Association between Serum Uric Acid and Liver Enzymes in Adults Aged 20 Years and Older in the United States: NHANES 2005–2012

Although the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has been widely reported, the relationship between SUA and liver enzymes has rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of SUA levels with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in populations aged 20 years and older in the United States. We analyzed 7165 individuals aged 20 years and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the United States. Weighted multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between SUA and ALT and AST. A generalized additive model and a smooth curve fitting were used to observe the linear relationship. SUA was positively correlated with ALT and AST. In addition, the overall increasing trend of ALT and SUA was observed across the SUA quartile groups. In the stratified analysis by sex and race, the SUA levels in male, female, Mexican American, and Non-Hispanic White individuals, and those of another race, were positively correlated with ALT and AST. However, the SUA levels in Non-Hispanic Black individuals had a nonlinear relationship with ALT and AST. In individuals aged 20 years and older in the United States (excluding Non-Hispanic Black individuals), SUA levels were positively associated with ALT and AST. Therefore, with a rise in SUA levels, liver function should be monitored or intervened with in people aged 20 years and older in the United States

Impact of Suspended Sediment Diffusion from the Implementation of Arresting Facilities on Cross-Sea Bridges

In order to ensure the safety of bridges and ships, non-navigable channel arresting facilities for ships have become an important part of cross-sea bridges, and the diffusion of suspended sediment caused by their implementation has an impact on seawater quality. Taking the Jintang bridge as an example, a two-dimensional tidal current and sediment numerical model was applied to predict the distribution of suspended sediment diffusion caused by the implementation of arresting facilities, in order to analyze seawater quality. We adopted a new formula for the equivalent roughness method, to generalize the bridge piers, and obtained good results. The results showed that the zone where the SSC (suspended sediment concentration) reached 10 mg/L was concentrated in the area from 4.5 km north to 6.5 km south of the arresting facility, when it was implemented near the western channel. The sea area by the main channel was concentrated within 500 m of the arresting facility. The impact of the implementation of the arresting facility on seawater quality was relatively limited. Only the protected marine area in the Zhenhai Section of the Hangzhou Bay Estuary Coastal Wetland was affected by the suspended sediment from the construction of the western channel

Effects of bariatric surgery on serum uric acid in people with obesity with or without hyperuricaemia and gout: a retrospective analysis

Objectives: Weight reduction may reduce serum uric acid (SUA). This study aimed to examine the changes of SUA before and after bariatric surgery in patients with obesity with or without hyperuricaemia and gout. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 147 routinely collected data on hospital patients with obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. The body weight and SUA were measured at baseline and after surgery at 1-7 days, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: The mean (95% CI) weight reduction of 147 patients was 30.7 (28.7, 32.7) kg 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). SUA decreased rapidly from 419.0 (400.1, 437.8) μmol/l at baseline to 308.4 (289.6, 327.2) μmol/l at 1-7 days, flared up to 444.8 (423.9, 465.6) μmol/l at 1 month, then decreased again to 383.8 (361.5, 406.1) μmol/l at 3 months, 348.9 (326.3, 371.5) μmol/l at 6 months and 327.9 (305.3, 350.5) μmol/l at 12 months (P < 0.001). Similar trends but more rapid reductions were observed in 55 hyperuricaemia patients and 25 gout patients. All 25 gout patients had an elevated SUA above the therapeutic target (≥360μmmol/l) at baseline, but in 10 patients it was reduced below this target at 12 months. The mean reduction (95% CI) of SUA in all patients and gout patients was 84.3 (63.1-105.4) and 163.6 (103.9, 223.3) μmmol/l, respectively. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery significantly reduces body weight and SUA for obese patients with hyperuricaemia and gout. Gout may be considered as an indicator for this surgical treatment in people with severe obesity

EGFR/BRAF/MEK co-inhibition for EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma patients with an acquired BRAFV600E mutation: a case report and review of literature

