Entire Observation Research Articles

Insight into wet scavenging effects on sulfur and nitrogen containing organic compounds in urban Beijing

Sulfur-containing organic compounds (SOCs) and nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) play critical roles in regulating the physical and chemical properties of organic aerosols (OA), while the understanding of them remains limited. Here, the high-resolution real-time measurements of submicron aerosols were conducted in urban Beijing, mainly to investigate wet scavenging effects on the potential formation and evolution mechanism of OA, especially SOCs and NOCs. OA composition transitioned from being primarily SOCs before wet processes to NOCs after wet processes. Further molecular fragments identification suggested SOCs mainly comprised glycolic acid sulfate formed by aqueous-phase processing during the entire observation, and aromatic- and monoterpene-derived SOCs formed by photochemical processing before snowfall. NOCs species were diverse and dominated by highly oxidized amides and amino acids mainly produced by photochemical processing. This study provided an in-depth insight into the potential formation and evolution pathways of SOCs and NOCs in OA in the urban atmosphere.

Temporal dynamics of gait function in acute cervical spinal cord injury

BackgroundFollowing spinal cord injury (SCI), gait function reaches a post-recovery plateau that depends on the paralysis severity. However, the plateau dynamics during the recovery period are not known. This study aimed to examine the gait function temporal dynamics after traumatic cervical SCI (CSCI) based on paralysis severity.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 122 patients with traumatic CSCI admitted to a single specialized facility within 2 weeks after injury. The Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II) was estimated at 2 weeks and 2, 4, 6, and 8 months postinjury for each American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade, as determined 2 weeks postinjury. Statistical analysis was performed at 2 weeks to 2 months, 2–4 months, 4–6 months, and 6–8 months, and the time at which no significant difference was observed was considered the time at which the gait function reached a plateau.ResultsIn the AIS grade A and B groups, no significant differences were observed at any time point, while in the AIS grade C group, the mean WISCI II values continued to significantly increase up to 6 months. In the AIS grade D group, the improvement in gait function was significant during the entire observation period.ConclusionsThe plateau in gait function recovery was reached at 2 weeks postinjury in the AIS grade A and B groups and at 6 months in the AIS grade C group.

First experimental observation on biology of the avian malaria parasite Plasmodium (Novyella) homonucleophilum (lineage pSW2), with remarks on virulence and distribution

Species of subgenus Novyella remain most fragmentarily studied amongst avian malaria agents. Transmission of the recently described Plasmodium (Novyella) homonucleophilum (lineage pSW2) occurs broadly in the Old World, including Europe, however biology of this pathogen remains insufficiently investigated. This study provided the first data on the development of P. homonucleophilum in the experimentally infected Eurasian siskins Spinus spinus exposed by inoculation of infected blood. The parasite strain was isolated from a naturally infected song thrush Turdus philomelos, multiplied in vivo, and inoculated to six Eurasian siskins. The same number of birds were used as negative controls. All exposed birds were susceptible, and the controls remained uninfected during the entire study (172 days). Prepatent period was 8–12 days post exposure (dpe). Maximum parasitaemia reached 50–90 % of infected erythrocytes between 20 and 44 dpe. Then, parasitaemia decreased but remained relatively high during the entire observation. Three of six exposed birds died, indicating high virulence of this infection. The parasitaemia increase coincided with a decline of haematocrit value, indicating anaemia. Polychromasia was evident in all infected birds but not in controls. Body mass of exposed birds increased, coinciding with increased food intake. The latter probably is an adaptation to compensate energy loss of hosts due to the long-lasting parasitism. Exo-erythrocytic stages were not found, suggesting that long-lasting parasitaemia was entirely due to erythrocytic merogony. The lineage pSW2 has been reported broadly in the Old World and is likely a generalist infection. Neglected avian Novyella malaria parasites are worth more attention of researchers due to their cosmopolitan distribution and high virulence.

Filial cannibalism in rainbow boas (Epicrates cenchria and E. assisi)

Cannibalism, or intraspecific predation, refers to the practice in which an individual completely or partially consumes another conspecific. Filial cannibalism occurs when parents consume their own offspring, whether they are alive or stillborn. This study describes filial cannibalism behavior in just one female of each species, Amazon rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria) and the Caatinga rainbow boa (E. assisi). We observed that female E. cenchria and E. assisi only consumed atretic eggs. A female E. cenchria consumed two out of the eight atretic eggs she delivered, while sparing the four neonates and the only stillborn fetus in her litter. A female E. assisi consumed two out of the four atretic eggs and attempted to ingest the amniotic sacs and liquid yolk throughout the entire observation, sparing two neonates. This is the first documented record of such behavior in E. assisi.

Measuring the change in behavior of a system with a single metric

AbstractLoops that Matter (LTM) provides a practical and comprehensive way to understand which feedback loops are driving model behavior at different points in time. LTM describes from which loops the observed change in behavior across all stocks in the model originate. In this paper we present a method to measure the magnitude of the change in behavior of all stocks in the model based on net flow values, relative to the magnitude of change taking place across an entire observation (simulation) period. We call this new metric the “system change”. We then demonstrate how our system change metric can be visualized using loop scores to highlight those loops that are predominantly responsible for the changes in behavior exhibited by the model. This helps analysts focus in on the feedback loops that are prime candidates for interventions to change the model behavior. © 2023 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.

Association of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Risks With Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis. Few studies have evaluated the mortality outcomes of patients with PG. To investigate all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with PG. This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from the National Health Insurance Service database of Korea and the National Death Registry of Korea from patients with incident PG (≥3 documented visits with an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision [ICD-10] code of L88) during January 2003 to December 2019. For comparison, a 1:20 cohort of age-, sex-, insurance type-, and income level-matched controls without any documented visit with an ICD-10 code of L88 during the entire observation was included. Pyoderma gangrenosum. The participants were observed from the index date to their death, emigration, or the end of the observation period to investigate all-cause and cause-specific mortality during the 17-year study period. In total, 3386 patients with PG (1450 women [42.8%]; mean [SD] age, 57.8 [16.4] years) and 67 720 controls (29 000 women [42.8%]; mean [SD] age, 57.8 [16.3] years) were analyzed. All-cause mortality risk was greater in patients with PG than in controls (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.122; 95% CI, 1.971-2.285) after adjustment for smoking, drinking, body mass index, and comorbidities. Patients experienced greater mortality of infectious disease (aHR, 3.855; 95% CI, 2.640-5.628), neoplasm (aHR, 1.618; 95% CI, 1.363-1.920), hematologic disease (aHR, 12.298; 95% CI, 3.904-38.734), endocrine disease (aHR, 6.322; 95% CI, 5.026-7.953), neurologic disease (aHR, 2.039; 95% CI, 1.337-3.109), cardiovascular disease (aHR, 1.979; 95% CI, 1.645-2.382), respiratory disease (aHR, 1.757; 95% CI, 1.365-2.263), gastrointestinal disease (aHR, 2.278; 95% CI, 1.522-3.408), connective tissue disease (aHR, 8.685; 95% CI, 4.963-15.199), and kidney/urogenital disease (aHR, 3.617; 95% CI, 2.488-5.259) than controls. Compared with idiopathic PG (aHR, 2.062; 95% CI, 1.897-2.241), PG that was associated with solid organ cancer (aHR, 2.313; 95% CI, 1.956-2.737) and hematologic cancer (aHR, 8.330; 95% CI, 5.473-12.679) showed greater mortality, whereas PG that was associated with inflammatory bowel diseases showed a slightly better prognosis (aHR, 1.742; 95% CI, 0.964-3.148). The results of this cohort study suggest that patients with PG had a higher all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk than the general population.

Prevalence and Long-term Outcomes of CT Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in a Health Screening Cohort.

