Active nonreciprocal attraction between motile particles in an elastic medium

We present a theory for the interaction between motile particles in an elastic medium on a substrate, relying on two arguments: a moving particle creates a strikingly fore-aft asymmetric distortion in the elastic medium; this strain field reorients other particles. We show that this leads to sensing, attraction and pursuit, with a non-reciprocal character, between a pair of motile particles. We confirm the predicted distortion fields and non-mutual trail-following in our experiments and simulations on polar granular rods made motile by vibration, moving through a dense monolayer of beads in its crystalline phase. Our theory should be of relevance to the interaction of motile cells in the extracellular matrix or in a supported layer of gel or tissue.Comment: Revised, experimental results added, SI expanded to include fits, some figures and bibliography modified, See Supplementary movies here https://www.dropbox.com/sh/od5lg00cxijk7b9/AAB3j6el7jFdaZ0q1xOo0Eqza?dl=

Isolation of Chemical Compounds and Essential Oil from Agrimonia asiatica Juz. And Their Antimicrobial and Antiplasmodial Activities

© 2020 Raushan A. Kozykeyeva et al. Agrimonia asiatica is a perennial plant with deep green color and covered with soft hairs and has a slightly aromatic odor. This genus Agrimonia has been used in traditional medicines of China, Greece, and European countries. It was mainly used as a haemostatic, a tonic for asthenia, and an astringent for diarrhea. Agrimony is part of the division Magnoliophyta; class is represented by order Rosales, family Rosaceae, of the genus Agrimonia. Family Rosaceae - or pink eels - is one of the largest families of flowering plants, including about 100 genera and 3000 species. Rosaceae is common in almost all areas of the globe where flowering plants can grow, but most of them are concentrated in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Phytochemical investigation on ethanolic extract of A. asiatica led to isolation of four flavonoid derivatives (kaempferol-3-glycoside, quercetin-3-O-α-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3-O-kaempherol 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4-O-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-6-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucosopyranoside, and catechin) alongside of sucrose. All the extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds were tested for antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities. We also studied the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from the aerial part of A. asiatica. The essential oil constituents from the aerial part of A. asiatica were obtained using a steam-distillation method in wild growing conditions in Kazakhstan. The essential oil extracted from the aerial part of the plant was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and its major components amounting to 100% were found to be β-selinene (36.370%), α-panasinsene (21.720%), hexadecanoic acid (7.839%), and 1,2-nonadiene (6.199%). Neither the extract nor the isolated compounds showed antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities

Supramolecular photocatalysis: insights into cucurbit[8]uril catalyzed photodimerization of 6-methylcoumarin

Guest induced shape change of the cucurbit[8]uril cavity is likely rate limiting in the supramolecular photocatalytic cycle for CB8 mediated photodimerization of 6-methylcoumarin

Thermal unfolding and refolding of a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from <em>Thermoascus</em> aurantiacus

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-containing enzymes which promote the degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides like cellulose or chitin. Here, we have investigated the thermostability of an LPMO from Thermoascus aurantiacus (TaLPMO9A). TaLPMO9A was found to retain most of its initial activity after incubating at 100 °C while its apparent melting temperature (Tm) is 69 °C at neutral pH. Interestingly, our studies show that holoTaLPMO9A, apoTaLPMO9A and deglycosylated TaLPMO9A can fold back to their original conformation upon lowering the temperature. In the presence of β-mercaptoethanol the protein does not refold. Activity of TaLPMO9A and refolded TaLPMO9A was studied by an Amplex® Red assay as well as by TaLPMO9A catalysed oxidation of phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC). These studies confirm the functional regain of TaLPMO9A activity upon going through one cycle of unfolding and refolding. The thermal unfolding and refolding of TaLPMO9A was measured spectroscopically. Utilizing the two-state model, detailed thermodynamic parameters were obtained for holoTaLPMO. Furthermore, we have investigated the kinetics of TaLPMO9A unfolding and refolding. Our results have implications in understanding LPMO stability, which is crucial for the efficient application of LPMOs as biocatalysts during biomass degradation

Genomic Profiling of Childhood Tumor Patient-Derived Xenograft Models to Enable Rational Clinical Trial Design.

Accelerating cures for children with cancer remains an immediate challenge as a result of extensive oncogenic heterogeneity between and within histologies, distinct molecular mechanisms evolving between diagnosis and relapsed disease, and limited therapeutic options. To systematically prioritize and rationally test novel agents in preclinical murine models, researchers within the Pediatric Preclinical Testing Consortium are continuously developing patient-derived xenografts (PDXs)-many of which are refractory to current standard-of-care treatments-from high-risk childhood cancers. Here, we genomically characterize 261 PDX models from 37 unique pediatric cancers; demonstrate faithful recapitulation of histologies and subtypes; and refine our understanding of relapsed disease. In addition, we use expression signatures to classify tumors for TP53 and NF1 pathway inactivation. We anticipate that these data will serve as a resource for pediatric oncology drug development and will guide rational clinical trial design for children with cancer

The Accuracy of the Electrocardiogram during Exercise Stress Test Based on Heart Size

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have shown that the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) is less accurate for predicting ischemia, especially in women, and there is additional evidence to suggest that heart size may affect its diagnostic accuracy. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise ECG based on heart size. METHODS: We evaluated 1,011 consecutive patients who were referred for an exercise nuclear stress test. Patients were divided into two groups: small heart size defined as left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) <65 mL (Group A) and normal heart size defined as LVEDV ≥65 mL (Group B) and associations between ECG outcome (false positive vs. no false positive) and heart size (small vs. normal) were analyzed using the Chi square test for independence, with a Yates continuity correction. LVEDV calculations were performed via a computer-processing algorithm. SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging was used as the gold standard for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). RESULTS: Small heart size was found in 142 patients, 123 female and 19 male patients. There was a significant association between ECG outcome and heart size (χ(2) = 4.7, p = 0.03), where smaller hearts were associated with a significantly greater number of false positives. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a possible explanation for the poor diagnostic accuracy of exercise stress testing, especially in women, as the overwhelming majority of patients with small heart size were women

