High circulating osteoprotegerin levels are associated with non-zero blood groups

Background: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) form complex within endothelial cells and following secretion. The nature of blood group antigens strongly influences the levels of circulating VWF, but there is no available data concerning its ascendancy on OPG levels. We aimed to assess the relationship of AB0 blood groups with OPG, VWF levels (VWF: Ag) and collagen binding activity (VWF: CB) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. Methods: Functional and laboratory parameters of 105 PAD patients and 109 controls were examined. Results of OPG, VWF: Ag, VWF: CB (ELISA-s) were analysed by comparative statistics, together with clinical data. Results: OPG levels were higher in patients than in controls (4.64 ng/mL vs. 3.68 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Among patients elevation was marked in the presence of critical limb ischemia (5.19 ng/mL vs. 4.20 ng/mL, p = 0.011). The OPG in patients correlated positively with VWF: Ag and VWF: CB (r = 0.26, p = 0.008; r = 0.33, p = 0.001) and negatively with ankle-brachial pressure index (r = -0.22, p = 0.023). Furthermore, OPG was significantly elevated in non-0 blood groups compared to 0-groups both in patients and controls (4.95 ng/mL vs. 3.90 ng/mL, p = 0.012 and 4.09 ng/mL vs. 3.40 ng/mL, p = 0.002). Conclusions: OPG levels are associated to blood group phenotypes and higher in non-0 individuals. Increased OPG levels in PAD characterize disease severity. The significant correlation between OPG and VWF: CB might have functional importance in an atherothrombosis-prone biological environment

Synthesis of Block Copolymers of Isobutylene and Alloocimene

A new class of polyisobutylene (PIB)-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) has been discovered, using the industrial butyl rubber polymerization system. It has been reported in the literature that living polymerization of isobutylene (IB) initiated by bifunctional or multifunctional initiators and subsequent blocking of a second monomer produces PIB-based TPE materials. However, in general, living IB polymerization systems are expensive, requiring unique, commercially not available initiators and expensive coinitiators. Contrary to this, we found that the polymerization of IB shows living character up to 40 % conversion under the rather inexpensive traditional butyl rubber polymerization conditions (H2O/AlCl3 in MeCl at -90 °C to -100 °C), when it is copolymerized with alloocimene, a terpene, by forming a stable emulsion. This is the first example of a two-phase living carbocationic polymerization. The synthesized diblock, triblock and multiblock copolymers exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties. This is the first example of a diblock thermoplastic elastomer. The polymerization system solves the problems related to the currently used TiCl4-based living systems: expensive initiators and coinitiator, high viscosity at low concentration and poor heat transfer

Controlled/living Carbocationic Copolymerization of Isobutylene with Alloocimene

The first example of a living carbocationic polymerization in emulsion is presented. Isobutylene was copolymerized with alloocimene, a tri-terpene. AFM, TEM, and DSC analysis demonstrated a phase separated nanostructure. NMR and TGA revealed the presence of a diblock structure in the material that displayed thermoplastic elastomeric properties with 6 MPa tensile strength and 1000% strain at break. Triblocks were also prepared by sequential monomer addition, yielding 12 MPa tensile strength with 640% strain at break

Disperse reinforced concrete used in obtaining prefabricated elements for roads

Concrete is the most used material in construction. By improving the performance of materials and of technologies, concretes with outstanding performances were also developed, in the past two decades. Concrete with dispersed reinforcement represents a new generation of reinforced concrete that combines a good behavior of concrete compressive strength with an increased tensile strength of steel fibers. Using this material, monolithic and prefabricated concrete elements with high mechanical strengths and high durability can be obtained. Technological processes for preparation of concrete with dispersed reinforcement are similar to the conventional methods and do not involve using additional equipment for dosing the dispersed reinforcement. The study aimed the development of road plates made with optimized disperse- reinforced concrete. The first tests were done on plates from the gutter roadway, having a classic reinforcement, using different percentages of fibre reinforcement in the concrete composition, leading to the development of a new optimized economical solution. The results prove the enhanced characteristics of the disperse-reinforced concrete versus conventional concrete, and hence of the developed concrete plates

Modelling of the bending behaviour of double floor systems for different contact surfaces

In the practice of prefabricated concrete structures considerable surfaces of intermediate floors are constructed using double floor systems with prefabricated bottom layer and upper layer. This second layer is cast on site. The quality of the prefabricated concrete is often of superior class with respect to the monolithic layer. In the service state of the double floor system, important compressive stresses appear in the upper concrete layer. On the other hand, the bond quality between the concrete layers cast in successive stages raises questions especially in the case of hollow core floor units with no connecting reinforcement in-between. The paper presents results of the numerical models prepared for double floor elements having different thicknesses for the top and bottom layers, subjected to bending. Three situations have been studied: stepped top surface of the prefabricated slab with no connecting reinforcement, broom swept tracks on the prefabricated slab with no connecting reinforcement and broom swept tracks on the prefabricated slab with stirrups connecting the concrete layers. For each situation two different ratios of the thicknesses of the layers have been considered. The results are emphasizing the critical regions of the elements, the differences in crack development and in the behaviour resulting from surface preparation and use of connecting reinforcements

Automatic deep learning-driven label-free image-guided patch clamp system

Patch clamp recording of neurons is a labor-intensive and time-consuming procedure. Here, we demonstrate a tool that fully automatically performs electrophysiological recordings in label-free tissue slices. The automation covers the detection of cells in label-free images, calibration of the micropipette movement, approach to the cell with the pipette, formation of the whole-cell configuration, and recording. The cell detection is based on deep learning. The model is trained on a new image database of neurons in unlabeled brain tissue slices. The pipette tip detection and approaching phase use image analysis techniques for precise movements. High-quality measurements are performed on hundreds of human and rodent neurons. We also demonstrate that further molecular and anatomical analysis can be performed on the recorded cells. The software has a diary module that automatically logs patch clamp events. Our tool can multiply the number of daily measurements to help brain research. Patch clamp recording of neurons is slow and labor-intensive. Here the authors present a method for automated deep learning driven label-free image guided patch clamp physiology to perform measurements on hundreds of human and rodent neurons.Peer reviewe

Additional file 1: Table S1. of High circulating osteoprotegerin levels are associated with non-zero blood groups

Clinical and laboratory parameters of patients and controls by 0/non-0 blood groups. (DOCX 24 kb

The Post-thrombotic Syndrome-Prevention and Treatment: VAS-European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine Position Paper

Importance: The post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), occurring in up to 40-50% of cases. There are limited evidence-based approaches for PTS clinical management. Objective: To provide an expert consensus for PTS diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Evidence-review: MEDLINE, Cochrane Database review, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR were searched with the terms "post-thrombotic syndrome" and "post-phlebitic syndrome" used in titles and abstracts up to September 2020. Filters were: English, Controlled Clinical Trial / Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis / Guideline. The relevant literature regarding PTS diagnosis, prevention and treatment was reviewed and summarized by the evidence synthesis team. On the basis of this review, a panel of 15 practicing angiology/vascular medicine specialists assessed the appropriateness of several items regarding PTS management on a Likert-9 point scale, according to the RAND/UCLA method, with a two-round modified Delphi method. Findings: The panelists rated the following as appropriate for diagnosis: 1-the Villalta scale; 2- pre-existing venous insufficiency evaluation; 3-assessment 3-6 months after diagnosis of iliofemoral or femoro-popliteal DVT, and afterwards periodically, according to a personalized schedule depending on the presence or absence of clinically relevant PTS. The items rated as appropriate for symptom relief and prevention were: 1- graduated compression stockings (GCS) or elastic bandages for symptomatic relief in acute DVT, either iliofemoral, popliteal or calf; 2-thigh-length GCS (30-40 mmHg at the ankle) after ilio-femoral DVT; 3- knee-length GCS (30-40 mmHg at the ankle) after popliteal DVT; 4-GCS for different length of times according to the severity of periodically assessed PTS; 5-catheter-directed thrombolysis, with or without mechanical thrombectomy, in patients with iliofemoral obstruction, severe symptoms, and low risk of bleeding. The items rated as appropriate for treatment were: 1- thigh-length GCS (30-40 mmHg at the ankle) after iliofemoral DVT; 2-compression therapy for ulcer treatment; 3- exercise training. The role of endovascular treatment (angioplasty and/or stenting) was rated as uncertain, but it could be considered for severe PTS only in case of stenosis or occlusion above the inguinal ligament, followed by oral anticoagulation. Conclusions and relevance: This position paper can help practicing clinicians in PTS management.</p