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The choroid plexus (ChP) is essential for brain homeostasis by regulating the secretion of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Despite a substantial body of work on the pathologically alterations of the ChP, there is lack of data concerning the naturally occurring morphological changes asso-ciated with ageing. In this study, we investigated 30 human ChP tissue samples that were divided into 3 groups according to age. Morphometric analysis of psammoma bodies (PBs) on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained samples and immunohistochemical analysis of ChP were performed (using antibodies to transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein protein CD34 and nuclear protein Ki-67). Amyloid deposits were detected using Congo red staining. Middle-aged and older individuals exhibited a significantly higher numerical density (ndPB) mostly as increased immature forms, which led us to question the proposed nomenclature. The proliferation rate of the ChP epithelium did not show significant difference between groups. The vascular area was markedly decreased and accompanied by amyloid deposition in blood vessel walls. While the deposits were limited to middle-sized blood vessels in the middle-aged group, in the older group deposits were also present around small vessels. The identified major morphological alterations of ageing ChP tissue provide further understanding of disfunctions of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier that underlie neurodegenerative disorders.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were synthesised by the Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (USP) process and collected in deionised water with the addition of a stabiliser, i.e. PVP (0.1 wt.%). With the use of a rotary evaporator, a highly concentrated GNPs' suspension was achieved (600 ppm concentration of GNPs), which was used directly as novel nano gold ink for inkjet printing. The physical and chemical characteristics of such prepared nano gold ink were explained in detail by the use of Zeta (?) Potential, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, UV/VIS spectroscopy, and nanoparticle size was identified through SEM. With nano gold ink the chosen pattern was printed onto photo paper, which was characterised for confirming the presence of gold with optical and SEM/EDX observations. The observations revealed that the tested printed nano gold ink on the paper provided a new route for the fabrication of paper-based electrochemical immunosensors, colorimetric sensors and nanometallic biomedical sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our goal was to provide comprehensive data on the effectiveness of ketamine in refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and to describe the potential consequences of long-term ketamine infusion. Ketamine, an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, blocks excitatory pathways contributing to ongoing seizure. While ketamine use is standard in anaesthetic induction, no definitive protocol exists for its use in RSE, and little is known about its adverse effects in long-term, high-dose administration. We present two cases of RSE that responded rapidly to ketamine infusion, both with fatal outcomes secondary to metabolic acidosis and cardiovascular collapse. We performed a systematic review of the application and consequences of ketamine use in RSE. PubMed, Ovid, MEDLINE and PMC were searched for articles describing ketamine treatment for RSE according to a predetermined search strategy and inclusion criteria. The systematic review revealed wide discrepancies in ketamine dosing (infusion maintenance dose range 0.0075-10.5 mg/kg/hour), but good outcomes in medically managed RSE (75% of studies reported moderate or complete seizure control in adults, 62.5% in paediatrics). Additionally, literature review elucidated a potentially causal relationship between prolonged ketamine infusion and both cardiovascular and metabolic dysregulation. Ketamine is effective in RSE by antagonising excitotoxic NMDA receptors. However, there is high variability in ketamine dosing and scarce data on its safety in long-term infusion. Metabolic acidosis and haemodynamic instability associated with the use of long-term, high-dose ketamine infusions must be of concern to clinicians administering ketamine to critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development of a 3D visibility analysis model that consist a combination of objective calculations and a subjective evaluation, representing the value of the view and its possible impact on the perception of a viewer. The model, developed in Matlab, has default weightings for different elements of the view, which can be changed in accordance to future users. A bounding box, defined as working area consisting buildings and topography, is divided into equal-size voxels and sub-voxels for higher accuracy. This model may be further developed for use in practice to support a sustainable future urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two alloying systems of stamping tools (with intermetallic and carbide hardening) are analysed. Analysis shows the high characteristics of the metal with different alloying systems. The heat resistance of the 100Kh4M5F2(Zr) alloy is not inferior to the R18 high-speed tool steel, and the hardness equals 58–62 HRC as a result of carbide hardening. The relative wear resistance of the 8Kh4GSV2M5F2T alloy was (ε = 2.65), impact toughness (0.28 MJ/m2) and hardness (55 HRC). The highest wear resistance was recorded for the K15M15N5Kh3B2 alloy with the following properties after heat treatment: impact toughness (0.1 MJ/m2) and hardness (39 HRC). The wear resistance is 2–2.5 times higher than that of the R18 high-speed tool steel and 6–6.5 times higher than that of Cr12 and Cr12Mo steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]