Measurement of aortic stiffness in children with asthma by evaluating pulse wave velocity (PWV) using echocardiography

Asthma bronchiale (AB) is not only limited to the lungs but is also accompanied by systemic inflammation. The aortic stiffness increases with AB. We aimed to evaluate pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement using an echocardiography device and analyze the factors affecting it. 50 AB and 50 healthy children were included in the study. Hematological tests, lung function tests, and echocardiographic evaluations were performed for all patients. Aortic elasticity parameters such as aortic strain, aortic stiffness index, distensibility, and PWV were evaluated. Mean age in AB and control groups was 12.07 (± 2.65), 12.70 (± 3.59) years, respectively. 63% of the AB group and 55% of the control group were male. Blood lipid and CRP levels were similar in both groups. FVC, FEV1, FEF25–75 were significantly lower in the AB group ( p  = .002, .000, and .004, respectively). The ventricular function parameters and aortic root and ascending aorta diameters were similar between the groups. The PWV was significantly higher in the AB group ( p  = .000). There was a correlation between PWV and lung function tests and between FEF25–75 and aortic diameter changes. In AB patients, aortic elasticity parameters were similar in measurements based on diameter change, whereas PWV measurement was performed when aortic stiffness was high. PWV measurement with an echocardiography device is repeatable, practical, and fast at the patient’s bedside, and can be performed without additional software and equipment. The PWV obtained using the new measurement technique are closely related to lung function.

Sectoral Uncertainty: A Hierarchical-Volatility Approach

We propose a new empirical framework to estimate sectoral uncertainty from data-rich environments. We jointly decompose the conditional variance of economic time series into a common, a sector-specific, and an idiosyncratic component. By specifying a hierarchical-factor structure to stochastic volatility modeling, our framework combines both dimension reduction and flexibility. To estimate the model, we develop an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm based on precision sampling techniques. We apply our framework to a large dataset of disaggregated industrial production series for the U.S. economy. Our findings suggest that: (i) uncertainty is heterogeneous at a sectoral level; and (ii) durable goods uncertainty may drive some business cycle effects typically attributed to aggregate uncertainty.

Attenuation of Type IV pili activity by natural products

The virulence factor Type IV pili (T4P) are surface appendages used by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa for twitching motility and adhesion in the environment and during infection. Additionally, the use of these appendages by P. aeruginosa for biofilm formation increases its virulence and drug resistance. Therefore, attenuation of the activity of T4P would be desirable to control P. aeruginosa infections. Here, a computational approach has been pursued to screen natural products that can be used for this purpose. PilB, the elongation ATPase of the T4P machinery in P. aeruginosa , has been selected as the target subunit and virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs has been conducted. Screening identified two natural compounds, ergoloid and irinotecan, as potential candidates for inhibiting this T4P-associated ATPase in P. aeruginosa . These candidate compounds underwent further rigorous evaluation through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and then through in vitro twitching motility and biofilm inhibition assays. Notably, ergoloid emerged as a particularly promising candidate for weakening the T4P activity by inhibiting the elongation ATPases associated with T4P. This repurposing study paves the way for the timely discovery of antivirulence drugs as an alternative to classical antibiotic treatments to help combat infections caused by P. aeruginosa and related pathogens.

Gamma irradiation effects on diphenhydramine hydrochloride: an EPR study

This study seeks to detect and characterize the free radicals generated in gamma-irradiated diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DP-HCl), a precursor for an antihistamine drug. The investigation aims to assess the radiation sensitivity of DP-HCl under varying microwave power, radiation doses, temperature conditions, and storage durations. After irradiation with 14 kGy, the observed radical associated with the –ĊHCH 2 N– fragment exhibited a singlet signal with a g-value of g = 2.0016 ± 0.0005. The signal intensities from experimental spectra within the 2–20 kGy dose range were found to exhibit the optimal fit with a polynomial function. Experimental spectra were recorded in the temperature range of 123–423 K to investigate whether distinct types of radicals were formed at low and high temperatures. Furthermore, the stability of the free radicals generated in the irradiated sample was assessed by determining the extinction curves of the signal intensities of the sample. The novelty of this study lies in examining the radiation sensitivity of the –ĊHCH 2 N– radical, demonstrating its remarkable stability across different temperatures and storage durations. This leads to the conclusion that radiation sterilization of the DP-HCl sample is not suitable.

