Full range optical and electrical properties of Zn-doped SnO2 and oxide/metal/oxide multilayer thin films deposited on flexible PET substrate

Publication date: 15 February 2017
Source:Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 694
Author(s): Yoonho Cho, Narendra S. Parmar, Sahn Nahm, Ji-Won Choi
As a potential replacement of indium-tin oxide (ITO), Zn-doped SnO2/Ag/Zn-doped SnO2 multilayer transparent conducting electrodes were prepared on the flexible poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates by RF sputtering at room temperature. To find the optimized composition of Zn-doped SnO2 thin film, which will have higher conductivity and transmittance as compared to the undoped SnO2 thin film, an off-axis Continuous Composition Spread (CCS) sputtering method was used. Zn-doped SnO2 thin films have lower resistivity than undoped SnO2 thin films due to excess oxygen vacancies (Vo) and/or zin interstitials (Zni) in thin films. The minimum resistivity of thin film was 0.13 Ω cm at optimized 2.43 wt% Zn-doping. Zn-doped SnO2/Ag/Zn-doped SnO2 multilayer thin films were prepared using the optimized composition deposited by an on-axis RF sputter. The multilayer TCO film has the resistivity ∼5.33 × 10⁻⁵ Ω cm and the average transmittance >85% in the 550 nm wavelength region.



http://ift.tt/2dKkAmM

Highly efficient Pd-doped aluminate spinel catalysts with different divalent cations for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with H2 at low temperature

Publication date: 15 January 2017
Source:Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 308
Author(s): Chaochao Xu, Wei Sun, Limei Cao, Tingting Li, Xuanxuan Cai, Ji Yang
The performance of pure and Pd-doped aluminate spinel catalysts (i.e., MAl2O4 and MAl1.95Pd0.05O4, where M=Cu, Co, Zn) for the selective catalytic reduction of NO by H2 (H2-SCR) were investigated in this paper. The catalytic performance over MAl2O4 is poor but can be improved significantly by incorporating Pd into the lattice, resulting in NO conversion over Co-AlPd, Zn-AlPd and Cu-AlPd catalysts of approximately 95%, 90.5% and 84%, respectively, in the presence of 2% O2 at a low temperature range of 100–350°C. Both the pure and Pd-doped aluminate spinel catalysts showed the same sequences with respect to activity: Co-Al>Zn-Al>Cu-Al and Co-AlPd>Zn-AlPd>Cu-AlPd, indicating that the selection of divalent metal M is of essential importance in designing spinel catalysts and in modifying their SCR performance. Co-AlPd catalyst showed stable activity in the presence of 3% and 5% H2O at 250°C, whereas the SCR reaction was promoted and a slight positive influence of the NO conversion was observed with a further increase of the H2O concentration to 5%. The presence of 100ppm SO2 in the feed resulted in almost a 23% NO reduction at 250°C for the Co-AlPd catalyst, whereas only a 1.2% decrease of NO conversion was observed with further increase in the SO2 concentration to 150ppm, and the NO conversion recovered rapidly to approximately 82% after removing the SO2 from the feed stream.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dEGDt8

Optogenetic Control of Protein Function: From Intracellular Processes to Tissue Morphogenesis

Publication date: Available online 7 October 2016
Source:Trends in Cell Biology
Author(s): Giorgia Guglielmi, Henning Johannes Falk, Stefano De Renzis
Optogenetics is an emerging and powerful technique that allows the control of protein activity with light. The possibility of inhibiting or stimulating protein activity with the spatial and temporal precision of a pulse of laser light is opening new frontiers for the investigation of developmental pathways and cell biological bases underlying organismal development. With this powerful technique in hand, it will be possible to address old and novel questions about how cells, tissues, and organisms form. In this review, we focus on the applications of existing optogenetic tools for addressing issues in animal morphogenesis.



http://ift.tt/2cZwa9t

Electroconductive natural polymer-based hydrogels

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 111
Author(s): Zhijun Shi, Xing Gao, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Sixiang Li, Qun Wang, Guang Yang
Hydrogels prepared from natural polymers have received immense considerations over the past decade due to their safe nature, biocompatibility, hydrophilic properties, and biodegradable nature. More recently, when treated with electroactive materials, these hydrogels were endowed with high electrical conductivity, electrochemical redox properties, and electromechanical properties; consequently, forming a smart hydrogel. The biological properties of these smart hydrogels, classified as electroconductive hydrogels, can be combined with electronics. Thus, they are considered as good candidates for some potential uses, which include bioconductors, biosensors, electro-stimulated drug delivery systems, as well as neuron-, muscle-, and skin-tissue engineering. However, there is lacking comprehensive information on the current state of these electroconductive hydrogels which complicates our understanding of this new type of biomaterials as well as their potential applications. Hence, this review provides a summary on the current development of electroconductive natural polymer-based hydrogels (ENPHs). We have introduced various types of ENPHs, with a brief description of their advantages and shortcomings. In addition, emerging technologies regarding their synthesis developed during the past decade are discussed. Finally, two attractive potential applications of ENPHs, cell culture and biomedical devices, are reviewed, along with their current challenges.



