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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia in the world. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in 93 countries. Previous studies demonstrated that the prevalence of AF was higher in patients with lung cancer. However, research on the associations between AF and lung cancer is still rare. In the present study, we first identified AF-related genes using weighted gene correlation network analysis. We then analyzed the expression profiles, prognosis, immune infiltration, and methylation characteristics of these genes in LUAD patients using bioinformatics analysis. We found several AF-related genes, including CBX3, BUB1, DSC2, P4HA1, and CYP4Z1, which differently expressed between tumor and normal tissues. Survival analysis demonstrated that CYP4Z1 was positively correlated with overall survival in LUAD patients, while CBX3, BUB1, DSC2, and P4HA1 were negatively correlated. Moreover, we found that the methylation level of DSC2 in normal lung tissues was significantly higher than that in tumor tissues, and six methylation sites in the DNA sequences of DSC2 were identified negatively correlated with its expression levels. Immune infiltration analysis suggested that levels of immune cell infiltration were related to gene expression levels in varying degrees. We identified AF-related genes and found these genes were correlated with prognosis, immune infiltration, and methylation levels in lung cancer patients. We also constructed a risk signature based on these genes in LUAD patients. We hoped that the current study could provide a novel insight into roles of AF-related genes in lung cancer patients.

A practical method for identification of defects that occur occasionally during the production of biaxial oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films is developed. The size and morphology of the defects in the BOPP film were observed with optical microscopy, and micro Fourier transform infrared (Micro-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies were employed to identify the chemical composition of the defects. Significant amounts of ethylene and propylene units were found in the defects, and characteristic vibrational bands for crystalline PP were observed by both IR and Raman. However, one defect exhibited IR characteristics for ordered PE whereas the other showed amorphous PE structure. These results indicate that the defects are composed of either ethylene-propylene block copolymers with long sequences of both propylene and ethylene that can form ordered structures, or ethylene-propylene segmented copolymers with long propylene sequences that can crystallize and shorter ethylene sequences that are amorphous. Possible sources of these foreign materials and corresponding mitigation measures were discussed.

In this study, perforated steel plate-reinforced utility tunnel with the use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) and engineered cementitious composite (ECC) was proposed. The mechanical performance of the composite utility tunnel was experimentally investigated, and the cracking behavior and failure process were analyzed based on the digital image correlation (DIC) technique. It was found that the crack-control (durability) performance of the composite utility tunnel was superior to that of concrete utility tunnel with the same reinforcement ratio, and the composite utility tunnel can be used in severe corrosive environment. Additionally, the composite action between perforated steel plate and ECC was evaluated based on direct tension test and DIC analysis. Finite element (FE) analysis was conducted on the perforated steel plate-reinforced ECC and composite utility tunnel for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behaviors. The findings of this study provided useful knowledge for the design and application of the proposed composite utility tunnel for underground construction.

Yan Du,1,* Xueru Duan,1,* Murui Zheng,2,* Wenjing Zhao,3,* Jun Huang,4 Lixian Lao,5 Fan Weng,6 Dan-Er Lin,7 Zhenxiao Yang,1 Haiyi Li,1 Xudong Liu,1 Hai Deng5 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; 4Department of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatrics, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 6Guangzhou Yuexiu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 7Guangzhou Baiyun District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xudong Liu; Hai Deng Tel +86-20-87330619; +86-20-83827812-10263Email liuxudong@mail.sysu.edu.cn; doctordh@hotmail.comObjective: The effect of dietary factors on OSA remains unclear. This study was to investigate the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with individual and overall effects of eating habits among adult Chinese.Methods: A total of 9733 participants were selected from the baseline survey of the Guangzhou Heart Study. OSA was ascertained by Berlin Questionnaire. Food consumption was collected using a food frequency questionnaire, and eating patterns were extracted by principal component analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the logistic regression model.Results: After adjustment for confounders, fried food intake with ≥ 1/week was associated with an increased risk of OSA (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.37– 2.27), while fruit consumption of ≥ 1/day was associated with a 26% reduced risk of OSA (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62– 0.88). Three eating patterns were defined and labeled as pattern I, II, and III. Eating pattern III which had higher factor loadings of animal innards, fried food, salted food, carbonate, and non-carbonated beverages was associated with an increased risk of OSA (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09– 1.55) when comparing the highest with the lowest tertile of pattern score, after adjusting for confounders; every 1-unit increment of pattern III score was associated with an increased risk of OSA (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04– 1.14). Neither pattern I nor pattern II was observed to be associated with OSA risk.Conclusion: A higher frequency intake of fruits was associated with a reduced OSA risk and a diet with higher levels of consumption of animal innards, fried food, salted food, carbonated beverages, and non-carbonated beverages may increase the risk of OSA.Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea, eating habits, diet, fruits, fried food

