Quantitative discovery and qualitative reasoning about failure mechanisms in pavement

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering, 1986.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERINGIncludes index.Bibliography: leaves 101-109.by Nayel S. el-Shafei.M.S

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: An elevated preoperative white blood cell count has been associated with a worse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Leukocyte subtypes, and particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, may however, convey superior prognostic information. We hypothesized that the N/L ratio would predict the outcome of patients undergoing surgical revascularization. Methods: Baseline clinical details were obtained prospectively in 1938 patients undergoing CABG. The differential leukocyte was measured before surgery, and patients were followed-up 3.6 years later. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results: The preoperative N/L ratio was a powerful univariable predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per unit, P 3.36). Conclusion: An elevated N/L ratio is associated with a poorer survival after CABG. This prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors.Peer reviewedAuthor versio

Hypoxia modulates the stem cell population and induces EMT in the MCF-10A breast epithelial cell line

A common feature among pre-malignant lesions is the induction of hypoxia through increased cell propagation and reduced access to blood flow. Hypoxia in breast cancer has been associated with poor patient prognosis, resistance to chemotherapy and increased metastasis. Although hypoxia has been correlated with factors associated with the latter stages of cancer progression, it is not well documented how hypoxia influences cells in the earliest stages of transformation. Using the immortalized MCF-10A breast epithelial cell line, we used hypoxic culture conditions to mimic reduced O2 levels found within early pre-malignant lesions and assessed various cellular parameters. In this non-transformed mammary cell line, O2 deprivation led to some changes not immediately associated with cancer progression, such as decreased proliferation, cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis. In contrast, hypoxia did induce other changes more consistent with an increased metastatic potential. A rise in the CD44+CD24-/low-labeled cell sub-population along with increased colony forming capability indicated an expanded stem cell population. Hypoxia also induced cellular and molecular changes consistent with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, these cells now exhibited increased migratory and invasive abilities. These results underscore the contribution of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment in cancer progression and dissemination

Fractional integro-differential equations with nonlocal conditions and ψ–Hilfer fractional derivative

Considering a fractional integro-differential equation with nonlocal conditions involving a general form of Hilfer fractional derivative with respect to another function. We show that weighted Cauchy-type problem is equivalent to a Volterra integral equation, we also prove the existence, uniqueness of solutions and Ulam-Hyers stability of this problem by employing a variety of tools of fractional calculus including Banach fixed point theorem and Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem. An example is provided to illustrate our main results

The Rise of Pregnancy Criminalization: A Pregnancy Justice Report

In 2013, Pregnancy Justice published the first comprehensive national documentation effort capturing pregnancy-related arrests and deprivations of liberty. The 2013 study identified 413 reported cases from 1973 through 2005, arising out of 44 states and the District of Columbia, and involving a range of pregnancy outcomes including abortions, live births, miscarriages, and stillbirths. Overwhelmingly, the cases occurred despite a lack of legal authority, in defiance of numerous and significant appellate court decisions dismissing or overturning such actions, and contrary to the extraordinary consensus across the medical community that prosecution undermines rather than improves maternal, fetal, and child health. In 86% of these cases, pregnant people faced prosecution through the use of existing criminal statutes intended for other purposes.This report begins where the first study left off, documenting cases of pregnancy criminalization from January 2006 until the Dobbs ruling in June 2022. What we found was deeply concerning. Over these 16.5 years, we identified 1,396 cases. In other words, of the 1,800 pregnancy criminalization cases that took place over the last half century, over three-quarters occurred after 2005. Through an alarming combination of carceral approaches to substance use and the spread of fetal personhood laws, state actors have increasingly penalized pregnant people. Understanding this disturbing phenomenon—including who is most affected, how, and under what pretense—will be essential to fighting for pregnant people's liberties as we enter the post-Dobbs era

RANKL EXPRESSION AND METABOLIC CHANGES IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS AND THE POSSIBLE PROTECTION BY VEGETABLE FORMULA.

