Experimental Verification of the Gapless Point in the SS=1 Antiferromagnetic Bond Alternating Chain

Susceptibility and high field magnetization measurements have been performed on powder samples of an $S$=1 bond alternating chain compound [\{Ni(333-tet)($\mu$-N$_3$)\}$_n$](ClO$_4$)$_n$ (333-tet=tetraamine N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-propanediamine). As the temperature is decreased, the susceptibility exhibits a round maximum at around 120 K and decreases gradually down to 10 K, and then falls down rapidly with a logarithmic curvature which is behavior of the susceptibility of a gapless or a nearly gapless antiferromagnetic chain. Magnetization up to 50 T at 1.4 K shows no or a very small gap in this compound. We have carried out numerical calculations for the $S$=1 antiferromagnetic bond alternating chain with various alternating ratios $\alpha$ and obtained a very good agreement between experiments and calculations for $\alpha$=0.6. We verify experimentally that the gapless point exists around $\alpha$=0.6.Comment: 12 pages, 4 Postscript figures, uses REVTE

Cystatin A, a Potential Common Link for Mutant Myocilin Causative Glaucoma

Myocilin (MYOC) is a 504 aa secreted glycoprotein induced by stress factors in the trabecular meshwork tissue of the eye, where it was discovered. Mutations in MYOC are linked to glaucoma. The glaucoma phenotype of each of the different MYOC mutation varies, but all of them cause elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In cells, forty percent of wild-type MYOC is cleaved by calpain II, a cysteine protease. This proteolytic process is inhibited by MYOC mutants. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which MYOC mutants cause glaucoma. We constructed adenoviral vectors with variants Q368X, R342K, D380N, K423E, and overexpressed them in human trabecular meshwork cells. We analyzed expression profiles with Affymetrix U133Plus2 GeneChips using wild-type and null viruses as controls. Analysis of trabecular meshwork relevant mechanisms showed that the unfolded protein response (UPR) was the most affected. Search for individual candidate genes revealed that genes that have been historically connected to trabecular meshwork physiology and pathology were altered by the MYOC mutants. Some of those had known MYOC associations (MMP1, PDIA4, CALR, SFPR1) while others did not (EDN1, MGP, IGF1, TAC1). Some, were top-changed in only one mutant (LOXL1, CYP1B1, FBN1), others followed a mutant group pattern. Some of the genes were new (RAB39B, STC1, CXCL12, CSTA). In particular, one selected gene, the cysteine protease inhibitor cystatin A (CSTA), was commonly induced by all mutants and not by the wild-type. Subsequent functional analysis of the selected gene showed that CSTA was able to reduce wild-type MYOC cleavage in primary trabecular meshwork cells while an inactive mutated CSTA was not. These findings provide a new molecular understanding of the mechanisms of MYOC-causative glaucoma and reveal CSTA, a serum biomarker for cancer, as a potential biomarker and drug for the treatment of MYOC-induced glaucoma

On-line solid phase microextraction derivatization for the sensitive determination of multi-oxygenated volatile compounds in air

Multi-oxygenated volatile organic compounds are important markers of air pollution and precursors of ozone and secondary aerosols in both polluted and remote environments. Herein, their accurate determination was enhanced. The approach was based on an automated system for active sampling and on-fibre derivatization coupled with the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) technique. The method capability was determined for different compound families, such as aldehydes, ketones, α-dicarbonyls, hydroxy-aldehydes, hydroxy-ketones, and carboxylic acids. A good accuracy (<7 %) was demonstrated from the results compared to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Limits of detection (LODs) of 6–100 pptV were achieved with a time resolution lower than 20 min. The developed method was successfully applied to the determination of multi-oxygenated compounds in air samples collected during an intercomparison campaign (EUROCHAMP-2020 project). Also, its capability and accuracy for atmospheric monitoring was demonstrated in an isoprene ozonolysis experiment. Both were carried out in the high-volume outdoor atmospheric simulation chambers (EUPHORE, 200 m3). In summary, our developed technique offers near-real-time monitoring with direct sampling, which is an advantage in terms of handling and labour time for a proper quantification of trace levels of atmospheric multi-oxygenated compounds

