Deep decarbonization potential and implementation path under provincial differences in China's fleet electrification.

Fleet electrification is considered to be an important measure for reducing carbon emissions in the road transport industry. Considering the heterogeneity of the NEV market penetration and the vehicle types in different provinces, how to design targeted and time-sequenced road transport decarbonisation reduction strategies has become a key issue that needs to be discussed urgently. In this study, the NEVs ownership in China's 31 provinces is used as an intermediate variable. Considering the process of energy transition and changes in vehicle structure, a two-layer scenario framework that combines Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios and model structure was developed to predict carbon emissions. This study firstly analyzes the electrification process and carbon emission reduction potential of provincial road transport industry by region, vehicle type and stage. The potential for reducing carbon emissions was determined under benchmark, transition, and electrification scenarios. The results indicate that the Pearson Correlation Coefficient-Discrete Wavelet Transform-Bidirectional Long Short-term Memory prediction model has an mean absolute percentage error of 8.583 and an R-squared of 0.975. China's road transportation industry total carbon emissions will reach its peak as early as 2027, due to the rapid implementation of renewable energy and fleet electrification. Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Guangdong have set carbon peak targets that can be achieved faster with the transition plan for new energy vehicles to replace fossil fuel vehicles. This paper proposes a timing-responsive deep decarbonization path and policy recommendations for China's road transport industry in sub provincial and time-series settings.

Comparing Outcomes of Post-Cardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock Patients: On-Site Cannulation vs. Retrieval for V-A ECMO Support.

Background: Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) remains a life-threatening complication after cardiac surgery. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents the mainstay of mechanical circulatory support for PCCS; however, its availability is limited to larger experienced centers, leading to a mismatch between centers performing cardiac surgery and hospitals offering ECMO management beyond cannulation. We sought to evaluate the outcomes and complications of PCCS patients requiring veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO cannulated at our hospital compared to those cannulated at referral hospitals. Methods: A retrospective analysis of PCCS patients requiring V-A ECMO was conducted between October 2014 to December 2022. Results: A total of 121 PCCS patients required V-A ECMO support, of which 62 (51%) patients were cannulated at the referring institutions and retrieved (retrieved group), and 59 (49%) were cannulated at our hospital (on-site group). The baseline demographics and pre-ECMO variables were similar between groups, except retrieved patients had higher lactic acid levels (retrieved group: 8.5 mmol/L ± 5.8 vs. on-site group: 6.6 ± 5; p = 0.04). Coronary artery bypass graft was the most common surgical intervention (51% in the retrieved group vs. 47% in the on-site group). There was no difference in survival-to-discharge rates between the groups (45% in the retrieved group vs. 51% in the on-site group; p = 0.53) or in the rate of patient-related complications. Conclusions: PCCS patients retrieved on V-A ECMO can achieve similar outcomes as those cannulated at experienced centers. An established network in a hub-and-spoke model is critical for the PCCS patients managed at hospitals without ECMO abilities to improve outcomes.

Comparative Analysis of Therapeutic Strategies in Post-Cardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock: Insight into a High-Volume Cardiac Surgery Center.

Background: Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS), which is defined as severe low cardiac output syndrome after cardiac surgery, has a mortality rate of up to 90%. No study has yet been performed to compare patients with PCCS treated by conservative means to patients receiving additional mechanical circulatory support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis from January 2018 to June 2022 was performed. Results: Out of 7028 patients who underwent cardiac surgery during this time period, 220 patients (3%) developed PCCS. The patients were stratified according to their severity of shock based on the Stage Classification Expert Consensus (SCAI) group. Known risk factors for shock-related mortality, including the vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS) and plasma lactate levels, were assessed at structured intervals. In patients treated additionally with ECMO (n = 73), the in-hospital mortality rate was 60%, compared to an in-hospital mortality rate of 85% in patients treated by conservative means (non-ECMO; n = 52). In 18/73 (25%) ECMO patients, the plasma lactate level normalized within 48 h, compared to 2/52 (4%) in non-ECMO patients. The morbidity of non-ECMO patients compared to ECMO patients included a need for dialysis (42% vs. 60%), myocardial infarction (19% vs. 27%), and cerebrovascular accident (17% vs. 12%). Conclusions: In conclusion, the additional use of ECMO in PCCS holds promise for enhancing outcomes in these critically ill patients, more rapid improvement of end-organ perfusion, and the normalization of plasma lactate levels.

