S-100a0 protein stimulates Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release from isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

AbstractS-100a0 protein, the αα-isoform of the S-100 family, stimulates Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release from terminal cisternae isolated from rat skeletal muscle cells. The stimulatory effect of S-100a0 is maximal at ∼5 μM S-100a0 and half maximal at ∼0.1 μM S-100a0, at 1.8 μM free Ca2+ in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ plus 0.1 M KCl. The effect of the protein on Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release is completely inhibted by the calcium release blocker, ruthenium red

A large-area double rotating-crystal monochromator for time-focusing neutron instruments

We present the principle and the first prototypes of a double rotating-crystal monochromator, based on an assembly of smaller rotating elements. Such a device was developed as the key element to implement a parallel-beam modification of the time-focusing technique for neutron spectrometers. This concept is particularly promising for long-pulse sources and can bring specific advantages on continuous sources as well. Neutron tests performed on the first prototypes validate the mechanical reliability of the proposed design and the feasibility of a large-area double rotating-crystal monochromator based on this technology

European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management: Effectiveness of First and Second-Line Treatment in Spain

The management of Helicobacter pylori infection has to rely on previous local effectiveness due to the geographical variability of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of first and second-line H. pylori treatment in Spain, where the empirical prescription is recommended. A multicentre prospective non-interventional registry of the clinical practice of European gastroenterologists concerning H. pylori infection (Hp-EuReg) was developed, including patients from 2013 until June 2019. Effectiveness was evaluated descriptively and through a multivariate analysis concerning age, gender, presence of ulcer, proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) dose, therapy duration and compliance. Overall, 53 Spanish hospitals were included, and 10,267 patients received a first-line therapy. The best results were obtained with the 10-day bismuth single-capsule therapy (95% cure rate by intention-to-treat) and with both the 14-day bismuth-clarithromycin quadruple (PPI-bismuth-clarithromycin-amoxicillin, 91%) and the 14-day non-bismuth quadruple concomitant (PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin-metronidazole, 92%) therapies. Second-line therapies were prescribed to 2448 patients, with most-effective therapies being the triple quinolone (PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin/moxifloxacin) and the bismuth-levofloxacin quadruple schemes (PPI-bismuth-levofloxacin-amoxicillin) prescribed for 14 days (92%, 89% and 90% effectiveness, respectively), and the bismuth single-capsule (10 days, 88.5%). Compliance, longer duration and higher acid inhibition were associated with higher effectiveness. “Optimized” H. pylori therapies achieve over 90% success in Spain

UJI KARAKTERISTIK SIFAT FISIK, KIMIA DAN ORGANOLEPTIK PADA KUE TRADISIONAL KU’U DARI TEPUNG UBI TALAS

Mensubstitusi tepung talas pada pembuatan kue Ku'u dapat memberikan variasi baru pada olahan kue Ku'u, meningkatkan pemakaian bahan pangan lokal dan minat masyarakat untuk mencintai hasil pertanian lokal serta sekaligus dapat mengurangi kebutuhan akan tepung terigu impor. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui hasil uji organoleptik dan hasil uji serat kue tradisinal ku’u tersubtitusi tepung umbi talas. Proses pembuatan tepung hingga kue tradisional Ku’u meliputi pencucian, pengupasan, pengirisan, pengeringan, penggilingan, pengayakan. Dilanjutkan dengan pembuatan kue Ku’u yaitu pencampuran bahan, penambahan warna makanan, diaduk, dicetak, memasukkan isian unti kelapa, dilapisi dengan daun pandan, pengukusan kue Ku’u. Metode yang dilakukan adalah metode Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) dengan 3 perlakuan dan 3 ulangan. Pada uji organoleptik, Rasa, warna, aroma dan tekstur memiliki hasil yang berbeda nyata dan signifikan antra satu sama lain

Pollution, Public Health Care, and Life Expectancy When Inequality Matters

We analyze the link between economic inequality in terms of wealth, life expectancy, health care and pollution. The distribution of wealth is decisive for the number of households investing in human capital. Moreover, the willingness to invest in human capital depends on agents' life expectancy which determines the length of the amortization period of human capital investments. Life expectancy is positively affected by public health care expenditures but adversely affected by the pollution stock generated by aggregate production. Our model accounts for an endogenous take-off in terms of human capital investments. Higher initial inequality delays the take-off because a given set of policies (abatement measures and public health care) is less effective in improving agents' survival probabilities. We compare a change in taxes to a change in expenditure shares on health hand abatement given different amounts of (initial) inequality. The advantage of the latter as compared to the former is the achieved increase in the tax base which induces more expenditures on health care and abatement measures, such that an even higher economic activity is compatible with a similar level of long-run pollution

Architecture and First Characterization of the Microstrip Silicon Detector Data Acquisition of the FOOT experiment

