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Senior talents are the source and driving force of sustained economic growth, so attracting and retaining senior talents is crucial to local economic development. From the perspective of senior talents – executives, using a sample of publicly traded A-share listed companies during 2005–2018 in China, we examine the impact of air pollution on executive compensation. We find that air pollution level is significantly and positively correlated with executive compensation. This effect is more prominent for firms have less bargaining power, firms where executives have more bargaining power and executives are younger. Further studies show that air pollution inhibits the accumulation of local executive talent. Finally, adjusting executive compensation according to air pollution levels can improve future firm performance. All in all, from the perspective of listed firms’ decision makers, this paper enriches and expands the literature about economic outcomes of air pollution and further reveals the micro mechanism of air pollution negatively influencing macro economic development, providing the empirical evidence for local government policy making of talent introduction, improving the environmental governance capacity and finally promoting high quality economic development.

Background2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the most frequently used herbicides in the world, and it has been linked with low testosterone; however, studies regarding its effect on erectile function are limited. The current study aimed to determine the association between the 2,4-D exposure and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).MethodsWe analyzed data for urinary 2,4-D levels from 1,311 men (>20 years of age) in the NHANES 2001–2004. ED was assessed by a single, validated survey question. Multivariable logistic regression analysis utilizing sampling weights was performed to determine the relationship between 2,4-D exposure and ED.ResultsMultivariable logistic regression models demonstrated no statistically significant association between 2,4-D exposure and ED after full adjustment [odds ratio (OR) 1.02; 95% CI 0.77–1.36; P = 0.882)]. Men in the 2,4-D quartile 4 groups were not associated with an increased risk of ED (OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.74–1.75; P for trend = 0.481). Furthermore, the association between urinary 2,4-D level and ED was not significant in the subgroup analysis stratified by age, BMI, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.ConclusionWe demonstrated that there was no association between 2,4-D exposure and ED. Further studies are warranted to corroborate our results.

The actual manufacture of supercapacitors (SCs) is restricted by the inadequate energy density, and the energy density of devices can be properly promoted by assembling zinc-ion capacitors (ZICs) which used capacitive cathode and battery-type anode. Two-dimensional (2D) MXene has brought great focuses in the electrode research on the foundation of large redox-active surface, but the specific capacitance is still affected by the tight stacking of interlaminations. Ti3C2Tx@polyaniline (PANI) heterostructures are prepared by uniformly depositing the conductive polymer PANI nanorods as the intercalation agent into the external of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to inhibit stacking. Subsequently, by using graphene oxide (GO)-assisted low-temperature hydrothermal self-assembly manufacture, 2D heterostructures are assembled into the three-dimensional (3D) porous crosslinked Ti3C2Tx@PANI-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hydrogels. Attributed to the synergistic work of PANI nanorods, Ti3C2TX nanosheets, and 3D crosslinking frameworks of RGO to match capacitive and battery effects, 3D porous hierarchical Ti3C2Tx@PANI-RGO heterostructure hydrogels have rich ion transport channels, a large number of active sites, and excellent reaction kinetics. ZIC is assembled by using Ti3C2Tx@PANI-RGO heterostructure hydrogels as cathodes and zinc foil as anodes. In this work, Ti3C2Tx@PANI-RGO//Zn ZIC exhibits a wide working window (2.0 V), marked specific capacitance (589.89 F·g−1 at 0.5 A·g−1), salient energy density (327.71 Wh·kg−1 at 513.61 W·kg−1 and 192.20 Wh·kg−1 at 13,005.87 W·kg−1), and durable cycling stability (97.87% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles at 10 A·g−1). This study emphasizes the device design of ZICs and the broad prospect of Ti3C2Tx-based hydrogels as viable cathodes for ZICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an efficient one-dimensional (1D) N-doped Co/C nanotube absorber was designed by a cobalt source and solvent ratio comodulation strategy. First, we explored the influences of different cobalt sources (CoCl2, Co-(OAc)2, Co-(NO3)2, and CoSO4) on the morphology and microwave absorption (MA) property, which showed that CoCl2 facilitated the formation of nanotubes with a relatively uniform diameter and length. Notably, the Co/C nanotubes displayed an ultrawide effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 6.885 GHz at 2.2 mm when the filling ratio was only 8 wt %. Then, by adjusting the solvent ratio of isopropanol (IPA) and water, Co/C showed a strong absorption of −44.51 dB with an EAB of 5.44 GHz at 2.35 mm. The outstanding MA performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of dielectric and magnetic components, which is conducive to optimizing the impedance matching, thus broadening the EAB. In addition, the 1D nanostructure is good for constructing three-dimensional (3D) conductive networks and enhancing conductive loss. Since Co nanoparticles are wrapped in carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the confinement effect can effectively prevent the agglomeration of ferromagnetic nanoparticles, adjusting the MA performance. It is worth mentioning that the maximum Radar cross section (RCS) value of Co/C can be reduced by 28.8 dB m2. Furthermore, the RCS values are all lower than −10 dB m2 from −90 to 90° and the minimum RCS value can reach −46.8 dB m2. This work provides a strategy for designing lightweight MA absorbers with strong RL and ultrawide EAB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundUreteroscopy (URS) has been established as an effective treatment for stones in obese patients (OP). However, recent studies found that the efficacy of the procedure may be lower in patients with higher body mass index (BMI). In the current study, we aim to determine if obesity might influence the effectiveness and safety of URS.MethodsIn May 2021, a comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov to find eligible studies. Stone-free rate (SFR), operative time, length of stay, and complication rate were assessed utilizing RevMan 5.3.ResultsThirteen studies involving 4,583 normal-weight patients (NWP), 2,465 OP, and 291 morbidly OP (MOP) were included. Pooled results showed that statistically similar SFR existed between OP and NWP [odds ratio (OR): 1.09; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.52; p = 0.59], and between MOP and NWP (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.46, 2.31; p = 0.95). The operation time was similar between OP and NWP [mean difference (MD): −2.27; 95% CI: −8.98, 4.43; p = 0.51], and between MOP and NWP (MD: 4.85; 95% CI: −5.78, 15.47; p = 0.37). In addition, no significant difference regarding length of stay existed between OP and NWP (MD: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.20, 0.07; p = 0.33), and between MOP and NWP (MD: −0.06; 95% CI: −0.25, 0.14; p = 0.58). Furthermore, we observed similar minor complication rate between OP and NWP (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.32; p = 0.78), and between MOP and NWP (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.80, 2.08; p = 0.30). The differences concerning major complication rate between OP and NWP (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.39, 2.43; p = 0.95), and between MOP and NWP (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 0.55, 7.30; p = 0.29) were also not significant.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that URS performed in MOP and OP appears to have the same efficacy and safety as well as in NWP group.

