Electrochromic (EC) materials can be integrated in thin-film devices and used for modulating optical transmittance. The technology has recently been implemented in large-area glazing (windows and ...glass facades) in order to create buildings which combine energy efficiency with good indoor comfort. This critical review describes the basics of EC technology, provides a case study related to EC foils for glass lamination, and discusses a number of future aspects. Ample literature references are given with the object of providing an easy entrance to the burgeoning research field of electrochromics.
Hydrogen is an ideal energy carrier because of its high chemical energy, environmental friendliness and renewability. In order to realize the safe, efficient and compact hydrogen storage, various ...solid-state hydrogen storage materials based on the physisorption or chemisorption of hydrogen have been developed over the past decades. Among them, magnesium hydride, MgH2, is identified as one of the most promising candidates due to its high hydrogen storage density, low cost and abundance of Mg element. However, the sluggish kinetics and high thermodynamic stability of MgH2 result in its high operation temperature and low hydrogen sorption rate, impeding its practical application. In this article, the recent progress in catalysis and nanoconfinement effects on the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 is comprehensively reviewed. In particular, the synergetic roles of catalysis and nanoconfinement in MgH2 are highlighted. Furthermore, the future challenges and prospects of emerging research for MgH2 are discussed. It is suggested that the nonmetal-doped porous carbon materials could be a class of ideal additives to enhance the hydrogen storage properties of MgH2 by the synergetic effects of catalysis and nanoconfinement.
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•Recent progress in MgH2 modified through catalysis and nanoconfinement is reviewed.•Synergetic roles of catalysis and nanoconfinement in MgH2 are highlighted.•Future challenges and prospects of emerging research for MgH2 are discussed.•Nonmetal-doped porous carbon materials are suggested to be ideal additives for MgH2.
Magnetic particle imaging is an emerging tomographic technique with the potential for simultaneous high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and real-time imaging. Magnetic particle imaging is based on the ...unique behavior of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modeled by the Langevin theory, with the ability to track and quantify nanoparticle concentrations without tissue background noise. It is a promising new imaging technique for multiple applications, including vascular and perfusion imaging, oncology imaging, cell tracking, inflammation imaging, and trauma imaging. In particular, many neuroimaging applications may be enabled and enhanced with magnetic particle imaging. In this review, we will provide an overview of magnetic particle imaging principles and implementation, current applications, promising neuroimaging applications, and practical considerations.
Drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy Alrammahi, A; Almukhtar, R; Qu, H
American journal of clinical pathology,
11/2023, Letnik:
160, Številka:
Supplement_1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
Introduction/Objective
Drug-induced thrombotic microangiopathy is observed in the patient on the new cancer therapy. It shares similar pathologic changes, as seen in conventional thrombotic ...microangiopathy, and is characterized by a pentad of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, fever, and neurological dysfunction. However, some patients may not have full scope of the pentad. Instead, only “diad” (hemolytic anemia and thrombopenia) exists, which could be mistakenly attributed to the drug side effect of bone marrow suppression.
Methods/Case Report
A 71-year-old white male with a history of multiple myeloma (MM) and cardiomyopathy presented with nausea and vomiting following the second round of carfilzomib and pomalidomide chemotherapy.
Laboratory tests showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and peripheral blood abnormalities such as normocytic erythrocytes with occasional schistocytes, slight left shift in leukocytes, and decreased platelet count.
Results (if a Case Study enter NA)
The biopsy shows diffuse closure of glomerular capillaries, occasional microthrombi and fragmented red cells in glomerular capillaries. Under electron microscope, there are subendothelial space widening, mesangial interposition and wrinkling of glomerular basement membranes. These changes are consistent with acute or subacute thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).
Conclusion
With the frequent use of advanced chemotherapy drugs, awareness of the drug-induced TMA should be emphasized. Early recognition is important to avoid development of more permanent kidney damage.
Abstract
Introduction/Objective
Anticoagulant therapy is commonly used to prevent stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, it carries the risk of bleeding and can ...lead to serious complications such as anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN), a recently described entity characterized by hematuria and acute kidney injury. This report presents a case of a 79-year-old male with a history a patient with a history of atrial fibrillation on coumadin, highlighting the importance of monitoring for anticoagulant-related complications and the need for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent further renal damage.
