First principles study of a triazine-based covalent organic framework as a high-capacity anode material for Na/K-ion batteries.

The rational design of high-performance anode materials is crucial for the development of rechargeable Na-ion batteries (NIBs) and K-ion batteries (KIBs). In this study, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we have systematically investigated the possibility of a bilayer triazine-based covalent organic framework (bilayer TCOF) as an anode for NIBs and KIBs. The calculation of the electronic band structure shows that the bilayer TCOF is a direct band gap semiconductor with a band gap of 2.01 eV. After the adsorption of Na/K at the most favorable sites, the bilayer TCOF transitions from a semiconductor to a metal state, guaranteeing good electronic conductivity. The low diffusion barriers of the bilayer TCOF are 0.45 and 0.26 eV, respectively, indicating a fast diffusion rate of Na/K ions. In addition, the bilayer TCOF has a theoretical storage capacity of up to 628 mA h g-1. Finally, it is found that the average voltage of the bilayer TCOF for NIBs and KIBs is 0.53 and 0.48 V, respectively. Based on these results, we can conclude that the bilayer TCOF may be a suitable anode material for NIBs and KIBs.

Dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia: a cross-sectional study of residents in Wuhu, China.

BACKGROUND: While dyslipidemia has been recognized as a potential risk factor for hyperuricemia, there is currently a dearth of large-scale data specifically focused on studying the relationship between these two conditions. To address this gap, the present study analyzed a dataset of 298,891 physical examination records to investigate in greater detail the clinical classification and compositional relationship between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. METHODS: For this investigation, a cross-sectional research design was utilized to analyze physical examination data that was gathered from Yijishan Hospital in Wuhu, China between 2011 and 2016. Logistic regression was employed to examine the association between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the association between hyperuricemia and dyslipidemia was evaluated based on the clinical classifications of dyslipidemia and its components. RESULTS: A total of 298,891 participants from China (124,886 [41.8%] females) were included in the study, with an age range of 18 to 90 years (mean [SD]: 47.76 [13.54] years). In multivariate analysis, the odds of hyperuricemia was 1.878 times higher in patients with dyslipidemia compared to those without dyslipidemia (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.835-1.922). In the clinical classification of dyslipidemia, individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia had 1.753 times (95% CI: 1.706-1.802) and 1.925 times (95% CI: 1.870-1.982) higher odds of hyperuricemia, respectively, compared to those without dyslipidemia. Among the components of dyslipidemia, the odds ratios for hyperuricemia in individuals in the fourth quartile compared to those in the first quartile were 3.744 (95% CI: 3.636-3.918) for triglycerides, 1.518 (95% CI: 1.471-1.565) for total cholesterol, and 1.775 (95% CI: 1.718 - 1.833) for non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia has been independently linked with hyperuricemia. Moreover, the elevation of triglycerides or total cholesterol levels, including conditions such as hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia, have been observed to have a positive association with the development of hyperuricemia.

Density Functional Study of Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction in Fourth-Period Transition Metal-Tetrahydroxyquinone Organic Framework.

This study investigates the utilisation of organometallic network frameworks composed of fourth-period transition metals and tetrahydroxyquinone (THQ) in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed in analysing binding energies, as well as the stabilities of metal atoms within the THQ frameworks, for transition metal TM-THQs ranging from Y to Cd. The findings demonstrate how metal atoms could be effectively dispersed and held within the THQ frameworks due to sufficiently high binding energies. Most TM-THQ frameworks exhibited favourable selectivity towards CO2 reduction, except for Tc and Ru, which experienced competition from hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and required solution environments with pH values greater than 5.716 and 8.819, respectively, to exhibit CO2RR selectivity. Notably, the primary product of Y, Ag, and Cd was HCOOH; Mo produced HCHO; Pd yielded CO; and Zr, Nb, Tc, Ru, and Rh predominantly generated CH4. Among the studied frameworks, Zr-THQ displayed values of 1.212 V and 1.043 V, corresponding to the highest limiting potential and overpotential, respectively, while other metal-organic frameworks displayed relatively low ranges of overpotentials from 0.179 V to 0.949 V. Consequently, it is predicted that the TM-THQ framework constructed using a fourth-period transition metal and tetrahydroxyquinone exhibits robust electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 catalytic activity.

