Premature monochorionic monoamniotic twins have lower lung compliance at birth than matched dichorionic diamniotic twins.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants are born with immature lungs that demonstrate abnormal pulmonary function with differences in passive respiratory system compliance and resistance, and functional residual capacity. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated differences in neonatal pulmonary function based on the type of twin gestation, or chorionicity. Given the effect of chorionicity on outcomes, we aimed to study the effect of twin type, monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) vs dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA), on neonatal early pulmonary function tests. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 5 sets of DCDA twins were matched to 5 sets of MCMA twins on gestational age at delivery, latency from antenatal corticosteroid exposure, birthweight, race and gender. Mean values were compared for passive respiratory system compliance and resistance, functional residual capacity, and tidal volume. RESULTS: MCMA infants had a significantly lower compliance (0.64 vs 1.25 mL/cm H2O /kg; p = 0.0001) and significantly higher resistance (0.130 vs 0.087 cm H2O /mL/sec; p = 0.0003) than DCDA infants. Functional residual capacity was lower for MCMA than DCDA infants (17.5 vs 23.4 mL/kg; p = 0.17). Further, 80% of MCMA infants required intubation for surfactant administration compared to 20% of DCDA infants, indicating the clinical significance of these objective measures. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the matched case-control design, causality cannot be established. However, we speculate that these differences in lung function may derive from differential exposure to preterm labor and endogenous maternal corticosteroid exposure. Further study is necessary to establish the true causal relationship.

Erythema multiforme complicated by bacterial folliculitis in a 3-year-old Nubian goat.

Erythema multiforme is a rare hypersensitivity reaction that is reported in several domestic animal species, and not in goats. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological features of erythema multiforme and secondary bacterial skin infection in a goat.

Un érythème polymorphe est une réaction d 'hypersensibilité rare décrite chez plusieurs espèces d'animaux domestiques mais pas chez la chèvre. Cet article décrit les données cliniques et histopathologiques d'un érythème polymorphe et d'une infection bactérienne secondaire chez une chèvre.

El eritema multiforme es una reacción de hipersensibilidad rara que se ha descrito en diversas especies de animales domésticos, pero no en cabras. Este artículo describe las características clínicas e histopatológicas de eritema multiforme e infección cutánea bacteriana secundaria en una cabra.

O eritema multiforme é uma reação de hipersensibilidade rara relatada em várias espécies de animais domésticos, e não em cabras. Este relato de caso descreve as características clínicas e histopatológicas de eritema multiforme e infecção bacteriana secundária da pele em uma cabra.

Light-controlled growth factors release on tetrapodal ZnO-incorporated 3D-printed hydrogels for developing smart wound scaffold.

Advanced wound scaffolds that integrate active substances to treat chronic wounds have gained significant recent attention. While wound scaffolds and advanced functionalities have previously been incorporated into one medical device, the wirelessly triggered release of active substances has remained the focus of many research endeavors. To combine multiple functions including light-triggered activation, anti-septic, angiogenic, and moisturizing properties, we have developed a 3D printed hydrogel patch encapsulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decorated with photoactive and antibacterial tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) microparticles. To achieve the smart release of VEGF, t-ZnO was modified by chemical treatment and activated through UV/visible light exposure. This process would also make the surface rough and improve protein adhesion. The elastic modulus and degradation behavior of the composite hydrogels, which must match the wound healing process, were adjusted by changing t-ZnO concentrations. The t-ZnO-laden composite hydrogels can be printed with any desired micropattern to potentially create a modular elution of various growth factors. The VEGF decorated t-ZnO-laden hydrogel patches showed low cytotoxicity and improved angiogenic properties while maintaining antibacterial functions in vitro. In vivo tests showed promising results for the printed wound patches, with less immunogenicity and enhanced wound healing.

