文明1(civilized)、文明2(civilization)、文明3(civitas)——论“文明”一词的三种不同含义

学术界对于“什么是文明”存有争议的原因,是把文明(civilized)、文明社会(civilization)和国家(civitas)三个不同的概念混为一谈造成的。“文明1”大致相当于英语civilized(文明的)。文化是人群的生活方式,但是不仅彬彬有礼、琴棋书画、轻歌曼舞、美味佳肴是文化,愚昧粗鲁、恶俗陋习、野风蛮舞、吃糠咽菜也是生活方式,所以文明1不完全等同于文化,而只有被认可与受推崇的文化才被称为文明。无论古今中外,作为文化的文明1都是褒义的,文明1即“文明”的本义,也是对文化的价值判断。“文明2”相当于英语civilization(文明社会),摩尔根用以指称继蒙昧社会与野蛮社会之后出现的、高于蒙昧与野蛮状态的社会阶段。作为社会形态的文明2当然比蒙昧与野蛮社会要进步,但是文明社会并非一切都是文明的,其中充斥着种种不文明的蒙昧与野蛮,所以不能说文明2就是“文明的”社会。“文明3”相当于英语civitas(国家),是中国学者根据恩格斯的“国家是文明社会的概括”得出的概念,系指继部落联盟或酋邦之后出现的社会组织形态。因为不同国家的国体与政体各不相同,有了国家之后并非一切都变得比野蛮社会更文明了,所以作为国家的文明3也不都是“文明的”国家。

基于PLCSIM Advanced和Simulink的自动化生产线仿真实训平台设计

为解决自动化生产线实训线下课程实验硬件套数不足、实验时长和场地受限等问题,提升教学质量,设计了一种基于PLCSIM Advanced和Simulink的自动化生产线仿真实训平台。该仿真平台以实训设备为依托,使用Simulink搭建被控对象仿真模型,在PLCSIM Advanced仿真控制器中编写控制算法,通过应用程序接口(application programming interface,API)通信实现对象模型与控制器间数据的实时交换和仿真。以纸张张力控制设备为例,介绍了仿真实训平台搭建和实施过程。实践教学表明,该仿真平台提高了自动化生产线实训课程的教学成效,激发了学生实践学习的兴趣,提升了学生发现、解决复杂工程问题的能力,让学生深刻体会到团队合作和有效沟通的重要性。

Present situation and prospect of immunotherapy for unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer during peri-radiotherapy

Four major studies(Checkmate577,Keynote-590,Checkmate649 and Attraction-4)of locally advanced esophageal cancer published in 2020 have established the importance of immunotherapy,represented by anti-programmed death protein(PD)-1 in postoperative adjuvant treatment and advanced first-line treatment of locally advanced or advanced esophageal cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer,from the aspects of proof of concept,long-term survival,overall survival rate and progression-free survival.For unresectable or inoperable nonmetastatic esophageal cancer,concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard treatment recommended by various guidelines.Because its curative effect is still not ideal,it is necessary to explore radical radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the future,and it is considered to be promising to combine them with immunotherapeutic drugs such as anti-PD-1.This paper mainly discusses how to combine radical concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy with immunotherapy for unresectable local advanced esophageal cancer.

Recent Progress in Reinforcement Learning and Adaptive Dynamic Programming for Advanced Control Applications

Reinforcement learning(RL) has roots in dynamic programming and it is called adaptive/approximate dynamic programming(ADP) within the control community. This paper reviews recent developments in ADP along with RL and its applications to various advanced control fields. First, the background of the development of ADP is described, emphasizing the significance of regulation and tracking control problems. Some effective offline and online algorithms for ADP/adaptive critic control are displayed, where the main results towards discrete-time systems and continuous-time systems are surveyed, respectively.Then, the research progress on adaptive critic control based on the event-triggered framework and under uncertain environment is discussed, respectively, where event-based design, robust stabilization, and game design are reviewed. Moreover, the extensions of ADP for addressing control problems under complex environment attract enormous attention. The ADP architecture is revisited under the perspective of data-driven and RL frameworks,showing how they promote ADP formulation significantly.Finally, several typical control applications with respect to RL and ADP are summarized, particularly in the fields of wastewater treatment processes and power systems, followed by some general prospects for future research. Overall, the comprehensive survey on ADP and RL for advanced control applications has d emonstrated its remarkable potential within the artificial intelligence era. In addition, it also plays a vital role in promoting environmental protection and industrial intelligence.

