Correlation of negative emotion, fatigue level and internet addiction in college students: implication for coping strategies

BACKGROUND

Internet addiction has an important influence on the development of physical and mental health of college students. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current status and the correlation between college students' negative emotion, fatigue level and Internet addiction disorder, and to provide reference for the care and management of college students.

METHODS

We conducted a questionnaire survey on a cluster sample of college students from October to November 15, 2022. Internet addiction scale, fatigue assessment scale and positive and negative emotion scale were used for survey. Pearson correlation analysis and mediating effect test were performed to analyze the correlation and effects.

RESULTS

A total of 1546 valid questionnaires were collected. The incidence of internet addiction in college student was 20.38%. The total score of internet addiction was 52.94 ± 12.47, the total fatigue score was 69.27 ± 3.19, the score of positive emotion of college students was 31. 41 ± 5.09, and the negative emotion score was 18.54 ± 5.68. The total score of internet addiction were positively correlated with score of negative emotion (all P < 0. 05). The total score of internet addiction scale of college students were positively correlated and each factor score of with the score of fatigue severity (all P < 0. 05). Fatigue played an intermediary role in the prediction of negative emotion and internet addiction of college students, with an intermediary role of-0.433, accounting for 76.35% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

The college students' positive emotion may be strengthened to reduce their fatigue level and negative emotion so as to reduce internet addiction.

The effect of previous orbital decompression on outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid ophthalmopathy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of previous orbital decompression on outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 55 eyes of 33 patients treated in our hospital for restrictive strabismus caused by thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. We performed muscle recession for the obviously restricted extraocular muscles, with 6 weeks of follow-up. Surgical outcomes were compared between the orbital decompression group (DG, n=15) and non-orbital decompression group (NDG, n=18).

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy who underwent rectus muscle recession surgery were included. Of these, 15 patients had undergone orbital decompression prior to strabismus surgery, and 18 had not. The two groups did not differ in terms of the preoperative horizontal or vertical ocular deviation, degree of restriction of eye movement, degree of diplopia, or mean number of muscles that underwent surgery (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative horizontal or vertical ocular deviation, level of eye movement restriction, degree of diplopia and the success rate of the surgery (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rectus muscle recession surgery in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy during the quiescent period could improve the ocular deviation and diplopia, and orbital decompression performed before strabismus surgery had no significant effect on surgical technique or outcomes of rectus muscle recession surgery.

Design and characteristic research of smart rod based on optical fiber grating for strain monitoring of power transmission tower

The safety of the power transmission towers is the basis for the reliable operation of the power grid. Real-time monitoring of the strain of the key rods of the power transmission tower can reflect the safety status of the power transmission tower. In this paper, a smart rod equipped with fiber Bragg grating with strain sensitivity enhanced structure is proposed to detect the strain of key rods of large-span power transmission towers on the southeast coast of the Yangtze River. The smart rod can be connected with the power transmission tower rod through the foot nails and the force on the tower can be transformed effectively. This structure has the advantages of convenient installation and no damage to the power transmission tower. Prestress can be applied to fiber Bragg grating equipped in the smart rod through the prestressed sleeve and can be continuously and accurately adjusted, sensitivity of the fiber Bragg grating was enhanced by strain sensitivity enhanced structure. The relationship between force and strain of fiber Bragg grating installed in the smart rod was analyzed by ANSYS software. Experimental results show that the sensitivity of the fiber Bragg grating strain sensor in the smart rod is 13 times that of the conventional structure fiber Bragg grating strain sensor, and the linearity between the fiber Bragg grating wavelength change and force is as high as 0.999. Temperature compensation was realized through temperature measurement fiber Bragg grating installed in the smart rod. This structure can be used to measure the strain of a large-span power transmission tower from 0 to 2000 με with an accuracy of 0.1 με with good repeatability.

Association between inflammatory cytokines and symptoms of major depressive disorder in adults

Objective

This study investigated the association between inflammatory cytokines and major depressive disorder.

Methods

Plasma biomarkers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis of baseline biomarkers in the major depression disorder (MDD) group and healthy controls (HC) group, and differences in biomarkers before and after treatment. Spearman analysis was performed to correlate baseline and after treatment MDD biomarkers with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) total scores. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed for the effect of biomarkers on MDD and HC classification and diagnosis.

