In this paper, we study different ways for introducing memory to a parametric family of optimal two-step iterative methods. We study the convergence and the stability, by means of real dynamics, of the methods obtained by introducing memory in order to compare them. We also perform several numerical experiments to see how the methods behave.

Introduction: In critically ill patients, Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) remains the leading cause of transfusion-related fatalities in critical care setting and associated with inflammation and oxidative stress state. Recent research raised the potential efficacy of high dose intravenous ascorbic acid in critically ill patients. Objective: The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of high dose intravenous ascorbic acid (VC) as a targeted therapy for TRALI in terms of serum proinflammatory (interleukin-8, interleukin-1β, C-reactive protein), anti-inflammatory (interleukin-10), oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde) markers, and plasma VC levels. Secondary outcomes were oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 ratio), vasopressor use, duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, 7-days mortality and 28-days mortality. Methods: Eighty critically ill patients with TRALI (n=80) were randomized to receive 2.5gm/6hr intravenous vitamin C for 96 hours (ASTRALI group) or placebo. Patients were followed-up to measure the outcomes initially (T0) and at the end of treatment (T96). Results: When compared to control group, ASTRALI group at T96, showed significantly higher median of interleukin-10 (31.6 ± 25.8 Vs. 17.7 ± 12.0 pg/mL, p<0.0001) levels and superoxide dismutase (12876 ± 4627 U/L Vs. 5895 ± 6632 U/L, p<0.0001) activities, lower median C-reactive protein (76 ± 50 Vs. 89 ± 56 mg/L, p=0.033), interleukin-8 (11.8 ± 7.3, 35.5 ± 19.8 pg/mL, p<0.0001), and malondialdehyde (0.197 ± 0.034 Vs. 0.234 ± 0.074 µM/L, p=0.002) levels. Conclusion: High dose ascorbic acid was associated with significantly reduced oxidative stress, reduced pro-inflammatory markers except IL-1β, elevated anti-inflammatory marker, and elevated plasma VC levels

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is an important chemical intermediate prepared by phosgenation reaction between toluene diamine and phosgene with two steps name cold and thermal phosgenation respectively. In this paper, the reactive distillation model for the thermal phosgenation reaction based the kinetics equations was established for an industrial installation, and the effects of the different parameters on the process performance were studied firstly; then based on the analysis results, a thermal coupling process between the towers of reactive distillation and phosgene purification was presented and investigated; finally, the optimal operation scheme was simulated and the results showed that the proposed process can save the heat and cold energy with 7.29% and 32.78%, respectively, and reduce the total annual cost about 17.11%. The result of the paper can be used to guide the operation configuration or the revampment of the TDI production equipment.

INTRODUCTION. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract illness in young children and can also cause influenza-like illness (ILI). Here we investigated the epidemiological features of RSV infection in pediatric ILI cases in Lombardy (a region in Northern Italy accounting nearly 10-million inhabitants) from 2014-2015 to 2020-2021 winter seasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Data for this study were retrieved and statistically analyzed from the database of virological influenza surveillance of the regional reference laboratory for Lombardy within the Italian influenza surveillance network (InfluNet). RESULTS. RSV accounting for nearly 19% of pediatric ILI with a risk of infection nearly 2-fold greater than that of individuals ≥15 years. The RSV positivity rate increased to 28% considering 0-5 years old children. Although in children ≤5 years the risk of infection from influenza viruses resulted nearly 2-fold higher than the risk of RSV infection, the age group 4-6 months and 7-12 months showed 5-fold greater risk of infection from RSV than from influenza. Children ≤5 years of age with presence of one or more comorbidities had a nearly 5-fold greater risk of getting RSV infection than otherwise healthy 0-5 years old children. DISCUSSION. The use of the ILI sentinel surveillance allowed us to identify groups at higher risk of RSV and influenza infection and to define the start, duration, timing and intensity of the RSV and influenza community circulation, determining thresholds based on historical data. This surveillance approach can be implemented to assess the nearly real-time RSV circulation and impact.

