Graphene sustained nonlinear modes in dielectric waveguides

We discuss the existence of nonlinear modes sustained by graphene layers in dielectric waveguides. Taking advantage of the almost two dimensional nature of graphene, we introduce the nonlinear effect as a parameter in the continuity equations. We then apply our modeling to a simple slab waveguide to enlighten how graphene can be used to induce huge nonlinear phase shifts at easily accessible power levels

Spatio-temporal profile, phenotypic diversity, and fate of recruited monocytes into the post-ischemic brain

Infiltrating CX3CR1GFP/+ and CCR2RFP/+ cells are monocyte/macrophages. (A) Representative fluorescent merged images and orthogonal views of CX3CR1GFP/+ (green) and Iba1+ (red) ramified (upper panels) and amoeboid cells (lower panels) showing co-localization of both markers. The images were taken from the ischemic hemisphere at 14 days post-MCAo. Scale bar represent 20 μm. (B) Representative fluorescent merged images and orthogonal views of co-localization for the markers CCR2GFP/+ (red) and Iba1+ (blue). The images were taken from the ischemic hemisphere at 3 days post-MCAo. Scale bar represent 20 μm. (PDF 10117 kb

Hypertension in children and adolescents A consensus document from ESC Council on Hypertension, European Association of Preventive Cardiology, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions, ESC Council for Cardiology Practice and Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology

Definition and management of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents are uncertain, due to different positions of current guidelines. The European Society of Cardiology task-force, constituted by Associations and Councils with interest in arterial hypertension, has reviewed current literature and evidence, to produce a Consensus Document focused on aspects of hypertension in the age range of 6-16 years, including definition, methods of measurement of blood pressure, clinical evaluation, assessment of hypertension-mediated target organ damage, evaluation of possible vascular, renal and hormonal causes, assessment and management of concomitant risk factors with specific attention for obesity, and anti-hypertensive strategies, especially focused on life-style modifications. The Consensus Panel also suggests aspects that should be studied with high priority, including generation of multi-ethnic sex, age and height specific European normative tables, implementation of randomized clinical trials on different diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, and long-Term cohort studies to link with adult cardiovascular risk. Finally, suggestions for the successful implementation of the contents of the present Consensus document are also given

Ultrasound imaging of the axilla

: Axilla is a pyramidal-in-shape "virtual cavity" housing multiple anatomical structures and connecting the upper limb with the trunk. To the best of our knowledge, in the pertinent literature, a detailed sonographic protocol to comprehensively assess the axillary region in daily practice is lacking. In this sense, the authors have briefly described the anatomical architecture of the axilla-also using cadaveric specimens-to propose a layer-by-layer sonographic approach to this challenging district. The most common sonographic pathological findings-for each and every anatomical compartment of the axilla-have been accurately reported and compared with the corresponding histopathological features. This ultrasound approach could be considered a ready-to-use educational guidance for the assessment of the axillary region. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Axilla is a pyramidal-in-shape "virtual cavity" housing multiple anatomical structures and connecting the upper limb with the trunk. The aim of this review article was to describe the anatomical architecture of the axilla, also using cadaveric specimens, in order to propose a layer-by-layer sonographic approach to this challenging district

Commensal microbiota affects ischemic stroke outcome by regulating intestinal γδ T cells

Commensal gut bacteria impact the host immune system and can influence disease processes in several organs, including the brain. However, it remains unclear whether the microbiota has an impact on the outcome of acute brain injury. Here we show that antibiotic-induced alterations in the intestinal flora reduce ischemic brain injury in mice, an effect transmissible by fecal transplants. Intestinal dysbiosis alters immune homeostasis in the small intestine, leading to an increase in regulatory T cells and a reduction in interleukin (IL)-17–positive γδ T cells through altered dendritic cell activity. Dysbiosis suppresses trafficking of effector T cells from the gut to the leptomeninges after stroke. Additionally, IL-10 and IL-17 are required for the neuroprotection afforded by intestinal dysbiosis. The findings reveal a previously unrecognized gut-brain axis and an impact of the intestinal flora and meningeal IL-17+ γδ T cells on ischemic injury.J.A. is the recipient of the Finbar and Marianne Kenny Research Scholarship. Parts of the study were supported by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants NS081179 (J.A.) and NS34179 (C.I. and J.A.), the Feil Family Foundation (C.I.) and the Swiss National Science Foundation for Grants in Biology and Medicine (P3SMP3 148367; C.B.). We thank A.-K. Hadjantonakis (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) for helpful discussions on the use of the KikGR33 mice.Peer reviewe

Management of transient loss of consciousness of suspected syncopal cause, after the initial evaluation in the Emergency Department

The recommendations enclosed in the present document have been developed by a group of experts appointed by the Gruppo Multidisciplinare per lo Studio della Sincope (Multidisciplinary Group for the Study of Syncope; GIMSI) and Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care (AcEMC). The aim is to define the diagnostic pathway and the management of patients referred to the Emergency Department (ED) for transient loss of consciousness of suspected syncopal cause, which is still unexplained after the initial evaluation. The risk stratification enables the physician to admit, discharge or monitor shortly the patient in the intensive short-stay Syncope Observation Unit (SOU). There are three risk levels of life-threatening events or serious complications (low, moderate, high). Low risk patients can be discharged, while high risk ones should be monitored and treated properly in case of worsening. Moderate risk patients should undergo clinical and instrumental monitoring in SOU, inside the ED. In all these three cases, patients can be subsequently referred to the Syncope Unit for further diagnostic investigations

Dietary salt promotes neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction through a gut-initiated TH17 response

A diet rich in salt is linked to an increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases and dementia, but it remains unclear how dietary salt harms the brain. We report that, in mice, excess dietary salt suppresses resting cerebral blood flow and endothelial function, leading to cognitive impairment. The effect depends on expansion of TH17 cells in the small intestine, resulting in a marked increase in plasma interleukin-17 (IL-17). Circulating IL-17, in turn, promotes endothelial dysfunction and cognitive impairment by the Rho kinase–dependent inhibitory phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and reduced nitric oxide production in cerebral endothelial cells. The findings reveal a new gut–brain axis linking dietary habits to cognitive impairment through a gut-initiated adaptive immune response compromising brain function via circulating IL-17. Thus, the TH17 cell–IL-17 pathway is a putative target to counter the deleterious brain effects induced by dietary salt and other diseases associated with TH17 polarization.We gratefully acknowledge support from the Feil Family Foundation. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R37-NS089323 (C.I.) and 1R01-NS095441 (C.I.), by a Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association (G.F.) and by a network grant from the Fondation Leducq (Sphingonet) (C.I., J.A., G.F.).Peer reviewe

Regions of homology between tumorigenic plasmids from Agrobacterium rhizogenes and Agrobacterium tumefaciens

[No abstract available