Alkalinity Regulation and Optimization of Cementitious Materials Used in Ecological Porous Concrete.

Ecological porous concrete (EPC) is one of the novel formulations of concrete with unique phytogenic properties. However, achieving both low alkalinity and high strength in EPC proves challenging due to the inherently high alkalinity of the pore environment, which hinders the growth of the plant and affects its ecological benefits significantly. This research investigated the utilization of 15 types of chemical admixtures and diatomaceous earth as alkali-reducing agents to optimize the properties of silicate cementitious materials for the applications of EPC. To identify the most effective agents, the pH value and compressive strength of the cement paste were adopted as the screening criteria for the selection of the essential alkali-reducing ingredients. Subsequently, a composite approach combining chemical admixtures and DE was employed to explore the synergistic effects on the pH and strength of silicate cementitious materials. The results revealed that a combination of 8% DE, 5% oxalic acid, and 5% iron sulfate functioned effectively and resulted in desirable performance for the concrete. This synergistic blend effectively consumed a large amount of Ca(OH)2, reducing the pH of cement paste to 10.48 within 3 days. Furthermore, the hydration reaction generated C-S-H with a low Ca/Si ratio, leading to a remarkable increase in the compressive strength of the concrete, reaching 89.7 MPa after 56 days. This composite approach ensured both low alkalinity and high strength in silicate cementitious materials, providing a theoretical basis for the application and promotion of EPC in the ecological field.

Effect of Positive Psychological Intervention on Well-Being, 2-Week Illness Prevalence, and Salivary Immunoglobulin A.

The study aims to explore the effect of positive psychological intervention (fun activities combined with positive mental health education) on the well-being, 2-week illness prevalence, and salivary immunoglobulin A of empty nesters. Ninety-two empty nesters were divided into intervention ( n = 49) and control ( n = 43) groups. The empty nesters in the intervention group performed the intervention in addition to routine community activities. The intervention group scored significantly higher on well-being ( p< .05) compared with the control group after intervention. A week after intervention, salivary immunoglobulin A of the intervention group ( p< .05) was higher than that before intervention. Meanwhile, the difference in salivary immunoglobulin A in the control group before and after intervention was not statistically significant. 2-week illness prevalence in both groups did not exhibit a significant difference ( p> .05). Results indicate that positive psychological intervention can effectively increase the well-being and salivary immunoglobulin A of empty nesters and improve their physical and mental health.

[A clinical study of changes in retina and visual field in patients with early Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the changes of retinal structure and visual field mean defects (MD) in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and the related factors. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with early stage PD and 33 normal controls were enrolled in this study. PD patients were evaluated by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage in "off" period. All subjects undertook retina of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular examinations by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and MD by automatic visual field analyzer. RESULTS: (1) The average thicknesses of RNFL and C11 quadrant RNFL were thinner in PD group [(96.2 ± 7.6)µm and (124.4 ± 18.4)µm] than in healthy controls [(102.6 ± 5.0)µm and (135.4 ± 21.8)µm, respectively, P=0.000 and P=0.047]. Moreover, PD patients had a thinner average thickness of macular [(277.2 ± 9.6) µm vs (285.8 ± 12.6) µm, P=0.006], and smaller macular volume compared with controls [(10.0 ± 0.3) mm³ vs (10.3 ± 0.4) mm³, P=0.006]. However, there was no significant difference in MD between PD and control subjects [(0.43 ± 2.75)dB vs (-0.18 ± 1.41) dB, P=0.322]. (2) Pearson's correlation analysis showed that H-Y stage was negative correlated with the average RNFL thickness (r=-0.569), average macular thickness and volume (r=-0.501 and r=-0.417) in PD patients (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PD patients have thinner average thicknesses of RNFL, C11 quadrant RNFL and macular, smaller macular volume than those in normal controls. There were no significant differences in MD between two groups.There were negative relationships between H-Y stage, and retinal thickness and volume of PD patients.

