INTRODUCTION A blood exchange transfusion (BET) is most commonly performed to treat severe neonatal haemolytic disease. A distinct form of blood transfusion adverse reaction is transfusion-related immunomodulation. The purpose of our retrospective single-centre case-control cohort study was to investigate whether a blood exchange transfusion in the neonatal period provokes immunomodulation and affects humoral immune response to vaccination, morbidity and occurrence of autoantibodies. METHODS Study subjects were 74 apparently healthy children, who were born at term as appropriate for gestational age and received four doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid vaccine. Forty-one received BET due to neonatal hemolytic disease and no other blood product afterwards, while 33 did not receive any blood products. Analysis of diphtheria, tetanus and autoimmune antibodies was performed and their medical records were analyzed for infectious, allergic, cancerous and autoimmune diseases. RESULTS A clearly exaggerated immune response to diphtheria (1.016 IU/mL, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.662-1.369 IU/mL vs. 0.515 IU/mL, 95% CI 0.363 to 0.626 IU/mL, P = 0.011) and slightly exaggerated immune response to tetanus vaccine (1.798 IU/mL, 95% CI 1.180-2.416 IU/mL vs. 1.036 IU/mL, 95% CI 0.398-1.673 IU/mL, P = non-specific) were observed in BET subjects. A propensity towards autoimmunity (25.8% vs. 12.5%, P = non-specific) was observed in BET subjects. However, BET in the neonatal period did not influence the occurrence of bacterial, childhood viral diseases with exception of varicella (43.9% vs. 21.2%, P = 0.040), autoimmune and cancer diseases. CONCLUSION BET impacted humoral immune response to diphtheria and tetanus vaccine and occurrence of autoimmune antibodies, but did not affect morbidity and the occurrence of autoimmune diseases. These effects could be related to massive antigenic load of BET and an accelerated priming of immune cells and consequent immunomodulation.

Graph signal processing deals with signals which are observed on an irregular graph domain. While many approaches have been developed in classical graph theory to cluster vertices and segment large graphs in a signal independent way, signal localization based approaches to the analysis of data on graph represent a new research direction which is also a key to big data analytics on graphs. To this end, after an overview of the basic definitions in graphs and graph signals, we present and discuss a localized form of the graph Fourier transform. To establish an analogy with classical signal processing, spectral- and vertex-domain definitions of the localization window are given next. The spectral and vertex localization kernels are then related to the wavelet transform, followed by a study of filtering and inversion of the localized graph Fourier transform. For rigour, the analysis of energy representation and frames in the localized graph Fourier transform is extended to the energy forms of vertex-frequency distributions, which operate even without the need to apply localization windows. Another link with classical signal processing is established through the concept of local smoothness, which is subsequently related to the particular paradigm of signal smoothness on graphs. This all represents a comprehensive account of the relation of general vertex-frequency analysis with classical time-frequency analysis, and important but missing link for more advanced applications of graphs signal processing. The theory is supported by illustrative and practically relevant examples.

The set of 55 ancestry informative SNPs (AISNPs) originally developed by the Kidd Lab has been studied on a large number of populations and continues to be applied to new population samples. The existing reference database of population samples allows the relationships of new population samples to be inferred on a global level. Analyses show that these autosomal markers constitute one of the better panels of AISNPs. Continuing to build this reference database enhances its value. Because more than half of the 25 ethnic groups recently studied with these AISNPs are from Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region, we present here various analyses focused on populations from these regions along with selected reference populations from nearby regions where genotype data are available. Many of these ethnic groups have not been previously studied for forensic markers. Data on populations from other world regions have also been added to the database but are not included in these focused analyses. The new population samples added to ALFRED and FROG-kb increase the total to 164 population samples that have been studied for all 55 AISNPs.

