Synthesis and thermoluminescence of erbium-activated lithium niobate

Erbium-activated lithium niobate; 1, 2, and 4 mol% (LN-1, LN-2 and LN-4 respectively) were synthesized by solid-state method and their thermoluminescent (TL) properties were analyzed. The glow curve of LN-4 showed a maximum at 177 °C and its linear dose-response interval ranged from 50 to 350 Gy. Its TL intensity was two orders of magnitude greater compared to those of pure lithium niobate (LN), LN-1 and LN-2. We conclude that LN-4 is an interesting material for TL dosimetry applications.

How do we know what we don't know? Exploring Deaf people's experiences of supporting their Deaf family member living with dementia

Deaf sign language users living with dementia and their carers, some of whom are Deaf, routinely face everyday barriers in accessing information, support (both formal and informal) and services. The familial care situation is further complicated given that most Deaf people will choose a life partner who is Deaf and most Deaf couples will have hearing children. This study focussed specifically on the everyday experiences of Deaf carers and the impact of caring for a loved one with dementia. Drawing on data from a wider consultation about dementia care, three Deaf carers were directly interviewed in British Sign Language by a Deaf researcher about their everyday experiences of care, support, and services. Thematic analysis focussed on: access is more than the provision of interpreters; effective care for the carers; and unknowing risk taking. Findings demonstrate the multifaceted effects of barriers to knowledge and information when the care partner is also Deaf, the urgent need for effective support for Deaf carers and unrecognised safeguarding concerns that are a result of lack of access to forms of basic knowledge about living with someone with dementia and potential coping strategies. Nonetheless, the participants demonstrated novel solutions and resilience in the face of these multiple challenges. Implications are drawn for future targeted services to supported Deaf carers of people affected by dementia.

Peptidomimetic blockade of MYB in acute myeloid leukemia

Aberrant gene expression is a hallmark of acute leukemias. MYB-driven transcriptional coactivation with CREB-binding protein (CBP)/P300 is required for acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias, including refractory MLL-rearranged leukemias. Using structure-guided molecular design, we developed a peptidomimetic inhibitor MYBMIM that interferes with the assembly of the molecular MYB:CBP/P300 complex and rapidly accumulates in the nuclei of AML cells. Treatment of AML cells with MYBMIM led to the dissociation of the MYB:CBP/P300 complex in cells, its displacement from oncogenic enhancers enriched for MYB binding sites, and downregulation of MYB-dependent gene expression, including of MYC and BCL2 oncogenes. AML cells underwent mitochondrial apoptosis in response to MYBMIM, which was partially rescued by ectopic expression of BCL2. MYBMIM impeded leukemia growth and extended survival of immunodeficient mice engrafted with primary patient-derived MLL-rearranged leukemia cells. These findings elucidate the dependence of human AML on aberrant transcriptional coactivation, and establish a pharmacologic approach for its therapeutic blockade.

Effect of rest stop duration during long-distance transport on welfare indicators in recently weaned beef calves

Forty newly weaned beef calves (260 ± 32.6 kg) were transported 15 h in a livestock trailer (7.3 by 2.1 m) on 2 separate hauls 1 wk apart (20 calves/haul) to evaluate the effect of rest stop duration on indicators of calf welfare. Immediately following the 15-h journey, 15 calves/haul were randomly unloaded at a feedlot and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 rest stop treatments; calves without resting time (5 calves/haul) remained on the trailer and were used as the control group. Treatments included 0- (Control [CON]), 5- (RS5), 10- (RS10), or 15-h (RS15) rest periods in pens containing ad libitum access to water and long-stem hay. Following each rest period, calves were reloaded onto the same trailer and taken on another 5-h journey, before they were unloaded at the same feedlot, for a total transport event lasting 20 h. Control calves did not have access to feed or water until the end of the 20-h transit event. Behavioral measurements included bunk attendance (min/d) and standing and lying duration (min/d) recorded for 5 h after the 20-h transport event. Physiological measurements included saliva and hair cortisol, complete blood cell count, serum NEFA, haptoglobin, and substance P concentrations. All physiological measurements as well as BW were taken immediately prior to initial loading, at arrival at the feedlot after the 20-h event, and 48 h after the transport to the same feedlot. Hair cortisol was collected prior to the initial loading and 25 d after transportation. No differences ( = 0.78) in BW loss were observed among treatments after transportation. Standing time was greater ( < 0.001) in CON calves compared with RS5, RS10, and RS15 calves. Salivary cortisol was greater ( < 0.01) in CON and RS15 calves than in RS5 and RS10 calves at the end of the 20-h journey. Serum NEFA concentration was greater ( = 0.03) in RS5 and RS10 calves at arrival compared with CON and RS15 calves, but those differences were no longer observed ( = 0.49) 48 h after transportation. Concentration of substance P did not differ ( = 0.18) between treatments, and haptoglobin concentration tended to be greater ( = 0.07) in CON calves compared with the other treatments 48 h after arrival. Hair cortisol tended ( = 0.10) to be lower in RS5 calves compared with the other treatments. The results of this study indicate that rest stop periods ≥ 10 h did not prevent short- and long-term stress after transport in weaned calves.

Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: A call to sustain the action

This paper updates a previous 'Call to Action' paper (Nephrology 2011; 16: 19-29) that reviewed key outcome data for Australian and New Zealand peritoneal dialysis patients and made recommendations to improve care. Since its publication, peritonitis rates have improved significantly, although they have plateaued more recently. Peritoneal dialysis patient and technique survival in Australian and New Zealand have also improved, with a reduction in the proportion of technique failures attributed to 'social reasons'. Despite these improvements, technique survival rates overall remain lower than in many other parts of the world. This update includes additional practical recommendations based on published evidence and emerging initiatives to further improve outcomes.

A Pilot Community Living Skills Group: An Evaluation

This article presents the findings of a 12-week pilot community living skills (CLS) group for eight adults with enduring mental health needs; five of these adults met the inclusion criterion for the study. The group was established to promote skills for home management, community living, personal care and safety, and social and interpersonal functioning.

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and a client satisfaction questionnaire were used as broad measurement tools: the COPM was scored pre-group and post-group and the questionnaire was completed following the final session. A follow-up home visit was carried out by therapists to gauge further the skill transfer from group to home environment.

In the tasks identified according to the COPM pre-group and post-group, performance and satisfaction scores were improved slightly. The questionnaire results indicated high levels of client satisfaction.

The topics rated as most helpful were of a practical nature and those enjoyed less were of a discursive nature. The post-group home visits demonstrated an improvement in the majority of group members in effective task management within the home.

The implications for future occupational therapy and research are considered on the basis of the findings. These demonstrate that a basic form of evaluation can be used effectively to promote good clinical practice and, on this occasion, the need for future CLS groups. They also serve to demonstrate the need for a larger scale, more in-depth evaluation of CLS groups within mental health practice.

Different faces of Nocardia infection in renal transplant recipients

AIM

Nocardia infections are an uncommon but important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. The present study was carried out to determine the spectrum of Nocardia infections in a renal transplant centre in Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective chart analysis of all renal transplants performed from 2008 to 2014 was conducted to identify cases of culture proven Nocardia infection. The clinical course for each patient with nocardiosis was examined.

RESULTS

Four of the 543 renal transplants patients developed Nocardia infection within 2 to 13 months post-transplant. All patients were judged at high immunological risk of rejection pre-transplant and had received multiple sessions of plasmaphoeresis and intravenous immunoglobulin before the onset of the infection. Two patients presented with pulmonary nocardiosis and two with cerebral abscesses. One case of pulmonary nocardiosis was complicated by pulmonary aspergillosis and the other by cytomegalovirus pneumonia. All four patients improved with combination antibiotic therapy guided by drug susceptibility testing. At the time of Nocardia infection all four patients were receiving primary prophylaxis with trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) 160/800 mg, twice weekly.

CONCLUSION

Plasmaphoeresis may be risk factor for Nocardia infection and need further study. Nocardia infection may coexist with other opportunistic infections. Identification of the Nocardia species and drug susceptibility testing is essential in guiding the effective management of patients with Nocardia. Intermittent TMP-SMX (one double strength tablet, twice a week) appears insufficient to prevent Nocardia infection in renal transplant recipients.

