Sibling recurrence risk ratio analysis of the metabolic syndrome and its components over time

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to estimate both cross-sectional sibling recurrence risk ratio (λ(s)) and lifetime λ(s )for the metabolic syndrome and its individual components over time among sibships in the prospectively followed-up cohorts provided by the Genetic Analysis Workshop 13. Five measures included in the operational criteria of the metabolic syndrome by the Adult Treatment Panel III were examined. A method for estimating sibling recurrence risk with correction for complete ascertainment was used to estimate the numerator, and the prevalence in the whole cohort was used as the denominator of λ(s). RESULTS: Considerable variability in the λ(s )was found in terms of different time-points for the cross-sectional definition, the times of fulfilling the criterion for lifetime definition, and different components. Obesity and hyperglycemia had the highest cross-sectional λ(s )of the five components. Both components also had the largest slopes in the linear trend of the lifetime λ(s). However, the magnitudes of the lifetime λ(s )were similar to that of the mean cross-sectional λ(s), which were <2. The results of nonparametric linkage analysis showed only suggestive evidence of linkage between one marker and lifetime diagnosis of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and metabolic syndrome, respectively. CONCLUSION: The λ(s )of the metabolic syndrome and its components varies substantially across time, and the λ(s )of lifetime diagnosis was not necessarily larger than that of a cross-sectional diagnosis. The magnitude of λ(s )does not predict well the maximum LOD score of linkage analysis

General Versus Spinal Anesthesia: Which is a Risk Factor for Octogenarian Hip Fracture Repair Patients?

SummaryBackgroundMost studies have shown no difference between the two types of anesthesia administered to hip fracture patients. This study compared postoperative morbidity and mortality in octogenarian patients who received either general or spinal anesthesia for hip fracture repair.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of 335 octogenarian patients who received hip fracture repair in our teaching hospital between 2002 and 2006. A total of 167 and 168 patients received general and spinal anesthesia, respectively. Morbidity, mortality, and intraoperative and preoperative variables were compared between groups.ResultsThere were no mortality differences between spinal and general anesthesia groups. However, the overall morbidity was greater in the general anesthesia group than in the spinal anesthesia group (21/167 [12.6%] vs. 9/168 [5.4%]; p = 0.02). Respiratory system-related morbidity was also higher in the general anesthesia group than in the spinal anesthesia group (11/167 [6.6%] vs. 3/168 [1.8%]; p = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis revealed two significant predictors of postoperative morbidity: anesthesia type (general; odds ratio, 2.39) and preexisting respiratory diseases (odds ratio, 3.38).ConclusionGeneral anesthesia increased the risk of postoperative morbidity in octogenarian patients after hip fracture repair, and patients with preexisting respiratory diseases were especially vulnerable. Spinal anesthesia is strongly recommended in such individuals

Shallow Subsurface Structure in the Hualien Basin and Relevance to the Damage Pattern and Fault Rupture during the 2018 Hualien Earthquake

The 2018 M[w] 6.4 Hualien earthquake generated a large peak-to-peak velocity of over 2  m/s, with a period of 3 s at the south end of the Milun fault, which resulted in the collapse of five buildings. To investigate the shallow subsurface soil structure and evaluate possible effects on the ground motion and building damage, we performed microtremor measurements in the Hualien basin. Based on the velocity structure jointly inverted from both Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves and microtremor horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio data, we found that the shallow subsurface structure generally deepens from west to east. Close to the Milun fault, the structure becomes shallower, which is consistent with faulting during the 2018 earthquake and the long-term tectonic displacement. There is no significant variation for the site conditions in the north–south direction that can explain the large peak ground velocity in the south. As a result of the dense measurements in the heavily damaged area, where three high-rise buildings totally collapsed, these locations have the average S-wave velocity of the upper 30 m (AVs₃₀) values and are relatively high compared to the more distant area from the Meilun River. This is somewhat unusual, because lower AVs₃₀ values indicating softer ground conditions are expected close to the river. We did not find any characteristic subsurface soil structure that may contribute to the building collapses. The large 3 s pulse was probably generated by source effects, rather than subsurface soil amplification

