Bipolar-Driven Large Magnetoresistance in Silicon

Large linear magnetoresistance (MR) in electron-injected p-type silicon at very low magnetic field is observed experimentally at room temperature. The large linear MR is induced in electron-dominated space-charge transport regime, where the magnetic field modulation of electron-to-hole density ratio controls the MR, as indicated by the magnetic field dependence of Hall coefficient in the silicon device. Contrary to the space-charge-induced MR effect in unipolar silicon device, where the large linear MR is inhomogeneity-induced, our results provide a different insight into the mechanism of large linear MR in non-magnetic semiconductors that is not based on the inhomogeneity model. This approach enables homogeneous semiconductors to exhibit large linear MR at low magnetic fields that until now has only been appearing in semiconductors with strong inhomogeneities.Comment: 23 pages, 4 figures (main text), 6 figures (supplemental material

On intermediate subfactors of Goodman-de la Harpe-Jones subfactors

In this paper we present a conjecture on intermediate subfactors which is a generalization of Wall's conjecture from the theory of finite groups. Motivated by this conjecture, we determine all intermediate subfactors of Goodman-Harpe-Jones subfactors, and as a result we verify that Goodman-Harpe-Jones subfactors verify our conjecture. Our result also gives a negative answer to a question motivated by a conjecture of Aschbacher-Guralnick.Comment: To appear in Comm. Math. Phy

East London’s Homeless: a retrospective review of an eye clinic for homeless people

Background There is very little published work on the visual needs of homeless people. This paper is the first study to investigate the visual needs of homeless people in the UK. Although similar work has been done in other countries, this study is unique because the United Kingdom is the only country with a National Health Service which provides free healthcare at the point of access. This study analysed the refractive status of the sample used, determined the demographics of homeless people seeking eye care and established if there is a need for community eye health with access to free spectacle correction in East London. Methods This retrospective case study analysed the clinical records of 1,141 homeless people using the Vision Care for Homeless People services at one of their clinics in East London. All eye examinations were carried out by qualified optometrists and, where appropriate, spectacles were dispensed to patients. Data captured included age, gender, ethnicity and refractive error. Results were analysed using two-sample t-tests with Excel and Minitab. Results Demographics of age, gender and ethnicity are described. Spherical equivalents (SE) were calculated from prescription data available for 841 clinic users. Emmetropia was defined as SE–0.50DS to +1DS, myopia as SE  +1DS. The majority of clinic users were male (79.2 %, n = 923). Approximately 80 % (n = 583) of clinic users were white, 10 % (n = 72) were ‘black’, 4 % (n = 29) ‘Asian’ and the remaining 5.6 % (n = 40) were of ‘mixed ethnicity’ and ‘other’ groups. The mean age of females attending the clinic was significantly lower than that of males (45.9 years, SD = 13.8 vs’ 48.4 years, SD = 11.8) when analysed using a two-sample t-test (t (317) = 2.44, p = 0.02). One third of service users were aged between 50–59 years. Myopia and hyperopia prevalence rates were 37.0 % and 21.0 % respectively. A total of 34.8 % of homeless people were found to have uncorrected refractive error, and required spectacle correction. Conclusions This study has identified a high proportion of uncorrected refractive error in this sample and therefore a need for regular eye examinations and provision of refractive correction for homeless people

Inflammation and tissue repair markers distinguish the nodular sclerosis and mixed cellularity subtypes of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background: Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL), although a malignant disease, has many features in common with an inflammatory condition. The aim of this study was to establish the molecular characteristics of the two most common cHL subtypes, nodular sclerosis (NS) and mixed cellularity (MC), based on molecular profiling and immunohistochemistry, with special reference to the inflammatory microenvironment. Methods: We analysed 44 gene expression profiles of cHL whole tumour tissues, 25 cases of NS and 19 cases of MC, using Affymetrix chip technology and immunohistochemistry. Results: In the NS subtype, 152 genes showed a significantly higher expression, including genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and ECM deposition similar to wound healing. Among these were SPARC, CTSK and COLI. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the NS-related genes were mainly expressed by macrophages and fibroblasts. Fifty-three genes had a higher expression in the MC subtype, including several inflammation-related genes, such as C1Qα, C1Qβ and CXCL9. In MC tissues, the C1Q subunits were mainly expressed by infiltrating macrophages. Conclusions and interpretations: We suggest that the identified subtype-specific genes could reflect different phases of wound healing. Our study underlines the potential function of infiltrating macrophages in shaping the cHL tumour microenvironment

Marine Cyanobacteria Compounds with Anticancer Properties: Implication of Apoptosis

Marine cyanobacteria have been proved to be an important source of potential anticancer drugs. Although several compounds were found to be cytotoxic to cancer cells in culture, the pathways by which cells are affected are still poorly elucidated. For some compounds, cancer cell death was attributed to an implication of apoptosis through morphological apoptotic features, implication of caspases and proteins of the Bcl-2 family, and other mechanisms such as interference with microtubules dynamics, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of proteases other than caspases