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and the Long Haul of Caring for Long COVID.

The current landscape of clinician burnout is prompting the need for our health care system to revise its approach toward complex conditions such as long coronavirus disease (COVID), myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and other postinfectious fatiguing illnesses (PIFIs). We discuss our efforts here at Family Health Center of San Diego (FHCSD) to help share insight and glean perspective from clinicians who have participated in our Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded 3-year continuing professional development initiative. The Long COVID and Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program uses multidisciplinary team-based case consultation and peer-to-peer sharing of emerging best and promising practices (ie, teleECHO [Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes]) to support the management of complex cases associated with long COVID, ME/CFS, and other PIFIs. We believe that this perspective captures a key moment in the trajectory of postpandemic clinician burnout and prompts further reflection and action from the health care system to improve clinician- and patient-level outcomes related to the care of patients with postinfectious fatiguing illnesses.

Unveiling the Clinical Spectrum of Post-COVID-19 Conditions: Assessment and Recommended Strategies.

SARS-CoV-2 caused the pandemic of the rapidly evolving COVID-19. As of December 6, 2023, there were 765,152,854 COVID-19-recovering cases. Long-term consequences known as "long COVID" and "post-COVID-19 conditions" (PCCs) or "post-acute COVID-19 syndrome" are being reported more frequently in a subset of recovering patients. Systemic, neuropsychiatric, cardio-respiratory, and gastrointestinal symptoms are the most prevalent. The management of PCCs poses unique challenges due to the lack of official guidelines and the complex nature of the illness. This abstract highlights key principles derived from recent reviews and expert recommendations to provide healthcare professionals with a comprehensive approach to manage post-COVID-19 patients. Preventive medicine plays a crucial role in managing PCCs. While no specific medications are available for treatment, preventive measures such as COVID-19 vaccination, adherence to precautionary measures, regular consultations with medical professionals, monitoring symptoms and progress, and seeking information on symptom management are essential to assist patients in their recovery and improve their quality of life. Medical management requires transparent goal-setting and collaborative decision-making based on the patient's symptoms, comorbidities, and treatment objectives. Treatment plans for post-COVID-19 patients should focus on patient education, using registries and calendars to track symptoms and triggers, providing support and reassurance, and offering holistic support through peer networks and supportive psychotherapy techniques. Symptomatic and rehabilitative care, including well-established symptom management techniques, physical rehabilitation programs, and addressing mental health and well-being, are vital components of post-COVID-19 management. Lifestyle factors such as stress reduction, nutrition, and sleep should be incorporated into managing underlying medical conditions in post-COVID-19 patients. Regular follow-up visits and referrals to specialists are recommended to monitor the patient's progress and address specific organ system involvement or additional care needs. In summary, for the effective management of PCCs, a holistic approach should include preventive measures, patient education, supportive psychotherapy, symptomatic and rehabilitative care, medical management, counseling on lifestyle elements, and appropriate follow-up plans. However, it is crucial to stay updated with evolving guidelines and recommendations from healthcare authorities to provide the most effective and evidence-based care to post-COVID-19 patients.

Development of PD-1 blockade peptide-cell conjugates to enhance cellular therapies for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Blockade of the interaction of the immune checkpoint receptor programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 and its ligand PD-L1 has been found to be a promising cancer treatment. Our previous studies identified that nABPD1 competed with PD-L1 to bind PD-1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-tumor immunotherapy of ICIK cells conjugated with peptides in vivo and in vitro. Here, we synthesized the nABPD1 derivatives SBP1 and SBP2 and showed that their binding efficiency to PD-1-positive improving cytokine-induced killer (ICIK) cells was 98 and 82%, respectively. The cytotoxicity of ICIK cells to T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells was increased by conjugating with SBP1 or SBP2, which was 2 times higher than that of ICIK cells alone. Furthermore, mice experiments showed that the fluorescence intensity of leukemia cells in T-ALL xenograft models was reduced by more than 95%, indicating that the peptides enhanced the therapeutic effect in vivo, while morphological evaluations showed that the peptides had no toxicity to important organs. Therefore, peptide-cell conjugates (PCCs) may be a novel method to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by blocking PD-1 in T-ALL patients.

