Examination of acid-base properties and structural parameters of thiobarbituric acid

The stepwise proton-ligand stability constant of thiobarbituric acid anion was determined in an aqueous solution via pH-potentiometry at ionic strength I=0,1 and temperature T=20°C. Based on the absorption spectra analysis of thiobarbituric acid (H[2]L, H[2]thioBar) solutions in the UV-region at different pH values, it was shown that H[2]thioBar could exist in di-, mono-, and deprotonated forms. This latter fact is reflected in the particle yield H[2]L diagrams as a function of the aqueous solution pH. Besides, some geometric and physico-chemical characteristics of H2thioBar were described by means of quantum chemical calculations

Evidence-based genomic diagnosis characterized chromosomal and cryptic imbalances in 30 elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical validity of genome-wide oligonucleotide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) for detecting somatic abnormalities, we have applied this genomic analysis to 30 cases (13 MDS and 17 AML) with clonal chromosomal abnormalities detected in more than 50% of analyzed metaphase cells. RESULTS: The aCGH detected all numerical chromosomal gains and losses from the mainline clones and 113 copy number alterations (CNAs) ranging from 0.257 to 102.519 megabases (Mb). Clinically significant recurrent deletions of 5q (involving the RPS14 gene), 12p12.3 (ETV6 gene), 17p13 (TP53 gene), 17q11.2 (NF1 gene) and 20q, double minutes containing the MYC gene and segmental amplification involving the MLL gene were further characterized with defined breakpoints and gene contents. Genomic features of microdeletions at 17q11.2 were confirmed by FISH using targeted BAC clones. The aCGH also defined break points in a derivative chromosome 6, der(6)t(3;6)(q21.3;p22.2), and an isodicentric X chromosome. However, chromosomally observed sideline clonal abnormalities in five cases were not detected by aCGH. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that an integrated cytogenomic analysis will be a better diagnostic scheme to delineate genomic contents of chromosomal and cryptic abnormalities in patients with MDS and AML. An evidence-based approach to interpret somatic genomic findings was proposed

Becoming Protactile: Interactional Foundations of Protactile Language Development and Language Emergence

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many DeafBlind children were left without access to educational services when schools went remote. This article presents findings from a project that brought DeafBlind adults into the homes of DeafBlind children during a historically unprecedented time, when a new language was emerging among DeafBlind people who call themselves “Protactile”. In analyzing interactions between the DeafBlind adults and children, we have gained new insights into how novel communication channels are forged intersubjectively. We focus our analysis on Jelica, a DeafBlind member of the research team and experienced Protactile educator, and her interactions with two DeafBlind children. Grounding her extensive field notes in an anthropological theory on intersubjectivity, her insights show how they gradually became attuned to each other and their environment, thereby laying the foundation for intention attribution and joint attention. Jelica does this, in part, via frequent use of “Protactile taps”, which have attention-modulating and demonstrative functions among adults. Jelica’s taps perform a “meta-channel” function to direct the child to use particular parts of their bodies for communication and exploration. This study shows how Jelica establishes an operable environment, within which the vocabulary and grammar she exposes them to will take on situated meaning. This research builds on previous work on language emergence by showing that both children and adults contribute to language emergence as they adjust to one another in the unfolding of interaction. Finally, this research calls attention to the need for DeafBlind adults to have institutional authority to shape communication practices for DeafBlind children

Gene Expression during the Generation and Activation of Mouse Neutrophils: Implication of Novel Functional and Regulatory Pathways

As part of the Immunological Genome Project (ImmGen), gene expression was determined in unstimulated (circulating) mouse neutrophils and three populations of neutrophils activated in vivo, with comparison among these populations and to other leukocytes. Activation conditions included serum-transfer arthritis (mediated by immune complexes), thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, and uric acid-induced peritonitis. Neutrophils expressed fewer genes than any other leukocyte population studied in ImmGen, and down-regulation of genes related to translation was particularly striking. However, genes with expression relatively specific to neutrophils were also identified, particularly three genes of unknown function: Stfa2l1, Mrgpr2a and Mrgpr2b. Comparison of genes up-regulated in activated neutrophils led to several novel findings: increased expression of genes related to synthesis and use of glutathione and of genes related to uptake and metabolism of modified lipoproteins, particularly in neutrophils elicited by thioglycollate; increased expression of genes for transcription factors in the Nr4a family, only in neutrophils elicited by serum-transfer arthritis; and increased expression of genes important in synthesis of prostaglandins and response to leukotrienes, particularly in neutrophils elicited by uric acid. Up-regulation of genes related to apoptosis, response to microbial products, NFkB family members and their regulators, and MHC class II expression was also seen, in agreement with previous studies. A regulatory model developed from the ImmGen data was used to infer regulatory genes involved in the changes in gene expression during neutrophil activation. Among 64, mostly novel, regulatory genes predicted to influence these changes in gene expression, Irf5 was shown to be important for optimal secretion of IL-10, IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and TNF-α by mouse neutrophils in vitro after stimulation through TLR9. This data-set and its analysis using the ImmGen regulatory model provide a basis for additional hypothesis-based research on the importance of changes in gene expression in neutrophils in different conditions

Assessment of Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential from Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging using Deep Learning in a Cardio-oncology Population

Background: We propose a novel method to identify who may likely have clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), a condition characterized by the presence of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells without detectable hematologic malignancy, using deep learning techniques. Methods: We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict CHIP status using 4 different views from standard delayed gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). We used 5-fold cross validation on 82 cardio-oncology patients to assess the performance of our model. Different algorithms were compared to find the optimal patient-level prediction method using the image-level CNN predictions. Results: We found that the best model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 and an accuracy of 82%. Conclusions: We conclude that a deep learning-based diagnostic approach for CHIP using CMR is promising

