Multiple-relaxation-time Finsler-Lagrange dynamics in a compressed Langmuir monolayer

In this paper an information geometric approach has been proposed to describe the two-dimensional (2d) phase transition of the first order in a monomolecular layer (monolayer) of amphiphilic molecules deposited on air/water interface. The structurization of the monolayer was simulated as an entropy evolution of a statistical set of microscopic states with a large number of relaxation times. The electrocapillary forces are considered as information constraints on the statistical manifold. The solution curves of Euler-Lagrange equations and the Jacobi field equations point out contracting pencils of geodesic trajectories on the statistical manifold, which may change into spreading ones, and converse. It was shown that the information geometrodynamics of the first-order phase transition in the Langmuir monolayer finds an appropriate realization within the Finsler-Lagrange framework

Exploring the potential for secondary uses of Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) data for improving the quality of dementia care

The reuse of existing datasets to identify mechanisms for improving healthcare quality has been widely encouraged. There has been limited application within dementia care. Dementia Care Mapping is an observational tool in widespread use, predominantly to assess and improve quality of care in single organisations. Dementia Care Mapping data have the potential to be used for secondary purposes to improve quality of care. However, its suitability for such use requires careful evaluation. This study conducted in-depth interviews with 29 Dementia Care Mapping users to identify issues, concerns and challenges regarding the secondary use of Dementia Care Mapping data. Data were analysed using modified Grounded Theory. Major themes identified included the need to collect complimentary contextual data in addition to Dementia Care Mapping data, to reassure users regarding ethical issues associated with storage and reuse of care related data and the need to assess and specify data quality for any data that might be available for secondary analysis

ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY AND SOLUBLE PROTEIN CONTENT IN SEEDLINGS OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. UNDER SALT STRESS

[EN] Enzymatic activity and soluble protein content in relation to salt stress tolerance were investigated in Calendula officinalis seedlings after 24 days of treatment with different salt treatments, including NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and mixtures of them. The marigold seedlings were used in order to investigate the possible salt-inducible responses and the possible alleviative role of calcium and magnesium salts in respect with adverse salinity conditions. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7) generally slightly decreased under salt treatments, with minor variations from the value recorded for control series and within applied treatments. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) activity was stimulated by NaCl salinity and MgCl2 addition; its activity was found to be lowest under calcium and magnesium chloride treatments solelyOprica, L.; Vicente Meana, Ó.; Boscaiu Neagu, MT.; Grigore, MN. (2016). ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY AND SOLUBLE PROTEIN CONTENT IN SEEDLINGS OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. UNDER SALT STRESS. Journal of Plant Development (Online). 23:71-79. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/91887S71792

New oral anticoagulants and their reversal agents

Atrial fibrillation is a commonly encountered pathology in medical practice, and its prevalence has shown a continuous rise over the past years. Atrial fibrillation has a significant impact on patients\u27 quality of life, not only due to the standard anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists that require close monitoring and dose adjustment, but also due to the fragile equilibrium between hemorrhagic and thrombotic risks. The introduction of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in the treatment guidelines for atrial fibrillation has improved the quality of life, as NOACs do not require close monitoring or dose adjustments. However, even if the safety profile of the NOACs regarding the hemorrhagic risk is superior to vitamin K antagonists, the problem raised by an unexpected hemorrhage (e.g. severe hemorrhage after an accident) and the need for efficient hemostasis in a chronic anticoagulated patient has remained unsolved. To find a solution for this problem, reversal agents for NOACs have been developed and tested, and two of them, idarucizumab and andexanet-alpha, have already been approved by the FDA, thus making NOACs increasingly appealing as a choice of anticoagulation treatment

Electrical properties of cork and derivates

The electrical properties of natural cork, commercial cork agglomerates (for floor and wall covering) and a composite of cork/TetraPak® were studied. The composite was developed at LNEG/Portugal and is made of recycled cork and TetraPak® containers. Measurements of isothermal charge and discharge currents (ICC/IDC) and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) were made. The isothermal currents characteristics and the samples electrical conductivity were investigated under different conditions (electric field, temperature and measuring atmosphere). Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy was used to quantify the changes in the permittivity with the samples conditioning. Both experimental techniques showed the strong influence of water content on the electrical properties of cork and its derivatives

