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Assessment of the natural frequency of the offshore wind turbine (OWT) system is a critical task in design to avoid resonance. The natural frequency of the monopile supported OWT may change during operation and needs to be calculated regularly. Conventional numerical methods separately model different components of the OWT system using various element types, which require tedious data manipulations and are inefficient to assess the changing natural frequency of the monopile supported OWTs. This paper develops a unified beam-column element by directly integrating the soil-pile interactions in element formulation. The proposed method is applicable for different components of the OWT system, including the rotor, the tower, the transition piece, and the monopile foundation, which enables an integrated and efficient OWT analysis by using only one type of element. The pile-soil interactions are directly considered in the element formulation. The tedious soil spring elements are avoided. Definitions and formulations of the proposed element are provided and the numerical solution procedure for the natural frequency analysis of OWTs is illustrated. The accuracy of the proposed element is validated against several closed-form solutions and the distributed spring model. The proposed method is also applied to analyze the natural frequencies of six OWTs in practice. The calculated results are consistent with the field measured data.

AIM: To observe the efficacy and safety of pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)combined with air tamponade in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD), which caused by superior break(s)following previous vitreoretinal surgery.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the inpatients in our hospital from November 2017 to October 2019. Patients with RRD caused by superior break(s)who had underwent previous vitreoretinal surgeries and the proliferative vitreoretinopathy less than PVR-C1 were enrolled. For treatment, patients underwent PPV combined with air tamponade. During the operation, the residual vitreous cortex was fully removed, and the subretinal fluid was aspirated from retinal break(s)as much as possible. Make sure the subretinal fluid around the hole was fully drained. Then firmly laser spots were accomplished to seal the retinal break(s). Finally, filtered air was left in the vitreous cavity as tamponade agent. The patients were informed to keep a prone position for 24h postoperation. The primary outcomes were primary and final success rates, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and the secondary outcomes were rate of postoperative cataract surgery and high intraocular pressure.RESULTS: Totally 31 patients(31 eyes)with follow-up time more than 6mo were included. The range of retinal detachment was 6.7±3.8h, and the number of retinal breaks was 1.2±0.7. There are 23 eyes(74%)with macular detachment and 18 eyes(58%)with intraocular lens. 6 eyes(19%)were treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation together. The rate of primary retinal reattachment in enrolled patients was 87%(27/31), and the final reattachment rate was 100%(31/31). At the 6mo of postoperatively, the BCVA(LogMAR)increased from 2.17±1.27 to 0.53±0.25(P

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of parafoveal retinal massage combined with autologous whole blood cover in the treatment of refractory macular holes (MHs) and present the surgical procedure. METHODS: Patients with giant (minimum diameter ≥800 μm), recurrent or persistent MHs who underwent PPV combined with parafoveal retinal massage and autologous whole blood cover using C3F8 as tamponade agent from February 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. After surgery, all patients were informed to maintain a prone position for at least 7d. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were compared and MH closure rate was measured as the main outcome. RESULTS: A total of 13 MH patients consisted of 6 giant MHs, 4 persistent holes and 3 recurrent holes (5 men and 8 women; average age was 56.40±11.72y) were enrolled in this study. MH closure was achieved in 11 eyes by this modified surgical technique while 2 eyes failed. Revitrectomy with autologous neurosensory retinal patch transplantations was applied for those 2 patients and then both holes were closed. No intraoperative complications were observed. BCVA improved from 1.73 logMAR to 0.74 logMAR at 6mo postoperation. There was significant difference in BCVA before versus after the surgery (P

CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy (HEA) has great potential for engineering application due to its good ductility and high fracture toughness at low temperature. It can be deposited on components as coatings to take advantage of its excellent properties and reduce the cost. In this study, CoCrFeNiMn HEA coatings were deposited on 316L stainless steel substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) technique, and a series of transient thermal shock tests were performed. It was found that the coatings contained two main phases: a face-centered cubic (FCC) solid solution phase and a flocculent oxides phase. The elemental contents of Co, Cr, Fe, and Ni were close to equal atomic percentage in the coating, while Mn was reduced significantly. The oxygen was mainly distributed in the dark flocculent oxides phase. After transient thermal shock tests, these two phases remained stable, but some tiny cracks appeared on the surface. Meanwhile, the microhardness of the coating after transient thermal shock tests also showed stable, ∼ 420 HV. Weibull statistics were used to analyze the reliability of the microhardness, and the Weibull modulus m was distributed from 9 to 15. The CoCrFeNiMn HEA coating exhibited high phase stability and excellent properties under transient thermal shock, making it have service advantages in extreme environments, especially in the fields of the development of future nuclear and aerospace structural materials.

