The prediction of influenza-like illness using national influenza surveillance data and Baidu query data.

BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza and other respiratory tract infections are serious public health problems that need to be further addressed and investigated. Internet search data are recognized as a valuable source for forecasting influenza or other respiratory tract infection epidemics. However, the selection of internet search data and the application of forecasting methods are important for improving forecasting accuracy. The aim of the present study was to forecast influenza epidemics based on the long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) method, Baidu search index data, and the influenza-like-illness (ILI) rate. METHODS: The official weekly ILI% data for northern and southern mainland China were obtained from the Chinese Influenza Center from 2018 to 2021. Based on the Baidu Index, search indices related to influenza infection over the corresponding time period were obtained. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to explore the association between influenza-related search queries and the ILI% of southern and northern mainland China. The LSTM model was used to forecast the influenza epidemic within the same week and at lags of 1-4 weeks. The model performance was assessed by evaluation metrics, including the mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). RESULTS: In total, 24 search queries in northern mainland China and 7 search queries in southern mainland China were found to be correlated and were used to construct the LSTM model, which included the same week and a lag of 1-4 weeks. The LSTM model showed that ILI% + mask with one lag week and ILI% + influenza name were good prediction modules, with reduced RMSE predictions of 16.75% and 4.20%, respectively, compared with the estimated ILI% for northern and southern mainland China. CONCLUSIONS: The results illuminate the feasibility of using an internet search index as a complementary data source for influenza forecasting and the efficiency of using the LSTM model to forecast influenza epidemics.

Laparoscopic repair of transected right hepatic artery during cholecystectomy: A report of two cases.

In laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the treatment of iatrogenic biliary tract injury has been given much attention. However, most accidental right hepatic artery (RHA) injuries are treated with simple clipping. The reason is that the RHA has difficulty in revascularization, and it is generally considered that RHA injury does not cause serious consequences. However, some studies suggest that some cases of RHA ligation can cause a series of pathological changes correlated to arterial ischemia, such as liver abscess, bile tumor, liver atrophy and anastomotic stenosis. Theoretically, RHA blood flow should be restored when possible, in order to avoid the complications of right hepatic ischemia. The present study involved two patients, including one male and one female patient. Both patients were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder stone, and developed ischemia of the right half hepatic after accidental transection of the RHA. Both patients underwent continuous end-end anastomosis of the RHA with 6-0 Prolene suture. After the blood vessel anastomosis, the right half liver quickly recovered to its original bright red. No adverse complications were observed in follow-ups at three and six months after the operation. Laparoscopic repair of the RHA is technically feasible. Reconstruction of the RHA can prevent complications associated with right hepatic ischemia.

Arterioportal shunts in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated using ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge: therapeutic effects and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization with ethanol-soaked gelatin sponge (ESG) for the treatment of arterioportal shunts (APSs) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 61 patients with unresectable HCC was included in this study, conducted from June 2008 to November 2011. These patients, who were treated with APSs, had received transarterial therapy. They underwent transarterial embolization of the shunt with ESG followed by transarterial chemoembolization if available. Changes in APSs, tumor response (per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), postembolization events, patient survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 13 months (range, 3-34 mo). The immediate APS improvement rate was 97% (59 of 61), and the APS improvement rate at first-time follow-up was 54% (33 of 61). Tumor response at 2 months after first embolization was as follows: complete response in two patients (3.3%), partial response in 24 patients (39.3%), stable disease in 24 patients (39.3%), and progressive disease in 11 patients (18.1%). Survival rates were 79% at 6 months, 50% at 1 year, and 12% at 2 years; the median survival time was 382 days. Maximal tumor size and APS improvement at first-time follow-up were demonstrated to be independent prognostic factors (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Transarterial embolization with ESG may be safe and effective for the treatment of APSs in patients with unresectable HCC. Small maximal tumor size (< 5 cm) and an improvement in APSs favored overall survival.

