Understanding the impact: an investigation into the National Brain Injury Awareness Week and public interest regarding concussion in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of the National Brain Injury Awareness Week and public interest in the concussion topic in Australia through an analysis of Internet search activity data from Google Trends. STUDY DESIGN: Online retrospective observational study. METHODS: For the keyword "concussion", the search interest rate over a period of 10 years between August 2012 and August 2022 within Australia has been analyzed using the Google Trends tool. The rising related topics that contributed to the months with the highest search interest were extracted for each year and a trendline analysis was performed to capture temporal patterns. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the average search interest between the month of August, when the Brain Injury Awareness Week is annually held, and the rest of the year (d = 0.09, p = 0.017). Also, May and August were the two months with the overall highest search interests (mean ± SD: 73.3 ± 5.16 and mean ± SD: 70.1 ± 5.49, respectively). Trendline analysis showed a positive slope of 0.3081 with R2 = 0.4462 for search interests of concussion over the 10-year period. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that there is a growing interest and potential awareness of concussion in Australia that seems highly limited to the context of sports such as football, rugby, and soccer. Major sports events, news coverage, and media exposure appear to be associated with this trend. The study highlights the importance of more investment in producing engaging media content to educate the public on concussion of different causes and improving strategies for National Brain Injury Awareness Week.

An estimation of optimum dietary concentration of soy bean meal for carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala)

Abstract Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.

Resumo O farelo de soja é uma proteína de origem vegetal de baixo custo que tem sido usada em dietas práticas como um substituto da proteína animal, como farinha de peixe ou farinha de frango, devido ao preço não econômico das dietas com proteína animal. Consequentemente, um estudo/pesquisa foi realizado com algumas espécies comerciais de carpas principais indianas, ou seja, Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) e Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822), para estimar a necessidade ideal de proteína dietética de farelo de soja na dieta em uma policultura intensiva. Três dietas diferentes (SBM I, SBM II e SBM III) foram formuladas por 80%, 50% e 20% de substituição de farinha de peixe por farelo de soja de uma dieta de 45% de farinha de peixe (controle). O maior ganho de peso médio mensal foi obtido por SBM II (com 35% PB e cerca de 50% de substituição de farinha de peixe), enquanto SBM III (45% de proteína bruta e cerca de 20% de substituição de farinha de peixe) ficou em segundo lugar. Todas as dietas testadas respondem enormemente produzindo alto rendimento em comparação com a dieta controle, embora SBM II tenha gerado o maior rendimento entre todas. Com base na pesquisa a seguir, foi revelado que o SBM pode substituir até 50% da farinha de peixe sem qualquer aumento de outros aminoácidos na dieta das carpas principais indianas.

An estimation of optimum dietary concentration of soy bean meal for carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala) / Uma estimativa da concentração dietética ideal de farinha de soja para carpas (Catla catla, Labeo rohita e Cirhinus mrigala)

Abstract Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.

Resumo O farelo de soja é uma proteína de origem vegetal de baixo custo que tem sido usada em dietas práticas como um substituto da proteína animal, como farinha de peixe ou farinha de frango, devido ao preço não econômico das dietas com proteína animal. Consequentemente, um estudo/pesquisa foi realizado com algumas espécies comerciais de carpas principais indianas, ou seja, Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) e Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822), para estimar a necessidade ideal de proteína dietética de farelo de soja na dieta em uma policultura intensiva. Três dietas diferentes (SBM I, SBM II e SBM III) foram formuladas por 80%, 50% e 20% de substituição de farinha de peixe por farelo de soja de uma dieta de 45% de farinha de peixe (controle). O maior ganho de peso médio mensal foi obtido por SBM II (com 35% PB e cerca de 50% de substituição de farinha de peixe), enquanto SBM III (45% de proteína bruta e cerca de 20% de substituição de farinha de peixe) ficou em segundo lugar. Todas as dietas testadas respondem enormemente produzindo alto rendimento em comparação com a dieta controle, embora SBM II tenha gerado o maior rendimento entre todas. Com base na pesquisa a seguir, foi revelado que o SBM pode substituir até 50% da farinha de peixe sem qualquer aumento de outros aminoácidos na dieta das carpas principais indianas.

The cross-sectional morphology of median nerve in carpal tunnel of healthy, adult population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The cross-section area is a crucial parameter to assess peripheral neuropathy. The ultrasonographic evaluation of cross-section area of median nerve is a low-cost and readily available tool for diagnosis and assessment. However, the intra-nerve dimensional variability and its normative reference value in a healthy subject are missing. The current meta-analysis aims to capture the median nerve cross-section area for healthy subjects and generate a comprehensive ultrasonographic reference data set for each population. METHODS: The full text of manuscripts were collected after short-listing the abstracts collected from search strategy. A quality assurance tool was used to capture the risk of bias of each study after reviewing the included manuscripts. The pooled estimate of cross-section area was stratified according to anatomical landmarks, sex, and ancestry. RESULTS: A total of 97 observational studies dealt with 6679 wrists of healthy subjects were included. The pooled estimate of the cross-section area of median nerve at carpal tunnel inlet was 8.54mm2 [95% CI: 8.34-8.74mm2]. The same pooled estimate at carpal tunnel outlet was 8.03mm2 [95% CI: 7.46-8.60mm2]. Both these pooled estimates have significant correlation with mean age of population. Age and sex were two primary predictors of the cross-section of median nerve. The flattening ratio, circularity, and wrist-forearm ratio of median nerve were also computed. CONCLUSION: These normative data could serve as a reference for assessing median nerve pathologies, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The ethnic variation of pooled estimate and heterogeneity will guide clinician set up the reference value for diagnostic criteria.

Correlation of Call Burden and Sleep Deprivation with Physician Burnout, Driving Crashes, and Medical Errors among US Neurointerventionalists.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High call frequency can lead to inadequate sleep, fatigue, and burnout, resulting in detrimental effects on physicians and patients. We aimed to assess the correlation between the frequency and burden of neurointerventional surgery calls and sleep deprivation with physician burnout, physical and driving safety, and fatigue-related medical errors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We sent an online questionnaire to the members of the 2 neurointerventional surgery societies comprising 50 questions and spanning 3 main topics: 1) overnight/weekend call burden, 2) sleeping patterns, and 3) Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four surveys were completed. Most (54%) neurointerventional surgeons reported burnout. Call burden of ≥1 every 3 days and being in practice >10 years were independent predictors of burnout. Thirty-nine percent reported falling asleep at the wheel, 23% reported a motor vehicle crash/near-crash, and 34% reported medical errors they considered related to call/work fatigue. On multivariate logistic regression, high call burden (called-in >3 times/week) was an independent predictor of sleeping at the wheel and motor vehicle crashes. Reporting <4 hours of uninterrupted sleep was an independent predictor of motor vehicle crashes and medical errors. Most neurointerventional surgeons recommended a maximum call frequency of once every 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Call frequency and burden, number of years in practice, and sleep deprivation are associated with burnout of neurointerventional surgeons, sleeping at the wheel, motor vehicle crashes, and fatigue-related medical errors. These findings contribute to the increasing literature on physician burnout and may guide future societal recommendations related to call burden in neurointerventional surgery.

Neoscytalidium dimidiatum as onychomycosis causative agent in an Iranian patient: a case report and literature review.

A 38-year-old healthy male presented to our medical mycology center with whitish opaque discoloration of the right toenail. He reported a history of some sand scratches subsequent to walking barefoot on the beach two years ago and wearing hard safety shoes for a period of two years. On clinical examination, onycholysis, onychodystrophy, and apparent thickening of the ungual bed in the left big toe were found. The microscopic examination of nail clippings using 15% potassium hydroxide (KOH/) revealed the presence of septate pigmented hyphae. The fungus was identified as Neoscytalidium dimidiatum based on the cultural characteristics, the arrangement of arthroconidia on lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) staining, blocky-brown pigmented hyphae on serum physiology mounts, and sequencing. Susceptibility of the isolated fungi to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and terbinafine was tested using the standard broth microdilution M38-A2 method developed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the four antifungal drugs used in this study were: amphotericin B: 1 mg/L, itraconazole: 2 mg/L, voriconazole: 0.25 mg/L, and terbinafine: 1 mg/L. The patient underwent terbinafine and clobetasol topical treatments for 6 months.

