Abstract Introduction: Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and its dose is closely related to aging. Telomere length (TL) is a unique heritable trait, and emerging as a biomarker of aging, health and disease. Telomerase RNA component (TERC) plays an important role in maintaining TL. We proposed a hypothesis that propofol dose in general anesthesia can be predicted by measuring TL before operation, which greatly reduced the risk of anesthesia, especially the elderly. Methods: The association between the propofol dose in anesthesia induction and: TL in the DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes; body weight; sex; difference of the Bispectral Index (BIS) before and after anesthesia induction in patients was evaluated by multivariable linear regression analyses. The mutation at the 5’end or 3’end of TERC was detected. We recruited 100 patients of elective surgery. Results: We found that propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated significantly with TL (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p= 0.84, p = 0.004), sex (r = 0.83, p = 0.004), and difference of BIS before and after anesthesia induction (r = 0.85, p = 0.029). By comparing the absolute values of standardized regression coefficients (0.58, 0.21, 0.19, and 0.12) of the four variables, it can be seen that TL contributes the most to the propofol dose in anesthesia induction. However, the mutation at the 5’ end or 3’ end of TERC was not found. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that the propofol dose in anesthesia induction was clearly correlated with genetically determined TL. TL may be a promising predictor of the propofol dose, which is beneficial to improve the safety of anesthesia and reduce perioperative complications.

Designing highly efficient dialkylphosphinic acid extractant for zirconium/hafnium separation relies on systematic structure-property studies. In this paper, dialkylphosphinic acids with different substituents at β-C, γ-C and δ-C for zirconium and hafnium extraction and separation from H2SO4 media were investigated. The results show that substituents at β-C, γ-C and δ-C reduce the extraction ability of dialkylphosphinic acids for both zirconium and hafnium. The substituent effect at β-C is greater than that at γ-C and δ-C. The larger steric hindrance of the substituents (ethyl > methyl > H), the weaker extraction ability of the dialkylphosphinic acids. The zirconium and hafnium separation behavior is related to the extraction ability of dialkylphosphinic acids. Dialkylphosphinic acids with stronger extraction ability show better zirconium/hafnium separation performance at higher acidity of 2.0 mol L-1 H2SO4, while those with weaker extraction ability show better zirconium and hafnium separation performance at lower acidity of 0.25 mol L-1 H2SO4. The highest hafnium/zirconium separation factor (βHf/Zr) in the current study occurs with (2-ethylhexyl)(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (USTB-1), which reaches 19.2.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants and the clinical application value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 80 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or a birth weight of <1,500 g who were treated in our hospital from January to August 2021 were randomly divided into a bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=12) and a non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=62). The clinical data, lung ultrasound, and X-ray image characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 74 preterm infants, 12 preterm infants were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 62 preterm infants were determined not to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There were significant differences in sex, severe asphyxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, premature membrane ruptures, and intrauterine infection between the two groups (p<0.05). Lung ultrasound showed abnormal pleural lines and alveolar-interstitial syndrome in all 12 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vesicle inflatable signs in 3 patients. Before clinical diagnosis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 98.65, 100, 98.39, 92.31, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of X-rays in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 85.14, 75.00, 87.10, 52.94, and 94.74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of lung ultrasound for premature bronchopulmonary dysplasia is better than that of X-rays. The application of lung ultrasound can screen patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia early for timely intervention.

Abstract Exogenous additives applied for cigar tobacco leaves fermentation played an important role in sensory quality of cigar. In this study, effects of additives including coffee and cocoa on the quality of cigar tobacco leaves were explored. The changes of sensory quality, conventional chemical components, nonvolatile organic acids, and aroma compositions in tobacco leaves were studied. Results showed that the richness, mellowness and matureness of aroma, as well as the fluentness and sweetness of smoke in cigar were improved with the introduction of coffee or cocoa. According to chemical composition analysis, fermentation with coffee or cocoa increased the contents of alkaloids and sugar in tobacco leaves, which endowed the tobacco a relatively good performance on the sweetness and aroma richness. Besides, the decrease of citric acid, as well as the increase of saturated fatty acid and aroma components were found with additives, which was beneficial to improve the mellowness and aroma richness of cigar. It was suggested that coffee and cocoa exhibited positive effects on the chemical composition, especially increased the contents of sugar, saturated fatty acids and aromatic components, thus improving the sensory quality of tobacco leaves.

