and the impact of follicular fluid metabolome and cytokinome profiles in poor ovarian responders

Abstract Background Poor ovarian responders (POR) are women undergoing in-vitro fertilization who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation, resulting in the retrieval of lower number of oocytes, and subsequently lower pregnancy rates. The follicular fluid (FF) provides a crucial microenvironment for the proper development of follicles and oocytes through tightly controlled metabolism and cell signaling. Androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have been proposed to alter the POR follicular microenvironment, but the impact DHEA imposes on the FF metabolome and cytokine profiles is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study is to profile and identify metabolomic changes in the FF with DHEA supplementation in POR patients. Methods FF samples collected from 52 POR patients who underwent IVF with DHEA supplementation (DHEA +) and without (DHEA-; controls) were analyzed using untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) metabolomics and a large-scale multiplex suspension immunoassay covering 65 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Multivariate statistical modelling by partial least squares-discriminant regression (PLSR) analysis was performed for revealing metabolome-scale differences. Further, differential metabolite analysis between the two groups was performed by PLSR β-coefficient regression analysis and Student’s t-test. Results Untargeted metabolomics identified 118 FF metabolites of diverse chemistries and concentrations which spanned three orders of magnitude. They include metabolic products highly associated with ovarian function – amino acids for regulating pH and osmolarity, lipids such fatty acids and cholesterols for oocyte maturation, and glucocorticoids for ovarian steroidogenesis. Four metabolites, namely, glycerophosphocholine, linoleic acid, progesterone, and valine were significantly lower in DHEA + relative to DHEA- (p < 0.05–0.005). The area under the curves of progesterone glycerophosphocholine, linoleic acid and valine are 0.711, 0.730, 0.785 and 0.818 (p < 0.05–0.01). In DHEA + patients, progesterone positively correlated with IGF-1 (Pearson r: 0.6757, p < 0.01); glycerophosphocholine negatively correlated with AMH (Pearson r: -0.5815; p < 0.05); linoleic acid correlated with estradiol and IGF-1 (Pearson r: 0.7016 and 0.8203, respectively; p < 0.01 for both). In DHEA- patients, valine negatively correlated with serum-free testosterone (Pearson r: -0.8774; p < 0.0001). Using the large-scale immunoassay of 45 cytokines, we observed significantly lower MCP1, IFNγ, LIF and VEGF-D levels in DHEA + relative to DHEA. Conclusions In POR patients, DHEA supplementation altered the FF metabolome and cytokine profile. The identified four FF metabolites that significantly changed with DHEA may provide information for titrating and monitoring individual DHEA supplementation