Heparanase inhibitor improves clinical study in patients with septic cardiomyopathy

ObjectiveSeptic cardiomyopathy (SCM), a prevalent and critical condition in individuals suffering from sepsis and septic shock, remains elusive in terms of its intricate pathogenesis, thereby lacking definitive diagnostic standards. Current clinical management predominantly revolves around addressing the underlying disease and alleviating symptoms, yet mortality rates persist at elevated levels. This research endeavors to delve into the effects of low molecular weight heparin on Heparanase (HPA) levels in SCM patients, while assessing the clinical significance of HPA as a diagnostic marker in this patient population.MethodA comprehensive cohort of 105 patients diagnosed with SCM was recruited from the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, spanning the period from September 2022 to October 2023, serving as the primary research subjects for this investigation. A prospective, randomized controlled trial was undertaken, wherein 53 SCM patients were randomly allocated to a control group receiving standard therapy, while 52 patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving conventional treatment augmented with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). On the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days post-treatment, the following parameters were measured and documented: HPA levels, syndecan-1 levels, IL-6, TNF-α, CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio, anti-Xa factor, antithrombin III (AT-III) levels, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), fractional shortening (FS), E/e’ ratio, stroke volume (SV), cardiac performance index (CPI), global end-diastolic volume index (GEDVI), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (CTnI), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), lactate (Lac) levels, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, ICU length of stay, and 28-day mortality rate.ResultsIn comparison to the control group, the LMWH group demonstrated significantly lower levels of HPA and syndecan-1 (p < 0.05), along with reduced levels of IL-6, TNF-α, E/e’, NT-proBNP, CTnI, H-FABP, GEDVI, SOFA score, APACHE II score, ICU length of stay, and 28-day mortality (p < 0.05). Additionally, the LMWH group exhibited increased levels of anti-Xa factor, AT-III, CD4+/CD8+ cell, LVEF, FS, SV, and CPI (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that HPA can be combined with NT-proBNP, CTnI and H-FABP to improve the diagnostic efficiency of SCM.ConclusionIn SCM patient management, the integration of LMWH into conventional treatment significantly reduced HPA levels, mitigated syndecan-1 loss, attenuated inflammatory responses, enhanced immune function, improved microcirculation, cardiac systolic and diastolic functions, myocardial contractility, heart index, and end-diastolic volume. These interventions correlated with decreased clinical severity, ICU stays, and 28-day mortality rates in SCM patients.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.chictr.org.cn

Decoding the spermatogonial stem cell niche under physiological and recovery conditions in adult mice and humans

The intricate interaction between spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) and testicular niche is essential for maintaining SSC homeostasis; however, this interaction remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, to characterize the underlying signaling pathways and related paracrine factors, we delineated the intercellular interactions between SSC and niche cell in both adult mice and humans under physiological conditions and dissected the niche-derived regulation of SSC maintenance under recovery conditions, thus uncovering the essential role of C-C motif chemokine ligand 24 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 in SSC maintenance. We also established the clinical relevance of specific paracrine factors in human fertility. Collectively, our work on decoding the adult SSC niche serves as a valuable reference for future studies on the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of male infertility.</p

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Methylprednisolone as Adjunct to Endovascular Thrombectomy for Large-Vessel Occlusion Stroke

Importance It is uncertain whether intravenous methylprednisolone improves outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. Objective To assess the efficacy and adverse events of adjunctive intravenous low-dose methylprednisolone to endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke secondary to LVO. Design, Setting, and Participants This investigator-initiated, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was implemented at 82 hospitals in China, enrolling 1680 patients with stroke and proximal intracranial LVO presenting within 24 hours of time last known to be well. Recruitment took place between February 9, 2022, and June 30, 2023, with a final follow-up on September 30, 2023.InterventionsEligible patients were randomly assigned to intravenous methylprednisolone (n = 839) at 2 mg/kg/d or placebo (n = 841) for 3 days adjunctive to endovascular thrombectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy outcome was disability level at 90 days as measured by the overall distribution of the modified Rankin Scale scores (range, 0 [no symptoms] to 6 [death]). The primary safety outcomes included mortality at 90 days and the incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 hours. Results Among 1680 patients randomized (median age, 69 years; 727 female [43.3%]), 1673 (99.6%) completed the trial. The median 90-day modified Rankin Scale score was 3 (IQR, 1-5) in the methylprednisolone group vs 3 (IQR, 1-6) in the placebo group (adjusted generalized odds ratio for a lower level of disability, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.96-1.25]; P = .17). In the methylprednisolone group, there was a lower mortality rate (23.2% vs 28.5%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71-0.98]; P = .03) and a lower rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (8.6% vs 11.7%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-0.99]; P = .04) compared with placebo. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO undergoing endovascular thrombectomy, adjunctive methylprednisolone added to endovascular thrombectomy did not significantly improve the degree of overall disability.Trial RegistrationChiCTR.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR210005172

Semantic Segmentation Algorithm-Based Calculation of Cloud Shadow Trajectory and Cloud Speed

Cloud covering is an important factor affecting solar radiation and causes fluctuations in solar energy production. Therefore, real-time recognition and the prediction of cloud covering and the adjustment of the angle of photovoltaic panels to improve power generation are important research areas in the field of photovoltaic power generation. In this study, several methods, namely, the principle of depth camera measurement distance, semantic segmentation algorithm, and long- and short-term memory (LSTM) network were combined for cloud observation. The semantic segmentation algorithm was applied to identify and extract the cloud contour lines, determine the feature points, and calculate the cloud heights and geographic locations of the cloud shadows. The LSTM algorithm was used to predict the trajectory and speed of the cloud movement, achieve accurate and real-time detection, and track the clouds and the sun. Based on the results of these methods, the shadow area of the cloud on the ground was calculated. The recursive neural LSTM network was also used to predict the track and moving speed of the clouds according to the cloud centroid data of the cloud images at different times. The findings of this study can provide insights to establish a low-cost intelligent monitoring predicting system for cloud covering and power generation

The Interference Effects of Wind Load and Wind-Induced Dynamic Response of Quayside Container Cranes

Strong wind has caused damage to group-arranged quayside container cranes in terminals and ports in recent years. Interference may amplify the wind loads in some cases. However, the interference effect among cranes has rarely been studied. In this study, high-frequency force balance tests were conducted to obtain the wind load of isolated and group-arranged container cranes. The results of the computational fluid dynamics simulation were validated by wind tunnel tests and provided the mean wind loads of all 15 types of member cranes. According to the results from wind tunnel tests, the fluctuating wind loads of each member were generated using the weighted amplitude wave superposition method. Based on dynamic finite element methods, the wind-induced responses were obtained considering the interference effect. It was found that the interference effect is the combined effects of both the shielding effect and the amplification of turbulence. Although in some cases the fluctuating and peak wind loads can increase by up to 16% and 6%, respectively, those in the most unfavorable cases are reduced by the interference effect. The interference factor for extreme nodal deformation is 0.56 and 0.69. The interference effect in container cranes mainly appears as a shielding effect, reducing the wind loads and response of the structures in unfavorable cases

Research on Arc-grounding Overvoltage in the 10kV Distribution System

AbstractThe using rate of cable which causes the capacitance current raise up out of limits in the urban distribution system is growing up very fast during the past years. It threatens the security of power-supply. In this paper, the author made lots of works analyze many methods of grounding through the natural point. The author also made the simulation models with EMTP/ATP program in theory and combine the fault of single-phase grounding in practice