Magnitude Of Increment Research Articles

A dose-response and meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on testosterone levels: perinatal prediction of randomized clinical trials.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been aggressively sold as a dietary supplement to boost testosterone levels although the impact of DHEA supplementation on testosterone levels has not been fully established. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to investigate the effect of oral DHEA supplementation on testosterone levels. A systematic literature search was performed in Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed databases up to February 2020 for RCTs that investigated the effect of DHEA supplementation on testosterone levels. The estimated effect of the data was calculated using the weighted mean difference (WMD). Subgroup analysis was performed to identify the source of heterogeneity among studies. Overall results from 42 publications (comprising 55 arms) demonstrated that testosterone level was significantly increased after DHEA administration (WMD: 28.02ng/dl, 95% CI: 21.44-34.60, p=0.00). Subgroup analyses revealed that DHEA increased testosterone level in all subgroups, but the magnitude of increment was higher in females compared to men (WMD: 30.98ng/dl vs. 21.36ng/dl); DHEA dosage of ˃50mg/d compared to ≤50mg/d (WMD: 57.96ng/dl vs. 19.43ng/dl); intervention duration of ≤12weeks compared to ˃12weeks (WMD: 44.64ng/dl vs. 19ng/dl); healthy participants compared to postmenopausal women, pregnant women, non-healthy participants and androgen-deficient patients (WMD: 52.17ng/dl vs. 25.04ng/dl, 16.44ng/dl and 16.47ng/dl); and participants below 60years old compared to above 60years old (WMD: 31.42ng/dl vs. 23.93ng/dl). DHEA supplementation is effective for increasing testosterone levels, although the magnitude varies among different subgroups. More study needed on pregnant women and miscarriage.

Analysis of thrust-induced sail plane coning and attitude motion of electric sail

This paper investigates the dynamic characteristics of thrust-induced sail plane coning and attitude motion of an electric solar wind sail (E-sail) by considering high-order modes of flexible elastic tethers. The tethers of the E-sail are assumed elastic and discretized into inter-connected 2-noded tensile elements using the nodal position finite element method, while the central spacecraft and the remote units are simplified as lumped masses. The E-sail is assumed in the heliocentric ecliptic orbital plane at a distance of 1 au from the Sun. The influences of the propulsive force models and the initial E-sail orientation on the dynamic characteristics of the sail plane coning and attitude motion of E-sail are analyzed. The current work derives an analytic expression of the coning motion frequency under the assumption of small coning angle. Through parametric analyses, the current work shows that the magnitude of the propulsive force significantly influences the increment magnitude of the E-sail's orbital radius while has little effect on the angles of sail and thrust angles and the E-sail spin rate. The parametric analyses also show that the initial E-sail orientation significantly influences the thrust vector and the variation of sail angle. Finally, the relationships of the sail and thrust angles, as well as the dimensionless acceleration of the E-sail, are given in polynomial expressions by curve-fitting of simulation results of E-sails with the consideration of coning motion. The relationships are compared with the previous results of E-sails without including coning motion. It shows the coning motion has negligible effect on the macro dynamic behaviors of E-sail.

Do earthquakes change the timber and firewood use pattern of the forest dependent households? Evidence from rural hills in Nepal

Studies on the extent to which households are affected by earthquake and their varying degree of dependence on forest resources, particularly reliable and comprehensive ones, are very rare. This study assessed the types of shocks faced by the earthquake-hit households and the change in timber and firewood use patterns by them before and after the occurrence of devastating Gorkha earthquake-2015 in Nepal. The study used household level panel dataset (n = 99 in 2008 and 2018) collected using a modified version of household survey questionnaire developed by Centre for International Forest Research (CIFOR) for studying the poverty-environment network. Separate random effect models are employed to identify the factors that influence the collection of firewood and timber by theearthquake shock exposed households. The results reveal that the households exposed to earthquake lost significant number of livestock and labor, land and other assets. Regression results show that there was a positive and significant association between firewood collection and the households exposed to earthquake, and there was a negative and significant association with migration. Similarly, there was significant increase in timber wood collection but the magnitude of increment was very small. The access control for timber collection, limited assets holding and other access constraints limited their resilience through timber collection. The study highlights the importance of targeted intervention that helps not only to provide access to land and livestock to the affected communities but opens other income-generating options to improve their wellbeing and to invest in human capitals for enhancing their resilience.

Permeability Enhancement of Coal Seam by Lower Protective Layer Mining for Gas Outburst Prevention

Risk prediction of dynamic disasters such as rock burst, gas outburst, and water inrush is closely related to the permeability evolution of coal seam. According to the characteristics of the lower protective layer mining, the basic assumption of gas-solid coupling model of the coal was proposed in this paper. The permeability enhancement coefficient of equivalent layer spacing was first put forward. Based on the three-zone-shaped dynamic evolution of the permeability of the overlying protective layer during the lower protective layer mining, the theories of seepage mechanics and damage mechanics were applied to introduce the permeability enhancement coefficient of equivalent layer spacing. A mathematical model of permeability evolution of the protected coal seam in the lower protective layer mining was established. Based on the engineering background of the lower protective layer mining in Changping Coal Mine, the numerical simulation using the proposed mathematical model was performed. The results showed that the stress and permeability of the protected layer in #3 coal seam evolved dynamically with the advancement of the working face of the protective layer in #8 coal seam. When the working face of the protective layer in #8 coal seam advanced to 80 m, the stress reduction rate in the relief area tended to be stable, and the stress in the stress reduction area was about 50% of the original rock stress. When advanced to 80 m, the permeability of the protected layer of the #3 coal seam increased sharply, and the permeability increased by 873 times. With the continuous advancement, the permeability of the protected layer in #3 coal seam tended to increase steadily, and the permeability increased by 1100–1200 times. The calculated magnitude of permeability increment is consistent with that in the engineering practice, indicating that the permeability evolution model is basically reasonable. The research provides a theoretical guidance for the gas drainage field application in the lower protective layer mining for prevention of coal and gas outburst.

Tail dependence between oil prices and China's A‐shares: Evidence from firm‐level data

AbstractResearch in the area of tail dependence between oil prices and the stock market is sparse, particularly at the firm level. This article investigates lower and upper tail dependences between the price of crude oil and China's A‐share market by estimating an empirical copula with a rolling window. Our results show that tail dependence is increasing over time and that there are differences between lower and upper tail dependences in terms of incremental magnitude. We also find that the impulse responses of tail dependences to shocks to variables of interests vary significantly over the sample period. Our results also indicate that lower tail dependence, in particular, is found to have more than one breakpoint, and the break dates are highly associated with financial crises. In addition, we find evidence of asymmetry in tail dependence, which varies across periods. Finally, we find that tail dependence is persistent in the short‐term but deteriorates as the duration increases. These findings have important implications for investors, risk managers and policy makers.

Condition-based maintenance for a K-out-of-N deteriorating system under periodic inspection with failure dependence

This paper deals with condition-based maintenance policy of a K-out-of-N deteriorating system with failure dependence. The intrinsic degradation of each component is modelled with a pure jump Lévy process. The idea of the failure dependence is motivated by complex engineering systems where the failure of one component may cause a momentary, transient shock to the system. The effect of the shock is modelled by a random magnitude of increment in the degradation level of each surviving component. Perfect periodic inspections are carried out on the system. Upon inspection, highly deteriorated or failed components are perfectly replaced and hence are restored to an as-good-as-new state. Nothing is done to the rest of the components. For such a system, the evaluation of the reliability and the assessment of the maintenance planning are quite complex due to the failure dependence as well as the imperfect maintenance at the system level. In this study, we address these problems by the implementation of Markov renewal theory. The maintenances costs in both the short-run and long-run horizons are derived and we validate these theoretical calculations by Monte-carlo simulations. Numerical example is given to illustrate the applicability of the proposed model. It can provide a reference for the decision-making when developing maintenance policies.

