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Fish oil is one of the most popular supplements in the UK and other developed countries. However, the relationship between fish oil use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unclear.To prospectively examine the association of habitual fish oil supplementation with incident COPD risk and to evaluate potential effect modification by genetic predisposition.This study included 484,414 participants (mean and standard deviation [SD] age: 56.5 [8.1] years) from the UK Biobank who completed a touchscreen questionnaire on habitual fish oil supplement use between 2006 and 2010 and were followed up through 2018. Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviours, health conditions, and other potential confounding factors. A weighted genetic risk score (GRS) for COPD was derived from 112 validated single nucleotide polymorphisms.During a median follow-up of 9.0 years, 8860 incident COPD events were recorded. A total of 31.4% (152,230) of the study participants reported habitual fish oil supplementation at baseline. Habitual fish oil supplementation was significantly associated with a lower risk of incident COPD (adjusted HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84-0.93). The association with COPD did not differ by GRS strata (P for interaction = 0.880). The results from subgroup and sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of our findings.Our findings suggest that habitual fish oil supplementation is associated with a lower risk of incident COPD, irrespective of genetic predisposition.

Rationale Both genetic variants and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) contribute to the risk of incident severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Whether genetic risk of incident severe COVID-19 is the same regardless of preexisting COPD is unknown. Objectives In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential interaction between genetic risk and COPD in relation to severe COVID-19. Methods We constructed a polygenic risk score for severe COVID-19 by using 112 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 430,582 participants from the UK Biobank study. We examined the associations of genetic risk and COPD with severe COVID-19 by using logistic regression models. Results Of 430,582 participants, 712 developed severe COVID-19 as of February 22, 2021, of whom 19.8% had preexisting COPD. Compared with participants at low genetic risk, those at intermediate genetic risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.66) and high genetic risk (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.18–1.92) had higher risk of severe COVID-19 (P for trend = 0.001), and the association was independent of COPD (P for interaction = 0.76). COPD was associated with a higher risk of incident severe COVID-19 (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.12–1.67; P = 0.002). Participants at high genetic risk and with COPD had a higher risk of severe COVID-19 (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.35–3.04; P

Objective To examine the association of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk with sleep factors, genetic risk, and their combination effects. Design Large prospective population-based cohort study. Methods This population-based prospective cohort study included 360 403 (mean (s.d.) age: 56.6 (8.0) years) participants without T2D at baseline from the UK Biobank. Genetic risk was categorised as high (highest quintile), intermediate (quintiles: 2–4), and low (lowest quintile) based on a polygenic risk score for T2D. Sleep scores, including long or short sleep duration, insomnia, snoring, late chronotype, and excessive daytime sleepiness, were categorized as an unfavourable, intermediate, or favourable sleep and circadian pattern. Results During a median follow-up of 9.0 years, 13 120 incident T2D cases were recorded. Among the participants with an unfavourable sleep and circadian pattern, 6.96% (95% CI: 6.68–7.24%) developed T2D vs 2.37% (95% CI: 2.28–2.46%) of participants with a favourable sleep and circadian pattern (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.53, 95% CI: 1.45–1.62). Of participants with a high genetic risk, 5.53% (95% CI: 5.36–5.69%) developed T2D vs 2.01% (95% CI: 1.91–2.11%) of participants with a low genetic risk (adjusted HR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.72–3.07). The association with sleep and circadian patterns was independent of genetic risk strata. Participants in the lowest quintile with an unfavourable sleep and circadian pattern were 3.97-fold more likely to develop T2D than those in the lowest quintile with a favourable sleep and circadian pattern. Conclusions Sleep and circadian patterns and genetic risk were independently associated with incident T2D. These results indicate the benefits of adhering to a healthy sleep and circadian pattern in entire populations, independent of genetic risk.

