Background Frailty is common and significantly impacts prognosis in heart failure(HF). The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13(VES-13), widely used in oncogeriatrics and public health, remains unexplored as a frailty screenin...Background Frailty is common and significantly impacts prognosis in heart failure(HF). The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13(VES-13), widely used in oncogeriatrics and public health, remains unexplored as a frailty screening tool in HF outpatients. In this study, we prospectively evaluated VES-13 against a multimodal screening assessment in detecting frailty and predicting individual risk of adverse prognosis.Methods Frailty was assessed at the initial visit using both a multimodal approach, incorporating Barthel Index, Older American Resources and Services scale, Pfeiffer Test, abbreviated Geriatric Depression Scale, age > 85 years, lacking support systems,and VES-13. Patients scoring ≥ 3 on VES-13 or meeting at least one multimodal criterion were classified as frail. Endpoints included all-cause mortality, a composite of death or HF hospitalization, and recurrent HF hospitalizations.Results A total of 301 patients were evaluated. VES-13 identified 40.2% as frail and the multimodal assessment 33.2%. In Cox regression analyses, frailty identified by VES-13 showed greater prognostic significance than the multimodal assessment for allcause mortality(HR = 3.70 [2.15–6.33], P < 0.001 vs. 2.40 [1.46–4.0], P = 0.001) and the composite endpoint(HR = 3.13 [2.02–4.84], P< 0.001 vs. 1.96 [1.28–2.99], P = 0.002). Recurrent HF hospitalizations were four times more frequent in VES-13 frail patients while two times in those identified as frail by the multimodal assessment. Additionally, stratifying patients by VES-13 tertiles provided robust risk differentiation.Conclusions VES-13, a simple frailty tool, outperformed a comprehensive multimodal assessment and could be easily integrated into routine HF care, highlighting its clinical utility in identifying patients at risk for poor outcomes.展开更多
AIM: To determine the incidence of cystoid macular edema(CME) after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK).METHODS: This study included all consecutive patients operated in a Spanish tertia...AIM: To determine the incidence of cystoid macular edema(CME) after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK).METHODS: This study included all consecutive patients operated in a Spanish tertiary reference hospital over a period of four years. A total of 55 eyes from 47 patients matched the selection criteria. CME was diagnosed clinically at the slit-lamp and confirmed by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Six cases of CME were diagnosed postoperatively, which represented an incidence of 11%. Three patients had previously undergone DSAEK alone(7%; 3/41) and the other three, DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification(21%; 3/14). Five out of six patients with CME responded to standard therapy.CONCLUSION: CME is a possible complication after DSAEK and can be treated with standard therapy. CME appears more frequently when DSAEK is combined with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber(PC) intraocular lens(IOL) implantation. Intraoperative damage to the corneal endothelial cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of CME. As long as the causes remain unclear, we recommend administering prophylaxis when risk factors are present or when combined surgery is planned.展开更多
This paper is focused on the automated synthesis of wideband bandpass filters operating at microwave frequencies and based on electromagnetic bandgap(EBG)structures.The classical counterpart of such filter consists of...This paper is focused on the automated synthesis of wideband bandpass filters operating at microwave frequencies and based on electromagnetic bandgap(EBG)structures.The classical counterpart of such filter consists of a combination of transmission line sections and shunt-connected grounded stubs placed at equidistant positions.By replacing the transmission line sections with capacitively-loaded lines(a kind of EBG-based lines)exhibiting the same phase shift at the lower cutoff frequency and the same characteristic(actually Bloch)impedance,filter size is reduced and the spurious pass bands can be efficiently suppressed.In practice,the loading capacitances are implemented by means of patches,in order to achieve a fully planar filter implementation.The presence of the patches reduces the effective phase velocity of the capacitively-loaded lines,thus providing a slow-wave effect useful for filter miniaturization.Moreover,due to periodicity,such EBG-based lines exhibit wide stop bands,which are used for spurious suppression.Even though such EBGbased filters were previously reported by some of the authors,a systematic synthesis method was not applied for filter design.In this paper,the main aim is to demonstrate the potential of aggressive space mapping(ASM)for that purpose,and it will be shown that such filters can be automatically synthesized.展开更多
BACKGROUND Dermatologic adverse events(DAEs)are associated with a better outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)irrespective of the therapeutic agent received.The exact mechanisms associated with the de...BACKGROUND Dermatologic adverse events(DAEs)are associated with a better outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)irrespective of the therapeutic agent received.The exact mechanisms associated with the development of DAEs are unknown although several studies point to direct toxicity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)to the skin or an immune-mediated reaction triggered by the oncologic treatment.As is the case in other conditions,individual genetic variants may partially explain a higher risk of DAEs.AIM To evaluate the contribution of several gene variants to the risk of developing DAEs in HCC patients treated with TKIs.METHODS We first analyzed 27 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)from 12 genes selected as potential predictors of adverse event(AE)development in HCC patients treated with sorafenib[Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer 1(BCLC1)cohort].Three additional cohorts were analyzed for AGT1(rs699)and AGT2(rs4762)polymorphisms-initially identified as predictors of DAEs:BCLC2(n=79),Northern Italy(n=221)and Naples(n=69)cohorts,respectively.The relation between SNPs and DAEs and death were assessed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models,and presented with hazard ratios and their 95%confidence intervals(95%CI).RESULTS The BCLC1 cohort showed that patients with arterial hypertension(AHT)(HR=1.61;P value=0.007)and/or AGT SNPs had an increased risk of DAEs.Thereafter,AGT2(rs4762)AA genotype was found to be linked to a statistically significant increased probability of DAEs(HR=5.97;P value=0.0201,AA vs GG)in the Northern Italy cohort by multivariate analysis adjusted for BCLC stage,ECOG-PS,diabetes and AHT.The value of this genetic marker was externally validated in the cohort combining the BCLC1,BCLC2 and Naples cohorts[HR=3.12(95%CI:1.2-8.14),P value=0.0199,AGT2(rs4762)AA vs AG genotype and HR=2.73(95%CI:1.18-6.32)P value=0.0188,AGT2(rs4762)AA vs GG genotype].None of the other gene variants tested were found to be associated with the risk of DAE development.CONCLUSION DAE development in HCC patients receiving TKIs could be explained by the AGT2(rs4762)gene variant.If validated in other anti-oncogenic treatments,it might be considered a good prognosis marker.展开更多
The misfolding and subsequent aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibrils underlie the onset of a variety of human disorders collectively known as amyloidosis.Transthyretin(TTR)is one of the>30 amyloidogenic prote...The misfolding and subsequent aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibrils underlie the onset of a variety of human disorders collectively known as amyloidosis.Transthyretin(TTR)is one of the>30 amyloidogenic proteins identified to date and is associated with a group of highly debilitating and life-threatening disorders called TTR amyloidosis(ATTR).ATTR comprises senile systemic amyloidosis,which is linked to wild-type(WT)TTR aggregation,and hereditary ATTR,a dominantly inherited disorder caused by the deposition of one of over 130 TTR genetic variants.Senile systemic amyloidosis is a prevalent age-related amyloidosis,affecting up to 25%of the population over 80 years of age,and is characterized by the build-up of TTR fibrils in the myocardium.Regarding hereditary ATTR,the clinical presentation is highly heterogeneous,primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system(familial amyloid polyneuropathy-FAP)or the heart(familial amyloid cardiomyopathy).In rare cases,aggregation develops in the central nervous system,giving rise to a phenotype known as familial leptomeningeal amyloidosis(Carroll et al.,2022).展开更多
Amyloid fibrils are highly organized protein or peptide aggregates,often characterized by a distinctive supramolecular cross-β-sheet structure.The formation and accumulation of these structures have been traditionall...Amyloid fibrils are highly organized protein or peptide aggregates,often characterized by a distinctive supramolecular cross-β-sheet structure.The formation and accumulation of these structures have been traditionally associated with neural or systemic human diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,type-2 diabetes,or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(Wei et al.,2017;Wittung-Stafshede,2023).展开更多
The differential system ẋ=ax−yz,ẏ=−by+xz,ż=−cz+x^(2),where a,b and c are positive real parameters,has been studied numerically due to the big variety of strange attractors that it can exhibit.This system has a Darboux...The differential system ẋ=ax−yz,ẏ=−by+xz,ż=−cz+x^(2),where a,b and c are positive real parameters,has been studied numerically due to the big variety of strange attractors that it can exhibit.This system has a Darboux invariant when c=2b.Using this invariant and the Poincarécompactification technique we describe analytically its global dynamics.展开更多
Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total trac...Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total tract digestibil-ity(ATTD),hematobiochemical profiles,and liver gene abundance in broiler chickens.Two hundred one-day-old male ROSS-308 chicks were assigned to 4 dietary groups(5 replicates of ten birds per replicate)according to their average body weight(BW,38.0±0.11 g).All groups received a two-phase feeding program:starter,d 1–12 and grower,d 12–33.The control group(cFF0)was fed a standard commercial feed based on corn,soybean meal and soybean oil.The other three groups received diets in which the feed based on corn,soybean meal,and soybean oil was partially replaced with cFF at a substitution level of 6.25%(cFF6.25),12.5%(cFF12.5)or 25%(cFF25)for the following 33 d.Results The growth performance data showed no differences in BW or average daily gain among groups,although the average daily feed intake decreased during the grower period(12–33 d)and over entire experimental period(1–33 d)in a linear manner as the cFF inclusion level rose(P=0.026),positively affecting the gain to feed ratio(P=0.001).The ATTD of dry matter of the cFF-fed groups were greater with respect to control group and increased throughout the experimental period,whereas the ATTD of ether extract linearly decreased with increasing levels of cFF-fed groups compared with control group and throughout the experimental period(P<0.05).Additionally,a lin-ear increase in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio,serum cholesterol,triglycerides and alanine-aminotransferase were observed with increasing dietary levels of cFF(P<0.05);however,no differences were observed in lipoprotein lipase or sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor gene abundance.Conclusions The results of this experiment demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate cFF into nutritionally balanced diets for broiler chickens,even up to 25%substitution levels,for up to 33 d without adversely impacting the overall growth performance of male broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions.Further studies are essential to validate the hematological trait findings.展开更多
This article aims to analyze the repercussions of food trade between China and various regions of the world to understand the dynamics of food flows and offer a novel perspective on the contemporary globalization proc...This article aims to analyze the repercussions of food trade between China and various regions of the world to understand the dynamics of food flows and offer a novel perspective on the contemporary globalization process.Understanding these flows involves analyzing the global production and commercialization of food and the effects of these movements on exporting and importing countries in economic terms and food security.The concept of unequal caloric exchange is applied to the case of China,which allows for an understanding of how its economic growth and participation in international trade have transformed its global and internal commercial dynamics by establishing links with self-sufficiency and the composition of its population’s diet.The results show that China is increasingly dependent on international markets for its food supply.From 1961 to 2021,food consumption in China has tripled in calories and experienced qualitative changes,with a reduction in high-quality carbohydrates and vegetable proteins and an increase in cereals,vegetable oils,alcohol,and vegetables.This dietary transformation is related to economic growth and greater dependence on international trade.From 1987 to 2022,China has shown a growing deficit in the food trade balance,with imports exceeding exports in volume,value,and calories,although it maintains favorable terms of trade.Food self-sufficiency has decreased from 95%in 1961 to 76%in 2022,and the diet has diversified,replacing traditional foods with products demanded in international trade.展开更多
