Impacts of Passive Smoking on Learning and Memory Ability of Mouse Offsprings and Intervention by Antioxidants

Objective To determine the impact of passive smoking and the protective effect of antioxidants such as vitamin E and quercetin on learning and memory ability of mouse offsprings. Methods A passive smoking model of pregnant mice was established. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by the water maze test and long term potentiation （LTP）. Nitric oxide （NO）, content, nitric oxide synthase （NOS）, acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activity in brain, vitamin E concentration, and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in serum were determined. The latency period （the time during which the mice swim from the starting position to the ending position） and errors （the number of mice entering the blind end） in control and antioxidant intervention groups were compared with those in the smoke exposure group after 6 days. Results The latency period as well as errors in the air, control diet, tobacco smoke （TS）, and vitamin E diet groups were decreased significantly as compared with the TS and control diet groups （P〈O.05）. LTP was restrained in the TS and control diet groups. LTP in all the antioxidant diet groups was significantly increased compared with the TS and control diet groups. In addition, NOS and acetylcholinesteras （Ache） activitiy was significantly higher in the TS and control diet groups than in the air and control diet group. NO content was not significantly different among the different groups, and significantly lower in the TS and vitamin E diet groups than in the TS group, control diet group, quercetin diet group, and mixture diet group （P〈0.05）. Vitamin E concentration and ROS activity in serum were correlated with the outcome of water maze and LTP. Conclusion Passive smoking reduces LTP formation by disturbing the hippocampus function of mice, by decreasing NOS （especially vitamin E） partially improve the learning and memory smoke during pregnancy. and Ache activity and increasing NO content. Antioxidants ability of offsprings whose mothers are exposed to tobacco

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Huoxue Recipe on Placental Vasculature in Pregnant Rats with Fetal Growth Restriction Induced by Passive Smoking

Interactions of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） with receptors VEGFR1/Fltl and VEGFR2/Flk1, and those of angiopoietins （Ang-1, Ang-2） with receptor Tie2 play important roles in placental angiogenesis. This study investigated vascular morphology and expression of these angiogenic factors in rat placenta on the day 15, 18, 21 of gestation （D 15, D 18 and D21）. The rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups： normal group, model group [fetal growth restriction （FGR） model], and Bushen Tqi Huoxue （BYHR） recipe treatment group （BYHR group, the pregnant rats with FGR were treated with BYHR recipe）. Morphological analysis indicated that during initial villous formation, fetal nucle- ated erythrocytes （FNEs） appeared in maternal blood sinus （MBS）. Subsequently, FNEs were sur- rounded by endothelial cells to form fetal capillary （FC） and then by trophoblast cells to form villi. As pregnancy proceeded, FC density increased progressively with increasing endothelial identification staining （EIS） in normal and BYHR groups. Whereas, villous formation was suppressed, normal in- crease in FC density was impaired and EIS was weakened in model group. Quantitative PCR analysis showed that VEGF and Flkl mRNA increased over gestation in all groups, indicating that VEGF might play a pivotal role in FC growth during late gestation. VEGF mRNA was increased on D15, while de- creased on D21 in model group as compared with normal group and BYHR group. Immunohistochemi- cally, Ang-2 protein was highly expressed in FNEs, gradually disappeared as villi matured, and decreased over gestation in all groups, indicating that Ang-2 might play a pivotal role in villous formation, which was further supported by decreased Ang-2 mRNA and protein expression in model group on D 15. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio increased from D15 to D18 in all groups as placenta matured. Ang-1 mRNA, Tie2 mRNA and Ang-1/Ang-2 ratio were decreased on D18 in model group as compared with normal and BYHR groups, indicating delayed maturity of FGR placenta. Alterations in angiogenic factors may result in altered placental vasculature and cause placental insufficiency. BYHR recipe could balance the angiogenic factors to promote the formation and maturation of FGR placental vasculature.

