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Objetivo: Relatar caso de paciente em seguimento ambulatorial em investigação de anemia hemolítica desde a infância, com diagnóstico de deficiência de glicose fosfato isomerase. Material e métodos: As informações contidas neste relato de caso foram obtidas por meio de revisão de prontuário do paciente e revisão de literatura. Resultados: Paciente sexo masculino, 48 anos, com início de seguimento com hematologia do HCFMRP-USP em 2007, para investigação de anemia hemolítica desde a infância. Em primeira consulta, exames laboratoriais demonstravam anemia discreta (Hb 10,5), com exames para avaliação de hemólise positivos, sem padrão autoimune (coombs direto negativo). Além de provas de hemólise positivas, paciente apresentava esplenomegalia discreta (confirmada em exame ultrassonográfico de abdome). Iniciada investigação para anemias hemolíticas hereditárias e adquiridas, sendo realizada eletroforese de hemoglobinas, teste para deficiência de G6PD, curva de fragilidade osmótica e pesquisa de clone HPN, com resultados negativos. Paciente manteve acompanhamento ambulatorial ao longo dos anos, com persistência de anemia leve com positividade para provas de hemólise, sem necessidade de suporte transfusional. Em 2024, realizado teste genético para painel de anemias hereditárias, com achado de homozigose no gene GPI (glucose-6-phosphate isomerase), denotando anemia hemolítica não-esferocítica por deficiência de glicose fosfato isomerase. Discussão: A glicose-fosfato isomerase (GPI) é uma enzima sintetizada em diversas células do corpo; e nos eritrócitos, catalisa a conversão de glucose-6-fosfato em frutose-6-fosfato na via glicolítica. A deficiência desta enzima resulta em comprometimento na produção de adenosina trifosfato (ATP), prejudicando a homeostase das hemácias, implicando em sua destruição precoce. A deficiência de GPI é causada por mutações em homozigose ou heterozigose composta no gene GPI (localizado no cromossomo 19), e possui padrão de herança autossômico recessivo. A principal expressão clínica dessa doença são graus variados de hemólise, com períodos de exacerbação após episódios infecciosos ou crise aplástica. Hiperbilirrubinemia (à custa de bilirrubina indireta) também caracteriza o perfil hemolítico da doença, causando icterícia e predisposição à formação de cálculos biliares. Em alguns casos, também foi observado comprometimento neuromuscular, com hipotonia, ataxia e deficiência intelectual. O diagnóstico é estabelecido pela pesquisa de atividade da enzima GPI nos glóbulos vermelhos, através de ensaios enzimáticos ou testes genéticos. O manejo terapêutico é heterogêneo, e depende das manifestações clínicas e grau de hemólise apresentado pelo paciente, podendo ser realizadas transfusões de hemácias e esplenectomia. Conclusão: O relato de caso demonstra uma doença cujo diagnóstico é raro e complexo através do sistema de saúde brasileiro, entretanto, ressalta a importância do reconhecimento de diagnósticos diferenciais para anemias hemolíticas hereditárias tanto para o seu tratamento de suporte adequado, quanto para o aconselhamento dos pacientes.

Retrotransposons (RTEs) have been postulated to reactivate with age and contribute to aging through activated innate immune response and inflammation. Here, we analyzed the relationship between RTE expression and aging using published transcriptomic and methylomic datasets of human blood. Despite no observed correlation between RTE activity and chronological age, the expression of most RTE classes and families except short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) correlated with biological age-associated gene signature scores. Strikingly, we found that the expression of SINEs was linked to upregulated DNA repair pathways in multiple cohorts. We also observed DNA hypomethylation with aging and the significant increase in RTE expression level in hypomethylated RTEs except for SINEs. Additionally, our single-cell transcriptomic analysis suggested a role for plasma cells in aging mediated by RTEs. Altogether, our multi-omics analysis of large human cohorts highlights the role of RTEs in biological aging and suggests possible mechanisms and cell populations for future investigations.

Mutational profiles of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have established that a relatively small number of genetic aberrations, including SF3B1 and SRSF2 spliceosome mutations, lead to specific phenotypes and prognostic subgrouping. We performed a multi-omics factor analysis (MOFA) on two published MDS cohorts of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) and CD34 + cells with three data modalities (clinical, genotype, and transcriptomics). Seven different views, including immune profile, inflammation/aging, retrotransposon (RTE) expression, and cell-type composition, were derived from these modalities to identify the latent factors with significant impact on MDS prognosis. SF3B1 was the only mutation among 13 mutations in the BMMNC cohort, indicating a significant association with high inflammation. This trend was also observed to a lesser extent in the CD34 + cohort. Interestingly, the MOFA factor representing the inflammation shows a good prognosis for MDS patients with high inflammation. In contrast, SRSF2 mutant cases show a granulocyte-monocyte progenitor (GMP) pattern and high levels of senescence, immunosenescence, and malignant myeloid cells, consistent with their poor prognosis. Furthermore, MOFA identified RTE expression as a risk factor for MDS. This work elucidates the efficacy of our integrative approach to assess the MDS risk that goes beyond all the scoring systems described thus far for MDS.

Background: Androgen insensitivity syndrome is an X-linked genetic disease characterized by resistance to the actions of androgen in an individual with 46, XY karyotype. It is one of the most common causes of Disorders of sex development (DSD). Clinical Description: A 10-year-7-month-old child, reared as female, was incidentally detected with minor virilization of external genitalia. She had achieved thelarche and adrenarche with a Prader Stage 2. Management and Outcome: Routine investigations showed normal hemogram and kidney and liver functions, as also normal values of serum electrolytes. Ultrasonogram showed the absence of Mullerian structures and the presence of prostate- and testis-like structures. Karyotyping showed 46, XY. There were grossly elevated levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, as well as raised follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed inguinal testis-like structures and biopsy from the same confirmed testicular tissue. Parents were counseled regarding the prognosis, need for gonadectomy, and hormone replacement. Conclusion: Our case creates awareness regarding the importance of early identification of minor virilizing features in a child, so as to avoid late revelation of an underlying DSD leading to undue anxiety and psychological trauma to parents and child.

Background: Insulin edema is a rare complication that can occur following either initiation or intensification of insulin treatment in Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). It is an under reported condition. Awareness of this complication among physicians is important for early identification of this condition, and prompt initiation of treatment. Clinical Description: We present an 11-year-old girl with 2-month history of weight loss and 1-month history of polyuria and polydipsia who presented to us in moderate diabetic ketoacidosis. She developed anasarca and pulmonary edema 3 days after starting insulin. She also developed transaminitis a serum serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase of 81 U/L and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase of 83 U/L. A diagnosis of insulin edema was established after ruling out other causes like severe anemia, renal, cardiac and allergic causes. We also present a brief review of seven similar cases that we identified on a literature search. Management and Outcome: This included salt and fluid restriction along with diuretics. Edema resoled after 4 days of treatment, while transaminitis took 7 days to normalize. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of early recognition of the rare complication of insulin edema which can avoid unnecessary anxiety on the part of both treating physicians and parents of patients with Type 1 DM.

