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Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-wso-10.1177_1747493021995595 for Inflammatory cytokines, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and risk of one-year vascular events, death, and poor functional outcome after stroke and transient ischemic attack byS Coveney S Murphy, O Belton, T Cassidy, M Crowe, E Dolan, M de Gaetano, J Harbison G Horgan, M Marnane, JJ McCabe, A Merwick, I Noone, D Williams and PJ Kelly in International Journal of Stroke

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-2-wso-10.1177_1747493021995595 for Inflammatory cytokines, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and risk of one-year vascular events, death, and poor functional outcome after stroke and transient ischemic attack byS Coveney S Murphy, O Belton, T Cassidy, M Crowe, E Dolan, M de Gaetano, J Harbison G Horgan, M Marnane, JJ McCabe, A Merwick, I Noone, D Williams and PJ Kelly in International Journal of Stroke

Background The prevalence of ex vivo 'high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR)' and its relationship with recurrent vascular events/outcomes in patients with ischaemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for completed manuscripts until May 2019 on TIA/ischaemic stroke patients, >= 18 years, treated with commonly-prescribed antiplatelet therapy, who had platelet function/reactivity testing and prospective follow-up data on recurrent stroke/TIA, myocardial infarction, vascular death or other cerebrovascular outcomes. Data were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Primary outcome was the composite risk of recurrent stroke/TIA, myocardial infarction or vascular death. Secondary outcomes were recurrent stroke/TIA, severe stroke (NIHSS > 16) or disability/impairment (modified Rankin scale >= 3) during follow-up. Results Antiplatelet-HTPR prevalence was 3-65% with aspirin, 8-56% with clopidogrel and 1.8-35% with aspirin-clopidogrel therapy. Twenty studies (4989 patients) were included in our meta-analysis. There was a higher risk of the composite primary outcome (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.90-4.51) and recurrent ischaemic stroke/TIA (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.51-3.91) in patients with vs. those without 'antiplatelet-HTPR' on any antiplatelet regimen. These risks were also more than twofold higher in patients with vs. those without 'aspirin-HTPR' and 'dual antiplatelet-HTPR', respectively. Clopidogrel-HTPR status did not significantly predict outcomes, but the number of eligible studies was small. The risk of severe stroke was higher in those with vs. without antiplatelet-HTPR (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.00-7.01). Discussion Antiplatelet-HTPR may predict risks of recurrent vascular events/outcomes in CVD patients. Given the heterogeneity between studies, further prospective, multi-centre studies are warranted.

Charles M Cobb,1 Patricia J Kelly,2 Karen B Williams,3 Shilpa Babbar,4 Mubashir Angolkar,5 Richard J Derman6 1Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, 2Department of Public Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Health Studies, 3Department of Biomedical & Health Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, 4Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health, Division of Maternal & Fetal Medicine, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, MO, USA; 5Department of Public Health, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), KLE University, Karnataka, India; 6Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA Abstract: Significant evidence supports an association between periodontal pathogenic bacteria and preterm birth and preeclampsia. The virulence properties assigned to specific oral pathogenic bacteria, for example, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor alocis, Campylobacter rectus, and others, render them as potential collaborators in adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Several pathways have been suggested for this association: 1) hematogenous spread (bacteremia) of periodontal pathogens; 2) hematogenous spread of multiple mediators of inflammation that are generated by the host and/or fetal immune response to pathogenic bacteria; and 3) the possibility of oral microbial pathogen transmission, with subsequent colonization, in the vaginal microbiome resulting from sexual practices. As periodontal disease is, for the most part, preventable, the medical and dental public health communities can address intervention strategies to control oral inflammatory disease, lessen the systemic inflammatory burden, and ultimately reduce the potential for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This article reviews the oral, vaginal, and placental microbiomes, considers their potential impact on preterm labor, and the future research needed to confirm or refute this relationship. Keywords: periodontal disease, preterm labor, oral microbiome, vaginal microbiome, bacteria, pregnancy, infant, premature birth, low birth weight

Background and Purpose- Plaque inflammation contributes to stroke and coronary events. F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) identifies plaque inflammation-related metabolism. Almost no prospective data exist on the relationship of carotid F-18-FDG uptake and early recurrent stroke. Methods- We did a multicenter prospective cohort study BIOVASC (Biomarkers/Imaging Vulnerable Atherosclerosis in Symptomatic Carotid disease) of patients with carotid stenosis and recent stroke/transient ischemic attack with 90-day follow-up. On coregistered carotid F-18-FDG PET/computed tomography angiography, F-18-FDG uptake was expressed as maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the axial single hottest slice. We then conducted a systematic review of similar studies and pooled unpublished individual-patient data with 2 highly similar independent studies (Dublin and Barcelona). We analyzed the association of SUVmax with all recurrent nonprocedural stroke (before and after PET) and with recurrent stroke after PET only. Results- In BIOVASC (n=109, 14 recurrent strokes), after adjustment (for age, sex, stenosis severity, antiplatelets, statins, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking), the hazard ratio for recurrent stroke per 1 g/mL SUVmax was 2.2 (CI, 1.1-4.5; P=0.025). Findings were consistent in the independent Dublin (n=52, hazard ratio, 2.2; CI, 1.1-4.3) and Barcelona studies (n=35, hazard ratio, 2.8; CI, 0.98-5.5). In the pooled cohort (n=196), 37 recurrent strokes occurred (29 before and 8 after PET). Plaque SUVmax was higher in patients with all recurrence (P

© The Author(s) 2017. 3D printing technology provides a unique platform for rapid prototyping of numerous applications due to its ability to produce low cost 3D printed platforms. Herein, a graphene-based polylactic acid filament (graphene/PLA) has been 3D printed to fabricate a range of 3D disc electrode (3DE) configurations using a conventional RepRap fused deposition moulding (FDM) 3D printer, which requires no further modification/ex-situ curing step. To provide proof-of-concept, these 3D printed electrode architectures are characterised both electrochemically and physicochemically and are advantageously applied as freestanding anodes within Li-ion batteries and as solid-state supercapacitors. These freestanding anodes neglect the requirement for a current collector, thus offering a simplistic and cheaper alternative to traditional Li-ion based setups. Additionally, the ability of these devices' to electrochemically produce hydrogen via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as an alternative to currently utilised platinum based electrodes (with in electrolysers) is also performed. The 3DE demonstrates an unexpectedly high catalytic activity towards the HER (-0.46 V vs. SCE) upon the 1000th cycle, such potential is the closest observed to the desired value of platinum at (-0.25 V vs. SCE). We subsequently suggest that 3D printing of graphene-based conductive filaments allows for the simple fabrication of energy storage devices with bespoke and conceptual designs to be realised.

WeinheimNegative and positive ions generated in an atmospheric-pressure DBD with double dielectrics were identified and their relative intensities characterized with variation of water vapor concentration in the discharge, gas residence time, and inter-electrode spacing. The most abundant negative ions were O−, OH−, CN−, CNO−, NO−2H2O, and NO−2 while the positive ions were dominated by N+, CH+2, N+2, CO+, HCO+, N2H+, O2+, H+(H2O)n, CNO+, and CN2O+. Increasing the water concentration in the discharge led to an increase in the intensity of H+(H2O)n, CNO+, and its hydrated clusters, while the intensity of all carbon containing species decreased. Increasing the residence time of the species in the plasma region decreased the concentration of O−, OH−, and NO−2, while the concentration of NO−3 increased. Changing the inter-electrodes spacing did not have any effect on the formation of ionic species in the discharge.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore beliefs about tobacco dependence treatment from the perspective of staff and clients in addiction treatment settings. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted between August and November 2013 using grounded theory methodology. Participants were recruited from four government-funded drug and alcohol services in a regional centre of New South Wales, Australia. Treatment centre staff (n = 10) were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide and two focus groups (n = 5 and n = 6) were held with clients of the same treatment centres. RESULTS: Both clients and staff wish to do more about tobacco use in addiction treatment services, but a number of barriers were identified. Staff barriers included lack of time, tobacco-permissive organisational culture, lack of enforcement of smoke-free policies, beliefs that tobacco is not a treatment priority for clients and that clients need to smoke as a coping strategy, and perceptions that treatment was either ineffective or not used by clients. Clients reported smoking as a habit and for enjoyment or stress relief, seeing staff smoking, nicotine replacement therapy unaffordability and perceptions that nicotine replacement therapy may be addictive, and inability to relate to telephone cessation counselling as barriers to quitting smoking. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Client and staff perceptions and attitudes about the treatment of tobacco, particularly those relating telephone support and nicotine replacement therapy, provided information, which will inform the design of smoking cessation programs for addiction treatment populations. [Wilson AJ, Bonevski B., Dunlop A., Shakeshaft A, Tzelepis F., Walsberger S., Farrell M., Kelly PJ, Guillaumier A. 'The lesser of two evils': A qualitative study of staff and client experiences and beliefs about addressing tobacco in addiction treatment settings. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015].

(Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal, 1998, 29(3): 108-110)

Although coronary artery reoperations are now well established, there is limited information concerning factors predisposing to further recurrent angina after a successful second bypass operation. We have retrospectively evaluated the late (10-year) results, and identified predictors associated with poor long-term outcome, of fifty-seven consecutive patients, mean age 54.8 (SD = 9.7) years, range 43 to 67 years, reoperated on for recurrent angina (RA) between January 1980 and May 1988. Twenty-four factors possibly influencing the probability of further recurrence of angina (FRA) were evaluated, comparing operative survivors who developed FRA with those who remained symptom-free during a complete follow-up study period ranging from 35 to 134 months. Reoperative mortality was 8.7% [95% confidence limits (95% CL) 6.7 to 11%]. Survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier) revealed 94% at 3 (95% CL +/- 7%), 90% at 5 (95% CL +/- 8%) and 83% at 10 years (95% CL +/- 12%). Probability of freedom from FRA was 88%, 73%, and 56% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Using univariate analysis, female sex (p < 0.05), time between 1st operation and RA (p < 0.005), family history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (p < 0.01), obesity (p < 0.001), time between 1st and 2nd operation (p < 0.001), and the non-use of internal mammary artery at reoperation (p < 0.0001) were associated with increased incidence of FRA. Independent risk-factors, by multivariate analysis (Cox's proportional hazards), were: family history of IHD (p = 0.006), triple-vessel disease (p = 0.024), obesity (p = 0.052), and time interval-between 1st and 2nd operation (p = 0.046). We conclude that reoperative surgery results in satisfactory long-term survival and angina-free interval. Patients with a short time interval between reoperations, family history of IHD, obesity, triple-vessel disease, and non-use of internal mammary artery at reoperation are at higher risk of developing further recurrent angina, and, therefore, more likely to require a subsequent revascularisation procedure.

Sera collected from apparently healthy 6-12-month-old cats (n = 31) presented to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Veterinary Clinic in Bloemfontein for neutering were tested for antibodies reactive to Bartonella henselae (Houston-1 strain) by indirect fluorescent antibody testing. Whole blood collected from the cats was used in isolation experiments and subsequent identification of Bartonella species was based on comparison of the nucleotide base sequence of polymerase chain reaction-amplified citrate synthase gene fragments. While none of the cats had antibodies reactive with B. henselae at titres 1/64, an organism with a partial citrate synthase gene sequence identical to that of B. henselae (Houston-1) was isolated from 1 cat.

