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Background: At present, the most frequent method for processing flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes is cleaning followed by high-level disinfection as terminal sterilization is often not practicable. Post-processing monitoring studies consistently show high levels of positive cultures remaining on endoscopes, which can lead to patient infection and even fatality. The processing deficiency is attributed to the complex design of endoscopes, incomplete cleaning, formation of biofilms and lack of margin of safety with high-level disinfection.Objective: To demonstrate that flexible GI endoscopes can be practicably terminally sterilized.Methods: An endoscope sterilization cycle was developed in a vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization system. The cycle was used to study the sterilization of flexible GI endoscopes which included colonoscopes and duodenoscope and material compatibility for both original flexible GI endoscopes and those experimentally modified endoscopes using compatible materials.Results: Testing demonstrated that the vaporized hydrogen peroxide can sterilize flexible GI endoscopes (colonoscopes, duodenoscope) with a sterility assurance level of 10-6. Additionally, no recoverable survivors were detected when devices were artificially soiled with hard water and serum. Material compatibility test results demonstrated that replacing molybdenum disulphide lubricant with a graphite-based inert lubricant can make them compatible with vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers.Conclusion: Flexible GI endoscopes can be practicably terminally sterilized using vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization technologies if their materials are revised to become compatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bull Trench Kiln-based Brick industries are major contributors of Particulate Matter Pollutants (PM 2.5 and PM 10), which leads to deterioration of air quality, and hence needs to be monitored. As the static air monitoring stations require huge infrastructure and are sparsely located, it is necessary to find alternate ways using recent technologies like IoT, Machine Learning, and Serverless Computing. IoT devices being low cost and portable could be deployed near brick industries, however, they are sensitive to fluctuating ambient air temperature or humidity and hence have to be calibrated and there is a need for powerful back-end infrastructures for storage and analyses of data. The existing approach of transmitting IoT-based data to the cloud is time-consuming, energy inefficient, prone to scaling problems, has poor resource utilization, and is expensive. In this study, the IoT data are calibrated using ML Classifier algorithms and an Automatic Function Triggerer - Function-as-a-Service (AFT-FaaS) method is proposed, which is based on event-driven, Serverless method using AWS Lambda along with the Three-Tier Serverless architecture (Edge Tier, Fog Tire, and Cloud Tier) to deal with the challenges of delay, under-resource allocation, and to reduce the expenditures. The data transmitted to the cloud using the proposed AFT-FaaS method are indexed in ElasticSearch and Kibana is used for the analysis and visualization of data. While performing calibration, Random Forest Classifier was chosen as it had accuracy of above 98%. Finally, an in-depth pricing analysis is performed to better understand the difference between different configurations deployed for Serverless and non-Serverless Computing methods, which shows there is a significant reduction (7 times) of expenses incurred while using Serverless Computing than the non-Serverless Computing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Noise damage causes changes in synaptic plasticity genes in the cochlear nucleus. • More noise-induced changes occurred in the ventral vs. the dorsal cochlear nucleus. • Most changes in synaptic plasticity genes were seen 28 days after noise damage. Abstract The cochlear nucleus, located in the brainstem, receives its afferent auditory input exclusively from the auditory nerve fibers of the ipsilateral cochlea. Noise-induced neurodegenerative changes occurring in the auditory nerve stimulate a cascade of neuroplastic changes in the cochlear nucleus resulting in major changes in synaptic structure and function. To identify some of the key molecular mechanisms mediating this synaptic reorganization, we unilaterally exposed rats to a high-intensity noise that caused significant hearing loss and then measured the resulting changes in a synaptic plasticity gene array targeting neurogenesis and synaptic reorganization. We compared the gene expression patterns in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) on the noise-exposed side versus the unexposed side using a PCR gene array at 2 d (early) and 28 d (late) post-exposure. We discovered a number of differentially expressed genes, particularly those related to synaptogenesis and