Space shuttle high pressure auxiliary propulsion system

Requirements review for space shuttle auxiliary propulsion syste

4-[(E)-2-Ferrocenylethen­yl]-1,8-naphthalic anhydride

In the structure of the title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C19H11O3)], the plane of the substituted ferrocene ring is tilted by 14.17 (6)° with respect to the mean plane through the naphthalene ring system. In the crystal structure, centrosymmetric dimers are formed through π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.624 (2) Å] between the substituted ferrocene ring and the three fused rings of the naphthalic anhydride unit. Pairs of dimers are held together by further naphthalene–naphthalene π–π interactions [distance between parallel mean planes 3.45 (3) Å]. Each dimer inter­acts with four neighbouring dimers in a herringbone fashion through C—H⋯π inter­actions, so forming a two-dimensional sheet-like structure

Ultra-thin free-standing single crystalline silicon membranes with strain control

We report on fabrication and characterization of ultra-thin suspended single crystalline flat silicon membranes with thickness down to 6 nm. We have developed a method to control the strain in the membranes by adding a strain compensating frame on the silicon membrane perimeter to avoid buckling after the release. We show that by changing the properties of the frame the strain of the membrane can be tuned in controlled manner. Consequently, both the mechanical properties and the band structure can be engineered, and the resulting membranes provide a unique laboratory to study low-dimensional electronic, photonic, and phononic phenomena.Peer reviewe

Linoleic Acid Increases Prostaglandin E2 Release and Reduces Mitochondrial Respiration and Cell Viability in Human Trophoblast-Like Cells

Background/Aims: The omega 6 fatty acid (FA) linoleic acid (LA) is required for embryonic development; however, omega 6 FAs can alter cellular metabolism via inflammation or modulation of mitochondrial function. Fetal LA is obtained from the maternal diet, and FAs are transported to the fetus via placental FA transporters (FATPs) and binding proteins (FABPs), but specific proteins responsible for LA transport in placental trophoblasts are unknown. Dietary LA consumption is increasing, but the effect of elevated LA on trophoblast function is not clear. Methods: Swan71 trophoblasts were exposed to physiological and supraphysiological concentrations of LA for 24 hours. Quantification of mRNA was determined using real time PCR, and protein concentration was determined by Western blot analysis. Cell viability, citrate synthase activity and mitochondrial respiration were determined. Results: Exposure to 300 and 500 µM LA increased FATP1 and FATP4 mRNA expression. 500 µM LA increased FATP1 and FATP4 protein expression. Exposure to 500 µM increased FABP5 mRNA expression, while exposure to 100 to 500 µM LA decreased FABP3 mRNA expression. 300 and 500 µM LA decreased FABP3 protein expression. Cell viability was decreased by exposure to LA (100 to 1000 µM). Citrate synthase activity and routine mitochondrial respiration were significantly decreased by exposure to 300 and 500 µM LA, and maximal respiration and spare respiratory capacity were decreased by exposure to 100 to 500 µM LA. 300 and 500 µM LA increased reactive oxygen species generation in human trophoblasts. Moreover, exposure to 300 and 500 µM LA decreased IL-6 secretion. Exposure to 500 µM LA increased IL-8, NF-κB and PPAR-γ mRNA expression, but decreased NF-κB protein expression. 300 µM LA decreased IL-8 protein expression. Further, exposure to 100 to 500 µM LA increased prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 release. Conclusion: Exposure to LA decreases cell viability, alters mRNA expression of FA transport related proteins, mitochondrial respiration and function, and inflammatory responses in trophoblasts. These findings may have implications on placental function when women consume high levels of LA.</p

Maternal High Linoleic Acid Alters Placental Fatty Acid Composition

Fetal development is modulated by maternal nutrition during pregnancy. The dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA), an essential dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), has increased. We previously published that increased LA consumption during pregnancy does not alter offspring or placental weight but fetal plasma fatty acid composition; the developing fetus obtains their required PUFA from the maternal circulation. However, it is unknown if increased maternal linoleic acid alters placental fatty acid storage, metabolism, transport, and general placental function. Female Wistar-Kyoto rats were fed either a low LA diet (LLA; 1.44% of energy from LA) or high LA diet (HLA; 6.21% of energy from LA) for 10 weeks before pregnancy and during gestation. Rats were sacrificed at embryonic day 20 (E20, term = 22 days) and placentae collected. The labyrinth of placentae from one male and one female fetus from each litter were analyzed. High maternal LA consumption increased placental total n-6 and LA concentrations, and decreased total n-3 PUFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Fatty acid desaturase 1 (), angiopoietin-like 4 (), and diacylglycerol lipase beta () mRNA were downregulated in placentae from offspring from HLA dams. Maternal high LA downregulated the fatty acid transport protein 4 () and glucose transporter 1 () mRNA in placentae. IL-7 and IL-10 protein were decreased in placentae from offspring from HLA dams. In conclusion, a high maternal LA diet alters the placental fatty acid composition, inflammatory proteins, and expressions of nutrient transporters, which may program deleterious outcomes in offspring

What do general practitioners know about ADHD? Attitudes and knowledge among first-contact gatekeepers: systematic narrative review

