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Background: Among hemodialysis patients, acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis a condition with a high mortality rate. Very few larger case series have been reported. Method: We reviewed eight hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus and SMA thrombosis managed with endovascular therapy in our institution. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were described. The patency of the SMA was assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) at one month after the endovascular procedure. At the last visit, clinical symptoms and check of mortality were recorded. Results: Multidetector CTA scan revealed severe stenosis of SMA in 6 patients and SMA occlusion in the other two patients. The severe stenosis of SMA were verified by angiography. Balloon angioplasty without stenting was performed to obtain satisfactory patency of SMA. Seven of eight patients achieved resolution of abdominal pain after the endovascular procedure. One patient died of suspected intestinal necrosis after 6 days of balloon angioplasty. All seven surviving patients did not experience a recurrence of symptoms with a median follow‐up of 2 years. No significant residual stenotic or occlusive lesions were noted in follow‐up CTA at one month after the endovascular procedure. Conclusion: SMA thrombosis should be systematically suspected in hemodialysis patients experiencing abdominal pain. Prompt diagnosis of SMA thrombosis as soon as possible and early endovascular therapy are required to obtain a favorable prognosis in the hemodialysis patient with SMA thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish trophic niches reflect important ecological interactions and provide insight into the structure of mangrove food webs. Few studies have been conducted in mangrove fish predators to investigate interpopulation trophic niches and ontogenetic shifts. Using stable isotope analysis and two complementary approaches, the authors investigated trophic niche patterns within and between two ontogenetic groups (juveniles and sub‐adults) of a generalist predator (Acentrogobius viridipunctatus) in four mangroves with heterogeneous environmental conditions (e.g., tidal regimes, salinity fluctuations and mangrove tree community). The authors hypothesized that the trophic niche between populations would vary regionally and trophic position would increase consistently from juvenile to sub‐adult stages. The results revealed that both δ13C and δ15N values varied greatly across populations and between ontogenetic groups, and complex spatio‐ontogenetic variations were expressed by Layman's metrics. They also found some niche separation in space, which is most likely related to resource availability in spatially diverse ecosystems. In addition, trophic niche position increased consistently from juveniles to sub‐adults, indicating ontogenetic feeding shifts. The isotopic plasticity index and Fulton's condition index also showed significant spatial‐ontogenetic variation, which is consistent with optimal foraging theory. The findings highlight that trophic plasticity has a high adaptive value for mangrove fish predators in dynamic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Rodent infestation is a global problem. Rodents cause huge harm to agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry around the world and spread various zoonoses. In this study, we simulated the potentially suitable habitats of Bandicota indica and predicted the impact of future climate change on its distribution under different socio‐economic pathway scenarios of CMIP6 using a parameter‐optimized maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. RESULTS: The average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value (0.958 ± 0.006) after ten repetitions proved the high accuracy of the MaxEnt model. Model results show that the annual mean temperature (≥ 15.93 °C), isothermality (28.52–80.49%), annual precipitation (780.13–3863.13 mm), precipitation of the warmest quarter (≥ 204.37 mm), and nighttime light (≥ 3.38) were important limiting environmental variables for the distribution of B. indica. Under current climate conditions, the projected potential suitable habitats for B. indica were mainly in India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, which cover a total area of 301.70 × 104 km2. The potentially suitable areas of B. indica in the world will expand under different future climate change scenarios by 1.61–17.65%. CONCLUSIONS: These results validate the potential influence of climate change on the distribution of B. indica and aid in understanding the linkages between B. indica niches and the relevant environment, thereby identifying urgent management areas where interventions may be necessary to develop feasible early warning and prevention strategies to protect against this rodent's spread. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of large‐scale dispersal processes and their associated genetic diversity patterns is significant for managing invasive species. These patterns remain unclear for invasive species that colonise new habitats through inter‐basin water transfer projects. A worm goby Taenioides cirratus colonised several large inland lakes in China, thereby expanding its distribution through the East Route of the South‐to‐North Water Transfer Project (ESNT).Here, we used nuclear microsatellites to analyse patterns of genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow and, invasion history across its native and invasive ranges in China. Our objectives were to: (a) reveal contemporary genetic diversity patterns of T. cirratus in two native and four invasive populations in China; and (b) identify its main model of dispersal in the ESNT.Invasive populations experienced significant loss of genetic diversity because of bottlenecks and low levels of gene flow, and strong population genetic structure due to founder effects that occurred during expansions.Significant genetic isolation‐by‐distance patterns were largely influenced by landscape connectivity and the reduced active dispersal ability of T. cirratus.The one‐way stepping‐stone dispersal model was identified as being most likely for T. cirratus in the ESNT, influenced by the long distance of upstream dispersal and downstream water transfer events.Our results highlight that T. cirratus could overcome low genetic diversity in founding populations, allowing for invasive spread. For management, we suggest physical removal of invasive populations and installation of deterrents near the pump intake area and the lake outflow to reduce further spread in the system. We provided a general paradigm for understanding dispersal patterns involved in inter‐basin water transfers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Rankinidine belongs to the humantenine‐type alkaloids isolated from Gelsemium. Currently, the mechanism behind the toxicity differences of rankinidine has not been explained. In this study, our purpose was to elucidate the major in vitro metabolic pathways of rankinidine and to compare the formation of metabolites of rankinidine in human (HLMs), rat (RLMs), goat (GLMs) and pig (PLMs) liver microsomes. Methods: This is the first study to compare the in vitro metabolism of rankinidine with high‐performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF). The MS/MS data and LC/MS peak area acquired in positive ion mode were used to analyze metabolite structures and compare metabolism. Results: We identified 11 metabolites (M1–M11) in total and found five main metabolic pathways, consisting of demethylation (M1), reduction (M2), oxidation at different positions (M3–M5), oxidation and reduction (M6–M10) and demethylation and oxidation (M11). The metabolism of rankinidine has qualitative and quantitative species‐specific differences in vitro. In PLMs and GLMs, the main metabolic pathway of rankinidine was oxidation. Notably, among the four species, the oxidation ability of rankinidine was highest in pigs and goats, and the demethylation and reduction abilities of rankinidine were highest in humans and rats. Conclusions: The interspecific metabolic differences of rankinidine in HLMs, PLMs, GLMs and RLMs were compared and studied for the first time using LC/QTOF. These findings will certainly support future studies of rankinidine metabolism in vivo and will contribute to elucidating the cause of species‐specific differences behind Gelsemium toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survival of fish in the first year is critical in determining the year‐class strength of fish populations. In river–floodplain ecosystems, affiliated lakes (i.e., floodplain lakes that are hydrologically connected to the river) play a crucial role as nursery habitats for young‐of‐the‐year (age‐0) fish. However, most lakes in the river–floodplain ecosystem of the Yangtze River, China, have been disconnected. Data on age‐0 fish distribution are important for developing appropriate strategies for management and conservation of fish populations in the river. We investigated the distribution patterns of age‐0 fish in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Overall, 33 species were collected from four main‐stem reaches (29 species) and two lakes (32 species) connected with the main stem from July to September in 2010 and 2011. The CPUE and species richness of age‐0 fish were higher in the lakes; age‐0 species richness showed an increasing trend in a downstream direction along the main stem. Analysis of similarities revealed that significant differences in assemblage structure of age‐0 fish occurred mainly among sampling sites. The higher CPUE and species richness of age‐0 fish in the lakes indicate the importance of connected lakes as age‐0 fish nursery habitats. We also found abundant age‐0 fish in the main stem and a relationship between spatial patterns of age‐0 fish with site proximity to the Three Gorges Dam, similar to previously observed spatial patterns in larval fishes. These results indicate the importance of the main stem as age‐0 fish nursery habitat and the effects of the dam on age‐0 fish distribution. This study presents the first data on age‐0 fish in the Yangtze River, thus providing a baseline for future age‐0 fish research. It also provides essential information for management and conservation measures, such as restoring the lateral connectivity between the main stem and disconnected lakes and guidelines for ecological operation of the dam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter‐basin water transfers create new pathways between previously disjunct systems and communities. If fish movement occurs, it can lead to invasion or altered regional connectivity patterns, which could induce biotic/genetic homogenisation or synchronisation. Understanding ecological factors promoting movement is critical for predicting potential impacts during project planning, to assess ongoing effects, and to develop mediation strategies. Potential characteristics influencing movement rates were reviewed, including intrinsic traits that increase passive entrainment or active dispersal rates, extrinsic traits of the connected environments and their interactions. In order to examine patterns among these potentially influencing characteristics, a trait‐based screening method for movement and invasion risk was developed to analyse linked communities in a database from a large‐scale inter‐basin water diversion in China. Groups of fishes that scored high in the risk assessment were compared with worldwide examples of entrainment in inter‐basin water transfer systems or smaller‐scale diversions to examine emergent patterns of shared ecological characteristics. Specific traits that were most often shared in these groups, indicating a higher likelihood of movement in water diversions, include the following: a smaller body size, high adult or larval abundance, migratory behaviour, generalist and pelagic habitat preferences, and a high reproductive output. The synthesis of factors identified in this research can be used to guide future empirical studies to fill knowledge gaps regarding ecological impacts of inter‐basin water transfers or other smaller‐scale diversions on local communities and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, in table 1 in their paper, Fawzy et al[1] show the baseline characteristics and potential confounding factors in the SGLT2 inhibitor group and the non-SGLT2 inhibitor group, which were used as the covariates for the propensity-score-matching analysis. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor use was associated with lower risks of stroke and cardiac arrest but not ventricular arrhythmias? We read with great interest the article on the cohort study by Fawzy et al,[1] which aimed to investigate the impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the risks of incident heart failure (HF) and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT A series of chitosan (Ch)-graphite oxide (GO)-modified polyurethane foam (PUF) materials as adsorbents were synthesized by a foaming technique. The adsorbent was characterized through IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Batch adsorption experiments of the cationic dye crystal violet (CV) were carried out as a function of the Ch-GO content (1.0-8.0 wt %), solution pH (2-10), dye concentration (100-300 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (10-60 mg/mL), and temperature (20-45°C). At a lower pH value, the surface of Ch-GO/PUF acquired positive charge by absorbing H+ ions; this resulted in a decreasing adsorption of the cationic CV dye because of electrostatic repulsion. As the pH of the aqueous system increased, the numbers of negatively charged sites increased by absorbing OH− ions, and a significantly high electrostatic attraction existed between the negatively charged surface of Ch-GO/PUF and the cationic dye (CV) molecules. This led to maximum dye adsorption. The kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium of CV adsorption onto Ch-GO/PUF were investigated. The equilibrium data for CV adsorption fit the Langmuir equation, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 64.935 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Thermodynamic parameters analysis revealed that the adsorption of CV from an aqueous solution by a Ch-GO modified PUF material was a spontaneous and endothermic process. We concluded that Ch-GO/PUF is a promising adsorbent for the removal of CV from aqueous solutions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41828. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Mifepristone, a synthetic steroid compound that induces abortion, was recently found to potentially pass into human milk. This study aimed to determine the effects of mifepristone administration to lactating mice on the development and reproduction of their progeny. Methods Lactating mice were gavage fed with mifepristone (8 mg/kg) daily for 4 days either from days 1-4 or from days 7-10 of lactation; controls received only peanut oil. Growth, mortality rate, organ weight to bodyweight ratio, sex hormone at 20, 40 and 60 days, fertility of these F1 progeny and litter size, sex ratio and mortality rate of the second generation were recorded. Results No significant differences were observed in the average bodyweight, mortality rate of the female or male pups, and organ coefficient of uterus and ovaries of females in adulthood in comparison with the controls. However, the organ coefficient of testis at day 20 and 40 and testosterone concentration at day 60 were increased in male pups. Moreover, the reproductive capacity of the F1 pups was unaffected by 4 days exposure to mifepristone via their mother's milk: time to birth of F2 pups, litter size, sex ratio and mortality rate were similar to control F1 pups. Conclusion The study showed that treating lactating mice with 8 mg/kg mifepristone influenced only the organ coefficient of testis at day 40 and the testosterone concentration in male pups at day 60, however, it did not affect the development and fertility of female and male pups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic dyes are commonly used in textile, paper, leather, food, plastic and cosmetic industries. In this study, a series of novel graphite oxide/polyurethane (GO/PU) polymeric foam materials were prepared by foaming technique. The GO/PU was applied to remove malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. When static adsorption experiment was carried out with a GO content of 3.0%, a GO/PU dosage of 40 mg/mL, a temperature of 50°C, and a time of 3 h, the highest adsorption efficiency can reach 99.7%. The kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics of MG adsorption onto GO/PU polymeric foam material were investigated. The results indicated that adsorption behavior was found to follow closely the pseudo-second order kinetics, equilibrium data were well fitted by Langmuir adsorption model and the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Prepared GO/PU foam material has potential application for the wastewater treatment containing MG dye. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40988. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Many drug, pharmaceutical and flavoring compounds are racemic mixtures with chiral isomers having nearly identical physical and chemical properties. Phenylalanine is an aromatic alpha-amino acid that exists in two isomeric forms: D-phenylalanine (D-Phe) and L-phenylalanine (L-Phe). Due to the different biological natures and pharmacological activities of both enantiomers, it is important to use them in their pure forms for specific therapeutic uses. This work has focused on using novel chiral recognition materials for the chiral separation of racemic phenylalanine.RESULTS: The static adsorption experiments indicate that prepared β-cyclodextrin-bonded silica (CD/SiO2), L-alaninederivatized β-cyclodextrin-bonded silica and D-alanine-derivatized β-cyclodextrin-bonded silica (L-Ala-CD/SiO2 and D-Ala- CD/SiO2) materials have significantly higher adsorption capacity for D-phenylalanine (D-Phe) compared with L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), and the selectivity coefficient of CD/SiO2, L-Ala-CD/SiO2 and D-Ala-CD/SiO2 are 1.99, 1.84 and 3.48, respectively. The equilibrium data were well represented by Langmuir isothermmodels. CD/SiO2, L-Ala-CD/SiO2 and D-Ala-CD/SiO2 were applied in four cycle's regeneration without significant loss in adsorption capacity. CONCLUSIONS: D-Ala-CD/SiO2 has high recognition and binding affinity for D-Phe molecule. The prepared chiral materials could be applied to chiral separation of the racemic phenylalanine acid solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Apoptosis is one of the most important mechanisms underlying renal interstitial fibrosis. We identified the role of protein Niban in apoptosis of tumour cells. The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of Niban in renal interstitial fibrosis of humans and rats. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect Niban in patients with obstructive nephropathy. Proteomics and gene array analysis were performed to screen different molecules involved in the pathophysiology of unilateral-ureteral obstruction rats. We confirmed Niban using immunohistochemistry and Western blot in renal cortex of UUO rats and HK-2 cells. TUNEL assay and flow cytometry revealed apoptosis of renal tubular cells. siRNA and overexpression plasmid were transfected specifically to study the possible function of Niban. Results Niban was decreased apparently in renal tubular cells of patients with obstructive nephropathy, compared with controls. Niban decreased in renal cortex of UUO rats and transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1)-stimulated HK-2 cells. siRNA of Niban increased apoptosis of HK-2 cells. TGF-β1 also increased apoptosis of HK-2 cells. Overexpression of Niban failed to diminish apoptosis of HK-2 cells induced by TGF-β1. Conclusions Niban decreased in renal tubular cells of patients of