Change in regional land subsidence in Beijing after south-to-north water diversion project observed using satellite radar interferometry

ABSTRACTOver-exploitation of groundwater has caused severe land subsidence in Beijing during the past two decades. Since the middle route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP), the biggest water diversion project in China, started to deliver water to Beijing in December 2014, the groundwater shortage has been greatly alleviated. This study aims to analyze the impact of SNWDP on the spatiotemporal evolution of land subsidence in Beijing. Change in surface displacement in Beijing after SNWDP was retrieved and the spatiotemporal patterns of the change were analyzed based on long time-series Envisat Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) (2004–2010), Radarsat-2 (2011–2014), and Sentinel-1 (2015–2017) satellite datasets using Permanent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) techniques. Land subsidence unevenness index (LSUI) was proposed to represent the spatial unevenness of surface displacement. PS-Time approach was then adapted to examine the time series evolution of LSUI. The results showed that the InSAR measurements agree well with leveling measurements with R2 over 0.96. Although the maximum annual displacement rate reached −159.7 mm/year by 2017, over 57% of the area within 25 mm/year contour line showed decreasing or unchanged displacement rate after the south-north water delivered to Beijing. The settlement rate in Chaoyang-Dongbalizhuang (CD) subsidence center has decreased for 26 mm/year from 2011–2014 to 2015–2017. Only around 15% of the area experienced continued accelerating settlement rate through the three time periods, which was mainly located in the area with the compressible layer thickness over 190 m, while the magnitude of velocity increment considerably decreased after SNWDP. Land subsidence unevenness, represented by LSUI, developed more slowly after SNWDP than that during 2011–2014. However, LSUI at the edge of settlement funnel has kept developing and reached 1.7‰ in 2017. Decreasing groundwater level decline after SNWDP and the positive relationship (R2 > 0.74) between land subsidence and groundwater level clearly showed impacts of SNWDP on the alleviating land subsidence. Other reasons include geological background, increasing precipitation, and strict water management policies implemented during these years.

Wear resistance and wet skid resistance of composite bionic tire tread compounds with pit structure

This work was aimed to introduce the bionic non-smooth structure of pits into compound preparation by referring to the bionics concept. Four types of highly wear-resistant tire tread compounds (A1, A2, A3, A4) and 4 types of highly wet-skid-resistant tire tread compounds (B1, B2, B3, B4) were made by adjusting the rubber contents and changing the parts per hundreds of carbon black and silica. According to the characteristics of the designed bionic structures and tire treads, A2 and B3 were combined to manufacture composite bionic structured tire tread compounds (C1, C2, C3, C4) through pressured and heated vulcanization. It was found BR showed higher wear-resistance and lower wet-skid resistance than SBR. With the increasing dosages of carbon black and silica, the wear-resistance was first enhanced and then weakened, but the wet-skid resistance was gradually reduced. The wet-skid resistance of tire tread compounds was associated with the hardness and roughness of the friction surfaces, and was improved when the roughness and hardness decreased. Due to the difference in wear-resistance between A2 and B3, pits were formed after wearing, which strengthened the wear-resistance and wet-skid resistance of the tire tread compounds. Compared with A2, the wear-resistance of C2 was increased to the largest extent of 0.98%, but the increasing magnitudes of wet-skid resistance were not significantly between C3 and C4, and the highest increment magnitudes on the diamond piece surface were 20.9% and 21.1%, respectively. The coupling functions of the bionic composites prove the feasibility and practicability of bionic abrication, providing a new way to improve the compound properties.

Consumer Acceptances of Prior Miracle Fruit Product Administration on Different Types of Sour Foods and Miracle Fruit Products for Future Clinical Application (FS14-01-19)

ObjectivesMiracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is native to West Africa, named for its unique ability to transform sour taste into sweet. With the taste modification function, its applications are intriguing, particularly as an alternative sweetener and antioxidant, and for improving the dysgeusia of chemotherapy patients. However, further consumer studies are needed to examine the efficacy of miracle fruit product. The aim of this study was to compare the consumer acceptances of prior miracle fruit administration on different types of sour foods and miracle fruit products. Methods200 healthy volunteers (Women 55%; Whites 23%, Blacks 21%, Asians 24%, Hispanics 27%) aged 18 to 65 years were recruited in New York City. Granny Smith apple, goat cheese, lemonade, plain fat-free yogurt, and cucumber pickle were served with distilled water and a miracle fruit product at 10 ± 1⁰C. One of the following 4 types of dried miracle fruit products were randomly assigned to each panelist. Large Pill (Y); Pill (G); Small Pill (M); Powder (P). Samples’ testing order and miracle fruit product assignment were randomized for each panelist throughout the whole test. The pre and post acceptances for overall, flavor, texture, and aftertaste were evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale. For post-test, “meeting expectations for corresponding food sample” was also evaluated. ResultsAfter miracle fruit product application, for yogurt, apple, and goat cheese, all the acceptability values for overall, flavor, texture, and aftertaste increased, while for lemonade and pickle, all the acceptability decreased except for lemonade’s texture acceptability on P product. The pre and post increment differences in overall, flavor, and texture acceptability for yogurt and in overall and flavor acceptability for apple using M product were significantly higher than using other products. For goat cheese, the difference in aftertaste acceptability using P product was significantly higher than using G product. ConclusionsThis study suggests that prior miracle fruit administration when consuming yogurt, apple, and goat cheese is an effective method for improving consumer acceptability. However, the effects of magnitude of acceptability increment may be different by the types of miracle fruit product and food consumed. Funding SourcesProfessional Staff Congress-The City University of New York 48 Grant.

