Fabrication and characterization of (Bi,Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (2223) bars

Bulk bars for current lead applications were fabricated from (Bi,Pb)- Sr-Ca-Cu-O (Bi-2223) for low thermal conductivity and high critical current. Bars measuring 17.8 cm in length were made by uniaxially pressing Bi-2223 powder of controlled (1.7/0.34)223 and (1.8/0.4)223 phase composition. The bulk bars were densified by subjecting them to a schedule of alternate liquid-phase sintering and cold isostatic pressing. Liquid phase sintering temperatures were optimized from differential thermal analysis and microstructure morphology. Phase purity and microstructure were evaluated by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Low-resistance silver contacts were applied to the bars by hot-pressing at 820{degrees}C and 3 MPa. Critical current densities {approx} 1000 A/cm{sup 3} (critical currents of 750 A at 77 K in self-field conditions) were achieved

Efficacy and safety of the anti-IL-12/23 p40 monoclonal antibody, ustekinumab, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis despite conventional non-biological and biological anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy: 6-month and 1-year results of the phase 3, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised PSUMMIT 2 trial

Objective: Assess ustekinumab efficacy (week 24/week 52) and safety (week 16/week 24/week 60) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) despite treatment with conventional and/or biological anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents. Methods: In this phase 3, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial, 312 adults with active PsA were randomised (stratified by site, weight (≤100 kg/>100 kg), methotrexate use) to ustekinumab 45 mg or 90 mg at week 0, week 4, q12 weeks or placebo at week 0, week 4, week 16 and crossover to ustekinumab 45 mg at week 24, week 28 and week 40. At week 16, patients with <5% improvement in tender/swollen joint counts entered blinded early escape (placebo→45 mg, 45 mg→90 mg, 90 mg→90 mg). The primary endpoint was ≥20% improvement in American College of Rheumatology (ACR20) criteria at week 24. Secondary endpoints included week 24 Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) improvement, ACR50, ACR70 and ≥75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI75). Efficacy was assessed in all patients, anti-TNF-naïve (n=132) patients and anti-TNF-experienced (n=180) patients. Results: More ustekinumab-treated (43.8% combined) than placebo-treated (20.2%) patients achieved ACR20 at week 24 (p<0.001). Significant treatment differences were observed for week 24 HAQ-DI improvement (p<0.001), ACR50 (p≤0.05) and PASI75 (p<0.001); all benefits were sustained through week 52. Among patients previously treated with ≥1 TNF inhibitor, sustained ustekinumab efficacy was also observed (week 24 combined vs placebo: ACR20 35.6% vs 14.5%, PASI75 47.1% vs 2.0%, median HAQ-DI change −0.13 vs 0.0; week 52 ustekinumab-treated: ACR20 38.9%, PASI75 43.4%, median HAQ-DI change −0.13). No unexpected adverse events were observed through week 60. Conclusions: The interleukin-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab (45/90 mg q12 weeks) yielded significant and sustained improvements in PsA signs/symptoms in a diverse population of patients with active PsA, including anti-TNF-experienced PsA patients

Spatial distribution of early red lesions is a risk factor for development of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy

Aims/hypothesis Diabetic retinopathy is characterised by morphological lesions related to disturbances in retinal blood flow. It has previously been shown that the early development of retinal lesions temporal to the fovea may predict the development of treatment-requiring diabetic maculopathy. The aim of this study was to map accurately the area where lesions could predict progression to vision-threatening retinopathy. Methods The predictive value of the location of the earliest red lesions representing haemorrhages and/or microaneurysms was studied by comparing their occurrence in a group of individuals later developing vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy with that in a group matched with respect to diabetes type, age, sex and age of onset of diabetes mellitus who did not develop vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy during a similar observation period. Results The probability of progression to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was higher in a circular area temporal to the fovea, and the occurrence of the first lesions in this area was predictive of the development of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. The calculated peak value showed that the risk of progression was 39.5% higher than the average. There was no significant difference in the early distribution of lesions in participants later developing diabetic maculopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions/interpretation The location of early red lesions in diabetic retinopathy is predictive of whether or not individuals will later develop vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. This evidence should be incorporated into risk models used to recommend control intervals in screening programmes for diabetic retinopathy

