Degree Of Restriction Research Articles

Echocardiographic classification of anatomical diversity of the tricuspid valve: insights from the bright trial

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Trial funded by Abbott Background As the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation with tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) becomes more widespread, a better understanding of tricuspid anatomy is increasingly important to properly select patients for this therapy. The diversity of tricuspid anatomies in the real-world population is not well known, and strategies for characterization of some anatomic features are not well defined. Purpose To propose a method to accurately and consistently characterize the tricuspid valve anatomy with transthoracic and transesophageal echo in patients receiving tricuspid TEER and investigate the diversity of tricuspid valve anatomies reflected in a real-world population. Methods The bRIGHT trial is a prospective, single-arm, multi-center registry initiated to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) System in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in a real-world post-market setting. Detailed echocardiographic analysis was performed on subjects from 25 sites with available baseline echo. Subjects were evaluated for three key anatomical factors that are anticipated to be critical in determining the feasibility of TEER: number of tricuspid valve leaflets, degree of leaflet restriction, and coaptation gap size. Herein, we present a proposed method for characterizing these factors through echo analysis. Results Between August 2020 and July 2022, 312 patients subjects (age, 78.4±7.6 years, 54% women) at 25 sites were enrolled into the bRIGHT trial and 283 subjects had available baseline echo. Coaptation gap size was measured at the largest clippable location (Figure 1) and was found to range from 2.3 mm to 20.8mm (avg. 8.6 ± 3.3 mm). According to the analysis method proposed by Hahn et. Al, the majority of subjects were found to have 3 leaflets (80%), however 4 and 5 leaflet anatomies were also present (20% and 1% respectively). Severity of leaflet restriction was categorized according to a 4-grade scale. In the subjects studied, restriction severity ranged from none to severe, with 21% of subjects having no restriction, 65% displaying mild restriction, 12% displaying moderate restriction, and 2% severe restriction. Conclusions In this analysis of 283 subjects treated as part of the bRIGHT trial, a proposed method to accurately and consistently characterize the tricuspid valve anatomy from baseline echo was developed. The method reaved the broad range of tricuspid valve anatomies realized in this real-world population. ___________________________________

Influence of hydrothermal and upwelling events on organic matter accumulation in the gas-bearing lower Cambrian shales of the middle Yangtze Block, South China

With onoing studies on the diversification of animals during the early Cambrian in the Yangtze Block, resource effects associated with environmental changes have started to be elucidated, in which regional sedimentary events might have played an important role. The gas-rich Yichang area in the southern Huangling anticline is a potential area for shale gas development and provides a more suitable target for unravelling the debates on organic matter (OM) accumulation in the Low Cambrian marine black shales. This study integrated elemental geochemical and mineralogy time-series analyses based on core samples drilled in Yichang area on the shallow-water platform to constrain the evolution of the depositional environments and consider the forcing function behind OM enrichment in the Shuijinguo Formation. Distinctive TOC and Cu/Al peaks within the black shale deposited in the Shuijingtuo Member I suggest intensification of bioproductivity level. The chemical index of alteration (CIA), regarded as an indicator of paleoclimatic variation, increased in the upsection, and together with increasing Sr/Cu and quartz/feldspar ratio values, suggest a trend toward warming conditions and a moderate degree of chemical weathering. The geochemical proxies for the degree of water mass restriction (Mo/TOC and Co × Mn) and paleoredox (MoEF, UEF, U/Th and Corg/P) indicate that the shallow-water shelf experienced weakly-to moderately-restricted water conditions under an anoxic/euxinic environment in the Shuijingtuo Member I and transited to a moderately-restricted water mass with suboxic conditions during the late Shuijingtuo and Shipai periods. A positive Eu anomaly within the Shuijingtuo Member I provided robust evidence of hydrothermal activity. We propose here for an opening of deposition conditions on the shallow-water platform which results in enhanced upwelling and hydrothermal activity (Si, Ba, et.), thereby ultimately disrupting the original nutrient cycling for the metabolism and prompting the OM accumulation in the epicontinental sea during the early Cambrian.

Daily Activity Restriction Quantification in Older Population via Using Activity Frequency: Dual Roles in Preventing Falls

Daily activity restriction is an expected physical behavior aiming to prevent falls in the older population. However, it plays dual roles in preventing falls, both positive and harmful. Therefore, the degree of daily activity restriction is proposed as a critical factor influencing the weight ratio of the positive and negative roles and finally determining the efficacy of fall prevention. Thus, quantification of daily activity restriction is essential to learn its efficacy. We proposed using activity frequency to quantify activity restriction and have testified its good sensitivity to discriminate the degree of activity restriction in older populations. We further attempted to link the degree of activity restriction with the degree of fear of falling to estimate the dual roles of activity restriction in preventing falls. Based on it, a new Composite Activity-specific Risk of Falls Scale tool has been developed. It is promising to use for guiding the modification of physical behavior to prevent falls in older populations. However, further studies are required to establish the evidence for its application.

Assessing the role of protected areas in the land-use change dynamics of a biodiversity hotspot.

Although protected areas (PAs) are designed to safeguard natural ecosystems from anthropic modifications, many PAs worldwide are subjected to numerous human-induced impacts. We evaluated whether the establishment of PAs in the Upper Paraná River floodplain region could reduce anthropic landscape changes and whether there is a difference in protection when using different PA restriction categories. We analyzed the overall landscape dynamics using 30years of land-use time series data and evaluated the change intensity via a partial land-use intensity analysis. Despite the increasing landscape anthropization, the PAs seemed to relieve the general change process, protecting natural areas mainly from agricultural expansion. Concerning the degree of use restriction, more restricted protection led to less human-induced changes. Finally, accessing PA effectiveness is a multidisciplinary challenge for researchers; however, this knowledge is crucial to avoid misunderstandings or poorly crafted public policies or decisions that may harm the environment.

Priority of public interests in the regulation of foreign participationin strategic sectors of the economy

The author discusses some topical issues of the balance of private and public interests in the framework of limiting foreign presence in the areas of economic activity that are strategically important for the state. In 2022 - 2023 State policy in the field of foreign investment control is generally characterized by the introduction of additional restrictions in order to ensure national security: the list of areas of activity recognized as strategic has been expanded; the number of regulatory approvals required for obtaining by foreign persons for transactions with Russian companies has been increased; increased requirements for transparency in the ownership structure of strategic companies; the consequences of violation of the law in this area are detailed. Author formulates a conclusion about the necessary conditionality of the priority of public interest over private interest by current economic and political factors. First of all, proceeding from the measures necessary and sufficient to satisfy the public interest, the state determines the nature and degree of restriction of the economic freedom of the bearers of private interest. At the same time, by satisfying the public interest, which has as its goal the provision of national economic stability and security of the state, it ultimately ensures the satisfaction of such other interests and needs of an indefinite range of entities that are part of society and the state, which cannot be satisfied only in terms of the financial stability of the state, its military and economic security.

Review: Current challenges in poultry nutrition, health, and welfare.

The poultry industry has benefited greatly from advances in genetics, nutrition, housing and management strategies. Geneticists have made welfare and health traits important components of selection programs, and in general, modern, high-producing poultry are healthier than 30years ago. However, increased productivity means that the birds are closer to their physiological limits, and nutrition, environment and management have become increasingly important. The move away from in-feed antibiotic growth promotors has resulted in challenges in maintaining gut health and consequently, bird performance. However, as the industry adapts to production without the use of antibiotic growth promotors, long-term benefits may be realized due to a reduction in antimicrobial resistance. Intensive selection for meat yield and efficiency are associated with an increased risk of muscle myopathies that affect bird health and meat quality. As genetic selection increased broiler production traits, it became necessary to restrict parent stock nutrient intake in order to prevent excessive muscle and fat deposition, reduce metabolic disease, and maintain ovarian control. With continued selection for broiler production traits, the degree of restriction implemented has become a welfare issue. Additionally, recent research suggests that highly efficient broiler lines may have limited fat deposition and therefore energy reserves to support sexual maturation and egg production, especially if typical broiler breeder BW targets are maintained. A re-examination of broiler breeder feeding programs is necessary to maintain productivity and welfare. Modern laying hens are capable of laying cycles in excess of 100weeks of age. This has reduced the use of stress-inducing forced molting programs and reduces the total number of hens needed to meet the demand for egg production. The important role of the skeletal system in eggshell deposition demands that skeletal development during rearing be carefully managed to avoid shell and skeletal problems at the end of the production cycle. As the production potential of modern poultry continues to increase through genetic and genomic selection, even greater care must be paid in order to maintain bird health and welfare. The poultry industry has successfully faced many challenges in the past and is likely to overcome the existing challenges as well.

