Association of Alcohol Drinking and Helicobacter pylori Infection : A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between drinking and Helicobacter pylori infection was not clear in the literature. Owing to mixed and inconclusive results, a meta-analysis was conducted to summarize and clarify this association systematically. METHODS: Based on a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, studies investigating the association between drinking and H. pylori infection were retrieved. We evaluated the strength of this relationship using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity analysis was also conducted. RESULTS: A total of 24 individual studies were included in this meta-analysis. The risk of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in alcohol drinkers than nondrinkers (OR=0.83). People who drink wine (OR=0.90) or mixed types of alcoholic beverages (OR=0.78) had a lower risk of infection compared with those who drink beer. Among people aged 40 years or older, alcohol drinkers had a lower risk of H. pylori infection than nondrinkers (OR=0.68). Among people less than 40 years of age, alcohol drinking was not associated with H. pylori infection risk. Data showed that women were at a lower risk of H. pylori infection than men (OR=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that the risk of H. pylori infection among alcohol drinkers is lower than that of nondrinkers. Drinking wine and mixed types of alcohol are better at reducing H. pylori infection than drinking beer. Nonetheless, we discourage reducing H. pylori infection through drinking, which increases the risk of other diseases.

Atrophic gastritis rather than Helicobacter pylori infection can be an independent risk factor of colorectal polyps: a retrospective study in China.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is considered the most effective screening method for colorectal polyps. However, the longevity and complexity of the procedure makes it less desirable to screen for colorectal polyps in the general population. Therefore, it is essential to identify other independent risk factors. In this study, we explored the link between Hp infection, atrophic gastritis, and colorectal polyps to identify a new potential risk factors of colorectal polyps. METHODS: In this study, atrophic gastritis and intestinal polyps were diagnosed by endoscopy and pathology. All the 792 patients in this retrospective study were divided into sub-groups based on the presence of colorectal polyps. The correlation between polyps and atrophic gastritis was analyzed using the chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare the predictive value for colorectal polyps between Hp infection and atrophic gastritis. Binary logistic regression was utilized to identify independent risk factors for colorectal polyps. RESULTS: Patients with colorectal polyps were primarily male with advanced age, and the number of patients with colorectal polyps had a higher association with smoking, alcohol drinking, and Hp infection than the control group. A positive correlation between the number of colorectal polyps and the severity of atrophic gastritis was observed. ROC analysis showed that atrophic gastritis was a better risk factors for colorectal polyps. Multivariate analysis identified atrophic gastritis as an independent risk factor for colorectal polyps (OR 2.294; 95% CI 1.597-3.296). CONCLUSIONS: Atrophic gastritis confirmed could be an independent risk factors for colorectal polyps.

Ultrathin, reflective light-field imaging film realized by self-releasing UV-curable nanoimprinting lithography.

Light-field imaging has emerged as a technology allowing the capture of richer visual information from the world. Ultrathin, reflective light-field imaging film is fabricated by using self-releasing ultraviolet (UV)-curable nanoimprinting lithography. The plenoptic function is built to generate the dense reflective light field in a two-dimension plane in which the occlusion perception can be seamlessly incorporated in the recording process. A self-releasing nanoimprinting technique is developed to realize the imaging film with a thickness of 25 µm and a full field of view (FOV). The results pave the way toward developing high-performance light-field imaging device that can be used as a visual security feature or in virtual/augmented reality and computer vision applications, etc.

Micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in a Taiwanese population: 2-year clinical outcomes and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 2-year efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in Taiwanese patients with glaucoma. METHODS: We included the patients who received standardized MP-TSCPC with follow-up examinations on a regular basis for 24 months. Treatment success was defined as the attainment of a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 21 mmHg or a ≥ 20% reduction in IOP from baseline without an increase in glaucoma medications. RESULTS: A total of 60 eyes from 56 patients who underwent MP-TSCPC for refractory glaucoma were included. The median age at MP-TSCPC intervention was 58.9 ± 12.4 years. The percentage of treatment success was 88.3% at 3 months, 83.3% at 6 months, 78.3% at 12 months, and 75.0% at 24 months. The mean baseline IOP prior to MP-TSCPC was 34 ± 11.9 mmHg (range 14-56 mmHg). The mean postoperative IOP decreased to 20.9 ± 10.0 mmHg, 18.0 ± 7.8 mmHg, 17.5 ± 6.4 mmHg, and 18.2 ± 7.1 mmHg after 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months, respectively, in successful cases. The mean number of glaucoma medications at baseline was 3.8 ± 0.2, and the mean numbers of glaucoma medications at postoperative months 3, 6, 12, and 24 were 2.6 ± 0.7, 2.8 ± 0.6, 2.5 ± 1.4 and 2.6 ± 1.4, respectively, in successful cases. Younger age and prior CW-TSCPC significantly contributed to surgical failure in the multivariate model. Complications after MP-TSCPC included mild anterior chamber inflammation, conjunctival hemorrhage, hypotony, and mydriasis, and all subsided after treatment. None of the eyes developed vitreous hemorrhage, cystoid macular edema, or phthisis bulbi in the late postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that younger age and prior CW-TSCPC were risk factors for MP-TSCPC failure within 2 years. MP-TSCPC might be safe and effective for refractory glaucoma patients with maximal antiglaucoma medications.

