Search

Traces of singular moduli can be approximated by exponential sums of quadratic irrationals. Recently Andersen and Duke used theory of Maass forms to estimate generalized twisted traces with power-saving error bounds. We establish an asymptotic formula with effective error bounds for such traces. Our methods depend on an explicit bound for sums of Kloosterman sums on Γ 0 (4) . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let E k be the normalized Eisenstein series of weight k on SL 2 (Z) . Let φ k be the polynomial that encodes the j-invariants of non-elliptic zeros of E k . In 2001, Gekeler observed that the polynomials φ k seem to be irreducible (and verified this claim for k ≤ 446 ). We show that φ k is irreducible for infinitely many k. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids, chlorophylls, betalains and anthocyanins from natural sources have gained popularity due to the benefits to the health of consumers and their multiple uses in the food and other industries. Specifically in the food industry, these pigments are used or could be used as food colorants; however, their use could be affected by environmental factors endangering their stability. Microencapsulation by spray drying is a technique that helps to preserve pigments after incorporating a coating or carrier agent that protects and eases their integration to foods. This review describes the different steps (extraction, pretreatments of the extract, homogenization of the encapsulated agent, spray drying, and stability of the powder obtained) by which microencapsulated pigments can be obtained from different natural sources. In addition, mathematical methods are analyzed to explore how the different parameters affect the drying associated responses. The use of some common and uncommon encapsulating agents is also discussed. It is also mentioned the obtention of some pigments with the spray drying technic. Finally, a section about the uses of microencapsulated pigments in recent years is included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, cell therapies have been shown to recover cardiac function in animal models. Biomaterials used as scaffolds can solve some of the problems that cell therapies currently have, plasma polymerized pyrrole (PPPy) is a biomaterial that has been shown to promote cell adhesion and survival. The present research aimed to study PPPy nanoparticles (PPPyN) interaction with adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (ARVC), to explore whether PPPyN could be employed as a nanoscaffold and develop cardiac microtissues. PPPyN with a mean diameter of 330 nm were obtained, the infrared spectrum showed that some pyrrole rings are fragmented and that some fragments of the ring can be dehydrogenated during plasma synthesis, it also showed the presence of amino groups in the structure of PPPyN. PPPyN had a significant impact on the ARVC´s shape, delaying dedifferentiation, necrosis, and apoptosis processes, moreover, the cardiomyocytes formed cell aggregates up to 1.12 mm2 with some aligned cardiomyocytes and generated fibers on its surface similar to cardiac extracellular matrix. PPPyN served as a scaffold for adult ARVC. Our results indicate that PPPyN-scaffold is a biomaterial that could have potential application in cardiac cell therapy (CCT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplankton blooms, including harmful algal blooms (HABs), have serious impacts on ecosystems, public health, and productivity activities. Rapid detection and monitoring of marine microalgae are important in predicting and managing HABs. We developed a toolkit, the Suitcase Lab, to detect harmful algae species in the field. We demonstrated the Suitcase Lab's capabilities for sampling, filtration, DNA extraction, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detection in cultured Alexandrium catenella cells as well as Chilean coastal waters from four sites: Repollal, Isla García, Puerto Montt, and Metri. A LAMP assay using the Suitcase Lab in the field confirmed microscopic observations of A. catenella in samples from Repollal and Isla García. The Suitcase Lab allowed the rapid detection of A. catenella, within 2 h from the time of sampling, even at a single cell per milliliter concentrations, demonstrating its usefulness for quick and qualitative on-site diagnosis of target toxic algae species. This method is applicable not only to detecting harmful algae but also to other field studies that seek a rapid molecular diagnostic test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the report is to describe a patient with hereditary osteochondromatosis and spinal cord compression at the thoracic level.Clinical features: An 8-year-old patient with hereditary osteochondromatosis inherited from his father presented paraparesis in the left foot, leading to complete paralysis in both legs.Intervention: In a CT scan, a bony tumor rising from the posterior wall of the T3 body narrowing the spinal canal, and the MRI spinal cord compression at the same level and the hydrosyringomyelic cavity extended to the conus medullaris; with an anterior thoracic approach to T2–T4, the fibro-cartilaginous tumor was removed, and the stabilization was completed with bone graft and a plate. Two months after surgery, the patient recovered strength in both legs.Conclusions: A detailed family history through examination-guided advanced imaging and biopsy provides useful information for diagnosis and appropriate management of occupative lesions in patients affected with multiple hereditary exostosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we provide new families of balanced symmetric functions over any finite field. We also generalize a conjecture of Cusick, Li, and Stǎnicǎ about the non-balancedness of elementary symmetric Boolean functions to any finite field and prove part of our conjecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we compute the exact 2-divisibility of exponential sums associated to elementary symmetric Boolean functions. Our computation gives an affirmative answer to most of the open boundary cases of Cusick-Li-Stǎnicǎ's conjecture. As a byproduct, we prove that the 2-divisibility of these families satisfies a linear recurrence. In particular, we provide a new elementary method to compute 2-divisibility of symmetric Boolean functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We have investigated the differences between metabolically 'healthy' morbidly obese patients and those with comorbidities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two morbidly obese patients were divided by the absence ('healthy': DM−DL−) or presence of comorbidities (dyslipidemic: DM−DL+, or dyslipidemic and with type 2 diabetes: DM+DL+). We have studied various plasma parameters and gene expression adipose tissue, before and after gastric bypass. Results: The group DM+DL+ tends to have lower values than the other two groups for anthropometric parameters. Regarding the satiety parameters, only leptin ( p = 0.0024) showed a significant increase with comorbidities. Lipid parameters showed significant differences among groups, except for phospholipids and NEFA. For insulin resistance parameters, only glucose ( p < 0.0001) was higher in DM+DL+ patients, but not insulin or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The gene expression of adiponectin, insulin receptor (INSR) and glucose receptor-4 (GLUT4), in the subcutaneous fat, decreased in all groups vs. a non-obese control. Interleukin-6 (IL6) and the inhibitor of plasminogen activator type 1 (PAI-1) genes decreased only in DM−DL+ and DM+DL+, but not in 'healthy' patients. Leptin increased in all groups vs. the non-obese control. The visceral fat from DM+DL+ patients showed a sharp decrease in adiponectin, GLUT4, IL6 and PAI-1. All parameters mentioned above improved very significantly by surgery, independent of the occurrence of comorbidities. Conclusions: The morbidly obese 'healthy' individual is not really metabolically healthy, but morbidly obese individuals with diabetes and dyslipidemia are more metabolically imbalanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 21-yr-old woman who presented with a perforation of an upper esophageal ulcer on a patch of gastric-type mucosa. Despite surgical closure of the perforation and reinforcement with a pleuro-muscular flap the patient developed an esophageal leakage and died in the postoperative period. Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper esophagus is usually an asymptomatic abnormality, discovered incidentally during endoscopic studies carried out for some other reason; however, complications secondary to the inlet patch acid secreting capacity can arise, and this has to be kept in mind to elude life-threatening conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the discovery of aqueduct by Anatomist Physician and Scientist Franciscus de la Boe Sylvius. It states that a narrow passage between the third and fourth ventricles described by the scientist is the aqueduct of Sylvius. It describes the size of aqueduct in children and adults. The authors discuss three parts and five portions of aqueduct.

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias are a rarely reported complication of abdominal surgery. We present a case of an iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed 2 years after an adrenalectomy. Corrective laparoscopic surgery was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The patient remained asymptomatic 6 months after the repair. To our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]