Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the imaging anatomical characteristics and clinical significance of the ethmomaxillary sinus (EMS).
Methods
The study included a total of 280 ENT ...Outpatient Department patients with nasal symptoms whose paranasal sinus CT scans were analyzed from January 2012 to December 2016. The anatomical imaging characteristics of EMS were observed.
Results
EMS was observed in 23 of 280 patients, with an incidence of 8.2%. Bilateral EMS appearance in 17 cases (73.9%) was significantly higher than that of unilateral EMS in 6 cases (26.1%) (
P
< 0.01). EMS occurs when there are anterior or anterior–inferior cells of the posterior ethmoidal sinus (PEs) extending toward the maxillary sinus (MS) and entering the MS through the maxillary hiatus rather than spreading from outside of the MS. EMS is surrounded by five walls, and the main position of EMS was invariably located in the posterior–superior corner of the MS and draining to the superior nasal meatus (SNM). EMS must be differentiated from SNM, sphenoid sinus, and retromaxillary pneumatization of PEs, because they may appear between the MS and the orbital floor.
Conclusion
EMS was not a rare variation that should be careful identification during endoscopic sinus surgery. Accurately confirming EMS is the key to completely opening and removing lesions in the MS and EMS.
Background and purposePrevious studies, mostly focusing on the European population, have reported polygenic risk scores (PRSs) might achieve risk stratification of stroke. We aimed to examine the ...association strengths of PRSs with risks of stroke and its subtypes in the Chinese population.MethodsParticipants with genome-wide genotypic data in China Kadoorie Biobank were split into a potential training set (n=22 191) and a population-based testing set (n=72 150). Four previously developed PRSs were included, and new PRSs for stroke and its subtypes were developed. The PRSs showing the strongest association with risks of stroke or its subtypes in the training set were further evaluated in the testing set. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association strengths of different PRSs with risks of stroke and its subtypes (ischaemic stroke (IS), intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)).ResultsIn the testing set, during 872 919 person-years of follow-up, 8514 incident stroke events were documented. The PRSs of any stroke (AS) and IS were both positively associated with risks of AS, IS and ICH (p<0.05). The HR for per SD increment (HRSD) of PRSAS was 1.10 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.12), 1.10 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.12) and 1.13 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.20) for AS, IS and ICH, respectively. The corresponding HRSD of PRSIS was 1.08 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.11), 1.08 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.11) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.15). PRSICH was positively associated with the risk of ICH (HRSD=1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14). PRSSAH was not associated with risks of stroke and its subtypes. The addition of current PRSs offered little to no improvement in stroke risk prediction and risk stratification.ConclusionsIn this Chinese population, the association strengths of current PRSs with risks of stroke and its subtypes were moderate, suggesting a limited value for improving risk prediction over traditional risk factors in the context of current genome-wide association study under-representing the East Asian population.
Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) through PCSK9 inhibition represents a new therapeutic approach to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phenome-wide analyses of ...PCSK9 genetic variants in large biobanks can help to identify unexpected effects of PCSK9 inhibition.
In the prospective China Kadoorie Biobank, we constructed a genetic score using three variants at the PCSK9 locus associated with directly measured LDL-C PCSK9 genetic score (PCSK9-GS). Logistic regression gave estimated odds ratios (ORs) for PCSK9-GS associations with CVD and non-CVD outcomes, scaled to 1 SD lower LDL-C. PCSK9-GS was associated with lower risks of carotid plaque n = 8340 cases; OR = 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.83); P = 0.0015, major occlusive vascular events n = 15 752; 0.80 (0.67-0.95); P = 0.011, and ischaemic stroke n = 11 467; 0.80 (0.66-0.98); P = 0.029. However, PCSK9-GS was also associated with higher risk of hospitalization with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD: n = 6836; 1.38 (1.08-1.76); P = 0.0089 and with even higher risk of fatal exacerbations amongst individuals with pre-existing COPD n = 730; 3.61 (1.71-7.60); P = 7.3 × 10-4. We also replicated associations for a PCSK9 variant, reported in UK Biobank, with increased risks of acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) pooled OR after meta-analysis of 1.87 (1.38-2.54); P = 5.4 × 10-5 and self-reported asthma pooled OR of 1.17 (1.04-1.30); P = 0.0071. There was no association of a polygenic LDL-C score with COPD hospitalization, COPD exacerbation, or URTI.
The LDL-C-lowering PCSK9 genetic variants are associated with lower risk of subclinical and clinical atherosclerotic vascular disease but higher risks of respiratory diseases. Pharmacovigilance studies may be required to monitor patients treated with therapeutic PCSK9 inhibitors for exacerbations of respiratory diseases or respiratory tract infections.
Genetic analyses of over 100 000 participants of the China Kadoorie Biobank, mimicking the effect of new drugs intended to reduce cholesterol by targeting the PCSK9 protein, have identified potential severe effects of lower PCSK9 activity in patients with existing respiratory disease.PCSK9 genetic variants that are associated with lower cholesterol and reduced rates of cardiovascular disease are also associated with increased risk of a range of respiratory diseases, including asthma, upper respiratory tract infections, and hospitalization with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).These genetic variants are not associated with whether or not individuals have COPD; instead, they are specifically associated with an increase in the chance of those who already have COPD being hospitalized and even dying, suggesting that careful monitoring of such patients should be considered during development of and treatment with anti-PCSK9 medication.
Abstract In this study, we have determined the single‐crystal elasticity of clinohumite Mg 8.85 Ti 0.19 Si 3.93 O 16 (OH 1.11 F 0.89 ) using Brillouin measurement up to 21 GPa at 300 K and 1 bar at ...750 K, respectively. The elasticity of clinohumite was determined to be K S0 = 126.2(3) GPa, G 0 = 79.7(2) GPa with pressure derivatives K S ′ = 4.2(1), G ′ = 1.3(1), pressure derivatives ∂ K S /∂ T = −0.024(1) GPa/K, and ∂ G /∂ T = −0.011(1) GPa/K). We comprehensively examined the effects of varying H 2 O, fluorine content and thermal states, on the velocity and density structures of the subducted harzburgite layer. Assuming a typical H 2 O content of 2 wt.% within harzburgite, our modeling has shown that hydrous harzburgite with clinohumite as the decomposition product of serpentine along a hot slab geotherm even has the V P and V S 0.4–0.8(6)% greater than it dry counterpart at 250–380 km depth. Yet in the top transition zone, the addition of H 2 O and F can effectively lower the sound velocities and density. The F‐bearing hydrous harzburgite has the V P and V S 1.1(5)–1.3(3)% lower than its dry counterpart, and only 0.6(5)% and 2.3(5)% greater than the pyrolitic mantle. Along cold slab geotherm, phase A will replace clinohumite as the dominant hydrous phase in the harzburgite, the V P and V S are 4.8(5)–5.3(3)% and 5.9(5)–6.0(3)% greater than the pyrolitic mantle in the upper mantle. In the top transition zone, the difference is approximately 3% in V P and 5% in V S . Our results provide crucial experimental evidence for future assessments of the seismic signals of subducted slabs with different hydrous minerals and thermal states.
Plain Language Summary Subducted slab plays a crucial role in connecting the Earth's surface to the interior. Transportation of H 2 O and other important volatiles to the Earth's mantle via subducted slab can greatly influence a series of physical properties of mantle minerals. Clinohumite is one of the most important H 2 O and fluorine (F) carriers in the subducted slab. Here, we determined the single‐crystal elasticity of F‐bearing clinohumite at high pressures and temperatures. The obtained elasticity data were applied to model the velocity profiles of the hydrous harzburgite. Our results show that the addition of H 2 O and F can enhance the velocity difference between harzburgite and pyrolitic mantle at 250–380 km depth along the hot slab geotherm, and V P and V S of harzburgite with 2 wt.% H 2 O and clinohumite as the H 2 O‐bearing phase are 0.4–0.8(6)% greater than those of dry harzburgite. In the transition zone depth, addition of H 2 O and Fe lowers the sound velocities of harzburgite. Hydrous harzburgite has a lower V P and V S than its corresponding dry phase. These new velocity constraints can help us better understand the circulation of H 2 O and F within Earth's interior and identify the detected seismic observations of subducted slabs with different compositions and thermal states.
