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Abstract Background Loneliness has garnered significant attention globally, with extensive exploration of its association with cardiovascular disease. However, a notable research gap persists concerning loneliness and its potential link to atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods This prospective cohort study utilized data from the UK Biobank (UKB), encompassing 441,056 participants. Loneliness was assessed through self-reported questionnaires gauging feelings of isolation and willingness to confide. AF diagnoses were ascertained using hospitalization records and cause-of-death registry data. The association between loneliness and AF risk was analyzed through multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Results Over a median follow-up period of 13.9 years, 25,386 AF cases were identified. In comparison to individuals without reported loneliness, those in the loneliness group exhibited a significantly higher risk of AF (loneliness vs. non-loneliness: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.16). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between loneliness and increased AF risk was significant solely in individuals without heart valve disease (HR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.07–1.16). Additionally, significant associations between loneliness and heightened AF risk were noted across strata of genetic susceptibility to AF, with no observable impact on these associations by genetic susceptibility (P for interaction = 0.070). Conclusions This study establishes a robust association between loneliness and an elevated long-term risk of AF. Notably, this association is particularly pronounced in individuals without valvular disease and does not appear to be influenced by genetic predisposition to AF.

Abstract Revealing the heterogeneity among tissues is the greatest advantage of single-cell-sequencing. Marker genes not only act as the key to correctly identify cell types, but also the bio-markers for cell-status under certain experimental imputations. Current analysis methods such as Seurat and Monocle employ algorithms which compares one cluster to all the rest and select markers according to statistical tests. This pattern brings redundant calculations and thus, results in low calculation efficiency, specificity and accuracy. To address these issues, we introduce starTracer, a novel algorithm designed to enhance the efficiency, specificity and accuracy of marker gene identification in single-cell RNA-seq data analysis. starTracer operates as an independent pipeline, which exhibits great flexibility by accepting multiple input file types. The primary output is a marker matrix, where genes are sorted by the potential to function as markers, with those exhibiting the greatest potential positioned at the top. The speed improvement ranges by 2 ~ 3 orders of magnitude compared to Seurat, as observed across three independent datasets with lower false positive rate as observed in a simulated testing dataset with ground-truth. It’s worth noting that starTracer exhibits increasing speed improvement with larger data volumes. It also excels in identifying markers in smaller clusters. These advantages solidify starTracer as an important tool for single-cell RNA-seq data, merging robust accuracy with exceptional speed.

Background: The systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), calculated by (platelet count × neutrophil count)/lymphocyte count, is a novel biomarker with predive and prognostic value in numerous diseases. However, the relationship between SII and congestive heart failure (CHF) is not clear. This study aims to document the association of SII with the prevalence of CHF in the whole population and the long-term prognosis in CHF patients. Methods: This study included 57,500 participants in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys, who were categorized into 3 categories based on their SII levels. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between SII and CHF prevalence in the whole population, followed by a prospective longitudinal study with a 5.4-year follow-up period for CHF patients to assess the predictive significance of SII for CHF. The main focus of the longitudinal study was on all-cause death as the primary outcome, with cardiovascular (CV) death as the secondary outcome. Associations were estimated using multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. The dose-response relationship was assessed with the restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. Results: In the cross-sectional analysis, there were 1927 (3.35%) participants diagnosed with CHF. The high SII group showed a significantly higher prevalence of CHF than the low SII group (odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 1.45). In the longitudinal analysis, 882 all-cause deaths including 379 CV deaths were collected among CHF patients, and high SII was associated with a significant increase in the risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio (HR) 1.44; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.81) and CV death (HR 1.31; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.58). RCS confirmed the positive correlation of SII with the prevalence of CHF in the whole population, as well as the mortality risk in CHF patients. Conclusions: This study is the first to reveal that high SII was related to a high prevalence of CHF and a poor prognosis in CHF patients. These findings underscore the potential role of SII in the prevention and management of CHF.

The error correction performance of Belief Propagation (BP) decoding for polar codes is satisfactory compared with the Successive Cancellation (SC) decoding. Nevertheless, it has to complete a fixed number of iterations, which results in high computational complexity. This necessitates an intelligent identification of successful BP decoding for early termination of the decoding process to avoid unnecessary iterations and minimize the computational complexity of BP decoding. This paper proposes a hybrid technique that combines the “parity-check” with the “G-matrix” to reduce the computational complexity of BP decoder for polar codes. The proposed hybrid technique takes advantage of the parity-check to intelligently identify the valid codeword at an early stage and terminate the BP decoding process, which minimizes the overhead of the G-matrix and reduces the computational complexity of BP decoding. We explore a detailed mechanism incorporating the parity bits as outer code and prove that the proposed hybrid technique minimizes the computational complexity while preserving the BP error correction performance. Moreover, mathematical formulation for the proposed hybrid technique that minimizes the computation cost of the G-matrix is elaborated. The performance of the proposed hybrid technique is validated by comparing it with the state-of-the-art early stopping criteria for BP decoding. Simulation results show that the proposed hybrid technique reduces the iterations by about 90% of BP decoding in a high Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) (i.e., 3.5 ∼ 4 ​dB), and approaches the error correction performance of G-matrix and conventional BP decoder for polar codes.

