Tectonic Environments of the Yan-Liao Rift during Earth's Middle Age(1.7～0.75 Ga): Evidence from Mafic Dyke Swarms in Eastern Hebei, North China

During the past decade,generations of Precambrian mafic dykes/sills have been investigated and revealed in the North China Craton(NCC).Researchers identified more than 20 episodes of Precambrian dyke swarms,

Immigrants,Citizenship and Social Integration in French Urban Society in the Late Middle Ages:A Case Study of Avignon

An important feature of the urban demographic structure in France in the late Middle Ages was the significant increase in immigrants as a proportion of the population.The influx of immigrants and their successful assimilation were necessary for urban society to cope with the crisis of the late Middle Ages.There were two principal pathways for integration.Firstly,the municipal authority granted citizenship to some selected immigrants,accepting them legally into the citizen community.Secondly,immigrants constructed spontaneous and autonomously diversified social relationships and interacted with other residents through religious-based confraternities.The two routes were mutually complimentary and promoted the absorption of multiple immigrants into urban society achieving a revival in early modern times.That said,social participation was the only way for all immigrants to integrate into urban society and reveals the initiative and autonomy of the newcomers.

Views on Middle Aged Couples

AWOMAN calls a women’s hotline: "My husband and I have always been compatible. Now our son is almost 10 and my husband still wants to have sex! This makes me sick. I don’t know what to do. Help me!" Another woman calls in tears: "My husband is an ordinary man and used to lead a normal life like anyone else. One day, he told me he would try something else to develop his career. I supported him. Finally, his efforts paid off. But soon after, he began having an affair. He didn’t deny it but he said he wouldn’t divorce me. Why did this happen

Starting Out in Middle Age

FROM a middle-aged laid-offwoman to the general managerof a company with 700 staff issuch an enormous leap that even HanXiuling had not dared dream of it.When she had to take long-term

Obesity in Middle Age Linked with Dementia

减肥已成为时下流行的话题,这不仅是人们爱美心理的反应,从某种角度看,也是人们对自身健康的一种关注。据最新研究发现,中年肥胖会增加晚年痴呆的可能性,损害人们的认知功能。其潜在的危险是:肥胖流行病与人口老龄化或许会在未来20年内使痴呆病症大幅增加。请看专家分析。

The Glorious Imagery of the Middle Ages

Shortly after I arrived at Cambridge, I went to the University Library to apply for a library card. At the very moment I stepped on the basement floor of the Library, where the administration office is located, I was overwhelmed by a spectacular exhibition of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts. The most striking impressions

Research and Exploration on the Teaching of World Medieval History under the Innovative Education Concept

The development of the Middle Ages is an inevitable stage in the development of human history,and it has a very important historical significance.During the Middle Ages,the struggle between religious power and secular kingship became a big driving force for medieval education.While strengthening the Christian worldview,education in the Middle Ages also completed the connection between classical civilization and modern European civilization.Medieval educational developments and explorations have had a major impact on contemporary education,especially medieval universities,cathedrals and parliaments.

Risk of connective—tissue disease in men with testicular or penile prostheses：a preliminary study

AIM: To help clarifying the possibility of connective-tissue diseases in men with penile or testicular prostheses. METHODS: Eight patients underwent inflatable penile prostheses and 15, testicular prostheses consented to the study. Their medical records were reviewed and a follow-up interview and physical and serological examinations were performed. RESULTS: In patients with penile prostheses, there was no abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA) or IgM elevation. The serum levels of the rheumatoid factor (RF), C4, IgA and IgG were abnormal in one patient, and the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C3, abnormal in two. Four had elevated IgE. In patients with testicular prostheses, there was no abnormal RF, ANA or IgM. The serum levels of ESR and IgA were abnormal in two, and three had abnormal C4, ten abnormal C3, and eleven decreased IgG. All had increased IgE. Men with penile prostheses had higher serum levels of IgG and IgM than those with testicular prostheses (P=0.001, P=0.016, respectively). The rates of abnormal values of IgE and IgG were higher in men with testicular prostheses than in men with penile prostheses (P=0.008, P=0.009, respectively). Physical examination was normal in all patients and nobody had documented symptoms pertinent to connective-tissue diseases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of connective-tissue diseases is not higher in patients wearing prostheses as the ANA is negative and there is no apparent manifestation suggestive of connective-tissue diseases.