Association between head-and-neck cancers and active and passive cigarette smoking

Although there have been many reports on the toxicity of tobacco smoke, fewer studies have reported the relationship between the smoke and carcinogenesis of head-and-neck cancers. It is assumed that direct stimulations due to tobacco smoke, such as chemical and mechanical stimulations, strongly influence the epithelium of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and larynx. We investigated the influence of active and passive cigarette smoking on head-and-neck cancers. The subjects were 283 head-and-neck cancer patients examined at the otolaryngology department of Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital in a 9-year and 2-month period from April 2001 to June 2010, in whom the presence or absence of active and passive cigarette smoking could be confirmed in detail. The active and passive smoking rates and the Brinkman index were retrospectively investigated according to the primary cancer site, gender, and histopathological classification. The active and passive smoking rates were high (about 90%) in patients with hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, and cervical esophageal cancers, and the Brinkman index was high in all. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients accounted for a high ratio of the head-and-neck cancer patients, and the active and passive smoking rates were significantly higher in SCC than in non-squamous cell carcinoma (non-SCC) patients (p < 0.0003). The active and passive smoking rates and the Brinkman index were high in patients with head-and-neck cancers in regions receiving strong direct stimulation from tobacco smoke, and the Brinkman index was also high in these patients, suggesting that carcinogenesis of head-and-neck cancers is strongly influenced by direct tobacco smoke stimulation.

Passive Smoking and Other Principal Risk Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality is one of the most public health problems in the world. A lot of neonatal deaths occur in foetus with low birth weight (LBW). Several risk factors of LBW have been described in the literature such as maternal age, chronic and gestational hypertension infection and anémia. Smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factor of LBW in developed and developing countries. Aims: In this study, we evaluated the incidence and the impact of passive smoking and some other principle risk factors of LBW. Material & Methods: This case control study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Marrakesh university hospital in Morocco. During a period of 3 years, all LBW babies were included in the study. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software. The association between LBW and each variable was studied by the chi square test comparing cases and controls groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed after including all variables found to have significant differences on univariate analysis. Results: 288 cases of LBW have been identified representing 2.19% of all births. The study of the categories showed that 84.3% of babies were moderate LBW (1500 - 2500 g), including 49 babies from twin pregnancies. 15.7% were very LBW (<1500 g). Several risk factors have been identified in LBW. Passive smoking was significantly associated with LBW [(OR 1.77;CI: 1.22 - 2.25)]. Conclusion: A number of risk factors are related to low birth weight, which is one of the main predictors of infant mortality. This study shows that passive smoking is one of those risk factors and it is a preventable one.

Effect of "Jia Wei Fo Shou San" on Erythrocyte Membrane Calcium,Zinc Concentration in Pregnant Rats with Asymmetrical Intrauterine Growth Retardation Induced by Passive Smoking

Using experimental model of pregnant rats with asymmetrical intrauterine fetal growth retardation induced by passive smoking, the effects of natural herb 'Jia Wei Fo Shou San' on erythrocyte membrane calcium, zinc concentration were observed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results showed that the mean fetal birth weight, zinc concentration of erythrocyte membrane were found to be decreased in the model group as compared with the control group (P＜0. 01, P＜0. 01). On the other hand, the element of calcium onto erythrocyte membrane were higher in model group than that in control group(P＜0. 05). These changes were significantly mild in the treated group and were similar to those of the control group (P＜0.05). Furthermore,our findings indicated that the zinc concentration of erythrocyte membrane seems to be positively correlated with the birth weight(P＜0. 01). Calcium composition of red cell membrane showed a significant negative relation to the birth weight (P＜0.05). Our results provided an experimental evidence that normal concentrations of calcium and zinc onto erythrocyte play an important part in fetal growth. One of the mechanisms of 'Jia Wei Fo Shou San' in improving fetal growth may have something to do with modulation of erythrocyte calcium,zinc element,thereby protecting bio-functions of erythrocyte and promoting blood circulation.

