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Radiology Sep 2019BackgroundTraumatic hemorrhagic contusions are associated with iodine leak; however, quantification of leakage and its importance to outcome is unclear.PurposeTo...
BackgroundTraumatic hemorrhagic contusions are associated with iodine leak; however, quantification of leakage and its importance to outcome is unclear.PurposeTo identify iodine-based dual-energy CT variables that correlate with in-hospital mortality and short-term outcomes for contusions at hospital discharge.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective study, consecutive patients with contusions from May 2016 through January 2017 were analyzed. Two radiologists evaluated CT variables from unenhanced admission head CT and follow-up head dual-energy CT scans obtained after contrast material-enhanced whole-body CT. The outcomes evaluated were in-hospital mortality, Rancho Los Amigos scale (RLAS) score, and disability rating scale (DRS) score. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to develop prediction models for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively.ResultsThe study included 65 patients (median age, 48 years; interquartile range, 25-65.5 years); 50 were men. Dual-energy CT variables that correlated with mortality, RLAS score, and DRS score were iodine concentration, pseudohematoma volume, iodine quantity in pseudohematoma, and iodine quantity in contusion. The single-energy CT variable that correlated with mortality, RLAS score, and DRS score was hematoma volume at follow-up CT. Multiple logistic regression analysis after inclusion of clinical variables identified two predictors that enabled determination of mortality: postresuscitation Glasgow coma scale (P-GCS) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2, 0.86; = 0.01) and iodine quantity in pseudohematoma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4 per milligram; 95% CI: 1.02 per milligram, 1.9 per milligram; = 0.03), with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.96 ± 0.05 (standard error). For RLAS, the predictors were P-GCS (mean coefficient, 0.32 ± 0.06; < .001) and iodine quantity in contusion (mean coefficient, -0.04 per milligram ± 0.02; 0.01). Predictors for DRS were P-GCS (mean coefficient, -1.15 ± 0.27; < .001), age (mean coefficient, 0.13 per year ± 0.04; .002), and iodine quantity in contusion (mean coefficient, 0.19 per milligram ± 0.07; .02).ConclusionIodine-based dual-energy CT variables correlate with in-hospital mortality and short-term outcomes for contusions at hospital discharge.© RSNA, 2019See also the editorial by Talbott and Hess in this issue.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Contrast Media; Contusions; Female; Hemorrhage; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Iodine; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Outcome Assessment; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 31361206
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2019190078 -
Plant Physiology Apr 1989Mass spectrometric measurements of dissolved free (13)CO(2) were used to monitor CO(2) uptake by air grown (low CO(2)) cells and protoplasts from the green alga...
Mass spectrometric measurements of dissolved free (13)CO(2) were used to monitor CO(2) uptake by air grown (low CO(2)) cells and protoplasts from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In the presence of 50 micromolar dissolved inorganic carbon and light, protoplasts which had been washed free of external carbonic anhydrase reduced the (13)CO(2) concentration in the medium to close to zero. Similar results were obtained with low CO(2) cells treated with 50 micromolar acetazolamide. Addition of carbonic anhydrase to protoplasts after the period of rapid CO(2) uptake revealed that the removal of CO(2) from the medium in the light was due to selective and active CO(2) transport rather than uptake of total dissolved inorganic carbon. In the light, low CO(2) cells and protoplasts incubated with carbonic anhydrase took up CO(2) at an apparently low rate which reflected the uptake of total dissolved inorganic carbon. No net CO(2) uptake occurred in the dark. Measurement of chlorophyll a fluorescence yield with low CO(2) cells and washed protoplasts showed that variable fluorescence was mainly influenced by energy quenching which was reciprocally related to photosynthetic activity with its highest value at the CO(2) compensation point. During the linear uptake of CO(2), low CO(2) cells and protoplasts incubated with carbonic anhydrase showed similar rates of net O(2) evolution (102 and 108 micromoles per milligram of chlorophyll per hour, respectively). The rate of net O(2) evolution (83 micromoles per milligram of chlorophyll per hour) with washed protoplasts was 20 to 30% lower during the period of rapid CO(2) uptake and decreased to a still lower value of 46 micromoles per milligram of chlorophyll per hour when most of the free CO(2) had been removed from the medium. The addition of carbonic anhydrase at this point resulted in more than a doubling of the rate of O(2) evolution. These results show low CO(2) cells of Chlamydomonas are able to transport both CO(2) and HCO(3) (-) but CO(2) is preferentially removed from the medium. The external carbonic anhydrase is important in the supply to the cells of free CO(2) from the dehydration of HCO(3) (-).
