Positive Linear Trend Research Articles

The Stanford stereotactic radiosurgery experience on 7000 patients over 2 decades (1999-2018): looking far beyond the scalpel.

The CyberKnife (CK) has emerged as an effective frameless and noninvasive method for treating a myriad of neurosurgical conditions. Here, the authors conducted an extensive retrospective analysis and review of the literature to elucidate the trend for CK use in the management paradigm for common neurosurgical diseases at their institution. A literature review (January 1990-June 2019) and clinical review (January 1999-December 2018) were performed using, respectively, online research databases and the Stanford Research Repository of patients with intracranial and spinal lesions treated with CK at Stanford. For each disease considered, the coefficient of determination (r2) was estimated as a measure of CK utilization over time. A change in treatment modality was assessed using a t-test, with statistical significance assessed at the 0.05 alpha level. In over 7000 patients treated with CK for various brain and spinal lesions over the past 20 years, a positive linear trend (r2 = 0.80) in the system's use was observed. CK gained prominence in the management of intracranial and spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs; r2 = 0.89 and 0.95, respectively); brain and spine metastases (r2 = 0.97 and 0.79, respectively); benign tumors such as meningioma (r2 = 0.85), vestibular schwannoma (r2 = 0.76), and glomus jugulare tumor (r2 = 0.89); glioblastoma (r2 = 0.54); and trigeminal neuralgia (r2 = 0.81). A statistically significant difference in the change in treatment modality to CK was observed in the management of intracranial and spinal AVMs (p < 0.05), and while the treatment of brain and spine metastases, meningioma, and glioblastoma trended toward the use of CK, the change in treatment modality for these lesions was not statistically significant. Evidence suggests the robust use of CK for treating a wide range of neurological conditions.

Intrauterine device, subdermal contraceptive, and depot medroxyprogesterone use among transmasculine and cisgender patients over a 10-year period

ObjectiveTo describe use of three types of longer-acting contraception—intrauterine devices, subdermal contraceptives, and depot medroxyprogesterone—among transmasculine and cisgender women patients. Study DesignA repeated cross-sectional study using electronic medical records of patients, age 18 to 45, receiving care within Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2009 and 2019. Variations in demographics, clinical characteristics and contraception method uptake were assessed using t tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables for patients enrolled in 2019. A linear trend test for each group was used to assess the age-adjusted uptake of contraception methods by study year. ResultsThe transmasculine group was younger, with a mean age of 27.3 years (±7.2) vs 32.5 years (±7.8) years, respectively p < 0.001. The transmasculine group used more tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. The uptake of these contraception methods increased from 2009 to 2019 for both groups (transmasculine: 0.7% to 4.1%; cisgender: 5.6% to 6.7%) with a positive linear trend for both groups (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). The change in uptake of any intrauterine device from 2009 to 2019 was greater for the transmasculine group (0.3% to 2.3% vs 3.3% to 3.5%). Etonogestrel implant uptake had a positive linear trend from 2009 to 2019 for both groups (transmasculine: 0% to 0.5%, p = 0.02, and cisgender 0.1% to 1.2%, p < 0.001). ConclusionAnnual uptake of these contraception methods increased significantly for both transmasculine and cisgender groups, and this increase was greater for the transmasculine patients. Uptake of these contraception methods was higher in the cisgender population. ImplicationsThese findings suggest an improvement in use of long-term contraception and menstrual suppression medications for the transmasculine population. Further research is needed to understand these differences and identify a possible unmet need for intrauterine and subdermal contraceptives and depot medroxyprogesterone use among this often-marginalized population.

