Search

The mortality and hospitalization rate by COVID‐19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal outbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. The mortality and hospitazation rate by COVID‐19 dropped significantly currently, but its seasonal ourbreaks make antiviral treatment still vital. In our study, syrian golden hamsters were treated with molnupiravir and interferons (IFNs) after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Their weight changes, pathological changes, virus replication and inflammation levels were evaluated. In the IFNs single treatment, only IFN‐α group reduced viral load (p < 0.05) and virus titer in hamster lungs. The TNF‐α expression decreased significantly in both IFNs treatment at 2dpi. Histological and immunofluorescence results showed lung damage in the IFNs groups were milder at 4dpi. In the molnupiravir/IFN‐α combination treatment, weight loss and virus replication in lung were significantly decreased in the mono‐molnupiravir group and combination group (p < 0.05), the expression of IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and MIP‐1α also decreased significantly (p < 0.05), but the combination treatment was not more effective than the mono‐molnupiravir treatment. Histological and immunofluorescence results showed the lung damage and inflammation in mono‐molnupiravir and combination groups were milder. In summary, IFNs treatment had anti‐inflammatory effect against SARS‐CoV‐2, only IFN‐α showed a weak antiviral effect. Molnupiravir/IFN‐α combination treatment was effective against SARS‐CoV‐2 but was not superior to mono‐molnupiravir treatment. IFN‐α could be considered for immunocompromised patients to stimulate and activate early immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation is presented into full-width, rectangular hollow section (RHS) X-connections subject to transverse compression, including the effect of a compressive or tensile chord preload. A re-evaluation of world-wide experimental tests on full-width X-connections revealed considerable inaccuracy with current design recommendations, as well as significant discrepancies between them. A finite element study was hence conducted to further investigate the behaviour of such connections. A critical value of the bearing length-to-chord height ratio was found, where yielding failure of the chord webs turns into buckling failure, and this has been implemented in the subsequent design recommendation. The proposed design procedure is based on 350 finite element results, covering a wide range of chord sidewall slenderness values, bearing length values and chord stress ratios, as well as against a screened database of 125 experimental tests. The proposal is shown to offer excellent predictions and incorporates a simple reliability analysis. Key words: steel structures, hollow structural sections, rectangular hollow sections, truss connections, welded joints, web buckling, web crippling, static strength, numerical modelling. Une etude est presentee au sujet des joints en X pleine largeur de profiles creux rectangulaires (PCR) soumis a une compression transversale, y compris l'effet d'une precontrainte de compression ou de traction de membrure. Une reevaluation des essais experimentaux a l'echelle mondiale sur les joints en X pleine largeur a revele une imprecision considerable par rapport aux recommandations de conception actuelles, ainsi que des ecarts importants entre elles. Une etude par elements finis a donc ete menee pour etudier davantage le comportement de ces joints. Une valeur critique du rapport de la longueur de portance a la hauteur de fame a ete trouvee, ou la defaillance des ames de membrures se transforme en defaillance de gauchissement, ce qui a ete mis en reuvre dans la subsequente recommandation de conception. La procedure de conception proposee repose sur 350 resultats d'elements finis, couvrant une vaste gamme de valeurs d'elancement de membrure des parois laterales, de valeurs de longueur de portance et de rapports de contrainte de l'ame, ainsi que sur une base de donnees de 125 essais experimentaux. Il est demontre que la proposition offre d'excellentes previsions et integre une analyse de fiabilite simple. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: structures en acier, profiles de charpente creux, profiles creux rectangulaires, joints de ferme, joints soudes, voilement de l'ame d'une poutre, flambage d'ame, resistance statique, modelisation numerique., Introduction A large number of research projects have now been performed worldwide to investigate the behaviour of welded rectangular hollow section (RHS) connections under predominantly static loads. The results have [...]

In all truss-type welded hollow structural section connection design procedures, the chord member is assumed continuous on both sides of the branch. New limits of applicability have recently been advocated, which specify minimum end distances from an open chord end to achieve the full connection strength. To investigate their suitability for rectangular hollow section (RHS) connections, an experimental program consisting of 12 RHS-to-RHS X-connections subject to branch axial compression was undertaken. For connections near a chord end, a modified yield line mechanism controlled. A proposed analytical model is derived, and by evaluating against the experimental results, is shown to accurately predict the yield loads. An EN1993-1-8 amendment, transcribed from circular hollow section connections, is deemed excessively conservative, and a closed-form solution for the end distance, presented herein, is recommended for use with RHS connections. Alternatively, providing a cap plate is determined to be an effective stiffening method. Key words: steel structures, hollow structural sections, rectangular hollow sections, truss connections, welded joints, chord end effects, static loading, analytical modelling. Dans toutes les procedures de conception d'assemblage soude de profiles de charpente creux de type ferme, la membrure de poutre est presumee continue des deux cotes de la branche. De nouvelles limites d'applicabilite ont recemment ete preconisees, lesquelles specifient des distances d'extremite minimales d'une extremite de membrure ouverte afin de realiser la resistance totale de l'assemblage. Afin d'examiner leur durabilite dans le cas des assemblages de profiles creux rectangulaires (<< PCR >>), on a entrepris un programme experimental comptant 12 assemblages en X de PCR a PCR soumis a la compression axiale de la branche. Pour les assemblages pres d'une extremite de membrure, un mecanisme de courbe de defaillance modifie controlait. Un modele analytique propose est produit et, en l'evaluant contre les resultats experimentaux, s'avere en mesure de prevoir avec precision les charges de defaillance. Un amendement d'EN 1993-1-8, transcrit des assemblages de profiles creux circulaires, est juge tres conservateur, et une solution analytique pour la distance de l'extremite, presentee dans cet article, est recommandee pour utilisation avec des assemblages PCR. Autrement, fournir un couronnement est determine etre une methode raidissante efficace. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: structures d'acier, profiles de charpente creux, profiles creux rectangulaires, assemblages de ferme, joints soudes, effets d'extremite de membrure, chargement statique, modelisation analytique., Introduction Specific research on truss-type, welded hollow structural section (HSS) connections has been conducted since the 1960s, resulting in connection design recommendations published in North America (Packer and Henderson 1997; [...]

Background Early antiviral therapy was effective in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed the efficacy and safety of combined interferon beta-1b and remdesivir treatment in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods We conducted a multicentre, prospective open-label, randomized-controlled trial involving high-risk adults hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients were randomly assigned to a 5-day interferon beta-1b 16 million units daily and remdesivir 200 mg loading on day 1 followed by 100 mg daily on day 2 to 5 (combination group), or to remdesivir only of similar regimen (control group) (1:1). The primary endpoint was the time to complete alleviation of symptoms (NEWS2 = 0). Results Two-hundred and twelve patients were enrolled. The median days of starting treatment from symptom onset was 3 days. The median age was 65 years, and 159 patients (75%) had chronic disease. The baseline demographics were similar. There was no mortality. For the primary endpoint, the combination group was significantly quicker to NEWS2 = 0 (4 vs 6.5 days; hazard ratio [HR], 6.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1–7.09; P <.0001) when compared to the control group. For the secondary endpoints, the combination group was quicker to negative nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) viral load (VL) (6 vs 8 days; HR, 8.16; 95% CI, 7.79–8.52; P <.0001) and to develop seropositive immunoglobulin G (IgG) (8 vs 10 days; HR, 10.78; 95% CI, 9.98–11.58; P <.0001). All adverse events resolved upon follow-up. Combination group (HR, 4.1 95% CI, 1.9–8.6, P <.0001) was the most significant independent factor associated with NEWS2 = 0 on day 4. Conclusions Early treatment with interferon beta-1b and remdesivir was safe and better than remdesivir only in alleviating symptoms, and in shortening viral shedding and hospitalization with earlier seropositivity in high-risk COVID-19 patients. Clinical Trials Registration NCT04647695. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)., Methods: Clinical information of the patient was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood sample of the patient and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing., Results: The proband, a 33-year-old female, was found to have multiple adenomatous polyps in the intestine. WES revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous variant of the APC gene, namely c.1922dupA (p.N641fs*10), which was unreported previously. Based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be likely pathogenic., Conclusion: The c.1922dupA (p.N641fs*10) variant of the APC gene probably underlay the FAP in this pedigree. Above finding has enabled genetic counseling for this family.

Background: Neonatal mortality reduction in China over past two decades was reported from nationwide sampling surveys, however, how high risk pregnancy affected neonatal outcome is unknown. The objective of this study was to explore relations of pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes from a regional birth population., Methods: In a prospective, cross-sectional survey of complete birth population-based data file from 151 level I-III hospitals in Huai'an region in 2010, pregnancy complications were analyzed for perinatal morbidity and mortality in association with maternal and perinatal characteristics, hospital levels, mode of delivery, newborn birth weight and gestational age, using international definition for birth registry and morbidities., Results: Pregnancy complications were found in 10% of all births, in which more than 70% were delivered at level II and III hospitals associated with higher proportions of fetal and neonatal death, preterm birth, death at delivery and congenital anomalies. High Cesarean section delivery was associated with higher pregnancy complications, and more neonatal critical illnesses. The pregnancy complications related perinatal morbidity and mortality in level III were 2-4 times as high as in level I and II hospitals. By uni- and multi-variate regression analysis, impact of pregnancy complications was along with congenital anomalies and preterm birth, and maternal child-bearing age and school education years contributing to the prevalence., Conclusions: This survey revealed variable links of pregnancy complications to perinatal outcome in association with very high Cesarean section deliveries, which warrants investigation for causal relations between high risk pregnancy and neonatal outcome in this emerging region.

A method for the determination of salbutamol sulfate in medicaments by capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection has been developed. The effects of several important factors, such as nonaqueous and aqueous solvents, background electrolyte and its concentration as well as the pH, separation voltage, sample injection time, excitation voltage and excitation frequency, were investigated. The optimized separation conditions were as follows: the running buffer was an aqueous solution (pH 2.7) containing 15 mmol/L lactic acid, the separation voltage was 10 kV, the electrokinetic injection time was 3 s at 10 kV, the excitation voltage was 60 V, and the excitation frequency was 120 kHz. The results have shown that there was a linear relationship (r = 0.995) between the response of the peak area and the mass concentration of salbutamol sulfate in the range from 9.60 to 48.0 mg/L, and the limits of detection (S/N = 3) was 1.92 mg/L. The relative standard deviation for the migration time of salbutamol sulfate was 2.7%. The method has been successfully applied in the determination of the contents in the tablet and aerosol of salbutamol sulfate, separately. The results were in accordance with the values marked by the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the recoveries were 90% - 113%. This simple and quick analytical method can be used for determining salbutamol sulfate.