Design and analysis of an advanced thermal management system for the solar close observations and proximity experiments spacecraft

In this paper,the mission and the thermal environment of the Solar Close Observations and Proximity Experiments(SCOPE)spacecraft are analyzed,and an advanced thermal management system(ATMS)is designed for it.The relationship and functions of the integrated database,the intelligent thermal control system and the efficient liquid cooling system in the ATMS are elaborated upon.For the complex thermal field regulation system and extreme space thermal environment,a modular simulation and thermal field planning method are proposed,and the feasibility of the planning algorithm is verified by numerical simulation.A solar array liquid cooling system is developed,and the system simulation results indicate that the temperatures of the solar arrays meet the requirements as the spacecraft flies by perihelion and aphelion.The advanced thermal management study supports the development of the SCOPE program and provides a reference for the thermal management in other deep-space exploration programs.

Clinical outcomes of second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma:a real-world study

Objective:Little progress has been made in recent years using first-line chemotherapy,including gemcitabine combined with nab-paclitaxel,FOLFIRINOX,and NALIRIFOX,for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma(APC).In addition,the optimal second-line chemotherapy regimen has not been determined.This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different types of second-line chemotherapy for APC.Methods:Patients with APC who received first-line treatment from January 2008 to January 2021 were considered eligible for this retrospective analysis.The primary and secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS),respectively.Results:Four hundred and thirty-seven and 617 patients were treated with 5-fluorouracil-and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment,respectively.Demographic and clinical features,except age and liver metastasis,were comparable between the two groups(P<0.05).The median OS was 8.8 and 7.8 months in patients who received a 5-fluorouracil-and gemcitabine-based combined regimen for first-line therapy,respectively(HR=1.244,95%CI=1.090–1.419;P<0.001).The median OS was 5.6 and 1.9 months in patients who received second-line chemotherapy and supportive care,respectively(HR=0.766,95%CI=0.677–0.867;P<0.001).The median PFS was not significantly differently between gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil monotherapy and combination therapy.Conclusions:A 5-fluorouracil-or gemcitabine-based combined regimen was shown to be as effective as a single 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine regimen as second-line therapy for patients with APC.

A Comprehensive Survey on Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Detection Techniques

The increase in number of people using the Internet leads to increased cyberattack opportunities.Advanced Persistent Threats,or APTs,are among the most dangerous targeted cyberattacks.APT attacks utilize various advanced tools and techniques for attacking targets with specific goals.Even countries with advanced technologies,like the US,Russia,the UK,and India,are susceptible to this targeted attack.APT is a sophisticated attack that involves multiple stages and specific strategies.Besides,TTP(Tools,Techniques,and Procedures)involved in the APT attack are commonly new and developed by an attacker to evade the security system.However,APTs are generally implemented in multiple stages.If one of the stages is detected,we may apply a defense mechanism for subsequent stages,leading to the entire APT attack failure.The detection at the early stage of APT and the prediction of the next step in the APT kill chain are ongoing challenges.This survey paper will provide knowledge about APT attacks and their essential steps.This follows the case study of known APT attacks,which will give clear information about the APT attack process—in later sections,highlighting the various detection methods defined by different researchers along with the limitations of the work.Data used in this article comes from the various annual reports published by security experts and blogs and information released by the enterprise networks targeted by the attack.

A phase Ⅰ study of Hemay022, an irreversible dual EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor in Chinese patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer

Objective: Hemay022 is a novel small-molecule and an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor with the target of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2), which demonstrated anti-tumor activity in preclinical studies. This first-in-human study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics,tolerability and preliminary anti-tumor activity of Hemay022 in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer patients.Methods: Heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer were assigned to eight dose cohorts in a 3+3 dose-escalation pattern at doses of 50-600 mg QD and 300 mg BID. Eligible patients were given a single dose of Hemay022 on d 1 in week 0, followed by once daily continuous doses for four weeks in 28-day cycles.Pharmacokinetic samples were obtained on d 1 and d 28. Clinical responses were assessed every eight weeks.Results: Twenty-eight patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with Hemay022. The most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were diarrhoea(85.7%), vomiting(28.6%), nausea(25.0%) and decreased appetite(17.9%). No grade 4 drug-related adverse events were reported. At 50-600 mg doses, steady state areas under the concentration-time curve and peak concentrations increased with doses. One patient achieved complete response(CR), and three achieved partial response(PR). The objective response rate(ORR) and disease control rate(DCR) were 14.3% and 46.4% in 28 patients, respectively. The median progression-free survival(PFS) was3.98 months.Conclusions: Hemay022 at the dose of 500 mg once daily was well tolerated. The pharmacokinetic properties and encouraging anti-tumor activities of Hemay022 in advanced breast cancer patients warranted further evaluation of Hemay022 for treating breast cancer patients in the current phase Ⅲ trial(No. NCT05122494).

