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Purpose: Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is an uncommon catastrophic cardiovascular disease with high pre-hospital mortality rate without timely and effectively treated. The aim of this study was to assess the value of serum platelet to hemoglobin (PHR) in predicting in-hospital mortality in type A AAD patients. Methods: A total of 183 type A AAD patients were included in this retrospective investigation from January 2017 to December 2019. Admission blood routine parameters were gathered and PHR was computed. The outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality within 30 days. Results: The average levels of serum PHR were significant higher in survivor group than those in non-survivor group (1.14 ± 0.57 vs 0.87 ± 0.47, p = 0.006) and serum PHR was an independent factor associated with in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 2.831; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.108–7.231; p = 0.030). ROC noted that 0.8723 was chosen as the ideal cutoff value with a sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 72.5%. In addition, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.693 (95% CI 0.599–0.787, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Admission serum PHR can be used as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with type A AAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene-Bi2WO6 composite photocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic properties were synthetized by ultrasonic-microwave synergistic method. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, specific surface area analyzer (BET) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The photocatalytic activities of as-prepared samples were evaluated by degradation of pyridine in light oil under visible light irradiation. The results show that graphene changed appearance structure of Bi2WO6, which prevented the Bi2WO6 nanosheets reunion arrangement, and increased specific surface area of the catalyst. It can also reduce the recombination probability of photogenerated carrier, so as to improve the photocatalytic activity of the composite catalyst. The optimal amount of graphene is 2%, with the denitrification rate as high as 89.28%, much higher than that of pure Bi2WO6. Bi2WO6 is incorporated onto graphene sheets using an ultrasonic-microwave synergistic method to shorten the time of preparation of catalyst and graphene oxide which could be efficiently reduced under the microwave reaction. The graphene sheets not only function as a good substrate and stabilizer of Bi2WO6 but they could also efficiently improve the electron transport and reduce the charge recombination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Neonatal sepsis is a serious disease that needs timely and immediate medical attention. So far, there is no specific prognostic biomarkers or model for dependable predict outcomes in neonatal sepsis. The aim of this study was to establish a predictive model based on readily available laboratory data to assess 30-day mortality in neonatal sepsis., Methods: Neonates with sepsis were recruited between January 2019 and December 2022. The admission information was obtained from the medical record retrospectively. Univariate or multivariate analysis was utilized to identify independent risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to check the performance of the predictive model., Results: A total of 195 patients were recruited. There was a big difference between the two groups in the levels of hemoglobin and prothrombin time. Multivariate analysis confirmed that hemoglobin>133 g/L (hazard ratio: 0.351, p=0.042) and prothrombin time >16.6 s (hazard ratio: 4.140, p=0.005) were independent risk markers of 30-day mortality. Based on these results, a predictive model with the highest area under the curve (0.756) was built., Conclusion: We established a predictive model that can objectively and accurately predict individualized risk of 30-day mortality. The predictive model should help clinicians to improve individual treatment, make clinical decisions, and guide follow-up management strategies.