Objective To investigate the effect of melatonin on oxidative injury of rat carotid arteries after balloon injury. Methods Twenty male sprague-dawley rats were randomized into control, melatonin, smoking, and smoking plus melatonin. An established protocol of smoking was carried out. The carotid arteries were collected 7 days later. The average content of ROS was measured. And Western blot was used to detected the expression of NF-κB, MCP-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Results Smoking significantly induced the increase of ROS and the expression of NF-κB, MCP-1, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in rat carotid arteries. Moreover, cigarette smoke exposure inhibited the expression of eNOS. Melatonin minimized the effect resulted from smoking. Conclusions Melatonin may attenuate the the oxidative injury and the expression of inflammatory mediators in rat carotid arteries resulted from smoking.

ABSTRACT Introduction and Objective: Several studies have focused on the treatment and recurrence of urethral diverticulum (UD). However, few investigations have addressed sexual function in patients with UD. Therefore, we sought to examine sexual function in women affected by UD. Materials and Methods: There were 108 accepted cases involving transvaginal diverticulectomy at our institution. Ultimately, 83 women were included for further analysis, only 61 of these women had sexual partners. We collected data for the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) from the female patients and the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) from their male partners before and after surgery. Results: Preoperatively, the UD size affected the female patient's arousal and lubrication (p=0.04), and the UD location affected their satisfaction. However, no significant between-group differences were found in the total FSFI score. For all women, sexual activity improved after surgery (p=0.0087). In addition to improvements in arousal for women with a large UD, improvements in lubrication were affected by the UD size, number and shape, increases in satisfaction scores were impacted by the UD location and shape, and pain relief was linked to the UD number and shape. Analysis of the MSHQ results revealed no between-group differences among the male partners. Conclusion: Only the UD size and location affected sexual function in women with a small UD. Surgery could improve female sexual function but did not affect the sexual function of the patient's partners.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of self-expanding metal ureteral stent (MUS) for the treatment of recurrent ureteral stricture after ureteroplasty.Methods: We prospectively included 24 patients who underwent MUS implantation between February 2019 and August 2020. The inclusion criteria for the procedure were recurrent ureteral strictures after ureteroplasty. A paired T test was used to compare continuous variables before and after surgery.Results: A total of 24 patients were finally included in this study. The stricture site was most common on the proximal ureter 19 (79.2%), followed by distal ureter 4 (16.7%) and middle ureter 1 (4.2%). The median length of ureteral stricture is 2.5 (range 1–18) cm. The median operative time was 51.5 min, and the median hospital stay time after surgery was 3 days. Post-operative complication included pain 1 (4.2%), urinary tract infection 2 (8.3%) and hematuria 2 (8.3%). After a median follow-up of 12 months, 19/24 (83.3%) patients were clinically and radiologically successful. We endoscopically adjusted or exchanged the failed stents. The volume of hydronephrosis (124.7 ± 132.5 vs. 66.4 ± 73.2 cm3, P = 0.015), blood creatinine level (104.5 ± 45.4 vs. 80.1 ± 23.2 μmol/L, P = 0.044) and urea nitrogen level (6.9 ± 2.4 vs. 4.8 ± 1.5 mmol/L, P = 0.003) decreased significantly after a median follow-up of 12 months.Conclusions: MUS is a safe and effective way to manage recurrent ureteral strictures after ureteroplasty. This technique provides a new choice for the treatment of recurrent stricture.

