Ferrocement, Carbon, and Polypropylene Fibers for Strengthening Masonry Shear Walls.

This paper describes an experimental investigation into the feasibility of using ferrocement jacketing, polypropylene fibers, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets (CFRP) to enhance the shear resistance of unreinforced brick masonry. The study involved testing 12 wall panels in diagonal compression, three of which were strengthened using each of the above-mentioned techniques. The results showed that all three strengthening techniques led to a significant improvement in the shear resistance and deformation capacity of the unreinforced walls. Furthermore, the results showed that the strengthened walls exhibited a significant improvement in shear resistance and deformation capacity by a factor of 3.3-4.7 and 3.7-6.8, respectively. These findings suggest that ferrocement jacketing is a viable and highly effective method for strengthening masonry structures. Test results can assist in the decision-making process to identify the most suitable design and retrofitting solution, which could indicate that not only new materials, but also traditional methods and materials (ferrocement) could be interesting and effective, also considering their lower initial cost.

Topical glaucoma medications - Clinical implications for the ocular surface.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The use of topical eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure remains the mainstay treatment. These eye drops frequently contain preservatives designed to ensure sterility of the compound. A growing number of clinical and experimental studies report the detrimental effects of not only these preservatives but also the active pharmaceutical compounds on the ocular surface, with resultant tear film instability and dry eye disease. Herein, we critically appraise the published literature exploring the effects of preservatives and pharmaceutical compounds on the ocular surface.

Suicide ideation and/or attempt with substance use and associated factors among the youth in northwest Ethiopia, community-based.

BACKGROUND: Substance use is referring to the use of psychoactive substances like chat, cigarettes, alcohol, and others. The use of substances particularly (alcohol, chat, and cigarette) is a major mental health burden in developing countries including Ethiopia among youth. Suicide ideation and an attempt are thinking or trying to kill oneself that facilitates the act of a person intentionally causing his or her death. Suicide is one of the most serious mental health problems and has a great social impact in the world as it is currently the third leading cause of death for youth. Youth is defined as the period of life between childhood and maturity with an age interval of (15-25). METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts with substance use among youth in northwest Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling techniques of stratified with simple random sample ware used. In the first stage, substance users are selected then as the second stage among substance users the burden of suicide behavior is assessed. ASIST, DASS-21, and other tools were used to assess suicidal behavior with substance use and associated factors. Data were edited, purified, and entered into Epi-data version 4.6 before being exported to the statistical package for social sciences version 20 for analysis of bi-variables to see the associations' p-value < 0.2 and multi-variables to identify the associated variables with a p-value of < 0.05 AOR and CI also done. RESULTS: From a total of 372 substance user participants over all prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt among youth was 54(14.5%) with 95% CI of (11.0,18.0) and 37(9.9%) with 95% CI (7.0, 13.0) respectively. Being female [AOR =2.36;95% CI:(1.19, 4.68)], poor social support [AOR =3.03; 95% CI: (1.11, 8.25)], and anxiety [AOR = 3.82: 95% CI; (1.96, 7.46)]. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt among substance users was 14.5 and 9.9% respectively therefore, immediate interventional actions needed to be administered to decrease the burden of suicide by reducing substance use and other associated factors.

Validity and Reliability Analysis of the PlotDigitizer Software Program for Data Extraction from Single-Case Graphs.

Access to raw data of graphs presented in original articles to calculate the effect size of single-case research is a challenge for researchers conducting studies such as meta-analysis. Researchers typically use data extraction software programs to extract raw data from the graphs in articles. In this study, we aimed to analyze the validity and reliability of the PlotDigitizer software program, which is widely used in literature and an alternative to other data extraction programs, on computers with different operating systems. We performed the digitization of 6.846 data points on three different computers using 15 hypothetical graphs with 20 data series and 186 graphs with 242 data series from 29 published articles to accomplish the goal. Besides, using the values we digitized, we recalculated the 23 effect sizes presented in the original articles for validity analysis. Based on our sampling, we calculated intercoder and intracoder Pearson correlation coefficients. The results showed that PlotDigitizer could be an alternative to other programs as it is free and can run on many current and outdated systems, and it is valid and reliable as it is nearly perfect. Based on the obtained results and considering the data extraction process, we presented various recommendations for the researchers that will use the PlotDigitizer program for the quantitative analysis of single-case graphs.