We report on a search for a new, short-range, spin-dependent interaction using a modified version of the experimental apparatus used to measure the permanent neutron electric dipole moment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. This interaction, which could be mediated by axion-like particles, concerned the unpolarized nucleons (protons and neutrons) near the material surfaces of the apparatus and polarized ultracold neutrons stored in vacuum. The dominant systematic uncertainty resulting from magnetic-field gradients was controlled to an unprecedented level of approximately 4 pT cm ^−1 using an array of optically-pumped cesium vapor magnetometers and magnetic-field maps independently recorded using a dedicated measurement device. No signature of a theoretically predicted new interaction was found, and we set a new limit on the product of the scalar and the pseudoscalar couplings $g_sg_p\lambda^2 \lt 8.3 \times 10^{-28}\,$ m ^2 (95% C.L.) in a range of 5 µ m $\lt \lambda \lt 25$ mm for the monopole–dipole interaction. This new result confirms and improves our previous limit by a factor of 2.7 and provides the current tightest limit obtained with free neutrons.

Abstract Background Symbiosis in insects is accumulating significant amount of studies: the description of a wide array of mutualistic associations across the evolutionary history of insects suggests that resident microbiota acts as a driving force by affecting several aspects of hosts biology. Among arthropods, mosquito midgut microbiota has been largely investigated, providing crucial insights on the role and implications of host-symbiont relationships. However, limited amount of studies addressed their efforts on the investigation of microbiota colonizing salivary glands and reproductive tracts, crucial organs for pathogen invasion and vertical transmission of symbiotic microorganisms. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based approach, we analysed the microbiota of gut, salivary glands and reproductive tracts of several mosquito species, representing some of the main vectors of diseases, aiming at describing the dynamics of bacterial communities within the individual. Results We identified a shared core microbiota between different mosquito species, although interesting inter- and intra-species differences were detected. Additionally, our results showed deep divergences between genera, underlining microbiota specificity and adaptation to their host. Conclusions The comprehensive landscape of the bacterial microbiota components may ultimately provide crucial insights and novel targets for possible application of symbionts in innovative strategies for the control of vector borne diseases, globally named Symbiotic Control (SC), and suggesting that the holobiont of different mosquito species may significantly vary. Moreover, mosquito species are characterized by distinctive microbiota in different organs, likely reflecting different functions and/or adaptation processes.

Introduction Information about community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) risk in primary care is limited. We assess different lifestyle and comorbid conditions as risk factors (RF) for CAP in adults in primary care.Methods A retrospective-observational-controlled study was designed. Adult CAP cases diagnosed at primary care in Spain between 2009 and 2013 were retrieved using the National Surveillance System of Primary Care Data (BiFAP). Age-matched and sex-matched controls were selected by incidence density sampling (ratio 2:1). Associations are presented as percentages and OR. Binomial regression models were constructed to avoid bias effects.Results 51 139 patients and 102 372 controls were compared. Mean age (SD) was 61.4 (19.9) years. RF more significantly linked to CAP were: HIV (OR [95% CI]: 5.21 [4.35 to 6.27]), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (2.97 [2.84 to 3.12]), asthma (2.16 [2.07,2.26]), smoking (1.96 [1.91 to 2.02]) and poor dental hygiene (1.45 [1.41 to 1.49]). Average prevalence of any RF was 82.2% in cases and 69.2% in controls (2.05 [2.00 to 2.10]). CAP rate increased with the accumulation of RF and age: risk associated with 1RF was 1.42 (1.37 to 1.47) in 18–60-year-old individuals vs 1.57 (1.49 to 1.66) in >60 years of age, with 2RF 1.88 (1.80 to 1.97) vs 2.35 (2.23, 2.48) and with ≥ 3 RF 3.11 (2.95, 3.30) vs 4.34 (4.13 to 4.57).Discussion Prevalence of RF in adult CAP in primary care is high. Main RFs associated are HIV, COPD, asthma, smoking and poor dental hygiene. Our risk stacking results could help clinicians identify patients at higher risk of pneumonia.

ObjectivesOur aim was to describe the numbers and distribution of patients with different types of thalassemia and to assess the standards of care in all thalassemia treatment centers throughout Sri Lanka and the success of the ongoing prevention programme.MethodsThis cross-sectional island-wide survey was conducted by two trained medical graduates, who visited each thalassemia center to collect data from every patient, using a standardized form. Data was collected through review of patient registers and clinical records.ResultsWe collected data on 1774 patients from 23 centers. 1219 patients (68.7%) had homozygous β-thalassemia, 360 patients (20.3%) had hemoglobin E β-thalassemia, and 50 patients (2%) had sickle β-thalassemia. There were unacceptably high serum ferritin levels in almost all centers. The annual number of births of patients with β-thalassaemia varied between 45-55, with little evidence of reduction over 19 years.ConclusionsCentral coordination of the treatment and ultimately prevention of thalassemia is urgently needed in Sri Lanka. Development of expert centers with designated staff with sufficient resources will improve the quality of care and is preferred to managing patients in multiple small units.

Stress Granules (SGs) are dynamic ribonucleoprotein aggregates, which have been observed in cells subjected to environmental stresses, such as oxidative stress and heat shock (HS). Although pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are highly sensitive to oxidative stress, the role of SGs in regulating PSC self-renewal and differentiation has not been fully elucidated. Here we found that sodium arsenite (SA) and HS, but not hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), induce SG formation in human induced (hi) PSCs. Particularly, we found that these granules contain the well-known SG proteins (G3BP, TIAR, eIF4E, eIF4A, eIF3B, eIF4G, and PABP), were found in juxtaposition to processing bodies (PBs), and were disassembled after the removal of the stress. Moreover, we showed that SA and HS, but not H2O2, promote eIF2α phosphorylation in hiPSCs forming SGs. Analysis of pluripotent protein expression showed that HS significantly reduced all tested markers (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, L1TD1, and LIN28A), while SA selectively reduced the expression levels of NANOG and L1TD1. Finally, in addition to LIN28A and L1TD1, we identified DPPA5 (pluripotent protein marker) as a novel component of SGs. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the molecular cues of hiPSCs responses to environmental insults.

