Impact of the final thermal sealing of combined zinc/cerium oxide protective coating primers formed on low carbon steel

The final sealing possesses a proven beneficial effect on the protective properties of anodic oxide films on aluminum. In this sense, the present research is devoted to the evaluation of the impact of this procedure on the barrier ability of combined Zn/Ce oxide layers deposited on low carbon steel samples. For this purpose, four samples were submitted to galvanic zinc deposition, followed by spontaneous formation of cerium oxide primer layer (CeOPL). Afterwards, two of the samples underwent thermal sealing in boiling water in order to enhance their barrier ability. Its evaluation was performed by two electrochemical methods: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) after 24 hours of exposure to a diluted model corrosive medium (MCM). Other instrumental methods were used in order to describe the effect of this final procedure on the color characteristics and hydrophobicity of the films. The results were collected from multiple tests, followed by statistical data treatment. In addition, the surfaces of the obtained films were submitted to direct observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with energy dispersion X-ray (EDX). Their composition was determined by means of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The acquired data have revealed a detrimental effect of the final sealing in boiling water. It was expressed by the loss of the barrier properties of the Zn/CeOPL films, combined with additional decolorization and hydrophilization. Finally, the mechanism of this detrimental effect was determined by further SEM, EDX and XPS analyses

Light microscopic immunocytochemical identification of leucine enkephalin

Leucine-enkephalin is a potent and naturally-occurring opioid peptide which serves to inhibit other neurotransmitters involved with pain perception, thereby reducing its emotional and physical impact. Nevertheless, there is little data in the literature concerning leucine-enkephalin-immunoreactivity (Leu-enk-ir) in the human claustrum. The objectives of this study were to confirm the existence of leucine-enkephalin immunoreactive neurons and fibers in the human claustrum. Light microscopy was used to describe their morphology and distribution. Samples of claustrum were obtained from the brains of two females (39 and 48 years of age) and two males (27 and 42 years of age). The brains did not show any overt signs of pathology or trauma. Immunoreactivity to Leuenk was assessed via the Avidin-Biotin Complex Method. Light-microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of Leu-enk-ir neurons and fibres in all areas of the human claustrum. The cell bodies varied in shape and size, and were divided into three groups: small, medium and large. The density of immunostaining varied both within and between the cell types, with some neurons, staining more darkly or lightly than others. The large and medium sized cells most likely correspond to claustrocortical projection neurons while the small-sized cells appear to be inhibitory interneurons. It is our hope that these results will be contributed to a better understanding the functions of claustrum, in both health and disease, given its relationship with the development of autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease and Huntington disease

Spectrum of the Fokker-Planck operator representing diffusion in a random velocity field

We study spectral properties of the Fokker-Planck operator that represents particles moving via a combination of diffusion and advection in a time-independent random velocity field, presenting in detail work outlined elsewhere [J. T. Chalker and Z. J. Wang, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 79}, 1797 (1997)]. We calculate analytically the ensemble-averaged one-particle Green function and the eigenvalue density for this Fokker-Planck operator, using a diagrammatic expansion developed for resolvents of non-Hermitian random operators, together with a mean-field approximation (the self-consistent Born approximation) which is well-controlled in the weak-disorder regime for dimension d>2. The eigenvalue density in the complex plane is non-zero within a wedge that encloses the negative real axis. Particle motion is diffusive at long times, but for short times we find a novel time-dependence of the mean-square displacement, $\sim t^{2/d}$ in dimension d>2, associated with the imaginary parts of eigenvalues.Comment: 8 pages, submitted to Phys Rev