The relationship between bioelectrical impedance parameters and pulmonary artery stiffness in obese subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a public health problem that needs to be treated and it occurs as a result of excessive fat accumulation in the body. The relationship between obesity and pulmonary hypertension is well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary artery stiffness, right ventricular functions and bioelectrical impedance parameters in obese, overweight, and healthy individuals. METHODS: In this study, 41 obese (17 female and 24 male, mean age 43.5±10.3), 39 overweight (20 female and 19 male, mean age 38.6±10.4), 34 healthy control group (19 female and 15 male, mean age 40.5±8.6) were included. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance parameters of all participants were performed. Right ventricular functions and pulmonary artery stiffness were evaluated by using conventional echocardiography. RESULTS: Right ventricle myocardial performance index, pulmonary artery stiffness values were statistically different between groups. Positive correlation was observed between pulmonary artery stiffness and Body Mass Index, Waist and Hip circumferences. Significant negative correlation was observed between muscle to fat ratio and pulmonary artery stiffness. In the linear regression analysis, it was observed that the muscle to fat ratio was independent predictor of pulmonary artery stiffness (ß = -1.835; 95%CI(-2.434 - - .784); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that right ventricular function was impaired and pulmonary artery stiffness increased in obese individuals. These findings could be considered as early markers of pulmonary hypertension in obese patients who do not yet have clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Public transit usage and air quality index during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The people suffering from coronavirus have to lead unprecedented actions including limiting travel especially using public transportation. Therefore, lockdown measures and social distancing to decelerate the distribution of the COVID-19 has become the new norm. Nevertheless, improvement in the ambient air quality of the cities globally has appeared as a key advantage of this lockdown. There is a lack of research in the field of public transportation mobility and the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the COVID-19 lockdown globally. Consequently, this research aims to examine the overall impact of the public transit usage and ambient air quality, i.e. both AQI and indicatory air pollutants, during the lockdown in 12 countries. Data collections for analysis of public transportation usage and air quality status during the lockdown and one year before this period were carried out utilizing public transportation application Moovit and World's Air Pollution. The results demonstrated that the lockdowns of 12 countries led to dramatically decreased human movements and public transit usage up to -90% until the end of March and it had no major changes until the end of May. In the case of ambient air quality, the average values of AQI in the 12 countries within lockdown 2020 for classes I(AQI:0-50), II(AQI:51-100), and III(AQI:101-150) increased by 12%, 9%, and 13% while for classes IV(AQI:151-200), V(AQI:201-300) and VI(AQI:301-greater) decreased by 10%, 27%, and 3% in comparison with the identical time throughout 2019. The results also indicate that throughout lockdown 2020, in the 12 countries, the percentages of indicatory air pollutants of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, CO, and NO2 were decreased by 16%, 21%, 41%, 48%, and 35% lower than those in the same time in 2019. Mechanism analysis and comparisons highlighted that the lockdowns of 12 countries led to decreased human mobility and improvement in the AQI around the world.

Functional and Morphological Evaluation of Meibomian Glands in the Assessment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction Subtype and Severity.

PURPOSE: To classify subtypes of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and evaluate the dependency of dry eye signs, symptoms, and parameters on MGD subtype. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. STUDY POPULATION: the right eyes of 447 patients with MGD of various subtypes and 20 healthy volunteers. METHODS: Patients were divided into 4 subtypes of MGD based on meibum expression, meibum quality, and MG loss on meibography images (meibograde of 0-6). Subtypes were patients with high meibum delivery (hypersecretory and nonobvious MGD) and those with low meibum delivery (hyposecretory and obstructive MGD). Additional clinical tests included tear film break-up time (TFBUT), ocular staining, osmolarity, Schirmer I, blink interval timing and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 78 eyes had hypersecretory MGD; 49 eyes had nonobvious MGD; 66 eyes had hyposecretory MGD; and 254 eyes had obstructive MGD. Increased tear film osmolarity and lower TFBUT were found in the low-delivery groups; hyposecretory (P = 0.006, P = 0.016) and obstructive MGD (P = 0.008, P = 0.006) relative to high-delivery MGD (hypersecretory and nonobvious groups, respectively). Worse ocular symptoms and ocular staining were also found in low-delivery MGD groups than the high delivery MGD groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low-delivery MGD had worse dry eye parameters and ocular symptoms than those with high meibum delivery, indicating the pivotal role of meibum secretion in ocular surface health that should be targeted in MGD therapy. Furthermore, nonobvious MGD cannot be diagnosed using conventional dry eye tests and requires morphologic assessment of meibography images to confirm MG loss.