Seasonal variations in carbonaceous species of PM2.5 aerosols at an urban location situated in Indo-Gangetic Plain and its relationship with transport pathways, including the potential sources

The study examines the variation in organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in PM2.5 concentration at an urban location of Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) to understand the impact of seasonality and regional crop residue burning activities. Seasonal cluster analysis of backward air masses and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis was performed to identify seasonal transport pathways and potential source regions of carbonaceous aerosols. The mean PM2.5 level during the study period was 57 ± 41.6 μgm−3 (5.0–187.3 μgm−3), whereas OC and EC concentration ranges from 2.8 μgm−3 to 28.2 μgm−3 and 1.3 μgm−3 to 15.5 μgm−3 with a mean value of 8.4 ± 5.5 μgm−3 and 5.1 ± 3.3 μgm−3 respectively. The highest mean PM2.5 concentration was found during the winter season (111.3 ± 25.5 μgm−3), which rises 3.6 times compared to the monsoon season. OC and EC also follow a similar trend having the highest levels in winter. Total carbonaceous aerosols contribute ∼38% of PM2.5 composition. The positive linear trend between OC and EC identified the key sources. HYSPLIT cluster analysis of backward air mass trajectories revealed that during the post-monsoon, winters, pre-monsoon, and monsoon, 71%, 81%, 60%, and 43% of air masses originate within the 500 km radius of IGP. CWT analysis and abundance of OC in post-monsoon and winters season establish a linkage between regional solid-biomass fuel use and crop residue burning activities, including meteorology. Moreover, the low annual average OC/EC ratio (1.75) indicates the overall influence of vehicular emissions. The current dataset of carbonaceous aerosols collated with other Indian studies could be used to validate the global aerosol models on a regional scale and aid in evidence-based air pollution reduction strategies.

The impact of trends in South Asia Low pressure center on North Indian Ocean air-sea heat fluxes

This paper examines the interannual variability of latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat fluxes over the North Indian Ocean for the summer season (June, July, August), that show positive linear trends during 1958–2017. Using Air-Sea Flux (OAFlux) from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis-I, the variability and trends in LE and H heat fluxes are compared with changes in the position and pressure of the South Asia Low (SAL). Investigation of interactions between the air-sea heat fluxes and SAL pressure center through correlations analysis and with analysis of composites of humidity gradient, temperature gradient and vector wind fields is carried out. The results show that the SAL plays an important role in the variability of air-sea heat fluxes over North Indian Ocean. There is a negative correlation between SAL pressure and its latitude position. A change of the SAL from a north location to a south location induces changes in North Indian Ocean surface winds, humidity and temperature. These, combined with sea surface warming trends, produce trends in summer latent and sensible heat fluxes.

Body weight, body composition and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large population-based sample

Abstract Background Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor for COVID-19 severity. Besides, several reports also suggested that obesity (or a higher BMI) may also be associated with a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection although this remains unclear. Going beyond BMI, our objective was to study several anthropometric characteristics in relation to the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large population-based sample. Methods 21,376 participants from the French NutriNet-Santé cohort study were included in the main analyses. An ELISA assay was used to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies: 1027 participants were positive and 20,349, negative. Associations between a wide range of anthropometric characteristics (body mass index but also waist and hip circumference and body composition) and the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were investigated using multi-adjusted logistic regressions. Results A positive yet unclear association was observed between BMI and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in women (positive linear trend (P = 0.07) that was significant using restricted cubic splines (P = 0.04), but no association with standard categories of BMI). No association was observed in men. Waist circumference (P = 0.04) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.01) associated with a higher seroprevalence in women while opposite trends were observed in men (P = 0.08 and 0.03 respectively). Body, trunk and visceral fat (all P &amp;lt; 0.05), but not lean or muscle mass, associated with higher seroprevalence, especially in women. Conclusions Our results highlight a higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in women with higher body fat, suggesting that central adiposity may be an important factor to consider for risk stratification in the population. Key messages A higher seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in women with a higher body fat, but not in men. Central adiposity may be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and not only for COVID-19 severity.

