Negative emotion under haze: an investigation based on the microblog and weather records of Tianjin, China

Nowadays, many big cities are suffering from heavy air pollution and continuous haze weather. Compared with the threat on physical health, the influence of haze on people’s mental health is much less discussed in the current literature. Emotion is one of the most important indicators of mental health. To understand the negative impact of haze weather on the emotion of the people, we conducted an investigation based on historical weather records and microblog data in Tianjin, China. Specifically, an emotional thesaurus was generated with a microblog corpus collected from sample data. Based on the thesaurus, the public emotion under haze was statistically described. Then, through correlation analysis and comparative study, the relation and seasonal variation of haze and negative emotion of the public were well discussed. According to the study results, there was indeed a correlation between haze and negative emotion of the public, but the strength of this relationship varied under different conditions. The level of air pollution and weather context were both important factors that influence the mental effects of haze, and diverse patterns of negative emotion expression were demonstrated in different seasons of a year. Finally, for the benefit of people’s mental health under haze, recommendations were given for haze control from the side of government

Characterization of a Ag+-Selective Electrode Based on Naphthalimide Derivative as Ionophore

A naphthalimide derivative has been explored as neutral ionophore for Ag+-selective electrode. Potentiometric response revealed that electrode based on the proposed ionophore with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether as solvent in a poly (vinyl chloride) membrane matrix shows a measuring range of 1.0×10-6-1.0×10-2 M with a slope of 50.4±0.3 mV/decade. This electrode has high selectivity to Ag+ with respect to alkaline, alkaline earth and other heavy metal ions

Impacts of Triglyceride Glucose-Waist to Height Ratio on Diabetes Incidence: A Secondary Analysis of A Population-Based Longitudinal Data

BackgroundThe anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC] and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]), triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and TyG-related indicators (TyG-WHtR, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC) have been well documented to be highly correlated with insulin resistance (IR) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it was not immediately obvious which indicator would be optimal for screening people at risk of T2DM. Hence, this study intended to compare the predictive effects of the aforementioned markers on T2DM and to investigate the relation between baseline TyG-WHtR and incident T2DM.MethodsThis longitudinal study included 15464 study population who were involved in the NAGALA (NAfld in the Gifu Area Longitudinal Analysis) study from 2004 to 2015. The TyG index was defined as ln [FPG (mg/dL) ×fasting TG (mg/dL)/2]. And the TyG-WHtR was calculated as TyG index ×WHtR. We divided the participants into four groups according to the TyG-WHtR quartiles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of diabetes.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 2.4% (373/15464) participants developed diabetes. The incidence of diabetes increased with ascending TyG-WHtR quartiles (P for trend<0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that a one-unit increase in TyG-WHtR was independently correlated with a 2.714-fold higher risk of diabetes [hazard ratio (HR) 2.714, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.942-3.793; P<0.001). Stratification analysis revealed that increased TyG-WHtR (per 1-unit) was consistently correlated with diabetes incidence in different subgroups. Moreover, TyG-WHtR outperformed the other parameters by presenting the biggest area under the ROC curve (AUC) in men (AUC 0.746, 95% CI 0.716-0.776, P<0.001). However, all pairwise comparisons of AUC between TyG-WHtR and other indicators were not statistically different except TyG-WHtR vs. WHtR in women.ConclusionsA high TyG-WHtR is an important predictor of the increased cumulative risk of diabetes development. TyG-WHtR outperforms TyG, WHtR, TyG-WC and TyG-BMI in screening individuals who are susceptible to T2DM, especially in men

The role of adiponectin in the association between abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes: a mediation analysis among 232,438 Chinese participants

BackgroundAdiposity and adipokines are closely associated with obesity-related metabolic abnormalities, but little is known regarding whether abdominal obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through circulating adiponectin levels. Thus, this large-population–based study was designed to investigate the mediating effect of adiponectin in the relationship between abdominal obesity and T2DM.MethodsA total of 232,438 adults who lived in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, were enrolled in the present study. The circulating adiponectin concentrations were measured using latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. The association between circulating adiponectin and other clinical parameters was detected by Spearman’s correlation analysis. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was also used to address the non-linearity of the relationship between waist circumference and diabetes. Mediation analyses of circulating adiponectin were conducted using linear and logistic regression.ResultsSubjects with abdominal obesity had lower levels of circulating adiponectin (P < 0.001). The circulating adiponectin value was inversely related to BMI (r = −0.370, P < 0.001), waist circumference (r = −0.361, P < 0.001), and fasting plasma glucose (r = −0.221, P < 0.001). The RCS plot showed a non-linear relation linking waist circumference with T2DM (P for non-linearity < 0.001). Patients with abdominal obesity presented 2.062 times higher odds of T2DM in comparison with those with non-abdominal obesity (odds ratio, 2.062; 95% confidence interval, 1.969–2.161) after adjusting for confounders. In the mediation analyses, the circulating adiponectin mediated the association between abdominal obesity and T2DM, with a mediation effect of 41.02% after adjustments. The above results were consistent in both men and women.ConclusionThe relationship between abdominal obesity and T2DM is mediated through circulating adiponectin level in adults, suggesting that circulating adiponectin might be a potential predictor for controlling the adverse progression from adiposity to T2DM

The Three Pillars of Machine Programming

In this position paper, we describe our vision of the future of machine programming through a categorical examination of three pillars of research. Those pillars are:(i) intention,(ii) invention, and (iii) adaptation. Intention emphasizes advancements in the human-to-computer and computer-to-machine-learning interfaces. Invention emphasizes the creation or refinement of algorithms or core hardware and software building blocks through machine learning (ML). Adaptation emphasizes advances in the use of ML-based constructs to autonomously evolve software

Social Media-Based Secondary Distribution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Syphilis Self-testing Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men.

