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IntroductionWith the acceleration of the global ageing trend, sarcopenia has become a major public health problem. Probable sarcopenia, characterised primarily by decreased muscle strength, represents an early, potentially reversible stage. However, epidemiological evidence on the prevalence and risk factors of probable sarcopenia in older populations remains limited, scattered, and methodologically inconsistent. Therefore, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are needed to synthesise current data, quantify global and regional prevalence, identify associated risk factors, and explore sources of heterogeneity.Methods and analysisFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols 2020 and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodologies, this review will include observational studies that define probable sarcopenia according to recognised consensus criteria (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2). Comprehensive searches of eleven English and Chinese databases (Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, CINAHL, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG, and VIP) will be conducted from inception to January 2026. Two reviewers will independently screen, extract, and appraise studies using JBI tools. Random-effects meta-analyses will be used to estimate global and regional prevalence and to synthesise the available evidence on associated risk factors. Pre-specified subgroup and meta-regression analyses will be undertaken to explore potential sources of heterogeneity across diagnostic criteria, geographical regions, and population characteristics.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was not required for this protocol. The results of the final review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD420251153142.

Objective Whether statins, as upstream therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), can reduce the incidence of AF in elderly individuals remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether statin use is linked to a lower risk of incident AF in older adults from Shanghai, China. To provide important implications for optimizing the prevention and management strategies of AF in the elderly. Methods Data for this retrospective cohort study were collected from a community health service center in Shanghai. Individuals had no history of AF in 2018 and before were included, and new cases of AF were documented in 2019, 2020, and 2021. A Poisson generalized linear model was used to evaluate the relationship between statin treatment and AF incidence. Both standard covariate adjustment and propensity score matching (PSM) to control for confounding factors. To evaluate the risk factors for new-onset AF among the elderly, univariate logistic analysis was conducted. Variables with statistical significance in univariate analysis ( p  < 0.05), such as sex, age, SBP, BMI, WHR, Scr and HbA1c were selected as covariates for inclusion in the multivariable logistic regression model. Results Out of the 5675 individuals in the study group (43.5% male; median age of 68 years), 456 participants (8.0%) received statin treatment. The propensity score unmatched and matched cohorts of 453 participants (stain users and nou-users) were evaluated, in each group. There was no reduction in AF incidence with statin use (95%CI, 0.948 to 1.018) in the unmatched cohort and in the matched cohort (95%CI, 0.459 to 1.512). The multivariate regression analysis results showed that age, SBP, BMI, HbA1c and Scr were factors independently linked to the occurrence of new-onset AF. Despite extensive analysis, our study did not find evidence that statin use reduces the risk of new-onset AF in this population. Conclusion For older people, taking statins did not reduce risk of new on-set AF. Independent predictors of AF onset including age, SBP, BMI, HbA1c and Scr. This is a retrospective cohort study, making it difficult to completely control for all confounding factors, and the short follow-up period may have resulted in insufficient statistical power to detect a meaningful effect of statins on atrial fibrillation. Future studies may use randomized controlled studies to explore the effects of different types and doses of statins on new-onset atrial fibrillation in older adults.

Background/Objectives The mechanism of action of treatment drugs for psoriasis is based on anti-inflammation and the inhibition of epidermal proliferation, and retinoids and vitamin D3 derivatives are first-line therapy drugs for psoriasis. This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol–acitretin combination therapy for psoriasis and investigate its effect on serum inflammatory factors. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese biomedical literature service system (SinoMed), and Chinese Biomedical Journal Database (VIP), from the earliest record until Dec.13, 2024, was conducted. The outcomes were overall effective rate, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, inflammatory factor level and side effects. Results A total of 13 studies with 1196 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results of this study show that the calcipotriol–acitretin combination therapy could improve the total effective rate when compared with acitretin [RR = 1.25, 95% CI (1.18, 1.33)] or calcipotriol [RR = 1.36, 95% CI (1.20, 1.56)] monotherapy. The combined therapy could decrease the PASI score observably when compared with acitretin monotherapy [SMD =  − 2.26, 95% CI (−3.24, −1.28)] or calcipotriol monotherapy [SMD =  − 3.79, 95% CI (−5.78, −1.79)]. Calcipotriol–acitretin combination therapy remarkably reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-23, IL-17, INF-γ and IL-6 in serum, while increasing the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 within the serum, compared to acitretin monotherapy. This combination therapy did not increase the risk of skin irritation & burning pain, dry skin and perioral dermatitis. Notably, the incidence of perioral dermatitis was lower in combination therapy than acitretin monotherapy [P = 0.04, RR = 0.24, 95% CI (0.06, 0.93)]. Conclusions The calcipotriol–acitretin combination therapy could be a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of psoriasis. However, the lack of PROSPERO registration and the high heterogeneity in this study limited the conclusion, and more high-quality RCTs were needed for further evaluation.

