Neutron star binary orbits in their host potential: Effect on early R-process enrichment

Coalescing neutron star binary (NSB) systems are primary candidates for r-process enrichment of galaxies. The recent detection of r-process elements in ultrafaint dwarf (UFD) galaxies and the abundances measured in classical dwarfs challenges the NSB merger scenario both in terms of coalescence time-scales and merger locations. In this paper, we focus on the dynamics of NSBs in the gravitational potentials of different types of host galaxies and on its impact on the subsequent galactic enrichment. We find that, for a ∼t−1 delay time distribution, even when receiving a low kick (∼10 km s−1) from the second supernova explosion, in shallow dwarf galaxy potentials NSBs tend to merge with a large off-set from the host galaxy. This results in a significant geometrical dilution of the amount of produced r-process elements that fall back and pollute the host galaxy gas reservoir. The combination of dilution and small number statistics produces a large scatter in the expected r-process enrichment within a single UFD or classical dwarf galaxy. Comparison between our results and observed europium abundances reveals a tension that even a systematic choice of optimistic parameters in our models cannot release. Such a discrepancy could point to the need of additional r-process production sites that suffer less severe dilution or to a population of extremely fast merging binaries

The Ocular Albinism type 1 (OA1) G-Protein Coupled Receptor functions with MART-1 at early stages of melanogenesis to control melanosome identity and composition

OA1 (GPR143; GPCR, G-protein-coupled receptor), the protein product of the ocular albinism type 1 gene, encodes a pigment-cell-specific GPCR that localizes intracellularly to melanosomes. OA1 mutations result in ocular albinism due to alterations in melanosome formation, suggesting that OA1 is a key player in the biogenesis of melanosomes. To address the function of OA1 in melanosome biogenesis, we have used siRNA inactivation and combined morphological and biochemical methods to investigate melanosome ultrastructure, melanosomal protein localization and expression in human pigmented melanocytic cells. OA1 loss of function leads to decreased pigmentation and causes formation of enlarged aberrant premelanosomes harboring disorganized fibrillar structures and displaying proteins of mature melanosomes and lysosomes at their membrane. Moreover, we show that OA1 interacts biochemically with the premelanosomal protein MART-1. Inactivation of MART-1 by siRNA leads to a decreased stability of OA1 and is accompanied by similar defects in premelanosome biogenesis and composition. These data show for the first time that melanosome composition and identity are regulated at early stages by OA1 and that MART-1 likely acts as an escort protein for this GPCR

Bracket base remnants after orthodontic debonding

Objective: To evaluate whether the debonding procedure leads to restitutio ad integrum of the enamel surface by investigating the presence of enamel within the bracket base remnants after debonding. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who completed orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were included. A total of 1068 brackets were microphotographed; the brackets presenting some remnants on the base (n \u200a=\u200a 818) were selected and analyzed with ImageJ software to measure the remnant area. From this population a statistically significant sample (n \u200a=\u200a 100) was observed under a scanning electron microscope to check for the presence of enamel within the remnants. Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry was also performed to obtain quantitative data. Results: Statistically significant differences in the remnant percentage between arches were observed for incisor and canine brackets (P < .0001 and P \u200a=\u200a .022, respectively). From a morphologic analysis of the scanning electron micrographs the bracket bases were categorized in 3 groups: group A, bases presenting a thin enamel coat (83%); group B, bases showing sizable enamel fragments (7%); group C, bases with no morphologic evidence of enamel presence (10%). Calcium presence was noted on all evaluated brackets under energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry. No significant difference was observed in the Ca/Si ratio between group A (16.21%) and group B (18.77%), whereas the Ca/Si ratio in group C (5.40%) was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P < .323 and P \u200a=\u200a .0001, respectively). Conclusion: The objective of an atraumatic debonding is not achieved yet; in some cases the damage could be clinically relevant

Survival-related autophagic activity versus procalcific death in cultured aortic valve interstitial cells treated with critical normophosphatemic-like phosphate concentrations

Valve dystrophic calcification is a common disorder affecting normophosphatemic subjects. Here, cultured aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) were treated 3 to 28 days with phosphate (Pi) concentrations spanning the normal range in humans (0.8, 1.3, and 2.0 mM) alone or supplemented with proinflammatory stimuli to assess possible priming of dystrophic-like calcification. Compared with controls, spectrophotometric analyses revealed marked increases in calcium amounts and alkaline phosphatase activity for 2.0-mM-Pi-containing cultures, with enhancing by proinflammatory mediators. Ultrastructurally, AVICs treated with low/middle Pi concentrations showed an enormous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enclosing organelle debris, so apparently executing a survival-related atypical macroautophagocytosis, consistently with ultracytochemical demonstration of ER-associated acid phosphatase activity and decreases in autophagosomes and immunodetectable MAP1LC3. In contrast, AVICs cultured at 2.0-mM Pi underwent mineralization due to intracellular release and peripheral layering of phospholipid-rich material acting as hydroxyapatite nucleator, as revealed by Cuprolinic Blue and von Kossa ultracytochemical reactions. Lack of immunoblotted caspase-3 cleaved form indicated apoptosis absence for all cultures. In conclusion, fates of cultured AVICs were crucially driven by Pi concentration, suggesting that serum Pi levels just below the upper limit of normophosphatemia in humans may represent a critical watershed between macroautophagy-associated cell restoring and procalcific cell death

