Postpulmonary tuberculosis complications in South Africa and a potential link with pulmonary hypertension: Premise for clinical and scientific investigations

CITATION: Allwood, B. W. et al. 2018. Post-pulmonary tuberculosis complications in South Africa and a potential link with pulmonary hypertension : premise for clinical and scientific investigations. South African Medical Journal, 108(7):529, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2018.v108i7.13359.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaThe magnitude of the pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in South Africa (SA) and globally[1] has received increased attention. Efforts have been made to explore new and improved diagnostic[2] and treatment strategies,[3] but the story does not end with treatment, and TB frequently results in long-term lung damage.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12339/8528Publisher's versio

Quality of life in children with primary antibody deficiency.

Primary antibody deficiency disorders (PADs) can have an excellent outlook if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, but require lifelong treatment with immunoglobulin replacement. Some carry risks of inflammatory complications even with optimal treatment. Quality of life (QoL) and the psychological impact of PADs has been relatively little studied, particularly in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate QoL and psychological impact in a large group of children affected by a range of PADs, as well as a group with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI). Both parental and, where appropriate, child ratings, were collected using standardised questionnaires (PedsQL and SDQ). Higher rates of psychological difficulties, particularly emotional and peer-relationship difficulties were found in children with PAD when compared with healthy controls. Quality of life was poorer than in healthy controls, and also worse than in children affected by diabetes mellitus. Variations in QoL and the degree of psychological difficulties were found between specific diagnostic groups, with children affected by THI being amongst those with the lowest scores for QoL. Further studies are needed to corroborate and extend these findings, but this study confirms previous findings that primary antibody deficiency has a significant impact on quality of life and psychological well-being, and additionally suggests that the impact varies according to severity of the underlying condition. For those with significant difficulties psychological intervention at an early stage may be beneficial

Effect of stem cell source on long-term chimerism and event-free survival in children with primary immunodeficiency disorders after fludarabine and melphalan conditioning regimen

BACKGROUND: Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are increasingly being used in the transplantation of patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs), but there are no large studies looking at long-term lineage-specific chimerism. OBJECTIVES: We sought to analyze long-term chimerism and event-free survival in children undergoing transplantation for PIDs using RIC with fludarabine and melphalan (Flu/Melph) and to study the effect of donor type and stem cell source. METHODS: One hundred forty-two children underwent transplantation with RIC by using Flu/Melph and for PIDs by using bone marrow (n = 93) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs; n = 49). Donors were matched unrelated donors (n = 72), mismatched unrelated donors (n = 37), matched sibling donors (n = 14), matched family donors (n = 12), and mismatched family donors (n = 7). RESULTS: Overall survival at a median follow-up of 7.5 years was 78%, irrespective of stem cell source or donor type. When bone marrow was used as the stem cell source, 26% of patients ended up with very low levels of donor chimerism (50% donor chimerism) in all lineages. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our experience, we would suggest that PBSCs should be the stem cell source of choice in children with PIDs undergoing transplantation with Flu/Melph RIC from a matched donor source. This is most likely to ensure sustained high-level donor chimerism

Quantitative trait loci mapping of polyphenol metabolites from a 'Latham' x 'Glen Moy' red raspberry (<i>Rubus idaeus L</i>) cross

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic control of polyphenol accumulation in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L).Methods: The levels of total anthocyanins and 37 individual polyphenol metabolites were measured over three years in a raspberry biparental mapping population. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for these traits were mapped onto a high-density SNP linkage map.Results: At least one QTL was detected for each trait, with good consistency among the years. On four linkage groups (LG), there were major QTLs affecting several metabolites. On LG1, a QTL had large effects on anthocyanins and flavonols containing a rutinoside or rhamnose group. On LG4, a QTL had large effects on several flavonols and on LG5 and LG6 QTLs had large effects on ellagic acid derivatives. Smaller QTLs were found on LG2 and LG3.Conclusion: The identification of robust QTLs for key polyphenols in raspberry provides great potential for marker-assisted breeding for improved levels of potentially health beneficial components.</p

Broadband conversion of microwaves into propagating spin waves in patterned magnetic structures

We have used time-resolved scanning Kerr microscopy and micromagnetic simulations to demonstrate that, when driven by the spatially uniform microwave field, the edges of patterned magnetic samples represent both efficient and highly tunable sources of propagating spin waves. The excitation is due to the local enhancement of the resonance frequency induced by the non-uniform dynamic demagnetizing field generated by precessing magnetization aligned with the edges. Our findings represent a crucial step forward in the design of nanoscale spin-wave sources for magnonic architectures and are also highly relevant to the understanding and interpretation of magnetization dynamics driven by spatially uniform magnetic fields in patterned magnetic samples

The effect of inhaled nitric oxide on shunt fraction in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID‑19 pneumonia

Studies in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with refractory hypoxaemia suggest that inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) can be added to ventilatory strategies as a potential bridge to clinical improvement. However, the potential role of iNO as a management strategy in severe COVID-19 pneumonia remains unclear. The authors describe their clinical findings of using iNO for severe COVID-19 pneumonia in 10 patients with refractory hypoxaemia in a tertiary respiratory intensive care unit. The results showed an improvement in shunt fraction, P/F ratio, PaO2 and arterial oxygen saturation but the improvements did not translate into a mortality benefit. This report adds to the current body of literature indicating that the correct indications, timing, dose and duration of iNO therapy and how to harness its pleiotropic effects still remain to be elucidated

Exergy analysis of incremental sheet forming

Research in the last 15 years has led to die-less incremental forming processes that are close to realization in an industrial setup. Whereas many studies have been carried out with the intention of investigating technical abilities and economic consequences, the ecological impact of incremental sheet forming (ISF) has not been studied so far. Using the concept of exergy analysis, two ISF technologies, namely single sided and double sided incremental forming, are investigated and compared to conventional forming and hydroforming. A second exergy analysis is carried out with the purpose of examining the environmental impact of different forming technologies from a supply chain perspective. Therefore, related upstream activities (die set production, aluminum sheet production and energy conversion and supply) are included into the exergy analysis. The entire supply chain is modeled with Matlab/Simulink. The results of both analyses suggest that ISF is environmentally advantageous for prototyping and small production runs.United States. Dept. of Energy (Award DE-EE0003460

Transverse Domain Wall Profile for Spin Logic Applications

Domain wall (DW) based logic and memory devices require precise control and manipulation of DW in nanowire conduits. The topological defects of Transverse DWs (TDW) are of paramount importance as regards to the deterministic pinning and movement of DW within complex networks of conduits. In-situ control of the DW topological defects in nanowire conduits may pave the way for novel DW logic applications. In this work, we present a geometrical modulation along a nanowire conduit, which allows for the topological rectification/inversion of TDW in nanowires. This is achieved by exploiting the controlled relaxation of the TDW within an angled rectangle. Direct evidence of the logical operation is obtained via magnetic force microscopy measurement