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  • Within this multidisciplinary study, the potential of radiocarbon dating as a complementary source of information about these complex paint systems guiding their interpretation is demonstrated. The challenges of this innovative approach are highlighted and improvements on sampling and sample preparation are discussed.Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan genus of wood-decaying basidiomycetous macrofungi that can rot the roots and/or lower trunk. Among the standing trees, their presence often indicates that a hazard assessment may be necessary. These bracket fungi are commonly known for the crust-like upper surfaces of their basidiocarps and formation of white rot. Six species occur in central European urban habitats. Several of them, such as Ganoderma adspersum, G. applanatum, G. resinaceum and G. pfeifferi, are most hazardous fungi causing extensive horizontal stem decay in urban trees. Therefore, their early identification is crucial for correct management of trees. In this paper, a fast technique is tested for the determination of phytopathologically important urban macrofungi using fuzzy interference system of Sugeno type based on 13 selected traits of 72 basidiocarps of six Ganoderma species and compared to the ITS sequence based determination. Basidiocarps features were processed for the following situations At first, the FIS of Sugeno 2 type (without basidiospore sizes) was used and 57 Ganoderma basidiocarps (79.17%) were correctly determined. Determination success increased to 96.61% after selecting basidiocarps with critical values (15 basidiocarps). These undeterminable basidiocarps must be analyzed by molecular methods. In a case, that basidiospore sizes of some basidiocarps were known, a combination of Sugeno 1 (31 basidiocarps with known basidiospore size) and Sugeno 2 (41 basidiocarps with unknown basidiospore size) was used. 84.72% of Ganoderma basidiocarps were correctly identified. Determination success increased to 96.83% after selecting basidiocarps with critical values (11 basidiocarps).Intense short laser pulses are an intriguing tool for tailoring surface properties via ultra-fast melting of the surface layer of an irradiated target. Despite extensive studies on the interaction of femto-second laser interaction with matter, the initial steps of the morphological changes are not yet fully understood. https://www.selleckchem.com/ Here, we reveal that substantial surface structure changes occur at energy densities far below the melting threshold. By using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy we resolve atomic-scale changes, i.e. the creation of nanosized adatom and vacancy clusters. The two cluster types have distinct non-linear fluence-dependencies. A theoretical analysis reveals their creation and motion to be non-thermal in nature. The formation of these atomistic changes, individually resolved here for the first time, recast our understanding of how surfaces respond to low-intensity ultra-short laser illumination. A visualization and control of the initial morphological changes upon laser illumination are not only of fundamental interest, but pave the way for the designing material properties through surface structuring.An interesting phenomenon that a layer of crystallized shell formed at the container wall during an orifice flow in a cylinder is observed experimentally and is investigated in DEM simulation. Different from shear or vibration driven granular crystallization, our simulation shows during the flow the shell layer is formed spontaneously from stagnant zone at the base and grows at a constant rate to the top with no external drive. Roughness of the shell surface is defined as a standard deviation of the surface height and its development is found to disobey existed growth models. The growth rate of the shell is found linearly proportional to the flow rate. This shell is static and served as a rough wall in an orifice flow with frictionless sidewall, which changes the flow profiles and its stress properties, and in turn guarantees a constant flow rate.Ternary intermetallic compound [Formula see text] has been synthesized in single phase and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis, magnetization, heat capacity, neutron diffraction and muon spin rotation/relaxation ([Formula see text]SR) measurements. The polycrystalline compound was synthesized in single phase by introducing necessary vacancies in Co/Si sites. Magnetic, heat capacity, and zero-field neutron diffraction studies reveal that the system undergoes magnetic transition below [Formula see text]4 K. Neutron diffraction measurement further reveals that the magnetic ordering is antiferromagnetic in nature with an weak ordered moment. The high temperature magnetic phase has been attributed to glassy in nature consisting of ferromagnetic clusters of itinerant (3d) Co moments as evident by the development of internal field in zero-field [Formula see text]SR below 50 K. The density-functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the low temperature magnetic transition is associated with antiferromagnetic coupling between Pr 4f and Co 3d spins. Pr moments show spin fluctuation along with unconventional orbital moment quenching due to crystal field. The evolution of the symmetry and the crystalline electric field environment of Pr-ions are also studied and compared theoretically between the elemental Pr and when it is coupled with other elements such as Co. The localized moment of Pr 4f and itinerant moment of Co 3d compete with each other below [Formula see text]20 K resulting in an unusual temperature dependence of magnetic coercivity in the system.Lignosulfonate (LS) is a by-product obtained during sulfite pulping process and is commonly used as a growth enhancer in plant growth. However, the underlying growth promoting mechanism of LS on shoot growth remains largely unknown. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the potential application of eco-friendly ion-chelated LS complex [sodium LS (NaLS) and calcium LS (CaLS)] to enhance recalcitrant indica rice MR 219 shoot growth and to elucidate its underlying growth promoting mechanisms. In this study, the shoot apex of MR 219 rice was grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different ion chelated LS complex (NaLS and CaLS) at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L The NaLS was shown to be a better shoot growth enhancer as compared to CaLS, with optimum concentration of 300 mg/L. Subsequent comparative proteomic analysis revealed an increase of photosynthesis-related proteins [photosystem II (PSII) CP43 reaction center protein, photosystem I (PSI) iron-sulfur center, PSII CP47 reaction center protein, PSII protein D1], ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), carbohydrate metabolism-related proteins (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 3, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase) and stress regulator proteins (peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase A4, delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase 1) abundance in NaLS-treated rice as compared to the control (MSO).
    Within this multidisciplinary study, the potential of radiocarbon dating as a complementary source of information about these complex paint systems guiding their interpretation is demonstrated. The challenges of this innovative approach are highlighted and improvements on sampling and sample preparation are discussed.Ganoderma is a cosmopolitan genus of wood-decaying basidiomycetous macrofungi that can rot the roots and/or lower trunk. Among the standing trees, their presence often indicates that a hazard assessment may be necessary. These bracket fungi are commonly known for the crust-like upper surfaces of their basidiocarps and formation of white rot. Six species occur in central European urban habitats. Several of them, such as Ganoderma adspersum, G. applanatum, G. resinaceum and G. pfeifferi, are most hazardous fungi causing extensive horizontal stem decay in urban trees. Therefore, their early identification is crucial for correct management of trees. In this paper, a fast technique is tested for the determination of phytopathologically important urban macrofungi using fuzzy interference system of Sugeno type based on 13 selected traits of 72 basidiocarps of six Ganoderma species and compared to the ITS sequence based determination. Basidiocarps features were processed for the following situations At first, the FIS of Sugeno 2 type (without basidiospore sizes) was used and 57 Ganoderma basidiocarps (79.17%) were correctly determined. Determination success increased to 96.61% after selecting basidiocarps with critical values (15 basidiocarps). These undeterminable basidiocarps must be analyzed by molecular methods. In a case, that basidiospore sizes of some basidiocarps were known, a combination of Sugeno 1 (31 basidiocarps with known basidiospore size) and Sugeno 2 (41 basidiocarps with unknown basidiospore size) was used. 84.72% of Ganoderma basidiocarps were correctly identified. Determination success increased to 96.83% after selecting basidiocarps with critical values (11 basidiocarps).Intense short laser pulses are an intriguing tool for tailoring surface properties via ultra-fast melting of the surface layer of an irradiated target. Despite extensive studies on the interaction of femto-second laser interaction with matter, the initial steps of the morphological changes are not yet fully understood. https://www.selleckchem.com/ Here, we reveal that substantial surface structure changes occur at energy densities far below the melting threshold. By using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy we resolve atomic-scale changes, i.e. the creation of nanosized adatom and vacancy clusters. The two cluster types have distinct non-linear fluence-dependencies. A theoretical analysis reveals their creation and motion to be non-thermal in nature. The formation of these atomistic changes, individually resolved here for the first time, recast our understanding of how surfaces respond to low-intensity ultra-short laser illumination. A visualization and control of the initial morphological changes upon laser illumination are not only of fundamental interest, but pave the way for the designing material properties through surface structuring.An interesting phenomenon that a layer of crystallized shell formed at the container wall during an orifice flow in a cylinder is observed experimentally and is investigated in DEM simulation. Different from shear or vibration driven granular crystallization, our simulation shows during the flow the shell layer is formed spontaneously from stagnant zone at the base and grows at a constant rate to the top with no external drive. Roughness of the shell surface is defined as a standard deviation of the surface height and its development is found to disobey existed growth models. The growth rate of the shell is found linearly proportional to the flow rate. This shell is static and served as a rough wall in an orifice flow with frictionless sidewall, which changes the flow profiles and its stress properties, and in turn guarantees a constant flow rate.Ternary intermetallic compound [Formula see text] has been synthesized in single phase and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis, magnetization, heat capacity, neutron diffraction and muon spin rotation/relaxation ([Formula see text]SR) measurements. The polycrystalline compound was synthesized in single phase by introducing necessary vacancies in Co/Si sites. Magnetic, heat capacity, and zero-field neutron diffraction studies reveal that the system undergoes magnetic transition below [Formula see text]4 K. Neutron diffraction measurement further reveals that the magnetic ordering is antiferromagnetic in nature with an weak ordered moment. The high temperature magnetic phase has been attributed to glassy in nature consisting of ferromagnetic clusters of itinerant (3d) Co moments as evident by the development of internal field in zero-field [Formula see text]SR below 50 K. The density-functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the low temperature magnetic transition is associated with antiferromagnetic coupling between Pr 4f and Co 3d spins. Pr moments show spin fluctuation along with unconventional orbital moment quenching due to crystal field. The evolution of the symmetry and the crystalline electric field environment of Pr-ions are also studied and compared theoretically between the elemental Pr and when it is coupled with other elements such as Co. The localized moment of Pr 4f and itinerant moment of Co 3d compete with each other below [Formula see text]20 K resulting in an unusual temperature dependence of magnetic coercivity in the system.Lignosulfonate (LS) is a by-product obtained during sulfite pulping process and is commonly used as a growth enhancer in plant growth. However, the underlying growth promoting mechanism of LS on shoot growth remains largely unknown. Hence, this study was undertaken to determine the potential application of eco-friendly ion-chelated LS complex [sodium LS (NaLS) and calcium LS (CaLS)] to enhance recalcitrant indica rice MR 219 shoot growth and to elucidate its underlying growth promoting mechanisms. In this study, the shoot apex of MR 219 rice was grown on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different ion chelated LS complex (NaLS and CaLS) at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L The NaLS was shown to be a better shoot growth enhancer as compared to CaLS, with optimum concentration of 300 mg/L. Subsequent comparative proteomic analysis revealed an increase of photosynthesis-related proteins [photosystem II (PSII) CP43 reaction center protein, photosystem I (PSI) iron-sulfur center, PSII CP47 reaction center protein, PSII protein D1], ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), carbohydrate metabolism-related proteins (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 3, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase) and stress regulator proteins (peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase A4, delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase 1) abundance in NaLS-treated rice as compared to the control (MSO).
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  • In response to environmental pollution and the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), this paper proposes a new type of smart mask design, and specifically proposes an optimized double closed-loop control method, especially an improved filtering fusion algorithm. Using the filtering fusion algorithm proposed in this paper, after the Kalman filter (KF) filters the raw data of the attitude sensor, explicit complementary filtering and data fusion are used to obtain the attitude angle of the body. At the same time, the obtained attitude angle is combined with acceleration and blood oxygen concentration to obtain the behaviour characteristic value. On this basis, the speed of the oxygen supply fan captured by the photoelectric sensor is used to form a closed loop with the characteristic value of the behaviour. Finally, the structure of the mask is upgraded and optimized through fluid mechanics simulation, and experiments have verified that the combination of the replaceable filter cloth, the intelligent control system and the ultraviolet disinfection device can effectively protect people's health.A 2-month-old, intact male Merino sheep was presented for acute inappetence and pyrexia. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography identified reticulorumenal intramural gas with suspected ruminal ulceration, arborizing portal venous gas, and mild peritoneal fluid. The lamb was treated medically for presumptive ulcerative reticulorumenitis and non-septic peritonitis. Over 10 days, the lamb initially showed mild improvement before clinical deterioration and was ultimately euthanized. Definitive diagnosis of necrotizing, ulcerative reticulorumenitis was made via necropsy with histopathology. An underlying cause was not determined. Key clinical message Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was effective in identifying gastric emphysema and portal venous gas associated with reticuloruminal ulceration.[This corrects the article on p. 503 in vol. 62.].An 11-year-old, spayed female American domestic shorthair cat was presented with open-mouth breathing and dyspnea due to respiratory tract disease. https://www.selleckchem.com/MEK.html Radiographically, there was thickening of the retropharyngeal soft tissue and soft palate, focal pulmonary change, and severe pectus excavatum (PE), best seen on the left lateral view. Repeat thoracic radiographs 4 months later showed persistent PE, but only on the right lateral view; PE was absent on the left lateral view. The dynamic component of the observed PE was presumably acquired secondary to chronic upper respiratory disease and/or concurrent increased pliability of the thoracic wall from prolonged prednisolone treatment.The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, medical management, and outcomes of horses with sabulous cystitis, and to describe a high flow bladder lavage procedure in horses that are standing or under general anesthesia. The medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Geldings (92%) and Warmbloods (46%) were overrepresented. The most common presenting complaint was urinary incontinence (69%). Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were non-specific. Six (46%) horses had various degrees of erosion, ulceration, and hemorrhage of the bladder mucosa. All horses were treated with bladder lavage either with standing sedation (n = 12) or general anesthesia (n = 2), as well as antimicrobials (54%), anti-inflammatory drugs (62%), bethanechol (15%), and phenazopyridine (15%). Most horses (85%) were discharged from the hospital, but only a small percentage (23%) was reported as having no urinary abnormalities on follow-up communication. Key clinical message Copious bladder lavage with a high flow rate system could mitigate the acute clinical signs and improve the quality of life of horses with sabulous cystitis, but the prognosis for return to previous level of athletic performance and long-term survival is guarded.This study describes the clinical, diagnostic, and pathological characteristics of canine nasal polyps and how they responded to medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatments. The database of a multi-center veterinary endoscopy group was searched from 2010 to 2018. All dogs with a histological diagnosis of nasal polyposis that were undergoing endoscopic investigation (N = 23), were included. Clinical signs at presentation were sneezing (91%), nasal discharge (83%), stertor (74%), and frontonasal deformation (17%). Skull radiography on 13 dogs had alterations in 77% of cases, including turbinate lysis (6/13), increased radiopacity of one (4/13) or both (6/13) nasal cavities, and lysis of the nasal vomer bone (3/13). Nasal polyposis had a characteristic endoscopic appearance. There were clinical and diagnostic similarities between this cohort of dogs and dogs with nasal neoplasia, although dogs with nasal polyps were often younger and polypoid tissue was external to the nose. Steroid therapy alone was not effective in treating polyposis in dogs; however, endoscopic debulking with a laser and forceps was more effective.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a widely used hemocomponent that holds great promise in equine medicine due to its feasible production and regenerative therapy potential. Its use has been considered as a treatment for chronic laminitis, mainly in terms of its analgesic properties and because it can induce growth in affected hooves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on hoof growth attributable to PRP applied in the coronary band of clinically healthy horses by comparing the responses to PRP, saline, and trimming alone. After randomization, the forelimbs of 9 horses received specific treatment at intervals of 33 days and were trimmed, measured, and radiographed at the same time. Neither hoof growth nor hoof angles were different between the treatment groups at any time point. The application of PRP in the coronary band of horses may be a safe procedure; however, it had no effect on the growth or conformation of hooves in clinically healthy horses.Bordetella bronchiseptica is a promiscuous bacterium that infects a variety of species but has not been reported in free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Sera from 385 polar bears from the western Hudson Bay region, 1986 to 2017, were tested for reactivity to B. bronchiseptica with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using anti-canine IgG and Streptococcus protein G as secondary reagents. Sera from bears had variable reactivity to B. bronchiseptica antigens, and there was no difference among bears that had a history of coming near the town of Churchill, Manitoba, and bears that did not. Although the sources of exposure were not determined, equivalent results in both groups suggest that potential exposure to humans (aside from handling during sampling) and their animals (dogs) was not an important co-factor in sero-positivity to B. bronchiseptica.
    In response to environmental pollution and the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), this paper proposes a new type of smart mask design, and specifically proposes an optimized double closed-loop control method, especially an improved filtering fusion algorithm. Using the filtering fusion algorithm proposed in this paper, after the Kalman filter (KF) filters the raw data of the attitude sensor, explicit complementary filtering and data fusion are used to obtain the attitude angle of the body. At the same time, the obtained attitude angle is combined with acceleration and blood oxygen concentration to obtain the behaviour characteristic value. On this basis, the speed of the oxygen supply fan captured by the photoelectric sensor is used to form a closed loop with the characteristic value of the behaviour. Finally, the structure of the mask is upgraded and optimized through fluid mechanics simulation, and experiments have verified that the combination of the replaceable filter cloth, the intelligent control system and the ultraviolet disinfection device can effectively protect people's health.A 2-month-old, intact male Merino sheep was presented for acute inappetence and pyrexia. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography identified reticulorumenal intramural gas with suspected ruminal ulceration, arborizing portal venous gas, and mild peritoneal fluid. The lamb was treated medically for presumptive ulcerative reticulorumenitis and non-septic peritonitis. Over 10 days, the lamb initially showed mild improvement before clinical deterioration and was ultimately euthanized. Definitive diagnosis of necrotizing, ulcerative reticulorumenitis was made via necropsy with histopathology. An underlying cause was not determined. Key clinical message Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was effective in identifying gastric emphysema and portal venous gas associated with reticuloruminal ulceration.[This corrects the article on p. 503 in vol. 62.].An 11-year-old, spayed female American domestic shorthair cat was presented with open-mouth breathing and dyspnea due to respiratory tract disease. https://www.selleckchem.com/MEK.html Radiographically, there was thickening of the retropharyngeal soft tissue and soft palate, focal pulmonary change, and severe pectus excavatum (PE), best seen on the left lateral view. Repeat thoracic radiographs 4 months later showed persistent PE, but only on the right lateral view; PE was absent on the left lateral view. The dynamic component of the observed PE was presumably acquired secondary to chronic upper respiratory disease and/or concurrent increased pliability of the thoracic wall from prolonged prednisolone treatment.The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, medical management, and outcomes of horses with sabulous cystitis, and to describe a high flow bladder lavage procedure in horses that are standing or under general anesthesia. The medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Geldings (92%) and Warmbloods (46%) were overrepresented. The most common presenting complaint was urinary incontinence (69%). Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were non-specific. Six (46%) horses had various degrees of erosion, ulceration, and hemorrhage of the bladder mucosa. All horses were treated with bladder lavage either with standing sedation (n = 12) or general anesthesia (n = 2), as well as antimicrobials (54%), anti-inflammatory drugs (62%), bethanechol (15%), and phenazopyridine (15%). Most horses (85%) were discharged from the hospital, but only a small percentage (23%) was reported as having no urinary abnormalities on follow-up communication. Key clinical message Copious bladder lavage with a high flow rate system could mitigate the acute clinical signs and improve the quality of life of horses with sabulous cystitis, but the prognosis for return to previous level of athletic performance and long-term survival is guarded.This study describes the clinical, diagnostic, and pathological characteristics of canine nasal polyps and how they responded to medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatments. The database of a multi-center veterinary endoscopy group was searched from 2010 to 2018. All dogs with a histological diagnosis of nasal polyposis that were undergoing endoscopic investigation (N = 23), were included. Clinical signs at presentation were sneezing (91%), nasal discharge (83%), stertor (74%), and frontonasal deformation (17%). Skull radiography on 13 dogs had alterations in 77% of cases, including turbinate lysis (6/13), increased radiopacity of one (4/13) or both (6/13) nasal cavities, and lysis of the nasal vomer bone (3/13). Nasal polyposis had a characteristic endoscopic appearance. There were clinical and diagnostic similarities between this cohort of dogs and dogs with nasal neoplasia, although dogs with nasal polyps were often younger and polypoid tissue was external to the nose. Steroid therapy alone was not effective in treating polyposis in dogs; however, endoscopic debulking with a laser and forceps was more effective.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a widely used hemocomponent that holds great promise in equine medicine due to its feasible production and regenerative therapy potential. Its use has been considered as a treatment for chronic laminitis, mainly in terms of its analgesic properties and because it can induce growth in affected hooves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on hoof growth attributable to PRP applied in the coronary band of clinically healthy horses by comparing the responses to PRP, saline, and trimming alone. After randomization, the forelimbs of 9 horses received specific treatment at intervals of 33 days and were trimmed, measured, and radiographed at the same time. Neither hoof growth nor hoof angles were different between the treatment groups at any time point. The application of PRP in the coronary band of horses may be a safe procedure; however, it had no effect on the growth or conformation of hooves in clinically healthy horses.Bordetella bronchiseptica is a promiscuous bacterium that infects a variety of species but has not been reported in free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Sera from 385 polar bears from the western Hudson Bay region, 1986 to 2017, were tested for reactivity to B. bronchiseptica with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using anti-canine IgG and Streptococcus protein G as secondary reagents. Sera from bears had variable reactivity to B. bronchiseptica antigens, and there was no difference among bears that had a history of coming near the town of Churchill, Manitoba, and bears that did not. Although the sources of exposure were not determined, equivalent results in both groups suggest that potential exposure to humans (aside from handling during sampling) and their animals (dogs) was not an important co-factor in sero-positivity to B. bronchiseptica.
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  • of life are more likely to achieve MCIDs in SRS-22r domains, surgeons should carefully consider whether to operate on patients with relatively good baseline health-related quality of life when making surgical decisions.
    Multivariate analysis demonstrated that achievement of MCIDs in SRS-22r self-image and function domains was significantly associated with postoperative satisfaction. Given that patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life are more likely to achieve MCIDs in SRS-22r domains, surgeons should carefully consider whether to operate on patients with relatively good baseline health-related quality of life when making surgical decisions.
    Rod fracture (RF) after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is reported in approximately 6.8%-33% of patients and is associated with loss of deformity correction and higher reoperation rates. The authors' objective was to determine the effect of accessory supplemental rod (ASR) placement on postoperative occurrence of primary RF after ASD surgery.

