Introduction: Seed-based analysis has shown that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can modulate the dysfunctional brain network in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the voxel-based neuropsychological mechanism of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an 8-week course of taVNS on patients with first-episode MDD. Methods: Twenty-two patients with first-episode MDD accepted an 8-week course of taVNS treatment. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans were performed before and after treatment. Voxel-based analyses were performed to characterize spontaneous brain activity. Healthy controls (n=23) were recruited to minimize test-retest effects. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to ascertain treatment-related changes. Then, correlations between changes in brain activity and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D)/Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) remission rate were estimated. Results: Significant group-by-time interactions on voxel-based analyses were observed in the inferior ventral striatum (VSi) and precuneus. Post-hoc analyses showed that taVNS inhibited higher brain activity in the VSi, while upregulating it in the precuneus. Functional connectivity (FC) between the VSi and precuneus decreased. Positive correlations were found between the HAM-D remission rate and changes in brain activity in the VSi. Conclusion: taVNS reduced the FC between VSi and precuneus by normalizing the abnormal spontaneous brain activity of VSi in first-episode MDD patients.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Determinar la excreción urinaria de sodio y potasio en 24 horas en la Región de las Américas. Métodos. Se realizaron una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis en busca de estudios realizados entre los años 1990 y 2021 con adultos residentes en cualquier Estado soberano de la Región publicados en Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO y Lilacs. La búsqueda se llevó a cabo por primera vez el 26 de octubre del 2020 y se actualizó el 15 de diciembre del 2021. De los 3941 resúmenes revisados, se incluyeron 74 estudios de 14 países, 72 estudios sobre excreción urinaria de sodio (27 387 adultos) y 42 estudios sobre excreción urinaria de potasio (19 610 adultos) realizados entre el 1990 y el 2020. Se agruparon los datos mediante un modelo de metanálisis de efectos aleatorios. Resultados. La excreción media de sodio fue de 157,29 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 151,42-163,16); la de potasio, de 57,69 mmol/24 h (IC de 95%, 53,35-62,03). En los casos en que se consideraron únicamente mujeres, la excreción media de sodio fue de 135,81 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 130,37-141,25); la de potasio, de 51,73 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 48,77-54,70). En varones, la excreción media de sodio fue de 169,39 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 162,14-176,64); la de potasio, de 62,67 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 55,41-69,93). La excreción media de sodio fue de 150,09 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 137,87-162,30) en la década de 1990 y de 159,79 mmol/24 h (IC de 95%, 151,63-167,95) en la década del 2010. La excreción media de potasio fue de 58,64 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 52,73-64,55) en la década de 1990 y de 56,33 mmol/24h (IC de 95%, 48,65-64,00) en la década del 2010. Conclusiones. Estos resultados sugieren que la excreción de sodio casi duplica el nivel máximo recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud y las excreción de potasio es 35% más baja que el requisito mínimo, por lo que se deben invertir grandes esfuerzos para reducir el consumo de sodio y aumentar la ingesta de potasio.

ABSTRACT Objective. To determine the 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretions in the Americas. Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed seeking for studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 in adults living in any sovereign state of the Americas in Medline, Embase, Scopus, SciELO, and Lilacs. The search was first run on October 26th, 2020 and was updated on December 15th, 2021. Of 3 941 abstracts reviewed, 74 studies were included from 14 countries, 72 studies reporting urinary sodium (27 387 adults), and 42 studies reporting urinary potassium (19 610 adults) carried out between 1990 and 2020. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results. Mean excretion was 157.29 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.42-163.16) for sodium and 57.69 mmol/24h (95% CI, 53.35-62.03) for potassium. When only women were considered, mean excretion was 135.81 mmol/24h (95% CI, 130.37-141.25) for sodium and 51.73 mmol/24h (95% CI, 48.77-54.70) for potassium. In men, mean excretion was 169.39 mmol/24h (95% CI, 162.14-176.64) for sodium and 62.67 mmol/24h (95% CI, 55.41-69.93) for potassium. Mean sodium excretion was 150.09 mmol/24h (95% CI, 137.87-162.30) in the 1990s and 159.79 mmol/24h (95% CI, 151.63-167.95) in the 2010s. Mean potassium excretion was 58.64 mmol/24h (95% CI, 52.73-64.55) in the 1990s and 56.33 mmol/24/h (95% CI, 48.65-64.00) in the 2010s. Conclusions. These findings suggest that sodium excretions are almost double the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization and potassium excretions are 35% lower than the minimum requirement; therefore, major efforts to reduce sodium and to increase potassium intakes should be implemented.

RESUMO Objetivo. Determinar as excreções urinárias de sódio e potássio em 24 horas na Região das Américas. Métodos. Revisão sistemática e metanálise de estudos realizados entre 1990 e 2021, em adultos vivendo em qualquer estado soberano da região, indexados nos bancos de dados MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, SciELO e LILACS. A pesquisa foi realizada pela primeira vez em 26 de outubro de 2020 e foi atualizada em 15 de dezembro de 2021. Dos 3.941 resumos revisados, foram incluídos 74 estudos de 14 países, 72 estudos relatando sódio urinário (27.387 adultos) e 42 estudos relatando potássio urinário (19.610 adultos), realizados entre 1990 e 2020. Os dados foram reunidos utilizando um modelo de metanálise de efeitos aleatórios. Resultados. A excreção média foi de 157,29 mmol/24h (IC95% 151,42-163,16) para o sódio e 57,69 mmol/24h (IC95% 53,35-62,03) para o potássio. Quando somente mulheres foram consideradas, a excreção média foi de 135,81 mmol/24h (IC95% 130,37-141,25) para o sódio e 51,73 mmol/24h (IC95% 48,77-54,70) para o potássio. Nos homens, a excreção média foi de 169,39 mmol/24h (IC95% 162,14-176,64) para o sódio e 62,67 mmol/24h (IC95% 55,41-69,93) para o potássio. A excreção média de sódio foi de 150,09 mmol/24h (IC95% 137,87-162,30) na década de 1990 e 159,79 mmol/24h (IC95% 151,63-167,95) na década de 2010. A excreção média de potássio foi de 58,64 mmol/24h (IC95% 52,73-64,55) na década de 1990 e 56,33 mmol/24/h (IC95% 48,65-64,00) na década de 2010. Conclusões. Estes achados sugerem que as excreções de sódio são quase o dobro do nível máximo recomendado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde e as excreções de potássio são 35% menores do que o mínimo exigido; portanto, será necessário envidar esforços importantes para reduzir a ingestão de sódio e aumentar a de potássio.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the stain removal efficacy and whitening effect of ficin with different concentrations comparing with commonly used whitening agents. Ninety enamel slices were obtained from bovine mandibular permanent incisors and randomly divided into 15 groups (n = 6), which were treated with five different concentrations of CP, STPP, and ficin respectively. Colour changes were measured before and after treatments based on the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) L* a* b* colour measurement system. The changes in the surface morphology of enamel slices before and after different treatments, and the degree of enamel damage after treatment with ficin were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at different magnifications. The results show that when the concentration of CP and STPP was less than 0.8% and 8%, the change of ΔE (overall colour differences) was not significant (P > 0.05), but when the concentration of ficin was less than 0.1%, the change of ΔE was significant (P < 0.05). To study this issue, we performed dummy variable regression and confirmed that there was no significant difference in the ΔE between 0.1% and 0.2% ficin group (P = 0.089), and it was better than the other 13 groups (P < 0.05). Conclusively, we found that the tea stain removal efficacy of ficin was better than that of low-concentration CP and STPP which were originally introduced into whitening toothpaste as chemical whitening ingredients.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade de sobrevivência de Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v encapsulado em esferas de alginato de cálcio revestidos com quitosana, com inulina como prebiótico, em condições gastrointestinais simuladas e suco de rosélia. A concentração de cloreto de cálcio e inulina para a microencapsulação de L. plantarum 299v foi otimizada e a sobrevivência de L. plantarum livre e microencapsulado foi avaliada em condições gastrointestinais simuladas. A estabilidade do encapsulado otimizado L. plantarum 299v-inulina durante armazenamento foi determinada ao longo de quatro semanas em suco de rosélia a 4 °C e 25 °C. A fórmula otimizada para L. plantarum 299v foi de 2,0% (w/v) de cloreto de cálcio e 3,0% (w/ v) de inulina. Microesferas otimizadas de alginato de cálcio-quitosana contendo L. plantarum 299v com inulina apresentaram diâmetro médio de 685,27 μm sem diferença significativa (p>0,05) em relação às partículas sem inulina, e eficiência de microencapsulação de 95%. L. plantarum 299v encapsulado com inulina mostrou maior capacidade de sobrevivência (> 107 CFU/mL) do que células livres e L. plantarum 299v encapsulado sem inulina em condições gastrointestinais simuladas e após quatro semanas de armazenamento em suco de rosélia a 4 °C. Os resultados indicam que a a encapsulação por coextrusão e a adição de inulina melhoraram a viabilidade de L. plantarum 299v em suco de rosélia, protegendo o probiótico contra condições gastrointestinais desfavoráveis e prolongando o armazenamento.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the survivability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v encapsulated in chitosan-coated calcium alginate beads with inulin as prebiotic in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and roselle juice. The concentration of calcium chloride and inulin for L. plantarum 299v microencapsulation was optimised and the survivability of free and microencapsulated L. plantarum was assessed under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Storage stability of the optimised encapsulated L. plantarum 299v-inulin was determined throughout four (4) weeks of storage in roselle juice at 4 °C and 25 °C. The optimized formula for L. plantarum 299v was 2.0% (w/v) of calcium chloride and 3.0% (w/v) of inulin. Optimized calcium alginate-chitosan L. plantarum 299v microbeads with inulin did not affect (p > 0.05) the bead diameter, with a mean diameter of 685.27 μm, and microencapsulation efficiency of 95%. Encapsulated L. plantarum 299v with inulin showed higher survivability (>107 CFU/mL) than free cells and encapsulated L. plantarum 299v without inulin under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and after four (4) weeks of storage in roselle juice at 4 °C. The results indicate that co-extrusion encapsulation and addition of inulin had improved the viability of L. plantarum 299v in roselle juice by protecting probiotic against unfavourable gastrointestinal conditions and prolonged storage.

For carbon steels immersed in CO2 saturated solutions at different temperatures, the structure and the composition of corrosion product film formed on the steel surface were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion rate of the steel was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization, and the relation between the corrosion rate and the film property was discussed. The corrosion rate of the steel was very closely associated with the structure and the composition of corrosion product film, which were affected significantly by the solution temperature. From 30 to 60 ºC, the corrosion product film composed of FeCO3 was porous and poorly adherent, and the corrosion rate increased with the rise of temperature. At 70 and 80 ºC, the corrosion product film was also composed of FeCO3 and presented a compact and dense cubic crystal structure, resulting in the decrease on the corrosion rate. The corrosion rate increased once again when the temperature was up to 90 ºC, which was attributed to the negative effect of high temperature water vapor corrosion on the grain coarsening and the part exfoliation for the FeCO3 film.

Objective: The ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes in peripheral blood could reflect an indi- vidual's immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes and clinical status of patients with active tuberculosis. Methods: This was a retrospective review of data collected from the clinical database of The Fifth People's Hospital of Wuxi, Medical College of Jiangnan University. A total of 419 patients who had newly diagnosed active tuberculosis and 108 cases from 419 patients with tuberculosis therapy either near completion or completed were selected. Controls were 327 healthy donors. Results: Median ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes was 0.36 (IQR, 0.22-0.54) in patients before treatment, and 0.16 (IQR, 0.12-0.20) in controls (p < 0.001). Ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes <9% or >25% was significant predictors for active tuberculosis (OR = 114.73, 95% CI, 39.80-330.71; OR = 89.81, 95% CI, 53.18-151.68, respectively). After treatment, the median ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes recovered to be nearly normal. Compared to other patients, patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis and of age >60 years were more likely to have extreme ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI, 1.08-6.09; AOR = 4.36, 95% CI, 1.43-13.29, respectively). Conclusions: Ratio of monocytes to lymphocytes <9% or >25% is predictive of active tuberculosis.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a family of genetic disorders associated with bone loss and fragility. Mutations associated with OI have been found in genes encoding the type I collagen chains. People with OI type I often produce insufficient α1-chain type I collagen because of frameshift, nonsense, or splice site mutations in COL1A1 or COL1A2. This report is of a Chinese daughter and mother who had both experienced two bone fractures. Because skeletal fragility is predominantly inherited, we focused on identifying mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. A novel mutation in COL1A1, c.700delG, was detected by genomic DNA sequencing in the mother and daughter, but not in their relatives. The identification of this mutation led to the conclusion that they were affected by mild OI type I. Open reading frame analysis indicated that this frameshift mutation would truncate α1-chain type I collagen at residue p263 (p.E234KfsX264), while the wild-type protein would contain 1,464 residues. The clinical data were consistent with the patients’ diagnosis of mild OI type I caused by haploinsufficiency of α1-chain type I collagen. Combined with previous reports, identification of the novel mutation COL1A1-c.700delG in these patients suggests that additional genetic and environmental factors may influence the severity of OI.