http://ift.tt/2dJOZlk

Endophilin-A Deficiency Induces the Foxo3a-Fbxo32 Network in the Brain and Causes Dysregulation of Autophagy and the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Cell Reports
Author(s): John D. Murdoch, Christine M. Rostosky, Sindhuja Gowrisankaran, Amandeep S. Arora, Sandra-Fausia Soukup, Ramon Vidal, Vincenzo Capece, Siona Freytag, Andre Fischer, Patrik Verstreken, Stefan Bonn, Nuno Raimundo, Ira Milosevic
Endophilin-A, a well-characterized endocytic adaptor essential for synaptic vesicle recycling, has recently been linked to neurodegeneration. We report here that endophilin-A deficiency results in impaired movement, age-dependent ataxia, and neurodegeneration in mice. Transcriptional analysis of endophilin-A mutant mice, complemented by proteomics, highlighted ataxia- and protein-homeostasis-related genes and revealed upregulation of the E3-ubiquitin ligase FBXO32/atrogin-1 and its transcription factor FOXO3A. FBXO32 overexpression triggers apoptosis in cultured cells and neurons but, remarkably, coexpression of endophilin-A rescues it. FBXO32 interacts with all three endophilin-A proteins. Similarly to endophilin-A, FBXO32 tubulates membranes and localizes on clathrin-coated structures. Additionally, FBXO32 and endophilin-A are necessary for autophagosome formation, and both colocalize transiently with autophagosomes. Our results point to a role for endophilin-A proteins in autophagy and protein degradation, processes that are impaired in their absence, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration and ataxia.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Regulation of protein homeostasis and autophagy has become a promising line of research in the neurodegeneration field. Murdoch et al. now find that endophilin-A, a key factor in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, regulates protein homeostasis through the Foxo3a-Fbxo32 network.


http://ift.tt/2dEBFwI

Multifaceted properties of 1,4-dimethylcarbazoles: Focus on trimethoxybenzamide and trimethoxyphenylurea derivatives as novel human topoisomerase II inhibitors

Publication date: 1 January 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 96
Author(s): Domenico Iacopetta, Camillo Rosano, Francesco Puoci, Ortensia Ilaria Parisi, Carmela Saturnino, Anna Caruso, Pasquale Longo, Jessica Ceramella, Aurélie Malzert-Fréon, Patrick Dallemagne, Sylvain Rault, Maria Stefania Sinicropi
Natural or synthetic carbazole derivatives have recently attracted the attention of the scientific world because of their multiple biological activity, leading to an increase of designed, synthesized and studied analogues. In this paper, four 1,4-dimethylcarbazole derivatives, analogues of Ellipticine, have been investigated for their ability to block cancer cells growth, with low effects on the proliferation of normal cells. DNA topoisomerases inhibition assays, docking simulations, stability studies and effects on a membrane model are reported. Particularly, compounds 2 and 3 have been found thermally stable and able to inhibit, strongly and selectively, the human DNA topoisomerase II. These properties confer a good and broad antitumoral activity in vitro, with very low cytotoxic effect on the proliferation of normal cell lines and without damaging, in contrast with Ellipticine, the cell membrane model. The presented outcomes set the most active compounds as good candidates for pre-clinical studies useful in cancer treatment.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dxQdj2

Risk management and statistical multivariate analysis approach for design and optimization of satranidazole nanoparticles

