Relationship between cervical dilation and time to delivery in women with preterm labor

Background: Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor (PTL) is important in order to establish treatment. Our aim was to determine the relation between cervical dilatation and time interval from admission to delivery in women with preterm labor. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 83 singleton gestations admitted for preterm labor between 24 weeks and 34 weeks, who subsequently delivered preterm. Women were categorized into three groups of cervical dilatation (0-2 cm, 3-6 cm, >6 cm) and the time interval from admission to delivery was compared. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the association between cervical dilatation and time interval from admission to delivery. The other variables examined were gestational age (GA) at admission and length of the cervix, when performed. Results: The time interval from admission to delivery was significantly shorter in women with higher dilatation of the cervix (p < 0.02) and in those admitted at a more advanced gestational age (p < 0.05). Forty-eight percent of women with cervical dilatation 0-2 cm delivered in the first 48 h compared to 85% of the women with a dilatation of 3-6 cm. No significant association was found between the length of the cervix and the time interval to delivery. Conclusion: Dilatation of the cervix and gestational age at admission are associated with the time interval to delivery in women with preterm labor. The assessment of the length of the cervix is unlikely to add clinical information in women with an already dilated cervix

Anomalous Kv 7 channel activity in human malignant hyperthermia syndrome unmasks a key role for H2 S and persulfidation in skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Human malignant hyperthermia (MH) syndrome is induced by volatile anaesthetics and involves increased levels of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS)-derived H2 S within skeletal muscle. This increase contributes to skeletal muscle hypercontractility. Kv 7 channels, expressed in skeletal muscle, may be a molecular target for H2 S. Here, we have investigated the role of Kv 7 channels in MH. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from MH-susceptible (MHS) and MH-negative (MHN) patients. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, Western blot, and in vitro contracture test (IVCT) were carried out. Development and characterization of primary human skeletal muscle cells (PHSKMC) and evaluation of cell membrane potential were also performed. The persulfidation state of Kv 7 channels and polysulfide levels were measured. KEY RESULTS: Kv 7 channels were similarly expressed in MHN and MHS biopsies. The IVCT revealed an anomalous contractility of MHS biopsies following exposure to the Kv 7 channel opener retigabine. Incubation of negative biopsies with NaHS, prior to retigabine addition, led to an MHS-like positive response. MHS-derived PHSKMC challenged with retigabine showed a paradoxical depolarizing effect, compared with the canonical hyperpolarizing effect. CBS expression and activity were increased in MHS biopsies, resulting in a major polysulfide bioavailability. Persulfidation of Kv 7.4 channels was significantly higher in MHS than in MHN biopsies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In skeletal muscle of MHS patients, CBS-derived H2 S induced persulfidation of Kv 7 channels. This post-translational modification switches the hyperpolarizing activity into depolarizing. This mechanism can contribute to the pathological skeletal muscle hypercontractility typical of MH syndrome

Heterogeneous nucleation activation in a condensational scrubber for particulate abatement

The effectiveness of a condensational growth technique for particle abatement, activated via heterogeneous nucleation, was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. Based upon information present in the literature, the heterogeneous nucleation rate and particle activation probability were estimated as a function of the environmental conditions. This work demonstrated that it is possible to capture the dispersed particles in the water droplets with high efficiency, depending on operating conditions. Increased final particle size, which improves removal from the gas stream, was found with relatively high inlet vapor concentrations and low working temperatures. It is also worth noting that extreme working conditions might be useful for the particle coverage. In fact, both nucleation and growth processes are active at very low vapor concentrations, although the maximum growth factor at these conditions is relatively low. Although it is not valid in predicting the induction time, a theoretical evaluation of the activation probability provides an indication of the process effectiveness at high vapor concentrations and low inlet temperatures. In contrast, at low vapor concentrations, this method fails to predict the occurrence of the vapor condensation on particles. At the experimentally evaluated conditions, the characteristic induction and growth times are compatible with practical application

A semiclassical approach for determination of the inter-granular energy barrier height in very fine nanograins

The new generation of hadron machines may profitably take advantage of channeling for steering and collimation of high-energy particle beams. In that case, the requirements on the quality of the crystal surface are rather stringent in terms of both lattice perfection and roughness. A new method to achieve an optimal quality of the surface is here presented. Structural and morphological characterizations show that it fulfils all needed specifications for application in hadron machines

Pyrolitic and oxidative structures in hot oxidant diluted oxidant (HODO) MILD combustion ",184, 7-8,0,0,0,1,1,0,1