Actin cytoskeleton in the extra-ovular embryo sac of Utricularia nelumbifolia (Lentibulariaceae)

The actin cytoskeleton in the mature female gametophyte of angiosperms has been examined in only a few dicot and monocot species. The main purposes of this study were to identify how the actin cytoskeleton is arranged in the mature extra-ovular embryo sac in Utricularia nelumbifolia (Lentibulariaceae). We found that the extra-ovular part of the central cell has a well-developed actin cytoskeleton: actin microfilaments formed of long strands which run longitudinally or transversally to the long axis of the embryo sac. The exerted part of the central cell, which is exposed to the environment of the ovary chamber, is highly vacuolated and in the thin peripheral cytoplasm possesses a complicated network of actin microfilaments. The epidermal cells of the placenta that are in contact with the extra-ovular part of the embryo sac are crushed. The ultrastructure data of these cells are presented. We detected the accumulation of the actin cytoskeleton between the micropylar parts of the synergids and the extra-ovular part of central cell. This actin accumulation is unusual because in typical angiosperms the micropylar parts of the synergids form the apex of the female gametophyte

Air pollution: how many cigarettes does each Pole ‘smoke’ every year and how does it influence health, with special respect to lung cancer?

Introduction. Air pollution is one of the most important issues of our times. Air quality assessment is based on the measurement of the concentration of substances formed during the combustion process and micro-particles suspended in the air in the form of an aerosol. Microscopic atmospheric particulate matters (PM) 2.5 and 10 are mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants smaller than 2.5 and 10 μm, respectively. They are the main cause of negative phenomena in the earth’s atmosphere of Earth and human health, especially on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Particulates have the ability to cause permanent mutations of tissue, leading to neoplasms and even premature deaths. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the main pollutants which arises mainly during the burning of fossil fuels. Based on numerous scientific researches, it has been proved that long-term exposure to NO2 could increase morbidity of cancer due to inflammatory processes increasing abnormal mutations. Materials and method. Data available in the Polish National Cancer Registry, Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection and Map of Health Needs in the Field of Oncology for Poland, WHO Air Quality Guidelines 2005 were analyzed. Air pollution was also evaluated: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and compared with lung cancer morbidity. Results and conclusions. Based on the available data and literature, it can be concluded that in 2009–2017, on average, each Pole smoked ten cigarettes a day +/- 2. Therefore, it can be estimated that after 60 years everyone had 30 package-years of smoking, leading to a high risk of lung cancer and other smoking related diseases. Additionally air quality in Poland is not satisfactory, exceeding the standards presented in the WHO Guidelines 2005. It can be assumed that this may translate into an additional, independent continuous increase in morbidity and mortality dependent on smoking

Distribution of arabinogalactan proteins during microsporogenesis in the anther of Bellis perennis L. (Asteraceae)

Abstract Using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) JIM13, JIM15 and MAC207, we investigated the temporal and spatial dis-tribution of some arabinogalactan protein (AGP) epitopes in cells of the Bellis perennis L. anther at different developmental stages. AGP epitopes recognized by JIM13 were detected in the protoplasts of tapetal cells, dividing microsporocytes, and microspores; AGP epitopes recognized by JIM15 were present in the cytoplasm of tapetal cells only at the stage with tetrads of microspores in the anther loculus. AGP epitopes recognized by MAC207 were present in the cells of different somatic tissues of the flower bud, but after asymmetric mitosis in the microspore they appeared abundantly in the protoplasts of immature pollen and were still present in mature pollen grains. Callose, revealed by mAb, appeared at the same stage of microsporocyte division as AGPs labelled with JIM13 and JIM15. We discuss the differences in callose and AGP localization and the possible role of the latter during anther development.</jats:p