Publication date: 1 January 2017
Source:European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 96
Author(s): Shalaka Dhat, Swati Pund, Chandrakant Kokare, Pankaj Sharma, Birendra Shrivastava
Rapidly evolving technical and regulatory landscapes of the pharmaceutical product development necessitates risk management with application of multivariate analysis using Process Analytical Technology (PAT) and Quality by Design (QbD). Poorly soluble, high dose drug, Satranidazole was optimally nanoprecipitated (SAT-NP) employing principles of Formulation by Design (FbD). The potential risk factors influencing the critical quality attributes (CQA) of SAT-NP were identified using Ishikawa diagram. Plackett-Burman screening design was adopted to screen the eight critical formulation and process parameters influencing the mean particle size, zeta potential and dissolution efficiency at 30min in pH7.4 dissolution medium. Pareto charts (individual and cumulative) revealed three most critical factors influencing CQA of SAT-NP viz. aqueous stabilizer (Polyvinyl alcohol), release modifier (Eudragit® S 100) and volume of aqueous phase. The levels of these three critical formulation attributes were optimized by FbD within established design space to minimize mean particle size, poly dispersity index, and maximize encapsulation efficiency of SAT-NP. Lenth's and Bayesian analysis along with mathematical modeling of results allowed identification and quantification of critical formulation attributes significantly active on the selected CQAs. The optimized SAT-NP exhibited mean particle size; 216nm, polydispersity index; 0.250, zeta potential; −3.75mV and encapsulation efficiency; 78.3%. The product was lyophilized using mannitol to form readily redispersible powder. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the conversion of crystalline SAT to amorphous form. In vitro release of SAT-NP in gradually pH changing media showed <20% release in pH1.2 and pH6.8 in 5h, while, complete release (>95%) in pH7.4 in next 3h, indicative of burst release after a lag time. This investigation demonstrated effective application of risk management and QbD tools in developing site-specific release SAT-NP by nanoprecipitation.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dxQqD6

Editorial Board

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Clinical Immunology, Volume 171





http://ift.tt/2djZoAD

Psychiatric Comorbidity

Condition:   Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases
Intervention:   Other: Questionnaires
Sponsor:   Duke University
Not yet recruiting - verified September 2016

http://ift.tt/2d8sLbC

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel non-covalent piperidine-containing peptidyl proteasome inhibitors

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Jiankang Zhang, Lixin Gao, Jianjun Xi, Li Sheng, Yanmei Zhao, Lei Xu, Yidan Shao, Shourong Liu, Rangxiao Zhuang, Yubo Zhou, Jia Li
A series of novel non-covalent piperidine-containing dipeptidyl derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as proteasome inhibitors. All target compounds were tested for their proteasome chymotrypsin-like inhibitory activities, and selected derivatives were evaluated for the anti-proliferation activities against two multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines RPMI 8226 and MM-1S. Among all of these compounds, eight exhibited significant proteasome inhibitory activities with IC50 less than 20 nM, and four are more potent than the positive control Carfilzomib. Compound 28 displayed the most potent proteasome inhibitory activity (IC50: 1.4±0.1 nM) and cytotoxicities with IC50 values at 13.9±1.8 nM and 9.5±0.5 nM against RPMI 8226 and MM-1S, respectively. Additionally, the ex vivo blood cell proteasome inhibitory activities of compounds 24 and 27-29 demonstrated that the enzymatic metabolism in the whole blood could be well tolerated. All these experiments confirmed that the piperidine-containing non-covalent proteasome inhibitors are potential leads for exploring new anti-cancer drugs.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dxLi1Q

Discovery and preliminary structure-activity relationship of 1H-indazoles with promising indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1) inhibition properties

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Shan Qian, Tao He, Wei Wang, Yanying He, Man Zhang, Lingling Yang, Guobo Li, Zhouyu Wang
Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)-mediated kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation is identified as an important immune effector pathway in the tumor cells to escape a potentially effective immune response. IDO1 is an attractive target for anticancer therapy and the discovery of IDO1 inhibitors has been intensely ongoing in both academic research laboratories and pharmaceutical organizations. Our study discovered that 1H-indazole was a novel key pharmacophore with potent IDO1 inhibitory activity. A series of new 1H-indazole derivatives were synthesized and determined the enzyme inhibitory activities, and the compound 2g exhibited the highest activity with an IC50 value of 5.3 μM. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) analysis of the 1H-indazole derivatives as novel IDO1 inhibitors indicated that the 1H-indazole scaffold is necessary for IDO1 inhibition, and the substituent groups at the both 4-position and 6-position largely affect inhibitory activity. The docking model exhibited that the effective interactions of 1H-indazoles with ferrous ion of heme and key residues of hydrophobic Pocket A and B ensured the IDO1 inhibitory activities. The study suggested that the 1H-indazole was a novel interesting scaffold for IDO inhibition for further development.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dxLRZm

Melanogenesis inhibitory activity of a 7-O-9’-linked neolignan from Alpinia galanga fruit

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Author(s): Yoshiaki Manse, Kiyofumi Ninomiya, Ryosuke Nishi, Iyori Kamei, Yushi Katsuyama, Takahito Imagawa, Saowanee Chaipech, Osamu Muraoka, Toshio Morikawa
An aqueous acetone extract from the fruit of Alpinia galanga (Zingiberaceae) demonstrated inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in theophylline-stimulated murine B16 melanoma 4A5 cells (IC50 = 7.3 μg/mL). Through bioassay-guided separation of the extract, a new 7-O-9'-linked neolignan, named galanganol D diacetate (1), was isolated along with 16 known compounds including 14 phenylpropanoids (2–15). The structure of 1, including its absolute stereochemistry in the C-7 position, was elucidated by means of extensive NMR analysis and total synthesis. Among the isolates, 1 (IC50 = 2.5 μM), 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (2, 5.0 μM), and 1'S-1'-acetoxyeugenol acetate (3, 5.6 μM) exhibited a relatively potent inhibitory effect without notable cytotoxicity at effective concentrations. The following structural requirements were suggested to enhance the inhibitory activity of phenylpropanoids on melanogenesis: (i) compounds with 4-acetoxy group exhibit higher activity than those with 4-hydroxy group; (ii) 3-methoxy group dose not affect the activity; (iii) acetylation of the 1'-hydroxy moiety enhances the activity; and (iv) phenylpropanoid dimers with the 7-O-9'-linked neolignan skeleton exhibited higher activity than those with the corresponding monomer. Their respective enantiomers [1' (IC50 = 1.9 μM) and 2' (4.5 μM)] and racemic mixtures [(±)-1 (2.2 μM) and (±)-2 (4.4 μM)] were found to exhibit melanogenesis inhibitory activities equivalent to those of the naturally occurring optical active compounds (1 and 2). Furthermore, the active compounds 1–3 inhibited tyrosinase, tyrosine-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 mRNA expressions, which could be the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibitory activity.

Graphical abstract

http://ift.tt/2dzTxsW

Assessing stress-related treatment needs among girls at risk for poor functional outcomes: The impact of cumulative adversity, criterion traumas, and non-criterion events

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Amy E. Lansing, Wendy Y. Plante, Audrey N. Beck
Despite growing recognition that cumulative adversity (total stressor exposure), including complex trauma, increases the risk for psychopathology and impacts development, assessment strategies lag behind: Trauma-related mental health needs (symptoms, functional impairment, maladaptive coping) are typically assessed in response to only one qualifying Criterion-A event. This is especially problematic for youth at-risk for health and academic disparities who experience cumulative adversity, including non-qualifying events (parental separations) which may produce more impairing symptomatology. Data from 118 delinquent girls demonstrate: (1) an average of 14 adverse Criterion-A and non-Criterion event exposures; (2) serious maladaptive coping strategies (self-injury) directly in response to cumulative adversity; (3) more cumulative adversity-related than worst-event related symptomatology and functional impairment; and (4) comparable symptomatology, but greater functional impairment, in response to non-Criterion events. These data support the evaluation of mental health needs in response to cumulative adversity for optimal identification and tailoring of services in high-risk populations to reduce disparities.



http://ift.tt/2cZlxn9

Is Disgust Proneness Sensitive to Treatment for OCD Among Youth? Examination of Diagnostic Specificity and Symptom Correlates

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Journal of Anxiety Disorders
Author(s): Kelly A. Knowles, Megan A. Viar-Paxton, Bradley C. Riemann, David M. Jacobi, Bunmi O. Olatunji
Although disgust proneness has been implicated in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there is a paucity of research examining change in disgust proneness during treatment as well as the correlates of such change, especially in children. This study examined the relationship between changes in disgust proneness and disorder-specific symptoms during residential treatment among youth with OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders. Youth ages 12-18 (n=472) completed pre- and post-outcome measures of OCD, anxiety, and mood symptoms and disgust proneness. Results indicate that although disgust proneness decreases during treatment for youth with OCD, anxiety, and mood disorders, youth with primary OCD experienced the greatest decrease in disgust proneness over the course of treatment. Reductions in disgust proneness during treatment were significantly correlated with reductions in multiple symptom measures, with the strongest correlations between reductions in disgust proneness and OCD symptoms. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.



http://ift.tt/2dRSqIg

4-Hydroxynonenal dependent alteration of TRPV1-mediated coronary microvascular signaling

