Complementary traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat patients with cerebral palsy (CP). However, large-scale surveys examining its use in the treatment of CP and associated ...disorders are lacking.
We enrolled 11,218 patients ≤ 18 years of age with CP in the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database from 1995 to 2011. Patients were categorized as TCM users (n = 6,997; 62.37%) and non-TCM users (n = 4,221; 37.63%) based on the inclusion of TCM in their treatment plan.
Children with higher proportions of complementary TCM use were male, younger, and lived in urbanized areas. Most TCM users (n = 5332, 76.2%) visited TCM outpatient departments more than 20 times per year. In both groups, the three most common reasons for clinical visits were problems of the nervous system, respiratory system, and digestive system. Acupuncture was commonly used in problems of injury, musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, and nervous system. Chinese herbal medicine was used to improve the primary symptoms of CP in patients, as well as its associated disorders. The incidence rate ratios in allergic rhinitis, dyspepsia, menstrual disorders, and musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases among TCM users were significantly higher than non-TCM users. Although patients receiving complementary TCM therapies had higher medical expenditure for utilizing outpatient clinical consultations, their medical costs for visiting ER and hospitalization were significantly lower than that of non-TCM user within one year of the diagnosis of CP.
This study was a large-scale survey to characterize patterns of complementary TCM use among children with CP. The complementary use of TCM in children with CP was considerably high. Future clinical trials and basic researches can be developed based on the findings of this study.
Recently, Cu-substituted lead apatite LK-99 was reported to have room-temperature ambient-pressure superconductivity. Here we utilize density functional theory (DFT) total energy and harmonic phonon ...calculations to investigate the thermodynamic and dynamic stability of two lead phosphate apatites in their pure and Cu-substituted structures. Though Pb\(_{10}\)(PO\(_4\))\(_6\)O and Pb\(_{10}\)(PO\(_4\))\(_6\)(OH)\(_2\) are found to be thermodynamically stable (i.e., on the T=0K ground state convex hull), their Cu-substituted counterparts are above the convex hull. Harmonic phonon calculations reveal dynamic instabilities in all four of these structures. Oxygen vacancy formation energies demonstrate that the addition of Cu dopant substituting for Pb increases the likelihood of the formation of oxygen vacancies on the anion site. We propose a new possible phase in this system, Pb\(_8\)Cu\(_2\)(PO\(_4\))\(_6\), where two monovalent Cu atoms are substituted for two Pb(1) atoms and the anion oxygen is removed. We also propose several reaction pathways for Pb\(_9\)Cu(PO\(_4\))\(_6\)O and Pb\(_8\)Cu\(_2\)(PO\(_4\))\(_6\), and found that both of these two structures are likely to be synthesized under a 1:1 ratio of reactants Pb\(_2\)SO\(_5\) and Cu\(_3\)P. Our work provides a thorough foundation for the thermodynamic and dynamic stabilities of LK-99 related compounds and we propose several possible novel synthesis reaction pathways and a new predicted structure for future studies.
We examined fatigue-crack-growth behaviors of CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) under as-fatigued and tensile-overloaded conditions using neutron-diffraction measurements coupled with diffraction ...peak-profile analyses. We applied both high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and neutron-diffraction strain mapping for the complementary microstructure examinations. Immediately after a single tensile overload, the crack-growth-retardation period was obtained by enhancing the fatigue resistance, as compared to the as-fatigued condition. The combined mechanisms of the overload-induced larger plastic deformation, the enlarged compressive residual stresses and plastic-zone size, the crack-tip blunting ahead of the crack tip, and deformation twinning governed the pronounced macroscopic crack-growth-retardation behavior following the tensile overload. A remarkable fracture surface of highly-periodic serrated features along the crack-propagation direction was found in the crack-growth region immediately after the tensile overload. Moreover, a transition of plastic deformation from planar dislocation slip-dominated to twinning-dominated microstructures in the extended plastic zone was clearly observed at room temperature in the overloaded condition, in accordance with the simulated results by a finite element method (FEM). The above tensile overload-induced simultaneously combined effects in the coarse-grained CoCrFeMnNi shed light on the improvement of fatigue resistance for HEAs applications.
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This paper presents a study to investigate the feasibility of using robotic welding technologies to weld the continuity plate and the column flange plate during manufacturing steel built-up box ...columns in buildings. Specimens designed to emulate the key components in the steel beam-to-column moment connections for Special moment frame were fabricated and welded using a proposed automated procedure that performs multi-layer, multi-pass welding for thick steel plates. Effects of controlling parameters on robotic welding results that includes the manner of bead stacking, wire feed speed, travel speed, working angle, arc voltage, the path of the welding pass, and the methods to start and finish welding passes were investigated. The quality of the welded products was assessed by visual inspection and ultrasonic testing (UT). Further mechanical tests including tensile tests, bending tests, and cyclic loading tests were carried out on selected welded products that passed the UT examination. The test results indicated that the robotic welds showed no visible damage or cracks, met requirements specified in the AWS specification, and exhibited satisfactory strength and ductility.
