Single Fasting Plasma Glucose Versus 75-g Oral Glucose-Tolerance Test in Prediction of Adverse Perinatal Outcomes::A Cohort Study

Background: There remains uncertainty regarding whether a single fasting glucose measurement is sufficient to predict risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods: We included 12,594 pregnant women who underwent a 75-g oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) at 22–28 weeks' gestation in the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, China. Outcomes were large for gestational age (LGA) baby, cesarean section, and spontaneous preterm birth. We calculated the area under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUCs) to assess the capacity of OGTT glucose values to predict adverse outcomes, and compared the AUCs of different components of OGTT. Results: 1325 women had a LGA baby (10.5%). Glucose measurements were linearly associated with LGA, with strongest associations for fasting glucose (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.30–1.45). Weaker associations were observed for cesarean section and spontaneous preterm birth. Fasting glucose have a comparable discriminative power for prediction of LGA to the combination of fasting, 1 h, and 2 h glucose values during OGTT (AUCs, 0.611 vs. 0.614, P = 0.166). The LGA risk was consistently increased in women with abnormal fasting glucose (≥5.1 mmol/l), irrespective of 1 h or 2 h glucose levels. Conclusions: A single fasting glucose measurement performs comparably to 75-g OGTT in predicting risk of having a LGA baby

Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Mediated Optimization of Medium Components for Mycelial Growth and Metabolites Production of <i>Streptomyces alfalfae</i> XN-04

Streptomyces alfalfae XN-04 has been reported for the production of antifungal metabolites effectively to control Fusarium wilt of cotton, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov). In this study, we used integrated statistical experimental design methods to investigate the optimized liquid fermentation medium components of XN-04, which can significantly increase the antifungal activity and biomass of XN-04. Seven variables, including soluble starch, KNO3, soybean cake powder, K2HPO4, MgSO4·7H2O, CaCO3 and FeSO4·7H2O, were identified as the best ingredients based on one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method. The results of Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) showed that soluble starch, soybean cake powder and K2HPO4 were the most significant variables among the seven variables. The steepest climbing experiment and response surface methodology (RSM) were performed to determine the interactions among these three variables and fine-tune the concentrations. The optimal compositions of medium were as follows: soluble starch (26.26 g/L), KNO3 (1.00 g/L), soybean cake powder (23.54 g/L), K2HPO4 (0.27 g/L), MgSO4·7H2O (0.50 g/L), CaCO3 (1.00 g/L) and FeSO4·7H2O (0.10 g/L). A verification experiment was then carried out under the optimized conditions, and the results revealed the mycelial dry weight of S. alfalfae XN-04 reaching 6.61 g/L. Compared with the initial medium, a 7.47-fold increase in the biomass was achieved using the optimized medium. Moreover, the active ingredient was purified from the methanol extract of S. alfalfae XN-04 mycelium and then identified as roflamycoin (a polyene macrolide antibiotic). The results may provide new insights into the development of S. alfalfae XN-04 fermentation process and the control of the Fusarium wilt of cotton and other plant diseases

Synthesis of Spherical Silver-coated Li4Ti5O12 Anode Material by a Sol-Gel-assisted Hydrothermal Method

Abstract ᅟ Ag-coated spherical Li4Ti5O12 composite was successfully synthesized via a sol-gel-assisted hydrothermal method using an ethylene glycol and silver nitrate mixture as the precursor, and the influence of the Ag coating contents on the electrochemical properties of its was extensively investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the Ag coating does not change the spinel structure of Li4Ti5O12. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses demonstrated that the excellent electrical conductivity of the Li4Ti5O12/Ag resulted from the presence of the highly conducting silver coating layer. Additionally, the nano-thick silver layer, which was uniformly coated on the particles, significantly improved this material’s rate capability. As a consequence, the silver-coated micron-sized spherial Li4Ti5O12 exhibited excellent electrochemical performance. Thus, with an appropriate silver content of 5 wt.%, the Li4Ti5O12/Ag delivered the highest capacity of 186.34 mAh g−1 at 0.5C, which is higher than that of other samples, and maintained 92.69% of its initial capacity at 5C after 100 cycles. Even at 10C after 100 cycles, it still had a capacity retention of 89.17%, demonstrating remarkable cycling stability. Trial registration ISRCTN NARL-D-17-0056

Effects of alkali activator on the chloride-ion permeability of one-part alkali-activated nickel slag concrete

Herein, the effects of the ionic types and content of alkali activator on the chloride-ion permeability of one-part alkali-activated nickel slag concrete were examined. The NT Build 492 method was adopted to measure the Cl− transport performance. In general, the total Cl− concentration in concrete decreases with the increase of penetration depth; however, the enrichment of Cl− concentration in the sample is not obvious. Anions have more effect on 28-d compressive strength, while cations have more effect on chlorine-ion permeability. For the same Na2O content, SiO32−-activator and Na+-activator perform better than other anions and cations, while OH– and K+ perform worse than other ions. The chloride-ion permeability coefficient (DRCM) of concrete with Na2SiO3 is the lowest and that with KOH is the highest. The DRCM of concrete prepared with KOH is 1.93 times higher than that of concrete prepared with Na2SiO3. When the activator is Na2SiO3, the DRCM of concrete decreases with the increase in Na2O content when the Na2O content is less than 7%. However, when the Na2O content exceeds 7%, the DRCM of concrete increases with the increase in Na2O content

