Silicon resonant microcantilevers for absolute pressure measurement

This work is focused on the developing of silicon resonant microcantilevers for the measurement of the absolute pressure. The microcantilevers have been fabricated with a two-mask bulk micromachining process. The variation in resonance response of microcantilevers was investigated as a function of pressure 10−1-105 Pa, both in terms of resonance frequency and quality factor. A theoretical description of the resonating microstructure is given according to different molecular and viscous regimes. Also a brief discussion on the different quality factors contributions is presented. Theoretical and experimental data show a very satisfying agreement. The microstructure behavior demonstrates a certain sensitivity over a six decade range and the potential evolution of an absolute pressure sensor working in the same rang

Seasonal variation of anti-PD-1 outcome in melanoma—Results from a Dutch patient cohort

Despite the improved survival rates of patients with advanced stage melanoma since the introduction of ICIs, many patients do not have (long-term) benefit from these treatments. There is evidence that the exposome, an accumulation of host-extrinsic factors including environmental influences, could impact ICI response. Recently, a survival benefit was observed in patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma living in Denmark who initiated immunotherapy in summer as compared to winter. As the Netherlands lies in close geographical proximity to Denmark and has comparable seasonal differences, a Dutch validation cohort was established using data from our nationwide melanoma registry. In this study, we did not observe a similar seasonal difference in overall survival and are therefore unable to confirm the Danish findings. Validation of either the Dutch or Danish findings in (combined) patient cohorts from other countries would be necessary to determine whether this host-extrinsic factor influences the response to ICI-treatment. Analysis and support of clinical decision makin

Detailed Dietary Assessment in Patients with Inoperable Tumors:Potential Deficits for Nutrition Care Plans

Advanced cancer often results in reduced dietary intake; however, data on actual intake at the time of diagnosis are limited. In the present study, a detailed dietary intake assessment was performed in patients with metastatic lung and upper gastrointestinal cancer, before initiation of systemic therapy. Basic demographics and performance status (PS) were recorded. Nutritional status was evaluated through anthropometry, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and 3 nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls. Of the 84 patients enrolled, 61.4% were protein, energy, or protein-energy undernourished, regardless of body mass index (BMI) or MNA category. No differences in energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients intakes across BMI categories were recorded. Very low consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), irrespective of energy intake, tumor site, BMI category, or PS was found. Suboptimal micronutrients intakes were recorded even in well-nourished and overweight/obese patients. Patients with adequate PS and better MNA score reported significantly higher intake of certain macro- and micronutrients (all P < 0.05). Most patients exhibited reduced dietary intake in terms of energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient. Very low EPA and DHA intake was recorded for the whole sample, whereas micronutrient suboptimal intakes were also prevalent in well-nourished or overweight patients. All the above should be taken into account during patients' nutritional care

Exploiting the knowledge shared among the members of a virtual community: collaborative innovation processes in a global automotive company

The rising of Web 2.0 technologies is changing the traditional way companies search and interact on the web, enabling open knowledge sharing processes and collaborative innovation. This paper describes a methodology to consolidate a collaborative Innovation approach based on exploitation of knowledge shared on the web and active participation of customers within new product development process. We tested the methodology in a case of a global automotive company that has enhanced its new product development process by launching a forum and creating a virtual customers community. The research has been articulated into three main steps: 1) identification of the main areas of analysis: New Product Development Strategies and Collaborative Innovation Tools; 2) data collection through the observation of the Company’s forum and forum/blogs launched by other firms; questionnaires and face-to-face meetings with a manager in charge of new product development; 3) application of a web text mining model (Yin, et al., 2007) to extract relevant data from the information exchanged on the company’s forum. The preliminary results indicate that the ideas exchanged by customers on the company’s forum could be used in the phase of “New Ideas Generation” and “Product Concept Design”. The next step of this research is to implement the web text mining tool within the Company’s platform for relational marketing, in order to explore the links among the emerging ideas and recognize lead users

Reduction of the clinical severity of sickle cell/beta-thalassemia with hydroxyurea: The experience of a single center in Greece

