Glucocorticoids are widely utilized for treating various immune and inflammation-related diseases,prompting significant interest in their potential application for COVID-19 treatment.This study explored the efficacy a...Glucocorticoids are widely utilized for treating various immune and inflammation-related diseases,prompting significant interest in their potential application for COVID-19 treatment.This study explored the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone(DEX)and methylprednisolone(MP)in treating severe COVID-19.A cohort of 94 adult patients,aged 18 years and older,with severe COVID-19 was recruited.They received intravenous MP(40-80 mg/d)or DEX(5-10 mg/d)for 7-10 d.The primary objective was to assess the effects of these treatments on mortality rates.Additionally,the study aimed to compare the impact of these medications on various parameters,including the oxygenation index,inflammatory index,fungal infections,and hyperglycemia,serving as secondary endpoints.The findings revealed no fatalities in either group.However,there was one case of pulmonary fibrosis and Aspergillus fumigatus infection in the DEX group,and two cases of Aspergillus infection in the MP group.Although the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05),the MP group showed a faster improvement in blood oxygen saturation compared to the DEX group,with a median time of 5 d vs 7 d.No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding improvement in C-reactive protein levels(P>0.05).Notably,DEX was associated with a higher incidence of hyperglycemia compared to MP(P<0.05).Both DEX and MP significantly reduced mortality rates among patients with severe COVID-19 and improved blood oxygen saturation and inflammatory markers.However,MP exhibited a more rapid onset of efficacy and fewer adverse reactions.展开更多
To address the critical gap in linking multi-compartmental transfer with risks of trace metals(Cd,Pb,As,Cr,Ni)in mining environments.This study systematically investigated the trans-media migration of Cd,Pb,As,Cr,and ...To address the critical gap in linking multi-compartmental transfer with risks of trace metals(Cd,Pb,As,Cr,Ni)in mining environments.This study systematically investigated the trans-media migration of Cd,Pb,As,Cr,and Ni in China’s Dexing copper mining district through paired sampling of water-amphibians,soil-earthworms,and air-lichens.Advanced methodologies were employed,including ICP-MS quantification for heavy metals,geochemical indices(Igeo,BCF,BAF)to assess bioavailability,NMDS for source apportionment,and HPLC to detect DNA methylation alterations.Aquatic systems exhibited severe Cd/Pb enrichment(16.25-24.42μg/L;11-15×WHO limits),while agricultural soils showed extreme Cd contamination(1.5 mg/kg;15×background).Biota displayed metal-specific accumulation:frogs achieved BCFs>1,000 for Pb/Cd,earthworms showed pH-modulated BAFs>2.5 for Cd/As,and lichens recorded 100-1,000×atmospheric Cr enrichment.NMDS resolved three contamination pathways:mining-derived Cd/Pb/As(MDS1=2.56),atmospheric Cr(PC2=1.84),and geogenic Ni.Cd dominated ecological risks(Eri=554.25;RI 300),while atmospheric Cr drove carcinogenic risks(TCR=4.11×10^(-5))exceeding safety thresholds.The source-media-biota-risk framework pioneers the integration of geochemical transport with epigenetic toxicity biomarkers,demonstrating that sub-lethal Cd/Pb exposure induces genome-wide DNA hypomethylation(2.4%-6.6%reduction;ρ=−0.71 to−0.91).This paradigm shift prioritizes bioavailability-informed regulations over concentration-based metrics,offering actionable strategies for sustainable development goals-aligned mining pollution control.展开更多
Biodegradable shape memory polymers( SMPs) are a class of intelligent materials with great potential for imparting biomaterial scaffolds multifunctionality in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine....Biodegradable shape memory polymers( SMPs) are a class of intelligent materials with great potential for imparting biomaterial scaffolds multifunctionality in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.In this study,the biodegradable SMP poly( D,L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)( PLMC) incorporated with the dexamethasone( Dex),which was a kind of synthetic bone-formation inducing factor,was fabricated into nanofibers via electrospinning.The morphology,constituent,thermal and mechanical properties of the produced Dex / PLMC composite nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy( SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy( FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry( DSC),and tensile testing,respectively.Then,ultrasound was employed as a remote