Prophylactic effects of dietary ascorbic acid on oxidative stress indices, physiological and behavioural responses of domestic pigeons exposed to road transport stress.

Transport disturbs birds' welfare and health status which lead to oxidative stress and dietary ascorbic acid mitigates the adverse effects of transport stress. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of ascorbic acid administration on oxidative stress indices, cortisol, H/L ratio, tonic immobility reaction and rectal temperature of pigeons exposed to road transport. A total of 80 clinically healthy pigeons were selected and randomly divided to eight equal groups as follow: (1) Ctrl- : fed by basal diet and no subjected to transport stress; (2) Ctrl+: fed by the basal diet and subjected to transport stress; (3, 4) 1DBS10 and 1DBS16: received ascorbic acid from 1 day before transport stress at doses of 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L of drinking water, respectively; (5, 6) 3DBS10 and 3DBS16: treated with ascorbic acid from 3 consecutive days before transport stress at doses of 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L, respectively and (7, 8) 7DBS10 and 7DBS16: received ascorbic acid from 7 consecutive days before the transport at doses 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L, respectively. Birds were transported for 3 h over a distance of about 200 km. The total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde and cortisol were measured before transport and at 6, 24 and 72 h post-transportation. The rectal temperature and tunic immobility reactions were recorded. Dietary ascorbic acid led to a decrease in tonic immobility response, hetrophil to lymphocyte ratio, circulating cortisol and total antioxidant capacity, and an increase in circulating malondialdehyde in pigeons exposed to transport stress compare to Ctrl+ group. In conclusion, ascorbic acid administration at dose 16 g/100 L of drinking water from 3 and 7 days before exposure to stress helps attenuate undesirable effects of oxidative stress in pigeons.

An estimation of optimum dietary concentration of soy bean meal for carps (Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala).

Soybean meal is an inexpensive plant origin protein which has been used in practical diets as a replacement of animal protein such as fish meal or chicken meal, due to the uneconomical price of animal protein diets. Consequently, a research study was conducted on some commercial species of Indian major carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigala (Cirhinus mrigala) (Hamilton, 1822) to estimate optimum dietary protein requirement of soy bean meal in diet in an intensive polyculture. Three different diets (SBM I, SBM II and SBM III) were formulated by 80%, 50% and 20% replacement of fish meal with soybean meal from a 45% fish meal diet (control).Highest monthly mean weight gain was obtained by SBM II (with 35% CP and about 50% substitution of fish meal), while SBM III (45% Crude Protein and about 20% substitution of fish meal) was stood second. All tested diets respond enormously by producing high yield as compare to control diet, though SBM II generated highest yield among all. On the bases of the following research, it was revealed that the SBM can surrogate even50% fish meal without any augmentation of other amino acids in the diet of Indian major carps.

Comparison of Outcome of Borderline and Normal Amniotic Fluid Index in Term Pregnancy.

Background Determination of Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is an important component of antepartum assessment of all normal pregnancies. Objective To compare the obstetric interventions and neonatal outcomes in term pregnancies with borderline Amniotic Fluid Index versus normal Amniotic Fluid Index. Method This hospital based prospective study was conducted at Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital over 1 year between 2017 and 2018 in 128 women having uncomplicated term pregnancy admitted in labor ward. Of the 128 women, 64 women had borderline Amniotic Fluid Index (5.1-8 cm) and 64 normal AFI (8.1 - 24 cm). Parameters studied were induction of labor, cesarean section, instrumental delivery, intrapartum abnormal fetal heart rate, meconium staining of liquor, APGAR score at 5 and 7 minutes, birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and neonatal death. Data was analyzed using software OpenEpi. Result Statistically significant difference in result was obtained in the two groups in terms of rate of induction of labor (73.4% vs 35.9%, p = 0.0001, OR = 4.9), rate of cesarean section (42.1% vs 28 .1%, p = 0.04, OR = 1.8), tachypnea (50% vs 11.1%, p = 0.01) and low birth weight (9.1% vs 4.5%, p = 0.04). No statistical significance was found in meconium staining of liquor (33% vs 38.3%, p = 0.3) and APGAR score of <7 at 5 minutes (3.1% vs 1.5%, p = 0.06). There were no neonatal intensive care unit admissions and neonatal mortality in any of the babies. Conclusion Detection of amniotic fluid volume at term is important for timely maternal interventions to improve the overall fetal outcome.