Examining the Trends in Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Singapore: Analysis of Data From Google Trends and the Global Burden of Disease Study.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death globally, and timely health care seeking is imperative for its prevention, early detection, and management. While online health information–seeking behavior (OHISB) is increasingly popular due to widespread internet connectivity, little is known about how OHISB for COPD has changed in comparison with the COPD disease burden, particularly at a country-specific level.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the trends in OHISB for COPD and how that compared with the estimates of COPD disease burden in Singapore, a highly wired country with a steadily increasing COPD disease burden.MethodsTo examine the trends in OHISB for COPD, we performed Prais-Winsten regression analyses on monthly search volume data for COPD from January 2004 to June 2020 downloaded from Google Trends. We then conducted cross-correlational analyses to examine the relationship between annualized search volume on COPD topics and estimates of COPD morbidity and mortality reported in the Global Burden of Disease study from 2004 to 2017.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2020, the trend in COPD search volume was curvilinear (β=1.69, t194=6.64, P<.001), with a slope change around the end of 2006. There was a negative linear trend (β=–0.53, t33=–3.57, P=.001) from 2004 to 2006 and a positive linear trend (β=0.51, t159=7.43, P<.001) from 2007 to 2020. Cross-correlation analyses revealed positive associations between COPD search volume and COPD disease burden indicators: positive correlations between search volume and prevalence, incidence, years living with disability (YLD) at lag 0, and positive correlations between search volume and prevalence, YLD at lag 1.ConclusionsGoogle search volume on COPD increased from 2007 to 2020; this trend correlated with the upward trajectory of several COPD morbidity estimates, suggesting increasing engagement in OHISB for COPD in Singapore. These findings underscore the importance of making high-quality, web-based information accessible to the public, particularly COPD patients and their carers.

Examining Preservice Teachers' Performance During a 14-Week Student Teaching Experience: A Longitudinal Study

The student teaching experience is one of the most impactful and formative experiences of any preservice teachers' career. Student teaching provides preservice teachers with the professional knowledge and skills needed to be successful teachers through concrete experiences, which formalize professional behaviors. This longitudinal linear mixed model study aimed to examine the change of preservice teachers' performance over time during the student teaching experience. Preservice teacher performance was measured with a modified instrument, and instrument reliability was tested and confirmed as part of this study. As such, it was found that a positive and significant linear trend over the 14-week placement existed and a clear pattern of growth among preservice teachers in the constructs of instructional design, instructional practice, student-centered teaching, teacher professionalism, and reflective and autonomous practitioner. It is evident that the student teaching experience is a valuable macro-level experience that provides a plethora of beneficial micro-level experiences. It is recommended that teacher educators continue to provide preservice teachers with the opportunity to participate in the immersive student teacher experience for a prolonged period. Recommendations for conducting evaluations and delivering feedback to student teachers were also made. As demonstrated in this study, time spent in the student teaching experience is a key attribute to preservice teachers' growth and development as professional educators.

Investigating the Efficacy of a Canine Rabies Vaccine Following Storage Outside of the Cold-Chain in a Passive Cooling Device.

Background: Thermostable vaccines greatly improved the reach and impact of large-scale programmes to eliminate infectious diseases such as smallpox, polio, and rinderpest. A study from 2015 demonstrated that the potency of the Nobivac® Rabies vaccine was not impacted following experimental storage at 30°C for 3 months. Whether the vaccine would remain efficacious following storage under more natural, fluctuating temperature conditions remains unknown. We carried out a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial to compare serological responses in dogs following vaccination with doses stored under cold chain conditions with those stored within a locally made Passive Cooling Device (“Zeepot”) under fluctuating temperature conditions.Materials and Methods: Nobivac® Rabies vaccine was stored under either cold-chain conditions or within the Zeepot for 2 months. Daily ambient temperatures and temperatures within the Zeepot were recorded every 3 h. Following storage, 412 domestic dogs were randomly assigned to receive either cold-chain or Zeepot stored Nobivac® Rabies vaccine. Baseline and day 28-post vaccination blood samples were collected. Serological analysis using the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation assay was carried out with a threshold of 0.5 IU/ml to determine seroconversion. In addition, the impact of dog Body Condition Score, sex, and age on seroconversion was examined.Results: The serological response of dogs vaccinated using Nobivac® Rabies vaccine stored within the Zeepot was not inferior to the response of dogs vaccinated using cold-chain stored vaccine (z = 1.1, df = 313, p-value = 0.25). Indeed, the 28-day post-vaccination group geometric mean titre was 1.8 and 2.0 IU/ml for cold-chain vs. non-cold-chain storage, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of dogs that seroconverted in each arm was almost identical (85%). There was a positive linear trend between Body Condition Score (O.R. 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–5.1) and seroconversion, suggesting dogs of poor condition may not respond as expected to vaccination.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the potency of Nobivac® Rabies vaccine is not impacted following storage under elevated fluctuating temperatures within a Zeepot. These results have potentially exciting applications for scaling up mass dog vaccination programmes in low-and-middle income countries, particularly for hard-to-reach populations with limited access to power and cold-chain vaccine storage.

