We aimed to compare the outcomes of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL) and standard PNL techniques in the treatment of renal stones ≥ 2 cm. The study was designed as a randomized prospective ...study between January 2016 and April 2017. The patients with a kidney stone ≥ 2 cm were included in the study. Patients who had uncorrectable bleeding diathesis, abnormal renal anatomy, skeletal tract abnormalities, pregnant patients and pediatric patients (< 18 years old) were excluded from the study. The remaining patients were randomly divided into two groups as standard PNL and mPNL. For both group, demographic data, stone characteristics, operative data and postoperative data were recorded prospectively. The study included 160 consecutive patients who had kidney stone ≥ 2 cm. Of these, patients who met the exclusion criteria and patients who had missing data were excluded from the study. Remaining 97 patients were randomly divided into two groups as mPNL (
n
: 46) and standard PNL (
n
: 51). The mean age was 46.9 ± 13.7 and 47.4 ± 13.9 years for mPNL group and sPNL group, respectively. According to Clavien–Dindo classification, no statistical difference was detected between the groups in terms of complication rates (
p
0.31). However, the rates of hemoglobin drop and transfusion rates were significantly in favour of mPNL (
p
0.012 and
p
0.018, respectively). Nephrostomy time and hospitalization time was found to be significantly shorter in mPNL group (
p
0.017 and
p
0.01, respectively). The success rate in the mPCNL group was higher than standard PNL group, however, this difference was statistically insignificant (76.5 vs 71.7%,
p
0.59). Both mPNL and standard PNL are safe and effective treatment techniques for the treatment of kidney stones of ≥ 2 cm. Although there was no significant difference in success rates of both techniques; nephrostomy time, hospitalization time, bleeding and transfusion rates were in favour of mPNL.
•Maceration techniques in grape juice processing affected the colour parameters.•Polyphenol contents increased by microwave (MW) and its combination with sonication (SN).•MW was the most effective ...technique for improving of antioxidative properties.•MW, MW&SN and enzymatic maceration enhanced catechin and trans-resveratrol amounts.•Polyphenol and antioxidant capacity are strongly correlated with maceration technic.
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This study investigated the effects of different maceration techniques on the colour parameters, phenolic content and antioxidant activity of grape juice. Maceration techniques influenced colour parameters, and a* and Hue ranged from −0.77 to 0.55 and 60.90 to 104.40, respectively. The microwave and microwave and sonication combination increased the total monomeric anthocyanin, phenolic and flavonoid contents. Malvidin 3-O-glucoside increased more than twofold, and delphinidin 3-O-glucoside and cyanidin 3-O-glucoside increased one fold according to the enzymatic method in the microwave treatments. The microwave technique was the most effective technique for antioxidant capacity, but sonication, cold and thermosonication results were lower than enzymatic treatment. The microwave and microwave and sonication enhanced the polyphenols with strong antioxidant power, such as catechin from 0.87 to 37.40 and trans-resveratrol from 0.09 to 0.23 mg/100 g, by comparison with the enzymatic technique. The findings suggested these two techniques were the most effective techniques for maceration.
In this paper, we report the preparation of visible-light active direct Z-scheme Cu2O/WO3 nanocomposite photocatalyst by a solid-state reaction avoiding the otherwise inevitable formation of CuWO4 ...phase in wet syntheses. Structure, morphology, and thermal and optical properties of prepared WO3 nanoplatelets decorated by Cu2O were investigated by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM/TEM, combined thermogravimetric (TG)/differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and UV–VIS spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance of the prepared samples under UV and visible light was studied through monitoring discoloration of methylene blue under illumination by selected wavelengths, allowing for the distinguishing between the contributions of the two semiconductive components. Experimental results showed that the decoration of WO3 nanoplates by Cu2O nanoparticles led to an improvement in photocatalytic performance, regardless of used LED (Light-Emitting Diode) wavelength, even at low concentrations. By using scavengers selectively blocking reactive species involved in the discoloration reaction, we determined that the Cu2O/WO3 nanocomposite exhibited the characteristics of direct Z-scheme-type photocatalyst.
The ability to visualize and manipulate cell fate and gene expression in specific cell populations has made gene expression systems valuable tools in developmental biology studies. Here, we describe ...a new system that uses the E. coli tryptophan repressor and its upstream activation sequence (TrpR/tUAS) to drive gene expression in stable zebrafish transgenic lines and in mammalian cells. We show that TrpR/tUAS transgenes are not silenced in subsequent generations of zebrafish, which is a major improvement over some of the existing systems, such as Gal4/gUAS and the Q-system. TrpR transcriptional activity can be tuned by mutations in its DNA-binding domain, or silenced by Gal80 when fused to the Gal4 activation domain. In cases in which more than one cell population needs to be manipulated, TrpR/tUAS can be used in combination with other, existing systems.
Tau neutrino is one of the least known particle of Standard Model;
there are only few measurements with a limited statistics. The DONUT
experiment first reported the tau neutrino interaction ...cross-section but
their measurement suffers from large systematic error of more than
50\%
50
%
which is mainly due to uncertainty in the tau neutrino flux prediction.
The tau neutrino cross section is an essential ingredient in neutrino
experiments and its precise measurement would enable a search for new
physics effects such as testing the Lepton Universality in neutrino
interactions. The main goal of the DsTau experiment is to measure an
inclusive differential cross-section of a
D_s
D
s
production with a consecutive decay to tau lepton in p-A interactions at
the CERN-SPS. The measurement of DsTau will reduce the systematic
uncertainty in tau neutrino interaction cross-section to
10\%
10
%
level. The results from the pilot run and the prospect for physics runs
in 2021-2022 will be discussed.
Optogenetic and chemogenetic actuators are critical for deconstructing the neural correlates of behavior. However, these tools have several limitations, including invasive modes of stimulation or ...slow on/off kinetics. We have overcome these disadvantages by synthesizing a single-component, magnetically sensitive actuator, "Magneto," comprising the cation channel TRPV4 fused to the paramagnetic protein ferritin. We validated noninvasive magnetic control over neuronal activity by demonstrating remote stimulation of cells using in vitro calcium imaging assays, electrophysiological recordings in brain slices, in vivo electrophysiological recordings in the brains of freely moving mice, and behavioral outputs in zebrafish and mice. As proof of concept, we used Magneto to delineate a causal role of striatal dopamine receptor 1 neurons in mediating reward behavior in mice. Together our results present Magneto as an actuator capable of remotely controlling circuits associated with complex animal behaviors.
To investigate the role of the transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) in hepatic glucose metabolism, we analyzed genes related to the clock system and glucose/lipid metabolism ...and performed glycogen measurements at ZT8 and ZT20 in the liver of C57Bl/6J (WT) and Trpv1 KO mice. To identify molecular clues associated with metabolic changes, we performed proteomics analysis at ZT8. Liver from Trpv1 KO mice exhibited reduced Per1 expression and increased Pparα, Pparγ, Glut2, G6pc1 (G6pase), Pck1 (Pepck), Akt, and Gsk3b expression at ZT8. Liver from Trpv1 KO mice also showed reduced glycogen storage at ZT8 but not at ZT20 and significant proteomics changes consistent with enhanced glycogenolysis, as well as increased gluconeogenesis and inflammatory features. The network propagation approach evidenced that the TRPV1 channel is an intrinsic component of the glucagon signaling pathway, and its loss seems to be associated with increased gluconeogenesis through PKA signaling. In this sense, the differentially identified kinases and phosphatases in WT and Trpv1 KO liver proteomes show that the PP2A phosphatase complex and PKA may be major players in glycogenolysis in Trpv1 KO mice.
Seeds are one of the main parts of the grapes, and they contain important constituents such as polyphenols, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. In this study, oil contents, fatty acid composition, ...total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, monomeric flavan-3-ols and antioxidant capacities of nine grape seeds from nine cultivars were investigated. The correlations between the analyzed parameters were also examined. The oil contents of seeds ranged from 4.96 to 13.35%. Linoleic acid was the predominant fatty acid in the seeds, and it was followed by oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, 11-eicosenoic acid and arachidic acid. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were 646.50-1120.78 mg GAE/g and 336.69-589.85 mg CE/g, respectively. ‘Italia’ seeds had the highest antioxidant capacity for DPPH and CUPRAC assays while ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ seeds had the lowest one. The (-)-epigallocatechin, (+)-catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin and (-)-epicatechin gallate contents in the seeds varied from 1.23 to 6.53 mg/g, 11.61 to 80.20 mg/g, 0.21 to 0.51 mg/g, 2.78 to 48.26 mg/g and 0.08 to 1.50 mg/g, respectively. The (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin were the major flavan-3-ol compounds in the grape seeds. Significant correlations were found between total phenolic content, total flavonoid, RSA (DPPH Radical scavenging activity), CUPRAC (Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) and flavan-3-ols. Consequently, the current study findings support previous information that grape seeds are an important source of antioxidants as well as unsaturated fatty acids, which have positive effects on human health.
As grainhas são uma das principais partes da uva e contêm polifenóis, lípidos, proteínas e hidratos de carbono. Neste estudo, foram avaliados o teor de óleo, a composição em ácidos gordos, os teores de fenólicos totais, teores de flavonóides totais, de 3-flavanóis monoméricos e a atividade antioxidante em grainhas de nove castas. As correlações entre os parâmetros analisados foram também examinadas. O teor de lípidos das grainhas variou de 4,96 a 13,35%. O ácido linoléico foi o ácido gordo predominante nas grainhas, seguido pelo ácido oleico, ácido palmítico, ácido esteárico, ácido linolénico, ácido 11-eicosenoico e ácido eicosanoico. Os teores de compostos fenólicos e flavonóides totais foram de 646,50-1120,78 mg GAE/ge e de 336,69-589,85 mg EC/g, respetivamente. As grainhas da casta ‘Itália’ apresentaram a maior capacidade antioxidante para os ensaios DPPH e CUPRAC, enquanto as grainhas de ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ apresentaram os valores mais baixos. Os teores de (-)-epigalhocatequina, (+)-catequina, (-)-epigalhocatequina galhato, (-)-epicatequina e (-)-epicatequina galhato nas grainhas variaram de 1,23 a 6,53 mg /g, 11,61 a 80,20 mg/g, 0,21 a 0,51mg/g, 2,78 a 48,26 mg/ge 0,08 a 1,50 mg /g, respetivamente. A (+)-catequina e (-)-epicatequina foram os principais 3-flavanóis nas grainhas. Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre o teor de polifenóis totais totais, flavonóides, RSA, CUPRAC e 3-flavanóis. Consequentemente, os resultados deste estudo corroboram resultados anteriores, evidenciando que as grainhas são uma fonte importante de antioxidantes, bem como de ácidos gordos insaturados, que têm efeitos positivos na saúde humana.
One of the common failure mechanisms observed in electromechanical systems utilizing actuators, sensors, or flexible electronics is the occurrence of interfacial debonding. In this paper, an ...elastic-constant stress cohesive zone model is constructed to analyze the interface behavior of piezoelectric actuators used in electromechanical systems when imperfectly bonded to a host medium. The analytical formulation treats the piezoelectric actuator as an orthotropic thin film, employing the membrane assumption. It is assumed that the cohesive zone extends from a point, initially unknown, to the edge of the film. The governing integro-differential equation is solved for various bonding scenarios, including perfect bonding with cohesive zones at the edges, an elastic case with a delaminated zone at the center, and an elastic case with both a delaminated zone at the center and cohesive zones at the edges of the film. Detailed examinations are conducted to explore the effects of stiffness ratio parameters and critical actuating voltage on the stresses within the film and substrate as well as the cohesive zone length. The results indicate that the cohesive zone length covers 45% of the film length when the actuating voltage has a fivefold increase over the critical threshold. For the imperfect bonding, the surface in-plane stress of the substrate exhibits a tensile peak near the boundary of the cohesive zone in addition to compressive singularities at the edges of the film. The shear stress singularity factor has an asymptotic behavior as the actuating voltage goes beyond the critical threshold. The critical actuating voltage reduces by a factor of 5% only if the delamination length does not exceed 70% of the film length.
•A theoretical model for an orthotropic piezoelectric film/substrate system is proposed.•The cohesive zone length covers 45% of the film length when the actuating voltage has a fivefold increase over the critical threshold.•The critical actuating voltage reduces by a factor of 5% only if the delamination length does not exceed 70% of the film length.•The shear stress singularity factor has an asymptotic behavior as the actuating voltage goes beyond the critical threshold.•SIF is linearly proportional to the actuating voltage in the elastic range.
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