Hypersensitivity to 35% carbon dioxide in patients with adult separation anxiety disorder

Background: Adults with panic disorder (PD) and children with separation anxiety disorder (CSAD) show higher reactivity to CO2. Our hypothesis was patients with adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) would show similar hypersensitivity to CO2. In the present study, we determined whether sensitivity to CO2 was enhanced in adult patients with separation anxiety disorder with no history of panic attacks

Seismic performance upgrading of substandard RC frames using shape memory alloy bars

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been utilized as an alternative to conventional materials for seismic retrofit applications in the last two decades. The effectiveness of SMAs to provide further improvement in seismic behavior of structures was demonstrated satisfactorily. Three 2/3-scaled, one-bay and one-storey substandard RC frames were constructed to represent the seismically vulnerable buildings with several deficiencies. The first RC frame was tested as a reference specimen under quasi-static reversed cyclic loading, which caused flexural plastic hinges at the column ends. Then, the rest of the two RC frames were upgraded with superelastic copper-aluminum-manganese (CuAlMn) alloy bars and conventional steel bars with the aim of enhancing seismic performance of substandard RC frames. The upgrading materials were attached to the RC frames through a retrofitting mechanism to provide tension-only retrofitting bars. Hence, the RC frame retrofitted by conventional steel bars was exposed to residual displacements after they yielded. The SMA-upgraded frame showed flag shaped hysteresis curve due to its superelastic behavior and caused considerable reduction in the residual displacement of RC frames

Carotid intima-media thickness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and survival: A multicenter prospective study

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a noninvasive method assessing atherosclerosis. Objective It was aimed to determine relationship and survival between COPD and CIMT. Methods CIMT was measured using Doppler ultrasound (USG) in 668 stable COPD patients at 24 centers. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. Results There were 610 patients who completed the study. There were 200 patients CIMT with = 0.78 mm (group 2). There was a significant difference at the parameters of age, gender, smoking load, biomass exposure, GOLD groups and degree of airway obstruction (FEV1) between groups 1 and 2. Our results revealed positive correlations between mean CIMT and age, smoking load (pack-years), biomass exposure (years), exacerbation rate (last year), duration of hypertension (years) and cholesterol level; negative correlations between CIMT and FEV1 (P 0.05). Conclusion This study is the first regarding CIMT with combined GOLD assessment groups. It has revealed important findings supporting the increase in atherosclerosis risk in COPD patients. We recommend Doppler USG of the carotid artery in COPD patients at severe stages