Previous observational studies have suggested an association between coffee intake and reduced risk for death, but these studies did not distinguish between coffee consumed with sugar or artificial sweeteners and coffee consumed without.To evaluate the associations of consumption of sugar-sweetened, artificially sweetened, and unsweetened coffee with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.Prospective cohort study.Data were extracted from the UK Biobank.A total of 171 616 participants (mean age, 55.6 years [SD, 7.9]) without cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer at baseline were eligible. Baseline demographic, lifestyle, and dietary data from the UK Biobank were used, with follow-up beginning in 2009 and ending in 2018.Dietary consumption of sugar-sweetened, artificially sweetened, and unsweetened coffee was self-reported. All-cause, cancer-related, and CVD-related mortality were estimated.During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 3177 deaths were recorded (including 1725 cancer deaths and 628 CVD deaths). Cox models with penalized splines showed U-shaped associations of unsweetened coffee, sugar-sweetened coffee, and artificially sweetened coffee with mortality. Compared with nonconsumers, consumers of various amounts of unsweetened coffee (0 to 1.5,1.5 to 2.5,2.5 to 3.5,3.5 to 4.5, and4.5 drinks/d) had lower risks for all-cause mortality after adjustment for lifestyle, sociodemographic, and clinical factors, with respective hazard ratios of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.90), 0.84 (CI, 0.74 to 0.95), 0.71 (CI, 0.62 to 0.82), 0.71 (CI, 0.60 to 0.84), and 0.77 (CI, 0.65 to 0.91); the respective estimates for consumption of sugar-sweetened coffee were 0.91 (CI, 0.78 to 1.07), 0.69 (CI, 0.57 to 0.84), 0.72 (CI, 0.57 to 0.91), 0.79 (CI, 0.60 to 1.06), and 1.05 (CI, 0.82 to 1.36). The association between artificially sweetened coffee and mortality was less consistent. The association of coffee drinking with mortality from cancer and CVD was largely consistent with that with all-cause mortality. U-shaped associations were also observed for instant, ground, and decaffeinated coffee.Exposure assessed at baseline might not capture changes in intake over time.Moderate consumption of unsweetened and sugar-sweetened coffee was associated with lower risk for death.National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program by CAST, and Project Supported by Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation.

Background Risk for transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to close contacts of infected persons has not been well estimated. Objective To evaluate the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to close contacts in different settings. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Close contacts of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Guangzhou, China. Participants 3410 close contacts of 391 index cases were traced between 13 January and 6 March 2020. Data on the setting of the exposure, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, and clinical characteristics of index and secondary cases were collected. Measurement Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were confirmed by guidelines issued by China. Secondary attack rates in different settings were calculated. Results Among 3410 close contacts, 127 (3.7% [95% CI, 3.1% to 4.4%]) were secondarily infected. Of these 127 persons, 8 (6.3% [CI, 2.1% to 10.5%]) were asymptomatic. Of the 119 symptomatic cases, 20 (16.8%) were defined as mild, 87 (73.1%) as moderate, and 12 (10.1%) as severe or critical. Compared with the household setting (10.3%), the secondary attack rate was lower for exposures in health care settings (1.0%; odds ratio [OR], 0.09 [CI, 0.04 to 0.20]) and on public transportation (0.1%; OR, 0.01 [CI, 0.00 to 0.08]). The secondary attack rate increased with the severity of index cases, from 0.3% (CI, 0.0% to 1.0%) for asymptomatic to 3.3% (CI, 1.8% to 4.8%) for mild, 5.6% (CI, 4.4% to 6.8%) for moderate, and 6.2% (CI, 3.2% to 9.1%) for severe or critical cases. Index cases with expectoration were associated with higher risk for secondary infection (13.6% vs. 3.0% for index cases without expectoration; OR, 4.81 [CI, 3.35 to 6.93]). Limitation There was potential recall bias regarding symptom onset among patients with COVID-19, and the symptoms and severity of index cases were not assessed at the time of exposure to contacts. Conclusion Household contact was the main setting for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among close contacts increased with the severity of index cases. Primary funding source Guangdong Province Higher Vocational Colleges and Schools Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme.