Motor Synergies in the Control System of Complex Sports Balance Postures

The paper presents the motor synergies’ structure at the muscular and kinematic levels of their study during performing various sports balance postures. The features of the formation and modification of synergetic modules depending on the motor task are considered. An attempt is made to combine some computational aspects applied according of various concepts of synergetic control. The tools for identifying and analyzing synergy parameters included regression analysis and data factorization methods. It has been established that differing in biomechanical structure balance exercises can be realized using common patterns of kinematic synergies spatial organization, however, at the muscular level, the existence of common spatial activation profiles is not obvious. The presence of several different time patterns of synergy activation in the structure of each balance exercise has been revealed, which may be associated with various motor control strategies in the central nervous system. The structure of kinematic synergies may be influenced by artificial degrees of freedom restriction, unrelated to central control processes. It is shown that the inclusion of the concept of “variables’ area” in the motor control modular organization theory contributes to the convergence of existing motor control concepts based on synergy principle.

Ecotoxicological monitoring of potentially toxic elements contamination in Eucalyptus forest plantation subjected to long-term irrigation with recycled wastewater

Afforestation is an evergreen technology for restraining greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and improving soil carbon sink in arid and semi-arid regions. Nonetheless, the long-term impact of woody forests irrigation using recycled wastewater resources remains inconclusive so far. For this purpose, the ecological risk benchmarks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were investigated on Eucalyptus forest plantation in order to gauge their bioavailability in the rhizospheric layer of Typic Torripsammentsoil and their accretion capacity in the biosphere. Water quality guidelines pointed to a moderate degree of restriction on use with elevated levels of PTEs. Notably, concentrations of As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, V and Zn were above the permissible limits for irrigation. The geospatial mapping of PTEs concentration in soil pointed to elevated levels of most PTEs, particularly in the deforestated areas. Some of PTEs (Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn) showed values above the permissible limits. A spectrum of ecological risk indices showed considerable to high degree of contamination. Among PTEs, the water–soluble and exchangeable fractions showed high values of As, Cd and Hg (20.7, 17.2 and 11.0%, respectively). Sequential extraction showed variations among PTEs in their tendency to bind with different soil geochemical fractions: (i) carbonate (Cd, Zn and Cu), (ii) Fe–Mn oxides (Pb, Zn and Mn) and (iii) organic matter (B, Pb and Hg). Eight fungal species including Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani, Cephalosporimsp., Penicilliumsp., Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus niger, Botrytissp. and Verticilliumsp. were dominated in soil. Meanwhile, Agrobacteriumsp., phosphate solubilizing bacteria, nitrogen fixing bacteria and Escherichia coli were the dominant bacterial strains. Values of bioaccumulation index varied among PTEs, wherein B (5.15), Ni (1.98), Mn (1.62) and Cd (1.02) exhibited higher phytoextraction potentials. Other PTEs, however, exhibited values below 1.0 confirming their low phytoextraction potentials. Findings of this investigation, therefore, provide insights into biochemical signals of PTEs contamination in woody forest plantations and the urgent need to contextualize the large-scale utilization of recycled wastewater resources in such vulnerable areas.

Diagnosis of Key Ecological Restoration Areas in Territorial Space under the Guidance of Resilience: A Case Study of the Chengdu–Chongqing Region

Territorial space ecological restoration is a significant way to map the development of “ecological priority, green, and low-carbon” and realize the goal of reducing carbon emissions. Based on the evaluation of the degree of urban ecological resilience restriction, this study aimed to diagnose the key areas of surface–line–point ecological restoration under the guidance of the resilience target by constructing a patch–corridor–matrix ecological network; then, the corresponding repair strategy was proposed. The results showed that (1) there was an obvious core–periphery structure in the resilience restriction intensity of the Chengdu–Chongqing region, showing a gradual decreasing trend from Chengdu and Chongqing to the surrounding cities; (2) the regional ecological network, including 17 ecological source patches and 33 potential ecological corridors, was identified; and (3) the diagnosed key areas of ecological restoration were composed of surface–line–point multiscale spatial morphology, including 7793.81 km2 of key areas of ecological source restoration, 380.39 km of key areas of ecological corridor restoration, and 29 key areas of ecological pinch point restoration. The construction of ecological restoration strategies with carbon neutralization as the core idea at different scales was realized. The research can provide a reference for scientifically identifying key areas of ecological restoration in territorial space, coordinating and planning major projects of ecological restoration, and optimizing the allocation of natural resources.

