Structure, morphology, adhesion and in vitro biological evaluation of antibacterial multi-layer HA-Ag/SiO/TiN/Ti coatings obtained by RF magnetron sputtering for biomedical applications.

Biocompatible and antibacterial multi-layer coatings of hydroxyapatite (HA)-Ag/SiO/TiN/Ti were obtained on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, by means of the magnetron sputtering technique. During characterization of the coatings, the chemical composition was evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the phase analysis was carried out by X-ray diffraction. The morphology of the coatings was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, while transmission electron microscopy was used to appreciate their structure.

The development and use of a molecular model for soybean maturity groups.

Background: Achieving appropriate maturity in a target environment is essential to maximizing crop yield potential. In soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Cassava Breeding II: Phenotypic Correlations through the Different Stages of Selection.

Breeding cassava relies on a phenotypic recurrent selection that takes advantage of the vegetative propagation of this crop. Successive stages of selection (single row trial-SRT; preliminary yield trial-PYT; advanced yield trial-AYT; and uniform yield trials UYT), gradually reduce the number of genotypes as the plot size, number of replications and locations increase. An important feature of this scheme is that, because of the clonal, reproduction of cassava, the same identical genotypes are evaluated throughout these four successive stages of selection.

Cassava Breeding I: The Value of Breeding Value.

Breeding cassava relies on several selection stages (single row trial-SRT; preliminary; advanced; and uniform yield trials-UYT). This study uses data from 14 years of evaluations. From more than 20,000 genotypes initially evaluated only 114 reached the last stage.

Mechanical Stability of Polystyrene and Janus Particle Monolayers at the Air/Water Interface.

The compressional instability of particle-laden air/water interfaces is investigated with plain and surface-anisotropic (Janus) particles. We hypothesize that the amphiphilic nature of Janus particles leads to both anisotropic particle-particle and particle-interface interactions that can yield particle films with unique collapse mechanisms. Analysis of Langmuir isotherms and microstructural characterization of the homogeneous polystyrene particle films during compression reveal an interfacial buckling instability followed by folding, which is in good agreement with predictions from classical elasticity theory.

Temperature-Induced Collapse, and Arrested Collapse, of Anisotropic Endoskeleton Droplets.

Micron-scale rod-shaped droplets with a range of aspect ratios are produced using extrusion of oil containing a soft wax crystal network to permit shape customization. A physical model of the droplet shape stability is developed based on balancing interfacial stresses with the internal crystal network yield stress. The model predicts the mechanical properties required for particular droplet size stability, in a given physicochemical environment, and is tested by microscopic observations of droplets over a range of relevant applied temperatures.

Interfacial stability and shape change of anisotropic endoskeleton droplets.

The delivery of suspended active ingredients to a surface is a central function of numerous commercial cosmetic, drug, and agricultural formulations. Many products use liquid droplets as a delivery vehicle but, because interfacial tension keeps droplets spherical, these materials cannot exploit the benefits of anisotropic shape and shape change offered by solid colloids. In this work, individual droplet manipulation is used to produce viscoelastic droplets that can stably retain non-spherical shapes by balancing the Laplace pressure of the liquid-liquid interface with the elasticity of an internal crystalline network.

Soybean seed lipoxygenase genes: molecular characterization and development of molecular marker assays.

Soybean seeds contain three lipoxygenase (Lox) enzymes that are controlled by separate genes, Lox1, Lox2 and Lox3. Lipoxygenases play a role in the development of unpleasant flavors in foods containing soybean by oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Null alleles for all three enzymes have been identified, lox1, lox2 and lox3, and are known to be inherited as simple recessive alleles.

Efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in primary, type IIa or IIb hypercholesterolemia: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Background: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a therapeutic bile acid used in dissolution of gallstones and treatment of several cholestatic liver diseases. Results obtained from primary biliary cirrhosis patients treated with UDCA suggested that this agent exerts significant cholesterol-lowering effects and justifies evaluation in primary hypercholesterolemic patients without liver disease. Purpose of this study was to determine whether UDCA had potential to be an effective, safe cholesterol-lowering agent in primary type IIa or IIb hypercholesterolemia.

Epistasis in the expression of relevant traits in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for subhumid conditions.