Highlights • The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 3.4% and 22.8% among workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in China. • Epidemic-related factors especially having confirmed cases in the community and having confirmed friends were associated with the higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. • Major traditional risk factors, such as general or poor health status and always drinking alcohol, were found still to be the dominant factors associating with the increased risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. • Approximately 67.3% and 26.8% of workers reported demand for psychological education and interventions, respectively., Background COVID-19 has gained intense attention globally. However, little is known about the COVID-19-ralated mental health status among workers. Methods The cross-sectional online survey with 123,768 workers was conducted from February 2, 2020 to February 7, 2020 on a mega-size labor-intensive factory in Shenzhen, China. Oral consent was obtained prior to the questionnaire survey. The information collected in the survey included demographic characteristics, psychological symptoms, COVID-19-related information, and demands for psychological education and interventions. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured by the Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Logistic regression models were performed to determine the association between related factors and mental health status. Results The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 3.4% and 22.8%, respectively. The dominant epidemic-related factors were having confirmed cases in the community (odds ratio [OR], 2.75, 95% CI, 2.37–3.19) and having confirmed friends (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.69–3.52) for the increased risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Nevertheless, major traditional risk factors such as general or poor health status and always drinking alcohol were still the dominant factors associated with the increased risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. Overall, 67.3% and 26.8% workers reported desire for psychological education and interventions, respectively. Limitations All assessments were self-reported, resulting in a risk of method bias. Conclusions Our findings show a relatively low prevalence of anxiety symptoms, a relatively high prevalence of depression symptoms, and urgent demand for psychological education and interventions among workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

ObjectivesTo evaluate the associations of regular glucosamine use with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large prospective cohort.MethodsThis population-based prospective cohort study included 495 077 women and men (mean (SD) age, 56.6 (8.1) years) from the UK Biobank study. Participants were recruited from 2006 to 2010 and were followed up through 2018. We evaluated all-cause mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, respiratory and digestive disease. HRs and 95% CIs for all-cause and cause-specific mortality were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for potential confounding variables.ResultsAt baseline, 19.1% of the participants reported regular use of glucosamine supplements. During a median follow-up of 8.9 years (IQR 8.3–9.7 years), 19 882 all-cause deaths were recorded, including 3802 CVD deaths, 8090 cancer deaths, 3380 respiratory disease deaths and 1061 digestive disease deaths. In multivariable adjusted analyses, the HRs associated with glucosamine use were 0.85 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.89) for all-cause mortality, 0.82 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.90) for CVD mortality, 0.94 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99) for cancer mortality, 0.73 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.81) for respiratory mortality and 0.74 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.90) for digestive mortality. The inverse associations of glucosamine use with all-cause mortality seemed to be somewhat stronger among current than non-current smokers (p for interaction=0.00080).ConclusionsRegular glucosamine supplementation was associated with lower mortality due to all causes, cancer, CVD, respiratory and digestive diseases.

BackgroundNon-pharmaceutical interventions were implemented in most countries to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We aimed to describe the incidence of influenza in four countries in the 2019–2020 season and examined the effect of these non-pharmaceutical interventions on the incidence of influenza.MethodsWe used the network surveillance data from 2015 to 2020 to estimate the percentage increase in influenza cases to explore the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to control the COVID-19 on the incidence of influenza in China, the United States, Japan, and Singapore.ResultsWe found that the incidence of influenza has been almost zero and reached a persistent near-zero level for a continuous period of six months since epidemiologic week 14 of 2020 in the four countries. Influenza incidence decreased by 77.71% and 60.50% in the early days of COVID-19 in the 2019–2020 season compared to the same period in preceding years in Japan and Singapore, respectively. Furthermore, influenza incidence decreased by 60.50–99.48% during the period of compulsory interventions in the 2019–2020 season compared to the same period in preceding years in the four countries.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the application of non-pharmaceutical interventions, even everyday preventive action, was associated with a reduction of influenza incidence, which highlights that more traditional public health interventions need to be reasserted and universalized to reduce influenza incidence.

