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Background: Numerous single nutrients have been suggested to be linked with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). However, data on nutrient patterns (NPs), particularly in Chinese population, are scarce. This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutrient-based dietary patterns and LTL, and the potential role of metabolic factors. Methods: Dietary data was obtained via 24-hour food recalls, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify NPs. LTL was assessed using a real-time PCR assay. Multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the association between NPs and LTL. The potential role of metabolism among them was analyzed using mediation models. Results: A total of 779 individuals from northern China were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Five main nutrient patterns were identified. Adjusted linear regression showed that the "high sodium" pattern was inversely associated with LTL (B=-0.481(-0.549, -0.413), P < 0.05). The "high vitamin E-fat" pattern exhibited a positive correlation (B = 0.099(0.029, 0.170), P < 0.05), whereas the "high vitamin A-vitamin B2" pattern was negatively correlated with LTL (B=-0.120(-0.183, -0.057), P < 0.05), respectively. No significant associations were observed for the remaining nutrient patterns. The mediation model demonstrated that diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference could individually and collectively mediate the negative impact of the "high sodium" pattern on LTL (BDBP=-0.0173(-0.0333, -0.0041), BWC=-0.0075(-0.0186, -0.0004), Bjoint=-0.0033 (-0.0072, -0.0006), all P < 0.05). Moreover, glycosylated hemoglobin and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol mediate the relationship between the "high vitamin E-fat" pattern and LTL (BHbA1c=0.0170(0.0010,0.0347), Bnon-HDL-C= 0.0335 (0.0067, 0.0626), all P < 0.05), respectively. Conclusions: The "high sodium" and "high vitamin E-fat" nutrient patterns demonstrated negative and positive associations with LTL and metabolic indicators may play complex mediating roles in these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the vertical tensor complementarity problem (VTCP) is reformulated as the projected equation. After then, a projected splitting iterative method for the VTCP is proposed and corresponding monotone convergence analysis on the projected splitting method for the VTCP associated with Z-tensors is investigated under the condition that the feasible set of the involved problem is nonempty. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce some constants with the tensors of special structures and present their some useful properties. Furthermore, some perturbation bounds of the tensor complementarity problem are obtained on the base of these constants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a natural extension of the tensor complementarity problem, the vertical tensor complementarity problem VTCP has important research value. In this paper, we get some properties of the solution of the VTCP. Furthermore, we focus on investigating the global error bound for the VTCP with the type VP tensor set. We define two positively homogeneous operators by the type VP tensor set and obtain two global error bounds of the VTCP through the positively homogeneous operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preconditioning techniques have been focused on multi-linear systems or tensor equations. However, to our knowledge, there is no relevant research on tensor complementarity problems. In this paper, we present a general preconditioner P for solving the tensor complementarity problem (TCP) involved with an L -tensor A and a vector q, and we prove that the TCP (A , q) is equivalent to the TCP (P A , P q) under the assumption that P A is an L -tensor. Based on this equivalence, a preconditioned fixed point iteration method is proposed for solving the tensor complementarity problem and its convergence analysis is given. For actual computations, we provide a concrete choice for the preconditioner P associated with a parameter satisfying above-mentioned hypothesis. In addition, it is proved theoretically that the convergence rate of the fixed point method with the chosen preconditioner P is at least as fast as that of the corresponding method without preprocessing. Meanwhile, we also obtain the monotony of the parameter on the performance of the preconditioned iterative method. Lastly, numerical examples are used to demonstrate the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral experiment, hemispherical melting point apparatus, rotating cylinder method, and four-probe method were conducted to measure the structure, melting temperature, viscosity, and electrical conductivity of aluminate slag. The results show that with F− content increase from 2 to 10 wt pct, the hemispherical melting point depresses, and the structure depolymerizes, leading to reduce of viscosity and augment of electrical conductivity. With further increase of F− content from 10 to 14 wt pct, both the hemispherical melting point and the network structure associated with Si and B polymerization turn upward, so the viscosity enhances. However, the electrical conductivity continuously augments due to the diluent effect of CaF2, that the loose CaF2 cluster structure is facilitated. Meanwhile, with the addition of F− within 10 wt pct, the crystalline phase changes from BaAl2O4 to Ca12Al14O33 and the intensity of the Bragg diffraction peak decreases, resulting in a decline in the breaking temperature (Tbr) of apparent viscosity–temperature curve. When the F− content exceeds 10 wt pct, the crystalline phase transforms into CaF2 and the intensity of the crystal peak is heightened, making Tbr enhance. Moreover, the apparent crystallization ratio also decreases and then increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many subclasses of H-matrices have already been investigated in application areas of linear algebra. One of them is SDD 1 matrices given in Peña (Adv Comput Math 35:357–373, 2011). In this paper, a new subclass of H-matrices, i.e., generalized SDD 1 ( GSDD 1 ) matrices, is considered. The relationship between GSDD 1 matrices and other subclasses of H-matrices is analyzed. Infinity norm bounds for the inverse of a GSDD 1 matrix A are given, using a scaling matrix that transforms A into a strictly diagonally dominant matrix. The given scaling matrix is also utilized to obtain error bounds for the linear complementarity problems when the related matrices are GSDD 1 matrices. Numerical examples show that the obtained results can improve other