Accurate, Efficient and Rigorous Numerical Analysis of 3D H-PDLC Gratings.

This work presents recent results derived from the rigorous modelling of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) gratings. More precisely, the diffractive properties of transmission gratings are the focus of this research. This work extends previous analysis performed by the authors but includes new features and approaches.

Effect of clopidogrel vs. aspirin on pro-atherosclerotic NLRP1 inflammasome expression in endothelial cells. ECLOAS study.

Introduction And Objectives: NRP1 inflammasome is crucial in endothelial dysfunction. Platelets are mandatory for the inflammation that precedes it. Aspirin could inhibit NLRP1 inflammasome in endothelial cells, and clopidogrel could also provoke a reduction in vascular inflammation.

The Perceptions of Professional Values among Students at a Spanish Nursing School.

(1) Background: This study aims to reflect student nurses' perceptions of professional values across the four training years. (2) Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study; data were collected using the Nurses' Professional Values Scale-Revised, adapted by Basurto-Hoyuelos. A total of 315 student nurses participated from a Nursing Faculty in Spain representing each of the four academic years.

Aspirin-Dependent Platelet Inflammatory Inhibition in Healthy Subjects Decreases NLRP-1 Inflammasome.

Background: Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are implicated in the onset of atherosclerosis. Inflammasome activation takes part in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic disease. This study investigated the influence of platelet inflammatory inhibition on the transcription of intracitosolic nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP-1) inflammasome in endothelial cells.

Numerical Analysis of H-PDLC Using the Split-Field Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method.

In this work, an accurate numerical modeling of the diffraction properties of transmission holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) gratings is presented. The method considers ellipsoid geometry-based liquid crystal (LC) droplets with random properties regarding size and location across the H-PLDC layer and also the non-homogeneous orientation of the LC director within the droplet. The direction of the LC director inside the droplets can be varied to reproduce the effects of the external voltage applied in H-PDLC-based gratings.

Holographic waveguides in photopolymers.

The possibilities that offer the holographic optical elements for photovoltaic and "see through display" applications open new windows for holographic recording materials. In this sense, some specific characteristics are required for each particular application. Waveguides are one of the key elements for these applications.

Long-Term Effects of Bosentan on Cardiovascular Events in Hispanic Patients with Intermittent Claudication: Four-Year Follow-up of the CLAU Trial : The CLAU Randomized Trial Long-Term Outcome.

Introduction: The Clinical and Endothelial Function Assessment after Endothelin Receptor Antagonist (CLAU) trial demonstrated the effect of bosentan on the endothelial function, inflammatory status and claudication distance in Hispanic patients with incipient peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Our aim was to assess the protective effect on cardiovascular events of bosentan versus conventional anti-atherosclerosis therapy.

Methods: CLAU included 56 patients with intermittent claudication, randomized 1:1 to receive bosentan for 12 weeks (n = 27) or placebo (n = 29), associating the best medical treatment.

Carotid stenting with proximal cerebral protection in symptomatic low-grade vulnerable recurrent carotid stenosis.

Background: Although the management of carotid disease is well established for symptomatic lesions ⩾70%, carotid revascularization for symptomatic low-grade (⩽50%) stenosis is not actually supported by data from randomized clinical trials. Such patients may occasionally have recurrent neurological symptoms despite optimal medical treatment owing to vulnerable plaques. In such cases, carotid artery stenting (CAS) may represent an option for treatment but this has not been tested in clinical trials.

Simplified physical modeling of parallel-aligned liquid crystal devices at highly non-linear tilt angle profiles.

In recent works, we demonstrated the accuracy and physical relevance of a highly simplified reverse-engineering analytical model for a parallel-aligned liquid crystal on silicon devices (PA-LCoS). Both experimental measurements and computational simulations applying the rigorous split-field finite difference time domain (SF-FDTD) technique led to this conclusion in the low applied voltages range. In this paper, we develop a complete rigorous validation covering the full range of possible applied voltages, including highly non-linear liquid crystal (LC) tilt angle profiles.

Differential mRNA expression of inflammasome genes NLRP1 and NLRP3 in abdominal aneurysmal and occlusive aortic disease.

NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes might differentially mediate the chronic inflammatory response in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and aortic occlusive disease (AOD). We measure differential relative gene expression of NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes in aortic tissues from 30 patients undergoing AAA open repair compared to aortic biopsies from 30 patients undergoing surgery to treat AOD. Aortic wall samples from autopsy without aortic disease were used as controls.

Differential mRNA expression of inflammasome genes NLRP1 and NLRP3 in abdominal aneurysmal and occlusive aortic disease.

NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes might differentially mediate the chronic inflammatory response in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and aortic occlusive disease (AOD). We measure differential relative gene expression of NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes in aortic tissues from 30 patients undergoing AAA open repair compared to aortic biopsies from 30 patients undergoing surgery to treat AOD. Aortic wall samples from autopsy without aortic disease were used as controls.

Optimization of Photopolymer Materials for the Fabrication of a Holographic Waveguide.

In this work, we present a method of manufacturing an optical see-through display based on a holographic waveguide with transmission holograms that couple the incident light between air and the glass substrate, accomplishing total internal reflection. The holograms (slanted transmission gratings with a spatial frequency of 1700 lines/mm) were recorded on a polyvinyl alcohol acrylamide (PVA/AA) photopolymer. We will also show that the addition of ,'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (BMA) to the composition of the photopolymer allows the achievement of the index modulations necessary to obtain high diffraction efficiencies in non-slanted diffraction gratings of 1000 and 2200 lines/mm, and also in slanted gratings of 1700 lines/mm (which are the base of the optical system proposed).

Carotid Stenting in Patients With High Risk Versus Standard Risk for Open Carotid Endarterectomy (REAL-1 Trial).

Carotid stenting (CAS) has been mainly offered to those patients considered at "high risk" for open carotid endarterectomy based on available data from large randomized clinical trials. However, several recent studies have called medical "high risk" into question for CAS indication. The REAL-1 trial evaluated the safety and perioperative and long-term effectiveness in patients with significant carotid artery stenosis with "high-risk" criteria treated with CAS and proximal protection device (MOMA) compared with those with standard surgical-risk features.

Rationale and Design of Randomized Clinical Trial for the Assessment of Macitentan Efficiency as Coadjuvant Treatment to Open and Endovascular Revascularization in Critical Limb Ischemia.

Introduction: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is defined by ischemic rest pain, tissue loss, or both, secondary to arterial insufficiency, and its prevalence is increasing mainly as a result of the worldwide high prevalence of diabetes. Currently, there are no available conclusive data on the efficacy of any coadjuvant therapy after revascularization procedure benefiting amputation and patency rates. Macitentan is an orally active dual endothelin (ET) receptor antagonist that may contribute to reduce the amputation rate and improve revascularization patency in CLI.

Effect of Simvastatin Treatment on "In Vitro" NLRP1 Inflammasome Expression in Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Background: Inflammatory stress stimuli in the plasma of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are able to trigger the expression of NLRP1 inflammasome in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Our objective was to elucidate the effect of simvastatin treatment on NLRP1 inflammasome expression in endothelial cells exposed to the plasma of PAD patients.

Methods: The study included 81 patients with PAD, 24 of them treated with simvastatin (20 mg/day) and 57 without statin therapy.

Elevated levels of triglycerides and vldl-cholesterol provoke activation of nlrp1 inflammasome in endothelial cells.

Background: Soluble stimuli present in the plasma of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are capable of directly stimulating intracellular signalling in endothelium. Oxidized-LDL (oxLDL) induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, it is not clear how lipid profile affect NLRP1 inflammasome gene expression in endothelial cells.

Meta-analysis and adjusted indirect comparison of direct oral anticoagulants in prevention of acute limb ischemia in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants are being presented as alternatives to warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Yet direct comparative trials between these agents in prevention of acute limb ischemia (ALI) are unavailable so far.

Objective: To conduct an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis between direct oral agents for prevention of acute limb ischemia in atrial fibrillation.

Effect of Bosentan on Claudication Distance and Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Hispanic Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Endothelin (ET) is involved in the etiopathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hypothesized that ET antagonism might improve the endothelial function, inflammatory status, and symptoms in PAD. This pilot randomized clinical trial was designed to determine the clinical efficacy, pleiotropic effects, and safety of dual ET-receptor antagonist bosentan in Hispanic patients with PAD presenting intermittent claudication.

C-reactive protein predicts aortic aneurysmal disease progression after endovascular repair.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of the rate of variation of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as a predictor of aneurysmal sac and neck expansion and, therefore, of aneurysm disease progression, in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the absence of endoleaks.

Methods: 192 patients following non-emergency elective EVAR for asymptomatic infra-renal abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) were included after a six-month period after intervention to ensure the treatment success and absence of endoleaks. Expansion of aneurysm sac or neck after the six-month stabilization term occurred in 120 (63%) and 128 (67%) patients for a mean follow-up of 53±23 months.