2,320 research outputs found
Disability evaluation after latissimus dorsi muscle transfer in breast reconstruction using DASH score
Background: Breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi muscle transfer is one of the most frequent procedures at our hospital. The objective is to evaluate if there is any functional impairment after the surgery with a potential impact of patient´s daily life.
Methods: Functional morbidity was analyzed applying the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and shoulder range of motion with goniometer in 42 patients whose breast reconstruction was between 2016 and 2022 at our hospital. We collected data using Microsoft excel V16.47.1 and analyzed data with statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software, v23.0.
Results: There was statistically significant difference for disability/symptom DASH score in cases of bilateral reconstruction and for cases undergoing a procedure on the right side versus left side.
Conclusions: In patients with bilateral breast reconstruction, we found a greater DASH score in dysfunction and symptoms which associates with poor quality of life, as well as when the flap is on the contralateral extremity of the hand dominance; in those cases, there are other reconstructive procedures that provide greater safety and less disability to the patient. For evaluating extension, we need more prospective and comparative studies with strict follow up of the patients and same series of rehabilitation
SST/CRISP Observations of Convective Flows in a Sunspot Penumbra
Context. Recent discoveries of intensity correlated downflows in the interior
of a sunspot penumbra provide direct evidence for overturning convection,
adding to earlier strong indications of convection from filament dynamics
observed far from solar disk center, and supporting recent simulations of
sunspots.
Aims. Using spectropolarimetric observations obtained at a spatial resolution
approaching 0'.'1 with the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope (SST) and its
spectropolarimeter CRISP, we investigate whether the convective downflows
recently discovered in the C i line at 538.03 nm can also be detected in the
wings of the Fe i line at 630.15 nm
Methods. We make azimuthal fits of the measured LOS velocities in the core
and wings of the 538 nm and 630 nm lines to disentangle the vertical and
horizontal flows. To investigate how these depend on the continuum intensity,
the azimuthal fits are made separately for each intensity bin. By using
spatially high-pass filtered measurements of the LOS component of the magnetic
field, the flow properties are determined separately for magnetic spines
(relatively strong and vertical field) and inter-spines (weaker and more
horizontal field).
Results. The dark convective downflows discovered recently in the 538.03 nm
line are evident also in the 630.15 nm line, and have similar strength. This
convective signature is the same in spines and inter-spines. However, the
strong radial (Evershed) outflows are found only in the inter-spines.
Conclusions. At the spatial resolution of the present SST/CRISP data, the
small-scale intensity pattern seen in continuum images is strongly related to a
convective up/down flow pattern that exists everywhere in the penumbra. Earlier
failures to detect the dark convective downflows in the interior penumbra can
be explained by inadequate spatial resolution in the observed data.Comment: Revised and expanded by 2.5 pages. Fig. 14 adde
Amphiphilic DNA nanostructures for bottom-up synthetic biology
DNA nanotechnology enables the construction of sophisticated biomimetic nanomachines that are increasingly central to the growing efforts of creating complex cell-like entities from the bottom-up. DNA nanostructures have been proposed as both structural and functional elements of these artificial cells, and in many instances are decorated with hydrophobic moieties to enable interfacing with synthetic lipid bilayers or regulating bulk self-organisation. In this feature article we review recent efforts to design biomimetic membrane-anchored DNA nanostructures capable of imparting complex functionalities to cell-like objects, such as regulated adhesion, tissue formation, communication and transport. We then discuss the ability of hydrophobic modifications to enable the self-assembly of DNA-based nanostructured frameworks with prescribed morphology and functionality, and explore the relevance of these novel materials for artificial cell science and beyond. Finally, we comment on the yet mostly unexpressed potential of amphiphilic DNA-nanotechnology as a complete toolbox for bottom-up synthetic biology – a figurative and literal scaffold upon which the next generation of synthetic cells could be built
NOEMA Observations of a Molecular Cloud in the low-metallicity Galaxy Kiso 5639
A giant star-forming region in a metal-poor dwarf galaxy has been observed in
optical lines with the 10-m Gran Telescopio Canarias and in the emission line
of CO(1-0) with the NOEMA mm-wave interferometer. The metallicity was
determined to be 12+log(O/H)=7.83+-0.09, from which we estimate a conversion
factor of alpha_CO~100 Msun/pc2/(K km/s) and a molecular cloud mass of
~2.9x10^7 Msun. This is an enormous concentration of molecular mass at one end
of a small galaxy, suggesting a recent accretion. The molecular cloud
properties seem normal: the surface density, 120 Msun/pc2, is comparable to
that of a standard giant molecular cloud, the cloud's virial ratio of ~1.8 is
in the star-formation range, and the gas consumption time, 0.5 Gyr, at the
present star formation rate is typical for molecular regions. The low
metallicity implies that the cloud has an average visual extinction of only 0.8
mag, which is close to the threshold for molecule formation. With such an
extinction threshold, molecular clouds in metal-poor regions should have high
surface densities and high internal pressures. If high pressure is associated
with the formation of massive clusters, then metal-poor galaxies such as dwarfs
