Varying extractability of petrogenic and pyrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in urban soils: Evaluation of sample preparation and extraction of 71 PAH and alkylated PAH.

PAH extraction methods have been widely studied over the last decades. However, there is still no consistent method for contaminated soils. Here, for the first time, PAH source characteristics in soils were considered for the investigation of different pretreatment methods, extraction techniques and solvents in nine petrogenic to primarily pyrogenic urban soils.

Changes in Peak Inspiratory Flow After Acute Bronchodilation: An Observational Study of Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Identifying factors influencing peak inspiratory flow (PIF) is essential for aerosol drug delivery in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While a minimum PIF for dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is established, acute bronchodilator (BD) effects on PIF remain unknown. An inspiratory flow meter (In-Check™ DIAL) was used to measure PIF in stable patients during a 24-week observational cross-sectional study.

Precursor molecules for 1,2-diamidobenzene containing cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes - synthesis and magnetic properties.

Molecular magnetic materials based on 1,2-diamidobenzenes are well known and have been intensively studied both experimentally and computationally. They possess interesting magnetic properties as well as redox activity. In this work, we present the synthesis and investigation of potent synthons for constructing discrete metal-organic architectures featuring 1,2-diamidobenzene-coordinated metal centres.

Effect on Physical Position of Peak Inspiratory Flow in Stable COPD: An Observational Study.

Background: We examined the effect of physical position on peak inspiratory flow (PIF) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) with low‑medium internal resistance (R2) and/or high internal resistance (R5).

Methods: This prospective study in stable, ambulatory patients with spirometry-confirmed COPD evaluated the effect of 3 physical positions on maximal PIF achieved. Participants had PIFs of 30-90L/min (R5) or 60-90L/min (R2 DPIs) using the In-Check™ DIAL.

Unravelling mixed sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in urban soils by visual characterization of anthropogenic substrates and coal particles, 71 PAH and alkylated PAH patterns.

The identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) sources in heterogeneous urban soils containing pyrogenic and/or petrogenic anthropogenic substrates is a common task for risk assessment. Here, for the first time, the results of source identification using analysis of 71 PAH, alkylated PAH patterns and PAH Alkylation Index were related to visually identified and quantified anthropogenic substrates in 50 soil samples. Only the combination of chemical methods with visual characterization enabled the deeper understanding of varying alkylated PAH patterns used for source apportionment and their superimposition if multiple sources occur.

Retrospective observational study of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence and associated healthcare resource utilization in a large, integrated healthcare system.

Limited data exist on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management-major drivers of healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in the USA. We describe prevalence and exacerbation rates, therapeutic interventions, and HCRU for asthma and/or COPD within a large, integrated healthcare system. Patients with asthma, COPD, and asthma + COPD were identified from retrospective electronic health record data (2016-2018) of >1.

A Pooled Analysis of Mortality in Patients with COPD Receiving Dual Bronchodilation with and without Additional Inhaled Corticosteroid.

Background: Recent studies report a lower mortality rate during treatment with long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting β-agonist (LABA)/inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) versus LAMA/LABA in patients with symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of exacerbations.

Objective: We compared time to all-cause mortality with LAMA/LABA versus LAMA/LABA/ICS in patients with mild-to-very-severe COPD and a predominantly low exacerbation risk.

Methods: Data were pooled from six randomized controlled trials (TONADO 1/2, DYNAGITO, WISDOM, UPLIFT and TIOSPIR; LAMA/LABA: n = 3156, LAMA/LABA/ICS: n = 11,891).

Global Oral Anticoagulation Use Varies by Region in Patients With Recent Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation: The GLORIA-AF Phase III Registry.

Background Effective stroke prevention with oral anticoagulants (OAC) is recommended for some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to describe OAC use by geographical region and type of site in patients with recent-onset AF enrolled in a large global registry. Methods and Results Eligible participants were recruited into GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation), a prospective observational cohort study from 2014 to 2016 in 4 international regions: North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

A look down the drain: Identification of dissolved and particle bound organic pollutants in urban runoff waters and sediments.

Urban runoff contains a range of organic micropollutants which, if not removed during wastewater treatment, pose a risk to aquatic environments. These mixtures are complex and often site-specific. Street drains provide an ideal sampling point given they collect the runoff from local and defined catchments.

Emergency contraception in university students: prevalence of use and knowledge gaps.

Objective: Investigate prevalence of use and knowledge about emergency contraception (EC) among female university students from two higher education institutions.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 1,740 undergraduates in the city of Santa Maria (RS), from May to October 2017. Information was collected in a semi-structured and self-administered 24-question questionnaire.

Exploring critical factors of the perceived usefulness of a learning analytics dashboard for distance university students.

Learning analytics dashboards (LADs) can provide learners with insights about their study progress through visualisations of the learner and learning data. Despite their potential usefulness to support learning, very few studies on LADs have considered learners' needs and have engaged learners in the process of design and evaluation. Aligning with that, there is a limited understanding of what specific student cohorts, in particular distance and online learners, may seek from LADs to effectively support their studies.

Changes in anticoagulant prescription patterns over time for patients with atrial fibrillation around the world.

Background: Prescribing patterns for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients evolved with approval of non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) over time.

Objectives: To assess changes in anticoagulant prescription patterns in various geographical regions upon first approval of a NOAC and to analyze the evolution of oral anticoagulants (OACs) use over time in relation to CHADS-VASc and HAS-BLED risk profiles.

Methods: Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation GLORIA-AF) Phases II and III reported data on antithrombotic therapy for patients with newly diagnosed AF and ≥1 stroke risk factor.