Evaluating and understanding the accuracy of cloud microphysical(MP) schemes in numerical weather prediction(NWP) models is crucial for assimilating satellite radiance data under cloudy conditions. This study leverage...Evaluating and understanding the accuracy of cloud microphysical(MP) schemes in numerical weather prediction(NWP) models is crucial for assimilating satellite radiance data under cloudy conditions. This study leverages surface observations, radar reflectivity data, and Himawari-8 satellite radiance data from both water vapor and window channels to assess the performance of four prevalent cloud MP schemes: WSM6, WDM6, Thompson, and Morrison, as implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model. The assessment focuses on two typical heavy rain events in South China: a warm-sector torrential rainfall(WSTR) event and a squall line(SL) event. The findings reveal that the cloud MP schemes exhibit varying levels of accuracy across the two events. Notably, for the WSTR event, the WDM6scheme shows the closest alignment with observed rainfall in terms of precipitation forecast. In contrast, the Thompson scheme outperforms the others during the SL event. The simulation of infrared(IR) radiance data from cloud and rain areas remains a significant challenge, particularly for ice clouds, which exhibit greater forecast uncertainty compared to water clouds. Identifying the optimal scheme for describing the full cloud process during rainfall events remains challenging among the evaluated MP schemes. Specifically, the WDM6 scheme stands out in forecasting clear skies and water clouds,while the Morrison and Thompson schemes are found to be more adept at predicting ice clouds. The discrepancies observed between the accuracy of precipitation forecast and cloud prediction highlight the need for further research to identify an MP scheme that effectively balances precipitation forecast with accurate cloudy radiative transfer(RT) simulation for data assimilation(DA). This research offers valuable insights into the selection of cloud microphysics parameterization schemes for all-sky radiance assimilation, particularly under diverse rainfall processes.展开更多
Direct propane dehydrogenation(DPDH)represents a highly attractive route for on-purpose propylene production,a key building block in the petrochemical industry.In particular,among various catalytic platforms,vanadium-...Direct propane dehydrogenation(DPDH)represents a highly attractive route for on-purpose propylene production,a key building block in the petrochemical industry.In particular,among various catalytic platforms,vanadium-based catalysts have emerged as promising candidates due to their tunable properties including redox ability,surface acidity,and resistance to coking.Although the catalytic community has obtained great achievement in this area,how to promote vanadium-based catalysts towards the next step in DPDH applications like industrial-level implementations is still challenging.Moreover,there are still several controversial theories in our community,meaning it is necessary to clarify these indistinct points to pave the way for the next generation of research.Herein,the pivotal modification strategies of vanadium-based catalysts have been summarized via introducing representative works.In addition,the current unclear mechanism and research gaps,especially in the issues of deactivation and selectivity control,are also revealed so that the potential research directions are well-founded proposed.By integrating fundamental understanding and practical considerations,this review aims to inspire the further development of vanadium-based DPDH catalysts for in-depth academic research and next-generation industrial deployment.展开更多
Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential pr...Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential preventive effect of an active lifestyle was presumed a long time ago by some visionary scientists.展开更多
Silica(SiO_(2))anodes are promising candidates for enhancing the energy density of next-generation Li-ion batteries,offering a compelling combination of high storage capacity,stable cycling performance,low cost,and su...Silica(SiO_(2))anodes are promising candidates for enhancing the energy density of next-generation Li-ion batteries,offering a compelling combination of high storage capacity,stable cycling performance,low cost,and sustainability.This performance stems from SiO_(2) unique lithiation mechanism,which involves its conversion to electroactive silicon(Si)and electrochemically inactive species.However,widespread adoption of SiO_(2) anodes is hindered by their slow initial lithiation.展开更多
The mechanical properties of minerals in planetary materials are not only interesting from a fundamental point of view but also critical to the development of future space missions.Here we present nanoindentation expe...The mechanical properties of minerals in planetary materials are not only interesting from a fundamental point of view but also critical to the development of future space missions.Here we present nanoindentation experiments to evaluate the hardness and reduced elastic modulus of olivine,(Mg,Fe)_(2)SiO_(4),in meteorite NWA 12008,a lunar basalt.Our experiments suggest that the olivine grains in this lunaite are softer and more elastic than their terrestrial counterparts.Also,we have performed synchrotron-based high-pressure X-ray diffraction(HP-XRD)measurements to probe the compressibility properties of olivine in this meteorite and,for comparison purposes,of three ordinary chondrites.The HP-XRD results suggest that the axial compressibility of the orthorhombic b lattice parameter of olivine relative to terrestrial olivine is higher in NWA 12008 and also in the highly-shocked Chelyabinsk meteorite.The origin of the observed differences is discussed.A simple model combining the results of both our nanoindentation and HP-XRD measurements allows us to describe the contribution of macroscopic and chemical-bond related effects,both of which are necessary to reproduce the observed elastic modulus softening.Such joint analysis of the mechanical and elastic properties of meteorites and returned samples opens up a new avenue for characterizing these highly interesting materials.展开更多
Diabetic retinopathy(DR) has been classically considered to be a microcirculatory disease of the retina caused by the deleterious metabolic effects of hyperglycemia per se and the metabolic pathways triggered by hyper...Diabetic retinopathy(DR) has been classically considered to be a microcirculatory disease of the retina caused by the deleterious metabolic effects of hyperglycemia per se and the metabolic pathways triggered by hyperglycemia.However,retinal neurodegeneration is already present before any microcirculatory abnormalities can be detected in ophthalmoscopic examination.In other words,retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of DR which predates and participates in the microcirculatory abnormalities that occur in DR.Therefore,the study of the mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration will be essential to identify new therapeutic targets in the early stages of DR.Elevated levels of glutamate and the overexpression of the renin-angiotensin-system play an essential role in the neurodegenerative process that occurs in diabetic retina.Among neuroprotective factors,pigment epithelial derived factor,somatostatin and erythropoietin seem to be the most relevant and these will be considered in this review.Nevertheless,it should be noted that the balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective factors rather than levels of neurotoxic factors alone will determine the presence or absence of retinal neurodegeneration in the diabetic eye.New strategies,based on either the delivery of neuroprotective agents or the blockade of neurotoxic factors,are currently being tested in experimental models and in clinical pilot studies.Whether these novel therapies will eventually supplement or prevent the need for laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy awaits the results of additional clinical research.展开更多
