Recent progresses in the development of tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells:Experimental and numerical study

Solid oxide fuel cells(SOFCs)have attracted a great deal of interest because they have the highest efficiency without using any noble metal as catalysts among all the fuel cell technologies.However,traditional SOFCs suffer from having a higher volume,current leakage,complex connections,and difficulty in gas sealing.To solve these problems,Rolls-Royce has fabricated a simple design by stacking cells in series on an insulating porous support,resulting in the tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells(SIS-SOFCs),which achieved higher output voltage.This work systematically reviews recent advances in the structures,preparation methods,perform-ances,and stability of tubular SIS-SOFCs in experimental and numerical studies.Finally,the challenges and future development of tubular SIS-SOFCs are also discussed.The findings of this work can help guide the direction and inspire innovation of future development in this field.

The association of diet quality and physical activity with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 85,545 older Australians:A longitudinal study

Background:A quality diet and an active lifestyle are both important cornerstones of cardiovascular disease(CVD)prevention.However,despite their interlinked effects on metabolic health,the 2 behaviors are rarely considered jointly,particularly within the context of CVD prevention.We examined the independent,interactive,and joint associations of diet and physical activity with CVD hospitalization,CVD mortality,and all-cause mortality.Methods:CVD-free Australian participants aged 4574 years(n=85,545)reported physical activity,diet,sociodemographic,and lifestyle characteristics at baseline(20062009)and follow-up(20122015),and data were linked to hospitalization and death registries(03/31/2019 for CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality and 12/08/2017 for CVD mortality).Diet quality was categorized as low,medium,and high based on meeting dietary recommendations.Physical activity was operationalized as(a)total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA)as per guidelines,and(b)the composition of MVPA as the ratio of vigorous-intensity physical activity(VPA)to total MVPA.We used a left-truncated cause-specific Cox proportional hazards model using time-varying covariates.Results:During a median of 10.7 years of follow-up,6576 participants were admitted to the hospital for CVD and 6581 died from all causes(876 from CVD during 9.3 years).A high-quality diet was associated with a 17%lower risk of all-cause mortality than a low-quality diet,and the highest MVPA category(compared with the lowest)was associated with a 44%and 48%lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality,respectively.Multiplicative interactions between diet and physical activity were non-significant.For all outcomes,the lowest risk combinations involved a high-quality diet and the highest MVPA categories.Accounting for total MVPA,some VPA was associated with further risk reduction of CVD hospitalization and all-cause mortality.Conclusion:For CVD prevention and longevity,one should adhere to both a healthy diet and an active lifestyle and incorporate some VPA when possible.

Epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China:a hospital-based retrospective study

Traumatic spinal cord injury is potentially catastrophic and can lead to permanent disability or even death.China has the largest population of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.Previous studies of traumatic spinal cord injury in China have mostly been regional in scope;national-level studies have been rare.To the best of our knowledge,no national-level study of treatment status and economic burden has been performed.This retrospective study aimed to examine the epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and economic burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in China at the national level.We included 13,465 traumatic spinal cord injury patients who were injured between January 2013 and December 2018 and treated in 30 hospitals in 11 provinces/municipalities representing all geographical divisions of China.Patient epidemiological and clinical features,treatment status,and total and daily costs were recorded.Trends in the percentage of traumatic spinal cord injuries among all hospitalized patients and among patients hospitalized in the orthopedic department and cost of care were assessed by annual percentage change using the Joinpoint Regression Program.The percentage of traumatic spinal cord injuries among all hospitalized patients and among patients hospitalized in the orthopedic department did not significantly change overall(annual percentage change,-0.5%and 2.1%,respectively).A total of 10,053(74.7%)patients underwent surgery.Only 2.8%of patients who underwent surgery did so within 24 hours of injury.A total of 2005(14.9%)patients were treated with high-dose(≥500 mg)methylprednisolone sodium succinate/methylprednisolone(MPSS/MP);615(4.6%)received it within 8 hours.The total cost for acute traumatic spinal cord injury decreased over the study period(-4.7%),while daily cost did not significantly change(1.0%increase).Our findings indicate that public health initiatives should aim at improving hospitals’ability to complete early surgery within 24 hours,which is associated with improved sensorimotor recovery,increasing the awareness rate of clinical guidelines related to high-dose MPSS/MP to reduce the use of the treatment with insufficient evidence.

Causal associations between gastroesophageal reflux disease and essential hypertension: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Clinical studies have reported that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)have a higher prevalence of hypertension.AIM To performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis to investi-gate the causal link between GERD and essential hypertension.METHODS Eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were selected,and weighted median,inverse variance weighted(IVW)as well as MR egger(MR-Egger)re-gression were used to examine the potential causal association between GERD and hypertension.The MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier analysis was used to detect and attempt to reduce horizontal pleiotropy by removing outliers SNPs.The MR-Egger intercept test,Cochran’s Q test and“leave-one-out”sen-sitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy,heterogen-eities,and stability of single instrumental variable.RESULTS IVW analysis exhibited an increased risk of hypertension(OR=1.46,95%CI:1.33-1.59,P=2.14E-16)in GERD patients.And the same result was obtained in replication practice(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.0008-1.003,P=0.000498).Meanwhile,the IVW analysis showed an increased risk of systolic blood pressure(β=0.78,95%CI:0.11-1.44,P=0.021)and hypertensive heart disease(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.36-2.08,P=0.0000016)in GERD patients.Moreover,we found an decreased risk of Barrett's esophagus(OR=0.91,95%CI:0.83-0.99,P=0.043)in essential hypertension patients.CONCLUSION We found that GERD would increase the risk of essential hypertension,which provided a novel prevent and therapeutic perspectives of essential hypertension.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and colorectal polyps:A retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Colorectal polyps(CPs)are frequently occurring abnormal growths in the colorectum,and are a primary precursor of colorectal cancer(CRC).The triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index is a novel marker that assesses metabolic health and insulin resistance,and has been linked to gastrointestinal cancers.AIM To investigate the potential association between the TyG index and CPs,as the relation between them has not been documented.METHODS A total of 2537 persons undergoing a routine health physical examination and colonoscopy at The First People's Hospital of Kunshan,Jiangsu Province,China,between January 2020 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study.After excluding individuals who did not meet the eligibility criteria,descriptive statistics were used to compare characteristics between patients with and without CPs.Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between the TyG index and the prevalence of CPs.The TyG index was calculated using the following formula:Ln[triglyceride(mg/dL)×glucose(mg/dL)/2].The presence and types of CPs was determined based on data from colonoscopy reports and pathology reports.RESULTS A nonlinear relation between the TyG index and the prevalence of CPs was identified,and exhibited a curvilinear pattern with a cut-off point of 2.31.A significant association was observed before the turning point,with an odds ratio(95% confidence interval)of 1.70(1.40,2.06),P<0.0001.However,the association between the TyG index and CPs was not significant after the cut-off point,with an odds ratio(95% confidence interval)of 0.57(0.27,1.23),P=0.1521.CONCLUSION Our study revealed a curvilinear association between the TyG index and CPs in Chinese individuals,suggesting its potential utility in developing colonoscopy screening strategies for preventing CRC.

Pharmacodynamic Study of Parallel Groups Comparing the Effect of Rivaroxaban 20 Mg (Laboratorios Leti, S.A.V.) vs Rivaroxaban 20 Mg (Bayer Laboratories) on Prothrombin Time

Background: The prevalence of both atrial fibrillation (FA) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing and they often occur together and constitute a high risk of thrombosis. Rivaroxaban is a Factor Xa inhibitor with a rapid onset and disappearance of action after oral administration;it acts by inhibiting the active form of the coagulation factor. In order to reflect the effect of the action of Rivaroxaban, we used the prothrombin time (PT);however, it′s not the most accurate, but it is the one available in our community. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, analyst-blinded, parallel group clinical study to verify the efficacy of Rivaroxaban Leti 20 mg (RL) (12 volunteers vs Rivaroxaban Bayer 20 mg (RB) (13 volunteers). The variables were determination of PT and Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) at baseline and at 24, 48 and 72 hours after administering a daily dose of 20 mg for three days. The determination was carried out with the IDG method (Integrated Diagnostics Group Sanzay Corporation) with an International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1.17 PT and aPTT were taken before the first dose, and then, every day during the next 3 days, three hours after the ingestion of their daily dose at 7 am. Results: The 25 healthy volunteers were similar in age, BMI, and SBP/DBP level with a greater number of men in the Bayer group. The efficacy of rivaroxaban was similar in both groups with prolongation of PTT to the 2nd day of treatment with PT, and percentage changes from baseline (14.46 ± 0.97 for RB vs 14.17 ± 0.94 RL p: 0.45), PTT results and percentage changes from the base (RB: 34 ± 4.53 RL: 33.46 ± 2.82). The safety of rivaroxaban was good in both groups with no serious adverse events. The equivalence in the logarithmically transformed PT result (ln) on day two, Mean and CI (90%) 99.2 (94.4-104) and 100 (99.5-100.8);neither the means nor the 90% confidence intervals of the PT variable transformed logarithmically to ensure its normality, were far from the 80%-125% allowed for declaration of similarity. Conclusion: The test formulation Rivaroxaban Asarap? 20 mg, manufactured by Leti Laboratories, is interchangeable or bioequivalent in clinical and laboratory response to the reference formulation Xarelto? manufactured by Bayer Laboratories.

