Sample records for saag raivo masso
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Mesoscale Graphene-like Honeycomb Mono- and Multilayers Constructed via Self-Assembly of Coclusters.
Hou, Xue-Sen; Zhu, Guo-Long; Ren, Li-Jun; Huang, Zi-Han; Zhang, Rui-Bin; Ungar, Goran; Yan, Li-Tang; Wang, Wei
2018-02-07
Honeycomb structure endows graphene with extraordinary properties. But could a honeycomb monolayer superlattice also be generated via self-assembly of colloids or nanoparticles? Here we report the construction of mono- and multilayer molecular films with honeycomb structure that can be regarded as self-assembled artificial graphene (SAAG). We construct fan-shaped molecular building blocks by covalently connecting two kinds of clusters, one polyoxometalate and four polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes. The precise shape control enables these complex molecules to self-assemble into a monolayer 2D honeycomb superlattice that mirrors that of graphene but on the mesoscale. The self-assembly of the SAAG was also reproduced via coarse-grained molecular simulations of a fan-shaped building block. It revealed a hierarchical process and the key role of intermediate states in determining the honeycomb structure. Experimental images also show a diversity of bi- and trilayer stacking modes. The successful creation of SAAG and its stacks opens up prospects for the preparation of novel self-assembled nanomaterials with unique properties.
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The role of ascitic fluid viscosity in the differential diagnosis of ascites
Gokturk, Huseyin Savas; Demir, Mehmet; Ozturk, Nevin Akcaer; Unler, Gulhan Kanat; Kulaksizoglu, Sevsen; Kozanoglu, Ilknur; Serin, Ender; Yilmaz, Ugur
2010-01-01
BACKGROUND: Ascites is defined as the pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It is the most common complication of cirrhosis, which is also the most common cause of ascites. Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid to deform under shear stress. Plasma viscosity is influenced by the concentration of plasma proteins and lipoproteins, with the major contribution from fibrinogen. To our knowledge, the viscosity of ascitic fluid has not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of ascitic fluid viscosity in discriminating between ascites due to portal hypertension-related and nonportal hypertension-related causes, and to compare results with the serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG). METHODS: The present study involved 142 patients with ascites presenting with diverse medical problems. Serum total protein, albumin, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and complete blood count were obtained for all subjects. Paracentesis was performed routinely on admission and all ascitic fluid samples were evaluated by manual cell count with differential, ascitic fluid culture and biochemistry (total protein, albumin, glucose and LDH). Cultures of ascitic fluid were performed at bedside in all patients using blood culture bottles. Ascitic fluid viscosity was measured in a commercially available cone and plate viscometer. RESULTS: Of the 142 patients studied, 34 (24%) had an SAAG of 11 g/L or less, whereas 108 (76%) had an SAAG of greater than 11 g/L. Sex and mean age did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). Serum total protein, albumin, glucose, LDH levels, leukocyte count, ascitic fluid glucose levels and ascitic fluid leukocyte counts were similar in both groups, with no statistically significant relationship detected (P>0.05). However, the mean (±SD) ascitic fluid total protein (0.0172±0.1104 g/L versus 0.043±0.011 g/L), albumin (0.0104±0.0064 g/L versus 0.0276±0.0069 g/L) and LDH (102.76±80.95 U/L versus 885
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Hanafy, Amr S
2016-09-01
Serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) has been used in the classification of ascites for the last 20 years but it has some drawbacks. This study searches for possible correlations between ascitic fluid viscosity and the etiology of ascites, renal impairment, and length of ICU stay. The study was conducted in Zagazig University Hospital, Egypt. It included 240 patients with ascites due to various causes. The patients were divided into two groups: the cirrhotic ascites group, which included 120 patients, and the noncirrhotic ascites group, which included 120 patients. Ascitic patients on medical management with diuretics, antibiotics, paracentesis, and infusion of plasma or albumin were excluded.The laboratory analysis included routine investigations to detect the cause of ascites as well as specific investigations such as ascitic fluid viscosity using a falling ball viscosimeter (microviscosimeter) at 37°C. The