A study on the correlations of PRL levels with anxiety, depression, sleep, and self-efficacy in patients with prolactinoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma and to investigate the correlations between anxiety, depression, sleep, self-efficacy, and PRL levels. Methods: This retrospective study included 176 patients with prolactinoma who received outpatient treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from May 2017 to August 2022. The general information questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) were used for data collection. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to analyze the factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma. GEE single-effect analysis was used to compare PRL levels at different time points between anxiety group and nonanxiety group, between insomnia group and normal group, and between low, medium, and high self-efficacy groups. Results: The median baseline PRL level and the PRL levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up were 268.50 ng/ml, 122.25 ng/ml, 21.20 ng/ml, 19.65 ng/ml, and 16.10 ng/ml, respectively. Among patients with prolactinoma, 59.10% had anxiety (HADS-A score = 7.35 ± 3.34) and 28.98% had depression (HADS-D score = 5.23 ± 3.87), 9.10% had sleep disorders (AIS score = 6.10 ± 4.31) and 54.55% had low self-efficacy (GSES score = 2.13 ± 0.83). Educational level, tumor size, number of visits, sleep quality, anxiety level, and self-efficacy level were found to be factors influencing PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma (P<0.05). Higher PRL levels were observed in the anxiety group compared to the non-anxiety group (P<0.001), in the insomnia group compared to the normal group (P<0.05), and in the low self-efficacy group compared to the medium and high self-efficacy groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: PRL levels in patients with prolactinoma are related to education level, tumor size, number of visits, anxiety, self-efficacy, and sleep but not depression. PRL levels were higher in patients with anxiety, low self-efficacy, and sleep disorders.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and self-efficacy of the Chinese public regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an online cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To evaluate the current status of Chinese public's knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and self-efficacy regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to analyze the factors that influence KAP and self-efficacy. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to June 2022 in Mainland China via a self-designed self-filled questionnaire. Potential participants were recruited through WeChat by convenience sampling and snowball sampling methods. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were used for statistical analysis. Results: The survey included 4,450 participants from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities across Mainland China, aged 18 or above. The public's average understanding (clear and very clear) of the knowledge regarding CPR was 67.4% (3,000/4,450), with an average proportion of positive attitudes at 96.8% (4,308/4,450). In practice, the average proportion of good practices was 92.8% (4,130/4,450), while the percentage of good self-efficacy averaged at 58.9% (2,621/4,450), only 42.4% (1,885/4,450) of the participants had confidence in the correct use of automated external defibrillator (AED). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significantly positive correlation among knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that several factors have a significant influence on the public's CPR KAP and self-efficacy, including ever having received CPR training (p < 0.001), hearing about AED (p < 0.001), performing CPR on others (p < 0.001), hearing about CPR (p < 0.001), occupation (p < 0.001), personal health status (p < 0.001), education level (p < 0.001), gender (p < 0.001), and encountering someone in need of CPR (p = 0.021). Conclusion: The Chinese public demonstrates good knowledge of CPR, positive attitude, and high willingness to perform CPR. However, there is still room for improvement in the mastery of some professional knowledge points related to CPR and AED. It should be noted that knowledge, attitude, practice, and self-efficacy are interrelated and influence each other. Factors such as prior CPR training, hearing about AED, having performed CPR before, hearing about CPR, occupation, personal health status, education level, gender, and having encountered someone in need of CPR have a significant impact on the public's KAP and self-efficacy.

Checkpoint CD24 function on tumor and immunotherapy.

CD24 is a protein found on the surface of cells that plays a crucial role in the proliferation, invasion, and spread of cancer cells. It adheres to cell membranes through glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) and is associated with the prognosis and survival rate of cancer patients. CD24 interacts with the inhibitory receptor Siglec-10 that is present on immune cells like natural killer cells and macrophages, leading to the inhibition of natural killer cell cytotoxicity and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. This interaction helps tumor cells escape immune detection and attack. Although the use of CD24 as a immune checkpoint receptor target for cancer immunotherapy is still in its early stages, clinical trials have shown promising results. Monoclonal antibodies targeting CD24 have been found to be well-tolerated and safe. Other preclinical studies are exploring the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, antibody-drug conjugates, and gene therapy to target CD24 and enhance the immune response against tumors. In summary, this review focuses on the role of CD24 in the immune system and provides evidence for CD24 as a promising immune checkpoint for cancer immunotherapy.