The role of HPV in keratinocyte skin cancer development: A systematic review

Keratinocyte skin cancers are the most frequent malignancy, accounting for approximately 30% of all cancers. Although beta genus HPV are the main etiologic agents for squamous cell carcinoma development in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis and organ transplant recipients, their role in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) progression in the general population remains controversial. The aim of our review is to summarize current scientific data and to systematically analyze evidence regarding the role of HPV in keratinocyte skin cancers. A total of 2284 patients were included, of which 724 with actinic keratoses, 290 with Bowen’s disease, 949 with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and 321 with keratoacanthomas. In the case of actinic keratoses, the majority were positive for beta (n=372, 58.49%) and gamma HPV (n=256, 40.25%) and only a few (n=6, 0.94%) were positive for alpha subtypes. Similarly, most of the cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were positive for beta (n=248, 55.98%) and gamma HPV (n=172, 33.82%) and 23 cases (2.42%) were positive for alpha subtypes. Bowen’s disease lesions were mostly positive for beta (n=43, 55.84%) and alpha HPV (n=30, 38.96%), in contrast to the gamma genus (n=4, 5.19%). Keratoacanthomas showed a high distribution among beta genus (n=79, 50.31%) and an equal proportion between alpha (n=39, 24.84%) and gamma (n=39, 24.84%) genera. Studies published so far identifying HPV in keratinocyte skin cancers reflect the difference in detection methods rather than a type-specific tendency towards either actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease, squamous cell carcinoma, or keratoacanthoma. On the other hand, recent evidence regarding the role of HPV vaccination in patients with no-melanoma skin cancer brings into perspective the idea of a beta HPV vaccine or a combined alpha and beta HPV vaccine that could be used as an adjuvant treatment measure in patients with recalcitrant non-melanoma skin cancer

Dupilumab ocular side effects in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder that most frequently occurs in children, but it can also affect adults. Even though most AD cases can be managed with topical treatments, moderate-to-severe forms require systemic therapies. Dupilumab is the first human monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of AD. Its action is through IL-4 receptor alpha subunit inhibition, thus blocking IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways. It has been shown to be an effective, well-tolerated therapy for AD, as well as for asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). However, an increasing incidence of dupilumab-induced ocular surface disease (DIOSD) has been reported in patients treated with dupilumab, as compared to placebo. The aim of this study was to summarize scientific data regarding DIOSD in AD patients treated with dupilumab. A search of PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases was performed. There was no limit to study design. All AD cases were moderate-to-severe. DIOSD was either dermatologist-, allergist-, or ophthalmologist-assessed. Evidence shows that DIOSD occurs most frequently in patients with atopic dermatitis and not in other skin conditions, neither in patients with asthma, CRSwNP, nor EoE who are on dupilumab treatment. Further studies are warranted in order to establish a causal relationship between dupilumab and ocular surface disease. Nevertheless, ophthalmological evaluations prior to dupilumab initiation can benefit AD patients with previous ocular pathology or current ocular symptomatology. Also, patch testing for ocular allergic contact dermatitis might be advantageous in patients with a history of allergic conjunctivitis. Furthermore, TARC, IgE, and circulating eosinophils levels might be important biomarkers for a baseline assessment of future candidates to dupilumab treatment. However, TARC measurements should be resumed for research purposes only

Responses to Drought and Salinity in the Endangered Species Ligularia sibirica (L.) Cass

[EN] The negative effects of environmental stress factors on plant distribution and survival are increasing due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. We have analysed some responses to abiotic stress in Ligularia sibirica, a postglacial relict that is critically endangered in Europe. L. sibirica seedlings were subjected to water or salt stress treatments in the greenhouse. After the treatments, plant material was harvested and several growth parameters were measured; leaf contents of common osmolytes, the degree of oxidative stress affecting the plants and the level of antioxidant phenolic compounds were also determined. Both, drought and, especially, salt stress had a negative effect on the growth of L. sibirica plants. Treated plants showed an increase in proline (Pro) and total soluble sugars (TSS) levels, stronger under salt stress. Malondialdehyde (MDA, an oxidative stress biomarker) contents almost doubled, and antioxidant phenolics increased significantly in salt-stressed, but not in water-stressed plants. Pro accumulation can be used as a salt and drought stress biomarker in L. sibirica and, together with TSS, likely contributes to osmotic adjustment under stress. Increase of antioxidant phenolics appears to partly compensate the salt-induced generation of oxidative stressMatei, AN.; Al Hassan, M.; Boscaiu Neagu, MT.; Alexiu, V.; Vicente Meana, Ó. (2016). Responses to Drought and Salinity in the Endangered Species Ligularia sibirica (L.) Cass. BULLETIN OF UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE. 73(2):252-253. doi:10.15835/buasvmcn-hort:12286S25225373