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An online combination of isotachophoresis (ITP) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was employed on a microchip with a column-coupling technology for the determination of homocysteine in various body fluids. ITP with its high concentration ability was used as a sample pretreatment and injection technique for CZE, which facilitated the rapid and sensitive determination of homocysteine. The resolution of the analyte from other constituents present in real complex samples was enhanced by discrete spacers, which were added to the injected sample. A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) pretreatment technique based on silver- and barium-form resins was used prior to the ITP-CZE analysis to remove high concentrations of chloride and sulfate naturally present in the analyzed samples. The combination of the micropretreatment and microelectrophoresis techniques facilitated the determination of trace concentrations of homocysteine in samples of urine and saliva

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts of teat traumatization on Holstein cows caused by two different types of milking systems (CMS – conventional milking system and AMS – an automatic milking system). The experiments were performed in two locations: at Žabčice School Farm of Mendel University in Brno and at ZEMAX, a. s. in Šitbořice. For the evaluation of the degree of traumatization, thermographic images depicting surface temperatures of teats were used. This paper tested the hypothesis that, at extreme conditions, the teat traumatization of Holstein cows does not depend on used milking system. The hypothesis was disproved by the performed monitoring. From statistical point of view, it was observed that there were significant differences depending on which milking system was used.

The aim of this paper is to introduce and improve the functionality and reliability of the indoor glass-break detectors for the security application. The most vulnerable part of the house security are the windows which are fragile and very easy to overcome. The glass-break or shock detector are generally used to detect the potential intruder by vibration which is spreading through the glass. The alarm is triggered when a threshold level of the vibration is exceeded. However, the further information of the intrusion is missing. The goal of this paper is a design of a glass-break detector based on the accelerometer which can also detect the vibration in the glass panels with higher accuracy. The main advantage of the implemented accelerometer is the ability to sense several influences of the environment. The program can reliably distinguish between main influences like the rain, storm or strong wind. This function can also be used for the non-alarm application. However, the main function is still focused on the security application. The designed detector should be able to communicate with commercially made Control and Indicating Equipment via the wired connection.

The 3D reconstruction and visualization of crime scenarios, such as criminal assaults, traffic accidents or homicides are defining a new approach with potential for increasing effectiveness within the criminal investigation process. Modern 3D capturing and processing methods are utilized to create an authentic and immersive virtual environment. Nonetheless, an immersion to virtual environment enables different levels of view. Virtual reality immersion views which are proposed and described. These views are specific by reasons of its role within the criminal investigation as well as its technical severity. Moreover, the possible methods for the design of proposed virtual views are analyzed and the next research steps are exposed.

Reconstruction of extrahepatic bile ducts is a staple procedure of HPB surgery. The current standard for most cases is a nonanatomical bilioenteric reconstruction, a satisfactory option for the majority of patients. However, it cannot be used for a small number of selective cases (short bowel syndrome, severe abdominal adhesions), where an anatomical reconstruction with or without an interponate can be used. This review summarizes current knowledge about tissue and material usage for experimental and clinical anatomical bile duct reconstruction in the last 100 years. A Pubmed database was searched for published articles about anatomical extrahepatic bile duct reconstruction in experimental and clinical settings ranging from 1920 to 2022. To date, the truly optimal interponate material has not yet been found. However, evidence reveals important properties of such material, most importantly its biodegradability and neovascularization in the recipient's body. The role of internal bile duct stenting for anatomical reconstruction seems important for the outcome. Anatomical reconstruction of extrahepatic bile ducts is an uncommon but usable technique in unique cases when a nonanatomical reconstruction cannot be done. The optimal properties of interponate material for anatomical bile duct reconstruction have been more clarified, although further research is required., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery.)

