On the Ratio between Static Pressure and Thickness of Growing AAAs

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterized by structural remodelling resulting in the gradual weakening and expansion of the aortic wall. Wall stress may furnish a usable indicator to prevent the failure. In order to evaluate this risk, static pressure aging on the cap was used to perform FEA, simulating an aneurysm varying its dimensions from 10 mm to 50 mm. Analyses were carried out by imposing different thickness of the cap, and obtaining correspondent equivalent Von Mises stresses. Understanding how these stresses are distributed and what factors influence stress distributions is critical in evaluating the potential for rupture. Methods: A representative FE model was created in order to simulate the historical evolution of the AAA. CFD analyses were performed to obtain data of the static pressure aging on the model. Patient informed consent and IRB approval were obtained. A linear law was speculated to understand thickness thinning in function of aneurysm's growth. The obtained pressure maps were used as input to perform elastic linear analyses on the five different FE wrappings. Results: If the bloody pressure is increased, that increases also wall shear stress, and an adaptive increase in arterial luminal size is observed. Results have evidenced peaks of stress varying from 0,004 MPa, for a diameter of 10 mm, to 0,45 MPa, for a diameter of 50 mm. Top and bottom zones of aneurysm result more solicited than the middle ones, as it can be deducted by obtained strain values, ranging from 5,84e-7, for a diameter of 10 mm, to 3,14e-4, for a diameter of 50 mm. In order to evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the cap, related to its thickness at 50 mm of diameter, different FEA were conducted varying thickness, uniformly, from 1 to 0.4 mm. As it is possible to notice, stress increases exponentially while thickness decreases. Conclusions: Results indicate an equivalent Von Mises stress of about 0,45 MPa, close the to failure value, for a critical dimension of 50 mm. This means that failure conditions can depend at least, by two variables: thickness and pressure

Nuovi approcci molecolari nello studio della fisiopatologia del diabete gestazionale

Abstract research study 1 Cross-talk between foetal membranes and visceral adipose tissue involves HMGB1-RAGE and VIP-VPAC2 pathways in human gestational diabetes mellitus Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Foetal membranes (FMs) and maternal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) secrete various molecules that are relevant players in the pathogenesis of GDM. Aim: This pilot study aimed to comparatively evaluate the expression of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and its receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptors (VPAC1, VPAC2) in FMs and VAT in GDM and in healthy pregnant women. Patients and Methods: FMs, omental VAT explants, and serum samples were obtained from twelve patients with GDM and twelve pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at delivery. The expression of HMGB1, RAGE and VIP, VPAC1 and VPAC2 was detected by Western Blotting in explants; circulating levels and in vitro release of HMGB1 and VIP were measured by ELISA tests. Results: HMGB1 tissue expression was higher in FMs obtained from GDM patients (p=0.02) than in FMs from NGT women. VPAC2 (p=0.03) and RAGE (p=0.03) tissue expressions were significantly increased in VAT from GDM patients compared to NGT. Only FMs of NGT released detectable levels of HMGB1, which was not observed in samples obtained from GDM. VAT of GDM released lower levels of VIP (p=0.05) than NGT samples. Conclusions: This study suggests that a fine tuned regulation exists between FMs and VAT throughout pregnancy to maintain immune metabolic homeostasis. In GDM a balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators has been observed. Further studies are needed to establish their exact role on foetal and maternal outcomes in GDM. Abstract research study 2 MicroRNA expression profile in circulating exosomes and plasma of patients with GDM and healthy pregnant women Introduction: MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs, playing critical roles in modulating gene expression. The deregulation of microRNAs has been observed in GDM, highlighting their crucial involvement both in the pathogenic mechanisms of this condition and in the development of its complications. Circulating microRNAs can be packaged into exosomes, and exosome signalling has emerged as a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. Through exosomes, microRNAs are delivered in distant target cells and are able to affect gene expression. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore microRNA expression in circulating exosomes and in plasma obtained from patients with GDM and healthy control subjects in the third trimester of gestation, to potentially elucidate some relevant aspects of GDM pathophysiology and individuate novel potential candidate biomarkers for GDM. Patients and Methods: A profiling cohort of plasma samples collected from GDM (n=3, age: 34.7 ± 4.9 years; BMI 27.0 ± 3.7 Kg/m2) and NGT women (n=3, age: 34.3 ± 3.1 years; BMI 26.4 ± 1.1 Kg/m2) was recruited. In addition, a profiling cohort of healthy non-pregnant age- and BMI-matched women (NP, n=5) was used as negative control. The microRNA patterns of expression in exosomes and plasma have been assessed with the innovative technology NanoString nCounter microRNA expression (NanoString Technologies inc., Seattle, WA, USA). Target gene identification and bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed microRNAs have been performed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA, QIAGEN Redwood City, USA). Results: A specific set of microRNAs resulted to be differentially expressed in exosomes and plasma from GDM patients compared to NGT. Specifically, five exosomal microRNAs were significantly upregulated, while 23 were downregulated in GDM compared to NGT. As for plasma, 4 microRNA were upregulated, while 9 were downregulated in GDM compared to NGT. In addition, two microRNAs, miR-196a-5p and miR-652, resulted to be significantly downregulated in GDM compared both to NGT and NP in exosomes and plasma, respectively, suggesting that their deregulation might hallmark GDM pregnancy. In bioinformatics analysis the major predicted target genes and biological processes of the deregulated microRNAs were associated with insulin resistance, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, consistently linked to GDM pathophysiology. Conclusions: GDM might markedly alter microRNA profile in exosomes and plasma, conceivably mirroring the metabolic alterations described in GDM pregnancy. In light of this, exploring circulating microRNA expression might help unravel the molecular events leading to the metabolic alterations observed in GDM

