Effect of rare-earth oxide (Eu2O3) on the physical, mechanical, acoustic and radiation shielding properties of the CaO-Gd2O3-SiO2-B2O3 glasses

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of europium-doped calcium gadolinium silicoborate glasses for determining their physical, mechanical, acoustic and radiation shielding properties with compositions of 25Gd2O3-10CaO-10SiO2-xEu2O3 -(55-x) B2O3 (where, x is 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mol%). These glasses were theoretically analyzed using the Geant4 toolkit and Phy-X PSD software to calculate their performance for x-ray energies ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 MeV. The physical, acoustic and mechanical properties were determined using the Makishima-Mackenzie (MM) model. As the content of Eu2O3 increases, the density of the glasses also increases. As the amount of Eu2O3 increases, the mechanical properties decrease. This means that certain mechanical properties of the material may be negatively affected, resulting in a decreased ability to maintain structural integrity and resist deformation when exposed to radiation. The elastic modulus reflects the material's stiffness or rigidity, and a lower value indicates that the material is more prone to deformation when subjected to mechanical stress. Bulk and Young's moduli show a decreasing trend from 255.49 to 253.10 GPa and 368.20 to 366.50 GPa with increasing Eu+3 concentration in the glass samples. The LAC values of EuGd4 glass is much smaller when compared to the other glasses. The presence of gadolinium and europium compounds in the glass increases its ability to absorb radiation due to the elements of high atomic numbers. This is because the higher effective atomic number (Zeff) of these compounds enhances the glass of shielding capabilities against neutron and gamma rays, resulting in improved radiation protection.

Barriers and enablers of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) in physically inactive adults: a focus group study

BACKGROUND

Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity (VILPA) refers to brief bouts of vigorous intensity physical activity performed as part of daily living. VILPA has been proposed as a novel concept to expand physical activity options among the least active. As a nascent area of research, factors which impede or encourage VILPA in physically inactive adults are yet to be explored. Such information is pertinent in the design of future interventions. We examined the barriers and enablers of VILPA among physically inactive adults using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) model as a conceptual framework.

METHODS

We recruited a sample of self-identified physically inactive middle-aged and older adults (N = 78) based in Australia to take part in 19 online focus groups across three age groups: young-middle (age 35-44), middle (age 45-59) and old (age 60-76). We analyzed interviews using a critical realist approach to thematic analysis. Identified barriers and enablers were subsequently mapped onto the COM-B model components.

RESULTS

The data generated 6 barriers and 10 enablers of VILPA that corresponded to COM-B concepts. Barriers included physical limitations (physical capability), perceptions of aging, need for knowledge (psychological capability), environmental constraints (physical opportunity), perceptions of effort and energy, and fear (automatic motivation). Enablers included convenience, reframing physical activity as purposeful movement, use of prompts and reminders (physical opportunity), normalization of taking the active option, gamification (social opportunity), sense of achievement, health improvements, personally salient rewards (reflective motivation), identity fit, and changing from effortful deliberation to habitual action (automatic motivation).

CONCLUSION

The barriers and enablers of VILPA span capability, opportunity, and motivation beliefs. Promoting the time-efficient nature and simplicity of VILPA requiring no equipment or special gym sessions, the use of prompts and reminders at opportune times, and habit formation strategies could capitalize on the enablers. Addressing the suitability of the small bouts, the development of specific guidelines, addressing safety concerns, and explicating the potential benefits of, and opportunities to do, VILPA could ameliorate some of the barriers identified. Future VILPA interventions may require limited age customization, speaking to the potential for such interventions to be delivered at scale.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a therapeutic approach in gait disorders: What does it bring to the table?

Gait deficits are found in various degenerative central nervous system conditions, and are particularly a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). While there is no cure for such neurodegenerative disorders, Levodopa is considered as the standard medication in PD patients. Often times, the therapy of severe PD consists of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus. Earlier research exploring the effect of gait have reported contradictory results or insufficient efficacy. A change in gait includes various parameters, such as step length, cadence, Double-stance phase duration which may be positively affected by DBS. DBS could also be effective in correcting the levodopa-induced postural sway abnormalities. Moreover, during normal walking, interaction among the subthalamic nucleus and cortex -essential regions which exert a role in locomotion- are coupled. However, during the freezing of gait, the activity is desynchronized. The mechanisms underlying DBS-induced neurobehavioral improvements in such scenarios requires further study. The present review discusses DBS in the context of gait, the benefits associated with DBS compared to standard pharmacotherapy options, and provides insights into future research.

Effect of voluntary wheel running on autophagy status in lung tissue of high-fat diet-fed rats

Here, we aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of voluntary wheel running (VWR) in high-fat diet-fed rats on pulmonary tissue injury via the modulation of autophagic response. Thirty-two rats were allocated into four groups; normal diet (Control); VWR; high-fat-diet (HFD), and HFD + VWR. After three months, pathological effect of HFD on pulmonary tissue was investigated. The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). We monitored the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and autophagy-related genes in lung tissues. H&E staining showed pathological changes in HFD group coincided with the increase of TNF-α levels in the bronchoalveolar fluid compared to the normal rats. Our results showed the up-regulation of IL-6, becline-1, LC3 and P62 in the HFD group compared to the Control group. VWR inhibited HFD-induced changes and could decrease HFD-induced changes via the regulation of autophagy status.

