Reversible acute renal failure from gross haematuria due to glomerulonephritis: not only in IgA nephropathy and not associated with intratubular obstruction

Seven patients with acute renal failure due to gross haematuria caused by glomerulonephritis are described. Gross haematuria lasting 4-40 days led to acute impairment of renal function of variable severity (peak plasma creatinine 1.3-12 mg/dl) and duration. While partial recovery of renal function occurred in all patients within few days, complete remission was observed only some months later. Three patients had IgA nephropathy (2 the primary form and 1 nephritis secondary to Schönlein-Henoch purpura), two patients had acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis, andtwo others had focal necrotizing (pauci-immune) glomerulonephritis. The glomerular changes seen in renal biopsy were not enough to explain per se the renal function impairment. Tubular changes, however, were severe and consisted of tubular necrosis, erythrocyte casts, erythrocyte phagocytosis by tubular cells, accompanied by interstitial damage (oedema, red-cell extravasation, and inflammatory infiltrates). Study of the renal biopsies by immunofluorescence revealed retrodiffusion of Tamm-Horsfall protein into the glomerular Bowman's space, a sign of obstructed tubular flow in any case. It is concluded that acute renal failure due to gross haematuria in glomerulonephritic patients may not occur only in IgA nephropathy, as reported so far, and is not associated with intratubular obstructio

Current fluctuations in a single tunnel junction

We study noise spectra of currents through a tunnel junction in weak tunneling limit. We introduce effective capacitance to take into account the interaction effect and explicitly incorporate the electromagnetic environment of the junction into the formulation. We study the effect of charging energy and macroscopic environment on noise spectra. We calculate current fluctuations at tunneling barrier and fluctuations measured at leads. It is shown that two fluctuations have different noise spectra and the relation between them is nontrivial. We provide an explanation for the origin of the difference. Experimental implications are discussed.Comment: 25 pages, Revtex 3.

Pelvic floor function after third and fourth degree perineal lacerations: a case-control study on quality of life

Background: The primary aim of this study was to compare the quality of life between women with obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and women with intact perineum or minor vaginal tears following their first vaginal birth through a validated urogynaecological questionnaire. As a secondary aim, we wanted to identify the specific symptoms for pelvic floor dysfunction after a vaginal birth. Methods: One hundred thirty-three cases (III- and IV-degree vaginal tears) and 133 controls (intact perineum or I- and II-degree vaginal tear) were asked to fill the PFDI-20 condition-specific and quality of life survey at three and 12 months after vaginal delivery. The survey evaluates pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms through three subsections: the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI), the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI), and Urinary Distress Inventory, (UDI). The scoring system ranges from 0 (no distress) to 100 (maximum distress) for each subsection, subsequently summed up to obtain the summary score (0 to 300). The patients recruited were asked to complete the survey at 3- and 12-months follow-up visit. Accordingly, data collection started. Categorical variables were subjected to Chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact test. Quantitative variables were compared through Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Results: All surveys have shown statistically significant differences when comparing the cases to the control group. Consequently, PFDI-20 has shown a strong correlation between III- and IV-grade lacerations and pelvic floor dysfunction persistence at 12 months after delivery. Intestinal symptoms were the most reported disturbances among women with previous OASI. Conclusions: Major vaginal tears have demonstrated to have a strong impact on women’s quality of life up to a follow-up of 12 months. The use of PFDI-20 questionnaire is a useful and valid tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of genital prolapse, fecal and urinary incontinence in primiparous women with a history of OASI. Thus, its application in clinical practice can help offering the most adequate rehabilitative treatment

