Prognostic Role of Preoperative Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) in Mitral Valve Replacement (MVR) for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Patients

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion has been proposed as a simple and reproducible parameter for quantitative assessment of the right ventricular ejection fraction. The prognostic importance of preoperative TAPSE in patients with mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral stenosis patients is still under focused. Therefore, the objective of the study was to predict the outcome after MVR in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients in relation to preoperative TAPSE. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute. A total of 72 patients of rheumatic mitral stenosis patients who underwent mitral valve replacement were included in the study. They were divided into two groups: Group A and B. Group A included 36 patients with TAPSE 0.05) except for the preoperative TAPSE. Mean TAPSE of Group A was 13.17 (±1.40) and Group B was 18.61 (±1.57), the difference was statistically significant (p 0.05). Among the postoperative complications, including postoperative atrial fibrillation was higher in Group A (30.56%) than Group B (11.11%), mean ventilation time was higher in Group A (27.78%) than Group B (5.56%), length of intensive care was higher in Group A (33.33%) than Group B (11.12%), and hospital stay was higher in Group A (25.0%) than Group B (5.56%), (p < 0.05). Higher preoperative TASPE could be used as a prognostic tool for MVR in rheumatic mitral stenosis patients in our settings.

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on glucose excursion and inflammation in overweight or obese type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND Currently,the lack of comparative studies between weekly and daily formulations of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)for glucose excursion is worth investigation.AIM To investigate the effects of weekly and daily formulations of GLP-1RA on glucose excursion and inflammation in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes.METHODS Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated at our hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis.All patients were treated with metformin.We evaluated changes in blood glucose levels and a series of important indicators in patients before and after treatment with either a weekly or daily preparation of GLP-1RA(group A;n=33 and group B;n=37).RESULTS The degree of decrease in the levels of fasting blood glucose,mean blood glucose,mean amplitude of glycemic excursions,total cholesterol,triglycerides,tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-6,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after treatment in group A was higher than that in group B(P<0.05),whereas the 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels decreased more so in group B than in group A(P<0.001).However,there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of glycated hemoglobin,standard deviation of blood glucose,coefficient of variation,absolute mean of daily differences,percentage of time with 3.9 mmol/L<glucose<10 mmol/L,and high-and low-density lipoproteins between the two groups(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in group A than in group B(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The effect of the weekly preparation of GLP-1RA in controlling blood glucose levels in the patients,suppressing inflammation,and reducing adverse reactions was significantly higher than that of the daily preparations,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

The Pursuit of Unhappiness:The Ground Theory to Explain Why People Choose to Be Unhappy Rather Than Happy

This article presents a ground theory to explain why some individuals choose to be unhappy rather than happy,supported by empirical data collected from a sample of 750 professionals in Greece’s public and private sectors.We begin by reviewing the existing literature on happiness and well-being,highlighting the debate between hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives.We then introduce our research questions and rationale,and describe our methods,sample,and psychometric tools used to measure happiness and other variables of interest.Our results indicate that various factors,including cultural influences,past experiences,and personal values,contribute to individuals’pursuit of unhappiness.We conclude with a thorough discussion of our results and their implications for future research and interventions aimed at promoting well-being.

街舞元素Happy feet基础动作理论及其文化价值

文章运用文献法、观摩法、视频分析法和实践法,首先从基本形态、节奏与呼吸、动作重难点这三个方面分析拆解街舞元素Happyfeet的基本动作理论,再根据经典作品案例分析该元素融入成人及少儿齐舞的方式特点,为该元素的运用提供理论依据。最后,从审美价值、健身价值、娱乐价值角度深度分析该元素存在的文化价值,进而探索该元素的运用规律。

Mechanism of Tourists’Happiness in Traditional Village Tourism: A Perspective Grounded in Nostalgia and Cultural Attachment

In recent years,traditional villages have emerged as popular tourist destinations due to their distinctive resource value.Typically situated in remote and less developed areas,traditional villages boast primitive natural surroundings and rich historical and cultural heritage.These characteristics offer urban dwellers a temporary escape from the complexities of modern life,allowing them to experience physical and mental rejuvenation,mental relaxation,and overall happiness during their visit.By conducting a review of the existing literature concerning tourists’happiness in traditional villages,this study establishes a framework to understand tourists’happiness in traditional village tourism.Using the Qiangang ancient village in Conghua District,Guangzhou as a case study,the research examines the current state of rural characteristics,the establishment of cultural brands,and the promotion of the active utilization of ancient villages within the context of integrating culture,sports,tourism,and agriculture.Based on this analysis,the author proposes strategies to enhance tourists’happiness,including the preservation and development of rural characteristics,the promotion and preservation of local cultural attributes,and the collaborative advancement of culture,sports,tourism,and agriculture to engage key stakeholders actively.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.People share a big meal with family and friends.The delicious smell of roast turkey fills the house.Corn,potatoes,sweet potatoes and green beans are on the table and ready to eat.There is cranberry sauce,too.Later there will be pumpkin pie!

