A biomarker of n−3 compliance in patients taking fish oil for rheumatoid arthritis

Dietary fish oil supplements have been shown to have benefits in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), other inflammatory diseases, and in cardiovascular disease. As with any medical advice, variability will exist with regard to adherence and consequent biochemical or pharmacophysiologic effects. The aim was to explore the utility of plasma phospholipid EPA as a measure of n−3 PUFA intake and response to standardized therapeutic advice given in an outpatient or office practice setting, to increase dietary n−3 PUFA, including a fish oil supplement. Patients with early RA were given verbal and written advice to alter their dietary n−3 PUFA intake, including ingestion of 20 mL of bottled fish oil on juice daily. The advice included instructions to increase n−3 PUFA and to avoid foods rich in n−6 PUFA. Every 3 mon, blood samples were obtained for analysis of plasma phospholipid FA. Plasma phospholipid EPA was used as the primary index of n−3 PUFA intake. A diverse response was seen, with about one-third of patients achieving a substantial elevation of plasma phospholipid EPA over the 12-mon study period. A third had little change, with the remainder achieving intermediate levels. Data obtained longitudinally from individual patients indicated that substantial elevations of EPA (>5% total plasma phospholipid FA) could be maintained for more than 3 yr. Plasma phospholipid EPA is a convenient measure of adherence to advice to take a dietary n−3 PUFA-rich fish oil supplement. This measure may prove a useful adjunct to intention to treat analyses in determining the effect of dietary fish oil supplements on long-term outcomes in arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. It may also provide a guide to the effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive messages designed to increase n−3 PUFA intake.     

Design,Synthesis, and Characterization of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin

The activation of viral glycoproteins by the host protease furin is an essential step in the replication of numerous pathogenic viruses. Thus, effective inhibitors of furin could serve as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. A crystal structure of an inhibitory hexapeptide derivative in complex with furin served as template for the rational design of various types of new cyclic inhibitors. Most of the prepared derivatives are relatively potent furin inhibitors with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar or even sub-nanomolar range. For seven derivatives the crystal structures in complex with furin could be determined. In three complexes, electron density was found for the entire inhibitor. In the other cases the structures could be determined only for the P6/P5-P1 segments, which directly interact with furin. The cyclic derivatives together with two non-cyclic reference compounds were tested as inhibitors of the proteolytic activation and replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells. Significant antiviral activity was found for both linear reference inhibitors, whereas a negligible efficacy was determined for the cyclic derivatives.     

Oxidation of SiCf/SiC‐HfB2 Composites under Laser Heating

Ceramic matrix composites with Sylramic^TM and CG Nicalon^TM SiC fibers and SiC‐HfB₂ matrices derived from a combination of polymer‐derived SiC ceramic and HfB₂ particulate slurries were prepared. The composites were tested for oxidation resistance by laser heating at 2 MW/m² to achieve temperatures near 1600°C. The oxidation resistance was compared between uncoated CG Nicalon^TM and BN‐coated Sylramic^TM fiber‐based composites. Oxidation resulted in precipitated nano‐sized HfO₂ independent of the fibers and fiber coatings.     

A note on fracture criteria for interface fracture

Several criteria for interface fracture are examined and compared to test results obtained from glass/epoxy specimens. These include two energy release rate criteria, a critical hoop stress criterion and a critical shear stress criterion. In addition, approximate plastic zone size and shape within the epoxy are determined for these tests.     

Closed chamber PCR chips for DNA amplification

Small samples of DNA can be replicated (amplified) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to produce sufficient quantities for analysis in the diagnosis of disease and in forensics. Low-cost single-shot PCR devices are desirable to avoid potential contamination of the sample reaction with products of a previous reaction. After explaining the principles of PCR amplification and optical detection of the products this paper describes the fabrication of a micromachined silicon/Pyrex-based chip for the PCR using standard micromachining processes. The reaction chamber has a volume of 1 μl. Pyrex is used for sealing the chamber and its transparency enables the use of optical detection methods. Incorporated heating and sensing elements allow fast heating and control of the chip. A Peltier element is used for cooling the chip to achieve rapid temperature cycling. Some performance data are presented     

The incidence of wife assault in Alberta.