Analysis of a comprehensive dataset: Influence of vaccination profile, types, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 re-infections on changes in sports-related physical activity one month after infection.

This dataset was created with the primary objective of elucidating the intricate relationship between the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) re-infections and the pre-illness vaccination profile and types concerning alterations in sports-related physical activity (PA) after SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults. A secondary objective encompassed a comprehensive statistical analysis to explore the influence of three key factors-namely, Vaccination profile, Vaccination types, and Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 re-infections-on changes in PA related to exercise and sports, recorded at two distinct time points: one to two weeks prior to infection and one month after the last SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sample population (n = 5829), drawn from Hellenic territory, adhered to self-inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection spanned from February to March 2023 (a two-month period), involving the utilization of the Active-Q (an online, interactive questionnaire) to automatically assess weekly habitual sports-related PA among adults both before and after their last SARS-CoV-2 infection. The questionnaire also captured participant characteristics, pre-illness vaccination statuses (i.e., unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, fully vaccinated, and vaccine types), and occurrences of SARS-CoV-2 re-infections. The dataset sheds light on two noteworthy phenomena: (i) the intricate interplay between post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and a decline in sports-related physical activity (-27.6 ± 0.6%, 95%CI: -26.1 - -29.1), influenced by the pre-illness vaccination profile factor (p = 0.040); and (ii) the divergence in sports-related physical activity decline between partially vaccinated (-38.2 ± 0.7%, 95%CI: -35.3 - -41.1, p = 0.031) and fully vaccinated respondents (-19.2 ± 0.5%, 95%CI: -17.2 - -21.2). These phenomena underscore the imperative for tailored interventions and further investigation to promote the resumption of physical activity and mitigate long-term repercussions. Furthermore, this dataset enriches our understanding of the dynamics of sports-related physical activity and provides valuable insights for public health initiatives aiming to address the consequences of COVID-19 on sports-related physical activity levels. Consequently, this cross-sectional dataset is amenable to a diverse array of analytical methodologies, including univariate and multivariate analyses, and holds potential relevance for researchers, leaders in the sports and medical sectors, and policymakers, all of whom share a vested interest in fostering initiatives directed at reinstating physical activity and mitigating the enduring ramifications of post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity One Month after Infection and Its Potential Determinants: Re-Infections, Pre-Illness Vaccination Profiles/Types, and Beyond.

This study investigated changes in physical activity (PA) after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection while considering age, PA level, underlying medical conditions (UMCs), vaccination profiles/types, re-infections, disease severity, and treatment. Data were collected from 5829 respondents by using a validated web-based questionnaire. The findings showed that there was a significant overall decrease in PA (-16.2%), including in daily occupation (-11.9%), transportation (-13.5%), leisure-time (-16.4%), and sporting (-27.6%) activities. Age, PA level, UMCs, vaccination profiles/types, disease severity, and treatment played a role in determining PA in individuals' post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infections. Re-infections did not impact the decline in PA. Unvaccinated individuals experienced a significant decline in PA (-13.7%). Younger (-22.4%) and older adults (-22.5%), those with higher PA levels (-20.6%), those with 2-5 UMCs (-23.1%), those who were vaccinated (-16.9%) or partially vaccinated (-19.1%), those with mRNA-type vaccines only (-17.1%), those with recurrent (-19.4%)-to-persistent (-54.2%) symptoms, and those that required hospital (-51.8%) or intensive care unit (-67.0%) admission during their infections had more pronounced declines in PA. These findings emphasize the complex relationship between post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and PA and highlight the need for targeted interventions, further research, and multidisciplinary care to promote PA resumption and mitigate long-term effects on global public health.

Chemical-Induced Premature Chromosome Condensation Protocol.

Chromosome analysis is one of most fundamental techniques for cytogenetic studies. Chromosomes are conventionally prepared from mitotic cells arrested by colcemid block protocol. Premature chromosome condensation (PCC) technique is an alternative to obtain chromosomes. It was more than half century ago that the first observation of PCC phenomena reported. Since then, cell-fusion-mediated PCC method has been developed and introduced in many fields of chromosome analysis. More than quarter century ago, novel PCC technique using chemical drug has been developed. Afterwards, this simple and efficient drug-induced PCC technique becomes a standard protocol for preparing chromosomes. Thus, it seems to be the good time to introduce PCC technique protocol for the artisans in the field of cytogenetic studies.

