Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 343 in total

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  1. Huang HC, Cheng HM, Chia YC, Li Y, Van Minh H, Siddique S, et al.
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2022 Sep;24(9):1187-1193.
    PMID: 36196464 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14554
    Recent trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of percutaneous renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) for blood pressure (BP)-lowering in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Nevertheless, major challenges exist, such as the wide variation of BP-lowering responses following RDN (from strong response to no response) and lack of feasible and reproducible peri-procedural predictors for patient response. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated different patterns of BP responses following renal nerve stimulation (RNS), possibly related to varied regional proportions of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve tissues along the renal arteries. Animal studies of RNS have shown that rapid electrical stimulation of the renal arteries caused renal artery vasoconstriction and increased norepinephrine secretion with a concomitant increase in BP, and the responses were attenuated after RDN. Moreover, selective RDN at sites with strong RNS-induced BP increases led to a more efficient BP-lowering effect. In human, when RNS was performed before and after RDN, blunted changes in RNS-induced BP responses were noted after RDN. The systolic BP response induced by RNS before RDN and blunted systolic BP response to RNS after RDN, at the site with maximal RNS-induced systolic BP response before RDN, both correlated with the 24-h ambulatory BP reductions 3-12 months following RDN. In summary, RNS-induced BP changes, before and after RDN, could be used to assess the immediate effect of RDN and predict BP reductions months following RDN. More comprehensive, large-scale and long term trials are needed to verify these findings.
  2. Li X, Che CC, Li Y, Wang L, Chong MC
    BMC Nurs, 2023 Sep 12;22(1):312.
    PMID: 37700282 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01473-9
    BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that second-victim experiences could increase risks of the compassion fatigue while support from individuals and organisations is most often protection. However, the risk for poor compassion satisfaction and increased compassion fatigue in nurses aroused by adverse events remains an underestimated problem, meanwhile, litter known about the role of positive and negative coping styles among nurses suffering from adverse events. This study aims to investigate the effect of second-victim experiences on the professional quality of life among nurses and to determine the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between second-victim experiences and professional quality of life.

    METHODS: Multistage sampling was used to recruit registered nurses from Hunan province in China. Registered nurses who identified themselves as experiencing adverse events from nine tertiary hospitals were included in this study. Participants were recruited to complete a survey on the second victim experience and support tool, the simplified coping style questionnaire, and the professional quality of life scale. The stress coping theory was used to develop the framework in this study. The structural equation modelling approach was used for conducting the mediating effects analysis via IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 and Mplus 8.3.

    RESULTS: In total, 67% (n = 899) of nurses reported a second victim experience during their careers. In a bivariate analysis, both second-victims experiences and coping styles were significantly associated with their professional quality of life. The results showed that the effects of second victim experiences on their professional quality of life were fully mediated by coping styles. A total of 10 significantly indirect pathways were estimated, ranging from -0.243 to 0.173.

    CONCLUSIONS: Second-victim experiences are common among nurses in this study. Since the mediating effects of coping styles were clarified in this study, it is imperative to promote the perception of negative coping styles and encourage nurses to adopt more positive coping styles with adequate support systems.