Comprehensive analysis of advanced glycation end-products in commonly consumed foods:presenting a database for dietary AGEs and associated exposure assessment

Advanced glycation end-products(AGEs)are a group of heterogeneous compounds formed in heatprocessed foods and are proven to be detrimental to human health.Currently,there is no comprehensive database for AGEs in foods that covers the entire range of food categories,which limits the accurate risk assessment of dietary AGEs in human diseases.In this study,we first established an isotope dilution UHPLCQq Q-MS/MS-based method for simultaneous quantification of 10 major AGEs in foods.The contents of these AGEs were detected in 334 foods covering all main groups consumed in Western and Chinese populations.Nε-Carboxymethyllysine,methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone isomers,and glyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 are predominant AGEs found in most foodstuffs.Total amounts of AGEs were high in processed nuts,bakery products,and certain types of cereals and meats(>150 mg/kg),while low in dairy products,vegetables,fruits,and beverages(<40 mg/kg).Assessment of estimated daily intake implied that the contribution of food groups to daily AGE intake varied a lot under different eating patterns,and selection of high-AGE foods leads to up to a 2.7-fold higher intake of AGEs through daily meals.The presented AGE database allows accurate assessment of dietary exposure to these glycotoxins to explore their physiological impacts on human health.

Prognostic analysis of related factors of adverse reactions to immunotherapy in advanced gastric cancer and establishment of a nomogram model

BACKGROUND Immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer has attracted widespread attention in recent years.However,the adverse reactions of immunotherapy and its relationship with patient prognosis still need further study.In order to determine the association between adverse reaction factors and prognosis,the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic prognostic analysis.By comprehensively evaluating the clinical data of patients with advanced gastric cancer treated by immunotherapy,a nomogram model will be established to predict the survival status of patients more accurately.AIM To explore the characteristics and predictors of immune-related adverse reactions(irAEs)in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving immunotherapy with programmed death protein-1(PD-1)inhibitors and to analyze the correlation between irAEs and patient prognosis.METHODS A total of 140 patients with advanced gastric cancer who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors in our hospital from June 2021 to October 2023 were selected.Patients were divided into the irAEs group and the non-irAEs group according to whether or not irAEs occurred.Clinical features,manifestations,and prognosis of irAEs in the two groups were collected and analyzed.A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors affecting the occurrence of irAEs,and the prediction model of irAEs was established.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the ability of different indicators to predict irAEs.A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the correlation between irAEs and prognosis.The Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the related factors affecting the prognosis of patients.RESULTS A total of 132 patients were followed up,of whom 63(47.7%)developed irAEs.We looked at the two groups’clinical features and found that the two groups were statistically different in age≥65 years,Ki-67 index,white blood cell count,neutrophil count,and regulatory T cell(Treg)count(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Treg count was a protective factor affecting irAEs occurrence(P=0.030).The ROC curve indicated that Treg+Ki-67+age(≥65 years)combined could predict irAEs well(area under the curve=0.753,95%confidence interval:0.623-0.848,P=0.001).Results of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that progressionfree survival(PFS)was longer in the irAEs group than in the non-irAEs group(P=0.001).Cox proportional hazard regression analysis suggested that the occurrence of irAEs was an independent factor for PFS(P=0.006).CONCLUSION The number of Treg cells is a separate factor that affects irAEs in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving PD-1 inhibitor immunotherapy.irAEs can affect the patients’PFS and result in longer PFS.Treg+Ki-67+age(≥65 years old)combined can better predict the occurrence of adverse reactions.

Surface and Content Validity of an Advanced Beginner Nurse’s Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking

Background: Self-monitoring is important for recognizing the situations one is facing and assessing one’s own competence to respond appropriately to situations that require multitasking. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the surface and content validity of the Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking and refine the scale items accordingly. It is expected that the development of such scale will allow for reflection on advanced beginner nurses’ response to multitasking, leading to further capacity building. Methods: The surface validity of 96 items of the Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking was examined at a meeting with five expert researchers. Five researchers and five nurses examined the items’ content using an item-level content validity index through a questionnaire survey. Results and Conclusion: The Advanced Beginner Nurses’ Self-Monitoring Scale While Multitasking was organized into 73 items that were refined into scales with surface and content validity. Consequently, five sub-concepts were identified: recognizing the situation one’s facing, seeing one’s self from multiple perspectives, devising concrete strategies depending on the situation, considering a predictable time schedule, and being aware of the situation surrounding one’s self. In the future, it will be necessary to examine the reliability and validity of the scale.

Lenvatinib combined with sintilimab plus transarterial chemoembolization as first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Recently,combination therapy has shown a better trend towards improved tumour response and survival outcomes than monotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,research on triple therapy[lenvatinib+sintilimab+transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)]as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC is limited.AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of triple therapy as a first-line treatment for advanced HCC.METHODS HCC patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C treated with triple therapy were enrolled.All patients were treated with lenvatinib every day and sintilimab once every 3 wk.Moreover,TACE was performed every 4-6 wk if necessary.The primary outcome of the study was overall survival(OS).The secondary outcomes were the objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and incidence of adverse events.RESULTS Forty HCC patients who underwent triple therapy were retrospectively analysed from January 2019 to January 2022.With a median follow-up of 8.5 months,the 3-,6-,and 12-mo OS rates were 100%,88.5%,and 22.5%,respectively.The ORR and DCR were 45%and 90%,respectively.The median progressive free survival and median OS were not reached.Common complications were observed in 76%of the patients(grade 3,15%;grade 4,2.5%).CONCLUSION Combination therapy comprising lenvatinib,sintilimab and TACE achieved promising outcomes in advanced HCC patients and had manageable effects.

Clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Advanced pancreatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs,resulting in limited treatment efficacy and poor prognosis.Combined administration of the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine and erlotinib is considered a potential first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.However,their comparative benefits and potential risks remain unclear.AIM To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with other chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.METHODS Literature on the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer was retrieved through an online search.The retrieved literature was subjected to a methodological qualitative assessment and was analyzed using the RevMan 5.3 software.Ten randomized controlled trials involving 2444 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were included in the meta-analysis.RESULTS Compared with chemotherapeutic treatment,erlotinib combined with chemotherapy significantly prolonged the progression-free survival time of pancreatic cancer patients[hazard ratio(HR)=0.78,95%CI:0.66-0.92,P=0.003].Meanwhile,the overall survival(HR=0.99,95%CI:0.72-1.37,and P=0.95)and disease control rate(OR=0.93,95%CI:0.45-0.91,P=0.84)were not significantly favorable.In terms of safety,the erlotinib and chemotherapy combination was associated with a significantly higher risk of diarrhea(OR=3.59,95%CI:1.63-7.90,P<0.05)and rash(OR=3.63,95%CI:1.64-8.01,P<0.05)compared with single-agent chemotherapy.Moreover,the risk of vomiting(OR=1.27,95%CI:0.62-2.59,P=0.51),regurgitation/anorexia(OR=1.61,95%CI:0.25-10.31,P=0.62),and infection(OR=0.72,95%CI:0.28-1.87,P=0.50)were not significant in either group.CONCLUSION Compared with a single chemotherapeutic modality,erlotinib combined with gemcitabine can prolong progression-free survival in pancreatic cancer,but does not improve survival benefit or disease control rate,and can increase the risk of diarrhea and rash.

