•Docosahexaenoic acid plays an important role in ultra-high risk of psychosis status.•Fractional anisotropy significantly differed in ultra-high risk of psychosis remitters versus ...non-remitters.•Specific fatty acids showed a unique link to white matter integrity in ultra-high-risk individuals.
Decreased white matter (WM) integrity and disturbance in fatty acid composition have been reported in individuals at ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR). The current study is the first to investigate both WM integrity and erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels as potential risk biomarkers for persistent UHR status, and global functioning in UHR individuals. Forty UHR individuals were analysed at baseline for erythrocyte membrane PUFA concentrates. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was used to analyse fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity measures. Measures of global functioning and psychiatric symptoms were evaluated at baseline and at 12-months. Fatty acids and WM indices did not predict functional outcomes at baseline or 12-months. Significant differences were found in FA between UHR remitters and non-remitters (individuals who no longer met UHR criteria versus those who continued to meet criteria at 12-months). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found to be a significant predictor of UHR status at 12-months, as was the interaction between the sum of ώ-3 and whole brain FA, and the interaction between the right anterior limb of the internal capsule and the sum of ώ-3. The results confirm that certain fatty acids have a unique relationship with WM integrity in UHR individuals.
Gerotor pumps are widely used on engine hydraulic circuits. The design of these pumps is mainly focused on the study of the leakages through the rotors. Modelling or experimental techniques can be ...adopted during the components design and optimization phases.
The study presented in this paper shows results of a research study made on a gerotor pump. The study has been approached with modeling and experimental techniques.
The pump has been tested on a hydraulic bench of the University of Naples “Federico II”. Tests have allowed the complete characterization of the pump including in worst conditions like cavitation. In fact, calibrated orifices have been installed on the suction and delivery side of the pump forcing the cavitation. This research is focused on the detection of the cavitation that, as well known, is induced by the low pressure at pump suction, by the presence of air in the pumped oil, by the sloshing of the oil inside the sump and by the recent reduction of sump capability (to reduce maintenance costs).
The experimentation phase has been followed by modeling; an accurate model of the pump has been built using the commercial 1D software GT-SUITE. The code developers have added new applications to replicate, with the best accuracy, the experimental data especially in cavitating conditions.
The model results have been compared with the experimental data showing a good agreement.
The model is able to correctly predict the pump performance including delivery flow rate, total power loss, volumetric efficiency and temperature influence.
Background:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a significant public health concern, profoundly impacting individuals and society. In this context, behavioral interventions have gained prominence as ...crucial elements in TBI management, addressing the diverse needs of TBI-affected individuals.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted, utilizing databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies focusing on behavioral interventions in TBI, with a particular emphasis on their impact on outcomes. Relevant articles published within the past decade were prioritized, and a qualitative synthesis of the findings was performed.
Results:
Behavioral interventions have demonstrated their effectiveness in addressing various aspects of TBI care. They have been instrumental in improving cognitive functions, emotional stability, and adaptive behaviors among TBI patients. However, it is important to acknowledge that challenges still exist, including issues related to clinical heterogeneity and healthcare disparities.
Conclusion:
The integration of behavioral interventions into standard clinical practice marks a transformative shift in TBI care. This approach holds immense potential for enhancing patient outcomes and elevating the overall quality of life for individuals grappling with the complexities of this condition. This review serves as a clarion call for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to recognize the pivotal role of behavioral interventions in TBI care, advocating for their wider adoption to advance the field toward a more holistic and patient-centric approach.
Background:
This review is centered on the pivotal role of surgical interventions within the comprehensive management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Surgical strategies are indispensable components ...of TBI care, encompassing primary injury management and the alleviation of secondary injury processes, including the handling of intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs), contusions, and mass lesions.
Methods:
A systematic review was carried out by searching databases including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria involved studies discussing surgical strategies for TBI, with a focus on primary injury management, ICHs, contusions, and mass lesions. More recent articles were prioritized, and data were synthesized to assess the impact of surgical interventions on TBI outcomes.
Results:
The evolution of surgical technologies has heralded a transformation in TBI management. These advancements encompass minimally invasive procedures, neuroimaging-guided surgeries, and robotic-assisted techniques, all geared toward optimizing patient outcomes.
Conclusion:
Surgical interventions within TBI care present unique challenges, such as timing considerations, patient selection criteria, and postoperative care. This review underscores the critical significance of multidisciplinary collaboration among neurosurgeons, neurologists, and critical care specialists. Such collaboration is essential to tailor surgical strategies to the individualized needs of patients. Moreover, the review highlights emerging trends in TBI surgery and underscores the ongoing imperative of research endeavors aimed at refining surgical protocols and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
Background:
This review delves into clinical strategies aimed at addressing the complexities of traumatic brain injury (TBI), specifically focusing on pharmaceutical interventions and stem cell ...therapies as potential avenues for enhancing TBI outcomes.
Methods:
A thorough review of clinical strategies for TBI management, encompassing pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions, was performed. PubMed, MEDLINE and clinical trial databases were searched to identify relevant studies and clinical trials. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies involving pharmaceutical agents and other clinical approaches (i.e., stem cell therapies) targeting neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration in TBI. Data from clinical trials and ongoing research initiatives were analyzed to assess the current status and potential of these clinical approaches.
