Natriuretic peptide receptor-C is up-regulated in the intima of advanced carotid artery atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE: Natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C/NPR-3) is a cell surface protein involved in vascular remodelling that is up-regulated in atherosclerosis. NPR-C expression has not been well characterized in human carotid artery occlusive lesions. We hypothesized that NPR-C expression correlates with intimal features of vulnerable atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we evaluated NPR-C expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens isolated from 18 patients. The grade, location, and co-localization of NPR-C in CEA specimens were evaluated using two tissue analysis techniques. RESULTS: Relative to minimally diseased CEA specimens, we observed avid NPR-C tissue staining in the intima of maximally diseased CEA specimens (65%; p=0.06). Specifically, maximally diseased CEA specimens demonstrated increased NPR-C expression in the superficial intima (61%, p=0.17), and deep intima (138% increase; p=0.05). In the superficial intima, NPR-C expression significantly co-localized with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages. The intensity of NPR-C expression was also higher in the superficial intima plaque shoulder and cap regions, and significantly correlated with atheroma and fibroatheroma vulnerable plaque regions (β=1.04, 95% CI=0.46, 1.64). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate significant NPR-C expression in the intima of advanced carotid artery plaques. Furthermore, NPR-C expression was higher in vulnerable carotid plaque intimal regions, and correlate with features of advanced disease. Our findings suggest that NPR-C may serve as a potential biomarker for carotid plaque vulnerability and progression, in patients with advanced carotid artery occlusive disease

Patient characteristics can influence the incidence of perioperative microemboli during carotid artery interventions

Purpose. Perioperative cerebral microembolization demonstrated on diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) can occur following carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS). We sought to explore potential risk factors for this in the large patient cohort. Methods. We reviewed a 6-year consecutive patient cohort that received either CEA or CAS, and perioperative DWI evaluations. Results. 303 patients were reviewed, and 56 (19.4%) patients were found to have perioperative microemboli. The incidence was higher among patients who received CAS (P &lt; 0.001). Hypertension (P = 0.03), smoking (P = 0.001), and a history of transient ischemic attacks (P = 0.04) were risk factors for microembolization. The risk was higher among CEA patients with obesity (P = 0.05), and among CAS patients with coronary artery disease (P = 0.03). Conclusion. Specific patient populations are likely more prone to develop perioperative cerebral microemboli following carotid intervention. Continued risk stratification may help decrease future perioperative cerebral microembolization rates.</jats:p

On the origins of antiferromagnetic order in a frustrated spin system at high pressure

In this letter, I would like to complement the discussion on the antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in the model-frustrated quantum magnet SrCu2(BO3)2 at high pressure

Melting and Solidification Study of Indium and Bismuth Nanocrystals Using Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction

As technology begins to utilize nanocrystals for many chemical, biological, medical, electrical, and optoelectrical applications, there is a growing need for an understanding of their fundamental properties. The study of melting and solidification of nanocrystals is of interest to fundamental understanding of the effect of reduced size and crystal shape on the solid-liquid phase transition. Melting and solidification of as-deposited and recrystallized indium and bismuth nanocrystals were studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The nanocrystals were thermally deposited on highly oriented 002-graphite substrate at different deposition temperatures. The growth dynamics of the nanocrystals was studied using in situ RHEED while the morphology and size distributions were studied using ex situ real image technique (atomic force microscopy (AFM) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). RHEED observation during deposition showed that 3D nanocrystals of indium are directly formed from the vapor phase within the investigated temperature range, 300 K up to 25 K below the bulk melting point of indium. On the other hand, bismuth condensed in the form of supercooled liquid droplets at temperatures above its maximum supercooling point, 125 K below the bulk melting point of bismuth. Below the maximum supercooling point, bismuth condensed in the solid phase. Post deposition real images showed that the formed nanocrystals have morphologies and size distributions that depend on the deposition temperature, heat treatment, and the amount of the deposited material. As-deposited nanocrystals are found to have different shapes and sizes, while those recrystallized from melt were formed in similar shapes but different sizes. The change in the RHEED pattern with temperature was used to probe the melting and solidification of the nanocrystals. Melting started early before the bulk melting point and extended over a temperature range that depends on the size distribution of the nanocrystals. Nanocrystals at the lower part of the distribution melt early at lower temperatures. With the increase in temperature, more nanocrystals completely melt with the thickness of the liquid shell on the remaining crystals continuing to grow. Due to size increase after melting, recrystallized bismuth nanocrystals showed a melting range at temperatures higher than that of as-deposited. However, recrystallized indium nanocrystals showed an end melting point nearly equal to that of-the recrystallized ones except for the 1.5-ML film which showed an end melting point ∼10 K higher than that of as-deposited

