The effects of rotation, metallicity and magnetic field on the islands of failed supernovae

Failed supernovae (FSN) are a possible channel for the formation of heavy stellar-mass black holes ($M_{ BH}>\sim 30$ M$_\odot$). However, the effects of metallicity, rotation and magnetic field on the islands of explodabilty of massive stars are not clear. Here, we simulate the stellar structure and evolution in the mass range between 6 and 55 $M_{\odot}$ with different initial rotational velocities, metallicities, and magnetic fields from zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) to pre-collapse. We find that the rapid rotating stars can remain lower $\rm ^{12}C$ mass fraction at the time of C ignition, which allows the transition, from convective carbon burning to radiative burning, to occur at lower $M_{\rm ZAMS}$ than those from stars without rotation. However, the rapid rotation is unfavorable for FSN occurring but is conducive to long gamma-ray bursts (lGRBs) because it results in the specific angular momentum in the CO core is greater than the last stable orbit at core collapse. The increasing metallicity does not affect FSN islands, but high metallicity inhibits rotational mixing and is unfavorable for producing lGRBs. A magnetic field can constrain the mass-loss rate even for rapid rotating stars, resulting in higher mass at pre-collapse. The magnetic braking triggered by the magnetic field can reduce the rotation velocity for high-metallicity models, which decreases the specific angular momentum in the CO core and is favorable for FSN occurring. We suggest that the heavy-mass black holes detected by LIGO may originate from rapidly rotating massive stars with strong magnetic fields, rather than those with very low metallicity.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure

Ecological Response of Phytoplankton to the Oil Spills in the Oceans

Oil spills in oceans have substantial influence on marine ecosystems. This study investigates 21 oil spills in the world. Analyzing Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiomerer (MODIS) data after Penglai oil spills on 4 June 2011, found a bloom with peak value of Chl-a (13.66 mg m−3) spread over an area of 800 km2 during 18–25 June 2011, and a pronounced increase in the monthly Chl-a concentration (6.40 mg m−3) on June 2012 in the Bohai Sea. Out of the 21 oil spills, 14 blooms were observed, while 11 blooms associated with oil spills in the time interval of 3–10 months. In total, about 75% blooms occurred during June–August. Among all 14 blooms, 72% appeared when temperature was warm (20–30 °C), 7% appeared when temperature was low (10–20 °C), and the remaining 21% occurred when temperature was lower than 10 °C. This research concludes that the odds of a phytoplankton bloom after an oil spillage are higher at the time of higher temperature (\u3e20 °C). The short-term impact of the oil spills on ecosystem could mainly depend on the quantity and composition of oil, while the long-term impact of the oil spills on ecosystem could be related to biodegradation of microorganisms

10-Formyl-2,4,6,8,12-penta­nitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexa­azatetra­cyclo­[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]dodecane acetone solvate

The title compound, C7H7N11O11·C3H6O, consisting of one mol­ecule of 10-formyl-2,4,6,8,12-penta­nitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexa­azatetra­cyclo­[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]dodecane (penta­nitro­mono­form­yl­hexa­aza­isowurtzitane, PNMFIW) and one acetone solvent mol­ecule, is a member of the caged hexa­azaisowurtzitane family. PNMFIW has a cage structure which is constructed from one six-membered and two five-membered rings which are linked by a C—C bond, thus creating two seven-membered rings. In the PNMFIW mol­ecule, one formyl group is bonded to the N heteroatom of the six-membered cycle, and five nitro groups are appended to other five N heteroatom of the caged structure. The acetone solvent mol­ecule is arranged beside a five-membered plane of PNMFIW with an O atom and an H atom close (with respect to the sum of the van der Waals radii) to the neighbouring nitro O atom [O⋯O = 2.957 (3) and 2.852 (3) Å; O⋯ H = 2.692 (2), 2.526 (3) and 2.432 (3) Å]

Enhanced nitrogen removal via Yarrowia lipolytica-mediated nitrogen and related metabolism of Chlorella pyrenoidosa from wastewater

We investigated the optimum co-culture ratio with the highest biological nitrogen removal rate, revealing that chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen (TN), and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) removal was increased in the Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Yarrowia lipolytica co-culture system at a 3:1 ratio. Compared with the control, TN and NH3-N content in the co-incubated system was decreased within 2–6 days. We investigated mRNA/microRNA (miRNA) expression in the C. pyrenoidosa and Y. lipolytica co-culture after 3 and 5 days, identifying 9885 and 3976 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Sixty-five DEGs were associated with Y. lipolytica nitrogen, amino acid, photosynthetic, and carbon metabolism after 3 days. Eleven differentially expressed miRNAs were discovered after 3 days, of which two were differentially expressed and their target mRNA expressions negatively correlated with each other. One of these miRNAs regulates gene expression of cysteine dioxygenase, hypothetical protein, and histone-lysine N-methyltransferase SETD1, thereby reducing amino acid metabolic capacity; the other miRNA may promote upregulation of genes encoding the ATP-binding cassette, subfamily C (CFTR/MRP), member 10 (ABCC10), thereby promoting nitrogen and carbon transport in C. pyrenoidosa. These miRNAs may further contribute to the activation of target mRNAs. miRNA/mRNA expression profiles confirmed the synergistic effects of a co-culture system on pollutant disposal