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that accounts for most of the 50-million dementia cases worldwide in 2018.A large amount of evidence supports the amyloid cascade hypothesis,which states that amyloi...Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that accounts for most of the 50-million dementia cases worldwide in 2018.A large amount of evidence supports the amyloid cascade hypothesis,which states that amyloid-beta accumulation triggers tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation in form of neurofibrillary tangles,and these aggregates lead to inflammation,synaptic impairment,neuronal loss,and thus to cognitive decline and behavioral abnormalities.The poor correlation found between cognitive decline and amyloid plaques,have led the scientific community to question whether amyloid-beta accumulation is actually triggering neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.The occurrence of tau neurofibrillary tangles better correlates to neuronal loss and clinical symptoms and,although amyloid-beta may initiate the cascade of events,tau impairment is likely the effector molecule of neurodegeneration.Recently,it has been shown that amyloid-beta and tau cooperatively work to impair transcription of genes involved in synaptic function and,more importantly,that downregulation of tau partially reverses transcriptional perturbations.Despite mounting evidence points to an interplay between amyloid-beta and tau,some factors could independently affect both pathologies.Thus,the dual pathway hypothesis,which states that there are common upstream triggers causing both amyloid-beta and tau abnormalities has been proposed.Among others,the immune system seems to be strongly involved in amyloid-beta and tau pathologies.Other factors,as the apolipoprotein Eε4 isoform has been suggested to act as a link between amyloid-beta and tau hyperphosphorylation.Interestingly,amyloid-beta-immunotherapy reduces not only amyloid-beta but also tau levels in animal models and in clinical trials.Likewise,it has been shown that tau-immunotherapy also reduces amyloid-beta levels.Thus,even though amyloid-beta immunotherapy is more advanced than tau-immunotherapy,combined amyloid-beta and tau-directed therapies at early stages of the disease have recently been proposed as a strategy to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
In liver cirrhosis, the circulatory hemodynamic alterations of portal hypertension signifi cantly contribute to many of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In the physiopathology of this vascular alteration, m...In liver cirrhosis, the circulatory hemodynamic alterations of portal hypertension signifi cantly contribute to many of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In the physiopathology of this vascular alteration, mesen- teric splanchnic vasodilation plays an essential role by initiating the hemodynamic process. Numerous studies performed in cirrhotic patients and animal models have shown that this splanchnic vasodilation is the result of an important increase in local and systemic vasodilators and the presence of a splanchnic vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors. Among the molecules and factors known to be potentially involved in this arterial vasodilation, nitric oxide seems to have a crucial role in the physiopathology of this vascular alteration. However, none of the wide variety of mediators can be described as solely responsible, since this phenomenon is multifactorial in origin. Moreover, angiogenesis and vascular remodeling processes alsoseem to play a role. Finally, the sympathetic nervous system is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of the hyperdynamic circulation associated with portal hypertension, although the nature and extent of its role is not completely understood. In this review, we discuss the different mechanisms known to contribute to this complex phenomenon.展开更多
Patel ar instability is a common clinical problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons specializing in the knee. For patients with chronic lateral patellar instability, the standard surgical approach is to stabilize the...Patel ar instability is a common clinical problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons specializing in the knee. For patients with chronic lateral patellar instability, the standard surgical approach is to stabilize the patella through a medial patellofemoral ligament(MPFL) reconstruction. Foreseeably, an increasing number of revision surgeries of the reconstructed MPFL will be seen in upcoming years. In this paper, the causes of failed MPFL reconstruction are analyzed:(1) incorrect surgical indication or inappropriate surgical technique/patient selection;(2) a technical error; and(3) an incorrect assessment of the concomitant risk factors for instability. An understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the MPFL and cautiousness with the imaging techniques while favoring clinical over radiological findings and the use of common sense to determine the adequate surgical technique for each particular case, are critical to minimizing MPFL surgery failure. Additionally, our approach to dealing with failure after primary MPFL reconstruction is also presented.展开更多
文摘Background Frailty is common and significantly impacts prognosis in heart failure(HF). The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13(VES-13), widely used in oncogeriatrics and public health, remains unexplored as a frailty screening tool in HF outpatients. In this study, we prospectively evaluated VES-13 against a multimodal screening assessment in detecting frailty and predicting individual risk of adverse prognosis.Methods Frailty was assessed at the initial visit using both a multimodal approach, incorporating Barthel Index, Older American Resources and Services scale, Pfeiffer Test, abbreviated Geriatric Depression Scale, age > 85 years, lacking support systems,and VES-13. Patients scoring ≥ 3 on VES-13 or meeting at least one multimodal criterion were classified as frail. Endpoints included all-cause mortality, a composite of death or HF hospitalization, and recurrent HF hospitalizations.Results A total of 301 patients were evaluated. VES-13 identified 40.2% as frail and the multimodal assessment 33.2%. In Cox regression analyses, frailty identified by VES-13 showed greater prognostic significance than the multimodal assessment for allcause mortality(HR = 3.70 [2.15–6.33], P < 0.001 vs. 2.40 [1.46–4.0], P = 0.001) and the composite endpoint(HR = 3.13 [2.02–4.84], P< 0.001 vs. 1.96 [1.28–2.99], P = 0.002). Recurrent HF hospitalizations were four times more frequent in VES-13 frail patients while two times in those identified as frail by the multimodal assessment. Additionally, stratifying patients by VES-13 tertiles provided robust risk differentiation.Conclusions VES-13, a simple frailty tool, outperformed a comprehensive multimodal assessment and could be easily integrated into routine HF care, highlighting its clinical utility in identifying patients at risk for poor outcomes.
