Nonlinear model to predict the torsional response of U-shaped thin-walled RC members

Shenggang Chen,Yinghua Ye,Quanquan Guo,Shaohong Cheng,Bo Diao 국제구조공학회 2016 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.60 No.6

Based on Vlasov‟s torsional theory of open thin-walled members and the nonlinear constitutive relations of materials, a nonlinear analysis model to predict response of open thin-walled RC members subjected to pure torsion is proposed in the current study. The variation of the circulatory torsional stiffness and warping torsional stiffness over the entire loading process and the impact of warping shear deformation on the torsion-induced rotation of the member are considered in the formulation. The torque equilibrium differential equation is then solved by Runge-Kutta method. The proposed nonlinear model is then applied to predict the behavior of five U-shaped thin-walled RC members under pure torsion. Four of them were tested in an earlier experimental study by the authors and the testing data of the fifth one were reported in an existing literature. Results show that the analytical predictions based on the proposed model agree well with the experimental data of all five specimens. This clearly shows the validity of the proposed nonlinear model analyzing behavior of U-shaped thin-walled RC members under pure torsion.

Effects of Squid Ink on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Functions and Immunity in Growing Broiler Chickens

Liu, Huazhong,Luo, Ping,Chen, Shaohong,Shang, Jianghua Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.12

This study was conducted to explore the effects of squid ink on growth performance, immune functions and antioxidant ability of broiler chickens during a period of six weeks. Either sex Arbor Acres broilers were equally allotted to 4 groups with 3 replicates of 20 chickens each. Broilers diets for the 4 test groups were prepared separately with starter and finisher phases. Control chickens were fed with basal diet and birds of group Exp 2, Exp 4 and Exp 6 were fed with the basal diet supplemented with 2%, 4% and 6% of squid ink, respectively. Broilers were sacrificed to investigate antioxidant parameters of sera, indices of thymus, spleen and bursa of fabricius and spleen lymphocyte proliferation, as well as growth performance on the $21^{th}$ and $42^{th}$ day. The results revealed that, i) squid ink promoted growth performance of broilers during days 22 to 42 and the whole trial period (p<0.05 or p<0.01); ii) squid ink elevated relative weight of the three immune organs during the starter phase and spleen lymphocyte proliferation throughout the experiment (p<0.05); iii) squid ink increased SOD activity and decreased MDA level in sera from broilers during the whole period (p<0.05). The above results suggest that squid ink could improve growth performance, antioxidant ability and immune functions of growing broiler chickens and be employed in the development of feed additives for animals.

Cardiac-targeted delivery of nuclear receptor RORα via ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction optimizes the benefits of regular dose of melatonin on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy

Shanjie Wang,Kegong Chen,Ye Wang,Zeng Wang,Zhaoying Li,JunChen Guo,Jianfeng Chen,Wenhua Liu,Xiaohui Guo,Guangcan Yan,Chenchen Liang,Huai Yu,Shaohong Fang,Bo Yu 한국생체재료학회 2023 생체재료학회지 Vol.27 No.00

Background Large-dose melatonin treatment in animal experiments was hardly translated into humans, which may explain the dilemma that the protective effects against myocardial injury in animal have been challenged by clinical trials. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has been considered a promising drug and gene delivery system to the target tissue. We aim to investigate whether cardiac gene delivery of melatonin receptor mediated by UTMD technology optimizes the efficacy of clinically equivalent dose of melatonin in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy. Methods Melatonin and cardiac melatonin receptors in patients and rat models with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis were assessed. Rats received UTMD-mediated cardiac delivery of RORα/cationic microbubbles (CMBs) at 1, 3 and 5 days before CLP surgery. Echocardiography, histopathology and oxylipin metabolomics were assessed at 16–20 h after inducing fatal sepsis. Results We observed that patients with sepsis have lower serum melatonin than healthy controls, which was observed in the blood and hearts of Sprague–Dawley rat models with LPS- or CLP-induced sepsis. Notably, a mild dose (2.5 mg/kg) of intravenous melatonin did not substantially improve septic cardiomyopathy. We found decreased nuclear receptors RORα, not melatonin receptors MT1/2, under lethal sepsis that may weaken the potential benefits of a mild dose of melatonin treatment. In vivo, repeated UTMD-mediated cardiac delivery of RORα/CMBs exhibited favorable biosafety, efficiency and specificity, significantly strengthening the effects of a safe dose of melatonin on heart dysfunction and myocardial injury in septic rats. The cardiac delivery of RORα by UTMD technology and melatonin treatment improved mitochondrial dysfunction and oxylipin profiles, although there was no significant influence on systemic inflammation. Conclusions These findings provide new insights to explain the suboptimal effect of melatonin use in clinic and potential solutions to overcome the challenges. UTMD technology may be a promisingly interdisciplinary pattern against sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy.

