Lightweight polyamide composites and structures have been widely studied and employed in several industrial sectors. In this study, the development of a nanocomposite of polyamide 6 and graphene ...oxide (PA6‐GO) by melt‐compounding and the joining with aluminum alloy AA6061 through direct‐adhesion injection overmolding are addressed. PA6‐GO nanocomposite exhibited well‐dispersed thin (300 nm) GO platelets distributed within the PA6 matrix, which resulted in an increase of 21% in the tensile modulus and 16% in the yield stress for a filler loading of 0.5 wt%. PA6‐GO/AA6061 hybrid joints showed good mechanical anchorage through the complete filling of the polymer into micro‐scale grooves designed onto the metal surface, which ensured outstanding shear strength of 7.1 ± 1.0 MPa, comparable to other polyamide‐metal hybrid joints reported in the literature. This indicates that the processing routes and materials developed are promising for lightweight engineering applications.
Highlights
A PA6‐GO nanocomposite with enhanced tensile properties was developed.
A joint of PA6‐GO and AA6061 with outstanding shear strength was obtained.
Fast and efficient melt‐processing routes were employed.
These materials are promising for lightweight engineering applications.
Development of polyamide 6‐graphene oxide nanocomposite and direct‐joining with aluminum alloy.
Ovarian follicular development and ovulation are complex and tightly regulated processes that involve regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). We previously identified differentially expressed mRNAs between ...human cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs) from immature early antral follicles (germinal vesicle - GV) and mature preovulatory follicles (metaphase II - M2). In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of the transcriptome and miRNome in CGCs obtained from the GV cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) obtained from IVM and M2 COC obtained from IVF. A total of 43 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Using Ingenuity IPA analysis, we identified 7288 potential miRNA-regulated target genes. Two hundred thirty-four of these target genes were also found in our previously generated ovulatory gene library while exhibiting anti-correlated expression to the identified miRNAs. IPA pathway analysis suggested that miR-21 and FOXM1 cooperatively inhibit CDC25A, TOP2A and PRC1. We identified a mechanism for the temporary inhibition of VEGF during ovulation by TGFB1, miR-16-5p and miR-34a-5p. The linkage bioinformatics analysis between the libraries of the coding genes from our preliminary study with the newly generated library of regulatory miRNAs provides us a comprehensive, integrated overview of the miRNA-mRNA co-regulatory networks that may play a key role in controlling post-transcriptomic regulation of the ovulatory process.
Radiation from UV-C has been demonstrated as a potential surface decontamination method in addition to several advantages over regular sanitation methods. However, UV-C radiation possibly affects the ...physicochemical properties of meat products. To determine the optimum exposure time for bacterial reduction, 39 chicken breasts, inoculated with a pool of Salmonella spp., were submitted to 3 levels of UV-C intensities (0.62, 1.13, and 1.95 mW/cm2) for up to 120 s. After the optimum exposure time of 90 s was determined, changes in the biogenic amines, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, lipid oxidation, pH, and instrumental color were evaluated in 84 chicken breasts that were irradiated (0.62, 1.13, and 1.95 mW/cm2) and stored at 4°C for 9 d. The groups treated with UV-C radiation exhibited an increase in tyramine, cadaverine, and putrescine contents (P < 0.05). The highest UV-C intensity (1.95 mW/cm2) promoted a decrease in the initial bacterial load, and extended the lag phase and the shelf life. The groups irradiated with 1.13 and 1.95 mW/cm2 exhibited a more stable b* value than the other groups; similar trends for L*, a*, pH, and TBA reactive substance values were observed among all groups. The UV-C light was demonstrated to be an efficient alternative technology to improve the bacteriological quality of chicken meat without negatively affecting the physical and chemical parameters of chicken breast meat. Nonetheless, the increases on the biogenic amines content should be considered as an effect of the UV processing and not as an indicator of bacterial growth.
Although chest pain is widely considered a key symptom in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI), not all patients with MI present with chest pain. The extent to which this phenomenon occurs is ...largely unknown.
To determine the frequency with which patients with MI present without chest pain and to examine their subsequent management and outcome.
Prospective observational study.
A total of 434,877 patients with confirmed MI enrolled June 1994 to March 1998 in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction 2, which includes 1674 hospitals in the United States.
Prevalence of presentation without chest pain; clinical characteristics, treatment, and mortality among MI patients without chest pain vs those with chest pain.
Of all patients diagnosed as having MI, 142,445 (33%) did not have chest pain on presentation to the hospital. This group of MI patients was, on average, 7 years older than those with chest pain (74.2 vs 66.9 years), with a higher proportion of women (49.0% vs 38.0%) and patients with diabetes mellitus (32.6% vs 25. 4%) or prior heart failure (26.4% vs 12.3%). Also, MI patients without chest pain had a longer delay before hospital presentation (mean, 7.9 vs 5.3 hours), were less likely to be diagnosed as having confirmed MI at the time of admission (22.2% vs 50.3%), and were less likely to receive thrombolysis or primary angioplasty (25.3% vs 74.0%), aspirin (60.4% vs 84.5%), beta-blockers (28.0% vs 48.0%), or heparin (53.4% vs 83.2%). Myocardial infarction patients without chest pain had a 23.3% in-hospital mortality rate compared with 9.3% among patients with chest pain (adjusted odds ratio for mortality, 2. 21 95% confidence interval, 2.17-2.26).
Our results suggest that patients without chest pain on presentation represent a large segment of the MI population and are at increased risk for delays in seeking medical attention, less aggressive treatments, and in-hospital mortality. JAMA. 2000;283:3223-3229
Background
Young-onset cancer is a hallmark of many familial cancer syndromes, yet the implications of young-onset disease in predicting risk of pancreatic cancer among familial pancreatic cancer ...(FPC) kindred members remain unclear.
Methods
To understand the relationship between age at onset of pancreatic cancer and risk of pancreatic cancer in kindred members, we compared the observed incidence of pancreatic cancer in 9040 individuals from 1718 kindreds enrolled in the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry with that observed in the general US population (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for data stratified by familial vs sporadic cancer kindred membership, number of affected relatives, youngest age of onset among relatives, and smoking status. Competing risk survival analyses were performed to examine the risk of pancreatic cancer and risk of death from other causes according to youngest age of onset of pancreatic cancer in the family and the number of affected relatives.
Results
Risk of pancreatic cancer was elevated in both FPC kindred members (SIR = 6.79, 95% confidence interval CI = 4.54 to 9.75, P < .001) and sporadic pancreatic cancer (SPC) kindred members (SIR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.04 to 4.74, P = .04) compared with the general population. The presence of a young-onset patient (<50 years) in the family did not alter the risk for SPC kindred members (SIR = 2.74, 95% CI = 0.05 to 15.30, P = .59) compared with those without a young-onset case in the kindred (SIR = 2.36, 95% CI = 0.95 to 4.88, P = .06). However, risk was higher among members of FPC kindreds with a young-onset case in the kindred (SIR = 9.31, 95% CI = 3.42 to 20.28, P < .001) than those without a young-onset case in the kindred (SIR = 6.34, 95% CI = 4.02 to 9.51, P < .001). Competing risk survival analyses indicated that the lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer in FPC kindreds increased with decreasing age of onset in the kindred (hazard ratio = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.03 per year). However, youngest age of onset for pancreatic cancer in the kindred did not affect the risk among SPC kindred members.
Conclusions
Individuals with a family history of pancreatic cancer are at a statistically significantly increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Having a member of the family with a young-onset pancreatic cancer confers an added risk in FPC kindreds.
Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) are among the most frequent reasons for consultation in allergy departments, and are becoming more common due to increasing prevalence and case complexity.
To ...study the clinical characteristics, drugs involved, diagnostic methods, and temporal variation of DHRs in a large series of patients over a 6-year period.
We included all patients attending our department between 2005 and 2010. The diagnosis was performed by in vivo and/or in vitro tests (basophil activation test and specific immunoglobulin Ig E in serum and drug provocation testing DPT) when indicated.
We evaluated 4460 patients who reported 4994 episodes (mean SD of 1.13 0.36 range, 1-3 episodes per patient). Based on clinical history, 37% of the episodes were attributed to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 29.4% to beta-lactam antibiotics (BLs), 15% to non-BLs, and 18.4% to other drugs.Analysis of the 1683 patients (37.45%) finally confirmed as allergic showed the most frequent diagnosis to be hypersensitivity to multiple NSAIDs (47.29%), followed by immediate reactions to BLs (18.12%). There was an increase in reactions to non-BLs (from 21.2% to 31.9%; P < .03) over the study period, mainly due to an increase in allergy to quinolones (from 0.5% to 6.8%; P < .02); 44% of patients were diagnosed by clinical history, 14.6% by skin tests, 10.4% by in vitro tests, and 30.8% by DPT.
NSAIDs were the drugs most frequently involved in DHRs and the most common diagnosis was urticaria/angioedema with cross intolerance. Reactions to emerging drugs such as quinolone derivatives and radiocontrast media are becoming more common.
Cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation are central processes in ovulation. Knowledge gained from rodent and other mammalian models has revealed some of the molecular pathways associated with these ...processes. However, the equivalent pathways in humans have not been thoroughly studied and remain unidentified. Compact cumulus cells (CCs) from germinal vesicle cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from patients undergoing in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures. Expanded CCs from metaphase 2 COC were obtained from patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. Global transcriptome profiles of the samples were obtained using state-of-the-art RNA sequencing techniques. We identified 1746 differentially expressed (DE) genes between compact and expanded CCs. Most of these genes were involved in cellular growth and proliferation, cellular movement, cell cycle, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, extracellular matrix and steroidogenesis. Out of the DE genes, we found 89 long noncoding RNAs, of which 12 are encoded within introns of genes known to be involved in granulosa cell processes. This suggests that unique noncoding RNA transcripts may contribute to the regulation of cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation. Using global transcriptome sequencing, we were able to generate a library of genes regulated during cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation processes. Analysis of these genes allowed us to identify important new genes and noncoding RNAs potentially involved in COC maturation and cumulus expansion. These results may increase our understanding of the process of oocyte maturation and could ultimately improve the efficacy of IVM treatment.
Background
An increasing number of patients show immediate selective hypersensitivity reactions to clavulanic acid (CLV) and amoxicillin (AX), probably due to their increased prescription. The ...maintenance of this response should be established.
Objective
To assess that the immediate hypersensitivity selective response to AX or to CLV is maintained after repeated administration of penicillin G (PG)/penicillin V (PV) and AX.
Methods
Patients with proven immediate hypersensitivity to AX (Group A) or CLV (Group B) were included. Diagnosis was performed using skin tests with major and minor determinants of PG (PPL/MDM), AX and CLV and by drug provocation test (DPT) if required. Selectivity was established by confirming tolerance to PG/PV (Group A) and to PG/PV and AX (Group B). The maintenance of the selective response was verified by repeating DPT, 15 days after the initial investigation, with the same procedure.
Results
Of 51 patients, 78% belonged to Group A and 22% to Group B. Most had anaphylaxis. In Group A, 72% were skin test positive; 28% required DPT. In Group B, 63% were skin test positive; 37% required DPT. Only two AX‐selective cases developed positive responses after re‐provocation with PG/PV. No cases selective for CLV developed a positive response to PG, PV or AX.
Discussion
The selective response to AX appears consistent, and a response to penicillin determinants only develops in a minority of cases. For the case of CLV, the selective response appears not to be modified by exposure to penicillin determinants, meaning that patients with CLV allergy can take penicillin derivatives safely.
The integration of polymer, metal, and ceramic materials in hybrid structures represents a potential but underexplored alternative for biomedical applications. Here, we present a methodology for ...manufacturing a mechanically strong and durable hybrid overlap structure from a composite of green high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and hydroxyapatite (HA) compatibilized with HDPE‐g‐MAH joined to a substrate of Ti6Al4V alloy. This process involves laser structuring of micro‐scale grooves on the metal surface, followed by injection overmolding of the polymer composite. A hybrid overlap joint with strong interfacial anchoring was achieved, resulting in outstanding joining strength and fatigue life. This achievement holds significant promise for future biomedical applications.
Highlights
Joining of composite of HDPE–HA with Ti6Al4V alloy via injection overmolding
Laser texturing was effective in improving mechanical interlocking
A hybrid joint with high shear strength and fatigue life was developed
The hybrid joint is promising for biomedical applications
A method for manufacturing a hybrid structure of polyethylene‐hydroxyapatite composite and titanium alloy
Background
Surveillance of individuals at high risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and its precursors might lead to better outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence ...and outcomes of PDAC and high‐risk neoplastic precursor lesions among such patients participating in surveillance programmes.