Preparation and performance of a CsI scintillation screen with a double-period structure based on an oxidized silicon micropore array template.

A structured double-period CsI scintillation screen was successfully developed to improve its detection efficiency based on an oxidized silicon micropore array template with a period value on the order of micro-scale. The structure comprises a main structure along with a sub-structure. The main structure with a period of 8 µm was arranged in a square array consisting of square columnar scintillator units. The micropore walls between the main structure units were purposely fabricated from a SiO2-Si-SiO2 layered structure. The pore walls in commonly used single-structure with a period of 4 µm use the same layered structure composition to obtain a fair comparison. The thickness of both Si and the SiO2 layers was around 0.4 µm. The unique feature of the double structure lies in the even separation of each unit within the main structure into four square columnar scintillator sub-units. These four sub-units within each sub-structure were isolated solely by SiO2 layers with a thickness of approximately 0.8 µm. As a result, the X-ray-induced optical luminescence intensity of the double-structure screen exhibited a 31% increase compared to the corresponding single-structure scintillation screen. In X-ray imaging, a spatial resolution of 109 lp/mm was achieved, which closely matched the results obtained with the single-structure CsI screen. Furthermore, the detective quantum efficiency also displayed a notable improvement.

De novo biosynthesis of 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid, the monomer for high-performance hydroxyl modified PBO fiber, by enzymatic Kolbe-Schmitt reaction with CO2 fixation.

BACKGROUND: High-performance poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber, with excellent mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, and toughness), high thermal stability combined and light weight, are widely employed in automotive and aerospace composites, body armor and sports goods. Hydroxyl modified PBO (HPBO) fiber shows better photostability and interfacial shear strength. 2-Hydroxyterephthalic acid (2-HTA), the monomer for the HPBO fiber, is usually synthesized by chemical method, which has poor space selectivity and high energy consumption. The enzymatic Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, which carboxylates phenolic substrates to generate hydroxybenzoic acids with bicarbonate/CO2, was applied in de novo biosynthesis of 2-HTA with CO2 fixation. RESULTS: The biosynthesis of 2-HTA was achieved by the innovative application of hydroxybenzoic acid (de)carboxylases to carboxylation of 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-HBA) at the para-position of the benzene carboxyl group, known as enzymatic Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid decarboxylase from Aspergillus oryzae (2,3-DHBD_Ao) were expressed in recombinant E. coli and showed highest activity. The yield of 2-HTA was 108.97 ± 2.21 µg/L/mg protein in the whole-cell catalysis. In addition, two amino acid substitutions, F27G and T62A, proved to be of great help in improving 2,3-DHBD activity. The double site mutation F27G/T62A increased the production of 2-HTA in the whole-cell catalysis by 24.7-fold, reaching 2.69 ± 0.029 mg/L/mg protein. Moreover, de novo biosynthetic pathway of 2-HTA was constructed by co-expression of 2,3-DHBD_Ao and 3-hydroxybenzoate synthase Hyg5 in S. cerevisiae S288C with Ura3, Aro7 and Trp3 knockout. The engineered strain synthesized 45.40 ± 0.28 µg/L 2-HTA at 36 h in the CO2 environment. CONCLUSIONS: De novo synthesis of 2-HTA has been achieved, using glucose as a raw material to generate shikimic acid, chorismic acid, and 3-HBA, and finally 2-HTA. We demonstrate the strong potential of hydroxybenzoate (de)carboxylase to produce terephthalic acid and its derivatives with CO2 fixation.

Optimization of SiO2 reflective layer thickness for improving the performance of structured CsI scintillation screen based on oxidized Si micropore array template in X-ray imaging.