41 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritating chemicals

Objective: To analyze the case characteristics of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational irritant chemicals (OI-COPD). To provide basis for revising its diagnostic criteria. Methods: From June to December 2021, we investigated the information of OI-COPD patients confirmed by Shandong Institute of Occupational Health and Prevention of Occupational Diseases, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control, Qingdao Central Hospital affiliated to Qingdao University and other diagnostic institutions in the past five years, a total of 41 cases. The basic information of OI-COPD cases, occupational risk factors exposure information, medical history, smoking history and clinical symptoms were analyzed retrospectively. The measurement data were tested for normal distribution, which was described by x±s, and compared between groups by t test; Those who do not conform to the normal distribution are described by the median [M (Q(1), Q(3)) ] and analyzed by nonparametric test; The counting data were expressed in frequency and rate (% ), and the comparison between groups was tested. Results: Of the 41 cases, 33 were male and 8 were female. The age of the patient diagnosed with OI-COPD was (49.5±10.3) years old, and the minimum age was 30 years old; Among them, 8 patients had a definite long-term smoking history (more than 5 years) ; The exposure duration of occupational risk factors was (18.6±10.3) years, of which 3 patients had exposure duration of less than 5 years; The occupational risk factors leading to OI-COPD include acids and acid-forming compounds, bases, aldehydes, nitrogen oxides, chlorine and its compounds, etc. The exposure level of occupational risk factors is related to the degree of COPD airflow restriction (χ(2)=6.17, P <0.05). 18 patients with diagnosis age <50 years old were diagnosed as early-onset COPD. The incidence of respiratory symptoms in the early diagnosis COPD group was lower than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group, and the FEV1% pred was significantly higher than that in the non-early diagnosis COPD group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01 ) . Conclusion: The exposure level of occupational risk factors may be the risk factor affecting the degree of COPD airflow restriction. With the increase of the exposure level of COPD patients, the proportion of respiratory symptoms will also increase accordingly.

Dynamics of lumbopelvic pain parameters in women with endoprosthetic hip joints who underwent caesarean section, under the influence of a physical therapy program

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed physical therapy program based on the dynamics of indicators characterizing the limitation of life activities due to lumbopelvic pain in women with an endoprosthetic hip joint who underwent cesarean section. 9 women aged (28,5±1,6) years were examined 1 month after childbirth, which took place by caesarean section. The developed program of physical therapy lasted 1 month. Therapeutic exercises were applied; functional training, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; massage of lower limbs, back. Movement limitations associated with an incompletely formed scar after cesarean section and the presence of an endoprosthesis were taken into account; safe strategies of movements related to child care were created. Determined The degree of restriction of vital activity according to the Oswestry Disability Index, Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire, Pregnancy Mobility Index was determined. During the initial examination, women were found to have a deterioration in their daily life activities and activities according to all the investigated indicators. During the re-examination, the improvement of vital activity in women according to the Oswestry Disability Index was 54.8 % compared to the initial result, according to the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire – 58.6 % (р&lt;0.05). The dynamics of the Pregnancy Mobility Index results showed a statistically significant improvement in the condition of the examined women relative to the initial result in the subscales of daily home mobility (by 54.1 %), household activity (by 60.9%), and non-household activity (by 54.6 %). Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that physical therapy should be prescribed in the complex recovery of women with an endoprosthetic hip joint who underwent cesarean section to reduce the limitation of the degree of vital activity due to lumbopelvic pain. Keywords: rehabilitation, postpartum period, abdominal delivery, lower extremity joint endoprosthesis.

Twisted Carbazole Dendrons for Solution-Processable Green Emissive Phosphorescent Dendrimers.

