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As a traditional Chinese medicine, Lianhua Qingwen capsules have been widely used to treat Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study was aimed to demonstrate the association between treatment with Lianhua Qingwen capsules and the clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This retrospective study was conducted at four hospitals in Central China. Data of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were collected between December 19, 2019 and April 26, 2020. Based on whether Lianhua Qingwen capsules were used, patients were classified into Lianhua Qingwen and non-Lianhua Qingwen (control) groups. To control for confounding factors, we used conditional logistic regression in a propensity-score matched (PSM) cohort (1 : 1 balanced), as well as logistic regression without matching as sensitivity analysis. A total of 4918 patients were included, 2760 of whom received Lianhua Qingwen capsules and 2158 of whom did not. In the PSM model, after adjusting for confounders, the in-hospital mortality was similar between the Lianhua Qingwen group and the control group (6.8% vs. 3.3%, adjusted OR, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.38-1.15], p = 0.138 ). The negative conversion rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was higher in the Lianhua Qingwen group (88.3% vs. 96.1%, adjusted OR, 4.02 [95% CI, 2.58-6.25], p < 0.001 ). The incidence of acute liver injury was comparable between the two groups (14.0% vs. 11.5%, adjusted OR: 0.85 [95% CI, 0.71-1.02], p = 0.083 ), and the incidence of acute kidney injury was lower in the Lianhua Qingwen group (5.3% vs. 3.0%, adjusted OR: 0.71 [95% CI, 0.50-1.00], p = 0.048 ). Treatment with Lianhua Qingwen capsules was not significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients. In the Lianhua Qingwen group, the negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher and the incidence of acute kidney injury was lower than in the control group.

Magnetic MoS2 quantum dots are designed and applied as an efficient photocatalyst for the α-methoxymethylation and aminomethylation of aromatic ketones using methanol as a green C1 source in air under visible-light irradiation at room temperature.

Xiao-He Guo, Yan-Li Zhu, Lu Yang, Wen-Jing Li, Xue-Fang Du Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, 453100, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yan-Li Zhu, Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, No. 88 of Jiankang Road, Weihui District, Henan, 453100, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15036615840, Email huyanlizyl02@21cn.comObjective: This study aimed to assess the effects of multi-donor fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules combined with thalidomide on hormone-dependent ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods: A total of 59 patients with steroid-dependent UC treated at the Gastroenterology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between January 2017 and January 2019 were enrolled in this study. Using a random number table, the patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with FMT capsules (the FMT group) and a group treated with FMT capsules and thalidomide (the FMT+S group). Multi-donor FMT capsules were prepared, and all subjects and stool donors followed the FMT pathway for FMT transplantation. Each patient’s Mayo score, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and level of fecal calprotectin before FMT treatment and at week 1 and week 13 after treatment were recorded. All patients were followed up for 15 weeks.Results: A total of 56.7% of the patients (34/59) achieved a therapeutic response at the end of the research period. Compared with the FMT group, the FMT+S group had better clinical benefit (P < 0.05). In the comparison of efficacy at week 1 and week 13 after treatment, the Mayo scores, calprotectin levels, and CRP indexes in the FMT+S group were better than those in the FMT group (P < 0.05). There were no serious adverse events in the treatment process or during follow-up.Conclusion: A combination of FMT capsules and thalidomide provides a treatment choice for patients with hormone-dependent UC, and it can be used as an adjuvant therapy. However, large-scale, multi-center, and prospective trials are required to further verify the reliability of this treatment.Keywords: fecal microbiota transplantation capsules, thalidomide, hormone-dependent ulcerative colitis

Background:Functional dyspepsia (FD) as a non-organic disease, patient self-reporting of its symptoms becomes an important component of clinical outcome assessment. We performed a systematic review using Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines to identify the best available patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of FD. Methods: The study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched four databases with no date limit, looking for previously confirmed PROMs for evaluating FD symptoms. An overall rating was then assigned based upon COSMIN guidelines, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the level of evidence for psychometric properties of included PROMs. Results: Thirty-three articles covering outcome indicators of 24 patient reports were included. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), Dyspepsia Symptom Severity Index (DSSI), Leuven Postprandial Distress Scale (LPDS), Functional Dyspepsia Symptom Diary (FDSD), and Experience Sampling Method-Patient Reported Outcome Measure (ESM‐PROM) showed sufficient content validity and internal consistency, resulting in a Class A recommendation. Conclusion:NDI, DSSI, LPDS, FDSD and ESM‐PROM are the best currently available PROM to assess FD. However, they failed to assess several important areas. Future research can be continuously improved on this basis.

Introduction: The genus Trissolcus includes a number of egg parasitoids that are known to contribute to the control of Halyomorpha halys. The number of progenies, particularly females, is important for the efficient mass rearing of species used in augmentative biological control programs. Cold storage is an important technique for extending the shelf life of natural enemies used in such programs.Methods: We assessed how fecundity, sex ratio, lifespan, and the number of hosts parasitized within 24 h were affected by host density for T. japonicus and T. cultratus when offered fresh H. halys eggs and how these parameters were affected if adult parasitoids were first placed in cold storage (11°C in the dark) for 19 weeks before being used for propagation.Results: The fecundity were 110.2 and 84.2 offspring emerged at 25°C, for parasitoids not placed in cold storage; among the offspring that emerged, 82.6% and 85.6% were female for T. japonicus and T. cultratus, respectively. If first placed in cold storage, T. japonicus and T. cultratus produced 35.1 and 24.6 offspring per female, respectively, although cold storage significantly extended the shelf life. The survival rates of parasitoids that were placed in cold storage were 90.3% and 81.3% for females, and 3.2% and 0.9% for males of T. japonicus and T. cultratus, respectively. The number of hosts parasitized within 24 h was not shown to be density dependent, but it was significantly lower after cold storage.Discussion: This information can be used to estimate the likely production for augmented rearing colonies for use in biological control programs.

To explore whether modified Chevron osteotomy together with distal soft tissue release would correct moderate to severe HV deformity and what is the minimal clinical important difference (MCID) for objective and subjective evaluating parameters.From March 2018 to January 2019, 40 hallux valgus patients (including moderate to severe) were enrolled in this retrospective study. The cohort included four males and 36 females. The average age at surgery was 50.95 (range 22-75) years. All patients underwent modified Chevron osteotomy together with distal soft tissue release and completed at least one follow-up at clinic. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle forefoot score (AOFAS, forefoot), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Foot Function Index (FFI) were all collected before and after surgery. Besides, the hallux valgus angle (HVA), 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) were measured both before surgery and at last follow-up. All MCID values were calculated by employing distribution-based method.Thirty-seven patients (92.5%) showed satisfied result at a mean 14.3-month follow-up (range 13-22 month). Two patients complained about residual pain at the bunion, and overcorrection (hallux varus) occurred in one patient. Meanwhile, no patient observed nonunion. Being female, age more than 60, residual HVA deformity (15°), and post IMA more than 9° showed no statistical relationship with the post-operation residual pain (P 0.05). However, high VAS score before surgery (more than 7) showed strong correlation with residual pain (P0.01). The subjective MCID value was 9.50 for AOFAS, 18.92 for FFI, and 1.27 for VAS, respectively.The modified Chevron osteotomy together with distal soft tissue release could achieve a satisfied result for moderate to severe HV deformity at early follow-up. The residual pain was associated with severe pain before surgery (VAS more than 7).

Laccase has huge potential application in all aspects of biotechnology due to the ability of laccase to oxidize a wide range of phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. The future success of such applications requires large amounts of laccase with low costs. White-rot fungi are important groups of laccase production. In this study, three white-rot fungi, Phlebia acerina Han 618, Trametes hirsuta Han 726, and Coriolopsis trogii Han 751, isolated from a native North China habitat, were identified by the method of molecular biology and preliminary screening of the ability of laccase-production by guaiacol selection medium. Then they were fermented on different lignocellulosic biomass. Three species showed consistency in preference of lignocellulosic biomass, and the presence of stalk of Sorghum bicolor was more suitable for secreting laccase. The capacity of laccase secretion from different species was significantly different. The capacity of secreting laccase of C. trogii Han 751 was superior to that of P. acerina Han 618 and T. hirsuta Han 726. The discovery of a new strain with superior capacity of secreting laccase and suitable lignocellulosic biomass were helpful for laying a foundation for the optimization of the fermentation conditions for the highest laccase production, the isolation and purification of laccase, and the industrial application of laccase.

