To Duckweeds (\u3cem\u3eLandoltia punctata\u3c/em\u3e), Nanoparticulate Copper Oxide is More Inhibitory than the Soluble Copper in the Bulk Solution

CuO nanoparticles (CuO-NP) were synthesized in a hydrogen diffusion flame. Particle size and morphology were characterized using scanning mobility particle sizing, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The solubility of CuO-NP varied with both pH and presence of other ions. CuO-NP and comparable doses of soluble Cu were applied to duckweeds, Landoltia punctata. Growth was inhibited 50% by either 0.6 mg L−1 soluble copper or by 1.0 mg L−1 CuO-NP that released only 0.16 mg L−1 soluble Cu into growth medium. A significant decrease of chlorophyll was observed in plants stressed by 1.0 mg L−1 CuO-NP, but not in the comparable 0.2 mg L−1 soluble Cu treatment. The Cu content of fronds exposed to CuO-NP is four times higher than in fronds exposed to an equivalent dose of soluble copper, and this is enough to explain the inhibitory effects on growth and chlorophyll content

L’endocardite à Bartonella en Tunisie: Particularités lésionnelles et évolutives

L'endocardite à Bartonalla est une infection ubiquitaire, son diagnostic est difficile vu qu'il s'agit souvent d'endocardite à hémoculture négative. Lebut de cette étude est d'analyser les particularités lésionnelles et  évolutives de cette entité dans un pays du nord d'Afrique, la Tunisie et dedémontrer la gravité de cette infection. Nous avons étudié  rétrospectivement les dossiers médicaux de 20 patients atteints  d'endocardite à Bartonella, confirmée selon les critères de Dukes modifiés. L'âge moyen de nos patients était 37 ans avec une prédominance  masculine (SR=3). Tous nos malades avaient un niveau socio-économique bas. Le motif essentiel de consultation était la dyspnée, 6 patients étaient admis dans un tableau d'insuffisance cardiaque congestive. Une  prédilection des lésions au niveau de la valve aortique a été notée (14 cas). Quatorze patients avaient des végétations endocarditiques avec une taille qui dépasse 10 mm chez 8 malades. La majorité des patients (18 patients) présentaient une régurgitation valvulaire massive en rapport principalement avec des mutilations importantes (6 cas de ruptures de cordages mitraux, 2 cas de déchirures des sigmoïdes aortiques, un cas de perforation valvulaire aortique, un cas de désinsertion de prothèse  mitrale). Quinze malades (3/4) avaient nécessité une chirurgie à la phase active de la maladie, l'indication majeure était l'insuffisance cardiaque. Une complication neurologique était notée chez 2 malades et une  complication rénale chez 3 malades. Treize patients étaient guéris, 5 malades étaient décédés et 2 malades opérés ont présenté une  réinfection à staphylococcus aureus et à candida albicans en  postopératoire. L'endocardite à Bartonella est une infection grave. Cette Bactérie possède un potentiel destructif important. Le recours à la chirurgie est quasi constant. La morbi-mortalité est élevée. La recherche de cette bactérie devrait être alors systématique chez nos malades suspects d'endocardite d'autant plus que la bartonellose est endémique sur nos terres

Magnetisation studies in Co-Tb / Pt multilayers

We have studied the magnetization in Co86Tb14/Pt multilayers under fields up to 1.8 T and as at room temperature. As the do-Tb layer thickness (tCoTb) decreases below 200 Å the saturation magnetization magnetization (M) increases, the rectangularity of the M-H loops and the coercivity (Hc ) decrease. The effective anisotropy Keff of the multilayers was determined by a torque magnetometer. The product Keff×tCoTb shows a linear dependence with tCoTb as normally found for the superlatices yielding the bulk and surface anisotropies of 106 erg/cm3 and –0.2 erg/cm2 , respectively. These results are explained in terms of an interfacial Co-Pt layer. Keff and Hc are related by the equation Hc = α Keffn/M with the fitting parameters α and n.We have studied the magnetization in Co86Tb14/Pt multilayers under fields up to 1.8 T and as at room temperature. As the do-Tb layer thickness (tCoTb) decreases below 200 Å the saturation magnetization magnetization (M) increases, the rectangularity of the M-H loops and the coercivity (Hc ) decrease. The effective anisotropy Keff of the multilayers was determined by a torque magnetometer. The product Keff×tCoTb shows a linear dependence with tCoTb as normally found for the superlatices yielding the bulk and surface anisotropies of 106 erg/cm3 and –0.2 erg/cm2 , respectively. These results are explained in terms of an interfacial Co-Pt layer. Keff and Hc are related by the equation Hc = α Keffn/M with the fitting parameters α and n

Adaptation of Federated Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Efficient and Secure E-Healthcare Systems

