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Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in males in the world. Plasma quantification of prostate-specific antigen substantially improved the early detection of prostate cancer, but still lacks the required specificity. Clinical management of prostate cancer needs advances in the development of new non-invasive biomarkers, ameliorating current diagnosis and prognosis and guiding therapeutic decisions. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. These miRNAs are expressed in the cells and are also present in cell-derived extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Exosomes have been shown to act as mediators for cell to cell communication because of the regulatory functions of their content. High levels of exosomes are found in several body fluids from cancer patients and could be a potential source of non-invasive biomarkers. In this review, we summarize the diagnostic and prognostic utility of exosomal miRNAs in prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric (Pb0.76Ca0.24)TiO3 thin films were prepared on platinized Si substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD). Two different synthetic strategies were adopted to optimize the functionality of the resulting perovskite films: (1) tailoring the schedule of the solution synthesis and (2) chemical selectivity of the calcium precursor. The choice of an appropriate synthetic procedure led to homogeneous sols constituted by a single distribution of particles, as revealed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Stronger polymeric structures in the sol network are believed to prevent atomic diffusion of metal cations during crystallization at higher temperatures, and perovskite films with a uniform compositional profile and without any detrimental interface with the electrode were measured by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). On the other hand, phase formation and microstructure of crystalline films were strongly affected by the calcium compound used, i.e. calcium acetate or calcium acetylacetonate. The single decomposition mechanism of the last one, with absence of intermediate carbonates, resulted in the prompt crystallization of the perovskite phase (375°C) and an enhanced grain-growth mechanism that led to dense films formed by larger grains. Consequently, the optimized ferroelectric (Pb0.76Ca0.24)TiO3 films showed superior electrical properties: maximum values of dielectric constant nearly doubled and a relative increase in the remanent polarization being ∼40% ( P r=23 µC/cm2). The potential application of these films in functional microelectronic devices is also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platinum compounds play a central role in cancer chemotherapy. Although treatment is limited by side effects, they continue to have widespread application. One of the main aims of clinical or translational research in cancer is the search for genetic factors that could foresee treatment outcomes, in biologic activity and toxic effects. This genetic analysis might allow selection of patients who will have the greatest benefit from chemotherapy. Furthermore, a better knowledge of the underlying molecular profile of the host and the tumor will facilitate screening for lung cancer susceptibility and tailoring of chemotherapy in individual patients, chosing those most likely to respond, adjusting doses more precisely in order to reduce less adverse effects, and establishing safety profiles based on individual genetic analyses. Herein, we discuss current knowledge regarding gene expression and polymorphisms of DNA repair enzymes in regard to cancer susceptibility and response to chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous thromoboembolism is one of the most common complications in cancer patients and may have serious consequences. At present, most clinical oncologists report using thromboprophylaxis in less than 5% of patients. One of the possible reasons for this limited use is the lack of oncology specific guidelines. In effect, while there are excellent guidelines for optimising the use of antithrombotic agents to prevent and treat thromboembolism, they must be adapted to the concrete context of cancer patients. The present review explores how different situations affect cancer patients and their risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), and evaluates the situations in which antithrombotic agents should be administered to treat and prevent VTE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latex-based colloidal crystals have been grown by electrophoretic deposition. The deposition has been assisted by hydrodynamic von Kármán-like flows, which lead to quantitative improvements. It has been studied the influence of applied voltage, deposition time and flow rate on the number of deposited layers and on the mean domain size. The samples were studied with microscopy and precision weight measurement. It has been found that there is a critical time after which the deposition mechanism changes, and the behavior of the system before and after this critical time is considered. The mean domain size and the deposition time were reduced to non-dimensional forms which show the collapse of the data for different applied voltages and flow rates into one curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solutions of calcium modified lead titanate with a nominal composition of ( Pb 0.5 Ca 0.5 ) TiO 3 have been synthesised by two synthetic sol-gel routes. The aging of the synthesised sols was followed by the variation with time of their particle size and of their viscosity. Films were prepared from the sols aged at different times. The thickness, crystalline structure and dielectric properties of these films were measured and the results were related with the synthesis procedure and with their aging behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-titanate gels and thin films modified with calcium, lanthanum or samarium have been prepared by chemical solution deposition (CSD) methods. Lead acetate, titanium di-isopropoxide bis-acetylacetonate and 1,3-propanediol were used for