Graft cell repopulation and tendon-bone tunnel healing are important after allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Freshly isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) have the ...advantage of short isolation time during surgery and may enhance tissue regeneration. Thus, we hypothesized that the effect of intra-articular BMMNCs in post-allograft ACLR treatment is comparable to that of cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). A rabbit model of hamstring allograft ACLR was used in this study. Animals were randomly assigned to the BMMNC, BMSC, and control groups. Fresh BMMNCs isolated from the iliac crest during surgery and cultured BMSCs at passage four were used in this study. A total of 1 × 10
BMMNCs or BMSCs in 100 µL phosphate-buffered saline were injected into the knee joint immediately after ACLR. The control group was not injected with cells. At two and six weeks post operation, we assessed graft cell repopulation with histological and cell tracking staining (PKH26), and tendon-bone healing with histological micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemical analyses for collagen I and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1). At two weeks post operation, there was no significant difference in the total cell population within the allograft among the three groups. However, the control group showed significantly higher cell population within the allograft than that of BM cell groups at six weeks. Histological examination of proximal tibia revealed that the intra-articular delivered cells infiltrated into the tendon-bone interface. Compared to the control group, the BM cell groups showed broader gaps with interfacial fibrocartilage healing, similar collagen I level, and higher MCP1 expression in the early stage. Micro-CT did not reveal any significant difference among the three groups. BMMNCs and BMSCs had comparable effects on cell repopulation and interfacial allograft-bone healing. Intra-articular BM cells delivery had limited benefits on graft cell repopulation and caused higher inflammation than that in the control group in the early stage, with fibrocartilage formation in the tendon-bone interface after allograft ACLR.
The effect of grain size on strain-controlled low-cycle fatigue (LCF) properties in the CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloys (HEAs) was investigated towards the distinct microstructural developments during ...cyclic loading at a strain amplitude of ± 1.0%. A much more prominent secondary cyclic hardening (SCH) behavior at the final deformation stage was observed in the fine-grained (FG, 18 µm) than in the coarse-grained (CG, 184 µm) CoCrFeMnNi. In-situ neutron-diffraction and microscopic examination, strongly corroborated by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, indicated that dislocation activities from planar slip to wavy slip-driven subgrain structures within the grains acted as the primary cyclic-deformation behaviors in the FG CoCrFeMnNi. Differently observed in the cyclic behavior of the CG CoCrFeMnNi was due to a transition from the planar dislocation slip to twinning. Our findings suggested that the fatigue-resistant HEAs can be designed via tuning the microstructure with an optimal range of grain size at a specific strain amplitude.
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Osteoporosis is the second most common epidemiologic disease in the aging population worldwide. Previous studies have found that frequent tea drinkers have higher bone mineral density and less hip ...fracture. We previously found that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (20⁻100 µmol/L) significantly suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and pit formation via inhibiting NF-κB transcriptional activity and nuclear transport of NF-κB in RAW 264.7 cells and murine primary bone marrow macrophage cells. The most important regulation in osteoclastogenesis is the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB/RANKL/osteoprotegrin (RANK/RANKL/OPG) pathway. In this study, we used the coculture of RAW 264.7 cells and the feeder cells, ST2, to evaluate how EGCG regulated the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway in RAW 264.7 cells and ST2 cells. We found EGCG decreased the RANKL/OPG ratio in both mRNA expression and secretory protein levels and eventually decreased osteoclastogenesis by TRAP (+) stain osteoclasts and TRAP activity at low concentrations-1 and 10 µmol/L-via the RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway. The effective concentration can be easily achieved in daily tea consumption. Taken together, our results implicate that EGCG could be an important nutrient in modulating bone resorption.
Background & Aims The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases with age, but protective antibody responses decrease with time after infants are immunized against hepatitis B virus (HBV). ...We investigated whether immunization of infants against HBV prevents their developing HCC as adults. We also searched for strategies to maximize the cancer-preventive effects. Methods We collected data from 2 Taiwan HCC registry systems on 1509 patients (6–26 years old) diagnosed with HCC from 1983 through 2011. Data on history of HBV immunization and prenatal maternal levels of HBV antigens of all HCC patients born after July 1984 were retrieved from the HBV immunization data bank of the Taiwan Center for Disease Control. We collected data on birth cohort-specific populations (6–26 years old) of Taiwan using the National Household Registry System. Rates of HCC incidence per 105 person-years were derived by dividing the number of patients with HCC by the person-years of the general population. Relative risks (RR) for HCC were estimated by Poisson regression analysis in vaccinated vs unvaccinated birth cohorts. We stratified patients by age group to evaluate the association of birth cohorts and HCC risks. Results Of the 1509 patients with HCC, 1343 were born before, and 166 were born after, the HBV vaccination program began. HCC incidence per 105 person-years was 0.92 in the unvaccinated cohort and 0.23 in the vaccinated birth cohorts. The RRs for HCC in patients 6–9 years old, 10–14 years old, 15–19 years old, and 20–26 years old who were vaccinated vs unvaccinated were 0.26 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.17–0.40), 0.34 (95% CI, 0.25–0.48), 0.37 (95% CI, 0.25–0.51), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.32–0.56), respectively. The RR for HCC in 6- to 26-year-olds was lower in the later vs the earlier cohorts (born in 1992–2005 vs 1986–1992; P < .001 and 1986–1992 vs 1984–1986; P < .002). Transmission of HBV from highly infectious mothers and incomplete immunization were associated with development of HCC. Conclusions Based on an analysis of 1509 patients with HCC in Taiwan, immunization of infants against HBV reduces their risk of developing HCC as children and young adults. Improving HBV vaccination strategies and overcoming risk factors could reduce the incidence of liver cancer.
