An Advanced Protocol for the Quantification of Marine Sediment Viruses via Flow Cytometry

Viruses are highly abundant, diverse, and active components of marine environments. Flow cytometry has helped to increase the understanding of their impact on shaping microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles in the pelagic zone. However, to date, flow cytometric quantification of sediment viruses is still hindered by interference from the sediment matrix. Here, we developed a protocol for the enumeration of marine sediment viruses by flow cytometry based on separation of viruses from sediment particles using a Nycodenz density gradient. Results indicated that there was sufficient removal of background interference to allow for flow cytometric quantification. Applying this new protocol to deep-sea and tidal-flat samples, viral abundances enumerated by flow cytometry correlated well (R² = 0.899) with counts assessed by epifluorescence microscopy over several orders of magnitude from marine sediments of various compositions. Further optimization may be needed for sediments with low biomass or high organic content. Overall, the new protocol enables fast and accurate quantification of marine sediment viruses, and opens up the options for virus sorting, targeted viromics, and single-virus sequencing.     

Metabolic syndrome coexists with adult Léri–Weill dyschondrosteosis: A case report

Léri–Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) is usually caused by haploinsufficiency of the short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX). The clinical manifestation of this disease is a classic triad, which are short stature, mesomelia and Madelung deformity. LWD also includes other features, such as high body mass index. Short stature and high body mass index are risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease; however, LWD combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome have not been described in the literature. In this article, we report a case of LWD caused by an M1T mutation of the start codon of the SHOX gene. The patient also had type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. It is suggested that patients with LWD should be identified promptly, and the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular disease should be taken into consideration in patients with LWD.     

Risk factors for postoperative sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in patients undergoing general thoracic surgery: a single center experience

BackgroundThe current study aimed to investigate the incidence of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) in patients who received general thoracic surgery, along with the risk factors and management strategies for this complication.MethodsThe clinical records of 163 patients with postoperative sepsis were retrospectively reviewed. After propensity score matching, 144 patients were divided into 2 groups by stroke volume: the SICM group (n=72) and the non-SICM group (n=72).ResultsThe overall incidence of postoperative SICM was 53.99%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that stroke volume and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of mortality in patients with postoperative sepsis. Statistical analysis by t-test and χ² test indicated that mortality (P=0.000), B-type natriuretic peptide (P=0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.000), the mitral peak velocity of early filling/early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’) (P=0.049), C-reactive protein (P=0.016), procalcitonin (P=0.013), serum creatinine (P=0.016), platelets (P=0.028), and lactic acid (P=0.002) were significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative SICM. Among these parameters, B-type natriuretic peptide was identified as the best biomarker for predicting SICM by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ConclusionsIt is vital to improve the diagnosis and standard management of SICM. A combined strategy comprising early detection of suspected infection, adequate use of antibiotics, close monitoring, effective drainage, and supportive care may improve the outcomes of patients with postoperative SICM.     

Investigation on cure kinetics of epoxy resin containing carbon nanotubes modified with hyper-branched polyester

The cure kinetics of epoxy resin cured by diethyltoluene diamine (D-EP), D-EP/multi-walled carbon nanotube (D-EP/CNT) composites and D-EP/hyper branched polyester functionalized CNTs (D-EP/CNTs-H20) were investigated by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results revealed that the presence of CNTs shifted the cure temperature to a lower temperature and accelerated the curing of D-EP, and the addition of CNTs-H20 exhibited a stronger effect in accelerating the cure of D-EP. Activation energies were calculated based on the Kissinger approach and Ozawa approach respectively. Lowered activation energy was observed after the addition of CNTs or CNTs-H20 at low degrees of cure, indicating that the CNTs had a large effect on the curing reaction. The presence of CNTs facilitated the curing reaction, especially the initial epoxyamine reaction. Moreover, CNTs-H20 exhibited better performance. The autocatalytic model was used to describe the cure kinetics phenomena of the studied systems. When CNTs or CNTs-H20 were added, the Sesták–Berggren model still can describe the cure kinetics of the D-EP composites because the results, calculated by the model, agreed with the experimental data well. Moreover, the kinetics parameters as well as the equation describing the cure process were proposed.

The cure kinetics of epoxy resin cured by D-EP, D-EP/CNT composites and D-EP/CNTs-H20 were investigated by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Effects of temperature on the fracture and fatigue damage of temperature sensitive hydrogels

As an excellent model material for fundamental studies on temperature-sensitive hydrogels, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPA) hydrogel has been applied in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and soft robotics. However, the lack of study on fracture and fatigue hinders further development of hydrogels for applications where cyclic loading–unloading is unavoidable. In this study, the fracture and fatigue damage of the NIPA hydrogel were studied for the first time by pure shear tests at different temperatures. Fracture behaviors were investigated under monotonic load from 31 °C to 39 °C. It is found that the fracture energy increases with the increase in temperature. The fracture energy is approximately 20 J m⁻² near the volume phase transition temperature. Temperature also significantly influences the fatigue life. By fitting the experimental data, the fatigue limit λ_f is determined. The results obtained from the experimental tests would be important for the engineering applications of the NIPA hydrogels.

The fracture energy increases rapidly, when the temperature is higher than the VPTT, mainly because of the hydrophobic interactions becomes dominant.     

不同质控方法在病案质量控制中的应用效果

目的 比较不同病案质量控制方法对病案质量的影响,为病案书写质控方法的选择提供科学依据.方法 采用随机抽样的方法,抽取某院2013年～2014年的病历300份,分别纳入环节质控组、终末质控组、联合质控组,比较各种病案质量控制方法的效果.结果 联合质控组的甲级病案率为99％,环节质控组为93％、终末质控组为90％,联合质控组的甲级病案率高于其余两组(P＜0.05).结论 联合质量控制可以更好地保障病案的质量.     

Older Chinese migrants in coronavirus pandemic: exploring risk and protective factors to increased loneliness

Older migrants may be one of the most vulnerable populations during the coronavirus pandemic, yet the degree of impact remains largely unknown. This study explores (1) the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic for older Chinese migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands in terms of increased loneliness and its risk factors (reduced in-person contact, decreased social participation, feelings of existential threat) and protective factors (increased non-in-person contact, more individual activities), and (2) which risk and protective factors have contributed to the incidence and prevention of higher loneliness levels. Using quantitative data of a survey among 98 Chinese migrants aged 50 years and older in Belgium (n = 84) and the Netherlands (n = 14), the findings first indicate that the coronavirus pandemic has a significant impact on older Chinese migrants’ lives. One in five experienced more loneliness. Second, reduced social participation (measured as less frequent participation in outdoor group activities) and financial insecurity (measured as experiencing financial difficulties) lead to higher than pre-pandemic loneliness levels. Problem-focused coping strategies (measured as increased non-in-person contact, via telephone or social media) and emotion-focused coping (measured as finding distraction through increased participation in individual activities) were not found to protect against increased loneliness in the pandemic. Two practical implications for loneliness interventions for older Chinese migrants are put forward. Organizing COVID-19-safe social participation activities and paying more attention to older Chinese migrants’ financial situation can be beneficial when addressing higher levels of loneliness due to the coronavirus pandemic.