The association between a body shape index and elevated urinary albumin–creatinine ratio in Chinese community adults

BackgroundObesity, especially visceral obesity, seems to be one of the most decisive risk factors for chronic kidney disease. A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is an emerging body size measurement marker of visceral obesity. This study aimed to explore whether ABSI is associated with albuminuria in Chinese community adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study enrolled 40,726 participants aged 40 or older from seven provinces across China through a cluster random sampling method. ABSI was calculated by body mass index, waist circumference, and height. Increased albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30 mg/g, indicating kidney injury. For ABSI, we divided it by quartile cutoff points and tried to determine the association between ABSI levels and UACR by multiple regression analysis. DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) was plotted using literature and expert consensus to identify potential confounding factors.ResultsThe average age of subjects with elevated UACR was 61.43 ± 10.07, and 26% were men. The average age of subjects with normal UACR was 57.70 ± 9.02, and 30.5% were men. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted and demonstrated that the ABSI quartiles were related to elevated UACR positively (OR [95% CI] Q2 vs. Q1: 1.094 [1.004, 1.197]; OR [95% CI] Q3 vs. Q1: 1.126 [1.030, 1.231]; OR [95% CI] Q4 vs. Q1: 1.183 [1.080, 1.295], p for trend < 0.001) after adjustments for confounding factors. The stratified analysis further showed that with the mounting for ABSI levels, elevated UACR more easily occurred in the people characterized by the elderly, men, and hypertension.ConclusionsIn Chinese community adults, people with higher ABSI levels can be deemed as high-risk individuals with UACR elevation, and it will be beneficial for them to lose weight and significantly reduce visceral fat

Formal Proof of a Machine Closed Theorem in Coq

The paper presents a formal proof of a machine closed theorem of TLA+ in the theorem proving system Coq. A shallow embedding scheme is employed for the proof which is independent of concrete syntax. Fundamental concepts need to state that the machine closed theorems are addressed in the proof platform. A useful proof pattern of constructing a trace with desired properties is devised. A number of Coq reusable libraries are established

Optimal Load Distribution of CHP Based on Combined Deep Learning and Genetic Algorithm

In an effort to address the load adjustment time in the thermal and electrical load distribution of thermal power plant units, we propose an optimal load distribution method based on load prediction among multiple units in thermal power plants. The proposed method utilizes optimization by attention to fine-tune a deep convolutional long-short-term memory network (CNN-LSTM-A) model for accurately predicting the heat supply load of two 30 MW extraction back pressure units. First, the inherent relationship between the heat supply load and thermal power plant unit parameters is qualitatively analyzed, and the influencing factors of the power load are screened based on a data-driven analysis. Then, a mathematical model for load distribution optimization is established by analyzing and fitting the unit’s energy consumption characteristic curves on the boiler and turbine sides. Subsequently, by using a randomly chosen operating point as an example, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize the distribution of thermal and electrical loads among the units. The results showed that the combined deep learning model has a high prediction accuracy, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of less than 1.3%. By predicting heat supply load variations, the preparedness for load adjustments is done in advance. At the same time, this helps reduce the real-time load adjustment response time while enhancing the unit load’s overall competitiveness. After that, the genetic algorithm optimizes the load distribution, and the overall steam consumption rate from power generation on the turbine side is reduced by 0.488 t/MWh. Consequently, the coal consumption rate of steam generation on the boiler side decreases by 0.197 kg (coal)/t (steam). These described changes can greatly increase the power plant’s revenue by CNY 6.2673 million per year. The thermal power plant used in this case study is in Zhejiang Province, China

A Pedagogical Approach to Incorporating the Concept of Sustainability into Design-to-Physical-Construction Teaching in Introductory Architectural Design Courses: A Case Study on a Bamboo Construction Project

