The authors previously (1983) studied the spread of excitation on the ventricular surface of exposed dog hearts during normal sinus rhythm. They observed 15-24 breakthrough (BKT) sites on the ...anterior right and left ventricular surface and 15 sites on average on the postero-inferior surface. The authors hypothesized that the location of the epicardial BKT sites might be related to the location of the underlying Purkinje-myocardial junctions. To test this hypothesis they have paced seven exposed dog hearts from two or more epicardial BKT sites and also from several non-BKT epicardial locations. The results they report support the hypotheses.< >
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from telomeres that plays key roles in telomere maintenance. A fraction of TERRA is polyadenylated, and the presence of ...the poly(A) tail influences TERRA localization and stability. However, the mechanisms of TERRA biogenesis remain mostly elusive. Here, we show that the stability of TERRA transcripts is regulated by the RNA-binding protein associated with lethal yellow mutation (RALY). RALY depletion results in lower TERRA levels, impaired localization of TERRA at telomeres, and ultimately telomere damage. Importantly, we show that TERRA polyadenylation is telomere specific and that RALY preferentially stabilizes non-polyadenylated TERRA transcripts. Finally, we report that TERRA interacts with the poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1). Altogether, our results indicate that TERRA stability is regulated by the interplay between RALY and PABPN1, defined by the TERRA polyadenylation state. Our findings also suggest that different telomeres may trigger distinct TERRA-mediated responses.
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•Telomeric RNAs TERRA are polyadenylated in a telomere-specific manner•TERRA transcripts are bound by the RNA-binding proteins RALY and PABPN1•RALY stabilizes non-polyadenylated TERRA molecules•PABPN1 and RALY act redundantly in preserving polyadenylated TERRA stability
In this study, Savoca et al. report that human TERRA transcripts are polyadenylated in a telomere-specific manner. TERRA stability is regulated by the concerted action of RALY and PABPN1, which bind both poly(A)− and poly(A)+ TERRA molecules and regulate their stability in a telomere-specific manner.
Congenital ptosis is a rare condition characterized by lower positioning of the upper eyelid that is present at birth and is a clinical condition that is persistent if not treated. It may be ...unilateral or bilateral and may be associated with other ocular disorders or systemic conditions, including Marcus Gunn, Horner, and Duane syndromes. It is a benign condition but causes functional, cosmetic, and psychological problems in children. However, not all patients need to undergo surgery, and usually only patients at risk of amblyopia need a prompt surgical correction, while in other cases, surgery can be postponed. The grade of ptosis, the eyelid function, and the amblyopic risk are the parameters that affect the ophthalmologist's decision on timing of surgery and the surgical technique to be used. In fact, there are several types of surgical techniques to correct a congenital ptosis, although very often more than one is needed to obtain an acceptable result. This paper reviews the causes of congenital ptosis and associated diseases. Particular emphasis is given to surgical management and different procedures available to correct the upper eyelid anomaly and avoid permanent damage to visual function.
The mass customisation strategy is needed by manufacturing companies to face the increasing variety and unpredictability of products required by customers. However, mass customisation may increase ...the complexity of managing manufacturing and production logistics activities, for example due to reduced product batch sizes. The synchronisation of material flows within the factory is emerging as a way to address this complexity, as it enables an effective and efficient implementation of mass customisation. Indeed, the fourth Industrial Revolution introduces new digital levers, which can be combined with traditional managerial levers to achieve the synchronisation of material flows within the factory. This study contributes to the rising stream of research on this topic. A systematic literature review was conducted, leading to the development of a classification framework of the levers supporting the synchronisation of material flows. The identified managerial levers are: storage of materials, feeding policy, and scheduling. The digital levers are: materials tracking, process tracking, data analytics, and assistance systems. The developed framework was operationalised in four industrial cases and applied as a tool to map their levers related to the synchronisation of material flows.
Reducing energy consumption during walking is a critical goal for transtibial amputees. The study presents the evaluation of a semi-active prosthesis with five transtibial amputees. The prosthesis ...has a low-power actuator integrated in parallel into an energy-storing-and-releasing foot. The actuator is controlled to compress the foot during the stance phase, supplementing the natural compression due to the user's dynamic interaction with the ground, particularly during the ankle dorsiflexion phase, and to release the energy stored in the foot during the push-off phase, to enhance propulsion. The control strategy is adaptive to the user's gait patterns and speed. The clinical protocol to evaluate the system included treadmill and overground walking tasks. The results showed that walking with the semi-active prosthesis reduced the Physiological Cost Index of transtibial amputees by up to 16% compared to walking using the subjects' proprietary prosthesis. No significant alterations were observed in the spatiotemporal gait parameters of the participants, indicating the module's compatibility with users' natural walking patterns. These findings highlight the potential of the mechatronic actuator in effectively reducing energy expenditure during walking for transtibial amputees. The proposed prosthesis may bring a positive impact on the quality of life, mobility, and functional performance of individuals with transtibial amputation.
Decannulation After a Severe Acquired Brain Injury Hakiki, Bahia; Draghi, Francesca; Pancani, Silvia ...
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation,
11/2020, Letnik:
101, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
To identify the effect of some clinical characteristics of severe acquired brain injury (sABI) patients on decannulation success during their intensive rehabilitation unit (IRU) stay.
Nonconcurrent ...cohort study.
Don Gnocchi Foundation Institute.
Patients (N=351) with sABI and tracheostomy were retrospectively selected from the database of the IRU of the Don Gnocchi Foundation Institute.
Potential predictors of decannulation were screened from variables collected at admission during clinical examination, conducted by trained and experienced examiners. The association between clinical characteristics and decannulation status was investigated through a Cox regression model. Kaplan-Meier curves were then created for time-event analysis.
Among the patients (mean age, 64.1±15.5y), 54.1% were decannulated during their IRU stay. Absence of pulmonary infections (P<.001), sepsis (P=.001), tracheal alteration at the fibrobronchoscopy examination (P=.004) and a higher Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) score (P<.001) or a better state of consciousness at admission (P=.001) were associated with a higher probability of decannulation.
Fibrobronchoscopy assessment of patency of airways and accurate evaluation of the state of consciousness using the CRS-R are relevant in this setting of care to better identify patients who are more likely to have the tracheostomy tube removed. These results may help clinicians choose the appropriate timing and intensity of rehabilitation interventions and plan for discharge.
We describe the asymmetric synthesis of the most pleasant enantiomer of Jessemal fragrance. The key steps are (i) the one-pot reduction of an α-chloro-tetrasubstituted cyclohexenone to give the ...chlorohydrin, catalyzed by two stereoselective redox enzymes (an ene-reductase and an alcohol dehydrogenase); (ii) the regioselective epoxide ring-opening with organocuprate or organolithium nucleophiles. Density functional theory calculations together with the Curtin–Hammett principle allowed the rationalization of the regioselectivity.
The theory of "Cognitive Reserve" assumes that premorbid factors such as high educational and occupational attainment may enable a better way of coping with brain damage. It has been suggested that ...more stimulating lifestyles, including more complex work environments, may provide a buffer against cognitive decline in later life. This study aimed to investigate the association between occupational history and cognitive decline in a large cohort of Italian oldest-old.
392 individuals (266 women/126 men, mean age 93 ± 3 years) enrolled in the "Mugello study" provided information about their work history. Jobs were classified in nine categories, according to the level of expertise required to perform them, as suggested by the Italian National Institute for Statistics (ISTAT). In addition, socio-demographic characteristics, comorbidities, level of independence, depression, and cognitive status were assessed. The presence of dementia was established based on cognitive status and independence in performing four selected instrumental activities of daily living (ability to manage telephone, transportation, medications, and budget).
Neither work complexity (p = 0.995) nor work duration (p = 0.701) showed a significant effect on the likelihood of presenting a lower cognitive profile or developing dementia (p = 0.385 and p = 0.096, for work complexity and work duration, respectively).
In the observed sample of oldest-old individuals, cognitive decline did not seem to be influenced by cognitive reserve as assessed through the evaluation of cognitive status and level of independence. It is conceivable that in this population, the decline of the brain reserve has a preponderant role in the definition of the cognitive profile.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The asymmetric hydrogenation of conjugated tetrasubstituted alkenes with transition-metal catalysts is a challenging reaction, especially for substrates bearing a halide substituent. We describe a ...two-step multienzymatic reduction of a series of α-halo β-alkyl tetrasubstituted cyclic enones, affording halohydrins with three contiguous stereogenic centers, in good yield and with a high stereoselectivity. The reduction is catalyzed by a stereospecific ene-reductase (OYE2-3 or NemA) and a highly enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). The use of two enantiodivergent ADHs allows the control of the diastereoselectivity. The absolute stereochemical configurations of the products have been determined from the analysis of single-crystal structures (Flack’s parameter). The enantiomeric excess (ee) has been determined by derivatization of the products with (R) Mosher’s acid. Lastly, we extended our methodology also to a nonhalogenated substrate: the α-methyl ketoisophorone was reduced by two distinct enantiodivergent ene-reductases (flavin mononucleotide- and F420-dependent), affording each enantiomer of the saturated ketone with ee > 98%.
To assess the prognostic utility of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) in rehabilitation of patients surviving from severe brain injury.
In this prospective cohort study, all patients ...consecutively admitted to an Italian Intensive Rehabilitation Unit, with a diagnosis of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or minimally conscious state (MCS) due to acquired brain injury, underwent clinical evaluations using the Italian version of the CRS-R. At discharge, patients transitioning from UWS to MCS or emergence from MCS (E-MCS) and from MCS to E-MCS were classified as improved responsiveness (IR). Score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge was recorded.
In total, 137 (66 UWS, 71 MCS) subjects were enrolled. After a mean hospital stay of 5.3 ± 2.9 months, 81 (59.1%) patients achieved an IR. In the multivariable analysis, IR was associated with higher CRS-R score at admission (p = 0.002) and younger age at injury (p = 0.010). Moreover, higher GOS scores at discharge were related to younger age at injury (p = 0.018), shorter time post-onset (p = 0.003) and higher CRS-R score at admission (p < 0.001).
Higher CRS-R scores at admission in intensive rehabilitation unit can help differentiate patients with better outcome at discharge, providing information for rehabilitation planning and communication with patients and their caregivers.
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