Flow Diversion of Posterior Circulation Aneurysms: Systematic Review of Disaggregated Individual Patient Data.

BACKGROUND: Experience with endoluminal flow diversion for the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms is limited. PURPOSE: We sought to investigate factors associated with the safety and efficacy of this treatment by collecting disaggregated patient-level data from the literature. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, and Ovid were searched up through 2019 for articles reporting flow diversion of posterior circulation aneurysms. STUDY SELECTION: Eighty-four studies reported disaggregated data for 301 separate posterior circulation aneurysms. DATA ANALYSIS: Patient, aneurysm, and treatment factors were collected for each patient. Outcomes included the occurrence of major complications, angiographic occlusion, and functional outcomes based on the mRS. DATA SYNTHESIS: Significant differences in aneurysm and treatment characteristics were seen among different locations. Major complications occurred in 22%, angiographic occlusion was reported in 65% (11.3 months of mean follow-up), and good functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) were achieved in 67% (13.3 months of mean follow-up). Multivariate analysis identified age, number of flow diverters used, size, and prior treatment to be associated with outcome measures. Meta-analysis combining the current study with prior large nondisaggregated series of posterior circulation aneurysms treated with flow diversion found a pooled incidence of 20% (n = 712 patients) major complications and 75% (n = 581 patients) angiographic occlusions. LIMITATIONS: This study design is susceptible to publication bias. Use of antiplatelet therapy was not uniformly reported. CONCLUSIONS: Endoluminal flow diversion is an important tool in the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms. Patient age, aneurysm size, prior treatment, and the number of flow diverters used are important factors associated with complications and outcomes.

Carotid Stenting without Embolic Protection Increases Major Adverse Events: Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Published data regarding embolic protection device efficacy is mixed, and its use during carotid artery stent placement remains variable. We, therefore, examined the frequency of embolic protection device use and its association with outcomes after carotid artery stent placement using a national quality improvement data base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing carotid artery stent placement with or without embolic protection devices were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data base. The primary outcome was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as death, stroke, or myocardial infarction/arrhythmia) within 30 days. Propensity scoring was used to create 2 matching cohorts of patients using demographic and baseline variables. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2018, among 1200 adult patients undergoing carotid artery stent placement, 23.8% did not have embolic protection devices. There was no trend toward increased embolic protection device use with time. Patients without embolic protection device use received preoperative antiplatelets less frequently (90.6% versus 94.6%, P = .02), underwent more emergent carotid artery stent placement (7.2% versus 3.6%, P = .01), and had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (OR = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11-2.94) and stroke (OR = 3.31; 95% CI, 1.71-6.39). After compensating for baseline imbalances using propensity-matched cohorts (n = 261 for both), carotid artery stent placement without an embolic protection device remained associated with increased major adverse cardiovascular events (9.2% versus 4.2%; OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.10-4.80) and stroke (6.5% versus 1.5%; OR = 4.48; 95% CI, 1.49-13.49). CONCLUSIONS: Lack of embolic protection device use during carotid artery stent placement is associated with a 4-fold increase in the likelihood of perioperative stroke. Nevertheless, nearly one-quarter of patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program underwent unprotected carotid artery stent placement. Efforts targeting improved embolic protection device use during carotid artery stent placement are warranted.

Antibacterial and Osteoinductive Implant Surface Using Layer-by-Layer Assembly.

