Search

Sepsis is a syndrome of organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection, with high morbidity and mortality. At present, there have been many advances in the study of its pathogenesis, especially the cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis, namely sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction, SIMD, which has received widespread attention. The mechanisms of SIMD mainly include excessive release of inflammatory mediators, impaired mitochondrial function, autophagy, apoptosis and myocardial dysfunction. This article reviews the pathogenesis of SIMD and elaborates on the progress in its treatment, aiming to improve the prognosis of patients with SIMD and sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwater robots have been widely used in ocean exploration, deep-sea observation, seabed operations, marine scientific research, and other fields. Underwater low-latency, efficient, and safe communication modes are key to realizing the application of an underwater robot data transmission system. This paper mainly studies the optical communication between underwater mobile robots, including the large-dispersion-angle light-emitting diode (LED) design, large field of view receiving technology, weak light detector technology, etc. By designing a 120° large divergence angle underwater optical communication system in this study, the receiving field-of-view angle of the receiving end can reach 60°, which is suitable for the optical communication system of an underwater mobile platform. The high-power LED driver circuit is designed to drive the high-power LED and adopt weak light detection technology to ensure its stability and reliability. The experimental results show that, in the case of incomplete alignment between the transmitter and receiver, stable communication of underwater robots in motion is achieved through the design of a large divergence angle and a receiving field-of-view angle and the use of an underwater weak light detection technology. The communication distance is 30 m, and the communication rate remains above 10 Mbps. The information transmission content can include network data transmission, real-time video, high-definition video, high-definition images, and other data types. This equipment provides a solution for cableless data transmission of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and substantially enhances the application field of ROVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate data analysis technology can make people use the online degree education, obtain the data and information generated in the learning management system, and provide a useful decision basis for optimizing the teaching and management process of online degree education. Data analysis technology can help English teachers better grasp students' learning situations and progress and optimize management. First, data analysis methods and decision tree algorithms are analyzed. Second, in data mining technology, the C4.5 decision tree method is used to construct an English score prediction model. Through the analysis of English learning-related information such as questionnaires and collected student test score data, the prediction of English teaching performance is analyzed from the perspective of teachers' in-depth intervention. The survey results are shown as follows: (1) The model is simulated and tested. The model's prediction accuracy is 98.20%, 99.10%, 99.40%, 98.70%, and 98.90%, higher than the standard accuracy of 97.5%. Additionally, the average response efficiency of the model is 99.42%, which can be used. (2) The failure rate of boys' final grades is 11%, and the failure rate of female students' final grades is 10%. There is only a 1% difference in the final grade failure rate between male and female students. The effect of gender on teaching performance is less pronounced. (3) As the number of practice questions increases, the rate of failing grades decreases. Thus, the data suggest that the number of practice questions affects instructional performance. (4) Teachers' intervention can improve students' English achievement. Increasing the intensity of the intervention also improves student achievement. Therefore, the follow-up research should increase the number of practice questions and teacher intervention in English teaching. The English teaching achievement prediction suggestion based on big data analysis is put forward, providing a reference for prediction management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community structure is one of the most important characteristics of complex networks, which has important applications in sociology, biology, and computer science. The community detection method based on local expansion is one of the most adaptable overlapping community detection algorithms. However, due to the lack of effective seed selection and community optimization methods, the algorithm often gets community results with lower accuracy. In order to solve these problems, we propose a seed selection algorithm of fusion degree and clustering coefficient. The method calculates the weight value corresponding to degree and clustering coefficient by entropy weight method and then calculates the weight factor of nodes as the seed node selection order. Based on the seed selection algorithm, we design a local expansion strategy, which uses the strategy of optimizing adaptive function to expand the community. Finally, community merging and isolated node adjustment strategies are adopted to obtain the final community. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better community partitioning results than other state-of-the-art algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) can produce near normalization of QRS duration. This has recently emerged as alternative technique to right ventricular pacing and His bundle pacing. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of LBBP compared to right ventricular apical pacing (RVAP). Methods: A total of 70 AVB patients with indications for ventricular pacing were retrospectively studied. LBBP was attempted in 33 patients, classified as LBBP group. The other patients were classified as RVAP group. Pacing parameters, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram characteristics, heart failure hospitalization (HFH), and atrial fibrillation (AF) were evaluated perioperatively and at follow‐ups. Patients were followed in the device clinic for a minimum of 12 months and up to 24 months at a 3–6 monthly interval. Results: LBBP was successful in 29 of 33(87.9%) patients while all 37 of the remaining patients successfully underwent RVAP. Paced QRS duration was significantly narrower in the LBBP group compare to RVAP(110.75 ± 6.77 ms vs. 154.29 ± 6.96 ms, p =.000) at implantation, and the difference persisted during follow‐ups. Pacing thresholds (at implantation: 0.68 ± 0.22 V in the LBBP group and 0.73 ± 0.23 V in the RVAP group, p =.620) remained low and stable during follow‐ups. The cardiac function in the LBBP group remained stable during follow‐ups (LVEF%:55.08 ± 4.32 pre‐operation and 54.17 ± 4.34 at the end of follow‐up, p =.609), and better than RVAP group (LVEF%: 54.17 ± 4.34 vs. 50.14 ± 2.14, p =.005). Less HFH was observed in the LBBP group (2/29,6.89%) compared to RVAP group (10/37,27.03%). Conclusions: The present investigation demonstrates the safety and feasibility of LBBP that produces narrower paced QRS duration than RVAP. LBBP is associated with reduction in the occurrence of pacing‐induced left ventricular dysfunction and HFH compared to RVAP in patients requiring permanent pacemakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a digital library, book search is one of the most important information services. However, with the rapid development of network technologies such as cloud computing, the server‐side of a digital library is becoming more