Metazoan parasite communities of the Pacific red snapper, Lutjanus peru (Perciformes: Lutjanidae): interannual variations in parasite communities.

Metazoan parasite communities can experience temporal structural changes related to seasonal and/or local variations in several biotic and abiotic environmental factors. However, few studies have addressed this issue in tropical regions, where changes in water temperature are less extreme than in temperate regions, so the factors or processes that can generate variations in these parasite communities are as yet unclear. We quantified and analysed the parasite communities of 421 Lutjanus peru (Nichols & Murphy, 1922) collected from Acapulco Bay in Guerrero, Mexico, over a four-year period (August 2018 to April 2021), to identify any interannual variation due to local biotic and abiotic factors influenced by natural oceanographic phenomena, such as El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or La Niña. Twenty-five metazoan parasite taxa were recovered and identified: seven Digenea species; two Monogenea; one Cestoda; one Acanthocephala; four Nematoda; and ten of Crustacea (seven Copepoda and three Isopoda). The digeneans and copepods were the best represented parasite groups. The parasite communities were characterized by a high numerical dominance of helminth larvae. Species richness at the component community level (13 to 19 species) was similar to reported richness in other Lutjanus spp. The parasite communities of L. peru had a high variability in species composition, but low aggregate variability (e.g. species diversity), suggesting that structure of these communities may be quite stable over time. A clear interannual variation pattern was not observed, suggesting that parasite species of this host may respond differently to variations in environmental factors. Interannual variations were possibly caused by a combination of biotic (i.e. host feeding behaviour and body size) and local abiotic factors (influenced by climatic anomalies) which generated notable changes in the infection levels of several component species.

Phase and amplitude reconstruction in single-pixel transmission microscopy: a comparison of Hadamard, cosine, and noiselet bases.

Hadamard, cosine, and noiselet bases are implemented into a digital holographic microscope based on single-pixel imaging with the capability to retrieve images of complex objects. The object is illuminated with coherent light modulated with different patterns deployed in a digital micromirror device, and the resulting fields are captured by single-pixel detection. For amplitude images, the experimental results of the three bases are evaluated with the peak SNR criteria. It is shown that the cosine basis recovers amplitude distributions with the best quality. Regarding phase images, the recovered ones compare well with those obtained with a CMOS camera.

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of a multi-layer Al2O3/ZnO for nonlinear optical waveguides.

This is a report of a study of the nonlinear optical properties of samples based on multiple Al2O3/ZnO bilayers fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in silica. The multi-layer configuration for samples consists of alternated layers of constant thickness of Al2O3 (Δx) and ZnO (Δy) nanolaminates with a total thickness of ∼ 500 nm. The physical properties of the samples were characterized by means of TEM, spectrophotometry and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. The absorptive and refractive contributions to the nonlinearity of the samples were studied by means of z-scan technique using a 100 fs at 800 nm. The nonlinear parameters, ß and n2, are studied using different values of the layers thickness, Δx and Δy, in the nanolaminated stack. The possible applications in optical signal processing system are discussed by means of the figures of merit W and T.

Effect of CRHR1 and CRHR2 gene polymorphisms and childhood trauma in suicide attempt.

Family, twin, and adoption studies have suggested that genetic factors might be involved in suicidal behavior. Corticotropin-releasing receptor type 1 (CRHR1) and 2 (CRHR2) genes play a key role in the activation and modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is considered a major stress regulator. Childhood trauma is an environmental risk factor associated with suicide attempt (SA) and it has been related to HPA axis dysregulation. This study aimed at analyzing the relationship of CRHR1 and CRHR2 genes with childhood trauma concerning the development of SA. In this study, we included 366 affective disorder patients. Among them, 183 patients had SA at least once and 183 had not SA. Information regarding SA and childhood trauma was obtained from medical records. Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction program was used to detect gene-environment interactions between CRHR1 (rs110402, rs242924, and rs16940665) and CRHR2 (rs2190242, rs2284217, and rs2014663) with childhood trauma in SA. The analysis showed an interaction of CRHR1 and CRHR2 with childhood trauma, thus conferring increased risk of having presented at least one SA (OR 7.44; 95% CI 4.58-12.07; p < 0.0001). In addition, we observed the following in the trauma subtypes analysis: physical negligence (OR 4.72; 95% CI 3.01-7.40; p < 0.0001), emotional abuse (OR 5.76; 95% CI 3.67-9.05; p < 0.0001), and sexual abuse (OR 5.70; 95% CI 3.62-8.97; p < 0.0001). Our results suggested that genetic variants of CRHR1 and CRHR2 genes in addition to physical negligence, and emotional and sexual abuse, contribute to increase risk of presented at least one SA.

