Possibility of persistent current in S-states.

In this study, we investigate the profound impact of the Pöschl-Teller double-ring-shaped Coulomb (PTDRSC) potential to induce persistent currents within the S-states of the hydrogenic atom. The confinement of the system is achieved through an impenetrable spherical boundary. Leveraging first-order perturbation theory, we quantify the charge current across various states induced by the PTDRSC potential with its inherent angular and azimuthal dependence, leading to angular and azimuthal distortion, respectively. Notably, persistent currents are observed within S-states without external excitation mechanisms. The magnitude of the induced current is intricately linked to the strength of the PTDRSC potential parameters. These results underscore the prospect of manipulating persistent currents and their associated induced magnetic fields within S-states by tailoring the potential strength and confining boundary size. This discovery presents a compelling avenue for the controlled generation and experimental verification of induced S-state magnetism, opening new possibilities for innovative applications.

Cavitating Lesions around the Cochlea Can Affect Audiometric Threshold and Clinical Practice.

There are several pathologies that can change the anatomy of the otic capsule and that can distort the bone density of the bony structures of the inner ear, but otosclerosis is one of the most frequent. Similar behavior has been shown in patients affected by osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder due to a mutation in the genes coding for type I (pro) collagen. In particular, we note that otosclerosis and OI can lead to bone resorption creating pericochlear cavitations in contact with the internal auditory canal (IAC). In this regard, we have collected five cases presenting this characteristic; their audiological data and clinical history were analyzed. This feature can be defined as a potential cause of a third-window effect, because it causes an energy loss during the transmission of sound waves from the oval window (OW) away from the basilar membrane.

Comparison of aortic valve repair techniques with single- and double-ring annuloplasties.

OBJECTIVES: For patients with isolated aortic regurgitation, a double sub- and supravalvular annuloplasty has been shown to reduce recurrent aortic regurgitation after aortic valve repair compared with a single subvalvular annuloplasty. The objective of this study was to compare the geometrical and dynamic properties of single- and double-ring annuloplasties in an in vitro model. METHODS: Eighteen aortic roots from 80 kg pigs were randomized into a control, single-ring and double-ring group. Experiments were conducted in a pulsatile in vitro model. Hydrodynamics, radial force measurements at annular and sinotubular level and 2D echographic imaging were obtained. RESULTS: Both the single- and double-ring annuloplasties downsized the aortic annulus and sinotubular junction (STJ) significantly and increased the coaptation height. The double-ring annuloplasty showed an additional significant increase in coaptation height compared with the single ring [8.5 (0.9)-9.8 (0.8) mm, P < 0.01]. The single-ring annuloplasty reduced radial forces at both levels, whereas the double-ring annuloplasty showed the greatest force reduction of the STJ. CONCLUSIONS: By treating the whole functional aortic annulus, encompassing both the aortic annulus and the STJ, a greater force reduction is observed. A subvalvular annuloplasty alone is efficient in reducing aortic annulus diameter and increasing coaptation height, however, by treating the STJ as well, an additional effect is observed on coaptation height, creating a more efficient stabilization. Reduction of annular force-distensibility ratio with the double-ring annuloplasty compared with the native controls indicates a sustained stabilizing effect.

Neck Radiograph Halo Sign: Do Not Be Fooled.

An aerodigestive foreign body injury in the throat is an otorhinolaryngology (ORL) emergency. Button batteries and coins are the most common foreign body aspirations or ingestions among the paediatric population. An impacted button battery in the aerodigestive tract is a surgical emergency, requiring urgent removal to prevent complications arising from the corrosive nature of the button battery. We report two cases that were brought in with a history of foreign body ingestion. Both neck radiographs showed a double-ring opaque shadow. The first child had a button battery eroding into his oesophagus. The second case is an ideally impacted stack of coins of different sizes that mimic a double-ring shadow, better known as a halo sign, in an antero-posterior neck radiograph. These cases are unique in comparing ingested coins in alignment with a button battery and a radiological examination mimicking that of a button battery. In this report, we emphasize the importance of a thorough history, endoscopic examination, and the limitations of radiographs in the initial assessment of an ingested foreign body in terms of management and prediction of morbidity.

The efficacy of wound edge protectors in reducing the post-operative surgical site infections after abdominal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical studies.