Dyslipidemia in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in a Rural Community in Ganadougou, Mali: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dyslipidemia is a disorder where abnormally lipid concentrations circulate in the bloodstream. The disorder is common in type 2 diabetics (T2D) and is linked with T2D comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia in T2D is typically characterized by elevated plasma triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. There is a significant gap in the literature regarding dyslipidemia in rural parts of Africa, where lipid profiles may not be captured through routine surveillance. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and demo-graphic profile of dyslipidemia in T2D in the rural community of Ganadougou, Mali. We performed a cross-sectional study of 104 subjects with T2D in Ganadougou between November 2021 and March 2022. Demographic and lipid profiles were collected through cross-sectional surveys and serological analyses. The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia in T2D patients was 87.5% (91/104), which did not differ by sex (P = .368). High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was the most common lipid abnormality (78.9%, [82/104]). Dyslipidemia was associated with age and hypertension status (P = .013 and.036, respectively). High total and high LDL-C parameters were significantly associated with hypertension (P = .029 and .006, respectively). In low-resource settings such as rural Mali, there is a critical need to improve infrastructure for routine dyslipidemia screening to guide its prevention and intervention approaches. The high rates of dyslipidemia observed in Gandadougou, consistent with concomitant increases in cardiovascular diseases in Africa suggest that lipid profile assessments should be incorporated into routine medical care for T2D patients in African rural settings.

Ganoderma lucidum:a comprehensive review of phytochemistry,efficacy,safety and clinical study

Ganoderma lucidum,one of the most well-known edible fungi,is believed to be very beneficial for longevity and vitality.A long usage history suggests that G.lucidum has various clinical therapeutic effects.And experimental studies have confirmed that G.lucidum has multiple pharmacological effects,including antitumor,anti-microbial,anti-HIV protease,and antidiabetic activity and so on.With the deepening of research,more than 300 compounds have been isolated from G.lucidum.There is an increasing population of G.lucidum-based products,and its international development is expanding.Currently,G.lucidum has drawn much attention to its chemical composition,therapeutic effect,clinical value,and safety.This paper provides a comprehensive review of these aspects to enhance the global promotion of G.lucidum.

Prospective Cohort Investigation on Physical Activity of Osteoporosis Outcomes(PAOPO)in Jidong:Objectives,Study Design,and Baseline Characteristics

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective association between physical activity(PA),independently or in conjunction with other contributing factors,and osteoporosis(OP)outcomes.Methods The Physical Activity in Osteoporosis Outcomes(PAOPO)study was a community-based cohort investigation.A structured questionnaire was used to gather the participants’sociodemographic characteristics.Bone mineral density(BMD)measurements were performed to assess OP outcomes,and the relationship between BMD and OP was evaluated within this cohort.Results From 2013 to 2014,8,471 participants aged 18 years and older were recruited from Tangshan,China’s Jidong community.Based on their PA level,participants were categorized as inactive,moderately active,or very active.Men showed higher physical exercise levels than women across the activity groups.BMD was significantly higher in the very active group than in the moderately active and inactive groups.Individuals aged>50 years are at a higher risk of developing OP and osteopenia.Conclusion The PAOPO study offers promising insights into the relationship between PA and OP outcomes,encouraging the implementation of PA in preventing and managing OP.

First-principles study on stability and superconductivity of ternary hydride LaYH_(x)(x=2,3,6 and 8)

Recent studies have shown that the La-and Y-hydrides can exhibit significant superconducting properties under high pressures.In this paper,we investigate the stability,electronic and superconducting properties of LaYH_(x)(x=2,3,6 and 8)under 0-200 GPa.It is found that LaYH_(2) stabilizes in the C2/m phase at ambient pressure,and transforms to the Pmmn phase at 67 GPa.LaYH_(3) stabilizes in the C2/m phase at ambient pressure,and undergoes phase transitions of C2/m→P2_(1)/m→R3m at 12 GPa and 87 GPa,respectively.LaYH_(6) stabilizes in the P4_32_12 phase at ambient pressure,and undergoes phase transitions of P4_(3)2_(1)2→P4/mmm→Cmcm at 28 GPa and 79 GPa,respectively.LaYH_(8) stabilizes in the Imma phase at 60 GPa and transforms to the P4/mmm phase at 117 GPa.Calculations of the electronic band structures show that the P4/mmm-LaYH_(8) and all phases of LaYH_(2) and LaYH_(3) exhibit metallic character.For the metallic phases,we then study their superconducting properties.The calculated superconducting transition temperatures(T_c)are 0.47 K for C2/m-LaYH_(2) at 0 GPa,0 K for C2/m-LaYH_(3) at 0 GPa,and 55.51 K for P4/mmm-LaYH_(8) at 50 GPa.

Mental health and insomnia problems in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic:A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers(HCWs)are at increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as worsening mental health problems and insomnia.These problems can persist for a long period,even after the pandemic.However,less is known about this topic.AIM To analyze mental health,insomnia problems,and their influencing factors in HCWs after the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional,hospital-based study was conducted from June 1,2023 to June 30,2023,which was a half-year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.Region-stratified population-based cluster sampling was applied at the provincial level for Chinese HCWs.Symptoms such as anxiety,depression,and insomnia were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Insomnia Severity Index.Factors influencing the symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 2000 participants were invited,for a response rate of 70.6%.A total of 1412 HCWs[618(43.8%)doctors,583(41.3%)nurses and 211(14.9%)nonfrontline],254(18.0%),231(16.4%),and 289(20.5%)had symptoms of anxiety,depression,and insomnia,respectively;severe symptoms were found in 58(4.1%),49(3.5%),and 111(7.9%)of the participants.Nurses,female sex,and hospitalization for COVID-19 were risk factors for anxiety,depression,and insomnia symptoms;moreover,death from family or friends was a risk factor for insomnia symptoms.During the COVID-19 outbreak,most[1086(76.9%)]of the participating HCWs received psychological interventions,while nearly all[994(70.4%)]of them had received public psychological education.Only 102(7.2%)of the HCWs received individual counseling from COVID-19.CONCLUSION Although the mental health and sleep problems of HCWs were relieved after the COVID-19 pandemic,they still faced challenges and greater risks than did the general population.Identifying risk factors would help in providing targeted interventions.In addition,although a major proportion of HCWs have received public psychological education,individual interventions are still insufficient.

Hybrid argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus:A prospective,multicenter study

BACKGROUND The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China is lower compared to the Western populations.Hence,studies conducted in the Chinese population has been limited.The current treatment options available for BE treatment includes argon plasma coagulation(APC),radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation,all with varying degrees of success.AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of HybridAPC in the treatment of BE.METHODS The study cohort consisted of patients with BE who underwent HybridAPC ablation treatment.These procedures were performed by seven endoscopists from different tertiary hospitals.The duration of the procedure,curative rate,complications and recurrent rate by 1-year follow-up were recorded.RESULTS Eighty individuals were enrolled for treatment from July 2017 to June 2020,comprising of 39 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years(range,30 to 83 years).The technical success rate of HybridAPC was 100%and the overall curative rate was 98.15%.No severe complications occurred during the operation.BE cases were classified as short-segment BE and long-segment BE.Patients with short-segment BE were all considered cured without complications.Thirty-six patients completed the one-year follow-up without recurrence.Twenty-four percent had mild dysplasia which were all resolved with one post-procedural treatment.The mean duration of the procedure was 10.94±6.52 min.CONCLUSION Treatment of BE with HybridAPC was found to be a simple and quick procedure that is safe and effective during the short-term follow-up,especially in cases of short-segment BE.This technique could be considered as a feasible alternative ablation therapy for BE.

The growth ofβphase in Mg-Gd-Y-Ni alloy by experimental and first-principles study

The paper reports on the atomic investigation aboutβphase in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy by using the first-principles study and the high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope(HAADF-STEM)corrected by atomic Cs.By using HAADF-STEM,the rectangularβphases were observed in the underage and peak aging stages in Mg_(96)Gd_(2)Y_(1)Ni_(1) alloy.Theβphase could be precipitated from the previously precipitatedβphase,and theβphase grew in steps when it was precipitated.A special transition structure of three atomic layer thicknesses was first observed at the edge of theβphase and the structure of this interface is probably as theβ/Mg_(1) interface for the analysis of thermodynamic characterization and electronic characterization.Theβ'phase and theβ_(H) structure were precipitated only at the edge of the length directions of theβphase.Theβ'phase continues to grow into aβphase directly without the formation ofβ_(1) phase,resulting in an increase in the length of theβphase,which is discovered for the first time.

Pharmacokinetics and Bioequivalence of Dienogest in Healthy Bangladeshi Female Volunteers: An Open-Label, Single-Dose, Randomized, Two-Way Crossover Study

Background: Dienogest is a potential treatment for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, a condition of significant concern in gynaecology. The current study was conducted as a crossover-randomized bioequivalence assessment of two oral Dienogest 2 mg formulations, aiming to provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals and researchers in this field. Objective: The primary aim of this research was to evaluate and compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Dienogest 2 mg tablets. Dinogest (Dienogest 2 mg) tablets, manufactured by Nuvista Pharma Limited in Bangladesh, and Visanne (Dienogest 2 mg) tablets, manufactured by Bayer Pharma in Germany, were the test and reference formulations, respectively. Materials and Method: The study was an open-label, balanced, randomized, two treatments, two sequences, two periods, two-way crossover, laboratory blind, single oral dose bioequivalence study conducted in healthy adult females under fasting conditions. The study was carried out on 13 healthy, non-pregnant female subjects, and all the subjects completed both study periods with a 15-day washout in between. Randomization was used to assign the test and reference formulations to the subjects. Following each oral administration, a series of blood samples were obtained at different time intervals from pre-dose to 72 hours post-dose and analyzed for Dienogest concentrations using a validated bio-analytical method. A standard non-compartmental model was used to analyze the pharmacokinetic parameters. The primary pharmacokinetic parameters were peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax), the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time t (AUC0–t), and AUC from t = 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞). The other PK parameters included time to reach Cmax (Tmax), terminal elimination rate constant (Kel), and half-life (t1/2). Result: The ratios and 90% CI for the geometric mean test/reference were 95.53% (86.70% - 105.26%) for Cmax, 101.75% (95.42% - 108.49%) for AUC0−t, and 101.54% (95.59%% - 107.87%) for AUC0−∞. The formulations were bioequivalent since the 90% CIs for the geometric mean test/reference ratios were 80% to 125%, according to the predetermined range of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. Conclusion: This single-dose investigation shows that the Dienogest test and reference formulations exhibited a rate and degree of absorption that met the regulatory requirements for bioequivalence.

Heat exposure and hospitalizations for chronic kidney disease in China: a nationwide time series study in 261 major Chinese cities

Background:Climate change profoundly shapes the population health at the global scale.However,there was still insufficient and inconsistent evidence for the association between heat exposure and chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods:In the present study,we studied the association of heat exposure with hospitalizations for cause-specific CKD using a national inpatient database in China during the study period of hot season from 2015 to 2018.Standard time-series regression models and random-effects Meta-analysis were developed to estimate the city-specific and national averaged associations at a 7 lag-day span,respectively.Results:A total of 768,129 hospitalizations for CKD was recorded during the study period.The results showed that higher temperature was associated with elevated risk of hospitalizations for CKD,especially in sub-tropical cities.With a 1℃ increase in daily mean temperature,the cumulative relative risks(RR)over lag 0-7 d were 1.008[95% confidence interval(CI)1.003-1.012]for nationwide.The attributable fraction of CKD hospitalizations due to high temperatures was 5.50%.Stronger associations were observed among younger patients and those with obstructive nephropathy.Our study also found that exposure to heatwaves was associated with added risk of hospitalizations for CKD compared to non-heatwave days(RR=1.116,95%CI 1.069-1.166)above the effect of daily mean temperature.Conclusions:Short-term heat exposure may increase the risk of hospitalization for CKD.Our findings provide insights into the health effects of climate change and suggest the necessity of guided protection strategies against the adverse effects of high temperatures.

Prevalence of retinal pathologies in people over 60 years:the Tehran Geriatrics Eye Study

AIM:To determine the prevalence of some retinal pathologies in people over 60y and their association with demographic and ocular factors.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran using multistage cluster sampling.After selecting subjects aged 60 and over,optometric,and ophthalmic examinations were done.For retinal examination,a 90 D lens was used and indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed after instilling tropicamide drops.Biometry was done using the IOL Master for all participants.RESULTS:Of 3791 people that were invited through cluster sampling,3310 participated in the study(response rate=82%).The prevalence of retinal pigmented epithelium(RPE)change,drusen,geographic atrophy(GA),hypertensive retinopathy(HTR),nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR),choroidal neovascularization(CNV),central retinal artery occlusion(CRAO),myopic retinopathy(MR),branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO),and central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)was 27.42%,11.08%,4.52%,3.03%,4.05%,0.54%,0.82%,0.39%,0.20%,0.49%,and 0.19%,respectively.After removing the effect of age,the odds of NPDR were 1.68 times higher in women compared to men(P=0.014).After removing the effect of sex,the odds of drusen,RPE change,GA,CNV,BRVO,and CRVO increased with age.CONCLUSION:There is a higher prevalence of RPE change,drusen,GA,CNV and a lower prevalence of MR and CRAO in the elderly population of Tehran aged over 60y compared to global average values.Considering the correlation of most of the diseases with age and their effects on vision,attention should be paid to these diseases and the related screening programs to prevent vision impairment.

Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Formulation of Work-Study Combined and Result-Oriented Integrated Curriculum Standards

According to the Annex Technical Regulations for Integrated Curriculum Development(Trial)in Document No.30 of the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security(2012),this paper studies the formulation of the curriculum standards for the integration of Chinese medicinal materials production.We focus on the formulation ideas of the curriculum standards for the integration of Chinese medicinal materials production,the formulation process of the curriculum standards for the integration of Chinese medicinal materials production,including the description of typical work tasks,the determination of curriculum objectives,the analysis of study content,the description of referential study tasks,teaching implementation suggestions,assessment and evaluation suggestions,which can provide a reference for the development and research of other related integrated courses.

Patterns of Infertility and Abortion in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Infertility and abortion are significant reproductive health concerns globally, impacting individuals' well-being and healthcare systems. In Saudi Arabia, cultural, social, and religious factors influence perceptions and management of these issues, necessitating research to understand the patterns and associated factors. Study Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the patterns of infertility and abortion among 458 women in Saudi Arabia, focusing on demographic profiles, reproductive histories, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. Methodology: Participants were recruited from healthcare facilities, and data on age, BMI, reproductive history, medical conditions, assisted reproduction methods, and lifestyle behaviors were collected. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, were conducted to examine associations between variables. Results: The majority of participants were aged 30 - 39 years (47.4%), with 76.9% experiencing secondary infertility. Among those with offspring (76.9%), 31% reported using assisted reproduction methods, primarily ovarian stimulators (54.2%). Abortion history was reported by 39.5% of participants. Significant associations were found between age and infertility type (X2 = 5.8, p = 0.054), having offspring and infertility type (X2 = 458.0, p = 0.001), menstrual irregularity and infertility type (X2 = 11.4, p = 0.001), and abortion history and delayed fertility (X2 = 10.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our study reveals significant associations between demographic, medical, and lifestyle factors with infertility patterns and abortion history among Saudi women. These findings emphasize the need for tailored interventions addressing medical conditions, age-related factors, and access to reproductive healthcare services.

Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Performance of Hermetic Diaphragm Squeeze Film Dampers for Gas-Lubricated Bearings

Low damping characteristics have always been a key sticking points in the development of gas bearings.The application of squeeze film dampers can significantly improve the damping performance of gas lubricated bearings.This paper proposed a novel hermetic diaphragm squeeze film damper(HDSFD)for oil-free turbomachinery supported by gas lubricated bearings.Several types of HDSFDs with symmetrical structure were proposed for good damping performance.By considering the compressibility of the damper fluid,based on hydraulic fluid mechanics theory,a dynamic model of HDSFDs under medium is proposed,which successfully reflects the frequency dependence of force coefficients.Based on the dynamic model,the effects of damper fluid viscosity,bulk modulus of damper fluid,thickness of damper fluid film and plunger thickness on the dynamic stiffness and damping of HDSFDs were analyzed.An experimental test rig was assembled and series of experimental studies on HDSFDs were conducted.The damper fluid transverse flow is added to the existing HDSFD concept,which aims to make the dynamic force coefficients independent of frequency.Although the force coefficient is still frequency dependent,the damping coefficient at high frequency excitation with damper fluid supply twice as that without damper fluid supply.The results serve as a benchmark for the calibration of analytical tools under development.