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Bearings are regarded as a crucial element that impacts the overall performance of the seismic analysis of bridges. The assessment of seismic performance in bridges heavily depends on the nonlinear features of bridge bearings. Therefore, it is essential to simulate the nonlinear mechanical behavior of bridge bearings to attain the required accuracy of seismic analysis. This paper examines the friction features of pot bearings using the Bouc-Wen hysteretic model, based on which a nonlinear model of pot bearings is proposed. The proposed model can rapidly and effectively analyze the nonlinear mechanical behaviors of bridge bearings under horizontal earthquakes by adequately simplifying the mechanical properties of these bearings. The accuracy of the model for horizontal seismic effects analysis is validated using a numerical simulation method. The simulation compares the nonlinear model seismic effects of the bearing with a linear-elastic model that ignores the bearing frictional effects under horizontal seismic action. The results demonstrated that in the proposed nonlinear model, the ratio of the composite bending moment and yield bending moment of the pier bottom section (demand capacity ratio) is lower than that of the linear elastic model, leading to a more accurate analysis of horizontal seismic effects and thus preventing overestimation of seismic consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the framework of dual circulation, innovation emerges as a pivotal strategy for realizing high-quality economic development. Concurrently, digital finance, serving as a potent complement to traditional financial systems, significantly influences regional innovation enhancement. This research employs a spatial panel methodology to thoroughly investigate the inherent mechanisms through which digital finance development shapes regional innovation. Empirical testing is conducted using panel data derived from 283 mainland Chinese prefecture-level cities spanning from 2013 to 2020. The findings underscore that digital inclusive finance plays a crucial role in amplifying regional innovation output, unveiling a distinct spatial impact on innovation. The progression of each facet of digital finance contributes to mitigating supply-side financing constraints, thereby directly fostering heightened regional innovation. The study delves into a Chinese regional sub-sample, revealing a prevalent driving effect with conspicuous heterogeneity across the major regions--East. Central. West. As scientific and technological innovation stands as the primary driving force, its profound interplay with the evolution of financial inclusion in China is evident. This study provides valuable insights to fortify regional modernization efforts and serves as a reference for policymakers and researchers navigating the complex intersection of finance and innovation in the Chinese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is an extremely aggressive primary bone cancer (BC) malignancy. A variety of malignancies can develop in the bones, including BC. Primary BCs are tumors that start in the bone. Bones can also become affected by tumors that start in the body's organs or other tissues. Objectives: Several reports suggested that corilagin (CL) exerts anticancer properties on various kinds of tumor cells; however, its molecular action on OS cells remains undefined. Materials and Methods: The CL activity of OS cells' cytotoxicity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis, and cell-cycle distribution was evaluated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA), Rh-123, acridine orange and ethidium bromide (AO/EB), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and flow cytometry analysis. Results: Results revealed that CL could suppress OS cell proliferation via enhanced intracellular ROS, and MMP loss, and triggered apoptosis in a dose-dependent has an inferior manner. Our findings demonstrated that CL alleviates U2OS and MG-63 cell proliferation by the ROS-mediated apoptosis, which triggers G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest. Conclusion: Thus, CL might be a protective therapeutic agent against BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a single-component perfect gas, entropy perturbations are associated with the difference between the overall density fluctuation and that coming from the acoustic perturbation. Entropy perturbations can generate sound when accelerated/decelerated by a non-uniform flow and this is highly relevant to thermoacoustic instabilities for gas turbines and rocket engines, and to noise emission for aero-engines. Widely used theories to model this entropy-generated sound rely on quasi-1D assumptions for which questions of validity were raised recently from both numerical and experimental studies. In the present work, we build upon an acoustic analogy theory for this problem. This theory was initiated by Morfey (J. Sound Vib. 1973) and Ffowcs Williams and Howe (J. Fluid Mech. 1975) about 50 years ago and extended recently by Yang, Guzmán-Iñigo and Morgans (J. Fluid Mech. 2020) to study the effect of non-plane entropy waves at the inlet of a flow contraction on its sound generation. Comparisons against both numerical simulations and previous theory are performed to validate the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Goniothalamin (GTN) is a well-known styryl lactone that possesses anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, we evaluated the potential of GTN on experimental arthritis based on the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model in rats and the effect was compared with standard drug. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into six groups: normal, CFA, CFA + indomethacin (10 mg/kg bw), CFA + GTN (50 mg/kg bw), CFA + GTN (100 mg/kg bw), and GTN (100 mg/kg bw) alone. The antiarthritic activity of GTN was measured by paw thickness, arthritic score, body weight, organ weight, biochemical markers, inflammatory mediators, and histopathologic analysis of ankle joints. Results: GTN significantly reduced the paw thickness, arthritic score, body weight changes, and organ weight. It reduced the levels of C-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase, rheumatoid factor, and proinflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. It also minimized the histopathologic changes in ankle joints induced by CFA in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that GTN is effective against inflammation and is an alternative agent for the management of arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cables of long-span cable-stayed bridges are subjected to substantial tension during long-term service and are more susceptible to corrosion and fatigue failure than concrete structures. Most existing structural health monitoring (SHM) systems do not have monitoring equipment to directly measure cable length, and long-term monitoring of the change in cables is less involved. The displacement response of a bridge is induced by the combination of dynamic effects (wind and highways) and quasi-static effects (temperature). In this paper, the dynamic responses were eliminated by averaging the displacement data for 10 min, and the relationship between temperature and displacement was studied. Based on the monitoring data, the distribution of the thermal field for the bridge was studied and the time variability of the tower displacement was investigated. The correlation was analyzed to study the relationship between the temperature and the tower displacements, the north tower–south tower distance and the tower–girder distances. A strong linear relationship between the temperature and quasi-static responses of the displacements was observed. The thermal expansion coefficient of the effective length of cables was proposed as a quantitative index for long-term cable monitoring. The error in the cable effective length is proposed as the warning index for performance warning research. The results show that the proposed performance warning method can monitor cables and perform warnings when the cable is damaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the moderating influence of empathy on agreeableness in interpersonal relationships among Chinese college students. Surveys and tests were conducted among a representative sample of 834 college students from four universities in Yunnan, China. Structural equation models were used to test causality and moderation. Support was found for a model that identified agreeableness and empathy as valid predictors of interpersonal relationships and empathy as a moderating influence between agreeableness and interpersonal relationships. These results suggest that the growth of interpersonal relationships for agreeable students is suppressed by higher levels of empathy. In addition, lower levels of empathy may promote the growth of interpersonal relationships for agreeable students. The results suggest that enhancing empathy is not always applicable to all groups of individuals and that training methods aimed at reducing empathy may be used to ameliorate bad interpersonal relationship in students with agreeable personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed the characteristics of BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in Chinese coastal areas. We intended to identify noninvasive methods to determine BRAFV600E status in thyroid nodules prior to surgery. BRAFV600E mutation and the sonographic characteristics of thyroid nodules were investigated in 670 PTC patients in our hospital. We aimed to determine the relationship between BRAFV600E mutation and the clinicopathological and sonographic imaging characteristics of PTC. The mutation rate of the BRAFV600E was 78.2%. BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with central node (univariate analyses, P = .005; multivariate analyses, P < .001, odds ratio [OR] = 10.255) and lateral node metastases (univariate analyses, P = .001; multivariate analyses, P < .001, OR = 22). It was less frequent in PTC coexisting with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (univariate analyses, P = .016; multivariate analyses, P < .001, OR = .034). Nodules without blood flow had a significantly higher mutation rate of BRAFV600E in PTC patients (univariate analyses, P = .026). BRAFV600E mutation was significantly associated with high suspicion in the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 5 (univariate analyses, P = .004; multivariate analyses, P = .014, OR = 6.456). Our results strongly suggest that BRAFV600E mutation plays a potential role in lymph node metastasis (central node metastasis, OR = 10.225; lateral node metastasis, OR = 22). Some sonographic imaging features might be helpful in estimating the status of BRAFV600E preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work performs a theoretical and numerical analysis of the communication between one-dimensional acoustic and entropy waves in a duct with a mean temperature gradient. Such a situation is highly relevant to combustor flows where the mean temperature drops axially due to heat losses. A duct containing a compact heating element followed by an axial temperature gradient and choked end is considered. The proposed jump conditions linking acoustic and entropy waves on either side of the flame show that the generated entropy wave is generally proportional to the mean temperature ratio across the flame and the ratio (F-1), where F is the flame transfer function. It is inversely proportional to the Mach number immediately downstream of the flame M2. The acoustic and entropy fields in the region of axial mean temperature gradient are calculated using four approaches: (1) using the full three linearised Euler equations as the reference; (2) using two linearised Euler equations in which the acoustic and entropy waves are assumed independent (thus allowing the extent of communication between the acoustic and entropy wave to be evaluated); (3) using a Helmholtz solver which neglects mean flow effects and (4) using a recently developed analytical solution. It is found that the communication between the acoustic and entropy waves is small at low Mach numbers; it rises with increasing Mach number and cannot be neglected when the mean Mach number downstream of the heating element exceeds 0.1. Predictions from the analytical method generally match those from the full three linearised Euler equations, and the Helmholtz solver accurately determines the acoustic field when M2≤0.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) has demonstrated inconsistent results in pulmonary nodule differentiation. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), which quantifies non-Gaussian diffusion, is believed to better characterize tissue micro-structure than conventional DWI. Purpose: To assess the feasibility of DKI in human lungs and to compare its diagnostic value with standard DWI in differentiating malignancies from benign pulmonary nodules. Material and Methods: Thirty-five pulmonary nodules in 32 consecutive patients were evaluated by DKI by using 3b-values of 0, 500, and 1000 s/mm2 and conventional DWI with b values of 0 and 800 s/mm2. Two observers independently evaluated and compared diagnostic accuracy of mean kurtosis (MK) and ADC values in differentiating malignancies from benign pulmonary nodules. The intra- and inter-observer repeatability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC]) were also assessed for each derived measures. Results: The diagnostic accuracy, and the area under curve (AUC) in differentiating malignancies from benign pulmonary nodule, were not significantly higher for MK (Obs. 1a: 85.70%, 0.87; Obs. 1b: 80.00%, 0.80; and Obs. 2: 82.80%, 0.91) as compared to ADC (Obs. 1a: 77.14%, 0.81; Obs. 1b: 80.00%, 0.85; and Obs. 2: 77.14%, 0.85 respectively). The intra- and inter-observer agreement (ICC) for malignant and benign lesions was substantial for each reading. Conclusion: The initial results of this study indicate the feasibility of DKI in human lungs. However, there was no significant benefit of DKI derived MK values over ADC for malignant and benign pulmonary nodule differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate changes in plasma concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxy-risperidone (9-OHR) and the associated clinical effects when switching from oral risperidone to extended-release (ER) paliperidone in patients with schizophrenia. This study included 25 patients with schizophrenia. Following a one-week screening period with a stable dose of risperidone, a six-week open-label switch study from risperidone to extended-release paliperidone (paliperidone ER) was conducted. Efficacy and safety assessments were performed on Day 1 and at Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6. Plasma levels of the active fractions of oral risperidone and paliperidone ER were measured on Day 1 and at Week 1, respectively. Plasma levels of the active moiety (risperidone plus 9-OHR) while taking risperidone (mean dose: 4.0 mg) were significantly higher than plasma levels of 9-OHR while taking 6 mg of paliperidone ER. For 12 subjects taking only 3 mg of risperidone, plasma concentrations of the active moiety of risperidone were also significantly higher than those of 9-OHR while taking 6 mg of paliperidone ER. The amount of reduction in plasma levels was correlated with a temporal deterioration of clinical symptoms. These findings suggest that for patients with schizophrenia taking 3 mg or more of risperidone, an initial switching dose of 6 mg of paliperidone ER may be relatively low in terms of subsequent plasma concentrations and the associated clinical response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Framed within a life course perspective and cognitive reserve theory, this study examined the mediating role of educational attainment for the association between child–parent relationships during childhood and cognitive function among older adults in rural China. Methods: Data were obtained from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 9809). We employed latent growth curve modeling to test the association among early child–parent relationship quality, educational attainment, and cognitive function in later life. Results: Early child–mother relationship quality was associated with the level and change in cognitive function. Early child–father relationship quality was only related to baseline cognitive function. Educational attainment mediated the relationship between early child–parent relationship quality with mothers and fathers and cognitive function. Discussion: Parental relationship experience in childhood was one distal factor related to cognitive function among older adults. The findings supported the long-term impacts of childhood conditions for later life health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D supplementation is regarded as a novel approach to treat Alzheimer's disease, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. The cytokine IL-34 provides strong neuroprotective and survival signals in brain injury and neurode-generation and could be an immunological mediator for the vitamin D-induced protection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether human IL-34 is up-regulated in neuronal cells by the hormonally active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3]]. We found that IL-34 was detectable in a variety of cell lines and its expression was strongly induced in SH-SY5Y neural cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner by 1α,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Furthermore, we identified the core promoter of IL-34 gene and a VDR binding site (CGCCCT) that was required for 1α,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3]-induced IL-34 expression. These findings suggest that the induction of IL-34 expression by 1α,25(OH)[sub 