d optimal choice of receiving facility.Non-communicable diseases (NCD) represent an increasing global challenge with the majority of mortality occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Concurrently, many humanitarian crises occur in these countries and the number of displaced persons, either refugees or internally displaced, has reached the highest level in history. Until recently NCDs in humanitarian contexts were a neglected issue, but this is changing. Humanitarian actors are now increasingly integrating NCD care in their activities and recognizing the need to harmonize and enhance NCD management in humanitarian crises. However, there is a lack of a standardized response during operations as well as a lack of evidence-based NCD management guidelines in humanitarian settings. An informal working group on NCDs in humanitarian settings, formed by members of the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and others, and led by the Unitroperly addressed in humanitarian programmes. Decreasing ineffective or harmful healthcare practices (de-implementation) may require different approaches than those used to promote uptake of effective practices (implementation). Few psychological theories differentiate between processes involved in decreasing, versus increasing, behaviour. However, it is unknown whether implementation and de-implementation interventions already use different approaches. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/rsl3.html We used the behaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomy (version1) (which includes 93 BCTs organised into 12 groupings) to investigate whether implementation and de-implementation interventions for clinician behaviour change use different BCTs. Intervention descriptions in 181 articles from three systematic reviews in the Cochrane Library were coded for (a) implementation versus de-implementation and (b) intervention content (BCTs) using the BCT taxonomy (v1). BCT frequencies were calculated and compared using Pearson's chi-squared (χ ), Yates' continuity correction and Fisher's exact test, where approto whether implementation and de-implementation is different will serve to better inform researchers and, subsequently, improve methods for intervention design. Questions remain about long-term outcome for COVID-19 patients in general, and differences between men and women in particular given the fact that men seem to suffer a more dramatic course of the disease. We therefore analysed outcome beyond 90days in ICU patients with COVID-19, with special focus on differences between men and women. We identified all patient ≥ 18years with COVID-19 admitted between March 6 and June 30, 2020, in the Swedish Intensive Care Registry. Patients were followed until death or study end-point October 22, 2020. Association with patient sex and mortality, in addition to clinical variables, was estimated using Cox regression. We also performed a logistic regression model estimating factors associated with 90-day mortality. In total, 2354 patients with COVID-19 were included. Four patients were still in the ICU at study end-point. Median follow-up time was 183days. Mortality at 90-days was 26.9%, 23.4% in women and 28.2% in men. After 90days until end of follow-up, only 11 deaths occurred. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, male sex (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06-1.54) remained significantly associated with mortality even after adjustments. Additionally, age, COPD/asthma, immune deficiency, malignancy, SAPS3 and admission month were associated with mortality. The logistic regression model of 90-day mortality showed almost identical results. In this nationwide study of ICU patients with COVID-19, men were at higher risk of poor long-term outcome compared to their female counterparts. The underlying mechanisms for these differences are not fully understood and warrant further studies. In this nationwide study of ICU patients with COVID-19, men were at higher risk of poor long-term outcome compared to their female counterparts. The underlying mechanisms for these differences are not fully understood and warrant further studies.Radiation nephropathy (RN) is a kidney injury induced by ionizing radiation. In a clinical setting, ionizing radiation is used in radiotherapy (RT). The use and the intensity of radiation therapy is limited by normal-tissue damage including kidney toxicity. Different thresholds for kidney toxicity exist for different entities of RT. Histopathologic features of RN include vascular, glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage. The different molecular and cellular pathomechanisms involved in RN are not fully understood. Ionizing radiation causes double-stranded breaks in the DNA, followed by cell death including apoptosis and necrosis of renal endothelial, tubular and glomerular cells. Especially in the latent phase of RN oxidative stress and inflammation have been proposed as putative pathomechanisms, but so far no clear evidence was found. Cellular senescence, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system and vascular dysfunction might contribute to RN, but only limited data is available. Several signalling pathways have been identified in animal models of RN and different approaches to mitigate RN have been investigated. Drugs that attenuate cell death and inflammation or reduce oxidative stress and renal fibrosis were tested. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system blockade, anti-apoptotic drugs, statins, and antioxidants have been shown to reduce the severity of RN. These results provide a rationale for the development of new strategies to prevent or reduce radiation-induced kidney toxicity. ICU survivorship includes a diverse burden of disease. Current questionnaires used for collecting information about health-related problems and their relation to quality of life lack detailed questions in several areas relevant to ICU survivors. Our aim was to construct a provisional questionnaire on health-related issues based on interviews with ICU survivors and to test if this questionnaire was able to show differences between ICU survivors and a control group. Thirty-two ICU survivors were identified at a post-ICU clinic and interviewed at least six months after ICU discharge. Using an established qualitative methodology from oncology, all dysfunctions and disabilities were extracted, rephrased as questions and compiled into a provisional questionnaire. In a second part, this questionnaire was tested on ICU survivors and controls. Inclusion criteria for the ICU survivors were ICU stay at least 72h with ICU discharge six months to three years prior to the study. A non-ICU-treated control group was obtained from the Swedish Population Register, matched for age and sex.

Algorithms to determine transition probabilities in Monte Carlo simulations are tested using a system of classical particles with effective interactions which reproduce Bose-Einstein statistics. The system is appropriate for testing different Monte Carlo simulation methods in out-of-equilibrium situations since nonequivalent results are produced. We compare mobility numerical results obtained with transition probabilities derived from Glauber and Metropolis algorithms. Then, we compare these with a recent method, the interpolation algorithm, appropriate for nonequilibrium systems in homogeneous substrata and without phase transitions. The results of mobility obtained from the interpolation algorithm are qualitatively verified with molecular dynamics simulations for low concentrations.The Bures-Hall distance metric between quantum states is a unique measure that satisfies various useful properties for quantum information processing. In this work, we study the statistical behavior of quantum entanglement over the Bures-Hall ensemble as measured by von Neumann entropy. The average von Neumann entropy over such an ensemble has been recently obtained, whereas the main result of this work is an explicit expression of the corresponding variance that specifies the fluctuation around its average. The starting point of the calculations is the connection between correlation functions of the Bures-Hall ensemble and those of the Cauchy-Laguerre ensemble. The derived variance formula, together with the known mean formula, leads to a simple but accurate Gaussian approximation of the distribution of von Neumann entropy of finite-size systems. This Gaussian approximation is also conjectured to be the limiting distribution for large dimensional systems.Using high-precision Monte Carlo simulations based on a parallel version of the Wang-Landau algorithm and finite-size scaling techniques, we study the effect of quenched disorder in the crystal-field coupling of the Blume-Capel model on a square lattice. We mainly focus on the part of the phase diagram where the pure model undergoes a continuous transition, known to fall into the universality class of a pure Ising ferromagnet. A dedicated scaling analysis reveals concrete evidence in favor of the strong universality hypothesis with the presence of additional logarithmic corrections in the scaling of the specific heat. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/szl-p1-41.html Our results are in agreement with an early real-space renormalization-group study of the model as well as a very recent numerical work where quenched randomness was introduced in the energy exchange coupling. Finally, by properly fine tuning the control parameters of the randomness distribution we also qualitatively investigate the part of the phase diagram where the pure model undergoes a first-order phase transition. For this region, preliminary evidence indicate a smoothing of the transition to second-order with the presence of strong scaling corrections.It is an established fact that a positive wave number plays an essential role in Turing instability. However, the impact of a negative wave number on Turing instability remains unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of the weights and nodes on Turing instability in the FitzHugh-Nagumo model, and theoretical results reveal genesis of Turing instability due to a negative wave number through the stability analysis and mean-field method. We obtain the Turing instability region in the continuous media system and provide the relationship between degree and eigenvalue of the network matrix by the Gershgorin circle theorem. Furthermore, the Turing instability condition about nodes and the weights is provided in the network-organized system. Additionally, we found chaotic behavior because of interactions between I Turing instability and II Turing instability. Besides, we apply this above analysis to explaining the mechanism of the signal conduction of the inhibitory neuron. We find a moderate coupling strength and corresponding number of links are necessary to the signal conduction.We study quantum chaos and spectral correlations in periodically driven (Floquet) fermionic chains with long-range two-particle interactions, in the presence and absence of particle-number conservation [U(1)] symmetry. We analytically show that the spectral form factor precisely follows the prediction of random matrix theory in the regime of long chains, and for timescales that exceed the so-called Thouless time which scales with the size L as O(L^2), or O(L^0), in the presence, or absence, of U(1) symmetry, respectively. Using a random phase assumption which essentially requires a long-range nature of the interaction, we demonstrate that the Thouless time scaling is equivalent to the behavior of the spectral gap of a classical Markov chain, which is in the continuous-time (Trotter) limit generated, respectively, by a gapless XXX, or gapped XXZ, spin-1/2 chain Hamiltonian.The viscosity tensor of the magnetized one-component plasma, consisting of five independent shear viscosity coefficients, a bulk viscosity coefficient, and a cross coefficient, is computed using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and the Green-Kubo relations. A broad range of Coulomb coupling and magnetization strength conditions are studied. Magnetization is found to strongly influence the shear viscosity coefficients when the gyrofrequency exceeds the Coulomb collision frequency. Three regimes are identified as the Coulomb coupling strength and magnetization strength are varied. The Green-Kubo relations are used to separate kinetic and potential energy contributions to each viscosity coefficient, showing how each contribution depends upon the magnetization strength. The shear viscosity coefficient associated with the component of the pressure tensor parallel to the magnetic field, and the two coefficients associated with the component perpendicular to the magnetic field, are all found to merge to a common value at strong Coulomb coupling.Tunicates are small invertebrates which possess a unique ability to reverse flow in their hearts. Scientists have debated various theories regarding how and why flow reversals occur. Here we explore the electrophysiological basis for reversals by simulating action potential propagation in an idealized model of the tubelike tunicate heart. Using asymptotic formulas for action potential duration and conduction velocity, we propose tunicate-specific parameters for a two-current ionic model of the action potential. Then, using a kinematic model, we derive analytical criteria for reversals to occur. These criteria inform subsequent numerical simulations of action potential propagation in a fiber paced at both ends. In particular, we explore the role that variability of pacemaker firing rates plays in generating reversals, and we identify various favorable conditions for triggering retrograde propagation. Our analytical framework extends to other species; for instance, it can be used to model competition between the sinoatrial node and abnormal ectopic foci in human heart tissue.