Background The association between interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) and long-term outcomes has not been reported in Asian health screening populations. Purpose To investigate ILA prevalence in an Asian health screening cohort and determine rates and risks for ILA progression, lung cancer development, and mortality within the 10-year follow-up. Materials and Methods This observational, retrospective multicenter study included patients aged 50 years or older who underwent chest CT at three health screening centers over a 4-year period (2007-2010). ILA status was classified as none, equivocal ILA, and ILA (nonfibrotic or fibrotic). Progression was evaluated from baseline to the last follow-up CT examination, when available. The log-rank test was performed to compare mortality rates over time between ILA statuses. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with hazards of ILA progression, lung cancer development, and mortality. Results Of the 2765 included patients (mean age, 59 years ± 7 [SD]; 2068 men), 94 (3%) had a finding of ILA (35 nonfibrotic and 59 fibrotic ILA) and 119 (4%) had equivocal ILA. The median time for CT follow-up and the entire observation was 8 and 12 years, respectively. ILA progression was observed in 80% (48 of 60) of patients with ILA over 8 years. Those with fibrotic and nonfibrotic ILA had a higher mortality rate than those without ILA (P < .001 and P = .01, respectively) over 12 years. Fibrotic ILA was independently associated with ILA progression (hazard ratio [HR], 10.3; 95% CI: 6.4, 16.4; P < .001), lung cancer development (HR, 4.4; 95% CI: 2.1, 9.1; P < .001), disease-specific mortality (HR, 6.7; 95% CI: 3.7, 12.2; P < .001), and all-cause mortality (HR, 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.8; P < .001) compared with no ILA. Conclusion The prevalence of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) in an Asian health screening cohort was approximately 3%, and fibrotic ILA was an independent risk factor for ILA progression, lung cancer development, and mortality. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Hatabu and Hata in this issue.

Mesalazine in the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission of mild and moderate ulcerative colitis

Introduction. Treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is necessary to induce remission and subsequently to maintain it. Given the good tolerability, safety and efficacy of mesalazine, it is considered as a first-line therapy for patients with mild to moderate forms.Aim of the study. To evaluate the effectiveness of induction of clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with mild and moderate UC during 8 weeks therapy with mesalazine in routine clinical practice.Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients aged 18 to 75 years with mild to moderate attacks of UC who received therapy for 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated after 2 and 8 weeks. The dynamics of the quality of life of patients was assessed on the basis of the IBS-QOL questionnaire, satisfaction with therapy was assessed using the Likert scale.Results. During therapy, the Mayo index significantly decreased, amounting to 4.95 ± 1.74 vs 4.08 ± 1.58 vs 2.53 ± 1.45 for visits 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). The mean value of the level of calprotectin decreased by 2.5 times during 8 weeks of therapy (p &lt; 0.05). After 8 weeks of observation, there were no endoscopic signs of inflammation in 10 patients (25%), in 3 patients (7.5%) endoscopic activity was moderate, and in the remaining 27 subjects (67.5%) it was minimal. The mean IBS-QOL score decreased from 84.25 ± 19.67 to 69.80 ± 17.96 after 8 weeks of therapy (p &lt; 0.05). Satisfaction with treatment according to the Likert scale was 4.13 ± 0.79 points, which corresponds to a high degree of satisfaction. No adverse events were recorded during the entire observation period.Conclusion. Data analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of induction of clinical and endoscopic remission of mild to moderate forms of left-sided UC and pancolitis with a significant positive effect on the quality of life and good tolerability of the drug.

The Mars Oxygen Visible Dayglow: A Martian Year of NOMAD/UVIS Observations

AbstractThe Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer Ultraviolet (UVIS UV) and Visible Spectrometer channel of the Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery spectrometer aboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has made limb observations of the Martian dayglow during more than a Martian year. Two pointing modes have been applied: (a) In the inertial mode, the spectrometer scans the atmosphere twice down to near the surface and provides altitude profiles of the dayglow; (b) in the tracking mode, the atmosphere is scanned at varying latitudes at a nearly constant altitude through the entire observation. We present a statistical study of the vertical and seasonal distribution of the recently discovered oxygen green and red lines at 557.7 nm and 630 nm. It indicates that the brightness of the green line emission responds to changes in the Lyman‐α flux. The peak altitude of the green line emission increases seasonally when the Sun‐Mars distance decreases. The lower peak of the green line statistically drops by 15–20 km between perihelion and aphelion at mid‐to high altitude. The main lower peak intensity shows an asymmetry between the two hemispheres. It is significantly brighter and more pronounced in the southern hemisphere than in the north. This is a consequence of the stronger Lyman‐α solar flux near perihelion. The second component of the oxygen red line at 636.4 nm is also detected for the first time in the Martian atmosphere. A photochemical model is used to simulate the variations of the green dayglow observed along limb tracking orbits.

Association of Brain Atrophy With Disease Progression Independent of Relapse Activity in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

The mechanisms driving neurodegeneration and brain atrophy in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) are not completely understood. To determine whether disability progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in patients with RMS is associated with accelerated brain tissue loss. In this observational, longitudinal cohort study with median (IQR) follow-up of 3.2 years (2.0-4.9), data were acquired from January 2012 to September 2019 in a consortium of tertiary university and nonuniversity referral hospitals. Patients were included if they had regular clinical follow-up and at least 2 brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans suitable for volumetric analysis. Data were analyzed between January 2020 and March 2021. According to the clinical evolution during the entire observation, patients were classified as those presenting (1) relapse activity only, (2) PIRA episodes only, (3) mixed activity, or (4) clinical stability. Mean difference in annual percentage change (MD-APC) in brain volume/cortical thickness between groups, calculated after propensity score matching. Brain atrophy rates, and their association with the variables of interest, were explored with linear mixed-effect models. Included were 1904 brain MRI scans from 516 patients with RMS (67.4% female; mean [SD] age, 41.4 [11.1] years; median [IQR] Expanded Disability Status Scale score, 2.0 [1.5-3.0]). Scans with insufficient quality were excluded (n = 19). Radiological inflammatory activity was associated with increased atrophy rates in several brain compartments, while an increased annualized relapse rate was linked to accelerated deep gray matter (GM) volume loss. When compared with clinically stable patients, patients with PIRA had an increased rate of brain volume loss (MD-APC, -0.36; 95% CI, -0.60 to -0.12; P = .02), mainly driven by GM loss in the cerebral cortex. Patients who were relapsing presented increased whole brain atrophy (MD-APC, -0.18; 95% CI, -0.34 to -0.02; P = .04) with respect to clinically stable patients, with accelerated GM loss in both cerebral cortex and deep GM. No differences in brain atrophy rates were measured between patients with PIRA and those presenting relapse activity. Our study shows that patients with RMS and PIRA exhibit accelerated brain atrophy, especially in the cerebral cortex. These results point to the need to recognize the insidious manifestations of PIRA in clinical practice and to further evaluate treatment strategies for patients with PIRA in clinical trials.

Damage to the Cardiovascular System in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Infection. Part 2: Correction of Myocardial Systolic Dysfunction

