Lupus cystitis is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and occurs in association with gastrointestinal symptoms. This rare disorder has been reported mainly from Japan. We report ...a 20 year old female who diagnosed as having SLE associated with paralytic ileus and chronic interstitial cystitis. Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone and azathioprine led to amelioration of manifestations. Later she developed lupus nephritis which was treated with mycophenolate mofetil.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The abundance of cosmological data becoming available means that a wider range of cosmological models are testable than ever before. However, an important distinction must be made between parameter ...fitting and model selection. While parameter fitting simply determines how well a model fits the data, model selection statistics, such as the Bayesian evidence, are now necessary to choose between these different models, and in particular to assess the need for new parameters. We implement a new evidence algorithm known as nested sampling, which combines accuracy, generality of application, and computational feasibility, and we apply it to some cosmological data sets and models. We find that a five-parameter model with a Harrison-Zel'dovich initial spectrum is currently preferred.
The processing induced active particle assembly determines the internal microstructure and resultant performance of the electrode in a lithium-ion battery. A morphology-detailed mesoscale model has ...been developed to gain fundamental understanding of the influence of active particle morphology, size, volume fraction, solvent evaporation, and multi-phase (active particle, conductive additive, binder and solvent) interaction. Our results demonstrate that smaller isometric active particles tend to form favorable aggregation with conductive additive particles. Two regimes, namely spontaneous aggregation and evaporation induced aggregation, have been identified. Low solvent evaporation rate promotes spontaneous aggregation resulting in an enhanced interfacial area than that in evaporation-induced aggregation. The influence of active material morphology and volume fraction on conducting pathway formation has been conjectured.
In adolescents and young adults, femoral neck fractures often result from high-velocity trauma. These fractures are usually of vertical shear pattern. There is an increased incidence of avascular ...necrosis and non-union, which is difficult to treat. Non-union of fractured neck of femur in young adults is a serious problem. There is growing evidence that these fractures should be treated with an angle-stable device to improve biomechanics at the fracture site. An ideal implant should prevent varus deformation and retroversion of the fracture in order to prevent failure of the osteosynthesis and thus preventing cut-out of implant and non-union at the fracture site. We report the first use of an Orthofix Gottfried Percutaneous Compression Plate (PC.C.P.) (Orthofix, Guilford, UK) to treat a non-union of an intra-capsular fractured neck of femur. We recommend this, in combination with autologous bone grafting, via a mini hip modification of the Smith–Petersen approach.
A comprehensive study on the prevailing conduction mechanism, dielectric relaxation and current voltage behaviour of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) – Silver (Ag) nanotube composite film has been reported. ...Introduction of Ag nanotubes enhances the conductivity and dielectric permittivity of film. Film shows semiconducting behaviour with two activation energies. The dc conductivity of the nanocomposite film obeys the adiabatic small polaron model. The dielectric permittivity can be analysed by modified Cole-Cole model. A non-Debye type asymmetric behaviour has been observed in the sample. The back to back Schottky diode concept has been used to describe the current-voltage characteristic of the composite film.
A relaxation peaks in M//(f) vs. f curve for a particular temperature is observed and the peak position is shifted to higher frequency due to increase of milling time. Display omitted
•Silver nanotube of different aspect ratio has been obtained.•The film shows semiconducting behaviour with two activation energies.•A non Debye type asymmetric behaviour has been observed.•The relaxation peak is shifted to higher frequency with increase of temperature.•Two different barrier heights and ideality factors present at the two junctions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Understanding the biological interactions of graphene-based materials is important for the safe use of these materials. Previous studies have explored the interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and ...macrophages but not the impact of GO on neutrophils, key cells of the immune system. Here, we synthesized GO sheets with differing lateral dimensions and showed by using an array of analytical and imaging techniques, including transmission and scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), that GO elicited the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). ToF-SIMS revealed pronounced perturbations of plasma membrane lipids, including a decrease in cholesterol and increased levels of oxidized cholesterol species. The induction of NETs was size dependent and associated with the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and calcium influx. Importantly, antioxidant treatment reduced the production of NETs. These studies provide evidence that a previously undescribed biological effect of GO manifests through direct effects on membrane lipids.
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•Graphene oxide (GO) triggers the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)•Size-dependent induction of NETs is associated with ROS production and Ca2+ influx•GO causes a disruption of lipid raft domains in the plasma membrane of neutrophils•GO elicits pronounced alterations of plasma membrane lipids, including cholesterol
Graphene oxide (GO) is being investigated for various biomedical applications. Understanding the interactions between GO and living cells is of critical importance for the safe use of these materials in patients. In the present study, we identified effects of GO on neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell. We first synthesized GO sheets of different sizes and carefully characterized the materials. Then, using various analytical and imaging techniques, we found that GO triggered so-called neutrophil extracellular traps or NETs. NETs are normally deployed by neutrophils to capture and destroy pathogens. We were able to show that GO caused significant changes in the lipid composition of the neutrophil cell membrane, whereby the oxidation of cholesterol set into motion a cascade of intracellular events leading to the formation of NETs. These studies show that GO acts directly on the neutrophil cell membrane and leads to the activation of a conserved anti-pathogen response.
Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising material for a variety of biomedical and other applications. The increasing use of GO necessitates careful assessment of potential health hazards. Using primary neutrophils as a model, Mukherjee et al. show that GO elicits neutrophil extracellular traps. Furthermore, by using ToF-SIMS, the authors noted pronounced perturbations of plasma membrane lipids in cells exposed to GO.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP