Pathogenic and Therapeutic Role of Vitamin D in Antiphospholipid Syndrome Patients

In this chapter, the novel findings on interrelationship between vitamin D status and two well‐known prothrombotic states, antiphospholipid syndrome, particularly its thrombotic phenotype, and metabolic syndrome will be reviewed. We shall present the results obtained from patients included in Serbian National Antiphospholipid Syndrome Registry, 68 patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) and 69 patients with antiphospholipid syndrome associated with certain autoimmune rheumatic disease (sAPS), as well as 50 patients with pure metabolic syndrome (MetS). These results will be analysed and compared with the novel literature data. Prevalence of MetS in APS is high, with the atherogenic dyslipidaemia as its most prevalent characteristic. Prevalence of thrombotic events was significantly higher in APS patients with coexisting MetS, compared with those without MetS. Among APS patients, prevalence of VitD deficiency was significantly higher than in patients with pure MetS. VitD level was also significantly lower in APS patients with coexisting MetS or previous thrombotic events than in those without them. Elucidating interrelationships between VitD deficiency, MetS and thrombotic events in APS patients open up the possibility of distinguishing those subjects with the particularly high cardiovascular risk and ensuing need for the strict control of modifiable risk factors and VitD supplementation

SR-A ligand and M-CSF dynamically regulate SR-A expression and function in primary macrophages via p38 MAPK activation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammation is characterized by dynamic changes in the expression of cytokines, such as M-CSF, and modifications of lipids and proteins that result in the formation of ligands for Class A Scavenger Receptors (SR-A). These changes are associated with altered SR-A expression in macrophages; however, the intracellular signal pathways involved and the extent to which SR-A ligands regulate SR-A expression are not well defined. To address these questions, SR-A expression and function were examined in resident mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated with M-CSF or the selective SR-A ligand acetylated-LDL (AcLDL).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>M-CSF increased SR-A expression and function, and required the specific activation of p38 MAPK, but not ERK1/2 or JNK. Increased SR-A expression and function returned to basal levels 72 hours after removing M-CSF. We next determined whether prolonged incubation of macrophages with SR-A ligand alters SR-A expression. In contrast to most receptors, which are down-regulated by chronic exposure to ligand, SR-A expression was reversibly increased by incubating macrophages with AcLDL. AcLDL activated p38 in wild-type macrophages but not in SR-A-/- macrophages, and p38 activation was specifically required for AcLDL-induced SR-A expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results demonstrate that in resident macrophages SR-A expression and function can be dynamically regulated by changes in the macrophage microenvironment that are typical of inflammatory processes. In particular, our results indicate a previously unrecognized role for ligand binding to SR-A in up-regulating SR-A expression and activating p38 MAPK. In this way, SR-A may modulate inflammatory responses by enhancing macrophage uptake of modified protein/lipid, bacteria, and cell debris; and by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and proteolytic enzymes.</p

Performance Analysis of Industrial Cooperative Communication System in Generalized Fading Environment

This paper considers the performance analysis of M-ary phase shift keying industrial cooperative relaying system in Nakagami-m multipath fading channel with Gamma shadowing, which is known as the Generalized-K composite fading channel. Since the paper deals with the industrial environment, the communication channel is also affected by the additive Middleton\u27s Class-A impulsive noise. The bit error rate is used as a performance measure and the closed-form average bit error rate expression was derived. The influence of different fading and noise parameters on the system performance is investigated. The obtained results may be used for the improvement of the present and future industrial wireless communication systems

Value of p53 and estrogen receptors immunohistochemical staining in endometrial carcinoma