Key Points Single‐crystal elasticity of F‐bearing clinohumite was determined to 21 GPa and 750 K and shows strong dependence with F content The obtained results were used to model the velocity profiles of the hydrous harzburgite layer considering the thermal state and composition H 2 O and F in clinohumite have significant influence on the velocity profile of subduction slab
Adiposity is increasing rapidly in China but little is known about the relevance to it of women's reproductive factors, which differ inter-generationally and from that in the West. We assess ...associations of adiposity with life-course reproductive factors in Chinese women.
In 2004-08, the nationwide China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 303 000 women aged 30-79 (mean 50) years from 10 diverse regions. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations of reproductive factors (e.g. age at menarche/first birth/menopause, parity, breastfeeding and reproductive years) with measures of general e.g. body mass index (BMI) and central e.g. waist circumference (WC) adiposity in adulthood.
Overall, the mean BMI was 23.7 (standard deviation 3.3) kg/m 2 , mean age at menarche was 15 (2) years and nearly all had given birth (99%) and breastfed children (98%). Adiposity was associated inversely with age at menarche and at first birth, with 0.19 and 0.05 kg/m 2 lower BMI and 0.38 and 0.12 cm lower WC per 1-year delay respectively ( P < 0.001). Among 128 259 post-menopausal women, adiposity was associated positively with age at menopause and reproductive years, with 0.05 and 0.07 kg/m 2 higher BMI and 0.12 and 0.17 cm higher WC per 1-year increase, respectively ( P < 0.001). The proportion with overweight/obesity had similar associations with these reproductive factors. Adiposity had a non-linear positive association with parity, but no association with breastfeeding duration.
Among Chinese women, earlier age at menarche and at first birth, later age at menopause and longer reproductive years were independently associated with increased adiposity late in life.
Background: Cancer is still a major public health issue worldwide, and new therapeutics with anti-tumor activity are still urgently needed. Methods: The anti-tumor activity of TH-39, which shows ...potent anti-proliferative activity against K562 cells with an IC 50 of 0.78 µM, was investigated using immunoblot, co-immunoprecipitation, the MTT assay, and flow cytometry. Results: Mechanistically, TH-39 may disrupt the interaction between Hec1 and Nek2 in K562 cells. Moreover, TH-39 inhibited cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by influencing the morphology of K562 cells and inducing G0/G1 phase arrest. G0/G1 phase arrest was associated with down-regulation of CDK2-cyclin E complex and CDK4/6-cyclin D complex activities. Furthermore, TH-39 also induced cell apoptosis, which was associated with activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and up-regulation of Bax. TH-39 could also decrease mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in K562 cells. The results indicated that TH-39 might induce apoptosis via the ROS-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential therapeutic efficacy of the anti-cancer compound TH-39 in treatment-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia.
The present study assessed the mechanism by which resveratrol (Res) inhibits the growth of SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells and examined whether sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activation affects phosphorylation within ...the signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. The present study used SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells in the logarithmic phase of growth (control and treatment groups). The latter group was treated with Res at 25 and 50 µmol/l for 24 h, and cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed using the cell counting kit-8 assay, colony counting and Hoechst staining, respectively. The expression levels of caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2 associated X protein (Bax), STAT3 and phosphorylated (p-)STAT3) were measured by Western blotting. SW1353 cells were transfected with small interfering (si)RNA targeting Sirt1 and the expression levels of Sirt1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were assessed. Exposure of SW1353 cells to Res reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Additionally, cell proliferation was significantly inhibited and the cell nuclei exhibited apoptotic characteristics. Cleaved caspase-3, Sirt1 and Bax levels were upregulated. The expression levels of BCL-2 and p-STAT3 were downregulated. Additionally, the BCL-2/Bax ratio was reduced compared with the control group. The total STAT3 level was unaffected. Res treatment activated Sirt1, however, in cells transfected with Sirt1-siRNA, the ability of resveratrol to suppress p-STAT3 expression was compromised. Overall, it was revealed that Res treatment induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation and affected phosphorylation within the STAT3 signaling pathway by activating Sirt1 in SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells.