Background: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of pretreatment lymphocyteto-monocyte ratio (LMR) in locally advanced cervical cancer and its effect on overall survival. Methods: The usual blood routine test was quantitatively performed to detect LMR. Signal strengths of human papilloma virus (HPV) type DNA in detected cervical cancer samples using hybrid capture 2 were analyzed in relative light units (RLU) compared with 1 pg/mL of HPV type 16 DNA-positive control (RLLJ/PC) samples. A total of 1.0 RLU/ PC (~1 pg/mL) was used as the threshold for a positive result. The HPV-positive specimens were typed using reverse-hybridization line probe assay. Results: The LMR and HPV DNA were found to be independent prognostic markers for 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival, respectively. Their joint detection may further enhance the predictive value for OS. In the positive HR (high risk)-HPV DNA status subgroup, LMR had a positive effect on improved OS but not in the non-HR HPV DNA status subgroup. Conclusions: The LMR and HR-HPV DNA status can be identified as independent prognostic factors. The different influences of LMR in combined chemoradiotherapy on survival may be related to HR-HPV DNA status. The combined detection of LMR and HR-HPV DNA status may contribute to screening prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore whether plasma fatty acids and SNPs in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis and the high-resolution melting method to detect plasma fatty acids and SNPs respectively (rs174537G>T, rs174616C>T, rs174460T>C, and rs174450A>C) in 234 T2D, 200 CAD, 185 T2D&CAD patients, and 253 healthy controls.Results: We found that T2D&CAD patients had the highest plasma arachidonic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and delta-6 desaturase, and the lowest stearic acid, linolenic acid, and saturated fatty acids; plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid elevated in T2D patients, but significantly reduced in CAD patients. Moreover, T2D patients with rs174537 GG genotype were at risk of developing T2D&CAD (odds ratio (OR) 1.763; 95 % CI 1.143-2.718; p = 0.010), with elevated plasma LDL-cholesterol, arachidonic acid, and delta-6 desaturase.Conclusions: Our results show that SNPs in FADS gene (particularly rs174537) associate with plasma fatty acids and desaturase levels in patients with both T2D and CAD, which maybe increases the risk of CAD in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Free fatty acids (FFAs) play importance roles in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. We measured serum FFA levels from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and assay the correlation between serum FFA levels and related factors. The present study was undertaken to investigate a possible relation between the changes in serum free fatty acid concentration with acute myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods The study population consisted of 540 healthy individuals and 103 patients with T2DM, 59 patients with AMI and 21 volunteers. Serum FFAs were measured with high pressure liquid chromatography. Blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were measured in clinical laboratory, as were glycemic, lipid and blood routine parameters. We selected 242 individuals with age over 60 years, 143 healthy individuals and 52 patients with T2DM, 47 patients with AMI were incorporated into three groups as control group, T2DM group and AMI group. Associations were analyzed with stepwise regression analysis with adjusted for age, sex, body mass index. Results Serum FFA levels were significantly higher in the age over 60 years individuals compared to 20 ∼ 50 years (logFFA μmmol/L:2.60 ± 0.16 vs. 2.73 ± 0.18, P < .001) in the healthy group. We found lower FFA levels in the AMI compared to the T2DM and control group (2.64 ± 0.22 vs. 2.72 ± 0.13&2.72 ± 0.16, respectively, P < .05&P < 0.01) in the age over 60, fasting blood glucose level higher in the AMI and T2DM (5.78 ± 1.32&7.75 ± 2.93 mmol/L vs. 4.90 ± 0.47 mmol/L, P < .01&P < .001) compared with the normal group, HDL level (1.01 ± 0.22&0.98 ± 0.18 mmol/L vs.1.30 ± 0.22 mmol/L, P < .001&P < .001). With stepwise regression analysis, the serum FFA levels was positively associated with the HDL in the control group (YlogFFA = 2.32 + 0.33XHDL, R = 0.26, P < .01) and T2MD (YlogFFA = 2.46 + 0.27XHDL, R = 0.36, P < .05), AST in AMI (YlogFFA =2.24 + 0. 015XAST, R = 0.49, P < .01). Conclusions Compared to control group, serum FFA levels were decreased only in AMI group, while HDL level was increased in both AMI and T2DM group. The serum FFA levels were positive association with the HDL level in both T2DM and control group, FFA levels were positive association with AST in AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To investigate the role of small interference RNA interference targeted Integrin-linked kinase(ILK SiRNA)on the proliferation and apoptosis of human Tenon fibroblasts(HTFs)induced by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2). METHODS: The HTFs were identified by immunofluorescence analysis with Vimentin and keratin. HTFs with no other addiction was as normal control; H+T group: HTFs+5μg/L TGF-β2; H+T+NC SiRNA group: HTFs+5μg/L TGF-β2+50nmol/L negtive SiRNA; H+T+ILK SiRNA group: HTFs+5μg/L TGF-β2+50nmol/L ILK SiRNA. The ILK SiRNA were transfected into HTFs by lipofectamine 2000, then the cells were stimulated with 5μg/L TGF-β2. The protein expression of ILK were analyzed by Western Blot. The proliferation levels of HTFs were analyzed by CCK-8, the apoptosis of HTFs were analyzed by Hoechst 33342/PI double staining. RESULTS: The protein ILK were expressed in both TGF-β2 treated and control groups, and TGF-β2 up-regulated the expression of ILK, ILK SiRNA inhibited the protein expression of ILK(P2 treated group increased, and in ILK SiRNA group the cell proliferation rate was suppressed after exposured to ILK SiRNA for 48h(P2 stimulated group(P>0.05), compared with the normal control group, however in the ILK SiRNA group, we found lots of apoptosis cells and a few of necrotic cells(PCONCLUSION: The ILK SiRNA attenuates the abnormal proliferation of HTFs induced by TGF-β2, thereby enhancing the apoptosis of HTFs.

