Search

Katy E Trinkley,1– 4 Michael G Kahn,5 Larry A Allen,2,4 Heather Haugen,6 Miranda E Kroehl,7 Chen-Tan Lin,2,3 Daniel C Malone,8 Daniel D Matlock2,4,9 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA; 2Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; 3Clinical Informatics, University of Colorado Health, Aurora, CO, USA; 4Adult and Child Consortium for Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, Aurora, CO, USA; 5Section of Informatics and Data Science, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA; 6University of Colorado, Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI), Aurora, CO, USA; 7Charter Communications Corporation, Greenwood Village, CO, USA; 8Department of Pharmacotherapy, University of Utah Skaggs College of Pharmacy, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 9VA Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, CO, USACorrespondence: Katy E TrinkleyUniversity of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 E Montview Blvd., Mail Stop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USATel +1-303-724-6563Fax +1-303-724-0979Email katy.trinkley@cuanschutz.eduIntroduction: Consideration of patient preferences for guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) may help improve major gaps in prescribing and adherence. This study aimed to identify the range and relative priority of factors influencing patients’ decisions to take HFrEF medications.Materials and Methods: This was a convergent mixed methods study of patients with HFrEF. Focus groups were conducted to identify a list of factors followed by individuals rating and ranking the influence of each factor on their decision to take a medication. Using thematic analysis, we summarized preferences into categories.Results: Two focus groups with 13 participants reported 22 factors. Of the factors, “keeping you alive” was most commonly ranked in the top three (seven participants), followed by “communication and understanding” (six participants). Factors were summarized into six categories (listed in order of patient-reported influence): 1) demonstrated improvements in quality of life and longevity, 2) decreased risk of hospitalization, 3) opportunity for shared decision-making and trust in provider, 4) absence of adverse events, 5) affordability, and 6) convenience of taking and absence of interference with daily life.Conclusion: Patients prioritize treatment benefits and being informed more than risks, cost and inconvenience of taking HFrEF medications.Keywords: heart failure, treatment preferences, medication preferences, patient preferences

Aim: To introduce a methodology designed to simultaneously visualize dental ultrastructures, including cellular and soft tissue components, by utilizing phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a contrast‐enhancement agent. Methodology: Sound third molars were collected from healthy human adults and fixed in 4% buffered paraformaldehyde. To evaluate the impact of PTA in concentrations of 0.3%, 0.7% and 1% on dental soft and hard tissues for CT imaging, cementum and dentine‐pulp sections were cut, dehydrated and stained with immersion periods of 12, 24 h, 2 days or 5 days. The samples were scanned in a high‐resolution nano‐CT device using pixel sizes down to 0.5 µm to examine both the cementum and pulpal regions. Results: Dental cementum and periodontium as well as odontoblasts and predentine were made visible through PTA staining in high‐resolution three‐dimensional nano‐CT scans. Different segments of the tooth required different staining protocols. The thickness of the cementum could be computed over the length of the tooth once it was made visible by the PTA‐enhanced contrast, and the attached soft tissue components of the interior of the tooth could be shown on the dentine‐pulp interface in greater detail. Three‐dimensional illustrations allowed a histology‐like visualization of the sections in all orientations with a single scan and easy sample preparation. The segmentation of the sigmoidal dentinal tubules and the surrounding dentine allowed a three‐dimensional investigation and quantitative of the dentine composition, such as the tubular lumen or the ratio of the tubular lumen area to the dentinal surface. Conclusion: The staining protocol made it possible to visualize hard tissues along with cellular layers and soft tissues in teeth using a laboratory‐based nano‐CT technique. The protocol depended on both tissue type and size. This methodology offers enhanced possibilities for the concomitant visualization of soft and hard dental tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To introduce a new method to select anatomically matched teeth using micro‐computed tomographic (micro‐CT) technology. Methodology: Single‐rooted mandibular incisors with a single root canal (n = 60) were selected and distributed into three experimental groups according to the method used for matching 10 pairs of teeth in each group. In group 1, the pairs of mandibular incisors were randomly selected from a pool of teeth. In group 2, teeth were paired based on the measurement of canal width 5 mm from the root apex using radiographs taken from buccolingual and mesiodistal directions. In group 3, teeth were scanned (pixel size of 14.25 μm) and pair‐matched based on the anatomical aspects