Associations of COVID-19 lockdown with birth weight in China

BackgroundDuring the special period of the global spread of COVID-19, pregnant women are sensitive groups to the impacts of COVID-19 epidemic. However, the effects of lockdown measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 on fetal birthweight remain unclear.ObjectivesThis study investigated the associations of COVID-19 lockdown with birth weight in Chinese population.MethodsWe collected 730,153 data of participants from hospitals of five cities in the south of China, we defined the time period of level I response (1/23-2/24/2020) as level I lockdown, and women who were pregnant during level I lockdown as the exposure group. Women who were pregnant during the same calendar month from 2015 to 2019 were defined as the unexposed group. We quantitatively estimate the individual cumulative exposure dose by giving different weights to days with different emergency response levels. Generalized linear regression models were used to estimate the association between COVID-19 lockdown exposure with birth weight and risk of low birth weight (<2,500 g) and macrosomia (>4,000 g).ResultsThe birth weight of the exposed group is heavier than the unexposed group (3,238.52 vs. 3,224.11 g: adjusted β = 24.39 g [95% CI: 21.88, 26.91 g]). The exposed group had a higher risk of macrosomia (2.8% vs. 2.6%; adjusted OR = 1.17 [95% CI: 1.12, 1.22]). More obvious associations were found between COVID-19 lockdown and macrosomia in women who experienced the lockdown in their early pregnancy. Women who experienced the lockdown at their 4–7 weeks of pregnancy showed statistically significant heavier birth weight than unexposed group (after adjustment): β = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.46) g. We also observed a positive association between cumulative exposure dose of COVID-19 lockdown in all pregnant women and birth weight, after divided into four groups, Q1: β = 32.95 (95% CI: 28.16, 37.75) g; Q2: β = 18.88 (95% CI: 14.12, 23.64) g; Q3: β = 19.50 (95% CI: 14.73, 24.28) g; Q4: β = 21.82 (95% CI: 17.08, 26.56) g. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of low birth weight between exposed and unexposed groups.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown measures were associated with a heavier birth weight and a higher risk of macrosomia. Early pregnancy periods may be a more susceptible exposure window for a heavier birth weight and a higher risk of macrosomia. We also observed a positive association between cumulative exposure dose of COVID-19 lockdown and birth weight. The government and health institutions should pay attention to the long-term health of the infants born during the COVID-19 lockdown period, and follow up these mothers and infants is necessary

Leveraging Fecal Bacterial Survey Data to Predict Colorectal Tumors

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in cancer-associated mortality and third in the incidence worldwide. Most of CRC follow adenoma-carcinoma sequence, and have more than 90% chance of survival if diagnosed at early stage. But the recommended screening by colonoscopy is invasive, expensive, and poorly adhered to. Recently, several studies reported that the fecal bacteria might provide non-invasive biomarkers for CRC and precancerous tumors. Therefore, we collected and uniformly re-analyzed these published fecal 16S rDNA sequencing datasets to verify the association and identify biomarkers to classify and predict colorectal tumors by random forest method. A total of 1674 samples (330 CRC, 357 advanced adenoma, 141 adenoma, and 846 control) from 7 studies were analyzed in this study. By random effects model and fixed effects model, we observed significant differences in alpha-diversity and beta-diversity between individuals with CRC and the normal colon, but not between adenoma and the normal. We identified various bacterial genera with significant odds ratios for colorectal tumors at different stages. Through building random forest model with 10-fold cross-validation as well as new test datasets, we classified individuals with CRC, advanced adenoma, adenoma and normal colon. All approaches obtained comparable performance at entire OTU level, entire genus level, and the common genus level as measured using AUC. When combined all samples, the AUC of random forest model based on 12 common genera reached 0.846 for CRC, although the predication performed poorly for advance adenoma and adenoma

Specific fungi associated with response to capsulized fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with active ulcerative colitis

ObjectiveFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel microbial treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). In this study, we performed a clinical trial of capsulized FMT in UC patients to determine the association between the gut fungal community and capsulized FMT outcomes.DesignThis study recruited patients with active UC (N = 22) and healthy individuals (donor, N = 9) according to the criteria. The patients received capsulized FMT three times a week. Patient stool samples were collected before (week 0) and after FMT follow-up visits at weeks 1, 4, and 12. Fungal communities were analysed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing.ResultsAccording to metagenomic analysis, fungal community evenness index was greater in samples collected from patients, and the overall fungal community was clustered among the samples collected from donors. The dominant fungi in fecal samples collected from donors and patients were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. However, capsulized FMT ameliorated microbial fungal diversity and altered fungal composition, based on metagenomic analysis of fecal samples collected before and during follow-up visits after capsulized FMT. Fungal diversity decreased in samples collected from patients who achieved remission after capsulized FMT, similar to samples collected from donors. Patients achieving remission after capsulized FMT had specific enrichment of Kazachstania naganishii, Pyricularia grisea, Lachancea thermotolerans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe compared with patients who did not achieve remission. In addition, the relative abundance of P. grisea was higher in remission fecal samples during the follow-up visit. Meanwhile, decreased levels of pathobionts, such as Candida and Debaryomyces hansenii, were associated with remission in patients receiving capsulized FMT.ConclusionIn the metagenomic analysis of fecal samples from donors and patients with UC receiving capsulized FMT, shifts in gut fungal diversity and composition were associated with capsulized FMT and validated in patients with active UC. We also identified the specific fungi associated with the induction of remission. ClinicalTrails.gov (NCT03426683)