  3. Younas M, Zou H, Laraib T, Abbas W, Akhtar MW, Aslam MN, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(8):e0256450.
    PMID: 34432836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256450
    Food production and waste recycling are the two major issues faced globally with rapidly increasing population. Recycling organic wastes to crop amendments could be a possible solution to these issues. Earthworms transfer organic waste to compost, which is used to grow crops and increase crop productivity. This study assessed the impact of vermicompost produced from the residues of six desert plant species, i.e., (Ziziphus mauritiana, Aerva javanica, Calligonum comosum, Sacchrum benghalens, Calligonum polygonoides and Prosopis cineraria) combined with farmyard manure (5 t ha-1) on growth, yield and photosynthetic activity of maize crop. Earthworm species Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826) was used to prepare vermicomposting of all tested plant species. The desert species were collected from natural habitats, chopped, dried, mixed with FYM and then earthworms were released to prepare the vermicompost. The earthworms were excluded twenty days after release and resultant was considered as compost and used in the experiment. Results revealed that application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest plant height (75.33 cm), stem diameter (22.66 mm), cob length (17.66 cm), number of grains/cob (374.67), 1000-grain weight (260.41 g) and grains yield (3.20 t/ha). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost resulted in the highest uptake of macronutrients, i.e., N (91.01%), P (22.07%), K (80.41%), micronutrients, i.e., Fe (19.07 ppm), Zn (40.05 ppm), and phenolic contents (150). Application of P. cineraria vermicompost also resulted in the highest quantum photosynthetic yield (0.42 mole C/mole of photon), chlorophyll florescence (355.18 moles of photon m-2s-1) and electron transport rate (310.18 micro mole m-2s-1). It is concluded that vermicomposting has the potential to improve growth and yield of maize crop. Particularly, application of vermicompost obtained from P. cineraria can be used to improve the growth and yield of maize crop. Nonetheless, field trials are necessary for a wide scale recommendation.
  4. Wu X, Zhang W, Li Y, Zheng L, Liu J, Jiang Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0295118.
    PMID: 38166098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295118
    BACKGROUND: As an important factor affecting personal health, anxiety has always been valued by people. Prior research has consistently shown that personality traits is associated with anxiety level,but little is known about the inner mechanism of this relationship. To fill the gap, the present research aims to explore the chain mediating role of general self-efficacy and academic burnout in the relationship between big five personality and anxiety.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from September to November 2022. Self-reported questionnaires including the Big Five Personality Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, College Student's academic burnout Scale, Generalized Anxiety Scale and demographic characteristics were distributed to 2505 college students in a university in Hebei Province, of which 2,471 were valid. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS26.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro.

    RESULTS: Results showed four of the big five personality characters (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness) were negatively correlated with anxiety. Neuroticism was positively correlated with anxiety. Moreover, general self-efficacy was found to be negatively correlated with academic burnout and anxiety; academic burnout was positively correlated with anxiety. Finally, general self-efficacy and academic burnout mediated the relationship between personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness) and anxiety.

    CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness) could influence anxiety through the chain mediating effects of general self-efficacy and academic burnout. Interventions focusing on anxiety reduction may be successful in increasing general self-efficacy and decreasing students' academic burnout.