A novel reinforced concrete structural member comprising ultrahigh-performance concrete (UHPC) and engineered cementitious composite (ECC) was proposed for use in underground structures, su...

The antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have attracted increasing attention. In this study, the abundance of ARB and resistance genes tet32 and defA1 were investigated using high-throughput sequencing and high-throughput qPCR in water samples collected from the inlet of the biological treatment pool and outlet of Beilun Yandong WWTP in Ningbo, China. The result shows there was a high level of ARGs in the water of both the inlets and outlets in 2017 and 2018, whereas no ARGs were detected after adding a new baffled bioreactor (BBR) water treatment process in 2019. The BBR process uses Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. megaterium, B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens to effectively eliminate the ARGs in wastewater. Notably, this process did not significantly change the bacterial community structure of outlet water samples. The findings demonstrate an effective new method for removing ARGs from sewage.

ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical validity of using a handheld fundus camera to detect diabetic retinopathy (DR) in China.Design and settingsProspective comparison study of the handheld fundus camera with a standard validated instrument in detection of DR in hospital and a community screening clinic in Guangdong Province, China.ParticipantsParticipants aged 18 years and over with diabetes who were able to provide informed consent and agreed to attend the dilated eye examination with handheld tests and a standard desktop camera.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was the proportion of those with referable DR (R2 and above) identified by the handheld fundus camera (the index test) compared with the standard camera. Secondary outcome was the comparison of proportion of gradable images obtained from each test.ResultsIn this study, we examined 304 people (608 eyes) with each of the two cameras under mydriasis. The handheld camera detected 119 eyes (19.5%) with some level of DR, 81 (13.3%) of them were referable, while the standard camera detected 132 eyes (21.7%) with some level of DR and 83 (13.7%) were referable. It seems that the standard camera found more eyes with referable DR, although McNemar’s test detected no significant difference between the two cameras.Of the 608 eyes with images obtained by desktop camera, 598 (98.4%) images were of sufficient quality for grading, 12 (1.9%) images were not gradable. By the handheld camera, 590 (97.0%) were gradable and 20 (3.2%) images were not gradable.The two cameras reached high agreement on diagnosis of retinopathy and maculopathy at all the levels of retinopathy.ConclusionAlthough it could not take the place of standard desktop camera on clinic fundus examination, the handheld fundus camera showed promising role on preliminary DR screening at primary level in China. To ensure quality images, mydriasis is required.

Background: Observational studies on the association between neuroticism and coronary artery disease (CAD) are still rare, and the results of existing studies are not consistent. The present study aimed to explore causal associations of neuroticism with CAD. Methods: The summary-level data of GWAS for neuroticism and 12 items used to assess neuroticism were extracted from the UK Biobank, and included up to 380,506 participants. The general data for CAD were obtained from the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D consortium, which assembled 60,801 CAD patients and 123,504 non-cases. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with neuroticism and 12 items at genome-wide significance were explored as instrumental variables. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analyses were performed to evaluate causal associations amongst the genetically predicted neuroticism and 12 items with CAD. Results: The present TSMR study did not reveal the genetic association of neuroticism with CAD. The calculated ORs for CAD using inverse-variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger analysis were 1.12 (p-value = 0.187), 0.99 (p-value = 0.943), and 0.82 (p-value = 0.683), respectively. Further TSMR analysis of 12 dichotomous items for assessing neuroticism suggested that mood swings genetically increased the risk of CAD (OR = 1.67, p-value < 0.001). Conclusions: This study reported no genetically causal association of neuroticism with CAD. The present study also found that mood swings may genetically increase the risk of CAD. These findings may highlight the potential of mood control as a preventive measure for CAD.

In this study, the martensite transformation of Ni37.5Co12.5Mn35Ti15 ribbon was studied and regulated by the electric field-induced strain in the PMN-PT substrate. The reversible magnetocaloric effect in the Ni37.5Co12.5Mn35Ti15/PMN-PT composite was enhanced by manipulating transition paths under the coupling of magnetic field and electric field, which is significantly important for applications in solid-state refrigeration. With the assistance of E = +8 kV/cm, the reversible entropy change increased from 19.5 to 25.7 J/kgK at 294.5 K. Meanwhile, the reversible cooling temperature span was also enlarged. Hence, the reversible refrigerant capacity was enhanced from 83 to 131 J/kg, and the increase ratio reached 58%. On this basis, an active magnetic regenerating cycle facilitated by an electric field was designed. This work provides an effective method for enhancing reversible caloric effects in first-order phase transition materials via electric fields.

Engineered/Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composites (ECC/SHCC) are fiber-reinforced cement-based materials with tensile strain-hardening and multiple-cracking characteristics. In this study, ultra-high-strength ECC (UHS-ECC) with a compressive strength over 210 MPa was successfully developed for the first time. The developed UHS-ECC exhibited excellent tensile strain capacity (5.2%), and fine crack width (72 μm). These characteristics were realized by combined use of polyethylene and steel fibers in a dense matrix. Two new material indices ( f'cftet index and f'cftet/w index) were proposed to assess the overall performance of UHS-ECC. Compared with existing high-strength ECC, the developed UHS-ECC records the highest compressive strength and the best overall performance. The findings of this study provide useful knowledge for future design and applications of UHS-ECC.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by great metastasis and invasion capability. Our study revealed that nanomolar bisphenol A (BPA), one of the most ubiquitous endocrine disruptors, can increase wound closure and invasion of both MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. BPA treatment can increase protein and mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, while had no effect on the expression of vimentin (Vim) and fibronectin (FN) in TNBC cells. The expression of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPER), which has been suggested to mediate rapid oestrogenic signals, was not varied in BPA-treated MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. Its inhibitor G15 also had no effect on BPA-induced MMPs expression and cell invasion. Interestingly, BPA treatment can significantly increase the mRNA and protein expressions of oestrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), but not ERRα or ERRβ, in both MDA-MB-231 and BT-549 cells. The knock-down of ERRγ can markedly attenuate BPA-induced expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in TNBC cells. BPA treatment can activate both ERK1/2 and Akt in TNBC cells. Both inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059) and Akt (LY294002) can attenuate BPA-induced ERRγ expression and cell invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Collectively, our data revealed that BPA can increase the expression of MMPs and in vitro motility of TNBC cells via ERRγ. Both activation of ERK1/2 and Akt participated in this process. Our study suggests that more attention should be paid to the roles of xenoestrogens such as BPA in the development and progression of TNBC.

Background Both cigarette smoking and long-term exposure to crystalline silica dust were reported to be associated with increased mortality. However, the combined effect of both factors has not been well evaluated. Methods We investigated a retro-prospective cohort of 7,665 workers from one Chinese iron mine with a median follow-up of 42.8 years. Cumulative silica exposure was estimated for each worker by linking work histories with a job-exposure matrix. Cigarette smoking information was collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) for total and cause-specific mortality due to silica exposure and smoking were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. Results A total of 2,814 deaths occurred during 315,772.9 person-years of follow-up. Significantly elevated mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, non-malignant respiratory disease and lung cancer was observed among silica-exposed workers, while elevated mortality from non-malignant respiratory disease and lung cancer was observed among smokers. Combined exposure to silica dust and cigarette smoking elevated the proportion of mortality and accounted for 21.2, 76.0, 35.7 and 81.4% of all causes, non-malignant respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer, respectively. Significant additive joint effects of silica exposure and cigarette smoking on mortality from lung cancer (HR 1.893, 95% CI 0.628 to 3.441) and pneumoconiosis (6.457, 0.725 to 39.114), together with a significant multiplicative joint effect from all causes (1.002, 1.000 to 1.004) were observed. Conclusions The present findings indicated that silica exposure in combination with cigarette smoking accounted for a fraction of extra deaths in our cohort. Our research showed the urgent need for smoking cessation and silica control among iron miners.

