Exploring the Correlation between Hα\rm{H}\alpha-to-UV Ratio and Burstiness for Typical Star-forming Galaxies at z∼2z\sim2

The $\rm{H}\alpha$-to-UV luminosity ratio ($L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$) is often used to probe SFHs of star-forming galaxies and it is important to validate it against other proxies for burstiness. To address this issue, we present a statistical analysis of the resolved distribution of $\Sigma_{\rm{SFR}}$ as well as stellar age and their correlations with the globally measured $L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$ for a sample of 310 star-forming galaxies in two redshift bins of $1.37 < z < 1.70$ and $2.09 < z < 2.61$ observed by the MOSDEF survey. We use the multi-waveband CANDELS/3D-HST imaging of MOSDEF galaxies to construct $\Sigma_{\rm{SFR}}$ and stellar age maps. We analyze the composite rest-frame far-UV spectra of a subsample of MOSDEF targets obtained by the Keck/LRIS, which includes 124 star-forming galaxies (MOSDEF-LRIS) at redshifts $1.4 < z < 2.6$, to examine the average stellar population properties, and the strength of age-sensitive FUV spectral features in bins of $L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$. Our results show no significant evidence that individual galaxies with higher $L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$ are undergoing a burst of star formation based on the resolved distribution of $\Sigma_{\rm{SFR}}$ of individual star-forming galaxies. We segregate the sample into subsets with low and high $L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$. The high-$L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$ subset exhibits, on average, an age of $\log[\rm{Age/yr}]$ = 8.0, compared to $\log[\rm{Age/yr}]$ = 8.4 for the low-$L(\rm H\alpha)/L(\rm UV)$ galaxies, though the difference in age is significant at only the $2\sigma$ level. Furthermore, we find no variation in the strengths of Siiv$\lambda\lambda1393, 1402$ and Civ$\lambda\lambda1548, 1550$ P-Cygni features from massive stars between the two subsamples.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, published by the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Preparation and Purification of Polyclonal Antibodies against Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosis Antigens in Rabbit

Background and Objective: Johne’s disease is the chronic granulomatous enteritis of ruminants, and a major health hazard worldwide. In recent years, researchers have focused on mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) antigens in diagnostic tests. Identification of antibodies against MAP antigens is, therefore, effective for the diagnosis or preparation of vaccine. The aim of this study was to prepare and purify polyclonal antibodies against MAP antigens. Materials and Methods: A New Zealand white rabbit was immunized at a certain time period with MAP antigens and Freund’s adjuvant. After the immunization of the animal, the rabbit was bled to obtain enriched serum. Immunoglobulins were obtained via sedimentation with ammonium sulfate 35% and then IgG was purified by ion exchange (DEAE-cellulose) chromatography. Serologic test was used to evaluate the interaction of antigens and antibodies. Results: Ion exchange chromatography of IgG showed one peak, and SDS_PAGE of IgG showed a single band. Serologic test was applied and clear precipitation lines were appeared up to 1:16 dilution, which indicated the high quality of the product. Conclusion: In this study, the humoral immune response was induced well by immunization with MAP antigens in a New Zealand white rabbit and polyclonal antibodies were produced in high titers. Polyclonal antibodies are relatively inexpensive and easy to produce in large quantities and can connect to the more connective sites, resulting in better sensitivity. Identification of polyclonal antibodies via immunological tests can play a significant role in studying MAP disorders

Nanoliposomal Auraptene: A Comprehensive Study on Preparation, Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Anti-Angiogenic Potential

Aims: To suppress angiogenesis, auraptene is used in the form of liposome to enhance solubility and effectiveness. Background: Nanoliposomes are spherical nano-sized capsules enclosed by lipid membranes, serving as a biocompatible vehicle to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents. Objective: The objective of this research is to prepare and characterize nanoliposome-encapsulated auraptene and compare its cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects to non-liposomal auraptene. Methods: Liposomal auraptene was formulated using DSPC/DSPG/Cholesterol (molar ratio of 4:1:2) in combination with two different molar ratios of auraptene (0.1 and 0.05). The entrapment efficiency was evaluated using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Various parameters, including Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, stability, and release kinetics, were investigated. Subsequently, both liposomal and non-liposomal auraptene, along with bare liposomes, were applied to the MDA-MB-231 cell line for a duration of 72 hours at 37°C at varying concentrations. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay. Additionally, the study examined the anti-angiogenic effects on the vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos. Results: The entrapment efficiency of auraptene was found to be satisfactory at 50%. The liposome size ranged from 85 to 241 nm, with a Z-Average of 190.9 nm. The zeta potentials for all formulations were consistently around -55.7, and the Polydispersity Index (PDI) was less than 0.3 for all formulations. The release profile demonstrated approximately 80% drug release over a period of 130 hours. Notably, liposomal auraptene exhibited a significantly lower IC50 value (38.61 [95% Confidence Interval: 30.56 to 48.78]) compared to non-liposomal auraptene (50.36 [95% Confidence Interval: 43.58 to 58.19]) (p = 0.0240). Conclusion: Moreover, the administration of 2.5 and 5 µM of liposomal auraptene led to a reduction in the vessels within the chorioallantoic membrane at the injection site when compared to the control group. In summary, the use of biodegradable nanoliposomal carriers improved the solubility, release profile, and stability of auraptene while demonstrating anticancer and anti-angiogenic properties

