A Comparison of Bone Mineral Density and Its Predictors in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Older Men

ObjectiveBone health in older individuals with HIV infection has not been well studied. This study aimed to compare bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score (TBS), and bone markers between HIV-infected men and age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched HIV-uninfected men aged ≥60 years. We investigated the associations of risk factors related to fracture with BMD, TBS, and bone markers in HIV-infected men.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 45 HIV-infected men receiving antiretroviral therapy and 42 HIV-uninfected men. Medical history, BMD and TBS measurements, and laboratory tests related to bone health were assessed in all the participants. HIV-related factors known to be associated with bone loss were assessed in the HIV-infected men.ResultsThe mean BMD, TBS, and osteopenia or osteoporosis prevalence were similar among the cases and controls. The HIV-infected men had significantly higher mean N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen levels. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that low BMI (lumbar spine, P = .015; femoral neck, P = .018; and total hip, P = .005), high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen concentration (total hip, P = .042; and TBS, P = .010), and low vitamin D supplementation (TBS, P = .035) were independently associated with low BMD and TBS.ConclusionIn older HIV-infected men with a low fracture risk, the mean BMD and TBS were similar to those of the age- and BMI-matched controls. The mean bone marker levels were higher in the HIV group. Traditional risk factors for fracture, including low BMI, high C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen level, and low vitamin D supplementation, were significant predictors of low BMD and TBS.     

Involvement of INF-γ functional single nucleotide polymorphism +874 T/A (rs2430561) in breast cancer risk

According Global Cancer Statistics 2020 GLOBOCAN estimates female breast cancer was found as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%), and the fourth leading cause (6.9%) of cancer death among women worldwide. Identification of new diagnostic marker sharply characterize the tumor feature is intensive need. The present work was performed to investigate the involvement of the INF-γ + 874 T/A gene polymorphism in different breast cancer prognostic factors. Polymorphism detection analysis was performed on 163 subjects from breast cancer patients, 79 with inflamed cells of breast patients and 144 controls. The gene polymorphism was detected using the amplification refractory mutation system- polymerase chain reaction method (ARMS-PCR). The distribution of INF-γ T + 874A gene polymorphism shows strong significant association between INF-γ + 874 T/A genotypes TT in BC patients (ORTT: 6.41 [95% CI = 2.72–15.1] P < 0.0001) as well as strong significant association regarding T allele (ORT: 1.99 [95% CI = 1.43–2.76] P < 0.0001) when compared to the healthy control. In ICB group the strong association was noted with INF-γ + 874 T/A genotypes AT genotype (ORAT: 2.28 [95% CI = 1.22–4.29] P = 0.007). From the different histological BC hormonal markers the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) was showing significant association in INF-γ + 874 T/A genotypes TT (P = 0.03) and recessive model (TT versus AA + AT P = 0.03). Concerning different BC prognostic models, the poor prognostic one of luminal B, (ER^+ve PR^+ve Her2^+ve) show significant association in the host INF-γ + 874 T/A genotype (TT, P = 0.03) and recessive model (TT versus AA + AT P = 0.02) when compared to the good prognostic hormonal status luminal A model, (ER^+ve PR^+ve Her2-ve). It seems that this is the first study that interested in correlate the INF-γ + 874 T/A gene polymorphisms in Egyptian BC patients. T allele, TT genotype and recessive model of the INF-γ + 874 T/A gene variants were documented as risk factors for BC pathogenesis. It may be used as practical biomarker to guide the BC carcinogenesis and risk process.     

