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Four strains of entomopathogenic nematodes were isolated with a live trap method in southern Poland. The isolates were identified as Steinernema silvaticum based on morphological, morphometric and molecular data. Infective juveniles of Polish S. silvaticum isolates differ in body length from S. weiseri (951 vs 740 μm, respectively), and in the hyaline tail portion from S. kraussei (48 vs 38%, respectively). First-generation males of S. silvaticum are longer than those of S. kraussei , S. weiseri and S. ichnusae (1829 vs 1400, 1180 and 1341 μm, respectively). Males of S. silvaticum and a sister species S. kraussei can be distinguished by the distance from the anterior end to the nerve ring (142 vs 105 μm), spicule (66 vs 49 μm) and gubernaculum length (45 vs 33 μm), and the presence of a mucron. The analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), D2-D3 and cox1 sequences of the tested nematodes revealed differences of 3–5%, 3% and 12–13%, respectively, from S. kraussei strains. The phylogeny of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicated close relationships of the Polish S. silvaticum isolates with S. kraussei , S. oregonense and S. cholashanense. The reproductive isolation of the studied isolates was confirmed by hybridization tests with other European feltiae–kraussei group representatives. This study has supplemented the original description of S. silvaticum with morphological and morphometric characterization of the first-generation males and females. This is also the first molecular study of this species based on a multi-gene approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Acrylamide (ACR) is a potent neurotoxicant, although information on its toxic influence on the developing neural system is still limited. The effects of in-ovo-injected ACR on the antioxidant system activity in the brain of newly hatched chickens was examined. This model eliminated the mother’s contribution to embryonic development. It was also recognised as an adequate model for animal embryonic development. 2. ACR was injected on d 4 of embryogenesis - in doses of 1.25 and 2.50 mg/egg (n = 40 eggs/group/120 eggs). The doses corresponded well with ACR doses used in other animal studies and their concentrations in certain animal feeds. 3. Mortality and incidences of malformations were not found to increase significantly. Significant depletion of glutathione was detected in the cerebellum, cerebrum and medulla oblongata of specimens exposed to the highest doses of ACR. Enzymatic activity was affected by the highest ACR doses. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased significantly in the cerebrum, medulla oblongata and the hypothalamus. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased significantly in hypothalamus and decreased in cerebellum and cerebrum. A significant depletion of catalase (CAT) activity was detected in cerebellum. In the hypothalamus, the increased SOD/GPx and SOD/CAT ratios suggest the risk of H2O2. 4. It was concluded that ACR significantly influences the antioxidative defence in the chicken brain at doses of 1.25 and 2.50 mg/egg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A modification of the particle filter algorithm that allows using it also in cases with incorrect measurements has been presented in the paper. The use of anti-zero bias does not require a large computational effort (a single additional operation for each measurement value), and simultaneously does not deteriorate results for the case of good measurements (if the bias value is not too large). It has been shown that the bias which provides the best estimation quality depends on the particles number. The obtained results have been compared with unscented Kalman filter method with bad measurement data identification. As an object, power system has been used, with main task set as estimation of the state of this system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the study on manufacturing of nickel and cobalt powders by thermal plasma decomposition of the carbonates of these metals. It was shown the dependence of process parameters and grain size of initial powder on the composition of final product which was ether metal powder, collected in the container as well as the nanopowder with crystallite size of 70 - 90 nm, collected on the inner wall of the reaction chamber. The occurrence of metal oxides in the final products was confirmed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of investigations of the obtained nanocomposite materials based on silver with addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes. The powder of carbon nanotubes content from 0.1 to 3 wt. % was produced by application of powder metallurgy methods, through mixing and high-energetic milling, and also chemical methods. Modification of carbon nanotubes included electroless deposition of silver particles on the carbon nanotube active surfaces and chemical reduction with strong reducing agent - sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The obtained powder mixtures were consolidated by SPS - Spark Plasma Sintering method. The formed composites were subjected to tests of relative density, electrical conductivity and electro-erosion properties. Detailed examinations of the structure with application of X-ray microanalysis, with consideration of carbon nanotubes distribution, were also carried out. The effect of manufacturing methods on properties of the obtained composites was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents novel molybdenum-based alloy coatings with a high rhenium content for improvement of corrosion resistance of ceramic/cermet elements towards molten glass, particularly soda-lime glass. The expected destination of the studied materials are elements especially exposed to corrosion such as passage throats, bubblers, separatory funnels for liquid glass. The substrate is a sintered refractory material made of unstabilized zirconia with Mo addition. Obtained materials were subjected to silicon in order to grow a cover layer to protect coating from oxidizing during the initial phase before glass is completely melted. For the purpose of deposition it was necessary to develop a method for preparation of alloy powder with a morphology applicable for thermal spraying. In order to obtain powder with high flowability a method of introduction of rhenium into molybdenum during ammonium perrhenate reduction was developed. The powders and coatings were investigated for phase composition and microstructure after annealing of reduced powder. The process of annealing was found to influence the phase composition of powders but not of the coatings. Tests of corrosion resistance carried out with the resulting materials indicate that the coatings protect well the underlaying ceramic/cermet core from the corrosive action of soda-lime glass. No glass element were found in the cermet material. It is also important that solubility of layer components in glass is minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the prevalence and clinical significance of cardiovascular risk factors in a large series of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), focusing on the possible association with clinical and immunological SS features, the therapies administered, and the impact on cardiovascular disease. The study cohort included 312 patients fulfilling the 2002 classification criteria for primary SS, consecutively evaluated and followed in our department between 1984 and 2009. The control group consisted of 312 age- and sex-matched patients without systemic autoimmune diseases followed during the study period in a primary care centre. In comparison with the age- and sex-matched control group, patients with primary SS showed a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus (27% versus 13%, p<0.001) and hypertriglyceridaemia (22% versus 15%, p=0.023), and a lower frequency of hypertension (30% versus 46%, p<0.001) and smoking (19% versus 31%, p<0.001). The adjusted, multivariate analysis showed that SS patients with at least three cardiovascular risk factors had a higher mean age at SS diagnosis (p<0.001), a higher frequency of liver involvement (p=0.01) and central nervous system involvement (p=0.001), higher mean levels of C-reactive protein (CRP, p=0.001), a lower percentage of circulating gamma globulins (p=0.001), and had received corticosteroids more frequently (p=0.003) in comparison with patients without cardiovascular risk factors. Patients who had received corticosteroids showed a higher frequency of hypertension (37% versus 25%, p=0.032), diabetes mellitus (37% versus 21%, p=0.002), and hypertriglyceridaemia (33% versus 15%, p<0.001). Patients with primary SS showed a twofold higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and a 1.5-fold higher prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia in comparison with primary care patients. Corticosteroid use was closely associated with cardiovascular risk factors. These results suggest that cardiovascular risk factors should be taken into account in the management of patients with primary SS and show the importance of recognizing and controlling both traditional and SS-related modifiable risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Review.Objectives:To identify the pressure ulcer healing assessment instrument that is the best choice for use in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.Methods:Articles were retrieved from PubMed. Inclusion criteria were written in English, published up to December 2008 and describing instruments evaluated in more than one study. Search terms were pressure ulcer, wound healing, severity of illness index, reproducibility of results, sensitivity and specificity. Articles describing pressure ulcer staging scales and articles not describing clinimetric properties of an instrument were excluded. Validity, reliability, responsiveness and feasibility for routine clinical use were described of all instruments evaluated in two or more studies.Results:Eleven instruments were described. Clinimetric information was incomplete for all instruments. Clinimetric information was most complete and promising for two instruments: ‘ruler length and width’ and the ‘Sessing’ scale. The ruler method showed good intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and good concurrent validity. The ‘Sessing’ scale has a moderate concurrent validity but was not tested for its responsiveness.Conclusion:Further study of the clinimetric properties of pressure ulcer assessment instruments is necessary before the best instrument can be selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: CD74 is a transmembrane protein normally expressed in immune cells, and aberrantly expressed in cancer cells. Although CD74 overexpression is mostly associated with hematologic malignancies, some studies have also reported CD74 expression in breast cancer especially associated to the triple negative subtype and metastatic breast cancer. The triple-negative breast cancer is generally more aggressive and with a poorer prognosis than the other subtypes. Immunotherapy holds great promise in clinical management of breast cancer, and CD74 may play a regulatory role in immune system responses. Our results showed that CD74 is associated with expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), which in turn is involved in preventing anticancer immune responses. Overall, our results indicate that CD74 may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer patients, in particular in triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancers, where CD74 is commonly overexpressed. The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, defined as negative for ER, PgR, and HER2, is biologically more aggressive and with a poorer prognosis than the other subtypes, in part due to the lack of suitable targeted therapies. Consequently, identification of any potential novel therapeutic option, predictive and/or prognostic biomarker, or any other relevant information that may impact the clinical management of this group of patients is valuable. The HLA class II histocompatibility antigen γ chain, or cluster of differentiation 74 (CD74), has been associated with TNBCs, and poorer survival. However, discordant results have been reported for immunohistochemical studies of CD74 expression in breast cancer. Here we report validation studies for use of a novel CD74 antibody, UMAb231. We used this antibody to stain a TMA including 640 human breast cancer samples, and found no association with the TNBC subtype, but did find a positive correlation with outcome. We also found associations between CD74 expression and immune cell infiltration, and expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Given that CD74 may play a role in innate immune system responses and the potential of immunotherapy as a viable treatment strategy for TNBCs, CD74 expression may have predictive value for immune checkpoint therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Estrogen receptor (ER) is a prognostic and predictive biomarker, which has been known for 40 years. The detection method has developed over the years from different biochemical assays (BCA) to immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin embedded tissue. The aim of the present study is to describe the development in ER analysis in the Danish Breast Cancer cooperative Group (DBCG), in the period of 1977 to 2006, regarding quantity and method of analyses. To compare BCA with IHC, and to report the prognosis for low-risk breast cancer patients. Patients and methods. In the period of 1991-1993, BCA and IHC were both performed on 2 364 tumours from breast cancer patients in Denmark. Three central laboratories in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg, respectively, performed BCA, while IHC was done in each of the pathology departments participating in the study. Data on ER status, clinical variables and prognostic factors were obtained from the DBCG database. Prognosis is calculated from the DBCG protocol 89a, regarding recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results. We find an increasing frequency of ER positive tumours over time, with correlation to patient age. There is a better RFS and OS for tumours positive in both ER determinations. However, BCA is more sensitive than IHC. We find a significant correlation between positive ER status and other low risk factors, except lymph node status. Discussion. Immunohistochemistry has several advantages compared with BCA; it is decentralised, only requiring small amounts of tumour tissue, with direct light microscopic interpretation of invasive tumour cells. It is less expensive and more rapid than BCA. Results in this study show the same RFS in both ER determinations. We conclude that IHC in analysing ER is a rapid, reliable and easy method, and we recommend the use of external quality control programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This communication summarizes the preliminary results obtained for the design of a neutron spectrometer based on thermoluminiscent 6LiF:Ti,Mg (TLD-600) dosimeters located along three perpendicular axis within a single polyethylene sphere. The neutron response functions have been calculated using the Monte Carlo (MC) code MCNPX 2.5 for different incidence directions. The applicability of the device has been investigated, relying on simulated exposures to reference fields of 241Am-Be and bare 252Cf, using the MAXED, GRAVEL and FRUIT unfolding codes. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis with FRUIT has been performed to evaluate the influence of the TL readout uncertainties on the results of the unfolding process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The design of a neutron detector with spectrometric capability based on thermoluminescent (TL) 6LiF:Ti,Mg (TLD-600) dosimeters located along three perpendicular axis within a single polyethylene (PE) sphere has been analyzed. The neutron response functions have been calculated in the energy range from 10−8 to 100MeV with the Monte Carlo (MC) code MCNPX 2.5 and their shape and behaviour have been used to discuss a suitable configuration for an actual instrument. The feasibility of such a device has been preliminary evaluated by the simulation of exposure to 241Am–Be, bare 252Cf and Fe–PE moderated 252Cf sources. The expected accuracy in the evaluation of energy quantities has been evaluated using the unfolding code FRUIT. The obtained results together with additional calculations performed using MAXED and GRAVEL codes show the spectrometric capability of the proposed design for radiation protection applications, especially in the range 1keV–20MeV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A high proportion of commercial plane passengers are children: two million fly every year on Air-France airlines. In this field, the physician can be called upon to authorize or prohibit travelling. He could take measures or offer his services at the request of the cabin staff. The authors review flight physiology and stress, their potential effects on healthy children or those with medical conditions, and their fitness to fly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the development of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) has been reported only occasionally. We describe here a 23-year-old patient diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia who underwent a partially HLA-mismatched alloSCT and soon after developed GBS along with a CMV infection. Serum autoantibodies to several ganglioside antigens were concomitantly detected. Despite therapy with ganciclovir and plasma exchanges, the patient's clinical condition rapidly deteriorated, and he died 3 weeks later with persisting CMV antigenemia. Although a coincidental association cannot be excluded, it could be speculated that a pathogenetic link exists between the 2 disorders. In this sense, molecular mimicry between viral antigens and neural host tissues could be postulated as the hypothetical mechanism underlying the triggering of the autoimmune disease in the present case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the relationship between air pollution and the daily number of contacts with or at Copenhagen Emergency Medical Service for children with or without respiratory illnesses. Finding that contacts are results of respiratory illnesses; Using regression analysis for investigation of short-term relationship between pollutants and the number of children with respiratory illnesses.

