Infiltrating lipid-rich macrophage subpopulations identified as a regulator of increasing prostate size in human benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Macrophages exhibit marked phenotypic heterogeneity within and across disease states, with lipid metabolic reprogramming contributing to macrophage activation and heterogeneity. Chronic inflammation has been observed in human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues, however macrophage activation states and their contributions to this hyperplastic disease have not been defined. We postulated that a shift in macrophage phenotypes with increasing prostate size could involve metabolic alterations resulting in prostatic epithelial or stromal hyperplasia.

Difluoroborate-based bichromophores: Symmetry relaxation and two-photon absorption.

Given potential applications of multiphoton absorbers, in the present work we have studied the symmetry-relaxation effects in one- and two-photon absorption spectra in two bichromophore systems based on difluoroborate core linked by biphenylene or bianthracene moieties. We have employed a palette of experimental methods (synthesis, one- and two-photon spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography) and state-of-the-art computational methods to shed light on how symmetry relaxation, a result of twisting of building blocks, affects one- and two-photon absorption of the two studied fluorescent dyes. Electronic-structure calculations revealed that the planarity of central biphenyl moiety, as well as deviations from planarity up to 30-40 deg.

QD:Puf Nanohybrids Are Compatible with Studies in Cells.

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QD), as well as other nanoparticles, are useful in cell studies as fluorescent labels. They may also be used as more active components in various cellular assays, serving as sensors or effectors. However, not all QDs are biocompatible.

Multimodal polymer encapsulated CdSe/FeO nanoplatform with improved biocompatibility for two-photon and temperature stimulated bioapplications.

Multimodal polymer encapsulated CdSe/FeO nanoplatforms with dual optical and magnetic properties have been fabricated. We demonstrate that CdSe/FeO nanocapsules (NCs) upon excitation with UV radiation or NIR fs-laser excitation exhibit intense one- or two-photon emission at 535 nm, whereas the combination of an alternating magnetic field and 808 nm IR laser excitation results in heat generation. Since anticancer therapies require relatively high doses of FeO nanoparticles (NPs) to induce biologically relevant temperature jumps, the therapeutic effects of 0.

Silver nanowires as plasmonic compensators of luminescence quenching in single up-converting nanocrystals deposited on graphene.

Single nanocrystal spectroscopy is employed to demonstrate metal-enhanced optical response of Er/Yb doped up-conversion nanocrystals deposited on graphene upon coupling with silver nanowires. Direct interaction between nanocrystals and graphene results in quenching of up-conversion emission and shortening of luminescence decay times, due to the energy transfer to graphene. The amount of the energy absorbed by graphene can be enhanced by coupling Er/Yb doped up-conversion nanocrystals with silver nanowires.

Exploring Single-Nanoparticle Dynamics at High Temperature by Optical Tweezers.

The experimental determination of the velocity of a colloidal nanoparticle () has recently became a hot topic. The thermal dependence of is still left to be explored although it is a valuable source of information allowing, for instance, the discernment between ballistic and diffusive regimes. Optical tweezers (OTs) constitute a tool especially useful for the experimental determination of although they have only been capable of determining it at room temperature.

Controlling Two-Photon Action Cross Section by Changing a Single Heteroatom Position in Fluorescent Dyes.

The optimization of nonlinear optical properties for "real-life" applications remains a key challenge for both experimental and theoretical approaches. In particular, for two-photon processes, maximizing the two-photon action cross section (TPACS), the figure of merit for two-photon bioimaging spectroscopy, requires simultaneously controlling all its components. In the present Letter, a series of difluoroborates presenting various heterocyclic rings as an electron acceptor have been synthesized and their absorption, fluorescence, photoisomerization, and two-photon absorption features have been analyzed using both experimental and theoretical approaches.

The Two-Photon Absorption Cross-Section Studies of CsPbX (X = I, Br, Cl) Nanocrystals.

The CsPbX nanocrystals (NCs) with X = I, Br, Cl, or the mixture of Br:I and Br:Cl in a 1:1 ratio were synthesized and characterized by TEM, DLS, and XRD. Recrystallization of the small luminescent NCs in the metastable cubic phase into bigger orthorhombic nanocrystals was monitored by XRD and identified as the main cause of the nanocolloid coagulation. The recrystallization also leads to a decrease in the photoluminescence quantum yield (QY) of the colloidal solution and shortening of the emission lifetime.

Imagined Examples of Painful Experiences Provided by Chronic Low Back Pain Patients and Attributed a Pain Numerical Rating Score.

Objective: The pain numerical rating scale (NRS) is widely used in pain research and clinical settings to represent pain intensity. For an individual with chronic pain, NRS reporting requires representation of a complex subjective state as a numeral. To evaluate the process of NRS reporting, this study examined the relationship between reported pain NRS levels and imagined painful events reported by study subjects.

Frequency, Risk Factors, and Clinical Significance of Incorrect Dose of Alteplase Due to Weight Estimation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Stroke is a clinical emergency requiring urgent recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment in eligible patients. The dosage of thrombolytic agent (alteplase) is weight dependent. However, many patients receive thrombolytic therapy based on weight estimation.

'No-one actually goes to a shop and buys them do they?': attitudes and behaviours regarding illicit tobacco in a multiply disadvantaged community in England.

Aims: To explore attitudes towards, and experience of, illicit tobacco usage in a disadvantaged community against a backdrop of austerity and declining national trends in illicit tobacco use.

Design: Qualitative study using 10 focus groups.

Setting: Multiply disadvantaged community in Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Smoking, self-regulation and moral positioning: a focus group study with British smokers from a disadvantaged community.

