Investigating the Impact of Tea Consumption on Cognitive Function and Exploring Tea-Genetic Interactions in Older Adults Aged 65-105 Years: Findings from the 2002-2018 CLHLS Data.

BACKGROUND: As the global population ages, cognitive impairment (CI) becomes more prevalent. Tea has been one of the most popular drinks in the world. Several studies have demonstrated that tea consumption has an impact on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the association between tea consumption and cognitive function and explore the potential effect of genetics on the relationship between tea consumption and CI risk in older adults. DESIGN: This is a prospective longitudinal study using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). SETTING: Six waves of data from CLHLS containing 76,270 subjects were analyzed. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) with a logit link function were adopted to estimate the effect of tea consumption on CI risk from a cross-sectional and longitudinal perspective. PARTICIPANTS: A population-based cohort of adults aged 65-105 years. MEASUREMENTS: The frequency and type of tea consumption were obtained by questionnaires. CI was measured based on MMSE. Polygenic risk was measured using the polygenic score approach described by the International Schizophrenia. RESULTS: The results showed that drinking green tea had a better protective effect on cognitive function than other types of tea, the incidence of CI gradually decreased with the increase of tea consumption frequency, and men were more likely to benefit from tea consumption. Additionally, we also found a significant interaction between tea consumption and genetic risk, measured by polygenic risk score (PRS). CONCLUSIONS: Based on current research evidence, tea consumption, may be a simple and important measure for CI prevention.

[Preliminary study on implementation of modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of implementing modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy. Methods: In this retrospective, descriptive case series, we analyzed clinical data of seven patients who had undergone laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and gastrointestinal reconstruction with modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis from October 2022 to March 2023 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The study patients comprised five men and two women aged 57-72 years and of body mass index 18.5-25.7 kg/m2. All seven patients had preoperative gastroscopic and pathological evidence of esophagogastric junction cancer and all were found by preoperative enhanced computed tomography and/or endoscopic ultrasonography to have stage CT1-2N0M0 tumors. The main steps in the reconstruction of a modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis are as follows: (1) mobilizing the lower esophagus and opening the left pleura to expand the space; (2) severing the esophagus with a linear cutter stapler; (3) creating a 3-cm-wide tubular stomach along the greater curvature; (4) creating a 5-cm guide line on the lesser curvature of the anterior wall of the tubular stomach and a small opening below the guide line; (5) rotating the esophageal stump 90° counterclockwise and making a small opening on the right posterior wall of the esophageal stump, along with using a 45-mm linear cutter stapler for esophagogastric side-to-side anastomosis under the guidance of the gastric tube and guide line ; (6) closing the common opening using barbed sutures; (7) embedding the cut edge of the esophageal stump such as to closely oppose it to the esophagus; (8) using barbed sutures to continuously suture the lower esophagus bilaterally to the anterior wall of the tubular stomach; and (9) closing the opened esophageal hiatus and pleura. The main outcome measures were intraoperative (operation time, digestive tract reconstruction time, closing the common opening time, intraoperative blood loss, and number of dissected lymph nodes), postoperative (time to passage of flatus , time to liquid diet, time to ambulation, length of postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications), pathological (maximum diameter of the tumor and pathological stage) and findings on follow-up. Results: Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with reconstruction of a modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis was successfully completed in all seven patients; no conversion to laparotomy was required and there were no postoperative complications. The operation time, digestive tract reconstruction time, and closing of common opening time were 187-229, 61-79, and 7-9 minutes, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss was 15-23 ml and the number of dissected lymph nodes was 14-46 per case. Time to passage of flatus, time to liquid diet, time to ambulation, and postoperative hospital stay were 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 6-7 days, respectively. Postoperative pathological examination showed that the maximum tumor diameters were 1.6-3.3 cm in four patients with stage IA disease and three patients with stage IB. The seven patients were followed up for 6-11 months, during which none required routine use of proton pump inhibitors or gastric mucosal protective agents and there were no deaths or tumor recurrence/metastasis. No patients had anemia or hypoproteinemia 3 and 6 months after surgery. Six months after surgery, NRS2002 and GERDQ scores were 1-2 and 2-3, respectively. Gastroscopy showed narrow anastomoses in 6 patients with Los Angeles grade A and one patient with grade B disease. No evidence of significant bile reflux was found and no anastomotic stenosis or reflux was detected on upper gastrointestinal angiography. Conclusion: It is safe and feasible to implement modified tubular gastric side-overlap anastomosis for digestive tract reconstruction in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.