Exploring the CO2 Electrocatalysis Potential of 2D Metal-Organic Transition Metal-Hexahydroxytriquinoline Frameworks: A DFT Investigation.

Metal-organic frameworks have demonstrated great capacity in catalytic CO2 reduction due to their versatile pore structures, diverse active sites, and functionalization capabilities. In this study, a novel electrocatalytic framework for CO2 reduction was designed and implemented using 2D coordination network-type transition metal-hexahydroxytricyclic quinazoline (TM-HHTQ) materials. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to examine the binding energies between the HHTQ substrate and 10 single TM atoms, ranging from Sc to Zn, which revealed a stable distribution of metal atoms on the HHTQ substrate. The majority of the catalysts exhibited high selectivity for CO2 reduction, except for the Mn-HHTQ catalysts, which only exhibited selectivity at pH values above 4.183. Specifically, Ti and Cr primarily produced HCOOH, with corresponding 0.606 V and 0.236 V overpotentials. Vanadium produced CH4 as the main product with an overpotential of 0.675 V, while Fe formed HCHO with an overpotential of 0.342 V. Therefore, V, Cr, Fe, and Ti exhibit promising potential as electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction due to their favorable product selectivity and low overpotential. Cu mainly produces CH3OH as the primary product, with an overpotential of 0.96 V. Zn primarily produces CO with a relatively high overpotential of 1.046 V. In contrast, catalysts such as Sc, Mn, Ni, and Co, among others, produce multiple products simultaneously at the same rate-limiting step and potential threshold.

The mutation rate of rpoB gene showed an upward trend with the increase of MIRU10, MIRU39 and QUB4156 repetitive number.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) is a frequently used typing method for identifying the Beijing genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which is easily transformed into rifampicin (RIF) resistance. The RIF resistance of Mtb is considered to be highly related with the mutation of rpoB gene. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the repetitive number of MIRU loci and the mutation of rpoB gene. METHODS: An open-source whole-genome sequencing data of Mtb was used to detect the mutation of rpoB gene and the repetitive number of MIRU loci by bioinformatics methods. Cochran-Armitage analysis was performed to analyze the trend of the rpoB gene mutation rate and the repetitive number of MIRU loci. RESULTS: Among 357 rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB), 304 strains with mutated rpoB genes were detected, and 6 of 67 rifampicin susceptible strains were detected mutations. The rpoB gene mutational rate showed an upward trend with the increase of MIRU10, MIRU39, QUB4156 and MIRU16 repetitive number, but only the repetitive number of MIRU10, MRIU39 and QUB4156 were risk factors for rpoB gene mutation. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGDI) of MIRU10 (0.65) and QUB4156 (0.62) was high in the overall sample, while MIRU39 (0.39) and MIRU16 (0.43) showed a moderate discriminatory Power. CONCLUSION: The mutation rate of rpoB gene increases with the addition of repetitive numbers of MIRU10, QUB4156 and MIRU39 loci.

Age and sex trend differences in hemoglobin levels in China: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Both age and gender are the influence factors of hemoglobin concentration. However, the changing trend of hemoglobin levels between males and females with age remains unclear. This study aimed to explore their changing characteristics in different genders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Physical Examination Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College in Wuhu, China from 2014 to 2016. The generalized linear model was applied to explore the relationship between age, gender and hemoglobin levels. RESULTS: Among the 303,084 participants, the mean age for females and males was 46.9 ± 13.4(15-98) and 48.1 ± 13.7(14-98) years old, respectively. Generalized smoothing splines showed that hemoglobin levels increased up to age 25 and then decreased in men; in women the levels increased up until age 20, and then decreased, with slight increase again (ß = 0.244, P < 0.01). After dividing all participants into hyperglycemia and normal groups, only the normal female group showed a significant upward trend (ß = 0.257, P < 0.01) between ages 50-59. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin concentration changes with age and the curve is different in males and females. The slightly upward trend of female hemoglobin in the age range of 50-59 years old should be considered in developing the reference range of hemoglobin making.

The V-shaped curve relationship between fasting plasma glucose and human serum albumin in a large health checkup population in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and human serum albumin (HSA) in a large health checkup population in China. METHODS: In this cross-sectional health checkup study, we enrolled a population of 284,635 subjects from Wuhu between 2011 and 2016. All participants completed the physical examination, blood biochemical examination, and blood routine examination. RESULTS: The prevalence of diabetes in men and women was 6.11% and 2.98%, respectively. The average level of HSA and FPG was significantly higher in men than in women (48.44 ± 3.25 vs. 47.14 ± 3.22, P < 0.0001; 5.50 ± 1.26 vs. 5.26 ± 0.94, P < 0.0001). There were significant differences in blood biochemistry and blood routine values by gender. After adjusting for confounding factors, the results showed that FPG and HSA were a V-shaped curve, and the threshold value of HSA was 40.7 mmol/L. FPG and HSA still showed a V-shaped curve after stratification by gender and age. In the male group, FPG decreased with HSA when HSA<42.3 mmol/L, and increased when HSA ≥ 42.3 mmol/L. In the female group, FPG decreased with HSA when HSA<35.7 mmol/L, and increased when HSA ≥ 35.7 mmol/L. In the age<65 group, FPG decreased with HSA when HSA<37.5 mmol/L, and increased when HSA ≥ 37.5 mmol/L. In the age ≥ 65 group, FPG decreased with HSA when HSA<43.2 mmol/L, and increased when HSA ≥ 43.2 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: A V-shape relationship exists between fasting plasma glucose and human serum albumin among the Chinese health checkup population studied.

A novel aptamer-G-quadruplex/hemin self-assembling color system: rapid visual diagnosis of invasive fungal infections.

BACKGROUND: The clinical symptoms of invasive fungal infections (IFI) are nonspecific, and early clinical diagnosis is challenging, resulting in high mortality rates. This study reports the development of a novel aptamer-G-quadruplex/hemin self-assembling color system (AGSCS) based on (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucans' detection for rapid, specific and visual diagnosis of IFI. METHODS: We screened high affinity and specificity ssDNA aptamers binding to (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucans, the main components of cell wall from Candida albicans via Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment. Next, a comparison of diagnostic efficiency of AGSCS and the (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucans assay ("G test") with regard to predicting IFI in 198 clinical serum samples was done. RESULTS: Water-soluble (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucans were successfully isolated from C. albicans ATCC 10,231 strain, and these low degree of polymerization glucans (< 1.7 kD) were targeted for aptamer screening with the complementary sequences of G-quadruplex. Six high affinity single stranded DNA aptamers (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6) were found. The linear detection range for (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucans stretched from 1.6 pg/mL to 400 pg/mL on a microplate reader, and the detection limit was 3.125 pg/mL using naked eye observation. Using a microplate reader, the sensitivity and specificity of AGSCS for the diagnosis of IFI were 92.68% and 89.65%, respectively, which was higher than that of the G test. CONCLUSION: This newly developed visual diagnostic method for detecting IFI showed promising results and is expected to be developed as a point-of-care testing kit to enable quick and cost effective diagnosis of IFI in the future.

Single-Layer GaInSe3: Promising Water-Splitting Photocatalyst with Solar Conversion Efficiency over 30% from Theoretical Calculations.

Hydrogen energy from solar water-splitting is known as an ideal method with which to address the energy crisis and global environmental pollution. Herein, the first-principles calculations are carried out to study the photocatalytic water-splitting performance of single-layer GaInSe3 under biaxial strains from -2% to +2%. Calculations reveal that single-layer GaInSe3 under various biaxial strains has electronic bandgaps ranging from 1.11 to 1.28 eV under biaxial strain from -2% to +2%, as well as a completely separated valence band maximum and conduction band minimum. Meanwhile, the appropriate band edges for water-splitting and visible optical absorption up to ~3 × 105 cm-1 are obtained under biaxial strains from -2% to 0%. More impressively, the solar conversion efficiency of single-layer GaInSe3 under biaxial strains from -2% to 0% reaches over 30%. The OER of unstrained single-layer GaInSe3 can proceed without co-catalysts. These demonstrate that single-layer GaInSe3 is a viable material for solar water-splitting.

