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This paper presents an analytical solution of the differential equations describing the pulsatory liposome dynamics. We consider a unilamellar liposome filled with an aqueous solution of osmotic solute inserted in a hypotonic aqueous medium. Due to the osmosis process the liposome has a cyclic evolution. The lipid vesicle swells to a critical size, at which point a transbilayer pore suddenly appears. Part of the internal solution leaks through this pore. The liposome relaxes and returns to the initial size. The swelling starts again and the liposome goes through a periodical process. The swelling of the liposome is described by a differential equation. The appearance of the pore changes the evolution of the liposome. The internal solution comes out through the pore and the liposome starts its deflation (relaxation). The evolution of the pore has two phases: first, the radius of the pore increases to its maximum value, then the radius decreases until it disappears, and the liposome reaches its initial size. During each cycle, the liposome will release a quantity (a pulse) of the solution from its interior. All the processes which contribute to the liposome relaxing and its coming back to the initial size are described by three differential equations. This system of differential equations can be integrated using numerical methods. The functions - which model our biological engine in three stages, are as follows: R(t) - the liposome radius, r(t) - the pore radius, C(t) - solute concentration, Q(t) - the osmotic solute amount inside the liposome. The graphs representing these functions contain important linear portions, which suggested a solution using analytical methods. Based on some analytical methods, we solve these equations, and their explicit solutions are validated by comparing with numerical results of previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we used statistical methods to understand the genetic information of DNA considered as a statistical system. The alphabet of a DNA sequence is defined by the four nucleotides: adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. The order of nucleotides along the DNA sequences encodes the genetic information. We have analyzed three Cryptosporidium DNA sequences: one DNA sequence isolated and analyzed in our laboratory and two DNA reference sequences from the public database GenBank. Each DNA sequence is considered as a statistical system and is represented by a random variable and an associate probability distribution. The Shannon entropy, Renyi entropy, Onicescu informational energy and square deviation from uniform distribution are used in order to measure the degree of randomness for the three statistical systems. The similarity and difference between the three DNA sequences of the two Cryptosporidium species (Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum) were assessed by calculating the statistical distance between the probability distributions associated with each pair of DNA sequences. Each of the three DNA sequences pairs with one of the other two sequences and forms three pairs of sequences. Using the associated probability distributions, the statistical distance between them can be calculated. Bhattacharyya distance measures similarity degree between the two probability distributions. The Kullback-Leiber and the resistor-average distances measure the difference between the two distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the Schrödinger equation (SE) with the potential: Vq(r) = δr² + A/r + B/r² defined by us as the quasi-harmonic potential with B/r² the centrifugal type term, δ,A,B > 0 and 0 < µδ « 1. Applying Laplace transform method (LTM), we obtain a new analytic solution in the Vq- potential problem. Using directly and inverse Laplace transforms, we give the complete forms of the energy eigenvalues and the wave functions. Furthermore, introducing the potentials family {λVq}λ>0, we outline a path for deriving the critical value of the angular momentum lc depending on the scalar minimum value λc chosen such that bound states exist. For this family of potentials, we obtain a useful approximation of upper bound lc+ to lc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. An active molecule in sulfurous mineral - therapeutic waters and also in sapropelic mud is H2S, a hormetic gaseous molecule that can actively penetrate the skin. While high levels of H2S are extremely toxic, low levels are tolerated and have potential cytoprotective effects, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant applications. Objective. This systematic review aims to rigorously select related articles and identify within their content the main possible uses of hydrogen sulfide from balneary sources and to explain its physiological mechanisms and therapeutic properties. Methods. To elaborate our systematic review, we have searched for relevant open access articles in 6 international databases: Cochrane¹, Elsevier¹, NCBI/PubMed¹, NCBI/PMC¹, PEDro¹, and ISI Web of Knowledge/Science¹, published from January 2016 until July 2021. The contextually quested keywords combinations/ syntaxes used are specified on this page. The eligible articles were analyzed in detail regarding pathologies addressed by hydrogen sulfide. All articles with any design (reviews, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies), if eligible according to the above-mentioned selection methodology, containing in the title the selected combinations, were included in the analysis. Articles were excluded in the second phase if they did not reach the relevance criterion. Results. Our search identified, first, 291 articles. After eliminating the duplicates and non-ISI articles, remained 121 papers. In the second phase, we applied a PEDro selection filter, resulting in 108 articles that passed the relevance criterion and were included in this systematic review. Conclusions. H2S biology and medical relevance are not fully understood and used adequately for sanogenic or medical purposes. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and importance of this therapeutic gase. The link between balneotherapy and medical rehabilitation regarding the usage of hydrogen sulfide emphasises the unity for this medical speciality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The spread of propaganda by state or non-state actors through movies started almost a century ago. At the same time, the procedures used in movie production diversified and became more specialised, hence nowadays, a special product among the ones made for media channels attracts the eye of specialists in the field of influential communication: Turkish movie series focusing on former Ottoman Empire's glorious past. Many such series have succeeded in conquering the audience from the Arab Peninsula and other parts of the world, particularly the series "Diriliș: Ertuğrul". This movie series, expanding on the legend of 8th century Muslim Oghuz Turks from Anatolia fighting against Christian Byzantines, crusaders and Mongols, was banned in Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, but enjoys high popularity in other countries. Current research aims to analyse essential elements from the above-mentioned movie series that might significantly influence public opinions and sentiments of population from the Arab countries that banned it, in order to answer the question from title. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Demyelinating diseases place a significant burden on both patients and health systems. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is used in demyelinating disease research, usually on mammalian species. Zebrafish are increasingly used in biomedical research due to their low cost and relative similarity with humans. Objective: Generation of a zebrafish model of autoimmune encephalitis. Materials and methods: Adult zebrafish lots received an intramuscular injection of salmon central nervous system emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant in volumes of 1 and 2 pi, respectively. A control lot was kept in similar conditions. After 4 weeks, demyelination was evaluated with Luxol Fast Blue staining and image analysis in FIJI, and histological examination for inflammatory changes. Results: Over 60% of the lots exposed to both 1 and 2 pi of central nervous extract showed microglial hyperplasia and significantly higher demyelination compared with controls. Conclusions: The results suggest autoimmune demyelination. However, additional investigations are required to validate the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) have become important health issues in many countries. There is increasing interest in ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of NAFLD in hospitalized patients and to determine the metabolic features of ultrasound-diagnosed patients., Methods: A number of 3,005 hospitalized patients were prospectively assessed. Subjects were submitted to a standard interview and a chart review was made to note anthropometric (BMI and waist circumference), biochemical and abdominal ultrasonography parameters. MS was evaluated according to IDF criteria. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD., Results: The prevalence of NAFLD in the enrolled subjects was 20%. Patients with NAFLD had higher values of BMI and waist circumference. MS was present in 61.09 % of cases with NAFLD. At least one risk factor was observed in 88.41%, and in 14.07% of patients all 5 criteria were fulfilled. The odds ratios of the metabolic disorders in subjects with NAFLD compared with those without NAFLD were higher in the overweight and obese group than in the normal-weight group. Central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated blood pressure (for total and the overweight group) were independently associated with NAFLD., Conclusion: The prevalence of ultrasound NAFLD in hospitalized patients was similar to the general population. NAFLD was closely associated with metabolic disorders.