Lien Preservation Does Not Give Trustee Right to Collect All Debt

(Excerpt) In Morris v. St. John National Bank, 516 F.3d 1207 (10th Cir. 2008), the Tenth Circuit addressed the issue of whether a bankruptcy trustee who successfully avoids a lien and preserves the in rem security interest for the bankruptcy estate under the powers granted to him by the Bankruptcy Code automatically assumes all the rights the original lienholder may have against the debtor. The Court, affirming the decisions of the bankruptcy court and bankruptcy appellate panel, concluded the trustee did not automatically assume all the rights the original lienholder may have against the debtor. Id. at 1212. The Court determined that although the Bankruptcy Code does place the trustee in the shoes of the lienholder in certain respects, it does not include a right to contractual promises for future payments. Id. at 1210–11. Morris provides important insight into the trustee’s limited preservation powers under the bankruptcy code in light of the distinction between property rights and mere contract rights. First, the following discussion will explore the two Bankruptcy Code provisions that empower the trustee to avoid liens and preserve them for the bankruptcy estate. Second, the following discussion will look at the specific circumstances of the lienholder and debtor in Morris and how the bankruptcy appellate panel and Tenth Circuit analyzed the relevant Bankruptcy Code sections. Finally, the discussion will examine the distinction between property rights and mere contract rights presented in Morris and also in the parallel context of subordination agreements

Emerging antiplatelet and lipid lowering therapies

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Integration of the Join Direct Attack Munition on the F-14B Tomcat

