Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the Dinakara and Cotes equations in their ability to predict post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) pulmonary complications and mortality. Hypothesis We hypothesize the pre-transplant diffusing capacity adjusted for hemoglobin (DLCOHgb) by the Cotes equation in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT will predict morbidity and mortality more accurately than the Dinakara equation. Study-Design: Data was collected retrospectively from chart review of patients who underwent their first HSCT at Riley Hospital for Children using a database maintained by the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program. Patient-Subject Selection: Patients who performed pre-transplant diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) that met ATS criteria, and a hemoglobin recorded within 7 days of their pulmonary function testing were included. Methodology: Paired t-tests and ANOVA models were used to define any differences between the two equations at baseline and when stratifying by hemoglobin level. Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between the Dinakara and Cotes equation with mortality at one- and three-years post-transplant. Results: 90 patients underwent HSCT during the study period, and 69 patients met inclusion criteria. Odds ratios for mortality using DLCO corrected for the Dinakara (1.08 SD 0.98-1.19) and Cotes (1.09 SD 0.97-1.22) were similar (p-value > 0.05). Neither Dinakara or Cotes corrective equation was superior at predicting pulmonary complications. (p-values 0.1388 and 0.5246 respectively) Conclusions: The Dinakara and Cotes equations differed in their calculation of DLCOHgb at lower Hb levels, their ability to predict mortality and pulmonary complications after HSCT was not different.

We seek to determine the two-way transfer of chemical character due to the coupling occurring between hydrogen-bonds and covalent-bonds known to account for the unusual strength of hydrogen-bonds in water. We have provided a vector-based quantification of the chemical character of uncoupled hydrogen-bonds and covalent-bonds and then determined the effects of two-way coupling consistent with the total local energy density H(rb) < 0 for hydrogen-bonds. We have calculated the precessions Kʹ of the eigenvectors around the bond-path for the Ehrenfest Force F(r) and compared with the corresponding QTAIM Kʹ. In doing so we explain why the Ehrenfest Force F(r) provides insights into the coupling between the hydrogen and covalent bonds whilst QTAIM cannot. Conditions for favorable transfer of electron momentum from the hydrogen atom of a sigma bond to the hydrogen-bond are found, with excellent agreement with the hydrogen-bond BCP and covalent-bond BCP separations providing the theoretical bounds for coupling.

Objective: To characterise placental gene expression at term to evaluate sex-specific genetic changes that occur in small for gestational age (SGA) infants. Design: Case control study. Setting: Australian hospitals. Samples: Twelve human placental samples from pregnancies that were either SGA or appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Methods: RNA-sequencing of term placental tissue from both SGA and AGA infants. Candidate genes associated with fetal size and fetal sex were identified using differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analyses. Single-cell sequencing data was used for candidate validation and to estimate candidate transcript expression in specific placental cell populations. Main outcome measures: Functions of differentially expressed genes in the placenta of SGA infants that differed by fetal sex. Results: Differential gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analyses identified 403 candidate transcripts associated with SGA infants. One hundred and three of these transcripts showed sex-specific expression. Sex-independent transcript expression for genes involved in protein synthesis, and sex-dependent transcript expression for genes involved in cell cycle processes in males and endoplasmic reticulum stress in females was validated (17 and 7 transcripts for females and males) in published placental RNA-sequencing datasets. Conclusions: Sexual dimorphism is an important consideration when examining placental dysfunction and poor fetal growth. This study identified activation of shared and divergent molecular mechanisms (i.e., cell cycle and endoplasmic reticulum stress), in response to an adverse environmental stressor.

Targeted gene knockdown has become one of the most powerful tools in molecular biology and holds substantial promise in therapeutic applications. While existing technologies such as siRNAs, CRISPRi, and ASOs effectively and specifically reduce gene expression, few can be used to first discover the genes that influence a particular phenotype and then directly transition to being used as oligonucleotide therapeutics. Thus, a tool that could help bridge the gap between target discovery and the development of therapeutic leads would benefit the scientific community. Here, we present hnRNPA1 recruiting oligonucleotides, or AROs, as single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecules that knockdown transcript levels of target genes. AROs target specific pre-mRNA transcripts via sequence homology and leverage the ubiquitous and abundant endogenous RNA-binding protein hnRNPA1 to degrade target transcripts. Using RT-qPCR, we show that AROs effectively knock down target genes when delivered via a plasmid and expressed using a Pol II promoter or when delivered directly as single-strand RNAs. Additionally, as proof of principle, we use a ssRNA ARO to knockdown KRT14 in squamous cell carcinoma and show reduced invasive potential. We believe AROs fill an important niche in the scientific toolbox by taking advantage of endogenous RNA binding machinery for RNA knockdowns.