Introduction: Following abdominal surgery, surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common complication. The effectiveness of wound edge protectors in preventing SSI remains uncertain. Aim: To determine the clinical effectiveness of a wound edge protector (WEP) in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery. Material and methods: A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science yielded all relevant articles published through October 2022. The major evidence regarding the efficacy of WEPs in minimizing SSIs in abdominal surgery patients relative to the standard of care was determined by searching the literature. The primary outcome was SSI as clinically defined by CDC. To combine qualitative factors, risk ratios (RRs) were used. Results: WEPs were related to a decreased incidence of SSI overall (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.91; p = 0.004). WEPs are efficient in lowering the incidence of SSI at various abdominal surgical sites, with RR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.47-0.96; p = 0.03 for pancreatoduodenectomy, RR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31-0.86; p = 0.01 for colorectal surgery, and RR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.21-0.73; p = 0.003 for abdominal surgery. Moreover, both kinds of WEPs (single-ring and double-ring devices) were successful in lowering the risk of SSIs, with RR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.93; p = 0.02 for double-ring devices and RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58-0.98; p = 0.04 for single-ring devices. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that double- and single-ring wound edge protection devices are effective in preventing surgical site infections following pancreatoduodenectomy, colorectal, and abdominal procedures.

An Annular Fresnel Zone Plate without Central Spots Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing.

In recent years, micro-annular beams have been widely used, which has expanded the possibilities for laser processing. However, the current method of generating an annular beam still has shortcomings, such as spot energy at the center of the produced beam. In this study, a Fresnel zone plate with an annular structure was machined using a femtosecond laser. After focusing, an annular laser beam without a spot in the center was obtained, and the radius and focal length of the annular beam could be easily adjusted. In addition, two annular Fresnel zone plates were concentrically connected to obtain a concentric double-ring beam in the same focal plane. The simulation and experimental results were consistent, providing effective potential for applications related to nontraditionally shaped laser beams.

Double-ring sign in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced vasculitis.

The double-ring sign found in contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which reflects inflammatory changes in the adventitia and oedema of the intima, is thought to be characteristic of Takayasu arteritis; however, herein, it was also observed for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-induced vasculitis.

A Hollow-Core Photonic-Crystal Fiber-Optic Gyroscope Based on a Parallel Double-Ring Resonator.

A novel system structure of resonant fiber optical gyroscope using a parallel double hollow-core photonic crystal fiber ring resonator is proposed, which employs the double closed loop and reciprocal modulation-demodulation technique to solve the problem of the length mismatch between rings. This structure can suppress the residual amplitude modulation noise and laser frequency noise, essentially eliminating the influence of the Rayleigh backscattering noise and dramatically reduce the Kerr-effect-induced drift by three orders of magnitude. Thanks to its excellent noise suppression effect, the sensitivity of this novel system can approach the shot-noise-limited theoretical value of 8.94 × 10-7 rad/s assuming the length of the fiber ring resonator is 10 m.

Ultra-sensitive detection of DNA N6-adenine methyltransferase based on a 3D tetrahedral fluorescence scaffold assisted by symmetrical double-ring dumbbells.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a vital role in X chromosome inactivation, genome imprinting, and gene expression. DNA methyltransferase establishes and maintains a stable methylation state in genomic DNA. Efficient and specific DNA methyltransferase testing is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this study, we designed an ultra-sensitive fluorescent biosensor, based on a 3D tetrahedral fluorescent scaffold assisted by symmetrical double-ring dumbbells, for the detection of DNA-[N 6-adenine]-methyltransferase (Dam MTase). Double-stranded DNA was methylated by Dam MTase and then digested by DpnI to form two identical dumbbell rings. The 3D tetrahedral fluorescent scaffold was synthesized from four oligonucleotide chains containing hairpins. When the sheared dumbbells reacted with the 3D tetrahedral fluorescent scaffold, the hairpins opened and a fluorescence signal could be detected. The strategy was successful over a wide detection range, from 0.002 to 100 U mL-1 Dam MTase, and the lowest detection limit was 0.00036 U mL-1. Control experiments with M.SssI methyltransferase and HpaII methylation restriction endonuclease confirmed the specificity of the method. Experiments with spiked human serum and the 5-fluorouracil inhibitor proved the suitability of the method for early cancer diagnosis.

Structural Fluctuations of the Human Proteasome α7 Homo-Tetradecamer Double Ring Imply the Proteasomal α-Ring Assembly Mechanism.

