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Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic and progressive lung disease. Disulfidptosis-related genes (DRGs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD. From the perspective of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM), clarifying the role of disulfidptosis in the development of COPD could provide a opportunity for primary prediction, targeted prevention, and personalized treatment of the disease. Methods We analyzed the expression profiles of DRGs and immune cell infiltration in COPD patients by using the GSE38974 dataset. According to the DRGs, molecular clusters and related immune cell infiltration levels were explored in individuals with COPD. Next, co-expression modules and cluster-specific differentially expressed genes were identified by the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Comparing the performance of the random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), generalized linear model (GLM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), we constructed the ptimal machine learning model. Results DE-DRGs, differential immune cells and two clusters were identified. Notable difference in DRGs, immune cell populations, biological processes, and pathway behaviors were noted among the two clusters. Besides, significant differences in DRGs, immune cells, biological functions, and pathway activities were observed between the two clusters.A nomogram was created to aid in the practical application of clinical procedures. The SVM model achieved the best results in differentiating COPD patients across various clusters. Following that, we identified the top five genes as predictor genes via SVM model. These five genes related to the model were strongly linked to traits of the individuals with COPD. Conclusion Our study demonstrated the relationship between disulfidptosis and COPD and established an optimal machine-learning model to evaluate the subtypes and traits of COPD. DRGs serve as a target for future predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and individualized therapy in COPD, facilitating the transition from reactive medical services to PPPM in the management of the disease.

This study aimed to explore the accuracy of third-generation nanopore sequencing to diagnose extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Samples were collected from the lesions of 67 patients with suspected EPTB admitted between April 2022 and August 2023. Nanopore sequencing, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining, DNA testing, and X-pert and mycobacterial cultures were performed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated for different diagnostic methods, and their diagnostic accuracies were compared. Nanopore sequencing demonstrated the highest correct diagnosis rate among 50 positive EPTB cases, independently diagnosing 19 positive cases missed by conventional methods. Its sensitivity (62.00%), specificity (94.10%), PPV (96.90%), NPV (45.70%) and AUC (0.781, 95% CI: 0.67-0.89) were superior to those of conventional methods, such as AFB staining, DNA testing, X-pert, and solid culture, indicating its significantly efficient advantage in EPTB detection. Nanopore sequencing technology significantly outperforms conventional methods such as AFB staining, DNA testing, X-pert, and mycobacterial culture to diagnose EPTB, promising to improve the diagnosis of EPTB.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of nanopore sequencing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) drug resistance in respiratory specimens from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. It compared it to the Xpert MTB/RIF and fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) melting curve to explore the validity and feasibility of detecting MTB drug resistance in respiratory specimens. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 52 respiratory specimens. The proportional method applied the phenotypic drug susceptibility test (pDST) to respiratory specimens. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), consistency statistic (kappa) with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST), and the area under the curve (AUC) from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated for nanopore sequencing, Xpert MTB/RIF, and fluorescent PCR melting curve. These calculations used the pDST results as the reference standard. Results Among the resistance mutation genes detected by nanopore sequencing, rpoB, and katG were the most frequent, followed by embB, rpsL, gyrA, inhA, ahpC, gyrB, gid, and rrs. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens, nanopore sequencing showed high sensitivity (100.00%,90.32%,82.35%,82.35%,100.00%,76.92%), specificity (70.00%,81.82%,88.00%,96.00%93.75%,93.10%0.100.00%), and AUC values (0.85,0.86,0.85, 0.89,0.97,0.85) for rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), streptomycin (SM), levofloxacin (LFX), moxifloxacin (MFX). Nanopore sequencing exhibited good detection efficacy (kappa value ≥ 0.70) and perfect diagnostic resistance value (AUC value ≥ 0.85). For RIF, nanopore sequencing showed Kappa values of 0.01 and 0.38 and AUC values of 0.02 and 0.18 higher than the Xpert MTB/RIF and fluorescent PCR melting curve, respectively; for INH, nanopore sequencing had a higher Kappa value of 0.65 and a higher AUC value of 0.32 than the fluorescent PCR melting curve. Nanopore sequencing provided superior overall performance. Conclusion Nanopore sequencing has significant technical advantages and clinical application potential in detecting MTB drug resistance. Its rapid and highly accurate detection capabilities support early diagnosis and personalized treatment of drug-resistant MTB. As the technology continues to mature and the cost is further reduced, it is expected that nanopore sequencing technology will play a more important role in MTB resistance detection.

