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Submitted by Ana Maria de Sousa Rebelo (amsr@isep.ipp.pt) on 2021-09-10T13:20:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DM_NunoSousa_2021_MEM.pdf: 24095433 bytes, checksum: eb37634f898f8ccd110230788cbcdd34 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria de Sousa Rebelo (amsr@isep.ipp.pt) on 2021-09-10T13:23:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DM_NunoSousa_2021_MEM.pdf: 24095433 bytes, checksum: eb37634f898f8ccd110230788cbcdd34 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2021-09-10T13:23:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DM_NunoSousa_2021_MEM.pdf: 24095433 bytes, checksum: eb37634f898f8ccd110230788cbcdd34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

INTRODUCTION: The aetiology of RPL and RIF is still unknown in half of the cases, where NK cells and their cytotoxicity seem to play an important role. However, no standard cut-off of peripheral NK cells and treatment has been established yet. OBJECTIVES: We will design a retrospective cohort study to analyse the effect of the peripheral blood NK cells and their cytotoxicity and the use of different treatments in women affected with RPL and RIF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our cohort study, 95 women affected with RPL, and 11 women affected with RIF were included, finally analysing 445 pregnancies – 101 of which received a treatment. CONCLUSION: Randomized clinical trials are needed to establish a cut-off of peripheral blood NK cells and to define the proper, secure, and evidence-based medical treatment for women affected with RPL and RIF. Grado en Medicina

Arbeit an der Bibliothek noch nicht eingelangt - Daten nicht geprueft - gesperrte Arbeit (bis 2023-11-17+01:00), Abweichender Titel nach ��bersetzung der Verfasserin/des Verfassers

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a widespread antioxidant in living organisms, and plays essential roles in the growth and development of animals and plants as well as in the response to abiotic stress tolerance. The GDP-L-galactose phosphorylase (GGP) is a key regulatory gene in plant AsA biosynthesis that can regulate the concentration of AsA at the transcriptional and translational levels. The function and regulation mechanisms of GGP have been well understood; however, the molecular evolutionary patterns of the gene remain unclear. In this study, a total of 149 homologous sequences of GGP were sampled from 71 plant species covering the major groups of Viridiplantae, and the phylogenetic relationships, gene duplication and molecular evolution analyses of the genes were systematically investigated. Results showed that GGP genes are present throughout the plant kingdom and five shared whole-genome duplications and several lineage-specific whole-genome duplications were found, which led to the rapid expansion of GGPs in seed plants, especially in angiosperms. The structure of GGP genes was more conserved in land plants, but varied greatly in green algae, indicating that GGP may have undergone great differentiation in the early stages of plant evolution. Most GGP proteins had a conserved motif arrangement and composition, suggesting that plant GGPs have similar catalytic functions. Molecular evolutionary analyses showed that GGP genes were predominated by purifying selection, indicating that the gene is functionally conserved due to its vital importance in AsA biosynthesis. Most of the branches under positive selection identified by the branch-site model were mainly in the chlorophytes lineage, indicating episodic diversifying selection may contribute to the evolution of GGPs, especially in the chlorophyte lineage. The conserved function of GGP and its rapid expansion in angiosperms maybe one of the reasons for the increase of AsA content in angiosperms, enabling angiosperms to adapt to changing environments., The molecular evolutionary patterns of plant GGP genes, which play a key regulatory role in AsA biosynthesis, were explored in this study. Most GGPs had similar gene structure and motif patterns, indicating plant GGPs have conserved functions. Molecular evolutionary studies showed that GGPs were mainly constrained by purifying selection, indicating the functional importance of GGPs. A few branches were identified under positive selection, indicating that episodic diversifying selection played a role during the evolution of plant GGPs. Several shared WGDs and lineage-specific WGDs were identified in seed plants, which may have promoted the radiation of GGP gene in angiosperms.