We describe a 74-year-old female who presented with thrombocytopenia 20 days after receiving her first dose of the novel mRNA vaccine. After an exhaustive workup, Immune Thrombocytopenia was diagnosed secondary to her recent mRNA vaccine administration. She was treated aggressively with high-dose steroids and IVIG, with adequate response.

We hereby present a case report of an extremely preterm newborn with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), spending more than 4 months of his early life in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). The uniqueness of this case report is the difference in the algorithm used for the treatment of BPD with regards to the family’s preference and its successful outcome.

Predictive control over the selectivity outcome of an organic synthetic method is an essential hallmark of reaction success. Electricity-driven synthesis offers a reemerging approach to facilitate the design of reaction sequences towards increased molecular complexity. In addition to the desirable sustainability features of electroorganic processes, the inherent interfacial nature of electrochemical systems present unique opportunities to tune reaction selectivity. To illustrate this feature, we outline examples of mechanism-guided interfacial control over CO2 electroreduction selectivity, a well-studied and instructive electrochemical process with multiple reduction products that are thermodynamically accessible. These studies reveal how controlled proton delivery to the electrode surface and substrate electroadsorption with the electrode dictate reaction selectivity. We describe and compare simple, yet salient, examples from the electroorganic literature, where we postulate that similar effects predominate the observed reactivity. This perspective highlights how the interface serves as a tunable dimension in electrochemical processes, delineating unique tools to study, manipulate, and achieve reaction selectivity in electricity-driven organic synthesis.

This non-randomized controlled study aimed to assess the efficacy of tofacitinib in reducing the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation or death in patients with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 associated with reduced oxygen saturation, increased C-reactive protein (≥50 mg/L), and/or persisting fever were recruited. Tofacitinib was administered in addition to standard of care therapy. Study outcomes were evaluated separately in the groups of patients with oxygen saturation at rest ≤93% and >93%. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression analysis adjusted for inverse propensity score weighting. Overall, 384 patients with COVID-19 (212 males; median age 60 years) were included in our study and were treated with tofactinib (n=131) or standard of care alone (n=253). The percentages of patients who started mechanical ventilation or died during hospitalization in the tofacitinib and control groups were 12.5% (9/72) vs. 14.1% (26/185) among patients who required respiratory support (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.33-2.56), and 1.7% (1/59) vs. 4.4% (3/68) in those with normal oxygen saturation (HR 0.83; 95 CI 0.07-9.44). Tofacitinib did not reduce the risk of invasive mechanical ventilation or death in patients with COVID-19, although the analysis of these outcomes favored tofacitinib.

The occurrence of the PTEs contamination in the environment resulting from the point or diffuse sources increases with globalization and population growth. Anyway the benefits of home gardening for the physiological and physical well-being, as well as uncertainties regarding food supply chain in the case of Covid-19, the desire to use home-grown (local) food is increasing more and more. There is no information available on the PTE pollution of urban soils used for the food production in Slovenia. Therefore, the main goal of present study is the characterization of urban gardens and agricultural areas affected by flooded sediments. The total concentrations of PTEs in soil and sediment samples were ICP-MS. The concentrations of PTEs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) exceeded the permissible limit values defined in Slovenian Official Gazette. To define the natural or artificial origin of PTEs, the mineralogical composition of the selected soils and sediments was determined. The results obtained in present study were correlated with the national background values measured in the upper soil horizon and showed elevated concentrations. In addition to the environmental issues, the social aspect of potential impacts of PTEs on human health and safety was investigated. The results show that despite the numerous local, national and international plans and measures, greater awareness of the general public is needed to understand the hazardous effects of PTEs and the need for appropriate management of contaminated soil in the case contaminated areas.

In this research, dynamics, and kinetics of some metal-free organic dyes based on triphenylamine having a D-π-A type structure were investigated in the gas phase and solvent (ethanol, dichloromethane, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and dimethylformamide) using the quantum chemistry calculations. These structures consist of triphenylamine as the donor linked to the acceptor units of cyanoacrylic acid and benzoic acid via different π-conjugated systems. The obtained results show that TC601 dye having the ethynyl anthracene phenyl -conjugated system has the preferred charge/hole transfer properties (Ginj/Greg), which in ethanol as the solvent, the lowest values of Ginj and Greg were evaluated. Molecular spectroscopic properties of the studied dyes reveal that H-P and F-P dyes have favorable molar absorption coefficients in all media. Also, the behaviors of the light-harvesting efficiency (LHE) and incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) as the functions of the wavelength were analyzed, which show that the presence of solvent increases the values of IPCE and LHE for most studied dyes in comparison with the gas phase. Finally, based on different analyses, TC601 as the dye and ethanol as the solvent are proposed as the preferred candidates to be applied in the DSSCs.

N-heterocyclic aromatic in anion-π interaction has been playing a crucial role in a host of chemical and biological processes. In the present contribution, several different complexes composed of N-heterocyclic anthracene C14-2mH10-2mN2m (m = 1, 2, and 3) and chloride anion are investigated at the atomic level. We find that anion-π interactions are enhanced with the increasing number of N atoms. In addition, positions of nitrogen heteroatoms also have a significant effect on this interaction. Contributions of α, β and γ N atoms are in order of Nβ>Nγ>Nα. Moreover, energy decomposition analysis indicates that electrostatic interactions are the dominant stabilizing forces when chloride anion locates above aromatic ring, while the influence of other terms becomes significant when chloride anion deviates from aromatic ring. It is worth noting that dispersion forces play an important role in those anion-π interactions.

We calculate the energy and Shannon entropy for a hydrogen atom confined in a dielectric spherical microcavity for the fist time. In contrast to the hydrogen atom in the vacuum microcavity, some unexpected and interesting phenomena appear: First, the turning radius for the bound energy changes from positive to negative depends on the dielectric constant of the spherical microcavity sensitively. With the increase of the relative dielectric constant, the turning radius gets larger. Second, the dielectric spherical microcavity impacts the rearrangement of the excited state energy, and breaks the energy degeneracy of the excited states. At some given radius, there is energy crossover between different orbital. Third, the dielectric in the spherical microcavity affects the Shannon entropy for the confined hydrogen atom greatly. The Shannon entropy in the vacuum microcavity is the smallest and the Shannon entropy increases with the relative dielectric constant. For smaller size spherical microcavity, the Shannon entropy change is always negative, which suggests that the electron density is localized. With the increase of the radius of the microcavity, the Shannon entropy change becomes positive, and the confinement of the electron density gets delocalized. Our results show that we can control the confining effect of the spherical microcavity on the atom by changing the dielectric. This work can guide the future experimental studies for trapping and manipulating of atoms and molecules in the external environment and has some practical applications in metrology and quantum information processing.

Here we present a unique case of Harlequin syndrome without Horner syndrome after contralateral Th3 intradural tumor resection. Harlequin sign in our case presented probably to resection of sympathetic nerves while removing meningioma. Syndrome is rare in neurosurgical procedure, but we think that surgeons must be aware of it.

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Global mRNA translation may differ dramatically between progenitor cells and their differentiated progeny. One way cell type-specific translation is established is through ribosome concentration. In addition to addressing unique metabolic needs, changes in ribosome concentration may influence cell fate. The mechanisms that determine ribosome abundance in progenitors versus differentiated progeny are not fully understood. Here we investigated this process by focusing on ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis in Drosophila neural progenitors and neurons. We found that rRNA synthesis is robust in neural progenitors but is limited in post-mitotic neurons. Newly born neurons inherit rRNA from their progenitor parent and this inherited rRNA is sufficient for protein synthesis in neurons. Our findings support a model in which neuron-specific translation programs are established by rRNA inheritance.

There has been an increased prevalence of Group B Streptococcal disease over the last two decades with a mortality rate of ∼25% for invasive infection. We report a patient whom we discovered Monoclonal B cell Lymphocytosis that led to disseminated GBS disease . Likely source was asymptomatic bacteriuria following TURP

Whole genomes are commonly assembled into a collection of scaffolds and often lack annotations of autosomes, sex chromosomes and, and organelle genomes (i.e., mitochondrial and chloroplast). As these chromosome types can have highly disparate evolutionary histories, it is imperative to take this information into account when analyzing genomic variation. Here we assessed the accuracy of four methods for identifying the homogametic sex chromosome using two whole genome sequenced (WGS) and 133 RAD sequenced white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla): i) difference in read depth per scaffold, ii) heterozygosity per scaffold in a male and female bird, iii) mapping to a reference genome of a related species (chicken) with identified sex chromosomes, and iv) an analysis of SNP-loadings from a principal components analysis (PCA), based on low-depth RADseq data from 133 individuals. In i and ii, the WGS were mapped to a reference genome consisting of 1142 assembled scaffolds from the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) with no identified chromosomes. The read depth per scaffold identified 86.41% of the homogametic sex chromosome (Z) with few false positives. The SNP-loading scores found 78.6% of the Z-chromosome but had a false positive discovery rate of more than 10%. The heterozygosity per scaffold did not provide clear results due to a lack of diversity in both the Z and autosomal chromosomes, and potential interference from the heterogametic sex chromosome (W).

This clinical case first time reports a coexistence of FANCD2 and NF1 mutations in malignant triton tumor (MTT) patient and as the initial operation, the complete resection has crucial influences on the prognosis and recurrence of MTT.