Photoluminescence as Complementary Evidence for Short-Range Order in Ionic Silica Nanoparticle Networks

Recently we published the synthesis of new hybrid materials, Ionic Silica Nanoparticles Networks (ISNN), made of silica nanoparticles covalently connected by organic bridging ligands containing imidazolium units owing to a "click chemistry-like" reaction. Among other techniques small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were carried out to get a better picture of the network extension. It turned out that the short range order in ISNN materials was strongly influenced by the rigidity of the bridging ligand, while the position of the short range order peaks confirmed the successful linking of the bridging ligands. The photoluminescence experiments reported in this communication revealed strongly enhanced emission in the hybrid material in comparison with neat imidazolium salts. Moreover the shift of the emission maximum towards longer wavelengths, obtained when varying the aromatic ring content of the bridging ligand, suggested the existence of strong π-π stacking in the hybrid material. Experiments revealed a stronger luminescence in those samples exhibiting the higher extent of short range order in SAXS

Cross-cultural adaptation and construct validity of the German version of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit for service users (German ASCOT)

Background: There has been considerable interest in using the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit (ASCOT), developed in England, to measure quality-of-life outcomes of long-term care (LTC-QoL) service provision in national and cross-national studies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the original ASCOT service user measure into German and to evaluate its content and construct validity in Austrian home care service users. Methods: The translation and cultural adaptation process followed the ISPOR TCA guidelines. We used qualitative data from six cognitive debriefing interviews with Austrian recipients of home care services to assess linguistic and content validity. In addition, cross-sectional survey data (n = 633) were used to evaluate construct validity by testing hypothesized associations established in a previous study for the original English ASCOT service user instrument. Results: Cognitive debriefing interviews confirmed that the German adaptation of the ASCOT service user instrument was understood as intended, although two domains (‘Control over daily life’ and ‘Dignity’) and selected phrases of the response options were challenging to translate into German. All ASCOT domains were statistically significantly associated with related constructs and sensitive to service user sub-group differences. Conclusions: We found good evidence for a valid cross-cultural adaptation of the German version of ASCOT for service users. The analysis also supports the construct validity of the translated instrument and its use in evaluations of QoL-effects of LTC service provision in German-speaking countries. Further research on the reliability and feasibility in different care settings is encouraged

Exercise capacity assessed with the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STST) is associated with echocardiographic findings in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (1). Non-invasive imaging, particularly echocardiography, plays a central role in the evaluation of HFpEF patients. Numerous prognostic markers for mortality have been identified in patients with HFpEF, including right ventricular tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (ePASP) [(2) (3) (4)]. ePASP is calculated with Doppler measurement of peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV). Despite those markers, precise risk stratification remains challenging. Recently the one-minute sit-to-stand-test (1-min STST), a quick and objective test of functional capacity that can be potentially used for risk stratification, has attracted the interest of researchers. In this test, participants are encouraged to stand up and sit down from a chair as quickly and as many times as possible within one minute. The 1-min STST provides valuable information on the ability to perform daily life activities in HFpEF patients and adds to our options of diagnostic tests in HFpEF. Purpose The aim of this investigation was to prospectively examine whether 1-min STST results correlate with transthoracic echocardiographic parameters in a group of HFpEF patients. Patient and methods 32 HFpEF patients [59% New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III, 63% female, age (mean ± standard deviation) 70 ± 11 years and 66% atrial fibrillation] were prospectively studied. Functional performance was examined with the 1-min STST. Echocardiographic estimations of pulmonary artery pressure and additional parameters (TRV and systolic function measured by echocardiography) as well as clinical characteristics were obtained. Results Mean 1-min STST repetitions were 16.41 ± 6.7. Twelve (38%) of the 32 HFpEF patients had moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and 29 (91%) had moderate or more tricuspid regurgitation. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52.57 ± 1.74 % and mean ePASP was 65.81 ± 23.17 mmHg. 10 (32%) patients were in NYHA class I or II, 22 (69%) in NYHA class III or IV. There was a significant inverse association between higher NYHA class and the 1-min STST (t = 2.6, p = 0.012). The following additional parameters correlated significantly with the 1-min STST: ePASP (r = -0.545, p = 0.001), TRV (r = -0.598, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and the ratio of TAPSE/ePASP (r = 0.767, p = 0.001) (see table 1). Interestingly, the decline in oxygen saturation during the 1-min STST showed significant correlation with ePASP (r = -0.559, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and TRV (r = 0.540, p = 0.002). Conclusion Our investigation shows a direct linear correlation between ePASP, TRV and TAPSE/ePASP measured by echocardiography and measurements of functional capacity derived by the 1-min STST. Thus, the current results emphasize the role of the 1-min STST as an additional diagnostic tool in patients with HFpEF. Abstract Figure. </jats:sec

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) / Long-term endurance training increases serum cathepsin S levels in healthy female subjects

Background Circulating cathepsin S (CS) has been associated with a lower risk for breast cancer in a large Swedish cohort. Long-term physical activity has been shown to have beneficial effects on the development of various cancer subtypes, in particular breast and colorectal cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term endurance sport on CS levels in females. Material and methods Thirty-six of 40 subjects completed the study. Subjects were told to increase their activity pensum for 8 months reaching 150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week intense exercise. Ergometries were performed at the beginning and the end of the study to prove/quantify the performance gain. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and every 2 months. Serum CS levels were measured by ELISA. To analyse the change and the progression of CS, Wilcoxon rank sum and Friedman tests were used. Results The sportive group (performance gain by > 4.9%) showed a significant increase of CS levels from 3.32/2.73/4.09 to 4.00/3.09/5.04 ng/ml (p = 0.008) corresponding to an increase of 20.5%. Conclusions We could show a significant increase of circulating CS levels in healthy female subjects induced by long-term physical activity. CS, occurring in the tumour microenvironment, is well-known to promote tumour growth, e.g. by ameliorating angiogenesis. However, the role of circulating CS in cancer growth is not clear. As physical activity is known as preventive intervention, in particular concerning breast and colorectal cancers, and long-term physical activity leads to an increase of CS levels in female subjects, circulating CS might even be involved in this protective effect. Trial registration Clinical trial registration: NCT02097199(VLID)366407

Decline of semen quality during IVF is not associated with subjective male stress

The aim of the present study was to assess if semen quality declines during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and whether or not this phenomenon is triggered by chronic male stress. In order to test this hypothesis, we first investigated a retrospective cohort of 155 male IVF patients (testing cohort). Subsequently, we started a prospective cohort study in men undergoing their first IVF and assessed semen quality and subjective male chronic stress using a validated tool, i.e. the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI) questionnaire. The association between stress and sperm quality decline measured 4-6 weeks before the start of IVF (T1) and at the day of oocyte retrieval (T2) was the primary outcome. Live birth rate, first trimester abortion and rate of poor responders were secondary outcomes. In the testing cohort, mean progressive motility, but not mean sperm density significantly declined. There were 78/154 (51%) men who showed a decline in semen density and 50/154 (32%) men who showed a decline in progressive motility. In the validation cohort, progressive motility declined, whereas, sperm density increased from T1 to T2. Of 78 men, 27 men had increased stress (FPI-score > 146). Sperm density and progressive motility were not significantly different in men with and without stress. However, in the presence of male stress, couples had a higher rate of poor responders, miscarriages and a lower rate of live births. Subjective stress is not associated with a decline in semen quality observed during IVF but may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome