56 research outputs found
A comparison of perceived uselessness between centenarians and non-centenarians in China
Abstract Background Self-perceived uselessness is associated with poorer health in older adults. However, it is unclear whether there is a difference in self-perceived uselessness between centenarians and non-centenarians, and if so, which factors contributed to the difference. Methods We used four waves of a nationwide longitudinal dataset from 2005 to 2014 in China to investigate these research goals. We first performed multinomial logit regression models to examine the risk of the high or moderate frequency of self-perceived uselessness relative to the low frequency among centenarians (5778 persons) in comparison with non-centenarians aged 65ā99 (20,846 persons). We then conducted a cohort analysis for those born in 1906ā1913, examining differences in self-perceived uselessness between those centenarians and those died between ages 91 and 99 during 2005ā2014. Results Compared to persons aged 65ā79, centenarians had 84% (relative risk ratio (RRR)ā=ā1.84, 95% CI:1.69ā2.01) and 35% (RRRā=ā1.35, 95% CI: 1.25ā1.46) higher risk to have the high frequency and the moderate frequency of feeling useless versus low frequency, respectively, when only demographic factors were controlled for. However, centenarians had 31% (RRRā=ā0.69, 95% CI: 0.54ā0.88), 43% (RRRā=ā0.57, 95% CI: 0.49ā0.68), and 25% (RRRā=ā0.75, 95% CI: 0.67ā0.83) lower risk, respectively, to have theĀ high frequency of self-perceived uselessness relative to theĀ low frequency when a wide set of study covariates were controlled for. In the case of the moderate versus theĀ low frequency of self-perceived uselessness, the corresponding figures were 18% (RRRā=ā0.82, 95% CI: 0.66ā1.02), 22% (RRRā=ā0.78, 95%CI: 0.67ā0.90), and 13% (RRRā=ā0.87, 95% CI: 0.79ā0.96), respectively. The cohort analysis further indicates that those who became centenarians were 36ā39% less likely than those died at ages 91ā94 to report theĀ high and theĀ moderate frequencies of self-perceived uselessness versus theĀ low frequency; no difference was found between centenarians and those died at ages 95ā99. In both period and cohort analyses, behavioral and health-related factors affected the perception substantially. Conclusions Overall, centenarians were less likely to perceive themselves as useless compared to non-centenarians of younger birth cohortsĀ when a wide set of covariates were consideredĀ and non-centenarians of the same birth cohort. How centenarians manage to do so remains an open question. Our findings may help improve our understanding about the longevity secrets of centenarians
Patent ductus arteriosus shunting direction and diameter predict inpatient outcomes in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can serve as a predictive factor for inpatient outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on 59 CDH patients at the Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2020 to August 2022. Echocardiography was performed at least three times: within 2ā3ā
h after birth, pre-operatively, and post-operatively of CDH surgery. Based on the direction of the PDA shunt in the first echocardiogram, patients were classified into three groups: left-to-right shunting or closed PDA (L-R), bi-directional shunting, and right-to-left shunting (R-L).ResultsThe mortality rate was 15.3% (9/59), with all non-survivors having R-L shunting and group mortality of 39.1% (9/23). The direction of the PDA shunt was significantly associated with the duration of ventilation and length of hospital stay (pā<ā0.05). Decreased PDA diameter or pre-operative shunting direction change towards L-R or bi-directional shunting were associated with higher survival rates, while increased PDA diameter or continuous R-L shunting were associated with higher mortality rates. Pre-operative PDA shunt direction, PDA size after birth and before surgery, gestational age of diagnosis, and shortening fraction before surgery were significantly correlated with patient outcomes. The direction of the preoperative PDA shunt was the most relevant factor among these relationships (pā=ā0.009, OR 20.6, CI 2.2ā¼196.1).ConclusionOur findings highlight the importance of monitoring changes in PDA shunt directionality and diameter in the early stage after birth, as these parameters may serve as valuable predictors of patient outcomes
Insight-HXMT observations of Swift J0243.6+6124 during its 2017-2018 outburst
The recently discovered neutron star transient Swift J0243.6+6124 has been
monitored by {\it the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope} ({\it Insight-\rm HXMT).
Based on the obtained data, we investigate the broadband spectrum of the source
throughout the outburst. We estimate the broadband flux of the source and
search for possible cyclotron line in the broadband spectrum. No evidence of
line-like features is, however, found up to . In the absence of
any cyclotron line in its energy spectrum, we estimate the magnetic field of
the source based on the observed spin evolution of the neutron star by applying
two accretion torque models. In both cases, we get consistent results with
, and peak luminosity of which makes the source the first Galactic ultraluminous
X-ray source hosting a neutron star.Comment: publishe
Overview to the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT) Satellite
As China's first X-ray astronomical satellite, the Hard X-ray Modulation
Telescope (HXMT), which was dubbed as Insight-HXMT after the launch on June 15,
2017, is a wide-band (1-250 keV) slat-collimator-based X-ray astronomy
satellite with the capability of all-sky monitoring in 0.2-3 MeV. It was
designed to perform pointing, scanning and gamma-ray burst (GRB) observations
and, based on the Direct Demodulation Method (DDM), the image of the scanned
sky region can be reconstructed. Here we give an overview of the mission and
its progresses, including payload, core sciences, ground calibration/facility,
ground segment, data archive, software, in-orbit performance, calibration,
background model, observations and some preliminary results.Comment: 29 pages, 40 figures, 6 tables, to appear in Sci. China-Phys. Mech.
Astron. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1910.0443
The impact of informatization on export price index of a country : an empirical study based on binary marginal perspective
CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Ī± Is a Crucial Regulator of Human Fat Mass and Obesity Associated Gene Transcription and Expression
Several susceptibility loci have been reported associated with obesity and T2DM in GWAS. Fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) is the first gene associated with body mass index (BMI) and risk for diabetes in diverse patient populations. FTO is highly expressed in the brain and pancreas, and is involved in regulating dietary intake and energy expenditure. While much is known about the epigenetic mutations contributing to obesity and T2DM, less is certain with the expression regulation of FTO gene. In this study, a highly conserved canonical C/EBPĪ± binding site was located around position ā45~ā54ābp relative to the human FTO gene transcriptional start site. Site-directed mutagenesis of the putative C/EBPĪ± binding sites decreased FTO promoter activity. Overexpression and RNAi studies also indicated that C/EBPĪ± was required for the expression of FTO. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiment was carried out and the result shows direct binding of C/EBPĪ± to the putative binding regions in the FTO promoter. Collectively, our data suggest that C/EBPĪ± may act as a positive regulator binding to FTO promoter and consequently, activates the gene transcription
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