and more untrusted; thus, how to prevent the disclosure of users' book query privacy is causing people's increasingly extensive concern. In this article, we propose to construct a group of plausible fake queries for each user book query to cover up the sensitive subjects behind users' queries. First, we propose a basic framework for the privacy protection in book search, which requires no change to the book search algorithm running on the server‐side, and no compromise to the accuracy of book search. Second, we present a privacy protection model for book search to formulate the constraints that ideal fake queries should satisfy, that is, (i) the feature similarity, which measures the confusion effect of fake queries on users' queries, and (ii) the privacy exposure, which measures the cover‐up effect of fake queries on users' sensitive subjects. Third, we discuss the algorithm implementation for the privacy model. Finally, the effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT, Bi‐V) is associated with no response in about 40% patients due to an insufficient resynchronization. Some studies showed triple‐site ventricular (Tri‐V) pacing had greater benefits compared with Bi‐V pacing, but the results of these studies were conflicting. We hypothesized that Tri‐V pacing had greater benefits on long‐term outcomes compared with Bi‐V pacing in patients with heart failure. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for clinical studies with related outcomes. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular geometry, functional capacity, and quality of life between Tri‐V pacing group and control group. Results: Five trials with 251 patients were included in the analysis. Patients in the Tri‐V pacing group had a greater improvement in LVEF (WMD 4.04; 95% CI 2.15‐5.92, P < .001) and NYHA classes (WMD −0.27; 95% CI −0.42 to −0.11, P = .001) compared with control group. However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular geometry, six‐min walk distance, or Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score between the two groups. The subgroup analyses showed there might be a greater improvement in LVEF in the Tri‐V pacing group in patients with QRS duration ≥ 155 ms (WMD 5.60; 95% CI 3.09‐8.10, P < .001). Conclusions: The present analysis suggests that Tri‐V pacing has greater benefits in terms of an improvement in LVEF and functional capacity in patients with systolic heart failure, especially in patients with the duration of QRS ≥ 155 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that galectin-3 is an important mediator of cardiac fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of galectin-3 in identifying early left ventricular remodeling (LVRM) in patients with hypertension. A total of 107 patients with hypertension and 108 controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of galectin-3 were significantly greater in hypertension patients with LVRM compared with those without LVRM. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that body mass index and galectin-3 were independent predictors of LVRM in the hypertension group. Only left ventricular mass was independently correlated with serum galectin-3 levels in patients with hypertension. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve for galectin-3 of 0.698 (P<.001), with an optimal cutoff of 9.43 ng/mL. Therefore, galectin-3 is independently correlated with LVRM and can be regarded as a valuable biomarker of early cardiac remodeling of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface structure of mesoporous TiO2is reconstructed viaa visible-light-driven reaction with benzyl alcohol molecules at mild, anaerobic conditions, which substantially extends its visible-light absorption and photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoporous TiO2modified with benzene siloxane displays a capability to generate more hydroxyl radicals upon photo-illumination, which substantially enhances its surface reactivity for the degradation of organic dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is a critical target protein for treating immunoreceptor signalling-mediated allergies. In this study, a virtual screening of an in-house Chinese medicine database followed by biological assays was carried out to identify novel Syk inhibitors. A molecular docking method was employed to screen for compounds with potential Syk inhibitory activity. Then, an in vitro kinase inhibition assay was performed to verify the Syk inhibitory activity of the virtual screening hits. Subsequently, a β-hexosaminidase release assay was conducted to evaluate the anti-mast cell degranulation activity of the active compounds. Finally, tanshinone I was confirmed as a Syk inhibitor (IC50 = 1.64 μM) and exhibited anti-mast cell degranulation activity in vitro (IC50 = 2.76 μM). Docking studies showed that Pro455, Gln462, Leu377, and Lys458 were key amino acid residues for Syk inhibitory activity. This study demonstrated that tanshinone I is a Syk inhibitor with mast cell degranulation inhibitory activity. Tanshinone I may be a potential lead compound for developing effective and safe Syk-inhibiting drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel hybrid materials containing covalently bonded ternary europium complex in mesoporous silica SBA-15 have been successfully prepared by co-condensation of the modified phenanthroline (phen–Si) and tetrethoxysilane (TEOS). When excited by the ligands absorption wavelength (352nm), Eu(TTA)3phen (TTA: 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) functionalized SBA-15 displays the emission of the Eu3+ 5D0 → 7F J (J =0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transition lines due to the efficient energy transfer from the ligands to Eu3+. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) and non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are two of the most life-threatening diseases encountered in the emergency department (ED), but there are no rapid and reliable tools for differentiation. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a nomogram that incorporates both the clinical characteristics and bedside laboratory tests available to differentiate between AD and non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS)., Methods: Between January 2016 and July 2018, patients with AD and NSTE-ACS were enrolled and divided into training and validation groups. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was used to select the factors with significant value of predicting the diagnosis of AD. A nomogram was built on the basis of multivariable logistic regression analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the calibration curve were used to assess the performance of the nomogram. Decision curve analysis was performed to assess the clinical utility of the nomogram., Results: A final cohort of 263 patients (94 patients with AD and 169 patients with NSTE-ACS) were enrolled. Six variables were incorporated in the nomogram: pain severity, tearing pain, pulse asymmetry, electrocardiogram (ECG), D-dimer level and troponin I level. The AUC of the nomogram to predict the probability of AD was 0.919 (95% CI, 0.876-0.962) in the training group and 0.938 (95% CI, 0.888-0.989) in the validation group. The calibration curve demonstrated a good consistency between the actual clinical results and the predicted outcomes. The decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram had higher overall net benefits in predicting AD in both the training group and the validation group., Conclusions: We developed and validated a predictive nomogram that could be used as a tool to differentiate AD from NSTE-ACS rapidly and accurately., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/cdt-20-935). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2021 Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy. All rights reserved.)

Background: Conventional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT, Bi-V) is associated with no response in about 40% patients due to an insufficient resynchronization. Some studies showed triple-site ventricular (Tri-V) pacing had greater benefits compared with Bi-V pacing, but the results of these studies were conflicting. We hypothesized that Tri-V pacing had greater benefits on long-term outcomes compared with Bi-V pacing in patients with heart failure., Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for clinical studies with related outcomes. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular geometry, functional capacity, and quality of life between Tri-V pacing group and control group., Results: Five trials with 251 patients were included in the analysis. Patients in the Tri-V pacing group had a greater improvement in LVEF (WMD 4.04; 95% CI 2.15-5.92, P  < .001) and NYHA classes (WMD -0.27; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.11, P  = .001) compared with control group. However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular geometry, six-min walk distance, or Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire score between the two groups. The subgroup analyses showed there might be a greater improvement in LVEF in the Tri-V pacing group in patients with QRS duration ≥ 155 ms (WMD 5.60; 95% CI 3.09-8.10, P  < .001)., Conclusions: The present analysis suggests that Tri-V pacing has greater benefits in terms of an improvement in LVEF and functional capacity in patients with systolic heart failure, especially in patients with the duration of QRS ≥ 155 ms.

Magnetic molecular imprinted polymers (MMIPs) have been prepared as solid phase material to selectively extract protocatechuic acid (PCA) from fruit juices with high capacity and fast binding kinetics. The resulting MMIPs were characterized by TEM, FT-IR, TGA, and VSM. The adsorption process between PCA and MMIPs followed Langumuir adsorption isotherm with maximum adsorption capacity at 7.5 mg/g and pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics with fast binding kinetics (equilibrium time at 40 min). In addition, the prepared MMIPs showed rapid magnetic separation (10 s) and reusability (retained 94.9% after six cycles). Subsequently, MMIPs were successfully applied for selective enrichment and determination of PCA from fruit juices (0.45 μg/mL in grape juice but not detected in apple juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and peach juice) with satisfactory recoveries (92-107%). The results indicated that synthesized MMIPs can be used for efficient and selective extraction of PCA from complex matrices.

The title complex, [Cu(2)(C(16)H(10)NO(2))(4)(CH(3)OH)(2)], consists of centrosymmetric wheel-shaped dinuclear neutral mol-ecules in which each Cu(II) atom is coordinated in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry by four O atoms of carboxyl-ate groups from different ligands at the basal plane and an O atom of a methanol mol-ecule at the axial position. In the crystal, the dinuclear complex mol-ecules are linked into one-dimensional supra-molecular columns parallel to the b axis by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.7259 (11) Å].

Reaction of excess cyanide with a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex bearing a tridentate Schiff base ligand produces a novel tricyanoruthenium(III) complex in which nucleophilic substitution of an imine hydrogen of the Schiff base by cyanide has occurred, this complex is a useful building block for the construction of 3d-Ru(III) magnetic materials.

A newly developed mesoporous mixed metal oxide (K-Cu-TiO(2)) catalyst is capable of highly selective, gas-phase benzyl alcoholbenzaldehyde transformation at excellent yields (>99%) under surprisingly low temperatures (203 degrees C, bp of benzyl alcohol). The low-temperature reaction conditions and integration of K and Cu(I) components into the TiO(2) matrix are of vital importance for the stabilization of an active Cu(I) oxidation state and resultant stable, excellent catalytic performance.