[Effects of preoperative quetiapine on postoperative delirium and sleep quality in elderly orthopaedic patients].

Objective: To investigate the effects of preoperative quetiapine on postoperative delirium (POD) and sleep quality in elderly orthopedic patients. Methods: Prospectively, 111 elderly patients, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ, scheduled to undergo knee or hip surgery in the Affiliated Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University under continuous spinal anesthesia from August 2021 to March 2023, were selected and randomly divided into two groups by random number table: control group (group C, 1 h preoperative placebo) and quetiapine group (group Q, 1 h preoperative quetiapine 12.5 mg). In group C, 54 cases were enrolled, including 25 males and 29 females, with an average age of (73.5±4.9) years. In group Q, 57 cases were enrolled, including 26 males and 31 females, with an average age of (74.8±5.0) years. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of POD evaluated by using confusion assessment method (CAM) at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery, and the secondary outcome measures included Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores at 24 and 48 hours after surgery and satisfaction of pain management within 24 hours after surgery. Results: The incidence of POD at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery in group Q was 5.4% (3/57), 12.5% (7/57), 14.3% (8/57), respectively, while that in group C was 18.2% (10/54), 21.8% (12/54), 21.8% (12/54), respectively. The incidence of POD at 24 h after surgery in group Q was lower than that in group C (P=0.036). There was no significant difference in the incidence of POD at 48 and 72 h after surgery between two groups (all P>0.05). The PSQI score of patients in group Q at 24 and 48 h after surgery were (3.8±1.2) and (6.9±1.1) scores, respectively, which in group C were (10.5±2.8) and (7.3±1.3) scores, respectively. Compared with group C, the PSQI score of patients in group Q at 24 h after surgery was significantly higher (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference at 48 h after surgery (P=0.068). The satisfaction scores of pain management at 24 h after surgery in group Q was (91±7) scores, which was higher than that in group C of (81±6) scores (P<0.001). Conclusion: Oral intake of low-dose quetiapine 1 h preoperatively can reduce the incidence of POD, improve postoperative sleep quality and enhance postoperative satisfaction of pain management at 24 hours after surgery in elderly orthopedic patients undergoing knee or hip surgery.

[Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Escherichia coli causing bloodstream and abdominal co-infection].

Objective: To analyze the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Escherichia coli causing bloodstream and abdominal co-infection (CoECO), and provide clues for empirical antibiotics treatment. Methods: The strains of Escherichia coli isolated from blood and abdominal samples in the Department of Laboratory Medicine of the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Mass spectrometer was used to identify all of the strains and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were detected by VITEK 2 Compact. All isolates were sequenced by 2×150 bp double terminal sequencing strategy on the HiSeq X Ten sequencer (Illumina). After the genome sequence was spliced, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of the strain sequence was performed using kSNP3 software to clarify the homologous relationship between strains. If the strains isolated from two different parts had high homology, they were regarded as the same strain and the case was with CoECO infection. Meanwhile, the multilocus sequence type (MLST) was determined using PubMLST website and resistant genes were screened by CARD website. Results: A total of 70 cases of CoECO infection were screened, including 45 males and 25 females, and aged (59.2±16.3) years old. The 70 CoECO isolates belonged to 35 sequence types (STs). The most prevalent STs included ST38 (n=6), ST 405 (n=6), ST 1193 (n=6) and ST131 (n=5), and other ST types contained less than 5 strains. The homologous relationship among strains was relatively scattered, presenting a sporadic trend as a whole, and only a few strains had a small-scale outbreak. The CoECO isolates showed significantly resistance to ampicillin (91.4%, 64/70), ampicillin/sulbactam (74.3%, 5 2/70), ceftriaxone (72.9%, 51/70), ciprofloxacin (71.4%, 50/70) and levofloxacin (71.4%, 50/70), and high-sensitivity to piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenems and amikacin. The most prevalent resistant gene was tet (A/B) (70%, 49/70), followed by blaTEM (58.6%, 41/70), sul1 (55.7%, 40/70), sul2 (54.3%, 38/70), blaCTX-M-14(25.7%, 18/70), blaCTX-M-15(17.1%, 13/70), blaCTX-M-55(15.7%, 11/70), blaCTX-M-64/65(5.7%, 4/70), blaCTX-M-27(4.3%, 3/70), mcr-1 (4.3%, 3/70), blaNDM-5(2.9%, 2/70). Conclusions: CoECO is distributed dispersedly and has no obvious advantage clone. No genotype with obvious advantages was found. Although the strain has a high resistance rate to some antibacterial drugs, the proportion of carrying resistant genes is low, and it has a high sensitivity to some first-line antibacterial drugs.

