Effect of front-of-package nutrition labeling on food purchases: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This study systematically reviewed evidence from interventions on the effect of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling on food purchases.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design used in this study is a systematic review.

METHODS

Keyword search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies (10 randomized controlled trials, four pre-post studies, and one case-control study) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Five studies were conducted in a controlled setting through the establishment of an online virtual supermarket or physical laboratory food store solely for the intervention. In contrast, the remaining ten studies were conducted in a naturalistic setting where people commonly purchase foods (e.g., supermarket, grocery store, school/hospital cafeteria, or vending machine). FOP labels assessed included traffic lights, health star rating, daily intake guides, health warnings, and high sugar symbol labels. Compared with the control, FOP labels were effective for helping participants make healthier food purchase decisions in five of the 12 studies that assessed traffic lights labels, in one of the two studies that assessed health warning labels, and in one study that assessed high sugar symbol labels. Three assessed health star ratings and one assessed daily intake guide labels, but none revealed an effect on food purchases compared with the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings on the effectiveness of FOP nutrition labels in 'nudging' consumers toward healthier food purchases remain mixed and inconclusive. Future studies should examine other types of FOP labels beside the traffic lights labels and explore the different effects by consumer affordability, population subgroup, and shopping environment.

[Characteristics and predictors of postoperative outcome of Crohn disease patients requiring abdominal surgery: a series of 1 048 cases from a single inflammatory bowel disease centre]

Objective: To examine the clinical characteristics, the potential relative factors for postoperative abdominal septic complications, and prognosis factors of surgical recurrence of Crohn disease (CD) patients after the first surgery. Methods: All the CD patients from Department of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University who had undergone at least one abdominal surgery from January 2007 to December 2017 were included for retrospective analysis. Hospital records were reviewed for information on clinical characteristics. Relative factors of postoperative abdominal septic complications were accessed by Logistic regression models, and prognosis factors of surgical recurrence were accessed by Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: There were 1 048 patients included (733 males and 315 females), accounting for 1 513 operations. The age was 31(17) years and the length of resected small bowel was 30.0(40.0) cm at the first resection, 20.0(35.0) cm at the second resection, and 20.0(23.5) cm at the third resection. The length of resected small bowel was 25.0(40.0) cm at any resection. At the first abdominal surgery, 70.99%(744/1 048) patients were aged between 17 and 40 years, 66.98%(702/1 048) patients had ileocolonic disease, and 60.40%(633/1 048) patients had penetrating behavior. Penetrating behavior (OR=8.594, 95%CI: 3.397 to 21.740, P<0.01) and current smoking status (OR=2.671, 95%CI: 1.044 to 6.832, P=0.040) were significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative septic complications, whereas staged operation (OR=0.360, 95%CI: 0.184 to 0.707, P=0.003) was associated with a decreased risk. Male gender (HR=1.500, 95%CI: 1.128 to 1.995, P=0.005), upper gastrointestinal disease (HR=1.526, 95%CI: 1.033 to 2.255, P=0.034), penetrating behavior (HR=1.506, 95%CI: 1.132 to 2.003, P=0.005) and emergency surgery (HR=1.812, 95%CI: 1.375 to 2.387, P<0.01) were significantly associated with an increased risk of postoperative surgical recurrence, whereas staged operation (HR=0.361, 95%CI: 0.227 to 0.574, P<0.01) was significantly associated with a decreased risk. Conclusions: In this cohort of CD patients receiving abdominal surgery from an inflammatory bowel disease center, the median age was 31 years and the median length of resected small bowel was 30 cm, at first resection. Patients who have risk factors of adverse postoperative outcome may be benefited from staged surgical approach.

Strain Investigation on Spin-Dependent Transport Properties of γ-Graphyne Nanoribbon Between Gold Electrodes

Strain engineering has become one of the effective methods to tune the electronic structures of materials, which can be introduced into the molecular junction to induce some unique physical effects. The various γ-graphyne nanoribbons (γ-GYNRs) embedded between gold (Au) electrodes with strain controlling have been designed, involving the calculation of the spin-dependent transport properties by employing the density functional theory. Our calculated results exhibit that the presence of strain has a great effect on transport properties of molecular junctions, which can obviously enhance the coupling between the γ-GYNR and Au electrodes. We find that the current flowing through the strained nanojunction is larger than that of the unstrained one. What is more, the length and strained shape of the γ-GYNR serves as the important factors which affect the transport properties of molecular junctions. Simultaneously, the phenomenon of spin-splitting occurs after introducing strain into nanojunction, implying that strain engineering may be a new means to regulate the electron spin. Our work can provide theoretical basis for designing of high performance graphyne-based devices in the future.