QRS duration shortening predicts left ventricular reverse remodelling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between the QRS duration, severity of mechanical dyssynchrony and efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is poorly understood. We determined if QRS duration shortening in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after treatment with CRT was predictive of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling. METHODS: Thirty patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were enrolled. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic recordings were obtained before and 6 months after CRT. Patients were classified as CRT responders or non-responders based on their echocardiographic parameters 6 months following CRT. RESULTS: After 6 months of CRT, 9 patients (30%) were classified as non-responders. Surprisingly, no significant differences in any of the preoperative metrics were found between CRT responders and non-responders. In sharp contrast, the postoperative parameters of the CRT responder group had significantly improved compared to the non-responder group. The average QRS duration of the CRT responders was significantly shorter than that of the non-responders (-37 +/- 23 ms vs. 0 +/- 23 ms; P < 0.01). The relationships between preoperative parameters, the change in QRS duration and LV end-diastolic diameter were analysed for each patient using multi-linear correlation and regression analyses. We found that the change in QRS duration positively cor- related with the change in LV endiastolic diameter (R = 0.583, P = 0.001). Furthermore, multi-linear regression analysis suggested that changes in QRS duration had a significant effect on LV end-diastolic diameter (y = 9.739 + 0.272 x, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: CRT-mediated changes in the QRS duration are predictive of LV reverse remodelling in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Mitigation of retinol-induced skin irritation by physiologic lipids: Evidence from patch testing.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of effective treatments to counter retinol-induced skin irritation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of three potential mitigants: (i) phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate (PLG), (ii) a physiologic lipid mixture (PLM) comprised of ceramide three and cholesterol, and (iii) niacinamide, in ameliorating irritation instigated by retinol. METHODS: An occlusive human patch test, spanning 5 days, was undertaken on 18 Chinese participants aged between 23 and 40. It was designed as a randomized, double-blind, and vehicle-controlled study. Clinician erythema assessment (CEA) and instrumental evaluations were employed pre and post-test. Subsequently, a 4-week consumer in-use test, randomized and double-blind in nature, was executed to substantiate the soothing effects of PLG. RESULTS: Data from CEA and bioengineering assessments revealed that, in comparison to the vehicle control, both 2% PLG and 5% PLM notably curbed retinol-induced skin erythema and inflammation. Notably, PLG outperformed PLM. Conversely, 3% niacinamide did not offer relief against retinol-induced discomfort. The subsequent consumer in-use test affirmed that treatments with 2% PLG were better tolerated than those with the vehicle alone. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first confirmation that physiologic lipids effectively mitigate retinol-induced irritation. Given their capacity to counter retinol-induced irritation, physiologic lipids, particularly PLG, are recommended for incorporation in retinol regimens. Additionally, the Visia-CR a* value can serve as a robust objective measure for interpreting patch test outcomes.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Surface Finishing of STAVAX Mold Steel Using Lab-Made Polishing Balls on a 5-Axis CNC Machining Center.

The inconvenience of conventional wool ball polishing is that the surface finishing process should be equipped with a slurry container. The main objective of this research is to develop an ultrasonic-assisted surface finishing process for STAVAX mold steel on a 5-axis CNC machining center, by using new lab-made rubber polishing balls containing the abrasive aluminum oxide instead of the traditional wool ball polishing. In total, five types (type A to type E) of new rubber-matrixed polishing balls with a composite of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), an abrasive of aluminum oxide, and an additive of silicon dioxide have been developed. The performance of the composites with different grain sizes (0.05 µm to 3 µm) and concentrations of the abrasive of aluminum oxide have been investigated. The effects of multiple polishing passes on the surface roughness improvement for the lab-made polishing balls have also been investigated in this study. A surface roughness of Ra 0.027 µm on average was achieved by using the multiple polishing process of E-C-B-A. The volumetric wear of the lab-made polishing balls, using ultrasonic vibration-assisted polishing, can be improved from about 12.64% (type A) to 65.48% (type E) compared with the non-vibration-assisted polishing. The suitable combination of the ultrasonic vibration-assisted polishing parameters were an amplitude of 10 µm, a frequency of 23 kHz, a spindle speed of 5000 rpm, a feed rate of 60 mm/min, a stepover of 20 µm, a penetration depth of 180 µm, and a polishing pass of E-C-B-A, based on the experimental results. The surface roughness improvement on a test carrier with a saddle surface has also been presented by using the ultrasonic vibration-assisted polishing with the lab-made polishing balls.

Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block Using Paraventricular Oblique Sagittal (POS) Approach for the Treatment of Acute Herpes Zoster: A Two-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work is to examine the efficacy and benefits of ultrasound (US)-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) using paraventricular oblique sagittal (POS) approach for the treatment of herpes zoster related acute pain (ZAP) and its preventive effects on post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). METHODS: A total of 136 patients suffering from ZAP within 2 weeks of rash onset were randomly allocated to transverse short axial approach (TSA) and paraventricular oblique sagittal (POS) group in 1:1 ratio. All patients received a standard antiviral treatment and rescue analgesics besides TPVB. Primary outcome was HZ illness burden (HZ-BOI) measured by a severity-by-duration composite pain assessment during 30 days. The non-inferiority margin (NIM) was set at - 10. Secondary outcomes included visual analog pain scores (VAS) and Kolcaba's General Comfort Questionnaire discomfortable scores (GCQ) during block needle insertion, quality of life (QoL), and PHN incidence during follow-up. Adverse events were also recorded. RESULTS: VAS pain scores (30 (IQR: 20, 40) vs. 65 (IQR: 45, 90), p < 0.001) and GCQ discomfortable scores (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the POS group during needle insertion. The POS approach was not inferior to the proved TSA method in terms of BOI-30AUC when the lower limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) of two mean differences (13.54 (95% CI - 3.55, 30.63)) lay within the NIM. There were no differences between the two groups in BOI-30-90AUC, and BOI-90-180AUC (p = 0.260 and 0.182). Greater QoL improvement and lower PHN incidence were comparable between the two groups. No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided TPVB using less-invasive POS technique was as an optimal early intervention to reduce ZAP and a possible preventive strategy for PHN. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on November 15, 2022 (ChiCTR2200065783).

Role of extracellular matrix renal tubulo-interstitial nephritis antigen (TINag) in cell survival utilizing integrin (alpha)vbeta3/focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B-serine/threonine kinase (AKT) signaling pathway.

Tubulo-interstitial nephritis antigen (TINag) is an extracellular matrix protein expressed in tubular basement membranes. Combined mutations in TINag and nephrocystin-1 genes lead to nephronophthisis with reduced cell survival. Because certain extracellular matrix proteins are known to modulate cell survival, studies were initiated in Lewis rats lacking TINag to assess if they are more susceptible to cisplatin-induced injury. Cisplatin induced a higher degree of tubular cell damage and apoptosis in regions where TINag is expressed in a parental Wistar strain. This was accompanied by an accentuated increase in serum creatinine and Kim-1 RNA and renal expression of Bax, p53, and its nuclear accumulation, mtDNA fragmentation, and a decrease of Bcl-2. Cisplatin induced fulminant apoptosis of HK-2 cells with increased caspase3/7 activity, mtDNA fragmentation, and a reduced cell survival. These effects were partially reversed in cells maintained on TINag substratum. Far Western/solid phase assays established TINag binding with integrin αvß3 comparable with vitronectin. Transfection of cells with αv-siRNA accentuated cisplatin-induced apoptosis, aberrant translocation of cytochrome c and Bax, and reduced cell survival. The αv-siRNA decreased expression of integrin-recruited focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and p-FAK, while increasing the expression of p53 and p-p53. Similarly, p-AKT was reduced although ILK was unaffected. Inhibition of PI3K had similar adverse cellular effects. These effects were ameliorated in cells on TINag substratum. In vivo, a higher degree of decrease in the expression of p-FAK and pAKT was observed in Lewis rats following cisplatin treatment. These in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate an essential role of TINag in cellular survival to maintain proper tubular homeostasis utilizing integrin αvß3 and downstream effectors.

Transcriptional and post-translational modulation of myo-inositol oxygenase by high glucose and related pathobiological stresses.