Abstract Background Exposure to food and non-alcoholic beverage advertisements (F&B ads) on television, which can affect children’s nutrition knowledge, food consumption, diet quality, and purchasing preferences, is one aspect of the obesogenic environment. This aspect has been well-studied and assessed in many countries. In China, however, only few studies have been done in earlier years and all of them were focus on regular days. This study aimed to assess the extent and nature of F&B ads on television (TV) during the public holiday directed towards children aged 4–14 years in Beijing. Method Top 3 channels viewed by children aged 4–14 years in Beijing were selected by TV viewership data, survey, and expert consultation. Each channel was recorded for 7 days (24 h) during the public holiday of the Chinese New Year in 2019. F&B ads were coded and analyzed following the adapted food promotion module of INFORMAS protocol. Three nutrient profile models were used to classify F&B ads as healthy or unhealthy F&B ads. Results Of the 10,082 ads in 504-hour recorded programs, 42.9% were F&B ads. The hourly average ads and F&B ads per channel were 19.8 (SD 15.32) and 8.6 (SD 9.84), while that was higher on the national children’s channel (17.15, SD 12.25) than other channels (p < 0.05). Of F&B ads classified with the three nutrient profile models, more than 55% were unhealthy for children. The categories most frequently advertised were savory snacks, milk drinks, nonpermitted milk drinks, cakes/sweet biscuits, and beverages. Unhealthy F&B ads were more likely to use promotional characters, brand benefit claims, and health claims than permitted F&B ads (p < 0.05). Conclusions Children in Beijing were exposed to a high proportion of unhealthy F&B ads during the Chinese New Year holiday. Our findings support the need to assess and regulate TV F&B ads marketing for children.

Abstract Background A brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting the arteries and veins in the brain and is associated with a higher risk for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). RNA sequencing technology has been recently used to investigate the mechanism of diseases owing to its ability to identify the gene changes on a transcriptome-wide level. This study aims to gain insights into the potential mechanism involved in BAVM rupture. Methods Sixty-five BAVM nidus samples were collected, among which 28 were ruptured and 37 were un-ruptured. Then, next-generation RNA sequencing was performed on all of them to obtain differential expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups. In addition, bioinformatics analysis was performed to evaluate the involved biological processes and pathways by GO and KEGG analysis. Finally, we performed a univariate Cox regression analysis to obtain the early rupture-prone DEGs. Results A total of 951 genes were differentially expressed between the ruptured and un-ruptured BAVM groups, of which 740 genes were upregulated and 211 genes were downregulated in ruptured BAVMs. Then, bioinformatics analysis showed the biological processes and pathways related to the inflammatory processes and extracellular matrix organization were significantly enriched. Meanwhile, some downregulated genes are involved in cell adhesion and genes participating in response to muscle activity and the terms of nervous system development. Finally, one hundred twenty-five genes, many were involved in inflammation, were correlated with the early rupture of BAVMs. Conclusions The upregulated genes in the ruptured BAVM group were involved in inflammatory processes and extracellular matrix organization. Some of the downregulated genes participated in cell adhesion and myofibril assembly, indicating the role of enhanced inflammation and reduced inflammation vessel strength in BAVMs rupture.

In this work, the assembly behavior and structure of a compound collector with different carboxyl group positions at the low-rank coal (LRC)–water interface were investigated through coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation (CGMD) combined with sum-frequency vibration spectroscopy (SFG). The choice of compound collector was dodecane +decanoic acid (D-DA) and dodecane +2-butyl octanoic acid (D-BA). CGMD results showed that the carboxyl group at the carbon chain’s middle can better control the assembly process between carboxylic acid and D molecules. SFG research found that the carboxyl group at the carbon chain’s termination had a greater impact on the displacement of the methyl/methylene symmetric stretching vibration peak, while the carboxyl group at the carbon chain’s middle had a greater impact on the displacement of the methyl/methylene asymmetric stretching vibration peak. The spatial angle calculation results revealed that the methyl group’s orientation angle in the D-BA molecule was smaller and the carboxyl group’s orientation angle in the BA molecule was bigger, indicating that D-BA spread more flatly on the LRC surface than D-DA. This meant that the assembled structure had a larger effective adsorption area on the LRC surface. The flotation studies also verified that the assembly behavior and structure of D-BA with the carboxyl group at the carbon chain’s middle at the LRC–water interface were more conducive to the improvement of flotation efficiency. The study of interface assembly behavior and structure by CGMD combined with SFG is crucial for the creation of effective compound collectors.