obstructive nephropathy, UUO rats and TGF-β1 stimulated HK-2 cells. Suppressing Niban increases apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Niban may be associated with apoptosis of HK-2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis. The nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate ( NADPH) oxidase ( Nox) family is considered one of the major sources of reactive oxygen species ( ROS). In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of a novel anti-fibrotic agent, Fluorofenidone ( AKF-PD), upon Nox-mediated oxidative stress and deposition of extracellular matrix ( ECM) in the development of renalinterstitial fibrosis. Methods AKF-PD was used to treat renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction ( UUO) obstructive nephropathy in rats. The expression of Nox homologues, p- Akt, collagen I and III were detected by immunoblotting or immunohistochemistry. Levels of 8-iso prostaglandin F2alpha (8- Iso PGF2a) was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, ROS and the expression of collagen I (1a), Nox subunits and p- Akt was measured in angiotensin ( Ang) II-stimulated rat proximal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells in culture. Results AKF-PD treatment significantly attenuated tubulo-interstitial injury, ECM deposition and oxidative stress in fibrotic rat kidneys. In addition, AKF-PD inhibited the expression of ROS, Collagen I (1a), Nox2, p- Akt in Ang II-stimulated NRK-52 E cells. Conclusion AKF-PD attenuates the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis partly by suppressing NADPH oxidase and ECM deposition via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, suggesting AKF-PD is a potential novel therapeutic agent against renal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility control has been identified by studies in the laboratory and the field as a more appropriate and long-term control strategy for rodent pests than lethal control. In this study, we investigated the effects of quinestrol on mass of reproductive organs and on social behaviors in female and male Himalayan field rats ( Rattus nitidus). A total of 16 adult females and 16 adult males were randomly assigned to 4 groups. One male and one female group were fed rice with 0.005% quinestrol by weight for 7 days, and another 2 groups were fed rice only. After 7 days, rats were assigned to 10 min dyadic encounters between groups, and investigation, aggression, defense and attack latency were quantified. All animals were killed on day 10, and reproductive organs were dissected and weighed. Dyadic encounter data showed that there were obvious changes in social behaviors of quinestrol-treated rats. Quinestrol significantly inhibited the investigative behavior of quinestrol-treated males toward control females in Rattus nitidus, but seldom affected investigation between control males and quinestrol-treated females. Aggression of control females toward quinestrol-treated males was higher than that of quinestrol-treated females, and defense of quinestrol-treated males toward control females was more remarkable than that of control males. Quinestrol remarkably decreased wet masses of epididymis and spermotophore in males and ovaries in females, but had no effect on wet masses of testes and uteri after quinestrol treatment. These results indicate that the anti-fertility effects of quinestrol on R. nitidus are attributed to not only suppressing reproductive organs but also impacting social behaviors associated with territory defense and mate choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a severe disease whose pathogenesis is unclear. Agonistic antibodies against the angiotensin II receptor (AT1-AA) may be a novel risk factor in preeclampsia whose effects are undefined. Our aims were 1) to determine whether the titre of AT1-AAis increased in preeclampsia; 2) if so, to determine the mechanisms of AT1-AA in pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods: Sera obtained from preeclamptic women (n = 18) and normal pregnant women (n = 17) were applied to detect AT1-AA and purify IgG. The effects of AT1-AA on vascular smooth muscle activities were observed by using isolated rat aortic vascular ring. Results: 1) the titre of AT1-AA showed significant time-dependently increased in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnant women; 2) AT1-AA dose-dependently increased the vascular contractile tension. At the dose of 10-6mol/L, AT1-AA increased the peak systolic tension from 1.02±0.04g to 1.72±0.17g, which could be blocked by Losartan, an AT1 receptor blocker indicating that the effects were mediated by AT1eceptor. Nevertheless, these effects failed to well demonstrate when IgG from normal pregnant women were administered. Conclusion: Our study demonstrate that the titre of AT1-AA is markedly increased in preeclampsia; it could dose-dependently increase the contractile tension of the vascular ring suggesting that AT1-AA may be play a significant role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]