Background and Purpose— Although experimental data suggest that statin therapy may improve neurological outcome after acute cerebral ischemia, the results from clinical studies are conflicting. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the relationship between statin therapy and outcome after ischemic stroke. Methods— The primary analysis investigated statin therapy at stroke onset (prestroke statin use) and good functional outcome (modified Rankin score 0 to 2) and death. Secondary analyses included the following: (1) acute poststroke statin therapy (≤72 hours after stroke), and (2) thrombolysis-treated patients. Results— The primary analysis included 113 148 subjects (27 studies). Among observational studies, statin treatment at stroke onset was associated with good functional outcome at 90 days (pooled odds ratio [OR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29–1.56; P P =0.31), and with reduced fatality at 90 days (pooled OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62–0.82; P P =0.01). In the single randomized controlled trial reporting 90-day functional outcome, statin treatment was associated with good outcome (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0–2.24; P =0.05). No reduction in fatality was observed on meta-analysis of data from 3 randomized controlled trials ( P =0.9). In studies restricted to of thrombolysis-treated patients, an association between statins and increased fatality at 90 days was observed (pooled OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02–1.52; P =0.03, 3 studies, 4339 patients). However, this association was no longer present after adjusting for age and stroke severity in the largest study (adjusted OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.90–1.44; 4012 patients). Conclusion— In the largest meta-analysis to date, statin therapy at stroke onset was associated with improved outcome, a finding not observed in studies restricted to thrombolysis-treated patients. Randomized trials of statin therapy in acute ischemic stroke are needed.

Mith their unique transparent and conductive properties, TCO (transparent\ud conductive oxide) coatings are becoming increasingly studied These commercially\ud important coatings have a promising future due to their various applications as\ud components in optoelectronic devices, photovoltaic solar cells, flat panel displays,\ud electroluminescent devices, etc. Their high transmittance and low resistivity are\ud generally achieved through the use of specific dopant materials, whilst adjustments\ud are made to the deposition processes to improve the structure of the coatings.\ud TCO coatings are commonly deposited by the magnetron sputtering process.\ud Sputtering normally takes place from a solid plate, known as the target, of the\ud material to be deposited. Clearly, each solid target can only be of a single\ud composition. Thus, to change the compositions ofthe coatings, the whole target has to\ud be replaced Furthermore, alloy, or doped targets can be very expensive and the\ud choice ofavailable compositions is likely to be limited.\ud In this project, instead of using solid targets, metal or ceramic powder blends were\ud used as the targets. The powder blends were spread across the surface of a magnetron\ud and lightly tamped down to produce a smooth surface. The benefits of this approach\ud are that any material that is available in powderform can be considered as a target\ud material and alloy or multi-component compositions can be readily blended\ud The basic aim of this project, therefore, was to produce novel TCO coatings by\ud magnetron sputteringfrom powder targets. The coatings were deposited in a specially\ud designed rig with a number of important features, including a pulsed DC power\ud supply and a closed magnetic field. The project concentrated on the production of commercially useful zinc oxide-based TCO coatings. Coatings were produced with\ud different dopant materials and concentrations, and their optical and electrical\ud properties were measured. After the coatings were annealed at 500 *Cfor 2 hours in\ud vacuo, aluminum and gallium doped zinc oxide coatings showed their low resistivity,\ud which were no larger than 5.19xI0-3S2cm, and the lowest resistivity was obtained\ud from 3at% A 1-doped ZnO coating; 1.95 xI 00cm. The average transmittance in the\ud visible range of the ZnO coatings was 90%. From this, optimal compositions were\ud identified For comparison purposes, coatings were also produced of the TCO\ud material most commonly used at present; namely ITO (Indium tin oxide). The results\ud showed that ITO coatings generally had lower resistivity and visible transmittance,\ud (4-6xlO-492cm and 80-8216), than doped ZnO coatings. Also, the electrical and\ud optical properties of ITO coatings were very sensitive to the content of oxygen in the\ud deposition atmosphere. Finally, theflexibility offered by this approach was exploited\ud through the use of multi-component target compositions to produce TCO coatings\ud with tailored optical and electrical properties.