RESUMEN

In this study, non-thermal plasma (NTP) was employed to modify the Cu/TiO2 adsorbent to efficiently purify H2S in low-temperature and micro-oxygen environments. The effects of Cu loading amounts and atmospheres of NTP treatment on the adsorption-oxidation performance of the adsorbents were investigated. The NTP modification successfully boosted the H2S removal capacity to varying degrees, and the optimized adsorbent treated by air plasma (Cu/TiO2-Air) attained the best H2S breakthrough capacity of 113.29 mg H2S/gadsorbent, which was almost 5 times higher than that of the adsorbent without NTP modification. Further studies demonstrated that the superior performance of Cu/TiO2-Air was attributed to increased mesoporous volume, more exposure of active sites (CuO) and functional groups (amino groups and hydroxyl groups), enhanced Ti-O-Cu interaction, and the favorable ratio of active oxygen species. Additionally, the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the main reason for the deactivation was the consumption of the active components (CuO) and the agglomeration of reaction products (CuS and SO42-) occupying the active sites on the surface and the inner pores of the adsorbents.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Late-life depression, often accompanied by cognitive impairment, poses significant clinical challenges owing to its complex etiology and diverse manifestations. While antidepressants like venlafaxine and anxiolytics such as buspirone are effective for treating depression, their effects on cognitive function remain less well-understood. With the aging population increasingly experiencing geriatric depression, there is an urgent need for innovative treatment approaches that address both depressive symptoms and cognitive impairments. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combined buspirone and venlafaxine therapy in elderly patients diagnosed with geriatric depression accompanied by cognitive impairment. METHODS: A 12-week, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 170 elderly patients. Participants were randomized into two groups: one receiving venlafaxine alone (control group) and the other receiving a combination of venlafaxine and buspirone (experimental group). The primary analysis was performed using an Intent-to-Treat (ITT) approach with mixed-effects linear models to assess changes in depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and anxiety levels. A supplementary Per-Protocol (PP) analysis, utilizing repeated measures ANOVA, was also conducted. RESULTS: The ITT analysis showed that the combination therapy significantly reduced depressive symptoms, as indicated by the HAMD-17 scores (p = 0.033 at week 12). Cognitive function, as measured by MoCA scores, also improved significantly in the experimental group by week 12 (p = 0.025). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in anxiety reduction between the groups (p = 0.127). The PP analysis confirmed these findings, demonstrating consistent improvements in depressive symptoms and cognitive function, particularly in those who completed the full course of treatment. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between groups, primarily mild and manageable symptoms like dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue. CONCLUSION: The combination of buspirone and venlafaxine was found to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing cognitive function in elderly patients with geriatric depression. However, the long-term benefits, especially regarding anxiety reduction, require further investigation. Future studies should consider larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and the inclusion of placebo controls to fully assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment approach.

RESUMEN

Objective: Evaluate the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Methods: Articles of SGLT2i on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were searched. Two authors independently screened the literature, extracted the data, assessed the quality of the study and performed statistical analyses using Review Manager 5.4. Results: Random-effect model was used to merge the OR values, and the pooled effect showed that SGLT2i had significant preventive effects on cardiovascular death (OR=0.76, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.89), myocardial infarction (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.84 to 0.96), heart failure (OR=0.69, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.74) and all-cause mortality (OR=0.65, 95%CI 0.58 to 0.73). Empagliflozin, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin all reduced the incidence of heart failure (OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.82; OR=0.56, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.80; OR=0.62, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.73), but only dapagliflozin displayed a favorable effect on inhibiting stroke (OR=0.78, 95%CI 0.63 to 0.98). SGLT2i could prevent stroke (OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.75 to 0.99), heart failure (OR=0.63, 95%CI 0.56 to 0.70) and all-cause mortality (OR=0.64, 95%CI 0.57 to 0.72) compared to DPP-4i. Furthermore, SGLT2i could reduce the incidence of heart failure (OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.67 to 0.77) and cardiovascular death (OR=0.72, 95%CI 0.54 to 0.95) in patients with high-risk factors. Conclusions: SGLT2i affects cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, heart failure and all-cause mortality. Only dapagliflozin displayed a favorable effect on inhibiting stroke. SGLT2i could prevent stroke, heart failure and all-cause mortality compared to DPP-4i. In addition, SGLT2i significantly reduced the development of heart failure and cardiovascular death in patients with high-risk factors. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42024532783.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a catalytic subunit of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) complex, is a global transcriptional elongation factor associated with cell proliferation. CDK9 activity is regulated by certain histone acetyltransferases, such as p300, GCN5 and P/CAF. However, the impact of males absent on the first (MOF) (also known as KAT8 or MYST1) on CDK9 activity has not been reported. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of MOF on CDK9. We present evidence from systematic biochemical assays and molecular biology approaches arguing that MOF interacts with and acetylates CDK9 at the lysine 35 (i.e. K35) site, and that this acetyl-group can be removed by histone deacetylase HDAC1. Notably, MOF-mediated acetylation of CDK9 at K35 promotes the formation of the P-TEFb complex through stabilizing CDK9 protein and enhancing its association with cyclin T1, which further increases RNA polymerase II serine 2 residues levels and global transcription. Our study reveals for the first time that MOF promotes global transcription by acetylating CDK9, providing a new strategy for exploring the comprehensive mechanism of the MOF-CDK9 axis in cellular processes.

