Discourses on Fantasy: A Narrative Allegory

This project, though officially designated by the English Department as a creative thesis, is really a hybrid work that combines creative writing with literary criticism. The work is structured as a dream vision, a literary genre popular in the Middle Ages in which a narrator receives some form of instruction or wisdom through an allegorical dream. Examples include The Pearl, The Romance of the Rose, and Chaucer\u27s House of Fame. In this thesis, the allegorical space of the dream vision provides a platform for a series of essays structured as dialogues. These dialogues explore the aesthetics and politics of modern fantasy and supernatural literature, focusing particularly on the opposition of this literature, which often draws on ancient and medieval source material, to modern capitalist society. The discourses themselves are not strictly critical, but incorporate subjectivity, metaphor, and symbolism in their investigation of cultural texts

Left ventricular diverticulum: incidental finding on dual source cardiac ct

The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe the prevalence, size and location of left ventricular (LV) diverticulum- diverticuli on cardiac dual source CT. Dual source computed tomography cardiac angiography (DS CTCA) was performed in 482 patients. Where literature states their rare occurrence, this retrospective study demonstrates the fairly common finding of incidental LV diverticulum on DS CTCA examinations. LV diverticuli were found incidentally in 20 out of 482 patients (4.1%), a substantially higher incidence than previously reported. Although diverticuli were most common along the inferoseptal wall (45%) they also occurred in all parts of the left ventricular wall. Multiple diverticuli were found in 30% of patients. Dimensions of the LV diverticuli varied enormously. LV diverticuli are reported to be frequently associated with other congenital anomalies. Complications ranging from sudden death and heart failure to embolic events have been described in literature. No relevant associated anomaly or complication was present in the studied 20 patients. Our data support the hypothesis that LV diverticuli, incidentally found in adulthood, follow a benign course and can be managed conservatively. More knowledge is however required to understand history and prognosis about this condition

Esmethadone (REL-1017) and Other Uncompetitive NMDAR Channel Blockers May Improve Mood Disorders via Modulation of Synaptic Kinase-Mediated Signaling

This article presents a mechanism of action hypothesis to explain the rapid antidepressant effects of esmethadone (REL-1017) and other uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists and presents a corresponding mechanism of disease hypothesis for major depressive disorder (MDD). Esmethadone and other uncompetitive NMDAR antagonists may restore physiological neural plasticity in animal models of depressive-like behavior and in patients with MDD via preferential tonic block of pathologically hyperactive GluN2D subtypes. Tonic Ca2+ currents via GluN2D subtypes regulate the homeostatic availability of synaptic proteins. MDD and depressive behaviors may be determined by reduced homeostatic availability of synaptic proteins, due to upregulated tonic Ca2+ currents through GluN2D subtypes. The preferential activity of low-potency NMDAR antagonists for GluN2D subtypes may explain their rapid antidepressant effects in the absence of dissociative side effects

Cama de frango como substrato para a produção de biogás após diferentes períodos de estocagem.

RESUMO: Na avicultura a cama de frango é produzida sazonalmente, em função do modo de produção. Para obter energia do biogás por meio da biodigestão da cama de frango, de forma contínua, o armazenamento do resíduo pode ser uma solução. Ensaios de Potencial Bioquímico de Metano (BMP) foram utilizados neste trabalho para estimar a capacidade de produção de biogás e metano da cama de frango removida após o sexto lote de reutilização e a diferentes tempos de armazenamento após a coleta, assim, verificar a viabilidade de utilização da cama de frango como um substrato em unidade produtora de biogás. A produção de biogás e metano, nas amostras em diferentes períodos de armazenamento, foi comparada: antes de armazenar 245 LN biogas.kgSV adic-1 e 159 LN CH4.kgSV adic-11, seis meses com 252 LN biogas.kgSV adic-1 e 160 LN CH4.kgSV adic-1 e um ano 209 LN biogas.kgSV adic-1 e 117 LNCH4.kgSV adic-1, demonstrando que o período de armazenamento é caracterizado por uma relativa perda do conteúdo de matéria orgânica após um ano, contudo, não há diferença significativa entre a produção de biogás e metano após seis meses armazenada e antes de armazenar. Verificou-se a viabilidade da estocagem de cama de frango do sexto lote de reutilização, no período de seis meses, sem perda significativa de matéria orgânica para a conversão em biogás e metano. ABSTRACT: In poultry litter is produced seasonally due to production mode. To get energy from biogas through the bio digestion of poultry litter, continuously, the storage of the residue can be a solution. Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays were used in this study to estimate the production of biogas and methane poultry litter removed after the sixth lot of reuse and in different storage times after collect, so check the feasibility of use poultry litter as a feedstock in biogas producer unit. The production of biogas and methane in the samples in different periods of storage was compared: before storage 245 LN biogas.kgVS add-1 E 159 LN C H4 kg SV add-1, six months with 252 LN biogas.kgVS add-1 e 160 LN C H4 kg SV add-1 and a year 209 LN biogas.kgVS add-1 and one year 117 LN C H4 kg SV add-1, demonstrating that the storage period is characterized by a relative loss of content of organic matter after a year, however there's no significant difference between the production of biogas and methane in six months storaged and before storage . It was verified the viability of storage of poultry litter of the sixth lot of reuse, in the six-month period, without significant loss of organic matter for conversion to biogas and methane