ОПЫТ ЛАПАРОСКОПИЧЕСКОЙ ХИРУРГИИ ПРИ ЛЕЧЕНИИ ПОЧЕЧНО-КЛЕТОЧНОГО РАКА НА БАЗЕ РЕСПУБЛИКАНСКОГО КЛИНИЧЕСКОГО ОНКОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ДИСПАНСЕРА

Purpose of the study. Study of the nearest results of laparoscopic operations in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma.Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 92 patients who underwent operative treatment in the period from 2015 to 2017 with the help of laparoscopic technique for kidney carcinoma were analyzed and evaluated. Of these, 57 men (62%) and 35 women (38%), the average age is 50.5 ± 2.25 years (min. 26 and not more than 75 years). Results. The duration of the operation was influenced by various factors, such as the features of the vascular anatomy of the kidneys, the presence of the adhesive process of the abdominal cavity, the state of paranephalic fat. When improving the technique of performing laparoscopic interventions, the operation time was reduced. In the period of mastering the technique of laparoscopic interventions on the kidney, the operation time averaged 210.0 ± 20.2 min (min 120 and max 300 min); subsequently it decreased on average to 130.00 ± 10.5 min (min 70 and max 190 min). After accumulation of experience, the technique of laparoscopic resection of the kidney without total ischemia with selective clamping of segmental arteries, or without compression of the renal artery was mastered.The conclusion. An analysis of the immediate results of laparoscopic interventions in patients with renal cell carcinoma showed their high efficacy and safety. The results of laparoscopic nephrectomies and kidney resections significantly improve with the improvement of technology and the accumulation of surgical experience. Введение. Цель исследования - изучение ближайших результатов лапароскопических операций у пациентов с локализованным почечно-клеточным раком.Материалы и методы. Проанализированы и оценены результаты лечения 92 пациентов, прооперированных с 2015 по 2017 гг. с помощью лапароскопической техники по поводу почечно-клеточного рака. Из них 57 мужчин (62%) и 35 женщин (38%), средний возраст 50,5±2,25 года (min 26 и max 75 лет).Результаты. На продолжительность операции влияли различные факторы, такие как особенности сосудистой анатомии почек, наличие спаечного процесса брюшной полости, состояние паранефральной жировой клетчатки. При совершенствовании техники выполнения лапароскопических вмешательств время операции значительно сократилось. В период освоения методики лапароскопических вмешательств на почке время операции в среднем составляло 210,0±20,2 мин (min 120 и max 300 мин), в последующем оно уменьшалось в среднем до 130,00±10,5 мин (min 70 и max 190 мин). После накопления опыта была освоена методика лапароскопической резекции почки без тотальной ишемии с селективным пережатием сегментарных артерий или без компрессии почечной артерии.Заключение. Анализ ближайших результатов лапароскопических вмешательств у пациентов с почечно-клеточным раком показал их высокую эффективность и безопасность. Результаты лапароскопических нефрэктомий и резекций почки существенно улучшаются с совершенствованием технологий и накоплением хирургического опыта.

In Memoriam: A Memoir for Our Fallen "Heroes"

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or be any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.Even though neurosurgeons exercise these enormous and versatile skills, the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the fabrics of the global neurosurgical family, jeopardizing human lives, and forcing the entire world to be locked down. We stand on the shoulders of the giants and will not forget their examples and their teachings. We will work to the best of our ability to honor their memory. Professor Harvey Cushing said: “When to take great risks; when to withdraw in the face of unexpected difficulties; whether to force an attempted enucleation of a pathologically favorable tumor to its completion with the prospect of an operative fatality, or to abandon the procedure short of completeness with the certainty that after months or years even greater risks may have to be faced at a subsequent session—all these require surgical judgment which is a matter of long experience.” It is up to us, therefore, to keep on the noble path that we have decided to undertake, to accumulate the surgical experience that these icons have shown us, the fruit of sacrifice and obstinacy. Our tribute goes to them; we will always remember their excellent work and their brilliant careers that will continue to enlighten all of us. This memorial is intended to commemorate our colleagues who succumbed during the first 4 months

Cleaned and validated Irish EPC database

The raw EPC database is filtered using ‘Python’ and ‘R’, Scripting helped in efficiently handling a large amount of data. The scripts used are combinations of data manipulation steps, applied in series, with filter, and change data based on specified user criteria. In this case, the entire EPC database accounting for 1 million entries in quarter 1 of 2022 was used as the input. This data flow captures the relative frequency of each filter and the resultant number of EPC entries cleaned from the dataset for being considered erroneous or outliers. Approximately 30% of EPC entries are flagged and labeled as outliers, this gives an overview of the data quality of the EPC database. As discussed earlier in section 3.7, the issue is not localized in Ireland, but it is widespread in MSs. The most striking finding was that many features which play a pivotal part in the overall performance of a dwelling and could uplift, or downgrade energy rating are plagued with poor data, i.e., Living Area Percentage, assigning the areas within a dwelling to be assumed to be heated at 21° C and 18° C . Getting it right is crucial in estimating the representative theoretical energy performance of dwellings. Also, ceiling height data is poor in quality, making it unrepresented of dwellings’ geometry, which again results in inaccurate overall energy performance