Visualizing Active Replication Regions in S-Phase Chromosomes.

A basic question of cell biology is how DNA folds to chromosome. A number of recently accumulated evidences have suggested that folding of chromosome proceeds tightly coupled with DNA replication progresses. Drug-induced PCC is a useful tool for visualization of the interphase nuclei, in particular, S-phase, as S-phase prematurely condensed chromosomes (S-phase PCC). Active replicating DNA is labeled directly with Cy3-dUTP by bead loading method, and then S-phase nuclei is immediately condensed prematurely by calyculin A to obtain S-phase PCC. Active replicating regions on S-PCC are observed under a scanning confocal microscope. Cy3-dUTP-labeled S-phase PCCs clearly reveal the drastic transitional change of chromosome formation through S-phase, starting from a "cloudy nebula" to numerous numbers of "beads on a string" and finally to "striped arrays of banding structured chromosome" known as G- or R-banding pattern. The number, distribution, and shape of replication foci were also measured in individual subphase of S-phase; maximally ~1400 foci of 0.35 µm average radius size were scored at the beginning of S-phase, and the number is reduced to ~100 at the end of S-phase. Drug-induced PCC clearly provided the new insight that eukaryote DNA replication is tightly coupled with the chromosome condensation/compaction for construction of eukaryote higher-ordered chromosome structure.

Prediction of Particulate Concentration Based on Correlation Analysis and a Bi-GRU Model.

In recent decades, particulate pollution in the air has caused severe health problems. Therefore, it has become a hot research topic to accurately predict particulate concentrations. Particle concentration has a strong spatial-temporal correlation due to pollution transportation between regions, making it important to understand how to utilize these features to predict particulate concentration. In this paper, Pearson Correlation Coefficients (PCCs) are used to compare the particle concentrations at the target site with those at other locations. The models based on bi-directional gated recurrent units (Bi-GRUs) and PCCs are proposed to predict particle concentrations. The proposed model has the advantage of requiring fewer samples and can forecast particulate concentrations in real time within the next six hours. As a final step, several Beijing air quality monitoring stations are tested for pollutant concentrations hourly. Based on the correlation analysis and the proposed prediction model, the prediction error within the first six hours is smaller than those of the other three models. The model can help environmental researchers improve the prediction accuracy of fine particle concentrations and help environmental policymakers implement relevant pollution control policies by providing tools. With the correlation analysis between the target site and adjacent sites, an accurate pollution control decision can be made based on the internal relationship.

Loss of SDHB Induces a Metabolic Switch in the hPheo1 Cell Line toward Enhanced OXPHOS.

BACKGROUND: Enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) have recently been recognized as tumor suppressors. Mutations in the SDHB subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) cause pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCCs/PGLs) and predispose patients to malignant disease with poor prognosis. METHODS: Using the human pheochromocytoma cell line (hPheo1), we knocked down SDHB gene expression using CRISPR-cas9 technology. RESULTS: Microarray gene expression analysis showed that >500 differentially expressed gene targets, about 54%, were upregulated in response to SDHB knock down. Notably, genes involved in glycolysis, hypoxia, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation were up regulated, whereas genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were downregulated. In vitro studies show that hPheo1 proliferation is not affected negatively and the cells that survive by shifting their metabolism to the use of glutamine as an alternative energy source and promote OXPHOS activity. Knock down of SDHB expression results in a significant increase in GLUD1 expression in hPheo1 cells cultured as monolayer or as 3D culture. Analysis of TCGA data confirms the enhancement of GLUD1 in SDHB mutated/low expressed PCCs/PGLs. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the downregulation of SDHB in PCCs/PGLs results in increased GLUD1 expression and may represent a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in SDHB mutated tumors and SDHB loss of activity-dependent diseases.

G2 Premature Chromosome Condensation/Chromosome Aberration Assay: Drug-Induced Premature Chromosome Condensation (PCC) Protocols and Cytogenetic Approaches in Mitotic Chromosome and Interphase Chromatin for Radiation Biology.

