We present a kinetic approach to the Monte Carlo-molecular dynamics (MC-MD) method for simulating reactive liquids using nonreactive force fields. A graphical reaction representation allows ...definition of reactions of arbitrary complexity, including their local solvation environment. Reaction probabilities and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation times are derived from ab initio calculations. Detailed validation is followed by studying the development of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in lithium-ion batteries. We reproduce the experimentally observed two-layered structure on graphite, with an inorganic layer close to the anode and an outer organic layer. This structure develops via a near-shore aggregation mechanism.
Abstract Eighteen million people worldwide have uniocular blindness from traumatic injury. Injuries occur disproportionally commonly in childhood. Every year a quarter of a million children present ...with serious ocular trauma. For the vast majority the injury is preventable. We review the international literature that identifies high-risk circumstances.
The global loss of biodiversity is a pressing and urgent issue and halting loss is the focus of many international agreements and targets. However, data on species distribution, threats and ...protection are limited and sometimes lacking in many parts of the world. The British Virgin Islands (BVI), part of the Puerto Rican Bank Floristic Region in the Caribbean Biodiversity Hotspot, is rich in plant diversity and regional endemism. Despite the established network of National Parks in the BVI and decades of botanical data from international collaboration between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, there was a need for consolidated data on species distribution across the archipelago and national lists for threatened and rare plants of conservation concern. The process of identifying the network of 18 Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) in the BVI, completed in 2018, delivered national lists and accurate data for all 35 Species of Conservation Concern. These data (3688 georeferenced records) are analysed here to reveal species distribution across the archipelago, within the TIPAs network and the National Parks System. The TIPAs network contained all 35 Species of Conservation Concern and 91% of all the records, as expected. Ten out of the 21 National Parks had one or more of the species present. Most species occur across the archipelago, while some are restricted range and/or endemics. These new data will help management of plant conservation efforts and resources in the BVI, contributing to the revision of the Protected Areas System Plan and local environmental policies and have relevance to the wider Caribbean Region.
Nonsense mutations that lead to the insertion of a premature termination codon (PTC) in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) transcript affect 11% of patients with cystic ...fibrosis (CF) worldwide and are associated with severe disease phenotype. While CF rat models have contributed significantly to our understanding of CF disease pathogenesis, there are currently no rat models available for studying CF nonsense mutations. Here we created and characterized the first homozygous CF rat model that bears the CFTR G542X nonsense mutation in the endogenous locus using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. In addition to displaying severe CF manifestations and developmental defects such as reduced growth, abnormal tooth enamel, and intestinal obstruction, CFTR G542X knockin rats demonstrated an absence of CFTR function in tracheal and intestinal sections as assessed by nasal potential difference and transepithelial short-circuit current measurements. Reduced CFTR mRNA levels in the model further suggested sensitivity to nonsense-mediated decay, a pathway elicited by the presence of PTCs that degrades the PTC-bearing transcripts and thus further diminishes the level of CFTR protein. Although functional restoration of CFTR was observed in G542X rat tracheal epithelial cells in response to single readthrough agent therapy, therapeutic efficacy was not observed in G542X knockin rats
. The G542X rat model provides an invaluable tool for the identification and
validation of potential therapies for CFTR nonsense mutations.
Fluorescent nanodiamonds, that is, those containing optically active defects, have attracted interest for their ability to be used as qubits; for in vivo imaging; and as sensors for spin, stress, and ...temperature. One of the most commonly studied nanodiamond color centers is the nitrogen vacancy. However, there is strong interest in discovering other impurity centers that provide localized midband gap transitions. Noble gas atoms have garnered attention since they have been discovered within nanodiamonds produced through high-pressure–high-temperature laser-heated diamond anvil cell synthesis methods, where they are commonly used as hydrostatic pressure media. Noble gas atoms that exist in macrosized natural or synthetic diamonds have been shown to be able to form color centers. This research uses ab initio density functional theory and cluster models to systematically study the localized electronic structure for group VIII impurities of nanodiamond, including helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. An in-depth examination of the interaction between the noble gas atom and diamond lattice has been carried out. The changes to the vibrational and UV/vis absorption spectra have been analyzed. It was determined that the energetically preferred geometry is dependent on the atom size. Most noble gas defects are stabilized within the nanodiamond lattice and exist in tetrahedral interstitial positions, except for the largest noble gas studied in this work, Xe, which was determined to prefer a substitutional configuration. Both Kr and Xe are expected to be able to manifest visible/near-IR optical responses when included in the diamond lattice.