The 20S proteasome, which is composed of layered α and ß heptameric rings, is the core complex of the eukaryotic proteasome involved in proteolysis. The α7 subunit is a component of the α ring, and it self-assembles into a homo-tetradecamer consisting of two layers of α7 heptameric rings. However, the structure of the α7 double ring in solution has not been fully elucidated. We applied cryo-electron microscopy to delineate the structure of the α7 double ring in solution, revealing a structure different from the previously reported crystallographic model. The D7-symmetrical double ring was stacked with a 15° clockwise twist and a separation of 3 Å between the two rings. Two more conformations, dislocated and fully open, were also identified. Our observations suggest that the α7 double-ring structure fluctuates considerably in solution, allowing for the insertion of homologous α subunits, finally converting to the hetero-heptameric α rings in the 20S proteasome.

Design of a High-Sensitivity Microstrip Patch Sensor Antenna Loaded with a Defected Ground Structure Based on a Complementary Split Ring Resonator.

A comparative study to determine the most highly sensitive resonant frequency among the first four resonant frequencies of a conventional patch antenna and defected ground structure (DGS)-loaded patch antennas using commonly used DGS geometries in the literature, such as a rectangular slit, single-ring complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) with different split positions, and double-ring CSRRs (DR-CSRRs) with different locations below the patch, for relative permittivity measurement of planar materials was conducted. The sensitivity performance for placing the DGS on two different locations, a center and a radiating edge of the patch, was also compared. Finally, the effect of scaling down the patch size of the DGS-loaded patch antenna was investigated in order to enhance the sensitivities of the higher order resonant frequencies. It was found that the second resonant frequency of the DR-CSRR DGS-loaded patch antenna aligned on a radiating edge with a half scaled-down patch size shows the highest sensitivity when varying the relative permittivity of the material under test from 1 to 10. In order to validate the simulated performance of the proposed antenna, the conventional and the proposed patch antennas were fabricated on 0.76-mm-thick RF-35 substrate, and they were used to measure their sensitivity when several standard dielectric substrate samples with dielectric constants ranging from 2.17 to 10.2 were loaded. The measured sensitivity of the second resonant frequency for the proposed DGS-loaded patch antenna was 4.91 to 7.72 times higher than the first resonant frequency of the conventional patch antenna, and the measured performance is also slightly better compared to the patch antenna loaded with a meander-line slot on the patch.

Modular and coordinated activity of AAA+ active sites in the double-ring ClpA unfoldase of the ClpAP protease.

ClpA is a hexameric double-ring AAA+ unfoldase/translocase that functions with the ClpP peptidase to degrade proteins that are damaged or unneeded. How the 12 ATPase active sites of ClpA, 6 in the D1 ring and 6 in the D2 ring, work together to fuel ATP-dependent degradation is not understood. We use site-specific cross-linking to engineer ClpA hexamers with alternating ATPase-active and ATPase-inactive modules in the D1 ring, the D2 ring, or both rings to determine if these active sites function together. Our results demonstrate that D2 modules coordinate with D1 modules and ClpP during mechanical work. However, there is no requirement for adjacent modules in either ring to be active for efficient enzyme function. Notably, ClpAP variants with just three alternating active D2 modules are robust protein translocases and function with double the energetic efficiency of ClpAP variants with completely active D2 rings. Although D2 is the more powerful motor, three or six active D1 modules are important for high enzyme processivity, which depends on D1 and D2 acting coordinately. These results challenge sequential models of ATP hydrolysis and coupled mechanical work by ClpAP and provide an engineering strategy that will be useful in testing other aspects of ClpAP mechanism.

Infiltration of synovitis into the flexor tendon: a case report.

Synovitis is a type of aseptic inflammation that occurs within joints or surrounding tendons. No previous reports have described a hypertrophic synovium eroding the tendon sheath and manifesting as synovitis within the flexor tendon. We herein report a case involving a 10-year-old girl who presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of a swollen mass and progressive inability to completely flex her left index finger. The active flexion angle of the proximal interphalangeal joint was limited to 85°. A longitudinal incision of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was surgically performed. The synovium inside and outside the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was completely removed. After the surgical excision, normal tendon gliding returned without recurrence by the 1-year follow-up. The active flexion angle of the proximal interphalangeal joint improved to 100°. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of synovitis affecting the flexor tendon and leading to limited flexion of a finger. The manifestation of a double ring sign on magnetic resonance imaging is quite characteristic. Early diagnosis and monitoring of the hyperproliferation and invasiveness of the synovial tissue are required. Surgical excision can be a simple and effective tool when necessary.

The acetyltransferase Eco1 elicits cohesin dimerization during S phase.

Cohesin is a DNA-associated protein complex that forms a tripartite ring controlling sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome segregation and organization, DNA replication, and gene expression. Sister chromatid cohesion is established by the protein acetyltransferase Eco1, which acetylates two conserved lysine residues on the cohesin subunit Smc3 and thereby ensures correct chromatid separation in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and other eukaryotes. However, the consequence of Eco1-catalyzed cohesin acetylation is unknown, and the exact nature of the cohesive state of chromatids remains controversial. Here, we show that self-interactions of the cohesin subunits Scc1/Rad21 and Scc3 occur in a DNA replication-coupled manner in both yeast and human cells. Using cross-linking MS-based and in vivo disulfide cross-linking analyses of purified cohesin, we show that a subpopulation of cohesin may exist as dimers. Importantly, upon temperature-sensitive and auxin-induced degron-mediated Eco1 depletion, the cohesin-cohesin interactions became significantly compromised, whereas deleting either the deacetylase Hos1 or the Eco1 antagonist Wpl1/Rad61 increased cohesin dimer levels by ∼20%. These results indicate that cohesin dimerizes in the S phase and monomerizes in mitosis, processes that are controlled by Eco1, Wpl1, and Hos1 in the sister chromatid cohesion-dissolution cycle. These findings suggest that cohesin dimerization is controlled by the cohesion cycle and support the notion that a double-ring cohesin model operates in sister chromatid cohesion.

Altered stresses and dynamics after single and double annuloplasty ring for aortic valve repair.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve repair procedures for the treatment of isolated aortic valve insufficiency may be improved by stabilizing the functional aortic annulus using a double annuloplasty ring at the aortic annulus and sinotubular junction (STJ). The objective of this study was to compare the geometrical changes and aortic root stress distribution when using a single subvalvular ring and a double sub- and supravalvular ring in vivo. METHODS: Both the single- and double-ring procedures were performed successively in nine 80-kg pigs. Measurements were performed intraoperatively using sonomicrometry crystals in the aortic root to evaluate geometrical changes and annular and STJ force transducers measuring the segmental radial stress distribution. RESULTS: The total force in the STJ was significantly reduced after the double-ring procedure from 1.7 ± 0.6 to 0.04 ± 1.1 N (P = 0.001). The double-ring procedure significantly reduced the STJ area from 234.8 ± 37.6 to 147.5 ± 31.8 mm2 (P = 0.001) and expansibility from 17 ± 6% to 8 ± 3% (P = 0.001). With the single-ring procedure, the STJ shape was circular but became more oval with the double-ring procedure. The double-ring procedure did not affect stress distribution or geometry in the aortic annulus. CONCLUSIONS: The double-ring procedure stabilized the whole aortic root by reducing radial stress distribution in the STJ more efficiently than the single-ring procedure. Both area and expansibility were reduced with the double-ring procedure. These results confirm the importance of addressing the entire functional aortic annulus for optimal aortic valve repair procedures.

Triad1 regulates the expression and distribution of EHD1 contributing to the neurite outgrowth of neurons after spinal cord injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury is a common and severe complication after an accident. As we all know that neurite outgrowth of neurons is difficult after a spinal cord injury. Endosome system is associated with cargoes transportation and contributes in promoting the neuronal capability for neurite outgrowth. EH domain-containing protein 1 (EHD1) transports proteins through the endosome system, especially in the recycling endosomes and regulating the neurite outgrowth. In mammalian cells, the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in endosomal sorting has been well established. Two RING fingers and a DRIL (double RING finger-linked) 1 (Triad1) plays an important role in membrane trafficking and its mutant results in the wrong accumulation of receptors in endosomes and plasma membrane. In this current study, we reasonably integrated the results of the above research and investigated the regulating function of Triad1 to EHD1 following the spinal cord injury. We characterized the upregulated expression and distribution of Triad1 and EHD1 in the neurons after SCI and declared the interaction between Triad1 with EHD1 both in vitro and in vivo. Triad1 regulated the interaction between itself and the full-length or EH domain of EHD1, which influenced the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. Our data delineate a novel interaction between Triad1 and EHD1 that may contribute to the regulation of neurite outgrowth for neurons after the spinal cord injury.

Congenital Zika Syndrome in Puerto Rico, Beyond Microcephaly, A Multiorgan Approach.

