Clinical significance of S100B protein in pregnant woman with early- onset severe preeclampsia

Objectives: Preeclampsia is one of the most feared complications of pregnancy, which can progress rapidly to serious complications such as death of both mother and fetus. To present, the leading cause of preeclampsia is still debated. The purpose of this article was to explore the clinical significance of S100B protein, a kind of Ca2+ -sensor protein, in the early-onset severe preeclampsia. Material and methods: Nine pregnant women with early-onset severe preeclampsia (the study group) and 13 healthy pregnant women (the control group) were included in this study. The level of S100B in the amniotic fluid, maternal blood, and umbilical cord blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) methods. Diagnostic values of S100B for early-onset severe preeclampsia were assessed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The levels of S100B in maternal blood and amniotic fluid in the study group were higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that S100B detected by SPRi method (SPRi-S100B) showed a cut-off level of 181 ng/mL with sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 84.6%, and a Youden index of 0.846 in the maternal blood, which had better clinical significance and diagnostic value (at than that detected by ELISA (ELISA-S100B).   Conclusions: The levels of S100B detected by SPRi in maternal blood can indicate early-onset severe preeclampsia and perinatal brain injury

Application of machine learning in predicting aggressive behaviors from hospitalized patients with schizophrenia

ObjectiveTo establish a predictive model of aggressive behaviors from hospitalized patients with schizophrenia through applying multiple machine learning algorithms, to provide a reference for accurately predicting and preventing of the occurrence of aggressive behaviors.MethodsThe cluster sampling method was used to select patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized in our hospital from July 2019 to August 2021 as the survey objects, and they were divided into an aggressive behavior group (611 cases) and a non-aggressive behavior group (1,426 cases) according to whether they experienced obvious aggressive behaviors during hospitalization. Self-administered General Condition Questionnaire, Insight and Treatment Attitude Questionnaire (ITAQ), Family APGAR (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve) Questionnaire (APGAR), Social Support Rating Scale Questionnaire (SSRS) and Family Burden Scale of Disease Questionnaire (FBS) were used for the survey. The Multi-layer Perceptron, Lasso, Support Vector Machine and Random Forest algorithms were used to build a predictive model for the occurrence of aggressive behaviors from hospitalized patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate its predictive effect. Nomogram was used to build a clinical application tool.ResultsThe area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values of the Multi-Layer Perceptron, Lasso, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest were 0.904 (95% CI: 0.877–0.926), 0.901 (95% CI: 0.874–0.923), 0.902 (95% CI: 0.876–0.924), and 0.955 (95% CI: 0.935–0.970), where the AUCs of the Random Forest and the remaining three models were statistically different (p < 0.0001), and the remaining three models were not statistically different in pair comparisons (p > 0.5).ConclusionMachine learning models can fairly predict aggressive behaviors in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia, among which Random Forest has the best predictive effect and has some value in clinical application

The rising death burden of atrial fibrillation and flutter in low-income regions and younger populations

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to depict the global death burden of atrial fibrillation and/or flutter (AFF) between 1990 and 2019 and predict this burden in the next decade.MethodsWe retrieved annual death data on cases and rates of AFF between 1990 and 2019 from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 and projected the trends for 2020–2029 by developing the Bayesian age-period-cohort model.ResultsThe global number of deaths from AFF increased from 117,038.00 in 1990 to 315,336.80 in 2019. This number is projected to reach 404,593.40 by 2029. The age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of AFF have increased significantly in low- to middle-sociodemographic index (SDI) regions, which will surpass that in high SDI regions and reach above 4.60 per 100,000 by 2029. Globally, women have a higher ASMR than men, which is largely attributed to disproportionately higher mortality in women than men in lower SDI regions. Notably, AFF-related premature mortality continues to worsen worldwide. A pandemic of high systolic blood pressure and high body mass index (BMI) largely contributes to AFF-associated death. In particular, low- to middle-SDI regions and younger populations are increasingly affected by the rapidly growing current and future risk of high BMI.ConclusionThe global death burden of AFF in low-income countries and younger generations have not been sufficiently controlled in the past and will continue growing in the future, which is largely attributed to metabolic risks, particularly for high BMI. There is an urgent need to implement effective measures to control AFF-related mortality

The tail dependence of the carbon markets: The implication of portfolio management.