Aim. To study changes in myocardial contractile function when prescribing mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists of spironolactone in patients after coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2 with symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF).Materials and methods. The study included 90 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. The inclusion criteria were: age from 18 to 85 years; the presence of CHF with a preserved or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The patients were randomized into two groups: group I (n=60) included patients who, for 6 months after discharge from the hospital, in addition to standard drug therapy for CHF, took spironolactone at a dose of 25 mg per day; group II (comparison group; n=30) included patients who received standard drug therapy without additional prescription of spironolactone. The study groups were comparable in age, gender, prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and severity of CHF; the drug therapy given to the patients had no significant differences. Assessment of LV systolic function, exercise tolerance (six-minute walk test, TSW), quality of life (questionnaire EQ-5D-5L) were performed.Results. When repeated echocardiography was performed after 6 months of treatment, there was a significant improvement in LV systolic function in group I patients. In group I, after 6 months of treatment, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients with moderately reduced LVEF (from 30 [50%] to 12 [20%]; p&lt;0.001), and a significant increase in the number of patients with preserved LVEF (from 30 [50%] to 48 [80%], p=0.002). In group II, the number of patients with moderately reduced LVEF did not significantly change. After 6 months of treatment, all patients showed an increase in exercise tolerance. During the test with a six-minute walk, group I patients showed an increase in the index from 316.8±63.5 to 432.9±41.3 meters; group II patients from 337.6±42.7 to 407.6±38.9 meters. The values of the six-minute walking test after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher in group I patients when compared with group II patients. When assessing the quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, it was found that at the time of inclusion of patients in the study, all patients noted the presence of any health problems in one or more components. The average indicator of health status, measured by a 100-point visual analog scale, after 6 months was 71.8±9.2 in patients of group I and was significantly higher than the same indicator in group II – 63.7±9.1. There were no adverse events in the study groups during the entire observation period.Conclusion. A significantly more pronounced improvement in systolic and diastolic left ventricle function, as well as quality of life, was found in the group of CHF patients with preserved or moderately reduced LVEF, who received spironolactone for 6 months after the SARS-CoV-2 infection in addition to standard therapy, compared with patients without aldosterone antagonists.

Evaluation of the Effect of Oxygen-Helium Mixture on the Severity of Cough in Patients with Coronavirus Infection

The objective: to evaluate the effect of inhalation of heated oxygen-helium mixture on the severity of cough in patients with coronavirus infection (COVID-19).Subjects and Methods. A single-center randomized prospective study was conducted. Group 1 (control) (n = 32) included patients who received standard COVID-19 therapy. Group 2 (n = 29) included patients who had inhalations with heated oxygen-helium mixture (OHM) in addition to standard treatment. The severity of cough was assessed using 6-point scale (0 ‒ no cough; 1 ‒ single cough impulse; 2 ‒ rare cough during the day; 3 ‒ frequent cough that does not affect daytime activity, 4 ‒ frequent cough that reduces daytime activity due to cough; 5 ‒ severe cough in which daytime activity is impossible), and respiratory rate (RR) was also for 7 days from the moment of inclusion in the study.Results. Cough symptoms of varying severity were detected in all patients included in the study. A prolonged coughing fit led to decrease in blood oxygen saturation. In the control group, intensive cough persisted for the first 4 days and subsequently decreased with the favorable course of the disease. In the group, where OHM was used, on the 3rd day, the severity of cough decreased to 2 scores compared to the initial 4 scores (p = 0,005). The use of OHM allowed reducing the severity of cough versus traditional therapy. The analysis of intergroup comparisons showed differences starting from day 3 (p = 0.014): in patients of Group 2 (with the use of OHM), cough was mostly rare during the day, at the same time, frequent cough persisted in patients of the control group according to assessment of the severity of daytime cough. When analyzing RR, it was revealed that in Group 2, RR from day 2 was below the one in the control group, in which no changes were detected during the entire observation period.Conclusion. The use of inhalation of oxygen-helium mixture allows reducing the intensity of cough and respiratory rate in patients with COVID-19.

Results of the study of indicators of dental caries intensity growth in patients with congenital lip and palate incongruity depending on the level of mineralization potential of oral fluid

Aim. To study the indicators of tooth caries intensity growth in patients with congenital cleft lip and palate depending on the mineralizing capacity of mixed saliva.Material and methods. The level of mineralization potential of mixed saliva was studied in 98 children with congenital cleft lip and palate aged 6 to 16 years using the enamel resistance test and the clinical assessment test for the rate of remineralization of the enamel surface.Results. Studies have shown a significant increase in the rate of dental caries among patients with congenital cleft lip and palate and the presence of low levels of oral mineralization.Conclusion. Among the examined cohort of children with low and very low mineralization potential of mixed saliva, the rates of dental caries intensity increase markedly over the entire three-year observation period.

