Neglected intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses: A comparative study of pulmonary right-to-left shunts in patients with patent foramen ovale

ObjectivePulmonary right-to-left shunt (P-RLS) and patent foramen ovale right-to-left shunt (PFO-RLS) often appear in combination, and there are often differences and connections between them. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses (IPAVAs), as part of P-RLS, are often overlooked because there are no technologies to detect and identify them. This study aimed to further clarify the incidence and characteristics of P-RLS with the help of contrast transesophageal echocardiography (c-TEE) and contrast transthoracic echocardiography (c-TTE), providing a reference for clinically relevant research and patent foramen ovale (PFO) management disposal decisions.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 414 subjects who came to our hospital for c-TEE from October 2021 to July 2022, and all subjects completed c-TTE simultaneously. 7 Patients who were newly diagnosed with an atrial septal defect were excluded. Eventually, 407 patients were included in this study. Among them, 157 patients with PFO (58 patients were treated with PFO closure subsequently) and 250 patients without PFO confirmed by c-TEE were finally enrolled. In the process, we observed and analysed the presence of P-RLS.ResultsA total of 407 patients were included in the final analysis and divided into PFO group (N = 157) and non-PFO group (N = 250) according to the results of c-TEE. Whether at rest or after Valsalva maneuver, the incidence of P-RLS was significantly higher under c-TEE than under c-TTE in the two groups (P < 0.001). For both c-TTE and c-TEE, the incidence of P-RLS was slightly higher after Valsalva maneuver than at rest, but the difference was not significant (c-TTE: rest vs. Valsalva maneuver, P = 0.214; c-TEE: rest vs. Valsalva maneuver, P = 0.076). The Valsalva maneuver increased the incidence of P-RLS in the group without PFO, which was more significant in c-TEE (c-TTE: rest vs. Valsalva maneuver, P = 0.591; c-TEE: rest vs. Valsalva maneuver, P = 0.008). In both groups, the P-RLS semiquantitative grading was statistical significance under different states and examinations (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe vast majority of P-RLS are grade 1–2 and are derived from physiological IPAVAs. Even so, attention should be given to the differentiation between P-RLS and PFO-RLS. c-TEE is an effective method to detect P-RLS; however, the recruitments of c-TEE and Valsalva maneuver to P-RLS should be noted

Distribution of Stromal Cell Subsets in Cultures from Distinct Ocular Surface Compartments

Purpose: To reveal the phenotypic differences between human ocular surface stromal cells (hOSSCs) cultured from the corneal, limbal, and scleral compartments. Methods: A comparative analysis of cultured hOSSCs derived from four unrelated donors was conducted by multichromatic flow cytometry for six distinct CD antigens, including the CD73, CD90, CD105, CD166, CD146, and CD34. Results: The hOSSCs, as well as the reference cells, displayed phenotypical profiles that were similar in high expression of the hallmark mesenchymal stem cell markers CD73, CD90, and CD105, and also the cancer stem cell marker CD166. Notably, there was considerable variation regarding the expression of CD34, where the highest levels were found in the corneal and scleral compartments. The multi-differentiation potential marker CD146 was also expressed highly variably, ranging from 9% to 89%, but the limbal stromal and endometrial mesenchymal stem cells significantly surpassed their counterparts within the ocular and reference groups, respectively. The use of six markers enabled investigation of 64 possible variants, however, just four variants accounted for almost 90% of all hOSSCs, with the co-expression of CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD166 and a combination of CD146 and CD34. The limbal compartment appeared unique in that it displayed greatest immunophenotype diversity and harbored the highest proportion of the CD146+CD34- pericyte-like forms, but, interestingly, the pericyte-like cells were also found in the avascular cornea. Conclusions: Our findings confirm that the hOSSCs exhibit an immunophenotype consistent with that of MSCs, further highlight the phenotypical heterogeneity in stroma from distinct ocular surface compartments, and finally underscore the uniqueness of the limbal region.&nbsp

Dynamic Change of Gut Microbiota During Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection in Suckling Piglets

