Search

Carbon textile reinforced mortar (CTRM) is an advanced composite material that has excellent fire resistance, high strength and ductility, and good energy dissipation ability. Nevertheless, its full potential has not been fully investigated in the literature. In this paper, the flexural behaviour of preloaded reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with a prestressed CTRM plate is explored. RC beams with and without an attached CTRM plate under various preloading conditions are tested. Their load-deflection and load-strain properties, bending capacity, ductility, and crack pattern and width are subsequently examined. The test results show that the prestressed CTRM plates can effectively inhibit the propagation of cracking and significantly increase the cracking and ultimate loads. The findings from this study are useful in advancing the use of CTRM to repair, retrofit and strengthen existing RC structures.

下腔静脉不能作为心房颤动射频消融术的入路时，手术路径的选择显得至关重要。本文报道了1例异位综合征合并心房颤动行经皮肝静脉穿刺导管射频消融术的患者，以期为下腔静脉不能作为常规入路并需行左心操作的患者提供一定的经验和依据。.

BackgroundThe persistent organochlorine dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is banned world-wide due to its negative health effects and persistence in the environment. It is exceptionally used as an insecticide for malaria control. Exposure occurs in regions where DDT is applied, as well as in the arctic where it’s endocrine disrupting metabolite, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE) accumulates in marine mammals and fish. DDT and p,p’-DDE exposures are linked to birth defects, infertility, cancer, and neurodevelopmental delays. Of particular concern is the potential of DDT use to impact the health of generations to come. Generational effects of toxicant exposures have been described in animal models and implicated germline epigenetic factors. Similar generational effects have been shown in epidemiological studies. Although advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms mediating this epigenetic inheritance have been made, there remain major knowledge gaps in how this occurs in humans. In animal and human models, DNA methylation (DNAme) has been implicated in paternal epigenetic effects. In animal models, histone H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) has been shown to be responsive to the paternal environment and linked with epigenetic transmission to the embryo. Our objectives were to define the associations between p,p’-DDE serum levels and alterations in the sperm methylome and H3K4me3 enrichment using next generation sequencing. We aimed to compare regions of epigenomic sensitivity between geographically diverse populations with different routes and levels of exposures, and to identify interactions between altered DNAme and H3K4me3 regions. The potential for p,p’-DDE to impact the health of the next generation was explored by examining the functions of the genomic regions impacted, their roles during embryo development, and in health and disease.MethodsIn the Limpopo Province of South Africa, we recruited 247 VhaVenda South African men from 12 villages that either used indoor residual spraying with DDT for malaria control or not. We selected 49 paired blood and semen samples, from men that ranged from 18 to 32 years of age (mean 25 years). Sample inclusion was based on normal sperm counts (> 15 million/ml), normal sperm DNA fragmentation index, and testing a range of p,p’-DDE exposure levels (mean 10,462.228 ± 1,792.298 ng/ml). From a total of 193 samples, 47 Greenlandic Inuit blood and semen paired samples were selected from the biobank of the INUENDO cohort. The subjects ranged from 20 to 44 years of age (mean 31 years), were born in Greenland, and all had proven fertility. Sample selection was based on obtaining a range of p,p’-DDE exposure levels (mean 870.734 ± 134.030 ng/ml). Here we determined the molecular responses at the level of the sperm epigenome to serum p,p’-DDE levels using MethylC-Capture-seq (MCC-seq) and chromatin-immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq). We identified genomic regions with altered DNA methylation (DNAme) and differential enrichment of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in sperm. We used in silico analyses to discover regions of differential methylation associated with p,p’-DDE levels that were predicted to be transmitted and persist in the embryo.ResultsAlterations in DNAme and H3K4me3 enrichment followed dose response-like trends, and we identified overlapping genomic regions with DNAme sensitivities in both populations. Altered DNAme and H3K4me3 in sperm occurred at transposable elements and regulatory regions involved in fertility, disease, development, and neurofunction. A subset of regions with altered sperm DNAme and H3K4me3 were predicted to persist in the pre-implantation embryo and were associated with embryonic gene expression.LimitationsThe samples were collected from remote areas of the world thus sample size is relatively small. The populations differed in the routes of exposure, timing of collection, mean age (mean of 25 versus 31 years of age in South African and Greenlandic populations respectively) and in the timing of p,p’-DDE measurement. Moreover, the Greenlandic Inuit men were proven fertile whereas the fertility status of the South African men was unknown. Confounding factors such as other environmental exposures and selection bias cannot be ruled out.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that in men, DDT and p,p’-DDE exposure impacts the sperm epigenome in a dose-responsive manner and may negatively impact the health of future generations through epigenetic mechanisms.

