Pedestrian Evacuation Modeling and Simulation on Metro Platforms Considering Panic Impacts

AbstractA pedestrian evacuation model is presented, in which the social force model and a mathematical model are incorporated. The social force model is capable of describing the pedestrian behavior realistically under the non-panic evacuation situations. However, a series of catastrophes make us reasonably think about crowd dynamics under stress and panic. In order to forecast the catastrophe point of pedestrian mood changes in a real emergency situation, a mathematical model is proposed by considering residence time, crowd density and exit distance. This paper follows the implementation of the system simulation modeling environment written in Java program language on AnyLogic simulation software to facilitate studying the panic spread mechanisms of passengers. Furthermore, different simulation scenarios on passenger evacuation from the platform of the Xizhimen Metro station in Beijing are carried out to validate the feasibility of the proposed method and to further evaluate the influence of evacuees’ number and pedestrian distribution on evacuation efficiency when passenger panic is spreading

Clinical features in antiglycine receptor antibody-related disease: a case report and update literature review

Background and objectivesAntiglycine receptor (anti-GlyR) antibody mediates multiple immune-related diseases. This study aimed to summarize the clinical features to enhance our understanding of anti-GlyR antibody-related disease.MethodsBy collecting clinical information from admitted patients positive for glycine receptor (GlyR) antibody, the clinical characteristics of a new patient positive for GlyR antibody were reported in this study. To obtain additional information regarding anti-GlyR antibody-linked illness, clinical data and findings on both newly reported instances in this study and previously published cases were merged and analyzed.ResultsA new case of anti-GlyR antibody-related progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM) was identified in this study. A 20-year-old man with only positive cerebrospinal fluid anti-GlyR antibody had a good prognosis with first-line immunotherapy. The literature review indicated that the common clinical manifestations of anti-GlyR antibody-related disease included PERM or stiff-person syndrome (SPS) (n = 179, 50.1%), epileptic seizure (n = 94, 26.3%), and other neurological disorders (n = 84, 24.5%). Other neurological issues included demyelination, inflammation, cerebellar ataxia and movement disorders, encephalitis, acute psychosis, cognitive impairment or dementia, celiac disease, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathic pain and allodynia, steroid-responsive deafness, hemiballism/tics, laryngeal dystonia, and generalized weakness included respiratory muscles. The group of PERM/SPS exhibited a better response to immunotherapy than others.ConclusionsThe findings suggest the presence of multiple clinical phenotypes in anti-GlyR antibody-related disease. Common clinical phenotypes include PERM, SPS, epileptic seizure, and paraneoplastic disease. Patients with RERM/SPS respond well to immunotherapy

A multi-agent-based approach for the impacts analysis of passenger flow on platforms in metro stations considering train operations

Impacts analysis of train operation on passenger flow in metro stations is an important and fundamental requirement to improve the operational efficiency and ensure passengers a high level of service. This study aims at large metro stations where thousands of passengers are moving, boarding or alighting and the complicated interactions among passengers and between passengers and other entities like stairways or trains take place all the time. A multi-agent-based approach is developed from the investigation of movement characteristics of passengers to meet the above requirement and deal with such interactions. The simulation scenarios considering the various conditions of train operations are performed in the case studies of a metro station in Beijing (China) to prove the feasibility of the proposed approach, which is useful to formulate and evaluate the operation schemes of trains

RNF34 ablation promotes cerebrovascular remodeling and hypertension by increasing NADPH-derived ROS generation

Cerebrovascular remodeling is the most common cause of hypertension and stroke. Ubiquitin E3 ligase RING finger protein 34 (RNF34) is suggested to be associated with the development of multiple neurological diseases. However, the importance of RNF34 in cerebrovascular remodeling and hypertension is poorly understood. Herein, we used mice with a global RNF34 knockout as well as RNF34 floxed mice to delete RNF34 in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Our results showed that global RNF34 knockout mice substantially promoted angiotensin II (AngII)-induced middle cerebral artery (MCA) remodeling, hypertension, and neurological dysfunction. Endothelial cell RNF34 did not regulate the development of hypertension. Rather, SMC RNF34 expression is a critical regulator of hypertension and MCA remodeling. Loss of RNF34 enhanced AngII-induced mouse brain vascular SMCs (MBVSMCs) proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, MCA and MBVSMCs from SMC RNF34-deficient mice showed increased superoxide anion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, but exhibited no marked effect on mitochondria-derived ROS. Knockout of RNF34 promoted p22phox expression, leading to increased binding of p22phox/p47phox and p22phox/NOX2, and eventually NADPH oxidase complex formation. Immunoprecipitation assay identified that RNF34 interacted with p22phox. RNF34 deletion increased p22phox protein stability by inhibiting ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Blockade of NADPH oxidase activity or knockdown of p22phox significantly abolished the effects of RNF34 deletion on cerebrovascular remodeling and hypertension. Collectively, our study demonstrates that SMC RNF34 deficiency promotes cerebrovascular SMC hyperplasia and remodeling by increased NADPH-derived ROS generation via reducing p22phox ubiquitin-dependent degradation