Structured scintillation screen based on oxidized Si micropore array template can effectively improve the spatial resolution of X-ray imaging. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of SiO2 layer thickness on the light guide and X-ray imaging performance of CsI scintillation screen when the structural period is as small as microns. Cylindrical micropores with a period of 4.3 µm, an average diameter of 3.3 µm and a depth of about 40 µm were prepared in Si wafers. SiO2 layer was formed on the pore walls after thermal oxidation. Increasing SiO2 layer thickness would be beneficial to the propagation of scintillation light along the cylindrical channels. What was not previously anticipated was that the pore size gradually shrank as the SiO2 layer thickened. The pore shrinkage would reduce the filling rate of CsI in the templates and thus would reduce the production of scintillation light. The structured CsI scintillation screens with different SiO2 layer thicknesses were fabricated by filling CsI scintillator into the oxidized silicon micropore array template. The morphology, crystallinity, X-ray excited optical luminescence, and X-ray imaging performance of the screens were studied. The results show that the spatial resolutions of X-ray images measured using the structured CsI scintillation screens with different SiO2 layer thicknesses are close to each other, and they are all about 110 lp/mm. However, the X-ray excited optical luminescence of the screen and detective quantum efficiency of X-ray imaging vary with the thickness of the SiO2 layer. The optimal thickness is about 350 nm.

Natural products regulate mitochondrial function in cognitive dysfunction-A scoping review.

Medicines from natural products can not only treat neurodegenerative diseases but also improve the cognitive dysfunction caused by treatments with western medicines. This study reviews the literature related to the regulation of mitochondrial participation in cognitive function by natural products. In this study, we focused on English articles in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, from 15 October 2017, to 15 October 2022. Fourteen studies that followed the inclusion criteria were integrated, analyzed, and summarized. Several studies have shown that natural products can improve or reduce cognitive dysfunction by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. These results suggest that natural products may serve as new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging with different dual time 18F-FDG PET/CT with forced diuresis in clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer.

The aim of this study was to compare the capability of different dual time (interval 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours) 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with forced diuresis to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa). A retrospective review of 273 male patients from March 2009 to June 2019, with any focal 18F-FDG uptake in the prostate gland during PET/CT imaging. Early PET/CT imaging was performed 60 minutes after FDG injection. Delayed imaging was performed 1 to 4 hours after diuretic injection. For prostate lesions with increased 18F-FDG uptake, a spheroid-shaped volume of interest was drawn, including the entire lesion, and the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the lesion was measured. The SUVmax > 2.5 after delayed imaging and the retention index > 15% were used as the diagnostic criteria for PET/CT in the diagnosis of PCa. Otherwise, it was diagnosed as the benign prostate disease. The final diagnosis was based on histological examination, associated imaging studies, or/and clinical follow-up. The results of inter-group comparison showed that the SUVmax of 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hour delayed imaging after diuresis in PCa group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < .05), but there was no statistical difference in SUVmax of early imaging between PCa and control group (P > .05). And the retention index of PCa group that delayed 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after diuresis were significantly higher than those of control group, respectively (P < .05). The diagnostic sensitivity of imaging delayed 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after diuresis was 68.8%, 81.2%, 85.7 %, and 71.4%, the specificity was 52.5%, 74.5%, 70.6%, and 65.0%, and the accuracy was respectively 58.2%, 77.4%, 76.4%, and 67.6%, the positive predictive values were 44.0%, 68.9%, 64.3%, and 58.8%, and the negative predictive value were 75.6%, 85.4%, 88.9%, and 76.5%, respectively. 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging as an imaging tool lacks certain specificity in the diagnosis of PCa, regardless of whether the imaging is delayed. The main advantage of delayed diuretic imaging in PCa is that it can significantly improve the sensitivity, especially the diagnostic effect delayed 2 hours after diuresis is better.

The role of vitamin D deficiency in the development of paediatric diseases.

Children's Vitamin D (VitD) fortification and supplementation are diminishing due to less outdoor exercise and insufficient VitD intake (low exogenous intake and endogenous malabsorption induced by gastrointestinal disease). Consequently, children in many developed countries suffer from VitD deficiency, which may contribute to many paediatric disorders. Our review briefly introduced the metabolic process of VitD, summarized the role of VitD in paediatric diseases such as autism, obesity, rickets and asthma. We sought to identify the link between VitD deficiency and these diseases.

Cultural factors and senior tourism: Evidence from the Chinese context.

Recently, numerous studies have focused on tourism among the older population. Of them, most reported on status analysis, tourism motivation, and tourism model, to name a few; however, there was a lack of comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the motivation, influencing factors, policy impact, and other factors of older tourism. Thus, this study conducted various keyword searches among both English and Chinese publications. We found that older population's tourism is affected by various factors, such as travel expense, physical condition, the length and distance of a trip, and cultural influence. The results provide a reference for the development and implementation of tourism among the older population.

