Air-photonics terahertz platform with versatile micro-controller based interface and data acquisition.

We present a terahertz (THz) platform employing air plasma produced by an ultrashort two-color laser pulse as a broadband THz source and air biased coherent detection (ABCD) of the THz field. In contrast to previous studies, a simple peak detector connected to a micro-controller board acquires the ABCD-signal coming from the avalanche photodiode. Numerical simulations of the whole setup yield temporal and spectral profiles of the terahertz electric field in both source and detection area. The latter ones are in excellent agreement with our measurements, confirming THz electric fields with peak amplitude in the MV/cm range. We further illustrate the capabilities of the platform by performing THz spectroscopy of water vapor and a polystyrene reference sample.

Female obesity does not impact live birth rate after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer.

STUDY QUESTION: Does female obesity affect live birth rate after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer? SUMMARY ANSWER: Live birth rate was not statistically different between obese and normal weight patients after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Obesity is a major health problem across the world, especially in women of reproductive age. It impacts both spontaneous fertility and clinical outcomes after assisted reproductive technology. However, the respective impact of female obesity on oocyte quality and endometrial receptivity remains unclear. While several studies showed that live birth rate was decreased in obese women after fresh embryo transfer in IVF cycle, only two studies have evaluated the effects of female body mass index (BMI) on pregnancy outcomes after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer (FBT), reporting conflicting data. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This retrospective case control study was conducted in all consecutive frozen-thawed autologous blastocyst transfer (FBT) cycles conducted between 2012 and 2017 in a single university-based centre. A total of 1415 FBT cycles performed in normal weight women (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and 252 FBT cycles performed in obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) were included in the analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Endometrial preparation was standard and based on hormonal replacement therapy. One or two blastocysts were transferred according to couple's history and embryo quality. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Female and male age, smoking status, basal AMH level and type of infertility were comparable in obese and normal weight groups. Concerning FBT cycles, the duration of hormonal treatment, the stage and number of embryos (84% single blastocyst transfer and 16% double blastocysts transfer) used for transfer were comparable between both groups. Mean endometrium thickness was significantly higher in obese than in normal weight group (8.7 ± 1.8 vs 8.1 ± 1.6 mm, P < 0.0001). Concerning FBT cycle outcomes, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were comparable in obese and in normal weight groups. Odds ratio (OR) demonstrated no association between live birth rate after FBT and female BMI (OR = 0.92, CI 0.61-1.38, P = 0.68). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Anthropometric parameters such as hip to waist ratio were not used. Polycystic ovarian syndrome status was not included in the analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our study showed that live birth rate after frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer was not statistically different in obese and in normal-weight women. Although this needs confirmation, this suggests that the impairment of uterine receptivity observed in obese women after fresh embryo transfer might be associated with ovarian stimulation and its hormonal perturbations rather than with oocyte/embryo quality. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No external funding was received. There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Amazonian palm Oenocarpus bataua ("patawa"): chemical and biological antioxidant activity--phytochemical composition.

In French Guiana, "diversity" within the Palm family is obvious since more than 75 species have been identified. Oenocarpus bataua Mart., called "patawa" is well known for its culinary uses whereas literature on its phytochemical composition and biological properties remains poor. This work deals with determining the antioxidant activity of this palm fruit and its polyphenol composition; Euterpe oleracea (açai) used as a reference. It turned out that patawa had a stronger antioxidant activity than açai in TEAC and FRAP tests. A similar activity was observed by DPPH assay whereas in ORAC and KRL tests, that açai showed an antioxidant activity respectively 2.6 and 1.5 fold higher than patawa. Polyphenolic composition, determined by UPLC/MS(n), would imply the presence of anthocyanins, condensed tannins, stilbenes and phenolic acids, well known for their biological activities. These results present patawa fruit as a new amazonian resource for cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals purposes.

The role of psycho-education in improving outcome at a general hospital psychiatry clinic in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: While psychoeducation has been shown to positively affect outcomes in psychiatric disorders, its utility has been little studied in developing countries. The current study sought to examine the role of psychoeducation at a general psychiatric outpatient clinic in Kampala, Uganda in improving clinic attendance, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes. METHOD: A prospective case-control study using a quasi-experimental design was conducted in 117 patients suffering various psychiatric disorders. Participants were recruited for two months and then followed for a further three months after recruitment ended. Participants in the intervention group received formalized psychoeducation sessions at each clinic visit in addition to the usual psychiatric evaluation and care. Participants in the control group received the usual clinical care. Measured outcomes were knowledge of mental illness, compliance with medications and follow-up, and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). RESULTS: The groups did not differ with respect to sociodemographic characteristics or attendance at scheduled follow-up visits. Both groups significantly improved on the CGI, but with no significant difference between the groups. However, the intervention group was more likely to adhere to medication, and their knowledge of mental illness was significantly higher at follow-up. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that psychoeducation is a beneficial mental health intervention in a developing country that may increase compliance with medication and result in greater knowledge of mental illness. However, other factors such as distance from a centralized clinic or cost of treatment may impact outcomes, including attendance at scheduled follow-up visits.

