Ambient ozone, and urban PM2.5 co-exposure, aggravate allergic asthma via transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-mediated neurogenic inflammation.

Allergic asthma is the most common pulmonary inflammatory disease, and epidemiological studies have revealed that PM2.5 or ambient ozone (O3) exposure contribute to the higher prevalence of allergic asthma. Current experimental evidence focus principally on the pathogenic effect of exposure to a single air pollutant, ignoring the possible synergistic effect of combined exposure to a mix of these pollutants, which is a more realistic scenario. In this study, allergic mice and a nociceptor antagonist were used to explore the mechanisms of co-exposure to these two important air pollutants. Compared with exposure to either PM2.5 or O3, combined exposure to both greatly aggravated allergic asthma in a dose dependent manner, including increased airway hyperresponsiveness, goblet cell metaplasia, more severe airway inflammation and higher oxidative stress levels. In addition, co-exposure in the allergic mice resulted in elevation of the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), and of the production of substance P (SP), which exacerbated lung inflammation by neurogenic inflammation. TRPV1 antagonist (capsazepine, CPZ) treatment for the co-exposed allergic mice, markedly attenuated TRPV1 expression and SP release, and reduced airway inflammation and oxidative damage, further alleviating airway hyperresponsiveness. We conclude that neuro-immune interactions might be involved in PM2.5 and O3 co-exposure aggravated allergic asthma.

Electrothermally tunable terahertz cross-shaped metamaterial for opto-logic operation characteristics.

We propose and demonstrate a metamaterial design by integrating a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) electrothermal actuator (ETA) platform and a cross-shaped metamaterial (CSM) to perform opto-logic function characteristics. Reconfigurable and stretchable mechanisms of CSM are achieved by driving different DC bias voltages on ETA to improve the limitations induced by the conventional use of the flexible substrate. The optical responses of CSM are tunable by the electrical signals inputs. By driving a DC bias voltage of 0.20 V, a tuning range of CSM is 0.54 THz is obtained and it and provides perfect zero-transmission characteristics. In addition, the "XNOR" logic gate function of CSM is realized at 1.20 THz, which plays a key role in the all opto-logic network communication system. The proposed MEMS-based CSM exhibits potential applications in logical operation, signal modulation, optical switching, THz imaging, and so on.

A voltage-controllable VO2 based metamaterial perfect absorber for CO2 gas sensing application.

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) based metamaterial perfect absorbers (MPAs) have high potential application values in sensing gas molecules. However, a tuning mechanism via temperature manipulation lacks the compatibility with electronic devices. In this study, a voltage-controllable device is proposed by integrating an MPA and micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based microheater for CO2 gas sensing application. The MPA is composed of a metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) structure and tailored to form an H-shaped metamaterial. The central bar of the H-shaped metamaterial is composed of a VO2 material, which exhibits perfect absorption in the CO2 gas absorption spectrum, i.e., at a wavelength of 2.70 µm. The intergated microheater is patterned by using fractal theory to provide high heating temperature and high uniformity of surface temperature. By precisely driving a DC bias voltage on the microheater, the MPA is heated and it can exhibit switchable optical properties with high efficiency. These results provide a strategy to open an avenue for sensors, absorbers, switches, and programmable devices in infrared wavelength range applications.

Menopausal Women's Health Care Method Based on Computer Nursing Diagnosis Intelligent System.

Taking into account the current feature extraction speed and recognition effect of intelligent diagnosis of menopausal women's health care behavior, this paper proposes to use a cross-layer convolutional neural network to extract behavior features autonomously and use support vector machine multiclass behavior classifier to classify behavior. Compared with the feature images extracted by traditional methods, the behavioral features extracted in this paper are related to the individual menopausal women and have better semantic information, and the feature description ability in the time domain and the space domain has been enhanced. Through Matlab software, using the database established in this paper to compare its feature extraction time, test classification time, and final recognition accuracy with ordinary convolutional neural networks, it is concluded that the cross-layer CNN-SVM model can ensure the speed of feature extraction. It proves that the method in this paper can be applied to the behavioral intelligent diagnosis system for intelligently nursing menopausal women and has good practical value. This paper designs a home care bed intelligent monitoring system, which can automatically detect the posture of the care bed, and not only can change the posture of the bed under the control of personnel, but also can automatically complete the posture conversion according to the setting. At the same time, the system has the function of monitoring the physical condition of the person being cared for and can detect the heart rate, blood oxygen, and other physiological indicators of the bedridden person. In addition, the system can also provide a remote diagnosis function, allowing nursing staff to remotely view the current state of the nursing bed and the physical condition of the person. After testing, the system works stably, improves the automation and safety of the nursing bed control, and enriches the functions of the nursing bed.

