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Aims: Previous trials on the effectiveness of genotype‐guided warfarin dosing vs. conventional dosing have been inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials comparing genotype‐guided to conventional dosing strategies. Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched up to 23 October 2017. Results: A total of 76 and 94 entries were retrieved were retrieved from PubMed and the Cochrane Library, respectively. A total of 2626 subjects in the genotype‐guided dosing (mean age 63.3 ± 5.8 years; 46% male) and 2604 subjects in the conventional dosing (mean age 64.7 ± 6.1 years; 46% male) groups (mean follow‐up duration 64 days) from 18 trials were included. Compared with conventional dosing, genotype‐guided dosing significantly shortened the time to first therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) (mean difference 2.6 days, standard error 0.3 days; P < 0.0001; I2 0%) and time to first stable INR (mean difference 5.9 days, standard error 2.0 days; P < 0.01; I2 94%). Genotype‐guided dosing also increased the time in therapeutic range (mean difference 3.1%, standard error 1.2%; P < 0.01; I2 80%) and reduced the risks of both excessive anticoagulation, defined as INR ≥4 [risk ratio (RR) 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78, 0.98; P < 0.05; I2: 0%), and bleeding (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.69, 0.98; P < 0.05; I2 31%). No difference in thromboembolism (RR 0.84; 95% CI 0.56, 1.26; P = 0.40; I2 0%) or mortality (RR 1.16; 95% CI 0.46, 2.91; P = 0.76; I2 0%) was observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Genotype‐guided warfarin dosing offers better safety with less bleeding compared with conventional dosing strategies. No significant benefit on thromboembolism or mortality was evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries and the treatment of phenol wastewater are both environmental and social issues. In this study, the enhanced recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries and the efficient treatment of phenol wastewater are smartly coupled via a "treating waste with waste" strategy. Under optimal conditions, the leaching process involving phenol achieves 98% and 96% efficiency for Co and Li, respectively. After precipitation, Co and Li could be recovered as Co(OH) 2 and Li 2 CO 3 , and the precipitated Co(OH) 2 was further calcined to generate Co 3 O 4. Furthermore, the organic contaminants that remained in the waste-leaching solution could be removed by a spent graphite-activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) process. It is noteworthy that the total organic carbon (TOC) in the waste-leaching solution could be removed using fewer PMS compared with the original phenol wastewater owing to the pre-oxidation of phenol during the leaching process, further confirming the advantage of this "treating waste with waste" strategy. Herein, enhanced recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries and efficient treatment of phenol-wastewater are smartly coupled with a 'treating waste with waste' strategy. [Display omitted] • Phenol wastewater is used to enhance the recovery of valuable metals from spent cathode material. • Li and Co have maximum leaching efficiencies of 98% and 96%, respectively. • The organic residues in the waste solution are removed more efficiently by the spent graphite activating PMS process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistence of maladaptive heroin‐associated memory, which is triggered by drug‐related stimuli that remind the individual of the drug's pleasurable and rewarding effects, can impede abstinence efforts. Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a neuronal serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a role in multiple neuronal functions, has been demonstrated to be involved in drug addiction and learning and memory. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of cdk5 activity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in relapse to heroin seeking, using a self‐administration rat model. Male rats underwent 10 days of heroin self‐administration training, during which an active nose poke resulted in an intravenous infusion of heroin that was accompanied by a cue. The rats then underwent nose poke extinction for 10 days, followed by subsequent tests of heroin‐seeking behaviour. We found that intra‐BLA infusion of β‐butyrolactone (100 ng/side), a Cdk5 inhibitor, administered 5 min after reactivation, led to a subsequent decrease in heroin‐seeking behaviour. Further experiments demonstrated that the effects of β‐butyrolactone are dependent on reactivated memories, temporal‐specific and long‐lasting on relapse of heroin‐associated memory. Results provide suggestive evidence that the activity of Cdk5 in BLA is critical for heroin‐associated memory and that the specific inhibitor, β‐butyrolactone, may hold potential as a substance for the treatment of heroin abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the impact of space weather on China's electricity market. Based on data products provided by NOAA and the National Energy Administration in China, this paper uses solar wind velocity as a solar weather indicator and the disturbance storm time index as a magnetospheric weather indicator to match monthly Chinese electricity market data over 10 years. Based on a VAR model, we found that (1) space weather increases the demand for electricity in China, and solar wind speed and the geomagnetic index increase the electricity consumption of the whole of Chinese society, as space weather mainly increases the electricity consumption of the secondary and industrial sectors. (2) The geomagnetic index significantly promotes power station revenue. (3) Space weather is associated with increased energy consumption. The geomagnetic index significantly increases the coal consumption rate of fossil power plants in China, but the solar wind speed has nothing to do with the coal consumption rate of fossil power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Use of amiodarone (AMIO) in atrial fibrillation (AF) has significant side effects over prolonged periods. Wenxin Keli (WXKL), a Chinese herb extract, has been shown to be effective in atrial-selective inhibiting peak INa and hence beneficial in treating atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate potential effects of AMIO plus WXKL on conversion rate and time in patients with recent-onset AF. Methods. A total of 41 patients (71 ± 12 years, 44% male) with recent-onset (<48 h) AF eligible for conversion were randomized to receive either intravenous amiodarone (loading dose 5 mg/kg in 1 hour followed by 50 mg/h; n=21) or amiodarone with same dosage plus oral WXKL 18 g thrice daily (n=20) for 24 hours. Results. Conversion rate at 24 hours was of no difference between the two groups (75.0% vs. 81.0%, P=0.72); however, conversion time was markedly shorter in the AMIO + WXKL group compared to the AMIO group (291 ± 235 minutes vs. 725 ± 475 minutes, P=0.003). There were no serious adverse events during the study. Conclusion. Administration of amiodarone plus WXKL for recent-onset AF conversion was safe and effective, with faster sinus rhythm restoration compared with amiodarone alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Their cardioprotective effects have been reported but whether they prevent AF in T2DM patients are less well-explored. We tested the hypothesis that the SGLT-2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, can prevent atrial remodeling in a diabetic rat model. Methods: High-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) treatment were used to induce T2DM. A total of 96 rats were randomized into the following four groups: (i) control (ii) T2DM, (iii) low-dose empagliflozin (10 mg/kg/day)/T2DM; and (iv) high-dose empagliflozin (30 mg/kg/day)/T2DM by the intragastric route for 8 weeks. Results: Compared with the control group, left atrial diameter, interstitial fibrosis and the incidence of AF inducibility were significantly increased in the DM group. Moreover, atrial mitochondrial respiratory function, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial biogenesis were impaired. Empagliflozin treatment significantly prevented the development of these abnormalities in DM rats, likely via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-c coactivator 1α (PGC-1α)/nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1)/mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) signaling pathway. Conclusions: Empagliflozin can ameliorate atrial structural and electrical remodeling as well as improve mitochondrial function and mitochondrial biogenesis in T2DM, hence may be potentially used in the prevention of T2DM-related atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]