Emission trading scheme (ETS), the most popular market-based instrument, is widely used to solve carbon emission problems in the world. With the development of carbon market, carbon asset has been a popular financial product to invest and the risk management becomes important for government, regulated enterprises and other investors. As carbon prices have tail characteristics, this paper explores the extremal risks between carbon markets in US, Europe and China using tail dependence correlation coefficients. The empirical analysis demonstrates the tail dependence structure between carbon markets in US. and Europe is the same sign, which indicates that it is unwise to hold these two carbon assets as a portfolio. Moreover, the co-movements between European Union Emission Trade Scheme (EU ETS) and China's carbon markets are partly significant, and the operation mechanisms in China should be improved. In addition, the tail dependence test among the carbon pilots in China shows diversity. Hubei carbon trading pilot, located in central China, has extremal dependence with all other selected pilots for its regulatory program operation. The findings give insight to the carbon market regulars to improve the operation mechanism and are also useful for the investors to manage their portfolios, policymakers to make practically applicable regulations, and relevant organizations to develop procedures

Three-dimensional finite element model of high strength 21-6-9 stainless steel tube in rotary draw bending and its application

141-152Establishing and developing a finite element (FE) model is the key to the effective research of the complex bending process of a high strength 21-6-9 (0Cr21Ni6Mn9N) stainless steel tube. According to the characteristics of the rotary draw bending process of a high strength stainless steel tube, a three-dimensional (3D) elastic-plastic FE model of the whole rotary draw bending including bending tube, retracting mandrel and unloading is built under ABAQUS/explicit and ABAQUS/standard environment. The key technologies for establishment of the model are described in detail. Then, the reliability of the model is validated by experiment. Furthermore, numerical simulation and analysis of the high strength 21-6-9 stainless steel tube in the whole rotary draw bending process have been carried out by using the model. The results for the distributions and variations of the tangential stress and strain, wall thickness, cross-section deformation, springback angle and springback radius are obtained. The achievements of the study are helpful to develop the bending technique and provide a guideline in rotary draw bending process for the high strength 21-6-9 stainless steel tube

Comparison of Effectiveness and Safety between Intraoperative 3D-CT-Guided and C-Arm-Guided Percutaneous Balloon Compression for Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

Objectives. To compare 3D-CT-guided and C-arm-guided percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) in terms of effectiveness and safety. Methods. The medical records and follow-up data of patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia who underwent 3D-CT-guided or C-arm-guided PBCs in Beijing Tiantan Hospital and the Characteristic Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force between February 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed. Results. A total of 291 patients were included. Among them, 212 patients underwent PBC treatment with 3D-CT and others with C-arm. One (0.5%) patient in 3D-CT group and 4 (5.1%) patients in C-arm group failed to receive PBC treatment because of failure of foramen ovale (FO) puncture (P=0.020). Among patients with successful attempts, 5 (2.4%) patients in the 3D-CT group and 11 (14.7%) patients in the C-arm group received more than one needle pass during the procedure (P<0.001). The 3D-CT group required less time than the C-arm group for puncture (P<0.001) and for the whole operation (P<0.001). The groups shared similar initial relief rates (P=0.749) and similar recurrence-free survival during follow-ups for a median of 22 months (P=0.839). No puncture-related complications occurred in either group and the two groups had similar incidences of compression-related complications. Conclusion. 3D-CT facilitated FO puncture and improved success rate of PBC. The overall time efficiency of PBC was also increased with 3D-CT. Thus, 3D-CT is a potentially useful image guidance technology for treating idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia by PBC

Spatial–seasonal characteristics and influencing factors of dissolved organic carbon and chromophoric dissolved organic matter in Poyang Lake

