162 research outputs found
A serum fucose-binding lectin (D1FBL) from adult Didentrarchus labrax is expressed in larva and juvenile tissue and contained in eggs
The purification, cloning, sequencing, molecular
properties and expression of a fucose-binding lectin from
the serum of Dicentrarchus labrax (DlFBL) have been
previously reported. We now describe the distribution and
expression of DlFBL during fish ontogeny. Immunohistochemistry
and in situ hybridization assays were carried out
at various developmental stages (from 10 days posthatching
larvae to juveniles). Another fucose-binding
lectin, similar to DlFBL in biochemical, immunochemical
and agglutinating properties, was extracted and purified
from eggs and appeared to be localized in the embryo yolk
sack residual. DlFBL was found in columnar and goblet
cells of the intestinal epithelium of larvae (from 20 days
post-hatching) and juveniles and in parenchymal tissue of
juveniles. DlFBL mRNA and protein were detected in the
intestinal epithelium and in hepatocytes. An amplification
product from degenerate primers indicates that lectin
isotypes with DlFBL epitopes are expressed in eggs and
embryos. Whether the lectin fraction isolated from eggs and
embryos includes DlFBL of maternal origin remains
unclear
A Nonsteady Heat Conduction Code with Radiation Boundary Conditions* H
Abstract A heat-transfer model for studying the temperature build-up in graphite blankets for fusion reactors is presented. In essence, the computer code developed is for two-dimensional, nonsteady heat conduction in heterogeneous, anisotropic solids with nonuniform internal heating. Thermal radiation as well as bremsstrahlung radiation boundary conditions are included, numerical calculations are performed for two design options by varying the wall loading, bremsstrahlung, surface layer thickness and thermal conductivity, blanket dimensions, time step and grid size. Mfl\ 1 I introductio
Haemolytic activity and characterization of nematocyst venom from Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa)
We investigated the haemolytic capacity of the crude venom extracted from isolated nematocysts of Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa), and evidenced the proteic fractions responsible for this activity. The nematocyst venom was used at various concentrations to evaluate the haemolytic activity and the lysosomal membrane stability of red blood cells of two teleostean species treated with the extract. The nematocyst extract was assayed against erythrocytes of the two teleostean species living in different environments, Carassius auratus as a common freshwater species, and Liza aurata as a representative of seawater species. Experiments on the haemolytic activity of P. noctiluca in the presence of lipid components of erythrocyte membranes showed that sphyngomyelin strongly inhibited this activity. The crude venom was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis SDS-PAGE and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the proteic composition, and it was found that the active haemolytic components of this venom are distributed in
at least four protein fractions. The results of our experiments indicated that Pelagia noctiluca venom induces haemolysis and lysosomal membrane destabilisation in both species and that Carassius auratus was more susceptible to jellyfish venom
than was Liza aurata. No significant differences in glutathione (GSH) levels were observed between control and treatments; consequently the toxins do not cause the oxidative stress but likely recognize specific targets (i.e. sphyngomyelin) in the plasmatic membrane of red blood cells
Multidisciplinary Approach to the Diagnosis and In-Hospital Management of COVID-19 Infection: A Narrative Review
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 disease) was declared a pandemic on 11th March 2020 by the World Health Organization. This unprecedented circumstance has challenged hospitals’ response capacity, requiring significant structural and organizational changes to cope with the surge in healthcare demand and to minimize in-hospital risk of transmission. As our knowledge advances, we now understand that COVID-19 is a multi-systemic disease rather than a mere respiratory tract infection, therefore requiring holistic care and expertise from various medical specialties. In fact, the clinical spectrum of presentation ranges from respiratory complaints to gastrointestinal, cardiac or neurological symptoms. In addition, COVID-19 pandemic has created a global burden of mental illness that affects the general population as well as healthcare practitioners. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary insight into the complexity of this disease, reviewing current scientific evidence on COVID-19 management and treatment across several medical specialties involved in the in-hospital care of these patients
Numerical model for granular compaction under vertical tapping
A simple numerical model is used to simulate the effect of vertical taps on a
packing of monodisperse hard spheres. Our results are in agreement with an
experimantal work done in Chicago and with other previous models, especially
concerning the dynamics of the compaction, the influence of the excitation
strength on the compaction efficiency, and some ageing effects. The principal
asset of the model is that it allows a local analysis of the packings. Vertical
and transverse density profiles are used as well as size and volume
distributions of the pores. An interesting result concerns the appearance of a
vertical gradient in the density profiles during compaction. Furthermore, the
volume distribution of the pores suggests that the smallest pores, ranging in
size between a tetrahedral and an octahedral site, are not strongly affected by
the tapping process, in contrast to the largest pores which are more sensitive
to the compaction of the packing.Comment: 8 pages, 15 figures (eps), to be published in Phys. Rev. E. Some
corrections have been made, especially in paragraph IV
Spectrum of neuroimaging findings post-proton beam therapy in a large pediatric cohort