Natural radioactivity measurement and dose assessment are important aspects of radiation protection. The goal of this study is to validate the previous results obtained from the in-situ measurements in the study area in order to ascertain the level of radiation hazards to the populaces living around the mining site.A3 × 3-inch lead-shielded NaI(Tl) detector was used to measure the activity concentrations of 40K,238U and232Thin soil, water and guinea corn grain samples collected from a granite mining field in Asa, Kwara State, North-central Nigeria. The overall mean activity concentrations of 40K,238U and 232Th are 441.06, 11.51 and 15.42 Bqkg−1for the soil samples, 20.67, 0.66, and 0.88 BqL−1 for the water samples and 214.31, 5.25 and 8.86 Bqkg−,1respectively for the grain samples. The bioaccumulation/transfer factors are 0.49, 0.46 and 0.58 for 40K,238U and 232Th respectively. The mean values of all the radiological hazard parameters are within the permissible limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Consequently, the risk of indoor and outdoor gamma radiation exposure is comparatively less for these Granite soils. Hence, the results in this study will reference future studies in terms of basic radiological data., Atomic physics, Environmental science, Nuclear physics, Granite, Asa, Nigeria, NaI(Tl) detector, Radioactivity, Radiological hazards.

Background Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, AsA) is an antioxidant metabolite involved in plant development and environmental stimuli. AsA biosynthesis has been well studied in plants, and MIOX is a critical enzyme in plants AsA biosynthesis pathway. However, Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) gene family members and their involvement in AsA biosynthesis and response to abiotic stress remain unclear. Results In this study, five tomato genes encoding MIOX proteins and possessing MIOX motifs were identified. Structural analysis and distribution mapping showed that 5 MIOX genes contain different intron/exon patterns and unevenly distributed among four chromosomes. Besides, expression analyses indicated the remarkable expression of SlMIOX genes in different plant tissues. Furthermore, transgenic lines were obtained by over-expression of the MIOX4 gene in tomato. The overexpression lines showed a significant increase in total ascorbate in leaves and red fruits compared to control. Expression analysis revealed that increased accumulation of AsA in MIOX4 overexpression lines is possible as a consequence of the multiple genes involved in AsA biosynthesis. Myo inositol (MI) feeding in leaf and fruit implied that the Myo-inositol pathway improved the AsA biosynthesis in leaves and fruits. MIOX4 overexpression lines exhibited a better light response, abiotic stress tolerance, and AsA biosynthesis capacity. Conclusions These results showed that MIOX4 transgenic lines contribute to AsA biosynthesis, evident as better light response and improved oxidative stress tolerance. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the MIOX gene family and their involvement in ascorbate biosynthesis in tomato.

