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Abstract Previous video summarization methods often neglected inter‐frame variations during the preprocessing stage. Sampling repeated frames can lead to information redundancy, while missing key frames can result in deviations in semantic comprehension and inaccuracies in the generated summaries. This work proposes a dynamic sampling module that leverages frame‐level motion information to alleviate these issues. The module conducts high‐frequency sampling during intervals with significant changes, allowing for a finer capture of details. Combined with a hierarchical multi‐modal structure, it integrates shot‐level visual and textual information to enhance the semantic understanding of video clips and improve the accuracy of the summarized content. Extensive experiments on benchmark datasets SumMe and TVSum demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Abstract There is a significant interrelationship between cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as they share common risk factors and comorbidities. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of inpatients with cardiovascular disease towards OSA. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January, 2022 and January, 2023 at Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University among inpatients with cardiovascular disease using a self-administered questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to assess KAP, and the STOP-Bang questionnaire was applied to evaluate participants’ OSA risk. Spearman correlation and path analyses were conducted to explore relationships among KAP scores and high OSA risk. Subgroup analyses were conducted within the high-risk population identified by the STOP-Bang questionnaire. In a study analyzing 591 questionnaires, 66.33% were males. Mean scores were 6.81 ± 4.903 for knowledge, 26.84 ± 4.273 for attitude, and 14.46 ± 2.445 for practice. Path analysis revealed high risk of OSA positively impacting knowledge (β = 2.351, P

Metal halide perovskite has generated significant attention due to its high optical absorption coefficient, the tunability of bandgap, and its solution processing properties, all of which have led to a range of applications including solar cells, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes and lasers. However, the material's application as an optical modulator for high-energy ultrafast lasers is still limited by its slow nonlinear optical response, low damage threshold and the inferior stability. Herein, we developed a saturable absorber (SA) with the thermally stable Cs0.15FA0.85PbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite thin films as an optical modulator towards the near-infrared nanosecond passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser generation for the first time. The Cs0.15FA0.85PbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite SA optical modulator produced an exceptional nonlinear optical response with a notable modulation depth of 15.1%, an ultrashort recovery time of 52.46 ps, and a high optical damage threshold exceeding 275.9 mJ/cm2. Of further significance, it displayed an excellent operational stability, and when incorporated into the oscillator of the Nd:YAG laser, allowed for a stable operation of 166 ns pulse laser with a center wavelength of 1.06 μm. The findings provide a pathway for the employment of the Cs0.15FA0.85PbI2.85Br0.15 perovskite SA optical modulator in near-infrared ultrafast laser applications.

Abstract Background Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) patients with bacterial infections usually exhibit high mortality rates. Infections frequently involve bacteria such as Vibrio vulnificus and Enterococcus faecalis. Nevertheless, the mechanisms predisposing ALD patients to bacterial infections and the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the intestinal epithelial barrier in ALD remain unclear. Methods We established ALD mice models of WT, Nlrp3−/− and Gsdmd−/− through chronic alcohol consumption feeding and acute alcohol induction. We compared alterations in gut microbiota, ileitis, and adhesion protein expression, to analyze the role and potential mechanism of NLRP3 in the early onset of ALD. Concurrently, we examined the changes in inflammation and liver damage in the ileum of ALD and healthy mice following foodborne infection with V. vulnificus. Results Compared with the control group, the expression levels of ZO‐1, Claudin‐1 and E‐cadherin were reduced in the ileum of ALD mice, while those of NLRP3, caspase‐1(p20), GSDMD‐N and IL‐1β were elevated. Nlrp3−/− and Gsdmd−/− ALD mice showed an increased gut bacterial load, decreased ileal expression of E‐cadherin, more severe ileitis, pronounced liver damage, steatosis and higher plasma levels of FITC‐dextran, D‐LA and ZO‐1 compared with WT mice. Notably, Nlrp3−/− ALD mice exhibited a higher presence of Deferribacterota and Enterobacteriaceae. Furthermore, ALD mice infected with V. vulnificus infection exhibited no further activation of NLRP3 in the ileum, leading to increased intestinal permeability and bloodstream infections. Conclusions This study indicated that NLRP3 activation in the ileum of ALD mice stabilizes the inflammation‐related gut microbiota, preserves the intestinal epithelial barrier, and diminishes inflammation and liver injury. Furthermore, the compromised immune defence in ALD mice may contribute to their heightened susceptibility to bacterial pathogens. Key points Activation of the NLRP3‐GSDMD pathway in the ileum of Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) mice. NLRP3 activation maintains homeostasis of gut microbiota and intestinal epithelial barrier in ALD mice. ALD mice infected with V. vulnificus infection exhibited no further activation of NLRP3 in the ileum, leading to increased intestinal permeability and bloodstream infections.