IntroductionRegardless of the degree of stenosis, vulnerable plaque is an important cause of ischemic stroke and thrombotic complications. The changes of the immune microenvironment within plaques seem to be an important factor affecting the characteristics of the plaque. However, the differences of immune microenvironment between stable and vulnerable plaques were remained unknown.MethodsIn this study, RNA-sequencing was performed on superficial temporal arteries from 5 traumatic patients and plaques from 3 atherosclerotic patients to preliminary identify the key immune response processes in plaques. Mass cytometry (CyTOF) technology was used to explore differences in immune composition between 9 vulnerable plaques and 12 stable plaques. Finally, immunofluorescence technique was used to validate our findings in the previous analysis.ResultsOur results showed that more CD86+CD68+ M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages were found in vulnerable plaques, while CD4+T memory cells were mainly found in stable plaques. In addition, a CD11c+ subset of CD4+T cells with higher IFN-r secretion was found within the vulnerable plaque. In two subsets of B cells, CD19+CD20-B cells in vulnerable plaques secreted more TNF-a and IL-6, while CD19-CD20+B cells expressed more PD-1 molecules.ConclusionIn conclusion, our study suggested that M1-like macrophages are the major cell subset affecting plaque stability, while functional B cells may also contribute to plaque stability.

Traditional percutaneous coronary intervention (T-PCI) has long been an effective method for treating coronary heart disease (CHD), but the radiation hazards and orthopedic injuries among T-PCI operators are concerning. These problems have been mitigated with the emergence of robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI), which is expected to increase intervention accuracy and safety. In this review, we first summarize the current status of PCI development, including robot systems, and PCI application and evaluation. Second, we compare T-PCI and R-PCI to identify the benefits for patients and physicians. In addition, we describe a new R-PCI system, R-PCI WSER-CD01, which incorporates multi-instrument collaborative delivery and provides full-process assistance in minimally invasive vascular intervention. This system introduces three key innovations that address safety concerns, and improve the accuracy, wire compatibility, and remote operation capabilities of existing of vascular intervention robot systems. Finally, we discuss prospects for the development of R-PCI. As an emerging technology, R-PCI aligns well with the trends of precision medicine and telemedicine, and therefore warrants continued innovation.

Medical titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) has been widely used in the medical field, especially in human tissue repair. However, TC4 has some shortcomings, which may cause problems with biocompatibility and mechanical compatibility in direct contact with the human body. To solve this problem, physical gels are formed on the surface of TC4, and the storage modulus of the formed physical gel matches that of the human soft tissue. 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BIBB) and dopamine (DA) were used to form initiators on the surface of hydroxylated medical titanium alloy. Different initiators were formed by changing the ratio of BIBB and DA, and the optimal one was selected for subsequent reactions. Under the action of the catalyst, L-lactide and D-lactide were ring-opened polymerized with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), respectively, to form macromolecular monomers HEMA-PLLA29 and HEMA-PDLA29 with a polymerization degree of 29. The two macromolecular monomers were stereo-complexed by ultrasound to form HEMA-stereocomplex polylactic acid (HEMA-scPLA29). Based on two monomers, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO2MA) and oligo (ethylene oxide) methacrylate (OEGMA), and the physical crosslinking agent HEMA-scPLA29, physical gels are formed on the surface of TC4 attached to the initiator via Atom Transfer Radical Addition Reaction (ATRP) technology. The hydrogels on the surface of titanium alloy were characterized and analyzed by a series of instruments. The results showed that the storage modulus of physical glue was within the range of the energy storage modulus of human soft tissue, which was conducive to improving the mechanical compatibility of titanium alloy and human soft tissue.

