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Studies have suggested that age and the serum total cholesterol (TC) concentration are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH); however, the relationship between age and TC in patients with FH is unclear. We aimed to investigate the correlation between age and TC in patients with FH.In this study, 103 patients with FH and 106 non-FH controls were recruited from 2004 to 2017. Spearman and partial correlation analyses, as well as multiple regression analyses, were used to evaluate the relationship between TC and age.There were no significant differences in age, gender, or BMI between the FH group and the control group (p0.05). Family history of CVD, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), and non-HDL-C levels were significantly higher in patients with FH compared with the controls (p0.01). Additionally, the serum TC levels for ages ≥ 50 years were significantly higher than those for ages50 years (p0.05) in FH patients. In both Spearman and partial correlation analyses, age was found to be significantly correlated with serum TC (p0.001) in the FH group but not in the control group, which was confirmed by further multiple linear regression analyses and logistic regression analyses.Age is an independent factor influencing serum TC level in patients with FH, and it is necessary to conduct early screening and early intervention.

In this paper, we consider a fractional Laplacian system with saturable nonlinearity. Under some assumptions on the parameters and potential functions, we obtain the existence and concentration behavior of the positive ground state solution by variational methods.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal codominant disease, and lipid abnormalities are a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).We aimed to elucidate the lipid indicators that are significantly different between smokers and non-smokers and attempt to analyze their clinical implications in the risk of ASCVD in pedigrees of FH.We screened 39 males aged 18-80 years with FH from the Chinese "National High Technology Research and Development Program" ("863 Project") after questionnaire survey, physical examination, and serum lipid test.The apoA1/apoB ratio and apoA1 were significantly correlated with the daily amount of cigarettes and smoking years, respectively (p0.05). The serum apoB level was higher in smokers who smoke at least one stick per day than in non-smokers (p0.05). Importantly, there was a significant difference in the apoA1/apoB ratio when the daily smoking amount exceeded one pack (p0.05), and there was a significant difference in the apoA1 ratio when the smoking years exceeded 20 (p0.05).The serum lipid profiles of apoA1 and apoB in smokers of FH pedigrees were significantly changed. With the increase of the smoking level, apoA1 decreased and apoB increased. Moreover, the ratio of apoA1 to apoB reflects the imbalance of cholesterol transport in blood vessels and might imply a higher risk of ASCVD in FH smokers.

The Hippo pathway is a complex signaling network that plays an important role in regulating cellular and metabolic tissue processes, as well as in controlling organ size. However, various disorders and dysfunctions caused by disruptions in Hippo signaling harm parental pancreatic islet cells, promote apoptosis of parental cells, and impair insulin secretion -- leading to the occurrence of diabetes. Herein, we review the role of the Hippo pathway in islet offspring cells, as well as in the involvement of mammalian sterile 20 kinase-1 (MST1), large tumor suppressor-1/2 (LATS1/2), merlin, and yes-associated protein (YAP) in disruptions of Hippo signaling that lead to various disorders and the development of diabetes. Finally, we discuss several remaining issues in translating these promising discoveries into unique treatments in the future.

The prevalence of abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and its relevant diseases has increased year by year, and it has become a problem that threatens human health. Therefore, finding a more effective way to prevent and treat diseases related to abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism has become an urgent public problem. Agmatine is a polyamine substance which widely presents in mammals.It is a metabolite produced by decarboxylation of糖脂代谢异常及其所诱发的各种疾病的患病率逐年上升，已成为当今威胁人类健康的常见问题。寻找更为有效的预防和治疗与糖脂代谢异常相关疾病的方法已成为一个亟待解决的问题。胍丁胺(agmatine)是一种广泛存在于哺乳动物体内的多胺类物质，是

In this paper, we study the following critical system with fractional Laplacian: \begin{equation*} \begin{cases} (-\Delta)^{s}u= \mu_{1}|u|^{2^{\ast}-2}u+\frac{\alpha\gamma}{2^{\ast}}|u|^{\alpha-2}u|v|^{\beta} \ \ \ \text{in} \ \ \mathbb{R}^{n}, (-\Delta)^{s}v= \mu_{2}|v|^{2^{\ast}-2}v+\frac{\beta\gamma}{2^{\ast}}|u|^{\alpha}|v|^{\beta-2}v\ \ \ \ \text{in} \ \ \mathbb{R}^{n}, u,v\in D_{s}(\mathbb{R}^{n}). \end{cases} \end{equation*} By using the Nehari\ manifold,\ under proper conditions, we establish the existence and nonexistence of positive least energy solution of the system., Comment: 24 pages

Dyslipidemia refers to the abnormality of lipid metabolism. The aberrant lipid profiles are usually characterized by elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), apoprotein B (ApoB), and decreased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). Dyslipidemia occurs frequently in autoimmune diseases (ADs), such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and many other diseases. An imbalance in lipid metabolism contributes to accelerated inflammatory responses in addition to promoting the formation of atherosclerosis. Although there have been many studies and reports on the relationship between abnormal lipid metabolism and ADs, it remains uncertain as to whether dyslipidemia has a unique role in promoting the occurrence and development of ADs. Here, we discuss the mechanisms of how dyslipidemia accelerates inflammatory response, autoimmunity, and atherosclerosis at epidemiological, molecular, and cellular levels, and the discussion is mainly conducted with SLE as an example.

