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.     

Aortic perforation during lumbar laminectomy

A method to determine the optimal replacement time for dye affinity adsorbents used in protein purification processes that are subjected to severe regeneration conditions has been developed. To demonstrate the utility of the method, an experimental fixed-bed decay model was employed to determine the optimum number of cycles for the adsorbent replacement. This number is a function of the column regeneration frequency and of the capital and operation costs. The implications of the results on the design and operation of dye-ligand chromatographic processes are discussed.     

Two-sample tests of the equality of two cumulative incidence functions

Typically, differences in the effect of treatment on competing risks are compared by a weighted log-rank test. This test compares the cause-specific hazard rates between the groups. Often the test does not agree with impressions gained from plots of the cumulative incidence functions. Here, we discuss two-sample tests of the equality of two cumulative incidence functions. The first test, based on a suggestion of Lin [1997. Non-parametric inference for cumulative incidence functions in competing risks studies. Statist. Med. 16, 901-910], compares the maximum difference between the two cumulative incidence functions. A Monte Carlo method is used to find p-values for the test. The second test, based on a suggestion of Pepe [1991. Inference for events with dependent risks in multiple endpoint studies. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 86, 770-778], compares the integrated difference between the functions. A new variance estimator is proposed for this statistic. A small simulation study is used to compare the various tests. The methods are illustrated on a bone marrow transplant study.     

Enantiomeric separation using an l-RNA aptamer as chiral additive in partial-filling capillary electrophoresis

In this paper, we report the chiral resolution of arginine using an anti-arginine l-RNA aptamer chiral selector in partial-filling CE. The effects of the capillary temperature, sample load, and aptamer plug length on the enantiomeric separation were assessed. Very high chiral resolving capability was observed at low or moderate capillary temperatures (the target peak being not detected in the separation window), whereas the practical chiral resolution was achieved only at high enough temperatures (50-60 degrees C). Over this high-temperature range, the electrophoretic behavior of the target enantiomer appeared to result from a combination of binding site heterogeneity, slow desorption kinetics, and concentration overload of aptamer binding sites. From additional thermal UV melting experiments, three RNA conformations were identified for the 50-60 degrees C temperatures. It was suggested that the presence of these different RNA conformations was a plausible source of the binding site heterogeneity.     

On-Demand Local Modification of High-Tc Superconductivity in Few Unit-Cell Thick Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ

High-temperature superconductors (HTSs) are important for potential applications and for understanding the origin of strong correlations. Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O_8+δ (BSCCO), a van der Waals material, offers a platform to probe the physics down to a unit-cell. Guiding the flow of electrons by patterning 2DEGS and oxide heterostructures has brought new functionality and access to new science. Similarly, modifying superconductivity in HTS locally, on a small length scale, is of immense interest for superconducting electronics. A route to modify superconductivity locally by depositing metal on the surface is reported here by transport studies on few unit-cell thick BSCCO. Deposition of chromium (Cr) on the surface over a selected area of BSCCO results in insulating behavior of the underlying region. Cr locally depletes oxygen in CuO₂ planes and disrupts the superconductivity in the layers below. This technique of modifying superconductivity is suitable for making sub-micrometer superconducting wires and more complex superconducting devices.     

Soluble filler as a dissolution profile modulator for slightly soluble drugs in matrix tablets

The purpose of this experimental work was the development of hydrophilic–lipophilic matrix tablets for controlled release of slightly soluble drug represented here by diclofenac sodium (DS). Drug dissolution profile optimization provided by soluble filler was studied. Matrix tablets were based on cetyl alcohol as the lipophilic carrier, povidone as the gel-forming agent, and common soluble filler, that is lactose or sucrose of different particle size. Physical properties of tablets prepared by melt granulation and drug release in a phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 were evaluated. In vitro studies showed that used filler type, filler to povidone ratio and sucrose particle size influenced the drug release rate. DS dissolution profile could be changed within a wide range from about 50% per 24 hours to almost 100% in 10 hours. The release constant values confirmed that DS was released from matrices by the diffusion and anomalous transport. The influence of sucrose particle size on the drug release rate was observed. As the particle size decreased, the drug release increased significantly and its dissolution profile became more uniform. Soluble fillers participated in the pore-forming process according to their solubility and particle size. Formulations containing 100 mg of the drug, 80 mg of cetyl alcohol, 40 mg of povidone, and 80 mg of either lactose or sucrose (particle size 250–125 μm) were considered optimal for 24-hour lasting dissolution of DS.     

Occupational allergy to latex--life threatening reactions in health care workers. Report of three cases

During the analysis of risk factors in relation to primary liver cancer, we noticed an association between the confirmed (as opposed to probable) pathologic diagnosis of liver cancer and a positive history of hepatitis. This report pursues the observation using data from the Selected Cancers Study. Study subjects included 168 men who lived in areas covered by eight cancer registries in the U.S., and were pathologically diagnosed with confirmed or probable primary liver cancer during 1984-1988. The results showed that men with confirmed primary liver cancer were six times more likely to have a hepatitis diagnosed within 3 years before liver cancer detection, compared with those with probable primary liver cancer. Further analyses showed that men with a confirmed primary liver cancer or with a recent hepatitis more likely had a tissue specimen obtained from a surgery, and less likely had one from an aspiration. Upon adjustment for type of specimen, the association between pathological confirmation of primary liver cancer and recent hepatitis persisted. The results raised questions whether recent hepatitis and its pathologic changes influence choice of tissue-collecting procedure and ultimate pathological diagnosis of primary liver cancer. Other factors that might be related to the findings also need to be examined in future studies.     

Modulating the growth of cysteine-capped cadmium sulfide quantum dots with enzymatically produced hydrogen peroxide

Cysteine (CSH) readily stabilizes cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) that grow in aqueous buffered solutions.The oxidation of CSH by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at room temperature yields cystine (CSSC),which is less efficient in stabilizing CdS QDs compared to CSH.Herein,we demonstrate that such oxidation causes a decrease in the formation rate of CSH-capped CdS QDs from Cd2+ and S2-ions.For the first time,we combined the oxidation of CSH with the glucose oxidase (GOx)-assisted biocatalytic oxidation of D-glucose,which leads to a buildup of H2O2 in the reaction mixture.The enzymatically modulated in situ growth of CdS QDs was monitored using two techniques:fluorescence spectroscopy and photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis.This system enables quantification of GOx and glucose in human serum.     

Influence of lighting conditions on the appearance of typical interior materials

Two studies investigated how lighting influences perception of various materials. Experiment 1 focused on preferences of cold or warm light. Participants' task was to indicate preference for either coolish or warmish light for 20 different materials. The selection included materials typically used for wall or floor of interior spaces. Different hues and surface characteristics were present. Specifically two materials of blue color (cold hue) were preferred in a cold light while red carpet (warm hue) and synthetic turf materials were preferred in warm light. This latter choice was explained by automatic reference of synthetic turf to the appearance of natural grass. There were no clear light source preferences for other materials. Experiment 2 explored how the same 20 materials are evaluated under LED lighting in comparison to three other lighting situations (halogen lamp, high‐intensity discharge lamp, and compact fluorescent lamp). The results of this explorative study were not conclusive. The materials chosen for this experiment differed greatly in their structure and optical properties. In conclusion, light influence on the evaluation of materials needs systematic investigation in future research. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 50–61, 2015