Low optical polarisation at the core of the optically-thin jet of M87

We study the optical linear and circular polarisation in the optically-thin regime of the core and jet of M87. Observations were acquired two days before the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) campaign in early April 2017. A high degree ($\sim 20$ per cent) of linear polarisation (P$_{\rm lin}$) is detected in the bright jet knots resolved at $\sim 10\, \rm{arcsec}$ to $23\, \rm{arcsec}$ ($0.8$-$1.8\, \rm{kpc}$) from the centre, whereas the nucleus and inner jet show P$_{\rm lin} \lesssim 5$ per cent. The position angle of the linear polarisation shifts by $\sim 90$ degrees from each knot to the adjacent ones, with the core angle perpendicular to the first knot. The nucleus was in a low level of activity (P$_{\rm lin} \sim 2$-$3$ per cent), and no emission was detected from HST-1. No circular polarisation was detected either in the nucleus or the jet above a $3\sigma$ level of P$_{\rm circ} \leq 1.5$ per cent, discarding the conversion of P$_{\rm lin}$ into P$_{\rm circ}$. A disordered magnetic field configuration or a mix of unresolved knots polarised along axes with different orientations could explain the low P$_{\rm lin}$. The latter implies a smaller size of the core knots, in line with current interferometric observations. Polarimetry with EHT can probe this scenario in the future. A steep increase of both P$_{\rm lin}$ and P$_{\rm circ}$ with increasing frequency is expected for the optically-thin domain, above the turnover point. This work describes the methodology to recover the four Stokes parameters using a $\lambda/4$ wave-plate polarimeter.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 10 pages, 8 figure

The anticancer properties of dietary polyphenols and its relation with apoptosis

Aberrantly regulated apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases and defective apoptosis leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Cancer is an example of a pathologic condition where the normal mechanisms of cell cycle regulation are dysfunctional either by excessive cell proliferation, inhibited/suppressed apoptosis or both. Dietary habits are estimated to contribute to, at least, one third of all human cancers, showing that dietary components can exacerbate or interfere with carcinogenesis. However, several epidemiological studies have revealed that some dietary factors can decrease the risk of different types of cancer. Apoptosis is suggested to be a crucial mechanism for the chemopreventive properties associated with several dietary factors by eliminating potentially deleterious (damaged/mutated) cells. Food, a readily available item, contains several promising chemopreventive agents. Polyphenols are serious candidates since they are responsible for the cancer protective properties of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits: numerous phenolic compounds showed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects, and more specifically pro-apoptotic activities, in several cancer cells lines and animal tumor models. The aim of the present review is to analyze and summarize several aspects related to the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induced by dietary factors with particular emphasis on polyphenols. Dietary factors that can activate cell death signals and induce apoptosis, preferentially in precancerous or malignant cells, and the study of their apoptotic inducing targets can represent a mean to devise new strategies for cancer prevention in the future

Amino acids in the development of Prodrugs

Although drugs currently used for the various types of diseases (e.g., antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, etc.) are effective, they present several undesirable pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. Most of the drugs have low bioavailability, lack of sensitivity, and do not target only the damaged cells, thus also affecting normal cells. Moreover, there is the risk of developing resistance against drugs upon chronic treatment. Consequently, their potential clinical applications might be limited and therefore, it is mandatory to find strategies that improve those properties of therapeutic agents. The development of prodrugs using amino acids as moieties has resulted in improvements in several properties, namely increased bioavailability, decreased toxicity of the parent drug, accurate delivery to target tissues or organs, and prevention of fast metabolism. Herein, we provide an overview of models currently in use of prodrug design with amino acids. Furthermore, we review the challenges related to the permeability of poorly absorbed drugs and transport and deliver on target organs.NV acknowledges support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Lisbon, Portugal) and FEDER (European Union), award number IF/00092/2014/CP1255/CT0004. NV also thanks FCT for the IF position and Fundação Manuel António da Mota (FMAM, Porto, Portugal) and Pfizer (Portugal) for support for the Nuno Vale Research Group. The contents of this report are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the FCT, FMAM and Pfizer

The Left Ventricular Dysfunction Questionnaire: Italian translation and validation.

Patients affected by heart failure have a compromised quality of life (QOL) and in the last few years "health related quality of life" has become an important outcome indicator for the evaluation of heart failure treatment. Methods: Translation into Italian of the Left Ventricular Dysfunction Questionnaire (LVD-36), a new, 36-item, disease-specific health status instrument for patients with congestive heart failure, and its subsequent validation by administration to 50 consecutive patients in our heart failure outpatient clinic. The Italian LVD-36 was compared to the "The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire" (MLHF). Results: The Italian version of the LVD-36 correlates well with MLHF for ejection fraction (EF), NYHA class I and II, etiology and therapy. Since, however, the LVD-36 has only one domain, it may be able to offer more synthetic information than MLHF about patients' status. Conclusions: The Italian version of the LVD-36 appears to be a reliable instrument for assessing patients' QOL and the degree of limitations imposed on them by the disease. It is short, clear and easy to complete. In patients with heart failure the LVD-36 correlates well with the MLHF and may be considered a new disease- specific instrument to estimate changes in health status, and an useful support in optimizing therapeutic options

