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Raindrop size distribution (DSD) is a basic characteristic for describing the microphysical process of rainfall. A better understanding of DSD and its variations is not only crucial for improving microphysical parameterization schemes in numerical weather forecasting models, but also important for radar quantitative precipitation estimation. It shows that DSD characteristics are not only related to geographical location, climate, terrain, and humidity, but also vary among different rainfall types and rain rate in the same region. At present, there are still some uncertainties and limitations in the understanding of microphysical characteristics of rainfall in Northeast China, and the microphysical parameterization scheme still lacks accurate description of rainfall microphysical process. Based on observations of the precipitation phenomenon instrument at Xinmin of Liaoning Province in summer, DSD characteristics of different rainfall rate classes are investigated and compared with those of other regions in China. Spectral width of DSD increases with an increase in rain rate (R). The spectral width of raindrops is close to 8 mm when R>20 mm·h-1. Small drops are predominant in rainfall of Xinmin, but moderate drops make the most significant contribution to total rainfall. Observed DSD samples are also categorized into convective and stratiform rainfall types. The convective rainfall at Xinmin has large raindrop size and low raindrop concentration. Convective rainfall can be identified as continental clusters, with average Dm and lgNw of 2.14 mm and 3.40, while average Dm and lgNw of stratiform rainfall at Xinmin are 1.23 mm and 3.30, respectively. The μ-Λ and Z-R relationships for convective and stratiform rainfall at Xinmin are thus fitted. Fitted μ-Λ relationship at Xinmin is similar to that in other regions fitted with data observed by PARSIVEL disdrometers, but different from the empirical relationship fitted from two-dimensional video raindrop spectrometers (2DVD) observations in other regions, and the difference of instruments is the main cause for the discrepancies of μ-Λ relationships. Compared with East China and North China, Xinmin rainfall has larger Dm, lower lgNw, and higher exponent value of fitted Z-R power-law relationship for convective rainfall, indicating that the radar reflectivity factor at Xinmin increases more rapidly with the increase of rain rate. Using the Z-R empirical formula fitted at Xinmin can reduce the error of radar-based quantitative precipitation estimation. Results would contribute to the understanding of microphysical characteristics of rainfall in Northeast China and the accuracy of radar quantitative precipitation estimation.

The increased clinical demand for glycemic control in hospitalized patients has led to a new transformation of clinical technologies and medical models, which has brought challenges to medical management. We built an active blood glucose intervention operation and management model for inpatients using the Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle: Firstly, we concertized the practical management problems through root cause analysis, namely man - machine - material - method - environment. Then, we used PDCA cycle quality management tools to facilitate the construction of the operation and management models based on the PDCA cycle. We finally formed an efficient multidepartment cooperation mechanism and tiered management system and process for inpatients, and established an information system of glycemic management, quality control system and operational performance guarantee system. By use of the model, the blood glucose management has been successfully promoted with some achievements obtained, and the rate of blood glucose meeting the target level within 72 hours after glycemic management has increased month by month in West China Hospital, Sichuan University. This model developed by our hospital may be used as a reference for other hospitals to conduct glycemic management, and it also has great significance for improving the inpatient blood glucose management.