SUMMARY A 71-year-old woman with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was referred to our hospital. A computed tomography scan revealed extensive recurrence in the neck, invading sternocleidomastoid muscle, internal jugular vein, sternal end of the clavicle, strap muscle and skin; and lateral compartment and subclavian lymph nodes were also involved. Multiple pulmonary micrometastases also noticed. The tumor was considered unresectable; however, the patient was unwilling to accept highly invasive surgery. Therefore, we initiated neoadjuvant therapy with anlotinib, 12mg p.o. daily with a 2-week on/1-week off regimen. The tumor shrunk to resectable state after 4 cycles of treatment, and after 3 weeks of withdrawal, successful surgical resection without gross tumor residual was performed. Pathology confirmed as classic PTC harboring coexistent TERT promoter and BRAFV600E mutations by NGS. After anlotinib therapy, apoptosis induction was observed, and proliferation increased, which was due to three weeks of anlotinib withdraw. Structual recurrence was recorded at 6 months after operation due to no further treatment was taken. Our finding suggests that anlotinib could represent as a good treatment option for patients with locally advanced (with or without distant metastasis) PTC; Anlotinib treatment resulted in sufficient reduction of the tumor mass to enable total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine treatment, providing long-term control of the disease.

Abstract African swine fever (ASF) is an important viral disease of swine caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which threatens swine production profoundly. To better understand the gene expression changes when pig infected with ASFV, RNA sequencing was performed to characterize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of six tissues from Kenya domestic pigs and Landrace × Yorkshire (L/Y) pigs infected with ASFV Kenya1033 in vivo. As results, a total of 209, 522, 34, 505, 634 and 138 DEGs (q-value < 0.05 and |Log2foldchange| values >2) were detected in the kidney, liver, mesenteric lymph node, peripheral blood mononuclear cell, submandibular lymph node and spleen, respectively. The expression profiles of DEGs shared in the multiple tissues illustrated variation in regulation function in the different tissues. Functional annotation analysis and interaction of proteins encoded by DEGs revealed that genes including IFIT1, IFITM1, MX1, OASL, ISG15, SAMHD1, IFINA1, S100A12 and S100A8 enriched in the immune and antivirus pathways were significantly changed when the hosts were infected with ASFV. The genes mentioned could play crucial roles in the process of the reaction to non-lethal ASF infection, which may will help to improve the ASF tolerance in the pig population through molecular breeding strategies.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines among patients with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) in China. Methods Participants who were diagnosed with a chronic IMID were eligible for inclusion in this study. Age- and sex-matched healthy vaccinated individuals were set as the control group. All participants received two doses of the inactivated CoronaVac vaccine or three doses of the recombinant protein subunit vaccine ZF2001. Adverse events, IMID activity after vaccination, and the rate of COVID-19 in the two groups were compared. Results There were 158 patients in the IMID group, with an average age of 40 ± 14 years old, and 98 female subjects. In the IMID group, 123 patients received the inactivated CoronaVac vaccine, and 35 patients received the recombinant protein subunit vaccine ZF2001. There were 153 individuals in the control group, including 122 who received the CoronaVac vaccine and 31 who received the recombinant protein subunit vaccine ZF2001. The frequency of vaccine-related adverse events in the IMID group was less than that in the control group, all of which were mild local effects, and no serious events occurred. Of note, no disease flares occurred in the IMID group. No participants in either group subsequently got COVID-19, so the incidence rate was 0% in both groups. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccination was found to be safe for IMID subjects, any adverse events were mild, and vaccination did not increase the risk of disease activity. Meanwhile, vaccination could effectively reduce the incidence of COVID-19 in IMID patients. In the future, studies with a larger sample size and a longer duration are needed.

ABSTRACT Selection of a representative sampling area for accurate and reliable yield evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important for optimizing straw retention in soils and its removal as biofuel feedstock. A field experiment was conducted at four wheat fields in the North China in 2020. Wheat straw and grain yields varied from 359.2-682.8 and 338.5-640.4 g m-2, respectively, and plant height varied from 51.3-59.7 cm across all plots in the four sites. Variation in either relative deviation (RD) or standard error (SE) of straw and grain yield and plant height estimates decreased with the increase in random sampling square (RSS) (one square = approximately 1 m²) and random sampling plant (RSP) numbers, respectively. Minimum RSS numbers of 3-10 and 1-10 m2 were needed to satisfy RD less than 5% in two-third of the plots for straw and grain yield estimates, respectively. This suggests that 10 m2 could be recommended as the minimum RSS number per plot. However, the incidence frequency of RD was 63.75% and 60.00% within the RD interval of 0%-5% for straw and grain yield estimates, respectively, from the RSS number of 10 m2, indicating that yields from RSSs in field trials are prone to large variations. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to design a large plot as possible and to harvest the whole plot for estimating yields. The threshold RSP number ranged from 14-18 to satisfy RD less than 1.5% and a minimum RSP of 20 plants (including mains and tillers) per plot could be recommended for wheat field experiments.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the correlation between different body components and bone mineral density in healthy adults. METHODS: A total of 306 non-manual subjects, 161 males and 145 females, were selected from the physical examination center of our hospital from June to September 2019. They were divided into control group, overweight group, and obese group according to body mass index. The muscle mass and fat mass, body fat content, trunk fat mass, upper limb and thigh fat mass, bone density of femoral neck and lumbar vertebra, and bone mineral salt content of the whole body were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, femoral neck bone mineral density, bone mineral salt content, fat mass, muscle mass, upper limb fat mass, thigh fat mass, and trunk fat mass in the overweight group and obese group were all higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The fat mass, muscle mass, upper limb fat mass, and trunk fat mass were positively correlated with the femoral neck bone mineral density, total lumbar vertebra bone mineral density, and bone mineral salt content (P<0.05). In addition, thigh fat mass was positively correlated with femoral neck bone mineral density and total lumbar spine bone mineral density, whereas body fat content was negatively correlated with bone mineral salt content. CONCLUSION: Body composition was related to bone mineral density and bone mineral salt content, and the correlation between different body composition indexes, and bone mineral density, and bone mineral salt content was different.