Influence of hydrothermal activity on the mineralogical-petrophysical properties of an atypical doleritic reservoir rock : a case study of the Gabes Gulf (north Africa, Tunisia)

The Gabes Gulf located in the South Mediterranean Sea (Southeastern part of Tunisia) is a prolific petroleum-producing area with several oil and gas fields and it's the subject of significant discoveries. The area is affected by intense tectonic events and several stages of hydrothermal activities. During drilling at the MX area in NE of the Gabes Gulf, a magmatic intrusion has been encountered within a reservoir rock (i.e., Douleb Formation). The objectives of the present study are (1) to investigate the impact of the hydrothermal activities on this magmatic intrusion and (2) to characterize the potential modifications in its mineralogy and petro-physical properties that can affect the migration/accumulation of hydrocarbons. To do so we combine optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, micro-Raman spectroscopy, electron microprobe analyses, and petro-physical measurements. Our results show that the initial magmatic intrusion (dolerite) is composed mainly of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine. Based on petrographic observations, this intrusion subjected to several stages of hydrothermal fluid alterations that modified the primary texture and mineralogy. Albite, calcite, ankerite, dolomite, pyrite, quartz, anatase, kaolinite, and chlorite are the main secondary mineral products. During this alteration process, carbonates, pyrite, and quartz precipitated in vesicles, forming amygdules structure with enveloped zones indicating a fluctuation of fluid chemistry during their formation. In addition, petrographic observations indicate an interaction between feldspars exsolution and metasomatic processes in the studied area. The dissolution mechanisms, as well as the textural modifications in the dolerite induced by the hydrothermal activity, are underlined by the presence of spherulites, pores, and micropores. Such modifications significantly improved the porosity of the dolerite body. Conversely, the new mineralization that filled the fractures and micro-fractures, have reduced the inter-pore connections, and thus reduced its permeability. The present work demonstrates the important role of hydrothermal activity on the petro-physical properties of magmatic intrusions and how it could facilitate the migration/accumulation of hydrocarbons. Our results open the door for further investigations to check the potential presence of hydrocarbons within this doleritic intrusion

PROTOCOLOS DE ENFERMAGEM NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE: INSTRUMENTO PARA QUALIDADE DO CUIDADO

Objective: to analyze the nursing protocols as a possible instrument for the quality for the nurse’s practice in Primary Health Care.Method: a descriptive and qualitative study, carried out by means of documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews, with 14 nurses from Metropolitan Regions I and II in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Bardin’s thematic content analysis was used for data treatment.Results: the category analyzed in this article was the “place of care”, which addresses the quality of care in nurses’ actions and its importance for the profession.Conclusion: collective and dialogical constructions are motivating factors for the elaboration of local protocols. In addition to being a permanent education strategy, nurses recognized the protocols as tools for decision-making, providing them with technical and ethical support, which greatly contributes to the construction of knowledge and to the development of good nursing practices.Objetivo: analisar os protocolos de enfermagem como um possível instrumento para a qualidade da prática do enfermeiro na Atenção Primária à Saúde.Método: estudo descritivo e qualitativo, realizado por meio de análise documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 14 enfermeiros das Regiões Metropolitanas I e II do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Para o tratamento dos dados, foi utilizada a análise temática de conteúdo de Bardin.Resultados: a categoria analisada neste artigo foi o “lugar do cuidado”, a qual aborda a qualidade do cuidado nas ações dos enfermeiros e a importância desta para a profissão.Conclusão: a construção coletiva e dialogada são fatores motivadores para elaboração de protocolos locais. Além de ser uma estratégia de educação permanente, os enfermeiros reconheceram os protocolos como ferramentas para tomada de decisão, proporcionando-lhes apoio técnico e respaldo ético, o que contribui sobremaneira para a construção de conhecimento e o desenvolvimento de boas práticas em enfermagem.Objetivo: analizar los protocolos de Enfermería como posible instrumento para la calidad de la práctica del enfermero en la Atención Primaria de la Salud.Método: estudio descriptivo y cualitativo, realizado por medio de análisis documental y entrevistas semiestructuradas, con 14 enfermeros de las Regiones Metropolitanas I y II del estado de Río de Janeiro. Para el tratamiento de los datos se empleó el análisis temático de contenido de Bardin.Resultados: la categoría analizada en este artículo fue el “lugar de la atención”, que aborda la calidad de la atención en las acciones de los enfermeros y su importancia para la profesión.Conclusión: la construcción colectiva y dialogada es un factor motivador para elaborarprotocolos locales. Además de ser una estrategia de educación permanente, los enfermeros reconocieron a los protocolos como herramientas para tomar decisiones, que les proporcionan apoyo técnico y respaldo ético, lo que contribuye para construir conocimientos y desarrollar buenas prácticas en Enfermería

Human neutrophil development and functionality are enabled in a humanized mouse model

Mice with a functional human immune system serve as an invaluable tool to study the development and function of the human immune system in vivo. A major technological limitation of all current humanized mouse models is the lack of mature and functional human neutrophils in circulation and tissues. To overcome this, we generated a humanized mouse model named MISTRGGR, in which the mouse granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was replaced with human G-CSF and the mouse G-CSF receptor gene was deleted in existing MISTRG mice. By targeting the G-CSF cytokine-receptor axis, we dramatically improved the reconstitution of mature circulating and tissue-infiltrating human neutrophils in MISTRGGR mice. Moreover, these functional human neutrophils in MISTRGGR are recruited upon inflammatory and infectious challenges and help reduce bacterial burden. MISTRGGR mice represent a unique mouse model that finally permits the study of human neutrophils in health and disease