The prognostic impact of non-driver gene mutations and variant allele frequency in primary myelofibrosis

Prognostic impact of non-MPN driver gene mutations in primary myelofibrosis. MIPSS70: Mutation-Enhanced International Prognostic Score System.

Black Ultra-Thin Crystalline Silicon Wafers Reach the 4n2 Absorption Limit-Application to IBC Solar Cells

Cutting costs by progressively decreasing substrate thickness is a common theme in the crystalline silicon photovoltaic  industry for the last decades, since drastically thinner wafers would significantly reduce the substrate-related costs. In addition to the technological challenges concerning wafering and handling of razor-thin flexible wafers, a major bottleneck is to maintain high absorption in those thin wafers. For the latter, advanced light-trapping techniques become of paramount importance. Here we demonstrate that by applying state-of-the-art black-Si nanotexture produced by DRIE on thin uncommitted wafers, the maximum theoretical absorption (Yablonovitch's 4n2 absorption limit), that is, ideal light trapping, is reached with wafer thicknesses as low as 40, 20, and 10 µm when paired with a back reflector. Due to the achieved promising optical properties the results are implemented into an actual thin interdigitated back contacted solar cell. The proof-of-concept cell, encapsulated in glass, achieved a 16.4% efficiency with an JSC  = 35 mA cm- 2 , representing a 43% improvement in output power with respect to the reference polished cell. These results demonstrate the vast potential of black silicon nanotexture in future extremely-thin silicon photovoltaics.

Design and manufacture of a reinforced fuselage structure through automatic laying-up and in-situ consolidation with co-consolidation of skin and stringers using thermoplastic composite materials

Thermoplastic composites can be used to construct safer and more efficient aircraft fuselage structures. They provide significant weight reduction compared to conventional metallic materials, reducing the fuel consumption of the aircraft and increasing its performance and profitability. In this study, we designed and manufactured a level 2* flat fuselage specimen. The specimen comprises 2 Ω-shaped stringers and one Z-shaped frame that were manufactured using a carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastic material. The skin was laminated on top of the stiffeners and co-consolidated to them, eliminating the need for rivets or adhesives. The manufacturing processes of the stiffeners (press-forming) and skin (in-situ consolidation) are described herein. The quality of the manufactured specimens was evaluated through non-destructive and physical-chemical testing. The test results will serve as a reference for designing and manufacturing a level 3* curved fuselage in a future study. *Level 2: "Element tests according to the Building Block approach (MIL-HDBK-17, 2002) [18]"; Level 3: "Detail tests according to the Building Block approach (MIL-HDBK-17, 2002) [18]".

Impact of molecular profiling on the management of patients with myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by a highly heterogeneous clinical course, which can be complicated by severe constitutional symptoms, massive splenomegaly, progressive bone marrow failure, cardiovascular events, and development of acute leukemia. Constitutive signaling through the JAK-STAT pathway plays a fundamental role in its pathogenesis, generally due to activating mutations of JAK2, CALR and MPL genes (i.e., the MPN driver mutations), present in most MF patients. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel testing has shown that additional somatic mutations can already be detected at the time of diagnosis in more than half of patients, and that they accumulate along the disease course. These mutations, mostly affecting epigenetic modifiers or spliceosome components, may cooperate with MPN drivers to favor clonal dominance or influence the clinical phenotype, and some, such as high molecular risk mutations, correlate with a more aggressive clinical course with poor treatment response. The current main role of molecular profiling in clinical practice is prognostication, principally for selecting high-risk patients who may be candidates for transplantation, the only curative treatment for MF to date. To this end, contemporary prognostic models incorporating molecular data are useful tools to discriminate different risk categories. Aside from certain clinical situations, decisions regarding medical treatment are not based on patient molecular profiling, yet this approach may become more relevant in novel treatment strategies, such as the use of vaccines against the mutant forms of JAK2 or CALR, or drugs directed against actionable molecular targets.