Despite the promising initial anti-tumor efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), most advanced non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) progress eventually due to therapeutic resistance. V-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF)V600E mutation has been considered as an uncommon mutation that contributes to acquired resistance for EGFR-TKIs. In the presented case, BRAFV600E mutation was detected as an acquired resistance-mediated mutation in a patient treated with osimertinib (a third-generation EGFR-TKI). The presented patient achieved partial regression and ongoing PFS of four months after the co-inhibition of osimertinib plus dabrafenib (BRAF inhibitor) and trametinib (MEK inhibitor). Our case further enriches the clinical evidence of the efficacy of EGFR/BRAF/MEK co-inhibition in patients with an acquired BRAFV600E mutation, consistent with the review of the literature (eight cases). Additionally, our case highlights the important role of sample type, method, and platform of gene detection in patient management, life quality, and prognosis, as well as the understanding of acquired resistance mechanism

Michael Addition Reaction Catalyzed by Imidazolium Chloride to Protect Amino Groups and Construct Medium Ring Heterocycles

An effective approach for amino protection and construction of a seven-membered ring has been developed. The method uses imidazolium chloride to carry out the Michael addition reaction at low temperatures and perform amino deprotection or construction of a seven-membered ring at high temperatures

The accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas based on artificial intelligence in highly myopic eyes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo systematically compare and rank the accuracy of AI-based intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas and traditional IOL formulas in highly myopic eyes.MethodsWe screened PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published from inception to April 2023. The following outcome data were collected: mean absolute error (MAE), percentage of eyes with a refractive prediction error (PE) within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.00 diopters (D), and median absolute error (MedAE). The network meta-analysis was conducted by R 4.3.0 and STATA 17.0.ResultsTwelve studies involving 2,430 adult myopic eyes (with axial lengths &gt;26.0 mm) that underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery with mono-focal IOL implantation were included. The network meta-analysis of 21 formulas showed that the top three AI-based formulas, as per the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values, were XGBoost, Hill-RBF, and Kane. The three formulas had the lowest MedAE and were more accurate than traditional vergence formulas, such as SRK/T, Holladay 1, Holladay 2, Haigis, and Hoffer Q regarding MAE, percentage of eyes with PE within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.00 D.ConclusionsThe top AI-based formulas for calculating IOL power in highly myopic eyes were XGBoost, Hill-RBF, and Kane. They were significantly more accurate than traditional vergence formulas and ranked better than formulas with Wang–Koch AL modifications or newer generations of formulas such as Barrett and Olsen.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022335969

Up-Conversion Cell Imaging and pH-Induced Thermally Controlled Drug Release from NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺@Hydrogel Core–Shell Hybrid Microspheres

In this study, we report a new controlled release system based on up-conversion luminescent microspheres of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ coated with the smart hydrogel poly[(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide)-<i>co</i>-(methacrylic acid)] (P(NIPAM-<i>co</i>-MAA)) (prepared using 5 mol % of MAA) shell. The hybrid microspheres show bright up-conversion fluorescence under 980 nm laser excitation, and turbidity measurements show that the low critical solution temperature of the polymer shell is thermo- and pH-dependent. We have exploited the hybrid microspheres as carriers for Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) due to its stimuli-responsive property as well as good biocompatibility <i>via</i> MTT assay. It is found that the drug release behavior is pH-triggered thermally sensitive. Changing the pH to mildly acidic condition at physiological temperature deforms the structure of the shell, causing the release of a large number of DOX from the microspheres. The drug-loaded microspheres exhibit an obvious cytotoxic effect on SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. The endocytosis process of drug-loaded microspheres is observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and up-conversion luminescence microscopy. Meanwhile, the as-prepared NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺@SiO₂@P(NIPAM-<i>co</i>-MAA) microspheres can be used as a luminescent probe for cell imaging. In addition, the extent of drug release can be monitored by the change of up-conversion emission intensity. These pH-induced thermally controlled drug release systems have potential to be used for <i>in vivo</i> bioimaging and cancer therapy by the pH of the microenvironment changing from 7.4 (normal physiological environment) to acidic microenvironments (such as endosome and lysosome compartments) owing to endocytosis