Chromosome analysis is a fundamental technique for a wide range of cytogenetic studies. Chromosome aberrations are easily introduced by many kinds of clastogenic agents such as ionizing irradiation, UV, or alkylating agents, and damaged chromosomes may be prone to cancer. Chromosomes are conventionally prepared from mitotic cells arrested by the colcemid block method. However, obtaining of mitotic chromosomes is sometimes hampered under several circumstances, for example after high-dose (over several Gys of γ-rays) ionizing irradiation exposure accident. As a result, cytogenetic analysis will be often difficult or even impossible in such cases. Premature chromosome condensation (PCC) is an alternative technique that has proved to be a unique and useful way in chromosome analysis. Previously, PCC has been achieved following cell fusion mediated either by fusogenic viruses (for example Sendai virus) or by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (cell-fusion PCC), but the cell-fusion PCC has several drawbacks. The novel drug-induced PCC use of specific inhibitors for serine/threonine protein phosphatase was introduced about 20 years ago. This method is much simple and easy even than the conventional mitotic chromosome preparation using colcemid block protocol and the obtained PCC index (equivalent to mitotic index for metaphase chromosome) is much higher. Furthermore, this method allows the interphase chromatin to be condensed and visualized like mitotic chromosomes, and thus has been opening the way for chromosome analysis not only in metaphase chromosomes but also in interphase chromatin. The drug-induced PCC has therefore proven the usefulness in cytogenetics and other many cell biology fields. Since the first version of drug-induced PCC protocol has been published in 2009 (Gotoh, Methods in molecular biology. Humana Press, New York, 2009), many newer applications of drug-induced PCC in radiation biology and chromosome science fields in a wide range of species from animal to plant have been reported (Gotoh et al., Biomed Res 16:63-68, 1995; Lamadrid Boada et al., Mutat Res 757:45-51, 2013; Ravi et al., Biochimie 95:124-33, 2013; Ono et al., J Cell Biol 200:429-41, 2013; Vagnarelli, Exp Cell Res 318:1435-41, 2012; Roukos et al., Nat Protoc 9:2476-92, 2014; Miura and Blakely, Cytometry A 79:1016-22, 2013; Zabka et al., J Plant Physiol 174:62-70, 2015; Samaniego et al., Planta 215:195-204, 2002; Rybaczek et al., Folia Histochem Cytobiol 40:51-9, 2002; Gotoh and Durante J Cell Physiol 209:297-304, 2006). Therefore as a new edition, I will write in this chapter the drug-induced PCC technique with newer findings, in particular focused drug-induced PCC protocols in radiation biology with referring updated articles published recently.

Pheochromocytomas and Hypertension.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are uncommon catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine neoplasms that usually present with secondary hypertension. This review is to update the current knowledge about these neoplasms, the pathophysiology, genetic aspects and diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms based on scientific literature mostly within the past 3 years. RECENT FINDINGS: Eighty to eighty-five percent of PPGLs arise from the adrenal medulla (pheochromocytomas; PCCs) and the remainder from the autonomic neural ganglia (paragangliomas; PGLs). Catecholamine excess causes chronic or paroxysmal hypertension associated with sweating, headaches and palpitations, the presenting features of PPGLs, and increases the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Genetic testing should be considered in all cases as mutations are reported in 35-40% of cases; 10-15% of PCCs and 20-50% of PGLs can be malignant. Measurements of plasma-free metanephrines or 24-h urine-fractionated metanephrines help biochemical diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Initial anatomical localization after biochemical confirmation is usually with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 123Iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) scintigraphy, positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is often performed for functional imaging and prognostication prior to curative or palliative surgery. Clinical and biochemical follow-up is recommended at least annually after complete tumour excision. Children, pregnant women and older people have higher morbidity and mortality risk. De-bulking surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radionuclide agents and ablation procedures are useful in the palliation of incurable disease. PPGLs are unique neuroendocrine tumours that form an important cause for endocrine hypertension. The diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are updated in this comprehensive article.