A mixture of Ba3Cu4SbS6OH (I) and BaCuSbS3 (II) is hydrothermally synthesized by reaction of Cu, Sb, S, and Ba(OH)2 in H2O (autoclave, 200 °C, 48—82 h).

To investigate the effect of Aloe emodin (AE) on the invasive and metastatic abilities of human high metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.MTT assay was used to evaluate the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells after treated with AE for 6 h and 24 h. The adhesive potential of MDA-MB-231 cells to FN and LN was tested by cell-matrix adhesion assay. The effect of AE on invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells was measured by Transwell chamber assay. Scratch wound healing assay was applied to determine the effect on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of AE on MDA-MB-231 lung metastasis was determined on an experimental metastatic model.80 micromol/L AE significantly inhibited the invasion, adhesion to FN, LN of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro, the inhibitory rates were (52.98 +/- 5.46)%, (34.99 +/- 2.63)%, (28.73 +/- 7.00)%, respectively. After 24 h treatment, AE significantly inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. The number and volume of lung metastatic nodules formed by MDA-MB-231 cells after 80 micromol/L AE 24 h treatment were decreased compared with control group.AE can suppress the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Their mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the capabilities of invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells.

To analyze the prevalence characteristics and influence factors of pneumoconiosis of workers exposed to dusts in an iron mine, to provide the base of preventive measures for pneumoconiosis of iron mine.The subjects of cohort study were all workers exposed to dusts for at least one year registered in an iron mine during 1960 to 1974, and followed-up to the end in 2003. The cases with pneumoconiosis were diagnosed by the local diagnosis group of pneumoconiosis, according to the national diagnostic criteria of pneumoconiosis. The risk factors were analyzed with Cox risk model.A total of 3647 miners were included in the cohort study and were followed up by 132 574.4 person years. There were 316 cases with pneumoconiosis, and the incidence of pneumoconiosis for a year was 0.24 per thousand. There were 274 cases (86.7%) with pneumoconiosis in workers exposed to dusts before 1960, the incidence of pneumoconiosis for a year was 0.40 per thousand, which was significantly higher than that (0.07 per thousand) of workers exposed to dusts after 1960. The average latency of pneumoconiosis was 26.0 +/- 7.3 years. The average durations of upgrade from stage 0(+) to I , I to II and II to III were 5.3 +/- 3.2, 6.6 +/- 5.2 and 11.3 +/- 5.0 years, respectively. However, 164 cases with pneumoconiosis were diagnosed after ceasing exposure to dusts for mean 8.3 years. The risk of pneumoconiosis in iron miners increased with exposure doses, and there was an obvious dose-effect relationship. The average cumulative exposure dose of cases with pneumoconiosis was 173.7 +/- 91.6 mg/m3 x y, which was significantly higher than that (112.1 +/- 64.8 mg/m3 x y) of workers without pneumoconiosis. Also the tuberculosis (HR = 5.9, P0.001) and smoking (HR = 1.7, P0.01) were the main risk factors.There was an obvious dose-effect relationship between the cumulative exposure dose and pneumoconiosis incidence. Tuberculosis and smoking were the main risk factors influencing the pneumoconiosis incidence.

To determine occupational hazards in work sites of a large solid waste landfill and analyze their adverse health effects.The national standardized detection methods were used to determine dust concentration, harmful gas and physical factors in worksites. Routine physical examination, pulmonary function, hearing tests and nervous system test were performed in workers for 2 consecutive years. Urine lead, cadmium and mercury contents were detected. The comet assay was use to measure DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among workers.The main occupational hazard factors in this solid landfill are dust, harmful gas, high temperature and noise. The oxides, carbon monoxide, and noise and high temperatures in summer at some work sites exceeded the national occupational exposure limits. The prevalence of respiratory inflammation and rate of pulmonary function decrease among front-line workers and on-site technical managers are 21.2% and 11.5%, which are significantly higher than those among administrative staff (7.1% and 0) (P0.05). Nervous system abnormalities rate of front-line workers and on-site technical managers was 50.0%, which is significantly higher than that (26.7%) of administrative staff (P0.05). Because of long-term exposure to high intensity noice, hearing loss rate of bulldozer drivers was 10.3%. In addition, about 75% of workers with DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte are front-line workers.Adverse health effects from occupational hazards were observed among workers in this solid waste landfill.

To assess biological response and health adverse effects of industrial dusts from pottery factories and tungsten mines on alveolar macrophages (AM) in vitro.AM acquired from bronchoalveolar lavage of guinea pigs were used as the target cells. AM were then co-cultured with respirable dust particles (15, 30, 60 and 120 μg/10⁶) from pottery factories and tungsten mines. LDH activity, cell viability, the release of ROS and TNF-α were determined to assess the biological responses of the dusts. China Standard Quartz was used as control.Dose- response relationships between the dust concentrations and the enhancement of LDH activity, the release of ROS and TNF-α were found in both dusts from pottery factories and tungsten mines. The cell viability decreased when the dusts' concentrations increased. Differences of biological response were observed in the dust particles from different mines or factories. Compared with the pottery dusts, higher LDH activity and the release of TNF-α induced by tungsten dust were observed. In the 120 μg/10⁶ group, the TNF-α induced by tungsten dust, pottery dusts and China Standard Quartz was (5.2 +/- 2.0) ng/ml, (3.3 +/- 1.6) ng/ml and (2.8 +/- 0.5) ng/ml respectively. However, the impact on the cell viability induced by pottery dust was higher than that by tungsten mine.Industrial dusts from various sources could induce different biological effects. The results of the biological effects of dusts in laboratory tests may be of potential use to provide base data for their adverse effects evaluation.

The present study aims at preparation of CARP antibody and analysis of CARP expression pattern.Through bioinformatics analysis the antigenicity of CARP, 279 bp cDNA fragment coding CARP N-terminal 93 amino acid was amplified by RT-PCR from mouse heart RNA, then cloned into pET-28b to construct the prokaryotic expression pET 28b-CARP N93. The plasmid was transformed into E.coli(BL21). The target fusion protein was expressed with induction of IPTG, and purified by affinity chromatography. The antiserum against CARP was obtained from the mice immunized with CARP. CARP expression patterns were examined by Western blot and immunofluorescence.Prepared CARP antibody; CARP specific expression in mouse heart and mainly localized in the nucleus in rat cardiac primary cells.Successfully generated CARP antibody and examined the expression pattern. The present study has laid a foundation for functional study of CARP.

To assess the effects of the alteration of humidity and (or) temperature on weight of filters without and with ambient particulate matter in a balance room.The mass of blank dust sampling filters were weighed under (18 +/- 1) degrees C and (28 +/- 1) degrees C respectively, with the humidity varying from 35% relative humidity (RH) to 100% RH in a balance room. Then the blank filters were divided into two groups and were used to sample total dust and respirable dust. After sampling, the loaded filters were re-weighed under above conditions and the mass difference before and after the sampling were compared and analyzed.The vibration of the average mass of filters varied from 0.10 to 0.13 mg and from 0.06 to 0.09 mg under the temperatures of (18 +/- 1) degrees C and (28 +/- 1) degrees C respectively; When both the temperature and humidity changed, it varied from 0.12 to 0.16 mg. The deviation of average mass difference ranged from 0.07 to 0.10 mg and from 0.04 to 0.08 mg under the two temperatures mentioned above; When both the temperature and humidity changed, it varied from 0.09 to 0.14 mg. The average mass of blank filters and loaded filters were all positively correlated with the change of humidity (P0.01). No effects of humidity on the average mass difference of the loaded filters were observed. The average mass differences of loaded filters and blank filters under (18 +/- 1) degrees C were significantly higher than that under (28 +/- 1) degrees C (P0.01) when humidity was not changed.The alteration of humidity and (or) temperature in a balance room attributes to the deviation of the measurement of the mass of filters and thus affects the gravimetric measurements of ambient particulate matter.

For the first time, alkaline earth metal multinary chalcogenides Ba3Cu4SbS6OH (1), BaCuSbS3 (2) and BaCu2S2 (3) were synthesized via hydrothermal methods at low temperatures. The structures of these three compounds contain three-dimensional channeled frameworks that are constructed by different types of Cu/S chains.