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) has an advanced feature to enhance the decision-making feature and improve the rule-based technique by using more advanced Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) based algorithms. In this paper, we chose e-healthcare systems for efficient decision-making and data classification, especially in data security, data handling, diagnostics, laboratories, and decision-making. Federated Machine Learning (FML) is a new and advanced technology that helps to maintain privacy for Personal Health Records (PHR) and handle a large amount of medical data effectively. In this context, XAI, along with FML, increases efficiency and improves the security of e-healthcare systems. The experiments show efficient system performance by implementing a federated averaging algorithm on an open-source Federated Learning (FL) platform. The experimental evaluation demonstrates the accuracy rate by taking epochs size 5, batch size 16, and the number of clients 5, which shows a higher accuracy rate (19, 104). We conclude the paper by discussing the existing gaps and future work in an e-healthcare system

Demonstration of GaN-on-silicon material system operating up to 3 kilovolts with reduced trapping effects

International audienceWe report on the first demonstration of low trapping effects up to 3000 V within GaN-on-silicon epitaxial layers using a local substrate removal (LSR) followed by a thick backside ultra-wide-bandgap AlN deposition. The fabricated AlGaN/GaN devices deliver low specific on-resistance below 10 mΩcm 2 together with unprecedented 3-terminal blocking voltage while substrate ramp measurements show reduced hysteresis up to 3000 V. These results pave the way for beyond 1200 V applications using large wafer diameter GaN-on-Si high electron mobility transistors

AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors with Ultra -Wide Bandgap AlN buffer

International audienc

A new ⁶⁸Ga-labeled somatostatin analog containing two iodo-amino acids for dual somatostatin receptor subtype 2 and 5 targeting.

Somatostatin receptor (SST) targeting, specifically of the subtype 2 (SST2), with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs, is established for imaging and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. Owing to the concomitant and heterogeneous expression of several subtypes on the same tumor, analogs targeting more subtypes than SST2 potentially target a broader spectrum of tumors and/or increase the uptake of a given tumor. The analog ST8950 ((4-amino-3-iodo)-D-Phe-c[Cys-(3-iodo)-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys]-Thr-NH <sub>2</sub> ), bearing 2 iodo-amino acids, exhibits sub-nanomolar affinity to SST2 and SST5. We report herein the development and preclinical evaluation of DOTA-ST8950 labeled with <sup>68</sup> Ga, for imaging SST2- and SST5-expressing tumors. Comparative in vitro and in vivo studies were performed with the de-iodinated DOTA-ST8951 ((4-amino)-D-Phe-c[Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys]-Thr-NH <sub>2</sub> ) and with the reference compounds DOTA-TATE (SST2 selective) and DOTA-NOC (for SST2 and SST5). Compared with <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-NOC, <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-ST8950 exhibited higher affinity to SST2 and SST5 (IC <sub>50</sub> (95%CI), nM = 0.32 (0.20-0.50) and 1.9 (1.1-3.1) vs 0.70 (0.50-0.96) and 3.4 (1.8-6.2), respectively), while <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-ST8951 lost affinity for both subtypes. <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-ST8950 had the same potency for inducing SST2-mediated cAMP accumulation as <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-TATE and slightly better than <sup>nat</sup> Ga-DOTA-NOC (EC <sub>50</sub> , nM = 0.46 (0.23-0.92) vs 0.47 (0.15-1.5) vs 0.59 (0.18-1.9), respectively). [ <sup>67</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8950 had a similar internalization rate as [ <sup>67</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC in SST2-expressing cells (12.4 ± 1.6% vs 16.6 ± 2.2%, at 4 h, p = 0.0586). In vivo, [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8950 showed high and specific accumulation in SST2- and SST5-expressing tumors, comparable with [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC (26 ± 8 vs 30 ± 8 %IA/g, p = 0.4630 for SST2 and 15 ± 6 vs 12 ± 5 %IA/g, p = 0.3282, for SST5, 1 h p.i.) and accumulation in the SST-positive tissues, the kidneys and the liver. PET/CT images of [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8950, performed in a dual HEK-SST2 and HEK-SST5 tumor xenografted model, clearly visualized both tumors and illustrated high tumor-to-background contrast. [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8950 reveals its potential for PET imaging SST2- and SST5-expressing tumors. It compares favorably with the clinically used [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-NOC in terms of tumor uptake; however, its uptake in the liver remains a challenge for clinical translation. In addition, this study reveals the essential role of the iodo-substitutions in positions 1 and 3 of [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8950 for maintaining affinity to SST2 and SST5, as the de-iodinated [ <sup>68</sup> Ga]Ga-DOTA-ST8951 lost affinity for both receptor subtypes

Direct Sensing of Endothelial Oxidants by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 and c-Src