  5. Li Y, Babazono A, Jamal A, Liu N, Fujita T, Zhao R, et al.
    Soc Sci Med, 2022 Dec;314:115468.
    PMID: 36327638 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115468
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence has increased globally with considerable morbidity and economic burden at both individual and national levels. Japan is the first and only country that has introduced a nationwide lifestyle guidance intervention program to manage and control MetS. We conducted a quasi-experiment approach-regression discontinuity design-to evaluate the impact of this intervention on health outcomes at the population level. We retrospectively collected data of adults aged ≥35 years who participated in health checkups in 2015. Age in 2015 was used as the assignment variable, and an age of 40 years old was the threshold because those with MetS aged ≥40 were required to receive lifestyle guidance intervention. Among 26,772 MetS adults, those who received the intervention had significant reductions in obesity measurements (bodyweight, waist circumference, and body mass index [BMI]) after 1 year of this intervention. Blood pressure was also significantly reduced in men after 1 year of undertaking the intervention. The results were similar when including demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral covariates and using alternative functional forms to estimate the impact, or when bandwidths around intervention thresholds were changed. Our results showed that lifestyle guidance intervention for MetS has an important impact on weight loss and blood pressure reduction at the population level. This intervention could address the high burden of obesity and cardiovascular diseases in Japan and other countries with an unmet need for MetS prevention and management.
  6. Younas M, Zou H, Laraib T, Rajpoot NA, Khan NA, Zaidi AA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(9):e0256449.
    PMID: 34529693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256449
    Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) is an important constraint in successful production of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in many countries, including Pakistan. The MYMV spreads by insect vector whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius). The use of resistant cultivars is the most effective management tactics for MYMV. Twenty mungbean varieties/lines were screened against insect vector of MYMV under field condition in the current study. Resistance levels for varieties/lines were assessed through visual scoring of typical disease symptoms. Furthermore, the impacts of two insecticides 'Imidacloprid' and 'Thiamethoxam' and two plant extracts, i.e., neem (Azadirachta indica), and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) were tested on the suppression of whitefly. Field screening indicated that none of the tested varieties/lines proved immune/highly resistant, while significant variations were recorded among varieties/lines for resistance level. All varieties/lines were systemically infected with MYMV. The varieties 'AARI-2006' and 'Mung-14043' were considered as resistant to MYMV based on visual symptoms and the lowest vector population. These varieties were followed by 'NM-2006' and 'NL-31', which proved as moderately resistant to MYMV. All remaining varieties/lines were grouped as moderately to highly susceptible to MYMV based on visual symptoms' scoring. These results revealed that existing mungbean germplasm do not possess high resistance level MYMV. However, the lines showing higher resistance in the current study must be exploited in breeding programs for the development of resistant mungbean varieties/lines against MYMV. Imidacloprid proved as the most effective insecticide at all concentrations to manage whitefly population. Therefore, use of the varieties with higher resistance level and spraying Imidacloprid could lower the incidence of MYMV.
  7. Ali S, Li Y, Haq IU, Abbas W, Shabbir MZ, Khan MM, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260470.
    PMID: 34852006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260470
    Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) is a destructive pest of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) crop in Pakistan. Although insecticides are the primary management strategy used to control H. armigera, most of them are not effective due to considerable toxic residual effects on the fruits. Nonetheless, H. armigera is rapidly evolving resistance against the available pesticides for its management. This situation calls upon the need of alternative management options against the pest. Different plant extracts have been suggested as a viable, environment-friendly option for plant protection with minimal side effects. Furthermore, the plant extracts could also manage the insect species evolving resistance against pesticides. This study evaluated the efficacy of different plant extracts (i.e., Neem seed, turmeric, garlic and marsh pepper) against H. armigera. Furthermore, the impact of the plant extracts on growth and yield of tomato crop was also tested under field conditions. The results revealed that all plant extracts resulted in higher mortality of H. armigera compared to control. Similarly, the highest plant height was observed for the plants treated with the plant extracts compared to untreated plants. Moreover, the highest tomato yield was observed in plants treated with plant extracts, especially with neem seed (21.013 kg/plot) followed by pepper extract (19.25 kg/plot), and garlic extract 18.4 kg/plot) compared to the untreated plants (8.9 kg/plot). It is concluded that plant extracts can be used as eco-friendly approaches for improving tomato yield and resistance management of H. armigera.
  8. Zhong H, Wu M, Sonne C, Lam SS, Kwong RWM, Jiang Y, et al.
    Eco Environ Health, 2023 Sep;2(3):142-151.
    PMID: 38074987 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.07.004
    Increasing studies of plastisphere have raised public concern about microplastics (MPs) as vectors for pathogens, especially in aquatic environments. However, the extent to which pathogens affect human health through MPs remains unclear, as controversies persist regarding the distinct pathogen colonization on MPs as well as the transmission routes and infection probability of MP-associated pathogens from water to humans. In this review, we critically discuss whether and how pathogens approach humans via MPs, shedding light on the potential health risks involved. Drawing on cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, we show that some MPs may facilitate the growth and long-range transmission of specific pathogens in aquatic environments, ultimately increasing the risk of infection in humans. We identify MP- and pathogen-rich settings, such as wastewater treatment plants, aquaculture farms, and swimming pools, as possible sites for human exposure to MP-associated pathogens. This review emphasizes the need for further research and targeted interventions to better understand and mitigate the potential health risks associated with MP-mediated pathogen transmission.
  9. Li YQ, Ghafari M, Holbrook AJ, Boonen I, Amor N, Catalano S, et al.
    bioRxiv, 2023 Jun 30.
    PMID: 37425679 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.30.547218
    In the search for natural reservoirs of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a broad diversity of non-human viruses within the Hepacivirus genus has been uncovered. However, the evolutionary dynamics that shaped the diversity and timescale of hepaciviruses evolution remain elusive. To gain further insights into the origins and evolution of this genus, we screened a large dataset of wild mammal samples (n = 1,672) from Africa and Asia, and generated 34 full-length hepacivirus genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of these data together with publicly available genomes emphasizes the importance of rodents as hepacivirus hosts and we identify 13 rodent species and 3 rodent genera (in Cricetidae and Muridae families) as novel hosts of hepaciviruses. Through co-phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that hepacivirus diversity has been affected by cross-species transmission events against the backdrop of detectable signal of virus-host co-divergence in the deep evolutionary history. Using a Bayesian phylogenetic multidimensional scaling approach, we explore the extent to which host relatedness and geographic distances have structured present-day hepacivirus diversity. Our results provide evidence for a substantial structuring of mammalian hepacivirus diversity by host as well as geography, with a somewhat more irregular diffusion process in geographic space. Finally, using a mechanistic model that accounts for substitution saturation, we provide the first formal estimates of the timescale of hepacivirus evolution and estimate the origin of the genus to be about 22 million years ago. Our results offer a comprehensive overview of the micro- and macroevolutionary processes that have shaped hepacivirus diversity and enhance our understanding of the long-term evolution of the Hepacivirus genus.
  10. Li Y, Ouyang Y, Wu H, Wang P, Huang Y, Li X, et al.
    Eur J Med Chem, 2022 Jan 15;228:113979.
    PMID: 34802838 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113979
    The shortage of new antibiotics makes infections caused by gram-negative (G-) bacteria a significant clinical problem. The key enzymes involved in folate biosynthesis represent important targets for drug discovery, and new antifolates with novel mechanisms are urgently needed. By targeting to dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a series of 1,3-diamino-7H-pyrrol[3,2-f]quinazoline (PQZ) compounds were designed, and exhibited potent antibacterial activities in vitro, especially against multi-drug resistant G- strains. Multiple experiments indicated that PQZ compounds contain a different molecular mechanism against the typical DHFR inhibitor, trimethoprim (TMP), and the thymidylate synthase (TS) was identified as another potential but a relatively weak target. A significant synergism between the representative compound, OYYF-175, and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) was observed with a strong cumulative and significantly bactericidal effect at extremely low concentrations (2 μg/mL for SMZ and 0.03 pg/mL for OYYF-175), which could be resulted from the simultaneous inhibition of dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), DHFR and TS. PQZ compounds exhibited therapeutic effects in a mouse model of intraperitoneal infections caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). The co-crystal structure of OYYF-175-DHFR was solved and the detailed interactions were provided. The inhibitors reported represent innovative chemical structures with novel molecular mechanism of action, which will benefit the generation of new, efficacious bactericidal compounds.
  11. Dong L, Zhang Y, Li Y, Liu Y, Chen Q, Liu L, et al.
    Food Funct, 2023 Nov 13;14(22):10221-10231.
    PMID: 37916290 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo02474a
    Heat sterilization of dairy products can promote the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), protein oxidation products (POPs) and α-dicarbonyl compounds, which have a significant influence on health due to the close association of these products with diabetes complications. In this study, eight oat phenolic acids were first analyzed for their inhibitory effect against AGEs formation. Due to their strong inhibitory effects and structural differences, caffeic acid (CA) and gallic acid (GA) were further selected to assess their anti-glycosylation mechanisms using spectroscopy, chromatography and molecular docking. CA/GA reduced the production of total AGEs and POPs in various bovine milk simulation models and protected whey proteins from structural modifications, oxidation, and cross-linking. Comparative analyses showed a structure-effect relationship between CA/GA and AGEs inhibition. Oat phenolic acids against AGEs and POPs might be related to the unique bonding of key amino acid residues in whey proteins, the inhibitory role of early fructosamine and the trapping of reactive α-dicarbonyl groups to form adducts. In conclusion, oat phenolic acids might present a promising dietary strategy to alleviate AGEs production and glycation of proteins in dairy products upon storage.
  12. Li Y, Vogel C, Kalinichenko LS, Hübner H, Weikert D, Schaefer N, et al.
    Addict Biol, 2023 Aug;28(8):e13305.
    PMID: 37500485 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13305
    Alcohol consumption is a widespread behaviour that may eventually result in the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol, however, is rarely consumed in pure form but in fruit- or corn-derived preparations, like beer. These preparations add other compounds to the consumption, which may critically modify alcohol intake and AUD risk. We investigated the effects of hordenine, a barley-derived beer compound on alcohol use-related behaviours. We found that the dopamine D2 receptor agonist hordenine (50 mg/kg) limited ongoing alcohol consumption and prophylactically diminished relapse drinking after withdrawal in mice. Although not having reinforcing effects on its own, hordenine blocked the establishment of alcohol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP). However, it independently enhanced alcohol CPP retrieval. Hordenine had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on locomotor activity. Chronic hordenine exposure enhanced monoamine tissue levels in many brain regions. Further characterization revealed monoaminergic binding sites of hordenine and found a strong binding on the serotonin and dopamine transporters, and dopamine D3 , and adrenergic α1A and α2A receptor activation but no effects on GABAA receptor or glycinergic signalling. These findings suggest that natural ingredients of beer, like hordenine, may work as an inhibitory and use-regulating factor by their modulation of monoaminergic signalling in the brain.
  13. Song Y, Bai W, Wang M, Liu X, Zhang L, Yu W, et al.
    J Affect Disord, 2019 12 01;259:195-200.
    PMID: 31446380 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.08.042
    BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major global mental health problem among college students. The aim of the current study was to explore the association between the psychological strains of the strain theory of suicide and suicidal behaviors among college students.