Th1/Th17/Th22 immune response and their association with joint pain, imagenological bone loss, RANKL expression and osteoclast activity in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A preliminary report.

It is well accepted that the presence of cytokines belonging to the Th1/Th17/Th22 axis of immuno-inflammatory response in the joint environment, such as IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22, respectively, are associated with pathogenesis of several synovial joint degenerative disorders. During temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA), IL-1ß and IL-17 have been implicated in the inflammation and resorption of sub-chondral bone; however, the role of Th22 response in the TMJ-OA pathophysiology has not been established. This study aimed to compare the expression of Th1/Th17/Th22-type cytokines, chemokines and chemokine receptors in synovial fluid samples obtained from TMJ-OA or disk displacement with reduction (DDWR) patients. In addition, it aimed to associate these levels with joint pain, imagenological signs of bone degeneration, RANKL production, osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast-induced bone resorption. Higher levels of IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22 were expressed in TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects, and these increased levels significantly correlated with RANKL expression, joint pain and articular bone degeneration. Higher levels of CCR5, CCR6 and CCR7, as well as their respective ligands CCL5 and CCL20, responsible for recruitment of IL-1ß, IL-17 and IL-22-producing cells, were over-expressed in TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects. Osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast-induced bone resorption were significantly greater in presence of synovial fluid from TMJ-OA compared with DDWR subjects. These data demonstrate that cytokines, CCLs and CCRs associated with the Th1/Th17/Th22 axis of immuno-inflammatory response are involved in TMJ-OA pathogenesis. These findings suggest that IL-22 is involved in the RANKL expression in TMJ-OA, which in turn induces differentiation of osteoclasts and subsequent resorption of sub-chondral bone.

Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Competitive Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Water Using Orange Biomass.

Adsorption of heavy metals on modified orange biomass has been studied. This biomass was treated with NaOH and CaCl2 to improve its adsorption properties. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of the adsorption of Cd2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ were performed at different operating conditions, including competitive adsorption studies with binary metallic mixtures. Results show that this adsorption process was endothermic where an ion exchange mechanism played a relevant role. Adsorbent effectiveness decreased in binary solutions, indicating a strong antagonistic adsorption behavior caused by counter-ions. This antagonistic adsorption was highly dependent on the counter-ion type and its concentration. Multicomponent adsorption of Cu2+ ions was not significantly affected by the presence of other metallic counter-ions, whereas the adsorption of Ni2+ could be totally suppressed by the other ions. The modeling of binary adsorption isotherms was successful using the modified Langmuir equation, which outperformed the Ideal Absorbed Solution Theory-Sips and modified Redlich-Peterson models.

Cucurbita ficifolia (Cucurbitaceae) modulates inflammatory cytokines and IFN-γ in obese mice.

This study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Cucurbita ficifolia Bouché on systemic chronic inflammation in an obesity model induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) via modulating the expression of adipokines (TNF-α, IL-6, resistin, and adiponectin) and immune-regulatory cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10). Cucurbita ficifolia extract was administered daily by gavage to lean and MSG-obese mice for 30 days. At the end of treatment, cytokine mRNA expression in adipose tissue was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the protein levels of these cytokines were also quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cucurbita ficifolia extract decreased body mass and inflammation in MSG-obese mice by reducing the expression of TNF-α and IL-6; these decreases were parallel to significant reductions in protein levels. The extract also increased protein levels of IL-10 in lean mice and IFN-γ in both lean and MSG-obese mice. In conclusion, C. ficifolia extract modulates systemic chronic inflammation in MSG-obese mice and could have a beneficial effect on the adaptive immune system in obesity.

Phytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds from the endophyte Hypoxylon anthochroum strain Blaci isolated from Bursera lancifolia (Burseraceae).

AIMS: To evaluate the phytotoxic, antifungal and antioomycete activity; and, determine the chemical composition of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile metabolites produced by the endophyte Hypoxylon anthochroum strain Blaci isolated from Bursera lancifolia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on its macro- and micro-morphological features, the strain Blaci was identified as Nodulisporium sp.; partial analysis of its ITS1-5.8-ITS2 ribosomal gene sequence revealed the identity of the teleomorphic stage of the fungus as H. anthochroum. Phytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of VOCs, and culture medium and mycelium organic extracts from H. anthochroum Blaci were determined by simple and multiple antagonism bioassays, and gas phase and agar dilution bioassays respectively. The volatile and semi-volatile metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. VOCs from a 5-day H. anthochroum strain Blaci culture caused the inhibition of seed germination, root elongation and seedling respiration on Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Panicum miliaceum, Trifolium pratense and Medicago sativa. In addition, extracts, phenylethyl alcohol and eucalyptol main compounds present in the VOCs and extract displayed a high phytotoxic activity, inhibiting the three physiological processes on the four test plants in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that H. anthochroum strain Blaci produces a mixture of VOCs. These VOCs showed a strong phytotoxic activity on seed germination, root elongation, and seedling respiration of four plants and slightly affected the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes. Also, the culture medium and mycelium extracts of H. anthochroum showed a high phytotoxic activity on the four test plants and, generally, the culture medium extract was more phytotoxic than the mycelium extracts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work firstly reports the phytotoxic activity of volatile and semi-volatile compounds produced by the endophyte H. anthochroum strain Blaci on seed germination, root elongation, and seedling respiration of four different plants; consequently, these compounds could be useful in biocontrol of weeds and plant pathogens.

Dermoscopy of tumours arising in naevus sebaceous: a morphological study of 58 cases.

BACKGROUND: Naevus sebaceous is a congenital hamartoma commonly associated with the development of secondary neoplasms. There are sparse data relating to the dermoscopy of tumours arising in naevus sebaceous. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dermoscopic features of a large series of neoplasms arising in naevus sebaceous. METHODS: Digital dermoscopic images of 58 histopathologically confirmed cases of secondary neoplasms arising in naevus sebaceous collected from 11 hospitals in Spain, France, Italy and Austria were evaluated for the presence of dermoscopic structures and patterns. RESULTS: The most frequent tumours collected were: trichoblastoma (39.6%), basal cell carcinoma (20.7%) and syringocystadenoma papilliferum (15.6%). The most remarkable findings were: (i) the pattern composed of asymmetrical large blue-grey ovoid nests was more common in basal cell carcinomas than in trichoblastoma (58.3% vs. 4.3%; P < 0.001) and the pattern composed of a symmetrical total large blue-grey ovoid nest (a blue-grey homogeneous area which occupies the whole lesion) was more common in trichoblastoma (82.6% vs. 16.6%; P < 0.001); (ii) the most frequent pattern associated with syringocystadenoma papilliferum was a symmetric, erythematous lesion with exophytic papillary structures, ulceration and vessels (55.5%); (iii) the most common pattern associated with apocrine hidrocystomas was a total symmetric homogeneous area and arborizing telangiectasias (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Benign adnexal tumours associated with naevus sebaceous are dermoscopic mimickers of basal cell carcinomas. A pigmented nodule arising in a naevus sebaceous with a total blue large ovoid nest on dermoscopy could be a trichoblastoma, basal cell carcinoma, hidrocystoma or hidradenoma. Dermoscopy can be a useful diagnostic tool which generates a more accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Luteoprotective role of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) during pregnancy in the mare.

The effects of repeated cloprostenol administration were compared in mares impregnated by horses and mares impregnated by donkeys in order to assess the role of eCG on the development of pregnancy-associated resistance to the luteolytic and abortifacient effects of PGF2α. Eleven mares impregnated by donkey (mule pregnancy) and 9 mares impregnated by horse (horse pregnancy) were used. Six mares with mule pregnancy and four with horse pregnancy were injected with cloprostenol (0.25 mg) when they were between day 65 and day 75 of pregnancy, and the treatment was repeated 48, 72 and 96 h latter. The rest of the mares remained as controls. Concentrations of eCG were 10 times higher (p < 0.001) in mares impregnated by horses than in mares impregnated by donkeys, and they were not affected by cloprostenol treatment. Luteolysis was completed 30 h after the first cloprostenol injection in mule pregnancies, while mares with horse pregnancies required 96 h and three cloprostenol injections to complete luteolysis. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between eCG concentrations at time 0 and the time required for completion of luteolysis (p < 0.001), foetal death (p < 0.01) and foetal expulsion (p < 0.05). It is concluded that high eCG concentrations in mares impregnated by horses protect the corpora lutea of pregnancy against the luteolytic effects of PGF2α. Low eCG concentrations in mares carrying mule foetuses afford them less protection against the luteolytic effect of PGF2α, and this may be a cause of the increased foetal mortality that occurs between days 60 and 90 of pregnancy in these mares.

