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Background: Coffee consumption is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. Cafestol, a bioactive compound in coffee, has demonstrated glucose-lowering and insulin-secretory properties in cell and animal studies. The acute effects of cafestol on glucose metabolism in humans have only been briefly investigated, and longer-term effects have not been explored. This study aimed to assess the effects of purified cafestol on insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters in healthy individuals with increased waist circumference at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Methods: A 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial was conducted with 40 participants. Insulin suppression tests, mixed meal tests, and MRI scans were performed before and after the intervention. Results: Administering 6 mg of cafestol twice daily did not alter insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance but led to significant reductions in body weight (2%), visceral fat volume (5%), and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels (15%) compared to the placebo. Conclusions: Cafestol may hold promise for weight and visceral fat reduction. Cafestol did not improve insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance in this study but might still contribute to the observed inverse association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes. Future research should explore higher dosages and longer treatment durations, particularly in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) biofortified wheat could enhance human health by providing essential Selenium. Different nitrogen application rates (0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg N ha–1) on soil Se speciations and contents, the differences of Se accumulation and yield of triticales were investigated. The concerntration of total Se, water-soluble Se (SOLSe), and exchangeable Se (EXCSe) in 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers showed an increasing trend from anthesis to maturity, and decreasing tendency as nitrogen application increasing. TZ-8293 compared to TH-3 exhibited the highest grain Se content and accumulation at the maturity, measured 77.00 μg kg–1 and 73.11%, respectively. Compared to the control, the concentration of flour Se in TH-3, and TZ-8293 under the 240 kg N ha–1 treatment significantly increased by 90.97 and 91.67%, respectively, and the yield of TH-3 under 240 kg N ha–1 treatment was significantly the highest, measuring 7889.84 kg ha–1. Following anthesis, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) showed an significantly increasing tendency with the application of nitrogen increased, however, transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 and stomatal conductance (Ci), and gs in flag leaf decreased significantly with the increase of nitrogen application rate. The correlation analysis showed that there were (extremely) significant negative correlations among Se content, yield and yield components (–0.30 ≤ R2 ≤ –0.89), excessive nitrogen application may hinder the formation of soil available Se, which can have a negative impact on the absorption of Se, finally impede the biofortification of Se in triticale. In conclusion for locally Se-enriched triticale cultivation, it was recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizer rate of 120–240 kg N ha–1 on TH-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a copula-function-based system reliability analysis method is proposed for reliability evaluation of structures with multiple failure modes. The vine copula function is used to process the correlations that exist between performance functions. The joint probability density function of the performance function random vector is then converted into multiple bivariate copula functions. The maximum likelihood estimation method and Akaike information criteria are used for optimal selection of each bivariate copula function. Based on this process, a joint probability density function of the performance function random vector is constructed. Then, based on the joint probability density function, a Monte Carlo simulation method is given to calculate the system reliability of the structure. Finally, the effectiveness of the method proposed in this study is verified using 4 numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the uncertain vibration analysis of fractionally-damped beams whose damping characteristic is described using fractional derivative model, the uncertain excitation is usually modeled as a stochastic process. However, it is often difficult to obtain sufficient samples of the excitation to establish a precise probability distribution function for the stochastic process model in practical engineering problems. Hence, in this paper, a nonrandom vibration analysis method for fractionally-damped beams is proposed to obtain the dynamic displacement response bounds of the beams under the uncertain excitation. Specifically, the uncertain excitation applied to the fractionally-damped beam is treated as a spatial-time interval field, so that the dynamic displacement response of the beam is also a space-time interval field. The middle point function and the radius function of the displacement response of the fractionally-damped beam can be derived based on the modal superposition method and the Laplace transform, through which the bound functions of the dynamic displacement response can be obtained. In addition, several numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correlation between soil thermal resistivity and its main influencing factors was analyzed by reviewing the literature. To obtain an accurate prediction model of soil and carbonaceous rock thermal resistivity, the neural network feedback analysis technology was utilized and a prediction model developed. The laboratory results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the model. Dry density, saturation, and quartz were selected for the prediction model, which can comprehensively and reasonably reflect the main factors affecting soil and carbonaceous rock thermal conduction. Based on the comparison results between predicted and measured thermal resistivity, the proposed mode exhibited a satisfactory accuracy. Compared with the selected empirical relationships, the model had significant advantages in the prediction results for different types of soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a potential solution for enabling the use of multicast in the 5G New Radio Release 17, called 5G NR Mixed Mode. The proposed multicast/broadcast mode follows one of the two approaches envisaged in 3GPP, which enables a dynamic and seamless switching between unicast and multicast, both in the downlink and the uplink. This paper also provides a performance evaluation of several IMT-2020 KPIs, including available data rate and spectral efficiency, user and control plane latencies, energy efficiency, and mobility, highlighting the potential advantages of this solution over unicast in relevant scenarios. Finally, other multipoint–based KPIs such as coverage or packet loss rate are also evaluated by means of system level simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, we determined serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels in serum, and investigated their associations with risk of recurrent stroke and mortality in a 24-month follow up study in Chinese patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. Methods: In this preplanned post hoc analysis, serum levels of 25(OH) D and NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) were measured at the time of admission in a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke. We used logistic regression model to assess the relationship between 25(OH) D levels and risk recurrent stroke or mortality. Results: The follow-up rate was 98.2% in 220 stroke patients. Of 216 patients, 18.5% (95%CI: 13.3%-23.7%) patients had a stroke recurrence, and 30.1% (95% CI: 24.0%-36.2%) died. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, serum 25(OH) D levels were negatively associated with the risk of stroke recurrence (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70-0.85; P< 0.001) and negatively associated with mortality during 24 months of follow-up (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64-0.80; P< 0.001). Compared with the first quartile of serum 25(OH) D levels, the ORs for stroke recurrence and mortality were as follows: second quartile, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.63-0.93) and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.65-0.89); third quartile, 0.42 (95% CI, 0.31-0.55) and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.30-0.52); fourth quartile, 0.12 (95% CI, 0.07-0.19) and 0.10 (95% CI, 0.06-0.15), respectively. Conclusions: Lower serum levels of 25(OH) D are independently associated with the stroke recurrence and mortality at 24 months in ischemic stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Hyperthermia is an effective treatment modality that augments the anticancer effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Hyperthermia-chemo-radiotherapy ( HCRT) is a combination therapy that can strengthen anticancer effects through a synergistic interaction between heat, chemotherapy and radiation. Here, we carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of chemoradiation combined with regional hyperthermia ( HCRT) for oesophageal carcinoma. Methods We conducted computer searches of foreign databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Chinese databases, including CBM, CNKI and WanFang; we also retrieved other sources as supplement. All relevant randomized controlled trials ( RCTs) were collected to compare HCRT and other therapies, including chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy ( CRT) and radiotherapy alone ( RT). After literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation performed by appropriate criteria, the meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.1 software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results and discussion Nineteen RCTs were included, comprising 1519 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year survival, complete response and total effective rates of the HCRT group were higher than those of the CRT group; the rates of gastrointestinal reaction, leucocytopenia and radiation oesophagitis in the HCRT group were lower than those of the CRT group, indicating significant differences ( P < 0·05). The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival, complete response and total effective rates of the HCRT group were higher than those of the RT group, the recurrence and distant metastasis rates of the HCRT group were lower than those of the RT group, and there were significant differences in all of the indicators ( P < 0·05). What is new and conclusions This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate HCRT for oesophageal carcinoma. Compared with CRT or RT, HCRT can improve long-term and short-term curative effects; it is also safe and feasible. Additional high-quality and large sample size RCTs will be necessary to further demonstrate the long-term survival benefits and comprehensive safety profile of HCRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine whether the cisplatin plus etoposide ( EP) combination was more efficacious and less toxic than other platinum-based regimens for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. Methods We performed an extensive literature search (from their inception to July 2010). Two reviewers independently assessed search results and methodological quality of included studies. Pooled hazard ratios ( HRs) and relative risks ( RRs) were calculated according to a random-effects model. Results Twelve randomised, controlled trials involving seven different platinum-based chemotherapy regimens were included into this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that compared with EP regimen, irinotecan plus cisplatin ( IP) might decrease the risk of death ( HR = 0.87, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.78-0.97, P = 0.01) (five trials), unlike the sensitivity analysis ( HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.81-1.02, P = 0.12), progression-free survival ( HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.86-1.05, P = 0.28) and overall response rate ( RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.93-1.24) that were not superior for IP. IP regimen produced more non-haematological toxicities and less haematological toxicities. One trial found that etoposide + cisplatin + epirubicin + cyclophosphamide and cisplatin + etoposide + ifosfamide regimen might prolong the overall survival respectively. Etoposide + cisplatin + epirubicin + cyclophosphamide regimen also might improve progression-free survival but with high rate of haematological toxicities. None of the other trials included in the study demonstrated a significant improvement in survival. Conclusions There is no strong evidence that any clinical advantage for extensive small-cell lung carcinoma patients requiring chemotherapy when comparing EP with other platin-based regimens, with exception of IP that might prolong overall survival. The decision to prescribe which chemotherapy should take into consideration both cost and treatment preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of D2 compared with D4 surgery in patients treated with curative intent. METHODS: An electronic search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, ISI databases and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database was conducted till September 2010 to identify randomized controlled trials on related studies. Statistic analyses were carried out using RevMan software. RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials with 1067 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that D4 dissection tended to be associated with slightly higher 5-year survival rate, but there were no statistically significant differences between two groups [OR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.69-1.25)]. However, there appeared to be no statistically differences between D2 and D4 group in terms of recurrences of cancer, re-operation, hospital mortality, overall morbidity, anastomotic leakage, pancreatic fistula, operation time, though pulmonary increased in the D2 group comparing to that in the D4 group. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic D4 dissection is not recommended for patients with curable gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, by using the properties of the entropy function and the fundamental equation of thermodynamics, we discuss the reasons that there exist different proposals for relativistic temperature transformation. Further, we illustrate this point by studying a concrete thermodynamic system-blackbody radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]