Molecular detection of fowl adenovirus 7 from slaughtered broiler chickens in Iran: the first report

Background

Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are responsible for a variety of clinical symptoms, with an increasing significance in the poultry industry throughout the world. Typical diseases caused by FAdVs include inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), gizzard erosion (GE), respiratory disease, and hemorrhage in muscles and organs.

Aims

During 2020, broiler chickens from the north of Iran showed ecchymotic and petechial hemorrhages in thigh and breast muscles at the slaughterhouse. Hemorrhages were observed in 10% to 60% (with an average of 20-30%) of chicks per flock. To find out the etiology of these lesions, the present study was conducted.

Methods

Different environmental factors were investigated, and FAdV, infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), and chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) were detected using molecular assays.

Results

Among the viruses tested, FAdV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis clustered the virus into species E, serotype 7.

Conclusion

This is the first report on FAdV-7 existence among poultry in Iran. Effective screening of the chicks at slaughtering age should be performed from the whole country.

910 The Value of a Compressive Base Layer Bandaging in Post-Surgical Plaster Application: Reductions in Early Face-To-Face Times and Early Dressing Changes. Improved Patient and Plaster Technician Satisfaction

Aim

Plaster immobilisation alongside wound compression after surgery is often required but not easy to balance. If a plaster is too loose then it may not produce sufficient wound compression but if the cast is too restrictive it may be uncomfortable and lead to complications. Our aim is to provide a technique that addresses these imbalances.

Method

Compressive base layer banding technique involves tightly wrapping the wound dressing with wool and crepe then applying a well-padded plaster on top. The technique was prospectively audited and compared to other practice within our centre. The aims were to show that the technique was safe and to look for potential benefits for patients and healthcare staff. Both groups included trauma and elective patients treated by a similar set of foot and ankle operations. We audited patients on their experiences, concerns and time spent having their cast changed.

Results

Primarily, the results showed that the technique was safe with no severe complications. The time for a plaster change reduced by a third, from 24 minutes (control group n = 28) to 16 minutes (intervention group n = 27). Dressing changes at the same time were reduced by 80%. The intervention group were happier with their casts, had lower levels of concerns regarding their attendance and their risk of infection.

Conclusions

Our audit has shown that the compressive bandaging technique is safe (non-inferior) compared to current practices at our hospital. The technique has the benefit of reducing the time patients spend being face-to-face during plaster change and reduces both their discomfort and concern.

Mathematical analysis of a stochastic model for spread of Coronavirus

This paper is associated to investigate a stochastic SEIAQHR model for transmission of Coronavirus disease 2019 that is a recent great crisis in numerous societies. This stochastic pandemic model is established due to several safety protocols, for instance social-distancing, mask and quarantine. Three white noises are added to three of the main parameters of the system to represent the impact of randomness in the environment on the considered model. Also, the unique solvability of the presented stochastic model is proved. Moreover, a collocation approach based on the Legendre polynomials is presented to obtain the numerical solution of this system. Finally, some simulations are provided to survey the obtained results of this pandemic model and to identify the theoretical findings.

Implementation of Combinational Deep Learning Algorithm for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Classification in Ultrasound Images

Background

Nowadays, fatty liver is one of the commonly occurred diseases for the liver which can be observed generally in obese patients. Final results from a variety of exams and imaging methods can help to identify and evaluate people affected by this condition.

Objective

The aim of this study is to present a combined algorithm based on neural networks for the classification of ultrasound ‎images from fatty liver affected patients.

Material and Methods

In experimental research can be categorized as a diagnostic study which focuses on classification of the acquired ultrasonography images for 55 patients with fatty liver. We implemented pre-trained convolutional neural networks of Inception-ResNetv2, GoogleNet, AlexNet, and ResNet101 to extract features from the images and after combining these resulted features, we provided support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to classify the liver images. Then the results are compared with the ones in implementing the algorithms independently.

Results

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the introduced combined network resulted in 0.9999, which is a better result compared to any of the other introduced algorithms. The resulted accuracy for the proposed network also caused 0.9864, which seems acceptable accuracy for clinical application.

Conclusion

The proposed network can be used with high accuracy to classify ultrasound images of the liver to normal or fatty. The presented approach besides the high AUC in comparison with other methods have the independence of the method from the ‎user or expert interference.

Identification of Conformational B-cell Epitopes in Diphtheria Toxin at Varying Temperatures Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The changes in temperature levels can potentially affect the toxins in terms of stability and immunological properties via alteration of their structures. Diphtheria Toxin (DT) is highly considered by scientists since its mechanism of action is similar to those of most bacterial toxins, such as botulinum, tetanus, and anthrax. The protection of conformational B-cell epitopes is critically important in the process of diphtheria vaccine production. This study aimed to evaluate the conformational changes of the DT structure at three different temperature levels (27˚C, 37˚C, and 47˚C) using molecular dynamic simulations. Secondary structures were analyzed in YASARA software. According to the results, significant decreases were observed in percentages of the β-sheets, turns, and the helices of the DT structure at 47˚C in comparison with those at 27˚C and 37˚C. Furthermore, the tertiary structure of the DT was compared at different temperatures using the contact map. Accordingly, the results showed that the root-mean-square deviation of the DT structure increased upon temperature rising. In addition, amino acids D68, G128, G171, C186, and K534-S535 at 27˚C and 37˚C, as well as amino acids G26, P38, S291, T267, H384, A356, and V518 at 47˚C showed higher root mean square fluctuation values. The finding demonstrated that the stability of the DT structure decreased at high temperature (47˚C). The solvent-accessible surface area diagram showed that the hydrophobicity of the DT structure increased via temperature rising, and the amino acid residues belonging to B-cell epitopes extended through increasing temperature. However, B-cell epitopes belonging to the junction region of chains A and B were only present at 37˚C. The results of this study are expected to be applicable for determining a suitable temperature level for the production process of the diphtheria vaccine.