Ischemia and reperfusion of the soleus muscle of rats with pentoxifylline

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion of the skeletal muscle worsens existing lesions during ischemia, since the production of reactive oxygen species, associated with intense participation of neutrophils, increases the inflammatory reaction that induces tissue changes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the morphological and immunohistochemical changes of the skeletal (soleus) muscle of rats submitted to ischemia and reperfusion with pentoxifylline. METHODS: Sixty rats were submitted to ischemia of the pelvic limb for 6 hours induced by clamping the left common iliac artery. After ischemia, group A animals (n = 30) were observed for 4 hours and group B animals (n = 30) for 24 hours. Six animals constituted the sham group. Pentoxifylline was applied only in the reperfusion period A2 (n = 10) and B2 (n = 10), and in ischemia and reperfusion periods in A3 (n = 10) and B3 (n = 10). The soleus muscle was evaluated by histological (fiber disruption, leukocyte infiltrate, necrosis) and immunohistochemical (apoptosis through caspase-3 expression) analysis. The non-parametric tests Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney (p < 0.05) were applied. RESULTS: The changes were more intense in group B1, with fiber disruption mean scores of 2.16±0.14; neutrophilic infiltrate of 2.05±0.10; and caspase-3 expression in the perivascular area of 4.30±0.79; and less intense in group A3, with means of 0.76±0.16; 0.92±0.10; 0.67±0,15, respectively (p < 0.05). Caspase-3 was more expressive in group B1 in the perivascular area, with mean of 4.30±0.79 when compared with group B1 in the perinuclear area, with mean of 0.91±0.32 (p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The lesions were more intense when observation time was longer after reperfusion, and pentoxifylline attenuated these lesions, above all when used in the beginning of ischemia and reperfusion phases.CONTEXTO: A reperfusão de músculo esquelético piora as lesões já presentes no período de isquemia, pois a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, associadas à intensa participação de neutrófilos, amplia a reação inflamatória que induz alterações teciduais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações morfológicas e imuno-histoquímicas de músculo esquelético (sóleo) de ratos submetidos a isquemia e reperfusão com pentoxifilina. MÉTODOS: Sessenta ratos foram submetidos a isquemia do membro pélvico, por 6 horas, pelo clampeamento da artéria ilíaca comum esquerda. Após isquemia, os animais do grupo A (n = 30) foram observados por 4 horas, e os do grupo B (n = 30), por 24 horas. Seis animais constituíram o grupo simulado. Administrou-se pentoxifilina apenas no período de reperfusão em A2 (n = 10) e B2 (n = 10) e nos períodos de isquemia e reperfusão em A3 (n = 10) e B3 (n = 10). O músculo sóleo foi avaliado por análise histológica (dissociação de fibras, infiltrado leucocitário, necrose) e imuno-histoquímica (apoptose pela expressão da caspase-3). Foram aplicados os testes não-paramétricos de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: As alterações foram mais intensas no grupo B1, com médias de escore da dissociação de fibras musculares de 2,16 ± 0,14, infiltrado neutrofílico de 2,05 ± 0,10 e expressão da caspase-3 na área perivascular de 4,30 ± 0,79; e menos intensas no grupo A3, com respectivas médias de 0,76 ± 0,16, 0,92 ± 0,10 e 0,67 ± 0,15 (p < 0,05). A caspase-3 mostrou-se mais expressiva no grupo B1 na área perivascular, com média de 4,30 ± 0,79, em comparação com o grupo B1 na área perinuclear, com média de 0,91 ± 0,32 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: As lesões são mais intensas quando o tempo de observação é maior após a reperfusão, e a pentoxifilina atenua essas lesões, sobretudo quando usada no início das fases de isquemia e de reperfusão.SBACVUniversidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Hospital UniversitárioUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUFMSUNIFESP-EPM Departamento de PatologiaUFMS Departamento de Clínica CirúrgicaUFMS Hospital Universitário Comissão de Residência MédicaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de PatologiaSciEL

Tortuosity-Powered Microfluidic Device for Assessment of Thrombosis and Antithrombotic Therapy in Whole Blood

Accurate assessment of blood thrombosis and antithrombotic therapy is essential for the management of patients in a variety of clinical conditions, including surgery and on extracorporeal life support. However, current monitoring devices do not measure the effects of hemodynamic forces that contribute significantly to coagulation, platelet function and fibrin formation. This limits the extent to which current assays can predict clotting status in patients. Here, we demonstrate that a biomimetic microfluidic device consisting stenosed and tortuous arteriolar vessels would analyze blood clotting under flow, while requiring a small blood volume. When the device is connected to an inline pressure sensor a clotting time analysis is applied, allowing for the accurate measurement of coagulation, platelets and fibrin content. Furthermore, this device detects a prolonged clotting time in clinical blood samples drawn from pediatric patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation receiving anticoagulant therapy. Thus, this tortuosity activated microfluidic device could lead to a more quantitative and rapid assessment of clotting disorders and their treatment

Case of relapsed AIDS-related plasmablastic lymphoma treated with autologous stem cell transplantation and highly active antiretroviral therapy

Plasmablastic lymphoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy strongly associated with HIV infection. The refractory/relapsed disease rate is high, and the survival rate is characteristically poor. There are no satisfactory salvage regimens for relapsed cases. We successfully performed autologous stem cell transplantation using a regimen consisting of MCNU (ranimustine), etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan in a Japanese patient with relapsed AIDS-related plasmablastic lymphoma of the oral cavity. Highly active antiretroviral therapy continued during the therapy. Therapy-related toxicity was tolerable, and a total of 40 Gy of irradiation was administered after autologous stem cell transplantation. The patient has remained in complete remission for 16 months since transplantation

Corrigendum to \u27The Hemophilia Joint Health Score version 2.1 Validation in Adult Patients Study: A multicenter international study\u27 [Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 6/2, (2022) e12690]

This corrects the article The Hemophilia Joint Health Score version 2.1 Validation in Adult Patients Study: A multicenter international study in volume 6, e12690

Prognostic impact of proliferative index determined by quantitative image analysis and the International Prognostic Index in patients with mantle cell lymphoma

Background: The proliferative index (PI) is a powerful prognostic factor in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL); however, its utility is hampered by interobserver variability. The mantle cell international prognostic index (MIPI) has been reported to have prognostic importance. In this study, we determined the prognostic value of the PI as determined by quantitative image analysis in MCL