Results

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly higher in the MDD group than in the HC group, while high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) levels were significantly lower in the MDD group. The AUCs for HMGB1, TNF-α, and IL-6 were 0.375, 0.733, and 0.783, respectively, according to the ROC curves. MDD patients with brain-derived neurotrophic factor precursor (proBDNF) levels were positively correlated with total HAMD-17 scores. The levels of proBDNF levels were positively correlated with the total HAMD-17 score in male MDD patients, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) levels were negatively correlated with the total HAMD-17 score in female MDD patients.

Conclusion

Inflammatory cytokines are associated with the severity of MDD, and TNF-α and IL-6 have the potential as objective biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of MDD.

Three Neolignan Glycosides from the Root of Nothopanax davidii

Three neolignan glycosides, including a new compound (7S,8R)-dihydro-3'-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1'-benzofuranpropanol-9-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (1), were isolated from the root of Nothopanax davidii. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses, particularly NMR, HR-ESI-MS, and ECD experiments, and the absolute configuration of 2 was first definitively determined. The anti-tumor activity was assessed on four tumor cells by MTT assay, the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by inhibition of NO production in LPS reduced RAW264.7 cells, and the interaction with iNOS was predicted by molecular docking. At the dose of 100 μM, the three neolignan glycosides showed no cytotoxic activity against HepG2, HCT116, HeLa and A549 human tumor cells, but significantly inhibited LPS induced NO generation in RAW264.7 cells with inhibition rates of 31.53 %, 23.95 %, and 20.79 %, respectively, showing weak anti-inflammatory activity, possibly due to their binding to key residues of iNOs involved in inhibitor binding.

Combining impregnation and co-pyrolysis to reduce the environmental risk of biochar derived from sewage sludge

Sewage sludge derived biochar has great potential for agricultural application, whereas the risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge is a key challenge for utilization. This study investigated the synergetic effect of co-pyrolysis and ZnCl₂ impregnation treatment on the surface characteristics and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge derived biochar. It was concluded that ZnCl₂ impregnation led to an increase in biochar yield, O and S content, but decrease the ash content and pH. Additionally, the thermal stability of ZnCl₂-added biochar was decreased. Semi-quantitive specific functional groups analysis suggested that ZnCl₂ impregnation had a negative effect on the content of CO and C-O, while promoted the formation of aromatic CC. And the functional group of CO was retained in biochar by co-pyrolysis with Camellia oleifera shell due to its high content of potassium. For heavy metal passivation, ZnCl₂ impregnation decreased total content of heavy metals by chlorination, while the oxidizable fraction (F3) of heavy metals showed an increasing tendency. Results of potential ecological risk assessment indicated that combining ZnCl₂ impregnation and co-pyrolysis had great potential to reduce the ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge derived biochar.

Metal phosphonates as heterogeneous catalysts for highly efficient chemical fixation of CO2 under mild conditions

Two new compounds with novel structures were prepared, one of which displays excellent catalytic activity to transform CO2 gas to cyclic carbonates under mild conditions and free of solvent.

A circular intronic RNA ciPVT1 delays endothelial cell senescence by regulating the miR-24-3p/CDK4/pRb axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been established to be involved in numerous processes in the human genome, but their function in vascular aging remains largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to characterize and analyze the function of a circular intronic RNA, ciPVT1, in endothelial cell senescence. We observed significant downregulation of ciPVT1 in senescent endothelial cells. In proliferating endothelial cells, ciPVT1 knockdown induced a premature senescence-like phenotype, inhibited proliferation, and led to an impairment in angiogenesis. An in vivo angiogenic plug assay revealed that ciPVT1 silencing significantly inhibited endothelial tube formation and decreased hemoglobin content. Conversely, overexpression of ciPVT1 in old endothelial cells delayed senescence, promoted proliferation, and increased angiogenic activity. Mechanistic studies revealed that ciPVT1 can sponge miR-24-3p to upregulate the expression of CDK4, resulting in enhanced Rb phosphorylation. Moreover, enforced expression of ciPVT1 reversed the senescence induction effect of miR-24-3p in endothelial cells. In summary, the present study reveals a pivotal role for ciPVT1 in regulating endothelial cell senescence and may have important implications in the search of strategies to counteract the development of age-associated vascular pathologies.

circGNAQ, a circular RNA enriched in vascular endothelium, inhibits endothelial cell senescence and atherosclerosis progression