Phonemic fluency in post-ICU patients after severe COVID-19 infection: The role of cognitive reserve

Introduction

Cognitive function may be impaired in COVID-19 patients, especially in executive functions such as phonemic fluency. Among risk factors, inflammation during hospitalization is related with worse cognitive performance in the long term. On the other side, it has been shown that cognitive reserve (CR) protects against cognitive impairment associated with brain damage, psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Objectives

Our aim is to study the protective role of cognitive reserve in phonemic fluency to inflammation after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We enrolled a cohort of 102 severe SARS-CoV-2 survivors after Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge and 58 agreed to participate in this 6-month follow-up study. Patients with previously known cognitive impairment were excluded. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. To assess the phonemic fluency, we used the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) controlling the effects of age and education. Inflammation was recorded according to the number of days with high CRP. ANCOVA analyses were used to test the effect of interaction between medical variables and cognitive reserve on phonemic fluency.

Results

The COVID-19 inflammation interacted with CR in phonemic fluency (F= 6.47, p= 0.01), with worse performance in patients with low CR (mean 16.7 (10.2-23.3)) than those with high CR (mean 37.7 (34.3-41.2)) in function of number of days with high PCR during ICU stay.

Conclusions

The role of the cognitive reserve is important to reduce the cognitive impairment related with COVID-19 inflammation in post-ICU patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Myelodysplastic syndromes with 20q deletion: incidence, prognostic value and impact on response to azacitidine of ASXL1 chromosomal deletion and genetic mutations

In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the 20q deletion [del(20q)] may cause deletion of the ASXL1 gene. We studied 153 patients with MDS and del(20q) to assess the incidence, prognostic value and impact on response to azacitidine (AZA) of ASXL1 chromosomal alterations and genetic mutations. Additionally, in vitro assay of the response to AZA in HAP1 (HAP1^WT ) and HAP1 ASXL1 knockout (HAP1^KN ) cells was performed. ASXL1 chromosomal alterations were detected in 44 patients (28·5%): 34 patients (22%) with a gene deletion (ASXL1^DEL ) and 10 patients (6·5%) with additional gene copies. ASXL1^DEL was associated with a lower platelet count. The most frequently mutated genes were U2AF1 (16%), ASXL1 (14%), SF3B1 (11%), TP53 (7%) and SRSF2 (6%). ASXL1 alteration due to chromosomal deletion or genetic mutation (ASXL1^DEL /ASXL1^MUT ) was linked by multivariable analysis with shorter overall survival [hazard ratio, (HR) 1·84; 95% confidence interval, (CI): 1·11-3·04; P = 0·018] and a higher rate for acute myeloid leukaemia progression (HR 2·47; 95% CI: 1·07-5·70, P = 0·034). ASXL1^DEL /ASXL1^MUT patients were correlated by univariable analysis with a worse response to AZA. HAP1^KN cells showed more resistance to AZA compared to HAP1^WT cells. In conclusion, ASXL1 alteration exerts a negative impact on MDS with del(20q) and could become useful for prognostic risk stratification and treatment decisions.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of apremilast in psoriasis at 52 weeks: a retrospective, observational, multicentre study by the Spanish Psoriasis Group

BACKGROUND

Little has been published on the real-world effectiveness and safety of apremilast in psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and drug survival of apremilast at 52 weeks in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or palmoplantar psoriasis in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

Retrospective, multicentre study of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or palmoplantar psoriasis treated with apremilast from March 2016 to March 2018.

RESULTS

We studied 292 patients with plaque psoriasis and 85 patients with palmoplantar psoriasis. The mean (SD) Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was 10.7 (7.0) at baseline and 3.0 (4.2) at 52 weeks. After 12 months of treatment, 73.6% of patients had a PASI score of 3 or less. In terms of relative improvement by week 52, 49.7% of patients achieved PASI-75 (≥75% reduction in PASI score) and 26.5% achieved PASI-90. The mean physician global assessment score for palmoplantar psoriasis fell from 4.2 (5.2) at baseline to 1.3 (1.3) at week 52. Overall drug survival after 1 year of treatment with apremilast was 54.9 %. The main reasons for treatment discontinuation were loss of efficacy (23.9%) and adverse events (15.9%). Almost half of the patients in our series (47%) experienced at least one adverse event. The most common events were gastrointestinal problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Apremilast may be a suitable alternative for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis and palmoplantar psoriasis. Although the drug has a good safety profile, adverse gastrointestinal effects are common.

Exploring the relationship between stress coping styles and sex, origin and reproductive success, in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) breeders in captivity

Individual animals commonly adopt different stress coping styles that have been shown to impact reproductive success and differ between sexes (female/male) and origin (wild/hatchery). Hatchery reared Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) exhibit a behavioural reproductive dysfunction and a complete failure to spawn viable eggs. Hence, the present study examined whether 1) reproductive success of Senegalese sole was linked to coping styles and 2) behavioural differences exist in relation to sex or origin. A total of 198 breeders held in two research institutions were submitted to three individual tests (restraining, new environment and confinement) and one grouping test (risk taking). In addition, a blood sample to quantify cortisol, glucose and lactate levels was obtained from each individual after completing the individual tests. Senegalese sole breeders showed individual differences in behaviour across the different behavioural tests that were consistent with proactive and reactive coping styles traits. However, the most striking result was that reproductive success, sex and origin of Senegalese sole was not biased to any specific coping style. Indeed, the behavioural responses were similar and consistent between fish grouped by reproductive success, sex and origin. This study presented information that contrasts with different studies on dominant aggressive species and indicated that social non-aggressive species such as Senegalese sole follow a cooperative strategy that favours equal opportunities between stress coping styles and sexes. Therefore, results suggest that maintaining both coping styles strategies are fundamental for a sustainable breeder population approach.

Direct etching at the nanoscale through nanoparticle-directed capillary condensation

We report a method to locally deliver a chemical etchant at the nanoscale in the vapor phase by capillary condensation forming a meniscus at the nanoparticle/substrate interface. The process is simple, scalable and does not require functionalization of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, it does not rely on any specific chemical properties of the materials other than the solution being aqueous and the wettability properties of the surfaces involved, which should enable its application to other material and chemical combinations. In particular, in this work we demonstrate the proposed process by periodically pattering a SiO₂ layer using a self-assembled monolayer of polystyrene particles exposed to HF vapors. The patterned SiO₂ layer is then used as a mask to etch a pattern of inverted nanopyramids on Si. The silicon nanopatterning has been demonstrated for particles sizes ranging from 800 nm down to 100 nm, providing pyramids with a size down to 50 nm for 100 nm nanoparticles.

Synergistic Antioncogenic Activity of Azacitidine and Curcumin in Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines and Patient Samples

BACKGROUND/AIM

Azacitidine (AZA) is a hypomethylating agent used in myeloid neoplasms, however, approximately half of patients show treatment failure or relapse. This in vitro study investigated the effect of the combination of AZA with the natural compound curcumin (CUR) in increasing its efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the effects of AZA plus CUR on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and differentiation in myeloid leukemic cell lines (U-937, HL-60, K-562, and OCI-AML3) and bone marrow samples of patients.

RESULTS

The results showed a synergy between AZA and CUR in all leukemic lines and in most leukemic samples, with a decrease in proliferation and an increase in apoptosis compared to the activity of each drug separately. In addition, AZA plus CUR showed low cytotoxicity in healthy samples.

CONCLUSION

A remarkable antioncogenic effect of the combination of AZA plus CUR was shown, providing a basis for future studies analyzing the clinical efficacy of these drugs.

Techno-economic evaluation and comparison of PAC-MBR and ozonation-UV revamping for organic micro-pollutants removal from urban reclaimed wastewater

The presence of sewage-borne Organic Micro-Pollutants (OMP) in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) effluents represents an increasing concern when water is reclaimed for irrigation or even indirect potable reuse. During eighteen months, an innovative hybrid water reclamation scheme based on a Membrane Biological Reactor (MBR) enhanced with Powder Activated Carbon (PAC) was operated at pilot-scale (70 m³/d) in order to compare it with state-of-the art Wastewater Reclamation System (WWRS) also revamped with a final step of ozonation-UV. Removal of persistent OMP, water quality and treatment costs were evaluated and compared for the different treatment schemes. OMP removal efficiency results for the different schemes concluded that established technologies, such as physico-chemical and filtration systems as well as MBR, do not remove significantly (>15%) the most recalcitrant compounds. The upgrading of these two systems through the addition of ozonation-UV step and PAC dosing allowed improving average recalcitrant OMP removal to 85 ± 2 and 75 ± 5%, respectively. In term of costs, PAC-MBR represents an increase of 37% of costs regarding conventional systems but presents improvements of 50% reduction in space and water quality. On the other hand, ozonation requires up to a 15% increase of foot-print; nevertheless, represents lower costs and lower carbon footprint. Ozonation-UV seems to be the best option for upgrading existing facilities, while PAC-MBR should be considered when space represents a critical limitation and produced water is reused for high water quality purposes.

Combination of soil organic and inorganic amendments helps plants overcome trace element induced oxidative stress and allows phytostabilisation

Trace element (TE)-contaminated soils require the improvement of their physico-chemical properties in order to allow their restoration through phytostabilization technologies. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of oxidative stress related parameters to validate the suitability of two different combinations of organic (solid fraction of pig slurry) and inorganic (paper mill sludge or a commercial red mud derivative) amendments for the phytostabilization of an acidic (4.2) TE-contaminated mine soil from SE Spain. Two wild species (Silybum marianum and Piptatherum miliaceum) were greenhouse cultivated and the development of the plants, their ionome, and oxidative stress related parameters were determined. Both amendment combinations increased significantly soil pH (to 5-6) and soil/pore water total organic C and total N concentrations, allowing an adequate plant growth and development (plants did not grow in untreated soils). The combination of amendments significantly reduced metal availability and showed to be effective (specially the one including the red mud derivative) in limiting shoot TE concentrations, which were all within common ranges (exclusion based tolerance of these species). Both protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in S. marianum plants from phytostabilized soils than in those from non-contaminated soils, which confirms the oxidative stress these plants suffer despite their satisfactory growth in the treated soils. P. miliaceum plants showed no differences between phytostabilized and non-contaminated soils. Therefore, the combination of amendments and TE-tolerant autochthonous species would be a suitable option for the phytostabilisation of soils contaminated by mining activities, reducing TE solubility and allowing an adequate plant growth.

Removal of emerging organic contaminants in a poplar vegetation filter

Vegetation filters (VFs), a type of land application system, are a robust technology based on natural treatment mechanisms for the removal of wastewater contaminants. Their capacity to attenuate emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) has not yet been evaluated. The present study reports the results of a 2-year EOC monitoring carried out using a poplar VF receiving wastewater primarily treated by an Imhoff tank. The compounds selected included analgesics, a β-adrenergic blocker, stimulants, an anticonvulsant, an anti-depressant, an anti-inflammatory, an antibiotic and analgesic and stimulant metabolites. EOCs were analysed in the Imhoff tank effluent, in the infiltrated water at a depth of 90cm and in the groundwater at a depth of 10m. The results demonstrated that EOC attenuation was more significant in the first 90cm than in the rest of the soil profile. The removal efficiency for all of the selected EOCs was higher than 90% with the exception of ketoprofen, which may pose a higher threat of groundwater contamination. The observed attenuation correlated with the hydrophobicity and charge state of the EOCs. The higher persistence of the metabolites 4-AAA and 4-FAA shows that progression in the degradation pathway does not always imply a mitigation of contamination.