Some patients retested positive for SARS-CoV-2 following negative testing results and discharge. However, the potential risk factors associated with redetectable positive testing results in a large sample of patients who recovered from COVID-19 have not been well-estimated. A total of 745 discharged patients were enrolled between January 30, 2020, and September 9, 2020, in Guangzhou, China. Data on the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, drug therapy, RT-PCR testing, and contact modes to close contacts were collected. Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after discharge were confirmed by guidelines issued by China. The repositive rate in different settings was calculated. Among 745 discharged patients, 157 (21.1%; 95% CI, 18.2–24.0%) tested repositive and the repositive rate was 16.8% (95% CI, 14.1–24.0%) for nasopharyngeal swabs and 9.7% (95% CI, 7.0–12.5%) for anal swabs. Among them, 55 (35.0%) were asymptomatic, 15 (9.6%) had mild symptoms, 83 (52.9%) had moderate symptoms, and 4 (2.6%) had severe symptoms at the first admission. The days from discharge to repositivity was 8.0 (IQR, 8.0–14.0). Most repositive patients were without clinical symptoms, and lymphocyte cell counts were higher than before being discharged. The likelihood of repositive testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was significantly higher among patients who were of younger age (OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.74–8.66, 0–17 years old), had asymptomatic severity (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 1.47–12.95), and did not have clinical symptoms (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.32–2.70, without fever). No other positive patients emerged within the families or close contacts of repositive patients. Our findings support prolonged but intermittent viral shedding as the probable cause for this phenomenon; we need to familiarize with the possibility that the virus will remain endemic.

Highlights • The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptom was 7.7% and 12.2%, respectively. • Having confirmed and suspected cases in family members or relatives was associated with the higher risk of depression symptom. • Self-reported health condition was strongly associated with risk of anxiety and depression symptom., Background : Although studies have suggested experiencing the epidemic of severe infectious diseases increased the prevalence of mental health problems, the association between COVID-19 epidemic and risk of anxiety and depression symptom in college students in China was unclear. Methods : A large cross-sectional online survey with 44,447 college students was conducted in Guangzhou, China. The Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale) were used to define the anxiety and depression symptom, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between COVID-19 epidemic and risk of anxiety and depression symptom. Results : The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptom was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.5%, 8.0%) and 12.2% (95%CI: 11.9%, 12.5%), respectively. Compared with students who reported have not infected or suspected cases in family members and relatives, students who reported having confirmed (OR=4.06; 95%CI: 1.62, 10.19; P=0.003), and suspected (OR=2.11; 95%CI: 1.11, 4.00; P=0.023) cases in family members and relatives had higher risk of depression symptom. Additionally, the proportions of students with anxiety and depression symptom reported more demand of psychological knowledge and interventions than those without (P

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently emerged as a global threat. Understanding workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding this new infectious disease is crucial to preventing and controlling it. This study aimed to assess KAP regarding COVID-19 during the outbreak among workers in China. The present study was part of a cross-sectional online survey study conducted based on a large labor-intensive factory, which has 180,000 workers from various Chinese provinces, from 2 February 2020 to 7 February 2020. KAP related to COVID-19 were measured by 32 items, each item was measured with an agree/disagree/unclear format, and only correct responses were given 1 point. KAP regarding COVID-19 were measured with 20 items, 6 items and 6 items, respectively. A total of 123,768 valid responses (68.8%) were included in the analysis. Generally, the levels of knowledge (mean: 16.3 out of 20 points), attitudes (mean: 4.5 out of 6 points), and practices (mean: 5.8 out of 6 points) related to COVID-19 were high. Only 36,373 respondents (29.4%) disagreed that gargling with salt water is effective in protecting against COVID-19. Moreover, older respondents had decreased levels of knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 (both P values for the trend, Author summary The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently emerged as a global threat. It is important to understanding workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19. In this study, we conducted a large cross-sectional online survey base on a large labor-intensive factory to determine the status of COVID-19-related KAP during the outbreak among workers in China. We found that Chinese workers had strong awareness of COVID-19 but also had some misconceptions. Moreover, this study indicated that lower levels of knowledge and practices related to COVID-19 among older and less-educated workers. The results suggested that health authorities still need to ensure correct information on COVID-19 prevention and strengthen health interventions, particularly for older and less-educated workers.

BackgroundRapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan prompted heightened surveillance in Guangzhou and elsewhere in China. Modes of contact and risk of transmission among close contacts have not been well estimated.MethodsWe included 4950 closes contacts from Guangzhou, and extracted data including modes of contact, laboratory testing, clinical characteristics of confirmed cases and source cases. We used logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors associated with infection of close contacts.ResultsAmong 4950 closes contacts, the median age was 38.0 years, and males accounted for 50.2% (2484). During quarantine period, 129 cases (2.6%) were diagnosed, with 8 asymptomatic (6.2%), 49 mild (38.0%), and 5 (3.9%) severe to critical cases. The sensitivity of throat swab was 71.32% and 92.19% at first to second PCR test. Among different modes of contact, household contacts were the most dangerous in catching with infection of COVID-19, with an incidence of 10.2%. As the increase of age for close contacts and severity of source cases, the incidence of COVID-19 presented an increasing trend from 1.8% (0-17 years) to 4.2% (60 or over years), and from 0.33% for asymptomatic, 3.3% for mild, to 6.2% for severe and critical source cases, respectively. Manifestation of expectoration in source cases was also highly associated with an increased risk of infection in their close contacts (13.6%). Secondary cases were in general clinically milder and were less likely to have common symptoms than those of source cases.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the proportion of asymptomatic and mild infections account for almost half of the confirmed cases among close contacts. The household contacts were the main transmission mode, and clinically more severe cases were more likely to pass the infection to their close contacts. Generally, the secondary cases were clinically milder than those of source cases.

Background: Some cases retested positive for SARS-CoV-2 following negative testing results and discharge, which attracted widespread concern. However, the potential risk factors associated with re-detectable positive tests in a large sample of cases who recovered from COVID-19 has not been well estimated. Methods: A total of 745 discharged COVID-19 cases were enrolled between 30 January and 9 September 2020 in Guangzhou, China. Data on the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, drug therapy, RT-PCR testing, and contact modes to close contacts were collected. Re-positive cases were confirmed by guidelines issued by China. The re-positive rate of in different settings was calculated. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the potential risk factors associated with COVID-19 re-positivity. Findings: Among 745 discharged cases, 157 (21.1%; 95%CI, 18.2% to 24.0%) were retested positive with 55 (35.0%) of asymptomatic, 15 (9.6%) of mild, 83 (52.9%) of moderate and 4 (2.6%) of severe at the first admission. The median time from discharge to re-positivity was 8.0 days (IQR, 8.0 to 14.0 days). Most re-positive cases were without clinical symptoms and lymphocyte cell counts increased than before. The likelihood of re-positive testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA was significantly higher among cases with younger age (OR, 3.88; 95%CI, 1.74 to 8.66, 0 to 17 years old), asymptomatic severity (OR, 4.36; 95%CI, 1.47 to 12.95) and without clinical symptoms (OR, 1.89; 95%CI, 1.32 to 2.70, without fever). Interpretation: We found that the re-positive rate of COVID-19 was relatively high, and they were re-tested positive with median days 8.0 to 14.0 post-discharge. Re-positive results were mainly observed in young cases without severe clinical symptoms. These findings suggest that a significant proportion of cases could carry virus fragments for a long time, and effective management, such as prolonged quarantine phase of discharged cases, is necessary. Funding Statement: The Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme; the Construction of High-level University of Guangdong; Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST; the National Natural Science Foundation of China; the Zhejiang University special scientific research fund for COVID-19 prevention and control. Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of GZCDC. As required by the National Health Commission of China, CDCs were responsible for the work for an ongoing public health response to COVID-19, and our cohort study was based on the data by GZCDC. Patients were informed about the surveillance before providing written consent, and data were collected and anonymized for analysis. All analysis of personally identifiable data took place onsite at the GZCDC.