    This retrospective analysis examined patients who underwent ASD surgery between 2014 and 2017 by the senior authors. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years, ≥ 5 instrumented levels including sacropelvic fixation, and diagnosis of ASD, which was defined as the presence of pelvic tilt ≥ 25°, sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm, thoracic kyphosis ≥ 60°, coronal Cobb angle ≥ 20°, or pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis mismatch ≥ 10°. The primary focus was patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

    Of 148 patients who otherwise met the inclusion criteria, 114 (77.0%) achieved minimum 2-year follow-up and were included (68.4% were women, mean age 67.9 years, average boderwent DRC compared with those who underwent ASR (21.0% vs 5.8%, p = 0.012) at comparable mean follow-up (38.4 vs 34.9 months, p = 0.072). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ASR had a significant protective effect against RF (OR 0.231, 95% CI 0.051-0.770, p = 0.029).

    This study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of RF among ASD patients treated with ASR, despite greater baseline deformity and higher rate of PSO. These findings suggest that ASR placement may provide benefit to patients who undergo ASD surgery.
    This study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of RF among ASD patients treated with ASR, despite greater baseline deformity and higher rate of PSO. These findings suggest that ASR placement may provide benefit to patients who undergo ASD surgery.Previous studies have examined whether audio-visual integration changes in older age, with some studies reporting age-related differences and others reporting no differences. Most studies have either used very basic and ambiguous stimuli (e.g., flash/beep) or highly contextualized, causally related stimuli (e.g., speech). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cx-5461.html However, few have used tasks that fall somewhere between the extremes of this continuum, such as those that include contextualized, causally related stimuli that are not speech-based; for example, audio-visual impact events. The present study used a paradigm requiring duration estimates and temporal order judgements (TOJ) of audio-visual impact events. Specifically, the Schutz-Lipscomb illusion, in which the perceived duration of a percussive tone is influenced by the length of the visual striking gesture, was examined in younger and older adults. Twenty-one younger and 21 older adult participants were presented with a visual point-light representation of a percussive impact event (i.e., a marimbist striking their instrument with a long or short gesture) combined with a percussive auditory tone. Participants completed a tone duration judgement task and a TOJ task. Five audio-visual temporal offsets (-400 to +400 ms) and five spatial offsets (from -90 to +90°) were randomly introduced. Results demonstrated that the strength of the illusion did not differ between older and younger adults and was not influenced by spatial or temporal offsets. Older adults showed an 'auditory first bias' when making TOJs. The current findings expand what is known about age-related differences in audio-visual integration by considering them in the context of impact-related events.
    As the world faced the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), medical professionals, technologists, community leaders, and policymakers sought to understand how best to leverage data for public health surveillance, as well as community education. With this complex public health problem, North Carolinians relied on data from state, federal, and global health organizations to increase their understanding of the pandemic and guide decision making.

    This study aimed to describe the role that stakeholders involved in COVID-19-related data played in managing the pandemic in North Carolina. The study investigated the processes used by organizations throughout the state in using, collecting, and reporting COVID-19 data.

    The authors used an exploratory qualitative study design to investigate North Carolina's COVID-19 data collection efforts. To better understand these processes, key informant interviews were conducted with employees from organizations that collected COVID-19 data acrossAdditionally, established cross-sector collaboration networks are demonstrably beneficial for public health professionals across the state as these established relationships facilitate a rapid response to evolving public health challenges.

    The UK National Health Service (NHS) classified 2.2 million people as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) during the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, advising them to 'shield' - to not leave home for any reason.

    The aim of this study was to measure the determinants of shielding behaviour and associations with wellbeing in a large NHS patient population, towards informing future health policy.

