Peripheral microvascular dysfunction is also present in patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA)

BACKGROUND: In patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), coronary microvascular dysfunction is associated with higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate if microvascular dysfunction present in coronary microcirculation of patients with INOCA may be detected noninvasively in their peripheral circulation. METHODS: 25 patients with INOCA and 25 apparently healthy individuals (controls) were subjected to nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP) to evaluate peripheral microvascular function and blood collection for biomarkers analysis, including soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: Red blood cell velocity (RBCV) before and after ischemia (RBCVmax) were significantly lower in patients with INOCA (p = 0.0001). Time to reach maximal red blood cell velocity (TRBCVmax) was significantly longer in INOCA group (p = 0.0004). Concerning VOP, maximal blood flow (p = 0.004) and its relative increment were significantly lower in patients with INOCA (p = 0.0004). RBCVmax showed significant correlations with sVCAM-1 (r = –0.38, p < 0.05), ET-1 (r = –0.73, p < 0.05) and CRP (r = –0.33, p < 0.05). Relative increment of maximal post-ischemic blood flow was significantly correlated with sVCAM-1 (r = –0.42, p < 0.05) and ET-1 (r = –0.48, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The impairment of microvascular function present in coronary microcirculation of patients with INOCA can be also detected in peripheral microcirculation.

Model for the Dynamics of the Gas Medium Temperature Growth in the Initial Stage of a Fire in Buildings

Within the framework of the integral mathematical model for the building fire’s initial stage, the increments of the gas medium temperature in the initial stage of a fire development in buildings have been determined, and estimates for these increments have been presented. The dependence between the gas medium temperature’s relative increment and the burn-up rate’s average value has been established, and an estimated formula for the relative temperature difference over a given time period has been obtained.

Parameters of equations for group growth of golden king crab Lithodes aequispinus in the northern Okhotsk Sea

Growth of golden king crab in the northern Okhotsk Sea is considered. Parameters of von Bertalanffy growth equation were estimated using SLCA method (Shepherd's length composition analysis): the asymptotic carapace width W∞ was 252.0 mm for males and 165.3 mm for females; the growth rate K was 0.081 and 0.130, respectively. Relative increment per molt for males with carapace width of 116-154 mm was estimated as 11.6 % for the carapace width and 10.9 % for the carapace length. Directly determined (by tagging) dependence of males molt frequency on their size was approximated by logistic curve of molting probability with the threshold of 164 mm carapace width for 50 % probability of annual molt. Mean probability of annual molt for recruits was estimated as 87 %, for pre-recruits — as 92 %. Taking into account the data on increment per molt and annual molt probability, the growth curve for males had the parameters: W∞ = 296 mm and K = 0.073. The age of recruits was estimated as 9 years by SLCA approach and as 8 years on the results of tagging. The growth equations parameters were determined for the first time for golden king crab in natural habitat in the Russian waters. These results could be used in models and for theoretical studies of Crustacean life history.

Zinc-Doped Carbon Dots as Effective Blue-Light-Activated Antibacterial Agent

In view of the emergence and infection of drug-resistant bacteria, it is of great significance to develop new antibacterial materials. Carbon dots (CDs), which are carbon nanoparticles with surface passivation of abundant functional groups, have photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties like conventional nanoscale semiconductors but with low toxicity and good biocompatibility. This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of zinc-doped carbon dots (Zn-CDs) in combination with blue light. Analysis of conducted antibacterial tests on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) showed the bactericidal effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was produced by excited Zn-CDs by 10[Formula: see text]min excitation of blue light. In addition, we also explored the cell cytotoxicity of Zn-CDs. This work indicated that the Zn-CDs not only were low cytotoxicity with the 80% of the relative increment rate of cells, but possessed the capability of photo-induced inhibition of bacteria growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, the CDs have great potential in serving as a new kind of photocatalyst, which can be applied to the photodynamic antibacterial treatment for reducing the possibilities of the development of microbial resistances.

High throughput virtual screening of cyclooxygenase-2 by using database

COX-2 is a type of Non-steroidal mitigating drug (NSAID) that legitimately targets COX-2, a protein liable for irritation and torment. Selectivity for COX-2 decreases the danger of peptic ulceration and is the fundamental component of celecoxib, rofecoxib and different individuals from this medication class. COX-2 selectivity doesn't appear to influence other antagonistic impacts of NSAIDs (most prominently an expanded danger of renal disappointment), and a few outcomes have excited the doubt that there may be an expansion in danger for cardiovascular failure, apoplexy and stroke by a relative increment in thromboxane. The target of this investigation is to screen drug-like compounds from Zinc database and to predict the potency and activity by using Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking Study. The scope of the study extends to predict the feasibility of the compounds for Drug development. Hence, this examination expresses the significance of little particle libraries and their utilization to upgrade drug revelation measure earlier amalgamation. This way to deal with screen original mixes as COX-2 inhibitors from ZINC information base relies upon different boundaries, for example, Lipinski's standard of 5, pharmacophoric bunches appended on the ligand, size of the dataset and compound libraries among others. Additional, exertion can be stretched out to consider the receptor-ligand associations tentatively, and assessment of their organic action would help in planning mixes dependent on simulated screening strategies.

Forecasting new daily confirmed cases infected by COVID-19 in Italy from April 9th to May 18th 2020

We aim at forecasting the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy by using a two-part time series to model the daily relative increments. Our model is based on the data observed from 22 February to 8 April 2020 and its objective is forecasting 40 days from 9 April to 18 May 2020. All the calculations, simulations, and results in the present paper have been done in MatLab R2015b. The average curve and 80% upper and lower bounds are calculated based on 100 simulations of the fitted models. According to our model, it is expected that by May 18th, 2020, the relative increment (RI) falls to the interval of 0.31% to 1.24% (average equal to 0.78%). During the last three days of the studied period, the RI belonged to the interval 2.5% to 3%. Accordingly, It is expected that the new daily confirmed cases face a decreasing to around 1900 on average. Finally, our prediction establishes that the cumulative number of confirmed cases reaches 237635 (with 80% confidence interval equal to [226340 248417] by May 18th, 2020.

Carbapenemase-Producing Non-Glucose-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli in Africa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Studies have reported that the existence of CP bacteria in Africa, but, in general, comprehensive data about the molecular epidemiology of CP organisms are limited. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis expound the pooled prevalence of CP P. aeruginosa and CP A. baumannii clinical isolates in Africa. It also identified the diversity of carbapenemases or their encoding genes among the isolates in Africa. Lastly, the review observed the trends of these CP isolates in Africa. Methods. A comprehensive search was performed between July 2019 and October 2019 in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and African Journal online. The included articles were published only in English. The screening was done by two authors independently. The data extracted on Excel spreadsheet were transferred to STATA 11 software for analysis. Results. From a total of 1,454 articles searched, 42 articles were eligible. Most of the studies were conducted in the North Africa region. But there was no report from Central Africa. The pooled prevalence of CP P. aeruginosa and CP A. baumannii among the clinical specimens in Africa was 21.36% and 56.97%, respectively. OXA-23 and VIM were the most prevailing carbapenemase among P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, respectively. The cumulative meta-analysis revealed a relative increment of the prevalence of CP P. aeruginosa over time in Africa but it showed a higher prevalence of CP A. baumannii isolates across years. Conclusion. The review revealed a high pooled prevalence of CP A. baumannii clinical isolates in Africa which needs urgent action. Moreover, the emergence of concomitant carbapenemases, especially OXA-23 + NDM among CP A. baumannii, was also an alarming problem.

Fluid Dynamics Investigation on the Body Structure Inside a Sleeve Regulating Valve

The sleeve regulating valve is a typical flow regulating component, which is indispensable in various industrial applications. This work investigates the effects of the body structure on the overall performance and the flow characteristic of a sleeve regulating valve. The anterior cavity h, the diameter of the center cavity Dc, and the eccentricity of the center cavity e are studied in a parametric way. When the relative increment of h, Dc, and e all take the value of 0.15, the rated flow coefficient Kve of the optimized valve is promoted by 33.99% relative to the Kve of the original model. The optimized model presents less wear between the valve core and the sleeve relative to the original model. It results from the fact that the non-centrosymmetric pressure distribution is reduced on the valve core. Besides, the optimized model has smaller lateral fluid force imposed on the valve core FL than the original model when the relative travel L/Lmax &gt; 0.625, and they have close FL in the other range. Also, the optimized model has larger axial fluid force imposed on the valve core FA than the original model when L/Lmax &gt; 0.875, and they have close FA in the other range.

Effect of Varying Solvents on Structural Properties of Annealed PVDF-Trfe Thin Films

PVDF-TrFE (70:30 mol%) powders were dissolved individually in three polar solvents of Diethyl Carbonate (DEC), Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and N-, N-, Dimethylformamide (DMF). The solution was spin coated and formed PVDF-TrFE films of 250 nm thickness; UN DEC, UN MEK and UN DMF films. PVDF-TrFE powders were found to readily dissolve in DMF solvent as indicated by Hansen solubility parameters (δt). Hansen parameter showed small difference in reading (δt = 1.7) for PVDF-TrFE and DMF, and low relative energy difference (RED) value. All films were annealed at 120°C (AN DEC, AN MEK, AN DMF). The AN DMF film showed high presence of polar β-phase crystals as evident from the ATR-FTIR spectrum. This is given by the significant peaks at 848, 1190, and 1290 cm-1. The trend is consistent with XRD pattern, where relative increment of cps value (53%) at 19.2° (2θ) is observed. This further supports the high degree of β-phase crystals observed in AN DMF film.

Gray non-pigment glass coatings

Color is an important indicator of the aesthetic evaluation of the quality of materials and products for various purposes. The visual perception of the color by the human eye is subjective. For achromatic colors, the human eye responds better to a change in brightness (lightness) of dark colors than light ones, since the relative increment of lightness is higher in the first case than in the second. Gray is an achromatic color, which is the result of a mixture of classic colors — black and white. Depending on the lightness, the shade of gray changes from black (lightness 0%) to white (lightness 100%). In combination with other colors, it decorates any interior, emphasizes its dignity. Gray color is in great demand in the manufacture of steel enamelled household articles. To obtain a light gray color, the basic sodium borosilicate system (Na2O-B2O3-SiO2) was chosen. For the experimental enamels, physicochemical properties were determined, and for glass coatings – lightness and brilliance. In order to improve these properties, the components in the composition of enamels were varied. Leachability of the best enamel was 0.11 cm3/g, temperature coefficient of linear expansion – 94.2 · 10-7 degrees-1, spreadability – 24.3 mm, gloss of the glass layer – 76%, lightness – 57%, the coating withstood the effect of 4%th acetic acid for 5 minutes without losing gloss. On this enamel, the dependence of lightness and tint of the glass layer on the amount (0.067-0.6 parts by weight) of coloring oxides (CuO, NiO, CoO), which were injected in excess of 100.0% by weight, was studied. The optimum content of the coloring components was determined. Non-pigmented glass coatings of light gray color with a delicate blue tint and lightness (60-70%) have been developed, which can be used for enameling kitchen and tableware, as well as for other types of steel articles for household use.