Georgian Diplomat_Queen Tamar

The Middle Ages is not characterized by recognition of women’s rights and its spreading in the world history.From the women of different parts of the world,only the nobles and the king’s children enjoyed all human rights and privileges.Georgia was no exception as well;in the 12th-16th centuries feudalism was the governing system in Georgia and the women’s rights and,in general,rights of human beings were rarely discussed.But in the 12th century in Georgia,the country located in Eastern Europe and South Caucasia,a very interesting fact occurred:unusually for Georgia,a woman became the ruler of the country.It was the first case,when a woman became King of Georgia.She was Tamar.She ruled in 1184-1213.Ruling of Queen Tamar has radically changed the direction of history of Georgia forever.Only the period of her ruling is named“Golden Age”in the history of Georgia.During the period of her ruling,completely unusual decisions were made,that were unusual even for the world of that time:(1).Death penalty was abolished!(2).An authority similar to modern Parliament was formed_so-called Kutlu Arslan Dasi.The King took into account the decisions made by this authority.This fact was evaluated in the history of the world history as the point of reference of the history of Parliamentarism.(3).Georgia was the first country in the world,where a civil war occurred.The peasants’demonstrations of that time are very well studied by law specialists and,considering all criteria,they were assessed as Civil War.We think that Queen Tamar was a leader and a successful female diplomat,whom the whole world should know well.Georgians refer to Tamar as a King(not a Queen).But,in this article we will refer to her as a Queen to highlight her diplomatic skills.

Study on Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes in Middle and Aged Women with Kidney Deficiency and Bone Metabolic Disturbance

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for supplementing Qi, activating blood circulation and tonifying Kidney on prevention and treatment of diabetes in middle and aged women with Kidney Deficiency and bone metabolic disturbance. Methods: Clinical observation was taken in 52 patients, who were divided into two groups, the control group (treated with hypoglycemic agent alone) and the treated group (treated with hypoglycemic agent and CHM). Results: Before treatment, patients in both groups showed obviously higher blood alkaline phosphatase, β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) level, urinary β2-MG, calcium and phosphorus level, but lower serum estradiol level than those in normal subjects. After 3 months' treatment, no apparent change in serum estradiol level was observed, but other parameters were all lowered obviously in the two groups, with the changes revealed more obviously in the treated group. The symptoms of Kidney Deficiency, such as lumbodorsal pain, fatigue, palpitation and vertigo, were improved after treatment, which was also more obviously in the treated group. Conclusion: CHM for supplementing Qi, activating blood circulation and tonifying Kidney was effective in improving Kidney Deficiency and mineral substance loss in bones in middle and aged diabetic women patients. The CHM and western drugs acted synergistically.

Preliminary Report on Early Settlements and Archaeological Materials from Lindi Rural District, Lindi Region, Southeastern Tanzania

This paper presents a preliminary report based on a reconnaissance survey so as to create the basis for further archaeological research works. The reconnaissance was conducted along areas in Mipingo ward north of Lindi town in Lindi Rural district, Lindi Region, Southeastern Tanzania. The reconnaissance work’s main objective was to pinpoint Iron Working, Neolithic and stone industrial techno-complexes (for example, Later Stone Age, Middle Stone Age and Sangoan-like traditions). Specifically, the reconnaissance works sought to identify cultural traditions such as Iron Working, Neolithic as well as Stone Age sequences/facies;to document other cultural heritage resources (movable and immovable, fauna or flora) in the areas;and later on, as a long-term goal after a fully-fledged research is done (after several years of works), to undertake community involvement for conservation as well as carry out presentation of the cultural heritage assets in form of a satellite museum/museums to be linked with the University of Dares Salaam Museum under the Department of Archaeology and Heritage. Normal archaeological survey strategies were employed in the area. The spotted materials were collected and GPS locations were noted. The area showed some potential archaeological remains that merit intensive archaeological research works. Such archaeological materials include ruins, tombs, stone tools and two pieces of pottery. In terms of cultural traditions, there is evidence pointing to Stone Age people from early Stone Age represented by Acheulian Industrial techno-complex followed by Middle Stone Age and Later Stone Age people. Furthermore, though two pieces of pottery were recovered, further intensive works may help to justify Iron Working people lived there. Moreover, remains of a house foundation reported to have been a store of slaves implying to the fact that slavery was not only practiced in Bagamoyo, Zanzibar and other places already reported in Tanzania, but also as far as Southeastern Tanzania, in particular, at Mchinga II and Mchinga II village in Lindi region. The tomb at Namihodi hamlet, Mchinga I village and graves close to the house foundation at Mchinga II villages also justify stay of foreign people, possibly Persians and/or Arabs. Presence of remains of Mosques at Mchinga I and Mchinga II implied that Islam was practiced there about three hundred thousand years ago, a pattern firmly established at other places along coastal Tanzania areas like Kaole, Bagamoyo, Kunduchi, Mbweni, Kilwa and many more places. In addition, indigenous people still undertake their rituals in the area as shown at Mchinga II village and Kilangala A village. The reported ruins at Mchinga I, Mchinga II and Kilangala villages need further research so as to get further insights and undertake community conservation as desired by the proponent.

