Vertical Interconnection Technology for RF MicroSystem Packaging.

In this work, 1.5-level interconnections of RF microsystems with good RF performance, integration process compatibility, and high reliability are developed to meet the future demand for wireless communication microsystems in the millimeter wave band. Numerical models of 1.

Utilization of neurosurgical perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in a Chinese teaching hospital.

Background Audits of antimicrobial prophylaxis is an essential strategy to identify practice gaps in antimicrobial prescribing in healthcare facilities. There is a lack of studies on the costs, quality, and antimicrobial use density of neurosurgical perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in China. Objectives Evaluate the appropriateness of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in neurosurgeries and analyze the costs, quality, and antimicrobial use density of neurosurgical perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Microstructure Characterization and Interfacial Reactions between Au-Sn Solder and Different Back Metallization Systems of GaAs MMICs.

GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) with different back metallization systems (TiW/Au and Au/Ti/Au) exhibit different problems in the automatic Au-Sn eutectic bonding process, such as edge breakage or excessive voids. In this study, the formation mechanism of the edge breakage and excessive voids were investigated to prevent the damage of the MMICs in mass production scenarios. The microstructure and elemental distribution were studied using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy.

Incorporation of Gene-Environment Interaction Terms Improved the Predictive Accuracy of Tacrolimus Stable Dose Algorithms in Chinese Adult Renal Transplant Recipients.

The narrow therapeutic window of tacrolimus necessitates daily monitoring and predictive algorithms based on genetic and nongenetic factors. In this study, we constructed predictive algorithms for tacrolimus stable dose in a retrospective cohort of 1045 Chinese renal transplant recipients. All patients were genotyped for CYP3A4 20230T>C (rs2242480), CYP3A4 T>C (rs4646437), CYP3A5*3 6898A>G (rs776746), ABCB1 129T>C (rs3213619); ABCB1 c.

Cadmium induces inflammatory cytokines through activating Akt signaling in mouse placenta and human trophoblast cells.

Introduction: Several reports demonstrated that cadmium (Cd) had proinflammatory activities. The present study aimed to investigate whether Cd induces inflammatory cytokines in mouse placenta and human trophoblast cells.

Methods: Human JEG-3 cells were treated with different concentration of CdCl (0-50 μM) or CdCl (25 μM) for different times.

Corrigendum: Application of Machine-Learning Models to Predict Tacrolimus Stable Dose in Renal Transplant Recipients.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep42192.

IL-3 and CTLA4 gene polymorphisms may influence the tacrolimus dose requirement in Chinese kidney transplant recipients.

The highly variable pharmacokinetics and narrow therapeutic window of tacrolimus (TAC) has hampered its clinical use. Genetic polymorphisms may contribute to the variable response, but the evidence is not compelling, and the explanation is unclear. In this study we attempted to find previously unknown genetic factors that may influence the TAC dose requirements.

Association of maternal serum cadmium level during pregnancy with risk of preterm birth in a Chinese population.

Cadmium (Cd) was a developmental toxicant that induces fetal malformation and growth restriction in mice. However, epidemiological studies about the association of maternal serum Cd level with risk of preterm birth were limited. This study was to investigate whether maternal serum Cd level during pregnancy is associated with risk of preterm birth in a Chinese population.

Maternal serum cadmium level during pregnancy and its association with small for gestational age infants: a population-based birth cohort study.

The association between maternal cadmium (Cd) exposure during pregnancy and the increased risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains controversial. The present study evaluated the association between maternal serum Cd level and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infants in a Chinese population. The present study analyzed a subsample of the C-ABCS cohort that recruited 3254 eligible mother-and-singleton-offspring pairs.

Maternal Serum Zinc Concentration during Pregnancy Is Inversely Associated with Risk of Preterm Birth in a Chinese Population.

Background: Evidence exists that maternal zinc status during pregnancy is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes including abortion, fetal growth restriction, and neural tube defects. However, it remains unclear whether maternal serum zinc concentration (SZC) during pregnancy is associated with risk of preterm birth.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the association between maternal SZC during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth.

Maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy elevates the risks of fetal growth restriction: a population-based birth cohort study.