Background and Aim: We showed in our anatomical review, ventricular septal defects existing as multiple entities can be considered in terms of three major subsets. We address here the diagnostic challenges, associated anomalies, the role and techniques of surgical instead of interventional closure, and the outcomes. including reinterventions, for each subset. Methods: We reviewed 80 published investigations, noting radiographic findings, and the results of clinical imaging elucidating the location, number, size of septal defects, and associated anomalies, and the effect of severe pulmonary hypertension. Results: Overall, perioperative mortality for treatment of residual multiple defects has been cited to be between zero and 14.2%, with morbidity estimated between 6% to 13%. Perioperative mortality is twice as high for perimembranous compared to muscular defects, with need for reoperation is over four times higher. Perventricular hybrid approaches are useful for closure of high anterior or apical defects. Overall, results have been unsatisfactory. Pooled data reveals incidences between 2.8% and 45% for device-related adverse events. Currently, however, outcomes cannot be assessed on the basis of the different anatomical sub-sets. Conclusions: We have addressed the approaches, and the results, of therapeutic treatment in terms of co-existing discrete defects, the Swiss-cheese septum, and the arrangement in which a solitary apical muscular defect gives the impression of multiple defects when viewed from the right ventricular aspect. Treatment should vary according to the specific combination of defects.

In March 2021, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) reported an avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infection in a 5-year-old child identified through sentinel surveillance. This was the first human A(H5N6) infection reported outside of China. A multidisciplinary investigation undertook contact tracing and enhanced human and animal surveillance in surrounding villages and live bird markets. Seven Muscovy ducks tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N6) viruses. Sequenced viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4h and were closely related to viruses detected in poultry in Vietnam, and to previous viruses detected in Laos. Surveillance and coordinated outbreak response remain essential to global health security.

Due to its availability and minimal invasive harvesting human adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (dECM) is often used as a biomaterial in various tissue engineering and healthcare applications. Next to dECM, cell-derived ECM (cdECM) can be generated by and isolated from in vitro cultured cells. So far both types of ECM were investigated extensively towards their application as (bio)material in tissue engineering and healthcare. However, a systematic characterization and comparison of soft tissue dECM and cdECM is still missing. In this study, we characterized dECM from human adipose tissue, as well as cdECM from human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), towards their molecular composition, structural characteristics, and biological purity. The dECM was found to exhibit higher levels of collagens and lower levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) compared to cdECMs. Structural characteristics revealed an immature state of the fibrous part of cdECM samples. By the identified differences, we aim to support researchers in the selection of a suitable ECM-based biomaterial for their specific application and the interpretation of obtained results.

Bronchial chondromas are very rare pulmonary benign tumors. Despite their rarity, clinicians should pay attention to the possibility of endobronchial tumor in patients with unexplained respiratory symptoms. Treatment modalities for complete excision of the tumor should be initiated to prevent complications and malignant transformation based on the individual tumor situation,

In vitro systems serve as compact and manipulate models to investigate interactions between different cell types. A homogeneous population of cells predictably and uniformly responds to external factors. In a heterogeneous cell population, the effect of external growth factors is perceived in the context of intercellular interactions. Indirect cell co-cultivation allows one to observe the paracrine effects of cells and separately analyze cell populations. The article describes an application of custom-made cell co-cultivation systems based on protein membranes separated from the bottom of the vessel by the 3d printed holder or kept afloat by a magnetic field. Using the proposed co-cultivation system, we analyzed the interaction of A549 cells and fibroblasts, in the presence and absence of growth factors. During co-cultivation of cells, the expression of genes of the activation for epithelial and mesenchymal transitions decreases. The article proposes the application of a newly available system for the co-cultivation of different cell types.

