Combinatorial Vacuum-Deposition of Wide Bandgap Perovskite Films and Solar Cells

The development of vacuum-deposited perovskite materials and devices is partially slowed down by the minor research effort in this direction, due to the high cost of the required research tools. But there is also another factor, thermal co-deposition in high vacuum involves the simultaneous sublimation of several precursors with an overall deposition rate in the range of few Å s−1 . This leads to a deposition time of hours with only a single set of process parameters per batch, hence to a long timeframe to optimize even a single perovskite composition. Here we report the combinatorial vacuum deposition of wide bandgap perovskites using 4 sources and a non-rotating sample holder. By using small pixel substrates, more than 100 solar cells can be produced with different perovskite absorbers in a single deposition run. The materials are characterized by spatially resolved methods, including optical, morphological, and structural techniques. By fine-tuning of the deposition rates, the gradient can be altered and the best-performing formulations in standard depositions with rotation can be reproduced. This is viewed as an approach that can serve as a basis to prototype other compositions, overcoming the current limitations of vacuum deposition as a research tool for perovskite films

Differences in the Active Endometrial Microbiota across Body Weight and Cancer in Humans and Mice

Obesity is a risk factor for endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether actively replicating microbiota in the endometrium differ between obese vs. lean and cancer vs. benign states. We performed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on endometrial tissues from lean and obese women with and without endometrial cancer, and lean and obese mice. Results displayed human endometrial microbiota clustered into three community types (R = 0.363, p = 0.001). Lactobacillus was dominant in community type 1 (C1) while community type 2 (C2) had high levels of Proteobacteria and more cancer samples when compared to C1 (p = 0.007) and C3 (p = 0.0002). A significant increase in the prevalence of the C2 community type was observed across body mass index and cancer (χ2 = 14.24, p = 0.0002). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus was lower in cancer samples (p = 0.0043), and an OTU with 100% similarity to Lactobacillus iners was enriched in control samples (p = 0.0029). Mouse endometrial microbiota also clustered into three community types (R = 0.419, p = 0.001) which were not influenced by obesity. In conclusion, obesity and cancer are associated with community type prevalence in the human endometrium, and Lactobacillus abundance is associated with normal uterine histologies in humans and mice

Methotrexate withdrawal at 6 vs 12 months in juvenile idiopathic arthritis in remission a randomized clinical trial

Context Novel therapies have improved the remission rate in chronic inflammatory disorders including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Therefore, strategies of tapering therapy and reliable parameters for detecting subclinical inflammation have now become challenging questions. Objectives To analyze whether longer methotrexate treatment during remission of JIA prevents flares after withdrawal of medication and whether specific biomarkers identify patients at risk for flares. Design, Setting, and Patients Prospective, open, multicenter, medicationwithdrawal randomized clinical trial including 364 patients (median age, 11.0 years) with JIA recruited in 61 centers from 29 countries between February 2005 and June 2006. Patients were included at first confirmation of clinical remission while continuing medication. At the time of therapy withdrawal, levels of the phagocyte activation marker myeloidrelated proteins 8 and 14 heterocomplex (MRP8/14) were determined. Intervention Patients were randomly assigned to continue with methotrexate therapy for either 6 months (group 1 [n=183]) or 12 months (group 2 [n=181]) after induction of disease remission. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome was relapse rate in the 2 treatment groups; secondary outcome was time to relapse. In a prespecified cohort analysis, the prognostic accuracy of MRP8/14 concentrations for the risk of flares was assessed. Results Intention-to-treat analysis of the primary outcome revealed relapse within 24 months after the inclusion into the study in 98 of 183 patients (relapse rate, 56.7%) in group 1 and 94 of 181 (55.6%) in group 2. The odds ratio for group 1 vs group 2 was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.82-1.27; P=.86). The median relapse-free interval after inclusion was 21.0 months in group 1 and 23.0 months in group 2. The hazard ratio for group 1 vs group 2 was 1.07 (95% CI, 0.82-1.41; P=.61). Median follow-up duration after inclusion was 34.2 and 34.3 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Levels of MRP8/14 during remission were significantly higher in patients who subsequently developed flares (median, 715 [IQR, 320-1110] ng/mL) compared with patients maintaining stable remission (400 [IQR, 220-800] ng/mL; P=.003). Low MRP8/14 levels indicated a low risk of flares within the next 3 months following the biomarker test (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62-0.90). Conclusions In patients with JIA in remission, a 12-month vs 6-month withdrawal of methotrexate did not reduce the relapse rate. Higher MRP8/14 concentrations were associated with risk of relapse after discontinuing methotrexate. Trial Registration isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN18186313.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Involvement of (pro)renin receptor in the glomerular filtration barrier