This study aims to address the issue of existing research predominantly focusing on macro-level analysis of traditional settlement spaces while lacking comprehensive multi-level analysis. Through field surveys, literature analysis, and the use of ArcGIS tools, this study conducts quantitative analysis of the spatial characteristics of settlements along the Miaojiang Border Wall and the Miaojiang Corridor in Western Hunan from macro, meso, and micro perspectives. The results indicate that, at the macro level, the average spatial coefficient of variation (Cv) of settlements in both regions exceeds 64 %, with the settlements surrounding the Miaojiang Border Wall being particularly prominent. At the meso level, both regions exhibit high spatial compactness and significant boundary complexity. Notably, large settlements near the Miaojiang Border Wall typically display clustered or finger-like development patterns, while the settlements along the Miaojiang Corridor predominantly exhibit linear development patterns. At the micro level, the average building density (Dave) of settlements along the Miaojiang Corridor is 29.70, lower than the 40.56 observed in border wall settlements, indicating a denser distribution of building nodes. This study provides scientific evidence for relevant authorities to formulate targeted protection strategies for traditional settlements and offers theoretical support for cultural route planning and heritage tourism development, thereby promoting the sustainable development of cultural heritage.

Purpose: Developing pseudoaneurysms following stent fracture is a rare complication of stent implantation in patients with chronic lower limb ischemia. We presented a case of pseudoaneurysm secondary to a femoral artery stenting fracture in the left lower extremity, which was successfully managed with vascular intervention under local anesthesia and followed up for 36 months. Case Report: An 80-year-old male with a history of hypertension and cerebral infarction presented with a mass in the left lower limb accompanied by swelling and pain. Doppler ultrasound revealed a pseudoaneurysm measuring 6 × 7 cm in the left superficial femoral artery. Subsequent digital subtraction angiography indicated a fracture of the original stent overlap and a ruptured pseudoaneurysm measuring 8 cm in diameter. Following intravenous heparin administration, a 7 × 150 mm self-expanding membrane-covered stent was successfully implanted to address this issue. Final angiography confirmed proper stent placement, exclusion of the aneurysm, and absence of internal leakage. No obstruction was observed in the sub patellar artery. The patient's symptoms gradually improved without requiring further surgical intervention. Oral aspirin and clopidogrel were administered for 36 months after surgery, and there was no recurrence of symptoms. Conclusion: Active surgical intervention is the optimal treatment approach for patients with pseudoaneurysm caused by stent fracture, whereas endovascular therapy remains a dependable option for such scenarios. The crucial step in the procedure involved inserting the guidewire into both ends of the fractured stent to establish the operative pathway, followed by the introduction of the self-expanding covered stent and isolation of the aneurysm. This endeavor aimed to offer significant insights for treating similar conditions.

The gut microbiome is an emerging factor in preventing hypertension, yet the influence of gut bacteriophages, viruses infecting bacteria, on this condition remains unclear. Bacteriophage-bacteria interactions, which impact the gut microbiome, are influenced differentially by temperate and virulent bacteriophages. However, the standard technique for studying viral populations, viral-like particles (VLPs)-metagenomes, often overlook prophages, the intracellular stage of temperate bacteriophages, creating a knowledge gap. To address this, we investigated alterations in extracellular and intracellular bacteriophages, alongside bacterial populations, in the angiotensin II-hypertension model. We sequenced VLPs and bulk DNA from cecal-colonic samples collected from male C57BL/6J mice implanted with minipumps containing saline or angiotensin II. We assembled 106 bacterial and 816 viral genomes and found that gut viral and bacterial populations remained stable between hypertensive and normotensive mice. A higher number of temperate viruses were observed across all treatments. Although temperate viruses outnumbered virulent viruses, sequencing of both VLPs and bulk revealed that virions from virulent viruses were more abundant in the murine gut. We then evaluated the impact of low- and high-fiber intake on gut microbiome composition in the angiotensin II model. Fiber intake significantly influenced the gut microbiome composition and hypertension development. Mice receiving high-fiber had lower blood pressure, a higher bacterial-encoded carbohydrate-associated enzyme, and a higher total relative abundance of temperate viruses than those receiving low-fiber. Our findings suggest that phages are not associated with hypertension development in the angiotensin II model. However, they support a complex diet-bacteria/phage interaction that may be involved in blood pressure regulation.

