The knowledge of the broken rotor bars characteristic frequencies and amplitudes has a great importance for all related diagnostic methods. The monitoring of motor faults requires a high resolution ...spectrum to separate different frequency components. The Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) has been widely used to achieve these requirements. However, at low slip this technique cannot give good results. As a solution for these problems, this paper proposes an efficient technique based on a neural network approach and Hilbert transform (HT) for broken rotor bar diagnosis in induction machines at low load. The Hilbert transform is used to extract the stator current envelope (SCE). Two features are selected from the (SCE) spectrum (the amplitude and frequency of the harmonic). These features will be used as input for neural network. The results obtained are astonishing and it is capable to detect the correct number of broken rotor bars under different load conditions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
•Co2HfZ compounds were computationally designed as one of the advanced materials for spintronics.•Band structures, mechanical and magnetic character are presented.•The thermodynamic properties of all ...compounds under study are investigated.•d-states of 3d transition metals influence the formation of spin-down bandgap.
The aim of this paper is the prediction of the electro-magnetic and mechanical properties of the Co2HfZ (Z = Al, Ga, Si and Sn) full Heusler compounds. For the structural and mechanical properties, we used the PBE-GGA schemes to compute the fundamental parameters, while for the electro-magnetic properties, we employed the modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ). Our results showed the half-metallicity of Co2HfZ (Z = Al, Ga, Si and Sn). The mechanical properties indicate that our compounds were anisotropic ductile materials. The present detailed investigation confirms that these compounds are a potential candidate for electro-spintronic applications. Display omitted
The aim of this paper is the prediction of the structural, electro-magnetic and mechanical properties of the Co2HfZ (Z = Al, Ga, Si and Sn) full Heusler compounds using a full-potential linearized augmented-plane wave method (FP-LAPW) based on the Wien2k program. For the structural and mechanical properties, we used the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof Generalized Gradient Approximation (PBE-GGA) and modified Becke and Johnson (mBJ) schemes to compute the fundamental parameters. The latter was employed for the electro-magnetic properties, to calculate the band structures (BS) and density of states (DOS) of these compounds. Our results showed the half-metallicity of Co2HfZ (Z = Al, Ga, Si and Sn). The obtained energy revealed that these alloys were thermodynamically stable and could be hence elaborated experimentally. The mechanical properties indicated that our compounds were anisotropic ductile materials. Our findings greatly support that these compounds are highly attractive potential candidates for electro-spintronic applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A growing evidence base supports the use of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but it has not yet been ...integrated into most national clinical guidelines. The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety when aHSCT is implemented in routine healthcare.
We assessed 231 patients and the final analysis included 174 RRMS patients who were treated with aHSCT in Sweden before 1 January 2020. Efficacy was evaluated by performing a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Swedish MS registry. Procedure-related safety was assessed by analysing data from electronic patient records covering a period of 100 days following aHSCT.
With a median follow-up time of 5.5 (IQR: 3.4-7.5) years, the Kaplan-Meier estimate for no evidence of disease activity was 73% (95% CI 66% to 81%) at 5 years and 65% (95% CI 57% to 75%) at 10 years. Out of the 149 patients with baseline disability, 80 (54%) improved, 55 (37%) were stable and 14 (9%) deteriorated. The mean number of adverse events per patient was 1.7 (±SD: 1.5) for grade 3 events and 0.06 (±SD: 0.3) for grade 4 events. Febrile neutropenia was the most common adverse event, affecting 68% of patients. There was no treatment-related mortality.
Treatment with aHSCT for RRMS is associated with freedom from disease activity in a majority of patients, with acceptable adverse events. This procedure should be considered a standard of care for patients with highly active RRMS.
Aims
The study aimed for evaluate the efficacy of Pseudomonas knackmussiiMLR6 on growth promotion, photosynthetic responses, pigment contents and gene expression of the plant model Arabidopsis ...thaliana under NaCl stress.
Methods and Results
The strain MLR6 was isolated from the rhizopshere of the halophyte Salsola tetrandra collected from a natural saline Algerian soil. Results showed the ability of MLR6 to induce plant growth‐promoting traits even under NaCl stress. The inoculation with MLR6 improved the stomatal conductance, the transpiration rate, the total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents under salt stress. It conferred also an increase in fresh/dry weight as well as plant height. MLR6 inoculation further provided a positive effect on cell membrane stability by reducing the electrolyte leakage and priming the ROS accumulation after the salt exposition. Additionally, the expression of NHX1, HKT1, SOS2 and SOS3 as well as SAG13 and PR1 was maintained in MLR6‐bacterized plant at a similar level of controls.
Conclusions
The inoculation of A. thaliana with MLR6 improves plant growth and reduces damages caused by salt stress.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The use of P. knackmussiiMLR6 appears as a promising strategy to improve the sustainable agriculture under saline conditions.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Low birth weight (LBW) followed by accelerated postnatal growth is associated with increased risk of developing age-associated diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Gestational protein restriction in ...rats causes LBW, β-cell dysfunction, and reduced longevity. These effects may be mediated by accelerated cellular aging. This study tested the hypothesis that LBW followed by rapid postnatal catch-up growth leads to islet telomere shortening through alterations in antioxidant defense capacity, stress/senescence marker proteins, and DNA repair mechanisms at the gene expression level. We used our rat model of gestational protein restriction (recuperated offspring) and control offspring. Southern blotting revealed shorter (P<0.001) islet telomeres in recuperated animals compared to controls. This was associated with increased expression of peroxiredoxin 1 (P<0.05), peroxiredoxin 3 (P<0.01), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (P<0.05), which are up-regulated under stress conditions. MnSOD expression was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in recuperated offspring, suggesting partial impairment of mitochondrial antioxidant defenses. Markers of cellular senescence p21 and p16 were also increased (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) in the recuperated group. We conclude that maternal diet influences expression of markers of cellular stress and telomere length in pancreatic islets. This may provide a mechanistic link between early nutrition and growth and type 2 diabetes.--Tarry-Adkins, J. L., Chen, J. H., Smith, N. S., Jones, R. H., Cherif, H., Ozanne, S. E. Poor maternal nutrition followed by accelerated postnatal growth leads to telomere shortening and increased markers of cell senescence in rat islets.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Essentials
Infections may trigger autoimmune disease and be a complication of an impaired immune system.
The cohort, diagnoses and treatments were retrieved from the Swedish Health Registers.
...Compared to the population, infection risk is increased before primary immune thrombocytopenia.
The incidence of cITP (new definition, International ITP Working Group) is 2.30 per 100 000 person‐years.
Summary
Background
Infections after diagnosis of primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP) have mostly been connected to the immunomodulation treatment. Infections may trigger autoimmune diseases and may be a complication of an already impaired immune system.
Objectives
To investigate the association of cITP with infection before diagnosis. We also estimated the incidence of cITP based on the new definition by the International ITP Working Group.
Methods
We identified 1087 adults with primary cITP between 2006 and 2012 using the Swedish Patient Register. Data on infections not already associated with secondary ITP were also retrieved from the register. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), using the rates from the general population, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated as a measure of relative risk. We used data from the Prescribed Drug Register to estimate SIR for anti‐infective treatment.
Results
The incidence of cITP was 2.30 per 100 000 person‐years (95% CI, 2.15–2.45). cITP was associated with an increased risk of serious infections requiring inpatient or outpatient care within 5 years before cITP diagnosis (SIR = 8.74; 95% CI, 7.47–10.18). Higher magnitude SIRs were observed for candidiasis, viral infection at an unspecified site and acute upper respiratory infections. For anti‐infective drugs the SIR was 1.37 (1.25–1.50) and the highest SIRs were observed for amoxicillin, macrolides, nitrofurantoin and antivirals.
Conclusion
Patients with cITP have increased risks of infection and anti‐infective treatments before their cITP diagnosis, with a more marked risk for candidiasis and viral infections. The findings indicate that infection is not only related to the immunomodulation treatment but also to the disease itself.
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FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A simple UV-based method for the preparation of alginate-silver nanoparticles-chitosan composite films is described herein. Alginate, a polysaccharide was simultaneously used as a natural stabiliser ...and reducing agent of silver ions (Ag
+
) delivered from silver nitrate solution. The properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in alginate and alginate-Ag NPs-chitosan (Alg-Ag NPs-CTS) composite films were investigated in terms of their surface plasmon resonance, crystalline structure and morphology. The average diameter size, the degree of swelling and functional groups distribution were also addressed. Antibacterial activities were carried out against both Gram+ and Gram−bacteria cells; the synthesised nanocomposite films displayed an interesting antibacterial activity. The perspectives for a potential use of these nanocomposite films in areas such as biomedical engineering may seriously be considered.