RESUMEN

Soil moisture is a key factor for vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid regions. Clarifying the vertical characteristics of soil moisture in artificial forests on a regional scale and its response mechanisms can benefit for land use management in water-deficient areas such as the Loess Plateau. The study targets Robinia pseudoacacia on the Loess Plateau with a meta-analysis based on 790 soil moisture data points abstracted from 35 published papers. The results show that extensive cultivation of R pseudoacacia on the Loess Plateau leads to a significant reduction in soil moisture (P < 0.05). Soil moisture decreases significantly with growth of trees, especially between 400 and 500 cm soil layers. Soil moisture increases with the hydrothermal gradient. The results indicate that intensive afforestation activities in high temperature and rainy areas still significantly consume deep soil moisture. The main reason is that the impact of hydrothermal factors on soil moisture is significant between 0 and 200 cm soil layers and decreases with increasing soil depth. However, the continuous depletion of deep soil moisture leads to insignificant differences in soil moisture responses under different topographical conditions in the region. Therefore, neglecting the impact of forest age and hydrothermal factors on soil moisture in afforestation activities, the excessive water consumption by R pseudoacacia during growth poses potential risks to the ecological environment of the Loess Plateau. This study provides references for knowledge on water relating problems and sustainable management of artificial forests in arid and semi-arid areas.

RESUMEN

Interception loss (IL) is an important process in the hydrological cycle within semi-arid forest ecosystems, directly affecting the amount of effective rainfall. However, the factors influencing IL during individual rainfall events remain to be quantified. This study collected rainfall, vegetation, and interception data during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in a typical black locust forest within the Zhifanggou watershed. It employed the Random Forest Regression (RFR) and back-propagation neural network (BPNN) methods to quantitatively evaluate the contribution rates of various factors to the IL and interception loss percentage (ILP). The IL among the 48 effective rainfall events was 172.05 mm, accounting for 19.54% of the rainfall amount. IL and ILP increased as the distance from the trunk decreased. During all rainfall events, both IL and ILP were significantly negatively correlated with the leaf area index (LAI) and canopy cover (CC); IL is significantly positively correlated with total rainfall (TR) and rainfall intensity (RI), while ILP is significantly negatively correlated with TR, RI, and rainfall duration (RD). The BPNN and RFR results indicated that rainfall, canopy, and tree characteristics contributed 43.06%, 44.79%, and 12.15% to IL, respectively, and 57.27%, 34.09%, and 8.63% to ILP, respectively. TR, CC, and LAI represented the primary influencing factors. Rainfall and canopy characteristics were the main factors affecting IL (ILP). As rainfall event magnitude increases, canopy contributions to IL and ILP decrease. In semi-arid areas, managing forest canopies to control IL helps address water imbalances in ecosystems.