2]D[sub 3] may constitute a mechanism that explains the protective function of vitamin D in Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The boundary conditions of the main girder are complicated for suspension bridges. And they have a significant impact on the static and dynamic response of the structure. This study proposes a model updating method based on influence lines considering boundary conditions. First, rotational and translational spring elements are used to simulate the boundary conditions of the main girder. Then, rotational spring stiffness is estimated by constructing a sensitive objective function based on the influence lines. Translational spring stiffness is estimated by constructing a sensitive objective function based on the temperature-induced displacements at both ends of the girder. To improve calculation efficiency, a Gaussian process model is used instead of the finite element model (FEM). The estimation of boundary conditions is expressed as an optimization whose main goal is to iteratively estimate the boundary conditions to minimize the objective functions. After the boundary conditions are determined, the influence lines-based model updating is carried out by using the adaptive metamodel global optimization method. To validate the proposed method, a long-span suspension bridge is taken as a case study. The results show that the boundary conditions of the main girder have been successfully estimated. The accuracy of the model updating is improved after the boundary conditions are considered. The updated FEM with accurate boundary conditions can be a benchmark model for bridge damage identification or condition assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace social capital positively influences the quality but reduces the cost of healthcare services. Academic research suffers from limited and inadequate culturally sensitive nurses' workplace social capital instruments. Here we report on the design and protocol of a culturally focused instrument development study in China. The overarching objective of our dual phase study is to develop and validate a questionnaire measuring nurses' workplace social capital tailored toward Chinese cultural values and norms. In the first phase of INSTRUMENT DEVELOPMENT, the qualitative phase, we will conduct interviews with purposefully sampled nurses from five geographically diverse regions capturing 16 provinces in China to formulate the initial version of the Nurses' Workplace Social Capital Questionnaire (NWSCQ). Data collection will be stopped at the saturation point and content analysis will be performed for interview data in parallel. The initial version of the NWSCQ will be evaluated and confirmed by two-rounds of expert consultation (target N = 20) and pre-tested among 70 nurses. During the second phase of INSTRUMENT VALIDATION or the quantitative phase, we will validate the psychometric properties of the NWSCQ. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire will be examined and validated through three cross-sectional surveys among nurses (target N = 1154) randomly selected from 12 tertiary hospitals. We have reported our study protocol with the intention of sharing our experience with researchers in other countries who are striving to advance the phenomenon of culturally sensitive and social normatively appropriate nurses' workplace social capital. Findings from our study should advance the development of culturally appropriate and valid instrument of nurses' workplace social capital, another important step toward recognition and incorporation of cultural diversity in the daily operation of healthcare industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an ongoing debate on the off-hour effect on endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute large vessel occlusion (LVO). Aim: This meta-analysis aimed to compare time metrics and clinical outcomes of acute LVO patients who presented/were treated during off-hour with those during working hours. Summary of review: Structured searches on the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were conducted through 23 February 2021. The primary outcomes were onset to door (OTD), door to imaging, door to puncture (DTP), puncture to recanalization, procedural time, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), mortality in hospital, good prognosis (90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2), and 90-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were imaging to puncture (ITP), onset to puncture (OTP), onset to recanalization (OTR), door to recanalization (DTR) time, mRS 0–2 at discharge, and consecutive 90-day mRS score. The odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the outcomes were calculated using random-effect models. Heterogenicity and publication bias were analyzed. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted as appropriate. Nineteen studies published between 2014 and 2021 with a total of 14,185 patients were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Patients in the off-hour group were significantly younger than those in the on-hour group and with comparable stroke severity and intravenous thrombolysis rate. The off-hour group had longer OTD (WMD [95% CI], 12.83 [1.84–23.82] min), DTP (WMD [95% CI], 11.45 [5.93–16.97] min), ITP (WMD [95% CI], 10.39 [4.61–16.17] min), OTP (WMD [95% CI], 25.30 [13.11–37.50] min), OTR (WMD [95% CI], 25.16 [10.28–40.04] min), and DTR (WMD [95% CI], 18.02 [10.01–26.03] min) time. Significantly lower successful recanalization rate (OR [95% CI], 0.85 [0.76–0.95]; p = 0.004; I 2 = 0%) was detected in the off-hour group. No significant difference was noted regarding SICH and prognosis. But a trend toward lower OR of good prognosis was witnessed in the off-hour group (OR [95% CI], 0.92 [0.84–1.01]; p = 0.084; I 2 = 0%). Conclusions: Patients who presented/were treated during off-hour were associated with excessive delays before the initiation of EVT, lower successful reperfusion rate, and a trend toward worse prognosis when compared with working hours. Optimizing the workflows of EVT during off-hour is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-management is essential for patients who require regular hemodialysis treatment. This study aimed to explore the relationships between social support, sense of coherence (SOC), and self-management in hemodialysis patients and to examine whether SOC plays a mediating role. In a cross-sectional study, 402 hemodialysis patients from four tertiary hospitals were recruited. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Social support, SOC, and self-management were significantly correlated with each other. The proposed model provided a good fit to the data. Social support had a direct effect on self-management and SOC, partially mediated the effect of social support on self-management (β = 0.248, p = 0.001). Social support and SOC explained 69% of the variance in self-management. Our findings indicate that health care providers can enhance social support with an emphasis on strengthening SOC strategies to better improve self-management in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Immunomodulators remain fundamental for the medical treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used as a second-line immunomodulator; however, there is a lack of recent data on MTX monotherapy among the Asian population with CD. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the tolerability and clinical outcomes of MTX in Korean patients with CD. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for CD patients treated with MTX monotherapy or in combination with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. The tolerability of MTX monotherapy within 6 months was assessed and the clinical effectiveness of MTX was evaluated based on the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). Results: In total, 85 patients were included, of which 29 (34.1%) discontinued MTX due to intolerability during the follow-up. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 41 (48.2%) patients. The most common AE was gastrointestinal disorders (17/41) and only one patient experienced a serious AE, a systemic infection that required hospitalization. Among the 56 patients who tolerated MTX within 6 months, 44 (65.9%) showed a clinical response. Moreover, no factor was significantly associated with intolerability. The administration method was the only factor significantly associated with a response to MTX (p = 0.041). The adjusted odds ratio of parenteral injection compared to oral administration was 5.68 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–30.08). Conclusion: In this study, one-third of patients were intolerant to MTX; nonetheless, the response rate was as high as 65.9% among tolerant patients. In addition, no significant factors affected intolerability. In terms of the clinical response, parenteral injection could be better than oral administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed and assessed whether a novel neutrophil-to-hemoglobin and lymphocyte (NHL) score would improve the ability to predict clinical outcome compared with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined 13,072 AMI patients from the Korean AMI Registry–National Institute of Health database. NHL score was calculated as follows: NHL score (U) = N/(Hb × L), where N, Hb, and L are baseline blood neutrophil, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte count. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events (MACCEs) at 2 years. The NLR, SII, and NHL score were independent predictors of 2-year MACCEs. The area under the curve of the NHL score (0.637) for predicting 2-year MACCEs was significantly higher compared with those of SII (0.589) and NLR (0.607). The NHL score significantly improved the reclassification and integrated discrimination compared with NLR (p < 0.0001) and SII (p < 0.0001). A high NHL score (≥ 0.35 U) was an independent predictor of 2-year MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–1.55; p < 0.001). The NHL score could be a novel model for predicting long-term MACCEs in patients with AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium (Al)-based alloys have attracted as promising materials for structural applications using metal 3D printing due to their excellent specific mechanical strength, formability, and durability. In this study, highly flowable coarse AlSi10Mg powders with average diameter of 65 µm were prepared and then they were additively manufactured by using the selective laser melting (SLM) process. The relative densities exceeding 99% were consistently obtained from the samples fabricated at the scan speed of 1000–2000 mm·s−1 in the range of laser power from 350 to 390 W. The tensile strengths and elongation of all the samples were characterised. Furthermore, Al alloy processed by coarse AlSi10Mg powders does not show a big change in strength values compared to those fabricated by fine AlSi10Mg powders with 45 µm in diameter. Thus, these results clearly show that the developed coarse AlSi10Mg powders can be effectively utilised for the SLM process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study assessed the overall symptom burden, including the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of symptoms among hemodialysis patients, and explored the relationship between demographic characteristics, clinical variables, self-management, sense of coherence, social support, and symptom burden in these patients. Herein, a regression analysis was performed to determine associations with symptom burden. The mean score of symptom burden among the participants (n = 382) was 74.12, with an average number of 12 symptoms. The analysis revealed that self-management, sense of coherence, and social support were negatively associated with the overall symptom burden. The multiple regression model showed that 48.6% of the variance in symptom burden was explained by meaningfulness, emotional management, daily urine output, subjective support, gender, and manageability. These findings contribute to the knowledge of symptom burden among hemodialysis patients and some new predictors (self-management, sense of coherence, and social support) of their symptom burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed and assessed whether a novel neutrophil-to-hemoglobin and lymphocyte (NHL) score would improve the ability to predict clinical outcome compared with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined 13,072 AMI patients from the Korean AMI Registry–National Institute of Health database. NHL score was calculated as follows: NHL score (U) = N/(Hb × L), where N, Hb, and L are baseline blood neutrophil, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte count. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events (MACCEs) at 2 years. The NLR, SII, and NHL score were independent predictors of 2-year MACCEs. The area under the curve of the NHL score (0.637) for predicting 2-year MACCEs was significantly higher compared with those of SII (0.589) and NLR (0.607). The NHL score significantly improved the reclassification and integrated discrimination compared with NLR (p < 0.0001) and SII (p < 0.0001). A high NHL score (≥ 0.35 U) was an independent predictor of 2-year MACCEs (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–1.55; p < 0.001). The NHL score could be a novel model for predicting long-term MACCEs in patients with AMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Immunomodulators remain fundamental for the medical treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used as a second-line immunomodulator; however, there is a lack of recent data on MTX monotherapy among the Asian population with CD. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the tolerability and clinical outcomes of MTX in Korean patients with CD. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for CD patients treated with MTX monotherapy or in combination with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea. The tolerability of MTX monotherapy within 6 months was assessed and the clinical effectiveness of MTX was evaluated based on the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). Results: In total, 85 patients were included, of which 29 (34.1%) discontinued MTX due to intolerability during the follow-up. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 41 (48.2%) patients. The most common AE was gastrointestinal disorders (17/41) and only one patient experienced a serious AE, a systemic infection that required hospitalization. Among the 56 patients who tolerated MTX within 6 months, 44 (65.9%) showed a clinical response. Moreover, no factor was significantly associated with intolerability. The administration method was the only factor significantly associated with a response to MTX (p = 0.041). The adjusted odds ratio of parenteral injection compared to oral administration was 5.68 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–30.08). Conclusion: In this study, one-third of patients were intolerant to MTX; nonetheless, the response rate was as high as 65.9% among tolerant patients. In addition, no significant factors affected intolerability. In terms of the clinical response, parenteral injection could be better than oral administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated differences in the prevalence of anosognosia and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) characteristics according to disease severity in patients with early-onset Alzheimer disease (EOAD).Methods: We recruited 616 patients with EOAD. We subdivided participants into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of anosognosia and then again by Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. We compared the differences in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scores according to anosognosia and disease severity.Results: The percentage of patients with anosognosia in each CDR group steadily increased as the CDR rating increased (CDR 0.5 8.6% vs CDR 1 13.6% vs CDR 2 26.2%). The NPI total score was significantly higher in patients with anosognosia in the CDR 0.5 and 1 groups; by contrast, it had no association in the CDR 2 group. Frontal lobe functions were associated with anosognosia only in the CDR 0.5 and 1 groups. After stratification by CDR, in the CDR 0.5 group, the prevalence of agitation ( P = .040) and appetite ( P = .013) was significantly higher in patients with anosognosia. In the CDR 1 group, patients with anosognosia had a significantly higher prevalence of delusions ( P = .032), hallucinations ( P = .048), and sleep disturbances ( P = .047). In the CDR 2 group, we found no statistical difference in the frequency of symptoms between patients with and without anosognosia.Conclusion: These results confirm that the prevalence of anosognosia as well as the individual NPS and cognitive functions associated with it differ according to EOAD severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of autophotosensitive semiaromatic hyperbranched polyimides were prepared by (A2 + B3)-type method and endcapped with 3-aminophenylacetylene. The photosensitive-hyperbranched polyimides (PHBPIs) showed excellent solubility, excellent optical properties, and low birefringences in the range of 0.0010–0.0027, caused by their special hyperbranched structures and alicyclic chain segments reduced both intramolecular and intermolecular charge transfer complex effect. The cured films also showed high glass transition temperatures between 204°C and 220°C, excellent thermal stabilities with 10% thermal decomposing temperatures in the range of 476–495°C, and good mechanical properties. The PHBPIs had photosensitivities (Dg) in the range of 80–162 mJ/cm2 and showed a clear negative image with a line width of 8 µm when exposed to an ultraviolet light of 365 nm (i-line). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]