    Patients contributing to an ongoing longitudinal participatory epidemiology study (LoC-19, n = 42,924) received weekly email invitations to complete questionnaires (17-week shielding period starting 9th April 2020) within their NHS personal electronic health record. Question items focused on wellbeing. Participants were stratified into four groups by self-reported CEV status (qualifying condition) and adoption of shielding behaviour (baselined at week 1 or 2). Distribution of CEV criteria is reported alongside situational variables and uni- and multivariable logistic regression. Longitudinal trends in physical and mental wellbeing were displayed graphically.
    of life are more likely to achieve MCIDs in SRS-22r domains, surgeons should carefully consider whether to operate on patients with relatively good baseline health-related quality of life when making surgical decisions. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that achievement of MCIDs in SRS-22r self-image and function domains was significantly associated with postoperative satisfaction. Given that patients with poor preoperative health-related quality of life are more likely to achieve MCIDs in SRS-22r domains, surgeons should carefully consider whether to operate on patients with relatively good baseline health-related quality of life when making surgical decisions. Rod fracture (RF) after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery is reported in approximately 6.8%-33% of patients and is associated with loss of deformity correction and higher reoperation rates. The authors' objective was to determine the effect of accessory supplemental rod (ASR) placement on postoperative occurrence of primary RF after ASD surgery. This retrospective analysis examined patients who underwent ASD surgery between 2014 and 2017 by the senior authors. Inclusion criteria were age > 18 years, ≥ 5 instrumented levels including sacropelvic fixation, and diagnosis of ASD, which was defined as the presence of pelvic tilt ≥ 25°, sagittal vertical axis ≥ 5 cm, thoracic kyphosis ≥ 60°, coronal Cobb angle ≥ 20°, or pelvic incidence to lumbar lordosis mismatch ≥ 10°. The primary focus was patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Of 148 patients who otherwise met the inclusion criteria, 114 (77.0%) achieved minimum 2-year follow-up and were included (68.4% were women, mean age 67.9 years, average boderwent DRC compared with those who underwent ASR (21.0% vs 5.8%, p = 0.012) at comparable mean follow-up (38.4 vs 34.9 months, p = 0.072). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ASR had a significant protective effect against RF (OR 0.231, 95% CI 0.051-0.770, p = 0.029). This study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of RF among ASD patients treated with ASR, despite greater baseline deformity and higher rate of PSO. These findings suggest that ASR placement may provide benefit to patients who undergo ASD surgery. This study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of RF among ASD patients treated with ASR, despite greater baseline deformity and higher rate of PSO. These findings suggest that ASR placement may provide benefit to patients who undergo ASD surgery.Previous studies have examined whether audio-visual integration changes in older age, with some studies reporting age-related differences and others reporting no differences. Most studies have either used very basic and ambiguous stimuli (e.g., flash/beep) or highly contextualized, causally related stimuli (e.g., speech). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/cx-5461.html However, few have used tasks that fall somewhere between the extremes of this continuum, such as those that include contextualized, causally related stimuli that are not speech-based; for example, audio-visual impact events. The present study used a paradigm requiring duration estimates and temporal order judgements (TOJ) of audio-visual impact events. Specifically, the Schutz-Lipscomb illusion, in which the perceived duration of a percussive tone is influenced by the length of the visual striking gesture, was examined in younger and older adults. Twenty-one younger and 21 older adult participants were presented with a visual point-light representation of a percussive impact event (i.e., a marimbist striking their instrument with a long or short gesture) combined with a percussive auditory tone. Participants completed a tone duration judgement task and a TOJ task. Five audio-visual temporal offsets (-400 to +400 ms) and five spatial offsets (from -90 to +90°) were randomly introduced. Results demonstrated that the strength of the illusion did not differ between older and younger adults and was not influenced by spatial or temporal offsets. Older adults showed an 'auditory first bias' when making TOJs. The current findings expand what is known about age-related differences in audio-visual integration by considering them in the context of impact-related events. As the world faced the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), medical professionals, technologists, community leaders, and policymakers sought to understand how best to leverage data for public health surveillance, as well as community education. With this complex public health problem, North Carolinians relied on data from state, federal, and global health organizations to increase their understanding of the pandemic and guide decision making. This study aimed to describe the role that stakeholders involved in COVID-19-related data played in managing the pandemic in North Carolina. The study investigated the processes used by organizations throughout the state in using, collecting, and reporting COVID-19 data. The authors used an exploratory qualitative study design to investigate North Carolina's COVID-19 data collection efforts. To better understand these processes, key informant interviews were conducted with employees from organizations that collected COVID-19 data acrossAdditionally, established cross-sector collaboration networks are demonstrably beneficial for public health professionals across the state as these established relationships facilitate a rapid response to evolving public health challenges. The UK National Health Service (NHS) classified 2.2 million people as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) during the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, advising them to 'shield' - to not leave home for any reason. The aim of this study was to measure the determinants of shielding behaviour and associations with wellbeing in a large NHS patient population, towards informing future health policy. Patients contributing to an ongoing longitudinal participatory epidemiology study (LoC-19, n = 42,924) received weekly email invitations to complete questionnaires (17-week shielding period starting 9th April 2020) within their NHS personal electronic health record. Question items focused on wellbeing. Participants were stratified into four groups by self-reported CEV status (qualifying condition) and adoption of shielding behaviour (baselined at week 1 or 2). Distribution of CEV criteria is reported alongside situational variables and uni- and multivariable logistic regression. Longitudinal trends in physical and mental wellbeing were displayed graphically.
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  • The most profound of primary immunodeficiencies, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), presents in infancy. Infants appear healthy at birth, but they are unable to clear pathogens, particularly viruses, and present with recurrent infection, progressive pnueumonitis and failure to thrive due to enteric viral infection, often associated with persistent vaccine-strain rotavirus. The administration of live vaccines is contraindicated in these infants, but most who are eligible receive bacillus Calmette-**érin vaccination and the live rotavirus vaccine before the diagnosis of SCID is made, making treatment more complicated. Newborn infants with SCID can be screened using the newborn bloodspot to measure T lymphocyte receptor excision circles (TRECs), episomal DNA formed during T lymphocyte receptor development and very low or absent in SCID. Introduction of this programme in the United Kingdom will require the neonatal BCG vaccination programme to be altered, with vaccination at 28 days, once the SCID screening result is known. Although SCID newborn screening has been successfully introduced in other countries, the change in neonatal BCG vaccination requires the introduction of newborn screening to be carefully introduced. An evaluation of impact of screening on SCID diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, together with an evaluation of the technology used to detect TRECs, and the impact of screening and changes to the BCG programme on families will commence in six screening regions in England in September 2021 for 2 years - should the evaluation prove positive, it is likely that screening for this fatal disease will be introduced across the United Kingdom.COVID-19 has exacted a disproportionate toll on the health of persons living in nursing homes. Healthcare providers and other decision-makers in those settings must refer to multiple evolving sources of guidance to coordinate care delivery in such a way as to minimize the introduction and spread of the causal virus, SARS-CoV-2. It is essential that guidance be presented in an accessible and usable format to facilitate its translation into evidence-based best practice. In this article, we propose the Haddon matrix as a tool well-suited to this task. The Haddon matrix is a conceptual model that organizes influencing factors into pre-event, event, and post-event phases, and into host, agent, and environment domains akin to the components of the epidemiologic triad. The Haddon matrix has previously been applied to topics relevant to the care of older persons, such as fall prevention, as well as to pandemic planning and response. Presented here is a novel application of the Haddon matrix to pandemic response in nursing homes, with practical applications for nursing home decision-makers in their efforts to prevent and contain COVID-19.Microclimatic effects (light, temperature) are often neglected in phenological studies and little information is known about the impact of resource availability (nutrient and water) on tree's phenological cycles. Here we experimentally studied spring and autumn phenology in four temperate trees in response to changes in bud albedo (white-painted vs black-painted buds), light conditions (nonshaded vs c. 70% shaded), water availability (irrigated, control and reduced precipitation) and nutrients (low vs high availability). We found that higher bud albedo or shade delayed budburst (up to +12 d), indicating that temperature is sensed locally within each bud. Leaf senescence was delayed by high nutrient availability (up to +7 d) and shade conditions (up to +39 d) in all species, except oak. Autumn phenological responses to summer droughts depended on species, with a delay for cherry (+7 d) and an advance for beech (-7 d). https://www.selleckchem.com/GSK-3.html The strong phenological effects of bud albedo and light exposure reveal an important role of microclimatic variation on phenology. In addition to the temperature and photoperiod effects, our results suggest a tight interplay between source and sink processes in regulating the end of the seasonal vegetation cycle, which can be largely influenced by resource availability (light, water and nutrients).Our understanding of the linkages between plant diversity and soil carbon and nutrient cycling is primarily derived from studies at the species level, while the importance and mechanisms of diversity effects at the genotype level are poorly understood. Here we examine how genotypic diversity and identity, and associated variation in functional traits, within a common grass species, Anthoxanthum odoratum, modified rhizodeposition, soil microbial activity and litter decomposition. Root litter quality was not significantly affected by plant genotypic diversity, but decomposition was enhanced in soils with the legacy of higher genotypic diversity. Plant genotypic diversity and identity modified rhizodeposition and associated microbial activity via two independent pathways. Plant genotypic diversity enhanced soil functioning via positive effects on variation in specific leaf area and total rhizodeposition. Genotype identity affected both rhizodeposit quantity and quality, and these effects were mediated by differences in mean specific leaf area, shoot mass and plant height. Rhizodeposition was more strongly predicted by aboveground than belowground traits, suggesting strong linkages between photosynthesis and root exudation. Our study demonstrates that functional diversity and identity of plant genotypes modulates belowground carbon supply and quality, representing an important but overlooked pathway by which biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning.
    Staged implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstructive modality following mastectomy. Postoperative implant infections can have a significant impact on adjuvant oncologic care and reconstructive outcome. Here, we investigate the impact of β-lactam antibiotics (i.e., bactericidal) compared to alternative antibiotic agents on postoperative outcomes for implant-based breast reconstruction.

    A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent immediate sub-pectoral tissue expander placement with an inferior acellular dermal matrix (ADM) sling at a single institution between May 2008 and July 2018 was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and complication rates were retrieved. The impact of antibiotic regimen on postoperative outcomes, including infection rate and reconstructive failure, was investigated.

    A total of 320 patients with a mean age and BMI of 48.2 years and 25.0 kg/m
    , respectively, who underwent 542 immediate breast reconstructions were included in the study. The use of a β-lactam antibiotic was protective against postoperative infection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.
    The most profound of primary immunodeficiencies, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), presents in infancy. Infants appear healthy at birth, but they are unable to clear pathogens, particularly viruses, and present with recurrent infection, progressive pnueumonitis and failure to thrive due to enteric viral infection, often associated with persistent vaccine-strain rotavirus. The administration of live vaccines is contraindicated in these infants, but most who are eligible receive bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination and the live rotavirus vaccine before the diagnosis of SCID is made, making treatment more complicated. Newborn infants with SCID can be screened using the newborn bloodspot to measure T lymphocyte receptor excision circles (TRECs), episomal DNA formed during T lymphocyte receptor development and very low or absent in SCID. Introduction of this programme in the United Kingdom will require the neonatal BCG vaccination programme to be altered, with vaccination at 28 days, once the SCID screening result is known. Although SCID newborn screening has been successfully introduced in other countries, the change in neonatal BCG vaccination requires the introduction of newborn screening to be carefully introduced. An evaluation of impact of screening on SCID diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, together with an evaluation of the technology used to detect TRECs, and the impact of screening and changes to the BCG programme on families will commence in six screening regions in England in September 2021 for 2 years - should the evaluation prove positive, it is likely that screening for this fatal disease will be introduced across the United Kingdom.COVID-19 has exacted a disproportionate toll on the health of persons living in nursing homes. Healthcare providers and other decision-makers in those settings must refer to multiple evolving sources of guidance to coordinate care delivery in such a way as to minimize the introduction and spread of the causal virus, SARS-CoV-2. It is essential that guidance be presented in an accessible and usable format to facilitate its translation into evidence-based best practice. In this article, we propose the Haddon matrix as a tool well-suited to this task. The Haddon matrix is a conceptual model that organizes influencing factors into pre-event, event, and post-event phases, and into host, agent, and environment domains akin to the components of the epidemiologic triad. The Haddon matrix has previously been applied to topics relevant to the care of older persons, such as fall prevention, as well as to pandemic planning and response. Presented here is a novel application of the Haddon matrix to pandemic response in nursing homes, with practical applications for nursing home decision-makers in their efforts to prevent and contain COVID-19.Microclimatic effects (light, temperature) are often neglected in phenological studies and little information is known about the impact of resource availability (nutrient and water) on tree's phenological cycles. Here we experimentally studied spring and autumn phenology in four temperate trees in response to changes in bud albedo (white-painted vs black-painted buds), light conditions (nonshaded vs c. 70% shaded), water availability (irrigated, control and reduced precipitation) and nutrients (low vs high availability). We found that higher bud albedo or shade delayed budburst (up to +12 d), indicating that temperature is sensed locally within each bud. Leaf senescence was delayed by high nutrient availability (up to +7 d) and shade conditions (up to +39 d) in all species, except oak. Autumn phenological responses to summer droughts depended on species, with a delay for cherry (+7 d) and an advance for beech (-7 d). https://www.selleckchem.com/GSK-3.html The strong phenological effects of bud albedo and light exposure reveal an important role of microclimatic variation on phenology. In addition to the temperature and photoperiod effects, our results suggest a tight interplay between source and sink processes in regulating the end of the seasonal vegetation cycle, which can be largely influenced by resource availability (light, water and nutrients).Our understanding of the linkages between plant diversity and soil carbon and nutrient cycling is primarily derived from studies at the species level, while the importance and mechanisms of diversity effects at the genotype level are poorly understood. Here we examine how genotypic diversity and identity, and associated variation in functional traits, within a common grass species, Anthoxanthum odoratum, modified rhizodeposition, soil microbial activity and litter decomposition. Root litter quality was not significantly affected by plant genotypic diversity, but decomposition was enhanced in soils with the legacy of higher genotypic diversity. Plant genotypic diversity and identity modified rhizodeposition and associated microbial activity via two independent pathways. Plant genotypic diversity enhanced soil functioning via positive effects on variation in specific leaf area and total rhizodeposition. Genotype identity affected both rhizodeposit quantity and quality, and these effects were mediated by differences in mean specific leaf area, shoot mass and plant height. Rhizodeposition was more strongly predicted by aboveground than belowground traits, suggesting strong linkages between photosynthesis and root exudation. Our study demonstrates that functional diversity and identity of plant genotypes modulates belowground carbon supply and quality, representing an important but overlooked pathway by which biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning. Staged implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common reconstructive modality following mastectomy. Postoperative implant infections can have a significant impact on adjuvant oncologic care and reconstructive outcome. Here, we investigate the impact of β-lactam antibiotics (i.e., bactericidal) compared to alternative antibiotic agents on postoperative outcomes for implant-based breast reconstruction. A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent immediate sub-pectoral tissue expander placement with an inferior acellular dermal matrix (ADM) sling at a single institution between May 2008 and July 2018 was performed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and complication rates were retrieved. The impact of antibiotic regimen on postoperative outcomes, including infection rate and reconstructive failure, was investigated. A total of 320 patients with a mean age and BMI of 48.2 years and 25.0 kg/m , respectively, who underwent 542 immediate breast reconstructions were included in the study. The use of a β-lactam antibiotic was protective against postoperative infection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.
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  • Axis intersection, geometric reconstruction and anatomical criteria guided localization. Complex procedures and rudimental localizers to simplify calculations, and a number of compasses and magnetic or electric devices to aid surgical removal were developed, and are here outlined. Intermittent radiology assessment or combined radiology and surgery procedures started to play a role.

    All these methods and tools are the ancestors of modern navigation systems, ensured by images digitalization and miniaturization technologies.

