Doppler interrogation of fetoplacental circulation in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and their perinatal outcomes

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the major causes of maternal morbidity-mortality leading to 10-15% of maternal deaths especially in developing areas of the world. The Doppler examination makes it possible by providing a unique, non-invasive and safe method of studying blood flow characteristics in both the fetoplacental and uteroplacental circulations that is being used in clinical evaluation of high risk pregnancies. The aim was to study early detection of fetoplacental compromise in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with Doppler indices and to know its role in predicting perinatal outcomes and interventional strategies in these patients.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 subjects, 50 patients in study group with hypertensive disorders and 50 patients in control group with normotensive pregnancy. Doppler studies of umbilical and middle cerebral artery done and parameters recorded were systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index and resistance index at 28-37 weeks of gestation. Perinatal outcomes of both groups compared, analyzed statistically. Multiple pregnancy, chronic hypertension, fetal congenital anomalies, systemic disease and those lost to follow up till delivery were excluded from study.Results: Statistically significant difference in the incidence of induction of labour (p=0.012) and caesarean delivery (p=0.049), preterm delivery (p=0.004), low birth weight (p=0.003), low apgar score (p=0.045) and NICU admission in the patients with abnormal umbilical artery doppler of hypertensive group were seen .66.66% and 100% perinatal mortality seen in absent end diastolic flow and reverse end diastolic flow of umbilical artery in hypertensive group respectively.Conclusions: Abnormal umbilical artery had highest sensitivity 76% and positive predictive value 84% in predicting adverse perinatal outcome and MCA Doppler having highest specificity 96% to exclude the false positive results of abnormal UA. The sequential study of both vessels useful in predicting interventional strategies and improving perinatal outcomes

Treatment of stable and unstable intertrochanteric fractures using proximal femoral nail and their functional assessment using modified Harris hip score

Background: Intertrochanteric fracture is common injury and is found in both elderly and the young. Proximal femoral nail (PFN) has been in widespread use for the same in the recent past. There are advocates both for and against this implant. The aim was to study the results of PFN in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures and their functional evaluation using the modified Harris hip score.Methods: A prospective study done on 104 patients operated for intertrochanteric fractures with PFN. Patients were followed up at 6 weekly intervals and evaluated at each visit using the modified Harris hip score (HHS).Results: The study consisted of 104 patients aged from 36 to 96 years with average age of 67.8 years. Most patients belonged to 60-80 years category. Malunion was observed in three patients (2.8%) and non union was not seen in any patient. Excellent to good results were seen in 73% patients 18% patients had a fair outcome, 7.7% had poor and 2% patients had very poor outcome.Conclusions: PFN is a good implant for intertrochanteric fracture treatment that demands a sound technique and a good reduction prior to insertion. The assessment of results using HHS has been too similar to those obtained using Kyle’s criteria in the previous studies, proving its role in the same.

LDRD 140639 final report : investigation of transmutation claims.

The Proton-21 Laboratory in the Ukraine has been publishing results on shock-induced transmutation of several elements, including Cobalt 60 into non-radioactive elements. This report documents exploratory characterization of a shock-compressed Aluminum-6061 sample, which is the only available surrogate for the high-purity copper samples in the Proton-21 experiments. The goal was to determine Sandia's ability to detect possible shock-wave-induced transmutation products and to unambiguously validate or invalidate the claims in collaboration with the Proton-21 Laboratory. We have developed a suitable characterization process and tested it on the surrogate sample. Using trace elemental analysis capabilities, we found elevated and localized concentrations of impurity elements like the Ukrainians report. All our results, however, are consistent with the ejection of impurities that were not in solution in our alloy or were deposited from the cathode during irradiation or possibly storage. Based on the detection capabilities demonstrated and additional techniques available, we are positioned to test samples from Proton-21 if funded to do so

Local niche differences predict genotype associations in sister taxa of desert tortoise

Aims: To investigate spatial congruence between ecological niches and genotype in two allopatric species of desert tortoise that are species of conservation concern. Location: Mojave and Sonoran Desert ecoregions; California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, USA. Methods: We compare ecological niches of Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus morafkai using species distribution modelling (SDM) and then calibrate a pooled-taxa distribution model to explore local differences in species-environment relationships based on the spatial residuals of the pooled-taxa model. We use multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) applied to those residuals to estimate local species-environment relationships that can vary across the landscape. We identify multivariate clusters in these local species-environment relationships and compare them against models of (a) a geographically based taxonomic designation for two sister species and (b) an environmental ecoregion designation, with respect to their ability to predict a genotype association index for these two species. Results: We find non-identical niches for these species, with differences that span physiographic and vegetation niche dimensions. We find evidence for two distinct clusters of local species-environment relationships that when mapped, predict an index of genotype association for the two sister taxa better than did either the geographically based taxonomic designation or an environmental ecoregion designation. Main conclusions: Exploring local species-environment relationships by coupling SDM and MGWR can benefit studies of biogeography and conservation. We find that niche separation in habitat selection conforms to genotypic differences between sister taxa of tortoise in a recent secondary contact zone. This result may inform decision making by agencies with regulatory or land management authority for the two sister taxa addressed here.Open access articleThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Rapid synthesis and enhancement in down conversion emission properties of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,RE3+ (RE3+=Y, Pr) nanophosphors

[EN] BaAl2O4:Eu2+,RE3+ (RE3+=Y, Pr) down conversion nanophosphors were prepared at 600 °C by a rapid gel combustion technique in presence of air using boron as flux and urea as a fuel. A comparative study of the prepared materials was carried out with and without the addition of boric acid. The boric acid was playing the important role of flux and reducer simultaneously. The peaks available in the XPS spectra of BaAl2O4:Eu2+ at 1126.5 and 1154.8 eV was ascribed to Eu2+(3d5/2) and Eu2+(3d3/2) respectively which confirmed the presence of Eu2+ ion in the prepared lattice. Morphology of phosphors was characterized by tunneling electron microscopy. XRD patterns revealed a dominant phase characteristics of hexagonal BaAl2O4 compound and the presence of dopants having unrecognizable effects on basic crystal structure of BaAl2O4. The addition of boric acid showed a remarkable change in luminescence properties and crystal size of nanophosphors. The emission spectra of phosphors had a broad band with maximum at 490–495 nm due to electron transition from 4f65d1 → 4f7 of Eu2+ ion. The codoping of the rare earth (RE3+=Y, Pr) ions help in the enhancement of their luminescent properties. The prepared phosphors had brilliant optoelectronic properties that can be properly used for solid state display device applications.The authors gratefully recognize the financial support from the University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi [MRP-40-73/2011(SR)] and the European Commission through Nano CIS project (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IRSES ref. 269279).Singh, D.; Tanwar, V.; Simantilke, AP.; Marí, B.; Kadyan, PS.; Singh, I. (2016). Rapid synthesis and enhancement in down conversion emission properties of BaAl2O4:Eu2+,RE3+ (RE3+=Y, Pr) nanophosphors. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. 27(3):2260-2266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-4020-1S22602266273J.S. Kim, P.E. Jeon, J.C. Choi, H.L. Park, S.I. Mho, G.C. Kim, Appl Phys Lett 84, 2931 (2004)D. Jia, D.N. Hunter, J Appl Phys 100, 1131251 (2006)H. Aizawa, T. Katsumata, J. Takahashi, K. Matsunaga, S. Komuro, T. Morikawa, E. Toba, Rev Sci Instrum 74, 1344 (2003)C.N. Xu, X.G. Zheng, M. Akiyama, K. Nonaka, T. Watanabe, Appl Phys Lett 76, 179 (2000)C. Feldmann, T. Justel, C.R. Ronda, P.J. Schmidt, Adv Funct Mater 13, 511 (2004)P.J. Saines, M.M. Elcombe, B.J. Kennedy, J Solid State Chem 179, 613 (2006)R. Sakai, T. Katsumata, S. Komuro, T. Morikawa, J Lumin 85, 149 (1999)T. Aitasalo, P. Deren, J Solid State Chem 171, 114 (2003)S. Nakamura, T. Mukai, M. Senoh, J Appl Phys 76, 8189 (1994)S.H.M. Poort, G. Blasse, J Lumin 72, 247 (1997)P. Mingying, H. Guangyan, J Lumin 127, 735 (2007)X. Linjiu, H. Mingrui, T. Yanwen, C. Yongjie, K. Tomoaki, Z. Liqing, W. Ning, Jap J Applied Physics 46, 5871 (2007)T. Aitasalo, J. Hölsä, H. Jungner, M. Lastusaari, J. Niittykoski, J Phys Chem B 110, 4589 (2006)R. Stefani, L.C.V. Rodrigues, C.A.A. Carvalho, M.C.F.C. Felinto, H.F. Brito, M. Lastusaari, J. Hölsä, Opt Mater 31, 1815 (2009)M. Peng, G. Hong, J Lumin 127, 735 (2007)V. Singh, V. Natarajan, J.J. Zhu, Opt Mater 29, 1447 (2007)X.Y. Chen, C. Ma, X.X. Li, C.W. Shi, X.L. Li, D.R. Lu, J Phys Chem C 113, 2685 (2009)A.J. Zarur, J.Y. Ying, Nature 403, 65 (2000)J. Chen, F. Gu, C. Li, Cry Growth Des 8, 3175 (2008)J. Zhang, M. Yang, H. Jin, X. Wang, X. Zhao, X. Liu, L. Peng, Mater Res Bull 47, 247 (2012)P. Maślankiewicz, J. Szade, A. Winiarski, Ph Daniel, Cryst Res Technol 40, 410 (2005)Y.J. Chen, G.M. Qiu, Y.B. Sun et al., J Rare Earths 20, 50 (2002)F.C. Palilla, A.K. Levine, M.R. Tomkus, J Electrochem Soc 115, 642 (1968)J. Niittykoski, T. Aitasalo, J. Holsa, H. Jungner, M. Lastusaari, M. Parkkinen, M. Tukia, J Alloys Compd 374, 108 (2004)A. Nag, T.R.N. Kutty, J Alloys Compd 354, 221 (2003)D. Haranath, P. Sharma, H. Chander, J Phys D Appl Phys 38, 371 (2005