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 101
Author(s): Daniel J. DelloStritto, Pritam Sinharoy, Patrick J. Connell, Joseph N. Fahmy, Holly C. Cappelli, Charles K. Thodeti, Werner J. Geldenhuys, Derek S. Damron, Ian N. Bratz
We demonstrated previously that TRPV1-dependent regulation of coronary blood flow (CBF) is disrupted in diabetes. Further, we have shown that endothelial TRPV1 is differentially regulated, ultimately leading to the inactivation of TRPV1, when exposed to a prolonged pathophysiological oxidative environment. This environment has been shown to increase lipid peroxidation byproducts including 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). 4-HNE is notorious for producing protein post-translation modification (PTM) via reactions with the amino acids: cysteine, histidine and lysine. Thus, we sought to determine if 4-HNE mediated post-translational modification of TRPV1 could account for dysfunctional TRPV1-mediated signaling observed in diabetes. Our initial studies demonstrate 4-HNE infusion decreases TRPV1-dependent coronary blood flow in C57BKS/J (WT) mice. Further, we found that TRPV1-dependent vasorelaxation was suppressed after 4-HNE treatment in isolated mouse coronary arterioles. Moreover, we demonstrate 4-HNE significantly inhibited TRPV1 currents and Ca²⁺ entry utilizing patch-clamp electrophysiology and calcium imaging respectively. Using molecular modeling, we identified potential pore cysteines residues that, when mutated, could restore TRPV1 function in the presence of 4-HNE. Specifically, complete rescue of capsaicin-mediated activation of TRPV1 was obtained following mutation of pore Cysteine 621. Finally, His tag pull-down of TRPV1 in HEK cells treated with 4-HNE demonstrated a significant increase in 4-HNE binding to TRPV1, which was reduced in the TRPV1 C621G mutant. Taken together these data suggest that 4-HNE decreases TRPV1-mediated responses, at both the in vivo and in vitro levels and this dysfunction can be rescued via mutation of the pore Cysteine 621. Our results show the first evidence of an amino acid specific modification of TRPV1 by 4-HNE suggesting this 4-HNE-dependent modification of TRPV1 may contribute to microvascular dysfunction and tissue perfusion deficits characteristic of diabetes.



http://ift.tt/2dxKHwU

Scholar : These new articles for Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Articles Simulation of the evolution of the latent heat processes in a mesoscale convective system accompanied by heavy rainfall over the Guangzhou region of South China | Jiang-Nan LI, Kai-Lu WU, Chen-Hui DING, Chao-Feng YANG, Fang-Zhou LI, Dong-Hai WANG & Ye-Rong FENG Pages: 1-15 | DOI: 10.1080/16742834.2017.1243441This is the author accepted version which has not been proofed or edited Is the interdecadal circumglobal teleconnection pattern excited by the Atlantic multidecadal Oscillation? | Jian-She LIN, Bo WU & Tian-Jun ZHOU Pages: 1-7 | DOI: 10.1080/16742834.2016.1233800 Passionate about Social Media? Read our Social Media Research collection. This message is personalised to your status as a society member. Please do not forward this email. To recommend content, please use the social sharing tools on the website. To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Scholar : These new articles for Corrections are available online

The online platform for Taylor & Francis Online content New for Corrections and online now on Taylor & Francis Online: Original Articles Capital and Punishment: A Novel Model of Reoffending Amanda P. Cook Pages: 1-19 | DOI: 10.1080/23774657.2016.1234952 Time and tide wait for no man (or woman). Explore the multidisciplinary TIME Collection now. This message is personalised to your status as a society member. Please do not forward this email. To recommend content, please use the social sharing tools on the website. To update which email alerts you receive, manage your alerts within the My Account area. You can also unsubscribe from this alert with one click. If you need any further help, please contact us at support@tandfonline.com Please do not reply to this email. To ensure that you receive your alerts and information from Taylor & Francis Online, please add "alerts@tandfonline.com" and "info@tandfonline.com" to your safe senders list. Taylor & Francis, an Informa business. Taylor & Francis is a trading name of Informa UK Limited, registered in England under no. 1072954. Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.

Filler characteristics of modern dental resin composites and their influence on physico-mechanical properties

Publication date: Available online 6 October 2016
Source:Dental Materials
Author(s): Luc D. Randolph, William M. Palin, Gaëtane Leloup, Julian G. Leprince
ObjectiveThe mechanical properties of dental resin-based composites (RBCs) are highly dependent on filler characteristics (size, content, geometry, composition). Most current commercial materials are marketed as "nanohybrids" (i.e. filler size <1μm). In the present study, filler characteristics of a selection of RBCs were described, aiming at identifying correlations with physico-mechanical properties and testing the relevance of the current classification.MethodsMicron/sub-micron particles (> or <500nm) were isolated from 17 commercial RBCs and analyzed by laser diffractrometry and/or electron microscopy. Filler and silane content were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and a sedimentation technique. The flexural modulus (Eflex) and strength (σflex) and micro-hardness were determined by three-point bending or with a Vickers indenter, respectively. Sorption was also determined. All experiments were carried out after one week of incubation in water or 75/25 ethanol/water.ResultsAverage size for micron-sized fillers was almost always higher than 1μm. Ranges for mechanical properties were: 3.7<Eflex^water<16.3GPa, 86<σflex^water<161MPa and 23.7<hardness^water<108.3HV0.2/30. Values generally decreased after storage in ethanol/water (Δmax=86%). High inorganic filler contents (>75wt%) were associated with the highest mechanical properties (Eflex and σflex>12GPa and 130MPa, respectively) and lowest solvent sorption (∼0.3%).SignificanceMechanical properties and filler characteristics significantly vary among modern RBCs and the current classification does not accurately illustrate either. Further, the chemical stability of RBCs differed, highlighting differences in resin and silane composition. Since Eflex and sorption were well correlated to the filler content, a simple and unambiguous classification based on such characteristic is suggested, with three levels (ultra-low fill, low-fill and compact resin composites).



http://ift.tt/2d8oRiX

Assessing head and neck cancer patient preferences and expectations: A systematic review

Publication date: November 2016
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 62
Author(s): Pierre Blanchard, Robert J. Volk, Jolie Ringash, Susan K. Peterson, Katherine A. Hutcheson, Steven J. Frank
IntroductionTo enhance the value of care, interventions should aim at improving endpoints that matter to patients. The preferences of head and neck cancer patients regarding treatment outcomes are therefore a major topic for patient-centered research.MethodsA systematic review (PROSPERO number CRD42016035692) was conducted by searching electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL) for articles evaluating patient or surrogate preferences in head and neck cancer. A qualitative review was performed but no quantitative synthesis.ResultsOf 817 references retrieved, 20full-text articles were eventually included in the qualitative analysis Disease sites included mixed head and neck tumor sites, n=9; larynx, n=6; oropharynx/oral cavity, n=5. Overall, patients prioritized survival over functional endpoints. However, preferences and utility scores varied greatly between patients and healthy subjects, and differences were less pronounced with spouses or healthcare providers. Findings from studies of laryngeal preservation are consistent and conclude that a subset of patients would be willing to compromise a certain amount of survival to avoid laryngectomy. On the other hand, studies of patients with oropharyngeal cancer are too heterogeneous to draw conclusions about acceptable functional trade-offs or priorities, and should be the focus of future research.ConclusionFuture research surrounding head and neck cancer patients will most likely be clinically applicable if the questions are focused on well-defined patient groups and treatment options. Gathering reliable and valid quality-of-life data, designing patient preference studies that use reliable and generalizable methods, and using the results to develop decision aids for shared decision-making strategies are recommended going forward.



http://ift.tt/2dVeUYC

Identification of a gene expression signature in peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies

Publication date: Available online 5 October 2016
Source:Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Chiara Cordiglieri, Fulvio Baggi, Pia Bernasconi, Dimos Kapetis, Elisa Faggiani, Alessandra Consonni, Francesca Andreetta, Rita Frangiamore, Paolo Confalonieri, Carlo Antozzi, Renato Mantegazza
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease with neurodegenerative alterations, ultimately progressing to neurological handicap. Therapies are effective in counteracting inflammation but not neurodegeneration. Biomarkers predicting disease course or treatment response are lacking. We investigated whether altered gene and protein expression profiles were detectable in the peripheral blood of 78 relapsing remitting MS (RR-MS) patients treated by disease-modifying therapies. A discovery/validation study on RR-MS responsive to glatiramer acetate identified 8 differentially expressed genes: ITGA2B, ITGB3, CD177, IGJ, IL5RA, MMP8, P2RY12, and S100β. A longitudinal study on glatiramer acetate, Interferon-β, or Fingolimod treated RR-MS patients confirmed that 7 out of 8 genes were downregulated with reference to the different therapies, whereas S100β was always upregulated. Thus, we identified a peripheral gene signature associated with positive response in RR-MS which may also explain drug immunomodulatory effects. The usefulness of this signature as a biomarker needs confirmation on larger series of patients.



http://ift.tt/2d65jeU