Passive Smoking and Infectious Disease: A Serious Hazard for Cardiovascular System

Exposure to passive smoking is usually associated with heavy changes in both function and structure of the cardiovascular system at different levels: coronary circulation, heart metabolism, myocardial muscle. These changes may be transient but may have characteristics of irreversibility. Major determinant of cardiovascular alterations is hypoxia due to tobacco products of the environment although a large number of alterations affect immune t-cells and antibody response. All infectious diseases which involve cardiovascular system, including some tropical patterns, particularly Chagas disease, are adversely influenced as a consequence of a continuous although irregular exposure to passive smoking, which worsens the degree of cardiac muscle alterations at different levels like myocardium, coronary arteries and both these structures. Therefore, exposure to passive smoking must be avoided for those individuals suffering from infectious diseases of the heart whatever factor can be responsible.

The Impact of Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigs) Smoking Habit on Periodontal Status and Salivary pH among Some Passive e-Cigs Smokers Referred to the College of Dentistry Clinics, King Khalid University

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigs) smoking is substitutional to traditional cigarette smoking to reduce the dangerous combustion of products. Moreover, passive smoking is involuntarily tobacco smoking due to the exposure to cigarette or tobacco smoke among non-smokers and due to there being little knowledge about the impact of passive e-cigs smoking on periodontal status and salivary pH. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of e-cigs smoking habit on periodontal tissue and salivary pH among some passive e-cigs smokers referred to the college of dentistry clinics, King Khalid University. Material and Methods: Ninety male participants who were referred to the college of dentistry clinics at King Khalid University were included in the study. Age, gender, e-cigs smoking, and general health were recorded. The participants were divided into three equal groups (n = 30) as follows: Group I (Non-passive e-cigs smokers and non-smokers) as the control group, Group II (e-cigs users), and Group III (Passive e-cigs smokers). Salivary pH, plaque control record (PCR), gingival bleeding index (GBI), clinical attachment loss (CAL), percentage of radiographic bone loss (% RBL), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), more than 5 missing teeth due to periodontal diseases (>5 MTDP), tooth mobility (TM), furcation involvement (FI), Bite collapse (BC), and less than 20 remaining teeth (10 Opposing pairs) (L20RT) as well as HbA1c were recorded. ANOVA test was used to the comparison between Groups I, II, and III in the participants’ ages and periodontitis staging clinical findings. The mean of participants’ age groups, the mean of salivary pH values of study groups, and the periodontitis staging complexity and HbA1c were compared between groups with the ANOVA test, Tukey’s test, and the chi-square test. P-value was recorded, and less than 0.5 was considered a statistically significant difference (p Results: The e-cigs users group revealed higher means of PCR, GBI %RBL values, and the participants percentages of >5 MTDP, TM, FI, L20RT, and diabetes mellitus (DM) among participants compared to the passive e-cigs smokers group and control group except for the participants percentage of BC among the participants, which was higher among the control group participants. The differences were not significant in PCR, GBI, %RBL and DM (p > 0.5) and significant in >5 MTDP, TM, FI, L20RT and smoking (p 7% values compared to the e-cigs users group and control group participants. The differences were not significant in CAL and PPD (p > 0.5) and significant in the participants percentages of salivary pH values (p Conclusion: The e-cigs smoking habit was the cause of an increase in periodontal disease severity among the electronic smokers rather than passive e-cigs smokers, although the salivary pH was higher in the latter.

Stability Analysis of Chain, Mild and Passive Smoking Model

In this paper, the global stability of free smoking equilibrium point was evaluated and presented graphically. The linear stability of a developed mathematical model illustrates the effect on the population of chain, mild and passive smokers. MATLAB programming was used to simulate the solutions, the reproduction number R0 and the nature of the equilibria.