Comorbid Depressive Symptoms, Visual Impairment, and Sarcopenia among Middle-Aged and Older Women: Findings from the West China Health and Aging Trend study

Previous reports have described close relationships between sarcopenia and either visual impairment or depression, but there have been few analyses investigating the association between sarcopenia and the coexistence of both visual impairment and depression. Herein, we sought to explore the associations between sarcopenia and comorbid depressive symptoms and visual impairment among older females. A cross-sectional analysis of females between the ages of 50 and 95 (n = 2454) from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study was conducted. Patient muscle mass was assessed via a bioimpedance-based approach using an InBody 770 device, while muscle strength was estimated based on handgrip strength as quantified with a digital grip strength dynamometer. Depressive systems were evaluated with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and a questionnaire was employed to evaluate patient visual functionality. Associations between sarcopenia and comorbid depressive status and visual impairment were explored through logistic regression analyses. Comorbid depressive symptoms and visual impairment were observed in 6.2% of the women included in this study, while 18.9% suffered from sarcopenia. Following adjustment for covariates, relative to normal controls, study subjects with only depression (OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.04-2.02), only visual impairment (OR=1.69, 95%CI=1.27-2.26), or comorbid depression and visual impairment (OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.16-2.67) exhibited a higher risk of sarcopenia. These results suggest that comorbid depression and visual impairment are linked to the prevalence of sarcopenia in older Chinese women. As such, further efforts to screen older women for these two comorbid conditions may thus be necessary.

Structure and thermal properties of beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil

Beeswax-based oleogels with different types of vegetable oil, including camellia oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), sunflower oil (SFO), or flaxseed oil (FO), were prepared and their structure and thermal properties were evaluated. The critical concentration of oleogel obtained from each of CO, SO, and SFO at 25 °C was 3% (w/w), and that from FO was 4%. Thermal measurements revealed similar thermodynamic curves for oleogels in different lipid phases. X-Ray diffraction showed orthorhombic perpendicular subcell packing and characteristic peaks of the β’ form. Furthermore, a morphology analysis of the crystals showed that they were needle shaped. Fourier transform-infrared spectra revealed that beeswax-based oleogels were formed via non-covalent bonds and may be stabilized with physical entanglements. The oleogels showed oil type-dependent oxidative abilities, but they were all stable and showed no obvious changes in peroxide value during 90 days of storage at 5 °C.

Long non-coding RNA MIR503HG serves as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer mediated by wnt1

OBJECTIVE

The incidence and death rate of lung cancer has been rising year by year. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) seriously affects people's health and quality of life. This study was designed to explore the functional role of long-chain non-coding RNA (LncRNA) MIR503HG in the development of NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was conducted to access the expression level of MIR503HG in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometric analysis were performed to assess the ability of MIR503HG in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis in NSCLC. Subsequently, Western blotting was used to detect the expression level of Wnt1 in NSCLC. Besides, in vivo tumorigenesis assay was performed in nude mice to examine the ability of MIR503HG in tumor formation.

RESULTS

MIR503HG was downregulated in NSCLC. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay revealed that MIR503HG negatively regulated cell proliferation in NSLCL progression. In addition, MIR503HG promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed cell cycle progression in NSCLC in vitro. MIR503HG inhibited tumor formation in nude mice bearing NSCLC in vivo. MIR503HG downregulated Wnt1 expression in NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Lon non-coding RNA MIR503HG was downregulated in NSCLC. The over-expression of MIR503HG suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro and repressed tumorigenesis in vivo. MIR503HG suppressed NSCLC progression via negatively regulating Wnt1 expression.