Background: The terahertz spectroscopy has attracted enormous attention for label free chemical and biological sensing, due to the presence of molecular fingerprints and remote sensing capabilities. However, because of the strong absorption of THz waves in aqueous solutions, detecting liquid-phase biological samples by THz spectroscopy has encountered strong constraints. Results: Here, we demonstrate for the first time a rapid and label-free sensing for liquid-phase biological samples using THz spectroscopy based on microfluidic metasensors. The metasensors were integrated with microfluidic chip to precisely control the liquid sample thickness within 220 nanometer (MMS-N) and 50 micrometer (MMS-U). The metasensors include a periodic split ring resonator (SRR) with two resonant peaks in the THz range. The sensitivity(S) and corresponding figure of merit (FOM) of the two resonance peaks of MMS-N and MMS-U are analyzed with respect to different refractive index matching solution. Both the two resonance peaks of the metasensors are sensitive to the varies refractive index environment and high-frequency resonant of MMS-N shows the best sensitivity(~136GHz/RIU). In addition, the label-free biological sensing capability was conducted through qualitative and quantitative LDL and ox-LDL, where a shift of resonance frequency was observed as the LDL and ox-LDL concentration increased. Conclusions: The results indicated nanofluidic metasensor presented excellent sensing capability for liquid-phase molecular analysis by THz spectroscopy, and the proposed sensing system has the potentials to be developed as a rapid, label-free and highly sensitive detection tool for molecular analysis by THz sensing.

In this paper, we prove the existence of the positive ground state solution to fractional spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensation(BEC) in one dimension.

Background To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to the immunization schedule for the elderly population (age > 60 years) in Shanghai, China. Methods A decision-tree model, with data and assumptions adapted from the societal perspective of Shanghai City, was developed to project the health outcomes of PPSV23 vaccination (compared with no vaccination) over a lifetime course. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the model’s robustness. The clinical data, utility and treatment costs related to pneumococcal diseases were either cited from the literature or calculated from local sources. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of PPSV23 vaccination compared with no vaccination was $16,699/quality-adjusted life years gained, which was lower than the per capita GDP of Shanghai ($16,840). Sensitivity analyses showed that the model’s outcome is robust. Conclusions Routine vaccination of the elderly population with PPSV23 is cost-effective in Shanghai, China.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) compared to a no vaccination strategy in Chinese infants. Methods: A Markov process model was developed to examine the outcomes of PCV-13 against a no vaccination strategy using data and assumptions adapted for relevance to China. Outcomes over a lifetime horizon are presented. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the uncertainty. Results: Compared to no vaccination, a PCV-13 vaccination program would provide a gain of 0.009 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per subject. From the health care and societal perspectives, the incremental costs per QALY were $20,709 and 18,483, respectively. When herd effect was included, the cost effectiveness of the PCV-13 vaccination strategy was notably improved. The lower price of PCV-13 will improve the cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: The PCV-13 vaccination is likely to be cost-effective at the current Chinese prices and ceiling threshold ($8,382).

In this paper, we consider the following fractional Laplacian system with one critical exponent and one subcritical exponent \begin{equation*} \begin{cases} (-\Delta)^{s}u+\mu u=|u|^{p-1}u+\lambda v & x\in \ \mathbb{R}^{N}, (-\Delta)^{s}v+\nu v = |v|^{2^{\ast}-2}v+\lambda u& x\in \ \mathbb{R}^{N},\\ \end{cases} \end{equation*} where $(-\Delta)^{s}$ is the fractional Laplacian, $02s, \ \lambda \mu_{0}$, there exists a $\lambda_{\mu,\nu}\in[\sqrt{(\mu-\mu_{0})\nu},\sqrt{\mu\nu})$ such that if $\lambda>\lambda_{\mu,\nu}$, the system has a positive ground state solution, if $\lambda, Comment: 21 pages

In this article, we study the existence of solution for the problem ( − Δ ) α u = λ f ( u ) + ν in Ω, u ≡ 0 in R N \ Ω , where λ > 0 is a parameter, α ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) and ν is a Radon measure. A weak solution is obtained by using Schauder's fixed point theorem. In the case where ν is Dirac measure, the symmetry of the solution is obtained by using the moving plane method.