Synthesis, photo- and thermo-luminescent properties of Mg2P2O7:Tm3+ phosphors.

In this work, both undoped and Thulium (Tm3+) doped (0.3-10 mol%) magnesium pyrophosphate (Mg2P2O7) powders were synthesized by the solvent evaporation method to study their photo-and thermoluminescent properties. Two crystalline phases were observed in the powders by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), the main phase being Mg2P2O7 and the second one thulium phosphate (TmPO4). The superficial morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed that the powders are agglomerates with an undefined form and grains with non-uniform size distribution. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra of Tm3+ doped powders show the 1D2 → 3F4 transition, associated with Tm3+ ions, at 452 and 458 nm. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties were analyzed in the undoped and Tm3+ doped powders exposed to 90Sr beta source. The TL glow curve of Tm3+ doped powders exhibits three maxima at about ⁓64-66 °C, ⁓198-202 °C, and ⁓301 °C. The TL dose-response is sub-linear from 0.11 to 0.54 Gy, linear between 0.79 and 24.95 Gy, and supra-linear from 34.99 to 599.95 Gy. Acceptable repeatability with a coefficient of variation of ∼1% was obtained after ten cycles of irradiation and readout. At 63 d of storage, the powders show fading of 30%, and at 1.6 years (585 d), the integrated TL intensity decays by 47%. The kinetic parameters of activation energy and frequency factor were evaluated using the Initial Rise, Booth, Bohun, and Porfianovitch (BBP) and Hoogenstraaten methods and Glow Curve Deconvolution with a general order kinetic model.

Factors predicting severe childhood obesity in kindergarteners.

BACKGROUND: Severe obesity has increased >300% in US children since 1976, and is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and high adult obesity rates. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify predictors of severe obesity in kindergarteners. METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) were used to identify prenatal/pregnancy, infant, and early childhood predictors of severe kindergarten obesity (body mass index (BMI) 99th percentile) in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort, a nationally representative longitudinal study that followed children from birth through kindergarten. RESULTS: For the 6800 children, the severe kindergarten obesity prevalence was 5.7%, with higher adjusted odds for crossing the 85th percentile of BMI at 2 years old (odds ratio (OR), 8.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.1-15.7), preschool age (OR, 7.9; 95% CI, 4.9-12.8) and 9 months old (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.6); maternal severe obesity (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.9-5.8) and gestational diabetes (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5-5.5); drinking tea or coffee between meals/before bedtime at 2 years old (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3-8.5); Latino (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.7) and multiracial (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.8) race/ethnicity; and drinking sugary beverages at kindergarten age at least weekly (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.7). Ever-attending center-based daycare (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9), eating fruit at least weekly at kindergarten age (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7), and maternal history of a prior newborn birth weight 4000 g (OR, 0.1; 95% CI, 0.02-0.6) were associated with reduced odds of severe obesity. RPA identified low severe obesity prevalence (1.9%) for non-85th BMI-percentile preschool crossers and high severe obesity (56-80%) for predictor clusters which included crossing the 85th BMI percentile at earlier ages, low parental education, specific maternal age cutoffs, preschooler bedtime rules, and outside walking/play frequency for 9-month-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Certain parental, prenatal/pregnancy, infant, and early childhood factors, both alone and in combination, are potent predictors of severe obesity in kindergarteners.