Cell proliferation and senescence are processes induced by oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to establish a cellular model of rapid proliferation and senescence of rat tail-tip fibroblasts by hydrogen peroxide (H

The electrosynthesis of valuable chemicals via carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) has provided a promising way to address global energy and sustainability problems. However, the selectivity and activity of deep-reduction products (DRPs) still remain as big challenges. Here, a copper–carbon-based catalyst with a hydrophobic core–shell architecture has been constructed and was found to exhibit excellent DRPs of methane generation with a faradaic efficiency of 81 ± 3% in a neutral medium and a maximum partial current density of −434 mA cm−2 in a flow cell configuration, which is among the best of CO2-to-CH4 electrocatalysts. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the hydrophobic structure decreasing the water coverage on the catalyst surface can promote the protonation of the *CO intermediate and block CO production, further favoring the generation of methane. These results provide a new insight into the electrosynthesis of DRPs via constructing a hydrophobic core–shell architecture for tuning the surface water coverage.

Triple-atom structure (TAS) shows structural superiority compared to single- and double-atom structures for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction. 736 TAS catalysts were explored using genetic-algorithm-based global optimization method and 146 candidates identified.

To explore the correlation between earthquakes and the pre-earthquake ionospheric shallow frequency (ELF) electric field perturbations phenomenon, the paper investigated the pre-earthquake ionospheric perturbations phenomenon, and then the Spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the electromagnetic field before and after the global Ms ≥6.0 strong earthquakes from 2019 to 2021 were statistically analyzed. In this paper, the power spectrum data of the ELF (19.5–250 Hz) band of ionospheric electric field observed by the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) electric field detector are preclinically processed by the C-value method. A stable background field observation model was constructed using the data from 75 to 45 days before the earthquake observed by the CSES in the range of 15° above the epicenter. Then, the amplitude of the spatial electric field disturbance over the epicenter relative to the background field is extracted. Finally, the superposition analysis method statistically analyzes the spatial and temporal evolution of the spatial electric field before and after the earthquake with different characteristics. The statistical results show that the anomalies first appear in the fourth period (15–19 days before the earthquake) and the third period (10–14 days before the earthquake) and then reach the most vital and most evident during the pro-earthquake period (4 days before the earthquake and the day of the earthquake); In terms of the intensity of the anomalies caused, the magnitude seven earthquakes are stronger than the magnitude 6.0–7.0 earthquakes, and marine earthquakes are stronger than land earthquakes; in terms of the ease of observing the anomalies, the magnitude 7.0 and above are more accessible to observe than the magnitude 6.0–7.0 earthquakes, and marine earthquakes are more accessible to observe than land earthquakes.

To explore the correlation between earthquakes and spatial ultra-low frequency electric field disturbances and to study the phenomenon of seismic ionospheric disturbances, this study uses 3 years of electric field ULF band data from 2019 to 2021 observed by the electric field detector carried by the CSES to identify anomalous disturbances using the anomaly automatic detection algorithm based on empirical mode decomposition for the 2,329 seismic events of magnitude not less than 5.0 and the electric field ULF disturbances in this period are analyzed by Superposed Epoch Analysis, and the statistical results are compared and analyzed in depth by earthquake location and different magnitudes in terms of both spatial and temporal scales and spatial distribution. The results show that: 1) There is a correlation between earthquakes of magnitude not less than 5.0 and ultra-low frequency disturbances in the electric field. The abnormal disturbance mainly occurred 11 days before the earthquake, 2 days before the earthquake to the day of the earthquake, and the location of the earthquake is within 200 km from the epicenter. 2) Sea earthquakes can observe more pre-seismic anomalous electromagnetic disturbances than land earthquakes. 3) In terms of earthquake magnitude, the larger the magnitude, the earlier the pre-earthquake anomalous disturbances appear and the wider the range of anomalies. This study provides an effective way to explain seismic ionospheric phenomena, and also provides a reference for the application of electromagnetic monitoring satellites in earthquake prediction and early warning as well as disaster prevention and mitigation.