of the root canal, named aspect ratio (AR), volume and three‐dimensional canal geometry. After allocating the specimens into groups 1 and 2, the teeth were scanned and the canal morphology evaluated as in group 3. A bivariate Pearson's regression analysis was performed correlating the individual AR values of each pair, and the correlation coefficient was used to estimate the strength of the pair‐matching process. One‐way anovapost hoc Tukey's tests were applied for pairwise comparisons at a significance level of 5%. Results: The micro‐CT revealed that 100% of the samples had strong (80%) or very strong (20%) correlations with respect to AR values. Analysis of the radiographic method revealed strong correlation in two pairs (20%), but most of the samples had weak (30%) or negligible (30%) correlation coefficients. The randomization method resulted in three pairs (30%) with very strong correlations, whilst 50% had weak or negligible rates. A significant difference in correlation coefficients was observed in the micro‐CT method compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), whilst no difference was detected between radiographic and randomized methods (P > 0.05). Eta‐squared (η2) calculations demonstrated a very high effect size in the micro‐CT group for selecting pairs (0.99) and lower effect sizes in the radiographic (0.67) and randomized (0.66) groups. Conclusions: Use of Micro‐CT was able to provide better control of the confounding effect that anatomical variances in tooth morphology may have on the results in experiments with matched‐pair design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ablation of single-crystalline (100) indium phosphide wafer surfaces with single 10 fs Ti:sapphire laser pulses in air has been studied by means of complementary cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, scanning force microscopy, and optical microscopy. A local protrusion of ∼70 nm height is generated within the ablation craters for fluences exceeding 0.78 J/cm2. This morphological feature has been studied in detail, revealing the material structure of the laser-affected zone and its spatial extent. The resolidified layer (60–200 nm thick) consists of polycrystalline grains (5–15 nm diameter) and is covered by an ∼10 nm thick amorphous top layer. Interestingly, the sharp boundary of the solidified layer to the unaffected crystal underneath exhibits a Gaussian-like shape and does not follow the shape of the surface topography. Evidence is presented that the central crater protrusion is formed by near-surface optical breakdown, and that the absorption in the material transiently changes during the femtosecond-laser pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed the micro- and nanostructures of silicon after irradiation by ∼150 fs duration pulses centered at 800 nm wavelength. Specimens irradiated with a single pulse of 11 J/cm2 fluence and with five pulses, each with a fluence of 1.3 J/cm2, exhibited various structures which included amorphous phases. The amorphous phases were pure silicon, as was revealed by high-resolution TEM imaging, nanobeam diffraction patterns, high-angle annular dark-field images, conventional diffraction images, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectra. Irradiation with a single pulse of 1.5 J/cm2 produced neither amorphous material nor lattice defects. Single-pulse irradiation at a fluence of 33 J/cm2 and irradiation by four pulses at 11 J/cm2 led to substantial subsurface damage around the center of the laser spot. It is concluded that multiple-pulse irradiation produces crystallographic damage more readily than a single pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy to study the damage induced below the surface of indium phosphide (InP) samples by single and multiple femtosecond laser pulses with a photon energy lower than the InP band gap. Single-pulse irradiation creates a ∼100 nm deep crater with a resolidified surface layer consisting of quasiamorphous indium phosphide. The resolidified layer has a thickness of ∼60 nm at the center and extends laterally beyond the edge of the crater rim. Exposure to multiple femtosecond pulses of 2050 nm center wavelength results in the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) with two different periods, one (∼1730 nm) less than but close to the laser wavelength and one (∼470 nm) four times smaller. Segregation beneath both types of ripples leads to the formation of In-rich particles embedded in the resolidified surface layer. Extended defects are detected only below the center of the multiple-pulse crater and their distribution appears to be correlated with the LIPSS modulation. Finally, LIPSS formation is discussed in terms of the observed subsurface microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study that demonstrated the application of the elastic recoil detection technique utilizing heavy ions for the analysis of semiconductor samples. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study.

Describes a study which measured the visible photoluminescence from a disordered silicon-carbon interface layer created by helium ion implantation in carbon coated silicon. Transmission electron micrographs of silicon samples; Composition of surface region; Relationship of organic compounds and photoluminescence.