Objective To explore the effect of motor relearning programme (MRP) on motor function recovery of patients with hemiplegia after acute stroke. Methods A total of 64 hemiplegic patients with acute stroke (duration ≤ 14 d) were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (N = 32) and observation group (N = 32). Control group received routine drug therapy and conventional rehabilitation training, and observation group was treated by routine therapy and MRP training. Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale - Balance (FMA - Balance), Modified Rivermead Mobility Index (MRMI) and modified Barthel Index (mBI) were used to assess the motor function of patients in both groups before and after treatment. Results All patients successfully completed the rehabilitation training without severe adverse events. A few patients felt fatigue occasionally after training and recovered after rest. Compared to before treatment, the FMA-Balance score (P = 0.000), MRMI score (P = 0.000) and mBI score (P = 0.000) after treatment in both groups were significantly increased. Compared to control group, the FMA-Balance score (P = 0.031), MRMI score (P = 0.013) and mBI score (P = 0.049) after treatment in observation group were significantly increased. Conclusions MRP training in the early stage of stroke is beneficial to the recovery of motor function of patients. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2017.03.007

Objective To discuss the efficacy and safety of fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) in the treatment of post-stroke sleep disorders (PSSD). Methods A total of 69 cases with PSSD were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (N = 23), sham group (N = 23) and treatment group (N = 23). Control group received routine treatment, sham group received routine treatment plus sham FNS treatment, and treatment group received routine treatment plus FNS treatment. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep quality of patients in 3 groups before and after 4-week treatment. Adverse reactions during the FNS treatment were also observed. Results There was statistical significance in PSQI scores among 3 groups before and after 4-week treatment (P = 0.020). PSQI score after 4-week treatment in treatment group was significantly lower than control group and sham group (P = 0.000, 0.000). Compared to before treatment, PSQI scores were significantly decreased in 3 groups after 4-week treatment (P = 0.000). Conclusions FNS safely and effectively improves the sleep quality of patients with PSSD, thus it can be used as one of the auxiliary treatments for curing PSSD. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2017.03.006

AIM: To discuss the effect of the cystotome-assisted prechop technique performed in hard nuclear cataract phacoemulsification. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients(158 eyes)of age-related cataracts with nucleus density at grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was performed a manual prechop technique using a surgeon-bent cystotome after the capsulorhexis, while group B was performed traditional phaco-chop without prechop technique. The average power(AP), actual ultrasonic time(U/S time), accumulated energy complex parameter(AECP)of machine, average density of endothelial cells, endothelial cells loss, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), corneal edema and intraoperative complications were compared between groups. RESULTS: The AP, U/S time and AECP of Group A were significantly lower than that of Group B(PPCONCLUSION: Compared with traditional phaco-chop, the cystotome-assisted prechop technique presents shorter intraoperative ultrasound time and lower energy, while contributes to less corneal endothelial cell loss and better early postoperative UCVA.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the current status of self-differentiation and professional adaptability among undergraduate nursing students, to analyze the relationship between these two variables, and to provide recommendations for nursing educators. Methods: A total of 341 nursing undergraduate students at the University of South China were investigated using the Differentiation of Self Inventory and the Professional Adaptability Scale for college students. Results: The mean scores of self-differentiation and professional adaptability were 3.70 ± 0.60 and 2.87 ± 0.37, respectively, and the two variables were positively correlated (P