Osseointegration of dental, craniofacial, and orthopedic implants is critical for their long-term success. Multifunctional surface treatment of implants was found to significantly improve cell adhesion and induce osteogenic differentiation of dental-derived stem cells in vitro. Moreover, local and sustained release of antibiotics via nanolayers from the surface of implants can present unparalleled therapeutic benefits in implant dentistry. Here, we present a layer-by-layer surface treatment of titanium implants capable of incorporating BMP-2-mimicking short peptides and gentamicin to improve their osseointegration and antibacterial features. Additionally, instead of conventional surface treatments, we employed polydopamine coating before layer-by-layer assembly to initiate the formation of the nanolayers on rough titanium surfaces. Cytocompatibility analysis demonstrated that modifying the titanium implant surface with layer-by-layer assembly did not have adverse effects on cellular viability. The implemented nanoscale coating provided sustained release of osteoinductive peptides with an antibacterial drug. The surface-functionalized implants showed successful osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells and antimicrobial activity in vitro and increased osseointegration in a rodent animal model 4 wk postsurgery as compared with untreated implants. Altogether, our in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that this approach can be extended to other dental and orthopedic implants since this surface functionalization showed improved osseointegration and an enhanced success rate.

Bis-(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl) ligand structure driven selectivity reversal between Am3+ and Cm3+: solvent extraction and DFT studies.

Selectivity between Am3+ and Cm3+ was investigated after their aqueous complexation with three structurally tailored hydrophilic bis-(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl) ligands followed by their extraction with N,N,N'N'-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) dissolved in an ionic liquid (C4mim·Tf2N). The three hydrophilic ligands used were SO3PhBTP, SO3PhBTBP, and SO3PhBTPhen. It was evident from the solvent extraction studies that SO3PhBTP formed a stronger complex with Cm3+ than with Am3+, but SO3PhBTPhen showed better complexation ability for Am3+ than for Cm3+, and SO3PhBTBP showed no selectivity for the two actinide ions. DFT calculations indicated that the coordinating 'N' atoms in BTP were more co-planar in the complex and this co-planarity was higher in the Cm3+ complex as compared to that in Am3+. In the case of BTBP and BTPhen ligands, on the other hand, the co-planarity was more pronounced in the Am3+ complexes. Mayer's bond order calculations of M-N bonds in the complexes also indicated a reversal of the complexation ability of the BTP and BTPhen ligands for Am3+ and Cm3+. Calculations of the complexation energies further supported the higher selectivity of the BTP ligand for Am3+ by -52.0 kJ mol-1, and better selectivity of the BTPhen ligand for Cm3+ by -24.7 kJ mol-1.

Refractory Stroke Thrombectomy: Prevalence, Etiology, and Adjunctive Treatment in a North American Cohort.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute stroke intervention refractory to mechanical thrombectomy may be due to underlying vessel wall pathology including intracranial atherosclerotic disease and intracranial arterial dissection or recalcitrant emboli. We studied the prevalence and etiology of refractory thrombectomy, the safety and efficacy of adjunctive interventions in a North American-based cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of refractory thrombectomy, defined as unsuccessful recanalization, vessel reocclusion in <72 hours, or required adjunctive antiplatelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting to achieve and maintain reperfusion. Clinical and imaging criteria differentiated etiologies for refractory thrombectomy. Baseline demographics, cerebrovascular risk factors, technical/clinical outcomes, and procedural safety/complications were compared between refractory and standard thrombectomy groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of refractory thrombectomy. RESULTS: Refractory thrombectomy was identified in 25/302 cases (8.3%), correlated with diabetes (44% versus 22%, P = .02) as an independent predictor with OR = 2.72 (95% CI, 1.05-7.09; P = .04) and inversely correlated with atrial fibrillation (16% versus 45.7%, P = .005). Refractory etiologies were secondary to recalcitrant emboli (20%), intracranial atherosclerotic disease (60%), and/or intracranial arterial dissection (44%). Four (16%) patients were diagnosed with early vessel reocclusion, and 21 patients underwent adjunctive salvage interventions with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor infusion alone (32%) or intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting (52%). There were no significant differences in TICI 2b/3 reperfusion efficacy (85.7% versus 90.9%, P = .48), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rates (0% versus 9%, P = .24), favorable clinical outcomes (39.1% versus 48.3%, P = .51), or mortality (13% versus 28.3%, P = .14) versus standard thrombectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Refractory stroke thrombectomy is encountered in <10% of cases, independently associated with diabetes, and related to underlying vessel wall pathology (intracranial atherosclerotic disease and/or intracranial arterial dissection) or, less commonly, recalcitrant emboli. Emergent salvage interventions with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors or intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting are safe and effective adjunctive treatments.

