Search results for "MATTER"

Remodeling of Cortical Structural Networks in Multiple Sclerosis

2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most frequent immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system. Pathological events occurring within the white matter and gray matter compartments can be reliably tracked in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but conventional imaging parameters do not reflect the remodeling processes of the brain. Here, we sought to investigate the reorganization of cortical structural networks in a group of patients with MS. For this, 40 patients (mean age ± standard deviation 31.2 ± 7.0 years, 14 males) with relapsing-remitting MS and 40 healthy subjects (27.1 ± 5.0 years, 14 males) were included in the study. From T1-weighted MR image-derived cortical th…

Non-covalent interactions of N-phenyl-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide derivatives—a case of intramolecular N-oxide hydrogen bonds

2017

The crystal structures of new N-phenyl-1,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide 3-oxide derivatives are reported. The results of X-ray diffraction showed the existence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between carboxamide nitrogen donors and N-oxide oxygen acceptors. The use of Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules allowed its classification as a strong interaction, with energy about 10 kcal/mol, and of intermediate character between closed shell and shared bonds. Comparison of experimental data and quantum theoretical calculations indicated that a substituent attached to the phenyl ring in the para position influences the strength and geometry of the title hydrogen bonding. Stronger π-elect…

Aerosol Health Effects from Molecular to Global Scales.

2017

Poor air quality is globally the largest environmental health risk. Epidemiological studies have uncovered clear relationships of gaseous pollutants and particulate matter (PM) with adverse health outcomes, including mortality by cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Studies of health impacts by aerosols are highly multidisciplinary with a broad range of scales in space and time. We assess recent advances and future challenges regarding aerosol effects on health from molecular to global scales through epidemiological studies, field measurements, health-related properties of PM, and multiphase interactions of oxidants and PM upon respiratory deposition. Global modeling combined with epide…

Dynamic tuning of the director field in liquid crystal shells using block copolymers

2020

When an orientationally ordered system, like a nematic liquid crystal (LC), is confined on a self-closing spherical shell, topological constraints arise with intriguing consequences that depend critically on how the LC is aligned in the shell. We demonstrate reversible dynamic tuning of the alignment, and thereby the topology, of nematic LC shells stabilized by the nonionic amphiphilic block copolymer Pluronic F127. Deep in the nematic phase, the director (the average molecule orientation) is tangential to the interface, but upon approaching the temperature TNI of the nematic– isotropic transition, the director realigns to normal. We link this to a delicate interplay between an interfacial …

Noise-induced sleep disturbances and their effects on health

1978

A review of epidemiological research on stroke and dementia and exposure to air pollution

2018

BackgroundOutdoor air pollution is now a well-known risk factor for morbidity and mortality, and is increasingly being identified as a major risk factor for stroke.MethodsA narrative literature review of the effects of short and long-term exposure to air pollution on stroke and dementia risk and cognitive functioning.ResultsTen papers on stroke and 17 on dementia were selected. Air pollution, and in particular small particulate matter, contributes to about one-third of the global stroke burden and about one-fifth of the global burden of dementia. It particularly affects vulnerable patients with other vascular risk factors or a prior history of stroke in low- and medium-income countries. New…

Air pollution and airport apron workers: A neglected occupational setting in epidemiological research.

2020

Abstract Introduction Airport apron workers are occupationally exposed to jet exhaust and major concern is related to the exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) from aircrafts. To date, little attention has been given to occupational exposures to aircraft-related UFP, although aircraft engines have high emissions of ultrafine particles, which are orders of magnitude higher than residential exposure. UFP could possibly contribute to the development of cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and respiratory symptoms. In addition to particulate matter, apron workers are exposed to other polluting substances associated with vehicles, aircraft exhaust or direct fuel emissions. Methods We performed…

PLAYING-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN WOODWIND, BRASS AND PERCUSSION PLAYERS: A REVIEW

2010

Performing Arts Medicine is a broad field that includes the study of medical conditions and injuries incurred by dancers, instrument musicians and vocalists. Musicians' playing-related health problems have focused more and more the interest of scientists, researchers, physicians, physiotherapists and, in generally, of health care professionals during the last decades. The most relevant Performing Arts Medicine's literature of approximately the past twenty years has been summarized. Special attention has been given to studies concerning playing-related musculoskeletal conditions of musicians. Overuse syndrome is the most reported diagnosis among instrumental musicians suffering from playing-…

Asymptotic modeling of electrochemical signaling: Testing Zn in urine for non-invasive bladder cancer diagnosis

2021

Abstract A theoretical model on chemical signaling for diagnosis based on the combination of signals for marker and inert and/or interfering metabolites is described. The model yields asymptotic relationships between the intensities of the signals representative of marker and accompanying metabolites compensating concentration fluctuations. The model fits well with voltammetric features associated to the oxidation of different urine metabolites and Zn(II) reduction in the same urine samples after alkaline digestion. As a result, a non-invasive electrochemical detection of urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer, BC) is reported. Different diagnostic criteria are described all displaying high s…

Tactile enumeration: A case study of acalculia

2018

Abstract Enumeration is one of the building blocks of arithmetic and fingers are used as a counting tool in early steps. Subitizing—fast and accurate enumeration of small quantities—has been vastly studied in the visual modality, but less in the tactile modality. We explored tactile enumeration using fingers, and gray matter (GM) changes using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), in acalculia. We examined JD, a 22-year-old female with acalculia following a stroke to the left inferior parietal cortex. JD and a neurologically healthy normal comparison (NC) group reported how many fingers were stimulated. JD was tested at several time points, including at acute and chronic phases. Using the sensory …