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Objective To investigate the expression levels of interleukin 25 (IL-25) and its related factors in the serum and liver of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and explore the significance. Methods Between September 2017 and February 2019, NAFLD patients (n=50) who met the criteria of the disease and control patients (n=20) who undergoing partial hepatectomy due to hepatic hemangioma or hepatic cyst in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of IL-25 and other cytokines were detected by ELISA. Then 6 patients in control group and 12 patients in NAFLD group were chosen to analyze hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-25 and other cytokines by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, and protein levels of IL-25, CD68 (macrophage marker), CD206 (M2 macrophage marker) and glutaminase transaminase 2 (TGM2) by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence assay. Results ① Compared with the patients in control group, those of the NAFLD group had significantly reduced serum levels of IL-25 (P=0.003), IL-13 (P=0.007) and IL-4 (P=0.001). ② The mRNA levels of IL-13 (P=0.007) and IL-4 (P=0.003) in the liver of NAFLD patients were also obviously lower while that of CD68 (P < 0.001) was higher than those in the control group. ③ The NAFLD patients had more Küpffer cells (P < 0.001), fewer M2 macrophages (P < 0.001) and lower level of IL-25 (P < 0.001) in the liver than the patietns of the control group. With the aggravation of hepatic steatosis, the number of Küpffer cells was increased gradually (P < 0.001), while that of M2 macrophages (P < 0.001) and the level of IL-25 (P < 0.001) was decreased gradually. Conclusion The serum levels and liver contents of IL-25, Th2 type cytokine and intrahepatic M2 type macrophages are significantly reduced in the NAFLD patients, and these indicators are negatively correlated with the severity of liver steatosis.

The monolayer MoS2 based photodetectors have been widely investigated, which show limited photoelectric performances due to its low light absorption and uncontrollable adsorbates. In this paper, we present a MoS2-based hybrid nanoscrolls device, in which one-dimensional nanoscrollsof MoS2 is hybridized with carbon quantum dots (CQDs). This device architecture effectively enhanced the photodetection performance. The photoresponsivity and detectivity values of MoS2/CQDs-NS photodetectors are respectively 1793 A Wâˆ'1 and 5.97 × 1012 Jones, which are 830-fold and 268-fold higher than those of pristine MoS2 under 300 nm illumination at V ds = 5 V. This research indicates a significant progress in fabricating high-performance MoS2 photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urea formaldehyde (UF) and phenol formaldehyde (PF) foam possess outstanding flame‐retardant properties, excellent insulation, and low thermal conductivity. These properties make them suitable for thermal insulation in buildings. However, the mechanical properties still need to be improved. In this study, orthogonal test was designed to optimize the level components of PF/UF composite foam first, then nano ZnO was added to the PF/UF composite foam to improve its toughness. The effects of nano ZnO on the morphology, apparent density, pulverization rate, thermal conductivity and thermal degradation property, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties of the ZnO/PF/UF nanocomposite foam were studied. The addition of nano ZnO improved the bending and compressive strength and decreased the pulverization rate of the composite foam significantly. The ZnO/PF/UF nanocomposite foam also presented better flame retardant properties than PF/UF composite foam. The largest oxygen index values of ZnO/PF/UF nanocomposite foam could reach 39.31%, while the thermal conductivity and the maximum rate of weight loss temperature were increased to 0.036 W/(m∙K) and 279°C, respectively. Moreover, ZnO/PF/UF nanocomposite foam showed low apparent density property (0.27 g/cm3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between sex hormones and the risk of vascular disease in elderly men and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of testosterone replacement. Methods: A total of 337 men, aged 60 to 91 years, were enrolled in this single-center, cross-sectional study, and their sex hormone levels were assessed. Linear and logistic regression analyses were utilized to compare the sex hormone levels between patients with and without vascular disease. The nonparametric K-sample test was used for inter-group comparisons. Results: Aging and abnormal metabolism were both significantly associated with an increased risk of vascular diseases and changes in sex hormone levels. Primary linear and logistic regression analyses showed no significant differences in sex hormone concentrations between patients with and without vascular diseases after adjusting for age. Logistic regression with abnormal metabolism as categorical variable showed that free testosterone (FT) and free estradiol (FE2) had significant relationships with CEVD risk (P<0.05). In further regression with all metabolic continuous variables included, the testosterone/estradiol (T/E2) ratio replaced FT and FE2 (P<0.05). Trend line analyses showed that T/E2 actually had a binomial linear correlation with the risk of cerebrovascular disease; its best protective effect occurred at values of 0.13–0.15, with an OR value extremely close to those of FT and FE2 (0.23 vs. 0.24–0.25). Conclusion: T/E2 balance plays a key role in the relationship between sex hormones and the risk of cerebrovascular disease. The balance between T and E2 may be more important than their absolute quantities. Extremely low T/E2 and inappropriately high T/E2 ratio can both harm the brain blood vessels. Careful consideration should be given before beginning testosterone replacement treatment, and supplementing with estrogen seems to be a good way to protect blood vessels of the brain in elderly men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnO/Zn2SiO4/SiO2 composite pigments with nano-sized α-Zn2SiO4 interface phase were synthesized by a simple solid-state reaction method. It was found that the composite pigments exhibit significant improvement on the spectral reflectance and the proton radiation-stability compared with the pure ZnO pigment. The investigations have demonstrated that the enhancements on the spectral reflectance and the radiation-stability are attributed to the introduction of willemite Zn2SiO4 interface phase on the surface of ZnO matrix particles. In addition, the enhancement mechanisms of radiation-stability for ZnO/Zn2SiO4/SiO2 composite pigments were discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The monolayer MoS 2 based photodetectors have been widely investigated, which show limited photoelectric performances due to its low light absorption and uncontrollable adsorbates. In this paper, we present a MoS 2 -based hybrid nanoscrolls device, in which one-dimensional nanoscrollsof MoS 2 is hybridized with carbon quantum dots (CQDs). This device architecture effectively enhanced the photodetection performance. The photoresponsivity and detectivity values of MoS 2 /CQDs-NS photodetectors are respectively 1793 A W -1 and 5.97 × 10 12 Jones, which are 830-fold and 268-fold higher than those of pristine MoS 2 under 300 nm illumination at V ds  = 5 V. This research indicates a significant progress in fabricating high-performance MoS 2 photodetectors., (© 2021 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

