Air pollution is a cause of concern for human health. For instance, it is associated with an increased risk for cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. In vitro and in vivo studies ...suggested that air pollutants could act as endocrine disruptors, promote oxidative stress and exert genotoxic effect. Whether air pollution affects female infertility is under debate. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that evaluated the impact of air pollution on female infertility. We systematically searched the MEDLINE (PubMed) and SCOPUS databases to identify all relevant studies published before October 2017. No time or language restrictions were adopted, and queries were limited to human studies. We also hand-searched the reference lists of relevant studies to ensure we did not miss pertinent studies. The risk of bias and quality assessment of the studies identified were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Primary outcomes were conception rate after spontaneous intercourse and live birth rate after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. Secondary outcomes were first trimester miscarriage, stillbirths, infertility, number of oocytes and embryo retrieved. Eleven articles were included in the analysis. We found that in the IVF population, nitrogen dioxide and ozone were associated with a reduced live birth rate while particulate matter of 10 mm was associated with increased miscarriage. Furthermore, in the general population, particulate matter of 2.5 mm and between 2.5 and 10 mm were associated with reduced fecundability, whereas sulfur dioxide
carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide might promote miscarriage and stillbirths. The main limitation of our findigns resides in the fact that the desegn of studies included are observational and retrospective. Furthermore, there was a wide heterogenity among studies. Although larger trials are required before drawing definitive conclusions, it seems that air pollution could represent a matter of concern for female infertility.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Microfluidic technology has affirmed itself as a powerful tool in medical and biological research by offering the possibility of managing biological samples in tiny channels and chambers. Among the ...different applications, the use of microfluidics for cell cultures has attracted much interest from scientists worldwide. Traditional cell culture methods need high quantities of samples and reagents that are strongly reduced in miniaturized systems. In addition, the microenvironment is better controlled by scaling down. In this paper, we provide an overview of the aspects related to the design of a novel microfluidic culture chamber, the fabrication approach based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) soft-lithography, and the most critical issues in shrinking the size of the system.
This comprehensive review explores the various scenarios of atherosclerosis, a systemic and chronic arterial disease that underlies most cardiovascular disorders. Starting from an overview of its ...insidious development, often asymptomatic until it reaches advanced stages, the review delves into the pathophysiological evolution of atherosclerotic lesions, highlighting the central role of inflammation. Insights into clinical manifestations, including heart attacks and strokes, highlight the disease’s significant burden on global health. Emphasis is placed on carotid atherosclerosis, clarifying its epidemiology, clinical implications, and association with cognitive decline. Prevention strategies, lifestyle modifications, risk factor management, and nuanced antithrombotic treatment considerations are critical to managing cardiovascular complications, thus addressing a crucial aspect of cardiovascular health.
We report vertically illuminated, resonant cavity enhanced, graphene–Si Schottky photodetectors (PDs) operating at 1550 nm. These exploit internal photoemission at the graphene–Si interface. To ...obtain spectral selectivity and enhance responsivity, the PDs are integrated with an optical cavity, resulting in multiple reflections at resonance, and enhanced absorption in graphene. We get a wavelength-dependent photoresponse with external (internal) responsivity ∼20 mA/W (0.25A/W). The spectral selectivity may be further tuned by varying the cavity resonant wavelength. Our devices pave the way for developing high responsivity hybrid graphene–Si free-space illuminated PDs for optical communications, coherence optical tomography, and light-radars.
Background Late survival and freedom from retreatment on the descending aorta was evaluated after ascending aortic repair for type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). Methods Between March 1992 and ...January 2006, 189 TAAAD patients (mean age, 52 ± 11; range, 17 to 83 years) were included; of these, 58 had a patent false lumen, and 49 had Marfan syndrome. The descending aorta was evaluated postoperatively with computed tomography (CT). Late outcomes were assessed by Cox regression analysis and actuarial survival and freedom from retreatment by the Kaplan-Meier method. Mean follow-up was 88 ± 44 months. Results There were 38 (20%) late deaths. At 10 years, survival was 89.8% ± 2.1% for patients with an occluded false lumen and 59.8% ± 3.5% for patients with a patent false lumen ( p = 0.001), and freedom from retreatment on the descending aorta was 94.2% ± 3.1% for an occluded false lumen and 63.7% ± 2.6% for a patent false lumen ( p < 0.0001). Descending aortic rupture ( p = 0.002) and a patent false lumen ( p = 0.001) were predictors for late death. Patent false lumen ( p = 0.0001), Marfan syndrome ( p = 0.03), and descending aortic diameter 4.5 cm or larger ( p = 0.002) were predictors for retreatment. Conclusions A patent false lumen was a predictor for late death and retreatment on the descending aorta. Marfan syndrome and aortic size exceeding 4.5 cm were predictors for late retreatment. These patients require very close follow-up and a plan for retreatment on the descending aorta to prevent sudden rupture and late death.
