Time-domain THz spectroscopy reveals coupled protein-hydration dielectric response in solutions of native and fibrils of human lyso-zyme

Here we reveal details of the interaction between human lysozyme proteins, both native and fibrils, and their water environment by intense terahertz time domain spectroscopy. With the aid of a rigorous dielectric model, we determine the amplitude and phase of the oscillating dipole induced by the THz field in the volume containing the protein and its hydration water. At low concentrations, the amplitude of this induced dipolar response decreases with increasing concentration. Beyond a certain threshold, marking the onset of the interactions between the extended hydration shells, the amplitude remains fixed but the phase of the induced dipolar response, which is initially in phase with the applied THz field, begins to change. The changes observed in the THz response reveal protein-protein interactions me-diated by extended hydration layers, which may control fibril formation and may have an important role in chemical recognition phenomena

Waste glass as partial replacement in cement – a review

The industries of Cement and glass are dealing with a variety of demanding situations due to the excessive factories gases emissions, the extensive use of power and the intensive use of the earth's natural resources. The temporary landfills of dumping waste glass are now not providing a friendly environment, because of waste glass particle are nonbiodegradable. Furthermore, the chemical structure and the pozzolanic characteristics of waste glass are inspiring for using this waste in the cement industries and urban industries and to provide an environmentally friendly answer for the glass and cement industries. Thus, it can be used as a partial cement replacement in Portland cement concrete or as a partial replacement in the form of waste glass powder (WGP) or as waste glass sludge (WGS). The use of glass powder in Portland cement concrete does have some negative impact on characteristics of the concrete; however, waste glass in its crushed condition can be use in about 100 % and it can still be a practical applicability. This paper reviews the unusual uses of waste glass in cement and concrete and the effect of thermal and pozzolanic activity on the properties of waste glass the impact of the glass characteristics on the durability and performance of the produced cement and concrete

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid intake in the form of dietary supplement or enriched food on c-reactive protein and lipoprotein (A) levels in humans: A literature review and meta-analysis

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) play essential roles in cardiovascular disease incidence. This study aimed to review the association between the intake of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the form of dietary supplement or enriched food with different treatment durations and the levels of Lp(a) and CRP in human studies. Methods: All the articles published in Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar from November 2014 to October 2015 were searched and the clinical trials on the effects of CLA on Lp(a) and CRP levels were assessed. Of the 2249 articles initially retrieved, 21 eligible randomized clinical trials were enrolled in this systematic review. The publication dates of the eligible articles ranged from 2005 to 2013. The mean difference and the standard deviation of changes in CRP and Lp(a) levels in intervention and control groups were used as effect-size measures for meta-analysis. The obtained data from the eligible randomized controlled trials were meta-analyzed using Stata, version 13. Results: The intake of CLA as a dietary supplement led to a significant increase in CRP levels (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.41, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.54; P=0.001). Subgroup analysis based on the duration of CLA consumption showed that CLA consumption more than 24 weeks resulted in a significant increase in the levels of CRP (SMD=0.52, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.68; P=0.001) and Lp(a) (SMD=0.24, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.47; P=0.04). Conclusion: The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the long-term consumption of CLA increases the levels of CRP and Lp(a)

FRAX-based intervention and assessment thresholds for osteoporosis in Iran

A Summary We compared the utility of the current Iranian guidelines that recommend treatment in women with a T-score <= - 2.5 SD with a FRAX-based intervention threshold equivalent to women of average BMI with a prior fragility fracture. Whereas the FRAX-based intervention threshold identified women at high fracture probability, the T-score threshold was less sensitive, and the associated fracture risk decreased markedly with age. Introduction The fracture risk assessment algorithm FRAX (R) has been recently calibrated for Iran, but guidance is needed on how to apply fracture probabilities to clinical practice. Methods The age-specific ten-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women with average BMI to determine fracture probabilities at two potential intervention thresholds. The first comprised the age-specific fracture probabilities associated with a femoral neck T-score of -2.5 SD, in line with current guidelines in Iran. The second approach determined age-specific fracture probabilities that were equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture, without BMD. The parsimonious use of BMD was additionally explored by the computation of upper and lower assessment thresholds for BMD testing. Results When a BMD T-score <= - 2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women aged 50 years was approximately two-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The relative increase in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T-score of -2.5 SD was actually protective. The 10-year probability of a major osteoporotic fracture by age, equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age from 4.9% at the age of 50 years to 17%, at the age of 80 years, and identified women at increased risk at all ages. Conclusion Intervention thresholds based on BMD alone do not effectively target women at high fracture risk, particularly in the elderly. In contrast, intervention thresholds based on fracture probabilities equivalent to a "fracture threshold" target women at high fracture risk

Are children with SARS-CoV-2 infection at high risk for thrombosis? Viscoelastic testing and coagulation profiles in a case series of pediatric patients

© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC The coagulopathy of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is well documented in adults, with increases in D-dimer and prothrombin time found to be strong predictors of mortality, and anticoagulation shown to decrease this mortality. Viscoelastic parameters such as elevations in maximum clot firmness (MCF) on rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have correlated with a hypercoagulable state in adults with SARS-CoV-2. We report our experience in children infected with SARS-CoV-2, with noted elevations in D-dimer and MCF on ROTEM (indicating hypercoagulability). Exploration of viscoelastic testing to provide additional laboratory-based evidence for pediatric-specific risk assessment for thromboprophylaxis in SARS-CoV-2 is warranted

The reference value of trabecular bone score (TBS) in the Iranian population

Trabecular bone score (TBS), as a tool for measurement of bone microarchitecture, represents fracture risk independently of bone density. The aim of this study was to estimate the reference values of TBS in both genders among the Iranian population to evaluate osteoporotic fractures in the future. Methods: The study was performed on healthy Iranian subjects who live in urban areas of Bushehr city, the capital of Bushehr province in southwestern Iran. The participants in this study were selected through a multistage, age and sex stratified, cluster random sampling. The TBS of L1-L4 was assessed by spine DXA images using TBS iNsight software (Discovery WI, Hologic Inc, USA). Age-related models of TBS were constructed using piecewise linear regression analysis. Results: In total, 691 participants aged ≥ 18 years (381 men and 310 women) were selected for the study. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of TBS value for men was 1.420 ± 0.094 and the age at the peak TBS was 30.0 years. Among women, the corresponding value for the mean of TBS was 1.428 ± 0.070 and the age at the peak TBS was 24.5 years. Two SDs below the mean of TBS were 1.326 in men and 1.357 in women. Therefore, the following normal range for TBS values has been proposed: Among men, TBS ≥ 1.326 is considered to be normal; TBS between 1.231 and 1.326 is considered to be partially degraded microarchitecture; and TBS ≤ 1.231defined degraded microarchitecture. Among women, TBS categories are defined as normal ≥ 1.357, partially degraded between 1.287 and 1.357 and degraded ≤ 1.287. Conclusions: This was the first study to propose evaluation of the normal range for TBS values in both genders in the Middle- East and Iran. According to our results: TBS ≤ 1.231 in men and TBS ≤ 1.287 in women is considered to be degraded microarchitecture among the Iranian population