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The electrostatic interactions between cationic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations, G3, G4, and G6, with net anionic model biomembranes have been predicted by adopting an analytical model based on two dissimilar soft spheres. The influence of bilayer surface charge density, ionic strength, pH, temperature, membrane softness (modeled as changes in bilayer thickness), and d
Background: Surgical extraction of testicular spermatozoa is needed in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) who wish to become biological fathers. Based on available uncontrolled studies with unspecific patient selection, microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE), having a sperm retrieval rate (SRR) of 50%, is considered the most efficient sperm retrieval procedure. However, no rand
Active research on halide perovskites has given us a deep understanding of this family of materials and their potential for applications in advanced optoelectronic devices. One of the prominent outcomes is the use of perovskite materials for nonlinear optical applications. Two-photon absorption in perovskites, in particular their nanostructures, has been extensively studied and shows huge promise
Picosecond ultrasonics is a powerful tool for nanoscale metrology, giving access to dimensions and mechanical, thermal, and optical properties of nanomaterials. By monitoring the temporal evolution of the interaction of light with coherent acoustic phonons, also known as Brillouin oscillations, phonon lifetime and optical absorption can be measured. However, the extraction of these quantities can
The first European Vasculitis Society (EUVAS) meeting report was published in 2017. Herein, we report on developments in the past 5 years which were greatly influenced by the pandemic. The adaptability to engage virtually, at this critical time in society, embodies the importance of networks and underscores the role of global collaborations. We outline state-of-the-art webinar topics, updates on d
Fluctuations of thermodynamic observables, such as heat and work, contain relevant information on the underlying physical process. These fluctuations are however not taken into account in the traditional laws of thermodynamics. While the second law is extended to fluctuating systems by the celebrated fluctuation theorems, the first law is generally believed to hold even in the presence of fluctuat
Background: The Chronic Kidney Disease in children (CKiD) equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate eGFR = k × Ht / SCr (Ht = height in cm, SCr = serum creatinine in mg/dL), with fixed k = 0.413, has recently been optimized by introducing age/sex dependent k-values valid for young children up to young adults (the CKiD Under 25 years (CKiDU25) equation). Although the CKiD equation was designe
Objective: Ambient particle matter is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about associations between particles in occupational settings and risk of CVD. We investigated associations between occupational dust exposure and biomarkers of CVD, and potential recovery effects after vacation. Methods: Personal dust exposure measurements (respirable silica, respirable
OBJECTIVE: Digital self-management programs are increasingly used in the management of osteoarthritis (OA). Little is known about heterogeneous patterns in response to these programs. We describe weekly pain trajectories of people with knee or hip OA over up to 52-week participation in a digital self-management program.METHODS: Observational cohort study among participants enrolled between January
LRRK2-G2019S is one of the most common Parkinson’s disease (PD)-associated mutations and has been shown to alter microglial functionality. However, the impact of LRRK2-G2019S on transcriptional profile of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia-like cells (iMGLs) and how it corresponds to microglia in idiopathic PD brain is not known. Here we demonstrate that LRRK2-G2019S carrying iM
Introduction: The I-MOVE-COVID-19 and VEBIS hospital networks have been measuring COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in participating European countries since early 2021. Aim: We aimed to measure VE against PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in patients ≥20 years hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) from December 2021 to July 2022 (Omicron-dominant period). Methods: In both networks,
By replacing conventional gray cast iron (GI) with compacted graphite iron (CGI), automotive industry could keep up with stricter regulations on emissions and demands on higher engine performance. CGI has improved properties as to GI but is more difficult to machine. This study evaluates sustainable machining performance during finish face milling when using minimum quantity lubrication applied ve
Background: Season of birth has been associated with age at menarche. Maternal vitamin D levels in pregnancy may explain this effect. We investigated whether the season of first trimester or maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] levels were associated with pubertal timing in children. Methods: We conducted a follow-up study of 15 819 children born in 2000-03 from the Puberty Cohort, nested in t
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of an interactive web-based support system via mobile phone on preference-based patient participation in patients with hypertension treated in primary care (compared with standard hypertensive care only). DESIGN: A parallel group, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial, conducted October 2018-February 2021. Besides standard hypertensive care, the intervention
Background: Some endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC), are “obesogens” and have been associated with overweight and obesity in children. Daily exposure to different classes of EDCs demands for research with mixtures approach. Objectives: This study evaluates the association, considering sex-specific effects, between prenatal exposure to EDC mixture and children's body fat at seven years of age. Me
This review addresses outstanding questions regarding initial pharmacological management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Optimizing initial treatment improves clinical outcomes in symptomatic patients, including those with low exacerbation risk. Long-acting muscarinic antagonist/long-acting β2-agonist (LAMA/LABA) dual therapy improves lung function versus LAMA or LABA monotherapy,
Most migratory birds return every year to the same breeding sites and some species show a similarly high fidelity to wintering grounds as well. Fidelity to stopover sites during migration has been much less studied and is usually found to be lower. Here, we investigate site fidelity and distance to previously visited sites throughout the annual cycle in the common cuckoo, a nocturnal trans-Saharan
Herein is reported an efficient catalytic system for the direct synthesis of styrene carbonate from styrene and CO2. The preparation and characterization of the catalyst using FTIR, TEM, EDX, XPS, and PXRD is presented. The catalyst comprised of nano-silver modified polyoxometalates (Agx/POM) and n-tetra butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) was employed in the oxidative carboxylation of styrene with CO2
Finding a wear resistant coating for cemented carbide cutting tools in the machining of difficult to cut Ti alloys is a challenge due to their high strength and chemical reactivity. Tool manufacturers recommend physical vapor deposited (PVD) TixAl1-xN (x = 0.4–0.7), and an extra NbN overlayer has shown promising potential. This study explores wear mechanisms of PVD Ti0.45Al0.55N with and without N