Renal-specific oxidoreductase/myo-inositol oxygenase (RSOR/MIOX) catabolizes myo-inositol and is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. How high glucose (HG) ambience up-regulates its expression and enzyme activity was investigated. MIOX up-regulation was associated with an increase in enzyme activity, which was reduced to basal levels with phosphatase treatment. Using phosphothreonine, protein kinase A (PKA), and PKC substrate antibodies, analyses of kidney lysates of diabetic animals and LLC-PK1/HK-2 cells subjected to HG ambience indicated MIOX to be a phosphoprotein. Kinase phosphorylated recombinant RSOR/MIOX proteins had increased activity confined to exons 2-5. Mutants with substituted phosphorylation sites had a minimal increase in activity. Treatment of cells with PKC, PKA, and PDK1 kinase activators increased activity, whereas inhibitors reduced it. Inhibitors also reduced the phosphorylation and activity of MIOX induced by HG. Besides HG, exposure of cells to oxidants H(2)O(2) and methylglyoxal up-regulated MIOX expression and its phosphorylation and activity, whereas antioxidants N-acetylcysteine, ß-naphthoflavone, and tertiary butyl hydroquinone reduced MIOX expression. Treatment with HG or oxidants or overexpression of MIOX induced nuclear translocation of redox-sensitive transcription factor Nrf2, which binds to antioxidant response elements of various promoters. Promoter analyses revealed an increase in luciferase activity with HG and oxidants. Analyses of antioxidant response elements and carbohydrate response elements revealed an accentuation of DNA-protein interactions with oxidants and under HG ambience. ChIP-PCR and immunofluorescence studies revealed nuclear translocation of carbohydrate response element-binding protein. These findings suggest that phosphorylation of RSOR/MIOX enhances its activity, which is augmented by HG via transcriptional/translational events that are also modulated by diabetes-related pathobiological stresses.

Sex Differences in Obesity and Cognitive Function in Chinese Elderly Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia.

Background: It is well known that schizophrenia is associated with sex differences. However, no study has explored the sex differences in obesity and cognitive function in elderly Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Objective: This study aimed to compare sex differences in obesity and cognitive function in elderly Chinese individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 304 elderly patients with schizophrenia and 130 sex- and age-matched healthy controls from the community were recruited. Demographic, clinical, and lipid parameters were collected for all subjects. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess the global cognitive functions of the participants, while the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess psychopathological symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Results: Of the patients with schizophrenia, the prevalence of obesity in men and women was 11.7% (19/163) and 21.3% (30/141), respectively. The score (14.51 ± 6.504) of MOCA in elderly male patients with schizophrenia was significantly higher than that (11.40 ± 6.822) in female patients. There was a positive correlation between the MOCA scores and body mass index (BMI) (r=0.206, p=0.018) in male elderly patients with schizophrenia. Conversely, the MOCA scores of female elderly patients with schizophrenia did not correlate with BMI (p>0.05). However, we found no sex differences in obesity and cognition among control older adults. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there are significant sex differences in obesity and cognitive function in elderly Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

An innovative targeted therapy for fluoroscopy-induced chronic radiation dermatitis.

Fluoroscopy-induced chronic radiation dermatitis (FICRD) is a complication of fluoroscopy-guided intervention. Unlike acute radiation dermatitis, FICRD is different as delayed onset and usually appears without preexisting acute dermatitis. Unfortunately, the chronic and progressive pathology of FICRD makes it difficult to treat, and some patients need to receive wide excision and reconstruction surgery. Due to lack of standard treatment, investigating underlying mechanism is needed in order to develop an effective therapy. Herein, the Hippo pathway is specifically identified using an RNA-seq analysis in mild damaged skin specimens of patients with FICRD. Furthermore, specific increase of the Yes-associated protein (YAP1), an effector of the Hippo pathway, in skin region with mild damage plays a protective role for keratinocytes via positively regulating the numerous downstream genes involved in different biological processes. Interestingly, irradiated-keratinocytes inhibit activation of fibroblasts under TGF-ß1 treatment via remote control by an exosome containing YAP1. More importantly, targeting one of YAP1 downstream genes, nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), which encodes glucocorticoid receptor, has revealed its therapeutic potential to treat FICRD by inhibiting fibroblasts activation in vitro and preventing formation of radiation ulcers in a mouse model and in patients with FICRD. Taken together, this translational research demonstrates the critical role of YAP1 in FICRD and identification of a feasible, effective therapy for patients with FICRD. KEY MESSAGES: • YAP1 overexpression in skin specimens of radiation dermatitis from FICRD patient. • Radiation-induced YAP1 expression plays protective roles by promoting DNA damage repair and inhibiting fibrosis via remote control of exosomal YAP1. • YAP1 positively regulates NR3C1 which encodes glucocorticoid receptor expression. • Targeting glucocorticoid receptor by prednisolone has therapeutic potential for FICRD patient.

