FVC (fractional vegetation cover) is highly correlated with wheat plant density in the reviving period, which is an important indicator for conducting variable-rate nitrogenous topdressing. In this ...study, with the objective of improving inversion accuracy of wheat plant density, an innovative approach of retrieval of FVC values from remote sensing images of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) was proposed based on the mixed pixel decomposition method. Firstly, remote sensing images of an experimental wheat field were acquired by using a DJI Mini UAV and endmembers in the image were identified. Subsequently, a linear unmixing model was used to subdivide mixed pixels into components of vegetation and soil, and an abundance map of vegetation was acquired. Based on the abundance map of vegetation, FVC was calculated. Consequently, a linear regression model between the ground truth data of wheat plant density and FVC was established. The coefficient of determination (R2), RMSE (root mean square error), and RRMSE (Relative-RMSE) of the inversion model were calculated as 0.97, 1.86 plants/m2, and 0.677%, which indicates strong correlation between the FVC of mixed pixel decomposition method and wheat plant density. Therefore, we can conclude that the mixed pixel decomposition model of the remote sensing image of a UAV significantly improved the inversion accuracy of wheat plant density from FVC values, which provides method support and basic data for variable-rate nitrogenous fertilization in the wheat reviving period in the manner of precision agriculture.
High body mass index (BMI) is consistently linked to increased risk of colorectal cancer for men, whereas the association is less clear for women. As risk estimates from observational studies may be ...biased and/or confounded, we conducted a Mendelian randomization study to estimate the causal association between BMI and colorectal cancer.
We used data from 10,226 colorectal cancer cases and 10,286 controls of European ancestry. The Mendelian randomization analysis used a weighted genetic risk score, derived from 77 genome-wide association study-identified variants associated with higher BMI, as an instrumental variable (IV). We compared the IV odds ratio (IV-OR) with the OR obtained using a conventional covariate-adjusted analysis.
Individuals carrying greater numbers of BMI-increasing alleles had higher colorectal cancer risk per weighted allele OR, 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.57. Our IV estimation results support the hypothesis that genetically influenced BMI is directly associated with risk for colorectal cancer (IV-OR per 5 kg/m(2), 1.50; 95% CI, 1.13-2.01). In the sex-specific IV analyses higher BMI was associated with higher risk of colorectal cancer among women (IV-OR per 5 kg/m(2), 1.82; 95% CI, 1.26-2.61). For men, genetically influenced BMI was not associated with colorectal cancer (IV-OR per 5 kg/m(2), 1.18; 95% CI, 0.73-1.92).
High BMI was associated with increased colorectal cancer risk for women. Whether abdominal obesity, rather than overall obesity, is a more important risk factor for men requires further investigation.
Overall, conventional epidemiologic and Mendelian randomization studies suggest a strong association between obesity and the risk of colorectal cancer.
Epidemiologic studies have linked shortened telomeres with the development of many cancers. However, recent studies have suggested that longer telomeres may lead to prolonged senescence in ...melanocytes, providing increased opportunity for malignant transformation. We therefore examined whether shorter prediagnostically measured relative telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) was associated with a decreased risk of cutaneous melanoma. Telomere length in prospectively collected PBLs was measured in incident melanoma cases and age-matched controls selected from participants in three large prospective cohorts: the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), and the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Shorter telomere lengths were associated with decreased risk of melanoma in each cohort. The P(trend) across quartiles was 0.03 in the WHI-OS and 0.008 in the HPFS. When combining these two datasets with published data in the NHS (P(trend), 0.09), compared with individuals in the fourth quartile (the longest telomere lengths), those in the first quartile had an OR of 0.43 (95% CI: 0.28-0.68; P(trend), 0.0003). Unlike findings for other tumors, shorter telomeres were significantly associated with a decreased risk of melanoma in this study, suggesting a unique role of telomeres in melanoma development.
Studies suggest that greater physical activity may reduce endometrial cancer risk. However, the role of the timing, duration and intensity of activity is unclear. We therefore examined recent and ...past recreational activities in relation to incident endometrial adenocarcinoma, and compared the importance of total and moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activities as well as walking. We analyzed data from 71,570 women in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort that assessed activity in 1986, with updates every 2–4 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During follow‐up from 1986 to 2008 (1.2 million person‐years), 777 invasive endometrial adenocarcinoma cases were documented. In multivariable models, compared with <3 MET‐hr/week (<1 hr/week walking), women engaged in moderate (9 to <18 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.78) or high (≥27 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.92) amounts of recent total recreational activity were at reduced risk (p‐trend = 0.001). Past total activity was not associated with risk. Greater recent moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activity was associated with reduced risk (≥4 vs. 0 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88, p‐trend = 0.002). Among women who did not perform any vigorous activity, recent walking was associated with reduced risk (≥3 vs. <0.5 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45–0.93, p‐trend = 0.01), and faster walking pace was independently associated with risk reduction. After additional adjustment for body mass index, all associations were statistically non‐significant. Greater recent physical activity, including activity of moderate duration and intensity such as walking, may reduce endometrial adenocarcinoma risk. This relation is largely mediated or confounded by body mass index.
What's new?
Greater physical activity may reduce endometrial cancer risk, but the importance of the timing, duration, and intensity of activity remains unclear. In this study, a large population was followed prospectively for 22 years, with repeated assessments of physical activity. Recent recreational activity of moderate duration and intensity, such as walking for three or more hours per week, was associated with 30–40% reduced risk in multivariable adjusted models. After additional adjustment for body mass index, associations were statistically non‐significant.
Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is the most common craniofacial anomaly with a high incidence of live births. The specific pathogenesis of CL/P is still unclear, although plenty of ...studies have been conducted. Variations of tumor protein 63 (TP63) was reported to be related to the phenotype of CL/P. The case discussed in this report involves a pedigree with mutation at TP63 gene, and the variation was not reported before.
A Chinese pedigree with CL/P was collected in this study. The proband is a 3-year-old boy with the phenotype of CL/P, while his global development and intelligence are normal. After two CL/P repair operations, he looks almost normal. The proband's uncle and grandmother both have the phenotype of CL/P. Cytogenetic analysis and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were performed, followed by whole exome sequencing (WES) and sanger validation. Analysis of WES revealed a variant of C>T at nucleotide position 1324 (1324C>T) of TP63 gene, possibly producing a truncated protein with a premature stop codon at amino acid position 442 (p.Q442*). This mutation was localized at the oligomerization domain (OD) of TP63 and might impair the capacity of p63 oligomerization.
The mutation in TP63 was recognized to be the possible cause of the phenotype of CL/P in this pedigree. This report provides some evidence for the clinical diagnosis of CL/P. And our study also provides clinical evidence for the molecular mechanism of TP63 gene causing nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P).
Background/aimsCancer burden is predicted to double by 2030 in sub-Saharan Africa; access to healthcare services for cancer management is a priority in the region. In Nigeria, National Cancer Control ...Plan aims to ensure >50% cancer screening of eligible populations by 2022 for all Nigerians. We describe healthcare utilisation, cancer screening activities and potential barriers to accessing cancer care within an understudied rural community-based adult population in South West Nigeria.MethodsIn April 2018, we conducted a cross-sectional study of community-based adults (>18 years) ~130 km east of Ibadan, 250 km from Lagos in Osun State, South West Nigeria. Participants completed a face-to-face survey in local dialect. We used a questionnaire to assess demographics, health status, income, medical expenditures, doctor visits and cancer screening history.ResultsWe enrolled 346 individuals: with median age of 52 years and 75% women. Of the entire cohort, 4% had medical insurance. 46% reported a major medical cost in the last year. Cancer screening activities were infrequent in eligible participants: 1.5% reported having had cervical cancer screening, 3.3% mammogram and 5% colonoscopy screening. Cancer screening assessment was less frequent in those with less income and lower education levels. Using a multivariable logistic regression model including personal income, insurance status and education, higher personal income was associated with more cancer screening activity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.7, p<0.01). Despite this, most individuals had contact with a primary healthcare doctor (52% in the last year), and over 70% access to radio and TV suggesting the opportunity to expand community-based screening interventions and awareness exists.ConclusionsDespite national increases in cancer cases, we highlight a deficiency in cancer screening and universal healthcare coverage within a community-based adult Nigerian population. Subject to availability of governmental resources, increasing financial risk protection, awareness and targeted resource allocation may help expand access in Nigeria.