A numerical assessment of microtopographies with varied geometries in relation to biofouling control

Biofouling is the unwanted attachment of organisms and microorganisms to a submerged surface. It is a natural phenomenon that results in negative impacts on man-made industries such as the marine industry, food industry, water treatment among others. Studies have shown that the application of surface topography with varied geometries and sizes have the potential to prevent biofouling. This research aims to assess microtopographies of varied geometries and shape in relation to biofouling control. The size and dimensions of the topographies were kept the same at 150 µm. This research is computational where simulations of flow in three-dimensional (3D) models were performed with ANSYS Fluent, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. With the aid of CFD, simulations of fluid flow in 3D models that consist of surface topographies with varied geometries and defined boundary conditions were conducted. The topographies investigated include pillars, octagonals, cross shaped grooves and square grooves. Hydrodynamic variations of interest that were analysed upon completion of the simulations include wall shear stress and velocity. Analysis of simulations show that the presence of topographies disrupt uniform flow and creates hydrodynamic fluctuations that discourage biofouling settlement. Simulations indicate that the pillars topography would likely have the best antifouling potential because it is the least likely to result in the formation of many vortices and also because shear stresses at the peaks of this topography are the highest among the four investigated topographies. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University

A numerical assessment of microtopographies with varied geometries in relation to biofouling control

Biofouling is the unwanted attachment of organisms and microorganisms to a submerged surface. It is a natural phenomenon that results in negative impacts on man-made industries such as the marine industry, food industry, water treatment among others. Studies have shown that the application of surface topography with varied geometries and sizes have the potential to prevent biofouling. This research aims to assess microtopographies of varied geometries and shape in relation to biofouling control. The size and dimensions of the topographies were kept the same at 150 µm. This research is computational where simulations of flow in three-dimensional (3D) models were performed with ANSYS Fluent, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. With the aid of CFD, simulations of fluid flow in 3D models that consist of surface topographies with varied geometries and defined boundary conditions were conducted. The topographies investigated include pillars, octagonals, cross shaped grooves and square grooves. Hydrodynamic variations of interest that were analysed upon completion of the simulations include wall shear stress and velocity. Analysis of simulations show that the presence of topographies disrupt uniform flow and creates hydrodynamic fluctuations that discourage biofouling settlement. Simulations indicate that the pillars topography would likely have the best antifouling potential because it is the least likely to result in the formation of many vortices and also because shear stresses at the peaks of this topography are the highest among the four investigated topographies. © School of Engineering, Taylor’s University

Necrotizing fasciitis in liver cirrhosis

SummaryBackgroundNecrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with a high mortality rate. Hepatitis is endemic in Taiwan, and liver cirrhosis is associated with the development of NF. The characteristics of these patients, however, have not been well documented or the predictors of mortality clearly identified. The purpose of this study is to identify predictors of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and necrotizing fasciitis.MethodsThis study was conducted at the Chi-Mei Medical Center in southern Taiwan. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and the microorganisms responsible for NF in patients with liver cirrhosis were recorded. To identify independent predictors associated with mortality, univariate analysis followed by multivariate logistic regression modeling was performed.ResultsDuring the period 2003–2011, a total of 55 patients with liver cirrhosis and NF were treated at the Chi-Mei Medical Center. Most patients had infections by monomicrobial Gram-negative bacilli. Univariate analysis revealed that severity of liver cirrhosis, shock, band polymorphonuclear neutrophil (>10%), international normalized ratio (>1.5), serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL), serum albumin (<2.5 g/dL), and activated partial thromboplastin time (>60 seconds) were significantly associated with mortality. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum albumin of <2.5 g/dL was the only independent predictor of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and NF.ConclusionNF in the vast majority of cirrhotic patients was caused by Gram-negative bacilli. Hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <2.5 g/dL) was associated with mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and NF. Further studies are needed to assess whether resuscitation with albumin-containing solutions lowers the mortality rate in such patients