Domestic ducks are one of the main poultry species whose production depends on artificial hatching. Despite improvements in incubation technology, hatchability of duck eggs is lower than that of chicken. The aim of this study was to characterise the natural brooding of the domestic duck using recorders of the incubation environment parameters and broody duck behaviour, serving to better understand the hatching biology of domestic ducks and ultimately to compare with the accepted parameters of artificial hatching. The study material consisted of pairs of domestic ducks of the landrace variety maintained in pens equipped with nests allowing the placement of loggers recording incubation conditions, i.e. temperature and relative humidity. In addition, during the brooding period, mobile and wireless dummies egg were placed in the nests, which concealed temperature loggers distributed under the surface of the cover at five locations and a centrally located angular acceleration transducer (accelerometer). Data collection was carried out until the end of the brood, after which the data were used to determine natural brood parameters such as temperature during the incubation, the number and duration of nest bouts, the temperature to which the nest was cooled during the nest unattendance, relative humidity and parameters related to egg turning. The temperature of the nest, as controlled by the loggers, increased with the duration of brooding, while the relative humidity of the nest space decreased. The temperature to which the nestlings cooled the nest took the lowest values during the first week of brooding and the week before hatching. The first half of the incubation period was characterised by a higher number of bouts, while the third week of incubation was characterised by a longer average daily bouts. The activity of egg turning by the brooding duck increased until reaching its highest values in the third week of incubation, after which the frequency of this process decreased. Conclusions: The natural brooding parameters of the domestic duck obtained using loggers are more heterogeneous than those adopted in artificial incubation technology for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wstęp Diagnostyka urazów i ubytków funkcji nerwów obwodowych zarówno przed, jak i po leczeniu operacyjnym stanowi istotne wyzwanie przy podejmowaniu decyzji o dalszym postępowaniu. Wśród obecnie dostępnych metod jednoczesna ocena morfologii i funkcji nerwu wydawała się szczególnie trudna. Cel Wstępna ocena przydatności nowoczesnych metod obrazowania: HR USG oraz MRI DTI z aplikacją FiberTrak w diagnostyce morfologii i funkcji nerwów obwodowych. Materiał i metody Do badania zakwalifikowano 15 pacjentów po urazach nerwów przed lub po zabiegach rekonstrukcyjnych. Badania HR USG wykonywane były na aparacie Esoate MyLab 8 w celu oceny morfologii nerwu i wstępnej kwalifikacji do badania MRI, w tym wyznaczenia zakresu badania. Następnie wykonywano badanie MRI na aparacie Philips Ingenia o mocy 3T w sekwencjach T1, przed i po podaniu środka kontrastowego, T2 zależnych, PDW oraz DTI, które następnie poddano obróbce na stacji postprocessingowej z wykorzystaniem aplikacji FiberTrak. Uzyskane obrazy porównano z obrazem klinicznym. Wyniki W badaniu USG stwierdzono obecność 4 nerwiaków, 3 uszkodzeń ciągłości nerwu oraz 8 przypadków nerwów po zabiegach rekonstrukcyjnych. W badaniu MRI potwierdzono uzyskane wcześniej w USG wyniki, a ponadto w sekwencji DTI wykazano obecność ukierunkowanej dyfuzji w obrębie dystalnych części nerwów, w których stwierdzano w badaniu klinicznym cechy reinerwacji. Co ciekawe, we fragmentach nerwu rekonstruowanego przy użyciu neurotuby Neuragen nie stwierdzono obecności ukierunkowanej dyfuzji w obrębie regeneratu, pomimo wykazanego przewodnictwa w dystalnej części tego samego nerwu. Wykazano możliwą wysoką przydatność powyższych metod obrazowania, ze szczególnym wskazaniem na badanie traktografii nerwów w MRI. Wnioski Zarówno wysokorozdzielcza ultrasonografia nerwów obwodowych, jak i badanie rezonansu magnetycznego mogą stanowić źródło wartościowych informacji dotyczących morfologii uszkodzonego nerwu. Ponadto aplikacja FiberTrak, w oparciu o tensor dyfuzji, może pozwalać na ocenę funkcji nerwu i przewodnictwa zachodzącego w jego obrębie, co stanowi w połączeniu z obrazem morfologicznym przydatne narzędzie w kwalifikacji pacjentów do dalszego leczenia operacyjnego. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, protective copper-based coatings were deposited on stainless steel substrates by plasma spraying. The coatings were produced from copper alloys and copper composite with addition of titanium dioxide. They are intended for use on sensitive surfaces of furniture and accessories in medical facilities, i.e. operating tables, tables for medical products and surgical instruments. The phase composition and microstructure homogeneity of the produced coatings were examined. The effect of chemical composition and surface development on the biological activity of the obtained coatings was also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-therapy is increasingly being evaluated in clinical trials. Dermal delivery is not only time consuming but also unreliable, potentially hampering the therapeutic result. Therefore, qualification of cell delivery protocols is essential. This study evaluated a clinically relevant automated multi-needle injection method for cutaneous MSC-therapy, allowing the skin to be readily and timely treated, by assessing both the cellular health post-ejection and dermal delivery. Following dispensation through the injector (31 G needles: 9- or 5-pin) the cellular health and potency (perceived- and long-term (12 h) viability, recovery, metabolism, adherence, proliferation and IDO1-expression) of adipose-derived stem cells (10–20–50 ×106 cells/ml) were assessed in vitro in addition to dermal delivery of solution in human skin. No significant detrimental effect on the perceived cell viability, recovery, metabolism, adherence or IDO1-expression of either cell concentration was observed. However, the overall long-term viability and proliferation decreased significantly regardless of cell concentration, nonetheless marginally. An injection depth above 1.0 mm resulted in all needles piercing the skin with dermal delivery from up to 89% needles and minimal reflux to the skin surface, and the results were confirmed by ultrasound and histology. The automated injector is capable of delivering dermal cell-doses with an acceptable cell quality. • Qualification of cell delivery protocols is crucial to ensure reproducible therapies. • The study validates a clinically relevant injection method for cutaneous MSC-therapy. • The method reliably delivers dermal doses with an acceptable cell viability. • The method allows for the skin to be readily treated with MSC in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often change their metabolic profile over time to decrease levels of androgens while often gaining a propensity for the development of the metabolic syndrome. Recent discoveries indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in the development of PCOS and constitute potential biomarkers for PCOS. We aimed to identify miRNAs associated with the development of an impaired metabolic profile in women with PCOS, in a follow-up study, compared with women without PCOS. Methods and materials: Clinical measurements of PCOS status and metabolic disease were obtained twice 6 years apart in a cohort of 46 women with PCOS and nine controls. All participants were evaluated for degree of metabolic disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, and impaired glucose tolerance). MiRNA levels were measured using Taqman® Array cards of 96 pre-selected miRNAs associated with PCOS and/or metabolic disease. Results: Women with PCOS