BackgroundHuman adenoviruses are prevalent pathogens that cause severe acute respiratory infections. The clinical presentation of the adenoviral pneumonia is varied; in severe cases, they may cause systemic multi-system damages. Currently, early clinical differential diagnosis is difficult under the existing testing methods, the study identified potential biomarkers by screening and validating differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), and aimed at distinguishing between severe and non-severe adenovirus pneumonia in children aged

Abstract Biosynthesis of paclitaxel (Taxol™) is a hot topic with extensive and durable interests for decades. However, it is severely hindered due to the very low titers of intermediates. In this study, Escherichia coli was employed to de novo synthesize a key intermediate of paclitaxel, taxadien-5α-yl-acetate (T5OAc). Plasmid-based pathway reconstruction and optimization were conducted for T5OAc production. The endogenous methylerythritol phosphate pathway was enhanced to increase the precursor supply. Three taxadien-5α-ol O-acetyltransferases were tested to obtain the best enzyme for the acetylation step. Metabolic burden was relieved to restore cell growth and promote production through optimizing the plasmid production system. In order to achieve metabolic balance, the biosynthesis pathway was regulated precisely by multivariate-modular metabolic engineering. Finally, in a 5-L bioreactor, the T5OAc titer was enhanced to reach 10.9 mg/L. This represents an approximately 272-fold increase in production compared to the original strain, marking the highest yield of T5OAc ever documented in E. coli, which is believed to be helpful for promoting the progress of paclitaxel biosynthesis.

The hotspot temperature of the reactor is one of the important indices in reactor design, and the appropriate hotspot value can ensure that the reactor will not overheat failure and threaten the safety of the power system. In this paper, the temperature field simulation model of a 500 kV dry-type air-core shunt reactor is established, and the hotspot temperature of the reactor is obtained by COMSOL software. Then, the radial basis function response surface function is used to construct the response surface function of the hotspot temperature and its related variables, and the applicability of the response surface function is tested to analyze the rationality and accuracy of the response surface function. Finally, the optimal solution of the response surface function under the coordination of variables and related constraints is obtained by using the constrained simulated annealing algorithm. The results show that the hotspot temperature of the reactor envelope winding decreases obviously after optimization.

Abstract Supramolecular hydrogels derived from nucleosides have been gaining significant attention in the biomedical field due to their unique properties and excellent biocompatibility. However, a major challenge in this field is that there is no model for predicting whether nucleoside derivative will form a hydrogel. Here, we successfully develop a machine learning model to predict the hydrogel-forming ability of nucleoside derivatives. The optimal model with a 71% (95% Confidence Interval, 0.69−0.73) accuracy is established based on a dataset of 71 reported nucleoside derivatives. 24 molecules are selected via the optimal model external application and the hydrogel-forming ability is experimentally verified. Among these, two rarely reported cation-independent nucleoside hydrogels are found. Based on their self-assemble mechanisms, the cation-independent hydrogel is found to have potential applications in rapid visual detection of Ag+ and cysteine. Here, we show the machine learning model may provide a tool to predict nucleoside derivatives with hydrogel-forming ability.

Abstract Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones, are known for their capacity to simulate various physiological impacts of estrogen in the human body. Our research evaluated the effects of isoflavone-enriched soybean leaves (IESL) on collagen fiber loss prompted by ovariectomy in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, thereby simulating menopausal changes in women. IESL, bolstered with an increased concentration of isoflavones through a metabolite farming process, contained a significantly higher amount of isoflavones than regular soybean leaves. Our results indicate that the administration of IESL can counteract the decrease in relative optical density and dermal thickness of collagen fibers caused by ovariectomy in SD rats, with more pronounced effects observed at higher isoflavone dosages. These outcomes suggest that soybean leaves rich in isoflavones may hold potential benefits in combating collagen degradation and skin aging symptoms related to menopause. Further research is needed to fully understand the exact molecular pathways at play and the potential clinical relevance of these findings.