Prediction of carotid plaque by blood biochemical indices and related factors based on Fisher discriminant analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to establish the predictive model of carotid plaque formation and carotid plaque location by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data of subjects with carotid plaque formation and normal people, and to provide technical support for screening patients with carotid plaque. METHODS: There were 4300 subjects in the ultrasound department of Maanshan People's Hospital collected from December 2013 to December 2018. We used demographic and biochemical data from 3700 subjects to establish predictive models for carotid plaque and its location. The leave-one-out cross-validated classification, 600 external data validation, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to verify the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and application value of the model. RESULTS: There were significant difference of age (F = - 34.049, p < 0.01), hypertension (χ2 = 191.067, p < 0.01), smoking (χ2 = 4.762, p < 0.05) and alcohol (χ2 = 8.306, p < 0.01), Body mass index (F = 15.322, p < 0.01), High-density lipoprotein (HDL) (F = 13.840, p < 0.01), Lipoprotein a (Lp a) (F = 52.074, p < 0.01), Blood Urea Nitrogen (F = 2.679, p < 0.01) among five groups. Prediction models were built: carotid plaque prediction model (Model CP); Prediction model of left carotid plaque only (Model CP Left); Prediction model of right carotid plaque only (Model CP Right). Prediction model of bilateral carotid plaque (Model CP Both). Model CP (Wilks' lambda = 0.597, p < 0.001, accuracy = 78.50%, sensitivity = 78.07%, specificity = 79.07%, AUC = 0.917). Model CP Left (Wilks' lambda = 0.605, p < 0.001, accuracy = 79.00%, sensitivity = 86.17%, specificity = 72.70%, AUC = 0.880). Model CP Right (Wilks' lambda = 0.555, p < 0.001, accuracy = 83.00%, sensitivity = 81.82%, specificity = 84.44%, AUC = 0.880). Model CP Both (Wilks' lambda = 0.651, p < 0.001, accuracy = 82.30%, sensitivity = 89.50%, specificity = 72.70%, AUC = 0.880). CONCLUSION: Demographic characteristics and blood biochemical indexes were used to establish the carotid plaque and its location discriminant models based on Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA), which has high application value in community screening.

Association between the Triglyceride-Glucose Index and the Risk of Large Artery Atherosclerotic Stroke.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the risk of large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) stroke. Information on general demographic and clinical characteristics, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination, and blood biochemical index determination were obtained. Based on age stratification, three models to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were employed to determine the correlation between the TyG index and the risk of LAA stroke. The most effective TyG index threshold in predicting a high risk of LAA stroke was identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Logistic regression verified the association between the risk of LAA stroke and the TyG index. Both with and without age stratification, logistic regression analysis showed that the TyG index was a significant predictor of the occurrence of LAA stroke (P < 0.05). The maximum Youden index for determining a high risk of LAA stroke was found at a TyG index of 4.60. The area under the ROC curve was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.646-0.742, P < 0.05), sensitivity was 78.0%, and specificity was 63.4%. An elevated TyG index was remarkably associated with a high risk of LAA stroke.

Metallic VS2/graphene heterostructure as an ultra-high rate and high-specific capacity anode material for Li/Na-ion batteries.

Graphene has been used as a conductive substrate to improve the electrochemical performance of layered VS2 as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of the synergistic effect between the layered VS2 and graphene, which contributes to the enhanced performance of Li/Na-ion batteries. In this work, using first-principles calculations, we have systematically studied the VS2/graphene heterostructure as an anode material for Li/Na-ion batteries. Our results show that the VS2/graphene heterostructure is a promising anode material with good structural stability, high adsorption strength, high stiffness, intrinsic metallic characteristic after Li/Na adsorption, high theoretical specific capacity, shallow averaged open-circuit voltage and ultra-low ion diffusion barriers. The diffusion barriers are found to be 0.03 eV (Li) and 0.08 eV (Na), superior to that of the widely studied heterostructure materials, which guarantees an extremely fast Li/Na diffusion rate during charge/discharge cycling. The anode overall open-circuit voltages for the Li/Na-ion batteries are calculated to be as low as 0.65 and 0.46 V, and the maximum theoretical storage capacity is 771 and 578 mA h g-1, respectively. The above results provide valuable insights into the experimental set-up of the VS2/graphene nanocomposite anode material for ultra-high rate and high-specific capacity Li/Na-ion batteries.

Implications of gender-based variabilities in bone mineral density and hemoglobin levels.

BACKGROUND: Studies reported that there is a relationship between volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and hemoglobin (HGB) in sickle cell anemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic kidney disease, it is not clear whether this association exists in normal populations or different genders. In order to further clarify the relationship between vBMD and HGB, and provide the basis for the diagnosis of related diseases, this study was conducted in the physical examination population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a health check-up population from Wannan area of China from January to December 2018. The study involved 1238 individuals aged 23 to 85 years. Linear regression analysis and smooth curve were applied to determine the relationship of HGB and vBMD. RESULTS: The average level of vBMD in the population was 130.11 ± 79.51 mg/cm3, after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), glucose (GLU), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). A U-shape relationship was established between vBMD and HGB, the cut off value of HGB was 130 g/L. After gender stratification, the results showed a U-shaped curve relationship between vBMD and HGB in male group, and a linear relationship between vBMD and HGB in female group. The vBMD decreased with HGB when HGB < 120 g/L, and increased when HGB ≥ 120 g/L in male group. CONCLUSION: The relationship between vBMD and HGB in the male physical examination population presents a U-shaped curve.

Analysis of factors influencing the network teaching effect of college students in a medical school during the COVID-19 epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to understand the influencing factors of Chinese college students' satisfaction with online teaching and psychological pressure on learning during the novel coronavirus epidemic. METHODS: We assessed the effect of online teaching of 7084 medical students from wannan medical college in March 5 to April 2, 2020 using cluster sampling. The respondents were asked to complete a 7-item self-compiled online teaching satisfaction questionnaire. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis are used. RESULTS: Sex is female (OR = 1.257, 95%CI: 1.132 ~ 1.396), grades are second and third grades (second grades: OR = 1.228, 95%CI: 1.080 ~ 1.397; third grades: OR = 1.197, 95%CI: 1.048 ~ 1.367), normal/unfamiliar learning platform operation (OR = 3.692, 95%CI: 3.321 ~ 4.103) were risk factors for satisfactory teaching effect. In addition, students whose school year system is four-year (OR = 0.870, 95%CI: 0.781 ~ 0.969) and grade 4 and above (OR = 0.594, 95%CI: 0.485 ~ 0.727) were more satisfied with the teaching effect of teachers. And, during the period of the COVID-19 epidemic, the risk factors for college students to have psychological stress were: female (OR = 1.258, 95%CI: 1.096 ~ 1.442), from rural areas (OR = 1.511, 95%CI: 1.312 ~ 1.740), and the academic year system is four-year system (OR = 1.191, 95%CI: 1.028 ~ 1.380), using mobile phones and other learning tools (OR = 1.388, 95%CI: 1.205 ~ 1.600), general/unfamiliar with learning platform operations (OR = 2.273), 95%CI: 1.888 ~ 2.735). While the protective factors for college students' psychological stress included: grade three and four and above (OR = 0.463, 95%CI: 0.387 ~ 0.554; OR = 0.232, 95%CI: 0.187 ~ 0.286), and they think that the teaching effect is satisfactory (OR = 0.314, 95%CI: 0.261 ~ 0.379). CONCLUSION: This survey shows that compared with male college students, female college students were more dissatisfied with the teaching effect of teachers and havd greater psychological pressure on learning. Psychological counseling should be strengthened for students in rural areas and those who were not familiar with the operating platform to relieve their psychological pressure on learning.