Disease burden of prostate cancer from 2014 to 2019 in the United States: estimation from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Shen Lin,Dong Lin,Yiyuan Li,Lixian Zhong,Wei Zhou,Yajing Wu,Chen Xie,Shaohong Luo,Xiaoting Huang,Xiongwei Xu,Xiuhua Weng 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease burden of prostate cancer (PC) and assess key influencing factors associated with the disease expenditures of PC in the United States. METHODS: The total deaths, incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years of PC were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to estimate healthcare expenditures and productivity loss and to investigate patterns of payment and use of healthcare resources in the United States. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify key factors influencing expenditures. RESULTS: For patients aged 50 and older, the burden for all age groups showed a modest increase over the 6-year period. Annual medical expenditures were estimated to range from US$24.8 billion to US$39.2 billion from 2014 to 2019. The annual loss in productivity for patients was approximately US$1,200. The top 3 major components of medical costs were hospital inpatient stays, prescription medicines, and office-based visits. Medicare was the largest source of payments for survivors. In terms of drug consumption, genitourinary tract agents (57.0%) and antineoplastics (18.6%) were the main therapeutic drugs. High medical expenditures were positively associated with age (p=0.005), having private health insurance (p=0.016), more comorbidities, not currently smoking (p=0.001), and patient self-perception of fair/poor health status (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: From 2014 to 2019, the national real-world data of PC revealed that the disease burden in the United States continued to increase, which was partly related to patient characteristics.

Peste des petits ruminants virus infection induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis via IRE1-XBP1 and IRE1-JNK signaling pathways

Shuyi Yuan,Yanfen Liu,Yun Mu,Yongshen Kuang,Shaohong Chen,Yun-Tao Zhao,You Liu The Korean Society of Veterinary Science 2024 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.25 No.1

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious and fatal disease of sheep and goats. PPR virus (PPRV) infection induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR). The activation of UPR signaling pathways and their impact on apoptosis and virus replication remains controversial. Objectives: To investigate the role of PPRV-induced ER stress and the IRE1-XBP1 and IRE1-JNK pathways and their impact on apoptosis and virus replication. Methods: The cell viability and virus replication were assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot. The expression of ER stress biomarker GRP78, IRE1, and its downstream molecules, PPRV-N protein, and apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) and STF-083010 were respectively used to inhibit ER stress and IRE1 signaling pathway. Results: The expression of GRP78, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, XBP1s, JNK, p-JNK, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax and PPRV-N were significantly up-regulated in PPRV-infected cells, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated. Due to 4-PBA treatment, the expression of GRP78, p-IRE1α, XBP1s, p-JNK, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and PPRV-N were significantly downregulated, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly up-regulated. Moreover, in PPRV-infected cells, the expression of p-IRE1α, p-JNK, Bax, and PPRV-N was significantly decreased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased in the presence of STF-083010. Conclusions: PPRV infection induces ER stress and IRE1 activation, resulting in apoptosis and enhancement of virus replication through IRE1-XBP1s and IRE1-JNK pathways.

Disease burden of prostate cancer from 2014 to 2019: estimation from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

Lin Shen,Lin Dong,Li Yiyuan,Zhong Lixian,Zhou Wei,Wu Yajing,Xie Chen,Luo Shaohong,Huang Xiaoting,Xu Xiongwei,Weng Xiuhua 한국역학회 2023 Epidemiology and Health Vol.45 No.-

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease burden of prostate cancer (PC) and assess key influencing factors associated with the disease expenditures of PC in the United States. METHODS The total deaths, incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years of PC were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to estimate healthcare expenditures and productivity loss and to investigate patterns of payment and use of healthcare resources in the United States. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify key factors influencing expenditures. RESULTS For patients aged 50 and older, the burden for all age groups showed a modest increase over the 6-year period. Annual medical expenditures were estimated to range from US$24.8 billion to US$39.2 billion from 2014 to 2019. The annual loss in productivity for patients was approximately US$1,200. The top 3 major components of medical costs were hospital inpatient stays, prescription medicines, and office-based visits. Medicare was the largest source of payments for survivors. In terms of drug consumption, genitourinary tract agents (57.0%) and antineoplastics (18.6%) were the main therapeutic drugs. High medical expenditures were positively associated with age (p=0.005), having private health insurance (p=0.016), more comorbidities, not currently smoking (p=0.001), and patient self-perception of fair/poor health status (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS From 2014 to 2019, the national real-world data of PC revealed that the disease burden in the United States continued to increase, which was partly related to patient characteristics.