HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE OBSERVATIONS AND GEOMETRIC MODELS OF COMPACT MULTIPOLAR PLANETARY NEBULAE

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Transformations of Progesterone by Subcellular Fractions of Human Skin

Homogenates of human skin metabolize progesterone-4-14C to the same products as whole skin. Studies with subcellular fractions obtained by differential centrifugation indicate the presence in skin of a membrane-bound 5α-reductase and a soluble 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD), both of which utilize TPNH as cofactor. The 20α-HSD has a pH optimum of 6.2 and a Km of approximately 7 μM. Unlike placental preparations, the 105,000 × g supernatant fraction prepared from human skin has more 20α-HSD than 17β-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase activity. This soluble skin enzyme acting on steroid hormones is distinct from previously reported particulate enzymes

Planetary nebulae detected in the Spitzer Space Telescope GLIMPSE 3D Legacy Survey

Due to interstellar extinction, optical census of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNs) is highly incomplete, and some compact H ii regions might have been mis-classified as PNs. The problem is particularly severe in the Galactic plane where the extinction in the optical is significant and hampers the detections of PNs. Unlike optical observations, infrared (IR) observations are hardly affected by interstellar extinction, and provide a good opportunity to study highly obscured PNs. In this study, we use the data from the Spitzer Legacy Infrared Mid-Plane Survey Extraordinaire 3D (GLIMPSE 3D) to investigate the mid-infrared (MIR) properties of PNs and PN candidates. © 2012 International Astronomical Union.published_or_final_versionThe IAU Symposium No. 283: 'Planetary Nebulae: an Eye to the Future', Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain, 25-29 July 2011. In International Astronomical Union Proceedings, 2011, v. 7 n. S283, p. 528-52

Maser Observations Of Westerlund 1 And Comprehensive Considerations On Maser Properties Of Red Supergiants Associated With Massive Clusters

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A Novel Survey Tool to Quantify the Degree and Duration of STEMI Regionalization Across California.

IntroductionCalifornia has been a global leader in regionalization efforts for time-critical medical conditions. A total of 33 local emergency medical service agencies (LEMSAs) exist, providing an organized EMS framework across the state for almost 40 years. We sought to develop a survey tool to quantify the degree and duration of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) regionalization over the last decade in California.MethodsThe project started with the development of an 8-question survey tool via a multi-disciplinary expert consensus process. Next, the survey tool was distributed at the annual meeting of administrators and medical directors of California LEMSAs to get responses valid through December, 2014. The first scoring approach was the Total Regionalization Score (TRS) and used answers from all 8 questions. The second approach was called the Core Score, and it focused on only 4 survey questions by assuming that the designation of STEMI Receiving Centers must have occurred at the beginning of any LEMSA's regionalization effort. Scores were ranked and grouped into tertiles.ResultsAll 33 LEMSAs in California participated in this survey. The TRS ranged from 15 to 162. The Core Score range was much narrower, from 2 to 30. In comparing TRS and Core Score rankings, the top-tertiles were quite similar. More rank variation occurred between mid- and low-tertiles.ConclusionThis study evaluated the degree and duration of STEMI network regionalization from 2004 to 2014 in California, and ranked 33 LEMSAs into tertiles based upon their TRS and their Core Score. Successful application of the 8-item survey and ranking strategies across California suggests that this approach can be used to assess regionalization in other states or countries around the world

Effect of alendronate on post-traumatic osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament rupture in mice.

IntroductionPrevious studies in animal models of osteoarthritis suggest that alendronate (ALN) has antiresorptive and chondroprotective effects, and can reduce osteophyte formation. However, these studies used non-physiologic injury methods, and did not investigate early time points during which bone is rapidly remodeled prior to cartilage degeneration. The current study utilized a non-invasive model of knee injury in mice to investigate the effect of ALN treatment on subchondral bone changes, articular cartilage degeneration, and osteophyte formation following injury.MethodsNon-invasive knee injury via tibial compression overload or sham injury was performed on a total of 90 mice. Mice were treated with twice weekly subcutaneous injections of low-dose ALN (40 μg/kg/dose), high-dose ALN (1,000 μg/kg/dose), or vehicle, starting immediately after injury until sacrifice at 7, 14 or 56 days. Trabecular bone of the femoral epiphysis, subchondral cortical bone, and osteophyte volume were quantified using micro-computed tomography (μCT). Whole-joint histology was performed at all time points to analyze articular cartilage and joint degeneration. Blood was collected at sacrifice, and serum was analyzed for biomarkers of bone formation and resorption.ResultsμCT analysis revealed significant loss of trabecular bone from the femoral epiphysis 7 and 14 days post-injury, which was effectively prevented by high-dose ALN treatment. High-dose ALN treatment was also able to reduce subchondral bone thickening 56 days post-injury, and was able to partially preserve articular cartilage 14 days post-injury. However, ALN treatment was not able to reduce osteophyte formation at 56 days post-injury, nor was it able to prevent articular cartilage and joint degeneration at this time point. Analysis of serum biomarkers revealed an increase in bone resorption at 7 and 14 days post-injury, with no change in bone formation at any time points.ConclusionsHigh-dose ALN treatment was able to prevent early trabecular bone loss and cartilage degeneration following non-invasive knee injury, but was not able to mitigate long-term joint degeneration. These data contribute to understanding the effect of bisphosphonates on the development of osteoarthritis, and may support the use of anti-resorptive drugs to prevent joint degeneration following injury, although further investigation is warranted

New modelling technique for aperiodic-sampling linear systems

A general input-output modelling technique for aperiodic-sampling linear systems has been developed. The procedure describes the dynamics of the system and includes the sequence of sampling periods among the variables to be handled. Some restrictive conditions on the sampling sequence are imposed in order to guarantee the validity of the model. The particularization to the periodic case represents an alternative to the classic methods of discretization of continuous systems without using the Z-transform. This kind of representation can be used largely for identification and control purposes.Comment: 19 pages, 0 figure

Global sales of oral antibiotics formulated for children.

Objective: To investigate international consumption patterns of child-appropriate oral formulations of antibiotics by formulation type, with a focus on dispersible tablets, using data from a global sales database. Method: Antibiotic sales data for 2015 covering 74 countries and regional country groups were obtained from the MIDAS® pharmaceutical sales database, which includes samples of pharmacy wholesalers and retailers. The focus was on sales of child-appropriate oral formulations of Access antibiotics in the 2017 World Health Organization's WHO Model list of essential medicines for children. Sales volumes are expressed using a standard unit (i.e. one tablet, capsule, ampoule or vial or 5 mL of liquid). Sales were analysed by antibiotic, WHO region and antibiotic formulation. Findings: Globally, 17.7 billion standard units of child-appropriate oral antibiotic formulations were sold in 2015, representing 24% of total antibiotic sales of 74.4 billion units (both oral and parenteral) in the database. The top five child-appropriate Access antibiotics by sales volume were amoxicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, cefalexin and ampicillin. The proportion of the top five sold for use as a syrup varied between 42% and 99%. Dispersible tablets represented only 22% of all child-appropriate oral formulation sales and made up only 15% of sales of 10 selected Access antibiotics on the model list for children. Conclusion: Globally most child-appropriate oral antibiotics were not sold as dispersible tablets in 2015, as recommended by WHO. There is a clear need for novel solid forms of antibiotics suitable for use in children