A rapid method for diagnosing regional metastases of papillary thyroid cancer with morphometry

Morphometry of the lymphoid cells was performed with a computerized image analyzer. Database formation was performed automatically using our own new software. The initial database of calculated mean values, of constructed histograms, of regression, and of discriminant analysis was transformed into a set of morphometric features. Eight morphometric features were selected for characterizing two separate populations of the lymphoid cells: one from the lymph node tissue with a malignant tumor and the other without any tumor (control). The eight features ensured the least overlap between the two groups of lymphoid cells. The eight features formed the basis of the decision criteria for identifying a patient with a malignant pathology. A weighting coefficient was calculated for each feature. It was ascertained that the presence of the regional papillary thyroid cancer metastases causes significant changes in the relationship between small (diameter 7.5 mum) lymphoid cells of the cervical lymph nodes. The morphometric changes were assessed by our diagnostic index. The expert diagnostic system was developed on the basis of a set of quantitative features and their boundary values. This system highlights the morphometric changes in the population of the cervical lymph nodes lymphoid cell with metastases versus control. Clinical trials have shown that the expert diagnostic system's conclusions coincided with the histological diagnosis in all the cases. The expert diagnostic system, image processing, database formation, assessment of lymphoid cells morphometric features formed the basis of the rapid method of diagnosing regional metastases of papillary thyroid cancer. The diagnosis was performed in automatic mode. Taking into account that about 30-50% of aspiration smears contain only blood cells (absence of specialized cells such as thyrocytes), the use of our method should greatly improve the cytologic diagnosis of regional metastases of papillary thyroid cancer.     

RF MEMS packaged switch evaluation tests up to 25 GHz

This article presents the results of the series of experimental tests of a packaged RF MEMS switch manufactured as a chip on a silicon substrate in the Center for Materials and Microsystems of Fondazione Bruno Kessler. Experiments have been performed up to 25 GHz and included S-parameters check in different operation and environmental conditions, including variation of input power, ambient temperature and number of switching cycles. Presented RF MEMS SPST switch is a basic element of more complex reconfigurable networks such as SPxT switches, phase shifters, power attenuators etc.

     

Total Cyclic Variation and Generalizations

We introduce a general framework for regularization of signals with values in a cyclic structure, such as angles, phases or hue values. These include the total cyclic variation ${TV_{{S}^{1}}}$ , as well as cyclic versions of quadratic regularization, Huber-TV and Mumford-Shah regularity. The key idea is to introduce a convex relaxation of the original non-convex optimization problem. The method handles the periodicity of values in a simple way, is invariant to cyclical shifts and has a number of other useful properties such as lower-semicontinuity. The framework allows general, possibly non-convex data terms. Experimental results are superior to those obtained without special care about wrapping interval end points. Moreover, we propose an equivalent formulation of the total cyclic variation which can be minimized with the same time and memory efficiency as the standard total variation. We show that discretized versions of these regularizers amount to NP-hard optimization problems. Nevertheless, the proposed framework provides optimal or near-optimal solutions in most practical applications.     

ACE2 Is an Adjacent Element of Atherosclerosis and COVID-19 Pathogenesis

COVID-19 is a highly contagious new infection caused by the single-stranded RNA Sars-CoV-2 virus. For the first time, this infection was recorded in December 2019 in the Chinese province of Wuhan. The virus presumably crossed the interspecies barrier and passed to humans from a bat. Initially, the disease was considered exclusively in the context of damage to the respiratory system, but it quickly became clear that the disease also entails serious consequences from various systems, including the cardiovascular system. Among these consequences are myocarditis, myocardial damage, subsequent heart failure, myocardial infarction, and Takotsubo syndrome. On the other hand, clinical data indicate that the presence of chronic diseases in a patient aggravates the course and outcome of coronavirus infection. In this context, the relationship between COVID-19 and atherosclerosis, a condition preceding cardiovascular disease and other disorders of the heart and blood vessels, is particularly interesting. The renin-angiotensin system is essential for the pathogenesis of both coronavirus disease and atherosclerosis. In particular, it has been shown that ACE2, an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, plays a key role in Sars-CoV-2 infection due to its receptor activity. It is noteworthy that this enzyme is important for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Disruptions in its production and functioning can lead to various disorders, including atherosclerosis.     

Promising Antifungal and Antibacterial Agents Based on 5-Aryl-2,2′-bipyridines and Their Heteroligand Salicylate Metal Complexes: Synthesis,Bioevaluation, Molecular Docking

A series of new 5-aryl-2,2′-bipyridines and their (polyfluoro)salicylate complexes of Cu(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) were synthesized. Their antimicrobial activity was evaluated in vitro against six strains of Trichophytons, E. floccosum, M. canis, C. ablicans and Gram-negative bacteria N. gonorrhoeae. Among azo-ligands, Ph-bipy and Tol-bipy showed promising antifungal activity (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)<0.8–27 μM). Their antifungal action was found can be realized via binding Fe(III) ions. Tol-bipy suppressed growth of Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus, S. aureus MRSA and their monospecies biofilms (MIC 6–16 μM). Using molecular docking, the anti-staphylococcal action mechanism based on the inhibition of S. aureus DNA gyrase GyrB was proposed for the lead compounds. Among metal complexes, Cu(II) and Mn(II) complexes based on tetrafluorosalicylic acid and Tol-bipy or Ph-bipy had the high antifungal activity (MIC<0.24–32 μM). Mn(SalF₄−2H)₂(Tol-bipy)₂] suppressed the growth of seven Candida strains at MIC 12–24 μM. [Cu(Sal−2H)(Ph-bipy)] and [Cu(SalF₃−2H)(Ph-bipy)₂] showed the promising anti-gonorrhoeae activity (MIC 4.2–5.2 μM). (Cu(SalF_n−2H)(Tol-bipy)₂], [Cu(SalF₄−2H)(Ph-bipy)₂] and [Cu(SalF₃−2H)(Ph-bipy)₂]) were found active against the bacteria of S. aureus, S. aureus MRSA and their biofilms (MIC 2.4–41.4 μM). The most active compounds were tested for toxicity in vitro against human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells and in vivo experiments with CD-1 mice.     

Enhanced Sulfur Tolerance of Ceria-Promoted NO x Storage Reduction (NSR) Catalysts: Sulfur Uptake, Thermal Regeneration and Reduction with H2(g)

SO _x uptake, thermal regeneration and the reduction of SO _x via H₂(g) over ceria-promoted NSR catalysts were investigated. Sulfur poisoning and desulfation pathways of the complex BaO/Pt/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ NSR system was investigated using a systematic approach where the functional sub-components such as Al₂O₃, CeO₂/Al₂O₃, BaO/Al₂O₃, BaO/CeO₂/Al₂O₃, and BaO/Pt/Al₂O₃ were studied in a comparative fashion. Incorporation of ceria significantly increases the S-uptake of Al₂O₃ and BaO/Al₂O₃ under both moderate and extreme S-poisoning conditions. Under moderate S-poisoning conditions, Pt sites seem to be the critical species for SO _x oxidation and SO _x storage, where BaO/Pt/Al₂O₃ and BaO/Pt/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts reveal a comparable extent of sulfation. After extreme S-poisoning due to the deactivation of most of the Pt sites, ceria domains are the main SO _x storage sites on the BaO/Pt/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ surface. Thus, under these conditions, BaO/Pt/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ surface stores more sulfur than that of BaO/Pt/Al₂O₃. BaO/Pt/CeO₂/Al₂O₃ reveals a significantly improved thermal regeneration behavior in vacuum with respect to the conventional BaO/Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst. Ceria promotion remarkably enhances the SO _x reduction with H₂(g).     

Zn1+xSb二元体系的相形成和热电性能

在Zn?Sb二元相图固相线以下使Zn和Sb粉末反应并随炉冷却,合成一系列Zn1+xSb(x=0,0.05,0.1,0.15,0.25,0.3)材料,分析Zn–Sb相图中心区域的相形成和热电性能.在此过程中,非化学计量比的混合粉末结晶形成ZnSb和 β-Zn4Sb3相的组合.然后,将材料研磨并热压成致密的ZnSb/β-Z...     

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine–metabolic disorder affecting a vast population worldwide; it is linked with anovulation, mitochondrial dysfunctions and hormonal disbalance. Mutations in mtDNA have been identified in PCOS patients and likely play an important role in PCOS aetiology and pathogenesis; however, their causative role in PCOS development requires further investigation. As a low-grade chronic inflammation disease, PCOS patients have permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18). In this review, we summarise recent data regarding the role of mtDNA mutations and mitochondrial malfunctions in PCOS pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss recent papers dedicated to the identification of novel biomarkers for early PCOS diagnosis. Finally, traditional and new mitochondria-targeted treatments are discussed. This review intends to emphasise the key role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in PCOS pathogenesis; however, the exact molecular mechanism is mostly unknown and requires further investigation.     

Regioselective synthesis of dimeric (gemini) and trimeric sugar-based surfactants

A simple and flexible chemoenzymatic route for the preparation of a wide range of dimeric (gemini) and trimeric mono- and disaccharide-based surfactants was developed. The synthesis relies on the use of enzymes for regioselective introduction of fatty acids into carbohydrate moieties. Several structures were prepared containing xylose, glucose, galactose, and lactose, connected via different hydroxyl groups in the sugar molecules or, alternatively, via the OH group of 2-hydroxytet-radecanoic acid used as a hydrophobic moiety for the surfactant.     

Kinetics of mechanically activated high temperature synthesis of Ni3Al in the thermal explosion mode

We present the features of macrokinetics of phase formation during the solid-state synthesis in the mechanically milled 3Ni + Al mixtures. It was found that with milling time, the activation energy decreases down to anomalously low values, which is related to structural changes in the powder mixtures. A method was proposed to process thermograms of the synthesis in the thermal explosion mode and was used to study the kinetic function structure and its parameters in the system. The numerical processing of the experimental data shows that the kinetic function most adequately corresponds to the law of homogeneous kinetics of phase formation with the reaction order close to unity.