Beyond aridification: multiple explanations for the elevated diversification of cacti in the New World Succulent Biome

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106989/1/nph12752.pd

Consortium for the Study of Pregnancy Treatments (Co-OPT): An international birth cohort to study the effects of antenatal corticosteroids

BACKGROUND: Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are widely prescribed to improve outcomes following preterm birth. Significant knowledge gaps surround their safety, long-term effects, optimal timing and dosage. Almost half of women given ACS give birth outside the "therapeutic window" and have not delivered over 7 days later. Overtreatment with ACS is a concern, as evidence accumulates of risks of unnecessary ACS exposure. METHODS: The Consortium for the Study of Pregnancy Treatments (Co-OPT) was established to address research questions surrounding safety of medications in pregnancy. We created an international birth cohort containing information on ACS exposure and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes by combining data from four national/provincial birth registers and one hospital database, and follow-up through linked population-level data from death registers and electronic health records. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The Co-OPT ACS cohort contains 2.28 million pregnancies and babies, born in Finland, Iceland, Israel, Canada and Scotland, between 1990 and 2019. Births from 22 to 45 weeks' gestation were included; 92.9% were at term (≥ 37 completed weeks). 3.6% of babies were exposed to ACS (67.0% and 77.9% of singleton and multiple births before 34 weeks, respectively). Rates of ACS exposure increased across the study period. Of all ACS-exposed babies, 26.8% were born at term. Longitudinal childhood data were available for 1.64 million live births. Follow-up includes diagnoses of a range of physical and mental disorders from the Finnish Hospital Register, diagnoses of mental, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental disorders from the Icelandic Patient Registers, and preschool reviews from the Scottish Child Health Surveillance Programme. The Co-OPT ACS cohort is the largest international birth cohort to date with data on ACS exposure and maternal, perinatal and childhood outcomes. Its large scale will enable assessment of important rare outcomes such as perinatal mortality, and comprehensive evaluation of the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of ACS

Consortium for the Study of Pregnancy Treatments (Co-OPT) : An international birth cohort to study the effects of antenatal corticosteroids