High-Performance Cathode Material of FeF3·0.33H2O Modified with Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract The FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material can exhibit a high capacity and high energy density through transfer of multiple electrons in the conversion reaction and has attracted great attention from researchers. However, the low conductivity of FeF3·0.33H2O greatly restricts its application. Generally, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene can be used as conductive networks to improve the conductivities of active materials. In this work, the FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material was synthesized via a liquid-phase method, and the FeF3·0.33H2O/CNT + graphene nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by introduction of CNTs and graphene conductive networks. The electrochemical results illustrate that FeF3·0.33H2O/CNT + graphene nanocomposite delivers a high discharge capacity of 234.2 mAh g−1 in the voltage range of 1.8–4.5 V (vs. Li+/Li) at 0.1 C rate, exhibits a prominent cycling performance (193.1 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 0.2 C rate), and rate capability (140.4 mAh g−1 at 5 C rate). Therefore, the electronic conductivity and electrochemical performance of the FeF3·0.33H2O cathode material modified with CNTs and graphene composite conductive network can be effectively improved

Blind bedside postpyloric placement of spiral tube as rescue therapy in critically ill patients: a prospective, tricentric, observational study

Abstract Background Various special techniques for blind bedside transpyloric tube placement have been introduced into clinical practice. However, transpyloric spiral tube placement facilitated by a blind bedside method has not yet been reported. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of blind bedside postpyloric placement of a spiral tube as a rescue therapy subsequent to failed spontaneous transpyloric migration in critically ill patients. Methods This prospective, tricentric, observational study was conducted in the intensive care units (ICUs) of three tertiary hospitals. A total of 127 consecutive patients with failed spontaneous transpyloric spiral tube migration despite using prokinetic agents and still required enteral nutrition for more than 3 days were included. The spiral tube was inserted postpylorically using the blind bedside technique. All patients received metoclopramide intravenously prior to tube insertion. The exact tube tip position was determined by radiography. The primary efficacy endpoint was the success rate of postpyloric spiral tube placement. Secondary efficacy endpoints were success rate of a spiral tube placed in the third portion of the duodenum (D3) or beyond, success rate of placement in the proximal jejunum, time to insertion, length of insertion, and number of attempts. Safety endpoints were metoclopramide-related and major adverse tube-associated events. Results In 81.9% of patients, the spiral feeding tubes were placed postpylorically; of these, 55.1% were placed in D3 or beyond and 33.9% were placed in the proximal jejunum, with a median time to insertion of 14 min and an average number of attempts of 1.4. The mean length of insertion was 95.6 cm. The adverse event incidence was 26.0%, and no serious adverse event was observed. Conclusions Blind bedside postpyloric placement of a spiral tube, as a rescue therapy subsequent to failed spontaneous transpyloric migration in critically ill patients, is safe and effective. This technique may facilitate the early initiation of postpyloric feeding in the ICU. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-OPN-16008206. Registered on 1 April 2016

Protective Effect of an Antibody against Specific Extracellular Domain of TLR2 on Agonists-Driven Inflammatory and Allergic Response

Specific blocking strategies of TLR2-mediated inflammatory signaling and hypersensitivity reactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies to prevent a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated the blocking effects of a new anti-TLR2 antibody anti-T20 against a 20 mer peptide T20 located in the extracellular specific domain of mouse TLR2. In addition, the effects of the anti-T20 in vitro, measuring the inhibition of the IL-6 and TNF-production in response to PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, were determined. In vivo, the effects of anti-T20 on a lethal anaphylaxis model using PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice, including the rectal temperature and mortality, and serum levels of TNF-, IL-6, and LTC4 were assayed. The results showed that anti-T20 specifically bound to TLR2 and significantly inhibited PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-driven TNF-and IL-6 production by RAW264.7 cells. Also, anti-T20 protected OVA allergic mice from PGN-induced lethal anaphylaxis, and the serum levels of TNF-, IL-6, and LTC4 of anti-T20 treated PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice were decreased as compared to isotype control of anti-T20 treated mice. In summary, this study produced a new antibody against the specific extracellular domain of TLR2 which has protective effect on TLR2 agonists-driven inflammatory and allergic response

Protective Effect of an Antibody against Specific Extracellular Domain of TLR2 on Agonists-Driven Inflammatory and Allergic Response

Specific blocking strategies of TLR2-mediated inflammatory signaling and hypersensitivity reactions may offer novel therapeutic strategies to prevent a variety of diseases. In this study, we investigated the blocking effects of a new anti-TLR2 antibody anti-T20 against a 20 mer peptide T20 located in the extracellular specific domain of mouse TLR2. In addition, the effects of the anti-T20 in vitro, measuring the inhibition of the IL-6 and TNF-α production in response to PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, were determined. In vivo, the effects of anti-T20 on a lethal anaphylaxis model using PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice, including the rectal temperature and mortality, and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and LTC4 were assayed. The results showed that anti-T20 specifically bound to TLR2 and significantly inhibited PGN, LTA, and Pam3CSK4-driven TNF-α and IL-6 production by RAW264.7 cells. Also, anti-T20 protected OVA allergic mice from PGN-induced lethal anaphylaxis, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and LTC4 of anti-T20 treated PGN-challenged OVA allergic mice were decreased as compared to isotype control of anti-T20 treated mice. In summary, this study produced a new antibody against the specific extracellular domain of TLR2 which has protective effect on TLR2 agonists-driven inflammatory and allergic response