There is limited knowledge on the inheritance of agronomic traits in cassava and the importance of epistasis for most crops. A nine-parent diallel study was conducted in subhumid environments. Thirty clones were obtained from each F1 cross.

Antianginal efficacy of omapatrilat in patients with chronic angina pectoris.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition is not an effective antianginal therapy. Experimental data suggest that broader vasopeptidase inhibition may decrease the magnitude of demand-induced myocardial ischemia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel study evaluated omapatrilat, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on transient ischemia: the Quinapril Anti-Ischemia and Symptoms of Angina Reduction (QUASAR) trial.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACE-I) (i.e., quinapril) prevents transient ischemia (exertional and spontaneous) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Randomized comparison of T-type versus L-type calcium-channel blockade on exercise duration in stable angina: results of the Posicor Reduction of Ischemia During Exercise (PRIDE) trial.

Background: Mibefradil is a T-type calcium-channel antagonist and arterial vasodilator with negative chronotropic effects. It is not known if T-type calcium-channel blockade is superior to L-type calcium-channel blockade in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial was conducted in patients with documented coronary disease and stable angina to compare a 360 mg dose of diltiazem CD with 100 mg dose of mibefradil.

Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed-dose combination of telmisartan plus hydrochlorothiazide in patients uncontrolled with telmisartan monotherapy.

The antihypertensive effects of a telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg fixed-dose combination and telmisartan 80 mg monotherapy were compared in patients with a history of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension and inadequate BP control (DBP > or = 90 mm Hg) following 8 weeks of telmisartan monotherapy. At the end of this period, 491 patients (62.

A comparison of the efficacies and duration of action of the angiotensin II receptor blockers telmisartan and amlodipine.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the antihypertensive effects and duration of action of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, telmisartan, amlodipine, and placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension using both conventional clinic blood pressures and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). METHODS: After a 4-week single-blind, placebo run-in period, qualifying patients were randomly allocated in double-blind manner to be administered 40 mg telmisartan (n = 73; increased to 80 and 120 mg as necessary for patients whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained > 90 mmHg); 5 mg amlodipine (n = 78; titrated to 5 mg and titrated to 10 mg for patients whose DBP remained > 90 mmHg); or placebo (n = 81). ABPM was performed at the end of the baseline period and again at the end of 12 weeks of double-blind treatment.

Clinical efficacy and safety of once-daily diltiazem in patients with stable angina pectoris switched from twice-daily diltiazem.

The maintenance of angina control was assessed in this multicenter (three sites), randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Patients with stable angina pectoris receiving twice-daily sustained-release (SR) diltiazem were switched to equivalent doses of once-daily controlled-delivery (CD) diltiazem or to diltiazem SR. Patients who were switched from diltiazem SR to diltiazem CD (n = 28) experienced a 5% increase in time to termination (p = 0.

Discrepancies between clinic and ambulatory blood pressure responses to cilazapril therapy.

Objective: To evaluate the antihypertensive effects of cilazapril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) after first and last dose administrations.

Design: Four weeks randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of three regimens.

Setting: Six hypertensive research clinics in Canada.

Comparison of the short-term efficacy and tolerability of lovastatin and pravastatin in the management of primary hypercholesterolemia.

Few data are available on the relative efficacy and tolerability of lovastatin and pravastatin, two 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, currently available in North America for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The recommended starting dose is 20 mg QD with the evening meal for lovastatin. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg or 20 mg once daily at bedtime for pravastatin.

Treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension: comparison between a calcium-channel blocker and a potassium-sparing diuretic.

In a multicenter study, 61 patients, 18-70 years of age, with mild-to-moderate hypertension [diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 95/114] completed a 28-week treatment. After initial placebo washout, patients were randomly allocated either to diltiazem or hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene. At the end of 12 weeks, the patients continued on the same medication if their goal blood pressure achieved (DBP less than 90; or 10 mm Hg below baseline).

Treatment of stable angina pectoris with calcium antagonists alone or combined with beta-blocking agents: a review of the literature.

The calcium antagonists are presently accepted as the treatment of choice for vasospastic angina. They are accepted by some as a good second choice therapy in the treatment of stable angina pectoris, while by others as an excellent first choice in its treatment. When introduced to the North American market, warning was given of the risk of left ventricular failure and/or atrioventricular block from their combination with beta-blockers.