Role of Heart Rate Variability in the Association between Myocardial Infarction Severity and Post-Myocardial Infarction Distress

Objective: Myocardial infarction (MI) results in mental health consequences, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk and protective factors of such mental consequences are not fully understood. This study examined the relation between MI severity and future mental health consequences and the moderating role of vagal nerve activity. Methods: In a reanalysis of data from the Myocardial Infarction-Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) troponin levels. Depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed with valid questionnaires, both at 3 and 12 months. Vagal nerve activity was indexed by the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter of the root-mean square of successive R-R differences (RMSSD). Following multivariate analyses, the association between MI severity and distress was examined in patients with low and high HRV (RMSSD = 30 ms). Results: In the full sample, the Killip index predicted post-MI distress only at 3 months, while troponin predicted distress at 3- and 12-months post-MI. However, HRV moderated the effects of the Killip classification; Killip significantly predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD at 3- and 12-months post-MI, but only in patients with low HRV. Such moderation was absent for troponin. Conclusion: MI severity (Killip classification) predicted post-MI depression and PTSD symptoms, but only in patients with low HRV, suggesting that the vagal nerve is a partial protective (moderating) factor in the relation between Killip score and post-MI distress

Эхинококкоз у верблюдов и овец, убитых в административном округе Асуан, южной части Египта

Background: Hydatidosis is an infection caused by the cystic larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This disease is a zoonotic disease has a worldwide distribution and common in developing and undeveloped countries. Objectives: The objective of the present study is to studying the infection rate and predilection seats of hydatid cyst affections among slaughtered food animals in Aswan Governorate, southern Egypt and study the effect of age and sex of infected slaughtered animals on the infection with hydatid cyst. Also, study the effect of seasonal variations in the infection with hydatid cyst among slaughtered animals. In addition, the macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, scanning electron microscopy and histopathological studies for the collected hydatid cyst are examined. Methods: This investigation was carried out from August 2015 to July 2016 in two main slaughterhouses in Aswan Governorate to study the hydatidosis in camels and sheep. By routine meat inspection, hydatid cyst count and characterization was conducted. Findings: A total of 2080 camels and 674 sheep were examined. Of these, 173 (8.32%) camels and 3 (0.45%) sheep were found to harbour one or more hydatid cysts. Female and older age slaughtered animals were more susceptible to infection with these metacestode than males and younger animals. Hydatid cyst infection in slaughtered animals is most commonly found in lung followed by liver while mixed infection in both lung and liver was found only in camel. Hydatid cyst in slaughtered camels was higher in autumn followed by winter, while hydatid cyst in slaughtered sheep was found only in autumn season. Fertile cysts in lung and liver of slaughtered camels was 83.4% and 30% respectively. While the fertility of hydatid cyst in infected lung and liver of sheep was 100%. Main conclusions: This study reported that slaughtered animals were infected with relatively high infection rate of hydatid cyst may be due to the presence of socio-economic conditions favourable for the disease and maintenance of high level of infection. So must design governmental control programs against hydatidosis to minimize the infection rate in Aswan Governorate and ensure effective protection not only for animal population but also for humans at risk of contracting the infection.Исходная информация: Эхинококкоз является инфекцией, вызванной личиночной стадией Echinococcus granulosus. Данное заболевание является зоонозом, распространенным во всем мире и характерен для развитых и слаборазвитых стран. Цели: Целью данного исследования является изучение зараженности эхинококками и предрасположенности мест повреждения гидатидой среди убитых животных в административном округе Асуан, южной части Египта, и изучение влияния возраста, пола животных и сезона года на заболеваемость эхинококками. Проведены макроскопическое и гистологическое исследования, растровая электронная микроскопия и гистопатологологические исследования обнаруженных при вскрытии убитых животных гидатид. Методы: Данное лабораторное обследование проводили с августа 2015 года по июль 2016 года в двух основных скотобойнях административного округа Асуан для изучения эхинококкоза у верблюдов и овец. Выводы: Всего исследовали 2080 верблюдов и 674 овец. Среди них у 173 верблюдов (8,32%) и у 3 овец (0,45%) были обнаружены переносчики одной или нескольких гидатид. Убитые животные женского пола и старшего возраста были более подвержены заражению данным плероцеркоидом, чем животные мужского пола и более молодого возраста. Гидатиды у убитых животных чаще всего обнаруживали в легком, менее часто - в печени, в то время как множественное заражение и в легком и в печени обнаруживали только у верблюдов. Более высокая встречаемость гидатид у убитых верблюдов была осенью, реже - зимой, в то время как гидатиды у убитых овец были обнаружены только в осенний период. Фертильные кисты в легких и печени убитых верблюдов составляли 83,4% и 30% соответственно, в то время как фертильные кисты в зараженных легких и печени овец составляли 100%. Основные выводы: Данное исследование показало, что убитые животные были заражены гидатидами в высокой возможно из-за существующих социально-экономических условий, благоприятных для развития заболевания и сохранения высокого уровня зараженности. Таким образом, обязательным является создание государственных программ контроля эхинококкоза для снижения уровня распространенности в административном округе Асуан и обеспечения эффективной защиты не только животных, но и людей от риска контактирования с инвазией