Flexible and Controllable Metadevice Using Self-Assembly MEMS Actuator.

In this work, an actively tunable optical metadevice is proposed to realize multifunctional application by integrating self-assembly electrothermal actuator (ETA) and magnetic metamaterial. The released frame of ETA can control the deformed height of the metamaterial plate and then provide high robustness. By driving the external electromagnetic field, the metamaterial plate is actuated and rotated by a magnetic force to manipulate the incident electromagnetic response. The transmission intensities of the metadevice can be gradually increased to characterize "on" and "off" states. Along with the inputs of light source and magnetic field, the transmission results of the metadevice could provide the output of time-difference optical signal and then carry with digital information in the further optical logic operation. Such an actuation method provides an ideal platform for actively tunable metamaterial with a large tilt angle and displacement. MEMS-based metamaterial is a strategy to open an avenue for optical communication, 3D imaging, and optical logic switching applications.

Tunable Infrared Metamaterial Emitter for Gas Sensing Application.

We present an on-chip tunable infrared (IR) metamaterial emitter for gas sensing applications. The proposed emitter exhibits high electrical-thermal-optical efficiency, which can be realized by the integration of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microheaters and IR metamaterials. According to the blackbody radiation law, high-efficiency IR radiation can be generated by driving a Direct Current (DC) bias voltage on a microheater. The MEMS microheater has a Peano-shaped microstructure, which exhibits great heating uniformity and high energy conversion efficiency. The implantation of a top metamaterial layer can narrow the bandwidth of the radiation spectrum from the microheater to perform wavelength-selective and narrow-band IR emission. A linear relationship between emission wavelengths and deformation ratios provides an effective approach to meet the requirement at different IR wavelengths by tailoring the suitable metamaterial pattern. The maximum radiated power of the proposed IR emitter is 85.0 µW. Furthermore, a tunable emission is achieved at a wavelength around 2.44 µm with a full-width at half-maximum of 0.38 µm, which is suitable for high-sensitivity gas sensing applications. This work provides a strategy for electro-thermal-optical devices to be used as sensors, emitters, and switches in the IR wavelength range.

Actively tunable terahertz chain-link metamaterial with bidirectional polarization-dependent characteristic.

A tunable terahertz (THz) chain-link metamaterial (CLM) is presented, which is composed of a tailored Au layer fabricated on Si substrate. CLM exhibits bidirectional polarization-dependent characteristic by applying a direct-current (dc) bias voltage on device. This CLM device can be heated up the surrounding temperature to tune the corresponding resonance. The tuning range is 0.027 THz from 0.318 THz to 0.291 THz on the bias of 0.60 V to 1.32 V. By reconfiguring the gap between CLM, there are single-resonance with red-shift at TE mode, and multi-resonance with blue-shift and red-shift at TM mode, respectively. These characterizations of CLM are polarization-dependence and bidirectional tunability. These results show the electromagnetic responses of proposed CLM device is suitable for the uses for resonator, filter, switch, and sensor in the THz frequency range.

Characterizations of reconfigurable infrared metamaterial absorbers.

We propose four types of metamaterial absorbers (MAs) to have tunable absorption resonance and polarization-dependent/independent, single-band, and dual-band switch characterizations. By tailoring four types of MAs with different heights between top and bottom metal layers, absorption resonance can be modified at a 5.92 µm wavelength, and the absorption intensity can be attenuated gradually. These characteristics of MA devices can be potentially used in a variable optical attenuator (VOA). By changing the distance between the top unit cells of four devices, the resonances can be tuned in the range of a 1.74 µm wavelength with an exponential relationship. All absorption intensities can be maintained over 90%. Furthermore, MA devices also possess single-band and dual-band switch characterizations by controlling the polarization angle of incident light, which helps the MA to have the potential in a multifunctional switch. By comparing the range of switch ratios, it can be spanned 1.76 for dual-band switch function. This Letter provides a strategy to open an avenue for VOA, absorber, detector, sensor, and switch applications in the IR wavelength range.