Susceptibility of Urban Trees Polyalthia longifolia and Pterocarpus indicus to Infection of the red root rot fungus Ganoderma sp. Urban trees on the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) area play an important role in increasing environmental qualities as well as in supporting the teaching and learning processes. However, red root rot disease caused by Basidiomycete Ganoderma sp. has severely infected some existing urban trees. This experiment was aimed to determine the susceptibility of Polyalthia longifolia (glodokan) and Pterocarpus indicus (angsana) to the infection of Ganoderma sp. Identification of infected trees was performed in UGM area. Further steps were carried out to achieve those objectives : (1) isolation of Ganoderma spp. and testing of Koch’s postulate and (2) examination of the susceptibility of P. longifolia and P. indicus to infection of Ganoderma sp. The susceptibility test of P. longifolia and P. indicus to Ganoderma sp. indicated that P. longifolia was more resistant to fungal pathogen infection than that of P. indicus. Based on this experiment, it can be concluded that P. longifolia is a species that is more suitable than P. indicus. P. longifolia should be planted on the areas that have been infested with inocula of Ganoderma sp..

Background: The leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of ten essential oils obtained from ten plant specimens were evaluated.Methods: Essential oils were obtained by the steam distillation of plant leaves without any prior processing. Cytotoxicity was tested on J774 macrophages and leishmanicidal activity was assessed against four species of Leishmania associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Results: Seven essential oils exhibited activity against Leishmania parasites, five of which were toxic against J774 macrophages. Selectivity indices of >6 and 13 were calculated for the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Origanum vulgare, respectively.Conclusion: The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum was active against promastigotes of Leishmania and innocuous to J774 macrophages at concentrations up to 1600 µg/mL and should be further investi­gated for leishmanicidal activity in others in vitro and in vivo experimental models.

Abstract Polynyas, or recurring areas of seasonally open water surrounded by sea ice, are foci for energy and material transfer between the atmosphere and the polar ocean. They are also climate sensitive, with both sea ice extent and glacial melt influencing their productivity. The Amundsen Sea Polynya (ASP) is the greenest polynya in the Southern Ocean, with summertime chlorophyll a concentrations exceeding 20 µg L−1. During the Amundsen Sea Polynya International Research Expedition (ASPIRE) in austral summer 2010–11, we aimed to determine the fate of this high algal productivity. We collected water column profiles for total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nutrients, particulate and dissolved organic matter, chlorophyll a, mesozooplankton, and microbial biomass to make a carbon budget for this ecosystem. We also measured primary and secondary production, community respiration rates, vertical particle flux and fecal pellet production and grazing. With observations arranged along a gradient of increasing integrated dissolved inorganic nitrogen drawdown (ΔDIN; 0.027–0.74 mol N m−2), changes in DIC in the upper water column (ranging from 0.2 to 4.7 mol C m−2) and gas exchange (0–1.7 mol C m−2) were combined to estimate early season net community production (sNCP; 0.2–5.9 mol C m−2) and then compared to organic matter inventories to estimate export. From a phytoplankton bloom dominated by Phaeocystis antarctica, a high fraction (up to ∼60%) of sNCP was exported to sub-euphotic depths. Microbial respiration remineralized much of this export in the mid waters. Comparisons to short-term (2–3 days) drifting traps and a year-long moored sediment trap capturing the downward flux confirmed that a relatively high fraction (3–6%) of the export from ∼100 m made it through the mid waters to depth. We discuss the climate-sensitive nature of these carbon fluxes, in light of the changing sea ice cover and melting ice sheets in the region.

We previously reported that alloxan-induced diabetes results in reduction in the number and reactivity of mast cells at different body sites. In this study, the influence of diabetes on thymic mast cells was investigated. Thymuses from diabetic rats showed marked alterations including shrinkage, thymocyte depletion, and increase in the extracellular matrix network, as compared to those profiles seen in normal animals. Nevertheless, we noted that the number and reactivity of mast cells remained unchanged. These findings indicate that although diabetes leads to critical alterations in the thymus, the local mast cell population is refractory to its effect. This suggests that thymic mast cells are under a different regulation as compared to those located in other tissues.

En el trabajo se presenta una alternativa a procesos convencionales de extracción y purificación de metales mediante la implementación de un proceso extractivo novedoso basado en la tecnología de membranas líquidas. Dicha técnica es una variante al proceso de extracción con solventes. En él se investiga la separación específica de hierro (II) y níquel (II) a partir de sulfatos empleando como portador (extractante) ácido di-2etilhexilfosfórico(D2EHPA) y queroseno como diluyente, a 25oC. La membrana líquida empleada en la experimentación presentó mejor respuesta para la extracción de Fe (II) que para Ni (II). El análisis de resultados permite afirmar que este proceso es de fácil aplicación en la extracción de los metales estudiados.

Background: Sciatica is a symptom characterised by well-localised leg pain with a sharp, shooting or burning quality that radiates down the back of the leg and normally to the foot or ankle. It is often associated with numbness or altered sensation in the leg. Objectives: To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different management strategies for sciatica. Data sources: Major electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE and NHS Economic Evaluation Database) and several internet sites including trial registries were searched up to December 2009. Review methods: Systematic reviews were undertaken of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different treatment strategies for sciatica. Effectiveness data were synthesised using both conventional meta-analyses and mixed treatment comparison (MTC) methods. An economic model was then developed to estimate costs per quality-adjusted life-year gained for each treatment strategy. Results: The searches identified 33,590 references, of which 270 studies met the inclusion criteria and 12 included a full economic evaluation. A further 42 ongoing studies and 93 publications that could not be translated were identified. The interventions were grouped into 18 treatment categories. A larger number of studies evaluated invasive interventions and non-opioids than other non-invasive interventions. The proportion of good-quality studies for each treatment category ranged from 0% to 50%. Compared with studies of less invasive interventions, studies of invasive treatments were more likely to confirm disc herniation by imaging, to limit patients included to those with acute sciatica (

Coastal zones are under environmental pressure due to human activities, and ports are the areas that probably present the highest levels of contaminants in their sediments. In the present study we have combined chemical data and biological effects to determine the sediment quality of six Spanish ports. Trace metals and organic contaminants have been analyzed, and an acute bioassay was carried out in sediment elutriate using the unicellular green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta. The toxicological parameter employed was EC50, which was estimated after exposure to different concentrations of elutriates during 72 h. The development of this alga may be affected when there is a xenobiotic in the environment, and growth inhibition can be quantified and linked to the levels of contaminants in the sediment in order to determine its quality. The results showed that the metals (Cd, Cr, Hg, and Zn) and organic contaminants (PAHs and PCBs) bound to the sediments reduced the normal growth of the alga, but no alterations were detected due to the presence of Cu. The main disadvantage observed was the hormesis produced by the presence of high levels of organic material in the sediment that might hide the toxicity of xenobiotics.

