Awarded with Economic Growth, from Weak to Strong Patent Legislation: Legal Study with Regard to China

This paper provides a critical legal study on evaluation of patent system in China from the year1980, which is known as the beginning of Chinese modern intellectual property law including patent law till 2016 that China achieved third place in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) internationally for the highest patent applications according to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  Moreover, researcher will go through few important push factors for Chinese patent legislator who developed stronger Patent law to attract more national and international inventors for investing in Chinese market without hesitation of their patent rights being infringed due to weak legislation. In other words, how China realized that being in the era of globalization for improving economic growth, it should consider at least minimum international standards in its own patent legislation. Hence, the method used in this paper will be purely a doctrine method, because the researcher will be conducting the critical legal study on mentioned aspects, which involves collecting of data from primary and secondary sources. The process involved in this research is a collative process. However, still there is room for improvement in current Chinese patent system, which will be discussed in this paper. All in all, the researcher concluded that concept of globalization is undeniable in national as well as the international market in order to have a reasonable economic growth for the same reason China had considered having stronger patent legislation in order to save its position in the market and also to increase its own rate of economic growth. On the other hand, the paper concludes by putting forward suggestions for modifying Chinese patent system. &nbsp

Microtensile Bond Strength of Three Restorative Core Materials with IPS E.max Press Ceramic by Two Resin Cements

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the microtensile bond strengths (µ TBS) of three core materials with one lithium disilicate reinforced ceramic using two resin cements.Methods: Three core materials (Nulite F® (Biodental Technologies), Filtek Z250® (3M-ESPE), Prettau-Anterior® (Zirkonzhan, Germany)) were prepared as blocks (10×10×4 mm3) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lithium disilicate ceramic blocks were also constructed and bonded to core specimens with two dual curing luting resin cements (Duo-Link® (Schaumburg, IL), Bifix QM® (VOCO, Cuxhaven, Germany)). Micro-bar specimens were prepared and loaded in tension to determine the µ TBS Failure modes were classified by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test.Results: The µ TBS varied significantly depending on the core materials and resin cements used (P< 0.05). The µ TBS of Bifix QM was significantly higher than of Duo-Link in all core materials. The µ TBS of zirconia core was significantly higher than of both composite cores with both resin cements. There were no statistically significant differences among Nulite F and Filtek Z250 (P> 0.05). The highest bond strength was obtained between zirconia core and Bifix QM (45.3 ± 6.7 MPa).Conclusion: In vitro µ TBS of glass ceramic blocks bonded to zirconia core material showed higher bond strength values than resin-based core material, regardless of the resin cement type used

The association between acylcarnitine and amino acids profile and metabolic syndrome and its components in Iranian adults: Data from STEPs 2016

BackgroundEvidence, albeit with conflicting results, has suggested that cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and hypertension, are highly associated with changes in metabolic signature, especially plasma amino acids and acylcarnitines levels. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association of circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 1192 participants from the large–scale cross-sectional study of Surveillance of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Iran (STEP 2016). The circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in individuals with MetS (n=529) and without MetS (n=663).ResultsThe higher plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (Val, Leu), aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr), Pro, Ala, Glu, and the ratio of Asp to Asn were significantly associated with MetS, whereas lower circulating levels of Gly, Ser, His, Asn, and citrulline were significantly associated with MetS. As for plasma levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitines, higher levels of short-chain acylcarnitines (C2, C3, C4DC), free carnitine (C0), and long-chain acylcarnitines (C16, C18OH) were significantly associated with MetS. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that factor 3 (Tyr, Leu, Val, Met, Trp, Phe, Thr) [OR:1.165, 95% CI: 1.121-1.210, P<0.001], factor 7 (C0, C3, C4) [OR:1.257, 95% CI: 1.150-1.374, P<0.001], factor 8 (Gly, Ser) [OR:0.718, 95% CI: 0.651-0.793, P< 0.001], factor 9 (Ala, Pro, C4DC) [OR:1.883, 95% CI: 1.669-2.124, P<0.001], factor 10 (Glu, Asp, C18:2OH) [OR:1.132, 95% CI: 1.032-1.242, P= 0.009], factor 11 (citrulline, ornithine) [OR:0.862, 95% CI: 0.778-0.955, P= 0.004] and 13 (C18OH, C18:1 OH) [OR: 1.242, 95% CI: 1.042-1.480, P= 0.016] were independently correlated with metabolic syndrome.ConclusionChange in amino acid, and acylcarnitines profiles were seen in patients with MetS. Moreover, the alteration in the circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines is along with an increase in MetS component number. It also seems that amino acid and acylcarnitines profiles can provide valuable information on evaluating and monitoring MetS risk. However, further studies are needed to establish this concept

Metabolomics profile and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score

