Vibrational properties of inclusion complexes: the case of indomethacin-cyclodextrin

Vibrational properties of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins are studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and numerical simulation. In particular, Raman spectra of the non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin undergo notable changes in the energy range between 1600 and 1700 cm$^{-1}$ when inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins are formed. By using both \emph{ab initio} quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics, we studied how to relate such changes to the geometry of the inclusion process, disentangling single-molecule effects, from changes in the solid state structure or dimerization processes.Comment: 14 file figure

Vertically-Aligned Functionalized Silicon Micropillars for 3D Culture of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Progenitors

Silicon is a promising material for tissue engineering since it allows to produce micropatterned scaffolding structures resembling biological tissues. Using specific fabrication methods, it is possible to build aligned 3D network-like structures. In the present study, we exploited vertically-aligned silicon micropillar arrays as culture systems for human iPSC-derived cortical progenitors. In particular, our aim was to mimic the radially-oriented cortical radial glia fibres that during embryonic development play key roles in controlling the expansion, radial migration and differentiation of cortical progenitors, which are, in turn, pivotal to the establishment of the correct multilayered cerebral cortex structure. Here we show that silicon vertical micropillar arrays efficiently promote expansion and stemness preservation of human cortical progenitors when compared to standard monolayer growth conditions. Furthermore, the vertically-oriented micropillars allow the radial migration distinctive of cortical progenitors in vivo. These results indicate that vertical silicon micropillar arrays can offer an optimal system for human cortical progenitors' growth and migration. Furthermore, similar structures present an attractive platform for cortical tissue engineering

Elastic, inelastic, and 1 n transfer cross sections for the 10 B + 120 Sn reaction

The 10 B + 120 Sn reaction has been investigated at E Lab = 37.5 MeV. The cross sections for different channels, such as the elastic scattering, the excitation of the 2 + and 3 − 120 Sn states, the excitation of the 1 + state of 10 B , and the 1 n pick-up transfer, have been measured. One-step distorted-wave Born approximation and coupled-reaction-channels calculations have been performed in the context of the double-folding São Paulo potential. The effect of coupling the inelastic and transfer states on the angular distributions is discussed in the paper. In general, the theoretical calculations within the coupled-reaction-channels formalism yield a satisfactory agreement with the corresponding experimental angular distributions.Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia-Física Nuclear e Aplicações de Brasil (INCT-FNA) 464898/2014-

Investigation of the reaction mechanisms for 10 B + 197 Au at near-barrier energies

The 10 B + 197 Au reaction has been investigated through cross-section measurements for different channels, such as quasielastic and elastic scattering, inelastic excitation of low-lying 197 Au states, and one-neutron pickup and one-proton stripping transfer reactions. Experimental angular distributions were obtained for 20 bombardment energies around the Coulomb barrier: 38 ≤ E l a b ≤ 61 MeV . Coupled reaction channels calculations have been performed in the context of the double-folding São Paulo potential, and details of the data analysis are discussed along the paper. In general, the theoretical calculations provide a satisfactory description of the data.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) 2018/09998-8 y 2017/05660-0,Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico de Brasil (CNPq) 407096/2017-5 y 306433/2017-6Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia: Física Nuclear de Brasil (INCT-FNA) 464898/2014-5Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España. PGC2018-096994-B-C21Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España, Fondo de Desarrollo Regional de la Unión Europea (FEDER) FIS2017-88410-PPrograma de investigación e innovación Horizonte 2020 de la Unión Europea.654002Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina (CONICET) PIP00786COFondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica de Argentina (FONCYT) PICT-2017-408

Fibroids not encroaching the endometrial cavity and IVF success rate : a prospective study

BACKGROUND The impact of fibroids, not encroaching the endometrial cavity, have on the rate of success of IVF is still controversial. Recent meta-analyses suggest a detrimental effect of intramural lesions but not subserosal lesions. However, they also emphasize the need for further evidence. In order to elucidate this, we designed a prospective cohort study to compare the rate of success of IVF in women with and without fibroids. METHODS Exposed women were those with asymptomatic intramural or subserosal fibroids with a diameter below 50 mm and who were selected for IVF. Unexposed women were those free of fibroids, who were matched to cases by age and number of previous IVF cycles. All recruited patients underwent hystero-sonography to rule out intra-cavitary lesions. RESULTS There were 119 cases and 119 controls recruited. The number of clinical pregnancies in women with and without fibroids was 28 (24%) and 22 (19%), respectively (P= 0.43). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for pregnancy in affected women was 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73-2.60]. The number of deliveries was 22 (18%) and 16 (13%), respectively (P= 0.38). The adjusted OR was 1.45 (95% CI: 0.71-2.94). Similar results emerged when focusing exclusively on women carrying intramural lesions (n= 80 couples). There was no significant relationship between clinical outcome and either the number or size of the fibroids. CONCLUSIONS In asymptomatic patients selected for IVF, small fibroids not encroaching the endometrial cavity did not impact on the rate of success of the procedure