Influence of the thickness of a SiO2 reflective layer on the performance of a structured CsI(Tl) scintillation screen based on an oxidized Si micropore array template in X-ray imaging.

To obtain better light guidance and optical isolation effects under a limited microcolumn wall thickness, the influence of the thickness of a SiO2 reflective layer on the performance of a structured CsI(Tl) scintillation screen based on an oxidized Si micropore array template in X-ray imaging was simulated. The results show that the SiO2 reflective layer should maintain a certain thickness to achieve good light-guide performance. However, if the template is entirely composed of SiO2, the light isolation performance of the microcolumn wall will be slightly worse. The results provide a basis for optimizing the thickness of SiO2 reflective layer.

An exploration of circular water management accountability: A case from Indonesia.

Purpose: Palm oil is the leading commodity of the plantation sub-sector in Indonesia, providing a tremendous economic impact for the people and the government. However, the development of oil palm plantations raises the issue of environmental damage because oil palms use large quantities of water. The purpose of this study is to explore circular water management accountability practices through disclosures issued by each company and the effectiveness of water management voluntary disclosure under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards on increasing stakeholder trust and reducing information asymmetry. Design/methodology/approach: This study used secondary data collected from reports published by plantation sub-sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and accessible online. Analysis was performed using the method of Miles and Huberman (1992): data reduction, data presentation, conclusion drawing, and verification. Data reduction was conducted by identifying plantation sub-sector companies that reported water management practices consecutively from 2018 to 2020 and seeking all disclosures related to water management and circular water management practices with 3R indicators. Data presentation was carried out by presenting findings from circular water management disclosures and comparing inter-year circular water management accountability practices to examine reporting routines. Finally, conclusions were drawn and verified. Findings: The results of this study show that only six of the 20 plantation sub-sector companies reported circular water management with 3R indicators for three consecutive years (2018-2020). Two of these six companies attached GRI index references to their reports consisting of GRI 303 (Water and Effluents) and GRI 306 (Waste), while the other four did not. In addition, water management voluntary disclosure under the GRI standards was shown to increase stakeholder trust and reduce information asymmetry. Originality/value: This study raises the concepts of water accounting and circular water management accountability practices in plantation sub-sector companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).

[Preparation and effect against cervical cancer invasion in vitro of harmine-loaded photosensitive liposomes].

Despite the development of HPV vaccines and screening programs, cervical cancer is still a serious threat to women's health. Early-stage cervical cancer is mainly treated by surgery. However, considering the serious complications after surgery, hyperthermia is recommended to enhance the effect of chemotherapy, retain the integrity of cervix, improve the treatment effect, which provides a therapeutic basis for the early treatment of cervical cancer. The photosensitive liposomes containing harmine and dye IR-780 were prepared by thin-film dispersion method and separated by Sephadex G-50 dextran gel column. The preparation conditions were optimized as the mass ratio of phospholipid to cholesterol membrane material being 8∶1 and that of drug to lipid being 1∶20. The results of HPLC showed that the encapsulation efficiency of harmine was 55.6%±0.18%. The prepared photosensitive liposomes were round and evenly distributed under transmission electron microscope, with the particle size of(125.2±0.62) nm determined by Marvin particle size analyzer and the Zeta potential of(-2.55±0.76) mV. Additionally, the photosensitive liposomes had the photothermal conversion efficiency, an important property of photothermal agent, of 27.1%±0.86%. The photosensitive liposomes stored at 4 ℃ showed stable encapsulation efficiency in the first 14 days without flocculation. The sulforhodamine B(SRB) assay was employed to determine the inhibitory effect of the liposomes on the proliferation of HeLa cells under near-infrared(NIR) irradiation or not, which showcased stronger inhibitory effect under NIR irradiation. The results of Transwell assay indicated that the prepared liposomes significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of HeLa cells in vitro. The findings of this study provide a basis for the treatment of cervical cancer with harmine.