existing bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A record-breaking heavy rainfall event that occurred in Zhengzhou, Henan province during 19–21 July 2021 is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model, and the large-scale precipitation efficiency (LSPE) and cloud-microphysical precipitation efficiency (CMPE) of the rainfall are analyzed based on the model results. Then, the key physical factors that influenced LSPE and CMPE, and the possible mechanisms for the extreme rainfall over Zhengzhou are explored. Results show that water vapor flux convergence was the key factor that influenced LSPE. Water vapor was transported by the southeasterly winds between Typhoon In-Fa (2021) and the subtropical high, and the southerly flow of Typhoon Cempaka (2021), and converged in Zhengzhou due to the blocking by the Taihang and Funiu Mountains in western Henan province. Strong moisture convergence centers were formed on the windward slope of the mountains, which led to high LSPE in Zhengzhou. From the perspective of CMPE, the net consumption of water vapor by microphysical processes was the key factor that influenced CMPE. Quantitative budget analysis suggests that water vapor was mainly converted to cloud water and ice-phase particles and then transformed to raindrops through melting of graupel and accretion of cloud water by rainwater during the heavy precipitation stage. The dry intrusion in the middle and upper levels over Zhengzhou made the high potential vorticity descend from the upper troposphere and enhanced the convective instability. Moreover, the intrusion of cold and dry air resulted in the supersaturation and condensation of water vapor, which contributed to the heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the global uniqueness and solvability (GUS) of tensor complementarity problems for special power Lipschitz tensors (SPL-tensors). It is shown that a SPL-tensor is a P-tensor, but not necessarily an H-tensor. And it is also proved that tensor complementarity problems of SPL-tensors have the GUS-property. In addition, we propose modulus-based tensor splitting methods to solve the tensor complementarity problem. We consider both stand and accelerated tensor splitting methods for solving the reformulated fixed-point equations of tensor complementarity problems. The convergence analysis of two classes of modulus-based iterative methods is discussed when the system tensors are power Lipschitz tensors. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the presented approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evidence about bone microarchitecture in Asian type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients is lacking. We assessed the bone microarchitecture in T1D patients versus controls and compare the differences between juvenile-onset and adult-onset T1D patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 32 Asian males with T1D and 32 age-, sex-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) for ultradistal nondominant radius and tibia were performed. The data were analyzed using Student's t test and analysis of covariance. Results: Among the patients, 15 had juvenile-onset T1D, with a median disease duration of 11 years, and 17 had adult-onset T1D, with a median disease duration of 7 years. At the radius, adult-onset and juvenile-onset T1D patients had lower total volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), trabecular vBMD, trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (p < 0.05) than the control subjects. After adjusting for BMI, disease duration, and insulin dose, juvenile-onset patients tended to have lower trabecular vBMD, BV/TV, Tb.Th, and intracortical porosity (Ct.Po) than adult-onset patients. At the tibia, adult-onset patients displayed lower total vBMD, lower Ct. vBMD, and higher Ct.Po (p < 0.05), while juvenile-onset patients had lower Tb.Th and standard deviation of trabecular number (1/Tb.N.SD) (p < 0.05) than control subjects. After adjustment for covariates, adult-onset patients tended to have higher cortical pore diameter (Ct.Po.Dm) than juvenile-onset patients. Conclusions: T1D patients were associated with compromised bone microarchitecture, adult-onset and juvenile-onset T1D patients demonstrated some differences in cortical and trabecular microarchitecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect on essential hypertension of the topical application of TAT-Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (TAT-SOD) at left acupoint Zusanli (ST 36), and to observe whether the change of electrical potential difference (EPD) can be related to the change of blood pressure. Methods: Sixteen patients with essential hypertension and 16 healthy subjects were included in the study. EPD between the left acupoints of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Qiuxu (GB 40) was firstly screened out for the EPD detection. An intracellular superoxide quenching enzyme, TAT-SOD, was topically applied to the acupoint ST 36 within an area of 1 cm2 once a day, and the influence on EPD was investigated. The dosage applied to TAT-SOD group (n=8) was 0.2 mL of 3000 U/mL TAT-SOD cream prepared by adding purified TAT-SOD to a vehicle cream, while placebo group (n=8) used the vehicle cream instead. The left acupoints of Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Qiuxu (GB 40) were selected for EPD measurement after comparing EPD readings between 5 acupoints on each of all 12 meridians. Results: EPDs between the left acupoints of GB 34 and GB 40 for 16 patients of essential hypertension and 16 healthy subjects were 44.9±6.4 and 5.6±0.9 mV, respectively. Daily application of TAT-SOD for 15 days at ST 36 of essential hypertension patients significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 179.6 and 81.5 mm Hg to 153.1 and 74.1 mm Hg, respectively. Responding to the change in blood pressure, EPD between the left acupoints of GB 34 and GB 40 also declined from 44.4 to 22.8 mV with the same trend. No change was observed with SBP, DBP and EPD between the left acupoints of GB 34 and GB 40 with the daily application of the placebo cream. Conclusion: Enzymatic scavenging of the intracellular superoxide at ST 36 proved to be effective in decreasing SBP and DBP. The results reconfirm the involvement of superoxide anions and its transportation along the meridians, and demonstrate that EPD between acupoints may be an indicator to reflect its functioning status. Moreover, preliminary results suggest a close correlation between EPD and blood pressure readings, implying a possibility of using EPD as a sensitive parameter for blood pressure and to monitor the effect