Methods/Case Report
The kidney biopsy showed evidence of underlying hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy, with nodular and global glomerulosclerosis, moderate to marked interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy along with many red cell casts of variable ages in the tubules indicative of anticoagulant-related nephropathy. Additionally, one glomerulus had a partial cellular crescent associated with a focus of blood clot, likely related to heavy hematuria.
Patient is seronegative for ANCA. The immunofluorescence microscopy is non-contributory due to absence of glomerulus in the sample.
Electron microscopy showed diffuse foot process effacement and microvillous transformation of podocytes, increased mesangial matrix, and thickened glomerular basement membranes, but no immune complex deposits. these ultrastructural features confirm the background diabetic nephropathy.
Results (if a Case Study enter NA)
NA
Conclusion
Anticoagulant-related nephropathy (ARN) is a rare but serious complication of anticoagulation therapy that can result in hematuria and acute kidney injury. Our case highlights the importance of monitoring for anticoagulant-related complications, especially in high-risk patients with multiple comorbidities. Prompt diagnosis and management of ARN is essential to prevent further renal damage. In this case, despite initial improvement with vitamin K therapy, the patient developed severe renal dysfunction requiring dialysis and renal biopsy. This emphasizes the need for increased awareness and early recognition of ARN in patients on anticoagulant therapy.
Butyric acid is a beneficial feed additive used in animal production, including poultry production. However, there are few reports on butyric acid as a prophylactic treatment against intestinal ...inflammation in broilers. The current study explored the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) as a prophylactic treatment on the intestinal health and gut microbiota of broilers with intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) by monitoring changes in intestinal histopathology, gut leakiness indicators, inflammatory cytokines, and gut microbiota composition. Sodium butyrate supplementation prior to DSS administration significantly reduced the lesion scores of intestinal bleeding (P < 0.05) and increased villus height and the total mucosa of the ileum (P < 0.05). Regardless of intestinal inflammation, supplementation with SB at 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of D (-)-lactate (P < 0.05), interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β (P < 0.05) but increased the level of interleukin-10 (P < 0.05). The SB treatment did not affect the alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota during intestinal inflammation progression but altered their composition, and the microbial community structure of treated broilers was similar to that of control broilers. Taken together, our results reveal the importance of SB in improving intestinal development, inducing an anti-inflammatory effect during intestinal inflammation progression, and modulating the microbial community in broilers. Sodium butyrate seems to be optimized for anti-inflammatory effects at higher doses (300 mg/kg SB).
Abstract
Introduction/Objective
Benign mullerian glandular inclusions (MGI) in lymph nodes is a well documented finding in women. However, it can also very rarely occur in men and mimic metastatic ...carcinoma. To our knowledge, only seven cases of benign MGI in men have been reported in the literature.
Methods/Case Report
We here-in present a case of a 62-year-old male with a three-year history of prostatic adenocarcinoma Gleason score 6, initially diagnosed on needle core biopsies. Subsequently, the patient underwent a radical prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection. Histological evaluation of the right pelvic lymph node demonstrated cystically dilated glands beneath the capsule composed of cuboidal to columnar cells with minimal atypia raising concern for metastatic carcinoma to the lymph node. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains showed the glandular cells to be positive for estrogen, progesterone, PAX-8 and WT-1; while negative for calretinin and PSA immunostains. This IHC profile in conjunction with the morphological findings are consistent with the diagnosis of benign mullerian-type glandular inclusions within the lymph node.
Results (if a Case Study enter NA)
NA.
Conclusion
As benign MGI is a rare finding in men and can easily be mistaken for metastatic carcinoma, this case demonstrates that clinical awareness of this entity is essential to avoid wrongful diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma and unnecessary therapeutic treatment. Utilizing immunohistochemical stains to further characterize the glands is critical to obtain the correct diagnosis.