mean ascitic viscosity of patients with SAAG at least 1.1 was 1.16±0.56, which was associated with serum creatinine 1.35±0.52 mg/dl and ICU stay of 3.3±1.2 days. In patients with SAAG less than 1.1 g/dl, the mean ascitic viscosity was 2.98±0.87, with serum creatinine 2.1±0.56 mg/dl and ICU stay of 7.1±1.3 days. Ascitic viscosity can discriminate ascites due to portal hypertension from those associated with nonportal hypertension at a cut-off value of 1.65; it can predict renal impairment in hepatic patients at a cut-off of 1.35 and long ICU stay at a cut-off of 1.995 using receiver operating characteristic analysis. Ascitic viscosity measurement is rapid, inexpensive, and requires small sample volumes. Ascitic viscosity can discriminate ascites due to portal hypertension from those associated with nonportal hypertension at a cut-off value of 1.65. It can predict renal impairment in hepatic patients at a cut-off of 1.35 and long ICU stay at a cut-off of 1.995.
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Coccidioidomycosis Masquerading as Eosinophilic Ascites.
Alavi, Kourosh; Atla, Pradeep R; Haq, Tahmina; Sheikh, Muhammad Y
2015-01-01
Endemic to the southwestern parts of the United States, coccidioidomycosis, also known as "Valley Fever," is a common fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs in both acute and chronic forms. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is the most severe but very uncommon and usually occurs in immunocompromised individuals. It can affect the central nervous system, bones, joints, skin, and, very rarely, the abdomen. This is the first case report of a patient with coccidioidal dissemination to the peritoneum presenting as eosinophilic ascites (EA). A 27-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain and distention from ascites. He had eosinophilia of 11.1% with negative testing for stool studies, HIV, and tuberculosis infection. Ascitic fluid exam was remarkable for low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), PMN count >250/mm(3), and eosinophils of 62%. Abdominal imaging showed thickened small bowel and endoscopic testing negative for gastric and small bowel biopsies. He was treated empirically for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, but no definitive diagnosis could be made until coccidioidal serology returned positive. We noted complete resolution of symptoms with oral fluconazole during outpatient follow-up. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis can present in an atypical fashion and may manifest as peritonitis with low SAAG EA. The finding of EA in an endemic area should raise the suspicion of coccidioidal dissemination.
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Coccidioidomycosis Masquerading as Eosinophilic Ascites
Alavi, Kourosh; Atla, Pradeep R.; Haq, Tahmina; Sheikh, Muhammad Y.
2015-01-01
Endemic to the southwestern parts of the United States, coccidioidomycosis, also known as “Valley Fever,” is a common fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs in both acute and chronic forms. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis is the most severe but very uncommon and usually occurs in immunocompromised individuals. It can affect the central nervous system, bones, joints, skin, and, very rarely, the abdomen. This is the first case report of a patient with coccidioidal dissemination to the peritoneum presenting as eosinophilic ascites (EA). A 27-year-old male presented with acute abdominal pain and distention from ascites. He had eosinophilia of 11.1% with negative testing for stool studies, HIV, and tuberculosis infection. Ascitic fluid exam was remarkable for low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), PMN count >250/mm3, and eosinophils of 62%. Abdominal imaging showed thickened small bowel and endoscopic testing negative for gastric and small bowel biopsies. He was treated empirically for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, but no definitive diagnosis could be made until coccidioidal serology returned positive. We noted complete resolution of symptoms with oral fluconazole during outpatient follow-up. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis can present in an atypical fashion and may manifest as peritonitis with low SAAG EA. The finding of EA in an endemic area should raise the suspicion of coccidioidal dissemination. PMID:26266062
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Yang, Xingchen; Lu, Zhenhui; Wu, Huayu; Li, Wei; Zheng, Li; Zhao, Jinmin
2018-02-01