We study the properties of the Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey (SUMSS) 843~MHz radio AGN population in galaxy clusters from two large catalogs created using the Dark Energy Survey (DES): $\sim$11,800 optically selected RM-Y3 and $\sim$1,000 X-ray selected MARD-Y3 clusters. We show that cluster radio loud AGN are highly concentrated around cluster centers to $z\sim1$. We measure the halo occupation number for cluster radio AGN above a threshold luminosity, finding that the number of radio AGN per cluster increases with cluster halo mass as $N\propto M^{1.2\pm0.1}$ ($N\propto M^{0.68\pm0.34}$) for the RM-Y3 (MARD-Y3) sample. Together, these results indicate that radio mode feedback is favoured in more massive galaxy clusters. Using optical counterparts for these sources, we demonstrate weak redshift evolution in the host broad band colors and the radio luminosity at fixed host galaxy stellar mass. We use the redshift evolution in radio luminosity to break the degeneracy between density and luminosity evolution scenarios in the redshift trend of the radio AGN luminosity function (LF). The LF exhibits a redshift trend of the form $(1+z)^\gamma$ in density and luminosity, respectively, of $\gamma_{\rm D}=3.0\pm0.4$ and $\gamma_{\rm P}=0.21\pm0.15$ in the RM-Y3 sample, and $\gamma_{\rm D}=2.6\pm0.7$ and $\gamma_{\rm P}=0.31\pm0.15$ in MARD-Y3. We discuss the physical drivers of radio mode feedback in cluster AGN, and we use the cluster radio galaxy LF to estimate the average radio-mode feedback energy as a function of cluster mass and redshift and compare it to the core ($, Comment: 20 pages, 15 figures Replaced with published version

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association and mediation pathways among muscle mass, muscle function (muscle strength and physical performance), and malnutrition with depressive symptoms clusters in the older hemodialysis patients.A multi-center cross-sectional study.A total of 499 patients aged ≥ 60 on hemodialysis from seven facilities in Shanghai of China from 2020 to 2021.Muscle mass was assessed by skeletal muscle index(SMI). Muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength, and physical performance was measured via gait speed and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Nutritional status was assessed by Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS). Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Logistic regression and mediation analyses fully adjusted for all potential confounding factors.Among 499 participants (312 men, mean age 69.2±6.6 years), 108 (21.6%) had depressive symptoms. The muscle strength, physical performance and malnutrition were associated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, malnutrition significantly mediated the association of muscle function with total, cognitive-affective symptoms. The association of the muscle function with somatic symptoms were mediated by the nutritional status. The mediated proportions of malnutrition in the relationship between physical performance and depressive symptoms clusters were stronger in somatic symptoms than in cognitive-affective symptoms.Our findings suggest that muscle function rather than muscle mass may contribute substantially to the development of depressive symptoms clusters in the hemodialysis via malnutrition. The malnutrition mediated stronger in the association of muscle function with somatic symptoms. These findings may help guide clinicians to better diagnose and manage depression in the context of concomitant muscle function and malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of wogonoside on high glucose-induced dysfunction of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic retinopathy in rats and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: HRMECs in routine culture were treated with 25 mmol/L mannitol or exposed to high glucose (30 mmol/L glucose) and treatment with 10, 20, 30, 40 μmol/L wogonoside. CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were used to examine cell proliferation and migration, and the changes in tube formation and monolayer cell membrane permeability were tested. ROS, NO and GSH-ST kits were used to evaluate oxidative stress levels in the cells. The expressions of IL-1β and IL-6 in the cells were examined with qRT-PCR and ELISA, and the protein expressions of VEGF, HIF-1α and SIRT1 were detected using Western blotting. We also tested the effect of wogonoside on retinal injury and expressions of HIF-1α, ROS, VEGF, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and SIRT1 proteins in rat models of STZ-induced diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: High glucose exposure caused abnormal proliferation and migration, promoted angiogenesis, increased membrane permeability (P < 0.05), and induced inflammation and oxidative stress in hRMECs (P < 0.05). Wogonoside treatment concentration-dependently inhibited high glucose-induced changes in hRMECs. High glucose exposure significantly lowered the expression of SIRT1 in hRMECs, which was partially reversed by wogonoside (30 μmol/L) treatment; interference of SIRT1 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effects of wogonoside against high glucose-induced changes in proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, membrane permeability, inflammation and oxidative stress in hRMECs. In rat models of STZ-induced diabetic retinopathy, wogonoside effectively suppressed retinal thickening (P < 0.05), alleviated STZ-induced retinal injury, and increased the expression of SIRT1 in the retinal tissues (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Wogonoside alleviates retinal damage caused by diabetic retinopathy by up-regulating SIRT1 expression.

The "Metastasis type V", "Envelope" theory and other concepts have been proposed to make gastric surgeons have a full understanding of the importance of mesogastrium, and the correct identification of the boundary of the mesogastrium is the premise of the complete mesogastrium excision(CME), and also the best way to achieve truly standardized D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer. In this paper, the boundary of the mesogastrium during complete mesogastrium excision for gastric cancer and how to achieve this operation in practice were studied, which help gastric surgeons finally find the mesogastrium tissue distributed throughout the gastric cancer surgery to achieve the best surgical treatment effect.胃癌是危害我国肿瘤患者的排在前5位的肿瘤，肿瘤转移严重影响肿瘤患者的预后，胃癌的胃周淋巴结转移是胃癌最主要转移途径，“第5转移”等理念的提出，使胃外科医生对胃系膜的重要性有了充分的认识。规范化D2淋巴结清扫术是局部进展期胃癌最有效的治疗措施，是可手术胃癌患者能否治愈的重要措施。本文就精准医学时代下的胃癌D2淋巴结清扫术中有关全胃系膜切除中规范化解剖、术式及注意事项等结合自己的临床经验提出了见解，以供胃肠外科医生同道提供参考。.

Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of keratinocyte cancers, namely squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas (SCCs and BCCs). This is primarily due to the high levels of immunosuppression that are required to prevent allograft rejection. Different immunosuppressive medications confer different risks, and the effect of mycophenolate mofetil on SCC and BCC risk is unclear. We explored the relationship between mycophenolate dose prescribed over the entire transplant period and the risk of SCC and BCC.Kidney transplant recipients from Queensland, Australia, were recruited between 2012 and 2014 and followed until mid-2016. During this time transplant recipients underwent regular skin examinations to diagnose incident SCCs and BCCs. Immunosuppressive medication regimens were obtained from hospital records, and the average mycophenolate dose/day over the entire transplantation period was calculated for each patient. Doses were divided into three ranked groups, and adjusted relative risks (RRThere were 134 kidney transplant recipients included in the study. The average age was 55, 31% were female and 69% were male. At the highest median mycophenolate dose of 1818 mg/day the SCC risk doubled (RRHigher mycophenolate dosage is associated with increased SCCs in kidney transplant recipients, particularly those immunosuppressed for more than five years. The increased SCC risk persists after accounting for usage of other immunosuppressant medications.

An experimental study of 14 keV O− ions transmission through a tapered glass capillary with the inlet diameters of 580 μm, an outlet diameter of 68 μm and a length of 45 mm, has been performed in this work. It indicates that the O− ions transmitting through the tapered capillary had a density enhancement of about 5.5 times with the tilt angle of 0°. It was found that more than 97% of the transmitted and focused ions remained their initial charge state in central area. It’s the first time that focusing effect was observed and was reported in experiment for negative ions. The angular distribution of transmitted ions was narrow. These results clearly indicated that the focusing effect can be achieved in the transmission process of keV O− ions through a tapered glass capillary.

Photosynthesis is sensitive to water deficit (WD) stress. Maize (Zea mays L.) yield is vulnerable to water stress, especially if it occurs during the reproductive stage. In this study, the expression patterns of photosynthesis-related genes, together with photosynthetic gas-exchange and fluorescence parameters were investigated in a maize inbred line exposed to 50% of field water capacity (moderate WD) for 15 d after tassel emergence. The results demonstrated that WD down-regulated expression of psbA, psbB, psbC, psbP, psaA, psaB, and cab, especially at later periods of WD stress. Besides, with the increased WD stress, the steady decline in the value of photosynthesis performance index, maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry, quantum yield for electron transport, quantum yield for the reduction of end acceptors of PSI per photon absorbed, and the efficiency of an electron beyond QA- that reduced PSI acceptors, and a clear increase in the J-step and I-step, K-band as well as L-band were observed. The results suggested that WD might restrict light-harvesting and electron transport. Interestingly, leaf transcript levels of rbcL and rbcS were up-regulated at the later stage of water stress in maize inbred line, which helped repair injury to PSII centers and maintain PSII activity (increased quantum yield of dissipation and effective antenna size of an active reaction center) under 15-d lasting WD.

We conducted a single-arm phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects (AEs) of an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, nimotuzumab, combined with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) as first-line treatment in recurrent metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radical radiotherapy.Patients who met the eligibility criteria were recruited from ten institutions (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01616849). A Simon optimal two-stage design was used to calculate the sample size. All patients received weekly nimotuzumab (200 mg) added to cisplatin (100 mg/m2 D1) and 5-fluorouracil (4 g/m2 continuous infusion D1-4) every 3-weekly for a maximum of six cycles. Primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end points included disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and AEs.A total of 35 patients were enrolled (13 in stage 1 and 22 in stage 2). Overall ORR and DCR were 71.4% (25/35) and 85.7% (30/35), respectively. Median PFS and OS were 7.0 (95% CI 5.8-8.2) months and 16.3 (95% CI 11.4-21.3) months, respectively. Unplanned exploratory analyses suggest that patients who received ≥2400 mg nimotuzumab and ≥4 cycles of PF had superior ORR, PFS and OS than those who did not (88.9% versus 12.5%, P 0.001; 7.4 versus 2.7 months, P = 0.081; 17.0 versus 8.0 months, P = 0.202). Favourable subgroups included patients with lung metastasis [HROS 0.324 (95% CI 0.146-0.717), P = 0.008] and disease-free interval of12 months [HROS 0.307 (95% CI 0.131-0.724), P = 0.004], but no difference was observed for metastatic burden. The only major grade 3/4 AE was leukopenia (62.9%).Combination nimotuzumab-PF chemotherapy demonstrates potential efficacy, and is well tolerated as first-line chemotherapy regimen in recurrent metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.