The age-structure of natural population of Zoysia japonica in Xiuyan County of Liaoning Province was studied by generational method. The results showed that the highest tiller age class was three, but 1st age class ti...The age-structure of natural population of Zoysia japonica in Xiuyan County of Liaoning Province was studied by generational method. The results showed that the highest tiller age class was three, but 1st age class tillers held dominant posi-tion with proportions over 95% in each month during the growing seasons. The 2nd age class and 3rd age class tillers were minority in the population. So Z. japonica population was an expanding population. The zero age class buds on the rhizomes were dominant in buds age structures. The proportion of buds to tillers on quantity in each month was about 30% to 40% and reached the highest at the end of September. The increasing of buds proportion before dormancy guaranteed the quantity of tillers in the next spring. The biomass of 1st age class tillers changed with time. The biomass kept increasing from April to July and reached the highest at the end of July and then decreased.展开更多
Over the past few years, OSL and TCN datings of glacial material from High Asia have come into fashion. To this day, however, these techniques do not permit safe calibration. The intensity of the cosmic ray flux is be...Over the past few years, OSL and TCN datings of glacial material from High Asia have come into fashion. To this day, however, these techniques do not permit safe calibration. The intensity of the cosmic ray flux is being modulated by the solar and terrestrial magnetic fields and their secular fluctuations in the past. So far, these variations cannot be converted into the respective local TCN production rates for High Asia. We have reason to believe that the ages that are being calculated despite these uneertainties are generally overestimated. This assessment is supported by eonventional radiocarbon dates and above＂ all by the glacial chronology developed independently on the basis of the Quaternary geological method. The strongly emerging evidence for a much more extensive LGM glaciation of High Asia is, however, either being ignored or rejected by many authors, solely on the basis of the above-mentioned uncalibrated datings. This self-conceit based on the ＂dating fallacy＂, as we call it, should be avoided since it goes decidedly against the standards of the scientific method established in Quaternary geology and makes a fundamental scientific discussion impossible.展开更多
The boreal spring Antarctic Oscillation(AAO)has a significant impact on the spring and summer climate in China.This study evaluates the capability of the NCEP's Climate Forecast System,version 2(CFSv2),in predicti...The boreal spring Antarctic Oscillation(AAO)has a significant impact on the spring and summer climate in China.This study evaluates the capability of the NCEP's Climate Forecast System,version 2(CFSv2),in predicting the boreal spring AAO for the period 1983-2015.The results indicate that CFSv2 has poor skill in predicting the spring AAO,failing to predict the zonally symmetric spatial pattern of the AAO,with an insignificant correlation of 0.02 between the predicted and observed AAO Index(AAOI).Considering the interannual increment approach can amplify the prediction signals,we firstly establish a dynamical-statistical model to improve the interannual increment of the AAOI(DY AAOI),with two predictors of CFSv2-forecasted concurrent spring sea surface temperatures and observed preceding autumn sea ice.This dynamical-statistical model demonstrates good capability in predicting DY AAOI,with a significant correlation coeffcient of 0.58 between the observation and prediction during 1983-2015 in the two-year-out cross-validation.Then,we obtain an improved AAOI by adding the improved DY AAOI to the preceding observed AAOI.The improved AAOI shows a significant correlation coeffcient of 0.45 with the observed AAOI during 1983-2015.Moreover,the unrealistic atmospheric response to March-April-May sea ice in CFSv2 may be the possible cause for the failure of CFSv2 to predict the AAO.This study gives new clues regarding AAO prediction and short-term climate prediction.展开更多