Floating quick response code based on structural black color with the characteristic of privacy protection.

Since the printing quick response (QR) code can be easily produced and duplicated as a potential tool for cybercriminals, QR code security has been a hotly debated issue across globe. Here we demonstrate a floating QR code device based on the moiré principle which has the advantage of displaying an appealing three-dimensional (3D) effect and privacy protection. In the imaging system, the microlens array (MLA) contributes to efficiently sampling the multiple elemental images and the metal-coated nanostructure yields patterned structural black color with a high pattern resolution (>12, 500 dpi). A virtual mask scheme is specially developed in the elemental image construction, allowing for eliminating the crosstalk between neighboring units and containing more information in one unit without the necessity for ultra-high-resolution fabrication process and sophisticated operation. The proposed QR code device, capable of being read by an unmodified smart phone, is inexpensive, mass-producible, nondestructive, unclonable and convenient for authentication. This new solution should take a place among the existing solutions to fight counterfeiting and QR code attacks.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors Associated with Severity and Death in COVID-19 Patients.

This meta-analysis aims to screen the risk factors for severe illness and death and provide help for early clinical treatment of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, we included studies that explored the cause and risk factors for severe illness and death in COVID-19 patients. We evaluated the strength of this relationship using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 17 articles were included; 16 of the 17 articles were from China, and the risk factors associated with severe illness and death were age, sex, and multiple comorbidities. Advanced age (≥65 years, severe illness, OR = 2.62; death, OR = 6.00), male (severe illness, OR = 1.49; death, OR = 1.54), chronic respiratory diseases (severe illness, OR = 5.67; death, OR = 3.72), diabetes (severe illness, OR = 3.27; death, OR = 2.60), hypertension (severe illness, OR = 3.08; death, OR = 3.53), chronic kidney disease (severe illness, OR = 3.59; death, OR = 5.38), and cardiovascular diseases (severe illness, OR = 3.87; death, OR = 4.91) were all risk factors. For COVID-19 patients, advanced age, male, and patients with chronic disease are at higher risk of developing severe illness or even death.

Dynamic effect in the moiré magnifier by using the weak domain transformation.

The design of an image with dynamic effect usually adopts an interlacing strategy, but it suffers from the crosstalk between the neighboring images. Here, by introduction of the weak domain transformation to the micro pattern array (MPA), striking motion effects are realized with no crosstalk. A complete theoretical model based on both the moiré and fix point theorem is developed for interpretation of the kinetics. A microlens array-based moiré magnifier is fabricated to demonstrate the visually striking motion effect. The moiré magnifier is of primary interest for a wide variety of applications in appealing decoration, information encryption, and displacement measurement, etc.

Highly linearly polarized light emission from flexible organic light-emitting devices capitalized on integrated ultrathin metal-dielectric nanograting.

Although there have been tremendous achievements ever since the first work on an organic electroluminescent (EL) device that emitted polarized light, the development of flexible polarized emission organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) is not without hurdles, and the challenge towards real-world applications still requires tremendous effort. In this paper, we proposed highly linearly polarized light-emission from flexible green OLEDs capitalized on integrated ultrathin metal-dielectric nanograting. The acquired polarized device with meticulously optimized geometric parameters yields an angle-invariant average extinction ratio beyond 20.0 dB within a viewing angle range of ± 60°. The detailed analysis illustrates that surface plasmons and cavity modes are simultaneously contributed to the TM-polarized light selection. We hope that the presented approach will open new opportunities for designing flexible polarized light sources.

Flexible graphical black structural color with high angular tolerance featuring subwavelength nickel cylinder array pixels.

