Although fish consumption may have an influence on specific mortality of major chronic diseases, the relationship between fish consumption and all-cause mortality remains inconsistent.
We performed a ...systematic search of publications using PubMed and Web of science up to 31 December 2014. Summary relative risk (RR) for the highest versus lowest category of fish consumption on risk of all-cause mortality was calculated by using a random effects model. Potential nonlinear relation was tested by modeling fish intake using restricted cubic splines with three knots at fixed percentiles of the distribution.
Twelve prospective cohort studies with 672,389 participants and 57,641 deaths were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the lowest category, the highest category of fish intake was associated with about a 6% significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (RR=0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90, 0.98; I(2)=39.1%, P=0.06). The dose-response analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between fish consumption and all-cause mortality. Compared with never consumers, consumption of 60 g of fish per day was associated with a 12% reduction (RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.93) in risk of total death.
These results imply that fish consumption was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality.
Free radicals may be involved in the pathogenesis of tardive dyskinesia (TD). We conducted this meta-analysis to systematically examine the efficacy of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb), a potent ...antioxidant possessing free radical-scavenging properties, as a treatment for TD in schizophrenia using randomized controlled trial (RCT) data.
Drawn from English and Chinese databases, 3 RCTs of EGb augmentation of antipsychotics (APs) vs. AP plus placebo or AP monotherapy were identified. 2 evaluators extracted data. The primary outcome measure was the severity of TD symptoms assessed by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Weighted mean difference (WMD) and risk ratio (RR) ±95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager (version 5.1.7.0) and STATA (version 12.0).
The 3 RCTs (n=299) from China, of 12 weeks duration, involved schizophrenia patients with TD of 55.9±13.4 years old. EGb (240 mg/day) outperformed the control group in reducing the severity of TD and clinical symptoms as measured by the AIMS (trials=3, n=299, WMD: -2.30 (95%CI: - 3.04, -1.55), P<0.00001) and the adverse drug reactions as assessed by the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) (trials=2, n=142, WMD: -2.38 (95%CI: -4.01, -0.74), P=0.004). Both the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score (trials=2, n=239, P=0.87) and all-cause discontinuation (trials=3, n=299, P=0.21) were similar between the EGb and control group.
This meta-analysis suggests that adjunctive EGb appeared to be an effective and safe option for improving TD in the treatment of schizophrenia patients. However, better RCTs are needed to demonstrate its efficacy and safety especially on cognitive function in TD.
CRD42015024930.
•A novel auxetic material laminated cylindrical shell is modeled.•Both piece-wise functionally graded patterns and in-plane negative Poisson’s ratios are considered.•Temperature dependent material ...properties for both graphene reinforcements and metal matrix are considered.•NPR has a significant effect on the postbuckling behavior of GRMMC laminated cylindrical shells.
Auxetic materials have emerged to be a new type of novel engineering materials with unique material properties. This paper reports the postbuckling behaviors of pressure loaded graphene-reinforced metal matrix composite (GRMMC) laminated cylindrical shells under the influence of in-plane negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) in temperature environments. The GRMMCs have temperature-dependent material properties which can be determined using an extended micromechanical model of Halpin–Tsai type. A cylindrical shell is made of GRMMC layers of different graphene volume fractions to achieve a piece-wise functionally graded (FG) pattern. The postbuckling equations for the pressure-loaded GRMMC laminated cylindrical shells are derived using the Reddy’s third order shear deformation shell theory with the effects of von Kármán-type kinematic nonlinearity and temperature variation being included. Applying the singular perturbation technique in conjunction with a two-step perturbation approach, the governing equations for the shell postbuckling problem are solved. The results show that the postbuckling behaviors of pressure-loaded GRMMC laminated cylindrical shells are affected substantially by the in-plane NPR.
To date, there has been no large-scale survey of geriatric depression (GD) involving both rural and urban areas in China using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed ...to determine the 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates of GD and sociodemographic correlates in urban and rural regions of Beijing, China.MethodA total of 1601 elderly patients (aged 60 years) were randomly selected and interviewed in Beijing using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected during the interviews.
The overall 12-month prevalence of GD was 4.33%, and the 12-month prevalence rates for men and women were 2.65% and 5.83% respectively. The overall lifetime prevalence of GD was 7.83%, and lifetime prevalence rates for men and women were 4.65% and 10.66% respectively. Female sex, lower educational level, monthly income, rural abode, and the presence of one or more major medical conditions were associated with increased risk of GD. Of the GD subjects interviewed, 25.2% were receiving some type of treatment, with only 4.7% preferring to seek treatment from mental health professionals.
Although still relatively low by international standards, there is an increasing trend in the prevalence of GD in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for GD is a major public health concern that should be addressed urgently.
While oral antidepressants reach efficacy after weeks, single-dose intravenous (i.v.) ketamine has rapid, yet time-limited antidepressant effects. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of ...single-dose i.v. ketamine augmentation of escitalopram in major depressive disorder (MDD).
