Longitudinal Standards for Height and Height Velocity in Korean Children and Adolescents: the Kangwha Cohort Study

Longitudinal standards for height and height velocity are essential to monitor for appropriate linear growth. We aimed to construct standards in Korean children and adolescents through the population-based longitudinal Kangwha study. Our study was a part of a community-based prospective cohort study from 1986 to 1999 with 800 school children. Height and height velocity were recorded annually from age 6 until final height. Results were compared with cross-sectional data from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Final height was 173.5 cm in boys and 160.5 cm in girls. Although final height was similar between longitudinal and cross-sectional standards, the mean height for age was higher in the longitudinal standard by 1-4 cm from age 6 until the completion of puberty. Using the longitudinal standard, age at peak height velocity (PHV) was 12 in boys and 10 in girls; height velocity at PHV was 8.62 cm/yr in boys and 7.07 cm/yr in girls. The mean height velocity was less than 1 cm/yr at age 17 in boys and 15 in girls. Thus, we have presented the first report of longitudinal standards for height and height velocity in Korean children and adolescents by analyzing longitudinal data from the Kangwha cohort.     

D‐A Conjugated Polymers Based on Tetracyclic Acceptor Units: Synthesis and Application in Organic Solar Cells

Two electron‐deficient tetracyclic monomers, 6,9‐dibromo‐7,8‐bis(octyloxy)‐11H‐indeno[2,1‐b] quinoxalin‐11‐one ( M1 ) and 1,3‐bis(5′‐bromo‐4′‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐9H‐indeno[1,2‐b]thieno[3,4‐e]pyrazin‐9‐one ( M2 ), are synthesized through condensation of ninhydrin with aromatic diamines in good yields. Copolymerization of M1 with thiophene (Th) and dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole (DTS), and M2 with DTS affords three new D–A conjugated copolymers, P1 – P3, respectively . The optical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic properties of P1–P3 are investigated. P3 exhibits a broad absorption (300–1100 nm) and a low bandgap of 1.24 eV. Solar cells based on P3 /[6,6]‐phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM) blends afford a power conversion efficiency of 1.93% and a very broad spectral response (300–1020 nm).

     

Losartan affects the substrate for atrial fibrillation maintenance in a rabbit model

BackgroundAtrial fibrosis causes abnormal conduction through the atria, creating a substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). In a rabbit model, rapid atrial pacing produces significant atrial fibrosis and the substrate for AF maintenance. This atrial remodeling is a potential therapeutic target.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of the losartan on atrial fibrosis.MethodsThirty rabbit AF models were produced by rapid atrial stimulation. They were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, rapid atrial pacing group, and rapid atrial pacing with losartan group. We performed AF vulnerability studies, atrial histologic, and molecular analyses after 4 weeks.ResultsOnly rabbits in the rapid atrial pacing group developed sustained AF (30 min, 4of 10 rabbits). Treatment with losartan resulted in a significant reduction in left atrial fibrosis and AF duration (P<.01). real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated the drug's effects on the expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway.ConclusionsThe treatment of losartan results in significantly reduced atrial fibrosis and AF vulnerability. Pharmacological therapy targeted at the fibrotic substrate itself may play an important role in the management of AF.     

Ultrafine Co3O4 nanolayer-shelled CoWP nanowire array: a bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting

The development of bifunctional electrocatalysts based on highly efficient non-noble metals is pivotal for overall water splitting. Here, a composite electrode of Co₃O₄@CoWP is synthesized, where an ultrathin layer composed of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles is grown on CoWP nanowires supported on a carbon cloth (CC). The Co₃O₄@CoWP/CC electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity and improved kinetics towards both the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER). The Co₃O₄@CoWP/CC electrode achieves a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at a low overpotential of 269 mV for the OER and −10 mA cm⁻² at 118 mV for the HER in 1.0 M KOH solution. The voltage applied to a two-electrode water electrolyzer for overall water splitting, while employing the Co₃O₄@CoWP/CC electrode as both an anode and a cathode, in order to reach a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², is 1.61 V, which is better than that for the majority of reported non-noble electrocatalysts. Moreover, the Co₃O₄@CoWP/CC electrode exhibits good stability over 24 h with slight attenuation. The electrode benefits from the enhanced adsorption of oxygen intermediates on Co₃O₄ during the OER, the increased ability for water dissociation and the optimized H adsorption/desorption ability of CoWP nanowires during the HER. This study provides a feasible approach for cost-effective and high-performance non-noble metal bifunctional catalysts for overall water electrolysis.