Intermoult female crabs (Carcinus maenas) were used to evaluate the bioavailability of metals in sediments from three Spanish estuaries. Animals were exposed to the different sediments per replicate in glass aquaria during 21 days. A chemical analysis of the sampling sites was performed to determine the degree and nature of contamination. Salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen were controlled throughout the laboratory exposure. On day 21, the concentrations of different metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg and As) were analyzed in gill tissues and in sediments. The results showed that bioaccumulation of Zn (975.50 mg kg–1) in the organisms was associated with the enrichment of this metal in the Guadalquivir Estuary after the Aznalcóllar mining spill (April 1998), while bioaccumulation of Cu (548.90 mg kg–1) showed different trends that are associated with other sources of contamination, such as the chronic spill of acidic waters in Huelva Ria. Relationships were observed between metal content in sediments and metal content in gill tissues through the biota-sediment accumulation factor. This relationship validates the use of bioaccumulation measurements to evaluate the bioavailability of metals in contaminated sediments.

The present paper reports the results of an interlaboratory variability study of a bioassay using larval stages of the marine sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. This exercise was developed in two different phases and included four laboratories, each of which determined the toxicity of six sediment samples. The samples were collected from different Spanish ports and were characterized by exposing sea urchin embryos for 48 h to sediment elutriates. Phase I was used to redesign test parameters and to avoid possible interfering factors when interpreting test results. Laboratories were more homogeneous in the classification of sediments according to the toxic responses in Phase II despite the high variability of the elutriate testing protocols. Based on our results, the test seems suitable to characterize dredged material, the interlaboratory variability being similar to that found for other bioassays in previous studies.

Interlaboratory variability was studied for the bioassay using crustacean amphipods. Nine series of data were obtained from different laboratories using four different species (Ampelisca brevicornis, Corophium volutator, Corophium multisetosum and Microdeutopus gryllotalpa), all previously used for sediment toxicity assessment in Spain. Results were studied for interlaboratory variability and according to different confounding factors. The coefficients of variation were similar to those previously reported for this bioassay and sample classification was homogeneous among the laboratories that successfully completed the exercise. No significant tendencies related to test species were identified and it seems that the factor most critically affecting test results and the classification of samples is storage time before testing.

The Microtox® bioassay was tested in an interlaboratory study to evaluate the variability when using solid-phase samples. The exercise consisted of two consecutive phases each one carried out with six sediment samples from Spanish ports. Phase I included six laboratories that reported results for the solid-phase test (SPT) protocol, while Phase II included seven laboratories for the SPT protocol and three laboratories for the basic solid-phase test (BSPT) protocol. Even though some interfering factors were identified that could affect the results and sample classification, the coefficients of variation (CV) can be considered in the range for biological tests. When these factors are considered for further assessments, interlaboratory variability is significantly reduced. The BSPT showed lower CV values than the SPT despite the small number of participating laboratories. This better performance may be explained either by the simplicity of the methodology.

Several species of bivalves and procedures have been used to characterize sediment toxicity. Here we report the results of an interlaboratory exercise that included three different laboratories to evaluate the use of the bioassay using the commercial clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Six different dredged sediments were studied using two different endpoints: lethality after two different exposure periods (7 and 14 days) and burrowing activity after 48 h of exposure. The lethal endpoint was only sensitive to characterize samples with high metallic concentration and following the 14-day exposure period. The burrowing activity showed very variable results that evidence the unsuitability of this endpoint for dredged material characterization. According to these results, a new design is recommended for the test using juvenile bivalves if it is to be used to characterize sediment samples on a regulatory context especially if sediments are not affected by metallic contamination.

Temporal surveys at the Guadalquivir estuary were carried out between May and December 1998 to assess the behaviour of four heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu). These metals presented a non-conservative behaviour, with KD ranging between 102 and 104. Losses related to the dissolved phase have been quantified, as well as their metal speciation. The concentration of heavy metals associated with different geochemical fractions in sediments was also determined. Each metal showed a different distribution depending on whether its origin was associated (Zn and Cd) or not (Pb and Cu) to the toxic mud from Aznalcóllar. In general, heavy metal (Zn and Cd) enrichment was found in the estuary (due to the Aznalcóllar mining spill), determined in their concentrations in the most bioavailable fractions of the sediment.

Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Mn) and sediment toxicity tests (mortality of amphipods, Ampelisca brevicornis, of clams, Scrobicularia plana, and of fish, Solea senegalensis) were used to derive sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The approaches are based on the determination of LC50, on the application of a multivariate analysis (MAA), and on the Threshold Effect Level Quotients (TELQs). All approaches lead to consistent SQGs. The range of concentrations established with MAA results in narrower uncertainty ranges. Sediment toxicity estimated by TELQs is in good agreement with that determined experimentally. In terms of the toxic mud concentration, the maximum and minimum LC50s (for fish EC50s) are 1.07% and 0.44% for amphipods, 5.75% and 1.25% for clams, and 7.24% and 1.97% for fish, based on dry weight. However, heavy metal concentrations or ranges should be used only as a first tier in a "weight-of-evidence" approach to determine the environmental quality in aquatic systems. The use of SQGs for the management of these systems should be taken with care, especially those used for the management of dredging processes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of post-caesarean analgesia comparing three techniques most frequently used.For three months all pregnant women submitted to elective or urgent caesarean section, under general or regional anaesthesia, were evaluate with a total of 129 parturient. These parturient were divided into three groups with different techniques of postoperative analgesia: Group 1 (n = 26) received intravenous pethidine and paracetamol per os, group 2 (n = 58) received epidural morphine and group 3 (n = 45) epidural morphine and intravenous propacetamol. Pain was assessed at rest and during mobilisation using a scale of 0-without pain, 1-mild pain, 2-moderate pain and 3-severe pain. Overall satisfaction was assessed with a verbal qualitative scale of very good, good, sufficient and bad. Side effects were analysed.The records of pain at rest and during mobilisation were significantly lower with epidural analgesia compared with intravenous pethidine. There were no significant differences between groups 2 and 3. Similar results were observed in the degree of satisfaction. For 50% of parturient of epidural analgesia (groups 2 and 3) and only 4% of intravenous pethidine (group 1) the analgesic technique was very good. Propacetamol and epidural morphine (group 3) had better pain scores (very good and good) when compared with morphine alone (group 2) but there were no significant differences. Epidural morphine was associated with more pruritus.From this study we are able to conclude that epidural morphine offers a good quality of analgesia with better satisfaction and minimal side effects.

La neurocisticercosis (NCC) es la enfermedad parasitaria más frecuente del sistema nervioso central causada por la forma larvaria enquistada de la Taenia solium, su diagnóstico se basa en la integración de datos clínicos, imagenológicos y serológicos. La detección de anticuerpos específicos usando el ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA) es una útil estrategia para confirmar el diagnóstico de la NCC. Estudios previos demuestran que la Taenia crassiceps y la Taenia solium tienen similitud estructural y antigénica; en este trabajo evaluamos antígenos de ambos parásitos frente a 68 líquidos cefalorraquídeos y 40 sueros pertenecientes a casos confirmados de NCC y a controles. Para cumplir tal objetivo enfrentamos en ELISA las muestras de los pacientes contra cada uno de tres extractos antigénicos de cada tenideo: el fluido vesicular, la membrana externa y el extracto total. El análisis estadístico demostró una alta sensibilidad y especificidad de los antígenos de la T crassiceps, especialmente el fluido vesicular; el cual dio una sensibilidad de 90,3%, una especificidad de 94,5% y valores predictivos positivos y negativos de 93,3% y 92,1% frente a los LCR. Estos atributos hacen de esta fracción parasitaria una herramienta de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico de la NCC, pudiendo sustituir los antígenos procedentes de carcasas de cerdos infectados naturalmente con T. solium.

We study the quasiclassical dynamics of the cross-Kerr effect. In this approximation, the typical periodical revivals of the decorrelation between the two polarization modes disappear and remain entangled. By mapping the dynamics onto the Poincaré space, we find simple conditions for polarization squeezing. When dissipation is taken into account, the shape of the states in such a space is not considerably modified, but their size is reduced.

Abstract Background European Member States are facing a challenge to provide accessible and effective health care services for immigrants. It remains unclear how best to achieve this and what characterises good practice in increasingly multicultural societies across Europe. This study assessed the views and values of professionals working in different health care contexts and in different European countries as to what constitutes good practice in health care for immigrants. Methods A total of 134 experts in 16 EU Member States participated in a three-round Delphi process. The experts represented four different fields: academia, Non-Governmental Organisations, policy-making and health care practice. For each country, the process aimed to produce a national consensus list of the most important factors characterising good practice in health care for migrants. Results The scoring procedures resulted in 10 to 16 factors being identified as the most important for each participating country. All 186 factors were aggregated into 9 themes: (1) easy and equal access to health care, (2) empowerment of migrants, (3) culturally sensitive health care services, (4) quality of care, (5) patient/health care provider communication, (6) respect towards migrants, (7) networking in and outside health services, (8) targeted outreach activities, and (9) availability of data about specificities in migrant health care and prevention. Although local political debate, level of immigration and the nature of local health care systems influenced the selection and rating of factors within each country, there was a broad European consensus on most factors. Yet, discordance remained both within countries, e.g. on the need for prioritising cultural differences, and between countries, e.g. on the need for more consistent governance of health care services for immigrants. Conclusions Experts across Europe asserted the right to culturally sensitive health care for all immigrants. There is a broad consensus among experts about the major principles of good practice that need to be implemented across Europe. However, there also is some disagreement both within and between countries on specific issues that require further research and debate.

Eighteen hemodialysis patients with the diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia (MI), admitted to the Renal Service in the last 5 years, were retrospectively reviewed. All patients, 10 males and 8 females, average age 66.3 +/- 8.6 years, were complaining of acute abdominal pain without other specific clinical or laboratorial findings, had their diagnosis confirmed during laparatomy, with ischemic involvement of the ileocecal/ascendant colon area in 14 cases and the small bowel in 4. Noteworthy was the high incidence of previous dialysis-induced hypotensive episodes (10/18), the presence of leukocytosis (13/18), the high average hemoglobin level of 9.4 gr/dl, and the constant finding of non-occlusive MI. Average time in-hospital was 15.4 days (2 to 30) and the mortality--88% (16 patients). The growing incidence of MI mostly of the non-occlusive type, and its grim prognosis, calls for an early diagnosis of functional ischemic colitis, and the adoption of preventive action to avoid bowel infarction.

No período de fevereiro de 1979 a março de 1986 foram submetidos a cerclagem do TP 40 pacientes portadores de cardiopatias congênitas com hiperíluxo pulmonar, insuficiência cardíaca e hipodesenvolvimento ponderal. Vinte e três pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 17 do feminino com idade média de 6 meses (20 dias a 17 meses). Foram as seguintes as malformações: CIV (22 casos), AVC total (6), DVSVD (2), TA (2), TGVB (3), AT (2), VU (1) e cardiopatia complexa (2 casos). A cerclagem foi realizada com controle de pressão do TP de tal forma a reduzí-la de 50% nos acianóticos e de 40% nos cianóticos. Dois pacientes (5%) faleceram no pós-operatório imediato, sendo um em bloqueio A-V total (AVC, 1, 7 kg, 20 dias de idade) e outro em septicemia, 20 dias após a cirurgia (CIV). Um óbito tardio ocorreu por broncopneumonia. Os demais pacientes evoluíram satisfatoriamente, com resolução da ICC e ganho de peso em média 400g por mês (peso pré: média 4 kg, peso pós: média 7,5 kg). Treze pacientes foram reestudados, hemodinamicamente, em média 21 meses após a cerclagem. A relação FP/FS reduziu de 2,7 para 0,92, ao mesmo tempo em que houve diminuição também na relação PSAP/PSAo de 0,73 para 0,28. Nestes pacientes houve uma melhora clínica observada pela diminuição do déficit ponderal de 38 por cento, para 20 por cento. Treze pacientes foram submetidos a correção total em média 21 meses após a cerclagem, com dois óbitos hospitalares, sendo um imediato e outro por intoxicação digitálica, 1 mês após a cirurgia. Analisando-se, separadamente, os 6 casos de AVCT, em todos predominava o shunt e não o refluxo valvar. Houve um óbito imediato e 5 pacientes foram reestudados hemodinamicamente. Observou-se redução importante nas pressões pulmonares e no fluxo arterial pulmonar. Estes pacientes foram reoperados para correção total, com boa evolução.From February 1979 to March 1986, 50 patients were submitted to pulmonary artery banding in order to control congestive heart failure and to prevent pulmonary vascular disease. Twenty-three patients were male and 17 were female. The mean age was 6 months (20 days to 17 months). The preoperative diagnosis were: ventricular septal defect (22), atrioventricular canal (6), double outlet right ventricle (2), tricuspid atresia (2), transposition of the great arteries (3), truncus arteriosus (2), single ventricle (1) and complexes pathologies (2). The pulmonary banding was carried out under control of the pulmonary artery pressure. Two patients (5 per cent) died on the immediate postoperative period: one patient in atrioventricular block and another in sepsis. One patient died of pneumonia on the late postoperative period. The remaining patients had a satisfactory evolution, increasing 400g of weight monthly. Thirteen patients were submitted to hemodynamic studies on the postoperative period (mean 21 months). Important reduction in pulmonary pressures and flows were then observed, including in five cases with A-V canal. Thirteen patients were reoperated on to correct their underlying defects one year after the banding. Then, one patient died in the immediate postoperative phase and another on the late phase. One of the six patients with A-V canal died on the immediate postoperative period and the others were reoperated for correction of the defects, with good results.

A rapid review was conducted to explore the implementation determinants of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the World Health Organization African Region and describe their dynamic relationship. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched in October 2023 to find relevant literature. A total of 64 published studies that reported factors affecting HPV vaccination were identified. Analysis of identified factors yielded 74 implementation determinants of HPV vaccination across the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR): two (2.70%) were in the innovation domain, seven (9.46%) were in the outer setting domain, 14 (18.92%) were in the inner setting domain, 37 (50%) were in the individual domain and 14 (18.92%) were in the implementation process domain. A causal loop diagram of these implementation determinants revealed four balancing and seven reinforcing loops. Applying systems lens promoted a more holistic understanding of the implementation determinants of HPV vaccination, exposing leverage points for interventions.

There is a growing political interest in health reforms in Africa, and many countries are choosing national health insurance as their main financing mechanism for universal health coverage. Although vaccination is an essential health service that can influence progress toward universal health coverage, it is not often prioritized by these national health insurance systems. This paper highlights the potential gains of integrating vaccination into the package of health services that is provided through national health insurance and recommends practical policy actions that can enable countries to harness these benefits at population level.

Despite the availability of effective vaccines for preventing common childhood infectious diseases, there is still significant disparities in access and utilization across many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The factors that drive these disparities are often multilevel, originating from individuals, health facilities, health systems and communities, and also multifaceted. Implementation science has emerged as a field to help address "know-do" gaps in health systems, and can play a significant role in strengthening immunization systems to understand and solve implementation barriers that limit access and uptake within their contexts. This article presents a reflexive perspective on how to position implementation research in immunization programmes to improve coverage equity. Furthermore, key points of synergy between implementation research and vaccination are highlighted, and some potential practice changes that can be applied within specific contexts were proposed. Using a human rights lens, it was concluded that the cost that is associated with implementation failure in immunization programmes is significant and unjust, and future directions for implementation research to optimize its application in practice settings have been recommended.

In the development of functional materials, side chains are traditionally incorporated into the primary chemical structure to induce liquid-crystalline behavior or to enhance solubility for improved processability. However, emerging evidence suggests that side chains play a far more complex role. This study presents a case of a double helical supramolecular structure formed by star-shaped mesogens in the absence of specific interactions. The molecular conformation is primarily dictated by the self-assembly of the side chains, introducing a new organizational paradigm for semiflexible low-molecular-weight mesogens.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) of toxin-producing microalgae are recurrent in Patagonian fjord systems. Like toxigenic HABs, high-biomass harmful algal blooms (HB-HABs) have important socio-economic repercussions, but most studies have focused on the former. Here we report the formation and development of an intense HB-HAB of Prorocentrum micans that occurred in Northwest Chilean Patagonia in the late summer (February-March) of 2022. Concentrated and extensive brown spots were visible on the water surface, accompanied at the end of February by a strong odour. Prorocentrum micans cells were detected at relatively low densities (up to 215 cells mL -1 ) in January but by February 11 cell densities exceeded 1000 cells mL -1 , reaching a maximum of 8.3 × 10 3 cell mL -1 in the surface layer. The high cell densities at Reloncaví Sound and the Gulf of Ancud were closely associated with narrow-ranging increases in the sea surface temperature (17-18.5 °C) and salinity (29-31 g kg -1 ). Sentinel-2 satellite images from February 22 showed a colour change corresponding to the presence of the brown patches at both locations, consistent with the increases in the normalized index of chlorophyll differences (NDCI) and chlorophyll a concentrations (~50 μg L -1 ). Satellite images from GHRSST indicated warmer waters in Reloncaví Sound and the Gulf of Ancud than in the Gulf of Corcovado, located 170-km to the south. An oceanographic 3-D model (MOSA) showed surface currents with a cyclonic eddy centred in the Gulf of Ancud. This circulation pattern suggested greater water retention in the study area during January and February, with the drifting and rotation of the coastal currents around the eddy maintaining the P. micans bloom. Thus, the elevated cell density of P. micans in the Gulf of Ancud, near the periphery of the eddy, confirm the presence of a material accumulation hotspot for HABs and HB-HABs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We have not financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) is used for treatment of heart failure. The effect of Sac/Val on regional dysfunction following myocardial infarction (MI) remains uncertain. This study aimed at understanding the effects of Sac/Val on regional function after MI., Methods and Results: MI or sham surgery was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomized to treatment with Sac/Val, valsartan (Val) or vehicle (Veh). Magnetic resonance imaging was used to acquire left ventricular volumes and strain. Left ventricular tissue was obtained for wesern blotting, PCR and Masson's trichrome staining. Isolated cardiac fibroblasts were cultured with Veh, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), adrenomedullin (ADM) and sacubitrilat, and collagen expression assessed with droplet digital PCR., Results: Sac/Val reduced ventricular end-diastolic volume by 18% compared with Veh, and preserved circumferential systolic strain in the zone proximal to infarction compared with sham after 42 days of treatment (peak strain ± SEM: sham: -0.19 ± 0.01%; Sac/Val: -0.14 ± 0.02%; Val: -0.10 ± 0.02%; Veh: -0.10 ± 0.02%). Masson's trichrome staining demonstrated lower fibrotic deposition in the intermediate zone with Sac/Val treatment than Veh (sham: 2.29 ± 0.17%; Sac/Val: 2.31 ± 0.27%; Val: 3.22 ± 0.60%; Veh: 4.14 ± 0.48%). The amounts of the pro-apoptotic caspase 3 cleavage fragments p19/17 were 89% higher in Val than sham, with Sac/Val showing no significant increase compared with sham. Collagen expression in human fibroblast culture was lower in cells co-treated with sacubitrilat and ANP, an effect not observed with sacubitrilat/ADM co-treatment., Conclusions: Sac/Val preserves in vivo myocardial function in the region most proximal to MI in rats and reduces left ventricular dilatation. These effects may be related to a reduction in both fibrosis and pro-apoptotic signalling., (© 2024 The Author(s). ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) cases increased sharply in India during the second COVID-19 wave. Due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia, prolonged steroid use, and high ferritin levels, the immune system was dysregulated throughout this surge., Methods: Our study examined post-COVID-19 ROCM patients' T regulatory cell (Treg), T helper 17 cell (Th17) and Myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) levels before and after three months of treatment. T cell activation and MDSC profile were measured in peripheral blood from 20 post-COVID-19 mucormycosis patients and 20 age-matched controls., Results: Compared to controls, cases had significantly greater Th17 cells (CD4 + IL-23R + ) before and after treatment ( p  < 0.05), with no significant change between pre- and post-treatment. In pretreatment cases, Treg cells (CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + ) were lower than controls, but dramatically increased ( p  < 0.05) following treatment. Further, these patients had significantly higher rates of monocytic (m) MDSCs (CD14 + HLA-DR low/- ) compared to healthy persons ( p  < 0.05). Interestingly, after three months of treatment, mMDSC levels dropped to levels similar to healthy controls. Similarly, ROCM patients had higher levels of granulocytic (g) MDSCs (HLA-DR low/- CD33 + CD11b + CD66 + ) than healthy controls, although these levels normalized after three months. Patients had considerably greater expression levels of RORγt, TGF-β, and IL-10 mRNA before therapy compared to healthy controls. FoxP3 and Arg-1 mRNA expression was lower in pretreatment patients than in healthy people. After treatment, these individuals' IL-10, FoxP3, and Arg-1 mRNA expression increased., Conclusion: MDSCs may play a role in mucormycosis immunological dysregulation, suggesting that restoring balance may improve patient outcomes.

