Preliminary symptoms assessment of typical faults related to the fans and humidifiers of HVAC systems based on experimental data collected during Italian summer and winter

The symptoms associated to the occurrence of typical faults in a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, including a single duct dual fan constant air volume air-handling unit, have been experimentally characterized. The operation of the HVAC unit with 3 artificially forced faults ((1) reduced velocity of the supply air fan, (2) reduced velocity of the return air fan, (3) the valve supplying the humidifier kept always closed) has been analysed and compared with that of healthy operation of the same plant under very similar boundary conditions (outside air temperature and initial indoor air temperature) during Italian summer and winter in order to preliminarily assess (i) the effects on the main operating parameters, and (ii) generate preliminary operation data to assist further research in fault detection and diagnosis of HVAC systems

Faulty Operation of Coils’ and Humidifier Valves in a Typical Air-Handling Unit: Experimental Impact Assessment of Indoor Comfort and Patterns of Operating Parameters under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions

Data-driven Automated Fault Detection and Diagnosis (AFDD) are recognized as one of the most promising options to improve the efficiency of Air-Handling Units (AHUs). In this study, the field operation of a typical single-duct dual-fan constant air volume AHU is investigated through a series of experiments carried out under Mediterranean (southern Italy) climatic conditions considering both fault-free and faulty scenarios. The AHU performances are analyzed while artificially introducing the following five different typical faults: (1) post-heating coil valve stuck at 100% (always open); (2) post-heating coil valve stuck at 0% (always closed); (3) cooling coil valve stuck at 100% (always open); (4) cooling coil valve stuck at 0% (always closed); (5) humidifier valve stuck at 0% (always closed). The measured faulty data are compared against the corresponding fault-free performance measured under the same boundary conditions with the aim of assessing the faults’ impact on both thermal/hygrometric indoor conditions, as well as patterns of 16 different key operating parameters. The results of this study can help building operators and facility engineers in identifying faults’ symptoms in typical AHUs and facilitate the related development of new AFDD tools

Late Myocardial Infarction and Repeat Revascularization after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Prior Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of late mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 2948 patients undergoing isolated CABGs were included in a prospective multicenter registry. Outcomes were adjusted for multiple covariates in logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards analysis and competing risk analysis. Results: In all, 2619 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this analysis. Of them, 2199 (79.1%) had no history of PCI and 420 (20.9%) had a prior PCI. An adjusted analysis showed that a single prior PCI and multiple prior PCIs did not increase the risk of 30-day and 5-year mortality. Patients with multiple prior PCIs had a significantly higher risk of 5-year myocardial infarction (SHR 2.566, 95%CI 1.379–4.312) and repeat revascularization (SHR 1.774, 95%CI 1.140–2.763). Similarly, 30-day and 5-year mortality were not significantly increased in patients with prior PCI treatment of single or multiple vessels. Patients with multiple vessels treated with PCI had a significantly higher risk of 5-year myocardial infarction (SHR 2.640, 95%CI 1.497–4.658), repeat revascularization (SHR 1.648, 95%CI 1.029–2.638) and stroke (SHR 2.215, 95%CI 1.056–4.646) at 5-year. The risk for repeat revascularization was also increased with a prior single vessel PCI, but not for other outcomes. Conclusions: Among patients undergoing CABGs, multiple prior PCIs seem to increase the risk of late myocardial infarction and the need for repeat revascularization, but not the risk of mortality

Late Myocardial Infarction and Repeat Revascularization after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Prior Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of late mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 2948 patients undergoing isolated CABGs were included in a prospective multicenter registry. Outcomes were adjusted for multiple covariates in logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards analysis and competing risk analysis. Results: In all, 2619 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this analysis. Of them, 2199 (79.1%) had no history of PCI and 420 (20.9%) had a prior PCI. An adjusted analysis showed that a single prior PCI and multiple prior PCIs did not increase the risk of 30-day and 5-year mortality. Patients with multiple prior PCIs had a significantly higher risk of 5-year myocardial infarction (SHR 2.566, 95%CI 1.379–4.312) and repeat revascularization (SHR 1.774, 95%CI 1.140–2.763). Similarly, 30-day and 5-year mortality were not significantly increased in patients with prior PCI treatment of single or multiple vessels. Patients with multiple vessels treated with PCI had a significantly higher risk of 5-year myocardial infarction (SHR 2.640, 95%CI 1.497–4.658), repeat revascularization (SHR 1.648, 95%CI 1.029–2.638) and stroke (SHR 2.215, 95%CI 1.056–4.646) at 5-year. The risk for repeat revascularization was also increased with a prior single vessel PCI, but not for other outcomes. Conclusions: Among patients undergoing CABGs, multiple prior PCIs seem to increase the risk of late myocardial infarction and the need for repeat revascularization, but not the risk of mortality

Community-based intervention packages for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality and improving neonatal outcomes

Background: While maternal, infant and under-five child mortality rates in developing countries have declined significantly in the past two to three decades, newborn mortality rates have reduced much more slowly. While it is recognised that almost half of the newborn deaths can be prevented by scaling up evidence-based available interventions such as tetanus toxoid immunisation to mothers, clean and skilled care at delivery, newborn resuscitation, exclusive breastfeeding, clean umbilical cord care, management of infections in newborns, many require facility based and outreach services. It has also been stated that a significant proportion of these mortalities and morbidities could also be potentially addressed by developing community-based packages interventions which should also be supplemented by developing and strengthening linkages with the local health systems. Some of the recent community-based studies of interventions targeting women of reproductive age have shown variable impacts on maternal outcomes and hence it is uncertain if these strategies have consistent benefit across the continuum of maternal and newborn care.Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of community-based intervention packages in reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and improving neonatal outcomes.Search strategy: We searched The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group\u27s Trials Register (January 2010), World Bank\u27s JOLIS (12 January 2010), BLDS at IDS and IDEAS database of unpublished working papers (12 January 2010), Google and Google Scholar (12 January 2010). Selection criteria: All prospective randomised and quasi-experimental trials evaluating the effectiveness of community-based intervention packages in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidities, and improving neonatal outcomes.Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data.Main results:The review included 18 cluster-randomised/quasi-randomised trials, covering a wide range of interventional packages, including two subsets from one trial. We incorporated data from these trials using generic inverse variance method in which logarithms of risk ratio estimates were used along with the standard error of the logarithms of risk ratio estimates. Our review did not show any reduction in maternal mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.02, random-effects (10 studies, n = 144,956), I(2) 39%, P value 0.10. However, significant reduction was observed in maternal morbidity (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.92, random-effects (four studies, n = 138,290), I(2) 28%, neonatal mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.84, random-effects (12 studies, n = 136,425), I(2) 69%, P value \u3c 0.001), stillbirths (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.97, random-effects (11studies, n = 113,821), I(2) 66%, P value 0.001) and perinatal mortality (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.91, random-effects (10 studies, n = 110,291), I(2) 82%, P value \u3c 0.001) as a consequence of implementation of community-based interventional care packages. It also increased the referrals to health facility for pregnancy related complication by 40% (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.65, fixed-effect (two studies, n = 22,800), I(2) 0%, P value 0.76), and improved the rates of early breastfeeding by 94% (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.42, random-effects (six studies, n = 20,627), I(2) 97%, P value \u3c 0.001). We assessed our primary outcomes for publication bias, but observed no such asymmetry on the funnel plot.Authors\u27Conclusion:Our review offers encouraging evidence of the value of integrating maternal and newborn care in community settings through a range of interventions which can be packaged effectively for delivery through a range of community health workers and health promotion groups. While the importance of skilled delivery and facility-based services for maternal and newborn care cannot be denied, there is sufficient evidence to scale up community-based care through packages which can be delivered by a range of community-based workers

Role of cellular senescence and NOX4-mediated oxidative stress in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of skin and numerous internal organs and a severe fibroproliferative vasculopathy resulting frequently in severe disability and high mortality. Although the etiology of SSc is unknown and the detailed mechanisms responsible for the fibrotic process have not been fully elucidated, one important observation from a large US population study was the demonstration of a late onset of SSc with a peak incidence between 45 and 54 years of age in African-American females and between 65 and 74 years of age in white females. Although it is not appropriate to consider SSc as a disease of aging, the possibility that senescence changes in the cellular elements involved in its pathogenesis may play a role has not been thoroughly examined. The process of cellular senescence is extremely complex, and the mechanisms, molecular events, and signaling pathways involved have not been fully elucidated; however, there is strong evidence to support the concept that oxidative stress caused by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species may be one important mechanism involved. On the other hand, numerous studies have implicated oxidative stress in SSc pathogenesis, thus, suggesting a plausible mechanism in which excessive oxidative stress induces cellular senescence and that the molecular events associated with this complex process play an important role in the fibrotic and fibroproliferative vasculopathy characteristic of SSc. Here, recent studies examining the role of cellular senescence and of oxidative stress in SSc pathogenesis will be reviewed

Hospital-level associations with 30-day patient mortality after cardiac surgery: a tutorial on the application and interpretation of marginal and multilevel logistic regression

Background: Marginal and multilevel logistic regression methods can estimate associations between hospital-level factors and patient-level 30-day mortality outcomes after cardiac surgery. However, it is not widely understood how the interpretation of hospital-level effects differs between these methods. Methods. The Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ASCTS) registry provided data on 32,354 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in 18 hospitals from 2001 to 2009. The logistic regression methods related 30-day mortality after surgery to hospital characteristics with concurrent adjustment for patient characteristics. Results: Hospital-level mortality rates varied from 1.0% to 4.1% of patients. Ordinary, marginal and multilevel regression methods differed with regard to point estimates and conclusions on statistical significance for hospital-level risk factors; ordinary logistic regression giving inappropriately narrow confidence intervals. The median odds ratio, MOR, from the multilevel model was 1.2 whereas ORs for most patient-level characteristics were of greater magnitude suggesting that unexplained between-hospital variation was not as relevant as patient-level characteristics for understanding mortality rates. For hospital-level characteristics in the multilevel model, 80% interval ORs, IOR-80%, supplemented the usual ORs from the logistic regression. The IOR-80% was (0.8 to 1.8) for academic affiliation and (0.6 to 1.3) for the median annual number of cardiac surgery procedures. The width of these intervals reflected the unexplained variation between hospitals in mortality rates; the inclusion of one in each interval suggested an inability to add meaningfully to explaining variation in mortality rates. Conclusions: Marginal and multilevel models take different approaches to account for correlation between patients within hospitals and they lead to different interpretations for hospital-level odds ratios. © 2012 Sanagou et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Histone deacetylase inhibitors: potential targets responsible for their anti-cancer effect

The histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have demonstrated anticancer efficacy across a range of malignancies, most impressively in the hematological cancers. It is uncertain whether this clinical efficacy is attributable predominantly to their ability to induce apoptosis and differentiation in the cancer cell, or to their ability to prime the cell to other pro-death stimuli such as those from the immune system. HDACi-induced apoptosis occurs through altered expression of genes encoding proteins in both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways; through effects on the proteasome/aggresome systems; through the production of reactive oxygen species, possibly by directly inducing DNA damage; and through alterations in the tumor microenvironment. In addition HDACi increase the immunogenicity of tumor cells and modulate cytokine signaling and potentially T-cell polarization in ways that may contribute the anti-cancer effect in vivo. Here, we provide an overview of current thinking on the mechanisms of HDACi activity, with attention given to the hematological malignancies as well as scientific observations arising from the clinical trials. We also focus on the immune effects of these agents

Synergies, Strengths and Challenges: Findings on Community Capability from a Systematic Health Systems Research Literature Review

Background: Community capability is the combined influence of a community’s social systems and collective resources that can address community problems and broaden community opportunities. We frame it as consisting of three domains that together support community empowerment: what communities have; how communities act; and for whom communities act. We sought to further understand these domains through a secondary analysis of a previous systematic review on community participation in health systems interventions in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Methods: We searched for journal articles published between 2000 and 2012 related to the concepts of “community”, “capability/participation”, “health systems research” and “LMIC.” We identified 64 with rich accounts of community participation involving service delivery and governance in health systems research for thematic analysis following the three domains framing community capability. Results: When considering what communities have, articles reported external linkages as the most frequently gained resource, especially when partnerships resulted in more community power over the intervention. In contrast, financial assets were the least mentioned, despite their importance for sustainability. With how communities act, articles discussed challenges of ensuring inclusive participation and detailed strategies to improve inclusiveness. Very little was reported about strengthening community cohesiveness and collective efficacy despite their importance in community initiatives. When reviewing for whom communities act, the importance of strong local leadership was mentioned frequently, while conflict resolution strategies and skills were rarely discussed. Synergies were found across these elements of community capability, with tangible success in one area leading to positive changes in another. Access to information and opportunities to develop skills were crucial to community participation, critical thinking, problem solving and ownership. Although there are many quantitative scales measuring community capability, health systems research engaged with community participation has rarely made use of these tools or the concepts informing them. Overall, the amount of information related to elements of community capability reported by these articles was low and often of poor quality. Conclusions: Strengthening community capability is critical to ensuring that community participation leads to genuine empowerment. Our simpler framework to define community capability may help researchers better recognize, support and assess it