The ionization potential of NF 3 : a G3 computational study on the thermochemical properties of NF x and NF ϩ x x 1-3

Abstract The adiabatic ionization potential (IP) of NF x x 1-3 and the enthalpies of formation of NF x and NF ϩ x have been computed using the Gaussian-3 (G3) theory. The obtained values are generally found in very good agreement with the experimental ones. However, the G3 enthalpy of formation of N

Long COVID in Children and Adolescents

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. In children, the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is often asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic, and life-threatening complications are rare. Nevertheless, there are two long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children that raise concern: multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and long COVID. While the understanding and the experience regarding the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection have remarkably increased over time, scientific and clinical research is still exploring the long-term effects of COVID-19. In children, data on long COVID are scant. Reports are conflicting regarding its prevalence, duration and impact on daily life. This narrative review explored the latest literature regarding long COVID-19 in the pediatric population. We showed that long COVID in children might be a relevant clinical problem. In most cases, the prognosis is good, but some children may develop long-term symptoms with a significant impact on their daily life. The paucity of studies on long COVID, including a control group of children not infected by SARS-CoV-2, prevents us from drawing firm conclusions. Whether the neuropsychiatric symptoms widely observed in children and adolescents with long COVID are the consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection or are due to the tremendous stress resulting from the restrictions and the pandemics is still not clear. In both cases, psychological support can play a fundamental role in managing COVID pandemics in children. More knowledge is needed to share a standardized definition of the syndrome and improve its management and treatment

Alignment of the high beta magnets in the RHIC interaction regions

The betatron functions inside the triplet quadrupoles in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider-RHIC are of the order of 1,500 m, necessitating additional attention in the alignment procedure. On each side of the interaction regions eight cryogenic elements (six quadrupoles and two horizontal bending dipoles) are placed inside large cryostats. The quadrupole magnetic centers are obtained by antenna measurements with an accuracy of {+-} 60 {micro}m. The signals from the antenna were cross calibrated with the colloidal cell measurements of the same magnet. The positions of the fiducials are related to the magnet centers during the antenna measurements. Elements are positioned warm inside the cryostats, with offsets to account for shrinkage during the cool down. The supports at the middle of the two central quadrupoles are fixed, while every other element slides longitudinally inside the cryostat during cool down or warm up

Gender Differences and Psychopathological Features Associated With Addictive Behaviors in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to assess prevalence and gender differences of addictive behaviors (substance- and non-substance-related) in an adolescent population, and their association with psychopathological features and academic performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of high school Italian students (n\u2009=\u2009996; M\u2009=\u2009240, F\u2009=\u2009756) was examined using a self-report survey concerning sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking, alcohol and substance use, perceived academic performance, activities, and behaviors (Internet use, gambling, and physical exercising). The Internet Addiction Test, the South Oaks Gambling Screen-revised Adolescent, and the Exercise Addiction Inventory-Short Form were administered to identify problematic behaviors. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale for Adolescent, the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, the Dissociative Experience Scale for Adolescent, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used to investigate psychopathological dimensions. RESULTS: Frequent alcohol intake and lifetime substances consumption were more common among males. The occurrence of other addictive behaviors was 22.1% for problematic Internet use (M\u2009=\u2009F), 9.7% for at-risk/problematic gambling (M\u2009>\u2009F), and 6.2% for maladaptive physical exercise (M\u2009=\u2009F). We also found an association between substance-/non-substance-related addictive behaviors and psychopathological dimensions. Addictive behaviors were more frequent among students reporting poor school performance. CONCLUSION: Our study showed a relevant prevalence of addictive behaviors in a sample of Italian high school students, with specific gender differences. We underlined the cooccurrence of substance and non-substance-related addictive behaviors, and their association with worse school performance. Dissociative proneness, anhedonia, alexithymia, and impulsivity were associated with addictive behaviors in adolescents and might represent vulnerability factors for the development of psychiatric disorders in adulthood. A better understanding of psychopathological features associated with addictive behaviors might be useful for the prevention/early intervention

Optical investigation of action potential and calcium handling maturation of hiPSC-cardiomyocytes on biomimetic substrates

Cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) are the most promising human source with preserved genetic background of healthy individuals or patients. This study aimed to establish a systematic procedure for exploring development of hiPSC-CM functional output to predict genetic cardiomyopathy outcomes and identify molecular targets for therapy. Biomimetic substrates with microtopography and physiological stiffness can overcome the immaturity of hiPSC-CM function. We have developed a custom-made apparatus for simultaneous optical measurements of hiPSC-CM action potential and calcium transients to correlate these parameters at specific time points (day 60, 75 and 90 post differentiation) and under inotropic interventions. In later-stages, single hiPSC-CMs revealed prolonged action potential duration, increased calcium transient amplitude and shorter duration that closely resembled those of human adult cardiomyocytes from fresh ventricular tissue of patients. Thus, the major contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum and positive inotropic response to \u3b2-adrenergic stimulation are time-dependent events underlying excitation contraction coupling (ECC) maturation of hiPSC-CM; biomimetic substrates can promote calcium-handling regulation towards adult-like kinetics. Simultaneous optical recordings of long-term cultured hiPSC-CMs on biomimetic substrates favor high-throughput electrophysiological analysis aimed at testing (mechanistic hypothesis on) disease progression and pharmacological interventions in patient-derived hiPSC-CMs

Kinome-Wide Functional Genomics Screen Reveals a Novel Mechanism of TNFα-Induced Nuclear Accumulation of the HIF-1α Transcription Factor in Cancer Cells

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and its most important subunit, HIF-1α, plays a central role in tumor progression by regulating genes involved in cancer cell survival, proliferation and metastasis. HIF-1α activity is associated with nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor and regulated by several mechanisms including modulation of protein stability and degradation. Among recent advances are the discoveries that inflammation-induced cytokines and growth factors affect protein accumulation of HIF-1α under normoxia conditions. TNFα, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that promotes tumorigenesis is known as a stimulator of HIF-1α activity. To improve our understanding of TNFα-mediated regulation of HIF-1α nuclear accumulation we screened a kinase-specific siRNA library using a cell imaging–based HIF-1α-eGFP chimera reporter assay. Interestingly, this systematic analysis determined that depletion of kinases involved in conventional TNFα signaling (IKK/NFκB and JNK pathways) has no detrimental effect on HIF-1α accumulation. On the other hand, depletion of PRKAR2B, ADCK2, TRPM7, and TRIB2 significantly decreases the effect of TNFα on HIF-1α stability in osteosarcoma and prostate cancer cell lines. These newly discovered regulators conveyed their activity through a non-conventional RELB-depended NFκB signaling pathway and regulation of superoxide activity. Taken together our data allow us to conclude that TNFα uses a distinct and complex signaling mechanism to induce accumulation of HIF-1α in cancer cells. In summary, our results illuminate a novel mechanism through which cancer initiation and progression may be promoted by inflammatory cytokines, highlighting new potential avenues for fighting this disease

Low-Level Laser Application in the Early Myocardial Infarction Stage Has No Beneficial Role in Heart Failure

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been targeted as a promising approach that can mitigate post infarction cardiac remodeling. There is some interesting evidence showing that the beneficial role of the LLLT could persist long-term even after the end of the application, but it remains to be systematically evaluated. Therefore, the present study aimed to test the hypothesis that LLLT beneficial effects in the early post-infarction cardiac remodeling could remain in overt heart failure even with the disruption of irradiations. Female Wistar rats were subjected to the coronary occlusion to induce myocardial infarction or Sham operation. A single LLLT application was carried out after 60 s and 3 days post-coronary occlusion, respectively. Echocardiography was performed 3 days and at the end of the experiment (5 weeks) to evaluate cardiac function. After the last echocardiographic examination. LV hemodynamic evaluation was performed at baseline and on sudden afterload increases. Compared with the Sham group, infarcted rats showed increased systolic and diastolic internal diameter as well as a depressed shortening fraction of LV. The only benefit of the LLLT was a higher shortening fraction after 3 days of infarction. However, treated-LLLT rats show a lower shortening fraction in the 5th week of study when compared with Sham and non-irradiated rats. A worsening of cardiac function was confirmed in the hemodynamic analysis as evidenced by the higher LV end-diastolic pressure and lower +dP/dt and dP/dt with five weeks of study. Cardiac functional reserve was also impaired by infarction as evidenced by an attenuated response of stroke work index and cardiac output to a sudden afterload stress, without LLLT repercussions. No significant differences were found in the myocardial expression of Akti NEGF pathway. Collectively, these findings illustrate that LLLT improves LV systolic function in the early post-infarction cardiac remodeling. However, this beneficial effect may be dependent on the maintenance of phototherapy. Long-term studies with LLLT application are needed to establish whether these effects ultimately translate into improved cardiac remodeling.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoFAPESPNove de Julho Univ, Lab Biophoton, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Lab Cardiac Physiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilNove de Julho Univ, Program Med, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Judas Tadeu, Brazil Phys Educ & Aging Sci Program, Translat Physiol Lab, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Lab Cardiac Physiol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCNPq: 4400851/2014-8FAPESP: 09-54225/8FAPESP: 15/11028-9Web of Scienc