PubMed: 16666686
DOI: 10.1104/pp.89.4.1213 -
Journal of Physical Activity & Health Sep 2023The benefits of physical activity in health outcomes are well established. However, recent evidence suggests that benefits may differ by domain and population. Thus, we...
Prospective Association of Occupational and Leisure-Time Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Early Adulthood: Findings From Pelotas (Brazil) 1982 Birth Cohort.
BACKGROUND
The benefits of physical activity in health outcomes are well established. However, recent evidence suggests that benefits may differ by domain and population. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prospective association of occupational (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with cardiovascular risk factors.
METHODS
In 1982, the maternity hospitals of Pelotas were visited daily; those live births whose families lived in urban areas were evaluated, and their mothers were later interviewed (n = 5914). In the 2004/5 follow-up (23 y old), both OPA and LTPA were measured in 4295 participants using their respective sections of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In the 2012 follow-up (30 y old), the following cardiovascular risk factors were collected: high-density lipoprotein (in milligrams per deciliter), low-density lipoprotein (in milligrams per deciliter), triglycerides (in milligrams per deciliter), glucose (in milligrams per deciliter), and blood pressure (in millimeters of mercury). Multivariable linear regressions were performed to evaluate associations between OPA and LTPA with these specific cardiovascular risk factors.
RESULTS
In total, 3241 participants were analyzed. Our main findings suggest that there was no association between OPA and LTPA with high- and low-density lipoprotein. There were inverse associations between OPA and lower levels of triglycerides among males (β = -0.002; 95% confidence interval, -0.003 to -0.000) and positive associations between LTPA and higher levels of diastolic blood pressure among females (β = 0.111; 95% confidence interval, 0.005-0.216).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our findings suggest that there was no association, or association with limited clinical relevance, of OPA and LTPA with cardiovascular risk factors in early adulthood.
Topics: Pregnancy; Male; Humans; Female; Adult; Exercise; Leisure Activities; Cardiovascular Diseases; Birth Cohort; Brazil; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Triglycerides
PubMed: 37491012
DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2022-0610 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022The consumption of ultra-processed beverages, including sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened ones, is associated with several health problems, which is different...
The consumption of ultra-processed beverages, including sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened ones, is associated with several health problems, which is different considering minimally processed beverages. The objective of this study was to assess the trends in the volume of minimally and ultra-processed beverages purchased for consumption in Brazilian households and their relationship with the proportion of dietary energy derived from ultra-processed foods and beverages. Drawing on data from the nationwide 2002-03, 2008-09, and 2017-18 Household Budget Surveys, the daily volume of beverages purchased (milligrams) was investigated. The minimally processed beverages purchased declined over the period [2002-2003: 156.5 ml (95%CI: 148.3-164.8); 2017-2018: 101.6 ml (95%CI: 98.1-105.1)] and ultra-processed beverages were stable [2002-03: 117.9 ml (95%CI: 108.1-127.7); 2017-18: 122.8 (95%CI: 111.2-134.4)]. The most purchased beverage in 2002-2003 was milk [ : 154.7 ml (95%CI: 146.4-162.9)], while in 2017-2018 regular soft drinks were the most purchased [ : 110.7 ml (95%CI: 99.2-122.2)]. There was a decrease in the purchase of whole and skimmed milk and an increase in the purchase of other ultra-processed beverages between the periods. With the increase in the proportion of ultra-processed foods and beverages in the diet, the volume of ultra-processed beverage purchases rose and minimally processed beverages declined. The monitoring of beverage consumption and the implementation of public policies, such as taxation on ultra-processed beverages, are essential to promote improvements in health and curbing non-communicable diseases.
Topics: Animals; Milk; Brazil; Sweetening Agents; Nutritive Value; Beverages; Carbonated Beverages
PubMed: 36408053
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.956142 -
Liver Transplantation : Official... Mar 2003The limited number of donor organs has placed a burden on the medical community to improve patient selection and timing of liver transplantation (LT). We aim to evaluate...