Socio-economic and Psychosocial Determinants of Smoking and Passive Smoking in Older Adults

Objective To determine the associations of socio-economic and psychosocial factors with active and passive smoking in older adults. Methods Using a standard interview method, we examined random samples of 6071 people aged 〉 60 years in 5 provinces of China during 2007-2009. Results World age-standardised prevalence for current and former smoking in men was 45.6% and 20.5%, and in women 11.1% and 4.5%. Current smoking reduced with older age but increased with men, low socioeconomic status （SES）, alcohol drinking, being never-married, pessimistic and depressive syndromes. Former smoking was associated with men, secondary school education, a middle-high income, being a businessman, being widowed, less frequencies of visiting children/relatives and friends, and worrying about children. Among 3774 never-smokers, the prevalence of passive smoking was 31.5%, and the risk increased with women, low SES, alcohol drinking, being married, having a religious believe, and daily visiting children/relatives. There were sex differences in the associations, and an interaction effect of education and income on smoking and passive smoking. Conclusion Older Chinese had a higher level of smoking and passive smoking than those in high income countries, reflecting China＇s failures in controlling smoking. The associations with low SES and different psychosocial aspects and sex differences suggest preventative strategies for active and passive smoking.

Passive Smoking and Children’s Health

Tabagism is one of the greatest public health problems at the present time because this is the most important cause of preventabel deaths worldwide. Due to its impact on the health and welfare of all, the act of smoking causes problems for society, including that children, without being able to enjoy the freedom of choice, eventually become compulsory passive smokers since its conception. This article presents the main damages caused by smoking to human health, especially on children, who, because of their characteristics are more vulnerable to the effects of products derived from cigarette burns, mainly the effects of nicotine, carbon monoxide and more than 4700 substances produced by smoking. Also it highlights the importance that all efforts are directed towards protecting nonsmokers and improving environmental and health conditions for everyone.

Smoking and Passive Smoking

Objective:To review the literature on associations between cardiovascular diseases and tobacco use,including recent trends in smoking behaviors and clinical approaches for cessation of smoking.Methods:A literature review of recent scientifi c fi ndings for smoking and cardiovascular diseases and recommendations for obtaining cessation.Results:Tobacco smoking is causally related to cardiovascular disease,with nearly a half million deaths annually attributed to cigarette smoking in the United States.The human,economic,medical,and indirect costs are enormous.Secondhand smoke as inhaled from the environment also plays an important role in the genesis of cardiovascular diseases.A recent trend in the use of e-cigarettes is noted particularly among youth.For children,prevention is the best strategy.For adult smokers,behavioral treatments,self-help approaches,and pharmacologic therapies are readily available.Clinicians can have a signifi cant impact on patients’smoking habits.Adding to individual strategies,regulatory community and public health approaches provide the potential for eliminating the use of tobacco.Conclusion:Tobacco smoke causes cardiovascular morbidity and death.Clinicians can play a role in preventing smoking and promoting cessation.

Effect of Huoxuequyu Recipe on Erythrocyte Ultrastructure and Membrane ATPase Activity in Rats with Passive Smoking

The effect of 'Huoxuequyu' recipe on erythrocyte membrane Ca2+ATPase activity, Na+-K+-ATPase activity and erythrocyte ultrastructure in rats exposed to passive smoking were observed. The erythrocyte membrane Ca2+-ATPase activity and Na+-K+-ATPase activity were found to be decreased in the model group as compared with the control group (P<0.01, P<0.01), while no significant difference existed between the treated group and the control group (P>0.05). Our results also showed that there were more deformed red blood cells in model group than in control group under TCM and SEM (P<0.0001). No significant difference was found between control group and treated group (P>0.05). Furthermore,these findings indicated that 'Huoxuequyu' recipe , a prepared natural herbal medicine, may be involved in modulation of the activity of erythrocyte membrane enzymes,thereby protecting erythrocyte membrane, so as to improve the erythrocyte function.

