An analytical approach for calculating transfer integrals in superexchange coupled dimers

An analytical expression for the transfer integral HAB between the localized magnetic orbitals in superexchange-coupled dimers as a function of the type of atoms and geometry of the molecule has been derived by explicitly including orbital interactions. It is shown that HAB plays the key role for the magnetic coupling constant J in understanding magneto-structural correlations. The reliability and capability of this approach is confirmed by comparison with numerical electronic structure calculations in the local spin-density approximation on singly and doubly bridged Cu(II)-dimers with fluorine ligands. All results can be calculated and understood within the analytical formalism representing, therefore, a powerful tool for understanding the magneto-structural correlations and also for constructing magnetic orbitals analytically

Calculation of Overlap Integrals over Slater Orbitals with Nearly Equal Exponents

A series expansion is derived for overlap integrals between Slater type orbitals with nearly equal screening constants and simple analytical expressions are obtained if both of them are equal. Unlike the known standard methods no numerical instabilities arise and also no restrictions exist with respect to the quantum numbers n, 1 and m of the orbitals

Components of metabolic syndrome in relation to plasma levels of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) in a cohort of people aged 65 years and older

Purpose Elevated plasma concentration of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently emerged as a potential risk factor as a component of developing metabolic syndrome (MS). Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the relationship between components of MS and concentrations of plasma RBP4 in a population of subjects 65 years and older. Methods The study sample consisted of 3038 (1591 male) participants of the PolSenior study, aged 65 years and older. Serum lipid profile, concentrations of RBP4, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, IL-6, and activity of aminotransferases were measured. Nutritional status (BMI/waist circumference) and treatment with statins and fibrates were evaluated. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), de Ritis ratio, and fatty liver index (FLI), as well as HOMA-IR were calculated. Results Our study revealed a strong relationship between components of MS and RBP4 in both sexes: plasma RBP4 levels were increased in men by at least 3×, and in women by at least 4×. Hypertriglyceridemia was most strongly associated with elevated plasma RBP4 levels. Multivariate, sex-adjusted regression analysis demonstrated that chronic kidney disease [OR 1.86 (95% CI 1.78-1.94)], hypertriglyceridemia [OR 1.52 (1.24-1.87)], hypertension [OR 1.15 (1.12-1.19)], low serum HDL cholesterol [OR 0.94 (0.92-0.97)], and age > 80 years [OR 0.86 (0.81-0.90)] were each independently associated with RBP4 concentration (all p < 0.001). Conclusions In Caucasians 65 years and older, RBP4 serum levels are associated with a number of components of MS, independent of sex and kidney function. Hypertriglyceridemia as a component of MS is most signifcantly related to RBP4 concentration

Yttrium-90 distribution following radiosynoviorthesis of the knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis patients : a SPECT/CT study

Objective To examine yttrium-90 distribution 1 and 72 h following its injection into a knee joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods In 14 RA patients we injected yttrium-90 into the affected knee joint using lateral approach. To assess the radioisotope distribution in the joint, the superimposed sequential SPECT and CT imaging was performed 1 and 72 h after the injection. We analyzed the percentage of radioisotope distribution in three predefined compartments of the knee joint (lower, upper medial, upper lateral). Results After 1 and 72 h, the mean percentage distributions were, respectively, 7.14 and 23.07 % in lower; 21.42 and 15.38 % in upper medial, and 71.42 and 61.53 % in upper lateral compartment. The percentage of isotope deposition did not change significantly with time in any of the compartments (all p > 0.26). The deposition of isotope, both at 1 and 72 h, was significantly greater in upper lateral compartment, where the injection was performed, than in all other compartments (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Using the SPECT/CT hybrid method, we proved that the majority of isotope is located at the compartment adjacent to the injection. Two injections targeting different compartments might improve the clinical efficacy of the procedure

Protecting Older Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases from COVID-19 Complications Using Current Medications

Purpose: In the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19 complications, derangements of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), vascular endothelial dysfunction leading to inflammation and coagulopathy, and arrhythmias play an important role. Therefore, it is worth considering the use of currently available drugs to protect COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: We review the current experience of conventional cardiovascular drugs [angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, anticoagulants, acetosalicylic acid, antiarrhythmic drugs, statins] as well as some other drug classes (antidiabetic drugs, vitamin D and NSAIDs) frequently used by older patients with cardiovascular diseases. Data were sought from clinical databases for COVID-19 and appropriate key words. Conclusions and recommendations are based on a consensus among all authors. Results: Several cardiovascular drugs have a potential to protect patients with COVID-19, although evidence is largely based on retrospective, observational studies. Despite propensity score adjustments used in many analyses observational studies are not equivalent to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Ongoing RCTs include treatment with antithrombotics, pulmonary vasodilators, RAAS-related drugs, and colchicine. RCTs in the acute phase of COVID-19 may not, however, recognise the benefits of long term anti-atherogenic therapies, such as statins. Conclusions: Most current cardiovascular drugs can be safely continued during COVID-19. Some drug classes may even be protective. Age-specific data are scarce, though, and conditions which are common in older patients (frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy) must be individually considered for each drug group.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A cAMP-binding ectoprotein in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

tides 10, 593-595

Immunoblot analysis of the seroreactivity to recombinant Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antigens, including VlsE, in the long-term course of treated patients with Erythema migrans

Objective: We evaluated whether immunoblotting is capable of substantiating the posttreatment clinical assessment of patients with erythema migrans ( EM), the hallmark of early Lyme borreliosis. Methods: In 50 patients, seroreactivity to different antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was analyzed by a recombinant immunoblot test (IB) in consecutive serum samples from a minimum follow-up period of 1 year. Antigens in the IgG test were decorin- binding protein A, internal fragment of p41 (p41i), outer surface protein C (OspC), p39, variable major protein-like sequence expressed (VlsE), p58 and p100; those in the IgM test were p41i, OspC and p39. Immune responses were correlated with clinical and treatment-related parameters. Results: Positive IB results were found in 50% before, in 57% directly after therapy and in 44% by the end of the follow-up for the IgG class, and in 36, 43 and 12% for the IgM class. In acute and convalescence phase sera, VlsE was most immunogenic on IgG testing 60 and 70%), and p41i (46 and 57%) and OspC (40 and 57%) for the IgM class. By the end of the follow-up, only the anti-p41i lgM response was significantly decreased to 24%. Conclusions: No correlation was found between IB results and treatment-related parameters. Thus, immunoblotting does not add to the clinical assessment of EM patients after treatment. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel