Organization of Block Copolymers using NanoImprint Lithography: Comparison of Theory and Experiments

We present NanoImprint lithography experiments and modeling of thin films of block copolymers (BCP). The NanoImprint lithography is used to align perpendicularly lamellar phases, over distances much larger than the natural lamellar periodicity. The modeling relies on self-consistent field calculations done in two- and three-dimensions. We get a good agreement with the NanoImprint lithography setups. We find that, at thermodynamical equilibrium, the ordered BCP lamellae are much better aligned than when the films are deposited on uniform planar surfaces

Avaliação in vitro do potencial antifúngico de sais imidazólicos frente a Candida albicans

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the antifungal potential of imidazolium salts (IS) against Candida albicans. Material and methods: Antifungal evaluation of the IS was performed using the disk diffusion test, using a strain of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). Five different IS were synthesized and tested in the present study: 1,8-bis(methylimidazolium-1-yl) octane bromide (MImC8MImBr2), 1,12-bis(methylimidazolium-1-yl) dodecane methanesulfonate (MImC12MIm(MeS)2), 1-n-hexadecyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride (C16DMImCl), 1,10-bis(methylimidazolium-1-yl) decane methanesulfonate (MImC10MIm(MeS)2) e 1,10-bis(methylimidazolium-1-yl) decane bromide (MImC10MImBr2). Cetylpyridinium chloride (C16PyrCl) was used as a reference substance. Chlorhexidine (C34H54Cl2N10O14) and saline (NaCl 0,9%) solutions were positive and negative controls, respectively. Results: Among the tested IS, MImC12MIm(MeS)2, MImC10MIm(MeS)2 and MImC10MImBr2 showed the following values for inhibition halos: 28,00 mm, 20,50 mm and 18,75 mm, respectively. These values were similar or superior than those found for the positive control (14.87 mm) and reference (0 mm) substances. Discussion: IS can be a promising alternative to antifungal conventional therapies, as exemplified in previous studies. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to assess the antifungal potential of these compounds against Candida-mixed biofilms. Conclusion: Based on these results, there are three in vitro promising antifungal potential against Candida albicans IS tested in this study.Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial antifúngico de um conjunto de sais imidazólicos (SI) frente a Candida albicans. Materiais e métodos: A avaliação antifúngica dos SI foi realizada por meio do teste de difusão em ágar, utilizando uma cepa de Candida albicans (ATCC 90028). Cinco diferentes SI foram sintetizados e testados no presente estudo: brometo de 1,8-bis(metilimidazólio-1-il) octano (MImC8MImBr2), metanossulfonato de 1,12-bis(metilimidazólio-1-il) dodecano (MImC12MIm(MeS)2), cloreto de 1-n-hexadecil-2,3-dimetilimidazólio (C16DMImCl), metanossulfonato de 1,10-bis(metilimidazólio-1-il) decano (MImC10MIm(MeS)2) e brometo de 1,10-bis(metilimidazólio-1-il) decano (MImC10MImBr2). O cloreto de cetilpiridíneo (C16PyrCl) foi utilizado como composto de referência e as soluções de digluconato de clorexidina (C34H54Cl2N10O14) e salina (NaCl 0,9%) foram utilizadas como controles positivo e negativo, respectivamente. Resultados: Dentre os SI testados, MImC12MIm(MeS)2, MImC10MIm(MeS)2 e MImC10MImBr2 apresentaram os seguintes valores para os halos de inibição formados: 28,00 mm, 20,50 mm e 18,75 mm, respectivamente. Esses valores foram similares ou superiores inclusive aos encontrados para o controle positivo (14,87 mm) e o composto de referência (0 mm). Discussão: Os SI podem apresentar uma alternativa promissora às terapias com antifúngicos convencionais, concordando com estudos prévios. Entretanto, mais estudos in vitro e in vivo são necessários para avaliar o potencial antifúngico destes compostos frente a biofilmes multiespécies de C. albicans. Conclusão: Baseado nestes resultados, três dos SI testados apresentam atividade antifúngica in vitro promissora frente à Candida albicans

Heart rate variability changes at 2400 m altitude predicts acute mountain sickness on further ascent at 3000-4300 m altitudes