Transtheoretical model-based mobile health application for PCOS.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification (diet, exercise, and behavioral interventions) is the first-line treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The benefits of face-to-face lifestyle modification intervention in a short time have been demonstrated. However, few studies have investigated the mobile technology effects on lifestyle modification in PCOS. Therefore, we examined the effect of transtheoretical model-based mobile health application intervention program for PCOS. METHODS: A randomised controlled, single-blind trial, was carried out from October 2018 to March 2019, which included 122 participants recruited from gynecology outpatient clinics of affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University in Guizhou. The study participants were randomised into intervention (n = 61) and control groups (n = 61). Participants in the intervention group undertook a TTM-based mobile health application program in addition to routine care, and participants in the control group received only routine care. RESULTS: Fifty-one participants in the intervention group and 49 in the control group completed the study. Compared to the control group, participants in the intervention group showed statistically significant decrease for BMI (P < 0.05), WC (P < 0.05), SAS (P < 0.05), and SDS (P < 0.05) scores at 6-month and 12-month, respectively. Behavior stage change of exercise and diet among paticipants with PCOS was significant at 6 months (c2 = 43.032, P < 0.05) and 12th months (c2 = 49.574, P < 0.05) between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the TTM-based mobile health application program can decrease BMI, WC, anxiety, and depression, and improve exercise and diet adherence in patients with PCOS in the long term. The TTM-based mobile health application program can be applied for lifestyle modification in women with PCOS. Trial registration This study was approved by the ethics committee NO.[2019]1-028 in March 2018 and was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (website: www.chictr.org.cn , registry number: ChiCTR2000034572).

Poor adherence of life management in patients with PCOS and many then go on to adherence poor health outcomes as a result. There is an urgent need for new approach to enhance to life management compliance for patients with PCOS. TTM is a common behavior change model, which can effectively promote the behavior change of patients, but it has not been used in the life management of PCOS patients. Meanwhile, the traditional life management of PCOS is mainly face-to-face intervention, few studies have investigated the mobile technology effects on lifestyle modification in PCOS. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of TTM-based mobile technology (for lifestyle modification) on the maintenance of health-related behavior changes among women with PCOS. This study confirmed that the TTM-based mobile health application program can decrease BMI, WC, anxiety, and depression, and improve exercise and diet adherence in patients with PCOS in the long term. Our study conducted TTM-based mobile health application program can provide a reference for other researchers or research organizations.

Influence of Si wall thickness of CsI(Tl) micro-square-frustums on the performance of the structured CsI(Tl) scintillation screen in X-ray imaging.

To improve the detection efficiency of the structured scintillation screen with CsI(Tl) micro-square-frustums based on oxidized Si micropore array template in the case of a period as small as microns, the influence of Si wall thickness of the CsI(Tl) micro-square-frustums on the performance of the structured screen in X-ray imaging was investigated. The results show that when CsI(Tl) at the bottom of the screen is structured, the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) improves at almost all spatial frequency as the top thickness of the Si wall tSi decreases. However, when CsI (Tl) at the bottom of the screen is not structured, the DQE becomes better at low-frequency and worse at high-frequency as tSi decreases. The results can provide guidance for optimizing tSi according to the comprehensive requirements of detection efficiency and spatial resolution in X-ray imaging.

Linagliptin ameliorated interleukin-29-induced reduction of extracellular matrix genes through the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/sry-type high-mobility-group box (SOX)-9 axis in an in vitro study on C-28/I2 chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a severe orthopedic disease commonly observed in the elderly population and is closely related to the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage tissues. Interleukin-29 (IL-29) is a cytokine that has been recently linked with the progression of OA. However, the physiological roles of IL-29 in ECM genes and function are unknown. Linagliptin is a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor recently reported to exert significant anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we used IL-29 to stimulate C-28/I2 chondrocytes to build an inflammatory injury model. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of Linagliptin on IL-29-induced degradation of ECM. We found that IL-29 stimulation reduced the expressions of Col2a1 and Acan in C-28/I2 chondrocytes, and this effect was mediated by SRY-related high-mobility group box gene-9 (SOX-9), as we showed that overexpression of SOX-9 could rescue the reduction of Col2a1 and Acan. Interestingly, we found that IL-29 stimulation pronouncedly promoted the expression of DPP-4. Treatment with 100 nM of the DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin ameliorated IL-29-induced expressions of SOX-9, Col2a1, and Acan. Lastly, the nuclear level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was dramatically declined in IL-29-challenged chondrocytes and the protective effects of Linagliptin on the expressions of SOX-9, Col2a1, and Acan were abolished by the knockdown of Nrf2. Taken together, our data reveal that Linagliptin ameliorated IL-29-induced reduction of ECM genes partially through the Nrf2/SOX-9 axis in C-28/I2 chondrocytes. Further in vivo and clinical studies will be done to clarify the protective benefits of Linagliptin in OA.