Baseline levels determine magnitude of increment in 25 hydroxy vitamin D following vitamin D3 prescription in healthy subjects.

Vitamin D deficiency is a major health problem which affects about one billion people in the world. Although, vitamin D supplementation is recommended as standard treatment of vitamin D deficiency, there are controversies on dose response relationship. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin D3 supplement on raising of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] in healthy subjects with varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency. In this clinical trial 114 subjects with varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency were entered and divided into three groups: serum levels of 25(OH) D less than 10 ng/ml, 10-20 ng/ml, and 20-30 ng/ml. All of the participants were given 50,000 units vitamin D3 per week for 8 weeks, thereafter, changes in serum levels of vitamin D and PTH were evaluated at week twelve. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Of the 114 vitamin D deficient subjects, serum level of vitamin D was below 10 ng/ml in 22 persons (19.3%), 10-20 ng/ml in 52 persons (45.6%) and 20-30 ng/ml in 40 persons (35.1%). Following vitamin D prescription all people with varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency obtained a favorable serum level. The increase in vitamin D levels were 26.4, 18.5, and 8.3 ng/ml, in individuals with baseline vitamin D levels below 10 ng/ml, 10-20 ng/ml and 20-30 ng/ml, respectively. The changes in 25(OH) vitamin D in all three groups were significant (P < 0.05), nonetheless no significant alterations in serum levels of PTH were observed (P > 0.05). Our results indicated an inverse relationship between baseline serum levels of 25(OH) D and its increment following treatment with vitamin D3. Therefore, the magnitude of increments in serum 25(OH) D is greater in subjects with lower baseline levels of 25(OH) D.

Application of the multigrid 3D variation method to a combination of aircraft observations and bogus data for Typhoon Nida (2016)

Extremely inhomogeneous aircraft observations were obtained by the Hong Kong Observatory when Typhoon Nida (2016) approached South China. However, only part of Typhoon Nida was observed due to limitations of the flight range. To investigate an effective scheme for assimilating inhomogeneous aircraft observations, a multigrid 3D variation (m3DVAR) system, with the assistance of a bogus vortex, was employed. The arithmetic mean was used to reduce the representative error of the turbulence scale before assimilation. Track and intensity forecasts were improved by assimilating aircraft observations and bogus data. The assimilation of aircraft observations could play an important role in the improvement of intensity forecasts for Nida because adding bogus data is of help to propagate the sparse and inhomogeneous information in the m3DVAR system. The assimilation of pressure (horizontal wind) was also found mainly to contribute to the large magnitude (sophisticated distribution) of increments.

Organometric parameters of the remaining kidney after removal of the contralateral in immature rats