regeneration. Significant gene expression changes occurred more frequently in the VCN than the DCN and more changes were seen at 28 d versus 2 d post-exposure. We confirmed the PCR findings by in situ hybridization for Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), Homer-1 , as well as the glutamate NMDA receptor Grin1 , all involved in neurogenesis and plasticity. These results suggest that Bdnf , Homer-1 and Grin1 play important roles in synaptic remodeling and homeostasis in the cochlear nucleus following severe noise-induced afferent degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney transplant recipients are at a high risk for developing malignancies with dermatologic cancers and lymphomas making up the bulk of these. Leukemia is rare in this cohort of patients. Kidney infiltration by leukemic cells is seen in about 34% of native kidneys based on autopsy studies. But leukemia infiltration of the kidney allograft has not been described much in the literature. Here we discuss the case of a 59-year-old kidney transplant recipient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who presented with acute kidney injury and his transplant kidney biopsy showed leukemic cell infiltration of the renal cortex. We also present a comprehensive literature review of post–kidney transplantation AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Does expression of DCX in adult unipolar brush cells reflect neurogenesis? [•] We made BrdU injections at different doses and delays. [•] We found BrdU cells in the cerebellum and brainstem. [•] Their numbers and distribution argue against neurogenesis of UBCs. [•] DCX may have a role in synaptic plasticity in UBCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule-associated protein that is critical for neuronal migration and the development of the cerebral cortex. In the adult, it is expressed in newborn neurons in the subventricular and subgranular zones, but not in the mature neurons of the cerebral cortex. By contrast, neurogenesis and neuronal migration of cells in the cerebellum continue into early postnatal life; migration of one class of cerebellar interneuron, unipolar brush cells (UBCs), may continue into adulthood. To explore the possibility of continued neuronal migration in the adult cerebellum, closely spaced sections through the brainstem and cerebellum of adult (3–16 months old) Sprague–Dawley rats were immunolabeled for DCX. Neurons immunoreactive (ir) to DCX were present in the granular cell layer of the vestibulocerebellum, most densely in the transition zone (tz), the region between the flocculus (FL) and ventral paraflocculus (PFL), as well as in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). These DCX-ir cells had the morphological appearance of UBCs with oval somata and a single dendrite ending in a brush. There were many examples of colocalization of DCX with Eps8 or calretinin, UBC markers. We also identified DCX-ir elements along the fourth ventricle and its lateral recess that had labeled somata but lacked the dendritic structure characteristic of UBCs. Labeled UBCs were seen in nearby white matter. These results suggest that there may be continued neurogenesis and/or migration of UBCs in the adult. Another possibility is that UBCs maintain DCX expression even after migration and maturation, reflecting a role of DCX in adult neuronal plasticity in addition to a developmental role in migration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: l-Lysine sulphate (LLS), a semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material useful for frequency doubling in the IR region, has been synthesized. The solubility studies have been carried out in the temperature range 30–50°C. Single crystals have been grown by slow evaporation method from an aqueous acetone solution of l-lysine and sulphuric acid. The grown crystals were bulk, bright and transparent. These crystals were characterized by X-ray and FTIR studies. Powder X-ray pattern indicates that LLS crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P212121 with four unit cells. FTIR spectral studies were performed for the conformation of the l-lysine molecule and hydrogen bonds. The optical transmission spectra of the grown crystal are tested by UV–vis spectrophotometer and found that the crystal was transparent over entire visible region. The second harmonic generation test of the LLS revealed the nonlinear nature of the crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare color-flow duplex imaging (CFDI), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and renal arteriography in diagnosing renal artery (RA) fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and correlating with the hemodynamic response to balloon angioplasty (BA) in patients with drug-resistant hypertension.: BackgroundRenal arteriography is generally regarded as the gold standard for diagnosing RA FMD. The observation that CFDI and IVUS depicted endoluminal abnormalities suggestive of RA FMD in some patients with normal renal