    Foreign bodies, Mobile Health Units, Radiology, X-Rays, World War I, Wounds and injuries.
    Foreign bodies, Mobile Health Units, Radiology, X-Rays, World War I, Wounds and injuries.
    Pathological alterations in nutritional status may develop in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients through production of inflammatory cytokines and inadequate diet.

    The aim of our study was to determine the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life of COPD patients.

    We evaluated the nutritional status of COPD patients of Hungarian National Koranyi Institute for Pulmonology using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between January 1 and June 1, 2019. Lung function, physical fitness, and respiratory muscle strength were included in the assessment.

    Fifty patients (mean age was 66.3 ± 9.6 years) participated in our study. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.2 ± 6.1 kg/m2 and mean fat-free mass index (FFMI) was 16.8 ± 2.4 kg/m2. Overweight patients had better lung function values (FEV1ref% 46.3 ± 15.2) than normal (FEV1ref% 45.1 ± 20.9) and underweight patients (FEV1ref% 43.8 ± 16.0). The Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) was significantly associated with various parameters; strongest correlation was found with FFMI (r = -0.537, P < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) (r = -0.530, P < 0.001), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (r = -0.481, P < 0.001).

    Our results indicate that malnourished COPD patients may have reduced lung function and lower quality of life compared to normal weight patients. Thus, our findings suggest that nutritional therapy be included in the treatment of COPD patients combined with nutritional risk screening and BIA during the follow-up.
    Our results indicate that malnourished COPD patients may have reduced lung function and lower quality of life compared to normal weight patients. Thus, our findings suggest that nutritional therapy be included in the treatment of COPD patients combined with nutritional risk screening and BIA during the follow-up.An adult, mixed-breed, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV-) positive female cat was presented with mucosal jaundice and a history of anorexia and constipation for three days. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD0530.html Physical examination revealed splenomegaly, cachexia, and dehydration. Humane euthanasia was conducted, followed by postmortem examination. Grossly, the cat was icteric, and presented hepatomegaly with multifocal white spots and splenomegaly. Histologically, the bone marrow was nearly completely replaced by a proliferation of megakaryocytes and megakaryoblasts, and there was a proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. Similar neoplastic proliferation was observed infiltrating the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, skeletal muscle, and lungs. Immunohistochemistry was performed for von Willebrand Factor (VWF), CD79α, CD3, feline immunodeficiency virus, FeLV, and CD61. Marked cytoplasmic labelling was observed in the neoplastic cells for FeLV, VWF and CD61, corroborating the diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia.The purpose of this 30-day feeding study was to elucidate the changes, correlations, and mechanisms caused by the replacement of the starch content of the AIN-93G diet (St) with glucose (G), fructose (F) or lard (L) in body and organ weights, metabolic changes and caecal microbiota composition in rats (Wistar, SPF). The body weight gain of rats on the F diet was 12% less (P = 0.12) than in the St group. Rats on the L diet consumed 18.6% less feed, 31% more energy and gained 58.4% more than the animals on the St diet, indicating that, in addition to higher energy intake, better feed utilisation is a key factor in the obesogenic effect of diets of high nutrient and energy density. The G, F and L diets significantly increased the lipid content of the liver (St 7.01 ± 1.48; G 14.53 ± 8.77; F 16.73 ± 8.77; L 19.86 ± 4.92% of DM), suggesting that lipid accumulation in the liver is not a fructose-specific process. Relative to the St control, specific glucose effects were the decreasing serum glucagon (-41%) concentrotential mechanisms are discussed.Összefoglaló. A fejlett társadalmak egészségügyi rendszereinek legnagyobb kihívását az öregedéssel összefüggő, korfüggő betegségek jelentik. Annak megértéséhez, hogy az egyes genetikai variánsoknak mi a szerepük egy korfüggő betegség kialakulásában, meg kell ismerkednünk magával az öregedési folyamattal, az egészséges hosszú élettel asszociált, valamint az adott populációra jellegzetes variánsokkal is. A Semmelweis Egyetem Genomikai Medicina és Ritka Betegségek Intézete a Nemzeti Bionika Program keretén belül a Magyar Genomikai Egészségtárház felállítását tűzte ki célul, időskoruk mellett is egészséges önkéntesek teljesgenom-szekvenciáinak és kapcsolódó fenotípusadatainak katalogizálásával és elemzésével, létrehozva az első magyar teljes genomi referencia-adatbázist. Fontos szempont volt, hogy a kutatás az egészséges öregedést vizsgáló nemzetközi projektekhez is kapcsolódást biztosítson, így lehetőséget teremtve a különböző országokból származó adatok harmonizálására és közös elemzésére. A kutatás résztvevőinpants also lived a high age, with an average age at death of 74.3 years for fathers and 80.47 years for mothers. The Hungarian Genomic Data Warehouse can provide vital and timely support in personalized medicine, especially in the research and diagnosis of genetically inherited disorders. The long-term goal of these bioinformatic developments is to provide access at multiple levels to the genomic data using privacy-preserving data analysis methods in genomics. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(27) 1079-1088.
    Axis intersection, geometric reconstruction and anatomical criteria guided localization. Complex procedures and rudimental localizers to simplify calculations, and a number of compasses and magnetic or electric devices to aid surgical removal were developed, and are here outlined. Intermittent radiology assessment or combined radiology and surgery procedures started to play a role. All these methods and tools are the ancestors of modern navigation systems, ensured by images digitalization and miniaturization technologies. Foreign bodies, Mobile Health Units, Radiology, X-Rays, World War I, Wounds and injuries. Foreign bodies, Mobile Health Units, Radiology, X-Rays, World War I, Wounds and injuries. Pathological alterations in nutritional status may develop in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients through production of inflammatory cytokines and inadequate diet. The aim of our study was to determine the correlation between nutritional status and quality of life of COPD patients. We evaluated the nutritional status of COPD patients of Hungarian National Koranyi Institute for Pulmonology using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between January 1 and June 1, 2019. Lung function, physical fitness, and respiratory muscle strength were included in the assessment. Fifty patients (mean age was 66.3 ± 9.6 years) participated in our study. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.2 ± 6.1 kg/m2 and mean fat-free mass index (FFMI) was 16.8 ± 2.4 kg/m2. Overweight patients had better lung function values (FEV1ref% 46.3 ± 15.2) than normal (FEV1ref% 45.1 ± 20.9) and underweight patients (FEV1ref% 43.8 ± 16.0). The Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) was significantly associated with various parameters; strongest correlation was found with FFMI (r = -0.537, P < 0.001), skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) (r = -0.530, P < 0.001), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (r = -0.481, P < 0.001). Our results indicate that malnourished COPD patients may have reduced lung function and lower quality of life compared to normal weight patients. Thus, our findings suggest that nutritional therapy be included in the treatment of COPD patients combined with nutritional risk screening and BIA during the follow-up. Our results indicate that malnourished COPD patients may have reduced lung function and lower quality of life compared to normal weight patients. Thus, our findings suggest that nutritional therapy be included in the treatment of COPD patients combined with nutritional risk screening and BIA during the follow-up.An adult, mixed-breed, feline leukaemia virus (FeLV-) positive female cat was presented with mucosal jaundice and a history of anorexia and constipation for three days. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD0530.html Physical examination revealed splenomegaly, cachexia, and dehydration. Humane euthanasia was conducted, followed by postmortem examination. Grossly, the cat was icteric, and presented hepatomegaly with multifocal white spots and splenomegaly. Histologically, the bone marrow was nearly completely replaced by a proliferation of megakaryocytes and megakaryoblasts, and there was a proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. Similar neoplastic proliferation was observed infiltrating the liver, lymph nodes, spleen, kidney, skeletal muscle, and lungs. Immunohistochemistry was performed for von Willebrand Factor (VWF), CD79α, CD3, feline immunodeficiency virus, FeLV, and CD61. Marked cytoplasmic labelling was observed in the neoplastic cells for FeLV, VWF and CD61, corroborating the diagnosis of acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia.The purpose of this 30-day feeding study was to elucidate the changes, correlations, and mechanisms caused by the replacement of the starch content of the AIN-93G diet (St) with glucose (G), fructose (F) or lard (L) in body and organ weights, metabolic changes and caecal microbiota composition in rats (Wistar, SPF). The body weight gain of rats on the F diet was 12% less (P = 0.12) than in the St group. Rats on the L diet consumed 18.6% less feed, 31% more energy and gained 58.4% more than the animals on the St diet, indicating that, in addition to higher energy intake, better feed utilisation is a key factor in the obesogenic effect of diets of high nutrient and energy density. The G, F and L diets significantly increased the lipid content of the liver (St 7.01 ± 1.48; G 14.53 ± 8.77; F 16.73 ± 8.77; L 19.86 ± 4.92% of DM), suggesting that lipid accumulation in the liver is not a fructose-specific process. Relative to the St control, specific glucose effects were the decreasing serum glucagon (-41%) concentrotential mechanisms are discussed.Összefoglaló. A fejlett társadalmak egészségügyi rendszereinek legnagyobb kihívását az öregedéssel összefüggő, korfüggő betegségek jelentik. Annak megértéséhez, hogy az egyes genetikai variánsoknak mi a szerepük egy korfüggő betegség kialakulásában, meg kell ismerkednünk magával az öregedési folyamattal, az egészséges hosszú élettel asszociált, valamint az adott populációra jellegzetes variánsokkal is. A Semmelweis Egyetem Genomikai Medicina és Ritka Betegségek Intézete a Nemzeti Bionika Program keretén belül a Magyar Genomikai Egészségtárház felállítását tűzte ki célul, időskoruk mellett is egészséges önkéntesek teljesgenom-szekvenciáinak és kapcsolódó fenotípusadatainak katalogizálásával és elemzésével, létrehozva az első magyar teljes genomi referencia-adatbázist. Fontos szempont volt, hogy a kutatás az egészséges öregedést vizsgáló nemzetközi projektekhez is kapcsolódást biztosítson, így lehetőséget teremtve a különböző országokból származó adatok harmonizálására és közös elemzésére. A kutatás résztvevőinpants also lived a high age, with an average age at death of 74.3 years for fathers and 80.47 years for mothers. The Hungarian Genomic Data Warehouse can provide vital and timely support in personalized medicine, especially in the research and diagnosis of genetically inherited disorders. The long-term goal of these bioinformatic developments is to provide access at multiple levels to the genomic data using privacy-preserving data analysis methods in genomics. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(27) 1079-1088.
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  • The Arab world has struggled with conflict and political turmoil for several decades, rendering its already underdeveloped mental healthcare system unable to serve the psychiatric needs of victims of violence and trauma, with consequences that extend far beyond the cessation of hostilities. This role has become incumbent on international relief agencies, which have expanded mental health programmes in countries of conflict and refuge. Although their intervention has overall been positive, their mission is usually short term, leaving countries unable to maintain these advantages when the funding ends. The authors advocate for a sustainable framework that emphasises a larger role for regional and local actors. Expertise that is culturally and socially grounded could take the initiative in research, training and deployment in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, allowing for comprehensive development of the mental health sector.China's healthcare is improving together with rapid economic growth. Yet, mental healthcare is lagging behind. Prevalence of perinatal depression is high among women of the one-child generation, but access to qualified care is limited. Chinese healthcare professionals, policy makers and patients alike express concerns about insufficient knowledge among the public as well as healthcare providers regarding mental disorders. There appears to be a general lack of help-seeking behaviour for mental disorders owing to perceived risk of social stigmatisation. Social support through family and friends, use of online resources and community healthcare services are preferred, rather than seeking help from mental health specialists.The transition from trainee early career psychiatrist (ECP) to independent practitioner can be challenging. Upon completion of training in well-equipped academic settings, an ECP from Myanmar is required to serve in a divisional hospital for at least 3 years. Significant challenges are faced by ECPs practising solo in divisional hospitals, including inexperience in administrative aspects, lack of future-proof training, scarcity of resources and facilities, struggles in the provision of holistic biopsychosocial treatment, work-life imbalance, and limited career advancement and access to continuous training. The solutions tried thus far include the incorporation of information and communication technology in training, gathering support and distant supervision from both local and international settings, and task shifting. Bigger challenges are often rewarded by faster growth, and difficult times stimulate creative solutions. The sacrifice of these solo ECPs has significantly improved the mental health service of Myanmar district regions.People with common mental disorders often seek medical attention from their family doctors. Thus, it is essential for family doctors to possess primary mental health knowledge. The aim of this study was to understand whether psychiatrists endorse the primary mental health competencies identified by the World Organization of Family Doctors and whether they agree that family doctors are demonstrating these competencies. A questionnaire was constructed based on 32 core competencies. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/phenol-red-sodium-salt.html Presidents of all World Psychiatric Association member societies were invited to complete the questionnaire or to forward it to local experts. According to the respondents, these competencies are considered relevant yet not sufficiently possessed by typical primary care doctors. Proposals are made to bridge this assumed competency gap.When prolonged social withdrawal was first described in Japan as 'hikikomori', many studies examining its etiology suggested it to be related to factors unique to Japan and thus a culture-bound syndrome. However, existing research has suffered from a lack of standardised definitions, impeding comparability between studies. We summarise existing research and discuss its relevance to psychiatric practice today.We humans thrive on social contact, and conversation is our main means of interaction. Many of us can recall long conversations and having difficulty putting an end to these, but also other times when we may feel aggrieved that the conversation has come to a premature end. We think we can read others' facial expressions and body language, but perhaps we're not so good at this as we think.This paper describes the current state of mental health services in Nepal and reflects on the significant changes over the past decade. The main challenges to overcome are proper implementation of community-based services, the high suicide rate, stigma of mental illness, financial constraints, lack of mental health legislation and proper utilisation of human resources.Human beings seem to be genetically predisposed to take risks in the hope of reward, but in gambling the risks often significantly outweigh the rewards. Should societies and governments attempt to regulate gambling, and how? Two papers in this month's issue of BJPsych International discuss problem gambling in Nigeria and in Malaysia, and how government and society address it.
    A need has been identified for affordable and scalable methods for disseminating cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to countries with barriers to traditional methods of teaching.