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a disease that has a devastating effect on livestock. Currently, most studies are focused on comparing gut microbiota of healthy piglets and piglets with PED, resulting in gut microbial populations related to dynamic change in diarrheal piglets being poorly understood. The current study analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota in porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)-infected piglets during the suckling transition stage. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 1 to 3-week-old healthy piglets (n = 20) and PEDV infected piglets (n = 18) from the same swine farm. Total DNA was extracted from each sample and the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Statistically significant differences were observed in bacterial diversity and richness between the healthy and diarrheal piglets. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) showed structural segregation between diseased and healthy groups, as well as among 3 different age groups. The abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Enterococcus, Fusobacterium, and Veillonella increased due to dysbiosis induced by PEDV infection. Notably, there was a remarkable age-related increase in Fusobacterium and Veillonella in diarrheal piglets. Certain SCFA-producing bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Butyricimonas, and Alistipes, were shared by all healthy piglets, but were not identified in various age groups of diarrheal piglets. In addition, significant differences were observed between clusters of orthologous groups (COG) functional categories of healthy and PEDV-infected piglets. Our findings demonstrated that PEDV infection caused severe perturbations in porcine gut microbiota. Therefore, regulating gut microbiota in an age-related manner may be a promising method for the prevention or treatment of PEDV

Therapeutic cannabis implementation evidences for the control of chronic pain in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Introdução: A Síndrome da Fibromialgia (SFM) é uma doença complexa, cujo manejo deve ser biopsicossocial, e requer associação de medicamentos de diversas classes farmacológicas com o exercício físico e o cuidado psicológico. Sua etiologia não é totalmente esclarecida, tornando adicionando dificuldades em seu tratamento e, apesar dos avanços alcançados na elucidação do manejo mais adequado da condição, muitas pessoas permanecem diariamente em dor. Objetivo: Identificar na literatura científica a efetividade da terapia canábica no manejo satisfatório da sintomatologia na população diagnosticada com SFM. Método: Revisão Integrativa de Literatura. Foram incluídos estudos publicados entre janeiro de 2012 a 20 de julho de 2022, levantados nas bases de dados eletrônicas Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Pubmed, Scielo e Web Of Science, em inglês, português ou espanhol, combinando os descritores CANNABIS MEDICINAL, MEDICINAL CANNABIS, DOR CRÔNICA E CHRONIC PAIN. Estudos com modelos animais foram excluídos. Resultados: A busca levantou 1724 estudos e, após exclusão de duplicatas e avaliação de elegibilidade, 9 estudos foram incluídos na revisão, incluindo um estudo observacional prospectivo, um ensaio clínico randomizado e sete revisões. Considerações Finais: O uso da terapia canábica se mostrou efetiva para o manejo da sintomatologia da SFM, reduzindo o score de dor e aumentando a tolerância à pressão, com efeitos adversos leves e controláveis, além de impactar positivamente nos parâmetros avaliados pelo Questionário Revisado de Impacto de Fibromialgia. Entretanto, são precisos mais estudos randomizados controlados para apoiar a padronização e regulamentação da terapia canábica no tratamento para a SFM

Mineral Features and Current Extraction Situation of Rare Earth Resources in Deep-sea Deposit

This is an essay in the field of mining engineering. Deep-sea rare earth rich deposit, as a potential rare earth resource, are an important supplement to land rare earth resources and may become one of the first deep-sea minerals to be exploited. In this paper, four deep-sea REE rich deposit (REE rich deposits in the western Pacific Ocean, the southeast Pacific Ocean, the middle and east Pacific Ocean, and the Middle Indian Ocean basin-Wharton Basin.) are analyzed. This paper summarizes the basic resource characteristics of deep-sea rare earth rich deposit (such as large total reserves, large distribution differences, and the main occurrence mineral is biological apatite), and reviews two methods (acid leaching-extraction separation technology and separation-flotation method) used in the separation and extraction of deep-sea REE. The result shows that the acid leaching-extraction separation technology has the disadvantages of low recovery of REE and excessive acid consumption. The separation of sediment samples before flotation operation can achieve efficient enrichment of REE in deposit under the condition of low acid consumption, which is an important development direction to separate and extract REE resources from deep-sea REE rich deposit. Based on this, it is suggested to strengthen the research and development related to efficient classification of deep-sea REE rich deposit resources and in-situ mining and leaching technology in the future

UCP1 alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis progression through oxidative stress pathway mediated by SIRT3 protein stability

