Cancer-Associated Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

It is common knowledge that cancer patients are more prone to develop venous thromboembolic complications (VTE). It is therefore not surprising that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) present with a significant risk of VTE, with the portal vein being the most frequent site (PVT). However, patients with HCC are peculiar as both cancer and liver cirrhosis are conditions that can perturb the hemostatic balance towards a prothrombotic state. Because HCC-related hypercoagulability is not clarified at all, the aim of the present review is to summarize the currently available knowledge on epidemiology and pathogenesis of non-malignant thrombotic complications in patients with liver cirrhosis and HCC. They are at increased risk to develop both PVT and non-splanchnic VTE, indicating that both local and systemic factors can foster the development of site-specific thrombosis. Recent studies have suggested multiple and often interrelated mechanisms through which HCC can tip the hemostatic balance of liver cirrhosis towards hypercoagulability. Described mechanisms include increased fibrinogen concentration/polymerization, thrombocytosis, and release of tissue factor-expressing extracellular vesicles. Currently, there are no specific guidelines on the use of thromboprophylaxis in this unique population. There is the urgent need of prospective studies assessing which patients have the highest prothrombotic profile and would therefore benefit from early thromboprophylaxis

A Flexible Implementation of a Matrix Laurent Series-Based 16-Point Fast Fourier and Hartley Transforms

This paper describes a flexible architecture for implementing a new fast computation of the discrete Fourier and Hartley transforms, which is based on a matrix Laurent series. The device calculates the transforms based on a single bit selection operator. The hardware structure and synthesis are presented, which handled a 16-point fast transform in 65 nsec, with a Xilinx SPARTAN 3E device.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. IEEE VI Southern Programmable Logic Conference 201

Astrocytes and Müller Cell Alterations During Retinal Degeneration in a Transgenic Rat Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa includes a group of progressive retinal degenerative diseases that affect the structure and function of photoreceptors. Secondarily to the loss of photoreceptors, there is a reduction in retinal vascularization, which seems to influence the cellular degenerative process. Retinal macroglial cells, astrocytes, and Müller cells provide support for retinal neurons and are fundamental for maintaining normal retinal function. The aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of macroglial changes during retinal degeneration in P23H rats. Methods: Homozygous P23H line-3 rats aged from P18 to 18 months were used to study the evolution of the disease, and SD rats were used as controls. Immunolabeling with antibodies against GFAP, vimentin, and transducin were used to visualize macroglial cells and cone photoreceptors. Results: In P23H rats, increased GFAP labeling in Müller cells was observed as an early indicator of retinal gliosis. At 4 and 12 months of age, the apical processes of Müller cells in P23H rats clustered in firework-like structures, which were associated with ring-like shaped areas of cone degeneration in the outer nuclear layer. These structures were not observed at 16 months of age. The number of astrocytes was higher in P23H rats than in the SD matched controls at 4 and 12 months of age, supporting the idea of astrocyte proliferation. As the disease progressed, astrocytes exhibited a deteriorated morphology and marked hypertrophy. The increase in the complexity of the astrocytic processes correlated with greater connexin 43 expression and higher density of connexin 43 immunoreactive puncta within the ganglion cell layer (GCL) of P23H vs. SD rat retinas. Conclusions: In the P23H rat model of retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of photoreceptors triggers major changes in the number and morphology of glial cells affecting the inner retina

Levantamento florístico e avaliação preliminar de fluxo de fauna em um sistema agroflorestal para conexão de fragmentos de floresta secundária.