Endothelial cell senescence is one of the most important causes of vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous RNA molecules with covalently closed-loop structures, which have been reported to be abnormally expressed in many human diseases. However, the potential role of circRNAs in endothelial cell senescence and atherosclerosis remains largely unknown. Here, we compared the expression patterns of circRNAs in young and senescent human endothelial cells with RNA sequencing. Among the differentially expressed circRNAs, circGNAQ, a circRNA enriched in vascular endothelium, was significantly downregulated in senescent endothelial cells. circGNAQ silencing triggered endothelial cell senescence, as determined by a rise in senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, reduced cell proliferation, and suppressed angiogenesis; circGNAQ overexpression showed the opposite effects. Mechanistic studies revealed that circGNAQ acted as an endogenous miR-146a-5p sponge to increase the expression of its target gene PLK2 by decoying the miR-146a-5p, thereby delaying endothelial cell senescence. In vivo studies showed that circGNAQ overexpression in the endothelium inhibited endothelial cell senescence and atherosclerosis progression. These results suggest that circGNAQ plays critical roles in endothelial cell senescence and consequently the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, implying that the management of circGNAQ provides a potential therapeutic approach for limiting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Circular RNAs as Competing Endogenous RNAs in Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a novel class of widespread and diverse endogenous RNA molecules. This unusual class of RNA species is generated by a back-splicing event of exons or introns, resulting in a covalently closed circRNA molecule. Accumulating evidence indicates that circRNA plays an important role in the biological functions of a network of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). CircRNAs can competitively bind to miRNAs and abolish the suppressive effect of miRNAs on target RNAs, thus regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. The role of circRNAs as ceRNAs in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) has been recently reported and highlighted. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism could aid the discovery of therapeutic targets or strategies against CVDs. Here, we review the progress in studying the role of circRNAs as ceRNAs in CVDs, with emphasis on the molecular mechanism, and discuss future directions and possible clinical implications.

Fabrication of new structures from a 3D cobalt phosphonate network: structural transformation and proton conductivity investigation

Three new compounds with novel structures were prepared from cobalt 318, among which, 0-dimensional structural compound 1 shows a higher proton conductivity.

[Evaluation of the role of melatonin in the metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective:To evaluate the level of melatonin and the role of melatonin in the metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Method:We measured serum melatonin levels in 81 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma（PTC） ,20 patients with multinodular goiter（MNG） and 20 healthy adults using ELISA. The relationship between melatonin and clinicopathological features of PTC were analyzed.The expression of MT1 and MT2 in two subtypes of melatonin receptor in 81 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma and adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemical SP method, and its the mean optical density（MOD） image was analyzed by Image Pro Plusversion（IPP） image processing software. Result:Serum melatonin concentration in patients with PTC was significantly higher than that in MNG patients and normal controls（P<0.05）. The level of melatonin in the primary tumor T≥2 cm group was significantly higher than that in the T<2 cm group. Patients with positive cervical lymph nodes（N≥1） had significantly higher melatonin levels than lymph node negatives（N=0）（P<0.05）. The MT1 and MT2 receptors were expressed in both PTC and paracancerous tissues, mainly in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. The expression of MT1 receptor was low in the two groups, and there was no statistical difference. The expression of MT2 receptor in PTC tissues Significantly higher than the adjacent tissues（P<0.05）, further studies showed that the expression of MT2 receptor in PTC tissues was associated with cervical lymph node metastasis, and the expression of MT2 receptor in PTC tissues with cervical lymph node metastasis was significantly lower than that without metastasis （P<0.05）. Conclusion:Serum melatonin levels in PTC patients were higher than those in MNG and control groups, which may be associated with low malignancy of PTC; melatonin inhibits PTC metastasis, which exerts anti-PTC metastasis mainly through MT2 receptors.

A fast and highly selective Congo red adsorption material based on a cadmium-phosphonate network

This cadmium-phosphonate network exhibited rapid and efficient adsorption of Congo red dye, as well as excellent structural stability and adsorptive recyclability.

[Clinical study about anatomical and functional reconstruction for frontolateral vertical partial laryngectomy with ultrathin titanium mesh and fascia flap from the strap muscles]