Abstract Background Renal interstitial fibrosis is a common pathway for the progressive development of chronic renal diseases (CKD) with different etiology, and is the main pathological basis leading to end-stage renal disease. Although the current research on renal interstitial fibrosis is gradually deepening, the diagnosis and treatment methods are still very lacking. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a nuclear encoded protein in mitochondria inner membrane and plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the biological significance of UCP1 and potential regulatory mechanisms in the development of CKD remain unclear. Methods Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model was used to construct the animal model of renal fibrosis, and TGF-β1 stimulation of HK2 cells was used to construct the vitro model of renal fibrosis. UCP1 expression was detected by Western blot, immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry. UCP1 was upregulated by UCP1 overexpressing lentivirus and UCP1 agonist CL316243. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers, such as collagen I, fibronectin, antioxidant enzyme SOD2 and CAT. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by ROS detection kit. SIRT3 knockdown was performed by siRNA. Results This study presents that UCP1 is significantly downregulated in patients with renal fibrosis and UUO model. Further studies discover that UCP1 overexpression and CL316243 treatments (UCP1 agonists) reversed EMT and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation in renal fibrosis models in vivo and in vitro. Simultaneously, UCP1 reduced the ROS production by increasing the stability of SIRT3. When SIRT3 was knocked down, the production of ROS decreased. Conclusions Elevating the expression of UCP1 can inhibit the occurrence of oxidative stress by stabilizing SIRT3, thereby reducing EMT and ECM accumulation, and ultimately alleviating renal interstitial fibrosis. It will provide new instructions and targets for the treatment of CKD

Selective Adsorption of Sodium Silicate on the Surface of Bastnaesite and Fluorite in Salicylhydroxamic Acid System under Alkaline Conditions

During the flotation separation process of bastnaesite, it is difficult to separate bastnaesite from fluorite effectively. In this present study, sodium silicate (SS) can effectively improve the flotation separation effect of bastnaesite and fluorite in salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA) systemasa. Through relevant analyses, such as Zeta potential measurements, adsorption capacity tests, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analyses and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests, the selective suppressor of SS on fluorite was proven. At pH 10, the single mineral flotation results show that with the increase of SS dosage, the flotation recovery of fluorite rapidly decreases from 61.5% to 35.31%, while the flotation rate of bastnaesite is still high (recovery is 80.02%). Then, the experiment of artificial mixed ore proved that the flotation separation of fluorite and bastnaesite was effective under the appropriate dosage of inhibitor. The results of potentiodynamic measurement and an adsorption capacity test showed that the SiOOH3− structure of SS more easily reacted with fluorite, which further prevented the adsorption of SHA on the fluorite surface. FTIR test results and XPS analysis further showed that SS had a strong binding effect with the Ca site on the fluorite surface, but a weak binding effect with the Ce site on the bastnaesite surface. Consequently, SS can be used as an effective inhibitor in the flotation separation of fluorite and bastnaesite

My son with Prader-Willi: a cartoon

Introdução: A síndrome de Prader-Willi (SPW) é uma doença genética rara, causada por alterações na região 15q11-q13. Nessa região, os genes maternos não são expressos devido ao silenciamento por Imprinting Genômico. A maioria dos pacientes com SPW apresenta uma deleção na região 15q11-q13 do cromossomo 15 paterno. Como esta região no cromossomo materno não é expressa, ocorre a perda da função dos genes desta região. Dessa forma, indivíduos portadores da SPW apresentam manifestações clínicas, as quais impactam tanto em sua qualidade de vida quanto na vida de seus cuidadores. Objetivos: 1. Informar sobre a SPW utilizando uma história em quadrinhos, destacando a importância da adesão ao tratamento, e 2. Divulgar nos ambientes estudantis os principais sinais clínicos da SPW para que os próprios familiares e educadores possam reconhecer e identificar precocemente a SPW. Materiais e MécccResultados Esperados: Espera-se que a história em quadrinhos, disponibilizada no Centro De Genética Médica “Dr. Decio Brunoni”, e na Escola Paulistinha de Educação, ambos da Unifesp, possa auxiliar no reconhecimento precoce da SPW bem como na adesão ao tratamento pelas famílias. Espera-se que, com esse material, a síndrome de Prader-Willi e seus sinais sejam de fácil reconhecimento, melhorando a qualidade de vida de todos os envolvidos. Como atividades futuras, pretende-se elaborar um questionário para mensurar a eficácia e a pertinência do projeto na aquisição de conhecimento pelos familiares e cuidadores

Characteristics of the Kazakh-Chinese hypertension patients (N = 516) residing in the pasture area of Xinjiang, China, 2014.

<p>Characteristics of the Kazakh-Chinese hypertension patients (N = 516) residing in the pasture area of Xinjiang, China, 2014.</p