Diagnostic Test Efficacy of Meibomian Gland Morphology and Function.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye and proposed treatments are based on disease severity. Our purpose was to establish reliable morphologic measurements of meibomian glands for evaluating MGD severity. This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 100 MGD patients and 20 controls. The patients were classified into dry eye severity level (DESL) 1-4 based on symptoms and clinical parameters including tear-film breakup time, ocular staining and Schirmer I. The gland loss, length, thickness, density and distortion were analyzed. We compared the morphology between patients and controls; examined their correlations to meibum expressibility, quality, and DESL. Relative to controls, the gland thickness, density and distortion were elevated in patients (p < 0.001 for all tests). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-1.0) for gland loss, and 0.96 (CI 0.91-1.0) for gland distortion, with a cutoff value of six distorted glands yielding a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 97% for MGD diagnosis. The gland distortion was negatively correlated to the meibum expressibility (r = -0.53; p < 0.001) and DESL (r = -0.22, p = 0.018). In conclusion, evaluation of meibomian gland loss and distortion are valuable complementary clinical parameters to assess MGD status.

Visual Contrast Sensitivity Correlates to the Retinal Degeneration in Rhodopsin Knockout Mice.

Purpose: Clinical manifestations of photoreceptor degeneration include gradual thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and progressive reduction of electroretinogram (ERG) amplitudes and vision loss. Although preclinical evaluations of treatment strategies greatly depend on rodent models, the courses of these changes in mice remain unclear. We thus sought to investigate the temporal correlations in changes of spatial vision, ERG response, and ONL thickness in mice with progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Methods: Adult wild-type (WT) mice and mice carrying rhodopsin deficiency (Rho-/-), a frequently used mouse model of human retinitis pigmentosa, were selected for investigation. Mouse spatial vision, including visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS), was determined using optomotor response (OMR) assays; ONL thickness was quantified by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and ERG was performed to evaluate retinal functions. The mice were killed when they were 14 weeks old, and the cone photoreceptors in retinal sections were counted. Results: Spatial vision, ONL thickness, and ERG amplitudes remained stable in WT mice at all examined time points. While 6-week-old Rho-/- mice had VA, CS, as well as ERG responses similar to those of WT mice, progressive reductions in the spatial vision and retinal functions were recorded thereafter. Most tested 12-week-old Rho-/- mice had no visual-evoked OMR and ERG responses. Moreover, CS, but not VA, displayed a linear decline that was closely associated with ONL thinning, reduction of ERG amplitudes, and loss of cones. Conclusions: We presented a comprehensive study of the relation between the changes of spatial vision, retinal function, and ONL thickness in postnatal week (PW)6 to PW12 Rho-/- mice. CS is a more sensitive indicator of spatial vision compared to VA, although both are required as separate parameters for monitoring the visual changes in retina undergoing photoreceptor degeneration.

Meibomian gland dysfunction and keratopathy are associated with dry eye disease in aniridia.

AIMS: To investigate the aetiology and characteristics of dry eye disease (DED) in a Nordic cohort of patients with congenital aniridia. METHODS: Thirty-four Norwegian and one Danish subject with congenital aniridia and 21 healthy controls were examined. All subjects underwent an extensive dry eye examination, including evaluation of meibomian glands (MGs) by meibography, measurement of tear production and tear film osmolarity and grading of vital staining of the ocular surface. Moreover, slit-lamp biomicroscopy was undertaken, including grading of aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). RESULTS: Mean tear film osmolarity was significantly higher (314±11 mOsmol/L) in patients with aniridia compared with the healthy control group (303±11 mOsmol/L, p=0.002). Vital staining score was higher in the aniridia group (4.3±3.0) compared with healthy controls (2.4±1.6, p=0.02). The degree of staining correlated positively with the stage of AAK (r=0.44, p=0.008) and negatively with corneal sensitivity (r=-0.45, p=0.012). Number of expressible MGs was lower in aniridia subjects (2.9±1.6) than in controls (4.0±1.3, p=0.007). MG loss, staged from 0 to 3, was higher in the aniridia group than in the control group, both in upper eyelid (0.86±0.89 vs 0.10±0.31, p=0.001) and lower eyelid (0.94±0.73 vs 0.30±0.47, p=0.003). Computerised analyses showed thinning (p=0.004) and lower density (p<0.001) of the MGs compared with the healthy population. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congenital aniridia demonstrate increased tear film osmolarity, ocular surface staining, loss of MGs and lower MG expressibility. We conclude that meibomian gland dysfunction and keratopathy are related to development of DED in aniridia.