The Relationship between Glucose Excursion and Cognitive Function in Aged Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes （T2DM） is associated with an increased risk of dementia and that glucose variability is an independent risk factor for diabetic complications. This study investigated the relationship between glucose excursion and cognitive function in aged T2DM patients. Methods A total of 248 aged T2DM patients wore a continuous glucose monitoring system （CGMS） for 3 days in order to evaluate glucose excursion, including mean amplitude of glycemic excursions （MAGE） and mean of daily difference （MODD）. All subjects were evaluated with a number of accepted cognitive function tests, including the mini-mental status examination （MMSE）. The relationship between MAGE and MODD and performance on these cognitive tests was assessed. Results The MAGE and MMSE score were negatively correlated, likewise with the correlation between MODD and MMSE. Liner multivariate regression analysis showed that MAGE and MODD were also negatively related to MMSE independent of age, sex, glycemic control, hypertension, smoking, or coronary heart disease history. Conclusion Glucose excursion is related to cognitive function in aged T2DM patients. Elevated glucose excursion decreased the MMSE score, which reflects general cognitive function. Thus, therapy aimed at controlling glucose excursion may be beneficial for maintaining cognitive function in aged T2DM patients.

Correlation between the Amplitude of Glucose Excursion and the Oxidative/Antioxidative System in Subjects with Different Types of Glucose Regulation

Objective To investigate effects of glucose excursion on the oxidative/antioxidative system in subjects with different types of glucose regulation. Methods A total of 30 individuals with normal glucose regulation (NGR), 27 subjects with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and 27 subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were selected and recruited for 3 days’ continuous glucose monitor system (CGMS) assessment. The data from CGMS was used to calculate the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE), mean blood glucose (MBG) and its standard deviation (SDBG), area under the ROC curve when the blood glucose 5.6 mmol/L within 24 h (AUC 5.6), mean of daily differences (MODD), and mean postprandial glucose excursion (MPPGE). In all groups, the content or activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidation capacity (TAOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) were detected. Results Glucose excursion parameters of subjects with T2DM or IGR were higher than those of NGR subjects (P0.05 or 0.01). Moreover, Glucose excursion parameters of T2DM subjects were higher than those of IGR subjects (P0.05 or 0.01). Subjects with T2DM or IGR had significant higher MDA levels and lower GSH‐Px/MDA and TAOC/MDA levels compared to NGR subjects (P0.01). T2DM subjects had even higher MDA levels and lower GSH‐Px/MDA levels than IGR (P0.05 or 0.01). According to the median of normal population for MAGE, T2DM and IGR subjects were divided into MAGE2.6mmol/L Group and MAGE≤2.6mmol/L Group. MAGE2.6mmol/L Group had higher levels of MDA and lower levels of GSH‐Px/MDA than MAGE≤2.6mmol/L Group (P0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P0.05) in terms of the levels of TAOC/MDA. Pearson correlation analysis showed that MDA was positively correlated with FPG, 2hPG, MAGE, and SBP. GSH‐Px/MDA was negatively correlated with MAGE and TC. TAOC/MDA was negatively correlated with FPG. Partial correlation analysis showed that the relationship between MDA and MAGE, GSH‐Px/MDA, and MAGE remained significant after adjustments for the other differences among groups. Conclusion Glucose excursion contributed significantly to promoting lipid peroxidation and decreasing antioxidation capacity than chronic sustained hyperglycemia did in the subjects with different types of glucose regulation.

Shuram-Wonoka carbon isotope excursion:Ediacaran revolution in the world ocean's meridional overturning circulation

The late Ediacaran Shuram-Wonoka excursion, with δ^(13)C_(carb) values as low as-12‰(PDB) in marineshelf deposits and spanning up to 10 Myr, is the deepest and most protracted δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomaly recognised in Earth history. The excursion formed on at least four continents in low(≤32°) palaeolatitudes, and in China is associated with a major phosphogenic event. Global and intrabasinal correlation, magnetostratigraphy, isotope conglomerate tests and further geochemical data are consistent with a primary or syn-depositional origin for the excursion. Continental-margin phosphorites are generated by oceanic upwelling driven by surface winds, and δ^(13)C_(carb) negative anomalies are explicable by oceanic upwelling of 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters, arguing that a feature common to these exceptional Ediacaran events was unprecedented perturbation of the world ocean. These events occurred during the transition from an alien Proterozoic world marked by low-palaeolatitude glaciation near sea level and strong seasonality to the familiar Phanerozoic Earth with circum-polar glaciation and temperate climate, suggesting that the Shuram-Wonoka excursion is related to this profound change in Earth's climate system. Of various hypotheses for Proterozoic low-palaeolatitude glaciation, only the high obliquity(>54°) hypothesis, which posits secular decrease in obliquity to near the present-day value(23.5°) during the Ediacaran, predicts an unparalleled revolution in the Ediacaran world ocean. The obliquity controls the sense of the world ocean's meridional overturning circulation, which today is driven by the sinking of cold, dense water at the poles and upwelling driven by zonal surface winds.When the decreasing obliquity passed the critical value of 54° during the Ediacaran the meridional temperature gradient reversed, with the equator becoming warmer than the poles and Hadley lowlatitude(<30°-35°) atmospheric zonal circulation reversing. This reversal of the temperature gradient is unique to the Ediacaran Period and caused reversal of the oceanic meridional overturning circulation,with upwelling of anoxic, 13 C-depleted deep oceanic waters producing a deeply negative and protractedδ^(13)C_(carb) signature on late Ediacaran marine-shelf deposits.

Effects of Fuscoporia obliqua on Postprandial Glucose Excursion and Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Postprandial hyperglycemia has been reported to elicit endothelial dysfunction and provoke future cardiovascular complications. A reduction of postprandial blood glucose levels by the glucosidase inhibitor Fuscoporia obliqua was associated with a risk reduction of cardiovascular complications, but the effects of Fuscoporia obliqua on endothelial function have never been elucidated. This study is aimed to assess the efficacy of Fuscoporia obliqua on postprandial metabolic parameters and endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients. Postprandial peak glucose (14.47±1.27 vs. 8.50±0.53 mmol/liter), plasma glucose excursion (PPGE), and change in the area under the curve (AUC) glucose after a single loading of test meal (total 450 kcal; protein 15.3%; fat 32.3%; carbohydrate 51.4%) were significantly higher in the diet-treated type 2 diabetic patients (n=14) than the age-and sex-matched controls (n=12). The peak forearm blood flow response and total reactive hyperemic flow (flow debt repayment) during reactive hyperemia, indices of resistance artery endothelial function on strain-gauge plethysmography, were unchanged before and after meal loading in the controls. But those of the diabetics were significantly decreased 120 and 240 min after the test meal. A prior administration of Fuscoporia obliqua decreased postprandial peak glucose, PPGE, and AUC glucose. The peak forearm blood flow and flow debt repayment were inversely well correlated with peak glucose, PPGE, and AUC glucose, but not with AUC insulin or the other lipid parameters. Even a single loading of the test meal was shown to impair the endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients, and the postprandial endothelial dysfunction was improved by a prior use of Fuscoporia obliqua. Fuscoporia obliqua might reduce macrovascular complication by avoiding endothelial injury in postprandial hyperglycemic status.

Probing the Troodos Ophiolite:IGCP-649 Workshop and Field Excursion Held in Agros-Cyprus

The second IGCP-649 Workshop, held in Agros-Cyprus during 14-20 May 2016, brought together nearly fifty international scientists from around the world, and included a 5-day field excursion on the classic Troodos ophiolite. Organized by the IGCP-649 Project Leadership and the Geological Survey Department of Cyprus, the workshop provided a forum for discussions on the latest views and interpretations on the petrogenesis of crustal and upper mantle peridotites in ophiolites, and introduced many young researchers and students to the intemal structure of the classical Troodos ophiolite. This was particularly the case for a large group of Chinese scholars and students, who visited Cyprus and the Troodos ophiolite for the first time. A 4-day profile across the complete ophiolite sequence gave these scientists a first- hand opportunity to examine the lithological and compositional variations within the Cretaceous oceanic crust and to study the igneous and tectonic contacts between them. Lively discussions by the experts and students in front of some of the best 3-dimensional outcrops were most fruitful and allowed all participants to compare the Troodos tectonics with some of ophiolites elsewhere. structure, geochemistry and the other well-documented

Paleomagnetic Excursions Recorded in the Yanchi Playa in Middle Hexi Corridor, NW China Since the Last Interglacial