[The role of time-series propagation map and activity path of confirmed cases in the analysis and determination of COVID-19 epidemic]

Objective: The time sequence transmission map and the cases travel track were used to explain the chain of transmission, describe the characteristics of transmission and analyze the mode of epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia, so as to provide evidence for the relevant government departments to carry out epidemic prevention and control. Methods: The time sequence transmission map and the cases travel track table were drawn, according to the time of incidence, age, sex, number of close contacts and their interrelations. Results: At the end of February 10, 2020, 63 COVID-19 cases were reported in the research area. Among them, 57 cases were confirmed (1 deaths) and 6 cases were asymptomatic, 57 cases were imported cases (90.48%), 36 cases were reported by cluster epidemic (57.14%) among friends and relatives. Cases have been spread to the fourth generation. Conclusion: The time sequence transmission map and the cases travel track showed that, in the research area, the epidemic situation of COVID-19 was mainly caused by imported case, and the clustering transmission was the major spread model. The time sequence transmission map and the cases travel track are worth popularizing in the prevention and control of major infectious diseases.

Comparing nanoparticle polymeric micellar paclitaxel and solvent-based paclitaxel as first-line treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: an open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase III trial

BACKGROUND

Polymeric micellar paclitaxel (pm-Pac) is a novel Cremophor EL-free, nanoparticle micellar formulation of paclitaxel. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between pm-Pac plus cisplatin and solvent-based paclitaxel (sb-Pac) plus cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 448 stage IIIB to IV NSCLC patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive six 3-week cycles of either pm-Pac (230 mg/m²) plus cisplatin (70 mg/m²; n = 300), followed by dose escalation of pm-Pac to 300 mg/m² from the second 3-week cycle if prespecified toxic effects were not observed after the first cycle, or sb-Pac (175 mg/m²) plus cisplatin (70 mg/m²; n = 148). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by independent review committees (IRCs). The secondary end points included IRC-assessed progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

Patients in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group showed significant improvements in IRC-assessed ORR compared with those in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group (50% versus 26%; rate ratio 1.91; P < 0.0001). Additionally, subgroup analysis showed that a higher ORR was consistently observed in both squamous and nonsquamous histological types. IRC-assessed median PFS was significantly higher in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group than in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group (6.4-month versus 5.3-month; hazard ratio 0.63; P = 0.0001). Median OS was not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of treatment-related serious adverse events (9% versus 18%; P = 0.0090) was significantly lower in the pm-Pac-plus-cisplatin group than in the sb-Pac-plus-cisplatin group.

CONCLUSION

Pm-Pac plus cisplatin yielded superior ORR and PFS along with a favorable safety profile and should become an option for patients with advanced NSCLC.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02667743; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02667743.

Quantum Transport in Two-Dimensional WS2 with High-Efficiency Carrier Injection through Indium Alloy Contacts

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have properties attractive for optoelectronic and quantum applications. A crucial element for devices is the metal-semiconductor interface. However, high contact resistances have hindered progress. Quantum transport studies are scant as low-quality contacts are intractable at cryogenic temperatures. Here, temperature-dependent transfer length measurements are performed on chemical vapor deposition grown single-layer and bilayer WS₂ devices with indium alloy contacts. The devices exhibit low contact resistances and Schottky barrier heights (∼10 kΩ μm at 3 K and 1.7 meV). Efficient carrier injection enables high carrier mobilities (∼190 cm² V^-1 s^-1) and observation of resonant tunnelling. Density functional theory calculations provide insights into quantum transport and properties of the WS₂-indium interface. Our results reveal significant advances toward high-performance WS₂ devices using indium alloy contacts.

Upregulated miRNA-1236-3p in osteosarcoma inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via targeting KLF8

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the regulatory effect of miRNA-1236-3p on the cellular behaviors of osteosarcoma (OS) cells, and to provide novel hallmarks and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of OS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Relative level of miRNA-1236-3p in OS tissues and cell lines was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Regulatory effects of miRNA-1236-3p on the proliferative ability of HOS and U-2OS cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Through flow cytometry, the potential influences of miRNA-1236-3p on cell cycle progression and apoptosis of OS cells were examined. Subsequently, the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to explore the binding of KLF8 (Krüppel-like factor 8) to miRNA-1236-3p. Regulatory effects of KLF8 on cellular behaviors of OC cells were also evaluated.

RESULTS

MiRNA-1236-3p was downregulated in OS tissues relative to controls. Meanwhile, miRNA-1236-3p was lowly expressed in OS with worse TNM stage or distant metastasis. The overexpression of miRNA-1236-3p in HOS and U-2OS cells suppressed the proliferative ability, arrested the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis. Conversely, miRNA-1236-3p knockdown obtained the opposite trends. KLF8 was verified to bind to miRNA-1236-3p, and its expression was negatively regulated by miRNA-1236-3p in OS cells. A series of functional experiments displayed the oncogenic role of KLF8 in OS.