Sustainable architectural education is offered in colleges and universities all over the world. Studies have emphasized the importance of sustainable architectural education in introductory courses of architecture major programs, but methods and strategies for teaching sustainable architecture at lower levels are scarce. This study focuses on the design-to-physical-construction process and creates a teaching framework that incorporates the concept of sustainable development from the perspectives of sustainable economy, environment and society. Based on the teaching method of learning through the design-to-physical-construction process and referring to the grounded theory, a case study on a bamboo construction project was conducted to explore approaches and strategies of sustainable architectural education in introductory courses. Results reveal that five systems, including the system of sustainable development, consist of a framework that illustrated the teaching effects. Based on the framework, we discovered five factors that should be considered in incorporating the concept of sustainable development into architectural design teaching, including the necessity of conducting sustainable architectural education in introductory courses. This study helps explore the potential role sustainability plays in incorporating interdisciplinary knowledge, connecting specialized knowledge across different program levels, and motivating student learning. It also provides a reference for the practice of sustainable architectural education

The epilepsy and intellectual disability-associated protein TBC1D24 regulates the maintenance of excitatory synapses and animal behaviors.

Perturbation of synapse development underlies many inherited neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disability (ID). Diverse mutations on the human TBC1D24 gene are strongly associated with epilepsy and ID. However, the physiological function of TBC1D24 in the brain is not well understood, and there is a lack of genetic mouse model that mimics TBC1D24 loss-of-function for the study of animal behaviors. Here we report that TBC1D24 is present at the postsynaptic sites of excitatory synapses, where it is required for the maintenance of dendritic spines through inhibition of the small GTPase ARF6. Mice subjected to viral-mediated knockdown of TBC1D24 in the adult hippocampus display dendritic spine loss, deficits in contextual fear memory, as well as abnormal behaviors including hyperactivity and increased anxiety. Interestingly, we show that the protein stability of TBC1D24 is diminished by the disease-associated missense mutation that leads to F251L amino acid substitution. We further generate the F251L knock-in mice, and the homozygous mutants show increased neuronal excitability, spontaneous seizure and pre-mature death. Moreover, the heterozygous F251L knock-in mice survive into adulthood but display dendritic spine defects and impaired memory. Our findings therefore uncover a previously uncharacterized postsynaptic function of TBC1D24, and suggest that impaired dendritic spine maintenance contributes to the pathophysiology of individuals harboring TBC1D24 gene mutations. The F251L knock-in mice represent a useful animal model for investigation of the mechanistic link between TBC1D24 loss-of-function and neurodevelopmental disorders

Association between Duration of Exercise (MET Hours per Week) and the Risk of Decreased eGFR: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on a Large Chinese Population

Background. Physical activity is effective in preventing chronic diseases. However, the impact of different durations of exercise on human health is unknown, especially among people with diabetes or prediabetes. Objective. To explore the relationship between high MET hours per week and the change in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the total population and different subgroups. Methods. A total of 43767 individuals from eight provinces, in China, were recruited. Logistic analysis was used to investigate the association. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on MET hours per week. The primary outcome was an eGFR≤90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results. The average eGFR was 100.10 (92.43-106.43) mL/min/1.732. Logistic regression analysis revealed that more than 7.5 MET hours per week (equivalent to more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity of exercise) was associated with the higher risk of the decreased eGFR even after adjusting for confounding factors (7.5 to <21: OR=1.18, 95% CI [1.09, 1.29]; ≥21: OR=1.12, 95% CI [1.05, 1.19], p for trend: 0.0047). After adjusting for confounding factors, in stratified analyses, there still existed a significant relationship among participants aged from 55 to less than 65 years, but not among participants younger than 55 or older than 65 years. Similarly, there existed a positive association between high MET hours per week and the decreased eGFR in participants without diabetes and prediabetes, but not in participants with diabetes or prediabetes, and the interactions of age and diabetic states were found. However, there was no significant difference in women or men. Conclusions. More than 7.5 MET hours per week (equivalent to more than 150 minutes per week or 60 minutes per day of moderate-intensity exercise) was associated with decreased eGFR among participants aged from 55 to less than 65 years and participants without diabetes and prediabetes, but not among participants aged younger than 55 years and older than 65 years and participants with diabetes or prediabetes. The importance of planning individualized physical activities is highlighted