Hair and nail nicotine levels of mothers and their infants as valid biomarkers of exposure to intrauterine tobacco smoke.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use remains the single most modifiable cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is crucial to be able to accurately quantify the burden of tobacco exposure on both the mother and fetus to have better measures of efficacy with interventions being studied. METHODS: This is a descriptive and exploratory study conducted within a randomized controlled trial. Pregnant smoking and non-smoking women were followed from ≤22 weeks' gestation through delivery with monthly maternal smoking questionnaires, urine cotinine levels, and collection of maternal and infant hair and nail samples, at delivery. Nicotine was extracted and measured (ng/mg) using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. RESULTS: Forty-six mother-infant dyads (34 pregnant smokers and 12 pregnant non-smokers) had successful completion of maternal and infant hair and nails samples. The median hair nicotine levels of the smoking mothers and their infants was significantly higher than those of the non-smokers (1.015 vs 0.037 ng/ mg, p<0.05 for the mothers; 0.445 vs 0.080 ng/mg, p<0.01 for the infants). Similarly, the median nail nicotine levels for smoking mothers and their infants were significantly higher than the non-smokers (2.130 vs 0.056 ng/mg, p<0.01 for the mothers; 0.594 vs 0.132 ng/mg, p<0.05 for the infants). We found a moderate but significant correlation between maternal hair and nail nicotine (r=0.64, p<0.001), infant hair and nail nicotine (r=0.64; p<0.001), maternal and infant hair nicotine (r=0.61, p<0.001), and maternal and infant nail nicotine levels (r=0.58, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that both infant hair and nail nicotine levels are valid biomarkers of intrauterine tobacco smoke exposure, and can be used to identify prenatal smoke exposure, correlating well with the level of maternal nicotine exposure.

Pulmonary function in extremely low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia before hospital discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pulmonary function in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) studied at 34-36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) with a reference group of "healthy" infants born at 34-36 weeks. We hypothesized that ELBW infants have decreased functional residual capacity (FRC) and respiratory compliance (Crs). STUDY DESIGN: Pulmonary function testing was performed at 34-36 weeks PMA in infants with BPD and within 96 h of age in infants delivered at 34-36 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty BPD patients and 20 healthy infants were studied. FRC (18.9 versus 26.2 mL/kg; adjusted 95% CI 5.0, 10.9; P < 0.001) and Crs (0.80 versus 1.29-mL/cm H2O/kg; 95% CI 0.31, 0.71; P < 0.001) were decreased in BPD patients. Respiratory resistance was increased in BPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: ELBW infants with BPD have decreased pulmonary function compared to healthy infants delivered at 34-36 weeks. This suggests that infants with BPD have smaller lung volumes.

Vitamin C supplementation for pregnant smoking women and pulmonary function in their newborn infants: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Maternal smoking during pregnancy adversely affects offspring lung development, with lifelong decreases in pulmonary function and increased asthma risk. In a primate model, vitamin C blocked some of the in-utero effects of nicotine on lung development and offspring pulmonary function. OBJECTIVE: To determine if newborns of pregnant smokers randomized to receive daily vitamin C would have improved results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and decreased wheezing compared with those randomized to placebo. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized, double-blind trial conducted in 3 sites in the Pacific Northwest between March 2007 and January 2011. One hundred fifty-nine newborns of randomized pregnant smokers (76 vitamin C treated and 83 placebo treated) and 76 newborns of pregnant nonsmokers were studied with newborn PFTs. Follow-up assessment including wheezing was assessed through age 1 year, and PFTs were performed at age 1 year. INTERVENTIONS: Pregnant women were randomized to receive vitamin C (500 mg/d) (n = 89) or placebo (n = 90). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was measurement of newborn pulmonary function (ratio of the time to peak tidal expiratory flow to expiratory time [TPTEF:TE] and passive respiratory compliance per kilogram [Crs/kg]) within 72 hours of age. Secondary outcomes included incidence of wheezing through age 1 year and PFT results at age 1 year. A subgroup of pregnant smokers and nonsmokers had genotyping performed. RESULTS: Newborns of women randomized to vitamin C (n = 76), compared with those randomized to placebo (n = 83), had improved pulmonary function as measured by TPTEF:TE (0.383 vs 0.345 [adjusted 95% CI for difference, 0.011-0.062]; P = .006) and Crs/kg (1.32 vs 1.20 mL/cm H2O/kg [95% CI, 0.02-0.20]; P = .01). Offspring of women randomized to vitamin C had significantly decreased wheezing through age 1 year (15/70 [21%] vs 31/77 [40%]; relative risk, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.33-0.95]; P = .03). There were no significant differences in the 1-year PFT results between the vitamin C and placebo groups. The effect of maternal smoking on newborn lung function was associated with maternal genotype for the α5 nicotinic receptor (rs16969968) (P < .001 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Supplemental vitamin C taken by pregnant smokers improved newborn PFT results and decreased wheezing through 1 year in the offspring. Vitamin C in pregnant smokers may be an inexpensive and simple approach to decrease the effects of smoking in pregnancy on newborn pulmonary function and respiratory morbidities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00632476.