[Correlations between olfactory and cognitive functions in early stage Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the general characteristics of olfactory and cognitive functions in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and examine their correlations. METHODS: The olfactory functions were assessed for 63 PD patients and 55 age and gender-matched normal subjects using T&T olfactory assessment. The scales of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were employed. The olfactory and cognitive parameters and their relationship were analyzed. There were five different odors in T&T testing liquid and each odor had 5 concentration gradients. The level had an assigned value of 1 to 5 and number 3 represented the standard threshold of olfactory recognition. The mean value of five odors was overall olfactory detection or cognition threshold. RESULTS: (1) The olfactory detection and recognition thresholds were 4.0 ± 1.3/4.8 ± 0.9 in PD group versus 2.5 ± 0.9/2.9 ± 0.9 in normal controls. The scores of MoCA and MMSE were lower in PD group than those in controls (23.7 ± 3.0 vs 25.9 ± 2.0, t = 4.727, P = 0.000; 27.8 ± 1.9 vs 28.9 ± 0.9, t = 4.036, P = 0.000). (2) Linear correlation analysis showed that olfactory recognition threshold was correlated negatively with MoCA scores. The olfactory detection and recognition thresholds were correlated negatively with the score of visual-spatial perception and executive capability (r = -0.365, -0.403, P < 0.05). The olfactory recognition threshold was correlated negatively with the score of delayed memory (r = -0.299, P < 0.05). And this phenomenon was absent in controls. CONCLUSION: Early PD patients have olfactory dysfunction and cognitive impairment. And these two non-motor symptoms are negatively correlated.

Quantitative and fiber-selective evaluation of pain and sensory dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Pain and sensory disturbances affect many patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study aimed to evaluate the pain and sensory sensitivity of each class of afferent fibers in PD patients and determine the effects of dopaminergic therapy on pain and sensory sensitivity. METHODS: Current perception threshold (CPT) and pain tolerance thresholds (PTT) at three frequencies, 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz, to stimulate Aß fibers, Aδ fibers, and small C-polymodal fibers, respectively, were measured in 72 PD patients and 35 healthy controls. RESULTS: CPT was higher at all three frequencies and PTT was lower at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz in PD patients with pain versus healthy controls (P < 0.05). CPT was higher at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz and PTT was lower at 2000 Hz and 250 Hz in PD patients without pain versus healthy controls (P < 0.05). PD patients with pain exhibited higher CPT at 5 Hz and 250 Hz than PD patients without pain (P < 0.05). Dopaminergic therapy did not affect CPT or PPT in PD patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal Aδ fiber- and Aß fiber-dependent sensory inputs may exist in PD. Abnormal sensory inputs via C fibers and Aδ fibers might be associated with the presence of pain in PD. Because dopaminergic therapy failed to mitigate these sensory and pain dysfunctions, mechanisms not involving the dopaminergic pathway are likely to be implicated.

Parkinson's disease patients with pain suffer from more severe non-motor symptoms.

Non-motor symptoms, including pain, depression, sleep disorder, and olfactory dysfunction, occur frequently in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), even before the onset of motor symptoms. Although studies have examined the correlation between pain and depression or sleep disorder in PD, few studies have investigated the correlation between pain and a range of other non-motor symptoms of PD. PD patients (n = 142) with or without pain were included in the study. PD severity was evaluated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr (H/Y) staging scale. Pain severity was analyzed with the Visual Analog Scale. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD; 24 items), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version (MoCA), and non-motor questionnaire (NMSQT) measured symptoms of depression, cognitive function, and non-motor symptoms. The incidence of pain was 47.9% in patients with PD, most of whom had moderate pain levels. Patients with pain showed higher HRSD, UPDRS, H/Y, and NMSQT scores and lower MoCA scores compared to those of patients without pain. HRSD and NMSQT scores were closely related with pain (P < 0.001). Non-motor symptoms were more prominent in patients with pain compared to that of controls and PD patients without pain.