The preparation of wheat straw biochar (MWSB) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken Design (BBD) to maximize Cr(VI) removal. Parameters assessed were wheat straw particle size, KOH modifier concentration, and pyrolysis temperature. Optimal conditions (0.1 mm particle size, 3 mol/L KOH, 494 °C pyrolysis) yielded 86.5% Cr(VI) removal efficiency. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and isotherm data fitted the Langmuir model, indicating monolayer adsorption limited by site density. The Langmuir model gave a maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of 105.28 mg/g at 25 °C. MWSB was characterized using SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The optimized MWSB preparation significantly enhanced the efficacy and feasibility of wheat straw in environmental applications, particularly for Cr(VI) removal.

Sepsis is a life-threatening disorder characterized by multiple organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated host responses to infection. The present study aimed to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for sepsis and elucidate their molecular mechanisms through comprehensive bioinformatics and experimental analyses. Five publicly available transcriptomic datasets (GSE13904, GSE26440, GSE28750, GSE95233, and GSE57065) containing sepsis and healthy control samples were utilized in the study. After quality control and normalization, the samples were divided into training and validation cohorts. Fourteen machine learning algorithms were applied to the training cohort to identify robust diagnostic biomarkers, and their predictive performance was subsequently verified in the validation cohorts. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data were further analyzed to determine the cellular distribution of the identified regulators among immune cell subsets. In total, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model exhibited the best performance in the validation set, demonstrating high reliability. Through consensus feature selection across multiple models, the m A methylation regulator fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) was identified as a key biomarker. scRNA-seq analysis revealed that FTO was primarily expressed in neutrophils and macrophages. Its expression levels were markedly altered in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neutrophils from sepsis patients compared with healthy controls, which was consistent with the findings in in vitro macrophage and neutrophil models. Functional experiments demonstrated that FTO promotes macrophage polarization toward the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and enhances neutrophil inflammatory and chemotactic responses, highlighting its critical role in orchestrating inflammatory regulation during sepsis. FTO, identified through consensus machine learning approaches, could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and m A methylation regulator for sepsis. The discovery of FTO and its downstream targets provides new insights into sepsis pathogenesis and may offer a foundation for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) utilizing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) have emerged as a promising technology for organic pollutant degradation due to their distinct environmental advantages. In this study, copper–iron bimetallic oxide catalysts with varying ratios were synthesized via a co-precipitation method to activate PMS for degrading simulated tetracycline hydrochloride wastewater. The catalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of key parameters—including the PMS concentration, catalyst dosage, initial pH, and tetracycline hydrochloride concentration—on the degradation efficiency were systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that the CuFe(2)/PMS system exhibited the highest degradation efficiency. Under optimal conditions (20 mg/L tetracycline hydrochloride, 0.4 mM PMS, 0.5 g/L CuFe(2) catalyst, and pH 3), this system achieved a 94.12% degradation rate of tetracycline hydrochloride within 120 min. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests and radical quenching experiments identified sulfate radicals (SO4·−) as the predominant reactive species. Furthermore, the XPS analysis elucidated the persulfate activation mechanism, while the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified the potential degradation pathways and intermediate products of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Huashi Runzao decoction (HRD), a Chinese herbal formula, has been used in clinical practice for patients with primary Sjögren disease (pSD) for years. However, the benefits of HRD for pSD have not been evaluated, and HRD epigenetic mechanism of action remains unexplored. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HRD in patients with pSD and to explore its epigenetic mechanism of action. The clinical scores (including oral dryness, dry eye, dryness, fatigue, and limb pain visual analogue scales scores and the ESSPRI) of pSD patients were recorded at baseline and every 4 weeks thereafter. The disease activity scores (including the ESSDAI and ClinESSDAI), exocrine gland function variables (including the result of Schirmer's test and salivary flow rate), serological indices (ESR, CRP, IgG, IgA, and IgM) and short-form-36 health survey (SF-36) score were evaluated at baseline and 12 weeks later. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients and healthy volunteers to determine RNA methylation (m6A and m5C) levels and analyse regulatory factor expression. HRD improved exocrine gland function in pSD patients and increased saliva ( = 0.049) and tear ( = 0.005) secretion. It also improved patients' perceptions of subjective symptoms, including oral dryness ( < 0.001), dry eye ( = 0.004), dryness ( = 0.001), and limb pain ( = 0.008) and yielded greater ESSPRIs ( = 0.001), reduced patients' disease activity according to the ClinESSDAI ( = 0.038) and improved their quality of life. Moreover, HRD increased m6A levels and decreased m5C levels in pSD patients, and HNRNPA2B1 was identified as a potential key epigenetic regulator. HRD, a Chinese herbal medicine, may be a promising treatment for pSD, especially for glandular damage. The therapeutic effects of this decoction may be achieved by alteration of the HNRNPA2B1 gene, altering m6A and m5C levels in pSD patients.