Oncological hadrontherapy is a novel technique for cancer treatment that improves over conventional radiotherapy by having higher effectiveness and spatial selectivity. The FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) experiment studies the nuclear fragmentation caused by the interactions of charged particle beams with patient tissues in Charged Particle Therapy. Among the several FOOT detectors, the silicon Microstrip Detector is part of the charged-ions-tracking magnetic spectrometer. The detector consists of three x-y planes of two silicon microstrip detectors arranged orthogonally between each other to enable tracking capabilities. Ten analog buffer chips and fi ve ADCs read out each detector. A Field-Programmable Gate Array collects the output of the ADCs of an x-y plane, possibly processes the data, and forms a packet to be sent to the experiment central data acquisition. This data acquisition system shall withstand the trigger rate and detector’s throughput at any time. In this work, we discuss the architecture of the data acquisition system—in particular of the silicon microstrip detector one—and the fi rst results obtained from the x-y plane’s prototype

The gambling habits of university students in Aragon, Spain: a cross-sectional study

Gambling has become a routine form of entertainment for many young people. The aim of this study was to describe the gambling behavior that university students are developing in Aragon, Spain, and to analyze whether these habits are more common among students of sports science, on the assumption that they are more likely to have a higher exposure to betting company marketing. A cross-sectional design was applied, with data collected on advertising exposure, gambling habits and experiences, and opinions on the impact of gambling and its regulation from 516 undergraduate students from the University of Zaragoza. The online survey included ad hoc questions and the “Pathological Gambling Short Questionnaire” to screen for potential gambling disorders. Almost half of the sample had bet money at least once in their life (48.1%), and 2.4% screened positive for consideration of a possible diagnosis of pathological gambling. Betting shops (44.2%) were the most common gambling option, and students of sports science showed a higher prevalence of pathological gambling and had greater tendencies to make bets. Gambling is perceived as a normal leisure activity by a significant part of university students. The development of transversal strategies is required to raise awareness towards the potential dangers of gambling. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Altered NCAM expression associated with the cholinergic system in Alzheimer's disease

Neurotransmitter system dysfunction and synapse loss have been recognized as hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our hypothesis is that specific neurochemical populations of neurons might be more vulnerable to degeneration in AD due to particular deficits in synaptic plasticity. We have studied, in postmortem brain tissue, the relationship between levels of synaptic markers (NCAM and BDNF), neurochemical measurements (cholinacetyltransferase activity, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and glutamate levels), and clinical data (cognitive status measured as MMSE score). NCAM levels in frontal and temporal cortex from AD patients were significantly lower than control patients. Interestingly, these reductions in NCAM levels were associated to an ApoE4 genotype. Levels of BDNF were also significantly reduced in both frontal and temporal regions in AD patients. The ratio between plasticity markers and neurochemical measurements was used to study which of the neurochemical populations was particularly associated to plasticity changes. In both the frontal and temporal cortex, there was a significant reduction in the ChAT/NCAM ratio in AD samples compared to controls. None of the ratios to BDNF were different between control and AD samples. Furthermore, Pearson's product moment showed a significant positive correlation between MMSE score and the ChAT/NCAM ratio in frontal cortex (n=19; r=0.526*; p=0.037) as well as in temporal cortex (n=19; r=0.601*; p=0.018) in AD patients. Altogether, these data suggest a potential involvement of NCAM expressing neurons in the cognitive deficits in AD

Indications and hemoglobin thresholds for red blood cell transfusion and iron replacement in adults with gastrointestinal bleeding: An algorithm proposed by gastroenterologists and patient blood management experts

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has long been the cornerstone of treatment for anemia due to GI bleeding. However, blood is not devoid of potential adverse effects, and it is also a precious resource, with limited supplies in blood banks. Nowadays, all patients should benefit from a patient blood management (PBM) program that aims to minimize blood loss, optimize hematopoiesis (mainly by using iron replacement therapy), maximize tolerance of anemia, and avoid unnecessary transfusions. Integration of PBM into healthcare management reduces patient mortality and morbidity and supports a restrictive RBC transfusion approach by reducing transfusion rates. The European Commission has outlined strategies to support hospitals with the implementation of PBM, but it is vital that these initiatives are translated into clinical practice. To help optimize management of anemia and iron deficiency in adults with acute or chronic GI bleeding, we developed a protocol under the auspices of the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology, in collaboration with healthcare professionals from 16 hospitals across Spain, including expert advice from different specialties involved in PBM strategies, such as internal medicine physicians, intensive care specialists, and hematologists. Recommendations include how to identify patients who have anemia (or iron deficiency) requiring oral/intravenous iron replacement therapy and/or RBC transfusion (using a restrictive approach to transfusion), and transfusing RBC units 1 unit at a time, with assessment of patients after each given unit (i.e., “don’t give two without review”). The advantages and limitations of oral versus intravenous iron and guidance on the safe and effective use of intravenous iron are also described. Implementation of a PBM strategy and clinical decision-making support, including early treatment of anemia with iron supplementation in patients with GI bleeding, may improve patient outcomes and lower hospital costs

Assembly of the Inner Tracker Silicon Microstrip Modules

This note describes the organization of the mechanical assembly of the nearly 4000 silicon microstrip modules that were constructed in Italy for the Inner Tracker of the CMS experiment. The customization and the calibration of the robotic system adopted by the CMS Tracker community, starting from a general pilot project realized at CERN, is described. The step-by-step assembly procedure is illustrated in detail. Finally, the results for the mechanical precision of all assembled modules are reported