Our work provides the first solid evidence for a direct link between the gut microbiome and T2D in a critically high-risk population. In particular, we show that increased T2D risk is reflected in gradual changes in the gut microbiome. Whether or not these T2D-associated changes in the gut contribute to the etiology of T2D or its comorbidities remains to be seen. The majority of the critically ill patients may have critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI). The therapeutic effect of dexamethasone may be related to its ability to improve cortical function. Recent study showed that dexamethasone can reduce COVID-19 deaths by up to one third in critically ill patients. The aim of this article is to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 can attack the adrenal cortex to aggravate the relative adrenal insufficiency. We summarized the clinical features of COVID-19 reported in currently available observational studies. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression was examined in human adrenal glands by immunohistochemical staining. We retrospectively analyzed serum cortisol levels in critically ill patients with or without COVID-19. High percentage of critically ill patients with SARS-COV-2 infection in the study were treated with vasopressors. ACE2 receptor and TMPRSS2 serine protease were colocalized in adrenocortical cells in zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. We collected plasma cortisol concentrations in nine critically ill patients with COVID-19. The cortisol levels of critically ill patients with COVID-19 were lower than those in non-COVID-19 critically ill group. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/PIK-90.html Six of the nine COVID-19 critically ill patients had random plasma cortisol concentrations below 10 µg/dl, which met the criteria for the diagnosis of CIRCI. We demonstrate that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are colocalized in adrenocortical cells, and that the cortisol levels are lower in critically ill patients with COVID-19 as compared to those of non-COVID-19 critically ill patients. Based on our findings, we recommend measuring plasma cortisol level to guide hormonal therapy. We demonstrate that ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are colocalized in adrenocortical cells, and that the cortisol levels are lower in critically ill patients with COVID-19 as compared to those of non-COVID-19 critically ill patients. Based on our findings, we recommend measuring plasma cortisol level to guide hormonal therapy.Several low penetration susceptibility risk loci or genes have been proposed in recent years with a possible causative role for familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC), though the results are still not conclusive or reliable. Among all the candidates, here fully reviewed, a new extremely rare germline variant c.3607A>G (p.Y1203H) of the DUOX2 gene, has been recently reported to co-segregate with the affected members of one non-syndromic FNMTC family. We aimed to validate this finding in our series of 33 unrelated FNMTC Italian families, previously found to be negative for two susceptibility germline variants in the HABP2 and MAP2K5 genes. Unfortunately, the DUOX2 p.Y1203H variant was not found in either the 74 affected or the 12 not affected family members of our series. We obtained interesting data by comparing the clinico-pathological data of the affected members of our kindreds with a large consecutive series of sporadic cases, followed at our site. We found that familial tumors had a statistically significant more aggressive presentation at diagnosis, though not resulting in a worst outcome. In conclusion, we report genetic and clinical data in a large series of FNMTC kindreds. Our families are negative for variants reported as likely causative, namely those lying in the HABP2, MAP2K5 and DUOX2 genes. The extensive review of the current knowledge on the genetic risk factors for non-syndromic FNMTCs underlies how the management of these tumors remains mainly clinical. Despite the more aggressive presentation of familial cases, an appropriate treatment leads to an outcome similar to that observed for sporadic cases. Diabetic sensory neuropathy has rarely been studied in the Asian populations. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of sensory symptoms (SS) in the Taiwanese diabetes patients. A total of 1,400 diabetes patients received a health examination together with a structured questionnaire interview for three categories of abnormal sensation of numbness or tingling pain, electric shock, and skin thickness sensation on seven anatomical sites on upper limbs and six sites on lower limbs. Prevalence of SS was defined using nine different criteria, with the least stringent criterion of "any positive symptom on at least 1 site" and the most stringent criterion of "any positive symptom on at least bilateral and symmetrical 2 sites involving the lower limb." Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios and their 95% confidence interval for SS by the different definitions. Fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A were entered in separate models to avoid hypercollinearity. The prevalence of SS was 14.4 and 54.0% when using the most stringent and least stringent criterion, respectively. Women consistently had a significantly higher prevalence than men did. Among the three categories of symptoms, numbness or tingling pain was the most common, and fingers and toes were the most commonly involved anatomical sites. For any symptoms, 37.1% of the patients had any symptoms on the upper limbs and 41.7% had any symptoms on the lower limbs. Female sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A , and hypertension were associated with SS in all models. Taiwanese diabetes patients may have a high prevalence of SS if a structured questionnaire is used for screening. Female sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A , and hypertension are associated with SS. Taiwanese diabetes patients may have a high prevalence of SS if a structured questionnaire is used for screening. Female sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c, and hypertension are associated with SS. To report the results of our preliminary experience in treating patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with image-guided thermal ablation, in particular estimating the feasibility, safety and short-term efficacy. From 2018 patients with cytologically proven PTMC < 10mm were discussed in a multidisciplinary team and evaluated for feasibility of image-guided thermal ablation. In case of technical feasibility, the three possible alternatives (i.e., image-guided thermal ablation, surgery, and active surveillance) were discussed with patients. Patients who agreed to be treated with image guided thermal ablation underwent radiofrequency (RFA) or laser ablation under local anesthesia and conscious sedation. Treatment feasibility, technical success, technique efficacy, change in thyroid function tests, side effects, minor and major complications, patients satisfaction and pain/discomfort perception during and after treatment, and disease recurrence during follow-up were recorded. A total of 13 patients were evaluated, and 11/13 (84.

Additionally, a cell adhesive CBP-RGD peptide is designed and immobilized on membranes, inducing a 2.2-fold increased cell spreading compared to pristine cellulose. The versatile concept provides a toolbox for the functionalization of cellulose membranes of different origins and architectures with a broad choice in peptides. Functionalization in tris-buffered saline avoids further purification steps, allowing for translational research and multiple applications outside the field of wound dressings. © 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.Caloric restriction (CR) has positive effects on health and longevity. CR in mammals implements time-restricted (TR) feeding, a short period of feeding followed by prolonged fasting. Periodic fasting, in the form of TR or mealtime, improves metabolism without reduction in caloric intake. In order to understand the relative contribution of reduced food intake and periodic fasting to the health benefits of CR, we compared physiological and metabolic changes induced by CR and TR (without reduced food intake) in mice. CR significantly reduced blood glucose and insulin around the clock, improved glucose tolerance, and increased insulin sensitivity (IS). TR reduced blood insulin and increased insulin sensitivity, but in contrast to CR, TR did not improve glucose homeostasis. Liver expression of circadian clock genes was affected