Abstract Background Few studies investigated the associations between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity among Chinese preschool children. Thus, the study aims to explore dietary patterns and their associations with overweight/obesity among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. Methods With a stratified proportionate cluster sampling, the study included 3373 pairs of preschool children and their guardians. Children’s weight and height were measured by school nurses, and their food and beverage consumption frequencies were reported by guardians via a food frequency questionnaire. Children’s age, gender, physical activity time, and sedentary time, as well as their parents’ highest level of educational attainment, occupation, weight, and height were also collected. Dietary patterns were identified through exploratory factor analysis. Among these identified dietary patterns, the one with the largest factor score was defined as the predominant dietary pattern for each child. The associations between predominant dietary patterns and overweight/obesity were tested by two-level random-intercept logistic models with cluster-robust standard errors. Results Four dietary patterns, i.e., a “Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) and snack” pattern, a “Chinese traditional” pattern, a “Health conscious” pattern, and a “Snack” pattern, were identified. Among the children, 21.02% (95% CI: 19.68 to 22.43%) were predominated by the “SSB and snack” pattern, 27.78% (95% CI: 26.29 to 29.32%) by the “Chinese traditional” pattern, 24.90% (95% CI: 23.47 to 26.39%) by the “Health conscious” pattern, and 26.30% (95% CI: 24.84 to 27.81%) by the “Snack” pattern. After controlling for potential confounders, the “SSB and snack” pattern characterized by fresh fruit/vegetable juice, flavored milk drinks, carbonated drinks, flavored fruit/vegetable drinks, tea drinks, plant-protein drinks, puffed foods, fried foods, and Western fast foods was associated with a higher risk of overweight/obesity (OR: 1.61, 95% CI:1.09 to 2.38), compared with the “Chinese traditional” pattern. Conclusions The preference for dietary patterns with high energy density but low nutritional value was prevalent among preschool children in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. Comprehensive measures to simultaneously reduce consumption of SSBs and unhealthy snacks among preschool children should be taken urgently to address the childhood obesity problem in China, particularly in metropolises.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst public health undergraduates in relation to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst all final-year public health undergraduates from 18 universities across China. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on AMR-related knowledge, attitudes and practices, whilst multivariable linear and logistic regressions were employed to detect associations among these three aspects. Results: A total of 1115 participants were included in this study. The mean ± standard deviation AMR knowledge score was 7.68 ± 2.56. Moreover, 75.2% of students had performed incorrect antimicrobial practice. Studying in a key university [slope = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–2.27], being male (slope = 0.36, 95% CI 0.02–0.70), having clinical experience (slope = 1.71, 95% CI 1.13–2.30) and having an affirmative attitude towards AMR were positively associated with knowledge score. Knowledge score was also positively associated with AMR practice (odds ratio = 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.13). Conclusions: A knowledge gap in relation to AMR was determined among Chinese public health students. This gap is associated with attitudes towards AMR and in turn influences antimicrobial use. It is clear that additional measures are needed in the curriculum, including additional AMR-specific clinical practices.

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3 as the reductant has been proven an efficient and cost-effective technology to remove NOx pollutants in industries. Traditional SCR catalysts usually operate above 300 °C and suffer from intoxication and limited lifetime. Nano-catalysts are attractive for their high catalytic activities at reduced operating temperatures. We have recently developed a series of nitrogen-doped graphene-supported Mn-Ce oxides (MnCeOx/NG). The influences of reaction temperature, space velocity, mole ratio of NH3/NO and O2 concentration on SCR de-nitration activity were assessed. The novel catalyst with optimal Mn/Ce ratio, at appropriate processing conditions, can achieve a NO conversion efficiency of 99.5% at a temperature of 180 °C, and 93.5% at 150 °C. The kinetics of the SCR reaction on this novel catalyst were also established, exhibiting first-order with respect to NO, zero-order to NH3, and nearly 0.5-order to O2 at low temperatures. In the presence of sufficient O2 content, the apparent activation energy of the NH3-SCR on MnCeOx/NG is 37.6 kJ/mol, which is promising for low-temperature applications.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common underlying pathology of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and stroke. The characteristics of immune cells within plaques and their functional relationships with blood are crucial in AS. In this study, Mass cytometry (CyTOF), RNA-sequencing and immunofluorescence were combined to comprehensively analyze plaque tissues and peripheral blood from 25 AS patients (22 for Mass cytometry and 3 for RNA-sequencing), as well as blood from 20 healthy individuals. The study identified a complexity of leukocytes in the plaque, including both defined anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory subsets such as M2-like CD163+ macrophages, Natural killer T cells (NKT), CD11b+ CD4+ T effector memory cells (Tem), and CD8+ terminally differentiated effector memory cells (TEMRA). Functionally activated cell subsets were also found in peripheral blood in AS patients, highlighting the vivid interactions between leukocytes in plaque and blood. The study provides an atlas of the immune landscape in atherosclerotic patients, where proinflammatory activation was found to be a major feature of peripheral blood. The study identified NKT, CD11b+ CD4+ Tem, CD8+ TEMRA and CD163+ macrophages as key players in the local immune environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]