The typical reactive structure stabilized in a diffusion layer in standard conditions can be significantly modified whether injected flows are diluted and/or preheated. The flow high initial enthalpy and the low fuel and/or oxygen concentration can drastically modify the structure of the oxidative and pyrolytic region due to change of the physical and chemical kinetics respect to conventional diffusion flame. Such operative conditions are typical of MILD (Moderate or Intense Low-oxygen Dilution)combustion processes. The effect of inlet conditions on the stabilized reactive structure has been studied by analyzing the behavior of a steady, one-dimensional diffusive layer. The change of the structures of the reactive region induced by a hot oxidant and diluted oxidant flow (HODO) fed towards a fuel jet at environmental temperature was numerically analyzed by means of temperature and heat release profiles, that are key parameters to understand the main features of the reactive region. In addition, the effect of diluent nature was studied by comparing the reactive structures also obtained with steam and carbon dioxide

New Biodegradable Mulching Films for Strawberry (Fragaria &times; Ananassa Duch.): Effects on the Volatile Profiles of the Fruit

The effects of mulching films on the profiles of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two strawberry cultivars, namely Elide and Sabrina, were evaluated by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction coupled to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Strawberries were grown on two biodegradable mulching films, named N5 and N18, in comparison to black polyethylene (PE). PCA models, separately performed on the VOCs dataset of the two cultivars, showed that the observations for each of the three mulching films lie in corresponding regions of the PCA plot, suggesting that the mulching films represented the main source of data variation, and hence, the variability of the VOCs profile induced by the mulching films overcame the cv-related one. For both the cultivars, a higher number of VOCs with a positive impact on the &ldquo;sweet&rdquo; taste sensation and consumers&rsquo; preference were positively correlated with strawberries produced on the biodegradable films compared to PE. However, there was an interaction between the type of cultivar and the mulches, as Elide responded better to N18 and N5 mulching films, while Sabrina responded better only to N18. Altogether, these results could contribute to assessing the effects of mulching type on putative volatile markers of the desirable sensory perception and consumers&rsquo; acceptability of strawberries

An emerging phenotype of proximal 11q deletions.

Few reports of small interstitial chromosome 11q deletions are reported in the literature and no clear genotype-phenotype correlation has been demonstrated. We describe a five years old boy who was referred to our attention because of the presence of ptosis of the left eyelid, iris coloboma and developmental delay. Clinical examination also revealed the presence of dysmorphic features including: low frontal hairline, flat profile, round face, full cheeks, periorbital fullness, hypertelorism, broad nasal bridge, down-turned corners of the mouth. Cytogenetic analysis, performed by array-CGH (resolution 1 Mb), revealed a deletion of chromosome 11q13.5q14.2. The present case represents a further patient described in the literature with a small interstitial deletion of chromosome 11q. Our patient shares the dysmorphic features and the presence of developmental delay with the previously reported patients with overlapping proximal 11q deletion. Considering these clinical and cytogenetic similarities, we suggest the existence of an emerging syndrome associated to proximal 11q deletions

Progression of renal damage in glycogen storage disease type I is associated to hyperlipidemia: a multicenter prospective Italian study

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors decrease glomerular hyperfiltration but not microalbuminuria and proteinuria in glycogen storage disease type I. In the current study, we demonstrated that severe hyperlipidemia is associated with ACE-inhibitor ineffectiveness. We underline the importance of adequate metabolic control in glycogen storage disease type I. A combination therapy with ACE-inhibitors and lipid lowering drugs might be considered

New Mater-Bi, Biodegradable Mulching Film for Strawberry (Fragaria &times; Ananassa Duch.): Effects on Film Duration, Crop Yields, Qualitative, and Nutraceutical Traits of Fruits

In the main strawberry areas of Southern Italy, cultivation is carried out by transplanting plants on raised beds (30&ndash;40 cm from ground level), mulched with black polyethylene (PE). This technique has becoming increasingly expensive due to the growing prices of plastic mulches, the cost to remove them at the end of crop cycle, and the difficulty to dispose of black, dirty plastic films. The main objective of this research was the replacement of PE mulch with a new biodegradable mulching film Mater-Bi&reg;-based (Novamont), characterized by an increased permanence in the field designed for long crop life. In 2021, two Mater-Bi-based, black, 18 &mu;m thick mulching films were tested under tunnel: N5 as innovative film and N18 as commercial standard film. Black PE film, 50 &mu;m thick was the control. Strawberry cultivars &lsquo;Sabrina&rsquo; and &lsquo;Elide&rsquo; were cropped on the three mulching films according to a split plot design with four replications. Harvests lasted from March to June 2021. Cvs Sabrina and Elide yielded around 40 t ha&minus;1, while the mean effect of mulching films did not point out differences between the biodegradable mulches and PE. In 4 out of 12 harvests we analyzed samples of fruits to assess the influence of mulches on the contents of &deg;Brix, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. On average, &deg;Brix was clearly improved in fruits on PE compared to biodegradable films, while all the other qualitative traits resulted in being more dependent on the cultivars and times of sampling effects. Overall, biodegradable mulches are a viable alternative to PE mulch, and the innovative N5 film appeared promising for the enhancement of durability of soil coverage in a long-lasting cycle