Introduction: There is still a lack of clinical evidence comprehensively evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral treatments for COVID‐19 hospitalized patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Beijing You'An Hospital, focusing on patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or azvudine. The study employed a tripartite analysis—viral dynamics, survival curve analysis, and AI‐based radiological analysis of pulmonary CT images—aiming to assess the severity of pneumonia. Results: Of 370 patients treated with either nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or azvudine as monotherapy, those in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir group experienced faster viral clearance than those treated with azvudine (5.4 days vs. 8.4 days, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the survival curves between the two drug groups. AI‐based radiological analysis revealed that patients in the nirmatrelvir group had more severe pneumonia conditions (infection ratio is 11.1 vs. 5.35, p = 0.007). Patients with an infection ratio higher than 9.2 had nearly three times the mortality rate compared to those with an infection ratio lower than 9.2. Conclusions: Our study suggests that in real‐world studies regarding hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia, the antiviral effect of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is significantly superior to azvudine, but the choice of antiviral agents is not necessarily linked to clinical outcomes; the severity of pneumonia at admission is the most important factor to determine prognosis. Additionally, our findings indicate that pulmonary AI imaging analysis can be a powerful tool for predicting patient prognosis and guiding clinical decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of electrostatic interactions in the viral capsid assembly process was studied by comparing the assembly process of a truncated hepatitis B virus capsid protein Cp149 with its mutant protein D2N/D4N, which has the same conformational structure but four fewer charges per dimer. The capsid protein self-assembly was investigated under a wide range of protein surface charge densities by changing the protein concentration, buffer pH, and solution ionic strength. Lowering the protein charge density favored the capsid formation. However, lowering charge beyond a certain point resulted in capsid aggregation and precipitation. Interestingly, both the wild-type and D2N/D4N mutant displayed identical assembly profiles when their charge densities matched each other. These results indicated that the charge density was optimized by nature to ensure an efficient and effective capsid proliferation under the physiological pH and ionic strength.

The induction of beige adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT), also known as WAT beiging, improves glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the regulation of WAT beiging at the posttranscriptional level remains to be studied. Here, we report that METTL3, the methyltransferase of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification, is induced during WAT beiging in mice. Adipose-specific depletion of the Mettl3 gene undermines WAT beiging and impairs the metabolic capability of mice fed with a high-fat diet. Mechanistically, METTL3-catalyzed m6A installation on thermogenic mRNAs, including Krüppel-like factor 9 (Klf9), prevents their degradation. Activation of the METTL3 complex by its chemical ligand methyl piperidine-3-carboxylate promotes WAT beiging, reduces body weight, and corrects metabolic disorders in diet-induced obese mice. These findings uncover a novel epitranscriptional mechanism in WAT beiging and identify METTL3 as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-associated diseases. Article Highlights: METTL3, the methyltransferase of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification, is induced during WAT beiging. Depletion of Mettl3 undermines WAT beiging and impairs thermogenesis. METTL3-mediated m6A installation promotes the stability of Krüppel-like factor 9 (Klf9). KLF9 rescues impaired beiging elicited by Mettl3 depletion. Pharmaceutical activation of the METTL3 complex by its chemical ligand methyl piperidine-3-carboxylate induces WAT beiging. Methyl piperidine-3-carboxylate corrects obesity-associated disorders. The METTL3-KLF9 pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate the long‐term mortality and risk factors in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Methods: We systematically searched Medline (PubMed), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China Science and Technology Journal Database (CQVIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed) and Wanfang Data from 1 January 2011 to 31 July 2022. All observational studies that reported long‐term mortality of patients with DFU were included. Random effect models were used to pool the reconstructed participant data from Kaplan–Meier curves. The primary outcome was the long‐term survival of patients with DFU. An aggregate data meta‐analysis was also performed. Results: We identified 34 studies, with 124 376 participants representing 16 countries, among whom there were 51 386 deaths. Of these, 27 studies with 21 171 patients were included in the Kaplan–Meier‐based meta‐analysis. The estimated Kaplan–Meier‐based survival rates were 86.