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-1236-3p is downregulated in OS tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of miRNA-1236-3p suppresses the proliferative ability and induces apoptosis of OS cells via downregulating KLF8.

Long noncoding RNA DDX11-AS1 induced by YY1 accelerates colorectal cancer progression through targeting miR-873/CLDN7 axis

OBJECTIVE

Increasing studies have confirmed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as novel regulators in tumorigenesis. LncRNA DDX11 antisense RNA 1 (DDX11-AS1) has been found to be abnormally expressed in several tumors. In this work, we aimed to evaluate its expressions and functions in colorectal cancer (CRC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets were used for the identification of dysregulated lncRNA in CRC. The levels of DDX11-AS1 were determined in tumor tissues and cell lines by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The clinical significance of DDX11-AS1 in CRC patients was analyzed using Chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Functional assays for the exploration of DDX11-AS1 and miR-873 were performed using a series of cells experiment. ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the mechanism of actions of DDX11-AS1 in CRC cells.

RESULTS

We identified DDX11-AS1 as a new CRC-related lncRNA whose levels were distinctly up-regulated in CRC specimens and cell lines, partly induced by YY1. Clinical explorations suggested that increased expressions of DDX11-AS1 in CRC were positively associated with lymph nodes metastasis and TNM stage and had a distinct influence on the overall survival. Further multivariate assays indicated that DDX11-AS1 was an independent prognostic parameter implying a poorer clinical outcome for patients with CRC. Functional assays revealed that the knockdown of DDX11-AS1 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, and stimulate apoptosis. Mechanistic studies showed that the up-regulation of DDX11-AS1 competitively bound to miR-873 prevented CLDN7 from miRNAs-mediated degradations, thus facilitated the CRC progress. Further rescue assays were carried out to achieve confirmation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present findings may enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC and revealed DDX11-AS11 as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

["Point line anterograde dissection" for the safe preparation of supraclavicular flap]

Objective: To investigate the application in the preparation of supraclavicular island flap by "point line anterograde dissection (PLAD) ". Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 45 flaps of 43 patients treated with supraclavicular artery island flap from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2013 to June 2019. The patients were all male, aged 35-72 years old. There were 26 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer, 4 cases of recurrent laryngeal cancer, 2 cases of cervical esophageal cancer, 1 case of tonsillar cancer, 1 case of parotid gland cancer, 3 cases of postoperative pharyngeal fistula after hypopharyngeal cancer, 2 cases of esophageal fistula after trauma, 2 cases of esophageal stricture after hypopharyngeal carcinoma operation, 1 case of autoimmune laryngeal stenosis, and 1 case of cheek defect after maxillary sinus cancer operation."Point" was the origin of the supraclavicular artery in the transverse carotid artery. "Line" was an extension line made along the starting point of the supraclavicular vessel for anterograde anatomy of 1-2 cm and the direction of the blood vessel. The extension line was used as the central axis of the designed island flap. Characteristics of flap blood supply, the time of flap preparation, flap survival, donor area recovery and clinical follow-up were recorded. Results: The arterial blood supply of the flap was constant, and the venous reflux was variable. The area of the prepared flap was (4-8) cm×(10-18) cm, and the preparation time was 30-60 min, with a median of 42 min. Skin flap survival rate was 100%. Partial necrosis of skin flap occurred in 1 patient and postoperative pharyngeal fistula occurred in 5 patients, all of whom were cured by dressing change. The donor site defects were closed and sutured directly. 3 patients had partial incision dehiscence and healed after dressing change. During the follow-up, 1 patient was lost, and the remaining 42 patients were followed up for 8 to 55 months.40 patients involved swallowing function, all of them returned to regular diet or soft fluid after operation.40 patients involved malignant tumors and local tumor recurrence in 3 patients among whom, there were 2 cases of lymph node recurrence, and 2 cases of distant metastasis, including 1 case of lung metastasis and 1 case of bone metastasis. Conclusion: PLAD is a simple, safe and efficient method for the preparation of supraclavicular island flap.