RESUMEN

Laizhou Bay, a major breeding ground for economic marine organisms in the northern waters of China, is facing rapid environmental degradation. In this study, field surveys in this area were conducted in the spring, summer, and autumn of 2020. Microscopic observation and RuBisCO large subunit (rbcL) gene analysis were employed to understand the community structure and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton. The phytoplankton community structures detected by the two methods showed significant differences. Microscopic observation revealed the dominance of dinoflagellates in spring that shifted to the dominance of diatoms in summer and autumn. However, rbcL gene sequencing consistently identified diatoms as dominant throughout all three seasons, with their relative abundance showing an increasing trend. Conversely, the relative abundance of the second- and third-most abundant taxa, namely, haptophytes and ochrophytes, decreased as the seasons transitioned. rbcL gene sequencing annotated more species than microscopy. It could detect haptophytes and cryptophytes, which were overlooked by microscopy. In addition, rbcL gene sequencing detected a remarkable amount of Thalassiosira profunda, which was previously unidentified in this sea area. However, it appeared to underestimate the contribution of dinoflagellates considerably, with most taxa being only identified through microscopic identification. The two methods jointly identified 28 harmful algal bloom taxa with similar detection quantities but substantial differences in species composition. Phytoplankton communities were influenced by temperature, salinity, and nutrients. The results of this work suggest that a combination of multiple techniques is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of phytoplankton.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with severe kyphotic deformity can cause the trunk to collapse, pressing tightly against the front of the thighs and forming a "folded man" deformity. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a treatment strategy for correcting the "folded man" deformity. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze 12 AS patients with "folded man" deformity treated at our hospital with staged kyphosis correction in the lateral position, followed by total hip arthroplasty, from May 2018 to July 2021. Global kyphosis (GK), thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), chin-brow vertical angle (CBVA), and Scoliosis Research Society-22 Patient Questionnaire (SRS-22) scores were compared pre- and post-operation. Surgical duration, positioning time, blood loss, and complications were also recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: All patients demonstrated a correction of the "folded man" deformity, achieving sagittal balance and horizontal gaze with mild complications. Postoperatively, there were significant improvements in spinal sagittal parameters (GK, TK, LL, SVA) and CBVA compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05). The preoperative GK of 139.6 ± 9.1° was corrected to 55.3 ± 5.7° postoperatively,with a mean correction of 84.3°. CONCLUSION: The standardized treatment strategy involving staged correction of spinal kyphosis in a lateral position, followed by subsequent total hip arthroplasty, offers a safe and effective solution for managing ankylosing spondylitis with "folded man" deformity.

RESUMEN

Polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) represent a promising novel treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with encouraging results. However, the combination targets in CRPC remain largely unexplored. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been shown to play a crucial role in cancer progression and DNA damage response. Here, we observed a higher overall level of m6A and a downregulation of Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), which correlated with unfavorable clinicopathological parameters in prostate cancer (PCa). Functionally, reduced FTO promotes PCa growth, while overexpression of FTO has the opposite effect. Mechanistically, FOXO3a was identified as the downstream target of FTO in PCa. FTO downregulates the expression of FOXO3a in an m6A-dependent manner, leading to the degradation of its mRNA. Importantly, DNA damage can degrade FTO through the ubiquitination pathway. Finally, we found that overexpression of FTO can enhance the effect of PARPi on PCa. Therefore, our findings may provide insight into novel therapeutic approaches for CRPC.

RESUMEN

The asymmetric rearrangement of allylic sulfilimines is an effective route to synthetic attractive targets such as allylic sulfenamides and others. The current methods are limited to chirality transfer from chiral allylic sulfilimine precursors. Herein, we report a general and fundamentally new rearrangement route accessing optically enriched allylic sulfenamides and their derivatives. The process involves a S-alkylation and an unusual S-to-N rearrangement step. The chiral nickel complex enables the transformation of a broad scope of sulfenamides and vinyl α-diazo pyrazoleamides under mild conditions. Various allylic sulfenamides have been synthesized with excellent γ-regioselectivity and enantioselectivity, which can be efficiently converted to sulfinamide and 4-aminobutenoic acid derivatives. In addition, DFT calculations demonstrate the connection between the spin state and conformation of nickel vinyl carbenoid, as well as an unknown rearrangement process.