Meibomian Gland Morphology Is a Sensitive Early Indicator of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between meibomian gland (MG) morphology and clinical dry eye tests in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Total 538 MGD patients and 21 healthy controls. METHODS: MG loss on meibography images of upper (UL) and lower lids (LL) was graded on a scale of 0 (lowest degree of MG loss) to 3. MG length, thickness, and interglandular space in the UL were measured. Clinical tests included meibum expression and quality, tear film break-up time, ocular staining, osmolarity, Schirmer I, blink interval timing, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean UL and LL meibogrades were significantly higher in MGD patients compared to controls (P < .001 for UL and LL). The sensitivity and specificity of the meibograde as a diagnostic parameter for MGD was 96.7% and 85%, respectively. Schirmer I was significantly increased in MGD patients with meibograde 1 compared to patients with meibograde 0, 2, and 3 in the UL (P < .05). MG thickness increased with higher meibograde (P < .001). MG morphology correlated significantly but weakly with several clinical parameters (P < .05). OSDI did not correlate with any MG morphologic parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Grading of MG loss using meibograde effectively diagnoses MGD. Compensatory mechanisms such as increased aqueous tear production and dilation of MGs make early detection of MGD difficult by standard clinical measures of dry eye, whereas morphologic analysis of MGs reveals an early stage of MGD, and therefore represents a complementary clinical parameter with diagnostic potential.

Meibomian gland features in a Norwegian cohort of patients with primary Sjögren´s syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess the tear film and meibomian gland (MG) features in a Norwegian cohort of patients with primary Sjögren´s syndrome (pSS) and in age- and gender-matched control subjects. METHODS: Thirty-four female patients with pSS (age 52.9±11.9 years) and 32 female control subjects (age 49.0±11.5 years) were recruited. After completion of Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and McMonnies Dry Eye Questionaire, participants underwent measurements of tear osmolarity, tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface and corneal staining, Schirmer I test, corneal sensitivity, MG expressibility evaluations, and lid margin morphology examination using slitlamp microscopy. Non-contact infrared meibography images were assessed by computer-assisted analysis. The MG loss, calculated as (tarsal area-MG area)/tarsal area, was evaluated in both upper (UL) and lower lids (LL). RESULTS: Compared to the control group, pSS patients demonstrated higher MG loss in both UL (33.8±13.2% vs. 24.4±8.5%, p< 0.01) and LL (52.5±15.7% vs. 43.0±9.6%, p<0.05), as well as higher lid abnormality score (0.8±0.8 vs. 0.2±0.6, p< 0.01). Furthermore, pSS patients showed higher OSDI and McMonnies questionnaire scores, elevated osmolarity, shorter TBUT, shorter blink interval, less wetting in Schirmer I test, more ocular surface staining and more corneal staining. MG loss in UL correlated negatively with TBUT (r = -0.386, p = 0.029) in the pSS group, whereas MG loss in LL correlated negatively with TBUT (r = -0.380, p = 0.035) in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly elevated dry eye symptoms and signs were found in the pSS group compared with the control group, which might be attributed to both decreased aqueous tear production and increased tear evaporation.

Never underestimate simple splenic cyst.

Although splenic involvement alone in hydatid disease is very rare, spleen is the third common organ involved in hydatid disease. It is endemic in cattle rearing areas but occurs worldwide. The rarity of splenic hydatid disease poses diagnostic challenge for clinicians. The case is presented as the investigation in the beginning which induced confusion among experienced clinicians but subsequently diagnosis of splenic hydatid cyst with peritoneal dissemination was confirmed by laparoscopy and histopathological examination. Hydatid disease of spleen should be considered in differential in every patient in endemic area with cystic lesion of spleen until proved otherwise as the hydatid cyst can present even as simple cyst without having classic serological and imaging features.

Determination of essential fatty acid composition among mutant lines of Canola (Brassica napus), through high pressure liquid chromatography.

The present study aimed to quantify the methyl esters of lenoleic acid (LA), gamma-lenolenic acid (LNA) and oleic acid (OL) in the oil of Brassica napus mutants. Five stable mutants (ROO-75/1, ROO-100/6, ROO-125/12, ROO-125/14, and ROO-125/17) of B. napus cv. 'Rainbow' (P) and three mutants (W97-95/16, W97-0.75/11 and W97-.075/13) of B. napus cv. 'Westar' (P) at M6 stage, exhibiting better yield and yield components, were analyzed for essential fatty acids. The highest seed yield was observed in the mutant (ROO-100/6) followed by ROO-125/14 of Rainbow, that is, 34% and 32% higher than their parent plants, respectively. Westar mutant W97-75/11 also showed 30% higher seed yield than its parent plant. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of the composition of fatty acids indicated that OL was the most dominant fatty acid, ranging from 39.1 to 66.3%; LA was second (15.3-41.6%) and LNA was third (18.1-28.9%). Mutant ROO-125/14 showed higher OL contents than parent (Rainbow). These results are expected to support the approval of ROO-125/14 in the National Uniform Varietal Yield Trials (NUVYT) as a new variety based on high oil quality.