Effects of sodium creatine phosphate on myocardial and left ventricular function in patients with slow / no reflow acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction during percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: To investigate the effect of sodium creatine phosphate on myocardial and left ventricular function in patients with slow / no reflow acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (heart failure, recurrent myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, etc.) Was recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: Conclusion sodium creatine phosphate can reduce myocardial injury, improve heart rate variability and left ventricular function, and reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in STEMI patients with slow / no reflow during PCI

Spectral Features of the Solar Transition Region and Chromospheric Lines at Flare Ribbons Observed with IRIS

We report on the spectral features of the Si IV 1402.77 \AA, C II 1334.53 \AA, and Mg II h or k lines, formed in the layers from the transition region to the chromosphere, in three two-ribbon flares (with X-, M-, and C-class) observed with IRIS. All the three lines show significant redshifts within the main flare ribbons, which mainly originate from the chromospheric condensation during the flares. The average redshift velocities of the Si IV line within the main ribbons are 56.6, 25.6, and 10.5 km s$^{-1}$ for the X-, M-, and C-class flares, respectively, which show a decreasing tendency with the flare class. The C II and Mg II lines show a similar tendency but with smaller velocities compared to the Si IV line. Additionally, the Mg II h or k line shows a blue-wing enhancement in the three flares in particular at the flare ribbon fronts, which is supposed to be caused by an upflow in the upper chromosphere due to the heating of the atmosphere. Moreover, the Mg II h or k line exhibits a central reversal at the flare ribbons, but turns to pure emission shortly after 1--4 minutes. Correspondingly, the C II line also shows a central reversal but in a smaller region. However, for the Si IV line, the central reversal is only found in the X-class flare, but not in the other two flares. As usual, the central reversal of these lines can be caused by the opacity effect. This implies that in addition to the optically thick lines (C II and Mg II lines), the Si IV line can become optically thick in a strong flare, which is likely related to the nonthermal electron beam heating.Comment: 26 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

Feature extraction for license plate location based on L0-norm smoothing

We propose a simple feature extraction algorithm for license plate location, which can reduce the occurrence of pseudo-licenses significantly. Our scheme arises from a novel L-0 -norm image smoothing, in which the multiple local textures in the complex backgrounds can be suppressed remarkably without changing the structures and edges of the license objects. Due to this "edgeaware" property, we then combine a feature filtering with an efficient binarized image, a simple multi-scale image analysis algorithm, to remove the potential false license plates. Finally, we extract license plates with a projection method. Experimental results show the proposed method provides a flexible and powerful way to the license plate location in complex backgrounds

Stable divalent germanium, tin and lead amino(ether)-phenolate monomeric complexes: structural features, inclusion heterobimetallic complexes, and ROP catalysis

International audienceStable germanium(ii) and lead(ii) amido complexes {LO(i)}M(N(SiMe3)2) (M = Ge(II), Pb(II)) bearing amino(ether)phenolate ligands are readily available using the proteo-ligands {LO(i)}H of general formula 2-CH2NR2-4,6-tBu2-C6H2OH (i = 1, NR2 = N((CH2)2OCH3)2; i = 2, NR2 = NEt2; i = 3, NR2 = aza-15-crown-5) and M(N(SiMe3)2)2 precursors. The molecular structures of these germylenes and plumbylenes, as well as those of {LO(3)}GeCl, {LO(3)}SnCl and of the congeneric {LO(4)}Sn(II)(N(SiMe3)2) where NR2 = aza-12-crown-4, have been determined crystallographically. All complexes are monomeric, with 3-coordinate metal centres. The phenolate systematically acts as a N^Ophenolate bidentate ligand, with no interactions between the metal and the Oside-arm atoms in these cases (for {LO(1)}(-), {LO(3)}(-) and {LO(4)}(-)) where they could potentially arise. For each family, the lone pair of electrons essentially features ns(2) character, and there is little, if any, hybridization of the valence orbitals. Heterobimetallic complexes {LO(3)}M(N(SiMe3)2)*LiOTf, where the Li(+) cation sits inside the tethered crown-ether, were prepared by reaction of {LO(3)}M(N(SiMe3)2) and LiOTf (M = Ge(II), Sn(II)). The inclusion of Li(+) (featuring a close contact with the triflate anion) in the macrocycle bears no influence on the coordination sphere of the divalent tetrel element. In association with iPrOH, the amido germylenes, stannylenes and plumbylenes catalyse the controlled polymerisation of l- and racemic lactide. The activity increases linearly according to Ge(II) ≪ Sn(II) ≪ Pb(II). The simple germylenes generate very sluggish catalysts, but the activity is significantly boosted if the heterobimetallic complex {LO(3)}Ge(N(SiMe3)2)*LiOTf is used instead. On the other hand, with 10-25 equiv. of iPrOH, the plumbylenes afford highly active binary catalysts, converting 1000 or 5000 equiv. of monomer at 60 °C within 3 or 45 min, respectively, in a controlled fashion