Safety in Nonhuman Primates of Ocular AAV2-\u3cem\u3eRPE65\u3c/em\u3e, a Candidate Treatment for Blindness in Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a molecularly heterogeneous disease group that leads to blindness. LCA caused by RPE65 mutations has been studied in animal models and vision has been restored by subretinal delivery of AAV- RPE65 vector. Human ocular gene transfer trials are being considered. Our safety studies of subretinal AAV-2/2. RPE65 in RPE65 -mutant dogs showed evidence of modest photoreceptor loss in the injection region in some animals at higher vector doses. We now test the hypothesis that there can be vector-related toxicity to the normal monkey, with its human-like retina. Good Laboratory Practice safety studies following single intraocular injections of AAV-2/2. RPE65 in normal cynomolgus monkeys were performed for 1-week and 3-month durations. Systemic toxicity was not identified. Ocular-specific studies included clinical examinations, electroretinography, and retinal histopathology. Signs of ocular inflammation postinjection had almost disappeared by 1 week. At 3 months, electroretinography in vector-injected eyes was no different than in vehicle-injected control eyes or compared with presurgical recordings. Healed sites of retinal perforation from subretinal injections were noted clinically and by histopathology. Foveal architecture in subretinally injected eyes, vector or vehicle, could be abnormal. Morphometry of central retina showed no photoreceptor layer thickness abnormalities occurring in a dose-dependent manner. Vector sequences were present in the injected retina, vitreous, and optic nerve at 1 week but not consistently in the brain. At 3 months, there were no vector sequences in optic nerve and brain. The results allow for consideration of an upper range for no observed adverse effect level in future human trials of subretinal AAV-2/2. RPE65. The potential value of foveal treatment for LCA and other retinal degenerations warrants further research into how to achieve gene transfer without retinal injury from surgical detachment of the retina

XPO1 expression worsens the prognosis of unfavorable DLBCL that can be effectively targeted by selinexor in the absence of mutant p53

Additional file 1. Table S1: Clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of DLBCL patients with high or low XPO1 expression. Table S2: Significantly differentially expressed genes between XPO1high and XPO1low DLBCL patients with concurrent TP53 mutation and high MYC expression. Figure S1: Biomarker study for XPO1 and selinexor. (A–B) XPO1high expression showed significant adverse prognostic impact in the ABC subtype but not the GCB subtype of DLBCL. (C) XPO1high expression showed a trend of unfavorable prognostic effect on PFS in MYC-rearranged (MYC-R+) DLBCL. (D) XPO1high expression was associated with significantly poorer survival in DLBCL patients with wild type (Wt) TP53. (E) ABC-DLBCL and GCB-DLBCL cells showed similar sensitivity to the cytotoxicity of selinexor. (F) TP53 mutation (Mut-TP53) significantly reduced the anti-lymphoma efficacy of selinexor in HGBCL-DH cells. IC50 values were calculated by GraphPad Prism 8 based on the cell viability data after 72-hour treatment

Prognostic impact of c-Rel nuclear expression and REL amplification and crosstalk between c-Rel and the p53 pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Dysregulated NF-κB signaling is critical for lymphomagenesis. The regulation, function, and clinical relevance of c-Rel/NF-κB activation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have not been well studied. In this study we analyzed the prognostic significance and gene-expression signature of c-Rel nuclear expression as surrogate of c-Rel activation in 460 patients with de novo DLBCL. Nuclear c-Rel expression, observed in 137 (26.3%) DLBCL patients frequently associated with extranoal origin, did not show significantly prognostic impact in the overall- or germinal center B-like-DLBCL cohort, likely due to decreased pAKT and Myc levels, up-regulation of FOXP3, FOXO3, MEG3 and other tumor suppressors coincided with c-Rel nuclear expression, as well as the complicated relationships between NF-κB members and their overlapping function. However, c-Rel nuclear expression correlated with significantly poorer survival in p63+ and BCL-2− activated B-cell-like-DLBCL, and in DLBCL patients with TP53 mutations. Multivariate analysis indicated that after adjusting clinical parameters, c-Rel positivity was a significantly adverse prognostic factor in DLBCL patients with wild type TP53. Gene expression profiling suggested dysregulations of cell cycle, metabolism, adhesion, and migration associated with c-Rel activation. In contrast, REL amplification did not correlate with c-Rel nuclear expression and patient survival, likely due to co-amplification of genes that negatively regulate NF-κB activation. These insights into the expression, prognostic impact, regulation and function of c-Rel as well as its crosstalk with the p53 pathway underscore the importance of c-Rel and have significant therapeutic implications