Thirty outpatients with severe MDD (17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression total score ⩾ 24) were randomized to 4 weeks double-blind treatment with escitalopram 10 mg/day+single-dose i.v. ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min) or escitalopram 10 mg/day + placebo (0.9% i.v. saline). Depressive symptoms were measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Self-Report (QIDS-SR). Suicidal ideation was evaluated with the QIDS-SR item 12. Adverse psychopathological effects were measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS)-positive symptoms, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinician Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS). Patients were assessed at baseline, 1, 2, 4, 24 and 72 h and 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Time to response (⩾ 50% MADRS score reduction) was the primary outcome.
By 4 weeks, more escitalopram + ketamine-treated than escitalopram + placebo-treated patients responded (92.3% v. 57.1%, p = 0.04) and remitted (76.9% v. 14.3%, p = 0.001), with significantly shorter time to response hazard ratio (HR) 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.22, p < 0.001 and remission (HR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.63, p = 0.01). Compared to escitalopram + placebo, escitalopram + ketamine was associated with significantly lower MADRS scores from 2 h to 2 weeks (peak = 3 days-2 weeks; effect size (ES) = 1.08-1.18), QIDS-SR scores from 2 h to 2 weeks (maximum ES = 1.27), and QIDS-SR suicidality from 2 to 72 h (maximum ES = 2.24). Only YMRS scores increased significantly with ketamine augmentation (1 and 2 h), without significant BPRS or CADSS elevation.
Single-dose i.v. ketamine augmentation of escitalopram was safe and effective in severe MDD, holding promise for speeding up early oral antidepressant efficacy.
Legionellosis is an infection acquired through inhalation of aerosols that are contaminated with environmental bacteria Legionella spp. The bacteria require warm temperature for proliferation in ...bodies of water and moist soil. The legionellosis incidence in the United States has been rising rapidly in the past two decades without a clear explanation. In the meantime, the US has recorded consecutive years of above-norm temperature since 1997 and precipitation surplus since 2008. The present study analyzed the legionellosis incidence in the US during the 20-year period of 1999 to 2018 and correlated with concurrent temperature, precipitation, solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, and vehicle mileage data. The age-adjusted legionellosis incidence rates rose exponentially from 0.40/100,000 in 1999 (with 1108 cases) to 2.69/100,000 in 2018 (with 9933 cases) at a calculated annual increase of 110%. In regression analyses, the rise correlated with an increase in vehicle miles driven and with temperature and precipitation levels that have been above the 1901-2000 mean since 1997 and 2008, respectively, suggesting more road exposure to traffic-generated aerosols and promotive effects of anomalous climate. Remarkably, the regressions with cumulative anomalies of temperature and precipitation were robust (R2 ≥ 0.9145, P ≤ 4.7E-11), implying possible changes to microbial ecology in the terrestrial and aquatic environments. An interactive synergy between annual precipitation and vehicle miles was also found in multiple regressions. Meanwhile, the bactericidal UVB radiation has been decreasing, which also contributed to the rising incidence in an inverse correlation. The 2018 legionellosis incidence peak corresponded to cumulative effects of the climate anomalies, vast vehicle miles (3,240 billion miles, 15904 km per capita), record high precipitation (880.1 mm), near record low UVB radiation (7488 kJ/m2), and continued above-norm temperature (11.96°C). These effects were examined and demonstrated in California, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin, states that represent diverse incidence rates and climates. The incidence and above-norm temperature both rose most in cold Wisconsin. These results suggest that warming temperature and precipitation surplus have likely elevated the density of Legionella bacteria in the environment, and together with road exposure explain the rapidly rising incidence of legionellosis in the United States. These trends are expected to continue, warranting further research and efforts to prevent infection.
•The concept of functionally graded materials is extended to the GRC laminated beams.•A multi-scale approach for nonlinear bending analysis of FG GRC laminated beams is proposed.•A multi-scale ...approach for thermal postbuckling analysis of FG GRC laminated beams is proposed.•The plate-foundation interaction and temperature-dependent material properties are both taken into account.
This paper presents an investigation on the nonlinear bending and thermal postbuckling behaviors of nanocomposite beams in thermal environments and supported by an elastic foundation. Graphene-reinforced composite (GRC) material is used for the beams with piece-wise functionally graded (FG) graphene reinforcement along the thickness direction of the beams. A refined micromechanical model is applied to estimate the material properties of GRCs and the effect of temperature is included in the model. The governing equations of a GRC beam are based on a higher third order beam theory with the effect of temperature variation and foundation interaction and the von Kármán geometric nonlinear strain terms are also considered. Applying a two-step perturbation technique, the governing equations of the GRC beams are solved to determine the nonlinear bending load-deflection curves and the thermal postbuckling equilibrium paths of the beams. The effects of the graphene reinforcement distribution, laminate layer stacking sequence, temperature variation and foundation stiffness on the nonlinear bending and thermal postbuckling behaviors of the beams are discussed in details.
This paper presents a postbuckling analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (CNTRC) cylindrical panels resting on elastic foundations and subjected to axial compression in thermal ...environments. The cylindrical panels are reinforced by aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) which are assumed to be functionally graded (FG) through the thickness direction with different types of distributions. The material properties of FG-CNTRC panels are estimated through an extended rule of mixture micromechanical model. The governing equations are based on a higher-order shear deformation theory with a von Kármán-type of kinematic nonlinearity. The panel–foundation interaction and thermal effects are also included and the material properties of CNTRCs are assumed to be temperature-dependent. A singular perturbation technique along with a two-step perturbation approach is employed to determine the buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. Numerical results reveal that the CNT volume fraction, temperature rise, foundation stiffness, and the panel geometric parameters have a significant effect on the buckling load and postbuckling behavior of CNTRC cylindrical panels. The results for uniformly distributed (UD) CNTRC cylindrical panels are compared with those of FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels. The results also confirm that for an CNTRC cylindrical panel with immovable unloaded straight edges, the postbuckling path of the panel is no longer the bifurcation type.
Legionellosis, an infection caused by the environmental bacteria
spp., has become a significant public health problem in the United States in recent years; however, among the states, the incidence ...rates vary widely without a clear explanation. This study examined environmental effects on the 2014-to-2016 average annual legionellosis incidence rates in the U.S. states through correlative analyses with long-term precipitation, temperature, solar UV radiation, and sunshine hours. The continental states west of ∼95°W showed low incidence rates of 0.51 to 1.20 cases per 100,000 population, which corresponded to low precipitation, below 750 mm annually. For the eastern states, where precipitation was higher, solar effects were prominent and mixed, leading to wide incidence variation. Robust regressions suggested a dividing line at 40°N: north of this line, rising temperature, mainly from solar heat, raised legionellosis incidence to a peak of 4.25/100,000 in Ohio; south of the line, intensifying sunlight in terms of high UV indices and long sunshine hours prevailed to limit incidence gradually to 0.99/100,000 in Louisiana. On or near the 40°N line were 15 eastern states that had leading legionellosis incidence rates of >2.0/100,000. These states all showed modest environmental parameters. In contrast, the frigid climate in Alaska and the strong year-round solar UV in Hawaii explained the lowest U.S. incidences, 0.14/100,000 and 0.47/100,000, respectively, in these states. The findings of solar and climate effects explain the wide variation of legionellosis incidence rates in the United States and may offer insights into the potential exposure to and prevention of infection.
Legionellosis, caused by the environmental bacteria
spp., has become a significant public health problem in the United States in recent years, with ∼6,000 cases annually. The present study showed, through a series of correlative analyses with long-term precipitation, temperature, solar UV radiation, and sunshine hours, that these environmental conditions strongly influence the legionellosis incidence rates across the United States in mixed and dynamic fashions. The incidence rates varied remarkably by region, with the highest in Ohio and New York and the lowest in Alaska. A precipitation threshold above 750 mm was required for elevated legionellosis activity. Regression models and dividing lines between regions were established to show the promotive effect of temperature, as well as the inhibitive effects of solar UV and sunshine hours. These findings explain the wide variation of legionellosis incidence rates in the United States. They may also offer insights into potential exposure to and prevention of infection.
Abstract Background and aims Diet may play an important role in the development of hyperuricemia and gout. However, the association between dietary factors and hyperuricemia remains unclear, and few ...studies have investigated direct links between food intake and hyperuricemia. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between high purine-content foods and protein intake with the prevalence of hyperuricemia by using data from a cross-sectional study of 3978 men aged 40–74 yrs living in Shanghai, China. Methods and Results Hyperuricemia was defined as blood uric acid level >7.0 mg/dl. One quarter of this population had hyperuricemia. Dietary information was collected by using a food frequency questionnaire. We collected information on anthropometric measurements and lifestyle factors and other potential confounding factors and disease history via interviews. Total protein consumption was not associated with hyperuricemia. We found a positive association between protein from animal sources and prevalence of hyperuricemia and an inverse association between protein from plant sources and hyperuricemia. However, these associations failed to reach significance in mutually adjusted analysis. Seafood intake was associated with higher prevalence of hyperuricemia. The ORs for quintiles of seafood intake (including fish and shellfish) were 1.00, 1.49, 1.35, 1.34, and 1.56 (p for trend: 0.01). An inverse association approaching significance between soy food consumption and hyperuricemia was observed (ORs: 1.00, 0.90, 0.70, 0.89, and 0.77 for quintiles of intake; p for trend: 0.07). No associations between consumption of purine-rich vegetables or meat and prevalence of hyperuricemia were observed. Conclusions Our data suggest a direct association between seafood consumption and hyperuricemia and an inverse association between consumption of soy food and hyperuricemia among middle-aged, Chinese men.