Leading up to and including most of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military’s air-to-ground weapons consisted mainly of unguided freefall bombs. Their accuracy was limited and therefore required multiple aircraft to attack the same target, sometimes over and over again. The costs were high in effort, aircraft and lives. In May 1972, a flight of F-4 Phantom aircraft employed new weapons, called laser-guided bombs, against a seemingly indestructible bridge. When the smoke cleared, the bridge that had taken seven years and almost 900 dedicated attack flights was destroyed and the age of smart weapons had begun. During the 1990’s the US Military\u27s Strike Warfare requirements had to be adjusted to overcome the limitations of the present generation of weapons, including the laser guided bomb. As evident by lessons learned from both the Operation Desert Storm air campaign in 1991 and the Kosovo conflict air campaign in 1999, a through the weather weapon capability would be a key factor in the success of any further military action. To accomplish this, a new generation of airborne weapons, deemed GPS-Guided Weapons, had been developed. GPS-Guided Weapons were built based on the requirement to hit within 13 meters of their intended target and be capable of being delivered in any weather conditions, day or night. After Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the single mission air-to-air only F-14 fighter, was becoming obsolete. The integration of a precision air-to-ground capability with smart weapons was a great accomplishment since they increased its lethality and worth in the Strike-Fighter arena and solidified its future into the next decade. During the period from Spring 1992 to Winter 2000, the integration of a GPS-Guided weapon, called the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), had been conceived, planned and flight tested on the F-14B Upgrade Naval Strike-Fighter aircraft. The testing occurred from November 1999 to September 2000 and provided integration challenges during this major modification to the F-14B Tomcat. Limited flexibility in the weapons controls and displays led to multiple system deficiencies and human factors issues. Proposed recommendations for improvements, discussed in detail in this study, included incorporation of dynamic launch acceptability regions, full airborne editing options to the weapons terminal impact parameters, a reduction from three data entry points to one cockpit keypad for navigation and weapon inputs, and an accurate weapon/navigation status display to prevent unintentional delivery of the JDAM with a degraded or no GPS solution. This study summarizes the evolution of precision guided weapons, the transformation of the F-14 Tomcat to employ modern weapons technology, and the testing of JDAM on the aircraft

Linking type 2 diabetes and gynecological cancer: An introductory overview

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease with a growing prevalence and a leading cause of death in many countries. Several epidemiological studies observed an association between T2D and increased risk of many types of cancer, such as gynecologic neoplasms (endometrial, cervical, ovarian and vulvar cancer). Insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and high free ovarian steroid hormones are considered the possible mechanisms behind this complex relationship. A higher risk of endometrial cancer was observed in T2D, even though this association largely attenuated after adjusting for obesity. A clear relationship between the incidence of cervical cancer (CC) and T2D has still not be determined; however T2D might have an impact on prognosis in patients with CC. To date, studies on the association between T2D and ovarian cancer (OC) are limited. The effect of pre-existing diabetes on cancer-specific mortality has been evaluated in several studies, with less clear results. Other epidemiological and experimental studies focused on the potential role of diabetes medications, mainly metformin, in cancer development in women. The correct understanding of the link between T2D and gynecologic cancer risk and mortality is currently imperative to possibly modify screening and diagnostic-therapeutic protocols in the future

Capitalizing on a Captive Audience: A Collaborative Workshop Connecting Graduate Students to Open Access

The complexities of Open Access can result in uninformed high-stakes decision-making for researchers on the cusp of entering the publishing world. Graduate students need to understand how Open Access influences their research practices, and how to negotiate rights in a complex publishing ecosystem. Here we describe a collaboration between research librarians and writing center professionals that integrates Open Access education into a workshop series on graduate student writing. Specifically, we co-designed a presentation that bridged manuscript preparation (an obvious publication step) with the less-obvious issues surrounding Open Access

COVID-19: is there a link between the course of infection and pharmacological agents in diabetes?

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are two pandemics that share the dramatic impact on global mortality and economic resources. COVID-19 largely exhibits mild to moderate clinical manifestations. However, severe pneumonia with high fatality rate may occur, especially in the elderly and in patients with underlying conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a ubiquitous trans-membrane carboxypeptidase, to enter the cells

Sistema da Área Fiscal (SAF): manual do usuário.

Apresentação, objetivo e requisitos do software; Módulo de Sistemas: tabelas, notas fiscais, relatórios, utilitários, janelas, ajuda; Módulo Tabelas: classificação fiscal, natureza da operação, origens da mercadoria, tributações pelo ICMS, dados adicionais, destinatários/remetentes, produtos, transportadoras, Unidade da Embrapa; Cadastro de registros: inclusão, alteração, exclusão, impressão, fechamento, navegação, procura; Módulo de Notas Fiscais, Relatórios; Módulo de Utilitários: status, configurações, reparar banco de dados, backup; Módulo de Ajuda; Apêndice: atalhos do teclado.bitstream/item/116805/1/835.pd