Association between monocyte lymphocyte ratio and abdominal aortic calcification in US adults: A cross-sectional study

Background This study aimed to evaluate the association between Monocyte Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) and Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) in adults over 40 years of age in the United States. Methods Data were collected from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). AAC was quantified by the Kauppila score system based on dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry. Severe AAC was defined as a total AAC score > 6. The lymphocyte count and monocyte count can be directly obtained from laboratory data files. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association between MLR and the AAC score and severe AAC. Results A total of 3,045 participants were included in the present study. After adjusting for multiple covariates, MLR was positively associated with higher AAC score (β = 0.21, 95% CI 0.07, 0.34, p = 0.0032) and the odds of severe AAC increased by 14% per 0.1 unit increase in the MLR (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.00, 1.31, p = 0.0541). The Odds Ratio (OR) (95% CI) of severe AAC for participants in MLR tertile 3 was 1.88 (1.02, 3.47) compared with those in tertile 1 (p for trend = 0.0341). Subgroup analyses showed that a stronger association was detected in the elderly compared with non-elderly (p for interaction = 0.0346) and diabetes compared with non-diabetes (borderline significant p for interaction = 0.0578). Conclusion In adults in the United States, MLR was associated with higher AAC scores and a higher probability of severe AAC. MLR may become a promising tool to predict the risk of AAC

Transport dynamics analysis in ferromagnetic heterojunction using Raman spectroscopy and magnetic force microscopy

AbstractThe ZnO/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin film was epitaxially fabricated on LaAlO3 (100) by pulse laser deposition. The Raman scattering on the single layer LaSrMnO and junction ZnO/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 was investigated in a giant softening by 490cm−1 John-Teller, 620 and 703cm−1 optical phonon modes. The Raman spectra LaSrMnO and ZnO/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 were observed with distinct features, i.e., the thickness was in dependent of frequency and intensity. The dynamics results showed that the spin–orbital coupling was caused by anomalies tilt of MnO6 octahedron. The LSMO/ZnO junction exhibited excellent junction positive magneto-resistance behavior in the temperature range of 77–300K. The kinetic energy gain was achieved by orbital competition, strong crystal field and charge order of energy band splitting. The transport orbits were in the environment of the ferromagnetic-orbital ordering. The structures of barriers could be adjusted by junction interface and domain boundary condition in terms of the presence of spin–orbital fluctuating

Human DNA Exonuclease TREX1 Is Also an Exoribonuclease That Acts on Single-Stranded RNA

3\u27 repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) is a known DNA exonuclease involved in autoimmune disorders and the antiviral response. In this work, we show that TREX1 is also a RNA exonuclease. Purified TREX1 displays robust exoribonuclease activity that degrades single-stranded, but not double-stranded, RNA. TREX1-D200N, an Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome disease-causing mutant, is defective in degrading RNA. TREX1 activity is strongly inhibited by a stretch of pyrimidine residues as is a bacterial homolog, RNase T. Kinetic measurements indicate that the apparent Km of TREX1 for RNA is higher than that for DNA. Like RNase T, human TREX1 is active in degrading native tRNA substrates. Previously reported TREX1 crystal structures have revealed that the substrate binding sites are open enough to accommodate the extra hydroxyl group in RNA, further supporting our conclusion that TREX1 acts on RNA. These findings indicate that its RNase activity needs to be taken into account when evaluating the physiological role of TREX1

Distinguishing tumor admixed in a radiation necrosis (RN) background: 1H and 2H MR with a novel mouse brain-tumor/RN model

PURPOSE: Distinguishing radiation necrosis (RN) from recurrent tumor remains a vexing clinical problem with important health-care consequences for neuro-oncology patients. Here, mouse models of pure tumor, pure RN, and admixed RN/tumor are employed to evaluate hydrogen ( MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pipeline of common quantitative RESULTS: Differences in quantitative CONCLUSIONS: These findings, employing a pipeline of quantitativ

Bibliometric analysis of kinship analysis from 1960 to 2023: global trends and development

Kinship analysis is a crucial aspect of forensic genetics. This study analyzed 1,222 publications on kinship analysis from 1960 to 2023 using bibliometric analysis techniques, investigating the annual publication and citation patterns, most productive countries, organizations, authors and journals, most cited documents and co-occurrence of keywords. The initial publication in this field occurred in 1960. Since 2007, there has been a significant increase in publications, with over 30 published annually except for 2010. China had the most publications (n = 213, 17.43%), followed by the United States (n = 175, 14.32%) and Germany (n = 89, 7.28%). The United States also had the highest citation count. Sichuan University in China has the largest number of published articles. The University of Leipzig and the University of Cologne in Germany exhibit the highest total citation count and average citation, respectively. Budowle B was the most prolific author and Kayser M was the most cited author. In terms of publications, Forensic Science International-Genetics, Forensic Science International, and International Journal of Legal Medicine were the most prolific journals. Among them, Forensic Science International-Genetics boasted the highest h-index, citation count, and average citation rate. The most frequently cited publication was “Van Oven M, 2009, Hum Mutat”, with a total of 1,361 citations. The most frequent co-occurrence keyword included “DNA”, “Loci”, “Paternity testing”, “Population”, “Markers”, and “Identification”, with recent interest focusing on “Kinship analysis”, “SNP” and “Inference”. The current research is centered around microhaplotypes, forensic genetic genealogy, and massively parallel sequencing. The field advanced with new DNA analysis methods, tools, and genetic markers. Collaborative research among nations, organizations, and authors benefits idea exchange, problem-solving efficiency, and high-quality results