Black structural color has attracted particular interest due to its attractive applications in various fields. Until now, however, the reported graphical black structural color (GBSC) devices are mainly realized by means of electron beam lithography or focused ion beam technology, inevitably suffering from the obstacles of high production cost and time-consuming processing. Moreover, the limited and small area of the GBSC constitutes another issue for real applications and little attention has been devoted to flexible GBSC because of the limitations of this manufacturing approach. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate and theoretically analyze a novel flexible GBSC architecture capitalized on a pixelated embedded nickel cylindrical array using a reliable, low-cost and self-developed continuously variable spatial frequency lithography. The fabricated graphical and large-area flexible GBSC sample (4 cm × 4 cm) exhibits a measured absorbance of ∼92% over the entire visible regime from 400 nm to 700 nm. Furthermore, the desirable absorptivity is well retained at incident angles up to 60°. It is anticipated that the facile, controllable and scalable approach developed here opens new exciting perspectives for industrial production.

Double-sided and omnidirectional absorption of visible light in tapered dielectric nanostructure coated with non-noble metal.

The common complex architecture constitutes the major bottleneck of optical absorber operating on broadband spectrum. Here we demonstrate a super absorber consisting of tapered dielectric nanostructure coated with a thin-layer of non-noble metal chromium on flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate. The proposed device yields double-sided, omnidirectional, and polarization-independent absorption over the entire visible spectrum with an average efficiency more than 90% at normal incidence, and 80% at a tilt incident angle of 60°. It can be easily realized by nanoimprinting lithography combined with physical vapor deposition technique. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the superior optical performance is ascribed to the non-resonant light absorption by using the metal-covered, closed-packed tapered nanostructure via adiabatic nanofocusing of the metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) guided modes excited by scattering of the gradually changing nanostructure. For the cost-effective fabrication and material strategy, the super absorber has potential applications in a wide range of passive and active photonic devices, including inkless printing, harvesting solar energy, as well as thermal emitter and optical detector.

A Multicenter Large-Sample Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastographic Study of the Achilles Tendon in Chinese Adults.

OBJECTIVES: The changes in the viscoelasticity of the Achilles tendon are related to tendinopathy. Therefore, constructing a data model in the healthy population is essential to understanding the key factors affecting the viscoelasticity of the Achilles tendon. The purpose of our research was to obtain large sample data, construct a data model, and determine parameters that affect the elastic modulus of the Achilles tendon in healthy Chinese adults. METHODS: We designed a prospective multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the viscoelasticity of the Achilles tendon by using shear wave elastography. A total of 1165 healthy adult participants from 17 Chinese hospitals were recruited for the assessment. The necessary parameters (age, height, weight, and body mass index) were recorded. The elastic modulus (Young modulus) was obtained from the middle of the Achilles tendon and calculated with feet in naturally relaxed, dorsal, and plantar positions. The thickness and perimeter of the Achilles tendon were measured via cross section on the same site. A multiple linear regression was performed to find the key factors affecting the Young modulus of the Achilles tendon. RESULTS: The Young modulus of the left Achilles tendon in the natural relaxed position followed a normal distribution (P > .05) with a mean ± SD of 374.24 ± 106.12 kPa. The regression equations showed a positive correlation between the Young modulus and weight and a negative correlation between the Young modulus and the circumference or thickness of the left Achilles tendon (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The Young modulus of the Achilles tendon as measured by shear wave elastography is related to body weight as well as the perimeter or thickness of the tendon.

High-performance composite Ag-Ni mesh based flexible transparent conductive film as multifunctional devices.

Conventional fabrication methods for realization of metal mesh (MM) based transparent conductive film (TCF) are not economic and environmentally friendly. By combination of the scrape and selective electroplating techniques, a vacuum sputtering/evaporation-free process is explored for fabrication of high-performance MM based TCF. The fabricated TCF exhibits ultra-low sheet electrical resistance (Rs = 0.07 Ω sq-1) at average transmittance of 83% in visible region. The sample cannot only exhibit high heating temperatures (140 °C) at low input voltage (1.5 V) with fast and stable thermal response but provide high electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) more than 43 dB in X-band. The processing chain provides a robust, powerful and scalable platform, which may open up a new avenue for realizing multifunctional TCF in diverse applications.

Cost-effective near-perfect absorber at visible frequency based on homogenous meta-surface nickel with two-dimension cylinder array.