decreased their levels of androgens during follow-up. Twenty-six of the miRNAs were significantly changed in circulation in women with PCOS during the follow-up, and twenty-four of them had decreased, while levels did not change in the control group. Four miRNAs were significantly different at baseline between healthy controls and women with PCOS; miR-103-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-28-3p, and miR-376a-3p, which were decreased in PCOS. After follow-up, miR-28-3p, miR-139-5p, and miR-376a-3p increased in PCOS women to the levels observed in healthy controls. Of these, miR-139-5p correlated with total testosterone levels (rho = 0.50, padj = 0.013), while miR-376-3p correlated significantly with the waist-hip ratio at follow-up (rho = 0.43, padj = 0.01). Predicted targets of miR-103-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-28-3p, and miR-376a-3p were enriched in pathways associated with Insulin/IGF signaling, interleukin signaling, the GNRH receptor pathways, and other signaling pathways. MiRNAs altered during follow-up in PCOS patients were enriched in pathways related to immune regulation, gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling, tyrosine kinase signaling, and WNT signaling. Conclusions: These studies indicate that miRNAs associated with PCOS and androgen metabolism overall decrease during a 6-year follow-up, reflecting the phenotypic change in PCOS individuals towards a less hyperandrogenic profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the structural changes of Al–Ni–(Fe,Cr,Cu)–Y alloys induced by different cooling states. The aim was to determine the role of Fe, Cr, and Cu addition as well as cooling rate on the structure, hardness and anticorrosion properties of crystalline and nanocrystalline Al–Ni–Y alloys. The impact of the preparation method on the structure of alloys was observed by the broadening of the X-ray diffraction peaks of the alloys in the form of plates, which indicated structure fragmentation at a high cooling rate. The TEM images showed the formation of a structure composed of homogeneously dispersed α-Al nanograins. Phase analysis performed using X-ray diffraction method and Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that the slowly cooled master alloys were mainly composed of Al23Ni6Y4, Al10Fe2Y, and α-Al phases. The Al10Fe2Y structure was the main Fe-bearing phase in all investigated master alloys. A crystallization mechanism was proposed based on the DTA heating and cooling curves. The pitting corrosion type was identified based on morphology observations after electrochemical tests. Rapid solidification and the addition of chromium and copper improved the microhardness as well as corrosion resistance. The high increase of hardness (289 HV0.1) and corrosion resistance (Ecorr = − 0.629 V vs. SCE, jcorr = 2.19 μA cm−2, vcorr = 0.07 mm/year) was noted for the Al85Ni2.5Fe2.5Cr2.5Cu2.5Y5 alloy in a plate form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disturbed nitric oxide (NO) synthesis leads to development of endothelial dysfunction that plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. The presence of various compounds of haemoglobin with NO can affect haemoglobin-oxygen affinity of the whole blood. Methaemoglobin and S-nitrosohaemoglobin increase it, whereas nitrosyl-haemoglobin decreases. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood oxygen transport indices and to assess the endothelial function in patients with arterial hypertension. The patients with mild hypertension had a 4·47% increased actual p50 (the blood pO2 corresponding to its 50% oxygen saturation) ( P<0·05), a diminished pO2 ( P<0·05), and a raised pCO2 ( P<0·01) as compared with the controls. The patients with severe hypertension had decreased pO2 and pH, and actual p50 was reduced by 3·03% ( P<0·05), which reflects a more pronounced oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve shift leftwards. These changes can be assessed as a blood oxygen transport decompensation that enhanced tissue hypoxia. The results of our studies indicate that the endothelial dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension leads to significant impairments in blood oxygen transport indices. The endothelium may be involved in development of the above blood oxygen transport impairments, since only sufficient amounts of NO maintain a normal blood flow and oxygen transport to tissues. The endothelial dysfunction leads to a disturbed production of different haemoglobin NO derivatives, which not only affects NO release at different sites of the arterial bed, but also haemoglobin-oxygen affinity and optimal blood oxygenation and deoxygenation in capillaries. These data support the notion that endothelial dysfunction may alter haemoglobin-oxygen affinity and tissue oxygen supply in vivo. Alternation of haemoglobin-oxygen supply may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate selected factors that affect the course of embryogenesis and the quality of golden pheasant chicks during artificial incubation. All hatching eggs (n = 76) laid in one breeding season (April-June) by a single flock of golden pheasants (1 male and 3 unrelated females) from one breeding pen were analysed for the effect of egg origin and egg-laying period on hatchability, egg weight, egg shape index, and egg weight loss. The average weight of a golden pheasant egg was 26.7 ± 1.84 g and was strongly dependent on the individual, but not on the egg-laying period. In 19 days of incubation, the weight loss was 13.2% on average, with an error/variation range of 2.17%, which was inversely correlated (r = -0.51) with initial egg weight. The highest hatchability was at the beginning of the egg-laying period: 77% in the first set and 80% in the second. Moreover, the hatchability decreased gradually from 86% to 38% for eggs stored for 1-3 days and 4-10 days respectively. The weight of one-day-old chicks (ca. 17 g) was strongly correlated with egg weight before setting (r = 0.82). In conclusion, the embryo development of the golden pheasant is affected by similar factors as known from other Galliformes species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:In breast cancer, there is a growing body of evidence that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) may have clinical utility and may be able to direct clinical decisions for subgroups of patients. Clinical utility is, however, not sufficient for warranting the implementation of a new biomarker in the routine practice, and evaluation of the analytical validity is needed, including testing the reproducibility of decentralized assessment of TILs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-observer agreement of TILs assessment using a standardized method, as proposed by the International TILs Working Group 2014, applied to a cohort of breast cancers reflecting an average breast cancer population. Material and methods:Stromal TILs were assessed using full slide sections from 124 breast cancers with varying histology, malignancy grade and ER- and HER2 status. TILs were estimated by nine dedicated breast pathologists using scanned hematoxylin–eosin stainings. TILs results were categorized using various cutoffs, and the inter-observer agreement was evaluated using the intraclass coefficient (ICC), Kappa statistics as well as individual overall agreements with the median value of TILs. Results:Evaluation of TILs led to an ICC of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.65–0.77) corresponding to an acceptable agreement. Kappa values were in the range of 0.38–0.46 corresponding to a fair to moderate agreement. The individual agreements increased, when using only two categories (‘high’ vs. ‘low’ TILs) and a cutoff of 50–60%. Discussion:The results of the present study are in accordance with previous studies, and shows that the proposed methodology for standardized evaluation of TILs renders an acceptable inter-observer agreement. The findings, however, indicate that assessment of TILs needs further refinement, and is in support of the latest St. Gallen Consensus, that routine reporting of TILs for early breast cancer is not ready for implementation in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