Le traitement antiplaquettaire à l’aspirine (ASA) est moins efficace chez certains patients coronariens, ce qui augmente leur risque de développer une thrombose. Des taux sanguins élevés de médiateurs thrombo-inflammatoires, tels que le sCD40L, peuvent expliquer de telles variabilités. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que, en présence de taux élevés de sCD40L, l’efficacité de l’ASA peut être réduite. Ainsi, nous avons viser à déterminer les effets de l’ASA sur la signalisation et l’agrégation des plaquettes en présence de sCD40L. Les effets de l'ASA sur les plaquettes humaines traitées par le sCD40L, en réponse à des concentrations sub-optimales de collagène ou de thrombine, ont été évalués sur l'agrégation, la sécrétion de thromboxane A2 (TxA2) et la phosphorylation de la p38- « Mitogen-activated protein kinase » (MAPK), le facteur nucléaire-κB (NF-κB), la kinase activée par le TGF-β 1 (TAK-1) et la chaîne légère de la myosine (MLC). Le sCD40L a significativement augmenté la sécrétion de TxA2 dans les plaquettes, en réponse à des doses sub-optimales de collagène et de thrombine, ce qui a été inversé par l'ASA. L'ASA n'a pas inhibé la phosphorylation de p38-MAPK, NF-KB, TAK-1, que ce soit avec une stimulation par le sCD40L seul ou en présence des agonistes plaquettaires. Cependant, Le sCD40L a potentialisé l'agrégation plaquettaire, un effet complètement inversé et partiellement réduit par l'ASA en réponse au collagène et à la thrombine, respectivement. Les effets de l'ASA sur les plaquettes traitées par le sCD40L et stimulées par le collagène étaient liés à l'inhibition du changement de forme des plaquettes et la phosphorylation de la MLC. L'ASA n'affecte pas la signalisation du sCD40L dans les plaquettes, mais empêche son effet sur la sécrétion de TXA2 et l'agrégation plaquettaire en réponse au collagène, via un mécanisme impliquant l'inhibition de la MLC. Le ciblage de l'axe sCD40L dans les plaquettes peut avoir un potentiel thérapeutique chez les patients, présentant des taux élevés de sCD40L, qui ne répondent pas ou moins à l'ASA., Antiplatelet therapy with Aspirin (ASA) is less efficient in some coronary patients, which increases their risk of developing thrombosis. Elevated blood levels of thrombo-inflammatory mediators, like sCD40L, may explain such variabilities. We hypothesized that in the presence of elevated levels of sCD40L, the efficacy of ASA may be reduced. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine the effects of ASA on sCD40L signalling and aggregation of platelets. The effects of ASA on sCD40L-treated human platelets, in response to suboptimal concentrations of collagen or thrombin, were assessed on aggregation, thromboxane A2 (TxA2) secretion, and phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, NF-κB, TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK-1), and myosin light chain (MLC). sCD40L significantly elevated TxA2 secretion in platelets, in response to suboptimal doses of collagen and thrombin, which was reversed by ASA. ASA did not inhibit phosphorylation of p38-MAPK, NF-κB, TAK-1, either with sCD40L stimulation alone or with platelet agonists. However, sCD40L potentiated platelet aggregation, an effect completely reversed and partially reduced by ASA in response to collagen and thrombin, respectively. The effects of ASA in sCD40L-treated platelets with collagen were related to inhibition of platelet shape change and MLC phosphorylation. ASA does not affect platelet sCD40L signalling, but prevents its effect on TXA2 secretion and platelet aggregation in response to collagen, via a mechanism implying inhibition of MLC. Targeting sCD40L axis in platelets may have therapeutic potential in patients with elevated levels of sCD40L that are none or less responding to ASA.

Chest pain is a common symptom of acute coronary syndrome, including myocardial infarction (MI). Treatment with antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, improves survival, although the ideal dose is uncertain. It is unknown if outcomes can be improved by giving aspirin early in the course of MI as part of the first-aid management as opposed to late or in-hospital administration. We searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases and used Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) for determining the certainty of evidence. We included studies in adults with non-traumatic chest pain, where aspirin was administered early (within two hours) following the onset of chest pain as part of first-aid management as compared with late or in-hospital administration (The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CDR153316). From 1470 references, we included three studies (one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and two non-RCTs). Early administration (median 1.6 hours or pre-hospital) was associated with increased survival as compared with late administration (median 3.5 hours or in-hospital) at seven days; risk ratio (RR) 1.04 (95% CI 1.03-1.06), 30 days RR 1.05 (95% 1.02-1.07), and one-year RR 1.06 (95% CI1.03-1.10). The evidence is of very low certainty due to limitations in study design and the imprecision of the evidence. This systematic review would suggest that the early or first-aid administration of aspirin to adults with non-traumatic chest pain improves survival as compared with late or in-hospital administration.