of antihypertensive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tensor complementarity problem (TCP) has attracted many attentions in recent years. In this paper, we equivalently reformulate tensor complementarity problem as a fixed point equation. Based on the fixed point equation, projected fixed point iterative methods are proposed and corresponding convergence proofs on the fixed point iterative methods for the tensor complementarity problem associated with a power Lipschitz tensor are investigated. Furthermore, the monotone convergence analysis of the fixed point iteration method for the tensor complementarity problem involving an L tensor is given. Numerical examples are tested to illustrate the given approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The cardiovascular efficacy of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are well documented; however, the differences in cardiovascular efficacy among subpopulations remain unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in cardiovascular efficacy of long-acting GLP-1RAs among subpopulations of patients with T2DM and to assess the drug safety. Methods: Relevant studies up to March 31, 2020 were searched for in six electronic databases, namely PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Clinical Trials, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was three-point major adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke). Subpopulations were defined using ten selected influential factors, and the differences in cardiovascular efficacy in subpopulations stratified by different influential factors were accessed by synthesizing studies with random-effects models one by one. Results: A total of six cardiovascular outcome trials of long-acting GLP-1RAs, comprising 49,936 participants, were included. Among stratified subpopulations, no significant differences in the cardiovascular efficacy of long-acting GLP-1RAs were observed across the ten characteristics of subjects (all P for interaction > 0.05). Favorable trends were observed in the subpopulation with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to that without (P = 0.171). With regards to safety, long-acting GLP-1RAs did not significantly increase the risk of retinopathy (OR 1.09; 95% CI 0.92–1.29; P = 0.316), but increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal events (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.02–1.83; P = 0.037). Long-acting GLP-1RAs did not significantly increase the risk of serious adverse events (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85–1.00; P = 0.039). Conclusions: Our analysis suggested no subpopulation differences in the cardiovascular efficacy of long-acting GLP-1RAs among stratified subpopulations, and favorable trends were only observed in the subpopulation with established CVD. These findings may have implications for the management of long-acting GLP-1RAs across subpopulations of patients with T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To investigate the safety of insulin lispro Mix 25 and 50 (LM25 and LM50) in hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a phase IV, randomized, crossover clinical trial in Chinese patients with T2DM switching from premixed human insulin 70/30 (PHI70/30) to LM25 or LM50. Eighty-one subjects received a two-stage crossover protocol of either LM25 or LM50 twice daily for 16 weeks. Habitual diet was taken, and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was performed throughout the study period. High-carbohydrate diet (HCD), high-fat diet (HFD) and habitual diet patterns were taken, and 72 h continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed at the last 3 days of each treatment stage. Results: The frequencies of nocturnal hypoglycemia in LM50 were lower than those in LM25 under a Chinese habitual diet pattern. The related factors of hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM treated with a LM25 or LM50 regimen were the weight-based daily mean insulin dose and the type of combined oral hypoglycemic agents. Under both HCD and habitual diet patterns, the optimal cut point values of bedtime glucose predicting nocturnal hypoglycemia in LM50 were lower than those in LM25. Conclusions: The risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia in the LM50 regimen was lower than that in the LM25 regimen under the HCD pattern, and the safety range of bedtime glucose for the LM50 regimen was wider than that of the LM25 regimen in Chinese T2DM patients. Premixed insulin analogs combined with acarbose were more helpful to reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia. Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn #ChiCTR-TTRCC-12002516. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through a cloud-resolving simulation of the rapid intensification (RI) of Typhoon Meranti (2016), the convections, warm core, and heating budget are investigated during the process of RI. By investigating the spatial distributions and temporal evolutions of both convective-stratiform precipitation and shallow-deep convections, we find that the inner-core convections take mode turns, from stratiform-precipitation (SP) dominance to convective-precipitation (CP) prevalence during the transition stages between pre-RI and RI. For the CP, it experiences fewer convections before RI, and the conversion from moderate/ moderate-deep convections to moderate-deep/deep convections during RI. There is a clear upper-level warm-core structure during the process of RI. However, the mid-low-level warming begins first, before the RI of Meranti. By calculating the local potential temperature (θ) budget of various convections, the link between convections and the warm core (and further to RI via the pressure drop due to the warming core) is established. Also, the transport pathways of heating toward the center of Meranti driven by pressure are illuminated. The total hydrostatic pressure decline is determined by the mid-low-level warm anomaly before RI, mostly caused by SP. The azimuthal-mean diabatic heating is the largest heating source, the mean vertical heat advection controls the vertical downwards transport by adiabatic warming of compensating down-drafts above eye region, and then the radial θ advection term radially transports heat toward the center of Meranti in a slantwise direction. Accompanying the onset of RI, the heating efficiency of the upper-level warming core rises swiftly and overruns that of the mid-low-level warm anomaly, dominating the total pressure decrease and being mainly led by moderate-deep and deep convections. Aside from the characteristics in common with SP, for CP, the