Abstract Tongluo-Qutong rubber plaster (TQRP), a typical Chinese patent medicine that contains 13 different herbal remedies, is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of cervical spondylosis and osteoarthritis. However, due to a lack of in vitro transdermal studies, the active ingredients of TQRP have not been fully elucidated. This presents a huge obstacle for quality evaluation, pharmacokinetic studies and clinical safety assessment of TQRP. In this work, a UPLC/UV/MS/MS method was established and validated to evaluate five analytes in TQRP. The validation demonstrated linearity (r > 0.99), specificity (no co-eluting peaks at the retention times of the analytes), and precision (RSD < 15%) within acceptable parameters. A skin permeation study was performed to determine the concentrations of drugs delivered to the dermis. The 24-hour cumulative permeation of ferulic acid, aleo-emodin, emodin and piperine were 303.68, 709.31, 671.06 and 25561.01 ng/cm2, respectively. According to the fitting data of the TQRP active components, skin permeation was mainly due to a combination of passive diffusion and drug release after matrix erosion.

Abstract Shewanella and Pseudomonas are considered to be the main spoilage bacteria for chilled fish. This work focused on the spoilage and adhesion ability of two spoilage bacteria (Shewanella spp. S-1 and Pseudomonas spp. P-1), and the adhesion inhibitory effects of Bacillus subtilis against the spoilage bacteria in large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). We aimed to develop a feasible solution to prolong the shelf life of large yellow croaker. The spoilage and adhesion characteristics of Shewanella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. strains were compared. It was found that Shewanella spp. induced more significant spoilage of large yellow croaker than Pseudomonas spp. at low temperature in vitro. In addition, Shewanella spp. demonstrated stronger adhesion to the intestinal mucus than Pseudomonas spp. in vitro. The results of a one-week feeding experiment showed that Shewanella was more likely to adhere to large yellow croaker intestines than Pseudomonas. The supplementation of B. subtilis strain BS08 effectively inhibited the proliferation of Shewanella and slowed the spoilage process of large yellow croaker.

Abstract In this paper, the ultra-high drop hammer impact test system is adopted for the vertical impact experiment on six SFSRCBs with steel fiber volume fraction of 2.0% and build the relevant numerical model. The research variables mainly include impact energy, impact mass and cumulative impact mode. The results show that, under a single equal energy impact, with the increase of the impact speed, the crack distribution of the specimen gradually tends to the mid-span local position. Compared with the impact mass, the impact speed has a greater effect on the failure mode, deformation resistance and deformation recovery ability of SFSRCBs. When the total cumulative impact energy is the same as the single impact energy, then the overall damage of the specimen caused by high-mass low-velocity cumulative impact is less significant than that caused by low-mass high-velocity cumulative impact. Combined with the finite element analysis, the calculation formula of the maximum deflection of SFSRCB under impact load is obtained. Finally, the calculation method of the impact damage evaluation factor of SFSRCBs is proposed.

Abstract The cigar market is growing rapidly in China. However, insufficient aroma value and quality, as well as confused subject fragrance were found in cigar tobacco leaves (CTLs), which has greatly restricted the development of Chinese cigar. In this study, several new and effective additives, including coffee, cocoa, ginger, cumin, and rhodiola rosea, were screened out for facilitating the fermentation process. Significant improvements on the aroma and sensory quality of CTLs were detected. The above-mentioned additives can increase the contents of total sugar, alcohols, alkenes, ketonic and acid aroma components in tobacco leaves. Besides, the content of representative aroma component, such as neophytadiene, increased by 1~2 times. Moreover, abundant new aroma components were introduced into CTLs. As a result, the performances on aroma richness, aroma and smoke characteristics, as well as aftertaste and combustion of CTLs were enhanced. The findings provide a promising strategy for enhancing sensory quality of domestic CTLs and the flourishment of Chinese cigar.