An Extracting DEM Method Based on The Sub-apertures Difference in CSAR Mode

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a method based on the circular track synthetic aperture radar (CSAR) mode to directly obtain the digital elevation model (DEM) information of the target area through single-circle observation data. This paper improves and innovates the existing methods by using sub-aperture correlation. The circular motion trajectory of the entire radar observation platform is divided into multiple overlapping sub-aperture arcs. Each sub-aperture is projected in the height direction to observe the position deviation of the sub-aperture images more intuitively at different heights. Then, a new calculation method is used to calculate the correlation coefficient between sub-apertures, which enhances the accuracy of extracting DEM results. Finally, the measured data of the Ku band recorded by us are used to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the algorithm proposed in this paper.

Real-time Closed-loop Active Surface Technology of a Large Radio Telescope

The surface accuracy of a large radio telescope’s primary reflector is easily affected by gravity and temperature change during observations. An active surface system is crucial to ensure the regular operation and high-quality data output of the radio telescope. We propose a real-time closed-loop active surface system including two components. The first component, a new type of photoelectric edge sensor, detects the angle change of the adjacent panels. The second component, the displacement actuator, adjusts the panels’ position and posture to compensate for the angle changes. So, over the entire observation, the closed-loop surface control system with these two components could actively maintain the primary reflector’s accuracy in real time. Using this approach, we constructed an experimental active surface system for the Xinjiang Qitai 110 m Radio Telescope (QTT) to test the maintenance of the surface accuracy. The angle measurement accuracy is better than 0.″2, and the positioning accuracy of the displacement actuator could achieve ±15 μm over the whole 50 mm stroke. The preliminary test results show that the accuracy requirements of the QTT’s primary reflector surface can be met using the active surface system we propose.

Inter-observer evaluation of practical lesson delivery in physical education setting: Nature and demonstration of teachers’ instructional cues

Often, teachers plan for instructional activities, yet fail to plan for instructional cues they would use to facilitate skill acquisition among students. During practical lesson delivery, it is ideal for instructional cue (IC) of the teacher to be short, descriptive and integrated in a manner that promotes students’ retention of information necessary for learners to execute the skill correctly. Teachers should avoid lengthy and unnecessary ICs in teaching and learning environment. In this pedagogical study, we used descriptive processes to investigate the nature and demonstration of teachers’ ICs, the proportion and rate per minute of teachers’ ICs in practical physical education (PE) setting involving pre-service teachers (n=77) and professional PE teachers (n=4). Self-developed event recording instrument was found valid using expert consultation procedure. In each recorded event, inter-observer agreement was above 80% which indicated a good reliability of data for making research decisions. Evaluation of the video-recorded lesson suggested that teachers were able to utilise a variety of instructional cues (i.e., short, descriptive and integrated) to facilitate students’ learning in practical PE setting. Findings indicated that teachers were largely able to simulate skills and techniques during practical lesson delivery. Again, verbal instructional cues demonstrated with equipment occupied the largest proportion of events, while verbal instructional cues demonstrated without equipment placed second. Non-verbal instructional cues demonstrated without equipment occupied the least proportion of events in the entire observation. Generally, the study revealed a normal phenomenon in practical PE setting where verbal cues occurred more frequently than non-verbal cues. The practical PE class is usually composed of high and low prior learners. It was recommended that cues delivered by the teacher should cater for such individual differences in every practical PE setting.