eddy component of radial advection also plays a positive role in warming the core, which enhances the centripetal transport effect and accelerates the RI of Meranti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glycemic control in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is challenging with only insulin, and the incidence rate of adverse perinatal outcomes is high. Increasing data have indicated the safety and effect of metformin in pregnancy; however, no relevant data are available in pregnant women with T1D. We aimed to investigate glycemic control and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with T1D in a Chinese population and explored the role of metformin in these patients. Methods: We obtained data of 38 pregnant women with T1D who received regular antenatal care and delivered at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between 1 January 2006 and 31 May 2018. The perinatal outcomes of T1D patients who added metformin as adjunct treatment and those who remained on insulin-alone therapy were compared retrospectively. Results: Being overweight was common (35.1%) in pregnant women with T1D. On average, the insulin dose increased by 35.30 ± 22.60 unit/day during pregnancy. The cesarean delivery rate was high (65.8%), and fetal macrosomia was the main reason. The change of HbA1c in the metformin-insulin group was more prominent than in the insulin-only group (− 1.47 ± 1.17% vs. − 0.90 ± 1.13%, p = 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions: The incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with T1D was high. This study innovatively suggested that metformin could be safe and could contribute to improving glucose management in pregnant women with T1D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 46-year-old woman presented with rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia and liver dysfunction. She had been treated with ornidazole for facial rosacea 2 months previously. Two weeks following presentation, she developed diabetic ketoacidosis with exhausted beta islets (2 h postprandial laboratory values: glucose 22.0 mmol/L, C-peptide < 0.017 nmol/L, proinsulin < 0.23 pmol/L) and negative autoantibodies. Several days thereafter, after having undergone an enhanced computed tomography examination to screen for malignancy, the patient developed thyrotoxicosis with a low iodine absorption rate and super-high urine and serum levels of iodine. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), a hypersensitivity reaction to drugs. Studies have shown that immune dysregulation during DRESS renders patients susceptible to new diseases. Here we report a patient who recovered from DRESS but developed fulminant type 1 diabetes complicated with iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis. This case report sheds light on the pathogenesis of DRESS and its sequelae and illustrates that patients with DRESS require long-term care and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The study aimed to screen the HNF1A and HNF4A mutation in a large Chinese cohort of high clinical suspicion of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) patients and characterize the clinical features of those patients. The performance of hsCRP as a biomarker to differentiate MODY3 from early onset T2DM was also evaluated.Methods: A total of 74 patients with a strong clinical suspicion of MODY from 59 families and 33 newly diagnosed early-onset T2DM were included. HNF1A and HNF4A mutations were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. ROC curves were used to identify the optimal cutoff of hsCRP.Results: One novel (c.864_865insG) and six recurrent HNF1A mutations (R203H, R263H, P379T, L422P, P519L and c.873delC) in 17 patients from 8 families (13.6%), as well as one novel HNF4A (R331H) mutation were identified. Nonspecific clinical presentations were observed in MODYX compared to MODY3 patients. MODY3 subjects exhibited with younger, lower BMI, TG, fasting and postprandial C-peptide, higher HDL than T2DM. Particularly, we confirmed serum hsCRP was lower in MODY3 than T2DM. ROC curve showed a good discrimination with an AUC of 0.852 and identified a cutoff hsCRP of 0.79 (75% sensitivity and 83% specificity). Good glycemic control was observed in all identified patients after switching to glimepiride therapy.Conclusions: The prevalence of HNF1A mutation was relatively lower in Mainland China and HNF4A mutation was rare. Serum hsCRP concentrations performed well in discriminating MODY3 from T2DM. Molecular diagnosis of MODY3/1 did transform management in clinical practice and facilitated the glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To investigate the relative contribution rates of basal hyperglycemia (BHG) and postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) to overall hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with insulin lispro mix 25 and 50 (LM25 and LM50) as evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).Methods: Eighty-one T2DM patients treated with premixed human insulin 70/30 (PHI70/30) were randomly divided into two groups and received a crossover protocol. In the first 16-week stage, one group received LM25 twice daily, the other group received LM50 twice daily. In the second 16-week stage, the two groups exchanged therapeutic regimen. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurement and CGM were performed at enrollment and at the end of each treatment stage.Results: BHG’s contribution rate increased with increasing HbA1c (from 34.5% to 60.8%). PPHG’s contribution rates in the LM50 regimen were significantly lower than those in LM25 and PHI70/30 regimens at HbA1c levels < 7.5%. Compared with LM50, LM25 shows a significant difference in reducing HbA1c in the subgroup with baseline HbA1c ≥ 8.5% (ΔHbA1c LM25 vs. LM50 − 0.6 ± 0.1% vs. 0.3 ± 0.1%, p < 0.05).Conclusions: For T2DM patients treated with premixed insulin analogues, postprandial hyperglycemia played a major role in the subgroup of patients with HbA1c < 8.5%, while fasting hyperglycemia became the major contributor to overall hyperglycemia in the subgroup of patients with HbA1c ≥ 8.5%.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier ChiCTR-TTRCC-12002516.Funding: Lilly Suzhou Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Branch, China) and National Key Program of Clinical Science of China (WBYZ2011-873). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Emerging evidence suggested genetic factor attributed as a major determinant for the complex pathogenic mechanism of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the related genetic study was limited. We aimed to investigate the impact of polymorphisms in miRNA-binding sites (miR-binding SNPs) on the risk of GDM in Chinese Han pregnant women. Methods: We screened GDM susceptibility genes extensively and selected miR-binding SNPs using four bioinformatics software. TaqMan allelic discrimination assays were applied to miR-binding SNPs genotyping in 839 GDM patients and 900 controls. Results: In total five potential miR-binding SNPs ( SLC30A8 rs2466293, INSR rs1366600, INSR rs3745550, KCNJ11 rs5210 and KCNQ1 rs8234) were selected. Our results showed that SLC30A8 rs2466293 [OR 95% CI = 1.455 (1.077, 1.966); P = 0.014] and INSR rs1366600 [OR 95% CI = 2.191 (1.077, 4.455); P = 0.029] increased the risk of GDM after adjusting age in additive model. Furthermore, rs2466293 was found to significantly associate with higher levels of fasting plasma glucose ( b = 0.054, P = 0.032), 2-h OGTT plasma glucose ( b = 0.069, P = 0.007), lower fasting insulin concentrations ( b = −0.082, P = 0.003) and decreased HOMA-B ( b = −0.067, P = 0.015). Additionally, the correlation between rs1366600 and 2-h OGTT plasma glucose ( b = 0.078, P = 0.001) was observed. Conclusions: Two miR-binding SNPs SLC30A8 rs2466293 and INSR rs1366600 increased GDM susceptibility. Functional studies were required to confirm the underlying mechanism. Our study provided additional insights into the genetic pathogenesis of GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assays using species-specific primers were developed for the quantification of the three major fungal species ( Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Rhizopus oryzae, and Monascus purpureus) during the traditional brewing of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. Species-specific primers (Sfi-F/Sfi-R, Ro-F/Ro-R, and Mp-F/Mp-R) targeting the ITS-5.8S rRNA gene and the beta-tubulin gene sequences were designed and their specificity was evaluated by RT-qPCR with the total RNA from fungal species closely related to the traditional brewing of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. Results of RT-qPCR using species-specific primers showed 100 % inclusivity (positive signal in the presence of target complementary DNA (cDNA)) and 100 % exclusivity (negative signals in the presence of non-target template). The specificity of each primer set was also tested when the target cDNA was mixed with non-target cDNA, and results showed that there was no significant difference ( P > 0.05) in threshold cycle (Ct) values obtained from pure target cDNA and target cDNA mixed with non-target cDNA. The detection limits of the established qPCR assays were determined to be 10 gene copies/μL for S. fibuligera and 10 gene copies/μL for R. oryzae and M. purpureus, respectively. Good correlations were obtained for the tested species between 10 and 10 gene copies/μL by qPCR analysis. Finally, the established RT-qPCR assays were applied to quantify viable S. fibuligera, R. oryzae, and M. purpureus during the traditional brewing of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. This study standardized the RT-qPCR assays for dominant fungi associated with the traditional brewing of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine, and it also proved the usefulness of RT-qPCR assays for the quantification of live cells in multi-species samples. Results would show great value in scientifically understanding of the brewing mechanism of Hong Qu glutinous rice wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give error bounds for linear complementarity problem when the matrix involved belongs to the class of quasi-Nekrasov ( QN-) matrices including Nekrasov matrices. The obtained bounds can improve considerably other previous bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Wetlands store a substantial amount of soil organic carbon (SOC), and their response to climate warming is critical for predicating global carbon (C) cycling in future climate change. Methods: To understand whether warming causes substantial C loss in wetland soils, a 6-year microcosm experiment was carried out to examine the impact of rising temperature (3-5 °C) on SOC and its two fractions (labile versus recalcitrant) in six types of wetland soils with varied nutrient status. Results: Warming decreased SOC contents in nutrient-enriched soils by invoking a large loss in recalcitrant organic C fractions, while in nutrient-poor soils SOC loss was limited by substrate limitation. With low temperature ranges in the winter (1-10 °C), warming increased the microbial capacity for recalcitrant organic C acquisition greater than that for labile organic C fractions. A relatively higher cross-site contribution of fungi in warmed soils as one strategy of microbial acclimation to rising temperature implies an adjustment of microbial C utilization patterns, leading to substantial C loss in wetland soils. Conclusions: In order to maintain the functional roles of wetlands for C sequestration, our results further suggested that more attention should be paid to nutrient-enriched wetlands in future climate warming scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note, an error on the proof of an important Theorem in a recent article by Peña (Adv. Comput. Math. 35, 357-373, ) is pointed out by a numerical counter example. Then a new proof for the corresponding result is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many herbal medicines and compositions are clinically effective but challenged by its safety risks, i.e., aconitine (AC) from aconite species. The combined use of Radix glycyrrhizae (licorice) with Radix aconite L. effectively eliminates toxicity of the later while increasing efficacy. In this study, a boiling-stable 31-kDa protein (namely GP) was purified from licorice and self-assembled into nanoparticles (206.2 ± 2.0 nm) at pH 5.0, 25 °C. The aconitine-encapsulated GP nanoparticles (238.2 ± 1.2 nm) were prepared following the same procedure and tested for its toxicity by intraperitoneal injection on ICR mouse ( n = 8). Injection of GP-AC nanoparticles and the mixed licorice-aconite decoction, respectively, caused mild recoverable toxic effects and no death, while the aconitine, particle-free GP-AC mixture and aconite decoction induced sever toxic effects and 100 % death. Encapsulation of poisonous alkaloids into self-assembled herbal protein nanoparticles contributes to toxicity attenuation of combined use of herbs, implying a prototype nanostructure and a universal principle for the safer clinical applications of herbal medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex disease induced by a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures. Growing