Objective To observe and analyze the relationships among the level of interleukin 25 (IL-25), the stage of liver fibrosis and the polarization of hepatic M2 macrophages in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods A total of 36 patients with NAFLD and 20 control patients were enrolled. Fibrotouch, HE staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the stage of liver fibrosis. Patients with NAFLD were classified into groups of mild liver fibrosis (F1) (20 cases) and significant liver fibrosis (≥ F2) (16 cases). The level of serum IL-25 in each group was detected by ELISA. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect the hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-25, collagen1 (Col1), α mooth muscle actin (α-SMA), macrophage mannose receptor 1 (CD206/MR1) and transglutaminase 2 (TGM2). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of IL-25, α-SMA, CD206 and TGM2. Results There was no significant difference in the level of serum IL-25 among groups. Compared with patients in the control group and the mild liver fibrosis group, patients with significant liver fibrosis showed reduced mRNA expression levels of IL-25, CD206, and TGM2 in addition to lower levels of hepatic IL-25 protein and less polarization of M2 macrophages. Conclusion Down-regulation of IL-25 is accompanied by a decrease in the number of the M2 macrophages with the progression of liver fibrosis in NAFLD patients.

Recent evidence indicates the potential role of vitamin D in the prevention of Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). This is an analytical cross sectional study. A total of 3275 subjects were investigated. 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25[OH]D) was detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) technology. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the definition of International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Among the participants, the prevalence of the MetSyn was 6.0%. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 50.1% and 25.0% respectively. Subjects with MetSyn presented with significantly lower 25(OH)Vit D serum levels compared with non-MetSyn group. The results shows that vitamin D deficiency is common in Chinese adults, and subjects with lower serum 25(OH)D have a higher risk of the MetSyn. The cut-off value of serum 25(OH)D that reflected MetSyn in Chinese adluts was 15.655 ng/mL.

Objective: To explore the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in aged males., Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 1 729 aged males aged over 60 years were selected from participants in a routine annual health examination at our hospital from May to June 2012. Their mean age was 75 ± 10 years. Height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH) D and PTH were measured. And the associations of 25(OH)D and PTH with the presence of MS and its components were analyzed., Results: The prevalence of MS was 22.0%. The PTH levels were significantly higher in the MS and abnormal blood glucose and HDL-C group than in their control group [(42 ± 16) vs (40 ± 17), (42 ± 16) vs (40 ± 17), (47 ± 18) vs (40 ± 16) ng/L respectively, P < 0.05].However, there were no significant differences of 25(OH)D between these groups. The prevalence of MS showed a gradual increase according to the PTH quintiles (P < 0.05). When comparing the subjects in the highest and lowest quintile of PTH, the former group demonstrated a 1.51-fold increase in odds ratio for MS after adjusting for 25(OH)D levels and other confounding factors. Logistic regression analysis showed that the PTH level was an independent influencing factor for MS in aged males (OR = 1.007, 95%CI: 1.000-1.014, P = 0.047). The levels of 25 (OH) D were not associated with MS in the regression model (OR = 1.004, 95%CI: 0.992-1.016, P = 0.538)., Conclusion: In aged males, the elevated level of PTH is a risk factor for the prevalence of MS. However, there was no association between 25 (OH) D and MS.

