Protein adsorption onto poly(ether urethane ureas) containing Methacrol 2138F: a surface-active amphiphilic additive

Surface characterization and protein adsorption studies were carried out on a series of additive dispersed and additive coated poly(ether urethane ureas), PEUUs, to characterize early events in the blood compatibility of these materials. A hypothesis that is based on surface hydrophilicity, surface flexibility, and adsorption media has been developed to understand the modulated adsorption of plasma proteins by PEUU additives. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and contact angle analysis were performed on two PEUU formulation as well as on PEUU formulations modified with Methacrol 2138F (co[diisopropylaminoethyl methacrylate (DIPAM)/decyl methacrylate (DM)][3/1]) or acrylate or methacrylate polymer or copolymer analogs of Methacrol 2138F. Methacrol 2138F is a commercially used amphiphilic copolymethacrylate. ESCA showed that the PEUUs loaded with Methacrol 2138F or with its hydrophilic component, homopoly (DIPAM) (h-(DIPAM)), had a higher percentage of nitrogen at their surfaces than did the base PEUUs. Contact angle analysis also showed that the air side of PEUU formulations loaded with Methacrol 2138F were more hydrophobic than was the air side of base PEUUs when films were cast from dimethylacetamide. However, during contact angle testing, the air side of PEUU films loaded with Methacrol 2138F rapidly became more hydrophilic than did the air side of the base PEUU films. A radioimmunoassay and whole or diluted human plasma were also used to characterize the presence of the proteins fibrinogen, immunoglobulin G, factor VIII/von Willebrand factor, Hageman factor (factor XII), and albumin, on the surface of the same PEUUs as analyzed by ESCA and contact angle. The protein adsorption assay showed that PEUU films loaded or coated with Methacrol 2138F, with a copolyacrylate analog of Methacrol 2138F (co(diisopropylaminoethyl acrylate [DIPAA]/decyl acrylate [DA]) [3/1]), or with the hydrophilic polyacrylate or polymethacrylate component analogs of Methacrol 2138F (h-DIPAM or h-DIPAA) adsorbed significantly lower amounts of the proteins than did either the base PEUU formulations or the homopoly(decyl methacrylate) (h-DM) or homopoly(decyl acrylate) (h-DA) coated or loaded PEUUs.     

Activation of auditory cortex during silent lipreading

Watching a speaker's lips during face-to-face conversation (lipreading) markedly improves speech perception, particularly in noisy conditions. With functional magnetic resonance imaging it was found that these linguistic visual cues are sufficient to activate auditory cortex in normal hearing individuals in the absence of auditory speech sounds. Two further experiments suggest that these auditory cortical areas are not engaged when an individual is viewing nonlinguistic facial movements but appear to be activated by silent meaningless speechlike movements (pseudospeech). This supports psycholinguistic evidence that seen speech influences the perception of heard speech at a prelexical stage.     

Measuring health-related quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis: validity, responsiveness and reliability of EuroQol (EQ-5D)

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy is dependent upon the optical dose rate or upon the fractionation schedule on the light. These effects are thought to be limited by the time required for oxygen diffusion from the capillaries, since this therapy can consume oxygen faster than it can be supplied to tissues distant from the blood vessels. Oxygen diffusion and consumption by metabolic and photochemical mechanisms have been modeled here to compare theoretical predictions with experimental results of varying light fractionations and delivered dose rates. The mathematics of the problem have been described in the literature, and the present study extends these calculations to allow a more direct and quantitative comparison with fractionation experiments, using both analytical and numerical arguments. The optimum fraction time was found to depend only on the intercapillary spacing and not on the intensity of irradiation or the concentration of photosensitizer. The calculations indicate that experimentally observed optimum fractionation times of 30 and 60 s correspond to a distance from capillary to cell of approximately 1 mm. These results suggest that the fractionated light irradiation experiments need careful interpretation, and some possible reasons for longer optimum fractionation times are discussed.     

