Search

Abstract Autoimmune diseases, a disease characterized by immune imbalance caused by the human immune system mistakenly attacking its own components, include vitiligo, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). Previous studies on autoimmune diseases have focused mainly on immune cells, keratinocytes and endothelial cells. Fibroblasts, the main cells that secrete the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermis, have been studied thoroughly in terms of fibrosis and wound healing. However, an increasing number of studies have shown that fibroblasts play an important role in nonfibrotic autoimmune skin diseases. In this article, the previously reported role of fibroblasts in nonfibrous autoimmune skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo and AD is summarized to provide new ideas for the treatment of this disease.

Abstract Seed size, a key determinant of rice yield, is regulated by brassinosteroid (BR); however, the BR pathway in rice has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of the quantitative trait locus Rice Big Grain 1 (qRBG1) from single-segment substitution line Z499. Our data show that qRBG1 Z is an unselected rare promoter variation that reduces qRBG1 expression to increase cell number and size, resulting in larger grains, whereas qRBG1 overexpression causes smaller grains in recipient Nipponbare. We demonstrate that qRBG1 encodes a non-canonical BES1 (Bri1-EMS-Suppressor1)/BZR1(Brassinazole-Resistant1) family member, OsBZR5, that regulates grain size upon phosphorylation by OsGSK2 (GSK3-like Kinase2) and binding to D2 (DWARF2) and OFP1 (Ovate-Family-Protein1) promoters. qRBG1 interacts with OsBZR1 to synergistically repress D2, and to antagonistically mediate OFP1 for grain size. Our results reveal a regulatory network controlling grain size via OsGSK2–qRBG1–OsBZR1–D2–OFP1 module, providing a target for improving rice yield.

BackgroundGlaucoma (GLAU), Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) are common blinding ophthalmic diseases worldwide.PurposeThis approach is expected to enhance the early detection and treatment of common blinding ophthalmic diseases, contributing to the reduction of individual and economic burdens associated with these conditions.MethodsWe propose an effective deep-learning pipeline that combine both segmentation model and classification model for diagnosis and grading of four common blinding ophthalmic diseases and normal retinal fundus.ResultsIn total, 102,786 fundus images of 75,682 individuals were used for training validation and external validation purposes. We test our model on internal validation data set, the micro Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC) of which reached 0.995. Then, we fine-tuned the diagnosis model to classify each of the four disease into early and late stage, respectively, which achieved AUROCs of 0.597 (GL), 0.877 (AMD), 0.972 (RVO), and 0.961 (DR) respectively. To test the generalization of our model, we conducted two external validation experiments on Neimeng and Guangxi cohort, all of which maintained high accuracy.ConclusionOur algorithm demonstrates accurate artificial intelligence diagnosis pipeline for common blinding ophthalmic diseases based on Lesion-Focused fundus that overcomes the low-accuracy of the traditional classification method that based on raw retinal images, which has good generalization ability on diverse cases in different regions.

Abstract Most agronomic traits of rice (Oryza sativa), such as grain length, are complex traits controlled by multiple genes. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are ideal materials for dissecting these complex traits. We developed the novel rice CSSL ‘Z414’, which has short, wide grains, from progeny of the recipient parent ‘Xihui 18’ (an indica restorer line) and the donor parent ‘Huhan 3’ (a japonica cultivar). Z414 contains four substitution segments with an average length of 3.04 Mb. Z414 displays seven traits that significantly differ from those of Xihui 18, including differences in grain length, width, and weight; degree of chalkiness; and brown rice rate. We identified seven quantitative trait loci (QTL) that are responsible for these differences in an F2 population from a cross between Xihui 18 and Z414. Among these, six QTL (qPL3, qGW5, qGL11, qRLW5, qRLW11, and qGWT5) were detected in newly developed single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) S1–S6. In addition, four QTL (qGL3, qGL5, qCD3, and qCD5) were detected in S1 and S5. Analysis of these SSSLs attributed the short, wide grain trait of Z414 to qGL11, qGL3, qGL5, and qGW5. Substitution mapping delimited qGL11 within an 810-kb interval on chromosome 11. Sequencing, real time quantitative PCR, and cell morphology analysis revealed that qGL11 might be a novel QTL encoding the cyclin CycT1;3. Finally, pyramiding qGL3 (a = 0.43) and qGL11 (a = − 0.37) led to shorter grains in the dual-segment substitution line D2 and revealed that qGL11 is epistatic to qGL3. In addition, S1 and D2 exhibited different grain sizes and less chalkiness than Z414. In conclusion, the short grain phenotype of the CSSL Z414 is controlled by qGL11, qGL3, and qGL5. qGL11 might be a novel QTL encoding CycT1;3, whose specific role in regulating grain length was previously unknown, and qGL11 is epistatic to qGL3. S1 and D2 could potentially be used in hybrid rice breeding.

Abstract Background Seed-set density is an important agronomic trait in rice. However, its genetic mechanism is complex. Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) are ideal materials for studying complex traits. Results A rice CSSL, Z749, with a dense and erect panicle phenotype, was identified among progeny of the recipient parent Nipponbare and the donor parent Xihui 18. Z749 carried seven substitution segments (average length 2.12 Mb). Compared with Nipponbare, Z749 showed significant increases in the numbers of primary (NPB) and secondary branches (NSB), number of spikelets (SPP) and grains per panicle (GPP), seed-set density (SSD), and decrease in panicle length (PL). A secondary F2 population derived from a cross between Nipponbare and Z749 was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for associated traits. Fifteen QTLs distributed on chromosomes 5, 7, 8, and 10 were detected. The QTL qPL7 might be an allele of OsFAD8 and the remaining 14 QTLs (e.g., qSSD5 and qSSD10 etc.) might be novel. Fourteen QTLs were verified using five single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs). The seed-set density of Z749 was controlled predominantly by one major QTL (qSSD10) and two minor QTLs (qSSD5 and qSSD8). The QTLs qSSD10, qSSD5, and qSSD8 were fine-mapped to intervals of 1.05, 1.46, and 1.53 Mb on chromosomes 10, 5, and 8, respectively. Analysis of QTL additive effects indicated that qSSD5, qSSD8, and qSSD10 from Xihui18 increased seed-set density of Z749 by 14.10, 11.38, and 5.11 spikelets per 10 cm panicle, respectively. Analysis of QTL epistatic effects revealed that pyramiding of qSSD5 and qSSD8, qSSD5 and qSSD10, qSSD8 and qSSD10, and qSSD5, qSSD8 and qSSD10 produced novel genotypes with increased seed-set density. Conclusions Inheritance of seed-set density in Z749 was controlled predominantly by one major QTL (qSSD10) and two minor QTLs (qSSD5 and qSSD8). Then, they were fine-mapped to intervals of 1.05, 1.46, and 1.53 Mb on chromosomes 10, 5, 8, respectively. Two MAPK genes (OsMPK9 and OsMPK17) and one gene (candidate gene 6) involved in auxin metabolism might be candidate genes for qSSD5, and OsSAUR32 might be the candidate gene for qSSD8. Pyramiding of qSSD5, qSSD8, and qSSD10 enhanced seed-set density.