Resumo Fundamento A doença Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19), causada pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave Coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), espalhou-se pelo mundo. Objetivo Investigar a associação entre a hipertensão e a gravidade/mortalidade de pacientes hospitalizados com COVID-19 em Wuhan, China. Métodos Um total de 337 pacientes diagnosticados com COVID-19 no Sétimo Hospital da cidade de Wuhan, de 20 de janeiro a 25 de fevereiro de 2020, foram inseridos e analisados em um estudo de caso unicêntrico e retrospectivo. O nível de significância adotado para a análise estatística foi 0,05. Resultados Dos 337 pacientes com diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) tiveram alta do hospital e 40 pacientes (22,9%) morreram. A idade média foi de 58 anos (variando de 18 a 91 anos). Havia 112 (33,2%) pacientes diagnosticados com hipertensão no momento da internação (idade média, 65,0 anos [variação, 38-91 anos]; sendo 67 homens [59,8%, IC95%: 50,6%-69,0%], p=0,0209). Pacientes com hipertensão apresentaram uma porção significativamente maior de casos graves (69 [61,6%, IC95%: 52,5%-70,8%] vs. 117 [52,0%, IC95%: 45,4%-58,6%] em pacientes graves e 23 [19,3%, IC95%: 12,9%-28,1%] vs. 27 [12,0%, IC95%: 7,7%-16,3%] em pacientes críticos, p=0,0014) e maiores taxas de mortalidade (20 [17,9%, IC95%: 10,7%-25,1%] vs. 20 [8,9%, IC95%: 5,1%-12,6%, p=0,0202). Além disso, pacientes hipertensos apresentaram níveis anormais de vários indicadores, como linfopenia e inflamação, e nas funções cardíacas, hepáticas, renais e pulmonares no momento da internação. O grupo de pacientes com hipertensão também demonstrou níveis maiores de TNT e creatinina próximo da alta. Conclusão A hipertensão está altamente associada à gravidade ou mortalidade da COVID-19. Um tratamento agressivo deve ser considerado para pacientes hipertensos com COVID-19, principalmente com relação a lesões cardíacas e dos rins.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. Objective To investigate the association between hypertension and severity/mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Methods A total of 337 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, from January 20 to February 25, 2020, were enrolled and analyzed in a retrospective, single-center case study. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 0.05. Results Of the 337 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, 297 (87.8%) were discharged from the hospital and 40 patients (22.9%) died. The median age was 58 years (range, 18-91 years). There were 112 (33.2%) patients diagnosed with hypertension at admission (median age, 65.0 years [range, 38-91 years]; 67 [59.8%, 95%CI: 50.6%-69.0%] men, p=0.0209). Patients with hypertension presented a significantly higher portion of severe cases (69 [61.6%, 95%CI:52.5%-70.8%] vs. 117 [52.0%, 95%CI: 45.4%-58.6%] in severe patients and 23 [19.3%, 95%CI:12.9%-28.1%] vs. 27 [12.0%, 95%CI: 7.7%-16.3%] in critical patients, p=0.0014) and higher mortality rates (20 [17.9%, 95%CI: 10.7%-25.1%] vs. 20 [8.9%, 95%CI: 5.1%-12.6%, p=0.0202). Moreover, hypertensive patients presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators, such as lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function at admission. The hypertension group still displayed higher levels of TnT and creatinine at approaching discharge. Conclusion Hypertension is strongly associated with severity or mortality of COVID-19. Aggressive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with hypertension, especially regarding cardiac and kidney injury.

ABSTRACT Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. The aim this study was to investigate the association of diabetes with severity and mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Subjects and methods: This retrospective, single-center case study enrolled a total of 564 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, between January 20 and March 15, 2020. Results: Among the 564 patients with confirmed COVID-19, 509 (85.1%) were discharged and 55 (9.8%) died. The median age was 59 years (range, 10-93 years). A total of 85 (15.1%) patients were diagnosed with diabetes on admission (median age, 65.0 [range, 34-91] years). Patients with diabetes had significantly higher proportions of critical cases (24 [28.2%] vs. 66 [13.8%]) and in-hospital mortality (17 [20%] vs. 38 [7.9%]). Moreover, patients with diabetes presented abnormal levels of multiple indicators concerning lymphopenia, inflammation, heart, liver, kidney, and lung function on admission, while diabetic patient group still display higher troponin T (TnT) levels when approaching discharge. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated a trend toward poorer survival in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients, also evidenced by abnormal laboratory biomarker changes regarding multiple system impairments among COVID-19 patients with diabetes with in-hospital death. Conclusion: The detailed clinical investigation of 564 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 indicated a considerable association between diabetes and COVID-19 severity or mortality. Thus, more intensive treatment may be considered for COVID-19 patients with diabetes, especially regarding to cardiac injury.