by both diets while the mRNA expression of glucose metabolism genes was significantly induced by CR, and not by TR, which is in agreement with the minor effect of TR on glucose metabolism. Thus, periodic fasting contributes to some metabolic benefits of CR, but TR is metabolically different from CR. This difference might contribute to differential effects of CR and TR on longevity. © 2020 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.The study aims to investigate a novel bioink made from Chitosan (Cs)/ poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (Gamma-PGA) hydrogel that takes advantage of the two biodegradable and biocompatible polymers meeting most of the requirements for biomedical applications. The bioink could be an alternative to other materials commonly used in 3D-bioprinting such as gelatin or alginate. Cs/ Gamma-PGA hydrogel was prepared by double extrusion of Gamma-PGA and Cs solutions, where 2 × 105 human adult fibroblasts per ml Cs solution had been loaded, through Cellink 3D-Bioprinter at 37°C. A computer aided design model was used to get 3D-bioprinting of a four layers grid hydrogel construct with 70% infill. Hydrogel characterization involved rheology, FTIR analysis, stability study (mass loss [ML], fluid uptake [FU]), and cell retaining ability into hydrogel. 3D-bioprinted hydrogel gelation time resulted to be less then 60 s, hydrogel structure was maintained up to 36.79 Pa shear stress, FTIR analysis demonstrated Gamma-PGA/Cs interpolyelectrolyte complex formation. The 3D-bioprinted hydrogel was stable for 35 days (35% ML) in cell culture medium, with increasing FU. Cell loaded 3D-bioprinted Cs 6% hydrogel was able to retain 70% of cells which survived to printing process and cell viability was maintained during 14 days incubation. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.A new family of distorted ribbon-shaped nanographenes was designed, synthesized and their optical and electrochemical properties were evaluated, pointing out an unprecedented correlation between their structural characteristics and the two-photon absorption (TPA) responses and electrochemical band gaps.  Three nanographene ribbons have been prepared a seven-membered ring containing nanographene presenting a tropone moiety at the edge, its full-carbon analogue and a purely hexagonal one. We have found that the TPA cross-sections and the electrochemical band gaps of the seven-membered ring containing compounds are higher and lower, respectively, than those of the fully hexagonal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Interestingly, the inclusion of additional curvature has a positive effect in terms of non-linear optical properties of those ribbons. © 2020 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.In contrast to donor factors predicting outcomes of liver transplantation (LT), few suitable recipient parameters have been identified. To this end we performed an in-depth analysis of hospitalization status and duration prior to LT as a potential risk factor for post-transplant outcome. The pre-transplant hospitalization status of all patients undergoing LT between 2005 and 2016 at the Charité-Berlin was analyzed retrospectively using Propensity Score Matching. At the time of organ acceptance 226 of 1134 (19.9%) recipients were hospitalized on an intensive care unit, 146 (12.9%) on a regular ward and 762 patients (67.2%) were at home. Hospitalized patients (regular ward and intensive care unit) showed a dramatically shorter 3-month, 1- and 3-year survival compared to patients from home (78.7% vs. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/sch772984.html 94.4%; 66.3% vs. 87.3%; 61.7% vs. 81.7%; all p 14 days 73.7% vs. 60.5% vs. 51.0%; p=0.04; p=0.006). In conclusion, hospitalization status before transplantation is a valuable predictor of patient survival following LT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.The simple protocol described in this article aims to provide all required information, as a comprehensive, easy-to-follow step-by-step method, to ensure the generation of the expected genome-edited mice. Here, we provide protocols for the preparation of CRISPR-Cas9 reagents for microinjection and electroporation into one-cell mouse embryos to create knockout or knock-in mouse models, and for genotyping the resulting offspring with the latest innovative next-generation sequencing methods. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1 Designing the best RNA guide for your gene disruption/editing strategy Basic Protocol 2 Preparing and validating CRISPR-Cas9 reagents Basic Protocol 3 Preparing and injecting CRISPR-Cas9 compounds into fertilized mouse oocytes Basic Protocol 4 Genotyping genome-edited mice Support Protocol Genotyping for CRISPR-generated "indel" mutations.We describe a highly enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of cross-conjugated cyclohexadienones with cyclopentadiene, in which five stereocenters are effectively controlled by a strongly acidic and confined imidodiphosphorimidate catalyst. Our approach provides tricyclic products in excellent stereoselectivity. We also report methods to convert the obtained products into useful intermediates and a computational study that aids in gaining deeper insight into the reaction mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity. © 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

its unique receptor for human infection. At the same time, aplaviroc, which was used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, may become a new promising treatment for SARS-CoV-2 and could be a potential choice for the development of SARS-CoV-2 drugs. The region from 400-1 100 amino acid in S protein of SARS-CoV-2 is the mutation sensitive part during natural state, which was more potential to mutate than other part in S protein during natural state. The mutated SARS-CoV-2 might tend to target human cells with DPP4 as a new receptor rather than keep ACE2 as its unique receptor for human infection. At the same time, aplaviroc, which was used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, may become a new promising treatment for SARS-CoV-2 and could be a potential choice for the development of SARS-CoV-2 drugs. To evaluate frequency and patterns, risk factors of MSU (monosodium urate) crystal deposition at lower extremity tendon by ultrasonography in gout patients, and to explore diagnostic value by ultrasonography. Patients diagnosed with gout and age matched healthy controls had ultrasound scanning of both feet and knees including joints and tendons (achilles, quadriceps, and patellar tendon). Readers who scored the ultrasound scans for MSU crystal deposition were blinded to the patients' clinical diagnoses. Clinical characteristics were compared between positive and negative crystal deposition groups by US, and risk factors of MSU deposition in tendons were analyzed. Diagnostic values of MSU deposition were evaluated by ultrasonography according with positive MSU crystal in synovial fluid or tophi by polarized microscopy. Eighty patients and eighty healthy controls were included. Thity-three patients (47.5%) had tophi by physical examination. The achilles tendon was the most commonly involved tendon site 41e defined as the golden standard of gout diagnosis. When compared with the golden standard, the sensitivity and specificity were 94.0% and 78.0% separately for MSU deposition at tendon by ultrasonography. Tendon involvement at the lower extremity tendons in gout is very common. Long gout disease duration and high frequency of gout flare are both independent risk factors of tendon MSU deposition by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography had good sensitivity and specificity for detecting tendinous tophi and aggregates. Tendon involvement at the lower extremity tendons in gout is very common. Long gout disease duration and high frequency of gout flare are both independent risk factors of tendon MSU deposition by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography had good sensitivity and specificity for detecting tendinous tophi and aggregates. To develop a software based on "UniDental" system which is a virtual reality dental simulation system and applied to undergraduate majoring in stomatology to improve the ability of identifying caries. A software was developed applying to identify virtual dental caries based on UniDental system. In the software, a virtual dental caries model was designed and carious tissue was separated to 3 layers by the depth. The stiffness was the same within each layer which was increasing gradually layer by layer. The roughness was also the same within each layer which