Association between Duration of Exercise (MET Hours per Week) and the Risk of Decreased eGFR: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on a Large Chinese Population

Background. Physical activity is effective in preventing chronic diseases. However, the impact of different durations of exercise on human health is unknown, especially among people with diabetes or prediabetes. Objective. To explore the relationship between high MET hours per week and the change in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the total population and different subgroups. Methods. A total of 43767 individuals from eight provinces, in China, were recruited. Logistic analysis was used to investigate the association. Participants were divided into 3 groups based on MET hours per week. The primary outcome was an eGFR≤90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Results. The average eGFR was 100.10 (92.43-106.43) mL/min/1.732. Logistic regression analysis revealed that more than 7.5 MET hours per week (equivalent to more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity of exercise) was associated with the higher risk of the decreased eGFR even after adjusting for confounding factors (7.5 to <21: OR=1.18, 95% CI [1.09, 1.29]; ≥21: OR=1.12, 95% CI [1.05, 1.19], p for trend: 0.0047). After adjusting for confounding factors, in stratified analyses, there still existed a significant relationship among participants aged from 55 to less than 65 years, but not among participants younger than 55 or older than 65 years. Similarly, there existed a positive association between high MET hours per week and the decreased eGFR in participants without diabetes and prediabetes, but not in participants with diabetes or prediabetes, and the interactions of age and diabetic states were found. However, there was no significant difference in women or men. Conclusions. More than 7.5 MET hours per week (equivalent to more than 150 minutes per week or 60 minutes per day of moderate-intensity exercise) was associated with decreased eGFR among participants aged from 55 to less than 65 years and participants without diabetes and prediabetes, but not among participants aged younger than 55 years and older than 65 years and participants with diabetes or prediabetes. The importance of planning individualized physical activities is highlighted

Hedgehog pathway activation through nanobody-mediated conformational blockade of the Patched sterol conduit

Activation of the Hedgehog pathway may have therapeutic value for improved bone healing, taste receptor cell regeneration, and alleviation of colitis or other conditions. Systemic pathway activation, however, may be detrimental, and agents amenable to tissue targeting for therapeutic application have been lacking. We have developed an agonist, a conformation-specific nanobody against the Hedgehog receptor Patched1 (PTCH1). This nanobody potently activates the Hedgehog pathway in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing an alternative conformation of a Patched1 "switch helix," as revealed by our cryogenic electron microscopy structure. Nanobody-binding likely traps Patched in one stage of its transport cycle, thus preventing substrate movement through the Patched1 sterol conduit. Unlike the native Hedgehog ligand, this nanobody does not require lipid modifications for its activity, facilitating mechanistic studies of Hedgehog pathway activation and the engineering of pathway activating agents for therapeutic use. Our conformation-selective nanobody approach may be generally applicable to the study of other PTCH1 homologs

Self-reported sleep duration and daytime napping are associated with renal hyperfiltration and microalbuminuria in an apparently healthy Chinese population.

BackgroundSleep duration affects health in various ways. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationships among sleep duration, daytime napping and kidney function in a middle-aged apparently healthy Chinese population.MethodsAccording to self-reported total sleep and daytime napping durations, 33,850 participants who were 38-90 years old and recruited from eight regional centers were divided into subgroups. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, biochemical indexes, fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial blood glucose (PBG), HbA1c, creatinine and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were measured and recorded for each subject. Microalbuminuria was defined as UACR ≥30 mg/g, chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as eGFR ResultsCompared to sleeping for 7-8 h/day, the ORs for microalbuminuria for sleeping for >9 h/day, 8-9 h/day 6-7 h/day and 9 h/day of sleep was 1.400 (1.123-1.745, P = 0.003) among participants with an eGFR ≥90 ml/min. Daytime napping had a negative effect on renal health. Compared to the absence of a napping habit, the ORs for microalbuminuria for 0-1 h/day, 1-1.5 h/day and >1.5 h/day of daytime napping were 1.552 (1.444-1.668, PConclusionThe association of total sleep duration with renal health outcomes is U-shaped. Daytime napping has a negative effect on renal health