Background: Since there are many articles dealing with estimating prognostic and diagnostic value of ER and p53, using different, usually complex ICH interpretation methods, we wanted to evaluate significance of p53 and ER ICH positivity in endometrial carcinoma, using easily applicable criteria that would help pathologists and clinicians to be sure in ICH findings noted in the report.Methods: This paper deals with data of the patients treated for endometrial carcinoma in Public Hospitals in Travnik, gynecological department in the period from 1st January 2013 to 1st January 2019. The study included 97 women with endometrial carcinoma, with ages ranging from 42 to 90 years (mean of 64 years). Sample consisted of 72 cases (74.2%) of endometrioid and 25 cases (25.8%) of non-endometrioid carcinoma.Results: p53 expression was observed in 13.8% carcinomas of the endometrioid type and in 68% carcinomas of non-endometrioid type, while estrogen receptors were more frequently observed in tumors of the endometrioid type (61%) in contrast to non-endometrioid type (28%). Among 72 cases, those with grade I expressed estrogen receptors (26 out of 34 cases - 72%) more frequently than those with grades II and III. Frequency of p53 positivity was significantly higher at higher grades (grade I - 5.8%, grade II - 11.5%, grade III - 71.4%). Stage I carcinomas showed p53 staining less frequently (22.2%) that carcinomas diagnosed at later stages (31.5%).Conclusions: Using 80% nuclei stained as threshold for p53 positivity, we concluded that p53 is marker of high-grade endometrial carcinomas: high grade endometrioid and non-endometrioid carcinomas. Using 1% of cells as threshold for ER positivity, we confirmed that ER are common in endometrioid type carcinoma, in contrast to non-endometrioid type. Although observed, higher frequency of ER in tumors with lower grade and stage was not statistically confirmed in our study population

Efeitos da reabilitação precoce no desfecho da reabilitação pós-acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) em mulheres com mais de 65 anos e sua correlação com a gravidade do deficit neurológico inicial

Este trabalho visa examinar os efeitos da reabilitação precoce, a curto e longo prazo, no desfecho do acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) em mulheres com mais de 65 anos; estabelecer a correlação entre o impacto da gravidade do déficit neurológico na predição dos re-sultados do tratamento de Reabilitação e, ainda, investigar a possibilidade do acompanhamento de parâmetros individuais da Medição de Independência Funcional (MIF) na predição do desfecho da reabilitação do AVE. Atualmente, o AVE é a terceira maior causa de mortalidade na população mundial, bem como a maior causa de invalidez permanente. No cenário atual, as doenças cardiovasculares e cerebrovasculares - que antes eram tidas como exclusivas da população masculina – têm afetado também as mulheres. Por outro lado, observamos uma correlação linear entre o envelhecimento e a ocorrência destas doenças. Concluímos que a implantação do método de reabilitação precoce conduz a uma aceleração significativa do processo de tratamento e recuperação após o AVE em mulheres com mais de 65 anos. Concluímos também que certos parâmetros da MIF, por apresentarem o mesmo padrão de evolução, podem ser utilizados na predição da recuperação global do paciente.This study aims at verifying the effects of short- and long-term rehabilitation on the outcome of encephalic vascular accident (EVA) in women older than 65 years; establishing the correlation between the impact of the neurological deficit severity on the prediction of the rehabilitation treatment outcome as well as investigating the possibility of the follow-up of individual parameters at the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) when predicting the EVA rehabilitation outcome. The EVA is currently the third major cause of death in the world’s population, as well as the main cause of permanent disability. In the present scenario, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which used to be observed almost exclusively in the male population, now affect the female population as well. On the other hand, we observe a linear correlation between aging and the occurrence of these diseases. We conclude that the implementation of early rehabilitation leads to a significant acceleration in the treatment and recovery process post-EVA in women older than 65 years. We also conclude that certain FIM parameters can be used to predict the patient’s overall recovery, as they present the same evolution pattern

Characterization of Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles of Extensively- and Pan-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii Clinical Isolates

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen common in intensive care units (ICUs), particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Nosocomial A. baumannii infections have become increasingly problematic in recent years, as these bacteria rapidly acquire antibiotic resistance, leading to the emergence of multidrug, extensively drug and pan drug-resistant (MDR, XDR, and PDR, respectively) isolates. Recently, Cooper University Hospital (CUH) experienced a large increase in highly drug-resistant A. baumannii infections, which had a mortality rate of 60%. Oftentimes, physicians had to turn to combinations of drugs with no experimental verification or historically shelved antibiotics, such as the polymyxins, in a desperate attempt to save lives. This highlights the critical need for more research to identify new, effective treatment options for these difficult-to-treat infections. Here, we determined the susceptibility of 22 patient isolates from CUH against 22 standard-of-care drugs and three newly released antibiotics (eravacycline, omadacycline and plazomicin) by the standard broth microdilution technique. We found that the isolates in this collection were 70% XDR and 30% PDR, meaning there were few to no treatment options available. Overall, the collection was most susceptible to minocycline (77.3%), followed by rifampin (55%) and amikacin (40.9%). While official breakpoint data is not available from the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute for the new tetracycline-class drugs, a number of strains had low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to eravacycline and omadacycline, suggesting that these new drugs may be effective in treatment of highly drug-resistant strains. The drug plazomicin was largely ineffective against these strains, with high MICs. We plan to explore novel combinations of eravacycline and omadacycline with the standard-of-care drugs and to search for synergistic combinatorial effects using checkerboard assays. This information can ultimately be used to design new Therapeutics against drug-resistant A. baumannii infections

Role of hysteroscopic techniques in the treatment of female genital pathology

Background: Hysteroscopy is the process of viewing and operating in the endometrial cavity from a transcervical approach. A camera is commonly attached to the proximal end of the hysteroscope to broadcast the image onto a large video screen. The development of hysteroscopy is rooted in the work of Pantaleoni, who first reported uterine endoscopy in 1869. However, at that time, instrumentation was elementary, and expansion of the uterine cavity was insufficient. In 1925, Rubin first used CO2 to distend the uterus. The use of liquid distention media became routine by the 1980s, and many new hysteroscopic procedures, including endometrial ablation, were developed.Methods: This was a retrospective study which presents the results of hysteroscopic treatment of various gynecological diseases in Cantonal hospital Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 2011 to 2019. Total 175 cases were enrolled. All underwent hysteroscopic surgery in general anesthesia. The results were statistically analyzed.Results: Total number of patients is 175. The incidence is highest in the age 31-50 years (62%). Endometrial polyp is the most common pathological condition in 80%, myoma submucosum in 5,7%, and septum uteri 2,8%. The most common treatment was polypectomy 80%, then resection of submucosal myoma 5,7%, and extraction of IUD 4%.Conclusions: Hysteroscopy involves a minimal damage to body tissues. It is safer than open surgery. Hysteroscopic treatment has contributed to faster treatment, faster recovery and reducing the cost of treatment, and thus raise the level of efficiency

THE HIGH FREQUENCY SURFACE WAVE RADAR SOLUTION FOR VESSEL TRACKING BEYOND THE HORIZON

With maximum range of about 200 nautical miles (approx. 370 km) High Frequency Surface Wave Radars (HFSWR) provide unique capability for vessel detection far beyond the horizon without utilization of any moving platforms. Such uniqueness requires design principles unlike those usually used in microwave radar. In this paper the key concepts of HFSWR based on Frequency Modulated Continuous (FMCW) principles are presented. The paper further describes operating principles with focus on signal processing techniques used to extract desired data. The signal processing describes range and Doppler processing but focus is given to the Digital Beamforming (DBF) and Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) models. In order to better present the design process, data obtained from the HFSWR sites operating in the Gulf of Guinea are used.  

Identification of photocatalytic degradation products of diazinon in TiO2 aqueous suspensions using GC/MS/MS and LC/MS with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

AbstractThe photocatalytic degradation of the organophosphorus insecticide diazinon in aqueous suspensions has been studied by using titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst. The degradation of the insecticide was a fast process and included the formation of several intermediates that were identified using GC/ion-trap mass spectrometry with EI or CI in positive and negative ionization mode and HPLC/electrospray-QqTOF mass spectrometry. Since primarily hydroxy derivatives were identified in these aqueous suspensions, the mechanism of degradation was probably based on hydroxyl radical attack. The initial oxidative pathways of the degradation of diazinon involved the substitution of sulfur by oxygen on the PS bond, cleavage of the pyrimidine ester bond, and oxidation of the isopropyl group. Exact mass measurements of the derivatives allowed the elemental formula of the molecules to be determined confidently. Similarities to the metabolic pathways occurring in living organisms were observed