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This paper aims to analyze the interface property between fibers and asphalt, and study its influence on the crack resistance of the asphalt mixture. Four fibers (basalt fiber A (BF-A), basalt fiber B (BF-B), polyester fiber (PEF) and polyacrylonitrile fiber (PAF)) were selected in the study. The interface adhesion parameters were obtained by conducting the novel fiber-asphalt pullout test, and the micromorphology of the fiber-asphalt interface area was also observed. The crack resistance of the mixture was determined using the indirect tensile asphalt cracking test (IDEAL-CT) and the semi-circular bending test (SCB). Basic crack resistance indicators such as CTIndexand flexibility index (FI) were used for analyzing. Meanwhile, digital image correlation (DIC) technology was adopted to quantitatively characterize the crack inhibition mechanism of fibers in the fiber-asphalt mixtures. The results showed that the interface adhesion strength between BF-A and asphalt is the largest at 25 ℃, followed by BF-B, PEF and PAF. The addition of fibers can effectively improve the CTIndexand FI of asphalt mixtures, and it is found that the interface adhesion characteristics between fibers and asphalt have a great influence on the crack propagation process. The crack opening velocity curve obtained from the DIC analysis can quantitatively characterize the crack development law of the asphalt mixture. The coefficient of determination R2between the interface adhesion strength and the DIC index (stage I velocity change rate and timing point 1 time) exceeded 0.85. The results can provide scientific references for the design and application of fiber reinforced asphalt mixture.

IntroductionElevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to Low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL-R) and triggers their degradation. Inhibiting PCSK9 activity results in lowering LDL-C levels and further reduceing the risk of cardiovascular events. Ebronucimab (AK102) is a novel fully human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody against PCSK9.ObjectivesTo evaluate the safety, efficacy of ebronucimab and further identify the optimal dosing scheme in patients with hyperlipidemia.MethodsA total of 260 Chinese patients with hyperlipidemia (≧18 years, male or female) were planned to be enrolled, and randomized to receive ebronucimab 450 mg every 4 weeks (q4w), 300 mg q4w, 150 mg q2w, 75 mg q2w or matching placebo via subcutaneous injection. The patients were treated up to 12 weeks (day 85). Serum samples were collected at preselected timepoints to analyze the lipid profiles.ResultsEfficacy Ebronucimab showed significant and dose-dependent LDL-C reductions from baseline. At week 12, the mean reductions in LDL-C were 65.48 %, 48.14%, 63.69% and 37.39% for 450 mg q4w, 300 mg q4w, 150 mg q2w and 75 mg q2w dose groups, respectively. Patients in the 450 mg q4w and 150 mg q2w groups achieved higher and more sustained LDL-C reduction compared with other dose groups. Similar trend was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotien (a) (LP[a]).SafetyA total of 49.6% (130/262) patients experienced at least 1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE), 109 patients (109/210 [51.9%]) in ebronucimab groups and 21 patients (21/52 [40.4%]) in the placebo group. Most TEAEs were mild and moderate. No adverse events were apparently dose dependent with ebronucimab. The overall incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) was 3.4 % (9/262).ConclusionsEbronucimab was generally safe and well tolerated in Chinese patients with hyperlipidemia. Patients treated with ebronucimab achieved a significant reduction in serum levels of LDL-C and other lipids, especially in 450 mg q4w and 150 mg q2w treatment groups.

Objective— Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and -2 regulate angiogenesis and might be important in myocardial collateral development. Elevated levels of angiogenic growth factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have been reported. However, the age-related change of angiogenic growth factors in patients with CAD remains unclear.Methods and results— Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels in patients with CAD were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects. In patients aged < 61 years and 61 to 70 years, serum Ang-1 and -2 levels were significantly higher than in patients aged > 70 years, serum Ang-2 levels in patients aged < 61 years were significantly higher than in patients aged from 61 to 70 years. Serum VEGF levels were not significantly different in the three age groups. Serum VEGF, Ang-1 and -2 levels were not significantly different across the age groups in healthy subjects. Regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between age and Ang-1 and -2 in patients with CAD.Conclusion— Serum Ang-1 and -2 levels, but not VEGF levels in patients with CAD, are decreased along with advancing age.