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and one of the leading causes of death in the world. The number of stroke survivors is projected to increase by 25%, which is a major financial challenge for society given that stroke survivors are living with major and long-lasting consequences including immobility. Physiotherapy plays a significant role in the rehabilitation of patients' functional movement after the stroke occurs. Neurophysiotherapy divides into acute phase, subacute phase and chronic phase according to the time of recovery. The aim of the paper is to review those interventions based on expertly and scientifically proven effects by reviewing available physiotherapy interventions and methods. The complex field of Neurophysiotherapy needs to be directed towards specific and scientifically effective methods of treating patients affected by a stroke. For the problem reasoning approach of physiotherapy treatment of patients affected by a stroke it is recommended: early mobilization, treatment of shoulder pain and subluxation, mobilization of the feet, treatment of somatosensory functions, balance, muscling from sitting to standing, muscle strengthening and endurance exercises, cyclic bilateral arm and leg training, gait training, mirror therapy, CIMT, application of robotics and virtual reality, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, and education and social activation of the patient and his or her family. Conclusion: It is necessary to constantly monitor and research new methods of treatment and evidence of the effectiveness of individual methods. Specific recommendations for physiotherapy treatment of a patient after a stroke can assist the physiotherapist in day-to- day clinical practice and standardize effective treatment methods. Recommendations for physiotherapy treatment for a patient with disabilities after a stroke allow the physiotherapist to develop a creative approach in treating the patient within physiotherapy based on scientifically proven methods.

Çalışmada statünün bir göstergesi olarak sceptrumların Roma ve Bizans Dönemi buluntu örnekleri üzerinden incelenerek ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Buluntuları oluşturan temel materyaller arasında heykeller, kabartmalar, sikkeler, değerli taşlar ve tablolar yer almaktadır. Sembolik birer anlam taşıyan asaların Tarih Öncesi Çağlardan Roma ve Bizans Dönemi sonlarına kadar uzanan kullanımı var olan yazıtlar ve somut örnekler yardımıyla takip edilebilmektedir. Öncelikle asaların tarihsel süreç içerisindeki varlığına değinilmiş olup Roma ve Bizans Dönemindeki kullanımı çeşitleri örnekler yardımıyla ikonografik bağlamda değerlendirilmiştir. Akabinde Roma ve Bizans Dönemi buluntu örnekleri ışığında tipolojik bir yaklaşım getirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak ise antik, modern kaynaklar ve somut örnekler ışığında asaların işlevleri yorumlanmıştır., In this study, it was aimed to examine the sceptrums as an indicator of the status through examples of finds in the Roman and Byzantine Periods. Among the basic materials that the finds are sculptures, reliefs, coins, semi-precious stones and diptych. The use of sceptres, which have a symbolic meaning, ranging from Prehistoric Ages to the end of the Roman and Byzantine Periods, can be followed with the help of existing inscriptions and examples. Firstly, the existence of sceptres in the historical process is mentioned. Then, it was evaluated in the iconographic way or angle with the help of examples in the Roman and Byzantine Period. After that, a typological approach was introduced in the light of Roman and Byzantine finds. As a result, the functions of the sceptres are interpreted in the light of ancient, modern sources and existing examples.

This diploma thesis focuses on the Tribulus terrestris and its cultivation in order to achieve the highest content of biologically active substances. Tribulus has its roots in Chinese traditional medicine and Indian Ayurveda. The monitored substances are protodioscin and diosgenin. These two substances are saponins which are known for many beneficial effects on human health. For example, protodioscin is widely used as a remedy for conception problems. Diosgenin has its use in the fight against cancer. Both of these substances are also used in fitness to increase muscle mass and strength. The most famous is protodioscin, which became famous thanks to the Bulgarian weightlifters. However, the mechanisms of action of protodioscin and, in fact, diosgenin in the human body are not completely known in terms of influencing hormones in our body. In the practical part of this work, acetylsalicylic acid and the commercial preparation NanoFyt Si? are used as an elicitor. Water control was used for control, which was carried out in the same way as elicitor sprays. It is statistically summarized in what concentration the elicitors act or do not act. Based on statistical results, the cultivation procedure is recommended.

The aim of this diploma thesis was to verify the effect of elicitors on the content of selected active substances in Leucea carthamoides DC. The elicitors used were acetylsalicylic acid and Nanophyte Si ? from AGRA GROUP a.s. Determined active substances were 20-hydroxyecdysone and Polypodine B. Evaluation was performed by UHPLC-MS / MS method. In conclusion, statistics of obtained results were performed.

The role of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in cardiovascular prevention is essentially consequence of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, thus reducing the impact of atherosclerotic disease. The preventive power of this drug is clear when used in patients with previous cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.), but the data are less dependable when considering patients who did not experienced a cardiovascular event or in the diabetic population, in whom recent studies reported neutral results in term of efficacy, in face of an increase in the risk of bleeding. Furthermore, the interpretation of the efficacy results of ASA should be reconsidered in light of the increasing clinical complexity, not addressed in the clinical studies on which current evidences are based. Accordingly the rationale for ASA use in cardiovascular prevention is ever more of current interest, and requires a particular attention, considering the crucial role of antithrombotic therapy in the foreseeable future. What could be learned on the use of ASA in cardiovascular prevention after a century since its chemical synthesis? In secondary prevention, supporting evidences have now a couple of decades of history, and the use of the drug appears to be firmly established: in this setting, the benefits clearly surpass the risks. On the other hand, in primary prevention, where age and diabetes are among the main risk factors, the risk/benefit ratio for prophylactic therapy with ASA does not support its widespread use. Deciding when this treatment should be implemented should require a case-by-case evaluation, considering, first, the correction of each risk factor, whose control has led to a reduction of global cardiovascular mortality. The other fundamental aspect is the compliance to the treatment, particularly in patients subjected to multiple drugs regimens, in whom the physician should take into account the specific needs of the patient, as not to provide a mere prescription service.

[ES] Se trata de diseñar y desarrollar un prototipo de un módulo independiente que pueda ser incorporado en la fase de producción de una máquina para fabricar bolsas de papel cuando sea necesario, de la misma manera, dicho módulo podrá dejar de formar parte de la secuencia de producción cuando se desee. La función que se llevará a cabo en este prototipo será la modificación de una de las asas de papel provenientes de la máquina original y se le incorporará un cordón de papel trenzado adicional que permita el cierre de la bolsa de papel como se indica en la patente del cliente. Por tanto, se analizarán los objetivos que se deberán cumplir una vez en funcionamiento, así como las complicaciones y diversas soluciones adoptadas a lo largo del proyecto. Finalmente, se llevará a cabo un análisis completo de los elementos a utilizar. Del mismo modo se mostrarán los costes de desarrollo del prototipo final., [EN] It consists in designing and developing a prototype of an independent module that can be incorporated in the production phase of a machine to manufacture paper bags when necessary, in the same way, this module may no longer be part of the production sequence when you want. The function that will be carried out in this prototype will be the modification of one of the paper handles coming from the original machine and an additional braided paper cord will be incorporated to allow the closure of the paper bag as indicated in customer¿s patent. Therefore, the objectives to be met, as well as the complications and different solutions adopted throughout the project. Finally, a complete analysis of the elements to be used will be carried out. In the same way, the development costs of the final prototype will be shown.

This second part covers the implementation, testing, critical evaluation, conclusion and further study. It concentrates on the actual implementation details of hardening of network devices by referring to the hardware and software components, device operating system’s features, management controls, access-list restrictions, operational configurations and critically making sure that the data and credentials are not stored or transferred in ‘plaintext’ over the network by detailed testing and evaluation. It investigates the commands used to enable cryptography and network protocols based on encryption, in order to meet the need for essential security requirements. Substantial work is devoted to the command line details and testing of a router based on Cryptography and Security Protocols in the border router. A step-by-step hardening approach is detailed using the commands used to secure the proposed network framework’s border router. Encrypted services coupled with best practice configurations are explained and tested in an emulated environment. The use of protocol analysers, CISCO Configuration Professional’s Audit and penetration testing tools corroborated the success of the project.

Many strategies have been proposed to address the supply of bespoke essays and other assignments by companies often described as ‘Essay Mills’ with the act of supply and use being invariably described as ‘contract cheating’. These proposals increasingly refer to the law as a solution in common with other action. In this article, the lead author revisits work undertaken in 2016 as a result of recent legal and extra-legal developments to assess whether the UK Fraud Act (2006) might now be used to tackle some of the activities of the companies involved, by comparing their common practises, and their Terms and Conditions, with the Act. It was previously found that all sites have disclaimers regarding the use of their products but there were some obvious contradictions in the activities of the sites which undermined those disclaimers, for example plagiarism-free guarantees for the work. In this article, we ask and consider the question whether this is still the case having regard to the impact of a change in the law by the UK supreme court and recent action of the UK Advertising Standards Authority. We also consider whether a call for a new offence to be created which specifically targets the undesirable behaviours of these companies is still justified.