A convenient preparation of aldonohydroxamic acids in water and crystal structure of L-erythronohydroxamic acid.

Hydroxamic acids derived from aldonic acids, namely aldonohydroxamic acids, have become an increasingly important class of inhibitors of enzymes involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates. We now report the straightforward preparation of various types of aldonohydroxamic acids by a new methodology involving the use of commercial 50% aqueous hydroxylamine as the source of the free base hydroxylamine that reacts directly with the corresponding aldonolactone dissolved in water. The reaction proceeds almost instantaneously in water at room temperature, yielding generally pure products in quantitative yield. To date, this methodology is probably the most facile and efficient way to synthesize aldonohydroxamic acids. We also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis the first crystal structure of a free aldonohydroxamic acid reported to date. Crystals of L-erythronohydroxamic acid belonged to the monoclinic system, space group P2(1), a=5.511(3), b=7.556(1), c=8.071(3) A, beta=109.10 degrees, and Z=2.

A polyunsaturated fatty acid diet lowers blood pressure and improves antioxidant status in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

gamma-Linolenic acid [GLA, 18:3(n-6)], eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA, 20:5(n-3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6(n-3)] have been reported to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, they are highly unsaturated and therefore more sensitive to oxidation damage. We investigated the effects of a diet rich in these polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on blood pressure, plasma and lipoprotein lipid concentrations, total antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation and platelet function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Five-week-old SHR and WKY rats were fed for 10 wk either a diet containing Isio 4 oil or a diet rich in GLA, EPA and DHA (5.65, 6.39 and 4.94 g/kg dry diet, respectively). The total antioxidant status was assayed by monitoring the rate of free radical-induced hemolysis. VLDL-LDL sensitivity to copper-induced lipid peroxidation was determined as the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. After dietary PUFA supplementation, a significant decrease in blood pressure of SHR rats (-20 mm Hg) was observed and the total antioxidant status was enhanced. VLDL-LDL resistance to copper-induced peroxidation was increased in both strains. The PUFA supplementation did not change platelet maximum aggregation in SHR rats, but it decreased the aggregation speed. In hypertensive rats, GLA + EPA + DHA supplementation lowers blood pressure, enhances total anti-oxidant status and resistance to lipid peroxidation, diminishes platelet aggregation speed and lowers plasma lipid concentrations. Thus, it enhances protection against cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, nutritional recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention should take into account the pharmacologic properties of GLA, EPA and DHA.

[Functional results in children with retinopathy of prematurity stage 4 and 5]. / Ocena stanu widzenia u dzieci z 4 i 5 okresem retinopatii wczesniaków.

AIM OF THE PAPER: To investigate the structural and functional results in children with retinopathy of prematurity stage 4 and 5. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 91 children with ROP stage 4 and 5 were observed by the authors in years 1990-1998. In all patients the clinical course of the disease, visual acuity and binocular vision were examined during follow-up. RESULTS: Most patients with ROP stage 4 and 5 are blind or practically blind, even the children in whom only stage 4a was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Prognosis for vision in children with ROP stage 4 and 5 is poor and all methods of surgical treatment of retinal detachment should be performed in these children to safeguard some kind of useful vision in some patients.

[Abducent nerve palsy as the only symptom of intracavernous carotid aneurysm in a child]. / Porazenie nerwu odwodzacego jako jedyny objaw tetniaka tetnicy szyjnej wewnetrznej u dzlecka.

A case of a 10-year old child with isolated sixth nerve palsy due to giant intracavernous carotid aneurysm is presented. The aneurysm was confirmed by CT brain scan and carotid angiography. It was closed after local embolization of internal carotid artery with the use of platinum inlays. It turns out that an intracranial aneurysm can be, although very rarely, the cause of isolated sixth nerve palsy in childhood.

[Experimental studies on the influence of selected preparations on secretion of tear fluid. I. Schirmer test I and lysozyme test]. / Badania doswiadczalne nad wplywem wybranych preparatów na wydzielanie plynu lzowego. Czesc I: Test Schirmera I i lizozymowy.

In the paper the influence of ambroxol, betanechol and mesna on the production of tear fluid by the lacrimal gland in rabbits was studied and compared with the effectiveness of bromhexine hydrochloride. Tear secretion was stimulated by the Schirmer I and lysozyme tests. The obtained results indicate that all four examined drugs stimulate the production of tear fluid. The greatest stimulation of secretion was observed after mesna and then after betanechol and ambroxol. The least potent drug was bromhexine.