 Objective: This study was to evaluate complications of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats and the possibility to ameliorate these changes by consumption of vegetable formula. Furthermore, transcription of mRNA of RANKL gene was matched with bone mass density (BMD) and bone formation marker (human procollagen 1 N terminal peptide [PINP]).Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups. The first is non ovariectomized control group (NOVXC), the second is ovariectomized control group (OVXC), and the third is ovariectomized rats supplemented with the vegetable formula (OVXT). Animals were fed for 8 successive weeks. Animals were treated and sacrificed under the recommended ethics of laboratory animal's treatment. The vegetable mixture was formulated with the purpose to correct the bone compromise and supply all the presumed deficient elements and hormone.Results: Chemical analysis showed that the formulated vegetable mixture had a high amount of flavonoids as catechin (100 mg/100 g of dry weight) and polyphenols as tannic acid (1000 mg/100 g dry weight. Furthermore, it had high reducing power (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical showed inhibition percentage of 91.81%.). Several phytochemicals necessary for bone health were demonstrated in the vegetable mixture using high-performance liquid chromatography. RANKL/GAPDH mRNA transcription ratio showed marked an increase in OVXC versus the control NOVXC rats (1.00 vs. 0.199, respectively) accompanied with a drop in BMD (0.157 vs. 0.25 mg/cm2, respectively) and PINP values (27.9±2.8 compared to NOVXC 34±2.4 μ/L, respectively). The vegetable mixture supplementation showed better values of BMD and PINP in OVXT group directed back toward normal (0.183 mg/cm2 and 29.35±3.4 μ/L, respectively). Furthermore, analysis of blood plasma of supplemented group showed lower blood glucose, lipid profile, and oxidative markers if compared to that in OVXC group.Conclusion: It may be concluded that the plant formula was effective to minimize health hazards in ovariectomized rats and maybe for postmenopause women. Perhaps longer time may be needed for more significant and clear effect

Uric acid levels and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

ObjectiveElevated uric acid levels have been associated with an adverse cardiovascular outcome in several settings. Their utility in patients undergoing surgical revascularization has not, however, been assessed. We hypothesized that serum uric acid levels would predict the outcome of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.MethodsThe study cohort consisted of 1140 consecutive patients undergoing nonemergency coronary artery bypass grafting. Clinical details were obtained prospectively, and serum uric acid was measured a median of 1 day before surgery. The primary end point was all-cause mortality.ResultsDuring a median of 4.5 years, 126 patients (11%) died. Mean (± standard deviation) uric acid levels were 390 ± 131 μmol/L in patients who died versus 353 ± 86 μmol/L among survivors (hazard ratio 1.48 per 100 μmol/L; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–1.74; P < .001). The excess risk associated with an elevated uric acid was particularly evident among patients in the upper quartile (≥410 μmol/L; hazard ratio vs all other quartiles combined 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.53–3.11; P < .001). After adjusting for other potential prognostic variables, including the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation, uric acid remained predictive of outcome.ConclusionIncreasing levels of uric acid are associated with poorer survival after coronary artery bypass grafting. Their prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors, including the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation

The Holographic Model of Dark Energy and Thermodynamics of Non-Flat Accelerated Expanding Universe

Motivated by recent results on non-vanishing spatial curvature \cite{curve} we employ the holographic model of dark energy to investigate the validity of first and second laws of thermodynamics in non-flat (closed) universe enclosed by apparent horizon $R_A$ and the event horizon measured from the sphere of horizon named $L$. We show that for the apparent horizon the first law is roughly respected for different epochs while the second laws of thermodynamics is respected while for $L$ as the system's IR cut-off first law is broken down and second law is respected for special range of deceleration parameter. It is also shown that at late-time universe $L$ is equal to $R_A$ and the thermodynamic laws are hold, when the universe has non-vanishing curvature. Defining the fluid temperature to be proportional to horizon temperature the range for coefficient of proportionality is obtained provided that the generalized second law of thermodynamics is hold.Comment: 12 pages, no figure, abstract and text extended, references added, accepted for publication in JCA

Impact of atorvastatin loaded exosome as an anti-glioblastoma carrier to induce apoptosis of U87 cancer cells in 3D culture model

Exosomes (EXOs) are naturally occurring nanosized lipid bilayers that can be efficiently used as a drug delivery system to carry small pharmaceutical, biological molecules and pass major biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier. It was hypothesized that EXOs derived from human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs-EXOs) can be utilized as a drug carrier to enhance tumor-targeting drugs, especially for those have low solubility and limited oral bioactivity. In this study, atorvastatin (Ato) loaded EXOs (AtoEXOs) was prepared and characterized for its physical and biological activities in tumor growth suppression of 3 D glioblastoma model. The AtoEXOs were obtained in different methods to maximize drug encapsulation efficacy. The characterization of AtoEXOs was performed for its size, stability, drug release, and in vitro anti-tumor efficacy evaluated comprising inhibition of proliferation, apoptosis induction of tumor cells. Expression of apoptotic genes by Real time PCR, Annexin V/PI, tunnel assay was studied after 72 h exposing U87 cells where encapsulated in matrigel in different concentrations of AtoEXOs (5, 10 μM). The results showed that the prepared AtoEXOs possessed diameter ranging from 30�150 nm, satisfying stability and sustainable Ato release rate. The AtoEXOs was up taken by U87 and generated significant apoptotic effects while this inhibited tumor growth of U87 cells. Altogether, produced AtoEXOs formulation due to its therapeutic efficacy has the potential to be an adaptable approach to treat glioblastoma brain tumors. © 2020 The Author