Analysis and projections of disease burden for different risk factors and sexes of ischemic stroke in young adults in China

Abstract To estimate the rate of death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and project the disease burden of ischemic stroke due to relevant risk factors in young adults age 20–49 years by sex in China. Data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 were used. The age-standardized mortality (ASMR), age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR), and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated to evaluate the temporal trends from 1990 to 2019. We also used the NORDPRED model to predict ASMR for ischemic stroke due to related risk factors in Chinese young adults over the next 10 years. From 1990 to 2019, the general age-standardized mortality [from 2.39 (1.97 to 2.99) in 1990 to 1.8 (1.41 to 2.18) in 2019, EAPC = − 1.23] and DALYs rates (from 171.7 (140.34 to 212.36) in 1990 to 144.4 (114.29 to 177.37) in 2019, EAPC = − 0.86) decreased for ischemic stroke in young adults in China. ASMR and ASDR decreased for all level 1 risk factors (including behavioral, environmental/occupational, and metabolic) from 1990 to 2019, with the slightest decrease for metabolic risks [ASMR from 1.86 (1.39 to 2.41) in 1990 to 1.53 (1.15 to 1.92) in 2019, ASDR from 133.68 (99.96 to 173.89) in 1990 to 123.54 (92.96 to 156.98) in 2019] and the largest decrease for environmental/occupational risks [ASMR from 1.57 (1.26 to 1.98) in 1990 to 1.03 (0.78 to 1.29) in 2019, ASDR from 110.91 (88.44 to 138.34) in 1990 to 80.03 (61.87 to 100.33) in 2019]. In general, high body-mass index, high red meat intake, and ambient particulate matter pollution contributed to the large increase in ASMR and ASDR between 1990 and 2019. Significant reductions in ASMR and ASDR were observed in low vegetables intake, household air pollution from solid fuels, lead exposure, and low fiber intake. In addition, there were sex differences in the ranking of ASMR attributable to risks in ischemic stroke. The disease burden of ischemic stroke attributable to relevant risk factors in young adults in China is greater and has a faster growth trend or a slower decline trend in males than in females (except for secondhand smoke). The apparent increasing trend of ASMR attributable to high fasting plasma glucose, high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index, and high red meat intake was observed in males but not in females. The projected analysis showed an increasing trend in ASMR between 1990 and 2030 for all specific metabolic risks for males, but a decreasing trend for females. ASMR attributable to ambient particulate matter pollution showed an increasing trend from 1990 to 2030 for both males and females. The burden of ischemic stroke in young adults in China showed a downward trend from 1990 to 2019. Specific risk factors associated with the burden of ischemic stroke varied between the sexes. Corresponding measures need to be developed in China to reduce the disease burden of ischemic stroke among young adults

Short-term efficacy and tolerability of venlafaxine extended release in adults with generalized anxiety disorder without depression: A meta-analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Although efficacy of venlafaxine extended release (XR) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been reported in previous analyses in 2002 and 2004, the sample size was rather small and estimate of safety or tolerability was not clear. The present analysis had the advantage of large sample size and provided evidence for tolerability.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Literature databases were searched, including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of science and clinical trials. 10 eligible articles were finally selected and data was extracted and logged into the Review Manager 5.3 by two independent authors. The risk of bias was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias Tool and the stability of the results was assessed by sensitivity analysis. The publication bias was assessed by funnel plot and Egger’s/Begg’s test using Stata Version 12.0 software.</p><p>Results</p><p>In the current meta-analysis, 10 articles (14 studies) satisfying the inclusion criteria were analyzed. As efficacy outcomes, our findings indicated venlafaxine XR was significantly more effective than placebo according to mean change of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety total scores [mean difference = 3.31, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.44–5.18, P = 0.0005], response [odds ratio(OR) = 1.83, 95%CI 1.58–2.12, P<0.00001], and remission (OR = 2.55, 95%CI 1.36–4.78, P = 0.003). In terms of tolerability, the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, and headache. In addition, discontinuation due to all-cause (OR = 1.17, 95%CI 0.92–1.49, P = 0.19) was not significantly different between the two groups, whereas discontinuation due to adverse events was statistically higher in the venlafaxine XR group compared with the placebo treatment (OR = 2.80, 95%CI 2.21–3.54, P<0.00001) and discontinuation due to inefficacy was lower in venlafaxine than placebo treatment (OR = 0.26, 95%CI 0.17–0.40, P<0.00001). There was no significant publication bias and sensitivity analysis showed that our analysis exhibited high stability.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>We concluded that venlafaxine XR (75–225 mg/day) is an effective and well-tolerated pharmacological treatment option for adult patients with GAD.</p></div

Funnel plot of publication bias.

<p>Funnel plot of publication bias.</p

Characteristics of multicentres, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies included in the meta-analysis.

<p>Characteristics of multicentres, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies included in the meta-analysis.</p