Objective:To investigate the effect of laryngeal reconstruction in functional and anatomical aspect with ultrathin titanium mesh and myofascial flap in patients underwent frontolateral vertical partial laryngectomy with T2 and T3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Method:Ten patients with T2 and T3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma underwent frontolateral vertical partial laryngectomy in different range. The ultrathin titanium mesh was shaped up according to the form of thyroid cartilage in operation while the thyroid perichondrium membrane combined with straped myofascial flap was lined under the titanium mesh to restore the laryngeal cavity space. The pronunciation, swallowing capability and extubation rate were observed after surgery. Result:Nine patients underwent extubation within 2 to 4 weeks after surgery, one patients remove metal tube in two-stage after laryngeal dilation surgery with the Montgomery tube. Swallowing and voice function in these patients recovered well and no deglutition disorder was found. CT scan showed that the Titanium meshs were fixed well without displacement and deformity. Electronic laryngoscopy showed that the mucosa of laryngeal lumen was smooth without laryngeal stenosis, keloid contraction, tissue necrosis or titanium mesh exposure. Conclusion:In the cases of T2, T3 glottic laryngeal cancer patients, laryngeal framework reconstruction with the new type of ultrathin titanium mesh, thyroid cartilage membrane and pedicled fascia plap of strap muscles is a good choice after the vertical frontolateral partial laryngectomy. Even some elective T4 cases with the former part invasion in supra-glottic or infra-glottic region can receive this operation. It can reconstruct the physiological and anatomical structure of the larynx, restore laryngeal function with a sound decanulization rate.

[The anatomic characteristics and surgical treatment of congenital pyriform sinus fistula]

Objective:To discuss the clinical anatomic characteristics of congenital pyriform sinus fistula and summarize the experiences of open neck surgery. Method：The clinical data of 12 patients with congenital pyriform sinus fistula were retrospectively analyzed.Result:During the operation, all lesions were located below of superior laryngeal nerve. All fistulas were closely related with the supperior part of thyroid gland and laterally passed over the left recurrent laryngeal nerve just before merging into the apex of piriform sinus or beginning of aesophagus. Follow-up periods were ranging between 8 to 65 months. Two months after surgery,one patient showed lateral neck abscess again. After open drainage procedures and antibiotics treatment, there was no recurrence signs during 3 years of follow-up.Conclusion:We found that the congenital pyriform sinus fistula was closely related to the superior thyroid gland and recurrent laryngeal nerve,which was different from the popular theory.We had not encountered types descending into mediastinum and thoracic cavity or ascending along common carotid artery sheath. All fistulas passed over the left recurrent laryngeal nerve，and then merged into the apex of pyriform sinus or beginning of aesophagus.The key point for successful resection of fistulas in block was to remove the superior involvement part of the thyroid gland and exposure the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Based on our practical findings, the neck dissection procedure should not be taken in some patients that the anatomical structure is not clear for repeated infections.

Fabrication of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4photovoltaic devices with 10% efficiency by optimizing the annealing temperature of precursor films

Fabrication of a champion solar cell with 10.04% efficiency by optimizing the annealing temperature of precursor films.

A highly stable MnII phosphonate as a highly efficient catalyst for CO2 fixation under ambient conditions

A highly stable microporous Mn^II phosphonate is rationally designed and it exhibits highly efficient performance in the context of CO₂ chemical conversion into cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions.

[Primary malignant tumor of uvula: report of 3 cases and review of the literature]

We retrospectively analyzed 3 middle-aged male patients of primary malignant tumor of uvula. There was a long history of smoking and drinking for the patients. All of them came to the hospital with the syptoms of pharyngeal foreign body sensation and two of them had pharyngeal sore. The patients appeared well, new neoplasm at the apex of the uvula. Diameter of 2 cases were less than 1 cm without invading the midline of the soft palate. Another patient's diameter was more than 1 cm with invading the midline of the soft palate. Preoperative pathology diagnosis of 3 patients was squamous cell carcinoma of uvula. The pharyngeal CT of the patient with invading the midline of the soft palate showed nodules at the end of the soft palate, obviously enhancement and small lymph node in left neck.

Anatomical structure of the coracohumeral ligament and its effect on shoulder joint stability

BACKGROUND

In this study, coracohumeral ligament (CHL) specimens were carefully dissected to observe its length, width, thickness and tension at different positions of the shoulder joint, thereby elucidating its effects on shoulder joint stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fresh frozen shoulder joints from 40 normal adult cadaveric specimens were dissected to reveal the CHL. With the shoulder joints placed at different positions, the length of the CHL and the width and thickness of the middle part of the ligament were measured. The changes in tension of the CHL were also observed. When the shoulder joint maintained the neutral position, the length of the CHL was 52.23 ± 1.02 mm and the width and thickness of the middle part of the ligament were 15.95 ± 0.59 mm and 1.46 ± 0.06 mm, respectively.