    METHODS: Participants comprised 1912 college students (16-28 years old, 47.2% female) from three universities in Jilin Province, China, who completed the self-report assessments of psychological strains (40 items Psychological Strains Scale) and suicidal behaviors (Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised). The demographic characteristics included four variables: health status, psychological status, academic status and economic status.

    RESULTS: Approximately 15.0% (286/1912) of participants were classified as having suicide risk, based on the cut-off scores of the SBQ-R. The prevalence of suicidal behaviors among males and females was 11.9% (120/1009) and 18.4% (166/903), respectively. Value strain (OR = 1.075, 95%CI: 1.057-1.094), aspiration strain (OR = 1.082, 95%CI: 1.064-1.101), deprivation strain (OR = 1.073, 95%CI: 1.052-1.093), and coping strain (OR = 1.095, 95%CI: 1.075-1.116) were risk factors for suicidality in college students. Coping strain (OR = 1.050, 95%CI: 1.023-1.077) was still positively associated with suicide risk in multivariate logistic regression. Logistic regression analysis indicated that coping strain had the highest correlation with suicidal behaviors.

    LIMITATIONS: The directionality of the relationships cannot be deduced because this study is cross-sectional.

    CONCLUSION: This study confirms a strong association between psychological strains and suicidal behaviors in college students. Some measures can be taken to reduce psychological strains to mitigate suicide risk among college students. More studies investigating coping strain among college students are warranted.

  14. Chiang C, Li Y, Ng SK
    Front Immunol, 2020;11:625504.
    PMID: 33613567 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.625504
    Both DNA and RNA can maintain left-handed double helical Z-conformation under physiological condition, but only when stabilized by Z-DNA binding domain (ZDBD). After initial discovery in RNA editing enzyme ADAR1, ZDBD has also been described in pathogen-sensing proteins ZBP1 and PKZ in host, as well as virulence proteins E3L and ORF112 in viruses. The host-virus antagonism immediately highlights the importance of ZDBD in antiviral innate immunity. Furthermore, Z-RNA binding has been shown to be responsible for the localization of these ZDBD-containing proteins to cytoplasmic stress granules that play central role in coordinating cellular response to stresses. This review sought to consolidate current understanding of Z-RNA sensing in innate immunity and implore possible roles of Z-RNA binding within cytoplasmic stress granules.
  15. Yamao R, Babazono A, Liu N, Li Y, Ishihara R, Yoshida S, et al.
    Popul Health Manag, 2024 Feb;27(1):60-69.
    PMID: 37910804 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2023.0192
    This study aimed at examining the effect of continued use of home health care resources on end-of-life care at home in older patients with cancer. This retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical and long-term care claims data of 6435 older patients with cancer who died between April 2016 and March 2019 in Fukuoka Prefecture. The main explanatory variables were enhanced home care support clinics and hospitals (HCSCs), enhanced HCSCs with beds, conventional HCSCs, other HCSCs, and home visit nursing care. The covariates were sex, age, required level of care, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. A logistic regression model was used. The results of the multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that the following were significantly associated with end-of-life care at home: use of enhanced HCSCs with beds (odds ratio, OR: 8.66; 95% confidence interval, CI: [4.31-17.40]), conventional HCSCs (OR: 5.78; 95% CI: [1.86-17.94]), enhanced HCSCs (OR: 4.44; 95% CI: [1.47-13.42]), home-visit nursing care (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: [1.42-2.44]), and a severe need for care (OR: 3.89; 95% CI: [2.92-5.18]). The results suggest that the continued use of home health care resources in older patients with cancer who require out-of-hospital care may lead to increased end-of-life care at home. Particularly, use of enhanced HCSCs with beds is most strongly associated with end-of-life care at home.
  16. Kario K, Wang JG, Chia YC, Wang TD, Li Y, Siddique S, et al.
    J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich), 2022 Sep;24(9):1112-1120.
    PMID: 36196465 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14555
    Morning hypertension is an important clinical target in the management of hypertension for perfect 24-h blood pressure (BP) control. Morning hypertension is generally categorized into two types: "morning surge" type and "sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension" type. The "morning surge" type is characterized by an exaggerated morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), and the "sustained nocturnal and morning hypertension" type with continuous hypertension from nighttime to morning (non-dipper/riser type). They can be detected by home and ambulatory blood pressure measurements (HBPM and ABPM). These two forms of morning hypertension both increase the risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases, but may occur via different pathogenic mechanisms and are associated with different conditions. Morning hypertension should be treated to achieve a morning BP level of 
  17. Shin J, Wang JG, Chia YC, Kario K, Chen CH, Cheng HM, et al.
    PMID: 37878534 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14729
    For adopting recently introduced hypertension phenotypes categorized using office and out of office blood pressure (BP) for the diagnosis of hypertension and antihypertension drug therapy, it is mandatory to define the corresponding out of office BP with the specific target BP recommended by the major guidelines. Such conditions include white-coat hypertension (WCH), masked hypertension (MH), white-coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH), and masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH). Here, the authors review the relevant literature and discuss the related issue to facilitate the use of corresponding BPs for proper diagnosis of WCH, MH, WUCH, and MUCH in the setting of standard target BP as well as intensive target BP. The methodology of deriving the corresponding BP has evolved from statistical methods such as standard deviation, percentile value, and regression to an outcome-based approach using pooled international cohort study data and comparative analysis in randomized clinical trials for target BPs such as the SPRINT and STEP studies. Corresponding BPs to 140/90 and 130/80 mm Hg in office BP is important for safe and strict achievement of intensive BP targets. The corresponding home, daytime, and 24-h BPs to 130/80 mm Hg in office BP are 130/80, 130/80, and 125/75 mm Hg, respectively. However, researchers have found some discrepancies among the home corresponding BPs. As tentative criterion for de-escalation of antihypertensive therapy as shown in European guidelines was 120 mm Hg in office BP, corresponding home, daytime, and 24-h systolic BPs to 120 mm Hg in office systolic BP are 120, 120, and 115 mm Hg, respectively.
  18. Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, Fitzmaurice C, Dicker D, Pain A, Hamavid H, Moradi-Lakeh M, et al.
    JAMA Oncol, 2015 Jul;1(4):505-27.
    PMID: 26181261 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.0735
    IMPORTANCE: Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Current estimates of cancer burden in individual countries and regions are necessary to inform local cancer control strategies.

    OBJECTIVE: To estimate mortality, incidence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 28 cancers in 188 countries by sex from 1990 to 2013.

    EVIDENCE REVIEW: The general methodology of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2013 study was used. Cancer registries were the source for cancer incidence data as well as mortality incidence (MI) ratios. Sources for cause of death data include vital registration system data, verbal autopsy studies, and other sources. The MI ratios were used to transform incidence data to mortality estimates and cause of death estimates to incidence estimates. Cancer prevalence was estimated using MI ratios as surrogates for survival data; YLDs were calculated by multiplying prevalence estimates with disability weights, which were derived from population-based surveys; YLLs were computed by multiplying the number of estimated cancer deaths at each age with a reference life expectancy; and DALYs were calculated as the sum of YLDs and YLLs.