Polarization-sensitive digital holographic imaging (PS-DHI) is a recent imaging technique based on interference among several polarized optical beams. PS-DHI allows simultaneous quantitative ...three-dimensional reconstruction and quantitative evaluation of polarization properties of a given sample with micrometer scale resolution. Since this technique is very fast and does not require labels/markers, it finds application in several fields, from biology to microelectronics and micro-photonics. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of PS-DHI techniques, the theoretical principles, and important applications are reported.
Due to recent breakthroughs, silicon photonics is now the most active discipline within the field of integrated optics and, at the same time, a present reality with commercial products available on ...the market. Silicon photodiodes are excellent detectors at visible wavelengths, but the development of high-performance photodetectors on silicon CMOS platforms at wavelengths of interest for telecommunications has remained an imperative but unaccomplished task so far. In recent years, however, a number of near-infrared all-silicon photodetectors have been proposed and demonstrated for optical interconnect and power-monitoring applications. In this paper, a review of the state of the art is presented. Devices based on mid-bandgap absorption, surface-state absorption, internal photoemission absorption and two-photon absorption are reported, their working principles elucidated and their performance discussed and compared.
Silicon‐based technologies provide an ideal platform for the monolithic integration of photonics and microelectronics. In this context, a variety of passive and active silicon photonic devices have ...been developed to operate at telecom and datacom wavelengths, at which silicon has minimal optical absorption ‐ due to its bandgap of 1.12 eV. Although in principle this transparency window limits the use of silicon for optical detection at wavelengths above 1.1 μm, in recent years tremendous advances have been made in the field of all‐silicon sub‐bandgap photodetectors at telecom and datacom wavelengths. By taking advantage of emerging materials and novel structures, these devices are becoming competitive with the more well‐established technologies, and are opening new and intriguing perspectives. In this paper, a review of the state‐of‐the‐art is presented. Devices based on defect‐mediated absorption, two‐photon absorption and the internal photoemission effect are reported, their working principles are elucidated and their performance discussed and compared.
This review focuses on sub‐bandgap all‐silicon photodetectors operating at telecom and datacom wavelengths. After a short introduction to the theory of the main photo‐conversion mechanisms allowing detection at sub‐bandgap wavelengths in silicon, an overview of the more recent all‐silicon photodetectors based on both innovative structures and emerging materials, will be presented, discussed and compared. The review also helps identifying future developments necessary to compare favourably with devices based on III‐V elements.
Purpose
Only a few studies are available on dose-related effects of sacubitril/valsartan (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition (ARNI)) in real-life patients with heart failure and reduced ...ejection fraction (HFrEF). We sought to investigate clinical and functional effects in real-life HFrEF patients receiving ARNI at a different cumulative dose.
Methods
This was an observational study in consecutive outpatients admitted for HFrEF from October 2017 to June 2019. The PARADIGM criteria were needed for enrolment. ARNI was uptitrated according to blood pressure, drug tolerability, renal function and kaliemia. At least 10-month follow-up was required in each patient. Clinical assessment, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score, 6-min walk test and strain echocardiography were performed in each patient on a regular basis during the observational period. At the end of the study, patients were divided into two groups based on the median yearly dose of the ARNI medication.
Results
A total of 90 patients, 64 ± 11 years, 82% males, were enrolled. The cut-off dose was established in 75 mg BID, and the study population was divided into group A (≤ 75 mg), 52 patients (58%), and group B (> 75 mg), 38 patients (42%). The follow-up duration was 12 months (range 11–13). NYHA class, KCCQ score and 6MWT performance ameliorated in both groups, with a quicker time to benefit in group B. The proportion of patients walking > 350 m increased from 21 to 58% in group A (
p
< 0.001), and from 29 to 82% in group B (
p
< 0.001). A positive effect was also disclosed in the left ventricular remodelling, strain deformation and diastolic function.
Conclusion
One-year ARNI treatment was effective in our real-life HFrEF patient population, leading to clinical and functional improvement in both study groups, slightly greater and with a shorter time to benefit in group B.
Raman microspectroscopy (RM) and polarization sensitive digital holographic imaging (PSDHI) are valuable analytical tools in biological and medical research, allowing the detection of both ...biochemical and morphological variations of the sample without labels or long sample preparation. Here, using this multi-modal approach we analyze in vitro human sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction induced by heparin. The multimodal microscopy provides morphofunctional information that can assess the sperms ability to respond to capacitation stimuli (sperm function). More precisely, the birefringence analysis in sperm cells can be used as an indicator of its structural normality. Indeed, digital holography applied for polarization imaging allows for revelation of the polarization state of the sample, showing a total birefringence of the sperm head in non-reacted spermatozoa, and a birefringence localized in the post-acrosomal region in reacted spermatozoa. Additionally, RM allows the detection and spectroscopic characterization of protein/lipid delocalization in the plasma and acrosomal membranes that can be used as valuable Raman biomarkers of sperm function. Interestingly, these spectral variations can be correlated with different time phases of the cell capacitation response. Although further experimentation is required, the proposed multimodal approach could represent a potential label-free diagnostic tool for use in reproductive medicine and the diagnosis of infertility.
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