Association between serum uric acid levels and peripheral artery disease in Chinese adults with hypertension

BackgroundHigher serum uric acid (SUA) can cause gout, which is principally characterized by arthritis due to monosodium urate crystal deposition in the lower extremities. High levels of SUA have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease(PAD). To date, the relationship between SUA levels and PAD is still poorly understood.MethodAn analysis of 9,839 Chinese adults with essential hypertension from the ongoing China H-type Hypertension Registry Study was conducted in this cross-sectional study. Patients with an ABI ≤0.9 was diagnosed with PAD. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA levels >420 mol/L in men and >360 mol/L in women. The association between SUA levels and PAD was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models based on odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThe enrolled subjects ranged in age from 27 to 93 years, with a mean age of 63.14 ± 8.99 years. The proportion of male patients was 46.22%, and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 50.72%. In males, hyperuricemia was positively associated with the risk of PAD (adjusted OR per SD increase: 1.72, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.53, P =0.006). Males in the highest SUA tertile were significantly more likely to have PAD (adjusted OR: 2.63, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.86, P = 0.002; P for trend = 0.001). However, this positive relationship was not observed in females (adjusted OR: 1.29, 95% CI 0.77 to 2.17, P = 0.327; P for trend = 0.347).ConclusionAccording to this cross-sectional study, higher SUA levels were positively associated with PAD in male hypertensive patients, while this positive relationship disappeared in female participants

Pancreatic Cancer Epidemiology, Detection, and Management

PC (pancreatic cancer) is the fourth most common cause of death due to cancer worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates have been increasing year by year worldwide, and this review has analyzed the most recent incidence and mortality data for pancreatic cancer occurrence in China. Several possible risk factors have been discussed here, involving known established risk factors and novel possible risk factors. The development of this cancer is a stepwise progression through intraepithelial neoplasia to carcinoma. Though early and accurate diagnosis is promising based on a combination of recent techniques including tumor markers and imaging modalities, lacking early clinical symptoms makes the diagnosis late. Correct staging is critical because treatment is generally based on this parameter. Treatment options have improved throughout the last decades. However, surgical excision remains the primary therapy and efficacy of conventional chemoradiotherapy for PC is limited. Recently, some novel new therapies have been developed and will be applied in clinics soon. This review will provide an overview of pancreatic cancer, including an understanding of the developments and controversies

OsSIDP301, a Member of the DUF1644 Family, Negatively Regulates Salt Stress and Grain Size in Rice

As a major environmental factor, salt stress substantially retards growth and reduces the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa). Members of the DUF1644 family, “the domains of unknown function 1644 motif” are predicted to play an essential regulatory role in response to abiotic stress. However, the specific molecular mechanisms of most members of this family remain elusive. Here, we report that the OsSIDP301 (stress-induced DUF1644 protein) was induced by salt stress and abscisic acid (ABA). We found that overexpression of OsSIDP301 (OE) in plants conferred salt hypersensitivity and reduced grain size, whereas plants with OsSIDP301 RNA interference (RNAi) exhibited salt tolerance and increased grain size in rice. OsSIDP301 determines salt stress tolerance by modulating genes involved in the salt-response and ABA signaling pathways. Further studies suggest that OsSIDP301 regulates grain size by influencing cell expansion in spikelet hulls. Moreover, OsSIDP301 interacts with OsBUL1 COMPLEX1 (OsBC1), which positively regulates grain size in rice. Our findings reveal that OsSIDP301 functions as a negative regulator of salt stress and grain size, and repressing its expression represents a promising strategy for improving salt stress tolerance and yield in rice

Study of Packaging and Assembly Materials for Thermal Performance Enhancement of Optoelectronic Devices with Small Form Factor

Recently, there is an evident trend of ever-thinner and intricate opto-electronic package and devices, which brings about severer thermal issues as well as unprecedented challenges for the thermal design. Not only thickness of opto-electronic package itself will raise the peak temperature and pose a potential risk to electronic devices, but also the limited-space and interacted opto-electro-thermo-mechanical properties restrict the use of traditional active thermal management means and precise estimation of cooling performance. This dissertation aims to numerically and experimentally analyze thermal behaviors of various LED package configurations while thinning it as well as apply novel radiation coating and packaging materials to cooling electronic devices with limited-space. What’s more, an opto-thermal coupled numerical method in the application of LED was discussed. Last but not the least, much faster Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were adopted to predict patterns for cooling performance of our thermal radiation coating in Li-ion battery system and acceleration stage before the onset of thermal runaway, which is the key to cut-off the battery before explosion. It’s found that: (1) LED packages have different thermal behaviors for various configurations while thinning it. There can be a 5-10 ℃ of temperature change for single-chip LED. (2) For white LEDs and light bars in direct view LED backlight units (DLED-BLUs), our thermal conductive Die Attach Adhesive (DAA) and thicker encapsulant are able to increase the power level by up to 1.5 times. (3) Our thermal radiation can effectively decrease the peak temperature by 14.5 oC for linear LED modules as well as boost the uniformity of temperature distribution. (4) The thermal performance of LED package is different with and without considering optical effect. So optical effect should not be neglected while conducting thermal simulation for opto-electronic devices. (5) Machine learning algorithms can shorten prediction time of thermal performance of passive radiation material from 1 day to less than 0.5 min, compared with finite element method. A practical system design to effectively prevent explosion of Li-ion battery system is provided, too

Study of Packaging and Assembly Materials for Thermal Performance Enhancement of Optoelectronic Devices with Small Form Factor

Recently, there is an evident trend of ever-thinner and intricate opto-electronic package and devices, which brings about severer thermal issues as well as unprecedented challenges for the thermal design. Not only thickness of opto-electronic package itself will raise the peak temperature and pose a potential risk to electronic devices, but also the limited-space and interacted opto-electro-thermo-mechanical properties restrict the use of traditional active thermal management means and precise estimation of cooling performance. This dissertation aims to numerically and experimentally analyze thermal behaviors of various LED package configurations while thinning it as well as apply novel radiation coating and packaging materials to cooling electronic devices with limited-space. What’s more, an opto-thermal coupled numerical method in the application of LED was discussed. Last but not the least, much faster Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were adopted to predict patterns for cooling performance of our thermal radiation coating in Li-ion battery system and acceleration stage before the onset of thermal runaway, which is the key to cut-off the battery before explosion. It’s found that: (1) LED packages have different thermal behaviors for various configurations while thinning it. There can be a 5-10 ℃ of temperature change for single-chip LED. (2) For white LEDs and light bars in direct view LED backlight units (DLED-BLUs), our thermal conductive Die Attach Adhesive (DAA) and thicker encapsulant are able to increase the power level by up to 1.5 times. (3) Our thermal radiation can effectively decrease the peak temperature by 14.5 oC for linear LED modules as well as boost the uniformity of temperature distribution. (4) The thermal performance of LED package is different with and without considering optical effect. So optical effect should not be neglected while conducting thermal simulation for opto-electronic devices. (5) Machine learning algorithms can shorten prediction time of thermal performance of passive radiation material from 1 day to less than 0.5 min, compared with finite element method. A practical system design to effectively prevent explosion of Li-ion battery system is provided, too

The long-term urinary dysfunction after type C2 radical hysterectomy in patients with cervical cancer

Radical hysterectomy (RH) may cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) for patients with cervical cancer. Few data are available on the long-term LUTS of these patients and whether the symptoms relate to the route of surgery remain unclear. Here, we assessed the long-term urinary dysfunction in cervical cancer patients after RH based on a self-reported questionnaire. A total of 168 patients after type C2 RH, either by laparoscopy (LRH) or laparotomy (ARH), were analysed. The median length of follow-up was 54 ± 8.35 months. The total incidence of urinary dysfunction was around 40%. Patients with LRH had more intermittent stream and feeling of incomplete emptying than those in ARH group. Our data indicate the irreversible damage of RH to urinary function of cervical cancer patients, who should be informed of the long-term and high incidence of urinary dysfunction after RH when they choose surgical treatment.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Radical hysterectomy (RH) with pelvic lymphadenectomy is standard surgical care for patients with cervical cancer. RH could induce urinary dysfunction, including bladder sensation loss, hypertonic and hypotonic bladder, urinary incontinence, etc. Studies mainly focus on short- or mid-term urinary dysfunction and stated that spontaneous recovery of urinary function is to be expected within 6–12 months after surgery. What the results of this study add? The lower urinary tract symptoms last for years after type C2 RH, indicating the irreversible damage of RH to urinary function of cervical cancer patients. The incidence of bladder dysfunction is increased in patients submitted to laparoscopic RH compared to abdominal RH. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Cervical cancer patients should be informed of the long-term and high incidence of urinary dysfunction after RH when they choose surgical treatment

The effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin and platelet-rich fibrin in regenerative endodontics: a comparative in vitro study

Abstract Objective To explore the feasibility of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) in regenerative endodontics by comparing the effect of i-PRF and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on the biological behavior and angiogenesis of human stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs). Methodology i-PRF and PRF were obtained from venous blood by two different centrifugation methods, followed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to quantify the growth factors. SCAPs were cultured with different concentrations of i-PRF extract (i-PRFe) and PRF extract (PRFe), and the optimal concentrations were selected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The cell proliferation and migration potentials of SCAPs were then observed using the CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Mineralization ability was detected by alizarin red staining (ARS), and angiogenesis ability was detected by tube formation assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to evaluate the expression of genes related to mineralization and angiogenesis. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results i-PRF and PRF showed a similar three-dimensional fibrin structure, while i-PRF released a higher concentration of growth factors than PRF ( P .05). More importantly, our results showed that i-PRFe had a stronger effect on SCAPs than PRFe in facilitating mineralization and angiogenesis, with the consistent result of RT-qPCR ( P <.05). Conclusion This study revealed that i-PRF released a higher concentration of growth factors and was superior to PRF in promoting proliferation, mineralization and angiogenesis of SCAPs, which indicates that i-PRF could be a promising biological scaffold for application in pulp regeneration

Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides on Immunity and Metabolic Syndrome Associated with the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Review

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their multiple pharmacological activities and physiological functions. Recently, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the biological effects of dietary LBPs are related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Supplementation with LBPs could modulate the composition of microbial communities, and simultaneously influence the levels of active metabolites, thus exerting their beneficial effects on host health. Interestingly, LBPs with diverse chemical structures may enrich or reduce certain specific intestinal microbes. The present review summarizes the extraction, purification, and structural types of LBPs and the regulation effects of LBPs on the gut microbiome and their derived metabolites. Furthermore, the health promoting effects of LBPs on host bidirectional immunity (e.g., immune enhancement and immune inflammation suppression) and metabolic syndrome (e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) by targeting gut microbiota are also discussed based on their structural types. The contents presented in this review might help to better understand the health benefits of LBPs targeting gut microbiota and provide a scientific basis to further clarify the structure&ndash;function relationship of LBPs

A Novel Fuzzy Model Predictive Control of a Gas Turbine in the Combined Cycle Unit

The complex characteristics of the gas turbine in a combined cycle unit have brought great difficulties in its control process. Meanwhile, the increasing emphasis on the efficiency, safety, and cleanliness of the power generation process also makes it significantly important to put forward advanced control strategies to satisfy the desired control demands of the gas turbine system. Therefore, aiming at higher control performance of the gas turbine in the gas-steam combined cycle process, a novel fuzzy model predictive control (FMPC) strategy based on the fuzzy selection mechanism and simultaneous heat transfer search (SHTS) algorithm is presented in this paper. The objective function of rolling optimization in this novel FMPC consists of two parts which represent the state optimization and output optimization. In the weight coefficient selection of those two parts, the fuzzy selection mechanism is introduced to overcome the uncertainties existing in the system. Furthermore, on account of the rapidity of the control process, the SHTS algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem rather than the traditional quadratic programming method. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed through simulation experiments of the gas turbine in a combined power plant. The simulation results demonstrate the remarkable superiorities of the adopted algorithm with higher control precision and stronger disturbance rejection ability as well as less optimization time