the synthesis of Pb-Ti-sols. Calcium, lanthanum or samarium were added to these sols as acetates or nitrates dissolved in water. The solutions were dried to obtain the gels or spin-coated onto platinised silicon substrates to obtain the films. Thermal decomposition of the gels was followed by means of simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential-thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) coupled with evolved gas analysis (EGA). Infrared (IR) analysis of the gels helped to identify the compounds formed during the thermal decomposition. Crystal structure and microstructure of the films were observed by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses indicated that the structure and microstructure of the modified-lead-titanate thin films are related to the thermal decompositions of the corresponding gels. It was inferred from these studies that the decomposition sequence is linked to the type of modifier, Ca, La or Sm, and to the precursor salt (acetate or nitrate) used for the incorporation of the modifier into the Pb-Ti-sol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description is made of a wet chemical method for obtaining ferroelectric thin films. The processing is based on a twofold synthetic scheme: the synthesis of a titanate gel from a sol-gel process and the rehydration of this gel during the incorporation into the system of other ions as water-soluble salts. The versability of this route has made possible preparation of modified elements. Physico-chemical properties of the solutions are studied as well as the reaction mechanisms that make possible the rehydration of the titanate gel. The solutions obtained are used for the deposition and crystallization of titanate based thin films. Crystallinity, microstructure and polarization-electrid field characteristics of the films are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium substituted lead titanate thin films have been prepared by a sol-gel method, deposited by spin-coating, and thermally treated so as to obtain a perovskite structure. Two types of thermal treatments were given, differing in the heating rate, which in conventional treatments was of some 10°C/min, and in rapid treatments >500°C/min. With rapid heating, materials are obtained in which greater polarizations are commuted and bias fields are smaller. This, together with the fact that additional (undesired) phases are not observed by X-ray diffractometry when rapid treatments are used, shows that these are to be preferred over conventional treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium substituted lead titanate thin films have been prepared by a sol-gel method, deposited by spin-coating, and thermally treated so as to obtain a perovskite structure. Two types of thermal treatments were given, differing in the heating rate, which in conventional treatments was of some 10°C/min, and in rapid treatments > 500°C/min. With rapid heating, materials are obtained in which greater polarizations are commuted and bias fields are smaller. This, together with the fact that additional (undesired) phases are not observed by X-ray diffractometry when rapid treatments are used, shows that these are to be preferred over conventional treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A description is made of a wet chemical method for obtaining ferroelectric thin films. The processing is based on a twofold synthetic scheme: the synthesis of a titanate gel from a sol-gel process and the rehydration of this gel during the incorporation into the system of other ions as water-soluble salts. The versatility of this route has made possible preparation of modified lead titanate precursor solutions. Alkaline earth ions or lanthanides such as Ca2+ or Sm3+, have been used as modifier elements. Physico-chemical properties of the solutions are studied as well as the reaction mechanisms that make possible the rehydration of the titanate gel. The solutions obtained are used for the deposition and crystallization of titanate based thin films. Crystallinity, microstructure and polarization-electrid field characteristics of the films are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sol-gel route is developed for the synthesis of samarium modified lead titanate precursor solutions. The solutions are used for the deposition of thin films. After thermal treatment of the films, two crystalline phases are observed by X-ray diffraction analysis: an undesirable pyrochlore phase and a ferroelectric perovskite. These two phases are clearly distinguished in the film microstructure, showing a fined grained fraction of pyrochlore and a-axis oriented rosette grains of perovskite. The development of these phases as well as the evolution of the perovskite/pyrochlore ratio in the films is related to the chemistry of the synthesized solutions and the thermal treatment used for crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sol-gel route is developed for the synthesis of samarium modified lead titanate precursor solutions. The solutions are used for the deposition of thin films. After thermal treatment of the films, two crystalline phases are observed by X-ray diffraction analysis: an undesirable pyrochlore phase and a ferroelectric perovskite. These two phases are clearly distinguished in the film microstructure, showing a fined grained fraction of pyrochlore and a-axis oriented rosette grains of perovskite. The development of these phases as well as the evolution of the perovskite/pyrochlore ratio in the films is related to the chemistry of the synthesized solutions and the thermal treatment used for crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Obese Subjects With Heart Failure Have Low IL-10 Plasma Levels," by M. Rivera and colleagues, is presented.

An abstract of the article "Soluble TNF-Alpha Receptor Type II Levels Are Elevated in Subjects With Heart Failure and Hypertension," by M. Rivera and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the study "Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-6 Receptors in the Urine of Heart Failure Patients. Their Relationship With Plasma Levels," by M. Rivera and colleagues is presented.