The limited number of donor organs has placed a burden on the medical community to improve patient selection and timing of liver transplantation (LT). We aim to evaluate short- and long-term survival of 124 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of nonbiliary cirrhosis. Seventeen clinical, biochemical, functional, and hemodynamic parameters were computed. Patient survival was evaluated in the short term (3 months) by logistic regression, and the predictive power of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the log likelihood ratio. For the long-term (up to 5 years) prognosis, the Cox proportional model was used. During follow-up, 54 patients died and 20 patients underwent LT. In the short-term study, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (including bilirubin level, international normalized ratio [INR], and creatinine level) was as predictive as our score, which contained only two independent indicators (bilirubin and creatinine levels). In the long-term study, three independent variables (albumin level, INR, and creatinine level) emerged from the Cox model, and patients were classified into three survival-risk groups according to a prognostic index (PI): -1.039 x albumin (grams per deciliter) + 1.909 x log(e) INR + 1.207 x log(e) serum creatinine (milligrams per deciliter). Survival probabilities at 1 and 5 years were 89% and 80%, 63% and 52%, and 23% and 10% with a low, medium, and high PI, respectively. The validation study using the split-sample technique and data from independent patients confirmed that a high PI (>-2.5) identifies patients with a poor prognosis within 5 years. We thus have shown and validated that risk for death at the short and long term of patients with nonbiliary cirrhosis can be predicted with great accuracy using models containing a few simple and easily obtained objective variables, and these survival models are useful tools in clinical decision making, especially in deciding to list patients for LT and prioritization on the liver waiting list.
Topics: Female; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Selection; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Risk Factors; Survival Rate; Waiting Lists
PubMed: 12619023
DOI: 10.1053/jlts.2003.50049 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... Oct 2023Soft robotics has developed rapidly in recent years as an emergent research topic, offering new avenues for various industrial and biomedical settings. Despite these...
Soft robotics has developed rapidly in recent years as an emergent research topic, offering new avenues for various industrial and biomedical settings. Despite these advancements, its applicability is limited to locomotion and actuation due to the lack of an adequate charge storage system that can support the robot's sensory system in challenging conditions. Herein, an ultra-flexible, lightweight (≈50 milligrams), and wirelessly rechargeable micro-supercapacitor as an onboard power source for miniaturized soft robots, capable of powering a range of sensory is proposed. The simple and scalable direct laser combustion technique is utilized to fabricate the robust graphene-like carbon micro-supercapacitor (GLC-MSC) electrode. The GLC-MSC demonstrates superior areal capacitance (8.76 mF cm ), and maintains its original capacitance even under extreme actuation frequency (1-30 Hz). As proof of conceptthe authors fabricate a fully integrated magnetic-soft robot that shows outstanding locomotion aptitude and charged wirelessly (up to 2.4 V within 25s), making it an ideal onboard power source for soft robotics.
PubMed: 37544914
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303918 -
Protein Expression and Purification Dec 2018Protein purification is essential in the study of protein structure and function, and the development of novel therapeutics. Many studies require purifying multiple...
Protein purification is essential in the study of protein structure and function, and the development of novel therapeutics. Many studies require purifying multiple proteins at once, increasing the demand for improved purification methods. We hypothesized that multiple chromatography columns could be interfaced with a multi-well collection plate for rapid and convenient protein purification without the need of expensive instrumentation. As such, we developed a multi-column plate adapter (MCPA), which provides an economical yet versatile and time efficient, high-throughput protein purification system. The MCPA system simultaneously purified milligrams of different proteins under gravity or under vacuum for faster purification. The MCPA handles up to twenty-four 12 mL columns and multiple MCPA's in sequence allow milligram-scale purification of 96 different samples with relative ease. We also used the MCPA system for large scale affinity purification of four proteins, providing sufficient yields and purity for protein crystallization and biophysical characterization. The MCPA system is ideal for optimizing resin type and volume or any other purification parameter by customizing individual columns during the same purification. The high-throughput and versatile nature of this system should prove to be useful in obtaining adequate amounts of protein for subsequent analyses in any laboratory setting.
Topics: Chromatography, Affinity; Cloning, Molecular; Escherichia coli; Gene Expression; Genetic Vectors; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Humans; Microfilament Proteins; Mutation; Pressure; Protein Domains; Recombinant Proteins; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; Vacuum
PubMed: 30041031
DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2018.07.009 -
The Journal of Nutrition Jun 2017Estimated physiologic requirements (PRs) for zinc increase in late pregnancy and early lactation, but the effect on dietary zinc requirements is uncertain. The aim of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Upregulation of Zinc Absorption Matches Increases in Physiologic Requirements for Zinc in Women Consuming High- or Moderate-Phytate Diets during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation.