Active and passive smoking with breast cancer risk for Chinese females: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous studies suggested that smoking and passive smoking could increase the risk of breast cancer, but the results were inconsistent, especially for Chinese females. Thus, we systematically searched cohort and case-control studies investigating the associations of active and passive smoking with breast cancer risk among Chinese females in four English databases(PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Wiley) and three Chinese databases(CNKI, WanFang, and VIP). Fifty-one articles(3 cohort studies and 48 casecontrol studies) covering 17 provinces of China were finally included in this systematic review. Among Chinese females, there was significant association between passive smoking and this risk of breast cancer [odds ratio(OR): 1.62; 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.39–1.85; I2 = 75.8%, P < 0.001; n = 26] but no significant association between active smoking and the risk of breast cancer(OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.89–1.20; I2 = 13.9%, P = 0.248; n = 31). The OR of exposure to husband's smoking and to smoke in the workplace was 1.27(95% CI: 1.07–1.50) and 1.66(95% CI: 1.07–2.59), respectively. The OR of light and heavy passive smoking was 1.11 and 1.41, respectively, for women exposed to their husband's smoke(< 20 and ≥ 20 cigarettes per day), and 1.07 and 1.87, respectively, for those exposed to smoke in the workplace(< 300 and ≥ 300 min of exposure per day). These results imply that passive smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and the risk seems to increase as the level of passive exposure to smoke increases among Chinese females. Women with passive exposure to smoke in the workplace have a higher risk of breast cancer than those exposed to their husband's smoking.

Ultrastructural changes in embryoic neuroepithelial cells caused by passive smoking in golden hamsters at different periods of pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Tobacco smoke exposure is recognized as a health risk for pregnant women and it is increasingly evident that tobacco smoke affects the development of brain. Recently, associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and subsequent mental health problems in offspring have been reported. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of passive smoking on the morphology of nerve tissues and the ultrastructure of neuroepithelial cells during embryogenesis in golden hamster at different pregnant period. DESIGN： A randomized control study. SETTING： Department of Histology and embryology, Qingdao University. MATERIALS： Adult golden hamsters, including 40 males and 40 females that had not delivered, weighing （105±5） g, were provided by Shenyang Changsheng Biotechnology, Co.,Ltd. At 20 ： 00 - 21 ： 00, one male and one female were matched in each cage, and their mating was observed. The vaginal swabs were examined the next day and the day of positive sperm was taken as embryonic day 1 （E1）. METHODS： The experiment was completed in the Department of Histology and Embryology of Qingdao University from September 2001 to September 2003. （1） Abnormality caused by smoking, grouping and model establishment： A total of 40 healthy pregnant golden hamsters were randomly divided into control group （n =20） and experimental group （n =20）. The hamsters in the experimental group were exposed to tobacco smoke from embryonic day 4 to 7, 3 times per day, continuously 1 hour per time, 1 cigarette per golden hamster, for 4 consecutive days in the self-made chamber. The animals in the control group were given the same conditions as those in the experimental group except exposure to smoke. （2） Observation with transmission electron microscope： According to different gestational ages, the experimental group and the control group were all divided 4 subgroups （Groups A, B, C and D） respectively, and 5 hamsters in each subgroup. The pregnant golden hamsters were anaesthetized with 1 g/L pentobarbital sodium at 12 ： 00 and 18 ： 00 at E8, 8 ： 00 at E9 and 8 ： 00 at E10, and all the pregnant uteruses were divulsed under the stereomicroscope. The development of the neural plate, neural groove and neural tube were observed. Meanwhile, the amount of normal embryos and abnormal embryos including the neural tube defect ratios were recorded. （3） Electron microscopic specimen preparation and observation： Three embryos of each group ad libtium were fixed. The alternations of neuroepithelial ultrastrnctures were observed with transmission and scanning electron microscopes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） The incidences of abnormality of nervous system development were observed under stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope in smoking group and the control group; （2） Alternations of neuroepithelial ultrastructures were observed with transmission electron microscope. RESULTS： All the 40 pregnant golden hamsters were involved in the final analysis. （1） Manifestations and incidence of nervous system dysplasia： Passive smoking could induce dymorphogenesis during neurnlation, which mainly presented as growth retardation, spina bifida and failure of formation of neural tubes; The incidences of the nervous system dysplasia in the experimental groups [20%（10/49）, 27%（14/51）, 32% （19/59）, 27% （17/63）] were higher than those in the corresponding control groups [0. 2% （1/57）, 4% （2/53）, 4% （2/52）, P 〈 0.01]. （2） Histomorphological changes at different time points after spermatiation observed with transmission and scanning electron microscopes： In the control group, the embryos formed C-shape columned embryos, anterior and posterior neuropores were all closure at 10 ： 00 on E10; In the experimental group, unfused anterior and posterior neuropores still could be found, and some embryos presented spina bifida at 10 ： 00 on E10. In the control group, neuroepithelial cell arranged tidily and closely, the boundary of the cells was clear, the flee surface of neuroepithelial had a mass of long and regular microvillus, and the surface of mesenchymal cell around the neuroepithelium had many processes which mutually related at 12 ： 00 on E8. In the experimental group, the neuroepithelial cells arranged irregularly and the intercellular spaces became wide at 12 ： 00 on E8. The apical portion of many neuroepithelial cells bulged into the lumen and many microvilli were shorted and swollen. The quantity of the microvillus reduced gradually, evenly disappeared with the increasing of gestational age at 18：00 on E8. Under transmission electron microscope, the neuroepithelial cells in experimental embryos arranged irregularly. There were many visible materials in the intercellular space which increased the breadth and anomaly. It was apparent that passive smoking evoked major alterations in neuroepithelial cytoarchitecture. Junctional complex reduced. Many microvilli were shorted and swollen, even the apical portion of many neuroepithelial cells bulged, and abscised into the lumen. A lot of vacuolation appeared in the cytoplasm of neuroepithelia and mesenchymal cell around the neuroepithelium. The cristae of mitochondria reduced even disappeared, and some mitochondria became elongate. Irregular nuclear, increased heterochromatin and karyopycnosis/karyorrhexis were observed easily. Perinuclear cisternae partially swelled and embraced tangible material （maybe the material from nuclear）. Some death cells separated into a lot of apoptotic bodies. Some apoptotic bodies were found in the cytoplasm of other healthy-looking or healthy cells. CONCLUSION： Passive smoking may induce degeneration, apoptosis, and cells loss in the neural epithelium, thereby result in failure of formation and differentiation of neural tube. It is an important way by which passive smoking caused neural tube defects.