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 85% of liver cancer cases and is the third leading cause of cancer death. Regorafenib is a multi-target inhibitor that dramatically prolongs progression-free survival in HCC patients who have failed sorafenib therapy. However, one of the primary factors limiting regorafenib's clinical utilization is toxicity. Using Clinical Trials.gov and PubMed, we gathered clinical data on regorafenib and conducted a extensive analysis of the medication's adverse reactions and mechanisms. Next, we suggested suitable management techniques to improve regorafenib's effectiveness. AREAS COVERED: We have reviewed the mechanisms by which regorafenib-induced toxicity occurs and general management strategies through clinical trials of regorafenib. Furthermore, by examining the literature on regorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibition, we summarized the mechanics of the onset of regorafenib toxicity and mechanism-based intervention strategies by reviewing the literature related to regorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibition. EXPERT OPINION: One of the primary factors restricting regorafenib's clinical utilization and combination therapy is its toxicity reactions. To optimize regorafenib treatment regimens, it is especially important to further understand the specific toxicity mechanisms of regorafenib as a multi-kinase inhibitor.

RESUMEN

Objective: Precise prediction of the occurrence of complicated perianal abscesses (PAs) in monkeypox (mpox)-infected patients is important for therapeutic optimization. This study sought to identify risk factors of complicated PA. Methods: A total of 48 patients with mpox infection (PA group, n = 10; non-PA (NPA) group, n = 38) were enrolled in our study, who were hospitalized in Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, China from 29 June to 3 September 2023. The data of demographic characteristics, and clinical symptoms, serum SAA, PCT, CRP, and IL-6 levels were collected by the Electronic Medical Record. The diagnostic values of these biomarkers were assessed using multivariate logistic regression and ROC curve analyses. Results: A decrease in serum IL-6, SAA, and CRP levels (all p-value < 0.05), but not PCT, was observed in all mpox-infected patients. A significant positive correlation was also noted between IL-6, SAA, CRP, and PCT levels (all p-value < 0.05). There was a significant increase in IL-6 and SAA levels and the SAA/CRP ratio in serum samples from patients in the PA group. Multivariate logistic regression and ROC curve analyses identified that the combined use of perianal symptoms and SAA was more sensitive than perianal symptoms or SAA alone as predictors of complicated PA. This combination had the highest predictive value for disease progression, with an AUC of 0.920 (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The combination of perianal symptoms and SAA levels was strongly linked to the occurrence of complicated PA in mpox-infected patients. These findings may inform the early diagnosis of this patient population.