RESULTS

When the shoulder joint moved from the neutral position to 90° external rotation, from the neutral position to 30° adduction or from the neutral position to 30° flexion/extension or when the shoulder joint is pulled down with a 5 kg weight, the CHL was elongated and thinned, maintaining a strained state. When the shoulder joint moved from the neutral position to 90° internal rotation, from the neutral position to 90° abduction or from the neutral position to 30° flexion/ extension, the CHL was shortened and thickened, maintaining a relaxed state.

CONCLUSIONS

The CHL may limit the external rotation, adduction and downward movement of the shoulder joint and the process from the neutral position to the 30° flexion/extension, maintaining shoulder joint stability.

Therapy of tacrolimus combined with corticosteroids in idiopathic membranous nephropathy

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) combined with corticosteroids in treating patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). One hundred seventy-seven biopsy-proven IMN patients were recruited in this retrospective clinical study. Sixty patients received TAC (target blood concentration of 4–8 ng/mL) and 117 patients received daily cyclophosphamide (CYC, 100 mg) combined with prednisone. Remission rates at the end of the first, second and third month in the TAC group were significantly higher than that in the CYC group (1st: 35.0 vs 19.7%, P<0.05; 2nd: 56.7 vs 38.5%, P<0.05; 3rd: 76.7 vs 59.0%, P<0.05). In the first 3 months, daily urinary protein and serum albumin in the TAC group obtained a better improvement than that in the CYC group (P<0.05). At the end of the sixth and the twelfth month, the remission rates, daily urinary protein and serum albumin were all comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). No significant difference of relapse rate between the groups was found (16.3 vs 12.0%, P>0.05). Patients were more likely to develop glucose intolerance in the TAC group. The TAC regimen obtained more benefits in treating IMN patients, especially in the first 3 months, than the CYC regimen.

A copper-phosphonate network as a high-performance heterogeneous catalyst for the CO2 cycloaddition reactions and alcoholysis of epoxides

A protonated metal-phosphonate network was successfully prepared; it shows excellent catalytic activity for the CO₂ chemical conversion and ring opening of epoxides.

Fe3O4@ZIF-8: a magnetic nanocomposite for highly efficient UO22+ adsorption and selective UO22+/Ln3+ separation

Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with outstanding UO₂²⁺ adsorption capacity and selectivity for lanthanide ions could be simply separated by magnet from a solution containing lanthanide ions.

Environmental context for the terminal Ediacaran biomineralization of animals

In terminal Ediacaran strata of South China, the onset of calcareous biomineralization is preserved in the paleontological transition from Conotubus to Cloudina in repetitious limestone facies of the Dengying Formation. Both fossils have similar size, funnel-in-funnel construction, and epibenthic lifestyle, but Cloudina is biomineralized, whereas Conotubus is not. To provide environmental context for this evolutionary milestone, we conducted a high-resolution elemental and stable isotope study of the richly fossiliferous Gaojiashan Member. Coincident with the first appearance of Cloudina is a significant positive carbonate carbon isotope excursion (up to +6‰) and an increase in the abundance and (34) S composition of pyrite. In contrast, δ(34) S values of carbonate-associated sulfate remain steady throughout the succession, resulting in anomalously large (>70‰) sulfur isotope fractionations in the lower half of the member. The fractionation trend likely relates to changes in microbial communities, with sulfur disproportionation involved in the lower interval, whereas microbial sulfate reduction was the principal metabolic pathway in the upper. We speculate that the coupled paleontological and biogeochemical anomalies may have coincided with an increase in terrestrial weathering fluxes of sulfate, alkalinity, and nutrients to the depositional basin, which stimulated primary productivity, the spread of an oxygen minimum zone, and the development of euxinic conditions in subtidal and basinal environments. Enhanced production and burial of organic matter is thus directly connected to the carbon isotope anomaly, and likely promoted pyritization as the main taphonomic pathway for Conotubus and other soft-bodied Ediacara biotas. Our studies suggest that the Ediacaran confluence of ecological pressures from predation and environmental pressures from an increase in seawater alkalinity set the stage for an unprecedented geobiological response: the evolutionary novelty of animal biomineralization.

Association of CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism with oral cancer risk in Asian populations: a meta-analysis

Numerous studies regarding the association between the CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism and oral cancer risk in Asian populations have shown controversial results. To get a more precise estimation of this relationship, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Elsevier Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wan Fang Med Online were searched. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects models. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the Cochran Q test and I(2) statistics. Twelve articles including 1925 oral cancer patients and 2335 controls were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the meta-analysis showed that the CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism was associated with oral cancer risk in Asians (m1/m1 vs m2/m2: OR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.30-070, POR = 0.000; m1/m1 vs m1/m2+m2/m2: OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.51-0.98, POR = 0.037; m1/m1+m1/m2 vs m2/m2: OR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.35-0.65, POR = 0.000). Subgroup analyses showed that the control source (hospital-based or population-based), the genotyping method [polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism], the country in which the study was conducted, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (Yes or No) were positively related to the association. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the overall results showed no significant change in three genetic models when any one study was removed, and publication bias was undetected by the Egger test. The CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism may be associated with oral cancer risk in Asian populations.