Association between Axial Length to Corneal Curvature Radius Ratio and Myopia in Adult Patients

Purpose. To analyze the distribution characteristics of axial length to corneal curvature radius ratio (AL/CR) and other ocular biometric parameters in adult myopia patients and their association with myopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with no eye diseases except ametropia who attended the optometry clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from January 2022 to June 2022. In total, 187 eyes (right eye) of 187 myopic patients aged 18–35 years were selected by random sampling. Based on the results of spherical equivalent (SE, (D)) obtained by postdilation optometry, all subjects were divided into three groups: mild myopia (≤−0.50D and >−3.00D, 42 eyes), moderate myopia (≤−3.00D and >−6.00D, 80 eyes), and high myopia (≤−6.00D, 65 eyes). The axial length (AL), corneal curvature radius (CR), and AL/CR were measured and compared between the three groups. The association between AL and AL/CR of the eye and SE was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Also, the predictive ability of AL/CR for high myopia was investigated by ROC curve. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, or intraocular pressure between the three groups. The mean values of AL/CR in mild, moderate, and high myopia groups were 3.17 ± 0.06, 3.31 ± 0.08, and 3.43 ± 0.10, respectively, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant P0.05). The adjusted linear regression equation shows that for every 0.1 unit increase in AL/CR, SE increases by 1.54 D. Compared with 0.830 (95% confidence interval: 0.769 to 0.900) for AL, the area under ROC curve of AL/CR was 0.896 (95% confidence interval: 0.851 to 0.941), indicating that the diagnostic value of AL/CR for high myopia was higher than that of AL (P< 0.01). When the Youden index reached its maximum (0.626), the AL/CR cutoff point was 3.309, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.954 and 0.672, respectively. Conclusion. This study showed that AL and AL/CR in adult myopia patients were significantly negatively correlated with SE, and the corralation between AL/CR and SE is greater than that between AL and SE. Therefore, AL/CR can be used to analyze the dynamic changes of SE in the development of adult myopia independently of optometry on a certain basis, and it is especially suitable for the diagnosis of high myopia in adults. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2300069070

Calcium-silicate mesoporous nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine for both anti- Enterococcus faecalis and mineralization properties

Abstract Background In infected periapical tissues, Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most common dominant bacteria. Chlorhexidine has been proved to show strong antibacterial ability against E. faecalis but is ineffective in promoting mineralization for tissues around root apex. Mesoporous calcium-silicate nanoparticles are newly synthesized biomaterials with excellent ability to promote mineralization and carry-release bioactive molecules in a controlled manner. In this study, mesoporous calcium-silicate nanoparticles were functionalized with chlorhexidine and their releasing profile, antibacterial ability, effect on cell proliferation and in vitro mineralization property were evaluated. Results The chlorhexidine was successfully incorporated into mesoporous calcium-silicate nanoparticles by a mixing-coupling method. The new material could release chlorhexidine as well as Ca2+ and SiO3 2− in a sustained manner with an alkaline pH value under different conditions. The antimicrobial ability against planktonic E. faecalis was dramatically improved after chlorhexidine incorporation. The nanoparticles with chlorhexidine showed no negative effect on cell proliferation with low concentrations. On dentin slices, the new synthesized material demonstrated a similar inhibitory effect on E. faecalis as the chlorhexidine. After being immersed in SBF for 9 days, numerous apatite crystals could be observed on surfaces of the material tablets. Conclusions Mesoporous calcium-silicate nanoparticles loaded with chlorhexidine exhibited release of ions and chlorhexidine, low cytotoxicity, excellent antibacterial ability and in vitro mineralization. This material could be developed into a new effective intra-canal medication in dentistry or a new bone defect filling material for infected bone defects

Synergistic mechanism of Ag+–Zn2+ in anti-bacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and its application against dentin infection