Pan-cancer functional analysis of somatic mutations in G protein-coupled receptors.

G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most frequently exploited drug target family, moreover they are often found mutated in cancer. Here we used a dataset of mutations found in patient samples derived from the Genomic Data Commons and compared it to the natural human variance as exemplified by data from the 1000 genomes project. We explored cancer-related mutation patterns in all GPCR classes combined and individually. While the location of the mutations across the protein domains did not differ significantly in the two datasets, a mutation enrichment in cancer patients was observed among class-specific conserved motifs in GPCRs such as the Class A "DRY" motif. A Two-Entropy Analysis confirmed the correlation between residue conservation and cancer-related mutation frequency. We subsequently created a ranking of high scoring GPCRs, using a multi-objective approach (Pareto Front Ranking). Our approach was confirmed by re-discovery of established cancer targets such as the LPA and mGlu receptor families, but also discovered novel GPCRs which had not been linked to cancer before such as the P2Y Receptor 10 (P2RY10). Overall, this study presents a list of GPCRs that are amenable to experimental follow up to elucidate their role in cancer.

Retraction Note: Role of long non-coding RNA SNHG1 in occurrence and progression of ovarian carcinoma.

The article "Role of long non-coding RNA SNHG1 in occurrence and progression of ovarian carcinoma, by J. Ge, X.-M. Wu, X.-T. Yang, J.-M. Gao, F. Wang, K.-F. Ye, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (2): 329-335-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201801_14176-PMID: 29424921" has been retracted by the authors. After publication, the article was questioned on PubPeer. Concerns were expressed about Figures 2 and 3, raising doubts about the originality of data and the reliability of the published results. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause https://www.europeanreview.org/article/14176.

[Changes of GSH-PX activity and γ-GCS mRNA expression in serum of workers exposed to manganese].

Objective: To explore the changes of γ-GCS mRNA expression and GSH-PX in serum of workers exposed to manganese in order to provide scientific basis for early diagnosis of manganese poisoning. Methods: In June 2017, a total of 180 workers from a motorcycle manufacturer were selected by stratified random sampling, including 115 welders as the exposure group and 65 administrative office workers as the Control Group, the exposure group was divided into high exposure group (43 persons) and low exposure group (72 persons) according to whether the exposure group exceeded the standard limit. The levels of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity in serum were determined by Occupational Health Survey, and the differences of γ-gcs Mrna expression and GSH-Px activity among different groups were analyzed. Results: Compared with the control group, the serum GSH-Px activity was lower and the serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level was higher in the exposed group (F=370.52, 275.95, P<0.01) . Compared with the control group, there was significant difference in γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity (F=0.475、1.06, P<0.01; F=48.53、111.70, P<0.01) . The concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine were positively correlated with the level of γ-GCS mRNA (r=0.71, 0.50, 0.31, P<0.01) The serum GSH-Px activity was negatively correlated with the concentrations of manganese in air, welding dust and urine (r=-0.80, -0.52, -0.30, P< 0.01) , There was no correlation between Serum γ-GSH-Px activity and age and years of exposure (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Serum γ-GCS mRNA expression level and GSH-Px activity level can be used as early biomarkers of manganese poisoning. The concentrations of manganese in workplace air, welding dust and urine manganese in workers are the influencing factors.