[Experimental studies on the influence of selected preparations on secretion of tear fluid. II: Light and transmission electron microscopy]. / Badania doswiadczalne nad wplywem wybranych preparatów na wydzielanie plynu lzowego. Czesc II: Mikroskopia swietlna i elektronowa transmisyjna.

In the paper the influence of ambroxol, bethanechol, mesna and bromhexine hydrochloride on the morphologic appearance of the lacrimal glands in rabbits was studied with the use of light and transmission electron microscopy. The examination of the lacrimal glands in light microscopy has shown in comparison with the control group an increase in the number of secretory granules in rabbit glands after treatment with different drugs. In electron microscopy in animals, after treatment, much more prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum with a considerable distention of the cisternae and increase of the number of secretory granules in the cytoplasm of the cells were seen. The greatest stimulation of the production of tear fluid was observed after treatment with mesna. Nearly similar results were obtained after bethanechol and slightly worse after ambroxol. The least potent drug was bromhexine.

[Spontaneous detachment of the preretinal membrane in preretinal macular fibrosis]. / Samoistne odlaczenie blony przedsiatkówkowej w fibrosis praeretinal ismacularis.

Preretinal macular fibrosis is one of the most frequently encountered conditions of the macula; it is based on the formation of a transparent or white-gray preretinal membrane. Usually these changes do not progress and persist without change for many years. In rare cases it may come to a spontaneous detachment of the preretinal membrane connected usually with an improvement of the visual acuity. Presented are 2 patients with preretinal macular fibrosis in whom--after a various duration of the disease--it came to a spontaneous detachment of the preretinal membrane.

[Experimental investigations on the influence of bromhexine hydrochloride on the excretion of lacrimal fluid]. / Badania doswiadczalne nad wplywem chlorowodorku bromheksyny na wydzielanie plynu lzowego.

The influence of bromhexine hydrochloride on the excretion of the lacrimal fluid in rabbits was investigated by means of lysozyme test. The investigations showed that the application of the compound is leading to a considerable increase of excretion of tears. It reaches its maximum after ca. 2 hours from the moment of application when the production of tears is ca. 80 p.c. larger than before it. This suggests the possibility of application of bromhexine hydrochloride in the therapy of keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Role of the oocyte nucleus in determination of the dorsoventral polarity of Drosophila as revealed by molecular analysis of the K10 gene.

In Drosophila, the establishment of dorsoventral polarity of the developing embryo depends on the expression of at least 11 maternally acting genes. Mutant females that lack any of these gene activities produce normally shaped eggs that develop into dorsalized embryos. The female sterile K10 mutation differs from these mutants, because in addition to the dorsalized development of the embryo, it causes a dorsalization of the egg shape. During oogenesis, the K10 gene is specifically expressed in the oocyte. Antibodies raised against a beta-galactosidase-K10 fusion protein were used to visualize the K10 product in ovaries by indirect immunofluorescence. The protein, which contains a putative DNA recognition helix, accumulates in the nucleus of the oocyte, where it is assumed to have a regulatory function. Our results thus indicate that the controlled expression of some of the genes of the oocyte nucleus is essential for the determination of the dorsoventral polarity of the oocyte and possibility of the developing embryo.

CAT vectors for analysis of eukaryotic promoters and enhancers.

We have constructed two sets of plasmids for analysis of factors affecting mammalian gene expression. The pOCAT series contains a bacterial chloramphenicol-resistance expression unit (cat) and no eukaryotic promoter. The pUTKAT series contains the same cat unit under the control of the thymidine-kinase promoter of Herpes simplex virus. These plasmids are designed for testing effects of inserted regulatory elements on cat expression after transient transfection of mammalian cells in culture. We demonstrate here that the pOCAT series is useful for studying activities of inserted eukaryotic promoters, and the pUTKAT series is useful for studying activities of inserted eukaryotic enhancers.

[Effects of so-called animal factors (muscles, age, sex) on the quality parameters of meat]. / Einfluss der sogenannten animalischen Faktoren (einzelne Muskeln, Alter, Geschlecht) auf die qualitativen Grundmerkmale des Fleisches.

Studies were conducted into the variability of quality parameters of beef, mutton, and pork, depending on muscles, age, and sex of the animals concerned. An analysis was made of the following meat parameters: (a) basic composition, expressed by protein, muscular fat, and water levels; (b) connective tissue levels; (c) tenderness of meat. The results have shown muscle condition to be the major factor by which qualitative differentiation of meat can be made, while age and sex proved to be of minor importance to meat quality.