“Cerebral small vessel disease and other influential factors of cognitive impairment in the middle-aged: a long-term observational cohort PURE-MIND study in Poland”

GeroScience - A complex picture of factors influencing cognition is necessary to be drawn for a better understanding of the role of potentially modifiable factors in dementia. The aim was to assess...     

Late-phase allergic reaction in nasal provocation with fungal allergens.

Differentiation between asymptomatic sensitization to fungi and clinically relevant allergy is difficult. The aim of this study was to assess the value of nasal provocation with fungal allergens in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis with special attention to the late phase of monitoring. Eighteen patients with allergic rhinitis and confirmed sensitivity to molds were included in the study. In 16 patients with allergic rhinitis, nasal provocation with fungal allergens was positive. The provocation tests were performed in the asymptomatic period. Stallergenes nasal provocation extracts were used. Extracts were blinded and patients were not informed whether allergen or control solution was tested. The results of both allergen and control solution challenge were compared. Results of the challenge were assessed with symptoms score (after 5 and 30 minutes and 6 and 24 hours), mast cell tryptase level (before and 30 minutes after), and cytological examination of the nasal fluid (before and 6 hours after), and an early and a late-phase of the allergic response was evaluated. Clinical reaction was noted in 16 patients, with significantly marked late phase of the allergic reaction in 14 subjects. The late phase was the only reaction to the challenge in 6 subjects. Tryptase level rose in 2 subjects, whereas significant increase in eosinophils count was observed in 11 patients (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.001). The nasal allergen challenge with fungal allergen seems to be a promising diagnostic method of allergic rhinitis. Late phase of the allergic reaction seems to be an important part of the assessment.     

Differences in photoinduced optical transients in perovskite absorbers for solar cells

Methylammonium lead iodide films and powdered crystals were studied by time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy on the time scales from femtoseconds to nanoseconds. Strikingly different transient absorption signals were observed, changing from strong long-wavelength band-edge bleach to weak signatures of band-shift, which depended on the absorber form (films or polycrystals) and preparation method (stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric). The observed differences were correlated with the variation in absorption and emission spectra, changes in photo-induced carrier lifetimes and solar cell efficiency. These differences also pointed out that similar perovskite absorbers can provide significantly different transient responses and emphasize that special care must be taken when interpolating the obtained findings to the processes occurring in the most efficient devices.

Striking differences in transient absorption signal are observed for perovskite absorbers prepared with different methods.     

The use of echocardiographic indices in defining and assessing right ventricular systolic function in critical care research

Purpose

Many echocardiographic indices (or methods) for assessing right ventricular (RV) function are available, but each has its strengths and limitations. In some cases, there might be discordance between the indices. We conducted a systematic review to audit the echocardiographic RV assessments in critical care research to see if a consistent pattern existed. We specifically looked into the kind and number of RV indices used, and how RV dysfunction was defined in each study.

Methods

Studies conducted in critical care settings and reported echocardiographic RV function indices from 1997 to 2017 were searched systematically from three databases. Non-adult studies, case reports, reviews and secondary studies were excluded. These studies’ characteristics and RV indices reported were summarized.

Results

Out of 495 non-duplicated publications found, 81 studies were included in our systematic review. There has been an increasing trend of studying RV function by echocardiography since 2001, and most were conducted in ICU. Thirty-one studies use a single index, mostly TAPSE, to define RV dysfunction; 33 used composite indices and the combinations varied between studies. Seventeen studies did not define RV dysfunction. For those using composite indices, many did not explain their choices.

Conclusions

TAPSE seemed to be the most popular index in the last 2–3 years. Many studies used combinations of indices but, apart from cor pulmonale, we could not find a consistent pattern of RV assessment and definition of RV dysfunction amongst these studies.

     

Sudden Visual Deterioration as the First Symptom of Chronic Kidney Failure

Purpose

We report here a unique case of a sudden loss of vision as the first symptom of an advanced chronic nephropathy.

Methods and Results

A 25-year-old man was referred to the Department of Ophthalmology with sudden visual deterioration presumptively diagnosed as bilateral retinitis. The patient had never been under any medical care before and had never had any clinical signs of any chronic disease. He underwent an ophthalmic examination with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Based on the clinical features, OCT scans and systemic blood pressure (BP) assessment (225/145 mm Hg), the patient was definitely diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy due to hypertensive crisis. After urgent diagnostic procedures, the patient was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease at stage 5 in the course of chronic glomerulonephritis. Immediately, a renal replacement therapy was started and the patient was qualified for renal transplantation.

Conclusion

Adolescents with an unclear picture of retinal lesions, who have neither a history nor clinical signs of a systemic disease, should undergo careful systemic screening with BP assessment. A sudden deterioration of vision may be the first symptom of a previously undiagnosed severe systemic disease (very rare chronic) that requires immediate treatment.Key Words: Hypertensive crisis, Hypertensive choroidopathy, Hypertensive retinopathy, Chronic renal failure     

The trans/cis photoisomerization in hydrogen bonded complexes with stability controlled by substituent effects: 3-(6-aminopyridin-3-yl)acrylate case study

The association of aminopyridine-based acrylic acid and its salt was studied by NMR titration experiments. The AA (acceptor, acceptor) hydrogen-bonding pattern present in the salt forms a complex readily with a DD (donor, donor) hydrogen-bonding pattern of the substituted ureas even in polar and competitive environment. The double carbon–carbon bond in the acrylic acid derivative is subjected to photoisomerization. This is dependent on the association with substituted urea derivatives. The substituent in ureas influences the trans/cis isomerization kinetics and position of the photostationary state. Two mechanisms that influence the photoisomerization were proposed. To the best of our knowledge, the trans/cis photoisomerization influenced by the substituent in such a hydrogen-bonding pattern has not observed previously. It was shown that interaction with urea derivatives causes lowering of the trans-to-cis photoreaction rates.

The association of aminopyridine-based acrylic acid and its salt was studied by NMR titration experiments.     

La Crosse Virus in Aedes japonicus japonicus Mosquitoes in the Appalachian Region,United States

La Crosse virus (LACV), a leading cause of arboviral encephalitis in children in the United States, is emerging in Appalachia. For local arboviral surveillance, mosquitoes were tested. LACV RNA was detected and isolated from Aedes japonicus mosquitoes. These invasive mosquitoes may significantly affect LACV range expansion and dynamics.