文摘AIM: To determine the incidence of cystoid macular edema(CME) after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty(DSAEK).METHODS: This study included all consecutive patients operated in a Spanish tertiary reference hospital over a period of four years. A total of 55 eyes from 47 patients matched the selection criteria. CME was diagnosed clinically at the slit-lamp and confirmed by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Six cases of CME were diagnosed postoperatively, which represented an incidence of 11%. Three patients had previously undergone DSAEK alone(7%; 3/41) and the other three, DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification(21%; 3/14). Five out of six patients with CME responded to standard therapy.CONCLUSION: CME is a possible complication after DSAEK and can be treated with standard therapy. CME appears more frequently when DSAEK is combined with phacoemulsification and posterior chamber(PC) intraocular lens(IOL) implantation. Intraoperative damage to the corneal endothelial cells might play a role in the pathogenesis of CME. As long as the causes remain unclear, we recommend administering prophylaxis when risk factors are present or when combined surgery is planned.
文摘This paper is focused on the automated synthesis of wideband bandpass filters operating at microwave frequencies and based on electromagnetic bandgap(EBG)structures.The classical counterpart of such filter consists of a combination of transmission line sections and shunt-connected grounded stubs placed at equidistant positions.By replacing the transmission line sections with capacitively-loaded lines(a kind of EBG-based lines)exhibiting the same phase shift at the lower cutoff frequency and the same characteristic(actually Bloch)impedance,filter size is reduced and the spurious pass bands can be efficiently suppressed.In practice,the loading capacitances are implemented by means of patches,in order to achieve a fully planar filter implementation.The presence of the patches reduces the effective phase velocity of the capacitively-loaded lines,thus providing a slow-wave effect useful for filter miniaturization.Moreover,due to periodicity,such EBG-based lines exhibit wide stop bands,which are used for spurious suppression.Even though such EBGbased filters were previously reported by some of the authors,a systematic synthesis method was not applied for filter design.In this paper,the main aim is to demonstrate the potential of aggressive space mapping(ASM)for that purpose,and it will be shown that such filters can be automatically synthesized.
基金the Bayer Grant,No.JBT-SOR 2013-01the Instituto de Salud Carlos III,No.PI18/00768,PI15/00145 and PI18/0358+2 种基金Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional(FEDER)from the European Commission“Una manera de hacer Europa”Pla estratègic de recerca i innovacióen salut(PERIS)Grant,No.PERIS_IPIF19-SLT008/18/00182-RH0Contratos Predoctorales de Formación en Investigación en Salud(PFIS),No.FI19/00222.
文摘BACKGROUND Dermatologic adverse events(DAEs)are associated with a better outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)irrespective of the therapeutic agent received.The exact mechanisms associated with the development of DAEs are unknown although several studies point to direct toxicity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)to the skin or an immune-mediated reaction triggered by the oncologic treatment.As is the case in other conditions,individual genetic variants may partially explain a higher risk of DAEs.AIM To evaluate the contribution of several gene variants to the risk of developing DAEs in HCC patients treated with TKIs.METHODS We first analyzed 27 single-nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)from 12 genes selected as potential predictors of adverse event(AE)development in HCC patients treated with sorafenib[Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer 1(BCLC1)cohort].Three additional cohorts were analyzed for AGT1(rs699)and AGT2(rs4762)polymorphisms-initially identified as predictors of DAEs:BCLC2(n=79),Northern Italy(n=221)and Naples(n=69)cohorts,respectively.The relation between SNPs and DAEs and death were assessed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models,and presented with hazard ratios and their 95%confidence intervals(95%CI).RESULTS The BCLC1 cohort showed that patients with arterial hypertension(AHT)(HR=1.61;P value=0.007)and/or AGT SNPs had an increased risk of DAEs.Thereafter,AGT2(rs4762)AA genotype was found to be linked to a statistically significant increased probability of DAEs(HR=5.97;P value=0.0201,AA vs GG)in the Northern Italy cohort by multivariate analysis adjusted for BCLC stage,ECOG-PS,diabetes and AHT.The value of this genetic marker was externally validated in the cohort combining the BCLC1,BCLC2 and Naples cohorts[HR=3.12(95%CI:1.2-8.14),P value=0.0199,AGT2(rs4762)AA vs AG genotype and HR=2.73(95%CI:1.18-6.32)P value=0.0188,AGT2(rs4762)AA vs GG genotype].None of the other gene variants tested were found to be associated with the risk of DAE development.CONCLUSION DAE development in HCC patients receiving TKIs could be explained by the AGT2(rs4762)gene variant.If validated in other anti-oncogenic treatments,it might be considered a good prognosis marker.
基金funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation(PDC2021-120914-I00)the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona(PROOF OF CONCEPT 2020)ICREA,ICREA-Academia 2015 and 2020(to SV).
文摘The misfolding and subsequent aggregation of proteins into amyloid fibrils underlie the onset of a variety of human disorders collectively known as amyloidosis.Transthyretin(TTR)is one of the>30 amyloidogenic proteins identified to date and is associated with a group of highly debilitating and life-threatening disorders called TTR amyloidosis(ATTR).ATTR comprises senile systemic amyloidosis,which is linked to wild-type(WT)TTR aggregation,and hereditary ATTR,a dominantly inherited disorder caused by the deposition of one of over 130 TTR genetic variants.Senile systemic amyloidosis is a prevalent age-related amyloidosis,affecting up to 25%of the population over 80 years of age,and is characterized by the build-up of TTR fibrils in the myocardium.Regarding hereditary ATTR,the clinical presentation is highly heterogeneous,primarily affecting the peripheral nervous system(familial amyloid polyneuropathy-FAP)or the heart(familial amyloid cardiomyopathy).In rare cases,aggregation develops in the central nervous system,giving rise to a phenotype known as familial leptomeningeal amyloidosis(Carroll et al.,2022).
文摘Amyloid fibrils are highly organized protein or peptide aggregates,often characterized by a distinctive supramolecular cross-β-sheet structure.The formation and accumulation of these structures have been traditionally associated with neural or systemic human diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,type-2 diabetes,or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(Wei et al.,2017;Wittung-Stafshede,2023).
基金supported by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación grant PID2019-104658GB-I00the H2020 European Research Council grant MSCA-RISE-2017-777911+2 种基金AGAUR(Generalitat de Catalunya)grant 2021SGR00113the Reial Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts de Barcelonasupported by FCT/Portugal through CAMGSD,IST-ID,projects UIDB/04459/2020 and UIDP/04459/2020.
文摘The differential system ẋ=ax−yz,ẏ=−by+xz,ż=−cz+x^(2),where a,b and c are positive real parameters,has been studied numerically due to the big variety of strange attractors that it can exhibit.This system has a Darboux invariant when c=2b.Using this invariant and the Poincarécompactification technique we describe analytically its global dynamics.
基金Department of Veterinary Sciences“Ricerca Locale–Linea A”.
文摘Background The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of commercially processed former foodstuffs(cFF)as dietary substitutes of corn,soybean meal and soybean oil on the growth performance,apparent total tract digestibil-ity(ATTD),hematobiochemical profiles,and liver gene abundance in broiler chickens.Two hundred one-day-old male ROSS-308 chicks were assigned to 4 dietary groups(5 replicates of ten birds per replicate)according to their average body weight(BW,38.0±0.11 g).All groups received a two-phase feeding program:starter,d 1–12 and grower,d 12–33.The control group(cFF0)was fed a standard commercial feed based on corn,soybean meal and soybean oil.The other three groups received diets in which the feed based on corn,soybean meal,and soybean oil was partially replaced with cFF at a substitution level of 6.25%(cFF6.25),12.5%(cFF12.5)or 25%(cFF25)for the following 33 d.Results The growth performance data showed no differences in BW or average daily gain among groups,although the average daily feed intake decreased during the grower period(12–33 d)and over entire experimental period(1–33 d)in a linear manner as the cFF inclusion level rose(P=0.026),positively affecting the gain to feed ratio(P=0.001).The ATTD of dry matter of the cFF-fed groups were greater with respect to control group and increased throughout the experimental period,whereas the ATTD of ether extract linearly decreased with increasing levels of cFF-fed groups compared with control group and throughout the experimental period(P<0.05).Additionally,a lin-ear increase in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio,serum cholesterol,triglycerides and alanine-aminotransferase were observed with increasing dietary levels of cFF(P<0.05);however,no differences were observed in lipoprotein lipase or sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor gene abundance.Conclusions The results of this experiment demonstrate that it is possible to incorporate cFF into nutritionally balanced diets for broiler chickens,even up to 25%substitution levels,for up to 33 d without adversely impacting the overall growth performance of male broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions.Further studies are essential to validate the hematological trait findings.
基金supported by the Government of Catalonia,and the ETOS project(TED2021-132032A-I00)supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.
文摘This article aims to analyze the repercussions of food trade between China and various regions of the world to understand the dynamics of food flows and offer a novel perspective on the contemporary globalization process.Understanding these flows involves analyzing the global production and commercialization of food and the effects of these movements on exporting and importing countries in economic terms and food security.The concept of unequal caloric exchange is applied to the case of China,which allows for an understanding of how its economic growth and participation in international trade have transformed its global and internal commercial dynamics by establishing links with self-sufficiency and the composition of its population’s diet.The results show that China is increasingly dependent on international markets for its food supply.From 1961 to 2021,food consumption in China has tripled in calories and experienced qualitative changes,with a reduction in high-quality carbohydrates and vegetable proteins and an increase in cereals,vegetable oils,alcohol,and vegetables.This dietary transformation is related to economic growth and greater dependence on international trade.From 1987 to 2022,China has shown a growing deficit in the food trade balance,with imports exceeding exports in volume,value,and calories,although it maintains favorable terms of trade.Food self-sufficiency has decreased from 95%in 1961 to 76%in 2022,and the diet has diversified,replacing traditional foods with products demanded in international trade.
