The short-term effects of off-pump cardiopulmonary bypass graft surgery on cognitive performance

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-67).Postoperative neurocognitive impairment has been associated with coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). This study investigates the short-term effects of off-pump cardiopulmonary bypass graft surgery (OPCAB) on cognitive performance, as a possible safer alternative in the treatment of coronary artery disease. This research forms part of a larger study in which, in addition to the OPCAB procedure, the cognitive effects of CABG surgery and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with intra-coronary stenting are assessed. 36 participants undergoing OPCAB surgery were included in the study, with a further 36 participants included as an age- and education- matched non-surgical control group. A standardized battery of neuropsychological tests, designed to assess seven cognitive domains, was administered on two occasions, preoperatively at 1-2 days prior to surgery, and postoperatively at 1 month after surgery, with control participant assessments at the same intervals. Emotional state scales assessing depression and anxiety levels were administered at each assessment. Data analysis included a two-way mixed analysis of variance conducted on each measure of cognitive function, and on the indicators of emotional state. In addition, standard multiple regression was conducted to assess whether change in emotional state is able to predict change in any of the cognitive domains. Results indicated no evidence of short-term cognitive decline, and highlighted an improvement in cognitive performance in both surgical and control groups in the domain of language, psychomotor speed, executive function and visual memory, with the control group demonstrating a consistently superior performance. This counter-intuitive finding could not be attributed to practice effects

Recent trends in two-dimensional liquid chromatography

Multi-dimensional liquid chromatography (MD-LC) continues to gain in popularity for applications where conventional one-dimensional liquid chromatography is insufficient to solve the analytical problem at hand. In this review we have focused on articles published in the years 2019 to early 2023 and look for trends using our previous review published in 2018 as a baseline. We have also explored usage patterns related to involvement of industrial laboratories in the published research. The two major areas of technical development have been continued work on modulation strategies that help mitigate problems associated with mobile phase mismatch when coupling complementary separation mechanisms, and development of computer-aided method development strategies. Progress in these areas is making 2D-LC easier to use, and it appears that this is translating to a shift toward more involvement by industrial laboratories. Indeed, over 34% of the more than 200 publications on 2D-LC in the last four years have had at least one-industry affiliated author. A recent inter-laboratory comparison study focused on the performance of a sophisticated multi-stage, multi-dimensional separation for therapeutic protein characterization is an exemplary indication of the increasing investment of industrial laboratories to MD-LC, and we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future

Synthesis and Characterization of Hybrid Materials Consisting of n-octadecyltriethoxysilane by Using n-Hexadecylamine as Surfactant and Q0 and T0 Cross-Linkers

Novel hybrid xerogel materials were synthesized by a sol-gel procedure. n-octadecyltriethoxysilane was co-condensed with and without different cross-linkers using Q0 and T0 mono-functionalized organosilanes in the presence of n-hexadecylamine with different hydroxyl silica functional groups at the surface. These polymer networks have shown new properties, for example, a high degree of cross-linking and hydrolysis. Two different synthesis steps were carried out: simple self-assembly followed by sol-gel transition and precipitation of homogenous sols. Due to the lack of solubility of these materials, the compositions of the new materials were determined by infrared spectroscopy, 13C and 29Si CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy

Experience of the JPL Exploratory Data Analysis Team at validating HIRS2/MSU cloud parameters

Validation of the HIRS2/MSU cloud parameters began with the cloud/climate feedback problem. The derived effective cloud amount is less sensitive to surface temperature for higher clouds. This occurs because as the cloud elevation increases, the difference between surface temperature and cloud temperature increases, so only a small change in cloud amount is needed to effect a large change in radiance at the detector. By validating the cloud parameters it is meant 'developing a quantitative sense for the physical meaning of the measured parameters', by: (1) identifying the assumptions involved in deriving parameters from the measured radiances, (2) testing the input data and derived parameters for statistical error, sensitivity, and internal consistency, and (3) comparing with similar parameters obtained from other sources using other techniques

Validating a large geophysical data set: Experiences with satellite-derived cloud parameters