PURPOSE: Proton beam therapy (PBT) is now well established for the treatment of certain pediatric brain tumors. The intrinsic properties of PBT are known to reduce long-term negative effects of photon radiotherapy (PRT). To better understand the intracranial effects of PBT, we analyzed the longitudinal imaging changes in a cohort of children with brain tumors treated by PBT with clinical and radiotherapy dose correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective imaging review of 46 patients from our hospital with brain tumors treated by PBT. The imaging findings were correlated with clinical and dose parameters. RESULTS: Imaging changes were assessed by reviewing serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans following PBT over a follow-up period ranging from 1 month to 7 years. Imaging changes were observed in 23 patients undergoing PBT and categorized as pseudoprogression (10 patients, 43%), white matter changes (6 patients, 23%), parenchymal atrophy (6 patients, 23%), and cerebral large vessel arteriopathy (5 patients, 25%). Three patients had more than one type of imaging change. Clinical symptoms attributable to PBT were observed in 13 (28%) patients. CONCLUSION: In accordance with published literature, we found evidence of varied intracranial imaging changes in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with PBT. There was a higher incidence (10%) of large vessel cerebral arteriopathy in our cohort than previously described in the literature. Twenty-eight percent of patients had clinical sequelae as a result of these changes, particularly in the large vessel arteriopathy subgroup, arguing the need for angiographic and perfusion surveillance to pre-empt any morbidities and offer potential neuro-protection
Hydrocephalus and diffuse choroid plexus hyperplasia in primary ciliary dyskinesia-related MCIDAS mutation
OBJECTIVE: To report a neuroradiologic phenotype associated with reduced generation of multiple motile cilia (RGMC) and mutations in the multicilin gene. We hypothesize that the observed phenotype may reflect the emerging role that ependymal cilia play in regulating CSF production. METHOD: Clinical and radiologic records were retrospectively reviewed for 7 consecutive patients diagnosed by the Leicester UK national primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnostic laboratory. RESULTS: On MRI scanning, all patients demonstrated hydrocephalus, choroid plexus hyperplasia (CPH), and arachnoid cysts. No patient had any sign of neurologic deficit. All patients had significant lung disease. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is a high incidence of hydrocephalus, arachnoid cysts, and CPH in MCIDAS-associated RGMC. In all cases, the observed hydrocephalus seems arrested in childhood without progression or adverse neurologic sequelae. Our new observation of CPH, which is associated with CSF overproduction, is the first macroscopic evidence that ependymal cilia may be involved in the regulation of CSF production and flow. We suggest that brain imaging should be performed in all cases of RGMC and that a diagnosis of PCD or RGMC be strongly considered in patients with unexplained hydrocephalus and a lifelong “wet”-sounding cough
Hydrocephalus and diffuse choroid plexus hyperplasia in primary ciliary dyskinesia-related MCIDAS mutation
Objective: To report a neuroradiologic phenotype associated with reduced generation of multiple motile cilia (RGMC) and mutations in the multicilin gene. We hypothesize that the observed phenotype may reflect the emerging role that ependymal cilia play in regulating CSF production.
Method: Clinical and radiologic records were retrospectively reviewed for 7 consecutive patients diagnosed by the Leicester UK national primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnostic laboratory.
Results: On MRI scanning, all patients demonstrated hydrocephalus, choroid plexus hyperplasia (CPH), and arachnoid cysts. No patient had any sign of neurologic deficit. All patients had significant lung disease.
Conclusions: We conclude that there is a high incidence of hydrocephalus, arachnoid cysts, and CPH in MCIDAS-associated RGMC. In all cases, the observed hydrocephalus seems arrested in childhood without progression or adverse neurologic sequelae. Our new observation of CPH, which is associated with CSF overproduction, is the first macroscopic evidence that ependymal cilia may be involved in the regulation of CSF production and flow. We suggest that brain imaging should be performed in all cases of RGMC and that a diagnosis of PCD or RGMC be strongly considered in patients with unexplained hydrocephalus and a lifelong “wet”-sounding cough
Dry eye in systemic sclerosis patients: Novel methods to monitor disease activity
Background: In systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, dry eye syndrome (DES) is the most frequent ocular feature. The aim of this study was to investigate ocular DES-related SSc patients and to establish any correlation with the severity of the disease. Methods: Retrospectively, data from 60 patients with SSc underwent ophthalmic examination, where non-invasive film tear break-up time (NIF-TBUT), tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), anesthetic-free Schirmer test I, tear osmolarity measurement (TearLab System), and modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) data were collected. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) methods were utilized. The results were correlated with mRSS and the duration of SSc. Results: Severe DES occurred in 84% of cases, and was more severe in women. The eyelids were involved in 86.6%, secondary to meibomian gland disease (MGD). A direct correlation was found between the tear osmolarity (mean 328.51 ± 23.8 SD) and skin score (mRSS) (r = 0.79; p < 0.01). Significantly reduced NIF-TBUT, LLT, and Schirmer test I values were observed in the case of severe skin involvement. Conclusions: SSc patients show lipid tear dysfunction related to the severity and duration of the disease due to inflammation and the subsequent atrophy of the meibomian glands
Evaluation of the sealing ability of different root canal sealers: a combined SEM and micro-CT study
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