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder with international prevalence estimates of 5 % in childhood, yet significant evidence exists that far fewer children receive ADHD services. In many countries, ADHD is assessed and diagnosed in specialist mental health or neuro-developmental paediatric clinics, to which referral by General (Family) Practitioners (GPs) is required. In such ‘gatekeeper’ settings, where GPs act as a filter to diagnosis and treatment, GPs may either not recognise potential ADHD cases, or may be reluctant to refer. This study systematically reviews the literature regarding GPs’ views of ADHD in such settings. Methods: A search of nine major databases was conducted, with wide search parameters; 3776 records were initially retrieved. Studies were included if they were from settings where GPs are typically gatekeepers to ADHD services; if they addressed GPs’ ADHD attitudes and knowledge; if methods were clearly described; and if results for GPs were reported separately from those of other health professionals. Results: Few studies specifically addressed GP attitudes to ADHD. Only 11 papers (10 studies), spanning 2000–2010, met inclusion criteria, predominantly from the UK, Europe and Australia. As studies varied methodologically, findings are reported as a thematic narrative, under the following themes: Recognition rate; ADHD controversy (medicalisation, stigma, labelling); Causes of ADHD; GPs and ADHD diagnosis; GPs and ADHD treatment; GP ADHD training and sources of information; and Age, sex differences in knowledge and attitudes. Conclusions: Across times and settings, GPs practising in first-contact gatekeeper settings had mixed and often unhelpful attitudes regarding the validity of ADHD as a construct, the role of medication and how parenting contributed to presentation. A paucity of training was identified, alongside a reluctance of GPs to become involved in shared care practice. If access to services is to be improved for possible ADHD cases, there needs to be a focused and collaborative approach to training

Surgical Management of Cervical Spondyloarthropathy in Hemodialysis Patients

Dialysis-related spondyloarthropathy is a rare cause of spinal deformity and cervical myelopathy. Optimal management of cervical spine spondyloarthropathy often requires circumferential reconstructive surgery, because affected patients typically have both the anterior column and the facet joints compromised. The occasional presence of noncontiguous or "skip lesions" adds an additional level of complexity to surgical management, because decompression and fusion in an isolated segment of neural compression can worsen spine deformity by applying increased stress to adjacent cervical spine segments. We report two cases of hemodialysis patients who presented with cervical myelopathy and initially had anterior cervical discectomy or corpectomy. Because symptoms recurred due to hardware failure, both patients required posterior spine fusion as well. In retrospect, because of the hardware failure, both of these patients might have benefited from a circumferential (combined anterior and posterior) cervical spine reconstruction as their initial treatment

Sex-Specific Differences in Lysine, 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Acetic Acid in Offspring Exposed to Maternal and Postnatal High Linoleic Acid Diet, Independent of Diet.

BACKGROUND: Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) that is required for foetal growth and development. Excess intake of LA can be detrimental for metabolic health due to its pro-inflammatory properties; however, the effect of a diet high in LA on offspring metabolites is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of maternal or postnatal high linoleic acid (HLA) diet on plasma metabolites in adult offspring. METHODS: Female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were fed with either low LA (LLA) or HLA diet for 10 weeks prior to conception and during gestation/lactation. Offspring were weaned at postnatal day 25 (PN25), treated with either LLA or HLA diets and sacrificed at PN180. Metabolite analysis was performed in plasma samples using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. RESULTS: Maternal and postnatal HLA diet did not alter plasma metabolites in male and female adult offspring. There was no specific clustering among different treatment groups as demonstrated by principal component analysis. Interestingly, there was clustering among male and female offspring independent of maternal and postnatal dietary intervention. Lysine was higher in female offspring, while 3-hydroxybutyric acid and acetic acid were significantly higher in male offspring. CONCLUSION: In summary, maternal or postnatal HLA diet did not alter the plasma metabolites in the adult rat offspring; however, differences in metabolites between male and female offspring occurred independently of dietary intervention

Impact of smoking status on the relative efficacy of the EGFR TKI/angiogenesis inhibitor combination therapy in advanced NSCLC-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The ETOP 10-16 BOOSTER trial failed to demonstrate a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit for adding bevacizumab to osimertinib in second line. An exploratory subgroup analysis, however, suggested a PFS benefit of the combination in patients with a smoking history and prompted us to do this study. METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the differential effect of smoking status on the benefit of adding an angiogenesis inhibitor to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy was carried out. All relevant randomized controlled trials appearing in main oncology congresses or in PubMed as of 1 November 2021 were used according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement. Primarily PFS according to smoking status, and secondarily overall survival (OS) were of interest. Pooled and interaction hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by fixed or random effects models, depending on the detected degree of heterogeneity. Bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane tool for randomized controlled trials (RoB 2). RESULTS Information by smoking was available for 1291 patients for PFS (seven studies) and 678 patients for OS (four studies). The risk of bias was low for all studies. Combination treatment significantly prolonged PFS for smokers [n = 502, HR = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44-0.69] but not for nonsmokers (n = 789, HR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.66-1.27; treatment-by-smoking interaction P = 0.02). Similarly, a significant OS benefit was found for smokers (n = 271, HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47-0.93) but not for nonsmokers (n = 407, HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.82-1.42; treatment-by-smoking interaction P = 0.03). CONCLUSION In advanced EGFR-non-small-cell lung cancer patients, the addition of an angiogenesis inhibitor to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy provides a statistically significant PFS and OS benefit in smokers, but not in non-smokers. The biological basis for this observation should be pursued and could determine whether this might be due to a specific co-mutational pattern produced by tobacco exposure