Elastic scattering, inelastic excitation, and neutron transfer for Li 7 + Sn 120 at energies around the Coulomb barrier

Experimental angular distributions for the 7 Li + 120 Sn elastic and inelastic (projectile and target excitations) scattering, and for the neutron stripping reaction, have been obtained at E LAB = 20, 22, 24, and 26 MeV, covering an energy range around the Coulomb barrier ( V (LAB) B ≈ 21 . 4 MeV). Coupled channel and coupled reaction channel calculations were performed and both describe satisfactorily the experimental data sets. The 1 2 − state 7 Li inelastic excitation (using a rotational model), as well as the projectile coupling to the continuum ( α plus a tritium particle) play a fundamental role on the proper description of elastic, inelastic, and transfer channels. Couplings to the one-neutron stripping channel do not significantly affect the theoretical elastic scattering angular distributions. The spectroscopic amplitudes of the transfer channel were obtained through a shell model calculation. The theoretical angular distributions for the one-neutron stripping reaction agreed with the experimental data

Clinical features and outcomes of elderly hospitalised patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure or both

Background and objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) mutually increase the risk of being present in the same patient, especially if older. Whether or not this coexistence may be associated with a worse prognosis is debated. Therefore, employing data derived from the REPOSI register, we evaluated the clinical features and outcomes in a population of elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards and having COPD, HF or COPD + HF. Methods: We measured socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, severity and prevalence of comorbidities, clinical and laboratory features during hospitalization, mood disorders, functional independence, drug prescriptions and discharge destination. The primary study outcome was the risk of death. Results: We considered 2,343 elderly hospitalized patients (median age 81 years), of whom 1,154 (49%) had COPD, 813 (35%) HF, and 376 (16%) COPD + HF. Patients with COPD + HF had different characteristics than those with COPD or HF, such as a higher prevalence of previous hospitalizations, comorbidities (especially chronic kidney disease), higher respiratory rate at admission and number of prescribed drugs. Patients with COPD + HF (hazard ratio HR 1.74, 95% confidence intervals CI 1.16-2.61) and patients with dementia (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.06-2.90) had a higher risk of death at one year. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a higher mortality risk in the group of patients with COPD + HF for all causes (p = 0.010), respiratory causes (p = 0.006), cardiovascular causes (p = 0.046) and respiratory plus cardiovascular causes (p = 0.009). Conclusion: In this real-life cohort of hospitalized elderly patients, the coexistence of COPD and HF significantly worsened prognosis at one year. This finding may help to better define the care needs of this population

Prevention of congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes with 4.0 mg of folic acid : community-based randomized clinical trial in Italy and the Netherlands

Background: In 2010 a Cochrane review confirmed that folic acid (FA) supplementation prevents the first- and second-time occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). At present some evidence from observational studies supports the hypothesis that FA supplementation can reduce the risk of all congenital malformations (CMs) or the risk of a specific and selected group of them, namely cardiac defects and oral clefts. Furthermore, the effects on the prevention of prematurity, foetal growth retardation and pre-eclampsia are unclear.Although the most common recommendation is to take 0.4 mg/day, the problem of the most appropriate dose of FA is still open.The aim of this project is to assess the effect a higher dose of peri-conceptional FA supplementation on reducing the occurrence of all CMs. Other aims include the promotion of pre-conceptional counselling, comparing rates of selected CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age, abruptio placentae.Methods/Design: This project is a joint effort by research groups in Italy and the Netherlands. Women of childbearing age, who intend to become pregnant within 12 months are eligible for the studies. Women are randomly assigned to receive 4 mg of FA (treatment in study) or 0.4 mg of FA (referent treatment) daily. Information on pregnancy outcomes are derived from women-and-physician information.We foresee to analyze the data considering all the adverse outcomes of pregnancy taken together in a global end point (e.g.: CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age). A total of about 1,000 pregnancies need to be evaluated to detect an absolute reduction of the frequency of 8%. Since the sample size needed for studying outcomes separately is large, this project also promotes an international prospective meta-analysis.Discussion: The rationale of these randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is the hypothesis that a higher intake of FA is related to a higher risk reduction of NTDs, other CMs and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our hope is that these trials will act as catalysers, and lead to other large RCTs studying the effects of this supplementation on CMs and other infant and maternal outcomes.Trial registration: Italian trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01244347.Dutch trial: Dutch Trial Register ID: NTR3161