Abstract Background Ag+ and Zn2+ have already been used in combinations to obtain both enhanced antibacterial effect and low cytotoxicity. Despite this, it is still unclear how the Zn2+ co-works with Ag+ in the synergistic antibacterial activity. The main purposes of this study were to investigate the co-work pattern and optimum ratio between Ag+ and Zn2+ in their synergistic antibacterial activity against E. faecalis, the possible mechanisms behind this synergy and the primary application of optimum Ag+–Zn2+ co-work pattern against the E. faecalis biofilm on dentin. A serial of Ag+–Zn2+ atomic combination ratios were tested on both planktonic and biofilm-resident E. faecalis on dentin, their antibacterial efficiency was calculated and optimum ratio determined. And the cytotoxicity of various Ag+–Zn2+ atomic ratios was tested on MC3T3-E1 Cells. The role of Zn2+ in Ag+–Zn2+co-work was evaluated using a Zn2+ pretreatment study and membrane potential—permeability measurement. Results The results showed that the synergistically promoted antibacterial effect of Ag+–Zn2+ combinations was Zn2+ amount-dependent with the 1:9 and 1:12 Ag+–Zn2+ atomic ratios showing the most powerful ability against both planktonic and biofilm-resident E. faecalis. This co-work could likely be attributed to the depolarization of E. faecalis cell membrane by the addition of Zn2+. The cytotoxicity of the Ag+–Zn2+ atomic ratios of 1:9 and 1:12 was much lower than 2% chlorhexidine. Conclusions The Ag+–Zn2+ atomic ratios of 1:9 and 1:12 demonstrated similar strong ability against E. faecalis biofilm on dentin but much lower cytotoxicity than 2% chlorhexidine. New medications containing optimum Ag+–Zn2+ atomic ratios higher than 1:6, such as 1:9 or 1:12, could be developed against E. faecalis infection in root canals of teeth or any other parts of human body

Determination of ultra-low U-236 in environment samples using ICP-MS/MS measurement and chemical separation

U-236 in the environment mainly originates from human nuclear activities. Based on the unique properties of uranium, U-236 can be used as a powerful tracer for investigation of oceanographic and environmental processes. This requires sensitive measuement of U-236 in various environmental samples. Due to the ultra-low radioactive level of U-236 in the environment, its measurement is only possible by mass spectrometry. Because of the low atomic ratio of 2(36)U/U-235 down to 10(-7)-10(-5) in the environment, the interferences of (UH+)-U-235-H-1 and peak tailings of U-235 and U-238 are critical challenges in the measurement of U-236 by ICP-MS. This work developed a sensitive ICP-MS/MS method for measurement of ultra-low U-236 by employing reaction cell technique and sequential quadrupole mass separators. By using 0.6 mL min(-1) CO2 - 7 mL min(-1) helium as collision/reaction gas to convert U+ and UH+ to UO+, the interferences of UH+ (UOH+/UO+ ratio) were significantly reduced to less than 2.4 x 10(-7). A minimum detectable U-236/U-238 ratio of 3.0 x 10(-1)0 was achieved, which is one order of magnitude better than reported values. By using collision focusing with helium in the reaction cell and APEX sample introduction system, the measurement sensitivity for U-236 (236UO(+)) was improved to 7.5 x 10(6) cps ppb(-1). In combination with an effective chemical separation of uranium from sample matrix and interferences using total borate fusion following extraction chromatography with UTEVA resin, a detection limit of 7.2 x 10(-1)6 g g(-1) for 236U was achieved. The developed method was verified by analysis of certified reference materials and by comparison with AMS measurement method. Soil samples collected from Northwest China were successfully analyzed. U-236/U-238 ratios down to 9 x 10(-10) were measured in these samples, and the sources of U-236 in different sits were discussed

Determination of(129)I in vegetation using alkaline ashing separation combined with AMS measurement and variation of vegetation iodine isotopes in Qinling Mountains

An analytical method was developed for determination of(129)I and(127)I in vegetation samples. Iodine in the sample was separated by alkaline ashing followed by water leaching and solvent extraction. Up to 20 samples per batch and more than 20 g of each sample can be analyzed. A detection limit of 3.0 x 10(-17) g/g for(129)I was achieved. Grass samples collected from Xi'an and the sites in Qinling Mountains with 20-120 km distance to Xi'an city were successfully analyzed to investigate the effect of the sampling distance to the city on the level of(127)I and(129)I

Composite g-C3N4/NiCo2O4 with Excellent Electrochemical Impedance as an Electrode for Supercapacitors

For the development of supercapacitors, electrode materials with the advantages of simple synthesis and high specific capacitance are one of the very important factors. Herein, we synthesized g-C3N4 and NiCo2O4 by thermal polymerization method and hydrothermal method, respectively, and finally synthesized NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 nanomaterials by mixing, grinding, and calcining g-C3N4 and NiCo2O4. NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 nanomaterials are characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The microscopic morphology, lattice structure, and element distribution of NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 nanomaterials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, high resoultion transmission electron microscopy, and mapping methods. The electrochemical performance and cycle stability of NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 were tested in a 6 M KOH aqueous solution as electrolyte under a three-electrode system. Due to the physical mixing structure of g-C3N4 and NiCo2O4 nanomaterials, the electrochemical energy storage performance of NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 supercapacitor electrodes is better than that of NiCo2O4 supercapacitor electrodes. At a current density of 1 A/g, the capacitances of NiCo2O4 and NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 are 98.86 and 1,127.71 F/g, respectively. At a current density of 10 A/g, the capacitance of NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 supercapacitor electrode maintains 70.5% after 3,000 cycles. NiCo2O4/g-C3N4 electrode has excellent electrochemical performance, which may be due to the formation of physical mixing between NiCo2O4 and g-C3N4, which has broad application prospects. This research is of great importance for the development of materials in high-performance energy storage devices, catalysis, sensors, and other applications