    This study evaluated the effectiveness of internet-based teaching versus face-to-face teaching in improving the CBT theory, assessment, and formulation skills of a group of mental health practitioners in Khartoum, Sudan.

    Participants (
    = 36) were randomly assigned to (a) a 3 h live lecture, or (b) a computer-based multimedia recorded lecture of the same duration. Participants were rated before and after training for their ability to assess a simulated patient and construct a CBT formulation of the presenting difficulties. Participants also rated the feasibility and acceptability of the training they had received.

    Both teaching methods resulted in significant improvements in participants' abilities to carry out the assessment and formulation tasks. However, participants allocated to computer-based teaching performed better than those allocated to live teaching (between-groups effect size
    = 0.26-0.74). Both teaching methods were rated as highly acceptable and feasible by participants.

    Computer-based teaching could offer a cheaper and effective method to help disseminate CBT to countries with limited resources and expertise, replacing and supplementing other costly traditional methods such as face-to-face teaching.
    Computer-based teaching could offer a cheaper and effective method to help disseminate CBT to countries with limited resources and expertise, replacing and supplementing other costly traditional methods such as face-to-face teaching.
    The Arab world has struggled with conflict and political turmoil for several decades, rendering its already underdeveloped mental healthcare system unable to serve the psychiatric needs of victims of violence and trauma, with consequences that extend far beyond the cessation of hostilities. This role has become incumbent on international relief agencies, which have expanded mental health programmes in countries of conflict and refuge. Although their intervention has overall been positive, their mission is usually short term, leaving countries unable to maintain these advantages when the funding ends. The authors advocate for a sustainable framework that emphasises a larger role for regional and local actors. Expertise that is culturally and socially grounded could take the initiative in research, training and deployment in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, allowing for comprehensive development of the mental health sector.China's healthcare is improving together with rapid economic growth. Yet, mental healthcare is lagging behind. Prevalence of perinatal depression is high among women of the one-child generation, but access to qualified care is limited. Chinese healthcare professionals, policy makers and patients alike express concerns about insufficient knowledge among the public as well as healthcare providers regarding mental disorders. There appears to be a general lack of help-seeking behaviour for mental disorders owing to perceived risk of social stigmatisation. Social support through family and friends, use of online resources and community healthcare services are preferred, rather than seeking help from mental health specialists.The transition from trainee early career psychiatrist (ECP) to independent practitioner can be challenging. Upon completion of training in well-equipped academic settings, an ECP from Myanmar is required to serve in a divisional hospital for at least 3 years. Significant challenges are faced by ECPs practising solo in divisional hospitals, including inexperience in administrative aspects, lack of future-proof training, scarcity of resources and facilities, struggles in the provision of holistic biopsychosocial treatment, work-life imbalance, and limited career advancement and access to continuous training. The solutions tried thus far include the incorporation of information and communication technology in training, gathering support and distant supervision from both local and international settings, and task shifting. Bigger challenges are often rewarded by faster growth, and difficult times stimulate creative solutions. The sacrifice of these solo ECPs has significantly improved the mental health service of Myanmar district regions.People with common mental disorders often seek medical attention from their family doctors. Thus, it is essential for family doctors to possess primary mental health knowledge. The aim of this study was to understand whether psychiatrists endorse the primary mental health competencies identified by the World Organization of Family Doctors and whether they agree that family doctors are demonstrating these competencies. A questionnaire was constructed based on 32 core competencies. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/phenol-red-sodium-salt.html Presidents of all World Psychiatric Association member societies were invited to complete the questionnaire or to forward it to local experts. According to the respondents, these competencies are considered relevant yet not sufficiently possessed by typical primary care doctors. Proposals are made to bridge this assumed competency gap.When prolonged social withdrawal was first described in Japan as 'hikikomori', many studies examining its etiology suggested it to be related to factors unique to Japan and thus a culture-bound syndrome. However, existing research has suffered from a lack of standardised definitions, impeding comparability between studies. We summarise existing research and discuss its relevance to psychiatric practice today.We humans thrive on social contact, and conversation is our main means of interaction. Many of us can recall long conversations and having difficulty putting an end to these, but also other times when we may feel aggrieved that the conversation has come to a premature end. We think we can read others' facial expressions and body language, but perhaps we're not so good at this as we think.This paper describes the current state of mental health services in Nepal and reflects on the significant changes over the past decade. The main challenges to overcome are proper implementation of community-based services, the high suicide rate, stigma of mental illness, financial constraints, lack of mental health legislation and proper utilisation of human resources.Human beings seem to be genetically predisposed to take risks in the hope of reward, but in gambling the risks often significantly outweigh the rewards. Should societies and governments attempt to regulate gambling, and how? Two papers in this month's issue of BJPsych International discuss problem gambling in Nigeria and in Malaysia, and how government and society address it. A need has been identified for affordable and scalable methods for disseminating cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to countries with barriers to traditional methods of teaching. This study evaluated the effectiveness of internet-based teaching versus face-to-face teaching in improving the CBT theory, assessment, and formulation skills of a group of mental health practitioners in Khartoum, Sudan. Participants ( = 36) were randomly assigned to (a) a 3 h live lecture, or (b) a computer-based multimedia recorded lecture of the same duration. Participants were rated before and after training for their ability to assess a simulated patient and construct a CBT formulation of the presenting difficulties. Participants also rated the feasibility and acceptability of the training they had received. Both teaching methods resulted in significant improvements in participants' abilities to carry out the assessment and formulation tasks. However, participants allocated to computer-based teaching performed better than those allocated to live teaching (between-groups effect size = 0.26-0.74). Both teaching methods were rated as highly acceptable and feasible by participants. Computer-based teaching could offer a cheaper and effective method to help disseminate CBT to countries with limited resources and expertise, replacing and supplementing other costly traditional methods such as face-to-face teaching. Computer-based teaching could offer a cheaper and effective method to help disseminate CBT to countries with limited resources and expertise, replacing and supplementing other costly traditional methods such as face-to-face teaching.
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  • The randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled GiACTA trial demonstrated the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). The present study evaluated the efficacy of TCZ in patients with GCA presenting with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) symptoms only, cranial symptoms only or both PMR and cranial symptoms in the GiACTA trial.

    In GiACTA, 250 patients with GCA received either TCZ weekly or every other week plus a 26-week prednisone taper or PBO plus a 26- or 52-week prednisone taper. This post hoc analysis assessed baseline characteristics, sustained remission rate, number of flares, annualized flare rate, time to flare, cumulative prednisone dose, methotrexate use and safety in patients with PMR symptoms only, cranial symptoms only or both at baseline.