Effect of surgical experience and spine subspecialty on the reliability of the {AO} Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System

OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper was to determine the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility of the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System based on surgeon experience (< 5 years, 5–10 years, 10–20 years, and > 20 years) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine surgery, neurosurgery, and "other" surgery). METHODS A total of 11,601 assessments of upper cervical spine injuries were evaluated based on the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System. Reliability and reproducibility scores were obtained twice, with a 3-week time interval. Descriptive statistics were utilized to examine the percentage of accurately classified injuries, and Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to screen for potentially relevant differences between study participants. Kappa coefficients (κ) determined the interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility. RESULTS The intraobserver reproducibility was substantial for surgeon experience level (< 5 years: 0.74 vs 5–10 years: 0.69 vs 10–20 years: 0.69 vs > 20 years: 0.70) and surgical subspecialty (orthopedic spine: 0.71 vs neurosurgery: 0.69 vs other: 0.68). Furthermore, the interobserver reliability was substantial for all surgical experience groups on assessment 1 (< 5 years: 0.67 vs 5–10 years: 0.62 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.62), and only surgeons with > 20 years of experience did not have substantial reliability on assessment 2 (< 5 years: 0.62 vs 5–10 years: 0.61 vs 10–20 years: 0.61 vs > 20 years: 0.59). Orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons had substantial intraobserver reproducibility on both assessment 1 (0.64 vs 0.63) and assessment 2 (0.62 vs 0.63), while other surgeons had moderate reliability on assessment 1 (0.43) and fair reliability on assessment 2 (0.36). CONCLUSIONS The international reliability and reproducibility scores for the AO Spine Upper Cervical Injury Classification System demonstrated substantial intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability regardless of surgical experience and spine subspecialty. These results support the global application of this classification system

FTIR spectral band shifts explained by OM–cation interactions

BACKGROUND: The organic matter (OM) in soils interacts with polyvalent cations such as Ca2+ through hydroxyl (OH), carboxylic acid, ester, keto, aldehyde (summarized as C=O), and carboxylate (COO−) functional groups. Such interactions affect the bonding strength of the double bond between the C and the O atom in the functional groups, which is assumed to shift the wavenumber (WN) region of O–H (hydroxyl), C=O, COO−, and OMcat (i.e., C=O interacting with cations plus O–H groups) absorption band maxima in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Such band shifts limit the evaluation of spectral information on OM in soil samples. AIMS: The objective of this study was to analyze the extent of band shifts and the changes in absorption band intensities for relations with cation concentrations, and to estimate effects of band shifts on OM properties such as potential wettability of OM evaluated from FTIR absorption band ratios. METHODS: Polygalacturonic acid (PGA) solutions were mixed with a CaCl2 solution at different relations. The freeze-dried mixtures were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy in the mid-infrared spectral range by using KBr-technique. The FTIR spectra were interpreted with respect to O–H, C=O, COO−, and OMcat bands, the latter reflecting the formation of PGA-Ca2+ complexes. RESULTS: The FTIR spectra of the PGA–Ca mixtures compared to that of pure PGA indicate band shift effects by CaCl2 addition on both, intensity and WN value of the OMcat, C=O and COO− absorption band maxima. The COO−/C–O–C ratio increased with Ca2+ concentration while the C–H/C–O–C ratio decreased. Furthermore, the C=O and COO− absorption band maxima were shifted towards lower WN values, while the OMcat absorption band was shifted towards higher WN values. The shift of OMcat band maxima was two times higher than that of the C=O band maximum and increased with Ca2+ concentration. CONCLUSION: Spectral band shifts depend on polyvalent cation concentration and limit automated interpretations of FTIR spectra without prior soil-specific spectral corrections

Role of Heart Rate Variability in the Association between Myocardial Infarction Severity and Post-Myocardial Infarction Distress.