Background: To assess the efficacy and safety of micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Microperc) and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Miniperc) in the treatment of moderately sized renal stones.Methods: Literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase was performed prior to January 2021. We used odds ratios (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) for dichotomous variables and continuous variables, respectively. Results were pooled using Review Manager version 5.3 software.Results: A total of six studies involving 291 Microperc and 328 Miniperc cases was included. The overall stone-free rate (SFR) of Microperc was 87.29% (254/291), while the SFR of Miniperc was 86.59% (284/328). Microperc was associated with lower hemoglobin drop (WMD: −0.98; P = 0.03) and higher renal colic requiring D-J stent insertion (OR: 3.49; P = 0.01). No significant differences existed between Microperc and Miniperc with respect to SFR (OR: 1.10; P = 0.69), urinary tract infection (OR: 0.38; P = 0.18), operative time (WMD: −5.76; P = 0.62), and hospital stay time (WMD: −1.04; P = 0.07).Conclusions: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that Microperc could produce an SFR that was comparable with that of Miniperc. Microperc was associated with lower hemoglobin drop, while Miniperc was associated with lower renal colic rates. In addition, the operation time and hospital stay time for both these procedures were similar.

BackgroundStudies have reported that diabetes is related to the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), but this conclusion is still controversial. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively explore the association between diabetes and UTUC prognosis.MethodsIn November 2020, we searched PubMed, Web of science and the Cochrane Library to find relevant studies that evaluated the effect of diabetes on the prognosis of UTUC. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the literature. Review Manager 5.3 was used to pool cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and intravesical recurrence (IVR).ResultsA total of 10 studies with 11,303 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Our pooled results showed that diabetes did not affect the survival outcome of UTUC, including CSS (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.89-1.98; P = 0.16), OS (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.77-1.80; P = 0.45) and RFS (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.91-2.05; P = 0.13). However, diabetes increased the risk of IVR of UTUC patients (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.43; P = 0.0004).ConclusionAlthough diabetes has no significant impact on the survival outcomes of UTUC after RNU, it increases the risk of IVR. Therefore, special attention should be paid to monitoring the IVR for UTUC patients with diabetes and the necessity of appropriate intravesical adjuvant treatment when needed.

BACKGROUND: Diquat is a common environmental pollutant, which can cause oxidative stress in humans and animals. Diquat exposure causes growth retardation and intestinal damage. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the effects of melatonin on diquat‐challenged piglets. RESULTS: Dietary supplementation with 2 mg kg−1 melatonin significantly increased the average daily gain and feed conversion rate in piglets. Melatonin increased antioxidant capacity, and improved intestinal epithelial barrier function of duodenum and jejunum in piglets. Moreover, melatonin was found to regulated the expression of immune and antioxidant‐related genes. Melatonin also alleviated diquat‐induced growth retardation and anorexia in diquat‐challenged piglets. It also increased antioxidant capacity, and ameliorated diquat‐induced intestinal epithelial barrier injury. Melatonin also regulated the expression of MnSOD and immuner‐elated genes in intestinal. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation with 2 mg kg−1 melatonin increased antioxidant capacity to ameliorate diquat‐induced oxidative stress, alleviate intestinal epithelial barrier injury, and increase growth performance in weaned piglets. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tumour vascular normalisation therapy advocates a balance between pro‐angiogenic factors and anti‐angiogenic factors in tumours. Artemisinin (ART), which is derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to inhibit tumour growth; however, the relationship between ART and tumour vascular normalisation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been previously reported. Methods: Different concentrations(0 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg)of ART were used to treat the xenograft nude mice model of OSCC. The effects of ART on migration and proliferation of OSCC and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells were detected by scratch assay and CCK‐8 assay. OSCC cells with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) silenced were constructed to explore the effect of MIF. Results: Treatment with ART inhibited the growth and angiogenesis of OSCC xenografts in nude mice and downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL‐8, and MIF expression levels. ART reduced the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVEC, as well as the expression of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. When the dose of ART was 50 mg/kg, vascular normalisation of OSCC xenografts was induced. Moreover, VEGF and IL‐8 were needed in rhMIF restoring tumour growth and inhibit vascular normalisation after the addition of rhMIF to ART‐treated cells. Conclusion: Artemisinin might induce vascular normalisation and inhibit tumour growth in OSCC through the MIF‐signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]