We are validating the global cloud parameters derived from the satellite-borne HIRS2 and MSU atmospheric sounding instrument measurements, and are using the analysis of these data as one prototype for studying large geophysical data sets in general. The HIRS2/MSU data set contains a total of 40 physical parameters, filling 25 MB/day; raw HIRS2/MSU data are available for a period exceeding 10 years. Validation involves developing a quantitative sense for the physical meaning of the derived parameters over the range of environmental conditions sampled. This is accomplished by comparing the spatial and temporal distributions of the derived quantities with similar measurements made using other techniques, and with model results. The data handling needed for this work is possible only with the help of a suite of interactive graphical and numerical analysis tools. Level 3 (gridded) data is the common form in which large data sets of this type are distributed for scientific analysis. We find that Level 3 data is inadequate for the data comparisons required for validation. Level 2 data (individual measurements in geophysical units) is needed. A sampling problem arises when individual measurements, which are not uniformly distributed in space or time, are used for the comparisons. Standard 'interpolation' methods involve fitting the measurements for each data set to surfaces, which are then compared. We are experimenting with formal criteria for selecting geographical regions, based upon the spatial frequency and variability of measurements, that allow us to quantify the uncertainty due to sampling. As part of this project, we are also dealing with ways to keep track of constraints placed on the output by assumptions made in the computer code. The need to work with Level 2 data introduces a number of other data handling issues, such as accessing data files across machine types, meeting large data storage requirements, accessing other validated data sets, processing speed and throughput for interactive graphical work, and problems relating to graphical interfaces

The reflective fostering programme: evaluating the intervention co-delivered by social work professionals and foster carers

PURPOSE: There is little evidence regarding how to best support the emotional well-being of children in foster care. This paper aims to present the evaluation of an adaptation of the reflective fostering programme, a group-based programme to support foster carers. This study aimed to explore whether a version of the programme, co-delivered by a social work professional and an experienced foster carer, was acceptable and relevant to foster carers and to gather data on programme effectiveness. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In total, 38 foster carers attended the programme and took part in this study. Data was collected regarding carer- and child-focused outcomes at pre-intervention, post-intervention and four-month follow-up. Focus interviews were also conducted to further assess acceptability and relevance for foster carers. FINDINGS: Analysis of quantitative outcome showed statistically significant improvements in all outcomes considered including foster carers stress and carer-defined problems, as well as carer-reported measures of child difficulties. Focus group interviews with foster carers suggested that the programme as co-delivered by a foster carer and a social worker was felt to be relevant and helpful to foster carers. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: These results provide a unique contribution to limited understandings of what works for supporting foster carers and the children in their care. Promising evidence is provided for the acceptability and relevance of the revised version of this novel support programme and its effectiveness in terms of carer- and child-related outcome measures. This work paves the way for further necessary impact evaluation

Cultivation and Immortalization of Human B-Cells Producing a Human Monoclonal IgM Antibody Binding to MDA-LDL: Further Evidence for Formation of Atherogenic MDA-LDL Adducts in Humans In Vivo

Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (oLDL) is firmly believed to play an important role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) is one of the major lipid peroxidation breakdown products involved in this process. In recent decades, antibodies against MDA-LDL have been detected in human and animal sera. In our study, human B-cells from the peripheral blood of a healthy female donor were fused with the SP2/0 mouse myeloma cell line. Antibody-producing hybridomas were detected by MDA-LDL-IgG/IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Cu++-oxidized LDL IgG/IgM (oLAb) ELISA. Cells with supernatants emitting positive signals for antibodies were then cloned and after sufficient multiplication frozen and stored under liquid nitrogen. Due to the loss of antibody-producing ability, we established an MDA-LDL-IgM-producing cell line by recloning. This allowed isolation and immortalization of several human B-cells. The human donor had not been immunized with MDA-modified proteins, thus obviously producing MDA-LDL antibodies in vivo. Furthermore, using these antibodies for in vitro experiments, we were able to demonstrate that MDA epitopes are among the epitopes generated during Cu++-LDL oxidation as well. Finally, these antibodies compete in ELISA and cell culture experiments with MDA as a challenging toxin or ligand