Pang Fuwan Uses Yao Medicine to Observe the Therapeutic Effects on the Physical and Mental Symptoms of Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: Investigate the efficacy and safety of Yao Medicine in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma, and explore the best therapeutic measure for clinical benefit. Methods: From July 2020 to July 2022, 84 patients with advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma were selected and randomly divided into the Observation Group and control group, and the control group was treated with routine Western medicine, with 42 cases in each group. The activity of daily living (ADL) was assessed before and after treatment, meanwhile, the self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety SAS (SAS) were used to assess the improvement of a bad mood, and quality of life SF-36 was used to assess the quality of life, to judge the efficacy and safety. Results: The effective rate of observation group was 91.67%. The effective rate of the control group was 76.19%. The effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P 0.05). There were no significant differences in the scores of SDS, SAS and quality of life between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05), and after treatment, the scores of SDS, SAS and quality of life in the two groups were compared with those in the control group (P > 0.05), the scores of VAS, SDS and SAS decreased significantly, while ESCV, angle of straight leg elevation, ADL, physiological score, emotional score, social score and health status score increased significantly, the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Yao Medicine can improve the psychosomatic symptoms of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma better, with better efficacy and higher safety.

5G-Advanced技术及应用展望

作为5G的演进和增强,5G-A的技术创新和业务应用已经逐步进入商用阶段。5G-A发展对建设数字中国有着重要的作用,将进一步深化我国数字化转型升级。文章重点介绍5G-A的关键技术及进展,包括关键技术对应的场景、原理、价值和标准的进展,通过这些关键技术将构建先进的、绿色的5G-A网络能力。文章还简要介绍6G全球的初步发展和5G-A全球产业及应用的发展,并阐述5G-A在联人、联家、联行业、联车以及通感一体等新应用的产业链发展情况,这些新业务和新应用将为我国数字化转型和创新提供新的动力。5G-A是5G发展到6G的必由之路,文章最后倡议5G-A产业链各个环节积极准备,共同迎接5G-A商用成功。

Survey on hospice care attitude of family members of advanced cancer patients at different ages

BACKGROUND Hospice care plays an important role in improving the quality of life of advanced cancer patients,but controversy remains over whether age affects the attitudes of family members toward hospice care.AIM To investigate the attitudes of family members of advanced cancer patients of different ages toward hospice care.METHODS The study participants were 175 family members of patients with advanced cancer from January 2020 and October 2022.The participants were divided into youth(<40 years,n=65),middle-aged(40–60 years,n=59),and elderly(>60 years,n=51)groups.Researchers investigated and compared the degree of awareness regarding hospice care,attitudes,and whether the family members of patients would choose hospice care.RESULTS Among the family members of 175 patients,approximately 28%(49/175)were aware of hospice care.Awareness of hospice care,the proportion of hospice care acceptance and adaptation attitudes,and the proportion of those who chose hospice care in the youth group were higher in the middle-aged and elderly groups(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in these three indicators between the middle-aged and elderly groups(P>0.05).Hospice care was chosen mainly to relieve pain and reduce unnecessary treatment,whereas the reasons for not choosing hospice care were mainly distrust and ethical concerns.CONCLUSION The family members of patients with advanced cancer had relatively low awareness of hospice care,while youth had a higher awareness of hospice care,acceptance,and adaptation attitudes,and were more willing to choose hospice care.

Advanced glycation end products in gastric cancer:A promising future

In this editorial,we delve into the article and offer valuable insights into a crucial aspect of gastric cancer aetiology.Gastric cancer is a malignancy emanating from the epithelial lining of the gastric mucosa and one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide.The development of gastric cancer is associated with multiple risk factors,including Helicobacter pylori infection,advanced age,a diet rich in salt,and suboptimal eating patterns.Despite notable reductions in morbidity and mortality rates,gastric cancer remains a formidable public health concern,impacting patients’lives.Advanced glycation end products(AGEs)are complex compounds arising from nonenzymatic reactions within living organisms,the accumulation of which is implicated in cellular and tissue damage;thus,the levels are AGEs are correlated with the risk of diverse diseases.The investigation of AGEs is of paramount importance for the treatment of gastric cancer and can provide pivotal insights into disease pathogenesis and preventive and therapeutic strategies.The reduction of AGEs levels and suppression of their accumulation are promising avenues for mitigating the risk of gastric cancer.This approach underscores the need for further research aimed at identifying innovative interventions that can effectively lower the incidence and mortality rates of this malignancy.