The genus Tetracladium has historically been regarded as an aquatic hyphomycete. However, sequencing of terrestrial ecosystems has shown that Tetracladium species might also be terrestrial soil and plant-inhabiting fungi. The diversity of Tetracladium species, their distribution across ecosystems, and the factors that shape community composition remain largely unknown. Using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplicon sequencing, we investigated the spatial distribution of Tetracladium in 970 soil samples representing the major ecosystems found across the British landscape. Species of the genus were found in 57% of the samples and across all vegetation types. The Tetracladium sequences we recovered included species common in aquatic ecosystems. However, we found five additional clades that clustered with environmental sequences previously found in terrestrial environments. The community composition of the Tetracladium OTUs was mainly related to vegetation type and soil pH. Strikingly, both taxon richness and overall abundance were highest in arable soils and showed positive relationships with soil pH. T. maxilliforme and a taxon of environmental sequences, Tetracladium group 1, was the biggest group, had the most relative abundance across ecosystems and was found in all vegetation types. Overall, this study provides insights into the community composition patterns of Tetracladium in terrestrial ecosystems and highlights the importance of vegetation characteristics in shaping Tetracladium communities., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Isolation of high-quality RNA from abaca is very challenging due to the presence of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and its high fiber content. In this study, we compared six extraction methods across three tissue types and different developmental stages ( in-vitro -grown young versus field-grown mature tissue). The Invitrogen PureLink RNA kit proved to be the most efficient in extracting RNA from young abaca tissues (leaves, pseudostem, and corm). The quality of RNA extracted from young tissues was further assessed by RNA-seq applications, with raw sequencing reads mapping back to the M. textilis reference genome at rates of 86.0%-90.4%. The SDS-TRIzol-method modified with an added on-column DNAse I treatment was used to extract RNA from mature tissues (leaves, midrib, and pseudostem). RNA isolated from five M. textilis cultivars and across three mature tissue types showed RNA yield per 100 mg of fresh weight ranges from 0.57 to 10.94 µg and RNA integrity number (RIN) scores of more than 7.0 for all tissue types. Our improved SDS-Trizol method for RNA extraction described here is simple and yields good quality RNAs from mature abaca tissues while the PureLink RNA kit is suitable for extracting RNA from young abaca samples amenable to RT-qPCR and next-generation sequencing studies.

The cyclopentadiene (C 5 H 6 ) molecule has emerged as a molecular building block of nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and carbonaceous nanostructures such as corannulene (C 20 H 10 ), nanobowls (C 40 H 10 ), and fullerenes (C 60 ) in deep space. However, the underlying elementary gas-phase processes synthesizing cyclopentadiene from acyclic hydrocarbon precursors have remained elusive. Here, by merging crossed molecular beam experiments with rate coefficient calculations and comprehensive astrochemical modeling, we afford persuasive testimony on an unconventional low-temperature cyclization pathway to cyclopentadiene from acyclic precursors through the reaction of the simplest diatomic organic radical-methylidyne (CH)-with 1,3-butadiene (C 4 H 6 ) representing main route to cyclopentadiene observed in TaurusMolecular Cloud. This facile route provides potential solution for the incorporation of the cyclopentadiene moiety in complex aromatic systems via bottom-up molecular mass growth processes and offers an entry point to the low-temperature chemistry in deep space leading eventually to nonplanar PAHs in our carbonaceous Universe., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Background and Aims: The Lyon 2.0 consensus recommends 96-hr wireless pH studies for GERD diagnosis; however, the optimal length of pH-measurement has not been established. Further it is uncertain if, and under what circumstances, shorter recording times are sufficient for a conclusive diagnosis., Methods: Data from 944 patients with 4-day recordings was reviewed. Patients were classified at 24, 48, and 72-hrs against the 96-hr reference standard. Acid exposure time (AET) <4% was conclusively negative and AET >6% conclusively positive for GERD. Esophagitis was an independent marker of disease. The effect of utilizing average day, worst-day, and dominant-pattern analysis (≥2 negative or positive days) was compared. Groups defined by AET thresholds from 1% to 7% at 24- and 48-hr were followed to assess when short recording periods were sufficient for conclusive diagnosis., Results: Diagnostic accuracy improved with study duration (p < 0.00001). The proportion of patients with inconclusive results (AET 4-6%) reduced from 113/944 at 24-hr to 40/113 at 96-hr (35% of subgroup; p = 0.02), with similar results for dominant pattern analysis. Diagnostic sensitivity for 24, 48 and 72-hr pH-monitoring for AET 6% threshold increased with study duration from 62.5% to 76.6% and 88.2%, respectively, when compared to the 96-hour reference standard., Conclusion: The results of this analysis validate the recommendation that prolonged reflux studies of at least 72-hr duration provide optimal AET measurements for GERD diagnosis. Prolonging studies can also resolve inconclusive results based on 24- and 48-hr studies., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Endurance-trained athletes exhibit greater diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) at rest and during exercise as compared to untrained individuals; however, the mechanism(s) are unclear. The supine position translocates blood centrally and can be used to investigate DLCO responses independent of metabolic rate. We hypothesized that endurance-trained individuals would have a greater DLCO response to postural change at rest as compared to untrained and that the supine position would elicit a greater DLCO response as compared to the upright position during exercise in both groups. Fourteen endurance-trained (Trained) individuals ( V̇ O 2peak : 61.1 ± 4.4 ml∙kg -1 ∙min -1 ) and 14 Untrained individuals ( V̇ O 2peak : 37.4 ± 3.0 ml∙kg -1 ∙min -1 ) completed DLCO maneuvers at rest and during exercise in the upright and supine position. At rest, there was a significant group-by-position interaction (p=0.02) effect on DLCO with post-hoc analysis determining DLCO increased from upright to supine position in Trained (p<0.01), but not Untrained (p=0.58). There was no effect of position on exercising DLCO (p=0.16) regardless of group; however, pulmonary capillary blood volume (V C ) was increased with supine exercise (p=0.03). There was an apparent plateau in DLCO and V C in the Trained group near-maximal exercise as Trained failed to increase DLCO (p=0.25) and Vc (p=0.46) up to near-maximal exercise. Trained individuals demonstrate greater DLCO recruitment with postural change at rest suggesting a greater ability to recruit/distend the pulmonary microvasculature. However, the supine position did not augment DLCO as compared to upright position in Trained individuals near-maximal exercise, suggesting a plateau may be reached at maximal exercise.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoparticles were incorporated into a thiol-ene clickable gelatin network to elucidate to what extent osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp- and adipose-derived stem cells (HDPSCs/HASCs) could be further boosted. ACP nanoparticles increased the specific surface area by 23% and reduced the density by 13% while maintaining a comparable particle size (ACP: 25 ± 3 nm; HAP: 27 ± 3 nm). Overall, the incorporation of ceramic nanoparticles did not significantly alter the mechanical properties of the ceramic-containing composites compared to the unsubstituted thiol-ene network. ACP nanoparticles at high concentrations promoted a 21-day osteogenic response in HASCs (72.09 ± 20.20 ng Ca 2+ /ng DNA) comparable to HDPSCs, with the latter showing high calcium production irrespective of the ceramic content (78.45 ± 10.87 ng Ca 2+ /ng DNA), suggesting that the provided cues must be optimized according to the investigated cell type toward a cell-interactive coating application stimulating osteogenesis.