Infection Characteristics and Physical Prevention Strategy of Panax notoginseng Round Spot Disease Caused by Mycocentrospora acerina.

Panax notoginseng round spot disease (PRSD), caused by Mycocentrospora acerina, is the main leaf disease occurring in cultured P. notoginseng. Aiming to find a safe and efficient control method for PRSD, we studied the disease characteristics of PRSD and the optimal growth conditions of M. acerina and evaluated the efficacy of rain-shelter cultivation in PRSD control. Moreover, we described M. acerina based on morphological characterization and molecular analyses (ITS, ACT, LSU, and TEF-1α). The optimum temperature for M. acerina conidial germination was found to be 14 to 22°C. Furthermore, leaf surface wetness for at least 4 h is required for conidial germination, and conidia can successfully infect P. notoginseng when the leaf wetness lasts for more than 8 h. Additionally, rainwater splashing determines the conidial transfection distance, which is less than 2 m. Finally, our study revealed that rain-shelter cultivation is an effective and simple physical prevention strategy to control PRSD, with an average efficacy of up to 100%.

Genome-wide analysis of mitochondrial DNA copy number reveals loci implicated in nucleotide metabolism, platelet activation, and megakaryocyte proliferation.

Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) measured from blood specimens is a minimally invasive marker of mitochondrial function that exhibits both inter-individual and intercellular variation. To identify genes involved in regulating mitochondrial function, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 465,809 White individuals from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium and the UK Biobank (UKB). We identified 133 SNPs with statistically significant, independent effects associated with mtDNA-CN across 100 loci. A combination of fine-mapping, variant annotation, and co-localization analyses was used to prioritize genes within each of the 133 independent sites. Putative causal genes were enriched for known mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (p = 3.09 × 10-15) and the gene ontology (GO) terms for mtDNA metabolism (p = 1.43 × 10-8) and mtDNA replication (p = 1.2 × 10-7). A clustering approach leveraged pleiotropy between mtDNA-CN associated SNPs and 41 mtDNA-CN associated phenotypes to identify functional domains, revealing three distinct groups, including platelet activation, megakaryocyte proliferation, and mtDNA metabolism. Finally, using mitochondrial SNPs, we establish causal relationships between mitochondrial function and a variety of blood cell-related traits, kidney function, liver function and overall (p = 0.044) and non-cancer mortality (p = 6.56 × 10-4).

[In situ semiconductor laser fenestration of type A aortic dissection during thoracic endovascular aortic repair].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of semiconductor laser in situ fenestration of type A aortic dissection during thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Methods: The clinical data of 68 patients with type A aortic dissection treated by semiconductor laser in situ fenestration from June 2016 to January 2020 in Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University were analyzed retrospectively. Of the patients, 45 were male, 23 were female, the mean age was (52±14) years. The technical success rate and complication rates were assessed. Results: The technical success rate of 68 patients was 92.6% (63/68), only 5 patients failed due to the complex aortic arch type, 3 patients underwent chimney stent implantation, 2 patients underwent artificial vessel bypass. During the perioperative period, 1 patient died due to severe pulmonary infection, 4 patients developed neurological symptoms such as cerebral infarction after surgery, and the remaining patients had no related complications. Postoperative CTA follow-up indicated that the primary intercalation rupture was completely closed, and the main and branch stents were patency, 8 (8.8%) type Ⅰ leakage were occurred. Conclusion: It showed that in situ semiconductor laser fenestration is a feasible, effective and safe method to treat type A aortic dissection.

Application of random sample consensus method for parameter estimation of reflectometry density profile in toroidal plasma.

Microwave reflectometry diagnostics have been widely used to measure density profiles in fusion plasma. However, the high sensitivity of the diagnostics to plasma turbulence often results in large radial deviations in the edge density profile and causes difficulty in profile evaluation. To improve the performance of profile evaluation, a modified RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) method has been applied to fit the density profiles measured by reflectometry on the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak. Compared with the traditional least-squares method, the modified RANSAC method is much more efficient and robust in fitting the experimental profiles. Furthermore, a combination of RANSAC and a genetic algorithm (GA-RANSAC) is used to further optimize the profile evaluation procedure. The results show that this GA-RANSAC method yields better performance and stabler convergence than the modified RANSAC alone.

