Distribution of red blood cell antigens in drug-resistant and drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a widespread world infectious disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills more people than any other single pathogen, with an estimated one-third of the world's population being infected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two billion people are infected with the causative bacillus of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is rather prevalent in the country of Georgia today. Frequency distribution of ABO, Rh-Hr, MN, Kell blood group system antigens were studied in 277 TB patients (151-drug-sensitive and 126 drug-resistant) of pulmonary tuberculosis to know whether there was any association between them, and also between drug resistance and sensitiveness. They were compared with 485 healthy subjects. Tests were carried out by standard test-tube technique and plate reaction for the following antigens: A, B; C, c, D, E, e; K and k, M and N. The research materials were collected from Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases National Centre of Georgia and Ptisio-pulmonogical Hospital of Adjara Region (Georgia). Present serological study has shown high frequency distribution of 0 and B phenotypes and r allele from ABO system, D antigen from Rh-Hr system and M antigen from MN blood group in TB patients then healthy subjects. This might explain the sensitivity of these antigens with pulmonary tuberculosis in Georgia. No significant difference between drug resistant and drug sensitive TB was found, thus the research in this direction has no importance. No association existed even when divided by age group in incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis.Key words: Drug-resistant and drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis, red cell markers, alleles, frequency, haplotypes

Distribution of ABO and Rh-Hr blood group antigens, alleles and haplotypes in the mountain region of Ajara (Georgia)

ABO and Rh-Hr blood group antigens represent a genetically stably determined trait with many-sided biological and clinical significance. The indigenous Ajarian population (105 subjects) was investigated for ABO Rh-Hr red cell blood group antigens. Using immunoserologic methods, seven blood group antigens (A, B, C, c, D, E and e) were studied. The obtained results were statistically processed. 44 ± 4.9% of the said region’s population are carriers of the blood group 0(I), 37 ± 4.82% are carriers of the phenotypic group A(II). The concentration of the B(III) blood-group carriers (17 ± 3.7%) is rather high and the AB(IV) blood group is observable in 2 ± 1.4%. In studying individual antigens of the Rh system in the Khulo population, the maximum frequency distribution of the e antigen was found (100 ± 3.12%), and followed in frequency by the c antigen (89 ± 3.12%). The frequency of the D antigen was 82 ± 3.8%, that of the c antigen was 61 ± 4.8%, and that of the E antigen was 23 ± 4.2%. Six Rh-phenotypic groups of various frequencies were fixed. The CcDee phenotype is the most characteristic of the said region’s population. Its distribution frequency is 38 ± 4.8%.Key words: Blood group antigens, Rh system, ABO system, blood, immunoserology

Hydrogen concentration and bonding configuration in polycrystalline diamond films: From micro-to nanometric grain size

International audienc

Surface photo-voltage effect of hydrogenated diamond subjected to low energy electron irradiation

International audienc

Wear performance of diamond coated WC-Co tools with a CrN interlayer

In this paper we report the wear performance of diamond coated WC-Co cutting tools with a CrN interlayer by machining Al-Si alloys. Diamond films were deposited on both WC-6%Co (Arno) and WC-10%Co (Sandvik) substrates with a CrN interlayer using the hot filament chemical vapor deposition technique. Adhesion assessment by the indentation technique shows that there was no major delamination of diamond coatings on any substrate at a load of 196 N. The stress field image of the region close to the indentation marks using Raman spectral imaging shows the splitting of the first order Raman line as well as a shift in the peak position to a higher frequency. Machining experiments of diamond/CrN/WC-6%Co tools with the Al-Si alloy (AlSi17Cu4Mg) workpiece shows a wear performance of VBmax = 0.1 mm at tc = 960 s, however, their performance in impact tests was not as high. On the other hand, machining experiments of diamond/CrN/WC-10%Co tools with an Al-Si alloy workpiece showed an excellent wear performance (VBmax = 0.17 mm at tc = 960 s), alongside an improved coating-substrate interface fatigue strength. A combined study using indentation, turning and impact tests demonstrates the potential advantage of diamond coatings on WC-10%Co substrates with a CrN interlayer for machining of Al-Si alloys and other high impact applications

Amorphous carbon enhancement of hydrogen penetration into UO2

The interaction of D2 and H2O (humidity) with amorphous carbon covered UO2 vs. clean UO2 was studied using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that SIMS depth profiles of the carbon covered side vs. the bare oxide, show significant higher intensities of H- and D- for the first, through the carbon layer and beneath it. The presence of a thin carbon layer on a UO2 surface caused a significant buildup of hydroxyl, probably adsorbed on the carbon, but maybe also beneath the layer, in the presence of atmospheric humidity. Exposure of the carbon covered oxide to D2 on a UHV annealed surface also caused a growth of the hydroxyl. It is concluded that the carbon surface strongly enhances the dissociation of water vapor as well as that of hydrogen and the penetration of the dissociation products to the oxide, as compared to the bare UO2 surface. The contribution of the latter, beneath the carbon, should be verified or ruled out by further experiments.JRC.E.6-Actinide researc

A systematic review of neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection: the devil is hidden in the details

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We systematically reviewed available evidence for reports of neurological signs and symptoms in patients with COVID-19 to identify cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection or immune-mediated reaction in the nervous system. METHODS We followed PRISMA guidelines and used the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, MedRxiv and ChinaXiv databases to search for articles on COVID-19 and nervous system involvement that were published from 1 January to 24 April 2020. Data on design, sample size, neurological assessment and related work-up were extracted. Biases were assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS We analysed 27 publications on potential neuroinvasive or parainfectious neurological complications of COVID-19. The reports focused on smell and taste (n = 5) and evaluation of neurological symptoms and signs in cohorts (n = 5). There were cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome/Miller-Fisher syndrome/cranial neuropathy (seven cases), meningitis/encephalitis (nine cases) and various other conditions (five cases). The number of patients with examination of cerebrospinal fluid and, in particular, SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction was negligible. Two had a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction examination of cerebrospinal fluid specimen. Study of potential parenchymal involvement with magnetic resonance imaging was rare. Only four reports received a rating of the highest quality standards. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review failed to establish comprehensive insights into nervous system manifestations of COVID-19 beyond immune-mediated complications in the aftermath of respiratory symptoms. The authors therefore provide guidance for more careful clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological studies to characterize the manifestations and burden of neurological disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 on behalf of the Infectious Disease Panel of the European Academy of Neurology

Neurological side effects and drug interactions of antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), rapidly spread across the globe. Tremendous efforts have been mobilized to create effective antiviral treatment options to reduce the burden of the disease. This article summarizes the available knowledge about the antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 from a neurologist's perspective. We summarize neurological aspects of antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2 with full, conditional, or previous marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir targets the SARS-CoV-2 3c-like protease using combinatorial chemistry. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir levels are affected by medications metabolized by or inducing CYP3A4, including those used in neurological diseases. Dysgeusia with a bitter or metallic taste is a common side effect of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Molnupiravir is a nucleotide analog developed to inhibit the replication of viruses. No clinically significant interactions with other drugs have been identified, and no specific considerations for people with neurological comorbidity are required. In the meantime, inconsistent results from clinical trials regarding efficacy have led to the withdrawal of marketing authorization by the EMA. Remdesivir is a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor and interferes with the production of viral RNA. The most common side effect in patients with COVID-19 is nausea. Remdesivir is a substrate for CYP3A4. Neurological side effects and drug interactions must be considered for antiviral compounds against SARS-CoV-2. Further studies are required to better evaluate their efficacy and adverse events in patients with concomitant neurological diseases. Moreover, evidence from real-world studies will complement the current knowledge