Articular cartilage repair is still a huge challenge for researchers and clinicians. 3D bioprinting could be an innovative technology for cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, we used collagen type I (COL) or agarose (AG) mixed with sodium alginate (SA) to serve as 3D bioprinting bioinks and incorporated chondrocytes to construct in vitro 3D printed cartilage tissue. Swelling ratio, mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cell viability and cytoskeleton, biochemistry analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to investigate the function of different bioinks in 3D printing cartilage tissue engineering applications. The results showed that the mechanical strength was improved in both SA/COL and SA/AG groups compared to SA alone. Besides, the addition of COL or AG has little impact on gelling behavior, demonstrating the advantage as bioinks for 3D printing. Among the three scaffolds, SA/COL could distinctly facilitated cell adhesion, accelerated cell proliferation and enhanced the expression of cartilage specific genes such as Acan, Col2al and Sox9 than the other two groups. Lower expression of Col1a1, the fibrocartilage marker, was present in SA/COL group than that in both of SA and SA/AG groups. The results indicated that SA/COL effectively suppressed dedifferentiation of chondrocytes and preserved the phenotype. In summary, 3D bioprinted SA/COL with favorable mechanical strength and biological functionality is promising in cartilage tissue engineering. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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Benson, Constance A; Currier, Judith S; Del Rio, Carlos; Gallant, Joel E; Gulick, Roy M; Marrazzo, Jeanne M; Richman, Douglas D; Saag, Michael S; Schooley, Robert T; Volberding, Paul A
The IAS-USA volunteer Board of Directors met in October 2016 for its annual meeting. For the second year, the Board conducted a live, hour-long, interactive, roundtable webinar covering current questions and issues in HIV research, prevention, and care. Important highlights from the Board's discussion, which was moderated by Paul A. Volberding, MD, are included below. Members of the IAS-USA volunteer Board of Directors are Constance A. Benson, MD; Judith S. Currier, MD; Carlos del Rio, MD; Joel E. Gallant, MD, MPH; Roy M. Gulick, MD, MPH; Jeanne M. Marrazzo, MD, MPH; Douglas D. Richman, MD; Michael S. Saag, MD; Robert T. Schooley, MD; and Paul A. Volberding, MD.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tsisar, Valentyn; Schroer, Carsten; Wedemeyer, Olaf; Skrypnik, Aleksandr; Konys, Jürgen
2017-10-01
Corrosion behavior of two heats of T91 ferritic/martensitic steel, with slightly different Cr content, was investigated in flowing (2 m/s) Pb-Bi with 10-7 mass%O at 450 and 550 °C. The observed corrosion modes are: protective scale formation; accelerated oxidation and solution-based corrosion attack. Accelerated oxidation at 450 °C results in general metal recession of about 10 μm after ∼9000 h exposure and ∼15 μm at 550 °C after 2000 h. More severe and local solution-based corrosion results in a maximum depth of attack of 50-960 μm and 115-190 μm, correspondingly. Incubation period for solution-based corrosion is 500-5000 h at 450 °C and ≤500 h at 550 °C. The slightly higher chromium content in one of the heat of T91 steel prolongs the incubation period by improving the stability of the Cr-based oxide film.
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Saag, Michael S
2012-12-01
Numerous investigational antiretroviral agents are in clinical development. Among them are festinavir (BMS986001), a thymidine analogue similar to stavudine with reduced potential for toxicity; GS-7340, a prodrug of tenofovir that achieves greater intracellular concentrations; MK-1439, a nonnucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that retains activity against common NNRTI-associated resistance mutations; and albuvirtide, a long-acting parenteral fusion inhibitor. Investigational integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) include elvitegravir, recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of a once-daily, single-tablet formulation with cobicistat/tenofovir/emtricitabine; dolutegravir, which maintains some activity against raltegravir- and elvitegravir-resistant mutants; and S/GSK1265744, which also maintains some activity against resistance mutations in the integrase gene and is being developed as a long-lasting parenteral agent. Novel 2-(quinolin-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives (LEDGINs), agents that were originally thought to inhibit the interaction of integrase with its cofactor lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75), be active against InSTI-resistant mutants and to have additive activity when combined with InSTIs. This article summarizes a presentation by Michael S. Saag, MD, at the IAS-USA live Improving the Management of HCV Disease continuing medical education program held in New York in October 2012.
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Assem, M; Elsabaawy, M; Abdelrashed, M; Elemam, S; Khodeer, S; Hamed, W; Abdelaziz, A; El-Azab, G
2016-03-01
Primary prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an important strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Efficacy and safety of alternating rifaximin and norfloxacin as primary prophylaxis is questionable. Three hundred thirty-four cirrhotic patients with high SAAG (≥1.1) ascites, protein level in ascitic fluid less than 1.5 g/dL with advanced liver disease (Child-Pugh score >9 points with serum bilirubin level >3 mg/dL) or renal impairment (serum creatinine level >1.2 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen level >25 mg/dL, or serum sodium level <130 mEq/L) were included in an open-label, randomized study aimed at comparing alternating use of norfloxacin and rifaximin vs. norfloxacin or rifaximin alone as primary prophylaxis for SBP. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol efficacy analyses were done after 6 months of treatment by assessment of ascitic fluid neutrophil count. Safety analysis was done for all intention-to-treat populations. Alternating norfloxacin and rifaximin showed superior prophylaxis by intention-to-treat (74.7 vs. 56.4% vs. 68.3%, p < 0.048). Pairwise analysis showed that alternating regimen had lower probability to develop SBP when compared to a norfloxacin-based regimen in intention-to-treat (p = 0.016) and per protocol analysis (p = 0.039). There was no difference among the studied groups regarding the incidence and severity of adverse events reported. Alternating norfloxacin- and rifaximin-based primary prophylaxis for SBP showed higher efficacy with the same safety profile when compared with monotherapy of norfloxacin.
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NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yoshimura, Kazuyoshi; Ohta, Hiroto; Murase, Masatoshi; Nishimura, Kazuo
2012-03-01
In this workshop recent advancements in experiments and theories were discussed on magnetism and superconductivity, emergent phenomena in biological material, chemical properties and economic problems of non-living and living systems. The aim of the workshop was to discuss old, but also new problems from a multidisciplinary perspective, and to understand the general features behind diversity in condensed matter physics, experimental chemistry and physics in biology and economic science. The workshop was broadly based, and was titled 'International & Interdisciplinary Workshop on Novel Phenomena in Integrated Complex Sciences from Non-living to Living Systems'. However, the primary focus was on magnetism and superconductivity, and NMR research into strongly correlated electrons. The meeting was held as an ICAM workshop, upon official approval in January 2010. Both young scientists and graduate students were invited. We hope that these young scientists had the chance to talk with invited speakers and organizers on their own interests. We thank the participants who contributed through their presentations, discussions and these papers to the advancement of the subject and our understanding. The proceedings are published here in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series (UK). We thank the International Advisory Committee for their advice and guidance: Evgeny Antipov Moscow State University, Russia Nicholas Curro University of California, Davis, USA Minghu Fang Zhejiang University, China Jurgen Haase University of Leipzig, Germany Takashi Imai McMaster University, Canada Peter Lemmens TU Braunschweig, Germany Herwig Michor Vienna TU, Austria Takamasa Momose University of British Columbia, Canada Raivo Stern NICPB, Estonia Louis Taillefer University of Sherbrooke, Canada Masashi Takigawa University of Tokyo, Japan This workshop was mainly organized by the International Research Unit of Integrated Complex System Science, Kyoto University, and was supported by ICAM