Using KOH-modified wheat straw as the precursor, wheat straw biochar was produced through carbonization at 500 °C. Subsequently, a synthetic material containing nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) was prepared via liquid phase reduction (nZVI-WSPC). To enhance its properties, chitosan (CTS) was used by crosslinking to form the new adsorbent named CTS@nZVI-WSPC. The impact of CTS on parameters such as mass ratio, initial pH value, and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption efficiency of Cr(VI) in solution was investigated through one-factor experiments. Isotherm adsorption and thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that the adsorption of Cr(VI) by CTS@nZVI-WSPC conforms to the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 147.93 mg/g, and the adsorption process is endothermic. Kinetic analysis revealed that the adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption mechanism, as elucidated by SEM, FTIR, XPS, and XRD, suggests that the process may involve multiple mechanisms, including pore adsorption, electrostatic adsorption, chemical reduction, and surface chelation. The adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) by CTS@nZVI-WSPC remains high after five cycles. The adsorbent is simple to operate, economical, efficient, and reusable, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of Cr(VI) in water.

The widespread industrial use of chromium has exacerbated water contamination issues globally. In this study, a nitrogen-doped wheat straw biochar loaded with nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (nZVI/N-KBC) was synthesized via a liquid-phase reduction method, and its adsorption properties for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in aqueous solutions were systematically investigated. The material was characterized using SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and XPS. Experimental results demonstrated that under optimal conditions (pH 2, 0.05 g adsorbent dosage, and 50 mg/L initial Cr(VI) concentration), the adsorption capacity reached 41.29 mg/g. Isothermal adsorption analysis revealed that the process followed the Langmuir model, indicating monolayer adsorption with a maximum capacity of 100.9 mg/g. Kinetic studies show that the adsorption conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and thermodynamic and XPS analyses jointly prove that chemical adsorption is dominant. Thermodynamic analyses confirmed the endothermic and entropy-driven nature of adsorption. Mechanistic studies via XPS and FTIR revealed a dual mechanism: (1) partial adsorption of Cr(VI) onto the nZVI/N-KBC surface, and (2) predominant reduction in Cr(VI) to Cr(III) mediated by Fe0 and Fe2+. This study highlights the synergistic role of nitrogen doping and nZVI loading in enhancing Cr(VI) removal, offering a promising approach for remediating chromium-contaminated water.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal circulating eosinophil (EOS) data impacted by the COVID-19 vaccine, the predictive role of circulating EOS in the disease severity, and its association with T cell immunity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant infection in Shanghai, China. Methods We collected a cohort of 1,157 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron/BA.2 variant in Shanghai, China. These patients were diagnosed or admitted between Feb 20, 2022, and May 10, 2022, and were classified as asymptomatic (n = 705), mild (n = 286) and severe (n = 166) groups. We compiled and analyzed data of patients’ clinical demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes. Results COVID-19 vaccine reduced the incidence of severe cases. Severe patients were shown to have declined peripheral blood EOS. Both the 2 doses and 3 doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines promoted the circulating EOS levels. In particular, the 3rd booster shot of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine was shown to have a sustained promoting effect on circulating EOS. Univariate analysis showed that there was a significant difference in age, underlying comorbidities, EOS, lymphocytes, CRP, CD4, and CD8 T cell counts between the mild and the severe patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis indicate that circulating EOS (AUC = 0.828, p = 0.025), the combination of EOS and CD4 T cell (AUC = 0.920, p = 0.017) can predict the risk of disease severity in patients with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 variant infection. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccine promotes circulating EOS and reduces the risk of severe illness, and particularly the 3rd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine sustainedly promotes EOS. Circulating EOS, along with T cell immunity, may have a predictive value for the disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infected patients.