Low-energy-consumption temperature swing system for CO_(2) capture by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating

Temperature-swing adsorption(TSA)is an effective technique for CO_(2) capture,but the temperature swing procedure is energy-intensive.Herein,we report a low-energy-consumption system by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating for the uptake of CO_(2) on commercial activated carbons(CACs).During adsorption,the adsorbents are coated with a layer of hierarchically porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene)[P(VdF-HFP)HP],which cools the adsorbents to a low temperature under sunlight through radiative cooling.For desorption,CACs with broad absorption of the solar spectrum are exposed to light irradiation for heating.The heating and cooling processes are completely driven by solar energy.Adsorption tests under mimicked sunlight using the CACs show that the performance of this system is comparable to that of the traditional ones.Furthermore,under real sunlight irradiation,the adsorption capacity of the CACs can be well maintained after multiple cycles.The present work may inspire the development of new temperature swing procedures with little energy consumption.

Does Smoking Weaken the Immune System: A Narrative Review

Smoking has a complex impact on the immune system, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. It can exacerbate pathogenic immune responses and attenuate defensive immunity, leading to a higher susceptibility to infections and certain diseases. The chemicals in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, can alter immune cell functions and inflammatory responses. Smoking can also have long-term effects on the immune system, with some changes persisting even after quitting [1]. According to a Penn Medicine Physician, the Medical Oncologist Dr. David Porter, “People who are smokers tend to get sicker from infections”, “It may be that smoking impacts the immune system’s ability to respond appropriately”. Thus, such individuals within smoking exposure history might be considered as immunocompromised due to the altered and weakened immune system. Cigarette smoking is a prevalent habit with far-reaching health implications. Among its many adverse effects, smoking significantly alters the immune system’s functionality [1].