Effect of Microwave-Ultrasound Treatment on Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Highland Barley β-Glucan

The extraction efficiency, physicochemical properties, and structural characteristics of β-glucan extracted from highland barley branby sequential microwave-ultrasound-assisted extraction were explored. At the same heating rate, microwave enhanced α-amylase activity. The extraction efficiency of highland barley β-glucan was correlated with ultrasound power and treatment time. An ultrasound power of 600 W for 30 min and microwave heating at 60 ℃ for 30 min resulted in the maximum β-glucan yield of (6.30 ± 0.38)%. The results of physicochemical properties showed that with increasing sonication time up to 40 min, the solubility and foaming capacity of barley β-glucan increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the turbidity and emulsifying capacity decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The results of particle size distribution showed that with increasing sonication time, the relative molecular mass of barley β-glucan decreased, and ultrasound changed the rheological behavior of β-glucan, decreasingits viscosity and resulting in shear thinning. The infrared spectroscopic results showed that sonication did not change the functional groups of β-glucan, but it caused partial breakage of the glycosidic bonds. The microscopic results showed that ultrasonic treatment led to a looser structure of barley β-glucan, which was conducive to improving its extraction efficiency. Therefore, the microwave-ultrasound-assisted extraction of β-glucan from highland barley provides a basis for developing new food types and functional products

Comparison of Intergrowth-21st and Fenton growth standards to evaluate and predict the postnatal growth in eastern Chinese preterm infants

ObjectivesThe aim of this article was to compare the differences between Intergrowth-21st (IG-21) and Fenton growth standards in the classification of intrauterine and extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in eastern Chinese preterm infants, and detect which one can better relate to neonatal diseases and predict the physical growth outcomes at 3–5 years old.MethodsPremature infants admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Shanghai, China, from 2016 to 2018 were enrolled. Prenatal information, neonatal diseases during hospitalization, and anthropometric data (weight, height, and head circumference) at birth and at discharge were collected and analyzed. Physical growth outcomes (short stature, thinness, and overweight) were examined by telephone investigations in 2021 at age 3–5 years.ResultsThe medium gestational age and birth weight of the included 1,065 preterm newborns were 33.6 weeks and 1,900 g, respectively. The IG-21 curves diagnosed more newborns with small for gestational age (SGA) (19% vs. 14.7%) and fewer newborns with longitudinal EUGR on height (25.5% vs. 27.9%) and head circumference (17.9% vs. 24.7%) compared to Fenton curves. Concordances between Fenton and IG-21 standards were substantial or almost perfect in the classification of SGA and longitudinal EUGR, but minor in cross-sectional EUGR. EUGR identified by Fenton curves was better related to neonatal diseases than IG-21 curves. There were no statistical significances in the prediction of short stature, thinness, and overweight at 3–5 years old between the two charts.ConclusionsIG-21 growth standards are not superior to Fenton in assessing preterm growth and development in the eastern Chinese population

QTL Detection for Kernel Size and Weight in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Using a High-Density SNP and SSR-Based Linkage Map

High-density genetic linkage maps are essential for precise mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, a high-density genetic linkage map consisted of 6312 SNP and SSR markers was developed to identify QTL controlling kernel size and weight, based on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross of Shixin828 and Kenong2007. Seventy-eight putative QTL for kernel length (KL), kernel width (KW), kernel diameter ratio (KDR), and thousand kernel weight (TKW) were detected over eight environments by inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM). Of these, six stable QTL were identified in more than four environments, including two for KL (qKL-2D and qKL-6B.2), one for KW (qKW-2D.1), one for KDR (qKDR-2D.1) and two for TKW (qTKW-5A and qTKW-5B.2). Unconditional and multivariable conditional QTL mapping for TKW with respect to TKW component (TKWC) revealed that kernel dimensions played an important role in regulating the kernel weight. Seven QTL-rich genetic regions including seventeen QTL were found on chromosomes 1A (2), 2D, 3A, 4B and 5B (2) exhibiting pleiotropic effects. In particular, clusters on chromosomes 2D and 5B possessing significant QTL for kernel-related traits were highlighted. Markers tightly linked to these QTL or clusters will eventually facilitate further studies for fine mapping, candidate gene discovery and marker-assisted selection (MAS) in wheat breeding