Cardiovascular risk and fruit and vegetable consumption among women in KSA; A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess fruit and vegetable consumption among Saudi women to identify perceived benefits and barriers associated with a healthy diet in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prevention and to correlate Framingham risk scores (FRSs) with the perceived barriers. METHODS: A questionnaire adapted from the Health Beliefs Related to Cardiovascular Disease Scale was administered to women attending a primary care centre in KSA. In addition to descriptive statistics, a chi-square test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to determine the association between perceptions of benefit and barriers with FRS categories and between mean FRS and perceived barriers. RESULTS: A total of 503 women were included in this study, and 75% of the women were older than 45 years. More than 60% of women were obese, and 97% consumed 1-3 fruit and vegetable servings per day, whereas only 1.4% consumed fruits and vegetables 5 or more times per day. The majority of women were aware of the benefits of a healthy diet in CVD prevention. No significant difference between FRS and perceived benefits or barriers was observed. Barriers across the low- to high-risk groups included a lack of knowledge about a 'healthy diet', insufficient time to cook, food affordability, and having more important problems. Women who disagreed on barriers had negative beta coefficients for the mean FRS (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this study cohort, fruit and vegetable intake was lower than the recommended guidelines. Despite awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet in CVD prevention, very few women understood the true meaning of 'healthy diet'. A direct association between FRS and perceptions/barriers could not be validated. Perceived barriers could be addressed by integrating innovative educational campaigns to existing models of the Healthy Food Plan.

Recombinant Factor VIIa-Mediated Activation of Prothrombin Complex Concentrates.

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is used in the management of bleeding in patients with hemophilia. A generic biosimilar version of NovoSeven is also developed (AryoSeven). To compare the activation profile of NovoSeven and AryoSeven, 2 commercially available protein complex concentrates (PCCs) were used. Profilnine activated by RecombiPlasTin 2G resulted in conversions of prothrombin to prethrombin and thrombin at 5 to 30 minutes. However, addition of rFVIIa at final concentration range of 0.25 to 0.5 µg/mL to the same mixture resulted in total conversion of prothrombin to thrombin with a doublet at 36 kDa. Recombinant factor VIIa alone did not generate thrombin in native Beriplex, and the addition of rFVIIa to Beriplex failed to generate thrombin. Beriplex activated by RecombiPlasTin 2G resulted in complete conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Both NovoSeven and AryoSeven exhibited similar activation profiles. These studies indicate that the activation of PCCs by both rFVIIa preparations results in comparable generation of thrombin.

Current Diagnostic Status of Pheochromocytomaand Future Perspective: A Mini Review.

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) are rare neuroendocrine tumors. The current diagnostic tools are based on biochemistry and histopathology results, but heterogeneity of diagnostic markers, signs and symptoms of PCCs bring a lot of difficulties for these two current methods. Unfortunately, microscopic understanding of PCCs is not adequate for its confident prognosis and management. There are data linking specific genotypes of PCCs tumors to specific locations, typical biochemical phenotypes or future clinical behaviors. The detection of a germ-line mutation possibly can guide us to an early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and regular surveillance with better prognosis for patients but also and their family members. Moreover, the latest discoveries in gene sequencing, circulating DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) will support the exact molecular pathogenesis of PCCs to provide an important basis for future PCCs managements.

Influence of Hydrocarbon Moiety of DMMP on Flame Propagation in Lean Mixtures.

Phosphorus-containing compounds (PCCs) have been found to be significantly more effective than CF3Br for reducing burning velocity when added to stoichiometric hydrocarbon-air flames. However, when added to lean flames, DMMP (dimethylmethylphosphonate) is predicted to increase the burning velocity. The addition of DMMP to lean mixtures apparently increases the equivalence ratio (fuel/oxidizer) and the combustion temperature, as a result of hydrocarbon content of DMMP molecule. Premixed flames studies with added DMMP, OP(OH)3, and CF3Br are used to understand the different behavior with varying equivalence ratio and agent loading. Decrease of the equivalence ratio leads to the decrease of inhibition effectiveness of PCCs relative to bromine-containing compounds. For very lean mixtures CF3Br becomes more effective inhibitor than PCCs. Calculations of laminar burning velocities for pure DMMP/air mixtures predict the maximum burning velocity of 10.5 cm/s at 4.04 % of DMMP in air and at an initial temperature of 400 K. Adiabatic combustion temperature is 2155 K at these conditions.

The stromal compartments in pancreatic cancer: are there any therapeutic targets?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by an abundant stromal response also known as a desmoplastic reaction. Pancreatic Stellate Cells have been identified as playing a key role in pancreatic cancer desmoplasia. There is accumulating evidence that the stroma contributes to tumour progression and to the low therapeutic response of PDAC patients. In this review we described the main actors of the desmoplastic reaction within PDAC and novel therapeutic approaches that are being tested to block the detrimental function of the stroma.