Tunable band alignment in boron carbon nitride and blue phosphorene van der Waals heterostructure

The hybrid monolayer of boron nitride and graphene, namely the BC x N monolayer, has been recently revealed as a direct bandgap semiconductor with exceptional thermal, mechanical and optical properties. The integration of such monolayer with other 2D materials into a van der Waals heterostructure (VDWH), however, remains largely unexplored thus far. In this work, we investigate the electronic and structural properties of a new class of VDWH obtained via the vertical stacking of BC x N (x = 2, 6) and blue phosphorene monolayers. By using first-principle density functional theory (DFT) simulation, we show that BC x N couples to the blue phosphorene layer via weak van der Waals interactions and exhibits a type-II band alignment which is beneficial for electron-hole pair separation in photodetection and solar cell applications. Intriguingly, changing the interlayer separation induces a indirect-to-direct band gap transition which changes the band alignment types of the VDWH. The interlayer separation, which can be readily tuned via a vertical strain, thus provides a useful tuning knob for switching the heterostructures between type-I and type-II VDWHs. Our findings reveals the BC x N-based VDWH as a versatile material platform with tunable band alignments, thus opening a route towards novel VDWH-based optoelectronic devices.

[A preliminary study on the evaluation of diaphragm function by ultrasound in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation]

Objectives: To study the feasibility of using ultrasound to evaluate diaphragm function in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation. Methods: From March to December 2017, 40 adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome who were admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University for more than 48 hours were included. Diaphragmatic excursion and thickness of bilateral anterior, middle and posterior parts were measured by ultrasound for 5 consecutive days. Results: (1) Compared with the diaphragmatic excursion of the right [anterior: (11.05±3.04) mm; middle: (12.08±2.71) mm; posterior: (11.51±3.33) mm] and left [anterior: (13.63±7.52) mm; middle: (15.44±7.52) mm; posterior: (14.76±6.93) mm] sides on day 1, the diaphragmatic excursion of the right [anterior: (8.90±3.65) mm; middle: (10.02±4.24) mm; posterior: (10.25±4.38) mm] and left [anterior: (9.82±1.96) mm; middle: (11.60±1.13) mm; posterior: (11.52±1.98) mm] sides decreased significantly on day 3 (P<0.05). Bilateral anterior, middle and posterior diaphragmatic excursion recovered on day 5, and was higher than the baseline levels on day 1, with the left middle and posterior diaphragmatic excursion changing most significantly. (2) Compared with day 1, 2, 3, the thickening fraction of bilateral anterior, middle and posterior diaphragm were significantly decreased on day 4, with the left middle part [day 1: (33.87±14.34)%; day 2: (37.26±13.91)%; day 3: (30.56±14.27)%; day 4: (15.53±5.68)%] and the left posterior part [day 1: (35.50±15.69)%; day 2: (39.84±15.32)%; day 3: (29.06±14.96)%; day 4: (13.30±5.79)%] changing most significantly (P<0.05). The thickening fractions of left anterior, middle and posterior diaphragm recovered on day 5 compared with that on day 4, but still lower than those on day 1 (P<0.05). Conclusions: It is feasible to evaluate the diaphragm function in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation by ultrasound, which can provide guidance for preventing diaphragmatic atrophy and withdrawing from mechanical ventilation.

[Typical case analysis of COVID-19 cluster epidemic in Shaanxi, 2020]

Objective: By analyzed the transmission patterns of 4 out of the 51 COVID-19 cluster cases in Shaanxi province to provide evidences for the COVID-19 control and prevention. Methods: The epidemiological data of RT-PCR test-confirmed COVID-19 cases were collected. Transmission chain was drawn and the transmission process was analyzed. Results: Cluster case 1 contained 13 cases and was caused by a family of 5 who traveled by car to Wuhan and returned to Shaanxi. Cluster case 2 had 5cases and caused by initial patient who participated family get-together right after back from Wuhan while under incubation period. Cluster case 3 contained 10 cases and could be defined as nosocomial infection. Cluster case 4 contained 4 cases and occurred in work place. Conclusion: Higher contact frequency and smaller places were more likely to cause a small-scale COVID-19 cluster outbreak, with potential longer incubation period. COVID-19 control strategies should turn the attention to infection prevention and control in crowded places, management of enterprise resumption and prevention of nosocomial infection.

Perceived dietary salt intake and the risk of primary liver cancer: a population-based prospective study

BACKGROUND

Although a high-salt diet is associated with high risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease, little is known about the relationship between a high-salt diet and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC). Consequently, we prospectively assessed the association of high perceived salt intake with the risk of PLC in the Kailuan Study.

METHODS

In total, 97 006 participants who were healthy adults or free living adults at the baseline (2006) were included in the present study. The data of perceived salt intake were collected via questionnaire and classified into three categories: <6 g day^-1 for low salt intake, 6-10 g day^-1 for intermediate salt intake, >10 g day^-1 for high-salt intake. PLC including hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (excluding liver metastasis), and was confirmed by review of medical records. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to analyse the association between high perceived salt diet and the risk of PLC after adjusting for possible confounders, including age, gender, body mass index, high sensitivity-C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, HbsAg positive, cirrhosis, fatty liver, hypertension, diabetes, drinking status, smoking status and physical exercise.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period of 1 113 816 person-years, 397 PLC events were diagnosed. After adjusting for most potential confounders, subjects in intermediate salt intake and high salt intake had a multivariable hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of 1.49 (0.97-2.29) and 1.98 (1.22-3.22) (P for trend = 0.0042), respectively, compared to low salt intake.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher perceived salt intake was associated with a higher risk of PLC.

Superior and tunable gas sensing properties of Janus PtSSe monolayer

Inspired by superior gas sensing properties of PtSe2 monolayer and tunable gas sensing properties of Janus MoSSe monolayer, we study the gas sensing properties of the Janus PtSSe monolayer for CO, CO2, H2O, NH3, NO and NO2 gas molecules using first-principles density functional calculations. We calculate adsorption height and adsorption energies of the gas molecules to assess the adsorption strength of the gas molecules. Then the charge transfer from PtSSe to gas molecules is evaluated. We also investigate the effects of strain and external electric field on the gas sensing properties of Janus PtSSe monolayer. We finally reveal the origin of the superior gas sensing properties from projected density of states analysis. Our results suggest that the Janus PtSSe monolayer is a promising gas sensor with superior and tunable sensing properties.

[Diagnostic value of D-dimer for chronic periprosthetic infection after hip and knee joint replacement]

Objective: To investigate the diagnose value of D-dimer for chronic periprosthetic infection (PJI) after hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods: A retrospective analyze was conducted on 168 patients underwent revision arthroplasty and primary arthroplasty at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2017 to December 2018.There were 58 males and 110 females, aged(58.6±14.5)years.There were 48 cases of chronic PJI (21 cases of knee joint, 27 cases of hip joint), 57 cases of aseptic loosening (16 cases of knee joint, 41 cases of hip joint), and 63 cases of normal follow-up patients after hip (35 cases) or knee (28 cases) arthroplasty.The levels of D-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected.The levels of D-dimer in patients with chronic PJI of hip and knee joints were compared by Mann-Whitney U test.The diagnostic efficacy of D-dimer, ESR and CRP in chronic PJI of hip and knee joints was analyzed by receiver operator curve (ROC). Results: The D-dimer level was significantly higher in knee chronic PJI patients than hip chronic PJI patients(M (Q(R)) ) (1 040 (1 140.5) μg/L vs.435 (605) μg/L, Z=3.169, P=0.002) . ROC analysis showed that the optimum cutoff value of D-dimer in the diagnosis of chronic PJI was 370.5 μg/L, the sensitivity was 90.5%, the specificity was 84.1%; the optimum cutoff value of CRP was 9.3 mg/L, the sensitivity was 95.2%, the specificity was 90.9%, the optimum cutoff value of ESR was 33 mm/h, the sensitivity was 90.5%, and the specificity was 88.6%.The optimum cutoff value of D-dimer in the diagnosis of chronic PJI of hip joint is 294 μg/L, the sensitivity of diagnosis is 66.7%, the specificity is 77.6%; the optimum cutoff value of ESR is 45 mm/h, the sensitivity of diagnosis is 55.6% , the specificity is 97.4%; the optimum cutoff value of CRP is 8.1 mg/L, the sensitivity of diagnosis is 74.1%, the specificity is 84.2%. Conclusion: The value of D-dimer in the diagnosis of chronic PJI of knee joint is higher than that of hip joint, but the value of D-dimer in the diagnosis of chronic PJI is not better than ESR and CRP.