Endophytic bacteria play crucial roles in plant pathogen protection and growth. Oryza eichingeri is a unique wild rice species rich with genetic resources. Studies have explored beneficial endophytic bacteria and investigated the synergistic interaction between microbes and wild rice. However, the endophytic bacterial community of Oryza eichingeri and their plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities characteristics remain largely unknown. Here, endophytic bacteria in the root, stem, and leaf tissues of Oryza eichingeri were characterized using metagenomic Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Additionally, culturable endophytic bacteria were isolated. The metagenomic analysis showed that, compared to those in other tissue compartments, the endophytic bacterial community in the roots had a more complex structure and enhanced functions, and each compartment had its own specific endophytic bacterial biomarkers. A total of 94 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Oryza eichingeri, among which 80 strains possessed PGP traits including increasing phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, IAA production, and nitrogen fixation. These strains displayed good PGP effects on cultivated rice seedlings, promoting the formation of strong root systems, stimulating biomass accumulation, and increasing root length and plant height. These findings provide insights into the composition of the bacterial endosphere of Oryza eichingeri and potential applications of the dominant PGP bacteria in rice cultivation.

Previous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have widely explored the temporal connection changes in the human brain following long-term sleep deprivation (SD). However, the frequency-specific topological properties of sleep-deprived functional networks remain virtually unclear. In this study, thirty-seven healthy male subjects underwent resting-state fMRI during rested wakefulness (RW) and after 36 hours of SD, and we examined frequency-specific spectral connection changes (0.01–0.08 Hz, interval = 0.01 Hz) caused by SD. First, we conducted a multivariate pattern analysis combining linear SVM classifiers with a robust feature selection algorithm, and the results revealed that accuracies of 74.29%-84.29% could be achieved in the classification between RW and SD states in leave-one-out cross-validation at different frequency bands, moreover, the spectral connection at the lowest and highest frequency bands exhibited higher discriminative power. Connection involving the cingulo-opercular network increased most, while connection involving the default-mode network decreased most following SD. Then we performed a graph-theoretic analysis and observed reduced low-frequency modularity and high-frequency global efficiency in the SD state. Moreover, hub regions, which were primarily situated in the cerebellum and the cingulo-opercular network after SD, exhibited high discriminative power in the aforementioned classification consistently. The findings may indicate the frequency-dependent effects of SD on the functional network topology and its efficiency of information exchange, providing new insights into the impact of SD on the human brain.

Abstract Background Emerging proofs have shown that differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closely associated with the pathophysiological process of spinal cord injury (SCI). Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-exosomes have been demonstrated to possess favorable therapeutic effects in diseases. Herein, this work aimed to investigate the action of circ_0006640 transferred by MSC-exosomes functional recovery after SCI. Methods SCI animal models were established by spinal cord contusion surgery in mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse microglial cell line BV2. Levels of genes and proteins were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Properties of BV2 cells were characterized using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and ELISA analysis. The oxidative stress was evaluated. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used for verifying the binding between miR-382-5p and circ_0006640 or IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1). Exosome separation was conducted by using the commercial kit. Results Circ_0006640 expression was lower in SCI mice and LPS-induced microglial cells. Circ_0006640 overexpression protected microglial cells from LPS-induced apoptotic, inflammatory and oxidative injury. Mechanistically, circ_0006640 directly sponged miR-382-5p, which targeted IGF-1. MiR-382-5p was increased, while IGF-1 was decreased in SCI mice and LPS-induced microglial cells. Knockdown of miR-382-5p suppressed apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in LPS-induced microglial cells, which were reversed by IGF-1 deficiency. Moreover, miR-382-5p up-regulation abolished the protective functions of circ_0006640 in LPS-induced microglial cells. Additionally, circ_0006640 was packaged into MSC-exosomes and could be transferred by exosomes. Exosomal circ_0006640 also had protective effects on microglial cells via miR-382-5p/IGF-1 axis. Conclusion Circ_0006640 transferred by BMSC-exosomes suppressed LPS-induced apoptotic, inflammatory and oxidative injury via miR-382-5p/IGF-1 axis, indicating a new insight into the clinical application of exosomal circRNA-based therapeutic in the function recovery after SCI.

A transmission line (TL) impedance transformer of through-hole (TO)-CAN distributed feedback (DFB) laser is proposed and fabricated. The gain and noise factor (NF) of analog optical link can be improved by optimizing the laser impedance matching network. The radio frequency (RF) package of DFB is optimized to extend bandwidth and reduce return loss. In this paper, a flexible printed circuit (FPC) with low-loss impedance matching network is designed to improved the RF characteristics of TO-CAN DFB laser. The return path between FPC and TO-CAN is optimized to eliminate microwave resonances. The small signal model of an analog optical link is analyzed in detail. The measured frequency response of the TO-CAN DFB is 18.4 GHz. The microwave reflection is below −10 dB. The measured results correlates perfectly with the simulated results. The gain of analog optical link is increased by 3 dB. The NF is also reduced by about 2.5 dB.

