Technique for Determining Bridge Displacement Response Using MEMS Accelerometers.

In bridge maintenance, particularly with regard to fatigue damage in steel bridges, it is important to determine the displacement response of the entire bridge under a live load as well as that of each member. Knowing the displacement response enables the identification of dynamic deformations that can cause stresses and ultimately lead to damage and thus also allows the undertaking of appropriate countermeasures. In theory, the displacement response can be calculated from the double integration of the measured acceleration. However, data measured by an accelerometer include measurement errors caused by the limitations of the analog-to-digital conversion process and sensor noise. These errors distort the double integration results. Furthermore, as bridges in service are constantly vibrating because of passing vehicles, estimating the boundary conditions for the numerical integration is difficult. To address these problems, this paper proposes a method for determining the displacement of a bridge in service from its acceleration based on its free vibration. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, field measurements were conducted using nine different accelerometers. Based on the results of these measurements, the proposed method was found to be highly accurate in comparison with the reference displacement obtained using a contact displacement gauge.

Psychological treatments for mental health symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection: A scoping review.

The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize published studies and ongoing clinical trials of psychological interventions for mental health problems associated with COVID-19 infection. The study protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. We conducted systematic searches for studies published or registered between January 2020 and October 2022 using eight scientific databases and clinical trial registries, which identified 40 complete published studies and 53 ongoing clinical trials. We found that most studies were randomized controlled trials (74%) while the remaining used study designs of lower methodological quality. Most studies investigated interventions for acute COVID-19 patients (74%) and others explored post-COVID conditions (PCC) or recovered patients. Cognitive and behavioral therapies were the main intervention approaches (31%), followed by multidisciplinary programs (21%) and mindfulness (17%). The most frequently evaluated outcomes were anxiety (33%), depression (26%), quality of life (13%), and insomnia (10%). No studies on youths, older people, or marginalized communities were found. These findings summarize the burgeoning research on a range of psychological interventions for individuals infected with COVID-19. However, the field is in its infancy and further research to develop an evidence base for targeted care is necessary. The gaps identified in the current study also highlight the need for more research on youths, older people, and members of marginalized communities, and PCC patients. It is important to ascertain interventions and delivery strategies that are not only effective and affordable but also allow high scalability and accessibility.

Psychological treatments for the mental health symptoms among individuals infected with COVID-19: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety and sleep problems are commonly observed in individuals suffering from acute COVID-19 infection to post-COVID-19 syndrome. Studies have provided preliminary evidence for the efficacies of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy, and many other treatments for this population. Although there have been attempts to synthesise the literature on these psychological interventions, previous reviews have been limited in terms of the sources, symptoms and interventions that they included. Furthermore, most studies reviewed were conducted in early 2020, when COVID-19 had only recently been classified as a global pandemic. Since then, substantial research has been conducted. As such, we sought to provide an updated synthesis of the available evidence of treatments for the range of mental health symptoms associated with COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Systematic searches were carried out on scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus) and clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, EU Clinical Trials Register and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) to identify studies that have or will assess the efficacy or any aspects of psychological treatment for acute to post-COVID-19 syndrome. The search was conducted on 14 October 2022 and identified 17 855 potentially eligible sources/studies published since 1 January 2020 (duplicates removed). Six investigators will independently carry out titles and abstract screening, full-text screening and data charting and the results will be summarised using descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this review. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal, conference presentations and/or academic newspapers. This scoping review has been registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/wvr5t).

[A cross-sectional study of the current status of respiratory home care patients and their caregivers in Osaka Prefecture].

BACKGROUND: The importance of the home care of patients with chronic respiratory failure has been emphasized, but the status of the patients and their caregivers have not been comprehensively evaluated. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 242 patients treated at home with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) and/ or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) and of their caregivers, using a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients responded. The patients' mean age was 74.5 years, and 80.7%, 16.5%, and 1.7% of them were treated with LTOT, LTOT and NPPV, and NPPV, respectively. Of these, 29 patients lived alone, and 11 of whom had no caregivers. The SF-8 questionnaire, a health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scale, showed that the patients' HRQOL was lower than the Japanese standard. Patients with severe dyspnea were not all designated as requiring a high care level according to the Long-Term Care Insurance System. A total of 155 caregivers responded to the questionnaire, and their mean age was 64.7 years; 81% of them were women and 67.7% were the patients' spouses. The Burden Index of Caregivers (BIC-11), which is a multidimensional short care burden scale, showed that they bore the burden of patient care, comparable to the caregivers of patients with intractable neurological diseases. The patients and their caregivers required several services including a family doctor, public aid, and short-term hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted the poor HRQOL of patients provided with LTOT and/or NPPV, and the considerable burden on their caregivers. Current respiratory home care should be reviewed thoroughly, and further measures to support the patients and their caregivers should be implemented.

[A case of interstitial pneumonia complicating RS3PE syndrome in which soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) proved useful for assessing symptoms].

The patient was a 70-year-old man who had been given a diagnosis of remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) syndrome and had been placed on low-dose steroid therapy in the Department of Orthopedics. During treatment, sudden fever, hypoxemia and chest radiography-confirmed interstitial shadows throughout the lung fields were noted, and the patient was referred to the Department of Internal Medicine. RS3PE complicated by interstitial pneumonia was diagnosed, and steroid pulse therapy and immunosuppressant therapy were initiated. In the present case, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) proved useful for assessing symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, RS3PE syndrome complicated by pulmonary lesions and accompanied by severe acute respiratory failure requiring noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation has not previously been reported, and this rare case is discussed with reference to the literature.

Frequent p16 inactivation by homozygous deletion or methylation is associated with a poor prognosis in Japanese patients with pleural mesothelioma.

This study examined the p16 expression status and the P16 gene deletion and methylation status in specimens from Japanese patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Immunohistochemical staining for p16 protein and fluorescence in situ hybridization for the P16 gene were performed using specimens from 30 Japanese patients with primary MPM. The methylation status of the P16 gene was examined in 13 patients whose frozen tumor specimens were available using a methylation-specific PCR assay. Among the 30 patients, the loss of p16 protein expression was observed in 24 patients (80.0%). Twenty-one patients had homozygous deletions, and 9 patients retained the P16 gene. None of the patients with P16 homozygous deletions exhibited p16-positive expression, and 3 patients who retained the P16 gene did not exhibit p16-positive expression. Aberrant P16 methylation was present in two patients with an intact P16 gene but without p16 expression. These results suggest that either a homozygous deletion or methylation is responsible for P16 inactivation. Regarding the prognosis, patients with p16-negative expression had a significantly shorter survival time than those with p16-positive expression (P=0.040). Our study showed that P16 inactivation by homozygous deletions or methylation is a frequent event in Japanese patients with MPMs, relating to poor prognosis. Homozygous deletion is the major cause of P16 inactivation, but methylation also lead to the inactivation of P16 when the P16 alleles are retained.

The aberrant promoter methylation of BMP3b and BMP6 in malignant pleural mesotheliomas.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. Recent studies have showed that aberrant methylation of BMP genes is present in several types of human cancer. We examined the expression and methylation status of BMP3b and BMP6 in malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs). The expression status of BMP3b, and BMP6 mRNAs were examined in seven MPM cell lines by RT-PCR assay. The expression of BMP3b was completely suppressed in 2 and partially suppressed in 2 of 7 cell lines and expression of BMP6 was partially suppressed in 2 cell lines. Methylation status of BMP3b in cell lines was determined by methylation-specific assay to find aberrant methylation in 6 cell lines which include 4 cell lines with suppressed BMP3b expression. Partial methylation of BMP6 was found in 2 cell lines whose expression was partially suppressed. Treatment with 5-Aza-dC restored BMP3b expression in methylated cell lines. Next, we examined the methylation status in 57 surgically resected MPM cases and found aberrant methylation of BMP3b in 9 (53%) out of 17 cases from Japan and 3 (8%) of 40 cases from USA and that of BMP6 in 4 (24%) cases from Japan and 12 (30%) cases from USA, showing significant difference in frequency of BMP3b methylation between MPMs of the two countries (P=0.0004). Our study indicated that BMP3b and BMP6 genes were suppressed by DNA methylation and methylation of BMP3b is significantly frequent in Japanese MPMs, suggesting its pathogenic role and the ethnic difference in MPMs.

Thia-calix[n]pyridines, synthesis and coordination to Cu(I,II) ions with both N and S donor atoms.

The novel thia-calix[n]pyridines (n = 3, 4, 6) coordinated to copper ions through nitrogen and sulfur atoms to give multinuclear complexes whose structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectra.

Increased level of soluble E-selectin in the serum from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

To elucidate the biological significance of selectin for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, we titrated the serum soluble E-selectin. From 31 cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients without signs or symptoms of infection, the serum was obtained and the concentration was titrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The serum soluble E-selectin titer was significantly higher than that of healthy controls. However, significant elevation was not observed in the sera from the patients with other pulmonary diseases, such as pulmonary emphysema, sarcoidosis, or bronchiectasis. In the patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the number of white blood cells, C-reactive protein or lactate dehydrogenase activity did not show a significant relationship with the soluble E-selectin titer. About 16 out of the 31 idiopathic fibrosis patients, the serum surfactant apoprotein-A titer, which is a parameter of the disease activity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, was also tested. The surfactant apoprotein-A titer was loosely correlated with the soluble E-selectin titer. These observations suggest that E-selectin may be relevant to the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and it may be a novel clinical parameter for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Steroid therapy without primary dose escalation for postthymectomy crisis in 2 thymomatous myasthenia gravis patients.