Abstract Background Chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) can be used to dissect complex traits, from which single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs) containing a target quantitative trait loci (QTL) can be developed, and they are thus important for functional analysis and molecular breeding. Results A rice line with short wide grains, CSSL-Z563, was isolated from advanced-generation backcross population (BC3F6) derived from ‘Xihui 18’ (the recipient parent) and ‘Huhan 3’ (the donor parent). Z563 carried seven segments from ‘Huhan 3’, distributed on chromosomes 3, 7, and 8, with average substitution length of 5.52 Mb. Eleven QTLs for grain size were identified using secondary F2 population of ‘Xihui 18’/Z563. The QTLs qGL3–1, qGL3–2, and qGL7 control grain length in Z563 and have additive effects to reduce grain length; qGW3–1 and qGW3–2 control grain width in Z563 and have additive effects to increase grain width. Four SSSLs, three double-segment substitution lines (D1–D3), and two triple-segment substitution lines (T1 and T2) were developed containing the target QTLs. The genetic stability of eight QTLs, including qGL3–2, qGL3–1, and qGL7, was verified by the SSSLs. D1 (containing qGL3–2 and qGL3–1), D2 (qGL3–1 and qGL7), and T1 (qGL3–2, qGL3–1, and qGL7) had positive epistatic effects on grain length, and their grain length was shorter than that of the corresponding SSSLs. The QTL qGL3–2 was fine-mapped to a 696 Kb region of chromosome 3 containing five candidate genes that differed between ‘Xihui 18’ and Z563. These results are important for functional research on qGL3–2 and molecular breeding of hybrid rice cultivars. Conclusions The short and wide grain of Z563 was mainly controlled by qGL3–1, qGL3–2, qGL7, qGW3–1 and qGW3–2. The major QTL qGL3–2 was fine-mapped to a 696 Kb region of chromosome 3 containing five candidate genes. Different QTLs pyramiding displayed various phenotypes. In essence, the performance after pyramiding of genes depended on the comparison between the algebraic sum of the additive and epistatic effects of QTLs in the pyramidal line and the additive effect value of the single QTL. The results lay good foundation in the functional analysis of qGL3–2 and molecular design breeding of novel hybrid rice cultivars.

Abstract A system of borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) combined with pumping–injection wells is established in areas where the groundwater is shallow and the seepage velocity is weak. The pumping and injection wells are set on both sides of the BHEs. According to the three-dimensional unsteady-state heat transfer model in the aquifer, the convection–dispersion analytical solution of excess temperature is derived that considers groundwater-forced seepage and thermal dispersion effects and axial effect of the BHEs. Then, we use the dimensional analysis method and similarity criteria to build a controllable forced seepage sandbox. The software FEFLOW 7.1 is adopted and the simulation results are validated by the theoretical analysis and the indoor experiment test. On this basis, the numerical simulation is used to explore the influence of different pumping–injection flow volume on the Darcy flow velocity of the aquifer where the BHEs are located, as well as the average heat transfer efficiency and the heat transfer rates with borehole depth. The results show that when the pumping flow volume increases from 200 m3 day−1 to 1200 m3 day−1, the Darcy velocity correspondingly increases to about 10 times. The average heat efficiency coefficient of the BHEs is increased by 11.5% in cooling stage, and by 7.5% in heating stage. When the pumping–injection flow volume is 400–600 m3 day−1, the increment of heat transfer rates of the BHEs reaches 12.8–17.9 W m−1 and 3.6–4.2 W m−1 per unit of borehole depth during the cooling stage and heating stage, respectively, and then decreases as the flow volume increases gradually.

The self-designed flow system was used to study the flow corrosion of X100 pipeline steel in simulated formation water environment by electrochemical measurements as well as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The effects of fluid flow velocity and fluid impact angle on X100 steel were determined. When the fluid flow velocity changes between 0.5–2.0 m/s, X100 steel is controlled by activation, and as the flow velocity increases, the self-corrosion current Icorr increases, the corrosion rate increases; when the impact angle increases from 30° to 90°, the self-corrosion current Icorr decreases and the corrosion rate decreases. CFD simulations show that at different flow velocities and impact angles, the velocity field distribution on electrode surface is different. At the minimum impact angle of 30°, the electrode area has the largest flow velocity and shear stress, therefore the corrosion damage is the most serious.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a systemic metabolic bone disease in postmenopausal women. It has been known that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a regulatory role in the progression of osteoporosis. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of exosome-derived lncRNA on regulating the occurrence and development of PMOP remains unclear. Exosomes in the serum of patients PMOP were collected and identified. RNA sequencing was performed to obtain the expression profile of exosome-derived lncRNAs in the serum of PMOP patients. RNA sequencing identified 26 differentially expressed lncRNAs from the exosomes between healthy people and PMOP patients. Among them, the expression of TCONS_00072128 was dramatically down-regulated. A co-location method was employed and searched its potential target gene caspase 8. TCONS_00072128 knockdown notably decreased the expression of caspase 8, while the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was also reduced. Reversely, TCONS_00072128 overexpression enhanced caspase 8 expression and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Moreover, the continuous expression of caspase 8 regulated by TCONS_00072128 significantly activated inflammation pathways including NLRP3 signaling and NF-κB signaling. Simultaneously, RIPK1 which has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of a wide range of human neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, was also phosphorylated. The results of the present study suggested that exosome-derived lncRNA TCONS_00072128 could promote the progression of PMOP by regulating caspase 8. In addition, caspase 8 expression in BMSCs was possible to be a key regulator that balanced cell differentiation and inflammation activation.

As a major reason for tumor metastasis, circulating tumor cell (CTC) is one of the critical biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. On the one hand, CTC count is closely related to the prognosis of tumor patients; on the other hand, as a simple blood test with the advantages of safety, low cost and repeatability, CTC test has an important reference value in determining clinical results and studying the mechanism of drug resistance. However, the determination of CTC usually requires a big effort from pathologist and is also error-prone due to inexperience and fatigue. In this study, we developed a novel convolutional neural network (CNN) method to automatically detect CTCs in patients’ peripheral blood based on immunofluorescence in situ hybridization (imFISH) images. We collected the peripheral blood of 776 patients from Chifeng Municipal Hospital in China, and then used Cyttel to delete leukocytes and enrich CTCs. CTCs were identified by imFISH with CD45+, DAPI+ immunofluorescence staining and chromosome 8 centromeric probe (CEP8+). The sensitivity and specificity based on traditional CNN prediction were 95.3% and 91.7% respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity based on transfer learning were 97.2% and 94.0% respectively. The traditional CNN model and transfer learning method introduced in this paper can detect CTCs with high sensitivity, which has a certain clinical reference value for judging prognosis and diagnosing metastasis.

Background: Superficial perivascular dermatitis, an important type of inflammatory dermatosis, comprises various skin diseases, which are difficult to distinguish by clinical manifestations and need pathological imaging observation. Coupled with its complex pathological characteristics, the subtype classification depends to a great extent on dermatopathologists. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient approach to recognize the pathological characteristics and classify the subtypes of superficial perivascular dermatitis.Methods: 3,954 pathological images (4 × and 10 ×) of three subtypes—psoriasiform, spongiotic and interface—of superficial perivascular dermatitis were captured from 327 cases diagnosed both clinically and pathologically. The control group comprised 1,337 pathological images of 85 normal skin tissue slides taken from the edge of benign epidermal cysts. First, senior dermatologists and dermatopathologists followed the structure–pattern analysis method to label the pathological characteristics that significantly contribute to classifying different subtypes on 4 × and 10 × images. A cascaded deep learning algorithm framework was then proposed to establish pixel-level pathological characteristics' masks and classify the subtypes by supervised learning.Results: 13 different pathological characteristics were recognized, and the accuracy of subtype classification was 85.24%. In contrast, the accuracy of the subtype classification model without recognition was 71.35%.Conclusion: Our cascaded deep learning model used small samples to deliver efficient recognition of pathological characteristics and subtype classification simultaneously. Moreover, the proposed method could be applied to both microscopic images and digital scanned images.

IntroductionThe brainstem is an important component in the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although neuroimaging studies have shown multiple structural changes in ALS patients, few studies have investigated structural alterations in the brainstem. Herein, we compared the brainstem structure between patients with ALS and healthy controls.MethodsA total of 33 patients with ALS and 33 healthy controls were recruited in this study. T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were acquired on a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) scanner. Volumetric and vertex-wised approaches were implemented to assess the differences in the brainstem’s morphological features between the two groups. An atlas-based region of interest (ROI) analysis was performed to compare the white matter integrity of the brainstem between the two groups. Additionally, a correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between ALS clinical characteristics and structural features.ResultsVolumetric analyses showed no significant difference in the subregion volume of the brainstem between ALS patients and healthy controls. In the shape analyses, ALS patients had a local abnormal surface contraction in the ventral medulla oblongata and ventral pons. Compared with healthy controls, ALS patients showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left corticospinal tract (CST) and bilateral frontopontine tracts (FPT) at the brainstem level, and higher radial diffusivity (RD) in bilateral CST and left FPT at the brainstem level by ROI analysis in DTI. Correlation analysis showed that disease severity was positively associated with FA in left CST and left FPT.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the brainstem in ALS suffers atrophy, and degenerative processes in the brainstem may reflect disease severity in ALS. These findings may be helpful for further understanding of potential neural mechanisms in ALS.