Sustained methane emissions from China after 2012 despite declining coal production and rice-cultivated area

China’s anthropogenic methane emissions are the largest of any country in the world. A recent study using atmospheric observations suggested that recent policies aimed at reducing emissions of methane due to coal production in China after 2010 had been largely ineffective. Here, based on a longer observational record and an updated modelling approach, we find a statistically significant positive linear trend (0.36 ± 0.04 () Tg CH4 yr−2) in China’s methane emissions for 2010–2017. This trend was slowing down at a statistically significant rate of -0.1 ± 0.04 Tg CH4 yr−3. We find that this decrease in growth rate can in part be attributed to a decline in China’s coal production. However, coal mine methane emissions have not declined as rapidly as production, implying that there may be substantial fugitive emissions from abandoned coal mines that have previously been overlooked. We also find that emissions over rice-growing and aquaculture-farming regions show a positive trend (0.13 ± 0.05 Tg CH4 yr−2 for 2010–2017) despite reports of shrinking rice paddy areas, implying potentially significant emissions from new aquaculture activities, which are thought to be primarily located on converted rice paddies.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Common Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Conditions among U.S. Children.

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a significant but variable effect on childhood neurodevelopment. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the associations between “household challenge” ACEs and common childhood neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions, using nationally representative U.S. data. Method: This study used data from the 2016–2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey. Seven household challenge ACEs (not including child maltreatment) were reported by parents/guardians: parental death, incarceration, divorce/separation, family violence, mental illness, substance abuse, and poverty. Logistic regression with sample weights was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for 15 parent-reported neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions, by the number of reported ACEs. A dose-response relationship was examined by applying tests of orthogonal polynomial contrasts to fitted logistic regression models. Results: Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy were not associated with household challenge ACEs, whereas behavior/conduct problems, depression, and substance abuse were strongly associated, with adjusted ORs ranging from 6.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.53, 7.32) to 9.19 (95% CI 7.79, 10.84). Other neurodevelopmental conditions not traditionally associated with childhood adversity showed moderate yet robust associations with ACEs, including autism (adjusted OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.64, 2.81), learning disability (adjusted OR 3.26, 95% CI 2.80, 3.80), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adjusted OR 3.95, 95% CI 3.44, 4.53). The ORs increased with the number of ACEs, showing significant positive linear trends. Conclusion: We found significant dose-dependent or cumulative associations between ACEs and multiple neurodevelopmental and behavioral conditions.

The Role of Blood Pressure in Carotid Plaque Incidence: Interactions With Body Mass Index, Age, and Sex-Based on a 7-Years Cohort Study.

Background: Although high blood pressure (BP) is a risk factor for carotid plaque, its long-term prognostic value might be underestimated due to its confounding interactions with BMI, age, and gender. Therefore, we conducted a 7-year prospective cohort study to evaluate the prognostic value of BP for the incidence of carotid plaque.Methods: The subjects enrolled in 2011 were free of carotid plaque at baseline and were followed up in 2018. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were used to evaluate the association between BP and carotid plaque incidence.Results: During the follow-up study, the incidence of carotid plaque was 36.5%. The significant positive linear trend showed that subjects with higher BP levels at baseline were more likely to develop carotid plaques at the end. Especially in the female subpopulation, after confounders being adjusted, the carotid plaque was associated with higher BP (adjusted HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.26), pulse pressure (PP) (adjusted HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.76–1.75), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (adjusted HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.00–2.08). The adjusted HRs of hypertension, PP, and MAP (HR 27.71, 95% CI 2.27–338.64; HR 14.47, 95% CI 1.53–137.18; HR 9.97, 95% CI 1.29–77.28) were significantly higher after the potential antagonistic interactions between BP categorical indicators and age being adjusted, respectively.Conclusion: High BP indicators might be associated with higher HRs of carotid plaque after adjusting interactions between BP indicators and BMI, age, and gender, which suggests that the incidence of carotid plaque in female adults with high BP indicators might increase significantly with the increase of age.