    Overall, 52 patients had PMR symptoms only, 94 had cranial symptoms only and 104 had both symptoms at baseline. At Week 52, rates of sustained remission were significantly higher with TCZ vs PBO in all 3 groups (PMR only, clinical phenotype.Alloxazine phototautomerization is believed to occur through an excited state double proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism involving cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes between Alloxazine and hydroxylic solvents like water and alcohols. In AOT/alkane dispersions in the absence of any polar liquid, Alloxazine molecules reside inside the polar core of the AOT reverse micelle nanoparticles, where they involve in H-bonding with the anionic sulfonate head-groups of the AOT molecules, but are unable to generate the appropriate cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes conducive to ESDPT. However, tautomerization is switched on with addition of water and formation ofwater nano-droplet at the core of reverse micelle. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-05251749.html Evidently, the Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅AOT H-bonds are now replaced by Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅Water H-bonds, promotingESDPT. On the other hand, Alloxazine phototautomerization is hindered in Glycerol, irrespective of whether the latter is in the bulk liquid state or in the form of a polar nano-droplet. This may be explained by steric considerations.A new morpholine functionalized coumarin-based fluorescent probe 1 was easily synthesized. The probe realized the sequentially detecting of Cu2+ and H2S in the HEPES buffer solution (20 mM, pH = 5.0). It made a turn-off fluorescence response to Cu2+ by using a complex formation with a 21 binding mode, and the resulting complex was able to detect H2S according to the displacement approach with a turn-on fluorescence response. The detecting limits of probe 1 for Cu2+ and 1-Cu2+ system for H2S were calculated to be 26 nM and 88.5 nM, respectively. This "on-off-on" recognition process was demonstrated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and using density functional theory calculations. In addition, both cell imaging and co-staining experiments showed that the probe could be utilized to visually detect Cu2+ and H2S in lysosomes.Bituminous coal is used widely for a variety of applications despite causing a range of problems within processes. The complexity and heterogeneity of the molecular structure of coal is one of the reasons for problems during use. Investigation into the molecular structure of the bituminous coal is reported from using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy experiments on four coal samples from coal mines in Northern China. The average lateral sizes (La), stacking heights (Lc) and interlayer spacing (d002) of the coal samples' crystallite structures derived from the XRD ranged from 25.78 to 27.93 Å, 17.27 to 25.88 Å and 3.40 to 3.52 Å, respectively; and the G-D1, ID1/IG and La of the samples ranged from 245.06 to 249.63 cm-1, 2.18 to 2.48 and 18.16 to 20.64 Å, respectively. The FTIR spectra reveals that coal samples incorporate oxygen-containing functional groups, aliphatic functional groups, aromatic functional groups and hydroxyl functional groups. Results show these four coal samples contained a low degree of ordered microcrystalline units with a low degree of aromatic conformation. The samples have the largest proportion of oxygenated functional groups, followed by aromatic structures, aliphatic structures and hydroxyl groups. Results from this study could inform the ongoing study of molecular structural characteristics of bituminous coal as well as help our understanding of properties such as wettability and pore structure.The temperature-dependent IR and Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the phase transitions in Na/K-chromium-azide frameworks with tetramethylammonium (TeMA+) cations, [(CH3)4N]2[NaCr(N3)6] and [(CH3)4N]2[KCr(N3)6], which crystallize in a perovskite-like structure. The phase transition occurring within 310-315 K in both compounds leads to a symmetry change from Pa-3 to Fm-3m and its major contributor is an order-disorder process of the organic cations followed by an adjustment of the azide bridges. The luminescence properties arise from the optically active Cr3+ ions and the studies reveal some admixture of low-symmetry component of the octahedral crystal environment of the Cr3+ sites.Physiologically, Fe(III) and Fe(II) is the most important redox pairs in a variety of biological and environmental procedures with its capability of transition. The detection of physiological iron, especially Fe(II), has become the recent research focus of investigations on revealing the mechanism of iron-related metabolism. In this work, we exploited a novel quinoline-derived fluorescent probe, YTP, for the detection of Fe(II). It could monitor the level of Fe(II) with a linear range of 0-2.0 equivalent and the detection limit of 0.16 µM. High selectivity from other analytes including Fe(III) and steadiness for over 24 h confirmed the practicability of YTP. YTP was further applied in real buffer systems and in cellular imaging. The probe could achieve the semi-quantitative monitoring of Fe(II) in living cells. This work provided a potential implement for the detection of Fe(II), and raised important information for further researches on the redox pairs of iron, in mechanism and in practice.
    The randomized, placebo (PBO)-controlled GiACTA trial demonstrated the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). The present study evaluated the efficacy of TCZ in patients with GCA presenting with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) symptoms only, cranial symptoms only or both PMR and cranial symptoms in the GiACTA trial. In GiACTA, 250 patients with GCA received either TCZ weekly or every other week plus a 26-week prednisone taper or PBO plus a 26- or 52-week prednisone taper. This post hoc analysis assessed baseline characteristics, sustained remission rate, number of flares, annualized flare rate, time to flare, cumulative prednisone dose, methotrexate use and safety in patients with PMR symptoms only, cranial symptoms only or both at baseline. Overall, 52 patients had PMR symptoms only, 94 had cranial symptoms only and 104 had both symptoms at baseline. At Week 52, rates of sustained remission were significantly higher with TCZ vs PBO in all 3 groups (PMR only, clinical phenotype.Alloxazine phototautomerization is believed to occur through an excited state double proton transfer (ESDPT) mechanism involving cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes between Alloxazine and hydroxylic solvents like water and alcohols. In AOT/alkane dispersions in the absence of any polar liquid, Alloxazine molecules reside inside the polar core of the AOT reverse micelle nanoparticles, where they involve in H-bonding with the anionic sulfonate head-groups of the AOT molecules, but are unable to generate the appropriate cyclic intermolecular H-bonded complexes conducive to ESDPT. However, tautomerization is switched on with addition of water and formation ofwater nano-droplet at the core of reverse micelle. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-05251749.html Evidently, the Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅AOT H-bonds are now replaced by Alloxazine⋅⋅⋅⋅Water H-bonds, promotingESDPT. On the other hand, Alloxazine phototautomerization is hindered in Glycerol, irrespective of whether the latter is in the bulk liquid state or in the form of a polar nano-droplet. This may be explained by steric considerations.A new morpholine functionalized coumarin-based fluorescent probe 1 was easily synthesized. The probe realized the sequentially detecting of Cu2+ and H2S in the HEPES buffer solution (20 mM, pH = 5.0). It made a turn-off fluorescence response to Cu2+ by using a complex formation with a 21 binding mode, and the resulting complex was able to detect H2S according to the displacement approach with a turn-on fluorescence response. The detecting limits of probe 1 for Cu2+ and 1-Cu2+ system for H2S were calculated to be 26 nM and 88.5 nM, respectively. This "on-off-on" recognition process was demonstrated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and using density functional theory calculations. In addition, both cell imaging and co-staining experiments showed that the probe could be utilized to visually detect Cu2+ and H2S in lysosomes.Bituminous coal is used widely for a variety of applications despite causing a range of problems within processes. The complexity and heterogeneity of the molecular structure of coal is one of the reasons for problems during use. Investigation into the molecular structure of the bituminous coal is reported from using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy experiments on four coal samples from coal mines in Northern China. The average lateral sizes (La), stacking heights (Lc) and interlayer spacing (d002) of the coal samples' crystallite structures derived from the XRD ranged from 25.78 to 27.93 Å, 17.27 to 25.88 Å and 3.40 to 3.52 Å, respectively; and the G-D1, ID1/IG and La of the samples ranged from 245.06 to 249.63 cm-1, 2.18 to 2.48 and 18.16 to 20.64 Å, respectively. The FTIR spectra reveals that coal samples incorporate oxygen-containing functional groups, aliphatic functional groups, aromatic functional groups and hydroxyl functional groups. Results show these four coal samples contained a low degree of ordered microcrystalline units with a low degree of aromatic conformation. The samples have the largest proportion of oxygenated functional groups, followed by aromatic structures, aliphatic structures and hydroxyl groups. Results from this study could inform the ongoing study of molecular structural characteristics of bituminous coal as well as help our understanding of properties such as wettability and pore structure.The temperature-dependent IR and Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the phase transitions in Na/K-chromium-azide frameworks with tetramethylammonium (TeMA+) cations, [(CH3)4N]2[NaCr(N3)6] and [(CH3)4N]2[KCr(N3)6], which crystallize in a perovskite-like structure. The phase transition occurring within 310-315 K in both compounds leads to a symmetry change from Pa-3 to Fm-3m and its major contributor is an order-disorder process of the organic cations followed by an adjustment of the azide bridges. The luminescence properties arise from the optically active Cr3+ ions and the studies reveal some admixture of low-symmetry component of the octahedral crystal environment of the Cr3+ sites.Physiologically, Fe(III) and Fe(II) is the most important redox pairs in a variety of biological and environmental procedures with its capability of transition. The detection of physiological iron, especially Fe(II), has become the recent research focus of investigations on revealing the mechanism of iron-related metabolism. In this work, we exploited a novel quinoline-derived fluorescent probe, YTP, for the detection of Fe(II). It could monitor the level of Fe(II) with a linear range of 0-2.0 equivalent and the detection limit of 0.16 µM. High selectivity from other analytes including Fe(III) and steadiness for over 24 h confirmed the practicability of YTP. YTP was further applied in real buffer systems and in cellular imaging. The probe could achieve the semi-quantitative monitoring of Fe(II) in living cells. This work provided a potential implement for the detection of Fe(II), and raised important information for further researches on the redox pairs of iron, in mechanism and in practice.
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  • The Li-air battery is expected to become the next generation of the energy storage system because of its high theoretical energy density of 3500 Wh/kg (based on Li2O2 formation at the cathode). CO2 (∼300 ppm) in the air is regarded as an impurity for cathode reactions, because it can lead to the formation of Li2CO3, which increases the overcharge potentials, decreases energy efficiency, and gives rise to the serious decomposition of battery components. However, the impact of a low concentration of CO2 ( less then 1000 ppm) on cell performance has not been addressed. In this work, we quantitatively characterized and analyzed the impact of a low concentration of CO2 on the electrochemical performance of Li-air batteries to investigate the tolerance of Li-air batteries to CO2. The discharge capacities and cyclability of the batteries with CO2 below 100 ppm are similar to those without CO2. The batteries with 0, 50, and 100 ppm of CO2 delivered 85, 88, and 83 cycles, respectively. At the same time, the critical byproduct Li2CO3 was quantified, and its effect on batteries is analyzed by in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with a distribution of relaxation time (DRT) calculation. https://www.selleckchem.com/ This study promises a theoretical basis for developing CO2 removal materials and devices for Li-air batteries in the future.We report a new polymorph of LuRuGe, obtained in indium flux. This phase exhibits the noncentrosymmetric ZrNiAl-type structure with the space group P6̅2m as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This polymorph can convert into another centrosymmetric polymorph (TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma) at high temperatures. We performed electrical transport, magnetization, and specific heat measurements on this new phase. It shows metallic behavior with a Hall sign change from negative at 2 K to positive at 125 K. LuRuGe exhibits Pauli paramagnetism as the ground state with no local magnetic moments from either the Ru or Lu site. The Debye temperature Θ = 348 K and electronic coefficient γe = 3.6 mJ K-2 mol-1 are extracted from the low-temperature specific heat data in LuRuGe. We also carried out first-principles density functional theory calculations to map out the electronic band structure and density of states. There are several electronic bands crossing the Fermi level, supporting a multiband scenario consistent with the Hall sign change. The density of states around the Fermi level is mainly from Ru 4d and Ge 4p electrons, indicating a strong hybridization between those atomic orbitals.Vibrational spectra of 11 clusters of 2-pyridone (2PY) with water, ammonia, and other hydrogen bond-forming molecules have been measured by several experimental groups over the past two decades. Complex vibrational signatures associated with the N-H stretching fundamental at 3 μm are often observed. Several anharmonic coupling schemes have been proposed; however, the origin of these commonly seen complex features remains unclear. In this work, we present our theoretical analysis on the structure and vibrational spectra of these clusters using ab initio random search and ab initio anharmonic algorithms, respectively. Low-energy conformers were found to be hydrogen-bonded clusters and their vibrational spectra at 3 μm were simulated with ab initio anharmonic algorithms. We demonstrate that simple anharmonic mechanisms of Fermi resonance (FR), coupling between NH stretching modes, and overtone/combinations of skeleton modes of 2PY can lead to the complex vibrational signatures observed experimentally. Since this vibrational coupling scheme is inherent to the cis-amides with adjacent N-H and C═O groups when a hydrogen bond is formed with 2PY as the donor and acceptor, we believe that such a phenomenon is general to other hydrogen-bonding systems with the same functional group.Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of proinflammatory enzymes able to mediate the immune responses and the inflammatory cascade by modulating multiple cytokine expressions as well as various growth factors. In the present study, the inhibition of the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is explored as a potential strategy for treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. A computationally driven approach aimed at identifying novel JAK inhibitors based on molecular topology, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was carried out. For the best candidates selected, the inhibitory activity against JAK2 was evaluated in vitro. Two hit compounds with a novel chemical scaffold, 4 (IC50 = 0.81 μM) and 7 (IC50 = 0.64 μM), showed promising results when compared with the reference drug Tofacitinib (IC50 = 0.031 μM).Medical implant-associated infections resulting from biofilm formation triggered by unspecific protein adsorption are the prevailing cause of implant failure. However, implant surfaces rendered with multifunctional bioactive nanocoatings offer a promising alternative to prevent the initial attachment of bacteria and effectively interrupt biofilm formation. The need to research and develop novel and stable bioactive nanocoatings for medical implants and a comprehensive understanding of their properties in contact with the complex biological environment are crucial. In this study, we developed an aqueous stable and crosslinker-free polyelectrolyte-surfactant complex (PESC) composed of a renewable cationic polysaccharide, chitosan, a lysine-based anionic surfactant (77KS), and an amphoteric antibiotic, amoxicillin, which is widely used to treat a number of infections caused by bacteria. We successfully introduced the PESC as bioactive functional nanolayers on the "model" and "real" polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sultaneous protein-repellent and antimicrobial activities, the limitations of individual approaches could be overcome leading to a better and advanced design of various medical devices (e.g., catheters, prosthetics, and stents).Discovery of variant peptides such as a single amino acid variant (SAAV) in shotgun proteomics data is essential for personalized proteomics. Both the resolution of shotgun proteomics methods and the search engines have improved dramatically, allowing for confident identification of SAAV peptides. However, it is not yet known if these methods are truly successful in accurately identifying SAAV peptides without prior genomic information in the search database. We studied this in unprecedented detail by exploiting publicly available long-read RNA sequences and shotgun proteomics data from the gold standard reference cell line NA12878. Searching spectra from this cell line with the state-of-the-art open modification search engine ionbot against carefully curated search databases resulted in 96.7% false-positive SAAVs and an 85% lower true positive rate than searching with peptide search databases that incorporate prior genetic information. While adding genetic variants to the search database remains indispensable for correct peptide identification, inclusion of long-read RNA sequences in the search database contributes only 0.
    The Li-air battery is expected to become the next generation of the energy storage system because of its high theoretical energy density of 3500 Wh/kg (based on Li2O2 formation at the cathode). CO2 (∼300 ppm) in the air is regarded as an impurity for cathode reactions, because it can lead to the formation of Li2CO3, which increases the overcharge potentials, decreases energy efficiency, and gives rise to the serious decomposition of battery components. However, the impact of a low concentration of CO2 ( less then 1000 ppm) on cell performance has not been addressed. In this work, we quantitatively characterized and analyzed the impact of a low concentration of CO2 on the electrochemical performance of Li-air batteries to investigate the tolerance of Li-air batteries to CO2. The discharge capacities and cyclability of the batteries with CO2 below 100 ppm are similar to those without CO2. The batteries with 0, 50, and 100 ppm of CO2 delivered 85, 88, and 83 cycles, respectively. At the same time, the critical byproduct Li2CO3 was quantified, and its effect on batteries is analyzed by in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with a distribution of relaxation time (DRT) calculation. https://www.selleckchem.com/ This study promises a theoretical basis for developing CO2 removal materials and devices for Li-air batteries in the future.We report a new polymorph of LuRuGe, obtained in indium flux. This phase exhibits the noncentrosymmetric ZrNiAl-type structure with the space group P6̅2m as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This polymorph can convert into another centrosymmetric polymorph (TiNiSi-type structure, space group Pnma) at high temperatures. We performed electrical transport, magnetization, and specific heat measurements on this new phase. It shows metallic behavior with a Hall sign change from negative at 2 K to positive at 125 K. LuRuGe exhibits Pauli paramagnetism as the ground state with no local magnetic moments from either the Ru or Lu site. The Debye temperature Θ = 348 K and electronic coefficient γe = 3.6 mJ K-2 mol-1 are extracted from the low-temperature specific heat data in LuRuGe. We also carried out first-principles density functional theory calculations to map out the electronic band structure and density of states. There are several electronic bands crossing the Fermi level, supporting a multiband scenario consistent with the Hall sign change. The density of states around the Fermi level is mainly from Ru 4d and Ge 4p electrons, indicating a strong hybridization between those atomic orbitals.Vibrational spectra of 11 clusters of 2-pyridone (2PY) with water, ammonia, and other hydrogen bond-forming molecules have been measured by several experimental groups over the past two decades. Complex vibrational signatures associated with the N-H stretching fundamental at 3 μm are often observed. Several anharmonic coupling schemes have been proposed; however, the origin of these commonly seen complex features remains unclear. In this work, we present our theoretical analysis on the structure and vibrational spectra of these clusters using ab initio random search and ab initio anharmonic algorithms, respectively. Low-energy conformers were found to be hydrogen-bonded clusters and their vibrational spectra at 3 μm were simulated with ab initio anharmonic algorithms. We demonstrate that simple anharmonic mechanisms of Fermi resonance (FR), coupling between NH stretching modes, and overtone/combinations of skeleton modes of 2PY can lead to the complex vibrational signatures observed experimentally. Since this vibrational coupling scheme is inherent to the cis-amides with adjacent N-H and C═O groups when a hydrogen bond is formed with 2PY as the donor and acceptor, we believe that such a phenomenon is general to other hydrogen-bonding systems with the same functional group.Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of proinflammatory enzymes able to mediate the immune responses and the inflammatory cascade by modulating multiple cytokine expressions as well as various growth factors. In the present study, the inhibition of the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is explored as a potential strategy for treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. A computationally driven approach aimed at identifying novel JAK inhibitors based on molecular topology, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was carried out. For the best candidates selected, the inhibitory activity against JAK2 was evaluated in vitro. Two hit compounds with a novel chemical scaffold, 4 (IC50 = 0.81 μM) and 7 (IC50 = 0.64 μM), showed promising results when compared with the reference drug Tofacitinib (IC50 = 0.031 μM).Medical implant-associated infections resulting from biofilm formation triggered by unspecific protein adsorption are the prevailing cause of implant failure. However, implant surfaces rendered with multifunctional bioactive nanocoatings offer a promising alternative to prevent the initial attachment of bacteria and effectively interrupt biofilm formation. The need to research and develop novel and stable bioactive nanocoatings for medical implants and a comprehensive understanding of their properties in contact with the complex biological environment are crucial. In this study, we developed an aqueous stable and crosslinker-free polyelectrolyte-surfactant complex (PESC) composed of a renewable cationic polysaccharide, chitosan, a lysine-based anionic surfactant (77KS), and an amphoteric antibiotic, amoxicillin, which is widely used to treat a number of infections caused by bacteria. We successfully introduced the PESC as bioactive functional nanolayers on the "model" and "real" polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sultaneous protein-repellent and antimicrobial activities, the limitations of individual approaches could be overcome leading to a better and advanced design of various medical devices (e.g., catheters, prosthetics, and stents).Discovery of variant peptides such as a single amino acid variant (SAAV) in shotgun proteomics data is essential for personalized proteomics. Both the resolution of shotgun proteomics methods and the search engines have improved dramatically, allowing for confident identification of SAAV peptides. However, it is not yet known if these methods are truly successful in accurately identifying SAAV peptides without prior genomic information in the search database. We studied this in unprecedented detail by exploiting publicly available long-read RNA sequences and shotgun proteomics data from the gold standard reference cell line NA12878. Searching spectra from this cell line with the state-of-the-art open modification search engine ionbot against carefully curated search databases resulted in 96.7% false-positive SAAVs and an 85% lower true positive rate than searching with peptide search databases that incorporate prior genetic information. While adding genetic variants to the search database remains indispensable for correct peptide identification, inclusion of long-read RNA sequences in the search database contributes only 0.
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  • An error in the first author's name is corrected.Metatarsophalangeal arthritis of the first ray of the foot, also known as hallux rigidus, is an invalidating cause of walking that is still underestimated. It is associated to a local deformation of the first ray with a limitation of the dorsal mobilization of the joint, affecting thus the propulsion of the foot. Several stages of the disease exist, and symptoms as well as the treatment will depend on the moment of the consultation. In this paper, we present the different clinical pictures and adapted treatments according to the stage of the disease, and we share our results of a new modality of surgery that conserves the articular mobility of the joint.The ambulatory management of end-of-life patients is often a complex and delicate process for general practitioners. It is often difficult for them to tackle the question of the end of life and even more so to plan for it. The Advance Care Planning (ACP) aims overall to anticipate the end of life of patients and to ensure that their choices are respected, thereby improving their quality of life at the end of life. General practitioners could therefore benefit from a tool inspired by the ACP, in an outpatient context. This article presents such a tool, built in the form of a grid now included in an electronic file used by more than 1'500 general practitioners, we hope that this document will be used for the future improvement of the ACP approach by general practitioners with their patients.The disastrous consequences of global warming call for action at every level. Primary care practices have the potential to reduce their carbon footprint by a factor of ten without changing their medical habits. The main options for carbon emissions mitigation are in the areas of heating and transport. Thirteen recommendations for action have been developed with the help of established GPs.This is a selection of some important studies published in 2020 dealing with several key organization and functioning features of family medicine. This year, two literature reviews are presented. They deal with large-scale interventions to strengthen primary care and the view of interprofessional collaboration by professionals other than physicians. A third article focuses on the link between regular visits to the general practitioner and hospitalizations. Finally, it is impossible to avoid an article related to the COVID-19 pandemic this year! This one synthesizes the potential role of primary care in the response to the pandemic.Supervisors in clinical practice need to engage in continuous education so as to acquire the appropriate pedagogical tools to continue improving their teaching abilities. A new monthly « Pedagogical Quality Cercle » (PQC) has recently been developed to provide a virtual and innovative exchange of practices focused on supervisors' difficulties during clinical placements. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/phenol-red-sodium-salt.html The article presents the conceptual framework of PQC and their teaching communities of practice and gives an example of a typical exchange between PQC facilitators and clinical teachers during a session. Future developments of CQP sessions are discussed to show how they will contribute to the improvement of the teaching skills of clinical supervisors in French-speaking Switzerland.General practitioners should be trained to teach their student about conflicts of interest with the private sector. Beyond the common issues linked to biomedical research and publications, the daily repercussions of these conflicts of interest on medical practice and prescribing must be recognized, whether it be about medical representatives, gifts, or continuing medical education. Only with a complete understanding of these daily challenges to professional ethics will it be possible to represent an appropriate "role model" for students.The COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges that sparked a multitude of research questions at the Institutes of Family Medicine in Geneva and Lausanne. This article presents a synthesis of these questions, and the research projects that have resulted from them.LIN28A, an RNA-binding protein, plays an important role in porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the function of LIN28A in the maintenance of pluripotency in piPSCs remains unclear. Here, we explored the function of LIN28A in piPSCs based on its overexpression and knockdown. We performed total RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of piPSCs and detected the expression levels of relevant genes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining. Results indicated that piPSC proliferation ability decreased following LIN28A knockdown. Furthermore, when LIN28A expression in the shLIN28A2 group was lower (by 20%) than that in the negative control knockdown group ( shNC), the pluripotency of piPSCs disappeared and they differentiated into neuroectoderm cells. Results also showed that LIN28A overexpression inhibited the expression of DUSP (dual-specificity phosphatases) family phosphatases and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Thus, LIN28A appears to activate the MAPK signaling pathway to maintain the pluripotency and proliferation ability of piPSCs. Our study provides a new resource for exploring the functions of LIN28A in piPSCs.Intermuscular bones (IBs) are slender linear bones embedded in muscle, which ossify from tendons through a process of intramembranous ossification, and only exist in basal teleosts. IBs are essential for fish swimming, but they present a choking risk during human consumption, especially in children, which can lead to commercial risks that have a negative impact on the aquaculture of these fish. In this review, we discuss the morphogenesis and functions of IBs, including their underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for IB studies and techniques for breeding and generating IB-free fish lines. This review reveals that the many key genes involved in tendon development, osteoblast differentiation, and bone formation, e.g., scxa, msxC, sost, twist, bmps, and osterix, also play roles in IB development. Thus, this paper provides useful information for the breeding of new fish strains without IBs via genome editing and artificial selection.
    An error in the first author's name is corrected.Metatarsophalangeal arthritis of the first ray of the foot, also known as hallux rigidus, is an invalidating cause of walking that is still underestimated. It is associated to a local deformation of the first ray with a limitation of the dorsal mobilization of the joint, affecting thus the propulsion of the foot. Several stages of the disease exist, and symptoms as well as the treatment will depend on the moment of the consultation. In this paper, we present the different clinical pictures and adapted treatments according to the stage of the disease, and we share our results of a new modality of surgery that conserves the articular mobility of the joint.The ambulatory management of end-of-life patients is often a complex and delicate process for general practitioners. It is often difficult for them to tackle the question of the end of life and even more so to plan for it. The Advance Care Planning (ACP) aims overall to anticipate the end of life of patients and to ensure that their choices are respected, thereby improving their quality of life at the end of life. General practitioners could therefore benefit from a tool inspired by the ACP, in an outpatient context. This article presents such a tool, built in the form of a grid now included in an electronic file used by more than 1'500 general practitioners, we hope that this document will be used for the future improvement of the ACP approach by general practitioners with their patients.The disastrous consequences of global warming call for action at every level. Primary care practices have the potential to reduce their carbon footprint by a factor of ten without changing their medical habits. The main options for carbon emissions mitigation are in the areas of heating and transport. Thirteen recommendations for action have been developed with the help of established GPs.This is a selection of some important studies published in 2020 dealing with several key organization and functioning features of family medicine. This year, two literature reviews are presented. They deal with large-scale interventions to strengthen primary care and the view of interprofessional collaboration by professionals other than physicians. A third article focuses on the link between regular visits to the general practitioner and hospitalizations. Finally, it is impossible to avoid an article related to the COVID-19 pandemic this year! This one synthesizes the potential role of primary care in the response to the pandemic.Supervisors in clinical practice need to engage in continuous education so as to acquire the appropriate pedagogical tools to continue improving their teaching abilities. A new monthly « Pedagogical Quality Cercle » (PQC) has recently been developed to provide a virtual and innovative exchange of practices focused on supervisors' difficulties during clinical placements. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/phenol-red-sodium-salt.html The article presents the conceptual framework of PQC and their teaching communities of practice and gives an example of a typical exchange between PQC facilitators and clinical teachers during a session. Future developments of CQP sessions are discussed to show how they will contribute to the improvement of the teaching skills of clinical supervisors in French-speaking Switzerland.General practitioners should be trained to teach their student about conflicts of interest with the private sector. Beyond the common issues linked to biomedical research and publications, the daily repercussions of these conflicts of interest on medical practice and prescribing must be recognized, whether it be about medical representatives, gifts, or continuing medical education. Only with a complete understanding of these daily challenges to professional ethics will it be possible to represent an appropriate "role model" for students.The COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges that sparked a multitude of research questions at the Institutes of Family Medicine in Geneva and Lausanne. This article presents a synthesis of these questions, and the research projects that have resulted from them.LIN28A, an RNA-binding protein, plays an important role in porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the function of LIN28A in the maintenance of pluripotency in piPSCs remains unclear. Here, we explored the function of LIN28A in piPSCs based on its overexpression and knockdown. We performed total RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of piPSCs and detected the expression levels of relevant genes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining. Results indicated that piPSC proliferation ability decreased following LIN28A knockdown. Furthermore, when LIN28A expression in the shLIN28A2 group was lower (by 20%) than that in the negative control knockdown group ( shNC), the pluripotency of piPSCs disappeared and they differentiated into neuroectoderm cells. Results also showed that LIN28A overexpression inhibited the expression of DUSP (dual-specificity phosphatases) family phosphatases and activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Thus, LIN28A appears to activate the MAPK signaling pathway to maintain the pluripotency and proliferation ability of piPSCs. Our study provides a new resource for exploring the functions of LIN28A in piPSCs.Intermuscular bones (IBs) are slender linear bones embedded in muscle, which ossify from tendons through a process of intramembranous ossification, and only exist in basal teleosts. IBs are essential for fish swimming, but they present a choking risk during human consumption, especially in children, which can lead to commercial risks that have a negative impact on the aquaculture of these fish. In this review, we discuss the morphogenesis and functions of IBs, including their underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for IB studies and techniques for breeding and generating IB-free fish lines. This review reveals that the many key genes involved in tendon development, osteoblast differentiation, and bone formation, e.g., scxa, msxC, sost, twist, bmps, and osterix, also play roles in IB development. Thus, this paper provides useful information for the breeding of new fish strains without IBs via genome editing and artificial selection.
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  • Meanwhile, this difference was positively correlated with the extent of hearing impairment, and the correlation was more significant with the ipsilateral superior temporal gyrus in cases of acoustic neuroma. These results suggest that long-term unilateral hearing impairment may lead to enhancement of the visual-auditory network interactions and that the degree of reorganization is positively correlated with the pure tone average (PTA) and is more significant for the ipsilateral superior temporal gyrus, which provides clinical evidence regarding cross-modal plasticity in the UHI and its lateralization.
    Moyamoya disease is a chronic occlusive cerebrovascular disease that can present with either hemorrhagic or ischemic symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the symptomatology of Moyamoya disease differs according to patient demographic groups.