Enhanced cryogenic mechanical properties of heterostructured CrCoNi multicomponent alloy:Insights from <i>in-situ</i> neutron diffraction

Heterostructured materials (HSMs) has been shown to improve the strength-ductility trade-off of conventional alloys but their cryogenic performance has not been studied during real-time deformation. We investigated heterostructured CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy by in-situ neutron diffraction at cryogenic (77 K) and room (293 K) temperatures. The significant mechanical mismatch at interfaces between fine and coarse grains, due to pronounced grain size disparity, resulted in exceptional yield strength of 918 MPa at 293 K. The yield strength further increased to 1244 MPa at 77 K with an excellent uniform elongation of 34 %. The exceptional strength–ductility combination at 77 K can be attributed to enhanced geometrically necessary dislocation pile-up density boosted from high-mechanical mismatch interfaces, as well as higher planar faults, and martensitic phase transformation. Comparison with homogenous counterparts demonstrates the potential of HSMs as a new strategy to improve the mechanical performance of different materials, including medium-/high-entropy alloys for cryogenic applications.</p

Clinical and prognostic implications of delirium in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Altres ajuts: This study was supported by the funding from the Spanish Society of Cardiology.Elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) may present delirium but its clinical relevance is unknown. This study aimed at determining the clinical associated factors, and prognostic implications of delirium in old-aged patients admitted for NSTE-ACS. LONGEVO-SCA is a prospective multicenter registry including unselected patients with NSTE-ACS aged ≥ 80 years. Clinical variables and a complete geriatric evaluation were assessed during hospitalization. The association between delirium and 6-month mortality was assessed by a Cox regression model weighted for a propensity score including the potential confounding variables. We also analysed its association with 6-month bleeding and cognitive or functional decline. Among 527 patients included, thirty-seven (7%) patients presented delirium during the hospitalization. Delirium was more frequent in patients with dementia or depression and in those from nursing homes (27.0% vs. 3.1%, 24.3% vs. 11.6%, and 11.1% vs. 2.2%, respectively; all P < 0.05). Delirium was significantly associated with in-hospital infections (27.0% vs. 5.3%, P < 0.001) and usage of diuretics (70.3% vs. 49.8%, P = 0.02). Patients with delirium had longer hospitalizations [median 8.5 (5.5-14) vs. 6.0 (4.0-10) days, P = 0.02] and higher incidence of 6-month bleeding and mortality (32.3% vs. 10.0% and 24.3% vs. 10.8%, respectively; both P < 0.05) but similar cognitive or functional decline. Delirium was independently associated with 6-month mortality (HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.02-2.13, P = 0.04) and 6-month bleeding events (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.98-4.16, P < 0.01). In-hospital delirium in elderly patients with NSTE-ACS is associated with some preventable risk factors and it is an independent predictor of 6-month mortality

Processes and coastal dynamics in the Ensenada de Marbella: recent morphosedimentary evolution

La Ensenada de Marbella ha experimentado en las últimas décadas cambios físicos y socio-económicos sustanciales debidos fundamentalmente a una transformación en el modelo económico y un desarrollo acusado del turismo residencial y todos los impactos en los usos del suelo relacionado con ello. Sin embargo, las causas de la alteración de la dinámica litoral también hay que buscarlas en cambios en la morfología del nearshore y en la dinámica sedimentaria. Para analizar la morfodinámica de la ensenada en varios escenarios temporales, simulaciones de oleaje sobre batimetrías del 1888 y actuales revelan cambios importantes en los patrones dispersión de la energía y el funcionamiento de la bahía a través de complejas células litorales de transporte. El análisis de los procesos dinámicos en la zona del nearshore y el estudio volumétrico a través de modelos de batimetrías secuenciales muestran como dichos cambios morfológicos de los fondos costeros pueden o no estar relacionados con cambios a largo plazo en la línea de costa, y por tanto ser co-responsables de los procesos de erosión y acreción acelerados evidentes a lo largo de la Ensenada