Preventing Teen Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Parenting and Expecting Latino Adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Latino youths in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of teen pregnancy. The aim of this study was to obtain expecting and parenting Latino adolescents' perspectives regarding factors contributing to teen pregnancy and pregnancy prevention. METHODS: Expecting/parenting Latino adolescents were recruited from high schools with high proportions of Latino youths and teen pregnancy. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and background characteristics. Focus groups were stratified by age and gender and audio recorded. Grounded theory was used to identify themes from the transcribed audio recordings. RESULTS: Thirty-two expecting/parenting Latino adolescents (20 females, 12 males) 14-19 years old participated in four focus groups. Quantitative results revealed that two-thirds of participants at birth had adolescent mothers. Over three-quarters of participants reported that their pregnancies had occurred too soon. Qualitative themes for factors contributing to teen pregnancy included lack of contraceptive knowledge/access, belief of invincibility, influence within relationships, male decisions on contraceptive use, desire to belong among peers, lack of parental support for contraceptive use, lack of parental attention, rebellion, normalization of adolescent parenthood in Latino culture, and media. Themes for pregnancy prevention included time alone with physicians, parenting teens as mentors, reproductive health education, and community pregnancy-prevention programs. CONCLUSION: Multiple factors contribute to teen pregnancy in Latino youth, including influences from Latino culture, family, peers, partners, and social determinants of health. Pregnancy prevention should incorporate interventions to address these aspects, including disseminating culturally sensitive education materials, providing parenting teens as peer mentors, encouraging time alone with health care providers, and addressing various social determinants of health.

[Radiation exposure of the spine surgeon]. / Exposición a radiación del cirujano de columna.

INTRODUCTION: in general, spine surgeons seek to minimize soft tissue damage by using less invasive approaches, which causes them to use intraoperative images much more frequently than other surgical specialties; therefore, they are at increased risk of radiation exposure. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this work was to analyse the amount of radiation to which the spine surgeon is exposed in different scenarios. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a prospective study with a descriptive, longitudinal non-randomized data source. We carried out this study in the period from 2015 to 2019, the radiologic protection consisted in lead apron, thyroid shield and leaded glasses, there were 10 badge dosimeters. RESULTS: only 4 dosimeters were included in the study, the other six were excluded. During the study period one surgeon suffered thyroid cancer and other suffered of liposarcoma. In the protected group were two surgeons, in the group of aleatory exposition was one surgeon and in the unprotected group was one surgeon. In the study the dosimeter in the unprotected group received more amount of radiation in all the years, we did an inferential analysis per year related with the number of surgeries without significant correlation, we attribute this result because we didn't classified the type of surgery realized by each surgeon. CONCLUSION: we conclude that the spine surgeon must apply the primary methods of radiological protection and that the unprotected spine surgeon receives more amount of radiation in comparison of the protected ones.

INTRODUCCIÓN: en general, los cirujanos de columna buscan minimizar el daño a tejidos blandos empleando abordajes menos invasivos, lo que ocasiona que utilicen imágenes intraoperatorias de una manera mucho más habitual que el resto de las especialidades quirúrgicas; por lo tanto, están en mayor riesgo de exposición de radiación. OBJETIVO: el propósito del trabajo es analizar la cantidad de radiación a la cual está expuesto el cirujano de columna en diferentes escenarios. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo con una fuente de datos descriptiva, longitudinal, no aleatorizada. Se llevó a cabo el estudio en el período del año 2015 al 2019; la protección radiológica consistió en chaleco plomado, protector de tiroides y lentes plomados; se usaron 10 dosímetros. RESULTADOS: cuatro dosímetros fueron incluidos en el estudio, los otros seis fueron excluidos. Durante el estudio, un cirujano sufrió de cáncer de tiroides y otro de liposarcoma. En el grupo de protegidos se incluyeron dos cirujanos, en el grupo de protección aleatorizada se incluyó un cirujano y en el grupo sin protección se incluyó un cirujano. El dosímetro del grupo sin protección recibió mayor cantidad de radiación en todos los años, se realizó un análisis inferencial por año relacionado con el número de cirugías no encontrando correlación significativa, atribuimos este resultado a que no clasificamos el tipo de cirugía realizada por cada cirujano. CONCLUSIÓN: el cirujano de columna debe de aplicar los métodos primarios de protección radiológica, ya que los cirujanos de columna sin equipo de protección reciben mayor cantidad de radiación en comparación con los protegidos.

[Classification of continuous multilevel vertebral fractures]. / Clasificación de las fracturas vertebrales multinivel continuas.