Anti-PP1P K alloimmunization is rare given ubiquitous P1PK expression. Prevention of recurrent miscarriages and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) in pregnant individuals with anti-PP1P K antibodies has relied upon individual reports. Here, we demonstrate the successful management of maternal anti-PP1P K alloimmunization in a 23-year-old, G2P0010, with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and monitoring of anti-PP1P k titers. Twice-weekly TPE (1.5 plasma volume [PV], 5% albumin replacement) with weekly titers and IVIG (1 g/kg) was initiated at 9 weeks of gestation (WG). The threshold titer was ≥16. Weekly middle cerebral artery-peak systolic velocities (MCA-PSV) for fetal anemia monitoring was initiated at 16 WG. PVs were adjusted throughout pregnancy based on treatment schedule, titers, and available albumin. Antigen-negative, ABO-compatible RBCs were obtained through the rare donor program and directed donation. An autologous blood autotransfusion system was reserved for delivery. Titers decreased from 128 to 8 by 10 WG. MCA-PSV remained stable. At 24 WG, TPE decreased to once weekly. After titers increased to 32, twice-weekly TPE resumed at 27 WG. Induction of labor was scheduled at 38 WG. Vaginal delivery of a 2950 g neonate (APGAR score: 9, 9) occurred without complication (Cord blood: 1+ IgG DAT; Anti-PP1P k eluted). Newborn hemoglobin and bilirubin were unremarkable. Discharge occurred postpartum day 2. Anti-PP1P k alloimmunization is rare but associated with recurrent miscarriages and HDFN. With multidisciplinary care, a successful pregnancy is possible with IVIG and TPE adjusted to PV and titers. We also propose a patient registry and comprehensive management plan., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background Aims: Since the standardization of CD34 measurement by flow cytometry, predictors of leukapheresis CD34 yield have played a pivotal role in planning donor leukaphereses. We describe here a single institution's experience with a multivariate predictor that was used for 2,929 products without alteration for 20 years., Methods: The ordinary least squares regression model variables included log peripheral CD34 count, collection duration (3- versus 4-hours), collection number, donor sex, and transplant type., Results: During the study period we changed flow cytometers twice and leukapheresis instruments once. During the Cobe Spectra era the predictor explained 90% of the variability in CD34 collection yield for autologous transplants (r 2 = 0.90), and 70% for allogeneic transplants with an overall sensitivity to predict a CD34 yield of ≥ 1 × 10 6 /kg of 97.7%, and specificity of 81.4%., Conclusions: Implemented prospectively with real-time result reporting, the model allowed us to predict CD34 yield with both 3- and 4-hour collection scenarios. Given this guidance, 3-hour collections were selected by the clinical team 25% of the time, saving patient leukapheresis time and resources. When faced with a prediction of < 1 × 10 6 CD34/kg, the clinical team chose to defer collection 72% of the time. In instances where leukapheresis was performed despite a poor predicted outcome, 85% of patients collected on the Cobe Spectra, and 92% of patients collected on the Optia, failed to collect at least 1 × 10 6 CD34/kg. A revised model is tested retrospectively on Optia data, and suggestions for further improvements are discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A styrene-butadiene-styrene co-polymer matrix nanocomposite filled with graphene nanoplatelets was studied to prepare chemiresistive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) room temperature sensors with considerable response and selectivity. Nanofiller concentration was estimated from the electrical conductivity percolation behaviour of the nanocomposite. Fabricated sensors provided selective relative responses to representative VOCs differing by orders of magnitude. Maximum observed average relative responses upon exposure to saturated vapours of the tested VOCs were ca. 23% for ethanol, 1600% for acetone, and the giant values were 9 × 10 6 % for n-heptane and 10 × 10 6 % for toluene. The insensitivity of the sensor to the direct saturated water vapour exposure was verified. Although high humidity decreases the sensor's response, it paradoxically enhances the resolution between hydrocarbons and polar organics. The non-trivial sensing mechanism is explained using the Hansen solubility parameters (HSP), enabling a rational design of new sensors; thus, the HSP-based class of sensors is outlined.

In this work, we demonstrate a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of piperazine antihistamine drugs employing innovative electrochemical detection based on a spark-generated nickel oxide nanoparticle-modified carbon fiber microelectrode built into a miniaturized electrochemical detector. The direct carbon fiber-to-nickel plate electrode spark discharge, carried at 0.8 kV DC, with the nickel electrode connected to the negative pole of the high-voltage power supply, provides extremely fast (1 s) in situ tailoring of the carbon fiber microelectrode surface by nickel oxide nanoparticles. It has been found that nickel oxide nanoparticles exhibit an electrocatalytic effect toward the piperazine moiety electrooxidation process, as confirmed by voltammetric experiments, revealing the shift in the peak potential from 1.25 to 1.09 V versus Ag/AgCl. Cetirizine, cyclizine, chlorcyclizine, flunarizine, meclizine, and buclizine were selected as sample piperazine antihistamine drugs, while diclofenac served as an internal standard. The isocratic reversed-phase separation of the above set was achieved within 15 min using an ARION-CN 3 μm column with a binary mobile phase consisting of 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 3) and methanol (45/55, v/v). The limits of detection (LOD) were within the range of 3.8-120 nM (for cyclizine and buclizine) at E = +1500 mV (vs Ag/AgCl), while the response was linear within the concentration range measured up to 5 μmol L -1 . The method was successfully applied to the determination of piperazine antihistamine drugs in spiked plasma samples., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

The aim of the current research was to develop a simple and rapid mass spectrometry-based assay for the determination of 15 steroid hormones in human plasma in a single run, which would be suitable for a routine practice setting. For this purpose, we designed a procedure based on the 2D-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a minimalistic sample pre-treatment. In our arrangement, the preparation of one sample takes only 10 min and can accommodate 40 samples per hour when tested in series. The following analytical run is 18 min long for all steroid hormones. In addition, we developed an independent analytical run for estradiol, significantly increasing the assay accuracy while taking an additional 10 min to perform an analytical run of a sample. The optimized method was applied to a set of human plasma samples, including chylous. Our results indicate the linearity of the method for all steroid hormones with squared regression coefficients R 2 ≥ 0.995, within-run and between-run precision (RSD < 6.4%), and an accuracy of 92.9% to 106.2%. The absolute recovery for each analyzed steroid hormone ranged between 101.6% and 116.5%. The method detection limit for 15 steroid hormones ranged between 0.008 nmol/L (2.88 pg/mL) for aldosterone and 0.873 nmol/L (0.252 ng/mL) for DHEA. For all the analytes, the lowest calibration point relative standard deviation was less than 10.8%, indicating a good precision of the assay within the lowest concentration of interest. In conclusion, in this method article, we describe a simple, sensitive, and cost-effective 2D-LC/MS/MS method suitable for the routine analysis of a complex of steroid hormones allowing high analytical specificity and sensitivity despite minimal sample processing and short throughput times.