The processes of compensatory hypertrophy of the kidney to the period of puberty are insufficiently studied. Changes in renal parameters after contralateral removal are of scientific interest. The purpose of the study was to establish and compare changes in organometric parameters of the kidney that remained after nephrectomy in non-sexually adult male rats and in sexually mature male rats. Experimental study was performed on 84 non-adult white male rats weighing 53-71 grams, which were kept on a standard vivarium diet. All animals were divided into two groups (42 in each): the first - control, the second - the experimental group. In the control group, the abdominal cavity was opened under ketamine anesthesia, after wich the abdominal wall was sutured in layers. All animals of the experimental group performed surgical intervention - nephrectomy of the left kidney. Animals were withdrawn from the trial by intra-pleural administration of thiopental-sodium 50 mg/kg after 7, 14, 21, 30, 90 days after nephrectomy. Macroscopic evaluation and description of the kidneys of animals was performed after their removal. The statistical analysis of the obtained results was carried out using the “STATISTICA 5.5” program, using parametric and non-parametric methods for evaluating the obtained results. It was found that in the immature rats, the weight of animals in the experimental group (after nephrectomy) was statistically significantly lower in all terms of the observation compared to the control group, and the weight of the kidney of animals in the experimental group, on the contrary, was statistically significantly higher in all terms of observation. The length, width, thickness, volume of kidneys of animals of the experimental group, as well as the magnitude of increment of these parameters with each term of observation are determined. The greatest increase in organometric parameters of the kidney was observed after 30 days of the postoperative period (p&lt;0.05). Subsequently, on the 60th and 90th day, the magnitude of the increase in organometric parameters of the kidney significantly decreased. The index of hypertrophy of the kidney remained unpaired by nephrectomy, which varied from 52.24% to 63.21%. The highest rates of hypertrophy were observed between the 21st and 30th days.

The Evolutionary Game Theoretic Analysis for Emission Reduction and Promotion in Low-Carbon Supply Chains

Aiming at exploring the interplay principles of operations strategies among members of dvertising and emission reduction cost sharing contracts and coordination in low-carbon sulow-carbon supply chain, as well as their impact on system performance, we develop an evolutionary game model to capture emission reduction and low-carbon promotion actions, which are typically conducted by one manufacturer and one retailer in every two-echelon supply chain, respectively. We exploit the evolutionary game model to analyze players’ behavioral patterns of their interacting strategies, whereby we attain the evolutionary stable strategies and their associated existing preconditions under various scenarios. We acquire a number of managerial insights, and particularly find that the evolutionary stable strategies of the channel carbon reduction and promotion are remarkably influenced by incremental profits resulted from causes, such as every player’s unilateral participation in emission reduction. In addition, we investigate a player’s free-rider opportunistic practice in cooperative carbon reduction and joint participation in emission reduction. However, the magnitude of profit increment will heavily influence the result of Evolutionary Stable Strategy (ESS). Finally, the extensive computational studies enable us to verify the effectiveness of preceding models.

Modelling of the viscoelastic behaviour with damage induced anisotropy of a plastic-bonded explosive based on the microplane approach

In this work, a mechanical constitutive law is proposed for a plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) which is a quasi-brittle energetic aggregate material, submitted to quasi-static loadings. Such material, sensitive to hydrostatic pressure, presents viscoelastic behaviour with damage induced anisotropy and irreversible strains. Previous models developed for this kind of material were mainly devoted for transient dynamic behaviour. The few existing quasi-static models considered the mechanical behaviour either isotropic or only elastoplastic. So, a new viscoelastic Microplane model with the damage induced anisotropy is proposed and implemented in commercial Finite Element software. The viscoelasticity was taken into account using a Maxwell generalized model with Microplane approach. The model consists in implementing the viscoelasticity inside the microplanes defining thus a Maxwell model on every direction. The sensitivity of the model to the strain increment magnitude and to the loading direction was analysed. As main conclusion, the experimental behaviour of the studied material was successfully predicted by this model.