Background and Objective: Melatonin deficiency has been associated with obesity and systemic inflammation. This study aims to evaluate whether melatonin could interfere with the mechanisms of co‐morbidity linking obesity and periodontitis. Material and Methods: Twenty‐eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided in 4 groups: control group (Con) (fed with standard diet); high‐fat diet group (HFD) (fed with a diet containing 35.2% fat); Con group with induced periodontitis (Con‐Perio) and HFD group with induced periodontitis (HFD‐Perio). To induce periodontitis, the method of oral gavages with Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC W83K1 and Fusobacterium nucleatum DMSZ 20482 was used. Circulating melatonin levels were analyzed by multiplex immunoassays. Periodontitis was assessed by alveolar bone loss (micro‐computed tomography and histology) and by surrogate inflammatory outcomes (periodontal pocket depth, modified gingival index and plaque dental index). Results: Plasma melatonin levels were significantly decreased (P < .05) in the obese rats with periodontitis when compared with controls or with either obese or periodontitis rats. Alveolar bone loss increased 27.71% (2.28 µm) in HFD‐Perio group compared with the Con group. The histological analysis showed marked periodontal tissue destruction with osteoclast activity, particularly in the HFD‐Perio group. A significant negative correlation (P < .05) was found between periodontal pocket depth, modified gingival index and circulating melatonin levels. Conclusion: Obese and periodontitis demonstrated significantly lower melatonin concentrations when compared with controls, but in obese rats with periodontitis these concentrations were even significantly lower when compared with either periodontitis or obese rats. These results may indicate that melatonin deficiency could be a key mechanism explaining the co‐morbidity effect in the association between obesity and periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To use micro‐CT technology and metrology software to validate the use of contralateral premolars as samples in endodontic comparison studies by comparing them before and after canal instrumentation with one instrumentation system. Furthermore, to determine whether contralateral premolar roots (CPRs) will yield non‐significantly different outcomes regarding shaping ability (volume), degree of twisting and three‐dimensional shape changes. The null‐hypothesis (H0) is that there are no differences between the CPRs pre‐ or post‐instrumentation. Methodology: Twenty‐eight extracted human contralateral premolars (n = 44 contralateral roots) from 12 donor patients were scanned with microcomputed tomography before and after instrumentation. Root canal lengths (RCLs) were measured visually using a dental‐operating microscope, electronic apex locator and micro‐CT scans. Data were analysed statistically for differences between pre‐ and post‐instrumentation. Results: Instrumentation increased the volume of the canals significantly (P < 0.05). Degree of twisting for a majority (83%) of the contralateral roots pairs did not change significantly (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the shape deviation analysis between contralateral pairs. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) for RCL between the contralateral pairs for any of the three endometric methods. Conclusion: Contralateral premolar root canals were associated with similar changes in terms of volume, three‐dimensional shape and degree of twisting from pre‐ to post‐instrumentation. There was no difference between the CPR pairs pre‐ and post‐instrumentation, and the study validates contralateral premolars as samples for root canal comparison studies. The null‐hypothesis (H0) could not be rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In many parts of the world, people access consumer goods mainly via informal economic networks. In this article, I analyse the governance of petty commodity chains through a case study of Chinese fashion jewellery produced for the Ghanaian market. ‘Petty commodity chains’ denotes a particular type of global value chain, where production, trade, and distribution are carried out by small, unregistered businesses, between which personalized relationships and informal infrastructure enable transactions. These chains are neither controlled by lead firms at the production or distribution ends, nor made up of pure market linkages. Weak formal institutions and an intensely competitive commercial environment encourage business actors to establish enduring relationships. Credit relations run through long stretches of the chain and create mutual dependencies. The concept of ‘beholden value chains’ is introduced to describe the co‐dependency between business actors and the coordination of activities in petty commodity chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental technology programmes of study must prepare students to practice in a broad range of contemporary workplaces. Currently, there is limited evidence to benchmark dental technology education - locally, nationally or internationally. This research aims to improve consistency, transparency and portability of dental technology qualifications across three countries. Data were accessed from open-source curriculum documents and five calibrated assessment items. Three institutions collaborated with Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; and Griffith University, Australia. From these, 29-44 students completed 174 assessments. The curricula reflect the community needs of each country and display common themes that underpin professional dental technology practice. Assessment results differed between institutions but no more than a normal distribution. Face-to-face