Characterization of the procoagulant phenotype of amniotic fluid across gestation in rhesus macaques and humans.

Background: Amniotic fluid (AF) plays a key role in fetal development, yet the evolving composition of AF and its effects on hemostasis and thrombosis are poorly understood.

Objectives: To characterize the procoagulant properties of AF as a function of gestation in humans and nonhuman primates.

Methods: We analyzed the proteomes, lipidomes, and procoagulant properties of AF obtained by amniocentesis from rhesus macaque and human pregnancies at gestational age-matched time points.

Tear Proteins Altered in Patients with Persistent Eye Pain after Refractive Surgery: Biomarker Candidate Discovery.

Some patients develop persistent eye pain after refractive surgery, but factors that cause or sustain pain are unknown. We tested whether tear proteins of patients with pain 3 months after surgery differ from those of patients without pain. Patients undergoing refractive surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis or photorefractive keratectomy ) were recruited from 2 clinics, and tears were collected 3 months after surgery.

MicroRNA137-loaded lipid nanoparticles regulate synaptic proteins in the prefrontal cortex.

Genome-wide association studies indicate that allele variants in MIR137, the host gene of microRNA137 (miR137), confer an increased risk of schizophrenia (SCZ). Aberrant expression of miR137 and its targets, many of which regulate synaptic functioning, are also associated with an increased risk of SCZ. Thus, miR137 represents an attractive target aimed at correcting the molecular basis for synaptic dysfunction in individuals with high genetic risk for SCZ.

An Exploratory Study of Consumers' Perceptions of Product Types and Factors Affecting Purchase Intentions in the Subscription Economy: 99 Subscription Business Cases.

This study examined changes in consumer perceptions of product types and purchase intentions when a subscription model is introduced for products normally sold on a one-time basis. It then proposed product types likely to affect consumers' purchasing intentions in the subscription economy and product categories best suited for the subscription economy. To this end, an experimental study was conducted with experts and general consumers using 99 subscription business cases.

Developing an Open Innovation Attitude Assessment Framework for Organizations: Focusing on Open Innovation Role Perspective and Locus of Activity.

From an organizational perspective, open innovation (OI) capability assessments are becoming increasingly important. The authors propose that an organization's attitude toward interactive OI activities among OI stakeholders can reveal its degree of capability. This paper aims to focus on an organization's OI attitude measurement scales and develop a framework linked to the role perspectives and loci of OI activities occurring at the organizational level.

Gas/Particle Partitioning Constants of Nicotine, Selected Toxicants, and Flavor Chemicals in Solutions of 50/50 Propylene Glycol/Glycerol As Used in Electronic Cigarettes.

For an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol with known total particulate matter concentration (TPM, μg/m), predictions of the fractions of some compound i in the gas and particle phases ( f and f) at equilibrium can be made based on K (m/μg), the compound-dependent gas/particle partitioning equilibrium constant. f and f affect the modes and locations of deposition in the respiratory tract. K depends inversely on (1) the pure compound liquid vapor pressure ( p), (2) mole fraction activity coefficient (ζ ) in the absorbing liquid, and (3) mean molecular weight of the absorbing liquid (MW).

Flavour chemicals in a sample of non-cigarette tobacco products without explicit flavour names sold in New York City in 2015.

Background: Youth who experiment with tobacco often start with flavoured products. In New York City (NYC), local law restricts sales of all tobacco products with 'characterising flavours' except for 'tobacco, menthol, mint and wintergreen'. Enforcement is based on packaging: explicit use of a flavour name (eg, 'strawberry') or image depicting a flavour (eg, a fruit) is presumptive evidence that a product is flavoured and therefore prohibited.

Benzene formation in electronic cigarettes.

Background/objective: The heating of the fluids used in electronic cigarettes ("e-cigarettes") used to create "vaping" aerosols is capable of causing a wide range of degradation reaction products. We investigated formation of benzene (an important human carcinogen) from e-cigarette fluids containing propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (GL), benzoic acid, the flavor chemical benzaldehyde, and nicotine.

Methods/main Results: Three e-cigarette devices were used: the JUULTM "pod" system (provides no user accessible settings other than flavor cartridge choice), and two refill tank systems that allowed a range of user accessible power settings.