Changes in the annual and intra-annual river runoff of the Votkinsk reservoir’s catchment

The assessment of the long-term variability of the rivers water content in the catchment area of the Votkinsk Reservoir for gauge stations (g/s) with the longest observation series (1939–2018) has been carried out. During the period under review, almost all g/s showed the presence of a statistically significant positive linear trend. The difference-integral curves revealed a violation of the stationarity of long-term observation series, and an analysis of the intra-annual distribution of monthly and seasonal runoff in% of the annual for two periods was carried out: 1956–1976 and 1977–2018. For the period 1977–2018 a decrease in the share of spring runoff (by an average of 7%), as well as an increase in the share of summer-autumn runoff and winter runoff by 18.4 and 24%, respectively, were found for almost all rivers in the study area.

Longitudinal Study on Relationships among Snack Energy Intake, Body Mass Index, and Nutrient Intake in Japanese Children Aged 6-7 Years.

A longitudinal study was conducted to assess associations between snack energy intake and either body mass index (BMI) or nutrient intake in Japanese children. A baseline survey was conducted with 243 children aged 6-7 y, and follow-up was performed 4 y later. Finally, 189 subjects were selected for the analysis. Snack intakes were obtained from self-administered records by guardians. The daily habitual whole dietary intake and exercise/sleep hours were obtained by questionnaires during the follow-up. Subjects were grouped into three, as per snack energy intake tertiles at baseline. Differences and linear trends between the three groups were tested for the mean values of snack energy intake, BMI, and nutrient density, 4 y after the baseline survey. In follow-up, the snack energy intake (kcal) in females was significantly higher in the intermediate (335±35, p<0.01) and high (318±32, p<0.05) groups than in low group (196±25). There was no significant difference in follow-up BMI in the three groups. However, after adjustment of the baseline BMI, a significantly positive linear trend (p<0.05) was observed in the follow-up BMI in females. There was no significant difference in total energy intake per day. In contrast, a significantly negative linear trend (p<0.05) was observed among the three groups in dietary nutrient density of calcium and vitamin A in females. These results suggest that, in females, a higher intake of snacks may affect the daily dietary balance, resulting in a higher BMI and lower mineral and vitamin intakes.

Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, as a feed ingredient for juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

An 8-week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available unconventional source of protein in a practical diet for olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). Three hundred juveniles (initial weight, 33.5 ± 0.01 g) were randomly distributed into five dietary groups in triplicate (20 fish per tank), and each group was hand-fed one of the experimental diets containing a graded level of a mealworm meal (MW) replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 % of fish meal (FM) protein (designated as MW0, MW20, MW40, MW60, and MW80). The specific growth rates of juvenile flounders revealed a decreasing trend with increasing dietary MW levels. However, feed utilization efficiency tended to improve with the increasing percentage of dietary FM replacement up to 40 % but gradually decreased in higher replacement levels. The results displayed a linear and quadratic negative effect of dietary MW inclusion level on nutrient digestibility. A significant negative linear trend was detected between dietary MW content and plasma total cholesterol. Except for lipid content, which displayed a significant decreasing trend as the dietary MW content increased, no other changes were evident in the fillet proximate composition. Significant positive linear and quadratic trends were observed between fillet C18:1n-9 (oleic acid; OA) and C18:2n-6 (linoleic acid; LA) levels and dietary MW content, where the OA and LA values increased in a dose-dependent manner. The fillet Σn3 / Σn6 ratio and atherogenic index demonstrated significant decreasing trends with dietary inclusion of MW while the fillet thrombogenic index and hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid ratio exhibited significant positive trends with increasing values. Myeloperoxidase activity declined with replacement of up to 40 % FM protein but thereafter gradually increased at higher replacement levels. Glutathione peroxidase activity generally was enhanced with increasing dietary MW inclusion. Dietary MW inclusion had no significant impact on the bacterial community of the juvenile flounder’s hindgut. Although replacing up to 80 % of FM with MW may promote an immunostimulatory effect, in order to avoid unfavorable effects on feed efficiency and nutritional value of the fillet lipid fraction no more than 40 % of FM is recommended to be replaced by a MW in diets for olive flounder juveniles. Our findings could promote the utilization of MW in olive flounder feed, which may not only reduce dependence on high priced and finite feed ingredients, but also enhance farmed fish health status.