Displacement of teeth without and with bonded fixed orthodontic retainers: 3D analysis using triangular target frames and optoelectronic motion tracking device.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anterior tooth movement without and with bonded fixed orthodontic retainers under incremental loading conditions. Six extracted mandibular anterior human teeth were embedded in acrylic resin in True Form I Arch type and 3D reconstruction of Digital Volume Tomography (DVT) images (0.4 mm3 voxels) were obtained. The anatomy of each tooth was segmented and digitally reconstructed using 3D visualization software for medical images (AMIRA, FEI SVG). The digital models of the teeth were repositioned to form an arch with constant curvature using a CAD software (Rhinoceros) and a base holder was designed fitting the shape of the roots. The clearance between the roots and their slot in the holder was kept constant at 0.3 mm to replicate the periodontal ligament thickness. The holder and the teeth were then manufactured by 3D printing (Objet Eden 260VS, Stratasys) using a resin material for dental applications (E = 2-3 GPa). The 3D-printed teeth models were then positioned in the holder and the root compartments were filled with silicone. The procedure was repeated to obtain three identical arch models. Each model was tested for tooth mobility by applying force increasing from 5 to 30 N with 5 N increments applied perpendicular on the lingual tooth surface on the incisal one third (crosshead speed: 0.1 mm/s). The teeth on each model were first tested without retainer (control) and subsequently with the bonded retainers (braided bonded retainer wire; Multi-strand 1 × 3 high performance wire, 0.022″ × 0.016″). Tooth displacement was measured in terms of complicance (F/Δ movement) (N/mm) using custom-built optoelectronic motion tracking device (OPTIS) (accuracy: 5 µm; sampling rate: 200 Hz). The position of the object was detected through three LEDs positioned in a fixed triangular shape on a metal support (Triangular Target Frame). The measurements were repeated for three times for each tooth. Data were analyzed using mixed model with nesting (alpha = 0.05). The use of retainer showed a significant effect on tooth mobility (0.008 ± 0.004) compared to non-bonded teeth (control) (0.014 ± 0.009) (p < 0.0001). The amount of displacement on the tooth basis was also significantly different (p = 0.0381) being the most for tooth no. 42 (without: 0.024 ± 0.01; with: 0.012 ± 0.002) (p = 0.0018). No significant difference was observed between repeated measurements (p = 0.097) and the incremental magnitude of loading (5-30 N: 0.07 ± 0.01-0.09 ± 0.02) (p > 0.05). Mandibular anterior teeth showed less tooth mobility when bonded with stainless steel wire as opposed to non-bonded teeth but the tooth mobility varied depending on the tooth type. Intermittent increase in loading from 5 to 30 N did not increase tooth displacement.

Brachial flow-mediated dilatation response to acute different upper body training postures in lean inactive vs. lean active men

BackgroundResistance training postures trigger different results on endothelial function: however, the acute effect of resistance training on upper body muscle in active and inactive persons is inconclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the acute effects of 2 different types of upper body training (bench press training and lat pull down training) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and to compare the effects between lean inactive men (LI) and lean active men (LA). MethodsLI (n = 16) and LA (n = 16) men undertook 2 upper body training postures at 60% of 1 repetition maximum (RM), 15 repetitions a set for 3 sets. Before and after immediate training, the biological data, FMD data, and blood pressure data were collected. ResultsBoth the LI and LA groups showed similar results at the baseline of biological data, including carotid intima media thickness data (P > 0.05), while the higher muscular strength was observed in the LA group. Significantly higher shear rate and blood pressure after training were observed in both groups (P < 0.05); however the magnitude of increment in blood pressure was greater in LI group. FMD was significantly increased in the LA group following bench press training while it decreased in the LI group following lat pull down training (P < 0.05). ConclusionHigher fitness status can acutely protect against the undesirable effects on vascular function following resistance training. In active persons, we suggest performing both the bench press and lat pull down trainings, without any limitations. In contrast for inactive persons, the bench press is recommended at the beginning of training for protection against decreased FMD. After vascular adaptation, lat pull down training might be added in order to strengthen upper body muscles.

The Occurrence of Nephrotoxicity in Hepatitis C Patients Undergoing Sofosbuvir-Based Therapy

Introduction: Sofosbuvir along with other NS5A inhibitors such as ledipasvir is drug of choice for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. While highly effective in achieving sustained virologic response, interstitial nephritis has been reported with sofosbuvir and ledipasvir treatment. However, the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with sofosbuvir based treatment is unknown. Methods: A retrospective chart review of chronic HCV patients treated with sofosbuvir based therapy at our institution from 10/2014 to 11/2016 was performed. Patients over age 18 with at least 2 serum creatinine (sCr) measurements during sofosbuvir based treatment were included. Demographics, duration of therapy, and any available renal testing such as urinalysis, renal ultrasound, or biopsy were reviewed. AKI was defined as a rise in sCr of more than 0.3mg/dL. Individuals with a documented cause for AKI were excluded. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated via the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed. Results: A total of 435 patient records were reviewed. Thirty-four cases with no sCr measurements were excluded. Of the remaining 401 subjects, age was 64.5 ± 10.2 years, with 56.4% male and 88% infected with genotypes 1a/b. The mean treatment duration was 13.4 ± 4.3 weeks. Eighty-five (21.2%) had F4 fibrosis. The mean baseline sCr prior to treatment was 0.95 ± 0.22mg/dL, and mean eGFR 79.5mL/min per 1.73 m2. AKI was noted in 22 (5.5%) out of 401 patients during therapy, with an average sCr rise of 0.5 ± 0.2mg/dL. All but 2 of the 22 patients with AKI had their sCr return to baseline levels after treatment, and none required intervention or renal replacement therapy. The AKI group had an average of 1.9 weeks longer treatment duration. The magnitude of sCr increment in the group with AKI correlated with duration of treatment (r=0.45, p=0.03) but not with age, fibrosis stage or baseline sCr. Conclusion: We studied the occurrence of nephrotoxicity in HCV patients undergoing sofosbuvir based therapy. A small fraction of patients treated with this regimen developed AKI. Interestingly, a modest but statistically significant correlation between treatment duration and sCr increment suggests that sofosbuvir may be potentially causative. Monitoring of sCr in this clinical setting is recommended. Further investigations regarding the association between nephrotoxicity and sofosbuvir based therapy is needed.