OBJECTIVE: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was identified in Puerto Rico on December 2015, and the outbreak encouraged us to characterize clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of intrauterine exposed infants. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of infants born to mothers with confirmed ZIKV infection during pregnancy was performed from January 2016-June 2017. We included patients admitted to UPH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or referred for follow-up at UPH High Risk Clinics. The database was approved by the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, IRB. RESULTS: 191 infants born to ZIKV positive mothers during pregnancy were identified. Normal head sonogram was found in 93% of the normo cephalic infants. Ocular findings were reported in 50% of the patients with microcephaly and 31% of the normo-cephalics. Fifteen newborns (7.8%) presented with microcephaly, of which 73% showed calcifications in head sonogram, and had severe anomalies on brain MRI. Auditory brainstem response test was performed on all newborns, 80% were within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Among the group of infants born to mothers with Zika positive test 4% had microcephaly. Of concern to us is the fact that 31% of normo cephalic infants had ocular manifestations and 7% of them had findings on head sonogram. While microcephaly is the severest form of Congenital Zika Syndrome, ocular manifestations might characterize the spectrum of disease. These findings reiterate the importance of detailed neonatal evaluations of exposed infants.

Association of Zika Virus Exposure in Utero with Ocular Phenotypes in a Group of Newborns in Puerto Rico Exposure with ocular phenotypes in newborns in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: After the outbreak in January 2016, researchers in Brazil reported the first cases of ophthalmic abnormalities in infants with microcephaly and presumed Zika virus (ZIKV) intrauterine infection. Screening for ocular lesions in all newborns exposed to ZIKV prenatally has been emphasized because of a chorioretinal macular scar found in a number normocephalic patient exposed to ZIKV. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records of infants born to mothers found to be ZIKV-positive during their pregnancies (January 2016-July 2017) was performed. We included all newborns and infants admitted to the NICU and/or receiving ambulatory care at the high-risk clinics at the University Pediatric Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The creation of this database was approved by the IRB of the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus. RESULTS: Records from 234 newborns born to Zika-positive mothers were identified. The ophthalmic evaluations of 95 patients were available. Sixty-three of them had normal findings (66%). Twelve of the 95 patients had microcephaly (12.6% of the cohort). Of the microcephalic group, half had normal ophthalmological findings. Of the normocephalic group (83/95), almost 31% had ocular findings: a small optic nerve in 3%, a double-ring sign in 10%, macular stippling in 8%, mottling in 4%, an oval optic nerve in 2%, a tilted nerve in 1%, and blunted foveal reflex in 1%. CONCLUSION: We report herein ZIKV associated ophthalmologic findings, similar to those published, in 34% of the infants with suspected/confirmed ZIKV fetal exposure. These data underline the importance of ocular examination in patients with suspected congenital Zika but without other findings on physical exam.

[A modern approach to the diagnosis of nasal liquorrhea]. / Sovremennyi podkhod k diagnostike nazal'noi likvorei.

Nasal liquorrhea is cerebrospinal fluid leakage from cerebrospinal fluid spaces of the cerebral cavity into the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses due to congenital or acquired abnormalities of the skull base bones and meninges of various etiologies. The severity of liquorrhea varies from hidden manifestations to profuse leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nasal cavity. The diagnosis of overt nasal liquorrhea is not problematic, but the diagnosis of latent liquorrhea is a challenge. In this case, the disease leads to potentially fatal complications, such as meningitis (the risk amounts to 10-37%), pneumocephaly, pneumonia, etc. These peculiarites give rise to two main tasks: early diagnosis confirming liquorrhea and accurate identification of the CSF fistula location when planning further surgical management. PURPOSE: The study purpose was to review and comparatively analyze all modern methods of diagnosing nasal liquorrhea as well as to substantiate the most effective and promising approaches and algorithms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included papers in English and Russian found in the Pubmed database and related to the diagnosis of basal liquorrhea of different etiology and localization. RESULTS: This review demonstrates that diagnostic tests vary widely in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, invasiveness, and cost. Given all the criteria, detection of beta-2 transferrin or beta-trace protein is the best method for confirming nasal liquorrhea, and high-resolution computed tomography is the best technique for localization of the abnormality. CONCLUSION: Based on the review, we suggest a diagnostic algorithm for nasal liquorrhea. However, the evidence presented in this review is unfortunately not very reliable, which indicates the existing need for more accurate studies.