Smoking in many Western societies has become a both moral aand health issue in recent years, but little is known about how smokers position themselves and regulate their behaviour in this context. In this article, we report the findings from a study investigating how smokers from an economically disadvantaged community in the East Midlands (UK) respond to concerns about the health impact of smoking on others. We conducted ten focus group (FG) discussions with mixed groups (by smoking status and gender; N = 58 participants) covering a range of topics, including smoking norms, self-regulation, and smoking in diverse contexts.

Impact of adopting low sodium diet on biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: A low sodium diet is an established intervention in the treatment of impaired renal function and hypertension which may modulate cardiovascular risk independent of recognised antihypertensive effects. Epidemiological data suggest that dietary sodium intake may be associated with systemic inflammation: another potential pathophysiological mechanism by which sodium intake may modify vascular disease.

Methods: We tested the hypothesis that adopting a low sodium diet may decrease biomarkers of systemic inflammation or coagulation using data from a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Exhaled carbon monoxide in asthmatic adults with bronchial reactivity: a prospective study.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that eCO may permit non-invasive assessment of disease activity in adults with asthma and bronchial reactivity.

Methods: A total of 209 participants 18 to 65 years of age with a diagnosis of asthma and bronchial reactivity provided data for analysis. The association between eCO and bronchial reactivity, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate measurements (PEFR), asthma symptoms score, and bronchodilator use cross-sectionally and within-subject change in eCO were analyzed in relation to change in these variables over 6 weeks.

A natural experiment on the impact of fruit supplementation on asthma symptoms in children.

A high fruit intake may reduce the risk of asthma. The English National School Fruit Scheme was introduced in the East Midlands region of the UK in June 2003 and in the Eastern region in September 2004. Questionnaires were distributed to children aged 4-6 yrs in schools in May 2003.

Does a low sodium diet modify heart rate variability? A randomised placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

Background: Increased heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with a low risk of mortality, as is consuming a low sodium diet. As the survival benefits of a low sodium diet may be mediated partly by an increase in HRV, we have tested the hypothesis that adopting a low sodium diet increases HRV.

Methods: We used a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial design.

Does a low sodium diet improve asthma control? A randomized controlled trial.

Rationale: Observational studies and initial randomized trials have indicated that a low sodium diet may improve asthma control.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that a low sodium diet would improve asthma control over a 6-week period.

Methods: Participants with a physician diagnosis of asthma and measurable bronchial reactivity to methacholine entered a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

The effect of proactively identifying smokers and offering smoking cessation support in primary care populations: a cluster-randomized trial.

Aims: To establish whether proactively identifying all smokers in primary care populations and offering smoking cessation support is effective in increasing long-term abstinence from smoking.

Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Twenty-four general practices in Nottinghamshire, randomized by practice to active or control intervention.

The potential to improve ascertainment and intervention to reduce smoking in primary care: a cross sectional survey.

Background: Well established clinical guidelines recommend that systematic ascertainment of smoking status and intervention to promote cessation in all smokers should be a fundamental component of all health care provision. This study aims to establish the completeness and accuracy of smoking status recording in patients' primary care medical records and the level of interest in receiving smoking cessation support amongst primary care patients in an inner city UK population.

Methods: Postal questionnaires were sent to all patients aged over 18 from 24 general practices in Nottingham UK who were registered as smokers or had no smoking status recorded in their medical notes.

Does participation in a population-based dietary intervention scheme have a lasting impact on fruit intake in young children?

Background: The National Schools Fruit Scheme (NSFS) is intended to improve fruit intake in young children by providing free daily fruit at school.

Methods: We used a parentally completed questionnaire for three consecutive years to study fruit intake in young children before, during and after participation in the NSFS compared with a control region.

Results: In 2003, 2004 and 2005, a total of 224, 220 and 179 schools, respectively, were studied with responses from 5,606, 5,111 and 3,382 children for each survey.

Dose-ranging study for trials of therapeutic infection with Necator americanus in humans.

Epidemiological studies suggest that a hookworm infection producing 50 eggs/gram of feces may protect against asthma. We conducted a dose-ranging study to identify the dose of hookworm larvae necessary to achieve 50 eggs/gram of feces for therapeutic trials of asthma. Ten healthy subjects without asthma or airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine received 10, 25, 50, or 100 Necator americanus larvae administered double blind to an area of skin on the arm.

Barriers and motivators to gaining access to smoking cessation services amongst deprived smokers--a qualitative study.

Background: Smoking is strongly associated with disadvantage and is an important contributor to inequalities in health. Smoking cessation services have been implemented in the UK targeting disadvantaged smokers, but there is little evidence available on how to design services to attract this priority group.

Methods: We conducted focus groups with 39 smokers aged 21-75 from the most socio-economically deprived areas of Nottingham UK who had made an unsuccessful attempt to quit within the last year without using smoking cessation services, to identify specific barriers or motivators to gaining access to these services.

Corticosteroid sparing effects of vitamin C and magnesium in asthma: a randomised trial.

Aim: The study aims to assess the a priori hypothesis that regular supplementation with vitamin C or magnesium will permit a reduction in the corticosteroid dose required to maintain asthma control in adults.

Methods: We invited all participants recruited from primary care centres who completed a parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled, 16-week supplementation trial of 1g/day vitamin C or 450 mg/day magnesium to continue and participate in a structured corticosteroid reduction protocol over 10 weeks.

Results: A total of 92 participants (29 vitamin C, 31 magnesium and 32 placebo) entered the study.