Reduction of cardiac imaging tests during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Italy. Findings from the IAEA Non-invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 massively hit Italy, earlier and harder than any other European country. This caused a series of strict containment measures, aimed at blocking the spread of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was also affected when resources were diverted towards care of COVID-19 patients, including intensive care wards. Aim of the study: The aim is assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac imaging in Italy, compare to the Rest of Europe (RoE) and the World (RoW). Methods: A global survey was conducted in May–June 2020 worldwide, through a questionnaire distributed online. The survey covered three periods: March and April 2020, and March 2019. Data from 52 Italian centres, a subset of the 909 participating centres from 108 countries, were analyzed. Results: In Italy, volumes decreased by 67% in March 2020, compared to March 2019, as opposed to a significantly lower decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in RoE and RoW (41% and 40%, respectively). A further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 summed up to 76% for the North, 77% for the Centre and 86% for the South. When compared to the RoE and RoW, this further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 in Italy was significantly less (p = 0.005), most likely reflecting the earlier effects of the containment measures in Italy, taken earlier than anywhere else in the West. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic massively hit Italy and caused a disruption of healthcare services, including cardiac imaging studies. This raises concern about the medium- and long-term consequences for the high number of patients who were denied timely diagnoses and the subsequent lifesaving therapies and procedures

International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Its effects on delivery of diagnostic care for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, have not been quantified. Objectives: The study sought to assess COVID-19's impact on global cardiovascular diagnostic procedural volumes and safety practices. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes and safety practices resulting from COVID-19. Noninvasive and invasive cardiac testing volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared with those from March 2019. Availability of personal protective equipment and pandemic-related testing practice changes were ascertained. Results: Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 108 countries. Procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography 76%, and stress tests 78%, which varied between stress modalities. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55% (p &lt; 0.001 for each procedure). In multivariable regression, significantly greater reduction in procedures occurred for centers in countries with lower gross domestic product. Location in a low-income and lower–middle-income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. Conclusions: COVID-19 was associated with a significant and abrupt reduction in cardiovascular diagnostic testing across the globe, especially affecting the world's economically challenged. Further study of cardiovascular outcomes and COVID-19–related changes in care delivery is warranted

Impact of COVID-19 on Diagnostic Cardiac Procedural Volume in Oceania: The IAEA Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Objectives: The INCAPS COVID Oceania study aimed to assess the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac procedure volume provided in the Oceania region. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed comparing procedure volumes within March 2019 (pre-COVID-19) with April 2020 (during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic). Sixty-three (63) health care facilities within Oceania that perform cardiac diagnostic procedures were surveyed, including a mixture of metropolitan and regional, hospital and outpatient, public and private sites, and 846 facilities outside of Oceania. The percentage change in procedure volume was measured between March 2019 and April 2020, compared by test type and by facility. Results: In Oceania, the total cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was reduced by 52.2% from March 2019 to April 2020, compared to a reduction of 75.9% seen in the rest of the world (p&lt;0.001). Within Oceania sites, this reduction varied significantly between procedure types, but not between types of health care facility. All procedure types (other than stress cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] and positron emission tomography [PET]) saw significant reductions in volume over this time period (p&lt;0.001). In Oceania, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) decreased by 51.6%, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) by 74.0%, and stress tests by 65% overall, which was more pronounced for stress electrocardiograph (ECG) (81.8%) and stress echocardiography (76.7%) compared to stress single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) (44.3%). Invasive coronary angiography decreased by 36.7% in Oceania. Conclusion: A significant reduction in cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was seen across all facility types in Oceania and was likely a function of recommendations from cardiac societies and directives from government to minimise spread of COVID-19 amongst patients and staff. Longer term evaluation is important to assess for negative patient outcomes which may relate to deferral of usual models of care within cardiology