The microRNA-371-373 (miR-371-373) cluster is specifically expressed in human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and is thought to be involved in stem cell maintenance. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) of this ...cluster were shown to be frequently upregulated in several human tumors. However, the regulatory mechanism for the involvement of the miR-371-373 cluster in human ESCs or cancer cells remains unclear. In this study, we explored the relationship between this miRNA cluster and the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway, which has been shown to be involved in both stem cell maintenance and tumorigenesis. We show that miR-371-373 expression is induced by lithium chloride and is positively correlated with Wnt/β-catenin-signaling activity in several human cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, three TCF/LEF1-binding elements (TBEs) were identified in the promoter region and shown to be required for Wnt-dependent activation of miR-371-373. Interestingly, we also found that miR-372&373, in turn, activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, four protein genes related to the Wnt/β-catenin-signaling pathway were identified as direct targets of miR-372&373, including Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a well-known inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Using a lentiviral system, we showed that overexpression of miR-372 or miR-373 promotes cell growth and the invasive activity of tumor cells as knockdown of DKK1. Taken together, our study demonstrates a novel β-catenin/LEF1-miR-372&373-DKK1 regulatory feedback loop, which may have a critical role in regulating the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human cancer cells.
Elevated ambient temperature causes heat stress in pigs, resulting in reduced animal performance. To better understand tissue responses to heat stress in pigs, we conducted a study in which pigs were ...subjected to four treatments: acute (24 h) heat stress (AHS) at 35 °C ± 1 ambient temperature, chronic (7 d) heat stress at 35 °C ± 1 (HS) or normal ambient temperature (20 °C± 1) for 7 d with ad-libitum feeding (Con) or with pair-feeding to the feed intake (FI) of the HS pigs (PF). Heat stress decreased FI by approximately 36% and 64% in HS and AHS treatments respectively, compared with Con (P < 0.01). Concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) was elevated in AHS compared to HS (P = 0.031). Serum insulin concentration was lower in PF than Con (P = 0.045). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration was elevated in HS compared with Con and PF (P = 0.008), but lower (P < 0.021) in AHS compared to HS. In the subcutaneous adipose tissue, the mRNA and protein abundance of PCK1 were higher (P < 0.05) in the HS treatment than Con and PF, and also higher (P < 0.05) in HS than AHS. However, there was no difference in GK mRNA between Con, PF, and HS, although its expression was lower (P = 0.003) in AHS vs. HS. Protein abundance of the ER stress marker, CCAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein (CHOP), was higher in PF than Con (P < 0.05), and higher (P = 0.033) in HS than AHS in subcutaneous fat. In mesenteric fat, PCK1 mRNA was higher (P < 0.001) in the HS than Con and PF treatments. Additionally, expression of PCK1 was lower (P = 0.039) in AHS vs. HS. Expression of PCK1 was downregulated (P < 0.05) in the liver of PF pigs compared to other treatments, but most other genes measured were not affected by treatment in the liver and muscle tissues. These results confirm that heat stress induces a robust adipose tissue response in favor of increased lipid storage. This indicates that adipose tissue might play an important role in heat stress adaptation.
Previous studies have indicated the important roles of MYCN in tumorigenesis and progression of neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor derived from neural crest in childhood. ...However, the regulatory mechanisms of MYCN expression in NB still remain largely unknown. In this study, through mining public microarray databases and analyzing the cis-regulatory elements and chromatin immunoprecipitation data sets, we identified CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) as a crucial transcription factor facilitating the MYCN expression in NB. RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA electrophoretic mobility shift assay, RNA pull down and in vitro binding assay indicated the physical interaction between CTCF and MYCN opposite strand (MYCNOS), a natural noncoding RNA surrounding the MYNC promoter. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that MYCNOS facilitated the recruitment of CTCF to its binding sites within the MYCN promoter to induce chromatin remodeling, resulting in enhanced MYCN levels and altered downstream gene expression, in cultured NB cell lines. CTCF cooperated with MYCNOS to suppress the differentiation and promote the growth, invasion and metastasis of NB cells in vitro and in vivo. In clinical NB tissues and cell lines, CTCF and MYCNOS were upregulated and positively correlated with MYCN expression. CTCF was an independent prognostic factor for unfavorable outcome of NB, and patients with high MYCNOS expression had lower survival probability. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CTCF cooperates with noncoding RNA MYCNOS to exhibit oncogenic activity that affects the aggressiveness and progression of NB through transcriptional upregulation of MYCN.
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