Comparison of arthroscopic debridement and microfracture in the treatment of osteochondral lesion of talus.

Objective: This study was performed to compare the clinical effect of arthroscopic debridement vs. arthroscopic microfracture in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with osteochondral lesion of talus who were admitted to our hospital from April 2020 to April 2021. The patients were divided into Group A (arthroscopic debridement group, n = 39) and Group B (arthroscopic microfracture group, n = 42), and the intraoperative details in the two groups were analyzed. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were compared between the two groups before surgery and at the last follow-up. Results: The postoperative AOFAS score (Group A, 40.9-82.26; Group B, 38.12-87.38), VAS score (Group A, 6.44-3.92; Group B, 6.38-2.05) significantly improved in both groups, but the improvement was significantly greater in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.05). Among all patients, the AOFAS and VAS scores of men aged ≤30 years and patients with a low body mass index (BMI) improved more significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The arthroscopic microfracture for the treatment of osteochondral lesion of talus is superior to joint debridement in terms of improving ankle function, especially in relatively young men with a relatively low BMI.

A Repair Method for Damage in Aluminum Alloy Structures with the Cold Spray Process.

Aluminum alloy structures may be damaged due to wear or corrosion while in service. These damages will bring about huge financial costs, as well as a huge amount of energy consumption. There is an urgent need to search for an appropriate repair method in order to solve this problem. In this research, the cold spray process was used to repair the damages by using a mixture of powders with Al and Al2O3. A 7N01-T4 aluminum alloy plate with a factitious pit was regarded as the damaged sample. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior were studied. The results showed that there were no visible perforative pores or cracks in the repaired areas. The microhardness of the repaired areas was in the range of 57.4-63.2 HV and was lower than that of the 7N01-T4 aluminum alloy. The tensile strength of the repaired samples was markedly improved compared with the unrepaired samples. The alternate immersion test results indicated that the repaired samples had the lowest rate of mass loss compared with 7N01-T4 and the unrepaired samples. After alternate immersion tests for 504 h, the repaired samples were covered with dense corrosion products. The repaired samples had a superior corrosion resistance compared to that of 7N01-T4. Thus, the cold spray process is a method of repairing damage in aluminum alloy structures.

Performance of a CsI(Tl) scintillation screen with a dual-periodic structure based on an oxidized silicon micropore array template in X-ray imaging.

To address the reduction in the detection efficiency of a structured CsI(Tl) scintillation screen when its structure period reaches the order of microns, a dual-periodic structure of the screen is proposed. The special feature of the dual structure is that each unit of the primary structure is divided equally into either four or nine square column-shaped scintillation sub-units. The sub-units are separated only by SiO2 layers to form a secondary structure. The results show that the performance of a dual-structure CsI(Tl) screen in X-ray imaging is much better than that of a corresponding single-structure screen.

Prevalence of fatigue and associated factors among clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Guizhou, China: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is important, but ignored symptom among COPD patients. At present, there is very limited data are available for the prevalence of fatigue and its risk factors among COPD patients in China. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of fatigue and to investigate the factors associated with fatigue among clinically stable patients with COPD in China. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect data on sociodemographic, related to COPD disease, and exercise habits. Multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI-20) was used to assess the prevalence of fatigue. Independent samples t test, bivariate correlation, one-way ANOVA test, and test for several independent samples were used to compare the sociodemographic factors with MFI-20 scores of COPD patients. Multiple stepwise linear regression was performed to estimate influencing factors related to the MFI-20 of COPD patients. RESULTS: Among the participants, the prevalence of fatigue was 88.62%. Negative correlations were found between FEV1% and multidimensional fatigue (r = -0.40, p < 0.01), general fatigue (r = -0.20, p < 0.05), reduced activity (r = -0.20, p < 0.01), and physical fatigue (r = -0.10, p < 0.01). A multiple linear regression models revealed that age (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05), FEV1 % (p < 0.01), exercise times (p < 0.01), and the times of hospitalization in the past 12 months (p < 0.05) were associated with multidimensional fatigue scores. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fatigue is high among clinically stable patients with COPD. Keeping exercise, prevention obesity, and exacerbation should be an effective intervention strategy to reduce COPD-related fatigue.