evidence suggests that common single nucleotide polymorphisms within miRNA-binding sites (miR-binding SNPs) contribute to the development of various diseases. However, the roles of miR-binding SNPs in GDM have not been fully elucidated. The CDKN2A/B genes have been identified as two of the strongest genetic determinants for diabetes risk. The aim of the study was to first investigate the associations between miR-binding SNPs of CDKN2A/B, GDM susceptibility, and quantitative metabolism traits. Methods: Three miR-binding SNPs of CDKN2A/B gene (rs1063192, rs3217992, and rs3088440) were selected and genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays in 839 cases of GDM and 900 controls. Results: The CC genotype of CDKN2B rs1063192, which is located in the hsa-miR-323b-5p binding site, was significantly associated with GDM [OR 1.418 (1.143, 1.908); p = 0.003]. The C allele of rs1063192 occurred with significantly higher frequency in GDM [OR 1.22 (1.03, 1.44); p = 0.021]. The rs1063192 genotype CC exhibited increased glucose levels at 1 h and 3 h, as well as higher insulin levels at 3 h during an OGTT compared with the control TT genotype ( p < 0.05). We also found that the rs1063192 CC genotype was associated with lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: The CC genotype of CDKN2B rs1063192 in the hsa-miR-323b-5p binding site increased the risk of GDM in pregnant Chinese Han women. Importantly, our study provides evidence that miR-binding SNPs are a novel source of GDM susceptibility loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to find the biological effects of MicroRNA-2 in suppressing Lewis lung cancer cells proliferation, invasion, and migration in tumor-bearing mice. MicroRNA-2 was transfected into Lewis lung cancer cells of tumor-bearing mice by gene transient transfection technique and these Lewis-microRNA-2 cells were taken as MicroRNA transfection group. At the same time, Lewis cells were taken as control group and Lewis-EGFP cells as empty plasmid group. The growth curves of cells in the three groups were drawn by manual counting method, while the invasiveness of cells in the three groups was compared by transmembrane cell invasion assay. The three kinds of cells were seeded into BALB/Nude SPF level nude mice to detect the formation of tumors and the number of metastases by Xenograft experiments. The result showed that the MicroRNA transfection group has the lowest vitality of cells proliferation, fewest cells passed through matrigel matrix protein layer, and lowest cells invasive rate. Mice with Lewis-microRNA-2 cells apparently had a longer time of tumor formation. The average tumor mass and the number of metastases were significantly lower than the other two groups. MicroRNA-2 significantly inhibited Lewis lung cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration in tumor-bearing mice, which may be associated with the regulation of target genes PLK1 and TGF-β. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we present the results from the composite analyses of the atmospheric circulations and physical quantity fields associated with rainy-season for the selected floods cases over the Yangtze and Huaihe River basins for the 21 years (1990-2010), using the daily rain gauge measurements taken in the 756 stations throughout China and the NCEP/reanalysis data for the rainy-seasons (June-July) from 1990 to 2010. The major differences in the atmospheric circulations and physical quantity fields between the Yangtze and Huaihe River basins are as follows: for flooding years of the Yangtze River Basin, the South Asia high center is located further east than normal, the blocking high over the Urals and the Sea of Okhotsk maintains, and the Meiyu front is situated near 30°N whereas for flooding years of the Huaihe River Basin, the South Asia high center is further west than normal, the atmospheric circulations over the mid and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are of meridional distribution, and the Meiyu front is situated near 33°N. In addition, there are distinct differences in water vapor sources and associated transports between the Yangtze and Huaihe River basins. The water vapor is transported by southwesterly flows from the Bay of Bengal and monsoon flows over the South China Sea for flooding years of the Yangtze River Basin whereas by southeast monsoons from the eastern and southern seas off China and monsoon flows over the South China Sea for flooding years of the Huaihe River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The merger of convective clouds in severe precipitation associated with the Meiyu front occurred near Nanjing during 4-5 July 2003 is investigated using satellite observational analyses and numerical simulations with the Weather Research and Forecast version 3.2. It is found that the merger of convective clouds plays a crucial role in the excessive storm. The severe rainfall event experiences a multi-scale organized process ranging from triggered convective bulbs, growing convective cells, to the formation of the convective complex. The development of convections causes the large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic environment change, which in turn favors the organized processes of convective systems and promotes multi-scale coupling of the nonlinear interaction between convections and its large-scale environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Error bounds for SB-matrices linear complementarity problems are given in the paper (Dai et al., Numer Algorithms 61:121–139, 2012 ). In this paper, new error bounds for the linear complementarity problem when the matrix involved is an SB-matrix are presented and some sufficient conditions that new bounds are sharper than those of the previous paper under certain assumptions are provided. New perturbation bounds of SB-matrices linear complementarity problems are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