Pregnancy and pregnancy loss may be associated with increased risk of diabetes in later life. However, the evidence is inconsistent and sparse, especially among East Asians where reproductive ...patterns differ importantly from those in the West. We examined the associations of pregnancy and pregnancy loss (miscarriage, induced abortion, and still birth) with the risk of incident diabetes in later life among Chinese women. In 2004–2008, the nationwide China Kadoorie Biobank recruited 302 669 women aged 30–79 years from 10 (5 urban, 5 rural) diverse localities. During 9.2 years of follow-up, 7780 incident cases of diabetes were recorded among 273,383 women without prior diabetes and cardiovascular disease at baseline. Cox regression yielded multiple-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for the risk of diabetes associated with pregnancy and pregnancy loss. Overall, 99% of women had been pregnant, of whom 10%, 53%, and 6% reported having a history of miscarriage, induced abortion, and stillbirth, respectively. Among ever pregnant women, each additional pregnancy was associated with an adjusted HR of 1.04 (95% CI 1.03; 1.06) for diabetes. Compared with those without pregnancy loss, women with a history of pregnancy loss had an adjusted HR of 1.07 (1.02; 1.13) and the HRs increased with increasing number of pregnancy losses, irrespective of the number of livebirths; the adjusted HR was 1.03 (1.00; 1.05) for each additional pregnancy loss. The strength of the relationships differed marginally by type of pregnancy loss. Among Chinese women, a higher number of pregnancies and pregnancy losses were associated with a greater risk of diabetes.
Quasi‐Heteroface Perovskite Solar Cells Ren, Ningyu; Chen, Bingbing; Shi, Biao ...
Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany),
08/2020, Letnik:
16, Številka:
34
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted unprecedented attention due to their rapidly rising photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). In order to further improve the PCE of PSCs, new possible ...optimization path needs to be found. Here, quasi‐heteroface PSCs (QHF‐PSCs) is designed by a double‐layer perovskite film. Such brand new PSCs have good carrier separation capabilities, effectively suppress the nonradiative recombination of the PSCs, and thus greatly improve the open‐circuit voltage and PCE. The root cause of the performance improvement is the benefit from the additional built‐in electric field, which is confirmed by measuring the external quantum efficiency under applied electric field and Kelvin probe force microscope. Meanwhile, an intermediate band gap perovskite layer can be obtained simply by combining a wide band gap perovskite layer with a narrow band gap perovskite layer. Tunability of the band gap is obtained by varying the film thicknesses of the narrow and wide band gap layers. This phenomenon is quite different from traditional inorganic solar cells, whose band gap is determined only by the narrowest band gap layer. It is believed that these QHF‐PSCs will be an effective strategy to further enhance PCE in PSCs and provide basis to further understand and develop the perovskite materials platform.
Herein, quasi‐heteroface perovskite solar cells (QHF‐PSCs) are reported. Compared with normal PSCs, QHF‐PSCs have better carrier separation capabilities and effectively suppress the nonradiative recombination. Meanwhile, middle band gap perovskite layer is obtained by combining a wide band gap perovskite layer with a narrow band gap perovskite layer. This strategy points out a new avenue to further expand the application of perovskite materials.
Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) with high efficiency and excellent mechanical flexible properties have attracted enormous interest as a promising photovoltaic technology in recent years. ...However, the performance or stability of FPSCs is still far inferior to that of conventional glass‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a cross‐linking agent called aluminum acetylacetonate (Al(acac)3) is introduced as an interface layer between electron transport layer and perovskite absorber. Due to the well‐matched energy levels and improved grain size and crystallinity of the perovskite, a champion device with the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.87% is achieved on the FPSCs. The device retains about 80% of its initial performance after 1000 h under >50% relative humidity without encapsulation. In addition, attributed to the Al(acac)3 super bending resistance, more than 91% of the original PCE is retained after 1500 bending cycles. This work proposes the substrate side optimization for improving device efficiency and stability which may provide a novel concept for promoting the development of FPSCs.
High efficiency and humidity‐resistant flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) are fabricated, using a SnO2/Al(acac)3 bilayer as the electron transfer layer. FPSCs present long‐time stability in ambient conditions (>50% relative humidity) without encapsulation, while yielding a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of up to 20.87%. That may open a new way to improve the stability of FPSCs.
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