We have synthesized and characterized three perylene diimides,
X-PDI
, where
X
=
H
,
F
, or
Br
. These three compounds have been tested for the substitution of 6,6-phenyl C
61
butyric acid methyl ...ester (PC
61
BM) in inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). Although the efficiency of PDI derivative-based conventional PVSCs is as high as 17.6% (
J. Mater. Chem. A
, 2016,
4
, 8724), the corresponding performance of inverted PVSCs is still lagging behind and improvement is necessary. For electron accepting (from CH
3
NH
3
PbI
3
perovskite) and electron transporting properties of the materials, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, electrochemical cyclic voltammetry, direct current conductivity, space-charge limited current (SCLC) electron mobility, atomic force microscopy (AFM) surface morphology, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy gauging charge-trapping have been studied. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels are 5.94/4.00, 5.83/3.96, 6.00/3.97, and 5.48/3.73 eV for
H-PDI
,
F-PDI
,
Br-PDI
, and PC
61
BM, respectively. Direct current conductivities of
H-PDI
,
F-PDI
,
Br-PDI
, and PC
61
BM are 8.71 × 10
−8
, 1.18 × 10
−9
, 2.2 × 10
−6
, and 8.42 × 10
−6
S cm
−1
, respectively. The SCLC electron mobility of
H-PDI
,
F-PDI
,
Br-PDI
, and PC
61
BM are 1.12 × 10
−4
, 8.31 × 10
−6
, 1.08 × 10
−3
, and 5.00 × 10
−3
S cm
−1
, respectively. PL spectroscopy of CH
3
NH
3
PbI
3
perovskite provides emission at wavelength of 781 nm, which is the same as for the perovskite layer covered with a thin film of
H-PDI
or
F-PDI
. However, the emission wavelength was blue-shifted to 773-774 nm when the perovskite layer was covered with a thin film of
Br-PDI
or PC
61
BM. Using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, the solubility (in chloroform) was determined as 1.2 × 10
−2
, 8.7 × 10
−2
and >10
−1
mol L
−1
for
F-PDI
,
H-PDI
, and
Br-PDI
, respectively. In thin film state, UV-visible absorption spectroscopy indicated that the extent of molecular aggregation was
F-PDI
>
H-PDI
>
Br-PDI
, which is consistent with the AFM-estimated root-mean-square roughness of
F-PDI
>
H-PDI
>
Br-PDI
∼ PC
61
BM. Without the solution processed ZnO NP cathode buffer layer (CBL), the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of
H-PDI
,
F-PDI
,
Br-PDI
, and PC
61
BM PVSCs is ∼1%, ∼0%, 3.2%, and 4.1%, respectively. With the ZnO NP CBL, PCE is ∼7.8%, ∼0%, 10.5%, and 11.1% for
H-PDI
,
F-PDI
,
Br-PDI
, and PC
61
BM PVSCs, respectively. Through this study, we have demonstrated that the simple mono-bromine substituted perylene diimide (
Br-PDI
), is solution processable and has potential for use as a non-fullerene electron accepting and electron transporting material in inverted PVSCs.
Mono-halogenated perylene diimides as solution-processable electron transporting layers in perovskite solar cells with ZnO nanoparticle cathode buffer layers.
A systematic study on the effects of heteroarenes on the solid state structure and optoelectronic properties of isoindigo analogues, namely, PBDT-IIG and PBDT-TIIG, used in solution-processed organic ...field effect transistors (OFETs) and organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is reported. We discover that the optical absorption, frontier orbitals, backbone coplanarity, molecular orientation, solubility, film morphology, charge carrier mobility, and solar cell performance are critically influenced by the heteroarenes in the acceptor subunits. PBDT-IIG exhibits good p-type OFET performance with mobility up to 1.03 × 10–1 cm2 V–1 s–1, whereas PBDT-TIIG displays ambipolar mobilities of μh = 7.06 × 10–2 cm2 V–1 s–1 and μe = 2.81 × 10–4 cm2 V–1 s–1. PBDT-IIG and PBDT-TIIG blended with 6,6-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) yield promising power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.86% and 2.55%, respectively. The excellent mobility of PBDT-IIG can be attributable to the growing fraction of edge-on packing by the interfacial surface treatment. Although PBDT-TIIG could construct a long-range face-on packing alignment to meliorate its photocurrent in OPV applications, the low open-circuit voltage caused by its high-lying HOMO energy level and greater recombination demonstrates the trade-off between light absorption and solar cell performance. Nevertheless, PBDT-TIIG with a PCE of 2.55% is the highest reported PCE to date for the TIIG-based systems.
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