ON THE INCIDENCE OF THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF PRIMARY GLAUCOMA

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Modulated optical reflectance measurements on La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 thin films

The modulated optical reflectance (MOR) measurement technique was applied to colossal magnetoresistive materials, in particular, La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) thin films. The contactless measurement scheme is prospective for many applications spanning from materials characterization to new devices like reading heads for magnetically recorded media. A contrasted room temperature surface scan of a 100 microns wide 400 microns long bridge patterned into LSMO film provided preliminary information about the film homogeneity. Then the temperature was varied between 240 and 400 K, i.e. through the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition. A clear relation between the MOR signal measured as function of the temperature and the relative derivative of the resistivity up to the Curie temperature was observed. This relationship is fundamental for the MOR technique and its mechanism was explored in the particular case of LSMO. Analysis in the framework of the Drude model showed that, within certain conditions, the measured MOR signal changes are correlated to changes in the charge carrier concentration.Comment: 29 pages, accepted for publication in J. Appl. Phy

On the parasites of genus Angiostrongylus (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae) and some cases of Angiostrongylus daskalovi in badgers from bulgaria

In the course of studies on filariid infections in wild carnivorous in Bulgaria nematodes of genus Angiostrongylus were found in the heart and pulmonary arteries of badgers. The detected specimens were examined morphologically and metrically, which allowed us to identify them as Angiostrongylusdaskalovi . A morphometrical description of the species is given in accordance with the present materials.В ходе исследования филариидных инвазий в Болгарии в сердце и легочных артериях барсуков обнаружены нематоды рода Angiostrongylus . Эти образцы исследовались морфологически и метрически, что позволило, с учетом также географического и гостального распространения, идентифицировать их как Angiostrongylus daskalovi Janchev et Genov 1988. Приводится морфометрическое описание вида по данным текущих исследований

ФАУНА ЛЕГОЧНЫХ ГЕЛЬМИНТОВ В ОРГАНИЗМЕ ХОЗЯИНА, ЕЕ БИОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ И ТАКСОНОМИЧЕСКАЯ КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ

Object of study: Studies of lung helminths from various groups were performed. Elaboration of biological and taxonomic classification of these species has been proposed.Materials and methods: 16 species from families Cervidae, Bovidae, Leporidae and humans were studied for lung helminths inRussia (South and central),Armenia,Bulgaria,Poland. The helminths found were studied using a scope of traditional and elaborated helminthological methods.Results and discussion: In lungs of mammals studied 23 helminth species have been found including 1 of Taeniidae (Echinococcus granulosus), 4 of Dictyocaulidae and 18 of Protostrongylidae. We have divided species composition of these lung helminths into three biological groups. The first biological group included nematodes from Dictyocaulidae family. Life cycles of those helminths are monoxenous (they are geohelminths). The second group includes helminths from family Protostrongylidae. Their life cycles include intermediate hosts – land snails and so they are dixenous (biohelminths). The third group includes an agent of a quite dangerous zoonosis – Echinococcus granulosis larvae. These cestodes also develop per dixenous type, but their intermediate hosts are vertebrates with definitive hosts also vertebrate, mostly carnivores. Taxonomic classification for family Protostrongylidae haelminths is also proposed.Цель исследования: Провести изучение различных групп легочных гельминтов; разработать биологическую и таксономическую классификацию данного вида гельминтов.Материалы и методы: Проведены исследования 16 видов гельминтов семейств Cervidae, Bovidae, Leporidae, а также легочных гельминтов человека на территории России (Юг и центральные районы), Армении, Болгарии, Польши. Обнаруженные гельминты были изучены с использованием традиционных и новых методов гельминтологического исследования.Результаты и обсуждение: В легких у исследованных млекопитающих, найдено 23 вида гельминтов, включая 1 Taeniidae (Echinococcus granulosus), 4 Dictyocaulidae и 18 Protostrongylidae. Мы разделили все эти легочные гельминты на три биологические группы. В первую группу (геогельминты) вошли нематоды семейства Dictyocaulidae. Жизненный цикл данного вида гельминтов моноксенический, осуществляется прямым путём, без промежуточных хозяев. Вторая группа (биогельминты) включала в себя гельминты семейства Protostrongylidae. Характерным признаком является участие в их биологическом цикле промежуточных хозяев — наземных моллюсков. К третьей группе были отнесены возбудители довольно опасного зооноза – Echinococcus granulosis larvae. Эти цестоды развиваются со сменой хозяев, но их промежуточными хозяевами являются позвоночные млекопитающие, имеющие окончательных хозяев – также позвоночных, в основном, плотоядных животных. Нами также предложена таксономическая классификация семейства Protostrongylidae haelminths

Big Data and AI – A transformational shift for government: So, what next for research?

Big Data and artificial intelligence will have a profound transformational impact on governments around the world. Thus, it is important for scholars to provide a useful analysis on the topic to public managers and policymakers. This study offers an in-depth review of the Policy and Administration literature on the role of Big Data and advanced analytics in the public sector. It provides an overview of the key themes in the research field, namely the application and benefits of Big Data throughout the policy process, and challenges to its adoption and the resulting implications for the public sector. It is argued that research on the subject is still nascent and more should be done to ensure that the theory adds real value to practitioners. A critical assessment of the strengths and limitations of the existing literature is developed, and a future research agenda to address these gaps and enrich our understanding of the topic is proposed

In vitro and in silico studies of the membrane permeability of natural flavonoids from Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. and their derivatives

Background: In recent years the number of natural products used as pharmaceuticals, components of dietary supplements and cosmetics has increased tremendously requiring more extensive evaluation of their pharmacokinetic properties. Purpose: This study aims at combining in vitro and in silico methods to evaluate the gastrointestinal absorption (GIA) of natural flavonolignans from milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) and their derivatives. Methods: A parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) was used to evaluate the transcellular permeability of the plant main components. A dataset of 269 compounds with measured PAMPA values and specialized software tools for calculating molecular descriptors were utilized to develop a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model to predict PAMPA permeability. Results: The PAMPA permeabilities of 7 compounds constituting the main components of the milk thistle were measured and their GIA was evaluated. A freely-available and easy to use QSAR model predicting PAMPA permeability from calculated physico-chemical molecular descriptors was derived and validated on an external dataset of 783 compounds with known GIA. The predicted permeability values correlated well with obtained in vitro results. The QSAR model was further applied to predict the GIA of 31 experimentally untested flavonolignans. Conclusions: According to both in vitro and in silico results most flavonolignans are highly permeable in the gastrointestinal tract, which is a prerequisite for sufficient bioavailability and use as lead structures in drug development. The combined in vitro/in silico approach can be used for the preliminary evaluation of GIA and to guide further laboratory experiments on pharmacokinetic characterization of bioactive compounds, including natural products

Extended Thromboprophylaxis with Betrixaban in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Background Patients with acute medical illnesses are at prolonged risk for venous thrombosis. However, the appropriate duration of thromboprophylaxis remains unknown. Methods Patients who were hospitalized for acute medical illnesses were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous enoxaparin (at a dose of 40 mg once daily) for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban placebo for 35 to 42 days or subcutaneous enoxaparin placebo for 10±4 days plus oral betrixaban (at a dose of 80 mg once daily) for 35 to 42 days. We performed sequential analyses in three prespecified, progressively inclusive cohorts: patients with an elevated d-dimer level (cohort 1), patients with an elevated d-dimer level or an age of at least 75 years (cohort 2), and all the enrolled patients (overall population cohort). The statistical analysis plan specified that if the between-group difference in any analysis in this sequence was not significant, the other analyses would be considered exploratory. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of asymptomatic proximal deep-vein thrombosis and symptomatic venous thromboembolism. The principal safety outcome was major bleeding. Results A total of 7513 patients underwent randomization. In cohort 1, the primary efficacy outcome occurred in 6.9% of patients receiving betrixaban and 8.5% receiving enoxaparin (relative risk in the betrixaban group, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65 to 1.00; P=0.054). The rates were 5.6% and 7.1%, respectively (relative risk, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.98; P=0.03) in cohort 2 and 5.3% and 7.0% (relative risk, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.92; P=0.006) in the overall population. (The last two analyses were considered to be exploratory owing to the result in cohort 1.) In the overall population, major bleeding occurred in 0.7% of the betrixaban group and 0.6% of the enoxaparin group (relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.12; P=0.55). Conclusions Among acutely ill medical patients with an elevated d-dimer level, there was no significant difference between extended-duration betrixaban and a standard regimen of enoxaparin in the prespecified primary efficacy outcome. However, prespecified exploratory analyses provided evidence suggesting a benefit for betrixaban in the two larger cohorts. (Funded by Portola Pharmaceuticals; APEX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01583218. opens in new tab.