Infrared Absorption Spectra of Nitric Acid and Its Solutions

Infrared spectra of reactive liquids such as anhydrous nitric and sulfuric acids were determined using silver chloride windows and, in some cases, Teflon spacers. The absorption frequencies of nitric acid agree well with those found from Raman spectra. A nitronium ion frequency was observed at 2360 cm^(-1). The intensity of this band is enhanced by the addition of nitronium fluoborate, sulfuric acid, phosphorous pentoxide, or small amounts of acetic anhydride. It is reduced by addition of sodium nitrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, water, or larger amounts of acetic anhydride. Its behavior in these media provides information about pertinent equilibria. A nitronium ion combination band was observed near 3745 cm^(-1) when the concentration of this ion was particularly large. Bands arising from unionized nitric acid are completely absent when a small amount of nitric acid is added to 100% H_2SO_4. Various bands found in aqueous nitric acid solutions are attributed to hydrogen‐bonded structures, both because of their behavior in different media and by analogy with effects observed in Raman studies

MCP-1 and CCR2 gene polymorphisms in Czech patients with allergic disorders

Summary Several lines of evidence suggest that chemokines play an important role in asthma and allergy. We analysed polymorphisms at -2518A/G and -2076A/T of MCP-1 and V64I of CCR2 gene in healthy subjects ( n = 306) and allergic patients ( n = 332). Allele and genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between groups. Nevertheless, MCP-1 variants were associated with allergen sensitization. The results suggest that MCP-1, but not CCR2 gene variants, may participate in the pathogenesis of allergic phenotypes at least in the Caucasian population

Feasibility of an emotion regulation intervention for patients in cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is important to improve physical activity and reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors among people who have experienced a major cardiac event. However, poor emotion regulation can make it difficult to change cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this paper was to assess the feasibility of the Regulating Emotions to improve Nutrition Exercise and reduce Stress (RENEwS) intervention, an education program aimed at improving emotion regulation strategies among patients in cardiac rehabilitation. Fourteen cardiac rehabilitation patients (mean age 61 years) enrolled in 5 weekly RENEwS sessions. Qualitative analysis of participants’ comments was used to assess eight elements of feasibility. Fifty-seven percent of participants completed the intervention. Participants thought the intervention was feasible, with strengths in the areas of acceptability, demand, adaptation, integration, and implementation. Other comments regarding practicality, expansion, and perceived efficacy provide guidance for intervention refinement.Kelly L. Wierenga was supported in this work as The Nurses Charitable Trust of Greater Miami Scholar of the American Nurses Foundation and by NINR grants T32NR015433 and P30NR015326. David M. Fresco was supported by NHLBI Grant R01HL119977, NINR Grant P30NR015326, NCCIH Grant R61AT009867, and NICHD Grant R21HD095099. Megan Alder was supported by NINR grant P30NR015326 and T32NR015433. This secondary analysis was from a P30 pilot study in the SMART Center: Brain-Behavior Connections in Self-Management Science directed by Dr. Shirley Moore at CWRU (P30NR015326). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health

Are Hospitalizations for Percutaneous Coronary Procedures Missed Opportunities for Teaching Rules of Secondary Prevention?

Background and aims: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the most frequently used revascularization approach, often repeatedly applied. The quest for the ultimate revascularization procedure however may capture cardiologist’s attention and lead them to minimize the issue of secondary prevention in their patients. Aims of this study were to assess: 1. The individual risk factor profile, 2. The relation between the risk factors correction and the number of hospital admissions for elective procedures, 3. The appropriateness of medical treatment in patients admitted for elective coronary invasive procedures (diagnostic and interventional). 4. The patients knowledge of threshold values for cardiovascular risk factors. Patients and Methods: 100 patients (71% males, mean age 68 years) consecutively admitted for elective coronary angiography or PCI. They underwent a classical risk factors assessment and were divided in three groups according to the number of admissions for coronary angiography and in two groups according to the number of PCIs. Results: Fifty-seven % of patients had been previously admitted for invasive examination at least three times and 58% had already been treated with at least one PCI. Seventyone % were treated with beta-blockers but only 25% of them received a dosage found effective in RCTs (randomized clinical trials). Sixty % were treated with ACE-inhibitors and 83% received the dosage found effective in RCTs. Fifty-two % were treated with statins and 95% received a dosage found effective in RCTs. Nine % were still active smokers. Fourtynine % had a LDL cholesterol level above 100 mg/dL. The percentage of patients not on target was unrelated to the number of hospital admissions for invasive procedures. Conclusions: Modern cardiology is quickly embracing high tech procedures and trials results but often fails to spend enough time teaching how to control risk factors according to the recommendations of the evidence-based guidelines, even independently of the number of hospitalizations for invasive cardiovascular procedures