Background: Rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan prompted heightened surveillance in Guangzhou and elsewhere in China Modes of contact and risk of transmission

Introduction: To investigate the independent and joint effects of leisure activities on disability in activities of daily living (ADL) among the oldest-old Chinese population (aged ≥ 80 years). Results: A total of 3696 participants with ADL disability were identified during the median follow-up period of 3.1 years. Compared to the participants who “never” watched TV or listened to the radio and who “never” kept domestic animals or pets, those who engaged in these activities “almost every day” had a significantly lower ADL disability risk (adjusted hazard ratios were 0.74 and 0.66, respectively; both P < 0.001). Furthermore, participants engaging in multiple leisure activities showed a reduced risk of ADL disability (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: Frequently watching TV or listening to the radio and keeping domestic animals or pets was associated with a lower risk of ADL disability among the oldest-old Chinese population. Methods: We included 12,331 participants (aged ≥ 80 years) (mean [SD] age: 89.5 [7.0] years) who managed to perform ADL independently at baseline in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey 1998-2014 waves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine whether leisure activities were associated with ADL disability.

In order to identify micro-seismic events of single seismic phase and locate the identified microseismic events as well, we have researched the method of identifying the micro-seismic events on the basis of the arrival time difference between any two traces in the case of single seismic phase and the characteristic rule of relationship of micro-seismic events, spatial location of detector and the seismic phase velocity. First, by analyzing the internal variation of the arrival time difference and the above changes of variables, we establish the quantitative calculation relationship between the arrival time difference and every variable. Then, with regard to the arrival time differences of the adjacent trace and the first and the last trace of detector array, we research the specific expression of the quantitative calculation relationship. Given the spatial location of the event, we can calculate the distribution range of the above two kinds of arrival time differences using the relation expression above. Comparing the distribution range of two arrival time difference of the actual micro-seismic events which we have calculated to the given event, we can identify the single seismic phase with the range which they fall to. Integrating the advances of the search method and the genetic algorithm, we put forward a micro-seismic joint inversion method based on the solution domain constrained iterative forward model. From the analysis of the expectation probability distribution of the iterative error solution and the variations of different directions of the solutions, we establish the definition conditions of the domain of solution constraints. In the determinate scope of the solution domain, we carry out the inversion of micro-seismic events using the genetic algorithm. Through the analysis of application of practical data, the method of identifying the micro-seismic events reduces the error ratio of phase recognition greatly. According to the identified information, we do the inversion of actual data using the inversion method. Comparing with the actual situation, the result is consistent with the actual crack distribution, and is fairly good in convergence.

Background Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) was reported to be implicated and aberrantly express in multiple cancers. However, the expression and mechanism of action of GAS5 were largely poor understood in endometrial carcinoma. Results According to the result of real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry analysis, we identified that GAS5 was down-regulated in endometrial cancer cells and stimulated the apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells. To investigate the expression of GAS5, PTEN and miR-103, RT-PCR was performed. And we found that the expression of PTEN was up-regulated when endometrial cancer cells overexpressed GAS5. The prediction of bioinformatics online revealed that GAS5 could bind to miR-103, which was further found to be regulated by GAS5. Finally, we found that miR-103 mimic could decrease the mRNA and protein levels of PTEN through luciferase reporter assay and western blotting, and GAS5 plasmid may reverse this regulation effect in endometrial cancer cells. Conclusion In summary, we demonstrate that GAS5 acts as an tumor suppressor lncRNA in endometrial cancer. Through inhibiting the expression of miR-103, GAS5 significantly enhanced the expression of PTEN to promote cancer cell apoptosis, and, thus, could be an important mediator in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer.