Paleomagnetic determinations on lithological profiles of two paralleled[( )-275(long )]drilling cores covering the past 130 kyr B.P., GT40 and GT60, from the Yanchi Playa in the arid Northwestern China, indicate that a series of pronounced paleomagnetic excursions have been documented. By correlating our results with published regional and worldwide reports, 4 excursion events out of 10 apparent reversal signals (labeled from GT-1 to GT-10) were identified as excursion events coeval with the Mono Lake Event ([(28.4)( )]kyr~[(25.8)( )]kyr), Laschamp Event ([(43.3)( )]kyr^40.5 kyr), Gaotai Event (82.8 kyr~[(72.4)25( )]kyr) and the Blake Event (127.4 kyr^113.3 kyr), respectively. GT-9 correlates with the above-mentioned Gaotai Event, GT-7 and GT-6 correspond to two stages of the Laschamp Event and GT-5 to the Mono Lake Event. It is noteworthy that the so-called Gaotai Event has not been reported as a pronounced paleomagnetic excursion in the Northwestern China. Every magnetic excursion event corresponds to paleointensity minima, anteceding those established abrupt paleoclimatic change events, such as the Younger Drays and the Heinrich Events (H1-H6)[(. )-250( )]Here,[( )-250( )]we tentatively[( )-250( )]propose that these geomagnetic excursions/reversals can be viewed as precursors to climate abruptness. During the transitional stages when the earths magnetic field shifted between a temporal normal and a negative period, the earths magnetic paleointensity fell correspondingly to a pair of minima. Although more precise chronology and more convincing rock magnetic parameter determinations are essentially required for further interpretation of their intricate coupling mechanism, these results may have revealed, to some extent, that the earths incessantly changing magnetic field exerts an strong influence on the onset of saw-tooth shaped abrupt climate oscillations through certain feedback chains in arid Central Asia or even North Hemispheric high latitude regions.

On the Possibility of Obtaining a High Resolution Relative Paleointensity Record of the Pringle Falls Excursion at the Type Locality of Pringle Falls, Oregon, USA

In order to further understand the full vector excursional details of the geomagnetic field, a paleomagnetic and rock magnetic study of four sites has been conducted at the type locality of Pringle Falls, Oregon where 827 samples were drilled and spaced along a distance of 5 km, for their detailed directional and relative paleointensity studies. The profiles have registered a high-reso- lution (>10 cm/kyr) paleomagnetic record of the excursion (ca. 211+/13 ka) as recorded by diatomaceous lacustrine sediments. Remanence as well as induced magnetization experiments to investigate the reproducibility of the signal throughout the profiles have been conducted. In addition, low-field susceptibility vs. temperature analysis was performed indicating that the main magnetic carrier is pure magnetite (Curie point 575 ℃). The magnetic grain size also has indicated Single Domain-Multi-Domain (SD-MD) magnetite. The demagnetization was done by alternating field (a.f.) experiments, and the mean directions were determined by principal component analyses. In addition, induced magnetic tests were done, such as magnetic susceptibility (x) analyses, saturation IRM, anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM70) as well as the normalization of J17.5 mT/ARM70 to attempt to obtain relative paleointensity records of these sediments in question. The results of the induced rock magnetic tests such as the normalization studies indicate a direct correlation between the decrease of the relative paleointensity variations (i.e. lows) with respect to the directional changes. The detailed behavior of the paleosignal is highly consistent, since they are rapidly deposited sediments providing a detailed representation of the paleofield. The dissected VGP paths in 3 different phases are highly internally consistent and are defined by clockwise and anticlockwise loops traveling from the high northern latitudes over eastern North America and the North Atlantic to South America and then to high southern latitudes. They then return to the high northern latitudes through the Pacific and over to Kamchatka. This VGP behavior defines the geomagnetic signature of the Pringle Falls excursion as recorded at the type locality.

Carbon Isotope Excursions and Paleo-Oceanography of the Ordovician–Silurian Boundary Carbonate Rocks from the Xainza Area, Tibet

Objective The Ordovician–Silurian transitional period is a special time when the global paleo-environment changed greatly.It witnessed the first mass extinction as of Phanerozoic period and glaciations that occurred frequently at a large scale in a very short time,which has thus attracted much attention among geoscientists at home and abroad.