[The resection of a giant recurrent parotid gland tumor]

This paper report a case of a giant recurrent tumor arising in the parotid gland. The patient presents as a tumor for 20 years on her left parotid region showing a rapid increase in the dimensions during the latest 3 months. The computed tomography scan and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed it most likely to be a pleomorphic adenoma. The tumor was completely resected with preservation of the facial nerve under general anesthesia. Macroscopically, the excised tumor was measured 21 cm×13 cm×10 cm in scale, and weighed 1.730 kg. Histopathological examination of the excised tumor revealed a recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Postoperatively, the facial nerve function was normal with an excellent aesthetic outcome.

A niobium-necked cluster [As3Nb(As3Sn3)]3− with aromatic Sn32−

A new Zintl cluster [As₃Nb(As₃Sn₃)]³⁻ was synthesized and characterized, in which an As₃ triangle and a bowl-type As₃Sn₃ ligand are bridged by a niobium atom. The Sn₃ ring is found to have σ-aromaticity featured by a delocalized Sn–Sn–Sn σ orbital.

Effect of oral contraceptive use on the incidence of dry socket in females following impacted mandibular third molar extraction: a meta-analysis

The aim of this comprehensive meta-analysis was to provide evidence-based data to test whether oral contraceptive (OC) use can promote the incidence of dry socket (DS) in females following impacted mandibular third molar extraction. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier Science Direct databases were searched. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects model analysis. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated with the Cochran test and I(2) statistic. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Of 70 articles identified in the search, 12 reporting 16 clinical controlled trials were included in this study. The incidence of DS was significantly greater in the OC groups than in the control groups (RR 1.80, 95% CI 1.33-2.43). Subgroup analyses showed that the unit assessed (tooth or patient), the region in which the study was conducted, and the intervention were not related to the incidence of DS in females taking OC after impacted mandibular third molar extraction. The sensitivity analysis showed no significant change when any one study was excluded. Publication bias was also not detected. This study suggests that OC use may promote the incidence of DS in females following impacted mandibular third molar extraction.

Metal electrode-free perovskite solar cells with transfer-laminated conducting polymer electrode

We report perovskite solar cells with a new device structure that employ highly conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (

PEDOT

PSS) as the top electrode replacing commonly used metal electrodes. The

PEDOT

PSS top electrode is prepared from its aqueous solution through a transfer-lamination technique rather than direct spin-coating, which converts the CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3) into PbI(2). Perovskite solar cells with the structure of glass/FTO/c-TiO(2)/m-TiO(2)/CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3)/spiro-OMeTAD/PEDOT:PSS yield a maximum open-circuit voltage (V(OC)) of 1.02 V, and a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.29% under AM1.5 100 mW/cm(2) illumination. The whole device was fabricated in air without high-vacuum deposition which simplifies the processing and lowers the threshold of both scientific research and industrial production of perovskite solar cells.

Polyethylenimine aqueous solution: a low-cost and environmentally friendly formulation to produce low-work-function electrodes for efficient easy-to-fabricate organic solar cells

Polyethylenimine (PEI) has been widely used to produce low-work-function electrodes. Generally, PEI modification is prepared by spin coating from 2-methoxyethanol solution. In this work, we explore the method for PEI modification on indium tin oxide (ITO) by dipping the ITO sample into PEI aqueous solution for organic solar cells. The PEI prepared in this method could reduce the work function of ITO as effectively as PEI prepared by spin coating from 2-methoxyethanol solution. H2O as the processing solvent is more environmentally friendly and much cheaper compared to the 2-methoxyethanol solvent. The dipping method is also compatible with large-area samples. With low-work-function ITO treated by the dipping method, solar cells with a simple structure of glass/ITO/PEI(dipping)/P3HT:ICBA/PEDOT:PSS(vacuum-free processing) display a high open-circuit voltage of 0.86 ± 0.01, a high fill factor of 66 ± 2%, and power conversion efficiency of 4.4 ± 0.3% under 100 mW/cm(2) illumination.