Human CD34
fibrocytes, circulating monocyte lineage progenitor cells, have recently been implicated in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), the ocular manifestation of Graves' disease (GD). ...Fibrocytes express constitutive MHC class II (MHC-2) and, surprisingly, thyroglobulin (Tg) and functional thyrotropin (TSH) receptor (TSHR). Underlying expression of these thyroid proteins is the autoimmune regulator protein (AIRE). Fibrocytes respond robustly to TSH and thyroid-stimulating Igs by generating extremely high levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6. In TAO, they appear to infiltrate the orbit, where they transition to CD34
orbital fibroblasts (OF). There, they coexist with CD34
OF as a mixed fibroblast population (GD-OF). In contrast to fibrocytes, GD-OF express vanishingly low levels of MHC-2, Tg, TSHR, and AIRE. Further, the amplitude of IL-6 induction by TSH in GD-OF is substantially lower. The molecular basis for this divergence between fibrocytes and CD34
OF remains uncertain. In this article, we report that Slit2, an axon guidance glycoprotein, is constitutively expressed by the CD34
OF subset of GD-OF. Culture conditioned medium (CM) generated by incubating with GD-OF and CD34
OF substantially reduces levels of MHC-2, Tg, TSHR, and AIRE in fibrocytes. Expression can be restored by specifically depleting CM of Slit2. The effects of CD34
OF CM are mimicked by recombinant human Slit2. TSH induces Slit2 levels in GD-OF by enhancing both Slit2 gene transcription and mRNA stability. These findings suggest that Slit2 represents a TSH-inducible factor within the TAO orbit that can modulate the inflammatory phenotype of CD34
OF and therefore may determine the activity and severity of the disease.
Silicon content forecasting models have been requested by the operational team to anticipate necessary actions during the blast furnace operation when producing molten iron, to control the quality of ...the product and reduce costs. This paper proposed a new algorithm to perform the silicon content time series up to 8 h ahead, immediately after the molten iron chemical analysis is delivered by the laboratory. Due to the delay of the laboratory when delivering the silicon content measurement, the proposed algorithm considers a minimum useful forecasting horizon of 3 h ahead. In a first step, it decomposes the silicon content time series into different subseries using the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Packet Transform (MODWPT). Next, all subseries forecasts were determined through Nonlinear Autoregressive (NAR) networks, and finally, these forecasts were summed to furnish the long-term forecast of silicon content. Using data from a real industry, we showed that the prediction error was within an acceptable range according to the blast furnace technical team.
Limitations in physical function are common in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), yet it is neither clear how muscle power implicates physical function and walking-fatigability. This pilot-study aims to ...investigate (1) deficits in muscle power/force alongside walking in persons with MS; (2) associations between muscle power/force and physical functions and (3) the impact of prolonged walking in muscle power/force.
30 relapse-remitting persons with MS and 28 healthy controls performed chair rise and plantar flexion on a force platform before and after 12-minutes of intermittent walking to measure lower extremity muscle power/force. GaitRite measured walking speed. The percentage change in distance walked was also calculated. Persons with MS were classified into subgroups according to walking-fatigability and mobility disability status (Patient Determined Disease Steps).
Higher deficits in muscle power compared to force were observed in persons with MS vs. healthy controls particularly in persons with MS having higher disability. Muscle power and force were associated with walking capacity, mobility disability and subjective fatigue, but not with percentage change in distance walked. Persons with MS slowed down over the course of the 12-min intermittent walking, whereas decrements in walking speed and muscle power/force (derived from chair rise) were observed in persons with MS presenting walking-fatigability only.
Muscle power and force are impaired in persons with MS and appear to be critical for physical function in MS. This exploratory pilot study further suggests that muscle power/force from chair rise could contributes to walking-fatigability which therefore offer future treatment targets.
•More pronounced deficit in muscle power vs. muscle force in persons with MS.•Muscle power/force were associated with walking capacity and mobility disability.•Muscle functions were associated with subjective fatigue but not with fatigability.•Persons with MS slowed down during 12-min of intermittent walking.