First confirmed ultra-compact dwarf galaxy in the NGC 5044 group

Context. Ultra-compact dwarfs (UCDs) are stellar systems displaying colours and metallicities between those of globular clusters (GCs) and early-type dwarf galaxies, as well as sizes of Reff . 100 pc and luminosities in the range −13.5 < MV < −11 mag. Although their origin is still subject of debate, the most popular scenarios suggest that they are massive star clusters or the nuclei of tidally stripped dwarf galaxies. Aims. NGC 5044 is the central massive elliptical galaxy of the NGC 5044 group. Its GC/UCD system is completely unexplored. Methods. In Gemini+GMOS deep images of several fields around NGC 5044 and in spectroscopic multi-object data of one of these fields, we detected an unresolved source with g′ ∼ 20.6 mag, compatible with being an UCD. Its radial velocity was obtained with FXCOR and the penalized pixel-fitting (pPXF) code. To study its stellar population content, we measured the Lick/IDS indices and compared them with predictions of single stellar population models, and we used the full spectral fitting technique. Results. The spectroscopic analysis of the UCD revealed a radial velocity that agrees with the velocity of the elliptical galaxy NGC 5044. From the Lick/IDS indices, we have obtained a luminosity-weighted age and metallicity of 11.7 +1.4 −1.2 Gyr and [Z/H] = −0.79 ± 0.04 dex, respectively, as well as [α/Fe] = 0.30 ± 0.06. From the full spectral fitting technique, we measured a lower age (8.52 Gyr) and a similar total metallicity ([Z/H] = −0.86 dex). Conclusions. Our results indicate that NGC 5044-UCD1 is most likely an extreme GC (MV ∼ −12.5 mag) belonging to the GC system of the elliptical galaxy NGC 5044

Unorthodoxy in legislation: The Hungarian experience

This paper deals with legal unorthodoxy. The main idea is to study the so-called unorthodox taxes Hungary has adopted in recent years. The study of unorthodox taxes will be preceded by a more general discussion of how law is made under unorthodoxy, and what are the special features of unorthodox legal policy. Unorthodoxy challenges equality before the law and is critical towards mass democracies. It also raises doubts on the operability of the rule of law, relying on personal skills, or loyalty, rather than on impersonal mechanisms arising from checks and balances as developed by the division of political power. Besides, for lack of legal suppositions, legislation suffers from casuistry and regulatory capture

Fused Filament Fabrication of Polyethylene/Graphene Composites for In-Space Manufacturing

Graphene-based composite materials are highly sought after for space applications due to their ability to encompass various properties, such as electrical conductivity, thermal resistance, and radiation shielding. This versatility allows for the creation of multifunctional components that can serve various purposes in space. Three-dimensional (3D) printing of composite materials in space offers a versatile and efficient means of manufacturing components, tools, and structures that are tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of space missions. In this work, we aim to develop 3D-printed composites made of medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) matrix and exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) as filler, using fused filament fabrication (FFF). Our research focuses on the challenges associated with the FFF process for fabricating MDPE/xGnP materials, particularly by optimizing filament extrusion and assessing the resulting material properties and space environmental compatibility. Firstly, we optimize the extrusion process, and use the MDPE/xGnP filaments to fabricate 3D-printed samples after defining the FFF parameters. We employ differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to assess the melting properties and crystallization degree of the extruded filaments and 3D-printed samples, providing insights into the relationship between these properties and the characteristics of the initial powders. Electrical and tensile tests are carried out to evaluate the material properties after successfully mitigating challenges, such as warping and inadequate adhesion, to build plates during the printing process. Finally, we subject the 3D-printed composites to outgassing tests under exposure to the AM0 solar spectrum to evaluate their space environmental suitability. The results of this work demonstrate the capability of the FFF-based process to efficiently manufacture components made of MDPE/xGnP composites, providing optimized parameters for their potential in-space fabrication

New tools in percutaneous minimally invasive chronic subdural hematomas evacuation

Background: Incidence of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) is expected to progressive rise in the next decades. There is no univocal indication of the approach to be used. Furthermore, there is no data about the efficacy of twist drill craniostomy (TDC) in hematomas with membranes. Objective: To describe our modified technique for TDC in patients affected by cSDH with membranes and in treatment with antiplatelets. Methods: We analyzed a group of 37 patients, affected by cSDH with membrane (type D laminar membrane and type G trabecular membrane according to Nakaguchi classification), treated with mushroom TDC using a modified technique. Results: After surgery the average maximum thickness of the common postoperative liquoral subdural collection decreased from 18.8 to 6.21 mm. We documented one acute subdural hematoma (2.7%), asymptomatic and not treated, and one recurrence of cSDH (2.7%) after 2 months that needed re-intervention with single burr hole. Conclusions: We presented a modified twist drill technique, characterized by the introduction of an application of a new device that optimizes both surgical results, clinical outcome and surgical procedure time. The presence of membrane type D and G does not affect the efficacy of drainage, that is negatively related to the presence of clots or acute hematoma. This modified technique is safe, fast, effective and represents a valid first line treatment of an unstable and unpredictable pathology such as cSDH. We suggest performing such technique on a larger patients’ cohort to further validate its effectiveness