Applications and Perceptions of Date Labeling of Food.

Open dating of food products has been practiced for decades, and has been key to achieving stock rotation at retail and providing information to consumers. The open date provides a simple communication tool, which may be based on product quality and/or food safety as determined by the manufacturer or retailer. Date marking is generally open but it can be closed (code intended for managing product at retail, and for recall and traceability), and the terminology and applications vary widely around the world. The variation in date labeling terms and uses contributes to substantial misunderstanding by industry and consumers and leads to significant unnecessary food loss and waste, misapplication of limited resources, unnecessary financial burden for the consumer and the food industry, and may also lead to potential food safety risk in regards to perishable foods. A "use by" or similar date cannot be relied on to indicate or guarantee food safety because absolute temperature control of food products throughout the food supply chain cannot be assured. This paper provides an introduction to the issue of food product date labeling and addresses its history in the United States, different terms used and various practices, U.S. and international frameworks, quality compared with safety, adverse impacts of misconceptions about date labeling, and advantages of technological innovations. Collaboration to develop a simple workable solution to address the challenges faced by stakeholders would have tremendous benefit. Conclusions include a call to action to move toward uniformity in date labeling, thereby decreasing confusion among stakeholders and reducing food waste.

Resident lymphocytes in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia of normal dorsolateral thorax of alpacas.

A small population of resident T-lymphocytes is present in the normal epidermis of skin from humans, mice, sheep, and cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of lymphocytes, CD3+ cells (T-lymphocytes) and CD79a+ cells (B-lymphocytes and plasma cells), in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia of alpacas. Skin-biopsy specimens from the normal skin of the dorsolateral thorax of 31 alpacas were examined histologically and immunohistochemically for the presence of CD3+ cells and CD79a+ cells in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia. CD3+ T-lymphocytes, but not CD79a+ cells, were present in the epidermis and adnexal epithelia. Therefore, in the absence of other signs of inflammation, the presence of lymphocytes in these structures in skin-biopsy specimens should be considered normal.

Une petite population de lymphocytes T résidents est présente dans l'épiderme normal de la peau des humains, des souris, des moutons et des bovins. L'objectif de la présente étude était de déterminer la prévalence des lymphocytes, des cellules CD3+ (lymphocytes T) et cellules CD79a+ (lymphocytes B et cellules plasmatiques), dans l'épiderme et l'épithélium annexiel des alpagas. Des spécimens de biopsie cutanée provenant de la peau normale du thorax dorso-latéral de 31 alpagas ont été examinés en histopathologie et par immunohistochimie pour la présence de cellules CD3+ et CD79a+ dans l'épiderme et l'épithélium annexiel. Des lymphocytes T CD3+, mais pas des cellules CD79a+, étaient présentes dans l'épiderme et l'épithélium annexiel. Ainsi, en absence d'autres signes d'inflammation, la présence de lymphocytes dans ces structures dans des spécimens de biopsies cutanées devrait être considérée comme étant normale.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Increased vitamin E intake is associated with higher alpha-tocopherol concentration in the maternal circulation but higher alpha-carboxyethyl hydroxychroman concentration in the fetal circulation.

BACKGROUND: The transfer of vitamin E across the placenta is limited, but no data exist on the concentrations of vitamin E metabolites carboxyethyl hydroxychromans (α- and γ-CEHCs) in the fetal circulation. OBJECTIVE: We measured α- and γ-CEHC concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood pairs and examined their relations to circulating vitamin E (α- and γ-tocopherol) and maternal dietary vitamin E intake. DESIGN: Healthy, pregnant women were enrolled from Oregon Health and Science University's obstetric clinic (<22 wk gestation), and at least one fasting blood sample and a previous day's 24-h diet recall were collected during their pregnancy (n = 19). Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained at the time of delivery and were analyzed for α- and γ-tocopherol, α- and γ-CEHC, and total lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) concentrations of umbilical cord blood α-CEHC (30.2 ± 28.9 nmol/L) and γ-CEHC (104.5 ± 61.3 nmol/L) were not significantly different from maternal concentrations (P = 0.07 and 0.08, respectively), but metabolite:tocopherol ratios were significantly higher in cord blood (P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). Maternal α-tocopherol:total lipids ratios were correlated with cord blood α-CEHCs (r = 0.67, P = 0.004), and higher vitamin E intakes were associated with higher cord blood α-CEHC concentrations (r = 0.75, P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Higher maternal intake of vitamin E during pregnancy may result in increased metabolite concentrations in the fetal circulation, suggesting increased maternal or fetal liver metabolism of vitamin E. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00632476.

Novel strategy for diameter-selective separation and functionalization of single-wall carbon nanotubes.

The problem of separating single-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by diameter and/or chirality is one of the greatest impediments toward the widespread application of these promising materials in nanoelectronics. In this paper, we describe a novel physical-chemical method for diameter-selective CNT separation that is both simple and effective and that allows up-scaling to large volumes at modest cost. Separation is based on size-selective noncovalent matching of an appropriate anchor molecule to the wall of the CNT, enabling suspension of the CNTs in solvents in which they would otherwise not be soluble. We demonstrate size-selective separation in the 1-2 nm diameter range using easily synthesized oligo-acene adducts as a diameter-selective molecular anchor. CNT field effect transistors fabricated from diameter-selected CNTs show markedly improved electrical properties as compared to nonselected CNTs.

Structure and optical properties of several organic-inorganic hybrids containing corner-sharing chains of bismuth iodide octahedra.

Two organic-inorganic bismuth iodides of the form (H3N-R-NH3)BiI5 are reported, each containing long and relatively flexible organic groups, R. The norganic framework in each case consists of distorted BiI6 octahedra sharing cis vertexes to form zigzag chains. Crystals of (H3NC18H24S2NH3)BiI5 were grown from a slowly cooled ethylene glycol/2-butanol solution containing bismuth(III) iodide and AETH.2HI, where AETH = 1,6-bis[5'-(2' '-aminoethyl)-2'-thienyl]hexane. The new compound, (H2AETH)BiI5, adopts an orthorhombic (Aba2) cell with the lattice parameters a = 20.427(3) A, b = 35.078(5) A, c = 8.559(1) A, and Z = 8. The structure consists of corrugated layers of BiI5(2-) chains, with Bi-I bond lengths ranging from 2.942(3) to 3.233(3) A, separated by layers of the organic (H2AETH)(2+) cations. Crystals of the analogous (H3NC12H24NH3)BiI5 compound were also prepared from a concentrated aqueous hydriodic acid solution containing bismuth(III) iodide and the 1,12-dodecanediamine (DDDA) salt, DDDA.2HI. (H2DDDA)BiI5 crystallizes in an orthorhombic (Ibam) cell with a = 17.226(2) A, b = 34.277(4) A, c = 8.654(1) A, and Z = 8. The Bi-I bonds range in length from 2.929(1) to 3.271(1) A. While the inorganic chain structure is nearly identical for the two title compounds, as well as for the previously reported (H3NC6H12NH3)BiI5 [i.e., (H2DAH)BiI5] structure, the packing of the chains is strongly influenced by the choice of organic cation. Optical absorption spectra for thermally ablated thin films of the three organic-inorganic hybrids containing BiI5(2-) chains are reported as a function of temperature (25-290 K). The dominant long-wavelength feature in each case is attributed to an exciton band, which is apparent at room temperature and, despite the similar inorganic chain structure, varies in position from 491 to 541 nm (at 25 K).

