Signature of adsorbed solvents for molecular electronics revealed via scanning tunneling microscopy

After evaporation of the organic solvents, benzene, toluene, and cyclohexane on gold substrates, Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) shows the presence of a remaining adsorbed layer. The different solvent molecules were individually observed at ambient conditions, and their electronic transport properties characterized through the STM in the Break Junction approach. The combination of both techniques reveals, on one hand, that solvents are not fully evaporated over the gold electrode and, secondly, characterize the electronic transport of the solvents in molecular electronics.This work was supported by the Spanish Government (MAT2016-78625-C2 and PID2019-109539 GB-C41) and the Generalitat Valenciana through PROMETEO/2017/139 and program CDEIGENT/2018/028

Inflammation and performance status:the cornerstones of prognosis in advanced cancer

Context: In advanced cancer, although performance status (PS), systemic inflammatory response and nutritional status are known to have prognostic value, geographical variations and sociodemographic indexes may also impact survival. Objectives: This study compares validated prognostic factors in two international cohorts and establishes a prognostic framework for treatment. Methods: Two international biobanks of patients (n=1.518) with advanced cancer were analyzed. Prognostic factors (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status [ECOG-PS], body mass index [BMI] and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score [mGPS]) were assessed. The relationship between these and survival was examined using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression methods. Results: According to multivariate analysis, in the European cohort the most highly predictive factors were BMI <20 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.644), BMI 20-21.9 kg/m2 (HR 1.347), ECOG-PS (HR 1.597–11.992) and mGPS (HR 1.843–2.365). In the Brazilian cohort, the most highly predictive factors were ECOG-PS (HR 1.678–8.938) and mGPS (HR 2.103–2.837). Considering gastrointestinal cancers in particular (n=551), the survival rate at 3 months in both cohorts together ranged from 93% (mGPS 0, PS 0–1) to 0% (mGPS 2, PS 4), and from 81% (mGPS 0, BMI >28 kg/m2) to 44% (mGPS 2, BMI <20 kg/m2). Conclusion: The established prognostic factors that were compared had similar prognostic capacity in both cohorts. A high ECOG-PS and a high mGPS as outlined in the ECOG-PS/mGPS framework were consistently associated with poorer survival of patients with advanced cancer in the prospective European and Brazilian cohorts

Determining Validity and Reliability of Caloric Expenditure Recorded by Wearable Technology While Walking and Running

With growing interest in tracking exercise progress, wearable technology is increasingly popular. While heart rate and step count are typically accurate for consumer-available devices, research from our laboratory indicates that caloric expenditure is not. PURPOSE: The current investigation aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of caloric expenditure in multiple wearable devices during a self-paced walk and run. METHODS: Ten participants were tested (5F, 5M, age = 26.9± 9.43 years, body mass = 72.64± 7.73 kg, height = 168.66± 9.37 cm). Participants were asked to wear 5 devices: 2 Garmin Instinct watches (one on each wrist), 2 Polar Vantage M2 watches, and a K5 portable metabolic analysis system (criterion measure). Data was collected from all devices while participants completed a 5-minute self-paced walk, followed by a 5-minute rest period, then a 5-minute self-paced run. Validity was evaluated using the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) with a threshold of below 10 percent and Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) with significance above 0.7. Reliability was evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Coefficient of Variation (CV). RESULTS: For validity, neither device met the predetermined threshold for MAPE or CCC (see results table for reference). For reliability, only the Polar device during the running condition returned consistent results for both measures. CONCLUSION: These results indicate neither brand of watch produced valid energy expenditure estimates. Reliability was also poor. This poses a challenge to people relying on wearable devices to keep an accurate, consistent log of caloric expenditure. Our research does not indicate that technology is keeping up with how rapidly it is being developed and sold to the public