基金Guangdong Province Natural Science Foundation Youth Science Fund (2021A1515110944)。
文摘Evaluating and understanding the accuracy of cloud microphysical(MP) schemes in numerical weather prediction(NWP) models is crucial for assimilating satellite radiance data under cloudy conditions. This study leverages surface observations, radar reflectivity data, and Himawari-8 satellite radiance data from both water vapor and window channels to assess the performance of four prevalent cloud MP schemes: WSM6, WDM6, Thompson, and Morrison, as implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model. The assessment focuses on two typical heavy rain events in South China: a warm-sector torrential rainfall(WSTR) event and a squall line(SL) event. The findings reveal that the cloud MP schemes exhibit varying levels of accuracy across the two events. Notably, for the WSTR event, the WDM6scheme shows the closest alignment with observed rainfall in terms of precipitation forecast. In contrast, the Thompson scheme outperforms the others during the SL event. The simulation of infrared(IR) radiance data from cloud and rain areas remains a significant challenge, particularly for ice clouds, which exhibit greater forecast uncertainty compared to water clouds. Identifying the optimal scheme for describing the full cloud process during rainfall events remains challenging among the evaluated MP schemes. Specifically, the WDM6 scheme stands out in forecasting clear skies and water clouds,while the Morrison and Thompson schemes are found to be more adept at predicting ice clouds. The discrepancies observed between the accuracy of precipitation forecast and cloud prediction highlight the need for further research to identify an MP scheme that effectively balances precipitation forecast with accurate cloudy radiative transfer(RT) simulation for data assimilation(DA). This research offers valuable insights into the selection of cloud microphysics parameterization schemes for all-sky radiance assimilation, particularly under diverse rainfall processes.
基金support from Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program(XLYC2203068)National Natural Science Foundation of China(21902116)2024 Fundamental Research Funding of the Educational Department of Liaoning Province.Y.L.acknowledges the Program of China Scholarships Council(No.202206250016).
文摘Direct propane dehydrogenation(DPDH)represents a highly attractive route for on-purpose propylene production,a key building block in the petrochemical industry.In particular,among various catalytic platforms,vanadium-based catalysts have emerged as promising candidates due to their tunable properties including redox ability,surface acidity,and resistance to coking.Although the catalytic community has obtained great achievement in this area,how to promote vanadium-based catalysts towards the next step in DPDH applications like industrial-level implementations is still challenging.Moreover,there are still several controversial theories in our community,meaning it is necessary to clarify these indistinct points to pave the way for the next generation of research.Herein,the pivotal modification strategies of vanadium-based catalysts have been summarized via introducing representative works.In addition,the current unclear mechanism and research gaps,especially in the issues of deactivation and selectivity control,are also revealed so that the potential research directions are well-founded proposed.By integrating fundamental understanding and practical considerations,this review aims to inspire the further development of vanadium-based DPDH catalysts for in-depth academic research and next-generation industrial deployment.
基金supported in part by NIH Grant No. U01 TR002004 (REACH project)Research by TP and CFL is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, ISCIII)+3 种基金Fondos FEDER (grant numbers PI22/00201 (TP)PI20/00645 and PI23/00396 (CF-L))Research by CFL is also funded by ISCIII (FORT23/00023)Research by AL and CF-L is funded by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF) as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International grant programme (IIG_FULL_2021_007).
文摘Regular physical activity is associated with lower adult cancer incidence and mortality,1 with this protective association seemingly independent of important risk factors (high body weight, smoking).2 The potential preventive effect of an active lifestyle was presumed a long time ago by some visionary scientists.
基金supported by the Norwegian Research Council project number 315947support from the Research Council of Norway through the Norwegian Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy,NORTEM(197405/F50)+2 种基金The Norwegian Infrastructure for Microand Nanofabrication,Nor Fab(245963/F50)Grants No.PCI2022-132993 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and DGA/M4 from Diputación General de Aragónfinancial support and for provision of synchrotron radiation facilities at BM25-Sp Line(PIE 201060E 013 and PIE 202160 E 030)。
文摘Silica(SiO_(2))anodes are promising candidates for enhancing the energy density of next-generation Li-ion batteries,offering a compelling combination of high storage capacity,stable cycling performance,low cost,and sustainability.This performance stems from SiO_(2) unique lithiation mechanism,which involves its conversion to electroactive silicon(Si)and electrochemically inactive species.However,widespread adoption of SiO_(2) anodes is hindered by their slow initial lithiation.
基金Financial support from the project PID2021-128062NB-I00 funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia,Innovación y Universidades MCIU(doi:10.13039/501100011033)is acknowledged,as well as the Spanish program Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2020-001058-M.The ALBA-CELLS synchrotron is acknowledged for granting beamtime at the MSPD beamline under projects 2021095390 and 2022025734.PG-T acknowledges the financial support from the Spanish MCIU through the FPI predoctoral fellowship PRE2022-104624.JS acknowledges the financial support from projects 2021-SGR-00651 and PID2020-116844RB-C21.EP-A acknowledges financial support from the LUMIO project funded by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana(2024-6-HH.0).DE thanks the financial support from Spanish MCIU under projects PID2022-138076NB-C41 and RED2022-134388-T from Generalitat Valenciana(GVA)through grants CIPROM/2021/075 and MFA/2022/007,which are part of the Advanced Materials program and is supported with funding from the European Union Next Generation EU(PRTR-C17.I1).RT and DE(PB and DE)thank GVA for the Postdoctoral Fellowship CIAPOS/2021/20(CIAPOS/2023/406).JS-M thanks the Spanish MCIU for the PRE2020-092198 fellowship.NWA 12008 has been studied within the framework of an international European consortium led by IFP.Special acknowledge to I.Weber for providing the NWA 12008 meteorite thin section.This work is part of the doctoral thesis of PG-T(Doctoral Program in Physics at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona).
文摘The mechanical properties of minerals in planetary materials are not only interesting from a fundamental point of view but also critical to the development of future space missions.Here we present nanoindentation experiments to evaluate the hardness and reduced elastic modulus of olivine,(Mg,Fe)_(2)SiO_(4),in meteorite NWA 12008,a lunar basalt.Our experiments suggest that the olivine grains in this lunaite are softer and more elastic than their terrestrial counterparts.Also,we have performed synchrotron-based high-pressure X-ray diffraction(HP-XRD)measurements to probe the compressibility properties of olivine in this meteorite and,for comparison purposes,of three ordinary chondrites.The HP-XRD results suggest that the axial compressibility of the orthorhombic b lattice parameter of olivine relative to terrestrial olivine is higher in NWA 12008 and also in the highly-shocked Chelyabinsk meteorite.The origin of the observed differences is discussed.A simple model combining the results of both our nanoindentation and HP-XRD measurements allows us to describe the contribution of macroscopic and chemical-bond related effects,both of which are necessary to reproduce the observed elastic modulus softening.Such joint analysis of the mechanical and elastic properties of meteorites and returned samples opens up a new avenue for characterizing these highly interesting materials.
基金Supported by Grants from the Ministerio de Cienciae Innovacion,No.SAF2009-07408CIBER de Diabetesy Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas and Generaltitat de Catalunya,No. 2009SGR739
文摘Diabetic retinopathy(DR) has been classically considered to be a microcirculatory disease of the retina caused by the deleterious metabolic effects of hyperglycemia per se and the metabolic pathways triggered by hyperglycemia.However,retinal neurodegeneration is already present before any microcirculatory abnormalities can be detected in ophthalmoscopic examination.In other words,retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of DR which predates and participates in the microcirculatory abnormalities that occur in DR.Therefore,the study of the mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration will be essential to identify new therapeutic targets in the early stages of DR.Elevated levels of glutamate and the overexpression of the renin-angiotensin-system play an essential role in the neurodegenerative process that occurs in diabetic retina.Among neuroprotective factors,pigment epithelial derived factor,somatostatin and erythropoietin seem to be the most relevant and these will be considered in this review.Nevertheless,it should be noted that the balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective factors rather than levels of neurotoxic factors alone will determine the presence or absence of retinal neurodegeneration in the diabetic eye.New strategies,based on either the delivery of neuroprotective agents or the blockade of neurotoxic factors,are currently being tested in experimental models and in clinical pilot studies.Whether these novel therapies will eventually supplement or prevent the need for laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy awaits the results of additional clinical research.
基金supported by grant SAF2017-89613-R from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad(MINECO)/FEDER(Madrid,Spain)(to SV).
文摘Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that accounts for most of the 50-million dementia cases worldwide in 2018.A large amount of evidence supports the amyloid cascade hypothesis,which states that amyloid-beta accumulation triggers tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation in form of neurofibrillary tangles,and these aggregates lead to inflammation,synaptic impairment,neuronal loss,and thus to cognitive decline and behavioral abnormalities.The poor correlation found between cognitive decline and amyloid plaques,have led the scientific community to question whether amyloid-beta accumulation is actually triggering neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.The occurrence of tau neurofibrillary tangles better correlates to neuronal loss and clinical symptoms and,although amyloid-beta may initiate the cascade of events,tau impairment is likely the effector molecule of neurodegeneration.Recently,it has been shown that amyloid-beta and tau cooperatively work to impair transcription of genes involved in synaptic function and,more importantly,that downregulation of tau partially reverses transcriptional perturbations.Despite mounting evidence points to an interplay between amyloid-beta and tau,some factors could independently affect both pathologies.Thus,the dual pathway hypothesis,which states that there are common upstream triggers causing both amyloid-beta and tau abnormalities has been proposed.Among others,the immune system seems to be strongly involved in amyloid-beta and tau pathologies.Other factors,as the apolipoprotein Eε4 isoform has been suggested to act as a link between amyloid-beta and tau hyperphosphorylation.Interestingly,amyloid-beta-immunotherapy reduces not only amyloid-beta but also tau levels in animal models and in clinical trials.Likewise,it has been shown that tau-immunotherapy also reduces amyloid-beta levels.Thus,even though amyloid-beta immunotherapy is more advanced than tau-immunotherapy,combined amyloid-beta and tau-directed therapies at early stages of the disease have recently been proposed as a strategy to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
基金Supported by the Grants from the Ministerio de Educacióny Ciencia, No. SAF2006-0314the Ministerio de Cienciae Innovación, No. SAF2009-08354
文摘In liver cirrhosis, the circulatory hemodynamic alterations of portal hypertension signifi cantly contribute to many of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In the physiopathology of this vascular alteration, mesen- teric splanchnic vasodilation plays an essential role by initiating the hemodynamic process. Numerous studies performed in cirrhotic patients and animal models have shown that this splanchnic vasodilation is the result of an important increase in local and systemic vasodilators and the presence of a splanchnic vascular hyporesponsiveness to vasoconstrictors. Among the molecules and factors known to be potentially involved in this arterial vasodilation, nitric oxide seems to have a crucial role in the physiopathology of this vascular alteration. However, none of the wide variety of mediators can be described as solely responsible, since this phenomenon is multifactorial in origin. Moreover, angiogenesis and vascular remodeling processes alsoseem to play a role. Finally, the sympathetic nervous system is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of the hyperdynamic circulation associated with portal hypertension, although the nature and extent of its role is not completely understood. In this review, we discuss the different mechanisms known to contribute to this complex phenomenon.
文摘Patel ar instability is a common clinical problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons specializing in the knee. For patients with chronic lateral patellar instability, the standard surgical approach is to stabilize the patella through a medial patellofemoral ligament(MPFL) reconstruction. Foreseeably, an increasing number of revision surgeries of the reconstructed MPFL will be seen in upcoming years. In this paper, the causes of failed MPFL reconstruction are analyzed:(1) incorrect surgical indication or inappropriate surgical technique/patient selection;(2) a technical error; and(3) an incorrect assessment of the concomitant risk factors for instability. An understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the MPFL and cautiousness with the imaging techniques while favoring clinical over radiological findings and the use of common sense to determine the adequate surgical technique for each particular case, are critical to minimizing MPFL surgery failure. Additionally, our approach to dealing with failure after primary MPFL reconstruction is also presented.