in the early universe could have been the hosts of metal-poor globular
clusters.Comment: 4 pages and 4 figures. accepted by ApJ
Characterization of the cytotoxic effects of the combination of cisplatin and flavanol (-)-epicatechin on human lung cancer cell line A549. An isobolographic approach
Background: Among malignancies, lung cancer is a leading cause of death. Platinum-based therapeutic compounds used to treat lung cancer have not been able to increase the survival of patients and such compounds have a high incidence of adverse and toxic effects. It has been proposed that flavonoids such as catechins may significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer, alongside with other health benefits. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of (-)-epicatechin, the main flavanol found in cocoa, on the proliferation of the lung non-small cell adenocarcinoma cancer cell line A549, and to determine its effects when added simultaneously with cisplatin. Materials and Methods: Concentration-response curves for cisplatin and epicatechin were obtained, inhibitory concentrations calculated and an isobolographic analysis was then performed. Results: We found that epicatechin has a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on proliferation of tumor cells and the isobolographic analysis reveals that the effect of its combination with cisplatin is synergistic. It was also observed that epicatechin promotes cell death by apoptosis. Conclusions: Epicatechin might be considered for future studies to explore its possible use as coadjuvant in cisplatin-based treatments
Accuracy of a method based on atomic absorption spectrometry to determine inorganic arsenic in food : Outcome of the collaborative trial IMEP-41
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Fine structure, magnetic field and heating of sunspot penumbrae
We interpret penumbral filaments as due to convection in field-free, radially
aligned gaps just below the visible surface of the penumbra, intruding into a
nearly potential field above. This solves the classical discrepancy between the
large heat flux and the low vertical velocities observed in the penumbra. The
presence of the gaps causes strong small-scale fluctuations in inclination,
azimuth angle and field strength, but without strong forces acting on the gas.
The field is nearly horizontal in a region around the cusp-shaped top of the
gap, thereby providing an environment for Evershed flows. We identify this
region with the recently discovered dark penumbral cores. Its darkness has the
same cause as the dark lanes in umbral light-bridges, reproduced in numerical
simulations by Nordlund and Stein (2005). We predict that the large vertical
and horizontal gradients of the magnetic field inclination and azimuth in the
potential field model will produce the net circular polarization seen in
observations. The model also explains the significant elevation of bright
filaments above their surroundings. It predicts that dark areas in the penumbra
are of two different kinds: dark filament cores containing the most inclined
(horizontal) fields, and regions between bright filaments, containing the least
inclined field lines.Comment: submitted to A&
Effects of repeated intra-articular administration of amikacin on serum amyloid A, total protein and nucleated cell count in synovial fluid from healthy horses
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Serum amyloid A (SAA) in synovial fluid has recently been used as a marker for septic arthritis in horses but the effects of repeated intra-articular (IA) administration of amikacin on synovial SAA concentrations are unknown.
OBJECTIVES: To report the effect of repeated IA administration of amikacin on SAA, total protein (TP), nucleated cell count (NCC) and differential NCC in synovial fluid of healthy equine joints.
METHODS: A controlled, 2 period crossover study was performed on 5 clinically healthy horses. Each intercarpal joint received one of 2 treatments every 48 h for 5 consecutive times: arthrocentesis alone (control group) or arthrocentesis combined with IA administration of 500 mg of amikacin (treatment group). Clinical and lameness examinations were performed daily. Serum SAA and synovial SAA, TP, NCC and differential NCC were measured and statistically compared. Significance level was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS: Horses remained healthy and nonlame throughout the study. Baseline values for all variables were not significantly different between groups. Values for TP in the treatment group were significantly higher than in the control group after the first sample (P < 0.05). In both groups NCC increased significantly (P < 0.05) after the first sample. No significant changes were identified in differential NCC. In both groups, all synovial and most serum SAA concentrations remained below the lower limit of quantification.
CONCLUSIONS: Repeated IA administration of amikacin caused increased values of TP and NCC in synovial fluid, with some TP concentrations falling within the range reported for septic arthritis. In contrast, synovial SAA concentrations did not increase in either group.
POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Synovial SAA could serve as a more reliable marker than TP and NCC when evaluating a joint previously sampled or treated with amikacin.Research Developmental Fund, University of Pretoriahttp://www.evj.co.uk/journals/hb2013mn201
Stability of gold nanowires at large Au-Au separations
The unusual structural stability of gold nanowires at large separations of
gold atoms is explained from first-principles quantum mechanical calculations.
We show that undetected light atoms, in particular hydrogen, stabilize the
experimentally observed structures, which would be unstable in pure gold wires.
The enhanced cohesion is due to the partial charge transfer from gold to the
light atoms. This finding should resolve a long-standing controversy between
theoretical predictions and experimental observations.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
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