Sex difference in the association of metabolic syndrome with high sensitivity C-reactive protein in a Taiwanese population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although sex differences have been reported for associations between components of metabolic syndrome and inflammation, the question of whether there is an effect modification by sex in the association between inflammation and metabolic syndrome has not been investigated in detail. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare associations of high sensitivity C-creative protein (hs-CRP) with metabolic syndrome and its components between men and women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 1,305 subjects aged 40 years and over were recruited in 2004 in a metropolitan city in Taiwan. The biochemical indices, such as hs-CRP, fasting glucose levels, lipid profiles, urinary albumin, urinary creatinine and anthropometric indices, were measured. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the American Heart Association and the National Heart, lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) definition. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and hs-CRP was examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After adjustment for age and lifestyle factors including smoking, and alcohol intake, elevated concentrations of hs-CRP showed a stronger association with metabolic syndrome in women (odds ratio comparing tertile extremes 4.80 [95% CI: 3.31-6.97]) than in men (2.30 [1.65-3.21]). The p value for the sex interaction was 0.002. All components were more strongly associated with metabolic syndrome in women than in men, and all sex interactions were significant except for hypertension.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that inflammatory processes may be of particular importance in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome in women.</p

Plasma-assisted ignition for a kerosene fueled scramjet at Mach 1.8

By using a plasma jet (PJ) torch with 1.5 kW input power as an igniter, successful ignition for liquid-kerosene fueled combustion experiment was conducted in a direct-connected supersonic test facility. The incoming flow has total temperature of 950 K and local Mach number of 1.8, corresponding to Mach 4 flight condition. In this study, several optical techniques, including high speed photography, high speed schlieren photography, and planar laser scattering (PLS) technique, were combined to study the ignition process, flame propagation, and mixing features of liquid kerosene fuel with air around the cavity. The effect of fuel injection position, injection pressure, and feedstock gas on ignition performance has been analyzed. The results indicate that local mixing is a critical factor for ignition. It is also shown that the PJ torch with N-2 + H-2 feedstock is superior to the PJ torch with N-2 feedstock for the ignition of liquid-kerosene fuel. These results are valuable for the future optimization of kerosene-fueled scramjet engine when using a PJ torch as an igniter

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta

Clinical differences between younger and older adults with HIV/AIDS starting antiretroviral therapy in Uganda and Zimbabwe: a secondary analysis of the DART trial

Clinical and immunological data about HIV in older adults from low and middle income countries is scarce. We aimed to describe differences between younger and older adults with HIV starting antiretroviral therapy in two low-income African countries

YBa2Cu3O7-delta Superconducting Films Prepared by Low Pressure Post-annealing

YBa2Cu3O7-delta precursor films are deposited on 2 '' LaAlO3 wafer by the co-evaporation technique using Y, BaF2 and Cu as evaporation sources. After deposition, the films are annealed at low-pressure atmosphere with the composition of oxygen and water vapour. Compared with the normal pressure annealing, it is shown that low pressure can greatly improve the superconducting properties of 2 '' YBCO films with thickness larger than 500 nm, as the microcrack on films surface becomes unobservable the microwave surface resistance is greatly reduced. Furthermore, it is also revealed that the optimal processing window for making high quality superconducting YBCO films through ex-situ process is relatively small, therefore the ambient in annealing furnace is crucial important and should be precisely controlled