Importance of entire stomach observation for diagnosis of anisakiasis

Importance of entire stomach observation for diagnosis of anisakiasis

Results of a prospective 6-year observational study of the efficacy and safety of a bioactive concentrate of small marine fish in senile patients with knee osteoarthritis and multimorbidity

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Alflutop therapy in elderly patients (75–90 years old) with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and multimorbidity based on the results of a prospective 6-year follow-up.Patients and methods. The study included 38 elderly women with knee OA (according to ACR criteria, 1986) stage II–III by Kellgren–Lawrence grading system, with pain ≥40 mm by visual analogue scale (VAS), who needed to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Alflutop was administered as 1 ml intramuscular injections 20 consecutive days with a 6-month interval (12 courses). The effectiveness of therapy was assessed by VAS, WOMAC index and EQ-5D questionnaire. The safety of therapy was monitored throughout the observation period. The duration of the study was 6 years.Results and discussion. The full course of treatment with Alflutop was completed by 29 (76.3%) patients. Nine (23.7%) patients discontinued the study due to their inability to visit the treatment center (for reasons unrelated to the study).In elderly patients with knee OA, high level of multimorbidity was revealed, 5 comorbidities on average.There was a significant decrease in pain according to VAS (≥20%): by visit (V) 1 – in 76.3%, by V2 – in 71.0%, by V3 – in 68.4%, by V4 – in 63.1% and by V5 – in 55.2% of patients. By the 21st day of Alflutop therapy, a statistically significant decrease in the total WOMAC index (p&lt;0.001) and an improvement in the quality of life according to the EQ-5D questionnaire (p=0.016) were found. These indicators remained relatively stable throughout the follow-up. By the 12th month, a decrease of the need of NSAIDs was registered (p=0.005).X-ray progression of OA stage ≥1 according to Kellgren–Lawrence on Alflutop therapy after 36 months of observation was recorded in 10.5% of patients, after 72 months – in 50.0%. No serious adverse events were registered during entire observation period.Conclusion. The results of a 6-year prospective study demonstrate the high efficacy of Alflutop in elderly patients with knee OA. The obtained data confirm the safety of long-term treatment with this drug in elderly patients with high multimorbidity, which makes it the first-line drug in the complex therapy of OA.

Characterization and source identification of submicron aerosol during serious haze pollution periods in Beijing

Submicron aerosol is of extensive concern not only due to its significant impact on air quality but also because it is detrimental to human health. In this study, we investigated the characteristics, sources and chemical processes of submicron aerosol based on real-time online measurements of submicron aerosols (NR-PM1) during December 2015 at an urban site in Beijing. The average mass concentration of NR-PM1 was 92.5±84.9 µg/m3, the hourly maximum was 459.1 µg/m3 during the entire observation. The organic aerosol (OA) (55%) was the largest contributor to NR-PM1. The average mass concentration of PAHs was 0.217±0.247 µg/m3, exhibiting the highest concentration at night and the lowest levels in the daytime. The average mass concentration of organic nitrate was 2.52±2.36 µg/m3 and that of inorganic nitrate was 7.62±8.22 µg/m3, accounting for 36% and 64%, respectively, of the total nitrate mass. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) differentiated the OA into five chemical components including LV-OOA, SV-OOA, COA, HOA and CCOA, accounting for 22%, 16%, 13%, 25% and 24% respectively, of the total OA. The average NR-PM1 mass concentration on the heavy polluted days (HPD) was 182.8±70.2 µg/m3, which was approximately 9 times that on clean days (CD). The enhanced secondary formation of SNA was evident on HPD, especially the rapid increase of sulfate (23%) and nitrate (19%).

Can enhancement in tunnelling width influence the final spintronic feature of two-dimensional nanostructure of graphitic carbon nitride-(graphene)- graphitic carbon nitride?

Herein we present a theoretical foray on crucial role played by the graphitic tunnelling barrier in tuning spintronic feature of two-dimensional insulating graphene layer sandwiched between two ferromagnetic graphitic carbon nitride (g- C4N3) electrodes. We mainly focused on the tuning of spin filter efficiency due to the alteration in tunnelling width. 100% spin filter efficiency reported at each tunnelling width. High degree of spin filter efficiency is restored even at finite bias over a wide range of bias range -1.0 V to +1.0 V. Entire observation have been explained by analysing transmission spectrum at zero bias and a molecular level origin of the observed spintronic response of the device have been provided by analysing the Molecular Projected Self-Consistent Hamiltonian states (MPSH) and transmission pathways of the system.