General quality problems in electroplating are the nickel plating layer peeling and bubble problem. Nickel plating layer peeling and bubble problem is mainly caused by bad combining of the coating and the substrate. This paper studies the heat treatment quality of the nickel plating layer and the influence of welding performance, ceramic shell surface nickel plating respectively after a 400 °C, 600 °C and without heat treatment, heat treatment using scanning electron microscope observation of morphology, through the analysis of coating microstructure, preliminary discussion on the mechanism of the influence of heat treatment temperature on the coating hardness and so on performance.

We obtain the Hamiltonian theory of the Landau?Lifschitz equation with an easy axis by using a suitable gauge transformation and the standard procedure. Action?angle variables are found and the canonical equation is given.

The wettability of coating surface has important significance in the spreading situation of piece of sticky piece, and the welding state of Au-Sn solder. Wettability of solids is expressed with wetting contact angle. In this paper, by studying the wetting angles of the water droplets on the surface of the different ceramic shell, assess the wettability on the surface of the ceramic shell, and the ways to improve the wettability is proposed through experiments. The results of the experiment show that the presence of organic matter reduces the wettability of the coating surface, so the wetting angles of the coating surface are large in the analysis process. After the plasma cleaning, organics were washed subsequently, and the wettability of the surface coating increased, so the wetting angles are decreased.

IC technology changes with each passing day, developing towards the direction of higher integration, higher density and smaller size. The process of wire bonding can't meet the requirements. FC(Flip chip) technology becomes more mature day by day. Bump interconnection is an important characteristic of flip chip, usually consisting of PbSn alloy or SnAgCu alloy. In order to ensure the effective interconnection between bumps and substrates, the bumps need keep coplanar. However, certain pressure will act on wafers during the process of grinding and taping. The question of how to protect bumps from deformation and How to reduce the damage layer after grinding will be studied Dicing is the process after grinding. Taping is also used before dicing. The technological process will be introduced.

Immature inner hair cells (IHCs) produce spontaneous action potentials, which may be associated with the survival of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) during early development. Later, this activity ceases in part by the expression of Kir channels. In the present study, SGNs were co-cultured with organ of Corti in which a Kir2.1 channel was over-expressed in an attempt to block the spontaneous activity of IHCs. The over-expression led to a reduced survival and neurite growth accompanied by increased SGN apoptosis. The enhanced activation of apoptosis was consistent with the inhibition of the survival-promoting pathway and the disruption of [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis. Furthermore, the effect of Kir2.1 over-expression can be reversed by exogenous neurotrophic factors (NTFs). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the earlier-than-normal expression of Kir2.1 in HCs inhibits their spontaneous activity required for SGN survival and neurite growth.

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Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been widely used for treating liver diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Experimental evidence indicates that it has antitumor potential. In this study, the effect of AM on hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), two-thirds partial hepatectomy, and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) (DEN-PH-AAF) was evaluated using glutathione S-transferase placenta form (GST-P) as marker. First, rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with DEN (200 mg/kg in saline), a two-thirds partial hepatectomy was carried out 2 weeks later, and the rats were then placed on a basal diet containing 0.02% AAF from week 3 to week 8 to induce hepatocarcinogenesis. The rats were given AM (90 mg/kg or 180 mg/kg body weight) by gavage from week 3 to week 8 (treatment groups). The formation of GST-P-positive foci and the expression of GST-P protein and mRNA caused by DEN-PH-AAF were reduced in the treatment groups, which clearly suggests that AM is effective in delaying DEN-PH-AAF-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Background The purpose of this study was to compare, from a Chinese societal perspective, the projected health benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of adding pneumococcal conjugate heptavalent vaccine (PCV-7) to the routine compulsory child immunization schedule. Methods A decision-tree model, with data and assumptions adapted for relevance to China, was developed to project the health outcomes of PCV-7 vaccination (compared with no vaccination) over a 5-year period as well as a lifetime. The vaccinated birth cohort included 16,000,000 children in China. A 2 + 1 dose schedule at US$136.51 per vaccine dose was used in the base-case analysis. One-way sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of the model. The impact of a net indirect effect (herd immunity) was evaluated. Outcomes are presented in terms of the saved disease burden, costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results In a Chinese birth cohort, a PCV-7 vaccination program would reduce the number of pneumococcus-related infections by at least 32% and would prevent 2,682 deaths in the first 5 years of life, saving $1,190 million in total costs and gaining an additional 9,895 QALYs (discounted by 3%). The incremental cost per QALY was estimated to be $530,354. When herd immunity was taken into account, the cost per QALY was estimated to be $95,319. The robustness of the model was influenced mainly by the PCV-7 cost per dose, effectiveness herd immunity and incidence of pneumococcal diseases. With and without herd immunity, the break-even costs in China were $29.05 and $25.87, respectively. Conclusions Compulsory routine infant vaccination with PCV-7 is projected to substantially reduce pneumococcal disease morbidity, mortality, and related costs in China. However, a universal vaccination program with PCV-7 is not cost-effective at the willingness-to-pay threshold that is currently recommended for China by the World Health Organization.