A mathematical model to examine the effect of quarantine on the spread of coronavirus

In this study, we propose a mathematical model about the spread of novel coronavirus. This model is a system of fractional order differential equations in Caputo's sense. The aim is to explain the virus transmission and to investigate the impact of quarantine on decreasing the prevalence rate of the virus in the environment. The unique solvability of the presented COVID-19 model is proved. Also, the equilibrium points and the reproduction number of the proposed model are discussed in two cases with and without considering the quarantine factor. Using the Adams-Bashforth-Moulton predictor-corrector method, some numerical simulations are implemented to survey the behavior of the considered model.

The risk of malignancies in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is widely used in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Due to advances in the number of survivors of this treatment, the number of survivors is increasing, but the late complications of this therapeutic approach such as secondary cancers have been long term and have not been fully controlled.

METHODS

The present meta-analysis study was performed by considering English-language articles in the databases including Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed. This meta-analysis included cohort studies that reported an incidence of cancer following stem cell transplantation (SCT). Random/fixed effect size meta-analyses were used to standardize the incidence ratio for different cancers.

RESULTS

22 studies that evaluated patients receiving SCT (n = 270,063) were included in the study. The study found 9233 cases of cancer after transplantation. Meta-analysis showed that the risk of cancer after SCT was SIR = 1.66 (95% CI 1.47-1.86). The most common cancers observed in SCT recipients were bone tissue, head and neck cancers, and melanoma, with SIRs of 10.04 (3.48-16.61), 6.35 (4.76-7.93) and 3.52 (2.65-4.39), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis findings showed that the risk of secondary cancers after HSCT was significantly increased in most types of cancers. Consequently, diagnostic tests for common cancers should be included in the screening program of these patients for the prevention and early detection of high-risk cancers.

Giant isotope effect on phonon dispersion and thermal conductivity in methylammonium lead iodide

Lead halide perovskites are strong candidates for high-performance low-cost photovoltaics, light emission, and detection applications. A hot-phonon bottleneck effect significantly extends the cooling time of hot charge carriers, which thermalize through carrier-optic phonon scattering, followed by optic phonon decay to acoustic phonons and finally thermal conduction. To understand these processes, we adjust the lattice dynamics independently of electronics by changing isotopes. We show that doubling the mass of hydrogen in methylammonium lead iodide by replacing protons with deuterons causes a large 20 to 50% softening of the longitudinal acoustic phonons near zone boundaries, reduces thermal conductivity by ~50%, and slows carrier relaxation kinetics. Phonon softening is attributed to anticrossing with the slowed libration modes of the deuterated molecules and the reduced thermal conductivity to lowered phonon velocities. Our results reveal how tuning the organic molecule dynamics enables control of phonons important to thermal conductivity and the hot-phonon bottleneck.

Investigation of the fine structure of antihydrogen

At the historic Shelter Island Conference on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in 1947, Willis Lamb reported an unexpected feature in the fine structure of atomic hydrogen: a separation of the 2S1/2 and 2P1/2 states1. The observation of this separation, now known as the Lamb shift, marked an important event in the evolution of modern physics, inspiring others to develop the theory of quantum electrodynamics2-5. Quantum electrodynamics also describes antimatter, but it has only recently become possible to synthesize and trap atomic antimatter to probe its structure. Mirroring the historical development of quantum atomic physics in the twentieth century, modern measurements on anti-atoms represent a unique approach for testing quantum electrodynamics and the foundational symmetries of the standard model. Here we report measurements of the fine structure in the n = 2 states of antihydrogen, the antimatter counterpart of the hydrogen atom. Using optical excitation of the 1S-2P Lyman-α transitions in antihydrogen6, we determine their frequencies in a magnetic field of 1 tesla to a precision of 16 parts per billion. Assuming the standard Zeeman and hyperfine interactions, we infer the zero-field fine-structure splitting (2P1/2-2P3/2) in antihydrogen. The resulting value is consistent with the predictions of quantum electrodynamics to a precision of 2 per cent. Using our previously measured value of the 1S-2S transition frequency6,7, we find that the classic Lamb shift in antihydrogen (2S1/2-2P1/2 splitting at zero field) is consistent with theory at a level of 11 per cent. Our observations represent an important step towards precision measurements of the fine structure and the Lamb shift in the antihydrogen spectrum as tests of the charge-parity-time symmetry8 and towards the determination of other fundamental quantities, such as the antiproton charge radius9,10, in this antimatter system.

Health assessment of newly arrived refugees to the Municipality of Copenhagen, Denmark

Background

Research data on the health status of newly arrived refugees is sparse. Newly arrived refugees and family reunified in The Municipality of Copenhagen has since 2016 been offered a general health assessment. These assessments are conducted by clinicians with expertise in refugee and migrant health from the Section of Immigrant Health. This study describes the sociodemographic characteristics and the burden of disease in this population.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study the population consists of adult patients examined January 2017 to February 2019. Clinicians performed the health assessment including a questionnaire regarding sociodemographics, medical history, symptoms, traumatic events during/before migration, a clinical examination and blood samples.

