NMR Studies of Tau Protein in Tauopathies

Tauopathies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are the most troublesome of all age-related chronic conditions, as there are no well-established disease-modifying therapies for their prevention and treatment. Spatio-temporal distribution of tau protein pathology correlates with cognitive decline and severity of the disease, therefore, tau protein has become an appealing target for therapy. Current knowledge of the pathological effects and significance of specific species in the tau aggregation pathway is incomplete although more and more structural and mechanistic insights are being gained using biophysical techniques. Here, we review the application of NMR to structural studies of various tau forms that appear in its aggregation process, focusing on results obtained from solid-state NMR. Furthermore, we discuss implications from these studies and their prospective contribution to the development of new tauopathy therapies.

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Cataract Hospitalizations in 96 Grade ⅢA Hospitals in China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-25622/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

ZhiHong Zhu ◽

Zhong Zheng ◽

Ying Zhang ◽

Jun Ying ◽

Yanan Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cataract Surgery ◽

Period Doubling ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

National Database ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Financial Characteristics

Abstract Background: To examine the demographic, medical care and financial characteristics of cataract inpatients in China, based on analysis of a large national database.Design: A multicenter, cross-sectional, 6-year period retrospective study.Subjects: This study included 185147 inpatients with a principal or secondary diagnosis of cataract, between 2009 and 2014, in China.Methods: All types of cataract-related hospitalization information from 96 grade ⅢA hospitals, over a 6-year period (from 2009 to 2014), were identified and the data from 230250 eyes (185147 inpatients) were retrospectively analyzed statistically.Main Outcome Measures: Age, sex, location, visit time, hospitalization duration, type of cataract surgery, medical costs.Result: The male to female sex ratio was 97.66:100, and the mean age was 64.50 ± 16.72 years (56.08% aged 60–79 years). Bilateral cataract accounted for 25.04% and age-related cataract was present in 68.85% of patients. The spatio-temporal distribution of hospitalization was concentrated in the northwest (23.14%) and southwest (25.29%) of China (P < 0.01). The estimated hospitalization rate was highest in the northwest (0.23%). Hospitalization peaked biannually, in the summer (27.96%) and winter (27.75%). Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation was the most common surgery (97.15%) and was increasingly performed over the study period, doubling within 6 years. The overall average hospitalization stay was 6.72 ± 1.70 days. The average financial cost for treatment was ¥8861.81 ± 6818.04 per person. Specifically, the average operation cost was ¥2283.00 ± 2139.14, while the average medicine cost was ¥971.53 ± 2007.69. All-source social medical insurance covered 52.25% of the hospitalizations.Conclusion: These findings illustrate the status quo of cataract-related hospitalizations in China and reveal significant regional variations in the prevalence and medical service conditions, based on a population-scale analysis. Cataracts remain an important public health problem in China. Poverty-stricken areas, such as the northwest and southwest regions of the country, face more challenges. Continuing development and implementation of cataract surgery and further improvement of the medical security system and care level are needed to advance blindness prevention programs in China.

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The siliciclastics/carbonates shift in the Jurassic of the Western Caucasus (central northern Neo-Tethys): reconsidering research over the last 50 years

Geologos ◽

10.2478/logos-2019-0014 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 153-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dmitry A. Ruban

Keyword(s):

Sea Water ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Carbonate Platform ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Tectonic Activity ◽

Carbonate Platforms ◽

Western Caucasus ◽

Carbonate Production ◽

The Western Caucasus ◽

Spatio Temporal

Abstract A chain of carbonate platforms evolved in the northern Neo-Tethys during the Late Jurassic, but current knowledge remains incomplete as long as data from several larger regions, such as the Western Caucasus, are not included. In order to fill this gap, it is here suggested to reconsider the information accumulated chiefly during Soviet times. Although these data are too general, they still matter with regard to some regional characteristics and tentative interpretations. Available data on the spatio-temporal distribution of Bajocian-Callovian sedimentary rocks are summarised in a novel way which permits documentation of depositional trends at six representative localities in the Western Caucasus. The extent of the carbonate platform increased at two localities since the Late Callovian and at a third since the Middle Oxfordian. Three additional sites were characterised either by non-deposition or deep-marine sedimentation. The onset of carbonate platform development marked a remarkable shift from chiefly siliciclastic to carbonate deposition, although this event was not sudden everywhere. The Bathonian pulse of tectonic activity, coupled with the eustatic sea level rise, allowed shelves to expand during the Callovian-Oxfordian, with a reduction in siliciclastic input from islands and sea-water that became well oxygenated and warmer. These conditions were conducive to biogenic carbonate production, allowing the carbonate platform to expand subsequently.

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Systematic Review of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9110937 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 937

Author(s):

Abdul Ghafar ◽

Tariq Abbas ◽

Abdul Rehman ◽

Zia-ud-Din Sandhu ◽

Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Health Production ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Tick Vectors ◽

And Control

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDis) are a major constraint to the health and production of small ruminants in Pakistan. Despite being the subject of intermittent studies over the past few decades, comprehensive information on the epidemiology and control of TTBDis is lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed the current knowledge on TTBDis of small ruminants in Pakistan. Critical appraisal of the selected 71 articles published between 1947 to 2020 revealed that morphological examination had been the most widely used method for the identification of TTBDis in Pakistan. Tick fauna comprise at least 40 species, mainly belonging to Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The prevalence of ticks is the highest in summer (June–September) and it is also higher in goats than sheep. Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria spp. are the major tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and their prevalence is usually higher in sheep than goats. Spatio-temporal distribution, genetic diversity and control of ticks and TBPs of small ruminants as well as the competence of tick vectors for various TBPs remain to be explored. Therefore, coordinated and focused investigations are required to fill knowledge gaps in these areas to maximise the health, production and welfare of small ruminants and minimise economic losses associated with TTBDis in Pakistan.

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