Adaptive fuzzy modeling of the hypnotic process in anesthesia

This paper addresses the problem of patient model synthesis in anesthesia. Recent advanced drug infusion mechanisms use a patient model to establish the proper drug dose. However, due to the inherent complexity and variability of the patient dynamics, difficulty obtaining a good model is high. In this paper, a method based on fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms is proposed as an alternative to standard compartmental models. The model uses a Mamdani type fuzzy inference system developed in a two-step procedure. First, an offline model is obtained using information from real patients. Then, an adaptive strategy that uses genetic algorithms is implemented. The validation of the modeling technique was done using real data obtained from real patients in the operating room. Results show that the proposed method based on artificial intelligence appears to be an improved alternative to existing compartmental methodologies.

The Mutational Landscape of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Reveals an Interacting Network of Co-Occurrences and Recurrent Mutations

Preliminary Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) whole exome sequencing (WES) studies have identified a huge number of somatic mutations affecting more than a hundred different genes mainly in a non-recurrent manner, suggesting that APL is a heterogeneous disease with secondary relevant changes not yet defined. To extend our knowledge of subtle genetic alterations involved in APL that might cooperate with PML/RARA in the leukemogenic process, we performed a comprehensive analysis of somatic mutations in APL combining WES with sequencing of a custom panel of targeted genes by next-generation sequencing. To select a reduced subset of high confidence candidate driver genes, further in silico analysis were carried out. After prioritization and network analysis we found recurrent deleterious mutations in 8 individual genes (STAG2, U2AF1, SMC1A, USP9X, IKZF1, LYN, MYCBP2 and PTPN11) with a strong potential of being involved in APL pathogenesis. Our network analysis of multiple mutations provides a reliable approach to prioritize genes for additional analysis, improving our knowledge of the leukemogenesis interactome. Additionally, we have defined a functional module in the interactome of APL. The hypothesis is that the number, or the specific combinations, of mutations harbored in each patient might not be as important as the disturbance caused in biological key functions, triggered by several not necessarily recurrent mutations.

Comparing outcomes and costs between contingent and combined first-trimester screening strategies for Down's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To compare a contingent strategy with a combined strategy for prenatal detection of Down's syndrome (DS) in terms of cost, outcomes and safety.

STUDY DESIGN

The contingent strategy was based on a simulation, removing measurement of the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (free βhCG) and calculating the DS risk retrospectively in 32,371 pregnant women who had been screened with the combined strategy in the first trimester. In the contingent strategy, a risk between 1:31 and 1:1000 in the first trimester indicated further testing in the second trimester (alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin A, unconjugated oestriol and free βhCG). The cut-off risk values for the contingent and combined strategies in the first trimester were 1:30 and 1:250, respectively, and the cut-off risk value for integrated screening in the second trimester was 1:250. Costs were compared in terms of avoided DS births, and the ratio of loss of healthy fetuses following invasive procedures per avoided DS birth was calculated.

RESULTS

The combined strategy had sensitivity of 40/44 (90.9%) and a false-positive rate of 2.8%. Corresponding values for the contingent strategy were 39/44 (88.6%) and 1.3%, respectively. Only 11% of pregnant women required tests in the second trimester, and the approximate cost reduction for each avoided DS birth was 5000€. The ratio of lost healthy fetuses following invasive procedures per avoided DS birth improved by up to 0.65.

CONCLUSION

The contingent strategy has similar effectiveness to the combined strategy, but has lower costs and fewer invasive procedures.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism array-based karyotyping of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by the t(15;17)(q22;q21), but additional chromosomal abnormalities (ACA) and other rearrangements can contribute in the development of the whole leukemic phenotype. We hypothesized that some ACA not detected by conventional techniques may be informative of the onset of APL. We performed the high-resolution SNP array (SNP-A) 6.0 (Affymetrix) in 48 patients diagnosed with APL on matched diagnosis and remission sample. Forty-six abnormalities were found as an acquired event in 23 patients (48%): 22 duplications, 23 deletions and 1 Copy-Neutral Loss of Heterozygocity (CN-LOH), being a duplication of 8(q24) (23%) and a deletion of 7(q33-qter) (6%) the most frequent copy-number abnormalities (CNA). Four patients (8%) showed CNAs adjacent to the breakpoints of the translocation. We compared our results with other APL series and found that, except for dup(8q24) and del(7q33-qter), ACA were infrequent (≤3%) but most of them recurrent (70%). Interestingly, having CNA or FLT3 mutation were mutually exclusive events. Neither the number of CNA, nor any specific CNA was associated significantly with prognosis. This study has delineated recurrent abnormalities in addition to t(15;17) that may act as secondary events and could explain leukemogenesis in up to 40% of APL cases with no ACA by conventional cytogenetics.