Association between interleukin 10 gene -1082 A/G polymorphism and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of 4250 subjects.

Increasing evidence suggests that interleukin 10 (IL 10) gene -1082 A/G (rsl800896) polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between this variant and the T2DM risk by meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from January 1, 1989 to February 17, 2012, as well as hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. All the statistical tests were performed using Stata 11.0. Seven case-control studies were identified, covering a total of 1879 T2DM cases and 2371 controls. The results showed evidence of significant association between IL 10 gene -1082 A/G polymorphism and T2DM risk (for G/G+G/A vs. A/A: OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.05-1.40, p=0.010, p=0.040 after Bonferroni testing). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, no significant association was found between IL 10 gene -1082 A/G polymorphism and T2DM risk in Europeans. In summary, results from this meta-analysis provide evidence that IL 10 gene -1082 G allele is associated with increased risk of T2DM.

Association between the interleukin-6 gene -572 C/G polymorphism and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of 11,681 subjects.

The association between the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene -572 C/G (rs1800796) polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk remains controversial. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CBMdisc and CNKI databases until January 30, 2012. In addition, hand searching of the references of identified articles was performed. A total of 10 case-control studies including 11,681 subjects were selected to evaluate the possible association. Our results showed evidence for significant association between the IL-6 gene -572 C/G polymorphism and T2DM risk (for G allele vs. C allele: odds ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-1.52, P = 0.002, P = 0.008 after Bonferroni testing; for G/G vs. C/C: OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.51-2.37, P < 0.00001, P < 0.00004 after Bonferroni testing; for GG vs. G/C + C/C: OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.20-2.56, P = 0.004, P = 0.016 after Bonferroni testing; for G/G + G/C vs. C/C: OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.11-1.57, P = 0.001, P = 0.004 after Bonferroni testing). In addition, similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity. In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests a significant association between the IL-6 gene -572 G allele and increased risk of T2DM.

Association between interleukin-8 gene -251 T/A polymorphism and the risk of peptic ulcer disease: a meta-analysis.

It remains controversial regarding the association between interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene -251 T/A polymorphism and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) risk. Thus, a large-scale meta-analysis evaluating the precise association between this gene variant and PUD risk is required. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar until April 25, 2012. Additionally, hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. All the statistical tests were performed using Stata 11.0. A total of eight studies (3105 subjects) were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant association was found between IL-8 gene -251 T/A polymorphism and PUD risk (for A allele vs. T allele: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.97-1.41, p = 0.094; for A/A vs. T/T: OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.94-1.90, p = 0.108; for A/A vs. A/T+T/T: OR = 1.22, 95% CI =0.97-1.52, p = 0.083; for A/A+A/T vs. T/T: OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 0.95-1.67, p = 0.113). However, in the subgroup analyses by ethnicity, H. pylori infection and the subtype of PUD, significant associations were found between IL-8 gene -251 T/A polymorphism and PUD risk in Asians, H. pylori+, duodenal ulcer disease (DUD) and gastric ulcer disease (GUD), respectively. In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests that IL-8 gene -251 T/A polymorphism is associated with increased PUD risk among Asians, and especially for the subgroups of H. pylori+, DUD and GUD.

The lack of association between interleukin-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of 18,152 subjects.

Epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene -174 G/C polymorphism and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) risk, but results of different studies have been inconsistent. The present meta-analysis was therefore designed to clarify these controversies. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched from the first available year to March 25, 2012, as well as hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. All studies investigating the association between IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and T1DM risk were included. Data analyses were carried out by Review Manager 5.1.2 and Stata 11.0. Seven studies were included in the final meta-analysis, covering a total of 9697 T1DM cases and 8455 controls. The results showed no evidence for significant association between IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and T1DM risk (for C/C+C/G vs. G/G: OR=1.30, 95% CI=0.84-2.00, p=0.24; for C/C vs. C/G+G/G: OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.75-1.60, p=0.63; for C/C vs. G/G: OR=1.34, 95% CI=0.75-2.42, p=0.33; for C allele vs. G allele: OR=1.16, 95% CI=0.88-1.53, p=0.30). In addition, the similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity. In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests that IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism is not associated with T1DM risk. However, due to the small sample size in most of the included studies and the selection bias existed in some studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Associations between interleukin-6 gene -174 C/G and -572 C/G polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have evaluated the associations between interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene -174 C/G (rs1800795) and -572 C/G (rs1800796) polymorphisms and gastric cancer (GC) risk, but results and conclusions remain controversial. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the associations, we performed this meta-analysis. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the associations between IL-6 gene -174 C/G and -572 C/G polymorphisms and GC risk. RESULTS: Nine articles involving 13 studies were included in the final meta-analysis, covering a total of 1,581 GC cases and 2,563 controls. For IL-6 gene -174 C/G polymorphism, nine studies were combined showing no evidence for associations between IL-6 gene -174 C/G polymorphism and GC risk. For IL-6 gene -572 C/G polymorphism, four studies were combined. There was also lack of evidence for significant association between IL-6 gene -572 C/G polymorphism and GC risk. In addition, the similar results were obtained in the subgroup analyses and cumulative meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that IL-6 gene -174 C/G and -572 C/G polymorphisms are not associated with GC risk. However, due to the small subjects included in analysis and the selection bias in some studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Association between interleukin-10 gene -592 C/A polymorphism and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of 5320 subjects.

Increasing evidence suggests that interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene -592 C/A polymorphism may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To provide a quantitative assessment of the association between this variant and risk of T2DM, we performed this meta-analysis. Systematic searches of electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CBMdisc and CNKI, as well as hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. A total of 2698 T2DM cases and 2622 controls in seven case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed no evidence for significant association between IL-10 gene -592 C/A polymorphism and T2DM risk (for A allele vs. C allele: OR=0.94, 95% CI=0.69-1.29, p=0.69; for A/A vs. C/C: OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.39-1.98, p=0.75; for A/A vs. A/C+C/C: OR=1.04, 95% CI=0.59-1.82, p=0.89; for A/A+A/C vs. C/C: OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.73-1.69, p=0.61). In addition, the similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis based on the ethnicity. In summary, results from this meta-analysis suggest that the IL-10 gene -592 C/A polymorphism is not associated with T2DM risk.

Association between interleukin-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and the risk of coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of 20 studies including 9619 cases and 10,919 controls.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene -174 G/C polymorphism has been reported to be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), but the results remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was therefore designed to clarify these controversies. This meta-analysis was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases. A total of 20 studies including 9619 CHD cases and 10,919 controls were combined showing no evidence of association between IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and CHD risk (for C/C+C/G vs. G/G: OR=1.10, 95% CI=0.99-1.22, p=0.07; for C/C vs. C/G+G/G: OR=1.08, 95% CI=0.93-1.24, p=0.33; for C/C vs. G/G: OR=1.16, 95% CI=0.97-1.39, p=0.11; for C allele vs. G allele: OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.00-1.21, p=0.06). Moreover, we also did not find significant association between IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism and myocardial infarction (MI) risk. However, in the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was found among Asians (for C/C+C/G vs. G/G: OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.05-1.63, p=0.02). In summary, the present meta-analysis suggests that IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism is associated with increased CHD risk among Asians. However, due to the small subjects included in the subgroup analysis of Asians, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene -308A/G polymorphism and the risk of acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have evaluated the association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene -308A/G polymorphism and the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP), but the results are inconsistent. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the associations, a meta-analysis was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic searches of electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, as well as hand searching of the references of identified articles, were performed. All case-control studies investigating the association between TNF-α gene -308A/G polymorphism and AP risk were included. The association was assessed by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Publication bias was analyzed by Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test. RESULTS: The initial search revealed 818 potentially eligible studies. Having read the title, abstract, or full text, we included six relevant studies in the final meta-analysis, which contained 1,006 AP cases and 782 controls. Overall, no significant association was found between TNF-α gene -308A/G polymorphism and AP risk when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis (for A/A+A/G versus G/G: OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.83-1.28, P = 0.79; for A/A versus A/G+G/G: OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.65-1.45, P = 0.87; for A/A versus G/G: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.79-1.91, P = 0.37; for A allele versus G allele: OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.83-1.18, P = 0.90). In addition, the similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis based on the ethnicity and subtype of AP. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis reveals that the TNF-α gene -308A/G polymorphism is not associated with AP risk. However, due to the small number of subjects included in analysis and the selection bias in some studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.