OBJECTIVE Myocardial infarction (MI) results in mental health consequences, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk and protective factors of such mental consequences are not fully understood. This study examined the relation between MI severity and future mental health consequences and the moderating role of vagal nerve activity. METHODS In a reanalysis of data from the Myocardial Infarction-Stress Prevention Intervention (MI-SPRINT) study, 154 post-MI patients participated. MI severity was measured by the Killip Scale and by troponin levels. Depression and PTSD symptoms were assessed with valid questionnaires, both at 3 and 12 months. Vagal nerve activity was indexed by the heart rate variability (HRV) parameter of the root-mean square of successive R-R differences (RMSSD). Following multivariate analyses, the association between MI severity and distress was examined in patients with low and high HRV (RMSSD = 30 ms). RESULTS In the full sample, the Killip index predicted post-MI distress only at 3 months, while troponin predicted distress at 3- and 12-months post-MI. However, HRV moderated the effects of the Killip classification; Killip significantly predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD at 3- and 12-months post-MI, but only in patients with low HRV. Such moderation was absent for troponin. CONCLUSION MI severity (Killip classification) predicted post-MI depression and PTSD symptoms, but only in patients with low HRV, suggesting that the vagal nerve is a partial protective (moderating) factor in the relation between Killip score and post-MI distress

Strained arrays of colloidal nanoparticles: Conductance and magnetoresistance enhancement

Colloidal nanoparticles are very popular as building blocks of functional arrays for electronic and optical applications. However, there is a problem in achieving electrical conductivity in such nanoarrays due to their molecular shells. These shells, which are inherent to colloidal particles, physically separate the nanoparticles in an array and act as very effective insulators. Post-assembly thinning of the shells is therefore required to enhance the array conductivity to a sensible value. Here, we introduce a conceptually new approach to the thinning, using compressive stress applied to the array by the supporting matrix. The stress arises from polymerization-induced shrinkage of the matrix as an integral step during device assembly. Using arrays of oleic-acid-covered magnetite nanoparticles in conjunction with an HDDA-polymer (HDDA: 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate) matrix, we have achieved a significant steady current in the array along with an unprecedented value of the magnetoresistance. Our results serve as a proof-of-concept for other colloidal nanoparticles

Hydatidosis of Camels and Sheep Slaughtered in Aswan Governorate, Southern Egypt

Background: Hydatidosis is an infection caused by the cystic larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This disease is a zoonotic disease has a worldwide distribution and common in developing and undeveloped countries. Objectives: The objective of the present study is to studying the infection rate and predilection seats of hydatid cyst affections among slaughtered food animals in Aswan Governorate, southern Egypt and study the effect of age and sex of infected slaughtered animals on the infection with hydatid cyst. Also, study the effect of seasonal variations in the infection with hydatid cyst among slaughtered animals. In addition, the macroscopic examination, microscopic examination, scanning electron microscopy and histopathological studies for the collected hydatid cyst are examined. Methods: This investigation was carried out from August 2015 to July 2016 in two main slaughterhouses in Aswan Governorate to study the hydatidosis in camels and sheep. By routine meat inspection, hydatid cyst count and characterization was conducted. Findings: A total of 2080 camels and 674 sheep were examined. Of these, 173 (8.32%) camels and 3 (0.45%) sheep were found to harbour one or more hydatid cysts. Female and older age slaughtered animals were more susceptible to infection with these metacestode than males and younger animals. Hydatid cyst infection in slaughtered animals is most commonly found in lung followed by liver while mixed infection in both lung and liver was found only in camel. Hydatid cyst in slaughtered camels was higher in autumn followed by winter, while hydatid cyst in slaughtered sheep was found only in autumn season. Fertile cysts in lung and liver of slaughtered camels was 83.4% and 30% respectively. While the fertility of hydatid cyst in infected lung and liver of sheep was 100%. Main conclusions: This study reported that slaughtered animals were infected with relatively high infection rate of hydatid cyst may be due to the presence of socio-economic conditions favourable for the disease and maintenance of high level of infection. So must design governmental control programs against hydatidosis to minimize the infection rate in Aswan Governorate and ensure effective protection not only for animal population but also for humans at risk of contracting the infection