To date, near-perfect light absorbers at visible frequency are still severely impeded by the complicated architecture design and time-consuming costly fabrication procedures. In this work, we design and fabricate a new cost-effective near-perfect absorber at visible frequency based on homogenous meta-surface nickel (Ni) with a two-dimension cylinder array. The simulated and measured average absorption at normal incidence are beyond 94% and 92% over the entire visible wavelength band from 400 nm to 700 nm, respectively. Additionally, the absorbance property was well retained, and the absorptivity still remained beyond 70% when the incident angles vary from 0° to 60°. Our theoretically and experimentally results indicate that the broadband wide-angular absorption can be ascribed to the Rayleigh-Wood anomaly combined with slot modes induced by excited surface plasmon polaritons. Moreover, the low-cost double-beam interference lithography followed by soft nano-imprinting and electroforming technology, which are directly compatible with the cost-effective and high volume manufacturing requirements, are employed to fabricate the proposed absorber. The proposed approach is simple and inexpensive and the obtained ultrathin homogenous meta-surface nickel absorber can be rolled or folded on the surface of various optoelectronics, such as solar system and radiation thermal devices.

Laser speckle formed disordered micro-meander structures for light extraction enhancement of flexible organic light-emitting diodes.

A new approach for efficiently recovering the wasted light energy in conventional flexible organic light-emitting diodes (FOLEDs) is developed by implementing disordered micro-meander structures (DMMs) via laser speckle holography technology. Compared to conventional flat device architecture, the structured FOLEDs with DMMs result in substantial improvement of the device efficiency and superior angular color stability. The resulting current efficiency (CE) and external quantum efficiency (EQE) are 1.31 and 1.39 times that of a common flat structure, respectively. Moreover, the proposed DMMs micro-structure simultaneously offers the unique characteristics of angular color stability with a wide viewing angle, which is usually considered as the criteria of the high-quality lighting applications. We hope that the demonstrated method could provide an alternative way for the development of high efficiency flexible OLEDs.

Lymphocytic hidradenitis: A distinctive histopathological finding of annular erythema of Sjögren syndrome.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lymphocytic hidradenitis is a non-specific histopathological feature observed in many dermatoses such as lupus erythematosus, morphea or scleroderma. When it occurs it is usually accompanied by the other distinctive histological features of those conditions. Isolated lymphocytic hidradenitis is uncommon and its clinical features and associated underlying medical conditions are still undetermined. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients who clinically presented with annular erythema between 2000 and 2016. Altogether, 30 patients with a histopathological presentation of isolated lymphocytic hidradenitis were identified. Their following characteristics were recorded: clinical features, number and localisation of lesions, serology and other associated medical conditions. RESULTS: Isolated lymphocytic hidradenitis was found most frequently in middle-aged women. Most patients (n = 28, 93%) presented with many annular erythematous patches and plaques with mild pruritus; 22 (73%) had the SS-A antibody and 17 (57%) met the diagnostic criteria of Sjögren syndrome. Among these patients, 11 had primary and six had secondary Sjögren syndrome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Altogether 15 (50%) patients tested positive for a high titre of the antinuclear autoantibody. Other underlying diseases identified during the follow-up period include cryoglobulinaemia, angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis C infection and toxic thyroid goitre. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphocytic hidradenitis is a microscopic finding associated with annular erythemas of Sjögren syndrome. Systemic survey for sicca symptoms and work up for autoimmune diseases, including antinuclear antibodies, SS-A, SS-B antibodies, cryoglobulin, lymphoma, viral and autoimmune hepatitis should be performed to facilitate the correct diagnosis.

Design methodology for moiré magnifier based on micro-focusing elements.

Moiré effect is a well-known interference phenomenon occurred between repetitive structures. Conventional moiré fringes are produced by superposing gratings or dots arrays. However, when the micro-image array as base layer and the corresponding micro-focusing elements as revealing layer overlap each other, a special kind of moiré effect, so-called moiré magnifier, can be observed. Micro-image units in the base layer are enlarged and projected to moiré space. To our knowledge, there has no complete design methodology for the realization of the moiré magnifier. With the combination of the Fourier transform and spectral approach, a new algorithm based on transfer matrix is investigated, which is capable of predicting the location of any arbitrary point in the base layer mapping to the moiré space, thus it provides a simple way to explore the physical insight into the field of moiré imaging. The magnification factor and the orientation of the synthetically enlarged image are determined not only by the scaling ratio but also by the interrelation between the primitive vectors in the base and revealing layers. Experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. By using the proposed method, the moiré magnifier can extend appealing applications in esthetic security devices, highly accurate measurements and precise color printing.

Broadband, wide-angle, and polarization-independent metamaterial absorber for the visible regime.

