Onset of unsteady horizontal convection in rectangle tank at Pr=1Pr=1

The horizontal convection within a rectangle tank is numerically simulated. The flow is found to be unsteady at high Rayleigh numbers. There is a Hopf bifurcation of $Ra$ from steady solutions to periodic solutions, and the critical Rayleigh number $Ra_c$ is obtained as $Ra_c=5.5377\times 10^8$ for the middle plume forcing at $Pr=1$, which is much larger than the formerly obtained value. Besides, the unstable perturbations are always generated from the central jet, which implies that the onset of instability is due to velocity shear (shear instability) other than thermally dynamics (thermal instability). Finally, Paparella and Young's [J. Fluid Mech. 466 (2002) 205] first hypotheses about the destabilization of the flow is numerically proved, i.e. the middle plume forcing can lead to a destabilization of the flow.Comment: 4pages, 6 figures, extension of Chin. Phys. Lett. 2008, 25(6), in pres

OP01.31: Incorporation of nasal bone assessment into first‐trimester Down syndrome screening with free beta hCG, PAPP‐A and nuchal translucency

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Phenological characteristics of different winegrape cultivars in Central Italy

Statistical models based on temperature accumulation are used to estimate grapevine phenology (e.g. bud break, flowering) through summation of daily heat requirements calibrated from a base temperature and a given date. This study was designed to define the grapevine agro-phenological behaviour through analysis of potential trends of some principal phenological phenomena, such as flowering, harvest, and berry sugar levels at harvest. The data utilized were recorded over a 13-year period (2000-2012) for different grape varieties in the Umbria wine region in central Italy. Moreover, to determine the more important relationships between meteorological variables and recorded data, partial least-squares regressions were carried out. The trend analysis for berry sugar accumulation shows increasing degrees during the study period that were linked more to the 'Grechetto' cultivar than to the 'Chardonnay' and 'Merlot' cultivars, and then to 'Cabernet'. The statistical model that was focused on the study of the relationships between mean annual berry sugar levels and meteorological variables showed that mean maximum temperatures in April and July are the most important predictive variables for berry sugar accumulation, through their positive influence on berry sugar degree

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND: The body of knowledge regarding rhinosinusitis (RS) continues to expand, with rapid growth in number of publications yet substantial variability in the quality of those presentations. In an effort to both consolidate and critically appraise this information, rhinologic experts from around the world have produced the International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR:RS). This executive summary consolidates the findings of the ICAR:RS document. METHODS: ICAR:RS presents over 140 topics in the forms of evidence-based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs) and evidence-based reviews (EBR). The structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. RESULTS: This summary compiles the EBRRs regarding medical and surgical management of acute RS (ARS) and chronic RS with and without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP). CONCLUSION: This ICAR:RS Executive Summary provides a compilation of the evidence-based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Searching for antimicrobial photosensitizers among a panel of BODIPYs

In recent years, antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) gained increasing attention for its potential to inhibit the growth and spread of microorganisms, both as free-living cells and/or embedded in biofilm communities. In this scenario, compounds belonging to the family of boron-dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) represent a very promising class of photosensitizers for applications in antimicrobial field. In this study, twelve non-ionic and three cationic BODIPYs were assayed for the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. As expected, S. aureus showed to be very sensitive to BODIPYs and mild conditions were sufficient to reach good rates of photoinactivation with both neutral and monocationic ones. Surprisingly, one neutral compound (named B9 in this study) resulted the best BODIPY to photoinactivate P. aeruginosa PAO1. The photoinactivation of C. albicans was reached with both neutral and mono-cationic BODIPYs. Furthermore, biofilms of the three model microorganisms were challenged with BODIPYs in light-based antimicrobial technique. S. aureus biofilms were successfully inhibited with milder conditions than those applied to P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Notably, it was possible to eradicate 24-h-old biofilms of both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. In conclusion, this study supports the potential of neutral BODIPYs as pan-antimicrobial PSs. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Photo-Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by Diaryl-Porphyrins

Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (PACT) has received great attention in recent years since it is an effective and promising modality for the treatment of human oral and skin infections with the advantage of bypassing pathogens' resistance to antimicrobials. Moreover, PACT applications demonstrated a certain activity in the inhibition and eradication of biofilms, overcoming the well-known tolerance of sessile communities to antimicrobial agents. In this study, 13 diaryl-porphyrins (mono-, di-cationic, and non-ionic) P1-P13 were investigated for their potential as photosensitizer anti-Staphylococcus aureus. The efficacy of the diaryl-porphyrins was evaluated through photo-inactivation tests. Crystal-violet staining combined with viable count techniques were aimed at assaying their anti-biofilm activity. Among the tested compounds, the neutral photosensitizer P4 was better than the cationic ones, irrespective of their corresponding binding rates. In particular, P4 was active in inhibiting the biofilm formation and in impairing the viability of the adherent and planktonic populations of a 24 h old biofilm. The inhibitory activity was also efficient against a methicillin resistant S. aureus strain. In conclusion, the diaryl-porphyrin family represents a reservoir of promising compounds for photodynamic applications against the pathogen S. aureus and in preventing the formation of biofilms that cause many infections to become chronic

Screening Antibacterial Photodynamic Effect of Monascus Red Yeast Rice (Hong-Qu) and Mycelium Extracts

The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments possess a wide range of biological activities (e.g. antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antitumoral). To broaden the scope of their possible application, this study focused on testing Monascus pigment extracts as potential photosensitizing agents efficient in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacteria. For this purpose, eight different extracts of secondary metabolites from the liquid- and solid-state fermentation of Monascus purpureus DBM 4360 and Monascus sp. DBM 4361 were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and further screened for ESKAPE pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To the bacterial culture, increasing concentration of extracts was added and it was found that all extracts showed varying antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in dark, which was further increased after irradiation. Gram-negative bacteria were tolerant to the extracts’ exposure in the dark but sensitivity to almost all extracts that occurred after irradiation. The Monascus sp. DBM 4361 extracts seemed to be the best potential candidate for aPDT against Gram-positive bacteria, being efficient at low doses, i.e. the lowest total concentration of Monascus pigments exhibiting aPDT effect was 3.92 ± 1.36 mg/L for E. coli. Our results indicate that Monascus spp., forming monascuspiloin as the major yellow pigment and not-forming mycotoxin citrinin, is a promising source of antimicrobials and photoantimicrobials

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in relation to cellular differentiation and lesion size. METHODS: Sixty dogs with a cytological diagnosis of HCC and that underwent a CEUS examination were retrospectively selected. The wash-in and wash-out patterns of contrast enhancement, along with the time to wash-in and the time to wash-out, of each lesion were recorded. A dimensional cut-off value of 3\u2009cm was adopted for classification. RESULTS: Cellular differentiation had a significant influence on both wash-in (chi-squared=16.99; P<0.001) and wash-out (chi-squared=10.9; P=0.004) patterns of contrast enhancement. Lesion size had a lower, but still significant, influence on both wash-in (chi-squared=12.7; P=0.005) and wash-out (chi-squared=7.42; P=0.024) patterns. A homogeneous hyperenhancement in the arterial phase followed by homogeneous wash-out were suggestive of a well-differentiated HCC. The cellular differentiation of lesions with inhomogeneous hyperenhancement or hypoenhancement/no enhancement as well as an inhomogeneous wash-out or no wash-out could not be inferred. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in the time to wash-in and the time to wash-out in relation to cellular differentiation or lesion size was evident. CEUS has the potential to improve efficiency in the diagnosis of HCCs in dogs

Antimicrobial Blue Light (aBL) as a potential tool to reduce bacterial spoilage in the fishery chain

Along the fishery chain, a high amount of fish is lost for the activity of spoilage microorganisms originating from the environment, human handling and fish themselves. Different techniques are conventionally used to reduce the growth of bacteria: from cold temperature and icing to high concentration of salts, from drying to natural antimicrobial compounds. In this study, the antimicrobial Blue Light (aBL) was considered as an innovative tool. In particular, the irradiation with light at 410 nm inhibited the growth of most bacteria isolated from skin samples of anchovies and sardines chosen for their worldwide commercial importance. Bacterial strains showed a different sensitivity to light treatment: the ones isolated from anchovy were more sensitive than those from sardine. Investigations were performed on Aeromonas bestiarum, an emerging foodborne pathogen. Upon irradiation with light at 410 nm (200 J/cm2), a statistically significant decrease of 3 log units was observed. The same fluence rate successfully inhibited the biofilm formation of A. bestiarum, and disrupted 50 % of the adherent biomass of a 24-h old biofilm. The irradiation of Staphyococcus vitulinus compromised its viability and the associated proteolytic activity known to contribute to meat spoilage. In vivo experiments showed that aBL caused a remarkable decrease (at least 50 %) of viable counts of bacteria from anchovy and sardine skin samples conserved at 4 °C for one day. In conclusion, these results support the potential use of blue light in reducing the growth of skin microorganisms potentially responsible for loss of food safety, quality and decrease of storage life