Genetically predicted circulating levels of copper and zinc are associated with osteoarthritis but not with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both debilitating diseases that cause significant morbidity and disability globally. This study aims to investigate the causal effects of varying blood levels of five minerals -- iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium, on OA and RA. DESIGN: We performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess the associations of five circulating minerals with OA and RA. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) serving as genetic instruments for the circulating mineral levels were selected from large genome-wide association studies of European-descent individuals. The associations of these SNPs with OA and RA were evaluated in UK Biobank participants. Multiple sensitivity analyses were applied to detect and correct for the presence of pleiotropy. RESULTS: Genetically determined copper and zinc status were associated with OA, but not with RA. Per standard deviation (SD) increment in copper increases the risk of OA (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13) and one of its subtypes, localized OA (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15). Per SD increment in zinc is positively associated with risks of OA (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13), generalized OA (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-1.31), and unspecified OA (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11-1.31). Additionally, per SD increment in calcium decreases the risk of localized OA (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Genetically high zinc and copper status were positively associated with OA, but not with RA. Given the modifiable nature of circulating mineral status, these findings warrant further investigation for OA prevention strategies.

Cellular viability and death biomarkers enables the evaluation of ocular irritation using the bovine corneal opacity and permeability assay.

The BCOP assay is used in the identification of chemicals that cause no ocular irritation or serious damage. However, this method has not been found to adequately discriminate between mild from moderate ocular irritation (category 2A/2B), based upon the animal data. In this study, we aimed to establish methods for discerning ocular irritation by chemicals. We used the BCOP assay and the fluorescence staining methods based on biomarkers for cellular viability and death. The potential for ocular irritation by 12 chemicals from different UN GHS categories was assessed by the BCOP assay. Cryosections of bovine corneas were obtained. The necrotic nucleus was TUNEL labeled, cytoplasmic f-actin was stained by phalloidin while the nucleus was stained by DAPI. The depth of injury (DOI) was then measured. According to BCOP assay, in vivo data of Draize eye test and DOI, the results showed that category NC irritants caused ≤ 10 % epithelial DOI, irritants of category 2B caused >10 % epithelial DOI and showed no stromal damage, while category 2A showed damage to the stroma. Based on these results, the GHS prediction model could distinguish between GHS 2A and 2B. Authenticating the viability of BCOP by DOI measurements can provide a more reliable basis for classifying ocular irritants.

Ultra-low-dose CT reconstructed with ASiR-V using SmartmA for pulmonary nodule detection and Lung-RADS classifications compared with low-dose CT.

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) with ASiR-V using a noise index (SmartmA) for pulmonary nodule detection and Lung CT Screening Reporting And Data System (Lung-RADS) classifications compared with low-dose CT (LDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and ten patients referred for lung cancer screening underwent conventional chest LDCT (0.80 ± 0.28 mSv) followed immediately by ULDCT (0.16 ± 0.03 mSv). ULDCT was scanned using 120 kV/SmartmA with a noise index of 28 HU and reconstructed with ASiR-V70%. The types and diameters of all nodules were recorded. The attenuation of pure ground-glass nodules (pGGNs) was measured on LDCT. All nodules were further classified using Lung-RADS. Sensitivities of nodule detection on ULDCT were analysed using LDCT as the reference standard. Logistic regression was used to establish a prediction model for the sensitivity of nodules. RESULTS: LDCT revealed 362 nodules and the overall sensitivity on ULDCT was 90.1%. The sensitivity for solid nodules (SNs) of ≥1 mm diameter was 96.6% (228/236) and 100% (26/26) for SNs of ≥6 mm diameter. For pGGNs of ≥6 mm, the overall sensitivity was 93% (40/43) and 100% (29/29) for nodules with a attenuation value -700 HU or more. The agreement of Lung-RADS classification between two scans was good. On logistic regression, diameter was the only independent predictor for sensitivity of SNs (p<0.05). Diameter and attenuation value were predictors for pGGNs (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ULDCT with ASiR-V using SmartmA is suitable for lung-cancer screening in people with a BMI ≤35 kg/m2 as it has a low radiation dose of 0.16 mSv, high sensitivity for nodule detection and good performance of Lung-RADS classifications.

Novel mammogram-based measures improve breast cancer risk prediction beyond an established mammographic density measure.

Mammograms contain information that predicts breast cancer risk. We developed two novel mammogram-based breast cancer risk measures based on image brightness (Cirrocumulus) and texture (Cirrus). Their risk prediction when fitted together, and with an established measure of conventional mammographic density (Cumulus), is not known. We used three studies consisting of: 168 interval cases and 498 matched controls; 422 screen-detected cases and 1197 matched controls; and 354 younger-diagnosis cases and 944 controls frequency-matched for age at mammogram. We conducted conditional and unconditional logistic regression analyses of individually- and frequency-matched studies, respectively. We estimated measure-specific risk gradients as the change in odds per standard deviation of controls after adjusting for age and body mass index (OPERA) and calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). For interval, screen-detected and younger-diagnosis cancer risks, the best fitting models (OPERAs [95% confidence intervals]) involved: Cumulus (1.81 [1.41-2.31]) and Cirrus (1.72 [1.38-2.14]); Cirrus (1.49 [1.32-1.67]) and Cirrocumulus (1.16 [1.03 to 1.31]); and Cirrus (1.70 [1.48 to 1.94]) and Cirrocumulus (1.46 [1.27-1.68]), respectively. The AUCs were: 0.73 [0.68-0.77], 0.63 [0.60-0.66], and 0.72 [0.69-0.75], respectively. Combined, our new mammogram-based measures have twice the risk gradient for screen-detected and younger-diagnosis breast cancer (P ≤ 10-12 ), have at least the same discriminatory power as the current polygenic risk score, and are more correlated with causal factors than conventional mammographic density. Discovering more information about breast cancer risk from mammograms could help enable risk-based personalised breast screening.

Melting, freezing, and dynamics of two-dimensional dipole systems in screening bulk media.

This paper reports on the molecular dynamics simulations of classical two-dimensional (2D) electric dipole systems. The properties of 2D systems with bare (nonscreened) and screened dipole-dipole interactions have been investigated. Based on the polygon construction method, we present simulation results on the phase transition, and we locate the melting and freezing points of 2D dipole systems in terms of a polygon disorder parameter, with the polygon disorder parameter being the sum of nontriangular polygon order parameters. It was found that the phase transition of the system occurs when the polygon disorder parameter has a value 0.165. This result was cross-checked by using both local and overall orientational order parameters. We also identified that the value of the average local orientational order parameter at the phase transition point is 0.67. These results are valid for the ordinary (bare) dipole-dipole interaction as well as the screened dipole-dipole interaction, and they are expected to be general for other 2D systems with repulsive pair interaction. We observed that both melting and freezing points shift to lower values of temperature due to screening. In the liquid state, the radial distribution function and polygon construction method show the loss of order in a structure as screening becomes more severe. Furthermore, the impact of screening on the system's collective excitation spectra and diffusive characteristics at liquid and solid states has been studied. Results show the decrease in the values of both longitudinal and transverse sound speeds and the emergence of anomalous superdiffusive motion in the liquid state due to screening.

[Real world study of influenza vaccination intervention among key population of chronic disease management in Shanghai community].