An earthquake slip zone is a magnetic recorder

International audienceDuring an earthquake, the physical and the chemical transformations along a slip zone lead to an intense deformation within the gouge layer of a mature fault zone. Because the gouge contains ferromagnetic minerals, it has the capacity to behave as a magnetic recorder during an earthquake. This constitutes a conceivable way to identify earthquakes slip zones. In this paper, we investigate the magnetic record of the Chelungpu fault gouge that hosts the principal slip zone of the Chi-Chi earthquake (Mw 7.6, 1999, Taiwan) using Taiwan Chelungpu-fault Drilling Project core samples. Rock magnetic investigation pinpoints the location of the Chi-Chi mm-thick principal slip zone within the 16-cm thick gouge at ~1 km depth. A modern magnetic dipole of Earth magnetic field is recovered throughout this gouge but not in the wall rocks nor in the two other adjacent fault zones. This magnetic record resides essentially in two magnetic minerals; magnetite in the principal slip zone, and neoformed goethite elsewhere in the gouge. We propose a model where magnetic record: 1) is preserved during inter-seismic time, 2) is erased during co-seismic time and 3) is imprinted during post-seismic time when fluids cooled down. We suggest that the identification of a stable magnetic record carried by neoformed goethite may be a signature of friction-heating process in seismic slip zone

A strong-motion hot spot of the 2016 Meinong, Taiwan, earthquake (M_w = 6.4)

Despite a moderate magnitude, M_w = 6.4, the 5 February 2016 Meinong, Taiwan, earthquake caused significant damage in Tainan City and the surrounding areas. Several seismograms display an impulsive S-wave velocity pulse with an amplitude of about 1 m s-1, which is similar to large S-wave pulses recorded for the past several larger damaging earthquakes, such as the 1995 Kobe, Japan, earthquake (M_w = 6.9) and the 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake (M_w = 6.7). The observed PGV in the Tainan area is about 10 times larger than the median PGV of M_w = 6.4 crustal earthquakes in Taiwan. We investigate the cause of the localized strong ground motions. The peak-to-peak ground-motion displacement at the basin sites near Tainan is about 35 times larger than that at a mountain site with a similar epicentral distance. At some frequency bands (0.9 - 1.1 Hz), the amplitude ratio is as large as 200. Using the focal mechanism of this earthquake, typical “soft” and “hard” crustal structures, and directivity inferred from the observed waveforms and the slip distribution, we show that the combined effect yields an amplitude ratio of 17 to 34. The larger amplitude ratios at higher frequency bands can be probably due to the effects of complex 3-D basin structures. The result indicates that even from a moderate event, if these effects simultaneously work together toward amplifying ground motions, the extremely large ground motions as observed in Tainan can occur. Such occurrences should be taken into consideration in hazard mitigation measures in the place with frequent moderate earthquakes

Low Cost Seismic Network Practical Applications for Producing Quick Shaking Maps in Taiwan

Two major earthquakes of ML greater than 6.0 occurred in Taiwan in the first half of 2013. The vibrant shaking brought landslides, falling rocks and casualties. This paper presents a seismic network developed by National Taiwan University (NTU) with 401 Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) accelerators. The network recorded high quality strong motion signals from the two events and produced delicate shaking maps within one minute after the earthquake occurrence. The high shaking regions of the intensity map produced by the NTU system suggest damage and casualty locations. Equipped with a dense array of MEMS accelerometers, the NTU system is able to accommodate 10% signals loss from part of the seismic stations and maintain its normal functions for producing shaking maps. The system also has the potential to identify the rupture direction which is one of the key indices used to estimate possible damage. The low cost MEMS accelerator array shows its potential in real-time earthquake shaking map generation and damage avoidance