Abstract Background At present, the schizophrenia diagnoses are based on the clinical symptoms and behaviors neglecting the laboratory test indicators. Results To better investigate the diagnostic potential of miRNAs for schizophrenia, we selected 14 candidate miRNAs and examined their expressions in the serums of 40 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. Ultimately three abnormally expressed microRNAs were identified, i.e., miR-34a-5p, miR-432-5p and miR-449a. Then, binary regression analysis was employed to combine 3 dysregulated miRNAs. ROC analysis revealed that the AUC of the combination of miR-432-5p + miR-449a in serums was 0.841 (95% CI: 0.791~0.887) with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity. The AUC of the combination of miR-34a-5p + miR-432-5p + miR-449a in serums was 0.843 (95% CI: 0.791~0.887) with 90% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity. The results indicated that the combined model of miR-432-5p + miR-449a and miR-34a-5p + miR-432-5p + miR-449a have better prediction performances. Conclusions The study concludes that the two miRNAs combinations have the potential to be used as biomarkers for schizophrenia diagnoses. The finding may be conducive to overcoming the dilemmas faced by current schizophrenia diagnosis.

Abstract Background Availability of nursing home care has declined and national efforts have been initiated to improve the quality of nursing home care in the U.S. Yet, data are limited on whether there are geographic variations in declines of availability and quality of nursing home care, and whether variations persist over time. We sought to assess geographic variation in availability and quality of nursing home care. Methods Retrospective study using Medicaid/Medicare-certified nursing home data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 1996–2016. Outcomes were 1) availability of all nursing home care (1996–2016), measured by the number of Medicaid/Medicare-certified beds for a given county per 100,000 population aged ≥65 years, regardless of nursing home star rating; 2) availability of 5-star nursing home care, measured by the number of Medicaid/Medicare-certified beds provided by 5-star nursing homes; and 3) utilization of nursing home beds, defined as the rate of occupied Medicaid/Medicare-certified beds among the total Medicaid/Medicare-certified beds. Results From 1999 to 2016, availability of all nursing home care declined from 4882 (standard deviation: 931) to 3480 (912) beds, per 100,000 population aged ≥65 years. Persistent geographic variation in availability of nursing home care was observed; the correlation coefficient of county-specific availabilities from 1996 to 2016 was 0.78 (95% CI 0.77–0.79). From 2011 to 2016, availability of 5-star nursing home beds increased from 658 (303) to 895 (661) per 100,000 population aged ≥65 years. The correlation coefficient for county-specific availabilities from 2011 to 2016 was 0.54 (95% CI 0.51–0.56). Availability and quality of nursing home care were not highly correlated. In 2016, the correlation coefficient for county-specific availabilities between all nursing home and 5-star nursing home beds was 0.33 (95% CI 0.30–0.36). From 1996 to 2016, the utilization of certified beds declined from 78.5 to 72.2%. This decline was consistent across all census divisions, but most pronounced in the Mountain division and less in the South-Atlantic division. Conclusion We observed persistent geographic variations in availability and quality of nursing home care. Availability of all nursing home care declined but availability of 5-star nursing home care increased. Availability and quality of nursing home care were not highly correlated.

