IgG4-Related Aortitis

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic immune-mediated fibroinflammatory condition characterized by tumefactive lesions that can affect multiple organs. Serum IgG4 levels may be elevated. Early recognition is sometimes difficult but is important to avoid irreversible organ damage. We describe the case of a 28-year-old male patient who presented with a 2-year history of recurrent low-grade fever, night sweats and non-specific manifestations. We eventually diagnosed IgG4-related aortitis by PET-CT scan. The patient was successfully treated with prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil with complete clinical and radiological resolution

Sexual and reproductive health and access : Results of a rapid epidemiological assessment among migrant peoples in transit through Darién, Panamá

Background: The foot transit of migrant peoples originating from the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa through the Darién Forest (DF) in Eastern Panamá towards North America has increased in recent years from approximately 30,000 people/year to >133,000 in 2021. In the DF, there is no food/housing provision nor healthcare access. Very little is known of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among this population. This study used rapid epidemiological methods to describe the SRH situation among migrant peoples in transit through the DF. Methods: This cross-sectional study randomly selected migrant people in transit (men and women) at a Migrant Reception Station in Darién, Panamá, between January 4-11, 2022. Data collection included a self-applied questionnaire (≥18 years); clinical screening (≥12 years); and HCG, treponemal antibodies, and HIV(I/II) lateral-flow tests with blood samples (≥12 years). Descriptive analyses were used to report findings. Results: In all, 69 men and 55 women participated in the self-applied questionnaire, 70 men and 51 women in clinical screening; 78 men and 63 women in HCG, treponemal antibody and HIV testing. Overall, 26.1% (18/69) men and 36.4% (20/55) women reported sexual intercourse within the past month. The last sex partner was casual among 43.0% (21/49) of men and 27.8% (10/36) of women; of those, 42.9% (9/21) of men and 80.0% (8/10) of women reported this sex was condomless. Among women, 20.0% (11/55) tested positive for pregnancy; 5 of these pregnancies were planned. Of those screened, a reproductive tract infection symptom was reported by 5.7% (4/70) of men and 58.8% (30/51) of women. A total of 32.7% (18/55) of men and 18.2% (8/44) of women reported no prior HIV testing. Of 78 men, HIV and treponemal antibodies were found among 1.3% (n = 1) and 2.6% (n = 2), and among 63 women, 3.2% (n = 2) and 3.2% (n = 2), respectively. Conclusions: This rapid epidemiological assessment found high recent sexual activity, low condom use with casual partners, and a need for increased HIV and syphilis testing and treatment. There is a need for increased testing, condom provision, and SRH healthcare access at migrant reception stations that receive migrant peoples in transit through Panamá

Tuning the electronic properties of boron nitride nanotube by mechanical uni-axial deformation: a DFT study

The effect of uni-axial strain on the electronic properties of (8,0) zigzag and (5,5) armchair boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) is addressed by density functional theory calculation. The stress-strain profiles indicate that these two BNNTS of differing types display very similar mechanical properties, but there are variations in HOMO-LUMO gaps at different strains, indicating that the electronic properties of BNNTs not only depend on uni-axial strain, but on BNNT type. The variations in nanotube geometries, partial density of states of B and N atoms, B and N charges are also discussed for (8,0) and (5,5) BNNTs at different strains

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of SrcA, a Multi-Cargo Type III Secretion Chaperone in Salmonella Required for Pathogenic Association with a Host

Many Gram-negative bacteria colonize and exploit host niches using a protein apparatus called a type III secretion system (T3SS) that translocates bacterial effector proteins into host cells where their functions are essential for pathogenesis. A suite of T3SS-associated chaperone proteins bind cargo in the bacterial cytosol, establishing protein interaction networks needed for effector translocation into host cells. In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a T3SS encoded in a large genomic island (SPI-2) is required for intracellular infection, but the chaperone complement required for effector translocation by this system is not known. Using a reverse genetics approach, we identified a multi-cargo secretion chaperone that is functionally integrated with the SPI-2-encoded T3SS and required for systemic infection in mice. Crystallographic analysis of SrcA at a resolution of 2.5 Å revealed a dimer similar to the CesT chaperone from enteropathogenic E. coli but lacking a 17-amino acid extension at the carboxyl terminus. Further biochemical and quantitative proteomics data revealed three protein interactions with SrcA, including two effector cargos (SseL and PipB2) and the type III-associated ATPase, SsaN, that increases the efficiency of effector translocation. Using competitive infections in mice we show that SrcA increases bacterial fitness during host infection, highlighting the in vivo importance of effector chaperones for the SPI-2 T3SS

Psychometric properties of the chinese version (C-DAP-R) of the death attitude profile-revised

The psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) were examined with 100 young adult, 100 middle-age adult, and 100 older adult Chinese respondents in Hong Kong (N = 300). Three of the five subscales from the original DAP-R including Fear of Death, Death Avoidance, and Escape Acceptance were replicated and had acceptable internal reliabilities (Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.79 to 0.85); comparison between these subscales and scores of the DAS provide evidence of concurrent validity. However, items on the Neutral Acceptance subscale loaded onto two separate factors, replicating findings from an earlier validation study of the DAP-R, and providing further evidence that this subscale may not be measuring a unitary construct. Moreover, items on the Approach Acceptance subscale also failed loaded on one factor and was split between two factors, suggesting a cultural difference between Western and Chinese peoples' perception of the afterlife and life after death. Discussions on research and clinical application are provided. © 2010, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Get SET & Go - Surviving, Empowering and Transforming Goals in Spousal End-of-Life Care, Death and Bereavement

Abstract no. 2

Transport Properties of Zeolite Na-X-Nafion Membranes: Effect of Zeolite Loadings and Particle Size

Na-X zeolites particles, synthesized in two size ranges, namely 200–300 nm and 30–100 nm, were used to prepare Nafion/Na-X zeolite composite membranes by recast method. The physical, chemical, and morphological properties of the zeolite powders and composite membranes were examined by XRD, N2 adsorption isotherms, FTIR, SEM, and SAXS analysis. Furthermore, the effect of zeolite particles size and loadings (i.e., 5 and 10% w/w) on the water, methanol, and proton transport properties was investigated. It has been found that the size of the Na-X zeolite particles plays a key role in the proton and methanol transport behavior since it rules the zeolite hydrophilic behavior, the morphology of polymer–filler interphase, and also the nature of water established in the composite membrane. The results show that the membranes loaded with a 5% w/w of submicron-sized Na-X zeolite exhibit a proton conductivity and selectivity significantly higher than Nafion. In particular the proton conductivity at 120 °C is around eight times and the selectivity at 25 °C is around 40% higher than those exhibited by recast Nafion