Genital mycoplasma and preterm birth: a difficult puzzle to solve. Letter re: Genital Mycoplasma infection and spontaneous preterm birth outcome: a prospective cohort studySir.In their recent paper, Cunha and colleagues analyzed data from a diverse group of 1349 Brazilian women who participated in a 2011 study evaluating etiological factors associated with preterm birth. 11Cunha GKP, Bastos LB, de Freitas SF, Cavalli RC, Quintana SM. Genital mycoplasma infection and spontaneous preterm birth outcome: a prospective cohort study. BJOG  https://doi-org.uml.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16949 Women were interviewed and examined at 20-25 weeks’ gestation, and cervicovaginal cultures were taken for mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and bacterial vaginosis. Women were followed until delivery, and clinical associations with preterm birth were evaluated. Positive associations were found for shortened cervix and a history of prior preterm birth. No association was found for infection with mycoplasma, ureaplasma, or bacterial vaginosis. They concluded that “genital mycoplasma infection was not a risk of spontaneous preterm birth, even with other abnormal vaginal microbiota conditions.”There is a flaw in their methodology and conclusion. In the original study, women with a positive culture for ureaplasma or mycoplasma were treated with azithromycin, and those with bacterial vaginosis were treated with oral metronidazole. Treatment would have reduced the presence of these pathogens, limiting their ability to cause preterm birth. Accordingly, this study shows that women with treated mycoplasma, ureaplasma or bacterial vaginosis do not have an increased incidence of preterm birth; however, no comment can be made on whether untreated infection causes preterm birth.Presumably the original investigators who performed the study treated women with genital infection because they believed it might prevent preterm birth; and there lies the rub. An observational study using vaginal culture results unavailable until after birth has shown an association between untreated mycoplasma infection and preterm birth.22Foxman B, Wen A, Srinivasan U, et al. Mycoplasma, bacterial vaginosis, associated bacteria BVAB3, race, and risk of preterm birth in a high-risk cohort. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2014;210:226.e1-7. However, in order to determine whether mycoplasma causes preterm birth and whether treatment prevents it, a randomized trial of treatment or placebo in infected women at elevated risk of preterm birth is needed. This may not be easily feasible. Ethically, investigators may be able to demonstrate research equipoise: that we do not yet know whether treatment reduces preterm birth associated with mycoplasma infection. However, women found to have genital mycoplasma who are at increased risk of preterm birth would need to believe that the benefits and harms of treating or not treating are equal. Given the relative safety of antibiotics and the high morbidity of preterm birth, practically, equipoise may be hard to find.In Northern Canada, with high rates of sexually transmitted infections including mycoplasma, we suspect a causal relationship with preterm birth and late miscarriage. Based on observational studies and anecdotal evidence, our practice is to screen women with a history of prior preterm birth, late miscarriage, or short cervix for ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and bacterial vaginosis in the second trimester and treat those who are positive.2,33Taylor-Robinson D, Lamont R. Mycoplasmas in pregnancy. BJOG 2011;118:164–174.,44Morency AM, Bujold E. The Effect of Second-Trimester Antibiotic Therapy on the Rate of Preterm Birth. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2007;29(1):35–44 We also test women with threatened preterm labour remote from term and treat those who are positive, sometimes with marked reduction in symptoms. In keeping with Taylor-Robinson’s paper, treatment failures with azithromycin used for Mycoplasma hominis have prompted a switch to Clindamycin, whose activity against both mycoplasma and bacterial vaginosis may explain its better performance than metronidazole in the prevention of preterm birth.3,4 We await better evidence, but are not holding our breath.

The free propagation in time of a normalisable wave packet is the oldest problem of continuum quantum mechanics. Its motion from microscopic to macroscopic distance is the way in which most quantum systems are detected experimentally. Although much studied and analysed since 1927 and presented in many text books, here the problem is re-appraised from the standpoint of semi-classical mechanics. Particular aspects are the emergence of deterministic trajectories of particles emanating from a region of atomic dimensions and the interpretation of the wave function as describing a single particle or an ensemble of identical particles. Of possible wave packets, that of gaussian form is most studied due to the simple exact form of the time-dependent solution in real and in momentum space. Furthermore, this form is important in laser optics. Here the equivalence of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation to the paraxial equation for the propagation of light is demonstrated explicitly. This parallel helps to understand the relevance of trajectory concepts and the conditions necessary for the perception of motion as classical.

Background Since the introduction of the E-Vita Open NEO aortic prosthesis in 2020, several incidences of post-anastomotic oozing from the polyester portion of the graft have emerged. The use of BioGlue to prime E-Vita Open NEO to prevent this has been suggested as a way to mitigate this worrying complication. We investigate the extent of graft oozing in E-Vita Open NEO and evaluate the use of BioGlue in preventing oozing, both experimentally and in terms of potential clinical complications. Methods and materials E-Vita Open NEO (in straight and branched configurations) was implanted in a perfused model. The distal stent-graft and side branches were clamped, and the graft pressurised with blood to 120 mmHg. The volume of blood (ml) oozing from the graft within 60 seconds was measured. Non-pressurised grafts were coated with BioGlue up to a thickness 1-, 2-, and 3 mm, and the volume (mm3) of BioGlue required to do so was recorded. Results Within 60 seconds, 250.0 ml of blood oozed from the grafts tested. 43.694 mm3, 87.389 mm3, and 174.778 mm3 of BioGlue was required to coat the device with 1-, 2-, and 3 mm of BioGlue. Conclusion Graft oozing from E-Vita Open NEO represents an omnipresent and worrying risk. The use of BioGlue herein is likely associated with several adverse consequences, which are an additional risk on top of that posed by graft oozing. These risks call into question the suitability of E-Vita Open NEO, especially when compared to alternative devices not affected by oozing.