Blood tests confirmed raised tyrosine levels (1941 umol/l) due to an error of tyrosine metabolism, causing crystal deposition and subsequent characteristic oculocutaneous signs. {Figure 1} ...Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The identification of somatic
variation is crucial to confirm the heritability of retinoblastoma. We and others have previously shown that, when tumour DNA is unavailable, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) ...derived from aqueous humour (AH) can be used to identify somatic
pathogenic variation. Here we report
pathogenic variant detection, as well as cfDNA concentration in an extended cohort of 75 AH samples from 68 patients. We show cfDNA concentration is highly variable and significantly correlated with the collection point of the AH. Cell-free DNA concentrations above 5 pg/µL enabled the detection of 93% of known or expected
pathogenic variants. In AH samples collected during intravitreal chemotherapy treatment (Tx), the yield of cfDNA above 5 pg/µL and subsequent variant detection was low (≤46%). However, AH collected by an anterior chamber tap after one to three cycles of primary chemotherapy (Dx1+) enabled the detection of 75% of expected pathogenic variants. Further limiting our analysis to Dx1+ samples taken after ≤2 cycles (Dx ≤ 2) provided measurable levels of cfDNA in all cases, and a subsequent variant detection rate of 95%. Early AH sampling is therefore likely to be important in maximising cfDNA concentration and the subsequent detection of somatic
pathogenic variants in retinoblastoma patients undergoing conservative treatment.
Purpose
Papilloedema is recognised as an indicator of raised intracranial pressure, although there is a paucity of literature describing the utility of fundoscopy in screening for raised ICP in ...children with craniofacial synostosis, particularly young children. We sought to investigate the association of optic disc morphology with ICP in children, and to define the sensitivity and specificity of papilloedema as a clinical indicator of raised ICP and determine if age, or underlying conditions impact the findings.
Method
Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing ICP monitoring at a designated paediatric neurosurgical and craniofacial unit in the United Kingdom between October 2009 and October 2018. The fundoscopy findings and ICP monitoring data were analysed for 31 children with craniosynostosis and 29 children without craniosynostosis.
Results
All children who had papilloedema had raised ICP confirmed with monitoring. Across the 60-patient cohort, confirmed papilloedema on fundoscopy had Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 1.00, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 0.64 with sensitivity 48% and specificity 100% for the presence of raised ICP (p = < 0.0001). In the craniosynostosis group, PPV was 1.00, NPV was 0.39, sensitivity 48% and specificity 100% (p = < 0.03). There is no correlation between severity of optic disc swelling using Frisen grading and elevation of ICP. Age did not affect the presence of papilloedema in those with raised ICP.
Conclusion
The presence of papilloedema is a strong indicator of raised ICP in a child, regardless of underlying aetiology. Detailed fundoscopy can prevent the need for further investigations including imaging-related radiation and invasive CSF pressure monitoring.
To report the intraoperative experience and early postoperative results of implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) developed specifically for myopic eyes.
Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary, ...Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.
This retrospective study evaluated consecutive highly myopic eyes having implantation of a Bigbag IOL from November 2003 to December 2007. Before IOL placement, a 2.8 mm clear corneal incision was created and phacoemulsification performed. The IOL was implanted using the dedicated folder and injector supplied by the manufacturer.
The study evaluated 67 eyes (48 patients) with a mean follow-up of 8.5 months (range 0.75 to 31 months). Intraoperative complications were IOL haptic damage from the injector system (3 eyes; 4.5%) and posterior capsule tear (1 eye; 1.5%). Postoperative complications were posterior capsule opacification (29 eyes; 43%), retinal detachment (1 eye; 1.5%), and iritis (1 eye; 1.5%). The postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 0.10 logMAR or better in 24 eyes (35.8%) and 0.18 to 0.48 logMAR in 32 eyes (47.8%). Forty-three eyes (64.2%) were within +/-1.00 diopter of the intended refractive outcome.
Preliminary results indicate that this 3-haptic IOL is safe and appropriate for use in highly myopic patients having cataract surgery.
No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
The association between socioeconomic position and morbidity and mortality has long been recognized. We evaluate the evidence for an association between multiple aspects of deprivation and ocular ...health in a global context. This is a systematic review of studies that evaluated deprivation in the adult population in the context of the major acquired causes of visual loss such as cataract, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and ocular trauma. The search strategy identified relevant studies reported between 1946 and August 2016, with randomized control trials, case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional study designs being selected for inclusion. The studies identified in this review from across the world demonstrate the extent to which the common themes such as low educational attainment and low income may be associated with increased incidence of various sight-threatening conditions and may adversely affect access to specialist assessment and delivery of treatment. Health inequality may always persist, but an increased recognition of the importance of the various impacts of deprivation may empower policy makers to target limited resources to the most vulnerable groups in order to deliver the greatest benefit.
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