Selective permeation of 90Y from a mixture of 90Y/90Sr through diglycolamide impregnated supported liquid membranes.

An attempt was made in this work to evaluate a simple flat sheet supported liquid membrane technique for the separation of carrier free 90Y from 90Sr using two diglycolamide carrier ligands, (i) N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-octyl-diglycolamide (TODGA), and (ii) N,N,N',N'-tetra-(2-ethylhexyl)-diglycolamide (TEHDGA). Various experimental parameters were optimized to get selective transport of 90Y over 90Sr. At 6 M HNO3 feed acidity, >95% 90Y could be recovered selectively in just 4 h with both the ligands. Under identical experimental conditions, about 0.1% transport of Sr was also recorded which could be completely removed by passing through a Sr selective column to get medical grade 90Y pure product. A mathematical model equation was also derived and experimentally validated for predicting the transport of 90Y through membrane.

Harnessing Dental Stem Cell Immunoregulation Using Cell-Laden Biomaterials.

Successful tissue engineering therapies rely on the appropriate selection of the cell source, biomaterial, and regulatory factors. To be applied in a wide range of clinical applications, the ideal cell source needs to be easily accessible and abundant. Human orofacial tissues and teeth harbor several populations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capabilities. The ease of access, relative abundance, and minimally invasive isolation procedures needed to harvest most types of the dental-derived MSCs render them a promising cell source for tissue engineering applications. A growing body of evidence has reported the profound immunoregulatory potential of dental-derived MSCs as compared with their bone marrow counterparts. Biomaterials can act as a physical barrier protecting the MSCs from the invasion of the immune system by hindering penetration of proinflammatory cells/cytokines, leading to higher viability of the encapsulated MSCs and improved tissue regeneration. Besides their protective capabilities, biomaterials can actively contribute to the immunoregulatory potential of the MSCs through their physical and chemical properties, including porosity and elasticity. However, despite recent advancement, the therapeutic capability of biomaterials to regulate the MSC-host immune system crosstalk and the mechanism underlying this immunoregulation has been poorly understood. It has been reported that biomaterials can regulate the viability and determine the fate of the encapsulated MSCs through modulation of the NF-kB pathway and the caspase-3 and caspase-8 proapoptotic cascades. Additionally, the physiomechanical properties of the encapsulating biomaterial have been shown to modulate clustering of TNF-α receptors on the encapsulated MSCs while regulating the production of anti-inflammatory factors such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) through activation of the P38 MAPK pathway. In the current review, we sought to provide a thorough overview of the immunomodulatory functions of dental-derived MSCs and the role of biomaterials in their interplay with the host immune system.

Competition between Allowed and First-Forbidden ß Decay: The Case of

The ß decay of ^{208}Hg into the one-proton hole, one neutron-particle _{81}^{208}Tl_{127} nucleus was investigated at CERN-ISOLDE. Shell-model calculations describe well the level scheme deduced, validating the proton-neutron interactions used, with implications for the whole of the N>126, Z<82 quadrant of neutron-rich nuclei. While both negative and positive parity states with spin 0 and 1 are expected within the Q_{ß} window, only three negative parity states are populated directly in the ß decay. The data provide a unique test of the competition between allowed Gamow-Teller and Fermi, and first-forbidden ß decays, essential for the understanding of the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei in the rapid neutron capture process. Furthermore, the observation of the parity changing 0^{+}→0^{-}ß decay where the daughter state is core excited is unique, and can provide information on mesonic corrections of effective operators.

A mathematical model for the evaluation of iron transport across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in neurodegenerative diseases.

Iron plays important roles in healthy brain but altered homeostasis and concentration have been correlated to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Iron enters the central nervous system by crossing the brain barrier systems: the Blood- Brain Barrier separating blood and brain and the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB) between blood and CSF, which is in contact with the brain by far less selective barriers. Herein, we develop a two-compartmental model for the BCSFB, based on first-order ordinary differential equations, performing numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, as input parameters of the model, experimental data from patients affected by Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, mild cognitive impairment and matched neurological controls were used, with the aim of investigating the differences between physiological and pathological conditions in the regulation of iron passage between blood and CSF which can be possibly targeted by therapy.