S-strictly dominant B-matrices ( SB-matrices) are introduced by Li et al. (Numer Linear Algebra Appl 14:391-405, ). In this paper, we give error bounds for the linear complementarity problem when the matrix involved is an SB-matrix, which generalize those of DB-matrix linear complementarity problem and show advantages with respect to the computational cost. Then the perturbation bounds of SB-matrices linear complementarity problems are also provided. The preliminary numerical results show the sharpness of the bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Initial mesoscale vortex effects on the tropical cyclone (TC) motion in a system where three components coexist (i.e., an environmental vortex (EV), a TC, and mesoscale vortices) were examined using a barotropic vorticity equation model with initial fields where mesoscale vortices were generated stochastically. Results of these simulations indicate that the deflection of the TC track derived from the initial mesoscale vortices was clearly smaller than that from the beta effect in 60% of the cases. However, they may have a more significant impact on the TC track under the following circumstances. First, the interaction between an adjacent mesoscale vortex and the TC causes the emergence of a complicated structure with two centers in the TC inner region. This configuration may last for 8 h, and the two centers undergo a cyclonic rotation to make the change in direction of the TC motion. Second, two mesoscale vortices located in the EV circulation may merge, and the merged vortex shifts into the EV inner region, intensifying both the EV and steering flow for the TC, increasing speed of the TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a two-dimensional quasi-geostrophic barotropic model simulation to study effects of an initial brows-like meso-scale vortex on tropical cyclone (TC) track. Our results show that the impact of each of the three foundational factors (the environmental current, the asymmetric structure and the asymmetric convection system) on TC track varies with time and the importance of each of the factors is different for the different TC motion time period. They show two kinds of the effects. One is a direct way. The asymmetric outer wind structure and the positive longitudinal wind speed averaged in radial-band (100-300) km in the period of (0-11) h are caused by the introduction of the initial brows-like meso-scale vortex, which results in TC track to turn to the north from the northwest directly. The other is an indirect influence. First, initial TC axisymmetric circulation becomes a non-axisymmetric circulation after the addition of the meso-scale vortex. The initial non-axisymmetric circulation experiences an axisymmetrizational process in the period of (0-11) h. Second, axisymmetrizationed TC horizontal size is enlarged after t=12 h. Third, both the TC asymmetric structure and the TC energy dispersion induced-anticyclone are intensified, which quickens the TC motion and results in the track to turn to the north indirectly. The TC motion is characterized by the unusual track under the direct and the indirect effect. The formation of the unusual track should be attributed to the common effects of three factors, including the environmental flow, the TC asymmetric structure and the asymmetric convection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional dependence of microphysical and radiative effects of ice clouds on vertical structure of tropical tropospheric temperature is examined by analyzing thermodynamic budgets over clear sky, raining stratiform, convective, and non-raining stratiform regions with three two-dimensional sensitivity equilibrium cloud-resolving model simulation data. The decrease in the mean tropospheric cooling caused by radiative effects of ice clouds results from the decreases in local atmospheric cooling over clear sky regions around 12-16 km through the decrease in heat divergence and below 7.5 km through the decrease in radiative cooling and over non-raining stratiform regions around 6-13 km through the increase in latent heat. The increase in the mean tropospheric cooling caused by microphysical effects of ice clouds results from the increases in local atmospheric cooling over clear sky regions through the decrease in heat convergence below 4 km the increase in radiative cooling around 4-8 km and over non-raining stratiform regions through the increase in radiative cooling around 7-10 km. The raining regions do not show any significant thermal changes due to the cancellation between heat convergence and latent heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fibrous dysplasia of bone (FDB) reveals intense 18F-FDG uptake mimicking metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT. We reviewed sites of FDB revealed by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging to allow identification of this abnormality.Materials and Methods: Eleven patients (7 male, 4 female, aged 16-78 years) were evaluated after 55 MBq (0.15 mCi)/kg 18F-FDG utilizing a 16-slice multiple detector CT (MDCT) whole-body PET scanner, with LOR algorithm 3D reconstruction. One- and 2-h imaging was performed in 9 patients. Standard uptake value (SUV) for each lesion, on early and delayed imaging, was calculated. Lesions were confirmed in 6 patients by biopsy. The PET images correlated with MDCT to establish the imaging characteristics.Results: Solitary lesions were found in 4 patients, two lesions in 1 patient, and in 6 patients there were multiple bone lesions. The SUV(early) ranged from 1.23 to 9.64 with an average of 3.76 ± 2.40. The SUV(delayed) ranged from 1.76 to 11.42 with an average of 4.51 ± 3.07. The SUV(delayed) decreased or increased slightly (-31% to 5%) in 6 of our patients, and increased significantly (11% to 39%) in 3. There was a negative correlation between SUVs and age, as well as the number of affected bones.Conclusions: In our study, FDB had wide skeletal distribution with variability of 18F-FDG uptake and CT appearance. SUV in the delayed stage was seen to either decrease or increase on dual-time 18F-FDG PET scanning. It is very important to recognize the characteristics of this skeletal dysplasia to allow differentiation from skeletal metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

llogeneic hematopoetic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the only curative therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In this study, the long-term outcomes of HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD) with mismatched related donor (MRD) and unrelated donor (URD) transplantation for CML in the first chronic phase (CML-CP1) using different graft vs. host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimens according to donor source and the degree of HLA matching were compared. The data of 91 patients with CML-CP1 were analyzed with respect to GVHD, overall survival (OS), and transplant-related mortality (TRM). The incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 25.5% in the MSD and 40.5% in the MRD/URD group ( P = 0.133). The 1-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was not different between the MSD and the MRD/URD groups, while extensive chronic GVHD was different between the two groups (31.9% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.023). The 5-year cumulative relapse rate was not different