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 82.6%‐91.5%) at 1 year, 66.9% (95% CI 59.3%‐75.6%) at 3 years, 50.9% (95% CI 42.0%‐61.7%) at 5 years and 23.1% (95% CI 15.2%‐34.9%) at 10 years. The results of the aggregate data‐based meta‐analysis were similar. Cardiovascular disease and infection were the most common causes of death, accounting for 46.6% (95% CI 33.5%‐59.7%) and 24.8% (95% CI 16.0%‐33.5%), respectively. Patients with older age (per 1 year, hazard ratio [HR] 1.054, 95% CI 1.045‐1.063), peripheral artery disease (HR 1.882, 95% CI 1.592‐2.225), chronic kidney disease (HR 1.535, 95% CI 1.227‐1.919), end‐stage renal disease (HR 3.586, 95% CI 1.333‐9.643), amputation (HR 2.415, 95% CI 1.323‐4.408) and history of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.449, 95% CI 1.276‐1.645) had higher mortality risk. Conclusions: This meta‐analysis found that the overall mortality of DFU was high, with nearly 50% mortality within 5 years. Cardiovascular disease and infection were the two leading causes of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic methacrylate monomer cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) was evaluated as an alternative to traditional methyl methacrylate (MMA) as hard monomer in the application of acrylate latex pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The influences of CHMA on the resultant latex and PSA properties were comprehensively investigated. Both FTIR and 1H NMR analysis indicated that CHMA could be successfully introduced into the latex PSA copolymer through emulsion polymerization. TEM images illustrated that the synthesized latex particles are spherical and uniform. DSC and TGA results showed that Tg of the copolymer was elevated, while thermal stability was decreased with introduction of CHMA. Besides, it was also found that water resistance of the latex PSA was improved by the presence of CHMA, confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Furthermore, as CHMA amount increased, gel content slightly decreased, while sol molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer increased. Finally, it was observed that loop tack decreased, while shear strength increased with the incorporation of CHMA. 180° peel strength of the PSA initially increased and then decreased with the addition of CHMA from 0 to 30 wt%, with a maximum value at 10 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted microcosm experiments with two contrasting freshwater ciliates on functional traits (FTs) related to their growth rate (numerical response, NR) and ingestion rate (functional response, FR) over a range of ecologically relevant temperatures. Histiobalantium bodamicum and Vorticella natans are common planktonic ciliates but their abundance, swimming behavior, and temperature tolerance are different. In contrast to most sessile peritrich species, the motile V. natans is not strictly bacterivorous but also voraciously feeds upon small algae. We observed three main alterations in the shape of NR of both species with temperature, that is, change in the maximum growth rate, in the initial slope and in the threshold food level needed to sustain the population. Similarly, maximum ingestion rate, gross growth efficiency (GGE), and cell size varied with temperature and species. These findings caution against generalizing ciliate performance in relation to the ongoing global warming. Our results suggest that V. natans is the superior competitor to H. bodamicum in terms of temperature tolerance and bottom‐up control. However, the abundance of V. natans is usually low compared to H. bodamicum and other common freshwater ciliates, suggesting that V. natans is more strongly top‐down controlled via predation than H. bodamicum. The taxonomic position of V. natans has been debated. Therefore, to confirm species and genus affiliation of our study objects, we sequenced their small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, many studies have reported that autologous platelet‐rich gel (APG) is an effective adjuvant treatment for chronic cutaneous ulcers in diabetics. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of APG for the topical treatment of diabetic chronic cutaneous ulcers. Methods: The China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), Chinese Wanfang database, PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant studies published up to 18 October 2017. Fixed‐ and random‐effects models were used to calculate risk ratios (RR), odds ratios (ORs), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the Diabetic Foot Wagner Classification. Results: Fifteen randomized control trials (RCTs) with 829 patients were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. Compared with standard care or conventional treatment, APG significantly improved the healing rate (RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.29, 1.50; P < 0.00001), shortened the healing time (MD ‐9.18; 95% CI −11.32, −7.05; P < 0.00001), and reduced the incidence of infection (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.15, 0.77; P = 0.009). Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that APG is effective and safe, and is feasible for use as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic ulcers, especially chronic refractory ulcers. However, more RCTs with a good design and of a high quality are needed before the use of APG can be implemented widely. HighlightsAutologous platelet‐rich gel significantly improved the healing rate, shortened the healing time, and reduced the incidence of infection in patients with diabetic chronic cutaneous ulcers.Autologous platelet‐rich gel may be recommended for use as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic ulcers, especially for chronic refractory ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]