stimulus to regulate the Dex releasing behavior from the composite nanofibers.It was found that the generated Dex /PLMC composite nanofibers had a uniform and smooth morphology with a diameter of ca.564 nm.Mechanical testing results showed that incorporation of the Dex gave rise to improved mechanical performance with the tensile strength,Young's modulus and strainat-break increased by 18.2%,20.0% and 64.4%,respectively.DSC data revealed that the glass transition temperature( Tg) of the composite nanofibers, i.e., the thermal transition temperature( Ttrans) for activating shape memory effect, was 39.7 ℃.Moreover, the release kinetics of the encapsulated Dex in the nanofibers could be manipulated by varying the acoustic power and insonation duration.These results suggested that the newly developed Dex / PLMC nanofibers could be a promising drug delivery system for applications in bone tissue engineering( BTE).展开更多
Dear Editor,We present a case of dexamethasone（DEX）intravitreal implantation（Ozurdex~;Allergan,Irvine,CA,USA）to treat diabetic macular edema（DME）during pregnancy.According to Pescosolido et al,pregnancy may prom...Dear Editor,We present a case of dexamethasone（DEX）intravitreal implantation（Ozurdex~;Allergan,Irvine,CA,USA）to treat diabetic macular edema（DME）during pregnancy.According to Pescosolido et al,pregnancy may promote the onset of diabetic retinopathy in about 10%of cases and may contribute to its worsening when already present,causing macular edema.Although one report has indicated that DME during pregnancy spontaneously regresses after delivery,others have reported that DME can persist and be associated with severe and persistent visual dysfunction.展开更多
ore deposits and a large number of ore occurrences cluster in Dexing ore field which is 20 km long and 12 km wide. The tectonic evolution, magmatism, as well as the metallogeny are controlled by the Northeast Jiangxi...ore deposits and a large number of ore occurrences cluster in Dexing ore field which is 20 km long and 12 km wide. The tectonic evolution, magmatism, as well as the metallogeny are controlled by the Northeast Jiangxi deep seated fracture belt (NJDFB). The source is believed to have been derived from the Meso-Neoproterozoic marine volcanism. The magmatic activity of Mesozoic I type granite could have provided the metal elements, thermal fluid, heat, and the space for ore forming processes. A unified geological model is proposed, which combines the tectonism, magmatism and metallogeny as the basic control of the giant metal mineralizations.展开更多
基金Cultivation fund in Second Hospital of Shandong University(Grant No.2023YP11).
文摘Glucocorticoids are widely utilized for treating various immune and inflammation-related diseases,prompting significant interest in their potential application for COVID-19 treatment.This study explored the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone(DEX)and methylprednisolone(MP)in treating severe COVID-19.A cohort of 94 adult patients,aged 18 years and older,with severe COVID-19 was recruited.They received intravenous MP(40-80 mg/d)or DEX(5-10 mg/d)for 7-10 d.The primary objective was to assess the effects of these treatments on mortality rates.Additionally,the study aimed to compare the impact of these medications on various parameters,including the oxygenation index,inflammatory index,fungal infections,and hyperglycemia,serving as secondary endpoints.The findings revealed no fatalities in either group.However,there was one case of pulmonary fibrosis and Aspergillus fumigatus infection in the DEX group,and two cases of Aspergillus infection in the MP group.Although the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05),the MP group showed a faster improvement in blood oxygen saturation compared to the DEX group,with a median time of 5 d vs 7 d.No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding improvement in C-reactive protein levels(P>0.05).Notably,DEX was associated with a higher incidence of hyperglycemia compared to MP(P<0.05).Both DEX and MP significantly reduced mortality rates among patients with severe COVID-19 and improved blood oxygen saturation and inflammatory markers.However,MP exhibited a more rapid onset of efficacy and fewer adverse reactions.
基金financially supported by the Fundation of Key Laboratory of Ministry of Natural Resources for Eco-geochemistry (ZSDHJJ202202)Geological Investigation and Evaluation of Shale Gas in Complex Structural Areas of the Middle Yangtze plate(DD20250200604) of China Geological Survey+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,China(2023A1515140061)the Dongguan Science and Technology of Social Development Program(20231800935842, 20231800940562).
文摘To address the critical gap in linking multi-compartmental transfer with risks of trace metals(Cd,Pb,As,Cr,Ni)in mining environments.This study systematically investigated the trans-media migration of Cd,Pb,As,Cr,and Ni in China’s Dexing copper mining district through paired sampling of water-amphibians,soil-earthworms,and air-lichens.Advanced methodologies were employed,including ICP-MS quantification for heavy metals,geochemical indices(Igeo,BCF,BAF)to assess bioavailability,NMDS for source apportionment,and HPLC to detect DNA methylation alterations.Aquatic systems exhibited severe Cd/Pb enrichment(16.25-24.42μg/L;11-15×WHO limits),while agricultural soils showed extreme Cd contamination(1.5 mg/kg;15×background).Biota displayed metal-specific accumulation:frogs achieved BCFs>1,000 for Pb/Cd,earthworms showed pH-modulated BAFs>2.5 for Cd/As,and lichens recorded 100-1,000×atmospheric Cr enrichment.NMDS resolved three contamination pathways:mining-derived Cd/Pb/As(MDS1=2.56),atmospheric Cr(PC2=1.84),and geogenic Ni.Cd dominated ecological risks(Eri=554.25;RI 300),while atmospheric Cr drove carcinogenic risks(TCR=4.11×10^(-5))exceeding safety thresholds.The source-media-biota-risk framework pioneers the integration of geochemical transport with epigenetic toxicity biomarkers,demonstrating that sub-lethal Cd/Pb exposure induces genome-wide DNA hypomethylation(2.4%-6.6%reduction;ρ=−0.71 to−0.91).This paradigm shift prioritizes bioavailability-informed regulations over concentration-based metrics,offering actionable strategies for sustainable development goals-aligned mining pollution control.
基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(No.14D110519)Pujiang Talent Program Funded by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality,China(No.10PJ1400200)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51073032)
文摘Biodegradable shape memory polymers( SMPs) are a class of intelligent materials with great potential for imparting biomaterial scaffolds multifunctionality in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.In this study,the biodegradable SMP poly( D,L-lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)( PLMC) incorporated with the dexamethasone( Dex),which was a kind of synthetic bone-formation inducing factor,was fabricated into nanofibers via electrospinning.The morphology,constituent,thermal and mechanical properties of the produced Dex / PLMC composite nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy( SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy( FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry( DSC),and tensile testing,respectively.Then,ultrasound was employed as a remote stimulus to regulate the Dex releasing behavior from the composite nanofibers.It was found that the generated Dex /PLMC composite nanofibers had a uniform and smooth morphology with a diameter of ca.564 nm.Mechanical testing results showed that incorporation of the Dex gave rise to improved mechanical performance with the tensile strength,Young's modulus and strainat-break increased by 18.2%,20.0% and 64.4%,respectively.DSC data revealed that the glass transition temperature( Tg) of the composite nanofibers, i.e., the thermal transition temperature( Ttrans) for activating shape memory effect, was 39.7 ℃.Moreover, the release kinetics of the encapsulated Dex in the nanofibers could be manipulated by varying the acoustic power and insonation duration.These results suggested that the newly developed Dex / PLMC nanofibers could be a promising drug delivery system for applications in bone tissue engineering( BTE).
基金Supported by the Korea Health Technology R&D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute(KHIDI)funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare(No.HI14C1872)
文摘Dear Editor,We present a case of dexamethasone（DEX）intravitreal implantation（Ozurdex~;Allergan,Irvine,CA,USA）to treat diabetic macular edema（DME）during pregnancy.According to Pescosolido et al,pregnancy may promote the onset of diabetic retinopathy in about 10%of cases and may contribute to its worsening when already present,causing macular edema.Although one report has indicated that DME during pregnancy spontaneously regresses after delivery,others have reported that DME can persist and be associated with severe and persistent visual dysfunction.
文摘ore deposits and a large number of ore occurrences cluster in Dexing ore field which is 20 km long and 12 km wide. The tectonic evolution, magmatism, as well as the metallogeny are controlled by the Northeast Jiangxi deep seated fracture belt (NJDFB). The source is believed to have been derived from the Meso-Neoproterozoic marine volcanism. The magmatic activity of Mesozoic I type granite could have provided the metal elements, thermal fluid, heat, and the space for ore forming processes. A unified geological model is proposed, which combines the tectonism, magmatism and metallogeny as the basic control of the giant metal mineralizations.
