Fractal system — A time domain approach

A method to analyze the fractal system in the time domain is presented so that the dynamic behavior of the system can be studied. The fractal system is represented by a set of linear time-varying differential equations whose order depends on the order of the system under non-fractal condition. Four different types of fractal system are considered and their solutions in the time domain are presented. These analyses show that the fractal system is dynamically more stable with smooth changes of magnitude and less oscillatory than the non-fractal system. Examples of the physiological system of the conduction pathways in the heart and also the polarization phenomena of noble metal are presented to illustrate the phonomena.     

PRUFILE: a clinical and laboratory database for the genetics centre

The growing complexity and volume of workload in a Clinical Genetics Centre can rapidly swamp the available clerical facilities. The multiuser database described gives facilities not only for administrative control and documentation but also for the production of data for clinical and scientific analysis. The close link between clinical and laboratory databases gives great versatility and easy expansion as new tests and disciplines are applied to clinical genetic problems.     

14-3-3蛋白的研究进展

14-3-3是一个在真核生物中广泛表达的酸性蛋白家族，主要以同源/异源二聚体形式存在，通过磷酸化丝/苏氨酸作用与靶蛋白或靶蛋白的2个结构域结合。7种不同亚型的高度保守的14-3-3蛋白与人类细胞中多种不同的信号通路有密切的关系。14-3-3通过调节靶蛋白间的相互作用在信号转导途径中发挥调控作用。     

Biological balance of sodium and potassium

Summary The rhythm of renal sodium and potassium excretion was measured in 4-h-intervals in 12 subjects. Each person exhibited clear circadian variations of each variable with a maximum between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. In each subject and for both circadian rhythms the oscillation mean was correlated to the range of oscillation (amplitude).Increase in sodium or potassium excretion during 1 day resulted in an increase of oscillation range. The oscillation means of sodium and potassium periodicity did not correlate.The properties of biological control systems with oscillating correcting variables are comparable to those of technical control systems. The significance of circadian rhythm for the control of electrolyte balance is indicated.     

Assessing Diet Quality of Indigenous Food Systems in Three Geographically Distinct Solomon Islands Sites (Melanesia,Pacific Islands)

Indigenous Solomon Islanders, like many living in Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), are currently experiencing the global syndemic—the combined threat of obesity, undernutrition, and climate change. This mixed-method study aimed to assess nutrition transitions and diet quality by comparing three geographically unique rural and urban indigenous Solomon Islands populations. Participants in rural areas sourced more energy from wild and cultivated foods; consumed a wider diversity of foods; were more likely to meet WHO recommendations of >400 g of non-starchy fruits and vegetables daily; were more physically active; and had significantly lower body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) when compared to urban populations. Urban populations were found to have a reduced ability to self-cultivate agri-food products or collect wild foods, and therefore consumed more ultra-processed foods (classified as NOVA 4) and takeout foods, and overall had less diverse diets compared to rural populations. Clear opportunities to leverage traditional knowledge and improve the cultivation and consumption of underutilized species can assist in building more sustainable and resilient food systems while ensuring that indigenous knowledge and cultural preferences are respected.     

Effects of Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Tuberculosis Notifications,Malawi

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic might affect tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and patient care. We analyzed a citywide electronic TB register in Blantyre, Malawi and interviewed TB officers. Malawi did not have an official COVID-19 lockdown but closed schools and borders on March 23, 2020. In an interrupted time series analysis, we noted an immediate 35.9% reduction in TB notifications in April 2020; notifications recovered to near prepandemic numbers by December 2020. However, 333 fewer cumulative TB notifications were received than anticipated. Women and girls were affected more (30.7% fewer cases) than men and boys (20.9% fewer cases). Fear of COVID-19 infection, temporary facility closures, inadequate personal protective equipment, and COVID-19 stigma because of similar symptoms to TB were mentioned as reasons for fewer people being diagnosed with TB. Public health measures could benefit control of both TB and COVID-19, but only if TB diagnostic services remain accessible and are considered safe to attend.     

How can an agent-based model explore the impact of interventions on children's physical activity in an urban environment?

Insufficient physical activity (PA) among most children and adolescents is a global problem that is undermining the realisation of numerous developmental and health benefits. The aim of this study was to explore the potential impact of interventions on PA by using an agent-based model (ABM) simulating children's daily activities in an urban environment. Three domains for interventions were explored: outdoor play, school physical education and active travel. Simulated interventions increased children's average daily moderate-to-vigorous PA by 2–13 min and reduced the percentage of children not meeting PA guidelines, from 34% to 10%–29%, depending on the intervention. Promotion of active travel and outdoor play benefited more those in a higher socio-economic position. Agents' interactions suggested that: encouraging activity in diverse groups will reduce percentage of the least active in the population; and initiating outdoor events in neighbourhoods can generate an enhancing effect on children's engagement in PA. The ABM provided measurable outcomes for interventions that are difficult to estimate using reductionist methods. We suggest that ABMs should be used more commonly to explore the complexity of the social-environmental PA system.     

超声弹性成像联合BI-RADS分类在乳腺微小癌诊断中的临床价值

目的:探讨在乳腺微小癌诊断中联合应用超声弹性成像及数据系统(BI-RADS)分类的临床价值。方法:选择2018年3月~2019年3月本院接收的疑似乳腺微小癌的96例患者作为研究对象。均进行超声弹性成像检查、BI-RADS分类,以病理检查结果为诊断金标准,比较单项检查与联合检查的准确率、灵敏度、特异度。结果:数据显示,在96例疑似乳腺微小癌患者中,共80例患者经病理检查确诊为乳腺微小癌,同时乳腺钼靶联合超声检查的准确性、灵敏度均高于单项检测,数据之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。此外,单项与联合检测的特异度对比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:在乳腺微小癌诊断中联合应用超声弹性成像及BI-RADS分类检查,可有效提高诊断准确性及灵敏度,对早期疾病诊断、临床治疗具有重要意义。