(Pro)renin receptor-bound prorenin not only causes the generation of angiotensin II via the nonproteolytic activation of prorenin, it also activates the receptor’s own intracellular signaling pathways independent of the generated angiotensin II. Within the kidneys, the (pro)renin receptor is not only present in the glomerular mesangium, it is also abundant in podocytes, which play an important role in the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier. Recent in vivo studies have demonstrated that the overexpression of the (pro)renin receptor to a degree similar to that observed in hypertensive rat kidneys leads to slowly progressive nephropathy with proteinuria. In addition, the handle region peptide, which acts as a decoy peptide and competitively inhibits the binding of prorenin to the receptor, is more beneficial than an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with regard to alleviating proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in experimental animal models of diabetes and essential hypertension. Thus, the (pro)renin receptor may be upregulated in podocytes under hypertensive conditions and may contribute to the breakdown of the glomerular filtration barrier

The prevalence of exposure to domestic violence and the factors associated with co-occurrence of psychological and physical violence exposure: a sample from primary care patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since many health problems are associated with abuse and neglect at all ages, domestic violence victims may be considered as a group of primary care patients in need of special attention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The aim of this multi-centre study was to assess the prevalence of domestic violence in primary care patients, and to identify those factors which influence the co-occurrence of psychological and physical violence exposure and their consequences (physical, sexual and reproductive and psychological) as obtained from medical records.</p> <p>A study was carried out in 28 family practices in Slovenia in 2009. Twenty-eight family physicians approached every fifth family practice attendee, regardless of gender, to be interviewed about their exposure to domestic violence and asked to specify the perpetrator and the frequency. Out of 840 patients asked, 829 individuals, 61.0% women (n = 506) and 39.0% men (n = 323) were assessed (98.7% response rate). They represented a randomised sample of general practice attendees, aged 18 years and above, who had visited their physician for health problems and who were given a physical examination. Visits for administrative purposes were excluded.</p> <p>Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with exposure to both psychological and physical violence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 829 patients, 15.3% reported some type of domestic violence experienced during the previous five years; 5.9% reported physical and 9.4% psychological violence; of these 19.2% of men and 80.8% of women had been exposed to psychological violence, while 22.4% of men and 77.6% of women had been exposed to physical violence. The domestic violence victims were mostly women (p < 0.001) aged up to 35 years (p = 0.001). Exposure to psychological violence was more prevalent than exposure to physical violence. Of the women, 20.0% were exposed to either type of violence, compared to 8.0% of male participants, who reported they were rarely exposed to physical violence, while women reported often or constant exposure to physical violence. Their partners were mostly the perpetrators of domestic violence towards women, while amongst men the perpetrators were mostly other family members.</p> <p>In univariate analysis female gender was shown to be a risk factor for domestic violence exposure. Regression modelling, explaining 40% of the variance, extracted two factors associated with psychological and physical violence exposure: the abuse of alcohol in the patient (OR 4.7; 95% CI 1.54-14.45) and their unemployment (OR 13.3; 95% CI 1.53-116.45).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As far as the study design permits, the identified factors associated with both psychological and physical violence exposure could serve as determinants to raise family physicians' awareness when exploring the prevalence of domestic violence. The results of previous research, showing at least 15% prevalence of exposure to domestic violence among primary care patients in Slovenia, and the female gender as a risk factor, were confirmed.</p

New Developments in Brief Interventions to Treat Problem Drinking in Nonspecialty Health Care Settings

The delivery of brief interventions (BIs) in health care settings to reduce problematic alcohol consumption is a key preventive strategy for public health. However, evidence of effectiveness beyond primary care is inconsistent. Patient populations and intervention components are heterogeneous. Also, evidence for successful implementation strategies is limited. In this article, recent literature is reviewed covering BI effectiveness for patient populations and subgroups, and design and implementation of BIs. Support is evident for short-term effectiveness in hospital settings, but long-term effects may be confounded by changes in control groups. Limited evidence suggests effectiveness with young patients not admitted as a consequence of alcohol, dependent patients, and binge drinkers. Influential BI components include high-quality change plans and provider characteristics. Health professionals endorse BI and feel confident in delivering it, but training and support initiatives continue to show no significant effects on uptake, prompting calls for systematic approaches to implementing BI in health care

The Role of Aldosterone Blockade in Patients with Heart Failure

The mechanisms associated with aldosterone production both systemically and locally as well as the effects of aldosterone blockade on the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) have been extensively reviewed in this series and elsewhere. This article will review the clinical evidence supporting the use of aldosterone blocking agents (AB)in patients with HF and speculate on some potential future uses.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45819/1/10741_2005_Article_2352.pd