RESUMEN

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are typical one-dimensional nanomaterials which have been widely studied for more than three decades since 1991 because of their excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Among various types of CNTs, the ultralong CNTs which have lengths over centimeters and defect-free structures exhibit superior advantages for fabricating superstrong CNT fibers, CNT-based chips, transparent conductive films, and high-performance cables. The length, orientation, alignment, defects, cleanliness, and other microscopic characteristics of CNTs have significant impacts on their fundamental physical properties. Therefore, the controlled synthesis and mass production of high-quality ultralong CNTs is the key to fully exploiting their extraordinary properties. Despite significant progress made in the study of ultralong CNTs during the past three decades, the precise structural control and mass production of ultralong CNTs remain a great challenge. In this review, we systematically summarize the growth mechanism and controlled synthesis strategies of ultralong CNTs. We also introduce the progress in the applications of ultralong CNTs. Additionally, we summarize the scientific and technological challenges facing the mass production of ultralong CNTs and provide an outlook and in-depth discussion on the future development direction.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Black spot disease in tree peony caused by the fungal necrotroph A. alternata, is a primary limiting factor in the production of the tree peony. The intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the tree peony resistance to A. alternata have not been thoroughly investigated. RESULTS: The present study utilized high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to conduct global expression profiling, revealing an intricate network of genes implicated in the interaction between tree peony and A. alternata. RNA-Seq libraries were constructed from leaf samples and high-throughput sequenced using the BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform. Six distinct libraries were characterized. M1, M2 and M3 were derived from leaves that had undergone mock inoculation, while I1, I2 and I3 originated from leaves that had been inoculated with the pathogen. A range of 10.22-11.80 gigabases (Gb) of clean bases were generated, comprising 68,131,232 - 78,633,602 clean bases and 56,677 - 68,996 Unigenes. A grand total of 99,721 Unigenes were acquired, boasting a mean length of 1,266 base pairs. All these 99,721 Unigenes were annotated in various databases, including NR (Non-Redundant, 61.99%), NT (Nucleotide, 45.50%), SwissProt (46.32%), KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, 49.33%), KOG (clusters of euKaryotic Orthologous Groups, 50.18%), Pfam (Protein family, 47.16%), and GO (Gene Ontology, 34.86%). In total, 66,641 (66.83%) Unigenes had matches in at least one database. By conducting a comparative transcriptome analysis of the mock- and A. alternata-infected sample libraries, we found differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are related to phytohormone signalling, pathogen recognition, active oxygen generation, and circadian rhythm regulation. Furthermore, multiple different kinds of transcription factors were identified. The expression levels of 10 selected genes were validated employing qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) to confirm RNA-Seq data. CONCLUSIONS: A multitude of transcriptome sequences have been generated, thus offering a valuable genetic repository for further scholarly exploration on the immune mechanisms underlying the tree peony infected by A. alternata. While the expression of most DEGs increased, a few DEGs showed decreased expression.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The reference values of eNO have certain differences among people of different countries and races. We aimed to obtain the reference value of eNO in healthy children and adolescents (6-18 years old) in China and to explore the associations between the reference values with ages, gender, heights, BMI, and regions. METHODS: We measured FeNO50 levels in 5949 healthy Chinese children and adolescents, FeNO200 and CaNO levels in 658 participants from 16 provinces of 7 administrative areas in China aged 6-18. All persons were studied after obtaining informed consent from children and their parents. RESULTS: The mean FeNO50 of 5949 Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-18 years was 14.1 ppb, with a 95% confidence interval of 1-38.1 ppb. The mean FeNO200 of 658 persons was 6.9 ppb with a 95% upper confidence interval of 15.0 ppb, and the mean CaNO was 3.0 ppb with a 95% upper confidence interval of 11.2 ppb. In the 6-11 age group, age and height were correlated with the logarithm of FeNO50 (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the logarithm of FeNO200 and gender, age, height and BMI (all P > 0.05). The logarithm of CaNO was correlated with gender (P < 0.05). In the 12-18 age group, gender, height, and region were correlated with the logarithm of FeNO50 (all P < 0.001). There was only a weak correlation between the logarithm of FeNO200 and height (P < 0.001). The logarithm of CaNO was negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher FeNO50, FeNO200 and CaNO values were found in healthy children and adolescents in China compared with foreign reports, and is affected by age, height, gender, and region. This study provides useful references for clinical application of eNO in children, especially Asian children.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This paper explores the evolution of geoscientific inquiry, tracing the progression from traditional physics-based models to modern data-driven approaches facilitated by significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and data collection techniques. Traditional models, which are grounded in physical and numerical frameworks, provide robust explanations by explicitly reconstructing underlying physical processes. However, their limitations in comprehensively capturing Earth's complexities and uncertainties pose challenges in optimization and real-world applicability. In contrast, contemporary data-driven models, particularly those utilizing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), leverage extensive geoscience data to glean insights without requiring exhaustive theoretical knowledge. ML techniques have shown promise in addressing Earth science-related questions. Nevertheless, challenges such as data scarcity, computational demands, data privacy concerns, and the "black-box" nature of AI models hinder their seamless integration into geoscience. The integration of physics-based and data-driven methodologies into hybrid models presents an alternative paradigm. These models, which incorporate domain knowledge to guide AI methodologies, demonstrate enhanced efficiency and performance with reduced training data requirements. This review provides a comprehensive overview of geoscientific research paradigms, emphasizing untapped opportunities at the intersection of advanced AI techniques and geoscience. It examines major methodologies, showcases advances in large-scale models, and discusses the challenges and prospects that will shape the future landscape of AI in geoscience. The paper outlines a dynamic field ripe with possibilities, poised to unlock new understandings of Earth's complexities and further advance geoscience exploration.