The Holy Book of Tao and Its Arabic Translations - An Introduction

أهداف البحث: يهدف البحث إلى توجيه النظر إلى الدراسة المباشرة للكتب المقدسة غير الكتابية، بتناول أحد أهم الكتب المقدسة في الصين، وإبراز مركزها الفكري والعقدي في العالم، من خلال رؤية تحليلية لبعض متضمنات "كتاب التاو"، وترجماته العربية، حيث تناوله في دراسات غير أكاديمية أُناس ليسوا مختصين فدرسوه بتحيزات غير موضوعية، وهذه الدراسة تقوم بالتعريف بالكتاب وتقييم تلك الدراسات، ونقل ذلك كله إلى المجال الأكاديمي التخصصي. منهج البحث: يقوم البحث على المنهج الاستقرائي، من حيث تتبع ما يتعلق بالكتاب من ترجمات وشروح بالعربية، ثم المنهج الوصفي الذي يعرِّف بالكتاب، ثم المنهج التحليلي والنقدي المتعلق ببعض قضاياه وما كُتب حوله من دراسات. النتائج: أبرز البحث المكانة الدينية لكتاب "التاو"، وبيان مدى تأثيره في الحقل الديني العالمي، وضرورة توجه أنظار الباحثين إلى مزيد من دراسات حوله، وبيَّن أنَّنا في حاجة أكثر لدراسة ثقافة وأديان وتاريخ الصين؛ لاعتبارات عديدة منها: محاولة البحث في قضية النبوة والأنبياء والرسالات في هذه المنطقة، ثم لكون الصين حضارة كبيرة منافسة للعالم الإسلامي، ولعلنا بفهم هذه اللغة والثقافة والتاريخ والأديان نتمكن من التواصل الديني والحضاري مع هذه الحضارة الصاعدة والمنافسة. أصالة البحث: تظهر أصالة البحث في كونه أول بحث على المستوى الأكاديمي، يتناول هذا النص المقدس مباشرة باللغة العربية، وفي كونه معرِّفًا بكافة ما نُشر عنه بالعربية في السياق غير الأكاديمي. مع دراسة ومناقشة هذه الدراسات.Purpose: This research aims to draw attention to the direct study of nondivine books. The research discusses one of the most important holy books in China and highlights its intellectual and ideological status in the world through analytical insight into some of Book of Tao’s implications and its Arabic translations. This book has been discussed in nonacademic studies by nonspecialist persons, who therefore studied it subjectively. This research identifies the book, evaluates those studies and translates them to the specialized academic arena. Methodology: The research is based on an inductive approach by tracking Arabic translations and explanations of the book; a descriptive approach, which involves reviewing the book; and an analytical and critical approach that examines some of the issues in and studies that have been written about the book. Findings: The research highlights the religious status of the "Book of Tao", the extent of its influence in the international religious field, and the necessity of conducting more studies about it. This research showed that we need further studies on China's culture, religions, and history in many areas, including the issue of prophethood, prophets, and messages in this region. Furthermore, as China is a great civilization competing for dominance in the Islamic world, if we can understand the relevant languages, cultures, history, and religions, we can make religious and civilization outreach more effective in this rising civilization and competition. Originality: The originality of this research comes from many points, such as it is the first academic research to address this holy text directly in Arabic. Moreover, this research reviews, studies, and discusses all of the works in this book in the Arabic language in a nonacademic context

DIFFERENCES IN ACADEMIC ORIENTATIONS, EMOTIONAL PROCESSING DIFFICULTIES, AND TEST ANXIETY BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW-ACHIEVING COLLEGE STUDENTS

This study aimed to investigate differences in positive academic orientations, emotional processing difficulties, and test anxiety between high- and low-achieving college students. The sample includes four hundred students from Kafrelsheikh University. The study also aimed to detect gender differences in these variables. Measures of academic orientations, emotional processing, and test anxiety were used to collect the required data. The descriptive approach and statistical analysis were relied upon using SPSS. The study revealed statistically significant gender and achievement differences between positive academic orientations among university students in favor of high-achieving females. The study also revealed statistically significant gender and achievement differences in emotional processing difficulties in the direction of low-achieving males. In addition, significant gender and achievement differences in test anxiety were found in the direction of low-achieving females. Some implications, suggestions, and limitations were addressed.  Article visualizations

Digital Resilience, Digital Stress, and Social Support as Predictors of Academic Well-Being among University Students

This study aimed to explore the relationship between academic well-being, digital resilience, digital stress, and social support among university students. Also, identify the students’ levels of these variables. As well as detecting differences due to gender, study level, academic specialization, and achievement level. A sample of 600 undergraduate students studying at Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, participated in the study. Scales of digital resilience, digital stress, social support, and academic well-being were used to collect the required the data. The comparative-descriptive approach was used in this study. The study revealed a positive correlation between academic well-being, digital resilience, and social support, while a negative correlation was found with digital stress. The results also showed an average level in all the study variables, with no significant differences based on gender. Fourth-year students showed higher digital resilience and less digital stress compared to first-year students. High academic achievers had higher scores in digital resilience, social support, and academic well-being and lower scores in digital stress. Furthermore, the results indicated that digital resilience, digital stress, and social support significantly predict academic well-being. Some suggestions and educational recommendations were addressed, considering the results