We report 2 cases of thymomatous myasthenia gravis associated with postoperative crisis and medicated with steroid therapy using prednisolone without primary dose escalation. Two women, a 38 years old and the other 64 years old, underwent extended thymectomy under the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis associated with invasive thymoma. Bulbar symptoms in both were severe despite preoperative anticholinesterase medication. Myasthenic crises with an antiacetylcholine receptor antibody (anti-AchR Ab) elevation were encountered in the postoperative clinical course. Daily administrations of a large amount of prednisolone without primary dose escalation and the subsequent tapering therapy effectively improved myasthenic symptoms and decreased their anti-AchR Ab titer. We also discuss difficulties in treatment in these cases.

[Application of interlocking detachable coil (IDC) in superselective bronchial artery embolization].

Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is almost the only effective nonsurgical treatment for massive hemoptysis. Metallic coils with plastic fibers are widely used as embolic materials. We have introduced an interlocking detachable coil (IDC) for BAE. IDC is a mechanically detachable coil, allowing the operator to seek the ideal shape until its final release. We compared hemoptysis patients treated with conventional metallic coils (24 patients, non-IDC group) with those treated with conventional coils and IDCs (26 patients, IDC group). The hemoptysis rate after three months is significantly lower in the IDC group than in the non-IDC group (7.7% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.035 Fisher's exact method). Total procedure time (in staged or repetitive BAE cases, procedure times are added together) is significantly shorter in the IDC group than in the non-IDC group (3.4 +/- 1.4 hours vs. 4.4 +/- 2.5 hours, p = 0.040 unpaired t-test). IDC is a useful device for BAE. This is the first-ever report documenting the usefulness of IDC for BAE.

Functional characterization of the mutations in Pepper mild mottle virus overcoming tomato tm-1-mediated resistance.

In tomato plants, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) cannot replicate because the tm-1 protein inhibits RNA replication. The resistance of tomato plants to PMMoV remains durable both in the field and under laboratory conditions. In this study, we constructed several mutant PMMoVs and analysed their abilities to replicate in tomato protoplasts and plants. We found that two mutants, PMMoV-899R,F976Y and PMMoV-899R,F976Y,D1098N, were able to replicate in tomato protoplasts, but only PMMoV-899R,F976Y,D1098N was able to multiply in tomato plants. Further analysis showed that the D1098N mutation of the replication proteins weakened the inhibitory effect of the tm-1 protein and enhanced the replication efficiency of PMMoV-899R,F976Y,D1098N. We also observed that the infectivity of the viruses decreased in the order wild-type PMMoV > PMMoV-899R,F976Y > PMMoV-899R,F976Y,D1098N in original host plants, pepper and tobacco plants. On the contrary, the single mutation D1098N abolished PMMoV replication in tobacco protoplasts. On the basis of these observations, it is likely that the deleterious side-effects of mutations in replication proteins prevent the emergence of PMMoV mutants that can overcome tm-1-mediated resistance.

The 126- and/or 183-kDa replicases or their coding regions are responsible both for inefficient local and for systemic movements of Paprika mild mottle virus Japanese strain in tomato plants.

Paprika mild mottle virus Japanese strain (PaMMV-J), a member of the genus Tobamovirus, was originally isolated from sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.). In experimental conditions, PaMMV-J spread more slowly in inoculated leaves of tomato plants and moved to uninoculated upper leaves at a lower frequency than Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV). In this study, we aimed to identify the viral factors responsible for the low efficiency of local and systemic movement of PaMMV-J in tomato plants. Using several viruses formed as chimeras between PaMMV-J and ToMV, we observed that a chimeric virus (Pa-RepL) having the 126- and 183-kDa replicase genes of ToMV could move systemically in tomato plants, similar to ToMV. Furthermore, analysis of a PaMMV-J mutant (PaMMV-1483C) showed that a single nucleotide substitution in 126- and 183-kDa replicase genes of PaMMV-J enhanced the efficiency of local movement of the virus in inoculated leaves to an extent similar to that of ToMV. However, PaMMV-1483C did not spread over the uninoculated upper leaves. In addition, viral RNA accumulation levels in tomato protoplasts inoculated with Pa-RepL and PaMMV-1483C were lower and similar to those of parental PaMMV-J. These results suggest that the 126- and/or 183-kDa replicases or their coding regions are responsible both for inefficient local and for systemic movements of PaMMV-J in tomato plants.