was decreasing gradually layer by layer. Sixty-four participants in pre-clinical stage of the class of 2014 majoring in stomatology from Peking University School of Stomatology were trained with the software. During the training, the students should probe on the virtual dental carious tissue layer by layer and feel the difference of vertical stiffness and horizontal roughness of each layer by using a handpiece with realistic force feedback. After trainiaditional extracted teeth training method. The virtual reality dental simulation system was helpful to improve students' ability of identifying caries. It couldn't replace the traditional extracted teeth training method by now, it should be used as a supplement to the traditional training method. The virtual reality dental simulation system was helpful to improve students' ability of identifying caries. It couldn't replace the traditional extracted teeth training method by now, it should be used as a supplement to the traditional training method. To investigate the correlation between morphological stages of midpalatal suture (MPS) and Demirjian dental age. In this retrospective study, 1 076 cone-beam CT (CBCT) images (female 675, male 401; age range 6.0 to 21.0 years) were included. Horizontal view of each sample's CBCT images was observed, each sample's MPS stage was recorded, and dental age. MPS stage and dental age were ordered with categorical variables. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/wy-14643-pirinixic-acid.html Therefore, their correlation was investigated through Spearman correlation coefficient analysis and diagnostic test analysis. (1) For left lower second premolar 95.2% of those in dental age stage B-D were in MPS 1-2, accounting for the largest proportion. 85.3% of those in dental age stage E were in MPS 1-2, still accounting for the largest proportion. Another 14.7% were in MPS 3.45.1% of those in dental age stage F were in MPS 3, 46.1% in MPS 1-2, and another 8.8% in MPS 4s1.49.8% of those in dental age stage G were in MPS 3.24.9% in MPS 4s1, and 18.9% in MPS 1-2.80.1% of those in dental a second premolar-MPS was the second high (0.64). (5) Dental age stage H of left lower second molar or left lower second premolar indicated that the individual was later than MPS 4s2. Dental age's diagnostic efficiency for MPS stage is ordinary on the whole, except for some pairs with good performance. Therefore, pre-treatment CBCT examination should be considered as assistance for evaluating maturation and fusion status of midpalatal suture. Dental age's diagnostic efficiency for MPS stage is ordinary on the whole, except for some pairs with good performance. Therefore, pre-treatment CBCT examination should be considered as assistance for evaluating maturation and fusion status of midpalatal suture. To measure the weight and volume of normal submandibular gland by detection of glandular body, to compare with the measurement values of CT volume rendering to evaluate the consistency of the two methods, and to explore the related factors affecting the weight and volume of the submandibular gland. The patients who underwent neck dissection due to oral cancer and were confirmed with normal submandibular gland by postoperative histopathology in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from May 2019 to January 2020 were collected in this study and divi-ded into 4 groups according to the age standards raised by the Society of Geriatrics Chinese Medical Association and WHO (2000) age standards. The submandibular gland was carefully dissected along with the capsule immediately after neck dissection. The weight and volume of submandibular gland were accurately measured by an integrated aseptic measuring device. The volume of submandibular gland was measured by CT volume rendering before operation and the consistency of the two methods was evaluated.

Layered lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2, LCO) is the most successful commercial cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. However, its notable structural instability at potentials higher than 4.35 V (versus Li/Li+) constitutes the major barrier to accessing its theoretical capacity of 274 mAh g-1. Although a few high-voltage LCO (H-LCO) materials have been discovered and commercialized, the structural origin of their stability has remained difficult to identify. Here, using a three-dimensional continuous rotation electron diffraction method assisted by auxiliary high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we investigate the structural differences at the atomistic level between two commercial LCO materials a normal LCO (N-LCO) and a H-LCO. These powerful tools reveal that the curvature of the cobalt oxide layers occurring near the surface dictates the structural stability of the material at high potentials and, in turn, the electrochemical performances. Backed up by theoretical calculations, this atomistic understanding of the structure-performance relationship for layered LCO materials provides useful guidelines for future design of new cathode materials with superior structural stability at high voltages.Human stem-cell-derived models provide the promise of accelerating our understanding of brain disorders, but not knowing whether they possess the ability to mature beyond mid- to late-fetal stages potentially limits their utility. We leveraged a directed differentiation protocol to comprehensively assess maturation in vitro. Based on genome-wide analysis of the epigenetic clock and transcriptomics, as well as RNA editing, we observe that three-dimensional human cortical organoids reach postnatal stages between 250 and 300 days, a timeline paralleling in vivo development. We demonstrate the presence of several known developmental milestones, including switches in the histone deacetylase complex and NMDA receptor subunits, which we confirm at the protein and physiological levels. These results suggest that important components of an intrinsic in vivo developmental program persist in vitro. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bda-366.html We further map neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease risk genes onto in vitro gene expression trajectories to provide a resource and webtool (Gene Expression in Cortical Organoids, GECO) to guide disease modeling.Pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons fire together in balanced cortical networks. In contrast to this general rule, we describe a distinct neuron type in mice and rats whose spiking activity is anti-correlated with all principal cells and interneurons in all brain states but, most prevalently, during the down state of non-REM (NREM) sleep. We identify these down state-active (DSA) neurons as deep-layer neocortical neurogliaform cells that express ID2 and Nkx2.1 and are weakly immunoreactive to neuronal nitric oxide synthase. DSA neurons are weakly excited by deep-layer pyramidal cells and strongly inhibited by several other GABAergic cell types. Spiking of DSA neurons modified the sequential firing order of other neurons at down-up transitions. Optogenetic activation of ID2+Nkx2.1+ interneurons in the posterior parietal cortex during NREM sleep, but not during waking, interfered with consolidation of cue discrimination memory. Despite their sparsity, DSA neurons perform critical physiological functions.Rapid execution of motor sequences is believed to depend on fusing movement elements into cohesive units that are executed holistically. We sought to determine the contribution of primary motor and dorsal premotor cortex to this ability. Monkeys performed highly practiced two-reach sequences, interleaved with matched reaches performed alone or separated by a delay. We partitioned neural population activity into components pertaining to preparation, initiation and execution. The hypothesis that movement elements fuse makes specific predictions regarding all three forms of activity. We observed none of these predicted effects. Rapid two-reach sequences involved the same set of neural events as individual reaches but with preparation for the second reach occurring as the first was in flight. Thus, at the level of dorsal premotor and primary motor cortex, skillfully executing a rapid sequence depends not on fusing elements, but on the ability to perform two key processes at the same time.Molecular differences between individual cells can lead to dramatic differences in cell fate, such as death versus survival of cancer cells upon drug treatment. These originating differences remain largely hidden due to difficulties in determining precisely what variable molecular features lead to which cellular fates. Thus, we developed Rewind, a methodology that combines genetic barcoding with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to directly capture rare cells that give rise to cellular behaviors of interest. Applying Rewind to BRAFV600E melanoma, we trace drug-resistant cell fates back to single-cell gene expression differences in their drug-naive precursors (initial frequency of ~11,000-110,000 cells) and relative persistence of MAP kinase signaling soon after drug treatment. Within this rare subpopulation, we uncover a rich substructure in which molecular differences among several distinct subpopulations predict future differences in phenotypic behavior, such as proliferative capacity of distinct resistant clones after drug treatment. Our results reveal hidden, rare-cell variability that underlies a range of latent phenotypic outcomes upon drug exposure.RNA structure heterogeneity is a major challenge when querying RNA structures with chemical probing. We introduce DRACO, an algorithm for the deconvolution of coexisting RNA conformations from mutational profiling experiments. Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 genome using dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MaPseq) and DRACO, identifies multiple regions that fold into two mutually exclusive conformations, including a conserved structural switch in the 3' untranslated region. This work may open the way to dissecting the heterogeneity of the RNA structurome.Gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) comprise key intestinal immune inductive sites, including the Peyer's patches of the small intestine and different types of isolated lymphoid follicle (ILF) found along the length of the gut. Our understanding of human GALT is limited due to a lack of protocols for their isolation. Here we describe a technique that, uniquely among intestinal cell isolation protocols, allows identification and isolation of all human GALT, as well as GALT-free intestinal lamina propria (LP). The technique involves the mechanical separation of intestinal mucosa from the submucosa, allowing the identification and isolation of submucosal ILF (SM-ILF), LP-embedded mucosal ILF (M-ILF) and LP free of contaminating lymphoid tissue. Individual SM-ILF, M-ILF and Peyer's patch follicles can be subsequently digested for downstream cellular and molecular characterization. The technique, which takes 4-10 h, will be useful for researchers interested in intestinal immune development and function in health and disease.

Inhibition of bone resorption is essential for periodontal treatment. Recently, it has been suggested that boric acid suppresses periodontitis, but the mechanism of this inhibition is still not well understood. Therefore, to analyze the cellular response to boric acid administration, we histologically evaluated alveolar bone in experimental periodontitis of rats administered boric acid. 5-0 silk ligatures were placed around the cervix of the second maxillary molars of 4 week-old rats treated with or without boric acid. Five and 14 days after ligature placement, the periodontal tissues between first and second molars were investigated histologically and immunohistochemically using antibodies to CD68, cathepsin K, and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Five days after the beginning of the experiment, many CD68-positive cells appeared in the periodontal tissues with ligature placement without boric acid administration. Also, the number of cathepsin K-positive osteoclasts had increased on the surface of alveolar bone. However, boric acid administration prevented severe bone resorption and reduced the number of cells positive for CD68 and cathepsin K. At day 14 post treatment, cells positive for α-SMA were seen in the periodontal tissues after boric acid administration, whereas no such cells were found around the alveolar bone without the administration of boric acid. Boric acid inhibited the inflammation of ligature-induced periodontitis. This agent might reduce bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and also could accelerate osteoblastogenesis. Boric acid inhibited the inflammation of ligature-induced periodontitis. This agent might reduce bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and also could accelerate osteoblastogenesis. No study has previously investigated and compared whether resin coating could prevent the effect of dehydration on flexural strengths and porosities of high powder-liquid and resin-modified glass ionomer cements (HPL-GIC and RM-GIC). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of resin coating on flexural strengths and porosities of HPL-GIC and RM-GIC under a dry condition. HPL-GIC ( ) or RM-GIC ( ) was mixed and loaded into a mold to create a bar-shaped specimen, n = 12 of each. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups, and , n = 6 of each. In the group, a resin coating agent ( ) was applied and light cured for 20 s. After 72 h, each specimen was dried and scanned to detect porosities (% volume) using micro-computed tomography. After scanning, flexural strength (MPa) of the specimen was tested using a three-point bending method. Porosities of HPL-GIC were significantly higher than RM-GIC, either group ( ). Flexural strengths of and HPL-GIC were 41.47 ± 0.89 and 15.32 ± 1.15 MPa that were significantly lower than those of RM-GIC at 104.77 ± 3.97 and 52.90 ± 2.17 MPa ( ). Flexural strengths of GICs were significantly higher than GICs ( ). Resin coating increased flexural strengths of GICs under dry condition. HPL-GIC had higher porosities and lower flexural strength than RM- GIC. Resin coating increased flexural strengths of GICs under dry condition. HPL-GIC had higher porosities and lower flexural strength than RM- GIC. Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by parathyroid tumors and ossifying fibroma of the jaw. Disease-causing mutations have been localized in the tumor suppressor gene CDC73. This study is designed to highlight the importance of genetic testing in the diagnosis of ossifying fibroma related to this syndrome. The Clinical, histopathological, radiographical, familial and genetic features of 24 patients with Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome were collected by searching the electronic literature PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Science Direct databases combining the MeSH heading terms "Hyperparathyroidism jaw tumor syndrome", with the words "Ossifying fibroma" and "CDC73". The collected features were simply assessed and analyzed. The average age was 28.68 years old (age range 10-66), with 12 male and 12 female patients (11 M/F ratio). https://www.selleckchem.com/products/harringtonine.html Hyperparathyroidism results from parathyroid adenoma in 16/24 cases (66.666%) and parathyroid carcinome in 5/24 (20.833%). Bone pathology occurred most often in the mandible (16/24 cases; 66.666%), while 5/24 cases were in the maxilla (20.883%) and 3 cases in both (12.5%). In 5/24 cases, ossifying fibroma was the first to occur before hypercalcemia. Genetic mutation of CDC73 were positive in 19/24 cases (79.166%). Since the jaw lesions in Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome could proceed the cardinal signs of hyperparathyroidism, its accurate diagnosis needs to depend on clinical, histological, radiographical, family history and most of all the genetic testing for CDC73 gene. Since the jaw lesions in Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome could proceed the cardinal signs of hyperparathyroidism, its accurate diagnosis needs to depend on clinical, histological, radiographical, family history and most of all the genetic testing for CDC73 gene. Even after surgical orthodontic treatment, the level of masticatory function in patients with jaw deformities is still lower than that of healthy subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of functional training program using gum chewing exercise after orthognathic surgery on masticatory function in patients with mandibular prognathism. The study subjects were 16 patients with mandibular prognathism who underwent orthognathic surgery and 8 individuals with normal occlusion. Patients were divided into two groups (training group and non-training group; n = 8 per group). Functional training included gum chewing exercise and patient-education about masticatory function. The training; gum chewing exercise of 5 min twice a day for 90 days, started at 3 months after surgery. For each subject, electromyographic activities of masseter and temporalis muscles during maximum voluntary clenching (MVC) and jaw movement during gum chewing were recorded before and after surgical orthodontic treatment.