Objective. Cardiac remodeling has been demonstrated to be the early stage and common pathway for various types of cardiomyopathy, but no specific treatment has been suggested to prevent its development and progress. This study was aimed at assessing whether Cryptotanshinone (CTS) treatment could effectively attenuate cardiac remodeling in vivo and in vitro. Methods. Aortic banding (AB) surgery was performed to establish a pressure-overload-induced mouse cardiac remodeling model. Echocardiography and pressure-volume proof were used to examine mouse cardiac function. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Picro-Sirius Red (PSR) staining were used to assess cardiac remodeling in vivo. Mouse hearts were collected to analysis signaling pathway and cardiac remodeling markers, respectively. Furthermore, neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRCMs) and cardiac fibroblast (CF) were isolated to investigate the roles and mechanisms of CTS treatment in vitro. Results. CTS administration significantly alleviated pressure-overload-induced mouse cardiac dysfunction, inhibited cardiac hypertrophy, and reduced cardiac fibrosis. Mechanically, CTS treatment significantly inhibited the STAT3 and TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling pathways. In vitro experiments, CTS treatment markedly inhibited AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and TGF-β-induced myofibroblast activation via inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation and its nuclear translocation. Finally, CTS treatment could not protect against pressure overload-induced mouse cardiac remodeling after adenovirus-associated virus (AAV)9-mediated STAT3 overexpression in mouse heart. Conclusion. CTS treatment might attenuate pathological cardiac remodeling via inhibiting STAT3-dependent pathway.

Management of frequent epileptic seizures in febrile infection-related epilepsy (FIRES) is often challenging. FIRES is an uncommon disease condition. Children with FIRES develop refractory epilepsy with severe cognitive deficits that affect the function of the temporal and frontal lobes. However, better seizure control during the acute stage of FIRES could protect against injury to the nervous system. Ketogenic diet (KD) can effectively resolve super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) in the acute phase and improve the prognosis of FIRES. We present the case of a previously healthy 3-year-old male with new-onset status epilepticus (SE) admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for 55 days. Despite treatment with multiple anti-epileptic agents in addition to IV anaesthetics, the patient remained in SRSE and continued to have generalised epileptic activity on electroencephalography (EEG). KD therapy was initiated on the 14th day of the onset, and the patient achieved complete neurological recovery following the KD. Throughout the remainder of admission, the patient was successfully weaned off the ventilator, tolerated oral meals, and worked with occupational and physical therapists to return to his baseline functional status. The convulsions were well controlled after discharge. We discuss the treatment strategies for FIRES and highlight the role of KD therapy in the acute phase to control disease progression and improve the prognosis, and early diagnosis of FIRES and early initiation of KD therapy combined with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) could improve the prognosis.

Backgrounds Idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia (IIH) is a rare hereditary disorder caused by CYP24A1 and SLC34A1 gene mutations. In this study, the clinical manifestations and molecular aspects of five new Chinese patients were investigated. Results Four patients showed hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, decreased PTH and bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis in early infancy. Their clinical symptoms and biochemical abnormalities improved after intensive hydration, furosemide and oral phosphorus treatment, except one patient needed salmon calcitonin injection. All patients remained bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis. One patient admitted at 11 years old presented arterial hypertension, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis, but normal serum calcium. She had history of nausea, poor appetite and growing when infancy. Gene analysis showed two have compound heterozygous mutations of CYP24A1, one patient with monoallelic CYP24A1 variant, and two with monoallelic SLC34A1 variant. Four CYP24A1 variants (c.116G > C, c.287T > A, c.476G > A and c.1349T > C) and two SLC34A1 variants (c.1322A > G and c.1697_1698insT) were first reported. Conclusions CYP24A1 and SLC34A1 gene mutations are genetic cause of idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia. Monoallelic variant of CYP24A1 or SLC34A1 gene contributes to symptomatic hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis. Manifestations of IIH are varying with onset age. Hypercalcemia may not the necessarily after infancy and the patients with nephrolithiasis either in older children or adults may consider IIH.