A number of new, novel strategies for managing constipation in the elderly have emerged over the past few years. Prucalopride is one such new agent that is highly effi cacious in managing chronic constipation. In fact...A number of new, novel strategies for managing constipation in the elderly have emerged over the past few years. Prucalopride is one such new agent that is highly effi cacious in managing chronic constipation. In fact, Camilleri et al in a recent study reported that the average number of bowel movements increased by at least one in nearly 47% of the patients who were administered a dose of 4 mg. Lubiprostone is another new agent recently approved by the FDA that shows efficacy in managing the symptoms of constipation. Neostigmine has also been successfully used for the management of recalcitrant constipation. Most of these studies have used subcutaneous neostigmine. Symbiotic yogurt containig components, such as Bifidobacterium and fructoligosaccharide, have also been recently shown to be highly effective in improving symptoms of constipation. Elderly patients especially those in hospices and nursing homes are often on opiods for pain management. Constipation secondary to opioid use is extremely common in nursing homes. Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone has recently been shown to be highly effective in the management of opioid-related constipation, and was recently approved by the FDA. Sacral nerve stimulation is another emerging strategy. A recent analysis by Mowatt et al supports the eff icacy of this technique. Botulinum toxin is another agent that has already been successfully used for the management of chronic, refractory constipation in children and may be very effective for elderly constipation. Further larger studies are needed to confi rm the fi ndings noted in these studies. Constipation is clearly a major issue in the elderly and these new, emerging strategies will hopefully improve the quality of life and relieve the symptoms of constipation in this population.展开更多
Advances in medical therapeutics have undoubtedly contributed to health gains and increases in life expectancy over the last century. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that therapeutic decisions in older p...Advances in medical therapeutics have undoubtedly contributed to health gains and increases in life expectancy over the last century. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that therapeutic decisions in older patients are frequently suboptimal or potentially inappropriate and often result in negative outcomes such as adverse drug events, hospitalisation and increased healthcare resource utilisation. Several factors influence the appropriateness of medication selectionin older patients including age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, high numbers of concurrent medications, functional status and burden of co-morbid illness. With ever-increasing therapeutic options, escalating proportions of older patients worldwide, and varying degrees of prescriber education in geriatric pharmacotherapy, strategies to assist physicians in choosing appropriate pharmacotherapy for older patients may be helpful. In this paper, we describe important age-related pharmacological changes as well as the principal domains of prescribing appropriateness in older people. We highlight common examples of drugdrug and drug-disease interactions in older people. We present a clinical case in which the appropriateness of prescription medications is reviewed and corrective strategies suggested. We also discuss various approaches to optimising prescribing appropriateness in this population including the use of explicit and implicit prescribing appropriateness criteria, comprehensive geriatric assessment, clinical pharmacist review, prescriber education and computerized decision support tools.展开更多
Precipitation prediction is essential for disaster prevention,yet it still remains a challenging issue in weather and climate studies.This paper proposes an effective prediction method for summer precipitation over ea...Precipitation prediction is essential for disaster prevention,yet it still remains a challenging issue in weather and climate studies.This paper proposes an effective prediction method for summer precipitation over eastern China(PEC) by combining empirical orthogonal function(EOF) analysis with the interannual increment approach.Three statistical prediction models are individually developed for respective predictions of the three principal components(PCs) corresponding to the three leading EOF modes for the interannual increment of PEC(hereafter DY;EC).Each model is run for the month of March with two previous predictors derived from sea-ice concentration/soil moisture/sea surface temperature/snow depth/sea level pressure over specific regions.The predicted PCs are projected to the EOF modes derived from observations of DY;EC to produce a new DY;EC.This new DY;EC is then added to the observed PEC of the previous year to obtain the final predicted PEC.The spatial features of the predicted PEC are highly consistent with observations,with the anomaly correlation coefficient skill ranging from 0.32 to 0.64 during 2012-2020.The method is applied for real-time prediction of PEC in 2021.And the results indicate two rain belts located over northeastern China and the Yangtze-Huaihe River valley,respectively,although the chance for the occurrence of a "super" mei-yu with a similar intensity to that in 2020 would be rare in 2021.展开更多
Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and the risk factors include age, family history, and reproductive factors. In women with a family history of breast cancer, there is a propo...Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and the risk factors include age, family history, and reproductive factors. In women with a family history of breast cancer, there is a proportion in which a gene mutation can be the cause of the predisposition for breast cancer. A careful assessment of family and clinical history should be performed in these women in order to determine if a genetic counseling referral is indicated. In cases of hereditary breast cancer, genetic testing with a multigene panel can identify specific genetic mutations in over 100 genes. The most common genes mutated in hereditary breast cancer are the high-penetrance BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In addition, other mutations in high-penetrance genes in familial cancer syndromes and mutations in DNA repair genes can cause hereditary breast cancer. Mutations in low-penetrance genes and variants of uncertain signifcance may play a role in breast cancer development, but the magnitude and scope of risk in these cases remain unclear, thus the clinical utility of testing for these mutations is uncertain. In women with high-penetrance genetic mutations or lifetime risk of breast cancer 〉 20%, risk-reducing interventions, such as intensive screening, surgery, and chemoprevention, can decrease the incidence and mortality of breast cancer.展开更多
AIM： To assess the association of measured gait speed with hemodialysis （HD） patients’ hospitalization, in conjunction with, and apart from, recent fall history.METHODS： Gait speed was measured by a standard prot...AIM： To assess the association of measured gait speed with hemodialysis （HD） patients’ hospitalization, in conjunction with, and apart from, recent fall history.METHODS： Gait speed was measured by a standard protocol and falls during the past 12 mo were ascertained for a prevalent multi-center HD cohort （n = 668） aged 20-92. Hospitalization during the past 12 mo was identified in the patient’s clinic records, and the first hospitalization after gait speed assessment （or the competing event of death） was identifed in the 2013 United States Renal Data System Standard Analysis Files.characterized 34.7% of the patients, and 27.1% had experienced a recent fall. Patients with slow gait speed but without a history of recent falls were 1.79 times more likely to have been hospitalized during the past 12 mo （OR = 1.79, 95%CI： 1.11-2.88, P = 0.02）, and patients with slow gait speed and a history of recent falls were over two times more likely to have been hospitalized （OR = 2.10, 95%CI： 1.19-3.73, P = 0.01）, compared with patients having faster gait speed and no recent fall history. Prospective examination of gait speed/fall history status in relation to frst hospitaliza-tion （or death） incurred by the end of follow-up Decem-ber 31, 2011 also showed that slow gait speed was as-sociated with these events in conjunction with a history of falls （HR = 1.54, 95%CI： 1.04-2.30, P = 0.03）.CONCLUSION： The International Task Force on Nutri-tion and Aging reported that gait speed is a powerful predictor for older adults of adverse outcomes such as hospitalization. In our data, gait speed-apart from, as well as in conjunction with, recent fall history-was as-sociated with HD patients’ hospitalization for multiple causes. Gait speed may be a sensitive health indicator among HD patients across the age spectrum.展开更多
基金This study was supported by the NKBRSF (G1999043407-1) Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-406+3 种基金 SCXZD0101) NKTRDP (2001BA510B-07 2002BA516A20) and Education Committee Projects of Liaong Province (990121400
文摘The age-structure of natural population of Zoysia japonica in Xiuyan County of Liaoning Province was studied by generational method. The results showed that the highest tiller age class was three, but 1st age class tillers held dominant posi-tion with proportions over 95% in each month during the growing seasons. The 2nd age class and 3rd age class tillers were minority in the population. So Z. japonica population was an expanding population. The zero age class buds on the rhizomes were dominant in buds age structures. The proportion of buds to tillers on quantity in each month was about 30% to 40% and reached the highest at the end of September. The increasing of buds proportion before dormancy guaranteed the quantity of tillers in the next spring. The biomass of 1st age class tillers changed with time. The biomass kept increasing from April to July and reached the highest at the end of July and then decreased.
文摘Over the past few years, OSL and TCN datings of glacial material from High Asia have come into fashion. To this day, however, these techniques do not permit safe calibration. The intensity of the cosmic ray flux is being modulated by the solar and terrestrial magnetic fields and their secular fluctuations in the past. So far, these variations cannot be converted into the respective local TCN production rates for High Asia. We have reason to believe that the ages that are being calculated despite these uneertainties are generally overestimated. This assessment is supported by eonventional radiocarbon dates and above＂ all by the glacial chronology developed independently on the basis of the Quaternary geological method. The strongly emerging evidence for a much more extensive LGM glaciation of High Asia is, however, either being ignored or rejected by many authors, solely on the basis of the above-mentioned uncalibrated datings. This self-conceit based on the ＂dating fallacy＂, as we call it, should be avoided since it goes decidedly against the standards of the scientific method established in Quaternary geology and makes a fundamental scientific discussion impossible.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2016YFA0600703)the funding of the Jiangsu Innovation & Entrepreneurship Team and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
文摘The boreal spring Antarctic Oscillation(AAO)has a significant impact on the spring and summer climate in China.This study evaluates the capability of the NCEP's Climate Forecast System,version 2(CFSv2),in predicting the boreal spring AAO for the period 1983-2015.The results indicate that CFSv2 has poor skill in predicting the spring AAO,failing to predict the zonally symmetric spatial pattern of the AAO,with an insignificant correlation of 0.02 between the predicted and observed AAO Index(AAOI).Considering the interannual increment approach can amplify the prediction signals,we firstly establish a dynamical-statistical model to improve the interannual increment of the AAOI(DY AAOI),with two predictors of CFSv2-forecasted concurrent spring sea surface temperatures and observed preceding autumn sea ice.This dynamical-statistical model demonstrates good capability in predicting DY AAOI,with a significant correlation coeffcient of 0.58 between the observation and prediction during 1983-2015 in the two-year-out cross-validation.Then,we obtain an improved AAOI by adding the improved DY AAOI to the preceding observed AAOI.The improved AAOI shows a significant correlation coeffcient of 0.45 with the observed AAOI during 1983-2015.Moreover,the unrealistic atmospheric response to March-April-May sea ice in CFSv2 may be the possible cause for the failure of CFSv2 to predict the AAO.This study gives new clues regarding AAO prediction and short-term climate prediction.
文摘A number of new, novel strategies for managing constipation in the elderly have emerged over the past few years. Prucalopride is one such new agent that is highly effi cacious in managing chronic constipation. In fact, Camilleri et al in a recent study reported that the average number of bowel movements increased by at least one in nearly 47% of the patients who were administered a dose of 4 mg. Lubiprostone is another new agent recently approved by the FDA that shows efficacy in managing the symptoms of constipation. Neostigmine has also been successfully used for the management of recalcitrant constipation. Most of these studies have used subcutaneous neostigmine. Symbiotic yogurt containig components, such as Bifidobacterium and fructoligosaccharide, have also been recently shown to be highly effective in improving symptoms of constipation. Elderly patients especially those in hospices and nursing homes are often on opiods for pain management. Constipation secondary to opioid use is extremely common in nursing homes. Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone has recently been shown to be highly effective in the management of opioid-related constipation, and was recently approved by the FDA. Sacral nerve stimulation is another emerging strategy. A recent analysis by Mowatt et al supports the eff icacy of this technique. Botulinum toxin is another agent that has already been successfully used for the management of chronic, refractory constipation in children and may be very effective for elderly constipation. Further larger studies are needed to confi rm the fi ndings noted in these studies. Constipation is clearly a major issue in the elderly and these new, emerging strategies will hopefully improve the quality of life and relieve the symptoms of constipation in this population.
文摘Advances in medical therapeutics have undoubtedly contributed to health gains and increases in life expectancy over the last century. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that therapeutic decisions in older patients are frequently suboptimal or potentially inappropriate and often result in negative outcomes such as adverse drug events, hospitalisation and increased healthcare resource utilisation. Several factors influence the appropriateness of medication selectionin older patients including age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, high numbers of concurrent medications, functional status and burden of co-morbid illness. With ever-increasing therapeutic options, escalating proportions of older patients worldwide, and varying degrees of prescriber education in geriatric pharmacotherapy, strategies to assist physicians in choosing appropriate pharmacotherapy for older patients may be helpful. In this paper, we describe important age-related pharmacological changes as well as the principal domains of prescribing appropriateness in older people. We highlight common examples of drugdrug and drug-disease interactions in older people. We present a clinical case in which the appropriateness of prescription medications is reviewed and corrective strategies suggested. We also discuss various approaches to optimising prescribing appropriateness in this population including the use of explicit and implicit prescribing appropriateness criteria, comprehensive geriatric assessment, clinical pharmacist review, prescriber education and computerized decision support tools.
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 420881014199128342025502]。
文摘Precipitation prediction is essential for disaster prevention,yet it still remains a challenging issue in weather and climate studies.This paper proposes an effective prediction method for summer precipitation over eastern China(PEC) by combining empirical orthogonal function(EOF) analysis with the interannual increment approach.Three statistical prediction models are individually developed for respective predictions of the three principal components(PCs) corresponding to the three leading EOF modes for the interannual increment of PEC(hereafter DY;EC).Each model is run for the month of March with two previous predictors derived from sea-ice concentration/soil moisture/sea surface temperature/snow depth/sea level pressure over specific regions.The predicted PCs are projected to the EOF modes derived from observations of DY;EC to produce a new DY;EC.This new DY;EC is then added to the observed PEC of the previous year to obtain the final predicted PEC.The spatial features of the predicted PEC are highly consistent with observations,with the anomaly correlation coefficient skill ranging from 0.32 to 0.64 during 2012-2020.The method is applied for real-time prediction of PEC in 2021.And the results indicate two rain belts located over northeastern China and the Yangtze-Huaihe River valley,respectively,although the chance for the occurrence of a "super" mei-yu with a similar intensity to that in 2020 would be rare in 2021.
文摘Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime and the risk factors include age, family history, and reproductive factors. In women with a family history of breast cancer, there is a proportion in which a gene mutation can be the cause of the predisposition for breast cancer. A careful assessment of family and clinical history should be performed in these women in order to determine if a genetic counseling referral is indicated. In cases of hereditary breast cancer, genetic testing with a multigene panel can identify specific genetic mutations in over 100 genes. The most common genes mutated in hereditary breast cancer are the high-penetrance BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In addition, other mutations in high-penetrance genes in familial cancer syndromes and mutations in DNA repair genes can cause hereditary breast cancer. Mutations in low-penetrance genes and variants of uncertain signifcance may play a role in breast cancer development, but the magnitude and scope of risk in these cases remain unclear, thus the clinical utility of testing for these mutations is uncertain. In women with high-penetrance genetic mutations or lifetime risk of breast cancer 〉 20%, risk-reducing interventions, such as intensive screening, surgery, and chemoprevention, can decrease the incidence and mortality of breast cancer.
基金Supported by National Institutes of Health contract HHSN267200715004C,ADB No.N01-DK-7-5004(Dr.Kutner)
文摘AIM： To assess the association of measured gait speed with hemodialysis （HD） patients’ hospitalization, in conjunction with, and apart from, recent fall history.METHODS： Gait speed was measured by a standard protocol and falls during the past 12 mo were ascertained for a prevalent multi-center HD cohort （n = 668） aged 20-92. Hospitalization during the past 12 mo was identified in the patient’s clinic records, and the first hospitalization after gait speed assessment （or the competing event of death） was identifed in the 2013 United States Renal Data System Standard Analysis Files.characterized 34.7% of the patients, and 27.1% had experienced a recent fall. Patients with slow gait speed but without a history of recent falls were 1.79 times more likely to have been hospitalized during the past 12 mo （OR = 1.79, 95%CI： 1.11-2.88, P = 0.02）, and patients with slow gait speed and a history of recent falls were over two times more likely to have been hospitalized （OR = 2.10, 95%CI： 1.19-3.73, P = 0.01）, compared with patients having faster gait speed and no recent fall history. Prospective examination of gait speed/fall history status in relation to frst hospitaliza-tion （or death） incurred by the end of follow-up Decem-ber 31, 2011 also showed that slow gait speed was as-sociated with these events in conjunction with a history of falls （HR = 1.54, 95%CI： 1.04-2.30, P = 0.03）.CONCLUSION： The International Task Force on Nutri-tion and Aging reported that gait speed is a powerful predictor for older adults of adverse outcomes such as hospitalization. In our data, gait speed-apart from, as well as in conjunction with, recent fall history-was as-sociated with HD patients’ hospitalization for multiple causes. Gait speed may be a sensitive health indicator among HD patients across the age spectrum.