Critical Considerations in Anticancer Drug Development and Dosing Strategies: The Past, Present, and Future.

Critical Considerations in Anticancer Drug Development and Dosing Strategies: The Past, Present, and Future.

Secular changes in growth among Japanese children over 100 years (1900-2000).

Human growth is associated with complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. While research has reported increased body size and body mass index (BMI) of Japanese children, few studies have compared the magnitude of increments in growth before and after World War II (WW II) and also considered other social and economical events that may have influenced the growth of children. The current study assessed the secular change in growth in Japanese children and adolescents aged between 6 and 17 years using data from the School Health Statistics Survey conducted between 1900 and 2000 with consideration of key social changes during the 20th Century. Over the 100-year period, Japanese boys had height and weight increments of 1.0-2.0 cm per decade and 0.4-1.7 kg per decade whereas girls had rates of 1.1-1.9 cm and 0.4-1.5 kg per decade, respectively. The rates of height increment were significantly (p<0.05) different between pre-, during and post-WW II periods. While Japanese children were considerably larger in 2000 compared to 1900, increments between 1950 and 1960 reflected catch-up growth to restore physical size seen in children prior to WW II. The increments in body size continued after 1960 with greatest changes seen across the pubertal years. While increments in BMI were evident in most age groups, the BMI of 17-year-old girls was consistent over the 100 years. Results clarified secular changes in growth in Japanese school children across the 20th Century and possible factors contributing to these changes.

Эффективность комбинированной с психотропными препаратами антигипертензивной фармакотерапии у больных с артериальной гипертонией и аффективными расстройствами

To compare effects of isolated antihypertensive therapy (AHT) and AHT combined with anxiolytic and antidepressant on parameters of 24‑hour blood pressure (BP) profile, severity of affective disorders, and quality of life (QL) in patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AH) and anxiety or depressive disorders. We randomized 140 patients (age 48.6±5.9 year, 72 women) into 2 groups. During 1 year patients of each group received 2 variants of pharmacotherapy: isolated AHT and AHT combined with psychotropic medication (PM) - anxiolytic for persons with anxiety disorder and antidepressant for persons with depressive disorder (AHT+PM). Patients of group I received AHT for first 6 months and AHT+PM for remaining 6 months. Group II patients started with AHT+PM and after 6 months switched to AHT. In each group we selected subgroups of patients with prevailing anxiety (I‑A, II‑A) and prevailing depression (I-D, II-D). In the end of each 6 months period we compared parameters of 24‑hour BP monitoring, severity of affective disorders, and QL in subgroups IA vs. II‑A and ID vs. IID. Same comparisons were done for each subgroup in the end of the first and second stages of treatment. Starting with combination AHT provided more rapid achievement of low values of average diurnal and nocturnal systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP, lower parameters of BP variability. In patients with comorbid depression it led to lowering of magnitude and velocity of morning increment of SBP and DBP. Only combination AHT demonstrated adequate reduction of affective disorders. Both combination and isolated AHT in 6 months resulted in significant improvement of QL, however combination AHT provided significantly better estimates of QL. In patients with AH and anxiety or depressive disorders effectiveness of AHT combined with anxiolytic or antidepressant was higher compared with isolated AHT.