Currently there is still little information about multilevel vertebral fractures (MVF), in addition to the fact that there are no classifications that help us group them in a simpler way, and guide us on their prognosis. The objective of this work is to propose a new classification of continuous type MVF, based on the number of end plates injured of the vertebral bodies and their severity, where we form four groups. A review of continuous MVF cases that we found in our hospital over a 6-year period was carried out, managing to designate 100% of the fractures, by their characteristics, to the corresponding group. In addition, we observed a better neurological prognosis in group 1. This classification is a proposal that will help us to group these injuries, that can be very varied, in only four groups; with the aim of later creating a more standardized management proposal, and knowing its neurological prognosis.

Actualmente aún existe poca información acerca de las fracturas vertebrales multinivel (MVF), además de que no hay clasificaciones que nos ayuden a agruparlas de una manera más sencilla y nos orienten sobre su pronóstico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es proponer una nueva clasificación de MVF del tipo continuas, basada en el número de plataformas lesionadas de los cuerpos vertebrales y su gravedad, donde formamos cuatro grupos. Se realizó la revisión de casos de MVF continuas que encontramos en nuestro hospital en un período de seis años; logrando designar cada fractura, debido a sus características, al grupo correspondiente en 100% de los casos. Además, se observó un mejor pronóstico neurológico en el grupo 1. Esta clasificación es una propuesta que nos ayudará a agrupar estas lesiones, que pueden ser muy variadas, en sólo cuatro grupos; con el objetivo de posteriormente crear una propuesta de manejo más estandarizado y conocer su pronóstico neurológico.

Measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in inclusive electroproduction of π- near the Δ0 resonance.

The parity-violating (PV) asymmetry of inclusive π- production in electron scattering from a liquid deuterium target was measured at backward angles. The measurement was conducted as a part of the G0 experiment, at a beam energy of 360 MeV. The physics process dominating pion production for these kinematics is quasifree photoproduction off the neutron via the Δ0 resonance. In the context of heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory, this asymmetry is related to a low-energy constant d(Δ)- that characterizes the parity-violating γNΔ coupling. Zhu et al. calculated d(Δ)- in a model benchmarked by the large asymmetries seen in hyperon weak radiative decays, and predicted potentially large asymmetries for this process, ranging from A(γ)-=-5.2 to +5.2 ppm. The measurement performed in this work leads to A(γ)-=-0.36±1.06±0.37±0.03 ppm (where sources of statistical, systematic and theoretical uncertainties are included), which would disfavor enchancements considered by Zhu et al. proportional to V(ud)/V(us). The measurement is part of a program of inelastic scattering measurements that were conducted by the G0 experiment, seeking to determine the N-Δ axial transition form factors using PV electron scattering.

Effect of selective dopamine D3 and D4 receptor agonists on trunk pulmonary artery vascular reactivity from control and monocrotaline-treated rats.

Dopamine D1-like and D2-like receptors are expressed in the pulmonary arteries, however there is a little information about their effect on vascular tone in pulmonary circulation, even the vascular effect of activation of the dopamine D3 and D4 subtypes in physiological and pathological conditions such as pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vascular response of trunk pulmonary artery rings from saline and monocrotaline-treated rats in the presence of selective dopamine receptor agonists. In trunk pulmonary artery rings with intact and denuded endothelium, cumulative concentration-response curves were performed for phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine receptor agonists (apomorphine-D2-like, SKF38393-D1, quinpirole-D2/D3, 7-OH-DPATD3, and PD168077-D4) alone and in the presence of corresponding selective dopamine receptor antagonists (SCH23390-D1, raclopride-D2/D3, U99194 maleate-D3, and L-745,870-D4). Contractile and relaxant effects generated during the activation with phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively, were significantly reduced in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from monocrotaline rats in comparison with control rats. All dopamine receptor agonists, except the 7-OH-DPAT, produced significant vascular relaxation in intact trunk pulmonary artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine in both experimental groups. Also, the vascular relaxation of SKF38393, and particularly apomorphine and PD168077 was significant in denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings from control and monocrotaline groups. Furthermore, the vasorelaxation induced by these dopamine agonists was significantly reduced in pulmonary preparations from monocrotaline-treated rats in comparison to that recorded in preparations from control rats. The effect of dopamine receptor agonists decreased significantly in the presence of the corresponding antagonist in both experimental groups. The results support that dopamine D4 receptor agonist induces significant vascular relaxation, whereas dopamine D3 receptor agonist induces vasoconstriction in intact and denuded endothelium trunk pulmonary artery rings in control and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension rats.