    FINDINGS: In 2013 there were 14.9 million incident cancer cases, 8.2 million deaths, and 196.3 million DALYs. Prostate cancer was the leading cause for cancer incidence (1.4 million) for men and breast cancer for women (1.8 million). Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer was the leading cause for cancer death in men and women, with 1.6 million deaths. For men, TBL cancer was the leading cause of DALYs (24.9 million). For women, breast cancer was the leading cause of DALYs (13.1 million). Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100 000 and age-standardized death rates (ASDRs) per 100 000 for both sexes in 2013 were higher in developing vs developed countries for stomach cancer (ASIR, 17 vs 14; ASDR, 15 vs 11), liver cancer (ASIR, 15 vs 7; ASDR, 16 vs 7), esophageal cancer (ASIR, 9 vs 4; ASDR, 9 vs 4), cervical cancer (ASIR, 8 vs 5; ASDR, 4 vs 2), lip and oral cavity cancer (ASIR, 7 vs 6; ASDR, 2 vs 2), and nasopharyngeal cancer (ASIR, 1.5 vs 0.4; ASDR, 1.2 vs 0.3). Between 1990 and 2013, ASIRs for all cancers combined (except nonmelanoma skin cancer and Kaposi sarcoma) increased by more than 10% in 113 countries and decreased by more than 10% in 12 of 188 countries.

    CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cancer poses a major threat to public health worldwide, and incidence rates have increased in most countries since 1990. The trend is a particular threat to developing nations with health systems that are ill-equipped to deal with complex and expensive cancer treatments. The annual update on the Global Burden of Cancer will provide all stakeholders with timely estimates to guide policy efforts in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and palliation.

  19. Sartelli M, Labricciosa FM, Barbadoro P, Pagani L, Ansaloni L, Brink AJ, et al.
    World J Emerg Surg, 2017;12:34.
    PMID: 28775763 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0145-2
    BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASPs) have been promoted to optimize antimicrobial usage and patient outcomes, and to reduce the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. However, the best strategies for an ASP are not definitively established and are likely to vary based on local culture, policy, and routine clinical practice, and probably limited resources in middle-income countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate structures and resources of antimicrobial stewardship teams (ASTs) in surgical departments from different regions of the world.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in 2016 on 173 physicians who participated in the AGORA (Antimicrobials: A Global Alliance for Optimizing their Rational Use in Intra-Abdominal Infections) project and on 658 international experts in the fields of ASPs, infection control, and infections in surgery.

    RESULTS: The response rate was 19.4%. One hundred fifty-six (98.7%) participants stated their hospital had a multidisciplinary AST. The median number of physicians working inside the team was five [interquartile range 4-6]. An infectious disease specialist, a microbiologist and an infection control specialist were, respectively, present in 80.1, 76.3, and 67.9% of the ASTs. A surgeon was a component in 59.0% of cases and was significantly more likely to be present in university hospitals (89.5%, p 

  20. Pastorello G, Trotta C, Canfora E, Chu H, Christianson D, Cheah YW, et al.
    Sci Data, 2020 07 09;7(1):225.
    PMID: 32647314 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-020-0534-3
    The FLUXNET2015 dataset provides ecosystem-scale data on CO2, water, and energy exchange between the biosphere and the atmosphere, and other meteorological and biological measurements, from 212 sites around the globe (over 1500 site-years, up to and including year 2014). These sites, independently managed and operated, voluntarily contributed their data to create global datasets. Data were quality controlled and processed using uniform methods, to improve consistency and intercomparability across sites. The dataset is already being used in a number of applications, including ecophysiology studies, remote sensing studies, and development of ecosystem and Earth system models. FLUXNET2015 includes derived-data products, such as gap-filled time series, ecosystem respiration and photosynthetic uptake estimates, estimation of uncertainties, and metadata about the measurements, presented for the first time in this paper. In addition, 206 of these sites are for the first time distributed under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 4.0) license. This paper details this enhanced dataset and the processing methods, now made available as open-source codes, making the dataset more accessible, transparent, and reproducible.
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