Our objective was to describe the development and validation of a survey investigating barriers to weight loss, perception of diabetes risk, and views of diet strategies following gestational diabetes (GDM). The survey underwent three stages of development generation of items, expert evaluation, and pilot testing. A content validation index (CVI) was calculated from expert responses regarding item relevance, coherence, clarity, and response options. Experts also responded to the domain fit of questions linked to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Pilot responders answered the survey and responded to review questions. Six experts in the field of nutrition, midwifery, psychology, or other health or medical research completed the expert review stage of the survey. In the pilot test, there were 20 responders who were women with previous GDM and who were living in Australia. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/guggulsterone.html The overall CVI from the expert review was 0.91. All questions except one received an I-CVI of >0.78 for relevance (n = 35). Fourteen of the 27 items linked to the TDF received an agreement ratio of less then 1.0. Twenty-seven of the 31 pilot questions were completed by ≥90% of responders. Pilot review questions revealed an agreement percentage of ≥86% (n = 12) regarding the survey's ease to complete, understand, importance, length, and interest level. The final survey tool consists of 30 items and achieved content validation through expert evaluation and pilot testing.Increased hepatic gluconeogenesis is one of the main contributors to the development of type 2 diabetes. Recently, it has been reported that growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45 beta (GADD45β) is induced under both fasting and high-fat diet (HFD) conditions that stimulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. Here, this study aimed to establish the molecular mechanisms underlying the novel role of GADD45β in hepatic gluconeogenesis. Both whole-body knockout (KO) mice and adenovirus-mediated knockdown (KD) mice of GADD45β exhibited decreased hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression concomitant with reduced blood glucose levels under fasting and HFD conditions, but showed a more pronounced effect in GADD45β KD mice. Further, in primary hepatocytes, GADD45β KD reduced glucose output, whereas GADD45β overexpression increased it. Mechanistically, GADD45β did not affect Akt-mediated forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) phosphorylation and forskolin-induced cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. Rather it increased FoxO1 transcriptional activity via enhanced protein stability of FoxO1. Further, GADD45β colocalized and physically interacted with FoxO1. Additionally, GADD45β deficiency potentiated insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic gluconeogenic genes, and it were impeded by the restoration of GADD45β expression. Our finding demonstrates GADD45β as a novel and essential regulator of hepatic gluconeogenesis. It will provide a deeper understanding of the FoxO1-mediated gluconeogenesis.In this work, the effect of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as the mixtures of metallic and semiconducting tubes (M + S-SWNTs) as well as highly separated semiconducting (S-SWNTs) and metallic (M-SWNTs) tubes on the photoluminescence (PL) of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) was reported. Two methods were used to prepare such composites, that is, the chemical interaction of the two constituents and the electrochemical polymerization of the 3-hexyl thiophene onto the rough Au supports modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The measurements of the anisotropic PL of these composites have highlighted a significant diminution of the angle of the binding of the P3HT films electrochemical synthetized onto Au electrodes covered with M + S-SWNTs. This change was attributed to metallic tubes, as was demonstrated using the anisotropic PL measurements carried out on the P3HT/M-SWNTs and P3HT/S-SWNTs composites. Small variations in the angle of the binding were reported in the case of the composites prepared by chemical interaction of the two constituents. The proposed mechanism to explain this behavior took into account the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT. The experimental arguments of the functionalization process of CNTs with P3HT were shown by the UV-VIS-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy as well as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). A PL quenching process of P3HT induced both in the presence of S-SWNTs and M-SWNTs was reported, too. This process origins in the various de-excitation pathways which can be developed considering the energy levels diagram of the two constituents of each studied composite.It is a challenge to transmit and store the massive visual data generated in the Visual Internet of Things (VIoT), so the compression of the visual data is of great significance to VIoT. Compressing bit-depth of images is very cost-effective to reduce the large volume of visual data. However, compressing the bit-depth will introduce false contour, and color distortion would occur in the reconstructed image. False contour and color distortion suppression become critical issues of the bit-depth enhancement in VIoT. To solve these problems, a Bit-depth Enhancement method with AUTO-encoder-like structure (BE-AUTO) is proposed in this paper. Based on the convolution-combined-with-deconvolution codec and global skip of BE-AUTO, this method can effectively suppress false contour and color distortion, thus achieving the state-of-the-art objective metric and visual quality in the reconstructed images, making it more suitable for bit-depth enhancement in VIoT.Objectives Increasing national influenza vaccination rates continues to be a challenge for Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the Saudi public perceptions toward seasonal influenza vaccination and their association with the rate of vaccination. Methods Individuals aged 15 years and older were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the seasonal influenza vaccine using a previously developed and validated 19-item online questionnaire. The impact of the participants' perceptions toward the seasonal influenza vaccine on their past influenza vaccination history was assessed using multiple linear regressions. Results The rate of regular vaccination among the 790 surveyed participants was 12.65%, and those who were aged 90%) reported irregular vaccination histories against seasonal influenza. Participants who believed that the influenza vaccine is safe (β = 3.27; 95% CI 2.067 to 5.171; p less then 0.001), efficacious (β = 2.87; 95% CI 1.834 to 4.498; p less then 0.