Temporal patterns of vegetation recovery after wildfire in two obligate seeder ash forests

In recent years, novel, high-severity wildfire regimes have driven major changes in the structure and function of forests globally. Indeed, many forests are vulnerable to recruitment failures and collapse in the event of decreased intervals between fires, including forests dominated by the Australian obligate seeders, Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans). Disturbance responses in these forests are often described collectively, with limited understanding of their potential differences. Despite this, management recommendations and ecological implications are often applied broadly across both forest types. Here, using an empirical dataset collected over an eleven-year period (2009–2020), we compare plant communities in south-eastern Australian Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests in mature stands (last burned in 1926/1939), and young stands (burned by high-severity wildfire in 2009). To do this, we used measures of forest structure (basal area of dominant plant life-forms) collected over eight years, and the abundance (projective foliage cover) of vascular plant species. We provide evidence of similar, positive-linear trends in the recovery of forest structure in both Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests in the first eight years post-wildfire in 2009. Mature Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests were compositionally different but had a similar structure and abundance of plant life-forms. Moreover, controlling for the influence of forest type, young stands were compositionally different from mature stands, and were associated with an increase in the abundance of Acacia, herb, ground-fern and graminoid species, and a decline in tree-fern and tree species. Further investigation in young stands revealed marked differences in plant community composition between forest types, with young Mountain Ash forests characterized by a lower abundance of shrub, Acacia and graminoid species, relative to Alpine Ash forests of the same age. Overall, our findings indicate that Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forest plant communities may have similar structural and functional responses to predicted increases in wildfire. This suggests that when the broad structure and function of forest vegetation is a consideration, ecological implications and management recommendations may be broadly applicable to both Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash forests. However, further consideration is required in early successional stands where differences in species composition between forest types may have implications for management (e.g. increases in flammability). In a period of uncertainty in the future of ash-type forests, our study provides a timely insight into the comparative successional trajectories of their respective plant communities and provides a baseline for future studies.

Effects of Dietary Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) on Growth Performance and Muscle Quality of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Simple SummaryThe quality of muscle plays an important role in improving the economic benefit of aquatic products. The paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, BP) grows wildly in the south of Asia. In this experiment, grass carps (initial weight: 50.0 ± 0.5 g) were fed diets with the addition of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% BP in a control diet (crude protein: 31%, crude fat: 3.8%) for 8 weeks. In conclusion, adding 5% BP did not affect the growth of grass carp. However, the supplementation of 10% BP could improve muscle quality through improving muscle hardness, reducing fat accumulation and muscle fiber diameter, at the cost of reducing growth performance.The present study investigated the effects of dietary paper mulberry (Broussonetia Papyrifera, BP) on growth performance, muscle quality and muscle growth-related mRNA expressions of grass carp. Fish (initial weight: 50.0 ± 0.5 g) were fed diets supplemented with 0% (control diet), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% BP for 8 weeks. The results showed that increasing levels of paper mulberry linearly and quadratically decreased the special gain rate (SGR) and increased the feed conversion rate (FCR) of grass carp (p < 0.05). Significantly positive quadratic trends were found between paper mulberry levels and muscle crude fat or crude protein of grass carp (p < 0.05). In comparison to the control diet, the 10%BP and 15%BP groups had significantly decreased muscle crude fat and increased crude protein (p < 0.05). The levels of paper mulberry resulted in a linear and quadratic increase in water loss of grass carp muscle (p < 0.05), and all groups with paper mulberry supplementation were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Significant positive linear and quadratic trends were found between the paper mulberry levels and muscle fiber diameter or density of grass carp (p < 0.05). In comparison to the control diet, the significant differences were found in the 15%BP and 20%BP groups (p < 0.05). The muscle adhesiveness and hardness linearly and quadratically increased with the increasing levels of paper mulberry (p < 0.05), and both of which increased significantly when the level of paper mulberry reached 10% (p < 0.05). In addition, the increase in paper mulberry linearly and quadratically improved the expressions of myoblast determination protein (MyoD), myogenin (MyoG), paired box protein 7 (Pax7) and myostatin 1 (MSTN1) (p < 0.05). When the supplementation of paper mulberry reached 15%, the expressions of all these mRNAs were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In summary, adding 5% paper mulberry did not affect the growth of grass carp. However, the supplementation of 10% paper mulberry could improve muscle quality through improving muscle hardness, reducing fat accumulation and muscle fiber diameter, at the cost of reducing growth performance.

Different associations of specific non-alcoholic beverages with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Korean adults: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015-2016).

This study examined the associations between specific non-alcoholic beverages and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and their interactions with obesity. The study participants were 4,999 adults aged 19–64 years from the 2015–2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using multivariable logistic regression analyses. In women, there was an inverse linear trend between coffee and hs-CRP status (ptrend = 0.0137), and a positive linear trend for soda was also found (≥1/week vs never or almost never, OR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.23–2.61, ptrend = 0.0127). In the stratification analyses, the associa­tions were only observed in obese women. The associations were inverse for coffee and tea but linearly positive for soda in obese women (ptrend<0.05). In men, an inverted J-shaped association between commercial fruit juice/drink and hs-CRP status was found; but after stratification by obesity, the association was linear only in obese men (ptrend<0.05, OR = 2.44, 95% CI 1.44–4.16 in ≥1/week vs never or almost never). Coffee and tea in women may be beneficially associated with hs-CRP status, but soda in women and commercial fruit juice/drink in men may be adversely, particularly for obese adults.

Peritectic assemblage entrainment (PAE) model for the petrogenesis of Neoproterozoic high-maficity I-type granitoids in the western Yangtze Block, South China

Under the condition of paucity of mantle-derived ferromagnesian components, peritectic assemblage entrainment (PAE) model can properly explain a large variation of Fe, Mg, Ti, and Ca contents as well as positive linear trends for Ti and Ca plotted against maficity (molar Fe + Mg) exhibited by more mafic I-type granitic melts. Herein we present a comprehensive study of zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes, whole-rock major and trace elements, and Sr–Nd isotopes for newly identified Neoproterozoic high-maficity I-type granitoids collected from the Yonglang area in the western Yangtze Block, South China, in order to evaluate PAE process acting on the petrogenesis of these more mafic granitoids. Zircon U-Pb geochronological results show that the Yonglang granitoids, including the granodiorites, monzogranites, and biotite granites, yield the weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of ca. 850–825 Ma. They are geochemically characterized by high SiO2 (64.63–72.62 wt.%) and K2O (3.49–6.59 wt.%) contents as well as variable A/CNK (0.94–1.09) and molar Fe + Mg values (0.0452–0.1210), and display a negative correlation of A/CNK and Fe + Mg, indicating an I-type affinity. Isotopically, they display negative whole-rock εNd(t) (−4.06 to−6.38) and highly evolved zircon εHf(t) values (−9.36 to +1.92) as well as old two-stage Nd model ages (1.69–1.85 Ga) and crustal Hf model ages (1608–2139 Ma), implying a crustal source. In comparison with the geochemical composition of fluid-absent experimental melts, the Yonglang I-type granitoids have Fe, Mg, Ti, and Ca contents that are too high to equilibrium with those of pure crustal melts, indicating the additional incorporation of a ferromagnesian, Ti-, and Ca-rich component into primary melts. Like the Cotoncello–Monte Capanne granitic complex in Elba Island and Verdenburg I-type granite in South Africa, the Yonglang I-type granitoids exhibit highly positive linear correlations for Ti vs. maficity and Ca vs. maficity as well as negative correlation for A/CNK vs. maficity, suggesting that these high-maficity I-type granitoids predominantly underwent the peritectic assemblage entrainment of Ca-Fe-Mg-Ti bearing minerals (e.g., clinopyroxene, plagioclase, ilmenite, etc.) during coupled melting of biotite and hornblende phases in crustal source. The process of peritectic assemblage entrainment thus play a vital role in moulding geochemical compositions of more mafic I-type granites.