AIM: To investigate expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer(EMMPRIN)in retinoblastoma(Rb)and the relationships between MMP-2, EMMPRIN and tumor development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN in 39 cases of paraffin embedded Rb samples. Quantitative analysis of expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN were assessed by measuring the mean gray scale of Rb tissue with LEICA IM50 Color Pathologic Analysis System. The differences of expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN in each clinical and pathological stage were statistically analyzed, and the same step was also undertaken to study the relationship between Rb with MMP-2 positive expression and that with EMMPRIN positive expression.RESULTS: The positive expression rate of MMP-2 was 90%(Gray value: 109.64±14.52; 35/39), and that of EMMPRIN was 85%(Gray value: 108.01±13.60; 33/39). The expressions of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN were significantly higher in tumors of glaucomatous stage(Gray value: 108.21±11.47 and 107.56±14.32)than those in intraocular stage(Gray value: 121.13±11.32 and 119.34±12.66; PPPPPPCONCLUSION: The positive expression levels of MMP-2 and EMMPRIN may correlate with tumor infiltration and metastasis.

AIM: To investigate the effect of zebularine(Zeb)loaded Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone)methyl ether(MePEG-PCL)nanoparticles(NPs)on the viability, attachment, and apoptosis of in vitro cultured lens epithelial cells(LECs). METHODS: In vitro cultured infant human lens tissue HLE B-3 immortalized cells were distributed randomly divided into six groups. Each group was administered with free Zeb 50μmol/L(ZebF1 group), 100μmol/L(ZebF2 group), Zeb -loaded MePEG-PCL NPs 50μmol/L(ZebNP1 group), Zeb -loaded MePEG-PCL NPs 100μmol/L(ZebNP2 group), MePEG-PCL empty NPs(NPs group)or blank medium(group C)respectively. A tetrazolium dye assay(MTT)test and modified MTT test were performed to determine cell viability and cell attachment. DNA ladder was used to detect the cell apoptosis. RESULTS: Determined by MTT colorimetric method: Cell proliferation rate of LECs were suppressed by all Zeb administration groups in a concentration-time dependent manner(PPP ZebNP1>ZebF2(PCONCLUSION: Zeb loaded MePEG-PCL NPs had better effect on suppressing the viability and attachment of in vitro cultured LECs than the free Zeb groups, as well as enhancing the apoptosis.

AIM:To observe the effects of double incision combined surgery of single-stab trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification.METHODS: Totally 28 cases(30 eyes)with glaucoma and cataract undertook the modified combined surgery of single-stab trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification. After traditional phacoemulsification, cut the bulbar conjunctiva and Tenons capsule from the 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock, then puncture into the anterior chamber in 2mm behind the corneal limbus with 3mm tunnel knife, shaping a 3mm wide, 1/3-1/4 thickness scleral tunnel. Getting into the trabecular tunnel, bite off 3 pieces of trabecular tissue about 1mm×1mm size. The changes in the imtraocular pressure(IOP)and the visual acuity before and after the surgery as well as filtering bleb(OCT confirmed)and complications were carefully observed in 3-6mo postoperatively.RESULTS: The postoperative visual acuity in 1wk postoperatively less than 0.1 was found in 3 eyes, from 0.1 to 0.3 was found in 6 eyes,from 0.3 to 0.6 in 13 eyes,from 0.6 to 0.8 in 8 eyes.One eye had malignant glaucoma, and 8 eyes had cornea edema and slightly fibrin exudation in the pupil area; In all cases maintained function conjunctival blebs of filtering, OCT confirmed this.IOP remained normal in 28 eyes in 3-6mo follow up, IOP of 2 other eyes could be controlled by anti-glaucoma eye drops.CONCLUSION:Double incision combined surgery of single-stab trabeculectomy and phacoemulsification is effective and safe,reduces the postoperative complications and is worthy of promotion.