Results

The population had an equal presentation of males (N = 81) and females (N = 79) primarily from Syria (33%) and Iran (29%). The median age was 31,5 years (SD = 10,9). 67% had ≥8 years of schooling, while 11% had a maximum of 2 years. More than half had experienced war and 50% persecution. 76% suffered from Vitamin D deficiency, 31% of B12 deficiency and 12% of anemia. Few suffered from infectious and somatic diseases, yet many experiences symptoms such as pain (53%) and headaches (54%). 33% presented with symptoms of PTSD.

Conclusions

A high frequency of micronutrition deficiency was prevalent in the refugee group. Furthermore, many suffered from physical symptoms while very few had serious somatic issues. Numerous traumatic experiences were reported and 33% presented with symptoms of PTSD. The data is presumably a reflection of the healthy migrant bias.

Key messages

Despite refugees presumably being tested pre-entry and at holding level, they still suffer several health issues when granted asylum. Many newly arrived refugees suffer from micronutrition deficiency. These conditions are easily treated and could enhance the overall health of the individual.

Nutritive value of treated Quercus infectoria and Quercus libani leaves with the tannin-degrading bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae for ruminant feeding in vitro

AIMS

This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro gas production (GP) and fermentation parameters of Quercus infectoria and Quercus libani leaves following treatment with the Klebsiella pneumoniae, a tannin-degrading bacterium.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This isolate was isolated on medium containing tannic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy, and identified based on 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. In both oak leaf species (i.e. Q. infectoria and Q. libani), inoculation with Klebsiella pneumoniae significantly increased (P < 0·05) dry matter (DM) loss. For Q. libani, crude protein content was increased (P = 0·02) by bacterial treatment vs. control. In both oak leaves, total phenolic content and total tannins were decreased (P < 0·05) as a consequence of bacterial treatment. However, bacterial processing didn't changed (P > 0·05) organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre or acid detergent lignin content of treated leaves. In both oak leaves the measuring parameters including GP volume, in vitro digestibility of DM and OM, estimated metabolizable energy, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, ammonia nitrogen concentration, total protozoal population and the subfamily Isotricha in treatments were higher (P < 0·05) than control.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that biological treatment of Q. infectoria and Q. libani leaves with K. pneumoniae represents a useful approach to decrease their phenolic compound content and improve their nutritive value as ruminant feed.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study demonstrated that biologically processing of tannin-containing by-products with K. pneumoniae could increase their nutritive value as ruminant feeds and increase animal productivity.

Profiling of how nociceptor neurons detect danger - new and old foes

The host evolves redundant mechanisms to preserve physiological processing and homeostasis. These functions range from sensing internal and external threats, creating a memory of the insult and generating reflexes, which aim to resolve inflammation. Impairment in such functioning leads to chronic inflammatory diseases. By interacting through a common language of ligands and receptors, the immune and sensory nervous systems work in concert to accomplish such protective functions. Whilst this bidirectional communication helps to protect from danger, it can contribute to disease pathophysiology. Thus, the somatosensory nervous system is anatomically positioned within primary and secondary lymphoid tissues and mucosa to modulate immunity directly. Upstream of this interplay, neurons detect danger, which prompts the release of neuropeptides initiating (i) defensive reflexes (ranging from withdrawal response to coughing) and (ii) chemotaxis, adhesion and local infiltration of immune cells. The resulting outcome of such neuro-immune interplay is still ill-defined, but consensual findings start to emerge and support neuropeptides not only as blockers of T_H 1-mediated immunity but also as drivers of T_H 2 immune responses. However, the modalities detected by nociceptors revealed broader than mechanical pressure and temperature sensing and include signals as various as cytokines and pathogens to immunoglobulins and even microRNAs. Along these lines, we aggregated various dorsal root ganglion sensory neuron expression profiling datasets supporting such wide-ranging sensing capabilities to help identifying new danger detection modalities of these cells. Thus, revealing unexpected aspects of nociceptor neuron biology might prompt the identification of novel drivers of immunity, means to resolve inflammation and strategies to safeguard homeostasis.

Tuning the Structure of Pt Nanoparticles through Support Interactions: An in Situ Polarized X-ray Absorption Study Coupled with Atomistic Simulations

Interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with their environment may have a pronounced effect on their structure and shape as well as on their functionality in applications such as catalysis. It is therefore crucial to disentangle the particle-adsorbate and particle-support interaction effects on the particle shape, its local structure, atomic dynamics, and its possible anisotropies. In order to gain insight into the support effect, we carried out an X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS) investigation of adsorbate- and ligand-free size-selected Pt NPs deposited on two different supports in ultrahigh vacuum. Polarization-dependent XAFS measurements, neural network-based analysis of X-ray absorption near-edge structure data, and reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) simulations of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) were used to resolve the 3D shape of the NPs and details of their local structure. A synergetic combination of advanced in situ XAFS analysis with atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging provides uniquely detailed information about the particle-support interactions and the NP/support buried interface, not accessible to any experimental technique, when considered alone. In particular, our combined approach reveals differences in the structure of Pt NPs deposited on TiO₂(110) and SiO₂/Si(111). Pt NPs on SiO₂ assume a spherical-like 3D shape and weakly interact with the support. In contrast, the effective shape of analogously synthesized Pt NPs on TiO₂(110) after annealing at 600 °C is found to be a truncated octahedron with (100) top and interfacial facets that are encapsulated by the TiO₂ support. Modeling disorder effects in these NPs using an RMC approach reveals differences in bond-length distributions for NPs on different supports and allows us to analyze their anisotropy, which may be crucial for the interpretation of support-dependent atomic dynamics and can have an impact on the understanding of the catalytic properties of these NPs.

