A Unique Relationship Determining Strength of Silty/Clayey Soils - Portland Cement Mixes

This technical note advances the understanding of the key parameters controlling unconfined compressive strength (qu) of artificially cemented silty/clayey soils by considering distinct moisture contents, distinct specimen porosities (η), different Portland cement contents and any curing time periods. The qu values of the specimens moulded for each curing period were normalized (i.e. divided) by the qu attained by a specimen with a specific porosity/cement ratio. A unique relationship was found, establishing the relationship between strength for artificially cemented silty/clayey soils considering all porosities, Portland cement amounts, moisture contents and curing periods studied. From a practical viewpoint, this means that, at limit, carrying out only one unconfined compression test with a silty/clayey soil specimen, moulded with a specific Portland cement amount, a specific porosity and moisture content and cured for a given time period, allows the determination of a general relationship equation that controls the strength for an entire range of porosities and cement contents, reducing considerably the amount of moulded specimens and reducing projects development cost and time

CD44 Expression Profile Varies According to Maturational Subtypes and Molecular Profiles of Pediatric T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

CD44 is a glycoprotein expressed in leucocytes and a marker of leukemia-initiating cells, being shown to be important in the pathogenesis of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). In this study, we have (i) identified the aberrant antigenic pattern of CD44 and its isoform CD44v6 in T-ALL; (ii) tested the association with different T-cell subtypes and genomic alterations; (iii) identified the impact of CD44 status in T-ALL outcome. Samples from 184 patients (123 T-ALL and 61 AML; <19 years) were analyzed throughout multiparametric flow cytometry. Mutations in N/KRAS, NOTCH1, FBXW7 as well as STIL-TAL1 and TLX3 rearrangements were detected using standard molecular techniques. CD44 expression was characterized in all T-ALL and AML cases. Compared with AML samples in which the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) was 79.1 (1-1272), T-ALL was relatively low, with MFI 43.2 (1.9-1239); CD44v6 expression was rarely found, MFI 1 (0.3-3.7). T-ALL immature subtypes (mCD3/CD1aneg) had a lower CD44 expression, MFI 57.5 (2.7-866.3), whereas mCD3/TCRγδpos cases had higher expressions, MFI 99.9 (16.4-866.3). NOTCH1 mut and STIL-TAL1 were associated with low CD44 expression, whereas N/KRAS mut and FBXW7 mut cases had intermediate expression. In relation to clinical features, CD44 expression was associated with tumor infiltrations (p = 0.065). However, no association was found with initial treatment responses and overall survival prediction. Our results indicate that CD44 is aberrantly expressed in T-ALL being influenced by different genomic alterations. Unraveling this intricate mechanism is required to place CD44 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL

Optimizing the use of systemic corticosteroids in severe asthma (ROSA II project): a national Delphi consensus study

Although the prevalence of severe asthma is not high (5–10% of patients), it is responsible for a large part of the overall disease burden and costs (50–60% of total costs), especially if the condition remains uncontrolled (which occurs in around 40% of cases). Currently, for patients without disease control or presenting frequent exacerbations despite optimal therapy, add-on treatments, traditionally long-acting anticholinergics, oral corticosteroids (OCS), or biologic agents (monoclonal antibodies) are recommended. Nonetheless, the long-term use of oral/systemic corticosteroids (CS) is significantly associated with adverse effects, acute and chronic complications that may decrease health-related quality of life and worsen prognosis, thus requiring additional monitoring and management. Conversely, target therapies (i.e., omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, and more recently, dupilumab) have been developed grounded on the different phenotypes and endotypes of severe asthma, and are gradually reducing the reliance on OCS (i.e., greater specificity for achieving disease control by reducing the risk of exacerbations and requirements for rescue medication and OCS, with limited adverse events).This work was supported by AstraZeneca.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Next-generation analysis of trypanosomatid genome stability and instability

No abstract available

Role of macrophage sialoadhesin in host defense against the sialylated pathogen group B <em>Streptococcus</em>

ABSTRACT: Several bacterial pathogens decorate their surfaces with sialic acid (Sia) residues within cell wall components or capsular exopolysaccharides. Sialic acid expression can promote bacterial virulence by blocking complement activation or by engagement of inhibitory sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) on host leukocytes. Expressed at high levels on splenic and lymph node macrophages, sialoadhesin (Sn) is a unique Siglec with an elongated structure that lacks intracellular signaling motifs. Sialoadhesin allows macrophage to engage certain sialylated pathogens and stimulate inflammatory responses, but the in vivo significance of sialoadhesin in infection has not been shown. We demonstrate that macrophages phagocytose the sialylated pathogen group B Streptococcus (GBS) and increase bactericidal activity via sialoadhesin-sialic-acid-mediated recognition. Sialoadhesin expression on marginal zone metallophillic macrophages in the spleen trapped circulating GBS and restricted the spread of the GBS to distant organs, reducing mortality. Specific IgM antibody responses to GBS challenge were also impaired in sialoadhesin-deficient mice. Thus, sialoadhesin represents a key bridge to orchestrate innate and adaptive immune defenses against invasive sialylated bacterial pathogens. KEY MESSAGE: Sialoadhesin is critical for macrophages to phagocytose and clear GBS. Increased GBS organ dissemination in the sialoadhesin-deficient mice. Reduced anti-GBS IgM production in the sialoadhesin-deficient mice. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00109-014-1157-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Factors associated with the desire for orthodontic treatment among Brazilian adolescents and their parents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the period of adolescence physical appearance takes on significant importance in the construction of personal identity, including one's relationship with one's own body. A variety of social, cultural, psychological and personal factors influences the self-perception of dental appearance and the decision to undergo orthodontic treatment. Adolescents who seek orthodontic treatment are concerned with improving their appearance and social acceptance. The aim of the present study was to determine factors associated to the desire for orthodontic treatment among Brazilian adolescents and their parents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample consisted of 403 subjects aged 14 to 18 years, selected randomly from a population of 182,291 schoolchildren in the same age group. The outcome variable "desire for orthodontic treatment" was assessed through a questionnaire. Self-perception of dental aesthetics was assessed using the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS) and the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used for clinical assessment. Statistical analysis involved the chi-square test as well as both simple and multiple logistic regression analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority (78%) of the Brazilian adolescents desired orthodontic treatment and 69% of the parents reported that their children were not in orthodontic treatment due to the high costs involved. There was significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between the desire for orthodontic treatment and most types of malocclusion. However, there was no significant association between the desire for orthodontic treatment and the variables gender and age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The following were considered factors associated to the desire for treatment: upper anterior crowding ≥ 2 mm and parents' perception of their child's need for treatment.</p