An optimised synthesis of the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66(Ce) is reported using a modulator-free route, yielding ~5 g of material with high crystallinity and 22 % ligand defect. Two methods are developed for loading gold nanoparticles onto the MOF. The first uses a double-solvent method to introduce HAuCl 4 onto UiO-66(Ce), followed by reduction under 5 % H 2 in N 2 , while the second is a novel one-pot method where HAuCl 4 is added to the synthesis mixture, forming Au nanoparticles within the pores of the UiO-66(Ce) during crystallisation. Analysis using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), nitrogen adsorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) reveals that the two-step double-solvent method yields gold crystallites on the external surface of the MOF particles that are visible by PXRD. In contrast, the one-pot method forms smaller gold crystallites, with a distribution of sizes centred on ~4 nm diameter as seen by SAXS, with evidence from PXRD for the smallest particles being present within the MOF structure. The Au-loaded UiO-66(Ce) materials are evaluated for the catalytic oxidation of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin at 60 °C. Our findings indicate that incorporating Au nanoparticles via the one-pot synthesis method, enhances redox activity, achieving 43 % conversion and 90 % selectivity towards vanillin., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - An Asian Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Cement fixation for total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a controversial topic. While cemented stems are associated with lower risk of periprosthetic fractures (PPF), cementless stems may offer superior biological fixation. This study analyzed peri-operative and short-term outcomes of cemented vs. cementless stem fixation in THA., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 15,012 patients who underwent primary elective THA at an academic medical center from 2011 to 2021. Of these patients, 429 were cemented. Patients were stratified into 3 age cohorts (25-69, 70-79 and ≥ 80 years). Cemented stem patients were 1:1 propensity-score matched to cementless stem patients for baseline characteristics. Perioperative and short-term outcomes were compared., Results: The mean operative time for cemented cases was significantly longer across all age cohorts (25-69, P = 0.005; 70-79, P < 0.001; ≥80, P < 0.001). In the 70-79 and ≥ 80 cohorts, cemented patients demonstrated a significantly shorter length of stay (LOS) compared to cementless patients (2.2 vs. 2.6 days, P = 0.017; 3.0 vs. 3.4, P = 0.041, respectively). In the 70-79 and ≥ 80 cohorts, cemented patients were significantly more likely to be discharged home when compared to cementless patients (88.2 vs. 80.5%, P = 0.031; 64.0 vs. 54.2%, P = 0.046, respectively). Across age cohorts, there were no differences in all-cause revision rates (Cohort 1: 5.4% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.108; Cohort 2: 3.0% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.362; Cohort 3: 1.8% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.714). The ≥ 80 cohort demonstrated increased rates of PPF in the cementless cohort compared to cemented (1.2 vs. 0%, P = 0.082, respectively), but it did not reach significance., Conclusion: Patient age has a substantial impact on perioperative outcomes following cemented versus cementless stem THA. Patients > 70 with a cemented femoral stem had improved perioperative outcomes such as shorter LOS, increased discharge to home and reduced rates of PPF compared to their cementless stem counterparts. Patient age should be considered prior to selecting a stem fixation strategy., Level of Evidence: III, Therapeutic Study., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: The present study was conducted upon receiving approval from the institutional review board (IRB). Competing interests: Mr. Haider has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent to publish: Consent to publish was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Competing Interests: Dr. Garry has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Ms. Rajahraman has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Ms. Chau has no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Dr. Schwarzkopf reports grants from Smith&Nephew, grants from Intelijoint, stocks from Gauss Surgical, grants from Zimmer, outside the submitted work. Dr. Macaulay is on the editorial/governing board of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research and Journal of Arthroplasty, board/committee member of Hip Society, IP royalties and paid consultancy for JointMedica, unpaid consultancy for ORamaVR, stocks from OrthAlign., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Plants display a range of temporal patterns of inter-annual reproduction, from relatively constant seed production to "mast seeding," the synchronized and highly variable interannual seed production of plants within a population. Previous efforts have compiled global records of seed production in long-lived plants to gain insight into seed production, forest and animal population dynamics, and the effects of global change on masting. Existing datasets focus on seed production dynamics at the population scale but are limited in their ability to examine community-level mast seeding dynamics across different plant species at the continental scale. We harmonized decades of plant reproduction data for 141 woody plant species across nine Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) or long-term ecological monitoring sites from a wide range of habitats across the United States. Plant reproduction data are reported annually between 1957 and 2021 and based on either seed traps or seed and/or cone counts on individual trees. A wide range of woody plant species including trees, shrubs, and lianas are represented within sites allowing for direct community-level comparisons among species. We share code for filtering of data that enables the comparison of plot and individual tree data across sites. For each species, we compiled relevant life history attributes (e.g., seed mass, dispersal syndrome, seed longevity, sexual system) that may serve as important predictors of mast seeding in future analyses. To aid in phylogenetically informed analyses, we also share a phylogeny and phylogenetic distance matrix for all species in the dataset. These data can be used to investigate continent-scale ecological properties of seed production, including individual and population variability, synchrony within and across species, and how these properties of seed production vary in relation to plant species traits and environmental conditions. In addition, these data can be used to assess how annual variability in seed production is associated with climate conditions and how that varies across populations, species, and regions. The dataset is released under a CC0 1.0 Universal public domain license., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.)