Describes a representative sample of wife assault for Alberta Province, with both rural and urban components. Respondents self-reported the use of conflict tactics by and against them during the year prior to the survey. Wife assault rates were higher in urban settings (12.8%) than in rural settings (8.3%). Overall violence rates (of all self-reported aggressive acts) were virtually identical to those found in a 1985 US survey by M. Straus and R. J. Gelles (unpublished). Of the US sample, 11.3% reported use of violence against wives, compared to 11.2% of the Canadian sample. However, use of severe violence was less in Canada (assuming Alberta to be representative of Canadian rates), with only 77% of the US incidence rate reported. Methodological issues and directions of current data analysis are discussed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential effects of experiential and problem-solving interventions in resolving marital conflict.

Compared the relative effectiveness of 2 interventions in the treatment of marital discord: a cognitive-behavioral intervention that focused on teaching problem-solving skills and an experiential intervention that focused on emotional experiences underlying interaction patterns. 45 couples seeking therapy were randomly assigned to 1 of these treatments or to a wait-list control group. Each treatment was administered in 8 sessions by 6 experienced therapists whose interventions were monitored and rated to ensure treatment fidelity. Assessment measures included the Dyadic Adjustment Scale; Couples Therapy Alliance Scale; and tests of emotional style, target complaints, goal attainment, and intimacy. Results indicate that the perceived strength of the working alliance between couples and therapists and of general therapists effectiveness were equivalent across treatment groups and that both treatment groups made significant gains over untreated controls on measures of goal attainment, marital adjustment, intimacy levels, and target complaint reduction. The effects of the emotionally focused treatment were superior to those of the problem-solving treatment on marital adjustment, intimacy, and target complaint level. At follow-up, marital adjustment scores in the emotionally focused group were still significantly higher than those in the problem-solving group. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Process capability indices—an overview of theory and practice

A range of process capability indices is widely used to measure process performance. The simplicity of the formulae for these capability indices is both a strength and a weakness. The underlying assumptions behind capability indices are frequently overlooked. Capability studies usually result in single point estimates which may result in misleading assessments of process performance. Point estimates ignore sampling error, and safer estimates can be obtained by constructing confidence intervals. The construction of confidence intervals is considered in some detail. Testing or measurement variability give rise to additional uncertainty in process capability assessments. Inaccurate assessments of process performance can result if the basic assumptions and sources of uncertainty are overlooked.     

Flexural properties of sawdust reinforced phenolic composites: Pilot study

The advantageous properties of sawdust and phenolic resins were combined by making sawdust reinforced phenolic composites with different percentages by weight of sawdust. The sawdust was divided into three grades in accordance with its particulate size. Garamite and propylene glycol were added individually and together to enhance the flexural properties of the composites obtained. Without any garamite and propylene glycol, it was discovered that the best flexural properties of the composites were obtained when the percentage by weight of sawdust (<300 μm) is up to 15%. Beyond this, the flexural properties dropped significantly; in addition, the fluidity of the composite was very low and the mixture was not suitable for casting. In general, the flexural modulus of the composites decreases with an increase in sawdust content, i.e., they are more elastic but their maximum flexural strain does not improve. Garamite was therefore added to improve the maximum flexural strains of the composites and this was successful. The addition of propylene glycol makes the composite more plastic. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

半导体制造商致力于解决能源效率问题

随着油价上涨与环境保护需求增长相结合的影响,能源效率已成为所有半导体公司最关心的主要问题。为了在各种不同应用中实现更高效率或更优越的能源管理产品与技术,如马达控制、电源、运算设备、消费类电子、照明设备及汽车,功率半导体成为改善燃料效率与降低排放的关键,也构成了半导体产业的新挑战。