Relationship between hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in middle and aged population

Objective To explore the relationship between hypertriglyceridemic-waist(HTWC)phenotype and clustering of cardiovascular risk factors in middle and aged population.Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 5 communities of Chengdu city from 2013-10 to 2014-05 and 1004 subjects from(40-79)years of age were investigated.HTWC was de-

Changes in myocardial collagen content before and after left ventricular assist device application in dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to confirm the changes in myocardial collagen level after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), find the relation between these changes and prognosis, and test a practical method to assess the level of myocardial collagen. METHODS: Left ventricular samples were collected from DCM patients with different prognosis (transplanted group n = 8, weaning group n = 10) at the time when the LVADs were implanted and again during cardiac transplantation (n = 8). The level of neutral salt soluble collagen (NSC) and acid soluble collagen (ASC) was measured by Sircol collagen assay, and that of total collagen and insoluble collagen (ISC) by quantification of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Serum samples were collected from a portion of these patients (transplanted group, n = 6; weaning group n = 7) at the time the LVADs were implanted, 1 month after implantation and on explantation. Circulating concentration of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P I CP), amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P I NP), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (P III NP) and type I collagen telopeptide (I CTP) were measured by the equilibrium type radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Before LVAD implantation the level of NSC and ISC in the weaning group was higher but ASC in the transplanted group was lower than in the controls (P

Comparison of time trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer between China and the United States: an age-period-cohort analysis of the Global Burden of Disease 2019

Background::China and the United States(US)ranked first and third in terms of new liver cancer cases and deaths globally in 2020.Therefore,a comprehensive assessment of trends in the incidence of primary liver cancer with four major etiological factors between China and the US during the past 30 years with age-period-cohort(APC)analyses is warranted.Methods::Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019,and period/cohort relative risks were estimated by APC modeling from 1990 to 2019.Results::In 2019,there were 211,000 new liver cancer cases in China and 28,000 in the US,accounting for 39.4%and 5.2%of global liver cancer cases,respectively.For China,the age-standardized incidence rate(ASIR)consecutively decreased before 2005 but increased slightly since then,whereas the ASIR continuously increased in the US.Among the four etiological factors of liver cancer,the fastest reduction in incidence was observed in hepatitis B virus-related liver cancer among Chinese women,and the fastest increase was in nonalcoholic steatosis hepatitis(NASH)-related liver cancer among American men.The greatest reduction in the incidence of liver cancer was observed at the age of 53 years in Chinese men(-5.2%/year)and 33 years in Chinese women(-6.6%/year),while it peaked at 58 years old in both American men and women(4.5%/year vs.2.8%/year).Furthermore,the period risks of alcohol-and NASH-related liver cancer among Chinese men have been elevated since 2013.Simultaneously,leveled-off period risks were observed in hepatitis C viral-related liver cancer in both American men and women.Conclusions::Currently,both viral and lifestyle factors have been and will continue to play an important role in the time trends of liver cancer in both countries.More tailored and efficient preventive strategies should be designed to target both viral and lifestyle factors to prevent and control liver cancer.