Organic-inorganic perovskites containing trivalent metal halide layers: the templating influence of the organic cation layer.

Thin sheetlike crystals of the metal-deficient perovskites (H2AEQT)M2/3I4 [M = Bi or Sb; AEQT = 5,5"'-bis-(aminoethyl)-2,2':5',2'':5'',2'''-quaterthiophene] were formed from slowly cooled ethylene glycol/2-butanol solutions containing the bismuth(III) or antimony(III) iodide and AEQT.2HI salts. Each structure was refined in a monoclinic (C2/m) subcell, with the lattice parameters a = 39.712(13) A, b = 5.976(2) A, c = 6.043(2) A, beta = 92.238(5) degrees, and Z = 2 for M = Bi and a = 39.439(7) A, b = 5.952(1) A, c = 6.031(1) A, beta = 92.245(3) degrees, and Z = 2 for M = Sb. The trivalent metal cations locally adopt a distorted octahedral coordination, with M-I bond lengths ranging from 3.046(1) to 3.218(3) A (3.114 A average) for M = Bi and 3.012(1) to 3.153(2) A (3.073 A average) for M = Sb. The new organic-inorganic hybrids are the first members of a metal-deficient perovskite family consisting of (Mn+)2/nV(n-2)/nX4(2-) sheets, where V represents a vacancy (generally left out of the formula) and the metal cation valence, n, is greater than 2. The organic layers in the AEQT-based organic-inorganic hybrids feature edge-to-face aromatic interactions among the rigid, rodlike quaterthiophene moieties, which may help to stabilize the unusual metal-deficient layered structures.

Conducting Layered Organic-inorganic Halides Containing <110>-Oriented Perovskite Sheets.

Single crystals of the layered organic-inorganic perovskites, [NH(2)C(I=NH(2)](2)(CH(3)NH(3))m SnmI3m+2, were prepared by an aqueous solution growth technique. In contrast to the recently discovered family, (C(4)H(9)NH(3))(2)(CH(3)NH(3))n-1SnnI3n+1, which consists of (100)-terminated perovskite layers, structure determination reveals an unusual structural class with sets of m <110>-oriented CH(3)NH(3)SnI(3) perovskite sheets separated by iodoformamidinium cations. Whereas the m = 2 compound is semiconducting with a band gap of 0.33 +/- 0.05 electron volt, increasing m leads to more metallic character. The ability to control perovskite sheet orientation through the choice of organic cation demonstrates the flexibility provided by organic-inorganic perovskites and adds an important handle for tailoring and understanding lower dimensional transport in layered perovskites.

Superconducting mercury-based cuprate films with a zero-resistance transition temperature of 124 Kelvin.

The synthesis of high-quality films of the recently discovered mercury-based cuprate films with high transition temperatures has been plagued by problems such as the air sensitivity of the cuprate precursor and the volatility of Hg and HgO. These processing difficulties have been circumvented by a technique of atomic-scale mixing of the HgO and cuprate precursors, use of a protective cap layer, and annealing in an appropriate Hg and O(2) environment. With this procedure, a zero-resistance transition temperature as high as 124 kelvin in c axis-oriented epitaxial HgBa(2)CaCu(2)O(6+delta) films has been achieved.

The Origin of the Superstructure in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+dgr as Revealed by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

Real-space images with atomic resolution of the BiO plane of Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+delta) were obtained with a scanning tunneling microscope. Single-crystal samples were cleaved and imaged under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at room temperature. The images clearly show the one-dimensional incommensurate superstructure along the b-axis that is common to this phase. High-resolution images show the position of the Bi atoms, revealing the structural nature of the superlattice. A missing row of Bi atoms occurs either every nine or ten atomic sites in both (110) directions, accounting for the measured incommensurate periodicity of the superstructure. A model is proposed that includes missing rows of atoms, as well as displacements of the atomic positions along both the a- and c-axis directions.