Smartphone addiction may be associated with adolescent hypertension: a cross-sectional study among junior school students in China.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in children and adolescents is on the rise worldwide, especially in China. The prevalence of hypertension is related to many factors, such as obesity. In the era of smart phones, it is important to study the negative health effects of mobile phones on blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and its association with smartphone addiction among junior school students in China. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted, including total 2639 junior school students (1218 boys and 1421 girls), aged 12-15 years old (13.18 ± 0.93 years), enrolled in the study by random cluster sampling. Height, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured following standard protocols, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Overweight/obesity and hypertension were defined according to sex- and age-specific Chinese children reference data. The Smartphone Addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess smartphone addiction and sleep quality among the students, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to seek associations between smartphone addiction and hypertension. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension and smartphone addiction among participants were 16.2% (13.1% for females and 18.9% for males) and 22.8% (22.3% for females and 23.2% for males), respectively. Obesity (OR = 4.028, 95% CI: 2.829-5.735), poor sleep quality (OR = 4.243, 95% CI: 2.429-7.411), smartphone addiction (OR = 2.205, 95% CI: 1.273-3.820) were significantly and independently associated with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Among the junior school students surveyed in China, the prevalence of hypertension was high, which was related to obesity, poor sleep quality and smartphone addiction. These results suggested that smartphone addiction may be a new risk factor for high blood pressure in adolescents.

The combined effect of serum cystatin C and dyslipidemia on hypertension in a large health check-up population in China.

OBJECTIVE: Some studies have reported that both serum cystatin C (Cys C) and dyslipidemia are independently associated with hypertension. However, the combined effect of the two factors is still unknown. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of Cys C combined with dyslipidemia on hypertension in a large health check-up population in China. METHODS: A total of 203 233 health check-up subjects from January 2011 to July 2016 were recruited into this cross-sectional study. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the combined effect of Cys C and dyslipidemia on hypertension.RESULTS: In univariate analysis, Cys C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were independently correlated with hypertension (p < 0.001). A concentration-dependent combined effect of serum Cys C and dyslipidemia on hypertension was observed in multivariate regression analysis. When compared with Cys C of <0.82 mg/L, the risk of hypertension in Cys C of <0.82 mg/L with dyslipidemia, Cys C  of 0.82-0.94 mg/L with dyslipidemia, Cys C  of 0.94-1.08 mg/L with dyslipidemia, and Cys C  of ≥1.08 mg/L with dyslipidemia was increased 1.946 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.827-2.074), 1.973 (95% CI: 1.864-2.088), 2.047 (95% CI: 1.941-2.158), and 2.038 (95% CI: 1.937-2.143) folds, respectively, after adjustment.CONCLUSION: There was an association between hypertension and the combined effect of Cys C with dyslipidemia.

Treatment outcomes and factors affecting unsuccessful outcome among new pulmonary smear positive and negative tuberculosis patients in Anqing, China: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring the treatment outcomes of tuberculosis and determining the specific factors associated with unsuccessful treatment outcome are essential to evaluate the effectiveness of tuberculosis control program. This study aimed to assess treatment outcomes and explore the factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes among new pulmonary smear positive and negative tuberculosis patients in Anqing, China. METHODS: A nine-year retrospective study was conducted using data from Anqing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control. New pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated with two six-month regimens were investigated. Non-conditional logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes. RESULTS: Among 22,998 registered patients (16,939 males, 6059 females), 64.54% were smear-positive patients. The treatment success rates was 95.02% for smear-positive patients and 95.00% for smear-negative patients. Characteristics associated with an higher risk of unsuccessful treatment among smear-positive patients included aged above 35 years, treatment management model of self-medication, full-course management and supervision in intensive phase, unchecked chest X-ray, cavity in chest X-ray, and miliary shadow in chest X-ray, while normal X-ray was negative factor. Unsuccessful treatment among smear-negative patients was significantly associated with age over 45 years, treatment management model of full-course management, unchecked chest X-ray, presence of miliary shadow in chest X-ray and delay over 51 days. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis treatment in Anqing area was successful and independent of treatment regimens. Special efforts are required for patients with unsuccessful outcomes.

The correlation between family food handling behaviors and foodborne acute gastroenteritis: a community-oriented, population-based survey in Anhui, China.