between the MSD and the MRD/URD groups, while TRM was different between the two groups (6.6% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.010). The 5-year cumulative OS was 90.9%, 71.5%, and 85.4% in the MSD, the MRD/URD, and the HLA allele-matched URD transplantation, respectively (MSD vs. MRD/URD, P = 0.013; MSD vs. HLA allele-matched URD, P = 0.437). In conclusion, survival in HLA allele-matched URD is equivalent to MSD, but in MRD and mismatched URD is inferior to MSD in patients with CML-CP1 undergoing allo-HSCT using different GVHD prophylaxis regimens according to donor source and degree of HLA matching. Patients undergoing MRD/URD transplantation have an equal quality of life as patients undergoing MSD transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and evolution of fine and complicated vortex circulation structures were investigated using a two-dimensional quasi-geostrophic barotropic model simulation. We find that the highly localized asymmetric and complex configuration of energy transfer flux between large- and small-scale components is caused by the nonlinear interaction between a large-scale vortex with an initial axi-symmetric flow and four beta meso-scale vortices. The complex structure is characterized by a fine pattern, which contains seven closed systems with spatial scales of less than 100 km, embedded in a positive flux wave train and a negative wave train, respectively. The average wind speed decreased with time in the positive flux region, but was nearly unchanged in the negative flux region. This pattern reveals the evolutionary asymmetry and localization of wind speed of the major vortex. The track of the major vortex center has a trend toward the center of the negative flux center, indicating that there is a certain relation between the complex structure of the energy transfer flux and the motion of the major vortex center. These results imply that the formation and evolution of the fine and complex structure should be attributed to the nonlinear interaction between the vortices at different spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAim:To investigate the effect of matrine on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Methods:Rat aortic VSMCs were cultured in medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/L) of matrine for 72 h. VSMCs proliferation and cell cycle profiling were assessed using a methylene blue incorporation assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The underlying protein signaling mechanisms were determined using Western blot analysis of the expression levels of cell cycle regulatory genes, including p53, p21, p27, cyclin D1, cyclin E, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and 4 (cdk2, cdk4), and phosphorylated Rb. The involvement of p21 and p27 pathways was further determined using small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown.Results:Matrine inhibited VSMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner by promoting G1 arrest. The G1 arrest was accompanied by up-regulation of p53 and p21 protein levels, and down-regulation of cyclin D1/cdk4, cyclin E/cdk2 and phosphorylated Rb protein levels. Matrine did not affect p27 expression. Furthermore, the anti-proliferative effect of matrine was abolished by silencing of p21, but not by silencing of p27.Conclusion:Our data indicate that matrine has an inhibitory effect on VSMC proliferation via up-regulation of the p53/p21 signaling pathway and modulation of other cell cycle regulatory genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuInSe2 (CIS) films were prepared by ion beam sputtering depositing Cu, In and Se layers sequentially on BK7 glass substrates and annealing the 3-layer film in the same vacuum chamber. The adjustment of the Se amount in the film was achieved by controlling the sputtering time of the Se target. X-ray diffraction pattern shows CIS films have chalcopyrite structure and preferential (112) orientation when the sputtering of the Se layer is between 60 and 180 min. It also can be seen that the most intense and narrow peak indicates the highest crystallinity for the sample with sputtering Se of 60 min, which is in agreement with the Raman measurement. The content of Cu, In and Se in the film deviates from 1, 1 and 2 with increasing the sputtering time of the Se target. Direct band gap energy between 0.96 and 1.05 eV, depending on the Se amount, and a high absorption coefficient of 105 cm−1 are found. The measured film resistivities vary from 0.01 to 0.05 Ω cm. Thus, the structural, optical and electrical characteristics of the CIS thin films were dependent on the Se amount during the fabrication of films and after fitting the sputtering time of Se, an optimization of the properties and a saving of Se consumption were achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a goal programming approach to solve the group decision-making problem where the preference information about alternatives provided by decision makers can be represented in three formats, i.e., incomplete multiplicative preference relations, incomplete fuzzy preference relations and incomplete linguistic preference relations. In the approach, a transformation function is introduced to transform the incomplete linguistic preference relation into an incomplete fuzzy preference relation. To narrow the gap between the collective opinion and each decision maker’s opinion, a liner goal programming model is constructed to integrate the three different formats of incomplete preference relations and to compute the collective ranking values of the alternatives. Thus, the ranking order of alternatives or selection of the most desirable alternative(s) is obtained directly according to the computed collective ranking values. A numerical example is also used to illustrate the feasibility and the applicability of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dependence of quasi-particle alignment on proton and neutron numbers has been studied in A = 80 mass region through g-factor measurements by using TMF-IMPAD. The experimental results show that for the nuclides Zr, Zr and Zr with Z = 40 the proton alignment is followed by the neutron alignment in Zr and Zr, while the neutron alignment is followed by the proton alignment in Zr, and for the nuclides Sr, Y, Zr and Nb with N = 44 the proton aligns only in Sr, the proton alignment occurs first that is followed by the neutron alignment in Y and Zr and the neutron alignment is followed by the proton alignment in Nb. Proton and/or neutron alignments lead to different patterns of the g-factor variation with spin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]