The Role of Inflammasomes in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) poses a significant world health challenge due to the increase in the aging population and advancements in cardiac care. In the pathophysiology of HF, the inflammasome has been correlated with the development, progression, and complications of HF disease. Discovering biomarkers linked to inflammasomes enhances understanding of HF diagnosis and prognosis.

Spark Discharge Aerosol-Generated Copper-Based Nanoparticles: Structural & Optical Properties; Application on the Antiviral (SARS-CoV-2) and Antibacterial Improvement of Face Masks.

Nanoparticle formation by Spark Discharge Aerosol Generation offers low-cost fabrication of nanoparticles, without the use of chemicals or vacuum. It produces aerosol particles of a few nanometers in size with high purity. In this work, copper-based -CuO (tenorite) and Cu- nanoparticles are produced, characterized and used to modify face mask air filters, achieving the introduction of antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Hybrid Silica Xerogel and Titania/Silica Xerogel Dispersions Reinforcing Hydrophilicity and Antimicrobial Resistance of Leathers.

Four leather substrates from different animals were treated by dispersions containing hydrophilic composite silica-hyperbranched poly(ethylene imine) xerogels. Antimicrobial activity was introduced by incorporating silver nanoparticles and/or benzalkonium chloride. The gel precursor solutions were also infused before gelation to titanium oxide powders typically employed for induction of self-cleaning properties.

Comparative Study of the U(VI) Adsorption by Hybrid Silica-Hyperbranched Poly(ethylene imine) Nanoparticles and Xerogels.

Two different silica conformations (xerogels and nanoparticles), both formed by the mediation of dendritic poly (ethylene imine), were tested at low pHs for problematic uranyl cation sorption. The effect of crucial factors, i.e.

Additional data on the investigation of the reaction mechanisms for the production of silica hyperbranched polyethylene imine silver nanoparticle composites.

Silica-organic matrix-silver, nano-catalysts, were synthesized employing four different hyperbranched poly(ethylene imines) (MW 2000 to 750,000) to reduce Ag to metal nanoparticles and the formation of formation SiO shells. The latter is performed at pH 7,5 employing three different pH regulating agents Hepes, Trizma, and Phosphate Salts. Characterization of the resulting materials with spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ζ-potential is reported.

Improved Surface-Enhanced-Raman Scattering Sensitivity Using Si Nanowires/Silver Nanostructures by a Single Step Metal-Assisted Chemical Etching.

In this study, we developed highly sensitive substrates for Surface-Enhanced-Raman-Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, consisting of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) decorated by silver nanostructures using single-step Metal Assisted Chemical Etching (MACE). One-step MACE was performed on p-type Si substrates by immersion in AgNO/HF aqueous solutions resulting in the formation of SiNWs decorated by either silver aggregates or dendrites. Specifically, dendrites were formed during SiNWs' growth in the etchant solution, whereas aggregates were grown after the removal of the dendrites from the SiNWs in HNO aqueous solution and subsequent re-immersion of the specimens in a AgNO/HF aqueous solution by adjusting the growth time to achieve the desired density of silver nanostructures.

Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccination among Greek Health Professionals.

Health Care Workers are at the front line of the fight against Covid-19. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of vaccination against COVID-19 among health professionals (physicians, dentists, pharmacists) two weeks prior to the start of the Greek vaccination campaign against COVID-19. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted over the period 15-22 December 2020 in 340 health professionals in Central Greece.

Atomic layer deposited AlO thin films as humidity barrier coatings for nanoparticle-based strain sensors.

AlO thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition on Pt nanoparticle-based strain sensors were studied as humidity barrier coatings for sensor protection. The effect of two deposition parameters-film thickness and growth temperature-is discussed in relation to an AlO coating's ability to isolate the nanoparticle surface and protect strain sensitivity from humidity variations. It is shown that transmission electron microscopy images cannot confirm the effective protection of a nanoparticle surface, thus x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrical measurements have been employed.

Bedside implantation of a new temporary vena cava inferior filter - Safety and efficacy results of the European ANGEL-Registry.

Purpose: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequently occurring complication in critically ill patients. Simultaneous occurrence of PE and life-threatening bleeding, may render medical anticoagulation impossible. For these patients, inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) present a valuable therapeutic alternative.

Corrigendum: Comparison and Outcome Analysis of Patients with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Emotional Stress or Physical Stress.

[This corrects the article on p. 527 in vol. 8, PMID: 28496419.

The Use of Biomarkers in Sepsis: A Systematic Review.

Background: Despite the extended laboratory and clinical study of sepsis, its diagnosis remains a clinical challenge. The initiation of sepsis activates many different biochemical and immunological pathways being expressed by alterations of various molecules in human tissues. The detection and measurement of the concentration of such molecules, known as biomarkers, may be a diagnostic tool of great significance for clinicians dealing with suspected sepsis.

Comparison and Outcome Analysis of Patients with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered by Emotional Stress or Physical Stress.

Previous studies revealed that takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is triggered by physical and emotional stresses. This study was performed to determine the short- and long-term prognostic impact of emotional- and physical stress associated with TTC. Our institutional database constituted a collective of 84 patients diagnosed with TTC between 2003 and 2015.

Inert ambient annealing effect on MANOS capacitor memory characteristics.

In this work we report on the influence of nitrogen ambient thermal effects on the performance of Pt/Al2O3/Si3N4/SiO2/Si memory capacitors. Two post deposition annealing (PDA) furnace steps were employed, at 850 and 1050 °C both for 15 min. The alumina films were deposited by atomic layer deposition using TMA/H2O at 250 °C.

Repetitive complete molar pregnancy in a 54-year-old patient in a time distance of eighteen years from the first incident: case report and mini review.

We report a case of complete hydatidiform mole in a 54-year-old patient referred to Gynecology department of General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", with history of previous molar pregnancy at the age of thirty-six. Our purpose was to indicate the advanced maternal age beside the long recurrence distance of the disease, which was eighteen years after the first molar pregnancy. Our diagnostic approach was through measurement of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and pelvic ultrasound evaluation, and the chosen therapeutic approach was abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoophorectomy.

Isolated vs. complex exercise in strengthening the rotator cuff muscle group.

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 different training modes in improving shoulder cuff muscular performance. Thirty-nine participants were randomly assigned into 3 groups: the isolated group exercised using 2-kg dumbbells; the complex group used a protocol with complex exercises; and the control group had no training. All participants trained for 6 weeks (3 times per week) and were evaluated isokinetically before (pretest) and after the training period (posttest).