We investigated the association between maternal zinc level during pregnancy and the risks of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) infants in a large population-based birth cohort study. In this study, 3187 pregnant women were recruited. For serum zinc level, 2940 pregnant women were sufficient (≥56 μg/dL) and 247 deficient (<56 μg/dL).

Supplementation with vitamin D3 during pregnancy protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced neural tube defects through improving placental folate transportation.

Several reports demonstrated that maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure at middle gestational stage caused neural tube defects (NTDs). This study investigated the effects of supplementation with vitamin D3 (VitD3) during pregnancy on LPS-induced NTDs. Pregnant mice except controls were ip injected with LPS (25 μg/kg) daily from gestational day (GD)8 to GD12.

Maternal LPS exposure during pregnancy impairs testicular development, steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in male offspring.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with adverse developmental outcomes including embryonic resorption, fetal death, congenital teratogenesis and fetal growth retardation. Here, we explored the effects of maternal LPS exposure during pregnancy on testicular development, steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in male offspring. The pregnant mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (50 µg/kg) daily from gestational day (GD) 13 to GD 17.

Cadmium selectively induces MIP-2 and COX-2 through PTEN-mediated Akt activation in RAW264.7 cells.

Increasing evidence demonstrates that cadmium (Cd) induces inflammation, but its mechanisms remain obscure. The present study showed that treatment with CdCl₂ selectively upregulates macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in RAW264.7 cells.

The impact of clinical pharmacy services in China on the quality use of medicines: a systematic review in context of China's current healthcare reform.

Introduction: Recently, China initiated an ambitious healthcare reform aiming to provide affordable and equitable basic health care to all by 2020. To meet these goals, new policies issued by China's Ministry of Health mandate clinical pharmacy services be integrated into China's hospitals. This review aims to highlight the impact of clinical pharmacy services on the quality use of medicines in hospitals in China.

Effects of CYP2C19 loss-of-function variants on the eradication of H. pylori infection in patients treated with proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy regimens: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: There are inconsistent conclusions about whether CYP2C19 variants could affect H. pylori eradication rate in patients treated with the proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based therapy. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to re-evaluate the impact of CYP2C19 variants on PPI-based triple therapy for the above indication.

[Pharmacokinetics of meropenem administered with prolonged infusion time in patients receiving continuous veno-venous hemofiltration].

Objective: To demonstrate the pharmacokinetic profile of meropenem when administered by 3-hour infusion in patients undergoing continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH).

Methods: The study was conducted in 10 patients, who were treated with CVVH. Each subject received meropenem in 3-hour infusion of 500 mg every 6 hours.

Cabergoline for preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication resulting from administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatment. Most case are mild, but forms of moderate or severe OHSS appear in 3% to 8% of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles. Recently, the dopamine agonist cabergoline has been introduced as a secondary prevention intervention for OHSS in women at high risk of OHSS who are undergoing ART treatment.

Lower tacrolimus daily dose requirements and acute rejection rates in the CYP3A5 nonexpressers than expressers.

Background: CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms contribute to marked interindividual differences in the metabolism of and response to tacrolimus in humans.

Objective: This study was aimed to clarify the impact of the CYP3A5*3 variant on tacrolimus dose requirements and acute rejection rates in patients with organ transplantation.

Methods: A literature search was performed up to August 2009 by using the Cochrane library, PubMed, Medline, and EMBase.

Influence of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) Ser680Asn polymorphism on ovarian function and in-vitro fertilization outcome: a meta-analysis.

Background: A common follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (or FSHR) polymorphism Ser680Asn (rs6166) was found to be associated with altered ovarian response in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization. To further investigate such an association, a meta-analysis was conducted.

Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify all cohort studies investigating such a relationship.

Effects of the CYP3A5*3 variant on cyclosporine exposure and acute rejection rate in renal transplant patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Whether the loss-of-function allele CYP3A5*3 variant is associated with significantly impaired metabolism of cyclosporine A (CsA) in transplant patients is still controversial because of the lack of prospective, large-scale clinical studies performed among diversely ethnic populations.

Objectives: This meta-analysis was designed to determine whether the CYP3A5*3 variant could affect CsA blood concentrations and the rate of acute rejection in renal transplant recipients.

Methods And Results: All relevant publications were retrieved online from 1966 to March 2010, in which 14 studies were chosen, and 1821 renal transplant patients were enrolled.