Configural analysis of the drinking man: fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analyses

The study here presents multiple configurations (i.e., causal recipes) of antecedents associating with heavy drinking using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Using national survey data (United States), intermediate solutions of fsQCA analyses yield high consistency and modest coverage in identifying heavy-drinking groups.     

Retention of the posterior cruciate ligament versus the posterior stabilized design in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

Background  

Prosthetic design for the use in primary total knee arthroplasty has evolved into designs that preserve the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and those in which the ligament is routinely sacrificed (posterior stabilized). In patients with a functional PCL the decision which design is chosen depends largely on the favour and training of the surgeon.     

Turning back the clock: adopting a healthy lifestyle in middle age

Purpose

To determine the frequency of adopting a healthy lifestyle (5 or more fruits and vegetables daily, regular exercise, BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m², no current smoking) in a middle-aged cohort, and determine the subsequent rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality among those who adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study in a diverse sample of adults age 45-64 in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities survey. Outcomes are all-cause mortality and fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular disease.

Results

Of 15,708 participants, 1344 (8.5%) had 4 healthy lifestyle habits at the first visit, and 970 (8.4%) of the remainder had newly adopted a healthy lifestyle 6 years later. Men, African Americans, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, or a history of hypertension or diabetes were less likely to newly adopt a healthy lifestyle (all P <.05). During the following 4 years, total mortality and cardiovascular disease events were lower for new adopters (2.5% vs 4.2%, χ²P <.01, and 11.7% vs 16.5%, χ²P <.01 respectively) compared to individuals who did not adopt a healthy lifestyle. After adjustment, new adopters had lower all-cause mortality (OR 0.60, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.39-0.92) and fewer cardiovascular disease events (OR 0.65, 95% CI, 0.39-0.92) in the next 4 years.

Conclusions

People who newly adopt a healthy lifestyle in middle-age experience a prompt benefit of lower rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Strategies to encourage adopting healthy lifestyles should be implemented, especially among people with hypertension, diabetes, or low socioeconomic status.     

Body composition, nitrogen metabolism, and energy utilization with feeding of mildly restricted (4.2 MJ/d) and severely restricted (2.1 MJ/d) isonitrogenous diets.

To determine the effects on weight loss of feeding isonitrogenous diets in mildly restricted (4.2 MJ/d) and severely restricted (2.1 MJ/d) amounts, we measured body composition, weight loss-energy deficit ratio, and nitrogen metabolism in 14 obese women housed in a metabolic ward consuming hypoenergetic diets for 21 d. Subjects consumed either a 4.2-MJ/d diet (50 g protein, 175 g carbohydrate) or a 2.1-MJ/d diet (50 g protein, 75 g carbohydrate). Body composition and leucine oxidation and turnover were determined before and after weight loss. Energy deficit was calculated from resting metabolic rates. Subjects fed the 2.1-MJ/d diet showed a greater weight loss (6.1 +/- 0.5 vs 4.5 +/- 0.5 kg; mean +/- SE, P less than 0.05) and fat loss (3.9 +/- 0.3 vs 3.0 +/- 0.3 kg, P less than 0.05). Weight loss-energy deficit ratio was the same with both diets. Nitrogen balance and leucine oxidation and turnover were similar in both groups. We conclude that with feeding of isonitrogenous hypoenergetic diets, severe restriction of energy content (2.1 MJ/d, 75 g carbohydrate) will enhance weight and fat loss without increasing nitrogen loss compared with mild restriction of energy (4.2 MJ/d).     

苯甲酰胺类抗精神病药物的研究：6β－羟基，乙酰氧基和苯甲酰氧基－3α及β－托品烷衍生物的合成

合成了１５个３α和β－取代苯申酰氨基－６β－羟基，乙酰氧基和苯甲酰氧基－托品烷类化合物。其中化合物５ｄ，１２ｃ和１２ｄ对Ｄ－１和Ｄ－２受体都有一定的亲和作用。     

Invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites: evidence for receptor heterogeneity and two receptors

Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites with different capabilities of invading sialic acid-deficient erythrocytes were identified. Thai-2 parasites cultured in Tn erythrocytes invaded neuraminidase-treated and Tn erythrocytes twice as efficiently as Thai-2 parasites cultured in normal erythrocytes and seven to ten times more efficiently than a cloned line of Camp parasites cultured in normal erythrocytes. All three parasite lines required sialic acid for optimal invasion, but Thai-2 parasites cultured in Tn erythrocytes invaded neuraminidase- treated erythrocytes with 45% efficiency whereas Camp parasites invaded neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes with less than 10% efficiency. P falciparum malaria parasites probably possess two receptors: one that binds to a sialic acid-dependent ligand and another that binds to a sialic acid-independent ligand. Parasites may differ in the quantity or affinity of their receptors for the sialic acid-independent ligand.