Even high normal blood pressure affects live birth rate in women undergoing fresh embryo transfer

STUDY QUESTION Do differences in blood pressure within the normal range have any impacts on the live birth rate (primary outcome) or biochemical pregnancy rate (beta-hCG positivity), clinical pregnancy rate (heart beating in ultrasound), abortion rate and ectopic pregnancy rate (secondary outcomes) of fresh embryo transfer in women undergoing their IVF/ICSI treatment? SUMMARY ANSWER Even rather small differences in baseline blood pressure in women with normal blood pressure according to current guidelines undergoing fresh embryo transfer after IVF/ICSI affects substantially the live birth rate. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Pre-pregnancy hypertension is a well-known risk factor for adverse pregnancy events such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption and adverse neonatal events. It is likewise well known that hypertension during pregnancy in women undergoing ART is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, whether blood pressure at the high end of the normal range has an impact on ART is unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION It is a prospective observational cohort study based on a single IVF center between January 2017 and December 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Two thousand four hundred and eighteen women with normal blood pressure undergoing fresh embryo transfer after IVF/ICSI at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya were enrolled in this study. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Blood pressure was measured at the first visit when women consulted the IVF center due to infertility. In women with a successful pregnancy outcome (1487 live births out of 2418 women undergoing fresh embryo transfer after IVF/ICSI), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (114.1 ± 9.48 mmHg versus 115.4 ± 9.8 mmHg, P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (74.5 ± 7.5 mmHg versus 75.3 ± 7.34 mmHg, P = 0.006) were lower than in those who did not achieve live births. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SBP (OR: 0.987, 95% CI: 0.979–0.996, P = 0.004) and DBP (OR: 0.986, 95% CI: 0.975–0.998, P = 0.016) were negatively associated with live birth. Similarly, SBP was significantly negatively related to clinical pregnancy rate (OR: 0.990, 95% CI: 0.981–0.999, P = 0.033), while for DBP the association was not statistically significant (OR: 0.994, 95% CI: 0.982–1.006, P = 0.343). However, both SBP and DBP were positively associated with miscarriage OR: 1.021 (95% CI: 1.004–1.037, P = 0.013) and OR: 1.027 (95% CI: 1.005–1.049, P = 0.014), respectively. Both SBP and DBP were unrelated to biochemical pregnancy (hCG positivity), implantation and ectopic pregnancy rate. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Whether lowering blood pressure before initiating ART treatment in women with SBP or DBP higher than the thresholds defined in our study will confer a benefit is unknown. Also, we cannot exclude bias due to different ethnicities. Moreover, participants in our study only received fresh embryo transfer, whether the results could apply to frozen embryo transfer is unclear. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study challenges the current blood pressure goals in women undergoing fresh embryo transfer after IVF/ICSI. Further studies are needed to figure out the mechanism and effective approach to increase IVF/ICSI pregnancy outcomes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Hunan Provincial Grant for Innovative Province Construction (2019SK4012). The authors declare that there were no conflicts of interest in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A

Higher fibrinogen and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with the early poor response to intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundInflammation and platelet activation play pivotal roles in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) pathogenesis. Early response to thrombolysis is a vital indicator for the long-term prognosis of AIS. However, the correlation between fibrinogen or the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the early response to intravenous thrombolysis in patients with AIS remains unclear.MethodsAIS patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled between January 2018 and May 2023. Blood cell counts were sampled before thrombolysis. A good response was defined as a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score decreased ≥4 or complete recovery 24 h after thrombolysis treatment. A poor response was defined as any increase in the NIHSS score or a decrease in the NIHSS score <4 at the 24 h after thrombolysis treatment compared with that at admission. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship of the fibrinogen level and NLR with a poor thrombolysis response. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the ability of the fibrinogen level and NLR to discriminate poor responders.ResultsAmong 700 recruited patients, 268 (38.29%) were diagnosed with a good response, and 432 (61.71%) were diagnosed with a poor response to intravenous thrombolysis. A binary logistic regression model indicated that an elevated fibrinogen level (odds ratio [OR], 1.693; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.325–2.122, P < 0.001) and NLR (OR, 1.253; 95% CI, 1.210–2.005, P = 0.001) were independent factors for a poor response. The area under the curve (AUC) values for the fibrinogen level, NLR and fibrinogen level combined with the NLR for a poor response were 0.708, 0.605, and 0.728, respectively.ConclusionsOur research indicates that the levels of fibrinogen and NLR at admission can be used as a prognostic factor to predict early poor response to intravenous thrombolysis

Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine–Induced Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity via Microglial Activation: A Mediator between Peripheral Infection and Neurodegeneration?