Determination of neutron flux parameters (f, α, φth and φe) of the irradiation sites of Isfahan MNSR reactor using empirical and MCNPX2.6 simulation approaches

Miniature Neutron Source reactors (MNSRs) are ideal for applications such as nuclear research, neutron activation analysis, etc., provided that their neutron flux parameters (φ_th, φ_e, f and α) are known. This paper present the results of the neutron flux parameters at inner and outer irradiation sites of Isfahan MNSR reactor determined through simulation with MCNPX2.6 code and experimentally using bare and cadmium-covered gold foils irradiation and bare triple (AuZr) monitor methods. In empirical approach, the obtained φ_th, φ_e, f [f_bare] and α-values were 5.02 × 10¹¹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±4.5%), 3.13 × 10¹⁰ ncm^-2s^-1 (±2.3%), 16.0 (±6.7%) [17.3 (±9.9%)] and -0.121 (±0.2%), for inner site; and 2.93 × 10¹¹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±2.3%), 6.48 × 10⁹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±3.1%), 45.2 (±5.4%) [42.5 (±7.1%)] and -0.011 (±1.8%), respectively, for outer site. In simulation approach, while, they were found to be 4.76 × 10¹¹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±0.9%), 2.00 × 10¹⁰ ncm^-2s^-1 (±2.2%), 23.8 (±3.1%) and -0.078 (±0.13%), for the inner site; and 2.67 × 10¹¹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±1.1%), 3.79 × 10⁹ ncm^-2s^-1 (±5.4%), 70.4 (±6.5%) and -0.017 (±0.4%) for the outer site, respectively. Comparison of empirical and simulation results clearly revealed that: the inner site's φ_th and f values correspond with those measured during the first startup of the reactor; the values of φ_th are more reliable than φ_e,-values, as are the inner site's f and α results in comparison with outer site's values; the inner site's φ_th and φ_e are ∼1.7 and 5 times, respectively, larger than those of outer site; and the inner site 's α and f-values are more than 4.8 and 2.4 times larger and less than the outer site's values, respectively.

Salivary Biomarkers in Denture Stomatitis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Denture stomatitis (DS) is an oral biofilm-associated inflammation of the denture-bearing mucosa. The objective of this review was to identify and evaluate the quality of evidence on the association between the levels of salivary biomarkers and DS among adults with and without palatal DS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Following the PRISMA guidelines, Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials were searched for eligible studies from the beginning of the archives until December 2018. Experimental and observational studies with adult participants were included that had a control group or subgroup analysis and provided data on salivary biomarkers and DS. Articles in languages other than English or French were excluded. The level of evidence and grades of recommendation were established with the 2011 scale of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Additionally, the assessment of methodological quality was conducted with the STROBE statement (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) and graded according to the Olmos scale.

RESULTS

From 1,008 citations, 9 studies were included in the systematic review (8 observational, 1 clinical trial). Seven studies suggested a statistically significant difference in the levels of salivary cytokines (IL-6, CCL3, TGF-β, CXCL8, GM-CSF, and TNF-α) between participants with DS and controls (P < 0.05). In contrast, 2 studies concluded that the difference in the levels of several salivary cytokines (IL2, IL12, IFN-g, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and ICAM-1) between the groups was not statistically significant. The level of evidence for the majority of studies was 3, while the grade of recommendation for all the studies was B, interpreted as "favorable." In terms of methodological quality, most studies met 50% to 80% of STROBE criteria and were graded B.

CONCLUSION

Palatal inflammation in DS is significantly associated with the levels of salivary cytokines.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT

The results of this study identified altered levels of specific salivary biomarkers associated with denture stomatitis, which may aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

High rate filtration for local treatment of combined sewer overflow

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) pollute receiving waters and have a negative impact on ecosystem services. In urban areas rehabilitation of the sewer system to avoid CSOs is associated with high investment costs. Furthermore, not all CSOs can be closed due to the need for hydraulic reliability of the system. Local treatment of CSO with high rate filtration offers an alternative to rehabilitation of the sewer system that is flexible with respect to design and has lower investment cost than separating sewage and storm water runoff. Results from DESSIN, a 4-year EU demonstration project, are presented. The results showed on average 50% removal of particulate matter during CSO events, with higher removal (80%) in the initial first flush period. Other constituents, for example heavy metals, were removed through their association with particles. Potential impacts on ecosystem services in the catchment and the sustainability of the solution were assessed.

Associations of Serum S100B and S100P With the Presence and Classification of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Novel biomarkers of diabetic peripheral neuropathy provide potentially useful information for early identification and treatment of diabetic neuropathy, ultimately serving to reduce the burden of disease. This study was designed to investigate the potential associations of serum S100B and S100P (calcium-modulated proteins) with the presence and classification of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

In a case-cohort setting, the data of 44 participants diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, 44 control participants with type 2 diabetes but free of peripheral neuropathy and 87 healthy control individuals were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Serum S100P concentrations were elevated in participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy compared with their controls with type 2 diabetes (median [IQR]: 2,235 pg/mL [1,497.5 to 2,680] vs. 1,200 pg/mL [975 to 1,350)], respectively; p<0.001). Conversely, serum S100B values were comparable in these 2 groups (p=0.570). Those with the typical diabetic peripheral neuropathy had significantly higher serum S100P levels compared to their counterparts with the atypical group of diabetic peripheral neuropathies (p=0.048). The independent significant association between serum S100P and diabetic peripheral neuropathy persisted into the multivariable adjusted logistic regression model (OR for S100P: 1.004 [95% CI 1.002 to 1.006]; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study's findings demonstrated that serum S100P is a more significant indicator of peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes than is serum S100B. Prospective longitudinal studies are required to confirm the prognostic value of baseline serum S100P to predict incident peripheral neuropathy in people with diabetes.