assessment moderation was critical to achieve consistency. This collaborative research has led to the development of a set of guidelines for other dental technology education providers interested in developing or aligning courses internationally to enhance the portability of qualifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to develop new biocomposites based on gelatin (Gel) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) reinforced with graphene oxide (GO). On the one hand, the model is designed with consideration of the high performance of the aforementioned biopolymers as biomaterials; on the other hand, the original component of the system, GO, is expected to improve structural stability and boost mechanical strength. Porous Gel–PVA/GO materials with GO content ranging from 0.5 to 3 wt% are obtained by freeze-drying. Structural analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the ability of well-dispersed GO nanosheets to form interactions with the polymers, leading to a unique molecular structuration. 3D analysis by X-ray microtomography (microCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests that GO has an influence on pore adjustment. According to mechanical tests, GO undoubtedly exhibits a beneficial effect on the polymer resistance against compressive stress, improving their compressive strengths by 97–100% with the addition of 0.5–3 wt% GO. Moreover, biological assessment using the MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast murine cell line indicated the fabrication of a cytocompatible composite formula, with potential for further in vivo testing and tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to function as an effective member of a dental care team is a highly desirable - frequently mandated - attribute of dental technology (DT) graduates. Currently, there is little rigorous examination of how the learning of team-working skills might best be structured in a DT curriculum. This research compares DT curricula, and students' attitudes and perceptions regarding collaboration in practice, from four countries. Students (n = 376) were invited to complete an education profile questionnaire, and the standardised measure - the shared learning scale. There were 196 (52%) responses. Students given opportunities to engage with others had better perceptions of inter-professional learning (IPL). Most believed that team-work and collaborative skills were best acquired by learning together with other dental care professionals, preferably sharing cases for real patients. Curricula should maximise opportunities for dental technology students to experience authentic IPL. Collaboration and team-work needs to be embedded through the whole undergraduate programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TiO2 scaffold (SC) coated with an alginate hydrogel containing a proline-rich peptide (P2) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Peptide release was evaluated and a burst release was observed during the first hours of incubation, and then progressively released overtime. No changes were observed in the cytotoxicity after 48 h of seeding MC3T3-E1 cells on the coated and uncoated TiO2 SC. The amount of cells after 7 days was higher on uncoated TiO2 SC than on alginate-coated TiO2 SC, measured by DNA content and scanning electron microscope imaging. In addition, while lower expression of integrin beta1 was detected for alginate-coated TiO2 SC at this time point, similar gene expression was observed for other integrins, fibronectin-1, and several osteoblast differentiation markers. After 21 days, gene expression of integrin beta3, fibronectin-1, osterix, and collagen-I was increased in alginate-coated compared to TiO2 SC. Moreover, increased gene expression of integrin alpha8, bone morphogenetic protein 2, interleukin-6, and collagen-I was found on P2 alginate-coated TiO2 SC compared to alginate-coated TiO2 SC. In conclusion, our results indicate that alginate-coated TiO2 SC can act as a matrix for delivery of proline-rich peptides increasing osteoblast differentiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep laser holes were drilled in copper sheets using various pulse lengths and environments. By recording the intensity on a photodiode placed under the sample while drilling the holes, we obtained the number of pulses to drill through the sheet as a function of pulse length and energy. The entrance diameter of the holes was successfully predicted using a Gaussian approximation and a material removal fluence threshold of 0.39 J/cm2 for a pulse length of 150 fs. From cross sections of the holes, the morphology of the inside walls was observed and shows an increase in the amount of molten material with pulse length. A transition pulse length is defined as the point at which the laser affected material goes from being mainly vaporized to mainly melted. This transition occurs near ∼10 ps, which corresponds approximately to the electron–phonon relaxation time for copper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted using 2 ruminally and duodenally fistulated steers to determine the digestibility of undegradable intake protein (UIP) of smooth bromegrass (Bromis inermis), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus coniculatus L.), and heat-treated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) using the mobile nylon bag technique. Undegradable intake protein was determined using neutral detergent insoluble CP at a single in situ incubation time point based on 75% of the total mean retention time estimated from IVDMD plus a 10-h passage lag. In Exp. 1, UIP (% DM) of smooth bromegrass in June and July were 1.82 and 1.71, respectively (P = 0.11). Undegradable intake protein (% DM) of birdsfoot trefoil increased from 1.30 in June to 1.94 in