Mechanical Thrombectomy with Tandem Double Stent Retriever in Combination with Intermediate Catheter Aspiration for Refractory Severe Hemorrhagic Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the initial experience of mechanical thrombectomy using tandem double stent retrievers combined with intermediate catheter aspiration to treat refractory severe hemorrhagic (SH)-cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). METHODS: All refractory SH-CVST patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy using tandem double stent retriever (SR) combined with intermediate catheter aspiration (MT-TDSA) in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. MT-TDSA is a technique that fully engages the clot with double SRs and retrieves the clot using a double SR in combination with aspiration from an intermediate catheter. Demographics, clinical manifestation, medical history, the location of the occluded venous sinus, intraoperative details, procedure-related complications, and modified Rankin Scale (1, 6, 12 months postoperatively) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (median age, 43 years) with refractory SH-CVST were treated with MT-TDSA between January 2016 and January 2020. Ten of 14 (71.4%) had a successful intraoperative recanalization rate (>90%) using MT-TDSA. No procedure-related complications occurred. Eleven patients had good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at 12 months postoperatively). CONCLUSIONS: MT-TDSA for refractory SH-CVST might improve clot-capturing ability and remove blood clots from cerebral venous sinuses effectively and safely, achieving good clinical outcomes.

Microcatheter-guided compartment packing of acutely ruptured complex intracerebral aneurysms (ARCIAs): Preliminary experience and technical note.

Objective: We present our initial experience using the microcatheter-guided compartment packing (MCP) technique for endovascular embolization of acutely ruptured complex intracerebral aneurysms (ARCIAs) and evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficiency of this technique. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 28 patients who underwent coil embolization using the MCP technique for ARCIAs at our institution between January 2021 and January 2022. The MCP technique was the placement of microcatheters in different compartments within the aneurysm to deploy the coils simultaneously or sequentially. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural parameters, grade of occlusion, complications, and clinical results were analyzed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Results: Of the 28 patients successfully treated with the MCP technique, 24 (85.7%) aneurysms were considered as complete occlusions (Raymond I) based on the immediate postembolization angiogram results. Complications occurred in 2/28 treatments, including guidewire perforation with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm-related cerebral infarction. An angiography follow-up demonstrated complete occlusion in 25/28 aneurysms. Twenty-six (92.9%) patients had favorable 90-day outcomes (mRS 0-2) after the endovascular coil embolization. Conclusion: The MCP technique is simple, safe, and effective, achieving good packing density and initial occlusion rate when used to treat ARCIAs.

An Asia-specific variant of human IgG1 represses colorectal tumorigenesis by shaping the tumor microenvironment.

Emerging studies have focused on ways to treat cancers by modulating T cell activation. However, whether B cell receptor signaling in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can be harnessed for immunotherapy is unclear. Here, we report that an Asia-specific variant of human IgG1 containing a Gly396 to Arg396 substitution (hIgG1-G396R) conferred improved survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Mice with knockin of the murine functional homolog mIgG2c-G400R recapitulated the alleviated tumorigenesis and progression in murine colon carcinoma models. Immune profiling of the TME revealed broad mobilizations of IgG1+ plasma cells, CD8+ T cells, CD103+ DCs, and active tertiary lymphoid structure formation, suggesting an effective antitumor microenvironment in hIgG1-G396R CRC patients. Mechanistically, this variant potentiated tumor-associated antigen-specific (TAA-specific) plasma cell differentiation and thus antibody production. These elevated TAA-specific IgG2c antibodies in turn efficiently boosted the antibody-dependent tumor cell phagocytosis and TAA presentation to effector CD8+ T cells. Notably, adoptive transfer of TAA-specific class-switched memory B cells harboring this variant exhibited therapeutic efficacy in murine tumor models, indicating their clinical potential. All these results prompted a prospective investigation of hIgG1-G396R in patients with CRC as a biomarker for clinical prognosis and demonstrated that manipulating the functionality of IgG1+ memory B cells in tumors could improve immunotherapy outcomes.