Observation of the 1S-2P Lyman-α transition in antihydrogen

In 1906, Theodore Lyman discovered his eponymous series of transitions in the extreme-ultraviolet region of the atomic hydrogen spectrum1,2. The patterns in the hydrogen spectrum helped to establish the emerging theory of quantum mechanics, which we now know governs the world at the atomic scale. Since then, studies involving the Lyman-α line-the 1S-2P transition at a wavelength of 121.6 nanometres-have played an important part in physics and astronomy, as one of the most fundamental atomic transitions in the Universe. For example, this transition has long been used by astronomers studying the intergalactic medium and testing cosmological models via the so-called 'Lyman-α forest'3 of absorption lines at different redshifts. Here we report the observation of the Lyman-α transition in the antihydrogen atom, the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen. Using narrow-line-width, nanosecond-pulsed laser radiation, the 1S-2P transition was excited in magnetically trapped antihydrogen. The transition frequency at a field of 1.033 tesla was determined to be 2,466,051.7 ± 0.12 gigahertz (1σ uncertainty) and agrees with the prediction for hydrogen to a precision of 5 × 10-8. Comparisons of the properties of antihydrogen with those of its well-studied matter equivalent allow precision tests of fundamental symmetries between matter and antimatter. Alongside the ground-state hyperfine4,5 and 1S-2S transitions6,7 recently observed in antihydrogen, the Lyman-α transition will permit laser cooling of antihydrogen8,9, thus providing a cold and dense sample of anti-atoms for precision spectroscopy and gravity measurements10. In addition to the observation of this fundamental transition, this work represents both a decisive technological step towards laser cooling of antihydrogen, and the extension of antimatter spectroscopy to quantum states possessing orbital angular momentum.

Flexible MRI Compatible Brain Probes

The exact localization of signal recording probes or deep stimulation probes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has significant importance in studying and understanding how the brain functions. But the magnetic susceptibility of the probes itself distorts the MRI image and creates error in position measurement. In this paper we propose an MRI compatible flexible probe with magnetic susceptibility that is well matched with the brain tissue. The well-matched magnetic susceptibility of the probe enables high resolution structural and functional MRI even at ultra-high Bfield strengths. The MRI images shows almost zero artifacts around the implanted probe in the phantom tissue.

A Super-Capacitive Pressure Sensor for a Urethral Catheter

Urinary incontinence can be due to neuromuscular or structural problems in either the bladder or the urethra. Urodynamics is often used to analyze the patientspecific cause of urinary incontinence. In urodynamics, a challenging part of the studies involves measurement of the urethral (contact) pressure profile. Here we present an instrumented urethral catheter that is equipped with a novel super-capacitive pressure transducer that is highly sensitive to the applied pressure. A solid ionic electrolyte is used to create a high capacitance device. Through an innovative design the solid electrolyte is made and bounded to a 3d printed soft balloon and then assembled on a 6 Fr urethral catheter. In this paper the design, fabrication and evaluation of the highly-sensitive instrumented catheter's performance are discussed.

Mapping of brain tissue hematocrit in glioma and acute stroke using a dual autoradiography approach

Hematocrit (Hct) determines the ability of blood to carry oxygen. While changes in systemic Hct are known to impact stroke or tumor control, changes in local (tissue) Hct (tHct) induced by these diseases have however received little attention. In this study, we evaluate tHct in acute stroke and in glioma models using a new approach to map tHct across the brain, a dual isotope autoradiography, based on injections of ¹²⁵I-labeled albumin and ^99mTc-lalbeled red blood cells in the same animal. For validation purpose, tHct was mapped in the rat brain (i) under physiological conditions, (ii) following erythropoietin injection, and (iii) following hemodilution. Then, tHct was then mapped in stroke (middle cerebral artery occlusion) and tumor models (9LGS and C6). The mean tHct values observed in healthy brains (tHct = 29 ± 1.3%), were modified as expected by erythropoietin (tHct = 36.7 ± 2.6%) and hemodilution (tHct = 24.2 ± 2.4%). Using the proposed method, we observed a local reduction, spatially heterogeneous, in tHct following acute stroke (tHct = 19.5 ± 2.5%) and in both glioma models (9LGS: tHct = 18.5 ± 2.3%, C6: tHct = 16.1 ± 1.2%). This reduction and this heterogeneity in tHct observed in stroke and glioma raises methodological issues in perfusion imaging techniques where tHct is generally overlooked and could impact therapeutic strategies.

