2,961 research outputs found
Exact Solutions of the Duffin Kemmer Petiau Equation for the Deformed Hulthen Potential
Using the Nikiforov Uvarov method, an application of the relativistic Duffin
Kemmer Petiau equation in the presence of a deformed Hulthen potential is
presented for spin zero particles. We derived the first order coupled
differential radial equations which enable the energy eigenvalues as well as
the full wavefunctions to be evaluated by using of the Nikiforov Uvarov method
that can be written in terms of the hypergeometric polynomials.Comment: 8 pages. submitted to Physica Script
Creating quantitative scenario projections for the UK shared socioeconomic pathways
The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) were developed as a framework for exploring alternative futures with challenges for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Whilst originally developed at the global scale, the SSPs have been increasingly interpreted at the national scale in order to inform national level climate change policy and impact assessments, including mitigation and adaptation actions. Here, we present a set of quantitative SSP scenario projections, based on narratives and semi-quantitative trends, for the UK (the UK-SSPs) for a wide range of sectors that are relevant to the UK climate research, policy and business communities. We show that a mixed-methods approach that combines computational modelling with an interpretation of stakeholder storylines and empirical data is an effective way of generating a comprehensive range of quantitative indicators across sectors and geographic areas in a specific national context. The global SSP assumptions of low challenges to climate adaptation lead to similar socioeconomic outcomes in UK-SSP1 and UK-SSP5, although based on very different dynamics and underlying drivers. Convergence was also identified in indicators related to more efficient natural resource use in the scenarios with low challenges to climate change mitigation (UK-SSP1 and UK-SSP4). Alternatively, societal inequality played a strong role in scenarios with high challenges to adaptation leading to convergence in indicator trends (UK-SSP3 and UK-SSP4)
Fibrinogen storage disease without hypofibrinogenemia associated with estrogen therapy
BACKGROUND: Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies within hepatocytes may have different etiologies, including the Endoplasmic Reticulum Storage Diseases (ERSDs). ERSD is a pathological condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of proteins destined for secretion in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes; it may be congenital (primary) or acquired (secondary). Fibrinogen storage disease is a form of ERSD. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of fibrinogen storage disease secondary to estrogen replacement therapy. Its causal relationship to the drug is shown by histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies of paired liver biopsies obtained during and after the drug therapy. CONCLUSION: The liver biopsies of patients with idiopathic liver enzyme abnormalities should be carefully evaluated for cytoplasmic inclusion bodies and, although rare, fibrinogen deposits
A cost effectiveness analysis of salt reduction policies to reduce coronary heart disease in four Eastern Mediterranean countries.
BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is rising in middle income countries. Population based strategies to reduce specific CHD risk factors have an important role to play in reducing overall CHD mortality. Reducing dietary salt consumption is a potentially cost-effective way to reduce CHD events. This paper presents an economic evaluation of population based salt reduction policies in Tunisia, Syria, Palestine and Turkey. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Three policies to reduce dietary salt intake were evaluated: a health promotion campaign, labelling of food packaging and mandatory reformulation of salt content in processed food. These were evaluated separately and in combination. Estimates of the effectiveness of salt reduction on blood pressure were based on a literature review. The reduction in mortality was estimated using the IMPACT CHD model specific to that country. Cumulative population health effects were quantified as life years gained (LYG) over a 10 year time frame. The costs of each policy were estimated using evidence from comparable policies and expert opinion including public sector costs and costs to the food industry. Health care costs associated with CHDs were estimated using standardized unit costs. The total cost of implementing each policy was compared against the current baseline (no policy). All costs were calculated using 2010 PPP exchange rates. In all four countries most policies were cost saving compared with the baseline. The combination of all three policies (reducing salt consumption by 30%) resulted in estimated cost savings of 39,000,000 and 31674 LYG in Syria; 1,3000,000,000 and 378439 LYG in Turkey. CONCLUSION: Decreasing dietary salt intake will reduce coronary heart disease deaths in the four countries. A comprehensive strategy of health education and food industry actions to label and reduce salt content would save both money and lives
Characteristics of patients operated for primary hyperparathyroidism at university hospitals in Türkiye: Differences among Türkiye's geographical regions
Purpose: The aim of this study was to define the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients operated on for primary hyperpatathyroidism (PHPT) at university hospitals in Türkiye, and to investigate the differences in the clinical presentations of the disease between different geographical regions. Methods: Patients operated on for PHPT in the university hospitals of Türkiye were included in the study. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings and the operational data of the patients were investigated according to the whole country and to different geographical regions. Comparisons were performed according to whole country and regions. Results: A total of 1,162 cases were included in the study from different regions and 20 university hospitals. The mean age of patients was 52.4 ± 0.38 (mean ± standard error) in the general population of Türkiye. The rates of hypertension, urolithiasis, bone disease and 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency were 35%, 18.6%, 67.6%, and 63%, respectively. The median parathormone (PTH), serum total calcium (Ca+2) and phosphorus value were 220 pg/mL (range, 70-2,500 pg/mL), 11.2 mg/dL (range, 9.5-11.2 mg/dL), and 2.4 mg/dL (range, 1-4.7 mg/dL), respectively. The median size of the adenomas resected was 16 mm (range, 4-70 mm). Significant differences were observed in the clinical and laboratory findings of the patients operated on due to PHPT between different geographical regions of Türkiye (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients with PHPT in different geographical regions of Türkiye differ. Furthermore, the general findings of the cases in Türkiye give us a hint that the severity of the disease here is somewhere between Eastern and Western countries. Copyright © 2016, the Korean Surgical Society