Therapeutic Success of Tiotropium/Olodaterol, Measured Using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ), in Routine Clinical Practice: A Multinational Non-Interventional Study.

Background: The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) is a simple patient-reported tool to measure clinical control of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Objective: This open-label, single-arm, non-interventional study (NCT03663569) investigated changes in CCQ score during treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol in clinical practice.

Methods: Data were included from consenting COPD patients, enrolled in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine, who were receiving a new prescription for tiotropium/olodaterol according to the treating physician in a real-world environment.

Assessment of Patient Experiences with Respimat in Everyday Clinical Practice.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease requiring maintenance therapy. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) strategy report, bronchodilation with long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting β-agonists (LABAs), administered via inhalers, is currently the mainstay of COPD treatment. Combined LAMA/LABA therapies have been shown to improve patient health status, lung function and breathlessness.

Relative efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with asthma: Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are recommended as first-line controller medications for persistent asthma. However, guidelines on the initial ICS doses, step-up and step-down algorithms, and when to switch to combination therapy vary.

Objective: To understand the ideal starting doses of ICS therapy based on current evidence and to systematically compare low, moderate, and high starting doses of ICSs as monotherapy and in combination with long-acting β-agonists with respect to efficacy and safety.

Improvement In Self-Reported Physical Functioning With Tiotropium/Olodaterol In Central And Eastern European COPD Patients.

Background: Reduced physical activity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with COPD. Studies suggest that treatment with the long-acting muscarinic antagonist tiotropium and the long-acting β-agonist olodaterol increases exercise capacity. This study assessed the effects of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of tiotropium/olodaterol (delivered via Respimat) on physical functioning in patients with stable COPD in a "real-world setting".

An Overview of Monoclonal Antibodies.

Objective: To provide a brief overview of the development of monoclonal antibodies in immunotherapy, including a review of the mechanism of action and types, and indications for use.

Data Source: Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, internet.

Conclusion: Monoclonal antibodies offer alternative treatment to cancer patients who have failed or progressed on standard chemotherapy.

Assessment of physical functioning and handling of tiotropium/olodaterol Respimat in patients with COPD in a real-world clinical setting.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show signs of reduced physical activity from the early stages of the disease, impacting morbidity and mortality. Data suggest treatment with tiotropium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, and olodaterol, a long-acting ß-agonist (LABA), as monotherapies and in combination, increases exercise capacity. This study assessed the effects of fixed-dose tiotropium/olodaterol (delivered via Respimat) on physical function in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease A-D patients requiring long-acting dual bronchodilation treatment in a real-world setting.

Health Care Resource Utilization and Exacerbation Rates in Patients with COPD Stratified by Disease Severity in a Commercially Insured Population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is associated with substantial economic burden. There is a lack of data regarding COPD outcomes and costs in a real-world setting, particularly by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) severity.

Objectives: To (a) characterize a commercially insured U.

Cancer Immunotherapy: An Evidence-Based Overview and Implications for Practice.

Background: Significant research progress has been made in immunotherapies since the mid-1990s, and this rapid evolution necessitates evidence-based education on immunotherapies, their pathophysiology, and their toxicities to provide safe, effective care.
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Objectives: The aim of this article is to provide an evidence-based overview, with implications for practice, of checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, oncolytic viral therapies, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies.

Investigating the influence of shame, depression, and distress tolerance on the relationship between internalized homophobia and binge eating in lesbian and bisexual women.

There is limited research evidence about the specific factors influencing disordered eating for lesbian and bisexual women. Therefore, this study investigated relationships among binge eating, internalized homophobia, shame, depression, and distress tolerance in a sample of lesbian (n=72) and bisexual women (n=66). Two hypotheses were tested.

Rectification properties of conically shaped nanopores: consequences of miniaturization.

Nanopores attracted a great deal of scientific interest as templates for biological sensors as well as model systems to understand transport phenomena at the nanoscale. The experimental and theoretical analysis of nanopores has been so far focused on understanding the effect of the pore opening diameter on ionic transport. In this article we present systematic studies on the dependence of ion transport properties on the pore length.

Cardiac surgery of premature and low birthweight newborns: is a change of fate possible?

Low birthweight (LBW) continues to be a high-risk factor in surgery for congenital heart disease. This risk is particularly very high in very low birthweight infants under 1500g and extremely LBW infants under 1000g. From January 2005 to December 2008, 33 consecutive LBW neonates underwent cardiac surgery in our clinic in keeping with the criteria for choice of surgery.

Charge-selective transport of organic and protein analytes through synthetic nanochannels.

We present an experimental demonstration of a synthetic nanoporous membrane suitable for charge-selective transport of ionic species. The surfaces and walls of synthetic nanochannels, fabricated in heavy ion-tracked polyethylene terephthalate membranes are negatively charged due to the presence of carboxylate moieties. These nanofilters discriminate and gate the transport of cations while inhibiting the passage of anions.

Fabrication and functionalization of single asymmetric nanochannels for electrostatic/hydrophobic association of protein molecules.

We have developed a facile and reproducible method for surfactant-controlled track-etching and chemical functionalization of single asymmetric nanochannels in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) membranes. Carboxyl groups present on the channel surface were converted into pentafluorophenyl esters using EDC/PFP (N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/pentafluorophenol) coupling chemistry. The resulting amine-reactive esters were further covalently coupled with ethylenediamine or propylamine in order to manipulate the charge polarity and hydrophilicity of the nanochannels, respectively.