Lax eyelid condition (LEC) and floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) prevalence in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Lax eyelid condition (LEC) and floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) represent two distinct conditions which have been associated with several ocular and systemic comorbidities. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore the available literature to estimate the prevalence rate of LEC and FES in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis has been registered in PROSPERO. Four electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Web of Science) were searched from inception to December 24, 2021. A random intercept logistic regression model was carried out for the analysis of overall proportions. Odds ratio and mean difference were reported as measures of the effect size in the presence of binary and continuous outcomes, respectively. The estimated numbers of LEC/FES patients in OSA were calculated by multiplying the prevalence rate determined by our random-effects model and the corresponding Benjafield et al.’s population prospect. Results: We included 11 studies comprising 1225 OSA patients of whom 431 and 153 affected by LEC and FES, respectively. Our model estimated a pooled prevalence rate for LEC and FES in OSA patients of 40.2% (95%CI: 28.6–53.1%) and of 22.4% (95%CI: 13.8–34.2%), respectively. The number of LEC/FES affected individuals among OSA patients is expected to peak up to 376 and to 210 million, respectively. OSA patients appeared to have a 3.4 (95%CI: 2.2–5.2) and a 3.0 (95%CI: 1.7–5.5) increased risk of developing LEC and FES than the healthy counterpart. Conclusion: Prevalence of LEC and FES is higher in OSA-affected patients compared to controls. More studies are warranted to investigate the mechanisms leading to the development of LEC and/or FES in OSA patients, as well as the feasibility of the adoption of these clinical findings as screening tools for OSA

The use of the laser confocal scanning microscopy to measure resin remnants on customized lingual bracket

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the permanence of resin and enamel remains on lingual brackets at the end of orthodontic treatment and after the debonding procedure. The evaluation of resin remnants on customized lingual brackets bases has never done before in other studies because they are curved, and traditional techniques are not applicable. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 lingual brackets (25 incisors, 25 canines, 25 premolars, 25 molars) scanned with a confocal laser microscope (OLS4000). We measured the brackets' surface and the area of resin remnants with the software of the microscope. Median and quartiles were presented to describe the data. ARI calculation was indirect for each tooth, measuring the resin remnants to the total surface of the bracket. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher test were applied respectively to compare the percentages of remnants and the frequencies of the ARI between the four groups. Results: After the analyses, 13 brackets had no adhesive remnants (ARI 0), 29 brackets had less than 50% of resin remnants (ARI 1), 50 brackets had more than 50% of resin remnants (ARI 2), and 8 brackets had 100% of adhesive (ARI 3). Canines brackets presented the lower amount of resin followed by premolars, incisors, and molars. Conclusion: Lingual brackets showed a high frequency of ARI = 2. The median percentage of the bracket surface covered by resin was 41%. We observed a slight tendency of more resin remnants on molar brackets, due to half-pad configuration. The authors suggest paying attention during the debonding procedure of molar brackets since a stronger connection between the adhesive and the bracket mesh means a higher risk of enamel damage

Awareness and Sources of Knowledge about Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cross Sectional Survey Study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multifactorial sleep breathing disorder, seriously impacting quality of life and involving approximately 1 billion of the world’s population. It is characterized by episodes of total cessation of breathing or decreases in airflow during sleep. Available data suggest that most cases of OSA remain undiagnosed even in developed countries. This is due to a lack of widespread knowledge about this pathology and the medical morbidities and mortality it brings about, among both laypeople and physicians. Moreover, despite receiving indications about the need to undergo specific evaluations for OSA signs and symptoms, sometimes patients do not pay sufficient attention to the problem. This is probably due to a lack of correct information on these issues. The present investigation analyzed the level of knowledge about OSA pathology and the sources through which a group of OSA patients gained information on their condition. A survey of 92 patients diagnosed with OSA (mean age 60.55 ± 10.10) and referred to the Unit of Orthodontics and Dental Sleep Medicine of the University of Bologna was conducted by means of a questionnaire investigating sociodemographic characteristics, the level of general knowledge on OSA pathology and its possible medical consequences. Despite about two third (67.38%) of the population demonstrating extensive knowledge, remarkably, a group of subjects (20.65%) had poor awareness of the OSA condition. A statistically significant correlation emerged between the level of knowledge about OSA and the level of education (p = 0.002). A great effort should be made to improve the quality of information and the communication modalities for OSA to enable a fully appropriate awareness of the condition among patients

Global attractors for Cahn-Hilliard equations with non constant mobility

We address, in a three-dimensional spatial setting, both the viscous and the standard Cahn-Hilliard equation with a nonconstant mobility coefficient. As it was shown in J.W. Barrett and J.W. Blowey, Math. Comp., 68 (1999), 487-517, one cannot expect uniqueness of the solution to the related initial and boundary value problems. Nevertheless, referring to J. Ball's theory of generalized semiflows, we are able to prove existence of compact quasi-invariant global attractors for the associated dynamical processes settled in the natural "finite energy" space. A key point in the proof is a careful use of the energy equality, combined with the derivation of a "local compactness" estimate for systems with supercritical nonlinearities, which may have an independent interest. Under growth restrictions on the configuration potential, we also show existence of a compact global attractor for the semiflow generated by the (weaker) solutions to the nonviscous equation characterized by a "finite entropy" condition

Monitoring and Modeling Farmland Productivity Along the Venice Coastland, Italy

AbstractThe southern portion of the Venice coastland is a very precarious environment and salt contamination of land and groundwater is a severe problem that is seriously impacting the farmland productivity. Geophysical surveys, lab testing and continuous monitoring of hydrological parameters together with crop yield distribution were performed and acquired from 2010 to 2012 in a 21ha basin cultivated with maize crop and representative of the area. The dataset is here used to set-up a numerical model of soil moisture dynamics coupled with plant transpiration, photosynthesis and growth. The hydraulic model is linked to the atmosphere by the calculation of the stomatal conductance which is optimized for maximum carbon gain. The model is applied to the field site to understand the impact of land elevation, soil heterogeneities, and seawater contamination on land productivity