Any l-state improved quasi-exact analytical solutions of the spatially dependent mass Klein-Gordon equation for the scalar and vector Hulthen potentials
We present a new approximation scheme for the centrifugal term to obtain a
quasi-exact analytical bound state solutions within the framework of the
position-dependent effective mass radial Klein-Gordon equation with the scalar
and vector Hulth\'{e}n potentials in any arbitrary dimension and orbital
angular momentum quantum numbers The Nikiforov-Uvarov (NU) method is used
in the calculations. The relativistic real energy levels and corresponding
eigenfunctions for the bound states with different screening parameters have
been given in a closed form. It is found that the solutions in the case of
constant mass and in the case of s-wave () are identical with the ones
obtained in literature.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur
TCT-319 Use of Limited Antegrade Subintimal Tracking Technique in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Background: There are limited data on the limited antegrade subintimal tracking (LAST) crossing technique for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Methods: We analyzed the frequency of use and outcomes of LAST among 2,003 CTO PCIs performed with antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) in the PROGRESS-CTO Registry between 2012 and 2021 at 39 centers.
Results: LAST was used in 144 cases (7.2%), primary LAST in 113 (5.6%), and secondary LAST in 31 cases (1.5%). The Stingray system was used in 905 cases (45.2%), subintimal tracking and re-entry (STAR) in 333 cases (16.6%), and contrast-guided STAR in 29 cases (1.4%). The mean patient age was 64.2 ± 10 years, 86% were men, and 34.9% had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Cases in which LAST was used were less complex with a lower J-CTO score (2.50 ± 1.32 vs. 2.95 ± 1.10, P \u3c 0.001). There was no difference in technical (75.0% vs 78.4%, P = 0.337) and procedural success (72.2% vs 75.5%, P = 0.384) and major cardiac adverse events (MACEs) (2.08% vs 3.55%, P = 0.352) between LAST and non-LAST cases. However, cases in which the LAST technique was used required less procedure and fluoroscopy time (Figure 1A). A primary LAST technique was associated with higher technical and procedural success rates and a similar MACE rate compared with a secondary LAST technique (Figure 1B).
Conclusion: LAST is used in 7.2% of ADR CTO PCI cases and is associated with similar technical and procedural success rates and major complication rates but lower procedural and fluoroscopy time compared with ADR cases that did not use LAST
Distinct fecal and oral microbiota composition in human type 1 diabetes, an observational study
Objective Environmental factors driving the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are still largely unknown. Both animal and human studies have shown an association between altered fecal microbiota composition, impaired production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and T1D onset. However, observational evidence on SCFA and fecal and oral microbiota in adults with longstanding T1D vs healthy controls (HC) is lacking. Research design and methods We included 53 T1D patients without complications or medication and 50 HC matched for age, sex and BMI. Oral and fecal microbiota, fecal and plasma SCFA levels, markers of intestinal inflammation (fecal IgA and calprotectin) and markers of low-grade systemic inflammation were measured. Results Oral microbiota were markedly different in T1D (eg abundance of Streptococci) compared to HC. Fecal analysis showed decreased butyrate producing species in T1D and less butyryl-CoA transferase genes. Also, plasma levels of acetate and propionate were lower in T1D, with similar fecal SCFA. Finally, fecal strains Christensenella and Subdoligranulum correlated with glycemic control, inflammatory parameters and SCFA. Conclusions We conclude that T1D patients harbor a different amount of intestinal SCFA (butyrate) producers and different plasma acetate and propionate levels. Future research should disentangle cause and effect and whether supplementation of SCFA-producing bacteria or SCFA alone can have disease-modifying effects in T1D.Peer reviewe
Control of intestinal stem cell function and proliferation by mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism.
Most differentiated cells convert glucose to pyruvate in the cytosol through glycolysis, followed by pyruvate oxidation in the mitochondria. These processes are linked by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), which is required for efficient mitochondrial pyruvate uptake. In contrast, proliferative cells, including many cancer and stem cells, perform glycolysis robustly but limit fractional mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation. We sought to understand the role this transition from glycolysis to pyruvate oxidation plays in stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Loss of the MPC in Lgr5-EGFP-positive stem cells, or treatment of intestinal organoids with an MPC inhibitor, increases proliferation and expands the stem cell compartment. Similarly, genetic deletion of the MPC in Drosophila intestinal stem cells also increases proliferation, whereas MPC overexpression suppresses stem cell proliferation. These data demonstrate that limiting mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism is necessary and sufficient to maintain the proliferation of intestinal stem cells
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