    In this study, we used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to investigate differences in the presentation of Moyamoya disease by age group, gender, and ethnicity from 2012 to 2016. After propensity score matching was utilized to control for overall comorbidity, the matched cohorts for each symptomatology were compared using a Chi-square test with respect to the potential risk factors of interest (i.e. age, sex, ethnicity) in order to generate multivariate reported P-values.

    A total of 4,474 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients presenting with ischemic stroke were more likely to be 65years and older (p<0.001); patients presenting with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were more likely to be 65years and older (p<0.001), male (p=0.027), and Asian (p=0.007); those presenting with seizure were more likely to be less than 10years old (p=0.002) and African American (p<0.001); and those presenting with headache were more likely to be between 10 and 19years old (p=0.008).

    Our findings demonstrate that the distinct presentations of Moyamoya are associated with patient age, gender, and race. This is the largest study of its kind and adds to the collective understanding of this rare but life-threatening condition.
    Our findings demonstrate that the distinct presentations of Moyamoya are associated with patient age, gender, and race. This is the largest study of its kind and adds to the collective understanding of this rare but life-threatening condition.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has a number of emerging neurological manifestations in addition to pneumonia and respiratory distress. In what follows, we describe a case of a previously healthy young man with severe COVID-19 who subsequently developed an acute flaccid paralysis. Work up revealed a lesion in his cervical spinal cord concerning for spinal infarction or transverse myelitis. He received empiric pulsed steroids without improvement. Taken together, we felt his presentation was most consistent with spinal cord infarction in the setting of critical illness with COVID-19. We believe this is a rare case of spinal cord stroke associated with COVID-19.Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) results from compression of the cervical spine cord as a result of age related changes in the cervical spine, and affects up to 2% of adults, leading to progressive disability. Surgical decompression is the mainstay of treatment, but there remains significant variation in surgical approaches used. This survey was conducted in order to define current practice amongst spine surgeons worldwide, as a possible prelude to further studies comparing surgical approaches.
    An electronic survey was developed and piloted by the investigators using SurveyMonkey. Collected data was categorical and is presented using summary statistics. Where applicable, statistical comparisons were made using a Chi-Squared test. The level of significance for all statistical analyses was defined as p < 0.05. All analysis, including graphs was performed using R (R Studio).

    127 surgeons, from 30 countries completed the survey; principally UK (66, 52%) and North America (15, 12%). Respondents were predominantly Neurosurgeons by training (108, 85%) of whom 84 (75%) reported Spinal Surgery as the principal part of their practice. The majority indicated they selected their surgical procedure for multi-level DCM on a case by case basis (62, 49%). Overall, a posterior approach was more popular for multi-level DCM (74, 58%). Region, speciality or annual multi-level case load did not influence this significantly. However, there was a trend for North American surgeons to be more likely to favour a posterior approach.