Acknowledgments We are grateful to the Co-OPT collaborators from Finland, Iceland, Israel, Nova Scotia, and Scotland, who have provided high-quality patient data, without which the Co-OPT ACS cohort would not have been possible. We acknowledge Public Health Scotland for providing us with a secure data analytical platform in which to undertake this research and are particularly grateful to Anna Schneider who has been the data controller for this project. Co-OPT collaborators: Karel Allegaert (Belgium), Jasper Been (Netherlands), David Burgner (Australia), Sohinee Bhattacharya (UK), Kate Duhig (UK), Kristjana Einarsdóttir (Iceland), John Fahey (Canada), Lani Florian (UK), Abigail Fraser (UK), Mika Gissler (Finland), Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman (USA), Bo Jacobsson (Sweden), Eyal Krispin (Israel), Stefan Kuhle (Canada), Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen (Finland), Jessica Miller (Australia), Ben Mol (Australia), Sarah Murray (UK), Jane Norman (UK), Lars Henning Pedersen (Denmark), Richard Riley (UK), Devender Roberts (UK), Ewoud Schuit (Netherlands), Aziz Sheikh (UK), Ting Shi (UK), Joshua Vogel (Australia), Rachael Wood (UK), John Wright (UK), Helga Zoega (Australia). Funding Information: The Co-OPT ACS study is funded through a Wellcome Trust Clinical Career Development Fellowship grant (Funding Reference number 209560/Z/17) awarded to Sarah J Stock. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The Sponsor of the study is the University of Edinburgh (www.ed.ac. uk), Sponsor reference AC19119. For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Comparative Phylogeography of a Coevolved Community: Concerted Population Expansions in Joshua Trees and Four Yucca Moths

Comparative phylogeographic studies have had mixed success in identifying common phylogeographic patterns among co-distributed organisms. Whereas some have found broadly similar patterns across a diverse array of taxa, others have found that the histories of different species are more idiosyncratic than congruent. The variation in the results of comparative phylogeographic studies could indicate that the extent to which sympatrically-distributed organisms share common biogeographic histories varies depending on the strength and specificity of ecological interactions between them. To test this hypothesis, we examined demographic and phylogeographic patterns in a highly specialized, coevolved community – Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and their associated yucca moths. This tightly-integrated, mutually interdependent community is known to have experienced significant range changes at the end of the last glacial period, so there is a strong a priori expectation that these organisms will show common signatures of demographic and distributional changes over time. Using a database of >5000 GPS records for Joshua trees, and multi-locus DNA sequence data from the Joshua tree and four species of yucca moth, we combined paleaodistribution modeling with coalescent-based analyses of demographic and phylgeographic history. We extensively evaluated the power of our methods to infer past population size and distributional changes by evaluating the effect of different inference procedures on our results, comparing our palaeodistribution models to Pleistocene-aged packrat midden records, and simulating DNA sequence data under a variety of alternative demographic histories. Together the results indicate that these organisms have shared a common history of population expansion, and that these expansions were broadly coincident in time. However, contrary to our expectations, none of our analyses indicated significant range or population size reductions at the end of the last glacial period, and the inferred demographic changes substantially predate Holocene climate changes

Design of a Protective Single-Dose Intranasal Nanoparticle-Based Vaccine Platform for Respiratory Infectious Diseases

Despite the successes provided by vaccination, many challenges still exist with respect to controlling new and re-emerging infectious diseases. Innovative vaccine platforms composed of adaptable adjuvants able to appropriately modulate immune responses, induce long-lived immunity in a single dose, and deliver immunogens in a safe and stable manner via multiple routes of administration are needed. This work describes the development of a novel biodegradable polyanhydride nanoparticle-based vaccine platform administered as a single intranasal dose that induced long-lived protective immunity against respiratory disease caused by Yesinia pestis, the causative agent of pneumonic plague. Relative to the responses induced by the recombinant protein F1-V alone and MPLA-adjuvanted F1-V, the nanoparticle-based vaccination regimen induced an immune response that was characterized by high titer and high avidity IgG1 anti-F1-V antibody that persisted for at least 23 weeks post-vaccination. After challenge, no Y. pestis were recovered from the lungs, livers, or spleens of mice vaccinated with the nanoparticle-based formulation and histopathological appearance of lung, liver, and splenic tissues from these mice post-vaccination was remarkably similar to uninfected control mice