RESUMEN

Background: Carcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. This study aims to investigate the clinical pathological characteristics, surgical treatment outcomes, and analysis of prognostic factors in esophageal carcinosarcoma (ECS). Methods: Clinical data from sixteen patients diagnosed with esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma who underwent surgical interventions were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment modalities, and postoperative outcomes were systematically examined. Results: Out of the 1261 patients who underwent surgical treatment for esophageal cancer, 16 cases were pathologically confirmed as carcinosarcoma. Among them, two underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, six received postoperative chemotherapy. Carcinosarcomas predominantly occurred in the middle (43.75%) and lower (50%) segments of the esophagus. Among the 16 cases, 10 presented as polypoid, 4 as ulcerative, and 2 as medullary types. Microscopic examination revealed coexistence and transitional transitions between sarcomatous and carcinoma components. Pathological staging showed 5 cases in stage T1, 2 in stage T2, and 9 in stage T3, with lymph node metastasis observed in 8 cases (50%). TNM staging revealed 2 cases in stage I, 9 in stage II, and 5 in stage III. The overall 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 86.67%, 62.5%, and 57.14%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that pathological N staging influenced survival rates, while multivariate analysis demonstrated that pathological N staging was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: Carcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. Histologically, the biphasic pattern is a crucial diagnostic feature, although the carcinomatous component may not always be evident, especially in limited biopsies, leading to potential misclassification as pure sarcoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Despite its large volume and cellular atypia, carcinosarcoma carries a favorable prognosis. Complete surgical resection of the tumor and regional lymph node dissection is the preferred treatment approach for esophageal carcinosarcoma.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested an association between vitamin deficiency and the development of tuberculosis; however, the precise impact remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between distinct vitamin statuses and the occurrence of tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrieval was conducted using several databases without language restrictions to capture the eligible studies on tuberculosis and vitamin status. Pooled odds ratios (ORs), relative risks (RRs), and hazard ratios (HRs) were used with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to clarify the relationship between the different vitamin statuses (A, B, D, and E) and the occurrence of tuberculosis. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression analysis, and Galbraith plot were performed to determine sources of heterogeneity. Potential publication biases were detected using Begg's test, Egger's test, and the trim-and-fill test. RESULTS: We identified 10,266 original records from our database searches, and 69 eligible studies were considered in this study. The random-effect model showed that people with tuberculosis may exhibit vitamin A deficiency (OR = 10.66, 95%CI: 2.61-43.63, p = .001), while limited cohort studies showed that vitamin A supplementation may reduce tuberculosis occurrence. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency was identified as a risk factor for tuberculosis development (RR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.06-2.67, p = .026), and people with tuberculosis generally had lower vitamin D levels (OR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.76-2.73, p < .001) compared to other groups. No publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicated that people with tuberculosis exhibited low levels of vitamins A and D, while vitamin D deficiency was identified as a risk factor for tuberculosis. More randomized controlled interventions at the community levels should be recommended to determine the association between specific vitamin supplementation and tuberculosis onset.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This study explores the bipartite secure synchronization problem of coupled quaternion-valued neural networks (QVNNs), in which variable sampled communications and random deception attacks are considered. Firstly, by employing the signed graph theory, the mathematical model of coupled QVNNs with structurally-balanced cooperative-competitive interactions is established. Secondly, by adopting non-decomposition method and constructing a suitable unitary Lyapunov functional, the bipartite secure synchronization (BSS) criteria for coupled QVNNs are obtained in the form of quaternion-valued LMIs. It is essential to mention that the structurally-balanced topology is relatively strong, hence, the coupled QVNNs with structurally-unbalanced graph are further studied. The structurally-unbalanced graph is treated as an interruption of the structurally-balanced graph, the bipartite secure quasi-synchronization (BSQS) criteria for coupled QVNNs with structurally-unbalanced graph are derived. Finally, two simulations are given to illustrate the feasibility of the suggested BSS and BSQS approaches.

RESUMEN

The oil mist particles cyclically emitted during the cutting process are a serious health hazard for workers in machine plants. Affected by emission parameters and seasonal factors, the dynamic distribution of oil mist particles in the workers' breathing zone is not yet clear, and suitable ventilation optimization is yet to be proposed. This paper investigates the dynamic distribution of oil mist particles in the workers' breathing zone and ventilation optimization by numerical simulation. It was found that the accumulated value, peak value, and duration of peak of the oil mist particle concentration in the breathing zone are 1.5 ∼ 5 x, 3 ∼ 7 x, and 2 ∼ 3 x higher than other conditions, respectively, influenced by the emission parameters of the cutting process. Due to the interference of air conditioning airflow, the concentration is high in winter with obvious periodic fluctuations (7 x), while it is relatively low and stable (2 x) in summer. Parallel flow air curtains can decrease the concentration of oil mist particles in the breathing zone by 42.1 % ∼ 67.9 %, with a 13 % ∼ 50 % increase in energy consumption. This paper provides guidance for clarifying the dynamic distribution of pollutants at workers' post in industrial buildings, as well as the protection of workers' breathing environment.