Characterization of the 1S-2S transition in antihydrogen

In 1928, Dirac published an equation 1 that combined quantum mechanics and special relativity. Negative-energy solutions to this equation, rather than being unphysical as initially thought, represented a class of hitherto unobserved and unimagined particles-antimatter. The existence of particles of antimatter was confirmed with the discovery of the positron 2 (or anti-electron) by Anderson in 1932, but it is still unknown why matter, rather than antimatter, survived after the Big Bang. As a result, experimental studies of antimatter3-7, including tests of fundamental symmetries such as charge-parity and charge-parity-time, and searches for evidence of primordial antimatter, such as antihelium nuclei, have high priority in contemporary physics research. The fundamental role of the hydrogen atom in the evolution of the Universe and in the historical development of our understanding of quantum physics makes its antimatter counterpart-the antihydrogen atom-of particular interest. Current standard-model physics requires that hydrogen and antihydrogen have the same energy levels and spectral lines. The laser-driven 1S-2S transition was recently observed 8 in antihydrogen. Here we characterize one of the hyperfine components of this transition using magnetically trapped atoms of antihydrogen and compare it to model calculations for hydrogen in our apparatus. We find that the shape of the spectral line agrees very well with that expected for hydrogen and that the resonance frequency agrees with that in hydrogen to about 5 kilohertz out of 2.5 × 1015 hertz. This is consistent with charge-parity-time invariance at a relative precision of 2 × 10-12-two orders of magnitude more precise than the previous determination 8 -corresponding to an absolute energy sensitivity of 2 × 10-20 GeV.

Safety and Efficacy of Nanocurcumin as Add-On Therapy to Riluzole in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

The objective of present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of nanocurcumin as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent in adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We conducted a 12-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at a neurological referral center in Iran. Eligible patients with a definite or probable ALS diagnosis were randomly assigned to receive either nanocurcumin (80 mg daily) or placebo in a 1:1 ratio. A computerized random number generator was used to prepare the randomization list. All patients and research investigators were blinded to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was survival, and event was defined to be death or mechanical ventilation dependency. Analysis was by intention-to-treat and included all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. A total of 54 patients were randomized to receive either nanocurcumin (n = 27) or placebo (n = 27). After 12 months, events occurred in 1 patient (3.7%) in the nanocurcumin group and in 6 patients (22.2%) in the placebo group. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference between the study groups regarding their survival curves (p = 0.036). No significant between-group differences were observed for any other outcome measures. No serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths were detected. No patients withdrew as a result of drug adverse events. The results suggest that nanocurcumin is safe and might improve the probability of survival as an add-on treatment in patients with ALS, especially in those with existing bulbar symptoms. Future studies with larger sample sizes and of longer duration are needed to confirm these findings.

Erratum: Observation of the hyperfine spectrum of antihydrogen

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/nature23446.

Enhanced Control and Reproducibility of Non-Neutral Plasmas

The simultaneous control of the density and particle number of non-neutral plasmas confined in Penning-Malmberg traps is demonstrated. Control is achieved by setting the plasma's density by applying a rotating electric field while simultaneously fixing its axial potential via evaporative cooling. This novel method is particularly useful for stabilizing positron plasmas, as the procedures used to collect positrons from radioactive sources typically yield plasmas with variable densities and particle numbers; it also simplifies optimization studies that require plasma parameter scans. The reproducibility achieved by applying this technique to the positron and electron plasmas used by the ALPHA antihydrogen experiment at CERN, combined with other developments, contributed to a 10-fold increase in the antiatom trapping rate.

Influences for Gender Disparity in Academic Neuroradiology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There has been extensive interest in promoting gender equality within radiology, a predominately male field. In this study, our aim was to quantify gender representation in neuroradiology faculty rankings and determine any related factors that may contribute to any such disparity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the academic and administrative faculty members of neuroradiology divisions for all on-line listed programs in the US and Canada. After excluding programs that did not fulfill our selection criteria, we generated a short list of 85 US and 8 Canadian programs. We found 465 faculty members who met the inclusion criteria for our study. We used Elsevier's SCOPUS for gathering the data pertaining to the publications, H-index, citations, and tenure of the productivity of each faculty member.

RESULTS

Gender disparity was insignificant when analyzing academic ranks. There are more men working in neuroimaging relative to women (χ² = 0.46; P = .79). However, gender disparity was highly significant for leadership positions in neuroradiology (χ² = 6.76; P = .009). The median H-index was higher among male faculty members (17.5) versus female faculty members (9). Female faculty members have odds of 0.84 compared with male faculty members of having a higher H-index, adjusting for publications, citations, academic ranks, leadership ranks, and interaction between gender and publications and gender and citations (9).

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroradiology faculty members follow the same male predominance seen in many other specialties of medicine. In this study, issues such as mentoring, role models, opportunities to engage in leadership/research activities, funding opportunities, and mindfulness regarding research productivity are explored.

The feasibility study of 177Lu production in Miniature Neutron Source Reactors using a multi-stage approach in Isfahan, Iran

Miniature neutron source reactors (MNSRs) are among the safest and economic research reactors with potentials to be used for neutron studies. This manuscript explores the feasibility of ¹⁷⁷Lu production in Isfahan MNSR reactor using direct production route. In this study, to assess the specific activity of the produced radioisotope, a simulation was carried out through the MCNPX2.6 code. The simulation was validated by irradiating a lutetium disc-like (99.98 chemical purity) at the thermal neutron flux of 5 × 10¹¹ ncm²s^-1 and an irradiation time of 4min. After the spectrometry of the irradiated sample, the experimental results of ¹⁷⁷Lu production were compared with the simulation results. In addition, factor from the simulation was extracted by replacing it in the related equations in order to calculate specific activity through a multi-stage approach, and by using different irradiation techniques. The results showed that the simulation technique designed in this study is in agreement with the experimental approach (with a difference of approximately 3%). It was also found that the maximum ¹⁷⁷Lu production at the maximum flux and irradiation time allows access to 723.5mCi/g after 27 cycles. Furthermore, the comparison of irradiation techniques showed that increasing the irradiation time is more effective in ¹⁷⁷Lu production efficiency than increasing the number of irradiation cycles. In a way that increasing the irradiation time would postpone the saturation of the productions. On the other hand, it was shown that the choice of an appropriate irradiation technique for ¹⁷⁷Lu production can be economically important in term of the effective fuel consumption in the reactor.

Potential diagnostic value of 131I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy in discrimination between Alzheimer disease and dementia with Lewy bodies

OBJECTIVES

Clinical difficulty to discriminate between the Alzheimer disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) has led researchers to focus on highly sensitive functional imaging modalities. The aim of the present study was to assess ¹³¹I-MIBG cardiac imaging to distinguish between AD and DLB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients who were known cases of dementia underwent ¹³¹I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy to differentiate AD from DLB. Planar and ¹³¹I-MIBG SPECT were obtained 2h after the injection of 1mCi ¹³¹I-MIBG on a dual head gamma camera. The visual assessment of the heart uptake compared with lungs and the quantification based on the heart to mediastinal ratio (HMR) were done. The cardiac receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was designed for the optimal HMR cut-off values to predict the diagnoses of the patients. The diagnoses were clinically confirmed during the follow up of 14±8.2 months.

RESULTS

Out of 17 patients (13 males; 76.5%), 10 patients had AD (7 males; 70%) and 7 patients had DLB (6 males; 85%). The pooled HMR was 1.74±0.33 in the study population; with 1.95±0.22 in the AD group and 1.43±0.20 in the DLB group to demonstrate significantly different HMR scores between patients with AD and DLB (p value=0.001). The visual interpretation was positive in 10 patients (accuracy of 88.2%). The shortest distance on the ROC curve to the optimal value corresponding to HMR=1.57 identified 10 patients with a high HMR (positive cardiac uptake) and 7 patients with a low HMR (negative cardiac uptake), the accuracy calculated at 88.2%.

CONCLUSION

¹³¹I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy is a potential alternative diagnostic modality for discrimination between AD and DLB when ¹²³I is not available.

Observation of the hyperfine spectrum of antihydrogen

The observation of hyperfine structure in atomic hydrogen by Rabi and co-workers and the measurement of the zero-field ground-state splitting at the level of seven parts in 10¹³ are important achievements of mid-twentieth-century physics. The work that led to these achievements also provided the first evidence for the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, inspired Schwinger's relativistic theory of quantum electrodynamics and gave rise to the hydrogen maser, which is a critical component of modern navigation, geo-positioning and very-long-baseline interferometry systems. Research at the Antiproton Decelerator at CERN by the ALPHA collaboration extends these enquiries into the antimatter sector. Recently, tools have been developed that enable studies of the hyperfine structure of antihydrogen-the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen. The goal of such studies is to search for any differences that might exist between this archetypal pair of atoms, and thereby to test the fundamental principles on which quantum field theory is constructed. Magnetic trapping of antihydrogen atoms provides a means of studying them by combining electromagnetic interaction with detection techniques that are unique to antimatter. Here we report the results of a microwave spectroscopy experiment in which we probe the response of antihydrogen over a controlled range of frequencies. The data reveal clear and distinct signatures of two allowed transitions, from which we obtain a direct, magnetic-field-independent measurement of the hyperfine splitting. From a set of trials involving 194 detected atoms, we determine a splitting of 1,420.4 ± 0.5 megahertz, consistent with expectations for atomic hydrogen at the level of four parts in 10⁴. This observation of the detailed behaviour of a quantum transition in an atom of antihydrogen exemplifies tests of fundamental symmetries such as charge-parity-time in antimatter, and the techniques developed here will enable more-precise such tests.

Antihydrogen accumulation for fundamental symmetry tests

Antihydrogen, a positron bound to an antiproton, is the simplest anti-atom. Its structure and properties are expected to mirror those of the hydrogen atom. Prospects for precision comparisons of the two, as tests of fundamental symmetries, are driving a vibrant programme of research. In this regard, a limiting factor in most experiments is the availability of large numbers of cold ground state antihydrogen atoms. Here, we describe how an improved synthesis process results in a maximum rate of 10.5 ± 0.6 atoms trapped and detected per cycle, corresponding to more than an order of magnitude improvement over previous work. Additionally, we demonstrate how detailed control of electron, positron and antiproton plasmas enables repeated formation and trapping of antihydrogen atoms, with the simultaneous retention of atoms produced in previous cycles. We report a record of 54 detected annihilation events from a single release of the trapped anti-atoms accumulated from five consecutive cycles.

Antihydrogen studies are important in testing the fundamental principles of physics but producing antihydrogen in large amounts is challenging. Here the authors demonstrate an efficient and high-precision method for trapping and stacking antihydrogen by using controlled plasma.

Whole genome sequencing identifies a novel homozygous exon deletion in the NT5C2 gene in a family with intellectual disability and spastic paraplegia

Hereditary spastic paraplegias are a rare group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases, with upper motor neuron degeneration and progressive lower limb spasticity as their main phenotypic features. Despite that 76 distinct loci have been reported and some casual genes identified, most of the underlying causes still remain unidentified. Moreover, a wide range of clinical manifestations is present in most hereditary spastic paraplegias subtypes, adding further complexity to their differential clinical diagnoses. Here, we describe the first exon rearrangement reported in the SPG45/SPG65 (NT5C2) loci in a family featuring a complex hereditary spastic paraplegias phenotype. This study expands both the phenotypic and mutational spectra of the NT5C2-associated disease.