BackgroundParkinson disease (PD), a chronic neurodegenerative disease, has been proposed to be a multifactorial disorder resulting from a combination of environmental mechanisms (chemical, infectious, and traumatic), aging, and genetic deficits. Microglial activation is important in the pathogenesis of PD.ObjectivesWe investigated dopaminergic (DA) neurotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), a bacteria-derived peptide, in relation to PD. METHODS: We measured DA neurotoxicity using a DA uptake assay and immunocytochemical staining (ICC) in primary mesencephalic cultures from rodents. Microglial activation was observed via ICC, flow cytometry, and superoxide measurement.ResultsfMLP can cause selective DA neuronal loss at concentrations as low as 10−13 M. Further, fMLP (10−13 M) led to a significant reduction in DA uptake capacity in neuron/glia (N/G) cultures, but not in microglia-depleted cultures, indicating an indispensable role of microglia in fMLP-induced neurotoxicity. Using ICC of a specific microglial marker, OX42, we observed morphologic changes in activated microglia after fMLP treatment. Microglial activation after fMLP treatment was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis of major histocompatibility antigen class II expression on a microglia HAPI cell line. Mechanistic studies revealed that fMLP (10−13 M)-induced increase in the production of extracellular superoxide from microglia is critical in mediating fMLP-elicited neurotoxicity. Pharmacologic inhibition of NADPH oxidase (PHOX) with diphenylene-iodonium or apocynin abolished the DA neurotoxicity of fMLP. N/G cultures from PHOX-deficient (gp91PHOX−/ −) mice were also insensitive to fMLP-induced DA neurotoxicity.ConclusionfMLP (10−13 M) induces DA neurotoxicity through activation of microglial PHOX and subsequent production of superoxide, suggesting a role of fMLP in the central nervous system inflammatory process

Changes in body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in a Chinese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study

IntroductionThe primary care management of blood glucose, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and body weight is important among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to prevent disease progression. Information on how weight changes would improve or deteriorate cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is warranted for making primary care recommendations. We aimed to investigate the changes in body weight and CV risk factors and to analyse their association in a Chinese population with T2DM.MethodsWe retrieved longitudinal data between 2020 and 2021 from 1,758 adult primary care patients enrolled in a diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programme. Linear associations of changes in body weight with CV risk factors were explored. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine associations between different weight change categories and the worsening of CV risk factors.ResultsThe mean age of all the participants was 63.71 years, and over half of participants were females. During a one-year follow-up period, 24.7% of patients had a weight loss of ≥3%, while 22.2% of patients had a weight gain of ≥3%. Patients who had a weight loss of ≥3% were more likely to prevent the worsening of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and triglycerides, while those who had a weight gain of ≥3% tended to have worsened HbA1c, lipid profiles, and blood pressure.ConclusionResults from this real-world investigation suggested the concurrent need for weight loss intervention among patients who are overweight or obese and weight gain prevention among patients whose body weight falls within the normal range in the context of community-based diabetes management

Time to full enteral feeding for very low-birth-weight infants varies markedly among hospitals worldwide but may not be associated with incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis:The NEOMUNE-NeoNutriNet Cohort Study

Background: Transition to enteral feeding is difficult for very low-birth-weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) infants, and optimal nutrition is important for clinical outcomes. Method: Data on feeding practices and short-term clinical outcomes (growth, necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC], mortality) in VLBW infants were collected from 13 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 5 continents (n = 2947). Specifically, 5 NICUs in Guangdong province in China (GD), mainly using formula feeding and slow feeding advancement (n = 1366), were compared with the remaining NICUs (non-GD, n = 1581, Oceania, Europe, United States, Taiwan, Africa) using mainly human milk with faster advancement rates. Results: Across NICUs, large differences were observed for time to reach full enteral feeding (TFF; 8–33 days), weight gain (5.0–14.6 g/kg/day), ∆z-scores (−0.54 to −1.64), incidence of NEC (1%–13%), and mortality (1%–18%). Adjusted for gestational age, GD units had longer TFF (26 vs 11 days), lower weight gain (8.7 vs 10.9 g/kg/day), and more days on antibiotics (17 vs 11 days; all P <.001) than non-GD units, but NEC incidence and mortality were similar. Conclusion: Feeding practices for VLBW infants vary markedly around the world. Use of formula and long TFF in South China was associated with more use of antibiotics and slower weight gain, but apparently not with more NEC or higher mortality. Both infant- and hospital-related factors influence feeding practices for preterm infants. Multicenter, randomized controlled trials are required to identify the optimal feeding strategy during the first weeks of life