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This study investigated the sleep of 28 young blind and 22 sighted children (ages 4 to 36 months) whose parents completed the Sleep Habits Questionnaire. It found that the blind children had significantly more sleep problems related to bedtime and behaviors during the night than did the sighted children. (Author/DB)

A magnetic adsorbent was prepared through chemical precipitation using a solution of iron salts and halloysite clay. The obtained material was then characterized and subsequently applied in the removal of malachite green (MG) dye. The pseudo-second-order model was found to explain the adsorption kinetics most effectively, while the equilibrium was well fitted with the Freundlich isotherm model. The data also suggest that MG dye adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic, involving physisorption. Moreover, the adsorbent can be easily separated from the aqueous medium by applying an external magnetic field and reused without significant loss of properties after its regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and, more recently, the new “heat-not-burn” tobacco products (iQOS) as alternatives to traditional tobacco cigarettes has necessitated further documentation of and research into the composition and potential health risks/benefits of these devices. In a recent study, we compared second-hand exposure to particulate metals and organic compounds from e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, by conducting continuous and time-integrated measurements in an indoor environment, followed by computing the emission rates of these species using a single-compartment mass balance model. In this study, we have used a similar approach to further expand our previous analyses by characterizing black carbon, metal particles, organic compounds, and size-segregated particle mass and number concentrations emitted from these devices in addition to the newly marketed iQOS. Analysis of the iQOS side-stream smoke indicated that the particulate emission of organic matter from these devices is significantly different depending on the organic compound. While polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were mostly non-detectable in the iQOS smoke, certain n-alkanes, organic acids (such as suberic acid, azelaic acid, and n-alkanoic acids with carbon numbers between 10 and 19) as well as levoglucosan were still emitted in substantial levels from iQOS (up to 2–6 mg/h during a regular smoking regimen). Metal emissions were reduced in iQOS smoke compared to both electronic cigarettes and conventional cigarettes and were mostly similar to the background levels. Another important finding is the presence of carcinogenic aldehyde compounds, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, in iQOS smoke, although the levels were substantially lower compared to conventional cigarettes. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin silicon dioxide films nitrided in N2/NO/O2 atmosphere at different temperature and NO/O2 flow ratio were investigated by time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) using negative acquisition mode and Cs+ sputtering at low energy. The N depth distributions obtained by the ToF-SIMS profiles were compared with the correspondent N1s peaks acquired in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, demonstrating that the gradient in ion yield which occurs at the interface using these measurement conditions can be useful to quantify the amount of nitrogen placed exactly at the interface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking cessation is necessary to reach a higher quality of life, and, for a cancer patient, it represents an important step in improving the outcome of both prognosis and therapy. Being a cancer patient addicted to nicotine may be a critical situation. We conducted a survey to monitor how many comprehensive cancer centres in Italy have an outpatient smoker clinic and which kinds of resources are available. We also inquired about inpatient services offering psychological and pharmacological support for smoking cessation, reduction, or care of acute nicotine withdrawal symptoms. What we have witnessed is a significant gap between guidelines and services. Oncologists and cancer nurses are overscheduled, with insufficient time to engage in discussion on a problem that they do not consider directly related to cancer treatment. Furthermore, smoking habits and limited training in tobacco dependence and treatment act as an important barrier and lead to the undervaluation of smokers' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanisms of resistance to Tomudex include increased thymidylate synthase activity, as well as reduced intracellular drug uptake and polyglutamation. However, little is known about other mechanisms of resistance, such as a possible protection against Tomudex-induced apoptosis mediated bybcl-2. We transfected the MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cell line, which is characterized by a mutated p53 gene, with cDNA of thebcl-2 gene and generated two clones (MDA-bcl4 and MDA-bcl7) characterized bybcl-2 expression twofold and fourfold that observed in the control cell clone (MDA[SUPneo]). A concomitant overexpression of p21[SUPwafl] was also detected in the MDA-bcl7 clone. The MDA-bcl4 clone was three times more resistant to a 24-h Tomudex exposure than the MDA[SUPneo] clone, whereas the MDA-bcl7 clone was as sensitive to Tomudex as the control cell clone. A lower sensitivity of the MDA-bcl4 clone than MDA[SUPneo] and MDA-bcl7 clones to 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine was also observed. No significant difference was noted in the susceptibility of clones to fludarabine and methothrexate. Basal levels of thymidylate synthase activity were superimposable in the three clones. Tomudex induced a marked accumulation of cells in the S phase in all the clones. However, an apoptotic hypodiploid DNA peak and the characteristic nuclear morphology of apoptosis were observed only in the MDA-bcl7 clone after exposure to Tomudex. No difference in the treatment-induced modulation of proteins involved in cell cycle progression (cyclin A, cdk2, pRB, E2F-1) and apoptosis (bcl-2, bax) was observed in the three clones. The only exception was that the expression of p21[SUPwafl] in the MDA-bcl4 clone was inducible at a Tomudex concentration much higher than that required to induce the protein in the other clones. Overall, the results indicate that bcl-2 and p21[SUPwafl] proteins concur in determining the cellular profile of sensitivity/resistance to Tomudex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inhaled steroid resistance is an obstacle to asthma control in asthmatic smokers. The reasons of this phenomenon are not yet entirely understood. Interaction of drug particles with environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) could change the aerodynamic profile of the drug through the particle coagulation phenomenon. Aim of the present study was to examine whether steroid particles interact with smoke when delivered in the presence of ETS.Methods: Beclomethasone-hydrofluoralkane (BDP-HFA) pMDI particle profile was studied after a single actuation delivered in ambient air or in the presence of ETS in an experimental chamber using a light scattering Optical Particle Counter capable of