Prenatal diagnosis of an extensive fetal lymphangioma using ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and cytology

An unusual case of fetal lymphangioma diagnosed before delivery is reported in a second trimester pregnant woman. The lymphangioma was suspected at 28 weeks on the basis of the ultrasound appearances and progression of the lesions with advancing gestation. MRI was used to evaluate the extent and the tissue characteristics of the lesions. Cytology of the fluid aspirated from the cystic lesions showed abundant lymphocytes and macrophages, confirming the diagnosis of a lymphangioma. The parents opted for a pregnancy termination because of the rapid growth of the lesions and the poor prognosis. It is suggested that the combination of these tests could enable the early diagnosis of these tumours at a stage when the lesion is relatively limited and accessible to therapy in utero.     

One-year prevalence of psychiatric disorder in Ontarians 15 to 64 years of age

OBJECTIVE: To present the one-year prevalence of 14 psychiatric disorders in a community sample of Ontarians aged 15 to 64 years. METHOD: Data on psychiatric disorders were collected on 9953 respondents using the University of Michigan revision of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (UM-CIDI). DSM-III-R criteria were used to define the psychiatric disorders. RESULTS: Almost 1 in 5 Ontarians (18.6%) had one or more of the disorders measured in the survey. Among 15-to 24-year-olds, 1 in 4 was affected. The distribution of individual disorders varied by sex and age. CONCLUSION: Because of the immense burden of suffering associated with psychiatric disorders, clinical and research efforts in this area should receive high priority within the health budget.     

Questionnaire for the identification of back pain for epidemiological purposes

OBJECTIVES: To design a questionnaire for the identification and assessment of severity of back pain for epidemiological purposes, and gain preliminary experience of its use. METHODS: A group of specialists, experienced in the epidemiology and clinical assessment of back pain, designed the questionnaire, and tested it individually. It was also given cross sectionally by interview to a population of male coal mine workers. RESULTS: The questionnaire comprised a maximum of 12 questions on the presence, radiation, frequency, and severity of back pain with reference to difficulty with specific activities, interference with normal work, and absence from work. 471 coal miners answered the questionnaire (66% of those invited). 56% (265 men) of the responders reported pain or ache in the back during the previous 12 months, and the incidence of first ever attacks during the same period was reported to be 34%. 69% reported having had back pain at some time. The responses to the questionnaire were partially validated by comparison with certified sickness absence for two days or more attributed to back pain. In men who were symptomatic in the previous 12 months, for the question relating to absence from work because of back pain, the sensitivity was 82% and specificity was 84%. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire is easy to administer and generates clear cut data that could be useful for epidemiological or screening purposes. Preliminary, limited, studies of its validity are reasonably encouraging, although further validation is required. It is hoped that researchers will find the questionnaire useful, will extend its validation, and continue to develop it.     

品种和加工方式对双低菜粕有效能和氨基酸有效性的影响_注

用精确饲喂技术评价了 3个品种的中国双低油菜和 1个加拿大卡诺拉的脱脂种籽和商品饼粕的能量和氨基酸的有效性。结果表明 ,4个脱脂种籽的氮校正真代谢能和氨基酸真消化率没有差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;而 4个商品饼粕的脱脂样品的氮校正真代谢能和氨基酸真消化率有极显著或显著差异。研究结果证实 ,不适当的加工方式不仅降低了氨基酸的有效性 ,而且影响家禽对能量的利用效率。     

Change in injuries associated with safety belt laws.

Statewide crash data bases from nine states were subjected to time series analyses to detect changes in injuries associated with onset of seat belt laws in the respective states. In each of 18 analyses involving drivers covered by the law observed casualties were below the number forecast on the basis of prior experience and assuming that no law had been enacted. In the case of others, not covered by the law, observed injuries were equally often above or below forecast. Relative to covered drivers not only were the numbers below forecast, but in 12 of the 18 instances there was a statistically significant indication of an abrupt decrease the month the law began.