Coordinated action of β-galactosidases in the cell wall of embryonic axes during chickpea germination and seedling growth

The plant cell wall is a dynamic structure whose constant modification is necessary for plant cells to grow and divide. In the cell walls of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) there are at least four β-galactosidases, whose presence and location in embryonic axes during the first 48 h of seed imbibition are discussed in this paper. We examined their roles as cell wall-modifying enzymes in germinative and/or post-germinative events. At the start of germination, only βV-Gal, and to a lesser extent βIV-Gal, appear in the axes before rupture of the testa, suggesting they are related to germination sensu stricto. Once the testa has broken, the four β-galactosidases are involved in growth and differentiation of the axes. Immunolocation of the different proteins in axes, which in part confirms previous results in seedlings and plants, allows assignment of post-germinative roles to βI-Gal and βIII-Gal as cell wall modifiers in vascular tissue elements. βIV-Gal and βV-Gal participate in the initial events of germination in which cell walls are involved: βV-Gal in cell proliferation, detachment of root cap cells and initial vascular tissue differentiation; both of them in xylem maturation; and βIV-Gal in thickening of the primary cell wall. Together with other cell wall-modifying enzymes, such as expansins and XTH, chickpea galactosidases might function in a sequential order in turnover of the primary cell wall, allowing the elongation of embryonic axes during seed germination.

[Morbi-mortality and use of recourses after acute coronary syndrome in a Spanish population]

OBJECTIVES

To describe the management of patients suffering acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to determine its clinical and economic consequences in a Spanish population.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective claim database study including patient medical records from 6 primary care centers, two hospitals and two years of follow-up was carried out. Patients ≥30 years, suffering a first acute coronary syndrome (ACS), between 2003 and 2007, were included. Groups: acute coronary syndrome with and without ST segment elevation.

VARIABLES

socio-demographic, co-morbidities, metabolic syndrome (MS), biochemical parameters, drugs, cumulative incidence (total mortality and cardiovascular events (CVE: including myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease) and total costs.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves and ANCOVA; (P<.05).

RESULTS

A total of 1020 patients were included. Mean age: 69 years; males: 65%. Groups: ST segment elevation ACS (N=632; 62%). Co-morbidities: hypertension (56%), dyslipidemia (46%) and diabetes (38%). Prevalence of MS: 59% (CI 95%: 56-62%). All biochemical parameters had improved after two years of follow-up. The average total cost per patient was €14,069 (87% direct costs; 13% productivity loss costs). Direct costs: primary care (20%), specialty care (67%); hospitalization costs represented 63% of total costs. The average total cost for patients presenting more than one CVE was 22,750€ vs 12,380€ for those patients who suffered only one (P<.001). Cumulative incidence: total mortality 14%; CVE: 16%.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current clinical practice, and despite the clinical efforts carried out, patients with an ACS are still at a high risk of suffering further CVE, representing a high cost burden to the health care system.

The βI-galactosidase of Cicer arietinum is located in thickened cell walls such as those of collenchyma, sclerenchyma and vascular tissue

We report localisation of the chickpea βI-Gal, a member of the chickpea β-galactosidase family, which contains at least four members. After generation of specific antibodies, the distribution and cellular immunolocalisation of the protein in different organs and developmental stages of the plant was studied. βI-Gal protein is much longer than the other chickpea β-galactosidases because of the presence of a lectin-like domain in the carboxyl terminus of the protein. Western blot experiments indicated that the active βI-Gal retains this lectin-like domain for its function in the plant. The βI-Gal protein was mainly detected in cell walls of elongating organs, such as seedling epicotyls and stem internodes. An immunolocation study indicated a very good correlation between the presence of this βΙ-galactosidase and cells whose walls are thickening, not only in aged epicotyls and mature internodes in the final phase of elongation, but mostly in cells with a support function, such as collenchyma cells, xylem and phloem fibres and a layer of sclerenchyma cells surrounding the vascular cylinder (perivascular fibres). These results could suggest a function for the βI-Gal in modification of cell wall polymers, leading to thicker walls than the primary cell walls.

Characterization of a-SiCx:H Films for c-Si Surface Passivation

Amorphous intrinsic silicon carbide (a-SiCx:H(i)) films and amorphous phophorous doped silicon carbide (a-SiCx:H(n)) films deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) from silane/methane mixtures provide excellent electronic passivation of p-type c-Si. Effective surface recombination velocities (Seff) lower than 23 cm s-1 have been reported for a- SiCx:H(i) films and Seff < 11 cm s-1 for a-SiCx:H(n) films. The analysis of the dependence of Seff on the injection level indicates that the good electronic passivation is due to field-effect passivation resulting from a high fixed charge (Qf) created in the a-SiCx:H film. In this work the absorption of SiH bonds in infrared transmission spectra of a-SiCx:H films is quantitatively analysed resulting in about 30% smaller amount of SiH bonds in phosphorous doped films compared to intrinsic films. Furthermore, a strong reciprocal correlation of the hydrogen content in the films and the Qf created at the a-SiCx:H/c-Si interface is observed.

Cutaneous infection by Phomopsis longicolla in a renal transplant recipient from Guinea: first report of human infection by this fungus

We report the case of a 72-year-old female renal transplant recipient with a nodular lesion in the distal phalange of the third left finger produced by a dematiaceous fungus that was identified as Phomopsis longicolla. She was treated with itraconazole and terbinafine and later with voriconazole, without response. The patient underwent a surgical resection with lesion-free edge and continued on voriconazole. One year later she was asymptomatic and had not developed new lesions.

Absorption oscillator strengths for vibronic transitions of nppi Rydberg series in NO

The vibronic intensities for band systems of NO corresponding to transitions with origin in both the X(2)Pi ground and the 3ssigma(A(2)Sigma(+)) Rydberg states, and ending in the nppi Rydberg series with n = 3-5, have been determined. The description of the Rydberg states has been made with the molecular quantum defect orbital methodology. The Rydberg-valence interaction of the (2)Pi symmetry states involved in the studied transitions has been analyzed through a vibronic matrix. The present results have been compared with experimental and theoretical data available in the literature. Additionally, predictions for a number of unknown intensities have been made, which may be useful for the interpretation of the spectrum of NO.

Fracturas-luxaciones graves del carpo: estudio del tratamiento y resultado funcional

Objetivo: Analizar el resultado funcional de pacientes con fracturas-luxaciones graves del carpo y su correlación con el tipo de lesión y con el tratamiento realizado.

Material y método: Identificamos retrospectivamente 22 casos de fractura luxación y luxación grave de carpo. Analizamos las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes, tipo de tratamiento recibido y las complicaciones. Realizamos una valoración funcional a través de las escalas QUICK DASH y MAYO WRIST SCORE y valoramos el rango de movimiento.

Resultados: En 13 casos se asoció lesión sistémica significativa. El patrón más frecuente fue la fractura luxación transescafoperilunar con 10 casos.

Comparamos un tratamiento protocolizado con reducción abierta fijación interna y reparación de partes blandas con un conjunto heterogéneo de tratamientos que no incluyen todos estos elementos. El seguimiento medio fue de 37 meses.

La puntuación media de las escalas QUICK DASH para tratamiento no protocolizado y protocolizado fueron respectivamente 79 y 47 y para la MAYO WRIST SCORE 46 y 81. Se observó una tendencia a mejor resultado funcional en los pacientes del grupo de tratamiento protocolizado.

Conclusiones: Las pautas de tratamiento actualmente recomendadas incluyen la reducción abierta y fijación interna con reparación capsuloligamentosa.