Methods
A multicentre study was conducted through the International CAncer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) Consortium Registry to identify high‐risk individuals who had undergone pancreatic resection or progressed to advanced PDAC while under surveillance. High‐risk neoplastic precursor lesions were defined as: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) 3, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) with high‐grade dysplasia, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours at least 2 cm in diameter.
Results
Of 76 high‐risk individuals identified in 11 surveillance programmes, 71 had undergone surgery and five had been diagnosed with inoperable PDAC. Of the 71 patients who underwent resection, 32 (45 per cent) had PDAC or a high‐risk precursor (19 PDAC, 4 main‐duct IPMN, 4 branch‐duct IPMN, 5 PanIN‐3); the other 39 patients had lesions thought to be associated with a lower risk of neoplastic progression. Age at least 65 years, female sex, carriage of a gene mutation and location of a lesion in the head/uncinate region were associated with high‐risk precursor lesions or PDAC. The survival of high‐risk individuals with low‐risk neoplastic lesions did not differ from that in those with high‐risk precursor lesions. Survival was worse among patients with PDAC. There was no surgery‐related mortality.
Conclusion
A high proportion of high‐risk individuals who had surgical resection for screening‐ or surveillance‐detected pancreatic lesions had a high‐risk neoplastic precursor lesion or PDAC at the time of surgery. Survival was better in high‐risk individuals who had either low‐ or high‐risk neoplastic precursor lesions compared with that in patients who developed PDAC.
Antecedentes
Se podrían obtener mejores resultados con el seguimiento de individuos de alto riesgo para adenocarcinoma ductal pancreático (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) y lesiones precursoras. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia y los resultados del PDAC y de las lesiones precursoras de alto riesgo neoplásico en pacientes que participaron en programas de seguimiento.
Métodos
Se llevó a cabo un estudio multicéntrico a través del registro internacional del consorcio CAPS (Common Automotive Platform Standard) para identificar a las personas de alto riesgo que se habían sometido a una resección pancreática o habían progresado a PDAC avanzado mientras estaban en seguimiento. Se definieron como lesiones neoplásicas precursoras de alto riesgo la neoplasia intraepitelial pancreática de tipo 3 (PanIN‐3), la neoplasia papilar mucinosa intraductal (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia, IPMN) con displasia de alto grado y los tumores neuroendocrinos pancreáticos (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, PanNET) de ≥ 2 cm de diámetro.
Resultados
De 76 individuos con lesiones de alto riesgo identificados en 11 programas de seguimiento, 71 fueron tratados quirúrgicamente y 5 fueron diagnosticados de un PDAC inoperable. De las 71 resecciones, 32 (45%) tenían PDAC o una lesión precursora de alto riesgo (19 PDAC, 4 IPMN de conducto principal, 4 IPMN de rama secundaria y 5 PanIN‐3). Los otros 39 pacientes tenían lesiones que se consideraron asociadas con un menor riesgo de progresión neoplásica. La edad ≥ 65 años, el sexo femenino, el ser portador de una mutación genética y la localización de la lesión en la cabeza/proceso uncinado fueron factores asociados a las lesiones precursoras de alto riesgo o al PDAC. No hubo diferencias en la supervivencia de individuos de alto riesgo con lesiones neoplásicas de bajo riesgo frente a aquellos que presentaron lesiones precursoras de alto riesgo. La supervivencia fue peor en los pacientes con PDAC. No hubo mortalidad relacionada con la cirugía.
Conclusión
Un elevado porcentaje de individuos de alto riesgo que se sometieron a resección quirúrgica tras la detección de lesiones pancreáticas en el seguimiento tenían una lesión precursora neoplásica de alto riesgo o un PDAC. La supervivencia fue mejor en individuos de alto riesgo que tenían lesiones precursoras neoplásicas de bajo o alto riesgo en comparación con aquellos pacientes que habían desarrollado un PDAC.
During surveillance of high‐risk individuals for pancreatic cancer, a high proportion (45 per cent) of these individuals who undergo surgical resection for screening‐detected pancreatic lesions have high‐risk neoplastic lesions or pancreatic cancer. Survival was best, and similar, in high‐risk individuals with low‐risk neoplastic lesions and those with high‐risk lesions. Although all screening programmes carry the risk of overtreatment, the present results suggest that surveillance of high‐risk individuals leads to the treatment of an acceptable mix of lesions.
Internationally agreed protocols needed
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