Structural insulated panels, which are structurally performed panels consisting of a plastic insulation bonded between two structural panel facings are one of emerging products with a viewpoint of its energy and construction efficiencies. These components are applicable to fabricated wood structures. By now, there are few technical documents regulated structural performance and engineering criteria in domestic market. This study was conducted to suggest fundamental reports such as racking resistance, axial capacity, transverse load capacity, and lintel load capacity for SIPs. Test results showed that maximum load was 44.3kN, allowable load was 14.7kN for racking resistance, and that maximum load was 137.6kN, allowable load was 37.4kN/m for axial compression capacity. For transverse load capacity, test results showed $10.3kN/m^2$ of maximum load, $3.4kN/m^2$ of allowable load. For lintel load capacity for SIPs dependent to lengths, allowable loads were 20.4kN for 600mm long lintel, 23.9kN for 1,200mm long lintel, 19.3kN for 1,800mm long lintel, and 2,400mm long lintel had 14.1kN of allowable load. In the near future, when the allowable load for wall application is established, SIPs is considered to substitute the existent post-and-lintel construction to bearing wall structure.
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a broadly-accepted treatment for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury to optimize fluid and electrolyte management. Despite intensive dialysis care, there is a high mortality rate among these patients. There is uncertainty regarding the factors associated with in-hospital mortality among patients requiring CRRT. This review evaluates how various risk factors influence the in-hospital mortality of critically ill patients who require CRRT. Five databases were surveyed to gather relevant publications up to 30 June 2020. We identified 752 works, of which we retrieved 38 in full text. Finally, six cohort studies that evaluated 1190 patients were eligible. The in-hospital mortality rate in these studies ranged from 38.6 to 62.4%. Our meta-analysis results showed that older age, lower body mass index, higher APACHE II and SOFA scores, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased serum creatinine level, and increased serum sodium level were significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients who received CRRT. These results suggest that there are multiple modifiable factors that influence the risk of in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients undergoing CRRT. Further, healthcare professionals should take more care when CRRT is performed on older adults.
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Smoking is a well-known risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, there are insufficient data regarding the predictive influence of smoking status on the risk of incident heart failure (HF). This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to identify the association of smoking status with incident risk of HF. Peer-reviewed articles published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL up to May 2019 were identified. Seven studies, based on 42,759 participants and 4826 HF cases, were included. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using the fixed effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted to define possible sources of heterogeneity. Current smokers aged 18 years and over had a greater risk of HF incidence compared with non-smokers (never or former smokers) (HR = 1.609, 95% CI, 1.470–1.761). Additionally, former smokers had a greater risk of HF incidence compared with never smokers (HR = 1.209, 95% CI, 1.084–1.348). The present study highlighted that never smokers have more obvious cardiovascular benefits than current or former smokers. Therefore, health professionals should support cessation at the earliest among current smokers and encourage young people and non-smokers not to start smoking.
Abstract Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia to occur after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the risk factors for new-onset POAF after CABG during the perioperative period have yet to be clearly defined. Accordingly, the aim of our systematic review was to evaluate the perioperative predictors of new-onset POAF after isolated CABG. Method Our review methods adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. We searched seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycArticles, Cochrane, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) to identify all relevant English articles published up to January 2020. Identified studies were screened independently by two researchers for selection, according to predefined criteria. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies retained. Results After screening, nine studies were retained for analysis, including 4798 patients, of whom 1555 (32.4%) experienced new-onset POAF after CABG. The incidence rate of new-onset POAF ranged between 17.3% and 47.4%. The following risk factors were identified: old age ( p < 0.001), a high preoperative serum creatinine level ( p = 0.001), a low preoperative hemoglobin level ( p = 0.007), a low left ventricle ejection fraction in Asian patients ( p = 0.001), essential hypertension ( p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( p = 0.010), renal failure ( p = 0.009), cardiopulmonary bypass use ( p = 0.002), perfusion time ( p = 0.017), postoperative use of inotropes ( p < 0.001), postoperative renal failure ( p = 0.001), and re-operation ( p = 0.005). All studies included in the analysis were of good quality. Conclusions The risk factors identified in our review could be used to improve monitoring of at-risk patients for early detection and treatment of new-onset POAF after CABG, reducing the risk of other complications and negative clinical outcomes.
Background: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified 30 genetic loci that regulate blood pressure, increasing our understanding of the cause of hypertension. However, it has been difficult to define the causative genes at these loci due to a lack of functional analyses. Method: In this study, we aimed to validate the candidate gene ATP2B1 in 12q21, variants near which have the strongest association with blood pressure in Asians and Europeans. ATP2B1 functions as a calcium pump to fine-tune calcium concentrations – necessary for repolarization following muscular contractions. We silenced Atp2b1 using an siRNA complex, injected into mouse tail veins. Results: In treated mice, blood pressure rose and the mesenteric arteries increased in wall : lumen ratio. Moreover, the arteries showed enhanced myogenic responses to pressure, and contractile responses to phenylephrine increased compared with the control, suggesting that blood pressure is regulated by ATP2B1 through the contraction and dilation of the vessel, likely by controlling calcium concentrations in the resting state. Conclusion: These results support that ATP2B1 is the causative gene in the blood pressure-associated 12q21 locus and demonstrate that ATP2B1 expression in the vessel influences blood pressure.
The current review aimed to systematically describe and synthesize health outcomes and factors associated with health literacy and physical frailty among older adults. Seven electronic databases were searched for observational studies published in English, from database inception to March 31, 2021. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Among the 479 studies identified, nine (6,337 participants) met eligibility criteria. Common factors associated with health literacy and physical frailty were lower educational level, multiple comorbidities, and cognitive dysfunction. Health literacy was mainly associated with self-reported outcomes, whereas physical frailty was related to clinical outcomes. Prospective studies are required to identify the impact of limited health literacy, combined with frailty, on long-term health outcomes in older adults. Health literacy interventions should consider the older adult population with multiple comorbidities. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(1), 39-52.].