In the low-temperature dry distillation of low-rank coal, the important liquid product of coal tar is produced, but its quality and utilization rate are degraded by entrained dust. The movement of coal tar and dust in the furnace is a key factor in causing particles such as dust to mix with coal tar. Therefore, the Euler–Lagrangian method is used to simulate the two-phase motion process of gas, tar, and dust in a furnace. By considering the effects of tar particle size, dust particle size, gas velocity, tar density, and dust density, the motion process mechanism is revealed, enabling the dust content in coal tar to be reduced and the quality improved. The results indicate that tar particles with sizes less than 0.20 mm can be removed from the furnace by gas, and the smaller the particle size is, the shorter the time required for removal. Dust particles greater than 0.18 mm in size cannot be completely removed from the furnace. As the gas velocity increases, the time required for complete removal of the tar mist and dust gradually decreases. When the speed is 0.70 m/s, all tar mist is removed, although some particles remain. Tar mist with a density of more than 900 kg/m3 can be extensively removed, but dust with a density of more than 1400 kg/m3 is difficult to remove and remains in the furnace. Finally, particle size distribution experiments in the product were conducted to verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation.

Background Characterizing and assessing the prevalence, awareness, and treatment patterns of patients with isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) can generate new knowledge and highlight opportunities to improve their care. Methods and Results We used data from the China PEACE (Patient‐centered Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events) Million Persons Project, which screened 2 351 035 participants aged 35 to 75 years between 2014 and 2018. IDH was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 28 kg/m2, consumed alcohol, had diabetes mellitus, and prior cardiovascular events were more likely to have IDH (all P28 kg/m2, higher income, diabetes mellitus, prior cardiovascular events, and Central or Eastern region (all P

Objective This study was performed to compare the clinical value of the second-generation Shikani optical stylet with that of the Macintosh laryngoscope for tracheal intubation of patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization. Methods Thirty-six patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm embolization were included. The intubation time, intubation success rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Adverse reactions during tracheal intubation and the local tissue injury rate were recorded. Comparisons between the groups were performed with one-way analysis of variance. Results The heart rate, SBP, and DBP upon tracheal intubation and at 1 and 3 minutes were significantly higher in the Macintosh laryngoscope group than in the Shikani optical stylet group. The time to completion of tracheal intubation was significantly shorter and the tissue injury rate was significantly lower in the Shikani optimal stylet group than in the Macintosh laryngoscope group. Conclusions The second-generation Shikani optical stylet is a simple, safe, and reliable tool for tracheal intubation in critically ill patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm embolization.

Coal SJC, coal WJG, coal ZJM, and coal HCG were selected to investigate the pyrolysis kinetics of northern Shaanxi coals. TG and DSC experiments of four coals were carried out with a synchronous thermal analyzer at heating rates 5, 10, 15, and 20 C/min, respectively. The pyrolysis characteristics were described by thermogravimetric data, and the kinetic parameters were calculated by Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, general integration, and MacCallum–Tanner methods. The results show that coal SJC, coal ZJM, and coal HCG all conform to the reaction series equation, the thermal decomposition reaction rate is controlled by chemical reaction, and coal WJG conforms to Avrami–Erofeev equation. The activation energies of the four coals are 177.53 kJ/mol, 200.34 kJ/mol, 158.59 kJ/mol, and 240.47 kJ/mol, respectively.

The thermogravimetric method was applied to study the combustion characteristics of waste plastics and semicoke mixture at different heating rates with temperature ranging from room temperature to 1173 K. Also, the kinetic parameters of combustion process were also estimated by fitting the experimental data to the calculated data. The results showed that the mixed combustion process of waste plastics and semicoke could be divided into volatile combustion stage and fixed carbon combustion stage. The addition of waste plastics could increase the comprehensive combustion characteristic index (S) and flammability index (C). It showed synergistic effect in the mixed combustion process. When the additive amount of waste plastics was 60%, the S value and C value reached peak point at the heating rate of 20 K/min. The heating rate had a promotion effect on combustion rate. The mixed combustion process of waste plastics and semicoke could be well simulated by the n-order rate model of double parallel reactions. The activation energies E in the first stage of combustion of the mixture were higher than that in the second stage, and the preexponential factor k was opposite. Meanwhile, a marked kinetic compensation effect was presented between the activation energy and the preexponential factor.

