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Glaucoma valves (GVs) play an essential role in treating glaucoma. However, fibrosis after implantation has limited their long-term success in clinical applications. In this study, we aimed to develop a comprehensive surface-engineering strategy to improve the biocompatibility of GVs by constructing a microenvironment-regulated and dual-hydrophilic antifouling coating on a GV material (silicone rubber, SR). The coating was based on a superhydrophilic polydopamine (SPD) coating with good short-range superhydrophilicity and antifouling abilities. In addition, SPD coatings contain many phenolic hydroxyl groups that can effectively resist oxidative stress and the inflammatory microenvironment. Furthermore, based on its in situ photocatalytic free-radical polymerization properties, the SPD coating polymerized poly 2-methylacryloxyethylphosphocholine, providing an additional long-range hydrophilic and antifouling effect. The in vitro test results showed that the microenvironment-regulated and dual-hydrophilic coatings had anti-protein contamination, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-fiber proliferation capabilities. The in vivo test results indicated that this coating substantially reduced the fiber encapsulation formation of the SR material by inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis. This design strategy for dual hydrophilic coatings with microenvironmental regulation can provide a valuable reference for the surface engineering design of novel medical implantable devices. Superhydrophilic polydopamine (SPD) coatings were prepared on silicone rubber (SR) by a two-electron oxidation method. Introduction of pMPC to SPD surface using photocatalytic radical polymerization to obtain a dual-hydrophilic coating. The dual-hydrophilic coating effectively modulates the oxidative and inflammatory microenvironment. This coating significantly reduced protein contamination and adhesion of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts in vitro. The coating-modified SR inhibits inflammatory and fibrosis responses in vivo , promising to serve the glaucoma valves. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No study has systematically investigated the quality of long-term care delivered to the rural older people with chronic diseases, such as atrial fibrillation (AF) in China. This study aims to provide contemporary data on the prevalence and awareness of AF among the older population in rural China and to evaluate healthcare knowledge and delivery by village doctors. A cross-sectional study. Rural villages in Daqiao and Xiaoji towns of Jiangsu Province, China. Rural population aged ≥65 years. AF was identified using 12-lead electrocardiography in the first-step (government-led health examination) and single-lead electrocardiography in the second-step (in-house AF screening). Questionnaire surveys were designed for the AF patients and their village doctors. Among 31,342 permanent residents, 12,630 (40.3 %) declined, 7,956 (25.3 %) participated in the first-step and 10,756 (34.3 %) in the second-step. The overall AF detection rate was 4.3 % (810/18,712). Of the 810 AF patients (mean age 76.1±5.9 years; 51.4 % female), 51.5 % were illiterate, only 2.6 % could use smartphone applications, and 8.1 % lived with their children. Common risk factors were older age, men, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke, vascular disease, and congestive heart failure. Among the 402 patients with known AF, 367 were at high risk of stroke and 10.9 % (40/367) were anticoagulated. Only 17.6 % patients with known hypertension had blood pressure level <140/90 mmHg, and 6.0 % with known diabetes had a fasting blood glucose level ≤6.1 mmol/L. Only 7.3 % (9/122) village doctors reported having the knowledge of integrated care AF management. This study identified AF in 4.3 %, but AF management was suboptimal in rural China. The current village doctor-dominant rural healthcare system is far from delivering standardized AF management for older patients in rural China. There is an urgent need to empower the village doctors in optimising the care of AF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scirtothrips , one of the largest genera of Thripinae, includes several species that are important pests for agricultural and horticultural plants. Scirtothrips genus-group comprises 11 genera, but phylogenetic relationships among these are unclear, as are the interspecific relationships within Scirtothrips. We used 61 morphological characters to study the morphological variation and phylogenetic relationships among the members of this genus-group. Phylogenetic analysis supported the inclusion of eight genera in Scirtothrips genus-group but excluded Ajothrips and Scirtidothrips , although the monophyly of Scirtothrips was not well-supported. Our analysis strongly supported two different species-groups both comprising species associated with Acacia in Australia, suggesting the occurrence of at least two separate radiations onto this plant genus. The monophyly of Scirtothrips perseae species-group was not supported; members of this group are involved in damage to avocado in the New World. The Scirtothrips aurantii species-group was recognised as comprising S. aurantii , Scirtothrips dodonaeae and Scirtothrips mugambii , based on one synapomorphic character, male hind femora with a comb of setae. We demonstrated that the conspicuous drepanae that occur in males of some Scirtothrips species evolved separately in New and Old World species. We discussed the relationships among Scirtothrips species together with data on geographic distributions and host plants, and noted inconsistencies that presumably result from homoplasy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]