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BFBNIB, GIS, IJS, KISLJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and consequent low back pain (LBP) are common and costly pathological processes that require improved treatment strategies. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ...channels constitute a family of multimodal ion channels that have recently emerged as contributors to disc pathologies and were thus proposed as potential therapeutic targets, although limited data on their presence and function in the IVD exist. The purpose of this study was to determine the mRNA and protein expression of TRP channels in non-degenerated and degenerated human IVD tissue (with different pain intensity and chronicity) using gene array, conventional qPCR and immunohistochemistry. We could demonstrate that 26 out of 28 currently known TRP channels are expressed in the IVD on the mRNA level, thereby revealing novel therapeutic candidates from the TRPC, TRPM and TRPML subfamilies. TRPC6, TRPM2 and TRPML1 displayed enhanced gene and protein expression in degenerated IVDs as compared to non-degenerated IVDs. Additionally, the gene expression of TRPC6 and TRPML1 was influenced by the IVD degeneration grade. Pain intensity and/or chronicity influenced the gene and/or protein expression of TRPC6, TRPM2 and TRML1. Interestingly, decreased gene expression of TRPM2 was observed in patients treated with steroids. This study supports the importance of TRP channels in IVD homeostasis and pathology and their possible application as pharmacological targets for the treatment of IVD degeneration and LBP. However, the exact function and activation of the highlighted TRP channels will have to be determined in future studies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
L’objectif assigné à la présente étude est d’élaborer une solution antiseptique à base d’extrait éthanolique des feuilles du noyer (
Juglans regia
(L.)) et d’évaluer le potentiel antibiofilm in vitro ...des souches staphylocoques incriminées dans les infections ostéoarticulaires sur matériel (IOAM) en chirurgie orthopédique postopératoire. L’extrait éthanolique de
Juglans regia
(L.) a été incorporé comme un principe actif antimicrobien dans la formulation de la solution antiseptique 2 %. Quatorze souches de Staphylococcus aureus ont été collectées sur pus de plaies postopératoires, chez des sujets victimes d’une fracture osseuse, bénéficiant d’une prothèse et/ou d’un matériel d’ostéosynthèse (fixateur externe, vis, clou, plaque vissée). La méthode de la plaque à microtitration a été utilisée pour évaluer la capacité des souches pathogènes prélevées de produire le biofilm. Le potentiel antibiofilm de la solution antiseptique 2 % a été réalisé par la technique de dilution en milieu liquide pour la détermination de la concentration minimale inhibitrice de biofilm (CMIB). La CMIB a mis en évidence un effet antibiofilm remarquable. Une CMIB mesurée à 6,25 % (v/v) a manifesté un degré de sensibilité antibiofilm efficace in vitro sur 92,86 % des souches. Face à l’efficacité de la solution antiseptique 2 % sur les germes incriminés dans les IOAM, son utilisation comme un produit naturel, sans effets indésirables pour les soins locaux et la désinfection cutanée postchirurgicale, semble prometteuse dans la lutte contre les infections.
The objective assigned to this study is to develop an antiseptic solution based on the ethanolic extract of the leaves of walnut (
Juglans regia
L.) and to evaluate the antibiofilm potential in vitro growth strains of staphylococci implicated in osteoarticular infections on the material (OAMI) in postoperative orthopedic surgery. The ethanolic extract of
Juglans regia
L. has been incorporated as an antimicrobial active principle in the formulation of the antiseptic solution 2%. Fourteen strains of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from the pus of postoperative wounds, from subjects suffering from a bone fracture, benefiting from a prosthesis and/or osteosynthesis material (external fixator, screw, nail, plate screwed). The Microtiter plate method was used to assess the ability of the pathogenic strains collected to produce the biofilm. The antibiofilm potential of the antiseptic solution 2% was achieved by the liquid dilution technique for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of biofilm (CMIB). CMIB demonstrated a remarkable antibiofilm effect. A CMIB measured at 6.25% (v/v) showed a degree of antibiofilm sensitivity effective in vitro on 92.86% of strains. Faced with the effectiveness of the antiseptic solution 2% on the germs incriminated in OAMI, its use as a natural product without adverse effects for local care and postsurgical skin disinfection seems promising in the fight against infections.
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