Abstract Objective Inflammation and immune cells are closely intertwined mechanisms that contribute to the progression of heart failure (HF). Nonetheless, there is a paucity of information regarding the distinct features of dysregulated immune cells and efficient diagnostic biomarkers linked with HF. This study aims to explore diagnostic biomarkers related to immune cells in HF to gain new insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of HF and to provide novel perspectives for the detection and treatment of HF. Method The CIBERSORT method was employed to quantify 22 types of immune cells in HF and normal subjects from publicly available GEO databases (GSE3586, GSE42955, GSE57338, and GSE79962). Machine learning methods were utilized to screen for important cell types. Single-cell RNA sequencing (GSE145154) was further utilized to identify important cell types and hub genes. WGCNA was employed to screen for immune cell-related genes and ultimately diagnostic models were constructed and evaluated. To validate these predictive results, blood samples were collected from 40 normal controls and 40 HF patients for RT-qPCR analysis. Lastly, key cell clusters were divided into high and low biomarker expression groups to identify transcription factors that may affect biomarkers. Results The study found a noticeable difference in immune environment between HF and normal subjects. Macrophages were identified as key immune cells by machine learning. Single-cell analysis further showed that macrophages differed dramatically between HF and normal subjects. This study revealed the existence of five subsets of macrophages that have different differentiation states. Based on module genes most relevant to macrophages, macrophage differentiation-related genes (MDRGs), and DEGs in HF and normal subjects from GEO datasets, four genes (CD163, RNASE2, LYVE1, and VSIG4) were identified as valid diagnostic markers for HF. Ultimately, a diagnostic model containing two hub genes was constructed and then validated with a validation dataset and clinical samples. In addition, key transcription factors driving or maintaining the biomarkers expression programs were identified. Conclusion The analytical results and diagnostic model of this study can assist clinicians in identifying high-risk individuals, thereby aiding in guiding treatment decisions for patients with HF.

In recent years, with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, the safety issues of lithium-ion batteries have attracted attentions from all sectors of society. Research has found that during the thermal runaway process of lithium-ion batteries, aerosol emissions usually occur earlier than other gases. Accurate and timely measurement of these aerosol concentrations can help to warn the power battery pack fires. However, existing aerosol sensors are unable to meet the requirements of real-time monitoring and high precision. This article proposes an ionization mechanism based aerosol sensor that works at principles of field emission, field charging and gas discharge, and investigates its static and dynamic response characteristics. The sensor is manufactured and assembled using Microelectro Mechanical Systems processing technology. The sensor exhibits superior performances in terms of range, sensitivity, nonlinearity, repeatability, response time, and other aspects. The study provides a new solution for current aerosol detection with great potential for application.

Abstract Objective Although the current European Association of Urology(EAU) guideline recommends that patients with intermediate-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) should accept intravesical chemotherapy or Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for no more than one year after transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT), there is no consensus on the optimal duration of chemotherapy. Hence, we explored the optimal duration of maintenance intravesical chemotherapy in patients with intermediate-risk NMIBC. Subjects and Methods This was a real-world single-center retrospective cohort study. In total 158 patients with pathologically confirmed intermediate-risk NMIBC were included, who were divided into 4 subgroups based on the number of instillations given. We used Cox regression analysis and survival analysis chart to explore the 3-yr recurrence outcomes of tumor.The optimal duration was determined by receive operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results The median follow-up was 5.2 years. Compared with instillation for 1–2 months, the Hazard Ratios(HR) values of instillation for less than 1 month, maintenance instillation for 3–6 months and > 6 months were 3.57、1.57 and 0.22(95% CI 1.27–12.41;0.26–9.28;0.07–0.80, P = 0.03;0.62;0.02, respectively). We found a significant improvement in 3-yr relapse-free survival in intermediate-risk NMIBC patients who maintained intravesical instillation chemotherapy for longer than 6 months, and the best benefit was achieved with 10.5 months of maintenance chemotherapy by ROC. Conclusions In our scheme, the optimal duration of intravesical instillation with pirrubicin is 10.5 months. This new understanding provides valuable experience for the precise medical treatment model of intermediate-risk NMIBC.

