A Reversible Photoacid Functioning in PBS Buffer under Visible Light

A metastable-state photoacid that can reversibly release a proton in PBS buffer (pH = 7.4) under visible light is reported. The design is based on the dual acid–base property and tautomerization of indazole. The quantum yield was as high as 0.73, and moderate light intensity (10² μmol·m²·s^–1) is sufficient for the photoreaction. Reversible pH change of 1.7 units was demonstrated using a 0.1 mM aqueous solution. This type of photoacid is promising for control of proton-transfer processes in physiological conditions and may find applications in biomedical areas

Diagnostic and prognostic value of long noncoding RNAs in sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To explore the potential of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patients with sepsis. Literature was obtained from seven databases. Relevant data were examined by combining sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic orders ratio (DOR), and the area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a bivariate model. Seventeen works of literature were included for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis determined that combined SEN was 0.76 (95% C.I.: 0.69–0.82), combined SPE was 0.84 (95% C.I.: 0.79–0.88), combined PLR was 4.81 (95% C.I.: 3.70–6.25), combined NLR was 0.28 (95% C.I.: 0.22–0.36), combined DOR was 17.02 (95% C.I.: 11.96–24.22), and AUC was 0.88 (95% C.I.: 0.84–0.90), however, for prognostic meta-analysis, combined SEN was 0.82 (95% C.I.: 0.73–0.86), combined SPE was 0.69 (95% C.I.: 0.54–0.81), combined PLR was 2.69 (95% C.I.: 1.82–3.97), combined NLR was 0.25 (95% C.I.: 0.10–0.35), combined DOR was 10.63 (95% C.I.: 7.13–15.87), and AUC was 0.84 (95% C.I.: 0.81–0.87). LncRNA possesses a significant diagnostic and prognostic ability for sepsis.</p

Trends in smoking, heavy drinking, obesity (including overweight and obesity) and health insurance coverage.

<p>Trends in smoking, heavy drinking, obesity (including overweight and obesity) and health insurance coverage.</p

Health Insurance Coverage and Hypertension Control in China: Results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

<div><p>Background</p><p>China has rapidly expanded health insurance coverage over the past decade but its impact on hypertension control is not well known. We analyzed factors associated with hypertension and the impact of health insurance on the management of hypertension in China from 1991 to 2009.</p><p>Methods and Findings</p><p>We used individual-level data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) for blood pressure, BMI, and other socio-economic variables. We employed multi-level logistic regression models to estimate the factors associated with prevalence and management of hypertension. We also estimated the effects of health insurance on management of hypertension using propensity score matching. We found that prevalence of hypertension increased from 23.8% (95% CI: 22.5–25.1%) in 1991 to 31.5% (28.5–34.7%) in 2009. The proportion of hypertensive patients aware of their condition increased from 31.7% (28.7–34.9%) to 51.1% (45.1–57.0%). The proportion of diagnosed hypertensive patients in treatment increased by 35.5% in the 19 years, while the proportion of those in treatment with controlled blood pressure remained low. Among diagnosed hypertensives, health insurance increased the probability of receiving treatment by 28.7% (95% CI: 10.6–46.7%) compared to propensity-matched individuals not covered by health insurance.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Hypertension continues to be a major health threat in China and effective control has not improved over time despite large improvements in awareness and treatment access. This suggests problems in treatment quality, medication adherence and patient understanding of the condition. Improvements in hypertension management, quality of medical care for those at high risk, and better health insurance packages are needed.</p></div

Prevalence of hypertension by key risk factors.

<p>Prevalence of hypertension by key risk factors.</p

Characteristics of management outcomes.

<p>Characteristics of management outcomes.</p

Demographic and socio-economic properties of the sample.

<p>Demographic and socio-economic properties of the sample.</p

Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension.

<p>Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension.</p

DataSheet_1_Assistance of next-generation sequencing for diagnosis of disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guerin disease with X-SCID in an infant: a case report and literature review.pdf

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a live strain of Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) for use as an attenuated vaccine to prevent tuberculosis (TB) infection, while it could also lead to an infection in immunodeficient patients. M.bovis could infect patients with immunodeficiency via BCG vaccination. Disseminated BCG disease (BCGosis) is extremely rare and has a high mortality rate. This article presents a case of a 3-month-old patient with disseminated BCG infection who was initially diagnosed with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) and eventually found to have X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID). M.bovis and its drug resistance genes were identified by metagenomics next-generation sequencing (mNGS) combined with targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a pathogenic variant in the common γ-chain gene (IL2RG), confirming X-SCID. Finally, antituberculosis therapy and umbilical cord blood transplantation were given to the patient. He was successfully cured of BCGosis, and his immune function was restored. The mNGS combined with the tNGS provided effective methods for diagnosing rare BCG infections in children. Their combined application significantly improved the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of M.bovis.</p

UV-Initiated Polymerization of Hydrophobically Associating Cationic Polyacrylamide Modified by a Surface-Active Monomer: A Comparative Study of Synthesis, Characterization, and Sludge Dewatering Performance

Two cationic polyacrylamides, PAA and PAD, were synthesized for sludge dewatering. The advanced instruments such as ¹H NMR, FTIR, and SEM were used to characterize the two copolymers. Their hydrophobic association properties in water were investigated by viscosimetry as well as the dewatering performance studied by the sludge dewatering experiment. The results showed that the optimum conditions for preparation of PAA were that the initiator concentration, urea concentration, molar ratio of AODBAC to AM, and irradiation time were 0.3‰, 1.0%, 10:90, and 60 min, respectively. Also, it was found that PAA had a stronger hydrophobic interaction with a lower intrinsic viscosity and longer dissolution time as well as a better dewatering performance. Furthermore, the charge neutralization and bridging effects were found to contribute much to the sludge dewatering by PAA in which the dewatering performance was able to be enhanced further by the hydrophobic interaction