Graph signal processing deals with signals which are observed on an irregular graph domain. While many approaches have been developed in classical graph theory to cluster vertices and segment large graphs in a signal independent way, signal localization based approaches to the analysis of data on graph represent a new research direction which is also a key to big data analytics on graphs. To this end, after an overview of the basic definitions in graphs and graph signals, we present and discuss a localized form of the graph Fourier transform. To establish an analogy with classical signal processing, spectral- and vertex-domain definitions of the localization window are given next. The spectral and vertex localization kernels are then related to the wavelet transform, followed by a study of filtering and inversion of the localized graph Fourier transform. For rigour, the analysis of energy representation and frames in the localized graph Fourier transform is extended to the energy forms of vertex-frequency distributions, which operate even without the need to apply localization windows. Another link with classical signal processing is established through the concept of local smoothness, which is subsequently related to the particular paradigm of signal smoothness on graphs. This all represents a comprehensive account of the relation of general vertex-frequency analysis with classical time-frequency analysis, and important but missing link for more advanced applications of graphs signal processing. The theory is supported by illustrative and practically relevant examples.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate the association of gene variations of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and the serotonin transporter solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4) gene with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity and coping strategies in patients with war related PTSD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included 747 individuals who had experienced war trauma in the South Eastern Europe conflicts between 1991 and 1999. Genotyping of the MAOA VNTR and SLC6A4 tandem repeat polymorphism in combination with rs25531 was done in 719 participants: 232 females and 487 males. Among them, 369 have had current or lifetime PTSD and 350 have had no PTSD symptoms. For psychometric approach we used the Clinician Administrated PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the adapted Hoffman-Lazarus Coping scale and a basic socio-demographic data questionnaire. RESULTS There were no significant intergroup (PTSD versus non PTSD) differences in the genotype distribution of MAOA and SLC6A4 gene polymorphisms. The primary finding of our study was that the MAOA short allele (MAOA-S) was nominally significantly associated with the severity of PTSD symptoms in the total subgroup of participants with lifetime PTSD; males for symptoms of hyperarrousal and females with symptoms of re-experience and hyperarousal. In our research the male subsample with current PTSD and MAOA-S genotype had nominally significantly higher scores for some positive coping strategies compared to those carrying the long allele genotype (MAOA-L). There was no significant association between the severity of PTSD symptoms, BSI phenotype, coping scores and the SLC6A4 genotype. CONCLUSION The present results support the notion that MAOA VNTR gene variation modulates development and recovery of posttraumatic stress disorder in a war traumatised population, but did not support a connection between SLC6A4 gene variations and war related PTSD.

This study presents the results from a bench-scale UV irradiation experiment of benzophenone (BP) in different water matrices. Despite the reported resistance of BP to UV-irradiation, it was successfully degraded in solution when intensively irradiated by UV light in a batch reactor for 4 h. In this way, it was possible to remove 56 and 45 % of 1.0 and 10 ?g?L-1 of BP in Milli-Q water, respectively. The addition of a mixture of anions suppressed the degradation of BP at the lower concentration level by 20 %. The addition of a dissolved organic carbon (DOC) surrogate mixture (DOC:BP mole ratio of 3000:1) increased the degradation of BP in Milli-Q water (removal 80 %). At 1.0 ?g?L-1 of BP and 1.0 mg?L-1 of DOC, removal was 70 %, while at 10 ?g?L-1 of BP and 10 mg?L-1 of DOC, there was no observable difference in removal compared with the removal in Milli-Q water. The results show that both DOC and anions influence the photodegradation of BP. Furthermore, it was shown that the removal efficiency depends on the concentration of BP. These findings show the importance of a detailed characterisation of the water matrix in studies relating to the removal of micropollutants during UV irradiation.

Proper inclusion of van der Waals interactions (vdW) in ab initio calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) is crucial to describe soft, organic, layered solids such as κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 X . Since no consensus has been reached on the reliability of available vdW DFT functionals, most of the first principles calculations have been based on experimental crystal structure data without any structural optimization. Here, we explore optimal DFT-based schemes that account for the effects of vdW interactions on the structural and electronic band properties of three paradigmatic charge transfer salts, κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu 2 (CN) 3 , κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 Ag 2 (CN) 3 , and κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl, for which a unified optimization of the structure is possible. Detailed examination of the prototype test system κ -(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Cl shows that the optB88-vdW functional performs slightly better than the PBE-vdW and that the choice of pseudopotentials is critical to obtaining realistic results.

Background: Little is known about neural oscillatory dynamics in first episode psychosis. Pathophysiology of functional connectivity can be measured through network activity of alpha oscillations, reflecting long-range communication between distal brain regions. Methods: Resting magnetoencephalographic activity was collected from 31 first episode schizophrenia-spectrum psychosis individuals (FESz) and 22 healthy controls. Activity was projected to the realistic cortical surface, based on structural MRI. The first principal component of activity in 40 Brodmann areas per hemisphere was Hilbert transformed within the alpha range. Non-negative matrix factorization was applied to single trial alpha phase locking values from all subjects to determine alpha networks. Within networks, energy and entropy were compared. Results: Four cortical alpha networks were pathological in FESz. The networks involved bilateral anterior and posterior cingulate; left auditory, medial temporal, and cingulate cortex; right inferior frontal gyrus and widespread areas; and right posterior parietal cortex and widespread areas. Energy and entropy were associated with the PANSS Total and Thought Disorder factors for the first 3 networks. Additionally, the left posterior temporal network was associated with Positive and Negative factors and the right inferior frontal network was associated with the Positive Factor. Conclusions: Machine learning network analysis of resting alpha-band neural activity identified several aberrant networks in FESz including left temporal, right inferior frontal, right posterior parietal, and bilateral cingulate cortices. Abnormal long-range alpha communication is evident at the first presentation for psychosis and may provide clues about mechanisms of disconnectivity in psychosis and novel targets for non-invasive brain stimulation.