The equilibrium and rate constants of the anthocyanins network of chemical reactions are dramatically dependent on the concentration. The flavylium cation and the quinoidal base of the six most ...abundant 3-glucoside anthocyanins self-aggregate, leading to the decrease of the hydration reaction (pKh) and the increase of the acidity (pKa). The differences between the constants of the six anthocyanins, usually correlated with the substitution pattern, are of the same order of magnitude of the differences obtained for the concentration dependence in each anthocyanin. These results explain some discrepancy of the constants reported in literature. Display omitted
► Flavylium cation and quinoidal base of six 3-glucoside anthocyanins self-aggregate. ► Aggregation decreases the hydration constant Kh and increases the acidity constant Ka. ► At low concentration the anthocyanins structure has a small effect on the constants. ► The aggregation efficiency is dependent on the anthocyanins substitution pattern.
The six most common 3-glucoside anthocyanins, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, malvidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside and petunidin-3-glucoside were studied in great detail by NMR, UV–vis absorption and stopped flow. For each anthocyanin, the thermodynamic and kinetic constants of the network of chemical reactions were calculated at different anthocyanin concentration, from 6×10−6M up to 8×10−4M; an increasing of the flavylium cation acidity constant to give quinoidal base and a decreasing of the flavylium cation hydration constant to give hemiketal were observed by increasing the anthocyanin concentration. These effects are attributed to the self-aggregation of the flavylium cation and quinoidal base, which is stronger in the last case. The UV–vis and 1H NMR spectral variations resulting from the increasing of the anthocyanin concentration were discussed in terms of two aggregation models; monomer–dimer and isodesmic, the last one considering the formation of higher order aggregates possessing the same aggregation constant of the dimer. The self-aggregation constant of flavylium cation at pH=1.0, calculated by both models increases by increasing the number of methoxy (–OCH3) or hydroxy (–OH) substituents following the order: myrtillin (2 –OH), oenin (2 –OCH3), 3-OGl-petunidin (1 –OH, 1 –OCH3), kuromanin (1 –OH), 3-OGl-peonidin (1 –OCH3) and callistephin (none). Evidence for flavylium aggregates possessing a shape between J and H was achieved, as well as for the formation of higher order aggregates.
Introduction
With aging, progressive changes occur in the eyelid region. The novel technique for repositioning of the fat pads described herein addresses Hester classification type II, lower eyelid ...aging with minimal decrease in the eyelid/cheek juncture.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery at our clinic between 2000 and 2018, 92 were classified as Hester II and a transconjunctival surgical procedure was performed with repositioning of the fat pads and intranasal fixation assisted by the Casagrande needle.
Results
Erasure of the nasojugal fold was observed in all patients, offering a greater uniformity in the convexity of the middle third and resulting in better rejuvenation of the target area while eliminating visible scarring from a suture through the skin.
Discussion
The repositioning of fat pads using intranasal fixation offers the necessary anchoring qualities without worrying about unsightly scars or the need to remove stitches early, which can decrease the proper scarring and adhesion of the pads in their new pockets.
Conclusion
The quality and longevity of the results of this retrospective study allow us to offer this novel fat pad fixation method in transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
Level of Evidence IV
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors
www.springer.com/00266
.
Introduction
Periocular rhytids and dermatochalasis are common and striking signs of facial aging. The CO
2
laser technique described herein addresses Hester classification type I, aging at the level ...of the lower eyelid, focus on the treatment of the dermatochalasis.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective study of patients undergoing treatment at our clinic between 2000 and 2018, 263 were classified as Hester I and CO
2
laser therapy was the treatment to improve the local rhytids.
Results
Improvement in dermatochalasis was found in all patients, resulting in better rejuvenation of the target area while eliminating visible scarring from a suture through the skin.
Discussion
In our experience, CO
2
laser functions as a substitute for transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty, due to the fact that the contracture of the skin renders resection of that skin unnecessarily, thus avoiding the tell-tale scalpel incisions under the lashes.