Experimental study on the 350 msw simulated heliox saturation-370 msw excursion diving

-The chief purpose of the research was to understand the physiological function change regularity, performance and adaptability of the human body living and working under high pressure for prolonged time.In January 1989, 4 naval divers entered the habital of NMRI's 500 msw saturation diving system after a series of adaptive diving training. The breathing mixture was helium-oxygen. After 55 h compression (including intermediate stages) the 350 msw depth was reached, where the divers lived and worked for 72 h 10 min. No sign of discomfort or significant HPNS was found in the 4 divers.The second and third day of the saturation exposure, the divers carried out 370 msw dry and wet chamber excursion diving 2 man-time each, the divers effectively carried out operational work under water, the total excursion time was 1 h each excursion dive.Saturation decompression started after 3-day storage exposure, the divers were gradually brought toward the surface 25 msw a day on the average by employing the linear steady rate of decompression. During decompression, no case of DCS occurred. Immediate post-dive medical check-ups shows that they were physically normal.More than 120 biomedical indices were monitored and measured on the divers at different period of the experiment. The organisms showed a good adaptability and certain operating capability, and both the compression and decompression profiles were proved to be satisfactory.The detailed experimental data obtained provided sound scientific basis for the practical application of future great depth open sea saturation diving.

The Joint Distribution of the Maximum Excursion and the Minimum Excursion for Brownian Motion with Drift

In this paper, we discuss the problem of extreme value for Brownian motion with positive drift. We obtain the joint distribution of the maximum excursion and the minimum excursion.

On the Possibility of Obtaining Geomagnetic Volcanic Records of the Short-Term Behavior of the Laschamp and Pringle Falls Excursions from the Long Sequence of Kahuku and Ninole Hills, Big Island of Hawaii, USA

The Mauna Loa volcano of the Big Island of Hawaii offers the “ad-hoc” lava flows that have recorded the geomagnetic short-term behavior (i.e. excursions) at two key localities such as the younger Kahuku volcanic series (ca. ~41 ka) where 29 flows are exposed for detailed paleomagnetic sampling making up 102 meters of section where the uppermost flow sampled lies directly under the Pahala ash. The second sampling site is the Ninole volcanic series where 25 flows spanning 56 meters of section were also sampled from the northeast and southwest sides of the Kilohana Ridge. The most recent age estimate indicates that the Kahuku flows can correlate well with the transitional/excursional directional results obtained from both volcanic and deep-sea sediments of the global record of the Laschamp (ca. ~41 ka calendar years B.P) excursion and the Ninole flows which are associated to the also global Pringle Fall excursion (ca. 211 ± 13 ka) recorded at the type section.

Analysis on blood glucose excursions in well-controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective:To probe glycemic excursions in type 2 diabetic patients whose hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) was kept ≤6.0%.Methods:Totally 36 cases with type 2 diabetes(T2DM) with HbA1c≤6.0% and 30 cases with normal glucose tolerance(NGT) from December 2005 to December 2007 in our department were subjected prospectively.Continuous glucose monitoring system(CGMS) was employed to record their continuous blood glucose level for 3 d.The blood glucose profiles including the mean blood glucose(MBG),standard differentiation(SD),mean amplitude of glycemic excursions(MAGE) and absolute means of daily differences(MODD) were analyzed.Results:T2DM group had obviously postprandial hyperglycemia,in about 2 h after meal,especially after breakfast.Fifty-two hypoglycemic episodes occurred during the monitoring period in T2DM groups,of which 73.1%(38 episodes) were absence of symptomatic hypoglycemia with the lowest value of blood glucose only 2.0 mmol/L.And 20 episodes took place during the day hours,while 32 episodes observed during the night hours.Compared with NGT groups,SD,MAGE and MODD were all significantly higher in T2DM groups.MBG was significantly correlated with HbA1c in T2DM groups,but SD,MAGE,NGE and MODD were all independent of HbA1c.MAGE was independent of MODD.Conclusion:The amplitude of glycemic excursions is higher in normol-controlled T2DM groups than the NGT groups.Thus ideally glycemic control is not only to make HbA1c reach standard,but also to lessen glycemic excursions and reduce hypoglycemia episodes.

Excursions to 60 and 80 MSW with Heliox from Saturation at 25 MSW

Vertical excursions allow divers in seafloor habitats to work at depths deeper than thehabitat.Descending excursions from saturation in nitrox have almost all used air as the breathing gas;depth is effectively restricted to less than 60 msw by narcosis and oxygenexposure.The objective is to investigate use of helium mixtures for excursions, taking

A Contrastive Analysis of Regional Culture between Happiness and The Pursuit of Happyness

Movies play an important role in showing regional culture.This thesis analyzes similar and different cultures in two movies.Similarities are in marriage and traditions while differences are in ideology,food culture and lifestyle.Happiness and The Pursuit of Happyness are adapted by true men’s stories in real places,one for Xi’an,Shaanxi province and the other for San Francisco,America.Protagonists are common people,representing China and America’s cultural orientations and values.These contrastive aspects make people have a better understanding towards regional cultures.