Combination Blockade of the IL6R/STAT-3 Axis with TIGIT and Its Impact on the Functional Activity of NK Cells against Prostate Cancer Cells.

Methods: We analyzed the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in 22Rv1, LNCaP, and DU145 cells. In these cells, we also evaluated the expression of NK ligands, IL6R, STAT-3, and phosporylated STAT-3. In NK-92 cells, we evaluated the effects of Stattic (Stt) and tocilizumab (Tcz) on NK receptors. In addition, we assessed if the disruption of the IL6R/STAT-3 pathway and blockade of TIGIT potentiated the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells versus DU145 cells. Results: DU145 abundantly secretes M-CSF, VEGF, IL-6, CXCL8, and TGF-ß. Furthermore, the expression of CD155 was found to increase in accordance with aggressiveness and metastatic status in the prostate cancer cells. Stt and Tcz induce a decrease in STAT-3 phosphorylation in the DU145 cells and, in turn, induce an increase of NKp46 and a decrease of TIGIT expression in NK-92 cells. Finally, the disruption of the IL6R/STAT-3 axis in prostate cancer cells and the blocking of TIGIT on NK-92 were observed to increase the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells against DU145 cells through an increase in sFasL, granzyme A, granzyme B, and granulysin. Conclusions: Our results reveal that the combined use of inhibitors directed against the IL6R/STAT-3 axis and TIGIT enhances the functional activity of NK cells against castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Spray-driven halide exchange in solid-state CsPbX3 nanocrystal films.

CsPbI3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising building blocks for photovoltaics and optoelectronics. However, they exhibit an essential drawback in the form of phase stability: α-phase, with a ∼1.80 eV bandgap, can easily experience a phase transition to a non-radiative orthorhombic δ-phase in an ambient environment. This leads to the need to carry out the CsPbI3-based device fabrication in an inert atmosphere, which is technologically inconvenient and expensive. One of the most successful approaches proposed to overcome this problem is synthesizing mixed halide CsPbBr3-xIx NCs to improve the stability of the α-phase perovskite structure. However, the formation of high-quality thin films of CsPbBr3-xIx NCs with high PLQY is challenging owing to the degradation of their optical properties after deposition on a substrate. This work presents spray coating to carry out a solid-state anion exchange in CsPbBr3 NCs thin films at ambient conditions with low-demanding reaction conditions. This constitutes a novel open-air and annealing-free technology to manufacture CsPbBr3-xIx NC thin films with high optical quality and record high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) based on spray-driven halide (Br- to I-) anion exchange in a solid-state phase. Besides, tunable emission wavelengths between 520 and 670 nm can be obtained from CsPbBr3-xIx NC films using accurate tuning volumes of HI solution sprayed over the initial surface of CsPbBr3 film to provide the halide exchange. The optical quality of the halide-exchanged PNCs films remains practically identical to that of initial Br-containing layers, with a remarkable PLQY enhancement after anion exchange, from ∼61% for CsPbBr3 thin films emitting at 520 nm to ∼84% for mixed halide CsPbBr3-xIx film emitting at 640 nm. The huge potential of the system is confirmed by demonstrating a low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission.

Transverse beam spin asymmetries at backward angles in elastic electron-proton and quasielastic electron-deuteron scattering.

We have measured the beam-normal single-spin asymmetries in elastic scattering of transversely polarized electrons from the proton, and performed the first measurement in quasielastic scattering on the deuteron, at backward angles (lab scattering angle of 108°) for Q² = 0.22 GeV²/c² and 0.63 GeV²/c² at beam energies of 362 and 687 MeV, respectively. The asymmetry arises due to the imaginary part of the interference of the two-photon exchange amplitude with that of single-photon exchange. Results for the proton are consistent with a model calculation which includes inelastic intermediate hadronic (πN) states. An estimate of the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry for the scattering from the neutron is made using a quasistatic deuterium approximation, and is also in agreement with theory.