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), especially those of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and infection has affected over 700 million people globally. Methods. This retrospective, descriptive study included 118 patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 infection as confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. The median duration of detectable SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with high ALT, AST, and PLT/LYMPH, or low CD4+, CD8+, and PLT/MONO was considerably longer. In the risk factor model, multivariate analysis was performed for the estimation of ALT (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36-0.81), AST (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34-0.93), CD4+ (HR,0.77; 95% CI, 0.48-1.24), CD8+ (HR,0.64; 95% CI, 0.37-1.11), PLT/LYMPH (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.76-1.77), and PLT/MONO (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43-0.94). Conclusions. The longer viral RNA duration was associated with a higher International Prognostic Index score (p=0.0013), demonstrating for the first time that multivariate features of the bioindicators closely associated with SARS-CoV-2-infected patients clear the virus.

Background: Linezolid (LZD), while effective against Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB), can cause myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy. Contezolid (CZD) shares a similar antimicrobial profile with improved safety, but biodistribution data remain limited. This study evaluated CZD’s biodistribution in MAB-infected mice and humans and its therapeutic potential across infection sites. Methods: MICs of CZD and LZD against 32 clinical MAB isolates and three reference strains were determined. In MAB-infected mice, drug concentrations were quantified in plasma and pulmonary and cerebral tissues at 2, 4, and 8 hours post-administration. In MAB-infected patients, CZD concentrations in bone, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid were measured at multiple time points and MAB counts in sputum cultures were assessed daily over 14 days. Results: Respective MIC50 and MIC90 values were 8 and 32 μg/mL (LZD) and 16 and 32 μg/mL (CZD). Pharmacokinetic CZD and LZD level comparisons revealed peak CZD plasma levels within 2 hours, higher systemic CZD levels, comparable pulmonary tissue concentrations, and slightly lower CZD cerebral tissue penetration. In patients, CZD levels in ankle joint effusion samples reached 2.0885 μg/mL at 6 hours, peaking in the posterior malleolus. Plasma CZD concentrations peaked at 8.2349 μg/mL at 3 hours and dropped to 6.1065 μg/mL by 6 hours, while CSF levels were 0.9295 and 0.792 μg/mL at 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Sputum bacterial burden decreased rapidly within 24 hours of CZD treatment, with near-complete clearance by day 4. Conclusion: CZD and LZD exhibit comparable tissue distribution but different site-specific penetration, supporting their potential for treating diverse MAB infections.

Six kinds of terbium ternary complexes with halo-benzoic acids were synthesized. Their compositions were determined by C, H elemental analyzer and EDTA titration. The infrared spectra, ultraviolet absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra were also measured to identify the complexes. Elemental analysis showed that the compositions of these complexes were Tb（p-BrBA）3- H20, Tb（p-CIBA）3- 2H20, Tb（p-FBA）3- H20, Tb（o-FBA）3·2H20, Tb（o-CIBA）3· H20, and Tb（o-BrBA）3. H20, respectively. The monodispersed Ag@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles with silica thicknesses of 10, 15, and 25 nm were success- fully prepared and characterized by transmission-electron microscopy. Fluorescence intensities of the complexes were detected before and after Ag@SiO2core-shell nanoparticles were added; the enhancement times were related to the silica-shell thick- ness. The fluorescence enhancement times were largest when the thickness of the silica shell was 25 nm. The mechanism may be attributed to the localized surface-plasmon resonance. Furthermore, the enhancement effect of terbium fluoro-benzoate complexes was the strongest in these complexes. This result may be attributed to the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl on the surface of the silica shell and the fluorine atom.

Oxysophoridine, a new alkaloid extracted from Sophora alopecuroides L., has been shown to have a protective effect against ischemic brain damage. In this study, a focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Both 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine, via intraperitoneal injection, and 6 mg/kg nimodipine, via intragastric administration, were administered daily for 7 days before modeling. After 24 hours of reperfusion, mice were tested for neurological deficit, cerebral infarct size was assessed and brain tissue was collected. Results showed that oxysophoridine at 125, 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine could reduce neurological deficit scores, cerebral infarct size and brain water content in mice. These results provided evidence that oxysophoridine plays a protective role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, oxysophoridine at 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg nimodipine increased adenosine-triphosphate content, and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide content. These compounds enhanced the activities of glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and decreased the activity of nitric oxide synthase Protein and mRNA expression levels of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 were markedly inhibited in the presence of 250 mg/kg oxysophoridine and 6 mg/kg nimodipine. Our experimental findings indicated that oxysophoridine has a neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice, and that the effect may be due to its ability to inhibit oxidative stress and expression of the N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1.