Objective: To explore the significance of 2-hour blood glucose after standardized steamed bread meal (SB-2 hBG) in diabetic screening., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for diabetic screening data of annual check-up at PLA General Hospital from May 1996 to June 2002. And 100 g standardized steamed bread meal test was performed for non-diabetic subjects. Those subjects with SB-2 h BG ≥ 7.2 mmol/L underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) within 2 weeks to determine whether the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) could be established (WHO, 1985, 1999, Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes). By extracting the data for 7 consecutive years, we analyzed the significance and the cut-off point of SB-2 hBG in the diagnosis of DM and investigated the changes of blood glucose curves in different glucose tolerance status after different glucose loading tests., Results: A total of 3 343 subjects with complete information were recruited. There were 3 101 males and 242 females with an age range of 40-94 years. According to the results of OGTT, 429 (12.8%) subjects were diagnosed as DM, 1 405 (42.1%) were diagnosed as impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and 1 509(45.1%) had normal glucose tolerance (NGT).With a deterioration of glucose tolerance status, the difference between SB-2 hBG and OGTT-2 hBG increased gradually in 3 group (P < 0.01), namely the NGT group 1.7 (0.8-2.8) mmol/L, IGR group -0.4 (-1.2-0.6) mmol/L, DM group -2.7(-3.8-1.1) mmol/L. The cut-off points of FBG for the diagnosis of IGR and DM were 5.3 (sensitivity of 46.2%, specificity of 68.5%) and 5.6 (sensitivity of 57.4%, specificity of 76.4%) mmol/L respectively. The cut-off points of SB-2 h BG were 8.2 mmol/L for the diagnosis of IGR (sensitivity of 63.8%, specificity of 59.9%) and 9.2 mmol/L for the diagnosis of DM (sensitivity of 66.4%, specificity of 76.4%).If the cut-off point of SB-2 h BG was set at 7.2 mmol/L, the diagnostic specificity became quite low.However, at 11.1 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 31.5% and the specificity 95.7% for the diagnosis of DM. The coincidences of cut-off points of FBG and SB-2 hBG for the diagnosis of IGR and DM were equal (P > 0.05).When the cut-off point of SB-2 h BG was set at 7.8 mmol/L, the sensitivity was 77.4% and the specificity 41.8% for the diagnosis of IGR. And it was much better than FBG at 5.6 mmol/L (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: With a deterioration of glucose tolerance, the difference between SB-2 hBG and OGTT-2 hBG increases gradually. Compared to the diagnostic criteria of OGTT, the optimal cut-off points for the diagnosis of IGR and DM were 5.3 vs 5.6 mmol/L for FBG and 8.2 vs 9.2 mmol/L for SB-2 hBG respectively.For diabetic screening in middle-aged and elders, the cut-off points of FBG at 5.3 mmol/L and SB-2 hBG at 7.8 mmol/L are indicators for further OGTT.

Objective: To explore the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in euthyroid male elders., Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 307 euthyroid male elders aged over 60 years participating in a routine annual health screening examination at our hospital during May-June 2011 were enrolled. Their mean age was (72.6 ± 7.9) years. Height, weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, fasting insulin levels and thyroid functions (TT3, TT4, FT3, FT4, TSH, TgAb & TPOAb) were measured. And the association of thyroid functions and the presence of MS and its components was analyzed., Results: The prevalence of MS was 40.7% (125/307). The TSH level was significantly higher in the MS and obese group than that in control group ((2.6 ± 1.1) vs (2.4 ± 1.0) mU/L, P = 0.014; (2.7 ± 1.1) vs (2.3 ± 1.1)mU/L, P = 0.007). The prevalence of MS and obesity showed a gradual increase according to the TSH tertiles. When comparing subjects in the highest and lowest tertile of TSH, the former group demonstrated 1.872 and 1.904-fold increases in the odds ratio for obesity and MS after adjusting for age and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (95%CI: 1.051-3.332, P = 0.033; 95%CI: 1.070-3.387, P = 0.028) . Logistic regression analysis showed that the TSH levels were independent influencing factors for MS in male elders (OR = 1.324, 95%CI:1.042-1.683) ., Conclusion: High circulating TSH level, albeit normal, is associated with elevated risk for metabolic syndrome in male elders.

Objective: To compare the status of blood glucose control in elderly type 2 diabetics under different health care levels and analyze its influencing factors., Methods: Using cross-sectional and field survey methods, 688 elderly type 2 diabetics aged over 60 years undergoing long-term annual physical examination at PLA General Hospital in May 2009(veteran group) were recruited. And 409 patients aged over 60 years with type 2 diabetes were selected from a community health survey in Beijing from September 2009 to June 2010(community group). According to the diabetic control standards of Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Guide(2010), a comparison of blood glucose control status between two groups were conducted., Results: The mean HbA1c level was 6.6% ± 1.0% in the veteran group. And there were 50.6% patients with HbA1c <6.5% and 76.3% with HbA1c <7%. In the community group, the mean HbA1c level was 7.1% ± 1.4% and the success rates of HbA1c were 40.6% and 55.7% respectively. The status of blood glucose control in the veteran group was significantly superior to that in the community group (P < 0.05). The comprehensive rates of achieving control target goals for blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids were higher in the veteran group than that in the community group (11.5% vs 2.0%, P < 0.001). The success rates of HbA1c for diabetics diagnosed after age 60 years were better than those diagnosed before age 60 years (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that different health care levels, gender, duration of diabetes, age of onset and total cholesterol were crucial factors for achieving target goal of HbA1c in both groups (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The status of blood glucose control was much better in the veteran group than that in the community group. And the blood glucose control level in the patients diagnosed as diabetes after age 60 years was superior to that in those diagnosed before age 60 years.