The interaction between XBP1 and eNOS contributes to endothelial cell migration

Trabalho final de mestrado integrado em Medicina área científica de Urologia, apresentado á Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de CoimbraINTRODUÇÃO: Nas últimas décadas a nefrectomia parcial tem assumido um papel de destaque no tratamento do carcinoma de células renais. Esta técnica, também denominada cirurgia poupadora de nefrónios, permite remover o tumor na totalidade, preservando o parênquima renal adjacente. As suas indicações tornaram-se mais abrangentes à medida que os resultados se mostraram cada vez mais promissores. Assim, actualmente a nefrectomia parcial é o tratamento padrão do carcinoma de células renais, em detrimento da tradicional nefrectomia radical. Discute-se agora qual das duas, nefrectomia parcial aberta ou laparoscópica, é a melhor opção. OBJECTIVOS: Rever as evidências científicas relativas ao tratamento do carcinoma de células renais pela nefrectomia parcial, aberta e laparoscópica, definindo o papel actual de cada uma delas nesta área. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa na PubMed e Medline de artigos relativos a nefrectomia radical e nefrectomia parcial aberta e laparoscópica, publicados entre 1997 e 2009. Consulta das “Guidelines” da Associação Europeia de Urologia. DESENVOLVIMENTO: A nefrectomia parcial mostra resultados oncológicos semelhantes aos da nefrectomia radical, permitindo uma menor morbilidade renal a longo prazo. A nefrectomia parcial aberta é agora o tratamento recomendado pelas “Guidelines” da Associação Europeia de Urologia para o tratamento de tumores com diâmetro inferior a 4 cm, limitados ao rim, mesmo quando o rim contralateral é normal. As indicações poderão ainda ser alargadas para tumores até 7 cm de diâmetro, dependendo das características do tumor. A nefrectomia parcial laparoscópica, embora tecnicamente mais exigente, é uma boa opção de tratamento em centros com experiência na realização da técnica, revelando bons resultados a curto prazo. CONCLUSÕES: A nefrectomia parcial aberta é actualmente o tratamento padrão do carcinoma de células renais. A nefrectomia parcial laparoscópica revela resultados a curto prazo semelhantes aos da nefrectomia parcial aberta, contudo são necessários estudos confirmando esses resultados a longo prazoINTRODUCTION: In the last decades partial nephrectomy have had an important role in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. This surgery, also known as nephron-sparing surgery, allows to remove the tumor and to preserve the surrounding healthy renal parenchyma. Moreover, with the evolution of the technique its indications got more comprehensive. So, nowadays, partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma, instead of the traditional radical nephrectomy. There is now a discussion between which of the two, open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, is the best option. OBJECTIVES: Review the scientific evidences related to the treatment of renal cell carcinoma through open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, defining the actual role of both in this area. METHODS: Research articles related to radical nephrectomy, open and laparoscopic partial nephrectomies at PubMed and Medline publications between 1997 and 2009. Consult of the Guidelines of European Urology Association. DEVELOPMENT: Partial nephrectomy shows oncological outcomes similar to those of radical nephrectomy with less renal morbidity at long-term follow-up. Open partial nephrectomy is now the recommended treatment by the Guidelines of European Urology Association for the treatment of tumors less than 4 cm, limited to the kidney, even when the other kidney is normal. Indications can also include tumors less than 7 cm, depending on the characteristics of the tumor. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, although technically more demanding, is a good option in specialized centers and reveals similar results in a short-term. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays open partial nephrectomy is the standard treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Laparoscopic partial shows similar results as open surgery in a short-term, however, more studies are needed to confirm this results at long-term. Key-words: Open partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, renal cell carcinoma, indications, results

Theoretical analysis and modelling of degradation for III–V lasers on Si

Abstract: InAs/GaAs quantum-dot (QD) lasers offer a promising method to realise Si-based on-chip light sources. However, the monolithic integration of III–V materials on Si introduces a high density of threading dislocations (TDs), which limits the performance of such a laser device in terms of device lifetime. Here, we proposed a kinetic model including a degradation term and a saturation term to simulate the degradation process caused by the TDs in the early stage of laser operation. By using a rate equation model, the current density in the wetting layer, where the TDs concentrate, is calculated. We compared the rate of degradation of QD lasers with different cavity lengths and of quantum-well lasers, where both are directly grown on Si substrates, by varying the fitting parameters in the calculation of current densities in the kinetic model

The Protective Role of Hyaluronic Acid in Cr(VI)-Induced Oxidative Damage in Corneal Epithelial Cells

Cr(VI) exposure could produce kinds of intermediates and reactive oxygen species, both of which were related to DNA damage. Hyaluronan (HA) has impressive biological functions and was reported to protect corneal epithelial cells against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B, benzalkonium chloride, and sodium lauryl sulfate. So the aim of our study was to investigate HA protection on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells against Cr(VI)-induced toxic effects. The HCE cell lines were exposed to different concentrations of K2Cr2O7 (1.875, 3.75, 7.5, 15.0, and 30 μM) or a combination of K2Cr2O7 and 0.2% HA and incubated with different times (15 min, 30 min, and 60 min). Our data showed that Cr(VI) exposure could cause decreased cell viability, increased DNA damage, and ROS generation to the HCE cell lines. But incubation of HA increased HCE cell survival rates and decreased DNA damage and ROS generation induced by Cr(VI) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We report for the first time that HA can protect HCE cells against the toxicity of Cr(VI), indicating that it will be a promising therapeutic agent to corneal injuries caused by Cr(VI)