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Association between non-O blood group and spontaneous abortion in women with inherited thrombophilia

Abstract Background Spontaneous abortion is reported to be one of the most frequent pregnancy complications reaching a prevalence up to 15%. The association between congenital thrombophilia and pregnancy loss has been debated in several studies with conflicting results. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia (i.e antithrombin, protein S and C deficiencies, factor V Leiden and prothrombin variant) in a group of women with a personal history of miscarriage. The prevalence non-O blood group, considered the most common thrombophilic condition, was concomitantly considered. Materials and methods A group of n. 566 women with a personal history of spontaneous abortion recruited among caregivers of patients admitted to the Medical Department of our University Hospital between December 2011 and December 2019 were enrolled. Women under 18 yrs, those with a personal history of venous and/or arterial thrombosis and with an acquired thrombophilic condition were excluded. An equally number of healthy women without a personal history of pregnancy loss acted as controls. The Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as an estimate of pregnancy loss developing. Results Out of n. 566 enrolled women, n. 127 (22.4%) had an inherited thrombophilic condition. The prevalence of congenital thrombophilia was significantly higher in women with miscarriage than controls (OR 2.12; CI 95% 1.51–2.92). Non-O blood type was observed in n. 325 (57.4%) women. The prevalence of non-O blood group was significantly higher in women with pregnancy loss (p 0.01) and the association of thrombophilia and non-O blood type further increased the risk of pregnancy loss (OR 3.28; CI 95% 2.01–5.36). Conclusions Both inherited thrombophilia and non-O blood type should be considered risk factors for pregnancy loss. The knowledge of this information may help the clinician to better manage women with pregnancy loss. Further studies are required to confirm our findings. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None

Structural properties of crumpled cream layers

The cream layer is a complex heterogeneous material of biological origin which forms spontaneously at the air-milk interface. Here, it is studied the crumpling of a single cream layer packing under its own weight at room temperature in three-dimensional space. The structure obtained in these circumstances has low volume fraction and anomalous fractal dimensions. Direct means and noninvasive NMR imaging technique are used to investigate the internal and external structure of these systems.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted in J. Phys. D: Appl. Phy

Os benefícios da parceria entre pesquisadores, licenciandos e professores do ensino médio no ensino de ciências

Muitos professores após a graduação se afastam da Universidade e perdem o contato com os estudos em Ensino de Ciências. Os licenciandos, às vezes, aprendem a teoria sobre este tipo de ensino, porém não praticam em turmas do Ensino Médio. A idéia deste trabalho é apresentar os benefícios de uma parceria entre o professor-pesquisador da Universidade, o licenciando da graduação e o professor do Ensino Médio, mostrando como todos esses elementos podem aprender e ensinar uns aos outros e contribuir para um melhor aprendizado dos alunos. O tema de pesquisa escolhido para desenvolver o projeto foi a análise das Concepções Alternativas no estudo dos conceitos fundamentais da Óptica com destaque para as cores, pois este é um referencial teórico muito ensinado nos cursos de licenciatura em Física, Química e Biologia

Increased Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Chemical Sensitivity to Perfluoro-Octanoic Acid: Role of Impaired Platelet Aggregation

Perfluoro\u2013alkyl substances (PFAS), particularly perfluoro\u2013octanoic acid (PFOA), are persisting environmental chemicals showing bioaccumulation in human tissues. Recently, exposure to PFAS has been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, a causal role of PFAS in atherosclerosis pathogenesis is under-investigated. Here, we investigated the effect of PFOA exposure on platelets\u2019 function, a key player in atherosclerosis process. PFOA accumulation in platelets was evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Changes in platelets\u2019 membrane fluidity and activation after dose-dependent exposure to PFOA were evaluated by merocyanine 540 (MC540) and anti P-Selectin immune staining at flow cytometry, respectively. Intracellular calcium trafficking was analyzed with Fluo4M probe, time-lapse live imaging. Platelets\u2019 aggregation state was also evaluated with Multiplate\uae aggregometry analyzer in 48 male subjects living in a specific area of the Veneto region with high PFAS environmental pollution, and compared with 30 low-exposure control subjects. Platelets\u2019 membrane was the major target of PFOA, whose dose-dependent accumulation was associated in turn with increased membrane fluidity, as expected by a computational model; increased activation at resting condition; and both calcium uptake and aggregation upon activation. Finally, exposed subjects had higher serum and platelets levels of PFOA, together with increased aggregation parameters at Multiplate\uae, compared with controls. These data help to explain the emerging association between PFAS exposure and CVD