The use of hydroxyurea for the prevention of sickle cell crises in patients with homozygous HbS disease is now well established. The beneficial effects of this compound stem from (a) selective enrichment of red cells containing an increased amount of fetal hemoglobin, which inhibits HbS polymerization, and (b) a decrease of leukocytes, platelets, and reticulocytes, which significantly limits their adherence to the vascular wall. We report the results of a clinical trial of hydroxyurea on 55 Greek-origin patients with sickle cell/beta -thalassemia and 14 patients with homozygous HbS disease who have been treated with hydroxyurea for several years. Such patients have a higher probability to benefit from hydroxyurea therapy, since in addition to its antisickling effect, the increase of gamma -chain synthesis is expected to diminish the deleterious effects of the unbound alpha -globin chains. Selection of patients and monitoring throughout the whole trial were done by the same clinicians. Quantitative expression of the clinical condition was done using a system scoring several outcome parameters. For a period of 52 months prior to starting treatment, the total score of severity for 59 evaluable patients was 1182 points (3068 patient-weeks), while for the 12,018 patient-weeks of the trial this parameter fell to only 82 points. Other observations of interest include the significant improvement of a group of patients with hepatic cholestasis, the development of leg ulcers possibly related to the treatment, and the dramatic increase of hemoglobin F, often in association with an increase of the total hemoglobin levels as a result of decreased hemolysis. (C) 2000 Academic Press

Circulating and liver tissue levels of retinol-binding protein-4 in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Aim: Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) has been proposed as a new adipokine that regulates insulin action in muscles and the liver, and contributes to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. As non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to insulin resistance, we aimed to evaluate RBP4 levels in the serum and liver of patients with NAFLD. Methods: Serum RBP4 was measured in 30 NAFLD patients and 30 matched healthy controls. RBP4 expression in the liver of NAFLD patients was shown by immunohistochemistry. Results: Serum RPB4 was significantly lower in NAFLD patients compared with controls (25.15 vs 34.66 μg/mL, P &lt; 0.001) and therewas no correlation with metabolic parameters or insulin resistance. RBP4 liver tissue immunostaining was more extensive and intense in NAFLD liver compared with normal liver and the RBP4 immunohistochemical score was positively correlated with the grade of steatosis, grade of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis activity and stage of fibrosis. Conclusions: In NAFLD patients, serum RBP4 was significantly lower as compared with controls and did not correlate with insulin resistance. In contrast, RBP4 liver tissue expression was enhanced and correlated with NAFLD histology. © 2009 The Japan Society of Hepatology

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor in HCV genotype-1 patients who develop Peg-IFN-α2b related severe neutropenia: A preliminary report on treatment, safety and efficacy

Dose reductions of Peg-IFNa because of severe neutropenia may affect the virologic response in patients with hepatitis C infection (HCV). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used occasionally but studies addressing its safety and efficacy in the current treatment of HCV infection are missing. The database of 232 naïve patients with HCV genotype-1 who received PEG-IFNα2b 1.5 mcg/kg/week plus Ribavirin 800-1,400 mg/day and completed the treatment was examined. Nineteen patients who exhibited significant neutropenia and received 150-300 μg G-CSF (Group A) with 19 matched control patients who had dose reductions of Peg-IFNα according to the standard recommendations (Group B) were examined. None of the patients had treatment modifications due to thrombocytopenia or anemia. The mean decline of the neutrophils was similar in groups A and B (1,760 ± 1,030/mm 3 at 11 ± 8.6 weeks and 1,630 ± 890 at 12.3 ± 6.1, respectively). Nadir neutrophil values were also not statistically different. Patients who received G-CSF two before IFNα, maintained neutrophils between 1,400/mm3 and 2,700/mm3 and remained on G-CSF for 29 weeks (2-40). Virologic response at the end of treatment was observed in 12/19 (63%) patients and at 6 months follow-up in 6/19 (32%) in group A as compared to 9/19 (47%) and 4/19 (21%) in group B, respectively. No side effects related to G-CSF were encountered. Administration of G-CSF 2 days before Peg-IFNα is safe, maintains sustained neutrophil count, improves adherence to treatment and seems to increase the virologic response in patients infected with HCV genotype 1 who develop Peg-IFN-α2b related severe neutropenia. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc