Search

To analyze the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among middle-aged and older rural adults of Xinxiang county, Henan Province and its correlation with dietary patterns.The study was done based on the data collected from a cross-sectional survey of Xinxiang County, which was part of the Prospective Cohort Study on the Common Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Rural areas of Henan Province. Randomized cluster sampling was used to select adult respondents (≥18 years old) from among the residents of 17 villages in Xinxiang county. The respondents completed questionnaires, and underwent physical examinations and laboratory tests between April, 2017 and June, 2017. A total of 7604 individuals aged between 45 and 79 were included in our study. Dietary patterns were established through factor analysis and the dietary pattern factor scores were divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4). The relationship between dietary patterns and diabetes mellitus was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression model.Out of the total of 7604 middle-aged and older rural adults in Xinxiang County, Henan Province, 1604 had diabetes mellitus, suggesting a 21.1% prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Factor analysis was used to establish four dietary patterns, namely animal-based diet, vegetable-egg diet, mixed diet and traditional diet. Subjects of these four dietary patterns displayed different demographic characteristics. There were no statistical difference in anthropometricor clinical indicators between the quartile with the lowest dietary pattern factor score (Q1) and the quartile with the highest dietary pattern factor score (Q4) for subjects with animal-based diet (The prevalence of diabetes in middle-aged and older rural residents is relatively high in Xinxiang County, Henan Province, and there may be a protective relationship between traditional diet and diabetes mellitus.

Background: Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that is widely prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries and regions in the worldwide.Methods: We aimed to analyze the proteomic differences between adult S. japonicum worms in Weishan Lake of Shandong province and the Jiangsu Yangtse river. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) assays were used to analyze the differential proteomic profiles between female and male adult worms.Results: A total of 2364 adult S. japonicum proteins were identified, and 1901 proteins were quantified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology. Our results revealed 68 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in female adult worms and 55 DEPs in male adult worms. LC-MS/MS and bioinformatics analysis indicated that these DEPs are enriched in cellular composition, molecular function, biological function and catabolism pathways. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Domain and Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) analyses indicated that several groups of DEPs were involved in regulating transport, metabolism, signal transduction, energy production and conversion, defense and biosynthesis in adult S. japonicum worms. Our findings indicated that adult S. japonicum worms derived from O. hupensis that were transferred from permissive to nonpermissive areas exhibited moderate changes at the proteomic level. Moreover, snails transferred to the Weishan Lake did not change their schistosomiasis transmission ability and remained pathogenic in mice. In addition, three upregulated proteins (peptidylprolyl isomerase, heat shock protein 90α and receptor expression-enhancing protein (Q5DBJ1)) and three downregulated proteins (histone H3, histone H4 and receptor expression-enhancing protein (C1L9D7)) were found in both female and male adult worms. Conclusions: Proteomic analysis showed that differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between adult S. japonicum worms in Weishan Lake of Shandong province and the Jiangsu Yangtse river. The results of this proteomics analysis of adult worms that hatched in two separate intermediate hosts help to improve our understanding of the growth and developmental mechanisms of S. japonicum in different environments. Under the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) framework, long-term surveillance is needed to prevent the diffusion of O. hupensis and to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis transmission.

please go to the Account Update page (http://mts.hindawi.com/update/) in our Manuscript Tracking System and after you have logged in click on the ORCID link at the top of the page. This link will take you to the ORCID website where you will be able to create an account for yourself. Once you have done so, your new ORCID will be saved in our Manuscript Tracking System automatically."?>Differences between early-onset and late-onset asthma in elderly subjects have not been comprehensively described in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the phenotypic differences between early-onset asthma (EOA) and late-onset asthma (LOA) in elderly patients. We collected clinical and physiological data from 176 elderly patients with asthma. Participants were divided into two groups: EOA group and LOA group. Demographics, comorbidities, inflammatory parameters, lung function, severity, asthma control, and medication use among EOA and LOA elderly patients were compared. Elderly subjects with EOA had more atopic disease, a stronger positive family history of asthma, higher IgE, and exhaled nitric oxide levels as compared to those with LOA. In contrast, elderly subjects with LOA had lower lung function and more marked fixed airflow obstruction (FAO). Elderly subjects with LOA had a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). No differences were observed in age, gender, BMI, history of smoking, severity, and asthma control between the two groups. Both similarities and differences exist between elderly subjects with EOA and those with LOA in China. Further work is required to determine the pathophysiological, clinical, and therapeutic implications for different asthma phenotypes in elderly subjects.

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common cardiovascular disease with high morbidity and mortality in China. The CHD risk prediction model has a great value in early prevention and diagnosis. Methods In this study, CHD risk prediction models among rural residents in Xinxiang County were constructed using Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithms with identified 16 influencing factors. Results Results demonstrated that the CHD model using the RF classifier performed best both on the training set and test set, with the highest area under the curve (AUC = 1 and 0.9711), accuracy (one and 0.9389), sensitivity (one and 0.8725), specificity (one and 0.9771), precision (one and 0.9563), F1-score (one and 0.9125), and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC = one and 0.8678), followed by the SVM (AUC = 0.9860 and 0.9589) and the LASSO classifier (AUC = 0.9733 and 0.9587). Besides, the RF model also had an increase in the net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) values, and achieved a greater net benefit in the decision curve analysis (DCA) compared with the SVM and LASSO models. Conclusion The CHD risk prediction model constructed by the RF algorithm in this study is conducive to the early diagnosis of CHD in rural residents of Xinxiang County, Henan Province.

The axially chiral arylquinazolinone acts as a privileged structural scaffold, which is present in a large number of natural products and biologically active compounds as well as in chiral ligands. However, a direct catalytic enantioselective approach to access optically pure arylquinazolinones has been underexplored. Here we show a general and efficient approach to access enantiomerically pure arylquinazolinones in one-pot fashion catalysed by chiral phosphoric acids. A variety of axially chiral arylquinazolinones were obtained in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities under mild condition. Furthermore, we disclosed a method for atroposelective synthesis of alkyl-substituted arylquinazolinones involving Brønsted acid-catalysed carbon–carbon bond cleavage strategy. Finally, the asymmetric total synthesis of eupolyphagin bearing a cyclic arylquinazolinone skeleton was accomplished with an overall yield of 32% in six steps by utilizing the aforementioned methodology., Axially chiral arylquinazolinones are structural motifs in several natural products and can also act as chiral ligands. Here, the authors show a chiral phosphoric acid-catalysed strategy to access enantiomerically pure arylquinazolinones by efficient transfer of central chirality into axial chirality.

Rhynchophylline (RP), the primary active ingredient of Uncaria rhynchophylla, has an anti-hypertensive effect and protects against ischemia-induced neuronal damage. The present study aimed to examine the roles and mechanisms of RP in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury of rat cardiomyocytes. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and cell apoptosis were examined by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. An ELISA was performed to assess the expression of oxidative stress markers. Spectrophotometry was used to detect the degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) openness. Western blotting and reverse transcription- quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to evaluate the associated protein and mRNA expression, respectively. The present results demonstrated that RP increased the cell viability of MI/R-induced cardiomyocytes, and suppressed the MI/R-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Additionally, RP modulated the Ca2+ and MMP levels in MI/R-induced cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, RP decreased the oxidative stress and mPTP level of MI/R-induced cardiomyocytes. It was additionally observed that RP affected the apoptosis-associated protein expression and regulated the mitochondrial-associated gene expression in MI/R-induced cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, RP ameliorated MI/R injury through the modulation of mitochondrial mechanisms. The potential effects of RP on the protection of MI/R-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes suggest that RP may be an effective target for MI/R therapy.

Aiming at the difficulty in the high-precision timing synchronization of MSK signal in low frequency communication system, this paper analyzed and compared several timing synchronization methods and timing parameter estimation algorithms, and proposed an improved timing synchronization method combining ML forward estimation and feedback loop. According to the simulation result, compared with traditional feedback algorithms, the improved synchronous method has advantages in such aspects as capture time and estimation accuracy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), an independent coronary heart disease that develops in diabetic individuals, is characterized by changes in the myocardial structure and function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of rutin on DCM in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Rutin was orally administrated at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight. Metabolic profiles, myocardial enzymes and oxidative stress were examined by biochemical tests. The expression levels of cellular proteins associated with apoptosis were measured by western blot analysis, while the levels of inflammatory factors were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses. Rats with DCM exhibited an abnormal metabolic profile, aberrant myocardial enzymes, elevation of oxidative stress markers, increased levels of inflammatory factors and enhanced apoptotic cell death. Notably, rutin was shown to protect and improve myocardial dysfunction, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in the hearts of the diabetic rats. In conclusion, these results indicated that rutin may have great therapeutic potential in the treatment of DCM, and possibly other cardiovascular disorders, by preventing oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death. However, further detailed studies are required to reveal the exact mechanisms underlying the protective effect of rutin.