As the largest organic carbon pool in water, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a key role in the carbon cycle. In inland rivers and lakes, DOC is closely related to chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) with optical attenuation. In this study, the spatial distribution and seasonal variations of DOC and CDOM in Poyang Lake in 2014–2016 were investigated. The results demonstrated that the DOC concentration in Poyang Lake had a range of 1.34–5.56 mg/L with an average of 2.12 ± 0.54 mg/L. The absorption coefficient of CDOM at 355 nm had a range of 1.24–5.70 m−1 with an average of 2.71 ± 0.83 m−1. In terms of the spatial distribution, the concentrations of DOC and CDOM in the south of Poyang Lake were higher than those in the north of the lake. In terms of seasonal variations, the concentrations of DOC and CDOM were higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter. The absorption coefficients of CDOM and DOC concentrations in Poyang Lake exhibited a significant linear correlation. The correlation between DOC and CDOM in some sections of Poyang Lake varied spatially and seasonally. The highest correlation was observed in wetland waters of the southern Poyang Lake in spring, while there was no significant correlation in northern section of the lake in most of the periods. The results revealed that water level, precipitation and the vegetation cover pattern had determining effects on the spatial heterogeneity of DOC and CDOM. The spectral characteristic parameters demonstrated that the main source of the CDOM in Poyang Lake was from terrestrial input

Effect of Mandrel on Cross-Section Quality in Numerical Control Bending Process of Stainless Steel 2169 Small Diameter Tube

The tube numerical control (NC) bending process is a much complex physical process with multifactors coupling interactive effects. The mandrel is the key to improve forming quality and to enhance forming limit. In this study, based on the platform of ABAQUS/Explicit, a 3D elastic-plastic finite element model of NC bending process of 2169 (0Cr21Ni6Mn9N) stainless steel tube was established, key technological problems were solved, and its reliability was validated. Then, simulation and analysis of the processes were carried out, and the influence laws of mandrel types and mandrel parameters on cross-section quality were obtained. The results show that the wall thinning or cross section deformation is serious at the middle part and small in the vicinity of the bending plane or initial bending plane; the wall thinning degree increases or the cross section deformation degree decreases with the increase of mandrel diameter or mandrel extension length; the effect of bulb mandrel on the cross section quality is more significant than that of cylinder mandrel. And the reasonable mandrel types and mandrel parameters are chosen for the 2169 high-pressure hydraulic tube with small diameter. The results may lead to better understanding of mandrel role in the improvement of forming quality and forming limit in the NC bending process

Proteome identification of binding-partners interacting with cell polarity protein Par3 in Jurkat cells

The evolutionarily conserved cell polarity protein Par3, a scaffold-like PDZ-containing protein, plays a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity. Although the role of Par3 in establishing cell polarity in epithelial cells has been intensively explored, the function of Par3 in hematopoietic cells remains elusive. To address this issue, we generated GST-fusion proteins of Par3 PDZ domains. By combining the GST-pull-down approach with liq-uid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identi-fied 10 potential novel binding proteins of PDZ domains of Par3 in Jurkat cells (a T-cell line). The interaction of Par3 with three proteins––nuclear transport protein importin-α4 and proteasome activators PA28β and PA28γ––was con-firmed using in vitro binding assay, co-immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results hav

Substituent Effects on the Ultraviolet Absorption Properties of 2,4-Dihydroxy Dibenzophenone

Substituent effects on the ultraviolet absorption properties of 2,4-dihydroxy dibenzophenone were investigated experimentally. Nine compounds of 2,4-dihydroxy dibenzophenone with different substituents were prepared by a solvent-free reaction of benzoyl chloride. The maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of these samples was measured, and their UV resistance properties in cotton fabric as well as in polyester were determined. The results show that the λmax is dependent on the substituents at the benzylidene ring, and both electron donating substituents and electron withdrawing substituents cause a bathochromic shift. The UV resistance of fabric increases with the increase in compound concentration. The dyeing rate of each compound on polyester was higher than that of cotton. On cotton fabric, the dyeing rate of 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone was the highest, 77.8%. On polyester, that of 2,4-dihydroxy-4′-ethyl dibenzophenone was the highest, 84.1%. The study provides new insights into the effect of substituents on the properties of 2,4-dihydroxy dibenzophenone that are related to the whitening of cotton and polyester materials