Double hit lymphoma masqueraded as clusters of crater-like nonhealing infectious skin lesions

Maps by Which We May Not Steer: Why Psychologists Should Expect Low Belief-Behavior Correspondence

Unusual suspects? A group position approach to explaining anti-refugee attitudes among secular Turks

Why do Turkish majority members with a secular outlook exhibit above-average levels of antipathy toward Syrian refugees, despite their left-leaning political views and relatively cosmopolitan cultural dispositions? We address this question through a sequential mixed methods design, integrating focus group discussions and in-depth interviews conducted in Istanbul in late 2019 with an original survey of Istanbul residents fielded in July-August 2020. We find that secular Turks’ attitudes toward Syrian refugees are entangled with the political and lifestyle threats they feel under President Erdoğan’s increasingly authoritarian and Islamist regime. On one hand, secular citizens worry that Syrian refugees could shift the political balance in favor of Erdoğan, thereby further undermining the opposition’s electoral prospects. On the other, they associate Syrian refugees with Turkey’s growing estrangement from the West and the resulting decline in secularism and women’s freedoms. Thus, secular Turks’ animosity toward Syrian refugees does not stem merely from an aversion to religious traditionalism but reflects broader concerns about their own power and status in contemporary Turkey. Extending Blumer’s group position theory, we argue that in deeply polarized societies, natives might view migrants through the lens of how these newcomers might affect their group’s social position vis-à-vis other domestic groups.

Avelumab maintenance in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma in a real-life expanded-access program

This study evaluates the real-world efficacy and safety of avelumab maintenance therapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who did not progress following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, using data from the Expanded Access Program (EAP). Safety and effectiveness were assessed in patients who received at least one cycle of avelumab. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints included safety. PFS and OS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The 12-month OS rate was 78% (95% CI, 74.5%–79%), with the median OS not reached. The 12-month PFS rate was 32% (95% CI, 29%–35%), and the median PFS was 5.3 months (95% CI, 3.4–7.1). Univariate analysis showed a median PFS of 2.9 months in patients with liver metastases versus 5.4 months in those without (p = 0.001), 2.8 months in patients with hemoglobin levels below 10 mg/dL versus 5.3 months in those above (p = 0.06), and 8.8 months in patients with lymph node – only metastases versus 4.1 months in patients with metastases at other sites (p = 0.05). No significant differences in PFS were observed based on chemotherapy type (cisplatin vs. carboplatin, p = 0.7), chemotherapy cycle count (≤4 vs. > 4 cycles, p = 0.4), or first-line chemotherapy response (complete response vs. partial response/stable disease, p = 0.4). Avelumab demonstrated efficacy and tolerability as maintenance therapy for mUC patients without progression following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Affinity-driven functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles using tryptophan-isatin for potential bio-applications

This study aims to develop biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) functionalized with tryptophan (Trp) and isatin (Isa), two biologically active molecules with known blood-brain barrier permeability and anticancer activity. The primary objective was to evaluate the potential of these functionalized MNPs for glioblastoma therapy. Trp and Isa were conjugated onto MNPs, and the resulting nanomaterials were characterized using SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS, and DLS. The U-87 human glioblastoma cell line was used to investigate cellular uptake, cytotoxicity (MTT assay), and radiosensitizing effects. Additional molecular insights were obtained through STRING-based network analysis. The synthesized MNPs exhibited spherical morphology with a uniform size of approximately 100–110 nm. No significant cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations up to 10 µg/mL under standard culture conditions. However, a 70% reduction in cell viability was achieved following radiotherapy when cells were pretreated with Trp-Isa functionalized MNPs. STRING analysis revealed that Trp and Isa are involved in molecular pathways associated with glioblastoma. These findings suggest that Trp and Isa functionalized MNPs hold promise as a targeted and radiosensitizing nanoplatform for glioblastoma treatment. The approach also highlights broader potential for such engineered nanoparticles in the field of nanomedicine.

Biomonitoring cytogenetic and oxidative-stress related damage in gas station attendants: Buccal micronucleus cytome assay and serum 8-OHdG levels

This study assessed the genotoxicity and oxidative DNA damage associated with occupational exposure among gas station attendants. We performed buccal micronucleus cytome analysis and measured serum 8-OHdG levels in 32 pumpers and 32 control subjects. Cytotoxicity biomarkers were higher in the exposed group. No significant effect of smoking on cytogenetic parameters was found. In contrast, a higher frequency of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity biomarkers was observed in pumpers with more than 10 years of employment. Serum 8-OHdG levels were higher in pumpers. While the duration of working increased the serum 8-OHdG levels, smoking had no significant effect. Our findings reveal that gas station attendants are continuously exposed to benzene-induced toxicity at the cellular level. Workers may be at risk of developing cancer in the future, so they should be carefully monitored for the long-term effects.