Relationship of serum magnesium concentration to risk of short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether serum magnesium concentration can predict risk of short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke.

METHODS

Between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008, 1493 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited from four hospitals in Shandong province, P.R China. Data on demographic characteristics, life style risk factors, history of cardiovascular disease, admission blood pressure and other clinical characteristics were collected from all subjects. The short-term outcome was defined as neurological deficiency NIHSS ≥ 10 or death (NIHSS ≥ 10/death). The Cox proportion hazard regression model was used to evaluate the association between serum magnesium concentration and risk of short-term outcome of acute ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

Serum magnesium concentration in subjects with NIHSS ≥ 10/death was lower than those with NIHSS < 10 (p < 0.05). When comparing the highest quartile of serum magnesium concentration with the lowest quartile in an unadjusted model, there was a decreased risk of NIHSS ≥ 10/death in individuals with the highest quartile; the risk ratio (RR) was 0.47 (p < 0.05). However, after adjustment for age, sex, serum calcium concentration, serum potassium concentration and other covariates, the fourth and the third quartiles of serum magnesium concentration were associated with decreased risks of NIHSS ≥ 10/death; the RRs were 0.40 and 0.56 (all p < 0.05), respectively. The dose-response relationship between serum magnesium concentration and risk of NIHSS ≥ 10/death was not materially altered after adjustment for other covariates (p-value for trend = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Higher serum magnesium concentration was associated with lower risk of NIHSS ≥ 10/death; there was a dose-response relationship between serum magnesium concentration and risk of NIHSS ≥ 10/death.

European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis: overview and introduction to the full supplement publication

Population-based screening for early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and precursor lesions, using evidence-based methods, can be effective in populations with a significant burden of the disease provided the services are of high quality. Multidisciplinary, evidence-based guidelines for quality assurance in CRC screening and diagnosis have been developed by experts in a project co-financed by the European Union. The 450-page guidelines were published in book format by the European Commission in 2010.  They include 10 chapters and over 250 recommendations, individually graded according to the strength of the recommendation and the supporting evidence. Adoption of the recommendations can improve and maintain the quality and effectiveness of an entire screening process, including identification and invitation of the target population, diagnosis and management of the disease and appropriate surveillance in people with detected lesions. To make the principles, recommendations and standards in the guidelines known to a wider professional and scientific community and to facilitate their use in the scientific literature, the original content is presented in journal format in an open-access Supplement of Endoscopy. The editors have prepared the present overview to inform readers of the comprehensive scope and content of the guidelines.

Long period grating cascaded to photonic crystal fiber modal interferometer for simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index

We propose and demonstrate a novel and simple dual-parameter measurement scheme based on a cascaded optical fiber device of long-period grating (LPG) and photonic crystal fiber (PCF) modal interferometer. The temperature and refractive index (RI) can be measured simultaneously by monitoring the spectral characteristics of the device. The implemented sensor shows distinctive spectral sensitivities of -30.82  nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and 47.4  pm/°C by the LPG, and 171.96  nm/RIU and 10.4  pm/°C by the PCF modal interferometer. The simultaneous measurement of the temperature and external RI is experimentally demonstrated by the sensor. The temperature shift and RI shift calculated by the sensor matrix agree well with the actual temperature and RI change in the experiment.

Bending sensor based on intermodal interference properties of two-dimensional waveguide array fiber

We propose a highly sensitive bending sensor based on the intermodal interference properties of a strongly coupled two-dimentional waveguide array fiber (WAF). The interference resonance peaks formed by the SMF-WAF-SMF Mach-Zehnder interferometer are intrinsically the result of interference between the LP(01)-like supermode and other higher order supermodes, displaying supernormal sensitivity to bending in a wide curvature range. The bending sensitivity of the intermodal MZI is a quadratic function of curvature, and the resonance wavelength shift is up to 100 nm within a curvature range 0-10 m(-1). The fabrication reveals briefness, and temperature response shows little impact on the bend sensing precision. The high bending sensitivity and wide sensing range can make this device a candidate for bending discrimination and measurement in widespread areas.

Photonic crystal fiber tip interferometer for refractive index sensing

In this paper we present an interferometer based on photonic crystal fiber (PCF) tip ended with a solid silica-sphere for refractive index sensing. The sensor is fabricated by splicing one end of the holey PCF to a single mode fiber (SMF) and applying arc at the other end to form a solid sphere. The sensor has been experimentally tested for refractive index and temperature sensing by monitoring its wavelength shift. Measurement results show that the sensor has the resolution of the order of 8.7×10(-4) over the refractive index range of 1.33-1.40, and temperature sensitivity of the order of 10 pm/°C in the range of 20-100 °C.