BACKGROUND: Foodborne acute gastroenteritis is a significant public health concern. Food handling plays a key role in the risk of foodborne acute gastroenteritis. However, research focused on the correlation between foodborne acute gastroenteritis and food handling in the family environment is limited. The purpose of the current study was to determinate the association between food handling behaviors in the family environment and foodborne acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted from September 1, 2015 to August 30, 2016 in Anhui Province, China. A multistage stratified cluster sampling method was designed to select subjects. Data on foodborne acute gastroenteritis and food handling were collected via questionnaire survey. RESULTS: Of the 1516 subjects included in the study, 165 (10.9%) reported having experienced symptoms of foodborne acute gastroenteritis in the past 4 weeks. The following behaviors were more prevalent in those that experienced acute gastroenteritis: (1) infrequently thoroughly heating milk (75.6%); (2) infrequently thoroughly heating cooked food purchased from outside (71.3%); (3) infrequently thoroughly heating leftovers stored in the refrigerator (32.5%), and (4) infrequently storing leftovers in the refrigerator (41.6%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis found that foodborne acute gastroenteritis was associated with the following behaviors: (1) often eating raw seafood (P < 0.001, OR = 3.250, 95% CI = 2.136-4.946); (2) often storing raw meat and cooked meat in the same container (P < 0.001, OR = 4.291, 95% CI = 2.722-6.765); (3) infrequently thoroughly heating milk (P < 0.001, OR = 4.665, 95% CI = 2.526-8.617); (4) infrequently thoroughly heating leftovers stored in the refrigerator (P < 0.001, OR = 3.416, 95% CI = 2.139-5.454); (5) infrequently storing leftovers in the refrigerator (P < 0.05, OR = 1.775, 95% CI = 1.169-2.696); and (6) infrequently thoroughly cooking green beans (P < 0.001, OR = 2.859, 95% CI = 1.798-4.545). CONCLUSIONS: Poor food handling behaviors in the family environment are associated with foodborne acute gastroenteritis. Infrequent thorough heating and improper food storage are the most critical risk factors in foodborne acute gastroenteritis.

Gender differences in factors associated with smartphone addiction: a cross-sectional study among medical college students.

BACKGROUND: Smartphones are becoming increasingly indispensable in everyday life for most undergraduates in China, and this has been associated with problematic use or addiction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of smartphone addiction and the associated factors in male and female undergraduates. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 and included 1441 undergraduate students at Wannan Medical College, China. The Smartphone Addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV) was used to assess smartphone addiction among the students, using accepted cut-offs. Participants' demographic, smartphone usage, and psycho-behavioral data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to seek associations between smartphone addiction and independent variables among the males and females, separately. RESULTS: The prevalence of smartphone addiction among participants was 29.8% (30.3% in males and 29.3% in females). Factors associated with smartphone addiction in male students were use of game apps, anxiety, and poor sleep quality. Significant factors for female undergraduates were use of multimedia applications, use of social networking services, depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone addiction was common among the medical college students investigated. This study identified associations between smartphone usage, psycho-behavioral factors, and smartphone addiction, and the associations differed between males and females. These results suggest the need for interventions to reduce smartphone addiction among undergraduate students.

Association of Immune Factors with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND Presently, studies of factors associated with drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) focus on patients' socio-demographic characteristics and living habits, to the exclusion of biochemical indicators, especially immune factors. This study was carried out to determine whether immune factors are associated with drug-resistant TB. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 227 drug-resistant pulmonary TB patients and 225 drug-susceptible pulmonary TB patients were enrolled in this study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and biochemical indicators were obtained through their clinical records. Non-conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the association of these indicators with drug-resistant TB. RESULTS There were significant differences in re-treatment, marital status, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood uric acid (BUA), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), T-spot, and CD3 and CD4 counts between the 2 groups. In multivariable analysis, re-treatment [Odds Ratio (OR)=5.290, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=2.652-10.551); CD3 (OR=1.034, 95% CI=1.001-1.068); CD4 (OR=1.035, 95% CI =1.001-1.070) and IgM (OR=1.845, 95% CI=1.153-2.952) were associated with drug-resistant TB. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the need for greater attention to re-treatment cases and immune function when treating drug-resistant TB.