Since its launch in 2016, China’s green bonds market has amassed a significant size and is currently ranked as the second largest in the world. This paper takes a pioneering step to analyze how a transitional economy can develop a burgeoning green bonds market within a short period, using China as a case study. It concludes that the Chinese government plays an instrumental but also evolving role in this process. The carefully designed use of government mechanisms in the context of unique government structures can constructively facilitate the growth of a green bonds market. At the emerging stage of this unique market, the government can play an active role in designing a conducive regulatory environment through law and policy, providing the necessary financial infrastructure and appropriate incentives for investors and green bond issuers. Government intervention is warranted at this stage, given the special characteristics of the green market, in particular, the desired positive externalities on environmental protection and climate change. In China, such a regime is implemented with a focus on inter-ministerial, central-local and international collaboration, centralized policy-making, and alignment of green goals with performance assessment of local officials. However, as the green bonds market matures, this paper suggests a transition towards a market-oriented model where the government should assume a limited role, providing funding and monitoring, and letting market forces play a greater role in achieving market efficiency. Unleashing the potential of market forces can mitigate several of the challenges faced by a top–down approach. This paper also examines the challenges that have surfaced in China, including low-quality information disclosure and under-utilization of green bonds financing by private enterprises. In response, several solutions are proposed to address these specific challenges.

The development of cost-effective hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells is limited by the lack of high-performance and low-cost anode hydrogen oxidation reaction catalysts. Here we report a Pt-free catalyst Ru 7 Ni 3 /C, which exhibits excellent hydrogen oxidation reaction activity in both rotating disk electrode and membrane electrode assembly measurements. The hydrogen oxidation reaction mass activity and specific activity of Ru 7 Ni 3 /C, as measured in rotating disk experiments, is about 21 and 25 times that of Pt/C, and 3 and 5 times that of PtRu/C, respectively. The hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell with Ru 7 Ni 3 /C anode can deliver a high peak power density of 2.03 W cm −2 in H 2 /O 2 and 1.23 W cm −2 in H 2 /air (CO 2 -free) at 95 °C, surpassing that using PtRu/C anode catalyst, and good durability with less than 5% voltage loss over 100 h of operation. The weakened hydrogen binding of Ru by alloying with Ni and enhanced water adsorption by the presence of surface Ni oxides lead to the high hydrogen oxidation reaction activity of Ru 7 Ni 3 /C. By using the Ru 7 Ni 3 /C catalyst, the anode cost can be reduced by 85% of the current state-of-the-art PtRu/C, making it highly promising in economical hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. Development of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) requires high-performance and low-cost catalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode. Here the authors report Ru 7 Ni 3 /C as anode catalysts, delivering high power density and good durability in alkaline media for HEMFCs.

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has gained considerable attention in various systems and has rapidly developed into an emerging research field. To meet the needs of actual applications in diverse fields, a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum) and tunable optical performance of CPL would be the most urgent pursuit for researchers. Accordingly, many emerging CPL materials and various strategies have been developed to address these critical issues. Emissive cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs), that is, luminescent self‐organized helical superstructures, are considered to be ideal candidates for constructing CPL‐active materials, as they not only exhibit high glum values, but also enable flexible optical control of CPL. This review mainly summarizes the characteristics of CPL based on CLCs as the bulk phase doped with different emitters, including aggregated induced emission molecules, conventional organic small molecules, polymer emitters, metal–organic complex emitters, and luminescent nanoparticles. In addition, the recent significant progress in stimulus‐responsive CPL based on emissive CLCs in terms of several types of stimuli, including light, electricity, temperature, mechanical force, and multiple stimuli is presented. Finally, a short perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with CPL‐active materials based on the CLC field is provided. This review is anticipated to offer new insights and guidelines for developing CLC‐based CPL‐active materials for broader applications. Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with self‐organized helical superstructures have exhibited considerable advantages in terms of achieving high luminescence dissymmetry factors and tunable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties. This review highlights the recent developments in CLC‐based CPL‐active materials doped with various emitters. In addition, stimulus‐responsive CPL based on emissive CLCs is systematically summarized.