Study of the influence of baffles on an artificial debris flow through back-analysis simulations

In this work, we explore the applicability of a novel approach to the full-scale simulation of debris flows, the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM). The main novelty lies in eliminating the need for depthintegrating the conservation equations, which is still a dominant approach in the field. A full 3D model, both for the topography and for the flow itself is therefore developed and employed. The 3D nature of the model allows to accurately reproduce structural countermeasures. An artificial debris flow, generated in real-scale at an experimental site in Korea, provides the basis for a cross comparison of results. The effects of two arrays of baffles were also tested in the experiment. The flow scale is intermediate between the large natural flows that are usually reported in the literature and a typical experimental apparatus. It is therefore an ideal candidate for an explorative application of the numerical metho

Review of the mechanisms of debris-flow impact against barriers

Our limited understanding of the mechanisms pertaining to the force exerted by debris flows on barriers makes it difficult to ascertain whether a design is inadequate, adequate, or over-designed. The main scientific challenge is because flow-type landslides impacting a rigid barrier is rarely captured in the field, and no systematic, physical experimental data is available to reveal the impact mechanisms. An important consideration in flow-structure interaction is that the impact dynamics can differ radically depending on the composition of the flow. Currently, no framework exists that can characterize the impact behavior for a wide range of flow compositions. This review paper examines recent works on debris-flow structure interactions and the limitations of commonly used approaches to estimate the impact load for the design of barriers. Key challenges faced in this area and outlook for further research are discussed

Analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of primary resistance of Brazilian H. pylori isolates to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone. In addition, the vacA, iceA, cagA and cagE genotypes of strains isolated from Brazilian patients were determined and associated with clinical data in an effort to correlate these four virulence markers and antibiotic resistance. METHODS: H. pylori was cultured in 155 H. pylori-positive patients and MICs for metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and furazolidone were determined by the agar dilution method. Genomic DNA was extracted, and allelic variants of vacA, iceA, cagA and cagE were identified by the polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: There was a strong association between the vacA s1/cagA -positive genotype and peptic ulcer disease (OR = 5.42, 95% CI 2.6–11.3, p = 0.0006). Additionally, infection by more virulent strains may protect against GERD, since logistic regression showed a negative association between the more virulent strain, vacA s1/cagA-positive genotype and GERD (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.08–0.8, p = 0.03). Resistance to metronidazole was detected in 75 patients (55%), to amoxicillin in 54 individuals (38%), to clarithromycin in 23 patients (16%), to tetracycline in 13 patients (9%), and to furazolidone in 19 individuals (13%). No significant correlation between pathogenicity and resistance or susceptibility was detected when MIC values for each antibiotic were compared with different vacA, iceA, cagA and cagE genotypes. CONCLUSION: The analysis of virulence genes revealed a specific association between H. pylori strains and clinical outcome, furthermore, no significant association was detected among pathogenicity and resistance or susceptibility

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

ANALYSIS OF DEBRIS FLOW BEHAVIOR USING AIRBORNE LIDAR AND IMAGE DATA

The frequency of debris flow events caused by severe rainstorms has increased in Korea. LiDAR provides high-resolution topographical data that can represent the land surface more effectively than other methods. This study describes the analysis of geomorphologic changes using digital surface models derived from airborne LiDAR and aerial image data acquired before and after a debris flow event in the southern part of Seoul, South Korea in July 2011. During this event, 30 houses were buried, 116 houses were damaged, and 22 human casualties were reported. Longitudinal and cross-sectional profiles of the debris flow path reconstructed from digital surface models were used to analyze debris flow behaviors such as landslide initiation, transport, erosion, and deposition. LiDAR technology integrated with GIS is a very useful tool for understanding debris flow behavior

Analgesic effect of acupuncture is mediated via inhibition of JNK activation in astrocytes after spinal cord injury.

Acupuncture (AP) has been used worldwide to relieve pain. However, the mechanism of action of AP is poorly understood. Here, we found that AP relieved neuropathic pain (NP) by inhibiting Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in astrocytes after spinal cord injury (SCI). After contusion injury which induces the below-level (L4-L5) NP, Shuigou (GV26) and Yanglingquan (GB34) acupoints were applied. At 31 d after injury, both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were significantly alleviated by AP applied at GV26 and GB34. Immunocytochemistry revealed that JNK activation was mainly observed in astrocytes after injury. AP inhibited JNK activation in astrocytes at L4-L5 level of spinal cord. The level of p-c-Jun known, a downstream molecule of JNK, was also decreased by AP. In addition, SCI-induced GFAP expression, a marker for astrocytes, was decreased by AP as compared to control groups. Especially, the number of hypertrophic, activated astrocytes in laminae I-II of dorsal horn at L4-5 was markedly decreased by AP treatment when compared with vehicle and simulated AP-treated groups. When animals treated with SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor, after SCI, both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were significantly attenuated by the inhibitor, suggesting that JNK activation is likely involved in SCI-induced NP. Also, the expression of chemokines which is known to be mediated through JNK pathway was significantly decreased by AP and SP600125 treatment. Therefore, our results indicate that analgesic effect of AP is mediated in part by inhibiting JNK activation in astrocytes after SCI

Acupuncture inhibits the expression of JNK-dependent chemokines after SCI.

<p>At 1 h after treatment with AP or SP600125 (5 µg/rat) at POD 31, total RNA from spinal cords were prepared as described in the Methods section (n = 4). (a) RT-PCR of MCP-1, MIP-1β, and MIP-3α mRNA after injury. (b) Quantitative analysis of RT-PCR showed that AP or SP600125 treatment significantly inhibited the expression of chemokines when compared with vehicle-treated control. All data are presented as mean ± SD (*<i>p</i> < 0.05 vs vehicle, df = 4, one-way ANOVA).</p

Acupuncture inhibits astrocyte activation after SCI.

<p>At 1 h after AP treatment, lumbar (L4-5) spinal tissues were isolated (n = 4). (a) Representative photographs of GFAP immunostaining in the dorsal horn (superficial layer) indicated by dotted lines on POD 31. Scale bars, 50 µm. (b) Densitometric analysis reveals that GFAP-immunoreactivity was dramatically increased in the dorsal horn of injured spinal cord and AP treatment significantly reduced the GFAP immunoreactivity as compared to vehicle control. (c) Western blots of GFAP. (d) Quantitative analysis of Western blots showed that AP treatment significantly inhibited GFAP expression when compared with vehicle control. All data are presented as mean ± SD (*<i>p</i> < 0.05 vs vehicle, df = 3, one-way ANOVA).</p

Acupuncture inhibits JNK activation after SCI.

<p>At POD 31, 1 h after AP treatment, lumbar (L4-L5) spinal tissues were isolated and total lysates or frozen tissue sections were prepared as described in the Methods section (n = 4). (a) Western blots of p-JNK. (b) Quantitative analyses of Western blots show that AP treatment significantly inhibited JNK activation when compared with that in vehicle or simulated AP control. Data are presented as mean ± SD (*<i>p</i> < 0.05 vs vehicle, df = 3, one-way ANOVA). (c) Immuohistochemistry of p-JNK. Dotted line indicates p-JNK-positive cells in lamina I and II of dorsal horn following SCI. (d) Double labeling showed that p-JNK immunoreactivity was co-localized in GFAP-positive astrocytes (arrows). Scale bars, 50 µm.</p