Shape deformation and recovery of multilayer microcapsules after being squeezed through a microchannel

The deformation and recovery behaviors of multilayer microcapsules were investigated after being forced to flow through a microchannel. The microchannel device with a constriction (5.7 μm in depth) in the middle was designed, and the multilayer microcapsules with different size and layer thickness (and thereby different mechanical strength) were used. Deformation in the microchannel was observed for all the capsules with a size larger than the constriction height, and its extent was mainly governed by the difference between capsule size and constriction height. The squeezed microcapsules could recover their original spherical shape when the deformation extent was smaller than 16%, whereas permanent physical deformation took place when the deformation extent was larger than 34%. The capsules filled with polyelectrolytes could greatly enhance their shape recovery ability due to the higher osmotic pressure in the capsule interior and could well maintain the preloaded low-molecular-weight dyes regardless of the squeezing.

Association of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and diabetes in adults from Inner Mongolia, China

BACKGROUND

We examined the association of biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction with diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in persons from Inner Mongolia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,536 people aged 20 years and older from Inner Mongolia, China. Overnight fasting blood samples were obtained to measure plasma concentrations of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), sE-selectin, angiotensin II, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured by trained staff. MetS was defined according to the modified ATP III definition for Asians. Elevated level of the biomarker was defined as values in the upper tertile of the distribution. Participants were categorized into one of four groups based on the presence or absence of metabolic and glycemic abnormalities: 1) free of prediabetes, diabetes and MetS (reference group), 2) prediabetes or diabetes only, 3) MetS without prediabetes or diabetes, and 4) MetS plus prediabetes or diabetes. The multivariable models are adjusted for age, gender, smoking, drinking, family history of hypertension, and body mass index.

RESULTS

Among study participants, 18.5% had prediabetes, 3.6% had diabetes, and 27.4% of the entire study population had 3 or more components of the MetS. Elevated hsCRP was associated with an increased odds of prediabetes or diabetes only, MetS without prediabetes or diabetes, and MetS plus prediabetes or diabetes with multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 2.3 (1.7-3.1), 3.0 (2.4-3.8), and 5.8 (4.5-7.5), respectively. Elevated sICAM-1 was associated with increased odds (95% CI) of prediabetes or diabetes only (2.1, 1.6-2.9) and MetS plus prediabetes or diabetes (4.2, 3.2-5.3) but was not associated with MetS alone. Elevated sE-selectin was associated with a modestly increased risk of MetS (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.2). Elevated levels of Angiotensin II were not associated with the MetS plus prediabetes or diabetes in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes and the MetS are common in the Inner Mongolia population. The biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with increased risk for diabetes and MetS in this population. These results are consistent with results from other populations.

Relationship between white blood cell count at admission and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Purpose: We studied the association between admission white blood cell (WBC) count and short term outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods: 2808 patients with acute cerebral infarction were included in the study. WBC count and other variables were collected within the first 24 hours of admission. Clinical outcomes (death or dependency) were evaluated by neurologists during hospitalization. The associations between WBC count and in-hospital death or dependency at discharge were analyzed using a multiple logistic model. Result: Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of dependency associated with patients with WBC of 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L, ≥12.0×109/L were 1.46(0. 87-2. 45), 6.21(3. 70-10. 42) and 7.01(4. 53-10. 87), respectively, when compared with patients with admission WBC counts < 10.0x109/L. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) of death associated with WBC 10.0-10.9×109/L, 11.0-11.9×109/L and ≥12.0×109/L were 2.098(0. 96-4. 58), 4.79(2. 24-10. 22) and 5.59(3. 14-9. 98), respectively. Conclusion: Increased WBC count at admission was significantly and positively associated with in-hospital death or dependency at discharge among patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Long period grating assistant photonic crystal fiber modal interferometer

A novel in-fiber modal interferometer based on a long period grating (LPG) inscribed in a two-mode all-solid photonic bandgap fiber (AS-PBGF) is presented. After inserting a small piece of the AS-PBGF into two sections of standard single-mode fiber (SMF) via being spliced slight core offset, LPG is inscribed in the AS-PBGF. The LPG is especially designed to realize the coupling between two core modes of LP01 and LP11 in the AS-PBGF. Two core modes LP01 and LP11 of the AS-PBGF are excited firstly at the input spliced point and actualized energy exchange when they pass through the LPG. Then the two beams will interfere at the output spliced point to form a high-contrast in-fiber modal interferometer. The proposed interferometer has some advantages such as configuration compact, high interference contrast and the wavelength spacing well controlled by changing the position of the LPG without changing the total length of AS-PBGF.

Multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopic imaging with a fiber optical parametric oscillator

We report on multimodal coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging with a source composed of a femtosecond fiber laser and a photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based optical parametric oscillator (FOPO). By switching between two PCFs with different zero dispersion wavelengths, a tunable signal beam from the FOPO covering the range from 840 to 930 nm was produced. By combining the femtosecond fiber laser and the FOPO output, simultaneous CARS imaging of a myelin sheath and two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging of a labeled axons in rat spinal cord have been demonstrated at the speed of 20 μs per pixel.

Associations between metabolic syndrome and its components and alcohol drinking

AIMS

The relationship between alcohol drinking and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components are not fully confirmed, we examined relationship between alcohol drinking and MetS and its components.

METHODS

2,538 Mongolian people aged 20 or more were included in this study. The data for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, family history of hypertension, blood pressure (BP) measurements and physical examination were obtained, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipids examined for all participants. Associations between MetS and its components and alcohol drinking were analyzed with Logistic regression.

RESULTS

The risks of MetS associated with alcohol drinking and various drinking volume were not significant after adjustment for other variables. Alcohol drinking was significantly and positively associated with high BP and high TG, the multivariate adjusted OR (95% CI) of high BP and high TG for drinking were 1.399(1.109, 1.764) and 2.464(1.866, 3.252), respectively, compared with no drinking. However, drinking was inversely associated with low HDL-C, the multivariate adjusted OR (95% CI) of low HDL-C was 0.597(0.479, 0.745) for alcohol drinking compared with no drinking.

CONCLUSIONS

Alcohol drinking was significantly and positively associated with high BP and high TG, while alcohol drinking inversely associated with low HDL-C.

Value of CYP3A5 genotyping on determining initial dosages of tacrolimus for Chinese renal transplant recipients

Optimal blood levels of tacrolimus in transplant recipients are critically important to preserve the allograft. Suboptimal doses of the immunosuppressant can result in allograft toxicity or rejection. In the present study, we determined CYP3A5 genotypes of patients and analyzed their medical documents in 2 successive periods. In the first period, a fixed initial dosage of 0.1 mg/kg was prescribed daily for 28 patients regardless of their CYP3A5 genotype. In the second period, CYP3A5 genotyping was performed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The frequency distribution of CYP3A5 genotypes was 47.4% (38/78) for *1/*3, 2.6% (2/78) for *1/*1, and 50% (39/78) for *3/*3. The patients with *1/*3 had shown significantly lower tacrolimus blood levels than those with the *3/*3 when the initial dose of 0.10 mg/kg was given for 2 weeks postoperatively. In the second period, initial dosages were selected according to individuals' CYP3A5 genotypes, 0.08 mg/kg/d for recipients with CYP3A5 *3/*3 and 0.15 mg/kg/d for recipients with *1/*3. Adjustment of the initial dosage of tacrolimus was documented to improve the proportion of patients achieving target drug blood levels in the early postoperative stage: from 46.7% to 81.8% of the *1/*3 group and from 46.2% to 73.1% of the *3/*3 group on the third day. In conclusion, CYP3A5 polymorphism plays an important role in influencing tacrolimus blood levels. Initial tacrolimus dosage selection based on CYP3A5 genotyping can improve drug blood levels in the early stage following renal transplantation.

Electron localization and magnetism in SrRuO3 with non-magnetic cation substitution

The destruction of the ferromagnetism of alloyed SrRuO(3) can be caused by electron localization at the substitution sites. Among all the non-magnetic cations that enter the B site, Zr(4+) is the least disruptive to conductivity and ferromagnetism. This is because Zr(4+) does not cause any charge disorder, and its empty d electron states which are poorly matched in energy with the Ru t(2g)(4) states cause the least resonance scattering of Ru's d electrons. Conducting Sr(Ru, Zr)O(3) may be used as an electrode for perovskite-based thin film devices, while its insulating counterpart provides unprecedented magnetoresistance, seldom seen in other non-manganite and non-cobaltite perovskites.