measuring the concentrations of particle sized 0.3-1.0, 1.1-2.0, 2.1-3.0, 3.1-4.0, 4.1-5.0, and > 5.1 microm in diameter with a sampling time of one second. The number of drug particles delivered after a single actuation was measured as the difference between total particle number after drug delivery and background particle number. Two groups of experiments were carried out at different ambient background particle concentrations. Two-tail Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results: When delivered in ambient air, over 90% of BDP-HFA particles were found in the 0.3-1.0 microm size class, while particles sized 1.1-2.0 microm and 2.1-3.0 represented less than 6.6% and 2.8% of total particles, respectively. However, when delivered in the presence of ETS, drug particle profile was modified, with an impressive decrease of 0.3-1.0 microm particles, the most represented particles resulting those sized 1.1-2.0 microm (over 66.6% of total particles), and 2.1-3.0 microm particles accounting up to 31% of total particles.Conclusion: Our data suggest that particle interaction between inhaled BDP-HFA pMDI and ETS takes place in the first few seconds after drug delivery, with a decrease in smaller particles and a concurrent increase of larger particles. The resulting changes in aerosol particle profile might modify regional drug deposition with potential detriment to drug efficacy, and represent a new element of steroid resistance in smokers. Although the present study does not provide any functional or clinical assessment, it might be useful to advise smokers and non smokers with obstructive lung disease such as asthma or COPD, to avoid to act inhaled drugs in the presence of ETS in order to obtain the best therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the absence of proven survival benefit, de novo implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in patients treated with a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) remains controversial. This study aims to assess the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and ICD complications in patients stratified by VT-LVAD Score. Patients implanted with a durable LVAD at our institution between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed (n=63). They were retrospectively classified into two groups according to the VT-LVAD prediction score: 27 patients were deemed at low/intermediate risk (&lt5) and 36 patients at high/very high arrhythmic risk (&gt5). Preoperative characteristics, outcomes, ICD-related complications and arrhythmic events were compared between the two groups. Mean follow-up was 43±35 months, and mean duration of support was 11±16 months. Patients in the low/intermediate risk group were generally healthier. They were younger (53 vs. 60 years old) and had less atrial fibrillation (18% vs. 64%) and VA (22% vs. 81%). In the low/intermediate risk group, 12 (44%) patients had an ICD prior to LVAD implantation, 8 (30%) patients had an ICD post LVAD implantation and 7 (26%) patients either died or underwent cardiac transplantation before consideration of an ICD. In the high/very high risk group, 28 (78%) patients had an ICD prior to LVAD implantation, 5 (14%) patients had an ICD post LVAD implantation and 3 (8%) patients either died before consideration of an ICD. Among patients with an ICD in the low/intermediate-risk group (n=20), 2 (10%) patients had an inappropriate shock secondary to supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Two patients required appropriate antitachycardia pacing (ATP) without shock. In patients with an ICD in the high/very high risk group (n=33), 9 (27%) required appropriate ATP and 1 (3%) had an inappropriate shock secondary to SVT. There was no other ICD complication. Our analysis showed that patients with LVAD do not seem to derive a mortality benefit from a primary prevention strategy for ICD implantation. Nevertheless, the rate of ICD-associated complications was low. The VT-LVAD score may be useful to discriminate amongst LVAD patients at high risk of arrhythmic events. However, a large, randomized trial is needed to validate this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work the leakage current of junctions with a self-aligned cobalt silicide is studied. It is shown that junctions with a self-aligned CoSi2 layer show a leakage current excess which is strongly reduced by increasing the PAI energy. This indicates that the observed leakage current excess is related to the CoSi2 formation conditions. The mechanism responsible for the leakage of CoSi2 junctions is investigated by current versus temperature measurements and by deep level transient spectroscopy. In addition, the role of the mechanical stress is investigated by comparing different isolation structures and by numerical stress calculations. It is concluded that the shallow trench isolation (STI) induced stress and the cobalt silicide formation concur to produce a junction leakage current increase by creating a deep level in silicon located close to midgap. This level can possibly identified with a level ascribed to a point defect excess. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Considerable evidence supports the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of amyloid β-peptide, which invokes a cascade of oxidative damage to neurons that can eventually result in neuronal death. Amyloid β-peptide is the main component of senile plaques and generates free radicals ultimately leading to neuronal damage of membrane lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Therefore, interest in the protective role of different antioxidant compounds has been growing for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other oxidative stress-related disorders. Among different antioxidant drugs, much interest has been devoted to “thiol-delivering” compounds. Tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate is an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine specific phospholipase C, and recent studies reported its ability to act as a glutathione-mimetic compound. In the present study, we investigate the in vivo ability of tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate to protect synaptosomes against amyloid β-peptide-induced oxidative stress. Gerbils were injected i.p. with tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate or with saline solution, and synaptosomes were isolated from the brain. Synaptosomal preparations isolated from tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate injected gerbils and treated ex vivo with amyloid β-peptide (1–42) showed a significant decrease of oxidative stress parameters: reactive oxygen species levels, protein oxidation (protein carbonyl and 3-nitrotyrosine levels) and lipid peroxidation (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal levels). Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that modulation of free radicals generated by amyloid β-peptide might represent an efficient therapeutic strategy for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other oxidative-stress related disorders. Based on the above data, we suggest that tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate is a potent antioxidant and could be of importance for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other oxidative stress-related disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]