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This paper presents the performance analysis of the process consisting of the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), parabolic dish collector (PDC), linear Fresnel reflector (LFR), Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and the gas turbine, with the carbon dioxide separation process. In proposed novel process, the MCFC waste heat is used to generate additional electricity in the ORC. In addition, a gas turbine embedded in the process also generates electricity. This hybrid system also uses two concentrating solar collectors, i.e. LFR and PDC. The former raises the water temperature b7efore mixing with fuel and the latter raises the temperature of the mixture (water and fuel) before entering the reformer. Furthermore, in present study the performance of parabolic trough collector is investigated, assuming it provides the required duty of evaporator of ORC. Finally, the present study examines the process of carbon dioxide separation. The results revealed that, overall, electrical and exergy efficiency of the hybrid cycle is 58.02 %, 44.2 % and 74.9 %, respectively. Furthermore, the total exergy destruction rate and removal efficiency of the system are 13.67 MW and 78.9 %, respectively. In addition, about 35 collectors of LFR and 55 collectors of PDC are needed to supply the required duty of solar thermal collectors.

Purpose Restoration of blood supply to infarction area plays an extremely important role in the prognosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Consequently, the effects of various fragments of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) on the peri-infarction neovascularization and cardiac function after MI were studied.Methods Wild-type mice were used to construct a MI model. Together with the sham operation group (sham group), the mice were divided into four groups with 11 animals in each group. Four groups of mice were injected with saline (sham group and MI group), PTHrP (1-84) and PTHrP (87-139) subcutaneously into the abdomen at a dose of 80ug/kg, once a day for 28 days. After 4 weeks, cardiac color Doppler ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate the cardiac function, and the heart tissues of mice in each group were taken for immunohistochemical experiments.Results Compared with the sham group, the heart function of the MI group mice was significantly decreased. After treatment with PTHrP (87-139) , the heart function was significantly improved, while PTHrP (1-84) further reduced the heart function. Masson staining results showed that PTHrP (87-139) significantly reduced the peri-infarction myocardial fibrosis after MI, while PTHrP (1-84) aggravated the degree of myocardial fibrosis. In addition, PTHrP (87-139) significantly increased the peri-infarction microvessel density (MVD) after MI, and the expressions of various relevant vascular factors, while PTHrP (1-84) exerted the opposite effect. Conclusion PTHrP (87-139) promoted angiogenesis in the peripheral area of MI and improved cardiac function, while PTHrP (1-84) exerted the opposite effect.

Background This study was to explore the influencing factors of atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability in patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques, so as to identify the vulnerable plaques at early stage, and then find high-risk group of cardio-cerebrovascular events for early clinical intervention to reduce related mortality and disability. Methods A total of 302 enrolled patients with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques were divided into 3 groups based on the results of carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound: atherosclerotic unstable plaque (UP) group, atherosclerotic stable plaque (SP) group, and control group without plaques. Serum markers were measured by ELISA. χ2 test, t test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Logistic multivariate regression analysis were used in the analysis, and P Results It revealed that high MMP-9, LOX-1and YKL-40 were independent risk factors for unstable plaque formation. The area under the curve (AUC) of serum markers combined with MMP-9, LOX-1 and YKL-40 was 0.850, with sensitivity 87.67%, specificity 81.13%, and diagnostic accuracy 84.92%, which was significantly better than the individual diagnostic efficacy of other three factors. The accuracy rate of Crouse Plaque Score (CPS) in the diagnosis of vulnerable plaques was 61.90%, the 10-year ICVD diagnosis accuracy rate was 56.75%, and the diagnostic accuracy of serum markers was significantly better than CPS and 10-year ICVD. Conclusion Noninvasive cervical color Doppler ultrasound combined with serum markers MMP-9, LOX-1 and YKL-40 have significant early recognition effect on asymptomatic carotid vulnerable plaque patients.

Hyperthyroidism is a common condition that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A number of meta-analyses (MAs) have assessed the therapeutic measures for hyperthyroidism, including antithyroid drugs, surgery, and radioiodine, however, the methodological quality has not been evaluated. This study evaluated the methodological quality and summarized the evidence obtained from MAs of hyperthyroidism treatments for radioiodine, antithyroid drugs, and surgery. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database databases. Two investigators independently assessed the meta-analyses titles and abstracts for inclusion. Methodological quality was assessed using the validated AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) tool. A total of 26 MAs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Based on the AMSTAR scores, the average methodological quality was 8.31, with large variability ranging from 4 to 11. The methodological quality of English meta-analyses was better than that of Chinese meta-analyses. Cochrane reviews had better methodological quality than non-Cochrane reviews due to better study selection and data extraction, the inclusion of unpublished studies, and better reporting of study characteristics. The authors did not report conflicts of interest in 53.8% meta-analyses, and 19.2% did not report the harmful effects of treatment. Publication bias was not assessed in 38.5% of meta-analyses, and 19.2% did not report the follow-up time. Large-scale assessment of methodological quality of meta-analyses of hyperthyroidism treatment highlighted methodological strengths and weaknesses. Consideration of scientific quality when formulating conclusions should be made explicit. Future meta-analyses should improve on reporting conflict of interest.

ObjectivesThere is an increasing prevalence of hypothyroidism and there is a growing body of meta-analyses (MAs) on the association between hypothyroidism and other diseases. However, the methodological quality of the MAs significantly varies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate and summarise data on the methodological quality of MAs on the associations between hypothyroidism and other diseases using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) scale, providing suggestions for clinical decision-making processes.DesignTo assess the methodological quality of MAs using the AMSTAR scale.Data sourcesA systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, web of science and Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database.Eligibility criteriaWe included MAs that had assessed the association between hypothyroidism and other diseases in humans and that had full texts regardless of the publication status. No restriction applied on language or date.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts of all searched literature to acquire potentially eligible publications. The full texts of possible eligible publications were downloaded and assessed. Inconsistent comments were resolved through discussions with a third reviewer.Results52 studies were included. The average AMSTAR score of the included articles was 8.6 (range: 5–10), and those of English and Chinese MAs were 8.8 and 7.0, respectively. A total of 52 MAs were evaluated, and 19 (36.5%) and 33 (63.5%) of these MAs were of moderate and high quality, respectively. None of the MAs were of low quality. Only two MAs had an a priori design. Items 3, 5 and 9 had the highest compliance (50/52, 96.2%), and aside from item 1, items 7 and 8 had the lowest compliance (33/52,63.5%). According to the results of these MAs, hypothyroidism was significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, breast cancer and pregnancy outcome.ConclusionsThe methodological quality of the included MAs on the association between hypothyroidism and other diseases was moderate to high. MAs with high qualities confirmed that hypothyroidism was significantly associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, preterm birth and neonatal outcomes. Consideration of scientific quality when formulating conclusions should be made explicit and more attention should be paid to improving the methodological quality of MAs, and increasing their applicability for clinical decision-making.