Real characters in blocks

We consider real versions of Brauer's k(B) conjecture, Olsson's conjecture and Eaton's conjecture. We prove the real version of Eaton's conjecture for 2-blocks of groups with cyclic defect group and for the principal 2-blocks of groups with trivial real core. We also characterize G-classes, real and rational G-classes of the defect group of a block B

Oxidative Stress-Related Parthanatos of Circulating Mononuclear Leukocytes in Heart Failure

Background: The present study aims to examine the oxidative stress related activation of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), signs of parthanatos in circulating mononuclear leukocytes of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) that was rarely investigated in the human setting yet. Methods: Patients with CHF (n=20) and age, body mass index matched volunteers (n=15) with normal heart function were enrolled. C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), plasma total peroxide level (PRX), plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), leukocyte lipid peroxidation (4-hydroxynonenal; HNE), protein tyrosine nitration (NT), poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) translocation were measured in blood samples of fasting subjects. Results: Plasma PRX, leukocyte HNE, NT, PARylation and AIF translocation were significantly higher in the heart failure group. Pro-BNP levels in all study subjects showed significant positive correlation to PRX, OSI, leukocyte HNE, NT, PARylation and AIF translocation. Ejection fraction negatively correlated with same parameters. Among HF patients, positive correlation of pro-BNP with PRX, OSI and PARylation was still present. Conclusions: Markers of oxidative-nitrative stress, PARP activation and AIF translocation in blood components showed correlation to reduced cardiac function and the clinical appearance of CHF. These results may reinforce the consideration of PARP inhibition as a potential therapeutic target in CHF

T cell immune response predicts survival in severely ill COVID-19 patients requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

IntroductionThere is a critical gap in understanding which SARS-CoV-2 patients would benefit most from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) support. The potential role of a dysregulated immune response is still unclear in this patient population.ObjectivesTo assess the potential predictive value of SARS-CoV-2 specific cellular and humoral immune responses for survival in critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring VV-ECMO.MethodsWe conducted a prospective single-center observational study of unvaccinated patients requiring VV-ECMO support treated at the intensive care unit of Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center between March and December 2021. Peripheral blood samples were collected to measure the humoral and cellular immune statuses of the patients at the VV-ECMO cannulation. Patients were followed until hospital discharge.ResultsOverall, 35 COVID-19 patients (63% men, median age 37 years) on VV-ECMO support were included in our study. The time from COVID-19 verification to ECMO support was a median (IQR) of 10 (7-14) days. Of the patients, 9 (26%) were discharged alive and 26 (74%) died during their hospital stay. Immune tests confirmed ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection in all the patients, showing an increased humoral immune response. SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular immune response was significantly higher among survivors compared to the deceased patients. A higher probability of survival was observed in patients with markers indicating a higher T cell response detected by both QuantiFeron (QF) and flow cytometry (Flow) assays. (Flow S1 CD8+ ≥ 0.15%, Flow S1 CD4+ ≥ 0.02%, QF CD4 ≥ 0.07, QF whole genome ≥ 0.59). In univariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis BMI, right ventricular (RV) failure, QF whole genome T cell level, and Flow S1 CD8+ T cell level were associated with mortality, and we found that an increased T cell response showed a significant negative association with mortality, independent of BMI and RV failure.ConclusionEvaluation of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell response before the cannulation can aid the risk stratification and evaluation of seriously ill COVID-19 patients undergoing VV-ECMO support by predicting survival, potentially changing our clinical practice in the future

Endogenous single-strand DNA breaks at RNA polymerase II promoters in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>

K

Variation in general supportive and preventive intensive care management of traumatic brain injury: a survey in 66 neurotrauma centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study

Abstract Background General supportive and preventive measures in the intensive care management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) aim to prevent or limit secondary brain injury and optimize recovery. The aim of this survey was to assess and quantify variation in perceptions on intensive care unit (ICU) management of patients with TBI in European neurotrauma centers. Methods We performed a survey as part of the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. We analyzed 23 questions focused on: 1) circulatory and respiratory management; 2) fever control; 3) use of corticosteroids; 4) nutrition and glucose management; and 5) seizure prophylaxis and treatment. Results The survey was completed predominantly by intensivists (n = 33, 50%) and neurosurgeons (n = 23, 35%) from 66 centers (97% response rate). The most common cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) target was > 60 mmHg (n = 39, 60%) and/or an individualized target (n = 25, 38%). To support CPP, crystalloid fluid loading (n = 60, 91%) was generally preferred over albumin (n = 15, 23%), and vasopressors (n = 63, 96%) over inotropes (n = 29, 44%). The most commonly reported target of partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2) was 36–40 mmHg (4.8–5.3 kPa) in case of controlled intracranial pressure (ICP) < 20 mmHg (n = 45, 69%) and PaCO2 target of 30–35 mmHg (4–4.7 kPa) in case of raised ICP (n = 40, 62%). Almost all respondents indicated to generally treat fever (n = 65, 98%) with paracetamol (n = 61, 92%) and/or external cooling (n = 49, 74%). Conventional glucose management (n = 43, 66%) was preferred over tight glycemic control (n = 18, 28%). More than half of the respondents indicated to aim for full caloric replacement within 7 days (n = 43, 66%) using enteral nutrition (n = 60, 92%). Indications for and duration of seizure prophylaxis varied, and levetiracetam was mostly reported as the agent of choice for both seizure prophylaxis (n = 32, 49%) and treatment (n = 40, 61%). Conclusions Practice preferences vary substantially regarding general supportive and preventive measures in TBI patients at ICUs of European neurotrauma centers. These results provide an opportunity for future comparative effectiveness research, since a more evidence-based uniformity in good practices in general ICU management could have a major impact on TBI outcome

Tuning the Aggregation of Titanate Nanowires in Aqueous Dispersions

Electrophoretic and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that aggregation in aqueous dispersion of titanate nanowires (TiONWs) can be tuned by poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) polyelectrolyte. The nanowires possessed negative charge under alkaline conditions which was compensated by the oppositely charged PDADMAC adsorbed on the surface. Such adsorption led to charge neutralization and subsequent charge reversal at the appropriate polyelectrolyte doses. The dispersions were stable at low PDADMAC concentration where the TiONWs possessed negative charge. However, fast aggregation of the nanowires occurred close to the charge neutralization point where the overall charge of the particles was zero. Charge inversion at high polyelectrolyte doses gave rise to restabilization of the samples and slow aggregation of the TiONWs even at higher ionic strengths where the original bare TiONW dispersions were unstable. The colloid stability of the bare nanowires can be explained well qualitatively by the Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DLVO) theory; however, polyelectrolyte adsorption led to additional patch-charge attractions and osmotic repulsion between the particles. On the basis of the knowledge generated by the present work, experimental conditions (e.g., salt level, polyelectrolyte, and particle concentrations) can be adjusted in order to design stable and processable aqueous dispersions of TiONWs for further applications