Abstract By correcting the photon area factor (PAF) to suit the structure of the spacer and redefining the effective ionization region of the process of negative corona onset, a physical model for the calculation of COG of AC spacers is established. The validity and practicability of the established physical model are validated by the corona onset test results of spacers in both low‐altitude and high‐altitude areas. The numerical results pertaining to PAF and effective ionization region are consistent with the theoretical analysis. With the established physical model as a basis, the COG of the spacer is calculated under different geometrical structure parameters and ambient conditions. The results imply that changing the curvature of the spacer edge has a more significant impact on the COG of the AC spacer than changing the curvature of the spacer end and thickness H. The decrease in the length of the ionization region and the rapid attenuation of spatial electric field intensity of the spacer with smaller geometric parameters lead to an increase in the COG.

Abstract Transmission of many plant viruses relies on phloem-feeding insect vectors. However, how plant viruses directly modulate insect behavior is largely unknown. Barley yellow striate mosaic virus (BYSMV) is transmitted by the small brown planthopper (SBPH, Laodelphax striatellus). Here, we show that BYSMV infects the central nervous system (CNS) of SBPHs, induces insect hyperactivity, and prolongs phloem feeding duration. The BYSMV accessory protein P6 interacts with the COP9 signalosome subunit 5 (LsCSN5) of SBPHs and suppresses LsCSN5-regulated de-neddylation from the Cullin 1 (CUL1), hereby inhibiting CUL1-based E3 ligases-mediated degradation of the circadian clock protein Timeless (TIM). Thus, virus infection or knockdown of LsCSN5 compromises TIM oscillation and induces high insect locomotor activity for transmission. Additionally, expression of BYSMV P6 in the CNS of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster disturbs circadian rhythm and induces high locomotor activity. Together, our results suggest the molecular mechanisms whereby BYSMV modulates locomotor activity of insect vectors for transmission.

Abstract Background Periodontitis is a common chronic oral disease which seriously affects people's quality of life. Although human herpes simplex virus (HSV) is also found in periodontal lesions, the association between HSV infection and periodontitis is unclear. Methods The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for 2009–2010, 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 was combined, and the association between HSV infection and periodontitis in the general population and particular subgroups was investigated through weighted multi-logistic analyses. Results There were 4,733 participants aged 30–50 years old with clinically assessed periodontitis concurrent with HSV infection. In general analysis, after adjusted for covariates, both HSV-1 (OR = 1.09, P

ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of preterm infants, and then analyzed the effects of probiotics supplementation on intestinal microbiota in preterm infants.MethodsThis study enrolled 64 infants born between 26 and 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and 22 full-term infants. 34 premature infants received oral probiotic supplementation for 28 days. Stool samples were obtained on the first day (D1) and the 28th day (D28) after birth for each infant. Total bacterial DNA was extracted and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq Sequencing System, specifically targeting the V3-V4 hyper-variable regions of the 16S rDNA gene. The sequencing results were then used to compare and analyze the composition and diversity index of the intestinal microbiota.ResultsThere was no significant difference in meconium bacterial colonization rate between premature and full-term infants after birth (p > 0.05). At D1, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus in the stool of preterm infants was lower than that of full-term infants, and the relative abundance of Acinetobacter was higher than that of full-term infants. The Shannon index and Chao1 index of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants are lower than those in full-term infants (p < 0.05). Supplementation of probiotics can increase the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Enterobacter, and reduce the relative abundance of Escherichia and Clostridium in premature infants. The Chao1 index of intestinal microbiota decreased in preterm infants after probiotic supplementation (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe characteristics of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants differ from those in full-term infants. Probiotic supplementation can reduce the relative abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria and increase the abundance of beneficial microbiota in premature infants.

Abstract Background Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with sleep dyspnea (SDB), which plays an adverse role in the pathophysiology of the condition. SDB management in HFrEF, however, remains controversial. HFrEF’s medical management has recently made significant progress with the discovery of new therapeutic avenues, namely sodia-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, and better treatment of co-morbidities. Dapagliflozin, one of the SGLT-2 inhibitors, is a good candidate for correcting SDB of HFrEF patients because their known mechanisms of action are likely to counteract the pathophysiology of SDB in HFrEF. Methods/design The trial is a 3-month, multicentric, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study. Patients (i.e., adults with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40%, Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index ≥ 15) will be randomized to receive optimized heart failure therapy plus a standard dose of dapagliflozin, while the control group will receive only optimized heart failure therapy. Patients will be evaluated before and after 3 months (nocturnal ventilatory polygraphy, echocardiography, laboratory testing, and quality-of-life and SDB questionnaires). The primary outcome is the change in the Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index, before and after 3 months of treatment. Trial registration www.chictr.org.cn , ChiCTR2100049834. Registered 10 August 2021.