A family of first-generation dendrimers containing 3,5-bis(carbazolyl)phenyl dendrons attached to a green emissive fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(III) core were prepared. The solubility of the dendrimers was imparted by the attachment of tert-butyl surface groups to the carbazole moieties. The dendrimers differed in the number of dendrons attached to each ligand (one or two dendrons) as well as the degree of rotational restriction within the dendrons. The densities of the films containing the doubly dendronized materials were higher than those of their mono-dendronized counterparts, with the dendrimer containing two rotationally constrained dendrons per ligand having the highest density at 1.12 ± 0.04 g cm-3. The dendrimers were found to have high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) in solution of between 80 and 90%, with the doubly dendronized materials having the lower values and a red-shifted emission. The neat film PLQY values of the dendrimers were less than those measured in solution although the relative decrease was smaller for the doubly dendronized materials. The dendrimers were incorporated into solution-processed bilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) composed of neat or blend emissive layers and an electron transport layer. The best-performing devices had the dendrimers blended with a host material and external quantum efficiencies as high as 14.0%, which is higher than previously reported results for carbazole-incorporating emissive dendrimers. A feature of the devices containing blends of the doubly dendronized materials was that the maximum efficiency was relatively insensitive to the concentration in the host between 1 and 7 mol %.

위헌심사기준으로서의 비례원칙

The Prohibition of Excessive Restriction or the Proportionality Principle (hereafter as “the Proportionality”) in a broad sense refers to the basic principle or the limitation of legislative activities that the state should abide by in carrying out when it makes laws that restrict the citizens’ basic rights. In other words, laws that restrict the citizens’ basic rights must meet the qualifications of the Legitimate Law Object, the Adequate Mean, the Minimal Impairment, and the Balancing between personal interest and public interest (hereafter as “the Balancing”). The Korean Constitutional Court (hereafter as “the Court”) has so far tended to focus its arguments on the Minimal Impairment in applying the four sub-principles of the Proportionality: the Legitimate Law Object, the Adequate Mean, the Minimal Impairment, and the Balancing. However, the Proportionality is a sequential and step-by-step review structure, and ‘step-by-step review’ presupposes that each sub-principle has its own meaning. If so, the Court’s Balancing review that has been criticized as “an overdose of the Proportionality”, should now be changed. That is, the Minimal Impairment should be limited to the evaluation of “legislative alternatives”, and the degree of restriction on basic rights or the judgment of Endurance Possibility should be moved to the Balancing to make use of the merits of the step-by-step review. These changes also bring the Court on par with the trends of advanced foreign constitutional courts such as Germany (The German Constitutional Court) and Canda (the Canadian Federal Supreme Court). Moreover, by doing so, the Court can correctly establish the criteria of the Proportionality as a reviewing standard of constitutionality.

Agricultural Water Salinity of Reclaimed Tidelands in Southwestern Coastal Areas of South Korea

Monitoring of the salinity of agricultural soil and water is necessary for sustainable food production in salt-affected reclaimed tidelands (RTLs). Soil salinity has been extensively monitored; however, little attention has been given to water salinity. In this study, agricultural water salinity of five RTLs located in the southwestern coastal area of South Korea was monitored. A total of 215 water samples were collected from estuary lakes and inland streams in Bojeon (BJ), Goheung (GH), Gunnae (GN), Samsan (SS), and Youngsangang (YSG) RTLs in 2018, 2020, and 2022. Water samples were analyzed for electrical conductivity (ECw) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) to estimate the suitability of water salinity for agricultural uses based on the FAO guidelines. The ECw (average: 1.6 - 3.6 dS m-1) and SAR (5 - 8) were highly variable being dependent on RTL locations, water type (lake and stream), and sampling year and month. For rice cultivation, ECw of BJ, SS, and YSG RTLs was lower than the threshold ECw (2 dS m-1) for rice growth; whereas ECw of GN (2.1 ± 1.0 dS m-1) and GH (3.6 ± 1.2 dS m-1) RTLs were higher than the threshold ECw. For upland crops cultivation, both ECw and SAR of five RTLs were much higher than the FAO threshold values (ECw < 0.7 dS m-1 and SAR < 3). Therefore, our results suggest that agricultural water salinity of the study RTLs is not suitable for cultivation of upland crop. Therefore, long-term monitoring of water salinity as well as developments of advanced irrigation-drainage are necessary for diversification of agricultural uses of RTLs.Distribution of ECw and SAR of lake and inland stream of five RTLs. On the right side of the panels, FAO guideline for the degree of restriction on the use for irrigation water is depicted.

Improving the Functionality of Lentil–Casein Protein Complexes through Structural Interactions and Water Kefir-Assisted Fermentation

Highly nutritious lentil proteins (LP) have recently attracted interest in the food industry. However, due to their low solubility, extensive application of LP is severely limited. This study describes a new and successful method for overcoming this challenge by improving the nutritional–functional properties of LP, particularly their solubility and protein quality. By combining protein complexation with water kefir-assisted fermentation, the water solubility of native LP (~58%) increases to over 86% upon the formation of lentil–casein protein complexes (LCPC). Meanwhile, the surface charge increases to over −40 mV, accompanied by alterations in secondary and tertiary structures, as shown by Fourier-transform infrared and UV-vis spectra, respectively. In addition, subjecting the novel LCPC to fermentation increases the protein digestibility from 76% to over 86%, due to the reduction in micronutrients that have some degree of restriction with respect to protein digestibility. This approach could be an effective and practical way of altering plant-based proteins.

Risk Evaluation of Chemical Clogging of Irrigation Emitters via Geostatistics and Multivariate Analysis in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

In this study, we analyzed the hydrogeochemistry of 350 underground wells in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for water-chemical parameters that may contribute to the chemical clogging of emitters in drip irrigation systems. Risk class maps were generated for each parameter, and the area was classified based on the water characteristics, considering the degree of water-use restriction in micro-irrigation (i.e., no, moderate, and severe restriction). Inverse distance-weighted, random forest, and ordinary kriging methods were used as interpolation methods. Moreover, a multivariate analysis was conducted to analyze the results. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a strong and significant correlation between pH and carbonates, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) and between TDS and EC. Principal component analysis revealed that most of the variations in the water quality of the wells could be explained by water–rock interactions with the consequent dissolution of minerals. The principal components were natural sources of ionic salt groups, dissolution of minerals rich in alkaline cations, chemical weathering of iron–magnesium minerals, and increased pH with the conversion of bicarbonates into carbonates. In the parameter cluster analysis, three possible mechanisms that contribute to emitter clogging in the study area were identified: precipitation of calcium and magnesium salts; oxidation of iron and manganese ions forming oxides and insoluble hydroxides; an increase in pH, which converts bicarbonates into carbonates. Clustering analysis revealed the wells that are susceptible to clogging with the exact cause.

Accuracy of Dose-Saving Artificial-Intelligence-Based 3D Angiography (3DA) for Grading of Intracranial Artery Stenoses: Preliminary Findings

Based on artificial intelligence (AI), 3D angiography (3DA) is a novel postprocessing algorithm for "DSA-like" 3D imaging of cerebral vasculature. Because 3DA requires neither mask runs nor digital subtraction as the current standard 3D-DSA does, it has the potential to cut the patient dose by 50%. The object was to evaluate 3DA's diagnostic value for visualization of intracranial artery stenoses (IAS) compared to 3D-DSA. 3D-DSA datasets of IAS (nIAS = 10) were postprocessed using conventional and prototype software (Siemens Healthineers AG, Erlangen, Germany). Matching reconstructions were assessed by two experienced neuroradiologists in consensus reading, considering image quality (IQ), vessel diameters (VD1/2), vessel-geometry index (VGI = VD1/VD2), and specific qualitative/quantitative parameters of IAS (e.g., location, visual IAS grading [low-/medium-/high-grade] and intra-/poststenotic diameters [dintra-/poststenotic in mm]). Using the NASCET criteria, the percentual degree of luminal restriction was calculated. In total, 20 angiographic 3D volumes (n3DA = 10; n3D-DSA = 10) were successfully reconstructed with equivalent IQ. Assessment of the vessel geometry in 3DA datasets did not differ significantly from 3D-DSA (VD1: r = 0.994, p = 0.0001; VD2:r = 0.994, p = 0.0001; VGI: r = 0.899, p = 0.0001). Qualitative analysis of IAS location (3DA/3D-DSA:nICA/C4 = 1, nICA/C7 = 1, nMCA/M1 = 4, nVA/V4 = 2, nBA = 2) and the visual IAS grading (3DA/3D-DSA:nlow-grade = 3, nmedium-grade = 5, nhigh-grade = 2) revealed identical results for 3DA and 3D-DSA, respectively. Quantitative IAS assessment showed a strong correlation regarding intra-/poststenotic diameters (rdintrastenotic = 0.995, pdintrastenotic = 0.0001; rdpoststenotic = 0.995, pdpoststenotic = 0.0001) and the percentual degree of luminal restriction (rNASCET 3DA = 0.981; pNASCET 3DA = 0.0001). The AI-based 3DA is a resilient algorithm for the visualization of IAS and shows comparable results to 3D-DSA. Hence, 3DA is a promising new method that allows a considerable patient-dose reduction, and its clinical implementation would be highly desirable.

Separating the thermodynamic impact of non-specific interfacial interactions from confinement effects on protein stability.

The intracellular milieu is incredibly complex, containing myriad degrees of spatial restriction and highly variable interfacial chemistry. It is well established that this environmental complexity impacts diffusive properties, stability, and functional rates of proteins. The relative thermodynamic contributions of confinement versus non-specific interfacial interactions (quinary interactions), however, remain poorly understood. We are using reverse micelles (RMs) as a tool to differentiate between these effects. RMs are spontaneously organizing nanopools of water stabilized by surfactants in bulk non-polar solvent. By using optimized surfactant mixtures, the native states of proteins can be maintained in the RM water core. We have executed folding studies on a wide variety of proteins using varied surfactant mixtures with uniform degrees of confinement. We investigate both equilibrium folding thermodynamics and folding kinetics using various spectroscopic approaches. Our findings begin to unveil the complex relationship between a protein's thermodynamic stability and its local solvating environment, helping to dissect the differential impacts of confinement and quinary interactions.

The effectiveness of trimetazidine in the treatment of CHF patients with cardiopulmonary pathology

Introdiction. The article highlights the importance of optimizing the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with comorbid cardiopulmonary pathology, namely ischemic heart disease (CHD) in combination with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The results of our own research on the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of trimetazidine inclusion in the complex therapy of comorbid pathology are presented.Objective. To study the clinical efficacy of trimetazidine as part of the complex therapy of patients with ischemic heart failure in combination with COPD.Materials and methods. 60 patients with CHF II-III FC, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt;45% were studied against the background of postinfarction cardiosclerosis and COPD of 2–3 degrees of airflow restriction. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1st (30 patients) took trimetazidine; 2nd (30 patients) received therapy without the addition of trimetazidine. The dynamics of: clinical condition with the use of SHOCK, FC CHF, test with 6-min. walking, quality of life (MLHFQ, SGRQ), indicators of 24-bifunctional monitoring, TTE, spirometry, platelet aggregation and blood viscosity.Results and conclusion. The use of trimetazidine as part of therapy led to an improvement in the clinical course of the disease, significantly increased exercise tolerance. The number and duration of ischemia episodes decreased by 34 and 39% (p &lt; 0.05). The number of angina attacks per week and the need for nitroglycerin decreased by 65% and 42% (p &lt; 0.05), respectively. There was an improvement in intracardiac and peripheral hemodynamics. Thus, LV LV increased by 21%, pulmonary artery pressure decreased by 18%, the indicators of LVD, platelet aggregation and blood rheology improved. There was a more positive dynamics of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system indicators compared to the control group.

Can growth in captivity alter the calcaneal microanatomy of a wild ungulate?

Reduced mobility associated with captivity induces changes in biomechanical stress on the skeleton of domesticated animals. Due to bone plasticity, bone’s morphology and internal structure can respond to these new biomechanical stresses over individuals’ lifetime. In a context where documenting early process of animal domestication is challenging, this study will test the hypothesis that change in mobility patterns during a wild ungulate’s life will alter the internal structure of its limb bones and provide a proof of concept for the application of this knowledge in Zooarchaeology. Using the calcaneus as a phenotypic marker through qualitative and quantitative 3D microanatomical analyses, we relied on a comparative study across wild boars (Sus scrofa) populations from controlled experimental conditions with different mobility patterns (natural habitat, large pen, and stall) and archaeological specimens collected from middle and late Mesolithic as surrogate for the norm of reaction in European wild boar phenotype before the spread of agriculture and domestic pigs. Results provide evidence for compressive and tensile forces as the main elements affecting the variation in the cortical thickness along the calcaneus. Furthermore, changes in the internal structure of the calcaneus between mobility patterns are observed but their intensity is not directly associated with the degree of mobility restriction and only weakly impacted by the size or weight of the individuals. Despite having greater bone volume, the calcaneus of the Mesolithic wild boars displays a very similar microanatomy compared to the present-day hunted or captive wild boars. These results suggest that calcaneal microanatomy is more affected by population differences than by locomotor variation. For all these reasons, this preliminary study doesn’t support the use of microanatomy of the calcaneus as an indicator of change in locomotor behaviour induced by captivity in the archaeological record.