1. The aim of this study was to determine if the pharmacokinetics (PK) of florfenicol (FF) undergo age-dependent changes in broilers. Since drug elimination depends on cardiovascular functions, a haemodynamic study was performed in parallel. 2. Broilers of 0.68, 1.27, 2.45 and 5.13 kg were administered FF in a single intravenous dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Plasma drug concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and PK parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental model. Echocardiography was used to measure haemodynamic functions. 3. During growth, the area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUCinf) increased from 25.7 ± 2.9 to 39.0 ± 8.0 mg h/l. Total body clearance (ClB) gradually decreased from 1.19 ± 0.14 to 0.80 ± 0.15 l/h/kg. Elimination half-life increased from 0.73 ± 0.08 to 1.07 ± 0.07 h, whereas volume of distribution (Vss) remained unchanged. Haemodynamic measurements revealed an increase in cardiac output, from 495 ± 65 to 1303 ± 306 ml/min, in the respective body weight groups. 4. Allometric models for PK and haemodynamic parameters were developed and validated. All models proved to be statistically significant; however, only models for ClBandVssmet stringent validation criteria. Model for ClBwas used to calculate an optimal dose for a given age group that provides uniform AUCinf. 5. Age-dependent change in FF kinetics may cause variability in therapeutic response under clinical conditions. A novel approach to the dosing protocol was proposed as a means of optimising therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. Platelet lysates (PL) represent a promising replacement for xenogenic growth supplement for adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) expansions. However, fresh platelets from human blood donors are not clinically feasible for large-scale cell expansion based on their limited supply. Therefore, we tested PLs prepared via three methods from outdated buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates (PCs) to establish an efficient and feasible expansion of ASCs for clinical use. Methods. PLs were prepared by the freeze-thaw method from freshly drawn platelets or from outdated buffy coat-derived PCs stored in the platelet additive solution, InterSol. Three types of PLs were prepared from outdated PCs with platelets suspended in either (1) InterSol (not manipulated), (2) InterSol + supplemented with plasma or (3) plasma alone (InterSol removed). Using these PLs, we compared ASC population doubling time, cell yield, differentiation potential and cell surface markers. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using microarray assays, and growth factor concentrations in the cell culture medium were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Of the three PL compositions produced from outdated PCs, removal of Intersol and resuspension in plasma prior to the first freezing process was overall the best. This specific outdated PL induced ASC growth kinetics, surface markers, plastic adherence and differentiation potentials comparable with PL from fresh platelets. ASCs expanded in PL from fresh versus outdated PCs exhibited different expressions of 17 overlapping genes, of which 10 were involved in cellular proliferation, although not significantly reflected by cell growth. Only minor differences in growth factor turnover were observed. Conclusion. PLs from outdated platelets may be an efficient and reliable source of human growth supplement allowing for large-scale ASC expansion for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spark plasma sintering technique was successfully used to transform fullerene extract into glass-like carbon. The sintered sample was characterized via thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the X-ray and neutron diffraction. To reconstruct the atomic scale structure the diffraction results were combined with computer simulations. The comparative analysis was performed in the form of the structure factor and the pair correlation function in the reciprocal and direct space. In the first approach the two different concepts of graphite-based models have been verified. For such constructed models the pair correlation functions maxima positions indicate the strong differences in comparison with the experimental data. In the second approach the proposed models were constructed successively on the icosahedral from C 960 up to C 3840 fullerenes fragments. The final model consists of triple layer fullerene C 3840 -like fragments in which the isolated pentagon presence guaranties the stronger curvature. The calculated pair correlation function fits the experimental data well and therefore proves that the atomic structure of sintered glass-like materials originated from C 60 /C 70 fullerene extract consists of defected fullerene C 3840 -like fragments. The curvature was assured by isolated pentagon, but the disorder of surrounded hexagonal lattice was modeled and properly reconstructed by the Stone-Thrower-Wales topological defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent endocrine disorder in women. PCOS is associated with altered features of androgen metabolism, increased insulin resistance and impaired fertility. Furthermore, PCOS, being a syndrome diagnosis, is heterogeneous and characterized by polycystic ovaries, chronic anovulation and evidence of hyperandrogenism, as well as being associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and an increased life time risk of type 2 diabetes. A number of androgen species contribute to the symptoms of increased androgen exposure seen in many, though not all, cases of PCOS: Testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), where the quantitatively highest amount of androgen is found as DHEAS. The sulfation of DHEA to DHEAS depends on a number of enzymes, and altered sulfate metabolism may be associated with and contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that are able to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Altered miRNA levels have been associated with diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammation and various cancers. Studies have shown that circulating miRNAs are present in whole blood, serum, plasma and the follicular fluid of PCOS patients and that these might serve as potential biomarkers and a new approach for the diagnosis of PCOS. In this review, recent work on miRNAs with respect to PCOS will be summarized. Our understanding of miRNAs, particularly in relation to PCOS, is currently at a very early stage, and additional studies will yield important insight into the molecular mechanisms behind this complex and heterogenic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) has been encapsulated in microspheres prepared with poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and incorporated into polyamide (PA) obtaining the cosmeto-textile. The topical application of the cosmeto-textile provides a reservoir effect in the skin delivery of GA. The close contact of the cosmeto-textile, containing microsphere-encapsulated GA (ME-GA), with the skin and their corresponding occlusion, may be the main reasons that explain the crossing of active principle (GA) through the skin barrier, located in the stratum corneum, and its penetration into the different compartments of the skin, epidermis and dermis. An ex vivo assessment was performed to evaluate the antioxidant effect of the ME-GA on