    A posterior approach was favoured and more commonly used to treat multi-level DCM, in an international cohort of surgeons. Posterior techniques including laminectomy, laminectomy and fusion or laminoplasty appeared to be equally popular.
    A posterior approach was favoured and more commonly used to treat multi-level DCM, in an international cohort of surgeons. https://www.selleckchem.com/Proteasome.html Posterior techniques including laminectomy, laminectomy and fusion or laminoplasty appeared to be equally popular.Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia. Previously, autonomic symptoms or dysfunction have not been reported. To evaluate subclinical autonomic dysfunction regarding thermoregulatory function in SCA, we recorded sympathetic outflow to skin in a DRPLA patient confirmed by genetic analysis. We recorded skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), which was elicited and recorded by using the microneurographical technique. In results, the resting frequency of SSNA bursts was very low (8.2 ± 0.4 bursts/min [institutional normal range 20.8 ± 2.4 bursts/min]). However, acceleration of SSNA bursts induced by mental arithmetic stress was confirmed. The amplitude of reflex bursts induced by electrical stimuli was slightly low (9.6 ± 1.6 μV [institutional normal range 10.9 ± 2.2 μV]), and the reflex latency was mildly prolonged (872 ± 23.7 msec [institutional normal range 761.9 ± 51.7 msec]). These results suggest potentially central autonomic dysfunction in this patient with DRPLA. To our knowledge, this is the first report to record SSNA and confirm subclinical autonomic dysfunction in a case with DRPLA.
    Meanwhile, this difference was positively correlated with the extent of hearing impairment, and the correlation was more significant with the ipsilateral superior temporal gyrus in cases of acoustic neuroma. These results suggest that long-term unilateral hearing impairment may lead to enhancement of the visual-auditory network interactions and that the degree of reorganization is positively correlated with the pure tone average (PTA) and is more significant for the ipsilateral superior temporal gyrus, which provides clinical evidence regarding cross-modal plasticity in the UHI and its lateralization. Moyamoya disease is a chronic occlusive cerebrovascular disease that can present with either hemorrhagic or ischemic symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the symptomatology of Moyamoya disease differs according to patient demographic groups. In this study, we used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to investigate differences in the presentation of Moyamoya disease by age group, gender, and ethnicity from 2012 to 2016. After propensity score matching was utilized to control for overall comorbidity, the matched cohorts for each symptomatology were compared using a Chi-square test with respect to the potential risk factors of interest (i.e. age, sex, ethnicity) in order to generate multivariate reported P-values. A total of 4,474 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients presenting with ischemic stroke were more likely to be 65years and older (p<0.001); patients presenting with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were more likely to be 65years and older (p<0.001), male (p=0.027), and Asian (p=0.007); those presenting with seizure were more likely to be less than 10years old (p=0.002) and African American (p<0.001); and those presenting with headache were more likely to be between 10 and 19years old (p=0.008). Our findings demonstrate that the distinct presentations of Moyamoya are associated with patient age, gender, and race. This is the largest study of its kind and adds to the collective understanding of this rare but life-threatening condition. Our findings demonstrate that the distinct presentations of Moyamoya are associated with patient age, gender, and race. This is the largest study of its kind and adds to the collective understanding of this rare but life-threatening condition.Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has a number of emerging neurological manifestations in addition to pneumonia and respiratory distress. In what follows, we describe a case of a previously healthy young man with severe COVID-19 who subsequently developed an acute flaccid paralysis. Work up revealed a lesion in his cervical spinal cord concerning for spinal infarction or transverse myelitis. He received empiric pulsed steroids without improvement. Taken together, we felt his presentation was most consistent with spinal cord infarction in the setting of critical illness with COVID-19. We believe this is a rare case of spinal cord stroke associated with COVID-19.Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) results from compression of the cervical spine cord as a result of age related changes in the cervical spine, and affects up to 2% of adults, leading to progressive disability. Surgical decompression is the mainstay of treatment, but there remains significant variation in surgical approaches used. This survey was conducted in order to define current practice amongst spine surgeons worldwide, as a possible prelude to further studies comparing surgical approaches. An electronic survey was developed and piloted by the investigators using SurveyMonkey. Collected data was categorical and is presented using summary statistics. Where applicable, statistical comparisons were made using a Chi-Squared test. The level of significance for all statistical analyses was defined as p < 0.05. All analysis, including graphs was performed using R (R Studio). 127 surgeons, from 30 countries completed the survey; principally UK (66, 52%) and North America (15, 12%). Respondents were predominantly Neurosurgeons by training (108, 85%) of whom 84 (75%) reported Spinal Surgery as the principal part of their practice. The majority indicated they selected their surgical procedure for multi-level DCM on a case by case basis (62, 49%). Overall, a posterior approach was more popular for multi-level DCM (74, 58%). Region, speciality or annual multi-level case load did not influence this significantly. However, there was a trend for North American surgeons to be more likely to favour a posterior approach. A posterior approach was favoured and more commonly used to treat multi-level DCM, in an international cohort of surgeons. Posterior techniques including laminectomy, laminectomy and fusion or laminoplasty appeared to be equally popular. A posterior approach was favoured and more commonly used to treat multi-level DCM, in an international cohort of surgeons. https://www.selleckchem.com/Proteasome.html Posterior techniques including laminectomy, laminectomy and fusion or laminoplasty appeared to be equally popular.Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia. Previously, autonomic symptoms or dysfunction have not been reported. To evaluate subclinical autonomic dysfunction regarding thermoregulatory function in SCA, we recorded sympathetic outflow to skin in a DRPLA patient confirmed by genetic analysis. We recorded skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), which was elicited and recorded by using the microneurographical technique. In results, the resting frequency of SSNA bursts was very low (8.2 ± 0.4 bursts/min [institutional normal range 20.8 ± 2.4 bursts/min]). However, acceleration of SSNA bursts induced by mental arithmetic stress was confirmed. The amplitude of reflex bursts induced by electrical stimuli was slightly low (9.6 ± 1.6 μV [institutional normal range 10.9 ± 2.2 μV]), and the reflex latency was mildly prolonged (872 ± 23.7 msec [institutional normal range 761.9 ± 51.7 msec]). These results suggest potentially central autonomic dysfunction in this patient with DRPLA. To our knowledge, this is the first report to record SSNA and confirm subclinical autonomic dysfunction in a case with DRPLA.
    0 Comments 0 Shares 28 Views 0 Reviews

  • Previous research has studied medical professionals' perception of artificial intelligence (AI). However, there has been a limited understanding of how healthcare consumers perceive and use AI-powered technologies such as mobile health apps. We collected 40 popular mobile health apps that claim to have adopted AI, to study how AI is explained in these apps' descriptions, and how users react to it through app reviews. We found that four AI features (Recommendation, Conversational Agent, Recognition, and Prediction) are frequently used across seven health domains, including Fitness, Mental Health, Meditation and Sleep, Nutrition and Diet, etc. Our results show that (1) users have unique expectations toward each AI features, such as including feedback for recommendations, humanlike experience for conversational agents, and accuracy for recognition and prediction; (2) when AI is not adequately described, users make their own attempts to understand AI and to find out how (well) it works.Hospital-acquired pressure ulcer injury (PUI) is a primary nursing quality metric, reflecting the caliber of nursing care within a hospital. Prior studies have used the Braden scale and structured data from the electronic health records to detect/predict PUI while the informative unstructured clinical notes have not been used. We propose automated PUI detection using a novel negation-detection algorithm applied to unstructured clinical notes. Our detection framework is on-demand, requiring minimal cost. In application to the MIMIC-III dataset, the text features produced using our algorithm resulted in improved PUI detection when evaluated using logistic regression, random forests, and neural networks compared to text features without negation detection. Exploratory analysis reveals substantial overlap between key classifier features and leading clinical attributes of PUI, adding interpretability to our solution. Our method could also considerably reduce nurses' evaluations by automatic detection of most cases, leaving only the most uncertain cases for nursing assessment.We apply deep learning-based language models to the task of patient cohort retrieval (CR) with the aim to assess their efficacy. The task ofCR requires the extraction of relevant documents from the electronic health records (EHRs) on the basis of a given query. Given the recent advancements in the field of document retrieval, we map the task of CR to a document retrieval task and apply various deep neural models implemented for the general domain tasks. In this paper, we propose a framework for retrieving patient cohorts using neural language models without the need of explicit feature engineering and domain expertise. We find that a majority of our models outperform the BM25 baseline method on various evaluation metrics.This study developed and evaluated a JSON-LD 1.1 approach to automate the Resource Description Framework (RDF) serialization and deserialization of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) data, in preparation for updating the FHIR RDF standard. We first demonstrated that this JSON-LD 1.1 approach can produce the same output as the current FHIR RDF standard. We then used it to test, document and validate several proposed changes to the FHIR RDF specification, to address usability issues that were uncovered during trial use. This JSON-LD 1.1 approach was found to be effective and more declarative than the existing custom-code-based approach, in converting FHIR data from JSON to RDF and vice versa. This approach should enable future FHIR RDF servers to be implemented and maintained more easily.Pneumonia is the most frequent cause of infectious disease-related deaths in children worldwide. Clinical decision support (CDS) applications can guide appropriate treatment, but the system must first recognize the appropriate diagnosis. To enable CDS for pediatric pneumonia, we developed an algorithm integrating natural language processing (NLP) and random forest classifiers to identify potential pediatric pneumonia from radiology reports. https://www.selleckchem.com/ We deployed the algorithm in the EHR of a large children's hospital using real-time NLP. We describe the development and deployment of the algorithm, and evaluate our approach using 9-months of data gathered while the system was in use. Our model, trained on individual radiology reports, had an AUC of 0.954. The intervention, evaluated on patient encounters that could include multiple radiology reports, achieved a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of0.899, 0.949, and 0.781, respectively.Risky health behaviors such as poor diet, physical inactivity are the main contributors to the development of diabetes, one of the major causes of death and disability in the United States. Online health communities provide new avenues for individuals to efficiently manage their health conditions and adopt a positive lifestyle. So far, analysis of health-related online social exchanges has focused solely on communication content and structure of social ties, ignoring implicit user intentions underlying communication exchanges. In this paper, we propose an analytical framework to characterize communication intent, content, and social ties in online peer interactions. We integrate models from socio-behavioral sciences and linguistics with network analytics and apply it to understand Diabetes Self-Management. Results indicate the informational needs of users expressed in forms of speech acts can vary across different user engagement and disease management profiles. Implications for the design of interventions for better self-management of diabetes are discussed.Medication reconciliation (MR) aims at preventing medication errors at care transitions. It is a complex, time-consuming, cognitively demanding pharmacological task. We have developed a decision support system, EzMedRec, to assist retroactive MR at hospital admission. EzMedRec compares the best possible medication history (BPMH), i.e., all medications taken by the patient before hospitalization, to the list of admission medication orders (AMO). The process includes (i) the decomposition of BPMH and AMO drugs into their active ingredients (AIs), (ii) the detection of medication discontinuations and additions, and (iii) the identification of modified medication orders. The ATC classification is used to semantically enrich MR by comparing discontinued AIs and added AIs and suggesting a potential intentional drug substitution serving the same therapeutic objective. EzMedRec has been evaluated on a sample of 52 actual MRs involving 822 medication order lines, 406 in BPMHs, and 416 in AMOs with a global accuracy of 98,3%.
    Previous research has studied medical professionals' perception of artificial intelligence (AI). However, there has been a limited understanding of how healthcare consumers perceive and use AI-powered technologies such as mobile health apps. We collected 40 popular mobile health apps that claim to have adopted AI, to study how AI is explained in these apps' descriptions, and how users react to it through app reviews. We found that four AI features (Recommendation, Conversational Agent, Recognition, and Prediction) are frequently used across seven health domains, including Fitness, Mental Health, Meditation and Sleep, Nutrition and Diet, etc. Our results show that (1) users have unique expectations toward each AI features, such as including feedback for recommendations, humanlike experience for conversational agents, and accuracy for recognition and prediction; (2) when AI is not adequately described, users make their own attempts to understand AI and to find out how (well) it works.Hospital-acquired pressure ulcer injury (PUI) is a primary nursing quality metric, reflecting the caliber of nursing care within a hospital. Prior studies have used the Braden scale and structured data from the electronic health records to detect/predict PUI while the informative unstructured clinical notes have not been used. We propose automated PUI detection using a novel negation-detection algorithm applied to unstructured clinical notes. Our detection framework is on-demand, requiring minimal cost. In application to the MIMIC-III dataset, the text features produced using our algorithm resulted in improved PUI detection when evaluated using logistic regression, random forests, and neural networks compared to text features without negation detection. Exploratory analysis reveals substantial overlap between key classifier features and leading clinical attributes of PUI, adding interpretability to our solution. Our method could also considerably reduce nurses' evaluations by automatic detection of most cases, leaving only the most uncertain cases for nursing assessment.We apply deep learning-based language models to the task of patient cohort retrieval (CR) with the aim to assess their efficacy. The task ofCR requires the extraction of relevant documents from the electronic health records (EHRs) on the basis of a given query. Given the recent advancements in the field of document retrieval, we map the task of CR to a document retrieval task and apply various deep neural models implemented for the general domain tasks. In this paper, we propose a framework for retrieving patient cohorts using neural language models without the need of explicit feature engineering and domain expertise. We find that a majority of our models outperform the BM25 baseline method on various evaluation metrics.This study developed and evaluated a JSON-LD 1.1 approach to automate the Resource Description Framework (RDF) serialization and deserialization of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) data, in preparation for updating the FHIR RDF standard. We first demonstrated that this JSON-LD 1.1 approach can produce the same output as the current FHIR RDF standard. We then used it to test, document and validate several proposed changes to the FHIR RDF specification, to address usability issues that were uncovered during trial use. This JSON-LD 1.1 approach was found to be effective and more declarative than the existing custom-code-based approach, in converting FHIR data from JSON to RDF and vice versa. This approach should enable future FHIR RDF servers to be implemented and maintained more easily.Pneumonia is the most frequent cause of infectious disease-related deaths in children worldwide. Clinical decision support (CDS) applications can guide appropriate treatment, but the system must first recognize the appropriate diagnosis. To enable CDS for pediatric pneumonia, we developed an algorithm integrating natural language processing (NLP) and random forest classifiers to identify potential pediatric pneumonia from radiology reports. https://www.selleckchem.com/ We deployed the algorithm in the EHR of a large children's hospital using real-time NLP. We describe the development and deployment of the algorithm, and evaluate our approach using 9-months of data gathered while the system was in use. Our model, trained on individual radiology reports, had an AUC of 0.954. The intervention, evaluated on patient encounters that could include multiple radiology reports, achieved a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of0.899, 0.949, and 0.781, respectively.Risky health behaviors such as poor diet, physical inactivity are the main contributors to the development of diabetes, one of the major causes of death and disability in the United States. Online health communities provide new avenues for individuals to efficiently manage their health conditions and adopt a positive lifestyle. So far, analysis of health-related online social exchanges has focused solely on communication content and structure of social ties, ignoring implicit user intentions underlying communication exchanges. In this paper, we propose an analytical framework to characterize communication intent, content, and social ties in online peer interactions. We integrate models from socio-behavioral sciences and linguistics with network analytics and apply it to understand Diabetes Self-Management. Results indicate the informational needs of users expressed in forms of speech acts can vary across different user engagement and disease management profiles. Implications for the design of interventions for better self-management of diabetes are discussed.Medication reconciliation (MR) aims at preventing medication errors at care transitions. It is a complex, time-consuming, cognitively demanding pharmacological task. We have developed a decision support system, EzMedRec, to assist retroactive MR at hospital admission. EzMedRec compares the best possible medication history (BPMH), i.e., all medications taken by the patient before hospitalization, to the list of admission medication orders (AMO). The process includes (i) the decomposition of BPMH and AMO drugs into their active ingredients (AIs), (ii) the detection of medication discontinuations and additions, and (iii) the identification of modified medication orders. The ATC classification is used to semantically enrich MR by comparing discontinued AIs and added AIs and suggesting a potential intentional drug substitution serving the same therapeutic objective. EzMedRec has been evaluated on a sample of 52 actual MRs involving 822 medication order lines, 406 in BPMHs, and 416 in AMOs with a global accuracy of 98,3%.
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