Network Security is a vital part of any corporate and enterprise network. Network attacks greatly compromise not only the sensitive data of the consumers but also cause outages to these networks. Thus inadequately protected networks need to be “hardened”. The hardening of network devices refers to the hardware and software components, device operating system’s features, management controls, access-list restrictions, operational configurations and above all making sure that the data and credentials are not stored or transferred in ‘plaintext’ over the network. This article investigates the use of cryptography and network protocols based on encryption, to meet the need for essential security requirements. Use of non-secure protocols, underrating and misconfigurations of management protection are reasons behind network devices not properly being hardened; hence leaving vulnerabilities for the intruders. The gap identified after conducting intense search and review of past work is used as the foundation to present solutions. When performing cryptography techniques by encrypting packets using tunnelling and security protocols, management level credentials are encrypted. These include password encryption and exceptional analysis of the emulated IOS (Internetwork Operating System). Necessary testing is carried out to evaluate an acceptable level of protection of these devices. In a virtual testing environment, security flaws are found mainly in the emulated IOS. The discoveries does not depend on the hardware or chassis of a networking device. Since routers primarily rely on its Operating System (OS), attackers focus on manipulating the command line configuration before initiating an attack. Substantial work is devoted to implementation and testing of a router based on Cryptography and Security Protocols in the border router. This is deployed at the core layer and acts as the first point of entry of any trusted and untrusted traffic. A step-by-step hardening approach is adopted to secure the proposed network framework’s border router. Encrypted services coupled with best practice configurations are implemented and tested in an emulated environment. The use of protocol analysers, CISCO Configuration Professional’s Audit and penetration testing tools corroborated the success of the project.

Introduction In the Netherlands, clopidogrel monotherapy increasingly replaces acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole as the first-choice antiplatelet therapy after ischemic stroke. It is unknown whether the risk of peri- and postoperative hemorrhage in carotid artery surgery is higher in patients using clopidogrel monotherapy compared with acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole. We therefore retrospectively compared occurrence of perioperative major and (clinical relevant) minor bleedings during and after carotid endarterectomy of two groups using different types of platelet aggregation inhibition after changing our daily practice protocol in our center. Material and Methods A consecutive series of the most recent 80 carotid endarterectomy patients (November 2015–August 2017) treated with the new regime (clopidogrel monotherapy) were compared with the last 80 (January 2012–November 2015) consecutive patients treated according to the old protocol (acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole). The primary endpoint was any major bleeding during surgery or in the first 24 to 72 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcomes within 30 days after surgery included minor (re)bleeding postoperative stroke with persistent or transient neurological deficit, persisting or transient neuropraxia, asymptomatic restenosis or occlusion, (transient) headache. Reporting of this study is in line with the ‘Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology’ statement. Results Although statistical differences were observed, from a clinical perspective both patients groups were comparable. Postoperative hemorrhage requiring reexploration for hemostasis occurred in none of the 80 patients in the group of the clopidogrel monotherapy (new protocol) and it occurred in one of the 80 patients (1%) who was using acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole (old protocol). In three patients (4%) in the clopidogrel monotherapy and one patient (1%) in the acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole protocol an ipsilateral stroke was diagnosed. Conclusion In this retrospective consecutive series the incidence of postoperative ischemic complications and perioperative hemorrhage after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) seemed to be comparable in patients using clopidogrel monotherapy versus acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole for secondary prevention after a cerebrovascular event. This study fuels the hypothesis that short- and midterm complications of clopidogrel and the combination acetylsalicylic acid and extended release dipyridamole are comparable.

