Crack assessment of bridge piers using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) eliminates unsafe factors of manual inspection and provides a potential way for the maintenance of transportation ...infrastructures. However, the implementation of UAV‐based crack assessment for real bridge piers is hindered by several key issues, including the following: (a) both perspective distortion and the geometry distortion by nonflat structural surfaces usually appear on crack images taken by the UAV system from the pier surface; however, these two kinds of distortions are difficult to correct at the same time; and (b) the crack image taken by a close‐range inspection flight UAV system is partially imaged, containing only a small part of the entire surface of the pier, and thereby hinders crack localization. In this paper, a new image‐based crack assessment methodology for bridge piers using UAV and three‐dimensional (3D) scene reconstruction is proposed. First, the data acquisition of UAV‐based crack assessment is discussed, and the UAV flight path and photography strategy for bridge pier assessment are proposed. Second, image‐based crack detection and 3D reconstruction are conducted to obtain crack width feature pair sequences and 3D surface models, respectively. Third, a new method of projecting cracks onto a meshed 3D surface triangular model is proposed, which can correct both the perspective distortion and geometry distortion by nonflat structural surfaces, and realize the crack localization. Field test investigations of crack assessment of a real bridge pier using a UAV are carried out for illustration, validation, and error analysis of the proposed methodology.
Background
Both keloid and hypertrophic scars are common benign skin lesions manifested by hyperplasia of fibroblasts. Clinically, this will not only have physiological effects on patients, but also ...cause psychological damage. However, there is no unified standard treatment method at present. Intralesional corticosteroid injection alone and corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A has been gradually found to be useful for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars, but the difference in efficacy between the two is controversial.
Methods
A systematic search was made of the relevant experiments from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).
Results
The scores of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Vancouver Scar Score sheet (VSS), scar thickness, itching degree and patient satisfaction after the combination of corticosteroid and botulinum toxin type A were superior than those after corticosteroid (
P
<0.05).
Conclusion
Compared with corticosteroid alone, corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A is more effective in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar. Although clinical case studies for the treatment of keloid or hypertrophic scars are limited, it is necessary and helpful to understand the effectiveness of corticosteroid combined with botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of keloid or hypertrophic scars.
Level of Evidence III
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors
www.springer.com/00266
.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical syndrome with the main characteristic of diffuse liver cells with fatty changes. The clinical evolution of NAFLD includes simple non-alcoholic ...fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma.
We conducted this review to identify the effectiveness of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) in NAFLD. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ω-3 PUFA treatment for NAFLD were considered. Two reviewers assessed the quality of each study and collected data independently. Disagreements were resolved by discussion among the reviewers and any of the other authors of the paper. We performed a meta-analysis and reported summary estimates of outcomes as inverse variance (IV), fixed or random, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We included seven RCTs involving 442 patients (227 for the experimental group and 215 for the control group). All the patients were divided into two groups: one treated with ω-3 PUFA and the other was the control group (generally placebo). The demographics of the ω-3 PUFA and control groups were comparable. Beneficial changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (IV 95% CI: -7.61 -12.83 to -2.39, p = 0.004), total cholesterol (TC) (IV 95% CI: -13.41 -21.44 to -5.38, p = 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (IV 95% CI: -43.96 -51.21 to -36.71, p<0.00001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (IV 95% CI: 6.97 2.05 to 11.90, p = 0.006) favored ω-3 PUFA treatment. Omega-3 PUFA tended towards a beneficial effect on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (IV 95% CI: -6.89 -17.71 to 3.92, p = 0.21), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (IV 95% CI: -8.28 -18.38 to 1.83, p = 0.11) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (IV 95% CI: -7.13 -14.26 to 0.0, p = 0.05).
Supplementation with ω-3 PUFA is a practical and effective treatment for NAFLD to decrease ALT, TC and increase HDL-C, especially to decrease TG. Omega-3 PUFA also has a tendency toward a beneficial effect on AST, GGT and LDL-C. More high-quality, large RCTs are needed to validate our findings.