Objective: To analyze the effect of influenza vaccination intervention among key populations of chronic disease management in communities of Shanghai. Methods: A total of 50 787 patients aged ≥60 with diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Huangpu, Yangpu, Baoshan and Qingpu districts of Shanghai from January 2013 to August 2017 were selected as the intervention group, and 52 268 people from key populations with chronic disease management in Xuhui, Hongkou, Jiading and Fengxian districts were selected as the control group according to the geographical location and economic level. The intervention group accepted follow-up and health education of influenza vaccination via chronic disease outpatient based on information system. The implementation time of the intervention was from September 2017 to January 2018. The basic information and diagnosis information of two groups, and intervention completion of the intervention group were obtained from Shanghai chronic disease management information system and hospital record system. Results: The age of the intervention group and the control group were (76.76±8.33) and (77.97±8.51) years old, respectively (P<0.001); and there were statistical differences in gender, occupational and influenza vaccination rate between the two groups (P<0.001). A total of 28 644 (56.40%) subjects of the intervention group received intervention. There was no significant difference in age composition between finished and unfinished intervention groups (P=0.095), and there was significant difference in gender composition (P=0.044). Before the intervention, the vaccination rate of the intervention group was 0.75% (382 subjects) which was lower than that of the control group with 1.02% (533 subjects) (χ(2)=20.96, P<0.001). After the intervention, the vaccination rate of the intervention group was 1.73% (496 subjects) which was higher than that of the control group with 1.42% (744 subjects) (χ(2)=11.65, P=0.001). Subjects that were male, younger, uptake of influenza vaccine before the intervention, received intervention and professional and technical personnel were more likely to take influenza vaccine, with OR (95%CI) 1.29 (1.13-1.47), 0.97 (0.96-0.98), 260.30 (215.21-314.83), 1.85 (1.61-2.11) and 1.48 (1.10-1.99), respectively. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination intervetion raised the vaccination rate of key population of chronic disease management. Male, younger, those who had been vaccinated before the intervention, who received the intervention, and professional and technical personnel were more likely to be vaccinated.

Interval breast cancer risk associations with breast density, family history and breast tissue aging.

Interval breast cancers (those diagnosed between recommended mammography screens) generally have poorer outcomes and are more common among women with dense breasts. We aimed to develop a risk model for interval breast cancer. We conducted a nested case-control study within the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study involving 168 interval breast cancer patients and 498 matched control subjects. We measured breast density using the CUMULUS software. We recorded first-degree family history by questionnaire, measured body mass index (BMI) and calculated age-adjusted breast tissue aging, a novel measure of exposure to estrogen and progesterone based on the Pike model. We fitted conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratio (OR) or odds ratio per adjusted standard deviation (OPERA) and calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The stronger risk associations were for unadjusted percent breast density (OPERA = 1.99; AUC = 0.66), more so after adjusting for age and BMI (OPERA = 2.26; AUC = 0.70), and for family history (OR = 2.70; AUC = 0.56). When the latter two factors and their multiplicative interactions with age-adjusted breast tissue aging (p = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively) were fitted, the AUC was 0.73 (95% CI 0.69-0.77), equivalent to a ninefold interquartile risk ratio. In summary, compared with using dense breasts alone, risk discrimination for interval breast cancers could be doubled by instead using breast density, BMI, family history and hormonal exposure. This would also give women with dense breasts, and their physicians, more information about the major consequence of having dense breasts-an increased risk of developing an interval breast cancer.

Measurement challenge: protocol for international case-control comparison of mammographic measures that predict breast cancer risk.

INTRODUCTION: For women of the same age and body mass index, increased mammographic density is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk. There are multiple methods of measuring mammographic density and other features in a mammogram that could potentially be used in a screening setting to identify and target women at high risk of developing breast cancer. However, it is unclear which measurement method provides the strongest predictor of breast cancer risk. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The measurement challenge has been established as an international resource to offer a common set of anonymised mammogram images for measurement and analysis. To date, full field digital mammogram images and core data from 1650 cases and 1929 controls from five countries have been collated. The measurement challenge is an ongoing collaboration and we are continuing to expand the resource to include additional image sets across different populations (from contributors) and to compare additional measurement methods (by challengers). The intended use of the measurement challenge resource is for refinement and validation of new and existing mammographic measurement methods. The measurement challenge resource provides a standardised dataset of mammographic images and core data that enables investigators to directly compare methods of measuring mammographic density or other mammographic features in case/control sets of both raw and processed images, for the purposes of the comparing their predictions of breast cancer risk. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Challengers and contributors are required to enter a Research Collaboration Agreement with the University of Melbourne prior to participation in the measurement challenge. The Challenge database of collated data and images are stored in a secure data repository at the University of Melbourne. Ethics approval for the measurement challenge is held at University of Melbourne (HREC ID 0931343.3).