Mccallpritchard4886

Patients with detectable LPS were more likely to have elevated CRP levels and were more likely to develop DHF. Procalcitonin levels too were significantly (p = 0.009) higher in those with DHF compared to those with DF and were more likely to be high in those with detectable serum LPS. Since serum LPS levels were higher in patients with DHF and significantly more likely to be present in those with comorbid illnesses, the possible role of LPS in disease pathogenesis should be further investigated.Thin cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) foils were used as intrinsic thermoplastic healing agents in carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced epoxy laminates. COC films were produced by hot pressing and were interleaved in the interlaminar regions between each EP/CF lamina, during the hand layup fabrication of the laminates. Three samples were produced, i.e., the neat EP/CF laminate without COC, and two laminates containing COC layers with a thickness of 44 μm and 77 μm, respectively. It was observed that the fiber volume fraction decreased, and the porosity increased with the introduction of COC layers, and this effect was more evident when thick films were used. These two effects, combined with the sub-optimal adhesion between COC and EP, caused a decrease in the mechanical properties (i.e., the elastic modulus, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength and interlaminar fracture toughness) of the laminates. Specimens subjected to mode I interlaminar fracture toughness test were then thermally mended under pressure by resistive heating, through the Joule effect of conductive CFs. A temperature of approximately 190 °C was reached during the healing treatment. The healing efficiency was evaluated as the ratio of critical strain energy release rate (GIC) of the healed and virgin specimens. Healed specimens containing COC layers of 44 μm and 77 μm exhibited a healing efficiency of 164% and 100%, respectively. As expected, the healing treatment was not beneficial for the neat EP/CF laminate without COC, which experienced a healing efficiency of only 2%. This result proved the efficacy of COC layers as a healing agent for EP/CF laminates, and the effectiveness of resistive heating as a way to activate the intrinsic healing mechanism.Structuring at very high rates has become one of the current and important topics of interest in polymer science, because this is a common protocol in the processing of films or fibers with industrial applicability. This work presents the study by fast scanning calorimetry, FSC, of poly(vinylidene fluoride), paying special attention to the conditions for obtaining the β phase of this polymer, because it is the one technologically more interesting. The results indicate that this β phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride) is obtained when the sample is isothermally crystallized at temperatures below 60 °C. Under non-isothermal conditions, the β polymorph begins to be observed at rates above 400 °C/s, although a coexistence with the α modification is observed, so that exclusively the β phase is obtained only at rates higher than 3000 °C/s.Cell-based therapeutics for cardiac repair have been extensively used during the last decade. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of adoptively transferred stem cells for enhancement of cardiac function. Nevertheless, several cell-based clinical trials have provided largely underwhelming outcomes. A major limitation is the lack of survival in the harsh cardiac milieu as only less than 1% donated cells survive. Recent efforts have focused on enhancing cell-based therapeutics and understanding the biology of stem cells and their response to environmental changes. Stem cell metabolism has recently emerged as a critical determinant of cellular processes and is uniquely adapted to support proliferation, stemness, and commitment. Metabolic signaling pathways are remarkably sensitive to different environmental signals with a profound effect on cell survival after adoptive transfer. Stem cells mainly generate energy through glycolysis while maintaining low oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), providing metabolites for biosynthesis of macromolecules. During commitment, there is a shift in cellular metabolism, which alters cell function. Reprogramming stem cell metabolism may represent an attractive strategy to enhance stem cell therapy for cardiac repair. This review summarizes the current literature on how metabolism drives stem cell function and how this knowledge can be applied to improve cell-based therapeutics for cardiac repair.We analyze the thermal behavior of a flexible nanowire (NW) light-emitting diode (LED) operated under different injection conditions. The LED is based on metal-organic vapor-phase deposition (MOCVD)-grown self-assembled InGaN/GaN NWs in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix. Despite the poor thermal conductivity of the polymer, active nitride NWs effectively dissipate heat to the substrate. Therefore, the flexible LED mounted on a copper heat sink can operate under high injection without significant overheating, while the device mounted on a plastic holder showed a 25% higher temperature for the same injected current. The efficiency of the heat dissipation by nitride NWs was further confirmed with finite-element modeling of the temperature distribution in a NW/polymer composite membrane.The American cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are zooanthroponoses transmitted by sand flies. Brazil records thousands of human leishmaniasis cases annually. Dogs are reservoirs of Leishmania infantum, which causes VL, but their role in the transmission cycle of CL is debatable. Wild mammals are considered reservoirs of the aetiological agents of CL (Leishmania spp.).

To describe the aetiology of leishmaniasis in dogs in an endemic area for CL and VL in the Amazon, Brazil.

Clinical evaluation and blood collection of 40 dogs from the villages Ubim (20) and Socorro (20), city of Tomé-Açu, state of Pará, were carried out. The DNA extracted from the blood was used for PCR with

-specific primers targeting the

gene sequence. Products were sequenced (ABI3500XL), and the sequences were aligned, edited (BioEdit), and analyzed (Blastn).

Of the 34 amplified samples, 21 were sequenced, namely

(12),

(5),

(3), and

sp. (01).

Given the diversity of circulating pathogens, elucidation of the role of the dog in the

spp. cycle in Amazonian villages is imperative to the surveillance of CL in the region. We present the first report in Brazil, confirmed by sequencing, of canine infection by

, a species highly resistant to treatment in humans, with the drug of first choice (Glucantime

).

Given the diversity of circulating pathogens, elucidation of the role of the dog in the Leishmania spp. cycle in Amazonian villages is imperative to the surveillance of CL in the region. We present the first report in Brazil, confirmed by sequencing, of canine infection by L. guyanensis, a species highly resistant to treatment in humans, with the drug of first choice (Glucantime®).Low levels of micronutrients have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during viral infections. Therefore, to maximize the nutritional defense against infections, a daily allowance of vitamins and trace elements for malnourished patients at risk of or diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be beneficial. Recent studies on COVID-19 patients have shown that vitamin D and selenium deficiencies are evident in patients with acute respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D improves the physical barrier against viruses and stimulates the production of antimicrobial peptides. It may prevent cytokine storms by decreasing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Thiactin Selenium enhances the function of cytotoxic effector cells. Furthermore, selenium is important for maintaining T cell maturation and functions, as well as for T cell-dependent antibody production. Vitamin C is considered an antiviral agent as it increases immunity. Administration of vitamin C increased the survival rate of COVID-19 patients by attenuating excessive activation of the immune response. Vitamin C increases antiviral cytokines and free radical formation, decreasing viral yield. It also attenuates excessive inflammatory responses and hyperactivation of immune cells. In this mini-review, the roles of vitamin C, vitamin D, and selenium in the immune system are discussed in relation to COVID-19.As a result of their significant importance and applications in vast areas, including oil and gas, building construction, offshore structures, ships, and bridges, coating materials are regularly exposed to harsh environments which leads to coating delamination. Therefore, optimum interfacial bonding between coating and substrate, and the reason behind excellent adhesion strength is of utmost importance. However, the majority of studies on polymer coatings have used a one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach. The main objective of this study was to implement statistical analysis in optimizing the factors to provide the optimum adhesion strength and to study the microstructure of a rice husk ash (RHA)-based geopolymer composite coating (GCC). Response surface methodology was used to design experiments and perform analyses. RHA/alkali activated (AA) ratio and curing temperature were chosen as factors. Adhesion tests were carried out using an Elcometer and a scanning electron microscope was used to observe the microstructure. Results showed that an optimum adhesion strength of 4.7 MPa could be achieved with the combination of RHA/AA ratio of 0.25 and curing temperature at 75 °C. The microstructure analysis revealed that coating with high adhesion strength had good interfacial bonding with the substrate. This coating had good wetting ability in which the coating penetrated the valleys of the profiles, thus wetting the entire substrate surface. A large portion of dense gel matrix also contributed to the high adhesion strength. Conversely, a large quantity of unreacted or partially reacted particles may result in low adhesion strength.In this study, the photo-optical properties of the series of new 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives were investigated. Pyrazoloquinoline studies were conducted to explain the electroluminescent effect in organic LEDs. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra for the materials under consideration were examined, and quantum chemical calculations were made. Differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric measurements were carried out for the manufactured materials. The phase situation of the materials was determined, and glassy transitions were detected for three of the investigated materials. Degradation temperatures were obtained. Single-layer luminescent diodes based on the ITO/PEDOTPSS/active layer/Al scheme were fabricated. Current-voltage and brightness-voltage characteristics of the diodes were determined, ignition voltage was calculated, and electroluminescence types were determined.Nanostructuring is considered one of the key approaches to achieve highly efficient thermoelectric alloys by reducing thermal conductivity. In this study, we investigated the effect of oxide (ZnO and SnO2) nanolayers at the grain boundaries of polycrystalline In0.2Yb0.1Co4Sb12 skutterudites on their electrical and thermal transport properties. Skutterudite powders with oxide nanolayers were prepared by atomic layer deposition method, and the number of deposition cycles was varied to control the coating thickness. The coated powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering. With increasing number of deposition cycle, the electrical conductivity gradually decreased, while the Seebeck coefficient changed insignificantly; this indicates that the carrier mobility decreased due to the oxide nanolayers. In contrast, the lattice thermal conductivity increased with an increase in the number of deposition cycles, demonstrating the reduction in phonon scattering by grain boundaries owing to the oxide nanolayers. Thus, we could easily control the thermoelectric properties of skutterudite materials through adjusting the oxide nanolayer by atomic layer deposition method.