Clinical significance of nucleostemin expression and its correlation with cyclin D1 expression in malignant ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of the nucleostemin (NS) gene in ovarian tumors and its correlation with the expression of cyclin D1. METHODS: The expression levels of nucleostemin and cyclin D1 proteins were measured by immunohistochemical staining in ovarian tumors and normal ovarian tissues, and the relationship between their levels was analyzed. RESULTS: Nucleostemin gene and cyclin D1 expressions were detected in 28 and 27 specimens of malignant ovarian tumors (93.7% and 90.0%), 4 and 8 specimens of ovarian borderline tumors (40.0% and 80.0%), and in both specimens of benign ovarian tumors, respectively. The expression of NS gene was seen in 5, 13, and 10 specimens of malignant ovarian tumors of high, moderate, and low grade, respectively. The expression of the nucleostemin gene was significantly related to the tumor grade (r = 0.786, P < 0. 05), and a significant relationship between nucleostemin and cyclin D1 expression was found (r = 0.834, P < 0.05). The expression of the nucleostemin gene was not detected in normal ovarian tissue. CONCLUSION: The expression of the nucleostemin gene in ovarian tumors is closely correlated with origination, progression, and grading of tumors and may serve as a marker in estimating the malignancy of ovarian tumors. The overexpression of cyclin D1 might be correlated with nucleostemin expression. Nucleostemin may have an impact on the passage of cells through the G1/S checkpoint, and thus cell cycle progress, by regulating cyclin D1 expression.

Non-invasive survey technology for estimating the distribution of oxidant solution: A pilot injection study.

In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) can remove pollutants efficiently. However, the most important key to successfully conducting ISCO on site is to place the oxidant in close contact with the contaminant. Therefore, monitoring tools that provide for enhanced tracking of the injectate offer considerable benefit to guide subsequent ISCO injections. In this study, we applied the MagnetoMetric Resistivity (MMR) method to survey the distribution of an injected oxidant. A pilot test was conducted on a 10 m × 10 m site, and the sodium persulfate injection involved four pulse injections from one injection well. A magnetic field survey coupled with conventional monitoring was performed before the initial injection and after each pulse injection. The results of this study showed that groundwater samples from six observation wells and seven direct-push EC loggings did not provide sufficient data to quantify the distribution and flow behavior of the injected oxidant. However, the magnetic field survey visually showed the dynamic distribution of the injected oxidant, and the flow pathways and flow behavior were assessed accordingly. Although the flow behavior of injected solution was changeable in the aquifer, but the magnetic field survey combined with the monitoring of the well samples helped to explain the abnormal changes in the electrical conductivity of the observation wells and supports the use of the magnetic field survey technology as a method of monitoring ISCO injections.

The Effects of Light-to-Moderate Alcohol Consumption on the Cognitive Function of Community Nondemented Male Elderly: A Cohort Study.

AIM: To investigate the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly in a large elderly community cohort. Although heavy drinking is linked with impaired brain functions, the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly are still controversial. METHODS: A total of 1469 nondemented elderly men from 15 research centers in 8 cities and provinces were included and divided into two groups: drinking (531 subjects) and nondrinking (938 subjects). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and one-year follow-up. RESULTS: There was no difference in total cognitive scores between the light-to-moderate drinking and nondrinking groups at baseline and follow-up. Nonalcohol users performed better naming and abstraction function at baseline and better naming function at follow-up. There was no difference in cognitive performance decline and new-onset dementia rates at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption had no significant impact on the overall cognitive function and the risk of dementia in elderly men.