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BackgroundFoot deformity is a risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between hallux valgus (HV) and diabetic foot through the radiographic measurement.MethodsThe patients with diabetic foot hospitalizing in the Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2016 to June 2020 were selected. Then the foot plain X-ray radiographs were completed, and the size of HV angle (HVA) was measured. Their clinical data were collected, and the ulcer recurrence rate, amputation rate and mortality rate of the patients were followed up.ResultsA total of 370 patients were included. According to HVA, patients were divided into non-HV group (HVA40°) HV groups. The age, height, BMI, smoking history and glycosylated hemoglobin level among the non-HVA, mild, moderate, and severe HV group (P

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether sarcopenia affects the all-cause mortality rate of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).Research design and methodsThe clinic-based observational study included 217 patients treated at the Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University during a 4-year period. All subjects underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to determine their body composition during hospitalization. Diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the Baumgartner diagnostic criteria. Patients were followed up regularly by phone calls until April 1, 2019, and their survival status was recorded.Univariate and multivariate Cox risk ratio regression models were used to analyze factors influencing the all-cause mortality rate of patients with DFUs.ResultsOf the 217 patients, 158 people survived (82.7%), 33 died (17.3%), and 26 were lost to follow-up. The median follow-up time was 23 (Range 11–34) months. The majority of patients were male (68.6%), with a mean age of 67.29 ± 11.14 years. The 5-year survival rate was 68.3% and 45.9% for all study patients (n = 217) and sarcopenia patients (n = 81), respectively. Multivariate Cox risk regression model showed that age (HR 1.042[95%CI:1.006, 1.078], P = 0.021), sarcopenia (HR 5.051[95%CI:1.968, 12.961], P = 0.001), and serum creatinine (HR 1.007[95%CI: 1.003, 1.010], P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality rate of patients with DFUs. Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that the survival rate of patients with sarcopenia was significantly lower than non-sarcopenia patients (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSarcopenia is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality of patients with DFUs and hence an important prognostic factor for patients with DFUs. Active prevention and improvement of sarcopenia can potentially improve the survival outcomes of this patient population.

Abstract The research work aimed to explore a serial of facile methods to obtain low‐cost, flexible, and high‐performance CdS/CdSe QDSSCs. The flexible photoanode was prepared on the ITO/PEN substrate by blade coating. In order to improve the bonding performance between different layers of photovoltaic devices, the introduction of additives in the precursor slurry and the rapid annealing after blade coating were adopted. The flexible CdS/CdSe QDSSCs deliver energy conversion efficiency over 3%. When the tert‐butanol additive was introduced, the conversion efficiency of the flexible device was as high as 3.49%. Meanwhile, flexible devices also showed excellent bending stability. When hydrochloric acid additives were introduced, the energy conversion efficiency retention rate of flexible CdS/CdSe QDSSCs was 72.7%, which showed great application potential.

Objective(s): Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) is a popular and classic herb in traditional Chineses medicines. The objective is to confirm the effects of aqueous extract of S. miltiorrhiza (ESM) and its main ingredient on the promotion of orthodontic tooth movement and healing of periodontal ligament in rat. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n= 150) were divided into five groups: model control group (0.5 ml/kg phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injection), ESM group (0.75 g/kg/day of crude drugs) and Danshensu subgroups (250, 500, 750 mg/kg/day of body weight). All rats were administered intramuscularly into the buccal vestibular mucosa of first molar of left maxillary. The indicators such as the moving distance of orthodontic tooth, nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and osteoclasts were tested. Results: The expressions of RANKL and OPG in the treatment groups were obviously enhanced compared with control group (P