The Validity of Bicep Located Heart Rate Monitors During Running

Running is a popular sport with 621 million people participating worldwide. Heart rate (HR) is a way to determine intensity but many people do not want to wear a HR strap around their chest because it is uncomfortable and can cause chaffing. An alternative location for determining HR could be the biceps but the validity of such devices need to be determined. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of the Polar OH 1 and Polar Verity biceps devices during self-paced running. METHODS: Wearing Polar OH1, Polar Verity, and Polar H10 (criterion) 5 female and 5 male participants were asked to perform running for 5 minutes up and down a 100 ft hallway. The average HR and maximal HR over the run was recorded in beats per minute (bpm). Validity was determined using mean absolute percent error (MAPE) and Lin\u27s concordance (CCC), with a threshold of less than 10% and greater than 0.70 respectively. The threshold for both was required to be met to be considered valid. RESULTS: Average HR returned from the devices was: Polar H10 = 154.6 (16.3) [mean (standard deviation)], Polar OH1 = 152.0 (16.2), and Polar Verity = 151.1 (16.5) bpm. The average HR MAPE for the Polar OH1 and the Polar Verity was 12.2% and 12.6%, respectively, and the CCC for each device was 0.94 and 0.90. Maximal HR returned from the devices was: Polar H10 = 174.2 (18.1), Polar OH1 = 171.8 (18.8), and Polar Verity = 167.2 (35.1) bpm. The maximal HR MAPE for the Polar OH1 and the Polar Verity was 1.3% and 4.2%, respectively. The CCC for each device was 0.93 and 0.43, respectively. CONCLUSION: We evaluated whether HR monitors located on the biceps could return accurate measures. Neither device met both thresholds when average HR was considered. Because the Polar OH 1 satisfied both thresholds for maximal HR, we conclude it to be the more accurate device for use during running. These results should be used with caution until further improvements in biceps located devices can be made to return valid measures for both average and maximal heart rate

Randomized double-blind clinical trial of a new human epoetin versus a commercially available formula for anemia control in patients on hemodialysis

OBJECTIVES: Anemia is a common complication among chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, occurring mostly due to erythropoietin deficiency. This randomized noninferiority trial sought to compare the efficacy and safety of a new epoetin formulation developed by Bio-Manguinhos, a biologics manufacturer affiliated with the Brazilian government, with those of a commercially available product currently used in Brazil (a biosimilar epoetin formulation). METHODS: The sample size needed to enable demonstration of noninferiority with a statistical power of 85% for a between-group difference in hemoglobin levels of no more than 1.5 g/dL was calculated. In total, 74 patients were randomly assigned to receive the epoetin formulation from Bio-Manguinhos (n = 36) or the biosimilar epoetin formulation (n = 38) in a double-blind fashion. The inclusion criteria were current epoetin therapy and stable hemoglobin levels for at least 3 months prior to the study. The primary and secondary outcomes were mean monthly hemoglobin levels and safety, respectively. The dose was calculated according to international criteria and adjusted monthly in both groups according to hemoglobin levels and at the assistant physicians' discretion. Iron storage was estimated at baseline and once monthly. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01184495. RESULTS: The study was conducted for 6 months after randomization. The mean baseline hemoglobin levels were 10.9±1.2 and 10.96±1.2 g/dL (p = 0.89) in the Bio-Manguinhos epoetin and biosimilar epoetin groups, respectively. During the study period, there was no significant change in hemoglobin levels in either group (p = 0.055, ANOVA). The epoetin from Bio-Manguinhos was slightly superior in the last 3 months of follow-up. The adverse event profiles of the two formulations were also similar. CONCLUSIONS: The epoetin formulations tested in this study are equivalent in efficacy and safety

Core-shell Fe@Fex_xOy_y nanoring system: A versatile platform for biomedical applications

Iron oxide (maghemite and magnetite) nanoparticles are the most commonly used magnetic materials in nanomedicine because of their high biocompatibility. However, their low saturation magnetization (60–90 emu/g) limits their applicability. Here, we report a new core–shell (Fe@Fe$_x$O$_y$) nanoring system, which combines the high magnetic saturation of a metallic iron core (220 emu/g) and the biocompatibility of an iron oxide shell. To produce these nanostructures, hematite (α-Fe$_2$O$_3$) nanorings were annealed in a H$_2$ gas atmosphere for different periods to optimize the amount of metallic iron percentage (δ) in the system. Thus, nanostructures with different magnetic saturation (97 to 178 emu/g) could be obtained; based on their metallic iron content, these particles are labeled as Vortex Iron oxide Particle δ (VIPδ). Micromagnetic simulations confirmed that the VIPδ nanorings exhibit a vortex configuration, guaranteeing low remanence and coercitivity. Moreover, the system shows good biocompatibility in various assays as determined through cell viability measurements performed using two different human cell lines, which were exposed to VIP78% for 24 h. Therefore, VIPδ nanorings combine a magnetic vortex state and biocompatibility with their high magnetic saturation and can thus serve as a platform that can be tuned during the synthesis based on desired biomedical application

Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfate Inhibits Plasmodium Falciparum Cytoadhesion And Merozoite Invasion.

Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (Pf-iEs) in the microvasculature of vital organs plays a key role in the pathogenesis of life-threatening malaria complications, such as cerebral malaria and malaria in pregnancy. This phenomenon is marked by the cytoadhesion of Pf-iEs to host receptors on the surfaces of endothelial cells, on noninfected erythrocytes, and in the placental trophoblast; therefore, these sites are potential targets for antiadhesion therapies. In this context, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including heparin, have shown the ability to inhibit Pf-iE cytoadherence and growth. Nevertheless, the use of heparin was discontinued due to serious side effects, such as bleeding. Other GAG-based therapies were hampered due to the potential risk of contamination with prions and viruses, as some GAGs are isolated from mammals. In this context, we investigated the effects and mechanism of action of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FucCS), a unique and highly sulfated GAG isolated from the sea cucumber, with respect to P. falciparum cytoadhesion and development. FucCS was effective in inhibiting the cytoadherence of Pf-iEs to human lung endothelial cells and placenta cryosections under static and flow conditions. Removal of the sulfated fucose branches of the FucCS structure virtually abolished the inhibitory effects of FucCS. Importantly, FucCS rapidly disrupted rosettes at high levels, and it was also able to block parasite development by interfering with merozoite invasion. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of FucCS as a candidate for adjunct therapy against severe malaria.581862-7

Association between circulating exhausted CD4+ T cells with poor meningococcal C conjugate vaccine antibody response in HIV-infected children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression levels of surface markers of activation (CD38 and HLA-DR), inhibition (PD-1, TIGIT and CD57) and co-stimulation (CD28 and CD127) on CD4+ T cells of children/adolescents with vertical HIV infection (HI patients) and HIV-uninfected (HU) controls vaccinated with the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MCC). METHODS: HI patients (n=12), aged 8–17 years, were immunized with two MCC injections, while HU controls (n=9), aged 5.3–10.7 years, received a single MCC dose (as per national recommendation at the time of this study, a single MCC vaccine dose should be given for healthy children and youth aged 1–18 years). The HI patients were categorized according to the combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) treatment. Blood samples were obtained before vaccination, after priming, and after the administration of a booster dose of vaccine to determine the serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titers and the expression levels of surface markers on CD4+ T cells by flow cytometry. The levels of serum cytokines, IL-4 and CXCL-13 were also measured using Luminex kits. RESULTS: The co-expression of the TIGIT-HLA-DR-CD38 molecules increased in the CD4+ T cells of HI patients/ no-cART who also showed a lower frequency of CD127+CD28+ CD4+ T cells than HI patients/cART and HU group subjects. There were significant negative correlations between the frequency of exhausted CD4+ T cells and the SBA response. IL-4 levels were higher in HI patients/cART and positively correlated with SBA titers but negatively associated with the expression of exhaustion markers. Moreover, the CXCL-13 levels were positively correlated with the exhausted CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that the co-expression of exhaustion markers and/or loss of co-stimulatory molecules influence the SBA response in HI patients

The HST/ACS Coma Cluster Survey. II. Data Description and Source Catalogs

The Coma cluster was the target of a HST-ACS Treasury program designed for deep imaging in the F475W and F814W passbands. Although our survey was interrupted by the ACS instrument failure in 2007, the partially completed survey still covers ~50% of the core high-density region in Coma. Observations were performed for 25 fields that extend over a wide range of cluster-centric radii (~1.75 Mpc) with a total coverage area of 274 arcmin^2. The majority of the fields are located near the core region of Coma (19/25 pointings) with six additional fields in the south-west region of the cluster. In this paper we present reprocessed images and SExtractor source catalogs for our survey fields, including a detailed description of the methodology used for object detection and photometry, the subtraction of bright galaxies to measure faint underlying objects, and the use of simulations to assess the photometric accuracy and completeness of our catalogs. We also use simulations to perform aperture corrections for the SExtractor Kron magnitudes based only on the measured source flux and half-light radius. We have performed photometry for ~73,000 unique objects; one-half of our detections are brighter than the 10-sigma point-source detection limit at F814W=25.8 mag (AB). The slight majority of objects (60%) are unresolved or only marginally resolved by ACS. We estimate that Coma members are 5-10% of all source detections, which consist of a large population of unresolved objects (primarily GCs but also UCDs) and a wide variety of extended galaxies from a cD galaxy to dwarf LSB galaxies. The red sequence of Coma member galaxies has a constant slope and dispersion across 9 magnitudes (-21<M_F814W<-13). The initial data release for the HST-ACS Coma Treasury program was made available to the public in 2008 August. The images and catalogs described in this study relate to our second data release.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJS. A high-resolution version is available at http://archdev.stsci.edu/pub/hlsp/coma/release2/PaperII.pd