Evidence of strong effects of the 11Be halo structure on reaction processes at energies around the Coulomb barrier

The collision induced by the three Beryllium isotopes, 9, 10, 11Be, on 64Zn target were investigated at Ec.m. ≈ 1.4 the Coulomb barrier. Elastic scattering angular distributions were measured for the 9, 10Be collisions whereas, in the 11Be case the quasielastic scattering angular distribution was obtained. A strong damping of the quasielastic cross-section was observed in the 11Be case, especially in the angular range around the Coulomb-nuclear interference peak. In this latter case a large total-reaction cross-section is found, more than a factor of two larger than the ones extracted in the reactions induced by the non-halo Beryllium isotopes. A large contribution to the total-reaction cross-section in the 11Be case could be attributed to transfer and/or break-up events

Essential Role of P-Selectin in the Initiation of the Inflammatory Response Induced by Hemorrhage and Reinfusion

Resuscitation from hemorrhage induces profound pathophysiologic alterations and activates inflammatory cascades able to initiate neutrophil accumulation in a variety of tissues. This process is accompanied by acute organ damage (e.g., lungs and liver). We have previously demonstrated that significant leukocyte–endothelium interactions occur very early in other forms of ischemia/reperfusion (i.e., splanchnic ischemia/reperfusion and traumatic shock) which are largely mediated by increased expression of the adhesion molecule, P-selectin, on the vascular endothelium. Here we postulated that increased endothelial expression of P-selectin in the microvasculature would play an essential role in initiating the inflammatory signaling of hemorrhagic shock. Using intravital microscopy, we found that hemorrhagic shock significantly increased the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes in the mouse splanchnic microcirculation. In contrast, mice genetically deficient in P-selectin, or wild-type mice given either an anti–P-selectin monoclonal antibody or a recombinant soluble P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1 immunoglobulin, exhibited markedly attenuated leukocyte–endothelium interaction after hemorrhagic shock. Thus, activation of P-selectin protein on the microvascular endothelium is essential for the initial upregulation of the inflammatory response occurring in hemorrhagic shock. Moreover, endogenous levels of PSGL-1 mRNA were significantly increased in the lung, liver, and small intestine of wild-type mice subjected to hemorrhagic shock. Since PSGL-1 promotes adhesive interactions largely through P-selectin expressed on the vascular endothelium, this result further supports the crucial role played by P-selectin in the recruitment of leukocytes during hemorrhagic shock

Real-time numerical forecast of global epidemic spreading: Case study of 2009 A/H1N1pdm

Background Mathematical and computational models for infectious diseases are increasingly used to support public-health decisions; however, their reliability is currently under debate. Real-time forecasts of epidemic spread using data-driven models have been hindered by the technical challenges posed by parameter estimation and validation. Data gathered for the 2009 H1N1 influenza crisis represent an unprecedented opportunity to validate real-time model predictions and define the main success criteria for different approaches. Methods We used the Global Epidemic and Mobility Model to generate stochastic simulations of epidemic spread worldwide, yielding (among other measures) the incidence and seeding events at a daily resolution for 3,362 subpopulations in 220 countries. Using a Monte Carlo Maximum Likelihood analysis, the model provided an estimate of the seasonal transmission potential during the early phase of the H1N1 pandemic and generated ensemble forecasts for the activity peaks in the northern hemisphere in the fall/winter wave. These results were validated against the real-life surveillance data collected in 48 countries, and their robustness assessed by focusing on 1) the peak timing of the pandemic; 2) the level of spatial resolution allowed by the model; and 3) the clinical attack rate and the effectiveness of the vaccine. In addition, we studied the effect of data incompleteness on the prediction reliability. Results Real-time predictions of the peak timing are found to be in good agreement with the empirical data, showing strong robustness to data that may not be accessible in real time (such as pre-exposure immunity and adherence to vaccination campaigns), but that affect the predictions for the attack rates. The timing and spatial unfolding of the pandemic are critically sensitive to the level of mobility data integrated into the model. Conclusions Our results show that large-scale models can be used to provide valuable real-time forecasts of influenza spreading, but they require high-performance computing. The quality of the forecast depends on the level of data integration, thus stressing the need for high-quality data in population-based models, and of progressive updates of validated available empirical knowledge to inform these models