BACKGROUND: ADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in redox homeostasis and signal transduction in endothelial cells (ECs). We previously demonstrated that c-Src plays a key role in VEGF-induced, ROS-dependent selective activation of PI3K-Akt but not PLCγ-1-ERK1/2 signaling pathways. The aim of the present study was to understand how VEGFR-2-c-Src signaling axis 'senses' NADPH oxidase-derived ROS levels and couples VEGF activation of c-Src to the redox state of ECs. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using biotinylated probe that detects oxidation of cysteine thiol (cys-OH) in intracellular proteins, we demonstrate that VEGF induced oxidative modification in c-Src and VEGFR-2, and that reduction in ROS levels using siRNA against p47(phox) subunit of Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase inhibited this phenomenon. Co-immunoprecipitation studies using human coronary artery ECs (HCAEC) showed that VEGF-induced ROS-dependent interaction between VEGFR-2 and c-Src correlated with their thiol oxidation status. Immunofluorescence studies using antibodies against internalized VEGFR-2 and c-Src demonstrated that VEGF-induced subcellular co-localization of these tyrosine kinases were also dependent on NADPH oxidsase-derived ROS. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These results demonstrate that VEGF induces cysteine oxidation in VEGFR-2 and c-Src in an NADPH oxidase-derived ROS-dependent manner, suggesting that VEGFR-2 and c-Src can 'sense' redox levels in ECs. The data also suggest that thiol oxidation status of VEGFR-2 and c-Src correlates with their ability to physically interact with each other and c-Src activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that prior to activating downstream c-Src-PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, VEGFR-2-c-Src axis requires an NADPH oxidase-derived ROS threshold in ECs

Variación en parámetros bioquímicos en un grupo de pacientes con tumor cerebral primario: revisión de cuatro estudios

Introduction: It has been well established and evidence-based fact that serum levels of proteins, cholesterol, trace elements, andpseudouridines may suffer changes during a neoplastic disease process. This report encompassed four prospective studies, original in Iraq to our knowledge, had explored the serum total proteins (TP), pseudouridines levels, total serum cholesterol (TSC), and serum trace elements (TE), in groups of patients harboring primary brain tumours (PBT) compared to healthy persons. Patients and Methods:Study number 1: A group of 107 patients, from both sexes, aged 2-75 years, harboring PBT were admitted to and operated upon via formal craniotomy by staff neurosurgeons at The Teaching Hospital at Kadhimiyah (TTHK) and Neurosurgical Hospital (NH); their sera were tested for serum total proteins (TP); the latter biochemical parameters were compared with those of 40 healthy persons. Study number II: the same patients and healthy controls were tested for pseudouridine measurement. Study number III: Another group of 30 patients with PBT were studied for TSC levels and were compared with 30 healthy volunteers. Study number IV: A third group of 26 patients with PBT, from both sexes, their sera were tested and measured for TE; the measurements were compared to 1630 volunteers from both sexes and of different age groups. The sera and brain tumor tissue samples were analysed and examined by appropriate methods at relevant laboratories of the TTHK, NH, The Medical Research Centre (MRC) of The College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University and the Iraqi Atomic Energy Committee (IAEC). Results and Discussion: The serum TP and PBT study: Results are shown in table 1. The serum pseudouridines and PBT study: Mean levels of pseudouridine in serum of PBT patients, were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than its levels in the (normal) controls, table 2. The TSC and PBT study: 1. Hesalthy persons from both sexes: age range, in years, 15 – 75, mean 40.5, SD ± 19.8; TSC range 142 – 230 mg / dl, mean 185.6 mg / dl, SD ± 24.9, (3.7 – 5.9 mmol / l, mean 4.8 mmol / l, SD± 0.6), table 3. 2. Thirty persons from both sexes having peripheral tumors, with no clinical evidence of brain tumors: age range, in years, 15 – 75, mean 54.3 ± 12.8; TSC range 90 – 220 mg / dl, 143 ± 36.3 (2.3 – 5.7 mmol / l, mean 3.7 ± 0.9), table 4. 3. Thirty patients from both sexes with primary and secondary brain tumors, age range, in years, 15 - 75, mean 41.3 ± 20.9; TSC range 140 – 284 mg / dl, 217.6 ± 41.2 (3.6 – 7.3 mmol / l, 5.6 ±1.1), table 4. Study number IV: Serum mean values (and S.D.) of all measured TEs were as follow: Se 0.045 +/- 0.011, Zn 0.320 +/- 0.095, Cu 0.607 +/- 0.154, Fe 0.880 +/- 0.456, Mg 13.625 +/- 3.994, Co 0.020 +/- 0.036, Ni 0.016 +/- 0.030, Mn 0.016 +/- 0.009, Cd 0.050 (one sample), and Cr 0.015 +/- 0.005 micrograms per milliliter (mcg / ml). All mean concentrations were consistently lower in the patients than healthy volunteers; both the Student’s (t) and probability (p value) tests were performed; for Se, Zn, Cu, Mg, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr the p value was <0.01 showing statistically significant results; however, for Fe, though the mean concentration was also lower in the brain tumor group, there was no statistical significance, p > 0.05. Due to technical difficulties and very low concentration of Cd, it was not measured in healthy volunteers; however, it was measured in only one patient’s serum sample; this has been discarded from the study, table 5. Conclusions: Levels of serum TP, TC, and pseudouridine are higher in patients with PBT than in healthy people; however, those of serum TE are lower in the PBT group than healthy persons; the results of this report are in keeping with those of other researchers. The biochemical parameters can be an additional laboratory monitor in the investigation of PBT patients; however, both the specificity and sensitivity need to be ascertained. To our knowledge, this was the first study to be performed in Iraq in the setting of PB