Rapid advances in front-end separation approaches and analytical technologies have accelerated the development of lipidomics, particularly in terms of increasing analytical coverage to encompass an expanding repertoire of lipids within a single analytical approach. Developments in lipid pathway analysis, however, have somewhat lingered behind, primarily due to (1) the lack of coherent alignment between lipid identifiers in common databases versus that generated from experiments, owing to the differing structural resolution of lipids at molecular level that is specific to the analytical approaches adopted by various laboratories; (2) the immense complexity of lipid metabolic relationships that may entail head group changes, fatty acyls modifications of various forms (e.g. elongation, desaturation, oxidation), as well as active remodeling that demands a multidimensional, panoramic view to take into account all possibilities in lipid pathway analyses. Herein, we discuss current efforts undertaken to address these challenges, as well as alternative form of "pathway analyses" that may be particularly useful for uncovering functional lipid interactions under different biological contexts. Consolidating lipid pathway analyses will be indispensable in facilitating the transition of lipidomics from its prior role of phenotype validation to a hypothesis-generating tool that uncovers novel molecular targets to drive downstream mechanistic pursuits under biomedical settings.A new strategy for the fluorescent and colorimetric sensing of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose based on the metal oxide - carbon-dot hybrid structure was investigated. The sensing system is related to the catalytic oxidation reaction of glucose-by-glucose oxidase (GOx) to H2O2. In this study, a metal oxide hybrid with nitrogen-doped carbon dots (MFNCDs) that showed intrinsic peroxidase-like activity was synthesized and used as a catalyst instead of GOx to oxidize 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to blue-emitting oxidized TMB (oxTMB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The fluorescence of MFNCDs/TMB at 405 nm was quenched in the presence of H2O2 through the inner filter effect (IFE) and electron transfer within MFNCDs, oxTMB, and glucose system. Therefore, the fluorescence and absorbance intensity can be applied to the quantitative determination of the concentration of H2O2 and glucose with a wide linear range. The detection limit for H2O2 and glucose based on the colorimetric method were as low as 84 nM and 0.41 μM, respectively. In contrast, the detection limit for H2O2 and glucose based on the fluorescent method were as low as 97 nM and 0.85 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the colorimetric readout on the paper device based on the changing color of the solution could also be integrated with a smartphone platform to conduct the on-site analysis of glucose without the use of the spectrometer. In addition, this dual sensor can be applied to detect glucose in real serum with highly accurate results, making it a good candidate for biosensor applications.Celiac disease is a complex and autoimmune disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten affecting almost 1% of global population. Nowadays an effective treatment does not exist, and the only way to manage the disease is the removal of gluten from the diet. Owing the key role played by gluten, clear and regulated labelling of foodstuff and smart methods for gluten detection are needed to fight frauds on food industry and to avoid the involuntary ingestion of this protein by celiac patients. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bms-986020.html On that scope, the development of a novel detection system of gluten is here presented. The sensor consists of nanoporous anodic alumina films loaded with a fluorescent dye and capped with an aptamer that recognizes gliadin (gluten's soluble proteins). In the presence of gliadin, aptamer sequences displace from the surface of anodic alumina resulting in pore opening and dye delivery. The dispositive shows a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 μg kg-1 of gliadin, good selectivity and a detection time of approximately 60 min. Moreover, the sensor is validated in real food samples. This novel probe allows fast gluten detection through a simple signalling process with potential use for food control.A fluorescent sensing strategy was developed for rapid, highly sensitive and specific detection of lead (II) ion (Pb2+) on the basis of Pb2+ DNAzyme-controlled tetrahedral DNA nanostructure (TDN)-mediated hyper-branched hybridization chain reaction (hHCR). In this strategy, DNA hairpins used for HCR amplification are modified on the four vertexes of TDN, which are then used to perform rapid TDN-hHCR in the presence of an initiator strand, producing large-sized cross-linked reaction products and thus giving greatly improved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal output. Pb2+ DNAzyme catalyzes the cleavage of the initiator strand, inhibiting the initiation of TDN-hHCR and giving decreased FRET signal. Synergetic signal amplification of Pb2+ DNAzyme-catalyzed cleavage reaction and subsequent TDN-hHCR confers the sensing platform with ultrahigh sensitivity. As low as 0.25 pM Pb2+ can be detected by using either signal "turn-on" or "turn-off" mode. The whole detection process can be finished within 20 min. Strong anti-interference capacity of FRET-based ratiometric detection and high specificity of Pb2+ DNAzyme endow the sensing platform with great practical application potential, which was demonstrated by the accurate detection of Pb2+ in real river water, fruit, vegetable and grain samples.The use of a piezoelectric tube for the photoacoustic gas-phase determination of NO2 as a model analyte is demonstrated. The tube is made from lead zirconate titanate with 30 mm length and 5.35 mm internal diameter. Its inner and outer surfaces are coated with electrodes. The tube serves as both, resonance body and transducer. The design is thus simpler than the usual combination of resonance tube and microphone as the two functions are embodied in the same component. The main resonance frequency of the tube was found to be 5341 Hz. A blue laser diode emitting at 450 nm was employed as light source for the determination of NO2. The limit of detection was determined as 83 ppbV and the calibration curve was linear with a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.9998 up to the highest concentration of 15 ppmV tested.