Geophysical Signal Detection in the Earth’s Oblateness Variation and Its Climate-Driven Source Analysis

This study analyzes the geophysical signals in J2 time series from 1976 to 2020 by using singular spectrum analysis (SSA) and the Lomb-Scargle (L-S) periodogram for the first time. The results of SSA indicate that the secular trend is characterized by a superposition of the secular linear decrease with a rate of approximately (−5.80 ± 0.08) × 10−11/yr and an obvious quadratic rate of (2.38 ± 0.02) × 10−13/yr2. Besides, the annual, semi-annual, and 10.6-year signals with determining for the first time its amplitude of 5.01 × 10−11, are also detected by SSA, where their stochastic behavior can be maintained to the greatest extent. The 18.6-year signal cannot be detected by SSA even when the window size of 18.6 years was selected, while L-S periodogram can detect the signal of 18.6 years after removing the 18.6-year tidal theoretical value and the linear trend, proving the existence of the tidal variations of 18.6 years in the residual time series. Nevertheless, the 10.6-year signal can be found only after removing the secular trend. This fact suggests that the advantages of different methods used will lead to different sensitivity to the particular signals hard to be detected. Finally, the reconstructed ΔJ2 time series through the sum of the climate-driven contributions from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), Antarctic ice sheets (ANT), atmosphere (ATM), continental glaciers (GLA), Greenland ice sheets (GRE), ocean bottom pressure (OBP), and terrestrial water storage (TWS) by using GRACE gravity field solution and geophysical models agrees very well with that of the observed ΔJ2 from SLR in terms of the amplitude and phase. About 81.5% of observed ΔJ2 can be explained by the reconstructed value. ATM, TWS, and OBP are the most significant contributing sources for seasonal signals in ΔJ2 time series, explaining up to 40.1%, 31.9%, and 26.3% of the variances of observed ΔJ2. These three components contribute to the annual and semi-annual variations of the observed ΔJ2 up to 30.1% and 1.6%, 30.8% and 1.0%, as well as 25.4% and 0.7%, respectively. GRE, ANT, and GLA have ~3 to ~7-year periodic fluctuations and a positive linear trend, excluding GIA.

Defining Voiding Dysfunction in Women: Bladder Outflow Obstruction Versus Detrusor Underactivity.

PurposeWe aimed to develop urodynamic criteria to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor underactivity (DU) in women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).MethodsInitially, in a group of 68 consecutive women with LUTS and increased postvoid residual (PVR) who had undergone urodynamic investigations, we examined the level of agreement between the operating physician’s diagnosis of BOO or DU and the diagnosis according to urodynamic nomograms/indices, including the Blaivas-Groutz (B-G) nomogram, urethral resistance factor (URA), bladder outlet obstruction index (BOOI), and bladder contractility index (BCI). Based on the initial results, we categorized 160 women into 4 groups using the B-G nomogram and URA (group 1, severe-moderate BOO; group 2, mild BOO and URA≥20; group 3, mild BOO and URA<20; group 4, nonobstructed) and compared the urodynamic parameters. Finally, we redefined women as obstructed (groups 1+2) and nonobstructed (groups 3+4) for subanalysis.ResultsThe agreement between the B-G nomogram and physician’s diagnosis was poor in the mild obstruction zone (κ=0.308, P=0.01). By adding URA (cutoff value=20), excellent agreement was reached (κ=0.856, P<0.001). Statistically significant differences were found among the 4 groups (analysis of variance) in maximum flow rate (Qmax) (P<0.0001), voided volume (VV) (P=0.042), PVR (P=0.032), BOOI (P<0.0001), and BCI (P<0.0001), with a positive linear trend for Qmax and VV and a negative linear trend for PVR and BOOI moving from groups 1 to 4. In the subanalysis, all parameters showed statistically significant differences between obstructed and nonobstructed women, except BCI (Qmax, P=0.0001; VV, P=0.0091; PVR, P=0.0005; BOOI, P=0.0001).ConclusionsThe combination of the B-G nomogram with URA increased the accuracy of diagnosing BOO among women with LUTS. Based on this combination, most women in the mild obstruction zone of the B-G nomogram would be considered underactive rather than obstructed.