Background: The inflammatory response is associated with cardiac repair and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). The key inflammation regulatory factor thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a critical role in various diseases. However, its role in cardiac repair after MI remains uncertain. In this study, we elucidated the biological function and mechanism of action of TSLP in cardiac repair and ventricular remodeling following MI. Method and Result: Wild-type and TSLP receptor (TSLPR)-knockout (Crlf2-/-) mice underwent MI induction via ligation of the left anterior descending artery. TSLP expression was upregulated in the infarcted heart, with a peak observed on day 7 post-MI. TSLP expression was enriched in the cardiomyocytes of infarcted hearts and the highest expression of TSLPR was observed in dendritic cells. Crlf2-/- mice exhibited reduced survival and worsened cardiac function, increased interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area, and reduced CD31+ staining, with no change in the proportion of apoptotic cardiomyocytes within the border zone. Mechanistically, reduced Treg cell counts but increased myeloid cell infiltration and an increased ratio of Ly6Chigh/Ly6Clow monocyte were observed in the ani hearts of Crlf2-/- mice. Further, TSLP regulated CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation at baseline and after MI, with a greater impact on Treg cells than on conventional T cells. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant downregulation of genes involved in T cell activation and TCR signaling in the infarcted heart of Crlf2-/- mice compared with their WT counterparts. Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicate a critical role for TSLP in facilitating cardiac repair and conferring protection against MI, primarily through regulating CD4+ T cell responses, which may provide a potential novel therapeutic approach for managing heart failure after MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune cell infiltration is a significant pathological process in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). T cells, particularly CD4+ T cells, are essential immune cells responsible for substantial infiltration of the aorta. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) in AAA have been identified as tissue‐specific; however, the time, location, and mechanism of acquiring the tissue‐specific phenotype are still unknown. Using single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) on CD4+ T cells from the AAA aorta and spleen, we discovered heterogeneity among CD4+ T cells and identified activated, proliferating and developed aorta Tregs. These Tregs originate in the peripheral tissues and acquire the tissue‐specific phenotype in the aorta. The identification of precursors for Tregs in AAA provides new insight into the pathogenesis of AAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environment of tobacco-growing soil directly affects the yield and quality of tobacco leaves. In order to solve problems of tobacco-growing soil degradation, low organic matter content and unbalanced soil nutrient supply and promote sustainable and healthy development of tobacco production, this paper comprehensively discussed conservation and improvement techniques of tobacco-growing soil based on existing problems in Zhaoyang District, aiming to provide reference for tobacco-growing soil conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD4+ T‐cell counts are increased and activated in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), whereas regulatory T‐cell (Treg) expansion is inhibited, probably due to aberrant T‐cell receptor (TCR) signaling. TCR signaling is affected by protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) in autoimmune disorders, but whether PTPN22 influences TCR signaling in CHF remains unclear. This observational case–control study included 45 patients with CHF [18 patients with ischemic heart failure versus 27 patients with nonischemic heart failure (NIHF)] and 16 non‐CHF controls. We used flow cytometry to detect PTPN22 expression, tyrosine phosphorylation levels, zeta‐chain‐associated protein kinase, 70 kDa (ZAP‐70) inhibitory residue tyrosine 292 and 319 phosphorylation levels, and CD4+ T cell and Treg proportions. We conducted lentivirus‐mediated PTPN22 RNA silencing in isolated CD4+ T cells. PTPN22 expression increased in the CD4+ T cells of patients with CHF compared with that in controls. PTPN22 expression was positively correlated with left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter and type B natriuretic peptide but negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction in the NIHF group. ZAP‐70 tyrosine 292 phosphorylation was decreased, which correlated positively with PTPN22 overexpression in patients with NIHF and promoted early TCR signaling. PTPN22 silencing induced Treg differentiation in CD4+ T cells from patients with CHF, which might account for the reduced frequency of peripheral Tregs in these patients. PTPN22 is a potent immunomodulator in CHF and might play an essential role in the development of CHF by promoting early TCR signaling and impairing Treg differentiation from CD4+ T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study was conducted to find out the most suitable special formula fertilizer for flue-cured tobacco production in tobacco-growing areas of Zhaotong City. so as to provide a basis for scientific fertilization and reduced application of inorganic fertilizers with improved efficiency in tobacco production in Zhaotong City. | Methods] Different formulas of special base fertilizer and special topdressing for tobacco were designed by optimizing and adjusting the application amounts and proportions of nitrogen. phosphorus. potassium and medium trace elements in fertilizer formulas. and the formulas of special base fertilizer and special topdressing for flue-cured tobacco production were selected through a field plot experiment. [Results] The combination of special base fertilizer and special top-dressing was conducive to the early growth and rapid growth of tobacco plants under the condition of reduced fertilizer application. and the treatment using organie-inorganic compound fertilizer as the special base fertilizer was the most obvious, with an average growth period of two days increased. Compared with conventional fertilization. the yield. output value, average price. proportion of superior tobacco and proportion of medium and superior tobacco increased in the Ql'ganic-inorganic compound fertilizer treatment, with the yield increasing by 5.96%. the Output value increasing by 17. 08%. thé average price increasing by 10.49%. the proportion of superior tobacco increasing by 4. 63%, and the proportion of medium and superior tobacco increasing by 2.44%. It was concluded from indexes including growth period, agronomic traits, disease incidence and economic traits, the fertilization mode of organic-inorganic compound fertilizer with the addition of trace elements (boron, magnesium and zinc) applied as the base fertilizer and nitrogen and potassium topdressing was most efficient and economic. [Conclusions] This study provides a basis for scientific fertilization and reduced application of inorganic fertilizers with improved efficiency in tobacco production in Zhaotong City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]