ABSTRACT Aims We aimed (i) to create algorithms for identifying stroke and acute myocardial infarction (MI) cases in a large prospective population-based study (UK Biobank), using linked data from national hospital admissions data and death registers, combined with self-report data from the baseline assessment; and (ii) to assess validity by examining associations with risk factors and mortality. Methods UK Biobank is a prospective study of 503,000 participants, aged 40-69 years when recruited in 2006-2010 from centres across England, Scotland and Wales. Participants provided extensive questionnaire data on lifestyle, environment and medical history (with confirmation of self-reported medical conditions during a brief interview with a trained research nurse), had physical measures, and provided biological samples. Follow-up is principally through linkages to national health-related datasets, integrated from different data providers for each country and including cohort-wide data for ICD-coded hospital admissions and registered deaths, with follow-up to 2011 for this report. We used expert opinion and systematic reviews to identify baseline self-report items and ICD codes maximising positive predictive value for identification of stroke, MI and their subtypes. We classified participants with at least one relevant code as being first affected either before (prevalent cases) or after recruitment (incident cases). We compared cases with non-cases (controls) using logistic regression (prevalent cases) and survival analysis (incident cases) to examine associations with vascular risk factors, defined using data from the baseline assessment. We used survival analysis to compare vascular, non-vascular and all-cause mortality for cases versus controls post recruitment (prevalent cases) and post hospitalization (incident cases). Results We identified 8654 stroke cases and 13,479 MI cases. 90% of both were prevalent at recruitment, of which 29% (stroke) and 54% (MI) were identified through both research nurse-confirmed self-report and hospital admission records. During ≈1 million person years of follow-up in those without a prevalent record, we identified 871 incident strokes and 1387 incident MIs, of which 8% (stroke) and 2.9% (MI) were identified in both hospital and death records. Male sex, low socio-economic status, smoking and increased body mass index were all positively associated with both stroke and MI. Compared with age and sex-matched controls, mortality for stroke and MI cases was increased both after recruitment (prevalent cases) and after hospitalization (incident cases). Conclusion Information from linked coded datasets from different data providers can be combined with information collected at recruitment to identify and validate prevalent and incident acute MI and stroke.

To assess the suitability of retinal images held in the UK Biobank--the largest retinal data repository in a prospective population-based cohort--for computer assisted vascular morphometry, generating measures that are commonly investigated as candidate biomarkers of systemic disease.Non-mydriatic fundus images from both eyes of 2,690 participants--people with a self-reported history of myocardial infarction (n=1,345) and a matched control group (n=1,345)--were analysed using VAMPIRE software. These images were drawn from those of 68,554 UK Biobank participants who underwent retinal imaging at recruitment. Four operators were trained in the use of the software to measure retinal vascular tortuosity and bifurcation geometry.Total operator time was approximately 360 hours (4 minutes per image). 2,252 (84%) of participants had at least one image of sufficient quality for the software to process, i.e. there was sufficient detection of retinal vessels in the image by the software to attempt the measurement of the target parameters. 1,604 (60%) of participants had an image of at least one eye that was adequately analysed by the software, i.e. the measurement protocol was successfully completed. Increasing age was associated with a reduced proportion of images that could be processed (p=0.0004) and analysed (p

Brain plasticity is often associated with the process of slow-growing tumor formation, which remodels neural organization and optimizes brain network function. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether motor function plasticity would display deficits in patients with slow-growing brain tumors located in or near motor areas, but who were without motor neurological deficits. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to probe motor networks in 15 patients with histopathologically confirmed brain gliomas and 15 age-matched healthy controls. All subjects performed a motor task to help identify individual motor activity in the bilateral primary motor cortex (PMC) and supplementary motor area (SMA). Frequency-based analysis at three different frequencies was then used to investigate possible alterations in the power spectral density (PSD) of low-frequency oscillations. For each group, the average PSD was determined for each brain region and a nonparametric test was performed to determine the difference in power between the two groups. Significantly reduced inter-hemispheric functional connectivity between the left and right PMC was observed in patients compared with controls (P