Objective: If the body fails to acclimatize at high altitude, acute mountain sickness (AMS) may result. For the early detection of AMS, changes in cardiac autonomic function measured by heart rate variability (HRV) may be more sensitive than clinical symptoms alone. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if the changes in HRV during ascent are related to AMS. Methods: We followed Lake Louise Score (LLS), arterial oxygen saturation at rest (R-SpO(2)) and exercise (Ex-SpO(2)) and HRV parameters daily in 36 different healthy climbers ascending from 2400 m to 6300 m altitudes during five different expeditions. Results: After an ascent to 2400 m, root mean square successive differences, high-frequency power (HF2 min) of HRV were 17-51% and Ex-SpO(2) was 3% lower in those climbers who suffered from AMS at 3000 to 4300 m than in those only developing AMS later (>= 5000 m) or not at all (all p <0.01). At the altitude of 2400 m RMSSD2 minPeer reviewe

Submicron Structures Technology and Research

Contains reports on thirteen research projects.Joint Services Electronics Program (Contract DAAG29-83-K-0003)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-79-C-0908)National Science Foundation (Contract ECS82-05701)U.S. Department of Energy (Contract DE-ACO2-82-ER-13019)Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (Contract 2069209)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Contract NGL-22-009-638)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-84-K-0073)National Science Foundation (Grant ECS80-17705)National Science Foundation (Grant ENG79-09980

Echocardiography does not predict mortality in hemodynamically stable elderly patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND The evidence on the prognostic value of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in elderly, hemodynamically stable patients with Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is limited. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of common echocardiographic signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and their prognostic impact in hemodynamically stable patients aged ≥65years with acute PE in a prospective multicenter cohort. METHODS TTE was performed by cardiologists. We defined RV dysfunction as a RV/left ventricular ratio >0.9 or RV hypokinesis (primary definition) or the presence of ≥1 or ≥2 of 6 predefined echocardiographic signs (secondary definitions). Outcomes were overall mortality and mortality/non-fatal recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) at 30days, adjusting for the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index risk score and highly sensitive troponin T values. RESULTS Of 400 patients, 36% had RV dysfunction based on our primary definition, and 81% (≥1 sign) and 53% (≥2 signs) based on our secondary definitions, respectively. Using our primary definition, there was no association between RV dysfunction and mortality (adjusted HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.31-2.58) and mortality/non-fatal VTE (adjusted HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.40-2.98). Similarly, there was no statistically significant association between the presence of ≥1 or ≥2 echocardiographic signs (secondary definitions) and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION The prevalence of echocardiographic RV dysfunction varied widely depending upon the definition used. There was no association between RV dysfunction and clinical outcomes. Thus, TTE may not be suitable as a stand-alone risk assessment tool in elderly patients with acute PE. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION http://clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT00973596

Early inhaled budesonide for the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

BACKGROUND Systemic glucocorticoids reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia among extremely preterm infants, but they may compromise brain development. The effects of inhaled glucocorticoids on outcomes in these infants are unclear. METHODS We randomly assigned 863 infants (gestational age, 23 weeks 0 days to 27 weeks 6 days) to early (within 24 hours after birth) inhaled budesonide or placebo until they no longer required oxygen and positive-pressure support or until they reached a postmenstrual age of 32 weeks 0 days. The primary outcome was death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, confirmed by means of standardized oxygen-saturation monitoring, at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks. RESULTS A total of 175 of 437 infants assigned to budesonide for whom adequate data were available (40.0%), as compared with 194 of 419 infants assigned to placebo for whom adequate data were available (46.3%), died or had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.00; P = 0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was 27.8% in the budesonide group versus 38.0% in the placebo group (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.91; P = 0.004); death occurred in 16.9% and 13.6% of the patients, respectively (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.91 to 1.69; P = 0.17). The proportion of infants who required surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus was lower in the budesonide group than in the placebo group (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.83; P = 0.004), as was the proportion of infants who required reintubation (relative risk, stratified according to gestational age, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.96; P = 0.03). Rates of other neonatal illnesses and adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among extremely preterm infants, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was lower among those who received early inhaled budesonide than among those who received placebo, but the advantage may have been gained at the expense of increased mortality