Left atrial appendage flow velocity in rheumatic mitral stenosis

The left atrial appendage ( LAA ) has been considered a relatively insignificant portion of the cardiac anatomy. Because thrombi have been found to have a predilection to form within the LAA, a better understanding of the LAA is necessary. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a technique that makes clear imaging of the

Relationship between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in elderly Chinese subjects

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative effects of degree and distribution of body fat with several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in elderly Chinese subjects. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five elderly Chinese individuals (age range, 60-65 y) without any history of significant renal, hepatic or cardiac disease were recruited. Seated blood pressure, anthropometric and fasting plasma biochemical parameters were measured. Student's t-test was used to compare the differences in biochemical and anthropometric markers between cohorts. RESULTS: Males were heavier (64.6 +/- 8.6, 57.2 +/- 8.2kg, P

The effect of folic acid on the development of stomach and other gastrointestinal cancers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of folic acid and beta-carotene in the chemoprevention of gastric and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 216 patients with atrophic gastritis were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: (1) folate (FA, 20 mg per day plus vitamin B(12) 1 mg, intramuscularly, per month for one year, then 20 mg two times a week plus 1 mg per three months for the next year); (2) natural beta-carotene (N-betaC, 30 mg per day for first year, then 30 mg two times a week for the next); (3) synthetic beta-carotene (S-betaC, administered as in N-betaC); and (4) placebo. Follow-ups continued from 1994 to 2001. RESULTS: A total of 7 new cases of gastrointestinal cancers were diagnosed with 3 stomach, 1 colon and 1 esophageal cancers occurring in the placebo group; 1 stomach cancer in both of the N-betaC and S-betaC groups, and no cancer occurring in FA group. In terms of GI cancers, there was a significant reduction in the FA group, compared with the placebo group (P = 0.04). A similar trend was observed in both N-betaC and S-betaC groups (P = 0.07 - 0.08). Taken together, the three intervention groups displayed a highly significant decrease in occurrence (P = 0.004, vs placebo), and a lower risk for GI cancers (OR = 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 - 0.51). For development of gastric cancer, any one of the three active-treated groups did not reach statistically significant reduction. The FA group showed obvious improvement of the gastric mucosal lesions with more patients displaying lesions reversed or stable atrophy and inflammation (P = 0.04), reversed intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.06) at the end of follow-up, and reversed displasia (P = 0.017) at 12 months. Two cases of false jaundice were found in beta-carotene groups with no influence on administration, and no side-effects were reported in FA group. CONCLUSIONS: This trial revealed the interventional effect of folic acid on the development of GI cancers, a similar effect of beta-carotene was also detected. Also, folic acid may be of use to treat atrophic gastritis by preventing or reversing the precancerous lesions.

Association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphisms and variations in lipid levels in patients with coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND: The Taq/B, Msp/ and I405V polymorphisms of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), an important regulatory factor of lipid metabolism, have been attracted much more attention by the researchers. In this study, we investigated the associations between these 3 polymorphisms of CETP gene and variations in plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of 203 CHD patients and 100 control subjects using the salting out method. Genotyping of the CETP gene was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of the Taq/B, MspI, and I405V polymorphisms was similar in the CHD patient group and the control group. The B1B1 genotype of the Taq/B polymorphism was associated with significantly higher TC (P=0.039) and LDL-C (P=0.044) levels than the B2B2 genotype in CHD patients, and with significantly higher LDL-C (P=0.034) levels than the B2B2 genotype in controls. Homozygotes of the I405V polymorphism exhibited significantly higher HDL-C levels than VV homozygotes among control subjects (P=0.023). In male CHD patients with unambiguously assigned haplotypes, B2-M2-V/B2-M2-I patients demonstrated significantly higher HDL-C concentrations than B1-M2-V/B1-M2-I (P=0.023) and B1-M2-V/B1-M2-V patients (P=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variations in the CETP gene may account for a significant proportion of the differences in plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations among the general population. The B1B1 genotype of the Taq/B polymorphism is probably a genetic risk factor for CHD in the study population.

Optimal timing of coronary stenting in unstable angina patients

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of intracoronary stenting in the acute phase of unstable angina pectoris (UAP). METHODS: Fifty-five patients with UAP were randomized to early (Group I, n = 29) and delayed interventional treatment (Group II, n = 26). Coronary angiography and stenting were performed within 48 hours in Group I and 7-10 days later in Group II. Procedural success rate, time interval from admission to angina relief and duration of hospitalization were recorded. Cardiac events within 30 days were observed as well. RESULTS: Clinical characteristics and angiographic features were similar between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the procedural success rate (93% versus 96%), but the cardiac event rate within 30 days was significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (0% versus 9.2%, P