Diet with high content of advanced glycation end products induces oxidative stress damage and systemic inflammation in experimental mice: protective effect of peanut skin procyanidins

Non-enzymatic glycation reaction in food can produce diet-derived advanced glycation end products(dAGEs),which have potential health risks.Thus,it is of great significance to find efficient substances to improve the negative effects induced by dAGEs on human health.This study investigated the intervening effects of peanut skin procyanidins(PSP)on the dAGEs-induced oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in experimental mice model.Results showed that the accumulation of AGEs in serum,liver,and kidney was significantly increased after mice were fed dAGEs(P<0.05).The expression of advanced glycation product receptor(RAGE)was also significantly increased in liver and kidney(P<0.05).PSP could not only effectively reduce the accumulation of AGEs in serum,liver and kidney of mice,but also reduce the expression of RAGE in liver and kidney of mice.And the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),and IL-1βin serum of mice were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of antiinflammatory factor IL-10 were increased,and the inflammatory injury in mice was improved.In addition,the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),catalase(CAT)in liver and kidney of mice were increased(P<0.05),and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA)was decreased(P<0.05),which enhanced the antioxidant capacity of mice in vivo,and improved the oxidative damage of liver and kidney.Molecular docking technique was used to confirm that the parent compound of procyanidins and its main metabolites,such as 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid,could interact with RAGE,which might inhibit the activation of nuclear transcription factor(NF-κB),and ultimately reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in mice.

Retrospective Cohort Study to Investigate Pregnancy Outcomes in a Population of Advanced Maternal Age Congolese Women of Kinshasa: A Study Protocol

Introduction: Pregnancies at advanced maternal age (AMA) are those occurring after the age of 35 years old. They carry a high risk of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality, thus constituting a public health problem. Several African countries have reported an upward trend in both the age of childbirth and the frequency of women with AMA over the past 20 years. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality remain very high, data on AMA pregnancies go back more than 20 years. Objective: We propose evaluating obstetrical outcomes among women in AMA in our setting and the associated factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study will be conducted in two healthcare facilities (ESS) in Kinshasa. The study population will consist of all women who delivered a single fetus after 28 weeks of gestation between January 2012 and December 2022 (10 years) in the selected ESS. The data collected will be analyzed using R software version 4.2.0. Quantitative variables will be summarized as means with standard deviation or medians with interquartile range. Qualitative variables will be presented as proportions (%). Multivariate logistic regression will be used to determine the main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA and predictors of obstetric outcomes. P Discussion: The high maternal and infant mortality rates in DRC are among the highest in the world. The context of maternal age has become a topic of growing interest due to its potential implications for the health of women and newborns, it is crucial to identify the risk factors associated with obstetric outcomes by identifying obstetrical outcomes associated with advanced maternal age in the DRC. Many Congolese women tend to start their maternity journey at a relatively young age. However, there is also an emerging trend towards delayed childbearing, particularly in urban areas and among women with access to education and family planning services. Conclusion: The results of this study will enable us to update the frequency of AMA pregnancies in our environment. The socio-demographic and clinical profile of these pregnancies will be determined. The main maternal-fetal complications associated with AMA in our setting and the associated factors will be identified.

Mass Transfer-Promoted Fe^(2+)/Fe^(3+)Circulation Steered by 3D Flow-Through Co-Catalyst System Toward Sustainable Advanced Oxidation Processes

Realizing fast and continuous generation of reactive oxygen species(ROSs)via iron-based advanced oxidation processes(AOPs)is significant in the environmental and biological fields.However,current AOPs assisted by co-catalysts still suffer from the poor mass/electron transfer and non-durable promotion effect,giving rise to the sluggish Fe^(2+)/Fe^(3+)cycle and low dynamic concentration of Fe^(2+)for ROS production.Herein,we present a three-dimensional(3D)macroscale co-catalyst functionalized with molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2))to achieve ultra-efficient Fe^(2+)regeneration(equilibrium Fe^(2+)ratio of 82.4%)and remarkable stability(more than 20 cycles)via a circulating flow-through process.Unlike the conventional batch-type reactor,experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations demonstrate that the optimal utilization of the 3D active area under the flow-through mode,initiated by the convectionenhanced mass/charge transfer for Fe^(2+)reduction and then strengthened by MoS_(2)-induced flow rotation for sufficient reactant mixing,is crucial for oxidant activation and subsequent ROS generation.Strikingly,the flow-through co-catalytic system with superwetting capabilities can even tackle the intricate oily wastewater stabilized by different surfactants without the loss of pollutant degradation efficiency.Our findings highlight an innovative co-catalyst system design to expand the applicability of AOPs based technology,especially in large-scale complex wastewater treatment.