Estimated physiologic requirements (PRs) for zinc increase in late pregnancy and early lactation, but the effect on dietary zinc requirements is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine changes in daily fractional absorbed zinc and total absorbed zinc (TAZ) from ad libitum diets of differing phytate contents in relation to physiologic zinc requirements during pregnancy and lactation. This was a prospective observational study of zinc absorption at 8 (phase 1) and 34 (phase 2) wk of gestation and 2 (phase 3) and 6 (phase 4) mo of lactation. Participants were indigenous Guatemalan women of childbearing age whose major food staple was maize and who had been randomly assigned in a larger study to either of 2 ad libitum feeding groups: low-phytate maize (LP; 1.6 mg/g; = 14) or control maize (C; 7.1 mg/g; = 8). Total dietary zinc (milligrams per day, TDZ) and phytate (milligrams per day) were determined from duplicate diets and fractional absorption (FAZ) by dual isotope ratio technique (TAZ = TDZ × FAZ). All variables were examined longitudinally and by group and compared with PRs. TAZ values at later phases were compared with phase 1. Measured TAZ was compared with predicted TAZ for nonpregnant, nonlactating (NPNL) women. TAZ was greater in the LP group than in the C group at all phases. All variables increased from phase 1 to phases 2 and 3 and declined at phase 4. TAZ increased by 1.25 mg/d ( = 0.045) in the C group and by 0.81 mg/d ( = 0.058) in the LP group at phase 2. At phase 3, the increases were 2.66 mg/d ( = 0.002) in the C group and 2.28 mg/d ( = 0.0004) in the LP group, compared with a 1.37-mg/d increase in PR. Measured TAZ was greater than predicted values in phases 2-4. Upregulation of zinc absorption in late pregnancy and early lactation matches increases in PRs of pregnant and lactating women, regardless of dietary phytate, which has implications for dietary zinc requirements of pregnant and lactating women.
Topics: Adult; Biological Availability; Diet; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gestational Age; Guatemala; Humans; Indians, Central American; Intestinal Absorption; Lactation; Longitudinal Studies; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritional Status; Phytic Acid; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Prospective Studies; Up-Regulation; Zea mays; Zinc
PubMed: 28424260
DOI: 10.3945/jn.116.245902 -
Conservation Physiology 2023Blood plasma analyses can provide researchers, aquaculture facilities and fisheries managers with valuable insights into the physiological state and welfare of fish. For...
Blood plasma analyses can provide researchers, aquaculture facilities and fisheries managers with valuable insights into the physiological state and welfare of fish. For example, glucose and lactate are part of the secondary stress response system, and elevated concentrations are indicators of stress. However, analysing blood plasma in the field can be logistically difficult and typically involves sample storage and transport to quantify concentrations in a laboratory setting. Portable glucose and lactate meters offer an alternative to laboratory assays and have shown to be relatively accurate in fish, but these tools have only been validated for a few fish species. The objective of this study was to investigate if portable meters could be reliably used in Chinook salmon (). As part of a larger stress response study, juvenile Chinook salmon (157 ± 17 mm fork length [mean ± standard deviation; SD]) were exposed to stress-inducing treatments and sampled for blood. Laboratory reference glucose concentrations (milligrams per deciliter; mg/dl; = 70) were positively correlated with the Accu-Check Aviva meter (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) measurements ( = 0.79), although glucose values were 1.21 ± 0.21 (mean ± SD) times higher in the laboratory than with the portable meter. Lactate concentrations (milliMolar; mM; = 52) of the laboratory reference were also positively correlated ( = 0.76) with the Lactate Plus meter (Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA) and were 2.55 ± 0.50 times higher than portable meter. Our results indicate both meters could be used to measure relative glucose and lactate concentrations in Chinook salmon and provide fisheries professionals with a valuable tool, particularly in remote field settings.
PubMed: 37425483
DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad046 -
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2021Pregnant women experience immune system changes to accommodate and tolerate the growing foetus, these changes also increase their susceptibility to viral infections such...
Pregnant women experience immune system changes to accommodate and tolerate the growing foetus, these changes also increase their susceptibility to viral infections such as SARS-COV-2. COVID-19 in pregnancy increases the likelihood of hospital admission and intensive care compared to non-pregnant women. Early administration of low-dose corticosteroids to patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome can reduce all-cause mortality among such patients. However, during pregnancy, prolonged use of corticosteroids that readily cross the placenta like dexamethasone can negatively impact both the mother and foetus. Evidence is thus needed on the choice, timing, and duration for corticosteroids use among pregnant women with COVID-19. This article aims to provide evidence on corticosteroid use in pregnant women with COVID-19. The RECOVERY trial deduced that low-dose dexamethasone (6 milligrams) reduced mortality by up to one-third among COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation and one-fifth among those who received supplemental oxygen. Pregnant women in this trial received either oral prednisolone or intravenous hydrocortisone. Based on the RECOVERY trial findings, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommends that pregnant women with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 receive oral prednisolone or intravenous hydrocortisone. However, currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) does not explicitly specify which corticosteroid to use among pregnant women with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. We also note that there are no published articles on corticosteroid use among pregnant women with severe COVID-19 in Africa.
PubMed: 33758509
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S301255