A hierarchical 3D self-supporting CoWP nanowire array shelled with an ultrathin Co₃O₄ nanolayer on carbon cloth (Co₃O₄@CoWP/CC) exhibits superior overall water electrolysis capability.     

Identification of xanthine oxidase inhibitors through hierarchical virtual screening

As a critical enzyme for the uric acid production, xanthine oxidase (XO) has emerged as a primary drug target for antihyperuricemic therapy. A hierarchical virtual screening integrating both ligand-based and structure-based approaches was applied herein to identify potent XO inhibitors. Four compounds, which were previously reported as XO inhibitors, were recognized through the virtual screening protocol, and compound H3, which is distinct from the structures of known XO inhibitors, was identified as a new chemotype inhibitor with IC₅₀ of 2.6 μM. The binding mode of H3 was further investigated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results suggested the feasibility to discover new chemotypes of XO inhibitors via integrated virtual screening strategies.

A new chemotype of XO inhibitor with the IC₅₀ of 2.6 μM was identified by a hierarchical virtual screening strategy.     

婴幼儿分娩性臂丛神经损伤的磁共振成像技术最新进展

婴幼儿臂丛神经损伤多由分娩过程中牵拉性损伤所致,延误诊治、错过最佳治疗时机,会导致患儿遗留不同程度的肢体功能障碍.随着磁共振技术的不断发展,磁共振成像技术在成人臂丛神经中的应用已较为成熟,但儿童尤其是婴幼儿的臂丛神经磁共振成像技术应用刚刚开始起步,笔者通过文献学习及结合北京儿童医院、保定市儿童医院在婴幼儿臂丛神经损伤的磁共振成像的临床应用经验,对婴幼儿臂丛神经损伤的磁共振成像技术的最新进展予以综述.     

不同碳水化合物肠内营养液对应激性高血糖患者早期血糖水平与预后的影响

目的观察不同的碳水化合物肠内营养液［肠内营养乳剂（TPF-D）和肠内营养混悬液（TPF）］用于早期肠内营养对应激性高血糖患者血糖水平与预后的影响,探讨其作为应激性高血糖患者早期肠内营养制剂的临床可行性。 方法选入2020年6至10月徐州医科大学附属医院急诊ICU收治的合并应激性高血糖的患者为研究对象。根据入排标准,最终71例患者纳入研究,随机数字表法将其分为观察组（35例,鼻饲TPF-D）和对照组（36例,鼻饲TPF）。收集患者一般资料,包括性别、年龄、急性生理与慢性健康状况（APACHE Ⅱ）评分;记录患者第1、3、7天每4小时一次血糖数据,并计算平均血糖值（GLU_AVE）、平均血糖波动幅度（GLU_MAGE）;计算治疗后3、7 d胰岛素应用总量;监测患者第1、7天相关营养指标变化,如总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）、前白蛋白（PA）;记录胃肠道并发症（如反流、呕吐、腹泻、腹胀等）、ICU住院时间及28 d病死率。 结果（1）2组性别比例、年龄、APACHE Ⅱ评分比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。（2）2组第1、3、7天GLU_AVE及第1、3天GLU_MAGE比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;观察组第7天GLU_MAGE显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义［（0.72±0.08）mmol/L vs（1.56±0.10）mmol/L,t=6.22,P=0.02］。（3）观察组治疗3、7 d胰岛素应用总量显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义［（60.40±39.80）U vs（102.70±49.60）U,t=0.17,P=0.02;（110.50±43.30）U vs（202.80±56.40）U,t=2.52,P=0.01］。（4）2组第1、7天TP、PA、ALB比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。（5）2组胃肠道并发症、ICU住院时间、28 d病死率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论应激性高血糖患者早期营养中,TPF-D较TPF能更好地降低血糖变异性,控制血糖波动幅度,并减少临床中胰岛素用量,但不影响预后。