大型煤电基地开发生态累积效应及定量分析方法研究

大型煤电基地(CEBs)是我国煤基能源和材料集中开发区域和国家能源战略安全重要支撑，合理评价CEBs开发生态影响是CEBs可持续协调开发、科学管理中的难点问题。研究将CEBs开发视为系统工程，与自然生态系统(NES)相关联，深入研究大型煤电基地生态系统(CEBES)的驱动行为、内在结构及主要关系、生态影响途径、生态累积过程和生态累积效应及阈值分析方法。基于CEBs空间和功能定位提出CEBs的概念、内涵和特点，融合构建的CEBES涵盖到自然资源、能源开发行为(煤、电等)、其他人类活动(农、牧、城)和大气、水、土壤及生物域；研究表明CEBES的生态累积状态受三种行为驱动和影响(自然行为、能源开发行为和其他人类活动),通过融合、传导和辐射耦合作用，表现为生态要素损伤、系统结构变化和系统状态失衡三级状态，生态累积具有影响多态性、空间多尺度和过程渐变性特点；明确了生态累积过程、累积效应和阈值及其相互关系，引入反映生态影响累积程度的生态损伤系数，提出四类生态阈值(生态要素、内部结构、系统状态和行为调控);基于系统性和实用性筛选反映生态累积相对状态的60项指标，构建具有“三力”驱动、分区要素耦合和系...     

Climate change impacts on potential recruitment in an ecosystem engineer

Climate variability and the rapid warming of seas undoubtedly have huge ramifications for biological processes such as reproduction. As such, gametogenesis and spawning were investigated at two sites over 200 km apart on the south coast of Ireland in an ecosystem engineer, the common cockle, Cerastoderma edule. Both sites are classed as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), but are of different water quality. Cerastoderma edule plays a significant biological role by recycling nutrients and affecting sediment structure, with impacts upon assemblage biomass and functional diversity. It plays a key role in food webs, being a common foodstuff for a number of marine birds including the oystercatcher. Both before and during the study (early 2010–mid 2011), Ireland experienced its two coldest winters for 50 years. As the research demonstrated only slight variation in the spawning period between sites, despite site differences in water and environmental quality, temperature and variable climatic conditions were the dominant factor controlling gametogenesis. The most significant finding was that the spawning period in the cockle extended over a greater number of months compared with previous studies and that gametogenesis commenced over winter rather than in spring. Extremely cold winters may impact on the cockle by accelerating and extending the onset and development of gametogenesis. Whether this impact is positive or negative would depend on the associated events occurring on which the cockle depends, that is, presence of primary producers and spring blooms, which would facilitate conversion of this extended gametogenesis into successful recruitment.     

Human Health Risk Assessment of Soils Contaminated with Metal(loid)s by Using DGT Uptake: A Case Study of a Former Korean Metal Refinery Site

The human health risk of soils contaminated with As, Pb, Cu, and Zn was evaluated based on pseudo-total concentrations of metal(loid)s, the physiologically based extraction test (PBET), and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Non-carcinogenic (NCR) and carcinogenic (CR) risks exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria under both the residential and non-residential scenarios. Human bioavailable concentrations (PBET) were much lower than pseudo-total concentrations. The Hazardous Index of NCR (HI (NCR)) for the PBET in the studied soils was 67% and 94% less than that for pseudo-total concentration, respectively, under the non-residential and residential scenarios. Similarly, CR for the PBET was also 65% and 93% less for the two soils. The concentration of metal(loid)s accumulated in the DGT resin was highly correlated with the PBET-extractable concentration (R² > 0.649). Therefore, for both the CR and HI (NCR), the DGT-calculated risk was linearly related to the PBET-calculated risk for the studied soils under both scenarios. The results suggest that DGT uptake and PBET-extracted concentrations are good surrogates for risk estimation and that both J1 and J2 soils require remediation before their use for residential or non-residential purposes.     

Vegetation,land use and management of the inner-dune zone in the North-Holland Dune Reserve,The Netherlands

The inner-dune zone between the villages of Bakkum and Egmond in the North-Holland Dune Reserve is one of the few remaining examples of the semi-natural boundary between the dunes and the polders. For several centuries this area has been used for various purposes, in particular for grazing. Large-scale excavating, especially after about 1900, has encroached upon the dunes. Vegetation and land-use history were studied and a provisional scheme on the vegetation development is presented. Management policies discussed are non-intervention, mowing in order to start natural processes such as rabbit grazing, and the continuation of traditional livestock grazing. Proposals for external management policies were made in order to maintain or enhance the original transition zone, based on comprehensive physical-geographical studies of the whole inner-dune zone.