BACKGROUND: Social media and secondary distribution (distributing self-testing kits by indexes through their networks) both show strong promise to improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-testing uptake. We assessed an implementation program in Zhuhai, China, which focused on the secondary distribution of HIV/syphilis self-test kits among men who have sex with men (MSM) via social media. METHODS: Men aged ≥16 years, born biologically male, and ever had sex with another man were recruited as indexes. Banner ads on a social media platform invited the participants to apply for up to 5 self-test kits every 3 months. Index men paid a deposit of US$15/kit refundable upon submitting a photograph of a completed test result via an online submission system. They were informed that they could distribute the kits to others (referred to as "alters"). RESULTS: A total of 371 unique index men applied for 1150 kits (mean age, 28.7 [standard deviation, 6.9] years), of which 1141 test results were returned (99%). Among them, 1099 were valid test results; 810 (74%) were from 331 unique index men, and 289 tests (26%) were from 281 unique alters. Compared to index men, a higher proportion of alters were naive HIV testers (40% vs 21%; P < .001). The total HIV self-test reactivity rate was 3%, with alters having a significantly higher rate than indexes (5% vs 2%; P = .008). A total of 21 people (3%) had a reactive syphilis test result. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating social media with the secondary distribution of self-test kits may hold promise to increase HIV/syphilis testing coverage and case identification among MSM

Microfluidic biosensor for β-Hydroxybutyrate (βHBA) determination of subclinical ketosis diagnosis

Background: Determination of β-hydroxybutyrate (βHBA) is a gold standard for diagnosis of Subclinical Ketosis (SCK), a common disease in dairy cows that causes significant economic loss. Early detection of SCK can help reduce the risk of the disease progressing into clinical stage, thus minimizing economic losses on dairy cattle. Conventional laboratory methods are time consuming and labor-intensive, requiring expensive and bulky equipment. Development of portable and robust devices for rapid on-site SCK diagnosis is an effective way to prevent and control ketosis and can significantly aid in the management of dairy animal health. Microfluidic technology provides a rapid, cost-effective way to develop handheld devices for on-farm detection of sub-clinical ketosis. In this study, a highly sensitive microfluidics-based biosensor for on-site SCK diagnosis has been developed. Results: A rapid, low-cost microfluidic biosensor with high sensitivity and specificity was developed for SCK diagnosis. Determination of βHBA was employed as the indicator in the diagnosis of SCK. On-chip detection using miniaturized and cost-effective optical sensor can be finished in 1minute with a detection limit of 0.05mM concentration. Developed microfluidic biosensor was successfully tested with the serum samples from dairy cows affected by SCK. The results of the developed biosensor agreed well with two other laboratory methods. The biosensor was characterized by high sensitivity and specificity towards βHBA with a detection limit of 0.05mM. Conclusions: The developed microfluidic biosensor provides a promising prototype for a cost-effective handheld meter for on-site SCK diagnosis. By using microfluidic method, the detection time is significantly decreased compared to other laboratory methods. Here, we demonstrate a field-deployable device to precisely identify and measure subclinical ketosis by specific labeling and quantification of β-hydroxybutyate in cow blood samples. A real-time on-site detection system will maximize convenience for the farmers

Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Qianghuo Shengshi Decoction in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis

Background: Qianghuo Shengshi decoction (QHSSD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in China. The pharmacological mechanism of QHSSD for AS remains to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of QHSSD in the treatment of AS using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: To obtain the chemical components and potential targets of QHSSD, we used the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and SwissTargetPrediction. AS potential targets were found in the GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGenets databases. A Venn diagram was used to screen QHSSD and AS common potential targets. The STRING website and Cytoscape software were used to create and analyze protein&ndash;protein interactions and component&ndash;target networks. The DAVID database was used for the gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was used to visualize drug&ndash;target interactions. Results: The component&ndash;target network consisted of 119 chemical components and 193 potential targets. QHSSD was implicated in various biological processes, such as inflammation and angiogenesis, and mediated multiple signaling pathways, such as the MAPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking revealed good binding ability between medicarpin, notoptol, vitetrifolin E, and cnidilin and EGFR, TNF-&alpha;, ALB, and VEGFA. Conclusions: The chemical compositions, potential targets, and pathways involved in the QHSSD treatment of AS were successfully predicted in this study. This study provides a solid foundation for the selection of drugs to treat AS

Arginine improves the color stability of hemoglobin powder during freeze‐drying and storage

Abstract To increase the color stability of hemoglobin (Hb) powder, the technological conditions for arginine–hemoglobin (Arg‐Hb) powder preparation were optimized by response surface methodology and the influence of arginine (Arg) on the color stability of Hb powder was evaluated. Results showed that: (a) Arg‐Hb powder had better colors (less MetHb% and higher a* value) than Hb powder (p < 0.05); (b) using MetHb% as an indicator, the optimal conditions to prepare Arg stabilized Hb were Arg concentration of 10.5 mg/ml Hb extract, reaction pH of 10.75, and reaction temperature of 18°C; (c) pH and NaCl had a significant influence on the color stability of Hb (p < 0.05). At various NaCl concentrations and pH conditions, Arg‐Hb solution showed better color than Hb (p < 0.05); (d) Arg‐Hb powder had higher a* values and higher percentages of deoxyhemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin but lower MetHb% than Hb powder during storage (p < 0.05)