Results:
Many trials have been conducted to face the challenge that is TBI. These interventions are designed to target critical aspects of secondary brain injury, encompassing neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration. Despite this, there is no panacea or definitive remedy for this condition. Combining therapies in a patient-tailored approach seems to be our best chance to improve these patients’ outcomes, but systematic protocols are needed.
Conclusion:
Clinical strategies represent dynamic and continually evolving pathways in TBI management. This review provides an extensive overview of the existing landscape of clinical approaches and promising new studies and outlines their influence on patient outcomes. By highlighting challenges and presenting opportunities, it contributes to the ongoing mission to advance clinical care for individuals impacted by TBI.
Approximately 20 TP53 retrogenes exist in the African and Asian elephant genomes (Loxodonta Africana, Elephas Maximus) in addition to a conserved TP53 gene that encodes a full-length protein. ...Elephant TP53-RETROGENE 9 (TP53-R9) encodes a p53 protein (p53-R9) that is truncated in the middle of the canonical DNA binding domain. This C-terminally truncated p53 retrogene protein lacks the nuclear localization signals and oligomerization domain of its full-length counterpart. When expressed in human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS), p53-R9 binds to Tid1, the chaperone protein responsible for mitochondrial translocation of human p53 in response to cellular stress. Tid1 expression is required for p53-R9-induced apoptosis. At the mitochondria, p53-R9 binds to the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 family member Bax, which leads to caspase activation, cytochrome c release, and cell death. Our data show, for the first time, that expression of this truncated elephant p53 retrogene protein induces apoptosis in human cancer cells. Understanding the molecular mechanism by which the additional elephant TP53 retrogenes function may provide evolutionary insight that can be utilized for the development of therapeutics to treat human cancers.
To determine if multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with lower intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with individuals without MS.
Thirty patients with clinically definite MS were identified and a ...retrospective chart review was conducted. Each patient with MS underwent IOP recording by a single investigator using kinetic applanation tonometry. Measurement of central corneal thickness (CCT) also was obtained. Similarly, 30 study controls were identified and kinetic applanation tonometry and CCT were recorded. Univariate analysis of covariance was conducted to determine a statistically significant difference between IOP between MS and control groups, controlling for age.
Analyses were adjusted for age and 2 subjects were excluded because of steroid use. The average IOP in MS group was 12.3 mm Hg (right eye = 12.3 mm Hg, left eye = 12.2 mm Hg) and in the control group was 17 mm Hg (right eye = 16.9 mm Hg, left eye = 17 mm Hg). There was a significant effect of presence of MS on IOP accounting for 53% variability in mean IOP (F(1,55) = 60.7; P < 0.001) when compared with the control group.
This study demonstrated that IOP was significantly lower in patients with MS compared with controls. A more in-depth prospective study design is required, along with further investigation of possible etiologies. Identifying the mechanism of decreased IOP in patients with MS might allow development of new-targeted therapies for the treatment of glaucoma.
Here we report the design and fabrication of an array-based sensor, containing functionalized Carbon Dots, Bodipy’s and Naphthalimide probes, that shows high fluorescence emissions and sensitivity in ...the presence of low amounts of TNT explosive. In particular, we have fabricated the first sensor device based on an optical array for the detection of TNT in real samples by using a smartphone as detector. The possibility to use a common smartphone as detector leads to a prototype that can be also used in a real-life field application. The key benefit lies in the possibility of even a nonspecialist operator in the field to simply collect and send data (photos) to the trained artificial intelligence server for rapid diagnosis but also directly to the bomb disposal unit for expert evaluation. This new array sensor contains seven different fluorescent probes that are able to interact via noncovalent interactions with TNT. The interaction of each probe with TNT has been tested in solution by fluorescence titrations. The solid device has been tested in terms of selectivity and linearity toward TNT concentration. Tests performed with other explosives and other nitrogen-based analytes demonstrate the high selectivity for TNT molecules, thus supporting the reliability of this sensor. In addition, TNT can be detected in the range of 98 ng∼985 μg, with a clear different response of each probe to the different amounts of TNT.
A search is performed for a nonresonant excess of high-mass diphoton events over the Standard Model background prediction. This type of excess could be a signature of new physics, such as from the ...existence of extra spatial dimensions in the universe. The presence of these extra dimensions could modify the fundamental scale of gravity in such a way as to solve the Standard Model hierarchy problem. The sample of diphoton events were produced from proton-proton collisions using the Large Hadron Collider at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1 and were recorded in 2016 with the CMS detector. The dominant, irreducible diphoton background comes from Standard Model diphoton production and is determined using a next-to-next-to-leading order Monte Carlo calculation. The subdominant, reducible photon+jet and dijet backgrounds arise when a jet fakes a photon signature in the detector and one or two become misidentified as photons. A technique using control samples in data is used to estimate this contribution. The data are consistent with the background-only hypothesis and the results are interpreted in the context of the large extra-dimensional model of Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos, and Dvali. At 95% confidence level, lower exclusion limits are set on the string mass scale MS ranging from 5.6 to 9.7 TeV, depending on the model parameters. This result provides the current most stringent limits on searches for large extra dimensions in the diphoton channel.
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