There is increasing understanding, globally, that climate change and increased pollution will have a profound and mostly harmful effect on human health. This review brings together international experts to describe both the direct (such as heat waves) and indirect (such as vector-borne disease incidence) impacts of climate change depending on their vulnerability (i.e., diseases) on an international, economic, political and environmental context. This unique review also expands on these issues to address a third category of potential longer-term impacts on global health: famine, population dislocation, and environmental justice and education. This scholarly resource explores these issues fully, linking them to global health in urban and rural settings in developed and developing countries. The review finishes with a practical discussion of action that health professionals around the world in our field can yet take.

The aim of this paper is to study the ground state solution for a Kirchhoff type elliptic systems without the Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz condition.

For the first time we built a correlative model for predicting the distribution of H. marginatum, one of the main vector of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), at high resolution in a recently colonized area, namely south of France. Field tick collections were conducted on horses from 2016 to 2021 in 14 French southern departments, which resulted in a first map of H. marginatum on the national territory. Such updated presence/absence data, as well as the mean number of H. marginatum per examined animal (mean parasitic load) as a proxy of the tick abundance, were correlated to multiple parameters that described the climate and habitats characterizing each collection site, as well as movements of horses as a possible source of tick diffusion and new establishment. Our model highlighted the importance of warm temperatures all along the year, as well as dry conditions during summer and moderate annual humidity for the establishment of H. marginatum. A predominance of open natural habitats in the environment was also identified as a supporting factor, in opposition to artificial and humid habitats that were determined as unsuitable. Based on this model, we predicted the current suitable areas for the establishment of the tick H. marginatum in South of France, with a relatively good accuracy using internal and external validation methods. Concerning tick abundance, some correlative relationships were similar than in the occurrence model but the type of horse movements were also pointed out as an important factor explaining the mean parasitic load, leading to differential exposure to ticks. The limitations of estimating and modelling H. marginatum abundance in a correlative model are discussed.

This Research Highlight provides context for the report of Gope et al. on experimental and computational probes of the decay of doubly-ionized methanol to H3+ and HCO+/COH+. The formation of the H3+ ionic product is shown to occur through the agency of a roaming H2 molecule generated from the carboxyl moiety that undergoes prompt proton transfer from the carbon atom, or, delayed proton transfer from the oxygen atom. This novel method for H3+ formation is contrasted with the conventional ion-molecule pathway, known for over a century, that forms the basis for interstellar molecule formation.

1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7) is a novel energetic material with high performance and low sensitivity. In order to deeply understand the reaction mechanism in the initiation “hot spots” of FOX-7 and reveal the growth mechanism of these initiation “hot spots” in the explosion process, the detailed mechanisms of bimolecular reaction of NO2 and FOX-7, as well as the subsequent reactions have been investigated by the quantum chemical calculations. The mechanism of NO2 and FOX-7 bimolecular reaction and the catalytic effect of NO2 were revealed by three key dissociation paths. It is demonstrated that the NO2 molecule plays an important role in promoting the decomposition of the FOX-7 molecule, and the main exothermic pathways were the reactions between oxidizing intermediates (NO, NO2), and reducing intermediates (CO, NH3).

A series of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives were characterized and tested as potential antennas in a set of designed lanthanide complexes. The molecular structure and ligand localized nature of the excited states were studied in the framework of the multiconfigurational methods CASSCF/NEVPT2 combined with TDDFT- based approaches, which allows applying a fragmentation scheme in the analysis of the most probable sensitization pathway via antenna effect. The photophysical properties of all the complexes and antennas were carefully analyzed, and the most probable energy transfer pathways were elucidated. Rate constants for photophysical processes involved in the mechanism were calculated, showing a significant contribution of the vibronic coupling in all cases and the predominant intersystem-crossing between S1 and T1 states was demonstrated from the analysis of the nature of the wave function of those states. The energy transfer process described herein demonstrates the possibility of Eu(III) and Nd(III) sensitization by the studied ligands. The proposed methodology gives a complete picture of the antenna excited state dynamics.