Radium content in Bulgarian mineral waters

This study presents the results of 226Ra content in 104 Bulgarian mineral waters as well as the investigated correlations between the physicochemical parameters, geological structure, and specific activity of 226Ra. The results show that the 226Ra activities range from <30 mBqL-1 to 4900 mBqL-1 with a mean value of 156 mBqL-1. The highest concentrations of 226Ra were measured in mineral waters originating from the carbonate strata, as the dominant geological structure. Thus it is well connected with the estimated moderate positive correlation between Ca2+, Mg2+, and Ra2+ cations in the water. The estimated annual dose shows large dispersion of values ranging from 6 µSv to 1000 µSv with a mean value of 32 ± 9 µSv. The results demonstrate the need for further investigation of every mineral water, but greater attention should be given to the mineral waters with low pH and high content of Ca2+ and Mg2+

Emphysematous pyelonephritis - clinicorentgenologic diagnosis, requiring urgent surgical treatment. Case report

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare and life-threatening suppurative infection of the renal parenchyma and the perirenal tissues, characterized by spontaneous gas production. Although uncommon, it occurs almost exclusively in diabetic patients (60-80% of the cases). We describe a recent case of a diabetic woman with emphysematous pyelonephritis, managed by unilateral nephrectomy. While the symptoms are usually general and nonspecific, the diagnostic approach is crucial in many cases. Ultrasonography should be the first diagnostic tool, as it is noninvasive, fast, and cost effective. However, CT scan is more specific and sensitive, and it should always be taken into consideration, as it enables the proper treatment decisions.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008; 40(2): 145-147

A Systems Biological Approach Reveals Multiple Crosstalk Mechanism between Gram-Positive and Negative Bacterial Infections: An Insight into Core Mechanism and Unique Molecular Signatures

<div><p>Background</p><p>Bacterial infections remain a major threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. Most of the bacterial infections are caused by gram-positive and negative bacteria, which are recognized by Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4, respectively. Activation of these TLRs initiates multiple pathways that subsequently lead to effective immune response. Although, both the TLRs share common signaling mechanism yet they may exhibit specificity as well, resulting in the release of diverse range of inflammatory mediators which could be used as candidate biomolecules for bacterial infections.</p><p>Results</p><p>We adopted systems biological approach to identify signaling pathways mediated by TLRs to determine candidate molecules associated with bacterial infections. We used bioinformatics concepts, including literature mining to construct protein-protein interaction network, prioritization of TLRs specific nodes using microarray data and pathway analysis. Our constructed PPI network for TLR 2 (nodes: 4091 and edges: 66068) and TLR 4 (node: 4076 and edges: 67898) showed 3207 common nodes, indicating that both the TLRs might share similar signaling events that are attributed to cell migration, MAPK pathway and several inflammatory cascades. Our results propose the potential collaboration between the shared signaling pathways of both the receptors may enhance the immune response against invading pathogens. Further, to identify candidate molecules, the TLRs specific nodes were prioritized using microarray differential expressed genes. Of the top prioritized TLR 2 molecules, 70% were co-expressed. A similar trend was also observed within TLR 4 nodes. Further, most of these molecules were preferentially found in blood plasma for feasible diagnosis.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The analysis reveals the common and unique mechanism regulated by both the TLRs that provide a broad perspective of signaling events in bacterial infections. Further, the identified candidate biomolecules could potentially aid future research efforts concerning the possibility in differential diagnosis of gram-positive and negative bacterial infections.</p></div

OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION AND CONTROL OF BRUCELLOSIS

Background: Brucellosisis an infectious and contagious disease caused by bacterial species of the genus Brucella. It is a major zoonosis with an important social and economic impact. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the measures application for control and eradication of brucellosis occurred in the region of Pleven. Methods: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study. Respective documents were reviewed. We analyzed Case report form and Questionnaire for persons suspected of having brucellosis. Conclusions were made of the possible source of the disease and the risk factors leading to infection of humans. Results: A focus of Brucellosis among the animals to private goat farm in August was detected. The connection to other existing in the country focuses has been proved. Two of the persons, having had contacts with the animals developed clinical symptoms of the disease; referenced persons have consumed fresh goat cheese and milk. A joint epidemiological investigation with representatives of responsible authorities was carried out and measures undertook to restrict and liquidate the focus. Conclusion: Brucellosis in man can only be prevented effectively by elimination of the animal reservoir. This necessitates a close interaction between the medical authorities concerned with public health authorities on the one hand and the veterinary authorities on the other