July (P < 0.01). Total tract indigestible protein of smooth brome- grass and birdsfoot trefoil increased in July (P < 0.05). Digestibility of UIP decreased in July for smooth brome-grass (P < 0.01) but tended to increase for birdsfoot trefoil (P = 0.07). In Exp. 2, alfalfa from plots fertilized with low (66 kg of N/ha) or high (200 kg of N/ha) amounts of N were dried to simulate 3 preservation methods: dehydrated (100°C, 10 h), sun-cured (50°C, 15 h), and lyophilized (-50°C, 72 h) alfalfa. Undegradable intake protein (% DM) was estimated as in Exp. 1 and was 3.13, 2.10, and 1.84 for dehydrated, sun-cured, and lyophilized alfalfa, respectively. Total tract indigestible protein (% DM) was increased (P < 0.05) for dehydrated alfalfa (1.66) compared with sun-cured (1.54) or lyophilized (1.57) alfalfa. As a result of greater UIP flow to the lower tract, digestibility (%) of UIP was greater (P <0.01) for dehydrated (46.4) than for sun-cured (25.6) or lyophilized (14.7) alfalfa. Heat-treated alfalfa samples increased net UIP absorption in the lower tract because 1.47, 0.56, and 0.27 percentage units of UIP (% DM) of dehydrated, sun-cured, and lyophilized alfalfa, respectively, disappeared. Overall, the digestibility of the UIP of these forages was low in the lower tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) at a single in situ incubation time point to estimate the undegradable intake protein (UIP) in forages as well as to compare rates of NDIN degradation. Forage samples in Exp. 1 comprised diet samples collected from range and meadow pastures monthly from May through September. In Exp. 2, clipped samples of alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, kura clover, and smooth bromegrass, and diet samples of the mixed legume-grass and smooth bromegrass were evaluated. Forage samples were incubated in situ for their mean retention time (MRT) estimated from IVDMD plus a 10-h passage lag to yield the total MRT (TMRT). Samples were also incubated for 0 h, 10 h, 75% TMRT, and 96 h. Undegradable intake protein was measured at 75% TMRT and TMRT, and calculated using fractional rates of degradation and passage with a 10-h passage lag. Rates of ruminal NDIN degradation were calculated using the slope of the regression of the natural logarithm of the potentially degradable NDIN remaining (96-h undegradable fraction subtracted) against time. The estimated UIP values obtained using 75% TMRT were highly correlated with those obtained using fractional rates of degradation and passage plus accounting for a 10-h passage lag in Exp. 1 (R2 = 0.95) and Exp. 2 (R2 = 0.98). Rates of NDIN degradation of range and meadow samples in Exp. 1 were slower (P < 0.05) from 0 to 10 h in May and June compared with rates from 10 h to 75% TMRT, but rates of degradation were not different (P = 0.34 to 0.71) for the rest of the collection periods. Rates of degradation were not different from 0 to 10 h and 10 h to 75% TMRT in Exp. 2 for diet (P = 0.82) or clipped samples (P = 0.86). The UIP of the forages in these experiments was accurately estimated using NDIN at a single in situ incubation time point equivalent to 75% of the TMRT, and rates of protein degradation can be obtained at this time point when 0- and 96-h incubations are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MuCell® injection molding technology which takes supercritical carbon dioxide as blowing agent was used as processing method to generate porous samples made of thermoplastic polyether-urethane. The influence of processing parameters on the morphology of the porous structures was examined by mercury intrusion porometry and image analysis. An increase in injection speed and content of CO2 in the polymer melt decreased pore sizes whereas an increase in the percentage of weight reduction increased pore sizes. Polyether-urethane samples with porosities of 70% and pore sizes from 184 to 1102 μm were observed. Interconnective pore sizes ranged from 40 to 275 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To assess the validity and reliability of a hand-held indirect calorimeter. DESIGN:: Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured on two separate mornings. SUBJECTS:: A heterogeneous sample of 41 healthy adults. MEASUREMENTS:: RMR using both a metabolic cart (Sensormedics 2900, SM-2900) and a hand-held indirect calorimeter (BodyGem™, BG). RESULTS:: There were no trial-to-trial differences in RMR measured by the BG (6756±163 vs 6697±163?kJ/day) or the SM-2900 (6400±163 vs 6396±167?kJ/day). RMR measured by the BG was significantly higher than that measured by the SM-2900 during both trials. In a sample of 10 subjects, the energy cost of holding the BG in position was determined to be (0.17±0.04?kJ/min, or 255±84?kJ/day). After applying this adjustment, the differences between systems were no longer significant during trial 1 (mean difference=101±67?kJ/day) or trial 2 (46±75?kJ/day). In overweight and obese individuals, RMR measured by the BodyGem™was more accurate than that estimated by the Harris-Benedict equations. CONCLUSION:: The BodyGem™provides valid and reliable measurements of RMR. The BodyGem™produces significantly higher values than the Sensor Medics 2900 indirect calorimeter, with the increase largely due to an increased energy demand required to hold the BG in position.International Journal of Obesity (2004) 28, 1479-1484. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802643 Published online 24 August 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides insights into the molecular basis of trinucleotide repeat instability in humans. Correlation between the rate of allele expansion and disease size range; Formation of DNA structures during replication; Relationship between maternal transmission of CAG nucleotide tract and repeat contraction.