Longitudinal Association Between Physical Activity and Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To examine the longitudinal association between frequency of moderate physical activity (PA) and overall, physical, psychological, and social frailty among community-dwelling older adults older than 70 years. Second, we assessed the association between a 12-month change in frequency of moderate PA and frailty. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: Community settings in Spain, Greece, Croatia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1735 participants (61.1% female; mean age = 79.6 years; SD = 5.5 years). MEASUREMENTS: The frequency of self-reported moderate PA was measured and classified into two categories: “regular frequency” and “low frequency.” The 12-month change in frequency of moderate PA between baseline and follow-up was classified into four categories: “continued regular frequency,” “decreased frequency,” “continued low frequency,” and “increased frequency.” The 15-item Tilburg Frailty Indicato

Differential regulation of specific genes in MCF-7 and the ICI 182780-resistant cell line MCF-7/182R-6

To elucidate the mechanisms involved in anti-oestrogen resistance, two human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and the ICI 182780-resistant cell line, MCF-7/182R-6, have been compared with regard to oestrogen receptor (ER) expression, ER function, ER regulation, growth requirements and differentially expressed gene products. MCF-7/182R-6 cells express a reduced level of ER protein. The ER protein is functional with respect to binding of oestradiol and the anti-oestrogens tamoxifen, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen and ICI 182780, whereas expression and oestrogen induction of the progesterone receptor is lost in MCF-7/182R-6 cells. The ER protein and the ER mRNA are regulated similarly in the two cell lines when subjected to treatment with oestradiol or ICI 182780. Oestradiol down-regulates ER mRNA and ER protein expression. ICI 182780 has no initial effect on ER mRNA expression whereas the ER protein level decreases rapidly in cells treated with ICI 182780, indicating a severely decreased stability of the ER protein when bound to ICI 182780. In vitro growth experiments revealed that the ICI 182780-resistant cell line had evolved to an oestradiol-independent phenotype, able to grow with close to maximal growth rate both in the absence of oestradiol and in the presence of ICI 182780. Comparison of gene expression between the two cell lines revealed relatively few differences, indicating that a limited number of changes is involved in the development of anti-oestrogen resistance. Identification of the differentially expressed gene products are currently in progress. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Tumour heterogeneity in glioblastoma assessed by MRI texture analysis: a potential marker of survival

Objective: The main objective of this retrospective work was the study of three-dimensional (3D) heterogeneity measures of post-contrast pre-operative MR images acquired with T1 weighted sequences of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) as predictors of clinical outcome. Methods: 79 patients from 3 hospitals were included in the study. 16 3D textural heterogeneity measures were computed including run-length matrix (RLM) features (regional heterogeneity) and co-occurrence matrix (CM) features (local heterogeneity). The significance of the results was studied using Kaplan?Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards analysis. Correlation between the variables of the study was assessed using the Spearman?s correlation coefficient. Results: Kaplan?Meyer survival analysis showed that 4 of the 11 RLM features and 4 of the 5 CM features considered were robust predictors of survival. The median survival differences in the most significant cases were of over 6 months. Conclusion: Heterogeneity measures computed on the post-contrast pre-operative T1 weighted MR images of patients with GBM are predictors of survival. Advances in knowledge: Texture analysis to assess tumour heterogeneity has been widely studied. However, most works develop a two-dimensional analysis, focusing only on one MRI slice to state tumour heterogeneity. The study of fully 3D heterogeneity textural features as predictors of clinical outcome is more robust and is not dependent on the selected slice of the tumour

Different fetal-neonatal outcomes in siblings born to a mother with Graves-Basedow disease after total thyroidectomy: a case series

ABSTRACT:INTRODUCTION: We describe three different fetal or neonatal outcomes in the offspring of a mother who had persistent circulating thyrotropin receptor antibodies despite having undergone a total thyroidectomy several years before. CASE PRESENTATION: The three different outcomes were an intrauterine death, a mild and transient fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism and a severe fetal and neonatal hyperthyroidism that required specific therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The three cases are interesting because of the different outcomes, the absence of a direct correlation between thyrotropin receptor antibody levels and clinical signs, and the persistence of thyrotropin receptor antibodies several years after a total thyroidectomy