New anti -octadecaborane(22) laser dyes have been recently introduced. However, their application in solid thin films is limited, despite being very desirable for electronics. Spectroscopic methods, photoluminescence (PL), and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS), are here used to reveal structural responses to a temperature change in thin polymer films made of π- and σ-conjugated and non-conjugated polymers and anti -octadecaborane(22) and its tetra-alkylatedderivatives. It has been observed that borane clusters are not firmly fixed within polymer matrices and that their ability for diffusion out of the polymer film is unprecedented, especially at higher temperatures. This ability is related to thermodynamic transitions of polymer macromolecular chains. PL and IRRAS spectra have revealed a clear correlation with β-transition and α-transition of polymers. The influence of structure and molecular weight of a polymer and the concentration and the substitution type of clusters on mobility of borane clusters within the polymer matrix is demonstrated. A solution is proposed that led to an improvement of the temperature stability of films by 45 °C. The well-known spectroscopic methods have proved to be powerful tools for a non-routine description of the temperature behavior of both borane clusters and polymer matrices.

Background: Consensus guidelines recommend that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) should be started within 4 to 8 hours after the diagnosis of suspected acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). This study aimed to audit the steps from diagnosis to initiation of plasma exchange at a centralized apheresis service., Methods: A retrospective review of the electronic medical record and laboratory information systems from January 1, 2014 to August 31, 2017 was conducted to identify all patients with suspected aTTP undergoing TPE. Demographics, comorbidities, pertinent laboratory tests, and temporal TPE procedural data were collected., Results: The median (5th-95th percentile) time from request to initiation of TPE was 5.4 (3.2-10.6) hours. TPE was initiated within 8 hours in 94 of the 108 patients (87.0%). The median (5th-95th percentile) time from request to central venous access was 2.5 (0.5-6.9) hours and from request to plasma product issuance from the blood bank was 3.4 (1.6-8.1) hours. aTTP patients in whom TPE was initiated greater than 6 hours from request did not have worse outcomes compared to those with TPE initiation within 6 hours: in-hospital mortality (2/14 [14.3%] vs 2/21 [9.5%], P = 0.66), median length of stay (9.0 [4.7-44.1] vs 8.3 [3.9-27.0] days, P = 0.76), and median number of days to durable platelet count recovery (4.5 [2.0-9.0] vs 4.0 [2.0-18.0] days, P = 0.66)., Conclusions: The 4 to 8-hour target window from TPE request to initiation appears feasible for a centralized apheresis program servicing a large healthcare system., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Here, we present an integrated approach to the weakly viscoelastic fluid printability assessment by using global dimensionless criteria (DC). The problem was studied on a model semidiluted polyvinylpyrrolidone water-based ink. For the study purpose, the ink composition was kept as simple as possible. First, the solution density, viscosity, and surface tension were determined. Obtained data were used for testing limitations of DC printability diagrams already available for Newtonian fluids. A replotted version of the original Kim and Baek's map was developed emphasizing the importance of surface tension in the drop formation process. Another set of DC (e.g., Ec and De ) was also used for a real evaluation of the viscoelasticity effect on both jetting conditions and drop formation. The polymer relaxation time as a crucial parameter for viscoelasticity was shown to be calculated using the Kuhn segment length rather than from Zimm and Rouse theories for diluted polymer systems. Then, a two-dimensional diagram using four DC ( Oh and De with Ec and El as parameters) is proposed based on the famous McKinley's work. The diagram describes the interplay of possible forces responsible for filament thinning and breakup processes. Obtained results were supported by further experiments involving drop ejection and formation, determination of critical polymer concentration, and others. The proposed diagram promises a useful initial step in further investigations of viscoelasticity of polymer compounds by inkjet printing.

Anastomotic leakage is a dreadful complication in colorectal surgery. It has a negative impact on postoperative mortality, long term life quality and oncological results. Nanofibrous polycaprolactone materials have shown pro-healing properties in various applications before. Our team developed several versions of these for healing support of colorectal anastomoses with promising results in previous years. In this study, we developed highly porous biocompatible polycaprolactone nanofibrous patches. We constructed a defective anastomosis on the large intestine of 16 pigs, covered the anastomoses with the patch in 8 animals (Experimental group) and left the rest uncovered (Control group). After 21 days of observation we evaluated postoperative changes, signs of leakage and other complications. The samples were assessed histologically according to standardized protocols. The material was easy to work with. All animals survived with no major complication. There were no differences in intestinal wall integrity between the groups and there were no signs of anastomotic leakage in any animal. The levels of collagen were significantly higher in the Experimental group, which we consider to be an indirect sign of higher mechanical strength. The material shall be further perfected in the future and possibly combined with active molecules to specifically influence the healing process.