BackgroundThe intermediate metabolites associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remain largely unknown. Thus, we conducted a large panel of metabolomics profiling to identify the new candidate metabolites that were associated with 10-year ASCVD risk.MethodsThirty acylcarnitines and twenty amino acids were measured in the fasting plasma of 1,102 randomly selected individuals using a targeted FIA-MS/MS approach. The 10-year ASCVD risk score was calculated based on 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. Accordingly, the subjects were stratified into four groups: low-risk (n = 620), borderline-risk (n = 110), intermediate-risk (n = 225), and high-risk (n = 147). 10 factors comprising collinear metabolites were extracted from principal component analysis.ResultsC4DC, C8:1, C16OH, citrulline, histidine, alanine, threonine, glycine, glutamine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid were significantly associated with the 10-year ASCVD risk score (p-values ≤ 0.044). The high-risk group had higher odds of factor 1 (12 long-chain acylcarnitines, OR = 1.103), factor 2 (5 medium-chain acylcarnitines, OR = 1.063), factor 3 (methionine, leucine, valine, tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine, OR = 1.074), factor 5 (6 short-chain acylcarnitines, OR = 1.205), factor 6 (5 short-chain acylcarnitines, OR = 1.229), factor 7 (alanine, proline, OR = 1.343), factor 8 (C18:2OH, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, OR = 1.188), and factor 10 (ornithine, citrulline, OR = 1.570) compared to the low-risk ones; the odds of factor 9 (glycine, serine, threonine, OR = 0.741), however, were lower in the high-risk group. “D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism”, “phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis”, and “valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis” were metabolic pathways having the highest association with borderline/intermediate/high ASCVD events, respectively.ConclusionsAbundant metabolites were found to be associated with ASCVD events in this study. Utilization of this metabolic panel could be a promising strategy for early detection and prevention of ASCVD events

Burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in North Africa and Middle East countries, 1990 to 2019: Results from the GBD study 2019

ObjectiveTo provide estimates on the regional and national burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in the North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region.Methods and materialsThe Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data were used. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), death, incidence, and prevalence rates were categorized by sex and age groups in the NAME region, in 21 countries, from 1990 to 2019. Decomposition analysis was performed to calculate the proportion of responsible factors in the emergence of new cases. Data are presented as point estimates with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).ResultsIn the NAME region, TBL cancer caused 15,396 and 57,114 deaths in women and men, respectively, in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) increased by 0.7% (95% UI -20.6 to 24.1) and reached 16.8 per 100,000 (14.9 to 19.0) in 2019. All the age-standardized indices had a decreasing trend in men and an increasing trend in women from 1990 to 2019. Turkey (34.9 per 100,000 [27.6 to 43.5]) and Sudan (8.0 per 100,000 [5.2 to 12.5]) had the highest and lowest age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) in 2019, respectively. The highest and lowest absolute slopes of change in ASPR, from 1990 to 2019, were seen in Bahrain (-50.0% (-63.6 to -31.7)) and the United Arab Emirates (-1.2% (-34.1 to 53.8)), respectively. The number of deaths attributable to risk factors was 58,816 (51,709 to 67,323) in 2019 and increased by 136.5%. Decomposition analysis showed that population growth and age structure change positively contributed to new incident cases. More than 80% of DALYs could be decreased by controlling risk factors, particularly tobacco use.ConclusionThe incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates of TBL cancer increased, and the death rate remained unchanged from 1990 to 2019. All the indices and contribution of risk factors decreased in men but increased in women. Tobacco is still the leading risk factor. Early diagnosis and tobacco cessation policies should be improved

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Annexin V FITC conjugated as a radiation toxicity indicator in lymphocytes following radiation overexposure in radiotherapy programs

Background: Following human radiation exposure in hospital or accidents, dose assessments are of prime importance in radiation accidents. These issues are of continuing importance with respect to socioeconomic policy relating to the industrial and medical uses of ionizing radiation, and also for risk assessment among people who are occupationally exposed to low and/or high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as astronauts, pilots, stewardesses, nuclear power plant workers, and victims of radiation accidents. Materials and Methods: In this study, an assay for assessing radiation dose based on the induction of apoptosis in human T-lymphocytes was done to examine T-lymphocyte cells isolated from the fresh blood of 16volunteers, cultured and exposed to gamma rays. Radiation-induced apoptosis (RIA) was assessed by flow cytometric identification of cells displaying apoptosis-associated DNA condensation. Results: Dose-response experiments showed that at 2Gy dose level of radiotherapy programs, the RIA frequency was significantly above control. Apoptotic levels significantly depend on the dose of radiation rather than the donor. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the potential use of this assay as a biological indicator of radiation toxicity, optimizing patient dose in radiotherapy and biological dosimetry process

Transversus abdominis plane block following abdominally based breast reconstruction: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Breast reconstruction using the free muscle-sparing transversus abdominus myocutaneous or deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps are common methods for restoring mastectomy defects for breast cancer patients. Despite its increasing popularity and safety, the abdominal donor site remains a major source of postoperative pain. Conventional postoperative pain relief protocol consists primarily of a patient-controlled anesthesia device delivering intravenous opioids. Opioids can cause numerous side effects such as sedation, headache, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties and bladder and bowel dysfunction. A promising approach to provide postoperative pain control of the abdominal incision is the newly developed transversus abdominis plane peripheral nerve block. Methods/Design This study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial designed to rigorously test the effectiveness of a transversus abdominis plane catheter delivering intermittent local anesthetic in reducing postoperative abdominal pain following abdominal tissue breast reconstruction. The primary objective of this study is compare the mean total opioid consumption in the first postoperative 48 hours between the control and study groups including the patient-controlled anesthesia amounts and oral narcotic doses converted to intravenous morphine equivalent units. The secondary outcome measures include the following parameters: total in-hospital cumulative opioid consumption; daily patient-reported pain scores; total in-hospital cumulative anti-nausea consumption; nausea and sedation scores; and Quality of Recovery score; time to first bowel movement, ambulation, and duration of hospital stay. Discussion Autologous breast reconstruction using abdominal tissue is rapidly becoming the reconstructive option of choice for postmastectomy patients across North America. A substantial component of the pain experienced by patients after this abdominally based procedure is derived from the abdominal wall incision. By potentially decreasing the need for systemic opioids and their associated side effects, this transversus abdominis plane block study will utilize the most scientifically rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trial methodology to potentially improve both clinical care and health outcomes in breast cancer surgery patients. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT0139898