Broadband metamaterial absorber (MA) in the whole visible regime has attracted an enormous amount of attention for its potential applications in thermophotovoltaic cells, thermal emitters, and other optoelectronic devices. Nonetheless, complicated device configuration is still involved in achieving broadband, polarization-independent MA and it results in a cost-ineffective fabrication process. In this paper, a novel MA composed of a periodic array of dielectric cylinder sandwiched by the non-noble metal of nickel (Ni) film is demonstrated. Experimental results show that the proposed MA exhibits strong absorptive behavior independent of polarization in the whole visible regime (400-700 nm). The absorption still remains 80% when the incident angle is 60°. The proposed fabrication method is well compatible with the conventional soft nano-imprinting lithography technique, thus it is economic and scalable for a large-format substrate. These results provide an alternative method for the realization of high-performance visible light absorber and offer new opportunities for potential applications in related fields.

Aberrant methylation of DACT1 and DACT2 are associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The DACT (Dishevelled-associated antagonist of ß-catenin) family of scaffold proteins may play important roles in tumorigenesis. However, the epigenetic changes of DACT1, 2, 3 and their effect on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been investigated so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the promoter methylation and expression of DACT family, in order to elucidate more information on the role of DACT with regard to the progression and prognosis of ESCC. METHODS: MSP and BGS methods were respectively applied to examine the methylation status of DACT; RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods were respectively used to determine the mRNA and protein expression of DACT; MTT, Colony-formation and Wound-healing assay were performed to assess the effect of DACT1 and DACT2 on proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells. RESULTS: Frequent reduced expression of DACT1, DACT2 and DACT3 were found in esophageal cancer cell lines and the expression levels of DACT1 and DACT2 were reversed by 5-Aza-Dc. Decreased mRNA and protein expression of DACT1 and DACT2 were observed in ESCC tumor tissues and were associated with the methylation status of transcription start site (TSS) region. The hypermethylation of CpG islands (CGI) shore region in DACT1 was observed both in tumor and corresponding adjacent tissues but wasn't related to the transcriptional inhibition of DACT1. The methylation status of TSS region in DACT1 and DACT2 and the protein expression of DACT2 were independently associated with ESCC patients' prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The TSS region hypermethylation may be one of the main mechanisms for reduced expression of DACT1 and DACT2 in ESCC. The simultaneous methylation of DACT1 and DACT2 may play important roles in progression of ESCC and may serve as prognostic methylation biomarkers for ESCC patients.

Urinary tract and genital infections in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of different sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to October 9, 2016 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the occurrence of UTIs and genital infections in patients with T2DM treated with SGLT2 inhibitors. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-regression was performed to assess explanatory factors that might influence effect size. RESULTS: A total of 52 RCTs involving 36 689 patients were eligible for our meta-analysis. Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin were associated with a higher risk of genital infections than placebo, with ORs ranging from 3.21 (95% CI 2.08-4.93) for dapagliflozin 2.5 mg to 5.23 (95% CI 3.86-7.09) for canagliflozin 300 mg. Only dapagliflozin 10 mg led to significantly more UTIs than placebo. The increased risk of UTIs and genital infections seemed to have a dose-response relationship for dapagliflozin only. No factors that had a significant modification effect on these infectious events were detected in meta-regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin were associated with a significantly higher risk of genital infections compared with placebo and other active treatments. Only dapagliflozin had a dose-response relationship with UTIs and genital infections.

Embedded Ag mesh electrodes for polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices on flexible substrate.

An embedded Ag mesh transparent conductive electrode (TCE) on flexible substrate, which is suitable for polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) device, is demonstrated. With the combination of soft ultra-violet nanoimprinting lithography and scrape technique, it offers parallel processing with high resolution (10000dpi), as well as remarkable simplicity and fully controllable flexibility to tailor the transmittance and sheet resistance. While being able to achieve maximum transmittance 60% in the on state and the minimum 0.1% in the off state, the PDLC smart window displays low sheet resistance (5.58 Ω/sq.) under low driven voltage (30V) safe for human. The main advantage of adoption of PDLC as an optically scattering element lies in the fact that there needs no mechanical part for in situ tunability. An enhancement factor of 50 of the diffraction intensity is observed experimentally. The embedded Ag mesh TCE for PDLC device has an environmentally-friendly additive manufacturing process inherently. Compared to existing solutions, the fabricated sample shows superior performance in both optoelectronic and mechanic characteristics. We envision that the embedded Ag mesh TCE will enable economically widen application of PDLC devices on flexible substrate.