the stratum corneum (SC) using the thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) test. The test is based on a non-invasive ex vivo methodology that evaluates lipid peroxides formed in the outermost layers of the SC from human volunteers after UV radiation to determine the effectiveness of an antioxidant. In this case, a ME-GA cosmeto-textile or ME-GA formulation were applied to the skin in vivo and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the horny layer were determined after UV irradiation. This methodology may be used as a quality control tool to determine ex vivo the percentage of LPO inhibition on human SC for a variety of antioxidants that are topically applied, in this case GA. Results show that LPO formation was inhibited in human SC when GA was applied directly or embedded in the cosmeto-textile, demonstrating the effectiveness of both applications. The percentage of LPO inhibition obtained after both topical applications was approximately 10% for the cosmeto-textile and 41% for the direct application of microspheres containing GA. This methodology could be used to determine the effectiveness of topically applied antioxidants encapsulated in cosmeto-textiles on human SC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies of the photoinduced second harmonic generation were performed for the Ag-loaded poriferous TiO2 microtablets deposited on an ITO substrate. The poriferous TiO2 microtablets on a pre-cleaned ITO substrate (Kaivo, China, sheet resistance of ca. 10 O/square) were prepared by simply immersing the ITO substrate vertically into the growth solution that contains 5 ml of 0.5 M (NH4)2TiF6 (Sigma-Aldrich) and 5 ml of 1.0 M H3BO3 (R.M. Chemicals) for 15 h at room temperature. The samples were obtained from the growth solution with concentration of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 M. We have found that maximal second harmonic generation signal was achieved for the samples with concentration 0.5 M. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the work was to investigate a possibility of a direct synthesis of Zn 4 Sb 3 compound by spark plasma sintering and evaluate the influence of the synthesis parameters on the materials properties. Materials with various initial compositions are sintered to multiphase samples composed of a Zn 4 Sb 3 matrix in which ZnSb, Zn and Sb inclusions are found. For each initial stoichiometry, the temperature and sintering duration are limited in a different manner by decomposition of desired β -Zn 4 Sb 3 phase. High concentration of inclusions is evidenced to degrade thermoelectric properties of Zn–Sb type materials. A high Power Factor of 1200 μW/(m K 2 ) was found in the material of stoichiometric starting composition at 580 K. An interesting correlation between improvement of thermoelectric properties and zinc depletion of the β -Zn 4 Sb 3 phase was discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the prevalence and characterize the main epidemiological, clinical and immunological features of annular erythema (AE) in non-Asian patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). It uses a retrospective study to search for AE in 377 Spanish patients with primary SS. It concludes that AE is not an exclusive cutaneous feature of Asian patients with primary SS and it also has a specific clinical and immunological profile in addition to the characteristic cutaneous expression.

In the paper, we attempt a semantic analysis of patient quality of life, which plays an important role in evaluating the patient's condition and health. The issue seems to be the most important in palliative-hospice care, where doctors work with seriously or terminally ill patients. One of the aims of this branch of medicine is to improve quality of life. This may be achieved, among others, by recognizing the current problems the patient is facing pertaining to family and social relations, beliefs, views or religion. Moreover, by monitoring the behavior of patients and symptoms of their illnesses, the best therapy methods may be selected. Patient quality of life assessment may also enable comparing health care units of the same specialization and be used for the selection of the best standards of care. When discussing the broader meaning of "quality of life", we caution against equating quality of life with the value of life. The main arguments are as follows: subjective character of evaluation of quality of life and, in the future, the possibility of postulates for shortening life of poor quality of life patients when funds for their treatment are insufficient. When accepting quality of life as equal to the value of life, it may result in eliminating unprotected and helpless patients and allowing only the strong to live. Later, this may result in the discrimination of seriously and terminally ill people, even those who do not wish to shorten their lives despite experiencing burdensome symptoms and being aware of the incurable nature of their illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the technology of microencapsulation of active principles is on top of biomedical advances, because through it we can solve many of the problems caused by current methods of taking medication. Active principle microencapsulation not only solves the problems of drug intake but also controls its dosage. In this study was carried out the development of a protocol for the microencapsulation of ibuprofen by solvent evaporation method. A subsequent application of those microencapsulates to biofunctional textile substrates (cotton, polyamide, acrylic, and polyester) using a finishing process, and finally a study of the release of active principle in two different media (deionized water and physiological serum) has been carried out using samples of the treated fabrics that were submerged into a thermostatized vessel at semi-infinite bath conditions. The determination of active principles released to the bath was determined by a UV spectrophotometer. These experimental results have been analyzed and evaluated, and have therefore allowed to define a controlled drug release system by Fickian diffusion in different media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the main characteristics of patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) and white matter abnormalities (WMA) seen by a specialist SS unit.Methods: The study cohort included 321 consecutive patients fulfilling the 2002 classification criteria for primary SS. We retrospectively analyzed the results of neuroimaging studies performed in patients who presented with neurological symptoms. Patients were further evaluated by three neurologists to determine fulfillment of the McDonald criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).Results: Fifty-one (16%) patients had at least one neuroimaging study, and 25 of these had WMA. WMA were classified as vascular pathological changes in 21 patients: 10 had multiple small focal lesions, 7 had beginning confluence of lesions and 4 had diffuse involvement of the entire region. WMA were classified as inflammatory/demyelinating lesions (MS-like) in 4 patients who fulfilled the MRI Barkhof criteria. Patients with inflammatory/demyelinating lesions were younger (53.7 vs. 73.5 years, P = 0.001) and had a lower frequency of hypertension (25% vs. 86%, P = 0.031) and altered glomerular filtration rate (0% vs. 70%, P = 0.047) in comparison with patients with vascular lesions. The multivariate age–sex adjusted model including the seven variables which were statistically significant in the univariate analysis (antimalarial therapy, leukopenia, anti-La/SSB antibodies, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and HDL-c levels) identified hypertension (P = 0.019) and HDL-c levels (P = 0.032) as independent predictors of WMA in primary SS patients.Conclusion: Neuroimaging studies disclosed WMA in 49% of patients with primary SS and suspected neurological involvement. WMA were identified as vascular pathological changes in 80% of the patients, and hypertension and HDL-c levels as predictive factors for this association. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Osteoporosis and hip fractures are a major public health problem. Since leptin was suggested to be involved in bone remodeling, its possible involvement in fracture formation/prevention was evaluated, by determination of serum leptin level in geriatric population with hip fracture, and evaluation the relationships with biochemical parameters of bone remodeling. We studied 250 geriatric patients with hip fracture admitted to Sapir Medical Center and underwent operative treatment. Among them 172 females and 78 males, with a mean age of 81 years. Serum leptin level of this total population distributed between 1 and 134ng/ml. 40% of patients were in the normal range of our laboratory (10–40ng/ml), 40% had decreased leptin level (<10ng/ml) and 20% had higher leptin level (>40ng/ml). No correlation was detected between serum leptin level and vitamin D-25(OH)D3, which was under normal range in 60% of the patients. Leptin also did not correlate to ICTP level, which was high in 80% of the patients, suggesting an extensive bone resorption in this population. Evaluation of leptin level in female versus male suggests that leptin level is higher in females than males also in this age (28.4ng/ml vs. 14.4ng/ml, p <0.001). However, no difference were detected in either ICTP, or 25(OH)D3, which are involved in bone remodeling. The higher leptin levels in women was accompanied by higher serum levels of glucose, albumin, Ca, cholesterol, Na and FT4. Comparison of 50 patients with the lowest leptin levels (mean of 3.4ng/ml) to 50 patients with highest leptin levels (mean of 34ng/ml), did not indicate differences in both 25(OH)D3 and ICTP between these two populations in spite of the highly significant difference in leptin levels. The high range of serum leptin concentration in these geriatric patients with hip fracture of both sexes, and the absence of any correlation between leptin and the tested parameters of bone resorption and Ca metabolism, teleopeptide type I collagen (ICTP) and 25(OH)D3, does not support a direct massive involvement of serum leptin in hip fracture of the very old population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) for the assessment of internal absorbed dose rate in reference animals and plants have been generally calculated assuming a homogeneous distribution of radionuclides within the body. Realistic scenarios of internal exposure must account for some radionuclides which tend to concentrate in specific organs or tissues. To study the effect of such inhomogeneous distributions, internal DCCs have been calculated assuming both a central and an eccentric point source. The analysis of the results showed that uncertainties of the whole body DCC due to non-homogeneous radionuclide distribution are less than 30% for photons and electrons for all considered organisms. For electrons, the uncertainties are negligible below certain energies, dependent on the size of the organisms. Additionally, the organ doses due to the accumulation of the radionuclide in an organ are also described and organ/whole body doses ratios are estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

NALP proteins, also known as NLRPs, belong to the CATERPILLER protein family involved, like Toll-like receptors, in the recognition of microbial molecules and the subsequent activation of inflammatory and immune responses. Current advances in the function of NALPs support the recently proposed model of a disease continuum bridging autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders. Among these diseases, hereditary periodic fevers (HPFs) are Mendelian disorders associated with sequence variations in very few genes; these variations are mostly missense mutations whose deleterious effect, which is particularly difficult to assess, is often questionable. The growing number of identified sporadic cases of periodic fever syndrome, together with the lack of discriminatory clinical criteria, has greatly hampered the identification of new disease-causing genes, a step that is, however, essential for appropriate management of these disorders. Using a candidate gene approach, we identified nonambiguous mutations in NALP12 (i.e., nonsense and splice site) in two families with periodic fever syndromes. As shown by means of functional studies, these two NALP12 mutations have a deleterious effect on NF-κB signaling. Overall, these data identify a group of HPFs defined by molecular defects in NALP12, opening up new ways to manage these disorders. The identification of these first NALP12 mutations in patients with autoinflammatory disorder also clearly demonstrates the crucial role of NALP12 in inflammatory signaling pathways, thereby assigning a precise function to this particular member of an emerging family of proteins whose putative biological properties are currently inferred essentially through in vitro means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This communication summarizes the results concerning the Monte Carlo (MC) modelling of Germanium detectors for the measurement of low energy photons arising from the “International comparison on MC modelling for in vivo measurement of Americium in a knee phantom” organized within the EU Coordination Action CONRAD (Coordinated Network for Radiation Dosimetry) as a joint initiative of EURADOS working groups 6 (computational dosimetry) and 7 (internal dosimetry). MC simulations proved to be an applicable way to obtain the calibration factor that needs to be used for in vivo measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The blue thermoluminescence (TL) emission of a complex charoite silicate [], exhibits a continuum in the trap structure similar to that observed in other natural materials; i.e., the glow curve, that consists of a single broad peak at , continuously shifts towards higher temperatures when the sample is preheated up to increasing temperatures. This behaviour could be attributed to the charoite strained structure including possible non-bridging oxygen, silicon vacancy–hole centres and Si–O bonding defects which seem to be responsible for this UV–blue emission typical of stressed silicates. The calculation of the activation energy from the TL glow curve performed by the initial rise and the TL glow curve fitting methods are fairly well correlated. The evolution of both the activation energy values and the parameters describing the width of the exponential distribution tends to get larger when increasing the annealing temperatures owing to the emptying of the shallower energy traps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The inorganic phase extracted from mint and camomile samples obtained from commercial products in Mexico was selected according to different grain sizes and exposed to 60Co gamma radiation at different doses in the range 0.5–12kGy. Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves show a single broad peak, centred around 175°C for prompt readouts. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates the inorganic dust is mainly composed by quartz, Na,K-feldspars and amphiboles, which use to be characterized by TL emissions associated to continuous distribution of trapping centres. The high fading of the TL signal during the first days of storage at room temperature can be related to the shallowest part of the distribution while the deepest traps originate the asymptotic behaviour for longer storage times. The TL intensity also increases significatively with the grain size, being linear with the absorbed dose at least up to 10kGy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Investigations on sodium citrate conversion to citric acid by the pure electrodialysis process with bipolar membrane were carried out. The current efficiencies based on the number of moles of produced acid and on the concentration changes were determined. Both the mean and the instantaneous efficiencies were calculated. It was found that the mean efficiencies of acid and base are higher at the lowest current densities (52 mA/cm²), with the maximum being observed at 78 mA/cm² for the highest initial salt concentration (1.4 mol/dm³). Higher initial sodium citrate concentration in the salt circuit increases the process efficiency. In the case of low initial salt concentrations, as the process progresses, acid instantaneous efficiency, CEa, decreases with time. For cs = 1 mol/dm³ it is practically constant, and for higher salt concentrations they even grow. In the case of the highest investigated current density (104 mA/cm⊃2), the opposite situation was observed; that is, the CEa decreases with time for the higher salt concentration cs = 1.3 mol/dm³. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary:The optimal approach to obtain an adequate graft for transplantation in patients with poor peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization remains unclear. We retrospectively assessed the impact of different strategies of second-line stem cell harvest on the transplantation outcome of patients who failed PBSC mobilization in our institution. Such patients were distributed into three groups: those who proceeded to steady-state bone marrow (BM) collection (group A, n=34); those who underwent second PBSC mobilization (group B, n=41); those in whom no further harvesting was carried out (group C, n=30). PBSC harvest yielded significantly more CD34+ cells than BM collection. Autologous transplantation was performed in 30, 23 and 11 patients from groups A, B and C, respectively. Engraftment data and transplantation outcome did not differ significantly between groups A and C. By contrast, group B patients had a faster neutrophil recovery, required less platelet transfusions and experienced less transplant-related morbidity, as reflected by lower antibiotics needs and shorter hospital stays. In conclusion, remobilization of PBSC constitutes an effective approach to ensure a rapid hematopoietic engraftment and a safe transplantation procedure for poor mobilizers, whereas unprimed BM harvest does not provide any clinical benefit in this setting.Bone Marrow Transplantation (2005) 36, 847–853. doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705147; published online 22 August 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cellular immunity performs a critical role in immune responses versus SARS-CoV-2. • Increased Th17 and Th1 correlates with disease progression in SARS-CoV-2 patients. • Treg and Th2 cells are significantly decreased in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2. • Exhausted T cells are markedly increased in ICU hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 patients. In various pathological conditions, cellular immunity plays an important role in immune responses. Among immune cells, T lymphocytes pdomote cellular and humoral responses as well as innate immunity. Therefore, careful investigation of these cells has a significant impact on accurate knowledge in COVID-19 disease pathogenesis. In current research, the frequency and function of various T lymphocytes involved in immune responses examined in SARS‐CoV-2 patients with various disease severity compared to normal subjects. In order to make an accurate comparison among patients with various disease severity, this study was performed on asymptomatic recovered cases (n = 20), ICU hospitalized patients (n = 30), non-ICU hospitalized patients (n = 30), and normal subjects (n = 20). To precisely evaluate T cells activity following purification, their cytokine secretion activity was examined. Similarly, immediately after purification of Treg cells, their inhibitory activity on T cells was investigated. The results showed that COVID-19 patients with severe disease (ICU hospitalized patients) not only had a remarkable increase in Th1 and Th17 but also a considerable decrease in Th2 and Treg cells. More importantly, as the IL-17 and IFN-γ secretion was sharply increased in severe disease, the secretion of IL-10 and IL-4 was decreased. Furthermore, the inhibitory activity of Treg cells was reduced in severe disease patients in comparison to other groups. In severe COVID-19 disease, current findings indicate when the inflammatory arm of cellular immunity is significantly increased, a considerable reduction in anti-inflammatory and regulatory arm occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with sarcoidosis from a large multicenter cohort from Southern Europe and to identify the risk factors associated with a more complicated infection. We searched for patients with sarcoidosis presenting with SARS-CoV-2 infection (defined according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidelines) among those included in the SarcoGEAS Registry, a nationwide, multicenter registry of patients fulfilling the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders 1999 classification criteria for sarcoidosis. A 2:1 age-sex-matched subset of patients with sarcoidosis without SARS-CoV-2 infection was selected as control population. Forty-five patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified (28 women, mean age 55 years). Thirty-six patients presented a symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 were hospitalized (12 required supplemental oxygen, 2 intensive care unit admission and 1 mechanical ventilation). Four patients died due to progressive respiratory failure. Patients who required hospital admission had an older mean age (64.9 vs. 51.0 years, p = 0.006), a higher frequency of baseline comorbidities including cardiovascular disease (64% vs. 23%, p = 0.016), diabetes mellitus (43% vs. 13%, p = 0.049) and chronic liver/kidney diseases (36% vs. 0%, p = 0.002) and presented more frequently fever (79% vs. 35%, p = 0.011) and dyspnea (50% vs. 3%, p = 0.001) in comparison with patients managed at home. Age- and sex-adjusted multivariate analysis identified the age at diagnosis of SARS-Cov-2 infection as the only independent variable associated with hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio 1.18, 95% conficence interval 1.04–1.35). A baseline moderate/severe pulmonary impairment in function tests was associated with a higher rate of hospitalization but the difference was not statistically significant (50% vs. 23%, p = 0.219). A close monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infection in elderly patients with sarcoidosis, especially in those with baseline cardiopulmonary diseases and chronic liver or renal failure, is recommended. The low frequency of severe pulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis from Southern Europe may explain the weak prognostic role of baseline lung impairment in our study, in contrast to studies from other geographical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morganella morganii is an opportunistic gram-negative bacterium, resistant to ampicillin, and scarcely involved in early-onset neonatal sepsis.Case report. – After a premature rupture of the membranes, a pregnant patient received prophylactic amoxicillin per os. She developed chorioamnionitis. Her infant was diagnosed with early-onset sepsis. Maternal and baby’s blood cultures grew M. morganii. Both the mother and the infant were successfully treated with a third-generation cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside.Discussion. – The influence of a prior antibiotherapy on the emergence of M. morganii vertical infections is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]