Chitosan (CS)-acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) nanoparticles, which are well dispersed and stable in aqueous solution, have been prepared by interpolymer complexation of ASA in CS solution. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were investigated by using FT-IR, 1H NMR, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, dynamic light scattering, and UV spectrophotometer. It was found that the carboxyl group of the ASA had firmly integrated on the amino group of CS and the ASA-CS nanoparticles were almost spherical in shape with an average diameter of less than (79.3 ± 24.6) nm in high reproducibility and showed high chemical stability against environmental changes. It was also found that the prepared nanoparticles carried a positive charge and showed the size in the range from 700 to 150 nm. The surface structure and zeta potential of nanoparticles can be controlled by different preparation processes. The factor experiment results indicated that the ASA-CS nanoparticles had satisfactory loading capacity (LC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE), 27.27% and 46.88% (data not shown), respectively. The experiments of in vitro ASA release showed that these nanoparticles provided a sustained and pH-dependent drug release manner, and the release behavior was influenced by the pH value of the medium. Preliminary pharmacology experiment exhibited prolonged circulation and higher bioavailability than that of ASA. All the results indicated that ASA/CS nanoparticles may have promising pharmaceutical application, and further pharmacological research is needed to confirm these beneficial effects.

Background The ASA physical classification score has a major impact on the observed/expected (O/E) mortality ratio in the NSQIP General Vascular Mortality Model. The difference in predicted mortality is greatest between ASAs 3 and 4. We hypothesized under-classified ASA scores significantly affect the O/E mortality. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of NSQIP essential surgery cases from January 2014 to December 2014 (n = 1264) with mortality sub-analysis (n = 33) at our institution. We recorded transfer and emergency status and independently calculated the ASA score for mortalities using published definitions. A random sample of 50 survivors and 10 emergency survivors were reviewed and ASA recalculated. We performed statistical modeling to simulate the effects of ASA misclassifications. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP 10 and SAS 9.4. Results ASA was under-classified in 18.2% of mortalities, most commonly ASAs 3 and 4. Sixteen percent of ASA 3 survivors were misclassified, including 60% in the emergency subgroup (p

Thermal stress and moisture absorption can cause a synergetic negative impact on kraft paper. Among various approaches for improving the dielectric properties of kraft paper, nanotechnology has had promising results. However, the hydrophilicity of most metal oxide nanoparticles renders nanomodified kraft paper more vulnerable to thermal stress and moisture, thereby inducing degradation. In nanomodified kraft paper research, the use of TiO2 nanoparticles has yielded the most promising results. The major shortfall, however, is the hydrophilicity of TiO2. This work investigated surface modifications of rutile-TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) for improved hydrophobicity and thermal stability. Rutile-TiO2 NPs is a nontoxic metal oxide that can withstand high temperature and is stable in chemical reactions. Two cases of surfactants were used—alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) and alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA). The intention was to increase heat resistance and reduce the surface free energy of the rutile-TiO2 NPs. The impacts of the surface modifiers on the rutile-TiO2 NPs were characterised using FT-IR, muffle furnace, analytical weight balance, and TGA. It was discovered that new functional groups were formed on the modified NPs examined through FT-IR spectra. This indicates new chemical bonds, introduced through the surface modification. The unmodified rutile-TiO2 NPs absorbed moisture, increasing their mass by 3.88%, compared with the modified nanoparticles, which released moisture instead. TGA analysis revealed that AKD- and ASA-modified rutile-TiO2 needed higher temperatures than the unmodified rutile-TiO2 to markedly decompose. AKD, however, gave better performance than ASA in that regard. As an example, those modified with 5% AKD sustained a 45% higher temperature than the pure TiO2 nanoparticles. Furthermore, in both cases of the surfactants, the higher the percent of surfactant content was, the more thermally stable the nanoparticles became. This work demonstrates the possibility of fabricating rutile-TiO2 NPs to give improved hydrophobicity and thermal stability for possible dielectric applications such as in kraft paper for power transformer insulation.