In large‐span grid structures with thousands of members involved, bending deformation of members is one of the most commonly observed damages affecting the normal service, even the safety of ...structures. Traditional testing and monitoring methods show weakness in the accurate judgment of crooked members and precision of deformation measurements. In this paper, a new deformation inspection and monitoring method of grid structures using image‐based 3D reconstruction is proposed, wherein a new method is put forward to automatically recognize and extract the shape deformation of the structural member for the first time. First, the key area with multiple members is modeled as a three‐dimensional mesh model using image‐based 3D reconstruction. Then, a new automated recognition and extraction algorithm of shape deformation (AREAS) is carried out, and crooked members, together with their deformed shapes, are extracted from the mesh model through AREAS. In this study, a load experiment of a quadrangular pyramid grid structure containing artificial crooked members and speckled members is designed to compare the deformation measurements using image‐based 3D reconstruction with those using laser scanning. The comparison of deformation and deformation increment shows an average error within 1 mm for image‐based 3D reconstruction, which validates the proposed method in on‐site inspection and monitoring.
Calcium is an important integrative component of the human body and critical for human health. It has been well established that calcium intake is helpful in the prevention and treatment of ...osteoporosis, which has become one of the most serious public health problems across the world. However, community-dwelling adults with and without osteoporosis are rarely concerned or even not aware of the potential side effects of high or inappropriate doses of calcium intake. Some recent studies have revealed that excessive calcium intake might increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this article was to review the health benefits, costs, and consequences of calcium supplementation on osteoporosis/osteoporotic fractures, cardiovascular events, kidney stones, gastrointestinal diseases, and other important diseases. In the end, we suggest that calcium supplementation should be prescribed and taken cautiously, accounting for individual patients' risks and benefits. Clearly, further studies are needed to examine the health effects of calcium supplementation to make any solid recommendations for people of different genders, ages, and ethnicities.
Obesity is a major public health problem with strong genetic determination; however, the genetic factors underlying obesity are largely unknown. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association ...scan for obesity by examining approximately 500 000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a sample of 1000 unrelated US Caucasians. We identified a novel gene, CTNNBL1, which has multiple SNPs associated with body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. The most significant SNP, rs6013029, achieved experiment-wise P-values of 2.69 × 10−7 for BMI and of 4.99 × 10−8 for fat mass, respectively. The SNP rs6013029 minor allele T confers an average increase in BMI and fat mass of 2.67 kg/m2 and 5.96 kg, respectively, compared with the alternative allele G. We further genotyped the five most significant CTNNBL1 SNPs in a French case–control sample comprising 896 class III obese adults (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) and 2916 lean adults (BMI < 25 kg/m2). All five SNPs showed consistent associations with obesity (8.83 × 10−3 < P < 6.96 × 10−4). Those subjects who were homozygous for the rs6013029 T allele had 1.42-fold increased odds of obesity compared with those without the T allele. The protein structure of CTNNBL1 is homologous to β-catenin, a family of proteins containing armadillo repeats, suggesting similar biological functions. β-Catenin is involved in the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway which appears to contribute to maintaining the undifferentiated state of pre-adipocytes by inhibiting adipogenic gene expression. Our study hence suggests a novel mechanism for the development of obesity, where CTNNBL1 may play an important role. Our study also provided supportive evidence for previously identified associations between obesity and INSIG2 and PFKP, but not FTO.
China apparel customization brands (CACBs) have been recently growing in massive quantities despite being in their infancy stages of brand value building. Although scholars have proven brand value's ...importance in sustainable brand growth, studies on the specific context of CACBs are still limited. This research proposes a conceptual framework of CACBs' brand value measured dimension based on previous studies and divides brand value into both general and specific dimensions. Accordingly, qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (online survey) studies were conducted from the perspectives of practitioners and consumers. Ultimately, a scale of 30 items with nine dimensions was generated. Results reveal that brand association in the general dimensions and brand service in the special dimensions were the largest promoters of CACB brand value. Hence, practitioners should pay more attention to dimensions of cognitive conflicts. Practical suggestions for apparel customization marketers are proposed to build and enhance brand value.
Current genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are normally implemented in a univariate framework and analyze different phenotypes in isolation. This univariate approach ignores the potential genetic ...correlation between important disease traits. Hence this approach is difficult to detect pleiotropic genes, which may exist for obesity and osteoporosis, two common diseases of major public health importance that are closely correlated genetically.