According to nationally representative data from the most recently available cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), almost one third of US adults aged 20 years or ...older reported sitting nine or more hours a day in 2013 to 2014 (Figure 1). ...telomere length was assessed with a single measure, precluding the evaluation of telomere shortening. ...in addition to television watching, the authors explored associations with many types of sedentary behaviors (e.g., computer or phone, screen-based, total) and physical activities (e.g., walking, household activities, moderate-to-vigorous activities, calisthenics or aerobics).
Introduction
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of electroacupuncture in relieving acute pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and related mechanism.
Methods
In this randomized, single‐blind, and ...sham‐acupuncture controlled study. Forty patients with postoperative acute pain were recruited and randomly divided electroacupuncture group (n = 20) and sham‐acupuncture group (n = 20) from November 2020 to October 2021. All patients received electroacupuncture or sham‐acupuncture for 5 days after TKA. Their brain regions were scanned with resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after intervention. Pain was scaled. Another 40 matched healthy controls underwent scanning once. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values was compared. Pearson's correlation analysis was utilized to explore the correlation of ALFF with clinical variables in patients after intervention.
Results
Compared with the HCs, patients with acute pain following TKA had significantly decreased ALFF value in right middle frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor area, bilateral precuneus, right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex, and left triangular part of inferior frontal gyrus (false discovery rate corrected p < .05). Patients had higher ALFF value in bilateral precuneus, right cuneus, right angular gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus after electroacupuncture (AlphaSim corrected p < .01). Correlation analysis revealed that the change (postoperative day 7 to postoperative day 3) of ALFF in bilateral precuneus were negatively correlated with the change of NRS scores (r = −0.706; p = .002; 95% CI = −0.890 to −0.323) in EA group.
Conclusions
The functional activities of related brain regions decreased in patients with acute pain after TKA. The enhancement of the functional activity of precuneus may be the neurobiological mechanism of electroacupuncture in treating pain following TKA.
Characteristics of flow and heat transfer of kerosene impingement jets were studied numerically. The coupled effect of heat transfer of fluid and structure was investigated. Numerical simulation of ...fluid flow shows that compared to convective heat transfer of kerosene flow in cooling channels, impingement jet cooling significantly enhances heat transfer ability. At the same time, the pressure loss is below one atmospheric pressure. Both stress and strain of high temperature nickle-based alloy structure were analyzed with typical thermal loading and impingement cooling effect. The numerical results show that temperature distribution in the hot surface of the solid structure is relatively uniform and far below the maximum allowable temperature of the alloy material. The strength analysis shows that both stress and strain of the solid structure meet the material requirements.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, variants in these loci explain only a small proportion of familial ...aggregation, and there are likely additional variants that are associated with CRC susceptibility. Genome-wide studies of gene-environment interactions may identify variants that are not detected in GWAS of marginal gene effects. To study this, we conducted a genome-wide analysis for interaction between genetic variants and alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking using data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry (CCFR) and the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO). Interactions were tested using logistic regression. We identified interaction between CRC risk and alcohol consumption and variants in the 9q22.32/HIATL1 (Pinteraction = 1.76×10-8; permuted p-value 3.51x10-8) region. Compared to non-/occasional drinking light to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer among individuals with rs9409565 CT genotype (OR, 0.82 95% CI, 0.74-0.91; P = 2.1×10-4) and TT genotypes (OR,0.62 95% CI, 0.51-0.75; P = 1.3×10-6) but not associated among those with the CC genotype (p = 0.059). No genome-wide statistically significant interactions were observed for smoking. If replicated our suggestive finding of a genome-wide significant interaction between genetic variants and alcohol consumption might contribute to understanding colorectal cancer etiology and identifying subpopulations with differential susceptibility to the effect of alcohol on CRC risk.
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