Conclusion
The quality of the results of this retrospective study allows us to offer this laser therapy to treat lower eyelids classified as Hester I.
Level of Evidence IV
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors
www.springer.com/00266
.
When executing a sport-specific movement, athletes cannot use all perceptual resources to control their actions. The complexity of a basketball match, demands that individuals command their attention ...towards the context to make decisions. The dependency on the perceptual sources to control a movement should be kept to a minimum. During a match due to situational constraints, players often see themselves with impaired perceptual sources (e.g. auditory and peripheral vision occlusions). Assuming that professional basketball players are more skilled than amateurs, we analysed how both groups were affected by perceptual impairment, within and in-between groups in a dribbling task. A variability analysis (correlation dimension, approximate entropy and Lyapunov exponent) was used to evaluate how an increased variability or stability, in a specific joint movement, contributes to a better adaptive behaviour when facing perceptual impairment. Professionals showed a significantly lower variability of the wrist movements, but had a significantly higher value of variability in the shoulder horizontal movements (anterior-posterior and lateral), and also in the lateral elbow movements when their downwards peripheral vision was impaired. The increase in variability in such joint movements reflects adaptive behaviour and might be a performance factor.
The pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is poorly understood and no previous studies have analyzed monocytes in TAK. This study evaluated monocyte subsets and monocyte-related chemokines in the ...peripheral blood of TAK patients and healthy controls (HC). Monocyte subsets were identified as classical (CD14
CD16
), intermediate (CD14
CD16
), and non-classical (CD14
CD16
) in the peripheral blood. The chemokines CCL (C-C chemokine ligand)2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL7, CXCL (C-X-C motif ligand)10, and CX3CL (C-X3-C motif ligand)1 were measured in the sera. Thirty-two TAK patients and 30 HC were evaluated. Intermediate monocytes were higher in TAK than HC 25.0 cells ×10
/L (16.7-52.0) vs. 17.2 cells ×10
/L (9.2-25.3); p = 0.014. Active disease was associated with monocytosis (p = 0.004), increased classical (p = 0.003), and intermediate (p < 0.001) subsets than HC. Prednisone reduced the percentage of non-classical monocytes (p = 0.011). TAK patients had lower CCL3 (p = 0.033) and CCL4 (p = 0.023) levels than HC, whereas CCL22 levels were higher in active TAK compared to the remission state (p = 0.008). Glucocorticoids were associated with lower CXCL10 levels (p = 0.012). In TAK, CCL4 correlated with total (Rho = 0.489; p = 0.005), classical and intermediate monocytes (Rho = 0.448; p = 0.010 and Rho = 0.412; p = 0.019). In conclusion, TAK is associated with altered counts of monocyte subsets in the peripheral blood compared to HC and CCL22 is the chemokine with the strongest association with active disease in TAK.
Additives are essential in lubricant development, improving their performance by the formation of a protective film, thus reducing friction and wear. Some such additives are extreme pressure ...additives. However, due to environmental issues, their use has been questioned because their composition includes sulfur, chlorine, and phosphorus. Nanoparticles have been demonstrated to be a suitable substitute for those additives. This paper aims to make a comparison of the tribological performance of conventional EP additives and oxides nanoparticles (copper and zinc) under boundary lubrication conditions. The additives (nanoparticles, ZDDP, and sulfur) were added to mineral and synthetic oils. The lubricant tribological properties were analyzed in the tribometer HFRR (high frequency reciprocating rig), and during the test, the friction coefficient and percentual of film formation were measured. The wear was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the conventional EP additives have a good performance owing to their anti-wear and small friction coefficient in both lubricant bases. The oxides nanoparticles, when used as additives, can reduce the friction more effectively than conventional additives, and displayed similar behavior to the extreme pressure additives. Thus, the oxide nanoparticles are more environmentally suitable, and they can replace EP additives adapting the lubricant to current environmental requirements.
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