arteriograms prompted comparison of these modalities in a consecutive series of patients.: MethodsTwenty hypertensive patients with CFDI suggestive of RA FMD (mid-to-distal flow derangement and velocity augmentation) underwent renal arteriography, IVUS, and BA, with both immediate and long-term blood pressure (BP) response assessment.: ResultsAll patients were women, aged 31 to 86 years (mean 62 years). On IVUS, various endoluminal defects (eccentric ridges; fluttering membranes; spiraling folds) were depicted at locations predicted by CFDI and were uniformly identified at sites where arteriography depicted classic evidence of FMD (8 patients). However, similar defects were detected by IVUS when angiography was borderline (7 patients) or normal (5 patients). Balloon angioplasty eliminated (16 patients) or reduced (4 patients) the IVUS findings and lowered systolic BP in all (mean reduction 53 mm Hg, p < 0.0001). This reduction was maintained during follow-up of 4 to 22 (mean 13) months (mean reduction 44 mm Hg, p < 0.0001), independent of baseline angiographic appearance.: ConclusionsBoth CFDI and IVUS depict the blood flow and endoluminal abnormalities of RA FMD. Balloon angioplasty eliminates or improves IVUS findings and produces substantial, sustained BP reduction, an effect that is independent of baseline arteriographic appearance, calling into question the legitimacy of arteriography as the diagnostic gold standard. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Risk factors and outcomes associated with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetics and nondiabetics were analyzed for 376 consecutive patients, 77 with diabetes (20%) and 299 nondiabetics (80%), who had non-Q-wave MI and had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) performed before discharge from hospital during the period from January 1992 to February 1996. Diabetics were slightly older (64 +/- 10 years vs 61 +/- 12 years, p <0.053), had more prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery (27% vs 12%, p <0.001), and hypertension (77% vs 49%, p <0.001). There was no significant difference in unstable angina, saphenous vein graft PTCA, single versus multiple vessel disease, or history of MI. PTCA success rates for diabetics versus nondiabetics were similar (96% vs 97%, p = NS). In-hospital complications such CABG, recurrent MI, repeat PTCA, stroke, and death were not statistically significant between the 2 groups. At 1-year follow-up, survival in diabetics (92%) was similar to nondiabetics (94%, p = NS), although event-free survival (PTCA, CABG, MI, death) was worse in diabetics (55% vs 67% for nondiabetics, p <0.05). Although diabetic patients with non-Q-wave MI represent a cohort with more risk factors for poor outcome, aggressive in-hospital revascularization with PTCA results in an excellent short-term outcome as well as 1-year survival similar to the nondiabetic patients. However, total events at 1-year follow-up are more common in the diabetic patients, suggesting that more aggressive screening and therapy in follow-up may be warranted, and that a diabetic with non-Q-wave MI will require increased utilization of cardiovascular resources in the first year after the event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to loud, prolonged sounds (acoustic trauma, AT) leads to the death of both inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs), death of neurons of the spiral ganglion and degeneration of the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve (8cn) projects to the three subdivisions of the cochlear nuclei (CN), the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DC) and the anterior (VCA) and posterior (VCP) subdivisions of the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN). There is both anatomical and physiological evidence for plastic reorganization in the denervated CN after AT. Anatomical findings show axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis; physiologically there is an increase in spontaneous activity suggesting reorganization of circuitry. The mechanisms underlying this plasticity are not understood. Recent data suggest that activated microglia may have a role in facilitating plastic reorganization in addition to removing trauma-induced debris. In order to investigate the roles of activated microglia in the CN subsequent to AT we exposed animals to bilateral noise sufficient to cause massive hair cell death. We studied four groups of animals at different survival times: 30 days, 60 days, 6 months and 9 months. We used silver staining to examine the time course and pattern of auditory nerve degeneration, and immunohistochemistry to label activated microglia in the denervated CN. We found both degenerating auditory nerve fibers and activated microglia in the CN at 30 and 60 days and 6 months after AT. There was close geographic overlap between the degenerating fibers and activated microglia, consistent with a scavenger role for activated microglia. At the longest survival time, there were still silver-stained fibers but very little staining of activated microglia in overlapping regions. There were, however, activated microglia in the surrounding brainstem and cerebellar white matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Exposure to intense noise induces apoptosis in hair cells in the cochlea. To identify the molecular changes associated with noise-induced apoptosis, we used quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the changes in 84 apoptosis-related genes in cochlear samples from the sensory epithelium and lateral wall. Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to a continuous noise at 115 dB SPL for 2 h. The exposure caused a 40–60 dB threshold shift 4 h post-exposure that decreased to 20–30 dB 7 days post-exposure. These functional changes were associated with apoptotic markers including nuclear condensation and fragmentation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. Immediately after the noise exposure, 12 genes were downregulated, whereas only one gene (Traf4) was upregulated. At 4 h post-exposure, eight genes were upregulated; three (Tnrsf1a, Tnfrsf1b, Tnfrst5) belonged to the Tnfrsf family, three (Bir3, Mcl1 and Prok2) have anti-apoptotic properties and one (Gadd45a) is a target of p53. At 7 days post-exposure, all the upregulated genes returned to pre-noise levels. Interestingly, the normal control cochlea had high constitutive levels of several apoptosis-related genes. These constitutively expressed genes, together with the inducible genes, may participate in the induction of cochlear apoptotic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A radiochemical heavy ion activation procedure was carried out for the simultaneous production of carrier-free 48V and 48,49Cr in 7Li ion irradiated Sc2O3 target, followed by the separation of the individual radio-elements in pure form through liquid–liquid extraction using liquid cation exchanger, di-(2-ehtylhexyl) phosphoric acid. Liquid anion exchanger, trioctylamine, was used to obtain extractants from aqueous acid solutions under different experimental conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 800 million individuals worldwide and has no cure. However, multiple preclinical studies in CKD animal models show therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC). We aimed to investigate MSC safety in a phase I clinical trial and further examined therapy response in individuals with CKD. Allogeneic vertebral bone marrow-derived MSC (®Ossium Health) were intravenously administered via peripheral vein (arm) to CKD participants assigned to one of two dose arms: Arm 1 (n=7) 100 x 10^6 MSCs at Days 0 and 84 and Arm 2 (n=7) 200 x 10^6 MSC at Day 0 only. Study subjects underwent testing at baseline through 6 months (interim review). Kidney function was evaluated by CKD-EPI creatinine equation (estimated glomerular filtration rate; eGFR). Clinical enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured serum inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Unpaired t-test was used to compare the means of two independent groups. CKD subjects (n=14) were enrolled with mean age 60.4±11.6 years, 28.6% females, 71.4% white, 36% diabetes mellitus, and baseline eGFR 30.9±7.6 mL/min/1.73m2. No infusion-related or treatment-related serious adverse events were identified. Kidney function remained stable following infusions and over study follow-up, Figure (Left) . At 6 months, kidney function was similar to baseline (eGFR 32.1 vs. 30.9 mL/min/1.73m2) with mean eGFR change of 1.2±4.7 mL/min/1.73m2 (all subjects). No difference in 6-month eGFR change was found between dose arm groups (eGFR 1.0±6.5 [Arm 1] vs. 1.4±2.4 [Arm 2], p=0.9). However, proinflammatory marker, TNF-α, had a sustained trend towards lower levels at 3 and 6 months in dose Arm 1 (vs. Arm 2, p=0.09), Figure (Right) . Allogeneic bone marrow-derived MSC infusions appear safe and tolerable in CKD participants over short-term follow-up. Interim 6-month studies suggest stable to improved kidney function and a repeat of split-dose MSC administration may yield lower systemic inflammation. Additional, larger-scale and placebo-controlled studies are necessary to examine safety and efficacy of this promising therapeutic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(III)-triptycenyl-1,10-phenanthroline complexes [Ir(ppy) 2 (tpt-phen)] + (1) and [Ir(bhq) 2 (tpt-phen)] + (2) {ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, bhq = Benzo[ h ]quinoline, tpt-phen = triptycenyl-1,10-phenanthroline} have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of complex 2 has been studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The photophysical properties of complexes in a different solvent have also been investigated. The binding of complexes to the double stranded calf thymus (CT-DNA) has been investigated by spectroscopic techniques. These complexes condense originally circular plasmid DNA into particulate structures. The DNA-condensation induced by these complexes have been investigated by electrophoretic mobilty shift assay, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of these complexes towards HeLa cells have been studied and their cellular localisation properties have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital abnormalities of the liver are rare with prior descriptions of lobar or segmental agenesis, Reidel's lobe, and ectopic hepatic lobes. Intrathoracic ectopic hepatic lobes have been reported in many instances; however, there is only one documented case of abnormally positioned liver tissue within the inferior vena cava (J Chapman-Fredricks, R Birusingh, M Ricci, M Rodriguez, Intracaval liver with cardiac extension. A new developmental anomaly? Fetal and Pediatric Pathology. 2010; 29:401-406). We report a second case of an ectopic intracaval liver defined as a mass in an adult who presented for abdominal pain and review the radiological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanocomposite coatings of CrN–WS2 were prepared at different Cr contents (approximately 8–39at%) using an unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. Structural changes in CrN–WS2 coatings with variation in Cr content were studied using X-ray diffraction. CrN–WS2 coatings displayed a dense, compact microstructure with reduced columnar growth in the field emission scanning electron microscopy data. Nanoindentation and nanoscratch data showed that CrN–WS2 coatings exhibited improved mechanical and adhesive properties, respectively. Micro-tribometer tests at a load of 2 N indicated that CrN–WS2 coatings prepared at 31at% Cr exhibited a stable friction coefficient of 0.20–0.24 even after 8h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Approximately 1.5–2.5 μm thick nanocomposite coatings of TiAlCrYN were deposited using a four-cathode reactive unbalanced pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering system from the sputtering of Ti, Al, Cr, and Y targets in Ar + N2 plasma. The TiAlCrYN nanocomposite coatings were deposited on various substrates such as high speed steel (HSS) drill bits, mild steel and silicon. TiAlCrYN coatings with almost similar mechanical properties but with different Ti, Al, Cr and Y contents were prepared to study their thermal stability and machining performance. The structural and mechanical properties of the coatings were characterized using X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation technique, respectively. The elemental composition, bonding structure, surface morphology and cross-sectional data were studied using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Nanoscratch tests were performed to determine the adhesive strength of the coatings. The corrosion behavior of TiAlCrYN nanocomposite coatings on mild steel substrate was studied using potentiodynamic polarization in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the structural changes as a result of heating of the nanocomposite coatings in air (600–1000 °C). TiAlCrYN coatings prepared at 17 at.% Ti, 13 at.% Al, 21 at.% Cr and 1 at.% Y exhibited thermal stability as high as 900 °C in air (denoted as Sample 3). For the performance evaluation, the TiAlCrYN coated HSS drill bits were tested under accelerated machining conditions. With a drill speed of 800 rpm and a feed rate of 0.08 mm/rev the TiAlCrYN coated HSS drill bits (Sample 3) averaged 657 holes, while drilling a 12 mm thick 304 stainless steel plate under dry conditions, before failure. Whereas, the uncoated drill bits failed after drilling 50 holes under the same machining conditions. Results indicated that for the HSS drill bits coated with TiAlCrYN, the tool life increased by a factor of more than 12. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New types of conducting polyaniline–niobium pentoxide (PANI/Nb2O5) nanocomposites have been synthesized by in situ deposition technique by placing fine grade powder of Nb2O5 during in situ polymerization of aniline. The composites formed were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD and TEM indicated the dominant role-played by Nb2O5 particles, whereas XPS indicated incomplete protonation of imine moieties. SEM images indicated a systematic morphological variation of particles aggregated in the composite matrix as compared to the pristine PANI. Three step decomposition patterns were observed for PANI and its composites. AC conductivity and dielectric response of the composites were investigated in the frequency range, 102–106 Hz. AC conductivity obeyed the power law index, which decreased with increasing wt.% of Nb2O5. PANI showed high dielectric constant, which could be related to conductivity relaxation phenomenon. Both dielectric constant and dielectric loss decreased with increasing wt.% of Nb2O5. Variations in measured AC response parameters with increasing Nb2O5 contents of the composite followed systematic trends that are similar to those observed with decreasing temperature and level of doping. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]