Spondyloenchondrodysplasia Due to Mutations in ACP5: A Comprehensive Survey

Purpose: Spondyloenchondrodysplasia is a rare immuno-osseous dysplasia caused by biallelic mutations in ACP5. We aimed to provide a survey of the skeletal, neurological and immune manifestations of this disease in a cohort of molecularly confirmed cases. Methods: We compiled clinical, genetic and serological data from a total of 26 patients from 18 pedigrees, all with biallelic ACP5 mutations. Results: We observed a variability in skeletal, neurological and immune phenotypes, which was sometimes marked even between affected siblings. In total, 22 of 26 patients manifested autoimmune disease, most frequently autoimmune thrombocytopenia and systemic lupus erythematosus. Four patients were considered to demonstrate no clinical autoimmune disease, although two were positive for autoantibodies. In the majority of patients tested we detected upregulated expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), in keeping with the autoimmune phenotype and the likely immune-regulatory function of the deficient protein tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Two mutation positive patients did not demonstrate an upregulation of ISGs, including one patient with significant autoimmune disease controlled by immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusions: Our data expand the known phenotype of SPENCD. We propose that the OMIM differentiation between spondyloenchondrodysplasia and spondyloenchondrodysplasia with immune dysregulation is no longer appropriate, since the molecular evidence that we provide suggests that these phenotypes represent a continuum of the same disorder. In addition, the absence of an interferon signature following immunomodulatory treatments in a patient with significant autoimmune disease may indicate a therapeutic response important for the immune manifestations of spondyloenchondrodysplasia

Fecal Calprotectin Excretion in Preterm Infants during the Neonatal Period

Fecal calprotectin has been proposed as a non-invasive marker of intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease in adults and children. Fecal calprotectin levels have been reported to be much higher in both healthy full-term and preterm infants than in children and adults.To determine the time course of fecal calprotectin (f-calprotectin) excretion in preterm infants from birth until hospital discharge and to identify factors influencing f-calprotectin levels in the first weeks of life, including bacterial establishment in the gut.F-calprotectin was determined using an ELISA assay in 147 samples obtained prospectively from 47 preterm infants (gestational age, and birth-weight interquartiles 27–29 weeks, and 880–1320 g, respectively) at birth, and at 2-week intervals until hospital discharge. (p = 0.047).During the first weeks of life, the high f-calprotectin values observed in preterm infants could be linked to the gut bacterial establishment

Strategies to prevent intraoperative lung injury during cardiopulmonary bypass

During open heart surgery the influence of a series of factors such as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), hypothermia, operation and anaesthesia, as well as medication and transfusion can cause a diffuse trauma in the lungs. This injury leads mostly to a postoperative interstitial pulmonary oedema and abnormal gas exchange. Substantial improvements in all of the above mentioned factors may lead to a better lung function postoperatively. By avoiding CPB, reducing its time, or by minimizing the extracorporeal surface area with the use of miniaturized circuits of CPB, beneficial effects on lung function are reported. In addition, replacement of circuit surface with biocompatible surfaces like heparin-coated, and material-independent sources of blood activation, a better postoperative lung function is observed. Meticulous myocardial protection by using hypothermia and cardioplegia methods during ischemia and reperfusion remain one of the cornerstones of postoperative lung function. The partial restoration of pulmonary artery perfusion during CPB possibly contributes to prevent pulmonary ischemia and lung dysfunction. Using medication such as corticosteroids and aprotinin, which protect the lungs during CPB, and leukocyte depletion filters for operations expected to exceed 90 minutes in CPB-time appear to be protective against the toxic impact of CPB in the lungs. The newer methods of ultrafiltration used to scavenge pro-inflammatory factors seem to be protective for the lung function. In a similar way, reducing the use of cardiotomy suction device, as well as the contact-time between free blood and pericardium, it is expected that the postoperative lung function will be improved