Exploring the Impact of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking on Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Objective: Utilizing Mendelian Randomization, this study employs Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables to explore the causal relationships between bibulosity, smoking, and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Methods: GWAS data for bibulosity, smoking, and POAG were obtained from the Social Science Genetic Association Consortium website and the IEU OpenGWAS Project website, respectively. Using a P-value threshold of −8, a linkage disequilibrium coefficient (r2) of 0.001, and a linkage disequilibrium region width of 10,000 kb, the data were aggregated, resulting in 6 SNPs for bibulosity and 253 SNPs for smoking. Three regression models, MR-Egger, Weighted Median Estimator (WME), and Random-Effects Inverse-Variance Weighted (IVW) were applied to analyze the causal impact of bibulosity and smoking on POAG. Results: The GWAS data for alcohol consumption and smoking were derived from European populations, while the GWAS data for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) were sourced from East Asian populations, with no gender restrictions. Analysis using three different regression models revealed that neither excessive alcohol consumption nor smoking significantly increased the risk of developing POAG. Specifically, the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the alcohol consumption group were 0.854 (0.597 - 1.221) in MR-Egger regression, 0.922 (0.691 - 1.231) in WME regression, and 0.944 (0.711 - 1.252) in IVW regression. For the smoking group, the odds ratios were 1.146 (0.546 - 2.406) in MR-Egger regression, 0.850 (0.653 - 1.111) in WME regression, and 0.939 (0.780 - 1.131) in IVW regression. Given the significant heterogeneity in the SNPs associated with smoking, the focus was primarily on the results from the IVW regression model. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption and smoking are not significant risk factors for the development of POAG.

Limit state analysis of rigid retaining structures against seismically induced passive failure in heterogeneous soils

Soils are not necessarily uniform and may present linearly varied or layered characteristics,for example the backfilled soils behind rigid retaining walls.In the presence of large lateral thrust imposed by arch bridge,passive soil failure is possible.A reliable prediction of passive earth pressure for the design of such wall is challenging in complicated soil strata,when adopting the conventional limit analysis method.In order to overcome the challenge for generating a kinematically admissible velocity field and a statically allowable stress field,finite element method is incorporated into limit analysis,forming finiteelement upper-bound(FEUB)and finite-element lower-bound(FELB)methods.Pseudo-static,original and modified pseudo-dynamic approaches are adopted to represent seismic acceleration inputs.After generating feasible velocity and stress fields within discretized elements based on specific criteria,FEUB and FELB formulations of seismic passive earth pressure(coefficient K_(P))can be derived from work rate balance equation and stress equilibrium.Resorting to an interior point algorithm,optimal upper and lower bound solutions are obtained.The proposed FEUB and FELB procedures are well validated by limit equilibrium as well as lower-bound and kinematic analyses.Parametric studies are carried out to investigate the effects of influential factors on seismic K_(P).Notably,true solution of K_(P) is well estimated based on less than 5%difference between FEUB and FELB solutions under such complex scenarios.

LFM Radar Source Passive Localization Algorithm Based on Range Migration

Traditional single-satellite passive localization algorithms are influenced by frequency and angle measurement accuracies,resulting in error estimation of emitter position on the order of kilometers.Subsequently,a single-satellite localization algorithm based on passive synthetic aper-ture(PSA)was introduced,enabling high-precision positioning.However,its estimation of azimuth and range distance is considerably affected by the residual frequency offset(RFO)of uncoopera-tive system transceivers.Furthermore,it requires data containing a satellite flying over the radia-tion source for RFO search.After estimating the RFO,an accurate estimation of azimuth and range distance can be carried out,which is difficult to achieve in practical situations.An LFM radar source passive localization algorithm based on range migration is proposed to address the dif-ficulty in estimating frequency offset.The algorithm first provides a rough estimate of the pulse repetition time(PRT).It processes intercepted signals through range compression,range interpola-tion,and polynomial fitting to obtain range migration observations.Subsequently,it uses the changing information of range migration and an accurate PRT to formulate a system of nonlinear equations,obtaining the emitter position and a more accurate PRT through a two-step localization algorithm.Frequency offset only induces a fixed offset in range migration,which does not affect the changing information.This algorithm can also achieve high-precision localization in squint scenar-ios.Finally,the effectiveness of this algorithm is verified through simulations.