The study aimed to develop a novel dose conversion platform by improving linear-quadratic (LQ) model to more accurately describe radiation response for high fraction/acute doses. This article modified the LQ model via piecewise fitting the biological dose curve using different fractionated dose and optimizing the consistency between mathematical model and experimental data to gain a more reasonable transform. That mathematical development of the LQ model further amended certain deviations of various cell curves with high doses and implied the rationality of the present model at low dose range. The modified biologically effective dose model that solved the dilemma of inaccurate LQ model had been used in comparing between hypofractionated and conventional fractioned dose. It has been verified that the calculated values are similar in the treatment of same efficacy, no matter what α/β is, and provided a more rational explanation for significant differences among various hypofractionations. The equivalent uniform dose based on the subsection function could represent arbitrary inhomogeneous dose distributions including high-dose fractions, providing a foundation for the implementation of detailed evaluation of different cell dose effects.

Experimental and modeling results are reported for high-performance strained-silicon heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), comprising a tensile strained-Si emitter and a compressively strained Si0.7Ge0.3 base on top of a relaxed Si0.85Ge0.15 collector. By using a Si0.85Ge0.15 virtual substrate strain platform, it is possible to utilize a greater difference in energy band gaps between the base and the emitter without strain relaxation of the base layer. This leads to much higher gain, which can be traded off against lower base resistance. There is an improvement in the current gain β of 27 × over a conventional silicon bipolar transistor and 11× over a conventional SiGe HBT, which were processed as reference devices. The gain improvement is largely attributed to the difference in energy band gap between the emitter and the base, but the conduction band offset between the base and the collector is also important for the collector current level.

Investigations on the proof theory and methods of simultaneously provable security under multi-model helps to construct formally secure cryptographic scheme under multi-environments. Further re- search is provided on the construction of efficient IBE scheme and provable security under CCA model. Elementary investigations on pairing-based CCA secure IBE scheme which is provably secure based on RO and non-RO model were provided. It avoided the induction inefficiency in the previous proofs. Based on the standard DBDH problem, its provable security under both models is argued. The proposed scheme has low parameter and ciphertext size, which were composed of four group element respectively. The induction of security proof is more concise and tight.

Background Anopheles sinensis is one of the most important malaria vectors in China and other Southeast Asian countries. High levels of resistance have been reported in this species due to the long-term use of insecticides, especially pyrethroids, for public health and agricultural purposes. Knockdown resistance (kdr) caused by a single base pair mutation in the gene encoding the sodium channel is strongly associated with pyrethroid insecticide resistance in many Anopheles mosquitoes. There are few methods currently available for detecting kdr mutations in An. sinensis. Methods A novel AllGlo probe-based qPCR (AllGlo-qPCR) method was developed to screen for the predominant kdr mutations in An. sinensis mosquitoes from the Jiangsu Province. The results from AllGlo-qPCR, allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR), and TaqMan-MGB probe-based qPCR (TaqMan-qPCR) were compared. A comparative analysis of the equipment required, ease of use and cost of the available methods was also performed. Finally, the AllGlo-qPCR method was used to detect the frequencies of kdr mutations from the other four provinces in central China. Results Six kdr genotypes were detected in An. sinensis from the Jiangsu Province by DNA sequencing. The AllGlo-qPCR method detected all of the kdr genotypes with a high level of accuracy (97% sensitivity and 98% specificity). AllGlo-qPCR correctly determined the kdr genotypes of 98.73% of 158 An. sinensis samples, whereas TaqMan-qPCR and AS-PCR correctly identified 96.84% and 88.61% of mutations, respectively. Furthermore, the AllGlo-qPCR method is simpler to perform, requires less equipment, and exhibits a moderate expense cost comparing with the other tested methods of kdr mutation detection. Samples collected from four of the other provinces in central China showed a high frequency of kdr mutation in An. sinensis, as detected by the established AllGlo-qPCR method. Conclusion The novel AllGlo-qPCR method developed for kdr mutation detection in An. sinensis exhibits greater specificity and sensitivity than currently available methods and is more cost-effective; therefore, it represents a useful tool for entomological surveillance.

A novel SiGeC HBT process with a quasi-self-aligned emitter-base architecture and a fully nickel-silicided extrinsic base region has been developed. A very low total base resistance R/sub B/ was achieved along with simultaneous NiSi formation on the polycrystalline emitter and collector regions. Uniform silicide formation was obtained across the wafer, and the resistivity of the Ni(SiGe:C) silicide layer was 24 /spl mu//spl Omega//spl middot/cm. About 50-100 nm of lateral growth of silicide underneath the emitter pedestal was observed. DC and HF results with balanced f/sub T//f/sub MAX/ values of 41/42 GHz were demonstrated for 0.5/spl times/10/spl mu/m/sup 2/ transistors.

Purpose: To prepare and evaluate bioadhesive buccal films of diltiazem hydrochloride (a L-type calcium channel blocker) for overcoming the limitations of frequent dosing, low bioavailability and gastrointestinal discomfort of oral delivery. Methods : Buccal films were prepared by solvent casting technique using sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K-30 and polyvinyl alcohol. The films were evaluated for weight, thickness, surface pH, swelling index, in vitro residence time, folding endurance, in vitro release, ex-vivo permeation (across porcine buccal mucosa) and drug content uniformity. Results : The drug content of the formulations was uniform with a range of 18.94 ± 0.066 (F2) to 20.08 ± 0.07 mg per unit film (F1). The films exhibited controlled release ranging from 58.76 ± 1.62 to 91.45 ± 1.02 % over a period > 6 h. The films containing 20 mg diltiazem hydrochloride, polyvinyl alcohol (10 %) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (1 % w/v) i.e. formulation F5, showed moderate swelling, convenient residence time and promising drug release, and thus can be selected for further development of a buccal film for potential therapeutic uses. Conclusion: The developed formulation is a potential bioadhesive buccal system for delivering diltiazem directly to systemic circulation, circumventing first-pass metabolism, avoiding gastric discomfort and improving bioavailability at a minimal dose. Keywords : Bioadhesive, Cardiac, Diltiazem, Calcium channel blocker, Buccal film, Bioavailability, Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Polyvinyl alcohol

To explore the association between serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) levels and dyslipidemia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndromes (OSAS).Eighty snoring patients were monitored by overnight polysomnography (PSG) in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from November 2010 to May 2011. There were 63 males and 17 females with a mean age of (48 ± 14) years (range: 22 - 77 years). Based on the results of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), they were divided into 3 groups: primary snoring group (AHI5/h, n = 19), mild-moderate OSAS group (5/h ≤ AHI ≤ 40/h, n = 22) and severe OSAS group (AHI40/h, n = 39). The levels of A-FABP, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured and compared between the primary snoring group and OSAS patients of different severities. And the correlations between serum A-FABP and plasma lipid as well as PSG parameters were further evaluated by partial correlation analysis.Compared with the primary snoring group ((15.7 ± 3.3) µg/L) and mild-moderate group ((17.3 ± 4.3) µg/L), there was a significant elevation of serum A-FABP level in the severe OSAS group ((20.4 ± 4.6) µg/L) (P = 0.001, P = 0.026). Additionally, after adjustment for body mass index and age, the serum A-FABP level showed significant positive correlations with TC, TG and LDL-C (r = 0.469, P = 0.000; r = 0.239, P = 0.035 and r = 0.366, P = 0.001). Serum A-FABP level was positively correlated with AHI and the time of oxygen saturation (SaO2)90% (r = 0.231, P = 0.042 and r = 0.226, P = 0.047). Nevertheless, the serum A-FABP level showed significant negative correlations with the lowest SaO2 and the mean SaO2 (r = -0.234, P = 0.039 and r = -0.270, P = 0.017).Dyslipidemia and elevated level of serum A-FABP are common in OSAS patients.

Polyploid embryo production is an important technique in generating mice directly from embryonic stem (ES) cells. The present study was designed to assess the effect of different calcium concentrations and electric field intensities on the production of tetraploid embryos with higher developmental potential by electrofusion. Two-cell mouse embryos were electrofused in fusion solution containing different concentrations of calcium ion (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 mM). The rates of blastomere fusion, and subsequent cleavage and development of tetraploids to the blastocyst stage were highest when two-cell embryos were electrically stimulated in a fusion medium containing 1.0 mM calcium. Therefore, we tested electric field intensities (0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 kV/cm) for electrofusion of two-cell embryos and subsequent development to the blastocyst stage in 1.0 mM calcium. The highest rates of fusion and blastocyst formation were observed when the electric field strength was 0.8 kV/cm. The present results showed that mouse two-cell embryos stimulated with 0.8 kV/cm in a fusion medium containing 1.0 mM calcium had the highest rates of fusion and development to the blastocyst stage.