Termoluminiscencia de titanato de indio activado con europio

El titanato de indio, In2TiO5, es un buen aislante a temperatura ambiente debido a su ancho de banda prohibida que es de  3.2 eV. En este trabajo se reportan las propiedades termoluminiscentes de In2TiO5 activado con europio que fue sintetizado mediante reacción de estado sólido. El material fue caracterizado con microscopía electrónica de barrido, espectroscopia de dispersión de energía y por difracción de rayos X. La intensidad termoluminiscente del In2TiO5 activado con europio se incrementó cerca de seis veces respecto a la observada para In2TiO5 sin ion activador. La cuva de brillo de In2TiO5: Eu, es una banda ancha y con un máximo en 382 K. Se realizó análisis de deconvolución a las curvas de brillo asumiendo el modelo de cinética de orden general. Se determinaron cinco picos con máximos en 372, 382, 432, 488 y 556 K, los cuales coinciden con los datos experimentales obtenidos con el método de blanqueo térmico Tm-Tstop. La respuesta termoluminiscente respecto a la dosis gama fue lineal entre 31 y 1200 Gy, seguido de una región de saturación a partir de 1400 Gy. La reproducibilidad de la señal termoluminiscente fue 5.7 % en su desviación estándar. El desvanecimiento de la señal TL a temperatura ambiente, fue significativamente influenciado por el pico de baja temperatura (382 K). Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que In2TiO5: Eu podría ser considerado como un fósforo para dosimetría de alta radiación gamma.

Cell Penetrant Inhibitors of the KDM4 and KDM5 Families of Histone Lysine Demethylases. 1. 3-Amino-4-pyridine Carboxylate Derivatives

Optimization of KDM6B (JMJD3) HTS hit 12 led to the identification of 3-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 34 and 3-(((3-methylthiophen-2-yl)methyl)amino)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 39 that are inhibitors of the KDM4 (JMJD2) family of histone lysine demethylases. Compounds 34 and 39 possess activity, IC50 ≤ 100 nM, in KDM4 family biochemical (RFMS) assays with ≥ 50-fold selectivity against KDM6B and activity in a mechanistic KDM4C cell imaging assay (IC50 = 6-8 μM). Compounds 34 and 39 are also potent inhibitors of KDM5C (JARID1C) (RFMS IC50 = 100-125 nM).

BK Virus Associated Nephropathy, a Cause of Early Renal Allograft Dysfunction: A Single Centre Study

BACKGROUND

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVN) is an important cause of early graft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. The present study was carried out to determine the burden of BKVN in a single renal transplant centre in Australia.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis of de novo renal transplant recipients from 2010 to 2013 was performed to identify biopsy proven BKVN. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared at baseline, at BKVN diagnosis and 3 and 12 months postdiagnosis.

RESULT

Of the 317 de novo renal transplants recipients in the study period, 20 (6.3%) developed BKVN. The mean age was 54.8 ± 13.1 years and 13 (65%) were male. The mean time from transplant to BKVN was 8.7 ± 6.7 months with 17 (85%) diagnosed within 12 months. Four recipients each were diagnosed BKVN on 3 and 12 month surveillance biopsy. Six (30%) had normal eGFR at diagnosis. Mean eGFR at diagnosis was 38.8 ± 19.2 ml/min/1.73 m2, which was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than that at baseline (50.3 ± 16.4 ml/min/1.73 m2). eGFR improved numerically at 3 and 12 months post-diagnosis, however the difference was not significant. One patient had graft failure, 19 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

BKVN generally occurs in first post-transplant year and is an important cause of early graft dysfunction. Surveillance biopsy helps in detecting subclinical BKVN.

Thermoluminescence response and glow curve structure of Sc₂TiO₅ ß-irradiated

Discandium titanate (Sc2TiO5) powder was synthesized in order to analyze its thermoluminescence (TL) response. The TL glow curve structure shows two peaks: at 453-433 K and at 590-553 K. The TL beta dose-response has a linear behavior over the dose range 50-500 Gy. The T(stop) preheat method shows five glow peaks that were taken into account to calculate the kinetic parameters using the CGCD procedure. TL results support the possible use of Sc2TiO5 as a new phosphor in high ß-dose dosimetry.