In the paper we present a new method to invert the interior structure in the basement or ancient hidden hill by using magnetotelluric (MT) data with seismic data constraint. We first obtain the thickness and resistivity of each layer above the basement or buried hill by the inversion of seismic and log data and create a geoelectrical model for the layers above the basement or hidden hill. Then with the reference to the inversion of 1D MT data, a geoelectrical model for the layers below the basement or hidden hill is created. On the basis of the above initial model, we present an effective and practical forward method, i.e., a model-matched approach to conduct forward inversion arithmetic. Finally, by the method of conjugate gradient iteration, a forward and backward iterative calculation is made. Taking No. 618 profile of Shengli Oil Field as an example, we have found out that the tectonic information that is unreflective in the seismic data below the basement is better reflected in the inversion result.

Based on the study on electromagnetic field migration by Zhdanov, we have proposed an improved method for the weak points in the research. Firstly, the initial background resistivity should be determined by using 1-D inversion results. Then in the process of continuation, the results are corrected and calculated layer by layer by the iteration method, so that more exact resistivity can be obtained. Secondly, an improved algorithm for finite-difference equation is studied. According to the property of electromagnetic migration field, the algorithm is designed by means of grids varying with geometric progression in the longitudinal direction. Being improved by the techniques mentioned above, better results are obtained by the new method, which has been verified by both the theory model and practical data.

The use of controlled transdermal delivery of acyclovir (AC V) in the treatment of cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infections in hairless mice was investigated. Using an in vivoanimal model (A. Gonsho, et al. Int. J. Pharm. 65:183–194 (1990)) made it possible to quantify both, the topical and the systemic antiviral efficacy of ACV transdermal patches as a function of the drug delivery rate of the patches. Drug delivery rates required to attain systemic efficacy were found to be higher than the rates required to attain the same magnitude of topical efficacy. The ACV concentrations in the basal cell layer of the epidermis for 50% topical efficacy and 50% systemic efficacy were estimated. The basal epidermis layer was considered to be the site of antiviral drug activity (skin target site). Systemic plasma levels were obtained from pharmacokinetic studies and were used to estimate the ACV concentration achieved systemically in the basal epidermis layer. A computational model for drug permeation across skin was employed to estimate the ACV concentration achieved topically in the basal epidermis layer. Equal topical and systemic efficacies were found to correspond to equal drug concentrations at the site of antiviral activity. The length of the effective diffusion pathway of drug molecules in the dermis prior to entering the blood circulation was assumed to be approximately equal to 1/20 of the anatomical dermis thickness because of dermis vascularization.

The influence of low levels of ethanol on the simultaneous diffusion and metabolism of β-estradiol (E2β) in hairless mouse skin was quantitatively evaluated. A wide range of diffusion/metabolism experiments was conducted with full-thickness skin, stripped skin, and dermis at the various ethanol levels. The experiments were carried out in a two-chamber diffusion-cell system where ethanol was present in both the donor and the receiver chambers at equal concentrations. Analysis of the experimental data with several enzyme distribution models further showed that the best model was that for which the enzyme activity resided totally in the epidermis and near the basal layer of the epidermis. The ethanol effects were separated and quantified in terms of the diffusion and metabolism parameters. Aqueous ethanol, even at low concentrations (≤25%), was found to have two important effects on E2β transport: ethanol functions as an inhibitor of the enzymatic conversion of E2β to estrone (E1) in the viable epidermis, and ethanol is able to enhance the transport of permeants across the lipoidal pathway of the stratum corneum.

Aim of Study: To clarify the effects of glutathione S-transferases mu-1. (GSTM1) null genotype on the risk of CC, an updated meta-analysis. was performed in Chinese populations. Materials and Methods: An extensive literature search for relevant studies was conducted on Pub Med, Springer Link, Ovid SP, Chinese Biomedical (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and Wan fang Database from their inception through 22 October, 2014. This meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 10.0 software. The crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Results: A total of four studies including 364 cervical cancer cases and 378 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, significant association was found between GSTM1 null genotype and CC risk when all studies in the Chinese population pooled into the meta--analysis. In subgroup analyses stratified by geographical location, ethnicity, and source of controls; the same results were observed. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides the evidence that GSTM1 null genotype may contribute to the CC development in Chinese and studies with large sample size and wider spectrum of population are warranted to verify this finding.