Uvod Poznato je da starenje za posljedicu ima opadanje tjelesnih sposobnosti čovjeka, što je uz globalni problem hipokinezije, jedan od vodećih savremenih problema društva (Čaušević, Ormanović, Doder, & Čović, 2017; Ćirić, Čaušević, & Bejdić, 2015). Individualni aerobni fi tness se smanjuje za 8-10% tokom svake decenije života, dok veoma aktivni ljudi mogu smanjiti ovaj nivo na 2-3%. Opadanje snage je osjetno u šezdesetim, a posebno u sedamdesetim godinama života (15% odnosno 30%), (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2008). Takođe u brojnim studijama, utvrđeno je da su promjene koje nastaju kao posljedica biološkog starenja, povezane sa smanjenim stepenom fi zičke aktivnosti osoba starije dobi, a koje za posljedicu imaju smanjenje mišićne mase i tjelesne funkcije. Poznato je da organizovano tjelesno vježbanje ima mnogo pozitivnih efekata na organizam čovjeka u cjelini, te da ima jasan i prioritetan fi zički i zdravstveni uticaj na osobe i njihove radne aktivnosti. Međutim, bez obzira na to šta osoba radi – bilo da se bavi prostim fi zičkim poslom (nošenjem, podizanjem, poljoprivrednim radom) ili vrši fi zičke vježbe, njen mišić ni, kardio-vaskularni, respiratorni i centralni nervni sistem aktivno funkcionišu. Shodno tome će fi zička aktivnost, bilo kao tjelesna vježba ili fi zički rad, uvijek uticati na naše tijelo i tako dovesti do poveć anog nivoa funkcionisanja (Bjelica & Krivikapić, 2019). S druge strane, neaktivnost uzrokuje 9% prerane smrtnosti, što brojem iznosi više nego 5,3 od 57 miliona smrtnih slučajeva širom svijeta tokom 2008. godine (Lee i sar. 2012). Istoimeni autori navode da ukoliko neaktivnost nije eliminisana ali jeste umanjena za 10% ili 25%, onda bi se smrtnost tokom svake godine mogla izbjeći za više od 533 000 odnosno za više od 1,3 miliona slučajeva. Ovakav navod potvrđuje i činjenica da Abstract

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a clinically-effective but complex model of care. The purpose of this study was to characterize the nature of CR programs around the world, in relation to guideline recommendations, and compare this by World Health Organization (WHO) region. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a piloted survey was administered online to CR programs globally. Cardiac associations and local champions facilitated program identification. Quality (benchmark of ≥ 75% of programs in a given country meeting each of 20 indicators) was ranked. Results were compared by WHO region using generalized linear mixed models. Findings 111/203 (54.7%) countries in the world offer CR; data were collected in 93 (83.8%; N = 1082 surveys, 32.1% program response rate). The most commonly-accepted indications were: myocardial infarction (n = 832, 97.4%), percutaneous coronary intervention (n = 820, 96.1%; 0.10), and coronary artery bypass surgery (n = 817, 95.8%). Most programs were led by physicians (n = 680; 69.1%). The most common CR providers (mean = 5.9 ± 2.8/program) were: nurses (n = 816, 88.1%; low in Africa, p < 0.001), dietitians (n = 739, 80.2%), and physiotherapists (n = 733, 79.3%). The most commonly-offered core components (mean = 8.7 ± 1.9 program) were: initial assessment (n = 939, 98.8%; most commonly for hypertension, tobacco, and physical inactivity), risk factor management (n = 928, 98.2%), patient education (n = 895, 96.9%), and exercise (n = 898, 94.3%; lower in Western Pacific, p < 0.01). All regions met ≥ 16/20 quality indicators, but quality was < 75% for tobacco cessation and return-to-work counseling (lower in Americas, p = < 0.05). Interpretation This first-ever survey of CR around the globe suggests CR quality is high. However, there is significant regional variation, which could impact patient outcomes.

A significant challenge in the rational design of organic thermoelectric materials is to realize simultaneously high electrical conductivity and high induced-voltage in response to a thermal gradient, which is represented by the Seebeck coefficient. Conventional wisdom posits that the polymer alone dictates thermoelectric efficiency. Herein, we show that doping — in particular, clustering of dopants within conjugated polymer films — has a profound and predictable influence on their thermoelectric properties. We correlate Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of iodine-doped poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly[2,5-bis(2-octyldodecyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione-3,6-diyl)-alt-(2,2′;5′,2′′;5′′,2′′′-quaterthiophen-5,5′′′-diyl)] films with Kelvin probe force microscopy to highlight the role of the spatial distribution of dopants in determining overall charge transport. We fit the experimental data to a phonon-assisted hopping model and found that the distribution of dopants alters the distribution of the density of states and the Kang–Snyder transport parameter. These results highlight the importance of controlling dopant distribution within conjugated polymer films for thermoelectric and other electronic applications. Designing organic thermoelectric materials with high electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient is challenging due to the direct relationship between these two properties. Here, the authors explore the role of dopant spatial distribution on thermoelectric performance in conjugated polymers.