To identify such pleiotropic genes and the key mechanistic links between the two diseases, we here performed the first bivariate GWAS of obesity and osteoporosis. We searched for genes underlying co-variation of the obesity phenotype, body mass index (BMI), with the osteoporosis risk phenotype, hip bone mineral density (BMD), scanning approximately 380,000 SNPs in 1,000 unrelated homogeneous Caucasians, including 499 males and 501 females. We identified in the male subjects two SNPs in intron 1 of the SOX6 (SRY-box 6) gene, rs297325 and rs4756846, which were bivariately associated with both BMI and hip BMD, achieving p values of 6.82x10(-7) and 1.47x10(-6), respectively. The two SNPs ranked at the top in significance for bivariate association with BMI and hip BMD in the male subjects among all the approximately 380,000 SNPs examined genome-wide. The two SNPs were replicated in a Framingham Heart Study (FHS) cohort containing 3,355 Caucasians (1,370 males and 1,985 females) from 975 families. In the FHS male subjects, the two SNPs achieved p values of 0.03 and 0.02, respectively, for bivariate association with BMI and femoral neck BMD. Interestingly, SOX6 was previously found to be essential to both cartilage formation/chondrogenesis and obesity-related insulin resistance, suggesting the gene's dual role in both bone and fat.
Our findings, together with the prior biological evidence, suggest the SOX6 gene's importance in co-regulation of obesity and osteoporosis.
Abstract
Background
C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) and adiponectin (APN) have beneficial metabolic regulatory and vasoprotective effects. This study explored alteration of CTRP9 and APN multimers ...during onset of ischemic stroke and development, to provide novel clinical and experimental basis for recognition and prevention of ischemic stroke.
Methods
There were 269 patients with ischemic stroke and 182 control subjects included in this study. Serum levels of CTRP9 and APN multimers in different disease stages were measured.
Results
Serum CTRP9, total APN (tAPN), and high-molecular weight (HMW) APN decreased gradually in stage I (acute stage, within 72 h of onset) of ischemic stroke and increased during stage III (11th day to one month) and stage IV (1 month after), compared to control. In the non-hyperlipidemia group, serum CTRP9, tAPN, and HMW were decreased in ischemic stroke patients compared to control (
P
< 0.05). Serum CTRP9 is closely related to serum tAPN and HMW (
r
= 0.992, 0.991). Serum CTRP9 are protective against ischemic stroke (OR = 0.400, 95% CI 0.197–0.810,
P
< 0.05).
Conclusions
Lower serum CTRP9, tAPN, LMW, and HMW are significantly associated with increased ischemic stroke risk in non-hyperlipidemia subjects. CTRP9, tAPN, and HMW isoforms may be valuable clinical indicators for patients with ischemic stroke.
Introduction
Adiponectin is a potent vascular protective molecule. Recent findings have suggested adiponectin resistance during early diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible remain ...unidentified. Here, we took an unbiased approach to identify whether hyperlipidemic plasma molecules exist that bind and inhibit adiponectin function, contributing to adiponectin resistance and diabetic vascular injury.
Methods
Adult rats were randomly assigned to receive either a normal or a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks. Plasma was co‐immunoprecipitated with anti‐APN antibody and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The APN binding molecules and their effect upon APN biological activity were determined.
Results
As expected, the high‐fat‐diet increased plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein. Importantly, the circulating APN level was significantly increased at this time point. Mass spectrometry identified 18 proteins with increased APN binding in hyperlipidemic plasma, among which four proteins critical in lipid metabolism, including apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), APOA4, APOC1, and paraoxonase 1, were further investigated. Incubating recombinant APN with APOA1 markedly (P < 0.01), and incubating with APOC1 significantly (P < 0.05), inhibited APN activity as evidenced by the reduced AMPK activation in HUVECs. APOA4 and paraoxonase 1 incubation had no effect upon APN activity. Finally, plasma APOA1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in hyperlipidemic plasma compared with the control plasma.
Conclusions
It was demonstrated for the first time that increased APOA1 and APOC1 in hyperlipidemic plasma binds and inhibits APN activity. This result not only identifies a novel molecular mechanism responsible for adiponectin resistance during early stage diabetes, but also provides additional new insight into the diverse/controversial (protective and harmful) functions of high‐density lipoprotein.
Impairment of adiponectin function accompanied by an increased plasma adiponectin takes place in early diabetes. The mechanism underlying the paradox is largely unknown. This study found that the high plasma APOA1 and APOC1 in hyperlipidemia, which is common in early diabetes, bind APN and inhibit its activity.
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